《Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension》


 Chapter 1 World 3

    Liang Kingdom, Ganzhou.The New Year had just passed, and a major event happened in the Martial World of Ganzhou.


    Inside Nanyang City, Ganzhou, Grandmaster Zhao suddenly announced his retirement, handing over the entire family to his eldest grandson, Zhao Mingcheng.


    As this news spread like wildfire, a rumor also began to circulate in secret. It was said that although Grandmaster Zhao was an Innate Grandmaster, he was born a tenant farmer and, in his eager pursuit of progress, had been overly hasty, damaging his foundations to the point where his lifespan was no more than eighty years, and now his time had come.


    Therefore, Grandmaster Zhao''s so-called retirement was actually because he had already passed away.


    The Zhao family naturally denied and debunked this rumor with all their might, but no matter how much the outsiders discussed, Grandmaster Zhao never showed his face.


    From this, it was evident that the rumor was not necessarily false, and the Zhao family''s repeated denials were clearly quite laughable.


    ...


    Name: Zhao Sheng


    Life Span: 79/79


    Constitution: Strong Bones (Mediocre)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Refined), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Divine Transformation), Emerald Tide Technique (Great Success), Cloud Dragon Three Changes (Refined)


    "Second life has ended, calculating results...


    "Calculation complete, final rating: C+."


    "Rating Reward: Choose one to inherit from Constitution, Skill, or Talent. Please make your selection?"


    Hmm, choose to inherit the Talent "Dynamic Vision."


    Talent has been inherited.


    "Congratulations on achieving two life accomplishments: one, Innate Grandmaster; two, Blessed with Many Sons (10/10)"


    "Achievement Reward: You have earned two random rewards. You may draw from Constitution, Skill, or Talent, or opt to upgrade Talent level. Please choose?"


    Choose Constitution, and draw twice in succession.


    "Drawing... Congratulations on winning the Mortal Level Constitution ''Longevity Body''. Congratulations on winning the Mortal Level Constitution ''Light as a Feather''."


    ...


    Inside Zhao Mansion''s inner residence,


    In a bedroom, Zhao Sheng suddenly sat up from his bed, various pieces of information flashing through his mind, leaving his expression melancholic as he slowly exhaled.


    Compared to his first life, the final evaluation of his second life had improved. Not only was it two levels higher than the "C Lower" of his first life, but he had also achieved two lifetime accomplishments.


    Unfortunately, he still hadn''t drawn a Spirit Root Physique.


    "Considering everything, this is already my third life in this world..." Zhao Sheng mused, surveying his surroundings and noticing the tasteful decoration and exquisite furniture.


    It seemed the family''s circumstances were not bad, at least not a decline like in the second life.


    Over two hundred years ago, Zhao Sheng first came to this world, reincarnating into an ordinary household. As an adult, he quickly established a fortune using the knowledge and experiences from his previous life, becoming the wealthiest man in a city within just over a decade.


    In the latter half of his life, he enjoyed the riches of the world, with not just a multitude of wives and concubines but also a house full of children and grandchildren.


    At the age of eighty, he fell ill with an incurable disease. On his deathbed, he learned from a divine doctor of the existence of Cultivators and was filled with immense regret.


    Unfortunately, it was too late by then. Barely hanging on for one more day, Zhao Sheng passed away.


    To his surprise, after death, he joyfully discovered that he possessed the treasured "Hundred Lifetimes Book," which allowed him to continually be reborn within his own bloodline descendants. As long as the bloodline didn''t cease, his soul would not perish.


    Overjoyed, Zhao Sheng rushed into his second life after drawing the Talent "Dynamic Vision."


    Upon awakening in his second life, he found himself to be the son of a tenant farmer.


    After careful inquiry, he learned that nearly a hundred years had passed since his death in the first life.


    Five years after his death, the Zhao family was suddenly annihilated by a group of bandits. Luckily, one of his sons was studying abroad at the time and thus survived the calamity.


    Since the family''s downfall, the Zhao family had been declining with each generation, and by the time it reached his father''s, they had fallen into tenancy.


    However, Zhao Sheng didn''t worry at all, for in this life he intended not only to revitalize the family fortune but also to practice martial arts and pursue the path of cultivation for longevity. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ten years later, he had once again established a vast family business, and his martial skills had greatly advanced with the aid of the talent "Dynamic Vision," allowing him to grow smoothly into a second-rate expert.


    Yet, in those ten years, he had not found out any information about the whereabouts of any cultivators.


    After deep contemplation, he resolutely left behind his wife, children, and family fortune to start wandering the martial world.


    That wandering lasted for twenty years.


    At fifty-five, Zhao Sheng, with the help of elixir pills and external forces, barely advanced to the Innate Realm, becoming Ganzhou''s supreme grandmaster.


    Once his level improved, he naturally began to intersect with cultivators.


    Half a year later, Zhao Sheng learned from a cultivator that only those with a Spirit Root can cultivate.


    But Zhao Sheng did not possess a Spirit Root, and unfortunately, in the secular world, less than one in ten thousand had one.


    Luckily, he obtained a critical piece of information that the offspring of cultivators had a higher probability of possessing a Spirit Root.


    Six months later, Zhao Sheng returned to Nanyang City and began seeking marriage alliances for his descendants, naturally aiming for the children of Cultivation Families.


    However, this goal was extremely difficult.


    The Cultivation World was closed and conservative, and exceptionally xenophobic. To increase the chances of having offspring with Spirit Roots, cultivators would often only marry other cultivators, and Cultivation Families would only intermarry with other Cultivation Families.


    For a mortal family to marry into a Cultivation Family was sheer folly.


    Zhao Sheng exhausted his mind and fortune, not only offering up most of his family wealth, but also willingly signed a twenty-year servitude contract. Only then did the Cultivation Family, the Chen Family, relent and agree to send a distant, collateral female relative to marry his eldest grandson, Zhao Mingcheng.


    "It is hard to cultivate for immortality, harder than ascending to the heavens¡­ In my past life, with much effort and difficulty, I barely saw a glimmer of the dawn of cultivation. In this life... can I fulfill my wish?"


    Recalling the hardships of his past life, Zhao Sheng sighed lightly, thankful that he still had the treasured "Book of Hundred Lifetimes"¡ªif one lifetime wasn''t enough, then he would simply start another!


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng''s consciousness sank into the depths of his mind where a jade-colored book was shining brightly.


    On the book''s cover, the words "Hundred Lifetimes" were written. The book slowly opened, the remaining ninety-seven pages were still blank; only the first three pages were filled with text.


    He was very familiar with the records on the first two pages, and his gaze fell on the third page.


    Name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 15/120


    Constitution: Longevity Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (skilled), Cloud Dragon Three Changes (beginner), Emerald Tide Technique (beginner)


    ...


    "The ''Zhi'' generation?" Zhao Sheng murmured to himself, his thoughts gradually spreading out.


    In his previous life, he had established generations for the Zhao family: Feng Xian Ming Ren, Quanzhen Du Taihe, The Classic of Sincerity and Jade Declaration, Zhongzheng Chang Jinke, Essence of the Mystic Path, Gao Hongding Daluo, Moral Performance, and Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity.


    The "Zhi" generation was already the eleventh generation.


    Flipping through the memories of this body, Zhao Sheng discovered that another one hundred and sixty years had passed.


    This time, not only had the Zhao family not fallen from grace, but it had also grown into a large family with more than a thousand members. The family''s businesses spread across Ganzhou, and they were famously known in Ganzhou as a martial arts family that had a foot in both the lawful and unlawful, black and white worlds.


    In this lifetime, Zhao Sheng''s status was not low. Although both his parents were deceased, he was still considered a direct-line descendant of the third branch of the Zhao family.

 Chapter 2 Only Wanting to Have Children in This Life

    Thump, thump, thump!The room''s door was suddenly knocked on.


    Immediately afterwards, a childish, sharp voice came from outside, "Young Master, the Qi Nourishing Soup is ready. Shall I bring it in for you?"


    This voice was extremely familiar and distinctive.


    A frail figure quickly appeared in Zhao Sheng''s mind.


    Zhao Xiaobao


    His personal attendant. He had been serving him since he was eight.


    "Come in!" Zhao Sheng replied calmly, as he remembered.


    Then, he flipped out of bed, his feet landing silently on the floor, not even a speck of dust was stirred, his body felt unbelievably light.


    Zhao Sheng was surprised; he had not expected the effect of "Light as a Feather" to be so pronounced.


    The door was pushed open, and Zhao Xiaobao entered, holding a blue and white porcelain bowl with both hands.


    After carefully placing the porcelain bowl on the table in the room, Zhao Xiaobao quickly stepped in front of Zhao Sheng and asked respectfully, "Young Master, the medicine is ready. Do you have any other orders?"


    "Um, nothing else, you can leave now," he said.


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng did not go to drink the medicine but instead walked over to the vanity mirror. The reflection showed a young man six feet tall, with rosy lips, white teeth, a high nose, and phoenix eyes, emanating a valiant bearing.


    He was extremely handsome! This was good.


    It should be enough to captivate a young lady from a Cultivation Family.


    That''s right!


    Zhao Sheng''s goal in this life was to marry one or even several women from Cultivation Families.


    He vowed to have as many children as possible. He did not believe he could not eventually have descendants with a Spirit Root.


    By then, he had completely assimilated Zhao Zhiqin''s memories. Up until today, no descendant with a Spirit Root had been born to the Zhao family.


    The descendants were incompetent, and now only the ancestor had to personally take action.


    Zhao Xiaobao did not leave.


    He hesitated for a moment, then suddenly spoke through clenched teeth, "Young Master, I just heard some bad news. I heard that Madam is going to cut down your food, clothing, and martial arts expenses. The Qi Nourishing Soup that was given every three days will now be given every seven days."


    Zhao Sheng raised his eyebrows at these words.


    The ''Madam'' mentioned by Xiaobao referred to the main wife of Family Head Zhao. She not only controlled the daily expenses of Zhao Family''s Castle but also participated in the management of the family''s enterprises, including overseeing the finances.


    Zhao Sheng turned around and sat down at the table, then asked, "Did the lady have any reason for this?"


    Zhao Xiaobao spoke in a low voice, "It''s said that the family business recently lost a large amount of silver. Using the tight turnover of silver as an excuse, she voluntarily reduced the expenses for all branches. Our third branch was cut by twenty percent."


    "Hmm, since there''s a shortage of silver in the house, cutting expenses temporarily isn''t a bad thing," he said.


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng picked up the porcelain bowl and gulped down the medicine soup in one go.


    The bitter yet sweetly pungent familiar taste once again spread in his mouth, just like a hundred years ago.


    "Young Master, you don''t know. The young masters and misses of the first and second branches still get their Qi Nourishing Soup every three days, it hasn''t changed to seven days," Zhao Xiaobao couldn''t help but grumble.


    Hmm?!


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately frowned.


    Ever since ancient times, the wealthy engaged in literary pursuits while the poor focused on martial training. Martial arts training consumes a tremendous amount, requiring not only a large amount of meat but also herbal soups to nourish the body.


    Just the cost of a serving of Qi Nourishing Soup is five taels of silver, and there are already more than twenty direct lineage disciples in the Zhao family practicing martial arts. Just this one expense would cost the Zhao family at least thirty thousand taels of silver a year.


    Given the Zhao family''s large-size enterprise, they were only just managing to cope with these massive expenses.


    Therefore, while he could tolerate the reduction in budget, unfair treatment was something he could not tolerate.


    Zhao Sheng''s mind raced, and he soon had an idea.


    "Xiao Jiu, go out and inquire about the recent circumstances of the young masters and misses from the other two branches. After you find out, come back and tell me."


    Zhao Xiaobao nodded in agreement, then quickly left the room.


    After everyone had left the room, Zhao Sheng stood up and walked over to the bed. He reached out and took down the Hundred Refinement Sword hanging above the bed''s headboard.


    Whoosh!


    The sword slid out of its scabbard with a familiar feel in his hand, much like his sword "Floating Light" from a hundred years ago.


    In fact, this Hundred Refinement Sword was crafted exactly to the specifications of "Floating Light," with the same weight and length.


    The true renowned sword "Floating Light" was kept as a family heirloom, worn at the waist of Family Head Zhao Hexing.


    Swish,


    With a flick of his wrist, Zhao Sheng suddenly displayed a flourish of a six-petal sword flower.


    When he executed the first technique of the Floating Light Sword Skill "Plum Blossoms Six Petals," a continually darting and dodging figure instantly appeared in the room, with sword lights evolving in sync with each of his moves, birthing and vanishing in transformation.


    Gradually, the sword lights in the room grew denser, eventually gathering into a mass of light that moved unpredictably and completely enveloped him.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng stopped, his back drenched with sweat.


    He casually threw the sword in his hand. The next second, the Hundred Refinement Sword incredibly sheathed itself back into its scabbard.


    Full name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 15/120


    Constitution: Hundred Year Constitution (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Great Success), Cloud Dragon Three Changes (Great Success), Emerald Tide Technique (Beginner)


    "Not bad, the feel is still there."


    Looking at the data on the book page, Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction.


    Although he had reincarnated, he had not forgotten the martial arts experience gained over a lifetime.


    After practicing dozens of times, he had cultivated both the Floating Light Sword Skill and the Cloud Dragon Three Changes to a Great Success Realm.


    Once a few years passed and his body fully matured, and his Inner True Qi reached Small Success, he could easily retrain several martial arts to the peak realms of his former life.


    ...


    The Nanyang Zhao Family had two important locations: the ancestral home in Nanyang City and the Zhao Mansion, built 150 years ago.


    Located thirty li outside of Nanyang City, the Zhao Mansion was backed by mountains and faced the water, with vast flat fields suitable for farming in front of it.


    The estate alone covered nearly fifty acres, bolstered by thick, solid stone walls and eight protruding five-zhang-high arrow towers at the corners, making it appear like a heavily fortified stronghold.


    Thus, it was also known as Zhao Family''s Castle.


    The castle was filled with halls and lofty buildings, densely populated inside, but nearly five acres in the southeast corner were left empty.


    This area was covered with thick yellow soil, and the wall sides were lined with swords, spears, axes, halberds, wooden stakes, archery targets, and other various martial arts equipment. This place was the Zhao Family Training Ground.


    The next day, Zhao Sheng, dressed in white garments, casually walked into the training ground with the Hundred Refinement Sword in one hand. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, the training ground echoed with shouts, and several of the Zhao Family''s direct lineage young masters and misses were earnestly practicing their sword techniques, their faces flushed with exertion.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng cracked a slight smile.


    Perfect timing!


    He approached a handsome young man about twenty years old and cheerfully said, "Third Brother, shall we have a bout?"


    Third Brother, named Zhao Zhijing, was twenty-one this year, the legitimate son of Family Head Zhao Hexing, and ranked third among the Zhao generation.


    Having the highest level of martial arts among those present, he naturally became Zhao Sheng''s target to establish his might.


    Zhao Zhijing halted his sword movements, turned around to see who it was, and immediately laughed, teasingly said, "So it''s Little Nine. What''s up? Feeling itchy and wanting your third brother to loosen up your skin?"


    Zhao Zhijing did not take Zhao Sheng seriously at all.


    Not to mention the six-year age difference between them. Even if one considered just their cultivation levels, he was one of the first two in the current generation of the Zhao Family to advance into the Third-rank Realm.


    Little Nine, Zhao Zhiqin, hardly practiced the Floating Light Sword Skill proficiently, and was no match for him.

 Chapter 3 Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley

    Zhao Sheng still smiled and said, "Third brother, don''t laugh at me, my martial arts have greatly improved recently. Be careful or you might lose to me later!"After speaking, Zhao Sheng drew his long sword, cast aside the scabbard, and aimed the tip at Zhao Zhijing.


    "Come on!"


    Seeing the seriousness in Ninth''s expression, Zhao Zhijing shook his head helplessly and after assuming the "Phoenix Coming" stance, he said unconcernedly, "Come on, just do your best!"


    Zhao Sheng, seeing the other''s careless demeanor, was determined to teach him a profound lesson.


    With a misstep, Zhao Sheng''s figure suddenly disappeared from its spot, and the next instant, he abruptly appeared beside Zhao Zhijing, his right hand thrusting a sword at the throat, as fast as lightning.


    Zhao Zhijing only saw a blur before his eyes and instantly cried out in alarm. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, before he could raise his sword to change his move, a cold, brilliant long sword had already rested on his neck.


    "You''ve lost!"


    Zhao Sheng, with a beaming smile, looked at Zhao Zhijing and casually took back the Hundred Refinement Sword.


    Fast, incredibly fast!


    So fast that it stunned the onlookers.


    Third brother had lost without even making a move, everyone simply couldn''t believe their eyes.


    Zhao Zhijing, greatly startled, couldn''t help but ask, "How... how could you be so fast?"


    "I just said, my martial arts have greatly improved recently," Zhao Sheng replied calmly.


    "Could it be you... had a sudden enlightenment?" someone suddenly shouted from the side.


    "Hmm," Zhao Sheng nodded, affirming it.


    As soon as these words were spoken, everyone including Zhao Zhijing looked at him with envy and jealousy.


    It was rumored in the Martial World that sudden enlightenment was something you could encounter but not seek.


    Once someone had a sudden enlightenment, their martial arts would dramatically improve afterward, advancing at a rapid pace every day.


    How could such good fortune fall on the lazy Xiao Jiu? It truly seemed unfair!


    "I don''t believe it! Xiao Jiu, come and spar with me!"


    At that moment, Lao Liu, Zhao Zhiping, jumped out. He was tall and strong, ranking among the highest in martial prowess among his peers, aside from two others.


    Seeing this, Zhao Zhijing silently made way, the meaning of his action was self-evident.


    "Sixth brother, come and attack!"


    Zhao Sheng was here today to establish his authority and did not fear any challenges.


    Besides, no one in the Zhao Family here today was worthy of his respect; they were all ineffectual fellows.


    Good!


    Zhao Zhiping roared and lunged with his sword, executing the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun, his sword tip thrusting directly at Zhao Sheng''s chest.


    Fool!


    As soon as the opponent''s sword move was made, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but curse inwardly.


    White Rainbow Piercing the Sun was supposed to be light and fast, but in Zhao Zhiping''s hands, it was executed with ferocity and overwhelming power, completely deviating from its essence.


    The Zhao Family had gotten too complacent over the years, really neglecting the education of the younger generation.


    Sigh, it needed to change!


    Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly and with a flick of his sword, the back of his blade met the opponent''s blade. Then with a slight tremor, a flick, and a release, he effortlessly neutralized Zhao Zhiping''s force.


    Then,


    suddenly, a streak of sword light, like light smoke and thin mist, seemingly slow but actually fast, easily broke through Zhao Zhiping''s defense, the sword tip firmly pressing against his chest.


    "Sixth brother, this is how White Rainbow Piercing the Sun should be executed!" Zhao Sheng said indifferently.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhiping instantly turned beet red, stepped back in humiliation and anger.


    "Who else wants to try?"


    Zhao Sheng looked around calmly, his Hundred Refinement Sword slightly raised.


    Impossible!


    In just two days, Xiao Jiu''s skills have become so profound.


    Could sudden enlightenment truly be this powerful, transforming a person completely in just a few days?


    Yet, the facts were there, as others tried to challenge him and were all defeated.


    Indeed, the younger members of the Zhao family were justifiably defeated.


    Not to mention them, if excluding the enhancement from Inner True Qi and considering only the martial arts techniques, there were no more than three people who could survive a hundred moves against Zhao Sheng.


    After this event, the news of Zhao Sheng''s significant improvement in martial arts quickly spread throughout Zhao Family''s Castle.


    Some skeptical young masters and misses daringly approached him, only to leave covering their faces in shame.


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng''s treatment was quietly restored to what it had been before, and his monthly allowance was even increased to two hundred taels.


    He was very pleased with this arrangement, for the major lady truly deserved to be the lady of the house, being smart and conscious of the times, handling the measures very precisely.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng, carrying his sword, sought out Zhao Hetai, the manager of the third house. What did the two discuss in secrecy? No one knew except the people involved.


    Yet later that evening, Zhao Hetai suddenly found Family Head Zhao Hexing.


    After a brief conversation, Zhao Hexing took the initiative to gather all the house administrators and elders for a secret meeting.


    A few days later, all discussions regarding the Ninth Young Master abruptly ceased. No one ever mentioned the incidents of those days again.


    In a family, if some represent the face, some must be the inside. The face cannot be touched by even a speck of dust, and if blood is shed, the inside must contain it. If it cannot be contained and leaks to the surface, it could lead to the destruction of the family.


    Zhao Sheng chose to silently become the "inside" of the Nanyang Zhao Family


    Having lived three lifetimes, he had long passed the stage of seeking fame and profit, so what of a lifetime of glory? Could he achieve immortality?


    In this life, he had only one goal: to produce a Cultivator.


    ...


    As spring came and went, time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, another three years had passed.


    When the name of Zhao Zhijing, the "Jade Sword Young Master" of the Zhao family, spread throughout the Ganzhou Martial World, an ordinary carriage slowly entered through the gates of Moling City, eventually stopping in front of a three-story inn.


    "Young master, we have arrived," Zhao Xiaobao said as he jumped down from the carriage, speaking respectfully to the person inside.


    Three years had passed, and Zhao Xiaobao had changed a lot, growing into a handsome young man.


    As for his master, Zhao Sheng...


    As the carriage curtain was rolled up, a strikingly handsome young man with a tall figure and elegant demeanor stepped down from the carriage.


    "Let''s go in!"


    Having said this, Zhao Sheng stepped forward and entered the inn.


    This inn, named Yuelai Inn, was a covert operation set up by the Zhao Family in Moling City.


    As soon as the master and servant appeared, they were quickly ushered by the inn''s shopkeeper into a secret room.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng took a seat in the secret room, the shopkeeper Zhao Sanchong immediately moved to kneel in greeting.


    Zhao Sheng extended his hand to support him, emitting a streak of azure True Qi, preventing the other party from kneeling, and said, "Spare the formalities, let''s get to the matter at hand."


    "True Qi externalization?!" Zhao Sanchong was profoundly shocked. He hadn''t expected Master Jiu, not yet twenty, to have advanced so significantly in his capabilities.


    It was known in the Martial World that only top-tier experts could externalize True Qi.


    What was even more frightening was that Master Jiu was only eighteen this year!


    "The resurgence of the Zhao family seems promising!" Zhao Sanchong thought excitedly to himself.


    In two hundred years, countless Zhao family members had practiced martial arts, producing many experts. However, there were only two true Innate Grandmasters: the original progenitor and the fifth Family Head.


    The difficulty of advancing to Innate was obvious!


    With this in mind, Zhao Sanchong became even more cautious and respectful towards the Ninth Young Master.


    "Young Master, I have discovered a highly suspicious location. Fifty miles south of Moling City lies a mysterious canyon called Fragrant Swallow Valley.


    The area is perennially enveloped in thick fog, but woodcutters often see people moving about in the valley. Occasionally, they even spot Immortals flying in from the sky. Hence, I believe there is an eighty percent chance that Fragrant Swallow Valley is a base of the Wang Family."


    Zhao Sheng nodded in approval and said, "You''ve done well. Once the matter is confirmed beyond doubt, you may return to Zhao Family''s Castle to report, and then I''ll grant you thirty acres of superior farmland and increase your monthly salary by twenty taels. Additionally, I grant permission for one of your sons to be included in the family genealogy."


    "Thank you for your generous reward, Young Master!" Zhao Sanchong said, moved to tears.


    Not to mention anything else, just the permission to include a son in the family genealogy was enough for him to be immensely grateful.

 Chapter 4 Perfume Moves the Heart

    By the time Zhao Sanchong had left with thousands of thanks, Zhao Xiaobao wore a worried expression as he said, "Young Master, perhaps you should reconsider. Although the Wang Family is a local cultivation family in Ganzhou, they are extremely ruthless. Fifty years ago, the Cultivating Chen Family was annihilated by their hand. Not only did none of their family members escape, but it also nearly implicated our Zhao Family." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Zhao Sheng waved his hand and said calmly, "No need to reconsider. Ganzhou is a land with scarce spiritual energy, with few cultivators, and the Wang Family is the only cultivation family in Ganzhou. If I don''t approach them, who else can I turn to?"


    Zhao Xiaobao wanted to say more but eventually chose not to continue persuading.


    He knew that once the Young Master made up his mind, no one could change his thoughts.


    "Can the Young Master really marry a woman from the Wang Family? When the time comes, you must not force it!"


    Thinking about his Young Master''s way of handling things, Zhao Xiaobao felt even more anxious.


    Zhao Sheng was unaware that his faithful servant had no faith in him, as he had his own plans.


    After three years of seclusion and rigorous training, he had elevated the Emerald Tide Technique to the Great Achievement Realm, his Internal True Qi had matured for thirty years, and his cultivation was no less than any top expert in the Martial World.


    If he also restored a few of his peak realm Martial Arts, he felt confident that apart from an Innate Grandmaster, he could handle any martial artist below the Innate level.


    This had been confirmed on the Clan Leader Elder Zhao Taizhen of Zhao Family Town, who was at the Half-step Innate Realm.


    Zhao Sheng always planned thoroughly before taking action. Naturally, he came prepared on this trip to Moling City.


    The first step in his plan was to start with a fragrance shop.


    ...


    Three days later, an old-established fragrance shop in Moling City, Zhenxiang Pavilion, quietly changed owners.


    Ten days later, Zhenxiang Pavilion launched a new type of product called perfume.


    Unlike traditional scented powder, perfume didn''t require dabbing; a light spray on the body was enough.


    Moreover, it not only had a lasting fragrance but also contained a variety of natural floral scents.


    The launch of the perfume quickly caused a sensation. All female customers who tried it were infatuated, becoming devoted fans of the perfume.


    However, few female customers could afford it,


    as it was extremely expensive.


    A small bottle cost twenty taels of silver.


    The inventor of the perfume was naturally Zhao Sheng. This was the big killer he had specifically prepared.


    No woman doesn''t love beauty, and similarly, few women can resist the charm of perfume.


    If there''s any difference between women from cultivation families and those from the Mortal World?


    Three words would suffice to describe it: "not short of money".


    Therefore, Zhao Sheng purposely priced the perfume extremely high. His intent was naturally to "filter" out the target persons.


    The Wang Family couldn''t possibly be completely isolated from the world; their family''s women would occasionally go out shopping, and Moling City, being the closest to Fragrant Swallow Valley, was unintentionally the best place.


    Time passed quickly, and a month later,


    in a scenic and elegant courtyard, Zhao Sanchong, the new Shopkeeper of Zhenxiang Pavilion, was reporting the recent situation to Zhao Sheng.


    "Young Master, the first and second targets have come to buy perfume for the third time recently. Both of them claimed their surname was Wang, so this subordinate believes there''s a significant possibility that these two are from the Wang Family."


    "Oh, they came again and bought up all the perfume?" Zhao Sheng asked with interest.


    "Yes, these two women simply don''t treat silver as money, spending lavishly to the point of shocking. Every time they visit, they will not leave without cleaning out our stock of perfume," Zhao Sanchong answered excitedly.


    He felt his own young master was really formidable, using just a simple trick to lure the women of the Wang Family out.


    After listening, Zhao Sheng felt the timing was just about right, so he decided to initiate the second phase of his plan.


    He then instructed, "Next time they come, you release the news about the new type of perfume. Then do so and so..."


    Zhao Sanchong nodded repeatedly, then excitedly went to execute the orders.


    Three days later, an extravagant carriage drawn by four tall horses slowly stopped in front of the Zhenxiang Pavilion.


    The carriage driver, a tall middle-aged man with a stern face, reached out to pull back the curtain of the carriage.


    Two youthful girls stepped out of the carriage¡ªone dressed in red with an oval face and delicate features, and the other in a sky-blue dress with a voluptuous figure and a stunningly cold expression.


    The female servants at Zhenxiang Pavilion were instantly invigorated by their arrival, for wealthy customers had come. Someone alert immediately ran to the back to report to the shopkeeper.


    Zhao Sanchong''s guess was right; both women were from the Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley. The one in red was Wang Yu Yan, and the one in blue was Wang Yuqi, half-sisters from the same father.


    Wang Yu Yan took the lead. As soon as they entered, she specifically mentioned wanting to buy perfume.


    The female servants had already been instructed, so they intentionally delayed for a moment.


    Taking advantage of this brief moment, Zhao Sanchong hurried to the main hall.


    Upon seeing the two, he immediately bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Honored guests, I am the shopkeeper of Zhenxiang Pavilion. I am terribly sorry! Our perfume has just sold out and we are momentarily out of stock."


    Wang Yuqi, who was quick-tempered, immediately furrowed her brows and demanded sharply, "Shopkeeper, we are not short of silver; do not try to deceive us. Is the perfume really sold out?"


    Zhao Sanchong swore, "Absolutely true! Zhao swears to the heavens, the perfume is indeed gone. However..."


    "However, what?" Wang Yuqi quickly interjected.


    Zhao Sanchong hesitated for a moment, until the two were nearly out of patience urging him, then reluctantly said, "Actually, there is one type of perfume that is unique in the world. However, it is not for sale."


    "Not for sale?"


    Wang Yu Yan coldly smiled and said, "There is no such thing as not for sale in this world, only the problem of not enough silver. Unfortunately, the one thing we do not lack is silver. Shopkeeper, name your price!"


    Zhao Sanchong''s face instantly turned into a bitter expression as he continued bowing desperately, pleading, "Miss, you have wrongly accused this humble old man. My master repeatedly emphasized that this perfume is only to be gifted to someone destined, and not to be sold."


    Women''s curiosity is sometimes greater than a cat''s.


    When Zhao Sanchong said this, Wang Yuqi''s curiosity was piqued, and she immediately asked, "Who is your master? Why would he say such a thing?"


    Zhao Sanchong said with pride, "My master is from the Nanyang Zhao Family. Not only is he extremely intelligent but he is also accomplished in both literature and martial arts, truly a genius bestowed by heaven."


    To Zhao Sanchong''s words, Wang Yu Yan was indifferent. What does it matter if his master was a genius bestowed by heaven? He was merely a mortal, after all, how could he compare to a cultivator?


    Wang Yu Yan asked, "Your master said he would gift perfume only to those with destiny. Do you think we look like people with destiny?"


    Zhao Sanchong was overjoyed inside but quickly suppressed his excitement, making a troubled face as he said, "Honored guests, you make it hard for this humble old man. How would I know whom my master has in mind when he speaks of people with destiny?"


    "Hmph, pretentious mystery! Where is your master? Take us to him right now," Wang Yuqi impulsively volunteered, naively walking right into his trap.

 Chapter 5 Golden Wind Jade Dew Meet Once

    "This..." Zhao Sanchong hesitated for a moment before saying with a face full of apologies, "Our Young Master has always disliked meeting outsiders."Upon seeing this, Wang Yuqi immediately called out to the store entrance, "Wang Si."


    Before her words had finished echoing, the middle-aged coachman who had just been outside the store suddenly took a step that spanned the void and appeared before everyone in an instant, crossing a distance of three zhang.


    He stepped forward, bowing respectfully and said, "Miss, what are your orders?"


    Zhao Sanchong was greatly shocked in his heart. The middle-aged coachman was highly skilled in martial arts, obviously a top expert in the Martial World, and now he had become a coachman for the Wang Family.


    Wang Yuqi ordered, "Wang Si, make him take us to see his Young Master."


    "Hold on!"


    Zhao Sanchong saw that the play was about to fail and hurriedly shouted, "Don''t fight, I''ll take you there."


    "Lead the way!" Wang Si said with a stern tone.


    ...


    A quarter of an hour later, under the guidance of Zhao Sanchong, the group arrived at an exquisitely elegant courtyard.


    Before they even entered the courtyard gate, the Wang sisters heard the sound of a guqin coming from the backyard.


    The music sometimes soared majestically, with a natural and flowing resonance like the mountains, and at times trickled gently, soft as flowing water, with endless meaning.


    Hearing such enchanting guqin music, the Wang sisters couldn''t help but immerse themselves in it.


    Zhao Sanchong couldn''t help but sigh at how astute Ninth Young Master''s tactics were, deeply understanding the human heart.


    After a while, when the music slowly faded away, the Wang sisters finally came to their senses as if awakening from a dream.


    Do not wonder why the Wang sisters lost their composure. The real reason goes back to the fact that the Wang Family''s ancestor was a Loose Cultivator.


    Out of lament for the difficulties of cultivation, the Wang Family had always centered on cultivation. Other arts such as playing the guqin, chess, calligraphy, and painting were regarded as frivolous distractions.


    Therefore, Fragrant Swallow Valley was always very cold, and the atmosphere exceptionally dull; the Wang sisters had never heard such wonderful guqin music in their lives.


    "Hurry and take us to see your Young Master," Wang Yuqi said eagerly after coming to her senses.


    Although her sister, Wang Yu Yan, did not speak, her expectant expression also revealed a bit of longing.


    "Ladies, please follow me!"


    After saying this, Zhao Sanchong immediately led the three through the courtyard, passed the front hall, and walked along a corridor. They then entered a garden complete with artificial hill and flowing water.


    In the center of the garden, beneath the Octagonal Pavilion, sat a white-clad Young Master. He had a face like a beautiful jade, eyes like bright stars, and an elegant and outstanding demeanor, as he slowly tuned an ancient guqin.


    There is a saying, "When Golden Wind encounters Jade Dew, they surpass countless encounters in the mortal world."


    The strategic setup that Zhao Sheng had painstakingly prepared for the Wang sisters was taking effect from the very beginning.


    Food and sex are human nature! In this world, not only do men love beauty, but women do as well.


    Zhao Sanchong led the three to the vicinity of the Octagonal Pavilion and called out loudly, "Young Master, you have visitors!"


    Zhao Sheng "seemingly" started as if awakened from a dream, and slowly lifted his head to look at the Wang sisters.


    So close.


    Zhao Sheng''s incredibly handsome face was unabashedly displayed before their eyes.


    In the flush of youth, which girl doesn''t harbor secret affections? Even though they knew that the man before them was just an ordinary person, the two Wang sisters couldn''t help but feel a stir in their hearts.


    Zhao Sheng hesitated slightly before asking in a deep voice, "Manager Zhao, who are these people? Why have they been brought to see me?"


    Following the script, Zhao Sanchong introduced the purpose of the Wang Family''s visit to the Young Master and smoothly brought up the topic of perfume and the destined individual.


    After he heard Zhao Sanchong''s words, Zhao Sheng finally showed a smile, and his attitude became gentle.


    He gestured with his hand, pointing to several cushions beside the zither table, and said, "Please take a seat, esteemed guests!"


    After exchanging glances, the Wang sisters walked to the Octagonal Pavilion and settled onto the cushions, sitting with great decorum.


    "My name is Zhao Zhiqin. May I have the honor of knowing the esteemed ladies'' full names?"


    "I am Wang Yu Yan."


    "And I am Wang Yuqi."


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng spoken than the Wang sisters replied in unison.


    "Ah, so you are the two sisters of the Wang Family. My apologies, my apologies!" Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, his manner refined and courteous.


    Wang Yu Yan spoke directly, "We have come today for that unique perfume. Young Master Zhao mentioned that he only gifts it to the person of destiny. I wonder who this person of destiny might be?" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low tone about a tragic love story.


    The story was adapted from the famous love narratives of past eras like the Magpie Bridge Meeting and the stories of Liangshan and Zhu Yingtai.


    It told of a love between a poor young man and a rich girl which, in the end, was brutally torn apart by the girl''s father. After being humiliated, the young man worked diligently to become an Innate Grandmaster in martial arts, while the rich girl was forced into a marriage with a high-class family, leading a life of depression and dying at an early age.


    "...Before she died, the unfortunate woman created a unique perfume to commemorate their unfulfilled love, naming it Golden Wind Jade Dew. There''s even a poem as proof!"


    At this point, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but recite, "Delicate clouds craft shapes, shooting stars carry sorrow, the Milky Way stretches long and dark. When Golden Wind and Jade Dew meet, they surpass countless others in this world. Affection is like water, our rendezvous a dream, it''s hard to face the road back from Magpie Bridge. If love endures for a long time, does it even matter in the endless cycle of days and nights."


    The charm of words can indeed transcend time and space. Even in another world, the tender poetic essence within the verses of Magpie Bridge Immortal immediately touched the heart of a young girl inexperienced in the world.


    Upon hearing the poem, Wang Yuqi''s eyes were blurred with tears, deeply moved, almost to the point of crying, while Wang Yu Yan''s expression remained calm, her gaze becoming much softer.


    Seeing this reaction, Zhao Sheng inwardly nodded and then deliberately exclaimed, "What is love in this world, that it commands one to pledge life and death to another? Golden Wind Jade Dew is given only to those who truly understand the nature of love."


    "Ladies, do you consider yourselves to be such destined individuals?"


    Wang Yu Yan and Wang Yuqi looked at each other and both shook their heads.


    Born into a Cultivation Family, neither had ever experienced what love is. The clansmen in their family were also arranged in marriages by their elders, leaving no room for talk of love.


    Zhao Sheng sighed softly, his expression one of regret, and said sadly, "I''m sorry, but it seems Golden Wind Jade Dew is not destined for you."


    Wang Yuqi opened her mouth as if to speak but was tugged at by Wang Yu Yan beside her and closed her mouth again.


    "Young Master, having heard such a moving story is already a significant gain for us. Since we are not destined for it, we will not insist on having it."


    Wang Yu Yan quickly regained her composure and suddenly said, "However, I have a presumptuous request. I wonder if you would be willing to hear it."


    "By all means, speak freely!" Zhao Sheng nodded to indicate she should continue.


    "I would like to ask if the Young Master has any intention of selling the perfume formula?"


    Well, I admit I''m covetous of your bodies, but you''re no better, setting your sights on my chicken.


    "Could it be that the value of the perfume is far more than that?"


    A thought suddenly crossed Zhao Sheng''s mind, and then he resolutely shook his head, saying, "The perfume formula is a legacy from my ancestors, not to be shared with outsiders."


    Hearing this, Wang Yu Yan''s face showed her disappointment.

 Chapter 6 We Collaborate

    "Miss,"Suddenly, a stern voice came from outside the pavilion. The middle-aged coachman sharply lifted his head, stepped forward, and looked at his young mistress. When his gaze inadvertently swept past Zhao Sheng, it was filled with murderous intent.


    "Stop being unreasonable! Step back,"


    "Yes!"


    The coachman, Wang Si, bowed and acknowledged, immediately retreating back to his original position and bowing his head silently.


    After dismissing the coachman with a word, Wang Yu Yan said with a full sense of apology, "I apologize for the rudeness of my servant; I didn''t mean to startle you, Mr. Zhao."


    Zhao Sheng smiled faintly and replied, "It''s fine; a mere Half-Step Innate cannot hinder me. However, these ways of handling situations by force after failing negotiations are not good in my view. It can easily bring trouble to the family."


    "Oh, really? Just with you?" Wang Yuqi interjected indignantly, feeling offended.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head calmly and responded, "Well, I obviously can''t. But the world is so vast, and there are many entities you cannot afford to provoke. Even if your Wang family belongs to a Cultivation Family, it won''t be enough."


    On hearing this, Wang Yu Yan''s expression changed, and she questioned, "How do you know our background?"


    Zhao Sheng, while plucking the strings of his instrument to produce a lingering note, spoke in a calm tone, "This... isn''t this easy to guess?"


    Without waiting for them to ask further, he explained, "Having a Half-Step Innate top expert willing to serve as your coachman and both of you young ladies bearing the surname Wang, not to mention your exceptional beauty. I can''t think of any other family that fits these descriptions besides the Cultivation Wang Family in Ganzhou."


    "I see."


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng''s explanation, Wang Yu Yan''s expression eased.


    Meanwhile, Wang Yuqi, hearing his words, felt joyful and displayed a proud look, for they had never been described as divinely beautiful before.


    The key being that the man who said this was also quite handsome himself.


    "I didn''t expect Young Master to have such exceptional discernment. I suppose your background must also be extraordinary?"


    "Not hiding it from Miss Wang, I hail from the Zhao family of Ganzhou," Zhao Sheng straightforwardly revealed his identity.


    He had no intention of concealing his background. In fact, other than the perfume, everything up to this point was going according to plan.


    From his past life''s experience, he knew that marrying a woman from a Cultivation Family couldn''t rely too much on schemes or trickery; going with the flow was best.


    And certainly not by abducting her, since the bloodline tracking spell was one of the most common basic spells in the Cultivation World.


    "The Zhao family of Ganzhou?" Wang Yu Yan looked puzzled. She had never heard of a Zhao family in Ganzhou.


    Zhao Sheng knew that people from Cultivation Families tended to be arrogant, but he hadn''t expected such disregard.


    "Well, originally from Nanyang, my lineage is somewhat of a Martial Arts family. It''s normal that Miss Wang hasn''t heard of us," he explained.


    Although Zhao Sheng strove to maintain respect, Wang Yuqi turned to the coachman and queried, "Wang Si, you come from the Martial World, you must know about the Zhao family, right?" S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Are you polite?


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng really wanted to retort with a comment.


    Wang Si answered flatly, keeping his face expressionless, "Master, the Zhao family from Nanyang is considered a significant family in Ganzhou and is somewhat known in the Martial World too, having produced two Innate Grandmasters."


    Wang Yuqi, being outspoken, realized, "Oh, Innate Grandmasters! I know them; my third Uncle and sixth Uncle are both Innate Grandmasters. They are almost as powerful as those in the early stages of Qi Refinement."


    "Yuqi, stop talking,"


    Wang Yu Yan nudged her sister and then added with slight apologetic tones, "My sister always speaks without thinking, Mr. Zhao; please don''t take it to heart."


    "Haha, Miss Wang is innocent and joyful. I like it enough as it is, why would I be offended?"


    Zhao Sheng''s words were bold and forthright. The Wang sisters blushed at his comment, with Wang Yuqi''s face turning as red as a tomato.


    From childhood to adulthood, no one had ever spoken to them so insolently in their presence.


    It was only because Zhao Sheng had initially made a good impression that if an ordinary person had dared to speak this way, their grave would be overgrown with grass by now.


    By using slightly outrageous remarks, Zhao Sheng had successfully resolved the awkward atmosphere and regained control of the situation.


    Wang Yu Yan no longer focused on Zhao Sheng''s family background, but rather returned to the original topic, "Mr. Zhao, I am determined to obtain the perfume formula. Please name your price!"


    Her tone was very firm, indicating her resolve to achieve her goal at all costs.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng frowned and quickly weighed his options.


    It now seemed that the true value of the perfume significantly exceeded his expectations.


    However, such a surprise was clearly more advantageous for him.


    After pondering for a while, he decisively said, "I don''t want to go against my ancestors'' wishes; the formula cannot be sold, but we can collaborate."


    "How should we collaborate?" Wang Yu Yan''s eyes lit up, and she immediately asked.


    Her obsession with the perfume formula was simple¡ªit was a means to earn Spirit Stones.


    In the eyes of ordinary people, the Wang family was highly esteemed.


    But in the Cultivation World, the Wang family was always at the bottom of the food chain, only slightly better than Loose Cultivators.


    The entire Wang family had only nine cultivators: two in the Qi Refining Late Stage, three in the Qi Refining Middle Stage, and four novices in the first and second layers of Qi Refining.


    It is worth mentioning that Wang Yu Yan was the least skilled cultivator in the family. With Five Spirits Roots, she had struggled for five or six years to barely advance to the first level of Qi Refining.


    The Wang family relied solely on twenty acres of spirit field, crafting First-rank magic talismans and refining spirit materials to earn some Spirit Stones. Together, they earned just over a thousand Spirit Stones a year, barely enough for the family''s cultivators'' needs, making life quite tight.


    Thus, after trying out the perfume, Wang Yu Yan keenly spotted a business opportunity. After experimenting for several days, she became even more convinced of this.


    Perfume had great financial prospects!


    In the Cultivation World, female cultivators had many ways to keep themselves fragrant all day, such as the First-stage Spirit Pill Hundred Fragrance Pill. Just by consuming one, a female cultivator''s body would emit a strong fragrance for an entire year.


    However, buying a Hundred Fragrance Pill required ten Spirit Stones. For some female cultivators, this might not seem like much.


    But do not forget that the largest number of people in the world always belong to the lowest level. There are many Qi Refining female cultivators who are unwilling to buy Hundred Fragrance Pills.


    And this is where the value of perfume lies.


    Is the Hundred Fragrance Pill too expensive, and scented powder too low-end?


    No problem, you can buy a large bottle of perfume for one Spirit Stone, enough to last you a year.


    Wang Yu Yan had calculated that earning a hundred and eighty Spirit Stones a year should not be a problem.


    By such calculations, the business in perfume was equivalent to one-tenth of the family''s annual output, which was simply a huge profit.


    Wang Yu Yan was very aware that once the family noticed the perfume, neither Mr. Zhao nor she and her sisters would be able to keep the perfume formula secret.


    Therefore, Wang Yu Yan and her sister had already agreed to earn as much as they could before the perfume was exposed.


    After all, even daughters of a Cultivation Family need to save up for their dowries.


    With Spirit Stones by her side, even if she married into another family, she could stand tall and speak her mind.


    This was true, whether for immortals or mortals.


    Furthermore, Zhao Sheng''s proposal hit right at Wang Yu Yan''s needs. She had no trusted aides on her side; even if she obtained the perfume formula, she could not keep it a secret.


    On the other hand, Mr. Zhao had ample manpower and was better at keeping secrets.

 Chapter 7 Strategy in Progress

    Watching the Wang sisters'' anxious expressions, Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and began, "I will be responsible for formulating the perfume, and you two will handle the sales. The profits will be split equally between our sides.""Impossible!" Wang Yu Yan blurted out.


    Zhao Sheng, unhurried, said, "Nothing is impossible! I think you wouldn''t want your family to know about the perfume either."


    By then, he had firmly grasped the situation.


    After all, the Wang sisters were too naive, and Zhao Sheng had easily figured out their thoughts.


    "How did you guess that?"


    Hearing Zhao Sheng expose their motives, Wang Yu Yan''s face changed dramatically.


    Zhao Sheng felt he should not continue to provoke her, in case it caused a backlash.


    He explained, "If the Wang Family knew about this, I believe it wouldn''t be you two standing here today . . ."


    The Wang sisters then realized that they had indeed exposed such a significant flaw.


    Regaining her composure, Wang Yu Yan seriously said, "Half of the profits is too much, twenty-eighty, I get eighty and you get twenty!"


    Zhao Sheng shook his head, "No, half and half is my bottom line. After all, I provide the raw materials, labor, and formula, and the perfume-making process is complex and not easy to execute."


    "Without us, the perfume simply wouldn''t reach the hands of cultivators. Mr. Zhao, do you have a sales channel?"


    After Wang Yu Yan countered, Wang Yuqi suddenly intervened, "If my grandfather finds out, not only will you not make any Spirit Stones, but you may also struggle to keep your life."


    "Oh, that''s a valid point. Well, I''ll compromise, let''s split it forty-sixty."


    "It won''t work..."


    An hour later, after a warm and friendly conversation, both parties finally agreed to a thirty-seventy split. Additionally, Zhao Sheng generously offered to allow the Wang sisters to "buy on credit."


    After the successful negotiation, Zhao Sheng had unconsciously drawn closer to the Wang sisters. This was his primary goal for the day.


    Although plans had changed halfway through, it had unexpectedly worked out. With business interactions now in place, their relationship would only grow stronger, and everything would naturally fall into place.


    After agreeing on the monthly production quantity of the perfume, Zhao Sheng glanced outside the pavilion and suddenly asked, "Are the people you brought reliable?"


    Wang Yu Yan was taken aback at the question, then nodded firmly, "Wang Si was raised by my father from a young age. He absolutely will not betray us!"


    "Is your esteemed father at home now?" Zhao Sheng probed.


    Wang Yu Yan, although inexperienced, was quite smart and quickly understood the implication in Zhao Sheng''s words, quickly responding, "He has gone out for business, and it will be at least half a year before he returns."


    Hmm.


    Zhao Sheng nodded after hearing this, temporarily easing his intention to kill Wang Si.


    Meanwhile, outside the pavilion, Wang Si also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    Because just a moment ago, a strong and fierce Sword Intent had suddenly erupted from Mr. Zhao and abruptly targeted him.


    In that instant, his whole body was pained by the Sword Intent, and he suddenly got the illusion as though he was facing a powerful member of the Innate Sword Sect.


    "What a terrifying young man!" Wang Si was filled with fear, unable to help thinking: "Could this person have already advanced to Innate?"


    Wang Si could never imagine that Zhao Sheng indeed possessed a powerful Innate Sword Intent, yet hadn''t developed Innate True Qi.


    He had exhausted all his True Qi, yet could only perform a move equivalent to a full-strength strike of the Innate Sword Sect.


    This move was Zhao Sheng''s ultimate trump card, easily capable of killing any martial artist below Innate level.


    After that day, the group of three was officially established.


    Zhao Sheng used carrier pigeons to send a message to his family, briefly explaining the situation.


    Soon, a secret workshop within Zhao Family''s Castle was tightly sealed off, and a large number of trusted family members were dispatched inside to start mass production of perfume.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng, citing the Wang sisters'' lack of experience and fear of exposing flaws, insisted on accompanying them.


    Thus, the three of them, after disguising themselves, successively entered and exited various cultivation markets in Liang Kingdom, choosing specific shops to start selling perfume in bulk.


    During this time, the trio faced several dangers, but all were resolved one by one by the experienced Zhao Sheng.


    The reason they did not retail was because Zhao Sheng knew well that perfume making was not complex and could not be kept secret from those with intentions. Therefore, before the recipe was cracked, they aimed to maximize their profits.


    The Wang sisters thought they could sustain this venture slowly and steadily, which was far too naive.


    The benefits of the perfume were obvious, hence the trio''s sales went very smoothly, and things quickly got on track.


    Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, four months had passed.


    During this period, the trio earned a fortune, far exceeding their most optimistic estimates.


    However, Wang Yu Yan and Wang Yuqi were consistently downcast, looking gloomy all day long.


    Because once again that guy had predicted correctly. A cultivator had already cracked the perfume formula.


    Indeed,


    Compared to alchemy, making perfume was really simple.


    Zhao Sheng did not care about such minor gains.


    It only took him two days to figure out the sisters'' personalities.


    The older sister was rational and intelligent, yet a money-grubber. The younger sister was impulsive and muddled, very vain, and fond of fine foods and luxurious clothes.


    Four months of constant interaction significantly advanced his relationship with the Wang sisters. Wang Yuqi had fallen deeply in love with him and was utterly captivated by affection.


    The reason for such quick progress was not only Zhao Sheng''s meticulous planning but also related to two secrets of romance.


    One was "Keeping busy with leisure," and the other was a saying: "If she is naive to the world, show her its splendor; if she is weary of the world, take her on a merry-go-round."


    An attractive, dashing, extremely intelligent young man, humbly courting you all day, making you happy with a variety of delicious food and beautiful clothes. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    How many women in the world could resist such temptation?


    Wang Yuqi could not. Her sister, Wang Yu Yan, seemed more aware, but when she looked at Zhao Sheng, her eyes often sparkled unusually.


    ...


    "Eight hundred three, eight hundred four, eight hundred..."


    In a simple yet spacious room, Wang Yu Yan counted seriously, tallying up the total number of Spirit Stones they had earned during this period.


    In front of her, a small mountain of Spirit Stones had accumulated on the table.


    At that moment, Wang Yuqi, seated beside her in a pink tasseled long dress, suddenly complained with impatience, "Sister Yu Yan, stop counting. There are a total of eight hundred fifty-four Spirit Stones, you''ve counted them dozens of times already. Isn''t that enough?"


    "Eight hundred nine, eight hundred ten..."


    Wang Yu Yan ignored her sister and continued counting calmly.


    Wang Yuqi, feeling increasingly irritated, immediately raised her voice, "Brother Zhi Qin said that giving him two hundred forty Spirit Stones is enough, he doesn''t want the rest."

 Chapter 8 Proposing Marriage

    "Hmm?"Wang Yu Yan suddenly stopped what she was doing, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on her younger sister, her gaze filled with confusion.


    Seeing this, Wang Yuqi felt immensely proud and arrogantly said, "Brother Zhi Qin told me yesterday. Since we can''t continue with the perfume business, he''s decided to round up the numbers, as a compensation for the two of us."


    Wang Yu Yan shook her head, "I don''t want his compensation! Besides, I still want to make a few more deals."


    Wang Yuqi''s face changed dramatically, and she shouted in shock and anger, "Are you out of your mind! Brother Zhi Qin said that we''ve already exposed our wealth, continuing would put our lives in danger."


    "Brother Zhi Qin, Brother Zhi Qin! You can''t say three sentences without bringing up Brother Zhi Qin. You might as well marry him."


    At these words, Wang Yuqi''s face turned red with embarrassment. She stomped her foot and protested coyly, "Hmph, blinded by greed! I''m not talking to you anymore!"


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng walked into the room from outside, just in time to hear this sentence, and he couldn''t help but laugh, "What''s gotten into you two now?"


    As he spoke, he casually placed the food box he was carrying onto the table.


    "Brother Zhi Qin, what delicious food have you made this time?"


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, Wang Yuqi immediately ran up to him joyfully, both asking and curiously opening the food box.


    "This one took quite a bit of effort. I call it ''cake.'' Try it, isn''t it delicious?"


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng took out a piece of soft pale-yellow cake from the food box and brought it to Wang Yuqi''s mouth.


    Facing the offered treat, Wang Yuqi showed no resistance. Her face was full of infatuation and love, and she obediently opened her mouth and took a bite.


    "Oh, it''s so delicious! Sister Yu Yan, you should try some too."


    Compared to her overjoyed sister, Wang Yu Yan''s expression remained calm.


    She gracefully took a piece of cake out of the food box and began to taste it.


    While eating, Wang Yuqi suddenly tattled to Zhao Sheng, "Brother Zhi Qin, Sister Yu Yan is not giving up, she wants to go back to the workshop again."


    Zhao Sheng''s expression changed slightly upon hearing this.


    He turned his head to look at Wang Yu Yan and asked sternly, "Is what she''s saying true? Don''t you know that it''s too dangerous?"


    "I... I just want to earn a little bit more," Wang Yu Yan said, her face unwilling, but her voice growing fainter in protest.


    Blinded by greed!


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng shook his head helplessly and said, "Even if you want to, we can''t continue anymore. If I''m not mistaken, Fragrant Swallow Valley has already discovered us."


    "This is bad!"


    "Oh no!"


    Upon hearing those words, the sisters immediately exclaimed in shock, becoming flustered.


    They didn''t doubt Zhao Sheng''s words at all.


    After several months together, their perception of Zhao Sheng as a man capable of sophisticated strategy was deeply ingrained.


    Seeing the sisters panic like this, Zhao Sheng oddly smiled.


    He suddenly said with unnatural calmness, "Don''t panic! This is a good thing. I was actually planning to visit Fragrant Swallow Valley."


    Wang Yuqi became terrified, her face losing color as she quickly advised, "Brother Zhi Qin, you mustn''t go to my house! My grandfather is very fierce. Be careful, or he might kill you in a fit of anger. You need to escape quickly!"


    Zhao Sheng listened and replied with an even expression, "Why should I run? Have I done something wrong?"


    Hearing him say this, the Wang sisters suddenly realized, "Right, we haven''t done anything wrong. All we did was conceal the perfume matter and incidentally made a bit of Spirit Stone profit."


    Seeing them calm down, Zhao Sheng''s face suddenly revealed a mischievously playful smile, "Moreover, if I don''t go to Fragrant Swallow Valley, how could I... propose to the Wang Family?"


    This earth-shattering statement instantly petrified Wang Yu Yan and Wang Yuqi.


    ```


    After waiting for quite some time, Wang Yuqi finally mustered up the courage to ask with a face full of anticipation, "Brother Zhi Qin, are you... are you saying you want to go... propose?"


    Zhao Sheng surveyed the two sisters before his gaze decisively fell on Wang Yuqi and he said in a deep voice, "Yuqi, I want to take you as my wife. Will you have me?"


    "You... you! I won''t talk to you anymore."


    Wang Yuqi, mid-sentence, ran out of the room, her face covered in embarrassment.


    Only two people were left in the room, and at this moment, Wang Yu Yan by the side was exceptionally quiet. She lowered her head in silence, her eyes betraying traces of loss.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing her like this, silently sighed.


    If there was a chance, he would marry both sisters.


    It''s just a pity that Wang Yu Yan had a Spirit Root, and it would be impossible for her to marry a mortal.


    ¡­


    Two days later, a carriage stopped in front of Fragrant Swallow Valley. The driver, Wang Si, quietly lifted the carriage curtain to let Zhao Sheng and the Wang sisters disembark.


    He was a witness, having seen firsthand how a mortal effortlessly captured the heart of the miss in a matter of months.


    As for Zhao Sheng, Wang Si didn''t want to say much but could only express his admiration!


    Stepping out of the carriage, Wang Yu Yan handed Zhao Sheng a Storage Talisman containing five hundred Spirit Stones.


    These Spirit Stones were prepared by Zhao Sheng for the proposal gift. The extra hundred and sixty Spirit Stones represented the willingness of the younger sister, Wang Yuqi.


    Wang Yu Yan took out a bronze token and infused a thread of Spiritual Power into it.


    A beam of light shot out from the bronze token, piercing the dense fog and opening up a narrow path through it.


    Walking along the path for several dozen steps, Zhao Sheng emerged into the open. What came into view was a narrow valley, spanning roughly a few hundred acres.


    The visitors approached an area shaded with green trees and covered with fragrant grass. Further away, neatly arranged spirit fields appeared like stars in the sky, and seven or eight wooden towers with courtyards were faintly visible in the shade of the trees.


    But Zhao Sheng couldn''t afford to admire these sights. A few steps away was a group of expressionless middle-aged and older persons, staring at him fiercely.


    "Dad, Uncle, Third Uncle..."


    Wang Yuqi became flustered as she saw these people, especially when her gaze landed on the square-faced middle-aged man in the center.


    Wang Yu Yan, in contrast, remained unusually calm as she greeted her elders one by one.


    The square-faced middle-aged man was named Wang Yigong, the father of Wang Yu Yan and Wang Yuqi.


    Half a month ago, he received the Thousand-mile Talisman from his family. After reading the content, he was furious and dropped everything to hurry back to Fragrant Swallow Valley without a second thought.


    Nothing was more urgent than the prospect of his ''little cotton jacket'' being snatched away!


    Wang Yigong glanced at Zhao Sheng and couldn''t help but let out a cold snort.


    His face was exceptionally gloomy as he motioned to the sisters with a wave of his hand and said coldly, "Follow me!"


    With that, he ignored Zhao Sheng and turned to walk towards the Wang Family Hall.


    The Wang sisters obediently followed behind, and the rest of the party also turned and left.


    Zhao Sheng silently chuckled bitterly, then quietly followed.


    They walked about three to four miles and passed through two groves of trees before arriving in front of a spacious and majestic hall.


    The entire hall was constructed from pieces of blue steel giant stone, incredibly hard and covering nearly an acre. Despite having only one layer, the walls were tall, and the roof was as high as the third layer of the adjacent wooden buildings.


    Wang Yigong and the other Wang Family members stepped over the stone steps and entered the hall.


    As Zhao Sheng was about to enter through the doorway, a burly arm suddenly stretched out beside him, blocking his path.


    ``` S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 9 The Most Genuine Side of Humanity

    The owner of the arm was a broad-faced Great Han with a tiger''s back and a bear''s waist, bearing some resemblance to Wang Yigong.The broad-faced Great Han looked at Zhao Sheng ferociously and arrogantly said, "Kid, you''re not from the Wang family. You can''t go in!"


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, knew that the Wang family''s trial had begun.


    He remained calm and slightly raised his voice, saying, "This junior has come today out of respect for your reputation, and I have not failed in courtesy. Yet, you would not let me enter. Could it be that this is the way the Wang family treats its guests?"


    "In our Wang family, we exchange pleasantries with cultivators, and no ordinary people come and go. You, boy, want to enter my family''s gate? Hmph, you''re not qualified!"


    The broad-faced Great Han was called Wang Yitao, the third in rank among his peers, and although he had no Spirit Root and couldn''t undergo cultivation, he was also an Innate Grandmaster.


    In his view, it was sheer folly for a mere mortal pretty boy to think of marrying the Bright Pearl of their family.


    So, with Wang Yitao standing guard, this pretty boy shouldn''t even dream of getting past the first test.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t get angry, but instead asked earnestly, "Uncle, what qualifications are needed to go inside?"


    Wang Yitao was suddenly stumped by the question; he had thought that the young pretty boy, being hot-headed, wouldn''t stand the insult for long and would retreat knowing the difficulty. Yet, here was this young man, keeping his cool.


    It was said that this kid came from a Martial Arts Family, apparently, he had some skills.


    With this in mind, Wang Yitao dropped the useless tricks and began the formal test.


    He laid down a round of tough talk, saying, "As long as you can break through my challenge. That''s when you''ll be qualified."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyes showed a trace of a smile, thinking to himself that it was the same old routine, nothing new.


    Bowing with hands clasped, Zhao Sheng confidently said, "Excuse me!"


    Before his words fell, his figure suddenly vanished, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared on the far left of the gate.


    "So fast!"


    The moment Wang Yitao inwardly expressed his surprise, his outstretched right arm suddenly bent and pushed out, creating a row of solid invisible walls in an instant, rolling directly towards the left side of the gate.


    As an Innate Grandmaster, Wang Yitao clearly intended to bully with strength.


    Although Zhao Sheng moved swiftly, he couldn''t evade Wang Yitao''s spiritual sense.


    Just as the Qi wall that filled the air was about to touch his body, Zhao Sheng''s feet tapped the ground, and he leaped three yards high, easily dodging the Qi wall.


    His body leaning to the side, he stood on the eaves with his feet, walking as if on level ground, taking four steps and dodging four Innate Qi Swords shot rapidly at him.


    "Impressive Qinggong!"


    Wang Yitao silently praised in his heart.


    His feet stayed planted at the doorway, not moving an inch, but his hands were unsparing. Relying on his vast and potent Innate True Qi, he relentlessly released streams of Innate Qi Swords, forming a net of swords that gradually closed in to limit Zhao Sheng''s space to evade.


    The elders had already instructed him earlier that as long as no one died, he could play however he wanted.


    After dodging sixteen Innate Qi Swords in succession, Zhao Sheng secretly thought, "That''s about enough."


    Thinking this, a Divine Light burst in his eyes, and those incredibly fast Qi Swords suddenly slowed many times over.


    Under the Dynamic Vision, the previously tightly-defended sword net suddenly revealed many flaws and openings. Zhao Sheng moved like a fish, easily passing through the sword net, his body clinging close to the eaves, racing beyond the threshold.


    "Not good!"


    At that moment, Wang Yitao realized he had fallen for an opponent''s trick.


    As he progressively narrowed the enclosure, it was inevitable that he would leave a large gaping space behind.


    But by the time he wanted to make a move to stop it, it was too late. Zhao Sheng had already flown past the line of the doorway, his body landing inside the great hall.


    In the great hall, Wang Yuqi, who witnessed this scene, was so thrilled she nearly shouted out.


    On the contrary, the expressions of the Wang family elders turned even darker.


    "Humph, next time, I won''t be so careless!"


    Seeing the unwilling expression on his opponent''s face, Zhao Sheng smiled without saying a word.


    He turned around and walked straight to the center of the hall with dignity.


    At this moment, seated at the highest position of the hall was an unremarkable little old man.


    He wasn''t tall, his hair partially gray, and his face bore a slight smile as his eyes sized up Zhao Sheng from top to bottom.


    Zhao Sheng knew at a glance that this person was the Wang family''s authority, Wang Yu Yan''s grandfather, Wang Zonghai, a Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivator at Great Perfection.


    On the surface, Wang Zonghai seemed the most amiable, but Zhao Sheng felt least certain about him.


    As the saying goes, the older the ginger, the spicier it gets!


    No one knew what kind of schemes were hidden beneath Wang Zonghai''s smiling demeanor.


    At this time, the atmosphere in the hall was extremely tense, yet Zhao Sheng appeared calm and composed, saluting with his fists humbly but confidently: "Junior Zhao Zhiqin pays respects to the elders of the Wang family."


    Once he finished speaking, there was no response. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the situation grew somewhat awkward, Wang Yuqi became anxious, about to speak out, but was quickly silenced by Wang Yu Yan''s hand covering her mouth.


    A moment later, Wang Zonghai, still wearing a smile, suddenly asked, "Young man, what brings you to the Wang family today?"


    Without any hesitation, Zhao Sheng stated his purpose: "Junior has fallen in love at first sight with Sister Qi, and our feelings are mutual. I came to Fragrant Swallow Valley today to ask for her hand in marriage."


    "Insolence!" Wang Yigong slammed the table and rose, his beard bristling with anger. He absolutely disagreed with his daughter marrying a mortal.


    "Sit down!"


    Wang Zonghai''s face darkened as he scolded Wang Yigong: "Cultivation is about cultivating the mind! Decades old and still so impatient. Tomorrow you will go to the quiet room on the back mountain for closed-door cultivation; do not emerge until you''ve reached the Sixth Level of Qi Refining."


    "But Father¡ª"


    "Sit down!"


    "...Yes!"


    Seeing his father''s anger, Wang Yigong could only sit down huffily, his eyes fiercely fixed on Zhao Sheng.


    After admonishing his son, Wang Zonghai turned back to Zhao Sheng and said, "Young man, my Wang family has stood for over nine hundred years. There have been many attempts like yours in our family''s history. Some succeeded, but most failed. Do you know why?"


    "I would like to hear the details," replied Zhao Sheng, unmoved.


    "Because of benefits. Marrying a mortal brings far less benefit than an alliance with a Cultivation Family. Can you bring greater benefits to my Wang family?"


    For some reason, the Wang family''s authority was uncharacteristically candid with Zhao Sheng, openly revealing the most real aspect of human nature in front of his clan.


    Zhao Sheng fell silent for a moment, then answered firmly, "I can!"


    "Empty promises. Where''s the evidence?" Wang Zonghai scoffed. At this moment, he had transformed into the purest form of a creature motivated by interest, devoid of any sentiment.


    Perhaps individuals like Wang Zonghai truly qualified as heads of Cultivation Families, but for some inexplicable reason, Zhao Sheng didn''t like him at all.


    Zhao Sheng took out a Storage Talisman, indicating: "I have five hundred Spirit Stones in here, is that enough?"


    "Not enough!" Wang Zonghai shook his head without hesitation.


    In contrast, the other Wang family members seemed pleased, for five hundred Spirit Stones amounted to nearly half the family''s annual income.


    Zhao Sheng then pulled out a stack of papers from his chest and announced, "These papers detail the complete process for crafting perfumes, along with recipes for twelve kinds of perfumes, including three new types that have not yet appeared in the marketplace."


    Suddenly, Wang Zonghai laughed oddly and also took out a stack of papers from his Storage Bag.


    With a gentle push, the papers flew towards Zhao Sheng as if they had eyes, and he caught them in one swift motion.

 Chapter 10 Getting Married and I Want You

    Zhao Sheng opened the paper and his heart immediately sank. It was almost identical to what he held in his hands.The perfume workshop was clearly already exposed under the Wang Family''s surveillance, yet he was completely unaware.


    In the Cultivation World, one must never underestimate any cultivation family, especially those that have been glorious but have now fallen into decline, like the Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley.


    Zhao Sheng had long known that the coachman Wang Si was the Wang Family''s mole.


    Wang Si would not betray the Wang sisters, but that did not mean he would not secretly relay messages back to the Wang Family.


    Zhao Sheng was prepared for this, but he had never imagined the Wang Family would be so shameless.


    Today''s lesson was profound, making him recall it occasionally even hundreds of years later.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng remain silent, Wang Zonghai smiled and asked, "Young man, there shouldn''t be any omissions in this document, right?!"


    Zhao Sheng did not question the other party. It was pointless, and questioning is the display of incapability.


    Faced with a predicament, his mind quickly started working, constantly searching for a way out.


    The Zhao family and the perfume workshop aside, as the dominant force in Ganzhou, the cultivation Wang Family''s situated power was certainly far beyond that of the Zhao family.


    "What other bargaining chips are there?"


    While pondering, an idea suddenly struck him.


    If the Wang Family had already unraveled the trio''s tracks, why hadn''t they intervened directly and instead chose to quietly observe from the sidelines?


    Seeing the smile reappear on the patriarch''s face, Zhao Sheng suddenly conceived a bold idea.


    It seems the Wang Family''s strange behavior could all be attributed to the man in front of him.


    Realizing this, Zhao Sheng raised the prescription he held and confidently said, "I recall someone once said, ''Interest is the sole motive of human actions.'' You''ve gone through great lengths to create this situation, surely it wasn''t just to toy with the junior? If you have any requests, please, feel free to speak directly."


    Upon hearing this, Wang Zonghai suddenly burst out in hearty, genuine laughter.


    "Excellent! If my descendants were half as clever as you in dealing with people, I would die content."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s heart stuttered, thinking, "No way! Does this old man really want me to marry into the Wang Family?"


    A real man should stand tall and mighty, how could he stoop to marrying into another family?


    Zhao Sheng immediately reminded him, "Mr. Wang. My family has had only one child for three generations."


    "If I''m not mistaken, you are the ninth in line in your generation," Wang Zonghai immediately exposed his lie.


    "My parents passed away, and I need to offer incense yearly."


    "With just a bit of effort, you could do the same in Fragrant Swallow Valley."


    "Uh!"


    Zhao Sheng was momentarily at a loss for words, left with no choice but to concede honestly, "Mr. Wang, it''s impossible for me to marry into the Wang Family."


    Only then did the people of the Wang Family realize what the old and the young were cryptically discussing.


    In a flash, everyone was dumbfounded.


    But Wang Zonghai''s face darkened as he said, "Do you not want to marry my granddaughter?"


    "I do. But I simply cannot betray my ancestors," Zhao Sheng replied.


    What a joke! I am the founder of the Zhao family, how could I possibly betray myself.


    Despite Wang Zonghai''s subsequent threats and temptations, Zhao Sheng remained firm and shook his head in refusal.


    Finally, Wang Zonghai gave in a step, "Let''s make a gentleman''s agreement then. If you can advance to the Innate Realm within three years, everything will be according to your wishes. If not, you''ll marry into my Wang Family. Moreover, among the descendants of you and Yuqi, those without a Spirit Root can carry your surname, but those with a Spirit Root must bear the Wang surname."


    Listen to how this is phrased.


    The old man clearly had everything figured out from the start, yet he had initially pretended to be confused.


    Hearing Wang Zonghai say this, Zhao Sheng immediately nodded, "Agreed, your word is my bond."


    He was certain of victory! For he estimated that he could advance to the Innate within two years.


    Wang Zonghai thought he had won, unaware that Zhao Sheng was a man with a plan.


    Name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 18/120


    Realm: First-class Martial Artist


    Constitution: Hundred-year-old Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Refined), Emerald Tide Technique (Great Success), Cloud Dragon Three Changes (Unprecedented), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Divine Transformation)


    ...


    After that day, Zhao Sheng left Fragrant Swallow Valley alone.


    Three days later, he returned to Zhao Family''s Castle and, after two separate discussions with the Family Head He Xing and Clan Elder Zhao Taizhen, began his lengthy period of closed-door cultivation.


    At the same time, a large group of martial arts experts suddenly appeared in Zhao Family''s Castle, led by a man with a tiger''s back and bear''s waist.


    Upon their arrival, they completely took over the perfume workshop and expanded its size tenfold in one fell swoop.


    With the support of some mysterious power, the Zhao family quickly swallowed up several factions in the Ganzhou Martial World. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This caused a stir in the Ganzhou Martial World, with everyone crying wolf.


    A year later, in a cultivation room within Zhao Family''s Castle, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged with his eyes tightly closed, a faint clear aura emerging above his head.


    An elixir pill bottle lay in front of him on the floor, empty.


    Thirty minutes earlier, Zhao Sheng had taken the last Essence Qi Pill and began his official attempt to break through to the Innate Realm.


    Having the experience of advancing to the Innate Realm before, he smoothly converted all the Bi Hai True Qi in his body into Innate True Qi.


    About an hour later, Zhao Sheng suddenly shook violently, his body soaring three feet off the ground before gently floating back to the floor.


    Slowly opening his eyes, an excited expression appeared on Zhao Sheng''s face.


    With the aid of the Essence Qi Pills, he had advanced to Innate a year ahead of schedule.


    The power of the elixir pills was terrifying!


    ...


    Six months later, on the day the Ninth Young Master of the Zhao family got married, the whole of Nanyang City was astounded.


    Because the people of Nanyang City had never seen anyone''s marriage dowry stretch for twenty miles.


    The Zhao family was tremendously generous, laying out thousands of tables for a continuous feast that lasted a month.


    During that month, even the skinniest beggar in Nanyang City gained more than ten pounds.


    This grand wedding was discussed enthusiastically by the people of Nanyang for nearly a hundred years.


    A year later, Zhao Sheng had his first son, unfortunately without a Spirit Root.


    The following year, a lovely daughter was born, still without a Spirit Root.


    Zhao Sheng was not discouraged and continued his grand endeavors hidden within Zhao Family''s Castle.


    One night in the third year, the increasingly delicate and elegant Wang Yu Yan suddenly approached Zhao Sheng.


    Her first words upon seeing him were, "I''m getting married!"


    Zhao Sheng was silent for a moment, then said, "Congratulations!"


    "A Sixth Level Qi Refining Loose Cultivator has agreed to marry into the Wang family. My father has agreed. Next month, on an auspicious day, we will have the wedding."


    Wang Yu Yan looked intently at the man opposite her, her tone unusually calm as if she were discussing someone else.


    "...Congratulations!" Zhao Sheng, not knowing what else to say, repeated his earlier words.


    "Hmph, a man without courage!"


    Having said that, Wang Yu Yan suddenly leaped and tackled Zhao Sheng to the ground.


    Indeed, the mighty Innate Grandmaster was easily brought down.


    "I want you!"

 Chapter 11 The Wang Family is Doomed

    A night of madness, rain dwindling and flowers blooming.At dawn, Wang Yu Yan left alone, her figure drifting away.


    Zhao Sheng could never have imagined that Wang Yu Yan, known for her rational coolness, harbored a fiery passion within.


    And she was... so brave!


    As a man, he felt somewhat ashamed.


    On the eighth day of the ninth lunar month, an auspicious day for weddings and funerals, the Fragrant Swallow Valley was festooned in red, joyful and festive.


    Among the throng of guests and family, Zhao Sheng looked forlorn as he watched Wang Yu Yan marry a man with the appearance of a sly rat at a ceremony.


    That evening, Wang Yuqi, already mother to three children, suddenly flew into an unexplained rage. It took countless kind words from Zhao Sheng to calm her down.


    Time is like sand in one''s grasp, the tighter one holds it, the faster it slips away.


    As Zhao Sheng toiled for his life''s goals, fifteen years flew by in the blink of an eye.


    That day, cries of pain echoed from a room in the rear residence of the Zhao Family''s Castle.


    In the courtyard outside the room, Zhao Sheng paced back and forth restlessly, anxiously glancing towards the birthing room.


    Just then, a tall and handsome youth couldn''t help but complain, "Dad, can you stop pacing? You''re making me dizzy."


    As soon as these words were spoken, a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl chimed in, "Yeah! Dad, don''worry. Mom has already given birth to seven of us, there''s absolutely no danger."


    Zhao Sheng turned and looked at his eldest son Zhao Chenggong and eldest daughter Zhao Chengfeng with a serious expression, "You don''t understand!"


    Zhao Chengfeng was bold and teased him on purpose, "Dad, all of us know what you''re thinking, except for Old Seven. Isn''t it just that you want to have a younger brother with a Spirit Root?"


    "Feng''er, how dare you speak to dad like that! Apologize now!" Zhao Chenggong immediately scolded his sister.


    Zhao Chengfeng suddenly felt wronged by her brother''s chastisement and pouted.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, indicating it was alright.


    Da Feng was right; he did indeed wish to have a son with a Spirit Root.


    On this matter, from the day of marriage, he had been quite open with his wife, Wang Yuqi.


    So, over the years, Wang Yuqi had borne him seven children. Although after each birth she would declare she''d never have another one.


    But within a couple of years, she was pregnant again.


    Zhao Sheng was deeply grateful for his wife''s sacrifices over the years, and perhaps his initial reason for marriage was very purpose-driven, but over a decade of life together deepened their feelings for each other and gradually changed his utilitarian thinking.


    Another quarter hour passed and suddenly a loud cry came from the birthing room, and Zhao Sheng''s suspended heart finally settled.


    Old Eight was finally born!


    A long time later, just as Zhao Sheng couldn''t resist rushing into the birthing room, a slender figure holding a wrapped baby finally emerged.


    "Auntie, let me have a look," Zhao Chengfeng said excitedly upon seeing the person, running over and reaching for the bundle.


    Wang Yu Yan stepped aside to dodge Da Feng''s reaching hands and chided, "Your father hasn''t even seen him yet, it''s not your turn, you little brat."


    So many years had passed, yet Wang Yu Yan still looked young, her appearance seemingly unchanged from fifteen years ago, as if time had stood still upon her.


    As he gazed at the beautiful woman approaching, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help feeling uneasy.


    Ever since the sly-looking man died in an accident eight years ago, Wang Yu Yan had once again sought him out.


    Since that day, they had been conducting a secret affair.


    In between the thrills, Zhao Sheng inevitably felt a little guilty towards his wife.


    Wang Yu Yan thrust the baby bundle into the man''s arms with a very complicated look and said, "Here, have a look at your son. Congratulations on getting your wish!"


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng shook violently, nearly failing to catch hold of the child.


    "You mean....."


    "Hmm, I''ve already tested it, and it''s Four Spirit Roots," Wang Yu Yan nodded, confirming it.


    Good, very good!


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was extremely excited, after so many years of struggle, the heavens had finally opened their eyes.


    "Haha, let''s just call Old Eight ''Zhao Cheng'' then," he laughed heartily.


    That very night, Zhao Family''s Castle was suddenly sealed off tightly, followed shortly by pigeons carrying the news of great joy flying in all directions.


    Soon, people from the Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley had arrived, and the important members of the Zhao family who were outside also hurried back without a stop.


    The birth of Old Eight was unquestionably significant for the Zhao family, but this time they did not celebrate grandly, instead, they were exceptionally low-key.


    Apart from some insiders from the Zhao and Wang families, no outsiders knew that the Nanyang Zhao Family had finally given birth to a child with a Spirit Root.


    Time flies, a year later


    In the scorching summer, amidst the chorus of cicadas and frogs, Zhao Sheng sat by the table in a parlor within Zhao Family''s Castle, slowly wiping a three-inch ancient bronze small sword.


    This item was his recently acquired spoils of war, a First Order Middle Grade Magical Flying Sword.


    Over the year, Zhao Sheng''s cultivation had reached Innate Great Success, and his true combat strength far surpassed his realm, especially his qinggong, which had reached an unbelievable level.


    Name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 38/120


    Realm: Innate Great Success


    Constitution: Hundred-year-old Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Unprecedented), Emerald Tide Technique (Refined), Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations (Unprecedented), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Refined), Cross Refining Iron Body (Great Success)


    Looking at the data on the Hundred Lifetimes Book Page, Zhao Sheng wore a very proud expression.


    It wasn''t due to his cultivation, but because he had left a qinggong of extraordinary and peerless quality for the descendants of the Zhao family.


    Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations evolved from Cloud Dragon Three Changes; it was a skill that Zhao Sheng had spent eight years and a great deal of effort to develop.


    Once cultivated to great success, one only needed to muster a single breath of True Qi to take nine consecutive steps in the air, each step covering thirty feet, with clouds forming beneath each step.


    To test this peerless qinggong, Zhao Sheng had traversed the seven states of Liang Kingdom in half a year, challenged the twelve major martial arts sects, and consecutively faced more than twenty Innate Grandmasters. Yet, not one of them could even touch the hem of his garments.


    Just two days ago, he personally killed a cultivator at the Qi Refinement Fourth Level.


    Suddenly,


    Clang!


    The door to the parlor was violently thrown open from the outside, and Zhao Sheng, annoyed by the disturbance, looked towards the doorway, only to see his wife Wang Yuqi rush in with her face streaked with tears, looking panicked and distraught.


    "Husband, something terrible has happened! Our Wang Family... Wah!"


    Wang Yuqi plunged into Zhao Sheng''s arms, having managed only a single sentence before bursting into loud sobs.


    Seeing her state, Zhao Sheng''s expression changed drastically as he quickly comforted his wife while asking, "Don''t panic, what has happened? To see Sister Qi in such sorrow, tell your husband all about it, I am here for you."


    Wuwu! S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wang Yuqi was crying inconsolably, her right hand trembling as she handed the Thousand-mile Talisman she was clutching to her husband.


    Zhao Sheng took it, unfolded it, and his expression grew darker as he read, eventually turning ashen.


    "How is this possible!"


    At that moment, he was both shocked and furious.


    The Wang Family was ruined!

 Chapter 12 Heavenly Pillar Mountain Medicine Collectors

    One day ago, the Wang Family''s mortal enemy, the Golden Core Family, the Zhou family, suddenly located Fragrant Swallow Valley and trapped dozens of the Wang Family members inside the valley.To ensure not a single remnant of the Wang Family escaped, the Zhou family even deployed three Foundation Establishment and a team of Qi Refinement Late Stage clan members this time.


    There''s no hope to hold onto; the Wang Family was doomed this time.


    At the end of the Thousand-mile Talisman, it was written, hoping that Zhao Sheng and his family would escape quickly, to prevent the Zhou family from targeting the Zhao family, intending to eradicate them completely.


    The Wang family had moved to Ganzhou over sixty years ago and had been safe all this while; why did the Zhou family choose now to come knocking?


    Beyond his shock and anger, Zhao Sheng was deeply puzzled, and Wang Yuqi didn''t know why either.


    He quickly guessed a possibility, "Could it be because of that Foundation Establishment Pill?"


    Over the past dozen years, due to the additional income from perfume, the Wang Family''s annual profits increased significantly, saving up three to four hundred Spirit Stones a year.


    And Wang Zonghai was already nearly ninety; if he didn''t attempt Foundation Establishment, he wouldn''t have many years left to live.


    Thus, six months ago, the Wang family unanimously decided to gamble all their wealth to let Wang Zonghai try Foundation Establishment.


    For the past half a year, aside from selling their ancestral property, the Wang family also repeatedly engaged in unprofitable trades, forcefully involving their son-in-law Zhao Sheng.


    A month ago, the Wang family finally splurged over twenty thousand Spirit Stones to purchase an inferior Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Zhao Sheng''s guess wasn''t wrong, indeed the disaster stemmed from the Foundation Establishment Pill, but it was an indirect factor. The final item that the Wang family sold, a hereditary spiritual artifact, the Red Dragon Sword, was the direct cause of this annihilation of their clan.


    The Red Dragon Sword was the most frequently used spiritual artifact by the Patriarch of the Wang Family during his Foundation Establishment.


    Because the Red Dragon Sword appeared at a workshop in the Liang Kingdom, a Foundation Establishment Clan Member of the Zhou family happened to see the Red Dragon Sword at an auction, which alerted them to the Wang Family''s remnants hiding in the Liang Kingdom.


    The Wang Family''s ancestral home was in the Desolate Domain of the Da Yong Dynasty, once a Golden Core Family; their family ancestor and the neighboring Zhou Family''s Golden Core Ancestor were archenemies.


    So, after the Patriarch of the Wang Family passed away, the Wang Family fell and was pushed by all. Led by the Patriarch of the Zhou Family, the Wang Family was eventually defeated and their clan''s Great Array was broken, nearly wiping them out completely.


    Wang Zonghai and his group were the last of the Wang family to escape.


    "Husband, what should we do?" Wang Yuqi was utterly distraught and clueless.


    "Don''t panic! Leave everything to me."


    The Wang family was beyond saving; the most imperative thing now was to save the lives of his entire family as much as possible.


    Now, Zhao Sheng faced an exceptionally tough decision. He had eight children; the oldest, Zhao Chenggong, was sixteen years old, while the youngest, Zhao Chengle, had just turned one.


    Besides, there were over a thousand clan members at the Nanyang Zhao Family.


    The Nanyang Zhao Family should not be a big problem. Considering they were merely mortals, the Zhou family might not regard them highly and might not opt to kill them.


    However, the Zhou family would not spare his family, as there was a tradition in the Cultivation World to eradicate thoroughly.


    "Dayong Zhou family! This blood feud of a family ruined and scattered, Zhao will repay tenfold. Even if not in this life, then in the next or the one after... Someday, I will make the Zhou family pay with blood for blood."


    Having thought this, Zhao Sheng grimly made a cruel decision.


    To maximize their chances of survival, he and his wife would only take Zhao Chengle and flee, while the other seven children would be taken by close kin, trying to escape separately.


    Having made his choice, Zhao Sheng did not hesitate and immediately sought out the Family Head Zhao Hexing, to inform him that the Wang Family had perished and that his own family needed to escape without delay as well.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Hexing''s face turned ashen, and he stood frozen on the spot.


    Zhao Sheng had no time to delay, regardless of Zhao Hexing''s reaction, he repeated his plan once again.


    Decades of serving as the Family Head were not in vain, Zhao Hexing quickly calmed down and decisively gathered seven of his most trusted clan members. In just a quarter of an hour, he had everything arranged properly.


    Four hours later, Zhao Sheng, with a face full of sorrow, watched as the carriages carrying his children split up and drove towards the unknown.


    For safety, no one in the Zhao family knew the final destination of the escape, not even Zhao Sheng.


    When fleeing, each of the seven children carried a family keepsake on them to facilitate future recognition.


    Zhao Sheng did not know if he would ever see his children again in his lifetime.


    "Madam, stop looking. We need to go!"


    Zhao Sheng placed Old Eight into a sleeping bag, securely tied it on his back, then forcefully pulled Wang Yuqi, who was staring blankly into the distance, and jumped onto the backs of two Thousand-mile Divine Steeds.


    "Take care!"


    Zhao Sheng looked back and saw Zhao Hexing, whose hair had suddenly turned all white, and nodded solemnly.


    Clip-clop!


    The two Thousand-mile Steeds snorted excitedly, their hooves clattering, and galloped away like arrows shot from the bow.


    As Zhao Sheng''s family disappeared far into the horizon, Zhao Hexing suddenly burst into tears.


    ...


    In the summertime, Heavenly Pillar Mountain towered into the clouds, its cliffs lush with greenery, and wild vines and unknown plants covered almost every nook and cranny.


    Zhao Sheng stood at the edge of the cliff, looking far into the distance, with only boundless clouds beneath his feet, where looking up revealed no end. The sound of the wind all around was tumultuous, roaring like the tide of the ocean, pushing clouds and squeezing fog, beating against the rocks beneath his feet as if trying to sweep the cliffside''s occupants into the endless Cloud Sea.


    From his vantage point, looking left and right, the mountain walls stretched far away, seemingly endless.


    This stretch of precipice, though not small and had some cliffside depressions, was just a minor and remote corner within Heavenly Pillar Mountain, which crossed thousands of miles with peaks that soared out of sight; it was rarely visited by medicine collectors.


    "Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Heavenly Pillar Mountain... have you really pierced the heavens? I wonder if one day, when the endless Sea of Clouds and Heavenly Gang disperses, will I be able to see the full view of this mountain?" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A perfectly normal thought, one that nearly every medicine collector on Heavenly Pillar Mountain might have felt impulsively.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had traveled up and down the boundless cliffside countless times, and regardless of the weather, whether clear or cloudy, he had never seen the sea of clouds above his head or beneath his feet ever clear up.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain was a renowned place in the Cultivation World, known as the Axis of Heaven and the center of the world, and it was also a paradise for loose cultivators.


    Twenty-three years ago, the family of three, Zhao Sheng, escaped to the vicinity of Heavenly Pillar Mountain and settled down here incognito.


    To accumulate cultivation resources for Old Eight, Zhao Sheng quickly became one of hundreds of thousands of medicine collectors on Heavenly Pillar Mountain. He busied himself daily collecting various spiritual medicines in exchange for spirit stones, magic talismans, and other cultivation resources.


    The mountain was rich in spiritual medicines, among which the most famous were Purple Qi Mushroom and Moon Dew.


    Moon Dew was too mysterious, only appearing at heights thirty miles and above on Heavenly Pillar Mountain. The place was too high and too perilous, unreachable for those below the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    So, leaving out Moon Dew, let''s talk about Purple Qi Mushroom.


    Purple Qi Mushrooms are categorized into four grades according to their age: White, Green, Red, and Purple Ganoderma.


    Lingzhi less than a hundred years old is White Ganoderma, between a hundred and five hundred years old is Green Ganoderma. Lingzhi over five hundred years old turns red as fire, and a thousand-year-old Lingzhi shades into purple, which is where the name Purple Qi Mushroom comes from.


    It is famous because the Red Ganoderma over five hundred years old is the main ingredient for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, while the thousand-year Purple Qi Mushrooms are one of the main ingredients for Golden Core Formation Pills.


    Just these points alone show how sought after Purple Qi Mushrooms are in the Cultivation World!

 Chapter 13 Gongsun, where are you fleeing to?

    It was untold years ago that all major sects in the Cultivation World simultaneously issued an indefinite task: They would purchase the uniquely found Purple Qi Mushroom from Heavenly Pillar Mountain in unlimited quantities, regardless of quantity or age, and set a substantial reward for it.The rewards included gold and silver treasures, Magic Artifact Talismans, and various Elixir Pills such as the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    A five-hundred-year-old Red Fire Ganoderma could be exchanged for a Foundation Establishment Pill or a Mountain Gate Token. Anyone possessing the token could unconditionally join a Cultivation Sect, even if they had Five Spirits Roots.


    If one were fortunate enough to find a thousand-year-old Purple Qi Mushroom... an ordinary person would definitely be doomed. Without cultivation above the Foundation Establishment, one simply couldn''t secure such a heavy treasure.


    You must realize that this was a third-tier treasure medicine that even Golden Core Masters would fight over.


    This unlimited bounty task inspired countless people to dream of making a fortune and cultivating to immortality.


    For thousands of years, countless Martial World Knights, Qi Refining Practitioners, Foundation Establishment Purple Mansions, and even Golden Core Masters have flocked to the vicinity of Heavenly Pillar Mountain. Regardless of its steep heights, they climbed up and down the cliffs and precipices, risking their lives to obtain the treasures they desired.


    As Zhao Sheng''s thoughts wandered, suddenly a furious shout came from above: "Shameless old thief, I''ve finally found you! Where will you run to today?"


    Zhao Sheng looked up and saw a burly man around forty years of age, with twining beard and brown hair, suddenly come into view.


    The burly man, his face filled with anger, was standing on a sword as wide as a door and rapidly diving toward the cliff.


    Upon seeing the incoming man, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but smirk and stepped closer to the edge of the cliff,


    facing the oncoming fierce wind. His eyes narrowed as he suddenly leaped downward.


    His body freely fell through the void, accelerating as he quickly disappeared into the cloud mist, with shadows of branches and bizarre rocks dimly visible between the mountainsides.


    Zhao Sheng moved like an agile eagle, effortlessly dodging the protruding branches and rocks.


    After falling for about ten thousand meters, Zhao Sheng suddenly spread his arms wide, and two pieces of canvas stretched out from his hands and waist, forming wings that billowed high with the wind.


    The next second, Zhao Sheng''s descending speed drastically reduced, and he finally aimed for a protruding rock beam on the cliff and lightly landed on it.


    With no intention to linger there, Zhao Sheng hesitated not a moment longer, his feet tapping rapidly as his body shot like an arrow into the side mists.


    Without needing to rely on the cliff walls for support, he hovered through the air, crossing hundreds of meters in the blink of an eye.


    Upon finding a crevice large enough to accommodate himself, Zhao Sheng immediately stopped his momentum, pressed against the rock wall, and easily slipped inside, then began the Turtle Breath Technique to enter a state of feigned death.


    Simultaneously, the surrounding area howled with a strong wind, causing the nearby clouds and mist to rapidly swirl around.


    The next moment, a thunder-like roar carried by thewind hit his ears: "Cloud Entering Dragon Gongsun Sheng, I remember you now. Sooner or later, I will catch you, you shameless old thief."


    Moving through the Martial World, caution is paramount!


    Hence, Zhao Sheng never used his real name but introduced himself as Gongsun Sheng, nicknamed Cloud Entering Dragon.


    Hearing this voice, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly: "Alas, it was just me transforming your three-hundred-year-old Green Ganoderma with Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations, no need to relentlessly chase me like this. Han Xuanwu, Han Xuanwu, you are too stubborn!"


    For fear of being ambushed, Zhao Sheng hid in the crevice for an entire day.


    It was not until the mountain wind changed direction and night fell that he stealthily poked his head out, looking around cautiously, like a timid mole.


    Don''t fault him for being so timid, for it is said that caution helps one sail the sea for ten thousand years!


    Having braved over twenty years of blood and stormy ordeals, ambushing, lying in wait, and battling for treasures, he''d seen plenty.


    The medicine collectors, over a single Spiritual Medicine, would fight to the death, a scene so ferocious and tragic that one could hardly imagine it without experiencing it firsthand. It''s true what they say¡ªwhether for wealth or mere survival, people, like birds, often meet their end.


    If Zhao Sheng hadn''t been extremely cautious, he would have perished in some nameless corner twenty years earlier.


    Peeking his head out and twitching his nose, he sniffed the mountain breeze, feeling the air was free of "human scent," only then did he relax. He then stepped on the void, his body shooting out like an arrow, quickly speeding in a certain direction.


    His landing spots were ever-changing; the place he had arranged the day before was dozens of miles away, which would take about half an hour just going back and forth on the road.


    Two quarters of an hour later, Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped; the cliff under his feet had sparse vegetation replaced by rugged rocks, lean and dark, looking exceedingly desolate in the night.


    That was why, at nearly a thousand feet away across the mountain cliff, the huge spherical Light Flame Talisman hanging in the air was exceptionally conspicuous.


    "Haha, a Light Flame Talisman from the Purple Sun Sect? What a coincidence."


    Zhao Sheng grinned, not expecting to encounter a trade meeting on his "return to the nest."


    He was lucky.


    Because of its particular terrain, Heavenly Pillar Mountain was inconvenient for the medicine collectors to navigate, which is why many Major Sects of the Cultivation World would send numerous disciples to Heavenly Pillar Mountain to hold temporary trade meetings. This facilitated the medicine collectors in timely exchanging goods and cultivation resources.


    This was somewhat like the relationship between gold prospectors and the merchants who sold mining tools. The ''Gold'' mined by the prospectors at great personal risk ended up filling the pockets of the ''merchants'' who sold the tools.


    While countless prospectors died or were harmed, very few made a fortune, whereas the ''merchants'' earned a great deal. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he approached within a mile of the trading spot, the people there also spotted Zhao Sheng.


    A mile away? Even in the darkness, a Qi Refining Immortal Cultivator could see very clearly.


    Seven or eight breaths later, Zhao Sheng stepped onto the stone platform that jutted out beyond the mountain cliff, where a pile of bonfires was already lit.


    Around the bonfire gathered a group of medicine collectors, each wearing a different expression and visibly weather-beaten.


    The two parties faced each other.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s arrival, the crowd was stunned at first, but it didn''t take long for someone to spring up energetically.


    "Haha, Gongsun, you dare show your face here!"


    Seeing the ferocious look on Han Xuanwu''s face, Zhao Sheng cursed his luck, lamenting that he hadn''t checked the calendar before leaving home, as this fool had caused him trouble yet again.


    Han Xuanwu was originally a Martial World Knight but later met a master who discovered he possessed a Spirit Root. After receiving a Qi Refining Method from the master, who then vanished, Han Xuanwu discovered his cultivation talent was incredibly high. He managed to reach the Sixth Level of Qi Refining all by himself in just twenty years.


    Although he had become a Cultivator, Han the Martial Enthusiast, always considering himself a Martial Artist, loved collecting various Martial Arts Masterpieces.


    Three months prior, at a trade meeting, Zhao Sheng had "traded" a 300-year-old Green Ganoderma from Han Xuanwu using his unique mastery, the Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations.


    Later, upon realizing he had been deceived, the fool had relentlessly pursued Zhao Sheng for a full three months, up until this very evening.


    "Han the Martial Enthusiast, you should check where you are before you try anything!"


    Zhao Sheng, not intimidated in the least, strode confidently to the fire and faced Han Xuanwu.

 Chapter 14 Heed My Advice and Leave Here as Soon as Possible

    "You... if you''ve got the guts, don''t run away."Han Xuanwu''s face froze upon hearing this and he actually didn''t dare to take action. After fiercely dropping a sentence, he sat back down with an unwilling expression, his tiger-like eyes unceasingly fixed on Zhao Sheng.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain had several taboos, one of which was that you must never fight during the trading assembly, or else...


    Zhao Sheng glanced intentionally and unintentionally at a young man wearing a purple Magic Robe among the crowd. That person was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Purple Sun Sect, in charge of presiding over today''s trading assembly.


    Zhao Sheng had been mingling on Heavenly Pillar Mountain for over twenty years and although he was not even a Cultivator, his reputation was not small at all.


    Daredevil, cunning and ruthless, the number one in Wing Suit Flying, innate ambushes against those in the late stages of Qi Refining, escaping from the hands of Foundation Establishment... all these were his labels.


    Therefore, several familiar medicine collectors greeted him one after another, and Zhao Sheng repeatedly returned the salute with cupped fists.


    Upon finding a spot where he knew many people, he turned his head and greeted the playboy monk, Lu Dayou, sitting next to him, saying, "Brother Lu is well, and the rest of you too..."


    While speaking, Zhao Sheng took a glance and noticed that there were a few fewer people in Lu Dayou''s team, causing him to frown slightly.


    The absent ones probably met with more misfortune than luck.


    One should know that picking Spiritual Medicines was never easy. One must always be careful of strong winds and mists on cliffs and precipices, and also be wary of the sudden appearance of poisonous insects, fierce birds, and Fierce Beasts. The slightest carelessness could result in there being no bones left.


    What''s more, was Heavenly Pillar Mountain merely a place for collecting herbs?


    Lu Dayou saw through his thoughts, but as an old slicker of Qi Refinement who had long become indifferent to life and death, he simply laughed it off and shifted his attention:


    "Brother Gongsun, where have you been making money recently? It''s really dangerous to be alone; better to join my team. It''s good to have each other''s backs."


    Ever since Zhao Sheng had invented the mode of Wing Suit Flying, he had become a coveted asset for many small herb collecting teams.


    Because Wing Suit Flying was truly useful, and many Cultivators in the early stages of Qi Refining increased their chances of survival dramatically after learning Wing Suit Flying. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    So, while earning a hefty "tuition fee," Zhao Sheng''s fame grew with each passing day.


    "Haha, Brother Lu, I appreciate your kindness. However, I''ve grown used to being idle and alone over the years and don''t quite suit working with others," Zhao Sheng laughingly and tactfully declined the offer.


    Cultivators were prideful and arrogant, always looking down on Innate Martial Artists. Although Zhao Sheng was quite well-known, he was no exception.


    If he were to join Lu Dayou''s team, who knows when he might be stabbed in the back by one of his own.


    Zhao Sheng knew he was quite a "fatty" target!


    Lu Dayou tried persuading him a few more times, but seeing that Zhao Sheng kept sidestepping, he finally became impatient, turned his face coldly, and stopped paying attention to him.


    Cough cough!


    Sometime later, seeing that no one else seemed to be approaching, the Purple Sun Sect Disciple suddenly coughed twice and stood up.


    The area around the bonfire immediately quieted down, and everyone looked at him.


    The man surveyed the crowd, then spoke, "The time is about right, let''s start tonight''s trading assembly. The same old rules: one, no fighting; two, once the goods are traded, neither party may regret the deal. Three, beyond the ten-mile safe range, everyone''s life and death is in their own hands.


    Additionally, those who need to may exchange with me. Whether it be Spirit Stones, Magic Artifacts, talismans or Elixir Pills."


    After finishing, he sat back down.


    The trading assembly started, and some medicine collectors gradually approached the Purple Sun Sect Disciple to exchange their Spiritual Medicines for things they needed.


    Other medicine collectors skillfully laid out a cloth and placed various items on it, such as assorted dried or well-preserved Spiritual Medicines, various damaged Magic Artifacts and swords, dried meat, water flasks, some unknown ores or demon beast remains, claws, teeth, and so on.


    Zhao Sheng did the same.


    ```


    He unbuckled the strap from his back and dumped the contents of his backpack onto the ground, then spread them out one by one.


    Three century-old Red Fruits, a scroll of Mountain-piercing Iron Armor Beast Skin, a Green Ganoderma as big as a face, two tender White Ganoderma like jade, a small bronze knife, and a neatly folded blue Magic Robe.


    The above items were his harvest from the past month, but they were not the most important.


    Zhao Sheng hesitated for a long time before finally pulling out a crystal clear, glowing white round Jade Pendant from his chest.


    As soon as this item appeared, it immediately drew the attention of those nearby.


    "A First Rank Protective Jade Pendant!" someone exclaimed in surprise.


    "F***, has Gongsun Sheng launched another sneak attack on some Sect''s Disciple?"


    "Hmph, Gongsun relies on his peerless Qinggong to often strike from behind. If it weren''t for his strong ability to escape, he would have long been caught and flayed."


    Zhao Sheng paid no mind to the surrounding chatter, but by now, someone had already approached, unable to restrain their curiosity, asking how to exchange for the Protective Jade Pendant.


    "I only exchange for Yellow Bud Pills, Green Jade Powder, and other Spirit Pills that increase cultivation."


    In the face of the inquirer, Zhao Sheng raised his voice slightly, deliberately letting others hear.


    Upon hearing his words, the man laughed awkwardly and said, "Brother Gongsun, as an Innate Martial Artist, you have no use for these Cultivation Elixirs. Perhaps we could change the terms, I have a bottle of Revitalizing Pills and a bottle of Innate Pills here, take a look..."


    "Sorry, I won''t exchange for anything else," Zhao Sheng refused without hesitation.


    Hmph!


    The man walked away muttering to himself.


    Another person who approached, however, gave Zhao Sheng a great headache.


    Han Xuanwu spread his legs apart, squatting opposite him, staring at Zhao Sheng with intense focus, not uttering a word.


    "Brother Han, do you have to be like this! I really haven''t held back anything, if you can''t master Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations, it''s because your constitution doesn''t suit it, it''s not my fault," Zhao Sheng earnestly pleaded.


    He had a good impression of Han Xuanwu. This man adhered to the code of honor of the Martial World, acted openly and aboveboard, and most importantly, he never discriminated against ordinary Martial Artists.


    Additionally, what Zhao Sheng said was true, without a Light as a Feather constitution, a normal person at their peak could only span seven or eight zhang with a step, not ten zhang like him, traversing the air with ease.


    Han Xuanwu remained silently resolute. Gongsun''s reputation among the medicine collectors had become quite notorious; his words could not be trusted.


    Moreover, Han Xuanwu was certain there must be some secrets to mastering Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations that he wasn''t aware of, otherwise, with his talent as a Martial Artist prodigy, he couldn''t possibly fail to reach Great Success.


    Zhao Sheng saw that the other party was determined to persist, and was about to try to persuasively reason with him further.


    Suddenly,


    his nose twitched violently, detecting a faint yet peculiar scent.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression changed subtly as he quietly surveyed his surroundings. Everything appeared normal, with bustling transactions underway, but the strange scent in the air grew progressively stronger.


    Ever since reaching the Innate Limit last year, his sense of smell had become exceptionally acute, enabling him to distinguish each complex scent in the air and detect odors that even Cultivators were unable to sense.


    He had come to call this extraordinary ability Spiritual Smell, also known as "dog''s nose."


    In recent years, the ability had played a significant role in saving his life multiple times.


    "Take my advice, leave this place as soon as you can."


    Using the skill of covert sound transmission, Zhao Sheng finished warning Han Xuanwu and swiftly packed the items on the ground back into his backpack.


    ```

 Chapter 15 Earth Flame Palace Demon Disciples

    After packing up his things, Zhao Sheng suddenly stood up, and with fury, he yelled at Han Xuanwu, "Fine, fine, running into you today is just my bad luck! Can''t I just leave? If you''ve got the guts, come chase after me!"Without regard for the other people''s strange gazes, he quickly walked toward the outside.


    "Brother Gongsun, hold on! There''s no harm in waiting to exchange the Jade Pendant before leaving!" Lu Dayou suddenly shouted at Zhao Sheng.


    However, as if Zhao Sheng didn''t hear him, Innate True Qi burst forth from the Yongquan acupoint in his feet, his figure flickered, and he leaped into the darkness.


    But the next second, he flew back in a very sorry state, his complexion turning exceedingly ugly.


    By then, the clever medicine collectors had already sensed that something was wrong.


    The surroundings quickly fell silent, and at this moment, that Purple Sun Sect disciple abruptly stood up and demanded of Zhao Sheng, "What happened?"


    Zhao Sheng glanced at him and said coldly, "Someone has set up a Barrier Formation outside; we can''t get out."


    "Hiss!"


    The sight of several dozen people gasping in unison was quite impressive.


    This is bad!


    The same thought suddenly emerged in everyone''s minds.


    Zhao Sheng had a bad feeling. For some reason, after seeing that Purple Sun Sect disciple''s reaction, he felt very uncomfortable, but before he could figure out why,


    That person suddenly and inexplicably said, "Hmm, it''s a bit early, but it will do."


    Huh? What does he mean?


    Zhao Sheng keenly picked up on the change in that person''s tone.


    He wasn''t the only smart one; Lu Dayou also looked up, scrutinizing him with a puzzled expression.


    At that moment, the scent in the air suddenly intensified.


    "Be careful!"


    Zhao Sheng suddenly shouted, and before the others could react, he swiftly arched his back, his body sticking close to the ground as he flew backward.


    Just a beat later, a massive burst of scorching red light swept past his nose, the blaze erupting violently, followed by an acrid "spicy" scent assaulting the mouths and noses.


    Screams ensued, accompanied by the unchecked, maniacal laughter of that Purple Sun Sect disciple.


    "Earth Lungs Poison Flames! Be careful, he''s not a Purple Sun Sect disciple, he''s a Demon Disciple from the Earth Flame Palace!" That was Han Xuanwu''s voice, and with it came a series of explosions.


    Zhao Sheng rolled again, jumping to the edge of the stone platform and hiding behind a piece of rubble while quickly swallowing a few Detoxification Pills and activating the Turtle Breath Technique to enter the Fetal Breathing State.


    Despite this, he still felt dizzy and nauseated.


    Throughout this process, the screams never ceased.


    Looking up, he saw a sky filled with flames, with "Fire Men" running and screaming in all directions.


    The original campfire had swelled to ten times its size, turning into giant beasts of greenish flame, rapidly devouring the people around them.


    Some of those who were close had been burned to charred corpses, and a few not yet dead were struggling and howling on the ground, their faces charred black as coal, no trace of blood flowing out.


    The cause of all this was that "Purple Sun Sect" disciple, whose true identity was a True Inheritor Demon Disciple from the Earth Flame Palace, named Fu Yanqing, at the level of Qi Refining Perfection.


    He continued to laugh madly, flinging out ball after ball of crimson fire.


    Upon touching anything, the Red Fire Fireball would explode, sending out rings of flames that surged forth and caused everything in their path to spontaneously combust, quickly creating vast oceans of red fire.


    What was more terrifying was that everyone seemed to have their Spiritual Power shackled by something, with less than ten percent at their disposal, leaving them practically powerless to resist.


    However, Han Xuanwu, a master of various martial arts, still had the strength to run about frantically.


    He tapped the ground lightly with his foot, his body suddenly changing direction, dodging several whooshing fireballs, then leapt seven or eight zhang, crossing over the rolling flames coming at him.


    While busily killing and setting fire, Fu Yanqing still had the leisure to turn his head and laugh at Zhao Sheng, "You''re quite alert. The moment I released the Soul Shackling Powder, you sensed it. Fortunately, I arranged the Array in advance, or you might have escaped."


    He had killed and disguised himself as a disciple of the Purple Sun Sect, and that was something he absolutely couldn''t let be exposed. Otherwise, he would certainly be hunted down by the Purple Sun Sect and killed.


    If it weren''t for his desire to buy a few more Foundation Establishment Pills, he wouldn''t have taken such a big risk.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows shot up; this man was insufferably arrogant.


    Of course, Fu Yanqing did have the capital to be arrogant. Not even forty years old, he had cultivated to the Qi Refining Perfection Realm. That definitely placed him among the geniuses of the Cultivation World.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng remaining very calm, Fu Yanqing let out a sneer, and then suddenly shouted: sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Behead him!"


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zhao Sheng saw a red line slashing down straight at him from above.


    Zhao Sheng''s face underwent a drastic change, and he thrust his hands upwards violently. A three-foot-thick True Qi Wall instantly formed, attempting to block the red line.


    But it was all in vain!


    The three-foot True Qi Wall had no effect at all, like a hot knife through butter, effortlessly sliced open by the red line.


    The next second, however, there was a loud bang.


    The red line instantly stopped, and then revealed the shape of a pale-red small sword.


    A suddenly appeared circular white Light Shield took the hit for him,


    but the cost was that the Jade Pendant in his hand cracked and split into several pieces.


    At the same time, all the screams and groans disappeared. Aside from Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu, the rest of the medicine collectors had all died at Fu Yanqing''s hands.


    Han Xuanwu rapidly escaped to Zhao Sheng''s side, both shocked and angry, "Brother Gongsun, you''re a cunning one, quickly think of a way to escape! I must not die, my daughter is waiting for me to return home!"


    The perpetrator''s intent still unsatisfied, his eyes now a reddened hue, glanced over the two men several times before finally staring intently at Zhao Sheng''s face.


    "Heh heh, how do you want to die?"


    At that moment, Han Xuanwu, without saying a word, suddenly leaped toward the void outside the stone platform, but a blood-colored Barrier suddenly appeared along the edge of the stone platform.


    This layer of Light Film, which seemed very thin, was actually very tough. Han Xuanwu, acting in a panic, crashed head-first into it, was immediately bounced back, and fell spread-eagled on the ground.


    Idiot!


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng cursed inwardly. If it were possible to escape, he would have run long ago.


    Essentially, Han Xuanwu didn''t trust him one bit and wouldn''t give up without trying it out for himself.


    Boom!


    While he was thinking,


    Seven or eight red fireballs, with an extremely hot aura, smashed towards Zhao Sheng''s head from above.


    Luckily, his Qinggong was unparalleled. Within ten yards, it was almost like instantaneous movement.


    Dodging one wave of attacks, Zhao Sheng felt a burning sensation in his lungs; nearby, the ground was ablaze, the stones nearly melting.


    He was running out of places to stand.


    However, the greater threat was that pale-red flying sword. With its continuous attacks, the circular Light Shield rapidly dimmed, and the Protective Jade Pendant was also covered with cracks.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t know how much longer it would last.


    But he understood that his time was running out.


    "Damn it, I''m going all out with you!"


    On the other side, Han Xuanwu, with no chance of escape, was so angry that he pulled out a Magic Talisman, poured his remaining Spiritual Power into it, and then threw it out without any consideration.


    Fireballs, ice arrows, golden sword light,


    For a moment, a dozen First-tier Five Elements Magic spells simultaneously smashed towards Fu Yanqing.

 Chapter 16 A Narrow Escape from Death

    ```Facing the skyful of attacks, Fu Yanqing remained composed, chanting spells unhurriedly.


    The next second, the flames on the ground before him suddenly surged up to the height of a man and in a blink, solidified into three thick Flame Shields, effortlessly blocking wave after wave of the attack.


    Seeing this, Han Xuanwu''s face showed despair.


    But just then, Zhao Sheng suddenly jumped to his side, his face excited as he urgently shouted, "Do you still have any Water and Ice Series Magic Talismans? We''re saved."


    Upon hearing this, Han Xuanwu was overjoyed and quickly shouted back, "Yes, yes!"


    As he spoke, he seemed to perform a magic trick as he pulled out a large stack of Magic Talismans from his waist.


    Fortunately, Han Xuanwu was not very adept at gathering herbs, and to support his cultivation, he moonlighted as a secondary dealer, always stocked up with essential cultivation supplies like Magic Talismans and Elixir Pills.


    "There are eight more Water and Ice Series Magic Talismans. But I don''t have much Spiritual Power left to use."


    "Is it enough to release these eight talismans?"


    "Enough!"


    "Great! When I tell you where to throw them, you must smash them all out as fast as you can. Do you understand?"


    "Hmm, understood!"


    Facing a life and death crisis, Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu spoke extremely quickly, and in just a few short sentences, the plan was set.


    "Follow me!"


    Zhao Sheng scanned the surroundings with his eyes and immediately pointed to an area of the ground about a dozen feet away.


    There, the fire waves were rolling, and the ground was almost burnt into magma.


    "Throw!"


    Although Han Xuanwu didn''t understand why, he didn''t hesitate and immediately mobilized the last bit of his Spiritual Power to release all of the Water and Ice Series Magic Talismans.


    In an instant, three or four water jar-sized azure Water Balls, seven or eight arm-length ice arrows, and dozens to nearly a hundred Mystic Ice Needles pummeled the searing hot ground.


    In that moment, it was like ice water being poured into boiling magma, a large amount of grey-white fog erupted and filled the space within a few feet in the blink of an eye.


    The dense fog not only engulfed Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu but also obscured Fu Yanqing''s vision.


    The whole process seemed long but only lasted a few seconds.


    Hiss!


    The magma-like ground rapidly cooled and solidified, revealing the grey-white stone surface and suddenly cracking with countless tiny fissures.


    "Ah! I get it now!"


    Ignoring Han Xuanwu''s ecstatic outburst, Zhao Sheng immediately drew a Soft Sword from his waist, infused it with Innate True Qi, and in an instant, the Soft Sword became as straight and hard as steel.


    With the hilt reversed, he thrust the tip downward with all his might.


    A light crack.


    The body of the Soft Sword plunged deeply into the stone.


    Zhao Sheng gripped the hilt and sawed vigorously, his sword moving back and forth in horizontal and vertical cuts,


    In just two seconds, the three-foot-thick stone ground beneath Zhao Sheng''s feet was cut into countless pieces of rubble, and the nearby cracks quickly lengthened and deepened.


    The next instant, a dense series of crackling sounds erupted, and the ground within a two-yard radius suddenly broke apart.


    The ground collapsed instantaneously, and Zhao Sheng felt the earth give way beneath him, his body falling down the Abyss along with countless pieces of rubble.


    "We''re saved!"


    He inwardly shouted, and a look of wild joy inevitably spread across his face.


    "No!"


    At that moment, an unwilling roar came from above, followed by seven or eight flame beasts leaping down from the stone platform, in a mad frenzy as if they would not rest until they were dead.


    The mountain wind howled, and beast roars shrilled,


    ```


    A red streak of lightning cleaved through the night, covering a distance of dozens of yards in an instant and striking the defensive light shield in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Crack! Crack!


    The defensive light shield suddenly shattered into countless points of light.


    The red streak''s speed diminished slightly, but it still headed towards Zhao Sheng''s head at a speed invisible to the naked eye.


    As if he had sensed the breath of death, Zhao Sheng''s pupils instantly constricted to their limits, and in his vision, the red streak seemed to slow by tenfold, its blade becoming clear and visible as it approached at normal speed through the void.


    Zhao Sheng''s heart was like a still mirror, reflecting the trajectory of the flying sword. With his right hand, he thrust his soft sword with all his might, its tip striking the tip of the flying sword with unmatched precision.


    It was like the meeting of needle and wheat awn,


    Sixty years of Innate True Qi erupted explosively!


    In that instant, a massive shockwave transmitted from the blade into Zhao Sheng''s body.


    His body shook violently, and the soft sword that had accompanied him for over a decade snapped inch by inch.


    Fortunately, the pale red flying sword was finally knocked away.


    Thanks to this desperate strike, Zhao Sheng''s falling speed suddenly increased by a large margin.


    In just a few breaths, he plunged into the cloud sea below, his vision obstructed by layers of fog.


    It was at this moment that Zhao Sheng''s spirit again experienced turbulence, realizing he had narrowly escaped a calamity.


    After falling another two thousand yards, he swiftly unfolded the Flying Wings on either side of him, using the wind to silently blend into the dark night of Green Darkness and make his escape.


    ...


    Decades later.


    Zhao Sheng was huddled up in a tree hollow, looking very nervous.


    He held his breath and focused, daring not to make a move.


    The reason for his caution was that perched on a thick tree branch thick enough to embrace, just about a yard away from him, sat an enormous creature.


    It was a giant flying beast with wings spanning dozens of yards, its Croc Dragon-like head crowned with densely packed, dark red horn scales layered one atop another. These scales couldn''t hide its typical crocodile-like maw and dragon eyes, or the domineering fangs that protruded fiercely. As the scales continued down its body, they became increasingly vivid in color until they were as bright as freshly spilled blood. A faint shudder of its body would send a wave of blood-light shimmering through the cloud mist.


    This giant beast was called a Blood-winged Flying Lizard, a demon beast unique to the shadow side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, known for its fierce and combative nature. It was not only capable of tearing apart tigers, eagles, and python-like creatures in life but also boasted a combat strength comparable to that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Zhao Sheng''s small stature was too weak to withstand a single claw from this demon beast.


    After a good while, as the smell of blood wafted to Zhao Sheng''s nose, the faint sound of something large moving through the dense fog seemed to be approaching the big tree.


    The Blood-winged Flying Lizard let out a screeching cry, unfolded its wings, and struck down through the fog, its sharp claws aimed at a giant mountain ape that had just appeared.


    But this ape was robust as a mountain, with four arms and an unmatched Divine Power. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a furious roar, it leaped ten yards high, pounced on the Blood-winged Flying Lizard, and began pounding it with its fists. Thereupon, the two ferocious creatures embarked on a fierce battle amidst the clouds, with flesh and scales scattering through the air.


    Seizing the opportunity while the beasts were locked in fierce combat and heedless of their surroundings, Zhao Sheng quietly emerged from the tree hollow and stealthily slipped into the denser fog farther away.


    As the saying goes, wander the night long enough, and you''re bound to encounter ghosts.


    As the pioneer of WingSuit Mode, Zhao Sheng had the incredible misfortune of encountering a Cloud Sea turbulence during a flight yesterday.


    Cloud Sea turbulence is a common weather phenomenon on Heavenly Pillar Mountain. It is extremely dangerous and complex, akin to a hurricane or tornado. Once caught in it, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would struggle to escape promptly.


    Caught in its grasp, Zhao Sheng completely lost control of his body, tumbling and spinning uncontrollably within the turbulent flow.


    Repeated cycles of disorientation made his head pound, and unsure how long he had been tossed around in the turbulence, he finally felt a sharp pain in his head and then lost consciousness.


    When he came to, his initial shock was not because his body almost fell from the vines, but because he found himself surrounded by thick fog.


    Zhao Sheng struggled to get up from the vine and carefully moved to an old tree next to the mountain wall, cautiously observing his surroundings.


    Stones, plants, moss¡ªall were common sights on Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    It seemed that everything was normal?

 Chapter 17 Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden

    An hour had swiftly passed, and the dense fog showed no sign of dissipating.At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly had a terrifying thought¡ªhe might have been swept into the "Death Treasure Land."


    Instantly, he broke out in a cold sweat.


    The sunny side and the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain were completely different worlds.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain was so tall and vast that the sunshine could never reach its shaded side. This caused the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain to be constantly enveloped in thick fog, hidden from the sun year-round. The brightness during the day was extremely low; even at noon, one couldn''t see a few yards ahead, and at night it was pitch black, not even allowing one to see their own hand.


    For this reason, vast unexplored "Barbaric Territories" existed on the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain. It was a paradise for Spiritual Medicines, Spirit Plants, demon beasts, and fierce beasts but also the final resting place for countless medicine collectors.


    Mysterious and unknown, it was extremely dangerous yet contained countless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.


    "Death Treasure Land" was the term countless medicine collectors used to jokingly refer to the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, fully expressing their complex feelings of both love and fear towards it.


    The area Zhao Sheng found himself in was undoubtedly in some unknown corner of the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    After escaping the peril, unknowingly, Zhao Sheng had climbed several hundred yards up the mountain face. Along the way, there were many hazardous spots, not to mention poisonous creatures and fierce beasts. As he climbed higher, the air became thinner, and the temperature dropped unusually quickly. Ice formed everywhere on the mountain face, its surface wet and slippery. A single misstep could send him plummeting into the Cloud Sea, his life out of his own hands.


    With great effort, he found a small crevice to rest and catch his breath.


    The cold here was bone-chilling, quite reminiscent of winter.


    However, for Zhao Sheng, the most difficult part wasn''t the temperature, but the feeling of fear.


    The most useful senses for humans are sight and hearing, with most external information being gathered by these two senses.


    The thick, heavy fog "sealed" Zhao Sheng''s eyes and ears, and the world became eerily "silent." A little further away, and he could neither hear nor see anything clearly.


    Deprived of the senses of sight and hearing, and well aware of being in an extremely dangerous place, most people would instinctively feel fear, and Zhao Sheng was no exception.


    He was even more aware that the nights here were far busier than the days, with the number of fierce beasts roaming the Cloud Sea at least fifty percent greater than on the sunny side. Moreover, some enormous creatures roamed the higher and deeper parts of the Cloud Sea, their mere presence exerting a pressure that could make him, a mere mortal, hold his breath.


    In fact, Zhao Sheng had already consciously entered the Fetal Breathing State, and his superpower, the Spirit Nose, was operating at full capacity, constantly sniffing out the dangers lurking in the fog.


    Because the shaded side world was more dangerous, bloodier, and more elusive. The fierce beasts were always roaming about, seemingly searching for something, which led to frequent conflicts.


    In just four hours, there had been four or five extremely brutal fights, each ending in the death of one or both parties involved. The smell of blood permeated the air, mixing with the fog, becoming a part of this unique ecology.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng realize why this place was called "Death Treasure Land." Without the Divine Sense unique to Foundation Establishment Cultivators, even those at Qi Refining Perfection would struggle to survive here. Ordinary medicine collectors could not last a day.


    However, soon after, this foggy land revealed to Zhao Sheng why it was also known as a treasure land.


    Half a day later, he climbed up to a sloping area recessed into the mountain wall.


    The slope below was extremely steep, while the upper part was somewhat flat, receding into the mountain for about ten yards. The vegetation on the slope was dense, which was out of the ordinary. This area was usually concealed beneath thick fog, not exposed to sunlight, and besides some mosses and fungi, plants should find it difficult to survive.


    But once he remembered this was Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Zhao Sheng immediately understood. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as he stepped onto the sloped land, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but sneeze in response to the strong medicinal scent in the fog¡ªit was as if hundreds of Spiritual Medicines were growing together, with over a dozen different fragrances mingling into one, overwhelming upon first whiff.


    The most intense among these was the scent of the Purple Qi Mushroom.


    That was definitely the Purple Qi Mushroom.


    Zhao Sheng could not possibly mistake the scent, even though he couldn''t understand why the Purple Qi Mushroom could grow in a place without sunlight.


    But he trusted his nose and his decades of experience collecting medicines.


    Immediately, Zhao Sheng''s spirits lifted, and he cautiously began his exploration.


    The more unfamiliar the place, the more cautious one must be, especially in a "Barbaric" territory untouched for millions of years.


    ```


    Fortunately, there were no large creatures on this slope, only some minor poisonous insects like Yin Wu Gui Bie.


    As it turned out, Zhao Sheng''s nose was even more sensitive than a dog''s, for this place was indeed a rare Spirit Medicine Garden in Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    As far as the eye could see, Blood Sword Grass, Strange Spirit Branches, Dragonbane Fruits, Heartless Flowers, Golden Essence Seeds... Various valuable spiritual medicines were growing wildly under trees, in the grass, and between rocks, each of them robust and thick with extremely long medicinal ages.


    Of course, the most numerous were the delicate white and indigo Purple Qi Mushrooms.


    Eh?


    Zhao Sheng suddenly gasped in surprise, his expression ecstatic.


    On a dead tree root two yards to his right, there was a washbasin-sized, flaming red and unusual Lingzhi mushroom.


    Red Fire Ganoderma?!


    Zhao Sheng took a few quick strides over and touched the cap of the mushroom. The burning sensation unique to the Red Fire Ganoderma made him realize that he had truly hit the jackpot.


    This was indeed a Red Fire Ganoderma that could be exchanged for a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Seeing the densely packed medicinal patterns on the surface of the Lingzhi, even Zhao Sheng''s usually steady hands began to tremble slightly.


    After counting carefully, there were a total of eight hundred and thirty-one medicinal patterns, indicating that this Red Fire Ganoderma was more than eight hundred years old, sufficient to exchange for a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Elixir Pills always come in different qualities, with a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill offering a cultivator more than a thirty percent chance of successful Foundation Establishment, whereas a low-grade pill offers less than a ten percent chance.


    Thirty percent chance of success in Foundation Establishment!


    One can imagine just how sought after top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills are in the Cultivation World.


    Stable!


    The Zhao family''s rise to becoming a Cultivation Family was set!


    This was the first thought that came to Zhao Sheng''s mind.


    He never imagined that he could exceed his life goals by such a margin.


    With this Red Fire Ganoderma, Zhao Chengle, that disappointing fellow, could be considered to have half-stepped through the gate to Foundation Establishment.


    Of course, he would have to cultivate to Qi Refining Perfection first.


    Thinking about Old Eight''s usual behavior, Zhao Sheng could hardly wait to fly back and give him a couple of hard slaps.


    Practice martial arts, what use is that when you could cultivate... isn''t it enticing?


    But no matter how much he beat or scolded, the stubborn kid remained unaffected.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly thought of Han Xuanwu, could it be that he took a liking to Old Eight because they shared similar characteristics?


    Sometimes, too much happiness can also be a worry!


    There were many spirit medicines growing on this slope, most with long medicinal ages. Those over a hundred years old were common, and he had found three that were over a thousand years old.


    One of them was a thousand-year-old Blood Sword Grass, a natural Wood Element Magical Artifact; with a bit of refining, it could become an excellent Spiritual Flying Sword.


    There was also a Nine-Section Ink Jade Orchid with twelve hundred years of maturity, as well as a thousand-year-old Golden Essence Seed.


    It is worth mentioning that he found another Red Fire Ganoderma, but it was only six hundred and eighty years old.


    Zhao Sheng did not feel any regret for not finding a thousand-year-old Purple Qi Mushroom.


    As a matter of fact, no one has ever discovered a Purple Qi Mushroom on the shady side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    This is because Purple Qi Mushrooms that are over a thousand years old have developed spirituality and naturally possess the characteristics of "becoming mist when encountering clouds, burrowing when encountering soil, and merging with wood".


    ```

 Chapter 18 The Withered Root of the Divine Tree and Medicinal Mud

    The backpack space was limited, so Zhao Sheng picked and chose, and finally decided to pack the nine most valuable spiritual medicines, including the Red Fire Ganoderma and thousand-year-old spiritual medicines, inside.He didn''t plan to take away the other spiritual medicines.


    Because carrying them would affect the agility of his body.


    In such an extremely dangerous place, even being slightly slower could be fatal.


    Zhao Sheng hadn''t brought his "hope" back yet, naturally he wouldn''t throw away the big for the sake of the small.


    Just as he was busy digging up spiritual medicines, a fishy smell suddenly rolled in from the clouds. Zhao Sheng let out a surprised gasp, his body dropped down, and with a roll, he darted into a hiding spot he had already scoped out.


    Just as he concealed himself, the sound of flapping wings came from overhead. He glanced outside, and landing on the slope was the Blood-winged Flying Lizard he had seen before. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This Blood-winged Flying Lizard seemed to be heavily injured, with its dark red horn scales in disarray and numerous wounds along its body. It appeared lethargic, yet it came here with a strong sense of purpose. After landing, it didn''t look around but went straight to a tree root, extended its front claw, and started digging downward along the root.


    That was exactly where the Red Fire Ganoderma grew. Zhao Sheng was not worried about the demon beast discovering him but was filled with intense curiosity.


    The claws of the Blood-winged Flying Lizard were sharp, and it quickly dug a few feet deep, revealing the soil layer below. The creature skillfully grabbed a handful of soil and swallowed it directly without even chewing before gulping it down.


    Perhaps this "soil" really had medicinal effects, because after the Flying Lizard swallowed this stuff, its spirits were lifted, it let out a loud cry, flapped its wings and stirred up a whirlwind, then took to the air and flew away.


    Eating soil?


    Zhao Sheng leaped out from his hiding spot and ran to the pit the Flying Lizard had dug, examining it carefully. In the deep pit, broken roots remained, and the soil was a dark brown color.


    Besides that, he found nothing unusual.


    Zhao Sheng felt very strange, he reached into the pit to grab a handful of soil and brought it to his nose to smell.


    Huh?


    A faint fragrance came from the soil; the scent was really light, and only Zhao Sheng with his nose more sensitive than a dog''s could detect it.


    He tentatively licked a bit of the soil from his hand, and the taste was extremely bitter.


    An idea suddenly came to Zhao Sheng''s mind, "Could this... possibly be the legendary Medicinal Mud?"


    Since ancient times in the Cultivation World, there has been talk of Medicinal Mud. It is said that when spiritual medicines are not harvested and naturally wither and die, after hundreds and thousands of years of decay and weathering they turn into soil with medicinal properties. After tens of thousands of years of accumulation, layers of Medicine Soil pile up and gradually form a kind of "Medicinal Mud" that can speed up the growth of spiritual medicines.


    This Medicinal Mud contains a portion of medicinal efficacy and can be ingested as spiritual medicine, but it''s far less valuable than its ripening properties.


    Thinking of this, Zhao Sheng was extraordinarily excited and began to dig rapidly around the slope.


    An hour later, the slope was full of holes. At that time, Zhao Sheng stood up with a mixed expression of joy and concern.


    He discovered that not all of the slope was made of Medicinal Mud; in fact, only within a one-foot range of the withered tree roots could traces of Medicinal Mud be found.


    But he also discovered another thing that shocked him immensely.


    There were no large trees on this slope, yet there was a remnant of a massive tree root system.


    From the results of his excavation, it was clear that the protruding dead tree roots were just the tip of the iceberg, majority of the root system was buried below the earth and rocks, spreading in all directions, not only occupying the entire slope but even extending into the surrounding cliff faces.


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t imagine how such a gigantic tree could grow in such a dark place, and if a tree with such a large root system still existed, how tremendous it would be!


    For some reason, the tree had snapped, very likely having fallen into an abyss with no bottom, leaving behind this root system, most of which had also died, but a small part remained, creating the unique ecosystem of this area. At the same time, the dead roots had also turned into patches of Medicinal Mud, becoming the nourishment for numerous spiritual medicines growing on this slope.


    With the recent discovery of Medicinal Mud, Zhao Sheng spent another hour carefully coating each of the nine spiritual medicines with Medicinal Mud he dug out.


    This not only ensured that their effect would not dissipate but also prevented the scent of the medicines from leaking out, attracting unpredictable dangers.


    As he was leaving, he suddenly thought of something and turned back to the slope, cutting off a small section of what looked to be a "fresher" root with the dagger he carried, and placed it into his backpack.


    After leaving the slope, Zhao Sheng began his long journey to find his way.


    There was one advantage to Heavenly Pillar Mountain; as long as you climbed horizontally, you would always come around to the other side of the mountain.


    In fact, that was exactly what Zhao Sheng did.


    After an indeterminate amount of time, Zhao Sheng finally broke free from Death Treasure Land and once again saw the Sun and the Cloud Sea.


    By then, his body was covered with wounds, and his clothes were tattered.


    No one knew the hardships and dangers he had faced during that time. As for this experience, Zhao Sheng himself kept his lips sealed, avoiding all talk about it.


    ...


    Several months later, at the Zhao Family Mansion by the Lishui River, a roar suddenly echoed from the ancestral hall:


    "Kneel down before me!"


    Zhao Sheng glared at his disappointing son, furious and with a pounding headache.


    Thump! Zhao Chengle, sturdy and broad-shouldered yet with unexpectedly delicate features, knelt down promptly before his own father.


    "Father, I realize my mistake!"


    "Pah, what mistake do you understand? Over the years, your mother and I have admonished you countless times. Have you ever changed?"


    "Cultivating for decades, and you''ve barely reached the third layer of Qi Refining. Meanwhile, your wife, with her useless Five Spirits Root, has already reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer Realm. A Four Spirit Roots not even comparable to a useless spiritual root.


    Speak up, have you been secretly giving your Spirit Origin Pills to her again?"


    Zhao Sheng, now well into his old age, still had a voice as resonant as a large bell and full of vigor.


    The angrier he became, the more he picked up the family disciplinary rattan stick and fiercely whipped his son.


    Zhao Chengle, who had already advanced to the Innate Realm and become tough-skinned, was indifferent to the superficial pain.


    While kneeling on the ground and taking the beating, he defended himself, "Father, as you know, I''ve always been restless since childhood, falling asleep the moment I start cultivating. Since the Spirit Origin Pills are wasted on me, it''s better given to Qingqing."


    The Qingqing mentioned by Zhao Chengle was named Han Qingqing, born with a useless spiritual root.


    Ah, her father was Han Xuanwu.


    Speaking of which, more than a decade earlier, after Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu had a narrow escape from Fu Yanqing,


    Zhao Sheng was relatively unaffected, but Han Xuanwu, on the other hand, had the stroke of luck.


    Because he promptly reported to the Purple Sun Sect that Demon Disciples of Earth Flame Palace had killed and disguised themselves as Purple Sun Sect disciples, setting traps to kill and rob on Heavenly Pillar Mountain,


    he was admitted into the Purple Sun Sect.


    Later, due to his high cultivation talent, he was taken as a disciple by a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. From that point on, his progress was unstoppable.


    In just over a decade, he skyrocketed from the Sixth Level of Qi Refining to the Ninth Layer.


    Back then, Han Xuanwu was extremely grateful for Zhao Sheng''s life-saving grace and made numerous visits to express his gratitude.


    The relationship between the two men grew closer and closer, until Han Xuanwu eventually betrothed his daughter to Zhao Chengle, making the two families in-laws.

 Chapter 19 Spirit Vein Hundred-Year Token

    Compared to her husband''s laissez-faire attitude, Han Qingqing was undoubtedly a cultivation fanatic.Aside from the two months she spent giving birth to children, she spent all her time in the quiet room, practicing cultivation behind closed doors and rarely leaving the house.


    Zhao Sheng became even more furious when he heard his son''s excuses, "Your wife was born with a useless spiritual root; she could never establish a foundation. Giving her the Spirit Origin Pill would be a waste. It would be better to give it to Xuan Han and Lan Lan."


    Zhao Xuanhan, Zhao Chengle''s eldest son, was twelve years old and at the Qi Refining Second Level, just like his father, with Four Spirit Roots.


    Lan Lan, whose full name was Zhao Xuanlan, was only six years old, but she was the beloved treasure of old Zhao Sheng and his wife, born with three spirit roots of metal, earth, and wood.


    She was the hope of the Zhao family, with a promising future of foundation establishment ahead of her.


    Zhao Chengle was startled by his father''s words and then muttered, "Dad, I think martial arts are good. Why must I practice cultivation? Aren''t you also an Innate Martial Artist?"


    Zhao Sheng scolded angrily, "Nonsense! What''s so good about martial arts? Can they grant you immortality? After a hundred years, no matter how skilled you are in martial arts, you will still end up a pile of dust. Tell me, what is the ancestral teaching of our family?"


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng finished speaking when a small figure hopped into the room, calling out in a childish voice, "Grandpa, I know, ''All is inferior, only cultivation stands supreme!''"


    "Oh, Lan Lan is here! Come to grandpa. Where''s your grandma?" Zhao Sheng''s expression brightened immediately upon seeing his granddaughter, and a smile appeared on his face.


    He casually tossed aside the vine stick in his hand and strode over to pick up his precious granddaughter.


    "Where''s your grandma?" he asked while playing with the little one.


    "Grandma is in the back," Zhao Xuanlan replied earnestly with her baby-like voice, nestled in her grandfather''s arms.


    While they were talking, an old and decrepit figure also appeared before the three of them.


    Life beyond seventy is a rarity!


    Wang Yuqi, now in her seventies, no longer had the beautiful appearance of her youth and had become white-haired and full of wrinkles.


    Upon seeing her son kneeling on the ground, she immediately complained, "You old man, Old Eight is already nearly forty. Why do you always have him kneel at the slightest provocation? It''s useless to force him to practice cultivation if he doesn''t want to."


    Zhao Sheng said angrily, "Foolish! Aren''t you from a cultivation family? Don''t you know that only cultivators are above others in this world?"


    "Humph, Zhao Zhiqin, are you saying this because you despise me for being old? After I painstakingly bore eight children for your Zhao family..."


    Seeing she couldn''t win against the old man, Wang Yuqi suddenly began to cry and complain.


    Zhao Sheng was most afraid of this tactic. Seeing her like this, he quickly apologized and softened his stance while ordering his son to roll out at once.


    Wang Yuqi was quite pleased with herself; this tactic had always worked well on her husband throughout their lives.


    Yet, looking at her husband who appeared no more than fifty with a head full of black hair and not a single wrinkle, then at herself, her hair white and aged as such,


    Wang Yuqi couldn''t help but feel a sudden sense of melancholy over her fading youth.


    However, this melancholy was fleeting, as her mind quickly shifted back to her granddaughter.


    A family storm quickly subsided.


    At this moment, Zhao Chengle, who had just left the ancestral hall, hurriedly returned.


    "Dad, my father-in-law has arrived! He''s waiting for you in the living room," he said.


    Upon hearing this, a gleam flashed in Zhao Sheng''s eyes. He immediately commanded, "You keep your mother company first, I''ll go see your father-in-law."


    After saying this, he apologized to Wang Yuqi once more, then quickly left the ancestral hall and headed to the living room.


    The year before last, the Purple Sun Sect had sent Han Xuanwu to Heavenly Pillar Mountain to preside over the trade fair as the special emissary in charge.


    Zhao Sheng had benefited greatly from this. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To know, being a special emissary in charge meant occupying a lucrative position. Buying low and selling high, exploiting medicine collectors, finding deals, and playing both sides of the market for elixirs and magical artifacts to earn a markup¡ªthere were plenty of easy ways for them to make spirit stones.


    Two months prior, Zhao Sheng, having recovered from his injuries, obtained a thousand-year-old Nine-Section Ink Jade Orchid through Han Xuanwu.


    Not only did he exchange it for a batch of Five Elements Talismans and Spirit Origin Pills among other basic cultivation resources, but he also received an important piece of information.


    Today, as Han Xuanwu returned to visit, he surely brought good news.


    Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu were relatives through their children''s marriage, so there was no need for deliberate pleasantries.


    After a brief chat, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but eagerly ask, "Xuanwu, is the news confirmed? How many Hundred-year Tokens will the Purple Sun Sect release this year?"


    Han Xuanwu gestured a cross with his hands and said, "Exactly ten."


    Without waiting for Zhao Sheng to inquire further, he quickly explained the details of the matter.


    It turned out that over twenty years ago, a True Immortal on the verge of Perfect Golden Core within the Purple Sun Sect was about to challenge the Nascent Soul Realm.


    To increase the success rate, the Purple Sun Sect spared no expense in attempting to refine a Nascent Soul Pill.


    The Nascent Soul Pill, a fourth-rank top-grade Treasure Pill, had an obviously very low success rate of refining.


    So after failing twice in a row, the Purple Sun Sect was severely weakened and recently had no choice but to sell off a large amount of resources to recover.


    The Hundred-year Token was one such very important resource.


    It was not a Magical Treasure, yet more precious than one, as it represented a hundred years of ownership rights to a First-rank Spirit Vein, which was sufficient to support a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    A Cultivation Family in possession of a Hundred-year Token would also be protected by the Purple Sun Sect.


    As a large influence with a Nascent Soul Ancestor sitting in residence, with more than a dozen Golden Core Masters and over a hundred at Foundation Establishment, the Purple Sun Sect''s strength was exceptionally strong, with few powers daring to provoke them.


    Therefore, the Hundred-year Token was extremely important for a Cultivation Family, especially for a small Qi Refining family like Zhao Sheng''s.


    Conversely, the price of the Hundred-year Token was naturally exorbitantly high.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes lit up, and he immediately asked, "What''s the starting bid? How many Spirit Stones need to be repaid each year?"


    Han Xuanwu sighed and said, "Alas, the starting bid is from 50,000 Spirit Stones, the upper limit unknown, but at the very least also 60,000. Anyway, our two families combined can''t afford it. It''s better not to mention the annual rent."


    "How do you know I can''t afford it?" Zhao Sheng said with a smile.


    "Do you have 50,000 Spirit Stones?"


    "That I really don''t!"


    "Alas, you don''t, so what are you talking about? The Hundred-year Token isn''t something we can covet."


    Unlike Han Xuanwu, who was disheartened, Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and felt he had to take a risk and give it a try.


    Because the opportunity was just too rare.


    Every Spirit Vein under the name of the Purple Sun Sect had a matching strong Mountain Protection Array. Once activated, it could fend off attacks from ordinary Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    In addition, they were equipped with a Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman. In case of emergency, a talisman can be sent to the Purple Sun Sect for help.


    For decades, the Dayong Zhou Family had been like a sharp sword hanging over him, constantly making him anxious, fearing that one day the Zhou family would suddenly come knocking.


    As long as he had the Hundred-year Token, the Zhao family would not fear an attack from the Zhou family and could develop in peace for a hundred years.


    Therefore, Zhao Sheng said with a determined expression, "The ten Spirit Veins, due to differences in quality and resource output, would inevitably have varying prices. We''ll just target the ones with lower prices. I may not have fifty or sixty thousand Spirit Stones, but that doesn''t mean I can''t come up with a treasure of equivalent value."


    "Brother Zhao, what do you mean...?"


    Thinking of the thousand-year-old spiritual medicine that was just sold two months ago, Han Xuanwu''s eyes suddenly shone like lightbulbs.


    His daughter Han Qing had married into the Zhao family. As a father, Han Xuanwu didn''t ask for much, only that he very much hoped the Zhao family could develop better.


    Zhao Sheng signaled for him to wait a moment and then got up from the living room and left.

 Chapter 20 Treasure Medicine Worth Ten Thousand Spirits

    Shortly after, he returned with six jade boxes of various shapes in his hands.Placing the jade boxes on the table, Zhao Sheng picked out a square one and carefully removed its seal before flipping open the lid.


    As soon as Han Xuanwu got a clear view of the spiritual medicine inside the box, he jumped up on the spot and pounced toward the box like a starving wolf, his face a picture of disbelief.


    Zhao Sheng said with a smile, "This Red Fire Ganoderma is over eight hundred years old and should be worth fifty or sixty thousand spirit stones, I''d say!"


    "Worth it, more than worth it! A top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill in Purple Sun Sect would cost at least fifty thousand spirit stones internally, and it''s priceless on the market. Outside in the workshop, you can''t even catch a glimpse of top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills."


    Han Xuanwu was rubbing his hands in excitement, barely able to hide the greedy look in his eyes.


    Such a heaven-sent opportunity presenting itself before a Qi refining immortal cultivator¡ªanyone would lose their composure!


    Zhao Sheng, of course, saw the avaricious gleam in his eyes.


    But he wasn''t afraid at all, because...


    "I''m giving it to you."


    "What? What did you just say? I didn''t hear clearly!" Han Xuanwu could hardly believe his ears and asked repeatedly, anxious.


    Zhao Sheng answered very calmly but with great seriousness, "I said, I''m giving it to you!"


    "Big brother, you can''t be joking about this! Really?" Han Xuanwu immediately asked for confirmation.


    Zhao Sheng smiled and explained, "It is true, but there''s a small condition you have to agree to first."


    Overjoyed, Han Xuanwu quickly thumped his chest and said, "Brother Zhao, just name it. Not just one condition, even if it''s ten. I won''t say a word."


    Zhao Sheng smiled and waved his hand, "No need for ten, just one is sufficient. I hope that after you reach Foundation Establishment, you could look after the Zhao family for a few years, preferably until Xuan Han or Xuan Lan establish their foundations."


    Hearing this, Han Xuanwu suddenly burst into laughter, pointed at Zhao Sheng, and said with a chuckle, "Big brother, what am I supposed to say about you? It seems you live for your family. Whether it''s Xuan Han or Lan Lan, they are my grandchildren too. If I don''t look after them, who will?"


    "With your word, I am at ease," said Zhao Sheng. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then, Zhao Sheng pushed the box containing the Red Fire Ganoderma in front of Han Xuanwu, signaling for him to take it.


    As Han Xuanwu carefully stored away the Red Fire Ganoderma, Zhao Sheng opened the other jade boxes one by one.


    Han Xuanwu only took one glance and was flabbergasted.


    Good heavens!


    A 17-inch long Blood Sword Grass with at least a fifteen-hundred-year maturity.


    Amber orchids, a necessary ingredient for refining high-level talisman demons, as big as a palm and at least seven hundred years old.


    Additionally, there were other special spiritual medicines: a seven-hundred-year-old Strange Spirit Branch, a five-hundred-year-old Dragonbane Fruit, and a triangular Yin Yang Flower with seven leaves and seven petals.


    Each of these special medicines ranged from a few thousand to over ten thousand spirit stones.


    Especially the thousand-year-old blood sword grass, worth at least tens of thousands of spirit stones.


    This natural spiritual artifact possesses irreplaceable growth and affinity.


    So long as the user continues to infuse their own spiritual power into the Blood Sword Grass, it will keep growing, and its power will also grow increasingly tremendous.


    It might even develop into a Golden Core level magical treasure, the kind that is a lifebound magic treasure.


    Han Xuanwu, with eyes full of envy and his heart burning with desire, couldn''t help but say, "Brother Zhao, have you struck a treasure trove here?"


    "Heh, collecting medicine for decades, I''ve only accumulated these few fine items. For the Hundred-year Token, I''ve now turned out everything, even the old stash," Zhao Sheng said, revealing the reason he''d already fabricated.


    The matter of the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden would not be disclosed to anyone by Zhao Sheng.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain''s shadowy face is far too dangerous; even someone like Zhao Sheng barely escaped with his life after countless brushes with death. The descendants of the Zhao family should just cultivate honestly, not risking their lives on a gambit.


    "Just?"


    Han Xuanwu wanted to spit in the man''s face after hearing all this, Zhao Sheng was truly shameless.


    How many medicine collectors in Heavenly Pillar Mountain had gone their whole lives without ever finding a spiritual medicine over five hundred years old?


    Yet, this elder brother casually presented six.


    No, not six ¨C with the inclusion of the thousand-year Nine-Section Ink Jade Orchid, it made seven!


    Most importantly, each type of spiritual medicine was exceptionally precious.


    However, he had still underestimated Zhao Sheng.


    Beyond those mentioned, Zhao Sheng was also hiding Red Fire Ganoderma and a thousand-year Golden Essence Seed, both worth over ten thousand spirit stones.


    These were his trump cards reserved for the Zhao family, and he wouldn''t even discuss them with Han Xuanwu.


    Han Xuanwu caressed the Blood Sword Grass with an expression of infatuation on his face,


    For him, a former martial enthusiast now on the path of sword cultivation, Blood Sword Grass, a natural spirit sword embryo, was absolutely a rare treasure that was serendipitous to encounter.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly asked, "Stop coveting the Blood Sword Grass. Instead, try to estimate the value of these spiritual medicines in spirit stones."


    Reluctantly returning the Blood Sword Grass to the jade box, Han Xuanwu gave a rough estimate and said, "Excluding the Blood Sword Grass, the other four should be around sixteen thousand spirit stones in total."


    "What about if we include the Blood Sword Grass?" Zhao Sheng pressed.


    After a brief contemplation, Han Xuanwu seriously said, "At least sixty thousand. If we can get more Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivators to join the bidding, the Blood Sword Grass could fetch an extra ten or twenty thousand spirit stones."


    Zhao Sheng nodded, Han Xuanwu''s estimate was close to his own.


    Han Xuanwu confidently added, "Brother Zhao, you don''t have to worry. These amounts of spiritual medicine are nothing within the Purple Sun Sect and can easily be absorbed internally. Besides, my master is also a sword cultivator with considerable wealth. Guarantee you won''t suffer any loss if the Blood Sword Grass is sold to my master."


    Han Xuanwu''s master was a Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer Sword Cultivator, while his grandmaster was at the Golden Core Middle Stage.


    Sword Cultivators were known for their formidable combat capabilities, hence Han Xuanwu''s lineage within the Purple Sun Sect was considered a significant faction that could even speak with the Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    One reason why Zhao Sheng dared to covet the Hundred-Year Token was to leverage this influential backing.


    This point needed no elaboration, as Han Xuanwu was likely well aware.


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, "In that case, I won''t bother you with two issues. I''ll also leave the participation in the Purple Sun Sect auction to you!"


    A small matter!


    Han Xuanwu knew that the Zhao family was currently too weak to make a public bid for the Hundred-Year Token.


    With his master''s support, he had no fear of competing with ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivation Families.


    Especially after acquiring the Red Fire Ganoderma that was over eight hundred years old, Han Xuanwu believed his status in his master''s eyes would soar.


    He suddenly remembered something and asked urgently, "Old Brother, the annual rent of two thousand spirit stones is not a small sum. Can your Zhao family sustain that? Do you need me to mediate a loan from the Spirit Stone Bank to cover several years?"


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand and shook his head, "No need, I can temporarily manage for three to four years. Plus, with the output from the spirit vein, we should be able to last even longer. Maybe after acquiring the Hundred-Year Token, we''ll even have plenty of spirit stones left."


    Han Xuanwu mentally calculated and silently nodded.


    Afterward, the two discussed some more details and key points regarding the matter.


    By the time the serious issues were settled, the sky had grown dim.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, extended a warm invitation for Han Xuanwu to stay over and see his grandchildren.


    He deliberately didn''t mention Han Qingqing because Zhao Sheng knew that Han Xuanwu and his daughter had a very strained relationship.


    He also knew that his daughter-in-law Han Qingqing hadn''t actually fancied Zhao Chengle.


    It was just that Han Xuanwu particularly liked Old Eight, whose temperament was similar to his, and due to his close relationship with Zhao Sheng, he had forcefully pushed his daughter to marry Old Eight.


    Han Xuanwu naturally agreed, as he had been wanting to visit his grandchildren at the Zhao Mansion for some time.

 Chapter 21 Shortening Life by 20 Years

    After staying at Zhao Mansion for two days, Han Xuanwu left for Purple Sun Sect to start preparing for the auction.Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, two months had passed.


    That day, Purple Sun Square was festively decorated, teeming with a sea of people. Countless cultivators were attracted by this grand auction and flocked to the location.


    Naturally, Zhao Sheng along with his son, Zhao Chengle, and daughter-in-law, Han Qingqing, would not miss this grand event.


    When Han Xuanwu entered the auction venue, Zhao Chengle and Han Qingqing also visited various elixir shops and spiritual medicine stores, purchasing many different kinds of spirit medicine seeds.


    Zhao Sheng, being a mortal, found it inconvenient to show up in person and could only send the two of them instead.


    Why buy spirit medicine seeds?


    Of course, because Zhao Sheng wanted to take a risk and visit the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden once again.


    Harvesting spiritual medicine was one aspect; on the other hand, he wanted to take advantage of the unique environment there to actively cultivate some rare yet vital spiritual medicines from the outside world.


    Such as the other two main ingredients for the Golden Core Formation Pill, the Jade Divine Flower and the Nine Curves Ginseng, among others.


    The saying "Plan for the present and strategize for a thousand years ahead" refers to people like Zhao Sheng.


    Cultivating spiritual medicine was just the beginning.


    ...


    A month later.


    As the last group of Purple Sun Sect''s miscellaneous disciples withdrew from Dragon Carp Lake, Zhao Sheng''s family moved to a manor by the lake under Han Xuanwu''s guidance.


    Dragon Carp Lake had been discovered and developed for over two thousand years, and Purple Sun Sect had been managing it for nearly a thousand years.


    As a result, Dragon Carp Lake had long been developed maturely, and its annual output and profits were very stable.


    The Hundred-year Token for Dragon Carp Lake wasn''t expensive, costing only 63,000 spirit stones.


    This was because its spirit vein was a First-rank Water Spirit Vein, with most of it located at the bottom of the lake.


    Unlike spirit veins in mountains and plains that can be used to grow spirit grain and medicine, and even occasionally yield small spirit mines.


    Besides having an area over two hundred li, Dragon Carp Lake did not have much to offer in terms of stable output. Aside from selling some spiritual fish and shrimp, the most famous were the Red Carp and Green Carp, two types of First-rank demon fish.


    If lucky enough, one might even catch a Dragon Carp.


    Dragon Carp was a hybrid offspring of Red Carp and Green Carp, an extraordinary spiritual carp rarely seen in decades.


    Rumors had it that Dragon Carp possessed a trace of the True Dragon Bloodline, consuming it could greatly enhance the potential of dragon-kind demon beasts like the Jiao python.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t harbor much hope for the Dragon Carp; having secured the Hundred-year Token and found a safe haven for the Zhao family, he was already quite content and did not expect more.


    However, there were unexpected surprises at Dragon Carp Lake. Zhao Sheng discovered eight mu of spirit field by the lake.


    Without a doubt, someone had secretly developed it without the sect''s knowledge, and it was a mystery who had such audacity.


    Well, Dragon Carp Lake was far from the reach of the Emperor, so it was possible that the miscellaneous disciples here were banding together in an unspoken alliance.


    Of course, it wasn''t something Zhao Sheng needed to worry about; the eight mu of spirit field might not be large but was already sufficient for the small Zhao family.


    One thing surprised Zhao Sheng greatly; after moving to Dragon Carp Lake, the relationship between Zhao Chengle and Han Qingqing improved drastically.


    When Old Eight, Zhao Chengle, diligently tilled the spirit field, Han Qingqing unexpectedly became pregnant again, out of the blue.


    This was a joyous occasion. Not only for the Zhao family but even more so for Zhao Sheng.


    In preparation for the birth of his third grandchild eight months later, Zhao Sheng suddenly became busy and planned to head into the mountains ahead of time.


    Fasting Pills, Deodorizing Powder, Protective Jade Token, Half Magic Bow, Armor-Piercing Arrows, Half-Magic Tool Mixed Gold Soft Sword...


    As item after item was purchased, the day for Zhao Sheng to head into the mountains finally arrived.


    He did not disclose to his family the dangers of the trip, only saying he was going to Heavenly Pillar Mountain to gather herbs.


    In the final moments before departure, Zhao Sheng pulled Zhao Chengle aside, secretly handed a brocade bag to his son, and told him that if he hadn''t returned in half a year, then to open the brocade bag.


    Although Zhao Chengle was a bit lazy by nature, he was not foolish. He quickly sensed that his father''s words carried a hint of an ultimate farewell.


    However, no matter how much he was persuaded, Zhao Sheng never changed his mind.


    Soon, Zhao Sheng bid farewell to his family, resolutely set off towards Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    ...


    Three months later, when Zhao Sheng reappeared at Dragon Carp Lake, he had lost an arm, and his chest and abdomen were covered with deep, bone-deep wounds, as if they were repeatedly scratched by the claws of some terrible demon beast.


    At that time, Zhao Sheng''s body was on the verge of collapse, severely injured and close to death.


    Upon seeing his wife Wang Yuqi, Zhao Sheng relaxed all at once and immediately collapsed to the ground unconscious.


    The collapse of the Zhao family''s main pillar, all of a sudden, also caused the old lady Wang Yuqi to faint from fright, and that''s when Han Qingqing suddenly stood up and quickly stabilized the situation.


    She tightly sealed off any news while sending out a communication token to let Han Xuanwu come to Dragon Carp Lake as soon as possible to take control of the situation.


    Not only because Han Xuanwu was the only one who might be able to save Zhao Sheng, but also because Han Qingqing and her husband Zhao Chengle, while packing up Zhao Sheng''s belongings, were shocked to discover a backpack full of Spiritual Medicine, each at least a few hundred years old.


    Upon receiving the precious communication token from his daughter, Han Xuanwu immediately realized the severity of the situation.


    Because he knew his daughter well, if it weren''t for a major issue, she would never send a communication token to him.


    Therefore, Han Xuanwu immediately stopped his closed-door cultivation, rented the sect''s Cloud Sculpture that could travel thousands of miles, and arrived at Dragon Carp Lake in just half a day.


    Luckily, he arrived quickly, carrying with him a First-Order High-Grade Rejuvenation Pill, which just barely saved Zhao Sheng''s life.


    It took a full two years for Zhao Sheng to recover from his injuries.


    But the price was too high this time; not only had he lost an arm, but his cultivation had also halted at the Innate Limit, and his strength was reduced to a mere sixty percent, never to be restored.


    What''s worse...


    Name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 79/99


    Realm: Innate Limit (Half-step to Divinity) Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Constitution: Hundred-year-old Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level), Spirit Nose (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Unprecedented), Emerald Tide Technique (Refined), Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations (Unprecedented), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Refined), Cross Refining Iron Body (Broken)


    For the sake of one visit to the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden, he had reduced his lifespan by twenty years.


    However, in Zhao Sheng''s view, he ultimately came out ahead on this deal.


    He always remembered one phrase: Do not quarrel over the length of one lifetime, and look at the heights and lows after ten lifetimes!


    As the master of "Hundred Lifetimes Book," Zhao Sheng certainly had such a long-term perspective.


    After this incident, Zhao Sheng announced his retirement from the martial world and thereafter lived a leisurely life of enjoying candy and raising grandchildren.


    ...


    Ten years later, the atmosphere in the back house of Zhao Mansion was abnormally heavy, with servants and maids daring not to even breathe loudly.


    Outside a room filled with a strong medicinal scent, Zhao Chengle, whose hair had begun to gray, paced anxiously and worriedly in the courtyard, just like Zhao Sheng did sixty years ago. He was followed by about seventeen or eighteen people, all Zhao Sheng''s descendants.


    This day was the birthday of his grandson.


    On the same day, however, his mother Wang Yuqi had fallen into a comatose state.


    At such a critical moment, his own father actually kicked their entire family out of the house.


    It was utterly unreasonable!


    Humph, the older he gets, the more muddled he becomes!


    The more Zhao Chengle thought about it, the angrier he became, his expression growing increasingly gloomy. But even if he wanted to storm into the room, he didn''t have the guts.


    It wasn''t that he truly didn''t dare, but rather that he truly couldn''t win.


    Despite nearing ninety years old, after creating three divine skills two years ago, his father could easily overpower him, who was at the Qi Refining Fourth Level.

 Chapter 22 The Prodigal Returns Home

    Just as Zhao Chengle was anxious and uneasy, the atmosphere inside the room was not as sorrowful as one might imagine.Seated by the bed, Zhao Sheng held his wife Wang Yuqi''s hand, tenderly recounting every little detail of their seventy years together since marriage.


    Wang Yuqi was emaciated, her face covered with unsightly age spots.


    At that moment, she had fallen into a coma and couldn''t hear a word her husband was saying. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet Zhao Sheng seemed without a trace of sadness, continuing to narrate calmly and unhurriedly.


    After an indeterminate length of time, Wang Yuqi''s hand twitched slightly, her eyelids quivered a few times and then slowly, clouded with cataracts, her eyes opened.


    Her gaze was dull, her eyes aimlessly wandering, somewhat panicky.


    But upon feeling her husband''s dry, withered hand, Wang Yuqi quickly relaxed, a contented smile appearing on her face.


    "Brother Zhi Qin, I''m finally dying before you. How wonderful!" she murmured in a feeble and low voice, almost inaudible.


    "Yes! Now it will just be me, living alone," Zhao Sheng said gently, leaning close to her ear. "I know how much you dread being lonely."


    "Brother Zhi Qin, you''ve always understood me best. Do you remember how we first met?"


    Zhao Sheng adjusted the blankets for his wife and chuckled lightly, "How could I forget? It was perfume that lured you and Sister Yu Yan to me. To attract your attention, I even played a piece on the guqin, ''High Mountain Flowing Water'' particularly for you."


    "Cough cough, I knew you had ill intentions. I was young and naive back then, easily tricked into your hands."


    "Do you regret it?"


    "No regrets! Never any regrets!"


    After she spoke, Wang Yuqi''s complexion suddenly turned radiantly rosy, her voice becoming clear again.


    Zhao Sheng''s spirit tensed, and he couldn''t help but tightly grasp his wife''s hand.


    He knew it was a sign of "returning light before death."


    Suddenly turning her face to Zhao Sheng, Wang Yuqi gazed at him with an intense yearning, "Brother Zhi Qin, I want to hear you say it once more, the love poem you gave me back then."


    At that moment, tears surged in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, his voice trembling slightly as he gently recited, "Wisps of cloud skillfully crafted, shooting stars carry my wistful thoughts, the Milky Way silently stretches far and wide. Once the Golden Wind meets the Jade Dew, they surpass countless scenes in this mortal world..."


    When Zhao Sheng finished reciting the love poem, Wang Yuqi seemed to have fulfilled her final wish, her complexion rapidly turning ashen, her breath nearly stilled, leaving only the faintest trace of consciousness, "Brother Zhi Qin, I suddenly miss home, my grandpa, grandma, daddy, mommy, and Sister Yu Yan. I want... want to go back¡ª"


    Before she could finish saying the word "home," she limply released the hand of her husband, and from that moment ceased to breathe.


    Seeing his companion depart from this world, Zhao Sheng''s eyes instantly blurred with tears.


    In that moment, his tears flowed freely.


    When Zhao Sheng stepped outside the house, the Zhao Mansion was soon filled with the sounds of sobbing.


    A month later, under the watchful eyes of his son Zhao Chengle, his grandson Zhao Xuanhan, and others, Zhao Sheng held his wife''s urn as he boarded a horse-drawn carriage.


    Then, driven by a coachman of the Innate Realm, the carriage slowly set off, beginning its journey to Ganzhou in the Liang Kingdom, over four thousand miles away.


    ...


    As winter gave way to spring, in the warm light of March, the peach blossoms in Nanyang City bloomed overnight.


    The fragrance of flowers filled the air, petals dancing and swirling.


    On the day when the citizens of Nanyang celebrated the Peach Blossom Festival, a dilapidated carriage stopped in front of an old mansion.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng alighted from the carriage than seven or eight men armed with knives and swords suddenly surrounded him, shouting loudly, "No matter where you''re from, leave at once! The Zhao family is not receiving visitors today!"


    "How dare you!"


    The coachman Zhao Er had been personally taught by Zhao Sheng and revered Grandmaster Zhao like a deity.


    Seeing this scene, he bravely stepped forward and bellowed, with the Innate True Qi in his voice suddenly erupting.


    The seven or eight men instantly had their eardrums and cochleas shattered and collapsed to the ground.


    "Ouch, why can''t I get up!"


    "Ah, I can''t hear anything!"


    Their screams were continuous as they completely lost their balance. No matter how they struggled, they couldn''t stand up.


    At this moment, the expressions of the two middle-aged men in red guarding the entrance of Zhao Mansion changed drastically.


    Unlike the riffraff common in the Martial World, being from the Blood Saber Sect, they immediately recognized the footwork of the seemingly ordinary coachman.


    This man was an Innate Grandmaster, a rarity in Ganzhou and someone of the same caliber as the Blood Saber Ancestor.


    Realizing the situation was bad, the two disciples of the Blood Saber Sect attempted to run into the Zhao Mansion.


    Who would have thought that at this moment, an elderly figure with white hair and a missing arm would suddenly appear between them?


    What followed was a tremendous oppressive force, heavy like a mountain, instantly subduing the two men, rendering them motionless as if they were insects encased in amber.


    Thankfully, though the terrifying pressure arrived quickly, it also dissipated just as fast.


    Soon, both men regained their freedom, but neither dared to move, let alone report back to the Blood Saber Ancestor.


    "I ask you, what has happened to the Zhao family? And who are you?" Zhao Sheng, having withdrawn his Innate pressure, asked the two men.


    Without daring any concealment, they quickly confessed, "We are disciples of the Blood Saber Sect. But we mean no harm. It''s the Blood Saber Ancestor himself who wished to take the third young master of the Zhao family as a disciple, and that''s why he personally came to Zhao Mansion. We are merely standing guard outside to prevent disturbances."


    "Recruit a disciple?"


    Zhao Sheng frowned and thought, "If he really wanted to take on a disciple, would he create such a commotion?"


    At that moment, the coachman Zhao Er suddenly leaned in and said, "Grandmaster Zhao, from the looks of the way they are drawing their blades, it seems like this Blood Saber Ancestor has ill intentions! Shall I dispose of this person first?"


    "No need,"


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng stepped into the ancestral home he hadn''t returned to in fifty years.


    Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the main hall of Zhao Mansion where guests were received was exceptionally tense.


    The head of the hall was occupied by a ruddy old man with a drooping beard. Despite his age, his hair was still pitch black, and his face free of any wrinkles, clearly indicating his mastery of life-preserving techniques.


    On the lower left and right sides of the hall, the left side was occupied by four elders of the Zhao family, while there were only two on the right.


    The person sitting at the top was a tall, bald, pigeon-faced old man dressed in a bright red robe, looking formidable and ferocious.


    This was none other than Elder Chang, the Blood Saber Ancestor who had dominated the Ganzhou Martial World for half a century.


    Sitting below him was an old Taoist holding a horsetail whisk, with a childlike face and white hair.


    Behind them stood a row of Blood Saber Sect disciples in red robes, with bulging temples that showed at a glance that each was a rare top-notch master in the Martial World.


    Perhaps growing impatient, the Blood Saber Ancestor asked with a gloomy tone, "How has the Zhao family considered my proposal? When will you let the Ancestor meet my precious disciple?"


    After hearing these words, the bearded old man smiled and said, "Elder Chang, it would be fortunate for our Zhao family if you took Jie''er as your disciple. However, fortune was not in our favor, as Jie''er went to visit his aunt two days ago and has yet to return. Once he''s back, I will have Jie''er personally go to the Blood Saber Sect to pay his respects to you as his master, how''s that?"


    "Nonsense!"

 Chapter 23 Why Didnt You Come Back Earlier

    Blood Saber Ancestor swore profusely, "You Zhao family only know how to put on a show. A few days ago, Ancestor here was fooled by your sweet talk. Today you won''t be able to deceive me again. Hurry up and bring that young lad out, otherwise, don''t blame Ancestor here for taking action!"At these words, the handsome elder''s complexion stiffened, and he immediately furrowed his brow tightly.


    The Blood Saber Ancestor was an Innate Grandmaster, and aside from the third grand uncle, no one in the Zhao family could match him, but the third grand uncle was already ninety-five this year, and it was still unknown whether he could be a match for the Blood Saber Ancestor.


    "Do we have to ask great-aunt to take action again? But she always has been indifferent to worldly matters. And Jie is still hiding with her. If..."


    The handsome elder was named Zhao Xuanyi, the current Family Head of the Zhao family, and the father of Zhao Yujie.


    Just as Zhao Xuanyi was in a dilemma, a figure, old and feeble, using a jade cane for support, staggered from the rear hall, appearing before everyone.


    "Haha, I was just wondering who could make such a big commotion? Turns out it''s you, Chang Xuedao. No wonder!"


    Upon seeing the newcomer, Chang Meng immediately became much more cautious. Although he reined in some of his arrogance, he still mocked, "Old Zhao, so you''re still not dead yet? But looking at you panting for breath, whether you can even draw your sword is another matter."


    Unperturbed, the old man smiled and patted his cane, "The Jade Sword Young Master of the past is long dead, now there''s only an old man with a solitary cane left. But I''m tired of living anyway, how about I take you with me?"


    Hearing this, Chang Meng couldn''t help but narrow his eyes, sitting upright and watching Zhao Zhijing with a wary expression.


    Even though he was in his prime while the other was already so aged he was almost unrecognizable, no one dared to underestimate the desperate strike of an Innate Martial Sect, even if he had only a breath left in him.


    "You old immortal, you dare to threaten me?" Chang Meng eyed Zhao Zhijing up and down and suddenly said viciously.


    "How could that be! I just fear a lonely journey. I''m merely seeking someone pleasing to the eye to keep me company," Zhao Zhijing explained at a leisurely pace.


    It was at this moment that the Taoist with a child-like face and crane hair suddenly spoke.


    "Mr. Zhao has misunderstood. Mr. Chang actually means no harm. He simply saw that your family''s third young master is intelligent and an excellent martial arts prospect. Overjoyed by the hunt, he has come here to voluntarily propose to take him as a disciple."


    "Take as a disciple? It''s more likely a lamb walking into the tiger''s mouth!" Zhao Zhijing inwardly sneered repeatedly, while secretly pondering, "Why are these two so fixated on Yu Jie? Could it be that the news of Yu Jie having the Spirit Root has inadvertently leaked out?"


    A family knows their own affairs best.


    While it may seem he is ever-ready to take someone down with him, in reality, he was utterly incapable of doing so.


    Two years ago, he had already broken his power, and all his Innate True Qi had dissipated.


    But the old saying goes, a tiger, even if old, does not fall easily!


    Zhao Zhijing maintained a calm expression and shook his head resolutely, refusing, "Your kindness is appreciated by the Zhao family, but our family''s studies have deep roots, and our Floating Light Sword Skill combined with the Cloud Dragon Three Changes are unmatched in Ganzhou, not requiring outsiders to instruct our children and grandchildren."


    After hearing this, the Blood Saber Ancestor burst into an angry laugh, "Well then, toasting you won''t work, forcing you to drink a forfeit! It seems today that Ancestor here cannot refrain from taking action."


    Seeing that the words had reached a deadlock, the four Zhao Family Elders and Family Head Zhao Xuanyi immediately stood up to block the other party, looking extremely serious.


    The disciples of the Blood Saber Sect, likewise, showed no weakness, swiftly drawing their sabers. They only awaited Ancestor''s command to strike and annihilate the Zhao family.


    As a fight seemed inevitable, a hoarse old voice suddenly came from outside the door, "Who was it that said they wanted to take action in my Zhao Family''s home?"


    While speaking, Zhao Sheng, carrying an urn, slowly stepped into the reception hall, followed closely by the coachman Zhao Er.


    Seeing the newcomer was an old man and also one-armed, the Blood Saber Ancestor couldn''t help but mock, "Where did this old cripple come from? Daring to upbraid Ancestor here. Disciples, go, show no mercy!"


    "Yes, Ancestor!"


    The Blood Saber disciples boomed in agreement, aware that their Ancestor was out to kill for a show of power.


    Immediately a group of disciples in red, holding their sabers upside down, charged at Zhao Sheng at high speed.


    "Be careful!" the Zhao Family elders cried out, ready to take action and assist.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng gave the coachman a brief glance:


    "Zhao Er!"


    Before his words had fully fallen, the coachman Zhao Er suddenly plunged into the crowd of Blood-clothed People. A streak of emerald-colored Innate Qi Sword burst forth from his palm, and no disciple of the Blood Saber Sect could withstand this terrifying sword attack. One by one, they were decapitated and fell into pools of blood.


    "An Innate Grandmaster?!"


    "The Emerald Tide Technique?!"


    Chang Meng and Zhao Xuanyi both exclaimed almost simultaneously.


    At this time, Chang Meng, the Blood Saber Ancestor, felt as if he had just eaten a bitter melon, his mouth awash with bitterness and his heart filled with shock. "Who on earth is this person? How can a mere attendant also be an Innate Martial Sect master?"


    Zhao Zhijing looked intently at the one-armed old man a few steps away, feeling incredibly familiar with him, as if he had seen him somewhere before.


    Zhao Sheng also looked back at the other man and couldn''t help but feel emotional, saying, "Third brother, so many years have passed, and you''ve grown old too!"


    "Ninth brother? You''re Ninth, Zhao Zhiqin? How is it possible!" Zhao Zhijing could hardly believe his eyes.


    Ninth, Zhao Zhiqin, had been missing for fifty years.


    He had never imagined that the two would have the chance to see each other again.


    Zhao Sheng said with an emotional expression: "Third brother, I am Zhao Zhiqin, I have truly returned."


    After learning the identity of the newcomer, Zhao Xuanyi''s whole body trembled, and his face instantly revealed an extremely complicated expression, "Is this... the grandfather father often mentioned?"


    The other four Zhao Family Elders heard the newcomer claim to be the legendary third Innate Grandmaster of the Zhao family, Zhao Zhiqin.


    Wasn''t it rumored that he had long been dead? S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now the Zhao Family Elders were utterly confused and couldn''t figure out the truth of the matter.


    "Ninth, where have you been all these years? Why didn''t you come back earlier? They''ve all died, our older brothers and elders, all dead! Even Chenggong and Chengli, these younger generations, are also gone. Now only I barely cling to life. You... why didn''t you come back sooner!"


    By the end of his talk, Zhao Zhijing couldn''t help but let the old tears flow, his face full of misery and desolation.


    Zhao Sheng''s whole body shook violently, as he just heard a name he least wanted to hear.


    Chenggong?!


    His eldest son had already passed away. So he had ultimately chosen to return to the Zhao family.


    An older person burying a younger one! There is no greater sorrow in this world.


    Yet even more painful was the fact that, when his son passed away, he as a father hadn''t only failed to see him for one last time but also didn''t know when... it had happened.


    Zhao Sheng was definitely not a qualified father.


    He had once personally put his seven flesh and blood onto a carriage, and then watched, wide-eyed, as they each set off towards unknown horizons.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng''s heart was suddenly filled with extreme bitterness; he had thought he was rational enough, but... he was wrong!


    Just then, the Blood Saber Ancestor suddenly stood up and said cautiously, "Well... I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."


    Noisy!


    Zhao Sheng was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts by Chang Meng''s interruption, and a nameless anger suddenly surged in his heart.

 Chapter 24 24 chapters, 50 years of vicissitudes

    Noise!Zhao Sheng''s clothing suddenly moved without wind, his aura as an Innate Extreme Martial Artist explosively erupted, instantly "submerging" the entire reception hall like a massive wave.


    In that moment, the air seemed to solidify.


    Blood Saber Ancestor, caught off guard, bulged his eyes out, seeing nothing but blood before him, with endless killing intent rushing towards him.


    For a moment, he felt his limbs icy cold and stiff, a chill seeping through his neck, and he seemed to smell the scent of blood.


    The next instant, Chang Meng suddenly felt dizzy, his vision elevated significantly, but it quickly fell, and finally, a headless corpse wearing a long red robe appeared in his view.


    "It looks very familiar. Who is it? It seems like¡ª"


    The next moment, he suddenly plunged into boundless darkness, but just as he lost his last bit of consciousness, Chang Meng suddenly realized, "...It seems like... it''s me!"


    However, to everyone else, all they saw was Blood Saber Ancestor''s head suddenly, without any warning, falling off his neck as soon as the noise erupted.


    But there was one who witnessed the entire process of Zhao Sheng''s action.


    This person was the old Taoist from Chang Meng''s side.


    He saw an incredibly fast blue light fly out from the sleeve of the one-armed elder, passing through Blood Saber Ancestor''s neck instantly, as easy as slicing a watermelon.


    Besides, he didn''t sense any fluctuation of spiritual energy.


    However, this only made it seem even more terrifying!


    "Senior, spare my life!" The old Taoist suddenly knelt down with a thud, kowtowing continuously to Zhao Sheng, begging for mercy.


    The Zhao Family Elders, seeing Blood Saber Ancestor being dealt with so easily, were greatly delighted and looked at Zhao Sheng with awe and closeness.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng quickly calmed down from his anger.


    His complexion was calm, as if he had just done something trivial.


    In fact, this deed truly was trivial.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had killed more than two dozen Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators, so what was an Innate Grandmaster worth mentioning.


    Zhao Sheng paid no heed to the old Taoist but looked towards Zhao Zhijing.


    Zhao Zhijing coughed once and said to the old Taoist, "Explain the situation clearly, and you may live. But if there''s any concealment, I will make your life worse than death!"


    Seeing this, the old Taoist was overjoyed, immediately spilling all the antecedents and consequences.


    It turned out that three months ago, Liang Kingdom''s Black Ice Platform suddenly issued a secret bounty mission. The mission was to "invite" Zhao Family''s third young master, Zhao Yujie, to Qingfeng City, the capital of Liang Kingdom.


    Blood Saber Ancestor Chang Meng was not only a Martial World magnate but also a gold medal client elder of the Black Ice Platform.


    He, coveting the hefty bounty, had quickly taken up this task.


    However, after arriving in Nanyang City, Chang Meng couldn''t find Zhao Yujie''s whereabouts, so he resorted to using the guise of taking in disciples to track down Zhao Yujie.


    "...So we really only wanted to invite your esteemed house''s third young master to make a trip to Qingfeng City; there really was no malicious intent. Please, senior, raise your esteemed hand and spare this humble one''s life." The old Taoist frantically looked at Zhao Sheng after finishing his plea.


    After Zhao Zhijing understood the whole situation, his expression darkened, as if he had a tough decision to make.


    But Zhao Xuanyi and the four family elders suddenly revealed expressions of sudden realization.


    So that was it!


    "It appears that Dongling Duke''s avaricious intentions haven''t ceased; our Zhao family has repeatedly refused him, yet he still wishes to forcibly wed Yu Jie. Absolutely unreasonable!" an elder spoke angrily.


    Yet, Zhao Xuanyi just wore a face full of bitter smiles.


    Dongling Duke was a collateral member of the Liang Family, part of Liang Kingdom''s imperial family, and the Liang Family was also a Foundation Establishment Cultivation Family.


    The reason Dongling Duke was so persistent was probably not just to seek a son-in-law but possibly to use Jie as a breeding tool.


    The elders didn''t know the details; thus they couldn''t understand Dongling Duke''s insane actions.


    You must know that the descendants of cultivators do not necessarily have Spirit Roots, and most are mortals. Moreover, the rate at which Spirit Roots are born in successive generations declines swiftly.


    If five consecutive generations lack Spirit Roots, it means that descendants with Spirit Roots will not be born in the future.


    The Dongling Duke family is now facing such an extremely embarrassing situation.


    At that moment, Zhao Zhijing had made a decision.


    He began to command, "Xuan Yong, Xuanxin, the two of you take this person down and interrogate him again to see if any details were missed. Xuanhua and Xuanwei, you two take people and clean this place up."


    "Yes, Great Uncle," the four Zhao family elders immediately bowed and complied.


    After Zhao Zhijing finished, he turned to look at Zhao Sheng and invited, "Ninth, let''s go to the inner study for a talk, shall we?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded gravely.


    Zhao Zhijing then looked at Zhao Xuanyi and said, "Xuanyi, come along with us! You have worked hard all these years."


    ...


    Four hours later, when Zhao Sheng had heard all about the struggles and turmoil the Zhao family had faced over the years, he felt both sorrow and profound emotion in his heart.


    For their one family, the Zhao family could indeed be said to have been severely weakened.


    After Zhao Sheng''s family had dispersed and fled, the then Family Head, Zhao Hexing, suddenly killed all those who were in the know, then ordered his clan to scatter and hide. Finally, he took his own life, dying a heroic death.


    Just one day later, the Zhou Family indeed traced them and arrived, but all those who knew about Zhao Sheng''s family fleeing had already died.


    With no clues found, the Zhou Family went on a rampage, committing a massive slaughter in the Zhao family.


    After the Zhou Family left, the Zhao family''s Ren, Li, and Yi branches suffered horrendous casualties, and the direct lineage children were decimated.


    The Zhao family was gravely weakened and had no choice but to actively retract their influence and choose to lay low while nursing their wounds. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was not until thirty years later, when Zhao Zhijing advanced to Innate, that the Zhao family began to recover their strength.


    During those decades, only Zhao Chenggong, the eldest of Zhao Sheng''s seven children, returned to the Zhao family ten years later with his wife and children.


    And his son was exactly Zhao Xuanyi.


    When Zhao Xuanyi knelt before Zhao Sheng, Zhao Sheng was overwhelmed with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.


    His eldest son, Zhao Chenggong, had not lived to see his return and had died three years prior.


    However, Zhao Chenggong was fortunate, as he at least could be buried in his ancestral land. On the other hand, Cheng Feng and Cheng Zhao, among the six, had always been missing over the years, with no word on whether they were still alive.


    After recognizing his grandson, Zhao Sheng briefly recounted the various events on his side over the last few decades.


    He did not clarify things very clearly, deliberately keeping some details vague.


    He wasn''t intentionally hiding something, but rather, was protecting the Zhao family.


    Because Zhao Sheng wasn''t sure whether the Zhou family had already given up on tracing their whereabouts.


    This was also one of the reasons why Zhao Sheng returned to his hometown alone.


    Before coming back, he had prepared himself to commit suicide at any moment.


    Because the concept of time in the Cultivation World is different from that in the Mortal World.


    A Foundation Establishment Cultivator could live for over two hundred years, while a False Core Master might live for five hundred years, and a Golden Core Master could rival Peng Zu, living for as much as eight hundred years.


    Thus, in the mindset of a Cultivation Family, a century is not considered long.


    Even though Zhao Sheng spoke ambiguously, it was already enough for Zhao Zhijing and Zhao Xuanyi.


    The magnificent and mystical Cultivation World, the cultivators who flew with magic tools and cast spells, the various unheard-of Spirit Plants and medicines, and more.


    All of this profoundly shocked both of them, making them even more envious of those cultivators who could live for several hundreds to thousands of years.

 Chapter 25

    When Zhao Zhijing and Zhao Xuanyi heard that the Zhao family had established a foundation in the Cultivation World and already had four Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators, their expressions were excited, and they were thrilled.After exchanging a glance, they quickly confessed to Zhao Sheng that there was also a cultivator in the Zhao family.


    Zhao Yujie, fifteen years old this year, with three spirit roots: metal, wood, and fire, and a cultivation of Qi Refining First Layer.


    He was Zhao Xuanyi''s third son and also Zhao Sheng''s great-grandson.


    Zhao Sheng was exceedingly surprised upon hearing this news.


    But when he learned of another unexpected piece of news, he abruptly stood up and asked, nearly losing his composure, "What did you say, Yu Yan is still alive? Where is she now?"


    Zhao Xuanyi nodded and said, "Grandfather, Auntie Grandma is indeed still alive. She is currently living in seclusion in Moling City, a place you should know. Additionally, Jie is also there."


    Upon hearing this, a glow suddenly appeared on Zhao Sheng''s thin and aged face, and he said impatiently, "No, I need to go find her now."


    As he spoke, his figure flashed, and he instantly appeared at the door.


    "Ninth..."


    Before Zhao Zhijing could call out a second time, Zhao Sheng''s figure had already vanished from the room.


    Witnessing this, Zhao Zhijing and Zhao Xuanyi looked at each other, speechless.


    The next day, Zhao Er the coachman drove the carriage swiftly into Moling City, finally stopping in front of a small courtyard.


    After getting off the carriage, Zhao Sheng looked at the plaque on the doorway that read ''Zhao Mansion,'' feeling very emotional and also increasingly guilty.


    Back in his day, while arranging for his family members'' escape, he negligently left Wang Yu Yan behind.


    He always thought she and the Wang Family had perished in Fragrant Swallow Valley, never expecting that she had survived the ordeal.


    As Zhao Sheng was slowly recalling past events, a sudden sound of qin music came from over the courtyard wall.


    The music was halting, as if a beginner was playing an unfamiliar piece.


    However, to Zhao Sheng''s ears, a long-forgotten ancient qin piece resurfaced in his mind.


    High Mountains and Flowing Water,


    Ah, it''s been such a long time since I last played.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng lightly tapped his foot, lifted gently off the ground, and then floated over the wall, landing in a garden with mountains and waters.


    At that moment, in the Octagonal Pavilion in the center of the garden, a handsome young man sat behind a qin table, awkwardly plucking at the ancient qin before him.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt as if he had returned to that afternoon seventy years ago when two beauties walked together, their eyes full of expectation and their smiles charming and sweet.


    Just then, the young man noticed Zhao Sheng''s figure, his expression drastically changed, and he asked cautiously and defensively, "Who are you? Why are you trespassing in my Zhao family''s property?"


    Zhao Sheng looked at the young man who resembled him in appearance, and with a kind smile and a gentle tone, he said, "Don''t be afraid, child! I mean no harm. I am here today just to see an old friend whom I have not met in a long time."


    Not mentioning it would have been better; as soon as he spoke, Zhao Yujie became even more nervous.


    "Who exactly are you? Speak, or don''t blame me for being rude!" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he spoke, Zhao Yujie flipped his right hand, and suddenly two red talismans appeared in it.


    Zhao Sheng saw this and couldn''t help but laugh silently, finding it ironic that a first meeting between grandfather and great-grandson was so tense.


    It would be too ridiculous for him to fight his own great-grandson.


    Additionally, revealing his identity was tricky as without proof, how could his great-grandson possibly believe him?


    Fortunately, Zhao Sheng hadn''t grown completely senile and seeing the ancient qin, he quickly thought of a solution.


    "Hold on!"


    Seeing his great-grandson eagerly ready to start a fight, Zhao Sheng quickly said, "The piece you just played was incorrect, High Mountains and Flowing Water isn''t played that way."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Yujie exclaimed in surprise, "You know I was playing High Mountains and Flowing Water?"


    Zhao Sheng smiled and said boastfully, "I composed that piece of High Mountains and Flowing Water, so you tell me if I know it or not."


    "Impossible!"


    Zhao Yujie suddenly grew angry and coldly said, "Granny has said that only a few people in the world know this piece. You couldn''t possibly be one of them."


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng smiled slyly and said, "Why not? People can lie, but music does not. Come, let this old man show you what it means to seek a soulmate with High Mountains and Flowing Water."


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng extended his right hand, his fingers curling and pressing downwards virtually, causing five streaks of purple-blue Innate True Qi to burst forth from his fingertips, instantly connecting to the qin strings two yards away.


    As Zhao Sheng continuously pressed and plucked in the air, the ancient qin strings were manipulated by the Innate True Qi, and sounds ethereal and wonderful emerged, quickly spreading from the garden to the surrounding courtyard.


    While Zhao Sheng played, the qin music was sometimes grand and natural, with ups and downs like tall mountains, and sometimes flowing and soft like water, rich in implication.


    Hearing this familiar music, Zhao Yujie stood frozen on the spot, his mind filled with confusion: "Who is this one-armed old man? Could it be¡­"


    Clang!


    However, in the midst of playing, the qin strings suddenly went haywire, emitting a harsh clang.


    Everything abruptly stopped.


    Zhao Sheng''s body stiffened, and he slowly turned his head towards the garden''s side gate, where a frail, white-haired old woman was standing.


    Fifty years of wind and snow had eroded the beauty of the past, but Zhao Sheng still recognized the identity of the person in front of him at a glance.


    The two stared at each other for a long while until Zhao Sheng''s surging excitement gradually calmed down, and he managed to speak with difficulty, "Yu Yan, I... I have come back."


    Wang Yu Yan, looking at the one-armed old man under the Octagonal Pavilion, felt exceedingly conflicted.


    Fifty years was too long, too long, erasing too much anticipation and passion.


    She had thought she would be uncontrollable, but when they truly reunited, Wang Yu Yan found herself unusually calm, like a wife who had lived alone for decades suddenly seeing her long-absent husband, feeling still that familiar.


    Wang Yu Yan slowly walked up to Zhao Sheng and calmly greeted him, "It''s been a long time, are you okay?"


    Zhao Sheng suddenly fell silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I''m fine. And you?"


    "Not good at all!"


    Zhao Sheng was immediately choked up.


    Seeing him like this, Wang Yu Yan suddenly laughed.


    For an instant, it was as if they were back in the past.


    She complained, "So many years not seen, how did you become so foolish? Where have your sweet words from your youth gone?"


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and sighed, "Ah, I''ve gotten old! So old I''m almost muddled. You''ve gotten old too, we all have!"


    Wang Yu Yan didn''t respond but shifted the topic, "What about Yuqi? Is she still well? Is her temperament still as impetuous as before?"


    At her words, Zhao Sheng''s expression stiffened, and after hesitating a moment, he said in a deep voice, "Three months ago, Sister Qi passed away!"


    The smile that had just appeared on Wang Yu Yan''s face instantly vanished without a trace.


    After a long while, her eyes brimming with tears, she murmured, "Gone, all gone. Now in the Wang family, only I am left."


    Zhao Sheng quickly tried to comfort her, "You still have me."


    After hearing him, Wang Yu Yan shook her head and said coldly, "You are not of the Wang family."


    Zhao Sheng felt a bit disheartened and thus emphasized, "I am the son-in-law of the Wang family, and moreover, Chengle, Yu Jie, and many grandchildren also carry the Wang family''s blood. Yu Yan, you are not alone."


    Ah!


    Suddenly,


    a cough interrupted their conversation.


    Looking over, they saw Zhao Yujie standing there with an embarrassed expression near the Octagonal Pavilion.


    ...


    Three days later,


    in the northwest corner of the Zhao family''s ancestral graveyard, a new grave was erected.


    Zhao Xuanyi and his wife, along with Zhao Yujie and several other great-grandchildren, solemnly performed the three bows and nine kowtows ritual in front of Wang Yuqi''s stele.


    Seeing this scene, Wang Yu Yan beside Zhao Sheng was already sobbing uncontrollably.


    Perhaps greatly shocked by this, Wang Yu Yan suddenly fell ill that very day and didn''t recover,


    Driven by a sense of guilt, Zhao Sheng, despite being weary, stayed by her side every day.


    Due to her old age, Wang Yu Yan''s illness showed no signs of improvement; initially, she could still get out of bed and walk around, but later, she became too weak to leave her bed.


    During Wang Yu Yan''s illness, Zhao Sheng took care of her while secretly arranging for Zhao Xuanyi, Zhao Yujie, and some Zhao family members to covertly migrate to Dragon Carp Lake.


    The Zhao family had just settled at Dragon Carp Lake, which was in dire need of people.


    Moving some family members there at this time would quickly solidify the family''s foundation.


    Decades earlier, Zhao Sheng had realized that Zhao Cheng''s couple, one lazy by nature and the other a cultivation fanatic, were not suited for managing the family business.


    Zhao Xuanyi was the family head on this side at Nanyang, known for his capability.


    Once he arrived at Dragon Carp Lake, he could just support Zhao Cheng''s couple in managing affairs and ordinary family members.


    As batches of Zhao family members continuously migrated to Dragon Carp Lake, time also flowed little by little.


    Three years later, the autumn wind was bleak and the leaves fluttered in the wind.


    In the Zhao family''s ancestral graveyard near Wang Yuqi''s grave, another tombstone was erected.


    Zhao Sheng, with entirely white hair and a wrinkled face, sat on the stone steps in front of the tombstone, staring at the rows of characters on the tombstone, his expression vacant, silent for a long time.


    Long after, as the sunset descended and dusk fell,


    Zhao Sheng shifted his body and suddenly sighed deeply towards the tombstone, whispering, "Yu Yan, I said I would give you a status, but you never agreed while alive. Do you want me to owe you for a lifetime?


    Ah, I once wrote Sister Qi a poem to pledge our love. Now I''ll give you one too. So you won''t tell Qi I was unfair when you see her."


    The autumn wind blew the withered leaves off the stele, revealing the few lines on it:


    "Asked of the world, what is love, that commands life and death to adhere?


    Old wings fluttering across distances, how many times through cold and heat?


    Amidst joys and sorrows, partings are the worst, with even more lovesick fools.


    I might say:


    Vast miles of clouds, mountains of evening snow, whose shadow goes alone?"


    As the sunset slowly declined, the bleak autumn wind stroked the letters on the tombstone again and again.


    Zhao Sheng, supporting his frail body, rose from the stone steps, his form stooped, and shuffled towards the distance...

 Chapter 26 Four Spirit Roots

    ```Name: Zhao Sheng


    Life Span: 93/99


    Realm: Half-step to Divinity Realm


    Constitution: Hundred-year-old Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level), Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level)


    Skill: Law-breaking Nine Swords (Unprecedented), Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations (Unprecedented), Infinite Divine Skill (Unprecedented), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Refined)


    "The third life has ended, calculating rewards..."


    In the chaotic void of nothingness, a rejuvenated Zhao Sheng stood in the void, his eyes intently fixed on the "Hundred Lifetimes Book" that was flashing with a jade radiance before him.


    As the memories and emotions of nearly a hundred years from his third life were extracted, Zhao Sheng''s spirit suddenly became crystal clear, as if he had shed some heavy burden in an instant.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng could observe his third life with the detached view of an outsider, rationally reflecting on it.


    Despite already having two experiences to draw from, watching the memories of his third life still felt novel to Zhao Sheng, as if he were watching an incredibly realistic movie, with himself as the protagonist.


    He had not expected the Spiritual Smell superpower to evolve into a Yellow Level talent and to be added to the data panel. Whats more, it was selectable for inheritance.


    It seemed that the Hundred Lifetimes Book held many more secrets, awaiting his discovery.


    As the final scene before his third life''s death ended, a voice extremely familiar to Zhao Sheng rose from the depths of his heart:


    "Calculation complete, the final assessment for the third life is: Grade B Lower."


    "Assessment reward: Gain one Yellow Level inheritance right, or it can be split into three Mortal Level inheritance rights.


    You may choose an inheritance from Constitution, Skill, or Talent. Please select?"


    Zhao Sheng glanced at his personal data panel and said without hesitation, "No need to split it, I choose to inherit the Yellow Level Talent, Spiritual Smell."


    "Talent inherited. Congratulations on achieving four life accomplishments:


    Mortal Level Achievements: one, Innate Limit; two, Born a descendant with a Spirit Root


    Yellow Level Achievements: one, Established a micro Cultivation Family; two, Slaying an Immortal with Mortal Strength (26/24)


    "Achievement rewards: Two Mortal Level random rewards, two Yellow Level random rewards. A Yellow Level random reward can be split into three Mortal Level random rewards.


    You can draw from Constitution, Skill, and Talent or opt to upgrade the level of a talent. Please choose?"


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed; he hadn''t realized the big prize was waiting for him here.


    What level would the Spirit Root Physique be?


    At least Yellow Level, right?


    After pondering for a moment and playing it safe, he chose to draw once for a Yellow Level Constitution.


    "Drawing Constitution..."


    Watching countless yellow Light Balls falling rapidly on the fourth page of the Hundred Lifetimes Book, Zhao Sheng began to feel apprehensive.


    Suddenly, one of the Light Balls expanded rapidly before bursting and scattering into numerous Light Points.


    "Congratulations on drawing the Four Spirit Roots Constitution, with the Spirit Root Attributes being Metal, Water, Wood, and Earth."


    Upon seeing the results, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but curse out loud, "Fuck, I can finally start cultivating. I''ve been waiting for this day for so damn long. Heaven finally rewards those with perseverance!"


    Having his greatest wish fulfilled made Zhao Sheng extremely excited.


    He exulted for quite some time before calming down gradually.


    Now he had one Yellow and two Mortal, three chances to draw left.


    After much deliberation, Zhao Sheng decided to draw for a Mortal Level Talent first.


    "Drawing Talent... Congratulations on drawing the Mortal Level Talent, Rock Hand."


    At that moment, an intangible message flooded into Zhao Sheng''s mind.


    [Rock Hand: Your hands are as steady as a rock]


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was somewhat speechless, thinking that cheap goods indeed were not of high quality.


    This talent wasn''t even as good as Dynamic Vision.


    "I choose a Yellow Level draw."


    ```


    "Extracting... Congratulations on drawing..."


    ...


    "Chonghe, Chonghe, are you alright?"


    When Zhao Sheng awoke once again from the darkness, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly reached his ears.


    His mind instantly became alert, and countless memories rapidly surfaced in his heart.


    Zhao Chonghe, sixteen years old this year, possesses four Spirit Roots ¡ª metal, water, wood, earth. His parents had passed away, and he had Qi Refining First Layer cultivation. He had just been knocked unconscious by an Azure Water Pearl in a contest with the second branch of his family, losing the opportunity to enter the Water Vein Cultivation Room.


    After fusing with Zhao Chonghe''s memories, Zhao Sheng was surprised to discover that more than two hundred and eighty years had passed since his death.


    And the Zhao family had taken root near Dragon Carp Lake for nearly three hundred years, with the number of the family members exceeding fifty thousand, including thirty-one cultivators.


    Zhao Sheng felt very gratified; his descendants did not let him down.


    Seventy years after his death, Zhao Xuanlan successfully advanced to Foundation Establishment, and from then on, the Zhao family finally secured their footing and no longer needed to rely on the reputation of Han Xuanwu.


    Speaking of which, Han Xuanwu had already become a Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator while Zhao Sheng was alive, but unfortunately, he did not manage to reach Core Formation and eventually passed away at the age of two hundred and ten within the Purple Sun Sect.


    As he was sorting through the memories,


    his ears were bombarded with several calls, and his body was continuously shaken.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes reluctantly, and what appeared before him was a slender young girl with peachy cheeks and pearly teeth.


    The girl''s name was Zhao Chongwei, with three Spirit Roots ¡ª metal, water, and wood, and Qi Refining Second Level cultivation. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both of them were from the Zhao family''s major branch, with the generation names starting with Chong.


    In Cultivation Families, the generational hierarchy of cultivators is different from that based on bloodlines.


    The cultivation generational names are usually spaced every sixty years, while bloodline generational names are still decided by familial relations.


    The Zhao family''s cultivation generations follow the sequence "The Classic of Sincerity and Jade Declaration, Zhongzheng Chang Jinke, Essence of the Mystic Path".


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongwei belonged to the same cultivation generation, but according to their bloodline relations, Zhao Sheng should call her Great-aunt.


    However, Zhao Chongwei was only seventeen this year, so Zhao Chonghe usually addressed her as Little Great-aunt.


    But...


    Zhao Sheng was not accustomed to calling anyone Great-aunt.


    He opened his eyes and sat up from the ground, mumbling, "I''m fine!"


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s spirits down, Zhao Chongwei consoled him, "Chonghe, don''t lose heart! Next time, you will definitely win against Zhao Chongxia from the second branch."


    Um,


    Zhao Sheng nodded, suddenly feeling a headache thinking of the information in his memories.


    The current situation of the Zhao family was a bit troublesome!


    Competing for the chance to consume a Foundation Establishment Pill, the internal division of the Zhao family was serious, with fierce infighting between the two branches.


    The cultivators of the major branch and second branch were as strangers to each other, their relationship nearly broken.


    To be honest, the seeds of this discord had been sown from the very beginning.


    The major branch of the Zhao family descended from Zhao Sheng''s eldest son, Zhao Chenggong, while the second branch descended from Old Eight, Zhao Chengle.


    Originally, the two branches of the Zhao family were not very close, but because of the urgent need for people around Dragon Carp Lake back then, under the mediation of Ancestor Zhao Zhiqin, the two Zhao families eventually merged together.


    For the first hundred years, the second branch, having numerous cultivators and backed by Han Xuanwu, controlled most of the family''s powers.


    Although Zhao Xuanyi from the major branch managed the family''s matters and the family members, he was a mortal and could only play the role of a "manager".


    Especially after Zhao Xuanlan from the second branch successfully cultivated to Foundation Establishment, the entire Zhao family was completely led by the second branch.


    If it had stayed this way, it would have been fine; at least it wouldn''t have led to the many disputes that later arose.


    However, fate is unpredictable!


    Zhao Xuanyi''s son, Zhao Yujie, with both perseverance and luck, made a desperate gamble at the age of ninety-three and succeeded.


    At that time, with two people from the Zhao family having reached Foundation Establishment, their fame spread far and wide, intimidating the surrounding minor Cultivation Families, and the Zhao family''s power expanded rapidly, with an increasing number of cultivators, reaching a golden age one hundred and eighty years ago.


    At that period, the Zhao family had over a hundred cultivators, two at Foundation Establishment, and more than ten in the Qi Refining Late Stage¡ªtheir strength was comparable to a thousand-year-old Foundation Establishment Cultivation Family.


    Ever more promising was that, through the mediation of Han Xuanwu, the Purple Sun Sect agreed to allow the Zhao family to continue renting Dragon Carp Lake for another two hundred years.

 Chapter 27 Bullet Time (Please follow)

    One hundred and fifty years ago, just a few years after Han Xuanwu had passed away, Zhao Xuanlan of the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer had suddenly disappeared during an outing, never to be heard from again.At that time, Zhao Yujie was the only Foundation Establishment Cultivator left in the Zhao family.


    Overnight, the Zhao family underwent a transformation.


    For the first time, the main branch took control of the family, starting to suppress the second branch both overtly and covertly.


    The reason for this was that the two branches of the Zhao family had never been close, and over the years, due to limited cultivation resources and unfair distribution, the relationship had always been lukewarm and full of disputes.


    Thus, it was no surprise that the main branch would choose to suppress the second branch once they came into power.


    The second branch benefitted from Han Xuanwu''s legacy and had certain relations and connections in the Purple Sun Sect.


    Therefore, Zhao Yujie didn''t dare to oppress them too blatantly, only resorting to small, subtle suppressions.


    Ninety years ago, Zhao Yujie passed away.


    Zhao Zhongge of the main branch advanced to Foundation Establishment and continued to dominate the Zhao family''s power, also opting to covertly suppress the second branch. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Until a year ago, when Zhao Zhongge died from severe injuries, the Zhao family suddenly found itself without a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, leaving the family''s power in a vacuum.


    Consequently, the second branch, long suppressed for nearly one hundred fifty years under the leadership of Elder Zhao Jingang, suddenly erupted, confronting the main branch head-on.


    Over the past year, due to the unceasing internal strife between the two branches, the Zhao family''s power significantly weakened, and relations between the branches rapidly deteriorated.


    Two months ago, the Zhao family used their family''s resources to secure a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Afterward, the Zhao family''s two branches quarreled incessantly over who should consume the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Were it not for the several neighboring Cultivation Forces eyeing them covetously, the main branch and the second branch might have already come to blows.


    However...


    While his thoughts swirled chaotically, Zhao Sheng got up from the ground and dusted off the dirt from his clothes.


    Looking at the clearly divided groups below the magic platform, he couldn''t help but sigh, "Things haven''t improved much."


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt something being slipped into his hand. Looking down, he saw it was a white porcelain pill bottle.


    He looked up at Zhao Chongwei, his expression complex.


    Without opening it, Zhao Sheng knew that the bottle contained a First Rank Spirit Origin Pill.


    The Spirit Origin Pill is the most commonly consumed elixir by Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators.


    There are ten pills in a bottle, with each bottle costing seven Spirit Stones¡ªa fair and unchanged price for a thousand years.


    Zhao Chongwei whispered, "Hurry up and put it away; don''t let anyone see it."


    Zhao Sheng pushed the pill bottle back into her hands and shook his head, "No need to give it to me; you keep it for your own cultivation. You have three spirit roots and a chance at reaching Foundation Establishment. The family gave you the Spirit Origin Pills hoping you would cultivate diligently and achieve Foundation Establishment soon. Remember not to let down the family''s expectations!"


    Zhao Chongwei was taken aback at his words. She felt that since Zhao Chong had woken up, he seemed to have completely changed into a different person, suddenly becoming exceptionally mature and composed.


    Previously, he would always pester her for elixir pills and Spirit Stones, but now he was refusing them outright.


    Zhao Chongwei couldn''t help but wonder in her heart, "Could it be that a setback can really make a person mature so quickly?"


    Seeing her stunned and silent, Zhao Sheng decided to turn around and leave the magic platform.


    Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from behind them, "Weiwei, what are you doing? Are you thinking of giving the Spirit Pill to that waste again?"


    As he spoke, a burly, square-faced, thin-lipped elder strode up to them.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at him and felt an instinctive revulsion.


    The elder, named Zhao Jinpeng, was known for his harsh and narrow-minded nature, always acting as a senior.


    Zhao Jinpeng was one of the seventeen Cultivators in the Zhao family''s main branch, with a cultivation at the Qi Refining Fifth Level.


    For some reason, Zhao Jinpeng had always looked down on Zhao Sheng''s former self, either berating or mocking him whenever they met.


    Seeing Zhao Jinpeng, Zhao Chongwei timidly defended herself, "Sixth Grandpa, I wasn''t."


    Zhao Jinpeng glared at her, snatched the pill bottle from her hand, and said sternly, "You say you weren''t, what is this then? When our family is barely making ends meet, and we''ve managed to allocate a few bottles of Spirit Origin Pills, are you going to give them to this waste?"


    Zhao Sheng felt extremely aggravated when he heard these words.


    "Damn it, calling someone ''trash'' over and over, doesn''t this old man have a name?!"


    "Who are you calling trash?" Zhao Sheng''s face darkened, and he stared at Zhao Jinpeng.


    Zhao Jinpeng looked back at Zhao Sheng contemptuously and mocked, "You are the trash. You''ve been cultivating for five or six years and still can''t beat a fourteen-year-old Zhao Chongxia. If you''re not trash, then what are you? It''s not just you; your father is the same, a Sixth Level Qi Refining Immortal Cultivator who couldn''t even keep track of goods, deserved to die out there."


    "To insult one''s parents, is that the behavior of an elder? I, Zhao Chonghe, will remember the humiliation of today. I leave you with these words, ''Bully not the old for failing to thrive, nor the young for their poverty!''"


    After dropping these harsh words, Zhao Sheng nodded at Zhao Chongwei, then turned and walked away.


    "Chonghe, Chonghe!" Seeing Zhao Sheng stride off in anger, Zhao Chongwei hurriedly called out repeatedly.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jinpeng scolded, "Weiwei, why are you calling that trash? Your turn is coming up next. You better get ready quickly."


    "Sixth Master, how can you say that? Chonghe is also from our main family."


    "He is just trash, whether he is there or not, it''s all the same for the main family."


    In a short exchange, Zhao Sheng had already walked far away.


    ...


    Upon returning to his small courtyard, Zhao Sheng couldn''t wait to enter the cultivation room.


    Compared to the most important thing, cultivation, Zhao Jinpeng was nothing.


    By now, Zhao Sheng had already pushed him out of his mind.


    Before beginning his cultivation, Zhao Sheng quickly opened his book page to check his personal data:


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 16/97


    Realm: Qi Refining First Level


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystical Spirit Skill (Beginner)


    Spell: Spring Breeze and Rain Technique (Skilled), Waterdrop Sword (Beginner), Refraction Technique (Beginner)


    Talisman Making: First Rank Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman (Beginner), First Rank Golden Light Wall (Beginner)


    In the last two draws before his reincarnation, Zhao Sheng had drawn the Yellow Level talent Bullet Time and the Mortal Level constitution Primary Healing.


    Bullet Time (Yellow Level): Once activated, your consciousness will become incredibly focused, senses extremely sharp, and the whole world slows down many times over in your sight as if time has come to a standstill. Each activation lasts for two seconds.


    Primary Healing (Mortal Level): Depending on personal constitution, wound healing speed increases three to ten times.


    Zhao Sheng pondered as he read the descriptions.


    There''s not much to say about Primary Healing, but Bullet Time seems very interesting.


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng discarded all distractions, and his consciousness gradually focused.


    As his consciousness converged to a point, it was like suddenly piercing through an invisible barrier. Zhao Sheng suddenly found that the world before his eyes had nearly "paused."


    The once fluid world moved as slow as frame-by-frame movie scenes.


    No, it was ten times slower than that.


    Under extremely sharp spiritual sensing, countless invisible particles of water vapor also suddenly became visible.


    Fluffy fungi of strange shapes, coarse dust, round water vapor,


    All sorts of bizarre tiny particles became clearly visible in his "vision."


    Zhao Sheng felt incredibly fascinated, as if he were seeing a brand new world.

 Chapter 28 The First Cultivation and the Arrangements of a Past Life

    ```Two seconds later, the world returned to normal, and Zhao Sheng instantly "fell" out of the time-stop status.


    It was magical, it was wonderful!


    It was only two seconds, yet Zhao Sheng felt as if the entire process lasted at least a minute.


    Two seconds VS one minute!


    In a sense, it meant that time had slowed down by thirty times.


    What did that mean?


    Zhao Sheng hadn''t fully grasped it yet, but he knew that in any world, any ability or talent involving time was exceedingly rare.


    With a single Yellow-Level draw, he had drawn the talent "Bullet Time."


    It had to be said, he had hit the jackpot this time!


    After experimenting with his newfound talent, Zhao Sheng calmed his mood and began his first cultivation in this life.


    In the quiet room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused, his spirit quickly entering a state of emptiness and clarity.


    It seemed like a long time had passed, yet it felt like just an instant.


    In the darkness surrounding Zhao Sheng''s body, suddenly, particles of spiritual energy appeared densely packed and in various colors.


    Some were red as fire, some green as wood, some dark as the abyss, some bright as gold, some yellow as earth. There were also flecks of pure white like ice, deep blue like lightning, and green darkness like the wind.


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed to see this scene, knowing that the first step of sensing spiritual energy was successful. The next step was to activate the vortex of spirit power in his dantian using the Nourishing God Skill, absorb the surrounding spiritual energy particles, and then begin the refining and fusion process.


    The Nourishing God Skill Zhao Sheng practiced was called "Colorful Cloud Chasing Moon." Regard the spirit as the moon, and spiritual energy as the clouds. The skill is named Colorful Cloud Chasing Moon, but in reality, it''s the moon that moves and the clouds that follow.


    Simply put, it involves using one''s consciousness, the embryo of Divine Sense, to activate the vortex of Spirit Power. This pulls the spiritual energy particles into the vortex, refines and fuses them based on their attributes, while also discarding "impurities," ultimately strengthening the Spirit Power.


    The entire cultivation process can be described in the phrase "Nourish the Spirit, Refine the Qi, Remove the Dross, Preserve the Essence."


    Why do cultivators with fewer spirit roots cultivate faster?


    This has to do with "removing the dross and preserving the essence," which simply means purifying and removing impurities.


    Given the same amount of time and equal quantity of spiritual energy particles absorbed, cultivators with Five Spirits Roots will absorb five types of particles but can only refine one type, with the other four being impurities.


    On the other hand, cultivators with a Single Spirit Root only absorb one type of particle, eliminating the process of discarding impurities.


    Other factors notwithstanding, just from this point of view, the cultivation speed of a Single Spirit Root is at least five times that of Five Spirits Roots.


    This is why all Cultivation Forces treasure cultivators with a Single Spirit Root, viewing them as supreme treasures.


    Zhao Sheng possessed Four Spirit Roots -- gold, water, earth, and wood -- and was cultivating the Water Element Technique "Mystical Spirit Skill."


    The Mystical Spirit Skill wasn''t highly ranked, and in the Cultivation World, it wasn''t considered particularly precious, but it was extensively pervasive.


    Many cultivators chose it as their main cultivation method. They favored Mystical Spirit Skill for its balanced and stable nature, a characteristic that reduced the likelihood of one becoming a Fallen Demon, and the Spirit Power cultivated was known for its purity.


    However, the downside of Mystical Spirit Skill was also quite apparent: it was slow. Not only was the purification and fusion process slow, but the speed at which cultivation increased was even slower.


    But in Zhao Sheng''s view, the slowness of Mystical Spirit Skill wasn''t a disadvantage,


    because he had plenty of time. If not in this life, then in the next.


    Under the state of spiritual introspection, Zhao Sheng "saw" the vortex of pitch-black Spirit Power deep in his dantian begin to "rotate" slowly under the drive of his consciousness.


    An invisible force of attraction formed and gradually, particles of spiritual energy of gold, wood, water, and earth were drawn into the vortex.


    Afterward, the particles of gold, wood, and earth were "cast out" of his body while the Water Element Spirit Qi was slowly crushed and gradually merged into the Spirit Power.


    As time passed, Zhao Sheng felt his consciousness gradually weaken, and a faint pain began to emerge at his brow.


    Continuing to cultivate, the throbbing pain in his brow became more pronounced, eventually turning into a stabbing pain as sharp as needles.


    Zhao Sheng knew this was a sign of severe spiritual exhaust, and it was time to end this cultivation session.


    He took a long breath, stopped activating the technique, and exited the state of empty clarity.


    "Haha!"


    ```


    ``` Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After waking up, Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and suddenly burst into loud laughter.


    That night, at midnight, the moon appeared hazy, with light clouds and a gentle breeze.


    By the banks of Dragon Carp Lake, Zhao Sheng, dressed in a black robe, found a large rock about the height of two men on the shore.


    He circled the rock and quickly started digging under a corner-shaped protrusion.


    A short while later, Zhao Sheng dug out a package from a three-feet-deep pit.


    Unwrapping the package, he found over a hundred milky-white, eyeball-sized low-grade Spirit Stones, a three-inch-long ancient bronze flying sword, three dark crystal shards, and a dismal green small arrow.


    The ancient bronze flying sword was a First Order Mid-grade flying sword, equivalent to an ordinary First-rank top-grade magic tool. Its value was around seven hundred and fifty Spirit Stones.


    It was Zhao Sheng''s spoils of war, obtained from a Qi Refining Fourth Level medicine collector.


    The dark crystal shards were a First-tier rare refining material called Mystic Wave Crystal, each worth a few dozen low-grade Spirit Stones.


    The most precious was the dismal green small arrow. It was a one-time self-exploding magic tool, highly toxic and corrosive. Once hit by it, even someone at the late stage of Qi Refining would be severely injured, and any hesitation could lead to immediate death from the poison.


    These Spirit Stones, magic tools, and refining materials were one of the contingencies left behind by Zhao Sheng in his previous life.


    Now, they indeed came into use.


    ...


    One month later,


    In the quiet room, Zhao Sheng awoke from meditation, suddenly sporting an excited smile.


    After a month of grueling closed-door cultivation, he had finally broken through to the Qi Refining Second Level realm.


    Of course, the cost was not small; he had finished six bottles of Spirit Origin Pills in one go.


    Six sevens equal forty-two.


    While forty-two Spirit Stones might not seem much, they are enough to buy a First-rank low-grade magical artifact.


    An average early stage Qi Refining Loose Cultivator wouldn''t earn fifty Spirit Stones in a year.


    Compared to those hard-struggling Loose Cultivators, Zhao Sheng was already extravagant.


    But when compared with Sect Disciples, this wasn''t much at all.


    These Spirit Origin Pills were exchanged from the family clan''s treasury.


    There was a member of the Zhao family named Zhao Keru, the only alchemist in the Zhao family.


    The Spirit Origin Pills were made by him.


    In Zhao Sheng''s plan, learning alchemy was an essential Cultivation Art.


    However, as alchemy consumed too many Spirit Stones and his current conditions didn''t permit it, he planned to start with talisman painting.


    Talisman painting had the lowest entry barrier among the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation; all it required were a magic pen, spiritual ink, and talisman paper.


    Fortunately, his former self had a foundation in talisman painting.


    After leaving the quiet room, Zhao Sheng was suddenly greeted by his personal servant Zhao Tai, who was waiting anxiously at the door, with a look of distress.


    As soon as he saw Zhao Sheng come out, Zhao Tai immediately shouted, "Young master, it''s bad! You must go and see! The elders are about to get into a fight with people from the second branch."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows furrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "Don''t panic, what happened?"


    Zhao Tai quickly explained, "This morning, the elder from the second branch, along with people from the Wei Family, suddenly came storming in, demanding to settle some issues with us."


    Hearing that it was the Wei Family, Zhao Sheng''s frown deepened.


    The Li Mountain Wei Family was a marital ally of the Zhao family, with the Wei Family''s residence two hundred miles southwest of Dragon Carp Lake at the base of Li Mountain, beneath which lay a First-level top-grade spirit vein.


    The Wei Family had one Foundation Establishment Cultivator and seven at the Late Stage of Qi Refining. Their strength was a notch above the current Zhao family.


    Thinking of elder Zhao Jingang''s behavior and manner, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt the looming sense of an approaching storm.


    The presence of the Wei Family was not a good sign; they were likely after the Foundation Establishment Pills, or perhaps their target was the Zhao family itself.


    ```

 Chapter 29 Zhao Family

    The Cultivation World has always been a place where the strong prey on the weak!The Zhao family is now in constant internal strife, with enemies lurking all around. Without a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to preside, it''s when their strength is at its weakest.


    Apart from the Wei Family, other Cultivation forces such as the Lan Family and Xiaofeng Valley around Dragon Carp Lake are likely eyeing the Zhao family as juicy prey.


    Once a fatal flaw is exposed, the Zhao family will inevitably face the danger of being divided and devoured by the surrounding powers.


    Thinking of this, Zhao Sheng immediately asked, "Where are they now?"


    "At the Unity Hall on Yanyue Island," Zhao Tai replied without a second thought.


    Zhao Sheng was stunned at the words and felt a sudden thump in his heart, realizing something was terribly wrong.


    Yanyue Island was the most core and secret place of the Zhao family, where outsiders were not allowed to enter.


    That''s because it was the location of the Dragon Carp Lake Defensive Array and also the Zhao family''s last refuge in the event of existential threat.


    The fact that members of the second branch were now bringing people from the Wei Family into Yanyue Island was clearly a case of letting the wolf into the house.


    ...


    Yanyue Island, situated on the eastern side of the Dragon Carp Lake, is surrounded by water on three sides, with only a three-mile plank road connecting it to the mainland, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.


    As Zhao Sheng rushed to the plank road, he found two unfamiliar Cultivators wearing dark talismanic crowns guarding the entrance.


    "Stop!


    Sure enough, as he tried to enter Yanyue Island, he was immediately blocked by the two men.


    Zhao Sheng sized up his opponents and knew they were from the Wei Family.


    The dark talismanic crown was the most famous symbol of the Li Mountain Wei Family. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He immediately shouted, "Step aside, I need to get inside!"


    One of them laughed without responding to Zhao Sheng, instead posing a counter question, "Are you really unaware or pretending not to know?"


    "Know what?" Zhao Sheng asked.


    The other Wei Family Cultivator retorted sharply, "You''re too late. Go back to wherever you came from."


    Zhao Sheng had a thought and cried out loud, "I am a member of the Zhao clan, and the elder Zhao Jingang is my Third Master. It is only right for me to enter Yanyue Island! Besides, I am on my way to lend a helping hand. Aren''t you guys from the Wei Family invited by my second uncle to assist us? Are you now thinking of siding with the major branch?"


    Zhao Sheng was not lying; Zhao Jingang really was his "second uncle," albeit the blood relationship was distant, spanning more than seven or eight generations.


    "Oh, so you''re from the second branch? Why didn''t you say so earlier? Hurry in, you might be able to help with something."


    As soon as they heard Zhao Sheng belonged to the "second branch," the two from the Wei Family hurriedly cleared the way.


    Zhao Sheng cupped his hands in thanks and said, "You two have worked hard, make sure not to let anyone from the major branch in. Once this business is settled, I will definitely commend your efforts to the Third Master on your behalf."


    "Oh no, not at all! You give us too much credit, young brother. We are just following orders," the two from the Wei Family said humbly, but their eager eyes betrayed them.


    Zhao Sheng smiled, nodded at them, and quickly passed between them and into Yanyue Island.


    The three-mile plank road passed in a flash, and far away, he could see the palace-like Unity Hall on Yanyue Island.


    Seeing that the island''s protective array was not activated, Zhao Sheng''s heart sank, and he quickened his pace.


    As there was no one guarding the main entrance of the Unity Hall, Zhao Sheng easily walked inside.


    No sooner had he entered the Unity Hall than the sound of a heated argument between two people reached Zhao Sheng''s ears.


    Zhao Sheng saw that the Cultivation members of the two branches of the Zhao family were each occupying one side of the main hall, confronting each other.


    On the left side were people from the major branch. They were few in number; including Zhao Sheng there were barely eleven¡ªothers were either managing the workshop or were out and had not returned.


    On the other hand, the second branch had all fourteen Cultivation family members present, along with several unfamiliar Cultivators.


    Needless to say, these strangers were all from the Wei Family.


    At that moment in the center of the Unity Hall, two Zhao Family Elders were squabbling like fishwives, berating each other and lacking any of the usual dignity and authority.


    ```


    Among the two men, the one with a lean figure and a stern face was Zhao Jinding, an elder from the main branch of the Zhao Family. He had attained the realm of Qi Refining Great Perfection, possessing extraordinary strength. In his early years, he had single-handedly defeated two late-stage Qi-Refining independent practitioners of the same realm.


    Zhao Jingang appeared to be a kindly old man with a ruddy complexion, very white skin, and a chubby physique. In reality, he was ruthless, shrewd, and deeply cunning, having solidified his second branch into a unified front early on.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes suddenly narrowed, and he immediately lowered his head, quickly walking towards the side of the main branch.


    At that moment, a gaunt elder wearing a blood-red talisman crown behind Zhao Jingang glanced towards Zhao Sheng''s side before quickly looking away, continuing to watch with keen interest as the Zhao Family elders squabbled.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng felt a heavy weight in his heart, secretly fretting, "Wei Chengwo, the Foundation Establishment Ancestor from the Wei Family, has actually come himself! This is bad."


    Upon approaching the main branch''s side, one could see that a small portion of the family members were full of indignation, but the majority had a grave expression, their faces pale.


    Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the second branch was well-prepared, even inviting the Wei Family Foundation Establishment Ancestor.


    Clearly, they would not rest until their goals were achieved today.


    The current situation was extremely unfavorable for the main branch!


    Zhao Sheng, like an inconspicuous presence, blended into the crowd of the main branch''s people, standing beside Zhao Chongwei at the very back.


    "Chongwei, how did you manage to get in?" Zhao Chongwei, with a worried expression, asked anxiously upon seeing Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand and whispered, "Let''s not talk about that now. What''s the current situation? What demands has the second branch made?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongwei said angrily, "The second branch not only wants Foundation Establishment Pills, but they also want us to hand over the storeroom, the Scripture Storage Tower, and eight cultivation rooms."


    Goodness me!


    The second branch has quite the appetite, not afraid of bursting their belly.


    ''Dharma, Wealth, Comrades, and Place'' are the four essential elements of cultivation. The second branch wants to seize three of them straight away, which is clearly an attempt to usurp power.


    Such exorbitant demands will definitely not be agreed upon by the main branch.


    "But now that the second branch has the upper hand, what countermeasures does the main branch have?" Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    Who holds the power between the two branches of the Zhao Family is not of much concern to Zhao Sheng¡ªafter all, they are all his kin.


    However, he was extremely wary of the Wei Family!


    Zhao Sheng was not afraid of the Wei Family launching a direct attack on Dragon Carp Lake; with the Hundred-Year Token in hand, the Wei Family wouldn''t dare to make an open move.


    But if they planned to move in secret, with internal traitors from the second branch, the Zhao Family would indeed be in danger.


    Zhao Sheng stood quietly as part of the backdrop, rapidly contemplating the future course for the Zhao Family.


    At this time, the bickering between the elders of the two branches also escalated, reaching a fever pitch.


    The two are indeed strong figures, as indicated by ''Ding'' and ''Gang'' in their names.


    One truly holding firm, the other truly unyielding!


    The verbal fight had escalated to this stage, where they dared to expose all kinds of dirty laundry.


    Adultery, embezzlement, misconduct, substituting inferior goods for good ones, corruption, framing¡ªeach and every messy affair.


    This made Zhao Sheng''s face turn dark with anger, his fury at the brink!


    What a disappointment the descendants are!


    No wonder the Zhao Family has seen harder days with each passing year, and in recent years, they''ve even struggled to distribute the spiritual salaries to clan members.


    But alongside his anger, Zhao Sheng also found something strange.


    The day''s turn of events was truly very peculiar.


    In his predecessor''s memory, Zhao Jinding and Zhao Jingang, the two family elders, always cared about their image and should not have been this undignified, openly hurling insults in front of the younger clan members.


    It was odd as if both were deliberately stalling for time.


    Seeing that the argument would lead nowhere, Wei Chengwo, the Foundation Establishment Ancestor from the Wei Family, coughed and suddenly stood up.


    ```

 Chapter 30 Visitors from Purple Sun

    People are the trees, and their reputation is the shadow!No one dared to ignore a Foundation Establishment Cultivator once they revealed themselves.


    The two great clan elders nearly stopped their quarreling at the same time and turned their attention to Wei Chengwo.


    Satisfied with the reaction, Wei Chengwo nodded and spoke, "Listen to me, both of you. You are all descendants of the Zhao family, and blood is thicker than water. There really isn''t any deep-seated hatred among you, so don''t let a single Foundation Establishment Pill ruin your harmony."


    Having said that, he turned his head to Zhao Jinding and persuaded him, "Jinding, you were also one I watched grow up. As your in-law and senior, let me speak a word of justice. Over the past hundred years, has the second branch of the Zhao family ever received even one Foundation Establishment Pill?"


    "That is¡ª"


    Just as Zhao Jinding started to argue, he was suppressed by Wei Chengwo''s Foundation Establishment might.


    "So, in my opinion, it is now the second branch''s turn for the Foundation Establishment Pill. It just so happens that Jingang has ascended to the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm. Giving him the pill to use would not be a waste at all."


    At these words, the people of the second branch were ecstatic, while the members of the main branch were all extremely dejected.


    At this moment, Zhao Jinding suddenly let out a muffled grunt, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.


    By self-harm, he broke free from Wei Chengwo''s constraint, saying angrily, "This is a family matter of the Zhao family. Senior Wei, by overstepping your boundaries like this, you have broken the fairness of the Cultivation World."


    Hmph!


    At this, Zhao Jingang suddenly snorted coldly, "You still have the nerve to speak of fairness. Fairness resides in the hearts of the people! Ancestor Wei couldn''t stand your main branch any longer and thus spoke a word of justice. What his excellency said is right, it is indeed our second branch''s turn this time."


    "How audacious, Zhao Jingang! You actually defied the ancestral teachings by allowing outsiders into the Unity Hall. Do you even have the ancestors in your eyes? When you die, how will you explain this to the ancestors?" Zhao Jinding said, burning with rage.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng thought, "The ancestors are watching here, what''s there to explain. With your embarrassing behavior, it''s like rats giving birth to a litter, each generation worse than the last."


    Zhao Jingang sneered, about to say something.


    But just then, suddenly, three people walked into the Unity Hall from outside.


    The one walking in the middle was a middle-aged cultivator wearing a purple robe embroidered with a small golden sword.


    This person had fiery red hair and a golden complexion, his powerful physique not the least bit concealing his strong Foundation Establishment presence.


    On his left side was an old woman with chicken-skin and crane-hair, and on his right was a young man, good-looking and suave with a sunny and cheerful disposition. However, his long, narrow fox-like eyes slightly marred his cheerful demeanor.


    "A Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Purple Sun Sect!"


    "It''s great, Jinfu has brought people to save us."


    "Yes, with Jinfu here, let''s see how the second branch can continue to act so arrogant."


    The main branch, like water hitting hot oil, immediately erupted, and everyone soon showed looks of excitement, lifting their heads and puffing out their chests.


    The reinforcements they had been desperately waiting for had finally arrived!


    In contrast, the people from the second branch looked as if they were in mourning.


    Zhao Sheng, upon seeing the timely arrival of the young man, also heaved a sigh of relief. After observing the reactions of Zhao Jingang and Wei Chengwo, his heart tightened again.


    For good reason!


    The two were too composed, showing no signs of panic.


    The one to know was named Zhao Jinfu, indeed a member of the main branch of the Zhao family and the direct descendant of Zhao Zhongge of the Foundation Establishment realm. There was no need to question his allegiance.


    Zhao Jinfu was born with Metal, Fire, and Wood three spirit roots, with the Metal Spirit Root accounting for seventy percent of his talent¡ªa talent unmatched in the three hundred-year history of the Zhao family. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Six years ago, he was accepted into the Purple Sun Sect. At merely twenty-eight years old, he had already reached the Qi Refining Seventh Level Realm.


    With an excited expression, Zhao Jinding waved his hands saying, "Jinfu, you''ve finally arrived! Is this senior someone you invited?"


    As he spoke, he looked toward the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Purple Sun Sect with a reverent expression.


    However, there was not a trace of a smile on Zhao Jinfu''s face.


    He asked coldly, "The Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman is only to be used in the most dangerous of times. Each family has only one, and yet you dared to use it for such a trifling matter. It seems I was right! The Zhao Family is rotten to the core."


    "Jinfu, what... what do you mean by that?" Zhao Jinding asked in astonishment and confusion upon hearing this.


    Zhao Jinfu raised his voice and said word by word in front of everyone, "I said the Zhao Family is rotten to the core, this family is not worth staying in!"


    As soon as these words were uttered, there was an uproar among the crowd, including the second branch of the family.


    Quarrels are quarrels, fights are fights! In truth, within the entire Zhao Family, Zhao Jinfu was the only one most likely to achieve Foundation Establishment,


    The reason the Zhao Family had been living so frugally over the years was largely due to the massive investment of cultivation resources into Zhao Jinfu.


    Despite the two clan elders nearly coming to blows over the Foundation Establishment Pill, it was uncertain if either of them could achieve Foundation Establishment, as no one in the Zhao Family had any certainty.


    After all, a ten percent success rate for Foundation Establishment is too low, and not everyone is as "lucky" as Ancestor Yu Jie.


    At this point, Zhao Jingang suddenly stepped in to try to smooth things over, "Jinfu, what are you saying? You are the direct descendant of the Central Pavilion Ancestor; if not the Zhao Family, where else could you go?"


    That was when the old crone with her chicken-skin and crane-hair suddenly spoke up, her voice in stark contrast to her appearance, strikingly crisp and clear.


    "He can come back to the Wei Family with me!"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jinding immediately burst out in a thunderous rage, shouting, "Who are you? This is our Zhao Family''s private affair. What right does an outsider have to intervene?"


    Smack!


    Before his words had even finished echoing, a giant earthen-yellow palm flashed by, and Zhao Jinding was abruptly slapped away, falling to the ground and spitting blood repeatedly.


    "A Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"


    Nobody had expected this unremarkable old crone to also be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    "Presumptuous!" The old woman uttered those two words coldly.


    Silence instantly fell upon Unity Hall.


    Heh heh!


    At that moment, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Purple Sun Sect suddenly chuckled twice, stepped forward, and cheerfully said, "I received a sect mission, which was originally for rescue. Before I came, I thought the Zhao Family was almost done for. Now it seems it''s all just a farce!"


    He then continued, his tone suddenly turning icy, and scolded harshly, "What foolishness! Is this what my Purple Sun Sect''s Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman is to be used for?


    The Zhao Family has been a great disappointment. For you worthless bunch, Grandmaster Han exhausted all his connections and favors to renew the lease of Dragon Carp Lake for your family for another two hundred years. Now, it appears he was completely mistaken!"


    "May I ask Senior, what is your relationship with Grandmaster Han?" Zhao Jingang asked, still uncertain and bewildered.


    Zhao Jinfu took the opportunity to introduce him, "Junior Master Chen''s master is Sword Obsession Daoist."


    When the Zhao Family heard this, they instantly understood.


    Sword Obsession Daoist was Grandmaster Han Xuanwu''s foremost disciple and had a good relationship with the Zhao Family back in the day, especially, more precisely, with the second branch.


    Zhao Jingang''s face brightened with joy, and he happily said, "So it''s our own people! Senior Chen, this junior, Zhao Jingang, is from the second branch of the Zhao Family. My apologies for earlier."


    This "Junior Master Chen" swung his hand, launching a streak of sword light, stopping Zhao Jingang from performing the kowtowing gesture.


    At the same time, he spoke in a mild tone, "Grandmaster Han is the man I, Chen Zichuan, respect the most. You of the second branch carry his bloodline, so spare the formalities."


    Zhao Jingang''s expression grew even more excited, and he promptly withdrew his kowtowing gesture.

 Chapter 31 Mr. Zhao is Dispensable (Please Follow)

    In just a few short sentences, the members of the main house had already seen which way the wind was blowing.It seemed that the reinforcements they had asked for were not allies but unwelcome guests!


    The people of the main house were dumbfounded, as was the blood-spitting Zhao Jinding.


    At that moment, Wei Chengwo, unwilling to be left out, stepped forward with a friendly tone, "I didn''t expect Mr. Chen to be so close to the second house. I am Wei Chengwo, related by marriage to the second house. It would seem that we are not strangers to each other."


    Chen Zichuan gave Wei Chengwo a look and immediately engaged in pleasantries with him.


    In the time it takes to exchange a few words, the two had subtly drawn closer together.


    Seeing Chen Zichuan going off track, the old crone intentionally reminded him, "Mr. Chen, we must attend to the pressing matter at hand!"


    Chen Zichuan nodded, ceased talking about other matters, and then said to Zhao Jingang, "Let me introduce him. This is Senior Wei from the Fulong Wei Family of the West Desolate Continent, a high-level individual in the late stage of Foundation Establishment."


    "Senior Wei, greetings!" Zhao Jingang hastily bowed in salute.


    Chen Zichuan continued, "Senior Wei is here today for his nephew Jinfu, to be precise, to take his nephew back to the Wei Family to recognize his ancestry and return to his clan."


    What?


    Recognize his ancestry and return to his clan?!


    Isn''t Zhao Jinfu one of us from the Zhao family? How has he suddenly become a member of the Wei Family?


    The Zhao Family Members in Unity Hall were all confused.


    However, the elders, such as those from the ''Jin'' and ''Ke'' generations, had all turned pale at this point.


    This matter touched upon a highly secretive and shameful incident within the Zhao family, unknown to the younger members, but crystal clear to them.


    It was said that, back in the day, the Central Pavilion Ancestor Zhao Zhongge had a granddaughter named Zhao Changzhi who was extremely favored by the old Ancestor. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But what she did that year brought shame upon the family.


    Zhao Changzhi went out for half a year.


    Upon her return, it was discovered she was pregnant; worse still, the child was illegitimate,


    Everyone asked her who the father was, but Zhao Changzhi refused to speak a word about it to her death.


    That year, because of this incident, Zhao Zhongge flew into a furious rage. After Zhao Changzhi gave birth, she was married off far away.


    From then on, she became a taboo subject in the Zhao Family, not to be mentioned by anyone.


    If someone were to ask, the reply would merely be that she died in childbirth.


    What no one anticipated, however, was that this illegitimate child would be born with a Spirit Root and possess exceptional Talent, intelligence surpassing that of ordinary people.


    "No good, could it be that Jinfu''s father is someone from the Wei Family?"


    With this realization, a foreboding feeling arose in the hearts of those who knew the truth.


    At this time, Zhao Jinding struggled to his feet from the ground, rushed forward, and argued loudly, "You''re mistaken! Jinfu is a direct descendant of my Zhao family, he could not possibly belong to your Wei Family."


    The old crone sneered, "The old woman has already tested him with a third-tier Bloodline Talisman. He definitely has the blood of my Wei Family¡ªand the blood relation is very close to that of our family Ancestor. Could a third-tier Bloodline Talisman make a mistake?"


    A Bloodline Talisman, of course, couldn''t be wrong¡ªespecially not a third-tier one.


    Zhao Jinding was rendered speechless but still held onto a sliver of hope as he looked towards Zhao Jinfu.


    "Jinfu, you¡ª"


    Zhao Jinfu abruptly interrupted his next words and spoke with an indifferent tone, "My father has the Wei surname, so naturally, I also carry the Wei surname. I don''t need this Zhao surname. From today on, I shall rename myself Wei Fu and have nothing more to do with you Zhao Family folks."


    "You beast! Where has the Zhao Family wronged you over the years, you¡­"


    Zhao Jinding shook with rage. While the old Ancestor''s body was still warm, Zhao Jinfu heartlessly cast aside the grace of being raised by the Zhao Family and went off to seek refuge with the so-called Wei Family.


    Pah, did the Wei Family ever feed you a single meal, a drop of milk!


    "You beast!" Zhao Jinding rushed forward, intending to beat him up, not caring about anything else.


    The Zhao family members were filled with righteous indignation, wishing they could kill this ungrateful beast.


    Well, except for Zhao Sheng.


    He, on the other hand, thought this was a good opportunity, perhaps a chance to be reborn into the Wei Family.


    From Chen Zichuan''s unusually respectful attitude towards the old woman, it was clear that this so-called Fulong Wei Family was no simple matter!


    Zhao Chongwei also wept, murmuring in complaint, "Jinfu, you are a descendant of the direct lineage of the Zhao family''s main house! How could you, how could you... change your surname!"


    "Hmph!" With a flick of her sleeve, the old woman who seemed eager to rush up and hit someone, once again sent Zhao Jinding flying far away with a slap, tumbling seven or eight times on the ground, blood pouring from all seven orifices.


    Zhao Jingang, however, remained very calm, thought over his words, and asked, "Jinfu, what''s so good about the Wei Family, that even if the Wei Family is stronger than the Zhao family, you are still the Zhao family''s direct grandson? Once you reach Foundation Establishment, the Zhao family will eventually be passed on to you."


    A hint of mockery crossed Zhao Jinfu''s face as he said with resentment, "The Zhao family!? Look at the two branches of the Zhao family members, fighting and scheming against each other over a mere Foundation Establishment Pill, colluding with outsiders!"


    Pointing at the plaque with the words ''Unity Hall'' written on it, he said, "Hmph, Unity Hall. What a joke! The Zhao family, I despise! To be of the Zhao family, I refuse!"


    He pulled out a Storage Bag, "These are the things that the Zhao family has given me over the years, today I will return them double to you all!"


    Zhao Jinfu''s gaze passed over each member of the main house and also landed on the calm-looking Zhao Sheng.


    He was surprised; he hadn''t expected such a person to exist in the main house.


    After observing his appearance, Zhao Jinfu suddenly remembered that this man seemed to be called Zhao Chonghe.


    After a moment''s thought, he made a decision in his heart, saying, "The Zhao family is rotten to the core, there''s only one person who is barely acceptable in my eyes. Today, I will entrust these things to him to handle."


    With that, he tossed the Storage Bag into Zhao Sheng''s arms.


    "From now on, I have nothing to do with the Zhao family of Dragon Carp Lake!"


    Having said this, Zhao Jinfu turned and walked away without a hint of nostalgia, striding out of Unity Hall.


    "Heh, the Zhao family!"


    The old woman from the Wei Family laughed coldly and followed Zhao Jinfu out.


    In her eyes, the Zhao family, which didn''t even have a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, was simply a joke, not even worthy of carrying the Wei Family''s shoes.


    Wei Chengwo watched the Wei Family''s old woman leave, thinking that this farce should also come to an end.


    So, he gave Zhao Jingang a look.


    Zhao Jingang understood and nodded slightly.


    He walked up to Zhao Sheng and demanded, "Hand it over!"


    Zhao Sheng took a step back and said nothing.


    Because he didn''t need to speak, the people of the main house exploded first.


    "Pah, old thing, if you want to rob the Storage Bag, you have to ask if we, the main house, agree."


    "Jinfu is one of our main house''s own, the Storage Bag was also given to our main house. Naturally, we should handle it."


    "Chonghe, come here quickly! Guard the items well, don''t let them be taken away."


    All the Zhao family members knew how many resources the family had invested in Zhao Jinfu over the years.


    It was enough to buy another Foundation Establishment Pill and still have plenty to spare, let alone double that amount.


    Cultivation people are extremely pragmatic, knowing that Zhao Jinfu had his heart set on severing ties with the family.


    Since the situation was irretrievable, most family members quickly shifted their thoughts, turning their attention to Zhao Sheng.


    Their eyes were full of greed, longing, and jealousy.


    Don''t blame them for being shallow and clumsy in their behavior.


    They have had enough of those years of hardship.


    Those days when they wished they could split a Spirit Stone in half to make it last, they were truly fed up with.

 Chapter 32 Choosing the Family Head and Lease Renewal Approaches

    Zhao Jinpeng, who usually had nothing but contempt for Zhao Sheng, now rushed up like a madman, blocking in front of him, and berated Zhao Jingang furiously:"You shameless old thing! That beast had already said it should be left to our main branch to handle. And yet you dare to come and snatch it! Have you forgotten the ancestral rules of our family? Don''t forget that the Zhao family is still headed by our main branch."


    Zhao Jingang retorted, "Speaking of rules, have you forgotten that I am also one of the family elders? In the absence of the Family Head, I have the right to deal with any matters concerning the Zhao family."


    Upon hearing the words ''Family Head,'' Zhao Jinpeng''s complexion changed, and his momentum faltered.


    In years past, to suppress the seccond branch, starting from Ancestor Yu Jie, the position of Family Head of the Zhao family was held concurrently by Foundation Establishment Ancestors.


    However, the last Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Zhao family died too suddenly, failing to pass on the position of family head before leaving this world.


    This was also one of the reasons why the conflict between the two branches had escalated so rapidly.


    It was at this moment that Chen Zichuan suddenly threw out a casual remark, "In that case, why don''t you just choose a new Family Head now?"


    Wei Chengwo picked up the conversation perfectly, "Mr. Chen makes a fair point. As your in-law, I agree. Who objects?"


    As soon as these words were spoken, they were like the Stabilizing Pillar, instantly calming the situation.


    With both Foundation Establishment Cultivators having made their stance clear, how was the main branch supposed to play this?


    Before long, some astute individuals sensed something was amiss.


    It was clear that these two had planned this in advance, backing the second branch all along!


    Chen Zichuan then added, "To follow the fairest approach, everyone in the Zhao family now has a single vote, which you can cast for the person you see as the Chief."


    "Exactly, this is very fair!" Wei Chengwo echoed.


    Pah, fair my ass!


    Right now, in the Unity Hall, the main branch had only eleven people, while the second branch had fourteen.


    It was a lost cause no matter how you looked at it!


    Unless...


    "I disagree. There are thirty-one cultivators in the Zhao family in total. Only twenty-five are present. Unless everyone is here, I refuse to accept this method," Zhao Jinding, resilient as a cockroach, stood up bravely at the crucial moment.


    Chen Zichuan and Wei Chengwo looked at each other.


    Wei Chengwo''s face changed instantly, his Foundation Establishment aura flaring up, filled with murderous intent as he bellowed at Zhao Jinding, "Are you really going to oppose?"


    It was clear that with one wrong word, he was ready to become severely violent.


    Zhao Jinding finally hesitated!


    At that moment, Zhao Jingang turned and walked over to the members of the main branch, proclaiming arrogantly, "Anyone who is willing to choose me as the Family Head, I will not pursue past grudges. From now on, we will all pull together. The contents of the Storage Bag will be shared fairly with everyone.


    If you''re not willing, I''ll confiscate everything and expel you from the family. Go on and become a Loose Cultivator, destitute and wander without a home, unable to bring a shred of honor to your mortal relatives. Those who are willing, stand behind me!"


    As soon as his words fell, the members of the main branch looked at each other, speechless.


    But quickly, two members with wavering stances moved their feet, their heads nearly touching the ground, not daring to look at the relatives beside them.


    Then, another three family members stepped forward.


    "Ah! There''s nothing I can do, having a large family to support."


    "I was born at Dragon Carp Lake; I want to die here as well!"


    "One can''t write two ''Zhao'' characters with a single stroke, so why resist? Blood is thicker than water!"


    They murmured as they walked, as if they were trying to convince others or perhaps reassuring themselves.


    Gradually, the number of people on the side of the main branch of the family dwindled until only four remained: Zhao Jinding, Zhao Chongwei, Zhao Sheng,


    and one that came as a surprise to everyone.


    This man had a simple and honest appearance, and his body was suffused with a strong scent of herbs. He was none other than Zhao Keru, the sole alchemist of the Zhao family.


    Zhao Jinpeng was very astute. Seeing the situation, he immediately shouted, "Ke Ru, have you lost your mind? Hurry over here!"


    "No, Uncle Six! I think I''ll stand over here," Zhao Keru said, scratching the back of his head with some embarrassment.


    Zhao Jinding saw so many people betraying their loyalties and became so angry that he was blowing his beard and glaring. He was about to curse aloud.


    It was then that Zhao Sheng suddenly patted his shoulder and then moved to stand at the front.


    At this moment, he was exceptionally calm.


    Although he didn''t care who would take charge of the Zhao family, he couldn''t stand by and watch outsiders toy with his family.


    Furthermore, Zhao Jinfu wasn''t as ruthless and ungrateful as imagined.


    He had left something in his storage bag that could be put to good use at this moment.


    Respectfully bowing to the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Zhao Sheng spoke, "Senior Chen, Ancestor Wei. I greatly agree with both of your proposals. However, due to the suddenness of this matter, may we have a moment of privacy to discuss it between our two branches?"


    "Heh, if you could have worked it out, your Zhao family wouldn''t have ended up in this state. Young friend, there''s no need for futile struggling. Come stand over here!" Wei Chengwo said while shaking his head, occasional flashes of contempt in his eyes.


    "I only need a quarter of an hour. When the time is up, regardless of the outcome, I am willing to hand over the storage bag.


    Although Zhao Jinfu has disowned the Zhao family, he still has our family''s blood flowing in his veins. If he learned that someone immediately overturned his decision after he left, I don''t think he would be pleased. I believe the Fulong Wei Family would not just stand by and watch."


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Zichuan''s brow furrowed.


    Others might not understand, but he knew all too well that the Fulong Wei Family from the West Desolate Continent was a titanic power, no less formidable than the Purple Sun Sect, with a lineage of formidable masters and a Nascent Soul Ancestor in every generation. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wei Chengwo, cunning with age, could tell from Chen Zichuan''s demeanor that the Fulong Wei Family must be far from simple, otherwise, he wouldn''t be so cautious.


    "What a joke, Zhao Jinfu is no longer a part of the Zhao family anymore, he has no say in this¡ª"


    Zhao Jingang had barely gotten his words out when he was interrupted.


    "Enough! I''ll give you the quarter hour to discuss. Brother Wei, let''s go!"


    By this point, Chen Zichuan couldn''t be bothered to keep up the pretense and ordered Wei Chengwo in a commanding tone.


    Without another word, Wei Chengwo, accompanied by his family, followed Chen Zichuan out of the Unity Hall.


    Once the grand doors of the Unity Hall were closed, Zhao Jingang, completely dismissive, impatiently said, "Speak up if you have something to say!"


    Seeing that the overall situation was settled, yet a new complication had suddenly arisen, he was irritated and began to contemplate how to make things difficult for Zhao Sheng in the future.


    Zhao Sheng smiled nonchalantly and spoke, causing everyone''s expression to change, "Have you all forgotten that the lease on Dragon Carp Lake has less than ten years left?"


    This statement starkly uncovered the reality that everyone was reluctant to confront.


    Indeed! With the two hundred-year lease term nearing its end, what would become of the Zhao family?


    The threats of the elder of the Zhao family still echoed in their ears, and now the true crisis was looming.


    Could he really turn the tide?


    Everyone was uncertain.


    If the Purple Sun Sect decided to take back Dragon Carp Lake, what would the Zhao family do?


    They could simply become Loose Cultivators, but the predicament of the fifty thousand people of the Zhao family was a massive problem.


    Could they really be expected to relocate everyone out of Dragon Carp Lake?

 Chapter 33 Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture

    Zhao Jingang saw the morale of the crowd was low and couldn''t help but forcefully boost their spirits, saying, "You don''t have to worry! Once I have achieved Foundation Establishment, I will definitely persuade Senior Chen to mediate on our behalf. I think the Purple Sun Sect shouldn''t act this way."Zhao Sheng laughed and said, "Can you guarantee your success in Foundation Establishment? Can you assure that Chen Zichuan can achieve what Grandmaster Han could."


    Without waiting for a reply, Zhao Sheng confidently said, "You can''t! Not only can you not guarantee Foundation Establishment, but Chen Zichuan will definitely not go to the lengths that Grandmaster Han would. The so-called reliance on people will run, reliance on a mountain will fall. Give up your illusions and face reality; no one can help the Zhao family, one must rely on themselves!"


    Seeing the crowd deep in thought, Zhao Sheng struck while the iron was hot, taking out a White Jade Pill Bottle from his Storage Bag.


    He poured out from it a pill that was round and plump, emitting a faint green light.


    "Foundation Establishment Pill!" someone blurted out loudly.


    Indeed, before Zhao Jinfu left, he also did a good deed by exchanging a Low-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill from the Purple Sun Sect for the Zhao family to keep.


    He must have known that the greatest crisis facing the Zhao family now was the absence of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator at Dragon Carp Lake.


    After displaying the Foundation Establishment Pill, Zhao Sheng put it away again, then continued, "We have a total of two Foundation Establishment Pills in our hands right now. The fairest method is for each branch to receive one. Conveniently, both branches have one person at Qi Refining Perfection. This way, there''s no need to fight over it."


    Hearing this, the Zhao family members suddenly saw the light, looking towards Zhao Jinding and Zhao Jingang, the two elders.


    Zhao Jingang thought for a moment and shook his head in doubt, "To increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment, it''s best to give both Foundation Establishment Pills to one person to consume."


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight smile and said, "I know Second Granduncle''s suggestion is very correct. The key is that there isn''t enough time."


    Hmm?!


    With his reminder, everyone suddenly understood and nodded in agreement.


    It''s known that advancing from Qi Refining Perfection to the Foundation Establishment Realm is no easy task.


    A failure in Foundation Establishment would cause a massive drain in Primordial Qi, and it might take ten years to recover.


    What the Zhao family lacked most at the moment was time.


    Zhao Jingang soon came to understand as well.


    His heart was filled with unwillingness; the wish he harbored for decades was about to come true, yet now it was being messed up by a child.


    However, faced with the ironclad reality, he had no choice but to bow his head.


    But...


    "Even if what you say makes sense, the position of Family Head shall be mine," he declared, unable to hide his resentment.


    Zhao Sheng reminded him, "If you succeed in Foundation Establishment, no one can take the position of Family Head from you. But if you fail, what''s the point in being Family Head?"


    The words left Zhao Jingang at a loss for words, his face momentarily flushed red, then turned to a shade of iron blue.


    "To the Zhao family, whether or not there is a Family Head makes no difference; it''s just a position. Whether you take it, I take it, or anyone else does, it''s all the same!"


    After saying this, Zhao Jingang felt a sudden movement in his heart, as if he had grasped something.


    The next moment, he suddenly spoke up, "I suggest that the position of Family Head temporarily be held by Zhao Chonghe, until someone succeeds in Foundation Establishment, and then we can change the Family Head."


    Since the position of Family Head had now become an unappetizing bone, Zhao Jingang simply chose to back away completely, actively pushing Zhao Chonghe forward.


    This way, he could rightfully divide the things in the Storage Bag, while keeping someone in the position of Family Head.


    After all, Zhao Chonghe, being young and of little repute, was nothing more than a figurehead.


    No sooner had he said this than the crowd was once again astir.


    But quickly, some of the more astute family members began to see the light.


    "I agree!"


    "I support the motion!"


    "Let Chonghe hold the position temporarily for a few months! Once the elder achieves an upgrade, he can step down."


    In the blink of an eye, the majority of the Zhao family had reached a consensus, and even Zhao Jinding eventually agreed.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was somewhat flabbergasted.


    He hadn''t expected Zhao Jinfu to come up with such a sly maneuver, and even more so, that it would gain the approval of the majority.


    He wanted to refuse, but the opportunity had already passed.


    The him who "deeply won the people''s trust" was now definitively the Family Head.


    A quarter of an hour later, when Wei Chengwo found out that Zhao Chonghe had actually become the new Family Head of the Zhao Family, he burst into an angry laughter, while Chen Zichuan shook his head and sighed repeatedly.


    But after triple-checking that this was no joke, Wei Chengwo glared at Zhao Sheng with full intent to kill.


    It was this kid who had ruined the plans the Wei Family had been scheming for years.


    Wei Chengwo wished he could tear him to pieces on the spot. However, he couldn''t make a move in front of Chen Zichuan. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, the other party was a disciple of the Purple Sun Sect, and moreover, this group of good-for-nothings from the Zhao Family had accidentally sent out a Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman.


    Under the constraint of not wanting to damage valuable items, Wei Chengwo had no choice but to suppress his anger and lead his family members back empty-handed.


    Seeing a turn of events, Chen Zichuan also frowned slightly.


    However, he wasn''t as angry as Wei Chengwo.


    If one strategy fails, look for another opportunity.


    The Zhao Family''s juicy prize wouldn''t slip through his fingers.


    "Speaking of which, the lease for Dragon Carp Lake is almost up!" Chen Zichuan thought with a smile as he left.


    ...


    Half a month later,


    The breeze was gentle, and the sunlight pleasantly warm.


    A wooden boat about thirty to forty feet long drifted on the surface of Dragon Carp Lake, where from afar one could see a row of fishing rods extending from the left side of the boat, seven or eight fishing lines submerged in the water, the floats trembling slightly in the breeze.


    A moment later, one of the floats suddenly sank. Zhao Tai hurried over and grabbed the fishing rod, pulling up with force and excitedly said, "Young Master, we''ve got a fish on the hook."


    Zhao Sheng seemed not to have heard Zhao Tai''s call. He was sitting cross-legged on the cool mat in the cabin, holding an ancient text in his hand, completely engrossed in his reading.


    "In talisman painting, you lay down spirit qi and inscribe images to communicate with the divine.


    "When qi connects with the true heaven, it possesses its own divine nature and can become a talisman.


    "With each orifice interconnected, the spirit light shines brightly, and thus the talisman is complete."


    Zhao Sheng''s gaze stayed on these three sentences for a long time, his spirit immersed in contemplation.


    Just these three sentences provided him with profound insight.


    This "Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture" clearly pointed out the essence of talismanic arts right at the beginning.


    Even if Zhao Sheng''s comprehension was poor, he could tell that these three sentences were laid out in a progressive relationship, clearly explaining how to refine and paint talismans.


    Among the three sentences, the first talks about "what makes a talisman," the second discusses "the key to a talisman," while the third pertains to "how one should paint a talisman."


    To Zhao Sheng, the true value of these three sentences on talisman discussion didn''t lie in the sentences themselves but in their clear levels of hierarchy as well as their concise and pivotal significance.


    With these three sentences in hand, the Hundred True Talismans within the "Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture" were no longer just complex and messy images but layers of exquisite runes, each of which could be traced back to their original source.


    Having grasped this, Zhao Sheng felt moved, which caused his thoughts to wander a bit.


    The "Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture" was found in the Storage Bag left by Zhao Jinfu.


    Why would he leave this scripture? Was it intentional? Or indeed intentional!


    Zhao Sheng might be slow-witted, but he could tell that this talismanic scripture would be considered a treasured text in any Sect, not to be disclosed to those who are not True Inheritors.


    Zhao Sheng found it increasingly difficult to understand Zhao Jinfu; the image of that selfish person seemed to blur in his mind.

 Chapter 34 Concerns of the Young Family Head

    ```As his thoughts fluttered, the water beside the boat suddenly churned. With a swoosh, a head emerged from beneath the water, followed by a delicate hand grasping the edge of the boat. With a strong tug, a skinny bald man flipped into the boat from the water.


    Wrapped around his waist were several loops of dark green aquatic grass, each seven to eight feet long and as thick as a finger, shimmering with specks of blue light on the surface.


    Zhao Tai, seeing the newcomer board the boat, was greatly annoyed and said, "Zhao Xiaoqi, why have you come up again? You''ve dirtied the boat¡ªcan you afford that?"


    "Brother Xiao Tai, don''t be angry. Next time, next time I''ll definitely be careful," Zhao Xiaoqi pleaded with a grin, continuously bowing and scraping, apparently unafraid of Zhao Tai''s threats to complain to the young master.


    Zhao Sheng, jolted out of his conversation by the two men, looked up to see Zhao Xiaoqi with Ethereal Bluegrass and his eyes lit up. He waved him over and said, "Xiaoqi, come here."


    Upon hearing the young master''s summons, Zhao Xiaoqi quickly scrambled to Zhao Sheng''s side, and as he unwound the Spirit Grass, he boasted, "Hey, Grand Elder, look at these stalks of Ethereal Bluegrass, they''re of enough age, aren''t they?"


    Zhao Sheng pinched the sticky surface of the Ethereal Bluegrass and sniffed it, nodding in satisfaction and said, "Good, they all have a century''s worth of maturity. Xiaoqi, you''ve done well. You truly deserve to be called the current ''White Dragon of the Waves'' of the Zhao family."


    "Oh, I can''t accept such high praise from the Grand Elder, I''m not worthy," Zhao Xiaoqi responded, pretending to be overwhelmed by the compliment, yet a broad grin revealed all his teeth.


    Unlike the strength of cultivation sects, some less powerful cultivation families often fully utilise the power of their mundane kin.


    Just like the Zhao family of Dragon Carp Lake, there were only about thirty cultivators within the family, but the total number of family members had already exceeded fifty thousand.


    There were many mortals within the Zhao family like Zhao Xiaoqi, who served the cultivators. They undertook tasks within their capabilities, seeking to spare the family''s cultivators from mundane chores.


    Such as diving to gather medicinal herbs, rowing boats to catch spirit fish, simply processing medicinal herbs, making raw materials for talisman paper, and so on.


    Seeing Zhao Xiaoqi being praised, Zhao Tai quickly presented a Red Carp, two feet in length, sleek and strong, with scale armor shining like blood and eyes like jade pearls, to Zhao Sheng.


    "Young master, what do you think of this Red Carp?"


    Zhao Sheng took a look and shook his head, "It''s not even three feet long, not old enough, let it go!"


    Zhao Tai, displeased with the response, walked to the side of the boat and reluctantly released the Red Carp back into the lake.


    He didn''t understand why they had to let go of a spirit fish that was so hard to catch, nor did he understand why the ancestor had established such a strange rule.


    Even if it wasn''t three feet long, it was still a spirit fish! A pound of its meat could sell for a Spirit Stone.


    Zhao Tai didn''t know the principle of sustainable development, so naturally he didn''t understand the reasoning behind Zhao Sheng''s rule.


    Seeing Zhao Tai coming up empty-handed, Zhao Xiaoqi snickered and obsequiously said, "Grand Elder, are these Ethereal Bluegrasses enough? If not, I''ll dive down again."


    Zhao Sheng, placing the Ethereal Bluegrass into his storage bag, shook his head, "No need. These are enough for some time. After you get back, go to the Good Deeds Hall to claim your merit."


    Zhao Xiaoqi was delighted to hear this, as the good deeds from the Good Deeds Hall were precious and could not be bought with gold or silver. One could exchange for many worldly treasures like Magic Talismans, treasure medicine, advanced martial arts, and so on.


    "Grand Elder, please wait, I''ll fetch a few more for you," he said, and with that, he turned and dove into the water with a splash, quickly disappearing from the surface.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t even have the chance to stop him.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head somewhat helplessly.


    Perhaps this was the aftermath of becoming the head of the Zhao family!


    Since being pushed into the position of Family Head, although Zhao Sheng had little real power, couldn''t speak for family affairs, nor manage them,


    there were still some privileges that came with the position. For example, he could designate good deeds missions, had the authority to manage the mundane kin, and most importantly, one of the twelve Water Vein Cultivation Rooms was reserved for the Family Head''s exclusive use.


    Especially the exclusive right to a Water Vein Cultivation Room.


    His reason for fishing at Dragon Carp Lake for spiritual carp was to evade the "harassment" of some of the elder cultivators.


    It couldn''t be helped,


    the number of Cultivation Rooms on the Spirit Vein was limited while the number of family cultivators was far greater, creating a situation where demand far exceeded supply.


    Especially since elders like Zhao Jinding and Zhao Jingang occupied two rooms, making the remaining Cultivation Rooms even more scarce.


    ```


    Twelve hours a day, every cultivation room was packed full.


    Therefore, the cultivation rooms managed by Zhao Sheng had become a particularly coveted commodity.


    Following Zhao Chongwei''s successful use of the cultivation room, cultivators from the main branch of the family flocked in succession, each clamoring to "borrow the cultivation room".


    But on this matter, Zhao Sheng was very steadfast, adhering to the principle of fairness and impartiality.


    He wouldn''t favor one side over the other, the main and secondary branches must be treated equally.


    Aside from reserving six hours for his personal use, the remaining six hours would be rotated between one person from each branch every day.


    Because of this, he faced numerous grievances and criticisms from the elders of his own branch, but Zhao Sheng remained unswayed.


    If the Zhao family wanted to grow and strengthen, unity was of utmost importance.


    The collapse of any vast power often starts with infighting.


    It was fortunate that Zhao Sheng was reincarnated just in time¡ªhad it been a decade or two later,


    the Zhao family would likely have already fallen apart.


    From the day he became the family head, Zhao Sheng had begun trying to gradually resolve the rifts and conflicts between the two branches.


    And the first thing he did was propose to back-pay the clan members'' spiritual salaries for the past two years.


    In Zhao Jinfu''s storage bag, aside from Foundation Establishment Pills and the Jade Void Talisman Scripture, there were also some mid and lower grade spirit stones, talismans, magic artifacts, elixir pills, and other treasures.


    All in all, there were over forty thousand spirit stones.


    Meanwhile, the annual spiritual salary for the thirty-one cultivators of the Zhao family added up to just over eight thousand seven hundred spirit stones.


    After setting aside seventeen thousand spirit stones, the rest of the difficult-to-sell treasures like magic artifacts were placed in the family''s treasury as reserves.


    Zhao Sheng''s proposal was exquisite; both branches of the Zhao Family nodded in agreement, with not a single voice of opposition.


    The issue of back-paying the spiritual salaries greatly eased the tension between the two branches.


    Add to this the fact that two of the family elders entered the cultivation room to begin three months of secluded nurturing, S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    and without their lead, the tense atmosphere in the Zhao family, which was as if drawn swords stood ready, became much more relaxed under Zhao Sheng''s skillful rhetoric.


    When they occasionally met, members from both branches even greeted each other.


    Zhao Sheng saw very clearly that the Zhao family had become what it was because, in a word, they were "poor".


    So,


    they needed to find every way to increase income and reduce expenditure, ah!


    Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly, his thoughts turning to the Spirit Medicine Garden on the shady side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Now was not yet the time.


    At the very least, he would wait until he advanced to the Qi Refining Middle Stage before attempting to enter there.


    The profound lessons of his previous life were still fresh in his memory, and he would never underestimate the dangers of the Death Treasure Land.


    Three days later, at the Zhao Family Territory,


    in the talisman making room of Harmony Courtyard, Zhao Sheng stood seriously in front of a curly maple wood desk, holding a First Order Middle Grade Embroidered Fox Talisman Brush, as he fluently drew a Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman.


    Suddenly,


    he frowned as he noticed a wisp of blue water vapor rise from the talisman paper on the desk, instantly blurring the entire paper.


    A clear mist quickly condensed in the air, swiftly enveloping the entire room.

 Chapter 35 The Talisman Painting Hangs

    Another failure! S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Zhao Sheng felt somewhat depressed.


    This time, it was because he hadn''t promptly connected the spiritual acupoint, leading to an obstruction in the transmission of spiritual power and causing the spell to leak out.


    In the past, he always thought making a Spirit Talisman wasn''t difficult, but reality had harshly slapped him several times.


    Zhao Sheng believed he had completely grasped the Spring Breeze and Rain Technique, but when it came to the talisman-making step, there would always be some flaws.


    After four hours, he had drawn a total of eleven Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans, but only four were successful.


    His success rate was actually less than thirty percent.


    He knew that only with a success rate exceeding fifty percent would he turn a profit; below fifty percent would mean losses without gains.


    After pondering for a moment, an idea flashed through Zhao Sheng''s mind, and he couldn''t help but reveal a slight smile.


    He waved his sleeve, and invisible spiritual power scattered out, dispersing the water vapor in the room.


    Zhao Sheng picked up the talisman pen again, dipping its tip in the pale blue talismanic ink from the bottle.


    This talismanic ink was a low-grade Water Element Spirit Ink developed by the Zhao family two hundred years ago. Its base material was the essence extracted from the Ethereal Bluegrass, which had a slight amplifying effect on Water Element Spirit Talismans.


    He took a blank talisman paper about the size of a palm.


    Zhao Sheng held his breath and concentrated, suspending his wrist as he right hand, and after infusing spiritual power into the pen tip, he swiftly brought it down to the paper to resume the swift talisman painting.


    Suddenly, a beautifully crafted talisman shape gradually formed on the paper.


    When only a few strokes remained, he felt a disruption in the spiritual power at the pen tip, as specks of blue light threatened to flash from the talisman paper.


    At that moment, divine light surged in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, and "Bullet Time" suddenly activated.


    Instantly, the world seemed to come to a halt, with time stretching considerably, and everything moving in extreme slow motion.


    In this strange state, Zhao Sheng''s perception heightened to an unimaginable level.


    He "saw" strands of spiritual power flowing from the tip of the talisman pen. The power moved "intermittently," flowing onto the paper and forming an uneven spiritual pattern line, connecting each talismanic point and Spiritual Network node.


    Zhao Sheng was extremely excited at the moment; "Bullet Time" had indeed played a significant role.


    With time elongated, Zhao Sheng managed to smoothly regulate the output of the spiritual power within his body.


    As each line of uniformly thick and dense spirit patterns emerged from the pen tip, the Spirit Talisman quickly returned to normal.


    In a flash, Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped the talisman pen, and in an instant, divine light shone bright on the surface of the paper.


    The Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman was completed!


    Once "Bullet Time" passed, the flow of time returned to normal.


    Zhao Sheng''s body shuddered, and his gaze became slightly dim.


    The effects of "Bullet Time" were impressively good, but its side effects were not to be underestimated.


    Every activation of this talent ability consumed a significant amount of Zhao Sheng''s spiritual power.


    Recalling the state he was just in, Zhao Sheng tried to draw another talisman.


    This time his strokes were smooth and fluent, and once again, the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman was completed.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression was very excited, and he was about to push forward when he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness in his Dantian.


    It was then that he realized that almost all of his spiritual power had been depleted.


    Zhao Sheng sighed, thinking that being at the Qi Refining Second Level was still too low; he must quickly enhance his cultivation!


    With that thought, he put away the talisman pen, the spiritual ink, and the five Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans and left the talisman room to head towards Dragon Carp Lake.


    The Zhao family''s Water Vein Cultivation Rooms were all located at the bottom of Dragon Carp Lake, carved out along a First-rank Water Spirit Vein.


    Zhao Sheng took a boat to a part of Dragon Carp Lake that extended seven or eight miles.


    Here, more than ten boats had already gathered.


    Zhao Sheng had long since become accustomed to this.


    He took out a Water Repelling Magic Bead and popped it into his mouth before jumping into the water.


    Dragon Carp Lake was an enormous lake spanning over two hundred miles in circumference, with an average depth of more than ten zhang. The lakebed where the Spirit Vein lay was nearly a hundred zhang deep from the surface.


    As he dove deeper, the light underwater grew dimmer, and by the time he had reached a depth of fifty zhang, it was so dark that he could not see his own fingers.


    Just then, a few spots of light unexpectedly appeared in the darkness below.


    Zhao Sheng continued to dive deeper, and the area of light in the darkness quickly expanded, eventually revealing the contour of bubbly air pockets about three to four zhang in diameter, emitting a dazzling white light.


    Pop!


    Zhao Sheng passed through the light film of one of these air pockets and entered the land of the Spirit Vein.


    The place was not very large, the ground slightly wet and slippery, and at the center, a large pit three to four zhang deep had been dug by someone,


    Within the pit, there was a Cultivation Stone Chamber constructed from Water Wave Stones.


    Zhao Sheng had arrived a bit early and waited roughly a quarter of an hour before the doors of the stone chamber were opened by someone.


    On seeing Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jinpeng, who had emerged from the inside, couldn''t quite save face.


    He usually looked down on Zhao Sheng, yet this time he had benefited from Zhao Sheng''s success.


    "Sixth Master!" Zhao Sheng greeted him without losing any courtesy.


    "Hm," Zhao Jinpeng grunted vaguely in response before leaping out of the Water Repelling Barrier.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head and stepped into the Cultivation Room, and the stone doors were then closed again.


    A month passed in a blink of an eye, and Zhao Sheng''s path of cultivation gradually became more established.


    Besides six hours of cultivation and two hours of sleep each day, Zhao Sheng put all his energy into talisman making after dealing with various chores.


    It couldn''t be helped; even as a Family Head, he needed to make money.


    Because he had the Bullet Time spell to assist him, Zhao Sheng''s talisman making skills quickly improved from skilled to proficient, and from proficient to masterful.


    In just three days, the success rate of the First-rank Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman had dramatically increased from thirty percent to ninety percent.


    The Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman was a commonly used first-rank magic talisman for irrigating spirit fields,


    Once released, it could nourish half an acre of spirit field with its water spiritual energy-infused vapor.


    As a result, its price was exceptionally stable: twelve for a dozen, with a dozen selling for three Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Sheng was able to create eight to ten magic talismans a day, which, after deducting costs, allowed him to earn roughly half a Spirit Stone every day.


    In a year, that would amount to more than one hundred seventy low-grade Spirit Stones.


    For the average Loose Cultivator, this was enough to satisfy their daily cultivation needs.


    However, for someone like Zhao Sheng who popped Spirit Origin Pills like candy, this amount of Spirit Stones was far from sufficient.


    Half a month later, when the success rate of the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman reached one hundred percent, Zhao Sheng quickly abandoned it and turned his focus to more profitable Invisibility Talismans.


    To make talismans, one must first learn the spell!


    The prerequisite spell for the Invisibility Talisman was the Refraction Technique.


    The Refraction Technique was a first-rank top-grade Water Technique, its principle being to condense a transparent layer of water film around the body and deflect the external light through the film, thereby achieving "invisibility."


    However, the grade of the Invisibility Talisman was too low; it could only hide a cultivator''s shape but not their aura. Furthermore, if the light around them changed rapidly, the cultivator would immediately be revealed.


    Even so, the Invisibility Talisman, based on the Refraction Technique, was highly sought after by cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm.


    Compared to the First-tier Lower Grade Spring Breeze and Rain Technique, the Refraction Technique was harder to master, requiring a certain level of perception from the cultivator.


    Without guidance from someone knowledgeable, an average cultivator might spend ten years or more without finding the right path.


    Zhao Sheng naturally had no such concerns. A year ago, following his ancestor''s spell annotations, he had successfully mastered the Refraction Technique.

 Chapter 36 The Spirit Fish Retreat Incident

    ```Ten days later, in the talisman making room


    Zhao Sheng, fully immersed, held a talisman pen in hand as he drew lines on the talisman paper with fluid movements, gradually outlining the spirit pattern of the Invisibility Talisman.


    As the final stroke was completed, the surface of the talisman paper suddenly shone with spirit light, with wisps of light wandering uncertainly through the rune. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Soon the light disappeared, leaving only a grayish First-Order Talisman on the table.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but reveal a smile, sighing, "It''s finally done."


    In ten days, he had ruined nearly two hundred pieces of talisman paper before he managed to barely draw the Invisibility Talisman.


    And that was with the help of Bullet Time.


    Zhao Sheng thought the Invisibility Talisman was difficult, little did he know if outsiders found out that he succeeded in mere ten days, they would be utterly astonished.


    In the Cultivation World, there are countless types of First-rank magic talismans, but the Invisibility Talisman is recognized as one of the most difficult among the nineteen kinds of First-rank magic talismans to create.


    However, he soon understood this point.


    Two quarters of an hour later, in the Good Deeds Hall, Zhao Keqin, who was in charge of exchanges, looked at Zhao Sheng across from him with an incredulous gaze and exclaimed, "What did you say? You really drew an Invisibility Talisman?"


    "Uncle Qin, there''s no falsehood. You''ll know once you see it."


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng took out an Invisibility Talisman from his Storage Bag and slapped it onto the table.


    Zhao Keqin grabbed the talisman at once and examined it closely.


    The lines, the symbols, the spirit light - all corresponded; it was indeed an Invisibility Talisman without a doubt.


    After looking, Zhao Keqin said with an unusually excited expression, "My heavens, our Zhao family has produced another Talisman Tao genius. The Ancestor is truly showing blessings!"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was taken aback and thought to himself, "Isn''t that the truth! The Ancestor is indeed standing right before you."


    As for the other Talisman Tao genius he mentioned, Zhao Sheng knew he was referring to Zhao Chongwei.


    Zhao Chongwei had an extremely high talent for talismans, capable of drawing dozens of different First-rank magic talismans at the mere Qi Refining Second Level, and each with a success rate of over fifty percent.


    In the entire Zhao family of thirty-one cultivators, less than five could earn sufficient Cultivation Resources completely on their own merit, without relying on the family, and Zhao Chongwei was one of them.


    The Zhao family placed great importance on Zhao Chongwei, seeing her as a seed for Foundation Establishment. Even if the family faced hardships, they would scrape together resources to support her cultivation.


    Whether he was a Talisman Tao genius or not, Zhao Sheng didn''t care. What he was concerned about was how many Spirit Stones an Invisibility Talisman was worth.


    So, he immediately asked, "Uncle Qin, how many Spirit Stones can I get for this Invisibility Talisman?"


    Zhao Keqin extended two fingers with a joyful expression and said, "At least two Spirit Stones."


    Hisss!


    What a deal! The price was nearly ten times that of the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman, yet their costs were almost identical.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes sparkled with excitement, and all he could think of was to rush back and churn out a hundred or eighty of them in one go. That would be a fortune!


    Coincidentally, Zhao Keqin had the same thought.


    The family was going through difficult times, with limited ways to earn Spirit Stones. Now that a new source of wealth had suddenly emerged, he couldn''t let it slip away.


    So, Zhao Keqin urged Zhao Sheng repeatedly to go back quickly and draw more Invisibility Talismans, assuring him a fair price.


    Just as Zhao Sheng was about to leave, a flustered figure suddenly burst into the Good Deeds Hall.


    The person looked extremely troubled and shouted as soon as he entered, "Second Brother, something has happened!"


    Zhao Keqin was the second eldest among his siblings, which is why his peers called him Second Brother.


    Zhao Keqin stepped forward to support the newcomer, asking urgently, "Keshang, quick, what''s happened?"


    Zhao Keshang was from the second branch of the family, born with a Five Spirits Root, and had just barely reached the Qi Refining Second Level in his fifties.


    ```


    The Zhao family made use of everything, assigning him to miscellaneous tasks, such as sending and receiving talisman letters, part-time errand running, and gathering information, among others.


    Zhao Keshang said in a panic, "I don''t know what went wrong, Jade Pill Pavilion, Hundred Refinement Workshop, Huangfeng Lan Family, Li Mountain Wei Family, they''ve all returned the spirit fish and even said they won''t procure their stock from us anymore."


    Hearing this, not only did Zhao Keqin''s face change dramatically, but Zhao Sheng also felt a tightness in his heart.


    What a vicious move!


    It was well-known that the largest source of the Zhao family''s wealth was the variety of spirit fish and spirit shrimp harvested from Dragon Carp Lake.


    Especially famous were the Red Carp and Green Carp, whose meat was both delicious and abundant in spiritual energy, not only nurturing the flesh of cultivators but also capable of dispelling the "Fire Qi" within a cultivator''s body.


    In the Cultivation World, Artifact Refiners and Alchemists, due to the nature of their professions, were in frequent contact with various types of Spiritual Fire over the years.


    Over time, the flesh was inevitably eroded by the "Fire Qi" leaking from the Spiritual Fire.


    At such times, spirit fish rich in Water Element Spirit Qi became a kind of excellent medicine to resolve the Fire Qi.


    Therefore, the spirit fish meat produced by the Zhao family was very popular and had established a renowned reputation within a thousand miles over three hundred years, securing a stable group of major clients.


    However, today, all the major clients had, without prior arrangement, uniformly rejected the spirit fish.


    For the Zhao family, which was already in turmoil, this was nothing short of a disaster.


    There must be a hidden hand behind this!


    No, it might be a tacit understanding.


    Some forces wanted to "force the Zhao family to death" bit by bit, such as the "good in-laws" from Li Mountain Wei family, the "good neighbors" from Huangfeng Lan Family, and so on.


    Without a doubt, the Zhao family had encountered another crisis.


    If it wasn''t handled properly, it might trigger a series of domino-like disasters.


    Zhao Keqin quickly regained his composure and immediately asked, "Kezhang, have you informed the others?"


    "I haven''t had the chance yet. After the incident, you were the first one I thought of, Second Brother," replied Zhao Keshang, shaking his head.


    Zhao Keqin, also born in the second branch, had become the main decision-maker of that branch after Zhao Jingang entered seclusion. Therefore, Zhao Keshang sought him first.


    "Inform all Zhao clan members of the Jin and Ke generations who are at home to meet at Unity Hall for a discussion in one hour," he instructed.


    After giving orders to Zhao Keshang, Zhao Keqin turned to Zhao Sheng and said, "Chong and you should come too."


    Zhao Sheng nodded, as even as the nominal head of Zhao Family, he had the right to be involved in family affairs.


    An hour later, in the Lake Heart Hall of Yanyue Island.


    In the council hall of the back hall, in front of a super-large black round table exceeding twenty square meters, sat Zhao Sheng and nine Zhao clan members of the Jin and Ke generations.


    Zhao Sheng had specially made this round table in his previous life to symbolize equality and unity.


    By the time they arrived, everyone was already aware of the issue with the returned spirit fish.


    As a result, the atmosphere inside Unity Hall was exceptionally tense.


    No one was a fool; the situation was very strange, and it was clear that someone was manipulating things from the shadows.


    However, the hidden hand behind this had played a truly powerful move that hit the Zhao family right where it hurt.


    Seeing that no one was speaking, Zhao Jingge, the oldest among those present, broke the silence and asked, "Let''s hear it! How should we resolve this matter?"


    The moment he finished speaking, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly said with a furious face, "It must be someone causing trouble in secret, I think it''s that old coot from Wei Family behind this."


    As soon as he finished speaking, a Ke generation member of the second branch retorted, "Uncle Six, don''t speak carelessly without evidence. The Wei Family and our Zhao family have been in-laws for nearly two hundred years, and the families have always been as close as branches on the same tree. How dare you suspect Ancestor Wei, what are your intentions?"


    Hehe, as close as branches on the same tree? It''s only you second branch people who believe his nonsense," Zhao Jinpeng said sarcastically.

 Chapter 37 37 Chapters on Promoting Unity through Threats

    Zhao Jingge, seeing this situation, stopped the two and said, "Enough, no need for those useless words. Let us solve this matter first, and discuss the rest later."After a moment of silence, Zhao Keqin, with a solemn expression, said, "I have just calculated. We currently have twenty-one spirit fish in hand, nineteen under a hundred years old, one First-Rank Green Carp over a hundred years, and two First-Rank Red Carps over two hundred years. The total of the spirit fish meat is twelve thousand jin.


    This is not a small number. Relying solely on retail is far from enough; we must develop new major customers or try to send it to further workshops for sale.


    Of course, it would be best to persuade old customers like Jade Pill Pavilion and Hundred Refinement Room to reconsider."


    After finishing, Zhao Keqin thought for a moment and added, "This is only our production for half a year."


    After he had spoken, someone interjected, "If there were new major buyers, we would have found them a hundred years ago. Now, looking for one? A single word, difficult!"


    Once the topic was broached, members of the Zhao family began discussing vehemently. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Someone exclaimed, "The worst we can do is sell a little bit at a time, drag it out for a while, and see if there''s a turn of events; after all, the family just had some surplus. We can still support for a year or so."


    "No, that''s too passive. I think, it''s best to send someone to old customers like the Hundred Refinement Room to gather information, and if needed, lower the prices a bit."


    "Ninth, aren''t your words passive as well? I think there''s something odd at the core of this issue. We''d better stay idle for now. Let''s plan after the two elders have reached Foundation Establishment," another argued.


    "That''s not good either. Our Zhao family, after all, is a Cultivation Family that has produced several Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The more difficult the times, the more we need to hold our ground. Otherwise, letting others see the frailty within our family will lead to late regrets," someone contended.


    Hearing this, Zhao Keshang quickly agreed, "That''s right! We cannot show weakness proactively."


    At this moment, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly cursed, "Nonsense! Without a Foundation Establishment to stand guard, the harder we act, the more obviously frail we appear. Do you think those Foundation Establishment Cultivators are fools?"


    Zhao Jinpeng, the radical member of the Zhao family''s main branch, was always at the forefront when it came to conflicts with the second branch.


    After he spoke, others began to express their suggestions and views.


    Zhao Sheng listened quietly on the side, nodding or shaking his head occasionally.


    Through this matter, he realized that not all members of the Zhao family were incompetent; some were quite capable.


    When everyone else had spoken, only Zhao Sheng remained silent.


    This appeared quite strange.


    Zhao Jingge looked at Zhao Sheng, recalling the events from a few days ago.


    He then tried asking, "Chong He, would you like to share your thoughts?"


    Zhao Sheng smiled and did not decline, directly stating loudly, "All present are my elders. If there are any discrepancies in what I am about to say, please correct me."


    Having said this, he began, "First, we need to clarify one issue. In this matter, who are our enemies? Who are our friends?"


    Not giving the crowd time to think, Zhao Sheng continued, "Are Jade Pill Pavilion and Hundred Refinement Workshop our enemies?"


    As he spoke, he declared decisively, "No! They are not the enemies, because even if the Zhao family were to be defeated, they wouldn''t benefit greatly."


    "Then... who are our enemies? Whoever stands to gain the most from our downfall is our enemy."


    At this point, seeing that the people were growing impatient, Zhao Sheng sped up his speech, "The spirit fish were returned. Those who suffer are not only our Zhao family but also our old customers.


    So, there must be someone offering greater benefits, such as promising that after the downfall of the Zhao family, the prices of spirit fish will drastically reduce and other such empty promises."


    Just then, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly interrupted him, challenging, "You''ve rambled a lot, but it''s all useless talk. What we urgently need now is a solution to this issue."


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight smile and said, "Actually, this matter is quite easy to solve. Since they don''t want it, let''s not sell it for a while and just endure for a few months."


    As soon as he spoke, it immediately caused an uproar.


    Zhao Jinpeng scoffed, "Not sell! You make it sound so easy. If we don''t sell the spirit fish, how will we continue to cultivate in the future?"


    Zhao Sheng replied, "Someone has already mentioned that without a Foundation Establishment elder, no matter how the family reacts outwardly, it seems weak. So, the best choice is to avoid any drastic reactions and let things take their natural course.


    We should try to stall for time until the two elders come out of seclusion, then making a decision won''t be too late."


    "Heh, talking in circles just to summarize it in one sentence, ''remain unresponsive to myriad changes'' eh!" Zhao Jinpeng derisively said in a mocking tone.


    "Sixth Master, well said." Zhao Sheng responded with a smile and nodded.


    Zhao Sheng actually had a way to solve this issue but chose to sit on the sidelines.


    Because he deeply understood a principle: "Sometimes, an appropriate external threat can promote unity within the family."


    In his view, the timing of the spirit fish incident was just right. The tactics of those pulling the strings behind the scenes, although not foolish, were also not particularly clever.


    If it were he, he would have actively raised the purchase price of the spirit fish and then collaborated with various powers to place an extremely large order with the Zhao family.


    Right before the delivery, they would suddenly cancel the order.


    At that time, the Zhao family, having expended a large amount of spirit stones and elixirs to catch enough spirit fish, would truly regret their actions too late and be at the mercy of others.


    After Zhao Sheng spoke, the meeting quickly concluded in a hasty manner, and ultimately no effective solutions were proposed.


    In the end, it was decided to take a multi-faceted approach...


    Members of the Jin generation went to various powers to negotiate and see if they could persuade them to change their minds.


    A few from the Ke generation took a batch of spirit fish to several nearby workshops to sell. Although loose cultivators were reluctant to buy and general spirit food restaurants had limited purchase volumes, selling even a little was better than nothing.


    The remaining younger members of the Chong generation stayed home, going nowhere.


    Soon, most of the Qi Refinement mid and late-stage cultivator members of the Zhao family went out, leaving only a bunch of cultivation novices at home.


    To prevent accidents, under Zhao Sheng''s strong recommendation, the family, not minding the depletion of spirit stones, activated the Mountain Protection Array, the Ten-layered Water Dragon Formation.


    Over the next half-month, Zhao Sheng buried himself in intense cultivation while also fully devoting himself to crafting the Invisibility Talisman.


    The Invisibility Talisman truly is among the hardest to craft of the nineteen First-Order Talismans.


    Even with his talent, Zhao Sheng still frequently failed.


    After half a month of hard work, he looked pale and lifeless, with dark circles under his eyes like a panda, and appeared as though he were physically and mentally drained.


    But the majority of Invisibility Talismans still ended in failure, with only about twenty to thirty percent success rate.


    However, the bad news did not stop there.


    Unsurprisingly, the Zhao family''s attempts at persuasion also ended in failure, and after half a month of scattered selling, only about two thousand kilograms of spirit fish were sold.


    It''s the same old story; although spirit fish meat is good, it''s not an essential item like elixir pills.


    As each member of the Zhao family Cultivator returned from their unsuccessful endeavors, the atmosphere around Dragon Carp Lake grew increasingly oppressive. Even the mortal relatives were affected, feeling extremely panicked as if the sky were falling.

 Chapter 38 38 Chapters of Two Years in Retreat

    In Harmony Courtyard, after patiently calming down, Zhao Sheng sent away Zhao Xiaoqi, who had come to inquire about news.Having sent off Zhao Xiaoqi, he shook his head with a bitter smile and couldn''t help but sigh, "The mastermind behind the scenes is really painstaking, even resorting to spreading rumors among the mortals. It seems they won''t stop until the Zhao family is tormented to death."


    By this time, Zhao Sheng had already vaguely guessed who was manipulating everything behind the scenes¡ªmost likely Wei Chengwo, that old fox.


    Only he would stop at nothing to achieve his aims.


    The reason Wei Chengwo wanted to drive the Zhao family to their demise was not only aimed at the Zhao family''s cultivators but also, more importantly, for the sake of the fifty thousand mundane relatives of the Zhao family.


    Don''t assume that mundane relatives are unimportant to a cultivation family.


    On the contrary, they are the most important foundation for any cultivation family.


    Take the Zhao family as an example, among the thirty-one cultivators of the Zhao family, more than ten came from mundane families.


    Once the Wei family assimilates the fifty thousand relatives of the Zhao family, the number of newly emerged cultivators in their family will surely increase significantly.


    In the cultivation world, a considerable part of cultivation families grows their power by continuously assimilating the mundane relatives of other families.


    Zhao Sheng also guessed that perhaps not only he had figured this out, but also several astute elders in the family probably had a rough idea as well.


    But what of it!


    Wei Chengwo''s move was clearly brazen, the conspiracy almost overt.


    It was the Zhao family''s own incompetence that had exposed such a grand vulnerability.


    Regarding this, Zhao Sheng had no good solutions, only to react as challenges arose.


    The key to breaking this situation lay in whether the two elders could successfully establish their Foundation.


    If successful, everyone would have a bright future.


    If not... they would only have to make other plans!


    ...


    The Sun blazed fiercely, and July seethed with heat; two months had swiftly passed.


    That day, Zhao Sheng was entirely focused on drawing an Invisibility Talisman in the talisman-making room.


    A moment later, as the talisman paper''s surface flashed with spiritual light and the intricate and ornate rune vanished, an Invisibility Talisman formed suddenly.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng succeed again, Zhao Chongwei, who was nearby, dropped her talisman pen in disheartenment and complained to Zhao Sheng, "Chonghe, why is the Invisibility Talisman so difficult! I''ve already failed more than ten times today."


    Zhao Sheng approached her, picked up a ruined talisman from the table, and after examining it for a while, he said, "Xiao Wei, your penmanship and rune shapes are correct, and all the spiritual acupoints are intact. The reason for your repeated failures is the uneven distribution of spiritual power between the runes, causing blockages at the nodes."


    Zhao Chongwei took the talisman and looked at it for a while, then said dejectedly, "I''ve tried my best to control it, but the Invisibility Talisman is too complicated. I''ve used all my energy on its rune shapes and spiritual acupoints; I really can''t manage anything else. Not everyone is as freakish as you!"


    Zhao Sheng was left speechless. So it''s all my fault!


    Eventually, he could only comfort her, "Don''t rush, take it slow. Practice makes perfect. With your current progress, you''ll master it in at most three months."


    Zhao Chongwei couldn''t help rolling her eyes, disdainfully saying, "Are you mocking me for being dumb!"


    On hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s face stiffened, and he hurriedly apologized, "Young lady, you are the family''s genius girl, reaching the third layer of Qi Refining at just seventeen. I, a mere second-layer Qi Refining novice, dare not mock you."


    Hearing him say this, Zhao Chongwei''s frustration abated somewhat, but she still sighed, "What use is the third layer of Qi Refining? It doesn''t help the family at all. When will the elders come out of seclusion?"


    Zhao Sheng''s expression darkened as he comforted her, "Don''t worry, the two elders will surely succeed!"


    After hearing this, Zhao Chongwei clasped her hands together, bowed her head, closed her eyes, and prayed sincerely, "Ancestors, bless our Zhao family with another Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"


    Finished, she elbowed Zhao Sheng and urged, "Chonghe, pray with me quickly."


    Zhao Sheng was somewhat speechless.


    Who says cultivators aren''t superstitious, they''re actually very superstitious.


    Just like Zhao Keru, the alchemist of the Zhao Family, every time he started his alchemy furnace, he would bathe and change clothes, burn incense, and pray, with great pomp and ceremony.


    Not only him, but most artifact refiners, alchemists, and array masters in the Cultivation World also practiced similar worship rituals. Some worshipped heaven and earth, some revered the sages of their path, and some even worshipped their own ancestors.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng unmoved, Zhao Chongwei urged, "Hurry up!"


    Zhao Sheng touched his nose and reluctantly muttered a few blessings from the ancestors.


    Due to his perfunctory attitude, Zhao Chongwei severely scolded him.


    It wasn''t until Zhao Sheng "reformed" that she let him off. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, praying for one''s own descendants isn''t such an uncommon practice!


    As it turned out, praying to the ancestors proved utterly useless.


    Two days later, bad news struck like a bolt from the blue, throwing the Zhao Family into disarray.


    Zhao Jingang had failed in his Foundation Establishment!


    Not only had he failed, but many of his meridians were broken, and his realm had regressed to the early stage of Qi Refining Ninth Layer.


    Within half an hour, Zhao Chonghe, as the only member of his generation, and seven powerful elders of the Zhao Family once again sat around the round table.


    This time, the atmosphere in Unity Hall was even heavier than it had been two months earlier.


    There was no doubt that Zhao Jingang''s failure was a severe blow to the Zhao Family, one that shook everyone''s confidence deeply.


    During this emergency meeting, Zhao Sheng did not speak up; after all, there was nothing much to say.


    A failure was a failure, and the sky hadn''t fallen.


    This time, the other elders of the Zhao Family displayed great rationality; after a brief period of dejection, they immediately arranged to handle the aftermath efficiently.


    To put it simply, they decided to block the news externally, downplay the failure internally as much as possible, stabilize morale fully, and crack down hard on any rumors.


    After leaving Unity Hall, Zhao Sheng immediately went to the Good Deeds Hall, using his status as Family Head to draw ten years of spiritual salary in advance and exchanged all the treasures like the flying sword and Mystic Wave Crystal in his storage bag for Fasting Pills and Spirit Origin Pills.


    Then, he plunged into the Water Vein Cultivation Room, embarking on a lengthy period of closed-door cultivation.


    He had started preparing for a way out.


    If Zhao Jinding also failed,


    Zhao Sheng decided that once he advanced to the Qi Refining Third Layer, he would head to Heavenly Pillar Mountain ahead of time.


    Time flew swiftly by, and two years passed in the blink of an eye.


    That day, a disheveled Zhao Sheng finally emerged from the cultivation room.


    At this point, no one knew that he had successfully advanced to the Qi Refining Third Layer.


    After emerging from his retreat, Zhao Sheng boarded a wooden boat and instructed the boatman to sail towards the shore of Dragon Carp Lake.


    Midway through the journey, he was shocked to discover that the number of boats on Dragon Carp Lake had increased by more than sixty percent from two years ago.


    From wooden boats thirty feet long to wide-bottomed boats with upward-curving bows, totaling over a hundred of various types and sizes.


    Moreover, there were two mid-sized Dragon Head Magic Boats over thirty feet long and seven or eight feet high, their surfaces flickering with countless rune spiritual lights, racing across the lake at high speed.


    Occasionally, someone on the magic boats would cast a luminous fishing net into the water.


    This busy scene seemed to symbolize the great prosperity of the Zhao Family.


    However, the sight did not please Zhao Sheng; instead, he furrowed his brows tightly.


    Standing at the bow of the boat, Zhao Sheng muttered to himself, "Things are looking grim!"


    After landing, Zhao Sheng quickly learned of another dire piece of news from his clan members.

 Chapter 39 The Chives of the Cultivation World

    A year ago, Zhao Jinding failed in his Foundation Establishment!The harsh reality once again confirmed that the success rate for cultivators to advance to the Foundation Establishment realm was indeed frightfully low, and the Zhao family had truly run out of luck.


    That very afternoon, Zhao Sheng tidied himself up, trimming excess hair and donning a new set of robes, impatiently seeking out Zhao Keqin of the Good Deeds Hall.


    Seeing Zhao Keqin again after two years, Zhao Sheng found he had aged much, looking haggard and worn.


    Not only had his hair turned white, but his complexion was also abnormally sallow, coughing intermittently as if he had suffered a serious injury.


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng appear suddenly, Zhao Keqin measured him up and immediately revealed a joyous expression, exclaiming, "Haha, you have actually reached the Qi Refining Third Layer."


    Zhao Sheng nodded humbly, "It''s just luck."


    He had just advanced to the third layer and had not yet fully concealed his aura, which allowed Zhao Keqin to see the signs.


    In the Cultivation World, unless there''s a big difference in realm, it''s difficult for cultivators of the same level to discern each other''s cultivation without specific spells.


    Zhao Keqin shook his head earnestly, "This is not luck at all. Among the sixteen members of the Zhao family''s ''Chong'' generation, you are the only one who could endure the loneliness and seclude yourself for two years. Heaven rewards the diligent; there is nothing to be modest about." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Let''s not talk about this."


    Zhao Sheng said, then suddenly asked, "Uncle Qin, why have so many fishing boats suddenly appeared on Dragon Carp Lake? Have the spirit fish found a new market?"


    Hearing this, Zhao Keqin''s expression changed and he sighed, "Ah, finding a market isn''t that easy. Because we couldn''t sell them, the family had to take the initiative to lower the price by thirty percent."


    "Thirty percent! That''s too much of a drop!" Zhao Sheng exclaimed in shock.


    Zhao Keqin spread his hands helplessly, "If we don''t lower the price, we can''t sell; by lowering it, we can earn a little more. You know we only have six years left on the lease of Dragon Carp Lake. Before we leave, we have to grab what we can, right?"


    Zhao Keqin had almost given up hope on renewing the lease.


    He had heard that elder Zhao Jingang had already made contact with Purple Sun Foundation Establishment Chen Zichuan, and their relationship seemed rather warm.


    But based on his seventy years of life experience, this... didn''t seem very reliable!


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately realized that the family''s actions were undoubtedly in preparation for their departure from Dragon Carp Lake.


    But where could the Zhao family move to after leaving?


    Every Spirit Vein in the Central Continent was already claimed.


    As the cradle of the Human Clan''s civilization in this world, Central Continent has an ancient and immeasurable history.


    All the lands suitable for habitation were developed and matured over ten thousand years ago.


    After countless years of big fish eating small fish, today, most of the Spirit Veins in Central Continent have been monopolized by the Major Sects.


    Countless Cultivation Families like the Zhao family, and even some third-tier Cultivation Sects, must lease Spirit Veins from large powers to have a place to call home.


    They are like continually growing chives, year by year harvested by the likes of Purple Sun Sect and other Great Sects.


    It could be said that the class structure in the Central Continent Cultivation World is extremely rigid, with the classes nearly fixed. To cultivate, lower-class cultivators either choose to toil till death or simply give up.


    While Zhao Sheng had some plans for the Zhao family''s predicament, he couldn''t think of a once-and-for-all solution at the moment.


    Thus, he changed the subject, asking with concern, "Uncle Qin, your complexion doesn''t look very good. Have you been injured?"


    Zhao Keqin was taken aback by the question and quickly dismissed it, "It''s nothing, I just encountered a few worms during an outing."


    "Worms" refer to rotten cultivators.


    In the Cultivation World, there is a group of people who, due to talent, opportunity, or injury leading to a hopeless pursuit of longevity and a dead end ahead, cease cultivation.


    These people willingly degenerate, pursuing various pleasures.


    Some go even further, turning to destroy the cultivation of others since they cannot progress themselves, their abhorrent actions even more despicable than those of Evil Demons and the Outer Path, making them detestable by both gods and ghosts.


    These fallen cultivators are called worms of the Cultivation World, or more politely, rotten cultivators.


    But did Zhao Keqin really encounter rotten cultivators?


    Zhao Sheng had his doubts.


    Seeing the other party reluctant to elaborate, he did not press further and promptly stated his purpose for the visit.


    Upon learning Zhao Sheng wanted to take some talisman paper and talismanic ink on credit, Zhao Keqin was exceptionally cooperative, not only agreeing immediately but also providing double the amount.


    In the end, he repeatedly entrusted him to produce as many as possible, as the family was in urgent need of Invisibility Talismans.


    Leaving the Good Deeds Hall and returning to Harmony Courtyard.


    When Zhao Sheng held the Strong Fox Talisman Pen in his hand and once again began to paint the Invisibility Talisman, he suddenly discovered a pleasant surprise.


    Although he hadn''t wielded a pen in two years, he realized that he felt no unfamiliarity, and his first attempt at painting the talisman was effortlessly successful.


    Underneath his puzzled expression, he pondered for a moment.


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng was struck by a thought.


    The reason for this ease seemed to be due to the Rock Hand.


    Rock Hand: Your hands are as steady as rock.


    Put another way, does it mean that once the movements of the hands become muscle memory, they will never degrade?


    Judging from the outcome, it seemed this was indeed the case.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but berate himself for being shortsighted, thinking that no wonder the success rate of the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman increased so rapidly back then - the Rock Hand must have also played an important role behind the scenes.


    It seemed there were no useless talents in this world, only useless people.


    Later, Zhao Sheng gathered his thoughts again and commenced the second attempt.


    This time, he nearly succeeded!


    Then on the third try, success!


    The fourth attempt failed


    ¡­


    When the sixteenth Invisibility Talisman was halfway done, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt a pain in his Dantian, and the spiritual power at the tip of his pen abruptly ceased.


    It was only after he emerged from his Heart Flow state that Zhao Sheng realized with a start that the spiritual power within him had completely drained away.


    Looking at the five radiantly glowing Invisibility Talismans, Zhao Sheng couldn''t hide his joy, but he sighed inwardly, "With just the cultivation of Qi Refining Third Layer, my level is still too low. Who knows when I will be able to reach Qi Refining Perfection."


    Out of sixteen Invisibility Talismans, five were successful, more than a thirty percent success rate.


    Zhao Sheng was fairly satisfied with this result and thought it seemed the elders'' words were not wrong.


    The higher the cultivation, the easier it became to make talismans.


    Zhao Sheng did a rough calculation and estimated that, subtracting costs, his daily profit was around eight Spirit Stones.


    However, this was still not enough.


    Consider the dangers of the dark side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain!


    Having entered it twice before, Zhao Sheng had an extremely painful and indelible experience of it.


    This time, he would not joke with his own life.


    Even if he had to enter Heavenly Pillar Mountain earlier than planned, he would make thorough preparations.


    He needed to have Magic Artifacts, plenty of talismans, and an abundance of Elixir Pills.


    ...


    The trees long for peace, but the wind will not cease!


    After coming out of seclusion, Zhao Sheng disregarded worldly affairs and had no interest in socializing; he dedicated all his spare time outside of cultivation to painting talismans and refining spells.


    However, there were some matters he couldn''t avoid, and some troubles came seeking him out.


    One afternoon, a month later, as Zhao Sheng was just stepping out of the Good Deeds Hall, he saw two of his contemporaries, Zhao Chongxiao and Zhao Chongwei, approaching him.


    Zhao Sheng felt a bit surprised and wondered what they wanted with him.


    The moment Zhao Chongwei saw Zhao Sheng, she excitedly shouted, "Chonghe, I have some good news to tell you. Guess what it is?"


    "What''s the good news?" Zhao Sheng asked in return.


    At the same time, he also greeted Zhao Chongxiao.


    Zhao Chongwei, with an excited face, exclaimed, "Brother Chongxiao has invited us to go to Qixia Peak to watch the clouds and enjoy the moon. Isn''t that great news?"


    Hmm?!


    Zhao Sheng''s face revealed a look of surprise and he couldn''t help but turn his gaze towards Zhao Chongxiao.

 Chapter 40 Inside and Out

    Zhao Chongxiao saw that Zhao Sheng was a bit puzzled and explained with a smile, "Chonghe, you and Xiao Wei are both over eighteen years old. Naturally, you are eligible to attend the Qixia Conference. I am the leader for our Zhao Family this year and will take you two to ascend Qixia Peak."After listening, Zhao Sheng seemed contemplative and at the same time, he subtly stepped back to create some distance from Zhao Chongxiao.


    It wasn''t that he wanted to keep away on purpose, but because Zhao Chongxiao "stank too much".


    It wouldn''t have been too bad if he hadn''t spoken, but once he opened his mouth, a rotten smell wafted out from it.


    That smell was hard to describe, as if it was the strong stench that comes from decaying blood.


    Zhao Sheng found it very strange; this stench was so prominent, yet Zhao Chongxiao and Zhao Chongwei both behaved very naturally, as if they hadn''t smelled anything at all.


    Zhao Chongxiao was very sensitive and immediately noticed Zhao Sheng''s odd behavior.


    He instinctively sniffed around and then asked with surprise, "What''s the matter? Is there something wrong?"


    Zhao Sheng smiled and spoke naturally, "Nothing''s wrong! I just wanted to ask, is this year''s Qixia Conference still scheduled for July fifteenth?"


    Zhao Chongxiao, relieved, answered smoothly, "It''s been moved up this year, set for the first of July,"


    "Oh! Then... that means there are only three days left," Zhao Sheng said with a flash of surprise in his eyes, before muttering to himself in a low voice.


    At that moment, the still very excited Zhao Chongwei suddenly reminded him, "Don''t forget to dress up nicely for the occasion. Also, make sure to bring more Invisibility Talismans. They''re in high demand!"


    "Mhm, got it! You should also dress up beautifully, maybe you''ll find a satisfactory husband at the Qixia Conference."


    "Hmph, I''m not talking to you anymore!"


    Zhao Chongwei, her face flushed with shyness, stamped her foot and turned to run away.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng and the others couldn''t help but smile.


    The Qixia Conference isn''t just a gathering for the younger generation of Cultivation Families like Lan, Wei, Zhao, Wang, etc.; it also has a semblance of a matchmaking meeting.


    While Cultivation Families certainly prioritize arranged marriages, if the younger generation finds mutual affection, isn''t that countless times better than a blind and mute marriage arrangement?


    "Don''t forget, the first of July," Zhao Chongxiao patted Zhao Sheng''s shoulder seriously as he left.


    Watching the other party leave, Zhao Sheng touched the shoulder that had been patted, sniffed it, and his expression immediately turned very solemn.


    After thinking for a moment, he suddenly turned around and entered the Good Deeds Hall again.


    Soon, Zhao Keqin and Zhao Sheng left the Good Deeds Hall together with grave expressions and rushed to Chaoxing Garden, where they found Zhao Jinding who was healing.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng and the others left Chaoxing Garden separately.


    Subsequently, a slight disturbance occurred within the Zhao Family. Some people were quietly called in for questioning, some subtly changed their positions, and additionally, two teams of scouts were dispatched quickly.


    A day later, the personnel of the Zhao Family''s external patrol team suddenly doubled, and Dragon Carp Lake quietly entered a state of tightened internal security with a relaxed exterior.


    Two days later, in Chaoxing Garden,


    Inside the secret room, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Keqin, and Zhao Jinding met again.


    No sooner had they settled down than Zhao Sheng eagerly asked, "Uncle Qin, did you find any anomalies?"


    Zhao Keqin''s expression was dark as he said gravely, "Chonghe, you were right. There is indeed something wrong with Chongxiao. This year''s Qixia Conference hasn''t been moved forward at all. Chongxiao, he... he lied!"


    Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Jinding smashed the table with his palm, stood up, and roared furiously, "Dammit! What is he trying to do? What''s his scheme for tricking you and Weiwei out?"


    "Damn, there''s nothing I hate more in my life than deceitful actions!"


    Compared to the furious Zhao Jinding, Zhao Sheng appeared very calm.


    He stroked his chin, his words carrying a hint of meaning, "This probably wasn''t his own idea. I fear there might be someone else behind the scenes."


    Zhao Keqin''s expression became solemn as he nodded, sharing the same thought.


    Looking at the two elders, Zhao Sheng then said, "Let''s not talk about how to deal with Zhao Chongxiao for now. The most important thing is to figure out why the mastermind targeted the two of us, and not someone else?" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I can probably guess the purpose of the other party. It must be trouble brought on by the Invisibility Talisman." Zhao Keqin immediately continued.


    Zhao Sheng''s face changed upon hearing this; he hadn''t expected the Invisibility Talisman to be the cause.


    The cultivators in the Zhao family totaled just thirty...


    No, that''s not right,


    In the past two years, the family has suffered frequent mishaps, losing several members of the Ke generation; now only twenty-seven cultivators remain.


    Anyone with a mind to do so could easily find out that the Invisibility Talisman was refined by him and Zhao Chongwei.


    Zhao Sheng knew that Invisibility Talismans were in high demand, but he never thought they would be so coveted that someone would go to great lengths to abduct them.


    It was also his fault for having too narrow a perspective,


    Zhao Sheng not only underestimated his own talent but also the difficulty of refining the Invisibility Talisman.


    Even if the threshold for talisman making is low, it still requires a certain talent, especially for talismans of the highest difficulty, which require the most top-notch talent in Talisman Tao.


    For the sake of a long-term "meal ticket," Zhao Sheng could hardly imagine what crazy things some people or forces might do.


    The incidents that happened to him today were merely child''s play in comparison.


    Zhao Sheng quickly asked, "Then... how should we handle this matter?"


    "What else is there to say, immediately seize that treacherous cur, and reduce him to ashes!" Zhao Jinding declared furiously.


    He was becoming more hot-tempered with age, especially after failing at Foundation Establishment, which had him lit at the slightest spark. He was full of pent-up frustration with no outlet, and these unlucky rogue cultivators just happened to cross his path.


    Zhao Keqin nodded in agreement, "Without uncovering the mastermind, we won''t have peace of mind. There''s no logic in guarding against a thief for a thousand days!"


    Zhao Sheng, looking at Zhao Jinding, asked, "In that case, shall we play along with their plot, or should we capture Zhao Chongxiao first?"


    Zhao Chongxiao belonged to the main branch, and they needed to consult Zhao Jinding''s opinion before taking him down.


    Unexpectedly, Family Elder Zhao, without a second thought, declared, "We don''t need to lure the snake out of its hole with tricks. I want to ask Zhao Chongxiao how the Zhao family has wronged him, that he dared to collude with outsiders to plot against his own!"


    "Elder Ding has spoken well! We must be cautious in our actions, and if we have a choice, we should not take risks," Zhao Keqin stated his agreement promptly after hearing this.


    Seeing that the two elders had made a decision, Zhao Sheng naturally wouldn''t object. After all, he didn''t want to risk his own life.


    Having discussed and agreed, the three immediately left Chaoxing Courtyard to head to Zhao Chongxiao''s residence.


    Just half an hour later, Zhao Jinding, with a face full of rage, kicked open the door to the quiet room and saw Zhao Chongxiao cultivating inside.


    In the quiet room, Zhao Chongxiao opened his eyes and saw Zhao Sheng and the others bursting in. His expression shifted slightly but quickly returned to normal.


    He immediately rose to his feet, about to greet the two elders respectfully with a bow.


    But at that moment, Zhao Jinding suddenly flashed by his side, his right palm filled with spirit light, and slapped it on Zhao Chongxiao''s Dantian. A surge of powerful Spiritual Power poured in, instantly sealing the other''s Dantian energy points.


    Zhao Chongxiao''s face drastically changed, and he managed a forced smile, "Second Grandfather, why... why have you sealed my Dantian? Have I done something wrong?"


    Slap!


    Zhao Jinding slapped Zhao Chongxiao across the face, sending blood seeping from his mouth and nose.

 Chapter 41 Spiritual Artifact Red Scale Armor

    "Hmph, a disloyal cur that bites the hand that feeds, colluding with outsiders to plot against your own kin! Do you admit to these charges?"Upon hearing these words, Zhao Chongxiao''s pupils shrank, and the smile on his face instantly stiffened, his heart filled with immense shock and fear.


    In a Cultivation Family, colluding with outsiders to harm one''s own kin was an unforgivable and heinous crime. Anyone who committed this crime would be executed, but what was more terrifying was that they would often be denied a quick death.


    "Second Grandpa, what are you talking about? Your grandson is completely confused," Zhao Chongxiao still harbored a sliver of hope, pretending to be bewildered and at a loss.


    Seeing that the other party was still hoping for a chance, Zhao Sheng stepped forward, produced evidence, and asked, "Tell me, is the Qixia Conference this year on the first or the fifteenth of July? Why did you have me carry Insect Powder from the Shadowless Insect on my shoulder?"


    As soon as Zhao Chongxiao heard this, his facial expression collapsed instantly.


    He thudded to his knees and immediately started sobbing like a dog.


    At the same time, he clutched Zhao Jinding''s thighs tightly, sobbing with tears streaming down, pleading:


    "Second Grandpa, I was forced to do it! I didn''t want to! But they placed a Corrosive Blood Gu on me. If I don''t follow their orders, the Gu Worm will act up and eventually turn me into a puddle of rotten blood."


    Zhao Jinding kicked him away with a foot and sternly demanded, "Who are they? Why did they make you do this? Tell me everything you know!"


    Zhao Chongxiao scrambled back to his knees, his face showing fear as he replied, "Grandson truly doesn''t know who they are, only that they are three individuals who call themselves the Wushan Three Immortals.


    Seven days ago, I was accidentally captured by them and was inflicted with the Corrosive Blood Gu. Then they ordered me to lure Zhao Chong and Chongwei out."


    Having said this, he looked at the three of them with eager eyes.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jinding impatiently urged, "What else?"


    Before the words had even finished, Zhao Chongxiao suddenly began to kowtow desperately, his head bleeding from the impact,


    "I admit my wrongdoing, and I beg Grandpa and Uncle Qin to spare my life. I swear I will never dare to do it again!"


    Zhao Chongxiao knew that if he did not take this opportunity to beg for mercy, he would surely die.


    Zhao Jinding kicked him to the ground again, and with a sneer, rebuked: "Humph, you deserve to die!"


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyes flashed and he suddenly spoke up: "Second Grandpa, Zhao Chongxiao was also compelled, since he has acknowledged his wrongs, and he has not caused any serious consequences. Why not spare his life, would that be acceptable?"


    Zhao Keqin, upon hearing this, also persuaded, "That''s right! Chongxiao did not intend to do it. Now the family is short on manpower, so why not let him redeem himself through meritorious service?"


    As he spoke, his tone turned harsh, and he forcefully questioned, "Chongxiao, tell the truth, what was their plan? If we wanted you to draw them out, could you do it?"


    Seeing the lifeline thrown to him, why wouldn''t Zhao Chongxiao grab it?


    He was overjoyed, quickly spilling everything he knew. In the end, he even volunteered to act as bait to lure the other party into a trap.


    Having heard what he said, Zhao Jinding''s anger slightly cooled. After discussing with Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongxiao, they decided to set a trap to catch the enemies all at once.


    A day later, at noon.


    Outside the Zhao family''s residence by Dragon Carp Lake, three Green-Scaled Jiao Horses over three meters tall and with smoke rising from their hooves, constantly shook their manes on the open ground. Occasionally, they snorted, and a puff of green smoke would burst from their nostrils.


    Green-Scaled Jiao Horses are a common type of Beast Taming in the Cultivation World, specifically bred by the Beast Taming Sect. They are said to have a trace of Dragon Serpent blood, allowing them to travel a thousand miles in a day and to race continuously for three days and nights.


    Next to the Jiao Horses, Zhao Jinding solemnly handed two blood-red soft armors to Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chong.


    Zhao Sheng inspected the soft armor and saw it was covered with fine crimson scales, with countless runes flowing and flickering on them.


    He exclaimed in surprise, "Spiritual Artifact Red Scale Armor!"


    "No, this is too precious!" Zhao Sheng hastily declined.


    The Red Scale Armor was a treasured heirloom of the Zhao family. It was made from the reverse scales under the necks of five hundred and eighty century-old Red Carps, its defensive power was twice as strong as that of a similar grade Spiritual Artifact,


    The Zhao family had been established near Dragon Carp Lake for nearly three hundred years, and had only managed to accumulate four pieces of Red Scale Armor.


    Two of them had already been sold, and aside from being worn by the clan''s Foundation Establishment Ancestors, the two pieces in the hands of Zhao Sheng and the others spent most of their time hidden away in the family''s treasure vault, away from prying eyes.


    Zhao Jinding pushed the Red Scale Armor back to Zhao Sheng and said very seriously, "Put it on! Are your lives not worth more than a mere object?"


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng had no choice but to put on the Red Scale Armor and cover it with his robe. Zhao Chongwei beside him followed suit.


    Zhao Chongxiao watched this scene with eyes red with envy and jealousy. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, Zhao Jinding turned his head to look at him and scolded with a cold tone, "Be smart about it! Even if you die, you cannot let these two suffer any harm. Otherwise, don''t blame me for personally expelling your branch of the family from the clan."


    "Yes, Second Granduncle, I understand," replied Zhao Chongxiao.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongxiao''s body shook violently, and he rapidly nodded in agreement.


    In the Cultivation World, being expelled from the family clan was akin to betraying the clan, and almost certainly meant death. This punishment was extremely cruel and ruthless.


    Before leaving, Zhao Jinding took out a Second Order Trapped Dragon Talisman from his Storage Bag and handed it to Zhao Sheng, instructing, "Chong and, when you encounter the enemy, do not hesitate to throw the Trapped Dragon Talisman. We will be secretly following behind you. Just delay them momentarily, and we will arrive immediately. Do you hear me?"


    "I heard you! I will be careful,"


    Zhao Sheng solemnly nodded and then mounted his horse.


    Go!


    Shortly after, with the sound of a whip, three Green-Scaled Jiao Horses suddenly pranced, their majestic forms instantly leaping into the air, and then rapidly dashing along the straight path towards the horizon amidst the clouds.


    "Let''s go as well!"


    After watching the three of them disappear into the distance, Zhao Jinding took out a two-zhang-long magic artifact wooden kite made of light spirit wood from his Storage Bag.


    At the same time, Zhao Keqin, Zhao Jingge, and the other four Qi Refinement Late Stage individuals also took out similar magic artifact wooden kites.


    The Zhao family was truly incensed by this affair and had dispatched five Qi Refinement Late Stage individuals at once, each equipped with a Second Order True Talisman.


    It''s worth noting that even the lowest grade Second Order True Talisman had power equivalent to a full-strength strike from an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. A single one would cost at least a few hundred Spirit Stones.


    Two breaths later, the wooden kites, under the control of the five individuals, roared into the sky.


    Soon, the wooden kites turned into specks and disappeared into the clouds.


    On the other side, Zhao Sheng and the others, riding on the Green-Scaled Jiao Horses, rode at full speed towards Qixia Peak.


    Zhao Chongxiao was not clear about the Wushan Three Immortals'' plan. He had only received an order to bring Zhao Sheng and the other to Qixia Peak.


    Whether the Wushan Three Immortals planned to make their move on the way or at Qixia Peak, Zhao Chongxiao was unaware.


    Therefore, as the three of them galloped on their horses, they had to remain vigilant at all times.


    Such constant vigilance was truly exhausting!


    Three hours later, when the Sun dipped toward the horizon, Zhao Sheng and the others, surprisingly, did not encounter any mishaps along the way and arrived at Qixia Mountain quite smoothly.

 Chapter 42 Laozi is your future master

    ```Qixia Peak is situated over four hundred li to the northwest of Dragon Carp Lake, deep within the Yandang Mountain Range. The mountain soars a thousand zhang high, with treacherous terrain. Ancient trees stand tall while green grass and wildflowers blanket its land.


    A bluestone path, just over a zhang wide, snaked its way up the mountain, veiled intermittently by the dense foliage and large trees, curving and twisting up to the summit.


    Zhao Sheng and two others dismounted at the foot of Qixia Peak, entrusting their Green-Scaled Jiao Horses to the care of the Mountain Guardian.


    The Mountain Guardian was a group of mortals whose ancestors also hailed from Cultivation Families, but whose power had long since declined.


    They had taken on the responsibility, entrusted by nearby Cultivation Families, to guard Qixia Peak for generations, serving the needs of Cultivators.


    Just as the trio set foot on the stone pathway, Zhao Chongxiao suddenly stopped, looking hesitantly at Zhao Sheng, as if he had something to say but was holding back.


    Noticing this, Zhao Sheng asked with a hint of surprise, "You... have something to say?"


    "Well... after we meet the Wushan Three Immortals, can we not start fighting right away? I would like to speak first," Zhao Chongxiao pleaded, rubbing his hands together nervously.


    "Hmm, that''s fine. But you need to give me a reason to convince me," Zhao Sheng said with ease.


    At this, Zhao Chongwei couldn''t hold back her displeasure, huffing, "Hmph, Chong He, let''s not bother with this turncoat. Who knows what kind of vile scheme he''s concocting."


    Zhao Chongxiao''s face was filled with bitterness as he said, "I... I''ve been infected with the Corrosive Blood Gu. I want to try and trick them into giving me the antidote first."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was taken aback, almost forgetting about the deadly creature ensnaring Zhao Chongxiao.


    After contemplating, Zhao Sheng figured it was possible to delay their plans slightly, and after all, Zhao Chongxiao was still a member of their own family; it wouldn''t do to drive him to a dead end.


    So, he agreed, "Alright! But only if it doesn''t affect our plan."


    "Absolutely not!" Zhao Chongxiao''s face lit up with joy, and he quickly agreed.


    Zhao Sheng nodded, then stepped aside and gestured with an open hand, saying, "Then please, go ahead!"


    Zhao Chongxiao took a deep breath and led the way up Qixia Peak, with Zhao Sheng pulling the still-irritated Zhao Chongwei along closely behind.


    Despite the steep, slippery stone steps of Qixia Peak, it posed no challenge for the three Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators.


    In less than a quarter of an hour, they had traversed a thousand stone steps to reach a flat area halfway up the mountain.


    This was a recess in the mountainside, spanning roughly twenty zhang in diameter, with a four-pillared stone pavilion at one edge next to the cliff, built for admiring the scenery.


    As soon as the trio reached this spot, they immediately saw two figures in the pavilion, one standing and one sitting.


    Both were dressed in the garb of Taoists, wearing apricot-yellow robes and green leaf crowns.


    The one sitting had a face round as the full moon, his body portly and swollen. The one standing had green-tinted hair and beard, with skin so blue that he looked more like a corpse than a living person.


    Upon seeing them, Zhao Chongxiao''s body shook violently, becoming instantly rigid in place.


    From the corner of his eye, Zhao Sheng noticed his reaction, aware that those two were undoubtedly two of the Wushan Three Immortals.


    But where was the third one?


    As this thought crossed his mind, Zhao Sheng suddenly heard a clattering sound behind him, crisp like metal striking stone.


    Turning around swiftly, he looked back.


    He saw a limping figure about a dozen steps below, with an empty right pant leg, leaning on a silver serpent-headed cane, slowly making its way up the mountain.


    In such a situation, even a fool would know something was amiss.


    Zhao Sheng''s left hand slipped into his sleeve, quietly gripping the Trapped Dragon Talisman, while he slowly retreated towards the mountain wall, pulling Zhao Chongwei with him.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Chongxiao suddenly rushed towards the stone pavilion, shouting excitedly at the two people inside, "Seniors, I''ve brought the people you wanted. Please give me the antidote now!"


    Sitting in the pavilion was the fatty named Zhang Xiong, a Qi Refining Seventh Layer practitioner, and the second of the Wushan Three Immortals.


    The green-haired ghoul standing was the third, named Chu Hu, a Sixth Level of Qi Refining practitioner.


    Hearing Zhao Chongxiao''s shout, Zhang Xiong patted his belly and laughed heartily, "Well done, boy. The Daoist master won''t shortchange you. The antidote is just a trivial thing, take it!"


    ```


    As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Xiong casually tossed something. A blood-colored pill shot out from his sleeve, tracing an arc through the air and landing precisely in Zhao Chongxiao''s hand.


    Overcome with joy, Zhao Chongxiao quickly raised his hand to his mouth and swallowed the Blood Pill.


    After taking the antidote, he was full of gratitude, bowing repeatedly as he thanked him: "Thank you, Senior, for bestowing the antidote. I am eternally grateful."


    Just at that moment, the limping Dead Limp Man happened to appear in the depression.


    Seeing Zhao Chongxiao in this state, he suddenly spoke up: "Young lad, today I''ll teach you a lesson. Remember not to trust anyone''s promises. Don''t forget this in your next life!"


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Chongxiao''s face instantly went ashen, and he stammered in fear, "Se... Senior, what is this... you''re... agh!"


    Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Chongxiao''s body began to convulse violently, and his exposed skin turned scarlet and purple in an instant, with countless droplets of blood seeping from his pores.


    In just a moment, dark purple pus and blood began flowing from Zhao Chongxiao''s seven orifices, and his skin rapidly necrosed, oozing large amounts of pus and blood.


    In just seven or eight breaths, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhao Chongxiao''s body quickly dissolved into a puddle of Blood Stain.


    A gust of wind blew by, and a red and white skeletal frame crashed to the ground with a bang, scattering among the Blood Stain.


    The scene was horrifying!


    Ugh!


    Zhao Chongwei had never seen such a bloody scene. Her stomach churned violently, and she couldn''t help bending over to vomit.


    The Dead Limp Man was quite satisfied as he watched this unfold.


    In his view, this display of "killing the chicken to scare the monkey" was executed perfectly.


    When it came time to "persuade" the two treasures later on, he would probably save himself a lot of effort. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Dead Limp Man was the leader of the Wushan Three Immortals; his real name and background were very mysterious, even his sworn brothers were unclear about them.


    He always called himself Zhou Laoguai and was the highest in cultivation among the three, nearing Qi Refining Perfection.


    Zhou Laoguai slowly approached Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongwei, emitting the formidable aura of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer while threatening in a sinister voice, "You''d better surrender obediently. Don''t make me take action, or you''ll suffer greatly later!"


    Zhao Sheng pulled Zhao Chongwei back to the mountain wall, his expression guarded, as he demanded, "Who are you people?"


    With an air of confidence that the game was in his hands, Zhou Laoguai laughed triumphantly: "Haha, you''re asking who we are? I am your future master!"


    "Hold on, I have something to say!" Zhao Sheng suddenly shouted out loud.


    He wanted to buy some time because the situation was somewhat different than he had anticipated.


    The Wushan Three Immortals were not standing together; the Dead Limp Man and the other two were at least five or six zhang apart, while the range of the Trapped Dragon Talisman was only three zhang.


    This was going to be complicated!


    Zhou Laoguai chuckled sinisterly: "Once I''ve placed the Prohibition on you, you''ll have plenty of time to talk."


    As he spoke, there was no sign of him stopping.


    Seeing the Dead Limp Man approach within two zhang, Zhao Sheng clenched his teeth and tore apart the Trapped Dragon Talisman with a trembling hand.


    The next instant, a golden light circle burst forth from Zhao Sheng''s sleeve, expanding countless times in an instant into a golden dome-shaped Light Shield that, like lightning, trapped Zhou Laoguai inside.


    Immediately afterward, more than a dozen golden light chains suddenly "grew" from the dome wall, reaching in and coiling around Zhou Laoguai''s head, neck, hips, arms, left foot, and the headed snake staff like living creatures.


    "Elder Brother, be careful!"


    However, this warning from the second brother, Zhang Xiong, was ultimately a moment too late.


    The activated Second Order Trapped Dragon Talisman was as fast as lightning!


    By the time he shouted, Zhou Laoguai had already been bound by the Trapped Dragon Talisman.

 Chapter 43 Taiyi Spirit Realm

    "Damn it!"After cursing, Zhang Xiong took off the Alien Insect Bag from his waist, opened the bag wide, and poured out hundreds of fist-sized Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes.


    Buzz, buzz, buzz!


    In mid-air, the Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes circled once and quickly formed a Blood Cloud that charged towards Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongwei.


    At the same time, Third Chu Hu''s head, face, and limbs rapidly grew green hair, then he leaped straight out of the stone pavilion, covering three zhang in one bound, his body stiff like a zombie, he hopped and pounced toward Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng pulled Zhao Chongwei behind him and paid no attention to the swarm of Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes.


    He quickly produced a Fireball Talisman, poured Spiritual Power into it, and forcefully threw it toward the sky.


    The next second, at a height of seven or eight zhang above, an orange-red fireball the size of a human head suddenly exploded, standing out starkly against the dusky sky.


    Meanwhile, just as the Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes reached Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongwei and were about to bite fiercely, they all slammed into a solid and heavy barrier of Red Light.


    The Red Scale Armor, as a Spiritual Artifact designed for defense, not only boasted exceptionally sturdy materials but also inherent a Second-level Defensive Magic "Red Light."


    Should the Spiritual Artifact''s Master encounter danger, "Red Light" would automatically activate, defending against any tangible or intangible attacks.


    Seeing this, Third Chu Hu, the green-haired ghost, underwent a drastic change in expression and immediately shifted his body shape, crashing against the golden Light Shield of the Trapped Dragon Talisman.


    Decades of life as a Loose Cultivator had honed Chu Hu''s extremely sharp sense of crisis.


    The very moment he saw the Red Light, he instinctively sensed some kind of danger.


    Trouble!


    He must escape quickly!


    But before fleeing, he had to rescue the boss!


    Chu Hu practiced an Evil Technique called the Zombification Technique.


    This evil method transformed the practitioner''s flesh into an unbreakable zombie body.


    After decades of cultivation, Chu Hu''s body had evolved from a Black Zombie to a Green Zombie, not only extremely hard like iron but also immensely powerful.


    His charge was laden with a force well beyond a thousand catties!


    However, how could a Second-level Talisman be easily broken by a Qi Refining Immortal Cultivator?


    The golden Light Shield trembled slightly and then immediately returned to normal.


    Seeing this, Chu Hu became frantic.


    He exerted all his Core Stiff Power, causing each strand of his green hair to stand on end like a human-shaped green hedgehog.


    With a series of Crackling pops, Chu Hu''s rigid body suddenly swelled by a third, then he violently pushed his feet backward, instantly creating two pits in the ground.


    His body flew up like a cannonball and fiercely smashed against the golden Light Shield.


    This time, the golden Light Shield buckled inward as the golden chains inside vibrated rapidly a few times.


    But the next second, Chu Hu spat black blood and was instantly flung away.


    Having failed once more, Chu Hu''s expression grew even more hideous. He wiped the blood from his mouth, struggled to get up from the ground, and was about to charge for the third time.


    Just then, Zhang Xiong, the second brother, yelled in a panic, "Third, forget about the boss. Bail out immediately!"


    Obviously,


    His attention to detail was no less than that of third brother, and upon seeing the Spiritual Artifact and the Trapped Dragon Talisman,


    Zhang Xiong also immediately realized that instead of catching their prey, they had fallen into a trap.


    The reason he came to this conclusion was that the characteristics of the Red Scale Armor, a familial Spiritual Artifact of the Zhao family, were too distinctive.


    Zhang Xiong recognized at a glance that the lad was actually wearing a piece of Red Scale Armor.


    Is this normal?


    Pah, this is totally abnormal!


    Chu Hu''s expression was exceptionally stubborn as he turned his head and shouted to Zhang Xiong, "Second Brother, if you want to leave, go by yourself, I need to save the boss!"


    Although Chu Hu was known for his unscrupulous behavior, he was loyal to Elder Zhou. Without the boss''s repeated rescues over the years, he would have died countless times already.


    "Damn it! Practicing that shitty Zombie Skill, and even ruining your own brain in the end. Fine, if you won''t go, I''ll make a run for it first!"


    With that, Zhang Xiong didn''t bother to retrieve his Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes and contracted his limbs, turning his body into a big meat ball and rapidly bouncing out of the stone pavilion, rolling down the mountain.


    Just at that moment, a cold voice suddenly resounded through the sky, "None of you will escape!"


    Before the sound faded, five figures descended from the sky.


    Zhao Jingge and Zhao Keqin flew down to the stone steps on the side of the mountain, blocking Zhang Xiong''s escape route.


    Zhao Jiading and the other two encircled Chu Hu in the center.


    When Zhao Sheng saw this scene, his heart relaxed, and he loudly called out to Zhao Jiading, "Second Grandpa, Zhao Chongxiao is dead."


    Zhao Jiading glanced at the bloody skeleton not far away, then slowly furrowed his brows.


    Although Zhao Chongxiao had deserved to die for his actions, he was, after all, a member of the main branch, and his death was so miserable in the end.


    Beyond pity, Zhao Jiading felt a surge of anger well up inside him.


    Facing five cultivators at the Qi Refining Late Stage, Chu Hu and Zhang Xiong had absolutely no strength to resist and were quickly captured one after another.


    As for Elder Zhou, there was even less that needed to be said,


    A mighty Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivator hadn''t unleashed a single move before he bewilderingly became a captive.


    He probably couldn''t understand how his supposedly meticulous plan had been so easily seen through by the Zhao family.


    Zhao Jiading and the others would not easily kill the Wushan Three Immortals; they would wait until after they had drained all their value.


    Three days later, just when Zhao Sheng thought the matter had passed, Elder Zhao Jiading came to him with an excited expression.


    As the two settled down in the living room, without waiting for Zhao Sheng to speak, Zhao Jiading eagerly took something out and handed it over, saying mysteriously, "Chongwei, take a look at this, what do you think it is?"


    Zhao Sheng took it and saw an object that looked like a piece of White Silk Handkerchief. It was soft and silky to touch, easily crumpled into a ball.


    When he unfolded it, the handkerchief was thin and translucent, about one foot square. The surface of the silk was covered with dense and mysterious runes embroidered one by one, not just written on.


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but ask with curiosity, "What is this? Could it be a Cultivation Method?"


    "Not exactly, but not far off!"


    Zhao Jiading smiled and shook his head, then quickly explained, "While this thing isn''t a Cultivation Method, it''s almost the same for a talisman cultivator. This silk handkerchief records a Talisman Tao method known as ''Stacking Talisman Technique''."


    Stacking Talisman Technique!


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s heart stirred, certain he had come across this name in some ancient book.


    He quickly spread out the handkerchief to take a closer look, but he couldn''t recognize the runes on it as they were vastly different from the ones commonly used in the Cultivation World.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s thoughts, Zhao Jiading quickly took out an ancient book from his Storage Bag and handed it to him, while urging seriously, "This ''Taiyi Spiritual Text Annotation'' was found on them. Be sure to keep it safe and don''t let others see it."


    Upon hearing the words Taiyi, Zhao Sheng''s heart shook violently.


    In the Cultivation World, all items related to Taiyi pointed directly to the Taiyi Spirit Realm.


    As Zhao Sheng knew, his world was called the Tianzhu Realm. Because of the limits in Spiritual Energy density, cultivators could only reach up to the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    After advancing to Divinity Transformation, cultivators must find ways to ascend to the Spirit Realm to continue their cultivation. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Taiyi Spirit Realm is where the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs of the Tianzhu Realm ascend to.


    Divinity Transformation True Monarchs who successfully ascended didn''t completely sever their ties with the Tianzhu Realm.

 Chapter 44 Pocket World City

    Whenever a new Divinity Transformation True Monarch ascended in the Tianzhu Realm, some True Monarchs who had ascended countless years ago would take the opportunity to send some secret techniques from the Taiyi Spirit Realm through the ascension passage.For millions of years, through the efforts of numerous Divinity Transformation True Monarchs, the secret techniques and cultivation methods of the Taiyi Spirit Realm gradually spread throughout the Tianzhu Realm.


    However, this dissemination was limited only to major sects or Cultivation Families that had Golden Core practitioners and above; ordinary Cultivation Families hardly ever glimpsed their true form.


    Zhao Sheng was quite surprised that Loose Cultivators like the Wushan Three Immortals had managed to obtain a copy of "Annotations on Taiyi Spiritual Texts."


    This truly made him reconsider his view of the three.


    However, what surprised Zhao Sheng even more was how the Wushan Three Immortals, with their qualifications and abilities, could possess such a precious treasure.


    It was known that in the Cultivation World, any knowledge about the Taiyi Spirit Realm''s cultivation techniques was tightly controlled by the major sects and powers.


    How had they managed to get it?


    If these two items brought disaster upon the family, it would indeed be a loss too great to compensate.


    Thinking of this, Zhao Sheng hesitantly asked, "This item... might be too hot to handle. Does the family have..."


    Zhao Jinding suddenly waved his hand and confidently said, "Don''t worry! There will absolutely be no repercussions. You have to trust the family''s interrogation methods. Those three are all cowards; after being served seven or eight appetizers, they confessed everything.


    These two items were dug up from an ancient tomb on the outskirts of the Sky Burying Plain. Aside from these, they also found a ''Zombification Technique.'' They kidnapped you and Chongwei exactly because they couldn''t learn the Stacking Talisman Technique by any means."


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt a mix of amusement and disbelief; turns out the Wushan Three Immortals had come up with such a foolish idea because they were too "clumsy."


    Pity that man''s schemes cannot compare to heaven''s!


    In the end, the three got nothing and inadvertently benefitted the Zhao Family.


    With this realization, Zhao Sheng felt more relieved.


    He knew that relics excavated from the Sky Burying Plain were unlikely to cause any trouble.


    The Heavenly Burial Plain was located in the eastern part of the Central Continent and was a nearly ten thousand miles wide netherworld wasteland.


    As the cradle of the human clan in the Tianzhu Realm, Central Continent had a long and storied history, having experienced countless disasters over millions of years.


    The Heavenly Burial Plain used to be a highly prosperous part of the Cultivation World. Legend has it that ten thousand years ago, a demon tore open a space-time crack with the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood Sacrifice Array, inviting an invasion from the Netherworld Ghost Realm into the Tianzhu Realm.


    The Heavenly Burial Plain was the location of the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood Sacrifice Array and was the first part of the Cultivation World to suffer an invasion from the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    After that great catastrophe, the Heavenly Burial Plain was completely turned into ruins.


    Because the space-time crack couldn''t be completely sealed, the nether gas from the Ghost Realm continually seeped into Tianzhu Realm, turning the Heavenly Burial Plain into a haven for ghostly creatures and zombies.


    After sending Zhao Jinding away, Zhao Sheng touched the ancient tome and suddenly laughed quietly.


    For the first time, he felt he might have miscalculated.


    There''s a saying¡ª''Even a rotten boat has three pounds of nails''!


    The Zhao family had produced three Foundation Establishment Cultivators consecutively over three hundred years; Zhao Sheng simply didn''t believe the family hadn''t saved up some good items.


    And now, at the critical moment,


    First, they brought out two pieces of Red Scale Armor, and now, they had brought the Annotations on Taiyi Spiritual Text. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If the Zhao family ultimately had to leave Dragon Carp Lake, Zhao Sheng believed that the family, scraping together all their resources and making a determined effort to purchase another Foundation Establishment Pill, would not find it difficult.


    Not to mention, exchanging two pieces of Red Scale Armor for a Foundation Establishment Pill was more than sufficient.


    Setting aside his worries about the future of the Zhao family, Zhao Sheng eagerly picked up the ancient scroll and silk, and stepped into the quiet room to immerse himself fully in his studies.


    Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, another year had passed.


    ...


    At the end of summer, nestled in the central region of this world, Heavenly Pillar Mountain still boasted steaming clouds and blooming sunsets, with verdant peaks and vibrant life.


    On a kilometer-high cliff on the southern slope of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, there was a gigantic cave entrance a hundred yards tall and about twenty miles long, with an interior that spread across nearly a hundred square miles.


    Inside the cave, pavilions, towers, and fortified buildings were scattered everywhere, each district clearly marked and roads neatly organized. Surrounding the cave were double stone walls ten yards high that made it look like a bustling city.


    And around the cave, the walls were densely packed with caves, from which cultivators constantly flew in and out, creating a scene of bustling activity.


    This enormous cave was one of the four famous cities of loose cultivators in the Tianzhu Realm, known as Pocket World City.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain had just experienced a torrential rain. The accumulated water, channeled through newly dug tunnels, cascaded down from within the mountain, thoroughly flushing the drainage system of Pocket World City, which considerably cleaned up the area.


    Zhao Yongwu hurriedly stepped onto the stone steps, crossing three district streets consecutively.


    He was very cautious, his right hand always resting on the wooden box inside his robe. The box was not heavy, but it weighed heavily on his heart.


    Zhao Yongwu was an Innate Martial Artist, but he also held another identity.


    He was born into the Zhao family of Dragon Carp Lake, closely related to the family head, Zhao Chonghe, within five degrees of kinship.


    Just two months ago, he was helping his family escort goods.


    He never expected that a great opportunity would suddenly fall upon him...


    One day, the family head suddenly summoned him and asked if he was willing to go to Pocket World City.


    Faced with such a great opportunity, Zhao Yongwu naturally did not hesitate and nodded in agreement.


    However, sometimes a single thought can turn a good opportunity into a disaster!


    Zhao Yongwu suddenly tensed up, extinguishing the fleeting thought in his mind, and swiftly walked past a stretch of stone pavement, already entering the realm of the "Outer City."


    Pocket World City, after thousands of years of continuous excavation and expansion, naturally formed three areas: the "Inner City," which was originally built and is the most interior; the "Outer City" between the two city walls; and the "Cave Mansion District," which is carved around the caves along the mountain walls and connected to the mountain itself.


    This division wasn''t formally planned; it was just a conventional understanding.


    However, in the mind of an ordinary person like Zhao Yongwu, the Inner City and the Cave Mansion District are places where cultivators reside and live, while the Outer City is a mixed bag, home to down-and-out loose cultivators and medicine collectors, as well as many more ordinary people like him who serve the cultivators.


    The Zhao''s Mixed Spirit Store was located in the Outer City. It had a small front but a far more spacious backyard, encompassing two courtyards.


    At the moment, however, Zhao''s Mixed Spirit Store was only halfway open, with a lean young man lazily sitting inside.


    Zhao Yongwu tiptoed into the store. The spirited young man, seeing him, abruptly stood up and hurriedly approached, his face full of concern as he asked, "Uncle, did you get it back?"


    "Mmh, let''s talk inside," Zhao Yongwu nodded lightly and asked in a low voice, "Has Uncle emerged from seclusion yet?"


    The spirited young man, Zhao Xiaodong, smiled knowingly and quickly ushered Zhao Yongwu into the backyard, leading the way while replying, "Not yet. It''s been three days with no sign of activity; the waiting is making everyone anxious!"


    Zhao Yongwu fell silent for a moment.


    Three days ago, his uncle had instructed him to fetch an item from the Treasure Talisman Pavilion, then hurried into the cultivation room to seclude himself.


    During these few days, he had constantly guarded the entrance of the Treasure Talisman Pavilion, and the treasure had just been delivered.


    He immediately took it and returned as quickly as possible to the Mixed Spirit Shop.

 Chapter 45 The Stacking Talisman Technique is Accomplished

    In the backyard of the store, Zhao Yongwu placed a wooden box containing treasures on the table,As Zhao Xiaodong reached out with a smirk, hoping to open the box for a look, he was unexpectedly slapped away by his second uncle.


    Zhao Yongwu warned, "Be careful, the items in here could get you a whole storefront in Pocket World City!"


    Hearing this, Zhao Xiaodong staggered, dared not entertain any curious thoughts, and immediately kept his distance.


    The Zhao family had spent over a thousand Spirit Stones to buy the facade and courtyard of the Mixed Spirit Store they were standing in.


    He wondered what kind of treasure could be worth so much!


    It was strange that the Family Head was so bold, to entrust such a valuable item to the second uncle. Wasn''t he afraid of attracting the attention of those lowly rotten cultivators?


    Zhao Xiaodong was unaware of Zhao Sheng''s intentions.


    Zhao Sheng had acted this way due to a chance coincidence; he could have retrieved it himself, which would have been better.


    The reason he chose to do so was purely coincidental.


    Three days ago, he suddenly had an insight into the intricacies of the Stacking Talisman Technique.


    Such a rare opportunity granted by fate, Zhao Sheng naturally would not let it pass by.


    Not knowing when he would emerge from seclusion, yet afraid of missing the time to retrieve the treasure,


    Zhao Sheng had no choice but to entrust the matter to Zhao Yongwu, then focused on entering seclusion to draw talismans.


    While Zhao Yongwu and his nephew were anxiously waiting, Zhao Sheng reached a critical moment.


    In the secret room, Zhao Sheng concentrated, holding the talisman pen, his strokes fluid and powerful on the talisman paper, and soon the paper was radiant with spirit light, and the shapes flickered forming a peculiar talismanic symbol.


    Mist inexplicably surged out of the air, hazy yet containing a chilling Sword Qi.


    This was a Fog Sword Talisman!


    It was a new type of First-Order Talisman that Zhao Sheng had created six months ago from the Waterdrop Sword Spell.


    Therefore, among all the talismans Zhao Sheng had mastered, his understanding and mastery of the Fog Sword Talisman was the deepest and most thorough.


    As soon as the talisman was completed, Zhao Sheng''s brushwork shifted, still a Fog Sword Talisman but not drawn elsewhere. Instead, it was drawn directly over the just completed talisman, retracing the runes in reverse. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To the untrained eye, there was nothing remarkable, but any expert who had studied talismanic magic for years would be astounded and speechless.


    When Zhao Sheng drew the talisman for the second time, the tip of his talisman pen surged with spirit light, tracing exactly over the already existing runes.


    This method seemed simple, but was as hard as reaching the heavens.


    If one did not know the secret technique, even spending thousands of years on it would be in vain.


    Once a talisman is completed, it naturally acquires spirit light.


    At this point, the talisman is no longer a mere pattern drawn with Spiritual Power, but rather, it resonates with yin and yang and the five elements, harnessing the natural spirituality of the universe.


    Introducing more Spiritual Power at this time is like carrying coals to Newcastle. If it cannot perfectly match the spirit within the forms, the conflicting spirits would cause the talisman to explode and fail.


    Just as there are no two exactly identical people in the world, each talisman is also unique; there are never exactly identical talismans.


    Even with the simplest Condensing Water Talisman, which talisman cultivator could guarantee remembering every detail by heart and when redrawing, replicate the previous brush force, Spiritual Power infusion, and precise positioning of the spiritual acupoints one hundred percent?


    Even if it were possible, the spiritual acupoints on the talisman were already set, leaving no "space" to carry more Spiritual Power.


    The significance of the Stacking Talisman Technique lies in its secret technique, which can expand the space of the spiritual acupoints and continuously strengthen it.


    After painting the second time, Zhao Sheng seemed addicted to drawing; the two rounds were complete, yet he did not pause. With a flick of his brush, he surprisingly began a third layer in the correct order again,


    Three times, four times... finally, after adding a total of nine layers, he stopped only when his spirit was exhausted.


    At this point, the Fog Sword Talisman could hardly be considered a first-order talisman anymore.


    The symbols on the talisman paper turned blurry within the dazzling spirit light, with thick spirit light gathering but not dispersing around the circumference of the talisman, creating a striking light halo. This talisman now looked more like a translucent jade talisman rather than a paper talisman.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the talisman in front of him and couldn''t help but throw his head back and laugh, "Haha, a year''s hard work has not been in vain, the Stacking Talisman Technique has finally succeeded."


    At that moment, he felt extremely reflective, the Stacking Talisman Technique''s demand for meticulous control over numerous details had reached an almost inhuman level.


    If it weren''t for "Bullet Time," with his talent, it would probably have taken him dozens to hundreds of years to master this talismanic secret technique.


    No wonder the Wushan Three Immortals could never learn it. If they could, it would really be a marvel.


    Later, Zhao Sheng composed himself, placed the mutated Fog Sword Talisman into his storage bag, changed into a new robe, and walked out of the Cultivation Room.


    Waiting in the backyard, Zhao Yongwu and his nephews immediately came forward to greet Zhao Sheng as he reappeared.


    After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhao Yongwu handed Zhao Sheng a wooden box that contained the Small Circulation Talisman Plate.


    "Uncle, this is the item you requested."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyes brightened, he hooked his finger and, with a snap, opened the wooden box.


    Inside the wooden box was an ancient bronze circular object.


    This dish-like item, made entirely of wind-abraded bronze, had an exterior shaped like a full circle of heaven, measuring only about a foot in diameter, yet it was divided into nine layers.


    On the surface of the plate, each layer had nine concentric circuits, capable of holding nine talismans each.


    The area of each layer was greater than the layer above it, with the lowest being about half the size larger than the topmost. In the very center of the talisman plate, there was a purposely left inch-wide hole, which was a spiritual acupoint for embedding spirit stones.


    Zhao Sheng picked up the talisman plate and joyfully said, "So this is what the Small Circulation Talisman Plate looks like, seeing is truly beyond hearing."


    A plate is a vessel for carrying objects and also signifies envelopment by the Heavenly Origin. The talisman plate, as the name suggests, is a magic artifact crafted in the manner of refining spell tools, used specifically for carrying talismans to connect with Spiritual Power.


    Simply put, it is a special tool used specifically by talisman cultivators for combat.


    Any cultivator knows that talismans are convenient to use and powerful.


    However, compared to other methods, the activation time for talismans is too long; the more powerful the talisman, the more complex it is, and the longer the activation time.


    Although talisman cultivators have countless techniques to accelerate spell casting, compared to other forms of attack¡ªsuch as flying swords, beast taming, and Divine Skills¡ªit is significantly slower.


    Before a spirit talisman is even released, an enemy''s flying sword may have already reached your neck.


    This kind of situation occurs almost daily in the Cultivation World.


    For all cultivators who master talismanic magic, this is a very real, life-threatening problem.


    Hence, the talisman plate was created.


    By preloading talismans onto the talisman plate, it keeps the talismans between an activated and unactivated state.


    When suddenly faced with combat, the cultivator only needs a flicker of thought to instantly activate the talismans on the talisman plate.


    This Small Circulation Talisman Plate has nine layers, each capable of carrying nine talismans.


    In other words,


    If faced with a life-and-death crisis, the holder of this plate could simultaneously activate up to eighty-one talismans, which is extremely formidable.


    The talisman plate has many advantages, but its greatest flaw makes countless financially embarrassed cultivators hesitate to approach it.

 Chapter 46 Returning to the Cloud Sea

    The talisman plate really burns through Spirit Stones!To maintain the talisman''s readiness for immediate activation, the talisman plate continuously consumes Spiritual Power every moment.


    The spiritual acupoint in the center of the talisman plate, where the Spirit Stone is embedded, is specifically designed for this purpose.


    A low-grade Spirit Stone can only last for one day, while a mid-grade Spirit Stone barely lasts for four months.


    A mid-grade Spirit Stone can be exchanged for a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones.


    By this calculation, the Small Circulation Talisman Plate consumes three mid-grade Spirit Stones a year.


    If the talisman plate is used in battle, its consumption drastically increases; sometimes, a single fight can completely deplete a low-grade Spirit Stone.


    Is Zhao Sheng, who can afford a talisman plate, a wealthy man?


    Clearly, he is not!


    But even if it meant spending all his wealth, Zhao Sheng needed to buy this Small Circulation Talisman Plate.


    Compared to life, mere Spirit Stones mean nothing.


    With the Small Circulation Talisman Plate, Zhao Sheng had mostly completed his preparations for entering the Death Treasure Land.


    Now, he only had two things left to do, no, perhaps just one: create talismans to earn Spirit Stones!


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng immediately stored the talisman plate in his Storage Bag and, after instructing Zhao Yongwu and his nephews to watch the shop, he turned back to the talisman making room.


    In the time that followed, besides his daily cultivation and sleep, Zhao Sheng spent most of his time furiously creating talismans.


    Whenever he produced a batch of First Rank talismans, he kept one-fifth to sell in his own shop, and sold the other four-fifths to the Treasure Talisman Pavilion.


    Zhao Sheng was not the least bit worried about the Treasure Talisman Pavilion bullying through its size.


    Because the Treasure Talisman Pavilion belonged to Master Treasure Talisman, one of the four Perfect Golden Core cultivators in Pocket World City, it was highly reputable for fair and just dealings and offered reasonable prices.


    In Pocket World City, many Loose Cultivators choose to sell their treasures to the Treasure Talisman Pavilion.


    Three months later, it was now late autumn, and the weather gradually grew colder.


    That afternoon, after Zhao Sheng had depleted his Spiritual Power, he stopped his talisman pen.


    Looking at the thick stack of Water Healing Talismans beside him, he nodded in satisfaction.


    With a thought, Zhao Sheng summoned the Hundred Lifetimes Book from the depths of his Divine Soul, opened the fourth Book Page, and his personal data instantly appeared in his mind:


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 20/97


    Realm: Qi Refining Third Layer


    Profession: First Rank Talisman Master


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skill]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystical Spirit Skill (Small Success)


    Spell: Spring Breeze and Rain Technique (Great Success), Waterdrop Sword (Great Success), Refraction Technique (Small Success), Water Vortex Shield (Small Success), Qinggong¡­


    Talisman Making: Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman (Great Success), Fog Sword Talisman (Refined), Invisibility Talisman (Small Success), Vast Feather Talisman (Small Success), Water Healing Talisman (Great Success)¡­


    Martial Arts: Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations (Unprecedented), Spring Rain Sword Technique (Unprecedented)


    This past year, Zhao Sheng''s data panel underwent significant changes, and, without notice, a new profession option had emerged.


    First Rank Talisman Master,


    This was the cultivation profession that suddenly appeared after he successfully created his tenth First Rank talisman.


    Furthermore, Zhao Sheng spent a month reviving his previous lifetime''s Qinggong and took the opportunity to create a new Innate Sword Skill called Spring Rain Sword.


    Spiritual Power is a higher level energy than Innate True Qi, naturally encompassing many characteristics of Innate True Qi.


    It can temporarily substitute for Innate True Qi, but not the other way around.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The door to the talisman making room was suddenly knocked.


    Zhao Sheng lifted his head, his tone slightly displeased, "What is it?"


    No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Yongwu''s voice came from outside, "Uncle, someone from the family has arrived; they are waiting for you in the living room."


    "Understood, I''ll be right there," Zhao Sheng replied, his eyebrows raising momentarily before he responded quickly.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng appeared in the living room and immediately saw Zhao Keqin sitting in a red chair.


    Seeing him, Zhao Sheng felt very surprised and couldn''t help asking, "Uncle Qin, what brings you to Pocket World City? Is there something the matter?"


    Zhao Keqin nodded and indicated, "I''m here indeed on an urgent matter to take care of."


    "What is it?" Zhao Sheng asked as he walked over and sat down in a red chair.


    Zhao Keqin suddenly sighed, a trace of helplessness in his voice, "I''m here to liquidate this shop and all its contents."


    Huh?!


    Zhao Sheng was startled upon hearing this and quickly said, "Has the family already become so distressed? Liquidating this entire shop wouldn''t even fetch a few thousand Spirit Stones, would it?"


    "I know, but right now the family is indeed facing great difficulties. Fourth Uncle needs a large amount of Spirit Stones for smoothing over relations. Without any choice, the family has to start by selling off external properties."


    Zhao Keqin''s mention of Fourth Uncle was referring to Zhao Jingang.


    As for what was meant by smoothing over relations, that was easy to understand.


    In the past two years, to renew the lease of Dragon Carp Lake, the Zhao family had to bribe certain "influential figures" within the Purple Sun Sect.


    Zhao Sheng knew that Chen Zichuan, a Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator, was at the top of those "influential figures."


    The main public relations target for Zhao Jingang was him.


    However, Zhao Sheng was very skeptical of Zhao Jingang''s approach.


    He didn''t have a good impression of Chen Zichuan, and this matter was likely to end up fruitless in the end.


    Zhao Sheng truly didn''t know what secret promises Chen Zichuan had made that had everyone in the second branch of the family so fully confident in him.


    Especially Zhao Jingang, who acted as if under some enchanting drug, continually sending various treasures Chen Zichuan''s way.


    There''s no winning against a stronger force!


    Seeing that the family had already made a decision, Zhao Sheng did not bother to ask further and immediately called for Zhao Yongwu and Zhao Xiaodong, nephew and uncle, and instructed them to follow Zhao Keqin''s directions.


    After discussing some recent family matters, Zhao Sheng quickly found an excuse to end the conversation.


    Three days later, while Zhao Keqin was busy looking for a suitable buyer for the shop, Zhao Sheng, dressed as a medicine collector, quietly left Pocket World City. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon finding a deserted cliffside, Zhao Sheng kicked against the rock face with his left foot, his body instantly soaring seven or eight zhang high.


    The next second, he stepped on a protruding stone with his right foot, and his body shot up another seven or eight zhang.


    Thus, with each kick and step, Zhao Sheng climbed swiftly along the rock face of Heavenly Pillar Mountain like a Spiritual Sheep, quickly surpassing a height of a thousand zhang before gradually shrinking into a black dot and disappearing into the mist.


    ...


    A quarter of an hour later, at a point where the mountain wall met the Cloud Sea, a nimble figure suddenly burst forth.


    Zhao Sheng stood on a diagonal ancient tree branch, looking down at the rolling Cloud Sea below, where the vast expanse of cloud and fog churned with thunder and wind, roaring like the tide


    Having not visited for hundreds of years, the Cloud Sea phenomenon of Heavenly Pillar Mountain seemed unchanged, still as magnificent and grand as ever.


    Breaking through the first layer of the Cloud Sea meant that he was now more than ten li above ground.


    The place Zhao Sheng was searching for was close to the second layer of the Cloud Sea, approximately around eighteen li high.


    The vast area between the first and second Cloud Sea was the "busiest" section of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng in his previous life had mainly lingered here.


    But to be honest, with thirty to forty years of experience as a medicine collector, Zhao Sheng still knew very little about this area.


    That was because the area was immensely vast; a few hundred li in radius placed here was as insignificant as a fingernail in comparison.

 Chapter 47 Tianzhu

    Four hours later, Zhao Sheng propped his limbs at the corners, squatting in a crack in the rock to rest for a while.Upon stepping onto this "hot land," Zhao Sheng had to be constantly vigilant,


    on one hand guarding against the venomous insects and demon beasts that hid among the rocks and vegetation, ready to attack at any moment.


    On the other, he had to keep well away from the Herbal Medicine Guests appearing in sight.


    But what he needed to be most cautious of was...


    Whoosh!


    A blur the size of a tabletop, accompanied by a piercing scream, whizzed past Zhao Sheng''s face, plummeting downward at nearly supersonic speed and shrinking to a speck before dropping into the depths of the Cloud Sea.


    Zhao Sheng broke out in a cold sweat, thankful that he was resting in the crevice, or else he would have been struck.


    Falling objects from high altitudes!


    The number one killer of medicine collectors at Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Every year, at least half of the medicine collectors are hit by falling objects and fall into the abyss, eventually dying without a whole body.


    You can imagine what happens to someone on the ground when a stone is dropped from ten thousand meters up in the sky.


    The height of Heavenly Pillar Mountain is unknown, and the danger of its falling rocks is many times greater than that above.


    However, heaven doesn''t seal off all exits.


    Fortunately, Heavenly Pillar Mountain also has the anomaly of the Cloud Sea Sky Gang, which intercepts a considerable part of these high altitude falling objects.


    It''s said that from the third level of the Cloud Sea Sky Gang upwards, each layer of the Cloud Sea was laid with extremely fierce Ancient Prohibitions by great beings of the ancient times.


    These Ancient Prohibitions possess sealing and isolating characteristics, capable of preventing people who don''t meet the criteria from entering the higher levels of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    As for intercepting high-altitude falling objects, that''s just an incidental addition.


    About half an hour later, Zhao Sheng was well rested.


    He nimbly wriggled out of the crevice, grabbed and pushed with his hands and feet, and in an instant, he scaled the rocky wall at great speed like a gecko flying through the air.


    Thirty feet,


    three hundred feet,


    three thousand feet,


    Zhao Sheng''s figure gradually vanished into the uneven rocky cliff sides.


    ...


    Half a day passed, and the Cloud Mist rose, bringing a piercing cold wind


    The far-off horizon, drunk with the setting sun, had sunk halfway down, and the vast Cloud Sea was steeped through, putting on a wine-red face.


    As the evening approached, Zhao Sheng looked up at the second layer of the Cloud Sea in the Upper Sky, estimating the altitude.


    Throughout the day, unbeknownst to him, he had climbed to a height of sixteen li.


    The rest of the journey would have to wait until tomorrow.


    Zhao Sheng glanced around and soon spotted a half man-high cave in a depression about a li away.


    With a few leaps and bounds, Zhao Sheng easily arrived at the cave.


    The cave was not large, just over ten feet deep, with plenty of debris on the floor and marks of human excavation on the walls.


    Zhao Sheng knew at a glance that this cave was a temporary dwelling excavated by medicine collectors.


    To this, he had long been accustomed.


    After millions of years of mining and digging, the surface of Heavenly Pillar Mountain was already covered with countless such man-made caves.


    And Heavenly Pillar Mountain, with its exceptional geomancy, reigns supreme over the Five Continents as the Holy Land for Loose Cultivators in the Cultivation World.


    Over millions of years,


    countless Loose Cultivators chose Heavenly Pillar Mountain as the final place for their sitting down.


    Most of the Secret Realm Netherworld Palace Relics within Heavenly Pillar Mountain came into existence this way.


    Thus, each year, many Netherworld Palace Relics emerge, attracting thousands of Cultivators to converge here.


    The reason why Pocket World City was able to grow and prosper has a lot to do with these "treasures."


    ...


    With a freezing cold and mist rising,


    after eating his dry food, Zhao Sheng carefully sealed the cave entrance and then went to bed early, and the night passed without incident.


    The next morning, Zhao Sheng cleansed his face with condensed water and quickly resumed his climb.


    Because the demon beasts and fierce birds that had stirred all night were beginning a new cycle of hiding during the day and emerging at night.


    Zhao Sheng''s journey next was exceptionally smooth.


    After only a quarter of an hour, he had climbed to a height of eighteen miles and then proceeded to traverse horizontally towards the east.


    An hour later, twenty miles behind him, Zhao Sheng arrived atop a protruding rock and was about to stop for a brief rest.


    Suddenly,


    his nose twitched.


    He then abruptly tilted his head back, eyes darting towards the upper reaches of the mountain wall to the east.


    There, on the mountain wall thirty yards away, grew a Cypress, half-dead, half-green.


    At this moment, in the rotten hole around the waist of the Cypress tree, was a Lingzhi, about a foot high and the size of a dinner plate, vividly indigo against the shade,


    catching the eye at first glance.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the Lingzhi and, the next second, as if he had not seen it, abruptly pushed off the ground with his feet, shooting forward like an arrow.


    After a dozen leaps, he had already run far away in the blink of an eye.


    At this time, the mountain wall beside the Cypress suddenly rippled like water.


    After several flickers, a gap suddenly opened in the wall and two pale-yellow heads poked out.


    They both looked in the direction where Zhao Sheng had fled, their faces filled with regret.


    "Big brother, did that kid discover us?" S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Impossible! The Illusion Array I set up is flawless; that kid is clearly a greenhorn, he definitely can''t see through it."


    "Big brother, we''ve been holed up here for seven or eight days. Can we move to a new location? There''s not a feather in sight; this place is so remote!"


    "Hmm, you make sense. Let''s leave."


    ...


    Elsewhere, Zhao Sheng clung to an old vine between sheer cliffs, swinging away into the distance.


    At the same time, he couldn''t help shaking his head and mocking under his breath, "What kind of blockheads! Out of all things to learn, they choose to fish like crooks. Didn''t they ask themselves if they had the skill for it?"


    Zhao Sheng had the least respect for these brainless "fishermen."


    You hide your body, at least take care of your smell too.


    What a piece of work!


    Your body odor is wafting thirty yards downwind. Tell me, who wouldn''t smell that!


    Two days later, after a trek of nearly a thousand miles, Zhao Sheng finally reached the junction of Yin and Yang on Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Another hour passed, and he found the landmark of the entrance from his previous life: a big green stone, three yards high.


    Standing on the big green stone, Zhao Sheng looked three to four yards away.


    All he could see was dense fog that seemed boundless, connecting the Green Darkness above and the Abyss below.


    Aside from the fog, there was nothing else in his sight.


    It was as if since time immemorial, an invisible Divine Weapon had cleaved Heavenly Pillar Mountain into two stark worlds¡ªone with clear skies as far as the eye could see, and the other shrouded in dense fog.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng slowly exhaled and took out an Invisibility Talisman from his Storage Bag, casually infusing it with Spiritual Power.


    As an imperceptible ripple washed over, cerulean light flashed around Zhao Sheng and was gone; then, the light flickered slightly and his figure gradually faded until at last, he "disappeared."


    If one were to look carefully, they could see a slight warp in the light where Zhao Sheng had been standing.


    Two breaths later, a human-shaped gap suddenly opened in the thick fog, but the surrounding fog quickly filled it back in, smoothing over the gap once more.


    Once inside Death Treasure Land, Zhao Sheng heightened his vigilance to the extreme, moving very slowly, ready to hide at the slightest rustle of movement.


    It''s always best to be cautious,


    as Zhao Sheng certainly didn''t want to die and go back without achieving his purpose after finally entering this place.


    Three hundred years had passed, and there had been significant changes here.


    All the "locations" of danger he had noted in his previous life were now void.


    Zhao Sheng could only search for landmarks while advancing with extreme caution.


    Fortunately, despite three hundred years, the landscape along the way hadn''t changed too much,


    so long as Zhao Sheng carefully avoided those fierce demon beasts and birds of prey, he would be fine.


    It''s hard to say how much time had passed when the "night" of Death Treasure Land fell.


    Faced with near absolute darkness, Zhao Sheng wisely chiseled into the mountainside, carved out a deep pit, and finally buried himself inside.


    Soon, the frost that condensed sealed the soil on the surface of the pit solid!

 Chapter 48 Green Blood Treasure Tree and Spirit Vein Traces

    Half a month later,Deep inside the thick fog, a recessed wallow in the mountain wall once again welcomed a visitor.


    Zhao Sheng, dusty and disheveled, tumbled into the slope. He sat down on the ground, gasping for breath.


    Ignoring everything else, he immediately swallowed a Spirit Origin Pill and tore a Water Healing Talisman to treat the wound on his arm.


    A deep gash had been torn open on his arm, from which blood ceaselessly flowed out.


    As the spiritual water adhered to the wound, the bleeding at the gash quickly stopped.


    He was really unlucky.


    Two hundred miles in fifteen days, during which he got lost dozens of times and faced dangers seventeen or eighteen times but had never been injured once.


    He had nearly completed 99% of the journey to Ling Mountain, just one step away.


    At the doorstep, he suffered an unwarranted disaster.


    Less than ten miles from the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden, on a cliff Zhao Sheng was walking well when two giant beasts suddenly fought above him on the cliff, collapsing the rocks and clay, which fell in sheets.


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t completely dodge and was struck by the falling rocks and dirt.


    Dusty and disheveled with a large gash on his arm.


    One word: Unfortunate!


    However, within moments, the gash on Zhao Sheng''s arm stopped bleeding and contracted rapidly, forming a layer of red crystal-like membrane, inside which new flesh began to grow.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, knew it was because of his self-healing constitution!


    His body recovered seven times faster than ordinary people.


    His heart was at ease!


    In an instant, dozens of strong medicinal scents entered Zhao Sheng''s nostrils.


    He couldn''t help but sneeze, yet suddenly burst into a wide smile.


    Zhao Sheng got up and took steps towards the Medicine Garden.


    ¡­


    As he shifted his gaze, under the dead trees, in the bushes, and in the crevices of stones, precious spirit medicines occasionally peeked out.


    But these were not enough to make Zhao Sheng stop.


    He headed straight for a side near the mountain wall.


    Walking a distance, he faced a flat piece of land cleared under the mountain wall, about half an acre in size.


    The land was neatly covered with various spirit medicines rare in the outside world.


    Dragon Transformation Fruit, Seven-Combined Jade Leaf, Jade Divine Flower, Nine Curves Ginseng, and Refining God Grass¡­


    Zhao Sheng had planted these rare spirit medicine seeds in his previous life, and they had already grown to maturity.


    The growth of these demanding spirit medicines could only be attributed to the miraculous effects of the medicinal mud.


    For this half-acre medicine field, Zhao Sheng had dug through the slope in those years, investing all the gathered medicinal mud into this land.


    Now, it seems, the effect was outstanding!


    Beyond these spirit medicines, the other half of the garden was planted with Purple Qi Mushroom, Blood Sword Grass, Dragonbane Fruit, and other original spirit medicines from the slope.


    He had transplanted them one by one.


    When transplanted, each had at least a few hundred years of medicinal age.


    Three hundred years had passed!


    Except for a few spirit medicines that withered after maturation, most of them were still growing well.


    Zhao Sheng counted and instantly grinned ear to ear.


    Glancing over, there were actually as many as three Red Fire Ganoderma aged over five hundred years in the medicine field.


    However, the Red Fire Ganoderma was not the most eye-catching,


    Zhao Sheng''s gaze involuntarily landed on the center of the medicine field.


    There, a seven-foot-tall spirit plant with the thickness of a wrist, whose branches and leaves were as clear as white jade and which was filled with a network of fibers throughout,


    Inside the fibers of the spirit plant, strands of green spirit liquid unceasingly flowed, looking incredibly mystical.


    It stood proudly in the center of the medicine field, overlooking the numerous surrounding spirit medicines like a crane among chickens.


    Upon seeing this spirit plant, Zhao Sheng immediately exclaimed, "White Jade Green Blood? A mutated Strange Spirit Branch!"


    Zhao Sheng had never expected that such a mere medicine field could nurture such a rare spirit plant in the world.


    The mutated Strange Spirit Branch, also known as the Green Blood Treasure Tree, was one of a million, truly rare in the world.


    It was one of the few strange treasures in the Cultivation World that disregarded rank and could even have a slight effect on a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    The Green Blood Spirit Liquid produced by the Green Blood Treasure Tree could purify the divine soul of a cultivator, whether you were a Divinity Transformation True Monarch or a Qi Refinement novice.


    This was incredible!


    Considering that a Divinity Transformation True Monarch represented the pinnacle of power in this realm.


    There were indeed few treasures in this world that could touch the hearts of these venerable beings.


    What more could be said about such a rare treasure capable of purifying the Primordial Spirit?


    In the Cultivation World, a similar treasure would have a starting price of at least 200,000 Spirit Stones.


    Previously, Zhao Sheng had won the hundred-year lease of Dragon Carp Lake for less than 60,000 Spirit Stones, adding an annual rent of 2,000 Spirit Stones.


    A hundred years summed up to only 260,000 Spirit Stones.


    That amount of Spirit Stones could only purchase a drop of Green Blood.


    Impatiently, Zhao Sheng walked over and carefully measured its height with his hands. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seven feet, three inches!


    "Pity it''s not nine feet!" Zhao Sheng sighed with a face full of regret.


    Eight feet counts as spiritual, nine feet transforms it into a treasure!


    Only when the Green Blood Treasure Tree exceeds nine feet does it qualify as a Treasure Tree.


    Because only Green Blood Treasure Trees over nine feet could significantly impact Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.


    Of course, this is not to say that Green Blood Trees under nine feet are useless, but their effects are minimal.


    Although Zhao Sheng felt profound regret, he still couldn''t contain his wild joy.


    A seven-feet tall Green Blood Tree was already precious enough.


    For the Zhao family, a Green Blood Treasure Tree over eight feet was not a treasure but a disaster that could lead to their downfall.


    Because such high-level Spirit Plants could attract countless Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    A seven-feet Treasure Tree corresponds to the Golden Core Level, just about the limit the Zhao family could handle.


    Hmm?


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng''s eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked down at the soil beneath the tree.


    He saw a thin layer of black sand-sized granules covering the area within three feet of the tree roots.


    This patch of "black sand" was clearly different from the surrounding Medicine Soil.


    "What is this...?"


    Zhao Sheng suddenly squatted down, pinched a handful of black sand, and smelled it under his nose.


    The smell was fishy, musky, yet had a slightly astringent taste.


    Could it be...


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes brightened suddenly, and he quickly put his finger in his mouth, stirring it a few times.


    The taste, the texture, all correct!


    There was no doubt, it was Spirit Soil.


    Zhao Sheng quickly stood up and looked around swiftly.


    Where there is Spirit Soil, there must be spirit worm nests.


    Because Spirit Soil is the excrement of spirit worms.


    Zhao Sheng quickly noticed the clues.


    Looking closely, one could see a thin black sand trail starting from the roots of the Green Blood Treasure Tree, extending all the way into the mountain, and finally disappearing into a pile of debris.


    Zhao Sheng walked over in a few steps and bent down to carefully observe the pile of debris.


    Suddenly, he sensed something was not right.


    It seemed... it seemed that the Spiritual Energy here was a bit richer than in the Medicine Field.


    Considering that spirit worms do not dwell in places without spirit and transform energy into soil.


    Zhao Sheng''s heart suddenly started pounding uncontrollably, and he couldn''t help but conceive a bold idea.


    Behind this pile of rubble... there might be a Spirit Vein hidden.


    His guess was not far-fetched.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain had many Spirit Veins of all grades.


    There was even a rumor that claimed that inside Heavenly Pillar Mountain lay the only Level 5 Spirit Vein in this realm, which was restrained by a great power tens of thousands of years ago.


    Some even assert that the other Spirit Veins in Heavenly Pillar Mountain are just extensions of this Level 5 Spirit Vein.


    Zhao Sheng knew this rumor was not groundless.


    To say nothing else,


    If there was not enough Spiritual Power support, how could the Ancient Prohibition above the Third Level Cloud Sea of Heavenly Pillar Mountain have persisted from ancient times to today without collapsing?


    This evident logic is clear to any intelligent person after a moment''s thought.


    Zhao Sheng was now caught in a sweet dilemma.


    At the moment, he did not know which to choose?


    Should he excavate the Spirit Vein first, or should he harvest the Spiritual Medicine first?


    After thinking it over, he turned and returned to the Medicine Field.


    Since the Spirit Vein wasn''t going anywhere, it seemed wiser to first harvest the Spiritual Medicine and secure it safely.

 Chapter 49 The Cold Wave of the Sky Pillar

    Half a day later, the Spiritual Medicine within the Medicine Field had become much sparser, and the ground was littered with pits and hollows.Zhao Sheng was extremely careful as he placed the last stalk of Red Fire Ganoderma into his Storage Bag.


    Then, he took out the spirit medicine seeds he had prepared in advance, carefully scattered them into the vacated spaces of the Medicine Field, and finally covered them with soil.


    After completing these tasks, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized he had encountered another thorny issue.


    What should he do with the Green Blood Treasure Tree?


    The space in his Storage Bag was limited; there was no way he could take it with him.


    To kill the goose that laid the golden eggs?


    Such folly, Zhao Sheng would never commit.


    As long as the Green Blood Treasure Tree was alive, it would continuously produce Green Blood.


    Steady gains were the true path to success!


    After pondering for a while, Zhao Sheng decided not to tamper with it for now.


    Not only that, but Zhao Sheng also temporarily extinguished the thought of extracting the Green Blood.


    Extracting Green Blood would greatly impact the tree''s growth.


    By then, Zhao Sheng had already harbored a greater ambition.


    If he waited until the next life...


    Thinking of the wonderful future, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but smile.


    Time, ah! It always stood on his side.


    After taking a short break, Zhao Sheng took a Crane Beak Shovel out of his Storage Bag and walked slowly to the front of the pile of rubble at the mountain wall.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    With a series of digging and tapping sounds, Zhao Sheng began his journey of excavation.


    The Spiritual Vein was bound to be hidden within the mountain.


    What Zhao Sheng needed to do now was to carve out a passage leading to the land of the Spiritual Vein.


    He had only been digging for a short while when Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped his actions, his expression turning somewhat shocked.


    Inside the mountain wall, there were also thick roots growing?


    They seemed to be the remaining roots of an incredibly huge and mysterious tree.


    Moreover, judging by the direction of the roots, they appeared to be growing towards the Spirit Vein.


    To verify this thought, Zhao Sheng actively chose to dig into the mountain following the direction of the roots.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng had excavated a tunnel three zhang deep and high enough for a person to stand upright.


    Standing at the end of the tunnel, Zhao Sheng could feel a slight increase in the concentration of Spiritual Energy around him.


    Although slight, it was distinguishable.


    As it turned out, his guess was not wrong.


    As the excavation went deeper, Zhao Sheng vexedly discovered that the roots within the mountain were becoming more dense, often obstructing his digging.


    Despite this, Zhao Sheng carefully avoided these roots.


    Because the roots here not only looked "fresher" than those on the slope but also faintly exuded a hint of vitality.


    This made Zhao Sheng exceptionally surprised.


    A certain idea he once had in a previous life once again surged within his heart.


    ...


    A month later,


    Zhao Sheng emerged from the tunnel entrance covered in dust, dumping the rubble from his Storage Bag onto a large pile of rocks beside the cave.


    After a month of continuous digging, the tunnel had exceeded a hundred zhang in length. However, the Spiritual Vein was still nowhere to be seen. The only difference was a significant increase in the concentration of Spiritual Energy, almost matching the core of Dragon Carp Lake''s Spirit Vein.


    All signs indicated that the grade of this Spiritual Vein was higher than that of Dragon Carp Lake''s, and it might even be a Second Order Spiritual Vein.


    After dumping the rocks, Zhao Sheng was about to return to the cave when he suddenly heard a series of dull rumbles coming from the Cloud Mist above his head. It was like the continuous booming of thunder during a thunderstorm, the sound of the thunder approaching oppressively.


    "What''s going on?"


    Zhao Sheng''s expression turned to one of surprise as he felt an ominous premonition.


    At that moment, he suddenly heard a series of soft cracking sounds coming from the mountain wall, as if something was being frozen.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng felt the outside temperature drop sharply, and then he saw frost rapidly forming on the mountain wall.


    As a piercing screech suddenly passed by his ear, a cold stream rushed down from the fog above, grazing Zhao Sheng''s scalp and striking the mountain wall in an instant.


    In the blink of an eye, a large patch of thick white frost had formed on the nearby wall.


    The temperature of the cold stream was extremely low, the chill piercing to the bone, causing Zhao Sheng''s face to go numb and his hands and feet to stiffen from the cold.


    Zhao Sheng''s complexion changed drastically, and he exclaimed in alarm, "Not good! The cold wave has arrived early this year."


    At this moment, the surrounding fog began to churn chaotically, with countless cold whirlwinds descending from the upper sky, continuously stirring the dense fog.


    The temperature dropped drastically once again,


    Zhao Sheng saw countless white ice particles suddenly forming in the fog, fluttering down, looking very much like snow.


    But he knew well that these ice particles were far "colder" than snow.


    As the temperature dropped to freezing point, the density of the surrounding fog decreased sharply.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly found that his vision had never been so clear.


    Yet he wished none of this had happened.


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the upper sky, only to see his line of sight engulfed by an endless white.


    What made his heart skip a beat was a white line emerging from the higher Cloud Sea, descending from above, extending left to right with no end in sight.


    The white cold wave was boundless, crushing everything in its path with an unstoppable momentum.


    Given the height of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, cold drafts and cold waves were not unusual; this was a reflection of Heavenly Pillar Mountain''s unique climate.


    But each year when the cold wave arrived, there were signs to follow, nothing like the suddenness of today.


    The chilling air should naturally descend, but the cold streams of Heavenly Pillar Mountain were known for their chaos,


    under the disturbance of raging vortices in the sky, countless cold streams turned into chilling "Ice Spears," stabbing thousands of feet deep, whistling through the enveloping cloud mist.


    Such a grand spectacle was beyond imagination for anyone who had not witnessed it with their own eyes.


    This was a natural disaster!


    Not something mankind could stop!


    Just as Zhao Sheng was about to take refuge in a cave, the demon beasts living in the area also sensed the imminent cold wave.


    These normally fearless and ferocious creatures seemed to be terrified of the cold wave. They scrambled to escape, either jumping down or hiding in rock crevices and caves,


    Regardless of their choice, all were trying to avoid this natural disaster.


    In the blink of an eye, the number of creatures in Zhao Sheng''s sight had halved.


    Yet there was an unfortunate few that couldn''t avoid the brunt of the cold wave and were engulfed by it midway through their escape.


    "This is a huge problem!"


    "Truly a huge problem!"


    Elsewhere on Heavenly Pillar Mountain, but on the sunny side, numerous medicine collectors looked up at the snowflakes drifting from the sky, all with drastically changed expressions and shock in their hearts.


    Cultivators were often superstitious.


    Most believed the cold wave of Heavenly Pillar Mountain wouldn''t come early without reason, especially three months early.


    It was surely an omen. Something drastic must have happened in the upper layers of the Cloud Sea on Heavenly Pillar Mountain,


    perhaps a great disaster was about to strike, or maybe a new Secret Realm had emerged!


    On the other side, in the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden, Zhao Sheng was quickly wrapping up his work.


    At this moment, the surrounding fog had been blown into ice particles by the cold air, wildly dancing in the wind with a suffocating chill.


    The cold wave advanced at an incredibly fast pace, and countless demon beasts were engaged in a frenzied slaughter for their Life Path.


    As he approached the cave, Zhao Sheng turned back for a glance and saw a sky full of blood, scales, and feathers, with countless large and small demon beasts and demon birds frantically fleeing and fighting in the air, their roars and cries reverberating through the Cloud Sky.


    Bang, bang!


    Zhao Sheng quickly moved a pile of rubble, firmly blocking the entrance to the cave.


    Soon, the inside of the cave was pitch dark, and he could not see his hand in front of him.


    Pop!


    After a soft sound, a fist-sized fireball suddenly appeared in Zhao Sheng''s palm,


    brightening the cave instantly.


    With light, people instinctively relax.


    Listening to the distant howls and screeches coming from outside the cave, Zhao Sheng''s tense mood surprisingly calmed down. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He quickly started a fire, using it to resist the surrounding cold environment.

 Chapter 50 Cloud Dragon

    Three days later, Zhao Sheng felt the temperature inside the cave rise rapidly.He knew the cold wave had passed.


    So, he stood up and walked outside.


    Moments later, a pile of rubble beside a mountain wall on the slope was pushed aside, and Zhao Sheng emerged from the cave.


    However, the next moment, his spirit was greatly shocked, and his body suddenly stiffened.


    At this moment, his gaze was directly meeting the slowly rising head of a giant ape at the edge of the slope.


    Disaster!


    I''m going to die!


    Zhao Sheng internally screamed in panic.


    The giant ape he was staring at was quite familiar to him.


    In his previous life, he had witnessed its fierce power more than once.


    Naturally born with four arms and unrivalled divine power, it was indeed a Four-Armed Fierce Ape with the strength of Foundation Establishment.


    But as the massive body of the Four-Armed Fierce Ape emerged like a giant elephant, Zhao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, just relieved it didn''t attack immediately.


    He knew this type of fierce beast well; as long as one didn''t provoke it, and depending on if it had eaten, the Four-Armed Fierce Ape generally wouldn''t launch an attack on its own.


    Now, it appeared the fierce ape harbored no intention to kill.


    But one thing was very strange.


    Why did he feel that the fierce ape''s eyes were filled with fear?


    It was as if it were afraid of him.


    As that thought lingered, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt a darkness above him, and in the blink of an eye, a large shadow appeared on the ground.


    The next second, Zhao Sheng''s eyes widened in shock.


    Above the head of the Four-Armed Fierce Ape, a silver giant claw suddenly pressed down. The claw had four toes, each with sharp nails sharp as knives.


    This claw was extremely large. The ape''s head was already as large as a washbasin, but the five long, sharp claws still effortlessly enclosed the giant head.


    With just a gentle squeeze, the fierce ape let out no sound as its head burst into pieces.


    Red and white mixed blood plasma sprayed out, the blood from the neck of the Four-Armed Fierce Ape shot up two yards high, splashing a large patch on the ground.


    The smell of blood instantly permeated the air, and Zhao Sheng''s breathing abruptly stopped.


    At that moment, an extremely massive body slowly appeared in his sight.


    The first thing to appear was a huge head


    The body of the Four-Armed Fierce Ape was as large as a giant elephant, but this head was even larger by a measure.


    Let alone the massive body beneath the head, which appeared intermittently through the fog, stretching dozens of yards like a mountain.


    The two were simply incomparable.


    When Zhao Sheng eventually saw the full appearance of this giant beast, he immediately gasped in shock.


    The head of this massive beast was like that of a camel, with a broad forehead and a three-foot-long silver "short horn," and a crocodile-like massive mouth with fangs, thick lips bordered with two long flaps of flesh fluttering in the wind,


    From the neck down, layer upon layer of silver white scales spread out, stretching down to its tail.


    Besides, beneath the long body which stretched dozens of yards, grew four sturdy hind limbs like deer legs, each ending with sharp claws.


    Below the massive beast, a large expanse of cloud mist swirled, as if lifting it, yet seemingly just an embellishment.


    Clouds from the dragon, wind from the tiger!


    Such a spectacle, only one type of powerful creature in the Cultivation World could possess.


    "How could it be a Cloud Dragon! Aren''t they always found only above the Fourth Level Cloud Sea?"


    Zhao Sheng was incredibly frightened and almost cried out.


    The Cloud Dragon was an overlord-level life form of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, each capable of rivaling a Golden Core. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was unclear whether it was fortunate or not, but the high-level Dragon Serpent didn''t care about the small insects on the slope; it merely stretched its huge body upwards, occupying most of the area.


    Fortunately, the body of the Dragon Serpent was suspended in the air.


    If it had been on the ground, the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden would have been completely destroyed, leaving Zhao Sheng nowhere to cry.


    Zhao Sheng deeply regretted his carelessness.


    He knew that after the cold wave, various powerful demon beasts often broke through the Cloud Sea Heavenly Gang to appear at lower levels.


    Yet, he didn''t pay attention and carelessly left the cave.


    Now, it seemed an unforgivable mistake.


    But regret was too late now; Zhao Sheng decisively suppressed any unnecessary thoughts and took small steps backward, preparing to seize the opportunity to quietly slip back into the cave.


    Zhao Sheng now only hoped that the Cloud Dragon had not noticed him.


    However, in the next instant, a low and majestic dragon roar exploded, sending an endless, overwhelming terror which swept towards Zhao Sheng.


    With a "buzz", Zhao Sheng faced the roar at close distance, and it was like being hammered on the head by a ten-thousand-pound sledgehammer. His thoughts stalled as he didn''t even have the chance to activate Bullet Time.


    In that instant, he even thought his brain would burst out. His body could not bear it and was thrown backward, hitting a stone wall at the end of the slope before finally stopping.


    Vomit!


    After struggling to get up, Zhao Sheng felt his blood churning and couldn''t help but vomit a large amount of blood filled with pink bubbles, which also contained fragments of his internal organs.


    The Golden Core-Level Cloud Dragon was terrifyingly powerful; just a residual wave had seriously injured him.


    Facing such a dire situation, Zhao Sheng instead calmed down.


    If he must die, there''s still the next life.


    Barely opening his eyes, Zhao Sheng spat out the blood accumulated in his chest and stomach. He leaned against the cliff and struggled to stand up.


    Meanwhile, he took out a bottle of Revitalizing Pills and, without hesitation, tilted his head back and poured the entire bottle of Elixir Pills into his mouth.


    At this moment, the fog above suddenly surged continuously. Zhao Sheng abruptly turned his head, only to be dazzled once more.


    He only saw dense fog descending from high above, splitting to form a narrow crack, and then a brilliant sword rainbow came breaking through the sky. At the moment the Cloud Dragon roared, it shot into the dragon''s spine and disappeared.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng hear a faint sound of sword chant, seemingly coming from beyond the heavens.


    A miserable roar followed immediately in the dense fog.


    Then, the Cloud Sea tumultuously parted, the Dragon Serpent blood-stained, a two-yard-long, bone-exposing wound split open along its back.


    Zhao Sheng finally realized that someone had attacked the Cloud Dragon, and it must be an incredibly powerful figure.


    While Zhao Sheng was very curious about the identity of the newcomer, that was not the point.


    Without trying to discern the appearance of the newcomer, he pushed off the ground and shot like an arrow back into the cave.


    Upon entering the cave, Zhao Sheng''s right hand reached into his Storage Bag, and in the next second, the Small Circulation Talisman Plate appeared in his palm.


    In a flash of thought, eighteen talismans on two separate levels of the plate simultaneously ignited.


    Golden Armor, Water Vortex Shield, stone wall... Over a dozen Defensive Spells instantly sealed the cave entrance.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng relaxed, but immediately after, his vision darkened, and he passed out.


    He didn''t know how much time had passed when Zhao Sheng slowly woke up, suddenly stiffening.


    At that moment, a subtle fragrance entered his nostrils and lingered.


    A moment later, a pleasing and melodious female voice asked, "You''re awake?"


    Zhao Sheng steadied his spirit, opened his eyes, and turned his head to look.


    The first thing he saw was a swath of lustrous white skirt hem, weighed down by a Jade Sword at the corner of the skirt.


    Moving his gaze upward, Zhao Sheng saw a plain satin ribbon lightly tied around a waist, the plain clothing embroidered with elegant and delicate patterns, details of which he could not discern at the moment.

 Chapter 51 The beautiful woman rides the dragon away, her fairy-like figure fills the Heart Lake

    Zhao Sheng couldn''t keep staring; his gaze once again moved upwards and met a pair of eyes as clear as water.To be honest, his emotions had just begun to stir, and he had entertained some far-flung thoughts.


    But facing those bright eyes, his little schemes vanished in an instant.


    For he saw that within those clear eyes flowed a chilling Sword Qi that seemed calm like a still well, yet possessed a power that sent shivers down one''s spine.


    Zhao Sheng immediately rose to his feet, placing his hand on his forehead and bowing deeply, expressing his gratitude, "I will never forget this life-saving grace. I am Zhao Sheng, may I dare to ask for your esteemed name?" Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng was being quite presumptuous, but the person across from him didn''t seem to mind and responded indifferently, "Purple Sun Yue Qinghan."


    Zhao Sheng searched through his memory, but could not find the name Yue Qinghan among the Golden Core Masters of the Purple Sun Sect.


    Since when did the Purple Sun Sect have a Golden Core female cultivator?


    After repeating the name in his mind twice, Zhao Sheng pondered how to continue the conversation.


    However, the female cultivator asked first, "Did you cultivate the medicine field outside?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was startled, and after a moment''s thought, he inwardly cursed.


    He quickly looked up, but because he was positioned below her, he suddenly saw Yue Qinghan''s fair neck and collarbone, her jade-like skin glowing through her thin veil, casting a dazzling light.


    Indeed, she was mesmerizing!


    But Zhao Sheng promptly averted his gaze, not daring to disrespect the beauty.


    Having lived many lives, Zhao Sheng had never seen a beauty as transcendently ethereal as Yue Qinghan.


    To call her peerlessly beautiful might be an exaggeration, but her demeanor was like that of a fairy descended to the mortal world, a sight he had seen only a few times in his lifetimes.


    Zhao Sheng forcibly suppressed his thoughts, and bowing respectfully, he said, "True Immortal Yue, that medicine field was indeed cultivated by me."


    Upon hearing this, Yue Qinghan straightforwardly said, "Very well, I will take that Green Blood Treasure Tree. What do you wish in return? Speak freely."


    "So it is," thought Zhao Sheng.


    But before he could respond, he felt his body lighten, and suddenly a powerful force enveloped him.


    The view before his eyes blurred instantly, accompanied by a slight dizziness.


    When Zhao Sheng''s feet were firmly on the ground again, he found himself next to the medicine field.


    He had just collected his thoughts, but was immediately startled by what he saw.


    The slope had collapsed significantly, leaving only the medicine field and a small area next to the cliff faces intact.


    Apart from that, Zhao Sheng also saw a high-level Cloud Dragon, barely alive, floating in the cloud mist outside the cliff, its body covered in deep wounds exposing its bones, with fierce Sword Intent bursting forth from these wounds, hindering the Cloud Dragon''s self-healing.


    But this Cloud Dragon dared not flee, for around its neck was a Dragon-locking Ring that sparkled with dazzling Thunder Light.


    Clearly, it had been subdued by Yue Qinghan.


    Zhao Sheng merely glanced once, not daring to look further, fearful that the Cloud Dragon''s wrath might turn towards him.


    His slight frame could certainly not withstand the fury of the Cloud Dragon.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head away, yet was captivated by the beauty once more.


    Before him, Yue Qinghan stood with her skirt flowing, surrounded by swirling mist, her back to an endless sea of fog, her body radiant and her skin luminous, appearing like a heavenly being.


    In that instant, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized he would probably never forget this scene for as long as he lived.


    He lowered his eyelids, concealing the palpitations in his heart, and then said, "True Immortal, if you covet it, please take it. Such worldly items cannot compare to the great grace of saving my life."


    At this, a hint of a smile briefly appeared on Yue Qinghan''s face, but it was quickly replaced by her usual serene expression.


    She shook her head, and the Jade Pearl in her cloud hairpin swayed as well, "I never owe anyone Cause and Effect."


    Yue Qinghan was a Sword Cultivator of the Heart Sword Stream, and her mental state had reached the realm of Sword Heart Clarity.


    An ancient monk once left behind four lines of admonition: "The body is the Bodhi tree, the mind is like a bright mirror''s stand; always strive to clean it, lest dust should land."


    Although this admonition didn''t entirely align, it revealed some deeper truths.


    For the Sword Cultivators of the Heart Sword Stream, Cause and Effect were the "dust."


    Only a sword undefiled by dust can sever the eternities.


    To sever Cause and Effect, to sever worldly connections!


    These six words applied to Yue Qinghan and other Sword Cultivators of the Heart Sword Stream could not be more fitting.


    Zhao Sheng certainly didn''t know Yue Qinghan''s temperament; he thought the other was simply being modest.


    But after seeing Yue Qinghan''s clear and bright eyes, Zhao Sheng fell silent.


    He lowered his head and pondered for a while.


    When he looked up again, he still shook his head, very sincerely saying, "I am a very greedy person. I want too many things, but for the moment, I don''t know what I really want. If the True Immortal does not like owing others due to cause and effect, then please bestow a few treasures at your leisure. As long as the True Immortal feels we are even, it will be fine."


    After listening, Yue Qinghan''s bright eyes finally showed a flicker of emotion.


    Her expression changed slightly for the first time as she directly faced the person before her and said, "You are very honest! Such a temperament is very suitable to be a Sword Cultivator, perhaps consider switching to the Sword Dao in the future."


    Er,


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng was stunned.


    "Does this mean she wants to take him as a disciple?"


    But upon seeing her expression clearly, Zhao Sheng immediately dismissed this thought.


    Clearly, this Golden Core Sword Practitioner had no intention of taking disciples.


    It was merely that her temperament was as clear and pristine as a sword, saying whatever came to her mind.


    After thinking it over, Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, "I also like swords, but I have no intention of becoming a Sword Cultivator."


    "What a pity!"


    After saying this, Yue Qinghan took off the Jade Sword pendant at the hem of her skirt and handed it to Zhao Sheng, simultaneously saying, "I have no suitable treasure on me. This Jade Sword can serve as a token. If you think of what you truly want later, you can take it and find me at Purple Sun Sect."


    Zhao Sheng accepted the Jade Sword, bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, True Immortal, for bestowing the token. I will remember this."


    Yue Qinghan quickly excavated the Green Blood Treasure Tree, taking both the soil and the tree.


    Having done this, she whispered, "Your spirit land here is very rare, be careful not to expose it."


    Additionally, "Heavenly Pillar Mountain has already become a land of dispute. Many from various sects will soon arrive here. It might even turn chaotic. You better come out with me."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng hesitated for a moment then gritted his teeth and said, "The True Immortal means well, and I am grateful, but I still have unfinished business and do not plan to leave now."


    Once the cold wave arrives, Heavenly Pillar Mountain will be difficult to scale.


    If he left now, it would be at least half a year before he could re-enter the mountain.


    And even upon re-entering, it might not be as smooth as this time.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t want to risk his life unnecessarily, betting on the vast expanse of Heavenly Pillar Mountain remaining undiscovered.


    He had a great chance of winning the bet, because the slope was indeed extremely concealed, otherwise it wouldn''t have remained undiscovered for hundreds of years.


    "If that''s the case, you must take good care of yourself,"


    said Yue Qinghan, preparing to leave.


    However, just before leaving, she suddenly tossed him something, simultaneously saying, "Since you also like the sword, you might as well reflect more on this item in the future."


    Zhao Sheng caught the flying object and saw that it was a Bright Pearl. Inside the Bright Pearl, a figure holding a sword flashed by, and its surface exuded strands of Sword Intent spirit.


    As Zhao Sheng observed the Jade Pearl, Yue Qinghan gracefully flew to the Dragon Serpent''s head, pressing her jade hand on the Dragon Horn.


    Ao!


    With a thunderous roar that pierced the Cloud Sky, a large swath of Cloud Mist suddenly burst forth from beneath the Dragon Serpent.


    The cloud mist rose, and the Dragon Serpent along with the female cultivator soared to the sky,


    suddenly flashing and vanishing into the boundless sea of fog.


    "This is what a true Cultivator is!"


    Zhao Sheng deeply felt that only a character like Yue Qinghan, who rode dragons with Sword Control and floated like a fairy, was the goal he should pursue.


    People like Wei Wuwo and Chen Zichuan were nothing but wretches, unfairly tarnishing the name of Cultivators!


    Yet he didn''t know in what life he would reach such a realm.


    Zhao Sheng gazed at the sky with a long sigh, involuntarily lamenting the arduous and lengthy journey of Ascension.


    Falling silent for a long while, he suddenly heaved a long sigh that had barely ended before he burst into hearty laughter.


    In his laughter, the transcendent female cultivator who brought dragons down with her sword transformed into a beacon on his path of Ascension, awaiting his crossing.


    Only, he wondered whether the beauty would still be there by the time he reached that point.

 Chapter 52 Eternal Life Without Death, Transcending a Hundred Tribulations to Become a True Dragon

    The beauty had left, and Zhao Sheng turned to return to the cave.Just then, he suddenly exclaimed in surprise and quickly walked to a rock wall beside the cave.


    Zhao Sheng reached his right hand into a crevice in the rock wall and forcefully pulled out a huge claw, "sharp as a knife."


    The lower half of the claw was attached to a bloody chunk of flesh, which still had two broken scales hanging from it.


    The upper half of the claw, however, was a half-human height, knife-like sharp claw.


    Needless to say, this was something left behind by the unfortunate Cloud Dragon.


    Zhao Sheng held the claw and looked around.


    Only then did he notice that the Cloud Dragon had indeed left behind quite a few "good things."


    On the slope and nearby rock walls, one could see patches of thick, crimson, and fragrant Dragon Serpent True Blood.


    Between rocks and on the slope, there were also bits of Dragon Serpent Blood and Flesh, hanging in small, varying sizes, and occasionally there were intact or broken Dragon Serpent Scales.


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed by the sight,


    For the Dragon Serpent, being one of the top True Dragon Species, every part of its body was a treasure.


    The Dragon Serpent Core was a top-grade spiritual item used for refining Golden Cores. Its blood and flesh could be used for alchemy and extracting essence blood, and its scales, claws, and bones could be used for artifact refining. Even dragon feces could deter lower-grade demon beasts.


    The value of the blood, flesh, and scales fallen from a Golden Core Level Dragon Serpent can be imagined.


    Zhao Sheng toiled for the better part of the day to "cleanse" the slope and the surrounding rock walls.


    Without suitable containers, he simply carved out two large tubs from stone to separately store the Dragon Serpent True Blood and broken flesh and scales.


    As for the claw, Zhang Sheng used his flying sword, a magic artifact, and spent nearly half an hour cutting the claw and the connected bone and flesh apart.


    Only a four-foot-long Dragon Claw could barely fit into the Storage Bag.


    After moving the two large tubs into the cave to hide, Zhao Sheng''s suppressed injury finally flared up again.


    His complexion changed, and after barely sealing the cave entrance, he immediately swallowed a Healing Elixir, then sat cross-legged and began channeling Spiritual Power to gradually repair the cracks in his internal organs.


    ...


    Time flew; in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.


    Now, Heavenly Pillar Mountain grew colder by the day, with frequent cold surges that made numerous herb gatherers wail in distress, forcing them to descend the mountain early and wait for the next year''s thaw.


    Therefore, Heavenly Pillar Mountain had "cooled down," and almost no one could be seen in the area between the first and second levels of the Cloud Sea.


    Conversely, the area from the third level of the Cloud Sea upwards was very "lively."


    Occasionally, one could see Golden Core Masters either riding Magical Treasures, taming beasts, or simply arriving at Heavenly Pillar Mountain on Cloud Boats.


    Most Golden Core Masters upon arrival would directly fly above the third level of the Cloud Sea.


    Only a few would go to Pocket World City to look for acquaintances, gauge the situation, and then prepare to head toward some mysterious realm.


    Zhao Sheng knew nothing of the outer world''s hustle and bustle, nor did he care to pay attention.


    In the tunnel, Zhao Sheng wielded a Crane Pickaxe, each swing chipping off a chunk of stone.


    He was vigorously engaged in the work.


    Since his internal injury had fully healed twenty days ago, Zhao Sheng had devoted most of his energy to the tunnel excavation.


    Over half a month, the tunnel had extended more than double its length.


    And the concentration of Spiritual Energy around it had increased at an astonishing rate, already far surpassing the highest level of the Spirit Vein at Dragon Carp Lake.


    In the past two days, Zhao Sheng had a growing premonition that they were about to reach the end of the tunnel.


    Another four hours passed, and as Zhao Sheng''s pickaxe struck the stone wall, he suddenly felt a lightness in his hands. Looking again, he saw that most of the Crane Pickaxe had buried itself into a dark hole.


    "Haha, we''ve finally broken through!"


    Unable to contain his excitement, Zhao Sheng hurriedly pulled out the Crane Pickaxe and chiseled away more than a dozen times, expanding the hole in front of him to a size big enough for a person to enter.


    Staring into the pitch-black, unknown cave ahead, Zhao Sheng removed a Light Ball from the stone wall and threw it into the cave.


    As the Light Ball settled inside, Zhao Sheng, using the light, could clearly see the features of the cave.


    What surprised him was that the cave was quite spacious, with a diameter exceeding 30 feet.


    The surrounding rock walls, except where tree roots had split them, were very smooth; overall, the cave looked like a cylindrical tunnel that could easily accommodate a heavy truck driving through it.


    "This is...!"


    Seeing this anomaly, Zhao Sheng slowly furrowed his brows, suddenly recalling a secret he had heard about in Pocket World City. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The spirit worm has a king, its name Mountain Dragon. As large as mountains, its Nascent Soul is not easily deceived. Immortal yet not undying, through a hundred tribulations, it transforms into a True Dragon!"


    Zhao Sheng murmured to himself, "Could this tunnel have been drilled by a Mountain Dragon?"


    He didn''t believe that this tunnel had formed naturally.


    Apart from the Mountain Dragon, Zhao Sheng could think of no other powerful demon beast that could move freely through more than 200 feet of mountain depth and drill such a massive tunnel.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng cautiously made his way along the tunnel.


    He was fully armed, holding the Small Circulation Talisman Plate in his right hand, and grasping a dim green little arrow in his left; three Water Vortex Shields floated in front of him, and he was covered by two layers of Golden Light Armor.


    The tunnel was not completely horizontal, but sloped downward at a thirty-degree angle.


    By then, he had noticed that the mysterious tree roots were markers; they not only grew along the tunnel but their direction was also consistent with that of the Spirit Vein.


    After walking about three or four miles, Zhao Sheng suddenly found the scene before him opening up, as an underground cave abruptly appeared in front of him.


    This cave covered an area of several acres, with a concentration of Spiritual Energy so high that he had never seen it in his life.


    He could confirm that this concentration of Spiritual Energy was comparable to that of a Second Order Spiritual Vein.


    However, Zhao Sheng''s focus wasn''t on this.


    At that moment, he was shocked by the sight in front of him.


    In the vast cave, countless python-like tree roots burst through the stone walls, hanging densely all around.


    All the roots ended up embedded in the body of a huge snake-shaped creature in the center of the cave.


    The Golden Core Cloud Jiao he had seen before was already considered a giant creature, but compared to this colossal being before him, it was nothing more than a small loach.


    Upon first sight, Zhao Sheng was absolutely certain that this colossal being was the Mountain Dragon, no doubt about it.


    Not just because it looked like a countless times enlarged earthworm, not just because he saw nests of spirit worms drilling in and out of its body.


    The most important reason was the aura it emitted, very similar to that of the Cloud Jiao, resembling the Dragon Might.


    Even though this Mountain Dragon had been dead for countless years, the unique, natural pressure of a High-level Dragon Species still lingered, constantly intimidating his spirit.


    Zhao Sheng pushed aside the obstructing tree roots and slowly walked towards the Mountain Dragon.


    As he drew closer, he was increasingly struck by the massive size of the Mountain Dragon''s body. He also felt profoundly moved, lamenting that a powerful creature favored by the heavens such as the Mountain Dragon could also not withstand the Dragon Transformation Tribulation.


    "Immortal yet not undying, through a hundred tribulations, it transforms into a True Dragon!"


    Looking at the Mountain Dragon''s remains, now transformed into rock, Zhao Sheng''s expression was full of regret, murmuring almost inaudibly, "...in which tribulation did you perish?"

 Chapter 53 Zhaos Secret Department

    In the mountains, without a calendar, the end of the cold season does not reveal the year.Since the cold tide sealed off the mountain, the temperature on Heavenly Pillar Mountain has been dropping day by day.


    The Yin Side Mist Sea often has ice crystals falling from the sky, which the cold wind blows onto the cliff faces. Over time, Heavenly Pillar Mountain has become covered in white snow.


    Inside the Earth Dragon Cave, Zhao Sheng, sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes, filled with frustration.


    He fiercely pounded the Mountain Dragon Remains behind him several times and then abruptly stood up from the ground.


    What does it feel like to leave a treasure mountain empty-handed?


    He truly knew that feeling now!


    Although the Spiritual Energy in the Mountain Dragon Cave was extremely rich, why...


    "Ah, why is it all Earth Element Spiritual Energy?" Zhao Sheng yelled, somewhat frantically.


    Being alone for too long inevitably leads to losing control of one''s emotions.


    Zhao Sheng, so angry he was almost rampaging, took out the Dragon Serpent Claw Knife from his Storage Bag and started to hack wildly at the Mountain Dragon Remains.


    After venting his emotions, Zhao Sheng sheathed the claw knife and took a step forward. He bent down and gathered the chopped remains into a pile, then carried it to a stone jar not far away.


    Years later, today, the remnants of this Mountain Dragon have turned to dust and stone, losing most of their spiritual essence.


    But to Zhao Sheng''s surprise, he found that these "dust and stones" could actually be used as Medicine Soil. Although it was inferior to Medicinal Mud, it was comparable to Spirit Soil.


    Therefore, after repeated failures in cultivation, Zhao Sheng took up a side job as a medicine farmer, spending a considerable amount of time each day in the Medicine Field.


    Loosening the soil, watering, spreading Medicine Soil, relocating Spirit Worms... he did all the work he could think of.


    What else could he do?


    With the mountain sealed by the cold tide and cultivation not an option, he had to find something to do.


    Talisman painting?


    He would have liked to, but his Spiritual Power did not allow it.


    As for the few Spirit Origin Pills he had saved up before entering the mountain, they were all consumed a month ago.


    However, these hard days were about to end.


    Counting the days, the thaw and the reopening of the mountain were not far off.


    Half a month later,


    on the edge of a sloped ground, Zhao Sheng stood on a protruding rock, watching the last bit of ice crystals silently dissolve in the fog, finally wearing a smile on his face.


    After sealing the cave entrance on the mountain wall with broken stones, Zhao Sheng immediately set out on his journey down the mountain.


    Twenty days later, when he reappeared, he was already at the gates of Pocket World City.


    At that time, Zhao Sheng was dressed in a deep blue Daoist robe, without a single wrinkle on his clothes.


    He seemed like a fledgling cultivator fresh from seclusion, with no sign that he had just come down from Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Safety first, always.


    Zhao Sheng had no desire to let the sharp-eyed old hands of Pocket World City spot any flaw due to his attire or appearance.


    After paying the entrance tax, Zhao Sheng smoothly entered Pocket World City.


    As soon as he passed the city gate and was considering finding a temporary place to stay, an unkempt figure suddenly rushed up to him and grabbed his arm.


    "Uncle, you''re finally back. I was so scared. Thank the Ancestors for their blessing!"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately dispersed the spell in his palm and looked closely. To his surprise, the person was Zhao Yongwu.


    "Yongwu, it was just a short trip I took. How did you end up like this?" Zhao Sheng asked curiously.


    Zhao Yongwu responded with a bitter smile on his face, looked around, and quickly whispered, "Uncle, it''s not convenient to talk here. Let''s go home and discuss."


    Yes,


    Zhao Sheng nodded and followed Zhao Yongwu toward the direction of the Cave Heaven Outer City.


    ...


    Seven days later, in a rented courtyard in the Cave Heaven Outer City. Inside the quiet room, Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and exhaled a long pillar of white breath, and the Spirit Power Vortex within him expanded another notch.


    ```


    He had just advanced to the Qi Refining Fourth Level.


    Zhao Sheng felt it unexpected, as he hadn''t thought that the life-and-death ordeal at Heavenly Pillar Mountain would actually enable him to break through the barrier between the Qi Refining Third Level and the Fourth.


    Although such a barrier was merely a minor hurdle within the Qi Refinement Realm, one that cultivators could generally overcome in just a few years.


    But don''t forget, Zhao Sheng possessed inferior aptitude with the Four Spirit Roots, and his cultivation speed was much slower than those with Three Spirit Roots.


    This breakthrough saved him at least three years of time.


    The breakthrough in his realm made Zhao Sheng extremely pleased, temporarily putting aside his worries about the family.


    Seven days ago, he learned from Zhao Yongwu that ever since they sold off their assets in Pocket World City, the relationship between the two branches of the Zhao family, which had been gradually easing, suddenly became tense.


    In particular, the second branch, believing it had the support of someone within the Purple Sun Sect, disregarded the opposition from the main branch and began to pillage the family''s wealth even more aggressively.


    The actions of the second branch, ostensibly for the renewal of the lease for Dragon Carp Lake, had hidden motives that no one knew about.


    As a conflict seemed inevitable, both branches of the Zhao family realized that Zhao Sheng, the nominal "Family Head," had suddenly become important.


    And yet, at this critical moment, Zhao Sheng was not at home.


    This situation gravely worried the people from the main branch.


    Without Zhao Sheng''s return, how could they use the name of the Family Head to stop the foolish actions of the second branch?


    However, the elders of the main branch never considered whether Zhao Sheng would obey their commands¡ªor even if he would return.


    Zhao Sheng already had his answer in his heart: he would not return, nor would he intervene in the strife between the two branches.


    Because he knew that even if he went back, he couldn''t solve the fundamental problem.


    A great man once said, to resolve matters one must distinguish between primary and secondary contradictions.


    Zhao Sheng understood very well that the root causes of all conflicts within the Zhao family were twofold: first, the family lacked a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to take charge, and second, the matter of renewing the lease for Dragon Carp Lake.


    As long as those two issues were resolved, everything else would fall into place.


    With these thoughts, Zhao Sheng got up and walked out of the room, looking up toward the exterior of the cave.


    It was already getting dark.


    He muttered to himself, "Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon!"


    The next morning, while Zhao Sheng was painting talismans, Zhao Yongwu walked into the room with an excited expression, bringing good news.


    Elder Zhao Jinding had personally arrived. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A short while later, Zhao Sheng strode into the living room, and the first person he saw was Zhao Jinding with a pale face, sitting atop the chair to the left.


    At his side sat a gaunt old man with a face somewhat resembling Zhao Jinding.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes turned to this person, secretly thinking, "Could it be that he is the leader of Zhao''s Secret Department of this generation?"


    Years ago, Zhao Sheng, learning from the downfall of Fragrant Swallow Valley, knew that one should not put all eggs in one basket, so two years before his death, he personally established Zhao''s Secret Department.


    After entering the living room, Zhao Sheng greeted Zhao Jinding, who quickly introduced the old man''s identity to Zhao Sheng.


    As expected, the old man was indeed the leader of the Zhao family''s current generation''s secret department, his real name was Zhao Jijian, a cultivator at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.


    Once the three were seated again, Zhao Jinding''s expression became serious, and he asked with a grave tone, "Chonghe, now can you tell us? Why did you insist on summoning Jijian to Grotto Heaven City? Don''t you know how special his identity is?"


    The reason Zhao Jinding said this was because Zhao Sheng had once established a rule that once a clansman became a part of the dark department, they would be independent from the family, absolutely not allowed to intervene in family affairs, and not touch power.


    Zhao Sheng smiled and did not offer an explanation; instead, he took out a jade box from his storage bag, pushing it in front of Zhao Jinding, signaling him to open it.


    In the meantime, Zhao Jijian, sitting silently beside, was closely observing Zhao Sheng.


    For the most special and youngest family head of the Zhao family in three hundred years, to say he wasn''t interested would be a lie.


    After dozens of years wandering the Cultivation World, Zhao Jijian considered himself to have met innumerable people, but he had never seen someone as unique as the person before him.


    He was clearly only about twenty years old, yet his demeanor was exceptionally mature and steady. He didn''t look like a young man at all; instead, he resembled an old monster who had lived for centuries.


    Strange, truly strange!


    Could it be that he had been body-snatched?


    While Zhao Jijian was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Zhao Jinding exclaim in surprise.


    ```

 Chapter 54 Elixir Cauldron Pavilion

    "Red Fire Ganoderma?!"Hmm?!


    Upon hearing the three words "Red Fire Ganoderma," Zhao Jijian''s mind went blank, and he instantly cast aside the doubts he had just moments ago.


    He sprang to his feet in one swift motion and stepped forward, staring intently at the contents of the Jade Box.


    Red as fire, its cap like jade.


    "Indeed, it''s Red Fire Ganoderma!" Zhao Jijian exclaimed.


    Since the moment he was summoned back, he had wondered why his family had called him to Pocket World City.


    He had speculated whether his family wanted him to handle certain people or matters.


    After all, the Dark Department was known for dealing with dirty work.


    But now, it seemed he had guessed entirely wrong.


    However... it was a good mistake!


    Zhao Jijian''s face flushed with excitement, for he was no fool.


    Upon seeing the Red Fire Ganoderma, how could he not understand what this meant?


    Zhao Jijian struggled to suppress the urge to burst out laughing, thinking to himself, "Haha, I can establish my foundation now! I can''t believe this day has come for me."


    He was well aware of the Zhao family''s background.


    He had thought that in this life, he could only reach Qi Refining Perfection.


    But... the ancestors had shown their grace, gifting him such an incredible surprise!


    Compared to the reserved Zhao Jijian, Zhao Jinding was more direct.


    He snapped the Jade Box shut with a slap and asked excitedly, "Conghe, how did you come by this item?"


    Zhao Sheng smiled and calmly said, "Perhaps it''s divine providence! I was fortunate to find a few spiritual herbs on Heavenly Pillar Mountain, and Red Fire Ganoderma was one of them."


    As the saying goes, listen to the tone as much as the words.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jinding immediately grasped the implied meaning in Zhao Sheng''s words and quickly asked, "Could it be that you have other spiritual herbs that rival Red Fire Ganoderma?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded and smoothly brought out three more Jade Boxes.


    After returning to Pocket World City, he chose not to sell the spiritual herbs at merchant stores such as the Alchemy Pavilion Spiritual Medicine Shop.


    Firstly, these herbs were all extremely precious.


    If Zhao Sheng, alone, attempted to sell them, it would be too conspicuous.


    Even if he disguised his identity, the Cultivation World teemed with countless miracle techniques and secret arts. If someone were determined, there were too many ways to find him.


    After all, he could quickly identify someone''s identity using his Spiritual Smell. There was no guarantee other cultivators didn''t possess similar secret techniques.


    In such a scenario, it was essential to distribute the pressure among several individuals.


    Taking two Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivators should block most of the greedy gazes.


    As Zhao Sheng thought thus, Zhao Jinding gradually opened each of the three Jade Boxes.


    Four-hundred-year-old Refining God Grass,


    seven-hundred-year-old Dragonbane Fruit,


    and a Thousand-year-old Yellow Ginseng Root as long as an arm.


    Each of these three herbs was extremely valuable,


    especially the Thousand-year-old Yellow Ginseng Root, a primary herb for the Third-Order Yellow Spirit Pill.


    The Third-Order Yellow Spirit Pill was a precious elixir used by Golden Core Masters for urgent mana recovery.


    One pill could instantly replenish thirty percent of a Golden Core Master''s mana.


    This highlighted its invaluable nature.


    The above four herbs were just a small part of what was in Zhao Sheng''s Storage Bag.


    He did not plan to take out the other two strains of Red Fire Ganoderma or the Blood Sword Grass over one and a half inches long, among other herbs, just yet.


    As for when to act, that would depend on how things unfolded at Dragon Carp Lake and whether Zhao Jijian could establish his foundation in time.


    It''s important to note that less than five years remained on the lease.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head to look at Zhao Jijian, who was brimming with excitement, and said, "According to our family rankings, I should address you as Fourth Grandpa."


    "Fourth Grandpa, with these items in hand, how many years will it take you to reach Foundation Establishment?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian thought for a moment and then understood the implication of Zhao Sheng''s words.


    He thought about it and said firmly, "Four years should be enough. I''m already in the Late Ninth Layer, and three years should suffice to advance me to Qi Refining Perfection. The remaining year will be just right for Foundation Establishment."


    Zhao Jinding, standing nearby, had a bittersweet expression on his face.


    The joy needs no explanation.


    The sadness is also understandable.


    Watching someone possibly succeed in Foundation Establishment while having failed himself can''t be painless.


    It would be odd if he wasn''t sad. He could only blame his own lack of perseverance; no one else was at fault.


    Three days later, Zhao Jinding left Pocket World City full of ambition, while Zhao Jijian rented a courtyard near Zhao Sheng''s and settled there.


    ...


    Three years passed in the blink of an eye.


    Three days after the summer solstice, Zhao Sheng watched as Zhao Jijian entered a quiet room in Cave Heaven Inner City specially used for Foundation Establishment.


    Afterward, he returned to the courtyard and instructed Zhao Yongwu to guard the door well.


    Then, Zhao Sheng, having dressed up neatly and disguised his appearance to middle age, went to the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion in the inner city.


    The Elixir Cauldron Pavilion was a six-story building, occupying more than two acres. It looked like a gigantic alchemy furnace. Inside, it was exquisitely elegant and antique, the air filled with various elixir fragrances and medicinal scents.


    It was a large shop owned by the great Cultivation sect, the Elixir Cauldron Sect, in Pocket World City, dealing in spiritual medicine and selling all kinds of miraculous elixirs.


    As a millennium-old brand, the credibility of the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion was unquestionable.


    Over the past three years, Zhao Sheng had sold four spiritual medicines to Elixir Cauldron Pavilion intermittently.


    Besides, he had spent a great deal of effort in understanding and getting information about the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion during these years.


    The reason Zhao Sheng came in disguise this time was that he was finally ready to take real action.


    Once he entered the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion, Zhao Sheng approached an elegant-looking attendant and asked, "I need to see your manager, Mr. Liu. Please inform him."


    The attendant maintained a polite smile, but responded, "I''m sorry, Manager Liu isn''t in the shop. Esteemed guest, if you wish to purchase elixirs or other items, please proceed to the transaction room. You can also ask me for information."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng flipped his wrist, and suddenly, a pill bottle with Spirit Origin Pills appeared in his hand.


    He stepped closer to the attendant, flicked his finger, and the Spirit Origin Pill smoothly slipped into the attendant''s sleeve.


    At the same time, he whispered, "Could you please check if Manager Liu has returned?"


    The attendant felt the pill bottle in his sleeve and immediately showed a sincere smile.


    This time, he nodded and said, "Please wait a moment, esteemed guest."


    After saying this, the attendant turned and walked into the back courtyard of the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion.


    A moment later, he came back to Zhao Sheng with a joyful expression and said, "What a coincidence! Manager Liu has just returned. Please, follow me."


    Zhao Sheng also smiled and said, "Yes, what a coincidence."


    A short while later, in an ancient and elegant room, Zhao Sheng met Manager Liu. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Manager Liu appeared to be around forty, with a pale, beardless face and a well-proportioned body. He was dressed in a Crimson Robe embroidered with two three-legged and six-eared bronze tripods.


    After the attendant left and the two were seated, Manager Liu took the initiative to speak, "May I know the esteemed guest''s name and what important matter brings you to see me today?"


    Zhao Sheng replied, "I am humbly known as Zhao with the given name Sheng. Today, I am here for a happy occasion."


    Showing curiosity, Manager Liu asked, "May I know, Taoist Zhao, what this happy occasion you speak of is?"


    Zhao Sheng took out a square jade box from his storage bag, opened the lid, pushed it towards Manager Liu, and said, "I am looking to sell a Red Fire Ganoderma. Isn''t that a happy occasion?"


    True to his great sect background, Manager Liu showed only a slight surprise upon seeing the Red Fire Ganoderma before regaining his composure.


    He smiled and said, "Just a Red Fire Ganoderma; How could that be considered a happy occasion?"


    Unperturbed, Zhao Sheng smiled and said, "I mentioned selling, but I never said it had to be sold to your pavilion."


    Oh?

 Chapter 55 Hundred-year Token

    Hmm?Upon hearing this, Manager Liu''s expression changed, and he asked hurriedly, "What do you mean by that?"


    After finishing, he stared intently at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng extended his right hand and gently patted the jade box, speaking indifferently, "What if I sell it to you? Wouldn''t that be a good thing?"


    Upon hearing this, Manager Liu was taken aback, but his anger turned to joy, and he laughed, "Taoist Zhao, what do you mean by this? Liu cannot produce a Foundation Establishment Pill."


    Zhao Sheng also smiled and said, "There''s no need for a Foundation Establishment Pill, just an equivalent amount of Elixir Pills and Spirit Stones will do. I merely wish to make friends with Manager Liu."


    As the saying goes, listen to the tone as well as the words.


    Manager Liu was quick-witted and immediately understood that the person opposite him was in need of something.


    He relaxed, his face breaking into a joyful smile, "Very well! Taoist Zhao, I accept your friendship. Should you face any difficulties in the future, feel free to seek me out."


    Zhao Sheng inwardly praised the other''s experienced handling of matters, but his face suddenly showed a hint of hesitation, and he faltered a few times as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.


    Seeing this, Manager Liu asked at just the right moment, "Brother Zhao, do you perhaps really have a problem? Feel free to speak up and let Liu hear it."


    Seeing the other''s perfectly coordinated response, Zhao Sheng could not help but show a look of "gratitude" and took the opportunity to reveal his true intentions.


    "To be honest, Brother Liu, my family has a large population, and the place we currently live is becoming too cramped. The family is quite worried. Do you know where we could find a new spirit land to rent?"


    Brother Liu, having come from the Elixir Cauldron Sect and being well-informed, may know of any spirit lands available for rent?"


    Manager Liu was shocked after hearing this, privately amazed at the other''s well-informed sources.


    Two months ago, indeed, word had spread from the Elder Hall of the sect about hosting a small auction to rent out several unused Spirit Veins.


    However, this auction was merely for show.


    Long before this, those several Spirit Veins had already been discreetly claimed by others.


    Zhao Sheng''s sudden desire to intervene was like snatching food from the jaws of a tiger.


    Thinking this, Manager Liu shook his head secretly, about to say he had heard nothing of the sort, but just as he was about to speak, he saw Zhao Sheng playing with the Red Fire Ganoderma, a smile that was not quite a smile on his face.


    His expression stiffened, and he hesitated.


    Looking at the Red Fire Ganoderma before him, Manager Liu''s eyes grew increasingly covetous.


    Even though he came from a prominent family with several Golden Core Ancestors in it,


    the larger the family, the fiercer the competition.


    Although he was of the Direct Lineage, obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill was not easy.


    This Red Fire Ganoderma, in the hands of outsiders, could only be exchanged for one Foundation Establishment Pill.


    If it were in his hands, turning to the family elders to refine it could net at least several more Foundation Establishment Pills in just one transaction.


    Forget it,


    Even if it offended some connected families, how could the formidable Liu family of the Elixir Cauldron Sect fear a few struggling small families?


    Once Manager Liu made up his mind, he immediately said, "Not to hide from you, my sect recently indeed intends to release a few Hundred-year Tokens. Brother, you''ve come to the right person."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, "It''s you I was looking for. I''ve already spent hundreds of Spirit Stones for this."


    As soon as Manager Liu finished speaking, Zhao Sheng immediately replied with "joy"? "Really? That''s great!


    May I ask, Brother Liu, how might one procure a Hundred-year Token?"


    Manager Liu glanced at the Red Fire Ganoderma and said nothing.


    Zhao Sheng, quickly catching on, generously declared, "Brother Liu, rest assured! No matter the outcome, I will sell this Red Fire Ganoderma only to you."


    Upon hearing these words, Manager Liu showed a satisfied smile and then said warmly, "Three months from now, my Elixir Cauldron Sect will host an auction for the Hundred-year Token. Anyone with an invitation can participate. However..."


    Seeing the other party hesitating in his words, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but ask seriously, "But what? Please speak clearly, Brother Liu."


    Cough cough!


    Manager Liu coughed twice, somewhat embarrassedly saying, "Not to deceive you, Brother. Those few Hundred-year Tokens have... have already found their next master." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and calmly said, "Zhao naturally wouldn''t make Brother Liu uncomfortable. I only want an invitation. This shouldn''t be too difficult for Brother Liu, right?"


    Upon hearing this, Manager Liu was overjoyed and immediately patted his chest to assure, "Just an invitation. Rest assured, give me at most half a month. Come back to the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion, and I promise to deliver the invitation."


    Zhao Sheng laughed and said, "Then I''ll trouble Brother Liu."


    "Rest assured, it''s a small matter."


    With these words, both parties were very pleased.


    A quarter of an hour later, Manager Liu enthusiastically escorted Zhao Sheng to the door of the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion, finally watching him leave.


    ...


    Leaving the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion, Zhao Sheng crossed several streets, then darted into an inn. When he came out again, he had a different face.


    Next, he aimlessly roamed around the inner city until he was sure no one was following him, then he switched back to his original appearance and returned to his residence.


    As soon as he got home, Zhao Sheng immediately entered the quiet room.


    After sitting cross-legged on the cushion, Zhao Sheng took off his storage bag and took out a bunch of bottles and jars.


    There were ten bottles of Gathering Spirit Pills, ten bottles of Nourishing Spirit Pills, seven bottles of Vessel Firming Pills, four bottles of Bursting Spirit Pills, three bottles of Breakthrough Pills...


    In addition to various types of First-stage Spirit Pills, Zhao Sheng had also specifically exchanged some spirit medicine seeds. Together, they were worth about thirty thousand spirit stones, which was exactly the market price of a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Zhao Sheng knew he had lost out.


    These elixir pills were sold to him by Manager Liu at market price, which meant his cost was definitely lower.


    But Zhao Sheng did not regret it. In some matters, a loss could be a blessing, and one must have foresight.


    After checking the elixir pills, Zhao Sheng put most of them back into the storage bag, leaving only one bottle of Gathering Spirit Pills in his hand.


    Gathering Spirit Pill was a First-rank top-grade Spirit Pill with effects 30 percent better than those of the Spirit Origin Pill.


    As a "waste" with Four Spirit Roots, if Zhao Sheng wanted to achieve Foundation Establishment, he was destined to become a player who relied heavily on pills.


    After consuming a Gathering Spirit Pill, Zhao Sheng closed his eyes to meditate, sitting cross-legged; soon, countless colorful particles of spiritual energy emerged in the air.


    As the effect of the Gathering Spirit Pill dispersed, the speed of the Spirit Power Vortex in Zhao''s Dantian suddenly increased by a third, pulling in the spiritual energy particles faster than before.


    Correspondingly, the subsequent purification and refining processes also significantly sped up.


    Zhao Sheng estimated that with the aid of the Gathering Spirit Pill, what would normally take at least eight years to break through the Qi Refining Fifth Level now required only five to six years.


    Saving at least two years, this deal was very cost-effective.


    Zhao Sheng, delighted by his gains, cultivated for three days and three nights, until he could no longer maintain his energy, then came out of the quiet room, crawled into bed, and quickly fell into a deep sleep.


    ...


    Seven days later, in the quiet room,


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on the cushion, with a scroll spread out on the floor in front of him,


    The left side of the book page was packed with tiny words, while the right side showed a complex and intricate arrangement of talismanic symbols.


    The talismanic symbols Zhao Sheng was studying were recorded in the Jade Void Talisman Scripture as a Second Order True Talisman known as the "Illusion Shadow Escape."


    The Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman belonged to one type of Water Element Talisman and was also a type of tunneling talisman.


    In the Cultivation World, as a talisman primarily used for life-saving, tunneling talismans were always several times more expensive than other talismans.


    But correspondingly, tunneling talismans were also among the most difficult to craft in the category of talismans.

 Chapter 56 Purple Mist Fairy is my beloved indeed.

    After observing for a long time, Zhao Sheng suddenly snapped the talismanic scripture shut, sighed deeply with a complex expression, and said, "Ah, why is the Second-level Talisman so difficult?"Since leaving Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Zhao Sheng had been researching how to draw the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, and it had already been three years.


    It could be said that he considered himself extremely familiar with the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman. Whether it was connecting the eighty-one spiritual acupoints or mastering the beginning and ending strokes of the talisman, he had entirely grasped it.


    Even his weakest aspect, spiritual power, with the help of the Bursting Spirit Pill, was sufficient to support him in completing the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman.


    However, in the past three years, he had tried to draw it at least a hundred times and failed every single time.


    Previously, he had no idea what the problem was until a recent talisman cultivator gathering unintentionally enlightened him.


    "The air connects to heavenly truth, uniquely possessing its divine essence, hence it becomes a talisman."


    Zhao Sheng held the rolled-up talismanic scripture in his hand and tapped his forehead with it, murmuring to himself in frustration.


    Over the past years, relying on his talent, he had been successful in talisman painting without fail, to the extent that he gradually emphasized "technique" and almost forgot that the key to talisman painting lay in the "Divine Intent."


    Although he had come to this realization, he still found himself completely at a loss with the Second Order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman.


    Because his spiritual power was not sufficient to "construct" the Divine Intent of a Second-level Talisman.


    The reason why a True Talisman of the Second Order is named so is not just because its power is many times greater than that of a First-Order Talisman.


    In fact, it implies that only those above the Foundation Establishment Cultivation are capable of drawing such talismans.


    Shortly after, Zhao Sheng put away the Jade Void Talisman Scripture and walked out of the quiet room.


    Upon leaving the quiet room, Zhao Sheng suddenly saw a talismanic crane continuously circling over the courtyard.


    His eyes lit up, and he extended his hand to emit a stream of spiritual power, drawing the talismanic crane down to him.


    Once the talismanic crane sensed the imprint of spiritual power, it immediately flew down to Zhao Sheng''s hand.


    Zhao Sheng opened the talismanic crane, and saw written on it: "Tomorrow at late afternoon, you are respectfully invited, Taoist Zhao, to a small gathering in the art of talismans, located at the Cave Heaven Inner City Treasure Talisman Pavilion, Jingcheng Courtyard."


    At the bottom of the text was an abstract Tai Chi talismanic pattern.


    Seeing this Tai Chi pattern, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help laughing and said, "Speak of the devil. I wonder if Old Man Xie will go tomorrow?"


    As he said this, he left a bit of spiritual power imprint on the talisman paper and then refolded the paper crane.


    After infusing it with a stream of spiritual power, he gently sent it off, and the paper crane immediately took flight, quickly flying over the wall and returning to a certain location.


    ¡­


    The following day at late afternoon, in the Cave Heaven City Treasure Talisman Pavilion,


    Dressed in a talisman robe, Zhao Sheng slowly approached the entrance of an exquisite courtyard.


    At that moment, seeing Zhao Sheng arrive, the young attendant guarding the door immediately came forward with a smile plastered all over his face and flatteringly said, "Senior Zhao, it''s been a while since you visited. My grandfather has been talking about you a lot recently. He would be thrilled to see you today."


    "How has Elder Wei been feeling lately?" Zhao Sheng casually asked, handing over a Water Healing Talisman to the attendant.


    "Grandpa''s in great health, he''s even taken a new concubine recently," the young attendant replied smoothly, barely able to contain his grin after receiving the talisman.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng gave him a glance and said in a flat tone, "If you weren''t so incompetent, Elder Wei wouldn''t need to be trying so hard. I remember he''s ninety-one this year?"


    The young attendant''s face froze at his words, and he was at a loss for words.


    It was strange to note that there were over a hundred members in the Wei family, yet none had a Spirit Root.


    As is known in the Cultivation World, for a cultivation family that cannot produce descendants with Spirit Roots, no matter how prosperous and flourishing they are currently, it all indicates the end of their lineage.


    Approaching the gate, Zhao Sheng waved his hand and said, "That''s all right, you stay here to welcome the next visitor. After all, this isn''t my first time here."


    Having finished speaking, Zhao Sheng didn''t even glance at the other party before turning around and entering the small courtyard.


    The talisman cultivator gathering was still held at the old place.


    As Zhao Sheng walked through the door, familiar with the route, he was immediately greeted enthusiastically by many people.


    "Taoist Zhao, you''ve arrived. How many Invisibility Talismans did you bring this time? I want to buy a few for self-protection."


    "Ah, Brother Zhao, it''s been a while. You look even more spirited than before. It seems your cultivation has improved again. By the way, the Water Vortex Shield Talisman from last time was excellent. I''d like to order a batch more this time."


    "Brother Zhao, I have a top-notch talisman pen here. Just two hundred spirit stones, and a bottle of spiritual ink comes with it for free."


    "Taoist Zhao, do you need a wife or not?"


    Zhao Sheng skillfully dealt with his fellow Daoists while repeatedly and gently declining someone''s offer of a wife.


    After sending this group away, Zhao Sheng looked around the hall and saw a crowd gathered around a corner. In the middle, an old man with a youthful face and white hair was speaking animatedly to the surrounding people.


    Seeing this scene, a smile appeared on Zhao Sheng''s face, and he walked to the perimeter of the crowd to listen quietly.


    "It''s not boasting if I tell you, the Purple Mist Fairy is unmatched in beauty and grace, and has a figure and looks like no other. But the most crucial part, do you know what it is?"


    "What is it?" The crowd, well aware of Old Man Xie''s temperament, enthusiastically asked.


    Old Man Xie glanced around and, puffing up with pride, said, "She is a natural born White Tiger. Understand?"


    "Oh, I heard White Tigers are unlucky! This time the price must be cheaper."


    "Right! What if we are cursed? That would be terrible for us."


    "Brother Zhu, well said! One hundred spirit stones is indeed expensive. How about fifty spirit stones?"


    Seeing the crowd unanimously trying to drive the price down, Old Man Xie, "fuming with anger," shouted angrily, "Buy it or leave it. If you think you can get an advantage over me, there''s no way. That would only happen over my dead body."


    Just then, a voice came from the outskirts of the crowd: "Senior Xie, I''ll buy that Purple Mist Fairy."


    Upon hearing this, Old Man Xie''s anger turned to joy. He turned his head and looked towards Zhao Sheng, who was walking in from outside the crowd.


    He couldn''t help but bow slightly and said, "I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be you, young man. Listen clearly, this spring palace talisman isn''t easy to create; it must cost one hundred spirit stones."


    Zhao Sheng said seriously, "One hundred spirit stones, neither more nor less. And it''s not just the Purple Mist Fairy; I want all the other ones you''ve created in the past like the Jing Hong Fairy, the Dragon Girl, the Nine-tailed Fox Lady, and so on."


    Hearing this, Old Man Xie burst into joy and grabbed Zhao Sheng''s arm, leading him outside while mumbling, "It''s you, the young man who knows the goods. These are all my beloved creations!"


    In a corner of the hall, Old Man Xie let go and asked seriously, "Are you really buying? All nine of them?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, "Junior will take them all, but..."


    "No buts. Just say what you want," Old Man Xie interrupted him directly.


    As the saying goes, the older the ginger, the spicier it gets.


    Having lived for so many years, he could tell that Zhao Sheng''s true intention wasn''t just the talismans.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng candidly said, "I want to learn how to refine an illusion talisman?"


    "Like the character illusion talismans used in the spring palace talismans." Zhao Sheng emphasized at the end.


    "No way!" Old Man Xie flatly refused: "The Purple Mist Fairy and others are my beloved creations."


    Just as Zhao Sheng thought he had failed, Old Man Xie took a deep breath and then added a few more words: "...unless you pay more!"


    "..." S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 57 Killing Living Beings

    Seven days later,Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged in the quiet room, his fingers restless, flicking a light ball back and forth across his fingertips.


    Within the light ball, several shadows of light faintly flickered.


    This light ball was precisely a First-tier Magic, the Illusion Light Skill.


    Zhao Sheng loosened his grip, allowing the light ball to hover before his eyes as he stared intently.


    However, as his mind flowed, he felt that there were nine "Spirit Vortices" scattered within and around the ball, with invisible threads connecting the vortices and specks of light emanating continuously from these threads.


    At the same time, the voice of Old Man Xie, echoing the guidance he provided seven days ago, lingered in his mind:


    "Every talisman has its acupoints, and through these acupoints, Divinity is channeled.


    If one opens the acupoints while painting a talisman, Divine Intent will flow into them; without opening them, the Divine Intent is wasted."


    Those specks of light were precisely the scattering of Divine Intent.


    And this was the very reason why Zhao Sheng kept observing and contemplating the Illusion Light Skill.


    Because his control over Divine Intent was too weak.


    "Acupoints interconnected, Divine Intent flowing endlessly..."


    This phrase was recorded on the second page of the Jade Void Talisman Scripture.


    Zhao Sheng had always thought that the phrase meant that when painting talismans, the spirit and Divine Intent had to flow continuously, with each stroke connecting seamlessly in every direction.


    This understanding was not wrong, but now it seemed to be somewhat superficial.


    According to what Elder Xie had said, one must understand the acupoints to control Divine Intent when painting talismans.


    It is difficult for Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators to craft Second-level Talismans.


    The biggest reason is not the lack of Divine Intent, but rather the insufficient control over it.


    Thus, when painting talismans, Cultivators unconsciously waste a significant amount of Divine Intent.


    According to Zhao Sheng''s understanding, the "spiritual acupoints" in talismans and spells are like the body''s acupoints, with Spiritual Power constructing the pathways between them that must be unobstructed.


    Divine Intent serves as the markers on these pathways, guiding nature''s spiritual energy to flow along them and transform.


    Take the simplest Illusion Light Skill as an example, it has nine acupoints, which, once activated, communicate with nature''s spiritual energy, allowing it to pass through these acupoints and, guided by Divine Intent and Spiritual Power, transform into various natural phenomena.


    Understanding talismans leads to understanding magic, and knowing magic leads to understanding talismans.


    To draw the Second-order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, Zhao Sheng must start by deciphering the most fundamental Illusion Techniques.


    And he needs to improve his control over Divine Intent as much as possible to achieve the effect of "reducing waste and increasing efficiency."


    Knowing is easy, but doing is difficult!


    Even after receiving pointers from Elder Xie, it was not something that could be achieved immediately.


    In the past few days, in an effort to improve his control over Divine Intent, Zhao Sheng had repeatedly drawn hundreds of Illusion Light Talismans.


    From being able to draw only eighteen talismans before running out of spiritual power seven days ago, today, he could draw twenty-three.


    Such progress could not be described as anything but tremendous.


    But for the Second-order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, this level of progress still did not meet the minimum standard required for refinement.


    Shortly thereafter, Zhao Sheng waved his hand, dispersing the light ball, and sighed, "Oh well, there''s plenty of time! I should go check out the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion. It should be time; the invitation ought to have arrived."


    With that, he stood up, pushed the door open, and walked out.


    Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng once again arrived at the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion.


    This time, there was no need for him to ask anyone; someone had already been waiting for him for quite some time.


    Upon Zhao Sheng''s arrival, a servant promptly led him to meet with Manager Liu. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the third-floor trading room, Manager Liu had just sent off a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Seeing Zhao Sheng, he immediately greeted him with a smile, "Brother Zhao, your timing is perfect. Your items have arrived."


    Zhao Sheng bowed his hands in greeting and replied with a smile, "I should be thanking you, Brother Liu. Without you, I wouldn''t have had such an opportunity."


    Manager Liu felt heartened upon hearing this. Although he was aware that Zhao Sheng''s words were but courteous flatteries, sweet words please everyone, and he was certainly no exception.


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, Manager Liu quickly took out a dark green invitation with a medicinal fragrance and handed it to Zhao Sheng, along with a thin booklet.


    Zhao Sheng took the two items, looked at the booklet, and with a puzzled expression, he asked, "Brother Liu, what is this...?"


    Manager Liu smiled, his voice mysteriously hushed, "This booklet, you should take a good look at it when you get back. It contains an overview of the upcoming Spirit Vein auction. There''s also some intelligence on various Cultivation Families, all of whom are your competitors."


    Upon hearing this, a sharp light flashed in Zhao Sheng''s eyes as he immediately bowed and said, "Brother Liu is thoughtful. I will keep this kindness in mind. Allow me to repay you in the future."


    Manager Liu waved his hand dismissively, saying carelessly, "Brother Zhao, you''re being too formal. It was nothing¡ªa mere gesture that''s not worth mentioning. Besides, thanks to you, I''ve made a fortune this time."


    Upon returning to his family after this trip, Manager Liu hit the jackpot as his batch of Foundation Establishment Pills astonishingly yielded six, one of which was even top-grade.


    Because of this, not only was his own Foundation Establishment assured, but his status within the family had significantly increased.


    To express his gratitude, he felt he had to do something to thank Zhao Sheng.


    When he heard this, Zhao Sheng retorted, "Why say such things, Brother Liu? Our last deal was a fair trade. Even if you made a fortune, it''s simply because your luck was high; it has nothing to do with me, Zhao."


    "Haha, let''s not talk about that anymore," Manager Liu laughed heartily, then added, "In three months, I''ll have to return to the sect for my duty report. At that time, Brother Zhao, you bring your people and accompany me."


    Zhao Sheng quickly expressed his thanks.


    Seeing his reaction, Manager Liu feigned annoyance and said, "Brother Zhao, you''re being too courteous."


    Zhao Sheng was about to say more.


    Just then, a person suddenly turned out from the corridor and walked towards them, appearing to just pass by.


    As soon as Manager Liu saw the person, he immediately greeted, "Manager Shen."


    Manager Shen was an old man past his sixties.


    "Hmm,"


    He nodded towards Manager Liu but showed no intention of stopping.


    However, as this person passed by Zhao Sheng, his fingertips quietly grazed the hem of Zhao Sheng''s clothes.


    Manager Liu seemed not to notice anything amiss.


    But after Manager Shen left, Zhao Sheng suddenly excused himself to leave.


    Manager Liu retained him with a few words, but seeing Zhao Sheng''s determined attitude, he said no more.


    Shortly after, Zhao Sheng, with an emotionless expression, hurried away from the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion.


    As he walked farther away, a middle-aged man with a plain appearance, a Black Vulture perched on his shoulder, and silver-white armor covering his upper body, suddenly turned out from a street corner.


    He watched Zhao Sheng''s back, a glint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.


    As the Black Vulture took flight with a flap of its wings, the middle-aged man sneered softly and quietly followed behind Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng seemed unaware of being tracked, his head lowered as he walked towards the Outer City.


    After walking about three to four miles and passing seven or eight streets, he suddenly slowed down, turned, and entered a secluded alley.


    The middle-aged man looked up at the sky upon witnessing this scene, where the Black Vulture was circling above.


    Gaining confidence from the sight, the man soundlessly approached the alley and slipped inside.


    As soon as he entered the alley, he suddenly saw a stunning beauty draped in a purple veil, full of coquettish charm, standing not far away with a winsome smile, her eyes brimming with tenderness and affection.


    Caught off guard by such a seductive vision, the middle-aged man couldn''t help but be momentarily distracted, instantly losing his focus.


    At that moment, a sudden crisis erupted!


    Suddenly,


    A thick fog rose, enveloping the entire alley in an instant.


    With his vision obstructed, the middle-aged man came to his senses, his face drastically changing as he exclaimed, "Not good!"


    But it was already too late!


    Amidst the resounding noise of swords clanging, countless water drops imbued with sharp Sword Intent coalesced from the air; the next moment, like a torrential rain, they viciously crashed down, "submerging" the middle-aged man.


    In an instant, thick blood mist burst forth within the white fog, and a potent, nausea-inducing scent of blood rapidly spread.


    By the time the fog gradually dissipated, the alley was empty.


    At this moment, the alley''s ground was densely pockmarked with numerous small pits.


    And at the edge of the alley, what was once a silver-white half armor had turned into a honeycomb, with a pool of bloodied flesh slowly oozing from its insides.

 Chapter 58 Golden Sword Foundation Establishment

    Elixir Cauldron PavilionAs soon as Zhao Sheng had left, Manager Liu''s face instantly darkened.


    He turned around and returned to the pavilion, bursting into a sunlit room on the second floor where he found the recently seen Steward Shen.


    Upon seeing him, Manager Liu spoke harshly and demanded, "Shen Zhongze, you must give me an explanation!"


    At this moment, Steward Shen, who had been looking out the window, turned back calmly and said, "Brother Liu, what explanation? I have no idea what you are talking about."


    "Bah, still playing dumb with me. Have you already forgotten what you did just now?"


    Continuing, Manager Liu added fiercely, "The Shen family has some nerve, even daring to rob the invitation issued by the Elder Hall of our sect!


    Do you think that even if this matter eventually comes to light, Steward Shen from the Good Deeds Hall will be able to protect the Shen family?


    Heh, daring to engage in such filthy acts, did you consult our Liu family?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon hearing this, Steward Shen''s expression changed drastically, and he quickly put on a smile, trying to appease, "Brother Liu, let''s talk this over calmly. Why ruin our own harmony over a stranger who doesn''t want to be involved?


    You know how long our Shen family has been longing for the Hundred-year Token. What was nearly a sure thing has now suddenly gained a new competitor. It''s inevitable to react a bit strongly."


    As he spoke, Steward Shen very skillfully placed a brilliantly glowing jade pendant into the hands of Manager Liu.


    Seeing this, Manager Liu''s expression slightly cleared, and he couldn''t help but complain, "Even for the family''s future, one must not resort to any means necessary. I actually had a high opinion of that young man. Being so perceptive and understanding at such a young age is rare in the Cultivation World these days."


    Just as Zhao Sheng had thought, the Cultivation World was filled with numerous miraculous skills and secret techniques.


    Although he had carefully disguised himself, he couldn''t hide his fiery and overwhelming vitality.


    With just a mere sensing of his vitality, Manager Liu could tell that Zhao Sheng was definitely no older than thirty.


    Hypocrisy,


    Steward Shen inwardly sneered continuously, thinking that it was the Liu family who had leaked the information about that person.


    Wanting to benefit from both ends, yet not wanting to get their hands dirty.


    Heh, truly worthy of being from the smiling Denver Liu family!


    Just then, the sound of flapping wings came from outside the window, and a Black Vulture suddenly flew into the room through the window, landing on the table in front of the two.


    Seeing the Black Vulture, Steward Shen''s expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, "This is bad¡ª"


    ...


    After slaying the tracker, Zhao Sheng nonstop continued walking out of Pocket World City.


    As he walked, he took out the booklet and began to flip through it.


    Soon, his gaze sharpened, and his eyes stopped on one page: "Southern Mountain Kingdom, Shen family...!"


    Upon leaving the Cave Heaven Cave, Zhao Sheng immediately changed into a new set of clothes and casually threw the old ones off the cliff.


    Then, he soared into the air, rapidly climbing towards the upper areas of Heavenly Pillar Mountain along the cliff face.


    Within a short while, Zhao Sheng had reduced to a black dot, soon vanishing into the Cloud Sea.


    Twenty days later, the owner finally returned to the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden.


    Three years had passed, and Zhao Sheng found that this slope appeared hardly changed from three years ago.


    No, that wasn''t true; the Spiritual Medicines in the Medicine Field had grown even more robust.


    Moreover, he saw several spirit worms of varying sizes in the Medicine Field, their bodies marked with golden rings, continuously consuming the soil. As they ate, they excreted fresh spirit soil.


    Zhao Sheng''s purpose for returning to the slope this time was for these endearing and hardworking creatures.


    They were Zhao Sheng''s biggest bargaining chip in exchanging for the Hundred-year Token from the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    Because time was of the essence, everything was rushed together.


    Zhao Sheng did not linger much in the slope.


    He descended to Mountain Dragon Cave, transferring a nest of spirit worms from the remains of the Mountain Dragon into a spirit worm bag.


    Then, he took out the flesh and scale armor of the Cloud Dragon, left untouched for three years, and stored them in a new storage bag.


    Because of the ice seal, even after three years, the Cloud Dragon''s flesh was still as fresh as before.


    Having done all this, Zhao Sheng looked back at the mountain-like remains of the Mountain Dragon, hesitated for a moment.


    In the end, he did nothing and left the place.


    One month later, Zhao Sheng walked into his rented courtyard, his face pale.


    Zhao Yongwu saw the faltering Zhao Sheng and shuddered before quickly stepping forward to support him.


    At the same time, he asked anxiously, "Uncle, are you injured?"


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, "I''m fine, go fetch some water. I need to bathe and change my clothes."


    Although he said he was fine, a strong scent of blood emanated from his breath as he spoke.


    Zhao Yongwu became even more worried upon seeing this, but he dared not disobey Zhao Sheng''s instructions.


    After responding, he immediately turned and ran towards the backyard¡­


    For the next half month, while recuperating at home, Zhao Sheng continued to research the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, while instructing Zhao Yongwu to keep watch outside the cave mansion where Zhao Jijian was in seclusion.


    If, before departing, Zhao Jijian had not yet come out of seclusion,


    There was no choice, Zhao Sheng would have to go to the Elixir Cauldron Sect alone.


    It was a pity, without a significant help, the chances of acquiring the Hundred-year Token had decreased slightly.


    With three days left before departure, the recovered Zhao Sheng finally couldn''t sit still and personally rushed to wait outside the cave mansion.


    Three days,


    Two days,


    On the last day, just when Zhao Sheng was about to give up hope,


    As evening approached, the large gates of the cave mansion slowly opened, and Zhao Jijian walked out from inside.


    At this moment, his head was full of silver hair, his face was wrinkled, and he looked significantly older than before his seclusion.


    Failure?


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s expression changed, but he quickly turned his worry into joy.


    No, he had succeeded!


    Because at this moment, the strong aura emanating from Zhao Jijian''s body was no less than that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    However¡­


    Looking at Zhao Jijian''s aged face, Zhao Sheng felt very heavy-hearted.


    He knew Zhao Jijian had paid a heavy price for his success in Foundation Establishment.


    Bone Burning Skill!


    A demon path secret technique that improved the success rate of Foundation Establishment by burning one''s life span.


    Once activated, it could not be stopped.


    Unless Foundation Establishment was successful, there was only one outcome: death from exhausted life span.


    Zhao Sheng had to admit that flowers in a greenhouse were far less robust than wildflowers.


    Both aimed at Foundation Establishment,


    The elders of the Zhao family did not have Zhao Jijian''s resolve of succeeding or dying in the attempt.


    At that moment, Zhao Jijian approached Zhao Sheng, smiled slightly, and said, "I have not dishonored my mission!"


    Zhao Sheng felt a warmth in his eyes upon hearing this and was quietly moved.


    He knew that once the Bone Burning Skill was activated, it was a matter of success or death, and even if Foundation Establishment was successful, the consumed life span would not be restored.


    In other words, Zhao Jijian''s lifespan was significantly shorter than other Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    At this time, any words of praise would be superfluous.


    Zhao Sheng thought for a long time and finally said, "You have worked hard! I think our ancestor''s spirit in heaven, seeing another Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the family, must be immensely comforted."


    At this moment, Zhao Jijian''s demeanor was light and calm, not mentioning the Bone Burning Skill at all.


    He looked at the young Family Head before him with an extremely appreciative gaze and said gently, "Zhong He, without your help, this old man would not have today''s glory¡­ Thank you!"


    Zhao Jijian''s thank you seemed offhanded, but behind it lay a firm commitment.


    Upon hearing this thank you, Zhao Sheng suddenly smiled.


    He knew that the family''s affairs were now secure!

 Chapter 59 Moving Montains, Covering the Sea, Reaching the Heavens

    At dawn, the fog had not yet dispersed.At Heavenly Pillar Mountain, cultivators had already begun to arrive at the Cloud Boat Pier beneath the Cave Heaven Cave.


    The Cloud Boat Pier was a massive square spanning a thousand acres, with the ground entirely cast from fine steel, capable of withstanding a tremendous weight.


    Today, the cultivators who came to this place were all passengers. They were to board the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat of the Vast Sect and head to various territories within the Cultivation World.


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were also among the passengers.


    The two had arrived here early and waited silently.


    As he looked at the young Zhao Sheng beside him, Zhao Jijian felt a mixture of emotion and astonishment.


    He had not expected the youngest Family Head in the history of the Zhao family to be so formidable.


    Formidable beyond his imagination!


    Even now, he could not help but frequently recall the stunned expression on his face when he was informed last night about attending the Elixir Cauldron Sect''s auction for the Hundred-Year Token.


    "I really lost face!"


    Thinking of this, Zhao Jijian couldn''t help but feel somewhat embarrassed.


    However, he quickly rallied. The future was promising with the family under the leadership of such a talented Family Head!


    But Zhao Sheng was not concerned with what Zhao Jijian was thinking.


    At this moment, he was repeatedly reasoning and predicting various situations and contingencies they might encounter after arriving at the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    The auction of the Hundred-year Token was critical for the Zhao family''s Qi Fortune for the next several hundred years, and there was no room for the slightest complacency.


    Time passed by gradually, and more and more cultivators gathered at the Cloud Boat Pier.


    Until, at about three poles past sunrise.


    Suddenly, someone shouted, "It''s here, it''s here!"


    There was instantly a stir on the pier, as people craned their necks towards the sky.


    Zhao Sheng also placed his right hand over his eyebrows and looked up at the Cloud Sea Sky Gang above.


    Just then, high above the ten thousand zhang, a black dot emerged behind the white clouds.


    Soon, the black dot grew larger and larger, the surrounding clouds roiled and parted under its pressure.


    Against the backdrop of the white clouds, a giant pitch-black hull slowly emerged from the Cloud Sea, looking like the belly of a massive beast.


    After seven or eight breaths, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat had quietly descended to the Cloud Boat Pier from the sky far above.


    Now, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat finally revealed its full appearance before everyone. Explore more at empire


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    It was simply too huge!


    The Cloud Boat Pier extended over a thousand acres, but just one Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat occupied a tenth of the pier''s area.


    The length of the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat was around two hundred zhang, and its height from the bottom deck to the keel also exceeded twenty zhang.


    In addition, there were up to nine floors of buildings on the deck, with the highest level nearly fifty zhang from the ground.


    It was less a mode of transportation, and more like a flying city that could move freely through the sky.


    Zhao Sheng had heard that the Vast Sect had a whopping ten such colossal Flying Boats of the same class as the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat.


    And above the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat, there were two even higher classes of fearsome existence: the Ocean Covering and the Heavenly types.


    It was said that the gate of the Vast Sect was not on the surface of the Cultivation World but aboard a Heavenly-class giant Flying Boat.


    This Heavenly Giant Ship, bearing the sect''s gate, floated in the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere year-round, and could appear in various territories of the Cultivation World at any time.


    If one were to ask which power in the Cultivation World had the most impregnable gate?


    Opinions may differ among the public!


    But if asked whose gate was the hardest to find?


    The Vast Sect claimed to be the second, with only the Ksitigarbha Sect daring to claim the first.


    Throughout the ages, the Tianzhu Realm faced multiple tribulations, with nearly half of the Cultivation World''s top ten powers being replaced.


    However, the Vast Sect always stood unshaken, remaining at the pinnacle of the Cultivation World.


    The credit for this was largely due to the Heavenly Giant Ship.


    As Zhao Sheng reminisced about the various legends regarding the Vast Sect, they quickly boarded the Mountain Shifting Giant Ship amidst the crowd.


    The ship tickets for the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat are charged based on distance, one Spirit Stone per thousand miles.


    As for the food and lodging, that is calculated separately.


    If you''re reluctant to part with Spirit Stones, you''re welcome to stay on deck, which does not require any Spirit Stones.


    If you want a better accommodation, there are many charging grades to choose from, ranging from pigeon rooms at two Spirit Stones a day to the Nine Heavens Cloud Palace at ten thousand a day.


    Pocket World City is more than twenty thousand miles away from the gate of the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    The journey seems far, but under the premise of the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat not stopping, this distance can be covered in just one day and one night.


    However, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat is ultimately a means of transportation, and it stops at many places along the way, such as various workshops or the mountain gate residences of certain forces, and so on.


    With that in mind, the trip from Pocket World City to the Elixir Cauldron Sect will take five days.


    Zhao Sheng did a quick calculation, with the auction being seven days away, there was plenty of time.


    An hour later, a white light film suddenly appeared on the surface of the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat.


    Then, it silently floated up from the ground and shot straight into the sky.


    After just a minute, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat had already entered the Cloud Sea Sky Gang and ascended to an altitude of ten thousand zhang.


    Immediately after, the brightness on the surface of the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat surged, and countless mysterious runes emerged on the light film covering the entire boat.


    In the blink of an eye, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat broke through the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, speeding towards the horizon like a bolt of lightning, leaving behind a long cloud trail.


    Talk long if there''s much to say, talk short if there''s little!


    The five days passed in a flash.


    At noon, under the bright sun, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat slowly descended from the high sky and finally docked at the Elixir Cauldron Sect''s private pier.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian alighted from the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat.


    According to the plan, the next step was to find accommodation in Nine Tripods Square.


    The Cloud Boat Pier is right next to Nine Tripods Square.


    And Nine Tripods Square is located two hundred miles west of the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    Such a distance is trivial for a Golden Core Master, easily covered back and forth ten times in a day with energy to spare.


    Therefore, Nine Tripods Square is practically built under the Elixir Cauldron Sect''s nose, which speaks volumes of its security.


    Just like Nine Tripods Square to the Elixir Cauldron Sect, major powers in the Cultivation World have similar workshops.


    In legends of the Mortal World, the gates of Cultivation Sects are often built on lofty mountains and in remote, inaccessible places.


    In reality, it''s the exact opposite, the gates of most sects in the Cultivation World are often located in the most bustling areas within their respective boundaries.


    This greatly overturns the common perception that mortals have of the Cultivation World.


    When Zhao Sheng first learned of this, he too was astonished for a long time.


    It was not until he had truly interacted with cultivators that he had an epiphany: cultivators are humans too!


    Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng followed the crowd into Nine Tripods Square along with his companion.


    The two quickly found an inn and checked into two separate rooms.


    After securing the door to his room, Zhao Sheng took out a long, rectangular wooden box from his Storage Bag and placed it on the table, signaling Zhao Jijian to open it.


    Curiosity piqued, Zhao Jijian opened the box to find a four-foot-long, silver-white claw with a metallic sheen inside.


    "Eh? What is this...?"


    Zhao Jijian exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly picked up the claw to take a closer look.


    Before he could fully confirm, Zhao Sheng revealed the origin of the claw.


    "Fourth Grandpa, no need to look any further. This claw was chopped from a Golden Core Level Cloud Dragon."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian gasped and said in disbelief, "Impossible! Where did you get this?"


    One has to know that a Cloud Dragon is a terrifying existence that can easily defeat an average Golden Core Master, not something that can be trifled with.


    How could its claw come so easily into their hands?


    Zhao Sheng explained, "I found this claw in Heavenly Pillar Mountain. Not just this, but also some Cloud Dragon flesh and Scale Armor."


    As he spoke, he tipped out a pile of various parts of the Cloud Dragon from his Storage Bag.


    Gazing at the brilliantly vibrant flesh exuding a subtle pressure and the silver-white Scale Armor as large as a washbasin on the table, Zhao Jijian couldn''t help but swallow and his heart began to pound wildly.


    All of this was real!

 Chapter 60 The Cloud Dispersion Robe and the Initial Appearance of the Conspiracy

    For a moment, Zhao Jijian couldn''t help but let his thoughts wander:"If this claw were refined into a magic artifact, it would at least be a Mid Grade Spirit Artifact to start.


    To exchange a Mid Grade Spirit Artifact for a Foundation Establishment Pill would be more than sufficient.


    Furthermore, the Scale Armor could be refined into a Spiritual Artifact Level Armor and Shield.


    Also, the flesh and blood of the Cloud Dragon is a great tonic; if used to feed the spiritual carps..."


    Zhao Sheng saw that Zhao Jijian had somewhat lost his composure, so he coughed to remind him.


    Zhao Jijian suddenly woke from his reverie and hastily asked, "Family Head, although these treasures are precious, they are far from enough to bid for a Hundred-year Token."


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, "I know that, but I never said I would use them to exchange for the Hundred-year Token."


    Seeing Zhao Jijian''s puzzled face, Zhao Sheng slightly smiled and said, "These treasures are meant for you. It would be a joke among Fellow Daoists if a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like yourself didn''t have a couple of handy Spiritual Artifacts.


    There''s another point; we might encounter some unexpected situations.


    To be on the safe side, the key is to improve our own strength as much as possible."


    "Meant for me?!" Zhao Jijian was both shocked and delighted after hearing the complete statement.


    But he quickly came to his senses and immediately followed up, "Then what treasure will you use to bid for the Hundred-year Token?"


    "This!"


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng''s hand, as if performing a magic trick, suddenly held an eight to nine-inch long, finger-thick, constantly writhing and struggling Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm.


    "What is this?" Zhao Jijian was somewhat taken aback at the sight of the spirit worm. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No wonder he didn''t recognize it,


    Spirit earthworms were exceedingly rare in the Cultivation World. Apart from occasionally being found in the Spirit Medicine Gardens of major forces such as the Elixir Cauldron Sect, they were almost never seen elsewhere.


    Zhao Sheng explained, "This creature is called a spirit worm. Its excrement, known as spirit soil, is the best at fertilizing spirit land."


    Upon hearing the term spirit soil, Zhao Jijian suddenly had an epiphany and quickly recalled scattered memories regarding the spirit worm.


    "Family Head, although the spirit worm is rare, the Elixir Cauldron Sect should have already had it, right? Using it to trade for the Hundred-year Token seems a bit..."


    Before he could say the words ''wishful thinking,'' Zhao Sheng smiled mysteriously and said, "This is no ordinary spirit worm.


    Rest assured! If the Elixir Cauldron Sect knows the goods, the Hundred-year Token will surely not escape our grasp. Now, the most important thing is to consider which piece of spirit land to select as the future base for our family."


    With that, he put away the spirit worm and took out a booklet detailing information on the Spirit Veins, spreading it open on the table.


    Zhao Jijian was half-doubtful and half-believing, but seeing the Family Head''s confident demeanor,


    somehow, his confidence surged in an instant.


    The day before the auction, Zhao Sheng stayed in the inn, not going out, while Zhao Jijian took the items to the Artifact Refining Shop in the workshop by himself.


    By the time he returned, it was already late in the evening.


    Seeing the look of joy on Zhao Jijian''s face, Zhao Sheng knew he must have had a fruitful haul.


    Indeed,


    Without waiting to be asked, Zhao Jijian eagerly displayed several items before him.


    A three-inch-long flying sword radiating a layer of Red Light on its surface.


    A dark black Scale Armor shield, the size of a Heart Protecting Mirror, occasionally showing the illusion of a giant Black Tortoise on its body.


    In addition, there was a bright blue robe, smooth as water, embroidered with countless white cloud patterns, and bone-chillingly cold to the touch.


    Without waiting for Zhao Sheng to inquire, Zhao Jijian proudly explained the three treasures.


    It turned out that the flying sword, named the Red Rainbow Sword, was a Mid Grade Spirit Artifact. Besides the function of slaying enemies and defending, it naturally contained a unique sword escape technique, capable of transforming into a red rainbow and traversing a thousand miles in a flash.


    The dark black shield was named the Black Tortoise Shield, a Low Grade Spirit Artifact. It had no special features and was quite standard, but its one advantage was its extreme defensive power, comparable to the Red Scale Armor.


    As for the third item, a bright blue robe, it was something Zhao Jijian had specifically prepared for Zhao Sheng.


    It was named Cloud Dispersion Robe and was a top-grade magic tool.


    Top-grade magic tools were also known as Half-Spiritual Artifacts. Apart from not possessing the ability of Spiritual Artifacts to change size at will, they were almost no different from general low-grade Spiritual Artifacts.


    The function of this Cloud Dispersion Robe was very simple: it was to accelerate the gathering of Water Element Spirit Qi and to store a portion of the Spiritual Energy.


    But when its owner faced danger, it could instantly produce a vast amount of Cloud Mist, not only obscuring the enemy''s vision but also allowing the wearer to utilize the innate Cloud Ascending Escape Technique to mount the clouds and flee from the enemy''s pursuit.


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t put down the Cloud Dispersion Robe, silently praising Zhao Jijian''s discerning eye. Read new adventures at empire


    He had only casually mentioned a few requirements the night before, yet today he had received the Cloud Dispersion Robe.


    This top-grade magic tool was incredibly suitable for him.


    Not to mention the Cloud Ascending Escape Technique, just the creation of the Cloud Mist alone, when combined with Zhao Sheng''s Nine-layered Mist Sword Talisman, could be said to obstruct the enemy and also slay the enemy unseen.


    Moreover, the fact that the Cloud Dispersion Robe had some Spirit Gathering Array effects was somewhat beyond Zhao Sheng''s expectations.


    You must know, in the Cultivation World, Spirit Gathering Arrays are extremely rare and are known for their exorbitant price.


    It is a kind of Formation that is absolutely forbidden to be divulged and has always been monopolized by the major Cultivation Forces.


    Zhao Sheng was very curious about how Zhao Jijian had acquired this Cloud Dispersion Robe.


    After inquiring, he learned it was partly due to luck.


    It turned out that in a certain Artifact Refining Shop, a Second-Order Artifact Refiner had taken a fancy to that Cloud Dragon claw and insisted on buying it.


    Zhao Jijian, being cunning and astute, purposefully played hard to get, putting on an act that he would never sell it and that it was solely for his own use in Artifact Refining, successfully bluffing the Second-Order Artifact Refiner.


    In the end, Zhao Jijian pretended to be worn down and, seizing the opportunity, made the requests Zhao Sheng wanted.


    Desperate for the Cloud Dragon claw, that Artifact Refiner searched high and low and had no choice but to contact many fellow Artifact Refiners to find a top-grade magic tool that met the requirements.


    That was how the Cloud Dispersion Robe came into Zhao Sheng''s hands.


    After hearing the story, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but give a thumbs-up and admire, "Brilliant, truly brilliant!"


    While Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were appreciating the magic tool, in a certain courtyard within the workshop, people were also talking about them.


    ...


    "How many families are participating in tomorrow''s auction?"


    "A total of twelve, but there are only seven Hundred-year Tokens. Too many wolves and not enough meat!"


    "Hmph, two more families have wedged in. The situation that our families have struggled to set up is not meant to be exploited by others.


    If there are more wolves, we should start by eliminating the weaker ones. Tomorrow, you arrange for someone to... do this and that. Do you understand?"


    "I understand, but if we do this, we''ll be violating sectarian rules. If we''re discovered by the disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall, it''ll be bad."


    "Don''t worry! Our family has several ''good friends'' in the Law Enforcement Hall. Even if we are discovered, we can make a big issue small, a small issue nonexistent.


    Besides, tomorrow we are not the only ones making a move. The heads of both the Zhou family and the Wan Family will certainly play dirty too."


    "I see, I''ll go make the arrangements right away."


    "Good, go!"


    ...


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were unaware that a covert battle revolving around the auction was gradually unfolding.


    Some had already set traps waiting for them to leap into.


    At this time, after finalizing the last details of their plan, each with their own aspirations for a bright future, they both returned to their guest rooms to sleep.


    Tomorrow, amidst sword lights and shadow, would they achieve their wishes?

 Chapter 61 Time Difference

    The next morning, Zhao Sheng got dressed and cleaned up, donning his Cloud Dispersion Robe before leaving his guest room to meet with Zhao Jijian on the first floor.Today, Zhao Jijian was also dressed with vigor, his head full of silver hair tied into a Taoist bun, with the Red Rainbow Sword inserted into it as a Magic hairpin.


    Upon meeting, the two exchanged a knowing smile.


    As Zhao Jijian put it the night before, regardless of the outcome of today''s matters, they could not be outdone in terms of presence.


    Zhao Sheng took out the invitation and handed it to Zhao Jijian, asking, "Shall we keep this invitation with you?"


    "No need, you are the main character today, and I am responsible for support."


    After pushing the invitation back, Zhao Jijian added, "Let''s go, to the workshop station first."


    Indeed,


    Zhao Sheng nodded, pocketing the invitation.


    Upon leaving the inn, the two headed straight for the station.


    In the Cultivation World, the gates of the major Cultivation Sects generally do not allow outsiders to enter.


    If outsiders want to enter the gates, they must be escorted.


    In the station of Jiuding Square, Outer Disciples of the Elixir Cauldron Sect are stationed all year round, specifically to escort Cultivators.


    The Elixir Cauldron Sect is located in the southern part of Central Continent, near the Ten Thousand Great Mountains of the Southern Border. Together with the Beast Taming Sect, which guards the Endless Mang Forest, they are called the Twin Giants of the Southern Domain. Both sects are among the top ten paramount sects of Central Continent.


    The climate in the Southern Border is hot, and the local customs are vastly different from those of Pocket World City in the central part.


    On their way to the station, they caught glimpses of Southern Border beauties wearing short skirts and crop tops, flaunting their voluptuous figures.


    There were also muscular Great Han simply going shirtless, their chests and backs tattooed with varied demon beast totems like bears, tigers, and dragons.


    Besides, on the streets, all kinds of demon beasts were walking among the people with sheer audacity.


    It was only because a Master was watching over that these demon beasts had not been slaughtered by Cultivators already.


    Compared to the other four continents, Central Continent was the earliest to be developed, so beasts and Spiritual Medicines had become increasingly scarce on the land.


    Especially in certain boundaries of the Cultivation World where demon beasts were nearly hunted to extinction.


    It was precisely because of the unique geography of the Southern Border, with the Ten Thousand Great Mountains and the Endless Mang Forest as paradises for demon beasts, that such an abundance of demon beings could be found.


    The sights and scenes along the way greatly broadened Zhao Sheng''s horizons, and he couldn''t help but marvel at the vast and wondrous world of Cultivation. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such magnificent and mystical phenomena are beyond the wildest imaginations of mortals.


    An hour later, after crossing the majority of the Square, Zhao Sheng and the other finally reached the station.


    Just as they arrived at the entrance, Zhao Sheng suddenly heard a chirping sound by his ear, and then saw a small bird with a yellow beak and white feathers fly out from the station, hovering over his head without leaving.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng became inwardly vigilant, and Zhao Jijian did the same.


    At that moment, a young Cultivator with delicate eyebrows and a long face, wearing a white robe adorned with Elixir Patterns, hurried out from the station.


    He looked around, and upon spotting Zhao Sheng and his companion, his face lit up with pleasure, and he quickly approached them with a gentle voice, "May I ask if you two Taoists have come for the auction?"


    After listening, Zhao Sheng exchanged a glance with Zhao Jijian and then nodded, "Indeed, we are here by invitation to attend the auction."


    "Then... could you please show the invitation?"


    Zhao Sheng hesitated for a moment before taking out the invitation from his Storage Bag and showing it to the young man.


    After inspecting it, the young man said joyfully, "Very good, my name is Zhou Siming, and I am the escort messenger of the Elixir Cauldron Sect. I am specifically in charge of escorting you two to the Outer Object Hall for the auction. Please follow me!"


    With that, he gestured for them to follow and then turned to walk towards the station.


    Zhao Sheng and his companion exchanged glances once again, then followed suit together.


    Moments later, a single-horned Flying Lizard with a wide back, two legs, and a wingspan extending over thirty feet suddenly burst into the sky from the station, flying directly towards the heavens.


    After passing through the clouds, the Flying Lizard flapped its wings and flicked its tail, veering towards the southwest.


    Standing on the broad back of the Flying Lizard, Zhou Siming turned his head to look at them and asked with a congenial smile, "May I have the honor of knowing your esteemed names?"


    Zhao Sheng replied with a smile, "We are both surnamed Zhao. My name is Zhao Chonghe. This gentleman is an elder of my family."


    "Where do you hail from? You both seem not to be natives of the Southern Border based on your attire," Zhou Siming inquired curiously.


    "Mr. Zhou, what a keen observation. We are indeed not from the Southern Border, but rather..."


    Facing the ever-curious Zhou Siming, Zhao Sheng was invigorated, chatting and joking with him, while Zhao Jijian remained silent throughout, maintaining the demeanor of a lofty figure.


    The Flying Lizard was incredibly fast, and it only took a quarter of an hour to cover the distance of over two hundred li.


    As they were about to arrive at the mountain gate of the Elixir Cauldron Sect, the conversation between Zhao Sheng and Zhou Siming suddenly ceased, and their moods differed.


    Looking down at the earth below, Zhao Sheng saw nothing but mountains, valleys, and large lakes, the landscape covered in green forests, Spirit Plants, and treasure beasts and demon beasts.


    However, in the midst of this vibrant world, there lay a vast expanse of barren hills and marshes, strikingly out of harmony with the surroundings.


    Zhao Sheng saw a flat area to the south of the barren hills and marshes, dotted with pavilions, towers, and palace complexes, a grand architectural cluster.


    Yet to Zhao Sheng''s surprise, the Flying Lizard did not head towards that cluster of buildings but instead flew toward the barren hills and marshes.


    Zhou Siming, noticing the change in their expressions, explained, "Please don''t misunderstand. That area of barren hills and marshes is nothing more than an illusion created by a Formation. Our Sect''s mountain gate is hidden behind it. And the buildings below are merely the peripheral clusters, not the location of my Elixir Cauldron Sect''s mountain gate."


    "Hmm,"


    After nodding towards Zhou Siming, Zhao Sheng suddenly turned his head to Zhao Jijian and asked, "Is it about time?"


    Zhao Jijian glanced at the barren hills ahead and surveyed below once more before nodding slightly, saying in a deep voice, "It''s about time."


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng gave a slight smile and said to Zhou Siming, who was somewhat perplexed, "Thank you, Mr. Zhou, for accompanying us on this journey. We''ll proceed on our own from here. There''s no need to trouble you further to lead the way."


    Before Zhou Siming could react, Zhao Sheng had already stepped off the lizard''s back, his body freely falling towards the cluster of buildings below.


    At that moment, the Red Rainbow Sword in Zhao Jijian''s hair suddenly sang out, transforming into a streaking red sword rainbow that enveloped Zhao Jijian and sped downward.


    Zhou Siming simply thought Zhao Sheng and his companion were fools.


    Did they really think he was unaware of the rule that one cannot rashly intrude into any Sect''s mountain gate?


    Even with a Sect disciple leading the way, without a Pass Token, they would still be captured as intruders.


    The planner of this scheme had a simple and effective intention ¨C to capitalize on a timing discrepancy.


    If Zhao Sheng were even slightly slower to react, with the Flying Lizard''s speed, by the time he noticed something was amiss, he would probably have already flown into the Illusion Array.


    By then, everything would have been too late.


    Zhao Sheng and his companion would certainly miss the auction.


    Mid-fall, Zhao Sheng was caught by Zhao Jijian, who came on a gliding sword rainbow.


    The two of them stepped onto the Red Rainbow Sword and quickly landed on a stone pathway in the cluster of buildings below.


    Upon landing, they suddenly heard a loud shout: "Who are you?"


    Zhao Sheng turned his head and saw a team of red-robed sword-carrying Patrol Disciples running towards them from not far away.


    The leader was a robust Great Han, nearly nine feet tall with a panther-like face and piercing eyes ¨C it was he who had shouted the query.

 Chapter 62 Encountering the Conspiracy Again

    "Who are you people? How dare you barge into our sect uninvited? Surrender now!" the burly man rushed up to Zhao Sheng and demanded.Zhao Sheng took out the invitation, showed it to him, and explained, "Taoist friend, please don''t misunderstand. The two of us were invited; we did not come unbidden."


    The burly man checked the invitation and, seeing that it was genuine, his expression cleared slightly, but he still questioned, "Where is your escort messenger? Where did he go?"


    "Ha-ha, look, he''s coming now."


    Zhao Sheng chuckled and pointed skyward with his right hand.


    At that moment, Zhou Siming was rapidly flying towards them on a Flying Lizard.


    Before he could dismount, the burly man suddenly cursed, "Zhou Sinian, look at the fine mess you''ve created! Instead of properly escorting guests, where did you run off to? Do you want to take a trip to the Law Enforcement Hall?"


    Upon hearing the burly man''s voice, Zhou Siming shuddered, hurried over, and repeatedly bowed, "Brother Ren, I realize my mistakes. Please have mercy, do not report this to the Law Enforcement Hall."


    "Hmph, for the sake of Senior Sister Zhou, this time I''ll let it pass!"


    Once the burly man and the patrol team had gone far away, Zhao Sheng, looking at a sweating Zhou Siming, said with a chuckle, "Mr. Zhou, aren''t you supposed to take us to the Foreign Affairs Hall now? Hopefully, you won''t go the wrong way this time!"


    "Hmph, let''s go!"


    Zhou Siming let out an irritated snort, shot Zhao Sheng a harsh glare, then turned and walked away.


    This time, Zhou Siming did not play any tricks.


    Within merely the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the three of them arrived in front of a majestic building that looked like a palace, with the words ''Foreign Affairs Hall'' in gold lettering in the middle of the plaque. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Foreign Affairs Hall was a six-story palace building covering nearly ten acres and over twenty meters in height, with no fewer than five entrances.


    At that time, many disciples of the Elixir Cauldron Sect in various colored Crimson Robes and other Cultivators in different outfits were bustling in and out, creating a very busy scene.


    Zhou Siming led the two around the plaza, bypassed the main entrance, and stopped in front of one of the side doors of the Foreign Affairs Hall.


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    "Here we are, you can go in on your own!" Zhou Siming coldly dropped the remark and then left.


    Zhao Sheng, unfazed, smiled and walked into the Foreign Affairs Hall with Zhao Jijian.


    However, just as they reached the entrance, they were stopped once again.


    An Outer Disciple in a white robe stood at the door, expressionless, and challenged, "What is your business here?"


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, "It seems no matter the world, it''s always the same. With power comes arrogance, and this makes things difficult and unpleasant."


    Despite feeling uncomfortable, Zhao Sheng still dutifully took out the invitation and repeated his explanation for the third time.


    "Hand it over!"


    "Hand over what?"


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback by the question, momentarily unable to respond.


    At this moment, Zhao Jijian stepped forward and tossed a bottle of Elixir Pills into the other''s chest.


    Unexpectedly, this only enraged the man, who stomped the Elixir Pills into the ground and cursed, "Pah, what kind of person do you think I am? I was asking for the invitation."


    Hearing this, Zhao Jijian, aside from feeling embarrassed, was inwardly shocked.


    Not accepting a bribe! This hardly seemed like the behavior of an Outer Disciple of a major sect!


    It is known that some Loose Cultivators and children from small families who come to handle affairs at a sect¡ªif they don''t give a bribe to the gatekeepers¡ªare not even allowed inside.


    This bad practice had almost become a norm in the Cultivation World for thousands of years.


    Could it be that they had encountered a true gentleman today?


    Probably not that simple!


    As Zhao Jijian thought this, just as he was about to remind the Family Head, he saw him unhesitatingly putting back the invitation into his Storage Bag.


    The man, seeing this, angrily said, "What are you doing? Hand it over now!"


    "Hand over what?" Zhao Sheng asked with a smirk.


    "The¡ªinvitation¡ªletter!" the man, clenching his teeth and suppressing his anger, demanded harshly.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head solemnly, "I can''t give you the invitation letter. What if you lose it?"


    The man laughed in annoyance and angrily said, "If you don''t have the invitation letter, then don''t even think about entering."


    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian stepped forward, subtly channeling his spiritual power to release the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    "Heh, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, so what? Try to make a move if you dare," the man retorted fearlessly, even provocatively.


    He was fearless.


    Although the rules of the Elixir Cauldron Sect were strict, there were always loopholes to exploit.


    Over the years, the rules of the Elixir Cauldron Sect had been thoroughly understood by its disciples.


    And with the myriad personal relations at play, outsiders unaware of the Sect''s influence risked suffering losses even if they were right, should they rashly confront an Elixir Cauldron Sect Disciple.


    In the world of cultivation, it''s not just about fighting; it''s also about understanding human relationships!


    So... did Zhao Jijian and Zhao Sheng understand the implications?


    One was an old man who had mingled in the Cultivation World for decades, while the other was an old immortal who had been reincarnated four times.


    The answer was self-evident!


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward, signaling Zhao Jijian not to act.


    Looking at the confident gatekeeper Disciple, Zhao Sheng smiled and suddenly shouted loudly, "Why won''t you let us in?"


    "I told you, without an invitation letter, no one is allowed in," the man said impatiently.


    "But we do have it!" Zhao Sheng channeled his Dantian, making his voice more resonant.


    At this moment, when the gatekeeper Disciple saw the curious onlookers around him, far from panicking, he mocked, "What are you yelling for! If you had shown it earlier, I would''ve already let you in."


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng raised an eyebrow, knowing that this person must have a powerful backer behind him.


    Seeing that his little trick was ineffective, Zhao Sheng shifted his mind and pretended to naively argue loudly with the man for a few moments.


    Meanwhile, the situation around Zhao Sheng had successfully attracted increasingly more people''s attention.


    When the timing seemed right, Zhao Sheng, feigning anger, pulled a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm from the spirit worm bag and threw it on the ground, pretending he was about to step on it.


    Just then, a thunderous shout suddenly exploded, "Stop!"


    In an instant, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck from the sky, causing a heart-wrenching pain among the bystanders, making them almost spit blood.


    Zhao Sheng''s vision blurred momentarily, and when he focused, he saw an elderly man with a long beard suddenly appear in front of him.


    This person had a broad face and big ears, with a beard hanging down to his chest, dressed in a Heavenly Silkworm Silk Robe, embroidered with six three-legged, two-eared alchemy furnaces.


    The long-bearded elder took the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm into his hand, his face showing relief as he said, "Thank goodness I arrived in time, otherwise this precious treasure would have been wasted by you, lad."


    Seeing this person appear, Zhao Sheng felt a surge of joy inside and thought to himself, "Indeed, someone who recognizes the value, not in vain did I perform this act. I''ve finally lured a big fish."


    The gatekeeper Disciple, seeing the newcomer, turned pale with fright and hurriedly bowed in panic, saying, "Disciple pays respect to True Spirit Ginseng!"


    The Elixir Cauldron Sect had a very interesting tradition: once a Disciple successfully formed a Golden Core, they not only automatically became an elder of the Sect, but they also invariably adopted a name related to a Spiritual Medicine.


    Spirit Ginseng is one of the most famous Spiritual Medicines in the Cultivation World.


    Considering that this long-bearded elder had taken ''Spirit Ginseng'' as his Taoist name, one could imagine his high status within the Elixir Cauldron Sect.

 Chapter 63 Master Qiong Shen

    At this moment, the gatekeeper disciple was scared to death, his body trembling uncontrollably.He fervently prayed in his heart that True Spirit Ginseng hadn''t noticed what had just happened.


    One should know that True Spirit Ginseng was not just a simple elder of the sect; he also held the position of Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall.


    The most critical point was that his temperament was extremely explosive!


    "I''m afraid I can''t escape my doom this time." The thought couldn''t stop wailing in his heart, while he simultaneously cursed the Wan Family cultivators who had put him up to this.


    Sure enough, what he feared came to pass.


    With a cold snort, True Spirit Ginseng pointed at him and said, "You, go report to the Law Enforcement Hall immediately and spend a month in the Ice and Fire Cave. Say that it is my order. Did you hear that clearly?"


    "Heard... heard clearly! Disciple will go now. Thank you for showing leniency, True Immortal!"


    The gatekeeper disciple bowed deeply, trembling with fear.


    No sooner had he finished speaking than he ran off like a quail about to be slaughtered, fearing that True Spirit Ginseng would add to his punishment.


    After dealing with the scum, True Spirit Ginseng''s eyes lifted slightly as his gaze swept across the crowd.


    "Oh no, it''s the death glare of a Golden Core master. Let''s get out of here, scatter quickly!"


    Everyone felt a jolt in their hearts and dispersed in an instant.


    Having cleared the area with a single glance, True Spirit Ginseng turned his head and looked kindly at Zhao Sheng and the others.


    Zhao Chong and Zhao Jijian hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Junior Zhao Chonghe greets True Immortal."


    "Zhao Jijian of Dragon Carp Lake, greets True Immortal. May the True Immortal live a thousand years!"


    "No need for formalities!"


    True Spirit Ginseng waved his hand indifferently, then immediately instructed, "You two, come with me."


    Zhao Chong and Zhao Jijian exchanged glances, communicating a great deal of information in an instant.


    Zhao Jijian understood and a trace of difficulty crossed his face, "Reporting to True Immortal, we were just about to attend an auction. If we go late, we''re afraid that... "


    Before he could finish, True Spirit Ginseng had already realized, "So you''ve come for the Hundred-year Token auction. However, you don''t need to go now, just follow me!"


    Before the words had fallen, a gentle female voice suddenly rang in the ears of the three, "Hold on! Who says they aren''t going?"


    Zhao Chong looked in the direction of the voice and saw a majestic and well-dressed woman in a Six Cauldron Pill Robe floating down from the third layer of the Foreign Affairs Hall, landing before the three of them.


    After the woman appeared, she immediately paid her respects to True Spirit Ginseng with a smile, "It''s been ten years since True Spirit Ginseng brother went into retreat. Seeing you today, your mana seems to have improved, and I fear that you''ve reached the Late Stage of the Golden Core Realm, haven''t you?"


    True Spirit Ginseng, upon seeing the newcomer, felt his heart sink but showed no change in expression.


    He nodded and said, "Master Qiong Shen, you flatter me. It''s not so easy to break through to the Late Stage of the Golden Core. I''ve only gained a little."


    "Brother, you weren''t in the Nine Curves Peak for your retreat; how do you have the leisure to visit my Foreign Affairs Hall today?" Experience tales with empire


    "Haha, I was merely passing by. Who would have thought I''d have some unexpected gains?"


    Following that, the two Golden Core Masters exchanged a few more "pleasantries."


    As the two powerhouses sparred with words, Zhao Chong and Zhao Jijian stood stiffly like wooden stakes, daring not to make any disrespectful moves.


    Seeing that she wasn''t getting the upper hand, Master Qiong Shen''s eyes flashed, and she finally spoke seriously, "Brother, what you did just now was somewhat lacking. These two clearly came for the Hundred-year Token. Why disallow them from participating in the auction?"


    True Spirit Ginseng laughed and said, "I have never uttered the word ''disallow''. If Sister doesn''t believe me, she can ask the two of them?"


    As the gazes of both Golden Core Masters turned to them, Zhao Chong internally lamented his misfortune.


    He hadn''t expected the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm to cause trouble with two Golden Core Masters.


    He couldn''t afford to offend either of these great personages!


    Under the weight of their meaningful stares, Zhao Chong braced himself and answered, "Uh, the True Immortal indeed didn''t... didn''t use the word ''disallow''."


    Hmm,


    Master True Spirit Ginseng and Master Qiong Shen were quite surprised. They had thought the Foundation Establishment cultivator would speak up, but it turned out to be that young man who responded.


    With not a word succeeding, Master Qiong Shen continued, "Are you here to attend the auction?"


    "In reply to the True Immortal, yes," Zhao Sheng quickly grasped the implication behind the other''s words and immediately responded.


    Master Qiong Shen nodded in satisfaction and softly said, "Go ahead then! The auction is about to start."


    Zhao Sheng was just about to nod in acknowledgment when a gentle yet powerful mana force easily invaded his body, instantly sealing his movements.


    "Hold on, what is the meaning of this, Junior Sister?" Master True Spirit Ginseng asked with a displeased expression.


    "Senior Brother, do not blame me, your Junior Sister is merely following the rules. Besides, that Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm is not something you can monopolize by yourself."


    Having said that, Master Qiong Shen swept her sleeve, and a faint blue light entered Zhao Sheng''s body, easily neutralizing the invasive foreign mana.


    "Hmph," Master True Spirit Ginseng, seeing that the conversation had been pointedly brought to light, couldn''t help but snort coldly and turn back to Zhao Sheng and the others, demanding, "Tell me, do you intend to sell the spirit worm to me, or are you determined to participate in the auction?"


    As he spoke, the overwhelming presence of a Golden Core Realm cultivator was unabashedly released.


    Without a doubt, he was using his powerful status to pressure others.


    Faced with the oppressive aura of a Golden Core Master, Zhao Sheng struggled bitterly to withstand it, and Zhao Jijian wasn''t faring much better.


    Without attaining a Golden Core, everything is like an ant, be it Foundation Establishment or mortal!


    What was strange, however, was that Master Qiong Shen showed no intention of intervening, merely watching calmly from the side.


    At that moment, a thought flashed through Zhao Sheng''s mind as if he had come to a realization. With great effort, he slightly opened his mouth and managed to say, "Please forgive us, True Immortal. We seek only the Hundred-year Token, nothing else."


    Although Zhao Sheng did not directly answer, the meaning behind his words was unmistakably clear.


    Seeing this, Master Qiong Shen smiled slightly and then released her own aura, blocking Master True Spirit Ginseng''s oppressive pressure.


    "Senior Brother, please do not make it difficult for your Junior Sister. Openly undermining the sect''s foundations is a great taboo for our kind!"


    Master True Spirit Ginseng, clearly enraged, flicked his sleeve but still defended himself, "You exaggerate, Junior Sister. Just now, I was merely attracted by the prospect."


    "Very well, you two go in then. I was planning to go in and see the excitement myself. Junior Sister, please do as you wish."


    "Senior Brother, it''s rare that you visit our Foreign Affairs Hall, so of course, I should personally keep you company."


    ...


    On the third layer of the Outer Object Hall, in one of the chambers.


    At this moment, there were already quite a few people scattered sparsely in the seats of the chamber.


    From their attire and the distribution of their seats, it was evident that they likely represented nine different power blocs.


    The Shen Family from Southern Mountain Kingdom, the Zhou family from Chen Country, the Wei Family from Wanyi Mountain...


    The nine Foundation Establishment Families were there to attend the auction for the Hundred-year Token.


    Originally, there were twelve families, but due to some underhanded manoeuvres by certain individuals, three families were successfully excluded.


    Perhaps having waited too long, someone in the chamber couldn''t help but mutter, "The appointed time has already arrived, why hasn''t it started yet?"


    Though the voice was low, it still reached the ears of others, and soon the chamber was filled with whispered conversations.


    To earn the favor of the Elixir Cauldron Sect and secure the Hundred-year Tokens, these families had invested a great deal of effort and resources.


    If something unexpected occurred leading to the abortion of the auction,


    They would be in a dire situation, and even worse, they would not even have the chance to lament.


    Because the methods they used were somewhat shady.


    If a Golden Core Master raised questions about the loss of sect assets or someone embezzling for personal gain,


    Once the Elixir Cauldron Sect took it seriously and conducted an audit, no one would escape the consequences.

 Chapter 64 Regret Not Having Done Sooner

    Seeing that the noise in the hall was getting louder and louder, Liu Quji had no choice but to step up to the front stage, his face stern as he called out loudly, "Quiet!"As soon as these words came out, the crowd below instantly fell silent.


    Seeing this, Liu Quji nodded with satisfaction, thinking to himself, "The Outer Object Hall truly deserves to be one of the core chambers of the sect. Even serving as a third-class deacon here is much better than being a manager outside. It was not in vain that I beseeched my Third Uncle for half a month before finally being assigned here."


    Turning to step down from the high stage, Liu Quji quietly found his Third Uncle, Liu Fadeng, and whispered, "Third Uncle, why hasn''t the auction started yet?"


    "Everyone else isn''t in a hurry, so why are you? The Ancestor has been delayed by some matter. They told you to wait a while; do you have an objection?"


    Liu Fadeng, who had been meditating with closed eyes in the back hall, opened his eyes and reprimanded him.


    Liu Fadeng was a first-class manager of the Outer Object Hall, with a cultivation at the Third Level of Foundation Establishment. At the same time, he and Liu Quji were both from the Denver Liu Family.


    Beyond that, both were descendants of relatives of Master Qiong Shen.


    Mhm, Master Qiong Shen was also from the Liu Family, the youngest of the three Golden Core Masters of the Liu Family. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Liu Quji got a fright and hastened to say he dared not have any objections.


    Just then, a sudden scraping of chairs could be heard in the front hall.


    Straight away, the two of them heard the crowd shouting in unison:


    "The Shen Family of Southern Mountain... Wanyi Mountain Wan Family... Greetings to Master Qiong Shen... Greetings to True Spirit Ginseng! May the True Immortal live for a thousand years!"


    "The Ancestor has arrived, let''s hurry out," Liu Fadeng called out, then quickly ran towards the front hall, with Liu Quji following close behind.


    But at this moment, they did not know what the representatives of the nine Cultivation Families in the front hall were feeling. They were truly shocked.


    What had they seen?


    They had witnessed with their own eyes that two unassuming cultivators had been accompanied personally into this place by two of the Golden Core Masters of the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    And apparently, the Masters'' attitude was very approachable.


    Was this still the style of the Elixir Cauldron Sect''s Golden Core bigwigs?


    The cultivators from these families could hardly believe their own eyes, and they looked at those two individuals with a mix of envy, jealousy... and hatred, wishing that they could be in their place!


    By the time Liu Fadeng and his nephew arrived at the front hall, they too saw this scene.


    The two of them looked at each other, speechless with both shock and uncertainty about what to say.


    However, Liu Fadeng only hesitated for a moment before quickly rushing forward to kowtow and pay his respects to the Ancestor.


    He then very respectfully accorded the same honors to True Spirit Ginseng.


    Liu Quji was a little slower, but he also arrived in time to follow his uncle in paying respects.


    "Enough. The auction can begin now."


    After saying this, Master Qiong Shen took out a Crystal Ball as big as a human head and seven bronze tokens from his Storage Bag and passed them to Liu Fadeng.


    After doing these things, Master Qiong Shen turned to True Spirit Ginseng and smiled, "Senior Brother, why don''t we go to the back hall and let the younger generation handle the affairs here? What do you think?"


    "Hmm," True Spirit Ginseng nodded. Then he turned to look at Zhao Sheng and the other person, instructing, "You two go take a seat first. Bid on any Spirit Vein you''re interested in. If you''re not prepared enough, you can ask this old man for help."


    "Also..."


    At this point, True Spirit Ginseng pondered for a moment before he couldn''t help but ask, "Tell this old man, how many spirit worms do you have in your possession?"


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than Master Qiong Shen said, "Senior Brother, that''s against the rules!"


    True Spirit Ginseng laughed heartily, "Don''t blame me, Junior Sister. I''m merely curious. Besides, my Sun Family and your Liu Family have been intermarried for thousands of years, with both great families being closely connected. It shouldn''t be a problem to accommodate each other a little, right?"


    Master Qiong Shen, upon hearing this, remained silent.


    The Elixir Cauldron Sect comprised of "One Cauldron, Two Medicines, Four Great Elixirs," the seven great Cultivation Families.


    The True Spirit Ginseng, originally named Sun Situi, was the Golden Core Ancestor of the Medicine King Sun Family, one of the Seven Great Families.


    After thousands of years of intermarriages, the Seven Great Families of Elixir Cauldron had become intimately interwoven, their relationships both distant and exceptionally close.


    Among the Seven Great Families, it was true that the Denver Liu Family was the closest to the Medicine King Sun Family.


    This was one point that True Spirit Ginseng hadn''t gotten wrong.


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng honestly said, "Junior has a nest of spirit earthworms in his spirit worm bag, but the number¡ª"


    "What? A whole nest!" the True Spirit Ginseng exclaimed in surprise, suddenly interrupting Zhao Sheng.


    The next second, True Spirit Ginseng eagerly asked, "Do you have any of those giant Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms?"


    Zhao Sheng recalled for a moment and responded with uncertainty, "There seems to be two that are over ten feet long."


    "Give them to me!"


    With that, True Spirit Ginseng, disregarding his status, unleashed his mana to form a giant golden palm, which he reached directly for the spirit worm bag at Zhao Sheng''s waist.


    However, no sooner had the giant palm flown halfway than it was shattered by a streak of blue light.


    "Brother, you''re losing your composure," Master Qiong Shen said, his expression stern as he rebuked.


    True Spirit Ginseng''s loss of composure was because the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm was quite different from ordinary spirit earthworms.


    Spirit earthworms are a species of asexually reproducing spiritual insects of not particularly high grade and without any formidable divine skills or superpowers.


    It''s only because the spirit soil they excrete can improve and enhance the soil quality that spirit worms are highly sought after by all cultivation forces.


    It could be said that spirit earthworms are not uncommon in the Cultivation World, and their presence can be seen in the medicine fields of most cultivation sects.


    However, spirit earthworms have the drawback of generational degradation; after many divisions, they degrade into ordinary earthworms, losing the ability to produce spirit soil.


    This fact has proved highly troublesome for all cultivation forces.


    Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms, as the aristocrats among spirit earthworms, have bloodlines closest to the Mountain Dragon.


    Compared to ordinary spirit earthworms, they are much rarer but often can split into more generations.


    But what''s most critical is not this; it is that only Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms might evolve into Mountain Dragons.


    Mountain Dragons are the kings of spirit earthworms, possessing the trait of near-immortality with extraordinarily tenacious life force, earning them the moniker of the "Water Bear Bug" of the Cultivation World.


    If a Golden Core Master were to sign a Spirit Contract with a Mountain Dragon, not only would they acquire a powerful spirit pet, but more importantly, their life span would surge to two thousand years, in no way inferior to that of a Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    Although the chances of a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm evolving into a Mountain Dragon are minuscule, what if... it actually happened!


    Furthermore, the likelihood of turning into a dragon is directly proportional to the length of the spirit earthworm.


    A Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm over ten feet long has a much higher chance of becoming a dragon, over a hundred times greater than that of an ordinary Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm.


    Now it becomes clear why True Spirit Ginseng lost his composure.


    At this moment, the cultivation families in the hall who saw the two True Immortals actually make a move over a young man were all shockingly bewildered.


    But no matter how shocked they were in their hearts, it could not compare to that of Liu Quji.


    Liu Quji, or rather Manager Liu, was by now almost regretting himself blue in the face.


    Because he had recognized the identity of the young man¡ªit was his "good brother" Zhao Sheng.


    The participants of the Hundred-year Token auction were only a few families, and the other families were all natives of the Southern Border.


    Zhao Sheng''s accent was very similar to the residents of Pocket World City, and they were of a similar age.


    If Liu Quji could not figure out Zhao Sheng''s identity now, it would be an insult to his decades of experiences in Pocket World City.


    "If only I had known earlier... Ah, the regret is unbearable!"


    At that time, Liu Quji very much wanted to give himself a few hard slaps.

 Chapter 65 Im Taking This Spirit Vein

    Foreign Affairs Hall, third layer hallAt this moment, True Spirit Ginseng was also feeling very annoyed within his heart. If he had known that the youngster had a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm longer than a zhang in his possession,


    he wouldn''t have wasted any words and would have abducted him right away.


    Alas...


    Thinking of this, True Spirit Ginseng coughed once, regained his composure, and said, "Sister is right, I indeed lacked sufficient resolve. You take charge here for now, I will go to the Ice and Fire Cave to calm my mind."


    With these words, he swept his sleeve, a clear light surged under his feet, lifting his body, and he suddenly flew away.


    But before leaving, True Spirit Ginseng gave Zhao Sheng a meaningful glance.


    Zhao Sheng caught it from the corner of his eye, and his heart suddenly trembled, becoming somewhat uneasy.


    "Could it be that I''ve caught the attention of a Golden Core grandee? Or is there another meaning?"


    Before he could ponder further, Liu Quji, who was scratching his head at his side, couldn''t contain his little schemes any longer and tentatively said, "Brother Zhao?"


    Zhao Sheng looked up at Manager Liu when he heard the words, and seeing the other''s nervous expression, he felt a stir in his heart.


    He suddenly smiled faintly and said happily, "It turns out to be Brother Liu! How''s it been, it''s been months since we last saw each other; have you returned to your sect from Pocket World City?"


    Liu Quji, seeing that Zhao Sheng didn''t deny his identity, was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Yes, thanks to your blessing, I was transferred back to the Foreign Affairs Hall."


    Zhao had no intention of hiding his identity. Besides, even if he hid it for the moment, he couldn''t hide it forever; as soon as the Zhao family moved to the Southern Border, it would be easy for outsiders to trace him.


    What''s more important was that the Zhao family would be following the Elixir Cauldron Sect in the future, and having a "friend" in the sect wasn''t a bad thing ¨C after all, having more friends meant more pathways.


    At this point, Zhao Sheng asked as if offhand, "By the way, is Manager Shen also back?"


    Upon hearing this, Liu Quji''s heart skipped a beat, and he forced a smile, saying, "Manager Shen is still in Pocket World City."


    "That''s a pity," Zhao Sheng sighed.


    Others might not know what this ''pity'' referred to, but Liu Quji already had a guess.


    Seeing this scene, Master Qiong Shen''s eyes gleamed momentarily before she suddenly asked, "Quji, you two know each other?"


    Hearing the question from the Ancestor, Liu Quji immediately responded respectfully, "Replying to the Ancestor''s question. Brother Zhao, no, Taoist Zhao''s invitation was personally sent out by my grandnephew."


    Master Qiong Shen nodded and said, "Hmm, you''ve done well."


    Then, she looked towards Liu Fadeng and instructed, "The auction can begin now."


    "Yes, Ancestor!" Liu Fadeng and Liu Quji, uncle and nephew, straightened their expressions and answered in unison.


    After speaking, Liu Quji''s cheeks flushed, and he staggered a little as he walked towards the front stage.


    At this moment, his heart was surging, and he was overwhelmed with excitement: "The Ancestor actually praised him for doing well! My heavens, my luck is turning. Shen Family, I''m sorry about this time!"


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian also bowed and said, "Please forgive us, True Immortal, we will take our leave first!"


    Master Qiong Shen nodded at them and then gracefully left.


    The people from the nine major families present in the hall felt a collective chill in their hearts when they saw this scene, and they couldn''t help but silently lament their unfortunate timing.


    It was already a case of too many wolves and not enough meat, and now, one of the spirit veins was surely to be claimed by someone.


    As long as the Liu uncle and nephew were not foolish, did they even need a reminder on what to do?


    At this time, Zhao Sheng and his companion casually found two vacant seats and sat down.


    The people nearby hurried over to greet them and subtly tried to probe their identities and their relationship with the two Golden Core Masters.


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were both old hands, and dealing with such a situation was a piece of cake for them.


    After uttering a few vague phrases, they left the people from the other families with the impression that the Zhao family was unfathomable, and they couldn''t help but feel awe towards Zhao Sheng and his companion.


    Before the auction began, Liu Fadeng stepped onto the stage to deliver some opening remarks before announcing the official start.


    "Sanhe Hill, a First-order Middle-grade Spirit Vein with fifty acres of spirit field and a Green Gold Spirit Mine, a population exceeding one hundred thousand. The range starts from¡­"


    As Liu Fadeng continued with the introduction, Liu Quji infused Spiritual Power into the Crystal Ball.


    The very next second, a burst of brilliant white light emanated from the Crystal Ball.


    Three winding rivers converged beneath a hill, a small city filled with ancient charm, vast fields of golden spirit grain¡­


    A series of vivid images were instantaneously projected into the hall. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing these incredibly lifelike scenes, everyone felt as if they were truly there.


    Zhao Sheng watched this unfold, inwardly shocked.


    This level of realistic three-dimensional imagery was comparable to the virtual reality technology of his first life¡ªno, it was even more advanced by far.


    Because Zhao Sheng could genuinely smell the fragrance of the ripening spirit grain.


    Once Liu Fadeng finished the introduction, an odd hush fell over the hall.


    As Zhao Sheng felt something amiss, he noticed that everyone else was looking in their direction.


    Thinking quickly, Zhao Sheng suddenly understood.


    They were clearly waiting to see if he would choose this Spirit Vein.


    If he declined, then others would dare to make their moves.


    If he was interested, then the others wouldn''t need to expend their efforts competing.


    With this in mind, Zhao Sheng shook his head slightly and revealed a restrained smile to everyone.


    Upon seeing this, a red-faced elder immediately stood up from the crowd and declared in a loud voice, "My Zhou family possesses a treasure called the Nine Shining Exquisite Heart. Manager Liu, please have a look!"


    As he spoke, the elder strode forward, took out a heart-shaped Crystal Jade with nine holes, and presented it to Liu Fadeng.


    Three hundred years ago, the Hundred-year Token auction held by the Purple Sun Sect was aimed at collecting Spirit Stones, yet the Elixir Cauldron Sect was abundantly wealthy and had no shortage of Spirit Stones. Consequently, this auction was primarily a trade of treasures for tokens.


    At that moment, another family stood up: "I also have a treasure named ''Ancient Barbarian Medical Book.'' Please, Manager Liu, have a look!"


    Quickly, a third and then a fourth family came forward to compete for the Sanhe Hill Spirit Vein.


    The auction descended into intense competition from the start¡ªall thanks to the unwitting disturbance caused by Zhao Sheng and his partner.


    One hour later, of the seven Spirit Veins, three had already been auctioned off.


    Then, Liu Fadeng glanced at Zhao Sheng and proceeded to announce loudly, "The next Spirit Vein is a First-rank top-grade one, located at Taifu Mountain, and has been established for over six hundred years. It mainly produces¡­"


    As the Illusion Realm images unfolded one by one, Zhao Sheng finally stood up and calmly said, "I''ll take this Spirit Vein."


    As soon as these words were spoken, the people of the Wanyi Mountain Wan Family looked as if they had suffered a bereavement.


    That''s because the Spirit Vein at Taifu Mountain was a Dragon Rising Land meticulously selected by the old ancestor of their family.


    Now¡­ the Dragon Rising Land belonged to someone else!


    ...


    Four hours later, the members of the Shen Family left the Outer Object Hall with ashen faces.


    They hadn''t managed to acquire a single Spirit Vein this time, even though the treasures they had prepared were among the top three of the nine families.


    And that detestable Manager Liu didn''t even spare their offerings a single glance.


    The Shen Family members couldn''t figure it out at the moment, but they would likely come to understand soon, as they had provoked someone they shouldn''t have.


    After the auction ended, just as Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were about to leave, they were stopped by Liu Quji.

 Chapter 66 The Performance Ends and Another Begins

    At the entrance of the Outer Object Hall, Liu Quji excitedly said to Zhao Sheng, "Brother Zhao, you''re in luck. The ancestor Qiong Shen wishes to see you!"Indeed, as expected!


    Having anticipated that Master Qiong Shen might wish to see him, Zhao Sheng felt no surprise.


    Zhao Sheng handed over the Hundred-year Token to Zhao Jijian and then followed Liu Quji away.


    After a moment, on the sixth floor of the Outer Object Hall, Zhao Sheng met Master Qiong Shen standing by the window.


    At that time, Liu Quji tactfully left the room and carefully closed the door behind him.


    As the room''s door closed, Zhao Sheng immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Junior Zhao Chonghe pays his respects to the Master!"


    "A name meaning ''one''s zeal matches one''s peace''¡ªwell chosen!"


    After praising him, Master Qiong Shen waved his hand to release a stream of mana, lifting Zhao Sheng up, and spoke with a pleasant countenance.


    Zhao Sheng straightened his posture and spoke candidly, "Master has invited this junior to meet. Could it be about the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms?"


    Master Qiong Shen smiled without giving a direct reply and suddenly asked, "Were the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms discovered by you?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, "Indeed. I found the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms in a secluded valley cliff on Heavenly Pillar Mountain while gathering herbs. Besides those I presented, I still have a dozen or so in my possession."


    "Hehe, you''re quite candid. There are not many Qi Refining disciples in my sect as astute as you," Master Qiong Shen said, admiring Zhao Sheng''s dignity and poise.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly but didn''t continue the topic. Instead, he took the initiative to bring out a spirit worm bag and place it on the table.


    Before coming to the Elixir Cauldron Sect, he had anticipated all possible emergencies that could arise.


    The current situation did not surprise him.


    Would a cultivator who obtained Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms foolishly turn them all in?


    No,


    A typical cultivator would intentionally conceal some, especially the best quality batch.


    Zhao Sheng had done just that.


    Master Qiong Shen took the spirit worm bag into his hand, and his Divine Sense penetrated it, his face quickly revealing a hint of joy.


    There were twelve Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms in the bag; the shortest one was five feet long, and one of them was incredibly over thirty feet in length.


    You should know that as long as Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms do not split and replicate, they will continue to grow.


    Those that grow over thirty feet indicate potential to revert to their Ancestor Mountain Dragon lineage.


    The longer they are, the greater the likelihood of reverting!


    A three-feet-long Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm approaches a Second Order grade and is considered an extremely rare treasure. Its chances of reverting are as high as one percent.


    Don''t underestimate one percent; this probability is quite high already.


    In the Cultivation World, there are Golden Core Masters who would invest all they have for this one percent chance.


    After carefully inspecting them, Master Qiong Shen flipped his wrist, tucking the spirit worm bag into his sleeve, and with an amiable smile praised, "Very well, you''ve been considerate!"


    Zhao Sheng spoke modestly, "This junior does not dare to take credit; I only ask the Master to forgive my concealment."


    Master Qiong Shen replied, "What crime is there to speak of? It is but human nature. Now, you may state any requests you have."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s mind whirled with numerous thoughts. Suddenly, he ventured, "Master, it seems... True Spirit Ginseng is quite interested in this junior?"


    He did not directly say that True Spirit Ginseng was also eyeing this batch of Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms, instead, he subtly chose different words.


    Master Qiong Shen appeared unconcerned upon hearing this and said, "Don''t worry, I will deal with True Spirit Ginseng and it will not involve you."


    Relieved, Zhao Sheng then said, "This junior dares not presume anything, I only ask the Master to bestow upon me an Elixir Scripture."


    In fact, Zhao Sheng had already planned what to exchange for these spirit worms.


    Initially, he only wished to exchange them for a few Elixir Recipes, but after witnessing the importance that both Qiong Shen and Spirit Ginseng placed on the spirit worms, Zhao Sheng secretly raised his asking price by two levels.


    In the Cultivation World, Dharma, Wealth, Comrades, and Place are the four crucial secrets, with Dharma being the foremost.


    Having finally encountered a splendid opportunity for bargaining, Zhao Sheng would have wasted his several hundred years of life if he did not take advantage and suggest somewhat excessive demands.


    Master Qiong Shen laughed and said, "You truly dare to ask!"


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng''s face changed color.


    ...


    A short while later, Zhao Sheng, with a composed expression, emerged from the room and immediately saw Liu Quji guarding beside the staircase on the sixth floor.


    "Brother Zhao, how did it go?" Liu Quji asked eagerly as soon as he saw Zhao Sheng.


    "What do you mean, how did it go? Are you asking about Master Qiong Shen?" Instead of answering, Zhao Sheng deflected with a question.


    Liu Quji''s face turned pale, and he suddenly slapped himself, pleading, "I misspoke just now. Please don''t take it to heart, brother."


    Zhao Sheng laughed and said, "What are you talking about, Brother Liu? If it wasn''t for your help, how could I have stumbled upon such an opportunity? Master Qiong Shen is quite fond of me, she even gifted me some alchemy notes from her youth." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What? The Ancestor actually gave you her own handwritten insights. That''s impossible!"


    Liu Quji was extremely excited; he would rather believe that Zhao Sheng acquired a top-grade Spiritual Artifact than believe what he had heard.


    Zhao Sheng did not explain but silently pulled out a booklet and waved it in front of him.


    Gazing at the graceful handwriting on the cover of the booklet, Liu Quji''s eyes turned red with envy.


    Seeing the other party''s reaction, Zhao Sheng knew he had been hoodwinked.


    In reality, how could the alchemy insights of a Golden Core Master possibly be bestowed upon an outsider?


    Master Qiong Shen simply gave him some casual notes, which recorded only a dozen or so Elixir Recipes, including her analyses and summaries.


    Even so, Zhao Sheng was very satisfied in his heart.


    A Golden Core Master''s partial alchemy insights were sufficient to provide the Zhao family with an additional alchemy legacy.


    Of course, the actual situation was something that Zhao Sheng would naturally not reveal to Liu Quji.


    When it came to bluffing and grandstanding, Zhao Sheng was an old hand, always yielding extraordinary results.


    Indeed,


    after this incident, the way Liu Quji looked at him was different, filled with a mix of respect and eagerness.


    Upon learning that Zhao Sheng was going to take over Taifu Mountain, Liu Quji volunteered to accompany him and directly offered to help resolve some minor troubles, such as difficulties posed by certain individuals during the handover.


    No need for superfluous words!


    Four days later, with the full assistance of Liu Quji, Zhao Sheng and another took over Taifu Mountain without any effort from the disciples stationed there by external forces.


    Ten days later, at the Cloud Boat Pier of Nine Tripods Square.


    After bidding farewell to Liu Quji several times, Zhao Sheng turned and boarded the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat with Zhao Jijian to return to Pocket World City.


    ...


    Five days later, as the sun set in the west,


    watching the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat ascend and depart, Zhao Jijian burst into laughter as if he had let go of an immense burden.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng seemed to be infected by the mirth, his face breaking into a radiant smile.


    After laughing their fill, Zhao Sheng''s expression became serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Let''s go! The grand show at Dragon Carp Lake has already begun. If we don''t hurry, we''ll miss the finale."


    Hearing this, Zhao Jijian''s expression turned solemn, and he nodded, saying, "Some people have really gone too far!"


    Zhao Sheng said indifferently, "When a great disaster looms, everyone flies separately. That''s all there is to it!"

 Chapter 67 Shattered Star Sea

    Ten miles east of Dragon Carp Lake, there was a county town named East Zhao with a population exceeding one hundred thousand, over half of whom had the surname Zhao.This county town had a history of nearly three hundred years and was the main settlement for the secular relatives of the Zhao family from Dragon Carp Lake.


    Recently, the atmosphere in East Zhao City had become unusually oppressive, as if the sky were about to collapse. The faces of the Zhao clan members were all somber, their hearts filled with anxiety and unease.


    A month ago, Unity Hall had suddenly transmitted a message, stating that the Purple Sun Sect would reclaim Dragon Carp Lake in a year and demanded that the Zhao family vacate by the deadline.


    This news struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, instantly shattering the last hopes of the fifty thousand Zhao clan members.


    Having lived comfortably for three hundred years, the Zhao family members had long considered Dragon Carp Lake their ancestral homeland.


    Now they were being abruptly told to move away from their homeland.


    It was a cruel reality that no one could easily accept.


    For a while, the entire Zhao family was plunged into a state of incessant anxiety.


    However, in the past few days, a rumor had been rapidly spreading among the Zhao family members, and it seemed there might be some positive turn of events.


    In a certain residence in East Zhao City, people were discussing this matter.


    "Go to the Shattered Star Sea?"


    "Alas, there''s no choice but to go! Who would have thought my great-grandfather''s brother''s son was a Cultivator. My entire family is within the fifth degree of kinship, we have no choice but to go!"


    "I heard that the Shattered Star Sea is beyond the Central Continent, who knows how many thousands of miles away from here. Once you go there, you can never come back."


    "If we can''t come back, so be it! At least we have a family Cultivator to support us if the sky falls.


    Besides, without a Cultivator to protect us, who knows what will happen to the Zhao family in East Zhao City in the future. I advise you to join everyone and go to the Shattered Star Sea."


    "Alas, it''s hard to leave one''s homeland. Besides, I still have a lot of family property to deal with. Forget it, I''m not going. After all, my family is already beyond the fifth degree of kinship."


    ...


    In the Zhao family''s station, within a certain council hall. Key decision-makers of the main branch of the Zhao family also gathered with furrowed brows, unable to think of any solutions.


    After a long time, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly broke the silence, "Second brother, does the Purple Sun Sect really intend to take back Dragon Carp Lake no matter what?"


    Zhao Jinding replied with a helpless expression, "The relocation order has been issued. Could it be false?"


    "But... but we can''t move to the Shattered Star Sea! I''ve heard that place is extremely dangerous. The family members from the second branch are foolish to believe Chen Zichuan''s nonsense and are set on moving to the Shattered Star Sea."


    Zhao Jinpeng argued, "The Purple Sun Sect has just opened a new branch in the Shattered Star Sea and they''re short of people. Unfortunately, our Zhao family is caught at this juncture. If we really don''t go to the Shattered Star Sea, are we supposed to become homeless Loose Cultivators? You''ve seen for yourself how miserable the life of a Loose Cultivator can be. And anyway, our Zhao family needs to find somewhere to settle all these tens of thousands of people, right?"


    "It''s really something that Zhao Chonghe decided to vanish at such a critical moment. If he were here, he might have come up with a good idea."


    Hearing someone complain, Zhao Jinding''s expression became very complicated, his face creasing even more deeply.


    The relocation of the Zhao family from Dragon Carp Lake was a foregone conclusion.


    Facing this no-win situation, Zhao Jinding admitted to himself that he had no solutions.


    His only hope now lay with Zhao Chonghe, no, it should be said, with Zhao Jijian.


    Unfortunately, when he went to Pocket World City two weeks ago to discuss strategies with them, he had come back empty-handed.


    Even Zhao Yongwu couldn''t clarify where the two had gone; he only knew that right after Fourth Ancestor came out of seclusion, he had left Pocket World City immediately with the elder.


    Had Zhao Jijian left seclusion? And had he advanced to Foundation Establishment?


    Harboring this question, Zhao Jinding returned to Dragon Carp Lake, his heart faintly filled with some hope.


    After discussing for a long time, everyone still had no clue what to do.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jinpeng shouted, "If we keep delaying like this, all the Zhao family members will be persuaded by the second branch.


    I''ve heard that quite a few people from our main branch have been influenced as well and want to venture into the Shattered Star Sea to carve out new prospects. Otherwise, we might as well all go together. After all, we''ll have nowhere else to go if we leave Dragon Carp Lake."


    Hearing this, some people were vaguely tempted, but others scoffed at the idea.


    Just then, Zhao Chongwei suddenly burst in, panting and shouting, "Second... the second branch has suddenly called for a family meeting. They''ve already gone to Unity Hall. They say the assembly will officially start in an hour, and they won''t wait for anyone who''s late."


    "What?"


    "Outrageous! The second branch dares to call a family meeting without consulting us. Have they no regard for ancestral rules anymore?"


    "Let''s go, let''s hurry to Unity Hall."


    At that moment, Zhao Jinding fiercely slammed his hand down and stood up, his face stern as he declared, "To Unity Hall! I am determined to see what tricks Zhao Jingang is playing!"


    ...


    An hour later, Unity Hall on Yanyue Island.


    The atmosphere inside Unity Hall was tense; members of the two branches of the Zhao family glared furiously at each other, poised for conflict.


    Looking around, one could see not only all twenty-seven Cultivators of the Zhao family gathered, but also over a dozen venerable common relatives.


    On the side of the second branch, Chen Zichuan, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Purple Sun Sect, was also present, engaging in pleasant conversation with Zhao Keqin, utterly at ease. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhao Jingang suddenly coughed twice, hunched his body as he walked out from the crowd of the second branch to the center of the hall, and began with a hoarse voice, "Everyone is here. I have an important announcement to make."


    No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Keqiang of the Sixth Level of Qi Refining suddenly jumped out and shouted, "Hold on! Zhao Jingang, you haven''t discussed this with our main branch, what authority do you have to call a family meeting?"


    "How dare you, a junior, utter my name so disrespectfully," Zhao Jingang burst out furiously, his eyes wolf-like, emitting a chilling gleam.


    At that moment, Zhao Jinding stepped forward, his voice grave, "Third, stop avoiding the important issues. What''s the purpose of calling this family meeting today? If it''s to persuade everyone to move to the Shattered Star Sea, then save your breath. I, representing the main branch, will never agree."


    "Heh, Zhao Jinding, you say you represent the main branch? Did you ask everyone? As for moving to the Shattered Star Sea, it''s not up to you to decide.


    Moreover, let me tell you, I have already accepted the Immigration Decree on behalf of the Zhao family."


    At these words, Zhao Jinding and some other deeply stunned members of the Zhao Clan were completely dumbfounded.


    The Immigration Decree was a recent edict issued by the Purple Sun Sect. It represented the authority and credibility of the Purple Sun Sect.


    Once accepted, there was absolutely no possibility of reneging. Otherwise, they would face the wrath of the Purple Sun Sect, and the annihilation of their family would be inevitable.


    "You... you..." Zhao Jinding''s face turned crimson, his finger trembling as he pointed at Zhao Jingang, his lips quivering with rage.


    "Zhao Jingang! How has our Zhao family wronged you? You insist on leading our family down a path of destruction."


    Zhao Jingang sneered coldly, "Zhao Jinding, don''t slander me. What I do is all for the good of our family, and Shattered Star Sea is the future path for the Zhao family."


    "Nonsense!"


    "Hmph, I''m talking nonsense? Zhao Jinding, your vision and perspective are too limited, I''m ashamed to be considered a family elder alongside you," retorted Zhao Jingang harshly.


    After mocking him for a bit, Zhao Jingang continued aggressively, "After the Purple Sun Sect reclaimed Dragon Carp Lake, are you willing to just watch as our entire Zhao family is divided and our people become Loose Cultivators? What better ideas do you have? Or do you only know how to bark like a mad dog!"


    Zhao Jinding was left speechless, his face ghastly pale, looking extremely embarrassed.


    Zhao Jingang''s words pierced deeply; if Zhao Jinding really had a solution, he wouldn''t have let the second branch be so rampant.


    Just then, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly spoke out, loudly saying, "Let me speak a fair word, Elder Zhao is absolutely right. At this point, moving to the Shattered Star Sea is our only way out for the Zhao family, and we must set out as soon as possible to claim a treasured island. If we delay, we will only have to pick from what others have left behind."


    "Exactly! The early bird gets the worm, latecomers will suffer! Sixth Master speaks the truth," a member of the second branch promptly agreed.


    "Do we really have to go to the Shattered Star Sea?"


    First witnessing Zhao Jinding being easily defeated, then hearing Zhao Jinpeng''s enticing argument,


    The members of the Zhao family in the hall suddenly harbored the same thought.


    At that moment, upon seeing the change in everyone''s expressions, seemingly swayed by his words,


    Zhao Jingang couldn''t help but reveal a hint of a smug smile.


    Did Zhao Jingang really want to make the Zhao family move to the Shattered Star Sea?


    The answer was that he himself didn''t know.


    But he knew he could no longer turn back, because for the past seven or eight years, he had already invested a significant sunk cost in the matter of renewing the lease of Dragon Carp Lake.


    From the day he heard Chen Zichuan propose that the Zhao family move to the Shattered Star Sea, Zhao Jingang had realized that he had fallen into someone else''s trap.


    What was scarier, he was already in too deep to extricate himself, and could only follow this path to the end.


    Luckily, in his view, moving to the Shattered Star Sea was not a dead end but might very well be a chance for the Zhao family to undergo a rebirth, like a phoenix from the ashes.


    The Cultivation World of the Central Continent was stagnant and rigid in hierarchy, while the Shattered Star Sea offered a whole new world without the heavy shackles, providing the Zhao family with much wider room for development.


    Moreover¡­


    As Zhao Jingang was lost in these extensive musings, the doors of Unity Hall were suddenly pushed open from the outside.


    Accompanied by the sound of footsteps, the figures of Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian appeared before everyone.


    Facing expressions of surprise, shock, disgust, and more, Zhao Sheng walked into Unity Hall unruffled.

 Chapter 68 Return and Struggle for Power

    "Chonghe!""Family Head!"


    "Eh, he''s actually returned!"


    "Hehe, when the family needed him the most, he vanished. Now that everything has been set, he suddenly shows up. Truly worthy of being Zhao Chonghe, too clever by half."


    Zhao Sheng turned a deaf ear to the clan''s discussions.


    Due to their limited vision, these Zhao Family members were completely unaware of the immense efforts the Family Head had invested for the future of the entire Zhao Family.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng didn''t mind these murmurs at all. They were all his descendants, and the Ancestor had the capacity to be inclusive.


    Zhao Sheng walked up to Zhao Jinding and said with composure, "Second Grandpa, we''ve come back!"


    Zhao Jinding looked at Zhao Sheng and then at Zhao Jinjian, whose features had greatly changed, and instantly seemed to realize something.


    His expression was stirred, and his voice trembled as he said, "Jinjian, he has... succeeded!"


    Zhao Sheng nodded with a smile,


    Then Zhao Jinjian stepped forward, unleashing the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm as he said, "Second Brother, thank you for your concern! With the blessings of our Ancestor, I have not disappointed you."


    Buzz!


    As the sound of a sword cry resonated, the Spiritual Artifact, Red Rainbow Sword, soared into the sky. Its radiant light surged to three feet in length, and in an instant, it circled the area three times as fast as lightning, before finally hovering above Zhao Jinjian''s head.


    Spiritual Artifact!


    Foundation Establishment Cultivator!


    "Good heavens, could it be...!"


    Witnessing the scene before them, the hearts of the Zhao Family members trembled with indescribable excitement.


    At the critical moment of the Zhao Family''s survival, a Foundation Establishment Clan Member had emerged.


    The Ancestor has shown his grace! Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly rushed over to Zhao Jinjian with a flushed face, crying out excitedly, "Cousin? You''re my cousin, Zhao Jinjian?!"


    At this instant, Zhao Jinpeng was unspeakably thrilled.


    After all, he and Zhao Jinjian were the closest of cousins, their fathers being siblings by blood.


    Zhao Jinjian looked at the excited old man before him and then remembered that he was indeed his cousin, Zhao Jinpeng.


    So, he nodded and said, "So it''s Lao Liu! We brothers haven''t seen each other for decades! Once this matter is settled today, let''s catch up properly."


    "Yes, Cousin, you''re right," Zhao Jinpeng agreed repeatedly, and instantly stood even straighter than before.


    Cough cough!


    Zhao Jingang suddenly coughed twice and squeezed a smile onto his face, then addressed Zhao Jinjian, "Fourth Brother, when did you ascend to the Foundation Establishment? Such great news, why didn''t you inform the family sooner?"


    Zhao Jinjian''s expression became more reserved as he calmly replied, "Third Brother, compared to big matters like the clan''s relocation to Shattered Star Sea, my Foundation Establishment is hardly worth mentioning."


    At these words, Zhao Jingang faltered, and he found himself unable to say anything more.


    With just one statement, Zhao Jinjian had clearly defined his position.


    It had to be said that as the Zhao Family''s sole Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Zhao Jinjian''s words carried too much weight.


    Just that one sentence instantly swayed the standing of many.


    Within the crowd from the second branch, Chen Zichuan ceased his conversation with Zhao Keqin and looked towards Zhao Jinjian. He didn''t take the lead himself but instead gave Zhao Keqin a meaningful glance.


    Seeing this, Zhao Keqin inwardly sighed and, with some reluctance, stepped forward.


    No choice!


    For the sake of the Foundation Establishment Pill promised by Chen Zichuan, he had to give it his all, especially since he still had an ace up his sleeve.


    He walked to the center of the main hall, looked directly at Zhao Jinpeng, performed a courtesy, and said with joy, "Congratulations to my Fourth Uncle on advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm. It''s perfect timing for your return, as you are to preside over the major matter of the family''s relocation."


    Zhao Jijian let out a chuckle and said, "Keqin, it''s been decades since we last met, and you still like to play your little tricks as you did when you were a child. When did I ever agree to this?"


    Seeing this, Zhao Keqin hurriedly explained, "Fourth Uncle, you might not be aware of the situation with the Dragon Carp¡ª"


    "Hmph, there''s no need to say more, I am well aware of all the causes and consequences. Although the family has to move away from Dragon Carp Lake, it''s not necessary to go to the Shattered Star Sea."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Keqin''s face drastically changed, and he demanded, "What do you mean by that?"


    Zhao Jijian disdained to explain. He turned his head to look at the Family Head, then took a step back.


    With that single step back, he suddenly highlighted Zhao Sheng.


    It was the same step back that clearly indicated who was the leader and who was the follower between the two.


    At this time, none of the Zhao family members present in Unity Hall were fools.


    From just this action alone, they saw numerous clues, and precisely because of this, they were all profoundly shaken, their gazes towards Zhao Sheng instantly changed.


    Zhao Sheng smiled faintly, took a step forward, and said in a clear voice, "Let the Purple Sun Sect take back Dragon Carp Lake if they wish. Our Zhao family will not be left homeless. Because we have already acquired a new spirit land in the Southern Border."


    As soon as these words were spoken, there was an immediate sensation in the hall.


    Among the Zhao family members, some were overjoyed, some were half-convinced and dubious, and others were furiously embarrassed.


    Zhao Jingang''s eyes bulged with rage as he pointed at Zhao Sheng and challenged, "Nonsense! How could I not know about such a matter? You, a mere brat, dare to spout such nonsense. If you delay the important affair of the family, you, Zhao Chong, and your descendants will not be forgiven even if you die a thousand times!"


    Seeing the other''s loss of composure, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, "There''s so much you don''t know! When I was born, you didn''t even know where you were. I, as the Ancestor, am magnanimous, but¡ª"


    Slap!


    A bronze token was thrown onto Zhao Jingang''s face.


    "Open your old eyes and see what this is," said Zhao Sheng coldly.


    The Hundred-year Tokens of the Purple Sun Sect and the Elixir Cauldron Sect were slightly different in details but consistent in general.


    Moreover, the Hundred-year Token was personally crafted by a Golden Core Level Artifact Refining Master, and it was absolutely not fake.


    Zhao Jingang took one look at it in his hand, then touched it, and his heart suddenly sank.


    The material and texture of this token were exactly the same as the one enshrined in the ancestral hall.


    "So, he... he actually didn''t lie."


    In that moment, Zhao Jingang suddenly recalled the compromises he had made over the years, the large amounts of Spirit Stones he had personally sent away.


    At that moment, he felt almost mad.


    Zhao Jingang gripped the Hundred-year Token tightly, the veins in his hands bulging, and his old face involuntarily twisted into a terrifying expression, looking like a fierce ghost.


    Seeing this, Zhao Keqin suddenly felt a thud in his heart, which then sank rapidly.


    Meanwhile, Chen Zichuan noticed that the atmosphere was off and shook his head privately, cursing to himself, "What a bunch of incompetents! Looks like I''ll have to take matters into my own hands."


    He pushed through the people blocking his way and strode over to Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian.


    After a slight smile, Chen Zichuan said warmly, "First, I would like to congratulate Taoist Zhao on advancing to the Foundation Establishment. The Zhao family has gained another two hundred years of Qi Fortune. Truly a joyous and congratulatory occasion!"


    "I dare not! Mr. Chen is a distinguished disciple of the Purple Sun Sect and a senior in the Foundation Establishment. I, Zhao, do not dare to accept your congratulations!" As he heard this, Zhao Jijian''s expression changed slightly, and he responded by clasping his hands together in a bow.


    Chen Zichuan did not respond to that but went straight to the point, "The Zhao family acquiring a new spirit land in the Southern Border is indeed great news. However, I have a few words on my chest that I must express. I wonder if you are willing to hear me out."


    "Senior Chen, please feel free to speak," Zhao Sheng said with a smile.


    He had long figured out that the person behind encouraging the second branch to move to the Shattered Star Sea, besides the scheming Chen Zichuan, was nobody else.


    But... this action somewhat coincidentally aligned with one of his own plans.


    In a flash of thought, numerous ideas surfaced in Zhao Sheng''s mind.

 Chapter 69 This Shattered Star Sea, you must go even if you dont want to!

    Chen Zichuan specifically looked at Zhao Sheng a few times, thinking that it was this greenhorn who had foiled his plans a few years ago.However, this time was different from the past, it was a clear and open strategy.


    From ancient times, the most difficult strategies to counter have been those out in the open; no matter how intelligent or capable a person is, they struggle against the larger trend.


    And Purple Sun Sect''s expansion of their branch in the Shattered Star Sea was indeed an overwhelming trend.


    With several thoughts flashing through his mind, Chen Zichuan nevertheless said, "Although your Zhao Family has obtained a piece of spirit land, you only have a hundred years of respite. After a century, you will surely face the same situation as today. Where will you move to then?


    If you move to the Shattered Star Sea, the situation will be completely different. The Heavenly Sun Ancestor who founded our Sky Sun Sword Sect has personally promised that any family that occupies any Spirit Vein Island, from then on, the spirit island will belong to that family forever.


    Having ownership of a Spirit Vein is surely countless times stronger than constantly worrying about a sect taking back the Hundred-year Token and your family being displaced."


    One has to admit that Chen Zichuan''s oratory skills were remarkable; with just a few sentences, he had completely turned the situation around.


    He was right; compared to holding a Spirit Vein permanently, a mere century-long lease paled into insignificance.


    Seeing the Zhao family members so easily swayed, Zhao Sheng secretly shook his head, thinking that greed blinds the wise.


    Chen Zichuan only mentioned the benefits, not saying a word about the risks.


    The spirit islands of the Shattered Star Sea were not so easily occupied.


    And even if the Zhao family could seize a spirit island, could they defend it?


    Considering the countless sea beasts and rampant demon cultivators on the Demon Path in the Shattered Star Sea.


    Zhao Sheng wasn''t very optimistic about the future of the second branch of the family.


    Luckily, Zhao Sheng wasn''t the only wise person in the Zhao Family; Zhao Jijian immediately retorted, "Mr. Chen speaks eloquently, but I''ve heard that the Shattered Star Sea is rampant with demon cultivators and teeming with sea beasts. The danger goes without saying, and the contention and strife are fierce.


    Our Zhao Family is alone and weak, and our clan members are not good at fighting, absolutely no match for those villains and fierce monsters.


    No matter how good the spirit island is, one must be alive to enjoy it!"


    Hearing this, Chen Zichuan''s eyebrows raised momentarily before returning to normal.


    Looking around, he turned back to Zhao Jijian, slightly mocking, "Taoist Zhao, you really exaggerate. The Shattered Star Sea is not as dangerous as you say.


    Think of our Purple Sun Sect''s Heavenly Sword Ancestor who, after reaching Nascent Soul, went alone with his sword to the Shattered Star Sea to establish the Sky Sun Sword Sect. In thirty years, he traversed millions of miles of sea, instilling fear in thousands of demon cultivators and those on the Demon Path in the Shattered Star Sea, securing a territory spanning tens of thousands of miles with over a thousand spirit islands under his command. Now that the Sky Sun Sword Sect has just been established, we are in urgent need of insightful families to join."


    At this point, Chen Zichuan looked very confident, suddenly raising his voice and speaking loudly, "Our Sky Sun Sword Sect currently has one Nascent Soul Ancestor, more than three Golden Core Masters, and several dozen Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivators. With such a strong force overseeing the territory, which demon cultivator would dare to offend our Sky Sun Sword Sect?


    Moreover, if your family were to move to the Shattered Star Sea, you would be among the first founding families. As they say, fortune comes with risk; the earlier you go, the more benefits you''ll reap."


    Chen Zichuan''s words truly swayed some; a number of Zhao Clan Members who were bold, liked to take risks, and were impetuous, seriously began to consider the possibility of moving to develop in the Shattered Star Sea.


    Chen Zichuan didn''t give everyone a chance to think it over and added fuel to the fire, emphasizing again, "Not to mention, as our Sky Sun Sword Sect has just been established for less than five years and is in need of disciples, we are going to recruit a large number of Qi Refining disciples in the coming years.


    I have the authority to promise the Zhao family two Outer Disciple spots, with the Spirit Root requirement lowered to four Spirit Roots."


    This promise was added on the spot. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Because the Zhao family with Foundation Establishment was an entirely different concept from one without.


    Without a doubt, Chen Zichuan had his eye on Zhao Jijian.


    Despite his seemingly promising words about how no one would dare to offend the Heavenly Sword Sect with a Nascent Soul Ancestor and Golden Core Masters defending the borders, in reality, the Heavenly Sun Ancestor had made numerous enemies in the Shattered Star Sea while establishing the Sky Sun Sword Sect. There were constant disturbances by demon cultivators within the territory, and sea beasts were endlessly rampaging.


    The vast ten-thousand-mile territory was also very difficult to defend.


    Even if the Foundation Establishment or higher-level combat powers of the Sky Sun Sword Sect were fully deployed, they would still be insufficient for fighting fires, forever catching up and overwhelmed with crises.


    The Sky Sun Sword Sect is currently in urgent need of Cultivators to replenish its ranks, and those at the Foundation Establishment level are considered the backbone of the Cultivation World and more than capable of guarding a body of water.


    If Chen Zichuan''s initial remarks merely swayed a few, the offer of two Outer Disciple slots caused a significant stir.


    One must know that large Sects like the Purple Sun Sect with Nascent Soul Ancestors presiding over them, have extremely stringent requirements for discipleship, with even the lowest standard requiring three spirit roots.


    The Sky Sun Sword Sect also had a Nascent Soul Ancestor presiding over it and was on the brink of becoming a major Sect. This time, they were actually extending grace by actively lowering their standards.


    If the Zhao family missed out on this once-in-a-century opportunity, then they would truly be useless, beyond help and incapable of being shaped.


    "Such favorable conditions, could it be...?"


    Zhao Sheng thought quickly and grasped Chen Zichuan''s intentions.


    Thinking of the latter''s designs on Zhao Jijian, Zhao Sheng shook his head and mused to himself, "I''m sorry, but the Zhao family''s only Foundation Establishment Cultivator won''t be able to join you in the Shattered Star Sea."


    Seeing the tide of the situation turn once again, Zhao Sheng resolutely played his trump card, suddenly raising his voice and saying, "Senior Chen''s generosity towards my Zhao family is greatly appreciated. However, not everyone is willing to leave their homes and travel to the distant Shattered Star Sea."


    With that, Zhao Sheng''s voice softened and he continued, "To satisfy both parties, I propose, in my capacity as the head of the Zhao Family, that those willing to go to the Shattered Star Sea stand to my left, and those who wish to head to the new territory in the Southern Border stand to my right."


    Upon these words, the Zhao Clan Members started whispering among themselves.


    Some of them realized for the first time that Zhao Sheng was still the Zhao family''s current Family Head.


    Although it had been in name only before, seeing Zhao Jijian''s respectful attitude toward him, everyone understood that he was a changed man.


    From this day on, both the name and authority of the head of Zhao Family fell squarely into the hands of Zhao Chonghe.


    Nevertheless, some were ultimately unwilling to face reality.


    Zhao Jingang suddenly burst out in rage, shouting, "No, I absolutely do not agree to a split in the family!"


    The Zhao family was already weak, and it was only by a fortunate twist of fate that they had produced a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Now, to cry out for a split was to undermine the foundation of the second branch.


    Once the family was divided, it was obvious that Zhao Jijian and the main branch would choose to go to the Southern Border.


    The second branch had but a mere handful of Cultivator members, none at the Foundation Establishment level. Even if they moved to the Shattered Star Sea, their prospects would be grim and their chances of rising to prominence slim.


    Zhao Keqin also said, "The elder speaks the truth. According to our ancestral teachings, our Zhao Family must not split up!"


    "That''s right, if we go, we go together! The Zhao family must stick together; we absolutely cannot afford to splinter."


    "Well said. Some people, rather than considering the future of the family, are fixated on dividing it. We absolutely do not acknowledge such a Family Head."


    To the clamor and ridicule of the second branch members, Zhao Sheng was as if facing a spring breeze, turning a deaf ear.


    The opinions of the second branch members did not matter, and even the verbal protests of Zhao Jingang and Zhao Keqin were futile.


    As long as he had the support of Zhao Jijian and the main branch, he was determined to divide the family.


    However, Zhao Sheng''s proposal managed to rattle someone.


    Chen Zichuan took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation in his heart.


    He had been scheming in secret for over a decade, finally managing to back the Zhao family into a corner,


    The Shattered Star Sea, they would have no choice but to go!

 Chapter 70...

    Chen Zichuan couldn''t simply watch as a large piece of meat was mostly carved away by others.It was known that the Heavenly Sun Ancestor had made a promise that any disciple who successfully persuaded an entire Cultivation Family to migrate to the Shattered Star Sea would receive a large amount of good deeds.


    Initially, at the Purple Sun Sect, Chen Zichuan had given up on advancing to the Golden Core.


    But now, he saw hope for Core Formation.


    By urging several Cultivation Families to move to the Shattered Star Sea, he might accumulate a large amount of good deeds and exchange them for a Golden Core Formation Pill.


    Seeing that soft methods were ineffective, he had no choice but to resort to force.


    "Haha!"


    Suddenly, Chen Zichuan burst into roaring laughter.


    When everyone''s gaze turned toward him, Chen Zichuan''s laughter abruptly stopped, his face turned cold, and he said harshly, "Thinking of dividing the family? Did you ask for my permission?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian''s expression darkened. He stepped forward and questioned, "Mr. Chen, what do you mean by that? The division of the family is a private matter of the Zhao Family. What right do you have to interfere?"


    Hmph!


    Chen Zichuan snorted coldly, his finger hooked toward Zhao Jingang and commanded, "Where is the Immigration Decree? Show it to him."


    Having said that, Chen Zichuan turned back, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, and the others, then he coldly smirked and said, "What a joke! The Immigration Decree of my Purple Sun Sect is not something you can exploit just because you want to."


    Zhao Jingang shivered, a hint of joy surprisingly emerging on his face. He quickly pulled out the Immigration Decree and handed it to Zhao Jijian.


    The Immigration Decree appeared as a scroll made of golden yellow exotic leather, one foot long and eight inches wide, embroidered with a purple Great Sun with the shadow of a Three-legged Golden Crow faintly visible upon it.


    Zhao Jijian carefully examined the Immigration Decree, his expression changing slightly before swiftly passing it to Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng quickly read the decree, and his heart relaxed.


    The decree stipulated the migration of the Zhao family to Shattered Star Sea, but it did not specify that they could not split the family.


    Although splitting the family might mean deceiving the Purple Sun Sect, a typical Cultivation Family would not dare to do such a thing.


    However, Zhao Sheng dared to mention splitting because he certainly had some reliance.


    He never fought a battle without some confidence!


    "Hmph, since you Zhao family have already accepted the Immigration Decree, don''t think about playing any tricks. Just move to the Shattered Star Sea obediently. If anyone dares mention dividing again, don''t blame me, Chen Zichuan, for being ruthless," Chen Zichuan said fiercely.


    With the Purple Sun Sect behind him, he was very aware that the Zhao family dared not defy the orders of the Immigration Decree.


    At that moment, Zhao Jingang with a face full of joy said, "I always said this family must not split. Now see! Hmph, still wanting to split the Zhao family, what wicked intentions you harbor. If you anger the Purple Sun Sect, not even sacrificing your life, you young fool, would suffice."


    By his side, Zhao Keqin also chimed in, "The elder is right. Why do you think this place is named Unity Hall? Naturally, it''s to emphasize the strength brothers united can bring, just like cutting through metal. Hence, splitting the family is absolutely unacceptable!"


    At this moment, Zhao Jinpeng also couldn''t stand being left out and jumped out shouting, "Let me say something fair ¡ª united, the Zhao family thrives; divided, it perishes. Zhao Chonghe''s actions are clearly malicious. Everyone, be sure not to fall for his traps."


    "Lao Liu, what rubbish are you talking about? Get back right now," Zhao Jijian severely reprimanded upon hearing this. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fourth brother, I mean well for our Zhao family. Besides, what''s so bad about moving to Shattered Star Sea?" Zhao Jinpeng complained, feeling aggrieved.


    "Say it again, and don''t blame me for turning my face and not recognizing you as a brother," Zhao Jijian roared.


    "Fine, I won''t say it. I don''t know what kind of bewitching potion he''s given you to make you listen to every whim of that young fool," Zhao Jinpeng muttered as he swiftly withdrew back into the crowd.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng weighed the Immigration Decree in his hand, glanced at his relatives from the second house, and then looked at Chen Zichuan.


    He suddenly asked with a smile, "Senior Chen, does your sect have a Golden Core Master surnamed Yue with the given name Qinghan? Oh right, she, like you, is also a Sword Cultivator."


    Upon hearing this, Chen Zichuan was greatly alarmed in his heart, unconsciously recalling from years ago at the summit of Purple Sun Peak that exceptional immortal figure who had returned riding a dragon ¡ª the contemporary Sword Master.


    Yue Qinghan, a Mutated Metal Spirit Root, a prodigy in the Sword Dao, the chosen successor of the Heavenly Sun Ancestor, who rose to prominence in the Shattered Star Sea a hundred years ago.


    Before the age of sixteen, she was just a common fisherman''s daughter.


    When the Heavenly Sun Ancestor was testing his swords in Shattered Star Sea, he randomly discovered the extraordinarily talented and pure-spirited Yue Qinghan on an island and thus took her as his secluded disciple.


    After beginning her cultivation journey, Yue Qinghan''s unbeatable talent was revealed without reservations, from then on becoming unstoppable.


    At the age of thirty, she achieved Qi Refining Perfection and ascended to Foundation Establishment the same year.


    In less than a century, she stepped into the Golden Core Realm.


    Five years ago, Yue Qinghan was promoted to the late-stage of Golden Core and followed the Heavenly Sun Ancestor back to the Purple Sun Sect.


    In the same year at the great Purple Sun competition, she used the Heart-washing Sword to challenge the Purple Sun Thirteen Peaks, successively defeating nine peer Golden Core cultivators. This forced those below the rank of Purple Sun Nascent Soul to bow their heads, and she ultimately won the reputation of the Guanghan Sword Immortal.


    Recalling the various legendary stories of Ancestor Master Uncle Qinghan.


    Chen Zichuan gasped for breath, his voice trembling as he asked, "Why... why do you ask this? Could it be you know my Ancestor Master Uncle?"


    Zhao Sheng saw Chen Zichuan''s discomposed behavior and couldn''t help but smile.


    He took a Jade Sword from the Storage Bag and brandished it in front of Chen Zichuan, declaring composedly, "Do you recognize this Jade Sword?"


    Chen Zichuan''s eyes suddenly widened.


    How could he not recognize this Jade Sword!


    It was clearly identical to the ornamental sword tucked beside his Ancestor Master Uncle''s skirt.


    Moreover, as a Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator, he keenly sensed the traces of Sword Intent emanating from the Jade Sword, which were exceedingly similar to Grandmaster Yue''s God-Slaying Sword Intent.


    "You... you... huh! This Jade Sword, where did you get it from?" Chen Zichuan asked anxiously.


    Zhao Sheng chuckled lightly and said calmly, "You might want to go back and ask True Immortal Yue. Ask her if she remembers a certain Zhao from Heavenly Pillar Mountain back in the day?"


    Upon hearing this, Chen Zichuan was profoundly shocked, and he no longer underestimated the young man before him.


    Since he dared to say it, he naturally wouldn''t lie!


    Chen Zichuan had never imagined that this person could be acquainted with Grandmaster Yue, and it seemed they even shared a past connection.


    "Alright, I have noted what you said. Once I return, I will indeed verify this with Grandmaster Yue."


    Zhao Sheng spoke confidently, "Senior Chen is free to ask. Moreover, I saw nothing in the Immigration Decree prohibiting splitting the family. What is not forbidden is allowed! Therefore, the Zhao Family''s separation did not violate any decree of the Immigration Decree!"


    Chen Zichuan took a deep look at Zhao Sheng, no longer bringing up the earlier threat.


    Chen Zichuan was by nature prudent, and until he clarified this person''s relationship with Ancestor Master Uncle, he would by no means act rashly.


    Compared to the demeanor of Grandmaster Yue, what were these slightly questionable minor matters of the Zhao family!


    Chen Zichuan left!


    He left very decisively, utterly disregarding the desperate pleas of the second household.


    Without a backer, Zhao Jingang and Zhao Keqin and others naturally couldn''t stop the Zhao Family''s overwhelming separation.


    Under the leadership of Zhao Jijian, all fifty thousand members of the Dragon Carp Lake Zhao family began the grand process of family partition.


    At the same time, various branches of the Zhao Family also began to pick sides sequentially.


    Some branches wanted to try their luck in the Shattered Star Sea; some thought it better to move to the Southern Border where a Foundation Establishment Cultivator presided; but a considerable part of the Zhao Clan was reluctant to leave Dragon Carp Lake.


    For those who found it hard to leave their homeland, Zhao Sheng bluntly stated that direct relatives within five degrees of kinship among the Cultivation Clan must move out of Dragon Carp Lake.


    As for whether to go to the Shattered Star Sea or Southern Border, that was left to their free choice.


    Hmm,


    Zhao Sheng had no intention of preventing his kin from migrating to the Shattered Star Sea.


    Many hides make a safer fox!


    The dispersal of the Zhao family bloodline was more conducive to his reincarnation for cultivation.


    It also spared him the constant worry of the Zhao family being wiped out in a single blow.


    More than ten days passed, and the affairs of the Zhao Family division proceeded vigorously, while the Purple Sun Sect did not send down a single word.


    Chen Zichuan also had not returned.


    This quite clearly indicated that the Purple Sun Sect, or rather the Sky Sun Sword Sect, had tacitly approved the Zhao Family''s division.


    No need for superfluous words, the high influence of Yue Qinghan undoubtedly played a major role.


    Otherwise, the Purple Sun Sect would have let everyone know the consequences of defying the Heavenly Might.

 Chapter 72 The Mysterious Characters Make Their First Appearance

    Gazing at the beautiful scenery between the mountains, Zhao Sheng''s heart was stirred, and he soon sank into his memories.Five years ago, the Zhao family arrived at Taifu Mountain aboard the Heavenly Eagle Cloud Boat.


    They encountered a major problem on the first day.


    The limited buildings on Taifu Mountain were absolutely insufficient to house three thousand people.


    Facing this difficulty, Zhao Sheng went against everyone''s opinion and used the last of his Spirit Stone savings to hire the Spiritual Craftsmen from the Heavenly Workshop,


    who managed to construct a city on the plains fifty miles away from Taifu Mountain in just half a month.


    It was eventually named: Zhao''an City.


    But simply having a place to live wasn''t enough.


    Cultivators had access to the resources produced by the Spirit Veins of Taifu Mountain, enough for their cultivation needs.


    But what about the future lives of the three thousand mortal relatives?


    The path of cultivation was not about cutting off emotions and severing ties.


    As Zhao Clan Members, it was the undeniable responsibility of Zhao Sheng and other Cultivators to take care of the futures of these three thousand relatives.


    For this purpose, Zhao Jijian and sixteen other Cultivator Clan Members from the main family neglected their cultivation and tirelessly visited all the nearby Cultivation Families and Sects to carve out a living space for their family.


    Zhao Sheng went directly to the Elixir Cauldron Sect, found Liu Quji, and candidly spoke of the Zhao family''s predicament.


    His forthrightness was a result of careful consideration.


    Sometimes, seeking help from a "friend" can strengthen the relationship and affection between two parties.


    At that time, Liu Quji was keen on getting closer to Zhao Sheng.


    On hearing Zhao Sheng come for help, Liu Quji was very pleased, so he used all his connections and successfully arranged several long-term collaborative trades for the Zhao family.


    It could be said that the successful settling of the three thousand Zhao Clansmen was largely thanks to Liu Quji''s efforts.


    As a result, Zhao Sheng returned the favor with interest, and took the opportunity to sell most of the spiritual peaches, spirit grain, and Spiritual Medicine produced by Taifu Mountain through Liu Quji.


    Because interests were intertwined.


    Over time, the relationship between Zhao Sheng and Liu Quji grew closer and closer.


    Indeed, by leveraging the influence of the Denver Liu Family, the Zhao family, having just moved to Taifu Mountain, easily integrated into the local cultivation environment and swiftly formed alliances with the nearby Cultivation Forces.


    The environment of Taifu Mountain was far superior to that of Dragon Carp Lake, boasting not only beautiful mountains and thick spiritual energy, but its cultivation resources, such as the spiritual peach, were even more profitable than selling spirit fish.


    Furthermore, there were fewer than twenty Cultivators from the Zhao family''s main house.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng and the others were pleasantly surprised to find that the spiritual peaches from Taifu Mountain alone were enough to support the cultivation needs of all the Zhao Clan''s Cultivators.


    Taifu Mountain became famous in the vicinity for its spiritual peaches, with hundreds of acres of peach orchards on the mountain, including forty-eight spiritual peach trees under three hundred years old, and seven spiritual peach trees between three hundred and under a thousand years old.


    Apart from that, there was a revered Spiritual Peach Tree over a thousand years old at the summit of Taifu Mountain.


    This millennium-old Spiritual Peach Tree, rooted in the core Spirit Acupoint of the Spirit Vein, blossomed once every ten years, bore fruit once every ten years, and ripened once every ten years. In thirty years, it produced only eighteen Spiritual Longevity Peaches, which had the miraculous effect of prolonging life.


    One of the main reasons Zhao Sheng chose Taifu Mountain was because of this millennium-old Spiritual Peach Tree.


    An aside, when Zhao Sheng chose Taifu Mountain, the competing Cultivation Family cried all the way home after their loss.


    Having spent a large sum of money and ending up empty-handed, they had no choice but to cry on their way back!


    Since cultivation resources were ample for sharing, the Zhao family''s atmosphere was harmonious as never before, with every Cultivator''s spirits skyrocketing, cultivating so intensely they forgot to sleep and eat.


    By the time the difficult period ended two years ago, the Zhao family was the first to experience a baby boom.


    In just a few years, the Zhao family seemed to have turned their fortunes around, giving birth to as many as seven children with Spirit Roots.


    These seven children were the first batch of cultivators of the Zhao Family''s Xuan generation.


    Zhao Sheng clearly remembered that he named the first child of the Xuan generation Zhao Xuanjing, carrying the meaning of expecting the Zhao family to enjoy peace and smoothness henceforth.


    Just as Zhao Sheng was lost in his memories, a ruckus of children playing suddenly reached his ears.


    Zhao Sheng looked up and saw two radish-heads running towards him, one after the other.


    The one in front was about three or four years old, wearing a red bellyband, with a round face and big eyes, his arms and legs as tender as lotus roots, looking like a chubby baby from a New Year painting.


    At this moment, the child was laughing with his eyebrows raised, holding a large white peach with a red top in his arms, munching on the spiritual peach while running. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Compared to this child who looked like a spiritual boy, the one chasing after him was much less impressive.


    His height was not much different from a seven or eight-year-old, with slightly yellow skin, robust arms and legs, and barely handsome with thick eyebrows and big eyes, but he naturally had a mournful look about him.


    "Second Brother, hurry up and give me back the spiritual peach. Auntie said it was mine, you''re shameless!"


    "Haha, if you catch up to me, I''ll give you back the spiritual peach. If you can''t, you''ll only get the pit."


    Zhao Sheng saw this scene and his eyebrows shot up, his brows knitted tightly as he immediately shouted sternly, "Zhao Xuan''an! Come here, now!"


    The spirited child looked up and saw the stern Zhao Sheng, and was scared nearly half to death.


    The child quickly stopped and obediently approached Zhao Sheng.


    "Uncle Seven, Xuan''an knows he''s wrong!"


    No sooner had the words fallen than four-year-old Zhao Xuan''an knelt on the ground with a thud, holding the irregularly bitten spiritual peach high above his head with both hands.


    By this time, the child from behind also caught up. Seeing Zhao Sheng, he immediately saluted respectfully, saying, "Xuanjing pays his respects to Uncle Seven."


    Zhao Sheng nodded to him, his face softened, and asked, "Jing''er, has Xuan''an been bullying you again?"


    Five-year-old Zhao Xuanjing sneaked a glance at Zhao Xuan''an, just in time to make eye contact with a pair of pitifully large eyes.


    His heart softened and he hesitated to say, "Uncle Seven, it''s not... my Second Brother didn''t... didn''t bully me. It''s just... just that... "


    Zhao Xuanjing was naturally honest and simple, unable to tell a lie. His face turned crimson with the strain, he stumbled over his words and failed to come up with a good excuse even after a long while.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng snorted and said with a straight face, "Hmph, can''t even lie properly, you''re exactly like your father."


    Zhao Xuanjing''s father was none other than Zhao Keru, the only alchemist in the Zhao family.


    Zhao Sheng handed over the Heart of Alchemy from Master Qiong Shen to Zhao Keru five years ago, and he immediately plunged into the Alchemy Room to pore over it, not even sparing a glance for his newborn son.


    It wasn''t until the baby was nearly a month old that he held his son for the first time, which was utterly preposterous.


    Turning his head, Zhao Sheng looked at Zhao Xuan''an whose eyeballs were spinning wildly. He said sternly, "Recite Zhao Rong''s Pear for me. If you get it right, I''ll let today''s incident slide. But if you miss a single word, you''ll roll to the ancestral hall and kneel for four hours."


    After settling on Taifu Mountain, in order to reaffirm the family discipline, Zhao Sheng not only amended some of the ancestral teachings but also personally wrote dozens of "ancestral stories."


    Zhao Rong''s Pear was one of those moral stories.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuan''an, as if pardoned, opened his little mouth and recited the several-hundred-word story without a hitch, not missing a single word.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but sigh inwardly, "Both belong to the Zhao family''s Xuan generation, and although Zhao Xuanjing is a year older than Zhao Xuan''an, he''s only grown in stature. When it comes to wisdom, he lags far behind his brother by more than just Taifu Mountain."


    "If only the two could switch places," thought Zhao Sheng, unable to help himself.

 Chapter 73

    "Get up! If you dare to steal your brother''s things again, watch your ass blossom.""Uncle Seven, An''er will never dare to do it again," An''er said.


    Zhao Xuan''an quickly scrambled to his feet, though he spoke earnestly, his eyes were shifting around.


    "Hmm," seeing this, Zhao Sheng had no good solution for dealing with this little clever ghost.


    "Uncle Seven, can we go now?" Zhao Xuan''an asked cautiously.


    Zhao Sheng nodded and waved his hand to signal that they could leave.


    Relieved at hearing this, Zhao Xuan''an and Zhao Xuanjing both ran up the mountain.


    Just then, a voice filled with anger suddenly came from below:


    "Zhao Xuan''an! Stop right there!"


    Hearing this voice, Zhao Sheng looked helplessly down the mountain to see a visibly fuller Zhao Chongwei charging over in a fury.


    "Aiya, my mom''s coming!"


    Zhao Xuan''an, upon seeing the approaching figure, was scared out of his wits and didn''t dare to stop, taking off as fast as lightning.


    Zhao Chongwei reached Zhao Sheng''s side, took out a Jade Purifying Bottle, and stuffed it into his arms: "Chonghe, this is the Purple Mist Jade Dew you wanted. There''s about one liter. If it''s not enough, there''s some more in the Dew Plate."


    The Spiritual Peach Tree occasionally condenses drops of life-infused spiritual dew on its leaf tips after bathing in the first rays of the morning sun.


    This kind of spiritual dew is known as Purple Mist Spirit Dew. Though not extremely rare, it''s very troublesome to collect.


    Zhao Sheng put away the Jade Purifying Bottle and said sternly, "Not even close! I need at least ten times more than this."


    Zhao Chongwei was stunned, then quickly said, "That would take at least ten years to collect the amount you need. What do you need so much Purple Mist Jade Dew for? You''re not an alchemist."


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, "I have my uses, but I need to keep it a secret for now."


    "Fine, who asked you to be the head of the Zhao Family? I''ll urge Chongying and the others to collect it."


    "Chongwei, I''ve already stepped down. Now it''s Jianbo who is the head of the Zhao family," Zhao Sheng explained helplessly.


    "It''s all the same! Anyway, I''m not going to talk to you anymore, I still have to chase that little brat. At such a young age, not learning good things, this time I won''t stop until I spank his ass rotten."


    Saying this, Zhao Chongwei went off in a huff up the mountain.


    Zhao Sheng was left on the spot, caught between laughter and tears.


    Back in the day, Zhao Chongwei was such an understanding and reasonable woman!


    But after becoming a mother, I never expected her to become so fierce.


    Looking at the sky, Zhao Sheng turned around and headed down to the alchemy room.


    The Great Alchemist Zhao was waiting for him there.


    Ever since Zhao Keru found out about his extraordinary sense of smell, he had been pestering him.


    Identifying the origin and properties of Spiritual Medicine and "taking care of" the timing for Spirit Pills, all depended on his nose.


    Zhao Keru often lamented that it would be great if Zhao Sheng''s cultivation wasn''t the Mystical Spirit Skill but the Fire Flame Technique instead.


    Then the Zhao family would have another alchemist.


    Unfortunately¡­


    ¡­


    Spring came and went, time flowed like water.


    By the time frost descended, the dozen hectares of spirit grain at the foot of Taifu Mountain had been completely harvested, and the dozens of Spiritual Peach Trees on the mountain had their peaches carefully picked and placed into special storage bags.


    At dawn that day, just as a sliver of light appeared in the sky,


    a wooden kite suddenly flew out from the peak of Taifu Mountain, and after soaring high, it flew off in the direction of the northeast.


    Three hours later, at the Elixir Cauldron Sect''s Outer Mountain Gate, Foreign Affairs Hall,


    Zhao Sheng put away the wooden kite, and hurried into the hall.


    Thirty minutes later, in the guest room on the second floor, Zhao Sheng and Liu Quji sat opposite each other.


    As soon as he was seated, Zhao Sheng noted a different aura emanating from his counterpart and couldn''t help but show a look of joy as he hurriedly congratulated him, "Congratulations to Brother Liu on advancing to Foundation Establishment. From now on, the path of immortality will be wide open, and the Golden Core lies within reach!"


    "How could I dare to hope for forming a Golden Core? It''s already a fortune granted by the heavens to have successfully established my foundation. And it''s largely thanks to that Red Fire Ganoderma you gave me," said Liu Quji, both proud and emotional.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng laughed and said, "Ah, Brother Liu, you are being too modest. The Red Fire Ganoderma just added splendor to what was already there, after all, it''s your foundation that''s profound."


    "Haha, let''s not speak of this anymore. You came at a good time, little brother. A few days ago, I found the Earth Element Technique you asked me to search for. Quickly take a look and see if it matches your intentions?"


    As he spoke, Liu Quji took out a jade scroll from his storage bag and handed it to Zhao Sheng.


    A jade scroll?


    Zhao Sheng was startled inwardly. Such an item was rare. It seemed that this technique must be extraordinary.


    Zhao Sheng pressed the jade scroll to his forehead and his divine intent probed into the scroll.


    In an instant, a vast amount of obscure and unknown information flooded his mind.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng let out a muffled grunt and moved the jade scroll away from his forehead.


    He wiped the sweat from his brow and with a look of surprise said to Liu Quji, "Brother Liu, this technique... is truly profound! Isn''t it too precious?"


    The technique recorded in the jade scroll was an Earth Element Technique named "Infinite Earth Technique," and it detailed every stage from the beginning of Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment Perfection in extreme detail, leaving nothing to question.


    This technique was clearly one that had been refined to this degree of detail through the continuous practice and analysis of countless generations.


    A completely "mature" technique like the Infinite Earth Technique is considered a treasure that loose cultivators and ordinary cultivation families can only hope for but never obtain.


    Only a fool would sell it to others.


    Liu Quji smiled slightly, a hint of pride on his face, "Brother Zhao need not worry. This technique comes from the Ksitigarbha Sect, and it''s definitely reliable."


    "Ksitigarbha Sect?!"


    Zhao Sheng repeated these three words, thoughtful, and then suddenly understood, his expression becoming overjoyed.


    He remembered.


    The Ksitigarbha Sect was known as the Hidden Immortal Sect in the cultivation world and never publicly recruited disciples.


    Its method of passing on the legacy greatly differed from other cultivation sects, as it actively spread its exclusive cultivation techniques throughout the various boundaries of the cultivation world.


    Any cultivator who practiced a technique from the Ksitigarbha Sect was considered an outer disciple of the sect. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Usually, once they reached Foundation Establishment Perfection in their practice, they would find their cultivation stagnating, unable to form a core no matter what.


    At this point, the Ksitigarbha Sect would often actively reach out through secret methods.


    Facing such a situation, the cultivators usually had two choices: either remain forever at Foundation Establishment Perfection, or join the Ksitigarbha Sect and acquire the second half of the technique.


    Their choice was obvious, wasn''t it?


    Having understood all this, Zhao Sheng finally felt at ease.


    He didn''t think his family descendants would reach the Golden Core barriers within a few hundred years.


    In his view, advancing to Foundation Establishment was already a perfect accomplishment of merit.


    "Brother Liu, may I ask how this technique can be exchanged?"


    "It''s not expensive, seventy percent of this year''s spiritual peach output can be traded for it. After all, it''s a technique that the Ksitigarbha Sect deliberately spreads and is not rare."


    "Good, let''s go by that price," Zhao Sheng said, his face lighting up with joy as he immediately accepted without hesitation.


    Thirty minutes later, Zhao Sheng bid farewell to Liu Quji, taking with him the cultivation technique, elixir pills, and various cultivation resources exchanged for spirit grain and spiritual peaches, and left the Foreign Affairs Hall aboard a wooden kite.


    As autumn passed and winter arrived, and then spring returned, the peach blossoms bloomed once more.


    In that year, Zhao''s Immortal Cultivation School was officially established,


    The Cultivation Academy was built at the base of Taifu Mountain, neighboring the Jade Water to the north, surrounded by peach groves. In the front courtyard, there was a seven-hundred-year-old Spiritual Peach Tree, securing the academy''s Qi Fortune.


    That year, Zhao Xuanjing, who had turned six, and Zhao Xuan''an, who was five, became the first batch of students in the academy.

 Chapter 74 Unique Skills

    Although there were only two students for the time being, the Zhao family attached great importance to their education, providing several teachers for them.Zhao Sheng himself took on the role of Mountain Master and was also responsible for teaching runes and talisman painting,


    Zhao Keru was in charge of herb identification, alchemy, and cultivating courses.


    The venerable and sage-like Zhao Jinding shared with the children his extensive knowledge on the different regions and customs of the Cultivation World, as well as information about various Cultivation Sects.


    Zhao Chongwei acted much like a director of education, not only always focusing on the two children''s cultivation but also responsible for correcting their outlook on life and values, to prevent them from following the same pitfalls as the two branches of the Zhao family.


    In addition, several members of the Zhao Clan would occasionally come to pass on their experience.


    It could be said that the Cultivation Academy embodied Zhao Sheng''s beautiful hopes for the future of the Zhao family.


    Poor Zhao Xuanjing and his brother were plunged into an intense educational routine at a very young age.


    In the following years, as more members of the Xuan generation gradually entered the academy, most of Zhao Sheng''s free time outside of cultivation and talisman painting was occupied by these heedless youngsters.


    At the same time, Taifu Mountain''s specialties such as Spirit Pills, talismans, Spiritual Wine, Flower Spirit Honey, and peach wood magical tools gradually made a name for themselves in the surrounding areas through the concerted efforts of the Zhao family.


    Day by day, life for the Zhao family grew more and more prosperous, and the strength of Zhao''s cultivators kept increasing.


    ...


    Early this morning, Zhao Xuanjing had arrived at the academy.


    Today was an opportunity not to be missed, as his Uncle Seven had uncharacteristically agreed to impart one of his signature skills.


    Upon entering the academy, he found it already neatly arranged with seventeen low tables, each accompanied by a Meditation Cushion, most of which were already occupied.


    Zhao Xuanjing quickly took a glance and headed towards the row of cushions in the front.


    "Big brother, lend me your notes to copy; I haven''t finished my coursework."


    "Brother Jing, you''re here! Where is the Jade Doll you promised me?"


    "Big brother, can I postpone returning the Spirit Stone I borrowed from you by a few days?"


    Zhao Xuanjing, while dealing with his younger brothers and sisters, made his way to the front and expertly sat down on the cushion closest to the podium in the first row.


    At this time, a fair-skinned, tall young man was already seated on the cushion beside him,


    This young man was handsome, his eyes shining like stars, full of vivacity and carefreeness.


    In stark contrast, Zhao Xuanjing''s complexion was darker and tinged with worry.


    This handsome youth was none other than Zhao Xuan''an, who was now fifteen years old.


    Looking at the robust and imposing Zhao Xuanjing, who resembled a small giant, Zhao Xuan''an laughed heartily and teased, "Big brother, you''re playing the kind-hearted soul again. Just how many nice things have you given away over the years? When will you ever learn?"


    Zhao Xuanjing scratched the back of his head, a bit sheepishly responding, "They are my younger brothers and sisters; when they come asking for help, I lend a hand if I can. It''s no big deal, really!"


    "Tsk, tsk, ever the soft touch. Tell me, why don''t they come to ask me for help?" retorted Zhao Xuan''an with disdain.


    Zhao Xuanjing chuckled guilelessly and, glancing up, happened to see a familiar figure emerging from the back hall.


    He hurriedly settled into a cross-legged position and whispered a prompt, "Uncle Seven is coming!"


    Zhao Xuanjing was naturally bigger than most, and his voice was much louder than that of an average person.


    Even though he tried to keep it down, his whisper was as loud as someone speaking normally.


    At his reminder, the academy immediately became a flurry of activity.


    By the time Zhao Sheng reached the center of the podium, the seventeen members of the Zhao clan''s Xuan generation had all obediently sat down.


    Today, ten years down the line, Zhao Sheng was nearly forty years old.


    Now, he had grown a beard, and faint lines were visible at the corners of his eyes.


    Standing at the podium, Zhao Sheng''s expression was grave. After scanning the room, he spoke in an even tone, "Today, I will teach you the Stacking Talisman Technique!"


    The awe of the elder and the authority of the teacher brought silence to the academy instantaneously. The youngsters dared not breathe loudly and listened intently.


    "Xuanjing, what are the three most important things for painting talismans?"


    Zhao Xuanjing promptly stood up and earnestly replied, "For talismans, the essence lies in the ''infusion of energy,'' ''inscription of imagery,'' and those ''that bridge the divine.''"


    The energy flows naturally and possesses its own spirit, fit to become a talisman.


    When every orifice connects and the spirit light shines brightly, the talisman is complete."


    These three essential principles of talisman painting were all too familiar to the younger members of the Zhao Family, having been admonished from their very first day of contact with talismans to commit them to heart.


    What they didn''t understand, however, was why Uncle Seven had specifically pointed out these three lines today.


    Zhao Sheng did not offer an explanation but continued, "Nature abides by principles in heaven and earth, which apply to all things big and small. This ''principle'' is the law, the way, and also the secret. By understanding the secret, one grasps the law, and the same applies to talismans."


    There was more to his words than met the eye!


    Zhao Xuan''an, with his exceptional comprehension, blurted out, "The ''principle'' of a talisman lies in connecting the orifices. Could it be that the Stacking Talisman Technique is a method of stacking orifices?"


    As soon as these words were spoken, the younger members of the Zhao Family all turned to look at him, eyes filled with shock.


    The gaze of the others mattered little to Zhao Xuan''an, but Zhao Sheng was different.


    Uncle Seven held considerable influence within the entire clan, and even the Ancestor paid close attention to his words.


    Zhao Xuan''an placed great importance on his standing in Uncle Seven''s eyes and seized any opportunity to showcase himself.


    Zhao Sheng''s piercing gaze turned towards him, as sharp as a sword, seeming to penetrate to the depths of his heart.


    For a moment, Zhao Xuan''an felt suffocated, but then he heard praise in his ear:


    "Well said!"


    Zhao Sheng''s tone appeared to rise slightly but quickly evened out again.


    He did not elaborate further on this but instead raised another issue, "Have you learned talisman painting over these years?"


    The question was asked in an unusual manner, and even though the answer was obvious, none of the younger members dared to respond.


    In the end, it was the honest-natured Zhao Xuanjing who answered. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He replied, "I can''t learn it, but Xuan''an has already mastered the refinement of four types of First-Order Talismans."


    Zhao Sheng''s mouth twitched slightly without acknowledging Zhao Xuanjing''s words, instead stating on his own, "Today, I will teach you how to paint talismans."


    Having said that, he extended his hand, and his slender fingers moved across the void in a crisscrossing fashion, executing dozens of strokes.


    Suddenly, the void was illuminated with spirit light, and a talisman image emitting soft radiance appeared in front of everyone, forming a simple and abstract talismanic shape.


    Upon witnessing this scene, the younger members of the Zhao Family were amazed and recognized it as the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman.


    That was the first talisman they had ever crafted.


    Most of the younger members of the Zhao Family had already mastered such a basic talisman.


    But what happened next left them stunned and staring in wonder.


    Once the talisman was formed, Zhao Sheng began anew with the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman, but instead of painting it elsewhere, he overlaid it directly on the just completed talisman, tracing it once more.


    At this point, no one could discern what was different from before.


    But as Zhao Sheng confidently repeated the process over and over, twice, thrice, four times¡­ and on to nine, ten times, until he eventually laid down his brush after eighteen iterations.


    By then, the hovering Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman could no longer be considered a First-Order Talisman. The symbol, within the bright spirit light, became blurred, the dense spirit light gathering without dispersing, forming a bright halo around the talisman, making it look like a resplendent Bright Pearl suspended in the sky above the Academy.


    A deathly silence pervaded the Academy.


    Miraculously skillful!


    Perhaps this was the only thought left in the minds of the seventeen Zhao members of the Xuan generation.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng speak, "This is the Stacking Talisman Technique, a secret art unique to the Zhao Family. Simply practice as you have seen."


    Practice as seen? How to practice?


    The seemingly miraculous technique left everyone scratching their heads, utterly baffled.


    At that moment, everyone eagerly watched him, waiting for a relative to provide further explanation.


    However, Zhao Sheng replied with but a single phrase, "There are no shortcuts to this technique, practice makes perfect. Those with high comprehension may succeed in one or two years, the rest will have to wait for their next life!"


    A deathly silence fell over the Academy, while Zhao Xuanjing felt a tingling in his scalp. He was one naturally endowed with extremely poor comprehension.

 Chapter 75 Selection and Pruning (Please Follow)

    After the lesson, Zhao Sheng kept Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Xuan''an behind, while the others dispersed.In the back hall, Zhao Sheng sat behind the talisman table, ignoring both of them and leisurely painted one first-order talisman after another.


    In front of the talisman table, Zhao Xuanjing stood trembling, not daring to raise his head to look at his seventh uncle''s face, while Zhao Xuan''an stared intently at the entire process of Zhao Sheng painting talismans, his eyes sparkling with delight.


    This quiet atmosphere lasted for a full hour.


    Just as Zhao Xuanjing was sweating nervously, Zhao Xuan''an suddenly spoke up.


    "Seventh Uncle, I understand! This is a test for the two of us."


    When Zhao Sheng heard this, he inwardly sighed and stopped his hand movements.


    "Indeed, An''er indeed possesses insight. Take these two items with you!"


    After praising him, Zhao Sheng took out a book and a scroll and handed them to Zhao Xuan''an.


    With joy written all over his face, Zhao Xuan''an excitedly exclaimed as he received them, "The ''Annotations of Taiyi Spiritual Texts,'' and what is this? Could it be that what is recorded here is the Stacking Talisman Technique?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, "Correct, the white silk indeed records the Stacking Talisman Technique. This secret method of the Talisman Tao has been passed down from the Taiyi Spirit Realm. It''s extremely precious! Keep it safe and don''t let others learn it."


    With that said, Zhao Sheng glanced over at Zhao Xuanjing standing beside him and noticed his look of envy, devoid of any jealousy.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng secretly nodded to himself, having made a decision in his heart.


    "Alright, you may leave now! If there''s anything you don''t understand, you can ask me for guidance."


    However, Zhao Xuan''an didn''t leave; instead, he put on a cheeky smile and cajoled, "Seventh Uncle, as a master of the Talisman Tao, could you give me a few protective talismans? Hehe, something like the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman would be nice. An''er wouldn''t mind at all. Three or four will do."


    "Scram, a few? Do you think second-order true talismans are that easy to make? Only one, no more."


    Zhao Sheng laughed and cursed a few words, then threw a dull grey square talisman towards Zhao Xuan''an with a wave of his hand.


    "Ah, thank you, Seventh Uncle!"


    Zhao Xuan''an grabbed the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman and left with a playful bow, turning around and dashing off with fluid movement.


    Just as Zhao Xuanjing was about to sneak out behind him, Zhao Sheng called him to a halt.


    "Xuanjing, stay!"


    "Seventh Uncle, do you... do you need something?" Zhao Xuanjing turned back with a pained expression, cautiously asking.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head secretly and asked, "What level of Qi Refinement are you at now?"


    "Seventh Uncle, I just broke through to the third layer of Qi Refinement a few days ago."


    "Oh!"


    Zhao Sheng was quite surprised upon hearing this; Zhao Xuanjing was progressing not slowly at all.


    To have broken through to the third layer of Qi Refinement at sixteen, even with three spirit roots, was considered an excellent performance.


    Zhao Sheng stood up and walked around from behind the table, gesturing for Zhao Xuanjing to follow him as he walked out.


    Feeling puzzled, Zhao Xuanjing wondered, "Has Seventh Uncle changed his ways? Why isn''t he scolding me this time?"


    Though he thought this, he didn''t dare to hesitate and immediately followed in Zhao Sheng''s footsteps.


    The two left the school and headed towards the peak of Taifu Mountain.


    Along the way, family members occasionally met the two and came up to greet them.


    Zhao Sheng nodded to each in acknowledgment, while Zhao Xuanjing bowed to everyone he met.


    It couldn''t be helped, given that he was the youngest in terms of seniority!


    After walking for about fifteen minutes, they reached the peak of the three-hundred-foot-high Taifu Mountain.


    Upon arriving at the mountaintop, what first caught their eyes was a millennia-old peach tree with lush branches and leaves, robust and twisted, standing nine feet tall.


    This nearly third-tier ancient spiritual peach tree, with a canopy as expansive as an umbrella covering three to four acres, completely shaded the entire mountaintop.


    Below the ancient peach tree''s shade, a two-acre green stone courtyard had been built to envelop its trunk.


    This was where Zhao Jijian, the Zhao Family''s only Foundation Establishment Cultivator, resided.


    Like the others in the Cultivation Clan of the Zhao Family, Zhao Jijian lived here both to guard the Spiritual Peach Tree and to take advantage of the rich environment of spiritual energy for cultivation.


    Why are there less than a hundred spiritual peach trees in the hundreds of acres of Taifu Mountain''s peach orchards?


    The reason is simple: the other peach trees do not grow atop the node of a Spirit Vein.


    Upon entering the courtyard, Zhao Sheng immediately spotted Zhao Jijian in red clothes and silver hair, standing under the ancient peach tree, gazing up at the canopy.


    Following the line of sight, Zhao Sheng looked up and saw in between the lush foliage, fuzzy peaches the size of apricots that were somewhat green and unripe. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon seeing Zhao Jijian, Zhao Xuanjing hurriedly went forward and bowed respectfully, greeting him, "Jing''er pays respects to the Fourth Ancestor!"


    Zhao Sheng also walked over to his side.


    Zhao Jijian ignored the two of them.


    He looked up at the spiritual peaches and sighed softly, "Alas, what a pity! Is it worth it?"


    Zhao Xuanjing was confused, but Zhao Sheng nodded and said, "It is worth it!"


    Only then did Zhao Jijian turn his head to look at Zhao Sheng, and gave Zhao Xuanjing a quick glance, abruptly asking, "Have you decided it''s going to be him?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded, "I observed the two of them for a full ten years. Xuan''an is exceptionally intelligent and has great comprehension, but he is too shrewd and can''t endure solitude. Jing''er is not as good as him in any respect, but he can persevere, and more importantly, he has a simple heart."


    Zhao Xuanjing, not fully understanding, felt that something significant involving him was being discussed.


    "Seventh Uncle, what are you talking about? Jing''er doesn''t understand."


    "Do not worry, in a few days, you will understand."


    Zhao Sheng reassured him, then turned to Zhao Jijian with a serious expression, "Sorry to trouble you, we can start now!"


    Zhao Jijian nodded seriously as well.


    The next second, light surged around him, and his body began to float off the ground, quickly ascending to the summit of the ancient peach tree.


    Zhao Sheng looked towards the treetop and saw flashes of blue light there, and wafts of a rich fragrance emanated from the top of the tree.


    Zhao Xuanjing twitched his nose, smelling the fragrance scattering in the air, feeling his spirit relaxed and the Spiritual Power within his body becoming more vibrant and lively.


    A moment later, Zhao Jijian descended gently back to the ground, holding a branch as tall as a man and as thick as an arm.


    The peach tree branch was strikingly green and the leaves gleamed with clarity as flecks of blue light played across the surface of the branches, which contained a highly concentrated, almost Condensed life force.


    "Here you go!"


    Zhao Sheng took the peach tree branch, carefully placing it into a specially made Spirit Plant Bag.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    Just then, three unripe peaches unexpectedly fell from the canopy without any warning, thudding and rolling to the feet of the three people.


    Zhao Jijian''s face was full of distress as he quickly picked up the peaches, lamenting, "There were only eighteen in total to begin with, now, there are only fifteen left."


    Zhao Sheng consoled him, "Fourth Master, do not be distressed, when we reach that place, I promise you will not be disappointed."


    "Chonghe, you said it!"


    Zhao Jijian looked seriously at Zhao Sheng. He''d been very curious a few years back as to why the latter could come up with so many rare Spiritual Medicines.


    But he had restrained himself from asking until recently when the latter took the initiative to give him a hint.


    Hence, today''s actions took place.


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the sky and said, "It''s getting late, we should set off now!"


    "Don''t you need to say goodbye to Ke Ru? After all, Xuanjing is his son."


    "No need, I''ve already informed him. Besides, Xuanjing can always come back in the future."


    Hearing the conversation between his Seventh Uncle and the Fourth Ancestor, Zhao Xuanjing became even more confused.


    Not being a person of quick wit to begin with, his mind was even more muddled at this moment, vaguely realizing that he appeared to be leaving Taifu Mountain for another place and that it would be a long time before he could return.


    "Let''s go! The Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat will be here soon. Any later and we''ll miss it."


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng released the wooden kite.


    A moment later, the wooden kite carried two figures and soared into the sky, quickly leaving Taifu Mountain behind. A streak of Sword Light followed closely, heading towards the horizon.

 Chapter 76 Return to the Slope and Arrange the Formation (Please Follow)

    Five days later,Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Pocket World City Cloud Boat Pier.


    Zhao Sheng and his two companions disembarked from the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat, bypassed Pocket World City, and flew directly upwards along the rock walls of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Four hours later, at an altitude of eighteen miles above Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Zhao Sheng piloted the wooden kite to land on a protruding Big Green Stone.


    Not far across from him was the Yin Side Mist Sea.


    Zhao Jijian landed next to him and after putting away the Red Rainbow Sword, he said with a grave expression, "Could it be that the place is within the Death Treasure Land?"


    "Exactly! Once we enter, you must follow my commands and don''t act recklessly,"


    As Zhao Sheng spoke, he took out Invisibility Talismans and Illusion Shadow Escape Talismans and distributed them to the two of them.


    Eventually, he put the Red Scale Armor on Zhao Xuanjing.


    Seeing how serious his Seventh Uncle was about this, Zhao Xuanjing, who had never experienced the dangers of Death Treasure Land, suddenly became anxious.


    Seeing Zhao Xuanjing''s nervousness, Zhao Sheng reassured, "Don''t worry! I''ve been in and out of this place several times, and I''m still fine. Besides, you have your Fourth Ancestor with you!"


    "Mhm," Zhao Xuanjing nodded, feeling slightly more at ease.


    After applying the Invisibility Talisman to himself, Zhao Sheng led the two slowly into the midst of the mist sea.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng, gasping like a cow, pulled Zhao Xuanjing and plunged headfirst into the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden, then they hid inside a cave in the mountain wall before they stopped their flight.


    Sitting back against the rock wall, they were both panting and filled with trepidation.


    After the trio entered the Death Treasure Land, the majority of their journey was smooth sailing, but during the last part of their route, they were unlucky enough to get targeted by a Golden-eyed Flood Python.


    This Golden-eyed Flood Python had lived for several hundred years and had already upgraded to a Second-stage Demon Beast. Not only was its combat power comparable to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, but its bizarre golden eyes also saw through the trio''s tracks.


    The trio were the ones ambushed.


    If it hadn''t been for Zhao Sheng, who had promptly activated the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman at a critical moment, conjuring nine fleeing illusory shadows to temporarily confuse the python,


    they would have narrowly escaped that calamity.


    However, the Golden-eyed Flood Python soon caught up again. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the meantime, the trio continuously released two more Illusion Shadow Escape Talismans, and eventually, Zhao Jijian even bravely risked himself by voluntarily leading the python away.


    That allowed Zhao Sheng to escape to the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden with Zhao Xuanjing.


    After catching their breath for a moment, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly asked with a worried face, "Seventh Uncle, could Fourth Ancestor have escaped safely in the end?"


    Zhao Sheng cracked a smile and replied, "Don''t worry! Your Fourth Ancestor has been in the Cultivation World for nearly a hundred years; he''s weathered through all sorts of storms. Such danger can''t bother him,"


    Although he said this, Zhao Sheng was also anxious in his heart.


    Soon, he took out a Guiding Talisman and channelled his Spiritual Power into it.


    The Guiding Talisman instantly burned to ashes and then shot out a Radiance that darted off and disappeared into the dense mist sea.


    About half an hour later, just when Zhao Sheng was starting to fear the worst,


    a cry of surprise suddenly came from outside.


    Overjoyed upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng hurried out of the cave, only to see Zhao Jijian, covered in blood, standing on the edge of the Sloping Land.


    At that moment, he was standing still, looking at the nearby Medicine Field with a face full of surprise.


    "Phew, I''m glad you''re okay!" Zhao Sheng finally breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.


    Zhao Xuanjing also quickly dashed out of the cave, and upon seeing Zhao Jijian, he immediately asked with concern, "Fourth Ancestor, are you not hurt?"


    "I''m fine! Haha, I couldn''t be better!"


    Zhao Jijian laughed heartily as he wiped the blood off his face.


    "Zhong He, you truly gave this old man a great surprise. I''m very curious, how did you find this spiritually vibrant land?"


    Zhao Sheng smiled upon hearing this and said, "Perhaps it was the blessing of our ancestors! By chance, I obtained a treasure map. That''s how I found this place."


    "You''re quite bold. You were only at the third or fourth layer of Qi Refinement back then, yet you dared to venture into this Death Treasure Land, and you actually found it. It seems the fortune of the Zhao family has not yet declined!"


    Zhao Jijian, brimming with enthusiasm, walked into the Medicine Garden, bent down, and began to gently touch each of the rare Spiritual Medicines.


    "Dragonbane Fruit, Jade Divine Flower, Nine Curves Ginseng, Purple Qi Mushroom..."


    Just then, something occurred to him, and he hurriedly asked, "Zhong He, was the Red Fire Ganoderma also found here?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said yes, while taking out a Jade Box, "Not just one, but two. I still have the other one with me."


    The truth was, Zhao Sheng had picked three Red Fire Ganoderma, but one of them had been used on Liu Quji.


    He did not find it convenient to reveal this to Zhao Jijian, to avoid his complaints later on.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian leaped over to Zhao Sheng''s side, snatched the Jade Box, opened it, and saw within a Red Fire Ganoderma with a lustrous cap as if transmuted from jade.


    "Excellent, this is Red Fire Ganoderma! Haha, now there''s hope for Ke Ru''s Foundation Establishment." Having confirmed it, Zhao Jijian exclaimed with an excited expression.


    Among the several dozen Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators in the Zhao family, apart from the aged Zhao Jinding, only Zhao Keru had cultivated to the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm.


    It must be said that with the skill of Alchemy, Cultivators can indeed improve their cultivation rapidly, and Zhao Keru was the most evident example of this.


    Zhao Jijian didn''t mention Zhao Sheng''s Foundation Establishment at all.


    For one thing, Zhao Sheng was only at the Qi Refining Seventh Level; even to reach Qi Refining Perfection would take at least twenty or thirty years.


    If they waited until then, much of the medicinal potency of the Red Fire Ganoderma would surely be lost, which would not be worth it.


    Secondly, there was no need to say more; once Zhao Sheng reached the Qi Refining Perfection, the Zhao family, even if they had to scrape together all their resources, would help him with his Foundation Establishment.


    This understanding didn''t need to be put into words, as the consensus within the Zhao family had long been established.


    Hearing the Fourth Ancestor speak in this way, Zhao Xuanjing, standing beside him, began to laugh foolishly.


    Zhao Keru was his own father. If his father could advance to Foundation Establishment, he would be foolish not to be happy.


    Zhao Sheng watched the old and the young laughing heartily, and could only silently wait for them to calm down.


    After a while, when the two had stopped laughing, Zhao Sheng took out a large stack of Jade Tablets from his Storage Bag.


    These Jade Tokens were about a foot long and three inches both in width and height, looking like rectangular Tokens, with spirit light flickering on their surface and countless cloud patterns etched on both sides.


    Upon seeing the Jade Tokens, Zhao Jijian asked in astonishment, "Zhong He, where did you trade for these Array Bases? What Formation are they for? First Rank or Second Order?"


    Zhao Sheng handed over the Jade Tokens to Zhao Jijian, while explaining, "These are Array Bases for a Second Order Flowing Cloud Illusion Array. Fourth Master, please arrange this Formation on the slope."


    Formation is one of the most challenging amongst the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation, always difficult to learn and master.


    A Formation cannot be casually established, as it must adapt on-the-fly according to variations in the terrain and Spirit Veins.


    After advancing to Foundation Establishment, Cultivators give birth to Divine Sense, thus becoming far more sensitive to changes in Earth Veins and Spiritual Energy than Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators, naturally making them the best candidates for arranging Formations.


    Therefore, in the Cultivation World, only those who have advanced past Foundation Establishment can begin to delve into the study of Formations. This high threshold speaks volumes.


    Since Zhao Sheng had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, he had to rely on Zhao Jijian instead.


    After Zhao Jijian accepted the Jade Tokens and sensed them with his eyes closed for a moment, he began to bustle about on the slope.


    An hour later, as Zhao Jijian buried the last Jade Token into the Earth Veins,


    suddenly, the fog above the slope began to move rapidly, followed by a thick fog gathering towards this spot.


    After a few breaths, a surge of radiance spread from the ground into the fog and quickly dissipated, the slope soon returned to calm as if nothing had changed from before.


    But now, if a stranger looked towards the slope, they would see nothing but a dense fog, and even when approaching, they would perceive just a flat mountainside.

 Chapter 77 The Rise of the Land and Grafting with Spirit Plants

    "This... huh, wait a minute! Could this be the legendary Mountain Dragon?!"In the Mountain Dragon Cave, Zhao Jijian ignored the tree roots filling the cave, his gaze completely fixed on the Mountain Dragon Remains, as enormous as a mountain, his expression utterly shocked.


    He rushed over eagerly, touching the petrified and rough true skin with his hands, his expression instantly filled with immense regret.


    "What a pity! If only it were still alive, how great would that be!"


    Standing nearby, upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but sneer internally, thinking: "If the Mountain Dragon were still alive, the three of us would have been doomed a long time ago."


    However, Zhao Xuanjing wasn''t too concerned with the Mountain Dragon since he was young and had not heard of its formidable reputation. Instead, he found the spirit worms burrowing in and out very interesting.


    He scurried over gleefully, picking up one as thick as an arm, holding it in his hand to fiddle and stroke, playing with it joyfully.


    "Seventh Uncle, what''s this? It looks like a giant earthworm! Also, the Spiritual Energy here is so rich! It''s so much more than on Taifu Mountain."


    Zhao Sheng explained: "Xuanjing, this is a spirit worm, somewhat related to earthworms."


    Spirit worms are mild by nature and not aggressive. No matter how Zhao Xuanjing played with them, they seemed not to mind and even grew closer to him.


    Zhao Sheng found this curious and secretly thought it might be due to having similar attributes.


    Zhao Xuanjing had three spirit roots of earth, metal, and wood, and he primarily cultivated the "Infinite Earth Technique," his Earth Element Spiritual Power was exceptionally pure.


    Zhao Jijian only realized the high density of the Spiritual Energy in the cave after being reminded by Zhao Xuanjing, it was almost on par with a Second Order Spiritual Vein.


    His expression - ecstatic; he couldn''t help but excitedly say, "Bless the Ancestors! There''s hope for the rise of the Zhao family!"


    Although Taifu Mountain was good, it could, at best, support the cultivation of Foundation Establishment Cultivators. But this cave could allow cultivators to continue cultivating all the way to the Golden Core Realm.


    More importantly, this spirit cave was the Zhao family''s alone, unlike Taifu Mountain which was a leased Spirit Vein. Now they didn''t have to worry about being evicted every hundred years.


    What did this represent?


    Zhao Jijian knew very clearly in his heart.


    This was the Zhao family''s last refuge, symbolizing that even if the family declined or even fell to the brink of extinction, as long as this spirit cave remains undiscovered, the Zhao Family could one day rise again.


    It was only now that he suddenly understood why, in recent years, the elder made various irrational decisions.


    "Elder, you... you did well!"


    In the face of Zhao Jijian''s almost incoherent excitement, Zhao Sheng simply smiled and said nothing.


    On the day he discovered the Mountain Dragon Cave, he had decided to make it the Zhao''s secret mansion and also the core secret base of the Dark Department.


    And Zhao Xuanjing had been selected by him as the head of the current generation''s Dark Department after ten years of scrutiny.


    Over the past few years, he had made countless preparations just for this day.


    At that moment, Zhao Jijian suddenly asked with a fervent look, "Elder, do you still have the mountain dragon''s Dragon Ball in your possession?"


    "Hm?!" Zhao Sheng''s face showed a hint of embarrassment,


    The Dragon Ball? It seemed he had forgotten to dig for it.


    ¡­


    Three days later,


    Zhao Jijian grabbed a handful of spirit soil, carefully and evenly spreading it over the Medicine Field.


    Half of this spirit soil was the excrement of the spirit worms, and the other half came from the Mountain Dragon Remains that had been crushed into small pieces.


    After Zhao Jijian brought it to his attention three days ago, Zhao Sheng and the other two spent two whole days using Spirit Swords as tools to carve out a passage within the Mountain Dragon''s body, ultimately finding a stone sphere as tall as a person in its belly.


    The stone sphere was the Dragon Ball, a pity the vast majority of it had petrified.


    Handling the Dragon Ball carefully, Zhao Sheng peeled it layer by layer, eventually obtaining a Yellow Jade Bead the size of a human head.


    Lucky amidst the unfortunate. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The bead still had diffuse yellow light surging and flowing, indicating that the last bit of the Mountain Dragon''s essence still remained inside.


    Boom boom!


    Bursts of roaring explosions came from within the cave in the mountain wall.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng walked out from inside, came to the edge of the broken ground, opened the Storage Bag, and dumped a huge pile of rubble into the abyss thousands of feet deep.


    A day ago, the second round of large-scale renovations and upgrades began in the cave mansion. Cultivation Rooms, rest areas, quiet rooms, talisman making rooms, alchemy rooms, storage rooms, and a whole host of other structures within the cave mansion all needed to be carved out.


    Zhao Sheng had calculated that to get Zhao''s Secret Mansion into shape, it would take about a month.


    However, he planned to entrust the heavy task of opening up the cave mansion to Zhao Xuanjing.


    He and Zhao Jijian had more important things to attend to.


    Zhao Sheng lightly tapped his feet, his form floated up and flew to a concave surface three zhang high on the mountain wall.


    This concave area had already been dug four zhang deep into the mountain wall, the ground was clean of any broken rocks, revealing a rough, yellow-white wooden cross-section. Upon closer inspection, one could see dense, circular growth rings covering its surface.


    This... was unmistakably a colossal wooden stake with a diameter of over four zhang.


    "Fourth Master," Zhao Sheng called out to Zhao Jijian from afar.


    After hearing him, Zhao Jijian straightened up, patted the spirit soil dust from his hands, and replied, "...I''m coming."


    Having said that, Zhao Jijian leapt into the air and in the blink of an eye, flew the distance of six zhang, landing beside Zhao Sheng.


    "Chonghe, do you have confidence in this?" he asked with concern.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, "At most a ten percent chance, but... it''s enough to wager a try."


    Zhao Jijian looked at the gigantic tree stump and then recalled the unimaginably thick tree roots in the cave; he fell silent.


    If this success,


    He dared not imagine the kind of rare and strange treasures that would be nurtured.


    Zhao Sheng took out a bottle of Purple Mist Jade Dew and handed it to Zhao Jijian.


    Next, he took out the Small Circulation Talisman Plate. The talisman plate radiated dazzling spirit light with multiple haloes. Seventy-two eighteen-layered Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans and nine Second Order Gan Lin True Talismans were neatly arranged on it.


    Zhao Sheng took a deep breath, his expression solemn as he said, "Uncle Si, let''s begin!"


    Um,


    Zhao Jijian nodded, flipped his hand, and a Red Rainbow Sword appeared in his grip.


    The next second, a streak of red Sword Light burst forth from the Red Rainbow Sword, instantly plunging into the tree stump.


    Crack!


    A soft sound was heard as a tiny crack appeared on the surface of the tree stump, measuring no more than three inches in length.


    Already the day before, the two had been shocked to find that this tree stump was made of an extraordinarily hard material, harder than they could have imagined.


    With Zhao Sheng''s cultivation at the Qi Refining Seventh Level and wielding a high-quality Magic Sword, he couldn''t leave so much as a mark on it.


    From this one detail alone, the two knew that the tree stump could at least be used to refine a Spiritual Artifact.


    But what a shame it would be to merely use it for crafting Spiritual Artifacts¨Cit would be a waste of its potential.


    Boom,


    Crack!


    As the Sword Light whirled into existence and vanished just as quickly, Zhao Jijian slashed nearly a hundred times, finally splitting a crack over a foot deep in the tree stump.


    "That''s enough."


    Zhao Sheng quickly intervened to stop Zhao Jijian.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian stepped back to make room, while intently watching Zhao Sheng''s next move.


    Zhao Sheng stepped up to the crack and waved his hand to take out a segment of the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch from his Spirit Plant Bag.


    In the dim environment, the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch shimmered with a lush green radiance, its vitality made all the more evident amidst its delicate beauty.


    Zhao Sheng carefully inserted the lower end of the peach branch into the crack.


    Quickly after, he took out another bottle of Purple Mist Jade Dew and poured it into the crack,


    One bottle emptied, seeing it not yet full, he poured another half a bottle down.


    Only when ripples of spiritual energy and surges of vitality appeared at the crack, forming tendrils of mist that ceaselessly ascended,


    Did Zhao Sheng take a step back, his eyes intently fixed on the spot, not missing any abnormalities.

 Chapter 78 Mysterious Spirit Tree Revival

    One breath,Two breaths,


    ...


    Seven or eight breaths had passed, and the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch and the stake seemed as calm as before, showing no signs of anything out of the ordinary.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian grew anxious and couldn''t help but ask, "Chonghe, has it failed?"


    To coordinate with this whimsical experiment, the Zhao family had already paid a considerable price.


    Not to mention the Purple Mist Jade Dew, just the three fallen green peaches, which could be exchanged for ten thousand Spirit Stones each once they matured.


    "Don''t rush, wait a bit longer."


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng finished speaking,


    Suddenly,


    The ground trembled, and a humming sound seemed to emanate from beneath the earth.


    At that moment, one could see the Purple Mist Jade Dew at the crack of the stump sinking rapidly as if there was an invisible large mouth swallowing it voraciously.


    "It worked!"


    Zhao Sheng shouted in surprise.


    However, at this moment, the verdant and dripping Spiritual Peach Tree Branch visibly darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye, as if a great deal of life force had been drained from it...


    "Quick, pour in the Jade Dew!" Zhao Sheng''s complexion drastically changed.


    Before the words faded, Zhao Jijian''s right hand motioned, and the Purple Mist Jade Dew instantly flew out from the Jade Purifying Bottle on his hand, forming a stream that accurately fell into the crack.


    Zhao Sheng also took a step forward like an arrow, pouring the remaining half bottle of Jade Dew into it without hesitation.


    But they had still underestimated the strong yearning for life force and Spiritual Energy that a mysterious Spirit Tree, dormant and dead for countless years, had upon awakening.


    In just a few breaths, the equivalent of three bottles of Purple Mist Jade Dew had been completely consumed.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng gritted his teeth and took out the remaining seven bottles of Purple Mist Jade Dew, handing them over to Zhao Jijian.


    Meanwhile, his expression was solemn as he held up the Small Circulation Talisman Plate, and with a rapid flicker of his thoughts, a total of eighteen Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans immediately turned to ashes.


    In an instant, a vast vortex, formed as intense spirit light burst into the sea of mist centered around the slope area, seemed to take shape both slowly and quickly.


    Two breaths later, a giant vortex resembling a massive Dragon Tornado, descended slowly above Zhao Sheng''s head, and with his thought''s quick flicker, a spirit cloud brimming with strong vitality quickly formed below the vortex.


    Then, small water droplets began to fall from the spirit cloud,


    When the raindrops, rich with abundant vitality, fell onto the stump, it was like they fell onto desert sand, and were absorbed in the blink of an eye.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s face changed again.


    The next instant, another nine sets of eighteen Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans turned to ash.


    Then, the third batch, the fourth batch


    ...


    Zhao Sheng might not have known, or he might have known and couldn''t care less at that point.


    As he released a large number of talismans, the Dragon Tornado vortex''s range grew larger and larger, eventually affecting areas a hundred miles away.


    This time, the commotion was indeed quite significant, startling an unknown number of demon birds and Fierce Beasts.


    What''s more, some Cultivators who were affected by the disturbance were also alarmed by this anomaly.


    Some chose to stay far away, but others, bold and regardless of their own lives, rushed towards the site.


    On their way, they inevitably clashed with groups of demon beasts that were drawn in.


    Thus, numerous battles between humans and demons erupted within a hundred miles of the slope area.


    As for all sorts of anomalies happening outside the slope area, Zhao Sheng had no time to care about them.


    As the seventy-two Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans were depleted, Zhao Jijian also emptied six bottles of Purple Mist Jade Dew from his hand.


    If the last bottle poured in still wasn''t enough, he would only have the last nine Second-Order Gan Lin Talismans left in his hand.


    But to tell the truth, Zhao Sheng had experimented before and found that the effects of the Gan Lin Talismans weren''t much stronger than the stacked eighteen Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans.


    "Keep pouring!" Zhao Sheng clenched his teeth and decisively ordered Zhao Jijian, who nodded solemnly and then poured the last bottle of Jade Dew into the crack.


    Zhao Sheng was about to activate the last wave of talismans.


    Suddenly, his eyes burst with astonishing brilliance, and his face showed an expression of extreme delight.


    Because at that moment, the wooden stump finally had a second response.


    One could see the crack suddenly writhing, and in the blink of an eye, it healed, and the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch finally grew together with the stump.


    At this time, faint white light gradually emerged from the growth rings of the stump, and a halo also appeared on the leaves and branches of the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch, making it look incredibly mystical.


    "It''s alive! Chonghe, it''s finally alive!" Zhao Jijian jumped up excitedly, his expression extremely animated.


    After spending so much over the years, they finally saw a glimmer of hope.


    Zhao Sheng, suppressing his excitement, circulated his Spiritual Power and continued to maintain the current state of the spirit cloud.


    Gradually, the spirit rain became heavier and heavier. The wooden stump was no longer as indiscriminately ravenous.


    The water drops rich in life force rolled down to the base of the Spiritual Peach Tree, eventually forming a small puddle.


    At this time, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly ran out of the cave in a fluster, looked up, and shouted to the two men, "Uncle Seven, Fourth Ancestor, the tree roots in the cave... the roots have come to life!"


    "Hmm, I know!"


    Zhao Sheng, with most of his attention on the Spiritual Peach Tree, nodded nonchalantly.


    The revival of a mystical Spirit Tree is bound to produce some strange phenomena; this was not unusual.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing scratched his head in frustration and said, "But the Spiritual Energy in the cave has just been drained by a large amount, and the concentration of Spiritual Energy has declined greatly!"


    "What?" Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows furrowed.


    "Not good, some demon beasts have broken into the Illusion Array"


    Just then, Zhao Jijian''s face suddenly changed, and the Red Rainbow Sword shot out abruptly, disappearing into the outer cloud mist.


    The next second, the Red Rainbow Sword, carrying fresh crimson blood, flew back and hovered above Zhao Jijian''s head.


    "Chonghe, quickly stop casting! If we''re late, it''ll be too late."


    Upon hearing this, a shock went through Zhao Sheng''s heart, and he immediately waved his hand to release seven or eight streams of Spiritual Power, quickly dissipating the spirit cloud above their heads.


    The Dragon Tornado vortex, now lacking the support of Spiritual Power, also quickly calmed and dissipated.


    "Fourth Master, what''s the situation outside? Can the Flowing Cloud Illusion Array hold on?"


    Zhao Jijian''s Divine Sense had already expanded to its maximum range, with every movement within dozens of feet under his control.


    He said with a grim face, "The Formation can hold on. Demon beasts below the third-tier can''t peer through the illusions of the array unless they blindly charge through it. But now there are many demon beasts wandering around the slope. If one of the big fellows is drawn here, that would be bad trouble." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng knew that the so-called big fellows were referring to powerful demon beasts at the Golden Core Level.


    Golden Core Level demon beasts have developed a sense similar to Divine Sense, and simple illusions created by a Second Order Flowing Cloud Illusion Array would hardly confuse them.


    "Let''s hide inside the cave for now, and leave the rest to fate," Zhao Sheng said, knowing he was taking a risk, but such is the path of cultivation¡ªa road filled with perils and obstacles. If one isn''t willing to take even this small risk, then there''s no point in pursuing cultivation.


    Then the three of them, each with different expressions, walked into the cave. Zhao Sheng and another stepped back voluntarily, while Zhao Jijian stood by the edge of the cave, the Red Rainbow Sword radiating with spiritual light, ready for battle.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Jijian''s sword lured away two demon beasts on three separate occasions.


    Three quarters of an hour later, his sword struck twice, killing a First-stage Rock Scorpion.


    After an hour, the demon beasts around slowly dispersed, and although the slope suffered minor damage, it remained largely unscathed.


    A month later, Zhao Jijian left the slope, carrying a Storage Bag full of spirit soil and three carefully selected Spiritual Medicines, filled with joy.

 Chapter 79 Learning to Let Go and Newborn Foundation Establishment

    Time flowed like water, and two years had swiftly passed.On the sloping terrain, under the Spiritual Peach Tree, Zhao Sheng was seated cross-legged on a wooden stump, cultivating with his eyes closed, surrounded by a lingering cloud mist around him.


    Behind him, the Spiritual Peach Tree had grown to over six meters tall, radiating spirit light all over. The thick branches, as wide as arms, were covered with fine scale-patterns and the leaves, like jade, emitted specks of white light.


    Over these two years, as the mystical peach tree gradually revived and grew, it had brought quite a few surprises to Zhao Sheng.


    A year ago, the concentration of spiritual energy in the cave slowly returned to normal, and that was when Zhao Sheng suddenly discovered that this grafted Spiritual Peach Tree naturally gathered Wood Element and Water Element Spiritual Energy.


    At first, there was only a slight increase in the concentration of spiritual energy.


    But recently, Zhao Sheng was delighted to discover that within a ten-meter radius of the Spiritual Peach Tree, the concentration of spiritual energy was now no less than that of a First-rank Spirit Vein.


    Especially since the Spiritual Peach Tree primarily absorbed Wood Element Spiritual Qi, leaving most of the Water Element Spiritual Qi to benefit Zhao Sheng.


    Furthermore, his Cloud Dispersion Robe also contributed part of the effect of a Spirit Gathering Array.


    When combined, Zhao Sheng''s cultivation progress was even faster than in Taifu Mountain.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng slowly ended his cultivation session, and as if on cue, Zhao Xuanjing appeared under the Spiritual Peach Tree.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and looked at Zhao Xuanjing, asking, "Have you finished your lessons?"


    Zhao Xuanjing frowned miserably and said softly, "Not... yet! I... I failed again."


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows and chastised, "Three months, and you''ve wasted over a hundred sheets of talisman paper without succeeding in a single one. What am I to say about you?"


    "Uncle Seven, that Magma Talisman is too difficult to draw. It''s better not to learn it at all," Zhao Xuanjing resisted, a rarity for him.


    "If you don''t learn talisman painting, what can you do? You''re not good at artifact refining, and alchemy, which requires precision, is even more out of the question. Do you want to end up like those spiritual craftsmen who only do tedious work building mansions?"


    Zhao Xuanjing brightened up, nodding repeatedly, "Uncle Seven, I really like developing cave mansions. Our family''s secret mansion was also excavated by me. Plus, I think being a Spiritual Craftsman isn''t too bad either!"


    Zhao Sheng jumped up fiercely, and slapped his lower back, scolding, "Nonsense! I''ve put so much effort into this for you to establish your foundation, not for you to become a craftsman. Besides, how many spiritual craftsmen can establish their foundation?"


    Zhao Xuanjing, who was thick-skinned, didn''t feel the slap on his body at all.


    At eighteen, he stood nearly three meters tall, towering like an iron tower, appearing as a giant.


    It was hard to say whether this was due to his natural constitution or the cultivation of the Infinite Earth Technique.


    In fact, by this time, Zhao Sheng himself was almost ready to give up.


    Apart from his decent cultivation speed and some knowledge of Earth Element Magic, Zhao Xuanjing was a mess in everything else.


    To call him simple-minded would be a compliment; he was utterly blockheaded.


    "Forget it, since you can''t learn it, you don''t have to focus on talisman painting anymore. There are two Body Refinement Techniques in the Scripture Pavilion, one of which is a fragment of the ''Profound Yellow Battle Body.'' Learn that one; it''d be a shame to waste your unusual talent," Zhao Sheng finally suggested.


    "Uncle Seven, I''ve actually already learned it."


    Zhao Xuanjing said, and his body swelled up a bit, his exposed skin instantly gained a layer of gray-white rock armor, and his body burst into a yellow halo, making him appear like the Immortal of Colossal Spirit.


    "You sneaky boy, now you''ve learned to keep it from me," Zhao Sheng said with a mix of laughter and scolding. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I was afraid you would scold me," Zhao Xuanjing, rubbing his head, said sheepishly.


    "Scolding you would be the least of it. If you learned the body refinement techniques so quickly, why didn''t you tell me sooner? You could have saved me a few bouts of frustration."


    "Uncle Seven, I know my mistake."


    "You''re not at fault, I am!" Zhao Sheng patted Zhao Xuanjing''s arm, finally sighing in conclusion.


    ...


    From then on, besides paying attention to Zhao Xuanjing''s cultivation, Zhao Sheng refrained from interfering with his other actions.


    As for Uncle Qi''s hands-off approach, Zhao Xuanjing was almost crazily joyful and thus the sloping land underwent its third round of massive cave mansion renovations.


    Day by day, a large number of new stone rooms, stone tables, stone stools, and even stone figures were carved and shaped by Zhao Xuanjing.


    In the end, Zhao Sheng looked at the hundreds of empty stone rooms with a helpless expression.


    Another month passed, and suddenly there was a fluctuation in the illusion array on the periphery of the slope, followed by two figures breaking in.


    Under the Spirit Tree, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes and looked downward, his face instantly showing a joyous smile.


    The visitors were none other than Zhao Jijian and Zhao Keru.


    Zhao Sheng floated down in front of them, looking at the much younger Zhao Keru, excitedly asked, "Uncle Ru, you''ve advanced to Foundation Establishment?"


    Zhao Keru couldn''t help but nod with a smile, "Yes! All thanks to that Red Fire Ganoderma of yours."


    "That''s wonderful! Now our family has two Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Finally, we don''t have to worry about the risk of decline."


    Zhao Sheng had barely finished speaking when an astonished shout came from Zhao Xuanjing at the cave entrance, "Dad, how did you get here?!"


    "You little rascal, seeing your old man, are you not happy?"


    "Not at all!"


    Zhao Xuanjing hurried over, bending down as much as he could, trying to please his own father.


    Zhao Keru patted his head and exclaimed, "I haven''t seen you for more than two years, and you''ve grown so tall."


    "Dad, I''ve reached the Qi Refining Fourth Level." Zhao Xuanjing said somewhat boastfully.


    "Haha, Qi Refining Fourth Level means nothing. Your dad has already reached Foundation Establishment," Zhao Keru joked.


    "Really?!" Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing''s eyes lit up like light bulbs.


    ...


    One day later, in the sloping medicine field.


    "Ah, who planted this? How could Earth Fat be planted together with Vitality Herb? Don''t they know they influence each other?"


    "Ah, the Red Fire Ganoderma is planted so densely, it''s totally amateurish. Dragonbane Fruit loves water; look how wilted it is. It''s only because this spirit land is special that most of the Spiritual Medicine hasn''t already died."


    Zhao Sheng sat under the Spiritual Peach Tree pretending to cultivate. He listened to Zhao Keru''s constant chattering below, his face slightly red.


    In the past, he knew nothing about pharmacology and had planted those Spiritual Medicines at random.


    Over the years, as the Spiritual Medicines had been growing well, he hadn''t managed them attentively.


    However, this wasn''t a big mistake, just a minor oversight.


    Now, with a professional Alchemist and Pharmacist, not only was the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden newly planned, but even the Mountain Dragon Cave was turned into a medicine garden by Zhao Keru, planted with Earth Fat, Ghost Mushrooms, Longevity Grass, and Six Mysterious Pearls that favor shade over sunlight.


    After ten days, seeing Zhao Keru thoroughly enjoying himself, Zhao Sheng left the secret mansion at ease and followed Zhao Jijian back to Taifu Mountain.


    Having not been home for more than two years, Zhao Sheng heard that the juniors at the Cultivation Academy were getting out of control, and the learning atmosphere was worsening by the day.


    This time going back, he must quickly quash this trend; otherwise, it would be too late to correct if it turned into a customary practice.


    Seven days later, when Zhao Sheng stepped onto the lecture platform again, the sixteen juniors of the Xuan generation below were stunned, their bodies instantly froze on the spot as if petrified.


    "Class begins!"

 Chapter 80 The Peach Blossom Curse

    "Ugh!"In the quiet room, Zhao Sheng suddenly groaned, his face turning instantly pale.


    He forcefully endured the agony of his spirit being torn apart and removed the God-slaying Pearl from his forehead.


    Looking at the figure faintly visible within the Jade Pearl, Zhao Sheng''s expression was slightly gloomy.


    "Sigh, Yue Qinghan, oh Yue Qinghan! Giving me something I can''t use, what exactly do you mean by this!"


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but lament before carelessly returning the God-slaying Pearl to his storage bag.


    More than thirty years ago, during an encounter at Heavenly Pillar Mountain, he received the God-slaying Pearl from Yue Qinghan.


    After all these years, each time his divine intent probed the interior of the Jade Pearl, he was met with the slash of sword light,


    regardless of how he dodged, even if he used Bullet Time, he still couldn''t avoid it for an instant.


    In the blink of an eye, his divine intent would be cut off, followed by a splitting headache and a great loss of spirit as he exited the Jade Pearl.


    As a result, over the years, there wasn''t much progress in his swordsmanship, but the strength of his divine intent increased significantly.


    This, in turn, also indirectly improved his skill in drawing and making talismans.


    After catching his breath, Zhao Sheng took out a bottle of Returning God Pills and swallowed one.


    Soon, his mind felt a refreshing coolness, and the severe headache immediately lessened significantly. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Returning God Pill was a Second Order Spirit Pill recorded in the alchemical experiences of Master Qiong Shen.


    Zhao Keru, after advancing to Foundation Establishment, saw a dramatic improvement in his alchemy, and he successfully refined a batch during the third year of his seclusion in the secret mansion.


    Zhao Sheng, learning of this, treasured it like a prized possession. Over the years, his divine intent had been severed countless times, but he recovered quickly, all thanks to the Returning God Pills.


    Feeling much better spiritually, Zhao Sheng summoned the Hundred Lifetimes book and flipped to the fourth page, whereupon a data panel appeared before him:


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 62/97


    Realm: Qi Refining Ninth Layer


    Profession: Quasi Second-rank Talisman Master (7/10)


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talents: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystical Spirit Skill (Refined), Stacking Talisman Technique (Small Success, Eighteen Stacks)


    Spell: Thousand Silk Sword Rain (Great Success), Refraction Technique (Refined), Water Dragon Roar (Small Success), Water Bomb Technique (Small Success), Bone Burning Skill (Beginner)


    Talisman Making: Invisibility Talisman (Divine Transformation) Flowing Cloud Sword Talisman (Divine Transformation), Concentrating God Talisman (Second Order, Great Success), Sweet Rain Talisman (Second Order, Small Success), Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Great Success), Illusion True Talisman (Second Order, Refined)...


    Martial Arts: Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations...


    Looking at the data on the panel, Zhao Sheng sighed at how quickly time passed but felt fairly satisfied with his cultivation progress.


    After all, he was just a Four Spirit Roots cultivator. Despite having an abundance of elixir pills and spirit stones, there was a limit to how fast he could refine and absorb them; he couldn''t hurry the process even if he wanted to.


    "Having just passed a sixty-year lifespan, I reckon I have three chances to make a surge at Foundation Establishment. Hmm, that should be enough."


    With that thought, a trace of a smile appeared on Zhao Sheng''s face. He put away the Hundred Lifetimes book and stood up, leaving the quiet room.


    As soon as he left the quiet room, his brow furrowed, his expression darkened, and he turned his head to look at a corner, stating sternly, "Xuan''an, what are you hiding for? Get over here!"


    ```


    "Ah! Uncle Seven, I knew I couldn''t hide it from you," confessed Zhao Xuan''an after being caught red-handed. He quickly emerged from a corner and scurried to Zhao Sheng''s side, obsequiously flattering him.


    At this time, Zhao Xuan''an was already over thirty years old and had evolved from a handsome and dashing youth into a charming and mature heartthrob that still looked incredibly youthful, barely in his twenties.


    Upon seeing Zhao Xuan''an still carrying that debonair and untamed demeanor, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but seethe with irritation and reprimanded, "Just look at you, already in your thirties, yet still so immature. Have you come to hide out at my place because you''ve found yourself in trouble again?"


    Zhao Xuan''an nodded incessantly and raised his thumb in approval, praising, "Uncle Seven, you hit the nail on the head. Today, my mother was once again urging me to get married soon. You know what I''m like. So, I thought I''d lay low here for a while to avoid the pressure."


    Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows and said decisively, "No! If that were the case, you wouldn''t dare come near me. Tell me, which female cultivator friend of yours has come looking for you at Heavenly Pillar Mountain?"


    Zhao Sheng thought this because Zhao Xuan''an had a history of "previous offenses."


    This young man, starting from the age of sixteen when he first experienced the pangs of young love, quickly revealed his playboy nature. It was a mystery who he inherited that from with his gift of the gab, good looks, and knack for being humble and submissive.


    Since graduating from the Cultivation Academy at the age of eighteen, Zhao Xuan''an had been living it up, accumulating countless amorous debts over the years and even earning the nickname "Lord Peach Blossom."


    Sometimes, Zhao Sheng would wonder if there were too many peach trees on Heavenly Pillar Mountain, causing Zhao Xuan''an''s life to be plagued with romantic entanglements.


    Now it seems like a streak of peach blossom luck, but who knows if it will turn into a peach blossom tribulation in the future.


    As Zhao Sheng thought this, he heard Zhao Xuan''an say with gloom, "Uncle Seven, you have to help me! I''m your only direct disciple. My mother is pushing me hard to get married, and now, Little Feng has also shown up, leaving me with no way out."


    Zhao Xuan''an wasn''t wrong.


    In the entire Zhao Family, he was the only one capable of carrying on Zhao Sheng''s legacy of Talisman Tao.


    Over the years, the members of the Zhao family''s Xuan generation had grown to twenty-three, with four having decent Talisman Tao talent.


    However, after so many years since Zhao Sheng passed down the Stacking Talisman Technique, only Zhao Xuan''an had succeeded in mastering it.


    From this point alone, it was clear that Zhao Sheng valued Zhao Xuan''an greatly.


    But what Zhao Sheng couldn''t tolerate was that Zhao Xuan''an actually¡­


    Zhao Sheng smacked Zhao Xuan''an on the head, furiously berating, "Little Feng is the daughter of which family? You haven''t even sorted things out with Xiao Lan and Little Hua yet, and you''re already stirring up new romantic debts. Are you trying to infuriate your mother to death?"


    Rubbing his head, Zhao Xuan''an replied aggrievedly, "Uncle Seven, my relationships with Xiao Lan and Hua Hua were all genuine love, and yes, I may be flirtatious, but I''m not indecent! But this time, Little Feng is different; she''s really persistent. I remember I didn''t provoke her at all!"


    Before Zhao Sheng could scold him further, Zhao Xuan''an continued with a mournful face, "This time I''m in deep trouble. That Little Feng is the legitimate daughter of Medicine Immortal Ge Family. I heard her grandfather is a Golden Core Master."


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng was taken aback and promptly inquired, "Tell me, how did you get involved with her? You''re clearly courting disaster for Heavenly Pillar Mountain!"


    The Elixir Saint Ge Family was renowned in the Southern Border, not just any average Cultivation Family, but one of the Seven Great Families of Elixir Cauldron, as famous as Denver Liu Family, Medicine Immortal Sun Family, and others.


    Although the family had no Nascent Soul Ancestor at its helm, it boasted more than five Golden Core Masters, compared to which the Zhao Family was nothing more than chickens and pottery dogs.


    Zhao Xuan''an thought back and said woefully, "Two months ago, at the Youlan Pavilion gathering, I think I drew her a Portrait Talisman."


    "But other sisters got one too, she wasn''t the only one," Zhao Xuan''an emphasized lastly.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was furious.


    The Portrait Talisman, by its name, was a talisman that could create an image of a person and further beautify it.


    It was a new type of First-Order Talisman that Zhao Sheng had successfully derived eight years ago by combining Old Li''s spring palace talisman with a Second Order Illusion True Talisman from the Secret Talisman Scripture.


    To teach the Illusion True Talisman, he had carelessly taught Zhao Xuan''an how to make the Portrait Talisman.


    Little did he know that Zhao Xuan''an would use it to attract women, tsk, this good-for-nothing kid.


    But Zhao Sheng quickly calmed down, realizing that this situation was different from the previous ones. One wrong move could indeed bring disaster upon the Zhao family. Your next read awaits at empire


    "If it really comes down to it¡­" Zhao Sheng glanced at Zhao Xuan''an and made up his mind.


    "Come on, tell me, how did you get to know her? And how did you carry on the relationship? Don''t hide anything."


    Zhao Xuan''an recalled, "Little Feng''s name is Ge Feng''er. Half a year ago, I went to Nine Tripods Square..."


    ```

 Chapter 81 Three Steps to Foundation Establishment

    Five months later, Taifu Mountain was adorned with lanterns and streamers.From early dawn, waves of envoys from various Cultivation Families and Sects arrived here like a stream of water to congratulate the Zhao Family on the union of a new couple.


    The Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Zhao Family, Zhao Jijian, personally took the lead to stand at the foot of Taifu Mountain to welcome each fellow Foundation Establishment Daoist, accompanied by a member of the Ge family who had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection.


    On that day, with the arrival of a Golden Core True Immortal from the Ge family, the festive atmosphere on Taifu Mountain instantly reached its climax.


    Thereafter, all Cultivation Forces within a thousand miles around Taifu Mountain knew that the Zhao family had formed an alliance with the high branches of the Elixir Saint Ge Family.


    In the same year, Zhao Jijian stepped down from the position of Family Head, and Zhao Xuan''an smoothly took over.


    Two years later, Zhao Sheng advanced to Qi Refining Perfection. In that year, Zhao Xuan''an had another son, named Zhao Tongxian.


    ...


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Zhao''s Secret Mansion.


    When Zhao Sheng once again set foot on the slope, the first thing that caught his eye was an ancient spiritual peach tree, over three zhang tall and lush with foliage.


    It shone with spirit light, its jade leaves and emerald branches surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, at first glance revealing its extraordinary and remarkable essence, like the fabled trees of the Spirit Realm.


    Zhao Keru was busy working in the medicine field; upon seeing Zhao Sheng, he joked, "Zhao Chonghe, what brings such a busy person like you to the secret mansion?"


    Zhao Sheng approached the edge of the medicine field and said with a smile, "I''m here to bring you a treasure, I''m sure you''ll like it."


    "What treasure? Hurry up and bring it out." Zhao Keru''s eyes sparkled with excitement, urging him on immediately.


    He knew Zhao Chonghe had high standards, and anything he called a treasure must be extraordinary.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and with a flip of his wrist, a small red-gold tripod with three legs and six ears covered in Spiritual Text appeared in his palm.


    "A Spirit Artifact Elixir Cauldron?!"


    Zhao Keru exclaimed in surprise, his gaze fixed on the alchemy furnace, unable to look away.


    He rushed out of the medicine field in a few steps, snatching the Spirit Artifact Elixir Cauldron and fondling it with admiration.


    "This cauldron is called Nine Extinguishing, a Mid-grade Spirit Artifact. Within it are nine strands of extinguishing winds that can refine and purify the impurities in Elixir Pills, enhancing the grade of Spirit Pills," explained Zhao Sheng with a smile.


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    This Nine Extinguishing Spirit Cauldron was one of the dowries that Ge Feng''er brought with her in her marriage.


    Since Zhao Keru was the only Second-Order Alchemist in the Zhao Family, Zhao Sheng brought it along while coming to the secret mansion for his own Foundation Establishment.


    "Wait here, I''ll refine a batch first then we''ll talk."


    After saying that, Zhao Keru turned and walked away, completely forgetting about Zhao Sheng''s presence. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head with a smile, not minding it, because he knew that Zhao Keru was obsessed with alchemy, and such behavior was quite normal for him.


    Only a moment passed when Zhao Xuanjing suddenly ran out of a cave, and upon seeing Zhao Sheng, he cheerfully said, "Uncle Seven, you''ve finally come."


    "Eh, you''re in such a hurry, could it be you''ve found a sweetheart in Pocket World City?" Zhao Sheng teased, seeing his mood.


    Zhao Xuanjing''s face turned bright red on the spot as he defended, "Uncle Seven, you wrong me. I was just happy to see you, that''s all."


    "Hehe!" Zhao Sheng simply laughed without a word.


    Compared to the romantically inclined Zhao Xuan''an, Zhao Xuanjing was a purely innocent young man.


    Poor him, already in his thirties yet because he has been stationed at the secret mansion all year round, he hadn''t even experienced the taste of a woman.


    Seeing Zhao Xuanjing''s growing embarrassment, Zhao Sheng dropped the teasing and earnestly advised, "Xuanjing, you must be more cautious in Pocket World City. You''re too straightforward and honest; be careful not to be deceived by others."


    With that, Zhao Sheng stuffed a bunch of talismans, including the Invisibility Talisman, Concentrating God Talisman, and Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, into Zhao Xuanjing''s hands, also patting his arm and saying, "Go on then! Don''t forget to return on time in a month."


    ```


    "Hmm," Zhao Xuanjing nodded.


    Suddenly, as if just remembering something, he hurriedly said, "Uncle Qi, can I have that Dragon Ball? Little Gold is about to undergo transformation, and I think the Dragon Ball could help it transform faster."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was startled and immediately shook his head in refusal, "No, I have another important use for that Dragon Ball."


    "Oh," Zhao Xuanjing sounded somewhat disappointed.


    The "Little Gold" he mentioned was a golden ring spirit worm over seven zhang long, with the greatest potential among its group.


    If it were to succeed in this transformation, it would surpass the ten-zhang limit and advance to a second-order spiritual insect.


    If it could continue to transform, once Little Gold''s body length exceeded a hundred zhang, a newborn Mountain Dragon would be born as a result.


    After Zhao Xuanjing left the secret mansion with disappointment, Zhao Sheng floated beneath the spiritual peach tree and sat down cross-legged.


    Sensing the rich and quintessential Water Spiritual Energy around him, Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction, then closed his eyes and started running the Mystical Spirit Skill, beginning to refine the Spiritual Energy bit by bit.


    One month later, on the day Zhao Xuanjing returned to the secret mansion, Zhao Sheng had finally reached his own limit, his spiritual power cultivation had reached an impasse.


    That day, he handed over the Storage Bag to Zhao Keru and his son Zhao Xuanjing and took care of all the affairs.


    Finally, he sat down cross-legged under the spiritual peach tree and began to close his eyes in concentration.


    Zhao Sheng did not attempt a breakthrough immediately but continuously recalled the three major steps of Foundation Establishment.


    According to records of predecessors, advancing from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment included three steps: "Qi, Body, Spirit." The first step was the transformation and liquefaction of spiritual power, the second step was cleansing the body with spiritual power and greatly increasing Life Span, and the final step was to break the Purple Mansion to condense the Divine Sense.


    Only after completing all three steps could one be considered to have succeeded in Foundation Establishment.


    Breaking the Purple Mansion was the most dangerous step, with nine out of ten attempting Foundation Establishment failing at this point.


    If failed, the cultivator would at best suffer major spiritual damage, or at worst, lose normal cognitive functions and become an idiot.


    Zhao Sheng''s closed eyes suddenly shot open, reflecting his belief that he must succeed or die trying.


    He was not afraid of death, as a failure meant he could simply try again in the next life.


    Taking out a Foundation Establishment Pill, Zhao Sheng swallowed it without hesitation.


    There was a "boom" as if a volcano had erupted within his Qi Sea.


    In an instant, streams of incredibly pure Spiritual Energy surged into his Core Energy Sea, blending into the Spirit Power Vortex.


    The Spirit Power Vortex, already expanded to its limit, instantly broke through his body, not only swelling by half again but also more than doubling in speed.


    "Hmm!"


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but groan, but his spiritual power, far stronger than that of the average cultivator, immediately took control of the about-to-lose-control Spirit Power Vortex, beginning to refine the incoming Spiritual Energy with all his might.


    After who knows how many rotations, eventually, a drop of transparent "Spirit Liquid" finally formed at the bottom of the cloud-mist-like Spirit Power Vortex.


    Once the first drop of liquefied spiritual power appeared, the irreversible transformation of spiritual power began. In the blink of an eye, a second drop, a third drop... Numerous drops of liquefied spiritual power rapidly took shape.


    At this step, the gaseous Spirit Power Vortex collapsed thunderously.


    Within a few breaths, a greatly reduced and "delicate" Spirit Liquid Vortex suddenly formed in the depths of the Dantian.


    After the spiritual power transformation was completed, Zhao Sheng silently ran the Mystical Spirit Skill over and over, and with the flow of liquid spiritual power washing through his limbs and bones and the Extraordinary Meridians with each pass.


    He could clearly feel his cells growing stronger, meridians and bones fortifying, and his blood and marrow turning even more vibrant red with each immersion in spiritual power.


    Zhao Sheng knew this was the Refining process, a rebirth from the marrow.


    ```

 Chapter 82 Sword Cleaves Purple Mansion, Foundation Establishment Achieved

    One day,two days,


    three days,


    ...


    As time slowly trickled by, a thick layer of blackish-yellow blood stains emerged on Zhao Sheng''s body, impurities deeply embedded within him along with old, dark injuries from accumulated traumas.


    The ultimate goal of a cultivator''s cultivation was for longevity, and throughout the process of cultivation, one''s physical condition would naturally and continuously improve.


    Reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm was the first qualitative change, shedding the mortal body and evolving to a higher level of life. It was akin to a stubborn rock being polished and refined, gradually transforming into fine jade.


    Eliminating the impurities within the body was akin to tempering oneself, accelerating the process of "becoming jade".


    This change was subtle, yet its effects were immensely clear.


    Time continued to pass, and within the depths of meditation,


    suddenly, Zhao Sheng felt his mind clear and his thoughts quicken like bolts of lighting.


    At that moment, he gained a sudden enlightenment, realizing that the second step of Foundation Establishment was achieved.


    Zhao Sheng was neither sad nor happy. His spirit ascended to its peak as he silently directed the Spiritual Power in his Dantian. A stream of liquid Spiritual Power began to flow upwards against his twelve major meridians.


    Under the guidance of Divine Intent, this stream of Spiritual Power soon touched the barrier of the Purple Mansion.


    At that moment, a burst of spirit light flashed across Zhao Sheng''s mind, and a sudden Sword Light appeared, encompassing all the past experiences of being slashed, condensing into a brilliant Sword Light at that instant.


    The Sword Light was like lightning, easily cleaving open the Purple Mansion.


    Instantly, the dark and silent Purple Mansion seemed to turn into a newly born world, the Sword Light breaking into the darkness, lighting up the first Divine Light of antiquity.


    The Divine Light, like a seed, as more Spiritual Power surged into the Purple Mansion, began to sprout and thrive robustly, and then uncontrollably burst through the Purple Mansion, expanding violently outward.


    The next moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly "saw" all the things within a fourteen zhang radius around him, from Zhao Xuanjing and his son watching in the distance to the water vapor particles in the air, as clear as if they were patterns on his palm, vivid and detailed.


    With the Purple Mansion opening and Divine Sense emerging, the third step of Foundation Establishment was perfectly successful!


    Zhao Sheng gradually withdrew the Spiritual Power back to his Dantian, and his Divine Sense also retracted. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Simultaneously, water clouds condensed out of thin air around him, forming a waterfall that cascaded down, continuously washing over his body.


    Then, carrying a large amount of blood stains, the waterfall twisted into a water dragon as thick as a bucket and about five to six zhang long.


    The Water Dragon lightly swayed its tail, its head raised, and it swiftly flew out of the slope, before exploding with a roar and finally plummeting into an abyss thousands of zhang deep.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, a brilliant light shooting more than an inch out of them before instantly vanishing without a trace.


    "So, it is like this, haha!"


    Zhao Sheng, overwhelmed with joy, suddenly stood up, unable to restrain himself from bursting into loud laughter.


    After four reincarnations, he had finally advanced to Foundation Establishment!


    At that moment, Zhao Keru, his face full of smiles, quickly walked forward and praised, "Chonghe, congratulations on achieving Foundation Establishment!"


    "Uncle Seven, You are too amazing! You succeeded on your first try."


    Zhao Xuanjing also came over, hardly able to contain his astonishment.


    Slap!


    Hearing this, Zhao Keru slapped his thigh and scolded, "You rascal, what are you saying! If you can''t speak properly, then don''t speak at all!"


    Zhao Sheng sobered up from his laughter, looked at the father and son, and advised, "Uncle Ru, there''s no need to make a fuss. Jing''er has always been like this, don''t be too harsh on him."


    Zhao Xuanjing quickly replied, "Uncle Seven is right. I''ve always been poor with words, Dad. You don''t have to always hit me. Besides, I''m over thirty years old."


    "No matter how old you are, you''re still my son. It''s only natural for a father to discipline his son."


    As soon as Zhao Keru finished his assertions,


    Slap! He delivered another palm to his son.


    "Father, you''re right!" Zhao Xuanjing admitted honestly.


    His body was as tough as steel; this level of force felt as gentle as a spring breeze, and he felt no pain at all.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng watched the unique way the father and son interacted and couldn''t help but smile silently.


    After reaching the Foundation Establishment, a cultivator''s strength experiences a rapid growth phase, and Zhao Sheng was no exception.


    After taking a brief day of rest, he immediately re-entered his closed-door cultivation.


    As soon as he started operating the Mystical Spirit Skill, Zhao Sheng''s Core Energy Sea became like a voracious black hole, quickly sucking in the Cloud Mist Spiritual Energy that pervaded beneath the Spiritual Peach Tree. Experience new stories on empire


    If an outsider were present, they would see a dragon-tornado-like vortex quickly forming above Zhao Sheng''s head, with the end of the vortex directly pointing to his Core Energy Sea.


    At that moment, the branches and leaves of the Spiritual Peach Tree suddenly started swaying without wind, and during the swaying, the tips of the leaves scattered countless mysterious light points.


    In an instant, the slope was bustling with action, and more Water Spiritual Energy from within the sea of mist was drawn to it.


    Two years flickered by.


    Under the Spiritual Peach Tree, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his Divine Sense probing into the Dantian, where in the depths of the Qi Sea, a shallow "puddle" had accumulated, continuously sending up wafting "Water Vapor." This vapor, carrying copious amounts of mist-like Spiritual Power, was then sucked into the vortex and transformed back into droplets of spirit rain, pooling back into the puddle.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes, satisfied. After two years of arduous cultivation, he had not only stabilized his Foundation Establishment Realm, but his cultivation had also advanced to the mid-phase of the first layer.


    In another seven or eight years, he might be able to break through to the Second Level of Foundation Establishment.


    Once a cultivator advances beyond Foundation Establishment, the improvement of cultivation becomes increasingly difficult.


    Sometimes it''s common to not advance a single realm even in ten to eighteen years, and more often than not, once a certain realm is reached, cultivation might come to a permanent standstill.


    Many factors contribute to this, such as falling into demonic paths, flaws in cultivation techniques, damage to meridians and physical body, indulgence in pleasures, or simply aging, among others.


    Fortunately, the Mystical Spirit Skill which Zhao Sheng primarily cultivated was balanced and even, and although progress was slow, if one persistently practiced, they could smoothly cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Perfection Realm.


    Zhao Sheng felt that with his own inferior aptitude, he might find it difficult even to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment in this lifetime, let alone consider forming a Golden Core after reaching Foundation Establishment Perfection.


    Ending the cultivation session,


    Zhao Sheng formed a hand seal, and before him, a mini water dragon as thick as an arm, its scales and claws defined, vividly appeared in the air.


    On closer inspection, this water dragon was almost identical to the Cloud Dragon from decades ago.


    Because the memory was so profoundly vivid, after Zhao Sheng mastered the Water Dragon Roar Spell, he subconsciously replicated the Cloud Dragon.


    "Go!"


    With a low shout, the water dragon swiftly flew under the Spiritual Peach Tree, its agile and elongated dragon body spiraling rapidly around the trunk while a large expanse of clouds rapidly emerged beneath it.


    These spirit-rich clouds continued to nourish the Spiritual Peach Tree, causing its branches and leaves to become greener and more vibrant.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng nodded approvingly.


    Since his Foundation Establishment, he had been casting different Water Techniques thrice daily to irrigate the Spiritual Peach Tree.


    He did this to refine his spell-casting skills and enhance both the speed and power of his spells, and to accelerate the growth of the Spiritual Peach Tree.


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng was cultivating beneath the Spiritual Peach Tree.


    Just then, a sizzling sound, like something being corroded, suddenly came from above.


    Zhao Sheng abruptly opened his eyes and looked up.


    He saw that in the cloud mist about fifteen meters above the slope, an area the size of a wash basin had somehow become stained with blood.

 Chapter 83 Mysterious Blood Stain

    Seeing this scene, a hint of surprise flashed across Zhao Sheng''s face.He knew very well that the five-zhang-tall cloud mist was the edge of the Flowing Cloud Illusion Array.


    Some unknown creature had managed to silently pass through the Flowing Cloud Illusion Array, and it looked like it was about to corrode its way into the slope.


    Zhao Sheng slapped the ground, and his body suddenly floated out of the depression. In mid-air, his body stretched out with ease, and his feet landed on the slope below.


    Crack!


    With a light sound, a mass of "blood stain" suddenly fell from above the cloud mist to the ground, not far from Zhao Sheng.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng''s pupils constricted as he saw the mass of "blood stain" writhing non-stop like a living thing. Its surface intermittently bulged out in shapes of various creatures such as centipedes, lizards, snakes, and even human heads and faces.


    Zhao Sheng felt his stomach churn at the sight and couldn''t help but curse, "What in the world is this thing?"


    Before the words had finished, the blood stain, as if sensing Zhao Sheng''s "human presence," suddenly stretched into a snake-like, eerie creature and rushed towards Zhao Sheng.


    "Thunder, come!"


    Zhao Sheng shouted, flipping his right hand, and in an instant, a water ball sparkling with electric light appeared in his palm and expanded rapidly to the size of a human head.


    "Go!"


    Amidst the buzzing electric light, the Water Mine was thrown. After flying out two zhang, it collided head-on with the eerie blood stain.


    Boom!


    A loud thunderclap exploded, and in an instant, electric light scattered in all directions, accompanied by a sudden, piercing scream.


    Soon after, waves of foul odor along with the backdraft of the Gang Wind kept flooding into Zhao Sheng''s nostrils.


    Ugh!


    As Zhao Sheng instinctively covered his mouth and nose, a look of shock suddenly appeared on his face.


    Because of the heavy impact of the Water Mine, the mass of blood stain had not died but had shrunk in size by more than half.


    After falling to the ground, it quickly shed most of its charred body, and the remaining fist-sized remnant turned into a blood centipede. It bent its body sharply and sprung off the ground, shooting towards Zhao Sheng''s face.


    Hmph!


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly, spreading his right hand wide and waving it forward. In the blink of an eye, a thick layer of water screen formed in front of him, suddenly blocking his path.


    The blood stain thudded into the water screen.


    With a thought from Zhao Sheng, the water screen quickly solidified into a large water ball, half the height of a person, trapping the blood stain firmly inside.


    In the blink of an eye, the blood stain shifted into hundreds of life forms but failed to break through the barrier of the water ball.


    As Zhao Sheng watched the blood stain struggle and shift shapes inside the water ball, he grew very curious.


    He wanted to know, was this blood stain a kind of strange creature or a product of some evil demon from the Outer Path?


    Zhao Sheng circulated his Spiritual Power to slowly cut the blood stain.


    It split from one to two, from two to four, from four to eight...


    By the time it was sliced to the thickness of a hair, the remaining blood stain suddenly lost its vitality and collapsed into specks of dirty blood.


    Even so, Zhao Sheng was still shocked by its extraordinary tenacity and strange life force.


    Zhao Sheng racked his brains but could not recall any such bizarre creatures in the Cultivation World.


    "What exactly is it?" Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    On the slope, he was the only one present. Zhao Keru and his son had returned to Taifu Mountain two months ago, leaving him with no one to discuss the matter.


    Zhao Sheng collected the dirty blood from the ground into a jade box, planning to go down to Pocket World City to gather information.


    Just because he was unaware did not mean that others didn''t know the origin of this ghastly thing.


    ```


    Sizzle!


    Zhao Sheng suddenly looked up, his complexion changing drastically.


    "Hm?!" S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, he saw three patches of blood appear in the mist above, the smallest with a diameter less than half a foot, while the largest spanned over ten feet in diameter.


    ...


    A quarter hour later, with a grave expression, Zhao Sheng collected a small clump of bloodstain into the Magic Artifact, the Jade Purifying Bottle, and sealed the neck and body of the bottle with a Sealing Talisman.


    Then, Zhao Sheng activated his Spiritual Power and poured it into the Cloud Dispersion Robe. In a flash, a large swath of mist swiftly surged from the robe, quickly surrounding Zhao Sheng, and eventually submerging his figure.


    The next moment, the mist rose and merged into the cloud mist above, quickly vanishing without a trace.


    Having escaped the Flowing Cloud Illusion Array, Zhao Sheng appeared amidst the Cloud Sea.


    He pressed himself against the mountainside, his body concealed within the mist.


    Zhao Sheng watched his surroundings with a cautious expression while expanding his Divine Sense to its limits, always attentive to any movement around him.


    However, after a quarter hour had passed, the dense fog that occupied most of his field of vision remained as tranquil as before, aside from the occasional roars and cries nearby, Zhao Sheng neither heard nor saw anything out of the ordinary.


    Moreover, Zhao Sheng could smell the air filled with the scent of earth and the bitter aroma of grass, yet he detected not a hint of blood. It was as if the bloodstain that had just invaded the slope had never appeared.


    Zhao Sheng felt quite perplexed. He looked up at the sky and saw the mountainside riddled with uneven pits and covered with soil, stones, and moss.


    After pondering for a moment, a thought occurred to him, and a Concentrating God Talisman appeared between his fingers, transforming into ashes.


    Instantly, the aura around Zhao Sheng''s body became as subdued as the rocks and soil. Then, the mist began to rise slowly around him, drifting upwards towards the Cloud Sea above along the mountainside.


    An hour later, just above the second layer of the Cloud Sea on Heavenly Pillar Mountain, at a height of twenty-three li.


    Zhao Sheng carefully hid beneath an overhanging rock on the cliffside, his Divine Sense probing upward.


    Above him, around six to seven zhang away on the cliff, lay a corpse with its chest and belly mostly decayed, continuously oozing filthy blood. Beside the corpse, on the ground, lay an Ancient Bronze Flying Sword thrust upside down into the earth.


    Near this corpse, there were even more mutilated bodies, some hanging, some prone, scattered among the surrounding rocks, tree branches, and crevices.


    But these corpses were not what made Zhao Sheng so cautious.


    The reason for his wariness was that the corrupted blood oozing from those corpses wriggled through them like living creatures, almost identical to the bloodstains Zhao Sheng had encountered on the slope.


    The only difference was that these "bloodstains" bore an expressionless human face on their surface.


    With a closer look, one could recognize that each face matched the features of the nearby corpses exactly.


    After silently observing for a while, Zhao Sheng was astonished to find that the corpses were gradually being dissolved and devoured by the bloodstains.


    Once the corpses were completely consumed, not only did the volume of the bloodstains significantly increase, but they also actively merged together.


    At this time, as if called by some force, the bloodstain quickly transformed into a large blood-colored blanket and began to climb rapidly up the cliffside, soon passing beyond the reach of Zhao Sheng''s Divine Sense.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng hesitated for a moment before curiosity got the better of him.


    After releasing two Invisibility Talismans and a Concentrating God Talisman upon himself, he lifted the Small Circulation Talisman Plate and immediately followed the trail.


    moments later, anxiety grew within Zhao Sheng''s heart, as he noticed that the silent, lifeless journey upwards revealed no signs of life, something highly abnormal.


    This was exceedingly strange because Heavenly Pillar Mountain''s Yin side was teeming with life, and such stillness would not occur without some major calamity.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng''s Divine Sense occasionally picked up the figures of other "bloodstains."


    From their trajectories, it seemed as if these bloodstains were all converging towards the same location.


    As Zhao Sheng ascended higher, the number of "bloodstains" appearing within his Divine Sense increased.


    By this point, Zhao Sheng began to consider retreating.


    ```

 Chapter 84 The Giant Face and the Blood Refining Talisman

    When he had tracked the target to an altitude of thirty miles, Zhao Sheng''s steps halted abruptly, and he stopped in his tracks.His facial expressions shifted rapidly, and a sense of ominous foreboding instantly sprang up in his heart.


    "I can''t go any further!"


    Gazing at the Cloud Sea Sky Gang in front of him, which resembled a wall of clouds that covered the sky, Zhao Sheng hesitated repeatedly but finally gave up on continuing the pursuit.


    The vast area above the third layer of the Cloud Sea of Heavenly Pillar Mountain mainly serves as the activity zone for Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and occasionally Golden Core practitioners appear as well.


    Although Zhao Sheng had recently advanced to Foundation Establishment, he ultimately decided not to risk his life in the face of such a strange blood stain.


    It wasn''t that he didn''t dare; it was that he had more important things yet to accomplish.


    Zhao Sheng turned around and rode the clouds, rapidly descending towards the mountain below.


    However, he was completely unaware that the moment he turned around to leave, a giant face abruptly emerged above the cloud wall.


    With no nose, ears, or eyebrows, all that could be seen were a pair of cold and indifferent blood-colored eyes and a dark red mouth that seemed to surge with lava, covering dozens of miles of the Cloud Sea. It looked down upon the sea of mist below like a merciless Divine Mansion, as well as the tiny human figure that seemed as insignificant as dust.


    ...


    Two days later, in Pocket World City


    In an elegant room on the third floor of Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, Zhao Sheng sat opposite a mild-mannered middle-aged man dressed in a plain silk robe.


    Currently on the table between the two men, there were seven or eight Middle-Upper Grade magical artifacts such as swords, towers, and badges, all glinting with spirit light.


    Zhao Sheng was sipping his Spiritual Tea carefully while the middle-aged man picked up each magical artifact, meticulously inspecting them.


    After a moment, the middle-aged man put down the last item, a Purple Gold Coin, and said with a smile, "I hope Senior Zhao wasn''t kept waiting too long. These magical artifacts are in good condition and their protections are intact. Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion will purchase them all."


    "How many Spirit Stones is the pavilion willing to offer?" asked Zhao Sheng, setting down his teacup.


    The middle-aged man immediately replied, "How about a total of eight thousand Spirit Stones for the lot?"


    "Agreed, let''s proceed at that price," Zhao Sheng readily accepted.


    These artifacts were just a small part of his unexpected gains from last time, and selling them for so many Spirit Stones had exceeded his expectations.


    The middle-aged man was slightly surprised to hear this, having thought the other would bargain, but then...


    "Please wait a moment, Senior Zhao. I will return shortly," he said.


    "Hold on," Zhao Sheng called out to him.


    "Senior Zhao, may I assist you with something else?" the middle-aged man turned around and asked.


    Zhao Sheng spoke, "I need a set of Second-Order Defensive Formation. Does your pavilion currently have it in stock?"


    With a smile, the middle-aged man replied, "Our Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion is backed by the Hundred Refinement Sect, so we are never short of Second-Order Formations. Please wait a moment, I''ll bring a few sets for Senior Zhao to review."


    A short while later, the middle-aged man returned to the elegant room holding two Storage Bags.


    "Please have a look, Senior. I have here three sets of Second-Order Defensive Formations. This first set is the Yimu Array. This array can produce countless iron woods, and as long as the energy of Yimu doesn''t dissipate, it can be restored numerous times. It is extremely resilient."


    Zhao Sheng was noncommittal.


    Seeing this, the middle-aged man took out several dozen golden Array Bases and stated, "This is the Gold Dripping Array, which excels in offense as a form of defense. Once it is attacked, it will generate countless Golden Arrows to retaliate against the enemies."


    "Next!"


    "This one is the Second-Order Stone Wall Array, capable of raising a hundred stone walls as hard as metal. If used in conjunction with Earth Element Spiritual Veins, the defensive power of this array could at least double."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyes lit up and he quickly inquired, "How many Spirit Stones for this array?"


    The middle-aged man saw this and said with a smiling eye, "Not expensive at all, just ten thousand Spirit Stones."


    Zhao Sheng bargained with him for a while and eventually got it for nine thousand four hundred Spirit Stones.


    After leaving the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, Zhao Sheng changed into a set of talisman robes, passed through two workshops, and arrived at the Treasure Talisman Pavilion.


    The yard was still the same, but the owner had changed.


    The beautiful female servant guarding the gate saw Zhao Sheng coming and quickly greeted him with a smile, "Senior Zhao, peace be upon you. You''ve come at just the right time, the gathering has just begun."


    Zhao Sheng nodded to her and then walked into the yard.


    There were countless Loose Cultivators in Pocket World City, with various circles of exchanges flourishing. The Talisman Tao Association was a gathering circle where Talisman Masters exchanged ideas.


    For the past twenty years or so, whenever Zhao Sheng came to Pocket World City, he would pay a visit here.


    On one hand, it was for the exchange of experience in talisman painting, and on the other hand, it was to collect various unique and rare talismans. After all, the art of talismans is profound and extensive, and working in isolation is absolutely inadvisable.


    The furniture in the main hall of the gathering had not changed much compared to decades ago, but the host had changed to a Second Order Talisman Master, the former host, Elder Wei, had already passed away thirteen years ago.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had become somewhat of a celebrity in the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association, not only for his generous contributions but also for the wide variety of talismans he possessed. Many Talisman Masters in financial need often took the initiative to trade with him.


    After chatting with a group of acquaintances for a while, Zhao Sheng skillfully entered a private room next to the main hall to await Talisman Masters seeking trade.


    It wasn''t long before the door was knocked on.


    "Come in!" Zhao Sheng said aloud.


    As soon as he finished speaking, a skinny old man with a long face and thick eyebrows entered with a grin on his face and a fawning smile, "Senior Zhao, I''ve come to bother you."


    Zhao Sheng raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw the visitor, but still responded with a smile, "It turns out to be Mr. Wei, please take a seat."


    The visitor was named Wei Youquan, a Sixth Level of Qi Refining Cultivator.


    After Elder Wei died, this fellow claimed to be related to Elder Wei and, under the pretense of offering condolences, suddenly barged into the Wei Family home. Afterwards, he forcibly took over the Wei Family''s property.


    Luckily for him, he was shrewd enough to promptly find a powerful patron, offering most of his family''s wealth, and only then was he barely able to keep a small portion for himself.


    Wei Youquan was cunning and ignorant; over the years, he had squandered much of the Wei Family''s property.


    In recent years, Zhao Sheng had traded for many rare talismans from him, the majority being First-Order Talismans, and even three or four kinds of Second Order True Talismans.


    Despite being a regular customer, Zhao Sheng still did not look favorably upon him. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wei Youquan quickly took a seat in front of him.


    Zhao Sheng asked, "Mr. Wei, have you come with new talismans to trade today, or will it be the usual deal?"


    Wei Youquan nodded his head obsequiously and said with a sycophantic smile, "The usual Spirit Stones exchange will do, as I cannot paint talismans anyway."


    As he spoke, he took out a blood-red, palm-sized Paper Talisman from his chest and placed it in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Along with it, he also handed over a sheet of paper filled with writing.


    Zhao Sheng, smelling the strong scent of blood on the talisman, focused his gaze and asked sternly without taking it, "What kind of talisman is this? Demon Path or Evil Path?"


    Wei Youquan was startled by the question, but hurriedly replied, "Senior Zhao, please don''t misunderstand. This talisman is called the Blood Refining Talisman, which has the function of condensing essence blood. It''s not a dangerous talisman from the Evil Demon Path. You will see once you take a look."


    With that, he pushed the sheet detailing the refining method a little further forward.


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment, then took it and read it carefully.


    The sheet only outlined half of the refining method, but there was nothing unusual about it. Instead, it followed the typical Taoist style, not resembling the style of the Evil Demon Path at all.


    Most importantly, drawing this talisman only required the blood of the talisman painter, with no need to collect the fresh blood of others.

 Chapter 86 The Coming Colonial War (Please Follow)

    A month later, the cold wave was approaching.Zhao Sheng felt exceptionally irritable, just as he could no longer restrain himself from setting out to return to Taifu Mountain.


    Zhao Keru unexpectedly returned to the secret mansion alone.


    Zhao Sheng floated down from beneath the Spiritual Peach Tree and came before him, asking curiously, "Why didn''t Jing''er come back?"


    While wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Zhao Keru answered, "The thing is, not only is Xuanjing not coming back, but you also must immediately come back to Taifu Mountain with me."


    Zhao Sheng''s heart grew cold, and he immediately pressed, "Uncle Ru, has something happened at home?"


    Caught off guard by the question, Zhao Keru quickly replied, "Don''t worry, everything at home is safe and sound! It''s just that there''s a major issue at home waiting for you to come back and discuss."


    Upon hearing that nothing had happened at home, Zhao Sheng was relieved and laughed, "What matter at home requires me to return before a decision can be made? Could it be that Jing''er is about to get married?"


    "Don''t joke about that, if Xuanjing had half the intelligence of Xuanan with that wooden head of his, I wouldn''t have to worry about his marriage matters at all!" Zhao Keru repeatedly waved his hands as he spoke.


    When speaking about his son, Zhao Keru''s face was filled with helplessness.


    After the casual family banter ended, his expression suddenly turned solemn as he said in a heavy tone, "The matter I''m talking about has nothing to do with Xuanjing but it''s related to the family''s Qi Fortune for the next few hundred years."


    Qi Fortune again for the next few hundred years?!


    Shocked by the words, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but think to himself, "Isn''t the term ''Qi Fortune'' almost worn out from overuse?"


    Pushing aside this frivolous thought, Zhao Sheng immediately grew serious.


    Without waiting for him to ask further, Zhao Keru continued, "You are not aware of it here in Heavenly Pillar Mountain, but in the Elixir Cauldron Sect, there''s been a Golden Core Master who has achieved Perfect Completion and successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was at first astonished and then delighted.


    Seeing that Zhao Keru still had the mood to play coy suggested that this event was cause for joy, not sorrow, for the Zhao family.


    But what was the family''s connection with that newly advanced Nascent Soul Ancestor?


    Could it be that it was the Ge family''s individual who had finally succeeded in making this advancement?


    Thinking of the Ge family having a Perfect Golden Core, Zhao Sheng was secretly pleased.


    "Uncle Ru, is the one who advanced from the Ge family''s individual?"


    "No."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt a chill in his heart.


    At that time, he then heard Zhao Keru say with pride, "But it''s not much different, the one who advanced to Nascent Soul Ancestor is the Dao partner of the Ge family''s Golden Branch True Man."


    Zhao Sheng exclaimed almost reflexively, "Master Yu Ye?"


    "Hmm, exactly," Zhao Keru nodded and said with a smile.


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed at this sight.


    One had to know that Golden Branch and Yu Ye, this pair of Golden Core Dao companions, not only had a resounding reputation within the Elixir Cauldron Sect, but their names were also well-known throughout the entire Tianzhu Realm.


    Back in the day, Master Yu Ye was a Loose Cultivator, while Golden Branch True Man was the esteemed daughter of the Ge family.


    Their statuses were starkly different, yet Golden Branch True Man had an eye for talent and set her sights on Master Yu Ye, who had not yet revealed his potential.


    For the Ge family, having their cherished daughter fancy a down-and-out Loose Cultivator was an utter disgrace.


    Consequently, the Ge family repeatedly suppressed and made things difficult for Master Yu Ye, attempting time and again to separate the Dao companions.


    However, life is unpredictable, and fate is unfathomable.


    The more the Ge family wanted to tear them apart, the more steadfast and unwavering the bond between the renowned Dao companions became. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even more so, far from declining under the Ge family''s suppression, Master Yu Ye''s cultivation soared, encountering one fortuitous opportunity after another, and successfully advanced to Golden Core at the mere age of one hundred and thirty.


    By this time, the Ge family had no choice but to swallow their pride and acknowledge Master Yu Ye as their son-in-law.


    The reputation of the two True Immortals, whose affection was said to be stronger than gold, had spread throughout the Southern Border.


    Over the past century, as both Golden Branch and Yu Ye had advanced to the Late-stage Golden Core, their story had become a beloved anecdote within the Cultivation World.


    Having confirmed the news, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but lament, "Master Yu Ye truly is a role model for us all. With such fierce diligence, she is indeed an exceptional Loose Cultivator."


    Beside him, Zhao Keru also nodded in agreement, visibly moved.


    After his moment of reflection, Zhao Sheng composed himself and asked calmly, "What does Master Yu Ye''s upgrade to Nascent Soul have to do with our family''s important affairs?"


    "It''s hugely significant. We''ve relocated to the Southern Border for so many years. Don''t tell me you haven''t heard of the Pioneer Wars?"


    The Pioneer Wars?!


    On hearing these words, Zhao Sheng was shocked, and he had an immediate epiphany.


    "Uncle Ru, you mean to say that Master Yu Ye...no, Ancestor Yu Ye actually harbors such grand ambitions to expand territory in the Southern Border Wilderness? Is she aiming for the Ten Thousand Great Mountains or the Endless Mang Forest?"


    Zhao Keru said, "Where exactly Ancestor Yu Ye has set her sights on remains unknown, but there''s a high probability it leans toward the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. After all, the Endless Mang Forest is the domain of the Beast Taming Sect."


    Although Zhao Sheng had countless unresolved questions swirling in his mind, he did not inquire further but said with a stern expression, "There''s no time to lose; we should set off for home immediately."


    "Wait a moment, I still have some unsettled business," Zhao Keru hastily interjected.


    "What is it?"


    "Two things: one is to harvest a batch of Spiritual Medicine, the other is to bring Little Gold back to Taifu Mountain."


    Zhao Sheng frowned upon hearing this.


    Harvesting Spiritual Medicine was understandable; as the Zhao family intended to participate in the Pioneer Wars, the expenses would be significant. Using Spiritual Medicine to exchange for spirit stone and elixir, among other resources, was also understandable.


    But... Little Gold posed a huge risk. If he was accidentally exposed after being brought to Taifu Mountain, it would be nothing short of a disaster for the Zhao family.


    In the past years, he had only dared to stealthily take some spirit soil back but had not dared to remove a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm. He feared accidentally giving himself away and allowing those with intentions to find the leak.


    "Uncle Ru, it was Zhao Xuanjing who asked you to bring Little Gold back, wasn''t it? Does he not realize how dangerous this is?" Zhao Sheng questioned.


    Zhao Keru scratched his head and admitted frankly, "I also advised Jing''er against it. But he insisted, saying that Little Gold could be of great use in the upcoming Pioneer Wars."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng contemplated for a moment, then nodded decisively, "In that case, let''s follow Xuanjing''s wishes."


    Zhao Sheng had watched Zhao Xuanjing grow up and knew him well. Given his insistence, there must be a reason behind his decision.


    After all, Xuanjing was not one to boast or deceive without cause.


    Four hours later, having packed up, the two immediately embarked on their journey home.


    No need for long-windedness when nothing needs to be said!


    Seven days later, two streaks of light raced across the sky, descending like meteors onto the Upper Sky above Taifu Mountain and, in the blink of an eye, landed in the green stone courtyard at the mountain''s peak.


    ...


    Half a month later, within a small building on the mountainside.


    In the courtyard of the building, Zhao Sheng stood in front of a wall, his face calm, eyes intently studying it.


    This wall was densely covered with pieces of paper,


    which bore intelligence gathered by the Zhao family.


    It ranged from minor details such as the recent market price fluctuations of talisman, elixir, and refining materials, to major movements within the Elixir Cauldron Sect¡ªcovering all aspects.


    Although the Zhao family had limited strength and most of the intelligence was inconsequential, significant pieces of information were very scarce.


    After summarizing all the information, Zhao Sheng suddenly perceived that the seemingly tranquil Southern Border was on the verge of upheaval due to the Pioneer Wars.

 Chapter 87 Preparations for the Land-Expansion War (Please Follow)

    War has always been preceded by the forward movement of supplies before the deployment of troops and horses.The news of the territorial expansion war had not yet spread, but in the Jiuding Square of the Southern Border, the prices of resources such as Elixir Pills, talismans, Magic Artifacts, and Arrays had already risen to varying degrees.


    The Zhao family, benefiting from the marriage alliance with the Ge family, became the second wave of families to learn the insider information.


    Zhao Sheng was well aware that the news could not be concealed for long.


    At most a month, at least seven or eight days. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The message that the Yuye Ancestor wanted to initiate a territorial expansion war would inevitably spread throughout the Southern Border.


    It had been nearly five hundred years since the last territorial expansion war in the Southern Border.


    Zhao Sheng could imagine that when a deliciously enticing big cake was suddenly placed in front of countless Cultivators of the Southern Border, it would definitely attract many participants eager to benefit from the war.


    This would be a joint carnival feast of Sects, Cultivation Families, and Loose Cultivators.


    By that time, there would certainly be some Cultivation Families rising to power by taking advantage of the situation, and some forces would suffer heavy losses, never to recover or even perish.


    War has always been cruel, especially wars within the Cultivation World.


    Demon beasts have an exceptionally strong sense of territory, and Cultivators who want to open up a new fertile land for humanity in the Southern Border must inevitably engage in a protracted, life-and-death war with thousands of demon beasts.


    For the Zhao family, the territorial expansion war was an opportunity that came once in a thousand years.


    Because there is a recognized tradition in the territorial expansion war: Whoever conquers, occupies! Whoever develops, owns.


    In simple terms, if you can occupy a piece of spirit land and successfully develop it,


    Then that piece of spirit land will belong to you.


    The reason for this tradition is that "a single tree does not make a forest."


    Developing a region is never something that one or two people or even one or two forces can easily accomplish.


    Even if the Elixir Cauldron Sect has the strength to do it, choosing to monopolize will provoke public outrage.


    After the Yu Lin Ancestor cut the largest piece of cake, he would often release the remaining scraps for other forces to fight over.


    However, with countless Cultivation Clan and Sect forces in the Southern Border, which forces are chosen to participate at that time will depend on the personal opinion of the Yu Lin Ancestor.


    And this is where the opportunity for the Zhao family lies.


    Before Zhao Xuan''an''s return, he had already taken his wife, Ge Feng''er, back to the Ge family for a visit.


    It was ostensibly a family visit, but in reality, he was gathering intelligence.


    Once any useful information was obtained, it would be immediately sent back to Taifu Mountain.


    The Zhao family had three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, with Zhao Sheng stationed at Taifu Mountain, responsible for summarizing and analyzing intelligence, and issuing various commands to the clan members at any time.


    Zhao Jijian, who was already at the Third Level of Foundation Establishment with the strongest strength, was currently in Nine Tripods Square, purchasing Elixir Pills and various materials for the family while ensuring the safety of clan members and materials.


    To covertly gather materials, more than thirty Cultivator clan members of the Zhao family had already dispersed throughout Nine Tripods Square.


    Zhao Keru was immersed in the alchemy room, tirelessly refining Breaking Miasma Pills, Revitalizing Pills, and various other Elixir Pills.


    With the Southern Border Wilderness filled with deep forests and miasmas and Gu Worms, Breaking Miasma Pills are essential Elixir Pills.


    The Revitalizing Pill is a Healing Pill, which goes without saying.


    To gain ownership of a piece of spirit land, the Zhao family was mobilizing all its strength and resources.


    As time went by day after day, countless outdated pieces of intelligence were mercilessly torn down from the wall in front of Zhao Sheng, but even more notes would be put up.


    The day the news of the territorial expansion war thundered throughout the Southern Border, the Zhao family''s preparation of supplies had just barely begun.


    Zhao Sheng was very concerned, not because of a shortage of supplies, but because he had discovered a difficult-to-mend weakness within the family.


    The most important thing was that this weakness could very well decide the final success or failure of the family.


    The next morning, smoke rose from the chimneys of Zhao''an City, a picture of tranquility and peace.


    But within the City Lord Mansion, situated in the center of the inner city, the atmosphere was exceptionally tense, and the servants and maids did not even dare to breathe too loudly.


    Zhao Sheng sat at the head of the main hall, silently observing the seven Zhao family members below him.


    Nearly thirty years after its construction, the Zhao clan had grown from just over three thousand to nearly ten thousand members.


    Yet out of these nearly ten thousand people, only seven had become Innate Martial Artists.


    For the Zhaos, who had built their foundation on martial prowess, this number was rather low.


    Every year, the Zhao family would bestow a good number of Essence Qi Pills, in addition to the many experiences and notes left by the ancestral Innate Martial Artists.


    The Zhao family should not have only seven Innates. In Zhao Sheng''s view, there should be at least a dozen or more.


    The saying goes, "Prosperity breeds complacency, and adversity fosters strength."


    "Alas, it seems the Zhao family has grown slack over the years!"


    After Zhao Sheng internally sighed, his expression turned extremely cold.


    He turned his head toward the visibly anxious patriarch of the Zhao''s Mortal Clan and commanded in a cold voice, "I don''t care what methods you use. Within one year, you must gather twenty Innates. If one is missing, someone else will take your place as patriarch!"


    Hearing this demanding requirement, the Zhao clan leader, known for his shrewdness and capability, almost burst into tears.


    Innate Grandmasters are not cabbages that one can grow on a whim.


    He was about to beg for leniency but, seeing Zhao Sheng''s stern face, he swallowed the words that had come to his mouth and silently nodded instead.


    The Zhao family currently faced a very troublesome weakness.


    A normal Cultivation Family''s strength is usually pyramid-shaped from top to bottom.


    However, the Zhao family''s structure resembled a dumbbell, with a serious scarcity of middle-tier strength in the Qi Refining Late Stage.


    As the older generation of the Zhao family, including Zhao Jinding, passed away one after another, there were only twelve people in the Ke and Chong generations combined, with only two in the Qi Refining Late Stage, six in the middle stage, and the remaining four in the early stage of Qi Refining, not significant enough to be of great use.


    In the Xuan generation, there were nearly thirty members, but the highest in cultivation was Zhao Xuanjing, only at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, followed by Zhao Xuan''an at the Sixth Layer, with the majority around the first and second layers.


    Zhao Sheng had once estimated that among the family''s three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the strongest had but the Third Level Foundation Establishment, and Zhao Keru was not adept at combat.


    For these three to establish a spiritual land was not impossible, but it would be challenging.


    That wasn''t even the worst of it.


    The bigger challenge was how to ensure the spiritual land remained intact under the coveting of outsiders and demon beasts.


    However, the most pressing issue for the Zhao family was the critical shortage of usable manpower.


    To know, establishing a new spiritual land in the Southern Border Wilderness required more than ordinary people; you''d need at least Innate Martial Artists.


    Ordinary humans couldn''t possibly adapt to the extremely harsh environment of the wilderness, where even a small amount of miasma could claim a life, not to mention the savage demon beasts and gu worms.


    Unfortunately, the Zhao family didn''t have deep enough resources compared to other venerable Foundation Establishment Families and couldn''t afford to hire Loose Cultivators to assist.


    Form an alliance with other families?


    Zhao Sheng wouldn''t choose to do so unless it was absolutely necessary.


    Because mutual trust was a major issue.


    You should never underestimate a Cultivation Family''s longing for their own spiritual land.


    Likewise, you couldn''t trust the promises of any family, even if a Blood Covenant was signed.


    In the hierarchically stringent Central Continent Cultivation World, a Cultivation Family without its spiritual land will always dwell at the bottom of the cultivation hierarchy.

 Chapter 88 Desolate Domain Topographic Map

    Dawn broke, with the first pale light of day kissing the horizon.Next to the grand entrance of a large estate in the eastern part of Zhao''an City,


    a Blue Dragon Horse nearly ten feet tall, its body covered with scales, tossed its head and swished its tail restlessly as the stable boy tried in vain to calm it, its four large, bowl-sized iron hooves kicking the ground impatiently.


    Sometime later, with a creak, the mansion''s gate was slowly opened by someone, and then a tall, broad-faced middle-aged man with large ears emerged, surrounded by a throng of people.


    "Madam, you should go back," said Zhao Shuo, pulling on the horse''s reins and turning to speak to his wife.


    "My lord, can''t you avoid going? Otherwise, let An''er beg Grandfather. He is a Cultivator, he can surely get you out of this assignment."


    Seeing his wife''s tearful state, Zhao Shuo set his face sternly and said in a grave voice, "Madam, you do not see! Precisely because An''er is a Cultivator, it is all the more reason for me, his father, to go. Besides, it is my inescapable duty to do this for the Zhao Family''s thousand-year foundation."


    "But... what if"


    Zhao Shuo waved his hand, cutting off his wife''s words, and said decisively, "There are no ''what ifs.'' Even if I die in the Southern Border Wilderness, it will be in service of the family enterprise. That would be... a worthy death."


    Having said that, Zhao Shuo suddenly mounted his horse, pulling the reins to turn the horse around, and looking back at his wife said, "Madam, take care!"


    With those words, Zhao Shuo spurred his horse, and the Blue Dragon Horse, pained, reared up on its front hooves before leaping forward.


    "My lord... sob sob!"


    Watching her husband''s receding figure, the lady of the Zhao family, who had always lived in luxury, suddenly burst into tears.


    A moment later, Zhao Shuo, mounted on the dragon horse, quickly approached the eastern gate of Zhao''an City.


    By then, he could see silhouettes of twelve people already waiting on the side of the gate, each mounted on a dragon horse.


    Among these figures, most were white-haired elders, with only one like him in the prime of life.


    Upon reaching the gate, Zhao Shuo pulled on his horse''s head, silently joining the group with his Blue Dragon Horse.


    After a while, seven more Innate Martial Artists of the Zhao family arrived from various parts of Zhao''an City.


    Seeing that everyone had arrived, the eldest among them, Zhao Wenxi, suddenly spoke in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, the Zhao family has committed fully to this, so this mission to the Southern Border must succeed¡ªwe cannot afford to fail.


    Additionally, let me remind you once more. Even in death, we, the old bones, must die before the Cultivating members of our family. Understood?"


    "Third Master, rest assured!"


    "Of course!"


    "Haha, Third Brother, we know what''s more important," responded the gathered Innate members of the Zhao family, their expressions varying from solemn to carefree.


    Zhao Wenxi nodded with a smile, then, pulling the reins tightly, he called out, "Depart!"


    No sooner had his words fallen than his Blue Dragon Horse surged forward.


    Following his lead, the rest of the Innate Martial Artists of the Zhao family raised their whips and squeezed their mounts'' sides, and twenty-one dragon horses thundered forth, racing toward Taifu Mountain.


    ...


    Three days later, beside a secluded pond halfway up the mountain, Zhao Shuo looked down at the two troops of horses gradually disappearing into the distance, his expression as still as an ancient well, silent for a long time.


    Standing beside him, Zhao Xuan''an couldn''t help but ask, "Seventh Uncle, was this all too hasty?"


    Zhao Shuo turned to look at the current Family Head of the Zhaos and spoke with a calm tone, "This is a trial, as well as an adjustment. If they can''t even cope with the nearby Ghost Mist Ridge, how will they be of any use in the Southern Border Wilderness..."


    Zhao Xuan''an, despite not fully agreeing with his Seventh Uncle''s approach, refrained from further questioning.


    Over the past two years, he had stayed with the Ge family to gather intelligence. The more he delved into the intricacies of the war for territorial expansion, the more Zhao Xuan''an soberly realized the brutality of the conflict.


    As harsh and unfeeling as Seventh Uncle''s decision might have seemed, it was indeed the best choice for the family.


    "Xuan''an, you and Feng''er should stay behind this time and remain at Taifu Mountain," he said.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuan''an protested urgently, "How can this be acceptable? With the family currently short on manpower, and both Feng''er and I at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, how can we simply stand by and watch?"


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand and said, "Anyone in the family, including myself, may die, but neither of you, husband and wife, can perish. Do you understand?"


    Zhao Xuan''an fell silent, grasping the unspoken implications in his Seventh Uncle''s words.


    "Besides, having you two preside over Taifu Mountain is very important for the family. We must cut off the prying eyes of those with ill-intent while also taking care of the younger generation of the Zhao family, the ''Xuan'' wards, who are in the first and second layers of Qi Refinement.


    The most crucial thing is that the tremendous responsibility of logistics for the family will also fall on you. Compared to the addition of two more Sixth Level of Qi Refining combatants, aren''t these tasks far more significant?"


    Hearing this, Zhao Xuan''an nodded in earnest agreement, his heart''s doubts instantly resolving.


    "By the way, when is Feng''er returning?" Zhao Sheng suddenly asked. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a moment''s thought, Zhao Xuan''an replied, "Considering the journey, she should be back soon, at most in a day or two."


    "Mm," Zhao Sheng nodded thoughtfully.


    ...


    Two days later, within the green stone courtyard on the summit of Taifu Mountain.


    Zhao Jijian, Zhao Keru, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Xuan''an, and other key members of the Zhao family were all present.


    The reason for this full attendance was because Ge Feng''er had brought back a piece of intelligence of utmost importance.


    Ge Feng''er, not very tall and exuding a delicate charm, boasted an unexpectedly cheerful and magnanimous personality.


    She stood beside her husband, smiling as she looked at her Zhao family uncles and elders, her presence somehow managing to subtly overshadow Zhao Xuan''an.


    "Feng''er, quickly show us what you''ve brought!" urged Zhao Xuan''an.


    Ge Feng''er rolled her eyes at her husband and, with a smile, pulled a crystal ball the size of a human head from her Storage Bag and said, "Respected uncles and elders, I have not failed in my task. I have brought back the True Shadow Ball, which records part of the Desolate Domain''s terrain."


    Afterwards, she took out a scroll, a map, handed it to her husband, and added, "This is a simplified map I copied from our family archives, roughly encompassing the area of this expansion war."


    At her words, Zhao Jijian couldn''t hide his delight, promptly stepping forward to take the Crystal Ball while repeatedly praising, "Feng''er, you''ve done well! You have truly made a significant contribution to the Zhao family. If we succeed this time, you shall be credited with the highest merit!"


    "Feng''er dares not claim such credit. Having married into the Zhao family, my duty is to prioritize the family''s interests," Ge Feng''er replied modestly.


    "Well said. An''er is truly fortunate to have you as his wife!" Zhao Sheng praised as well.


    "Seventh Uncle, you flatter me. Who made me fall for this casanova back then?" Ge Feng''er quipped, casting a sideways glance at her husband.


    Zhao Xuan''an offered an embarrassed smile, a trace of bitterness evident on his face.


    In the brief span of the conversation, Zhao Jijian successfully activated the magic artifact, the True Shadow Ball.


    At that moment, a layer of light emerged on the surface of the Crystal Ball, and shortly after, a lifelike three-dimensional image projected from within the sphere into mid-air.


    The perspective of the image was from high above, as if someone were flying forward at great speed with a Controlling Device, looking down below, capturing every detail of the passing landscape and topology.


    As far as the eye could see, the land below was filled with undulating peaks and hills, valleys and swamps.

 Chapter 89 Waiting Until Autumn Comes September 8

    In the fleeting shimmer of the Floating Light, the towering ancient woods spread across the mountains and hills, with vines intertwining amongst the trees.Colorful miasmas not only permeated through the woods but also formed clusters of virulent cloud mist in the upper sky.


    Within the mountains, hills, and dense vegetation, Fierce Beasts and demon birds often appeared and disappeared.


    Moreover, various strange and rare Gu worms would gather and disperse, forming patches of insect clouds that rampaged across the forests and marshes.


    Seeing the rapidly changing images before him, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but smile broadly, knowing that these were the real terrains within the Desolate Domain,


    These images were extremely precious,


    as they were the true memories of a Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    These were captured by the Yuye Ancestor after personally exploring the Desolate Domain, imprinting all that had been seen and heard along the journey onto the True Shadow Ball with powerful Divine Thought.


    Although this True Shadow Ball only contained a copy of the original imprint, it was still a treasure that no ordinary Cultivation Families could obtain.


    After just a short while of observation, Zhao Sheng immediately ordered Zhao Xuan''an to unfold the map.


    Zhao Xuan''an nodded and tossed the map forward.


    The map unfurled slowly, and in an instant, a large map nearly three square meters in size hovered in front of everyone.


    The Zhao Family members approached, looking down upon the spread-out map to see mountains, rivers, forests, marshes all complete, with various names marked on it.


    Only a small portion of the terrain was covered in black, gray, red, yellow, and green colors.


    The very center of the map was dyed a grayish black, revealing an area of mountains marked with the words "Pig Emperor Ridge."


    Ge Feng''er stepped forward, pointed at the map, and introduced, "My uncles, please look. This map covers nearly seven thousand miles. The degree of danger is represented by colors."


    Black denotes absolute Dead Lands, the most dangerous level. Even a Nascent Soul entering it would barely survive. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gray areas indicate the presence of Transformed Demons. Following that are red, which represents Golden Core demon beasts, and yellow for Foundation Establishment demon beasts.


    The remaining majority of green areas do not mean absolute safety but stand for the unknown¡ªonly that no Foundation Establishment or higher level demon beasts have been discovered there yet."


    Zhao Sheng carefully examined the map, noticing that the closer to Pig Emperor Ridge, the more red and yellow areas there were. On the contrary, the majority of the green unknown areas were on the edges of the map.


    Without any need for Ge Feng''er to explain further, the Zhao Family members quickly realized that those territories occupied by demon beasts might very well be where the Spirit Veins were located.


    The colors indicating danger levels also often hinted at the rank of the Spirit Veins. The gray Pig Emperor Ridge could very likely contain a Third-rank Spirit Vein, while the yellow areas were likely to be First-rank Spirit Veins, at the very least, they were lands of miscellaneous spirits.


    The areas above red were not for the Zhao Family to covet. Zhao Sheng quickly moved on, his gaze shifting to those yellow areas.


    After carefully considering for a while, Zhao Sheng silently selected a few areas in his mind.


    He looked up, asking the others, "After looking at the map, have you selected any targets for our strategy?"


    "I think Yellow Maple Valley is good, with its open terrain, suitable for farming."


    "No, I think Five Dragons River is better. Here, five waters converge naturally forming a dragon''s lair, which is sure to yield heavy treasures."


    "Safety first, the area around Qingsong Mountain is all green, not very dangerous, suitable for our family to conquer."


    After discussing seven or eight locations, Zhao Sheng turned his head to Zhao Jijian and said, "Fourth Master, the True Shadow Ball!"


    Hmm,


    Zhao Jijian nodded, manipulated the True Shadow Ball, and as a plethora of light and shadows changed rapidly, the image quickly settled on a gentle terrain covered with red and yellow maple trees in a valley.


    "Hmm, Yellow Maple Valley!" Zhao Jijian declared calmly.


    The True Shadow Ball came from the hands of a Nascent Soul Ancestor, and the images were transformed from Divine Sense visions.


    Although Red Maple Valley was just a glimpse in Divine Sense, the resolution was still very high, and the terrain and trees were clearly visible.


    At this moment, Ge Feng''er timely took out a book and quickly flipped through dozens of pages, soon stopping on one page.


    She read aloud, "Yellow Maple Valley, abundant with Spiritual Maple, inhabited by groups of Red-tailed Flying Squirrel demon beasts, currently there''s one Second Order Red-tailed Flying Squirrel."


    Seeing that she didn''t continue, Zhao Sheng asked in surprise, "That''s it?"


    "That''s it. The Yuye Ancestor only spoke these few sentences. It seems that in his esteemed eyes, anything below a Second Order Demon Beast isn''t worth mentioning."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt extremely regretful and had no choice but to say, "What does everyone think of Red Maple Valley? For the sake of the family''s great enterprise, please speak your minds freely!"


    "I think..."


    ...


    Four hours later, as the sky gradually darkened, the courtyard of the Zhao Family on Taifu Mountain was ablaze with enthusiastic discussions about a certain spirit land, with fierce debates erupting from time to time.


    At this time, three or four yellow regions on the map were already marked with crosses, areas like Red Maple Valley and Five Dragons River were abandoned by the Zhao family due to various flaws.


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the outside sky, then at everyone, and suddenly said, "Let me suggest a place! Lush Peach Mountain, what do you all think?"


    As soon as he spoke, everyone immediately quieted down, and Ge Feng''er quickly searched the booklets, reading aloud, "Lush Peach Mountain, countless rotten peaches grow in the mountain, and it is pervaded by peach blossom miasma. A group of long-armed White Apes resides here, with both a male and a female Second Order White Ape, both of which are fierce and belligerent."


    After Zhao Jijian pulled up the image of Lush Peach Mountain, he looked at the large patches of pink miasma clouds drifting over the mountain forests in the picture.


    He couldn''t help frowning and said, "Peach blossom miasma is notorious for its mind-befuddling and intense poison, common Barrier Avoiding Pills might not be effective. Plus, there are two Second Order Demon Apes and an unknown number of White Ape groups. Such a perilous place is hard for the family to handle!"


    Hearing his words, Zhao Xuan''an, Zhao Keru, and others nodded one after another, then looked towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng swept his gaze over everyone and said with a smile, "The reason I chose this place is manifold, but mainly for three reasons.


    First, within a circumference of six hundred miles around Lush Peach Mountain, there is a number of First and Second Order spirit lands, indicating that the concentration of Spiritual Energy in this area must be high. Once developed in the future, the surrounding area is bound to become a bustling Cultivation region.


    Second, Lush Peach Mountain has numerous peach trees, and spiritual peaches must be common. This is very similar to Taifu Mountain, which will be very convenient for future relocation, exchange, or transplantation of spiritual peaches.


    Third, I have my eye on..."


    After Zhao Sheng finished stating the three reasons, Zhao Jijian and others had a brief discussion and decided to temporarily set Lush Peach Mountain as a backup choice, and they would continue discussing to see if there was a more suitable place.


    Zhao Sheng had no dissatisfaction with this. As it was a matter of great importance, it was only right that everyone considered all possibilities.


    If the location was decided too easily with just a few words, Zhao Sheng would actually be disappointed.


    The Zhao family discussed for three full days about where to expand their territory, going over almost all the yellow regions, and finally selected two or three suitable places, including Lush Peach Mountain.


    Next, the Zhao Family members prepared for the expansion into the Desolate Domain, keeping them busy all the time.


    In the face of a major battle between humans and demon beasts, Zhao Sheng dared not take it lightly.


    He mixed twenty-three Cultivators of the Zhao Family who were above the Third Layer of Qi Refining and twenty-one Innate Martial Artists into three squads, and subjected them to strict training using the methods of secular military forces.


    A month later, just as the Zhao Family members were being drilled to the point of exhaustion by Zhao Sheng, a sudden message arrived from the Ge family at Taifu Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng looked at Ge Feng''er, who had voluntarily come over, and asked, "Has the date for the expansion war been set?"


    Ge Feng''er nodded.


    "When is it?"


    "Wait until the eighth day of the ninth month in autumn!"

 Chapter 90 Huan Niang Wishes to Draw Down the Tribulation

    On the eighth day of the ninth lunar month, the Northern Land was already a sea of blooming golden chrysanthemums, a time when frost slays all grass.Here in the Southern Border, only a slight drop in temperature occurred, and it remained extremely hot and humid.


    Early this morning, the streets of Jiuding Square were completely sealed off, and no idle persons were allowed to travel, while high above the workshop, a huge and splendid three-tiered palace floated in the sky.


    The palace was ancient and majestic in style, with a base diameter of over a hundred zhang, the lower part having more than twenty holes, from which thick gun barrels protruded, and it was enveloped in a thick white light shield, dotted with countless mysterious runes flickering and moving.


    Around this flying palace, there were seven or eight large magical artifacts of various sizes, including Cloud Boats and mountain peaks, as well as flying magical treasures styled like seashells. The largest of them was nearly a hundred zhang long, and the smallest was over thirty zhang.


    Flags with big characters such as Shen, Chen, Liu, and Zhang were planted on these large and medium flying artifacts, each character signifying a powerful Golden Core Family.


    At this moment, there were also many smaller-sized Cloud Boats encircling them, usually belonging to weaker Foundation Establishment Families.


    From time to time, new Cloud Boats or other shaped flying artifacts from all directions converged here.


    By noon, the sky above Jiuding Square was already densely packed, and at this moment, the Zhao family''s ten-zhang-long small Cloud Boat also quietly joined the throng.


    Taking advantage of the fact that they had not yet set off,


    Zhao Jijian, the one in the Zhao family with the widest connections and strongest power, immediately went to visit the other Cultivation Families nearby.


    One reason was to take the opportunity to exchange intelligence, confirm individual targets, and avoid selecting the same targets as other families as much as possible.


    The second was to establish a temporary alliance for mutual assistance and benefit in case of future dangers.


    No cultivators are fools, and the Zhao family''s plans are actually what most families are also thinking.


    So there was no need for Zhao Jijian to make the proposal; some "enthusiastic" Cultivation Families had taken the initiative to organize it beforehand.


    An hour later, Zhao Jijian returned to the family''s Cloud Boat with a somber expression.


    The small Cloud Boat was only ten zhang in length, and with nearly fifty Zhao Clan Members sitting inside, it became very cramped.


    Even for Zhao Sheng and Zhao Keru, both Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the situation was hardly better, just slightly more spacious.


    On the second deck of the Cloud Boat, Zhao Jijian sighed as soon as he saw Zhao Sheng, "Chonghe, this time it''s a bit tricky!"


    Zhao Sheng asked, "What''s the matter? Don''t tell me the place we''ve set our sights on is also coveted by other families?"


    "Exactly," Zhao Jijian nodded.


    "Heh, isn''t all this within our expectations? There are only so many spirit lands in the Desolate Domain, it''s not surprising that a certain place caught the eye of multiple families at the same time."


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s unconcerned demeanor, Zhao Jijian was both surprised and anxious.


    Although he had lived over a century, he was far from matching Zhao Sheng''s skill in cultivating serenity.


    "Chonghe, just now at least two old Foundation Establishment Families have declared that they are resolute in obtaining the spirit lands of Shilan Mountain and Flame Ridge. After hearing this, are you not worried?"


    Zhao Sheng chuckled, "What use is worrying? Besides, there''s truth within falsehoods, and falsehoods within truth. What others say might not necessarily be true; it could just be a ruse. No one reveals their hand until it''s time to show the real deal, right?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian was taken aback and then inwardly ashamed, scolding himself for being so confused with worry that he failed to see as clearly as the younger generation.


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng then asked, "Fourth Master, have you got any information about Lush Peach Mountain?"


    Zhao Jijian shook his head, "No, so far no family has made a claim to it."


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s lips tightened, his eyes reflecting deep thought.


    "Chonghe, do you suspect someone has also set their sights on Lush Peach Mountain in secret?" Zhao Jijian asked tentatively.


    Zhao Sheng''s tone grew heavier as he pondered, "We don''t have enough intelligence to make a solid analysis. But we''d better prepare in advance, just in case."


    While Zhao Sheng and the others were racking their brains over the affairs of their family, an uninvited guest arrived unexpectedly at the Pig Emperor Ridge deep within the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.


    Under the scorching sun, the sky above Pig Emperor Ridge was a brilliant azure, clear of any clouds.


    Suddenly, a space a hundred feet high in the upper sky twisted slightly, and a delicate and exquisite figure stepped out from the void.


    This figure, only three feet tall with skin as fair as jade, and a lithe figure, graced with a perfect and flawless face, was enough to bewitch all living beings. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yah! Who is this? How dare you... ah, Lady Qian Huan!!"


    Following a heaven-shaking roar, a burly man with the head of a pig and a body as sturdy as a mountain, wrapped in black demon winds, took to the sky in a single breath. He had bellowed only half a sentence at the newcomer before cutting himself off abruptly.


    "Hehe, Little Three, it''s been hundreds of years. Have you forgotten Huan Niang?" Huan Niang spoke seductively with a charming smile.


    Lady Qian Huan, also known as Lady Huan Die, was originally a Seventh Rank Thousand Illusion Spirit Butterfly.


    She was one of the four Great Demon Kings of the Southern Border''s Ten Thousand Great Mountains and was quite famous in the Central Continent Cultivation World.


    "Lady Qian Huan, I beg your pardon! Even if Little Zhu forgot his dad, he would never dare forget your grace! May I know the purpose of Lady''s visit to Pig Emperor Ridge?" Zhu Sanju''s face was all smiles as he repeatedly bowed and scraped.


    The big man named Zhu Sanju was a Sixth-Order Pig Demon, originally an ancient exotic species, the Giant Toothed Pig.


    From the time a demon beast forms its Demon Core, its grade is equivalent to that of a Golden Core Master. Third, fourth, and fifth grade correspond to the early, middle, and late stages of Golden Core respectively.


    However, a Sixth-rank Demon Beast doesn''t correspond to a Perfect Golden Core but to the False Infant Realm.


    Two hundred years ago, under Pig Emperor''s guidance, Zhu Sanju practiced the partial Sky Demon Transformation Technique, allowing him to shed his demon body, refine his Horizontal Bone, and transform into this form.


    However, as he didn''t genuinely pass the Transformation Tribulation, Zhu Sanju''s transformation was incomplete, still retaining a pig''s head.


    Huan Niang''s gaze shifted, and she suddenly asked, "Has Elder Pig Emperor not awakened yet?"


    Zhu Sanju''s eyes darted around as he laughed obsequiously, "That''s right! The elder is sleeping soundly and shouldn''t be disturbed. If Lady doesn''t have urgent business, it''s best not to wake the elder. Pig Emperor gets very irritated when woken up by others, and if he gets angry, it would be unfortunate if Lady were to get hurt."


    "Hmph, you go ahead and wake Pig Emperor. If anything happens, I will take responsibility."


    "Ah, alright then! This little demon will go now, Lady, please wait a moment."


    Lady Qian Huan''s charm was astonishing, leaving Zhu Sanju dare not argue or look at her again. He shrank his neck, agreed, and disappeared into a black wind, hurrying down from the high sky.


    As he approached the ground, he suddenly flipped upside down and plunged headfirst into the earth, with a smooth and dust-free motion.


    Then,


    Boom, boom!


    The rolling hills of Pig Emperor Ridge began to shake suddenly, the vast ground swelling unpredictably and cracking open with countless unfathomable chasms.


    In an instant, an area of earth more than ten miles across began to rise rapidly.


    And just then, for some reason, the sky that had been clear suddenly condensed with thick black clouds out of nowhere,


    In that moment, thunder rumbled, lightning flashed, and a very distinct aura of destruction swiftly spread in all directions above and below.


    Seeing the black clouds forming overhead, Huan Niang''s face turned pale, and her form flickered at great speed, vanishing into the void in an instant.


    These black clouds were an omen of an impending Heavenly Tribulation. And Heavenly Tribulation was the absolute bane of all demon creatures.


    Even a Seventh Rank Great Demon feared Heavenly Tribulation like a deadly poison, afraid of being caught off-guard and enveloped by the tribulation thunder.

 Chapter 91 Yu Ye Makes Her First Appearance and War is Like a Play

    Having seen the tribulation cloud, Huan Niang finally realized why the Pig Emperor had secluded himself at Pig Emperor Ridge for the past three hundred years, always in a deep slumber.It was to avoid the heavenly tribulation that was afflicting him.


    Fortunately, the tribulation cloud appeared swiftly and disappeared just as quickly!


    Two breaths later, the vast black clouds quickly dispersed, and the sky turned clear and serene once again in the blink of an eye.


    Suddenly,


    a rich voice sounded simultaneously in the ears of Huan Niang and Roc King, "So it is Lady Qian Huan. Please come up to the ridge! I am currently somewhat indisposed."


    The next second, Huan Niang stepped out from the void and reappeared at the top of the ridge.


    "Pig Emperor, your servant Huan Die pays her respects!"


    At that moment, the ground below trembled slightly, and that rich voice emerged from the thick layers of soil, "Hehe, it''s been hundreds of years, and your cultivation has indeed progressed, Huan Niang. This emperor is very pleased!


    Yet, you are not dominating Flowers Valley but visiting my Pig Emperor Ridge today. What brings you here?"


    After performing a side courtesy, Huan Niang sincerely said, "Could it be that the Pig Emperor does not know that the group of Human Cultivators are about to attack our doorstep."


    "So what if I know it? What difference does it make if I don''t?" sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The light in Huan Niang''s eyes shifted, her tone slightly urgent, "Pig Emperor, your territory is right at the entrance of Ten Thousand Great Mountains. If we allow the Human Clan to attack, it could lead to another catastrophe.


    The Human Clan from Central Continent is powerful. Our Demon Clan is now cornered, barely surviving. If this continues, in a few hundred to a thousand years, there may be no place left for Demons in Central Continent.


    For the future of the Demon Clan, and for the countless little demons to have a chance to live, I implore the Pig Emperor to teach the Human Clan a profound lesson."


    As soon as her words fell, the ground shook unceasingly, and the Pig Emperor laughed heartily, "Haha, the youngsters always say Lady Qian Huan is eloquent. Today, this emperor has finally witnessed it. But look at me, do I look like I can lift a finger in my current state?"


    Huan Niang, upon hearing this, bit her lip unwillingly, her appearance pitiful.


    After thinking for a moment, she tested, "Since the Pig Emperor is indisposed, may I act on your behalf? When the time comes, I hope you won''t blame me for being ruthless."


    "Hehe! Huan Niang, feel free to act! I won''t feel sorry for the death of countless little demons within my territory. But one thing, don''t deceive my clan, especially that Zhu Sanju, who loses his sense in the face of beauty."


    Conveniently at that moment, Zhu Sanju stealthily emerged from the ground, his head tilted upwards staring fixedly under Huan Niang''s skirt, his face lustfully piggish, saliva dripping from his mouth unknowingly.


    Huan Niang chuckled charmingly, her allure radiating as she said, "Rest assured, Pig Emperor, I will not cast the Illusion Dream Enchanting Technique on him."


    Shortly thereafter, Huan Niang achieved her purpose and departed contentedly.


    When Pig Emperor Ridge was deserted, a voice suddenly sounded in the sky: "Are you satisfied now?"


    Before the voice faded, a young Taoist, unmatched in grace and beauty, instantly appeared on Pig Emperor Ridge.


    "Satisfied. I have felt the sincerity of Elder Pig Emperor!"


    "Hmph, where is what you promised me?"


    The young Taoist smiled slightly, and with a flick of his wrist, an exotic leather scroll appeared in his palm.


    At the same time, he spoke, "Here is the other half of the Heavenly Demon Refining Technique scroll. Just as the Pig Emperor had promised, once you receive this technique, you will instantly relinquish these seven thousand miles of the Desolate Domain. For prudence, I implore you, Pig Emperor, to make a True Spirit Oath!"


    "Yu Ye, this emperor isn''t like you humans, going back on words! Since you young man don''t trust, I''ll make a True Spirit Oath!"


    "I, Zhu Chongshan, swear by the ancient True Spirit and bloodline of Chongshan Pig, upon receiving this... If violated, may I suffer bloodline backfire and perish by shattering spirit from heavenly thunder!"


    "Hmph, are you reassured now?"


    Yuye Ancestor, the newly ascended Nascent Soul Cultivator, bowed slightly, apologetically, "Please understand, Elder Pig Emperor, I am compelled to do so. After all, our races differ, making it hard to trust one another without guarantees."


    Speaking, he casually tossed the Heavenly Demon Ancient Scroll onto the ground.


    As soon as the scroll left his hand, it was swept away by a gust of black wind and disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.


    A moment later, the satisfied voice of the Pig Emperor resonated between heaven and earth, "Good! Yu Ye, you indeed did not lie to this old pig."


    Yu Ye smiled and said, "How dare I deceive the Pig Emperor. You are, after all, close to achieving a True Spirit body as a Ninth Rank Demon King. My Elixir Cauldron Sect cannot afford a thunderous fury from an elder like you."


    "Hehe! You don''t need to flatter me, I have already said I would not interfere, and I will not set hidden traps. You should worry more about Huan Niang, that young lady. She harbors a deep hatred towards the Human Clan!"


    Yu Ye replied indifferently, "Since I dared to initiate the expansion war, I naturally took precautions against Lady Qian Huan. Although she is extremely difficult to deal with, she is not without weaknesses. I have already come up with a complete strategy."


    "If that''s the case, this old pig couldn''t care less about you handling these juniors'' messy affairs. You may go ahead and attack the Desolate Domain, but as for Pig Emperor Ridge, it must wait until I have undergone my True Spirit Tribulation."


    Yu Ye said, "I am not in a rush momentarily. However, to stop the gossip of the world, I still request that the Pig Emperor and Wu put on a few acts when we meet."


    "It''s just acting, very simple! Little Three, come out."


    Before the words faded, a pig-headed humanoid, Zhu Sanju, suddenly burst out of the ground, riding on black winds, and flew opposite Yu Ye Ancestor.


    He respectfully shouted towards the rising ground, "My lord, what are your commands?"


    "Little Three, go play a few rounds with him!" The rumble of heaven and earth rose again.


    "Hehe, I will obey my lord''s orders!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Sanju instantly responded with a joyful smile.


    ...


    In the late afternoon, once all factions involved in the territorial war had gathered.


    The defense light shield on the surface of the central floating palace flickered on and off nine times.


    This was like a signal!


    Subsequently, the floating palace slowly ascended into the Sky Gang atmosphere layer, with nearby Cloud Boats and other Flying Artifacts following it like fish.


    Suddenly, the floating palace burst from slow to fast, exploding a ring of sonic boom clouds, and swiftly cut through the atmospheric clouds, rushing towards the southwest horizon.


    The flying crafts behind quickly activated and chased after it one after another.


    Due to different flying speeds, a long torrent was rapidly pulled across the sky in a short moment.


    Zhao Sheng, who was aboard a smaller Cloud Boat with lower performance, was left behind in the last wave from the beginning.


    He did not mind this.


    While those who arrive first can seize the initiative, the true victor of a war is always the one who has the last laugh.


    A day later, the journey of five thousand miles was completed.


    As the sunrise gradually ascended, Zhao Sheng stood at the bow, looking down upon the earth.


    At this time, traces of human activity on the surface of the earth were gradually becoming scarce, until they finally disappeared altogether.


    In their place were endless rolling hills and gray-green wild ancient forests, while demon beast-carrying Gu Clouds started appearing more frequently in the field of view.


    Gazing out, Zhao Sheng felt an endless, savage, and brutal Barbaric atmosphere rushing towards him, infecting him, and miraculously, his usually calm mind began to feel wild.


    At this point, Cloud Boats and other Flying Artifacts began to break away from the formation, dispersing towards various parts of the Desolate Domain.


    Some flew alone, while others in groups of twos and threes.

 Chapter 92 Encountering Obstacles at Flame Ridge, Heading to Lush Peach Mountain

    Approximately an hour later, the entire convoy had become thin and scattered.At this moment, Zhao Jijian approached Zhao Sheng, took out a map and spread it open before inquiring, "Which location shall we head to first?"


    The Zhao family had previously selected Shilan Mountain, Flame Ridge, and Lush Peach Mountain as targets, but had not made a final decision.


    They needed to conduct an on-site survey first to truly determine which spirit land was most suitable for their Zhao family.


    Zhao Sheng immediately said, "Let''s go to Flame Ridge first, then to Lush Peach Mountain. The two places are conveniently on a straight line."


    "Alright, we''ll head to Flame Ridge first."


    Shortly after, the prow of Zhao''s Cloud Boat suddenly veered, and the vessel sharply turned seventy degrees, quickly breaking away from the team and flying towards the eastern horizon.


    An hour later, a distance of six hundred li had been left behind.


    It was then that Zhao Jijian suddenly shouted, "Chongwei, someone is following us!"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng turned around to look back.


    His eyes slightly squinted, he could faintly see a speck in the distant horizon, intermittently visible.


    After observing for a while, Zhao Sheng confirmed that it was a small-sized Cloud Boat similar in size and length to the one under his feet.


    "Don''t mind it; it could just be someone passing by."


    As Zhao Sheng spoke these words, on the Cloud Boat behind them, there were people discussing the Zhao family.


    Shen Zhenghui, with an aged face, looked at the family''s Foundation Establishment Cultivators and asked, "Uncle, shall we just keep tailing them like this?" Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shen Yangao was one of the only two Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Shen Family, having reached Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.


    He kept his eyes on the Cloud Boat ahead as he spoke, "Taifu Mountain''s Zhao family has recently become in-laws with Elixir Saint Ge Family. They surely know many details we are unaware of. Instead of blindly choosing a place, it''s better to follow the Zhao family. The spirit land they pick must be excellent."


    "Hmm, that makes sense!"


    "Moreover, I have already inquired clearly. The two highest in cultivation among the Zhao''s Mid-stage Foundation Establishment members are only at third layer realm. There''s no need for the Great Elder to make a move; I alone can handle it."


    Shen Yangao was unaware that the Zhao family had a third Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Zhao Sheng had been staying in the secret mansion of Heavenly Pillar Mountain after reaching Foundation Establishment, only returning to Taifu Mountain recently due to the territory expansion war. Because he had intentionally kept a low profile, outsiders had no idea that the Zhao family was hiding a third Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows began to furrow, the Cloud Boat that had been persistently following behind could no longer be explained as a mere coincidence.


    After pondering for a moment, he suddenly raised his voice and commanded, "Uncle Ru, reduce speed! Everyone, on alert!"


    The Cloud Boat promptly decelerated, and Zhao Clan Members began drawing out their flying swords, hard crossbows, and other weapons, their expressions instantly becoming serious.


    Beside him, Zhao Jijian said coldly, "Are you planning to confront those following us?"


    Zhao Sheng replied in a stern voice, "Let''s go up and say hello first; we''ll make a decision after assessing the situation!"


    Meanwhile,


    "Uncle, the Zhao family has slowed down."


    "It''s no big deal; let''s just go meet them."


    Moments later, the Cloud Boats of the Shens and Zhaos stood a hundred zhang apart in the upper sky, facing each other.


    Zhao Sheng stayed behind while Zhao Jijian stepped forward to the bow, commanding the Red Rainbow Sword, flying to the middle between both boats, and proclaimed loudly, "Taifu Mountain''s Zhao family is here. May I know which honorable guests are on the opposite side?"


    "Haha, the Shen Family of Southern Mountain. Shen Yangao has the pleasure of meeting Taoist Zhao," Shen Yangao laughed heartily as he leapt from his Cloud Boat, meeting them.


    Zhao Jijian asked in a solemn tone, "Why is your distinguished family following the Zhao''s?"


    "Tracking? Ha, what a joke! The sky is so vast, and my Shen Family will fly as we please. How does it concern the Zhao Family?" Shen Yangao sneered in response.


    Zhao Jijian paused, then said, "If that''s the case, how about your esteemed family takes the lead and heads out first?"


    Huh?!


    Upon hearing this, a flash of cold light crossed Shen Yangao''s eyes as he asked in a cold voice, "What do you mean by that?"


    "Nothing much, just that our Cloud Boat has encountered a small problem and needs to stop for a bit of repair," Zhao Jijian said with an unwavering tone.


    After hearing this, Shen Yangao''s expression fluctuated uncertainly as he hovered in the air, not speaking immediately.


    At this moment, Zhao Keru suddenly flew out from the Cloud Boat and hurried over to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Jijian.


    Facing two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Shen Yangao''s face turned fierce, ready to make a move.


    Suddenly, his figure paused, and he tilted his head to listen carefully.


    A few breaths later, Shen Yangao nodded his head and then, without hesitation, turned around and flew back to the Cloud Boat.


    Shortly after, the Shen Family''s Cloud Boat increased its speed, swiftly surpassing the Zhao family''s and soared towards the horizon.


    Back on the Cloud Boat, Zhao Jijian immediately found Zhao Sheng and asked with bewilderment, "What exactly is the Shen Family up to, slipping away silently all of a sudden? Could we have guessed wrong?"


    Zhao Sheng did not answer immediately,


    After making a mark on the map, he smiled and said, "Fourth Master, we''ve been a bit careless this time. Look here,"


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng drew a straight line on the map and explained, "After breaking away from the group, we''ve been flying straight towards Flame Ridge. Our current location is less than two hundred miles from Flame Ridge. It wouldn''t take much for them to deduce our destination."


    Zhao Jijian leaned over to look and saw that they were indeed very close to Flame Ridge.


    His expression tensed and he said immediately, "Then what are we waiting for? Let''s hurry up and catch up! Don''t let the Shen Family get there first."


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, "No need to chase. We''ll give up on Flame Ridge for now and head straight to Lush Peach Mountain. Flame Ridge has an Earth Fire Vein, which is immensely useful for both Alchemy and Artifact Refining.


    The target is too obvious, and it won''t be easy for the Shen Family to take it. Right now, who knows how many families are waiting to swoop in like opportunistic fishermen. It wouldn''t hurt for us to play the role of those fishermen as well."


    ...


    An hour later, the Zhao''s Cloud Boat flew through the thick clouds, and below the cloud layer was a reddish-brown mountain peak with sparse vegetation and a ring-shaped valley in the center.


    By this time, the Shen Family''s Cloud Boat had already landed on the summit of this extinct volcano.


    After passing Flame Ridge, the Cloud Boat flew for about another four hundred miles.


    Zhao Sheng peered down and saw clumps of pink clouds rising intermittently from the mountain ridges ahead.


    Ah, Lush Peach Mountain at last!


    Just then, the Cloud Boat suddenly descended from the heavens, landing in a valley about twenty miles away from Lush Peach Mountain.


    Upon touching down, the Zhao Clan Members didn''t need Zhao Sheng''s instruction; they immediately jumped from the Cloud Boat and set about establishing a temporary camp based on the prearranged plan.


    Zhao Chongwei, at the Qi Refining Seventh Level, led a team of Innate Martial Artists to hunt in the nearby forest and scout the surroundings.


    Zhao Xuanjing, at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, together with a few Qi Refining Clan Members, quickly found a stable rock wall and activated the Stone to Mud Technique to begin digging and carving out a cave.


    Zhao Xuanjing had spent nearly twenty years digging and constructing cave mansions on Heavenly Pillar Mountain and was now akin to a master of cave digging. Constructing a temporary cave mansion was like child''s play to him.


    In just four hours, as dusk fell, a cave mansion with more than twenty stone rooms complete with a main hall and storage was constructed.


    After the Zhao family members moved into the cave mansion, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian quickly set up an alert Array around the perimeter of the dwelling.

 Chapter 93 I Really Dont Want to be a Fisherman

    A night passed without incident.Early the next morning, Zhao Sheng instructed everyone else to rest and stay on standby in the cave mansion.


    Then, he, along with Zhao Jijian and Zhao Xuanjing, quietly made their way toward Lush Peach Mountain.


    War is a battle of intelligence.


    Before attacking Lush Peach Mountain, the Zhao family had to thoroughly scout the situation within the mountain.


    Half an hour later, they arrived at Lush Peach Mountain.


    Looking at the splendidly colored peach blossom miasma before them, the three men wisely stopped in their tracks.


    Zhao Sheng took out a Storage Bag and handed it to Zhao Xuanjing.


    Inside the Storage Bag were various talismans such as the Invisibility Talisman, Concentrating God Talisman, Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, Thousand Silk Sword Rain Talisman, and others.


    Zhao Sheng asked with concern, "Xuanjing, are you sure there''s no problem?"


    Zhao Xuanjing patted the spirit worm bag at his waist, and a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm about seventy feet long, resembling a giant python, instantly landed on the ground near the three men.


    As soon as the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm appeared, it affectionately curled around Zhao Xuanjing.


    Zhao Xuanjing patted the head of the spirit earthworm and smiled at Zhao Sheng, "Uncle Seven, with Xiao Qi here, I''m very safe!"


    Zhao Sheng nodded, knowing he wasn''t boasting.


    Previously, Zhao Xuanjing had insisted on bringing Xiao Qi back, which indeed brought a huge surprise to the Zhao family.


    Zhao Xuanjing and the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm coordinated seamlessly, unexpectedly exhibiting the "Earth Escape Divine Ability," allowing them to travel freely through the soil without hindrance.


    The usefulness of the Earth Escape Divine Ability goes without saying.


    Across the entire Zhao family, including the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Zhao Xuanjing was the unequivocal choice for scouting Lush Peach Mountain.


    "Fourth Ancestor, Uncle Seven, I''m off!"


    After making this announcement, Zhao Xuanjing hugged the neck of the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm, and a faint yellow glow surfaced on both the man and the insect.


    At that moment, the nearby ground suddenly became as soft as water, and abruptly, Zhao Xuanjing with Xiao Qi sunk into the ground.


    The ground quickly returned to normal, and the spot where they had been was now empty.


    Zhao Sheng whispered a few words to Zhao Jijian, after which Zhao Jijian remained at the spot to keep watch.


    Zhao Sheng then swallowed a Breaking Miasma Pill, hid his form, and retracted his spirit, before secretly flying high into the sky to survey the entirety of Lush Peach Mountain.


    Lush Peach Mountain was only a couple to three hundred feet tall, with gentle rolling hills, three mountain peaks, two valleys, and an area close to a hundred miles.


    True to its name, Lush Peach Mountain was covered with peach trees.


    Due to the lack of harvesting, the ground was littered with rotten and decayed peaches.


    Years of fallen peach blossoms, tree leaves, and branches had accumulated a thick layer of organic matter on the ground.


    After fermenting, this layer, mixed with the rotten peaches, gradually produced clumps of highly poisonous and spirit-bewitching peach blossom miasma.


    Day by day, Lush Peach Mountain gradually became enveloped in thick peach blossom miasma, so that very few insects or beasts ventured there, apart from the group of Mutant White Apes that enjoyed the peaches and were immune to the miasma.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng stood in the sky a hundred feet above, gazing down at the peach forest below, clearly seeing many White Apes with unusually long arms playing and chasing each other,


    These White Apes were robust, mostly around five feet tall, but a few exceeded seven or eight feet.


    They were agile, moving as swiftly as the wind. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What surprised Zhao Sheng even more was that these Mutant White Apes had a skilled technique in throwing, hitting whatever they aimed at with uncanny accuracy.


    Broken stones, peach pits, and even their feces became their projectiles.


    From the sounds of breaking wind and the ease with which they snapped branches, Zhao Sheng was certain of the remarkable strength of the Mutant White Apes. Even the weakest among them had an arm strength exceeding a thousand pounds.


    After surveying the three mountain peaks, Zhao Sheng felt inwardly alarmed; he had carefully counted several times and found that there were over a hundred Mutant White Apes, with at least ten above seven feet tall.


    From his initial observations, White Apes over seven feet tall had a combat power comparable to that of the Qi Refining Middle Stage, and there were a few exceeding nine feet that could match the average Qi Refining Late Stage.


    Furthermore, he had not spotted any Second-Order White Apes, only a stone cave beneath a cliff in the middle valley, surrounded by scattered white bones.


    If he hadn''t guessed wrong, this cave was likely the dwelling of the two Second-Order White Apes.


    Zhao Sheng did not hastily sneak into the stone cave to scout, but returned to Zhao Jijian instead.


    About half an hour later, a layer of yellow light suddenly emerged from the ground in front of them, and in the blink of an eye, Zhao Xuanjing rose from underground, holding the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm in his arms.


    "Uncle Qi, I¡ª"


    "Let''s talk back at the camp!" Zhao Sheng suddenly interrupted.


    Soon after, the three returned to the temporary camp cave.


    In the stone room, after the three of them sat down, Zhao Xuanjing couldn''t wait to relay the intelligence he had gathered in detail.


    Zhao Sheng''s guess was right; the two Second-Order White Apes were indeed hiding inside the stone cave and had not come out.


    To his great surprise, the female ape was actually pregnant.


    This was indeed great news.


    After becoming pregnant, a demon beast''s strength usually diminishes significantly.


    Zhao Sheng had been worried about how to capture the two Second-Order White Apes, but now he wouldn''t miss this godsent opportunity.


    He made a snap decision to wait for the male ape to leave and be alone before Xuanjing, along with all the clan members who practiced the Earth Element Technique, would cast spells to shake and collapse the passage, temporarily sealing the stone cave.


    He, Zhao Jijian, and Zhao Keru would then jointly attack the Second-Order male ape, striving to achieve victory in one battle.


    However, plans never keep up with changes, and before Zhao Sheng could act, his plan was rendered useless.


    That''s because another unwelcome group of visitors arrived at Lush Peach Mountain that afternoon.


    ¡­


    As the sun set, Zhao Sheng stood on the branch of an ancient tree, looking out at Lush Peach Mountain from a distance.


    At that moment, a vermilion dragon-carved Cloud Boat was circling above Lush Peach Mountain, looking very arrogant as it blatantly surveilled the mountain.


    After observing for a moment, Zhao Xuanjing, who was beside him, asked in surprise, "Uncle Qi, are these clan people stupid or what?"


    Zhao Sheng chuckled and said, "Perhaps they''re not stupid, but just accustomed to arrogance. Judging by the style of the Cloud Boat, this clan should not be local to the Southern Border but from the Cultivation World of the Ten Kingdoms. The demon beasts of the Ten Kingdoms are nearly extinct, so the cultivators there have probably forgotten the terror of the Desolate Domain''s demon beasts."


    Zhao Xuanjing scratched his chin and asked, "Then are we still going to take action?"


    Zhao Sheng laughed and said, "Why not let someone else rush to be the cannon fodder? We''re not in a hurry; let''s watch the play first."


    "Oh, then I''ll go back and inform everyone."


    "Go ahead!"


    After Zhao Xuanjing left, Zhao Sheng continued to quietly observe the activity at Lush Peach Mountain.


    The newcomers weren''t completely foolish either; they knew to scout the surroundings in advance.


    Now, the careful approach taken by Zhao Sheng earlier proved its worth.


    With the Zhao family''s camp hidden inside a cave and their tracks deliberately concealed, the people from the other clan had no chance of discovering another power hidden within a valley twenty miles away.


    One day later, the war between the new forces and the White Ape tribe of Lush Peach Mountain started with a hail of fire raining down from the sky.


    Standing atop a mountain about ten miles southwest of Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Keru, and Zhao Jijian, three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, stood side by side.


    The three gazed solemnly at the rising flames and dust from Lush Peach Mountain, watching as the cultivators in red robes fearlessly leaped from the Cloud Boat like dumplings dropping into water, charging into the midst of the White Ape tribe.


    Who knew reality would fall so far short of expectation.


    The group of White Apes was too fast, too agile.


    Sometimes a spell would be cast and they would have already leaped far away by the time it landed.


    Flying swords and knives fell like rain, yet they continually missed their targets.


    Some spells, like fiery orbs and golden swords, were often scattered by stones hurled at them.


    This group of cultivators had barely boasted when they were variously scratched, bitten, knocked flying, or even smashed until their bones fractured, retreating one after another.

 Chapter 94 Run for Your Life

    Listening to the roars and screams coming from Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Sheng spoke softly, "Luckily we didn''t rush to make the first move.""Indeed! Who would have thought these White Apes were so fierce," Zhao Keru also said with lingering fear.


    However, Zhao Jijian said, "The outcome of this battle is not yet decided, the key lies in whether that family''s Foundation Establishment Cultivator can subdue the Second-Order White Ape King. Look, the White Ape King has appeared."


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Keru both looked in the direction he indicated.


    At this moment, a huge White Ape burst out from the stone cave.


    It was fifteen feet tall, with bulging muscles like Jingang, and two exceptionally strong arms that looked like thick stone pillars.


    Most notable was that the White Ape King was dragging a nine-foot long, thigh-thick club in its right hand, the surface of which was pockmarked and covered with thick coagulated blood and flesh, obscuring its original texture.


    After emerging from the stone cave, the White Ape King raised its head and roared angrily, suddenly bending its body and leaping up seventy to eighty feet high. Swinging the giant club in its hand, it brought forth a pitiful howl and smashed it down towards a red-robed elder hanging midair.


    The red-robed elder was the Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the family, and at that moment, he was controlling a Spirit Fire Gourd, releasing a great expanse of scarlet rain of fire that scorched the White Ape group below, burning their fur and flesh as they scattered and fled.


    The elder, caught off guard, only realized that a Second-Order White Ape was hidden among the group when the giant club was upon him.


    In shock, he instinctively raised the Spirit Fire Gourd above his head.


    Boom!


    A loud thunderous noise erupted, and instantly, fiery sparks flew in all directions. The elder was knocked flying, smashed into the ground, and instantly created a shallow pit where he lay, continuously spitting blood from his mouth.


    The red-robed elder felt terrible heartache, not for his injuries, but because his ancestral Spirit Fire Gourd had been smashed and several cracks appeared, with strands of scarlet Spiritual Fire leaking directly from the cracks.


    "Be careful!"


    "Ancestor, dodge!"


    Just then, two cries of alarm suddenly reached the ears of the red-robed elder, who had no time to react before he sensed darkness before his eyes and a cold breeze sweeping over his head.


    Filled with dread, he disregarded all else and instantly activated the talisman treasure in his embrace.


    In an instant, a massive, dark turtle shell-like shield appeared above the elder''s head, its surface displaying the phantom image of a one-horned giant turtle.


    Bang!


    The giant club smashed ruthlessly onto the shield, and in that instant, the White Ape King''s ferocious Divine Power erupted violently.


    Unexpectedly, the shield didn''t budge; instead, the White Ape King staggered backward, stunned by its own strength.


    Roar!


    Having failed to land a blow, the furious White Ape King''s eyes turned blood red. Clasping the club with both hands, it leaped up and began its berserk onslaught.


    The club whipped around, creating numerous afterimages, like a storm pelting down on the Turtle Shell Shield, not giving the red-robed elder any chance to dodge.


    These White Apes were exceptionally agile, and the White Ape King was the elite among them. Its movements were so fast and its strength so savage that, to the average person, it would all be a blur, only seeing multiples of the White Ape King''s figure everywhere.


    In just a couple of breaths, the Turtle Shell Shield, under countless frenzied strikes, visibly began to fade away.


    At that moment, the red-robed elder behind the shield was shaken so hard that his face turned as red as blood, and his body was deeply smashed into the ground.


    Seeing that the Magic Shield was about to break, the red-robed elder put his pride aside and shouted urgently upwards, "Quick... take action!"


    Before his words fell, a tremendous Sword Intent suddenly erupted from the Cloud Boat.


    The next moment, a massive golden Sword Light soared into the sky, with the phantom of a Red Gold Small Sword appearing within it.


    Slash!


    As a cold shout came from the Cloud Boat, the golden Sword Light suddenly cut across the sky, descending in a sweeping motion.


    Below, sensing an unprecedented danger, the White Ape King suddenly looked up and howled, hastily blocking the club in front of itself.


    In an instant, the golden Sword Light easily pierced through the White Ape King''s body, and the residual energy of the Sword Light swept the ground behind it, creating a narrow sword mark over twenty feet long and three feet deep. The sword mark sheared through stone and wood, severing several dozen peach trees that could only be encircled by joined arms.


    The might of a single sword, so terrifying!


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng and his two companions, who were ten miles away, witnessed this earth-shattering sword strike and were utterly shocked.


    "It must be a talisman treasure," Zhao Jijian blurted out.


    "Indeed, as expected from a family from the ten dynasties in the Cultivation World, their heritage is indeed rich. Including that shield just now, they''ve already used two talisman treasures," Zhao Sheng nodded and lamented.


    "Alas, with the death of the White Ape King, most of Lush Peach Mountain has fallen into others'' hands. Shouldn''t we make a move now?" Zhao Keru couldn''t help but ask.


    "No rush, let the bullets fly a little longer!"


    Zhao Sheng had just said something inexplicable when he suddenly exclaimed in surprise.


    Oh!


    "It''s not dead!" he said in amazement.


    "Yes! It survived an attack equivalent to a full-force strike from a Golden Core Master. The staff in that White Ape King''s hand is made of an extraordinary material!" Zhao Jijian also exclaimed with admiration.


    While the two were expressing their feelings of surprise, at the top of Lush Peach Mountain, the White Ape King gasped for breath and planted its staff into the ground.


    Although it did not die, it was seriously injured, with countless wounds of varying depths all over its body due to the impact of the Sword Qi, S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the largest of which were more than half a foot long, deep enough to see bone, and blood gushed out from the wounds, quickly staining its fur red.


    The man in the red robe, holding up his shield, carefully pulled himself out of the pit and, while retreating, greedily eyed the staff.


    The seemingly unremarkable staff didn''t even have a sword mark deeper than a couple of inches deep,


    considering that it was struck by a Magical Treasure Level Flying Sword¡ªordinary Middle and Lower Grade Spirit Artifacts couldn''t withstand such a hit, yet the staff had resisted it with its own material strength.


    As someone from an Artifact Refining Family, the man in the red robe was acutely aware of what this meant.


    But there was no time for him to think further.


    The White Ape King, having suffered a significant loss just now, suddenly roared at his subordinates and then lifted the staff and charged once again.


    The man in the red robe''s expression greatly changed at the sight.


    At this moment, the group of White Apes suddenly ceased their earlier disarray and assembled in groups of threes and fives like an army, jointly attacking a single Cultivator.


    Because of this change, the humans immediately fell into disarray.


    Just then, a middle-aged man in a red robe flew out of the Cloud Boat.


    He was another Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the family, skilled in Artifact Refining rather than fighting, and had not participated in the battle from the start.


    Now, seeing his family on the verge of defeat, he had no choice but to join the battle.


    But as soon as he appeared, a ferocious roar suddenly rang in his ear.


    Roar!


    The next instant, before the middle-aged man could react, a fist-sized green stone flew like lightning and struck him instantly.


    Pfft!


    The middle-aged man in the red robe spewed blood violently and was sent flying four or five zhang, crashing through a peach tree before tumbling to the ground.


    Only then did everyone discover with extreme horror that a giant White Ape with a large belly had appeared beside the stone cave at some point.


    Seeing this scene, everyone''s hearts turned cold, truly feeling the misery of inadequate information.


    Regrettably, it was too late now to realize this!


    "Run for your lives!"

 Chapter 95 Not Talking About Martial Virtues

    "Run for your lives!"As the two Foundation Establishment members of the family were defeated, someone in the crowd shouted, and everyone couldn''t care less and desperately fled towards the mountain exit.


    The man in the red robe saw that the situation was bad and hurriedly flew back to the Cloud Boat, trying to land several times, but each time he was sent flying back by a stone resembling a cannonball.


    After several attempts, the Cloud Boat gave up on landing at Lush Peach Mountain and had to flee into the distance, attempting to rendezvous with the remaining family members.


    The group of White Apes had truly unleashed their fury; they would not allow the enemy an easy escape. The White Ape King led the charge chasing the red-robed elder on the Yu Hu, while other White Apes grouped together to pursue the rest.


    Faced with the mutant White Apes, swift as the wind, the cultivators who were unfamiliar with the surroundings were in a dire situation.


    In just a few minutes, most of the cultivators were surrounded and either killed or torn into pieces by the White Apes.


    Of course, before dying, these people also managed to kill quite a number of White Apes.


    The great battle between humans and demonic creatures ended with the White Apes victorious, although they also suffered significant casualties.


    A little earlier in time,


    When Zhao Sheng and the others saw the cultivators fleeing one after another, they felt very surprised.


    Even though the current situation was unfavorable for the Human Clan, even an ordinary person would know that running away in such circumstances is the most foolish choice.


    But this group chose the worst possible action.


    The trio couldn''t comprehend it.


    Just then, the ground nearby suddenly emitted a yellow light, and Zhao Xuanjing appeared from underground holding a spirit worm.


    Seeing the trio frowning, Zhao Xuanjing was startled and asked quickly, "Fourth Ancestor, Uncle Seven, what''s wrong? Has something happened again?"


    Zhao Sheng, seeing him return, smiled and said, "Nothing. We''re just puzzled by these cultivators'' poor performance. It seems like they''ve enjoyed the mortal world for too long and have become incredibly foolish."


    Zhao Xuanjing nodded in agreement, "Yes! They are too foolish. I just shouted ''run for your lives'' casually. I can''t believe they actually ran."


    "What? A shout from you made them run away? Haha!" Zhao Sheng was greatly surprised by this revelation and ultimately burst into laughter.


    Next to him, Zhao Ke Ru tried to hold back his laughter and asked Jing''er, "When did you become so clever?"


    Zhao Xuanjing scratched the back of his head and asked with a peculiar expression, "Am I very foolish?"


    "Haha!" Hearing this, the three of them let out a loud laughter.


    A moment later, when the laughter subsided, Zhao Xuanjing quickly changed the subject, "When do we make our move?"


    Zhao Sheng looked towards Lush Peach Mountain ten miles away, eyeing the White Ape King as he dragged the dead body of the red-robed elder step by step back to his base, and said with a smile, "No rush, the darkest hour is just before the dawn."


    Night passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was less than half an hour till dawn.


    At this time, it was pitch-dark outside, but the Zhao Family''s cave was brightly lit.


    Zhao Sheng stood on the stone platform, gazing at the fully armed Zhao Clan members below, and said solemnly, "Are you ready?"


    "Ready!" The crowd shouted back with high morale.


    Zhao Sheng nodded and gave one final instruction, "When we strike, be fierce and quick, and don''t forget to cooperate with each other. Now, let''s move out!"


    "Yes, sir!"


    The Zhao Clan members responded in unison and then split into two groups, streaming out of the cave.


    Under the leadership of Zhao Chongwei and Zhao Keqing, both at the Qi Refinement Late Stage, the two teams swiftly advanced toward the Lush Peach Mountain.


    Momentarily, atop Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Xuanjing sneakily emerged halfway from underground, watching the White Apes sleeping soundly, and cracked a secret smile. He then pulled out a pile of earth-colored talismans from his Storage Bag and began to lay them around the White Apes.


    These earth-colored talismans were First-Order Talismans named Stone Prison Talisman.


    Before the departure, Zhao Sheng had specially made a batch, though he hadn''t expected them to be of any use.


    Who knew a naive youth would rush to take a tribulation for the Zhao family.


    These White Apes could never have anticipated that after repelling a group of people, there were still others plotting against them from behind.


    Thus, caught off guard, they inadvertently fell for some old schemer''s trap.


    To prevent the White Ape King from noticing, Zhao Xuanjing didn''t dare to venture too deep into the stone cave; he simply laid Earth Stabbing Talismans, Earth Splitting Talismans, and other Earth Element Talismans near the entrance and slightly inside the cave.


    About an hour later, the eastern sky began to lighten to a fish belly white.


    At that moment, the Zhao Family members reached the foothills of Lush Peach Mountain.


    This time was when the peach blossom miasma inside Lush Peach Mountain was at its thinnest, providing the clearest visibility; one could still make out figures from thirty or forty paces away.


    Unlike thick fog, the peach blossom miasma, nourished by rotten and spoiled fruits, becomes denser with stronger sunshine and higher temperatures, lingering immensely without dispersing.


    As Zhao Xuanjing, who had been waiting at the base of the mountain, immediately came forward and whispered something to Zhao Sheng upon their arrival.


    Zhao Sheng nodded his head and turned back to wave at the clan members.


    Seeing this, the Zhao Clan members quickly swallowed their Breaking Miasma Pills, dividing into two groups, one left and one right, and slowly approached the soundly sleeping group of White Apes.


    Moments later, as everyone was closing in on a run of thirty meters, indeed a White Ape with a keen sense of smell was startled awake.


    Squeak!


    Strike!


    Two shouts rose almost simultaneously.


    It was at that moment, Zhao Xuanjing grinned, his Spiritual Power burst forth wildly. A vast yellow light swept across the ground around him instantaneously.


    The next moment, numerous huge stone pillars suddenly shot up from the ground surrounding the group of White Apes.


    These stone pillars, crisscrossing and winding, formed a massive stone prison in an instant, trapping the newly awakened White Apes in place.


    No sooner had the stone prison taken shape than the next wave of attacks followed.


    The first was a barrage of arrows; twenty-one Innate Grandmasters of the Zhao family each held a Magic Device Crossbow and fired wildly at the group of White Apes.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The White Apes were trapped in place, unable to escape and were immediately struck by fine steel Armor-Piercing Arrows.


    The lucky ones were not hit in vital areas, while the unlucky ones had their foreheads, eyes, and hearts pierced through.


    However, that was not the end; after the arrows, a mix of Blazing Fireballs, Ice Blades, Golden Light Needles, Stone Cone Magic, mixed with flying swords, Demon-breaking Sabers, and Triangular Spears and other magic weapons, bombarded the unfortunate group of White Apes.


    They had just undergone a major battle the day before and their physical and demonic power had not fully recovered. Now, they faced a group of unscrupulous Zhao Family members.


    It was truly a case of bad luck inviting more bad luck¡ªmisfortune had reached their doorstep!


    However, though the Zhao family had killed many White Apes, that was all they could achieve.


    The stone prison only held for a few breaths before being shattered by the group of astonishingly powerful Mutant White Apes. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, a life-and-death battle officially began.


    One side, although suffering heavy casualties, retained its ferocity and was agile as the wind.


    The other side had high morale and coordinated well but had less real combat experience. Not even the Innate Martial Artists could match a single White Ape and had no choice but to serve as human shields.


    Zhao Shuo wielded his Wandering Dragon Sword, frantically chopping and slashing; myriad sword lights flew about, almost forming a continuous curtain of light.


    Yet even so, he was still profoundly shaken, feeling as if there were claw shadows everywhere before him,


    It was only when he directly clashed with the White Apes that he shockingly discovered their incredible speed, which made it difficult for him to discern which were real and which were false. He could only passively defend.

 Chapter 96 Pyrrhic Victory

    Ah!Suddenly, a scream came from the side.


    Zhao Shuo caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye, the eldest, Zhao Wenxi, had already fallen to the ground, a big hole in his chest, clearly not going to survive.


    Zhao Shuo had no time to grieve.


    At this moment, he only felt the sword in his hand getting heavier, and his robust Innate True Qi was being consumed at an alarming rate.


    But he could neither call for help nor dare to run away, as the condition of his clan''s cultivators was hardly any better than his.


    If he cowardly fled, he would certainly die in the end.


    If not by the hands of the White Ape, then by those of his own clan members.


    Since either way was death, why not die for the clan.


    "Hang in there!" Zhao Shuo encouraged himself internally, and with a hardened heart, he swallowed the Bursting Qi Pill hidden under his tongue.


    An hour later, he felt as if a volcano had suddenly erupted in his stomach, an infinite heat instantly spreading throughout his body, and in an instant, his limbs and bones were refilled with strength,


    At the same time, a vast amount of Innate True Qi continuously generated from his muscles, bones, and organs, quickly filling his nearly depleted Dantian with Innate True Qi.


    Instantly, Zhao Shuo''s spirit reached an unprecedented peak,


    It slowed down!


    The previously fast-moving White Ape that left afterimages suddenly seemed much slower, and Zhao Shuo could now clearly see its movements.


    Kill!


    Zhao Shuo roared, his eyes suffused with blood, the Wandering Dragon Sword as fast as lightning, its tip emitting a three-inch sword radiance, instantly piercing the forehead of the White Ape opposite him.


    With the aid of the Bursting Qi Pill, Zhao Shuo, facing life and death, had broken through and officially entered the Innate Great Success Realm.


    Bang!


    Zhao Shuo swung his sword to deflect a whistling stone, and suddenly leaped into another battle, joining hands with Cultivation Clan members to confront a White Ape.


    The human-ape war quickly intensified, with the Zhao family side soon having six or seven members fall, while the White Apes, having fought continuously and lacking energy, lost even more.


    Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, and Zhao Keru, all braced tightly, stared at the stone cave.


    As soon as the battle began, the White Ape King rushed out of the cave like a gust of stench, soaring.


    No sooner had it shown itself than a Red Rainbow Sword came slashing head-on.


    Bang!


    A swath of stick shadows swept across the sky, easily knocking the Red Rainbow Sword flying with a bang.


    Just then, an expanse of thick fog suddenly emerged, enshrouding much of the White Ape King''s body out of nowhere.


    In the blink of an eye, countless water droplets laden with sharp Sword Intent within the fog vibrated intensely, instantly triggering the Godslaying Sword Intent.


    At that moment, deep within the ferocious eyes of the White Ape King, a sword light was seen growing bigger and bigger, eventually filling its heart.


    The next instant, it felt an excruciating pain in its head, as if it were split into two by a sword.


    The White Ape King''s ferocious eyes suddenly became vacant, and its body instantly stiffened on the spot.


    Great opportunity!


    Just then, the ground under its feet flashed with yellow light, and a golden ring python suddenly rushed up from below, not only tightly wrapping around the White Ape King''s thick legs but also pulling down fiercely.


    Splash!


    The White Ape King was violently dragged below the waist into the ground.


    At that moment, the White Ape King''s spirit reconverged, and it timely supported itself with its arms against the ground. This barely prevented itself from being tragically dragged underground.


    It was a mere miscalculation, yet it lost the whole game!


    The White Ape King, who had roamed the mountains for hundreds of years, could never have imagined how many times humans had rehearsed to deal with it.


    Just as it managed to stabilize its sinking body, a spiritual cauldron as large as a vat suddenly dropped from the sky and heavily smashed onto its head.


    Humming!


    The White Ape King was stunned, immediately seeing a chaos of golden light and feeling the world spinning around it.


    Plunk!


    In an instant, a blur of the Red Rainbow Sword whizzed past its eyes, and then it felt a sharp pain in its neck followed by severe pain in its eyes, losing sight.


    In the moment before plunging into darkness, the White Ape King heard a tremendous bang from the stone cave, followed by an angry roar in its ears.


    Watching the White Ape King''s head soar high, Zhao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and immediately flew to the side of the stone cave, standing next to Zhao Xuanjing.


    By then, the stone cave had already collapsed, but the rubble blocking the entrance continued to tremble; moreover, faint roaring sounds of the Mother Ape King could still be heard from behind the cave.


    Zhao Xuanjing spoke with a grave expression, "Uncle Seven, it looks like it won''t hold much longer."


    Zhao Sheng, looking relaxed, replied, "No matter, the overall situation is already set."


    As they spoke, Zhao Keru and Zhao Jijian had already charged into the ape troop and started a massacre.


    An hour later, as the sun rose over the mountain, Lush Peach Mountain had returned to its usual tranquility.


    However, the bloodstains, corpses, and severed limbs scattered across the mountain, and the dense scent of blood lingering in the air, signaled that a fierce battle had just taken place.


    In an open area near the stone cave, seventeen or eighteen dispirited White Apes were tightly bound by loops of Iron Wire Vine around their limbs and thrown aside.


    In front of them, not only lay the grinning White Ape King''s head, but also the Mother Ape King, barely alive.


    Seeing both their Clan King and clan queen about to die, the apes showed sad expressions on their faces, their eyes flickering with obvious fear.


    Zhao Sheng stood by, closely observing the Mother Ape King, and when he saw a pleading look in its eyes.


    A spark of light flickered in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, and with a flip of his right hand, a three-inch-long flying sword suddenly appeared.


    He approached and aimed carefully at the mother Ape King''s heavily swollen belly, cautiously making an incision.


    Shortly after, as the longing gaze of the Mother Ape King dimmed, Zhao Sheng held up a baby-sized Little White Ape in his hand.


    Moments later, as the Little White Ape opened its eyes amid crying, the first sight it saw was that man.


    At that moment, Zhao Jijian approached Zhao Sheng with a solemn face, speaking in a low tone, "Nineteen are dead; twelve from Innate, one from Qi Refinement Middle Stage, and six from early stages. Additionally, six are severely injured, and also, Zhao Keqing has suffered severe chest and lung injuries, and his meridians are broken; he''ll be stuck at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer for life." S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s expression was very sad, and he couldn''t help but lament, "A Pyrrhic victory indeed!"


    Zhao Jijian, however, consoled him, "The will of heaven is hard to defy! Heaven had destined our Zhao family to face this catastrophe. Fortunately, we ultimately won. Lush Peach Mountain is now ours."


    Zhao Sheng handed Little White Ape to Zhao Jijian, simultaneously saying, "This little creature as well. Our family will no longer lack a guardian beast for the mountain."


    After the great battle, there were many trivial matters to handle, such as cleaning up the battlefield, burying the clan members, collecting the spoils of war, and so on.


    It took two solid days for the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Zhao family to get a break and start dealing with the collected treasures.


    Zhao Jijian, Zhao Keru, and Zhao Sheng stood beside a pile of treasures, each picking through them.


    The first treasure Zhao Sheng picked up was not the Storage Bag of the red-robed elder but the White Ape King''s big stick.


    When he grabbed it, Zhao Sheng felt his hand suddenly weigh down.


    Goodness, it must weigh at least a thousand pounds!


    Thankfully, the White Ape King didn''t get a chance to use its stick technique, or else no one could have withstood its strike.


    Hey,


    Zhao Sheng suddenly exclaimed in surprise, his eyes focused on a sword mark on the big stick, where he saw flickering blue light within the indentation.

 Chapter 97 When the Geng Metal Mine and the White Feather Flowers Blossom

    "Could it be...?"Zhao Sheng''s heart suddenly gave rise to a thought.


    He immediately set the stick askew, waving his hand to condense a water dragon that repeatedly washed over the surface of the stick.


    As the thick layer of blood scabs was washed away, the stick gradually revealed its true texture.


    The stick looked as if it had been melted by high heat and then solidified again.


    The uneven surface was riddled with glass-like, smooth, molten crystals, but in some pits, there were a few grains of sand-sized and flashing with blue light, mysterious metal particles.


    "Is this... could this be Geng Metal?!" Zhao Sheng exclaimed in astonishment.


    "What?"


    Hearing Zhao Sheng''s out-of-character exclamation, Zhao Jijian and the other person were immediately alarmed and hurried over to check.


    Upon inspection, both were also shocked.


    Geng Metal?!


    In the Cultivation World, among the thousands of Gold Element Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, only Geng Metal from beyond the Nine Heavens emitted this kind of unique, mysterious blue light.


    If it was truly Geng Metal, then all the people from the Zhao family who died for Lush Peach Mountain this time, it would be considered worth it.


    It must be known that Geng Metal was a high-grade Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, usually used for refining Magical Treasures.


    In the Cultivation World, there is a very special category of Magical Treasures called Sword Pills.


    Sword Pills are the highest level among Fake Pills. Sword Cultivators who upgrade using Sword Pills, their strength is not inferior to other Golden Core Masters who have formed a Golden Core.


    Therefore, Sword Pills have always been the most cherished treasure of Sword Cultivators, and Geng Metal is the most core treasure material for refining Geng Gold Sword Pills. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After repeated inspection by the three people, they unanimously believed that the blue light spirit gold was indeed the legendary Geng Metal.


    Zhao Sheng ceased his smile and decisively said, "Geng Metal is a derivative of Taibai Gold Essence. This Geng Gold Stick is enough to prove that there must be a Geng Metal Mine near Lush Peach Mountain."


    The reason why Zhao Sheng was so certain was determined by the special properties of Taibai Gold Essence.


    Taibai Gold Essence from beyond the heavens autonomously diffuses a type of radiation-like, peculiar spirit light. This peculiar spirit light can transform nearby metals into sub-grade spirit gold, also known as Geng Metal.


    Zhao Jijian and Zhao Keru looked at each other with faces full of excitement and then nodded heavily.


    Compared to a potential Geng Metal Mine, the treasures in the stone room became less important.


    The three of them made a quick inventory. Ordinary Magical Treasures, Spirit Stones, Elixir Pills, refining materials and medicinal herbs, Storage Bags, and so forth are not worth mentioning in detail; in any case, they were a great variety, all left behind by that unlucky family.


    Just these items alone made the Zhao family not only recover their initial investment but also made a huge fortune.


    Just with Magical Treasures alone, after allocating two pieces per person among the Zhao Family, there were still leftovers.


    This made the three of them couldn''t help but marvel at how deep the foundations of the ten Cultivation Forces were, to the point where even an ordinary Foundation Establishment Family was extremely wealthy.


    Besides the aforementioned items, there were several treasures that the three especially valued.


    First of all, there were four Spiritual Artifacts. The first was a damaged Spirit Fire Gourd, containing inside the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire Red Spirit Flame, usable for Alchemy and Artifact Refining.


    This Spirit Fire Gourd was directly taken into possession by Zhao Keru.


    The second was a bright red Magic Robe taken from the body of the red-robed elder; Zhao Jijian didn''t mind that it was worn by a deceased, and directly put it on.


    The remaining two Spiritual Artifacts were a dark black seal and twelve small flags with a red glow on their surface, constantly emitting an extremely sweet scent.


    Apart from the Spiritual Artifacts, the most important find this time was a Turtle Shield Talisman Treasure.


    This, too, was contributed by the red-robed elder.


    Well, from this perspective, the man can be regarded as an old man who gives away treasures.


    This Turtle Shell Talisman Treasure had already been used twice, but it still had one chance left for use.


    Even so, it was exceptionally precious.


    After mutually deferring to each other for a while, because Zhao Sheng was the youngest, he ultimately had to accept it.


    An hour later, the three had sorted out the spoils of war and immediately summoned all clan members, distributing part of the treasures among them. Not to mention that at least one Magic Artifact per person was given, but also three hundred Spirit Stones and additional Elixir Pills.


    Since ancient times, military achievements have been most significant, and rewards should be given sooner rather than later. The three distributed the spoils so early in accordance with this principle.


    At the time when the members of the Zhao family were sharing the profits from the battle of Lush Peach Mountain, countless Cultivation Forces in this Desolate Domain had also launched their campaigns to clear mountains and slay demons one after another.


    At the same time, a conspiracy surrounding the war for territory expansion had also begun.


    In a Mang Forest where ancient trees touched the sky, more than twenty demon wolves were leaping up and down, besieging a Second-tier Flower-patterned Spiritual Deer.


    Beside them, on the branch of an ancient tree thick enough to be embraced, stood a silver-white giant wolf the size of a calf with crescent-shaped patterns on its forehead.


    At this moment, the alpha wolf was watching the Second Rank Spirit Deer below intently, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment.


    Suddenly, a petite figure emerged beside the alpha wolf.


    As soon as Huan Niang appeared, she waved her hand and scattered Enchanting God Illusion Light. The mere Second Order demon beasts had absolutely no power to resist and were enchanted by the Enchanting God Illusion Light instantly.


    Huan Niang casually planted a thought in the alpha wolf''s Soul Sea, "The Human Clan must die. When the White Feather Flower blooms, immediately lead the wolf pack to attack the humans."


    At the same time, she conveniently designated the nearby settlements of the human race.


    After doing all this, Huan Niang''s figure flashed, and she teleported away.


    Since leaving Pig Emperor Ridge, Huan Niang has been doing things like planting suggestions into lower-grade demon beasts.


    Moreover, she planned to continue doing so until the day the White Feather Flower bloomed.


    The most formidable aspect of a beast tide was its scale and suddenness.


    A few demons attacking the Human Clan would hardly have any effect; they would only end up delivering spoils of war to the humans.


    Furthermore, no matter how numerous the First or Second Order demon beasts are, they cannot harm the essence of the Human Clan.


    Huan Niang was acting casually; what she valued the most were the powerful demons of Third-tier and above that could contend with Golden Core Masters.


    However, those above the third-tier already possessed spiritual wisdom, and it was very difficult to enchant them with merely Enchanting God Illusion Light.


    In order to achieve her goal, Huan Niang, as a Seventh Rank Demon, did not hesitate to lower her stance, tirelessly and personally persuading or defeating the rebellious demons one by one.


    Huan Niang was merely passing by earlier; her target was a Third-stage Earth Splitting Demon Bear in the Black Pine Forest a hundred miles away.


    Zhao Sheng and the others did not know that when the White Feather Flower bloomed next year, a devastating beast calamity was about to strike the countless Cultivation Forces in this Desolate Domain.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was stationed at Lush Peach Mountain, leading the clan members to gradually expand the territory while also being responsible for constructing a safe settlement for long-term residence.


    The other two Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Zhao family had already taken the Cloud Boat, escorting the spoils of war back to Taifu Mountain.


    After returning to Lush Peach Mountain, the two also needed to exchange part of the spoils for a variety of supplies to develop Lush Peach Mountain.


    As the Cloud Boat returned to Taifu Mountain, Zhao Sheng called Zhao Xuanjing over, revealed to him the secret of the Geng Metal Mine and secretly ordered him to search for the location of the Geng Metal Mine nearby.


    A little while later, Zhao Xuanjing took his leave to carry out the mission.


    One day later, Zhao Sheng placed twelve Spirit Banners around Lush Peach Mountain.


    At this point, the Zhao Clan Members were surprised to see that the peach blossom miasma above Lush Peach Mountain was swiftly flowing towards the twelve Spirit Banners and being quickly absorbed and refined by them.


    As the peach blossom miasma gradually dissipated, the banners'' surfaces shone more brilliantly, and clumps of rosy clouds began to condense on the banners.


    In the end, the rosy clouds actually detached from the banners, autonomously forming a thick and extremely sweet pink Divine Light around the Spirit Banners.


    This Divine Light, the further refined product of the peach blossom miasma, was not only extremely toxic but also alluring to the mind.


    Cultivators below Foundation Establishment who took a single whiff would die instantly, while those above Foundation Establishment, even if they did not die, would be so enchanted by their own illusions that they could not extricate themselves.

 Chapter 98 Too Close!

    Three days later, the peach blossom miasma had dissipated, and the Zhao Family no longer needed to take Breaking Miasma Pills to freely enter and exit Lush Peach Mountain.It was not until this moment that an unexplored treasure land finally opened its arms to the Zhao family.


    The Lush Peach Mountain covered nearly a hundred miles, with countless peach trees within, including a rare type of spiritual peach tree, of which there were only a little more than thirty.


    The spiritual peaches that grew on these trees had golden skins and light red flesh, tasting extraordinarily sweet,


    Once eaten, they produced strands of Spiritual Energy, with some effect of Refining the flesh, greatly improving one''s Constitution and enhancing the quality of one''s flesh.


    No wonder the White Apes on Lush Peach Mountain were so nimble, with an average physical quality even stronger than that of Innate Martial Artists, all thanks to these golden peaches.


    Apart from the spiritual peach trees, there were also numerous Spiritual Medicines planted on Lush Peach Mountain, with one of them even having a medicine age of over two thousand years.


    For thousands of years, the Spiritual Medicines on Lush Peach Mountain had not been harvested, causing them to mature and then rot away uselessly.


    After Lush Peach Mountain fell into the hands of the Zhao family, these Spiritual Medicines finally had a purpose.


    Now the Zhao family suffered from the pain of insufficient manpower; there was so much to do in developing a spirit land.


    They had to clear the decayed soil, chop down trees, drive away insects, fierce beasts, establish Spiritual Fields and Medicine Fields, and construct living quarters and defensive fortifications, among other tasks.


    Any of the aforementioned tasks was not something that could be easily accomplished by just a few dozen people.


    Moreover, a specialized Mountain Patrol Team had to be established to constantly guard against external enemies and invading demon beasts.


    One could say that even splitting all the Zhao Family members in half would not be enough.


    For a while, Zhao Sheng was so busy with countless trifling matters that he was running in circles. Unfortunately, at this time, no one could help share his burden.


    With dangers lurking at every corner in the Desolate Domain, to ensure the safety of the Cloud Boat, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator had to be stationed, and Zhao Jijian was the obvious choice.


    Because Zhao Jijian had to pilot the Cloud Boat, shuttling continuously between Taifu Mountain, Jiuding Square, and Lush Peach Mountain, he couldn''t lend a hand to Zhao Sheng.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Keru couldn''t handle such matters and he too was frantically busy.


    After a great battle on Lush Peach Mountain, the family''s stockpile of Elixir Pills had been exhausted. Just Alchemy alone would keep Zhao Keru busy for a year or two.


    As time trickled by, two months passed in the blink of an eye.


    By this time, Zhao Sheng had completely sorted out the myriad of trivial matters on Lush Peach Mountain, and various affairs gradually got on the right track.


    Finally, Zhao Sheng was able to take the time to pay attention to other matters, such as the most important Geng Metal Mine.


    For over two months, Zhao Xuanjing worked tirelessly, bustling about from early in the morning until late at night.


    However, after scouring the two-hundred-mile radius around Lush Peach Mountain, he still hadn''t found the Geng Metal Mine.


    Zhao Sheng found this odd and thought perhaps his conjecture was wrong and that the Geng Gold Stick had been a fluke?


    Three days later, just as Zhao Sheng was about to search for himself, Zhao Xuanjing came to him with excitement written all over his face.


    "Uncle Seven, I found it!"


    Zhao Sheng stood up immediately, asking anxiously, "What? You really found the Geng Metal Mine?"


    "Yes, Uncle Seven, look!"


    Zhao Xuanjing nodded and slowly opened his palm; visible within it was a pinch of Geng Metal granules glinting with Blue Light.


    "It''s true, this is Geng Metal! Xuanjing, where did you find it?" Zhao Sheng asked excitedly.


    Zhao Xuanjing replied with a smile, "The Geng Metal Mine is located in a lake more than four hundred miles away from Lush Peach Mountain. You said before that Taibai Gold Essence, when it falls to the ground, will leave a big pit.


    "I just followed this clue, and at first, I searched through all low-lying valleys and found nothing. Two days ago, when I passed by that wild lake, I suddenly wondered if the lake was created by an impact. So, I dove in and looked around. This search actually led me to find it."


    Zhao Sheng clapped Zhao Xuanjing on the arm happily, praising him, "Xuanjing, you''ve worked hard!"


    Zhao Xuanjing touched his head sheepishly and said modestly, "Uncle Seven, compared to those uncles and brothers who died for the family, my efforts are really nothing."


    Zhao Sheng said, "That''s good, if everyone in the family thinks like you do, why would we worry about the Zhao family not thriving in the future!"


    ...


    Half a day later, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing landed by the side of a wild lake.


    Looking through the clear bottom of the lake, one could clearly see that the bottom was covered with large patches of solidified, glass-like molten material.


    Zhao Sheng looked toward the northeast, his gaze flickering a few times. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shortly afterward, Zhao Xuanjing led Zhao Sheng through the thick layers of soil and rocks to enter the Geng Metal Mine.


    Zhao Sheng stood at the deepest part of the mine, holding a Bright Pearl in his hand. The pale white light diffused outwards, casting reflections on the surrounding mine walls, showing specks of blue light reflecting back from the innermost rock wall.


    Zhao Xuanjing stepped forward, reached out to touch the rock wall, and the Yellow Light emanating from his hand spread across the nearby rock surface.


    A layer of the rock crumbled away, and in an instant, six Geng Metal granules the size of gravel were squeezed out, clinking into his hand.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, asked, "Xuanjing, how much Geng Metal do you estimate can be produced from this mine at most? Have you found the Taibai Gold Essence?"


    Zhao Xuanjing replied, "Uncle Seven, the rocks in this Geng Metal Mine are extremely hard. Little Gold and I together couldn''t even penetrate them.


    And without using spells, it''s very difficult to break these rocks. If we use spells, with my current cultivation of Qi Refining Eighth Layer, I can dig at most half a zhang a day, collecting between one hundred to two hundred Geng Metal granules. As for the Taibai Gold Essence, I think it must be at the very depths of the Geng Metal Mine."


    Geng Metal was too precious, and it had to be kept in extreme secrecy.


    Until now, only four people in the Zhao Family knew this secret, and they had no intentions of informing anyone else.


    The more people who knew, the easier it was for secrets to be leaked, so for the time being, Zhao Xuanjing would have to be the sole miner.


    Coming out from the mine, Zhao Sheng stood by the lake and looked towards the northeast direction. Find adventures at empire


    Watching the black smoke rising in the distance, his expression gradually became serious.


    "Xuanjing, how far are we from Flame Ridge?"


    Zhao Xuanjing shaded his eyes with his hand, gazed in the direction of Flame Ridge, thought for a moment, and answered, "Almost a hundred li away."


    "Too close, too close!" Zhao Sheng murmured to himself, then turned to Zhao Xuanjing and said, "Let''s go! Back to Lush Peach Mountain."


    A day later, the Cloud Boat returned to Lush Peach Mountain.


    Zhao Jijian had just disembarked from the Cloud Boat when Zhao Sheng pulled him into the secret chamber, where Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Keru were already waiting.


    Zhao Jijian, seeing this, expressed his surprise, "What''s happened? Has something big occurred?"


    After having him sit down, Zhao Sheng said in a serious tone, "Indeed, there are two important matters that we need to discuss."


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng then informed Zhao Jijian and Zhao Keru about the discovery of the Geng Metal Mine and its uncomfortably close proximity to Flame Ridge.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian''s and Zhao Keru''s expressions became very grave.


    Zhao Sheng''s meaning was clear. The Shen Family posed a significant threat.


    If the Geng Metal Mine were to remain unknown to outsiders, the Shen Family must either be driven away or prevented from ever speaking out.

 Chapter 99 Hit the Shen Family Hard

    ```"Are we perhaps worrying unnecessarily? The Geng Metal Mine is deep beneath the lake. It seems very well-hidden; the Shen Family shouldn''t be able to discover it," Zhao Keru cautiously asked.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and explained, "Uncle Ru, we can''t just focus on the short term. Once the Shen Family settles in, they could come across that wild lake at any time. What will we do if they discover the Geng Metal Mine?"


    Hehe!


    Zhao Keru let out an awkward laugh, "Maybe by the time they discover it, the Geng Metal Mine will have long been mined out by us. As long as we destroy any traces, nobody will be able to tell that a Geng Metal Mine ever existed there."


    Zhao Keru was prudently minded; the family had suffered significant losses recently, and he was not willing to provoke a conflict over a spirit mine.


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhao Sheng immediately countered, "There will always be traces left behind from our work. Nobody can guarantee that the Shen Family will not discover the secrets of the wild lake. What do you think the Shen Family''s first move would be if they found the Geng Metal Mine?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian''s white eyebrows shot up as he said coldly, "Naturally, they would do everything in their power to eradicate our Zhao Family."


    At that moment, Zhao Xuanjing added, "The terrain of the Geng Metal Mine is unique. Anyone who has seen it before will surely recognize it."


    Seeing the situation, Zhao Keru could only say helplessly, "Then... what do you think we should do?"


    As soon as his words fell, the three men simultaneously said, "Strike first to gain the upper hand, delay and bring disaster upon ourselves!"


    After saying this, Zhao Sheng and the two others smiled at each other in unspoken understanding and agreement.


    ...


    Flame Ridge was an active volcano, with a Molten Lake nestled at the concave peak.


    Due to multiple volcanic eruptions, the inside of the mountain had developed countless vein-like molten stone caves.


    With an extensive number of molten stone caves intersecting and connecting with each other, a vast and complex Underground Maze had formed within Flame Ridge, inhabited by a clan of Earth Fire Salamanders for generations.


    Therefore, when the Shen Family took control of Flame Ridge, they were immediately attacked by the Earth Fire Salamanders.


    The Shen Family faced an enormous challenge.


    Taking advantage of the terrain, the Earth Fire Salamanders became ethereal and elusive in the maze, launching sudden attacks here and causing chaos there, and most infuriatingly, they were capable of breathing fire.


    Imagine navigating a narrow Melt Cave tunnel where it''s hard even to turn around, and suddenly a burst of fire floods in from the entrance, spewing flames from one end of the cave to the other. That feeling of living yet wishing for death could only truly be grasped by the scorched members of the Shen Family.


    In the past two months, the Shen Family had been utterly frantic and distressed.


    In order to eliminate these Earth Fire Salamanders, the Shen Family had tried every possible method.


    Although many Earth Fire Salamanders had been killed, under the leadership of a Second-tier Leader, the demon beasts became increasingly cunning and difficult to kill.


    Over the past two days, the Shen Family had lost two members at the Qi Refining Third Layer, without even catching a glimpse of an Earth Fire Salamander.


    Because of this, Foundation Establishment Shen Yangao''s hair had practically turned white with worry.


    In a large Melt Cave that had been cleared out, Shen Baiao sat opposite an old man with longevity eyebrows.


    "Great Elder, the clan has suffered heavy losses recently, and that Second-tier Salamander is too cunning, eluding us time and time again. Perhaps we should consider moving to a different place?" said Shen Yangao, his heart filled with worry.


    The Great Elder of the Shen Family gently stroked his longevity eyebrows and asked in a calm voice, "Where do you propose we go?"


    Upon hearing this, Shen Yangao immediately became excited and said, "I think Lush Peach Mountain, which is a few hundred miles away, looks good. I sneaked over there the day before yesterday. It has already been captured by the Zhao Family, so we could simply drive them out."


    Hearing this, the Great Elder lifted his eyelids, and his eyes flashed sharply as he said in a deep voice, "Yang Ao, driving out the Zhao Family is easy, but aren''t you afraid of provoking the Elixir Saint Ge Family?"


    ```


    Shen Yangao held an air of arrogance, clutching the Wisdom Pearl as he said, "I have already inquired clearly. The Zhao family is merely welcoming a granddaughter of a Golden Core Master from the Ge family. Yet that Golden Core Master has over a hundred grandchildren, and it is nearly impossible for him to stand up for a marriage concerning an ordinary grandchild. The Cultivation World has always been a place where the strong prey on the weak. If the Ge family were to meddle in such a minor matter, they would incur the wrath of many."


    The Great Elder listened but was not the least bit moved.


    He slowly pulled down his eyelid and said leisurely, "Yangao, your thoughts are not bad, but the Zhao family has already lost many lives for Flame Ridge. Now, to provoke another Cultivation Family is not wise.


    Let''s wait and see! Wait another half a year. If by then we still can''t take down Flame Ridge, this old man will personally take action to drive away the Zhao family. How does that sound?"


    Although Shen Yangao was reluctant, he dared not go against the will of the Great Elder and had no choice but to bow his head and say, "What the Great Elder said is correct." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shen Yangao was plotting to snatch Lush Peach Mountain, unaware that the Zhu family had already secretly infiltrated Flame Ridge.


    At this time, Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Sheng quietly appeared in a narrow tunnel.


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    Ptui, ptui!


    The air in the tunnel was murky, and as soon as Zhao Xuanjing entered, he was greeted by a full breath of sulfuric acid odor, which made him involuntarily spit out several mouthfuls of saliva.


    Zhao Sheng''s complexion changed as he instinctively covered his nose. Possessing the Divine Skill of Spiritual Smell, he was even less able to put up with this harsh environment.


    "Uncle Seven, how could the Shen family fancy such a damned place?" Zhao Xuanjing squatted on the ground with a section of Little Gold''s body wrapped around his leg, his face filled with disgust.


    The Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm preferred the dark and disliked the sun, and it hated environments like Flame Ridge that were hot and dry, so it only exposed a small section of its body.


    "So much nonsense. Don''t forget the purpose of our visit here."


    Having finished speaking, Zhao Sheng quickly circulated his Spiritual Power and cast a Dust Cleaning Technique on himself. After filtering most of the air, he started to feel a bit better.


    Zhao Xuanjing said with an innocent expression, "I haven''t forgotten. Aren''t we trying to figure out the Earth Veins nodes of Flame Ridge? And to map the Underground Maze. Then we''ll take the chance to hit the Shen family hard."


    "Mhm, now we''ll split up. You go down, I go up. Right, do you have enough Invisibility Talismans and Concentrating God Talismans?"


    "Enough. I didn''t use much last time."


    "Good, be careful then!"


    After saying their goodbyes, Zhao Xuanjing grabbed Little Gold and left using the Earth Escape Technique.


    Zhao Sheng skillfully equipped himself with the Invisibility Talisman and Concentrating God Talisman to hide his figure, then quickly moved through the tunnel.


    Thanks to Divine Sense, Zhao Sheng was extremely efficient in his exploration. He ran for half a day and quickly mapped the positions and directions of dozens of tunnels.


    At this time, the Shen family was completely unaware of the Zhu family''s shameful act of infiltration, still struggling day in and day out, outwitting and battling the Earth Fire Salamanders, nearly too preoccupied to take any notice of their surroundings.


    And so, a month passed by swiftly.


    On this day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.


    In the middle of Lush Peach Mountain, centered around a stone cave, twenty-some buildings made of stone and wood had been established, and on the periphery, a stone wall two zhang high and one zhang thick was glowing with the light halo of a Defensive Array, protecting the whole architectural complex.


    A small settlement was beginning to take shape.


    At this time, in the stone house at the center of the settlement, all the key members of the Zhao family were present, except for Zhao Sheng.


    Everyone had solemn expressions and was listening intently to Zhao Xuanjing explain.

 Chapter 100 A Poisonous Show

    Zhao Xuanjing stood before everyone, speaking eloquently.On the wall opposite him hung a massive map with the breadth of nearly three meters, displaying all the tunnels and terrains of the Underground Maze of Flame Ridge.


    "...There are twenty-seven critical nodes of the Earth Fire Vein, and only by destroying two-thirds of these nodes simultaneously will Flame Ridge... burst suddenly with a loud rumble. At that moment, endless magma will spurt out, flooding the entire underground maze, coupled with the sudden madness of the Earth Fire Salamanders.


    At that time, we will intentionally collapse most of the passages, leaving only one escape route.


    "What interesting events do you think will occur then?"


    It must be said that having been around Zhao Sheng for a long time, Zhao Xuanjing had also developed a taste for mischief.


    Though he spoke the last sentence in a teasing tone, he couldn''t hide the overtly fierce and ruthless intent in his words.


    But... towards enemies, one must be as ruthless and merciless as the autumn wind sweeping away the fallen leaves! sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the Cultivation World, this is considered a significant advantage!


    There is a saying that goes well: only the completely dead enemy is a good opponent!


    However, as good as the plan is, it must be completely feasible.


    Zhao Jijian was the first to express doubts, "Xuanjing, how are we going to destroy two-thirds of the twenty-seven nodes simultaneously? And how do we induce a collective frenzy among the Earth Fire Salamanders?"


    No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Keru also expressed doubts, "Just this tactic may not be enough to kill the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Shen Family. How to deal with them is our biggest challenge?"


    Faced with these doubts, Zhao Xuanjing chuckled innocently, "Seventh Uncle said he has a way. I believe in Seventh Uncle."


    Upon hearing that Zhao Sheng had already devised a solution, everyone felt an inexplicable relief.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had frequently accomplished great merits for the family, and everyone had long been profoundly convinced of his intelligence and strategies.


    Just then, a weary Zhao Sheng walked into the stone room.


    Before entering, he had just heard everyone''s doubts.


    Thus, as soon as Zhao Sheng came in, he confidently said, "Regarding Fourth Master''s doubts, I have already thought of two methods, which I will now share for everyone to offer their opinions on?"


    "Firstly, as for how to destroy the Earth Vein nodes simultaneously, I have designed a Second Order True Talisman called the Mother-Child Linked Talisman, which can be exactly used for this purpose."


    The Mother-Child Linked Talisman is a Second Order True Talisman recorded in the ''Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture.'' It consists of a mother talisman and child talismans; there is only one mother talisman, but the number of child talismans is unlimited, depending entirely on the skill level of the Talisman Master. As long as the mother talisman is activated, the child talismans will also activate simultaneously.


    "...There are many ways to make the Earth Fire Salamanders go mad. Fortunately, we have a powerful artifact, the Red Cloud Banner, at hand, combined with the volcanic eruption crisis. With these three-pronged approaches, it would be hard for the Shen Family not to perish."


    So cunning, too cunning!


    After Zhao Sheng explained, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.


    Someone couldn''t help but think wildly, "As members of the same Zhao family, why are you, Zhao Chonghe, such a poisonous show-off?"


    Zhao Sheng was unaware that someone was secretly cursing him.


    He continued, "To ensure that we kill the two Foundation Establishment members of the Shen Family, I have deliberately preserved one life path. Just waiting for them to rush out, giving them a big surprise."


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    Although Zhao Sheng did not specify what the surprise was, after this meeting, the Zhao family mobilized the majority of their manpower and resources into the plan to annihilate the Shen Family.


    A month later, after all the plans and materials were ready, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing secretly returned to Flame Ridge.


    Re-entering the underground maze, the two felt as familiar as if they were returning to their own home, without any need to consult the map or remind each other repeatedly.


    The two exchanged glances, nodded to each other, and each took a Storage Bag and started to act separately.


    In a certain tunnel, lava flowed slowly, and suddenly, a head popped out from the top of the tunnel.


    Zhao Xuanjing, hanging upside down, placed his hand on the stone wall, and a yellow light emerged, instantly creating a deep pit in the wall.


    Zhao Xuanjing skillfully took out one child talisman and two Fire Bombs, placed the items in the pit, and then used a spell to seal it.


    This was already the twelfth Earth Vein node he had set up.


    There were eleven more to go, and time was pressing.


    "Little Gold, let''s go!" Zhao Xuanjing slapped the stone wall and commanded in a low voice.


    Whoosh!


    As soon as his words fell, he was instantly pulled back into the soil layer,


    This tunnel quickly returned to its previous silence, as if the recent change was just an illusion.


    Four hours later, as the sun set and night fell,


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing met by the lakeside.


    Zhao Sheng gazed at the faintly glowing blue starlight below the lake, his expression becoming solemn and serious.


    "Xuanjing, is everything set?"


    "Uncle Seven, you can count on me when it comes to tasks!"


    "That''s good, we''ll launch the attack immediately once the clan members arrive at Flame Ridge in three days."


    "Mm," Zhao Xuanjing nodded silently.


    With Uncle Seven there, he always preferred not to think too much and would just follow his plans.


    Three days went by in the blink of an eye.


    As the sun climbed high and Shen Family members entered the Underground Maze, Zhao Sheng also quietly appeared in a tunnel within the maze.


    This tunnel housed a small magma pool, where five scale-armored, gold-colored creatures with crocodile-like mouths and bodies resembling giant lizards, Earth Fire Salamanders, floated.


    This was one of the nests of the Earth Fire Salamanders, discovered by Zhao Sheng two months ago.


    In fact, the nest was not hard to locate; what was rare was killing them before they could escape.


    The Shen Family had been entangled with Earth Fire Salamanders for nearly half a year, and the reason they were still troubled was that the salamanders had the nasty habit of escaping into the magma when outmatched.


    Watching the Earth Fire Salamanders bathing in the magma, Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and slowly began to wave a Red Cloud Banner he retrieved from his bosom.


    In a moment, strands of pink mist began to seep from the Red Cloud Banner, quickly filling the tunnel.


    As the pink mist thickened, the Earth Fire Salamanders in the magma pool lifted their heads and hungrily inhaled the mist from the air.


    They soon became excited and agitated, their golden eyes turning a fiery red.


    Seeing that the cooking was enough, Zhao Sheng reabsorbed most of the mist in the tunnel with the Red Cloud Banner and then hurried to another nest.


    As time passed, Zhao Sheng successfully refreshed all the nests.


    Meanwhile, the Shen Family members were thrilled to discover that the Earth Fire Salamanders no longer fled from humans but crazily attacked instead.


    This was exactly what the Shen Family had hoped for¡ªthey did not fear the crazed attacks of the salamanders but their tendency to escape when outmatched.


    The Shen Family had been immensely frustrated by this over the past half-year, almost to the point of disgust.


    Yet, a few members of the Shen Family were cautious about this abnormal behavior.


    They couldn''t immediately discern the trickery and could only report it to the two Foundation Establishment cultivators of their family.


    Shen Yangao, and the Great Elder, already aware of the anomaly,


    The Great Elder, naturally suspicious, immediately proposed evacuating the Underground Maze, but Shen Yangao was very excited, believing this to be a God-given opportunity to wipe out the Earth Fire Salamanders once and for all.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng had already quietly left the Underground Maze and flown to a dense forest on the west side of Flame Ridge.

 Chapter 101 The Script Isnt Written Like This (Please Subscribe, Request Monthly Pass)

    In the dense forest, all thirty-two members of the Zhao family had gathered.As soon as Zhao Sheng entered, all eyes turned to him.


    Zhao Sheng straightened his face and said solemnly, "The prelude has unfolded, now it''s our turn to take the stage. Let''s move out!"


    "Yes!" The crowd responded thunderously, then split into two teams, left the dense forest, and headed straight for the base of Flame Ridge.


    Thump thump!


    Following two almost inaudible sounds of landing, and screams, the heads of two Shen Family members guarding the entrance were sliced off by the Red Rainbow Sword and fell to the ground.


    The next second, Zhao Jijian and Zhao Sheng descended from the sky, landing beside the entrance.


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    Upon landing, Zhao Jijian immediately looked towards Zhao Sheng. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng silently took out a Second-order Mother Talisman from his chest and promptly activated it with his spiritual power.


    The Mother Talisman burned by itself without fire, turning into ash in the blink of an eye.


    The next moment, the earth suddenly shook violently, followed by a series of muffled booms from deep underground, like a string of muffled thunder cracking inside thick clouds during a thunderstorm.


    Two breaths later, a hot and acrid airflow spewed out from the passage, filled with sparks and dust.


    Boom!


    At the same time, amidst the intense shaking, Flame Ridge slowly emitted a prolonged howl.


    After the howl, billows of black smoke blasted upwards from the mouth of the volcano, forming a massive black column shooting straight into the sky,


    Following that, a large amount of red magma erupted from the mouth of the volcano, gushing out from the crevices in the rocky body of Flame Ridge.


    In an instant, the sky above Flame Ridge was ablaze with fireworks, and the air was filled with thick smoke and dust, laden with heat, causing the temperature to surge abruptly.


    Witnessing this scene, Zhao Jijian couldn''t help but be visibly moved, his eyes filled with shock.


    He had not anticipated that the eruption of a volcano could be so awe-inspiring.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly spoke up to remind him, "Fourth Master, it''s time to take action!"


    "Oh,"


    As Zhao Jijian came back to his senses, Zhao Sheng waved his hand and flicked out twelve Red Cloud Banners one after the other, planting them into the ground near the entrance.


    Then, Zhao Sheng took out the Small Circulation Talisman Plate,


    The Small Circulation Talisman Plate was dazzling with spirit light, and neatly arranged on it were seventy-two Second-order Water Mine Talismans, each one layered sixfold.


    The difficulty of crafting Second Order True Talismans has increased exponentially compared to First Rank, so much so that a Foundation Establishment Cultivator can only draw a few in a day.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had only managed to elevate a few Second Order True Talismans to the six-layered realm, with the Water Mine Talisman being one of them.


    These seventy-two Water Mine Talismans will show the Shen Family Foundation Establishment what a real surprise is!


    The two didn''t have to wait long, for after just five or six breaths, a sound of rustling clothes came from the passage.


    However, the sounds stopped abruptly as they neared the exit.


    Soon after, an aged voice came from inside, "No need to hide anymore, come on out! The old man has already found you."


    Zhao Jijian was startled and was about to take action.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly grabbed his arm and gave a slight shake of his head.


    Both of them had used Invisibility Talismans and Concentrating God Talismans and had specifically retreated a distance, so by all logic the Shen Family members should not be able to detect them.


    There must be deceit at play!


    Indeed,


    the voice from the passage probed again with two more sentences, and this time Zhao Jijian had caught on. It seemed the Shen Family elder was bluffing.


    The Great Elder still probed, "Hehe, if you won''t come out, the old man will not come out¡ª"


    Before he could finish speaking, Shen Baiao, bearing a Golden Armor Shield, charged out like a whirlwind.


    This sudden attack caught even Zhao Sheng off guard, as the Great Elder had deceived him with words.


    However, no matter how cunning the Shen Family''s plans were, they couldn''t outmatch the meticulous scheming Zhao Sheng had prepared over the past few months.


    Seeing Shen Baiao already two zhang away, Zhao Sheng''s mind stirred, and the twelve Red Cloud Banners moved without wind, instantly spurting out a large amount of pink cloud mist, which spread and enveloped an area of three to four zhang in the blink of an eye.


    At the same time, a meteor-like Red Rainbow Sword slashed straight towards Shen Baiao''s head.


    Shen Baiao''s face changed dramatically, and the Spirit Shield in his hands suddenly tripled in size, fully concealing his figure and blocking the strike of the Red Rainbow Sword.


    However, he was shaken to the ground by the blow and fell into the Red Cloud Formation.


    The red clouds obstructed the passageway, but they could not block the voice of the Great Elder.


    Humph!


    With a resentful snort, he said, "So there indeed are people plotting against our Shen Family. Who are you? My Shen Family has always been fair and honorable, without any deep-seated hatred or grudges with anyone. Why would you strike with such venom?"


    Meanwhile, the flushed-faced Shen Baiao, standing at the entrance of the passageway, was fuming with rage, shouting loudly, "Great Elder, they are from the Zhao family of Taifu Mountain. That flying sword is the best proof."


    At that moment, Shen Baiao, feeling utterly humiliated and enraged, thought, "How dare they... how could they... The script wasn''t supposed to go like this! It was supposed to be us stealing... no, righteously reclaiming our spirit..."


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian, unaware of the rich inner drama playing out in Shen Baiao''s mind, exchanged glances with a touch of helplessness.


    Zhao Sheng revealed his figure and with a beckoning hand, the twelve Red Cloud Banners uprooted and fell back into his hands, then pocketed into his Storage Bag.


    "Oh, my Shen Family has no quarrels or grudges with your Zhao Family, so why would you drive us to a dead land?" the Great Elder''s tone was low, his voice passing through the red clouds to the two men.


    Zhao Jijian opened his mouth, about to¡ª


    "No, wait!"


    Zhao Sheng suddenly changed his expression and shouted loudly.


    Before his words even ended, the Small Circulation Talisman Plate shot from his hand into the passageway.


    The next instant, Zhao Sheng activated the Small Circulation Talisman Plate with a thought.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!


    In a flash, the earth shook, lightning flashed, and thunder roared as a massive Thunder Mound rose within an area ten zhang near the passageway. Countless blue lightning bolts wriggled inside it, crisscrossing and bursting with the terrifying aura of total destruction.


    To avoid the effects, Zhao Sheng dragged Zhao Jijian a good seven or eight zhang back.


    The power of seventy-two Water Mine Talismans activated at once far exceeded Zhao Sheng''s expectations.


    Shen Baiao was doomed, trapped within, but the Great Elder of the Shen Family hiding deep within the passageway might not be so certain.


    The reason Zhao Sheng had urgently activated the Water Mine Talismans was because he felt the Great Elder of the Shen Family seemed to be intentionally stalling for time.


    Although he couldn''t immediately understand the reason, Zhao Sheng trusted his sixth sense.


    Collapse!


    Just as Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian watched the Thunder Mound mercilessly devastate everything, the ground suddenly collapsed a dozen zhang away from them,


    followed by a charred old silhouette bursting out from beneath, stepping on a crystal small sword, and fleeing at extreme speed.


    "Chase!"


    Zhao Sheng''s face turned grim, and he immediately released the Cloud Boat.


    A breath later, the Cloud Boat soared, swiftly pursuing the fleeing Great Elder of the Shen Family.


    On the Cloud Boat, Zhao Jijian asked anxiously, "Brother Zhao, can we catch up to him?"


    Zhao Sheng intently watched the fleeing figure ahead and solemnly said, "The Cloud Boat''s speed is faster than a Foundation Establishment Cultivator flying with a magic tool; we can definitely catch up to him.


    Furthermore, that he doesn''t dare to turn and fight us means he is already seriously injured. This is an opportunity provided by heaven, one we absolutely cannot miss."


    "What if he flees into the Mang Forest below? The forest is complex, and once he escapes into it, we will find it difficult to locate him."


    As if to prove his words, the fleeing Great Elder of the Shen Family suddenly veered and plummeted down, right above the endless stretch of hill and Mang Forest below.

 Chapter 102 Cant Escape

    "Not good!"Zhao Jijian''s face drastically changed.


    The bow of the Cloud Boat suddenly dipped, rapidly plunging towards the ground.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng revealed a smile, confidently saying, "Don''t worry, he won''t be able to escape!"


    The Great Elder Shen, reeking of sulfur, had plunged into Mang Forest trying to rid his body of the scent in desperation.


    But as long as there was even a hint of sulfur left on him, he would never be able to elude Zhao Sheng''s nose.


    The Great Elder Shen fled into Mang Forest, vanishing in the blink of an eye amidst the layers of dense foliage and branches.


    As the Cloud Boat reached above Mang Forest, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian quickly jumped down, landing on the damp, soft forest floor.


    The two looked around vigilantly, their Divine Sense sweeping the area, but apart from the ancient trees, tangled vines, and the rustling insects, the surroundings were eerily silent, with no trace of the Great Elder Shen in sight.


    "What do we do now?" Zhao Jijian asked anxiously, summoning the Red Rainbow Sword and turning to Zhao Sheng.


    If this person were to escape, it would be an endless source of trouble. The Zhao Family couldn''t afford the relentless sneak attacks from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t respond.


    He sniffed the air, quickly picking up on the scents of sulfur and blood.


    "Follow me!"


    Before his words fell, Zhao Sheng''s figure burst towards the eastern part of the forest.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian was overjoyed and hastily followed suit.


    Following the scents lingering in the air, Zhao Sheng tracked him down, and soon enough, he spotted the figure of the Great Elder Shen, attempting to flee.


    After that, no matter how the Great Elder Shen tried to conceal himself or spread false clues, he was never able to shake off the relentless pursuit of those behind him.


    An hour later, the chase had covered more than three hundred miles.


    In a sparse valley, the Great Elder Shen abruptly stopped, turning to stare coldly at Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian, who had caught up with him.


    The Great Elder didn''t bother to ask why they could always find him.


    Such a pointless question, even if asked, was meaningless.


    Zhao Sheng and his companion swiftly halted three yards away, looking very cautiously at the severely wounded Great Elder Shen.


    At that moment, the body of the Great Elder Shen was covered with burn marks and scratches, and a large chunk was missing from his waist as if something had been bitten off by a massive beast.


    The Great Elder Shen''s eyes were filled with bitter resentment as he glared at Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian, bellowing, "Well then, it seems you really are intent on wiping me out completely! I''ll fight you to the end."


    No sooner had he finished speaking than a tremendous aura burst forth from within the Great Elder Shen, followed by a wisp of faint blue Spiritual Fire that leapt from his Dantian into mid-air, transforming into a flaming tiger upon touching the ground.


    The moment the Flame Tiger hit the ground, the dry twigs and leaves around it instantly caught fire, and with the fire feeding on more fire, the size of the tiger swelled by a third, becoming as tall as a giant elephant.


    Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire?!


    Zhao Sheng felt a shock in his heart, hastily retreating backward.


    And Zhao Jijian, even more alarmed, blurted out a warning, "Foundation Establishment Late Stage, he''s actually at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment!"


    Only those at the Late Stage of the Foundation Establishment could refine and absorb the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire into their Core Energy Sea.


    This was because the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire had already developed its own spiritual nature and was difficult to be subdued and refined by Cultivators.


    The biggest difference between Early Middle Stage Foundation Establishment and Late Stage wasn''t higher cultivation, but rather the initial merging of Divine Sense and Spiritual Power, paving the way for the embryonic forms of Mana in the Golden Core Realm.


    Although the Spiritual Power of a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator does not reach the qualitative change to Mana, it is sufficient to refine the spiritual nature within Spiritual Fire, finally integrating it into one''s Spiritual Power.


    Therefore, this ball of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire undoubtedly revealed the Great Elder Shen''s true strength.


    Since there was no escaping, he might as well have an outright battle.


    This time, the Shen Family''s disciples were nearly wiped out in a surprise attack.


    Even if he escaped this tribulation, returning to the clan would mean losing face and authority.


    If the two Zhao Family Foundation Establishment cultivators before him were killed, perhaps he could obtain two spirit lands, and the Shen Family disciples would not have died in vain.


    A sword shadow flickered and vanished.


    Zhao Sheng''s figure suddenly twisted, tilting his head to the side, and a lock of hair slowly fell from his cheek.


    He had miraculously dodged the sword that had been plotted against him for so long.


    "Invisible flying sword!"


    Zhao Jijian looked in astonishment at the Great Elder not far away, and not only him, even Zhao Sheng, who had narrowly escaped, had a grave expression.


    The Great Elder Shen regretfully shook his head, having thought that the Crystal Invisible Sword would achieve success in one strike, or at least severe the enemy even if it did not kill.


    Little did he expect the Zhao Family junior''s reaction to be so swift, truly beyond normal expectations.


    Great Elder Shen summoned back the Crystal Invisible Sword in front of him and said with a cold smile, "Very well, today I shall show you juniors the true power of the late stage of Foundation Establishment!"


    "Tiger Spirit, attack!"


    Before his words fell, a giant flame tiger leapt with a thunderous roar, aggressively pouncing towards Zhao Jijian.


    Even before the beast arrived, its maw gaping wide, it spat out a dreadful poisonous fire that could melt gold and disintegrate bones.


    A red rainbow burst forth from above Zhao Jijian''s head, the Sword Qi fierce, transforming into a sword light as thick as if one embraced it, not only dispersing the poisonous fire but also directly slashing towards the giant flame tiger.


    On the other side, seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s heart stirred, and from his embrace, a dark seal flew out.


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    The seal suddenly swelled to the size of a house, crushing down towards Great Elder Shen with the force of a collapsing mountain.


    Humph!


    Great Elder Shen snorted coldly, his hand suddenly flicking out a spark.


    The spark met the wind and expanded, in the blink of an eye growing countless times larger, transforming into a grand flame tree with distinct branches and leaves, staunchly holding up against the Small Mountain Seal.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng''s expression abruptly changed, and he took a sharp intake of breath, his body stretching a foot taller, his waist shrinking by three inches, and the next instant, the sound of fabric tearing echoed as his clothing suddenly slit open.


    "How is that possible!" The Great Elder''s eyes looked as if they were about to pop out of his head.


    To know that the Crystal Invisible Sword was nearly invisible even under Divine Sense, and if one''s Divine Sense was not stronger than his, they couldn''t possibly detect the invisible sword''s trace. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He would never believe that a Zhao Family junior''s Divine Sense could surpass that of someone in the late stage of Foundation Establishment.


    Unwilling to admit defeat, Great Elder Shen launched another sneak attack with the Crystal Invisible Sword, flying in for the kill.


    Hmm, this time Zhao Sheng dodged with much ease.


    His expression finally changed, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.


    Once or twice might be luck, but thrice was no longer a coincidence.


    Meanwhile, in another battlefield, Zhao Jijian was entangled in battle with the giant flame tiger, wielding the Red Rainbow Sword, unable to extricate himself for the moment.


    Originally, Great Elder Shen''s strategy was to first kill the younger of the two, then remove the one with white hair.


    Little did he know, no matter how well-calculated his plans were, they could not stand against the slippery Zhao Sheng.


    It was unknown how this Zhao Family junior cultivated; with merely the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment First Layer, his reactions were as quick as a spectre''s, as if he could predict the future, truly a monstrous genius!


    The Great Elder finally lost his patience.


    Previously at Flame Ridge, he had already sustained serious injury, most of his Spiritual Power drained away, and even his most relied upon defensive Spiritual Artifact was destroyed in the mouth of that Second Order monstrosity.


    If he could not kill these two in a short time, it would certainly be him who would die.


    Boom boom boom!


    Great Elder Shen continuously waved his hands, six giant flame dragons roaring forth, threateningly charging towards Zhao Sheng with great momentum.


    In an instant, within a ten-zhang radius, the flames raged to the sky, seemingly about to engulf Zhao Sheng.

 Chapter 103 What treasure?

    Zhao Sheng burst into a sudden smile and rubbed his fingers together, turning five Water Dragon Talismans into flying ash in an instant.The next moment, five water dragons as thick as barrels appeared out of thin air, quickly merged together, and formed a giant water ball as big as a small mountain, protecting Zhao Sheng within it.


    Hiss hiss hiss!


    Water and fire collided violently, instantly exploding into a vast expanse of scorching cloud mist, which quickly dispersed throughout the entire valley.


    Under the dense fog, the visibility was temporarily obscured.


    At that moment, a flash of sharpness flickered in Zhao Sheng''s eyes as he shot out like a fish, swiftly rushing towards the Great Elder of the Shen Family.


    However, under the Divine Sense, Zhao Sheng''s sudden attack could not possibly escape the Great Elder''s notice.


    Yet the fog provided the perfect opportunity for an invisible sword''s surprise attack.


    The Great Elder''s heart leapt with joy, as a shadow of an invisible sword instantly swept across Zhao Sheng''s neck.


    However, this strike once again missed its mark.


    By this time, Zhao Sheng had already closed the distance to within two zhang. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Rustle rustle!


    A flame light shield suddenly appeared on the Great Elder''s body, trembling incessantly as if pelted by rain, showing densely packed fine dots on its surface.


    Upon closer inspection, strands of fog could be seen rapidly evaporating outside the shield.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng silently lamented that the Thousand Silk Sword Rain had ultimately failed in its surprise attack.


    The Great Elder''s expression changed, he staggered backward three steps and, glaring at the halted Zhao Sheng, said furiously, "Good, good, I didn''t expect to be humiliated when the tiger is down. You youngsters managed to push me to this extent. No wonder the Zhao family dares to conspire; indeed, we underestimated you all. But if you think this is enough to keep me here, you are still far from capable."


    As soon as the Great Elder finished speaking, he seized the moment to fish out a bright red elixir and swallowed it,


    "Well then, today''s deep grudge, I shall temporarily remember it. One day my Shen Family will surely eradicate you disgraceful lot."


    While he was speaking, the flame giant tiger had already broken free from the entanglement, turned into a beam of firelight, dashed seven or eight zhang away in an instant, and reentered the Great Elder''s dantian.


    Just at that moment, the Great Elder suddenly pulled back, the light under his feet flashed as he rushed towards the sky.


    "Not good, he''s escaping!" Zhao Jijian shouted, and the Red Rainbow Sword flew up, chasing after the Great Elder.


    Zhao Sheng did not move, but merely smiled faintly.


    The next instant, a red cloud suddenly fell from the sky, and the Great Elder, unable to dodge, crashed right into it.


    The Great Elder''s heart shook violently, and he instinctively held his breath, but the Peach Blossom Barrier was not so easily avoided.


    It didn''t even need you to breathe, as the red cloud entered swiftly through the pores of his skin like a living thing.


    After flying up another two zhang, the Great Elder suddenly felt dizzy, and a dazzling illusion appeared before his eyes.


    Not good!


    Even though his Divine Sense was powerful, he regained his senses in the next second, but in that instant, a mysterious sword light suddenly appeared in his Purple Mansion.


    This sword light seemed real and illusory, reflecting in his sea of consciousness, appearing harmless.


    But in a flash, a sword light suddenly appeared in the Great Elder''s eyes, and a sharp pain immediately spread from his Purple Mansion throughout his body.


    His Divine Sense dispersed, and his body instantly stiffened.


    Slash!


    By the time the Great Elder regained consciousness, he heard the final echoes of the word "slash" disappear, and his neck felt unbearably painful.


    In an instant, intense fear welled up in his heart.


    Releasing his powerful Divine Sense with all his might, he swept around him. But to his utter horror, he saw a headless body falling into the cloud mist below.


    And... that body... was his own.


    "This old man... to die by the hands of a nameless youngster in the end. I cannot... ah!"


    Crack!


    The Great Elder''s corpse fell not far from Zhao Sheng.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s tightly wound nerves finally relaxed.


    At that moment, a sword rainbow wrapped around the Great Elder''s head, rushed through the cloud mist at high speed, flew back to Zhao Jijian''s side, and transformed back into the Red Rainbow Sword.


    Clutching the head, Zhao Jijian hurriedly walked to Zhao Sheng''s side, his face unable to contain his wild joy, "Chonghe, we ... we actually killed a Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Foundation Establishment Late Stage! Haha, I never imagined such a day would come."


    Zhao Sheng reached out to recall the Spiritual Artifact Small Mountain Seal, then continued to summon the Crystal Flying Sword and two Storage Bags that had fallen to the ground into his hands.


    Turning his head and seeing the unrestrained joy on Zhao Jijian''s face, Zhao Sheng smiled and said, "Let''s go, with the Shen Family''s last Great Elder dead and the rest likely eradicated, Flame Ridge is probably now seized too."


    "Wait, you forgot something." Zhao Jijian quickly stopped him.


    As soon as he finished speaking, the Great Elder''s corpse suddenly burst into a mass of ghostly blue flames.


    The flames blazed fiercely, and in an instant, the corpse was burned to a pile of flying ash.


    Suddenly, a mass of ghostly blue Spiritual Fire burned quietly in front of them, a tiger''s phantom shape faintly visible within the flames.


    Zhao Sheng frowned and spoke with a bit of difficulty, "Fourth Master, this ball of Spiritual Fire is tricky to collect! How can we take it?"


    Zhao Jijian took out the Spirit Fire Gourd from his Storage Bag, shook it in front of Zhao Sheng, and smiled, "I just happened to borrow this!"


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng slapped his forehead, he had almost forgotten about this treasure.


    The Spirit Fire Gourd, despite being significantly damaged, was still more than capable of containing an unowned mass of Spiritual Fire.


    Suddenly, a fiery red flame shot out from the mouth of the gourd, wrapped the ghostly blue Spiritual Fire, and quickly pulled it into the gourd.


    Zhao Jijian, satisfied, tucked away the Spirit Fire Gourd, then returned to Flame Ridge on the Cloud Boat with Zhao Sheng.


    An hour later, Flame Ridge was in sight,


    At that time, the area around Flame Ridge for miles was shrouded in volcanic ash, the sky and earth were dim, and dark clouds billowed overhead, as if the apocalypse had come.


    Zhao Sheng piloted the Cloud Boat through the thick gray cloud, descending to a flat grassland ten miles from Flame Ridge.


    This place was a gathering point previously set by the Zhao family.


    The moment the two disembarked from the Cloud Boat, they were surrounded by their clan members.


    Looking at the expectant, worried, proud, and excited faces of the crowd, Zhao Jijian swung his hand to throw out the Great Elder Shen''s head, loudly proclaiming, "Mission accomplished, the old Shen has perished!"


    Ah!


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    The crowd was first shocked, and then their faces lit up with wild joy.


    The death of Great Elder Shen meant not a single Shen Family member had escaped, signifying a complete and risky victory for the Zhao family.


    More importantly, the family now held two spirit lands.


    This all felt like a dream.


    Zhao Sheng swept his gaze over everyone, his brow slightly furrowed, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted.


    Thirty-two members of the Zhao family had taken part in the Flame Ridge operation.


    But at the scene, only thirty people appeared. Not only were two people missing, but one was also left with a lifelong disability.


    Zhao Keru had led the charge in eradicating the remnants of the Shen Family.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng looking distressed, he stepped forward and consoled, "Life and death struggles inevitably result in casualties. Chonghe, you''ve done your best. If a clan member dies, it''s only because their skills were lacking; you shouldn''t blame yourself too harshly."


    Zhao Sheng sighed and said, "I understand that, but ¡­ sigh!"


    "Let''s not talk about this anymore. I have a treasure here that you''ll definitely like," Zhao Keru quickly changed the subject, saying enthusiastically.


    Hmm?


    Before Zhao Sheng could speak, Zhao Jijian curiously leaned over and asked, "What treasure?"

 Chapter 104 Divinity Test

    "What do you think this is?"While speaking, Zhao Keru carefully took out a jade box from his storage bag, opened it, and placed it before two men.


    The two men looked down and saw a soil-gray, irregular stone the size of a human head inside the jade box. The stone was crisscrossed with numerous tiny cracks, from which countless minuscule golden flames were flickering.


    The entire stone was enveloped in golden flames, appearing to be continuously burning.


    "Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire?"


    "Stone Fire!"


    Two exclamations almost simultaneously arose, the first uttered by Zhao Sheng, and the latter by Zhao Jijian.


    Stone Fire is one of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fires, known for its gentle and temperate fire nature and pure flawless spirituality, making it one of the most favored Spiritual Fires among Alchemists and Artifact Refiners.


    Zhao Keru couldn''t help but exclaim excitedly, "Yes, exactly, Stone Fire. This volcanic eruption actually spewed it out. Truly, heaven blesses the Zhao Family!"


    No wonder Zhao Keru was so thrilled, for within the entire Zhao family, he was the most qualified to refine this Stone Fire.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian exchanged a look, their expressions odd.


    Zhao Jijian chuckled and pulled out a Spirit Fire Gourd, handing it to Zhao Keru and gesturing for him to take a look.


    However, the next second,


    Zhao Keru suddenly burst out furiously, "Heaven''s curse, which old thief wasted this treasure?"


    "..."


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng and the other man exchanged glances, unable to utter a word.


    ...


    Time flies, years pass like a shuttle.


    Half a year had passed since the battle at Flame Ridge.


    In that half-year, Lush Peach Mountain underwent great changes. Not to mention the two mountains adjacent to it, the middle mountain was newly planned.


    Most of the disorderly growing peach trees on the mountain were removed, and all sorts of dirt such as rotten soil, decaying leaves, weeds, and broken stones were completely cleared away.


    Midway up the hill, a large flat land of several tens of acres was cleared, on which a series of brand new buildings had been erected, including three-to-four-story wooden buildings, large and spacious stone houses, and even a twenty-five-foot-tall ancestral hall of the Zhao Family.


    Further down, around the perimeter of the buildings, there lay a massive defensive stone wall, three meters high and two meters thick made of green stone.


    The stone wall occasionally flashed with spirit light, obviously having been equipped with powerful defense prohibitions.


    Across the pathway of the stone wall, at intervals, stood a large black and shiny Dragon-shooting Crossbow, shaped like flying wings on the side, with runes twinkling on its surface.


    The crossbows were loaded with three crossbow arrows each, each over nine feet in length, typically used to hunt large, tough-skinned demon beasts.


    The Zhao family, having eradicated two Cultivation Families and temporarily occupied two spirit lands, found themselves suddenly wealthy, and began to spend lavishly.


    Those who benefited first and most were the cultivating members of the family.


    Not only was their spiritual salary doubled, but each was also provided with at least two magic artifacts for offense and defense.


    Moreover, to assure safety, the Zhao family spared no expense to purchase a Second Order High Grade Defensive Array, the Small Four Symbols Formation, and also casually bought five Dragon-shooting Crossbows.


    In the middle of the stone wall, there was a gateway ten feet wide, which connected to a stone path six feet wide, extending all the way to the foot of the mountain.


    At the base of the mountain, more than twenty acres of spirit field had just been cleared.


    Within the spirit field, Zhao Shuo was drenched in sweat, swinging a light-flickering Magic Hoe. The hoe shadow flew up and down, quickly breaking large clumps of hard soil and leveling them.


    This morning, just as dawn was breaking, Zhao Shuo had rushed to the spirit field and had been busy working until the sun was almost overhead.


    Though he was exhausted, Zhao Shuo did not feel it to be bitter; rather, he felt more and more energetic.


    Because two acres of this spirit field belonged to him. Read exclusive content at empire


    Even though he wasn''t a Cultivator, his son was!


    These two acres of spirit field would become their family''s ancestral enterprise.


    Decades later, Zhao Shuo could proudly point at the spirit field and tell his descendants, "Look, this is the foundation that your grandfather established."


    A century later, he might no longer be in this world, but his descendants would definitely remember there once was an ordinary ancestor named Zhao Shuo who had made contributions and shed blood for the family.


    Zhao Shuo was energetically at work. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly,


    a wooden kite descended from the sky, and a young man jumped down from it.


    The young man ran up to Zhao Shuo and excitedly shouted, "Dad, Seventh Uncle wants to see you. You must come with me."


    The young man was Zhao Xuanang, Zhao Shuo''s son, born with Four Spirit Roots.


    A month ago, Zhao Xuanang''s cultivation had advanced to the Qi Refining Third Layer, and he was thus assigned to Lush Peach Mountain.


    "Oh, Xuanang, why does the elder want to see me?" Zhao Shuo, upon hearing this, immediately stopped his hoeing, looking very surprised.


    Zhao Xuanang grabbed Zhao Shuo and headed towards the wooden kite, while saying, "I don''t know why Seventh Uncle suddenly wants to see you. But it must be something good."


    Half an hour later, in a stone room, Zhao Shuo met Zhao Sheng, who was busy drawing talismans.


    "Just a moment,"


    Zhao Sheng said, his pen moving fluidly like a dragon and snake, his talisman''s surface becoming increasingly dazzling as he repeatedly traced over it.


    A moment later, a Water Healing Talisman, nineteen layers thick, formed instantly, rings of intense light suddenly spreading from the surface of the talisman.


    Bang!


    Zhao Sheng flicked his finger, and the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman swiftly flew out, accurately landing in Zhao Xuanang''s arms.


    "Ang-er, you go outside for now. I have something to discuss with your dad."


    "Yes, Seventh Uncle!" Zhao Xuanang left the room, overjoyed, leaving Zhao Shuo alone, looking slightly nervous as he stood watching the family elder.


    Zhao Sheng swept Divine Sense over Zhao Shuo, sensing the pure and powerful Infinite True Qi inside him. He nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile, "Indeed, you have reached Innate Great Success. If I remember correctly, you''re not yet fifty years old!"


    Zhao Shuo cautiously answered, "Elder, I am forty-three this year."


    Zhao Sheng felt even more pleased upon hearing this.


    He handed over three books to Zhao Shuo, saying at the same time, "The family possesses three supreme Innate Cultivation Techniques: ''Infinite Divine Skill,'' ''Law-breaking Nine Swords,'' and ''Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations.''"


    These three books contain some of my improvements and insights on the three techniques. Take them and read them. If you have any questions, you can come here to ask me on this day each month.


    Well, you can go now."


    Zhao Shuo left the stone room with mixed feelings.


    He truly hadn''t expected the family elder to summon him to transmit skills,


    Yes, in Zhao Shuo''s heart, this was indeed the transmission of skills.


    However, there was one thing he couldn''t understand. Innate Martial Artists could only threaten those in the early stages of Qi Refining and posed no threat to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    So why did the elder care so much about Martial Arts, even appearing to place great importance on it?


    Naturally, Zhao Sheng would not reveal his true intentions to Zhao Shuo.


    There were many benefits to continuously reincarnating, one being ample time.


    So much time that Zhao Sheng could experiment with any idea he wished.


    For example, helping Zhao Shuo break through to the Divinity Realm.


    Zhao Sheng could not guarantee that he would reincarnate as a cultivator in every lifetime.


    Therefore, whether Zhao Shuo eventually succeeded or failed, it would be a very precious experience for him.


    Moreover, Zhao Sheng was also curious whether the Life Span of Innate Martial Artists would significantly increase after breaking through the Divinity Realm and whether they could pose a threat to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

 Chapter 105 Eclipse

    Nameless Wild Lake,Inside the mine, Zhao Sheng activated the Spirit Fire Gourd, from which a thick purplish Spiritual Fire as thick as a child''s arm sprayed continuously.


    At this moment, not far in front of Zhao Sheng, dozens of Geng Gold were slowly melting under the relentless burning of the Spiritual Fire, showing signs of fusion.


    Time slowly passed, sweat appeared on Zhao Sheng''s forehead, and his eyes looked slightly weary.


    But he dared not relax at all, striving to maintain the stable output of the Spiritual Fire.


    A quarter of an hour later, a bead flashing with blue light was rising and falling, spinning sleekly within the Spiritual Fire.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s heart leaped for joy. He immediately withdrew the Spiritual Fire and summoned the Geng Gold Pearl to his side, then carefully placed it on the spirit plate beside him to cool naturally.


    By now, the spirit plate already held another bead of the same size as the Geng Gold Pearl.


    Zhao Xuanjing had labored for an entire day mining just to obtain these two Geng Gold Pearls.


    But despite seeming so little, a single Geng Gold Pearl could easily sell for hundreds to thousands of Spirit Stones.


    Two quarters of an hour later, Zhao Sheng stored the two Geng Gold Pearls into the Storage Bag, nodded to Zhao Xuanjing, and then left the place.


    When Zhao Sheng appeared again, he had already arrived at Flame Ridge.


    After erupting for nearly half a year, this volcano had vented all its fury and gradually cooled down, only emitting some black smoke occasionally, but it no longer affected the Zhao family members from digging and treasure hunting here.


    Lying on the Spiritual Vein Land, Flame Ridge, an active volcano like this,


    After each eruption, it would spew out numerous spirit materials from Earth''s Core, mainly of the Fire and Metal elements, and occasionally Earth element spirit materials as well.


    Zhao Sheng came here not to hunt for treasures, but to check on the excavation progress.


    Don''t forget, beneath Flame Ridge lies an Earth Fire Vein.


    In a rare instance of initiative, Zhao Keru volunteered to be in charge of the development of Flame Ridge, in order to utilize the Earth Fire as soon as possible.


    Zhao Sheng landed at the base of the mountain and targeted a piece of open ground, casting several spiritual formulas in succession.


    The ground there suddenly blurred, then split open to reveal a doorway into the pitch-black tunnel behind it.


    Zhao Sheng quickly entered the tunnel, and the entrance soon sealed itself, returning the area to its empty state as before.


    A short while later, the entrance opened again, and Zhao Sheng walked out, his face showing a hint of happiness.


    The progress of the tunnel was pleasing; according to Zhao Keru, the Earth Fire Vein would be breached within a maximum of half a month.


    Back at Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Sheng listened to the reports from the clan members, learned that all matters on the mountain were going smoothly, and felt relieved.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng stood by the spirit field at the foot of the mountain, looking at the lush spirit grain seedlings in the field, and expressed his satisfaction to Zhao Xuanjing and the others nearby, saying, "Very good, you''ve been diligent."


    "We dare not take the elder''s praise lightly. This is what we should do."


    Zhao Sheng nodded, about to inspect another industry,


    when suddenly a breeze came, carrying drifts of fresh fragrance as large swathes of white flower feathers floated down from the sky, much like snowflakes.


    Zhao Sheng''s shoulders were soon covered in white. He caught a few flower feathers with his hand, and said in slight surprise, "Eh, the White Feather Flowers are blooming? Another year has passed already, time flies indeed!"


    "Yes, time really flies!" Zhao Xuanjing agreed.


    Hm?


    After dusting the flower feathers from his head and shoulders, Zhao Sheng suddenly looked up towards the southern sky, his face showing a trace of surprise.


    At that moment, looking from afar, a dark line slowly appeared on the southern horizon, which then turned into a sparse black cloud and gradually spread toward Lush Peach Mountain.


    Flap, flap!


    Zhao Sheng quickly made out that the so-called black cloud was, in fact, a countless number of birds and flying beasts. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Some very fast-flying creatures like the Wind Swallows and Eagles had already flown past Lush Peach Mountain and were desperately fleeing into the distance.


    In no time, a variety of chirping and flapping sounds filled the air, growing louder and louder, until finally, it became extremely noisy and grating.


    As more and more birds and demon beasts flew over their heads, the sunlight was completely blocked by the birds, preventing it from reaching the ground and darkening the sky as if heavy clouds were pressing down.


    Just as everyone''s expression turned increasingly anxious, the number of birds in the sky abruptly thinned out, followed by the bird swarm flying past Lush Peach Mountain altogether, and soon the sky cleared and sunlight once again bathed the land.


    Seeing this, everyone heaved a great sigh of relief, but Zhao Sheng kept staring solemnly at the south.


    Zhao Sheng, without attending to his enterprise, hurriedly returned to Lush Peach Mountain and immediately issued a recall message.


    At Flame Ridge, Zhao Keru, with a shocked face, watched the tide of birds flying across the sky; just then, a streak of light flew from a distance and landed in his hand.


    Upon opening the talisman, he saw written: "Urgent! Summon everyone back to Lush Peach Mountain immediately!"


    Inside the Geng Metal Mine, Zhao Xuanjing looked at the words "return immediately" on the talisman, his expression very surprised.


    A hundred miles away from Lush Peach Mountain, in a dense forest, Zhao Jijian was hunting a raccoon-headed demon beast when a streak of light flew toward him,


    Shortly after, a sword light carrying a figure surged from the dense forest and ascended into the sky, making a half-circle before swiftly flying toward Lush Peach Mountain.


    As the sun gradually leaned toward the west, the members of the Zhao Family began coming back to Lush Peach Mountain one after another.


    During this period, two more waves of birds flew over, each group larger than the one that appeared first.


    At the time of the third wave of birds, a group of about twenty Steel Claw Sparrows suddenly attacked the encampment, but fortunately, Zhao Sheng was well-prepared and, along with his clansmen, quickly killed this group of First Rank demon beasts.


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    By this time, everyone had realized that something was amiss.


    Once Zhao Jijian, Zhao Keru, and Zhao Xuanjing and all other family members had returned to Lush Peach Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng immediately activated the full power of the Small Four Symbols Formation. A light shield quickly rose from the stone wall, occasionally displaying illusions of earth, water, wind, and fire on its surface.


    The Dragon-shooting Crossbows were also fully equipped with crossbow arrows, aimed at the sky.


    The members of the Zhao Family rushed to the wall, ready for battle.


    Zhao Sheng stood with Zhao Jijian and others atop the wall, each wearing a different expression as they looked down upon the mountain slopes.


    After several controlled burns, the area within ten miles of Lush Peach Mountain had long been burned to white bare ground, devoid of any vegetation.


    However, beyond ten miles it was still overgrown with bushes and wild grass, still the unkempt, undeveloped look of a wild, rugged mountain.


    At that moment, ordinary animals like wild boars, rabbits, foxes, and lizards panicked and fled out from the deep forest, dazedly charging toward Lush Peach Mountain.


    Their alertness gone, they exhibited irrational behavior, as if a myriad of fierce beasts were chasing them from behind.


    Zhao Jijian, watching a gray-haired wild rabbit dash to its death against the stone wall, asked in astonishment, "Chong He, what do you make of this situation?"


    Zhao Sheng, seeing more and more wild animals appearing below the mountain, said seriously, "This is not good! What in the world happened in the depths of the Desolate Domain? If this continues, a beast tide is inevitable."


    "Let''s not worry too much; it might just be a mountain fire causing the panic. It might calm down in a few days," Zhao Keru casually said.


    Beast tides are not uncommon in the Southern Border; every few decades to a century, large or small beast tides occur in the Southern Border.


    Many factors can cause a beast tide, most are natural disasters like earthquakes or mountain fires, but a few are also caused by human errors.

 Chapter 106 The Beast Tide Arrives, the Great Demon Emerges from the Mountain

    At this time, Zhao Sheng and the others were still unaware that a super beast tide, a rare occurrence that took place once every few centuries, was rapidly forming under the manipulation of a Transformed Great Demon.The scale of the beast tide would roll and swell like an avalanche, soon sweeping across seventy thousand miles of the Desolate Domain.


    The moment Zhao Keru finished speaking, dozens of demon wolves, each half a human''s height, leaped out of the dense forest ten miles down the mountain.


    No sooner had these demon wolves appeared than they spread out into a large circle under the leadership of the lead wolf, baring their teeth and howling madly as they drove the beasts at the foot of the mountain towards Lush Peach Mountain.


    Such overt hostility from the pack of demon wolves took Zhao completely by surprise. Experience tales at empire


    According to common sense, as long as you don''t provoke a pack of demon wolves, they would not show such great animosity toward the Human Clan.


    "I''ll handle this!"


    Immediately after Zhao Jijian spoke, he wrapped himself in sword light and charged down the mountain, with the Red Rainbow Sword heading straight for the lead wolf.


    "I''ll help too!" Unwilling to be shown up, Zhao Keru followed, holding the Spiritual Cauldron as he also flew down the mountain.


    Merely a pack of First-rank demon wolves, they were no match for the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators and were slaughtered in no time at all.


    However, before the group could feel any relief, a giant black-scaled python, as thick as a man''s waist and more than thirty feet long, slithered out from the dense forest.


    Its eyes, as large as fists, were bloodshot, and its tongue flickered ceaselessly as its huge head turned towards Zhao Keru, who was closest.


    At the same time, two Steel Feathered Eagles plunged from the sky like lightning, aiming for Zhao Sheng standing on the wall, only to be repelled by the Defensive Light Shield of the Small Four Symbols Formation the next second.


    The Steel Feathered Eagles slightly adjusted their wings and flew off, then suddenly nearly a hundred one-foot-long green Wind Blades rained down from the sky, reducing the two eagles to a mush of flesh and feathers in an instant.


    These Wind Blades were one of the Small Four Symbols Formation''s stress responses after being attacked; in addition, it had three other attack modes depending on the Heart Intent of the controller: Fireballs, Ice Arrows, and Earth Spikes.


    Watching the blood and feathers fall from the sky, everyone from the Zhao Family felt a chill in their hearts.


    Was a beast tide coming?


    While the Zhao family was ceaselessly killing the attacking demon beasts and fierce birds, countless similar scenes were taking place nearly simultaneously in newly established domains of the Human Clan.


    Some forces, like the Zhao family, who had taken spirit land early on and established a complete defensive system, were coping relatively well and didn''t fall into disarray when suddenly attacked by demon beasts or other animals.


    But those Cultivation Forces still in a stalemate without having secured their targets were seeing their situation go downhill fast, not only being attacked from both front and rear, but even being besieged by demon beasts.


    As the situation became increasingly grim and adverse, their eventual fate seemed inauspicious.


    On the same day, across various towering peaks, cliffs deep in the Southern Border Wilderness, poisonous insects and demon beasts-infested desolate mountains and marshes, and treacherous domains rarely tread by humans, a succession of earth-shaking roars and screeches began to echo. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In a forest stretching for a thousand miles, an Earth-shattering Demon Bear, three meters tall and as majestic as a mountain, slowly emerged from the forest. It was followed by hundreds of black-furred demon bears of varying grades from First to Second Order.


    The Earth-shattering Demon Bear suddenly raised its head and roared, followed by the ground trembling incessantly as the layers of soil rolled up like surging waves, lifting its enormous body and swiftly moving toward a Human Clan settlement a hundred miles away.


    Behind it, the group of demon bears gradually released a savage and bloody aura, pursuing with a threatening momentum.


    In a certain marshland, as the water surface violently churned, a vast shadow quickly surfaced; the next moment, a gigantic crocodile head burst out of the water, followed by a Small Mountain-like scale-armored body and thick, pillar-like limbs with a crocodile tail more than thirty feet long, with a bone hammer the size of a water jar at its end.


    This giant hammer-crocodile had lived for over a thousand years and had now reached the strength of a Sixth Rank; it was considered one of the most powerful demon beasts within several thousand miles.


    Six months ago, it received a Transformation Technique from Lady Qian Huan with the condition that when the White Feather Flower bloomed, it would lead the tens of thousands of crocodiles out of Croc Swamp to kill every member of the Human Clan it encountered.


    Today was the day it would fulfill that promise!


    ¡­


    Amidst a cluster of volcanoes spanning nearly a thousand miles, there was a low volcano a hundred feet tall with countless holes peppered across it, where innumerable fiery-red centipedes were busily burrowing in and out.


    Just then, a prolonged insect hum suddenly sounded from the top of the volcano.


    ```


    In an instant, the entire mountain fell silent, followed by a low humming sound emanating from within the mountain, growing louder and louder.


    Suddenly, streams of red insects poured out from the holes in the mountain, merging at the base into a boundless red sea of insects,


    As thousands of two-winged Fire Centipedes took flight, the red sea divided into massive red torrents, led by higher-ranked Fire Centipedes, and they furiously rushed in all directions.


    At that moment, above Fire Centipede Mountain, Huan Niang stood side by side with an eight-winged, ugly red-faced man.


    The Fire Centipede Demon King looked greedily at Huan Niang''s graceful figure and asked impatiently, "Qian Huan, I''ve done everything you''ve said, when do you plan to keep your promise?"


    Huan Niang smiled coquettishly and said, "Fire Centipede Brother, you''re too anxious. What I''ve promised, I''ll certainly do. Just wait another month or two."


    "That''s what you said. If you don''t keep your word in two months, don''t blame me for flattening Flowers Valley," the Fire Centipede King said threateningly.


    "I naturally won''t disappoint you, Brother," Huan Niang said with a smile, although a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.


    ...


    Thwack, thwack, thwack!


    Zhao Shuo''s swordplay was lightning fast, as he unleashed bursts of sword light, covering a radius of about ten feet around him. Wherever the sword light reached, birds and strange insects fell like rain.


    He didn''t have time to assess the damage, as he leaped to his son''s side to protect him from the pounce of a black-faced owl.


    "Xuanang, can you hold on?" Zhao Shuo asked, cutting through a dozen fist-sized green beetles with a few swift sword strikes, while looking at his son with concern.


    "Dad, I''m fine!"


    Zhao Xuanang said, before throwing a fireball and incinerating a swarm of poisonous flies.


    Since the demon wolf had started driving animals to assault Lush Peach Mountain, the Zhao family had been fighting non-stop, all the way until the sun set in the west.


    Wave after wave of attacks came at them continuously.


    Sometimes, before they had finished off the demon beasts on the ground, a massive dark cloud of insects would suddenly descend from the sky.


    The cloud was filled with countless bizarre Gu and poison insects.


    They were often attracted by the bloody scent emitting from Lush Peach Mountain and descended here recklessly.


    The insects were extremely weak, with two being killed by a single slap, but their numbers were overwhelming.


    It was a never-ending cycle of killing one group only for another to arrive, often leaving the illusion there were more and more, as fatigue set into weary wrists.


    However, they had to continue slaughtering because most Southern Border insects were poisonous, some deadly so.


    Sometimes, an inconspicuous poison insect could easily kill a Qi Refining Immortal Cultivator.


    As the sun set and twilight descended,


    Zhao Sheng killed a patterned leopard and looked up at the ever-thickening insect cloud in the sky.


    He knew they couldn''t go on like this.


    Many insects are phototactic, and if the battle dragged on into the night, the situation would become even more disadvantageous for the family.


    Zhao Sheng quickly flew back to the stone wall, took out the Main Array Plate from his Storage Bag, and poured Spiritual Power and Divine Sense into it, causing the Array Plate to suddenly shine brightly.


    Simultaneously, the light shield in mid-air quickly solidified, and the demon insects that could have passed through were immediately repelled from the outside.


    The next second, innumerable white flames appeared on the surface of the light shield and in an instant, these small white flames expanded into Blazing Fireballs the size of heads.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    ```

 Chapter 107 Vision

    Boom! Boom! Boom!Countless blazing fireballs shot out, deeply burying themselves into the insect cloud before explosively detonating.


    In an instant, myriad white flames rapidly spread throughout the insect cloud, igniting vast swathes of it into huge flames that illuminated the dark skies around.


    After this extreme outburst, the brightness of the defensive light shield quickly dimmed, beginning to flicker unsteadily.


    Although this strike cleared out most of the insects, Zhao Sheng knew it was only a temporary solution, not a cure.


    Sooner rather than later, the demon insect tide would return, as the Southern Border''s Gu Worms could never be completely eradicated.


    As for using a formation to block the incoming insect cloud, Zhao Sheng had never even considered it.


    Facing the relentless assault of the endless insect tide, even with a spirit mine at home, the Zhao Family couldn''t afford to keep a Second Order Formation at full power all day and night due to its immense consumption!


    Formations, as good as they are, just burn through too many Spirit Stones!


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, and twelve Red Cloud Banners immediately flew out, evenly inserted atop the wall.


    Seeing this, all the clansmen, without needing a reminder, immediately gathered towards Zhao Sheng.


    Once all the clansmen had returned, Zhao Sheng''s thoughts prompted the Red Cloud Banners to automatically generate large swathes of pink, sweetly cloying mist that quickly spread out, shrouding the entire stone wall.


    "Quick, retreat! Everyone, temporarily take cover in the stone caves!"


    At Zhao Sheng''s command, everyone, including Zhao Jijian, without asking why, immediately withdrew from the stone wall and retreated towards the stone caves.


    After everyone had left, Zhao Sheng shut down the formation and extinguished all lights.


    After applying an Invisibility Talisman and a Concentrating God Talisman to himself, he quietly retreated into a stone room to secretly observe the situation.


    Before long, the sky began to drizzle with a rain of insects, countless bugs attracted by the scent emitted by the peach blossom miasma, rushing into the Red Cloud like moths to a flame.


    At that time, wild beasts and demon beasts gathered at the foot of the mountain also began to climb over piles of corpses to scale the wall, and under the hallucinogenic effects of the Red Cloud, they began to ferociously slaughter each other, creating an extremely bloody and brutal scene.


    Why hadn''t Zhao Sheng used such a powerful tool from the start?


    It was because, though marvelous, the Red Cloud was not infinite.


    As time slowly passed, the air became thick with the scent of blood, and the ground was layered higher and higher with the flesh and blood of corpses, eventually almost reaching the height of the three Zhang high stone wall.


    Correspondingly, the Red Cloud was also significantly depleted, its concentration fading gradually, thinning out.


    By the late hours of the night, the potency of the peach blossom miasma was so diminished it nearly lost its hallucinogenic ability.


    Zhao Sheng quietly recalled the Red Cloud Banners, heart aching terribly.


    At this moment, the Red Cloud on the banners had been reduced by more than half, each one barely holding a few clusters.


    Not knowing how long the beast tide would last, with the Red Cloud Banners already mostly spent from the first day, there was much to endure in the future.


    As dawn broke, the insect cloud gradually dispersed. The demon beasts that survived were few, and even fewer ordinary animals were left intact.


    A faint shadow of a sword flashed by!


    Sizzle!


    A waterfall of blood suddenly spurted from the neck of a black, twin-tailed tiger.


    This heavily scarred demon beast collapsed to the ground with a thud, twitching a few times before quickly dying.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The Invisible Sword morphed into an unseen specter, mercilessly reaping the lives of one demon beast after another.


    These exhausted and often severely injured beasts had their spiritual sense greatly weakened; they had barely reacted before their lives were taken by the Invisible Sword.


    However, there were exceptions; two Second-order Demon Beasts managed to survive the ordeal.


    One Golden Armored Giant Python had an extremely strong defense and managed to block the cutting of the Invisible Sword with its scales.


    Meanwhile, the other was a Second Order Wind Falcon, which reacted as swiftly as lightning. Before the Invisible Sword could strike, it swiftly vanished and reappeared high in the sky, a hundred yards up.


    The Golden Armored Giant Python raised its head high, flicking its tongue to sense its surroundings, yet it failed to detect Zhao Sheng''s presence.


    Suddenly, the Second-order Demon Python thrashed its body, slamming its thick tail against the stone wall with a loud bang.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Its tail whipped wildly like a divine whip. In an instant, the ground trembled, carving deep trenches. Flesh flew in all directions from the sky to the ground, and the stone wall was cracked open with countless fissures.


    After a while, the Golden Armored Giant Python destroyed seven or eight houses in succession. After venting its rage, its body suddenly stretched and twisted, and in a flash, it soared down Lush Peach Mountain and burrowed into the boundless Mang Forest in a couple of leaps.


    After a while, once sure that the giant python had left, Zhao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out from his hiding spot.


    Only now did he realize, as the Golden Armored Giant Python displayed its formidable combat power,


    that it had approached the strength of a Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer Cultivator, nearly a third-tier.


    All together, the Zhao family was far from its match.


    After sending a Communication Token, Zhao Sheng looked at the gruesome scene in front of him, filled with mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and grew greatly worried.


    With such fierce fighting in just one day, what would follow could only be even more brutal!


    Most importantly, had the beast tide passed?


    While thinking, Zhao Sheng tossed fireballs onto the mountains of animal and insect corpses.


    He was burning the bodies to prevent the scent of blood from spreading and attracting more demon beasts and insect tides. Read the latest on empire


    Moments later, Zhao Jijian and Zhao Keru, leading their kinsmen, swiftly arrived at the site.


    Upon seeing such a dire scene, everyone gasped in shock, and several of the younger members turned deathly pale, almost vomiting.


    After a short period of shock, the elder family members like Zhao Jijian quickly got busy as well.


    The dead demon beasts were dragged to the side, and their fur, claws, scale armor, and eyeballs among other useful parts were cut off. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The remaining unwanted scraps and insect corpses were burned along with ordinary animal remains.


    Sometime later, black smoke billowed over Lush Peach Mountain, like a volcano erupting.


    The sun broke through the mist, gradually climbing high into the sky.


    For dozens of miles around Lush Peach Mountain, the air was filled with the scent of meat and the smell of burning.


    What slightly reassured Zhao Sheng that day was that the scale of the beast herd was only a tenth of the day before, and the number of insect clouds had also greatly decreased.


    On the third day, the scale of the beast herd and insect clouds diminished even more.


    Everything seemed to be improving, as if the beast tide had indeed passed.


    On the fourth day, the sky was gloomy, covered with dense clouds, looking like rain was imminent.


    But contrary to the gloomy weather, Zhao Sheng''s mood was quite good.


    After three days of fighting, the family had lost only one member, which was far better than his initial expectations.


    And much of this was thanks to Zhao Keru.


    A few days before the beast tide, Zhao Keru fortuitously managed to refine a batch of Life Elixirs using the characteristics of Stone Fire.


    Life Elixir was a Second Order Spirit Pill primarily for healing, providing a massive amount of pure Vitality Power.


    As long as the Divine Soul wasn''t injured, one could sustain even the seriously wounded, keeping their last breath from escaping for a full day.


    However, Zhao Sheng''s good mood lasted only a short while before it was disrupted by a sudden anomaly on the horizon.


    Gazing into the distance, a faint red first appeared at the edge of the sky, then turned into a swath of red. Soon, the red spread toward Lush Peach Mountain, gradually "submerging" the dark clouds in the sky.

 Chapter 108 Fire Centipede Swarm and the Uninvited Guest

    On the stone wall, Zhao Xuanang, who was engrossed in cleaning the bloodstains, occasionally lifted his head and suddenly caught sight of the crimson apparition.He was startled and pointed there, exclaiming, "What... what is that?"


    Hearing this exclamation, everyone raised their heads and saw the phenomenon in the sky.


    At that moment, Zhao Jijian, as if thinking of something, his face drastically changed as he bellowed, "Fire Centipedes! It must be the Fire Centipede Swarm! Everyone, quickly hide in the stone cave, it''s already too late. Hurry!"


    Seeing this, the Zhao Family members didn''t need to be reminded again; they dropped what they were doing and fled towards the stone cave at the fastest speed.


    The stone cave was the most secure place in Lush Peach Mountain and had been prepared by the Zhao family as a refuge from disasters.


    After everyone swiftly evacuated from the stone wall, Zhao Jijian noticed that Zhao Sheng was still standing in the same place looking upwards at the southern crimson clouds.


    "Zhao He, hurry up! Don''t you know how dangerous Fire Centipedes are?"


    Zhao Sheng, pointing south, said with a solemn expression, "Fourth Master, there are people in the Insect Cloud, and they are fleeing towards us."


    Zhao Jijian looked up, his face suddenly turning ashen.


    In that moment, the Insect Cloud formed by the Fire Centipede Swarm was already close to Lush Peach Mountain, and within the cloud, a small area was conspicuously noticeable.


    Because a desperate battle was unfolding there.


    Within the boundless Insect Cloud, countless Crimson Armored, red-toothed Fire Centipedes from all directions fiercely lunged at a medium-sized Cloud Boat over twenty meters long.


    At this time, the boat''s outer hull, deck, cabins, and all exposed areas were already covered with Fire Centipedes.


    These terrifying demon insects had an enormous appetite, almost nothing was inedible to them.


    The spirit wood that constituted the main body of the Cloud Boat was harder than steel, but beneath the jaws of the Fire Centipedes, it was like crispy potato chips, being bitten into and losing pieces.


    In just a short while, the Cloud Boat was pitted all over.


    "No...don''t!"


    On a deck, Qian Gang, covered in blood, cried out, his body weakly leaning against the cabin wall, his face filled with despair.


    Opposite him, about a dozen seven-foot-long Fire Centipedes with two blood-red wings on their backs were looking at him with unfeeling eyes, as if staring at a lamb waiting for slaughter.


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    "Don''t...don''t come over!"


    However, his fate was already sealed.


    Suddenly, over a dozen fiery red streaks of light whistled down mercilessly onto him.


    Then came the "crunch, crunch," the sounds of chewing.


    Before long, the Fire Centipedes quietly dispersed, leaving behind only a pile of bloodstains,


    On the other side of the Cloud Boat, some were still resisting stubbornly.


    Seeing the numbers dwindling, Shao Shangzi couldn''t help but blurt out, "Fuck, this won''t do, let''s escape!"


    "Big brother, where do you say we should escape to?" Liu Donghai, despite his age, had a hint of crying in his voice.


    From the moment the Cloud Boat was caught up by the Insect Tide, within merely half a quarter of an hour, the crew of over thirty was now reduced to just three survivors.


    Liu Donghai and Shao Shangzi were sworn brothers, and the last person was a Taoist High Crown.


    The three did not know each other before but now, driven by the circumstances, had to work together for survival.


    Facing the swarming insects, despite being Foundation Establishment Cultivators, they couldn''t hold out for much longer.


    Considering the overwhelming madness of the Fire Centipedes, despair was in everyone''s hearts.


    Just then, Shao Shangzi suddenly cried out in wild joy, "Fuck, we''re saved! Look... look below, there... there''s someone!"


    The other two looked in the direction of the voice. Through the gaps in the Insect Cloud, they could see a mountaintop amidst the vast greenery of Mang Forest, surprisingly adorned with a vast expanse of man-made structures.


    Seeing this, the three were greatly encouraged and a hope for survival surged in their hearts.


    "Run for it!"


    Before he could finish speaking, Shao Shangzi''s complexion suddenly turned from white to red, so red it seemed almost to drip blood, and at the same time, he spat out three mouthfuls of essence blood in quick succession.


    Suddenly, a large amount of essence blood caught fire out of thin air, forming a blood-light that enveloped him.


    Whoosh!


    The next second, a streak of blood light rapidly broke through layers of the Insect Cloud, fleeing towards Lush Peach Mountain.


    "Woo...!"


    However, at this moment, with a sharp screech, a gigantic insect shadow shot out from the depths of the Insect Cloud.


    This insect shadow moved as fast as lightning and caught up with Shao Shangzi, who had just used Blood Escape, in the blink of an eye, biting off a large portion of his body.


    "Ah!" Shao Shangzi let out a brief scream, then fell silent.


    Good opportunity!


    At this moment, Taoist High Crown''s eyes flashed with a ruthless light, suddenly tossing a clump of green spirit flame onto Liu Donghai''s body.


    The next second, the Spiritual Fire surged, and Liu Donghai instantly became a Burning "Fire Man."


    Ah!


    Fire Centipedes are Fire Attribute demon insects and are naturally attracted by the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, not to mention the scent of human flesh.


    Seizing the chance while the Fire Centipedes around were temporarily distracted by the spirit flame, Taoist High Crown swiftly leaped off the Cloud Boat, exerting all his strength to dash towards Lush Peach Mountain with a green bamboo staff.


    ...


    Atop Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Jijian and Zhao Sheng looked towards the direction of the swelling Insect Tide, their expressions ugly.


    At this time in the southern sky, a figure wrapped in green light was rapidly flying towards Lush Peach Mountain, with a vast expanse of red Insect Cloud fiercely pursuing behind.


    "I''ll draw them away!"


    Zhao Jijian suddenly produced the Red Rainbow Sword, ready to take flight.


    Zhao Sheng quickly grabbed him, shaking his head and speaking in a deep voice, "It''s too late, and you won''t be able to draw the Fire Centipede Swarm away either."


    His words were not false at all.


    Although treated with burning, Lush Peach Mountain was still littered with remnants of blood and flesh, and the air was filled with the scent of blood. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the eyes of the Fire Centipede demon insects, Lush Peach Mountain was like a constantly tempting "big cake"¡ªnot something Zhao Jijian could simply lead away as he claimed.


    "Damn it!"


    Zhao Jijian roared furiously, anxiously asking, "What do we do now?"


    "The massive Insect Tide won''t pause at Lush Peach Mountain. We are only facing a small part of it. Try to delay them and wait for the Insect Tide to pass before we plan further."


    "What about that person?" Zhao Jijian pointed fiercely toward the rapidly approaching Taoist High Crown.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the ruthless light in his eyes, and he sneered, "Hehe, let''s invite him into the stone cave first!"


    "What?" Zhao Jijian blurted out, but quickly caught on.


    The location of the stone cave was not hidden, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators using Divine Sense could quickly find it.


    Rather than shutting Taoist High Crown out, they might as well temporarily invite him to take refuge in the stone cave.


    First, it would prevent him from getting desperate.


    Second, facing the Insect Tide, the more strength they had, the better their chances of survival.


    Third... it was easier to dispose of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the stone cave.


    In just a few moments, Taoist High Crown had escaped to their front.


    By then, he was in a terrible state, his hair and Daoist robe nearly disintegrated by the corrosive fire poison, and his body was a blur of flesh and blood, with white bones visible in his deep wounds.


    "Fellow Daoists, run! The Fire Centipedes are about to catch up."


    "Don''t panic, fellow Daoist. Follow me!"


    Zhao Sheng waved him over, then turned and flew towards the stone cave.


    Zhao Jijian expressionlessly sized up Taoist High Crown, nodded at him, and then controlled his sword to leave.


    Seeing this, Taoist High Crown was overjoyed and quickly followed.

 Chapter 109 Cunning Plan

    As the sky filled with an insect cloud bearing boundless malevolence, crazily descending upon Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, and Taoist High Crown rushed into the stone cave in Jia Valley like a whirlwind.The three hurried through a corridor about thirteen or fourteen zhang long and quickly appeared in a spacious stone cave.


    Inside the cave, Zhao Keru stood in front of the clan members. Seeing Zhao Sheng and the others safely returned, his expression brightened.


    But upon seeing the figure of Taoist High Crown, his face shifted slightly, and he deftly hefted the Spiritual Artifact, the Nine Extinguishing Tripod, ready to unleash the Core Spiritual Power stored within his Dantian.


    With the situation so urgent, Zhao Sheng had no time to explain.


    No sooner had he appeared than he rushed to Zhao Xuanjing by the corridor and yelled, "Xuanjing, collapse the tunnel!"


    Zhao Xuanjing reacted extremely quickly. As soon as Zhao Sheng''s words fell, he immediately pressed his hand against the stone wall beside him, with massive amounts of Yellow Light streaming into the earth and rock.


    Crack! Crack!


    Boom!


    The stone walls of the thirteen or fourteen zhang long corridor instantly burst with innumerable cracks, which rapidly grew longer and deeper, followed by countless pebbles clattering down.


    Within two short breaths, amidst a cacophony of crumbling, the entire corridor collapsed with a thunderous crash, burying the stone cave deep underground with a multitude of fallen stones.


    At the moment of the tunnel''s collapse, a two-winged Fire Centipede narrowly chased up to the cave entrance, only to be blown off balance by a fierce gust from the stone cave, nearly tumbling to the ground.


    The appearance of this Fire Centipede seemed to be a signal.


    The next second, the sky suddenly rained down countless crimson Fire Centipedes like a downpour.


    They surged like a tide and in the blink of an eye submerged the entire mountain top.


    Hum! Hum! Hum!


    In an instant, Lush Peach Mountain seemed to be covered with a layer of writhing red carpet; everywhere were the figures of Fire Centipedes.


    The moment this fearsome swarm of demon insects landed, they began frantically gnawing on everything around... the blood-stained soil, scraps of flesh and bone hidden in crevices among the grass and rocks, and even the Arrays on the stone walls could not escape their fate.


    Clearly visible to the naked eye, the mountain''s topsoil was gnawed away layer by thick layer, with trees and buildings also overwhelmed by countless Fire Centipedes and eaten clean in no time, leaving only debris scattered across the ground.


    Meanwhile,


    Outside the cave, hundreds of two-winged Fire Centipedes led by a four-winged Fire Centipede sprayed sticky, venomous flame at the stones blocking the cave,


    "Ssssss,"


    The moment the stone touched the fire poison, it was as if splashed with King Water, blackening and corroding swiftly, producing copious black smoke as the rocks quickly melted and collapsed.


    For a time, black smoke filled the air, laden with an overwhelmingly sour and nauseating stench.


    On the other side,


    After the collapse of the passage, without waiting for Zhao Sheng''s instructions, Zhao Xuanjing immediately slapped the stone wall.


    The next second, the wall glowed with Yellow Light and he was pulled into the earth and stones.


    But quickly, Zhao Xuanjing emerged again from the ground.


    Now, his expression tinged with fear, he urgently called out to Zhao Sheng, "Uncle Seven, the Fire Centipedes are corroding the tunnel outside. It won''t be long before they break through."


    As these words were uttered, everyone became panicky.


    In this critical moment, Zhao Sheng''s thoughts raced like lightning, recalling any information about Fire Centipedes.


    Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, he decisively instructed, "Everyone, do as I say! Quickly move all the stored demon beast meat jerky and the hides and bones here."


    No sooner had he spoken, the somewhat panicked people immediately found their focus and quickly busied themselves following Zhao Sheng''s command.


    Before long, a large mound of red and black meat piled up in the center of the cave, laden with various hides and bones of demon beasts.


    Having done this, Zhao Jijian, while keeping an eye on Taoist High Crown, couldn''t help but ask, "What next?"


    Zhao Sheng managed a strained smile, "Next... we hide!"


    Then, under his command, they quickly took refuge in the storage room at the lowest level of the cave. Discover exclusive content at empire


    With Zhao Xuanjing, the master builder, the interior of the stone cave had long been transformed into many stone rooms with various functions.


    After taking refuge in the storage room, Zhao Sheng swiftly circulated his Spiritual Power, simultaneously conjuring large amounts of clean water while reminding, "Those proficient in the Water Technique, follow my lead. Don''t forget, Fire Centipedes disdain water!"


    Everyone, upon hearing those words, had an epiphany and began releasing various Water Element Magic spells in rapturous haste.


    With everyone''s combined efforts, the storeroom was soon submerged in water.


    At this time, an iceberg mixed with soil and stone sank into the water, and at its very center was a narrow space where everyone squeezed in.


    If they still couldn''t avoid this calamity after doing all this,


    Zhao Sheng actually had one last move up his sleeve.


    Don''t forget, with Zhao Xuanjing and Little Gold''s combined "Earth Escape" Divine Skills, they could at most take two people to slip away and escape.


    But Zhao Sheng wouldn''t do that until it was absolutely necessary.


    ...


    Meanwhile, a tunnel was quickly melted through the collapsed passage in a short amount of time. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Countless Fire Centipedes poured into the stone cave, and upon seeing the mountain of meat in the middle, their instinct drove them to pounce on it and furiously start eating.


    The meat mountain rapidly diminished at a rate visible to the naked eye until it finally disappeared.


    After finishing off the meat mountain, the Fire Centipedes began to scuttle about the stone cave in disarray.


    A moment later, the figure of Fire Centipedes was seen in every stone room.


    However, they did not discover any trace of people.


    In the meantime, quite a few Fire Centipedes broke into the lowest level of the cave.


    But when they saw the cold water surface emitting a chill, they all stepped back warily, hissed twice, and then retreated.


    The intelligence of the Fire Centipedes was low, and as time passed without finding anyone, their patience quickly wore thin, with their innate insect hunting drive taking over.


    Time slowly passed by, and the Fire Centipedes in the cave became fewer and fewer until after the last one left, the cave became utterly silent.


    After an unknown amount of time, the figure of Zhao Xuanjing quietly appeared in the cave,


    After making a round outside, he quickly ran back with a joyous expression to report the news.


    A while later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the cave.


    A few breaths later, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, Taoist High Crown, and others emerged in the stone cave.


    The Zhao Clan Members following behind wore faces full of excitement and exhilaration.


    They had survived!


    Upon seeing the passage to the outside world, Taoist High Crown was the most eager of all.


    He quickened his steps and dashed to the front, about to rush out.


    At the crucial moment, Zhao Sheng''s figure suddenly appeared at the entrance of the passage, blocking him.


    Taoist High Crown''s face changed slightly, and he immediately stopped, looking around, only to find himself surrounded by three Zhao Family Foundation Establishment practitioners.


    "Taoist Zhao, what is the meaning of this?"


    Taoist High Crown looked very displeased, his right hand swept over his Storage Bag, throwing it forward.


    "Clack clack clack"


    Sounds of heavy objects hitting the ground rang out. In an instant, he had four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets each about a zhang tall and pitch-black in appearance.


    Each of these four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets possessed the battle power of Qi Refining Perfection.


    Looking at the defensive old Taoist, Zhao Sheng said with a cold smile, "Old Taoist Shang, you can leave, but give me a satisfactory explanation first."


    "What explanation does Taoist Zhao want? I''ll definitely do whatever I can do. The great kindness of saving our lives, I will never forget it in my heart," Old Taoist Shang replied with a sheepish smile, his face full of gratitude.


    "Lush Peach Mountain was completely destroyed because of you. Tell me, how will you compensate us for our losses?" Zhao Keru finished speaking and turned the Red Rainbow Sword, pointing its tip at Old Taoist Shang. If he did not get a satisfactory answer, he was ready to take action at any moment.

 Chapter 110 If You Cant Beat Them, Trick Them

    "Gentlemen, let''s talk this out, why resort to violence? It''s just a matter of compensation! My Mystic Wood Pavilion isn''t going to shy away from reimbursing for your losses,"Old Taoist Shang''s expression changed upon hearing this, but he quickly regained his smile. While speaking kindly, his hands were secretly forming spells.


    Suddenly,


    the four Mystic Wood tiger puppets opened their merciless eyes and in an instant, their gaping maws shot out several thick beams of light.


    These beams, like long white silks, fiercely aimed at Zhao Sheng''s chest and abdomen.


    At the same time, he stepped back and flicked his right hand forward, releasing dozens of peanut-sized black seeds from his sleeve which rapidly expanded in mid-air, sprouting into several dozen thick black thorns with a metallic sheen.


    The black thorns quickly intertwined like living things, landing on the ground to form a high wall of thorns, blocking the way for Zhao Jijian and the others.


    Elsewhere,


    seeing the four beams of light shooting at him, Zhao Sheng emotionlessly slapped his Storage Bag, and a dark small seal suddenly leaped out.


    In the blink of an eye, the Spiritual Artifact, the Small Mountain Seal, expanded to the size of a house, not only blocking the passageway but also stopping the four beams of light.


    "Bang, bang, bang"


    The beams fiercely collided with the surface of the Small Mountain Seal.


    The great impact shook the Small Mountain Seal continuously.


    But that was all; the Small Mountain Seal quickly stabilized.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Jijian maneuvered the Red Rainbow Sword to strike the same black thorn thrice before narrowly managing to slice it, sending sparks flying. The thorn was apparently three times harder than refined steel.


    Next to him, Zhao Keru muttered incantations, his hand pressed onto the Nine Extinguishing Tripod when suddenly, a stream of golden-yellow Spiritual Fire shot out from the mouth of the tripod and landed on the black thorns.


    Unexpectedly, these thorns appeared to be a mutated species, completely resistant to the scorching of the Spiritual Fire.


    "Down!"


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng coldly spat out a single word with a frosty expression.


    In the gloomy stone cave, the rumbling Small Mountain Seal, carrying the sound of thunder, bore down towards Taoist High Crown''s head.


    Taoist High Crown''s face turned utterly solemn as he quickly took out a green staff and tossed it upward.


    The staff swiftly rose above his head, a flash of green light, and it abruptly expanded into a huge column that fiercely braced itself upwards.


    Zhao Sheng''s face darkened, his hands formed spells rapidly, and the Small Mountain Seal expanded by a third more, filling half of the cave, its presence even more formidable.


    In an instant, the Spiritual Mountain Seal collided with the giant column.


    A tremendous explosion sounded, and the column, fashioned from the green staff, suddenly creaked, as if unable to bear the mountainous weight, inch by inch, it began to descend.


    Seeing the impressive power of the Small Mountain Seal, Taoist High Crown started to panic.


    His hands flashed with green light as he pressed them against the giant column, frantically channeling Spiritual Power into it, attempting to bolster its strength.


    But at that moment, a Red Rainbow Sword suddenly flew from afar, its dazzling Sword Light instantly illuminating the dim surroundings.


    Seeing that his head was about to be cleaved in two, Taoist High Crown infuriatingly exclaimed, "Very well! You''re forcing my hand."


    No sooner had he finished speaking than he bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood from the tip of his tongue onto the column before him.


    The column immediately blazed with light, managing to momentarily resist the descent of the Small Mountain Seal.


    Simultaneously, Taoist High Crown spat four mouthfuls of essence blood onto the heads of the four tiger puppets.


    The essence blood quickly seeped into the bodies of the puppets.


    Roar, roar, roar!


    The four Mystic Wood tiger puppets glowed red, two of them suddenly looked up with wide-open mouths, spitting out two even larger beams with a faint red tint, clashing against the Red Rainbow Sword,


    while the other two leaped up to a height of thirty feet, ferociously pouncing towards Zhao Sheng.


    "Bring it on!" Zhao Sheng''s pupils abruptly contracted as he willed his heart, a Spirit Fire Gourd twirled out from his waist, and from the gourd spewed a giant purple-flamed tiger.


    The Fire Spirit Tiger that emerged was a mutated Fire Spirit born from the fusion of two types of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, its strength not inferior to that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    After the Fire Spirit Tiger landed, it shook its body, and immediately two smaller Tiger Spirits split off from its left and right.


    They charged forward, one to the left and one to the right.


    In the blink of an eye, four "tigers" were embroiled in a fight.


    Old Taoist Shang spat out several mouthfuls of essence blood, his face deathly pale.


    He did not consider himself a match for three Foundation Establishment Cultivators,


    and seeing no Life Path emerging, he was filled with extreme frustration and regret.


    Seizing the slim chance while he could still catch his breath, he immediately took out a Green Talisman and then started to chant.


    Amid the mysterious spell incantations, the Green Talisman gradually emitted a dazzling green light, within which the phantom of a small jade knife appeared.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s face darkened, and his Crystal Invisible Sword suddenly could not be cast.


    "A third-tier Treasure Talisman?!"


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng''s right hand swept over his Storage Bag, and the Turtle Shell Talisman Treasure instantly fell into his palm.


    A third-tier Treasure Talisman had power comparable to a talisman treasure of the same tier.


    However, the difference was that a talisman treasure could be used multiple times, while a Treasure Talisman could only be used once.


    Old Taoist Shang clenched the Treasure Talisman whilst swallowing seven or eight colorful Spirit Pills, threatening fiercely, "All of you stop, or I will activate the Divine Saber Talisman and many will surely perish. If anyone wants to die, come at me."


    Seeing Zhao Sheng and the others hesitate slightly, he quickly added, "I only seek to live, so how about we stop here?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately said, "Old Taoist Shang, if you want to stop! Then you must first make these tiger puppets stop."


    "You guys stop first!"


    Although Old Taoist Shang said this, the four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets swiftly retreated to his side, protecting him tightly.


    Zhao Sheng''s thoughts moved, and the Small Mountain Seal whistled into the air, hovering above the cave ceiling,


    and the two Tiger Spirits merged back into one, standing in front of Zhao Sheng.


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    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian also retracted the Red Rainbow Sword.


    However, Zhao Keru seemed as if he hadn''t heard, still engrossed in his struggle with Black Thorns. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But from the curious expression on his face, it was apparent that Zhao Keru had discovered something new and intriguing.


    Knowing that he was in the wrong, Old Taoist Shang saw everyone stopping and immediately, knowing his place, said, "I am deeply grateful for the life-saving grace you all showed a few days ago. If you have any conditions, just state them! There''s no need to resort to violence straight away."


    Upon this, Zhao Sheng immediately made a demand, "As long as you promise to serve my family for the rest of your life, we will grant you a Life Path."


    Old Taoist Shang was startled by this, and soon laughed with an ugly expression, "Taoist Zhao, are you serious?"


    "Of course, I am serious, as long as you swear a Heart Demon Oath," Zhao Sheng nodded, his expression nowhere near joking.


    "Alright, I will swear the Heart Demon Oath now,"


    Old Taoist Shang agreed readily, then solemnly swore an oath.


    "Taoist Zhao, now that the Heart Demon Oath is sworn, what do you think?"


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said coldly, "Old Taoist Shang, do you take us for fools? A Heart Demon Oath without the Heart Blood is as good as none."


    "Ha ha, I would have forgotten if you hadn''t mentioned it, I''ll swear it again right now."


    Saying so, Old Taoist Shang vomited a mouthful of blood and once again repeated the oath, word for word.


    Only this time, he spoke very slowly.


    As the oath was halfway through, Zhao Jijian suddenly shouted, "Wrong, he''s just buying time, don''t be fooled!"


    As soon as the words fell, Old Taoist Shang''s expression turned grim.

 Chapter 111 Samadhi True Fire

    "Hmph!"Having his tricks exposed, Old Taoist Shang snorted coldly and, tearing off the pretense, roared loudly as a burst of jade-green light suddenly exploded from his hand. Read chapters at empire


    The jade-green light shot toward the roof of the cave, illuminating it brilliantly. Within the radiance, a small jade-colored knife rapidly transitioned from ethereal to solid, swelling in size to over a yard in length,


    Simultaneously, an extremely fierce oppressive force abruptly emanated from the blade, causing everyone''s eyes to sting and forcing them to avert their gaze from the sword light.


    "Slash!" S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Old Taoist Shang coldly spat out a word while making a downward slashing motion with his hand.


    No sooner had his voice fallen,


    than the jade-colored long knife''s light violently surged. In an inconceivable burst of speed, it appeared like lightning above Zhao Sheng''s head, then thunderously chopped down.


    At this critical moment, Zhao Sheng''s eyes shone brightly as he instantly activated "Bullet Time."


    In an instant, the world slowed manifold. The previously lightning-fast, thunderous divine knife now fell inch by inch in his eyes.


    However, because of the oppressive sword light, Zhao Sheng felt as if the air had turned into glue, making it extremely difficult to move and too late to dodge.


    Yet Zhao Sheng was not at all panicked; in "Bullet Time," his thoughts and reactions were at least thirty times faster than normal.


    He even had time to look up and study the style of the jade-colored long knife above his head.


    Only when the long knife was less than three feet above his head did Zhao Sheng calmly shift his thoughts.


    In an instant, the turtle shell talisman treasure, which had been primed for action in his palm, was activated.


    Zhao Sheng could "clearly" see a black light flying from his hand, rising above his head, then condensing into a massive shield, dark all over and shaped like a turtle shell.


    A majestic one-horned turtle emerged from the surface of the shield, fearlessly charging at the slashing jade-colored long knife.


    With a booming sound, a blinding explosion of light erupted, stinging Zhao Sheng''s eyes.


    As he turned his head away, the world returned to normal.


    Boom!


    The collision of blade and armor suddenly produced a burst of dazzling light above the cave,


    Whoosh whoosh!


    A strong wind suddenly swept through the cave, creating a powerful whirlwind that echoed through the cave.


    At the same time, a large section of the cave ceiling collapsed, raining down numerous rocks and filling the entire cave with dust and smoke.


    Old Taoist Shang''s face dramatically changed, unable to believe that his trump card had been blocked.


    Seeing his hope shattered, he was struck with terror, yet he still made a desperate move,


    as he sent the four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets rushing toward the tunnel entrance with a single thought.


    But at that moment, the faceful of dust made Old Taoist Shang blink reflexively.


    The moment he opened his eyes, a figure unexpectedly appeared beside him.


    "When did...?" the moment a thought of doubt rose in Old Taoist Shang''s mind, a familiar voice suddenly rang out beside his ear,


    "It''s over!"


    Before the words had finished, Old Taoist Shang suddenly felt an intense pain in his head, as if a spike were deeply plunged into his brain and vigorously stirred.


    The next instant, he... died!


    After spitting out a mouthful of blood, Zhao Sheng casually withdrew the Invisible Sword, shook the brain matter off the blade, and stowed it in his Storage Bag.


    Having had to initiate "Bullet Time" three times in succession, Zhao Sheng had almost surpassed the physical limit of endurance, causing a slight injury to his organs.


    Bang bang bang!


    Without Old Taoist Shang''s Spiritual Power and Divine Sense to control them, the four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets immediately ceased their attacking motions, and the Jade Bamboo Stick fell to the ground, rolling towards Zhao Sheng''s feet.


    As Zhao Sheng bent down to pick up the Spiritual Artifact, Zhao Jijian and the others finally broke through the barrier of thorny walls and arrived at the scene.


    "Phew, he''s finally dead!"


    Zhao Jijian, seeing the body of Old Taoist Shang with brain matter oozing out, let out a sigh of relief.


    "Yes, dead through and through," Zhao Sheng said nonchalantly while fiddling with the Jade Bamboo Stick.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Keru suddenly crouched down quietly, reaching around Old Taoist Shang''s body, searching.


    "Uncle Ru, are you looking for something?" Zhao Sheng asked curiously upon seeing this.


    Zhao Keru quickly found a dark green Storage Bag, and after probing inside with his Divine Sense, his expression suddenly brightened with joy.


    He hastily stood up, and suddenly in his right hand appeared a thick vine, as thick as a thigh and over three feet long,


    The vine had a charred, black appearance, looking almost like charcoal, but at its tip burned quietly a fist-sized, azure flame, which looked quite magical.


    "What is this? Could it be another type of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire?"


    Zhao Sheng found it quite strange, as the family had previously exhausted much effort to acquire Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire but had never succeeded, yet now, Spiritual Fire seemed to be appearing one after another.


    Zhao Keru was very delighted and proudly said, "This is Wood Fire!"


    Upon hearing it was Wood Fire, Zhao Sheng then understood why Uncle Ru was so excited.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, there were many types of Spiritual Fire, with the most numerous and common being those of the Five Elements: wind, thunder, ice, and other attributes.


    Above Spiritual Fire rank were True Fire or True Flame, examples of which included the famous Samadhi True Fire, Golden Crow True Flame, and so on.


    Not to mention others, just consider the Samadhi True Fire,


    Samadhi True Fire, also known as Golden Core True Fire, is formed by the fusion of Wood Fire, Stone Fire, and Air Fire. It has a divine effect of purifying Spiritual Power and aiding in the condensation of the Golden Core.


    Any Foundation Establishment Cultivator who has refined Samadhi True Fire greatly increases their chances of advancing to Golden Core, generally by more than thirty percent.


    Zhao Sheng immediately got excited because the family already possessed Stone Fire.


    If they were lucky enough to get a type of Air Fire,


    then when the three fires merge, they would produce Samadhi True Fire.


    It could be foreseen that the Zhao family might very well give birth to a Golden Core Master because of this.


    That was what Zhao Sheng thought, but it did not mean that Zhao Keru thought the same.


    Zhao Keru''s thought was quite simple; he was excited not because the Samadhi True Fire could aid in Core Formation, but because the Samadhi True Fire was a much-coveted type of alchemy fire for any Alchemist.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, at least half of the Alchemy Masters had elevated to the master level because they had refined the Samadhi True Fire.


    By then, Zhao Jijian also realized this, and a look of delighted surprise immediately appeared on his face.


    Compared to Wood Fire, a Spiritual Artifact Puppet was not even worth mentioning¡ª even the losses of Lush Peach Mountain seemed negligible.


    While the three were jubilant about obtaining the Wood Fire, the Zhao Clan Members hiding in the rear cave heard the silence upfront, so they sent someone to check.


    Upon seeing the body of Old Taoist Shang, the people immediately ran out.


    Seeing this, Zhao Keru very alertly stored the Wood Fire back into the Storage Bag.


    With many people and much noise, secrets are easily leaked. The family had already collected two types of Spiritual Fire; their secret could absolutely not be revealed.


    The temptation of Samadhi True Fire was truly too great; even Golden Core Masters would act to snatch it.


    ...


    Following the passage forged by the Fire Centipede, the Zhao family members walked out of the stone cave.


    Looking at the devastated mountain top, everyone was stunned.


    The peach trees were gone, the flowers and grass were gone.


    Even the wooden buildings that had been constructed were gone, leaving only a spread of broken tiles and rubble.


    Seeing his clansmen''s disheartened expressions, Zhao Sheng could not help but console them, "What''s destroyed is destroyed; it doesn''t matter. The most important thing is that we are alive! We can always rebuild."


    Zhao Sheng was right about one thing¡ªthe most important thing was to be alive.


    Compared to the losses of the Zhao family, some ordinary Foundation Establishment Families who also participated in the war of territorial expansion had fared much worse.


    The beast tide had come too mysteriously and too suddenly; in just a day or two, it had swept across seven thousand miles of the Desolate Domain.


    As waves of demon beasts, demon birds, and Insect Clouds charged in great numbers, many Cultivation Families, caught off guard, suffered heavy casualties.


    Some families, unlucky enough to have their spirit lands directly in the path of advancing high-level demon beasts, were wiped out entirely.


    But while smoke and carnage spread throughout the Desolate Domain, and countless from the Human Clan died or were injured, certain special forces behind the scenes profited immensely, reaping great rewards.


    Whenever a spirit land was breached by the demon beast tide, people would always arrive in time to occupy the area afterwards.


    After the beast tide ended, at least one third of the new spirit lands in the Desolate Domain had changed hands.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng was not aware of these things at the time.


    He would later learn some inside information from people of the Ge family.

 Chapter 112 Zhangers Children Have Their Own Blessings

    Three days later, Zhao Shuo hid behind a pile of rubble, carefully observing the activities below the mountain and in the sky.After a flock of demon beasts flew over from Lush Peach Mountain towards the north, he patted the dust off his body, stood up, and was about to turn towards the stone cave.


    At that moment, a black dot suddenly appeared on the horizon.


    Zhao Sheng stopped in his tracks and looked towards it.


    The dot grew larger and quickly became a white Cloud Boat.


    Seeing the Cloud Boat rapidly approaching Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Shuo''s expression became very vigilant, and he immediately leapt into the stone cave to alert the elders.


    After Zhao Sheng and several clansmen emerged from the stone cave, the Cloud Boat just happened to fly over Lush Peach Mountain and deftly landed on the ground.


    Then, two elders in Crimson Robes jumped down from the Cloud Boat.


    One was tall and thin, the other had a round face, both unabashedly radiating the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, and Zhao Keru exchanged glances and simultaneously released the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng stepped forward and said with a smile, "So it turns out to be friends from the Elixir Cauldron Sect. May I ask what brings the two of you to Lush Peach Mountain?"


    The two men scrutinized Zhao Sheng and the others, then looked up at the ruins of the mountaintop, their expressions strange.


    "Lush Peach Mountain? Might as well call it Rotten Mound Mountain."


    Then, the tall thin elder spoke, "Hmm, we had thought that this place had already been destroyed by the beast tide. It seems we were mistaken. Farewell!"


    "Please wait a moment!"


    Just as the two turned to leave, Zhao Sheng hastily stopped them and asked, "May I ask, my friends, how are conditions outside now? We''ve been trapped on Lush Peach Mountain and haven''t had contact with the outside world for quite some time."


    The tall, thin elder turned around and said, "The largest wave of the beast tide passed two days ago, but the repercussions are far from over. As for when the beast tide will end, we do not know either. But it will take at least a month. I hope you can hold out until the beast tide is over. Otherwise, this place belongs to someone else! Farewell!"


    As they watched the two leave on the Cloud Boat, Zhao Sheng and the others discussed and decided to temporarily not rebuild Lush Peach Mountain.


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    Lie low, everything else could wait until after the beast tide.


    ...


    One month later,


    Having seen no large-scale beast herds for three consecutive days, everyone from the Zhao family realized that the beast tide had finally passed.


    That day, laughter finally resounded over Lush Peach Mountain once again.


    The next day, under Zhao Jijian''s command, the Cloud Boat roared towards Nine Tripods Square.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng led his clansmen in beginning the reconstruction of Lush Peach Mountain.


    Three months later, Lush Peach Mountain boasted a brand-new set of buildings, and the spirit fields below the mountain were redeveloped.


    Seeing Lush Peach Mountain back on track, Zhao Sheng slowly shifted his focus to cultivation.


    Simultaneously, Zhao Xuanjing secretly returned to Geng Gold Mine, commencing an eight-year long miner''s career.


    One year later, the Desolate Domain was initially pacified.


    Yuye Ancestor reappeared in the world, announcing to various major sects that Pig Emperor Ridge was renamed Golden Jade Valley.


    That same year, Yuye Ancestor and his spouse broke away from the Ge Family and established the Wu Family in Jade Leaf Valley, with an influence spanning seven thousand miles of the Desolate Domain.


    Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, eight years had passed.


    That afternoon, Zhao Xuanjing rushed to the Alchemy Hall to deliver the last batch of Geng Metal to Zhao Sheng.


    In the Alchemy Hall, Zhao Sheng looked at the small amount of Geng Metal in his palm, a trace of melancholy on his face.


    "Is that all?"


    "Really, that''s it! I searched for half a month and only found this bit. In the last few days, I didn''t dig up a single piece," Zhao Sheng replied. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Well, if it''s gone, it''s gone. By the way, is the mine taken care of?" Zhao Sheng asked as he stowed away the Geng Metal.


    "Uncle, the entire mine has been filled and sealed. I assure you no outsider can find even a trace," replied Zhao Xuanjing.


    At this time, Zhao Xuanjing, who was over forty, had bushy eyebrows and a square face that clearly bore the marks of age.


    With his giant-like robust stature, he appeared very imposing and dignified.


    Zhao Sheng nodded, then suddenly asked, "Xuanjing, which do you think is better, Lush Peach Mountain or Taifu Mountain?"


    Zhao Xuanjing, upon hearing the question, wore a bitter expression and scratched his head, pretending to be dumb and dazed, "Uncle Qi, such an important decision about choosing spirit land should be made by the elders. It''s better for a junior like me to just follow orders."


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng laughed and scolded him, "You''re getting slicker by the day. Not a word of truth, just talking circles to bamboozle me. Come on, what do you really think?"


    Hehe!


    Zhao Xuanjing, feeling a bit embarrassed, laughed and then couldn''t help but speak his truth, "If you ask me, both Taifu Mountain and Lush Peach Mountain have their own merits. Taifu Mountain is better in terms of peace and stability, while Lush Peach Mountain holds great potential for development with superior geographical conditions. Plus, with the Yuye Ancestor having just upgraded to Nascent Soul, as long as no accidents occur, we could have at least two thousand years of stable development here."


    Although Zhao Xuanjing didn''t explicitly say so, his words clearly favored the future of Lush Peach Mountain.


    His thoughts aligned with Zhao Sheng, but most of the Zhao family members were completely leaning toward Taifu Mountain.


    This was especially true for Zhao Xuan''an''s opinion, which was very firm, and he had even convinced Zhao Jijian.


    As for Zhao Keru, he was impartial, staying in the middle.


    Since Zhao Xuan''an was the Family Head of the Zhao family, once he insisted on choosing Taifu Mountain, it was hard for Zhao Sheng to object.


    Seeing Uncle Qi deep in thought, Zhao Xuanjing wanted to slip away quietly but was unexpectedly stopped again.


    "How are things going at Flame Ridge?"


    Zhao Xuanjing quickly responded, "The Earth Fire Chamber has already been built. The Ge family has reserved two rooms especially for our family."


    Zhao Sheng nodded silently, very satisfied with the Ge family''s generosity in his heart.


    The Zhao family didn''t have the capacity to occupy two spirit lands simultaneously.


    Thus, three years ago, he had instructed Zhao Xuan''an to give Flame Ridge to the Elixir Saint Ge Family.


    Even though Zhao Sheng hadn''t asked for anything in return, it was clear the Ge family had no intention of taking advantage unduly.


    These two Earth Fire Chambers were their greatest form of repayment to the Zhao family.


    Aside from family use, if rented out to others,


    One Earth Fire Chamber could bring in a rental income of at least a couple of thousand Spirit Stones each year.


    While it wasn''t much, it added up over time.


    "Uncle Qi, if there''s nothing else, I''ll head out first."


    "Wait, there''s one more thing. You''ve advanced to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, haven''t you?" Zhao Sheng said, his gaze intensely focused on him.


    Zhao Xuanjing, smiling naively, nodded, "Nothing can escape Uncle Qi''s eyes. I just advanced two days ago."


    "Good, Xuanjing, you''ve really given me a big surprise. I thought I''d have to wait another two years, but now it seems we can''t delay any further," Zhao Sheng stood up, walked around his nephew in a circle, and exclaimed in admiration.


    "Uncle Qi, do you mean... returning to Heavenly Pillar Mountain?" Zhao Xuanjing asked, seemingly enlightened.


    "Yes, the environment of the secret mansion is more suitable for you. Staying in Lush Peach Mountain any longer would greatly slow down your cultivation progress. You know, the sooner you attempt Foundation Establishment, the better it is not only for you but also for the family,"


    Zhao Sheng felt more and more that he was right as he spoke.


    Right after, he immediately instructed Zhao Xuanjing to pack up and return to Heavenly Pillar Mountain as soon as possible.


    When Zhao Xuanjing heard that Uncle Qi was also leaving, he asked in surprise, "You''re not going to take care of things here?"


    "I''m letting it go. Let Xuan''an worry about it. Children have their own good fortune. I can manage it for a lifetime, but I can''t manage it forever,"


    After saying this, Zhao Sheng felt as if he had lifted a great weight off his shoulders, his entire demeanor much more relaxed.


    Zhao Xuanjing didn''t quite understand the meaning behind Zhao Sheng''s words, but he clearly heard an intention to let go.


    "If that''s the case, I''ll go back and prepare right away, and also say goodbye to my mother,"


    Seeing that Zhao Sheng had made up his mind, Zhao Xuanjing didn''t say anything more.


    He was pure-hearted, without the heavy desire for power that Zhao Xuan''an possessed.


    Though he preferred Lush Peach Mountain, if the family ultimately chose Taifu Mountain, he had no complaints.


    After all, he held a special identity as the leader of Zhao''s Secret Department.


    According to the ancestral teachings, the Dark Department should not interfere in family affairs.

 Chapter 113 Origin Return Sects Boundless Future

    One month later, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian appeared outside Pocket World City.After paying the city gate tax, the two followed the crowd, passed through the towering gate, and entered Pocket World City.


    As soon as he entered the city, Zhao Sheng heard a uniform chant:


    "Soul blood never dies, known as Mysterious Blood, the source of Mysterious Blood is spirit, everlasting and inexhaustible."


    Looking towards the source of the sound, Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned by what he saw.


    He remembered that to the left of the city gate, there used to be a bustling row of shops, which had now been leveled and transformed into a square at an unknown time.


    At this moment, the square was filled with people dressed in bright red robes, chanting slogans with an extremely fanatic and obsessed demeanor.


    In front of the crowd was a high platform, on which stood a spirited, lean old man.


    This old man was very familiar to Zhao Sheng, as it was Wei Youquan, with whom he had traded many times before.


    Zhao Sheng had not expected to run into an old acquaintance as soon as he entered Pocket World City.


    It had been ten years since their last meeting, and Wei Youquan had clearly come up in the world, looking completely different from before.


    If he wasn''t mistaken, the other party had likely joined Master Gui Yuan''s forces.


    Zhao Sheng still clearly remembered that ten years ago, Wei Youquan had sold him a copy of the "Blood Refining Body Forging Technique," which originated from Master Gui Yuan''s disciples.


    Of course, Wei Youquan''s affairs had nothing to do with him.


    After his curiosity passed, Zhao Sheng quickly looked away, patted Zhao Xuanjing on the arm, and hinted, "Stop looking, let''s go!"


    Zhao Xuanjing snapped back to reality and asked with interest, "Uncle Seven, I remember Pocket World City wasn''t like this ten years ago. Where did these people come from? They look quite strange?"


    "What''s so strange about it? There are far weirder things in the Cultivation World. Your experience is still too limited. Wait until you''ve been out training for a few decades, then nothing will surprise you."


    "Uncle Seven, what are we going to do next?"


    "First, let''s find a place to stay, then sell the demon beast materials we have accumulated over the years."


    "When will we return to the old place?"


    "No hurry, we''ll go back to the old place after we''ve bought everything we need."


    Thus, the two casually conversed while slowly disappearing into the crowd.


    ...


    Two days later, in the Qiwu Pavilion


    In a guest room, Zhao Sheng sat across from a thin old man.


    Zhao Sheng pulled out a gray storage bag, opened it wide, and tipped it upside down.


    Clatter!


    Immediately, a pile of scale armor, fur, beast horns, claws, and other demon beast materials fell onto the table in front of them, forming a small mountain.


    "Manager Chu, please assess these," Zhao Sheng said with a smile as he put away the storage bag.


    Manager Chu''s face lit up with joy as he skillfully sorted through the demon beast materials in front of him.


    "Hmm, this is a Red Antelope Horn, well-preserved. It can sell for fifty spirit stones.


    The skin and fur of the Fire Horse Beast, fire-resistant, unfortunately with two holes, greatly reducing its value. Barely sells for a hundred."


    Manager Chu continued to identify the quality of the materials and evaluate their prices as he handled each one.


    About an hour later, Manager Chu had assessed all the demon beast materials.


    Setting down the last piece of scale armor, Manager Chu smiled and said, "Senior Zhao, if this humble one is not mistaken, you... come from the Southern Border?"


    "Correct! Manager Chu, you have good eye," Zhao Sheng nodded. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This batch of demon beast materials had been accumulated by the Zhao family over recent years, as they could not fetch good prices in the Southern Border.


    This time, Zhao Sheng had brought them all to Pocket World City.


    "The elder flatters me. It''s not that I have exceptional discernment, but lately, all the big transactions like yours have come from the Southern Border without exception."


    As Manager Chu was speaking, he suddenly exclaimed, "Yuye Ancestor is truly a rare genius encountered once in a millennium. The great achievement of his successful development of new land has already spread throughout the Central Continent.


    An entire seven thousand li of the Desolate Domain, that is a fertile land containing endless treasures. If I were decades younger¡ª"


    "Alright, Manager Chu, name your price!"


    Zhao Sheng, seeing the conversation drifting farther away, immediately interrupted him. Experience more on empire


    Manager Chu slapped his forehead, apologized repeatedly, and admitted his old habit had kicked in again. Only after apologizing did he provide a price.


    "In total, twenty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty Spirit Stones."


    "What if exchanged entirely for Mid-grade Spirit Stones?" Zhao Sheng asked.


    "That would be only two hundred and thirty-five Mid-grade Spirit Stones; the rest is the price difference," Manager Chu answered promptly.


    "Fair enough! Let''s settle on that price!" Zhao Sheng quickly estimated and agreed readily.


    "Please wait a moment, senior, while I get the Spirit Stones."


    Just as Manager Chu was about to get up and leave, Zhao Sheng called out to him again.


    "Hold on, I have more items to sell!"


    Saying that, Zhao Sheng took out three wooden boxes, nearly as tall as a person, from his Storage Bag, opened the lids, and invited Manager Chu to inspect them.


    As soon as Manager Chu saw the contents of the boxes, he immediately sat back down and eagerly started to evaluate them. "This is Python Skin from a Second-level Black Nightmare Python and feathers from a Second Order Wind Eagle! Could this be..."


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng, with his Storage Bag bulging, left Qiwu Pavilion, while an exceedingly attentive Manager Chu stood at the entrance, watching him walk away.


    After passing through two workshops, Zhao Sheng stepped into the inn where he was staying.


    Upon entering the main hall of the inn, he saw Zhao Xuanjing entangled with a young woman dressed in a bright red robe.


    "I''ve already told you, I won''t join the Origin Return Sect. Stop bothering me!"


    Zhao Xuanjing was very frustrated, and as soon as he saw Zhao Sheng return, he quickly addressed the woman with a comment, then took two steps to meet him.


    "Uncle Qi, you''re finally back."


    "Yes, what''s going on?" Zhao Sheng nodded and gestured to what was happening behind him.


    Zhao Xuanjing turned around and a look of impatience washed over his face.


    Meanwhile, the woman in the red robe, persistent, chased after them, "Taoist friend, listen to me. Your Constitution far surpasses that of ordinary people and is most suited for cultivating our sect''s techniques. It would be such a waste to not use such an exceptional body."


    "How many times do I need to tell you? I won''t join."


    Despite being generally good-tempered, even Zhao Xuanjing lost his temper, unable to restrain the aura of a Qi Refining Ninth Layer, his towering, physically imposing figure exuded an oppressive air.


    Unexpectedly, the woman in the red robe showed no fear, her face determined and earnest.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng inevitably grew curious and asked, "Miss, are you not afraid of my nephew taking action?"


    "I''m not! Even if it kills me, I accept it, as long as he joins the Origin Return Sect," the woman in the red robe said resolutely.


    Hearing her, Zhao Sheng grew even more curious.


    "Why are you so persistent about him joining the Origin Return Sect? Does it benefit you somehow?"


    "Yes!"


    The woman in the red robe was direct and openly admitted, "If he joins the Origin Return Sect, I will be his guide. The higher his status in the sect, the more merit I receive."


    Although he didn''t know what merit was, Zhao Sheng had already seen through the schemes of the Origin Return Sect.


    "Creating a pyramid scheme in the Cultivation World. Talent indeed! Who thought of this trick? Could it be Master Gui Yuan?"


    Zhao Sheng was pondering this when,


    suddenly, the woman in the red robe''s eyes lit up, and she turned her attention to him, "Senior, why don''t you also join the Origin Return Sect? Though our sect is newly established, it possesses immense power. We have tens of thousands of disciples, nearly a hundred at the Foundation Establishment stage, and most importantly, a Nascent Soul Ancestor presides over us."


    Zhao Sheng was startled and inquired, "Nascent Soul Ancestor? Has Master Gui Yuan already advanced to Nascent Soul?"


    The woman in the red robe proudly said, "Correct, Origin Return Ancestor successfully elevated to Nascent Soul five years ago. Thus, the future of the Origin Return Sect is boundless. You should join quickly. If you delay, you''ll miss this excellent opportunity."


    Heh!

 Chapter 114 What is the Use of the Dragon Ball?

    Hehe!Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but sneer inwardly, but he remained unmoved and continued to inquire, "Miss, does your Origin Return Sect not have any requirements for accepting disciples?"


    "Who says we don''t? We don''t just accept anyone, at the very least, they must have a Spirit Root."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng thought, "That requirement is indeed ''high'' enough."


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng asked about a few more things.


    The woman in the red robe was surprisingly patient, showing no sign of impatience no matter what Zhao Sheng asked.


    Two quarters of an hour later, Zhao Sheng felt there was nothing more to ask. He secretly used an Enchanting Technique, handed the woman in the red robe ten Spirit Stones, and then "shooed" her out the door.


    Watching the woman walk away, Zhao Xuanjing couldn''t help but complain, "Uncle Seven, what was the point of chatting with her? You could have sent her away early on."


    "The Origin Return Sect is powerful in Pocket World City, backed by a Nascent Soul Ancestor. It''s always beneficial to inquire about some insider information."


    After explaining, Zhao Sheng took out a Spirit Stone Storage Bag and handed it to Zhao Xuanjing, while speaking, "There are ten thousand Spirit Stones in here, take them!"


    "Thank you, Uncle Seven! The Earth-Shaking Mace I have isn''t very handy for me. Now I can finally exchange it for a new Magic Artifact." Zhao Xuanjing exclaimed with unrestrained joy.


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    Three days later, Zhao''s Secret Mansion at Heavenly Pillar Mountain finally welcomed its own master.


    Walking through the Illusion Array and stepping onto the slope, the first thing Zhao Sheng saw was the revived Spiritual Peach Tree.


    After ten years, the Spiritual Peach Tree hadn''t changed much, still with winding branches like a pavilion canopy. But its peach leaves were even more emerald green, spirit light sprinkled beneath the tree, and cloud mist swirled around, with bursts of rich Water Spiritual Energy hitting the face.


    Perhaps nurtured by the Water Spiritual Energy, the Spiritual Medicines in the Medicine Field seemed more vigorous than ten years ago, each growing pleasingly well.


    After Zhao Xuanjing entered, he immediately let Little Gold out.


    Little Gold quickly sensed the familiar environment, and its serpent-like body excitedly twisted on the ground.


    Zhao Xuanjing gave Little Gold''s head a pat.


    Their hearts connected, they didn''t even need a reminder.


    Then, Zhao Xuanjing, with Little Gold and an excited expression, quickly ran into the stone cave.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng suddenly thought of something, his expression changed, and he hurriedly shouted, "Wait!"


    "Bang!"


    Almost at the same time, a loud noise erupted from inside the stone cave.


    Then they saw Zhao Xuanjing, holding his forehead, grimacing in pain as he walked out of the stone cave.


    "I forgot to tell you just now, I''ve set up a Second-Order Stone Wall Formation in the passage." Zhao Sheng explained somewhat embarrassingly.


    "..."


    After the minor incident, the two settled down in the secret mansion.


    Life in the secret mansion was simple and pure, with Zhao Xuanjing bitterly cultivating in seclusion within the Mountain Dragon Cave, aiming to swiftly reach Qi Refining Perfection.


    Zhao Sheng, on the other hand, was much more leisurely.


    In this life, he had no hope of advancing to Golden Core.


    Therefore, he naturally wouldn''t put all his energy into cultivation. Instead, he devoted most of his efforts to talismanic magic, with the remainder on Elixir Pills, Artifacts, Formations, Curses, and other Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation.


    All this was to accumulate knowledge, experience, and insight for his next life.


    A month later, under the Spiritual Peach Tree, the cloud mist was sparse, and Zhao Sheng, sitting cross-legged beneath it, suddenly opened his eyes and sighed.


    After a month of cultivation, the Water Spiritual Energy around the Spiritual Peach Tree had already dwindled to a trickle.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng also finally confirmed that, after advancing to the Second Level of Foundation Establishment, the spiritual energy environment here was no longer sufficient to support his continued cultivation.


    Now, he faced two choices: one was to use Elixir Pills and Spirit Stones to aid his cultivation, and the other was to move to a place with more concentrated Spiritual Energy.


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment, stood up, and walked into the stone cave.


    He passed through the long passage, turned into the tunnel, and walked another two or three miles.


    Along the path, stone rooms and large stone caves could be seen everywhere, with tables and benches carved from stone placed within.


    All of these were the masterpieces of Zhao Xuanjing, but they were not all there was.


    As Zhao Sheng entered the Mountain Dragon Cave, an even more astonishing scene appeared before his eyes.


    Around the walls of the Mountain Dragon Cave, Zhao Xuanjing had actually carved out four grottoes, which housed groups of stone buildings of grand scales and diverse styles.


    Zhao Sheng had seen plenty before and was not at all surprised.


    Upon entering the Mountain Dragon Cave, he quickly saw Zhao Xuanjing standing in front of the Mountain Dragon Remains.


    Stepping forward, Zhao Sheng''s gaze suddenly sharpened.


    Zhao Xuanjing was staring intently at the pit in front of him as if he hadn''t noticed Zhao Sheng''s arrival.


    At that moment, Little Gold''s thick body was constantly rolling and writhing in the pit, rubbing forcefully against the walls of the pit while devouring the falling debris of the Mountain Dragon.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng felt both shocked and delighted.


    He knew that Little Gold was undergoing transformation and would upgrade to Second Order upon success.


    If it failed, it wouldn''t die, but it would split and reproduce.


    And this meant that Little Gold had limited potential and could never condense True Blood and revert to its dragon ancestry.


    A day later, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing had not moved, silently watching by the side.


    At this time, Little Gold''s transformation was reaching its crucial moment.


    With a sound like tearing silk, dozens of golden rings on Little Gold''s body suddenly burst open, revealing a new layer of brighter, larger golden rings beneath.


    At the same time, Zhao Xuanjing shouted with great joy, "It''s a success!"


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but be all smiles.


    In no time, Little Gold quickly shed its old skin, with its body becoming several times thicker, as large as a water bucket, and its length exceeding thirty feet.


    Then, without making a sound, Little Gold burrowed into the ground and the next instant, its head popped up from under Zhao Xuanjing''s feet, its spirit body skillfully wrapping around its master''s body, affectionately rubbing itself against him!


    Zhao Xuanjing played with Little Gold for a while, sharing in its joy.


    "Seventh Uncle, as you can see, Little Gold has great potential. The Dragon Ball is of no use to you, could you not feed it to Little Gold?"


    Taking advantage of the good opportunity, Zhao Xuanjing once again asked Zhao Sheng for the Dragon Ball.


    He had asked for it several times before, but Zhao Sheng had never budged.


    This time...


    "That Dragon Ball, I have a great use for it. I can''t give it to you!"


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    Zhao Xuanjing was very disappointed, forever puzzled as to why his Seventh Uncle insisted on hoarding the Dragon Ball.


    Zhao Sheng would not tell anyone the use of the Dragon Ball.


    In his heart, he had a plan that had been in the works for many years, and the Dragon Ball was the most critical prop in this plan.


    Ignoring the disappointed look on the other''s face, Zhao Sheng said, "I will be leaving the secret mansion for several years, you stay here and cultivate properly. I will leave these two Array Plates with you."


    With that, Zhao Sheng handed the Stone Wall Formation and Flowing Cloud Illusion Array Plates to Zhao Xuanjing.


    Zhao Xuanjing took the Array Plates, looking very puzzled, "Seventh Uncle, it''s only been a month, why are you leaving the secret mansion now?"


    Zhao Sheng then told him the reason for his departure.


    Upon hearing it, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly realized.


    He naturally supported Zhao Sheng''s decision wholeheartedly.


    So,


    A day later, with Zhao Xuanjing watching, Zhao Sheng passed through the Illusion Array and left Zhao''s Secret Mansion.


    The next day, in the Treasure Talisman Pavilion located in the Outer City of Pocket World City, a Mixed Spirit Shop on the street quietly changed owners.

 Chapter 115 The Birth of a Prosperous Shop

    Treasure Talisman Pavilion,In front of a shop by the street, at this moment, it was surrounded by people forming three inner and three outer circles.


    In the middle of the crowd, two exceptionally beautiful women with alluring figures stood in front of the shop entrance, striking various enticing poses.


    As time passed, the crowd in front of the shop grew larger and larger, almost blocking the street.


    Zhao Sheng felt that the time was ripe, so he gave the two "beautiful women" a wink.


    Understanding his signal, the women smiled charmingly, then turned gracefully, their hands reaching out to grasp a hanging red ribbon and gave it a gentle tug.


    The ribbon fell, revealing the shop''s signboard above the door with the big characters "Golden Talisman Pavilion".


    Zhao Sheng chose this name to commemorate Zhao Jinfu.


    Without him, Zhao Sheng''s path in Talisman Tao would not have been so smooth.


    After pulling down the ribbon, the two beauties delicately moved to the front of the door, gently pushed it open, glanced back with a smile, and quickly disappeared behind the door.


    The crowd outside, upon seeing this scene, looked at each other. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The next second, no one knew who moved first, but the crowd suddenly surged forward, scrambling to rush into the shop.


    When the crowd entered the shop, the two beauties were already standing behind the counter, gracefully waiting for customers.


    Behind the beauties, on the white wall, hung hundreds of various types of talismans with labels below them: Water Healing Talisman, Golden Arrow Talisman, Rejuvenation Talisman, Earth Shield Talisman, Fire Dragon Talisman, and so on.


    It''s worth mentioning that the topmost part of the wall was still empty, having no samples, but displayed prominently were the words Second-Order such-and-such Talisman, like Second-Order Water Mine Talisman, Second-Order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, Second-Order Water Dragon Roar, and so forth.


    Such a straightforward and clear arrangement was refreshing for everyone.


    Without needing someone to explain, just a glance was enough to know what talismans could be purchased in this shop.


    "I want to buy three Water Healing Talismans," someone tentatively spoke.


    The beautiful woman slightly bowed with a smile showing her teeth, "Senior, one Water Healing Talisman costs two Spirit Stones. Are you sure you want to buy them?"


    As soon as she finished speaking, a thought suddenly emerged in everyone''s minds, "Oh my, her voice is so pleasing, it''s almost soul-stirring!"


    Smack!


    "Just two per piece, that''s too cheap! Give me ten!" The person took out a sparkling Mid-grade Spirit Stone and slapped it on the counter with a lavish gesture.


    "Alright, Senior, please wait a moment!"


    The beauty, evidently well-trained professionally, was extremely efficient; within a few breaths, she completed the full process of collecting the payment, fetching the talismans, and returning the change.


    "I want two Water Healing Talismans, two Earth Shield Talismans."


    "Four Golden Armor Talismans, one Illusion Talisman, six Condensing Water Talismans."


    "I want¡­"


    After the successful first transaction, the crowd rushed to make purchases one after another.


    In an instant, the trading atmosphere at Golden Talisman Pavilion was exceptionally heated.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng led seven or eight fellow talisman cultivators to quietly retreat from the front of the shop to the guest hall in the backyard.


    No sooner had everyone sat down than one person eagerly said, "Senior Zhao, I, Zhou Shengsan, agree to your consignment proposal."


    Zhao Sheng nodded at him, then asked the others, "What are your thoughts, everyone?"


    The others nodded without hesitation in agreement.


    At that moment, there was no need for anyone else to point it out, anyone with clear vision could see that Golden Talisman Pavilion''s opening was a smashing success.


    Given the condition today, it wouldn''t take much time for Treasure Talisman Pavilion to add yet another bustling shop.


    Just past the time of Hai, Golden Talisman Pavilion closed for the day.


    As soon as the door closed, the two beauties immediately lost their composed images and slumped over the counter, huffing and puffing heavily.


    "Senior Zhao, if every day is as busy as today, we sisters won''t be able to keep up," they said.


    After this complaint, the figures of the two beautiful women suddenly became blurry.


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    Then, as if shedding a layer of painted skin, the two stunning beauties disappeared, replaced by two women with excellent figures but ordinary faces.


    The two women looked very similar, clearly indicating that they were twin sisters.


    Zhao Sheng laid out a row of Spirit Stones and placed them in front of the two: "Your daily wage is ten Spirit Stones each. Believe me, I could easily find a large group of people to replace you with just eight Spirit Stones."


    Upon hearing this, the two became extremely nervous. Jobs with such high wages were almost impossible to find in the Outer City!


    If they lost their jobs over a slip of the tongue, they would be devastated!


    The two sisters quickly bowed their heads and apologized, correcting their attitudes.


    Zhao Sheng was just scaring them, he had no intention of replacing them.


    ...


    After closing the door and checking the accounts, Zhao Sheng, despite having braced himself, still jumped after tallying the accounts.


    The Golden Talisman Pavilion had a turnover of more than twenty thousand Spirit Stones just on the first day of business, and the profit, because it included consignment, was temporarily uncalculated, but was surely above ten percent.


    Others, even Foundation Establishment Cultivators, could not sustain such a bustling shop.


    But Zhao Sheng was well prepared.


    Before opening, he had given forty percent of the shop shares to the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association, without any charges.


    Zhao Sheng had been a member of the Enthusiasts Association for decades. He was well aware that the association was divided into several layers. The core circle had profound connections and was supported by several Golden Core Masters.


    Having the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association as a support not only solved the source of talismans but also avoided external scrutiny,


    Most importantly, this opportunity had brought him into the core layer of the association.


    From then on, more literary classics about the Talisman Tao that were previously inaccessible were finally opened up to him.


    Zhao Sheng''s actions could not just be considered hitting several birds with one stone, but an overwhelming success.


    The next day, the Golden Talisman Pavilion continued its booming success from the opening day.


    The third day, the number of customers slightly decreased, but the shop was still bustling.


    The Golden Talisman Pavilion was on fire, incredibly successful!


    As the owner of the Golden Talisman Pavilion, Zhao Sheng gradually gained a reputation in Pocket World City, at least somewhat famous among Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    Soon, more secretive circles within Pocket World City began to send him invitations one after another.


    Zhao Sheng naturally accepted them.


    In less than a month, Zhao Sheng''s social circle rapidly expanded, with more and more channels opening up for him.


    Having been a person of high standing across several lives, his experience and ability ensured that he thrived in any circle.


    Thus, in a short period of time, Zhao Sheng was accepted by even more layers of society.


    ...


    Half a month later, Zhao Sheng rented a cultivation cave mansion through his connections.


    A month later, with a friend''s guidance, he entered the underground black market of Pocket World City for the first time.


    From then on, he became a regular at the black market.


    Half a year later, the third floor of the Book Sea Tower in Cave Heaven Inner City opened its doors to him.


    A year later, a significant event occurred in Pocket World City. The Origin Ancestor announced his departure from Pocket World City and officially established the Origin Return Sect on Cliff Mountain, a thousand miles away.


    On the day the sect was founded, the sect gates were opened to all without discrimination, allowing anyone with a Spirit Root to join.


    Immediately, countless destitute Loose Cultivators spread the word and invited friends to join the Origin Return Sect.


    Two months later, at a gathering of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Zhao Sheng heard someone jokingly mention that the number of disciples under the Origin Return Sect had already exceeded fifty thousand, thus it was humorously referred to as the "Great Sect" of Central Continent.

 Chapter 116 The 116th Chapter: Faking Is a Craft

    Golden Talisman Pavilion,That late afternoon, Mei San sneaked into the shop with furtive steps.


    Upon entering, he sidled up to Xiao Huan and whispered, "I''m looking for your shopkeeper."


    Xiao Huan was the elder of the two beauties.


    She was already quite accustomed to this kind of sneaky behavior from visitors. Find adventures on empire


    "May I ask if you''re here for a transaction?"


    "Yeah, one of my ancestors was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Before he passed away, he left behind several refining notes. We, the descendants, have no talent, so we can only trade them for some spirit stones to spend," Mei San seemed to say with shame.


    "Please take your number plaque, turn left after you enter, and there''s a guest lounge. You can wait there for a while, and when it''s your turn, you can go in."


    Xiao Huan skillfully took a wooden plaque from below the counter and slid it across to Mei San.


    "Huh? Are there a lot of people coming here?" Mei San looked surprised and couldn''t help but ask.


    "Not many lately. Today you''re number forty-three," Xiao Huan responded lightly, maintaining a professional and delicate smile on her face.


    Mei San''s face reddened as he grabbed the wooden plaque and walked toward the back.


    After turning past the side door of the shop and walking a dozen steps, he entered a simply decorated room.


    The room was about a hundred square meters, and there were thirty or forty chairs placed inside.


    When Mei San entered, there were already seven or eight people seated in the room.


    The room was very quiet, no one was speaking, and Mei San shrunk his neck as he quietly walked in, randomly picking a chair to sit down, and began to wait silently.


    It wasn''t long before,


    a young attendant entered the room, and without a word, someone immediately got up and followed the attendant out.


    After a long wait, those in front of him had gone, and finally, it was his turn.


    Mei San followed the attendant through a hallway to the innermost room.


    Thump, thump!


    The attendant knocked on the door.


    "Come in," a warm voice called from inside the room.


    "Go on in," the attendant said to Mei San.


    Mei San nodded appreciatively at the attendant and then pushed the door open and walked in.


    "Sit!" Zhao Sheng indicated the chair in front of him.


    Mei San nodded repeatedly with a smiling face and sat down across from Zhao Sheng, then carefully pulled out a yellow jade scroll from his bosom and placed it on the table in front of him.


    Seeing it was a Jade Scroll, Zhao Sheng''s spirits lifted immediately; anything recorded on a Jade Scroll was no trivial matter.


    Following protocol, he didn''t inquire about the origins of the Jade Scroll, nor did he check the content inside. Instead, he directly asked the visitor.


    "Taoist friend, may I ask what is recorded inside this Jade Scroll? Is it a Cultivation Method, Elixir Recipe, secret news, treasure map, or something else?"


    Mei San said, "Senior Zhao, this Jade Scroll was left by my ancestor, and it records a Cultivation Method called ''Fire Cloud Skill.'' My ancestor was able to cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Realm with this very method."


    As Zhao Sheng picked up the Jade Scroll, his Divine Sense swept across Mei San''s body, sensing that his cultivation was very low, at merely the Qi Refining Second Level.


    He pressed the Jade Scroll to his forehead, his divine sense probing inside, and in a flash, countless details about the Cultivation Method flooded his mind.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng took down the Jade Scroll and fell into contemplation.


    Indeed, the scroll recorded a Fire Element Cultivation Method, with very detailed accounts of steps for refining spiritual energy, transporting spiritual power, refining meridians, and nourishing the spirit as part of the cultivation.


    However, Zhao Sheng was still unable to confirm whether the Cultivation Method was genuine.


    After all, the Cultivation World had a longstanding tradition of fraud, with few honest people and too many swindlers, to the point where fools were nearly extinct.


    Altering elixir recipes, fabricating Cultivation experiences, forging spells, and treasure maps were just child''s play.


    More sophisticated methods of deception involved cutting and completely fabricating Cultivation Methods, deriving hundreds of ''different'' methods from a single one.


    In the Cultivation World, falsification and counterfeiting had become a hereditary craft for some cultivator swindlers.


    But those weren''t the cruelest of practices.


    The thing that countless cultivators hated most was that the cultivation methods were real, but someone had deliberately altered, erased, or even intentionally set cultivation traps in the most crucial parts of the methods.


    There were many, very many cultivators who did this. It could be to prevent leakage of secrets, or it could be to deliberately harm others.


    Imagine this,


    After killing someone, someone searches the corpse and finds a cultivation method named "Fire Cloud Skill."


    Ninety-nine percent of the content of the method is true, but at the upgrade to Foundation Establishment, the record prescribes the Nine Revolutions, claiming self-establishment upon completion.


    But in fact, the Nine Revolutions had been tampered with, and following it not only failed to establish the foundation but would cause the cultivator to explode and die.


    In the Cultivation World, every year there are countless cultivators who practiced false methods and ended up meeting with various tragedies.


    But I digress, back to the main point.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng silent, Mei San grew anxious inside.


    He naturally knew about the other''s concerns and hurriedly revealed his origins and family background, even explaining the reason for selling his ancestral cultivation method.


    When Zhao Sheng heard that the other party was selling the method to join the Origin Return Sect, he felt very curious.


    "Isn''t the Origin Return Sect known for admitting anyone with a Spirit Root into its gate?"


    Mei San smiled bitterly and said, "Senior is not aware, it''s not difficult to enter the Origin Return Sect, but cultivating requires Spirit Stones! Besides, there are too many disciples in the sect, and the number of Essence Blood Pearls is limited. Right now, it''s like too many monks and not enough porridge; the disciples are nearly fighting to the death over it."


    Zhao Sheng had also heard a little about the current state of the Origin Return Sect, so he naturally knew that the other party was not lying.


    The rapid expansion of the Origin Return Sect''s power was rare in the recent tens of thousands of years of Tianzhu Realm history.


    In just a few years'' time, the number of disciples exceeded fifty-thousand, so naturally, the resources within the sect couldn''t keep up.


    Zhao Sheng was very curious, watching as the Origin Return Sect grew like a balloon day by day, why the powers of the Ten Great Sects of Central Continent hadn''t chosen to suppress it?


    After all, in any world, the upper classes are extremely vigilant about any person or force that might threaten their own position, and they often choose to snuff out or co-opt such threats in advance.


    Could it be that the Origin Return Sect has already been "co-opted"? Or is it just a "white glove" put forward by some top force?


    Or perhaps...


    For a moment, numerous possibilities sprang up in Zhao Sheng''s mind. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Senior, Senior?"


    Mei San''s call brought back Zhao Sheng''s wandering thoughts.


    "I''ll take this Cultivation Technique Jade Scroll. What would you like to exchange for it?"


    After coming to his senses, Zhao Sheng finally decided to take that cultivation method.


    Upon hearing this, Mei San''s face lit up with joy, and then he cautiously said, "Senior, I heard that you can refine Essence Blood Talismans?"


    "Hmm, you want an Essence Blood Talisman?" Zhao Sheng nodded, his gaze sharp as he looked at the other party.


    "Yes, I want the Essence Blood Talisman!" said Mei San very affirmatively.


    Mei San''s request somewhat troubled Zhao Sheng.


    It wasn''t that Essence Blood Talismans were difficult to refine, but he was afraid that once he started, he wouldn''t be able to stop.


    Zhao Sheng was very clear about how large the supply gap for Essence Blood Talismans was.


    In the past two years, every Talisman Master in the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association had been visited by Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Origin Return Sect, not once but dozens or even more times.


    Zhao Sheng was no exception, especially a certain individual surnamed Wei who considered himself an old acquaintance, repeatedly visiting with a thick-skinned persistence that was nearly unbearable.


    However, Zhao Sheng did not want to outright reject them.


    After all, one has to respect the Ancestor for the sake of the Origin Ancestor''s face.


    Just as other Golden Core Perfected Masters monopolized certain industries in Pocket World City, the Origin Ancestor monopolized the talisman industry.


    In other words, the greatest backer of the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association was the Origin Ancestor.


    Of course, ever since the Origin Ancestor was forced to leave Pocket World City, the backer of the association had changed.


    However, the connections built up over hundreds of years couldn''t be erased in a short period.


    Even now, a considerable number of talisman cultivators from Pocket World City had been taken in as disciples by the Origin Return Sect.


    Zhao Sheng had also been invited multiple times to join but had declined each time.

 Chapter 117 Copper-Armored Corpse, Im Not Interested

    "How many Essence Blood Talismans can I exchange for this Fire Cloud Skill?"Mei San carefully observed Zhao Sheng''s facial expression.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and pushed the Jade Scroll back. "You better come up with another request, or I don''t want this Jade Scroll."


    Mei San''s expression stiffened, then he hesitantly began to ponder.


    A moment later, Mei San quietly left through the back door of the Golden Talisman Pavilion.


    In the room, Zhao Sheng put away the Cultivation Technique Jade Scroll, just as there was a knock at the door.


    "Come in!"


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    "Senior Zhao, I have a family secret recipe..." S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    Three days later, at a Foundation Establishment exchange meeting, Zhao Sheng looked at the red-haired Foundation Establishment Practitioner opposite him with a smile and asked, "Mr. Zhu, I acquired a Fire Element Cultivation Method a few days ago; would you be interested in taking a look?"


    "Oh, what Cultivation Technique?" Zhu Xingyun specialized in Fire Techniques and was extremely keen on any Cultivation Techniques of the same kind.


    Zhao Sheng took out the Fire Cloud Skill Jade Scroll and handed it over to Zhu Xingyun.


    After a short while, Zhu Xingyun put down the Jade Scroll, his expression very satisfied, and he exclaimed, "Fire Cloud Skill, refining fire into clouds! The mind of the person who created this method is really unique. Tsk tsk, very interesting!"


    "Mr. Zhu, are you interested in taking it? I''ve heard you have a Sacrificial Fire Technique."


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng finished speaking than Zhu Xingyun laughed heartily. "Taoist Zhao, you''re too cunning! You actually want to exchange an ordinary Cultivation Technique for Zhu''s unique supreme skill."


    Seeing that the other party didn''t outright refuse, Zhao Sheng was overjoyed and quickly said, "As long as Mr. Zhu is willing to part with it, you can name your price. If the Fire Cloud Skill isn''t enough, I also know a few methods for refining Second Order Fire Element True Talismans."


    A moment later, the two had successfully traded and left very satisfied with each other.


    After completing a deal, Zhao Sheng looked around and set his sights on another Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    "Taoist Zheng, it''s a pleasure. I acquired another method a few days ago..."


    An hour later, the exchange meeting ended, and Zhao Sheng returned home with a full load.


    And so, Zhao Sheng cultivated at a leisurely pace while busily engaged in business, selling items from one hand to the other.


    He wasn''t in it for the Spirit Stones; he was accumulating a foundation.


    In the meantime, he''d been taken advantage of quite a few times and lost some capital, but Zhao Sheng was always enthusiastic and never tired of the hustle.


    Two years swiftly passed,


    business at Golden Talisman Pavilion continued to be booming, and Zhao Sheng''s own dealings were also thriving.


    All this was thanks to the "naive and wealthy" persona he had established early on.


    Now, more and more Cultivators sought him out for transactions.


    Naturally, this also attracted more con artists.


    So much so that over the years, Zhao Sheng was forced to develop a pair of "Fire Eyes" that could discern truth from deceit.


    One day, Zhao Sheng acquired from a Loose Cultivator a refining method for an obscure magic artifact, the Seven-orifice Soul Sealing Nails.


    The Seven-orifice Soul Sealing Nails were a type of Corpse Dao Magical Artifact with very specific uses, not easy to trade in Pocket World City.


    Wanting to sell them off quickly, Zhao Sheng used an Illusion True Talisman on himself, transforming into a dark-faced Great Han, and entered a shop that sold magic robes.


    Upon entering and seeing the attendant, Zhao Sheng directly asked, "I want to buy a three foot three inch black robe; do you have any for sale in your shop?"


    The attendant''s eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed. "Senior, I''m very sorry! Our shop only has Eight-direction Guest Robes left, ten Spirit Stones each."


    "I''ll take one," Zhao Sheng replied briskly.


    "Senior, please follow me!" the attendant said joyfully as he gestured with an outstretched arm.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng, clad in a hooded black robe, walked alone through a tunnel about three feet wide and two people tall.


    He could distinctly feel the tunnel sloped downward.


    After going about three or four miles, Zhao Sheng passed through the exit, and the world suddenly opened up before him.


    Before him lay an enormous cavern with a ceiling nearly a hundred feet high, and at the very top floated a fireball, three feet in diameter, radiating endless light and heat, resembling a "miniature Sun".


    This "miniature Sun" was the most famous landmark of the Grotto Heaven City black market.


    It was a rare instance of Golden Crow True Flame, now being used by some powerful being for illumination.


    The deterrent effect was self-evident!


    The layout of the underground black market was almost identical to that of Pocket World City, and the architectural style was largely the same.


    Walking on the streets, if it wasn''t for the fact that everyone was shrouded in a black robe, some might think they were still in Pocket World City.


    Zhao Sheng was very familiar with the black market, heading straight for his destination without hesitation after entering.


    After walking along Corpse God Street for a while, Zhao Sheng flashed into a shop with "Charity Estate" written on its sign.


    Upon entering, he saw rows of coffins placed on the floor of the shop.


    The coffins came in a variety of styles, their surfaces etched with countless mysterious symbols¡ªthere were Black Coffins, copper coffins, golden coffins, and even two Jade Coffins carved from Spirit Stones at the deepest part of the store.


    Ding-a-ling-a-ling!


    At that moment, the bronze bell hanging at the shop''s entrance suddenly began to shake, and then a crippled elder hobbled out from the back of the shop.


    "Mr. Lin, it''s me," Zhao Sheng said as he moved a few steps closer.


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng''s voice, the crippled elder''s expression darkened immediately, and he said impatiently, "Oh, it''s you! What kind of junk did you bring to fool me with this time?"


    "I made a mistake last time, but this time I assure you it''s no fake!"


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng took out a Skin Scroll and tossed it with his right hand.


    The Skin Scroll slowly flew towards the man, who snatched it out of the air.


    Upon opening it, the crippled elder''s eyes suddenly widened, an excited expression spreading across his face.


    Seven-orifice Soul Sealing Nails, a Corpse Dao Magical Artifact designed to seal souls and pacify corpses, commonly used to seal unruly living corpses.


    "Good stuff! I''ll take it. What do you want to exchange it for?"


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Lin, you should already know what I want."


    The crippled elder''s face changed, and he immediately refused, "No! The Corpse Control Technique is a secret of our sect, and it cannot be imparted to outsiders."


    "What if I add this incomplete volume of the Zombification Technique?" Zhao Sheng produced another booklet, waving it in front of him.


    As it so happens, he had acquired the incomplete volume of the Zombification Technique many years ago from someone belonging to the Wushan Three Immortals, and it hadn''t been of much use until now.


    Now, using it to exchange for the Corpse Control Technique was, in a way, making the best of waste.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng mentioned the Zombification Technique than the crippled elder''s face went through a dramatic change, and an amazing aura suddenly burst forth from him.


    Late-stage Foundation Establishment!


    Zhao Sheng''s heart went cold; he hadn''t expected this crippled old man to be a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    He realized he had made a misstep¡ªthe Zombification Technique was far more valuable than he had imagined.


    At that moment, the coffins in the shop began to shake violently, with a grating scraping noise coming from inside them.


    Ding-a-ling-a-ling!


    The bronze bell at the entrance swung as if by an invisible wind.


    The crippled elder suppressed his excitement and waved his hand, sending streaks of black light into the coffins.


    Soon, all the coffins fell silent again.


    "Hand it over!" the crippled elder said with a grave expression.


    Zhao Sheng stepped back several paces to the doorway, his tone cautious, "Mr. Lin, keeping this technique does me no good. But a mere Corpse Control Technique isn''t worth an exchange for the Zombification Technique."


    "It''s only an incomplete volume¡ªnot as important as you think," the crippled elder said with a cold sneer.


    "In that case, we''ll meet again some other time!"


    With that, Zhao Sheng didn''t even ask for the Skin Scroll back; he simply turned and walked away.


    "Wait!"


    Just as he expected, as soon as he stepped through the doorway, Zhao Sheng was called back.


    "Mr. Lin, is there anything else?"


    Seeing the other party''s smug expression, the crippled elder felt extremely frustrated, wishing he could turn him into a living corpse.


    "I''ll add a copper-armored corpse with combat prowess not inferior to a Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator," he offered.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said very seriously, "I have no interest in a copper-armored corpse, but I have heard that your sect possesses a unique Resurrection Skill."


    "Hmph, you really dare to ask for the moon," the crippled elder huffed.

 Chapter 118 True Immortal Requests Your Presence

    "Mr. Lin, I''ll ask just one question, will you exchange it or not?"After finishing his words, Zhao Sheng stood as if he would leave the moment the answer was no.


    The lame old man''s face changed between shades of dark and light for a while before he finally gritted his teeth and squeezed out a word, "Exchange!"


    Before the echo of his voice had faded, he immediately emphasized, "But you must swear an oath that the Corpse Control Technique and the Resurrection Skill can only be cultivated by you alone and not be disclosed to anyone else."


    "Agreed," Zhao Sheng answered briskly.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng left the Charity Estate in high spirits, completely ignoring the gloomy expression on the lame old man''s face behind him.


    Three days later, in an Earth Fire Room of the Hundred Refinement Workshop, within the inner city of Pocket World City.


    Zhao Sheng was fully focused, his hands continuously forming the Sacrificial Formulas, as streaks of spirit light flew from his hands into the Spirit Fire Gourd two yards away.


    At this moment, the Spirit Fire Gourd was bobbing up and down in a mass of cyan Earth Fire, with faint purple flames emerging from the mouth of the gourd, S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the Sacrificial Fire Technique was infused, wisps of cyan Earth Fire were constantly being absorbed into the Spirit Fire Gourd and gradually transformed into a pale purple Spiritual Fire.


    After three hours, the cyan Earth Fire suddenly weakened rapidly and quickly fell back into the Earth Fire Eye below.


    At that moment, the Spirit Fire Gourd was surrounded by a faint purple spiritual light, and above its mouth appeared a flame tiger the size of a thumb, extremely lively and vivid.


    Zhao Sheng reached out and summoned the Spirit Fire Gourd back into his hand.


    Looking at the very spiritual Tiger Spirit, Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction and then stored the Spirit Gourd back into his Storage Bag.


    After Cultivators tame Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, because it loses the environment it relies on to survive, the Spiritual Fire will gradually lose its spirituality over time.


    In order to maintain the spirituality of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, Cultivators have created many methods over thousands of years, and the Sacrificial Fire Technique is one of them.


    Zhao Sheng stood up and left the Earth Fire Room, then directly returned to the Golden Talisman Pavilion of the Treasure Talisman Pavilion after leaving the Hundred Refinement Workshop.


    As soon as he entered the shop''s door, the female servant Xiao Huan came forward to greet him and said in a low voice, "Shopkeeper, Senior Wei from the Origin Return Sect has come again; he is waiting for you in the back courtyard parlor."


    Zhao Sheng frowned slightly, waved his hand, and calmly said, "I understand, go on with your work!"


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng turned and walked toward the back courtyard.


    The Golden Talisman Pavilion was not large; it only took a few steps to go from the front hall to the back courtyard.


    Zhao Sheng soon walked into the back courtyard parlor and saw his "old friend" Wei Youquan.


    Compared to ten years ago, Wei Youquan looked like a different person. Not only had he become much younger, but his demeanor was also majestic, with a confident and proud look between his brows, completely devoid of the timid and shrunken appearance of the previous years.


    What Zhao Sheng found most astonishing was that Wei Youquan had reached the Foundation Establishment phase.


    Ten years ago, Wei Youquan''s cultivation was only at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining.


    In just a short ten years, he had successively passed through the seventh, eighth, and ninth levels of Qi Refining, and then advanced to Foundation Establishment in one breath.


    This was considered a miracle to any Cultivator!


    Therefore, the Origin Return Sect intentionally sent Wei Youquan to Pocket World City and entrusted him with heavy responsibilities, clearly treating him as a "walking advertisement."


    According to what he had seen and heard over the past few years, Wei Youquan truly lived up to expectations, and he performed his duties quite exceptionally.


    "Haha, Brother Wei! How come you have the time to visit me today? You are a very busy man!" Zhao Sheng greeted him cheerfully as soon as he entered the door.


    "Brother Zhao, I won''t hide it from you, I don''t come to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing! I''m here today specifically to deliver an invitation," Wei Youquan stood up and said with a smile, giving Zhao Sheng a cupped hands salute.


    "Oh, what kind of invitation? Enough to prompt Dean Wei himself to deliver it personally?" Zhao Sheng walked into the living room, his face expressing confusion.


    "Our sect will soon have a Golden Core Master grace Pocket World City with his presence. He specifically requested Brother Zhao to attend a cultivation gathering."


    As he spoke, Wei Youquan waved his long sleeve, and a light red invitation inscribed with a mountain peak fluttered out of his cuff, gently flying into Zhao Sheng''s hands.


    Zhao Sheng opened the invitation, read through its contents, his expression changed slightly, but quickly returned to a smile, "It''s an honor to be invited by a True Immortal. I will most certainly arrive at the Spirit Essence Institute on time in three days."


    "Well, with that settled, I will not disturb Brother Zhao any longer. Farewell!"


    Saying this, Wei Youquan cupped one fist in the other hand and began to walk away.


    "Brother Wei, why the rush to leave? Let''s chat a bit more; I recently acquired a jar of two-hundred-year-old Drunken Spring Breeze. Today, let''s not stop until we''re thoroughly inebriated!"


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t let Wei Youquan leave just like that. He needed to probe and figure out why a Golden Core Master would invite him to a cultivation gathering without any apparent reason.


    Upon hearing about the two-hundred-year-old Drunken Spring Breeze, Wei Youquan abruptly stopped in his tracks, saliva flooding his mouth.


    He had a vast array of pleasures in his life, but his love for liquor was unmatched. The mention from Zhao Sheng immediately tempted his inner alcoholic worm.


    But... thinking of the True Immortal''s orders, Wei Youquan regretfully swallowed, turned back, and laughed heartily, "Haha, Brother Zhao is too kind! But I''m incredibly busy today; another day then! I will definitely come by another time. You must keep that jar of Drunken Spring Breeze for me."


    With a thought, Zhao Sheng immediately pulled out a human-head-sized Jade White Wine Jar from his Storage Bag and placed it into Wei Youquan''s hands.


    "If that''s the case, I''ll give this jar of Drunken Spring Breeze to Brother Wei. I ask for nothing more than for you to speak favorably of me in front of the True Immortal."


    Upon hearing this, Wei Youquan immediately knew there was a hidden message in Zhao Sheng''s words, and quickly slapped his chest to assure, "Brother Zhao, rest assured! The True Immortal inviting you is a good thing, certainly not bad."


    You all?


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng seized the moment to ask, "Besides me, which other Taoists have been invited?"


    Realizing his slip of the tongue, Wei Youquan laughed it off, "Brother Zhao, no need to ask further; you will know once you''re there."


    After Wei Youquan left, Zhao Sheng remained alone in the living room, his gaze flickering uncertainly, contemplating deeply.


    ... Find exclusive stories on empire


    Three days passed in a blink of an eye,


    Just after the third quarter of the Chen hour, Zhao Sheng, dressed in a blue Daoist robe, stepped out of the Golden Talisman Pavilion and headed towards Jinggu Square in the inner city.


    The Spirit Essence Institute, one of the three lower institutes set up by the Origin Return Sect in Pocket World City, was located in Jinggu Square on the eastern side of the inner city. It wasn''t small in size and consisted of a complex of courtyard buildings.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng arrived at the Spirit Essence Institute. After explaining his purpose to the gatekeeping disciple and showing the invitation, he was quickly invited inside.


    Passing through three layers of courtyards, Zhao Sheng noticed many disciples dressed in red robes; in just a few steps, he encountered more than a hundred of them.


    Zhao Sheng was inwardly shocked; just a lower institute like the Spirit Essence Institute had so many people.


    The vast number of disciples and the rapid expansion of the Origin Return Sect''s influence was evident from this alone!


    "There''s a problem, there must be a big problem!... Why would the foremost powers such as Vast Sect, Purple Sun Sect, and others allow the Origin Return Sect to expand their influence unchecked?


    Pocket World City is clearly the backyard garden for the top ten powers, so why would they tolerate the Origin Return Sect infringing on their interests?"


    As Zhao Sheng harbored these doubts, he was quickly led into a spacious and elegant hall.


    Upon entering, taking one glance, Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned.

 Chapter 119 The Golden Core Technique is Greatly Beneficial

    "Elder Taoist Feng Yu, Master Buhu, Qian Zhenzi, Xinggu Wanderer¡­"Zhao Sheng glanced over one by one, all the people he saw were well-known Foundation Establishment talisman cultivators of Pocket World City.


    They shared another identity with Zhao Sheng; they were all Loose Cultivators who had not joined the Origin Return Sect.


    "Master Zhao!"


    "Taoist Zhao!"


    "Brother Zhao, you''ve come too!"


    As Zhao Sheng entered, everyone greeted him in turn.


    They were all Fellow Daoists of talisman cultivation and had become acquainted with each other previously.


    "Everyone is well, I hope!" Zhao Sheng greeted each with a fist and palm salute, then casually found a seat and sat down.


    No sooner had he settled down than the aged Elder Taoist Feng Yu leaned over and asked in a low voice, "Master Zhao, you are always well-informed. Do you know why we have been invited here?"


    "I won''t hide it from you, Senior, I am also in the dark. However, I think everyone here might already have some guesses," Zhao Sheng said, his words laden with implications, prompting Elder Taoist Feng Yu to nod in understanding and take his seat again.


    At that moment, everyone exchanged looks, each falling silent, lost in thought.


    After a while, two more Foundation Establishment talisman cultivators hurried to this place.


    Zhao Sheng silently counted and realized that all the Foundation Establishment talisman cultivators who had not joined the Origin Return Sect were present.


    A while later, footsteps were heard coming from outside the door.


    Zhao Sheng looked towards the source of the noise and saw a "young man" with snowy eyebrows, green eyes, red lips, and clad in a red Taoist robe entering from outside.


    With this person''s arrival, a tremendous pressure suddenly spread out, quickly suffusing the entire hall.


    Even more astonishing was the phenomenon that manifested behind him.


    There appeared a faceless giant, over three meters tall, materializing out of the void.


    The giant was bare-chested, with muscles bulging on the torso, occasionally producing a thousand arm illusions from its shoulders, sometimes transforming into two robust arms.


    Below, its lower half was shrouded in a swirling cloud of blood mist, which churned ceaselessly, sometimes forming faceless figures within it.


    Upon seeing this person, everyone''s faces showed profound shock, and they stood up in unison.


    Xinggu Wanderer even cried out with agitation, "Elder Jing Hong!"


    "Taoist Brother Jing Hong, have you truly formed your Golden Core?" Elder Taoist Feng Yu exclaimed in disbelief.


    On the side, Zhao Sheng remained silent, but he was equally astonished.


    The person who had come was Jing Hong, a talisman cultivator by profession. He was quite famous in Pocket World City and was once one of the rare Perfect Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the city.


    When the Origin Return Sect was established, Jing Hong had actively enlisted with them.


    It was unthinkable that in just a few years, he had ascended all at once, becoming a Golden Core Master.


    If the success rate of progressing from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment was one in ten, then the likelihood of a Foundation Establishment forming a Golden Core was even one in a hundred.


    The Golden Core mentioned here refers to a true Golden Core, not a Fake Pill solidified by external objects. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A Golden Core Master has a lifespan of eight hundred years, unlike a False Core Master, who only has five hundred years, so they are incomparable.


    Read the latest on empire


    The presence of a Golden Core Phenomenon is the key to distinguishing between a True Pill and a Fake Pill.


    The Golden Core has it; the Fake Pill does not. Identifying them is that simple.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, most Golden Core Masters ascend with the assistance of external objects, and a True Golden Core like Jing Hong''s is extremely rare, mostly found among the top echelons.


    For the recently established Origin Return Sect to have produced a True Core Master was simply inconceivable.


    Zhao Sheng was not at all familiar with Jing Hong, so he did not join the others in approaching him and simply watched with a smile from behind everyone.


    Once Jing Hong had greeted everyone and rekindled their rapport, the atmosphere in the hall became incredibly warm.


    After bidding everyone to take their seats, Jing Hong got straight to the point, "I am very familiar with my fellow Daoists here, so I''ll skip the pleasantries. Today, I have invited you all with the hope of asking you to join our Origin Return Sect. What are your thoughts on this proposal?"


    As soon as these words were uttered, Elder Taoist Feng Yu was the first to stand up and decisively said, "With Master Jing''s sincere invitation, I wouldn''t think twice. I will join the Origin Return Sect!"


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist had hardly finished speaking when someone immediately cursed in their heart, "Damn, this old geezer switched sides way too fast. He got a head start on us!"


    "I''m joining too!"


    "Count me in as well!"


    Soon, two more people spoke up, announcing their intention to join the Origin Return Sect.


    There''s no need to doubt why these few were so eager.


    Master Jing Hong was a perfect example for them.


    Since the Origin Return Sect could quickly cultivate a True Golden Core, it had the ability to cultivate many more.


    For any Foundation Establishment Cultivator aspiring to form their Golden Core, this was an irresistible temptation.


    In the time it took for a few sentences to be spoken, about half the crowd had defected, swearing they would join the Origin Return Sect.


    However, this left the Loose Cultivators like Zhao Sheng and Master Buhu, who were unwilling to join, in somewhat of an awkward position.


    After all those willing had made their intentions clear, the rest turned their gazes towards Zhao Sheng and the others, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately turned cold.


    Seeing this, Feng Yu Elder Taoist jumped back into the fray, directly questioning Zhao Sheng, "Master Zhao, could it be that you are unwilling to join the Origin Return Sect?"


    Zhao Sheng felt Master Jing Hong''s gaze on him, and a heavy pressure suddenly descended upon him.


    Zhao Sheng remained silent, feeling some resistance to joining the Origin Return Sect.


    Perhaps it was because of the strange incident he had encountered on the dark side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain some years before.


    Perhaps it was his grave concern about the intense, cutthroat atmosphere of the Origin Return Sect.


    Or perhaps it was an instinctual wariness.


    Just then, Master Jing Hong suddenly let out a hearty laugh, drawing everyone''s attention and simultaneously lifting the pressure that engulfed Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng heaved a sigh of relief, then heard Master Jing Hong say, "Feng Yu, Taoist Qian Zhenzi, and the others spoke too quickly just now, and I didn''t get the chance to say something.


    In order to invite everyone here, our sect has made the most sincere offer.


    If you join us, our sect will bestow upon you a Golden Core Level Cultivation Method that absolutely matches your Spirit Root Attribute."


    Before he had finished speaking, Master Buhu couldn''t help but interject, "I cultivate a Water Element Technique, and I wonder if your esteemed sect has a suitable technique for me?"


    Master Jing Hong nodded and said, "Yes, in fact, we have two. ''Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique'' and ''Wave Stepping Sea Treading Technique'' are both Golden Core Techniques that fit your requirements perfectly."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but be tempted as well.


    After all, the ''Mystical Spirit Skill'' he was cultivating was a Water Element Technique.


    Golden Core Techniques were incredibly precious, and in any Cultivation Forces, they were highly confidential.


    Before any Cultivator was granted a Golden Core Technique, they had to swear an oath to a Heart Demon that they would never disclose it.


    Even the Ksitigarbha Sect, as generous as it was, only let out techniques below the Golden Core Chapter, keeping anything above that tightly concealed.


    "Master Jing, my cultivation is in the Wood Element, do you have something that fits me?"


    "Yes, ''Ten Thousand Trees Reach the Sky Technique''."


    "What about Fire Element?"


    "The Golden Core Chapter of the ''Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique'' is currently harbored within the scripture pavilion of our sect."


    With each question asked, Master Jing Hong promptly provided a satisfactory answer.


    Once everyone had made their inquiries, he confidently smiled and said, "Does anyone else have questions?"


    "Master Jing, after joining your sect, what sect rules and precepts must we comply with? Not to conceal anything from the True Immortal, but we have long been accustomed to a laid-back life and I fear we couldn''t endure overly strict constraints."


    Master Jing Hong immediately responded, "Rest assured, everyone, our sect''s precepts are quite lenient. As long as you don''t disrespect your masters or betray the sect, there are no other restrictions."


    "I dare to ask bluntly, Master Jing Hong, how did you ascend to Golden Core so quickly? Is there a secret to it?"


    No sooner had these words been spoken than the hall fell silent, every gaze burning with intense eagerness as they looked at Master Jing Hong.


    Master Jing Hong haughtily laughed and said, "As for the secret, there indeed is one! You all should be aware that our sect''s core cultivation script is the ''Blood Soul Scripture''."


    The crowd nodded in unison, for how could they not? At least half of those present had cultivated the ''Blood Refining Body Forging Technique'' from the Qi Refining Chapter of the ''Blood Soul Scripture''.

 Chapter 120 Mysterious Face

    As he observed the intense yearning in everyone''s eyes, Jing Hong displayed a proud expression."The Origin Ancestor harbored great ambitions. As a youth, he decided that everyone should be as mighty as a dragon. Thus, after advancing to the Nascent Soul realm, he publicly disclosed the miraculous ''Blood Soul Scripture'' that he had acquired early in his life.


    "Any disciple who joins our sect will receive the Qi Refining Chapter of ''Blood Soul Scripture.'' If they can successfully achieve Foundation Establishment, they will be eligible to exchange for the Foundation Establishment chapter, ''Blood Melting God Refining Technique.''


    Jing Hong was not exceptionally talented, but he had established great merit for our sect. Not only was he granted early access to the Golden Core chapter of ''Blood Soul Scripture,'' the ''Dark Blood Alchemy Method,'' but he was also gifted a Golden Core Formation Pill. That is how he had the good fortune to condense a Golden Core!"


    As soon as Jing Hong finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall instantly surged to a climax!


    "Then I''ll join!"


    "Me too!"


    "The Origin Ancestor is a great man! Myself admires him, and I wish to join your esteemed sect."


    In total, twelve Foundation Establishment Cultivators were in the hall, and in a blink, eleven surrendered.


    There was no helping it; the prospects Jing Hong described were too enticing.


    Who could resist such an offer!


    No, there was one more person.


    In an instant, everyone''s gaze simultaneously shifted to Zhao Sheng, who was sitting in the corner.


    The atmosphere suddenly turned somewhat strange and mysterious.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng slowly raised his head, then suddenly smiled warmly at everyone and nodded, saying aloud, "Why are you all looking at me? How could I miss out on such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? I''m not stupid!"


    "Haha! Taoist Zhao indeed speaks humorously."


    After Zhao Sheng made his position clear, everyone in the room laughed heartily.


    Upon seeing this scene, Master Jing Hong was thrilled, knowing he had established another great merit for the sect, and he could expect a substantial influx of merit.


    An hour later, Master Buhu, Qian Zhenzi, and other Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators temporarily stayed at the Spirit Essence Institute.


    Zhao Sheng and other Foundation Establishment Cultivators who had property in Pocket World City left one after another.


    The group agreed to meet at the Spirit Essence Institute in seven days and then head to the Origin Return Sect together.


    Leaving the Spirit Essence Institute, Zhao Sheng, burdened with heavy thoughts, returned to Golden Talisman Pavilion.


    Upon entering, he instructed Xiao Huan to not receive visitors for the time being, then went straight to the cultivation room.


    In the cultivation room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on the Meditation Cushion, his eyes closed in contemplation.


    Today''s events had happened so suddenly that he needed time to carefully think things through.


    After pondering for a while, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized there were numerous benefits to joining the Origin Return Sect, and his previous worries were somewhat unnecessary.


    Others had only one life; once they died, that was it.


    But he was not afraid!


    As long as he was careful to prevent any repercussions on his family, no matter how many big shots were scheming within the Origin Return Sect or whatever traps were hidden, it would not affect him; at worst, he could simply escape death in the end.


    Having realized this, Zhao Sheng''s mind suddenly felt clearer.


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng hurried back to Zhao''s Secret Mansion and found Zhao Xuanjing, who was in closed-door cultivation.


    Two years had passed, and Zhao Xuanjing''s cultivation had nearly reached Qi Refining Perfection.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was overjoyed and began to plan to exchange for a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill for Zhao Xuanjing. Read chapters at empire


    A top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was impossible to buy on the market; it could only be exchanged with treasures.


    As for what treasures to use for the exchange, Zhao Sheng was not worried at all, as there were plenty of treasures in his Storage Bag, like the Spirit Fire Gourd, Geng Metal, and Longevity Peach, more than enough for a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.


    After meeting, Zhao Sheng soon informed Zhao Xuanjing of his plans to join the Origin Return Sect and instructed him not to reveal their relationship or disclose any information about their family.


    Zhao Sheng did this because he was not optimistic about the future of the Origin Return Sect.


    To be safe, he had intentionally severed ties with his family in advance to avoid implicating them in the future.


    Although Zhao Xuanjing was a bit confused, he did not ask further questions and solemnly nodded in agreement.


    He was well aware that his Uncle Seven had always been meticulous and nearly flawless in his planning; following his advice was guaranteed to be the right choice!


    After leaving Zhao Xuanjing with enough cultivation resources, Zhao Sheng did not stay long and immediately left Zhao''s Secret Mansion.


    Four days later, on the agreed meeting day, Zhao Sheng, looking tired, arrived at the Spirit Essence Institute.


    Without unnecessary elaboration, sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    after meeting with Master Buhu and Feng Yu Elder Taoist, under the guidance of Master Jing Hong, the group left Pocket World City.


    A moment later, a massive cloud roc, with a wingspan exceeding thirty feet, suddenly flapped its wings, soared into the sky, and shot like lightning toward Cliff Mountain, thousands of miles away, breaking through two layers of cloud seas.


    ...


    Soon after, the cloud roc flew over an extensive plain, fertile for thousands of miles.


    At the same time, a mountain perilously steep, soaring into the clouds with cliffs on all sides, appeared like a divine sword thrust into the heavens, came into their view¡ªit was Cliff Mountain.


    Shortly afterward, the cloud roc landed in the plaza in front of the Origin Hall atop Cliff Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng, along with the others, floated down from the cloud roc and looked around.


    The plaza was vast, entirely paved with white jade, and to the north of it stood a majestic palace with dragon eaves and phoenix corners, adorned with golden tiles and jade walls, surrounded by spirit clouds, occasionally revealing countless dazzling mysterious runes.


    After the cloud roc flew away, Master Jing Hong led Zhao Sheng and the others to the front of the Origin Hall.


    At that moment, an elder wearing a plain cloud robe and a feathered crown, his appearance anciently unique, stepped out of the hall accompanied by a line of disciples in red robes.


    Master Jing Hong, with a solemn expression, stepped forward and saluted the feather-crowned elder, "Sect Leader Brother, Master Jing Hong has not failed his mission. Once again, I have found a group of cultivators willing to join our sect."


    "Disciple Jing, you have worked hard," the feather-crowned elder, seeing that Zhao Sheng and others were all Foundation Establishment Cultivators, nodded his head in satisfaction.


    The feather-crowned elder, known as Jin Chenzi, was the senior disciple of the Origin Ancestor and the current Sect Leader of the Origin Return Sect, within the Golden Core Third Layer Realm.


    After encouraging Zhao Sheng and the others for a few words, Jin Chenzi led them into the Origin Hall.


    Since Zhao Sheng and the others were all Foundation Establishment Cultivators, which meant they were initiated with skills, the rituals to enter the sect were greatly simplified.


    Jin Chenzi briefly explained the six rules and precepts of the Origin Return Sect, and then immediately began the most crucial part of the initiation ceremony: the oath.


    Unlike other sects'' initiation oaths, the Origin Return Sect included an extra step of dripping blood.


    Jin Chenzi solemnly took out a stele, over three feet high and two feet thick, placed it before everyone, and asked them to drop a drop of Heart Blood onto the stele.


    One by one, they did as instructed, and when it was Zhao Sheng''s turn, he walked up to the stele and gazed at it.


    The stele was azure green, engraved with over a hundred ancient and vigorous mystical runes.


    Due to severe weathering, the runes on it were a bit blurred.


    However, Zhao Sheng discovered that the structures of these mysterious runes seemed somewhat similar to those of the Taiyi Spiritual Text, yet they were more ancient and rudimentary.


    Feeling curious, Zhao Sheng silently memorized these runes.


    Simultaneously, he squeezed out a drop of Heart Blood and let it fall on the stele.


    The moment the Heart Blood touched the surface of the stele, it was instantly absorbed.


    "Now is the moment!"


    At this instant, Zhao Sheng suddenly activated "Bullet Time," and the flow of time slowed down immensely.


    It was at this moment that Zhao Sheng, shocked, "saw" a bizarre face suddenly emerge from the surface of the stele.


    It lacked a nose, ears, and eyebrows; its entire face was smooth as if it were a mask, with only a pair of Blood Eyes and a blood-oath mouth.


    It swallowed the Heart Blood in one gulp and then immediately submerged back into the stele.


    The entire process was as fast as lightning, and even in Bullet Time, it lasted only a moment before disappearing without a trace.


    Once Bullet Time ended, Zhao Sheng, suppressing his uneasy and shocked emotions, calmly walked back to the group.


    After everyone had dripped their blood, they solemnly swore never to deceive or betray their mentors and sect.

 Chapter 121 Spirit Power Transition

    After taking their oaths, they were supposed to pay respects to the Origin Ancestor.Unfortunately, the Origin Ancestor was away visiting a friend, so they had to skip this step.


    Upon entering the mountain gate, Zhao Sheng and Feng Yu Elder Taoist, along with others, addressed each other as brothers according to their seniority, and then paid their respects to Elder Jing Hong and Master Jin Chenzi.


    Next came the moment everyone was most concerned about: the imparting of techniques and transmission of arts.


    Perhaps due to the importance placed on Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Jin Chenzi personally led them to the Scripture Pavilion located deep within the mountain belly.


    There are three places within the Origin Return Sect where cultivation techniques and the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation are stored.


    The first is called the Scripture Storage Tower, located on the plains at the foot of the mountain. This place is open to all disciples without the need for merit, but it mostly houses books of irrelevant matters such as common knowledge in cultivation, basic spells, general knowledge of the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation, and wild, strange tales.


    The Scripture Pavilion where they arrived was the second location, storing various precious cultivation methods, elixir recipes, artifact refining techniques, magic talisman, and other skills in secret manuals.


    As for the most treasured techniques, elixir recipes, Refining Treasure Records, and other treasures of the Origin Return Sect, they were kept in the cave mansion of the Origin Ancestor, and one had to earn the Ancestor''s approval to be granted these.


    The Scripture Pavilion was a six-layered large stone hall, with its doors tightly closed. To the right there was a palm-sized square indent,


    At this time, the surface of the stone hall was covered with a rainbow-colored light film, clearly indicating an extremely powerful prohibition.


    With a wave of his long sleeve, Jin Chenzi sent a blood-colored token flying silently through the light film, fitting steadily into the indent in the door.


    After blurring for a moment, the rainbow light film quickly dissipated.


    Jin Chenzi waved his hand to recall the blood-colored token, then the doors to the hall opened silently on both sides, revealing the spacious hall behind them.


    Jin Chenzi stepped in first, and Zhao Sheng and the others followed him in file.


    The first-floor hall was very spacious, the interior space was circular, about five or six zhang high, with a diameter of approximately thirty zhang or more.


    The top of the hall was embedded with flame pearls, releasing bright flames, illuminating the hall as bright as day.


    Around the walls of the hall, there were ten stone doors, each carved with runes such as spell, elixir, talisman, artifact, curse, beast, and so on.


    Jin Chenzi did not stop and directly pushed open the stone door with the rune for spell, then ascended the stone steps.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng and the others hastened to follow.


    After ascending twenty stone steps, they reached the second floor, where the stone doors were also tightly shut and covered with a layer of light film, but only tricolored.


    Jin Chenzi continued without pausing, bypassing the third and fourth floors, stopping only on the fifth floor.


    "This time I have brought you up here myself. In the future, when you come here, you must have an identity token, otherwise you will be killed by the prohibitions in place,"


    said Jin Chenzi as he extracted the blood-colored token and inserted it into the indent in the stone door.


    The prohibition light film dissipated, and the stone door opened silently.


    Jin Chenzi reminded them, "Remember, each person may only select one Golden Core Technique. In an hour, whether you have chosen or not, you must come out on time. Otherwise, you bear the consequences!"


    Zhao Sheng and the others nodded earnestly and then entered eagerly.


    The fifth floor was not small but quite empty. There were only fifteen stone platforms that were half a person tall and three feet square. Each platform was covered by a spherical light film, and on the surface of each was placed an ancient jade scroll.


    "Ten Thousand Trees Reach the Sky Technique"


    "Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique"


    "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique"


    "One Qi Ascending Sky Technique"


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng did not rush to select a technique but walked past each platform in turn,


    As he beheld each of the precious Golden Core Techniques, an impulse to sweep them all away surged within him.


    But... he knew that was impossible, at least for now.


    After a while, having looked over all the cultivation methods, Zhao Sheng went straight to the stone platform where the "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique" was placed, and easily took the jade scroll by reaching through the light film.


    Unlike others, Zhao Sheng had set his sights on the "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique" from the beginning.


    In fact, it was not at all strange, because the "Mystical Spirit Skill" he practiced was precisely one of the simplified cultivation techniques derived from the "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique"; the two were closely linked.


    In the Cultivation World, cases like Zhao Sheng''s were not rare.


    The higher the grade of a cultivation method, the difficulty of practicing it often increases proportionally to its grade.


    To select more outstanding inheritors, Cultivation Sects often divide a high-level technique into several simplified methods and choose to disseminate them.


    This practice is very common in the Cultivation World, and the Ksitigarbha Sect is the most extreme example of this.


    ...


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng let out a muffled groan, his face pale as he removed the cultivation technique jade scroll from his forehead.


    The "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique," worthy of being a Golden Core Level Cultivation Method, had a very high information entropy and could be described as profoundly meaningful.


    Additionally, the latter half of the jade scroll surprisingly contained a vast number of insights and experiences from past cultivators.


    Because he had replicated too much information in a short time, Zhao Sheng''s spiritual power had been greatly depleted.


    Not until he had taken a Nourishing Spirit Pill did his complexion improve significantly. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An hour passed quickly.


    Zhao Sheng and the other twelve Foundation Establishment Cultivators walked out of the stone tower with joyful expressions and then followed Master Jin out of the Scripture Pavilion.


    ...


    Five days later, in the cultivation room of a cave mansion, Zhao Sheng was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, each hand holding a Water Wave Stone, as the spirit power vortex within his body spun at high speed.


    At that moment, threads of pure Water Spiritual Energy were continuously drawn from the Water Wave Stones into the vortex within his Dantian, then rapidly refined into spirit power.


    Simultaneously, streams of spirit power flowed out of Zhao Sheng''s Dantian under the guidance of his Divine Sense, following a complex route that traversed the Extraordinary Meridians and reached his limbs and bones.


    The spirit power then reconvened from numerous subtle veins back into the Twelve Primary Channels and finally flowed back into the Core Energy Sea within the Dantian, merging into the spirit power vortex.


    Zhao Sheng carefully maintained this cycle of spirit power.


    It had just been established less than a day ago and was still very fragile.


    If he was careless, it would immediately collapse, nullifying days of hard effort.


    Time passed unknowingly until with the sudden crumbling of the two Water Wave Stones into a pile of debris, Zhao Sheng slowly opened his eyes, a flash of joy in his gaze.


    Because the "Mystical Spirit Skill" is a simplified version of the "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique," Zhao Sheng found the transition between cultivation methods exceptionally smooth, successfully establishing a new spirit power cycle within just a few days.


    This saved him at least three months of time.


    It was only after obtaining the "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique" that Zhao Sheng truly realized the true value of a Golden Core Level Cultivation Method.


    Its value was not just in significantly boosting cultivation efficiency but particularly in its involvement with Spirit Power Transition.


    What is Spirit Power Transition?


    Take a simple example. In the Cultivation World, there are countless varieties of Spiritual Fire, but based on their energy levels, they can be divided into Mortal Fire, Spiritual Fire, True Fire, etc.


    The spirit power of cultivators is somewhat similar to the grading of Spiritual Fires.


    During Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment Realm, it is called spirit power; it is known as True Yuan at the Golden Core Realm, and above the Nascent Soul Realm, it is generally referred to as Mana.


    One of the major reasons why Foundation Establishment Cultivators struggle to advance to the Golden Core Realm is due to failure in Spirit Power Transition.


    The transition of spirit power to True Yuan is like Mortal Fire suddenly evolving into Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, which is incredibly difficult!

 Chapter 122 Merit Hall

    In the Cultivation World, when a Foundation Establishment Cultivator''s cultivation reaches the late stage, they could refine Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire and store it inside their Dantian.Refining Spiritual Fire is preparation for ascending to the Golden Core!


    At the Foundation Establishment Perfection, if a cultivator could merge the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire into their Spiritual Power, successfully imbuing their spiritual power with some characteristics of the Spiritual Fire, their chances of ascending to the Golden Core would significantly increase.


    Depending on the Five Elements, the Heaven and Earth spiritual items that cultivators refine also vary.


    However, unlike ordinary cultivators, those who have practiced the Golden Core Technique, upon advancing past Foundation Establishment, cultivate spiritual power that is more refined than ordinary spiritual power.


    Starting from the early stage of Foundation Establishment, one could attempt to refine Heaven and Earth spiritual items.


    Therefore, after reaching the Foundation Establishment Perfection, these individuals have a much higher chance of experiencing a qualitative change in their core spiritual power than ordinary cultivators do.


    Now, Zhao Sheng had finally become one of these exceptional individuals.


    And the Heaven and Earth spiritual item he needed was called Primordial Heavy Water.


    Primordial Heavy Water, as the name implies, is known for its "heaviness," with a single drop weighing a thousand catties.


    It is the essence of Kui Water, often found beneath the depths of a Ten Thousand Feet Sea Abyss. It is extremely rare in the Central Continent, completely untraceable in ordinary rivers and lakes.


    Only across the Dragon River that traverses the Central Continent is there a slight presence in a few of the deepest parts of the riverbed.


    A quarter-hour later, beneath Cliff Mountain,


    Zhao Sheng alighted within a complex of palace buildings, passing through halls and crossing courtyards. Red-robed disciples he encountered along the way all paid their respects, and Zhao Sheng nodded in acknowledgment to each.


    As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, although he had just joined the Origin Return Sect, he had already taken up the profession of a Steward in the Ten Thousand Talisman Hall, a position many levels above that of a Qi Refining disciple.


    Zhao Sheng soon arrived in front of a three-story hall.


    There was a noticeably larger crowd here than in other areas, with thousands of red-robed disciples coming and going, creating a bustling scene.


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the plaque above the hall: Merit Hall!


    Inside the hall, he found the arrangement quite peculiar. Hanging in the center was a long scroll with the words "Infinite Merit," and behind it was a screen. Both sides of the hall were painted white but covered with dense arrays of runes.


    Upon closer inspection, these images were not simply painted on but were layers of constantly shifting lights and shadows,


    There were lights casting images on the walls, each character and image clear and distinct.


    The Merit Hall in the Origin Return Sect, like the Good Deeds Hall in other Cultivation Sects, served as a place for posting bounty tasks.


    In the Merit Hall, everything was quantified in terms of ''merit.''


    Whether it was a talisman, a Cultivation Technique, a bounty task, or the exchange of teachings for a profession, everything could be converted into a certain number of merit points and displayed within the Merit Hall for the sect disciples to choose from.


    It could be said that in the Origin Return Sect, merit was everything.


    This approach by the Origin Return Sect gave Zhao Sheng a strange sense of familiarity, making it seem less like a Cultivation Sect and more like a clearly priced shop.


    As long as one had enough merit, even the position of Sect Leader could be bought.


    The walls on either side of the Merit Hall were divided into several categories, and Zhao Sheng walked under the Cultivation Technique section.


    Looking up, the first three rows in this section were in large golden characters, neatly arranged and very clear. The text below them occasionally shifted with the flow of light, but those in the top three rows never moved at all. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng read the top line, which was the name of a spell: "Mystic Soul Transformation Body," followed by a line of smaller text: "Blood Soul Scripture" Nascent Soul Chapter.


    Just from the name of the scripture, Zhao Sheng was shocked, then he looked at the merit points required for exchange. Instead of numbers, there were two big characters: Infinite!


    Beneath "Mystic Soul Transformation Body" was the "Taiyi Spirit Crossing Technique," which was not infinite, but had the suffix "one million."


    The third tag was "Clear Void Transformation Technique" fragment, also with a concrete number: nine hundred ninety-nine thousand!


    Beyond that, the text turned to ordinary black ink, the first item listed still quite significant: "Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique," priced at eight hundred thousand.


    For Zhao Sheng, these were still astronomical figures.


    Seeing these numbers and thinking about his purpose for joining the Origin Return Sect, Zhao Sheng wondered what his expression looked like at that moment, probably not great.


    Briefly setting these thoughts aside, Zhao Sheng turned and walked to the back of the hall, approaching the counter where bounty tasks were issued.


    "I want to issue a reward task," Zhao Sheng said as he unfastened a green jade token from his waist and placed it on the counter, his tone calm.


    Behind the counter, a young man in a black robe saw the green jade token and immediately broke into a broad smile and said, "Senior Uncle, what task would you like to post? What is the reward?"


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment, then said, "I wish to offer a reward for Primordial Heavy Water, eight thousand spirit stones for a drop. The task has no time limit."


    The man acted swiftly, setting up the task quickly and broadcasting it through a rune-illuminated mirror to the task board in the front hall.


    "The task has been posted. Senior Uncle, do you have any other requirements?" the young man in the black robe asked, lifting his head again with a smile.


    Zhao Sheng asked, "I would like to undertake a task for Merit, particularly in the talismanic aspect. Could you show me which ones offer high merit rewards?"


    The young man in the black robe tapped the rune-illuminated mirror a few times, then handed it to Zhao Sheng.


    "Senior Uncle, please have a look!"


    Zhao Sheng took it and saw that the top line in golden characters read: Blood Refining Talisman, quantity: unlimited, reward: two Merit Points per talisman.


    Below that inscription in black ink read: Third-rank Treasure Talisman, attribute not limited, quantity: one, reward: one mid-grade Spiritual Artifact.


    Zhao Sheng scrolled further, taking on seven or eight tasks to draw Second Order True Talismans.


    After handing back the rune-illuminated mirror, Zhao Sheng also said, "That will be all for now. Besides, prepare essence blood for a thousand people. I need to refine Blood Refining Talismans."


    The Blood Refining Talisman, unlike ordinary talismans, was not difficult to make but required the user''s essence blood as a catalyst for refining.


    "Alright, please wait a moment, Senior Uncle," he replied.


    ...


    Day turned into night, seasons changed, and two years passed.


    Ding!


    A clear sound of a copper chime suddenly emanated from deep inside the cave mansion.


    Waiting outside the talisman room, leaning against the wall and dozing off, Wei Ling was suddenly awakened and hurriedly stood up straight, walking softly to the door, and whispered, "Master, what are your instructions?"


    A mild voice then came out from the talisman room, "This batch of Blood Refining Talismans is ready. Take them to the Merit Hall."


    No sooner had the voice fallen than the talisman room''s door suddenly opened, and a thick stack of blood-colored talismans flew out, landing precisely in Wei Ling''s hands.


    Bang!


    The next moment, the door of the talisman room closed again!


    Seeing this, Wei Ling could not help but curl her lip and turned to leave.


    Once outside the mansion, Wei Ling released a Spirit Eagle over ten feet tall.


    Wei Ling climbed onto the back of the Spirit Eagle and then patted its neck.


    Whoosh!


    The Spirit Eagle flapped its giant wings, lifting off the ground and swiftly flying down the mountain with Wei Ling.


    Shortly after, at the task counter in the Merit Hall,


    Wei Ling slapped a thick stack of Blood Refining Talismans onto the counter and said, "Task delivery, two hundred Blood Refining Talismans! Little Wuzi, you count them."


    Faced with the haughty Wei Ling, Liu Wu dared not dally, and without counting immediately swept the Blood Refining Talismans into a storage bag.


    "No need to count! Not one is missing. With Master Zhao''s unmatched talismanic cultivation among his peers, it''s simply not possible for him to fail in refining. Sister Wei, if you can inherit Master Zhao''s mantle, your future will undoubtedly be boundless," he said.


    "Humph, as if I needed you to tell me that! Same as usual, another batch of Blood Refining Talismans," Wei Ling said haughtily.


    To become a disciple under her master, she had nagged her grandfather for two whole months to personally plead on her behalf.


    It was only because her grandfather had a deep relationship with her master that she was reluctantly accepted.


    However, it had been almost half a year since she became a disciple, and aside from passing down an Introduction to Talisman, her master had taught her nothing else.


    This made Wei Ling feel quite frustrated!

 Chapter 123 Qian Zhenzi and Calming Tea

    Half a day later, Wei Ling returned to her cave mansion and approached the door of the talisman room. Before she could knock, the talisman room''s door suddenly opened on its own."Come in!"


    The voice of her master reached her ears, filling Wei Ling''s heart with joy. She hurried inside.


    Upon seeing her master standing behind the talisman table deep within the room, clad in a plain-colored Daoist robe, hair slightly graying at the temples, and wearing a slight expression of fatigue, Wei Ling reined in her emotions and respectfully approached him.


    "Master, you summoned Ling''er. What are your orders?"


    As she spoke, Wei Ling placed a porcelain bottle about the height of a palm and two hundred sheets of talisman paper onto the talisman table.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t even glance at them, but instead extended his Divine Sense to sweep over his disciple''s entire body. He noticed that her complexion was rosy, her physical state was excellent, and her vitality within was lively, having increased considerably in the past month.


    "Ling''er, come closer!"


    Upon hearing her master''s command, Wei Ling obediently walked to Zhao Sheng''s side and extended her right hand, revealing a section of her porcelain-white, tender arm.


    Zhao Sheng nodded approvingly, then reached out two fingers to press on the acupoint on Wei Ling''s wrist. He directed his Spiritual Power into her meridians and bloodstream, circulating through her entire body and carefully sensing her physical state.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng withdrew his hand with a relaxed smile and praised her, "Very good, you have not been negligent in your cultivation this month. As your teacher, I am very pleased. What reward would you like this time?"


    "Here it comes!"


    Wei Ling excitedly cheered inwardly. Her master, despite his cold and eccentric nature, was uncharacteristically generous with rewards.


    "Master, Ling''er does not dare to ask for much. If possible, please reward me with some Blood Refining Talismans."


    Wei Ling had already considered what she wanted. The Blood Refining Talismans were in high demand within the sect, second only to Merit Points in value, and her own master was especially skilled in creating them. Not asking for Blood Refining Talismans would be foolish.


    "Hmm,"


    Zhao Sheng casually pulled out a stack of Blood Refining Talismans and handed them to his overjoyed disciple. At the same time, he seemed to nonchalantly ask, "Ling''er, you have been practicing the Blood Refining Body Forging Technique for nearly a year now, have you noticed any discomforts?"


    Zhao Sheng didn''t care much about the Blood Refining Talismans; he could produce them in large batches. Instead, he was much more concerned about Wei Ling''s cultivation progress.


    Ling''er hasn''t noticed anything wrong. My physical strength and cultivation have improved quickly, but the condensation of essence blood is too slow. The Essence Blood Pills are always out of stock in the sect.


    "Master, perhaps you could refine a few more batches of Essence Blood Talismans. My grandfather has been urging me again recently."


    Wei Ling''s grandfather was Wei Youquan, who oversaw the Spirit Essence Institute, which had been growing larger year by year. With so many disciples, the supply of Blood Refining Talismans could hardly keep up.


    Lately, he had sent messages repeatedly, hoping to increase the supply of Blood Refining Talismans, and he certainly offered an abundance of promises in exchange, such as secret techniques, spirit stones, and refining materials.


    Zhao Sheng was acutely aware of this, but he had not anticipated Wei Youquan''s intense thirst for power, to the point of exploiting his own granddaughter to boost "performance."


    "When you return, write back to your grandfather and tell him that the supply will increase by ten percent in the second half of the year. But tell him not to try to fob me off with some commonplace spells; if he doesn''t come up with something genuinely valuable by the end of the year, do not blame me for seeking another partner."


    "Rest assured, Master. I will make sure to convey your message to my grandfather!"


    "Hmm. You can go out now."


    With a worried look on her face, Wei Ling withdrew. Zhao Sheng packed up his things and changed into a new robe before leaving the cave mansion as well.


    Cliff Mountain was steep and precipitous, and the cave mansions of the cultivators in the sect were mostly built into the cliffsides. Zhao Sheng''s cave mansion was no exception, build upon a protruding rock face on the sunny side of the mountain.


    Walking to the edge of the cliff, he could see sparse clouds and hear the howling wind below; the palaces and buildings of the sect were spread out beneath him, but from this vantage point, they looked as small as sesame seeds, densely scattered and no larger than the size of a palm.


    Zhao Sheng looked up to see the sun hanging in the sky, releasing endless light and heat.


    After considering for a moment, he took out the Spirit Fire Gourd and lightly tossed it into the air. The Spirit Fire Gourd suddenly enlarged to over a person''s height, with a belly as large as a vat.


    Zhao Sheng jumped onto the Spirit Gourd and thought.


    With a flash of brilliance, the Spirit Fire Gourd quickly ascended, soaring toward the sun.


    In just a moment, Zhao Sheng, standing on the Spirit Gourd, pierced through the dense clouds and broke through a layer of atmosphere.


    In the high-altitude sky, the air was clear and the view was infinitely vast.


    Looking up, Zhao Sheng saw a captivating sight against a deep blue backdrop: a stone pavilion with green tiles and jade columns, octagonal in shape, defying the biting Gang Wind and quietly suspended in the high heavens.


    This pavilion was known as Open Pavilion, symbolizing open-heartedness and absence of malice.


    It was a public place where Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Origin Return Sect often came to conduct transactions.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and the Spirit Gourd suddenly picked up speed, swiftly flying towards the stone pavilion.


    Ten or so miles flashed by in an instant, and Zhao Sheng arrived at the edge of the stone pavilion. He retracted the Spirit Gourd, passed through a layer of faint white light, and, with a smile, walked into the stone pavilion.


    The stone pavilion wasn''t large, with just a square White Jade table and three round stone stools placed beside it.


    At that time, inside the stone pavilion, Qian Zhenzi, a youth with crane-like hair, had already taken a seat early on one of the stools, watching with a smile as Zhao Sheng arrived as agreed.


    "Junior Zhao, please take a seat!" Qian Zhenzi beckoned Zhao Sheng, and he pointed to the stone stool opposite him.


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight nod, took two steps forward, and sat opposite Qian Zhenzi.


    "Senior Brother Qian, have you invited me here today to bring news about the Primordial Heavy Water?"


    "Let''s not rush into that. First, I would like you to taste and see how you find this Calming Tea," replied Qian Zhenzi. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With those words, Qian Zhenzi waved his long sleeve and instantly added two White Jade tea cups to the table.


    Next, Qian Zhenzi took out a palm-sized Black Spirit Wood Box.


    Upon opening the lid, he carefully took out two tea leaves the size of melon seeds, emerald green like jade, and placed them at the bottom of the tea cups.


    After completing these actions, Qian Zhenzi said with a smile, "Junior Zhao, they say good tea must be paired with good water! I''ve heard you have a bottle of Purple Mist Jade Dew."


    "Senior Brother Qian, you truly are..." said Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng laughed and made a few feigned points in the air towards the other person before taking out the White Jade Purifying Bottle and tilting its mouth downward,


    Instantly, a stream of water flowed from the bottle''s mouth.


    The stream of water carried a faint purple halo and in the blink of an eye split into two streams, precisely landing in the two tea cups.


    As the water in the tea cups rose to about eight-tenths full, Zhao Sheng immediately retracted the White Jade Purifying Bottle.


    "Junior, you''re being a bit stingy!"


    Although he said this, Qian Zhenzi''s hands moved quickly, flicking two white spirit flames towards the bottom of the tea cups.


    The spirit flames flew beneath the tea cups, then lifted them off the table surface, suspending them in the air between the two of them.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s face changed as he exclaimed in surprise, "Is this... the Great Sun Spirit Fire?! Senior Brother, you''ve only reached Mid-stage Foundation Establishment and have already successfully refined it! Congratulations, congratulations!"


    The Great Sun Spirit Fire was one kind of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire that could be extracted from sunlight, making it one of the most easily collectible types of Spiritual Fire in the world.


    Qian Zhenzi was cultivating the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique, and Zhao Sheng didn''t expect his cultivation to be progressing so smoothly.


    Recalling that he hadn''t even seen what Primordial Heavy Water looked like, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but feel somewhat envious.


    "It was just luck, mere luck!" Qian Zhenzi said with an appearance of modesty, though pleasure was evident on his face.


    As they spoke, the water began to boil with a bubbling sound, and a rich tea fragrance quickly filled the stone pavilion.


    Zhao Sheng inhaled the tea aroma and immediately felt his spirit clear, his thoughts accelerating by a margin of threefold.


    What a fine thing!


    Qian Zhenzi waved his hand lightly, and the two tea cups descended, each flying towards one of them.


    "Please!"


    "Please!"


    Zhao Sheng caught the tea cup, raised it in a toast towards Qian Zhenzi, and then drank the entire cup in one go.


    No sooner had the tea entered his stomach than a clear energy suddenly rushed up from his abdomen, through his chest, neck, and into the Purple Mansion in an instant, turning into a veil of green spirit rain, falling into the vast Soul Sea.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng''s spirit was extremely clear, his Divine Sense extremely active, and suddenly it burst out of the Purple Mansion, releasing freely into the surroundings.


    Seventeen zhang, seventeen zhang two, seventeen zhang four... it continued to grow until it reached eighteen zhang far, with his Divine Sense range expanding to its limit.


    "What excellent tea!"


    After a while, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, exclaiming in delight.


    "Haha! While the Calming Tea is indeed good, the Purple Mist Jade Dew is also extremely wonderful," replied Qian Zhenzi with a face full of smiles.


    After exchanging a few more words of mutual praise, they finally turned to serious matters.

 Chapter 124 Talent-Based Personnel

    In the stone pavilion, Qian Zhenzi said solemnly, "Junior Zhao, I must return to Pocket World City."Oh!


    Zhao Sheng recalled recent news about Pocket World City and tentatively asked, "Senior Brother Qian, are you going to take charge of Ling Kong Temple?"


    Ling Kong Temple is one of the three major branches of the Origin Return Sect in Pocket World City. Recently, due to insufficient supplies of Essence Blood Pearls, the former Dean was recalled to the sect, leaving the position vacant.


    "Indeed!" Qian Zhenzi nodded and then added, "I hope Junior Brother will come to help me, as this position of Vice Dean is meant for no one but Junior Brother."


    Zhao Sheng was moved inside, but he expressed difficulty outwardly, "Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Brother, but I had not truly considered leaving the mountains."


    Qian Zhenzi''s gaze intensified as he looked at Zhao Sheng and pondered, "Since Junior Brother is unwilling, we shall not discuss it further. However, I now wish to ask a favor of you?"


    There is a saying that goes, "receiving gifts makes the mouth soft!"


    Having just accepted a favor, Zhao Sheng naturally could not insult the other''s face.


    "Senior Brother, feel free to speak your mind."


    "Upon taking over Ling Kong Temple, I cannot assume office empty-handed. Therefore, I would like to place a long-term order with Junior Brother for supplying Ling Kong Temple with two thousand Blood Refining Talismans every year."


    "I knew it was this!" Zhao Sheng thought.


    "You must be joking, Senior Brother. As an expert in the Talisman Tao, you surely do not need to reserve Blood Refining Talismans from me. And two thousand is simply too many."


    Zhao Sheng wasn''t lying; crafting two thousand Blood Refining Talismans would take him at least two months.


    "My skills are nothing compared to yours, Junior Brother. Let''s make it fifteen hundred! I cannot accept any less."


    "Senior Brother might not know, my disciple''s grandfather..."


    After a period of haggling back and forth, Zhao Sheng had no choice but to agree to supply eight hundred Blood Refining Talismans to Ling Kong Temple each year, at a rate of two merit points per talisman. Find your next adventure on empire


    Although Qian Zhenzi repeatedly complained verbally, he was overjoyed inside.


    Among all members of the Origin Return Sect, when it came to producing large quantities of high-quality Blood Refining Talismans, there was none to the right of Zhao Sheng.


    Although it was regrettable not to have drawn him to Ling Kong Temple, his objective for today was nonetheless achieved.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng jokingly and reproachfully said, "Senior Brother, you invited me here for something more than just this, didn''t you?"


    "Everyone knows Junior Brother is a busy man; I wouldn''t trouble you to come in person for just a trivial matter. Look, what''s this?"


    As he spoke, Qian Zhenzi took out a Mystic Iron Bowl from his Storage Bag, which contained a shallow layer of colorless liquid that looked unremarkable.


    Bang!


    The Mystic Iron Bowl seemed very heavy. As soon as it was placed on the table, a dull sound echoed.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s face lit up as he eagerly asked, "Could it be that this is the Primordial Heavy Water?"


    Qian Zhenzi nodded, proudly replying, "By chance, I found ten drops. Is that enough?"


    "It''s enough for now!" Zhao Sheng was very pleased and then thanked him, "Thank you for parting with this, Senior Brother! What would you like to exchange for it?"


    Qian Zhenzi said, "I know you are wealthy, Junior Brother; give me eighty thousand Spirit Stones. If that''s not feasible, an equivalent value in treasures will do!"


    Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned, but he quickly understood that Qian Zhenzi was intentionally showing goodwill.


    "Then... Junior Brother might as well take advantage of Senior Brother today!" After a brief thought, Zhao Sheng readily agreed.


    The details of the trade that followed need not be elaborated upon.


    After collecting the Primordial Heavy Water, Zhao Sheng further inquired about various details concerning the Blood Melting God Refining Technique from Qian Zhenzi.


    When he learned that Zhao Sheng had not yet practiced the technique, Qian Zhenzi was quite surprised. It had been over two years since he began, yet Zhao Sheng had resisted the temptation to practice this Divine Level Technique.


    Right, that''s correct!


    To all cultivators who had experienced the Blood Soul Scripture, this technique seemed nothing short of miraculous.


    How miraculous it was could only be appreciated by those who had actually practiced it. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For Qian Zhenzi, he had only practiced for two years, yet his cultivation had easily broken through from Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer to the Fifth Layer Realm, and his Divine Sense Power had greatly increased, now comparable to that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer Cultivator.


    Although it felt quite strange, Qian Zhenzi would not refuse such an opportune favor and thus spared no detail in responding to Zhao Sheng''s queries.


    Half a day later, as the sun was setting and the sky was filled with an evening glow,


    Zhao Sheng, feeling fulfilled, ceased talking and bid farewell to Qian Zhenzi,


    The two quickly parted ways at the Open Pavilion, each heading their own way.


    ...


    Three months later, a sudden explosion emanated from the depths of the Cultivation Room in the cave mansion. Wei Ling was startled and hurried to the edge of the quiet room, peering inside curiously.


    Suddenly,


    the door of the Cultivation Room flung open, and Zhao Sheng emerged with a radiant complexion.


    However, contrary to his healthy appearance, his expression was unusually stern, revealing a hint of dejection.


    Three months had been enough for a person to truly understand themselves.


    Hmm,


    All ten drops of Primordial Heavy Water had been completely consumed, resulting in hundreds of failures.


    This outcome made Zhao Sheng deeply realize that he was not a true cultivation prodigy. At best, he was merely talent-based.


    While he failed to Refine the Primordial Heavy Water, the practice of the Blood Soul Scripture proceeded exceptionally smoothly.


    In just one day, he had easily mastered the introductory level of the Blood Refining Body Forging Technique.


    Having already reached Foundation Establishment, the Qi Refining Chapter was no challenge for him, and by the three-month mark, his Cultivation Technique realm had advanced to Great Success.


    Condensing essence blood required consuming a large amount of energy, but at that moment, Zhao Sheng nearly forgot about a talent that suddenly emerged prominently.


    Primary Healing (Mortal Level): Due to individual Constitution differences, bodily recovery speed increases three to ten times.


    After Foundation Establishment, Zhao Sheng''s body recovery rate had reached the highest tenfold.


    In the same realm of Great Success, while others could only condense one drop of essence blood per day, Zhao Sheng could condense three drops.


    Of course, the more he produced, the greater his consumption.


    Every day, Zhao Sheng consumed several times more Great Nourishing Elixir Pills and demon beast meat than others.


    However, he was wealthy enough that this consumption wouldn''t bankrupt him.


    "Master!"


    Wei Ling, noticing the troubled mood of her master, but having encountered him, had no choice but to greet him bravely.


    "Hmm," Zhao Sheng nodded expressionlessly,


    Seeing that the master didn''t vent his anger on her, Wei Ling felt relieved and was about to bow and retreat when she heard him ask,


    "What is the success rate of the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman now?"


    Wei Ling inwardly groaned, but she had to answer the master''s question, so she whispered almost inaudibly, "Three... thirty percent!"


    "Humph!"


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly but did not scold her.


    Although Wei Ling was his disciple, Zhao Sheng didn''t really care much about her.


    This was all just a trade between him and Wei Youquan.


    He "looked after" Wei Ling while Wei Youquan "watched" over the Golden Talisman Pavilion for him.


    Seeing signs of anger in her master, Wei Ling inwardly panicked and racked her brain.


    In her nervousness, she actually remembered something.


    "Master, Grandfather sent a message a few days ago. He mentioned that things have been unstable at the Golden Talisman Pavilion recently and hopes you can make time to return to Pocket World City."


    Oh?


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback by her words and asked, "Did your grandfather mention what it was about?"


    "Grandfather didn''t say," Wei Ling replied, her eyes darting around.


    "Hmm, understood!"


    Zhao Sheng nodded, his face thoughtful.


    Seeing this, Wei Ling couldn''t help feeling pleased, and she tiptoed out of the room.

 Chapter 125 Thirty Years

    A year later, at Zhao''s Secret Mansion in Heavenly Pillar Mountain.Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged under the Spiritual Peach Tree, his gaze aimlessly wandering through the fluctuating cloud mist surrounding the illusion array, his mind filled with a whirlwind of thoughts.


    After resolving the trouble with the Golden Talisman Pavilion, he had returned to the secret mansion and had been there for four full months now, with three months having passed since Zhao Xuanjing entered seclusion for his Foundation Establishment.


    With so much time having passed, Zhao Xuanjing still had not emerged, which made Zhao Sheng feel increasingly anxious.


    However, his concerns did not stop there.


    After watching the changing mists for a while, Zhao Sheng sighed, his mind stirred, and he summoned his personal data panel:


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 83/196


    Realm: Third Level of Foundation Establishment


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skill] sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Small Success), Blood Refining Body Forging Technique (Great Success), Blood Melting God Refining Technique (Skilled), Stacking Talisman Technique (Master, twenty-six layers)


    Spell: God-Slaying Sword (Small Success), Thousand Silk Sword Rain (Great Success), Water Dragon Roar (Great Success), Water Bomb Technique (Great Success), Cold Ice Waterfall (Small Success)¡­


    Talisman Making: Blood Refining Talisman (Refined), Thousand Catties Talisman (Great Success), Flowing Cloud Sword Talisman (Divine Transformation), Concentrating God Talisman (Great Success), Sweet Rain Talisman (Great Success), Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Great Success)¡­


    Zhao Sheng did not focus on the breakthrough to the Third Level of Foundation Establishment, but rather, his attention was fixed on the number 196.


    Just half a year ago, this number had still been 197, but now, it had silently changed to 196.


    Two days ago, when Zhao Sheng suddenly discovered that his life span had decreased by a year, he was terribly shocked.


    Initially, he could not understand what had caused it.


    But on the same day, as he habitually executed his cultivation technique to condense essence blood, Zhao Sheng suddenly came to a realization.


    The Blood Refining Body Forging Technique was problematic!


    More precisely, the Blood Soul Scripture concealed significant risks.


    All cultivators who practiced this technique would see rapid advancements in their cultivation, but the cost was the consumption of their own life span.


    Traded life span for a boost in cultivation!


    The Blood Soul Scripture was genuinely a typical technique of the Demon Path.


    The key issue was that the detriment of losing life span was deeply hidden.


    If not for Zhao Sheng possessing the treasured Hundred Lifetimes book, he might never have realized this danger even until his death.


    If it was so for him, others were completely kept in the dark.


    The move by Origin Ancestor was incredibly cunning and vicious!


    Thinking of the sixty to seventy thousand disciples of the Origin Return Sect, thinking of how the Blood Refining Body Forging Technique was not only rampant in Pocket World City but had also widely spread across the Central Continent Cultivation World.


    Zhao Sheng felt a chill of fear!


    "The essence blood never dies, that is called Mysterious Blood, the source of Mysterious Blood is called spirit, eternal life that continues unendingly, inexhaustible in use."


    Underneath the spiritual peach tree, Zhao Sheng repeatedly muttered the preamble of the Blood Soul Scripture, his heart experiencing surges of shock and awe.


    He still could not figure out, what was the ultimate purpose of Origin Ancestor spreading the Blood Soul Scripture so extensively?


    Origin Ancestor could not possibly be doing this just to rapidly enhance the overall strength of the Origin Return Sect.


    If it were merely for this reason, he would not have allowed the Blood Refining Body Forging Technique to spread everywhere.


    "All the hustle and bustle of the world is for profit, the world moves for profit," Zhao Sheng murmured:


    "So¡­ What ''benefit'' is Origin Ancestor doing this for?


    What is in it for the Ten Great Sects?"


    Zhao Sheng would not underestimate anyone, he did not believe that the Ten Great Sects were completely oblivious to the oddities of Origin Ancestor, nor did he believe those Nascent Soul Ancestors failed to notice the peculiarity of the Blood Soul Scripture.


    However, mysteriously, they remained indifferent, watching from the sidelines.


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t figure it out. Perhaps in this life, he would never know the hidden details.


    Because his status was too low, he was far too distant from the upper echelons of the Central Continent Cultivation World.


    ...


    Three days later, under the Spiritual Peach Tree, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged with closed eyes. His face was as red as blood, and blood surged through his body like waves, emitting a faint roaring sound from within.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    His heart contracted and expanded violently. In the chambers, blood gathered into a vortex, slowly forming a drop of essence blood at the bottom of the swirl, which quickly took shape.


    With inner sight, Zhao Sheng watched the birth of this drop of essence blood, his heart neither sad nor happy.


    With a thought, the drop of essence blood suddenly burst into a mist of blood, then instantly transformed into a streak of blood light.


    The blood light, ignoring the obstruction of the flesh, rushed into Zhao Sheng''s Purple Mansion in an instant and shot into the Soul Sea, disappearing without a trace.


    The next moment, Zhao Sheng felt his Divine Sense naturally increase slightly, and the range of his Divine Sense also expanded by an inch.


    Shortly after, the flush on Zhao Sheng''s face faded, and he opened his eyes, a flash of satisfaction evident in them.


    What of the fact that cultivating the "Blood Soul Scripture" diminishes life span?


    By then, Zhao Sheng had realized, as long as his cultivation could rapidly improve, he didn''t need to concern himself with this hidden danger.


    Zhao Sheng stood up from the ground,


    Just then, a look of joy suddenly appeared on his face, his figure flashed, and he appeared at the entrance of a cave.


    Boom!


    As the walls of the cave thunderously fell back to the ground, Zhao Xuanjing strode out like a shooting star.


    "Uncle Qi, I''ve succeeded!"


    Seeing Zhao Xuanjing returning to a youthful appearance, Zhao Sheng was very pleased. "Good, good! Xuanjing, you truly are the Qilin''er of our Zhao family, you didn''t let me down!"


    This time, Zhao Xuanjing didn''t respond with humility as he had before, but instead confidently accepted Zhao Sheng''s praise.


    Having advanced to the Foundation Establishment realm before the age of fifty, Zhao Xuanjing knew he had the opportunity to assault the Golden Core realm.


    The title of the Zhao family''s Qilin''er was rightfully his.


    ...


    Two months later, Zhao Xuanjing bid farewell to Zhao Sheng and left Zhao''s Secret Mansion.


    Following the plan, he first wanted to return to Taifu Mountain and then began to travel the four directions. Your next chapter awaits on empire


    This was a journey of experience, its duration unknown. It might be years, or even decades.


    When he felt his experiences were sufficient, he would return to Zhao''s Secret Mansion.


    While Zhao Xuanjing traveled the world to refine his spirit, Zhao Sheng didn''t return to the Origin Return Sect but chose to "seclude" himself in Pocket World City.


    Time flies, the years pass swiftly


    As time passed, Zhao Sheng''s cultivation also steadily improved,


    Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer,


    Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer,


    ...


    When Zhao Sheng successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer, thirty full years had passed.


    During those thirty years, while enduring the hardships of cultivation, Zhao Sheng had been coldly observing the development of the Origin Return Sect.


    But contrary to what he had anticipated, the major hidden danger of the "Blood Soul Scripture" hadn''t been detected; perhaps someone had discovered it, but it had been suppressed by the Origin Ancestor or an unknown power.


    Over the years, the Origin Return Sect had grown vigorously: the number of Qi Refining disciples surpassed a hundred thousand, Foundation Establishment cultivators emerged like bamboo shoots after a rain, and even three Golden Core Masters were added.


    Because Zhao Sheng was too low-key, his status in the Origin Return Sect had dropped more and more.


    When the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect exceeded a hundred, he had become so unobtrusive that he was almost ignored.


    Of course, this was a situation Zhao Sheng was very happy to see.

 Chapter 126 Blood Withering Disease

    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)Life Span: 114/167


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Great Success), Blood Soul Scripture (Melt Blood Chapter, Great Success), Stacking Talisman Technique (Great Success, thirty-three layers)


    Spells: God-Slaying Sword (Great Success), Light Splitting Sword (Great Success), Blood Escape Technique (Great Success), Nine Dragons Chant (Small Success), Mystical Spirit Puppet (Small Success), Water Bomb Technique (Great Success), Cold Ice Waterfall (Master)¡­


    Talisman making: Blood Refining Talisman (Refined), Blood Melting Talisman (Great Success), Blood Escape Talisman (Great Success), Ten Thousand Jins Talisman (Great Success), Flowing Cloud Sword Talisman (Divine Transformation), Concentrating God Talisman (Great Success), Sweet Rain Talisman (Great Success), Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Great Success)¡­


    Looking at the data on the panel, Zhao Sheng was lost in thought.


    Over the years, although he had been very restrained, he still had consumed twenty-nine years of his life span to improve his cultivation.


    After closing the personal panel, Zhao Sheng stood up and paced back and forth in the quiet room, contemplating the recent situation within the Origin Return Sect.


    After much thought, he suddenly realized that the Origin Return Sect seemed like a powder keg about to explode.


    Where there are people, there are conflicts of interest!


    In the past, because of rapid development and sufficient benefits, the internal contradictions of the Origin Return Sect had been temporarily suppressed.


    But in recent years, the Origin Return Sect had offended too many powers and was facing opposition from all surrounding forces, causing a sharp decline in its expansion rate.


    For this reason, the previously suppressed contradictions and conflicts began to surface repeatedly.


    People only saw the blazingly prosperous situation of the Origin Return Sect, but they were unaware of the undercurrents swirling within.


    Now that the powder keg was about to explode, it seemed only a fuse was missing.


    After observing these years, Zhao Sheng felt that this fuse was¡ª


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The door of the quiet room was suddenly knocked violently, and a frantic cry followed from outside:


    "Master, Master! Please come out quickly!"


    Zhao Sheng frowned and suddenly appeared at the doorway.


    He opened the door and saw a middle-aged beautiful woman with tear-streaked face standing at the doorstep.


    "Master, my grandfather, he... sob!"


    Zhao Sheng said in a deep voice, "Ling''er, slow down, what happened to your grandfather?"


    Wei Ling looked extremely panicked and said, "My grandfather suddenly fainted just now, and he''s almost¡­ gone!"


    "Where is your grandfather? Take me to him quickly!"


    Wei Ling quickly wiped away her tears and led Zhao Sheng to the Spirit Essence Institute.


    Soon, the two arrived at the backyard of the Spirit Essence Institute,


    where Qi Refining disciples in red robes filled the area, Experience more on empire


    their faces filled with fear, gathered in front of the main room in the north of the courtyard, yet no one dared to step inside.


    Seeing that it was Zhao Sheng who had arrived, everyone bowed in unison.


    Zhao Sheng ignored these formalities and walked straight into the inner room.


    When he saw Wei Youquan lying on the bed, Zhao Sheng''s expression changed.


    The man who had been well just a few days ago now appeared emaciated, not only his hair and teeth had all fallen out, but the exposed skin was wrinkled like chicken skin and covered with black spots, and a foul smell of decay emanated from his body.


    "Blood desiccation syndrome!"


    Zhao Sheng''s heart sank, knowing Wei Youquan''s end was near.


    Blood desiccation syndrome had recently emerged as a terminal disease,


    similar to the Heavenly Person Five Decays, those who contracted it were undoubtedly doomed, hence cultivators feared it like a tiger and changed color upon hearing it. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain was particularly devastated by the disease of blood depletion.


    In recent years, Heavenly Pillar Mountain had already lost over a dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivators to this fatal disease.


    As for Qi Refining disciples, there were even more.


    It was with good reason that Zhao Sheng believed Heavenly Pillar Mountain had become a powder keg, with blood depletion undeniably serving as the most compelling evidence.


    Taking his own situation into account, Zhao Sheng felt confident that those who died from blood depletion had certainly exhausted their life spans.


    The cultivation technique "Blood Soul Scripture" was extremely sinister, undetectable usually, but its hidden dangers only erupted suddenly just before death.


    The Cultivation World was not lack of smart people; someone surely must have discovered the connection between the "Blood Soul Scripture" and blood depletion.


    Although he did not know when this secret would be exposed, Zhao Sheng knew that the day it became public, Heavenly Pillar Mountain would definitely become the target of public vitriol.


    Zhao Sheng walked up to the bedside, and Wei Ling, in a panic, asked, "Master, is there any hope left for my grandfather?"


    When Zhao Sheng''s divine sense penetrated into Wei Youquan''s body, he discovered his blood had dried up, his organs were rapidly decaying, and his bones gradually dissolving.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head in regret and said, "Your grandfather has blood depletion! There''s no saving him."


    Upon hearing it was blood depletion, Wei Ling fainted on the spot.


    Seeing this, a glint of sharpness flashed in Zhao Sheng''s eyes as he waved his hand to release a burst of spiritual power, which he shot into Wei Ling''s forehead to temporarily seal off her senses.


    Then, Zhao Sheng waved his sleeve, and a Barrier Talisman suddenly flew out, turning into flying ash.


    In an instant, an invisible barrier rose from the room, temporarily blocking any outside view.


    Having done these, Zhao Sheng took a step forward and scanned Wei Youquan''s body inch by inch with his divine sense, not overlooking any peculiarities.


    In previous years, he had examined the corpses of some Qi Refining disciples who had died from blood depletion, but had not found anything unusual.


    As for Foundation Establishment Cultivators who succumbed to blood depletion, the Heavenly Pillar Mountain would swiftly collect their bodies, so he had never had the chance to investigate.


    Now, finally, the opportunity had come!


    From head to toe, Zhao Sheng scanned three times continuously,


    Uh?


    Zhao Sheng felt very odd; Wei Youquan''s corpse seemed no different from those of the Qi Refining disciples'' corpses.


    But there was one thing...


    Zhao Sheng bent down, his face drawing near Wei Youquan''s body, and flaring his nostrils, he sniffed intently.


    Suddenly,


    a look of elation crossed Zhao Sheng''s face. He smelled a strange scent of blood emanating from Wei Youquan''s seven orifices.


    This smell of blood was extremely similar to that of a corpse, imperceptible to ordinary people, but Zhao Sheng''s nose could not be deceived.


    Pressing his hand on Wei Youquan''s head, streams of pure spiritual power seeped into his seven orifices.


    Soon, Zhao Sheng made a significant discovery.


    Inside Wei Youquan''s Purple Mansion, there appeared a red, round, inch-sized Blood Pill.


    The surface of the Blood Pill intermittently showed a lifeless, expressionless face¡ªit could be no one but Wei Youquan.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng''s heart shook violently.


    In an instant, he suddenly recalled the incident he had encountered at Heavenly Pillar Mountain decades ago.


    The mysterious blood stain, the bizarre face on the stele, and the strange Blood Pill bearing Wei Youquan''s face!


    What exactly was the connection between the three?


    As Zhao Sheng''s mind was beset by surging waves, someone suddenly kicked open the room door, and then a streak of bloodlight flew in, instantly shattering the barrier.


    Zhao Sheng abruptly turned around to look outside.


    He saw two figures wearing black hooded robes walk in.


    Upon seeing these two figures, Zhao Sheng''s expression changed, and he thought to himself, "They''ve come so quickly!"


    He did not recognize these two hooded figures, but he was very familiar with their roles.


    These two were corpse collectors from Heavenly Pillar Mountain, specifically tasked with collecting the bodies of Foundation Establishment Cultivators and bringing them back to Heavenly Pillar Mountain for burial.

 Chapter 127 The Inevitable Calm of the South

    In the room, Zhao Sheng touched Wei Ling''s forehead with the tip of his foot and imperceptibly infused a stream of Spiritual Power.The next second, Wei Ling groaned and slowly woke up, sitting up from the ground.


    Zhao Sheng stood in front of the bed, watching the two corpse collector disciples with a calm expression.


    Seeing this situation, the two black-robed figures paused momentarily, and one of them suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice, "Senior Uncle, Master Wei has passed away. We are here under orders to escort Master Wei''s body back to the mountain for burial."


    Brother Wei has just passed, and you two have already arrived. Could it be that you have some foresight?" Zhao Sheng bluntly questioned.


    He knew that asking this might be taboo, but it was a rare opportunity not to take advantage and probe their intentions would be to waste a good opportunity.


    The two black-robed figures fell silent for a moment before one of them answered, "Senior Uncle, we are merely following orders, and we know nothing else."


    "Grandfather...sob, sob!"


    Just then, Wei Ling suddenly threw himself beside the bed, crying loudly and calling out.


    Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the room, and the sound of crying faintly reached them; it was clear that the people outside had already learned of Elder Wei''s death.


    Zhao Sheng took the opportunity to say, "Master Wei presided over the Spirit Essence Institute for decades and was highly respected in the hearts of the disciples. His unfortunate passing today has caused great sorrow among the disciples. Could we perhaps have a few more days of leniency? After the seven-day mourning period, we could then bring his body back to Cliff Mountain for burial."


    With seven days'' time, he would have enough opportunity to thoroughly investigate the peculiar Blood Pill.


    "It is not possible! The sect has rules that anyone who falls outside must be brought back for burial as soon as possible. I implore Senior Uncle not to make this difficult for us!" The black-robed corpse collector disciples immediately rejected Zhao Sheng''s suggestion, with an extraordinarily firm tone.


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a while and had a rough guess in his mind.


    "Hmm, if that''s the case... Ling''er, step aside!"


    "Master, I won''t! They want to snatch away my grandfather''s body while it''s still warm¡ª they''re inhuman!" Wei Ling lay on the bed, clutching Wei Youquan''s right hand tightly and crying stubbornly.


    "My apologies!" Having said that, the two figures moved forward...


    ... S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seven days later, when the Spirit Essence Institute welcomed its new Dean, Zhao Sheng returned to the Origin Return Sect in a very low-key manner.


    Thirty years had gone by, and Cliff Mountain, which was once quite desolate, was now a place of celestial grandeur.


    Atop the mountain, the Guiyuan Hall was shrouded in dense Spiritual Energy, glowing brilliantly with large swathes of colorful clouds encircling the mountain slopes, and Immortal Cranes and spirit birds soaring and singing loudly on the plaza.


    As night fell, from the cliffs and precipices of Cliff Mountain, colorful lights shone from caves, solitary trees, and other hidden places.


    Underneath the lights were cultivators'' cave mansions.


    Below Cliff Mountain, countless palaces and lofty towers stood like forests, sprawling for dozens of miles. From the high heavens, the ground was brilliantly lit, looking like a city that never slept.


    The Origin Return Sect, not yet sixty years in establishment, had reached a level of grandeur that one would find hard to believe, not just outsiders, but even Zhao Sheng, who had just returned, found it beyond belief.


    It was late into the night, yet the Merit Hall was still bustling with activity. The disciples of the Origin Return Sect were coming and going in such a lively manner that it appeared even busier than during the day.


    Zhao Sheng used an Illusion True Talisman to change his appearance before blending into the crowd to enter the Merit Hall.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng left the Merit Hall very inconspicuously.


    As soon as he left, the Merit Hall exploded in commotion.


    "The Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique has been exchanged by someone!"


    "Yes! A whole eight hundred thousand Merit Points!"


    "Do you know which divine being from our sect it was?"


    "I don''t know! But surely it must be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"


    "That makes sense!" Your next journey awaits at empire


    The news of the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique being exchanged quickly spread among the disciples of the Origin Return Sect and soon throughout the entire sect.


    As to who exchanged for it, there were various speculations within the sect.


    The Qi Refining disciples might not know, but several of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Origin Return Sect had their suspicions, and Zhao Sheng was one of them.


    Thus, during a gathering half a month later, Feng Yu Elder Taoist teased Zhao Sheng, "Junior Zhao, you haven''t returned to the sect for decades, and I didn''t expect you to cause such a stir as soon as you did!"


    Having not seen each other for many years, Feng Yu Elder Taoist had aged beyond recognition, with an aura that faintly exuded a scent of death.


    Faced with a man about to die, Zhao Sheng was very careful and shook his head with a wry smile, "Brother, you jest. Even if I chop and sell my entire self, I couldn''t afford to exchange for the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique."


    "Don''t hide it anymore, if it wasn''t you, then who? We entered the sect together; don''t you trust this old Taoist!"


    Despite Feng Yu Elder Taoist''s repeated inquiries, Zhao Sheng still adamantly denied it.


    Just as Feng Yu Elder Taoist was about to press on, Zhao Sheng suddenly looked sad and sighed, "Brother, do you know that Brother Wei of the Spirit Essence Institute has passed away!"


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist was surprised, "What are you saying, Wei Youquan has died! When? How? He had just passed his second ji¨¦z¨«!"


    "Seven days ago, he died of blood withering disease!"


    Upon hearing this, Feng Yu Elder Taoist staggered, with a sudden expression of terror and horror crossing his face.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng finished speaking, the gathering place fell deathly silent; all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators present looked unnatural, and some, like Feng Yu Elder Taoist, even showed expressions of fear.


    Without a doubt, blood withering disease had become a deeply taboo phrase within the Origin Return Sect.


    Zhao Sheng was perhaps the only one who could speak of it so openly.


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist, having been shocked, had no more desire to ask about the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique.

 Chapter 127 Finally, Yinan is at Peace_2

    He wanted to leave, but Zhao Sheng''s purpose for attending the gathering had not been achieved yet, so he couldn''t let him go."Elder Brother, wait a moment, I still have something to ask you?"


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist frowned, "Junior Brother, what is it you wish to ask?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I have heard that more than a decade ago, Elder Brother once went to the Desolate Domain to establish a branch. Is this true?" Zhao Sheng asked with a serious expression.


    After hearing this, Feng Yu Elder Taoist''s frown deepened, and his mood worsened!


    This matter was a humiliation to him,


    Sixteen years ago, in order to earn merit, he eagerly went to the Desolate Domain to make a name for himself. Little did he know that he would be ostracized by the local forces, and in the end, was unable to maintain his footing, leaving in utter disarray back to Cliff Mountain.


    "Hmm, there is probably such a matter," Feng Yu Elder Taoist responded noncommittally. Find exclusive stories on empire


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes lit up, and he spoke earnestly, "Elder Brother, please do not take offense, I too have similar aspirations. It''s just that I know very little about the Desolate Domain''s customs and practices, so I earnestly seek Elder Brother''s guidance!"


    A glint flickered in Feng Yu Elder Taoist''s eyes as he suddenly said, "Since Junior Brother wishes to ask, naturally, I shall hold nothing back. However..."


    His tone lengthened, and he did not continue but looked intently at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng understood the hint and felt enlightened.


    "As long as Elder Brother speaks truthfully. I have some small trinkets here that I find of no use. I might as well gift them to Elder Brother for your enjoyment."


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist shook his head and said gravely, "Not enough! Although I failed, I still have a group of useful people left in the Desolate Domain. If Junior Brother wants to take over, feel free to do so, but these trinkets are far from sufficient."


    Zhao Sheng felt elated inside. The reason he had approached Feng Yu Elder Taoist was precisely for the manpower he just mentioned.


    Thereupon, he immediately and decisively agreed.


    Considering that this was not the place to discuss such matters, the two quickly got up and left, finding a private place to sit down and start negotiating back and forth.


    After a period of bargaining, Zhao Sheng spent a large sum of merit to finally satisfy Feng Yu Elder Taoist''s demands.


    Then, Feng Yu Elder Taoist began to eagerly explain the customs and practices of the Desolate Domain to Zhao Sheng.


    This explanation lasted for a full day and night, and only after Feng Yu Elder Taoist had emptied all he knew did Zhao Sheng let him leave contentedly.


    ...


    Half a month later, Zhao Sheng actively sought out Sect Leader Jin Chenzi, proposing to establish a branch in the Desolate Domain.


    Jin Chenzi greatly appreciated Zhao Sheng''s proactive offer to serve the sect and agreed immediately and readily.


    In a certain sense, the Origin Return Sect was very welcoming of Foundation Establishment disciples venturing to various Boundary realms of the Central Continent to establish branches.


    Branches could be established anywhere, but there was one condition¡­ the "performance" had to meet the annual target.


    The so-called performance referred to Essence Blood Pearls.


    Based on the number of disciples, the sect would require the branch to provide a certain number of Essence Blood Pearls.


    If the performance met the target, the Dean could receive a large sum of merit.


    If the target was exceeded, the Dean could not only get half of the extra part but also enjoy the benefit of "discounted" exchanges at the Merit Hall.


    Zhao Sheng had limited connections in the Origin Return Sect, and hardly had any Direct Disciples.


    However, there were too many disciples in the Origin Return Sect and the competition was fierce, with many who were "full of ambition."


    Therefore, when Zhao Sheng spread the word, that day itself over a dozen disciples at Qi Refining Great Perfection approached him, volunteering to follow him to "make their mark."


    Zhao Sheng''s intention was not for this, but facing these enthusiastic individuals who brought their own provisions, he naturally accepted.


    Quality over quantity!


    After some interviews, Zhao Sheng only accepted four of them, and sent the others away after giving each a few Essence Blood Talismans.


    Just as Zhao Sheng was concentrating on preparing for the Desolate Domain, a piece of sudden bad news interrupted his plans.


    That afternoon, Zhao Sheng was focused on refining a batch of Blood Refining Talismans.


    Crack


    A jade pendant hanging from his waist suddenly split in two and dropped to the ground.


    Zhao Sheng''s face turned pale instantaneously, he dropped the talisman pen, and dashed out of the talisman room.


    Two breaths later, a Cloud Boat abruptly ascended from a cliff at mid-mountain on Cliff Mountain, soaring into the sky, and then sped toward Pocket World City.


    ...


    Six days later, at Taifu Mountain,


    in the courtyard at the mountaintop, every single member of the Zhao Cultivation Clan was present. At this moment, the expressions on their faces were filled with overwhelming grief.


    Meanwhile, in a bedroom of the courtyard, Zhao Jijian''s body lay stiff on the bed, his complexion deathly pale.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng sat by the bed, slightly bowing his head in silence, yet his expression was unusually calm.


    Behind him stood Zhao Xuanjing, Zhao Xuan''an, Zhao Keru, and other important figures of the Zhao Family, all standing solemnly.


    Ultimately, Zhao Sheng had not managed to make it in time to see Zhao Jijian''s last moment.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng remain silent, after a long wait, Zhao Xuan''an couldn''t help but advise, "Seventh Uncle, you mustn''t grieve too much! The Fourth Ancestor passed away with a smile."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Sheng suddenly let out a laugh, tears spilling from the corners of his eyes as he did,


    "Of course your Fourth Ancestor would smile. Not just him, I would smile too. He could hold his head high, proudly report to our ancestors that he did not let them down. Not only did the family not decline under his leadership, but it also flourished even more, securing a legacy for generations to come. He... he was proud!"


    Having finished, Zhao Sheng stood up, turned around, and looked over at Zhao Xuanjing and the others with a face full of satisfaction.


    Zhao Keru, Third Level of Foundation Establishment,


    Zhao Xuanjing, Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer,


    Zhao Xuan''an, Second Level of Foundation Establishment,


    Zhao Xuance, Qi Refining Perfection


    Zhao Tongxian, Qi Refining Perfection


    ¡­


    Thirty years had passed, and other than him, the Zhao Family had three at Foundation Establishment, four at Qi Refining Perfection, and eighteen at the Qi Refining Late Stage... The number of Cultivators in the family had surpassed one hundred.


    In addition, there was a spirit land on Taifu Mountain covering a hundred miles, with over two hundred thousand common clan members, their influence extending over a thousand miles.


    The Zhao Family was thriving with successors. Zhao Jijian could die with a smile, and Zhao Sheng also could lay down his heavy responsibilities to pursue a significant matter.


    One day later, Zhao Jijian was buried with great pomp and ceremony, and on that day, Taifu Mountain was lit up with lanterns and festooned with decorations, brimming with joy.


    A month later, Zhao Sheng appeared on the slope of Taifu Mountain and quietly slipped into the green pond. He placed the first set of "contingencies" at the bottom of the pond.


    Three months later, Zhao Sheng, despite the entreaties of Zhao Xuan''an and others, resolutely left Taifu Mountain.


    Before departing, he had secret lengthy discussions with both Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Xuan''an over two days.


    After Zhao Sheng left, Zhao Xuanjing also returned to the secret mansion of the Zhao Family at Heavenly Pillar Mountain. He was the chief of the Dark Department, content to live a life of solitude.


    Seven days later, a Cloud Boat quietly descended on the banks of Dragon Carp Lake.


    After the Zhao Family moved away, the Purple Sun Sect reclaimed Dragon Carp Lake, but they did not relocate a new Cultivation Family there. Instead, they used it again as a base for outstation disciples.


    Zhao Sheng did not linger in the area and, after setting down the second batch of "contingencies," he drifted away.


    When he next made an appearance, he had already arrived thousands of miles away in Nanyang City.


    Several hundred years had passed, and although Liang Kingdom had long become a fleeting memory, the Nanyang Zhao Family still stood unyielding, renowned as a millennium-old clan, dominating Ganzhou.


    Through hundreds of years of continuous expansion, the Zhao Family''s Cemetery had encompassed the entire mountaintop.


    Even though the cemetery was filled with countless tombstones and graves, the two tombs in the very center were always the most conspicuous.


    As the setting sun descended, the dimming sunlight slanted across the surface of the tombstones, Zhao Sheng sat on the stone steps, looking at the few lines inscribed on the tombstone, his expression complex and inexplicable.


    "Who can tell me if love transcends the world, making one willing to live and die for it?


    A pair of wandering lovers, how many times have their old wings endured the coldness of winter and heat of summer?


    There is joy, and there is the grief of parting, and among these, even more, are the foolish men and women.


    One should declare:


    Amidst thousands of miles of layered clouds, with snow-covered mountains all around, whose shadow journeys alone?"


    Looking at the tombstone of his "wife" Wang Yuqi, Zhao Sheng fell silent for a long while.


    As the sunset faded and dusk fell, Zhao Sheng suddenly stood up without a word and began to walk down the mountain.


    As his figure stretched and disappeared under the crimson sunset, a breeze passed by, and a soft sigh emerged in the air, a whispered phrase slowly reverberating through the cemetery,


    "...yet feelings remain unsettled!"

 Chapter 128 Trouble upon the New Arrival

    Zhou Quan rubbed the sleep from his eyes, emerging from the dilapidated mine with a hand rubbing his ear as he walked.No matter how many years he had lived in Mystic Iron City, he never grew accustomed to the ceaseless noise, which made getting a proper night''s sleep impossible.


    The Defensive Array set up by the previous sect still operated from time to time, blanketing Mystic Iron City with a layer of hazy Barrier, but certain areas had already failed. The whirling winds and sand battered against the barrier created by the Formation at the city''s edge, producing a rustling, buzzing noise, like swarms of demon locusts descending in billions¡ªan overwhelming cacophony that set newcomers'' scalps tingling with fear.


    The walls of Mystic Iron City were riddled with holes, many areas damaged, allowing gravel to seep in through the gaps like black, stagnant water, carrying with it the momentum for total erasure, sweeping across the surrounding houses and mines.


    Over time, when Mystic Iron City lost a livable environment, it quickly became an abandoned place, facing the same fate as numerous other discarded mining towns in the Desolate Domain.


    Most of the Desolate Domain consisted of Gobi deserts and few oases; this vast Boundary, located at the Northwest of Central Continent, was famous for its abundance of spirit mines and variety.


    Mystic Iron City was initially a large "mine" that produced Mystic Iron Ore, and twenty years ago, it flourished, hosting a population of thirteen to fourteen thousand. Later, the main Mystic Iron Ore veins were mostly excavated, and the mine lost much of its value.


    As a result, the sect powers swiftly relocated, and Mystic Iron City completely fell into neglect, becoming a wild city without anyone to take care of it.


    But Mystic Iron City was far from barren; folks like Zhou Quan, who had no roots, still counted on making a living in Mystic Iron City.


    He had just dug up a few dozen jins of Mystic Iron Ore in "Bingwu Road."


    After selling the ore today, he planned to return to "Moon Spring" for a few days of restful respite.


    At this moment, Zhou Quan spotted a person draped in a cloak entering through the western city gate at the end of the road.


    Like all those coming into Mystic Iron City from outside, they began to shake off the dust and sand from their body.


    Zhou Quan couldn''t help but crack a smile, but he quickly covered his mouth.


    However, it was already too late; the cloaked person had looked up in his direction.


    Zhou Quan promptly turned around. Although somewhat careless, he was quite sharp-minded. He knew which kinds of people should not be provoked and were beyond his league.


    Anyone coming to Mystic Iron City alone at this time must possess astonishing martial skills and might even be an Immortal Master.


    Wasn''t he asking for trouble by standing there and laughing?


    "Quan''er, when will you change this playful habit of yours!"


    Zhou Quan criticized himself inwardly as he calmly turned to leave.


    After walking a few steps and hearing no movement behind him, he finally let out a sigh of relief.


    However, just then, someone behind him cleared their throat lightly, "Excuse me, young man..."


    Zhou Quan''s scalp tingled, but he quickly feigned ignorance, turning his head and spinning around, and, as expected, it was that cloaked individual.


    "This one, err, senior, do you need something?" Zhou Quan asked.


    Zhou Quan was the quintessential treasure hunter, with rough skin, a tanned face, and strong, powerful limbs.


    Strikingly, he had a friendly smile that was quite endearing and had saved him from many a dire strait.


    "I''m new here and was looking for directions. Could you tell me how to get to Wind Feather Hall in the city?"


    The cloaked person''s voice was mild, and the tone amiable, yet the accent sounded unfamiliar.


    "Could he be fresh from another Boundary, newly arrived in the Desolate Domain?" Zhou Quan thought to himself, while his smile widened: "Wind Feather Hall, you say! Just go straight from here, turn right at the second intersection in East City, and the shop in the middle of the block is it."


    With that, he offered a "simple-minded" grin.


    The cloaked individual nodded slightly and turned to head that way.


    Zhou Quan couldn''t help but glance several times at the retreating figure of the cloaked person before turning and walking away.


    Just then, a lustrous white Stone Bead suddenly fell from the sky and landed in his embrace.


    When Zhou Quan examined the Stone Bead, he gasped in shock, "A Spirit Stone!"


    Uh!


    Zhou Quan immediately covered his mouth, quickly tucked the Spirit Stone into his chest, and with a cautious look around, darted into a nearby alley.


    After several turns and twists, he was almost back to his dwelling when a malicious breeze hit him from behind. Zhou Quan hastily dodged to the side, but the person who had approached was far superior in speed and skill. They grabbed his shoulder, exerted a bit of force, and flung him against the wall nearby. Their towering frame cast a shadow over him as they said:


    "Heh heh, Quan''er, long time no see. You must have dug up quite a few treasures by now, eh?"


    Upon recognizing the newcomer, Zhou Quan''s face twisted into a bitter smile, "I have Third Master to thank for... taking care of me..."


    As he spoke, he flipped his palm and a gold leaf appeared in his hand, which he deftly slipped into the giant''s hand.


    After taking the gold leaf, the giant''s expression turned fierce, "And the rest, hand it over!"


    "What else?" Zhou Quan''s heart skipped a beat, but his face remained feigning confusion.


    The giant, known as Third Master, gave a cold smile. With a little force, he hoisted Zhou Quan up close and bellowed with a vicious look, "Still playing dumb with me? I''m talking about the Spirit Stone! Where is the Spirit Stone!"


    Zhou Quan shuddered, his face filled with fear, "Forgive me, Third Master! The Spirit Stone is here!"


    As he spoke, Zhou Quan reached into his chest and drew out the Spirit Stone, presenting it before the giant.


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    Zhou Quan fell to the ground,


    the giant examined the Spirit Stone, a smile spreading across his face before tucking it into his pocket. Discover more content at empire


    Zhou Quan lay on the ground, his body curled up, "I won''t dare do it again, Third Master!"


    "Get up, I have a task for you!" The giant kicked Zhou Quan''s arm and commanded sharply.


    "What''s the task? I''m not smart; I''m afraid I might fail and jeopardize your important business," Zhou Quan got up, nodding and bowing with a foolish smile on his face.


    "Don''t say that, you''re quite suited for this job. Who else but you, always the good Samaritan giving directions? Who else should I turn to if not you?"


    "Giving directions? You mean..."


    "The one who just entered from the West Gate."


    Third Master spoke in a lowered voice, "You don''t need to know anything else. Go join Wind Feather Hall and find an opportunity to mention a ''Treasure Pit'' discovered in Yihai Mine Tunnel. Then lead a group of Wind Feather Hall''s people to that pit..."


    Third Master had been keeping an eye on Wind Feather Hall all along, and his response was rapid.


    Something big was indeed unfolding!


    Wind Feather Hall had been a major force in the past, and although it was now in decline, it was not an entity that a treasure hunter like himself could afford to provoke.


    Zhou Quan groaned inwardly but complained out loud, "Yihai Road, that''s too remote!"


    "If it weren''t remote, I wouldn''t need you."


    Third Master scolded, "I''m giving you seven days. At the latest, before the next Black Sandstorm arrives, you''re to lure them into Yihai Road... Don''t worry about your reward; you''ll be well-compensated. Of course, if you fail, you don''t need to worry about living either!"


    The chilling tone in his words made Zhou Quan''s face darken. Yet Third Master laughed heartily, straightening up, "I''d say you''re lucky. If this works out! You''ll have a plot of land for yourself at Moon Spring,"


    At the mention of "land," Zhou Quan shuddered, lowered his head, then lifted it again and said through clenched teeth, "I''ll do it! But I need a solid promise, Third Master. Wind Feather Hall''s members are ruthless. Afterward, Great Dragon Hall has to ensure my safety."


    "Haha, don''t worry! After this, Wind Feather Hall will be nothing but a puff of smoke. When they''re all dead, who will come looking for trouble with you?" Third Master laughed boisterously, patting Zhou Quan on the shoulder.

 Chapter 129 Reporting Secrets

    zhao sheng walked towards east city, silently lamenting in his heart. having grown accustomed to the greenery and waters of the central region, he found himself somewhat ill-at-ease upon abruptly arriving in the massive desert and gobi of the northwest.the desolate domain was cold and filled with sandy desert; the land was barren, and its people were like the coarse and cold sand and stones. however, the young man who had just given him directions wasn''t bad, possessing a human touch.


    after walking for a while, following the guidance he had been given, zhao sheng arrived in front of a shop. the doors of the hall were tightly closed, and a signboard above the door bore the three large characters "wind feather hall."


    he had reached his destination!


    approaching, he knocked on the door, which was opened by a lean young man.


    "who are you looking for?" the young man was very vigilant.


    zhao sheng made several peculiar hand gestures at the man, then showed a token.


    "wind feather token!" the young man exclaimed in shock, hastily welcoming zhao sheng inside.


    clap!


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    the doors of the wind feather hall were firmly shut again.


    at the same time, in a dark corner of a street, a disheveled beggar slowly stood up.


    after glancing at wind feather hall a few times, the beggar turned and limped towards west city.


    the beggar was a spy for the great dragon hall.


    "wind feather hall has new people again!" he had to report back to master long immediately.


    ...


    moments later, in the back hall of wind feather hall.


    zhao sheng took off his cloak and turned to sit in the dragon and tiger chair at the head of the hall entrance.


    at this moment, a group of people in dark tight-fitting clothes were kneeling on the ground in front of him, while four blood robe disciples of varying appearances were bowing to him:


    "chen shao''ang!"


    "feng bupo!"


    "wan zhen''er!"


    "liu gongyu!"


    "...respectfully welcome uncle-master''s august presence!"


    zhao sheng waved his hand and said calmly, "dispense with the formalities! please rise!"


    "yes, hall master!" everyone responded in unison, then all stood up together.


    zhao sheng nodded in satisfaction, praising chen shao''ang and the others, "well done, you have put in the effort!"


    chen shao''ang and the others had been carefully selected by zhao sheng.


    a month ago, they had arrived in mystic iron city and in only a matter of days had subdued the entire wind feather hall, quickly integrating its forces.


    therefore, upon zhao sheng''s arrival, there was not a whisper of dissent within wind feather hall.


    of course, the changes within wind feather hall also drew the attention of other forces, especially those halls that had joined forces in previous years to push against wind feather hall.


    zhao sheng waved his hand, dismissing everyone except the four "jingang."


    "who will tell me about the current situation of wind feather hall?" he asked, issuing a mildly challenging question.


    the four glanced at each other before chen shao''ang immediately stepped forward and respectfully said, "reporting to uncle-master, wind feather hall currently has twelve qi refining immortal cultivators, one at the qi refining late stage, in the middle stage..."


    chen shao''ang''s voice was clear as he continued to report.


    he was distinguished-looking, still graceful though over sixty years old.


    zhao sheng listened silently, nodding inwardly.


    "in just three months, this man has had the others under his control; it seems this individual is worth cultivating. from now on, the day-to-day affairs of wind feather hall can be entrusted to him with confidence."


    zhao sheng had traveled a great distance to the desolate domain, not to be a ''workhorse'' for the origin return sect, but to annihilate the zhou family and avenge the untimely demise of his wife and children and the ruin of his own clan in his previous life.


    before coming to mystic iron city, he had already laid out a rough plan; integrating wind feather hall was merely the beginning.


    the implementation of the next step in the plan will still depend on the specific circumstances.


    after chen shao''ang finished describing the situation at wind feather hall, zhao sheng had him talk about the powers within mystic iron city.


    "there are currently two major halls in mystic iron city, namely great dragon hall and the mining gang. each has a foundation establishment cultivator in residence, but their exact cultivation levels are unknown. apart from these, there are two other halls with strength similar to that of wind feather hall..."


    zhao sheng interrupted, "no need to mention the others, just talk about great dragon hall and the mining gang!"


    "yes, uncle master! the hall master of great dragon hall, known as master long, is a foundation establishment cultivator. within the hall, there are..."


    a cup of tea''s time later, chen shao''ang finished speaking and retreated back among the four.


    zhao sheng pondered for a moment and then ordered, "go write an invitation and send it to the hands of the mining gang''s leader, saying that i will visit in three days!"


    according to feng yu elder taoist''s description, great dragon hall was one of the forces that had pushed out wind feather hall, while the mining gang was a power that had only been organized in the last ten years and had no old grudges with wind feather hall.


    zhao sheng initially planned to ally with the mining gang to swallow up great dragon hall.


    of course, before this, he needed to find out the true cultivation level of master long from the mining gang, as well as whether great dragon hall had any followers.


    desolate domain is situated in a special location, right at the midpoint between the righteous and demonic paths, belonging to a complex grey zone.


    just as wind feather hall is to origin return sect, the forces of the various major sects from both righteous and demonic paths have laid countless overt and covert pawns within desolate domain. their territories interlock like teeth of a comb, and the secret struggles have continued for countless years.


    ...


    a day later, zhao sheng sat in his study flipping through a book about the customs and culture of the great yong dynasty.


    at this time, chen shao''ang quietly walked in.


    "is there something?"


    "uncle master, someone wishes to see you, claiming they have important matters to report."


    zhao sheng thought briefly, closed the book, and said, "bring him in!"


    soon after, zhou quan followed chen shao''ang into the room, trembling with fear.


    the moment he saw zhao sheng, he kneel with a thud and cried out with a sobbing voice, "honorable senior above, zhou quan kowtows before you, please save my life!"


    as he spoke, he knocked his head violently towards the ground.


    "hold on!"


    zhao sheng waved his hand, and a streak of spirit light flew out, stopping zhou quan''s action of kowtowing. he then asked, "you speak with neither head nor tail, start from the beginning and explain what happened!"


    zhou quan wiped away his tears and cautiously asked, "yesterday, was it you, senior, who asked me for directions?"


    zhao sheng nodded, a thoughtful expression coming over his face.


    zhou quan excitedly said, "right after senior asked me about the way, third master from great dragon hall came looking for me."


    zhao sheng was startled. he had underestimated the local tyrant''s influence and did not expect to have been targeted as soon as he entered the city.


    "he wanted me to defect to you and then find an opportunity to lure the people from your hall to yihai road, saying that there..."


    zhou quan finished speaking and looked earnestly at zhao sheng.


    chen shao''ang, who was standing by, could no longer restrain his anger after hearing this, "despicable! great dragon hall''s treacherous heart persists; it seems they intend to catch us all in one fell swoop! uncle master, you¡ª" s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    zhao sheng raised his hand to interrupt chen shao''ang.


    he looked at zhou quan with interest and asked, "why do you reveal this matter to me? are you not afraid of great dragon hall''s retaliation against you afterward?"


    zhou quan bit his lip and said bitterly, "i am not afraid! whether i report it or not, i am doomed either way after the fact!"


    oh?


    seeing the doubt on zhao sheng''s face, zhou quan immediately explained, "that wretched thug promised me a share of moon spring''s lands after the deed was done.


    heh, he''s treating me like a fool! are the lands of moon spring something mortals can touch? even if i couldn''t get them, even if they were given to me at that time, i would surely die an untimely death the next day.


    since i''m bound to die one way or the other, i might as well take a chance!"


    hmm!


    zhao sheng hummed thoughtfully and instructed, "get up! zi''ang, take him down and arrange for him to stay. he will play a part in the drama that''s going to take place in a few days."


    chen zi''ang bowed in respect, "yes, uncle master!"

 Chapter 130 There is a City Beneath the Spring (Two-in-One)

    not long after, chen shao''ang, who had left, suddenly returned and whispered into zhao sheng''s ear.smack!


    zhao sheng closed the book, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he exclaimed in surprise, "are you saying zhou quan is from the hongyang state zhou family? are you sure?"


    "uncle-master, i''ve asked numerous times. on such a matter, he wouldn''t dare to tell a lie!"


    "hmm, good! i understand. you may leave now," zhao sheng said.


    once chen shao''ang turned around and left, a hint of a smile appeared on zhao sheng''s face.


    in the desolate domain, there were two major dynasties, the da yong and da zhen, with the former encompassing eighty-eight states, among which hongyang state, where the zhou family resided, was one of the nine upper continents. s~ea??h the n??el fire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    and this zhou family!


    it was precisely the target zhao sheng intended to obliterate!


    ...


    the mining gang, one of the two major factions in mystic iron city, was established thirteen years ago.


    that year, just when the mystic iron ore beneath mystic iron city had been exhausted, sect powers withdrew, leaving behind thousands of miners.


    seeing the countless miners without livelihoods, at this critical moment, a foundation establishment practitioner arrived in mystic iron city. he took in miners, took possession of mine tunnels and, with the momentum, established the mining gang.


    after the mining gang was established, its power rapidly expanded, and in a very short time, it took over most of the mine tunnels in mystic iron city.


    in a mining city, mine tunnels meant wealth; the mining gang''s seizure of them was tantamount to snatching food from the mouth of the great dragon hall.


    therefore, the great dragon hall and the mining gang fought countless times over the mine tunnels, each winning and losing at times, but never able to decisively outdo the other.


    the saying that one mountain cannot contain two tigers was verifiable; the two major factions of mystic iron city soon became mortal enemies.


    that day, dark clouds filled the sky, with endless wind and sand whistling past mystic iron city. sand and gravel rained down, the air became dry, the sandstorm blinded the eyes,


    mystic iron city was very deserted, with almost no one walking the streets. the vast majority of people were holed up in the mine''s rooms, avoiding the harsh weather.


    however, in front of the jiazi mine on yihai road in south city, many burly men braved the sandstorm, constantly pacing around the mine.


    these men wore woven bamboo hats, their gazes under the hats were exceptionally vigilant, always paying attention to their surroundings.


    next to the entrance of the mine, a man in grey with his arms crossed stood, his face as grim as water.


    a light shield surrounded him, keeping the sandstorm at bay.


    after some time, there was still no sign of the person he was waiting for!


    just as the man in grey''s patience was wearing thin, a light cough suddenly came from behind him.


    cough, cough!


    the man in grey was greatly alarmed, quickly turning to look, only to see a tall, slightly white-haired old man at the inner side of the mine entrance, his figure mostly hidden by the dim mine.


    "may i ask if the esteemed guest is from wind feather hall?" the man in grey asked cautiously, still feeling startled.


    zhao sheng nodded slightly, "indeed!"


    the man in grey''s gaze flickered multiple times, shocked again.


    he couldn''t detect any breath of life, as if the person in front of him was merely an illusion.


    but... the elder clearly stood there, alive.


    as the deputy leader of the mining gang, he was at the qi refining perfection realm.


    if the newcomer was stronger than him... could it be... foundation establishment!


    the man in grey, setting aside his prior discontent, said respectfully, "senior, please follow me! our leader has been eagerly expecting you."


    "much obliged," zhao sheng responded.


    "the pleasure is mine, please!"


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    the man in grey led the way ahead, escorting zhao sheng down to a depth of two hundred zhang.


    it was then that zhao sheng realized that almost all beneath mystic iron city had been hollowed out, forming a vast empty nest; within it lay dense and disorderly tunnels. while the lighting was poor, the tunnels were well-connected, crisscrossing in all directions.


    a quarter of an hour later, the two arrived at a large mine.


    this mine was akin to an underground stone cave, roughly half the size of the mountain dragon cave in terms of space.


    a mine tunnel, two zhang wide, spiraled down along the walls of the cave, with nooks carved into the inner side for habitation.


    at the very bottom of the mine, there were stone buildings of varying heights. some were exquisitely made, while others were rugged, much like the dwellings of the people of the desolate domain.


    shortly after, the two passed by a dozen houses and stopped in front of a broad, white stone house.


    at this time, a small, dark-skinned old man stood in front of the stone house, smiling warmly at zhao sheng and his companion, with a row of muscular men standing behind him.


    "boss, the distinguished guest has arrived!" the man in grey hurried forward a few steps, came in front of the little old man, and bowed.


    sensing the undisguised foundation establishment energy from the old man, zhao sheng smiled faintly and released his own aura.


    the old man''s eyes brightened, he cupped his hands and said loudly, "master ma dacai of the mining gang welcomes the taoist visitor!"


    "feng yu hall''s zhao zhiqin pays respects to master ma," zhao sheng said, using the name from his previous life instead of his real one.


    "please!"


    ma dacai stepped aside, gesturing for zhao sheng to enter.


    zhao sheng nodded slightly and stepped forward.


    soon, the two entered the stone house side by side.


    ...


    half a day later, it was deep into the night in mystic iron city, and zhao sheng reappeared at feng yu hall.


    upon his return, zhao sheng immediately summoned chen shao''ang and feng bupo among the four.


    "uncle-master, have you come to an agreement?"


    "yes,"


    zhao sheng sat on the throne-like chair, rubbing his forehead.


    he had just spent a long time engaged in a battle of wits with an old fox, which had drained him of considerable energy.


    seeing this, chen shao''ang and the other three showed expressions of joy.


    with two major powers joining forces, the chances of swallowing the great dragon hall increased by another twenty percent.


    "shao''ang, have you investigated yihai road? what''s the latest from the great dragon hall?" zhao sheng asked.


    "thanks to the talismans you bestowed upon us, the so-called treasure pit traps have been mostly figured out. the great dragon hall has secretly laid many fire bombs there. they plan to collapse yihai road and bury us alive," chen shao''ang reported.

 Chapter 130 There is a City Beneath the Spring (Two-in-One)_2

    zhao sheng listened carefully and couldn''t help but marvel internally; the great dragon hall''s method was one he had used at flame ridge once to good effect!he never imagined that one day, others would use a similar method to set him up.


    "hehe, might as well add fuel to the fire!"


    zhao sheng chuckled secretly and then pulled out a large handful of talismans from his storage bag and handed them to chen shao''ang, s§×ar?h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "shao''ang, these are the mother-child linked talismans. bury them on yihai road, and then do this and that..."


    as zhao sheng shared his thoughts one by one, chen shao''ang and the others'' eyes grew brighter as they listened, and excitement and awe eventually appeared on their faces.


    time flew quickly, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.


    in recent days, zhou quan felt as if each day was as long as a year, repeatedly receiving death threats from the great dragon hall.


    the originally set seven-day deadline had long since passed, yet wind feather hall, despite clearly understanding everything, remained stationary.


    just as zhou quan thought wind feather hall was afraid of the great dragon hall''s power and ready to abandon him, someone finally sent out the message, "it''s time to make a move!"


    upon receiving this news, zhou quan almost cried tears of joy.


    soon, he relayed the message as instructed to the great dragon hall.


    that very afternoon, zhou quan "secretively" took a group of people from wind feather hall out of mystic iron city and headed to the mining trail on yihai road a hundred li away.


    among this group were conspicuously "zhao sheng," "chen shao''ang," feng bupo, and others.


    if they were laying bait, it had to be convincing, or else they wouldn''t be able to catch the big fish.


    seeing wind feather hall "take the bait," the great dragon hall also quickly acted on the news, sending messages to their men lying in ambush on yihai road.


    however, they didn''t know that the real zhao sheng was actually in a secret room in west city of mystic sky city at that very moment.


    watching the murderously intent ma dacai, zhao sheng gave a faint smile and said, "master ma, the great dragon hall has taken the bait!"


    "hehe! this plot to use their own strategy against them, luring the tiger out of the mountain, is brilliant! wang dalong''s side is left open. let''s strike directly at them!"


    "master ma, since you and he are old rivals, how about you lead the charge? i''ll hit him hard from the shadows."


    ma dacai chuckled, "taoist zhao, you''re not trying to calculate me as well, are you?"


    "of course not! if you don''t trust me, i''ll make an oath with my heart demon!"


    zhao sheng didn''t beat around the bush, and immediately after speaking, he made a heart demon oath.


    upon witnessing this, ma dacai felt relieved and immediately exclaimed, "good! i''ll take on this leading role."


    moments later, the room was empty, yet the air still carried lingering strands of intense murderous intent.


    that day, mystic sky city was greeted with rare good weather as the sandstorm dispersed, leaving the sky a clear blue.


    approaching evening, the setting sun was as red as blood!


    on the desolate gobi desert a hundred li away from mystic iron city, suddenly there came a thunderous roar, followed by a billowing cloud of dust and flying rocks, obscuring a good part of the sky in the blink of an eye.


    simultaneously, several short battle cries suddenly rang out in west city of mystic iron city.


    soon after, a gray streak of light shot up from west city, speeding towards the distant horizon.


    immediately following, one red and one black streak of light shot out from within the city, chasing after the gray light.


    the three streaks of light flew faster and faster, vanishing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.


    as the last ray of sunlight fell and night descended upon mystic iron city, one red and one black streak of light suddenly appeared from the horizon and flew toward this place.


    by the time they reached the skies above mystic iron city, the two streaks of light separated upon contact, each landing in east city and south city, respectively.


    the next day, as the sun rose again, the residents of mystic iron city were shocked to discover that there had been a shift in power!


    the once high and mighty great dragon hall had dissipated overnight, replaced by the once declining wind feather hall.


    in just one day, the residents of mystic iron city had recognized the status of wind feather hall.


    in just a few days, all traces of the great dragon hall were erased from the hearts of the residents of mystic sky city, as if it had never existed.


    however, there was one thing that most people found very strange.


    they had originally thought that after the fall of the great dragon hall, the mining gang and wind feather hall would fight over control of mystic iron city.


    but to everyone''s surprise, not only did the two sides not fight, their relationship instead grew closer and closer.


    the reason for this was that ma dacai was scared!


    because on the day they ambushed wang dalong, zhao sheng not only severely injured wang dalong but also revealed his foundation establishment sixth layer cultivation. your next journey awaits at empire


    as ma dacai''s cultivation was only at the foundation establishment fourth layer, he didn''t see himself as a match for zhao sheng and naturally feared zhao sheng might suddenly turn on him.


    therefore, after the incident, the head of the mining gang voluntarily gave up most of the profits to show goodwill.


    zhao sheng never intended to kill ma dacai.


    because he wouldn''t stay long in mystic iron city.


    after he left, with wind feather hall lacking a foundation establishment to preside over it, ma dacai would conveniently take over the supervision for him.


    ...


    three hundred li south of mystic iron city, there was an oasis, approximately over thirty li in size. at the center of the oasis was a lake, which from the sky looked like a round moon, thus named moon spring. this oasis also took its name after it.


    that day, a cloud boat flew above the moon spring oasis.


    gazing downward, zhao sheng saw vast farmlands developed around moon lake, with channels of water radiating and spreading along the fields in every direction. however, on the outermost fringe of the oasis were dense thickets of green thorns and wild hawthorn trees, unique to the desolate domain.


    these green barriers formed by the green thorns and wild hawthorn trees blocked the encroaching sand and wind.


    around moon spring, apart from the farmland, there were scattered about a dozen exquisite stone halls and wooden pavilions. each of these buildings twinkled with spirit light. it was obvious that they were all protected by various defensive arrays.


    a moment later, the cloud boat descended in front of a stone hall by moon spring.


    zhao sheng retracted the cloud boat and entered the stone hall with zhou quan.


    this stone hall was one of the entrances to quanxia city.


    with the harsh environment of the desolate domain, green oases were rare.


    so as not to excessively damage the ecological environment of the oasis, like most cities situated within oases, quanxia city too was developed underground, beneath moon spring.


    after paying the city entrance tax, the two walked down a giant stone passage heading underground.


    after traversing the lengthy passageway and descending almost three hundred zhang, zhao sheng''s eyes suddenly brightened as a magnificent underground city revealed itself before him.


    zhao sheng looked around and noticed that quanxia city''s lighting was very distinctive.


    lighting was crucial because it was underground.


    at that moment, he saw two types of light sources.


    one type was the light balls suspended high up in the dome, white and scorching, a single sphere illuminating an area of several li. their differing heights and distances created patches of light throughout the city, casting a diverse array of luminous patterns below.


    the other type of light source were fluorite embedded in the cavern''s ceiling, a scattering of twinkling points, giving the illusion of a starlit sky from a distance, yet providing a soft, comforting light.


    however, the issue of light sources quickly ceased to capture zhao sheng''s attention,


    he turned his head to zhou quan and asked, "where do you live?"


    upon hearing zhao sheng''s question, zhou quan was momentarily astonished, stammering out an "uh-ah," then hastily responded with a smile, "senior, i live in black teeth alley. i will take you there at once."


    zhou quan had already explained the general structure of quanxia city to zhao sheng on their way here.


    just like many large cities in the world, quanxia city had a clear division between the powerful and the weak, the rich and the poor.


    the area zhao sheng had stepped into was the northwest corner of quanxia city, notorious for its disorder and mingling of good and bad. from here towards the center of the city were the most prosperous and renowned immortal squares, changsheng square and joy square.


    changsheng square was the dwelling place for cultivators.


    adjacent to "changsheng square" was the commercial and entertainment district built by the various powers of the desolate domain, known as joy square.


    in the underground cities scattered throughout the desolate domain, there existed "changsheng squares" and "joy squares" as well.


    "black teeth alley? let''s go!"


    having said that, zhao sheng led the way into the city.


    zhou qiu stood like a stupefied bird, watching zhao sheng walk away. he mumbled to himself but ultimately did not voice his thoughts.


    zhou quan sighed inwardly and quickly followed with swift steps.


    in his view, black teeth alley was where ordinary people lived; immortal master zhao sheng, he thought, should be going to changsheng square.


    in the blink of an eye, zhao sheng settled down in quanxia city, moreover, without any concerns, he moved into the residence rented by zhou quan.


    zhou quan couldn''t understand this but didn''t dare to ask.


    however, the very next day, zhou quan had already put his confusion out of his mind.


    thanks to zhao sheng''s presence, zhou quan''s standard of living increased drastically, with not only food and drink aplenty but also a soaring income from gathering intelligence.


    indeed! he was now collecting information about the zhou family for zhao sheng.


    the zhou family owned many businesses in quanxia city,


    zhou quan''s father belonged to the zhou family and was a qi refinement late stage cultivator. decades ago, he was dispatched to quanxia city to protect these interests.


    when zhou quan was in his teens, his father died of old age.


    afterward, zhou quan found himself without support and had to fend for himself.

 Chapter 131 The Curtain Begins

    half a month later, the information zhou quan could gather became scarcer, causing him great distress as he appeared gloomy over the past few days. enjoy new chapters from empireafter all, the less information he had, the fewer spirit stones he could earn.


    zhao sheng paid no attention to zhou quan''s troubles.


    having spent a month hibernating in quanxia city, it was time for him to take action.


    in the depths of quanxia city, underground, there was no day or night, no concept of time passing.


    to track time, the floating light balls on the ceiling would change in brightness according to the outside world''s day and night.


    that day, as the light balls slowly dimmed, the fluorite on the ceiling emitted a star-like radiance, and quanxia city welcomed the new night.


    zhao sheng, dressed in a hooded robe, walked into joyous tower.


    joyous tower, located in the bustling area of joy square, was not a place of indulgence but a well-known wind carrier organization in central continent.


    rumor had it that joyous tower was an espionage organization set up under the vast sect, its name derived from the words "a beam of mighty spirit, a thousand miles of joyful wind!"


    upon entering joyous tower, zhao sheng saw no one, only an empty hall with eight plain wooden doors on either side.


    in the center of the hall was a screen wall inscribed with the words "heaven and earth, mysterious and yellow."


    below each character, there stood a wooden cabinet labeled "ten thousand, thousand, hundred, ten."


    without hesitation, zhao sheng walked beneath the character "mysterious," placed a mid-grade spirit stone on the cabinet.


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    a faint buzzing sound as the cabinet surface flipped instantly, making the spirit stone disappear, replaced by a bronze token.


    as zhao sheng picked up the bronze token, the third wooden door to his left suddenly snapped open.


    zhao sheng, without hesitating, walked through the wooden door with the token.


    after passing through a corridor, zhao sheng arrived in a narrow room.


    the room was quite spartan, furnished only with a wooden table and two chairs.


    an ordinary-looking middle-aged man sat behind the table, silently waiting for a visitor to enter.


    zhao sheng entered the room and sat down directly.


    "visitor, what would you like to inquire about?" the middle-aged man, though unremarkable in appearance, spoke with an unusually deep and magnetic voice that felt like a spring breeze.


    zhao sheng spoke directly, "i want information about the zhou family of the da yong dynasty, especially regarding the golden core ancestor and the foundation establishment clan members."


    "is the client referring to the zhou family from hongyang state?"


    "correct!"


    "hmm, for information regarding the golden core family, charges usually start at one thousand spirit stones. the exact price will depend on the quality of information collected. please come back after three days."


    "alright!"


    shortly after, zhao sheng left the joyous tower.


    three days passed in a flash!


    zhao sheng returned to joyous tower and placed the token on the cabinet under the character "mysterious."


    the cabinet surface flipped, making the token disappear.


    snap!


    the wooden door opened again, and zhao sheng stepped inside.


    upon reaching the same room as last time, he saw the same middle-aged man.


    as soon as the man spoke, he delivered bad news to zhao sheng:


    "visitor, i''m very sorry! the zhou family has purchased an earth-level confidentiality decree from this establishment. for a hundred years, we cannot divulge any secret information about the zhou family."


    upon hearing this, zhao sheng frowned.


    the confidentiality of an earth-level decree was extremely high, and breaking through its restrictions would require at least a heavenly-level authority.


    however, in joyous tower, obtaining heavenly-level authority was extremely difficult, not something that could be achieved merely by spending spirit stones, but at least requiring the status of a golden core master.


    after pondering for a moment, zhao sheng asked, "if secret information isn''t possible, what about the public information?"


    "hmm, there is some public information available, one thousand spirit stones!"


    as he spoke, the middle-aged man pushed a thin booklet towards zhao sheng.


    zhao sheng took out ten mid-grade spirit stones, aligned them on the table, then picked up the booklet and put it into his storage bag.


    "farewell!"


    "welcome back next time, guest!"


    ¡­


    patriarch of the zhou family


    true name: zhou xilai


    life span: unknown (celebrated his 600th birthday a hundred years ago)


    cultivation: unknown (was in the late-stage golden core a hundred years ago)


    main cultivation technique: unknown (fire element)


    life experiences: entered the earth flame palace in his early years¡­


    family head of the zhou family


    true name: zhou yingze


    life span: unknown


    cultivation: unknown (estimated to be at the ninth level of foundation establishment)


    ¡­


    ¡­


    zhao sheng slowly flipped through the intelligence booklet in his hand, his frown deepening as he read.


    it truly was "public" intelligence, not only irrelevant but also severely outdated.


    most of the contents, zhao sheng had already inquired about clearly, some even more detailed by tenfold than those listed in the booklet.


    take, for example, zhou yingze, the family head of the zhou family. zhao sheng had a detailed understanding that this man had already reached the foundation establishment perfection realm ten years ago, and though there was no specific intelligence now, he might have successfully upgraded to golden core.


    however, having said that, the intelligence from joyous tower, though outdated, was highly accurate.


    the records on the booklet mostly matched the information he had gathered.


    an hour later, zhao sheng finished reading the intelligence booklet and quietly estimated the strength of the zhou family


    the zhou family currently had one late-stage golden core ancestor, eighteen members in foundation establishment, among which one was at foundation establishment perfection, two at late stage, six at mid-stage, and nine at early-stage; those in the qi refinement realm were insignificant.


    summing it up, only one thought remained in zhao sheng''s mind: they could not be confronted with force, only outsmarted.


    opening his eyes, zhao sheng couldn''t help but exhale a breath of frustration, his thoughts shifting to quanxia city.


    the person in charge of the zhou family''s businesses in quanxia city was named zhou zhongyu, with three spirit roots, his cultivation at the second level of foundation establishment, meticulous nature, fond of liquor but not lustful¡­


    zhao sheng repeatedly pondered over this individual zhou zhongyu, slowly forming a plan in his mind.


    after solidifying his plan, zhao sheng, accompanied by zhou quan, returned to mystic iron city and first ensured that zhou quan was well settled.


    then, he gathered the four great vajra and ordered them to collect various kinds of spiritual wine, including ordinary wines.


    chen shao''ang and the others did not understand why their uncle-master issued such a strange order, but they dared not delay and immediately carried out his commands.


    in just a few days, hundreds of different types of alcoholic beverages had been delivered to the inner courtyard of wind feather hall.


    then, zhao sheng instructed everyone to purchase various medicines, spices, and even odd items like fruits and vegetables.


    this directly confused chen shao''ang and the others, they couldn''t understand what their uncle-master was planning to do.


    zhao sheng had no intention of explaining to them.


    he stayed in the courtyard, not leaving the house, and stayed put for three months.


    chen shao''ang and the others tried a few times to understand his intentions, but they gained no insights.


    every time they came, though, they could smell the rich scent of alcohol from the courtyard, mixed with sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy fragrances.


    three months later, zhao sheng finally stepped out of the courtyard.


    seeing this, chen shao''ang breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly reported the affairs of wind feather hall of the past three months to his uncle-master.


    after hearing a few details, zhao sheng nodded and told them to make decisions on their own in the future. he wanted no disturbances unless it was something significant.


    two days later, zhao sheng left mystic iron city as if floating on air.


    when he showed up again, he was already on the second floor of the immortal delicacies workshop in quanxia city.


    zhao sheng ordered a table full of dishes.


    shortly, specialties like devil bear honey claw roast, ten birds golden marrow, eight treasures five-colored meat, and red steamed tiger and leopard tongue were served like flowing water.


    once all the dishes were served, zhao sheng took out a palm-sized white jade gourd.

 Chapter 132

    zhao sheng stretched his hand to remove the stopper, and a rich aroma of wine instantly spread, quickly permeating the entire immortal delicacies workshop."eh, how fragrant!"


    "where is this wine scent coming from? it''s making me drool!"


    in a flash, customers at the immortal delicacies workshop perked up their noses, following the scent of the wine, their gazes converging on zhao sheng.


    zhao sheng was oblivious to the stir around him. find your next read on empire


    he picked up the gourd and poured himself a sip of wine, then picked up a piece of bear meat, placed it in his mouth, and chewed leisurely.


    after swallowing, he took another sip of wine and then another piece of meat.


    alternating between wine and meat this way, he didn''t seem to eat fast, but in a word, it was delightful!


    the wine was truly too fragrant!


    some customers couldn''t help but come up to ask where he bought the wine.


    zhao sheng just smiled and said that it was brewed at home and not for sale.


    an hour later, zhao sheng settled his bill and turned to leave the immortal delicacies workshop.


    the next day, he appeared at the immortal delicacies workshop again.


    so it went on for half a month.


    however, the fish zhao sheng wanted to catch still had not appeared.


    but he was not in a hurry, time was on his side!


    a few more days passed.


    one day, as zhao sheng was halfway through his meal, he suddenly heard someone downstairs exclaim, "what a fragrant aroma of wine!"


    upon hearing this, zhao sheng felt a surge of joy in his heart and thought to himself, "here it comes!"


    no sooner had the thought passed than a stout, portly, middle-aged man with a kindly face and upward-sloping eyebrows suddenly flew up to the second floor and landed in front of zhao sheng''s table.


    then, the man sat down unceremoniously while exclaiming, "what a fragrant wine!"


    after speaking, he straightened his face and said, "please forgive me, taoist friend. my name is zhou zhongyu. may i have the honor of knowing your distinguished name?"


    "zhao zhiqin!"


    zhao sheng''s expression was cold, and after stating his name, he retorted, "mr. zhou, for you to come uninvited is quite presumptuous!"


    after speaking, zhao sheng suddenly radiated an intense aura, as both his spiritual power and divine sense burst forth, overwhelmingly pressing down upon the other party.


    zhou zhongyu was shocked and inwardly groaned, not expecting to have hit such a tough spot. the other party was also a foundation establishment cultivator, and his cultivation was far superior to his own.


    he hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply, apologizing to zhao sheng, "please, esteemed senior, forgive my presumption this time!"


    zhao sheng withdrew his aura and said indifferently, "sit down! are you also fond of wine?"


    zhou zhongyu sat down cautiously and shamelessly said, "i won''t lie to you, senior. i don''t have many hobbies, just a love for wine. i was drawn here by the fragrance of your fine liquor, which was why i intruded so impudently!"


    "fine wine, good indeed! a universe resides within the wine, with days and months prolonged inside the pot! seeing that you too have a fondness for wine, i will gift you this half gourd of amber fragrance."


    zhao sheng finished speaking and with a push of his hand, the white jade gourd slid across the table, landing steadily in front of zhou zhongyu.


    zhou zhongyu couldn''t wait to pick up the gourd, tilting it for a gulp of wine. s§×ar?h the n??elfir§×.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    wow!


    down the wine went, and he felt a unique aroma tantalizing his nostrils, saliva generating fragrance in his mouth. a clear and refreshing spiritual energy, like water, spread from his stomach through his body, and in an instant, all his pores opened, the vortex of spirit power within accelerating by a third.


    "excellent wine!"


    zhou zhongyu repeated his praise, "the immortal delicacies serve wine with rich fragrance, poured from a jade gourd that bears the scent of amber!"


    hearing this praise, zhao sheng''s originally cool face suddenly softened with a smile, and within that smile arose a hint of pride.


    zhou zhongyu, keen to observe zhao sheng''s expression, felt a surge of inner joy and promptly asked, "may i inquire, senior, did you personally brew this exquisite wine?"


    "indeed! this amber fragrance is just a trifle i brewed in my free time, hardly worth mentioning," zhao sheng replied.


    although he said it that way, the smugness on zhao sheng''s face became even more evident.


    upon seeing this, zhou zhongyu kept lavishing praise on him.


    zhao sheng''s expression grew increasingly amiable, and his attitude towards zhou zhongyu became even more cordial.


    also, due to their shared identity as "drinking buddies," their conversation flowed more and more smoothly. eventually, they even made a pact to become friends over drinks.


    in the following month, zhao sheng and zhou zhongyu met up for drinks seven or eight times, each time bringing out various kinds of spiritual wine for them to sample together.


    zhou zhongyu had the backing of the zhou family and hence, had an abundance of spiritual wine. while zhao sheng couldn''t match that, he had his own trump card¡ªhe could "brew" wine, and his spiritual wine came in a wide variety, full of flavor, aroma, and complexity.


    the secret to his brewing was his ability to "blend" and "adjust," which was all thanks to his talent for spiritual smell.


    after several drinking contests, zhao sheng and zhou zhongyu formed a friendship through their shared experiences.


    once they became familiar with each other, zhao sheng no longer hid his identity¡ªhe was zhao zhiqin, a loose cultivator who later joined the origin return sect and was recently assigned to desolate to oversee the wind feather hall.


    zhou zhongyu saw that zhao sheng had a "clean" background and also noted his higher cultivation level, having reached the foundation establishment sixth layer.


    plus, they both shared a passion for drinking.


    finding such a rare "drinking buddy," zhou zhongyu naturally didn''t want to let the opportunity slip by, so he made efforts to get closer, with the intention of winning zhao sheng over.


    when faced with these overtures, would zhao sheng reject them?


    of course not!


    so, just like when liang shanbo met zhu yingtai, they hit it off immediately and soon formed a deep bond.


    if one word were to describe it, it would be "conspiratorial fervor!"


    no wait, it should be "harmonious as a zither and a harp."


    as the saying goes, "in wine, there''s truth!"


    once the two of them became drinking buddies, zhao sheng frequently got zhou zhongyu drunk on purpose and often used conversation to probe for information.


    zhou zhongyu couldn''t even imagine that someone would scheme so meticulously against the zhou family.


    as such, he was not very guarded against zhao sheng and revealed quite a few "secrets" about the zhou family while drunk, including but not limited to complaints, the failures of certain family heads in their promotions, the ancestor''s favoritism, and the family head''s oppression of their branch of the direct line, among other intelligence.


    zhao sheng silently made note of all this, and while leveraging his connection with zhou zhongyu, he made acquaintances with other foundation establishment members of the zhou family while quietly remaining undercover, awaiting his opportunity.


    and this wait lasted for more than ten years.


    ...


    in desolate, there were only two seasons each year, the rainy season and the dry season.


    with the dry season approaching, a raging "black sandstorm" would lift from the death desert, rampaging across the vast gobi terrain, from north to south, from day to night, unceasingly.


    however, it ultimately had a limit to its intensity. often, after a wave of black sandstorm ebbed, its ferocity would decrease significantly.


    it was at this time that some transport caravans would take a calculated risk to traverse the ravaging sandstorm region and enter the isolated green oasis.


    it must be said that under normal circumstances, the risk and reward were proportional, and enormous profits were often born from this!


    at that moment, within the endless sand-filled sky, there was a gray-black shuttle-shaped flying boat gliding just above the ground.


    the people on the boat were very used to this kind of risky behavior. they were still three hundred miles away from moon spring oasis, each one regulating their breath, preparing for the final leg of the journey.


    the flying boat wasn''t large, seating three people inside, with one who had a pair of droopy eyebrows sitting in the principal seat, looking quite prosperous.


    "all is normal! the wind is weakening!"


    "pay attention to any movements in the surroundings, and also, do not deviate from our course. keep the flying boat at this speed!"


    "yes, uncle yu!"


    the cultivator making observations was very steady, only responding with a single word. but suddenly, he threw back his head, his voice filled with an abnormal mix of panic and falsetto, not sure if it stemmed from fear or excitement:


    "what... what is that!"


    upon the principal seat, zhou zhongyu was sipping his drink leisurely. hearing the alarmed shout, he was startled, and with a flash of his body, he suddenly appeared beside the man.

 Chapter 133 A Strange Encounter

    "calm down!"he pressed the man''s shoulder, then zhou zhongyu looked out through the jade window on the inner side of the flying boat.


    however...


    his gaze swept around, but he didn''t notice anything unusual, which left him feeling somewhat dissatisfied.


    "xiao si, what are you blabbering about... oh my god!"


    his words were cut off by a curse as zhou zhongyu suddenly stiffened.


    a gust of wind and sand had blown over, making the visibility significantly clearer.


    so he saw it, a giant shadow rolling within the vast expanse of black sand nearly twenty li away. it must have been motionless before, but it was now soaring up. even the thick curtain of sand couldn''t hide its massive body, large as a range of mountains.


    so huge from such a distance.


    "python? flood dragon? or... dragon!"


    the size and length, along with the blurred outline, left zhou zhongyu with only these three possibilities. regardless of what it was, such a massive creature had to be incredibly rare. there might even be a "demon core."


    if he could seize this monster''s "demon core," wouldn''t he have the opportunity for core formation!


    to not seize the gifts of heaven is but to invite disaster!


    therefore, without any hesitation, zhou zhongyu immediately ordered, "get close to it, now."


    at that moment, the man exclaimed strangely, "uncle yu, it''s gone!"


    zhou zhongyu was taken aback and quickly looked down and out.


    indeed... by now, there was no longer any trace of the giant shadow in the spread of black sand, as if all he had seen was just an illusion.


    "could it be... the black sand mirage!"


    zhou zhongyu''s mind raced as he suddenly recalled a peculiar celestial phenomenon from the legends of the desolate domain.


    the black sand mirage, much like a mirage over the sea, differed in that the former was a reflection of past time, rather than a refraction of space.


    because of the influence of the black sand storms, some areas in the desolate domain occasionally experienced an unknown disturbance of the magnetic field, which would project past images into the present.


    "get closer!"


    still not willing to leave empty-handed, zhou zhongyu commanded once more.


    the flying boat veered sharply off course, gliding quickly low over the ground towards that location.


    the distance of twenty li passed in a flash.


    zhou zhongyu carefully scrutinized the outside world, his gaze passing over uneven patches of sand, clusters of wild thorns that grew close to the ground, and block after block of weathered rocks.


    however, everything within sight was a common scene in the desolate domain. this place seemed no different from any other boundary.


    "could i... have been mistaken?" zhou zhongyu wondered doubtfully to himself.


    "hey, uncle yu, look there!"


    someone''s surprised shout brought him back to his senses.


    zhou zhongyu hurriedly looked in the direction the man indicated.


    hmm?


    about two li away from the flying boat, on a slope of broken rocks, they saw a great depression forming a massive pit, and at the edge of the pit stood a cave about three zhang high, with the mouth of the cave showing signs of man-made excavation.


    "quick, get closer!"


    zhou zhongyu''s face lit up with joy, and he immediately gave the command.


    "yes,"


    at his command, the flying boat swiftly approached the cave.


    upon nearing it, the signs of man-made excavation within the cave were very clear.


    "stand guard outside, i''ll be right back!"


    leaving these words behind, zhou zhongyu flashed out of the flying boat and in the blink of an eye, he flew into the cave, disappearing from view.


    zhou zhongyu quickly swept through the passage, and upon seeing room after room filled with dust within the stone chambers, his heart leapt with joy.


    without a doubt, this was the legacy of a cultivator.


    the passage was not long, merely a few breaths, and he flew into a spacious stone room at the deepest part of the cave.


    upon a single glance at the scene within the stone room, zhou zhongyu''s eyes shone with amazement, and his breathing abruptly halted.


    at this moment, on the stone bed at the end of the stone room, a skeleton sat cross-legged, leaning against the stone wall at an angle.


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    a plain storage bag had fallen from its embrace, and in front of it on the bed''s surface, various pill bottles lay scattered haphazardly, while at the skeleton''s feet, a small blue sword was half-buried into the stone bed.


    the scene before him was quite simple, obviously signifying that an unknown number of years ago, a cultivator had exhausted his life span and ended up sitting down in this place.


    but this scene did not attract the newcomer''s attention at all, as zhou zhongyu''s gaze was completely focused beneath the stone bed.


    there lied a round, smooth bead about the size of a head, exuding a faint radiance and resting quietly there.


    next to the bead, the remains of a worm corpse over two zhang long, dried up with only its skin left and circles of golden rings on its hide, were tightly coiling around the bead, its mouth open like a chrysanthemum''s sharp beak, as if it was trying to swallow the bead.


    however, this unknown bead actually emitted a faint yet very clear oppressive force, as if it had deterred the worm corpse, ultimately causing its failure!


    seeing this, zhou zhongyu felt his spirit tremble slightly under this pressure, his heart was utterly shaken, and he even began to stutter while speaking,


    "this... this is... dragon might!"


    zhou zhongyu immediately stepped forward, lifted the bead, and held it close to his eyes.


    indeed, upon touching the bead with his hands, the oppressive force from the dragon ball became even clearer. and deep within his blood, an instinctive sense of fear emerged, as if it were the bloodline suppression of a higher being upon a lower one.


    zhou zhongyu''s expression was one of great excitement as he continuously caressed the dragon ball.


    however, the look of joy on his face gradually disappeared, replaced with an expression of profound sadness and regret.


    because by then, he had noticed that a large portion of the essence within the dragon ball, for some unknown reason, had already dissipated.


    perhaps too much time had passed, or perhaps the last owner had extracted the essence of the dragon ball. perhaps...


    "damn it!" zhou zhongyu cursed in frustration.


    he regretfully put away the dragon ball and swept up the worm skin with a wave of his hand.


    after carefully inspecting it for a while, zhou zhongyu suddenly showed a look of great joy, "this is a golden ring spirit earthworm! then... could that bead possibly be the legendary mountain dragon pearl?"


    in an instant, zhou zhongyu had numerous thoughts darting through his mind, conceiving many possibilities.


    an hour later, the stone room was void of human presence, empty except for the heap of disordered bones on the bed.


    just then, at a certain section of the stone room''s ceiling, the stone wall suddenly blurred and twisted, and then a person leapt down from it.


    this person was none other than zhao sheng, who else could it be?


    in zhao sheng''s hand was a true shadow ball, and as he looked at the empty stone room, a meaningful smile suddenly appeared on his face.


    ...


    one month later, in quanxia city, changsheng square,


    inside a room within a certain mansion, zhao sheng was mixing a new type of blended spiritual wine.


    at that moment, zhou zhongyu arrived in high spirits.


    entering the room, he plopped down across from zhao sheng, his face brimming with excitement, "brother zhao, i''m heading back to hongyang state!"


    zhao sheng''s hands paused slightly, then he continued his work as before.


    while continuing to blend the wine, he asked nonchalantly, "when will you return? when you''re back, i''ll let you taste a new wine."


    zhou zhongyu''s face stiffened, and with reluctance in his eyes as he gazed at the wine cup in zhao sheng''s hand, he said with regret, "i won''t be returning this time!"


    "oh?" upon hearing this, zhao sheng set down his wine cup, "then... we won''t be able to meet often. it hasn''t been easy to find a kindred spirit like brother zhou in wine. now... alas!" s~ea??h the ¦Çovelfire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "isn''t that the truth! our interests align, brother zhao. it''s a pity that family commands are hard to disobey!" zhou zhongyu empathized.


    moon spring is five thousand li away from hongyang state. in other boundaries, it might merely be a one or two-day journey.


    but in the desolate domain, when the black sand storm rises and the wind and sand stretch for ten thousand li, the desert plains are fraught with danger. even foundation establishment cultivators are reluctant to take the risk of traversing the black storm.


    zhao sheng pondered briefly, then suddenly asked, "is your family still accepting guest elders?"


    zhou zhongyu responded with surprise and delight, "brother zhao, what do you mean by that? could it be...?"


    after zhao sheng nodded, he exhaled a long sigh.


    alas!

 Chapter 134 Ten Thousand Treasures Auction

    alas!after a long sigh, zhao sheng said with a worried face, "the origin return sect is now in troubled waters, soon to become a target for all! i must find a way out for myself!"


    zhou zhongyu was very puzzled, "brother zhao, the origin return sect is currently unrivaled in the central continent, at the height of its power! why do you have such a negative view of it?"


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    "brother zhou, have you heard of the blood deficiency disease?"


    "i''ve heard a bit about it!"


    zhao sheng then explained in detail the relationship between the blood deficiency disease and the origin return sect, not concealing the fact that the "blood soul scripture" would reduce one''s lifespan.


    zhou zhongyu was greatly shocked after listening, and then he understood why zhao sheng was seeking a way out in advance.


    "brother zhao, could it be that you also cultivated the ''blood soul scripture''?" he eventually couldn''t help but ask.


    zhao sheng gave a bitter smile and nodded, "otherwise, with my inferior four spirit roots, how could i have cultivated to the foundation establishment seventh layer!"


    "ha! so, to put it bluntly, it''s exchanging lifespan for cultivation! i don''t even know how many years i have left." zhao sheng flicked his fully white sideburns and smiled bitterly with self-mockery. sear?h the n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "brother zhao..." zhou zhongyu looked at his drinking buddy with great sympathy.


    however, zhao sheng was quite carefree and directly asked, "brother zhou, give me a straightforward answer. will your zhou family take me as a guest elder?"


    "we will take you! of course, we will! brother zhao, you are a great cultivator of the foundation establishment late stage. there are less than five people in my family who exceed you in cultivation. it would be foolish and idiotic not to take you!" zhou zhongyu promptly agreed.


    "i still have some trivial matters to handle here. in half a month, i will visit hongyang state!"


    "then... i might as well not return to hongyang state for now. i''ll set out with brother zhao in a month," zhou zhongyu said with a very excited expression after hearing this.


    zhao sheng saw this and gave a slight smile, not verbally rejecting the other''s kind offer.


    half a month later, having dealt with the matters of the wind feather hall, zhao sheng and zhou zhongyu boarded a flying shuttle and departed from the moon spring oasis.


    hongyang state and moon spring were about eight thousand miles apart.


    unlike moon spring, which only spans about thirty miles, hongyang state is generally oval, with a diameter of over a thousand miles, and the terrain is flat and the soil fertile. the population of the oasis exceeds ten million.


    because it was the dry season and the black sandstorm was raging, it took zhao sheng and zhou zhongyu a total of seventeen days to reach hongyang state with difficulty.


    once they entered hongyang state, the sandstorms diminished, and the speed of the flying boat quickly increased to its maximum. in just a quarter of an hour, they flew over five or six hundred miles to a bustling, prosperous oasis city.


    zhou city is one of the rare ground cities in the desolate domain. although the city is not large, its population is nearly a million, and what''s more important is that most of them have the surname zhou.


    the zhou family ancestral home is located in the most central and bustling district of zhou city, occupying nearly half the city''s area.


    looking down from the sky, one could see a tan-colored light shield enveloping the zhou family ancestral home. occasionally, streaks of flowing light appeared on the shield, containing a faint but strong pressure.


    under zhou zhongyu''s driving, the flying boat easily passed through the defensive light shield and landed in a large mansion among the lower-level building clusters.


    after that, everything went very smoothly!


    with zhou zhongyu as a guarantor and zhao sheng''s clean identity,


    the zhou family was overjoyed to voluntarily accept such a foundation establishment late stage cultivator.


    after zhao sheng met the family head, zhou yingze, he immediately became the zhou family''s chief guest elder, and his spiritual salary and other benefits need not be said.


    furthermore, the zhou family specifically set aside a plot of land around zhou zhongyu''s mansion for zhao sheng and built a luxurious mansion according to his specifications.


    after becoming the chief guest elder, zhao sheng instantly became the "favorite" in the eyes of the zhou family members.


    the foundation establishment cultivators of the zhou family frequently visited to offer various precious treasures, and during the conversations, they expressed their intentions of forming alliances and showing goodwill, both subtly and overtly.


    with regard to "forming alliances" and showing goodwill, zhao sheng skillfully navigated among the several major branches of the zhou family. on the surface, he did not offend anyone and appeared unbiased, but he subtly leaned towards the branch of the family head.


    in no time, zhao sheng established himself in the zhou family as a generous and kind person.


    don''t forget, zhao sheng was not only a skilled brewer but also an exceptionally talented talisman master.


    in just half a year, he had sent out no fewer than twenty second order true talismans as return gifts.


    additionally, his uniquely characteristic spiritual wines flowed out like water, not only to every foundation establishment cultivator in the zhou family but even some junior qi refinement practitioners received gifts from zhao sheng.


    faced with such a generous and approachable "guest elder" the zhou family felt like they had stumbled upon a treasure.


    some with darker thoughts even muttered to themselves, "the chief guest elder" has no children and won''t live much longer.


    after his death, all his possessions will belong to the zhou family.


    thus, zhao sheng quickly became very popular, with zhou family foundation establishers bringing their juniors to his door, hoping zhao sheng would take them as apprentices.


    this move was exactly what zhao sheng had hoped for; he turned none away.


    the zhou family was not foolish,


    after zhao sheng joined the zhou family, the family head, zhou yingze, immediately sent people in secret to places like mystic iron city, origin return sect, and heavenly pillar mountain to investigate zhao sheng''s background and origins.


    half a year later, the scouts returned one by one to report, and their findings were exactly as zhao sheng had stated, with no falsehoods in his background or origins.


    haha! zhao sheng had planned for nearly sixty years to destroy the zhou family, how could mere scouts possibly find any flaw in him!


    from there on, although the zhou family could not fully trust him, apart from some secretive family matters, they would not deliberately hide other things from zhao sheng.


    of course, zhao sheng was very good at maintaining his boundaries, adhering to his role as a guest elder and not intentionally prying into the affairs of the zhou family,


    however, his reputation for loving to drink and even more for giving away drinks solidified in the hearts of the zhou family, eventually making him and zhou zhongyu known as the "two drunken friends."


    ...


    a year later,


    dayong dynasty, yongjing.


    that day, the front of the ten thousand treasures auction house was bustling with a crowd rare on ordinary days, filled with cultivators but not a single mortal.


    each year, the first month after the rainy season in the desolate domain, yongjing would host the annual ten thousand treasures auction.


    each year it attracted countless cultivators to yongjing to participate in this rare grand event of the desolate domain.


    and the ten thousand treasures auction house was the main venue for the ten thousand treasures auction,


    there were rumors...


    "no need for rumors! this ten thousand treasures auction house is a property of the royal mo family! they make mountains of spirit stones every year!"


    in a private room of a tavern facing the street, zhou zhongyu looked down at the bustling crowd below and said to zhao sheng with a face full of envy and jealousy.


    zhao sheng chuckled and replied in a casual tone: "this mo family has a nascent soul ancestor at its helm, this mere ten thousand treasures auction house is nothing compared to that, the entire da yong dynasty belongs to their mo family. we are nothing compared to them. unless... the zhou family could produce a thousand-year-old nascent soul!"


    zhou zhongyu''s eyes shifted, but he did not continue the conversation.


    zhao sheng gave him a slight glance, his eyes flickering with an inexplicable light.


    "by the way, why did the family head insist on dragging this old man to yongjing? doesn''t he know how busy i am?"


    hearing his older brother''s complaint, zhou zhongyu suddenly gave a bitter smile and said: "brother zhao, you''re spoiling your precious disciples so much that they''re almost in the heavens! the family head really couldn''t stand it anymore, which is why he dragged you to yongjing. also, to serve as a covert move for the family."


    "a covert move? what covert move? could it be that there''s something the family cannot openly bid on?" zhao sheng asked, his eyes flickering with an inexplicable light, though his expression showed slight curiosity.


    "exactly! brother zhao, please have a look!"


    saying this, zhou zhongyu passed a folded sheet of paper to zhao sheng.


    zhao sheng took it, unfolded it, and saw that the top line boldly read "golden ring spirit earthworm."

 Chapter 135 The Grand Finale

    zhao sheng''s eyes narrowed, and he continued to look down. there were over a dozen items listed below the golden ring spirit earthworm. sea??h th§× novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.in his heart, he sneered, knowing that apart from the golden ring spirit earthworm, which was a must-have for the zhou family, the rest were merely for show.


    the zhou family had truly taken the bait. his plan to release the golden ring spirit earthworm as bait had not been in vain.


    after reading through the list, zhao sheng closed the paper and asked, "do we need to win all the items listed above?"


    zhou zhongyu nodded seriously and said, "yes! no matter the cost, we must acquire the first three treasures. as for the rest, brother zhao can deal with them as he sees fit. just try to secure them if it doesn''t exceed ten thousand spirit stones."


    "mm, since the family shouldn''t make an appearance, i shall make a move on their behalf this time."


    "brother zhao, i''m counting on you!"


    with that, zhou zhongyu handed over a storage bag. discover exclusive tales on empire


    zhao sheng took it, didn''t even look at it, and placed it directly into his bosom as he nodded solemnly.


    ...


    three days later, in a quiet room, zhao sheng was sitting with his eyes closed, regulating his breath.


    suddenly, there came a knock at the door, followed by a tender voice outside,


    "senior, the auction is about to begin."


    "i know!"


    zhao sheng stood up, walked to the door, opened it, and saw a scantily clad, pure-looking maid standing respectfully to the side.


    "lead the way!"


    "yes."


    the maid bowed and then led zhao sheng outside.


    he was currently located near wanbao square in yongjing.


    because the ten thousand treasures auction was so large, in addition to the main venue, there were hundreds of smaller auction events.


    aside from the public auctions, there were also secret auctions, exchange meets, and treasure appraisal gatherings, among various other forms of trading.


    zhao sheng was going to participate in one of these smaller auctions.


    passing through a corridor, the two arrived in front of a stone wall.


    the maid reached out and lightly pressed against the stone wall, and after a ripple of white light, a light gate appeared out of nowhere.


    "senior, please enter," said the girl, stepping back respectfully.


    zhao sheng nodded and without saying anything, stepped through. the girl followed closely behind.


    once they were in, the light gate disappeared automatically, with the wall outside returning to its stone form.


    the passageway wasn''t long, with a faint white light flickering at the end,


    zhao sheng walked forward quietly, turning a corner, and suddenly a stone gate appeared before him.


    standing outside the stone gate was a dignified middle-aged man dressed in sky-blue scholar''s attire.


    as soon as this man saw zhao sheng appear, he immediately greeted him with a beaming smile, "my name is mo yunji. welcome, fellow daoist, to this auction.


    xiao li, make sure to treat the senior well. if there is any negligence, you''ll answer to me afterwards!"


    the mo surname middle-aged man was exceptionally polite to zhao sheng and then gave a serious instruction to the maid.


    "as you command, master."


    the maid seemed extremely afraid of this person, her face paling with fear, quickly replying obediently.


    a flash of something different passed through zhao sheng''s eyes, but he said nothing, nodded to mo yunji, and then entered through the stone gate.


    inside the gate was a hall that glittered with gold and jade. in the center was a high platform surrounded by tables and chairs, most of which were already occupied.


    however, as zhao sheng observed the situation inside the hall, his face revealed a strange expression.


    aside from two female cultivators sitting alone, by all other male cultivators'' sides, there clung a female servant.


    although these female servants were mortals, not a single one lacked youth or beauty, with charms surpassing the ordinary.


    as zhao sheng was lost in thought, a fragrant breeze suddenly arose, and a soft, trembling body pressed gently against his side.


    zhao sheng frowned slightly and, with a flash, he dodged the woman''s attempt to lean against him.


    seeing this, the maid bit her lip lightly, looking pitiful and forlorn.


    zhao sheng paid no mind to what she might be thinking, for he was quietly observing the other attendees at that moment.


    a majority of the cultivators present had auras that flickered in and out of perception, elusive to the eye, a sure sign they were foundation establishment cultivators. the rest were at least at the qi refining great perfection realm.


    noticing this, a hint of interest flashed in zhao sheng''s eyes, but he soon found an empty seat and sat down with an air of command and authority.


    the female servant followed him and stood timidly behind him; she seemed to want to approach several times, yet dared not to move.


    most of the people in the room were indifferent to zhao sheng''s arrival, but a few showed him obsequious smiles.


    without mentioning anything else, his profound and inscrutable presence alone warranted their courteous treatment.


    zhao sheng remained calm and unresponsive to the flattery of those around him, silently waiting instead.


    a short while later, another five or six cultivators with distinctly different demeanors entered the hall, each accompanied by a young and beautiful maid.


    seeing all this, zhao sheng''s expression did not change, but he felt a slight surprise in his heart.


    the scale of this auction was not large, but among the participants, he could not discern the realms of more than half, indicating that this auction promised some intrigue.


    soon, the hall was filled.


    at that moment, mo yunji, with a beaming smile, climbed onto the high platform and, after nodding to the cultivators below, announced in a clear voice,


    "i am honored to preside over today''s chenyi auction. it is indeed an honor for mo to have nearly a hundred fellow daoists participating."


    following his opening remarks, he immediately got to the point, "let''s not waste any time on idle chatter. let the auction begin."


    after a burst of light, several items suddenly appeared in front of mo yunji.


    "a bottle of second order yunling pills, a da yong purple gold coin, ten sticks of heart building incense"


    with each item he picked up, mo yunji gave a thorough introduction, eliciting a stir among the cultivators present. the items clearly held rare value, and the cultivators showed signs of amazement.


    zhao sheng, however, had no interest in these treasures. while they might indeed be valuable to others, they were utterly useless to him.


    because he did not have many years left to live.


    mo yunji was a competent auctioneer; he skilfully heightened the atmosphere of the auction, warming it to greater excitement.


    every item he presented for auction spurred a frenzied competition among a throng of bidders.


    time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the auction was nearing its end.


    after a seven-hundred-year-old alien bee fruit was auctioned off,


    mo yunji composed himself and announced loudly, "fellow daoists, please pay attention. the ordinary items have all been auctioned off. now it is time for the three final treasures to be presented."


    no sooner had he finished speaking than the atmosphere in the hall turned solemn, with every cultivator sitting upright, their gazes fixed on mo yunji like burning torches.


    zhao sheng glanced around and nodded inwardly, knowing that among those present were individuals who had come specifically for the golden ring spirit earthworm and others like him with "missions to fulfill."


    at that moment, mo yunji suddenly held a yellow spirit worm bag in his hand.


    "the next treasure is a spiritual insect rarely seen in the world, known as the golden ring spirit earthworm.


    when mentioning the golden ring spirit earthworm, one cannot help but speak of an ancient dragon species that has long since gone extinct.


    have any of you heard of the mountain dragon?"


    mo yunji asked confidently, looking toward the people below.


    as soon as his words fell, an exclamation erupted from below, "the mountain dragon? is that not the longevity dragon descendant, said to live for tens of thousands of years, capable of rivaling a nascent soul?"


    zhao sheng looked at the person who had spoken with an odd expression on his face, and he was not the only cultivator to react in such a manner.


    noticing this response, the corners of zhao sheng''s mouth couldn''t help but curve into a slight smile.

 Chapter 136 Distinguish Friends from Foes and Bait Continuously

    hehe, confirmed!apart from a few clueless "dumbheads," the others were all "interested parties."


    "the taoist friend here is correct! the golden ring spirit earthworm is¡­"


    mo yunji immediately gave a detailed introduction of the relationship between the golden ring spirit earthworm and the mountain dragon, emphasizing the magical characteristic that the spirit worm may revert to its ancestors.


    of course, he also mentioned other features of the golden ring spirit earthworm that could improve a spirit field.


    however, at this moment, no one was paying attention to what he said afterward.


    everyone''s eyes gleamed with intensity, not just towards the golden ring spirit earthworm that mo yunji held, but also towards their other competitors.


    mo yunji read the room and sensed that the timing was ripe, so he turned his hand over.


    with a flash of light, a wriggling, entwined golden ring spirit earthworm suddenly appeared on the high platform.


    two zhang two!


    a golden ring spirit earthworm over two zhang long!


    those present immediately became serious, their eyes sparkling with eagerness.


    zhao sheng found this strange at that moment, as he had originally brought out a cluster, yet now only one remained.


    but then, after a thought, he understood.


    undoubtedly, the mo family must have intercepted it in advance!


    "that''s good, it indicates that the mo family highly values the golden ring spirit earthworm," zhao sheng secretly delighted.


    as he was thinking, mo yunji''s words reached their conclusion:


    "the starting bid for this golden ring spirit earthworm is five thousand spirit stones, with each bid not less than one hundred. please place your bids!"


    before his voice had faded, voices urgently shouted from below: s§×arch* the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "six thousand!"


    "seven thousand!"


    "ten thousand!"


    goodness! in the blink of an eye, the auction price had already surpassed ten thousand.


    some might think this price to be a peak, not realizing it was just the beginning!


    "twelve thousand!"


    "fifteen thousand!"


    ¡­


    "twenty thousand!"


    in the space of a breath, the price rose another twenty thousand, yet the pace of increase did not slow at all.


    "twenty-one thousand!"


    "twenty-two thousand!"


    ¡­


    "thirty thousand!"


    only when the price soared past thirty thousand did the number of bidders greatly reduce.


    although the price was already high, equivalent to a foundation establishment pill,


    there were still seven or eight people relentlessly raising the bid.


    without a doubt, each of these individuals had a powerful backing.


    but zhao sheng was not among them.


    in fact, from the start until now, he had not made a single bid.


    not only he, zhao sheng noticed there were three others in the room who, like him, sat calmly and watched.


    clearly, the big buyers had yet to make their move!


    zhao sheng discreetly memorized the appearances of the three individuals.


    at this time, the bid had elevated to thirty-three thousand spirit stones.


    the speed of the bids had greatly slowed, often taking two or three breaths before someone would raise the price again.


    seeing this, zhao sheng chuckled and resolutely uttered two words:


    "sixty thousand!"


    at this price, everyone''s eyes suddenly focused on zhao sheng, their expressions varying, some filled with malice and annoyance.


    "this guy is clearly here to mess things up!"


    "damn it! doubling the price in one go, you''ve got money, you''re pretentious! just don''t let me encounter you again!"


    overjoyed, mo yunji hurriedly repeated, "this taoist friend has bid sixty thousand! is there no higher offer? if so¡ª"


    ```


    he had not finished speaking when a thunderous laughter drowned him out.


    "haha! old hua hong is here to join the fun, seventy thousand!"


    the crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw a towering old man with a square face and large ears, his lion-like hair shining gold, sitting there with the imposing air of a great mounted warrior.


    upon seeing this man with his dazzling golden hair, someone immediately exclaimed, "the sleeping lion hua family!"


    in the dayong dynasty, the royal family stood high above all, followed by the four great golden core families of the royal mo family, each represented by the symbols of "lion, tiger, owl, and coyote."


    the sleeping lion hua family was the leader among the four great families, because two thousand years ago, a nascent soul ancestor had emerged from the hua family.


    zhao sheng''s zhou family was the least among the four great families and was known as the "coyote."


    although the title might seem rustic, the coyotes are a major pest in the desolate domain, renowned for their cunning and unity. moreover, the chinese character for "soil" or "earth" resembles the word for "poison."


    due to the zhou family''s ruthless and venomous methods in the past, leaving enemies dead without exception, they were known as the "poison wolves."


    in the past two hundred years, the zhou family''s way of handling affairs has mellowed, and they have gradually retracted their claws and teeth, thus transforming from "poison wolves" to "coyotes."


    "eighty thousand!"


    no sooner had hua hong shouted his bid than zhao sheng immediately added ten thousand more.


    after all, the wool was coming from the zhou family''s sheep, why not fleece it!


    hua hong straightened up, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping across zhao sheng''s face.


    pity that zhao sheng had already changed his face by then, so nobody recognized him at all.


    "eighty-one thousand!"


    "eighty-two thousand!"


    just at this moment, suddenly two more people joined in to stir up the auction.


    zhao sheng turned to look and saw that the bidders were none other than the two who had kept silent all this while.


    hua hong obviously knew those two; his lips were constantly moving, apparently sending secret voice transmissions to them.


    "ninety thousand!"


    zhao sheng didn''t care about these developments, and immediately raised the price to ninety thousand on the spot.


    two breaths later, hua hong seemed to have dealt with the two men and then resolutely shouted, "one hundred thousand!"


    "one hundred and ten thousand!" zhao sheng casually raised his hand.


    does hua hong want to compete in audacity and length with zhao sheng?


    he is still far behind!


    zhao sheng didn''t mind spending the zhou family''s spirit stones at all.


    every time hua hong raised the bid, he immediately followed, always raising by at least ten thousand.


    until the bid reached one hundred and fifty thousand, until hua hong was so angry that his hair stood on end, zhao sheng still remained calm and collected.


    hua hong, furious to the point of laughter, said viciously, "such a magnanimous taoist friend you are! do you dare to reveal your name?"


    "hehe," zhao sheng let out a light chuckle.


    hua hong''s face stiffened, and standing up with a furious laugh, he said, "fine, fine! i''ll let you have this golden ring spirit earthworm today!"


    after these words, he gave zhao sheng a deep look and then turned to leave.


    with no one left to compete, zhao sheng eventually secured the golden ring spirit earthworm for the exorbitant price of one hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones.


    after the auction ended, zhao sheng quickly left the auction house and secretly found zhou zhongyu.


    when zhou zhongyu learned that the golden ring spirit earthworm had cost one hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones, his expression did not change nor did his heart skip a beat.


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    seeing his reaction, zhao sheng strongly suspected whether there were still dark children of the zhou family at the scene.


    of course, zhao sheng would never ask such a foolish question.


    he simply took a mental note of this, aware that the zhou family did not trust him as much as they appeared to on the surface.


    over the next month, zhao sheng attended many more auctions, some on behalf of the zhou family, others to divert attention from himself.


    he was ostensibly participating in auctions, but in reality, he was trying to shake off the zhou family members and covertly take care of some matters.


    for instance, settling accounts with spirit stones at the auction house.


    during the settlement period, a foundation establishment perfection member of the mo family found zhao sheng.


    he first expressed his apologies with utmost tact and then stated that they would waive the commission for this transaction, and furthermore, they would purchase the remaining spirit worms for the same price of one hundred and fifty thousand.


    presented with such good fortune, zhao sheng naturally agreed immediately.


    not to agree would be foolish!


    one item sold twice, double the price, double the joy!


    with the unexpected windfall, zhao sheng was obviously pleased, but he did not forget the real reason he came to yongjing.


    the day before the conclusion of the ten thousand treasures auction, the black ice platform of the five weapon square in yongjing suddenly received an intelligence report, the carrier of which was a true shadow ball.


    ```

 Chapter 137 Revenge is Like Stir-Frying Vegetables

    the black ice platform is a special intelligence organization of the dayong dynasty, exclusively managed by the royal mo family.subsequently, an extremely secretive piece of information was urgently reported to the top few bosses of the mo family.


    "someone is suspected of having found a mountain dragon dragon ball! but the image has been deliberately erased!"


    this matter even disturbed the ancestor of the mo family, who had long been removed from worldly affairs, and even for this, he issued a decree, "find him at all costs!"


    this "him"


    maybe it refers to the person who found the dragon ball!


    maybe it''s the mysterious informant!


    or maybe it refers to the dragon ball itself!


    but none of that is important; what''s important is that the mo family has "acted"!


    this action immediately alarmed the four great golden core families of the dayong, as well as all the big and small forces of the dayong dynasty.


    nobody knew what the mo family was stirring up such a grand scale for.


    the mo family seemed to be searching for something. was it a person or an object? or perhaps something else?


    aside from a few people in the mo family and a certain instigator, other forces were in the dark.


    zhao sheng had no intention of exposing zhou zhongyu at this time.


    in his view, to destroy a golden core family was a very difficult task, not something that could be accomplished overnight.


    to annihilate the zhou family was a systematic project that had to be carried out step by step.


    it was like cooking; you first had to put the wok on the fire and heat the oil, then add the seasonings and ingredients, stir-fry repeatedly, then add salt, and when the cooking was almost done, you could serve the dish.


    if the true shadow ball was the seasoning, then the dragon ball would be the main ingredient.


    the wok was already hot, and the oil had started to sizzle. now it was time for the stirring stage.


    when the mo family stirred up this matter to a frenzy, zhao sheng would secretly add a crucial pinch of salt (golden ring spirit earthworm).


    seeing that the timing was almost perfect, zhou zhongyu could officially make his entrance.


    there''s also a key factor of timing, but let''s not mention that for now.


    once the ten thousand treasures auction had concluded, zhao sheng did not stay any longer and immediately returned to hongyang state with the zhou family members. s~ea??h the n??elfir§×.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    back in zhou city, zhao sheng resumed his usual rhythm of life, spending his days either brewing alcohol or earnestly teaching his disciples the art of talisman painting.


    on regular days he no longer cultivated, often inviting others to join him in tasting wine and discussing poetry and philosophy, entirely the picture of one enjoying his twilight years.


    every now and then, zhao sheng would give away some of his spiritual wine for people to taste, choosing his recipients at random; as long as he found them "agreeable," he would freely gift them a jar.


    as a result, in just a year or two, zhao sheng''s reputation within the zhou family improved greatly, and everyone praised him highly.


    as he gained more and more of the zhou family''s trust, zhao sheng gradually came into contact with some of the zhou family''s internal secrets.


    at the same time, the zhou family''s scripture pavilion gradually opened up to zhao sheng.


    the past few years had shown through his every action that his time was running short, and he had let go of worldly concerns.


    attitude really is everything!


    the power-holders of the zhou family took notice of zhao sheng''s conduct and never suspected that this kind, seemingly dying old man was covertly plotting to overturn the zhou family.


    time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, two years had passed!


    zhou family''s scripture pavilion


    the third floor was dedicated to alchemy texts, and at this moment, zhao sheng sat cross-legged behind a low table, slowly perusing a volume of "water refining and fetus formation."


    this secret alchemy scroll was something he had stumbled upon two days prior.


    since its discovery, zhao sheng, considering it a treasure, had not left the scripture pavilion, continuing to read it over and over to this point.


    in the cultivation world, alchemy mostly revolves around fire refining, while water refining is exceedingly rare.


    if fire refining focuses on the act of refining¡ªburning the spiritual medicine to extract the essence, and finally merging it together¡ª


    then water refining emphasizes the act of nurturing. it uses spiritual water to wash and break down the spiritual medicine, allowing the essence to merge into the spiritual water, and finally slowly nurturing the spirit pill.


    fire refining and water refining each have their pros and cons, but why is water refining seldom heard of in the cultivation world?


    the key is that water refining has a significant flaw¡ªthe process of nurturing spirit pills is too slow, with one batch taking several months to form, and it''s not rare for it to take more than a year.


    fire refining, on the other hand, is much quicker, hardly ever taking more than a month, with the majority taking just three to five days, and occasionally seven to eight days to produce a batch.


    simply from the perspective of efficiency, the water refining and fetus breeding method had already been outdated.


    however, the fact that water refining could be passed down to this day and had not been completely lost was due to its unique advantages.


    the spirit pills refined through the fetus formation method were not only purer but also had very little pill toxicity. most importantly, the success rate of pill refinement was far higher than that of fire refining.


    therefore, when refining high-level spirit pills, water refining and fetus breeding had incomparable advantages.


    that''s why, although water refining and fetus breeding had not been lost, it was secretly monopolized and blocked by major forces in the cultivation world and was rarely known to ordinary cultivators.


    after flipping over the last page, zhao sheng closed his eyes and silently recalled the content several times, feeling that he had fully grasped all of it. stay tuned to empire


    he opened his eyes and casually tossed the elixir book, which flew up like a bird, covering a distance of seven or eight zhang with precision, landing back in its original place on the shelf.


    at that moment, zhao sheng stretched out his hand and a roll of ancient books suddenly flew from the shelf directly into his hand.


    then he opened the ancient tome and quietly began to read.


    five days later, a beam of spirit light suddenly flew up from downstairs, landing on zhao sheng''s table and transforming into a jade token.


    "is it that time again?


    seeing it, zhao sheng sighed inwardly, picked up the jade token, put the ancient book back in its place, and then walked downstairs.


    just as he stepped out of the scripture pavilion, zhao sheng saw a gallant young man dressed in yellow, standing right at the doorway.


    "master!"


    looking at the gallant young man who ran up to him with a respectful face, zhao sheng sighed inwardly.


    this young man was named zhou qingwu, and he had the highest comprehension and was the most astute among the bunch of inexpensive disciples he had taken in.


    moreover, zhou qingwu had rare dual spirit roots with top-grade quality and was the most talented among his peers in the zhou family.


    if he hadn''t been born in the zhou family, zhao sheng might have taken him as his mantle successor.


    "what a pity¡­ who made you a member of the zhou family!"


    zhao sheng inwardly sighed, but his face turned serious as he said, "qingwu, you should be doing your homework. what brings you to the scripture pavilion!"


    hearing the reprimand from his master, zhou qingwu''s eyes rolled, and he immediately responded confidently, "master misunderstands! i came to the scripture pavilion to look for some of our predecessors'' insights. i just happened to run into master, is all."


    having a disciple too astute was not always a good thing, and zhao sheng found himself temporarily unable to deal with him, his face turning stern.


    "even so, get inside quickly!"


    "oh," zhou qingwu obediently responded and then slipped into the scripture pavilion.


    watching the young figure disappear at the doorway, zhao sheng''s eyes flickered a few times; then his body transformed into a long rainbow, flying rapidly into the distance.


    two days later, in a secret chamber of a mansion, zhao sheng exercised the nine revolutions technique to restore his core spiritual power to its peak state.


    after finishing his practice, his thoughts stirred, and the hundred lifetimes book from the depths of his soul sea emerged in his mind; the fourth page naturally turned, revealing his personal data panel:


    name: zhao chonghe (zhao sheng)


    life span: 130/143


    realm: foundation establishment seventh layer


    profession: second order talisman master


    constitution: four spirit roots (yellow level), primary healing (mortal level)


    talent: spiritual smell (yellow level), bullet time (yellow level), rock hand (mortal level),


    [skill]


    cultivation technique: ...


    spell: ...


    talisman making: ...


    looking at the life span column, zhao sheng''s expression was complex. he pondered for a moment and murmured to himself, "just over a dozen more years, but that''s enough. the dish is almost ready to be served; it''s time to add salt and take it off the stove."


    half a day later, a water ripple message appeared before zhou family master, zhou yingze.


    upon opening the message, a trace of confusion flashed across zhou yingze''s face, and he wondered, "mr. zhao, why does he wish to see me?"


    although perplexed, zhou yingze dared not neglect the request and immediately instructed his servant, "quickly invite mr. zhao in."


    the servant responded and left,

 Chapter 138 Walking into a Trap

    shortly after, zhao sheng entered the living room and met with zhou yingze.after exchanging pleasantries, zhou yingze broached the main subject and asked, "taoist zhao, what brings you here today?"


    zhao sheng first took a good look at zhou yingze.


    zhou yingze had a striking appearance, with a pair of molten gold red eyes that exuded an imposing aura even without anger. coupled with his high and profound cultivation at foundation establishment perfection, his whole presence seemed as unfathomable as a mountain standing at the edge of an abyss.


    although zhao sheng held resentment towards the zhou family, he couldn''t help but silently praise, "this man is truly worthy of being a ruler of this territory, possessing quite the ambition and spirit."


    zhao sheng bowed his hands and said, "brother zhou, i have come to bid farewell!"


    zhou yingze''s gaze sharpened, "hmm? taoist zhao, why do you say so? has my zhou family wronged you in any way?"


    zhao sheng smiled and waved his hand, "brother zhou misunderstands! the zhou family has treated me as an honored guest, and i am deeply moved. my visit today is not to resign from the position of guest elder, but to return to my hometown to visit old friends. it won''t take long, at most a year or two before i return."


    zhou yingze relaxed inwardly and said with a smile, "i see, that eases my mind.


    when you set off for home, i will definitely present a generous gift!"


    zhao sheng immediately refused, "there''s no need! brother zhou''s heart intent, i have fully appreciated! but the spiritual salary provided by the zhou family is already quite generous, and i should not accept more, otherwise i would feel uneasy."


    zhou yingze insisted on giving, but zhao sheng adamantly refused.


    after several rounds, seeing zhao sheng''s sincere attitude, zhou yingze was very satisfied and thus did not persist any further.


    after chatting leisurely for a while, zhao sheng suggested leaving, and zhou yingze, busy with countless affairs, did not detain him.


    moments later, zhou yingze personally escorted zhao sheng to the door and watched him fly away on his sword before returning to the mansion.


    three days later, after saying goodbye to zhou zhongyu and others, zhao sheng maneuvered his cloud boat and left zhou city.


    once past the boundary of hongyang state, the cloud boat suddenly took a sharp turn, pierce through the sky full of wind and sand, and flew toward the southeast with difficulty.


    that was where yongjing was located!


    ...


    yongjing, wanbao square.


    the ten thousand treasure auction house was extremely large, with numerous buildings occupying most of wanbao square. just the shops responsible for receiving the consignment of cultivators'' treasures numbered nearly a hundred, forming a treasure street.


    treasure street was bustling with people every day, with a constant stream of people coming and going, and busy crowds moving in and out of the shops on both sides of the street.


    arriving at treasure street, zhao sheng entered one of the most lavishly decorated shops.


    once inside, an alert servant quickly came up with a smile, "esteemed senior, do you have a treasure to consign for auction?"


    zhao sheng grunted affirmatively and said, "hmm, i have a spiritual artifact that i wish to consign! find me a second order treasure appraiser."


    at the ten thousand treasure auction house, there were treasure appraisers specifically tasked with verifying the authenticity of treasures and estimating their prices.


    depending on the value of the treasures, these appraisers were divided into several different levels.


    a second order treasure appraiser corresponded to second order treasures, such as second order spirit pills, true talismans, spiritual artifacts, arrays, and so on.


    hearing it was a spiritual artifact, the servant did not dare to delay, quickly leading zhao sheng to the back courtyard, into an elegant room.


    sitting behind a table to the north of the room was an elderly man with a spirited and sharp gaze.


    after the servant reported the situation and withdrew, the elderly man''s eyes flashed, and looking at the seated zhao sheng, he asked, "senior, may this old man take a look at your spiritual artifact that you wish to consign?" your journey continues with empire


    zhao sheng nodded, took out a dark and small seal from his storage bag, and placed it on the table.


    the small mountain seal was a low-grade spiritual artifact, and since zhao sheng had advanced to foundation establishment late stage, it had become somewhat inadequate for him.


    zhao sheng had come to the ten thousand treasure auction house this time both to use the small mountain seal as a prop and to conveniently sell it off.


    some might have guessed.


    the main purpose of zhao sheng''s visit today was not to consign treasures for auction, but to make an "appearance."


    in order to attract the attention of certain individuals, he had deliberately reverted to his appearance and attire from two years earlier.


    before long, the treasure appraiser confirmed the rank and condition of the small mountain seal, and casually offered an estimated price.


    zhao sheng nodded indifferently and agreed to send the small mountain seal for consignment.


    after the two of them had agreed on some finer details of the auction, zhao sheng left the shop.


    he didn''t linger there and quickly left treasure street.


    the next day, zhao sheng suddenly appeared at an auction and bought most of the items on offer, creating quite a stir on the spot.


    two days later, he appeared on treasure street again, entering and exiting several shops in succession, consigning three or four treasures.


    five days later, a special auction for talismans ended, and zhao sheng walked out of the venue.


    he hadn''t gone far when suddenly he grunted, his figure staggered, and he came to an abrupt stop.


    zhao sheng''s heart shook, and he looked up to see a bald old man with a smoking pipe about ten paces away, smilingly gazing at him.


    feeling a tremendous oppressive force firmly suppressing his spiritual power within his body, zhao sheng felt not fear but joy and thought to himself, "that was quick!"


    although he was "walking into a trap," he still had to play his part in this performance.


    with a look of terror, zhao sheng faced the unfamiliar golden core master and tried to remain calm, "the true immortal sees clearly, i have never met the true immortal before and do not know how i might have offended you?"


    the bald old man took a few puffs of his pipe, exhaled a purple smoke ring, and said indifferently, "you haven''t offended me! but someone wants to see you. they were just afraid you''d run, so they asked me to step in. are you going to come willingly, or do we need to beat you half to death first?"


    after hearing this, zhao sheng couldn''t help but bitterly smile, then promptly nodded in recognition of the situation, "junior will follow the true immortal!"


    "hmm, you have some sense. let''s go."


    as soon as those words fell, zhao sheng felt lightened, the whistling of wind in his ears, and all he could see was a swirl of purple smoke.


    shortly after, when the smoke in front of zhao sheng dissipated and he could see the outside world, his spirits lifted; the building before him was very familiar¡ªit was the black ice platform of the five weapon square.


    moments later, zhao sheng was led to a dark, enclosed underground chamber with no daylight.


    at this time, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, who would instantly blend into a crowd, was inside the chamber.


    looking at the middle-aged man dressed in black, zhao sheng''s eyes twitched slightly, the murderous aura emanating from this person was the heaviest he had ever witnessed in his life. more importantly, this person was indeed a true golden core master.


    because behind him, the void was an absolute darkness that not even light could escape.


    and within this darkness, there "sprouted" a dense cluster of blood-red eyes,


    these eyes, the size of glass beads, all stared intently at him, with each gaze filled with naked killing intent.


    as zhao sheng was enveloped by the endless killing intent and his body instinctively trembled slightly, the middle-aged man spoke: "name?"


    just two words, but they sounded in zhao sheng''s ears like thunderous tribulation swords, or like the clash of golden spears and iron horses, with a thick stench of blood emanating from the voice. s~ea??h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    that instant, the twin blood-red eyes within the golden core phenomenon brightened significantly, and an unknown terror suddenly descended upon him.


    in this moment, zhao sheng instinctively knew he could not lie in front of this man.


    "zhao zhiqin!"

 Chapter 139 An Insoluble Open Conspiracy

    "zhao zhiqin,"zhao sheng replied succinctly.


    hmm?


    he actually didn''t lie!


    this surprised mo shengxuan, the leader of black ice platform.


    he had thought he would need to put some effort into it, but who would have thought this person... was quite sensible!


    "two years ago, did you bid on a golden ring spirit earthworm at an auction?" mo shengxuan''s voice was incomparably cold, and even the tone seemed to be frozen, unchanged from just now.


    the moment zhao sheng heard this, he pretended to be "energized" and immediately nodded, "yes, on behalf of someone else, i indeed bid on a golden ring spirit earthworm."


    someone else?


    mo shengxuan''s body stiffened, and waves of tumult churned in his heart, "could it be that this person is not the main party, and there is another master behind the dragon ball?"


    ever since the ancestor issued the decree, the mo family had mobilized all visible and hidden forces to search for this extremely rare dragon ball, nearly turning the da yong dynasty upside down.


    however, over the past two years, the mo family had found numerous plausible but ultimately unrelated clues to the dragon ball.


    after filtering down to the last few unverifiable leads, the most critical one was from the ten thousand treasures auction two years ago, where a mysterious person bid an exorbitantly high price of 150,000 for a golden ring spirit earthworm.


    therefore, the black ice platform and all branches within the mo family were searching with all their might for this mysterious person.


    this search lasted for two years.


    fortunately, the black ice platform had the upper hand and was the first to discover this person''s whereabouts days after they reappeared, managing to capture them in time.


    because it was a matter of great importance, that''s why mo shengxuan personally took charge of the interrogation.


    to his surprise, this interrogation actually led to a significant clue.


    mo shengxuan''s expression was stern, his voice extremely cold, "who is the ''someone else'' you mentioned?"


    as soon as these words fell, the blood eyes in the darkness suddenly shot out an icy and chilling radiance, casting onto zhao sheng.


    in an instant, zhao sheng felt as if his organs were frozen, his blood turned to ice, and an intense chill surged into his soul sea. find your next read at empire


    zhao sheng became extremely pale, his eyebrows, mustache, and hair suddenly coated with layers of frost.


    seeing this reaction, mo shengxuan immediately realized that his emotions fluctuated too greatly, unintentionally revealing a hint of the golden core''s true intent.


    cough!


    he coughed lightly, immediately reining back all of the golden core''s true intent.


    phew!


    zhao sheng exhaled a breath of icy fragments, his spiritual power quickly circulating through his limbs and bones, dispelling the coldness remaining in his body.


    as the frost on his face gradually dissipated, he was greatly shaken inside.


    he had no idea that the gap between foundation establishment and the golden core was so vast until he actually faced a golden core master!


    no wonder there''s an old saying in the cultivation world, "below the golden core, all are ants."


    zhao sheng had previously thought it was an exaggeration, but now he realized... it was no understatement!


    at that moment, mo shengxuan repeated the same question as before.


    "who is the ''someone else'' you mentioned?"


    after regaining his composure, zhao sheng immediately gave the answer he had prepared, "to report to the true immortal, it''s the hongyang state zhou family."


    the hongyang state zhou family?!!


    mo shengxuan''s gaze sharpened, and the void true eye behind him told him that this man was not lying.


    "could it be that the dragon ball also ended up in the hands of the zhou family?"


    a thought flashed through mo shengxuan''s mind, but his suspicious nature as part of his profession instinctively made him doubt zhao sheng.


    this person was being too cooperative!


    something was off!


    with that thought, mo shengxuan immediately asked, "what is your relationship with the zhou family?"


    "i am a guest elder of the zhou family!" (i''m not lying!)


    "as a guest elder, loyalty''s expected! why wouldn''t you conceal the truth for the zhou family?"


    "the renowned reputation of the black ice platform is known to all in the dayong dynasty! lying and hiding the truth would be meaningless. most importantly, i harbor a deep-seated grudge against the zhou family!" (i''m not lying!)


    upon hearing these words, mo shengxuan''s body trembled, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.


    he had not anticipated that, after all the interrogation, he would end up with such a result.


    "you hold a grudge against the zhou family?"


    "yes, in the past..." zhao sheng laid out the well-prepared story he had concocted.


    from beginning to end, he remained calm and collected, because he had not lied at all. he had simply emphasized how the wang family was annihilated by the zhou family and how his own family fled to the heavenly pillar mountain. then he intentionally glossed over certain details, changed the subject, and went straight to the part about joining the origin return sect, entering the desolate domain, and infiltrating the zhou family.


    zhao sheng''s editing skills were superb. mo shengxuan had too much faith in the powers of his void true eye, so he did not notice someone''s trickery of shifting flower and wood.


    zhao sheng had originally planned to make use of the mo family''s power to destroy the zhou family.


    although mo shengxuan''s involvement was unexpected, overall, the development of events was under his control.


    zhao sheng was not afraid that the other party would see through his tricks.


    because at this stage of events, the entire affair had become an overt conspiracy!


    why did he plan to launch this scheme only two years later?


    as mentioned earlier, time was a key factor.


    two years had passed, and it was likely that the final essence of the dragon ball had been fully absorbed by the golden ring spirit earthworm.


    it''s even uncertain whether the dragon ball still exists.


    if the dragon ball was gone, the zhou family would be hard-pressed to defend themselves!


    even if the dragon ball remained, where had the essence within the dragon ball gone?


    the zhou family might argue that most of the essence in the dragon ball had already dissipated before they obtained it.


    however, would the mo family believe such an argument?


    regardless of whether what the zhou family said was true or not, the mo family would not believe it.


    because the mo family could not afford to gamble, nor did they dare to!


    if the patriarch of zhou family managed to cultivate a mountain dragon and signed a symbiotic contract.


    with a lifespan of two thousand years, even if as dumb as a pig, given time, a nascent soul ancestor could be cultivated through sheer endurance.


    and the lifespan of the mo family''s ancestor had already surpassed two thousand years, with only a few hundred years remaining.


    when the ancestor of the mo family passed away in meditation, and the zhou family produced a nascent soul ancestor, it was not hard to imagine what would happen to the dayong dynasty at that time.


    more than two thousand years ago, how the mo family seized control over the dayong dynasty from the sleeping lion hua family was something the zhou family would attempt to replicate.


    but by then, the mo family might not have the against-the-heavens qi fortune like the hua family did.


    although the hua family declined, they had the secret support of a great sect from the demon path, which ultimately forced the mo family to ease up on them.


    it can be said that from the day the zhou family acquired the dragon ball, no matter how they responded, they would become a thorn in the side of the mo family.


    as long as the zhou family existed, the mo family would feel like there was a fishbone stuck in their throat, like a thorn in their back, as if sitting on pins and needles. sear?h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the reason lay in the potential existence of a "mountain dragon," whether it was real or mere fabrication.


    of course, mo shengxuan currently only suspected that the zhou family had found the dragon ball but had no concrete evidence.


    however, "evidence" would soon present itself!


    before zhao sheng appeared in yongjing, he had already duplicated the recording twice, with one copy secretly sent to the hua family and the remaining copy in the hands of a mortal,


    if zhao sheng ultimately couldn''t extricate himself, this mortal would volunteer to deliver the true shadow ball to the black ice platform in half a month.


    after recounting his deep enmity with the zhou family, zhao sheng volunteered information about some sabotage he had conducted on members of the zhou family. in the end, he firmly pledged that if it meant annihilating the zhou family, he was willing to be like lao liu, even if it cost him his life.


    mo shengxuan silently listened to zhao sheng''s declaration, and couldn''t help but regard this man with a heightened sense of esteem.


    in this vast world, perhaps nothing is more terrifying than death!


    without tremendous courage, few dare pledge their lives to their convictions.

 Chapter 140 Five Elements Three Envoys

    zhao sheng was too cooperative, which allowed mo shengxuan to understand the "truth" of the matter without effort.therefore, mo shengxuan did not make things difficult for zhao sheng, but simply imposed a prohibition on him, locking his dantian.


    then, zhao sheng was taken to a courtyard for surveillance, even sparing him the need for a cell.


    for the next half month, zhao sheng seemed to have been forgotten, with only a deaf-mute person coming daily to deliver his meals, and no one else visited him.


    on the surface, zhao sheng appeared very anxious, but inside, he was unusually calm.


    because that day was soon to come!


    five days later, zhao sheng was finally remembered.


    that day, two people suddenly arrived in the courtyard.


    a moment later, zhao sheng silently followed them and left the courtyard.


    he was quickly taken back to the black ice platform and saw mo shengxuan again.


    however, this time it was not only mo shengxuan alone, three others were standing behind him, curiously observing him.


    zhao sheng silently lowered his head and bound his hands, not bothering to look around much.


    mo shengxuan looked at zhao sheng but did not immediately speak.


    just the day before, there had been significant progress in the dragon ball incident, and the truth had finally come to light.


    the dragon ball had indeed fallen into the hands of the zhou family.


    because the person who picked up the dragon ball was a foundation establishment cultivator of the zhou family, zhou zhongyu!


    after pondering for a moment, mo shengxuan suddenly asked, "zhao zhiqin, if i send you to infiltrate the zhou family, would you be willing?"


    "willing! very willing!" zhao sheng''s spirits lifted, and he immediately nodded in agreement.


    mo shengxuan was very pleased with zhao sheng''s response.


    raising his hand, he beckoned the three people behind him to step forward, standing across from zhao sheng and looking at him with different expressions.


    mo shengxuan then said to zhao sheng, "to better utilize your capabilities, i have specially assigned three five elements masters to assist you."


    at this point, he turned slightly, instructing the three, "introduce yourselves!"


    "at your command, sir!"


    the words had barely finished when one of them solemnly took the command and stepped forward.


    at this moment, zhao sheng finally raised his head to carefully observe the three people in front of him.


    the first one to step forward was clad in profound gold spirit armor, even his face concealed by a helmet. carved with countless gold runes on the armor, these runes emitted a faint glow,


    his actions, whether standing or walking, seemed as if measured by a ruler and were exceptionally precise, resembling a mechanical puppet.


    "gold element, mo ruowu!"


    the armored figure''s voice, devoid of any emotion, sounded mechanical as he spit out three words, then without concerning himself with zhao sheng''s reaction, he turned and resumed his original position, his posture and movements exactly as before.


    zhao sheng frowned slightly at this.


    at that moment, an elderly figure with chicken-skin and crane-hair approached, his voice hoarse, "taoist zhao, do not take it to heart! wu dazi is always so rigid and dull."


    zhao sheng looked toward the approaching figure and saw that the man was no taller than five feet, his face so wrinkled it could trap flies, his exposed skin as dry as rotting wood; bent-backed, yet he wore a floor-length robe of dark gray that made one wonder if he might trip over it should he hasten his pace.


    zhao sheng clasped his hands together in greeting and smilingly asked, "may i ask for the esteemed name of you, taoist?"


    "this humble old man bears the surname he, with a simple given name, ying. i am currently an earth element envoy, and my cultivation lies ambiguously around the initial phase of foundation establishment ninth layer," the elder replied with all due ceremony, downplaying his statement.


    zhao sheng felt a shock within; despite the elder''s decrepit appearance, he had actually achieved great success in his foundation establishment¡ªtruly, appearances were deceiving.


    "i, zhao zhiqin, have the honor of meeting mr. he! i am new here and seek your guidance in the future!" explore more at empire


    "well said! now that taoist zhao has a momentous task at hand. the three of us must certainly cooperate with you to complete the mission."


    "hehe! mr. he, i heard what you just said. don''t you go deceiving people this time~"


    a sickeningly sweet voice suddenly rang out, its reverberating tones unforgettable to the ears.


    zhao sheng turned his head and saw a figure in flaming red approaching, clad in a thin red dress with a sash tied around her waist that accentuated her slim body.


    the woman walked up smiling, her stature not particularly tall yet exquisitely proportioned, and any slight movement under her thin spring robe exaggerated her curves dramatically, truly a breathtaking sight.


    but mr. he had no intention to admire her, stepping closer and snorting coldly, "this old man has always been honest and trustworthy, never deceiving anyone!"


    the woman''s black hair was coiled up, with two strands hanging beside her face, adding seductiveness. her gaze was also bold, rolling her eyes and sizing up zhao sheng from head to toe, then performing a curtsy and saying with a smile: s~ea??h the n?velfire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "i am bao yu''er, a fire element practitioner. it''s a pleasure to meet taoist zhao. i, too, have an irreconcilable vendetta against the zhou family! i hope we can cooperate wholeheartedly to eradicate the zhou family completely!"


    though bao yu''er''s face was smiling, her words were filled with murderous intent.


    zhao sheng evaluated the charming woman and said in a deep voice, "the zhou family has committed numerous atrocities and long deserves divine retribution! i deeply agree with your words, daoist bao!"


    "now that you all have become acquainted, i will announce your tasks," mo shengxuan suddenly interrupted the conversation with a serious tone.


    zhao sheng straightened his expression and listened attentively, while bao yu''er and mr. he''s bodies trembled, immediately pulling their demeanor together, bowing in readiness.


    mo shengxuan took out a jade scroll and said to the four, "this jade scroll contains the details of one hundred sixty-seven individuals, encompassing all significant members of the zhou family. your task is to clarify the movements of every person listed and to covertly monitor these individuals, ensuring that when we launch our total assault, no members of the zhou family escape."


    mr. he felt troubled upon hearing this, and said tactfully, "true immortal, it isn''t that this old man shies from difficulty, but this task seems preposterously tough! even if we split ourselves into eight parts, the four of us couldn''t monitor so many people!"


    mo shengxuan did not respond, but instead looked up at zhao sheng.


    understanding the cue, zhao sheng nodded slightly, then stepped forward, turning his gaze toward mr. he and the others, and confidently declared, "this task is not difficult! i have made some preparations in advance."


    with this, zhao sheng shared with the trio about the alterations he had made to the spiritual wine.


    anyone who had drunk his spiritual wine wouldn''t notice anything odd under normal circumstances, but once they mobilized their spiritual power, their bodies would emanate a distinct blood spiritual energy.


    blood spiritual energy was almost colorless, odorless, non-toxic, and even beneficial to a cultivator''s flesh.


    this distinctive blood spiritual energy was refined through a method called essence blood spirit refining, using zhao sheng''s own essence blood as the base material.


    essence blood spirit refining was quite common in the origin return sect, originally meant to accelerate the growth of qi and blood.


    yet here, zhao sheng used it for tracking purposes.


    for this, he had chosen a type of blood-sucking mosquito common in the desolate domain, spending ten years of hard labor, feeding generation after generation of these mosquitoes with essence blood, eventually breeding nearly a hundred bloodthirsty mosquitoes.


    these demon mosquitoes were extremely sensitive to the scent of his essence blood and are the best aid in tracking.


    upon hearing zhao sheng''s explanation, mr. he was at a loss for words, and bao yu''er secretly admired his meticulous efforts for revenge.

 Chapter 141 Eating Extinction and the Name of Justice

    when zhao sheng returned to hongyang state, three months had already passed.upon learning of his friend''s return, zhou zhongyu was exceptionally delighted and immediately rushed over, shouting about giving zhao sheng a welcome-back feast.


    zhao sheng couldn''t refuse and simply went along with his friend''s wishes.


    the best chefs in zhou city were all in the zhou family, so the feast was directly hosted at zhao sheng''s residence.


    at the banquet, not to mention the delicious food, zhao sheng''s brewed spiritual wine was indispensable.


    halfway through the banquet, zhao sheng finally realized that zhou zhongyu wasn''t there just for the welcome-back celebration; clearly, he had something on his mind.


    zhao sheng was puzzled but decided not to expose it and just accompanied his friend in drinking and chatting.


    after the third round of drinks and the fifth dish was served, zhou zhongyu appeared seven parts drunk.


    taking advantage of his inebriation, he suddenly asked, "brother zhao, i want to ask you something honest. among all your apprentices, who do you favor the most?"


    upon hearing this, zhao sheng''s hand clutching his cup paused, and a hint of coldness flashed through his eyes.


    although zhou zhongyu seemed to be rambling drunkenly, asking which apprentice he favored most, what was the real intention?


    the real intention was to probe zhao sheng''s thoughts!


    what thoughts?


    naturally, it was to subtly inquire through his drunkenness about whom his possessions would be left to after he passed away.


    do not forget, zhao sheng didn''t have much time left, and superficially, he was a "childless" foundation establishment practitioner.


    zhao sheng''s return trip alarmed some people in the zhou family.


    they thought that after zhao sheng''s death, his inheritance would undoubtedly belong to the zhou family.


    now it wasn''t so certain.


    perhaps zhao sheng had already left his inheritance in his homeland to his kin or some "fortunate person."


    keep in mind that zhao sheng was a highly skilled second order talisman master, his possessions far richer than the average late stage foundation establishment cultivator.


    such a large inheritance, if it fell into the hands of "outsiders," certain people in the zhou family would definitely be infuriated.


    therefore, as soon as zhao sheng returned, zhou zhongyu hurriedly came over under the guise of hosting a welcome banquet, but in reality, he came to gather information.


    looking at his "dear friend" with misty drunken eyes, zhao sheng put down his cup, pondered for a moment, and smiled, "since my younger brother asked, i might as well chat casually. out of my sixteen apprentices, in terms of talent and understanding, zhou qingwu is the best."


    hearing this, zhou zhongyu''s face showed delight.


    however, zhao sheng changed the topic, "but... when it comes to diligence in cultivation, qingwu is not as good as zhou qingli. and when it comes to the reverent awe for talismans, qingwu is far less than zhou yunmin."


    upon hearing this, zhou zhongyu became somewhat anxious, "brother zhao, do you really not favor qingwu, your grand-nephew?"


    "not at all, not at all! qingwu is the qilin''er of your zhou family. i certainly value him highly. but to say who should inherit my mantle, he is not the most suitable candidate."


    having said that, zhao sheng picked up his cup again and said with a smile, "let''s not talk about these things anymore. let''s drink!"


    zhou zhongyu''s face flashed with a hint of gloom, and he quickly lifted his cup as well, shouting, "right, let''s drink! here''s to you, brother zhao!"


    clang!


    the two porcelain cups gently clinked together, the spiritual wine in them slightly rippling, much like their thoughts at that moment.


    after the welcome-back banquet, zhao sheng visited several important figures over the next few days.


    this was a ceremonial act, indicating his return.


    after several days of frequent socializing, zhao sheng finally had some "free time."


    discover stories with empire


    seven days later, he appeared at a spirit wine shop in the west city market of zhou city.


    the shop, named "baili su," was superficially a venue for selling spiritual wine, but it was actually an intelligence point set up under the black ice platform.


    the black ice platform was a secret service organization, tasked with monitoring the internals of the dayong dynasty; establishing dedicated intelligence points for the "princes" within the dynasty was fairly typical.


    zhao sheng could confirm that in zhou city, there were far more than just one such intelligence point.


    upon entering the shop and revealing his identity, zhao sheng was quickly led into the shop''s underground secret chamber, where he saw he ying, who was on the brink of death, third master he!


    "fourth master, where are the other two?" zhao sheng asked with some curiosity.


    he ying liked to use his age to command respect and also enjoyed being called fourth master.


    zhao sheng "when in rome, do as the romans do," had no intention of fussing over this trivial matter, so he too called him fourth master.


    "wu dazi and bao''er both have urgent matters to attend to."


    he ying did not elaborate but simply found an excuse.


    indeed!


    zhao sheng nodded, showing no interest in prying further.


    his visit today was twofold, first to establish a contact and second to report on the recent movements of the zhou family members.


    taking the intelligence jade disc handed over by zhao sheng, he ying flipped through it casually, seemingly unconcerned.


    zhao sheng was not surprised at his reaction.


    there''s a saying,


    sometimes those who know you best aren''t yourself, but your enemies!


    three months ago, when he was first taken to the secret archive in black ice platform and saw the intelligence about the zhou family, which filled up a full twenty large rooms.


    zhao sheng had already realized that the little tricks he played were not likely to catch mo shengxuan''s eye.


    it was only because his cultivation was high enough that he had caught mo shengxuan''s attention.


    in other words, a foundation establishment late stage practitioner in the war to annihilate the zhou family could still be considered a powerful combatant.


    logically speaking, it wouldn''t be too difficult for the mo family to annihilate the zhou family.


    not to mention, having a nascent soul ancestor was enough to suppress all foes.


    however, the rules of an immortal dynasty weren''t played out like that.


    being the rule maker, the mo family had to abide by the rules to gain the greatest benefit.


    if they trampled the rules arbitrarily, the greatest harm would always be to the royal family itself.


    thus, for the mo family to annihilate the zhou family, they had to occupy the moral high ground, only by being just and proper could they convince the masses, otherwise it would cause panic within the dynasty and destabilize the foundation of the dynasty.


    zhao sheng had already understood this.


    while intelligence was important, it wasn''t the most crucial¡ªtiming was!


    the mo family was waiting for the zhou family to "make a mistake."


    this was like a spider waiting in its web for an insect to misstep, eventually falling into the trap.


    after reviewing the intelligence, he ying nodded, casually stowed away the jade plate, then said, "brother zhao, you have just joined black ice platform, and might not understand the internal situation. we have actually already placed many scouts within the zhou family. some agents have been in the zhou family for nearly a hundred years; some span several generations in hiding..."


    speaking to this point, he ying probed, "do you understand what i''m saying?"


    zhao sheng nodded, "i very much understand, fourth master."


    he ying smiled contentedly, then continued, "so i say, our primary task isn''t there but in boiling spring valley!"


    upon hearing boiling spring valley, zhao sheng suddenly realized, so that was it!


    if the zhou family were to cultivate the golden ring spirit earthworm, they would inevitably choose boiling spring valley.


    because boiling spring valley was the most core and secretive location of the zhou family as well as the hiding place for the patriarch of zhou family.


    the defense of boiling spring valley was extremely strict, perennially enveloped by a third-tier defensive array, never open to the outside. s~ea??h the n?vel(f)ire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    not to mention outsiders, even the general qi refining clan members of the zhou family had no right to step inside unless you advanced to the foundation establishment realm or were favored by the ancestor.

 Chapter 142 Cultivation Version of the Thirty-Six Stratagems (How Many Can You Identify?)

    zhao sheng pondered for a moment before hesitatingly saying, "fourth master, infiltrating boiling spring valley is very difficult!""it''s not just very difficult, it''s incredibly, extremely difficult! let me put it this way, in the last five hundred years, black ice platform has only had one spy enter boiling spring valley, and that was just twice at that."


    he ying picked up his robe that dragged on the ground and sat back down, his face expressing a sense of helplessness.


    zhao sheng said thoughtfully, "let''s try it anyway. we can''t rush this, we have to wait for the right moment!"


    "heh heh! you don''t need to be anxious, the opportunity will present itself. if you knew the number of plans and rehearsals black ice platform has conducted to eliminate any force that threatens the imperial family, you''d understand how terrifying an intelligence agency with over two thousand years of history can be!"


    facing the smug he ying, zhao sheng felt an inexplicable chill in his heart.


    after leaving the intelligence point, zhao sheng followed his previous persona, resuming his "normal life" and "social interactions."


    as for the intelligence, he no longer deliberately sought it out but took advantage of opportunities that came his way.


    he guessed that the information he gathered was not of much concern to he ying and others.


    moreover, zhao sheng knew that he ying and the others all had their own plans, they were just keeping him in the dark.


    from start to finish, black ice platform never treated him as "one of their own," only as a "hired hand" and "cannon fodder."


    zhao sheng didn''t care about this at all.


    ...


    time remained still, time flowed like water!


    in the blink of an eye, the dry season in desolate domain had passed, and once again the rainy season arrived.


    one day, an imperial edict suddenly arrived from yongjing, landing squarely upon the zhou family.


    the content of the edict quickly spread throughout hongyang state: "by the decree of the holy emperor, the zhou family''s eldest daughter, given her virtues and good morals, her orchid-like character and the high esteem she holds among the people, is hereby promoted to the position of crown princess consort!"


    the zhou family now had a daughter who had become the crown princess consort!


    this was like an invigorating shot to the zhou family, not just exhilarating their mundane relatives but also exciting the cultivation clan members.


    being promoted to crown princess consort meant that the zhou family was favored by the current crown prince, which also meant that the zhou family was very likely to become a future royal clan of the dayong dynasty.


    if she ultimately became the empress, it would secure the zhou family''s position in the dayong dynasty as solid as a mountain for at least two to three hundred years.


    not to mention the distant future, even now, the daughter of the zhou family''s promotion to crown princess consort could bring tangible benefits to the zhou family.


    indeed, everything proceeded as expected.


    the "sincerity" of the crown prince arrived very quickly! experience more on empire


    the position of guard for black sand state was vacant, and zhou family''s general zhou zhonghang was specially appointed as general of border, to be stationed in black sand state.


    black sand state is located on the border of dayong, a strategic location fiercely contested between dayong and da zhen dynasties.


    the reason for the contention is not the strategic terrain of black sand state but rather its large to medium spirit stone mine, which produces nearly two million spirit stones annually, with a steady output of top-grade spiritual stones and even occasional findings of top-grade spirit stones.


    top-grade spirit stones are treasures even nascent soul ancestors covet; if the zhou family could secretly obtain one, even the faces of the golden core ancestors of zhou would beam with delight.


    therefore, upon receiving the decree, the zhou family did not delay for a moment, immediately mobilizing the "fire wolf army," and followed the foundation establishment ninth layer general zhou zhonghang, traveling day and night to take up the post in black sand state.


    the fire wolf army is a trump card force of the zhou family, trained under strict discipline following the method of a major sect in nurturing guardian immortal soldiers.


    guardian immortal soldiers, from the legendary dao of arms, are somewhat like mundane armies, placing great emphasis on the power of unity and coordination.


    the method of nurturing daoist soldiers typically uses tao formations to link everyone''s spirit and establish a connection, reaching a level of unity where all are of one mind and strength.


    creating a daoist soldier corps is extremely consuming and difficult to achieve; the zhou family also used their bloodline as a guide and, after decades of day and night training, painstakingly formed a force of two hundred individuals in the fire wolf army.


    it can be said that once this fire wolf army launches its formation, it could contend with golden core masters beyond their level, and ordinary fake pill cultivators would be no match for it.


    the golden core families of the dayong dynasty were not only limited to the "lion, tiger, owl, wolf" four houses, so why was it that only these four stood out.


    the key lies in the fact that each of these four major families had a daoist soldier corps similar to the fire wolf army.


    therefore, only the mo family and the four major families were able to have a hand in the large spirit stone mines of black sand state.


    when the crown prince offered "sincerity," the zhou family reciprocated with their goodwill, unconsciously leaning towards the crown prince.


    moreover, with the crown prince''s clout, the zhou family rapidly expanded its influence across the dayong eighty-eight states, reaping considerable benefits in just a year or two.


    it could be said that the zhou family was on an upward trajectory, with everything going smoothly and successfully, as if endowed with a hero''s fortune that borrowed strength from the world itself.


    zhao sheng had always been watching these "flourishing" fortunes of the zhou family from a detached perspective.


    despite he ying''s tight-lipped nature, not giving away even the slightest hint, zhao sheng''s intuition told him that all of this was the doing of the black ice platform!


    having the fire wolf army stationed in black sand state was clearly a trick to lure the tiger away from the mountain.


    while the zhou family''s expansion seemed beneficial on the surface, it could also be seen as a dispersion of their own strength.


    such cunning and perilously concealed tactics had ensnared the zhou family in a trap without them realizing it.


    as far as zhao sheng knew, the zhou family was currently short-staffed, with half of their foundation establishment clan members needing to be dispersed across various states to oversee their family''s businesses, and even more of the ordinary qi refining clan members were posted elsewhere.


    if it weren''t for zhao sheng emphasizing that his "days were numbered," and considering his devoted teaching of the younger zhou family members, he as the chief guest elder would have been sent to other states long ago.


    even so, zhao sheng was tasked with additional "missions," such as periodically inspecting zhou city, taking occasional trips on assignments, and dealing with certain "enemies," and so on. sear?h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    while zhao sheng silently awaited the right moment, time passed day by day.


    two years later, the situation of the zhou family continued to improve, but dark clouds were drawing closer with each passing day.


    in the past half year, the zhou family suddenly noticed something amiss as their businesses across the states started to face troubles, either their transport teams being ambushed by magic thieves, their shops'' businesses being usurped by certain powers, or even many clan members disappearing without reason.


    at the same time, the crown prince also faced significant trouble. the holy emperor had recently chastised the crown prince for his reckless behavior and granted the second prince the title of prince.


    the message was clear, allowing the second prince to compete with the crown prince.


    with the inscrutability of the royal heart, the position of the crown prince was unstable.


    in the past few months, the crown princess consort sent letters home three times, repeatedly mentioning in her correspondences that the crown prince had very few capable people left and requested more able clan members from her family to serve under the crown prince.


    since they were already on the crown prince''s ship, naturally, the zhou family would fully support the crown prince to stabilize royal favor, which led to three foundation establishment clan members being dispatched to yongjing posthaste.


    zhao sheng saw all of this.


    he vaguely felt that the opportunity he was waiting for was near, but he had not fully figured out how the mo family could gain the "moral high ground."


    without the moral high ground, they could not justifiably campaign against the "traitor" zhou family.


    being an ancient family for a thousand years, the zhou family was not to be trifled with. although they had not completely seen through the mo family''s conspiracy, they had their unique sources of intelligence.


    through intelligence and the recent series of unusual incidents, the zhou family seemed to sense some imminent danger and surprisingly began to show signs of consolidating their forces.


    furthermore, the day before yesterday, the patriarch of the zhou family suddenly issued a decree for outstanding younger generations such as zhou qingwu and zhou qingli to enter boiling spring valley.


    on the surface, it was for the ancestor himself to provide personal instruction, but in zhao sheng''s view, such an action seemed to imply protection.


    "could it be that zhou xilai has realized the mo family is about to make a move against the zhou family?" zhao sheng thought to himself.


    as zhao sheng was covertly sharpening his claws, awaiting the downfall of the zhou family, he ying unexpectedly contacted him.


    upon arriving at the information point, zhao sheng was surprised to find that mo wushuang, bao yu''er, and he ying were all present.


    "eh, why is there a bald monk here?"


    zhao sheng turned his head to look at the corner of the secret chamber, where a red-robed, dignified bald monk was standing.

 Chapter 143 Formless Incarnation

    zhao sheng was even more surprised to see a monk here.the monks were not well-received in the dayong dynasty, as their arch-enemy, the dazhen dynasty, was a buddhist state.


    over the years, countless dayong people had died at the hands of the dazhen people, and the two dynasties had long formed a vendetta that spanned hundreds of lifetimes, impossible to resolve.


    it was easy to imagine the hateful glares that monks in the dayong dynasty would receive.


    seeing zhao sheng''s surprised expression, old man he chuckled and said, "taoist zhao, this high monk is our water element envoy among the five elements envoys, the wuxiang monk!"


    "amitabha! i, the wuxiang monk, have the honor of meeting master zhao." he loudly chanted with his palms pressed together, his voice echoing like a clear spring, refreshing to the soul.


    "i am zhao zhiqin, pleased to meet you!" zhao sheng, marveling inwardly, quickly returned the gesture.


    then, zhao sheng turned his head toward old man he and asked, "fourth master, what matter requires such urgent attention to call me here today?"


    he ying, being the leader among the five elements envoys and most trusted by the black ice platform envoy, mo shengxuan, was regarded as their leader.


    he ying said, "the water element envoy needs to infiltrate boiling spring valley. we need your assistance."


    although puzzled, zhao sheng readily agreed, "if there''s any way i can be of help, just say the word!"


    at that moment, the wuxiang monk spoke, "master zhao, i understand you have a disciple named zhou qingli. please coax him out as quickly as possible."


    zhao sheng was stunned,


    today the younger generations of the zhou family were about to enter the valley, and deceiving him out at this juncture would be extremely difficult.


    thus, he immediately asked, "great master, why must it be so?"


    before the wuxiang monk could speak, bao yu''er suddenly laughed and said, "what else? the bald monk wants to use the formless incarnation technique again!"


    zhao sheng pondered upon hearing this.


    formless incarnation technique?


    he seemed to recall reading about it in some ancient book; it appeared to be a minor mahayana buddhist skill from the dharma image only mind sect.


    he ying urged, "taoist zhao, this matter must be completed quickly! otherwise, it could jeopardize everything. if not, you will be held accountable!"


    zhao sheng scoffed inwardly, "what great matter? it''s nothing more than probing the reality of boiling spring valley or possibly searching for the whereabouts of the dragon ball." enjoy exclusive content from empire


    thinking this, zhao sheng nonetheless said, stern-faced, "there''s no time to lose, i''ll go handle it immediately!"


    "master zhao, i will accompany you!" said the monk.


    as he spoke, large droplets of water suddenly burst from every pore on the wuxiang monk''s body, quickly gathering into a curtain of water that enshrouded him.


    in an instant, the wuxiang monk''s body became transparent, turning into a silhouette of water.


    then, the watery figure''s facial features and body twisted, swiftly transforming into the appearance of another person.


    hmm?!


    as the watery hue faded, a living person appeared in front of everyone.


    zhao sheng''s expression changed slightly as he recognized this person to be a servant from his own household.


    he was identical in height, appearance, and body shape.


    without any hesitation in front of everyone, the wuxiang monk took off his monk''s robe and put on the servant''s clothes, then walked over to zhao sheng,


    "master, let us depart!"


    wow! even the voice was identical!


    watching the respectfully behaving "wuxiang monk", zhao sheng''s pupils constricted, and he couldn''t help but reveal a wary expression on his face.


    "this person is very dangerous!"


    after leaving the information point, zhao sheng and the monk quickly returned to his residence.


    considering it was too conspicuous to only call for zhou qingli at this time, zhao sheng summoned all his disciples under the pretense of giving out tokens.


    hearing that the master was going to award the token, zhou qingwu and the others never imagined this was a conspiracy and came to zhao sheng''s place in high spirits.


    further unnecessary details need not be elaborated.


    zhao sheng called his disciples one by one into the talisman room under the pretext of confidentiality.


    while zhou qingwu and the others had all received a second-order illusion shadow escape talisman, when it was zhou qingli''s turn, excitedly entering, what greeted him was a curtain of water.


    at this moment, zhao sheng also witnessed the truly terrifying aspect of the formless incarnation technique.


    a curtain of water engulfed zhou qingli completely and, ignoring his struggles, the water split into countless tiny streams that forcibly burrowed into his body through every pore.


    by the time the streams had all penetrated his body, he was completely stiff, his complexion deathly pale as if he were dead.


    however, soon after, zhou qingli''s complexion turned ruddy, and his chest began to rise and fall again.


    he first twisted his limbs, then slowly rose from the ground, the lingering look of horror on his face quickly replaced by a look of submission.


    "disciple zhou qingli, thanks the master for the token!"


    zhao sheng, looking at his exceptionally submissive "disciple," suddenly felt somewhat uneasy.


    "zhou qingli" left, carrying some unknown mission.


    that afternoon, the zhou family''s younger generation left zhou city and entered the boiling spring valley. sea??h th§× n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    zhao sheng was very worried that zhou xilai, a golden core master of the black ice platform, would see through the disguise of the wuxiang monk.


    after a few days, the event he feared did not occur, and there were no abnormalities in the boiling spring valley, indicating that the wuxiang monk had succeeded.


    then came two months of waiting.


    suddenly, an unexpected battle report not only caught zhao sheng''s attention but also caused great unrest among the zhou family.


    seven days earlier, the dazhen buddha army had launched a surprise attack on black sand state. the fire wolf army confronted them directly, suffering a slight defeat, and subsequently retreated to spirit stone pass to hold the enemy outside the pass.


    this battle report not only marked the start of the thirty-second spirit stone war between the two dynasties but also meant that the fire wolf army was tied down.


    this outcome led zhao sheng to speculate in secret whether there was some secret agreement between the dayong and the dazhen royal families, otherwise, all of this was too coincidental.


    just two days later, he ying urgently sent a message to him.


    arriving at the intelligence point, zhao sheng saw the five elements three envoys again, and seeing the three people, he ying included, with very serious expressions yet carrying a hint of irrepressible excitement, startled him.


    seeing this, zhao sheng was shocked and immediately had a premonition.


    the moment he had been waiting for had arrived!


    upon meeting, he ying immediately said, "the upper ranks have issued the command, seven days from now, the wolf slaughter operation will officially begin!"


    zhao sheng was overjoyed upon hearing this, his heart surged wildly as he inwardly shouted "it''s finally here!"


    at that moment, he ying continued, "we need not bother with zhou city here; others will take over. once the operation begins, our only target is to enter boiling spring valley and assist the wuxiang monk as quickly as possible."


    speaking of this, he ying turned his head to look at zhao sheng, asking, "how many bloodthirsty mosquitoes do you have left?"


    zhao sheng immediately replied, "twelve."


    at the black ice platform, he had already turned in most of the bloodthirsty mosquitoes, and only had so few left.


    "two for each person, that''s enough!"


    upon hearing this, zhao sheng immediately took out the spirit worm bag, poured out twelve fist-sized, completely black bloodthirsty mosquitoes, their eyes a bloody red, and then distributed them to the others.


    after distributing the bloodthirsty mosquitoes, zhao sheng looked towards he ying, slightly curious, and asked, "fourth master, exterminating the zhou family is a matter that will shock the court and the public. if not carried out with valid justification, it may cause unrest and fear. does the upper echelon have a strategy to handle this?"


    he ying smiled enigmatically, patted his shoulder, and said meaningfully, "young brother, just wait and see! the court will never punish without teaching. the zhou family''s ambition will lead to their own destruction!"


    upon hearing this, zhao sheng''s mind raced, faintly guessing what action the mo family would take next!


    if his guess was true, then he could only sigh, "ruthless, truly ruthless!"

 Chapter 144 Blood Robe Decree

    one day,two days,


    three days!


    three days had passed, and zhao sheng had been secretly waiting for the big event to arrive, but zhou city remained as peaceful as ever, without a hint of anything unusual!


    however, that evening, zhou zhongyu suddenly found him and said, "the family head summons you," before dragging him to the family master mansion.


    zhao sheng didn''t ask what it was about.


    seeing his good friend''s solemn and tense demeanor, he knew that asking wouldn''t have yielded an answer.


    shortly after, two streams of spirit light simultaneously descended into a rich and splendid mansion in the center of zhou city.


    the two quickly entered the grand hall of the zhou mansion.


    upon entering, zhao sheng was suddenly taken aback, as he saw all eight foundation establishment clan members of the zhou family, who had not gone out, were present without a single one missing.


    at this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was extremely heavy.


    zhao sheng remained silent and sat down next to zhou zhongyu, waiting quietly.


    shortly after, zhou yingze emerged from the back hall with an expressionless face, followed by a handsome man with a soft and gentle demeanor.


    zhou yingze took a seat in the main position, but he didn''t pay any attention to the gentle man.


    that man was not angry, instead he smiled, walked to zhou yingze''s side, and stood still, not too close nor too far, his posture and demeanor very natural, as if he was used to serving others.


    "everyone, take a look!"


    having said that, zhou yingze took out a bundle of bright golden brocade and handed it to the elder sitting next to him.


    while speaking, his tone was extremely serious, and his face even bore a hint of severity.


    the elder received it, unfolded it for a look, and his expression greatly changed.


    zhao sheng glanced over and noticed that the item seemed to be a robe, embroidered with large patches of tricolored clouds and a lifelike, dark black true dragon clearly depicted in scales, weaving through the clouds and roaming as though it were alive.


    zhao sheng was first shocked, then overjoyed; if he was not mistaken, "this robe is clearly the crown prince''s dragon robe, now in the hands of the zhou family¡ªwhat does this signify?"


    initially, zhao sheng''s guess was a mere speculation, but now it had risen to almost certainty.


    the elder, after looking, passed it on with a troubled expression to the next person.


    that person, upon receiving it, also had a greatly changed expression, his look mirroring that of the elder.


    "this... this can''t be!" the man, grey and aged, had a trembling voice due to his shock.


    "second uncle, let me see!"


    another zhou family foundation establishment member snatched the robe, looked it over once, and silently passed it to the next person.


    this process repeated several times, making the atmosphere in the hall very strange. an invisible storm was accumulating, as if it could erupt at any moment.


    the robe quickly passed to zhao sheng''s hands.


    he opened it, only to see the robe dyed deep red, covered with rows of blood-written characters.


    zhao sheng scanned it briefly, and it indeed matched his expectations.


    this was the crown prince''s personal blood robe decree.


    the content of the blood robe decree roughly stated that the demon concubine had corrupted the harem, plotted against the holy mother, colluded with the second prince to secretly control the holy emperor, causing chaos to the court and plotting against high officials.


    being deeply persecuted, the crown prince could no longer bear it and did not wish to see a repeat of the dynasty''s past tragedies, leading to the overturning of authority!


    therefore, he wrote this secret blood robe decree, calling for loyalists and righteous men to rescue the holy emperor and restore the court''s order.


    the decree ended with a promise of great rewards after its successful execution, with the most meritorious leader granted the right to divide and rule territories.


    after reading, zhao sheng was inwardly pleased and noticed that the time set for initiating the political upheaval was at midnight tomorrow.


    calculating the timing, it would take about a day from hongyang state to yongjing.


    "this crown prince is quite interesting, timing it just right!" zhao sheng mused inwardly.


    zhao sheng stood up and returned the blood robe decree to zhou yingze, who held onto the robe as if it were a scorching piece of coal.


    "the crown prince''s movement is imminent! what stance shall our zhou family take? let''s discuss this now!"


    as he finished speaking, an elder immediately inquired, "ancestor, what''s your opinion?"


    seeing this, zhao sheng inwardly praised, "this man has hit the mark."


    the opinions of the other zhou family members were not important; the key was whether zhou xilai supported the cause.


    this matter seemed like a great gamble.


    if they won, the gains would be immeasurable!


    if they lost, well,


    the best outcome would have been a major blow to the primordial qi of the zhou family, but the worst?


    zhou yingze had summoned everyone, which, in a sense, represented the stance of zhou xilai, the patriarch of the zhou family.


    in fact, there was no need to wait until the end; zhao sheng could already be certain now.


    regarding the crown prince''s coup, the zhou family would definitely get involved, but they would never give it their full support.


    just like how eggs should not be put in one basket.


    the best strategy for the zhou family was to split into two factions, one fully supporting the crown prince while the other remaining "completely unaware,"


    both factions had to make the cut in advance, ensuring that even in the case of failure, it would not implicate the other.


    even more maliciously, zhao sheng thought that the zhou family would likely create a third faction, actively joining the second prince''s camp, with betrayal being the best way to declare allegiance.


    of course, the timing of the betrayal had to be just right, neither too late nor too early.


    just as expected! s~ea??h the n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    when questioned by the elders, zhou yingze avoided answering and then repeated his previous words with a heavy tone.


    no need for a heavy hammer to beat the loud drum!


    seeing the family head''s demeanor, everyone present instantly understood.


    afterward, events developed just as zhao sheng had anticipated in his mind.


    the zhou family rapidly split into two factions, one staunchly supporting the crown prince, the other steadfastly sitting on the sidelines, watching the fire burn.


    the two sides argued incessantly.


    zhao sheng was a guest elder, not getting involved but merely observing coldly from the side.


    very soon, he noticed that the effeminate man was too shrewd; while the zhou family members caused a commotion, his expression remained unchanged, as if he were an outsider.


    yet, this man was clearly a confidant of the crown prince.


    suddenly, a flash of spirit light came to zhao sheng, and he had an epiphany, "this man is not the crown prince''s confidant. he is clearly a ''witness,'' a pawn, a dagger aimed at the heart of the zhou family."


    from the moment he saw the blood robe decree, zhao sheng had realized that all this was a setup, a grand scheme specifically designed to annihilate the zhou family.


    because three days ago, he ying had said that the operation to slaughter the wolves would officially commence in seven days.


    at this critical juncture, the crown prince''s coup was "coincidentally" set to take place.


    so it was not a coincidence at all, but a conspiracy.


    the crown prince''s coup was bound to fail and would inevitably implicate the zhou family.


    this way, the zhou family would naturally be branded as "traitorous" officials.


    if it were any ordinary family, the crime of treason would suffice to implicate nine clans.


    but for the zhou family, this crime alone was not enough to annihilate them completely.


    zhao sheng guessed that by then, even greater "charges" would be attributed to the zhou family.


    this meeting, crucial to the fate of the clan, did not last long.


    family head zhou yingze quickly hammered the decision, ordering three elders who supported the crown prince to lead a hundred qi refining clan members to rush to yongjing immediately.


    furthermore, zhao sheng was to go to yongjing as well.


    he was not surprised by this.


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    after all, risking danger as a guest elder was part of the role! when it came to life-threatening situations, he was to be the first to step forward!


    unfortunately... these people would probably never reach yongjing!


    zhao sheng cast a covert glance at the effeminate man, a flicker of sharpness flashing through his eyes.


    with urgency and to prevent any leaks,


    zhao sheng was left in the family master mansion to wait for departure.


    merely a quarter of an hour later, the three foundation establishment elders, each leading a group of close clan members, returned to the family master mansion.


    shortly after, a twenty-zhang long gray cloud boat suddenly soared into the sky from the center of zhou city, passing through the defensive light shield and speeding towards yongjing.


    a quarter of an hour later, the cloud boat had flown out of hongyang state, entering the desolate gobi.


    the night was deep, the stars scarce, and visibility darkened.


    an hour later, the cloud boat was already seven or eight hundred miles away from hongyang state.


    just as the cloud boat passed over a chaotic rocky beach filled with bizarrely shaped rocks, zhao sheng suddenly sensed a wave of divine sense and a large swath of information entered his mind.


    zhao sheng''s eyes flashed with a fierce light as he looked up toward the effeminate man at the bow of the boat.


    just at that moment, the man turned around with a smile on his lips, nodded slightly at him,


    "the rock beach has arrived, make your move!"

 Chapter 145 How Could There Be a Crown Prince for Two Hundred Years?

    the night was dark and the wind was high, as the never-ceasing gales of the desolate domain blew the thick scent of blood from the cloud boat, where figures in black robes busied themselves tirelessly, washing away the bloodstains on the deck and inside the cabins.one after another, lifeless bodies with unseeing eyes were tossed from the boat onto the rocky shore. soon, the corpses would be devoured by scavengers drawn by the smell.


    at the bow of the cloud boat, zhao sheng, he ying, mo wushuang, bao yu''er, and the effeminate man gathered together, all of them wearing smiles on their faces.


    the recent ambush had been a resounding triumph, even though they had not rehearsed it beforehand.


    the zhou family had not expected a traitor among their ranks, let alone two at the foundation establishment late stage, and thus they were caught completely off guard. suffering heavy casualties, two of the three foundation establishment clansmen were seriously injured, and then the five elements three envoys descended from the sky, with nameless sweeping the field.


    it was only after achieving their great success that zhao sheng learned from he ying that the effeminate man was actually the wood element practitioner among the five elements master, known as eunuch huai, a foundation establishment realm grand eunuch, and also a confidant of the crown prince.


    that proud crown prince could never have imagined that his trusted grand eunuch was actually a spy for the black ice platform.


    not just the crown prince, even zhao sheng felt a chill down his spine after learning of eunuch huai''s identity, and couldn''t help but exclaim, "the black ice platform of da yong is truly terrifying!"


    an hour later, the cloud boat was washed clean both inside and out, and the figures in black robes changed into clothing of the zhou family.


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    at this moment, he ying stepped forward with a fist salute toward the effeminate man and said, "eunuch huai, we part ways here! this old man wishes you a smooth journey. when you rise high in the ranks, do not forget us."


    eunuch huai laughed and replied, "fourth master, you''re being too formal! after all, i''m one of the five elements master. how could i forget our centuries of acquaintance?"


    bao yu''er also said with a smile, "brother huai, i wish you a journey of thousands of miles ahead."


    "thank you for your auspicious words, sister bao! time is pressing, and some words will have to wait until after we have achieved great success. my colleagues, i shall take my leave first!"


    a moment later, the cloud boat rose high into the sky again, speeding toward yongjing.


    once the cloud boat had vanished in the distance, the smile on he ying''s face disappeared, and he turned to look at zhao sheng, bao yu, and mo wushuang, saying coldly, "eunuch huai has gone to secure his merit, and we cannot fall behind. let''s go!"


    with those words, he ying''s long robe billowed out like a ball, and a surge of gray light emerged from beneath it, lifting him off the ground. then, wrapped in the gray light, he turned into a hazy fog and sped toward hongyang state at an alarming speed.


    bao yu''er smiled yanran and suddenly transformed into a trail of fire, quickly following behind.


    mo wushuang didn''t move,


    just as zhao sheng was about to set off, he felt a gaze from within his helmet piercing his face, carrying with it a thread of indiscernible emotion.


    zhao sheng had a thought and instead of releasing the invisible sword he was about to throw, he summoned a cloud boat about seventy to eighty zhang long.


    after boarding the cloud boat, zhao sheng suddenly turned around and invited, "mr. mo, if you don''t mind, how about i give you a ride?"


    mo wushuang paused for a moment, his voice solid like metal as he uttered a single word: "good."


    ¡­


    elsewhere, the zhou family each harbored their own thoughts, waiting anxiously and impatiently for news from yongjing.


    a day went by.


    by now, the crown prince must absolutely have launched the coup.


    however, there had been not a single piece of news from yongjing.


    the group sent earlier seemed to have vanished into thin air, with no news coming back.


    by this time, the zhou family already had an ominous premonition.


    of course, even at this point, they had not yet realized the ambition of the mo family, who intended to completely annihilate the zhou family in one fell swoop.


    as a golden core family with a foundation of over a thousand years, the zhou family had many channels of information and soon learned through other means that last night, indeed, there had been major turmoil in yongjing.


    at this time, yongjing had already activated the sealing array, locking down the entire city, making it nearly impossible to send out any messages.


    however, from some fragmented information that managed to leak out before the city was sealed off, it seemed that things were not going well for the crown prince''s faction. they had managed to breach the imperial city, but just an hour later, the shouts and killing noises inside had swiftly died down, leading to deafening silence.


    sensing that the situation was dire, the faces of the zhou family members turned extremely ugly.


    as a result, conflicts within the zhou family erupted. everyone spent a long day arguing, agonizing, and filled with regret.


    just one day later, one piece of bad news after another followed in quick succession!


    the first was that the crown prince''s coup at ziwei palace had failed. the crown prince was stripped of his title, imprisoned in the imperial mansion to be confined there until death.


    subsequently, there was news that the holy emperor had been assassinated during the coup at ziwei palace, and his fate was still unknown. sea??h th§× n?vel?ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    while this might have seemed like good news for the zhou family, it was at that moment that an outrageous piece of bad news suddenly arrived, making everyone in the zhou family shiver with dread,


    "among the assassins, one was zhou zhonglu, a foundation establishment clan member of the zhou family ¡ª his identity is beyond doubt!"


    zhou yingze had no doubts about the authenticity of this news, as it was sent at the risk of their lives by one of the family''s dedicated agents deep within the imperial city.


    in the zhou mansion''s council hall, the atmosphere was tense and almost boiling. the emotions of regret and frustration were like oil, and a single spark could set the hall ablaze.


    "impossible! zhonglu would never be that stupid! there must be something fishy about this!"


    "master seven is right! there is something very suspicious about this. the crown prince couldn''t be foolish enough to involve zhonglu in an assassination plot. he isn''t qualified for such a highly confidential matter!"


    "hmph! are you suggesting that the message is false then?"


    zhou yingze said with a grave expression, "it can''t be false! it came from our family''s dedicated agent."


    "family head, what should we do now?"


    "why hasn''t our ancestor left seclusion yet?"


    "family head, does the ancestor know about this?"


    seeing the anxious and restless elder, zhou yingze felt a surge of nameless anger. a bunch of useless old men! they''re experts at holding things back when it''s trivial matters, but they''re utterly clueless when it comes to serious matters!


    yet, this wasn''t the time to dwell on such things. zhou yingze forcefully suppressed his fire qi and said sternly, "the ancestor is already aware of the situation and has issued a decree."


    as soon as they heard the ancestor had issued a decree, the hall immediately quieted down, and everyone looked hopefully at the family head.


    zhou yingze didn''t beat around the bush and directly communicated the ancestor''s intentions to everyone.


    it all boiled down to sixteen words: "sacrifice the pawn to save the chariot, cut flesh to admit defeat, retract forces, unite the four families against mo!"


    the first three were straightforward, but with the four major families¡ªthe lion, tiger, owl, and wolf¡ªhaving had their fair share of squabbles, it was difficult for the zhou family to seek help from the other three and to beg for assistance, appealing to their "brotherly righteousness" to lend a hand.


    seeing the misfortune of the zhou family, the other three families might not be willing to help, and more likely than not, they would kick the zhou family while they were down.


    looking at the difficult expressions of the elders, zhou yingze said angrily, "fools! what are you waiting for at such a time, still worrying about face! if the zhou family falls, do you think you''ll have a good end?"


    "impossible! our zhou family, after all¡ª"


    "idiots! the knife is already at your throat, can''t you see that? at your age, have you really lived your lives in vain?"


    after berating the foolish bunch, zhou yingze threatened, "the ancestor''s decree has been issued. are you questioning it?"


    at this remark, everyone was at a loss for words.

 Chapter 146 Holy Emperor Mo Wen Dao

    "dare not! absolutely dare not!""we had just failed to think it through, only now do we realize ancestor had our best interests at heart!"


    "exactly! the four great families are branches of the same tree; if the zhou family were to decline, the other three would not fare well either. the mo clan is already predominant, and if the balance that is barely maintained now were to be broken, it would only be a matter of time before the other three families would suffer!"


    when zhou yingze saw that there were still "understanding people" among the elders, the fiery anger in his heart subsided a bit.


    he hadn''t told everyone something; the ancestor had already begun planning an exit strategy for the family.


    while it seemed that the situation hadn''t yet reached that extreme, those who plan for the worst often survive, and everything had to be prepared for the worst scenario.


    as members of the zhou family were dispersing to carry out their tasks, suddenly a streak of red light pierced through the roof and shot into zhou yingze''s hand, transforming into a jade pearl the size of a thumb.


    when zhou yingze probed it with his divine sense, his face drastically changed, and he exclaimed, "disaster! this is terrible!"


    ...


    on that day, an earth-shattering event occurred within just one day and rapidly spread throughout zhou city.


    "the crown prince of da yong instigated a rebellion at ziwei palace, and after its failure, he was thrown into the imperial mansion!"


    at the same time, numerous astonishing pieces of news and various rumors were also spread wildly!


    "all the crown prince''s trusted officials and confidants were thrown into the heavenly prison, and countless palace servants and soldiers were killed or wounded, with yongjing''s streets running with blood that night. many cultivation families were implicated by the crown prince and were raided overnight."


    "the holy emperor has been assassinated; his life hangs in the balance!"


    "it is said that when the crown prince was captured, he roared in madness, proclaiming ''how can there be a crown prince of two hundred years'', and then he uttered the delirious words, ''a thousand-year holy emperor yet alone, proclaiming solitude and rarity for tens of thousands of years''."


    among the numerous rumors in yongjing, one particularly made the hearts of the zhou family tremble, feeling as if they had fallen into an inescapable trap. s§×ar?h the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "the zhou family harbored malicious intentions, firstly bewitching the crown prince to lead the charge, then stabbing the king and killing the driver; such unforgivable treachery, the crime is unpardonable!"


    faced with the onslaught of rumors and news, zhou city was thrown into panic; everyone knew the crown princess consort was a woman from the zhou family. having committed such a monstrous treachery, the zhou family would inevitably be implicated.


    however, as the holy emperor''s fate still remained unknown, the zhou family was unaware of the extent of the grave accusations that could fall upon them.


    the day after the crown prince''s failed coup, two days remained until operation slaughterwolf.


    as dawn broke, another thunderbolt struck the zhou family, shaking them to the core!


    "the holy emperor, gravely injured, did not survive his wounds and passed away last night! the second prince has succeeded to the throne and been crowned as the new emperor!"


    when zhou yingze heard this news, he was so distressed and furious that he spurted blood two yards away,


    the title of having assassinated the holy emperor, resulting in his death, was now firmly pinned on his family, and there was no removing it.


    "quick... go ask the three great families for aid! whatever the cost, we must get them to help our family through this tribulation. hurry! there''s no time to lose!"


    zhou yingze, too agitated to even wipe his own blood, ordered frantically.


    the situation was extremely severe. it was already too late to send someone; therefore, the zhou family had to continuously send out several ten thousand miles one line talismans to the other three great families, making many promises and offering countless benefits within the talismans.


    within less than four hours, both the raging tiger wu family and the eagle hawk yan family sent back messages, explicitly promising to support them with all their might.


    seeing this, zhou yingze felt slightly relieved.


    however, as he waited and waited, he never received any response from the sleeping lion hua family.


    this made his heart slowly sink to rock bottom.


    the sleeping lion hua family, being the leader among da yong''s numerous families and second only to the royal mo family in strength, was also backed by the powerful demon sect, six desires demon sect. discover hidden content at empire


    only with the hua family taking the lead and rallying the families could they oppose the royal family.


    now the hua family... had an ambiguous attitude.


    for the zhou family, who were in desperate need of strong support, this was news that couldn''t get any worse.


    as dusk fell, zhou yingze felt a surge of anger and thought to himself, "no! i must report this to ancestor zhou as soon as possible."


    with that thought, he couldn''t contain his anxious emotions and hastily wrote a talisman, sending it to boiling spring valley.


    however, zhou yingze was completely unaware that, while he was eagerly waiting for a reply from the hua family.


    someone from the hua family had already arrived at hongyang state, and it was a heavyweight figure.


    above boiling spring valley, high above the clouds spanning ten thousand miles, two golden core masters hovered in the air, braving the fierce gang winds, standing a mile apart facing each other.


    old zhou, seeing that a great disaster is about to descend upon us, what''s the use in hiding and concealing? hand over the dragon ball, and my hua family will definitely help your zhou family get through this tribulation!"


    the speaker was tall and imposing, with thick brows slanting upwards, eyes as wide as copper bells, and the corners of his mouth drooping down, displaying a naturally furious demeanor. what was even more terrifying was the golden flame burning atop his head.


    the billowing flames spread out and from a distance looked just like a mane of golden lion hair fluttering in the wind.


    this person was named hua xin yan, one of the three golden core ancestors of the hua family, and a formidable figure at the late-stage golden core.


    zhou xilai asked with a puzzled tone, "brother hua, what do you mean by this? since when do i have a dragon ball?"


    ancestor zhou was now over seven hundred years old, his body decayed and as thin as kindling, with a wide red robe hanging loosely on his frame, looking utterly ridiculous as if a monkey had put on a sack.


    however, looking at his face, his features resembled that of a young man, his skin pale and rosy, soft as a baby''s.


    hua xin yan suddenly smiled. "heh heh! take a look at this."


    as he spoke, a true shadow ball shot out from his hand, swiftly landing in zhou xilai''s hand.


    as divine sense penetrated the true shadow ball, zhou xilai''s heart tightened; inside was clearly stored the image of zhou zhongyu picking up the dragon ball.


    after watching, zhou xilai laughed, "you can''t possibly believe this! you should know these images can be forged."


    hua xin yan sneered, "i didn''t quite believe it either, but seeing how the mo family went to such lengths to deal with your zhou family, i can''t help but believe it now."


    as he said this, the golden flame on hua xin yan''s head expanded a hundredfold instantly, forming a vast sea of fire. within the depths of the fire sea, a three-meter-tall, six-armed, three-headed, angry ming wang figure loomed faintly.


    "stop fucking around, hand over the dragon ball, and i''ll spare your life!"


    zhou xilai was startled and quickly shouted, "brother hua, calm your anger! if we fight now, we are likely to end up mutually destroyed. in the end, others might just pick up the scraps."


    as he spoke, zhou xilai swiped his right hand, and a thick child-forearm-sized fiery red light burst out from his palm, shooting a hundred meters away and striking an ordinary-looking cloud.


    suddenly,


    the cloud erupted into a vast expanse of red flames, and a figure rapidly appeared within the red flames.


    in an instant, a figure wearing a dragon robe and adorned with a twelve-tassel five-color crown, radiating an imposing aura, waved his hands to clear the red flames, stepping out of the fire light and walking step by step until he stood opposite the two golden core masters and then stopped.


    upon seeing the newcomer, hua xin yan''s face dramatically changed, and he exclaimed in shock, "mo wen dao! weren''t you supposed to be dead?"


    the rumors had said that the critically injured holy emperor mo wen dao had not survived his injuries, yet here he was, miraculously appearing before them.


    this not only greatly startled hua xin yan but also made zhou xilai turn pale with fear.


    zhou xilai was not shocked because mo wen dao had faked his death, but he was terrified by the overwhelming powerful aura emanating from him.


    previously, mo wen dao''s cultivation had only achieved foundation establishment, yet the person who appeared here now possessed an aura not inferior to either of theirs.


    zhou xilai even faintly sensed an even stronger presence hidden within mo wen dao, appearing to be... nascent soul mana!

 Chapter 147 Mystic Nether Arrives, Igniting the Battle

    facing this "mo wen dao," zhou xilai instantly felt an overwhelming sense of danger."not good!"


    at that moment, a thought flashed through his mind, and his expression suddenly changed.


    without hesitating, zhou xilai''s right hand, hidden in his sleeve, suddenly produced a spirit communication jade token.


    in an instant, a divine thought poured into the jade token. s~ea??h the ¦Çovelfire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    at the same time, zhou yingze, who was in zhou city, suddenly noticed his waist jade token flashing.


    his face drastically changed as his divine sense instantly probed into the jade token, and in a moment, a stream of information rapidly filled his mind.


    after reading the information, zhou yingze felt a chill in his heart; he was extremely shocked and, disregarding the demeanor of a family head, shouted out to the elders, "quick, activate the defensive array! an enemy is attacking!"


    ...


    after sending out the information, zhou xilai felt slightly relieved.


    however, he did not notice that mo wen dao on the opposite side had quietly done the same thing.


    boom!


    all of a sudden, a large mass of fire clouds burst forth from under zhou xilai''s feet, expanding rapidly and forming a blazing inferno that protected him while illuminating the surrounding hundred miles of the void.


    meanwhile, hua xin yan had a six-eyed purple gold hammer in his hand, all gilded. the six vertical pupils on the hammer blinked, shooting out beams of scorching light, seemingly capable of melting the surrounding void.


    "brother hua!"


    zhou xilai called out and quickly moved closer to hua xin yan.


    seeing this, hua xin yan lifted his magical treasure purple gold hammer and lightly smashed it down, causing the hammerhead to spray out dozens of molten golden light beams.


    the beams of light formed a net of light, intercepting zhou xilai.


    it was only then that hua xin yan''s voice rang out in the air, "hold on!"


    seeing this, zhou xilai exclaimed in surprise, "brother hua, can''t you see that all of this is a plot by the mo family?"


    at this moment, mo wen dao suddenly coldly sneered, "ridiculous! if i had wanted to deal with the zhou family, i would have acted long ago. why would i wait until today!"


    "if it weren''t for your zhou family constantly bewitching the crown prince, causing him to lose his mind and commit such a heinous act, why would i end up like this?"


    after mo wen dao finished speaking, a sinister and terrible aura emanated from him, causing both zhou and hua to take notice.


    zhou xilai scoffed, "heh! all old foxes who''ve lived for hundreds of years, why put on an innocent act here! everyone knows the intentions of your mo family!"


    "heaven may permit some wrongdoings to survive, but those who bring disaster upon themselves cannot live! planning rebellion is a sin unforgivable by any of the ten evils, and all of it is your zhou family''s own fault!"


    just after mo wen dao finished speaking, hua xin yan impatiently said, "i don''t care whether you are mo wen dao or not, nor if you are human or ghost. anyone who dares target the dragon ball will be beaten to death by me!"


    zhou xilai''s face showed bitterness; he was about to reveal that the dragon ball had already been destroyed.


    just then, he suddenly turned his head to look north, his face showing an extremely angry and shocked expression.


    because at that moment, a great fire had suddenly been lit in zhou city, a hundred miles away, illuminating the night there with its flames.


    "damn it!"


    zhou xilai, furious and alarmed, now realized that not only was he delaying time, but mo wen dao had the same idea.


    but the result was that the zhou family was one step behind, allowing the mo family to gain the upper hand.


    "i will have your life!"


    zhou xilai, driven by extreme anger, forgot his apprehension towards mo wen dao and the watchful hua xin yan.


    your journey continues on empire


    in an instant, he unleashed a boundless fire sea. the scorching waves of fire, like a heavenly curtain overturned, roared towards mo wen dao like a mountain collapsing and the sea surging.


    in that instant, the surrounding night was ignited, turning patches of white clouds into red.


    ...


    night fell, and the sky was filled with stars.


    thirty li north of boiling spring valley, in a cave, zhao sheng, he ying, and bao yu''er were all sitting with their eyes closed, meditating and waiting for the operation to begin.


    the night wind poured into the cave from the entrance, the silent breeze lifting particles of dust from the ground, bringing with it a hint of chill.


    at that moment, a streak of light with a long tail flame shot into the cave from outside, instantly illuminating the dark surroundings, before finally entering he ying''s forehead.


    he ying suddenly opened his eyes and flashed a grin, swiftly standing up from the ground.


    seeing the inquiring looks from zhao sheng and the others, old man he smiled and said, "the mystic nether guards have already arrived, the operation is starting ahead of schedule."


    "hehe, these guys are really quick!" a flicker of excitement passed through bao yu''er''s eyes.


    zhao sheng was startled, having heard of the formidable reputation of the mystic nether guards during his many years in da yong.


    similar to the fire wolf army of the zhou family, the mystic nether guards were not only imperial guards but also an elite daoist soldier corps.


    also a daoist soldier corps, the mystic nether guards were far superior to the fire wolf army, with guards having a minimum cultivation of the sixth level of qi refining and leaders being at least foundation establishment cultivators, while the chief leader of the mystic nether had golden core level capabilities.


    moreover, the mystic nether guards totaled a full eight hundred men.


    to annihilate the zhou family, even the mystic nether guards had been dispatched by the mo family, which seemed like using a cleaver to kill a chicken.


    it should be noted that the strength of the zhou family had already been reduced by at least half.


    just in the matter of the coup by the crown prince alone, the zhou family had lost six foundation establishment cultivators and over a hundred qi refining clan members.


    additionally, due to its rapid expansion of influence over the past two years, the zhou family had had to station multiple foundation establishment cultivators across various regions.


    now, with the situation having taken a drastic turn, they were scattered far and wide, not only unable to return in time but also getting sequentially eliminated by the mo family cultivators.


    moreover, with one side having prepared in advance and the other caught off guard, it could be said that unless a miracle occurred, the zhou family''s demise was already sealed.


    zhao sheng followed he ying out of the cave.


    standing at the entrance and looking northward, he saw the sky a hundred li away illuminated by a blazing heavenly fire, casting a bloody hue.


    at the same time, faint sounds of yelling and screaming were carried into zhao sheng''s ears by the wind.


    bao yu''er''s expression changed, and he couldn''t help but curse, "damn it! these goddamn mystic nether guards, they really never change! even if they want to steal the credit, this isn''t how they should do it. they simply don''t see us from the black ice platform as worthy!"


    he ying gave a cold laugh and said, "we from the black ice platform are meant to do the dirty work; the chief leader of the mystic nether guards is a senior of the holy emperor and also doesn''t get along with the envoy. it''s normal that they don''t regard us."


    while he said this, zhao sheng could see a fierce light flashing in he ying''s eyes.


    bao yu''er asked, "fourth master, what should we do now?"


    looking towards the fire over zhou city, he ying waved his hand decisively and said, "let''s leave zhou city to the mystic nether guards. we''ll head to boiling spring valley."


    "but¡­" bao yu''er was very reluctant.


    he ying explained, "don''t worry, we won''t come out at a loss! don''t forget that wushuang is currently lurking in zhou city. he is of royal blood, closely related to the current holy emperor."


    as soon as he finished speaking, his expression changed, and he suddenly looked up at the sky.


    following slightly behind, zhao sheng and bao yu''er also quickly looked up, turning their gaze toward boiling spring valley.


    at that moment, under the star-filled sky, the night over boiling spring valley was suddenly... ignited!


    the night was set ablaze, and the sky over boiling spring valley suddenly resounded with several thunderous booms.


    from a distance, the fiery night abruptly extinguished for the most part, replaced by a cluster of cold white cloud mist. the cloud mist, reflecting off the surrounding firelight, shimmered with streaks of silver-white cold light, making it appear like an iceberg standing in the night sky.

 Chapter 148 Aftermath of the Great Battle

    "hurry up!"he ying''s face changed, he waved his sleeve, and his whole body was wrapped in a mass of gray light, rolling up streams of airflow as he flew swiftly towards boiling spring valley.


    seeing this, zhao sheng turned into a sword rainbow, closely following behind. bao yu''er also stepped on a pink handkerchief, rising off the ground, and swiftly chased through the air.


    a distance of thirty li flashed by in an instant.


    just as the three were about to reach the edge of boiling spring valley, he ying''s shrill shout suddenly echoed, "dodge!"


    dodge, dodge!


    in that instant, zhao sheng felt a chill descend upon his head, bone-chilling cold, freezing his scalp numb.


    danger! extreme danger!


    zhao sheng fiercely spat out a mouthful of essence blood, which instantly turned into a mist of blood that wrapped around him.


    the next moment, he suddenly transformed into a beam of blood light, escaping towards the horizon with unbelievable speed.


    in just a moment, he had escaped ten li away. explore more stories with empire


    the blood light dispersed, zhao sheng staggered a step before steadying his body again and then he looked towards boiling spring valley with a pale face.


    before his eyes, the ten li of boiling spring valley were now a vast expanse of white. the originally steaming cloud mist had been completely wiped out, all the water vapor had solidified into ice scraps, and the boiling spring eyes in the valley had all frozen into various shapes of ice bubbles and ice ponds.


    the valley was covered with ice pillars and ice cones of varying thickness, densely standing like a forest of ice crystals.


    this astonishing scene made zhao sheng involuntarily hold his breath, his lips drying out.


    "hum!"


    just then, a wave of divine thought, substantial as reality, descended from the sky, sweeping across the surroundings.


    the air suddenly felt as if it had been washed over with water, not a speck of dust remained, all minor floating particles were suppressed by a formless yet dense telekinesis.


    zhao sheng''s heart shook violently. he had never seen such a powerful divine thought before, it must belong to a golden core master or someone even more powerful.


    in just a few breaths, a person appeared out of thin air in the air, bringing an intense chill. the temperature around rapidly decreased, the already dim environment grew even darker, countless ice particles fell rustling through the air, and a cold and eerie aura filled the surroundings, plunging one into a nightmarish hell.


    sweat had just appeared on zhao sheng''s forehead when it froze into a thin layer of ice.


    he slightly raised his head and saw the newcomer dressed in a five-clawed black dragon robe, wearing a five-colored crown with twelve jeweled treasure beads, each emitting a faint divine light, each bead containing a powerful divine power and treasure technique.


    zhao sheng''s heart trembled, instantly realizing he had seen what he shouldn''t have and immediately lowered his head.


    mo wen dao didn''t even notice the ant under his feet.


    he looked around the world, the cold gleam in his pupils flowing slowly like icebergs moving in his eyes.


    as his mind moved, the surface of the earth beneath his feet cracked like a spider web, ice cones grew from the cracks, and a large expanse of silver-white frost rapidly spread in all directions, covering the original landscape under a thick layer of frost. the few plants that had managed to grow here, too, were frozen into ice sculptures.


    "hmph, you can''t escape!"


    after murmuring softly, mo wen dao''s figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.


    feeling relieved, zhao sheng quickly fled from the location.


    later, zhao sheng returned to boiling spring valley, just in time to see old man he emerging from underground.


    at that moment, his body was covered in frost, shivering intensely.


    zhao sheng was eager to know, who had caused such a "big scene" and why an "emperor" would appear here?


    of course, he would not ask too directly.


    he hesitantly asked, probing indirectly, "whose grand move is this?"


    he ying shook his head with hesitation, "i don''t know either! but such a large commotion could only be the work of a heavy treasure or a nascent soul."


    zhao sheng''s heart skipped a beat, "the mo clan has only one nascent soul ancestor, could it be that ancestor who has made a move!"


    this was giving too much credit to the zhou family!


    the two waited a while but saw no sign of bao yu''er, causing he ying''s expression to turn somewhat ugly.


    zhao sheng tentatively said, "how about we wait a little longer,"


    he ying waved his hand decisively, "no need, the mission is crucial! let''s go and meet the wuxiang monk first. bao yu won''t die so easily, something must have delayed her."


    saying this, he ying took the lead and dashed into boiling spring valley, heading towards a cave in the southwest of the valley, and zhao sheng shook his head and followed.


    boiling spring valley had been managed by the zhou family for a thousand years, the underground had long been excavated into countless tunnels, connecting layers of underground buildings¡ªstone rooms, palaces, warehouses, storage rooms, and so on, resembling a massive underground city.


    but this city was extremely sparse in terms of people, zhao sheng and he ying searched three layers and were surprised to find all the buildings empty, not a single person around.


    it was as if the zhou family had been prepared all along.


    as they ventured deeper underground, zhao sheng noticed the temperature rising, and a faint smell of sulfur began to appear in the air.


    a while later, the two had gone nearly a hundred feet deep, where man-made structures became less frequent and rough earthen and stone surroundings became more common.


    walking down a recently opened passage, zhao sheng suddenly heard a faint scream,


    oh!


    upon hearing the scream, he ying''s expression changed.


    the recent scream, all too familiar, was from the water element envoy, wuxiang monk; its sharpness and poignant nature, despite being muffled by thick layers of earth and stone, were unmistakable.


    "this is bad!"


    before he had finished speaking, a violent tremor suddenly shook the ground beneath their feet. numerous cracks fissured through the surrounding stone walls.


    following this, was a deep rumbling like thunder, sweeping under their feet as though a raging river was flowing through.


    the temperature was rising rapidly!


    zhao sheng furrowed his brows, listened carefully, and realized that beneath his feet there were countless booming sounds strung together continuously, like waves of a great river''s surge.


    upon closer inspection, the successive shockwaves seemed to escalate one after another, causing tremendous damage to the geological tunnels; within mere moments, zhao sheng felt the ground beneath becoming soft and crumbly, filled with cracks, while tunnels in all directions were collapsing countless times over.


    no one needed to tell him what had happened just now.


    a golden core true immortal was engaged in fierce battle, and it was not just a probing attack but a life-and-death struggle.


    the wuxiang monk, it seemed, had been killed unclearly due to being affected by the battle of the golden core true immortal.


    zhao sheng was shocked, "how did the fight reach underground and so close at that?" s§×arch* the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the immense pressure caused by the battle between the golden core true immortals, said to be immeasurably heavy, was intensified by their dense and complex divine thoughts clashing; the nature''s spiritual energy within a fifteen-mile radius transforming void into reality, creating a deadly severe distortion, was truly unavoidable and undefendable.


    the situation became dire in an instant, during such times, old man he spoke concisely, "retreat, five miles!"


    he ying, being an earth element cultivator, held a geographical advantage, better grasping the extent of the impact from the battle between the two golden core true immortals.


    as zhao sheng fled, he muttered, "five miles, might still not be enough, perhaps running far away would be better."


    but soon, zhao sheng understood that in terms of dealing with a battle between true immortals, he was far less experienced than old man he.

 Chapter 149 Igniting the Volcano

    during the escape, zhao sheng retracted all of his aura, his shape flickering, leaving streaks of afterimages, much like a ghost.old man he''s body remained straight and static, yet his speed was no less than zhao sheng''s. beneath his feet, the earth undulated like waves, escorting him swiftly forward.


    just as the two fled from the tunnel exit, a loud crash sounded from behind them. the whole tunnel collapsed with a roar, cracks spreading everywhere on the ground and walls, like countless vines growing at high speed, chasing after them.


    at that moment, the earth trembled again, and the underground city could no longer withstand the aftermath of a battle between true immortals, starting to collapse in chunks.


    for a time, falling rocks splattered all around the underground palace tunnels, and a haze of dust obscured all visibility.


    in the torrent of shock waves from the true immortals'' clash, nature''s spiritual energy became agitated, boiling like hot water, causing the corners of zhao sheng''s eyes to twitch slightly. no matter which boundary one was in, a battle between golden core masters was exceedingly rare. now that he had encountered one, he wasn''t sure if it was luck or misfortune.


    the two hurriedly escaped back to the upper layer of the underground palace, which was far from the battle''s center and wasn''t much affected by the residual forces; the surrounding structures were largely intact.


    old man he suddenly stopped, and zhao sheng calculated in his mind¡ªit was exactly five miles, neither more nor less.


    after another round of sensing, he felt that the temperature around them dropped significantly and the underground rumbling became much fainter.


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    zhao sheng turned to look at old man he and saw his brows were tightly furrowed.


    "wait a moment!"


    having said that, old man he laid his whole body down on the ground, his ear to the earth as if sensing something.


    gradually, zhao sheng discerned the trick to it and his expression changed¡ªbeing a foundation establishment cultivator who specialized in the water element, he was most sensitive to the water element spiritual qi.


    at this moment, he could clearly sense that the water element spiritual energy around them was becoming more and more active.


    underneath boiling spring valley lay a cluster of underground volcanoes; this place should absolutely be the arena of the fire spiritual energy.


    yet, at this moment, the water element spiritual qi around them was even more active than the fire spiritual energy, and what was more terrifying was that its concentration was rapidly increasing¡ªwithin moments, it had risen by a third from before.


    this was no small feat; clearly, a great ability had intervened to disturb the nature of this place, causing water spirits from who knows how many miles around to gather here at boiling spring valley.


    such a feat, putting aside everything else but the alteration of the local environment alone, was enough to make zhao sheng gasp in amazement.


    could such "bold strokes" really be made by a golden core true immortal?


    as zhao sheng was struck with profound shock, he ying suddenly leaped up from the ground, took a defensive stance beside him, and looked towards the pitch-dark tunnel, calling out sharply, "who''s there?!"


    as these words were spoken, zhao sheng was startled, his divine sense released fully, scanning thrice, yet he sensed nothing unusual.


    "fourth master, where is the enemy?"


    he ying didn''t answer, but instead stamped his right foot on the ground, causing a two-foot-high wave of earth to surge up and rush towards the depths of the tunnel.


    also at this moment, a bright red light shined in the darkness, and the temperature around them abruptly skyrocketed, with a wave of heat hitting their faces.


    zhao sheng narrowed his eyes and saw within the red light a twisted flame shadow charging towards them.


    he ying reacted quickly, sweeping his large sleeve and scattering a burst of yellow light that infused into the ground. the corridor shook violently as the earth and rock surged forth, converging into a wall that topped and sided to isolate the flame shadow behind it.


    however, immediately after, a fiery-white claw oozing magma punched through the dirt wall. twisted flames spewed several feet out, and a wave of heat struck them, nearly burning zhao sheng''s clothes.


    zhao sheng didn''t move an inch and coldly said, "it''s a magma demon puppet."


    "fool¡­ kill!"


    through the wall, the demon puppet growled, its voice hoarse and barely human, difficult to discern¡ªafter all, speaking was indeed a challenge for a puppet pieced together from magma and a demon soul.


    yet, this was enough to greatly broaden zhao sheng''s horizons. the zhou family''s demon flame divine defense was indeed well-deserved; they could actually allow a demon soul to manipulate inanimate objects without losing its spiritual nature, with astonishing power.


    at this time, the magma demon''s claw jerked twice as if it was being withdrawn. s~ea??h the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    at that moment, he ying let out a strange chuckle, his concentrated spiritual power surged, and the earthen wall instantly turned to flying ash, along with the magma demon''s claw, which was shredded to pieces.


    the earthen wall, along with a section of the corridor, collapsed, and the wave of heat from the opposite side surged toward them once more, but it suddenly faltered amidst the whirling dirt and dust.


    following close behind, mr. he silently charged forward, his spiritual power surging, gathering sand and stones into a fist to slam into the magma demon shadow, sending hot magma splattering onto the surrounding stone walls, hissing as it made contact.


    slash!


    zhao sheng let out a low roar, the invisible sword striking as fast as if he were instantly moving; with a single flash, it sliced directly into the flame shadow''s head, splitting it into two halves.


    a pitiful scream emanated from the green demon soul hidden within the head, as half of its soul was cleaved into a wisp of green smoke.


    upon seeing this, he ying''s hands surged with spiritual power, flooding into the flame soul''s body.


    as the strange spiritual power entered its body, the magma that covered it rapidly cooled and dimmed, before shattering into countless scorching pebbles.


    the magma demon puppet, though made with a second-stage demon soul as its main material, was after all only a puppet. its combat power was at most at the foundation establishment level. facing the combined attack of two late-stage foundation establishment cultivators, it couldn''t withstand a single blow.


    meanwhile, zhou zhongyu seemed to realize he was outmatched. as soon as the demon puppet shattered, there was no further movement from it.


    he ying turned to zhao sheng and inquired, "taoist zhao, what do you think?"


    zhao sheng shook his head, "the puppet is controlled by a secret technique from afar. the true immortal might be dozens of miles away."


    he ying gave a slight nod, "the zhou family indeed has some..."


    before he could finish his sentence, he exclaimed, "ah!" as a violent impact surged up from the ground below, passing through layers of earth and striking like surging waves.


    in an instant, the temperature around them had climbed at a shocking rate.


    the air became unbearably hot, as if a single spark could cause an explosion at any moment.


    boom, boom!


    amidst the violent rumbling, a gust of hot wind blew suddenly from the depths, followed by the sound of rushing water, like a flood pounding the judge''s bench, quickly approaching their location.


    in the darkness, red light gleamed, and within moments, a torrent of magma burst forth.


    "run!"


    zhao sheng made a split-second decision, his figure flashed as he fled into the distance, and he ying reacted similarly.


    the two of them timed their escape perfectly; no sooner had they left than the area was inundated by the upsurging magma.


    moreover, the roaring magma continued to surge upward with unstoppable momentum, causing the underground volcano of boiling spring valley to finally erupt through the hands of the golden core masters!


    elsewhere, zhao sheng was racing through the corridors at breakneck speed, but after traversing several passageways, he suddenly stopped in his tracks because the corridor ahead had collapsed and was completely blocked by rubble.


    looking back, he could no longer see old man he.


    zhao sheng furrowed his brows slightly, hearing faint roaring sounds behind him, his expression extremely grave.


    with no path forward and pursuers behind!


    facing a dead end, zhao sheng''s mind raced, and he suddenly had an idea.


    boom, boom!


    with a burst of loud noises, dust and debris flew up. the corridor behind zhao sheng collapsed, section by section, under the barrage of talismans.


    just as one would create a firebreak in the face of a raging fire, zhao sheng proactively crafted a barrier against the magma.

 Chapter 150 Magma River

    seven days later, the magma receded.in an underground void of boiling spring valley, the cave was eerily quiet; the surrounding soil and rocks bore the scars of scorching and melting.


    with a crash, a large chunk of rock suddenly fell from the rocky wall, revealing a pitch-black hole behind it, right after which zhao sheng emerged, his face covered in ash and dirt.


    breathing in the hot, murky air of the cave, zhao sheng was rendered speechless, albeit with a slight sense of fortunate relief having survived a disaster.


    undoubtedly, the magma eruption three days prior had completely altered the terrain of boiling spring valley and, incidentally, destroyed the zhou family''s millennium of effort.


    zhao sheng composed himself, released his divine sense, and began to search for an exit along this magma-forged passage.


    an hour later, having traversed many a false and dead-end path, zhao sheng felt he was nearing the surface, with one sign being the substantial drop in temperature around him.


    after a while, zhao sheng walked through a rough and uneven trench.


    by then, he could feel fresh air coming from the end of the path.


    joy surged within zhao sheng, and spiritual power within him turned sharply, lifting him from the ground, ready to fly out of there.


    just at that moment, a figure flashed by the end of the trench.


    zhao sheng''s gaze sharpened, and his right hand quickly brushed over his storage bag, suddenly holding two concentrating god talismans and an invisibility talisman.


    in an instant, he concealed his presence, vanished from sight, and pressed his body into a recess on the top of the trench.


    soon, a silhouette rushed past below, heading deeper into the trench.


    "it''s him!"


    even though the person moved extremely fast, zhao sheng still recognized his identity.


    "zhou yingze!"


    the current family head of the zhou family, a perfect foundation establishment cultivator, zhou yingze¡ªsupposedly their most important target¡ªwas actually alive!


    this greatly surprised zhao sheng.


    however, seeing his pale face and feeble aura, it was clear that he was seriously injured.


    zhao sheng knew that the zhou family was doomed, but why did zhou yingze dare to enter boiling spring valley at such a critical juncture, risking discovery? there must be a significant scheme at play.


    without any hesitation, zhao sheng concealed his breath and quietly followed.


    zhou yingze was gravely injured; while the damage to his meridians and internal organs was secondary, the more severe injury was to his divine soul, which had been struck by the ice soul divine light, freezing a soul and a spirit.


    if he did not find treatment quickly, by the time the extreme yin coldness fully infiltrated his divine soul, his death would be certain.


    therefore, he had to risk his life to enter boiling spring valley, in search of a certain treasure hidden deep underground.


    about a quarter of an hour later, after flying through seven or eight forks in the path, he arrived at a spacious cave where zhou yingze stopped. then he released a palm-sized black-furred mouse with only its pair of eyes shining a bright red, like rubies.


    once the mouse touched the ground, it squeaked twice and then scurried rapidly into the depths below.


    zhou yingze''s face brightened with joy, and he quickly followed.


    zhao sheng didn''t dare to follow too closely, nor did he use his divine sense to investigate; he simply tracked cautiously using his spiritual smell.


    in the days that followed, zhou yingze passed through countless melt cave tunnels, sometimes having to make his own paths when none existed, with this task alone consuming a great deal of time.


    after squeezing through a narrow and uneven crevice, zhao sheng saw a dim red light shining ahead, and of course, the wave of heat that hit his face.


    zhao sheng''s figure paused, then slowly floated towards the entrance of the tunnel, completely concealing himself, cautiously releasing only a sliver of his divine sense.


    the next second, his field of vision suddenly widened, revealing an underground cavern before his eyes ¨C below was a surging, boiling river of crimson lava, giant fire bubbles swelled and burst within, and tongues and pillars of fire spouted from the rock crevices, eventually turning into flows of molten rock that merged into the sea of fire below.


    "is this a lava... river?"


    zhao sheng peeked out from the crevices, observing the thick lava slowly flowing along the riverbed, turning corners from one rock fissure to another, or splitting into even more branches. however, due to the force of gravity, the lava river ultimately flowed into deeper strata.


    surveying the cavern, he easily spotted zhou yingze''s figure.


    at this moment, he stood at the edge of the magma river, staring motionlessly as if confronted with a dilemma.


    zhao sheng''s gaze quickly found the source of his trouble.


    above the magma river, that thing was quite conspicuous, its pitch-black body bobbing in the red-hot lava, occasionally twisting - a sign it was a living creature.


    perhaps zhou yingze had been watching for too long, for that creature was extremely sensitive ¨C its body suddenly twisted and rose, revealing a wide, flat, and substantial head.


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    in the next instant, six molten gold, fiery pupils opened at once, six beams of golden light extended over a foot out of their sockets, staring directly at zhou yingze in a scene that was quite shocking,


    zhou yingze''s body noticeably stiffened.


    "molten gold frog?"


    zhao sheng too, was startled, a name suddenly leapt to his mind.


    when the demon finally emerged completely from the lava, zhao sheng got a clear view of its entirety.


    it propped up its massive body, roughly ten feet tall, covered in dark gold scale armor ¨C molten lava flowed out of the gaps in the scale armor seemingly without bothering the formidable creature.


    zhou yingze moved very cautiously, immediately stepping back and assuming a defensive posture.


    if it had been in the past, the molten gold frog might be strong, but it would not be his match.


    but now he was not only severely wounded, his handy spiritual artifacts and talismans were either lost or used up, his strength reduced to less than half of his usual.


    above the magma river, the molten gold frog, irritated by the creature that disturbed its sleep, hissed and roared ¨C the three pairs of golden pupils dilated fiercely, and suddenly, blinding golden light shone in the dim cavern.


    zhou yingze cursed under his breath and his figure abruptly retreated ¨C a moment too late, and six arm-thick beams of golden light would have pierced six bottomless holes in his original location, their edges glowing red, molten rock dripping into them. s§×arch* the n?velfire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    the six beams of golden light had shot out from the pupil of the molten gold frog ¨C their core temperature was several magnitudes higher than that of lava, comparable to high-energy lasers, incredibly potent.


    if struck by these beams of light, ordinary defensive spiritual artifacts would be as fragile as paper, thoroughly useless.


    after the attack missed, the molten gold frog seemed visibly agitated. it thrashed twice on the magma river, crying out loudly, wanting to leap over but hesitating ¨C in the end, it could only release its golden light again, and not surprisingly, missed yet again.


    "eh?"


    witnessing this, zhao sheng''s mind stirred.


    the molten gold frog clearly was not one to easily tolerate provocation, but despite zhou yingze''s repeated taunts, it remained above the magma river, preferring to spray and bellow angrily rather than leave its spot.


    by this time, zhao sheng had realized that there must be something hidden beneath the molten gold frog.


    with this discovery, zhao sheng also noticed that zhou yingze, while entangled with the molten gold frog, kept his eyes fixed on the area beneath the creature.


    after a lengthy struggle between man and demon, zhou yingze had already figured out the molten gold frog''s main attacks.


    so, taking advantage of dodging another golden light attack, zhou yingze chanted a spell and suddenly lifted his hands upward.


    two vortices formed suddenly on the sides of the molten gold frog''s body, as if an invisible hand was stirring within them, and suddenly exploded upwards, sending a torrent of red-hot lava into the air, carrying with it a whirlwind of scorching heat.

 Chapter 151 Destructive God Soul Erosion True Fire

    ``` sea??h th§× ¦Çovelfire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.in the blink of an eye, the lava took on a humanoid form, growing a head and two arms, vaguely resembling a giant man. its lower half remained fused with the river of lava and was not fully shaped, but even just the upper body stood over twenty feet tall. find your adventure at empire


    out of instinct, the molten gold frog was extremely wary of the two magma giants that had appeared.


    it opened its massive mouth and spewed out a thick stream of high-temperature fire, engulfing one of the giants.


    but let''s not forget that there were two magma giants.


    in a flash, the intact giant lunged at the molten gold frog, its arms oozing with lava tightly strangling the demon''s mouth while its head and chest turned into a large amount of sticky substance, blinding the frog''s six golden eyes.


    the suddenness caught the molten gold frog off guard; it was smothered with lava... no, stuck to its body!


    at this moment, even more magma giants rose from the river of lava beneath them, fearlessly throwing themselves at the molten gold frog one after another. in just a few breaths, they had piled up into a veritable small mountain.


    if that were all, it would only trap the molten gold frog temporarily; it wouldn''t kill it.


    zhou yingze needed just that brief moment.


    he chanted spells with his mouth, and suddenly, there was a three-inch-long, needle-like bone spur in his hand, with a layer of pale white flame flickering around it.


    "when the prajnaparamita tribulation comes, the five aggregates are full, the three poisons blaze... go!"


    with a low roar from zhou yingze, the bone spur shot out like lightning, turning into a streak of white light that disappeared into the pile of volcanic rock.


    wow!


    a shrill frog croak was heard, the fire mountain erupted violently in all directions, and within the lava, the huge struggling body was exposed.


    at that moment, a fist-sized hole appeared on the molten gold frog''s forehead, with red and white brain matter splattering out.


    a layer of pale white flame spread rapidly across the frog''s body from the center of the hole.


    the powerful demon appeared to be in excruciating pain, with jets of molten gold shooting out from its golden eyes like worthless fireworks, reminiscent of both fireworks and the flames before death.


    it opened its mouth wide, as if to scream, but in that brief moment, its entire body appeared paralyzed, frozen in the position of looking up with its mouth open. its golden eyes instantly became lifeless, and the demon''s body could no longer maintain balance on the river of magma, toppling over with a thunderous crash into the lava.


    seeing this, zhao sheng gasped in admiration at the formidable bone spur; struck by just one hit, a second-stage demon beast on par with a cultivator at the foundation establishment late stage couldn''t even endure for a moment.


    luckily he hadn''t acted rashly, or the consequences would be unpredictable.


    on the other side, zhou yingze''s face briefly flashed with a green hue. after catching his breath, he walked over to the bank of the magma river, stretched out his hands toward the surface, and pushed and pulled.


    immediately, the magma river roared, its blistering lava churning and flames splashing. then, two objects slowly rose from below, emerging on the surface.


    one of them was the corpse of the molten gold frog, which goes without saying.


    the other object was square-shaped and bright red, with lava flowing down its surface, still ablaze; it was hard to make out clearly for a while, but anything that could maintain its shape in the scorching lava surely couldn''t be an ordinary object.


    zhou yingze''s expression was one of joy. he drew closer, tugging and pulling with his hands, quickly dragging the two objects to the shore.


    only then did zhao sheng get a clear look at the object: it was a half-person-tall, square, entirely crimson metal box. the surface of the box was smooth with no visible seams, as if it were a solid metal block.


    seeing this, zhao sheng felt somewhat troubled.


    now, he had two choices: one was to act immediately, whether by sneak attack or by force, to prevent zhou yingze from obtaining the treasure inside the box.


    the reasons hardly needed explaining.


    the other was to wait and see how things unfolded until a good opportunity arose to strike a thunderous blow.


    caso!


    ```


    he hesitated for just a moment when a sudden voice abruptly rang in zhao sheng''s ear.


    caught off guard, before he could figure out where the voice came from, he saw zhou yingze uncover the metal box''s lid in an instant by some method unknown to him.


    it was in that instant that a strand of red light burst forth from the metal box, shooting into mid-air.


    the moment the red light appeared, it rapidly expanded in all directions, filling the entire space in the blink of an eye.


    "not good!"


    zhao sheng''s thoughts had not yet dispersed when his vision was completely covered by the overwhelming red light.


    he was about to make a hasty retreat when suddenly a sharp pain exploded in his mind, as if it were being scorched by fire.


    zhao sheng grunted, circulating the profound water spiritual power throughout his body and across the six yang heads, which made him feel slightly better.


    but this was a temporary solution, not a cure!


    upon examining his purple mansion with his divine sense, zhao sheng sucked in a breath of cold air ¨C his boundless soul sea looked as though it had been doused in oil, ablaze with fierce flames that added a layer of scarlet light on the sea surface.


    simultaneously, his divine sense was being rapidly consumed at an abnormal rate, as if it were being used as some sort of fuel.


    facing this terrifying spectacle, zhao sheng was extremely shocked and instantly recalled the name of a dreadful sect: "earth flame palace, destructive god soul erosion true fire!"


    the destructive god soul erosion true fire was a characteristic technique of the earth flame palace. unlike other true fires, it did not possess attributes like high temperature or explosive heat common to traditional spiritual fires; rather than being called heaven and earth true fire, it was more like a special kind of divine light.


    it did not burn the flesh but specifically annihilated the divine soul. there was no need for contact, as it had the property of ''affecting anyone who sees it.''


    unless one had specific means to protect the divine soul, there was no way to avoid the attack of the destructive god soul erosion true fire.


    it was at this time that zhao sheng suddenly realized something brutal ¨C the patriarch of zhou family, zhou xilai, being from the earth flame palace, it wasn''t surprising for him to have seized a strand of destructive god true fire.


    who would have thought zhou xilai would use such a treacherous thing as a protection method, completely catching one off guard!


    and just like that, zhao sheng was unfortunately struck.


    "damn sneaky..."


    no sooner had this thought passed than a sharp scream burst forth suddenly, followed by an invisible shockwave that pierced through soil and stone, shooting towards zhao sheng''s chest.


    "damn, i''ve been found!"


    he roared lowly, enduring the soul-burning pain as he let out his spiritual power from his body, forming a dense, flawless transparent water barrier around himself.


    this water barrier was none other than the "mystic primordial water barrier" he had refined after refining the primordial heavy water, leveraging the heavy water''s dense and tough nature. it had become one of zhao sheng''s most skilled defensive techniques at present.


    the next moment, the shockwave arrived.


    as the shockwave collided with the water barrier, an invisible turbulence spread instantly; zhao sheng''s form shuddered, his purple mansion violently shaken, and a mouthful of fresh blood rose to his throat.


    for an instant, zhao sheng''s divine soul trembled, but fortunately, the mystic primordial water barrier had reached the instinctual realm, and his spiritual power adjusted automatically. even if his consciousness was disrupted, the circulation of his spiritual power did not become chaotic.


    otherwise, he would have been seriously injured by that hit.


    since he was already exposed, there was no point in hiding anymore.


    with the water barrier deployed around him, zhao sheng moved out from the passageway and into the cavern.


    "it''s you!" zhou yingze, who had been on full alert by the magma river, upon seeing zhao sheng, immediately swelled with anger and disbelief, and shouted, "damn it! you... you turned out to be a spy sent by the mo family! i... i so hate this!"


    in that instant, he suddenly understood many puzzling things and realized a lot of facts.

 Chapter 152 The Final Battle

    zhao sheng stretched out his hand to wipe away the blood from his nose, and sneered, "heh, there''s a lot you didn''t expect!"at this moment, zhao sheng''s divine soul had been damaged, causing blood to flow from his seven orifices. because his pupils were soaked in blood, everything he saw was shrouded in a thick layer of blood.


    "damn you, you traitor!"


    thinking of his family that had stood for a thousand years being destroyed overnight by this man, zhou yingze was consumed with rage, and he instantly lost his reason.


    "your life is mine!"


    before his words fell, a blazing white spirit flame suddenly flew out from his dantian below his abdomen. once it reached mid-air, it expanded a hundredfold in size, and then distorted and transformed into a giant flame saber over twenty feet long.


    in a blink, it crossed a distance of over twenty yards and chopped down towards zhao sheng''s head.


    before the saber even arrived, the intense heat had already twisted the air, violently colliding with the mystic primordial water barrier and making a sizzling sound.


    zhao sheng''s thoughts moved, ready to summon the spirit fire gourd, but unexpectedly, a sharp pain in his head caught him off guard as the destructive god true fire on the soul sea in his purple mansion suddenly surged higher, burning even more fiercely.


    it was this split second of delay that allowed the giant flame saber to fiercely strike the mystic primordial water barrier and blow up immediately thereafter.


    in a flash, flames scattered in all directions, water vapor steamed up, and the intense heat, explosion, and the force of a thousand jun came all at once!


    crack,


    the water barrier could not withstand it for a moment and exploded with a thunderous sound.


    at the same time, a flame saber about an inch long, condensed from fire and solidified into reality, appeared abruptly at zhao sheng''s forehead, piercing forward.


    the crisis was right before his eyes¡­ how could this be!


    in this critical moment of life and death!


    it was as if someone had pressed the pause button on the world, suddenly slowing it down countless times.


    zhao sheng could clearly see the little flame saber, forged from spirit flame, inching closer through the air, nearly touching his forehead.


    however, this small distance now seemed as far as the heavens.


    under this strange state, zhao sheng''s reflexes sped up countless times. he simply tilted his head "slightly," easily dodging this lethal blow.


    the next second, zhao sheng''s spirit relaxed, and the world resumed its normal pace.


    whoosh!


    the little saber missed its strike and plunged into the earth and stone behind zhao sheng, instantly causing an explosion and creating a crater over twenty yards in diameter and nearly ten yards deep. the earth and stones inside and outside of the crater burned with strands of white flame.


    seeing his sure-kill strike miss its mark, zhou yingze''s eyebrows furrowed, and with a pat on the treasure box beside him,


    a cherry-sized, crystal red treasure bead suddenly leaped into the air, and the next instant, a flame suddenly ignited on the surface of the bead.


    the flame rapidly expanded, swelling into a huge fireball the size of a house in the blink of an eye. due to the appearance of the fireball, the original hot temperature of the stone cave increased by another dozen degrees, becoming unbearably hot.


    "go!"


    the giant fireball shot out swiftly upon command, like a meteor fireball.


    on the other side, facing the onrush of the gigantic fireball, zhao sheng''s eyes shone even more blood-red, and he stood still instead of dodging, as if petrified.


    however, at the moment the fireball was about to hit him, his body vanished from the spot.


    when he reappeared the next instant, zhao sheng was already three yards away, with blood flowing from his seven orifices once again for some reason.


    but zhao sheng didn''t care. after dodging the fireball, he charged straight at zhou yingze, looking as if he was seeking close combat.


    seeing this, zhou yingze sneered in disdain and moved his thoughts, causing the flame treasure pearl to suddenly turn and whistle down towards the back of zhao sheng''s head.


    but zhao sheng seemed to have eyes in the back of his head; his body flashed and disappeared, moving as fast as if by instantaneous movement.


    in an instant, he not only easily dodged the bead''s strike but also covered another three yards.


    seeing that the distance between them was less than five zhang, zhou yingze felt a rush of urgency. he hadn''t expected someone to react so quickly, leaving him no time to activate his talisman treasures.


    the next moment, zhou yingze quickly reached for his storage bag at his waist, and suddenly there was a talisman in his hand.


    then, without a second thought, he channeled spiritual power into the talisman, activating them all at once.


    in an instant, half of the stone cave was ablaze with light, with hundreds of fire sabers and fire birds arrayed and dancing in the sky. large swathes of fire clouds and fire rain filled the air, and a thick and mighty fire dragon struck and spiraled around,


    such a formidable onslaught that an ordinary cultivator at the foundation establishment stage would find it impossible to dodge, let alone block.


    but to zhao sheng, it was full of flaws.


    expanding a mystic primordial water barrier, the world seemed to slow down, and zhao sheng, finding gaps in the spell, easily slipped away.


    amidst a rumble of explosions, the distance between the two had narrowed to less than two zhang.


    this distance... it was enough!


    a surge of blood glowed in zhao sheng''s eyes as the essence blood stored in his heart suddenly shattered, transforming into streaks of blood light that rushed into the purple mansion between his eyebrows.


    the blood light, like dewdrops after rain, fell into the soul sea. in an instant, the destructive god true fire''s flames greatly diminished, leaving only a thin layer grazing the sea surface. his divine sense and spirit instantly recovered to their peak, at the cost of a hundred drops of essence blood accumulated over half a year being reduced to nothing.


    bullet time began, and the crystal invisible sword struck!


    in that moment, zhao sheng''s consciousness was extremely focused, his spirit clear and flawless. the world was unprecedentedly quiet; dust in the air, the light of flames, the panicked expression on his enemy''s face¡ªall emerged in the depths of his soul sea, exceptionally clear.


    in this peculiar state, zhao sheng felt an odd contradiction: he sensed the crystal invisible sword was moving slowly, so slowly that even the blade itself seemed easily visible.


    yet his true awareness told him the crystal invisible sword was incredibly fast, at least three times faster than normal.


    the contrast between the two sensations was so stark that even after over a hundred years of having this talent, zhao sheng had yet to fully adapt, always feeling a twisted sensation as if his spirit were being torn apart.


    fortunately... the twisting of his spirit didn''t affect the effectiveness of his attack at all!


    in bullet time, zhao sheng had ample time, enough to thoroughly enjoy the increasingly panicked expression on zhou yingze''s face, and enough time to watch the crystal invisible sword effortlessly penetrate a layer of formless light barrier.


    then, with a single effort, it pierced through the enemy''s head, with the blade emerging from the back, carrying with it a large mass of pinkish, tender brain matter.


    as the brain matter splattered, zhao sheng felt a lightness in his spirit, and the speed of time abruptly returned to normal.


    thud!


    looking at zhou yingze, who collapsed limply to the ground, zhao sheng couldn''t help but spit out a mouthful of blood. from his lips and nose to the corners of his eyes, ears, and even the pores of his scalp, blood seeped out.


    although the sight was gruesome, zhao sheng''s spirit was surprisingly good.


    after a long five hundred years and two lifetimes of upheaval, he had finally avenged the destruction of his family and the scattering of his offspring from his previous life. explore stories on empire


    finally... it was over!


    it''s over, and that''s good!


    at that moment, zhao sheng let out a long breath, feeling extraordinarily relaxed, with even the pain from his burned divine soul temporarily lessened.


    after a short rest, zhao sheng gathered his emotions, stepped forward, and collected zhou yingze''s and the molten gold frog''s carcasses into his storage bag.


    then, without even looking, he closed the lid of the treasure box and carefully stored it away.


    he was close to death; how could he have the mindset to look at it?


    after retrieving the flame treasure pearl, zhao sheng turned his attention inward to the purple mansion and sensed that the destructive god soul erosion true fire above the soul sea began to burn fiercely again.


    gradually, a bitter smile appeared on zhao sheng''s face.


    he couldn''t die just yet, at least not until he had completed his final contingency. s§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lfire .net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    although the destructive god soul erosion true fire was deemed incurable, fortunately, he could temporarily replenish his spent spirit by continuously transforming essence blood.


    even though it was like drinking poison to quench thirst and he couldn''t hold on for much longer, for zhao sheng... it was enough!

 Chapter 153 The Fifth World

    name: zhao shenglife span: 131/139


    realm: foundation establishment seventh layer


    profession: second order talisman master,


    constitution: four spirit roots (yellow level), primary healing (mortal level)


    talent: spiritual smell (yellow level), bullet time (yellow level), rock hand (mortal level),


    cultivation technique: mystic primordial heavy water technique, blood soul scripture fragment, stacking talisman technique, resurrection skill, sacrificial fire technique...


    spell: godslaying sword intent, blood escape technique, water bomb technique... and thirty-seven others


    talisman making: invisibility talisman, concentrating god talisman, illusion true talisman, illusion shadow escape talisman... and one hundred seventy-eight others.


    "the fourth lifetime has ended, calculating rewards..."


    out of nothingness arose chaos, and from chaos came darkness, within the vast and boundless darkness, a jade book emanating endless radiance suddenly leapt from the unknown void.


    the jade book opened automatically to the fourth page, then a figure stepped out from the page, quickly solidifying from an ethereal form into a living, breathing young man.


    zhao sheng opened his eyes, and gazing at the fluctuating memories on the pages, his expression was highly complex.


    as the final scene of memories became fixed, the myriad loves, hates, and sorrows of his fourth lifetime were suddenly extracted by the hundred lifetimes book.


    in a flash, zhao sheng felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, revitalizing his entire being, his spirit becoming incredibly relaxed.


    at the same time, an extremely familiar voice suddenly sprang from the bottom of his heart: sea??h th§× n?velfire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "evaluation completed, the final rating for the fourth lifetime is: b+."


    "rating reward: you have earned three yellow level inheritance permissions (one high-level permission can be split into three low-level permissions).


    you can choose to inherit from constitution, skill, talent, or profession. please make your selection?"


    having heard the summary, zhao sheng felt a bit intrigued, as this time there was even a choice to inherit a profession, suggesting that even the hundred lifetimes book advances with the times.


    as for what to inherit?


    after a moment of thought, zhao sheng said, "inherit the four spirit roots constitution, bullet time talent, and second order talisman master profession."


    "inheriting..."


    "constitution, talent, profession have been inherited!"


    ding!


    following the clear sound like that of a bell, the voice from within sprang forth again: "congratulations on achieving five life achievements!"


    "the achievements are as follows: 1. family revival (mortal level); 2. foundation establishment success (yellow level); 3. upgraded to second order talisman master (yellow level); 4. family upgraded to spirit vein family (yellow level); 5. destroying golden core enemy (profound level)


    "achievement reward: five random rewards consisting of one profound, three yellow, and one mortal (note: a high-level reward can be split into three low-level rewards).


    you can draw from constitution, skill, talent, profession, or opt to enhance an ability level. please make your selection?"


    after hearing the achievements tally, zhao sheng''s heart felt cool.


    during his fourth lifetime, he believed he had achieved many great deeds, thinking that he would have at least eight or nine, if not ten achievements.


    yet the hundred lifetimes book was so stingy, granting him only five achievements in total.


    even more infuriating, destroying the zhou family was only considered a profound level achievement!


    could it be that one must bring about an apocalypse to reach a higher achievement?


    this... was definitely too much to ask of zhao sheng!


    with this realization, zhao sheng''s heart began to ache faintly, sensing that his future life would become increasingly difficult.


    "my life is truly difficult!"


    after a sigh, zhao sheng rallied his spirits and started his calculations in earnest.


    first, he attempted to use a yellow level reward to enhance his spirit root constitution.


    as expected, he failed!


    "use the profound level reward to upgrade spirit root constitution"


    having said that, zhao sheng felt very nervous, deeply hoping that the spirit roots included a water spirit root so as not to waste his fourth lifetime''s cultivation experience.


    fortunately, he was not cursed with bad luck, nor was the hundred lifetimes book that cruel.


    "spirit root upgrade in progress... congratulations, your constitution has been upgraded to water, metal, fire three spirit roots."


    good!


    zhao sheng''s face showed delight as he couldn''t help but exclaim in praise.


    with the most important task accomplished, he immediately relaxed.


    what remained was the enjoyable random draw.


    first, he tried a mortal level talent draw to test the waters.


    "mortal level talent extraction in progress..."


    in an instant, countless white light balls appeared and then vanished on the fifth book page.


    soon, one of the light balls rapidly expanded and then burst open, scattering into numerous light points.


    "congratulations to the host for drawing the mortal level talent steel will."


    zhao sheng felt a bit disappointed to see that it was steel will, feeling the talent wasn''t very useful.


    never mind that, the main event was the three yellow level draws.


    zhao sheng spoke solemnly, "choose to draw once for a yellow level talent and once for a yellow level constitution."


    "yellow level talent and constitution extraction in progress... congratulations on drawing the yellow level talent danger perception... congratulations on drawing the yellow level constitution spiritual clan bloodline (incomplete)"


    at that moment, two pieces of information flooded zhao sheng''s mind.


    [danger perception: your innate spiritual consciousness is different from ordinary people, capable of sensing danger in the unknown.]


    [spiritual clan bloodline (incomplete): a part of the ancient spirit clan''s bloodline awakens within you, remember it is a blessing not a curse.]


    after reading the two pieces of information, zhao sheng''s interest was piqued, and he very much wanted to know the specifics of these two abilities, whether they could compare to the bullet time talent.


    that''s right, there''s still one yellow level random reward left.


    at this moment, zhao sheng no longer wished to draw randomly, instead choosing to enhance the steel will talent.


    "promotion of talent steel will in progress..."


    ...


    oooh... ooh!


    a deep and powerful sound of a horn seemed to come from the distant horizon, then grew deafeningly loud.


    zhao sheng jerked awake from his dream, his body suddenly sitting upright.


    as his vision cleared and he saw he was in a cramped, dim cabin, the cabin suddenly shook violently, close to ninety degrees, and zhao sheng was thrown out, headlong towards the cabin wall.


    "be careful!" wu fang''s face changed drastically as he cried out in warning.


    expecting an inevitable tragedy, wu fang wore an expression of distress.


    however, just at that moment, his eyes widened in shock.


    thrown into the air, zhao sheng was suddenly surrounded by a large amount of water that appeared out of nowhere. the water instantly formed into a large water ball, firmly protecting him in its center.


    smack!


    the water ball hit the cabin wall and easily bounced off.


    zhao sheng casually landed on the floor and then waved away the water ball.


    whoosh!


    the water dispersed with a crash, spilling all over the cabin floor.


    "this... this..." wu fang was taken aback, stuttering for a few seconds before exclaiming in shock, "ding tian, you... you can instant cast a spell?"


    "brother wu, it''s just a matter of practice! i''ve been practicing this water condensation skill since i was six, never missing a day, and it''s been seven years now," zhao sheng casually provided an explanation as he absorbed the memories.


    "so that''s how it is!" wu fang felt relieved after hearing the explanation.


    the water condensation skill is just a first-tier magic, and after nearly ten years of hard practice, it''s very possible to reach the instantaneous realm...


    ...as if!


    if it weren''t for the bullet time talent, zhao sheng might have already died before achieving mastery in this life.


    curious again, wu fang was about to ask more questions when he suddenly heard zhao sheng urging, "brother wu, the emergency horn has sounded. let''s hurry up to the deck!"


    discover stories with empire


    "right, right! let''s move quickly to the deck!"


    as if waking from a dream, wu fang leaped out of his hammock and hurriedly clambered up the ladder, barefoot.


    seeing this, zhao sheng smiled slightly and followed suit.

 Chapter 154 Shattered Star Sea Demon Pirate Group

    seizing the opportunity as he climbed the ship''s ladder, zhao sheng rapidly pieced together the history of this body.zhao dingtian, currently fifteen years old, resident of dome turtle island, an orphan by birth, discovered two years prior that he possessed the three spirit roots of water, metal, and fire, cultivating the "wave stepping technique"...


    flipping through the memories of this body, zhao sheng thought to himself, "interesting!"


    from the memories, he found that zhao dingtian, due to his unique physical characteristics, had been discriminated against from a young age.


    it wasn''t until the age of eleven, when his spirit root attributes were revealed and found to be three spirit roots, that he was taken into the zhao family, given the name zhao dingtian, and his status greatly improved.


    however, because of the notion "those not of our kind must have different hearts," zhao dingtian, although a three spirit roots cultivator, was still not well-regarded.


    this could be proven in many ways, such as his status in the family being even lower than those with four spirit roots.


    another example was the vast outer star sea, filled with countless islands, yet no cultivation sect was willing to take him in.


    the most glaring example was that zhao dingtian, at only fifteen years old, actually had to join the treasure ship and become a sailor.


    this was truly preposterous!


    while he was thinking this, he reached the end of the ladder and leaped onto the deck, the scene before him suddenly opened up.


    the grand treasure ship on which he sailed was gigantic, its entirety a bronze hue, with a double-decked structure. the lower deck was extremely spacious, nearly forty zhang in length and eight or nine zhang in width. the upper deck was only one-tenth the area of the lower deck, but it housed the spiritual tool warehouse, the captain''s quarters, and the helm¡ªkeys to the ship''s operation.


    at the center of the treasure ship stood one main and two auxiliary masts, three vast sails fluttering in the wind, taut and bulging with the sea breeze. the sails emitted layers of light haloes, within which a huge white whale''s phantom appeared.


    zhao sheng had not even finished taking in the sight when he was suddenly pushed hard from behind.


    he stumbled a step but then steadied himself and turned to look.


    he saw a man eight zhang tall with a build like a bear, cursing as he emerged from the cabin.


    "damn! just when i finally fell asleep, you had to wake me up again."


    seeing zhao sheng looking over, the man couldn''t help but glare and roar, "what are you looking at! xiao si, be careful or i''ll smash you to death!"


    zhao sheng gave the man a deep look, the ring of blue light at the edge of his pupils suddenly emitted a faintly enchanting luster.


    just then, an angry shout came from the upper deck: "what are you all standing around for? get to your positions, now!"


    zhao sheng turned around and quickly walked to the "gengzi" direction in the northwest corner of the deck, as per his memory.


    once the other thirty-two sailors of the east dome had taken their positions...


    hum!


    with a humming sound, the deck seemed to be electrified, and a blue glow lit up instantly on the floor, followed by a white light web rising from the deck, intricate and containing symbols of the eight trigrams and five elements.


    beneath zhao sheng''s feet, a white circle of light also rose, at its center a "water" character glowed brightly, connecting to the light web. the others had similar experiences.


    at that moment, dongyang ju, the captain of east dome, stepped forward onto the deck, shouting down to the sailors, "in a moment, follow my command. after i count to three, everyone will infuse their spiritual power. understood?"


    "understood!" the crowd shouted in unison.


    zhao sheng leaned against the ship''s side, looking outward.


    at this moment, the sun was at its zenith, the sunshine bright and the sea breeze blowing in gusts.


    on the boundless and vivid blue ocean, twenty li away from east dome, a pitch-black ship was slowly emerging from the water surface, with water gushing down the sides, splashing up a great deal of foam.


    and on the mainmast of this black ship hung a black flag emblazoned with a bloody severed hand.


    upon seeing this, zhao sheng knew they had encountered pirates.


    and not just any pirates, but the infamous blood pirate alliance of the outer star sea, known for their distinctive feature of combining blood with parts of the human body, such as the blood hand pirates this time.


    "lower the sails!"


    at the captain''s command, the three sails of the east dome quickly dropped, and the ship''s speed dropped sharply.


    "activate the spirit stone furnace! prepare, one, two, three, activate!"


    no sooner had the words been spoken than zhao sheng flipped out a spirit stone in his hand. at the same time, he circulated the vortex in his dantian, channeling spiritual power through the yongquan acupoint in his feet, pouring into the spirit energy network on the deck.


    in an instant, the light net lines on the deck suddenly became several times thicker, as streams of red, blue, gold, green, and yellow spiritual power rapidly transmitted from each spirit array node into the spirit stone furnace below deck.


    boom!


    the east dome suddenly shuddered, the stern sharply sinking, and as the sea breeze rushed toward them, the east dome surged forward like it had been injected with an adrenaline rush.


    whoosh!


    vast amounts of seawater were split open, with the waves swiftly cast behind the ship, while zhao sheng absorbed spiritual energy from the spirit stones and incessantly infused spiritual power.


    the shattered star sea was boundless, with countless islands scattered throughout its waters. over generations, ancestors fought to the death to carve out these islands, and more and more of them became populated by humans.


    in the great oceans, the primary mode of transportation and communication between islands naturally revolved around ships.


    in the shattered star sea, due to the different locations, resources, and spiritual energy environments of the islands, some were extremely prosperous and wealthy, others were poor, and of course, there were many uninhabited ones.


    over thousands of years, countless shipping routes had been established between the islands of the shattered star sea¡ªsome of these routes were so profitable they were known as the spirit stone routes.


    where there are profits, flies follow. thus, pirates were rampant on the spirit stone routes.


    just as there were cultivators protecting legit businesses, pirates were sure to have cultivators lurking in the shadows behind them.


    as zhao sheng knew, the vast majority of pirate groups were supported by demon cultivators, so the pirates of the shattered star sea were also referred to as demon pirate groups.


    as for the backer behind this blood hands demon pirate group.


    after briefly recalling, zhao sheng couldn''t help but laugh wryly, feeling it was too much of a coincidence.


    the force behind the entire blood pirate alliance was none other than what had once been the illustrious origin return sect, now known as the blood demon sect.


    as for how the origin return sect evolved into the blood demon sect? zhao sheng didn''t quite understand. sea??h th§× n??elfir§×.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    it seemed that zhao dingtian only remembered something called the "blood god catastrophe," which occurred over three hundred years ago, causing major turmoil in the central continent.


    after the chaos had subsided, the origin return sect became despised outcasts, jointly expelled from the central continent, and ultimately ended up in the shattered star sea, where they even changed their name to the blood demon sect.


    although he wasn''t clear about the specifics, zhao sheng had already guessed why the origin return sect ended up in such a plight, combining it with his own situation.


    "attention! a flying boat is catching up! if you don''t want to become a blood slave, get ready to fight for your lives!"


    the captain, dongyang ju''s shout, snapped zhao sheng out of his reverie.


    he turned to look back, his complexion changing. at that moment, he saw a sleek, three-foot-long red flying boat rise from behind their ship and rapidly approach them.


    the flying boat was incredibly fast and caught up with the east dome in the blink of an eye.


    whoa!


    with a strange cry of "whoa," more than twenty blood-clothed people jumped down from the flying boat, landing on the deck before ferociously lunging at everyone.


    dongyang ju, the only foundation establishment cultivator on the ship, was about to make a move, but he was intercepted by an elder in red robes wearing a faceless mask and with white hair.


    "hehe! your opponent is me."


    with that, the masked elder flung a blood-luminous flying sword from his hand, slashing at dongyang ju.


    dongyang ju, seeing this, had no choice but to halt and, using his spiritual artifact, the nine yang spear, to block the bloody flying sword.


    the two foundation establishment cultivators quickly became entangled in battle. stay tuned for updates on empire


    on the other side, zhao sheng was also confronted by an enemy, a towering blood thief, who was shouting wildly, wielding a sword and shield.


    zhao sheng charged forward... as if!


    seeing the enemy, he took off running the other way.


    are you kidding? he was only at the qi refining second level, facing a blood thief who was at least at the qi refining fourth level.


    not running would be foolish!


    it wasn''t that he couldn''t kill the enemy, but unless absolutely necessary, he didn''t want to reveal his true strength.

 Chapter 155 Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

    The battle on the ship quickly escalated, with flesh and blood flying everywhere, and shouts and killing shaking the heavens.The towering Blood Thieves crazily pursued, yet Zhao Sheng moved as if his feet were greased, incredibly agile as he darted around the deck in chaos.


    Despite the commotion, his reactions were astonishing. Spells and magic artifacts clashed and exploded in the sky, with battles raging all over the deck.


    However, like a fish swimming through water, Zhao Sheng weaved through the gaps with ease, occasionally throwing a few water balls and water arrows to hinder the enemy''s pursuit, looking quite composed amidst the swirling chaos.


    After a moment, and narrowly avoiding being speared by a blade spear, the towering Blood Thief stomped his feet in fury and banged his sword on his large shield with a clang, bellowing, "Hey, you little brat, stop running if you''ve got the guts!"


    Zhao Sheng stood at the edge of the ship, scanning his surroundings. Half the area was yellow, and a glaring red light shone off the bodies of others, while the two Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared almost black and purple.


    Every time his gaze swept over them, Zhao Sheng''s heart pounded like a drum, rapid and intense, giving rise to an overwhelming sense of danger, as if death could come at any moment.


    He knew all of this was the work of Danger Perception at play.


    This Yellow Level talent functioned instinctively based on his actual combat strength, categorizing danger levels into five colors: green, white, yellow, red, and black.


    Green and white indicated safety, yellow meant one''s life could be at risk, and red and above signified a high possibility of life-threatening danger that should be avoided at all costs.


    The final color, black, meant death, indicating that if the enemy took action, one would undoubtedly die.


    At this moment, the East Dome had greatly reduced its sailing speed, and the pirate ship behind was nearly catching up, so much so that the bloodthirsty, grinning faces on the bow of the pursuing ship could be seen clearly.


    Looking at the deck again, two Foundation Establishment cultivators were locked in a stalemate; it was clear that East Dome was at a disadvantage, with three or four sailors lying in pools of blood, including one of the Zhao family members.


    "Can''t wait any longer!" Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    Just then, the towering Blood Thief caught up, "Little brat, I''d like to see where you''ll run to now!"


    Zhao Sheng lifted his head and gave him a slight smile, "Goodbye, big fool!"


    With that, he leaped, stretching his body to easily clear the ship''s rail and freely fall towards the sea.


    "Damn!"


    The towering Blood Thief was startled; the little brat dared to jump into the sea. Could it be he was tired of living?


    This was the Outer Star Sea, after all, where there were no islands for thousands of miles and the average depth of the water was over a thousand fathoms, teeming with countless sea beasts.


    Without a passing ship to rescue him in time, this brat would either die or face an ugly death, certainly not surviving more than a month.


    Zhao Sheng crashed into the sea with a loud splash.


    The moment his body touched the water, it was like he was back home, as the closed pores all over his body opened automatically and quickly secreted an extremely slippery mucus.


    Meanwhile, his pair of black pupils were quickly tinged by the blue halo at their edges. With each blink, the black pupils instantly transformed into a pair of radiant turquoise eyes, like a pair of dazzling sapphires.


    Zhao Sheng became like a true fish, no, he was even more flexible than ordinary fish, more free in the vast ocean.


    Without making much effort, his body swayed slightly, and he shot far off, swiftly diving toward the deeper seabed.


    The water was incredibly clear. As he descended, Zhao Sheng saw many curious and strange fish, shrimp, and sea beasts leisurely swimming, hunting, and curiously approaching to circle around him.


    Watching these vivid and lively scenes, Zhao Sheng felt an indescribable sense of relaxation and pleasure from the bottom of his heart.


    It was as if... he belonged to this sea!


    Feeling the continuous fresh oxygen seeping into his pores and then into his lungs, Zhao Sheng exclaimed in amazement, "No wonder¡­ Is this the magical nature of the Ancient Spirit Clan?"


    No, breathing underwater was just the beginning of the magic.


    He descended rapidly, and in no time, he dove past twelve hundred fathoms, successfully reaching the seabed.


    At such depths, the water pressure was extremely heavy, something ordinary bodies couldn''t withstand, and even normal cultivators had to use pressure-resistant spells to cope with the pressure here.


    Yet Zhao Sheng was different; his body underwent a peculiar change and instinctively adapted to the high-pressure environment.


    Furthermore, at a depth of a thousand fathoms, light could not penetrate the water to the seabed, making it incredibly dark with almost no visibility.


    However, with just his bare eyes, Zhao Sheng could see clearly within ten fathoms.


    ```


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng was unexpectedly overjoyed.


    At that moment, a question suddenly occurred to him,


    Before reincarnation, he had improved his Spirit Root talent and drawn the Spiritual Clan Bloodline. And from birth, Zhao Dingtian''s body had been different from ordinary people.


    So the question was,


    Did he reincarnate directly through the Hundred Lifetimes Book by body seizing, or did he not body seize at all, and was it merely a mystery of the womb?


    At this time, Zhao Sheng was also a little uncertain. If he had not existed, would there still be a person named Zhao Dingtian in this world''s timeline?


    This question was like the "chicken or the egg" paradox, the answer might forever remain elusive.


    With this eternal conundrum in mind, Zhao Sheng carved out a niche¡ªno, he established a temporary cave under the sea and hid inside to start his closed-door cultivation.


    Taking advantage of the pirate ship raid, Zhao Sheng seized the opportunity to break away from the Zhao family so he didn''t have to awkwardly explain why his cultivation improved so rapidly.


    The first step of closed-door cultivation was to switch cultivation techniques.


    Wave Stepping Technique not only sounded low-grade, it truly was garbage.


    Without a word, he immediately replaced it with the Golden Core Level Cultivation Method, "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique".


    Due to his previous life''s experience, Zhao Sheng only took two days to successfully switch the operation route of the cultivation technique and rebuild a new Spirit Power Vortex.


    Compared to Four Spirit Roots, the cultivation speed with three spirit roots had increased at least by a quarter.


    Zhao Sheng absolutely loved this soaring sensation and wanted to continue the arduous cultivation nonstop until he advanced to Foundation Establishment.


    However, the incredibly tight reality didn''t permit him to do so.


    After rummaging through his Storage Bag, Zhao Sheng had only one thought, "Tragic! This is just too tragic!"


    In his possession, he had only a total of nineteen low-grade Spirit Stones, half a bottle containing eight Water Spirit Pills, and a bunch of shoddy demon bones and skins. He had only one magic artifact, and it was the most rubbish common Water Dividing Needle.


    This kind of wealth wasn''t even comparable to a Loose Cultivator!


    ...


    Half a month later, inside the temporary cave, Zhao Sheng ceased the operation of his cultivation technique, and the Core Spiritual Power Vortex in his Dantian receded accordingly.


    Just then, with a series of crackling sounds, the last Spirit Stone in his hand suddenly turned into a pile of dust.


    Zhao Sheng frowned at the sight, and with a thought, he summoned his personal data panel:


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 15/149


    Realm: Qi Refining Third Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master


    Constitution: Water, Metal, Fire Three Spirit Roots, Spiritual Clan Bloodline (Remnant) Stay updated with empire


    Talent: Bullet Time, Danger Perception, Absolute Rationality


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Skilled)


    Spells: Water Condensation Skill, Water Arrow Technique, Refraction Technique S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Talisman Making: Water Arrow Talisman, Water Shield Talisman, Invisibility Talisman...Blood Melting Talisman (Grey), Concentrating God Talisman (Grey), Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Grey)... and one hundred seventy-six other kinds


    Looking at his personal data, Zhao Sheng relaxed his brow, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.


    He had advanced to the Qi Refining Third Layer!


    ```

 Chapter 156 Distribution of the Shattered Star Sea and the Current Situation of the Zhao Family

    ```Gazing at the Life Span column, Zhao Sheng''s smile grew even deeper.


    The Spiritual Clan Bloodline was indeed very magical, with a whopping 149 years of Life Span, easily crushing the average members of the Human Clan.


    This was only a defective bloodline; if it were a Pure Blood Spiritual Clan, who knows how many years of Life Span they could have, likely easily surpassing sixty years and rivaling a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Truly a blessed race!


    After sighing in admiration, Zhao Sheng''s gaze shifted to Talent.


    [Absolute Rationality: Temporarily block emotions and desires, perceive the world with extraordinary intellect, and handle any affairs with absolute rationality. The cost is the gradual loss of emotions and desires.]


    Absolute Rationality Talent is really sinister!


    Zhao Sheng had tried it once. At that time, he felt like he had become a superior artificial intelligence, without joy or sorrow, without love or hate. His abilities in thinking, memory, logic, reasoning, and more improved vastly in an instant, giving him a feeling of extraordinary fearlessness and omnipotence.


    Absolute Rationality... it''s terrifying, and also thrilling, very addictive!


    But its cost is even more terrifying. After trying it once, Zhao Sheng decided he would not use it again unless absolutely necessary.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes moved downward and saw a large area of grey in the talisman section.


    The grey indicated a seal, meaning with his current cultivation, he could not draw these kinds of talismans.


    Zhao Sheng counted and found that there were only twenty-four First-Order Talismans that he could draw. Among them, the most valuable was the Invisibility Talisman, the rest were of little significance.


    Putting away the data panel, Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment before his body slipped out of the cave like a fish, swimming towards the sea surface.


    ...


    One day later, sunlight showered the ocean, the sea breeze howled, stirring waves upon waves, the sea surface glistening.


    On the boundless azure sea, a shadow suddenly appeared in the distance on the sea surface, speeding forward swiftly, tearing through countless waves and causing the water behind it to part, leaving large patches of white foam in its wake, looking like a white line from afar.


    Suddenly,


    the white line came to an abrupt halt, and the shadow instantly enlarged; a giant and slender swordfish burst out of the water with a roar. It glided through the air, flying over thirty feet before plunging back into the sea.


    Ah, let''s do it again!


    Zhao Sheng, riding on the swordfish, faced the pounding sea wind with extreme excitement.


    He slapped the sleek forehead of the swordfish. This huge swordfish was very spiritual, its tail thrashing vigorously as it leaped out of the water again with the help of the sea''s force, gliding swiftly forward.


    The speed of the swordfish was as fast as a horse on land!


    In just half an hour, the man and fish had traveled over a hundred miles, making a great companion for traveling.


    Without a sea chart, Zhao Sheng did not know his exact location but guessed he was on one of the routes in the Outer Star Sea.


    The Shattered Star Sea was immensely vast, with no one knowing its true size.


    Cultivators, based on human activity areas, divided the Shattered Star Sea into the Inner Star Sea, the Outer Star Sea, the ocean, and the unknown seas.


    The Inner and Outer Star Seas together came to be known as the Shattered Star Sea in a narrow sense.


    The Inner Star Sea, being early developed with the largest islands and generally higher concentration of Spiritual Energy than the Outer Star Sea, was the most prosperous. It was densely inhabited by the Human Clan and was a coveted area for Sects and Cultivation Families.


    The Inner Star Sea, with the Star Algae Sea at its center, is roughly circular, with the outermost perimeter formed by the Thirty-Six Star Constellations as the core of the First Defense Island Chain.


    Stay connected through empire


    The expansive area between the First Island Chain and the Second Defense Island Chain is called the Outer Star Sea, which is home to countless small islands.


    The Second Defense Island Chain, centered around Dragon Head Island, includes secondary core spirit islands like Dragon Horn, Dragon Claw, and Dragon Scale, totaling one hundred and eight islands.


    The Turtle Island where the Zhao Family resided was one of the "Dragon Scale" level spirit islands.


    The Second Island Chain is crucial, tasked with defending against the Demon Clan''s invasions from the distant ocean. Whenever the Demon Clan initiated a sea beast tide, the island chain bore the brunt of the early fierce attacks, always suffering heavy casualties.


    ```


    Every time Zhao Sheng thought of the Zhao Family''s current state of development, he couldn''t help but think of the saying, "Born in sorrow, die in peace."


    He never imagined that the second branch, which was once considered hopeless, would hit rock bottom facing extinction and then bounce back dramatically, staging an impressive drama of united effort and spirited strengthening.


    When the second branch hastily moved to the Shattered Star Sea, they were complete strangers in a strange land without even a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator; eventually, they were assigned to a secluded island in the Outer Star Sea.


    Besides the Spirit Vein, they had to start everything from scratch.


    In those early years, the second branch lived in indescribable hardship, teetering on the brink of extermination several times.


    At that critical moment, a powerhouse emerged from the second branch¡ªZhao Xuanji. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This man possessed three spirit roots, was naturally intelligent and brave, first successfully joined the Sky Sun Sword Sect, and later became the disciple of a Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer Cultivator.


    At merely forty-four years old, he had successfully achieved Foundation Establishment. He then led the Zhao Family to secure a foothold and increase their influence day by day.


    A hundred years later, Zhao Xuanji, who had advanced to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, after planning for decades, finally snatched the ownership of Dome Turtle Island from a declining family, becoming one of the top hundred Cultivation Families in the Outer Star Sea.


    Regrettably, even such a formidable man couldn''t survive the Core Formation Tribulation, and he passed away on Dome Turtle Island over fifty years ago.


    More than fifty years later, the Dome Turtle Zhao Family boasts four Foundation Establishment Cultivators and over a hundred members of the Qi Refining class. There are over three hundred thousand from the nearly five generations of close relatives.


    Family members spreading beyond five generations are not just on Dome Turtle Island but are also scattered across many islands in the Outer Star Sea; an exceedingly small number of branches even moved to the Inner Star Sea.


    As Zhao Sheng pondered, the swordfish unknowingly swam more than two hundred miles.


    As the afterglow of the setting sun fell upon Zhao Sheng''s face, a black dot suddenly appeared on the sea surface.


    Zhao Sheng caught a glimpse of the black dot out of the corner of his eye, and was abruptly jolted awake. Following that, he twisted the swordfish''s head, and with a flick of its tail, it changed direction and quickly swam towards the dot.


    After a moment, the black dot grew larger and gradually revealed the silhouette of a three-masted ship, its size not a bit smaller than the East Dome.


    Zhao Sheng stood up tall on the back of the swordfish, squinting his eyes.


    By now, he could clearly see that on the bow and both sides of this large ship, three towering and dazzlingly bright giant Dragon-shooting Crossbows were installed, models that were thirty percent larger than those he had seen set up in Lush Peach Mountain in his previous life. The Mystic Iron Crossbow Arrows on the racks glittered with runes, as thick as thighs and easily surpassing one and a half meters in length.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng felt a surge of malice towards the ship.


    As soon as the malice arose, his Danger Perception was immediately activated.


    In an instant, the three-masted ship was suddenly shrouded in a layer of black, red and yellow lights jumping out from various parts, and on the second deck, two thick black mists churned incessantly.


    Feeling a pang in his heart, Zhao Sheng was overwhelmed with an acute sense of danger.


    At that moment, he felt a bit of an urge to beat a retreat.


    However, before he could act, a figure suddenly flew out from the bow of the ship, hurtling quickly towards him.


    A few breaths later, a giant, mountainous man with a red beard and a bald head, standing on a huge trident, looked down at him from above,


    "Kid, where''s your ship?... Sunk?"


    The giant man''s voice thundered like roaring thunder and a lion''s bellow, making his ears ring.


    Suppressing the urge to cover his ears, Zhao Sheng showed a most sincere smile to the giant man, "Senior, I encountered Magic Thieves before and was fortunate to escape disaster. After several days of drifting, I finally ended up here."


    "Hmm, Qi Refining Third Layer, not too shabby! Get on board with me!"


    Without giving Zhao Sheng a chance to object, the giant man waved and released a black iron chain as thick as a wrist. The chain flew out like a snake, quickly wrapping around Zhao Sheng.


    Then, the giant man yanked the chain, effortlessly pulling Zhao Sheng off the sea surface and swiftly onto the large ship.


    Whoosh!


    The chain was retracted, and Zhao Sheng stood on the deck, flexing his arms. Turning his head to look at the group of bare-chested burly men approaching him, he once again wore a sincere smile on his face.


    "Hello, everyone, my name is Zhao Dingtian!"

 Chapter 157 Setting a Trap to Earn Spirit Stones

    "The game has begun! How long can Little Tian last this time? Below five breaths, odds of three to one! Above five breaths... above thirty breaths, ten to one! If Mr. Li loses, the banker sweeps! Place your bets now!"Aboard the Da Fu vessel, with Cabin Head Chen Laoer''s loud call, a bunch of idle sailors immediately gathered around, shouting in a cacophony:


    "I bet thirty Spirit Stones, Little Tian can''t last five breaths."


    "Pah! Have you forgotten the lesson from last time? I put down forty, betting at least ten breaths."


    "A small bet keeps things fun, ten pieces, above thirty breaths!"


    Seeing everyone eagerly join in, Chen Laoer laughed joyfully, adroitly collecting individual bets and recording the information.


    Whaling in the ocean, a round trip taking at least a year, there''s not much entertainment on the ship. Driven to boredom, gambling naturally became the crew''s way of passing time and having fun.


    Once the bets were placed, Chen Laoer gave Zhao Sheng a look from where he leaned against the ship''s side.


    Zhao Sheng nodded knowingly, stood upright, stretched languidly, and slowly walked to the center of the deck, shouting to the second deck above, "Leader Chen, come down for a bout!"


    No sooner had his voice fallen than a lithe figure suddenly leapt from the deck above, landing lightly opposite Zhao Sheng.


    The newcomer had a cold countenance, dressed in dark martial attire with a three-inch Jade White Flying Sword hanging over his shoulder, its blade crackling with electric light.


    "Five breaths, two pieces!"


    Li Mu, looking at the grinning Zhao Sheng, spat out a few words expressionlessly, and suddenly two streams of white light flew from his hand, landing precisely in the Chest Head Chen Laoer''s embrace.


    The so-called Leader was the head sailor on the ship, generally the best fighter besides the captain himself.


    Sword Cultivator Li Mu was a Qi Cultivation Perfection practitioner, once an Outer Disciple of the Sky Sun Sword Sect. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Chen Laoer felt in his chest, his expression shifting slightly as he shouted to the others: "Mr. Li has placed a bet of two Mid-grade Spirit Stones on himself! Who else wants to raise? Limited time, no waiting!"


    "I will, add another eight Spirit Stones!"


    "Me too, risking it all, twenty Spirit Stones!"


    Seeing Mr. Li''s confidence, the crowd bet more eagerly, and Chen Laoer was busy again.


    After the bets, Chen Laoer covertly held up two fingers to Zhao Sheng, who blinked in acknowledgment.


    "Leader Chen, please show mercy!"


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng flicked his right hand, and suddenly held a Water Dividing Needle over a foot long, its tip gleaming coldly, as if an iron rod.


    "Be careful!"


    As soon as he spoke, Li Mu pinched a sword formula, and the Jade Thunder Sword transformed into a streak of white light, shooting out like lightning towards Zhao Sheng''s shoulder.


    Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes to slits, his figure unmoving in place, but at the moment the flying sword nearly reached him, his shoulder suddenly jolted slightly.


    Whoosh!


    The Jade Thunder Sword narrowly missed his skin, gliding past.


    "Wow!"


    Among the onlooking crowd, someone witnessed the close shave and couldn''t help but let out a gasp of amazement.


    Li Mu was unperturbed by the missed strike. He''s sparred with this youngster multiple times; if the other couldn''t even dodge a single strike, he would''ve been too lazy to make a move long ago.


    The Jade Thunder Sword soared into the sky, drawing a semicircular arc.


    At this time, the Noon sun was fierce, and the flying sword suddenly merged with the blinding sunlight, becoming nearly invisible.


    Instantly, the sunlight poured onto Zhao Sheng''s face, bringing with it a hint of sword light hidden in its depths.


    Zhao Sheng looked up, squinting from the dazzling sunlight.


    However, in that moment he abruptly raised the Water Dividing Needle in his hand, jabbing it directly into the blinding light of the sun.


    Ding!


    With a metallic chime, Zhao Sheng''s figure flickered, retreating three feet.


    At the same time, the Jade Thunder Sword was shaken out of the sunlight, flying out at an angle.


    "Bravo!" The crowd couldn''t help but exclaim in praise, with the keen-eyed ones seeing that Zhao Sheng''s thrust accurately hit the flying sword''s tip, diverting it away.


    Such precision in movement, eye power, and reaction speed were hard to imagine coming from a fifteen-year-old child.


    However, reality proved even more bizarre than imagination!


    As they were talking, the two on the field went through another seven or eight rounds of combat, with Li Mu wielding his sword as fast as lightning, yet still unable to leave even a scratch on Zhao Sheng.


    Five breaths had passed, and Li Mu felt a surge of urgency. He bellowed, "Brat, watch out! Sword Control secret technique, Sword Light Division!"


    The tail sound of the word "hua" ("division") still lingering, the Jade Thunder Sword suddenly burst with electric light, its blade flickering and dancing. In a flash, it split into two, then four, and finally eight.


    Eight beams of Sword Light stood suspended in the air, forming a semicircle and surrounding Zhao Sheng.


    Slash!


    Following the command, the eight beams of Sword Light vanished in a flash and reappeared, all striking simultaneously towards Zhao Sheng''s head, hands, chest, and six other vital points.


    As the Sword Light neared him, Zhao Sheng''s eyes flashed with blue light, and his body suddenly contracted into a ball, spinning rapidly like a top. His Water Dividing Needle instantly thrust out in all directions, moving as quickly as lightning. He seemed to turn himself into a hedgehog.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    Accompanied by a series of metallic clashes, Zhao Sheng suddenly darted along the ground, slipping away like a cunning fox.


    At that moment, Li Mu''s face turned pale. He had just felt the spiritual connection with his Jade Thunder Sword break for an instant, leaving him inwardly startled and alarmed.


    Seeing that even the Sword Light Division secret technique was ineffective against Zhao Sheng, Li Mu, in his urgency, forgot to hold back and forced another thirty percent of his spiritual power into his movements.


    With this infusion, the Jade Thunder Sword seemed to have taken a potent tonic; its Sword Light intensified and its speed increased threefold in an instant, launching a barrage of attacks on Zhao Sheng''s tail.


    "Easy there, take it easy! Grey head, that''s foul play!"


    After rolling away like a donkey to narrowly dodge the flying sword''s strike, Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands, his face full of aggrieved innocence as he pleaded for mercy.


    Upon hearing this, Li Mu was taken aback, and then he remembered that in his haste, he had forgotten to suppress his cultivation.


    A hint of embarrassment crossed his face, and with a gesture, the Jade Thunder Sword swiftly flew back to his shoulder. Then, in a deep voice, he declared, "This time, you win, kid!"


    Having said this, Li Mu regained his cool expression, leaped up, jumped onto the second deck, and vanished into the Cultivation Room.


    "Hey! Mr. Li, this is outright trickery!"


    "Damn it, the banker wins everything! The world is so unjust."


    "Did Mr. Li rig the game with Leader Chen or something?"


    "Buzz off! Do you think Mr. Li is as despicable as you!"


    Li Mu''s admission of defeat caused everyone to voice their grievances, except for Chen Laoer, who was all smiles.


    Without a doubt, he made a killing this time.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng also had a share in this gambling money.


    If it weren''t for his pressing needs, Zhao Sheng would not have been willing to work with Chen Laoer to hype up the betting game.


    But in this vast ocean where the Spiritual Energy was so thin, nearly desert-like, without Spirit Stones, Zhao Sheng would hardly be able to cultivate at all.


    To improve his cultivation as quickly as possible, he had no choice but to reveal part of his strength.


    Of course, there were other benefits. Although his cultivation was only at Qi Refining Third Layer, no one dared to underestimate him on Da Fu.


    Everyone understood that a fifteen-year-old Cultivator at Qi Refining Third Layer, barring any accidents, had the prospect of reaching Foundation Establishment.


    If coupled with strength far surpassing his peers, his chances of becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator were not guaranteed, but they exceeded a fifty percent probability.


    Therefore, after Zhao Sheng was rescued on board the Da Fu, he was quickly accepted by others, and even held a high status.


    The Heavenly Dao is balanced; for every good, there is bad!


    On Da Fu, Zhao Sheng found himself in great trouble, despite not being in control of his own destiny.


    As he emerged from the cabin of Leader Chen and was about to climb the stairs with his three hundred Spirit Stones, he suddenly encountered a figure in a short skirt coming down from above, with two plump buttocks directly in front of him.


    Continue reading at empire


    Zhao Sheng looked up and, as if by accident, saw something under the skirt that he was not meant to see.


    Smack!


    A slap landed on Zhao Sheng''s shoulder, neither too light nor too heavy.


    "Little devil, what exactly did you just see?"


    At that moment, a voice as gentle as water reached Zhao Sheng''s ears.

 Chapter 158 Creditor Hai Laner

    Zhao Sheng looked up and saw a radiant, charming face before him. The person was tall and statuesque, with a voluptuous figure and long, fiery red hair that cascaded down like flames, matching her fiery personality.Hai Lan''er, the precious jewel of Captain Hai Dafu and Zhao Sheng''s creditor.


    "Sister Lan''er, do you believe me when I say I just saw nothing?"


    "Hehe, I don''t believe you!"


    "I''m telling the truth, whether you believe it or not, I believe it!"


    Slap!


    "Speak human language!"


    Though Zhao Sheng could have dodged the slap, he chose to endure it to avoid further torment.


    After a bit of roughing up, Hai Lan''er finally vented her frustration, considering she was still a virgin, she couldn''t let someone take advantage like that.


    If Zhao Sheng knew what was on Hai Lan''er''s mind, he definitely would have something to say, "Knowing that you''re still a virgin, yet you dress so scantily and run around the ship every day. It''s because..."


    Hai Dafu spoils his daughter like crazy. Because of Hai Lan''er, all the crew members had experienced the painful ordeal of the captain''s torment.


    As these incidents accumulated over time, Hai Lan''er became the Emperor of the Da Fu ship. The crew members, seeing her, were like mice seeing a cat, either holding her in high regard or avoiding her entirely.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng acting meekly, Hai Lan''er uninterestedly pouted, stretched out a slender, fair hand, and said righteously, "It''s time to pay this month''s interest. Two hundred Spirit Stones!"


    Here!


    While mentally grumbling about her being a money-grubber, Zhao Sheng deftly pulled out two mid-grade Spirit Stones and handed them over to Hai Lan''er.


    Three months ago, after Hai Dafu "rescued" Zhao Sheng onto the ship, he immediately declared that such a life-saving favor could not go unrewarded, then conveniently announced that the favor could be repaid with ten thousand Spirit Stones.


    At the same time he "thoughtfully" lent Zhao Sheng ten thousand Spirit Stones, the interest, honestly speaking, was very low, just two percent.


    However, there was one condition: until the debt was fully repaid, Zhao Sheng was required to work on the Da Fu, with a monthly salary based on his Cultivation Realm. Being at the third layer of Qi Refinement, he only earned thirty Spirit Stones, not even enough to cover the interest.


    Facing his "life-saver," Foundation Establishment Cultivator Hai Dafu, what could Zhao Sheng do, honestly he was helpless!


    What made Zhao Sheng even more helpless was that Hai Dafu had actually assigned Miss Lan to collect the debt.


    This decision was hardly his idea,


    perhaps it was a certain Miss who spotted a new toy... no, a newcomer on the ship and suddenly became interested.


    Hai Lan''er happily accepted the Spirit Stones, and with her other hand patted Zhao Sheng''s shoulder, encouraging him with a smile, "Young man, you must work hard in the future!"


    With that, she turned and nimbly climbed up the ship''s ladder and left, inadvertently giving Zhao Sheng a break.


    As Zhao Sheng watched her swaying figure disappearing, he thought to himself, "Young man? Hmph, if I told you how old I am, saying it out loud might scare you to death!"


    Only after Hai Lan''er disappeared from the ladder did Zhao Sheng climb up.


    Shortly after, he walked across the deck and entered the Spirit Stone cultivation room located beneath the second deck.


    On a side note, the Shattered Star Sea is not quite what people imagine.


    This ocean has a very uneven distribution of Spiritual Energy. In areas like the Inner Star Sea, the average concentration of Spiritual Energy far exceeds that of the Central Continent. Yet, most regions of the Shattered Star Sea have sparse Spiritual Energy, almost to the point of being desert-like.


    Cultivating in a Spiritual Energy desert is like squeezing milk from sand, you can imagine the difficulty.


    Therefore, spirit cultivation and Food Cultivation are prevalent in the Shattered Star Sea, and the prevalence of Spirit Gathering Arrays is much higher than in other realms of the Tianzhu Realm.


    The Da Fu whaling ship is a second-tier Treasure Ship equipped with three mini Spirit Gathering Arrays and matching Spirit Burning Arrays, making full use of the Spiritual Energy within the Spirit Stones.


    With the experience from his previous life, Zhao Sheng''s cultivation rate is at least twice as fast as other cultivators with three spirit roots.


    Though it had only been three months since his breakthrough to the third layer of Qi Refinement, he had already vaguely touched the edge of the fourth level. With another half a month, he would break through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage.


    Moving from the third layer to the fourth level is a not too big, nor too small threshold; leaping over it, a cultivator''s strength would see a significant jump.


    For Zhao Sheng, once he reached the Qi Refining Fourth Level, even common cultivators at the Qi Refining Seventh or Eighth Level would not be his match once he used all his methods.


    Time flashed by, and half a month had passed.


    Zhao Sheng walked calmly out of the cultivation room, unknown to anyone that he had successfully advanced to the Qi Refining Fourth Level.


    Chen Laoer was leaning against the Dragon-shooting Crossbow. Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, he immediately exclaimed excitedly, "Little Tian, you''ve come out of retreat. That''s great, it''s just your turn to take over!"


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward, smiling, "Brother Chen, you go rest. I''ll keep watch here, rest assured!"


    "Be extra careful, lad. We''ve already crossed the Second Island Chain and are truly deep into the ocean. This place is fraught with danger and unexpected threats can arise at any time. If something goes wrong, remember not to panic but rush back into the cultivation room to hide."


    After several months of interaction, Chen genuinely admired Zhao Sheng and, risking the captain''s reprimand, revealed the "truth."


    Zhao Sheng sincerely felt his heartfelt concern.


    Without saying much, Zhao Sheng nodded and said solemnly, "Hmm, I got it!"


    After Chen Laoer left, Zhao Sheng looked towards the sea surface.


    This was the open sea, where the wind was strong and the waves were high, and the water below was pitch black.


    Zhao Sheng knew this signified that the depth of the sea was beyond imagination, at least thousands of fathoms deep, and even tens of thousands were not unusual.


    As the saying goes, deep mountains and great swamps give rise to Dragon Serpents; only a mysterious and magnificent Outer Sea like this could breed giant beings like the Spirit Whale.


    Three days later, the weather was sunny and the sea calm.


    On the Da Fu, a group of sailors ran to one side of the ship, looking at the sea surface tens of miles away, pointing and discussing.


    There, the waves surged, and foam spiraled upward. From time to time, large spouts of water shot high from the sea surface, and soon after, gigantic creatures leapt from the water, crashing back down and throwing up waves as big as mountains.


    Hearing the distant sounds of thunderous roars, Zhao Sheng''s expression was grave; he was encountering creatures bigger than Cloud Dragons for the first time in his many lives, other than Mountain Dragons that had died.


    The Spirit Whale was one of the largest types of sea beasts in the Shattered Star Sea, with an average length of over fifty fathoms when mature, roughly the size of the Da Fu.


    To be precise, the keel of the Da Fu was forged from the spine of a mature Spirit Whale. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once a Spirit Whale reached maturity, it became a Second-order Demon Beast and a particularly powerful one at that.


    Afterwards, living just a few hundred more years would allow its size to grow to seventy or eighty fathoms, easily making it one of the top Second-order Demon Beasts, a match only for Golden Core cultivators.


    Occasionally, those with outstanding talent could exceed a hundred fathoms in size and advance to a Third-rank Demon Beast without surprise.


    If it weren''t for the Spirit Whale''s gentle and non-aggressive nature, they could have dominated a territory of the ocean just like the Sea Dominator Octopus or Dragon Serpents, instead of becoming targets for cultivators.


    But that said, even the gentle Spirit Whale, when faced with the danger of being killed, would show a brutally violent side.


    Whaling was an extremely dangerous job!


    Each year, nearly a hundred Treasure Ships from Whale Island went out to hunt whales, and only eighty percent managed to return safely.


    Keep in mind that each Treasure Ship capable of killing a Spirit Whale had at least one Foundation Establishment Cultivator on board, yet the loss rate was still over twenty percent.


    The peril was imaginable.


    Of course, as great as the danger was during whaling, the profits afterward were equally substantial!


    On the second deck, Hai Dafu observed the frolicking group of Spirit Whales in the distance with a very serious expression.


    The Da Fu had the capability to kill a Spirit Whale, but it certainly wouldn''t dare confront a group of them.


    At that moment, Hai Lan''er turned and asked, "Dad, shall we put out the bait?"


    Hai Dafu stroked his beard, waving his hand, "No rush, let''s observe for a few more days. It won''t be too late to make our move after spotting an isolated one!"


    Three days later, a sudden thunderstorm struck.


    That day, the opportunity Hai Dafu had been anxiously waiting for finally arrived.

 Chapter 159 Whale Hunting

    Crack... Boom, boom!Above the Endless Ocean, thick clouds darkened the sky, and within them, lightning flashed and thunder roared. Chains of thick blue and white lightning crisscrossed, forming a net, and the sound of thunder echoed through heaven and earth.


    It was as if a hole had opened in the sky, and rain cascaded down like a flood from the dark clouds.


    Accompanying the howling winds, massive waves rose high on the vast ocean, churning one after another, pounding against everything.


    The fifty-yard-long Treasure Ship Da Fu, amidst such extreme and harsh weather, was like a toy tossed about¡ªnow thrown high, now submerged by the waves, and then stubbornly surfacing once more. The ship''s body swung violently back and forth, nearly capsizing several times.


    Yet all this did not extinguish Hai Dafu''s dreams of striking it rich.


    Under his skilled control, the crew cooperated seamlessly, piloting the Da Fu through the torrential rain and waves, doggedly pursuing the pod of Spirit Whales.


    One hour,


    Four hours,


    After six hours, the thunder in the sky abruptly ceased. The rain stopped and the clouds dispersed as quickly as they had come, making way for the bright sun once again.


    Hai Dafu couldn''t care less where the ship had drifted. All he saw were the thick columns of water spurting up from the sea surface not far away.


    What an opportunity!


    Seeing that this Spirit Whale had become separated from the rest of the pod, Hai Dafu made a split-second decision. He extended his Divine Sense to its limit, encompassing everyone on board.


    A piece of information flowed into everyone''s minds: "Attention, all hands on deck, everyone to your positions. Whether we dine in luxury or return empty-handed, it all depends on our teamwork. Let''s move!"


    In the cabin, Chen Laoer leaped up excitedly, shouting, "Hey, finally we can start the slaughter! I''ve been waiting so long I''m getting moldy."


    Zhao Sheng also jumped down from the wall where he had braced himself and climbed up onto the deck following Chen Laoer.


    Soon after, the sailors on the deck of the Da Fu took their positions while a pale golden net of Spiritual Power emerged from below, connecting all crew members into the Formation.


    At this moment, Hai Dafu, bare-chested, stood behind a large Dragon-shooting Crossbow. Li Mu and a sailor at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer also manned the other two crossbows.


    Hai Dafu, with a commanding presence, turned to look at the crew and asked in a grave tone, "Everyone ready?"


    The sailors immediately cheered, "Captain, we''re all dying for action, give the order already!"


    Seeing their high spirits, Hai Dafu smiled in satisfaction before turning back and gripping the firing mechanism of the Dragon-shooting Crossbow.


    Amid the clicking sounds, the Dragon-shooting Crossbow adjusted its position slightly, the Crossbow Arrows gleaming coldly, their sharp tips aimed at a Spirit Whale resting on the sea surface about a mile away.


    Boom... Boom, boom!


    With a burst of noise, the six-foot-long Mystic Iron Crossbow Arrows suddenly disappeared from the crossbow, shooting out at a speed too fast for the naked eye to see.


    Zhao Sheng had just heard the buzzing vibration of the crossbow strings next to his ear when he suddenly heard a high-pitched and pitiful whale cry.


    At that moment, three columns of blood erupted from the ocean in the distance, quickly turning the nearby sea surface red.


    Hum!


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng saw three silver-white ropes surge out of the ocean. The ropes were pulled taut in a flash, and then the body of the Da Fu shook violently. The bow of the ship lurched downwards,


    Zhao Sheng felt a strong force pushing him from behind. Luckily, he had been forewarned and braced his feet firmly, saving himself from embarrassment.


    "Mind your footing and engage the Formation," Hai Dafu instructed his crew with remarkable calm.


    Meanwhile, the Da Fu began to move slowly forward, gradually picking up speed.


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback. So great was the force of the Spirit Whale that it could pull a fifty-yard-long Treasure Ship, weighing a thousand tons.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng wasted no time. Spiritual Power surged rapidly from his Dantian, pouring into the Spiritual Power Formation at his feet.


    A breath later, the Spiritual Power net on the deck already shimmered brilliantly, radiating dense Five-colored Spiritual Light.


    As this spectacle unfolded, the speed of the Da Fu actually began to slow down little by little.


    Clearly, the ship''s power was now fully engaged, and it began a struggle of force with the Spirit Whale.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The Dragon-shooting Crossbow launched three volleys in succession, with nine Crossbow Arrows embedding deeply into the body of the Spirit Whale.


    By this time, twelve Whale Barrier Ropes on the Da Fu were stretched straight, firmly linking the Spirit Whale to the ship.


    "Very good!"


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu''s tongue licked excitedly at his lips, his gaze intently fixed on the fleeing Spirit Whale ahead.


    If everything went smoothly, sooner or later the Spirit Whale would be in the bag for Da Fu.


    However, he celebrated too soon!


    The next second, the Whale Barrier Rope suddenly slackened and fell into the sea.


    At the same time, a huge black and white whale tail, shaped like a character "°Ë," suddenly stretched high into the air one nautical mile ahead before striking the water forcefully, splashing up a giant wave dozens of feet tall.


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu''s complexion changed dramatically, and he yelled frantically, "Bad news, dodge quickly!"


    No sooner had his voice fallen than everyone aboard changed color as well, only to see a wide, mountain-like black whale back suddenly emerge nearby on the sea surface,


    At that moment, within ten miles around, the sea water surged violently, and the Spirit Whale, having turned head to tail, carried an unimaginable volume of water, forming towering waves, which roared towards the Da Fu, about to collide with it.


    With the thousands of tons that made up the Spirit Whale''s massive bulk, plus the incalculable amount of water behind it, one could hardly imagine the consequences if the Da Fu were to be hit.


    "Lift off, lift off!"


    At this time, Hai Dafu''s face was extremely ugly as he roared loudly, his body suddenly shooting up swiftly and throwing himself into the steering cabin.


    The helmsman, Li Mu, also shouted loudly, "Everyone, don''t hold back, inject your full Spiritual Power!"


    Actually, there was no need for him to remind them; everyone knew that the most dangerous moment had arrived, and in that critical time, they all exerted themselves with all their might.


    Zhao Sheng clasped a Spirit Stone in each hand, veins bulging on his forehead, the Spirit Power Vortex in his Dantian spinning like a whirlwind, as he poured all his Spiritual Power into the Formation under his feet like a flood.


    Hum hum!


    The web of the Formation immediately became dazzlingly bright, as the torrent of Spiritual Power was quickly channeled into the furnace filled with Spirit Stones within the cabin.


    Boom!


    The Da Fu shuddered violently, and then with a creaking sound, the hull began to slowly lift off from the sea surface.


    Quicker, even quicker!


    Watching the rapidly approaching gigantic waves, especially the massive brownish-black back at the very front, everyone grew desperately anxious.


    One zhang,


    Two zhang,


    Three zhang,


    ...


    The Da Fu rose swiftly into the air, just about to surpass the height of the waves.


    However, at that very moment, the colossal body of the Spirit Whale suddenly leaped up from the sea, its tail striking the waves behind it, and with the force of the second impact, the whale''s body had already exceeded the height of the Treasure Ship.


    The next second, the whale''s head dipped down, with a fearless momentum, aiming straight for the Da Fu. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "It''s over!"


    Seeing this, everyone was aghast, the same thought occurring to all of them.


    Yet, as an experienced whaling veteran, Hai Dafu was not about to sit idly by and await his demise.


    A fierce light flashed in his eyes, disregarding the risk of damaging the Spirit Stone Furnace, he immediately switched the Spiritual Power route from the Floating Array to the Gravity Magic Array.


    Instantly, the Da Fu''s hull jolted, then plummeted from the sky with a crash.


    In that instant, the Spirit Whale broke through the mast and, barely grazing the deck, flew over the Da Fu. Three unlucky sailors, struck head-on by the whale, exploded into a mist of gore that splattered onto the whale''s forehead.


    Boom!


    The giant wave, like a small mountain, smashed down onto the now-falling Da Fu.


    The Da Fu tilted nearly ninety degrees, its stern rising high, seemingly on the verge of capsizing.


    Luckily, there was a highly skilled captain aboard, and the Da Fu''s bow turned just in time, its stern facing the wave; the hull was propelled out, avoiding a rollover tragedy by flying with the wave.

 Chapter 160 Death Flames and Strange Spiritual Energy

    Huge volumes of seawater crashed onto the deck, and Zhao Sheng was heavily slammed by the water as well.However, he was well-prepared, and with a thought, his entire body was enveloped by a large Water Ball, which cushioned the impact of the seawater and prevented any injury.


    Some crew members reacted too slowly and were hurled out by the surging waves, quickly disappearing into the vast ocean.


    But the sailors of the Da Fu were cultivators, not so easily killed.


    Zhao Sheng simply did not have the luxury to consider the fate of those men.


    At this moment, the battle between the Da Fu and the Spirit Whale had just begun.


    The Spirit Whale tried to repeat its old trick, but the Da Fu easily dodged it.


    Under Hai Dafu''s skilled control, the maneuvering of the Da Fu was almost like an art form.


    Subsequently, no matter how often the Spirit Whale attempted to ram, the Da Fu neatly avoided each collision.


    The entire sequence was thrilling and exciting, almost indescribable, akin to... bullfighting!


    Half a day later, the nearby seawater had turned blood red, the Spirit Whale''s energy was greatly depleted, and its initial sharpness had been erased.


    With a mournful cry, the Spirit Whale suddenly swung its tail and dove rapidly toward the seabed.


    Bang, bang, bang! Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Twelve whale barrier ropes suddenly tightened, and the immense pulling force caused the bow of the Da Fu to quickly sink; if this continued, the hull would inevitably submerge beneath the sea.


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu was not alarmed but delighted, knowing this was the Spirit Whale''s final struggle.


    "Everyone, hurry into the cabin, the whaling slip is starting!"


    Wow!


    Upon hearing the captain''s order, a sailor shouted excitedly, the most dangerous stage of whaling had passed¡ªnext was the lengthy journey under the sea.


    Once the Spirit Whale''s energy was exhausted and its blood flowed, the harvest would come.


    Two breaths later, the deck was completely empty,


    As seawater washed over the deck, a dim light film enveloped the Da Fu.


    The next moment, the Da Fu had vanished from the sea surface.


    The Da Fu was being dragged towards the depths of the sea by the Spirit Whale.


    Inside the cabin, Zhao Sheng and others returned to their positions, their hands pressed to the cabin walls'' Spirit Array, silently contributing their Spiritual Power to the Spirit Stone Furnace.


    At this time, that was all they could do.


    Elsewhere, in the steering cabin, Hai Lan''er and Li Mu guarded the door, while Hai Dafu firmly held the helm, his gaze piercing through the crystal window, watching the fleeing Spirit Whale ahead.


    He could feel that the speed of the ship was gradually decreasing, which meant that the Spirit Whale was about to exhaust its strength.


    Half a day later, the speed of the Da Fu had become very slow.


    However, at this moment, Hai Dafu became unusually tense, not only to guard against the Spirit Whale''s dying strike but also because the Da Fu had now dived thousands of feet below the sea.


    Surrounding them was pitch darkness, with only the occasional luminescent, bizarre sea creatures appearing, making visibility extremely poor.


    Facing such a mysterious and unknown sea area, no amount of caution was too much.


    A moment later, Hai Lan''er suddenly exclaimed, "Dad, what is that?"


    Before the words had fully left her mouth, Li Mu dashed to the crystal window, gazing ahead with a grave expression.


    Seeing the phenomenon ahead, Hai Dafu involuntarily furrowed his brows.


    As the trio looked ahead, a faint blue light suddenly appeared in the pitch-black water.


    This flame bobbed in the water, although its brightness was extremely weak, seemingly about to extinguish at any moment, yet it was very conspicuous against the dark background.


    As the Da Fu slowly moved forward, more and more of these faint blue lights appeared in the water.


    Gradually, a cluster of light reached the steering cabin, yet it seemed like an illusion, silently passing through the thick walls into the cabin.


    Seeing this scene, Hai Lan''er and Li Mu stepped aside, while Hai Dafu appeared thoughtful.


    The next second, this cluster of light also penetrated the wall and disappeared from their sight.


    However, this was just the beginning, as more and more faint blue lights passed through the hull and appeared before the trio.


    At the same time, the appearance of these peculiar flames also caused some disturbance below the ship''s cabin.


    However, everyone quickly calmed down again.


    Because everyone realized that these flames were harmless; they were like ghosts or illusions, not interacting with the material world at all.


    Someone was inadvertently passed through by a flame but found themselves completely unharmed.


    Watching countless flames appear and disappear, Hai Lan''er, unable to contain her curiosity, asked Hai Dafu, "Dad, what are these things?"


    Hai Dafu shook his head, unsure, and said, "There are too many unknowns in this world, I''m also not sure what they are, but they feel a bit like the phosphorescence from the sea bottom that''s mentioned in rumors."


    Hai Lan''er, growing excited, pressed on, "Dad, don''t you think they look like some kind of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire? Hmm, they could very well be a kind of Spiritual Fire never discovered before!"


    As she spoke, Hai Lan''er tried to capture these odd flames, and Li Mu next to her also seemed moved by the idea.


    Hai Dafu thought for a moment and didn''t stop his daughter''s actions while his attention returned to the dying Spirit Whale.


    Elsewhere, some of the sailors in the cabin, just like Hai Lan''er, thought to capture these blue flames, with the quicker ones already attempting to catch them.


    Seeing someone take the lead, others followed suit, each deploying their methods, except for... Zhao Sheng!


    At that moment, his face was as grave as water, his body far from the cabin walls, he diligently avoided contact with the flames while secretly observing everyone''s expressions.


    Because in Zhao Sheng''s view, these blue flames were distinctly surrounded by a faint black mist, and when someone touched the flames, a thin layer of black also appeared mingled in the white light around that person''s body.


    Black represents death!


    The flames are dangerous, extremely dangerous!


    Having seen this scene, Zhao Sheng''s mind rang with alarm bells, his Danger Perception fully activated.


    "Don''t touch! These flames are very peculiar, and could likely be dangerous! It''s best not to touch them!" Out of kindness, Zhao Sheng intended to warn them.


    Some, like Chen Laoer, heeded his advice.


    Having spent several months together, Chen Laoer knew very well that Zhao Sheng, despite seeming young and na?ve, was actually calm and exceptionally mature, not one to speak without reason.


    If he issued a warning, then he surely must have perceived some danger.


    Chen Laoer thinking so didn''t mean others agreed with Zhao Sheng''s view.


    In plain terms, it was greed.


    Such peculiar flames, unrecognized and unseen by anyone in the cabin.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, the more bizarre and unusual, the more precious. Particularly fire-related Strange Treasures are even more valuable.


    If these blue flames were a type of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, or even some extremely rare kind of Heaven and Earth True Fire.


    Then... they would be made for life!


    Good advice is hard to accept with a doomed fate.


    Seeing everyone looking as if greed was their life, Zhao Sheng then refrained from speaking further.


    Chen Laoer moved in close to Zhao Sheng, and asked in a low voice, "Little Tian, did you discover something?"


    Zhao Sheng first nodded, then shook his head, and whispered like an ant''s whisper, "Leader Chen, I have been extraordinarily sensitive spiritually since I was a child. The moment I saw those flames, I sensed great danger, very great danger!"


    Chen Laoer was stunned on hearing this, then fell silent. Zhao Sheng''s reasoning seemed far-fetched, but in the Cultivation World, those with extraordinary spiritual sense were not uncommon.


    "You... um?!"


    Oops!


    Chen Laoer had just begun to speak when he abruptly stopped, and Zhao Sheng also suddenly gasped in shock.


    The two exchanged glances, then said at the same time, "Did you feel it too?"


    At that moment, those in the cabin trying to capture the flames unanimously halted their actions.


    Just then, everyone sensed something unusual. A sinister and cold Spiritual Energy stealthily flowed into the cabin.


    This Spiritual Energy was clearly different from the Five Element Spiritual Energy.


    Zhao Sheng held his breath and concentrated, his spirit sensing heaven and earth, and then "saw" countless gray spiritual energy particles filling the surrounding space.


    Instantly, a rare kind of Spiritual Energy abruptly surfaced in Zhao Sheng''s mind.

 Chapter 161 Bizarre Suicide

    "Pure Yin Spiritual Energy!" someone suddenly exclaimed in a loud voice.As these words were spoken, the cabin erupted into commotion!


    There are many kinds of nature''s spiritual energy, and the more extreme the property of the spiritual energy, the rarer it is. The Five Elements Spiritual Energy of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth are the most common, followed by wind, thunder, and ice, but the rarest of all are the Yin Yang Spiritual Energy.


    The reason why Yin Yang Spiritual Energy is so rare is that the conditions required for their emergence are extremely stringent in terms of timing and terrain; even a slight deviation can cause them to evolve into a different property or dissipate completely.


    Following the simple principle that the rarer something is, the more precious it is, special regions that give birth to Yin Yang Spiritual Energy often hide treasures of comparable value.


    As the Da Fu steadily moved forward, the surrounding concentration of Pure Yin Spiritual Energy grew more intense, and those pale blue flames became denser.


    In the steersman''s cabin of the Da Fu, Hai Lan''er had already stopped trying to capture the flames and stared ahead in shock. The usually cool Li Mu stood beside her, his mouth slightly agape, looking somewhat pale. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking through the crystal-clear window, one could see an endless sea of pale blue, slowly unveiling itself against the pitch-black backdrop to the awe of the three onlookers.


    Countless pale blue flames rose from the sea and oscillated aimlessly within the waters.


    Below this ocean, as far as the eye could see, were mountains of white bones, uncountable carcasses and skeletons layered and undulating, extending to the horizon before disappearing into the darkness.


    The Da Fu "sailed" over this ocean of bones as if it had inadvertently entered a mysterious and eerie otherworld, silent and eerie yet incredibly grand.


    After a while, Hai Lan''er broke the silence with a panicked expression, stuttering, "Wha... what is this?!"


    Hai Dafu pondered for a moment before speaking solemnly, "This... I fear this is the legendary Ocean Graveyard. We''ve hit the jackpot this time!"


    Li Mu, sensing his hesitation to proceed, immediately chimed in, "Boss, with such a dense concentration of Pure Yin Spiritual Energy, there must be a Pure Yin Spirit Vein nearby. We can''t afford to miss this chance to strike it rich!"


    Hai Dafu nodded slightly, "Don''t worry, Talent does not blame one for taking advantage of it! Since we have come to a Treasure Land, naturally we cannot leave empty-handed."


    Moments later, the spirit whale let out one final lament before its colossal body completely lost its life force and the carcass began to sink into the pale blue "ocean" below.


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu''s face beamed with joy, and he immediately altered the Formation to make the Da Fu ascend.


    Boom! Boom!


    As the Treasure Ship rose, the Whale Barrier Rope quickly tightened, dragging the huge whale carcass slowly toward the sea surface.


    Midway through the ascent, Hai Lan''er suddenly slapped her father''s arm and pointed towards the edge of the window, exclaiming in surprise, "Dad, look...?"


    Huh!


    Hai Dafu looked in response and let out a surprised huh.


    Far off in the distance, about a dozen miles away and aided by the faint glow of the pale blue flames, a vast shadow suddenly became visible.


    This shadow was roughly cylindrical in shape, about a mile in diameter, and it became thicker the deeper it went.


    Curiosity piqued, Hai Dafu directed the Da Fu toward it.


    As they drew closer, the shadow revealed its true form¡ªit was an immense and towering grey-white coral reef that had accumulated and grown from the deep seafloor over countless millennia, eventually reaching its current monumental scale.


    As they neared the coral reef, Li Mu could clearly sense that the Pure Yin Spiritual Energy was becoming even denser.


    He was immediately overjoyed and quickly said, "Boss, do you feel it? This coral reef is highly likely the Coral of Gathered Spirits! The Spirit Vein must be right beneath it."


    Upon hearing this, Hai Dafu was taken aback for a moment, but after briefly sensing it with his spirit, he burst into a hearty laugh and said, "Indeed, it is the Coral of Gathered Spirits. It''s like finding what you searched so hard for without any effort at all!"


    The Coral of Gathered Spirits, also known as Zhi Lingshan, has an affinity for spiritual energy and wherever it grows, a Spirit Vein is surely present.


    After growing for tens of thousands of years, the coral breaches the sea surface, forming numerous coral islets that eventually evolve into spirit islands.


    Many of the spirit islands in the Shattered Star Sea came from this.


    Hai Lan''er was also very excited. If this coral reef had already broken through the sea surface and grown into an island,


    it would mean that their Hai Family possessed a spirit island, and a rare Pure Yin Spirit Island at that.


    With a spirit island, the Hai Family would have the foundation to establish their clan.


    Thinking of the bright future, Hai Lan''er couldn''t help but feel emotionally overwhelmed.


    A quarter of an hour later, the Da Fu abruptly broke through the water, and its gigantic hull emerged on the surface.


    No sooner had the treasure ship surfaced than Zhao Sheng and others hurriedly escaped from the cabin, rushing onto the deck to breathe in the fresh air.


    Once everyone had calmed their nerves, Hai Dafu directed them to start salvaging the corpse of the spirit whale.


    In the blink of an eye, three days passed.


    The water around the Da Fu was blood-red, attracting wave after wave of sharks and other ocean predators, only to be ruthlessly slain by Immortal Cultivators.


    After three days and nights of dissection, only a massive skeleton of the spirit whale remained, lying close to the Da Fu.


    Not only everyone''s Storage Bag, but also the ship''s warehouse was filled with spirit whale meat and spirit fat.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, spirit whale meat was an ingredient rich in Spiritual Energy, very popular among Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators. Spirit fat had an even wider use, not only as an auxiliary material for Alchemy and Artifact Refining but also essential in refining special Fire Bombs.


    A single spirit whale represented a huge fortune.


    If it had been in the past, the people on the Da Fu would have been overjoyed by now.


    But at this moment, there was no joyful atmosphere on the ship; instead, it was extremely gloomy.


    In the captain''s cabin, Hai Dafu, Hai Lan''er, Li Mu, and Chen Laoer sat together.


    Hai Dafu stroked his red beard, his face grave as he asked, "Which one is it now?"


    With a somber tone, Li Mu replied, "The fourth one, Shou Hou just jumped into the sea!"


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than Chen Laoer exploded with curses, "Damn it! What''s going on? The guy was fine yesterday, how could he suddenly jump into the sea and commit suicide today?"


    Everybody was supposed to be getting rich, all smiles and laughter, reveling in the future just yesterday.


    But the next day, without a word, this person plunged into the sea to take his own life.


    An Immortal Cultivator committing suicide without any warning and choosing to die by suffocation.


    It''s simply a joke!


    But when the joke repeats over and over, anyone would be terrified.


    Hai Lan''er, being the most timid, tugged at Hai Dafu''s sleeve in fear and said anxiously, "Father, let''s leave quickly! This cursed place bodes ill. It will be too late if we don''t leave now."


    Hai Dafu was hesitant; beneath this area of the sea lay a hidden unknown treasure, and if they left now, it might not be easy to find this place again.


    Li Mu suggested, "Captain, I think this place is very strange. Why don''t we leave this sea area for now and see what happens later?"


    Chen Laoer, remembering Little Tian''s instructions before their departure, echoed, "Captain, beneath this sea lies the Ocean Graveyard, and I feel that Shou Hou''s death is definitely related to it. It''s best for us to leave for now."


    "In that case, we¡ª¡ª"

 Chapter 162 Lost and Death

    Hai Dafu''s speech was cut off by a sudden panic-stricken voice, "Captain, it''s terrible, Chen Jinsui is dead! Come take a look quickly!"Bang!


    Hearing this bad news, Hai Dafu''s face turned ashen. He kicked away his stool and swiftly swept out of the room.


    Moments later, a full circle of people gathered around the mast on the deck, and in the middle of the crowd lay a stiff corpse, its face wearing a ghastly smile.


    At this point, everyone present felt anxious and uneasy, with expressions of panic, gloom, and trepidation varying from one to another.


    After a thorough examination of the body, Hai Dafu''s complexion became even more grim.


    With his more than a hundred years of experience, he concluded that the Chen brothers must have severed their own heart channels by their own volition; it couldn''t be homicide.


    Another... suicide!


    Hai Dafu stood up and asked the crowd, "Did Chen Jinsui show any abnormalities before he died?"


    Immediately, a burly man said in panic, "Before this, Jinsui wanted to jump into the sea, but after I stopped him, he... he suddenly laughed, in a chilling manner, then severed his own heart channel."


    At that moment, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Boss, let''s get out of this cursed place fast!"


    "Yes! If we stay here any longer, we''ll all be dead."


    "Captain, please give us a definite answer!"


    Facing everyone''s pleas, Hai Dafu did not hesitate to say, "Pull up the Spirit Whale Skeleton onto the deck; then we''ll leave here at once."


    "Alright!"


    After a cheer, the crew immediately began to salvage the spiritual bone.


    An hour later, The Da Fu, carrying the Spirit Whale Skeleton, quickly set sail from this area.


    However, death seemed to have its eyes on The Da Fu.


    Even after leaving the area, the suicides continued to occur.


    Facing the unknown strange events, the Cultivators seemed to become helpless mortals, dying one after the other without any warning.


    The number of crew on The Da Fu rapidly decreased,


    In just one day, the thirty-six member crew of The Da Fu had dwindled to twelve.


    Faced with such a dire situation, Chen Laoer had reported the odd properties of the blue flame to Hai Dafu two days prior, and the "secret" of Little Tian''s astonishing spiritual sense could not be kept hidden anymore.


    Hai Dafu immediately called over Zhao Sheng to inquire about it.


    Zhao Sheng immediately shared his speculation with the captain that everyone who had contact with the flame would commit suicide.


    Once this "paper window" was punctured, the "truth" immediately became clear to all, "The blue flame is the culprit!"


    After questioning all the survivors, Hai Dafu breathed a sigh of relief; none of the remaining people had touched the flame.


    This was a piece of good fortune amidst the misfortune.


    However, as the old saying goes, blessings never come in pairs, and misfortunes never come singly!


    Soon, The Da Fu encountered another bizarre incident.


    Night fell, and a thick fog suddenly rose over the sea.


    The fog was so dense that you couldn''t see the sea surface two yards away.


    To avoid getting lost, The Da Fu immediately stopped to wait for the fog to clear.


    The next day, as the sun rose, the fog quickly dispersed, and The Da Fu resumed its homeward journey.


    However, in the evening, the thick fog suddenly engulfed The Da Fu again.


    This... was unusual, but encountering thick fog while at sea can also be considered normal.


    On the third day, the fog cleared with the sunrise. But by evening, as if on cue, the thick fog returned.


    On the fourth day,


    On the fifth day,


    ...


    For seven consecutive days, the situation remained the same, and even the most insensible among them started to notice the oddity.


    Calculating the distance, after seven days, The Da Fu should have traveled over three thousand nautical miles.


    Logically, they should have escaped the Foggy Sea Area by now, but peculiarly...


    Hai Dafu gathered all the survivors, including Zhao Sheng, Chen Laoer, Hai Lan''er, and Li Mu.


    Looking at the crowd, he asked seriously, "What do you think is going on now?"


    The crowd looked at each other, but no one spoke up first.


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu directly called on one of them, "Li Mu, you speak."


    Li Mu pondered for a moment, his expression grave, and said, "Boss, I fear we might be lost at sea!"


    As soon as these words were spoken, everyone''s heart sank deeply.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng shook his head and said in a low voice, "I think it''s not just that we''re lost; for seven days, we''ve been circling within the same area."


    Hai Dafu''s expression became solemn upon hearing this, "Little Tian, do you have any evidence for what you''re saying?"


    Zhao Sheng pointed toward the sea surface, "The evidence lies undersea."


    ...


    An hour later, Hai Dafu emerged from the water with an extremely grim expression on his face.


    He brought back a terrible piece of news: the Ocean Graveyard was right beneath their feet.


    In other words, the Da Fu had been going around in circles for seven days and ended up back where it started.


    That night, the Da Fu disregarded the fog and fled at full speed.


    After a night passed, the Sun rose and the fog dissipated, and Hai Dafu once again dived into the sea, then surfaced with an even darker expression.


    Two months passed in the blink of an eye, and the Da Fu was still trapped in this sea area.


    That day, Hai Dafu gathered everyone and announced something.


    "I''m going to explore that Pure Yin Spirit Vein. Who wants to come with me?"


    No sooner had he finished speaking than people immediately stood up.


    "I''m in!"


    "Count me in!"


    "We should have gone earlier. Heh, the bold ones die of gluttony, the timid of starvation!"


    After some declarations, as many as eight out of twelve people were willing to go.


    However, Zhao Sheng wasn''t among them.


    Zhao Sheng had his own plans; after all, cultivation was the same everywhere.


    Now, with a boat full of spirit whale meat and no lack of cultivation resources, his main priority was to elevate his cultivation; other matters could wait. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While Zhao Sheng remained silent, Hai Dafu glanced at his daughter sternly and said in a deep voice, "Lan''er, you''re not allowed to go!"


    Hai Lan''er said with indignation, "Dad, I want to go."


    Hai Dafu unhesitatingly said, "I said no means no!"


    Hai Lan''er wanted to argue more, but her father silenced her with a wave of his hand.


    After some consideration, Hai Dafu decided to leave half of the people on board, while the others, who weren''t afraid to die, would follow him.


    Splash, splash!


    The water rippled in waves as the figures of Hai Dafu and his six men quickly vanished beneath the sea.


    Hai Lan''er watched longingly as the group dived down into the depths.


    At that moment, Li Mu walked up behind her and consoled, "Lan''er, you don''t need to worry! The boss will be back soon."


    Hai Lan''er''s face was full of hope, "Uncle Mu, are you telling the truth?"


    "Of course, don''t forget your father is a Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer Cultivator."


    However, a day passed and there was no return of Hai Dafu and the others.


    Two days,


    Three days,


    Four days later, there was still no word from Hai Dafu and his men.


    Now, Li Mu''s face also turned somber.


    According to the earlier agreement, regardless of whether they discovered anything new, they would send a message back in a timely manner.


    But now... this situation of being lost without a trace, what was it all about?


    Another day passed, and when the sun once again rose from the horizon, Hai Lan''er could no longer wait.


    On the deck, Hai Lan''er, her face streaked with tears, cried out with a sobbing voice, "Uncle Mu, let go of me! I have to find my father!"


    She struggled several times trying to dive into the sea, but could not break free from Li Mu''s iron grip.


    Li Mu said coldly, "Going now will be of no help. All we can do now is to wait."


    "Let me go! Let me go!"


    As they spoke, Zhao Sheng came out of the cabin and saw the struggle between the two.


    Despite not wanting to admit it, he feared in his heart that Hai Dafu and the others were more likely unfortunate than not.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward and chopped at the back of Hai Lan''er''s neck, knocking her unconscious.


    Zhao Sheng caught her collapsing body smoothly and turned to Li Mu, saying, "Old Man, I''ll take her down to rest."


    Li Mu looked approvingly and instructed, "Take good care of her for me, make sure she doesn''t do anything foolish."


    Zhao Sheng nodded and then suddenly asked, "Old Man, what should we do if the captain doesn''t come back?"


    "What to do? We''ll take it one step at a time!" Li Mu turned his head towards the sparkling sea and spoke with a forlorn expression.

 Chapter 163 A Woman Will Only Slow Down My Cultivation

    A large slab of white, oily roast meat quivered as it was piled on the table, emitting a thick aroma of meat.Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows, stared at it for a while, then picked up the piece of meat and shoved it into his mouth. He bit off a chunk of the fatty meat, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it down.


    In no time, a five-pound piece of spirit whale meat had made its way into Zhao Sheng''s stomach.


    Wiping away the grease from the corner of his mouth, Zhao Sheng endured the nausea, closed his eyes and started running his cultivation technique, digesting the spirit whale meat while absorbing the spiritual energy emanating from it.


    As streams of spiritual energy were absorbed from his stomach into his dantian, they were quickly refined by the spirit power vortex and became a part of his spiritual power.


    Through a continuous cycle of absorption and refining, Zhao Sheng''s cultivation level was gradually improving.


    Since Hai Dafu and others had not returned, a year had passed.


    In that one year, Zhao Sheng miraculously broke through from the Qi Refining Fourth Level to the Qi Refining Fifth Level.


    Indeed, in Hai Lan''er and Li Mu''s eyes, this simply seemed like a miracle.


    But Zhao Sheng knew it was nothing extraordinary. After all, he had gone through cultivation in his past life, and with sufficient cultivation resources in this life, he was confident he could reach Foundation Establishment before the age of thirty.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    Who knows how much time had passed when the spirit whale meat was completely digested, and the spiritual energy fully refined, Zhao Sheng awoke from his cultivation state.


    He finished his practice, stood up, and pushed open the door to exit.


    No sooner had he stepped onto the deck than Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows twitched, then his expression returned to normal and even revealed a faint smile.


    On the deck, Hai Lan''er was leaning against the rail, murmuring responses to the incessant chatter of the Gui Xin Tree while actually feeling thoroughly annoyed.


    Looking up, she just happened to see Zhao Sheng appear, and her face instantly became radiantly joyful.


    This made the Gui Xin Tree beside her, who had been desperately trying to please the beauty, look dumbfounded.


    With a cheer, Hai Lan''er ran up to Zhao Sheng, narrowed her eyes, and said with an expectant smile, "Little Tian, you''re out of seclusion. How''s your cultivation going? If there''s anything you don''t understand, you can ask me... um, ask Uncle Mu!"


    A year had gone by, and Hai Lan''er had finally stepped out of the shadow of her father''s death, but it had brought a side effect.


    Since then, she had been clinging to Zhao Sheng.


    It was because Zhao Sheng had always comforted and cared for her with an "attentive big brother" demeanor.


    Zhao Sheng initially did so at the behest of Li Mu and also saw Hai Lan''er as a little girl who had lost her father.


    Out of sympathy and compassion, he had casually looked after her for a while, helping her step out of the gloom and rediscover hope in life.


    If he had known the cost would be this, Zhao Sheng would certainly not have been so attentive.


    After all... women only affected the speed of his cultivation!


    Facing the overly enthusiastic Hai Lan''er, Zhao Sheng moved forward without changing his demeanor and casually asked, "Uncle Mu, has he returned?"


    Hai Lan''er looked up at the sky, hurriedly followed and said, "Uncle Mu has been out for nearly three hours; he should be back soon."


    In the time it took for the two exchanges, the Gui Xin Tree had already sidled over.


    At this moment, a surge of jealousy welled up within him, and a flash of yellow light passed over his hands as he suddenly slapped towards Zhao Sheng''s shoulder.


    At the same time, he said to Zhao Sheng with a smiling face, "Little Tian, long time no see!"


    A hint of coldness flickered in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, his shoulder suddenly sunk down, dodging the other''s attack.


    "Mr. Gui, didn''t we just meet yesterday?" Zhao Sheng stopped and looked calmly at the other person.


    Huh?


    Gui Xin Tree frowned, having intended to teach the pretty boy a lesson, only to find his efforts foiled.


    "Nice reflexes! Let''s see if you''ve made any progress recently," he said as his body flashed with a layer of yellow light and he pounced without regard for fairness due to the difference in age and strength. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gui Xin Tree was a Qi Refining Seventh Layer practitioner, second only to Li Mu, who was at Qi Refining Perfection, among the six survivors.


    Perhaps because of the long drift at sea without female company, or maybe because Hai Lan''er was too beautiful, or even intending to gain both wealth and beauty, Gui Xin Tree had been trying everything to please Hai Lan''er of late, aiming to win the beauty over.


    Zhao Sheng snorted at this thought, feeling that Gui Xin Tree did not even bother to look at himself, with his sharp monkey features and advancing years.


    How could Hai Lan''er ever fancy him!


    People must have self-awareness!


    The Gui Xin Tree felt good about himself, even brimming with confidence.


    A Qi Cultivation Late Stage Practitioner "teaching" a couple of Qi Refining Fifth Level kids, it was supposed to be a piece of cake.


    However, reality turned out to be much less ideal than he imagined!


    First a lunge,


    then a tear,


    and a fling...


    On the deck, the two figures chased and dodged, their movements so fast and elusive they made onlookers dizzy.


    The Gui Xin Tree had been grabbing and kicking for quite a while, panting for breath, yet he hadn''t even touched the hem of Zhao Sheng''s clothes.


    He didn''t believe that a fifteen or sixteen-year-old kid could be stronger than him; he just thought his opponent was too cunning.


    If it weren''t for Li Mu''s prohibition against using weapons on the ship, the Gui Xin Tree would have taken out his Magic Artifact, the Golden Bite Sword, and chopped the annoying brat into seven or eight pieces long ago.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng suddenly looked up at the sky, then stopped in his tracks and waved at the Gui Xin Tree, saying, "Mr. Gui, let''s stop for now, Uncle Mu and the others are back!"


    No sooner had he finished speaking than a three-zhang-long mini Cloud Boat descended from the sky and landed gracefully on the deck.


    The stern-faced Li Mu leapt down from the Cloud Boat, followed by two brawny men, one tall and one short, jumping down behind him.


    The tall one was named Yan Kai, and the short one was Zou Li, both were Qi Refining Mid Stage cultivators.


    Seeing Li Mu return, Hai Lan''er was overjoyed and hurriedly went up to greet him.


    "Uncle Mu, did you find anything?"


    Li Mu habitually shook his head in response, "Nothing."


    After hearing this, Hai Lan''er pursed her lips in disappointment, but having been disappointed many times, she wasn''t too let down.


    She quickly cheered up and started chattering away to Li Mu about various trivial and boring little matters.


    Li Mu had been saved by Hai Dafu in his youth, and had spent the past two decades on the Da Fu, effectively becoming Hai Dafu''s right-hand man.


    He had also watched Hai Lan''er grow up, so after Hai Dafu''s disappearance, he started to treat Hai Lan''er as his own daughter.


    This was also a major reason why the Gui Xin Tree didn''t dare to be forceful with Hai Lan''er.


    ...


    The night was calm and quiet, with a thick fog blanketing the sea.


    Bang!


    A dull thud suddenly broke the silence, the Da Fu trembled slightly, and a creaking friction sound ensued.


    Zhao Sheng, who was meditating in the steering cabin, abruptly opened his eyes; with a slap on the floor, his body soared up, rushing out of the room at high speed.


    Passing through the misty deck, he arrived at the side of the ship and saw a huge shadowy figure swaying faintly through the fog. Zhao Sheng paused with a surprised look, exclaiming, "What''s this...?"


    Shortly after, all six people gathered on the deck.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the "sea ship" opposite them, lost in thought.


    This sea ship was very strange. It was about one-third smaller than the Da Fu, a single-decked sea ship with an eerie appearance.


    The cloudy boards of the ship were covered with thick layers of gray-green seaweed. The deck, masts, and various parts of the ship were filled with black demonic-looking barnacles and diverse marine life.


    Slippery dark green sunflower tentacles messily "grew" out of deck crevices and ship cabins.


    Seeing the sea ship opposite them, the Gui Xin Tree exclaimed in amazement, "This... This is a ''Ghost Ship''?!"


    In the Shattered Star Sea, any unmanned ship that had sunk and reappeared on the sea surface, drifting with the currents, was called a Ghost Ship.


    The Shattered Star Sea was full of unknown and mysterious things, and Ghost Ships were one of them.


    Ghost Ships sometimes harbored unknown dangers; it was recorded that even a Golden Core Master had perished after boarding a Ghost Ship.


    In fact, most Ghost Ships bore no danger and were merely abandoned vessels.


    However, many lucky individuals had found treasures left behind by predecessors on Ghost Ships and had thus changed their destinies.

 Chapter 164 Life Path of Despair

    Li Mu carefully examined the strange ship and nodded, "Hmm, it is indeed a Ghost Ship. Who will come with me to explore it?"Hearing this, Hai Lan''er turned her head to look at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng knew what her glance meant, so he spoke up, "I haven''t sensed any danger."


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the Gui Xin Tree eagerly said, "Boss Mu, I''ll go with you."


    "Count me in." Others didn''t want to miss the opportunity and also volunteered one after another.


    After everyone made their positions clear, six people simply boarded the ship together.


    Once on the ship, the details of their search need not be elaborated upon.


    An hour later, everyone left the Ghost Ship and returned to the Da Fu, sharing their respective finds.


    Gui Xin wanted to show off the top-grade magical tool and the two Storage Bags he had just found to everyone.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t care about Gui Xin''s show-off act at all.


    What he was concerned about now were the two items in Li Mu''s hands, the Nautical Gold Plate and a palm-sized White Jade Scroll.


    Engraved on the Nautical Gold Plate was a nautical chart, and the importance of the nautical chart was self-evident. In the Shattered Star Sea, the nautical chart is the most precious treasure on a ship.


    Zhao Sheng was very patient. He waited for Li Mu to finish looking at the Golden Plate and also waited until he had removed the Jade Scroll from his forehead before taking the opportunity to ask, "Uncle Mu, any findings?"


    Li Mu glanced at Zhao Sheng and handed over the Jade Scroll, "See for yourself!"


    Zhao Sheng took the Jade Scroll and held it close to his forehead, his spirit probing into it,


    "... Mist Sea... Death Flames... Soul Absorption... True Water... Thunder Cloud Storm..."


    Zhao Sheng looked pained because too much time had passed, and the imprint of the spirit within the Jade Scroll had mostly dissipated, leaving the information inside fragmented.


    After struggling through it once, he only gathered some disjointed information.


    "Let me see!"


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng removed the Jade Scroll than a delicate pale hand appeared before his eyes.


    He handed the Jade Scroll to Hai Lan''er, then fell into deep thought.


    Combining his own experiences and the information on the Jade Scroll, Zhao Sheng was certain they were in the Mist Sea.


    The Mist Sea is a mysterious sea region just beyond the Shattered Star Sea, enshrouded in fog all year round. Once a ship inadvertently strays into it, very few return alive.


    The sea region he was in differed from the typical Mist Sea; it seemed normal during the day, only reverting to the appearance of the Mist Sea at night.


    This was one of the reasons they had previously speculated but had not dared to confirm that they had truly fallen into the Mist Sea.


    Zhao Sheng wouldn''t dwell on why this place differed from other regions of the Mist Sea, only considering how to escape from here.


    Escaping from the Mist Sea is difficult, but the Jade Scroll suggested an idea: during a Thunder Cloud Storm, when the fog briefly dissipates, one could take the risk to navigate and strive to break through the Mist Sea.


    Navigating under a Thunder Cloud Storm is extremely dangerous.


    If it weren''t a last resort, it would be best not to try, after all, it is just a conjecture.


    In fact, Zhao Sheng had thought of a way to escape, but the conditions did not allow it for now, so he could only temporarily keep it in mind.


    While Zhao Sheng was deep in thought, the Jade Scroll had already been passed around the others.


    When Li Mu asked for everyone''s opinion,


    Gui Xin, the biggest gambler, immediately stated his intention to try it no matter what.


    Yan Kai and Zou Li both subtly expressed that they should be cautious.


    Hai Lan''er had no opinion of her own; she only looked to Li Mu for guidance.


    Zhao Sheng finally said, "What''s on the Jade Scroll is just a conjecture, and besides, we don''t have enough people right now!"


    His words immediately awakened everyone.


    They only had six people, far from enough to bring out the full power of the Da Fu.


    To maximize the capabilities of the Da Fu, they would need at least twenty Cultivators.


    After hearing this, Li Mu frowned.


    The Gui Xin Tree was extremely disappointed, complaining, "Damn, I don''t want to die old on a ship. I haven''t even taken a wife or had kids yet!"


    Zhao Sheng said, "All we can do now is wait, wait for another Treasure Ship to fall into this place."


    As soon as everyone heard this, their spirits were instantly boosted.


    That''s right!


    If another ship came in, they could pool their manpower and that would be enough. Discover exclusive content at empire


    Seeing the crew''s morale lifted, Li Mu''s brows relaxed slightly, but his face still bore an expression full of concerns.


    Zhao Sheng noticed this and with a thought, he roughly guessed what the other was thinking.


    There wasn''t much time left for Li Mu!


    After the Ghost Ship incident, the crew''s morale surged, and the frequency of the Cloud Boat going out to scout the surroundings immediately increased from once a day to three times a day.


    In the first month, morale was high, with three outings a day.


    By the third month, morale slightly waned, changing to twice a day.


    In the sixth month, morale plummeted, reverting to once a day.


    ¡­


    Three years later, the reserves of Spirit Stones were nearly gone, the crew''s spirits were down, and the task of scouting became a perfunctory chore done with half the effort¡ªgoing fishing for three days and drying nets for two.


    In such circumstances, Zhao Sheng''s cultivation quietly advanced to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, the price being that he was sick of eating spirit whale meat.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng often went out to sea to catch prawns, fish, sea beasts, and various other seafood under the pretext of improving the meals.


    Having witnessed his extraordinary swimming ability, the crew had long since stopped finding it strange.


    As his diving expeditions became more frequent, Zhao Sheng gradually gained a deeper understanding and made more discoveries about this sea area.


    He found that as long as he didn''t touch the Death Flames on the ocean floor and didn''t approach the coral reef too closely, there wasn''t much danger here.


    Zhao Sheng also discovered that the spiritual acupoint of the Pure Yin Spirit Vein was right beneath the coral reef, and the Ocean Graveyard spanned around the reef with a radius of about three hundred li.


    Over these three years, Zhao Sheng clearly noticed that Li Mu was especially concerned about that Pure Yin Spirit Vein,


    because Li Mu made no attempt to hide his intentions and had asked Zhao Sheng to take him to the coral reef to investigate multiple times.


    But it was just for investigation, Li Mu never took a step beyond the Thunder Pool.


    Zhao Sheng knew he was waiting for the right moment.


    As for what the moment was¡­


    Three months later, on a certain day, just after a Thunder Cloud Storm had passed,


    Hai Lan''er, feeling dejected, stood on the deck, gazing blankly at the sunrise on the horizon.


    It is said that women change drastically when they turn eighteen, but the same is true of men.


    At twenty years old, Zhao Sheng had grown into a handsome young master with a handsome appearance, a tall figure, and a mature and solid temperament.


    So, there are some things that Zhao Sheng can''t simply avoid if he wants to.


    For example, Hai Lan''er''s infatuation with him was so obvious that even a fool could see.


    And yet, a certain someone was clueless, always responding in a lackluster way, which made the Gui Xin Tree itch with frustration, wishing he could step in his place.


    As the dawn''s colors faded and the sun leaped above the sea surface, at the point where the sun and the ocean met at the horizon, suddenly a black dot appeared.


    Hai Lan''er''s gaze sharpened, she rubbed her eyes to be sure she wasn''t seeing things, and upon confirming she was right, her face lit up with ecstasy as she shouted, "A ship! There''s a ship coming!"


    "What? A ship from where?"


    Upon hearing there was a ship, the Gui Xin Tree, in a panic, hurried out of the helm cabin, jumping up and down and looking towards the distance.


    Seeing the black dot, he was overjoyed, "It''s really a ship!"


    Meanwhile, Li Mu, Zhao Sheng, and others also hurried onto the deck, all showing joyful expressions as they watched the approaching sea ship gradually becoming visible in the distance. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Year after year, and another year... they had finally waited for this moment!

 Chapter 165 Mysterious Jade Bi

    Da Fu, in a cabin cleared out for this purpose, Zhao Sheng stood in front of a wooden table, his eyes closed in concentration.Suddenly


    his eyes snapped open, shining with confidence.


    Grabbing the azure talisman pen from the table, Zhao Sheng channeled Spiritual Power into the tip, quickly drawing complex patterns on the talisman paper with vigorous strokes. Spirit Light burst forth wherever the pen went, and a complicated talisman symbol soon emerged vividly on the paper, bursting with spirit light.


    As an invisible thunderclap suddenly exploded in his Soul Sea, Zhao Sheng instantly stopped the pen, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.


    "Second-order Water Mine Talisman, complete!"


    With his rich experience and added talents, Zhao Sheng, at the mere cultivation of Qi Refining Seventh Layer, had successfully drawn a Second Order True Talisman.


    After a brief rest, Zhao Sheng picked up the talisman pen again and continued to draw Second Order True Talismans.


    Before embarking on the undersea exploration, he wanted to accumulate as many trump cards as possible.


    ...


    Seven days later, as the sun rose and the fog cleared, the two ships returned to this eerie sea area once more.


    After seven days of failures, the cultivators on Zhi Jin had to accept reality and admit that they had become entrapped in the Mist Sea Area.


    Zhi Jin was two sizes smaller than Da Fu, but it was not a whaling ship; it was a cargo ship that sailed between the Outer Star Sea and the ocean, buying low and selling high, earning various price margins.


    On the deck of Zhi Jin, Li Mu said to a short, fat man in a golden robe, "Mr. Chen, I didn''t lie to you, did I? One cannot leave this Mist Sea without a nautical chart."


    Anguish was clearly written on the short, fat old man''s face.


    After sighing deeply, he turned solemn and resolutely said, "Very well, we will do as Mr. Li suggests and retrieve the ship owner''s body from the sea floor. But are you sure the nautical chart is on him?"


    Li Mu said earnestly, "I am sure!"


    Next to the Zhi Jin, Zhao Sheng leaned against the side of Da Fu, silently watching Li Mu fool people.


    He was well aware of the schemes Li Mu was secretly playing.


    However, as they were on the same side, he naturally wouldn''t expose his ruse.


    Moreover, the group from Zhi Jin was no easy opponent; when they first met, relying on their fifteen cultivators, they had attempted to seize Da Fu.


    It was fortunate that Li Mu was a Qi Refining Great Perfection Sword Cultivator, unrivaled in combat.


    And since Zhi Jin had no Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the highest cultivation there was only comparable to Li Mu.


    That day, Li Mu, with all his combat power and relying solely on a flying sword, fought one against three. Three cultivators at the late stage of Qi Refining together couldn''t subdue him.


    That''s how the current "peaceful" situation had been forged.


    Once the negotiation was settled, Li Mu immediately asked Zhao Sheng and a few others to get ready.


    A day later, guided by Zhao Sheng, both Da Fu and Zhi Jin ships stopped over the sea surface under which lay the Shanling Reef.


    On the day of departure, Zhao Sheng and his party of six argued, precisely because Hai Lan''er insisted on coming along.


    Originally, according to the plan, this adventure was voluntary, except for Hai Lan''er, because Li Mu forbade it.


    But Hai Lan''er''s desire to go was extremely strong, no matter how Li Mu tried to persuade her, she was determined and adamantly wanted to go.


    Li Mu couldn''t handle her and had to comply with Hai Lan''er''s wishes.


    Yan Kai and Zou Li were unwilling to take the risk, opting to stay behind voluntarily.


    Thus, on the Da Fu side, there were four people: Li Mu, Zhao Sheng, Gui Xin Tree, and Hai Lan''er.


    Possibly because of Li Mu''s promotion of spirit veins and treasures under the sea, the cultivators on Zhi Jin were eager to sign up.


    Eventually, after excluding three early-stage Qi Refiners and leaving the short, fat old man behind, the remaining eleven decided to go.


    ...


    Splash, splash!


    When Li Mu took the lead and jumped into the sea, the other cultivators also jumped from the ship.


    With splashes of diving, ripples spread across the sea surface,


    Immediately upon entering the water, each cultivator''s head was surrounded by a pale blue circular Light Shield. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This Light Shield, known as the Water Breathing Skill, was specially designed to filter oxygen from seawater for human respiration.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, the Water Breathing Skill was a First-tier Magic that every cultivator must master.


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    At that moment, aside from Li Mu and Hai Lan''er, the other cultivators all cast sidelong glances at Zhao Sheng, the "outcast."''


    Zhao Sheng clearly felt hostility and caution in the gazes of others, yet his heart remained as calm as water.


    Having lived through several lifetimes, he had faced far greater dangers. This was barely the beginning!


    He didn''t take these malicious intentions to heart at all.


    The group descended quickly, and in a blink of an eye, they dived down a hundred arms deep, reaching the top of the coral reef.


    After a slight rearrangement, led by Li Mu, the group continued to dive along the coral reef.


    Two hundred arms


    Five hundred arms


    ...


    One thousand arms!


    At a thousand arms deep, the surroundings became pitch black and eerily silent, and the water pressure was astonishing.


    At this point, everyone put their abilities to use, some casting Spells, some relying on the power of Magic Artifacts, to counter the enormous pressure coming from all around.


    Then, each person took out a piece of Fluorite; the Fluorite emitted a dazzling white light, illuminating the surrounding dark waters.


    They continued to dive.


    One thousand five hundred arms,


    Two thousand three hundred arms,


    ...


    An hour later, the group had descended several thousand arms deep undersea.


    At that moment, the mysterious blue Light Sea reappeared before everyone''s eyes.


    And the endless white bones under the Light Sea frightened the people from Zhi Jin immensely.


    Some now harbored thoughts of retreat, but most were even more excited, their greed intensified.


    Zhao Sheng paid no mind to the reactions of others.


    At this moment, his eyes were only on the swirling black fog in the Light Sea below.


    Especially at the edge of the coral reef, where the black fog was even denser.


    However, not all places were like this, Zhao Sheng discovered that within the black fog, there was a winding path about two arms wide, a "Life Path."

 Chapter 165 The Strange Jade Bi_2

    The end of the Life Path was an underwater cave emitting a white light, located at the base of a cliff within the coral reef.The black fog clearly feared the "Life Path" and dared not intrude upon the path.


    Two years ago, Zhao Sheng had already discovered this Life Path, but at that time his cultivation was shallow, and he did not plan to venture alone.


    Now, with a bunch of cannon fodder to scout the way, it would be foolish not to use them.


    The others didn''t have Zhao Sheng''s Talent and were unaware of the black fog''s existence, but they could not miss something as obvious as the cave.


    Clearly, the Treasure was inside the cave.


    Seeing this scene, the impatient ones immediately swam towards it, eager to seize the opportunity.


    Once someone moved, the rest followed suit, afraid that being a step late would mean others would claim the Treasure.


    At this moment, they seemed to forget that the cave contained unknown dangers which had already claimed lives.


    Hai Lan''er wanted to move, but suddenly someone grabbed her arm from behind.


    Turning her head, she saw Zhao Sheng pulling her back, and Hai Lan''er''s heart suddenly sweetened, relaxing her body instantaneously.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand to signal her to follow him and then pulled Hai Lan''er towards the Life Path.


    Aside, Gui Xin Tree watched the event and quietly trailed after them with a quiet roll of his eyes.


    Your next read is at empire


    A quarter of an hour later, when the others had already entered the cave, Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan''er finally reached the entrance.


    Zhao Sheng peered inside and was surprised to find that the cave''s passage was straight and spacious, and its walls were clean from top to bottom, with no dust, nor any growths like seaweed or coral stone.


    Embedded along both sides of the passage were fist-sized pearls emitting white light.


    The cave was clearly man-hewn.


    Zhao Sheng sensed for a while and found no dangers inside.


    Therefore, he pulled Hai Lan''er and swam into it.


    ¡­


    Upon entering the cave, the two swam for two or three miles but still didn''t see the end of the passage, just feeling the surrounding Spiritual Energy growing richer.


    An hour later, they finally reached the end of the passage, where there was a light wall emitting a blinding white light that made it impossible to see what was behind it.


    Zhao Sheng nodded to Hai Lan''er, and they joined hands and charged into the light wall.


    Pop!


    Zhao Sheng felt as if he had broken through a membrane,


    and as his eyes lit up, his body suddenly felt lighter with the heavy water pressure disappearing instantly.


    Zhao Sheng looked up to find that he had appeared in an underground cave.


    The cave was very dry, without a trace of seawater, and the Spiritual Energy here was incredibly dense, at least twice as high as in the passage.


    The cave was about five or six acres in size, with stone walls around that were studded with spirit stones of various sizes, flashing a faint grey light.


    "A spirit stone mine!" Hai Lan''er couldn''t help but exclaim.


    Zhao Sheng was also very surprised; he hadn''t expected a spirit stone mine to be hidden here, particularly a mine of the extremely rare Pure Yin Spirit Stones.


    At that moment, an excited shout came from behind them: "Damn, I''m going to be rich!"


    Gui Xin Tree, overcome with delight, forgot everything, stepped past them, and ran towards the deepest part of the cave.


    At the deepest part of the cave, there stood a Spirit Stone Jade Wall, three zhang long and more than two zhang high, where Li Mu and others were gathered before it, pointing and discussing something.


    Zhao Sheng found it strange that there was no danger inside the cave.


    He hadn''t forgotten the incidence of Hai Dafu and others who never returned.


    After scanning the area, Zhao Sheng frowned and wondered to himself, "Where are the bodies of Hai Dafu and the others?


    After thinking for a moment and coming up with no leads, Zhao Sheng decided to walk with Hai Lan''er towards the Spirit Stone Jade Wall.


    Halfway there, Zhao Sheng saw Li Mu, Gui Xin Tree, and others sitting down cross-legged, eyes glowing with a fascinated expression as they stared at the Jade Wall, as if there was an endless attraction to it.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng calmed himself and, sensing again, still did not detect any danger.


    He looked up at the Jade Wall, scrutinizing it carefully, and only felt countless lights and shadows flashing before his eyes. Upon focusing his gaze again, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.


    Zhao Sheng was slightly startled, quickly closing his eyes to cut off his line of sight. Once everything returned to normal, he reopened his eyes.


    This time, he didn''t look directly at the Jade Wall. Instead, he walked up close and began to observe Li Mu and the others.


    At present, Li Mu''s complexion was rosy and his eyes were infatuated. His face was full of joy. His body emitted specks of golden light, and an exceedingly sharp breath began to radiate from within, growing stronger by the moment.


    It looked like... He was in the midst of Enlightenment!


    Although the others displayed slightly different reactions, they too seemed to have gained significant insights.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng''s heart stirred, and a peculiar thought suddenly arose: "This... this Jade Wall seems to be a heavy treasure!"


    Just then, Hai Lan''er let out a startled cry, shouting, "Ah! I''m so dizzy!"


    Zhao Sheng turned around sharply, just in time to see Hai Lan''er sway unstably, nearly toppling over.


    He rushed forward to support her, asking with concern, "What did you see just now?"


    Hai Lan''er collapsed into Zhao Sheng''s arms, her cheeks flushed with a tinge of shyness, and whispered softly, "Nothing... nothing!"


    Zhao Sheng saw a flash of peculiarity in her eyes but did not press further. He merely cautioned her not to look at the Jade Wall too much and then gave her a task.


    To observe the condition of Li Mu and the others at all times and to inform him immediately of any abnormalities.


    Hai Lan''er hummed gently in acknowledgment and agreed to it.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng''s gaze sharpened as he suddenly noticed many strange scratch marks on the ground near the Jade Wall, varying in depth. Some were straight, others winding and twisted, and some even looked like mysterious symbols resembling but not quite forming coherent characters, almost covering a radius of dozens of feet around them.


    He raised his eyebrows, stepped forward, and ran his fingers over these engravings and symbols, feeling his heart spontaneously overflowing with countless inspirations and many hazy visions being reflected in his Soul Sea.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng came to a realization.


    These engravings and symbols must have been left by those who had comprehended the Jade Wall before. Most of them were probably left hastily by predecessors who suddenly realized something from the Jade Wall, afraid of forgetting it in the moment, thus leaving behind these imprinted marks.


    Of course, most of these markings might be of no use, but a few might inspire those who later sought to comprehend the Immortal Spirit Jade Bi.


    Zhao Sheng was wary of the peculiar Jade Wall, but he had no reservations about these carvings.


    He spent half an hour touching all the engravings, etching every inspiration and insight firmly in his mind without bothering to understand them.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng''s eyes sparked with brilliance as he attempted to look at the Jade Wall again.


    As soon as his gaze made contact with the Jade Wall, thousands of inspirations flashed through Zhao Sheng''s mind. However, his cheeks flushed crimson, the Spirit Power Vortex within his body sped up dramatically, and billowing blue spirit light emerged from his back. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng let out a low shout, his eyes'' sharpness quickly retracting as he rapidly closed his eyelids. His face relaxed, and he exhaled deeply, murmuring,


    Just now, countless extraordinary thoughts arose in his mind, and one unfamiliar scene after another appeared before him: ethereal Immortal Palaces and Ling Mountains, a Sword Immortal slaying demons, and boundless Blood Seas filled with mountains of corpses and bones.


    All these had surfaced suddenly after he saw the Jade Wall.


    He could not be sure if these images were just illusions or if they had truly existed in the past.


    But one thing was certain, the Jade Wall was either an Ancient Strange Treasure or a rare and ominous object.


    Suddenly,


    Zhao Sheng''s heart skipped a beat again.


    The feeling was abrupt and inexplicably strange,


    with Zhao Sheng unable to pinpoint anything amiss.


    Then, with a thought, he probed into his Purple Mansion with his spirit.


    "What... what is this?"


    Zhao Sheng was shocked, as he saw an unexpected dark shadow over his Soul Sea. The lower end of the shadow was connected to the Soul Sea, and strands of soul water were being drawn into the shadow''s body.


    As the shadow became clearer, it took on the appearance of an old man. Zhao Sheng tried to get a clearer look, but the shadow suddenly emitted a surge of black light.


    In the next instant, a heavy sensation overcame Zhao Sheng''s head, and his vision went dark. When he came to, he found himself in a vast and boundless starry space.


    Stars twinkled brightly all around, and beneath his feet, there lay a dense and sprawling field of meteorites of various sizes and shapes. It was, in fact, an endless Meteorite Sea.

 Chapter 166 The Demoted Immortals Remnant Soul and Destruction

    Under the boundless starry sky, countless star meteors slowly turned, and the Meteorite Sea meandered, wandering through the Void.Faced with such vast and strange phenomena, an individual seemed incredibly insignificant!


    But for Zhao Sheng, the starry sky and the Meteorite Star Sea were all irrelevant now.


    Because at this moment, not far in front of him in the Void, there was a black robed Daoist with blue eyes and silver hair, skin white as jade, and extremely handsome appearance standing there.


    Moreover, this person''s temperament was ethereal and transcendent, surpassing all others.


    At this time, this person was looking at him with a very odd expression.


    "You are..." Zhao Sheng was taken aback and couldn''t help but take a half step back, looking at the other party with extreme vigilance.


    "You''re also from the Spiritual Clan? How come you''re so ugly!" the black robed Daoist suddenly asked weirdly.


    Zhao Sheng was stunned upon hearing this, as no one had ever told him he was ugly in his several lifetimes, and based on appearance alone, this life was the most handsome one.


    To say he was ugly, what kind of aesthetic was this?


    However, seeing the unmatched handsome face of the black robed Daoist, he couldn''t help but feel somewhat inferior.


    While thinking about how to reply, Zhao Sheng''s thoughts raced.


    However,


    The black robed person suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Eh, you''re not a Pure Blood Spirit Clan member, but a mixed-blood. No wonder, no wonder!"


    Mixed-blood really wasn''t a nice term.


    Zhao Sheng felt a fire rise in his heart and couldn''t help but say with a cold face, "Your words are a bit too unpleasant!"


    The black robed Daoist, upon hearing this, gave Zhao Sheng a strange look.


    "Boy, you dare to speak to me like this. Could it be that I have fallen for too long and the Spiritual Clan has forgotten me? Or is there another reason?"


    After speaking, he didn''t wait for Zhao Sheng to reply and asked again, "Boy, tell me, is the world you are in the Tianzhu Realm? What year is it now in the Void Spirit Calendar?"


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng was greatly shocked, with countless thoughts flashing through his mind.


    In the end, he decided to tell the truth.


    "This realm is indeed the Tianzhu Realm. However, I have never heard of any Void Spirit Calendar. The calendar of this realm has always been the Taiyi Calendar!"


    "Since ancient times? Taiyi Calendar... Taiyi Spirit Realm! So it is, after all... we lost!"


    The black robed Daoist muttered to himself with an extremely disheartened expression. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a long while, he suddenly sighed in disconsolation and then said, "Boy, what is your name? How many of our clan members are left in this realm?"


    Zhao Sheng, sensing no danger from the person opposite, let down his guard and asked coldly in return, "Before asking these questions, shouldn''t you reveal your identity first? And why have you trespassed into my Soul Sea without reason?"


    No sooner had he spoken than the black robed Daoist''s face changed, and he snorted coldly, "Junior, you want to know my name? First, let''s see if you''re worthy!"


    With that, the Void behind the black robed Daoist abruptly revealed a sky-high, indescribably colossal blue giant.


    The giant burst forth with endless chill, instantly freezing the Star River. The majestic aura, vast and mighty, filled the boundless starry sky.


    Seeing such grand phenomena, Zhao Sheng should have been fearful, but he still sensed no danger.


    Not only that, for some reason, the grander the opposite side''s spectacle became, the more Zhao Sheng wanted to laugh, and he finally couldn''t help but say teasingly, "You''re really amazing, do you plan to shatter this Star Sea with a strike?"


    Huh?


    Eh!


    Seeing this, the black robed Daoist waved his long sleeves, and the giant phantom behind him immediately dissipated, restoring the normal starry sky scene.


    He slowly retracted the killing intent in his body, then looked at Zhao Sheng with that same odd expression,


    "Do you truly not fear?"


    "Not afraid, you can''t kill me!" Zhao Sheng said confidently.


    After hearing this, the black robed person''s body shook abruptly, and his attitude changed dramatically.


    He smiled faintly and suddenly said, "I am one of the thirty-six Spirit Venerables of the Spiritual Clan, my true name is Qi Wuyang. Boy, what is your name?"


    Zhao Sheng clasped his fists and said, "My name is Zhao Dingtian. Do you have any guidance for me, senior?"


    "I see you''re a member of the Spiritual Clan as well, and you have decent potential. Would you like to take me as your master?"


    "... Ah!" Zhao Sheng didn''t expect such a drastic change in the other''s attitude and was momentarily at a loss for words.


    "What''s with the surprise! Although I don''t know your situation in the Tianzhu Realm, I dare guarantee that as long as you take me as your master, you''ll definitely be able to dominate the Star Sea and have a prospect of Ascension! Boy, you really don''t want to miss this opportunity."


    Such grand claims!


    Zhao Sheng did not believe a word the black robed person said.


    But being cautious, he still asked, "May I ask senior, what is the Spiritual Clan? What sort of realm is a Spirit Venerable? And... how did you end up in such a state?"


    The black robed Daoist, after hearing this, became extremely irate and said, "Hmph! You carry the Spiritual Clan Bloodline and yet are ignorant of the great name of my Spiritual Clan. The Taiyin Immortal Palace, what ruthless means! Truly... a disgrace!"


    Seeing the Daoist speak cryptically yet avoid talking about himself, Zhao Sheng grew even more suspicious and tentatively asked, "Senior, did you ''invite'' me here for some matter? And what is this Star River?"


    "This is a world created by one of my Divine Thoughts; it''s specially transformed to allow you and me to meet. As for why I have appeared to meet you, a baby, it''s all because of the trouble caused by your Spiritual Clan Bloodline. Otherwise, content in my sleep, why would I bother wasting Divine Thought to pull you in?" the black robed Daoist said with irritation.


    "Senior, why not send me back then?" Zhao Sheng tentatively asked.


    "Hmph, too late! I thought you were from our clan, and that''s why I burned my remaining thought to create this illusionary world. Who knew I would be mistaken. Could this be fate?" the black robed Daoist said with an intense gaze at Zhao Sheng, his expression complex.

 Chapter 166 The Demoted Immortals Remnant Soul and Destruction_2

    Zhao Sheng saw the situation and his heart sank with a bad premonition."Below..."


    After Zhao Sheng''s eyes flickered a few times, he was just about to say something when the vast starry sky suddenly trembled. At the same time, a crisp "crack" sound emanated from the infinite void.


    Immediately after, a dense array of cracks appeared out of thin air, as if the next moment, the entire world would shatter apart.


    "Impossible, this Divine Thought World is actually collapsing." The originally composed Black Robed Taoist lost his composure and exclaimed in disbelief upon seeing this scene.


    Zhao Sheng, witnessing the scene of the world''s destruction, was also startled.


    He did not know what was happening, but seeing the Black Robed Taoist''s panic,


    Zhao Sheng felt that this might be a good thing.


    "How is this possible! With my cultivation at the realm of Crossing Tribulation back in the day, even if only a thread of residual thoughts remained, those below the realm of Divinity Transformation should absolutely not be able to shake it, let alone destroy this world."


    The Black Robed Taoist watched as the stars in the sky instantly dimmed and disappeared, and the world collapsed in large swathes, his face turning deathly pale in an instant.


    Zhao Sheng calmed his spirit, concentrated, and felt something strange,


    "Weird! I don''t sense any danger?"


    Just then, the Black Robed Taoist looked up to the sky and sighed deeply, "It seems my life''s fate has run out. There''s no escape from this retribution. Oh well! In my life as a Spirit Venerable of my clan who once traversed the Three Thousand Realms, what great prestige I had, yet now only a wisp of a residual thought wheezily persists.


    Forget it, since my true body has perished countless years ago, now it is merely the end of my life''s fate." The Black Robed Taoist was briefly lost in despair, then quickly accepted his final end with resignation.


    "Young man, since fate has led you to meet me, it suggests there''s some destiny between us. I have an unfulfilled task to entrust to you," the Black Robed Taoist said solemnly, turning his gaze to Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng declined, "I am weak and of little strength, I fear I may not be able to carry out the important task of my predecessor."


    "Don''t worry! The task is not difficult, you just need to do it incidentally. And as a reward, I will tell you the location of an immortal''s legacy and a complete Returning to Void Skill. Regrettably, before my death, I deliberately removed all memories related to my clan''s skills. Otherwise, giving you ten or eight sets of Divine Skill Treasure Books would have been effortless."


    After saying this, the Black Robed Taoist confidently waited for the young man opposite him to agree.


    "What is the unfulfilled matter, Senior? I am all ears!" Zhao Sheng was full of doubt in his heart, but he could not resist the temptation, so he promptly agreed.


    "Hehe, no need to be so tense! If you can do it, great; if not, no harm done.


    What I am asking you to do is very simple, just to pass on a message to any member of the Spirit Clan who is above the realm of the Nascent Soul."


    "Senior, please tell me!"


    "Remember well, inside the Tianzhu Realm, a Primordial Sea God is being nurtured. Remember, aside from the people of the Spirit Clan, you must not tell this message to anyone else," the Black Robed Taoist instructed with a grave expression.


    "I will remember!" Zhao Sheng nodded and then spoke with difficulty, "Senior also knows that although I possess the bloodline of the Spirit Clan, I have never encountered any of its members. The way I see it, the Spirit Clan is either extinct or extremely rare in Tianzhu Realm. To encounter a Nascent Soul Ancestor is almost impossible!"


    "No matter! As long as you pass the message to the next generation before you die, one day your descendants will encounter one," the Black Robed Taoist said unconcernedly.


    "..." Zhao Sheng was speechless.


    At this time, with the Star River World on the brink of complete collapse, the Black Robed Taoist sighed, stretched out his hand into empty space, and pulled out a stone tablet that looked like gold and jade, with a dull spirit light emanating from its surface.


    Then, with a gentle toss, the stone tablet sharply shot towards him,


    Zhao Sheng instinctively caught the stone tablet, but it blurred for a moment and then disappeared into the palm of his hand without a trace.


    After doing this, the Black Robed Taoist''s body suddenly became vague and misty, as if the heart core that was supporting him had been lost.


    The next instant, his entire being turned into a wisp of gray smoke and merged into the surrounding void.


    Boom!


    This world finally completely collapsed like shattered glass, and a raging torrent of gray erupted violently from the void, instantly engulfing Zhao Sheng.


    All these changes happened so quickly that Zhao Sheng couldn''t react.


    But the moment the torrent "engulfed" him, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt an intense danger.


    "No good, I''ve been tricked!"


    However, just as his regret emerged, at that moment, he suddenly heard a piercingly miserable scream:


    "Ah! This is¡ª"


    As the scream ended, the rolling gray torrent instantly turned into a thread of gray smoke and was sucked into Zhao Sheng''s chest.


    The next second, his vision blurred, his spirit returned to the Purple Mansion, and he saw the tranquil and clear water of the boundless Soul Sea.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was astonished to see the Hundred Lifetimes Book slowly sinking into the Soul Sea.


    "The Hundred Lifetimes Book has actually appeared! Then... what exactly is the background of the Black Robed Taoist?" Zhao Sheng was somewhat puzzled at the moment.


    With this thought, suddenly a phrase emerged in his mind: "Earth Level Achievement: Captured a strand of a Banished Immortal''s residual thoughts."


    This statement held so much information that Zhao Sheng couldn''t quite process it momentarily.


    In his previous life, he had spent all his heart and mind, not hesitating to shorten his life span, and only after a sudden collapse in the middle of his journey had he managed to barely annihilate the Zhou family.


    And that was merely a Mystic Level Achievement.


    Now, he had effortlessly gained an Earth Level Achievement.


    This was really... a matter of giving thanks to the unfortunate remains of a Banished Immortal''s soul!


    As soon as this thought ended, Zhao Sheng asked himself, "Hundred Lifetimes Book, what level of existence are Banished Immortals?"


    But this time, the Hundred Lifetimes Book did not respond at all. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, repeated his question twice more, but the Hundred Lifetimes Book remained silent.


    Not willing to give up, Zhao Sheng focused his thoughts, and finally, there was a reaction from the Hundred Lifetimes Book. Its pages unfolded, and his personal data panel emerged in Zhao Sheng''s mind:


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 20/149


    Realm: Qi Refinement Seventh Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master


    Constitution: Water, Metal, Fire Three Spirit Roots, Spiritual Clan Bloodline (Evolving)


    Talent: Bullet Time, Danger Perception, Absolute Rationality


    [Skill]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Great Success), Stacking Talisman Technique (Great Success)


    Spell: Godslaying Sword Intent, Water Bomb Technique, Refraction Technique...


    Talisman Making: Water Escape Talisman, Invisibility Talisman... Concentrating God Talisman, Water Mine Talisman, Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Gray)...


    A glint flashed in Zhao Sheng''s eyes as he suddenly noticed the words "Evolving".


    He remembered that the word "Incomplete" originally followed "Spiritual Clan Bloodline", but now...


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but speculate whether the completion of the evolution of his Spiritual Clan Bloodline would be beneficial to him.


    Combining what he knew, the Spirit Clan had once waged a great boundary war against the Human Clan in the Tianzhu Realm, which ultimately resulted in the Spirit Clan''s defeat and expulsion from the Tianzhu Realm.


    As a result, from ancient times to the present, a Spirit Clan half-blood like him was always subjected to disdain from the pure-blooded Human Clan.


    If his blood concentration were to increase further, turning him into someone with silver hair and blue eyes like the Black Robed Taoist, with skin as white as jade...


    Then... his fate would probably not bode well.


    At this thought, Zhao Sheng''s expression turned somewhat grim.


    ¡­


    Just as Zhao Sheng''s spirit had barely disengaged from the Purple Mansion, he felt his body shake violently, and at the same time, he heard Hai Lan''er''s anxious voice crying out, "Wake up! Little Tian, what''s wrong with you?"


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes to find himself lying on the ground, with Hai Lan''er looking at him in a panic.


    "I''m fine," he said while quickly standing up.


    At the same time, he swiftly scanned his surroundings, only to be shocked by what he saw.


    At this moment, Li Mu, the Gui Xin Tree, and others lay in disarray on the ground, lifeless.


    All of their faces were as pale as snow, their eyes as lifeless as dead fish, but what was terrifying was that their expressions were one of immense bliss and satisfaction, as if they had seen the utmost truth.


    Right then, the ground beneath these bodies began to soften tremendously, turning into something resembling a swamp.


    Countless gray "threads" stretched out from the ground beneath and spread rapidly over the bodies, wrapping them up into cocoon-like shapes.


    "This... this... Dad!"


    Hai Lan''er witnessed all of this, and, overwhelmed by horror, tears began to stream from her eyes, turning her into a weeping figure in no time.


    Zhao Sheng inwardly sighed upon seeing this scene, instantly realizing the ultimate fate of Hai Dafu and the others.


    No wonder the corpses of those who had entered before couldn''t be seen; they had all become food.


    Curiosity welled up in Zhao Sheng. What species of demon insects were these "threads", and what was their relationship with the Black Robed Taoist?


    As he pondered this, a fine, cracking sound suddenly came from the spirit stone jade.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head abruptly, only to see the surface of the jade riddled with countless cracks.


    The next second, the jade collapsed with a loud bang, sending debris flying everywhere, leaving behind a large pile of spirit stones of various sizes where it once stood.

 Chapter 167 Breaking out of the Mist Sea

    ```Splash!


    Before he could react, another rushing wave of water sound erupted from behind him.


    Zhao Sheng turned around and saw that the luminous wall of the passage had somehow disappeared, and now a massive amount of seawater was gushing in.


    The strong water pressure of the seabed forced the water to shoot in violently, forming a thick, straight jet of water.


    In just a few breaths, the water in the underground cave had reached his waist.


    Hai Lan''er clung to Zhao Sheng''s arm in fear.


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight tug, and, seeing that it did not budge, he let it be.


    Soon, the underground cavern was submerged by the seawater!


    Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan''er emerged from the underwater cave.


    Gazing at the dark blue "vast ocean" below the sea, Zhao Sheng''s pupils suddenly constricted.


    He was astonished to find that the deathly black qi above the blue flames had disappeared.


    As for why it disappeared?


    Zhao Sheng had a rough guess that it had to do with the Black Robed Daoist.


    ...


    Yan Kai, the short and fat elder, and the others waiting on the ship would never have expected Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan''er to return so quickly.


    When they learned that the others had tragically perished, everyone was shocked and dumbstruck, especially the short and fat elder, who found it unbelievable.


    But Zhao Sheng had no reason to lie,


    After waiting in vain for three days, the short and fat elder finally accepted the ominous news.


    This person was truly the master of a ship, for he set his sights on the Da Fu shortly after accepting reality.


    It must be known that the Da Fu was a Whale Hunting Treasure Ship, which could easily sell for two to three hundred thousand Spirit Stones.


    Relying on his cultivation at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, the short and fat elder made no effort to hide his intention to seize the Da Fu.


    It was a pity he didn''t know there was someone pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger opposite him.


    So, when the short and fat elder made his move to suppress everyone, he was beheaded by Zhao Sheng with a single sword strike, meeting his end on the spot.


    After witnessing Zhao Sheng''s mysterious and profound strength, whether it was Yan Kai, Zou Li, or the three survivors from the early stage of Qi Refining on the Zhi Jin, they immediately expressed their loyalty as if to a god.


    After this small interlude, the biggest problem facing Zhao Sheng was how to leave the Mist Sea Area.


    Because they were short-handed, he had no choice but to abandon the Zhi Jin.


    Though the Zhi Jin could not compare to the Da Fu, being a ship that could travel on open sea trade routes was not something to scoff at, typically costing no less than one hundred thousand Spirit Stones to construct.


    Unfortunately, Zhao Sheng only had seven people; just being able to operate the Da Fu was already at their limit, let alone caring for the Zhi Jin.


    For the next two months, Zhao Sheng''s actions were incomprehensible to everyone. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Apart from cultivating and sleeping, he would spend all his remaining time diving into the sea, busying himself with something unknown.


    When Hai Lan''er asked him for a reason, his response was vague, merely stating he was searching for a "Life Path."


    However, gradually everyone noticed certain changes in Zhao Sheng''s physical characteristics.


    His eyes were originally black pupils with a blue halo around the edges. But after a month, his pupils had turned completely into a clear blue like the sky.


    His skin became fairer day by day, and finally was as smooth and radiant as white jade, as if coated with a layer of jade ointment.


    This made Hai Lan''er incredibly envious, and her affection in her eyes became more and more evident¡ªeven a blind person could see it.


    Three months later, the weather turned cold, the sea breeze grew stronger, and the fog''s density slightly diminished.


    One day, as the sunset, the afterglow spread across the sky


    The Da Fu sailed into a certain area of the sea and came to a slow stop.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng stood in the helm cabin, hands on the ship''s wheel, his expression serious.


    "Lower the sails!"


    At his command, Yan Kai and two others ran to the mast and quickly lowered the sails.


    "Seal the hold, prepare the Spirit Stone Furnace!"


    ```


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The cabin doors of the Da Fu were tightly sealed one by one, leaving the deck deserted.


    At this moment, standing solemnly in front of the Spirit Stone Furnace located under the lower hold was Hai Lan''er.


    "Ignite the Spirit Stone Furnace,"


    Upon receiving Zhao Sheng''s command, Hai Lan''er immediately took out a Storage Bag and poured a large bag of Pure Yin Spirit Stones into the Spirit Stone Furnace, filling its chamber over a person''s height with Stones.


    Due to a shortage of manpower, they had to resort to burning Spirit Stones, which seemed wasteful, but Zhao Sheng had an abundance of Pure Yin Spirit Stones. Just that piece of spirit stone jade alone would be enough to keep the furnace burning for six months.


    Hum!


    As the Spirit Stone Furnace emitted a great amount of Spiritual Power, the hull of the Da Fu was quickly covered by a layer of Light Film.


    Then, the vessel began to slowly sink beneath the sea.


    Zhao Sheng skillfully navigated the Da Fu down to a depth of one thousand two hundred zhang under the sea.


    At this depth, it was pitch dark, and marine life was extremely scarce.


    However, Zhao Sheng knew there was an undersea current here. It was the "Life Path" he had found after two months of searching.


    Originally, the Da Fu had been dragged into the Mist Sea by a Spirit Whale, and now Zhao Sheng was using a similar method, drifting out with the help of the current.


    This strategy had a high success rate, though it took quite a bit of time.


    Once the Da Fu had been steered into the current, Zhao Sheng let go of the ship''s wheel, allowing the current to slowly push the ship towards the unknown ahead.


    The days under the sea were dull and lengthy. While the rest of the crew grew anxious and restless with the wait, Zhao Sheng feasted on the rich spirit whale meat, immersing himself daily in strenuous cultivation.


    In a flash, three months had passed.


    Hai Lan''er, Yan Kai, Zou Li, and others could no longer bear the wait. Life in confinement had been unbearably monotonous and dull.


    Hai Lan''er and the others had sought out Zhao Sheng for three consecutive days, their implication clear in their relentless hints.


    Zhao Sheng calculated the time, and whenever he could, he would swim out from the ship and surface.


    Looking up at the stars and the crescent moon, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but slap the sea surface forcefully, splashing water everywhere.


    "Finally out!"


    An hour later, the Da Fu emerged from the water.


    The cabin doors were opened, and Hai Lan''er and the others couldn''t wait to rush onto the deck.


    When they saw the boundless seawater and the moon''s reflection glistening on it, everyone immediately burst into loud cheers, and some even wept with joy.


    That night, no one aboard could sleep. The delicacies and Spiritual Wine brought over from the Zhi Jin were laid out on the deck like flowing water, as the people reveled in the food and drink and the enchanting seascape of the outside world.


    Two days later, having vented the stress of their narrow escape from death, they began to seriously discuss how to return to the Shattered Star Sea.


    It was said to be a discussion, but in reality, it was Zhao Sheng making the decisions. Even though Hai Lan''er was the heir to the Da Fu, it was Zhao Sheng who was at the heart of everyone''s trust.


    The first thing to do after escaping the Mist Sea was to determine their location.


    However, this sea area was completely unfamiliar,


    Zhao Sheng held three Nautical Gold Plates in his hand, but none of them matched the terrain features of this sea area.


    Even though the Nautical Gold Plates were of no use, Zhao Sheng was not to be defeated.


    The main island groups of the Shattered Star Sea were mostly to the north.


    If they couldn''t confirm their bearings, they would simply head north.


    After making the decision, the Da Fu raised its sails again, turned its bow northward, and with the effect of the Wind Swinging Formation on the sails, a strong wind billowed them. The Treasure Ship used the wind to gradually accelerate, sailing towards the distant horizon.


    One day,


    Two days,


    ...


    Each day, Zhao Sheng would control the Cloud Boat to venture out, scouting the surrounding hundreds of miles of the sea.


    Persistence pays off!


    Half a month later, quite unexpectedly, Zhao Sheng discovered an island. This island also enabled them to confirm their position.


    Their location was on the edge of the Outer Star Sea, merely three hundred sea miles from the nearest Dragon Scale Level Spiritual Island, Zhi Ao Island.

 Chapter 168 The Wind Rises on Zhi Ao Island

    Back on the Da Fu, Zhao Sheng immediately summoned everyone for a short meeting.Regarding the question of where the Da Fu should head next, there was unanimous agreement among the members - they all requested to first head to Zhi Ao Island.


    The most important reason for this was the numerous Alien Sea Demon Thieves in the Outer Star Sea; if they encountered any Demon Pirate Group, they would find it extremely difficult to defend themselves.


    "Then set course for Zhi Ao Island!"


    With Zhao Sheng''s final decision, the Da Fu turned around, pushing aside the water, and sailed swiftly toward the northwest. Stay updated via empire


    Four days later, to the cheers of Hai Lan''er and others, the Da Fu finally arrived at Zhi Ao Island.


    After the Treasure Ship docked at the pier, an early arrival dock Manager promptly came to the ship''s side.


    Without any need for urging, this person promptly and diligently processed the registration procedures for Zhao Sheng and the other six to go ashore.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, it was an iron law that ships must register when they arrive at an island. This rule served many purposes, the most important of which was to prevent Magic Thieves or the Sea Clan from infiltrating the islands.


    In the previous Great Beast Tide Wars, there had been many occasions where spies and traitors infiltrated the spirit islands, leading to their downfall.


    The most noticeable and severe incident was the submersion of Dragon Head Island a thousand years ago, where, due to someone''s actions, tens of millions of lives on the island became sacrifices to the ocean.


    The Da Fu was too distinctive, and those who frequently mingled at the docks could tell at a glance that this ship was a Whale Hunting Treasure Ship, which must have a Foundation Establishment Immortal Master onboard. No one dared to treat them negligently.


    After all, the Island Master of Zhi Ao Island was also of Foundation Establishment Cultivation. When a Foundation Establishment Cultivator arrived on this island, those below must pay great attention and must not fail in courtesy.


    However, after the Manager had completed the registration, he secretly thought it was strange - why were there only seven people on the ship and the leader, a young man with Blue Eyes, did not look like a high-level Foundation Establishment expert at all.


    Strange, very strange!


    This person secretly took note of this matter, planning to report to his superiors immediately afterwards.


    After the Manager left, Zhao Sheng stood on the deck, silently observing the pier and everything on the island, which gave him the impression that the pier was large, but the ships were not, the pier and the streets were quite bustling, at least there were many people.


    For a huge ship like the Da Fu, there were only two of that size on this pier. Ships slightly smaller numbered less than ten, and as for the other smaller vessels, there were dozens, if not hundreds, too insignificant to mention.


    Zhao Sheng was observing his surroundings, unaware that he too was being watched in secret.


    In a private room on the third floor of a tavern close to the dock, a noble young master dressed in purple leaned by the window, gazing far off at the Da Fu and just happened to take in Zhao Sheng and the others.


    "Tsk tsk! Today Zhi Ao Island actually has a Whale Hunting Treasure Ship arriving. I wonder if this ship caught any Spirit Whales? Recently, spirit whale meat is very sought after."


    Dong Zheng clicked his tongue in wonder as he mumbled to himself, contemplating how to make a small fortune.


    He was a direct descendant of the third generation in the Dong family, a Four Spirit Roots Cultivator with Qi Refining Third Layer. The Dong family was one of the Foundation Establishment Families on Zhi Ao Island. The family elder was not only the Island Master of the island but also the leader among the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators guarding the island, with cultivation at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.


    Li Ziqi, with a smile, addressed Dong Zheng: "Brother Dong, don''t be anxious! This Treasure Ship has a Foundation Establishment Cultivator aboard. Ancestor Dong and my Master will certainly host the other party. Just a casual mention and the amount they let slip from their hands will be enough for us to eat our fill."


    Hearing this, Dong Zheng had an epiphany and slapped the table excitedly, "Brother Li is right! We must report this to the Ancestor quickly."


    As he spoke, he shouted outward.


    "Come here!"


    "Hold on!" Li Ziqi immediately stopped him.


    Seeing Dong Zheng look over, Li Ziqi said, "It would be best to first find out the background, name, and the information on the people aboard the ship. The more detailed, the better. Only then can we take targeted measures."


    "Brother Li is indeed more thoughtful!"


    After Dong Zheng expressed his admiration, he turned his head to command the underling who entered the private room to go out and investigate the news of the Da Fu.


    Before long, the dock manager was led into the private room.


    Upon seeing Dong Zheng and Li Ziqi, the two young masters, the manager knelt down with a thud and in the face of their questions, he didn''t dare to conceal a thing, spilling everything he knew.


    Learning that there were only seven people on the Da Fu, Dong Zheng and Li Ziqi were very surprised and instantly realized something was amiss.


    If it was...


    After sending away the manager, the two sat in silence for a moment before Dong Zheng spoke with a playful tone, "Brother Li, what do you think of this matter?"


    Li Ziqi said gravely, "We mustn''t be careless! Let''s find out more first."


    "Right! In any case, that ship isn''t going anywhere for the time being. If it''s a dragon crossing the river, we''ll give it due respect, but if it''s a lame shrimp? Hehe!... You must know that the Outer Star Sea is not peaceful!"


    On the other hand, Zhao Sheng was unaware that someone had already started to target the Da Fu.


    Out of caution, Zhao Sheng promised a handsome reward to Yan Kai and Zou Li, instructing them to keep watch over the other three at the Qi Refining Early Stage, not allowing them to leave the ship.


    After that, he found Hai Lan''er and asked her about the next steps, or more precisely, how to handle the Da Fu as well as the whale meat, blubber, and bones on board.


    Without Hai Dafu to oversee things, Hai Lan''er alone couldn''t manage the Da Fu, even with Zhao Sheng''s help. Besides, he had no such aspirations.


    Although Hai Lan''er was beautiful and well-endowed, she was not brainless; she had long considered the fate of the Da Fu.


    In her hands, the Da Fu was like a child holding gold in a bustling market, bound to attract wolves and tigers at any moment.


    Therefore, when Zhao Sheng asked about it, Hai Lan''er readily shared her thoughts without hesitation.


    It turned out that Hai Dafu and his daughter hailed from the Xu Clan, and Hai Lan''er''s suggestion was to affiliate the Da Fu with the elders of her branch and thus obtain their protection.


    The Xu Clan was one of the indigenous tribes of the Shattered Star Sea, known for the unity and solidarity amongst its members, who were bound by blood and settled together.


    The Xu Clan members usually sailed the seas, hunting sea beasts as their main occupation, and rarely resided on islands, thus earning them the title of "Sea People."


    Zhao Sheng, observing Hai Lan''er''s prethought plans, felt that her considerations were very thorough.


    So he said no more.


    He had already made up his mind that once this matter was handled, he would quickly return to the Central Continent, dig up the backups left from his previous life, and then strive to advance to Foundation Establishment as soon as possible.


    That afternoon, Zhao Sheng accompanied Hai Lan''er off the ship and onto Zhi Ao Island.


    Upon reaching a bustling workshop district on the island, Hai Lan''er walked down two streets and quickly located their destination, the Sea Treasure Pavilion.


    The Sea Treasure Pavilion was a shop specializing in the sale of marine treasures and had branches on each spirit island across the Shattered Star Sea. Its hidden owner was the Xu Clan.


    As soon as Hai Lan''er entered the Sea Treasure Pavilion, she immediately caught the attention of the store owner.


    Because flaming red hair was the most distinctive feature of the Xu Clan''s cultivators.


    Not wanting to neglect an Immortal Master from his own clan, the store owner promptly presented himself and kindly led the two to the backyard.


    An hour later, Hai Lan''er left the Sea Treasure Pavilion with a smiling face.


    Just now, she had sent the matter of the Da Fu back to Thousand Boat City through special channels. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the latest within half a month, or as soon as three or four days, the elders would receive the message, and by then, they would surely send someone to Zhi Ao Island to take over the Da Fu.

 Chapter 169 The Legendary Person

    Having accomplished great things, Hai Lan''er was in high spirits.On their way back to the dock, they passed a restaurant.


    Smelling the delicious scent of food coming from the restaurant, she was instantly overtaken by cravings.


    Hai Lan''er grabbed Zhao Sheng''s arm, headed towards the restaurant, and gleefully exclaimed, "It''s been years since I''ve had a decent meal! I''m almost starving to death. Come on, let''s go in and have a feast!"


    Zhao Sheng, who had grown sick of eating whale meat over the years, naturally did not object.


    The two entered the restaurant, didn''t fuss over choosing a spot, picked a table in the main hall on the first floor at random, and then summoned the servant to order every dish the restaurant had.


    It didn''t matter if they couldn''t finish everything; there were five others back on the ship as well.


    Seeing two generous customers, the servant dared not neglect them, and soon a variety of delicious dishes was brought to the table like flowing water.


    Hai Lan''er cheered and, without regard for her image, picked up her chopsticks and began to devour the food. Zhao Sheng''s eating manners were much better than hers, but he was not slow.


    Soon, the table of dishes was swept clean.


    Luckily, the restaurant''s serving speed could keep up with their pace of eating.


    Such alarming eating manners immediately captured the attention of the nearby diners.


    Everyone began to glance over, and for a moment Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan''er became the "center" of the restaurant.


    At that moment, Dong Zheng and Li Ziqi happened to be coming downstairs. They instantly spotted Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan''er, who were concentrating on their meal.


    "Oh, red hair...?"


    Dong Zheng exclaimed in surprise, unable to help but turn his head to exchange a glance with Li Ziqi.


    Li Ziqi gave a slight nod, and Dong Zheng immediately got the hint.


    They had just been discussing the Da Fu, and unexpectedly, the moment they came downstairs, they ran into its owner.


    "Could this be fate!"


    While thinking this, Dong Zheng walked down the stairs.


    While passing through the main hall on the first floor, he glanced at Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan''er out of the corner of his eye.


    When he saw Zhao Sheng''s Blue Eyes, Dong Zheng''s heart was profoundly shaken, and he inadvertently staggered.


    Seeing this, Li Ziqi stepped forward to steady Dong Zheng''s arm, asking in a low voice, "Brother Dong, are you alright?"


    "I''m fine, let''s talk outside!" Dong Zheng''s voice was slightly panicked. He secretly patted Li Ziqi''s hand and quickly pulled him to walk out of the restaurant.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng raised his head and saw the faint Yellow Light emanating from the backs of the two men, a strange light flashing in his eyes.


    He had only been on Zhi Ao Island for a day and didn''t know anyone, so why would someone show hostility toward him?


    Hai Lan''er, noticing Zhao Sheng''s unusual behavior, stopped eating and asked, "Hmm, what''s wrong?"


    "It''s nothing, you keep eating!"


    After saying this and thinking for a moment, Zhao Sheng summoned the servant.


    "Sir, may I help you with anything?"


    The young servant, who appeared very clever, rushed over when called and respectfully awaited Zhao Sheng''s order. Stay connected through empire


    "I want to ask you, do you recognize the two people who just left? What are their identities?"


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng''s question, the servant''s expression changed, and a troubled look appeared on his face.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng took out a golden leaf, stuffing it into the servant''s hand.


    The servant had never seen a patron act so boldly, and in an instant, his eyes turned red, his defenses shattered on the spot.


    He glanced around, then leaned close to Zhao Sheng''s ear and began whispering softly.


    ... sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, as soon as Dong Zheng left the tavern, he hurried Li Ziqi onto a carriage.


    Once the curtain was drawn, Li Ziqi, puzzled, asked, "Brother Dong, those two don''t even know us nor do they know our plans. Why did you seem a bit panicked just now? That isn''t like you at all!"


    Dong Zheng took a deep breath to calm his racing heart and instinctively whispered low, "Brother Li, did you notice that man just now?"


    "I did. Why? Was there something off about him?" Li Ziqi asked, full of curiosity.


    "He had a pair of Blue Eyes!" Dong Zheng''s voice was as faint as an ant''s, as if afraid of being overheard.


    "Blue Eyes, Blue Eyes?" Li Ziqi repeated to himself a couple of times, not seeing anything unusual about it.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, native races were plenty and many looked strange¡ªfrom the all-black Kun Nu, Shrimp People with lobster-claw hands, to Merfolk with gills behind their ears. None was stranger than a man with Blue Eyes!


    Seeing that Li Ziqi still didn''t understand, Dong Zheng urgently whispered, "Remember the man from the legends who also had a pair of Blue Eyes?"


    "Which man?" Li Ziqi asked reflexively.


    Dong Zheng, seeing his reaction, became anxious and hinted, "Think about it, the man who fell at Dragon Head Pass a thousand years ago!"


    Upon hearing this, Li Ziqi''s heart skipped, and a chill ran down his spine. That man was an absolute taboo in the Cultivation World of the Shattered Star Sea, not only his life story but even his name had been obliterated. Typically, no one dared to even mention him, always referring to him merely as ''that person.''


    "You mean, the person just now has something to do with ''that person''?" Li Ziqi asked in a hushed voice, leaning forward.


    Dong Zheng first nodded but then shook his head.


    Li Ziqi was confused by his odd behavior.


    At that moment, Dong Zheng''s face showed a greedy yet fearful grin as he whispered, "Brother Li, since you''ve heard of that person, you must know how much the Divine Palace of the Star God dreads him. Now that a man with Blue Eyes has appeared on Zhi Ao Island, don''t you have any thoughts about it?"


    "Brother Dong, if you have any ideas, just speak freely, no need to hold back," Li Ziqi said, showing a trace of impatience.


    Seeing Li Ziqi''s impatience, Dong Zheng quickly spoke his thoughts, "Let''s gather some men and capture those seven at once, then take that man to Star God Island and offer him to the Divine Palace of the Star God. Brother Li, what do you think?"


    Li Ziqi was initially shocked, but the next second, he was tempted.


    Following Dong Zheng''s plan could bring numerous benefits after success.


    The most obvious and immediate benefit was taking possession of the Whale Hunting Treasure Ship.


    But that was nothing compared to the potential rewards from the Divine Palace of the Star God.


    As the uncrowned ruler of the Shattered Star Sea, the Divine Palace of the Star God not only possessed an extraordinary status and profound strength, but its disciples were all considered exceptional talents.


    If they could use this opportunity to join the Divine Palace of the Star God, their futures would surely be limitless.


    Even if they couldn''t join, just establishing a connection with the Divine Palace of the Star God would bring endless benefits to both the Dong family and the master-disciple pair.


    Thinking this, Li Ziqi''s eyes turned red with excitement.


    Dong Zheng, seeing all this, couldn''t help but smile satisfactorily, seizing the moment to say, "We must keep this strictly confidential. You only tell your master, and I''ll only tell my ancestor and my father. Let the elders handle the rest. Once we make a Great Merit this time, all we have to do is wait to reap the benefits."


    Li Ziqi''s eyes twinkled as he nodded in agreement with a grin.


    Dong Zheng, still uneasy, urged once more, "Keep it tight-lipped. Before that man is offered to the Divine Palace of the Star God, we can''t let this news leak, or else¡ª"


    He was cut off mid-sentence as Li Ziqi interrupted, "I understand!"


    Dong Zheng was momentarily taken aback, then took a breath and replied, "Good, as long as you understand!"

 Chapter 170 Foundation Establishment Assaults

    As Dong Zheng and another conferred secretly about capturing Zhao Sheng and the others, Zhao Sheng learned of the two''s identities from a servant''s mouth¡ªone was the legitimate young master of the Dong family, and the other was a high pupil of the Foundation Establishment Cultivator stationed on the island.After Zhao Sheng finished his questioning, he added another golden leaf to send the servant away.


    At this moment, Hai Lan''er put down her chopsticks and quietly asked, "Was there something wrong with those two people just now?"


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, "Nothing much, just curious to see that those two are also cultivators."


    Oh!


    After exhaling an "Oh!" Hai Lan''er didn''t inquire further, picked up her chopsticks, and continued to enjoy the delicious food.


    Zhao Sheng also picked up his chopsticks, seemingly focused on his meal, but his mind was busy pondering the intentions of Dong Zheng and his companion.


    Although he hadn''t figured out their true motive, he had already heightened his vigilance.


    An hour later, the two finished their meal and packed the leftovers into their Storage Bags.


    After settling the bill and leaving the restaurant, they swiftly returned to the Da Fu.


    ...


    Sunset gave way to moonrise, and the night enveloped the world in darkness. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As night fell, the workshop on Zhi Ao Island bustled for one or two hours.


    With the deepening of the night, the lights on the workshop, the streets, and the docks were extinguished one by one, and the island slowly sank into silence.


    The moon was patchy with clouds, the stars scarce,


    The docks gradually produced threads of fog, and the moored ships shrouded in mist began to blur.


    It was then that Zhao Sheng suddenly walked up from the cabin onto the deck.


    The night was thick with fog, the docks deserted, but in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, two human-shaped shadows gleaming with black light obscured by a cloud in the sky were exceedingly conspicuous.


    He looked up to the sky and with a serious expression, he clasped his fists and called out loudly, "I wonder what brings two exalted persons here in these late hours? I am Zhao Dingtian, may I ask the two of you to reveal yourselves!"


    No sooner had the words fallen than a chilling shout sounded from midair, "How did you discern our traces? This cloud sail of mine can even deceive a Companion, how could a junior Qi Refining cultivator like yourself detect us!"


    "Hee hee, seeing as our whereabouts have been exposed! What''s there to argue about? After we capture him, we''ll just ask then,"


    A lazy and charming voice came from above, the implication of which made Zhao Sheng''s heart sink, and he quickly raised his guard.


    At that moment, a man and a woman suddenly revealed themselves, descending rapidly from the sky.


    The man had a full head of white hair, skin and bones as if a gust of wind could knock him over. The woman, however, was seductively beautiful, with a graceful figure that bewitched every move she made.


    Zhao Sheng swept a glance over these two and inwardly cursed his bad luck, for the appearance of two Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators at the same time spelled trouble.


    "Junior Zhao Dingtian pays respect to Mr. Dong and Senior Lian Yue!" Upon seeing the two, Zhao Sheng''s pupils shrank sharply, and he greeted them with great solemnity and a respectful fist clasp.


    There were only three Foundation Establishment cultivators on Zhi Ao Island. Associating them with the two individuals from the day, Zhao Sheng immediately guessed the identities of the newcomers.


    "Hee hee, so you recognize the two of us! That''s hardly fair, as you know of our origins, yet we are quite unfamiliar with you. During the day, we heard that a Whale Hunting Treasure Ship had arrived on Zhi Ao Island, thinking perhaps a fellow Daoist had come. Now it seems there is no fellow Daoist, but instead, a handsome young lad," said the seductive woman with a smile, appearing as if she bore no hostility.


    Yet when Zhao Sheng saw the woman''s coquettishly smiling face, he felt even colder inside since the malice the two harbored towards him was becoming increasingly evident.


    Your adventure continues at empire


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s face full of wariness, the woman''s lips curled slightly, and she suddenly changed her tone, saying, "What a buzzkill of a boy!"


    "Hehe, why waste words with this boy, Lian Yue Daoist friend?" The skeleton chuckled sinisterly and then spoke to Zhao Sheng, "Kid, to spare yourself some pain, I advise you to surrender without resistance!"


    Zhao Sheng''s thoughts raced, and with a bitter expression, he said, "I have no grudges or grievances with the two seniors, why have you come in the dead of night to capture Zhao? Even if death is the end result, I would like to die with clarity."


    "Kid, telling you won''t hurt! It''s your blue eyes that are to blame."


    Before his voice had even faded, countless yellow silks shot out from the old man''s hands. The yellow silks, like living creatures, twisted and interwove back and forth, instantly forming a yellow silk net that whooshed down towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes narrowed, his pupils instantly shrinking to their smallest size.


    As the world seemed to slow down by countless times, a large mass of water light burst forth from both of his hands, followed by the water light exploding, expanding into a vast expanse of white fog.


    The white fog generated crazily, surging out rapidly, in the blink of an eye surrounding the entirety of Da Fu, including the sky above, within it.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng instantly disappeared from sight, concealing his presence and, following the fog, escaping towards the outside of the ship.


    In the next instant, the world returned to normal.


    "Courting death!"


    The roar of the white-haired old man came from within the mist, while the beautiful woman laughed furiously.


    A beam of yellow light shot into the fog instantly, and Zhao Sheng''s heart suddenly filled with a hair-raising sensation,


    In a moment, an intense killing intent suddenly came from behind!


    "Neither Concentrate nor the Invisibility Talisman are effective!"


    In shock, Zhao Sheng, without thinking, threw a Second-order Water Mine Talisman behind him.


    Boom!


    The water cloud and electric light exploded with a bang, blowing a large hole in the fog, and as the yellow light was also dispersed, a pink phoenix hairpin, with its sharp edge, flashed by in front of Zhao Sheng, flying forward another two fathoms before turning back, once again chasing towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng instantly broke out in a cold sweat, shocked that Lian Yue could actually predict the direction in which he would flee.


    White-Haired Elder Dong''s attack missed, his gaze filled with icy coldness.


    He snorted coldly, his Divine Sense bursting forth violently, instantly enveloping the entire Da Fu.


    This person had actually concealed his cultivation; he was not at Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, but Late Stage!


    "Bad news!"


    Zhao Sheng, sensing this powerful Divine Sense, inwardly cursed his bad luck.


    But he also knew that it was useless to say anything or beg for mercy now. He could only first escape into the sea, to see if he could use the vast ocean to escape from the two pursuers.


    Zhao Sheng''s eye shone with Divine Light, his blue eyes suddenly transforming into a vast ocean of profound depths.


    The world came to a halt again, and this time he violently spat out a mouthful of essence blood, which turned into a blood mist wrapping around his entire body.


    In the next instant, his whole body moved so fast it turned into a streak of blood light, and disappeared in a flash.


    At the same time, White-Haired Elder Dong suddenly spread his hands, and numerous yellow light points spiraled out from his fingers, quickly turning into palm-sized crescent light blades, silently covering the entire Da Fu.


    "Puff puff" sounds kept ringing out without stop, splinters flew, and the deck, the cabins, the masts¡ªevery place the light blades touched was densely slashed with deep cuts.


    However, all attacks hit empty air, which infuriated White-Haired Elder Dong. "Damn it, let that kid escape!"


    The two Foundation Establishment cultivators had missed an opportunity and could only watch as a streak of blood light, like a long rainbow piercing the moon, suddenly shot out from the white fog and, like instantaneous movement, flew more than a hundred fathoms.


    After a while, the blood light dissipated, revealing Zhao Sheng''s figure.


    As Zhao Sheng saw the two people rapidly chasing after him, he suddenly revealed a contemptuous smile, his body quickly plunging into the sea, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the dark waters.

 Chapter 171 Divine Soul Mark

    "Chase!"Mr. Dong let out an angry roar, a surge of yellow light flooding from his body and transforming into a streak of light that swiftly flew to where Zhao Sheng had plunged into the sea, before diving in after him.


    If he let a junior Qi Refiner slip away from his grasp, where would the face of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Ancestor like him be left!


    Seeing this, Lianyue Wanderer''s eyes flickered with unusual light, and after a charming laugh, she inserted her Spiritual Artifact, the Water Phoenix Hairpin, back into her hair and also gave chase.


    Splash!


    A wave rippled, and above the sea there was no longer any sign of them.


    The moment Zhao Sheng entered the water, his body transformed into an extremely nimble fish, and with a light flick of his tail, he darted several zhang downward.


    In just a moment, he had dived more than twenty zhang deep undersea.


    At that moment, a powerful Divine Sense suddenly swept over him. Zhao Sheng''s heart skipped a beat, sensing a strong intent to kill coming from above. The Divine Sense clung to him like a persistent maggot, impossible to shake off.


    Having been a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in his past life, he knew all too well that if he couldn''t escape the range of the opponent''s Divine Sense, he would inevitably be caught, and it would be all over for him.


    After all, Mr. Dong was a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. The gulf in their cultivations was too wide, not something that could be overcome by mere trickery.


    To wish for victory was farfetched, but even escaping from his opponent''s hands would indeed be a fortunate occurrence.


    As Zhao Sheng''s thoughts raced, above him the water surged with yellow light. Numerous yellow light blades easily pierced through the thick water, stabbing towards Zhao Sheng''s head, chest, abdomen, and limbs.


    Zhao Sheng''s face hardened, and without looking back, he dived deeper, releasing two Second-order Water Mine Talismans while on the move.


    Boom boom!


    A series of dull explosions went off above his head. The seawater within a seven to eight zhang radius suddenly "boiled and churned" incessantly, a chaotic mixture of currents swirling everywhere, with countless tiny bubbles spreading around densely like froth.


    For a moment, the nearby seawater was blasted into a muddled mess.


    Zhao Sheng felt the Divine Sense behind him break due to the water mines, and after a cold huff, Spiritual Power surged violently from beneath his feet, transforming into a powerful repulsive force that made his dive speed increase several times over in an instant.


    He had already made up his mind; now was not the time to hesitate. Rather than conserving Spiritual Power, he was eager to escape the range of the Divine Sense as quickly as possible.


    Otherwise, once his pursuer caught up with him, it would already be too late to even think about escaping. However, he was quite confident in himself; after all, the undersea was his home turf.


    Seeing the boy trying to escape through the muddy waters, Mr. Dong''s eyes flashed with a cold light, and within a cloak of yellow light, his hands fiercely swept downward.


    Two enormous light blades flew out of his hands.


    The light blades seemed to ignore the resistance of the seawater, crossing twenty zhang of space in an instant, slicing towards Zhao Sheng''s back.


    As the light blade neared, a suddenly intense shadow of death emerged in Zhao Sheng''s mind.


    He shivered abruptly and flung his hands backward.


    From one hand flew a massive, heavy black turtle shell, while the other hand burst forth with a copious blue light, forming layers upon layers of robust water barriers.


    "Splash"


    The light blade swiftly cut into the water barrier, effortlessly slicing through it as if it were a hot knife through butter; in no time, the barrier was hacked to pieces, turning back into ordinary seawater.


    Meanwhile, the light blade collided with the turtle shell; with a "crack", the shell split into two halves and was utterly destroyed.


    After breaking through two defenses, the light blade''s speed greatly decreased and its size halved.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t spare a single thought of regret for the destruction of the turtle shell Magic Artifact.


    Without even looking, his hand reached to his Storage Bag at his waist, and two head-sized pale blue water mines flew out, squarely colliding with the light blade in perfect unison.


    Boom boom


    The seawater exploded in an instant, and as electric light rampaged through, the light blade flickered a few times before dissipating like glowworms.


    Seeing his attack fail again, Mr. Dong was shocked and furious!


    In the Shattered Star Sea, due to the environment, cultivators have always been most adept at underwater combat. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Mr. Dong, who had lived for nearly two hundred years, had experienced countless underwater skirmishes.


    But he had never encountered a slippery youngster like Zhao Sheng.


    Barely delayed, the Lianyue Wanderer also caught up to Mr. Dong''s side.


    Watching Zhao Sheng getting further away, about to escape the range of her Divine Sense, a flash of astonishment appeared in her eyes as she transmitted with her Divine Sense, "Brother Dong, with the youngster''s agility, I now believe more and more that he''s related to ''that person''!"


    "Pursue!"


    Upon hearing this, Mr. Dong didn''t hesitate at all and rapidly descended, his figure a dazzling yellow comet, eagerly chasing after Zhao Sheng.


    A distance of twenty zhang, which could be crossed in the blink of an eye in the air, was undoubtedly much slower undersea.


    Zhao Sheng, carrying the Spiritual Clan Bloodline, could be called the darling of the sea, and with the help of Spiritual Power, his underwater speed was not only not slower than Mr. Dong and his companion''s but was also imperceptibly faster.


    During the chase, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators launched several attacks in succession, but all were blocked by talismans.


    Zhao Sheng had talismans in his hand that seemed inexhaustible, and to obstruct the two''s pursuit, he spared no expense in scattering them generously.


    Facing such an overbearing junior Qi Refining cultivator, Mr. Dong was frustrated and furious.


    Yet in this unique underwater environment, for a moment he could do nothing to Zhao Sheng.


    Only if the distance between them was less than ten zhang could he command his Spiritual Artifact to strike that youngster fiercely.


    The gap between them widened further and further, and in the blink of an eye, the three had dived to a depth of a thousand zhang at the sea floor.


    There, in the pitch-dark surroundings where vision was useless, they could only rely on Divine Sense to lock onto Zhao Sheng.


    At this moment, Mr. Dong sensed that the youngster was about to escape from his Divine Sense range. With a hardened heart, a speck of golden light suddenly burst from his glabella and disappeared into Zhao Sheng''s back with a flash.


    The next instant, Mr. Dong, filled with shame and unwillingness, "watched" the youngster "disappear" from his Divine Sense.


    Seeing him like this, the Lianyue Wanderer had her suspicions, but she still added fuel to the fire and transmitted, "Brother Dong, did that youngster... get away?"


    Mr. Dong ground his teeth and said, "Humph, he... won''t escape! I''ve planted a Divine Soul Mark on him. Even if he burrows into a trench, I will catch him."


    The Lianyue Wanderer was taken aback upon hearing this.


    She knew that a Divine Soul Mark was a forbidden technique that hurt the enemy a thousand at the cost of self-injury of eight hundred.


    To cast this forbidden technique, one must pay with the loss of a strand of one''s Divine Soul.


    And injuries to the Divine Soul were amongst the most difficult to heal in the world, revealing the resoluteness of Mr. Dong''s intention.


    Meanwhile, as Zhao Sheng made his escape, he didn''t relax at all, instead he swam with all his might towards the deeper undersea.


    Zhao Sheng dived to the ocean floor in one breath, and upon touching the sand, he quickly burrowed into it and released a Concentrating God Talisman, reducing his presence to the utmost limit.


    However, even after doing this, Zhao Sheng was still filled with unease, a strong sense of crisis lingering at the forefront of his mind, refusing to dissipate.


    After a few breaths, his body tensed up, and his heart pounded furiously; the feeling of crisis grew more intense, as if an enemy could strike at any moment.


    "Something''s not right!"


    Zhao Sheng suddenly burst out of the sand. Although he didn''t know what method Mr. Dong and his companion had used, he realized they could still track him.


    Zhao Sheng trusted his spiritual sense wasn''t wrong.


    Without any hesitation, he forcefully kicked off the ground, his body shot out sharply, and he fled towards even deeper and more distant waters.


    No more than twenty breaths after he left the area, Mr. Dong suddenly burst forth from the darkness, appearing there.


    Sensing the rapidly fading Divine Soul Mark, Mr. Dong''s anger boiled, "Damn it, just one step too late!"

 Chapter 172 The Mysterious Heavenly Tribulation

    After swimming more than two hundred nautical miles in one breath, Zhao Sheng felt the crisis in his heart diminish slightly.However, as soon as he stopped and time passed, that nameless sense of crisis in his heart quickly intensified.


    Zhao Sheng had no choice but to leave again and continue his underwater escape.


    In this way, the chase endured for three whole days.


    During these three days, Zhao Sheng searched inside and out of his body and finally discovered a Divine Soul Mark on his twelfth vertebra.


    Having been a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in his past life, Zhao Sheng was very familiar with Divine Soul Marks and knew they were extremely hidden and difficult to remove.


    For other Qi Refining Realm cultivators, not to mention not being able to find it, even if they did find it, they would be helpless against it.


    But for Zhao Sheng, the Divine Soul Mark was not unsolvable; it only required a lot of time to erode it.


    And the means to erode it was the Godslaying Sword Intent.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng once again sincerely thanked that transcendent and free-spirited True Immortal.


    No, he should now be referred to as the Yue Ancestor. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From the memories of Zhao Dingtian, he knew that Yue Qinghan had successfully ascended to the Nascent Soul Realm over a hundred and twenty years ago, becoming the new sect''s ancestor of the Sky Sun Sword Sect.


    Because of her decisive killing and divinely skilled swordsmanship, she also earned the reputation of a Female Sword Immortal.


    Thus, Zhao Sheng escaped while repeatedly bombarding the Divine Soul Mark with Godslaying Sword Intent.


    Two months later, in an undersea cave with no name, Zhao Sheng appeared pale with tattered clothing and deep dark circles under his eyes, showing great fatigue and dishevelment.


    However, he didn''t care about such things at the moment.


    After two months of wear and tear, the Divine Soul Mark had dimmed to its limit and was on the verge of being shattered.


    The most critical moment had arrived!


    Zhao Sheng focused all his attention on the Divine Soul Mark; suddenly, a flash of Sword Light emerged from the depths of his Purple Mansion Soul Sea, leapt out of the Purple Mansion in a flash, and the next instant fiercely slashed upon the Divine Soul Mark.


    Crack!


    Zhao Sheng seemed to hear an invisible shattering sound and saw the mark flash before breaking into countless light points, which then vanished in the blink of an eye.


    Phew!


    Zhao Sheng finally let out a sigh of relief, his heart''s burden completely dissipated, feeling an immense weight lifted off his shoulders.


    Opening his eyes, he turned his head and gazed into the distance, his vision penetrating through the cave and the thick seawater.


    He seemed to see that Mr. Dong, mad as a rabid dog, was utterly frustrated.


    "Two months of relentless pursuit, Zhao has noted this vendetta! There will be retribution in the future!"


    After muttering to himself, Zhao Sheng''s tense body relaxed, and a surge of profound exhaustion rose to his heart.


    Moments later, a series of bubbles quickly rose in the cave.


    He was indeed too exhausted!


    ...


    Three days later, standing atop the highest sea cliff on a secluded and desolate island, Zhao Sheng looked up at the sun that had just risen on the horizon.


    As time passed, the sun slowly climbed to its zenith.


    Having observed enough, Zhao Sheng took out three Nautical Gold Plates and began to carefully discern them.


    After a lot of effort, combining information about ocean currents, sea winds, marine life populations, and the position of the sun, he finally determined his approximate location.


    He had now crossed the Second Island Chain and was roughly in the middle of the Outer Star Sea,


    Within five thousand nautical miles, there were quite a few mid and small-sized islands; there were also about five or six spirit islands.


    After a short time, Zhao Sheng thoughtfully put away the Nautical Gold Plates.


    Looking around at the sea surface and the scorching sun above, Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, adjusted his direction, leaped into the sea, and quickly vanished into the deep waters.


    On his way, Zhao Sheng casually caught a First-stage Speckled Seahorse to use as transportation.


    He avoided ships when he encountered them, landed on deserted islands to make fire and roast fish to fill his stomach, and took the opportunity to recover his Spiritual Power.


    ...


    Half a month later, on an isolated island, Zhao Sheng''s figure appeared above the nearby sea surface.


    This island was not as bustling as Zhi Ao Island, with few people and not a high concentration of spiritual energy, but it was still a small spirit island, far superior to the vast majority of barren islands.


    This was the destination Zhao Sheng had chosen: Beilu Island.


    Aside from a few thousand mortals, the island was inhabited by some cultivators who had chosen to live in seclusion and retire here. There was no concept of an island master, making it a completely free island.


    Beilu Island earned its name because the nearby sea produced a very peculiar type of big sea shell.


    These big sea shells looked identical to ordinary ones, with the only difference being their size, which was more than tenfold larger, with an average diameter of over one foot.


    The meat of these shells, after being simmered for a long time, could produce a special Jade Dew.


    Regular consumption of this Jade Dew had a slight effect on prolonging life and enhancing longevity.


    Therefore, some elderly and frail cultivators simply settled on the island, buying the living "big sea shells" at a low price all year round to simmer into Beilu and consume for themselves, selling any surplus to visiting merchant ships.


    As a result, the island attracted a number of low-level cultivators.


    Although the concentration of spiritual energy on Beilu Island was not high, its influence was wide enough to cover the entire island and even extend to the undersea nearby.


    Because the spiritual energy was too thin, and there were only a few specialties, few Foundation Establishment Cultivators chose to stay here; most were just passersby.


    This was the perfect place for Zhao Sheng to hide!


    ...


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng stood beneath a sea cliff on the edge of the island, looking at the newly opened temporary cave mansion in front of him with great satisfaction.


    In addition to the essential rooms like the cultivation room, talisman room, and storage room, under each room there was an escape tunnel leading to the undersea.


    Moreover, he had deliberately constructed the entrance to the cave mansion under the sea surface, and above it was a naturally protruding giant stone.


    As long as visitors weren''t too meticulous in their search, Zhao Sheng was confident that they wouldn''t detect anything unusual.


    With this in mind, Zhao Sheng entered the cultivation room, sat down cross-legged, and took out two Water Element Spirit Stones in his hands. As he ran the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique, the spiritual energy within the spirit stones was slowly absorbed into his Core Vortex, being refined and assimilated.


    As his cultivation deepened, the passage of time became meaningless to Zhao Sheng.


    Spring came and winter passed, time flew by!


    Two years later in July, Beilu Island was unusually lively.


    It was the season when the big sea shells were ripe and reproducing. Many Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators were bustling in and out of the island, taking boats into the sea to catch the big sea shells that usually hid undersea and rarely revealed their true form.


    But by midday, about three hundred sea miles from Beilu Island, a fierce wind suddenly rose, accompanied by flashing lightning and thunder.


    The originally clear blue sky rapidly transformed as ominous clouds gathered.


    A huge expanse of dark clouds quickly engulfed that area of the sea, with silver lightning and deafening thunderbolts dancing chaotically like wild snakes.


    At the same time, within six hundred miles above the sea and sky, nature''s spiritual energy was being drawn towards the center of the sea area, forming a giant spiritual energy vortex over one hundred feet wide and two hundred feet high on the sea surface.


    Such a massive vortex of spiritual energy could be clearly sensed even on Beilu Island, hundreds of miles away.


    The cultivators on the island were astounded and looked simultaneously towards the area where the sky was changing.


    Faced with such a phenomenon, expressions of both envy and fear flickered across everyone''s face.


    Spiritual energy swirling, skies changing colors, Heavenly Tribulation was on its way!


    This was clearly a sign of Core Formation.


    But it was not known for whom the Heavenly Tribulation was descending.


    If it were a Human Clan member forming their core, then it would be a moment of joy rather than sorrow.


    But if it were a demon beast solidifying its pill, it would indicate the birth of a third-tier sea beast.


    With Beilu Island not too far from this place, should the beast successfully upgrade, the humans on the island might suffer.


    If the beast''s upgrade failed... the mere corpse of the demon beast would allow the cultivators to make a fortune.


    Thinking this, some greedy cultivators who cared little for their lives hurriedly took to the sea in boats, racing towards that maritime region.

 Chapter 173 Sea Shell

    Three hundred li southwest of Beilu Island, the sky was covered with dark clouds, where thunder rumbled within, as a thick spiritual energy vortex stood like a giant pillar on the sea surface, slowly rotating and triggering violent movements of spiritual energy within a radius of six hundred li.Faced with the sudden celestial phenomena, a scene of chaos unfolded on Beilu Island. Ordinary folks stepped out of their homes, looking towards the extraordinary scene in the sky, expressions of panic and confusion on their faces.


    And at that moment, the only pier of Beilu Island was also in a state of disarray. Some people were anxious to flee, while others did not want to miss this rare opportunity.


    The plank road of the pier was crowded, and on the various vessels docked, several cultivators were shouting to the crowd:


    "Come quickly! The ship will leave in half a quarter of an hour! It''s only ten Spirit Stones to board. Today''s opportunity is a once-in-a-century event; don''t miss it!"


    "Those who want to pick up leftovers, those who want to get rich, and those who aren''t afraid of death, board the ship! Ten Spirit Stones for a spot on the boat!"


    "Run for your lives! Disaster approaches, lifesaving is the most important thing! Spirit Stones are good, but not as precious as life. Not for one hundred and eight, only for eighty-eight, Old Liu will take you away from here!"


    Amidst the crowd, a black-clad young man of ordinary appearance paid ten Spirit Stones as passage and boarded a sizeable suspicious ship,


    The black-clad youth was Zhao Sheng, who used a Disguise Technique and an Illusion True Talisman to temporarily change his appearance in order to hide his identity.


    Today, he had rarely left his retreat for a trip to the island''s workshop, originally to exchange some Elixir Pills and Spirit Stones.


    But after seeing the Golden Core Phenomenon, he was inspired to go and take a look.


    In the world of cultivation, opportunities are not waited for, but fought for.


    After boarding the ship, Zhao Sheng found a quiet corner to stay in, silently waiting for the ship to depart.


    At this time, the atmosphere on the ship was tense yet intense, with other cultivators enthusiastically engaging in conversation, forming alliances while they had the chance.


    From time to time, someone would approach Zhao Sheng, attempting to recruit him to join their group.


    Regarding this, Zhao Sheng politely declined them all. To him, the cultivation levels of those on the ship were merely Qi Refinement, none having reached Foundation Establishment, likely to be a burden more than anything.


    It wasn''t long before the ships at the pier set sail away from Beilu Island one after another. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As tribulation thunder began to slash through the distant sky, the vessels carrying the cultivators braved the waves and surged towards that area of the sea.


    The three hundred-li distance took a full four hours to reach even at the ships'' full speed.


    By the time Zhao Sheng and the others arrived, there were already seven or eight Treasure Ships of various sizes roaming and searching in this sea region.


    By that time, the Heavenly Tribulation had long passed, and the dark clouds had dissipated. The spiritual energy vortex had mostly collapsed, and the concentration of spiritual energy on the sea surface had greatly increased, allowing spiritual energy to howl into the Dantian with just a slight operation of the Cultivation Technique.


    However, the cultivators who dared to venture here were not after such trivial gains.


    The celestial phenomenon might have dissipated, but remnants of the tribulation''s essence still lingered between heaven and earth.


    Seeing the calm sea surface with no waves or abnormalities, all the cultivators were invigorated, their eyes shining with greedy light.


    Seeing this situation, it was highly likely that the Core Formation, whether it was a person or a demon beast, had failed!


    Plop,


    Plop!


    As someone suddenly jumped into the sea, others no longer hesitated, following suit and diving in one after another, starting to search with all their might.


    Zhao Sheng did not hurry to dive in.


    He stood at the prow of the ship, looking up towards heaven and earth, his pupils shimmering with glittering blue light.


    In the world, what was originally invisible and intangible traces of Heavenly Tribulation had manifested as faint strands of black qi in his eyes.


    This black qi continuously rose and spread throughout heaven and earth, vanishing with alarming rapidity.


    Watching the area where the black qi was most concentrated, a hint of a smile appeared on Zhao Sheng''s face.


    Plop!


    The next second, Zhao Sheng jumped from the prow of the ship into the sea, swiftly swimming towards that part of the sea.


    Due to the Heavenly Tribulation, the marine life had all been frightened away from this area, making Undersea empty and silent at this moment, with hardly any fish, shrimp, or sea beasts to be seen.


    In just a dozen or so breaths, Zhao Sheng reached the area where the tribulation qi was most intense.


    Without any hesitation, he flipped over, head down and feet up, pushed with both hands, and swiftly plunged deeper, diving at full speed into the unknown Undersea.


    One hundred zhang,


    Two hundred zhang,


    ...


    This region of the sea was not deep, and when Zhao Sheng reached six hundred zhang Undersea, he found he had reached the seabed.


    At the seabed, Zhao Sheng paused, looking down at the trench below, his expression showing a slight hesitation.


    The trench was about twenty zhang wide, pitch-black below, with uneven walls on both sides, where rocks and sand were exposed, and seaweed grew wildly,


    The trench extended to both sides of the seabed, like a massive crack in the earth, continuing to split open into the darkness beyond the range of vision.


    Such a unique trench had clearly caught everyone''s attention.


    Zhao Sheng had only just arrived when he saw many cultivators, who could not wait any longer, diving into the trench, losing sight of them soon after.


    After seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng''s gaze flickered a few times, and with an agile twist of his body, he dived down into it.


    Seven hundred zhang,


    Eight hundred zhang,


    ...


    Soon after diving into the trench, the surroundings had become so dark that one couldn''t see their own hand.


    Zhao Sheng took out a piece of Fluorite, which emitted a bright light, illuminating the surroundings within two zhang.


    Dodging clusters of lush seaweed, he continued to dive further down with full attention.


    One thousand two hundred zhang,


    One thousand five hundred zhang,


    ...


    Unexpectedly deep, this trench had seen him diving for more than three thousand zhang at his pace.


    Yet, he still hadn''t seen the bottom of the trench.


    Under the sea at a depth of three thousand zhang, the water pressure was enormous. Even with Zhao Sheng''s unique bloodline, he felt a twinge of pain in his internal organs, and his entire body had "shrunk" by two inches.

 Chapter 173 Sea Shell_2

    Just as he was about to cast a spell to withstand the water pressure, Zhao Sheng suddenly saw a point of white light appearing from the darkness below.The white light was faint like a firefly, yet it invigorated Zhao Sheng to swim strenuously towards that direction.


    As he swam closer, the white light gradually became brighter and larger. After descending about twenty fathoms, Zhao Sheng''s expression slowly turned to one of shock.


    Because a shell of unimaginable size appeared before him.


    This enormous shell was pure white, covered with dense, wave-like fine marks, and radiated dazzling white light.


    It looked similar to a big sea shell, only magnified countless times. The trench, twenty-odd fathoms wide, was completely filled by its colossal body.


    This ancient shell, which had lived who knows how many years, was regrettably only a shell now.


    Zhao Sheng swam to the side and saw the shell was slightly open, held apart by five strange stone pillars,


    Each pillar was about seven feet thick and a little over ten feet tall, spiraled with more than a hundred crude runes from top to bottom. Beside the runes, countless wave-like fine marks were engraved. Embedded in each pillar was a Spirit Stone the size of a washbasin, with ripple-like light moving up and down the pillar occasionally.


    Connected between the five pillars was a layer of white light screen, blocking the view and making it impossible to see what lay beyond.


    ...


    ...


    Just as he entered the light screen, a gust of wind roared past Zhao Sheng''s ears, and a skull as big as a fight slammed toward him.


    The skull was shiny black all over, and it emitted a strong black aura, clearly indicating its malevolence.


    Zhao Sheng had no time to dodge, but fortunately, he was prepared. With a flick of his hand, over a hundred two-foot-long, crystal clear Water Arrows appeared out of thin air before him and shot towards the skull,


    As soon as the Water Arrows flew towards it, the hollow eye sockets of the skull blazed with red light, and its gaping mouth emitted a wave of green-black phosphorescent fire.


    The moment the Water Arrows touched the flames, they exploded like water meeting fierce fire, instantly bursting into a burst of white Water Vapor.


    However, the green-black phosphorescent fire did not diminish at all. It pierced through the Water Arrows'' barrier and burned directly towards Zhao Sheng.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes and flung his right hand forward, releasing a ball of Thunder that was the size of a fist.


    The Thunder Ball collided with the flames and exploded with a boom, the spreading Electric Light sweeping away the sky full of phosphorescent fire.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t hesitate as he released the spells, immediately throwing out two more Thunder Balls, hitting the black skull.


    With his Talent, Zhao Sheng cast talismans as swiftly as if they were instantaneous, and the Second-level Water Mine Talisman materialized as soon as he willed it.


    Boom, boom!


    The black skull, hit repeatedly by the Thunder Skill, was immediately blasted dull and flew back, its surface suddenly cracking with countless fine fissures.


    Meanwhile, not far from Zhao Sheng, a tall, thin old man let out a dismal scream, his complexion turning deathly pale in an instant.


    "You dare destroy my Treasure!"


    The tall, thin old man pointed at Zhao Sheng, shouting in extreme shock and anger, but his eyes couldn''t help revealing a hint of fear.


    Others might not know, but he was very clear about it!


    His Corrosive Fire Ghost Skull, refined over decades and which had slain countless formidable enemies in the past, had just been destroyed in a single encounter by that man''s Thunder Skill.


    This man... must be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!


    While fear gripped the tall, thin old man''s heart, Zhao Sheng did not take the opportunity to attack; instead, he surveyed his surroundings.


    He looked extremely surprised; he had not expected the space inside the shell to be much bigger than it seemed from the outside. It was very spacious, more than a hundred fathoms in diameter and nearly twenty fathoms high, resembling a small Grotto Heaven.


    In fact, it had been arranged into a Grotto Heaven, with courtyards, pavilions, stone pavilions, green trees, spirit fields, water ponds ¡ª everything was complete.


    If Zhao Sheng didn''t know he was three thousand fathoms beneath the sea, he might have thought he had arrived at a secluded paradise.


    "Is this...?"


    Zhao Sheng was greatly shocked, and suddenly, a name of a rare treasure surfaced in his mind: "Sea Shell!"


    Sea Shell was a unique and rare shell in the Shattered Star Sea, inherently possessing spatial properties. Besides storing items, it also had some functions of a Cave Heaven Blessed Land.


    In Ancient Times, Sea Shells that were over a thousand years old, because they could be refined into Personal Cave Mansions, were hunted to extinction by ancient Cultivators. In the last few thousand years, this rare species of shell had nearly disappeared.


    The tall and thin old man glanced at Zhao Sheng before taking a step back, hoping to sneak away quietly.


    "Hold up, where do you think you''re going!" Zhao Sheng, startled, immediately called out coldly.


    The tall and thin old man halted his step and threatened in a low voice, "Senior, I advise you to leave quickly, otherwise, once my uncle frees his hands, you won''t be able to leave."


    "Oh? And who is your uncle?"


    Zhao Sheng looked towards the exquisite courtyard not far away, where shouts were incessant, and from time to time, black skulls could be seen flying up and down, stirring up bunches of green flames and constantly colliding with the golden sword rainbows, bursting out large swaths of black gas and golden light.


    From the surface, the battle there was very intense, with both sides locked in a stalemate.


    But judging from the fact that the tall and thin old man was sent to guard the door, the side with the skulls was clearly prevailing; otherwise, they wouldn''t leave a capable fighter unused.


    It seemed that if he didn''t intervene, one side would quickly be defeated.


    Zhao Sheng did not wish to see this happen.


    After all, muddy waters make it easier to catch fish. Inside, there were at least two Foundation Establishment Cultivators fighting to the death. As a mere Eighth Layer Qi Refinement cultivator, how could he profit as a fisherman if he didn''t resort to some tricks?


    Thinking this way, Zhao Sheng looked back at the tall and thin old man, aiming to extract some information from him.


    Assuming Zhao Sheng was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the tall and thin old man couldn''t help but feel fearful.


    He also wanted to buy time and, upon being questioned, immediately said, "My uncle is the Withered Bone Master. He has roamed the Outer Star Sea for a hundred years with his formidable strength, rarely meeting his match. I advise you to leave at once."


    "Oh, that powerful! How have I never heard of him?" Zhao Sheng asked with a smile, not in a hurry to take action.


    The tall and thin old man continued to boast, "If you haven''t heard of him, it''s because of your limited knowledge. Let me mention another name, the Corpse Demon Pirate Group; you must have heard of them! My uncle is a member of the Corpse Demon Pirate Group."


    Zhao Sheng''s brows furrowed; the Corpse Demon Pirate Group had run rampant in the Shattered Star Sea for five hundred years, with a notorious reputation.


    It was said that any crew member from the Corpse Demon Pirate Group had at least reached Foundation Establishment, and the captain was a Late-stage Golden Core True Immortal.


    If what this man said was true, this situation had become somewhat troublesome. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the few moments of conversation, the situation in the battling group had changed again. The golden light of the sword rainbow dimmed and was losing ground under the onslaught of the skulls. It seemed on the verge of defeat.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng hesitated no longer. He immediately reached into his Storage Bag at his waist and tossed out seven or eight stacks of First-order Water Arrow Talismans, each stack more than twenty sheets.


    In an instant, thousands of water arrows suddenly occupied half of the sky, bearing a chilling sharpness, submerging the tall and thin old man in an instant.


    Over the past two years, Zhao Sheng had spent his spare time drawing talismans to pass the time. As time passed, his Storage Bag was filled with various stacked talismans and Second-level Talismans.


    As for the other "defective products," they had been exchanged for Spirit Pills and Spirit Stones.


    With the old man''s death, it seemed as if the others were warned; the battle instantly intensified threefold.


    Zhao Sheng smiled faintly, his figure flashed, and he suddenly vanished into thin air.


    ...


    Zhen Yue was in a panic, dodging everywhere and constantly striking with her flying sword at the group of skulls that relentlessly pursued her.


    Clearly, these skulls had been meticulously refined by their master, each as hard as fine steel, impervious to sword and spear. Common magic artifacts could not harm them in the slightest, only managing to steer clear by avoiding their edge.


    As for the Golden Light Spirit Sword, it was being scorched by the green flames, its speed had slowed, and its blade was covered with green marks, losing its previous grandeur.


    While engaged with two Single-Horned Black Skulls, it was unexpectedly entwined by bunches of green flames. As the light gradually dimmed, beads of sweat streamed down Zhen Yue''s face.


    The gaunt Withered Bone Master, looking plausibly like a skeleton walking the earth, saw this and laughed shrilly, pouring Divine Sense and Spiritual Power into his control of the Single-Horned Ghost Skulls, pressing the attack on Zhen Yue to end the battle quickly.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng had already sneaked into the courtyard and stolen a glance at the Withered Bone Master. Without any further hesitation, he flipped his hand, and two Second-Order Water Mine True Talismans were pinched between his fingers.


    Go! Your journey continues at empire


    Following his low shout, two large, sapphire Thunder Balls flew into the sky and, upon reaching the midst of the Ghost Skull swarm, exploded abruptly.


    For a moment, it was as if two splendid fireworks had erupted in the sky, sending the Ghost Skull swarm flying chaotically.


    The Withered Bone Master''s expression changed. He practiced the path of Corpse God and Ghost Skulls and feared the Thunder Skill the most.


    Thus, with an ugly expression, he beckoned back the skulls to reform above his head into a cloud of burning green flames.

 Chapter 174 Five Transits Fish, Spiritual Pearl, and Ancient Painting Murder

    "Who dares to strike from the shadows and harm others, yet cowardly hides their face? Dare you not show yourself?" the Withered Bone Master looked around sharply and bellowed fiercely.Taking the opportunity, Zhen Yue called back her Golden Light Spirit Sword, and as the golden light circled around her, her heart relaxed a bit, and her hopeful eyes scanned the small courtyard''s surroundings, also hoping that Zhao Sheng would come out and join her against the Old Demon of Withered Bone.


    Zhao Sheng stood in a corner of the courtyard, secretly watching the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, hesitated briefly, then dissolved his talisman power and appeared before the other two.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng, so young and with an aura that barely revealed his presence, the Withered Bone Master became slightly more cautious and spoke coldly, "Who are you? I advise you not to meddle in these troubled waters. If you leave now, I shall spare you the crime of your sneak attack."


    Zhao Sheng ignored the Withered Bone Master''s threat, turned to Zhen Yue, and called out, "Taoist friend, how about we join forces to deal with this demon first?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Yue eagerly nodded and responded, "You speak truly, Taoist friend."


    "Hehe!"


    The Withered Bone Master, seeing that the two before him disregarded him as nothing, immediately burst into rage and with a sinister laugh roared, "You think you can take my life? You two are still too green!"


    As soon as he finished speaking, he glared fiercely at Zhao Sheng, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes, and reached into his chest as if to grasp something else.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng didn''t have time to explain thoroughly, and immediately shouted to Zhen Yue, "You attack, I''ll support!"


    Having said this, he threw the three Spirit Talismans in his hand into the air.


    As the Spirit Talismans turned to ash, a large expanse of rain clouds suddenly formed in the sky above the courtyard. In the blink of an eye, a rain of droplets mixed with Sword Intent and cold light poured down,


    The Withered Bone Master, seeing this, showed disdain and chuckled coldly. He had already pulled out a pot-cover-shaped, iron-blue, thick skull from his chest and threw it without a second thought.


    The object whistled, expanding nearly a hundredfold in midair, then emitted a glowing blue light, shielding his head.


    Sounds of "bang" "bang" followed as the sword rain met the giant skull, turning into sparkles of water light, while the skull remained unharmed.


    "Ha, ha..." the Withered Bone Master laughed wildly, then pointed at Zhao Sheng, and immediately, eight or nine skeleton heads of the circling Ghost Skulls split off, spewing clumps of green flames, and rushed fiercely toward Zhao Sheng.


    Simultaneously, a golden sword rainbow roared in from another direction, cutting toward the Withered Bone Master at the waist.


    Although the Old Demon faced two opponents, his expression remained unchanged. With a wave of his right hand, the remaining group of Ghost Skulls immediately moved to engage the sword rainbow, battling the flying swords.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng flicked his wrist and threw out three Cold Ice Hundred Blade Talismans. The Spirit Talismans suddenly exploded, and hundreds of Crescent Moon-like transparent ice blades, carrying a piercing cold air, formed a large expanse of cold icy clouds, enveloping the incoming Ghost Skulls. Discover exclusive tales on empire


    The collision of the green flames and the cold air instantly created a vast amount of fog, and the numerous ice blades revolving around the Ghost Skulls significantly slowed their movements.


    Zhao Sheng, multitasking, did not give the Withered Bone Master a chance to catch his breath and immediately threw out two shimmering True Talismans.


    Instantly, two dragon roars echoed in succession in the sky above the courtyard, and two water dragons as thick as barrels, both vividly emerald and lifelike, took shape and charged toward the Withered Bone Master with astonishing momentum.


    "Seeking death!"


    Seeing this, the Withered Bone Master''s pupils contracted, and after cursing loudly, he immediately formed a Magic Spell with both hands; the iron-blue giant skull instantly grew a third larger.


    However, what left the Withered Bone Master stunned occurred next. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two water dragons split apart, one entangling the skull, while the other flicked its tail, catching a hanging rain cloud. The dragon''s body was quickly saturated by the rain cloud, its mouth wide open, spewing out a huge bunde of transparent, silk-like sword strands.


    Seeing this, the Withered Bone Master couldn''t help but reveal a terrified look, employing Talisman Tao, integrating form and intent, such advanced secret techniques unexpectedly mastered by a young man without any sign of strain.


    The Withered Bone Master''s face darkened, and feeling spiteful, he saw a Single-Horned Ghost Skull in the swarm explode instantly, the green flames flaring wildly like fire fuelled by oil.


    The Withered Bone Master''s Divine Sense pulsated, and suddenly half of the green flames encircling the Ghost Skulls split off, transforming into a colossal Flame Shield that plummeted from the sky to stand before him.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The Flame Shield trembled unceasingly as numerous sword strands pierced its surface, causing the volume of the green flames to shrink significantly, the shield flickering dimly as if it might extinguish soon.


    Seeing this, Zhen Yue''s face lit up with joy. While controlling the Golden Light Spirit Sword to break through the blockade of the Ghost Skulls, she took the opportunity to throw out two small golden swords.


    The small swords shot out rapidly, turning into two streaks of golden Sword Light, skimming along the ground and viciously targeting the Withered Bone Master''s legs.


    "Hmph!"


    Seeing this, the Withered Bone Master''s face darkened like the bottom of a pot, looking viciously ferocious. He stretched out two fingers of his left hand into ''">''

 Chapter 174 The Five Transits Fish, Spiritual Pearl, and the Ancient Painting Murder_2

    The eyes of the two Blood Skeletons overflowed with blood light, and obediently, they turned into two beams of bloody light, howling as they rushed down, easily intercepting the two Sword Lights.With a wide-open mouth, the Blood Skeletons swallowed up the flying swords. Their jaws moved up and down a few times, and an ear-piercing crunching sound started to resound.


    Zhen Yue''s face drastically changed, while on the other side, the Blood Skeletons opened their mouths to spit out showers of golden debris which fell like rain, and instantly, the ground was riddled with a dense mass of tiny holes.


    Seeing how difficult the Withered Bone Master was to deal with, Zhao Sheng''s brows slightly furrowed as he weighed his options.


    Zhen Yue appeared to be going all out, but he knew that his opponent had definitely held back a third of their power.


    This was naturally due to the wariness they held towards him.


    Zhao Sheng was very clear about his adversary''s mentality. He himself hadn''t used all his strength, so he had no expectation that others would either.


    But now, countless Cultivators were searching for this place outside, and someone could barge in here at any moment.


    He couldn''t drag this on any longer!


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng''s brow relaxed; he turned his head, and inexplicably smiled at Zhen Yue before suddenly pulling back and swiftly retreating. His figure flickered, and in the blink of an eye, he had left the courtyard.


    "Escaping?"


    A trace of joy appeared on the Withered Bone Master''s face, but the joy lasted only for a fleeting instant before it vanished without a trace.


    On the other side, as Zhen Yue saw Zhao Sheng fleeing without a word, she felt anxious and enraged, but her face showed a drastic change.


    The Withered Bone Master, cunning and shrewd, had a translucent mind and quickly grasped why Zhao Sheng had suddenly withdrawn.


    "Damn it, that kid must have gone to loot the treasures!"


    Rage surged in the Withered Bone Master''s heart, and a vicious glint flickered in his eyes, as he suddenly let out a shriek.


    The swarm of Ghost Skulls suddenly made one turn, the green flames were retracted, and they swiftly flew back above his head.


    "Young lady, how about we call a truce? Otherwise, others will snatch away all the treasures!" The Withered Bone Master, with his skull retracted, spoke vilely to Zhen Yue.


    Zhen Yue looked surprised. She reached up to tuck a strand of hanging hair behind her ear, hesitated a moment, and then called back her Golden Light Spirit Sword.


    "Alright!"


    Her voice was crisp, with a trace of tremor.


    The Withered Bone Master nodded, revealing an ugly smile. Then, he turned and left decisively, leaving Zhen Yue astounded by his abrupt departure.


    But how could she fall behind? She quickly leaped up, pursuing him with a Flying Escape.


    The two, one after the other, left the small courtyard, took half a circuit, and quickly arrived at the back courtyard.


    As for Zhao Sheng, who had left earlier, he stood motionless in the middle of the back courtyard, staring unblinkingly at something inside the main hall, seemingly observing.


    The Withered Bone Master''s eyeballs rolled a few times, barely suppressing the desire to take action, and then, driven by curiosity, he stepped forward.


    "What''s this?"


    Once he saw clearly what was inside the main hall, the Withered Bone Master couldn''t help but show a shocked expression.


    Inside the main hall was a charred corpse, sitting cross-legged on an apricot-yellow cushion, with a Cold River Elder Fishing Painting hanging on the wall behind it.


    The scorching corpse''s head had a big hole, and a fist-sized Jade White Spirit Pearl lay between the knees. The right hand was holding a gold Imperial Tablet about a foot long, and the left hand was severed.


    A green bamboo basket lay slanted on the floor, seemingly crudely woven, yet it contained a pool of clear water, within which swam a small fish.


    Not large, only the length of a palm, the fish''s body was crystal clear, emitting ripples of a Five-Colored Light Halo. As it swam, the halo diffused and shimmered, incredibly dazzling.


    Upon seeing the clear water, despite being far away, one could smell the entrancing fragrance.


    "Five Luck Spirit Fish! There''s no mistake, it absolutely is this creature. I thought they had long been extinct. Never did I expect to find a live one here. And that water... could it be the legendary Pure Spirit Water?" the Withered Bone Master muttered, his eyes fixed in a trance. Find exclusive stories on empire


    In contrast to the Withered Bone Master, Zhen Yue didn''t blink as she stared intently at the Jade White Spirit Pearl, her face filled with a bewitched look.


    If she wasn''t mistaken, that Spirit Pearl should be the core of the Bei Mansion. If she could refine it, she would be able to take control of this miniature Grotto Heaven.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t know what the other two were looking at. At the moment, his expression was grave, divine light circulating in his eyes. He wasn''t looking at the scorched corpse, nor did he care about the bamboo basket and other treasures, but stared fixedly at the ancient painting behind the scorched corpse.


    At that moment, it was as if his feet were nailed to the ground, and he didn''t dare to move forward a single step.


    Because in his eyes, that ancient painting was enveloped in an extremely dense aura of purple-black light, which diffused all around. The halo not only shrouded the charred corpse below but also covered the entire hall within its influence.


    Since his reincarnation, Zhao Sheng had never seen such a dangerous object. He had a premonition that if he entered its range of influence, his death would be certain.


    The Withered Bone Master, always the greediest, was just about to step into the hall when he suddenly saw Zhao Sheng stop in his tracks. A wary expression immediately surfaced on his face.


    After a moment of hesitation, he glanced at Zhen Yue next to him and chose not to make a move. Instead, he said coldly, "I don''t want anything else, old man just wants that bamboo basket and the things inside it."


    As soon as Zhen Yue heard these words, she snapped out of her trance. After looking at Zhao Sheng, she decisively said, "I want that Spiritual Pearl!"


    After both had stated their choices, they turned their attention toward Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng came to his senses, stroked his chin, and after pondering for a while, nodded and said, "Since you both have made your choices, what''s left will be mine! Any objections?"


    The Withered Bone Master immediately answered, "No objections!" sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhen Yue was just a beat slower but also concurred, "That''s fine."


    Both of their straightforward answers made Zhao Sheng feel puzzled. He looked at the bamboo basket and the Spiritual Pearl again, reevaluating the true value of these two treasures.


    As soon as that was said, the Withered Bone Master couldn''t wait to rush into the hall, but unexpectedly a golden sword rainbow flew across the sky, blocking his way.


    "Little girl, what are you doing?" The Withered Bone Master looked back at Zhen Yue with great displeasure.


    Zhen Yue said with a smile, "Skull old man, you can go in first if you want, but you must make a vow on your Heart Demon first."


    With a flick of his sleeves, the Withered Bone Master said sternly, "I''ve never made any damned Heart Demon vows. Little girl, if you keep meddling, I might as well settle scores with you again."


    As he said this, he turned to Zhao Sheng and forced an ugly smile, "Little brother, if you do not take sides, the Spiritual Pearl will be yours. What do you say?"


    Zhen Yue, in a panic, immediately shouted to Zhao Sheng, "Don''t fall for Old Mo''s trick; he''s trying to defeat us one by one!"


    Zhao Sheng looked at the two of them, took a step back, and, without saying a word, made his stance quite clear.


    Seeing this, the Withered Bone Master smiled smugly and gave Zhao Sheng a satisfied look.


    He then threatened Zhen Yue saying, "Little girl, get out of the way! Otherwise, don''t blame me for being ruthless!"


    Zhen Yue, seeing Zhao Sheng act so "stupidly," felt her mood sour, but on her own, she was no match for the Withered Bone Master.


    After hesitating, she reluctantly recalled her Spirit Sword and then glared fiercely at Zhao Sheng.


    The Withered Bone Master pinched a spell, and the group of Ghost Skulls above his head suddenly spread out, spurting green flames to form a wall of flame skulls, blocking in front of Zhao Sheng and Zhen Yue.


    Then, he turned to face them, but his body gradually stepped backward into the hall.


    Zhen Yue watched unwillingly, feeling an urgent dread in her heart.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing the Withered Bone Master be so cautious, couldn''t help but flash a self-mocking glance. But that shade of emotion was quickly concealed deep within his heart, his face serene as still water.


    The Withered Bone Master stepped backwards through the doorway, and seeing that neither of them showed signs of attacking, he was overjoyed.


    With lightning speed, he turned around, grabbed the bamboo basket with one hand, and with an unsatisfied wave, whisked the Spiritual Pearl into his pouch.


    If Zhen Yue could recognize the Spiritual Pearl as the Cave Mansion Core, the Withered Bone Master naturally recognized it as well.


    His earlier offer was merely a ruse, as he had no intention of keeping his word from the very start.


    However, at the moment of his utmost triumph, his gaze accidentally swept across the Cold River Elder Fishing Painting, and in an instant, a transparent fishing line shot out of the painting, and a golden fishhook vanished into his skull with a flash.


    Instantly, the Withered Bone Master''s eyes became vacant, and his body stiffened on the spot.


    Bang!


    The Spiritual Pearl, bamboo basket, and the rigid body of the Withered Bone Master all fell to the ground together.


    No one could have imagined that a living person could die in the blink of an eye, and so silently, with extreme strangeness.


    It wasn''t just Zhen Yue who was shocked; even Zhao Sheng had no idea how the Withered Bone Master had died.


    All he saw was a moment of stillness followed by the Withered Bone Master suddenly collapsing to the ground with a thud.


    "What¡­ what happened!" Zhen Yue, after witnessing this scene, felt a chill in her heart, her voice stammering in fright.


    But Zhao Sheng''s eyes lit up.

 Chapter 175 Spiritual Treasure Map and Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu

    With the aid of "Bullet Time" and "Danger Perception" talents, he witnessed the entire process of the ancient painting committing murder in that instant.Looking at the ancient painting afterward, the face of the old man clad in a bamboo hat and straw raincoat was indiscernible. His fishing rod was entirely emerald green, the fishing line was as thin as invisible, but under the surging river water, a five-colored little fish suddenly bit onto the hook.


    This five-colored little fish hadn''t been there before but now had abruptly appeared on the ancient painting.


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but look at the fish in his bamboo basket and compared it to the fish in the painting.


    "...They are exactly the same!" He felt a chill in his heart, suddenly gaining some kind of realization.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The Single-Horned Ghost Skull lost control from the Divine Sense, instantly falling from the sky to the ground, its skull scattering around while green flames flowed onto the ground, igniting eerie green fires wherever it flowed.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward, sweeping his long sleeves and collecting all the Single-Horned Ghost Skulls into his Storage Bag.


    On the side, Zhen Yue saw this but moved her lips, uncharacteristically refraining from stopping his action of collecting treasures.


    After doing all this, Zhao Sheng turned back, pointed at the painting above the hall, and asked, "Taoist, do you know how that Old Demon died?"


    "You know... Ah!"


    Zhen Yue, following his gesture, looked over, her words halting midway as she suddenly let out a cry, her eyes then fixated on the five-colored fish in the painting, her face successively showing fear, shock, realization, and greed.


    Zhao Sheng, observing her expressions, vaguely grasped the complex emotions within Zhen Yue''s heart, and suddenly asked again, "Is the Five Luck Spirit Fish very famous in Shattered Star Sea? Does it have any special uses?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Yue''s heart tightened, her mind instantly becoming alert, and she looked towards Zhao Sheng with some unease. Discover more stories at empire


    Having just fought the Withered Bone Master together, she had seen his capability and knew that she might not be able to defeat him.


    Even as prideful as she was, she couldn''t help but show a hint of hesitation and nervousness.


    With Zhao Sheng''s cunning, a glance at her expressions gave him a good idea of what she was thinking.


    "The name ''Five Luck Spirit Fish'' is very unique! I have read many ancient books and yet have no memory of it. Could it be a type of spiritual item from Shattered Star that has gone extinct? Why has that ancient painting suddenly gained a Five Luck Spirit Fish? What is its relation to the death of the Old Demon?" Zhao Sheng directly pointed out the core issue, aggressively questioning Zhen Yue, not giving her any chance to stall.


    Honestly, if it weren''t for wanting to extract more information from Zhen Yue''s mouth, Zhao Sheng would have already made his move.


    Seeing the aggressive Zhao Sheng, Zhen Yue''s thoughts rapidly shifted. After coughing dryly, she reluctantly explained,


    "It seems Taoist is a dedicated cultivator who isn''t well-versed in ancient secrets. Even if you searched all the ancient books, I fear you couldn''t find anything about the Five Luck Spirit Fish. This item often appears only in ancient legends. Taoist, are you familiar with the concept of Innate Five Fortunes?"


    After saying this, Zhao Sheng''s face showed excitement, his eyes narrowing slightly, uncertainly saying, "Innate Five Fortunes, do they include Qi Fortune, Killing Destiny, Tribulation Fate, Intercepting Fortune, and End of Fortune?"


    "Correct, Taoist! This Five Luck Spirit Fish is a spiritual item that carries a strand of Innate Five Fortunes. Legend says that consuming it can increase one''s Innate Destiny. If we hadn''t seen this Five Luck Spirit Fish today, we also wouldn''t believe such a thing truly existed in the world! However, among the Innate Five Fortunes, besides Qi Fortune, the other four are unpredictable blessings and curses for us low-level cultivators!" Zhen Yue spoke confidently.


    "I see,"


    Zhao Sheng simply nodded his head, not pressing further, instead he lowered his head to examine the charred corpse, showing a highly interested expression.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s demeanor, Zhen Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that he would inquire further about the ancient painting.


    At that moment, she was fifty percent certain that the ancient painting was a heavy treasure that could rival Bei Mansion Cave Heaven.


    If she wasn''t mistaken, the ancient painting should be the Spiritual Treasure Map from ancient legends.


    The Spiritual Treasure Map, also known as the Sealing Treasure Map, likely seals an Ancient Magical Treasure within it, and not just any treasure but one of the top-grade top-quality among Ancient Magical Treasures.


    The reason ancient cultivators created such maps was probably to ensure the spiritual nature of some rare heavy treasures was not lost.


    Zhen Yue even boldly guessed that the bamboo basket was probably also a part of the magical treasure.


    Unfortunately, the previous owner had shallow Qi Fortune and unluckily perished under the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation, unable to enjoy such a heavy treasure.


    Since that person didn''t even recognize the Five Luck Spirit Fish, he probably wouldn''t know about the Spiritual Treasure Map either.


    Thinking about this, Zhen Yue tentatively asked, "Taoist friend, have you discovered any clues?"


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was looking down at the burnt corpse, his expression unchanged. This slightly eased Zhen Yue''s mind, who had been cautiously observing him. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Old Demon Skull''s cultivation was not inferior to ours, and he died mysteriously without any warning, which means there must be some sort of Absolute Killing Restriction in this hall that we Foundation Establishment Cultivators cannot resist. It must be related to that ancient painting," Zhen Yue confidently said.


    Zhao Sheng nodded thoughtfully, not mentioning that what Zhen Yue said was somewhat obvious.


    Zhen Yue''s expression changed as if she remembered something, and she quickly said, "Why don''t we try using a distance-grabbing method?"


    Her words, rather than being a kind reminder, seemed more like a covert incitement for Zhao Sheng to act.


    Zhao Sheng, without turning his head, waved his hand to show that he understood.


    Then his gaze fell on the Jade White Spirit Pearl.


    In his past few lives, he had reincarnated in the Central Continent, and when it came to understanding the Shattered Star Sea, he was far less knowledgeable than Zhen Yue, who hailed from a prestigious family in the Inner Star Sea.


    But things like the core of a cave mansion, Zhao Sheng had seen introductions in ancient books.


    Initially, he might not have been certain, but by now, Zhao Sheng was convinced that the Spirit Pearl was the core control center of the Bei Mansion Cave Heaven.


    "The most important thing is to refine it as soon as possible. Everything else can be postponed," Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s gaze shift towards the Spirit Pearl, Zhen Yue suddenly became very anxious, obviously harboring the same thoughts.


    Just then, a sound like a deflating balloon suddenly emanated from the hall.


    Zhao Sheng was startled and quickly looked over.


    He saw the dead Withered Bone Master''s body suddenly swell into a lump, his robe starting to rustle and emitting a sand-like noise, followed by a swarm of strange insects burrowing out from beneath the robe.


    These strange insects, round and about the size of a fingernail, had black armor on their backs and two rows of fine claws on their bellies; their mouthparts were ferocious saw-like teeth, akin to scorpion fangs.


    In the blink of an eye, the swarm of insects continued to emerge unceasingly and spread out, forming a large black carpet of bugs,


    Buzzing!


    the next second, transparent membranous wings popped out from under the bodies of the strange insects. The wings vibrated and suddenly became invisible.


    As the buzzing intensified, the swarm of insects flapped their wings in unison, leaping into the air and merging into a dense black cloud that swooped down, covering the sky and heading straight for Zhao Sheng and Zhen Yue.


    "Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu!"


    Seeing the swarm of insects approaching, Zhen Yue screamed in alarm.

 Chapter 176 Choices Under Absolute Rationality

    It wasn''t Zhen Yue''s fault for losing her composure, for the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu in the Shattered Star Sea was a kind of vicious thing that changed people''s colors upon hearing about it.The leader of the Corpse Demon Pirate Group, Corpse Demon Master, in order to better control his subordinates, cruelly inflicted each of them with this Evil Gu.


    This act not only ensured the "loyalty" of his subordinates but also turned them into a breeding ground for nurturing Gu Worms and, ultimately, served as a kind of self-destructing killing device.


    If a crew member dared to defy the leader''s orders, with just a thought from Corpse Demon Master, the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu would immediately awaken from within their bodies and devour everything from their viscera to their flesh and bones.


    Once a crew member died, the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu would also awaken, and if without a master''s control, it would instinctively kill all living creatures nearby.


    Part of the notorious ferocity of the Corpse Demon Pirate Group was due to the extreme cruelty of the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu. Find your adventure at empire


    Imagine, after trying so hard to kill a member of the Corpse Demon Pirate Group, what you get in return is an even more terrifying Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu.


    The more people killed, the larger the scale of the Gu Worms. Such a horrifying scene, if not experienced firsthand, is unimaginably desperate.


    This turn of events also caught Zhao Sheng by surprise, and he couldn''t help but inwardly curse the opponent for being vicious and sinister.


    In a thought, he recalled all sorts of information about the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu, and his heart stirred.


    All of a sudden, he threw out a Magic Talisman, which turned into flying ash. Under Zhao Sheng''s feet, a large amount of clear water surged from nowhere, spreading upwards and quickly "encapsulating" his body into a Water Ball.


    At that moment, a flash of blue light flickered in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, the spirit in his eyes instantly disappeared, his pupils turned dim and lifeless, and his face became extremely indifferent, completely emotionless.


    In that instant, all passions and desires were abandoned. Zhao Sheng was in a state of Absolute Rationality, and the world suddenly became "clearer" by tenfold.


    Wherever he looked, all people, events, and things were finely detailed before his eyes. Numerous pieces of information suddenly surged from his mind, and he felt the world had never been so vivid and orderly.


    Crack, crack!


    The Water Ball quickly solidified into ice, turning into a large ice ball in the blink of an eye, and Zhao Sheng, like a dead person, did not move at all within the ice ball!


    Elsewhere, the dense Gu Cloud suddenly became chaotic, but immediately afterward, it thunderously pounced towards Zhen Yue. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhen Yue, seeing Zhao Sheng hiding in the ice ball, internally cursed him for being foolish.


    But at this moment, she couldn''t afford to worry about that.


    Seeing the Gu Cloud about to completely engulf her, Zhen Yue hardened her heart, and suddenly, a fiery red scroll appeared in her hands.


    In the next instant, as the scroll unfurled, countless Red Flame Birds, big as seagulls, flew out from the scroll at high speed, forming a huge flock of Fire Birds, and collided thunderously with the attacking Gu Cloud.


    Boom, crackling!


    The Gu Cloud was temporarily swallowed by the flames, then exploded, the blast expanding the Fire Cloud, red feathers flying chaotically in the sky, and countless Gu corpses fell from the sky like rain.


    Zhen Yue was first delighted, but her face quickly turned ugly.


    Because beyond the few hundred Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu on the outer edge of the Gu Cloud that were burned to death by the flames, the vast majority of the Gu Worms were unharmed.


    These Gu Worms, not yet fully mature, already possessed such strong resistance to flames, and if they were to fully develop, wouldn''t they be unafraid of ordinary Spiritual Fire.


    Zhen Yue knew that the Red Spirit Map in her hand contained a Chi Li Spirit Fire, and these Red Flame Birds were formed from the Chi Li Spirit Fire.


    Chi Li Spirit Fire, a type of Spiritual Fire derived from Nanming Li Fire, has properties of Supreme Yang and specifically counters all sinister demons.


    Logically, Chi Li Spirit Fire should be the nemesis of the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu.


    But now, it seemed that the situation was far from satisfactory!


    Zhen Yue kept urging the Red Spirit Map, releasing more Red Flame Birds, which transformed into walls of flame surrounding her, temporarily forcing the Gu Cloud not to approach.


    She tried several times to escape but was extremely reluctant to abandon the heavy treasure in the hall. She noticed that the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu ignored the person next to her, dodging the ice balls and charging at her alone as if she were the only living person there.


    This scene made Zhen Yue feel a combination of fear and urgency, and she was nearly bursting with anger!


    Buzz, buzz!


    The number of Gu Worms a corpse could contain was ultimately limited.


    A few breaths later, as the corpses shriveled, the last few hundred Gu Worms joined the insect cloud in the courtyard, intensifying their attack on Zhen Yue.


    At that moment, the ice ball surrounding Zhao Sheng suddenly cracked open with countless tiny fissures.


    The next second, the ice ball abruptly shattered, scattering ice chunks all around.


    Zhao Sheng, his face covered with white frost, expressionlessly stepped over the ice on the ground, walking step by step toward the hall, his robe shedding small particles of ice with every movement.


    Strangely, the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu acted as if they didn''t see him at all, even passing by his body without biting, instead, they attacked Zhen Yue.


    Zhen Yue was utterly baffled by the reason.


    However, Zhao Sheng had seen a description of the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu in a Gu Scripture from the Beast Taming Sect.


    This type of Yin-related Gu Worm had an exceedingly peculiar sensory organ, not only capable of sensing the presence of living beings but also extremely adept at detecting fluctuations in a person''s emotions and desires.


    As long as a person had even a slight fluctuation in their desires or emotions, they couldn''t possibly evade the pursuit of the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu.


    This characteristic was also one of the reasons it was ranked among the top hundred Gu Worms in the Tianzhu Realm.


    Zhao Sheng walked to the entrance of the hall and suddenly stopped, his eyes unmoving. He did not even glance at the ancient painting, but with a wave of his hand, a surge of water flew out, effortlessly scooping up the Treasure Bead and curling back to fall into his hand.


    Then, he turned his head to look at the bamboo basket, his mind whirring like electricity, instantly conjuring countless possibilities, arranging them in order of probability.


    The next second, taking into account factors such as human nature, traps, luck, coincidences, and more, Zhao Sheng immediately excluded most of the possibilities, leaving only the most likely and optimal scenarios in his mind.


    After a moment of thought, Zhao Sheng suddenly turned away, surprisingly leaving the bamboo basket and other treasures untouched.


    Under the principle of Absolute Rationality, preserving one''s life always comes first. Any action that has a certain probability of endangering one''s life would be excluded by him.


    Clearly, there was some unknown connection between the bamboo basket and the ancient painting; touching it would raise the probability of death beyond the warning line Zhao Sheng had set.


    Just then, Zhen Yue, overwhelmed with shock and anger, forcefully lifted the scroll she was holding upwards rapidly.


    Countless Red Flame Birds gushed out, with the majority rushing toward the Gu Cloud en masse.


    Simultaneously, a small portion quickly merged into a giant flame bird, screeching loudly and sending a wave of scorching flames fiercely shooting towards Zhao Sheng.


    She was not having an easy time either, but she couldn''t let him take away the core treasure of the Bei Mansion. Besides, she hoped that once he made a move, it would expose him, allowing the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu to discover him and thus share the pressure she was under.


    Facing the attack, Zhao Sheng didn''t utter a word. His figure flashed, fast as if he was using Instantaneous Movement, moving unpredictably to a spot dozens of feet away, nearly ready to leave the area.


    "No!"


    Zhen Yue cried out furiously, as the Golden Light Spirit Sword suddenly transformed into a sword rainbow, shooting out fiercely, aiming for Zhao Sheng''s head.

 Chapter 177 Refining and Collecting

    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng still remained expressionless. His hands trembled continuously, and eight crystal-clear ice swords, each three feet long, abruptly took shape.These ice swords circled around his body in one turn, soared into the sky, and then merged into a transparent Ice Giant Sword of great tenacity.


    Without a word, Zhao Sheng pinched the sword formula. The giant ice sword suddenly shuddered and split into four rays of sword light that seemed both real and illusory. The sword light flew out in unison, directly confronting the golden sword rainbow, and tangled with it without showing any signs of weakening.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng looked up at Zhen Yue, his right hand touching his waist. With a flick of his hand, four Second Order True Talismans flew out together.


    The next instant, four huge Thunder Balls, each as large as a ball, suddenly flew thirty to forty feet into the air. Then, converging towards the center, a massive Thunder Ball, teeming with Thunder Light and as big as a water jar, appeared above the courtyard.


    Zhen Yue couldn''t help but look up, her complexion turning deathly pale in astonishment, drained of all color.


    Beneath the Thunder Ball, Zhao Sheng looked at Zhen Yue with an expressionless face, his gaze ice-cold as if he were looking at a dead person, and he uttered the word "Go".


    In an instant, the Thunder Ball flickered and transformed into a beam of expansive azure light, thick as a water barrel, striking across the four corners, instantly splitting above Zhen Yue''s head, giving her no chance to dodge.


    Boom!


    A vast expanse of thunder and lightning violently exploded, and the courtyard seemed to be submerged in a sea of thunder, filled with dazzling white light.


    At that moment, a three-inch-long flying sword, surrounded by the brilliant Electric Light of thunder, pierced through Zhen Yue''s neck.


    Zhen Yue only had time to look down at the hole in her neck. Before she could even show regret, she turned to ash within the endless thunder.


    In the meantime, the Insect Cloud was also shattered by this overwhelming attack, thousands of Gu Worms were struck by the lightning, turning into charred remains, and fell to the ground.


    After confirming Zhen Yue''s death, Zhao Sheng waved his hand to collect the Spirit Light Flying Sword, the Scroll, and the Storage Bag.


    Then, without even glancing at the small Gu Cloud that was reassembling in the courtyard, he swiftly left the place.


    Now, the foremost task in Zhao Sheng''s mind was to refine the core of Bei Mansion as quickly as possible to take control, with everything else secondary.


    ...


    The light screen surrounding the Sea Shell fluctuated suddenly, and Zhao Sheng emerged from within before swimming upward.


    After ascending more than twenty yards, he looked down to his left, where only a glimmer of light was visible amid the darkness, Zhao Sheng stopped, swiftly carved out a stone cave in the trench wall, and then darted into it.


    After sealing the entrance of the cave, he took out a Spiritual Pearl and gripped it in his hand, then suddenly hammered his left chest with his left hand.


    With a retching sound, Zhao Sheng suddenly spat out a mouthful of essence blood onto the surface of the Spiritual Pearl.


    The next second, the essence blood quickly merged with the Spiritual Power, turning into streams of blood-laced Spiritual Power. Under Zhao Sheng''s spiritual power control, the blood-colored Spiritual Power transformed into blood runes, beginning to slowly seep into the Spiritual Pearl.


    Every time a batch of Blood Talismans entered the Spiritual Pearl, Zhao Sheng would again expel a mouthful of essence blood, merging it with Spiritual Power to form new blood runes that continued to penetrate the interior of the Spiritual Pearl.


    Refining the core of a cave mansion was not an easy task, especially since Zhao Sheng''s cultivation level hadn''t even reached Foundation Establishment, making it quite a stretch to refine it. Having no other methods at hand, he could only rely on time, determination, and self-harm to grind it down bit by bit.


    Time slowly passed, and Zhao Sheng continued to cough up mouthfuls of essence blood.


    As batch after batch of blood runes merged into the Spiritual Pearl, which gradually exhibited a faint red glow, Zhao Sheng''s complexion grew increasingly pale. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Three days later, in the temporarily opened cave, the Spiritual Pearl was emitting a soft yet bright red glow, illuminating the cave as well as Zhao Sheng''s pale and emaciated face. Enjoy new adventures from empire


    "Take in!"


    Following a hoarse voice resounding in the cave, the Spiritual Pearl naturally floated up and suddenly turned into a mass of blood light, vanishing with a flash into Zhao Sheng''s Dantian.


    Zhao Sheng slowly ended his cultivation, standing up from the ground with an unmistakable excitement in his eyes.


    After a while, he left the cave and stealthily approached the outer area of Bei Mansion below.


    The enormously large Sea Shell was still radiating dazzling white light. However, outside the light screen connected by five stone pillars, three tattered corpses were floating conspicuously.


    The corpses were densely covered with oddly shaped marine worms, which were slowly gnawing away at the flesh and blood of the corpses.


    Upon seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng''s expression became slightly grave.


    Someone being able to find this place actually didn''t surprise him.


    What he worried about the most was that Bei Mansion had already been occupied by someone or a certain power.


    After contemplating for a moment, Zhao Sheng concealed his aura, pinching an Invisibility Talisman and a Concentrating God Talisman in his right hand, and made his way forward with a swaying motion, quietly entering the light curtain.


    Stepping through the light curtain, before Zhao Sheng''s feet touched the ground, his figure had already disappeared.


    Listening to the sounds of combat coming from Bei Mansion, interspersed with the clash of Magic Artifacts and the booming of Spells, Zhao Sheng saw at a glance that inside this mini Grotto Heaven were more than a dozen Cultivators engaged in a fight to the death.


    At this moment,


    Zhao Sheng''s heart tightened, and he quickly looked over.


    He saw that on one side, each person was clad in red robes, wielding large swords that glowed with red light; as they chanted spells, streams of red Sword Light mixed with Fireballs were relentlessly blasted towards the opposing group.


    The other side seemed to have a slightly larger number of people, but they were dressed in a disarray, with odd and varied weapons, none alike.


    Among the fighting crowd, two people were engaged in the most fierce battle, one was a red-clothed, burly man with a face full of horizontal flesh, controlling a fiery red Flying Knife. With each flash of the Flying Knife, streaks of blood-red Sword Light shot out. The other was an old crone whose weapon was a pair of mandarin duck axes. The axes crossed and struck rapidly, creating swathes of duck-shaped lights that easily shattered the incoming Sword Light, evenly matching the burly man in combat.


    Observing secretly for a while, Zhao Sheng relaxed.


    These Cultivators were all in the Qi Refining Realm, with the two strongest only at Qi Refining Perfection, and most of the objects in their hands were common high-grade Magical Artifacts, with crude methods of fighting, not catching his eye.


    It seemed that they were all just Loose Cultivators, not worth considering.


    After watching for two more quarters, confirming that neither side had someone who was disguising their power,


    To avoid further complications with delays, Zhao Sheng decided to take action.


    He stealthily approached the two battling groups, slowly placing his hands on the Storage Bag. In a flash, he had a crude talisman plate in his hands, which was divided into three layers, each layer holding more than twenty stacks of Water Arrow Talismans.


    "Go"


    As the talisman plate''s spirit light gradually grew stronger, Zhao Sheng uttered a soft command, and then all the Water Arrow Talismans turned to flying ash simultaneously.


    The next second, thousands of three-foot-long, child''s arm-thick, incredibly sharp Water Arrows, condensed out of thin air above Bei Mansion and crashed down explosively with a speed faster than the ear could hear thunder.


    In an instant, it had started raining Water Arrows from the sky!


    Ahhhhhhh!


    Suddenly, a wave of screams erupted from within Bei Mansion.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng flashed out from the light curtain and swam to the side, looking at the huge Sea Shell. He patted his abdomen, and the Town Suppressing Spirit Pearl emerged from within his body, suspended in front of him.


    Zhao Sheng muttered incantations, his hands successively casting a series of spells. The blood light on the Town Suppressing Spirit Pearl surged, and a beam of white light shot out from the pearl, splitting into five and connecting to five stone pillars.


    The stone pillars then streamed wave-like lights, which quickly spread throughout the entire Sea Shell.


    As the sound of the ocean waves grew from faint to strong, the Sea Shell gradually shrank in size.


    Fifteen Zhang,


    Ten Zhang,


    Three Zhang


    ...


    Finally, an inch-long pristine and jade-like Exquisite Sea Shell fell into Zhao Sheng''s hands, which he quickly tucked into his chest.


    Pop!


    A mass of dense bubbles surged in the sea trench, and like a swordfish, Zhao Sheng shot rapidly upwards.


    A quarter of an hour later, he surfaced, checked his bearings, and didn''t return to Beilu Island but instead swam directly towards a route leading to the Inner Star Sea.

 Chapter 178 Auction and Foundation Establishment Pill

    Two months later, an ordinary three-masted sea ship slowly entered a crescent-shaped bay,on the bow deck, Zhao Sheng''s eyes were slightly narrowed, staring at the large workshop by the pier from afar.


    "Finally arrived at Wind and Fire Island," Zhao Sheng muttered to himself, gently drifted from the ship, flew over a distance of eight yards across the sea surface, and landed on the plank road of the pier.


    An hour later, an ordinary-looking young man in blue robes appeared in the workshop of Wind and Fire Island, blending in with the bustling crowd, hardly noticeable.


    Wind and Fire Island was one of the spirit islands under the jurisdiction of Dragon Turtle Island among the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, and it was the most famous Refining Island within the realm of Dragon Turtle Island; its workshop was renowned throughout the Shattered Star Sea, marking it as a bustling location.


    Zhao Sheng discreetly observed and noticed that the buildings on Wind and Fire Island were mostly made of submarine fire rocks, which under the sun''s rays, exhibited a faint reddish glow, rendering these structures exceptionally bright and solid-looking.


    On the streets, one could often see squads of elite armored soldiers from the Wind Fire Sect marching in unison, patrolling the streets.


    Zhao Sheng scanned them and was surprised to find the aura of these elite soldiers extremely peculiar, almost devoid of any signs of life, resembling squads of eerie living corpse puppets,


    Zhao Sheng had long heard that the Wind Fire Sect possessed a secret technique to refine Yin Corpse Soldier Puppets, and seeing this firsthand was somewhat shocking. He thought to himself that the Wind Fire Sect indeed was no ordinary sect.


    As he walked through the workshop, Zhao Sheng discovered that Wind and Fire Island indeed lived up to its name as an island of artifact refining, with numerous Artifact Refining Shops, nearly every street hosting several such shops.


    He also noticed that the shops along the streets predominantly sold various Magic Artifacts, and their primary acquisitions were also various refining spirit materials,


    As for shops selling Spiritual Medicine, Spirit Pills, and talismans, there were some, but not many.


    This Artifact Refining-famed Wind and Fire Island truly lived up to its reputation.


    One reason Zhao Sheng traveled thousands of miles to Wind and Fire Island S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    was to sell the unused Magic Artifacts and to buy Spirit Pills for cultivation, along with acquiring a few suitable Magic Artifacts.


    The other, more crucial reason was to figure out the death trap in Bei Mansion,


    and if he could also unravel the origins of the ancient painting and bamboo basket, that would be even better.


    ...


    Four hours later, after making a round in the workshop and entering several shops, Zhao Sheng casually inquired about the prices of Magic Artifacts at different levels.


    Once he had a good understanding, Zhao Sheng stopped wandering aimlessly and found a place to stay temporarily within the workshop.


    Over the next three days, Zhao Sheng, assuming various appearances, entered multiple Artifact Refining shops and offloaded unusable Magic Artifacts such as the Water Dividing Needle, Flying Knife, Mandarin Duck Hooks, low-grade talismans, and so forth, ultimately exchanging them for over eight thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones.


    Having dealt with these transactions, Zhao Sheng, now in the guise of a fair-faced young master, entered a quite imposing-looking shop.


    This shop was large, luxuriously decorated inside, and even the lowest quality of the Magic Artifacts sold were of top-grade, suggesting that it was a boutique specializing in fine products.


    "Taoist, are you looking to buy Magic Artifacts, or sell refining materials?" As soon as Zhao Sheng entered, a middle-aged man whose weathered and yellow skin appeared as if scorched by fire, immediately came forward to greet him.


    "I would like to sell this item, please have a look," Zhao Sheng said nonchalantly and pulled a squarish stone box from his Storage Bag.


    He gently opened the box, but made sure that only the middle-aged man could see the contents inside.


    Upon seeing the Single-Horned Ghost Skull in the stone box, the middle-aged man''s complexion changed, and he promptly said to Zhao Sheng,


    "Taoist, please follow me to a private room at the back. I will immediately call the shopkeeper to examine it."


    Zhao Sheng nodded, his expression serene as he followed the man into a private room at the back.


    Shortly after, a gray-robed elderly man with a white beard entered the room, smiling slightly at Zhao Sheng, bowed his hands, and said, "I am Sun Delu, honored to meet you, Taoist. I heard you have a treasure to offer. May I have the privilege to take a look?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded and opened the stone box, pushing it forward.


    Upon seeing the completely black skull with horns on top, the elder''s pupils involuntarily shrank slightly.


    ...


    An hour later, the elder placed the Single-Horned Ghost Skull back into the stone box, his face still showing traces of joy.


    He knew that this item was a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact and candidly spoke up, "The item is indeed good, containing Corrosive Bone Corpse Fire and has been sacrificially refined for over a hundred years. However, it is difficult to deal with openly, and it is slightly flawed. Therefore, the price is a bit lower than that of a similar Spiritual Artifact, around nine thousand Spirit Stones."


    Zhao Sheng slightly nodded upon hearing this, apparently agreeing with the other party''s view.


    Then, he smiled and said, "Although the price is good, I am not short of Spirit Stones. I wonder if your shop has Puppet Magical Artifacts or top-grade magic tools available? I would like to consider an item exchange, is that possible?"


    The elder confidently answered, "Our shop is one of the directly affiliated shops of Wind Fire Sect, and we can certainly engage in item exchange, and we will not disappoint you, Taoist."


    Zhao Sheng, noncommittally, hummed a sound and suddenly asked, "I heard that your island is about to hold a special auction. I am interested in participating, but are there any special requirements?"


    The elder was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "Special requirements? Indeed, there are two: first, you need a guarantee letter provided by a shop on the island, and second, you must provide an item for the auction."


    The elder hesitated not at all to say this, after all, this was no secret on Wind and Fire Island, so naturally there was no need to hide it from Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng silently nodded.


    The reason he wanted to participate in this auction was that he had heard Foundation Establishment Pills would be auctioned there.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, Foundation Establishment Pills are much more scarce and rare than in the Central Continent.


    The reasons are not only because there are fewer Alchemists in the Shattered Star Sea and the refining materials for Foundation Establishment Pill are rare. Most importantly, the other continents have intentionally reduced the supply of Foundation Establishment Pill, making their prices nearly sky-high in the Shattered Star Sea, where even Low Grade Foundation Establishment Pills are unlikely to appear on the market.


    Eager for the Foundation Establishment Pill, he hesitated no longer and immediately said to the elder, "I must confess, my visit to Wind and Fire Island this time is specifically for the auction. If you could provide a guarantee for me, I have a Spiritual Flying Sword in my possession that I could sell to your shop at a reduced price."


    Hearing this, the elder''s brows slightly furrowed as he quietly weighed the implications.


    After pondering for a moment, he lightly slapped the stone box and said:


    "Well then, I could agree to vouch for you. May I examine the Spiritual Artifact in your hands?"


    "Certainly!" said Zhao Sheng without hesitation.


    As he spoke, he pulled out Zhen Yue''s Golden Light Spirit Sword from his Storage Bag, along with a scroll housing a Spiritual Artifact and Chi Li Spirit Fire.


    This scroll was what he planned to use for the auction, and he wanted the elder to appraise it as well.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng left the shop smiling, holding a pale red Jade Scroll in his hand, its surface engraved with the same pattern as the shop''s sign.


    In addition, his Storage Bag now contained over two hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones.


    Having obtained the guarantee letter and Spirit Stones, he then visited two Elixir Medicine Shops and bought more than a dozen bottles of Cloud Ginseng Pills, costing him nearly a thousand Spirit Stones.


    Unfortunately, there were many shops selling Elixir Pills on Wind and Fire Island, but almost none selling spirit medicine seeds.


    After inquiring in several shops to no avail, he had to temporarily give up on planting Spiritual Medicine in the Bei Mansion.


    Half a day later, Zhao Sheng returned to his residence and began to cultivate behind closed doors.


    But as the auction approached, various rumors inevitably began to spread.


    Stay tuned to empire


    As word of the Foundation Establishment Pills being auctioned spread, an increasing number of outside Cultivators started arriving on Wind and Fire Island.

 Chapter 179 Mysterious Woman

    Seven days later, the auction finally arrived.Zhao Sheng left the guesthouse, and following the directions given by the elderly shop owner, he wound his way through the streets and alleys until he reached a magnificent palace in the southwest workshop area of Wind and Fire Island.


    Zhao Sheng stood on a street corner and did not hurry to enter. Instead, he observed the auction venue.


    As time drew near, cultivators began to arrive one after another, displaying various demeanors. Some were open and aboveboard, while others made a deliberate effort to conceal their features. However, as long as they presented a pledge letter, the guards at the door would check it and allow them through.


    "It seems that this auction recognizes the letter over the person, and the security is quite strict. A few days ago, the shopkeeper mentioned that, for this auction, Dragon Turtle Island rarely dispatched a Golden Core Master to oversee this place. I presume it is both for safety reasons and because there are quite a few rare treasures at this auction," Zhao Sheng thought to himself with a serene expression.


    "There are probably many people here today specifically for the Foundation Establishment Pill. This will be quite a competition."


    With these thoughts in mind, Zhao Sheng, who had changed his appearance, walked around the corner of the street and strode toward the entrance.


    Upon reaching the entrance of the venue, he presented his Jade Leaf guarantee letter to the guards.


    Just as he was about to enter, Zhao Sheng suddenly changed his expression and turned his head to sweep a glance behind him.


    He saw, not far off, three unusually tall figures in black robes, escorting a woman dressed in a blue skirt as they walked toward the venue.


    The woman had a graceful figure and wore a hat with a white veil hanging down, concealing her face.


    Even though Zhao Sheng couldn''t clearly see the woman''s features, he felt a stirring within him, as if there was some indistinct and secretive connection between him and her.


    "Who is this woman¡­" Zhao Sheng wondered, somewhat surprised.


    Just as he wanted to take another look, the guard grew impatient and urged him to enter quickly.


    Zhao Sheng withdrew his gaze, his mind filled with thoughts as he walked into the venue.


    Meanwhile, the veiled woman suddenly stopped in her tracks, her beautiful eyes fixed on the entrance to the auction house, gazing at the slowly disappearing figure of Zhao Sheng.


    "Young Master, why have you stopped? Is there something amiss?"


    Right then, an ancient voice emerged from the woman''s sleeve, elusive, audible only to her.


    "Did you see that person just now?" Wang Yingling flicked her sleeve, speaking softly.


    "Which person? I was preoccupied with sensing the Ancestor''s exuvia and didn''t notice our surroundings," replied Elder Chong.


    Wang Yingling licked her lips and, while continuing to walk forward, murmured to herself, "I feel like I''ve just seen someone of my own kind, and it seems that their bloodline is not of low purity." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What?!"


    ¡­


    ¡­


    "The auspicious time has come¡ªthe auction officially begins!"


    In the grand venue, a deep and magnetic voice announced from the high platform at the front.


    Originally filled with hushed conversations, the auction hall fell silent at once.


    Then a middle-aged man in a bright red robe with a long face and large ears, his forehead marked with a Flame Totem, confidently walked onto the high platform in front of everyone.


    In the venue below, over a hundred attendees occupied their own tables, scattered throughout the hall.


    As for the cultivators of a special status or above the Foundation Establishment Realm, they were in the private rooms on the second floor, overlooking the hall below.


    The number of people present at the auction was somewhat small, but Zhao Sheng didn''t find this strange.


    Read exclusive content at empire


    After all, merely demanding guarantees from merchants and the submission of suitable auction items had already filtered out the majority of cultivators with less substantial fortunes.


    Auctions in the Cultivation World always valued quality over quantity, whether regarding the items or the participants.


    Situated in the venue, Zhao Sheng could not discern the depth of other people''s Cultivation Realms. However, based on his extensive experience, he concluded that there were at least five Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the first-floor venue, not to mention those in the second-floor private rooms.


    "It seems I need to be especially cautious this time," Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    "Welcome, Esteemed Fellow Daoists and Seniors, to this year''s auction on Wind and Fire Island. I won''t go into the rules, as I trust you are all familiar with them¡ªhigher bids take the treasure. If anyone has special requests, bartering is also permitted."


    Finished speaking, the middle-aged man respectfully bowed toward the high platform to his left, then straightened his posture.


    All eyes turned to that spot where a lone fiery-red chair sat beside the high platform. On it was a frail, gray-robed elderly man.


    The old man sat in meditation, motionless with his eyes closed, and emanated an aura both deep and unfathomable.


    This was the Golden Core Master presiding over the event.


    After a brief pause, the middle-aged man scanned the crowd below and then announced:


    "Enough talk! Please behold the first treasure up for auction!"


    With that, he slapped his Storage Bag, and a palm-sized Jade Box appeared in his hand. The box was opened to reveal a golden-blue flying sword an inch long, lying quietly inside.


    "Our first auction item is a top-grade magic tool, the Geng Metal Flying Sword. The sword is mixed with Geng Metal, indestructible and three times faster than other flying swords of the same tier, with nine Magic Prohibitions embedded within. The starting bid is seven thousand Spirit Stones, and each bid must increase by no less than a hundred Spirit Stones," declared the middle-aged man with a proud smile.


    At these words, the venue burst into murmurs.


    One must know that flying swords are one of the most demanding types of offensive magic artifacts when it comes to materials. Sword Cultivators are famously known for their creed, "The sword lives, the cultivator lives; the sword perishes, the cultivator perishes."


    Geng Metal is a treasured material for refining flying swords.


    Even if the quantity of Geng Metal mixed in this flying sword is unknown, and it might just be a selling point...

 Chapter 179 Mysterious Woman_2

    Even seven thousand Spirit Stones could buy a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact.But a flying sword of such excellent quality was sure to set off a frenzy among the cultivators.


    Upon seeing that the first treasure was a Geng Metal Flying Sword, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but feel disappointed; he didn''t care for Geng Metal at all.


    If he could return to the Central Continent, he dared say that he could produce a piece of Geng Metal as big as a human head.


    "Eight thousand!" Explore hidden tales at empire


    "Eight thousand one hundred!"


    "Eight thousand eight hundred!"


    ...


    As expected, as soon as this top-grade flying sword was revealed, it spurred a round of spirited bidding from the crowd.


    After an intense competition, the sword was ultimately auctioned off for nineteen thousand Spirit Stones to a solemn-faced old man.


    By now, the atmosphere of the auction was heated by the Geng Metal Flying Sword. The next two treasures, an Orange Gold Armor and a Mother-child Spirit Shield, both top-grade magic tools, were auctioned off at the high prices of six thousand and nine thousand Spirit Stones, respectively.


    Indeed, defensive magic tools were generally harder to refine than offensive ones, and their prices were usually twenty to eighty percent higher¡ªflying swords being the exception.


    Witnessing this, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but feel surprised.


    The standard of this auction wasn''t low at all! Starting with top-grade magic tools, the main stream later surely would be Spiritual Artifacts.


    "The fourth auction item, a top-grade talismanic artifact, the Five Elements Talisman Plate."


    As the sound faded, a middle-aged man produced a square wooden box with one hand.


    He slapped the box with one hand, and the lid immediately flipped open, revealing a talisman plate about a foot in diameter, with three layers and five colors, in a Zhouyi Bagua pattern. It looked exquisitely delicate and faintly emitted a Five-Colored Light Halo.


    "The Five Elements Chaos Plate, while admittedly limited to the use of talisman cultivators, is forged from a thousand-year-old Spirit Wood and Five Elements Spiritual Gold by an Artifact Refining Master who took forty-nine days to complete it. Although it''s not a Spiritual Artifact, it''s even more precious than ordinary Spiritual Artifacts," the middle-aged man said slowly while holding the talisman plate.


    These words naturally caused a stir among the crowd, and someone who was outspoken immediately asked why.


    The middle-aged man smiled confidently and said, "The Artifact Refining Master originally intended to refine a Spiritual Artifact Level talisman plate. However, due to a minor mishap during the refining process, the grade of this talismanic artifact dropped.


    Although its grade is much lower than initially planned, it coincidentally gained two unique effects. First, it can hold higher-grade talismans, and it can withstand a Second Order High Grade True Talisman at the maximum. Second, when Five Elements talismans are activated simultaneously, different attributes of talismans can lead to a certain probability of mutation under the guidance of the talisman plate, such as the Five Elements promoting each other and wind feeding fire, etc.


    The former isn''t too remarkable, after all, high-grade True Talismans are very rare and are seldom obtained. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But the latter would be infinitely useful if it falls into the hands of a cultivator skilled in both talismanic magic and combat.


    Most importantly, this talisman plate is a once-in-a-lifetime creation, with almost no chance of a second one ever being made. Therefore... the starting bid is ten thousand Spirit Stones!"


    Upon saying this, the middle-aged man deliberately paused for a moment to gauge the reaction of the people below.


    As expected, the audience below was once again abuzz with excitement, with many being interested, including Zhao Sheng.


    No matter what the others were thinking, he truly wanted to win it.


    With this powerful artifact, he wouldn''t fear an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the slightest.


    "Fifteen thousand Spirit Stones."


    As soon as the middle-aged man finished speaking, someone from below immediately called out, boosting the price by five thousand Spirit Stones.


    This high bid surprised many, causing some who were about to bid to swallow their words back down.


    After a good while, someone snorted coldly and then fiercely bid eighteen thousand Spirit Stones.


    Good heavens, that''s three thousand more.


    With this bid, the vast majority of people backed out.


    After all, the Geng Metal Flying Sword at the beginning was sold for only nineteen thousand Spirit Stones.


    A talismanic artifact was ultimately niche in use, and even with its rare and magical effects, this was the peak price.


    At this point, Zhao Sheng, who had been the first to bid, couldn''t help but frown slightly.


    It wasn''t that he lacked Spirit Stones; not to mention the nearly thirty thousand Spirit Stones he earned from selling magic tools or that the spiritual artifact painting scroll could bring in a good ten thousand Spirit Stones. Even the Pure Yin Spirit Stones he dug up from the Mist Sea Floor would be enough to buy three or four talisman plates like this one.


    It was just that he had some concerns. He still needed to win the Foundation Establishment Pills later, and if he ran out of Spirit Stones, he might have to reveal the Pure Yin Spirit Stones.


    Given the rarity of Pure Yin Spirit Stones in the Shattered Star Sea, it was not guaranteed that the organizers wouldn''t take an interest in him.


    While Zhao Sheng weighed the pros and cons, from a private room on the second floor, Wang Yingling quietly focused on his silhouette.


    "Young Master, are you sure that person truly has Holy Clan blood?" Elder Turtle''s aged voice resonated at that moment.


    "Hmm," Wang Yingling nodded lightly.


    "Excellent! After this, we must bring this person back to the Void Spirit Abyss¡ªthe Great Sacrificial Leader will be delighted," Elder Turtle said excitedly.


    This time, Wang Yingling simply nodded but said nothing more.


    And just then, a faint voice suddenly rang out over the auction hall:


    "Twenty thousand Spirit Stones."


    The one who made the bid was none other than Zhao Sheng.


    He raised the bid by another two thousand Spirit Stones in one go.


    Such a high price caused even some wealthy Foundation Establishment Cultivators to shake their heads in amazement.


    "Good, very good. It seems this Taoist friend is determined to get the Five Elements Talisman Plate. Is there anyone else who will bid higher?" The middle-aged man was very pleased and asked the audience once more.


    Seeing that no one below bid for a long time, the middle-aged man didn''t mind and immediately announced that the talisman plate belonged to Zhao Sheng.

 Chapter 179 Mysterious Woman_3

    After auctioning the talisman plate, the middle-aged man began to present treasures of spiritual artifact grade for auction, with starting bids of at least ten thousand Spirit Stones.Zhao Sheng''s spiritual artifact painting scroll was the ninth item, and because it harbored Chi Li Spirit Fire, and this place was the renowned Wind and Fire Island for Artifact Refining, the final transaction price was unexpectedly high for Zhao Sheng. It was sold for thirty-four thousand Spirit Stones.


    ...


    "...Next, this item, provided by a fellow Taoist, is a White Spirit Turtle Shell, said to have the miraculous effect of turning bad luck into good fortune. The starting bid is twenty thousand Spirit Stones,"


    Having said this, the middle-aged man flipped his palm, and a palm-sized, translucent White Jade Turtle Shell appeared in his hand.


    At these words, an extremely quiet and eerie atmosphere enveloped the entire cave.


    Everyone''s gaze fixed on the turtle shell, but most displayed a scornful expression.


    This White Jade Turtle Shell was quite famous in Wind and Fire Island, having been auctioned five times before, and each time after it was purchased, it would be up for auction again within two years.


    It was a well-known fact that all the owners of this turtle shell had died accidently, with none spared.


    What turning bad luck into good fortune¡ªmore like a Death Omen Turtle Shell!


    Seeing this reaction, the middle-aged man smiled awkwardly, and asked once more if anyone would bid.


    After a while, a cold voice came from a private room on the second floor: "Twenty-one thousand!"


    "Done! It''s sold!" the middle-aged man immediately blurted out without asking anyone else, as if afraid someone would back out.


    Wang Yingling inwardly exhaled in relief; she was glad no one competed with her.


    But what she didn''t notice was that down below on the stage, Master Wu Yan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, now slightly opened his eyes, his gaze inadvertently flicking towards her.


    Three hours later, the auction had reached its final stage.


    "Ahem, ahem!"


    The middle-aged man intentionally coughed twice, drawing the audience''s attention towards him, then confidently took out three Green Jade Pill Bottles.


    Seeing the pill bottles appear, the atmosphere in the venue instantly quieted down, with everyone''s hearts aflutter, their gazes eagerly fixed on the middle-aged man on the stage.


    With that reaction, the middle-aged man took out a white Spirit Pill from the pill bottle, round and about the size of a longan, its fragrance wafting to the audience.


    "This is the Foundation Establishment Pill, with a quantity of three. All are of low grade. Their value, even if I don''t mention it, you fellow Taoists naturally understand. Thus, I''ll skip the unnecessary details.


    This auction will be conducted in both visible and concealed bids. Visible bids start at thirty thousand Spirit Stones with each increase not less than a thousand Spirit Stones. At the same price, higher grade Spirit Stones will be prioritzed. For concealed bids, other treasures, Cultivation Techniques, and secret techniques can be exchanged."


    The revelation of there being three Foundation Establishment Pills far exceeded everyone''s expectations.


    It was known that in the past, there was often only one, contested by many.


    The middle-aged man seemed very satisfied with the shocked expressions of the crowd, waited for a while before he confidently spoke:


    "Well, everyone can write down their concealed bid prices, or participate in the visible bidding. As for who will end up with these three precious Foundation Establishment Pills, Master Wu Yan will decide."


    At these words, the tension in the venue instantly ratcheted up; many people looked at Master Wu Yan, their eyes filled with respect and envy.


    Once again, the room fell silent as no one took the initiative to speak, as if waiting for others to speak first. Experience tales at empire sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The middle-aged man was not in a rush, just quietly watching the crowd below.


    "Thirty-three thousand Spirit Stones. Since no one is speaking, let this old man start," spoke a stern-faced elder slowly after a moment.

 Chapter 180 Demon Ruins and the Sea Demon Clan

    "Thirty-four thousand Spirit Stones," S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.As soon as the words fell, someone immediately picked up the bid.


    "Thirty-five thousand Spirit Stones."


    "Thirty-six thousand Spirit Stones."


    Once someone initiated the bidding, the price of the Foundation Establishment Pill started rising by thousands.


    The increments seemed small, but the rate of increase was swift.


    It wasn''t long before it surpassed fifty thousand Spirit Stones, which caused many who were initially eager to turn pale, and soon they discarded the idea of using Spirit Stones and turned to think about secret bids.


    All present were cultivators, and who didn''t have some treasures hidden up their sleeves? Even if one''s assets were insufficient, there were still spells, right?


    The four essentials of cultivation are "Dharma, Wealth, Comrades, and Place," with Dharma being of foremost importance.


    As long as one was willing to sell their own Cultivation Technique, couldn''t they exchange it for a Foundation Establishment Pill?


    It must be said that the method of secret auctions was indeed impressive.


    In the venue, Zhao Sheng sat unperturbed, inwardly praising the organizer''s thorough thinking.


    After some deliberation, Zhao Sheng decided to use the unique spell "Sacrificial Fire Technique" that he had obtained in his previous life, as an exchange item. Explore more at empire


    To ensure foolproof success, he silently summoned the Hundred Lifetimes scripture, turned to the fourth page, and found a Foundation Establishment level Fire Attribute Cultivation Technique from the memory images he acquired from the Zhou family''s Scripture Pavilion in the Desolate Domain.


    Zhao Sheng did not believe that two Fire Attribute Cultivation Techniques could not exchange for a mere Foundation Establishment Pill.


    During this time, the bidding price had already broken through fifty thousand Spirit Stones. Those who still dared to bid were now only a few.


    Zhao Sheng was inwardly surprised; fifty thousand Spirit Stones would have been enough to purchase a Mid-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill in Central Continent Cave Heaven City.


    Yet it seemed, this price was still not the final transaction price.


    "Fifty-four thousand Spirit Stones. This elderly man here represents the Li family of Wind Mantis Island and hopes for some accommodation from those present," an aged voice from a gaunt, pale-faced and narrow-eyed old man spoke.


    As these words were spoken, the old man emitted a unique pressure from a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Realm, causing an immediate fright among some of lesser cultivation levels.


    Hmph!


    However, at that moment, a cold snort suddenly sounded in the venue, and that member of the Li family suddenly grunted, blood flowing from his seven orifices, his complexion deathly pale.


    Seeing this, several Cultivation Forces that wanted to emulate dropped their unseemly ideas of using pressure.


    While the open auction was proceeding normally, most of the cultivators in the venue also participated in the secret bids.


    Waiters moved around the venue, collecting one secret post after another, and then brought them to Master Wu Yan''s table.


    Master Wu Yan picked up the secret posts one by one, and after looking through them, he tossed most of the posts to his left side, placing only a few on the right side after reading them.


    Seeing this, the cultivators present couldn''t misunderstand that those placed on the left side were already eliminated.


    "Fifty-nine thousand Spirit Stones!"


    "Fifty-nine thousand Spirit Stones? Is there any Taoist who would offer a higher price?" the middle-aged man asked again.


    After repeating the question twice, he immediately announced that the auction was concluded at a price of fifty-nine thousand Spirit Stones.


    At this moment, Master Wu Yan also selected four or five tentative secret posts.


    The venue suddenly quieted down, everyone''s gaze turning towards Master Wu Yan.


    Swoosh!


    Master Wu Yan lightly tapped the table, causing two of the secret posts to rise up, enveloped in a faint layer of fire light and gently fly into the hands of the middle-aged man.


    The middle-aged man slightly bowed and then opened the two posts saying, "Congratulations to Yi Ding and Gengzi, as well as the Taoist who offered fifty-nine thousand Spirit Stones. Congratulations to the three of you for winning the Foundation Establishment Pills."


    No sooner had he finished his statement than sighs filled the room. This result left the majority of those present greatly disappointed.


    Zhao Sheng felt a surge of joy inside, though he maintained a composed expression as his bidding number was Gengzi.


    "Alright! This auction concludes successfully. I request the Taoists to exit the venue in an orderly manner. Those who won the treasures, please proceed to the back to exchange for your items."


    As soon as the auction ended, Zhao Sheng was led by a waiter through two corridors into a private room.


    After he had finished transcribing the "Sacrificial Fire Technique" and the "Deserted Four Flames Skill''s Separation Flame Technique," "coincidentally," Master Wu Yan entered the room.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was greatly astonished but immediately rose to greet him, "Junior Zhao Chonghe greets Master Wu Yan!"


    "No need for excessive courtesy, please sit!"


    Zhao Sheng was not restrained, and once Master Wu Yan settled down, he too sat down.


    A flicker of surprise crossed the eyes of Master Wu Yan. Since his advancement to Golden Core, few low-level cultivators in face-to-face exchanges maintained an attitude as composed as Zhao Sheng''s.


    Based on this alone, he couldn''t help but respect him a bit more.


    Little did he know, Zhao Sheng, who appeared calm, was inwardly somewhat anxious.


    He did not know what Master Wu Yan wanted with him?


    If it was merely about exchanging the Foundation Establishment Pill, it probably wouldn''t require the attendance of a Golden Core Master.


    Besides, Zhao Sheng was most fearful that Master Wu Yan would see through his disguise.


    It''s important to note that he was an "Alien Race," and the precedent set by Zhi Ao Island was not something to be ignored!


    Fortunately, things didn''t turn out that bad!


    Master Wu Yan, not concerned about a Junior Qi Refining cultivator''s disguise, directly stated that he was there for those two Cultivation Techniques.


    Relieved, Zhao Sheng immediately handed over the freshly written Cultivation Techniques.


    Master Wu Yan took them, but without even glancing at the "Deserted Four Flames Skill", he picked up "Sacrificial Fire Technique" and began to ponder it intently.


    As he flipped through it, a smile gradually appeared on his face, seemingly gaining a lot from it.


    A quarter of an hour later, Master Wu Yan gently placed down the secret manual, his gaze intense as he seriously asked Zhao Sheng, "From where did you obtain this spell?"

 Chapter 180 Demon Ruins and the Sea Demon Clan_2

    Zhao Sheng''s heart tightened, and he immediately answered, "Esteemed True Immortal, the ''Sacrificial Fire Technique'' has been passed down from our ancestors. To the best of my knowledge, it seemingly originates from the Central Continent.""Hmm!" Master Wu Yan nodded noncommittally, then sighed, "What a pity!"


    Zhao Sheng didn''t understand what the other party meant by ''what a pity,'' so he had no choice but to keep silent and guard his spirit, waiting for the other party''s reaction.


    After sighing, Master Wu Yan took out the pill bottle containing the Foundation Establishment Pills and the Five Elements Talisman Plate, pushing these two items in front of Zhao Sheng, and said at the same time, "I''m giving you the Foundation Establishment Pills. As for this Five Elements Talisman Plate, you must use it well and not waste my efforts."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng said in surprise, "Senior, did you refine this Five Elements Talisman Plate?"


    Master Wu Yan nodded and said, "My original intention was to refine a spirit plate that combined all five elements. Who knew that something would go wrong in the middle, and in the end, I produced this mediocre product."


    Seeing the situation, Zhao Sheng felt it wasn''t appropriate to say much, and could only say, "Junior will definitely live up to Senior''s expectations."


    Master Wu Yan grunted, then stood up and left the place.


    Soon after, a dignified female servant walked in....


    A moment later, after completing the transaction for the Spirit Stones, Zhao Sheng changed his makeup and quietly left the auction hall.


    ...


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng bought an Instrument-level Warrior Puppet from an Artifact Refining Shop.


    Upon leaving the shop, he looked around casually, seeing people coming and going; everything seemed perfectly normal.


    However, Zhao Sheng knew someone was secretly watching him.


    These past few days, he had changed his locations and varied his appearance and clothing numerous times, but he was still unable to shake off the other party''s "surveillance."


    At first, he thought the other party was interested in the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    But after he impulsively felt a vague sensation several times,


    he knew that things were not so simple.


    Especially today, Zhao Sheng had a strong premonition that the other party would definitely come looking for him.


    As night fell, a guest room on the second floor of the inn.


    Zhao Sheng sat upright, silently waiting for the visitor.


    Just after midnight, the window of the guest room suddenly opened by itself, and a thick water vapor quietly drifted in from outside the window.


    Shortly after, the water vapor dissipated. A figure in a white dress slowly appeared inside the room, and the woman wearing a white veil sat down opposite Zhao Sheng with a serene demeanor.


    Even though Zhao Sheng was prepared, his heart still jumped when he actually faced the woman. A strange and inexplicable feeling suddenly surged in his heart.


    At that moment, he suddenly understood why she had come; she too was a person with the Spiritual Clan Bloodline.


    "You¡ª"


    Hush!


    Zhao Sheng had just uttered a word when the other party interrupted him.


    Wang Yingling gently waved her sleeve, and a palm-sized white turtle shell spun down onto the table.


    The next moment, the turtle shell suddenly extended its limbs and head.


    The head bumped against the table, the limbs scrambled, quickly flipped over, and positioned the shell upright.


    Then, two small jet-black eyes, the size of green beans, met Zhao Sheng''s gaze, filled with an air of ancient depth and significance.


    Zhao Sheng was shocked!


    Just then, a bean-sized bubble was suddenly exhaled from the turtle''s mouth.


    A flash of white light emerged, and the bubble instantly expanded countless times, enveloping the entire room.


    After a flash, the bubble turned invisible.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows creased slightly.


    Across him, Wang Yingling slowly removed her face veil, revealing stunningly tender and bewitching beauty.


    She was a breathtakingly beautiful girl of about seventeen or eighteen, with delicate eyebrows and a porcelain nose, her skin white as snow, and her silvery white hair cascading over her shoulders. Each smile or frown radiated a captivating charm.


    Zhao Sheng stared at this stunning face, and despite being prepared, his pupils still constricted,


    The uninvited stunning girl also had a pair of sapphire-blue eyes, which looked like a vast azure ocean¡ªprofound yet extraordinarily clear.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s silence, Wang Yingling couldn''t help but smile gently, saying, "My name is Wang Yingling, what''s yours?"


    Zhao Sheng''s expression regained calmness as he said indifferently, "My family name is Zhao, a nobody of no consequence!"


    Wang Yingling reproached coquettishly, "That''s not fair! I''ve already told you my name. Why are you being so stingy? Could it be that your name is not for public ears?"


    Zhao Sheng was not swayed by her, and responded directly, "Miss Wang, your visit tonight surely wasn''t meant for idle talk!"


    Wang Yingling''s expression froze as she put away her smile and turned serious, "You should know why I am here."


    "Oh, I don''t know!" Zhao Sheng shook his head as he feigned ignorance.


    Meanwhile, his mind raced as he pondered the true purpose of her visit.


    Upon hearing his words, Wang Yingling''s expression stiffened once again, and a hint of anger arose in her heart.


    From birth until now, she had been the center of adoration among thousands, and rarely had anyone dared to treat her with such disrespect.


    Hey!


    Just then, a cold laugh suddenly echoed in the room, followed by a beam of white light shooting forth from the nostrils of the turtle on the table.


    As fast as lightning, the light flashed past Zhao Sheng''s face and then dispersed into the air.


    Zhao Sheng''s face cooled, instinctively wanting to touch his cheek, but he refrained the next second.


    Because he had realized that his disguise was uncovered by that turtle.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng reveal a pair of blue eyes, Wang Yingling''s eyes brightened, and her face showed a surprised smile.


    She had thought he was merely a "hybrid," yet this person possessed Spiritual Eyes with a bloodline purity no less than hers.


    Wang Yingling thought elatedly, "This... is just wonderful! Our clan has gained another Spirit Blood Clan member."


    "Congratulations, Young Master, for making another great accomplishment for the Holy Clan! When we return, your place in the lineage sequence will surely advance several ranks,"


    An elderly voice emanated from the White Turtle, reverberating around the room.


    Zhao Sheng''s gaze intensified as he suddenly looked toward the palm-sized white turtle, his heart skipping a beat.


    The ability to speak was a hallmark of a third-tier Great Demon!


    He never imagined that this seemingly inconspicuous Little Wu was a Great Demon comparable to a Golden Core.


    "Kid, you''re in luck! Join us and return to the Void Spirit Abyss," the White Turtle ambled over to Zhao Sheng, its head held high with undeniable pride.


    Of course, it had reason to be proud.


    It, Gui Wujiu, was a genius of the White Turtle Clan, who had lived just over 1,300 years and had already successfully condensed a Demon Core after surviving the Heavenly Tribulation.


    Otherwise, guarding the Young Master, such a coveted task, would not have fallen to Gui Wujiu.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng spread his hands helplessly and said, "I don''t even know what you''re talking about. Could you bother explaining what the Holy Clan is, and what place is the Void Spirit Abyss?"


    Wang Yingling looked at Zhao Sheng with a strange expression, curiously asking, "Do you truly never heard of the Void Spirit Abyss? You don''t even know a little about your own clan''s history?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded at her and said, "Otherwise, what?"


    Wang Yingling looked enlightened and, after putting her veil back on, clarified in a clear voice, "The Void Spirit Abyss, also known as the Demon Ruins, is called the Sea Demon by the deceitful Human Clan. Of course, we never acknowledge the name ''Sea Demon.'' We are a unique and noble race, far superior to the black-eyed Human Clan¡ªwe are the singular Void Spirit Clan!"


    Zhao Sheng was greatly shocked upon hearing the words "Demon Ruins."


    Demon Ruins, the Sea Demon Clan?! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Demon Ruins was the nightmare of the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea, representing a vast influence that ruled over billions of sea beasts across an ocean area spanning nearly a hundred thousand miles.


    And the Sea Demon Clan, alongside the Dragon Serpent and Sea Dominator Octopus, was known as one of the three great overlords of the distant oceans.


    With the shortest emergence among the three, the Sea Demon Clan had rapidly expanded its influence. In recent millennia, its status had subtly exceeded the other two overlords.


    Out of ten great Sea Beast Tides, at least six were spearheaded by the Demon Ruins.


    It could be said that the Demon Ruins were the number one scourge of the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea.


    Legend had it that the Sea Demon Clan was extremely mysterious, its people extremely rare, scarcely appearing within Human Clan territories.


    Most only appeared briefly during the Sea Demon Tides attacking the Outer Star Sea, and were then concealed beneath layers of sea beast protection.


    At this thought, Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows tightly.


    Honestly, he had not expected that his Spiritual Clan Bloodline would be connected to the legendary Sea Demon Clan. Experience tales with empire


    This made him suspect that the Book of Hundred Lifetimes might have set him up as a "fall guy."


    All he wanted was to wholeheartedly pursue cultivation, not to be born as an enemy of the Human Clan.

 Chapter 181 Dui Xun Ominous

    "You do not belong to the Human Clan. Come back with me to the Void Spirit Abyss. That is where you belong. We are family."Having said that, Wang Yingling looked at Zhao Sheng with a confident smile, waiting for his response.


    However, no matter what his response might be, willing or not, the eventual outcome would be the same¡ªhe would return with her to the Void Spirit Abyss.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, "I won''t go back with you. And whether one belongs to the Human Clan is not determined by bloodline, but by this."


    With that, Zhao Sheng gently pounded his chest with his right hand.


    Wang Yingling''s expression froze, and a clear displeasure emerged between her brows.


    "Heh heh!"


    The cold laughter of White Turtle Gui Wujiu suddenly echoed in the room. "Boy, you really don''t know how to appreciate favors. You probably don''t realize how exalted and glorious the position of a member of the Holy Clan is. Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire


    As long as you follow the Young Master back and get the approval of the Great Sacrificial Leader, you will rule over a territory of sea, with thousands of sea beasts at your command. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the future, advancing to the Golden Core Realm wouldn''t be a difficult task either. Then living for seven to eight hundred years, wielding power over a territory of sea in your lifetime, and having a host of wives and concubines. Wouldn''t that be countless times better than being a down-and-out Loose Cultivator?"


    Truly, had it been someone else, they would have agreed long ago. However, Zhao Sheng was unwilling to do so.


    Zhao Sheng said solemnly, "Each person has their own aspirations. Born a human, I would not sully myself by consorting with the foul and fishy. And without you, I can still advance to the Golden Core."


    "Foul and fishy?!"


    Gui Wujiu was instantly provoked by these words, his nostrils spurting out two streams of bubbles.


    "Listen well, boy, I am the supreme descendant of the Black Tortoise, a genius of the White Turtle Clan. I am a million times nobler than any hairless monkey."


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Gui Wujiu suddenly cried out in pain, his white turtle shell emitting a pale white light, within which rotated two interlocking Golden Light Eight Diagrams, endlessly moving.


    Upon seeing the Golden Light Eight Diagrams, Wang Yingling''s face showed a slight change.


    At this moment, Gui Wujiu shouted, "Young Master, the ancestral shedding has given a warning. Quick, look at the divination!"


    As he spoke, the Golden Light Eight Diagrams suddenly stopped turning, and a strange divination diagram immediately appeared before the two of them.


    Wang Yingling gazed at the divination, chanting with a grave expression, "Upper six, Dui above Sun below, an excessive crossing of the marsh by the wind, crossing the river to destruction! Great misfortune, without reproach!"


    "Not good! The day before yesterday was just Kan over Lei, trapped. It took us three days to escape. But now it''s Dui and Sun, disaster. Young Master, we must leave this place at once."


    As he finished, Gui Wujiu suddenly threw back his head and spat out a shimmering white bubble.


    The bubble expanded suddenly to over a human''s height, just large enough to envelop both Wang Yingling and Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng wanted to move, but was immobilized by a pressure as heavy as a mountain that bore down on him. He felt like an insect trapped in amber, rigid and unable to so much as wiggle a finger.


    "Let''s go!"


    After a sharp cry, the bubble, enclosing the two of them, shot through the window. They quickly rose to the high heavens and then sped away into the vast night sky towards the great sea.


    Moments later, the duo and the creature flew out for more than two hundred li.


    Now, the clouds were thick above, and Gang Wind howled in the sky while below lay the boundless dark sea.


    Just then, the bubble racing through the air abruptly came to a halt, suspending high above.


    Gui Wujiu''s palm-sized body swelled instantly to a circumference of one zhang, and with a wide-open mouth, he suddenly spat out an arm-thick beam of dazzling golden light.


    As the golden light shot into the clouds above, his turtle shell flickered, and a thick, Condensed white Light Shield emerged to protect both Wang Yingling and Zhao Sheng.


    Boom!


    The golden light suddenly exploded, sweeping a swath of golden light across the sky, clearing several li of cloud in all directions.


    The next second, three figures descended from the heavens, surrounding them in the middle.


    Upon seeing the three arrivals, Zhao Sheng''s eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the shock in his heart.


    Among the three was a gaunt old man in grey robes, none other than Master Wu Yan, whom he had met just three days prior.


    As for the other two, one was tall and mighty, carrying an Azure Flame Spirit Banner with flames Burning fiercely on it and invisible flames shooting out, scorching one''s Spirit.


    The other was a bald, black-robed Great Han standing on roiling grey Cloud Mist, with grey phantoms emerging within it.


    The pair emitted a strong pressure, evidently they were two Golden Core Masters.


    "Wu Yan, Grey Ghost, Li Yan! So it''s the three of you Fake Pills!"


    Upon seeing the newcomers, Gui Wujiu spoke in a cold voice. His turtle body suddenly increased in size by half, looking mighty and imposing as it grew as large as a house.


    "Humph, to think it was you, Daoist Gui Wujiu of the White Turtle Clan. Instead of staying in the Black Tortoise Sea, you dare to trespass the Human Clan''s territory. Are you not taking our Star God Palace seriously, or have you forgotten the millennium-old pact between the human and demon clans!" Master Li Yan said menacingly as he gently shook the Azure Flame Spirit Banner.


    "Heh, you humans are truly hypocritical! It was clearly your trap that lured us here, and yet now you''re trying to pass the blame." Gui Wujiu''s voice carried again, cold with a hint of mockery.


    Master Li Yan ignored Gui Wujiu''s retort.


    His eyes alight with interest, he looked at Wang Yingling and spoke cordially, "Is this the young friend from the Sea Demon Clan? It''s better to meet by chance than by appointment. Now that you''re here, why not stay at the Star God Palace for a few months? Later, your Clan Leader can come to take you home."


    Wang Yingling looked very uncomfortable, realizing that in her eagerness to achieve, she had fallen into the other party''s scheme.

 Chapter 181 Dui Xun Ominous_2

    She gently declined, "I appreciate your kind intentions, Elder, but my grandfather will be joining me shortly. No need for your concern."Upon hearing this, the three Golden Core Masters were startled. Although the Sea Demon Clan had few members, their strength was unparalleled, with more than five Nascent Souls and dozens of Golden Core level warriors.


    If any Golden Core from the Sea Demon Clan were to come, the three of them would almost certainly be overwhelmed, not to mention the watchful Third-Order White Turtle nearby.


    However, they quickly realized that Wang Yingling was merely bluffing.


    Having set up the trap for decades, this time they were determined to capture a member of the Sea Demon Clan.


    Just then, Master Wu Yan suddenly laughed out loud, "Very well, I didn''t expect an additional prize. There''s another one here!"


    Saying this, his gaze, full of fervor, turned towards Zhao Sheng.


    The True Master Grey Ghost, standing on grey clouds, rejoiced and exuberantly said, "Haha, truly a demon with True Blood. Now there''s enough for all three of us to share."


    Zhao Sheng, feeling the intensity of three searing gazes, was alarmed, his eyes twitched slightly, and his facial expression became uncertain.


    He knew the situation was turning dire.


    Nevertheless, Zhao Sheng immediately composed himself and decided to silently observe the developments without speaking.


    "Humph, if you think you can capture the Young Master and earn accolades at the Star God Palace, you have to ask if I, Gui Wujiu, agree!" Gui Wujiu swiped with a claw, creating a white light barrier, and retorted coldly, showing a hint of irritation in his tone.


    His eyes flashing with dark light, an immense aura, surpassing those of the three Human Clan Golden Cores, emanated from him, commanding respect. Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Master Wu Yan, Taoist Grey Ghost, keep Gui Wujiu busy for now. I''ll take down those two young demons," said True Master Li Yan as his gaze bore down on Zhao Sheng and Wang Yingling like a blade, exuding an extremely terrifying and piercing aura.


    The Star God Palace had secretly set a bounty for any member of the Sea Demon Clan, granting significant rewards, even including Lifespan Extension Pills.


    For these False Core Masters, a Lifespan Extension Pill, which could extend life by 60 years, was the ultimate treasure they craved.


    Therefore, the three of them had gone to great lengths to set up this trap. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, Master Wu Yan chuckled, "I''ll go first!" His body remained motionless, but with a single hand from within his sleeve forming a Seal Mantra, his arm blurred and swiftly struck towards Li Kun and the others of the Sea Clan like lightning, saying coldly:


    The moment he finished speaking, there was a violent tremor above Zhao Sheng''s head, then a blurry azure giant palm appeared and ferociously clawed at Zhao Sheng.


    Unexpectedly, Master Wu Yan attacked an unknown young man, causing surprise among the others.


    Gui Wujiu immediately roared in fury, tilting his head back sharply, and with his mouth wide open, a white rainbow surged skyward.


    With a "boom", the azure giant palm clashed with the White Rainbow, interweaving flashes of cyan and white True Yuan, instantly creating a turbulent blast, and winds raged furiously.


    At that moment, Grey Ghost flicked his fingers, and the cloud mist below him instantly shot out hundreds of grey tentacles as thick as arms; the tips of these tentacles grew skulls with vacant orifices,


    and the tentacles surged from all directions, slamming against the white light barrier. Some tentacles merged together, forming a barrel-thick multi-headed ghostly creature that broke through the barrier and ferociously bit and wrapped around Gui Wujiu''s massive turtle shell.


    Although it only delayed for a brief moment, it was enough for True Master Li Yan to act.


    The white bubble that had enveloped both Wang Yingling and Zhao Sheng suddenly flickered and inexplicably burst.


    As the wild wind hit them, two deep blue flames appeared out of thin air, transforming into two giant flaming hands, each reaching out towards one of them.


    The next moment, the flaming hands were blocked by a blue water curtain.


    Wang Yingling formed a spell, and a Water Rhythm Jade appeared on her chest, radiating a dazzling light linked to the water curtain.


    Water Curtain Heavenly Flower! A Golden Core level spell engraved on the Spirit Jade.


    Eventually, the flaming hands completely turned to smoke and vanished into the sky.


    Seeing this, True Master Li Yan couldn''t help but look dismayed.


    Taking advantage of the situation, Zhao Sheng looked down at the sea below, pondering how he might escape.


    On the other side, seeing the Young Master nearly harmed, Gui Wujiu couldn''t contain his fury and his body swelled even larger, quickly reaching the size of a hill,


    making all others seem as small as insects in comparison.


    As he revealed his true form, Gui Wujiu''s ferocity soared, his tremendous, majestic aura suddenly enveloping the surrounding area for several miles.


    Boom!


    One could see bubbles, as big as water jars and containing pure demonic power, spewing from Gui Wujiu''s mouth, carrying fierce wind and thunder, and violently crashing towards the three Golden Core Masters.


    Boom, boom!


    With each contact, the bubbles exploded like bombs, turning the demonic power into countless flashing blades of cold light, slicing down on the three like rain.


    In a flash, the three were busy defending, their movements inevitably slowed by a bit.


    At that moment, a sly gleam flashed across Gui Wujiu''s eyes, and suddenly a White Jade Turtle Shell burst forth from his body.


    The White Jade Turtle Shell grew in size as it met the wind, instantly expanding to a circumference of two zhang, and it sucked Wang Yingling and Zhao Sheng into the shell.


    "Let''s go!"


    In the next instant, Gui Wujiu fiercely expelled a beam of intense white light, spraying it onto the White Jade Turtle Shell.


    The White Jade Turtle Shell suddenly transformed into a white light, falling into the vast ocean below at an unbelievable speed.


    "Spirit Suppression Eight Trigrams Formation, activate!"


    After that, Gui Wujiu bellowed, his voice booming like a large bell.


    As soon as he finished speaking, the plates of his shell back suddenly began to fall off and shoot out, and in the blink of an eye, a hundred and eight pieces of turtle shell separated and arrayed themselves, floating in the surrounding void.


    The next instant, white light burst from the turtle shell, and vague trigram figures began to emerge, and within a mile radius centered on the three people and Gui Wujiu, a massive light formation in the shape of a giant turtle suddenly materialized, and a dazzling Eight Trigrams phantom appeared above the giant turtle, quickly pressing down.


    Master Wu Yan, True Master Grey Ghost, and Master Li Yan, the three Golden Core Masters, were trapped within the Spirit Suppression Eight Trigrams Formation, unable to escape for the time being.


    ...


    Elsewhere, after the White Jade Turtle Shell fell into the sea, it maintained its speed, rushing straight to a thousand zhang beneath the sea surface.


    Wang Yingling, expressionless, continually formed seal mantras with both hands, sending out streaks of blue spell incantations that instantly merged into the turtle shell above.


    The turtle shell was quickly brought under her control, then immediately changed direction, lying horizontally as it shot forth, rapidly fleeing into the distance.


    Zhao Sheng rose from the ground, his eyes flickering as he looked towards Wang Yingling in front of him, secretly plotting how to escape from her grasp.


    Escaping was not going to be easy, especially now since Wang Yingling emanated an aura as powerful as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator''s.


    Moreover, he was now "trapped" inside the turtle shell.


    Seemingly aware of Zhao Sheng''s thoughts, Wang Yingling continued to control the turtle shell and without turning her head suddenly said, "Don''t even think about running away!"


    Zhao Sheng was startled, but his face remained very calm, not responding to her words.


    Wang Yingling then asked, "By the way, what''s your name? Who are your ancestors, and what''s your background? Do you have any keepsakes?"


    The Sea Demon Clan valued every clansman highly due to their small population.


    Wang Yingling''s thorough questioning was an attempt to bring all those with her clan''s bloodline back to the Void Spirit Abyss.


    And this was one of the main reasons why Zhao Sheng did not want to go with her to the Void Spirit Abyss.


    Facing one Nascent Soul after another, even Sea Demon Clan leaders of Nascent Soul level, any lie he told would instantly be discovered, yet he could not clearly explain the origin of his own bloodline.


    In short, it was very troublesome!


    Wang Yingling did not particularly care whether Zhao Sheng responded to her or not.


    While they were fleeing, she continued to introduce the Sea Demon Clan and the situation in the Demon Ruins to Zhao Sheng.


    In her words, there was a mix of pride and boastfulness.


    As she told her stories, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but feel alarmed by the vast power of the Sea Demon Clan.


    As one of the three dominant forces of the distant oceans, the Sea Demon Clan alone had more than ten individuals at the Nascent Soul level, half of whom were from the Spirit Clan and the others were Transformed Demon Kings of Seventh Rank or higher.


    For instance, the Turtle Ancestor of the White Turtle Clan was an Eighth Rank Demon, possessing strength comparable to the Middle Stage of Nascent Soul.


    Within the Sea Demon Clan, the most powerful and highly esteemed was the Great Sacrificial Leader of the Demon Ruins.


    According to Wang Yingling''s proud boasting, the Great Sacrificial Leader had reached the legendary Divinity Transformation Realm, only half a step away from ascending to the Void and returning to their ancestral clan.

 Chapter 182 Bei Mansion Cave Heaven

    In the intermittent narrative of Wang Yingling, time passed bit by bit.Half a day later, Wang Yingling suddenly stopped speaking and fell silent.


    Having gone so long without anyone catching up, it meant that they had successfully escaped to the heavens.


    The heavy pressure in Wang Yingling''s heart suddenly dissipated, leaving her without the desire to speak.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t know how far the two of them had escaped, but he estimated in secret that they must have already gone at least three thousand miles.


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    So much time had passed, and it was only now that Zhao Sheng spoke for the first time.


    Wang Yingling was startled, immediately turning her head to look at him, asking, "What''s the matter?"


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    "Let me leave!"


    Zhao Sheng''s expression was as still as water, slowly rising from the shell, with each hand pressing on a skull-sized Thunder Ball emitting electric light, filled with a destructive aura.


    "You don''t want to return with me to the Void Spirit Abyss? Don''t you know what a tremendous opportunity this is?"


    Wang Yingling looked at Zhao Sheng with an incredulous expression.


    She could not understand how anyone could be so "foolish."


    "Miss Wang, in this world, a twisted melon isn''t sweet," Zhao Sheng said in an even tone.


    Upon hearing this, Wang Yingling''s expression turned exceedingly cold.


    "You want to leave? Hmph, I just won''t let you!"


    Saying this, Wang Yingling gave up control of the turtle shell, and with a flip of her hand, she now held a Crystal Spirit Ball in her palm, within which was a miniature ocean illusion.


    Massive waves surged on the ocean, the sky was covered with dense clouds, and thunder roared with columns of tornadoes connecting heaven to earth, ravaging the vast ocean in a scene like the apocalypse.


    This Crystal Spirit Ball was also known as the Thunder Cloud Storm Pearl, a top-grade Spiritual Artifact of the wind, water, and thunder attributes, capable of amplifying spells of these three types and embedded with three Divine Ability Level Treasure Techniques. It was extremely rare and precious.


    "Zhao does not wish to be your enemy! Let me leave!"


    As the words fell, a talisman plate brimming with spiritual light leapt from Zhao Sheng''s embrace, with Water Mine Talisman, Fire Thunder Talisman, Heavenly Sword Talisman, Ice Sealing Talisman, and several other Second Order True Talismans affixed to its three layers.


    Wang Yingling''s pupils constricted, and she no longer took Zhao Sheng lightly.


    The space inside the turtle shell was cramped, and if all the True Talismans on the talisman plate were activated simultaneously, the consequences would be unthinkable!


    Poor her, she had a defense talisman treasure stored in her Storage Bag, but at this moment, she dared not take it out.


    Because she saw a resolute determination in his eyes.


    Wang Yingling couldn''t fathom why such a great opportunity was being repeatedly refused and treated as worthless.


    "Fine, I will let you go!"


    Though Wang Yingling said this verbally, she had other plans in her mind.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s lips curled into a smile, slowly dissipating the Thunder Balls in his hands, his right hand supporting the Five Elements Talisman Plate.


    Pop!


    The light film at the exit of the turtle shell suddenly disappeared, and a large amount of seawater poured in.


    Zhao Sheng stomped on the ground, his figure shooting out backward like an arrow, escaping through the tail opening of the turtle shell.


    Wang Yingling''s gaze turned cold, a miniature "tornado" suddenly appeared inside the Thunder Cloud Storm Pearl in her hand.


    However, before she could act, she saw the five outlets of the turtle shell suddenly blocked by a thick layer of ice.


    Although this layer of ice could only delay a moment or two, for Zhao Sheng, it was enough time for him to escape.


    Pfft!


    Zhao Sheng spat out a mouthful of essence blood, his entire person instantly enveloped in a layer of blood light.


    The next moment, the blood light sped away rapidly, disappearing into the pitch-black depths of the deep sea in the blink of an eye.


    Bang!


    Two moments later, the ice wall shattered, and Wang Yingling burst out from inside the turtle shell.


    She looked all around but could no longer see Zhao Sheng''s figure.


    Seeing this, Wang Yingling''s eyebrows inverted in anger, a flash of rage passing through her eyes, yet a smug smile appeared on her face.


    A mere Qi Refining Practitioner, ignorant of the formidable methods of a top power...


    Wanting to ascertain the whereabouts of a bloodline family member, there were plenty of tracking spells available.


    Wang Yingling herself had mastered more than three types of Bloodline Tracking Techniques.


    In a thought, Wang Yingling chanted a spell as her fingers flexed and snapped, abruptly forming a blood-red light between her fingers that stretched far away, connecting to someone who was escaping in the distance.


    ...


    On the other hand, Zhao Sheng spat out three mouthfuls of essence blood, using the Blood Escape Technique to flee swiftly toward the distance.


    In the blink of an eye, dozens of miles flashed by.


    Just then, his heart skipped a beat, suddenly filled with a foreboding feeling.


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but look back, only to see that no one was pursuing him, yet his heart thumped wildly.


    Danger!


    He had not yet escaped from peril!


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes flickered, and he fiercely spat out another mouthful of essence blood, suddenly increasing his speed by a fraction.


    A quarter of an hour later, his sense of crisis slowly diminished, but it still remained at a considerably high level.


    This feeling of possibly being caught up at any time was all too familiar and deeply engraved in Zhao Sheng''s heart.


    In previous years, he had been chased by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator for three whole months until he erased the Divine Soul Mark and finally escaped safely.


    "Could the opponent have done something to him?"


    However, he tried every method and found not a single abnormality on his body.


    Sensing the rising sense of crisis in his heart, Zhao Sheng''s expression subtly changed.


    Though the speed of Blood Escape was fast, it greatly harmed his primordial Qi. He couldn''t keep using it indefinitely.


    "Since that''s the case, there''s only one option left!"


    With that thought, Zhao Sheng''s eyes flashed, and he reached into his robe to pull out the Sea Shell.


    Then, his body turned, and he suddenly dove toward the seabed.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng successfully found a speckled whale around thirty to forty feet long.


    He quickly burrowed into the whale''s stomach through its mouth.


    Hum!


    Inside the whale''s stomach, the Sea Shell''s surface shone brightly, swelling from the size of a palm to that of a millstone in an instant.


    Zhao Sheng''s body shrank, and he suddenly slipped inside.


    Bang!


    The shell of the Sea Shell snapped shut, slowly sinking into the whale''s acrid stomach fluids.


    Meanwhile, far away, spanning several dozen miles, Wang Yingling''s expression changed.


    For the tracking spell had just suddenly been interrupted, signaling its failure.


    Wang Yingling''s expression turned grave as she switched through several tracking secret techniques, yet still failed to pinpoint his whereabouts.


    Now her expression grew even graver, almost distressed.


    The adversary had somehow rendered all her tracking secret techniques useless.


    This person...had actually escaped from her grasp!


    For someone of Wang Yingling''s esteemed status and position, this was a major blow.


    Grinding her teeth with rage, Wang Yingling said, "Zhao¡ªSheng¡ªhe! Miss remembers you now!"


    ...


    Ten days later, in the Bei Mansion Cave Heaven,


    Zhao Sheng slowly walked into the backyard hall.


    Here, the traces of the last fierce battle were still visible everywhere.


    But Zhao Sheng didn''t mind that.


    He stopped at the entrance of the hall, touched the storage bag at his waist, and lightly tossed it forward.


    Suddenly, a humanoid wooden puppet, seven feet tall with limbs and a head, all constructed from century-old Dark Wood, fell into the hall.


    Zhao Sheng formed a spell, and streams of Spiritual Power shot out, linking with the puppet''s limbs.


    Under his mental command, the puppet clicked and clacked step by step toward the charred corpse, reaching out to remove the golden Imperial Tablet from the right hand of the charred body.

 Chapter 183 Five Generations Foundation Establishment

    ```Nothing unusual happened in the hall; the whole process went very smoothly.


    Zhao Sheng saw this situation and a trace of joy flashed across his face.


    His gaze circled several times between the spirit fish in the bamboo basket and that painting of Cold River Old Man fishing.


    After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Sheng gave up any riskier actions.


    The wooden puppet, following his heart''s intent, took the black storage bag from the waist of the charred corpse and walked out of the hall.


    Zhao Sheng took the golden imperial tablet and the storage bag, put away the wooden puppet, and then turned to leave the place.


    Half a day later, in the cultivation room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on a cushion. Then, a golden imperial tablet about a foot long appeared in his hands.


    Looking at this object, Zhao Sheng felt intrigued; the tablet seemed neither gold nor a magical artifact, with a surface as smooth as a mirror and inscribed with neither cultivation techniques nor secret skills.


    Zhao Sheng tried many methods but could not figure out what this object was.


    He only knew that it was incredibly hard, as neither flying swords nor spells could leave a mark on it.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng blinked and suddenly saw that the originally blank surface of the golden imperial tablet flashed, revealing an extremely complex and odd rune.


    This rune, in its entirety, was white gold in color, with intricate and dense lines that were unbendingly rigid with not a single curve.


    At first glance, the rune exuded an aura of sharpness unparalleled, giving off a sense of eternity, immobilization, and indestructibility.


    However, in the next instant, the rune disappeared without a trace, as if what he had seen had only been an illusion.


    No matter how hard Zhao Sheng tried to recall, he could not remember what the rune looked like.


    It wasn''t just that he couldn''t remember; his memory had been wiped clean in an instant, leaving his mind utterly blank; he had completely forgotten the scene that had just unfolded.


    Zhao Sheng continued to investigate the golden imperial tablet seriously, as if he had just blinked his eyes.


    Another hour passed, and the extremely complex white-gold rune suddenly "emerged" again; Zhao Sheng''s face lit up with joy.


    However, the next moment, before the joy on his face had faded, his eyes became vacant.


    For a full two hours, he forgot the strange rune again, feeling as if he had gained nothing.


    With the golden imperial tablet in hand, Zhao Sheng fell into deep thought for a while.


    Considering how the charred corpse held onto the imperial tablet till death, it was clear that this object must be very important and probably held some kind of secret.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng took out the black storage bag, opened the mouth wide, and turned it upside down. A large pile of colorful spirit stones, various boxes, elixir bottles, and other miscellaneous items spilled out.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t care much for these items; he casually put away the spirit stone and elixir bottles, then opened the boxes to check their contents.


    If they contained spirit medicine, refining materials and talismans, he threw them back into the storage bag. But if they were treasures like books, ancient scrolls, jade slips, and magical artifacts, he selected them out and placed them to one side.


    After some selection, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but reveal a slight smile on his face.


    Not to mention the low-level magical artifacts, there were three spirit artifacts alone: one mid-grade and two low-grade.


    The mid-grade spirit artifact was a white-gold flying sword about an inch long, made from the essence of the Five Metals and contained forty-five spirit prohibitions.


    The remaining two low-grade spirit artifacts were a palm-sized, dark black shield made from thousand-year-old sea abyss iron, imbued with twenty-seven spirit prohibitions.


    The other was a miniature flying boat, forged from light spirit silver, able to extend up to ten feet long and move at incredible speeds, covering ten feet in an instant.


    After inspecting the spirit artifacts, Zhao Sheng''s gaze turned to the ancient books and jade slips beside him.


    ...


    ```


    ```


    Four hours later, Zhao Sheng took the last jade slip from his forehead and fell into deep thought.


    As for the ancient books and scrolls, there was nothing extraordinary; they were mostly records about spiritual medicine strange plants, sea beasts and demonic birds, and various secret news from different places.


    To Zhao Sheng, they could increase his knowledge and broaden his horizons, but they were not of much use.


    However, the jade slips contained some precious knowledge. There were five slips in total, one of which was filled with various tricks and knowledge about artifact refining.


    Another jade slip recorded a refining technique called "Refining Device Compendium of Hundred Tools", authored by an artifact refiner called Can Hezi.


    The other two jade slips detailed two cultivation techniques: "Golden Spirit Refining Skill" and "Merging God and Separating Thought Technique".


    Zhao Sheng examined them twice and discovered that "Golden Spirit Refining Skill" was a halfway Golden Core level cultivation method, which could smoothly take one to the Foundation Establishment Perfection, and outlined two methods for condensing fake pills, but it did not reveal how to refine a true Golden Core.


    In terms of value, it was far inferior to real Golden Core techniques like "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique" and "Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique".


    In Zhao Sheng''s hands, the technique was as good as useless, but for the vast majority of loose cultivators and some small cultivation families, this technique was extremely valuable.


    Zhao Sheng was more interested in the secret technique "Merging God and Separating Thought Technique", as it was an extremely rare divine thought technique. In the cultivation world, methods and techniques related to the divine soul are exceptionally precious and are often monopolized by large forces such as cultivation sects.


    Acquiring this technique was a stroke of great luck for him.


    Nevertheless, Zhao Sheng harbored significant reservations and, after much deliberation, ultimately decided not to cultivate "Merging God and Separating Thought Technique" for the time being.


    Why was Zhao Sheng so cautious?


    The reason was simple: he feared that the secret technique might be "adulterated". By making one or two critical changes to the technique, what was once a beneficial secret technique could become a harmful one.


    The key issue was that some of the harm was very subtle; unless one cultivated to a certain degree, they would not realize the potential trouble.


    By the time it was discovered, it was already too late!


    Zhao Sheng''s apprehension wasn''t limited to "Merging God and Separating Thought Technique". Even with "Golden Spirit Refining Skill", he was wary that someone might have secretly added a "cultivation method password".


    Without breaking the password, falling into demonhood was inevitable.


    Having put away the other jade slips back into his storage bag, Zhao Sheng was left with only one cream-white jade slip in his hand.


    This jade slip was only the size of a palm, its material crystal clear and lustrous, radiating bright spirit light, and its essence was actually that of a top-grade spiritual stone.


    However, the spiritual energy within this top-grade spiritual stone had been entirely extracted, leaving only the excellent quality jade that was ultimately refined into a jade slip.


    Zhao Sheng had just scrutinized the inside of the jade slip, which was empty except for a vague and largely incomplete image. It resembled partly a rune, partly a map, and might even be part of a painting.


    Due to its obscurity, Zhao Sheng could not discern exactly what it was.


    The fact that someone was willing to record it on a top-grade jade slip indicated its immense importance.


    Although Zhao Sheng had not yet determined its value, it was enough to warrant his serious attention.


    After examining it a hundred times and deeply etching the image into his mind, Zhao Sheng put away the jade slip and took out two mid-grade Water Storage Spirit Stones. He began to cultivate by operating the "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique".


    ...


    Time flies, the years pass swiftly.


    Two years later, Zhao Sheng broke through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.


    Another five years passed, and he reached Qi Refining Perfection. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


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    Zhao Sheng consumed a Foundation Establishment Pill and, thanks to his previous life''s successful experience, he safely advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    That year, Zhao Sheng was twenty-nine years old, having become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator thirty-three years earlier than in his previous life.


    ```

 Chapter 184 Retrieving the Painting and the Spring and Autumn Alliance

    The scorching sun blazed down as a lazy and smug hum came from an elegant courtyard nestled at the foot of the lush, verdant mountains in the center of South Lamma Island."Hum hum... having eaten sea cucumber stewed with fatty meat, not even an... immortal... can match me, aha... ya ya!"


    In the courtyard, an ancient Spiritual Rong Tree grew lush and leafy, casting a large patch of cool shade. Beneath the shade, Xin Buhai squinted leisurely, lying on a spacious lounge chair, rhythmically tapping his hand and intermittently humming a ditty.


    A porcelain pot was placed over the fire stove beside him, inside the pot, black and white slices of sea cucumber and fat meat intermingled, and the soup burbled, emitting a rich and exotic fragrance.


    Indulging in the aroma of the Spirit Food in the pot, Xin Buhai felt extremely comfortable and satisfied.


    As a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator, Xin Buhai''s status on South Lamma Island was second only to the Island Master himself.


    Just waiting for the old man of his house to die, the title of South Lamma Island Master was bound to fall into his hands sooner or later.


    The thought of more than twenty thousand people on the island being at his command in the future excited Xin Buhai beyond measure.


    "...life rarely offers... such intoxication! Ya ya!"


    As Xin Buhai delightedly sang, he suddenly sensed a dark shadow appear before him.


    He opened his eyes, only to see a handsome and dashing young man standing beside him, as elegant as a flourishing willow.


    "You¡­ who are you? Why... ouch!"


    He was cut off mid-sentence as a surge of aura, characteristic of the Foundation Establishment Realm, burst forth from Zhao Sheng. A drastic change crossed Xin Buhai''s expression, and he almost collapsed on the spot.


    Although Xin Buhai had a round face and big ears, and his body was round like a pig''s, he was exceedingly clever.


    He quickly rolled off the lounge chair and lay prostrate on the ground, pleading repeatedly, "Senior, spare my life! This lowly one was blind and has offended your dignity, I beg you to spare me this once."


    "Get up," Zhao Sheng said indifferently.


    "Ah, thank you, Senior, for your magnanimity!"


    Xin Buhai, with tears of gratitude, scrambled up from the ground and looked at Zhao Sheng with a fawning expression.


    Zhao Sheng sat down on the lounge chair, relaxed his body, and incidentally glanced at the hot pot on the side.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s gaze, Xin Buhai immediately said with a flattering smile, "Senior, this is the famous delicacy of South Lamma Island, sea cucumber stewed with fat meat. Not only is the flavor superb, but it is also highly nourishing!"


    Zhao Sheng nodded noncommittally and asked, "Hmm, what is your name? And where is this place? Tell me about the nearby seas."


    "My name is Xin Buhai, this place is South Lamma Island, located in the southwestern part of the Inner Star Sea, under the jurisdiction of Star Constellation Spirit Island''s Nine Virtuous Isle..."


    Xin Buhai began to introduce the local customs and the situation in the Cultivation World in detail while diligently serving a bowl of Spirit Meat Sea Cucumber Soup in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Having cultivated in seclusion for several years, Zhao Sheng had developed a craving for some good food.


    That was why he found himself rather appreciative of Xin Buhai''s cleverness.


    "When the time comes... I''ll spare his life," Zhao Sheng thought to himself after sipping the exceptionally delicious soup, a new idea forming in his mind.


    ...


    Seven days later, under the Spiritual Rong Tree in the small courtyard, Zhao Sheng lay leisurely on the lounge chair, feigning sleep.


    Beside him, Xin Buhai wore a worried expression, his hands clumsily forming spells, channeling Spiritual Power, and barely managing to infuse a thread of spirit light into a human-shaped wooden puppet that was taller than him.


    At this moment, Xin Buhai felt very anxious. He had lived a carefree life, but since the Senior''s arrival, his good days were gone.


    Being only at the Qi Refining Third Layer, the Senior had actually asked him to Refine a top-grade wooden puppet. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xin Buhai didn''t know why the Senior had made such a request, nor did he dare to ask.


    "Entrusting such a precious thing to him for Refining, has this Senior gone mad or is he a fool? Or perhaps... he has other plans."


    He, Xin Buhai, a man weighing over two hundred fifty pounds, hadn''t done anything wrong!


    As the sun reached its zenith, Zhao Sheng slowly opened his eyes and languidly said, "Little Xinzi, it''s about time for lunch, what''s on the menu today?"


    Xin Buhai hurriedly stopped what he was doing and respectfully answered, "Senior, today the island sent over a hundred-year-old sea gate snake, how about we make some steamed minced meat?"


    "Go on," Zhao Sheng waved his hand, giving the signal to proceed.


    "Ah, Senior, please wait a moment!"


    With that, Xin Buhai dashed into the nearby kitchen.


    After successfully reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, Zhao Sheng had originally wanted to find a scapegoat to collect the ancient painting and bamboo basket for him.


    Passing by South Lamma Island, he discovered Xin Buhai, a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator.


    His cultivation might have been low, but after all, he was a cultivator.


    Thus Zhao Sheng had chosen Xin Buhai, only to find that this fellow had excellent culinary skills.


    In just seven days, Zhao Sheng''s taste buds had been spoiled by Xin Buhai.


    Smelling the fragrance wafting from not too far away, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, "What a waste it would be if this little guy weren''t a chef!"


    ...


    Three months passed in the blink of an eye.


    One day, Xin Buhai came to Zhao Sheng, his face lit up with excitement, and shouted, "Senior, I''ve done it! I''ve refined the puppet."


    "Oh, have you?"


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    The moment the words fell, Xin Buhai felt a pain in his forehead, his vision went dark, and he fainted, his face still wearing an excited expression.


    He didn''t know how long it had been when Xin Buhai groggily regained consciousness.


    "You''re awake!"


    A familiar voice sounded in his ear. Xin Buhai instinctively shuddered and instantly became fully aware.


    He flipped over and sat up abruptly, then lay prostrate on the ground, begging in fear, "Senior, spare my life! I haven''t leaked any information about your whereabouts. Please spare me for the sake of my diligent service over the past three months!"

 Chapter 184 Retrieving the Painting and Spring and Autumn Alliance_2

    Zhao Sheng saw this situation and frowned slightly."Get up! When did I say I was going to kill you?" he said irritably without making a sound.


    "Ah, it''s just that I was scared," came the meek reply.


    Xin Buhai, upon hearing these words, relaxed, then climbed up from the ground with an embarrassed expression before looking at Zhao Sheng with a face full of flattery.


    "Come with me!"


    At this command, Xin Buhai followed Zhao Sheng to the main hall at the back courtyard.


    Xin Buhai surreptitiously surveyed his surroundings, his expression swiftly shifting from shock to fear.


    Clearly, the scenery of Bei Mansion Cave Heaven made Xin Buhai realize that this place was no ordinary abode, which made him fear for his life.


    Seeing the fear in Xin Buhai''s face, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but knock on his forehead and coldly said, "Relax! As long as you do one thing for me, I guarantee you won''t die."


    "Senior, your wish is my command!" Xin Buhai collected himself and said respectfully.


    Zhao Sheng pointed to an ancient painting in the hall and instructed, "You operate the wooden puppet to take down the painting on the wall."


    Is that it?


    Xin Buhai turned his head to look at the Cold River Elder Fishing Painting on the wall, feeling somewhat relieved.


    "Senior, please wait a moment."


    After speaking, Xin Buhai took out the wooden puppet, then chanted the Magic Spell while channeling his Spiritual Power to control the puppet, sending it into the hall toward the innermost part.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze heavy with darkness engulfing the hall, a sensation of looming death surrounding his heart.


    However, when the wooden puppet touched the ancient painting, the scene Zhao Sheng most dreaded never occurred.


    Xin Buhai, still standing in place, controlled the wooden puppet with ease to take down the ancient painting.


    "Be careful! Slowly roll it up!" Zhao Sheng cautiously reminded.


    "Mhm!"


    Xin Buhai softly acknowledged, then slowly began rolling up the ancient painting as instructed by Zhao Sheng.


    When the ancient painting was rolled into a scroll, Zhao Sheng''s face instantly showed an expression of delight.


    For at that moment, the deadly dark aura in the hall abruptly vanished without a trace.


    "Good, very good! Little Xinzi, you''ve done a great deed!" Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but praise Xin Buhai.


    Then, he instructed, "Next, use the puppet to bring out that bamboo basket as well." S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Xin Buhai obediently complied, commanding the wooden puppet to pick up the lush green bamboo basket and step by step, walked out of the hall.


    "Senior... uh!"


    Xin Buhai had just spoken two words when a sudden intense pain on his forehead, followed by darkness, overcame him.


    "Not again!"


    As his last thought flashed, Xin Buhai''s eyes rolled back and he immediately fainted.


    ...


    The dazzling sunlight hit Xin Buhai''s eyelids, and the sting of the light woke him from his unconscious state.


    Xin Buhai suddenly turned over and sat up from the reclining chair, opened his eyes, and dazedly looked around, only to find himself back in the familiar courtyard.


    The courtyard was empty, without that hateful figure.


    "Senior?"


    "Senior?!"


    He tentatively called out a few times, but there was no response.


    Really gone?


    After double-checking, Xin Buhai shouted excitedly, "That''s great!"


    Just then, he suddenly noticed a Storage Bag and a secret manual placed on the stone table behind him, with the title "Golden Spirit Refining Skill" written in big characters on its cover.


    "Eh! What is this..."


    Just as Xin Buhai discovered the gifts Zhao Sheng had left for him, a silver-white, three-zhang-long Flying Boat, skimming close to the sea surface, sped like lightning towards Nine Virtuous Isle.


    ...


    Two days later, the Flying Boat raced over the wavy sea surface.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng saw a large, dull-colored ship suddenly rise from the sea ahead.


    This ship was over seventy zhang in length, with a round, large belly and was several times wider than common ocean-going ships, looking from afar like a gigantic sea turtle lying on the sea surface. Enjoy new tales from My Virtual Library Empire


    Zhao Sheng frowned slightly upon seeing this abruptly appearing ship.


    With a thought, the Light Spirit Flying Boat suddenly swerved, changing its direction to steer far around the sea ship, and continued to fly forward.


    However, despite his desire for peace, the wind was unceasing!


    A streak of light suddenly launched from the ship, rapidly chasing after the Flying Boat.


    Zhao Sheng squinted his eyes, quickly identifying the light to contain a middle-aged man in a green robe.


    He was riding a green flying sword, pursuing at an extreme speed.


    "Halt!" Zhao Sheng''s expression darkened as his White Gold Spirit Sword suddenly flew from his waist, transforming into a white-gold sword rainbow spanning in front of the Flying Boat,


    "Haha, Taoist friend, please don''t misunderstand, I mean no harm. I hope the Taoist friend doesn''t blame me," the middle-aged man in the green robe laughed and quickly stopped ten zhang away.


    This person was dressed in a bamboo green robe, his head adorned with a green jade crown, and he wore an emerald-green spiritual pendant around his waist, his face exuding scholarly air, as if he had read many books.


    From the aura emanating from him, it was clear he was also a Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage, but the exact level of his cultivation was not apparent from the surface.


    Seeing this person''s polite demeanor, Zhao Sheng''s expression lightened, and he asked, "Taoist friend, why do you block my path?"


    "I am Meng Quyi. May I ask for your distinguished name?" the middle-aged man in the green robe responded with a smile and bowing gesture, without directly addressing the question.


    "I am merely Nameless, no need to mention my name. Taoist friend Meng, you have not answered my question yet?" Zhao Sheng said, his face not showing much displeasure, but his tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.


    Meng Quyi, upon seeing this, responded with a slight smile, "Do not be offended, Taoist friend! This sea area is under the jurisdiction of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, and there is some secrecy here that should not be disclosed to outsiders. Thus I came to inquire. But I certainly have no malice."

 Chapter 184 Retrieving the Painting and the Spring and Autumn Alliance_3

    "Mr. Meng turns out to be from the Spring and Autumn Alliance, and I am just about to head to your esteemed alliance''s Nine Virtuous Isle. I didn''t expect to encounter you here," Zhao Sheng''s heart stirred as he heard this, and he quickly retracted his Platinum Flying Sword and chuckled in response.Meng Quyi was initially startled upon hearing this, but his eyes immediately lit up, and he became more eager: "What a coincidence! We are just about to return to Nine Virtuous Isle. Why not accompany us back?" Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment before nodding, "It''s better to meet by chance than by appointment. In that case, I''ll trouble Mr. Meng for his company!"


    Upon hearing this, Meng Quyi''s face showed even greater joy, smiling warmly, "Not at all, not at all! Since Taoist Zhao has come from afar, it is Meng''s duty to offer the hospitality of a host."


    While they spoke, Meng Quyi led the way, with Zhao Sheng driving his Flying Boat and following behind.


    Shortly after, in the largest guest room on the boat, Zhao Sheng and Meng Quyi sat facing each other.


    After pouring a cup of Spiritual Tea for Zhao Sheng, Meng Quyi asked tentatively, "May I know what brings Taoist Zhao to Nine Virtuous Isle? If you don''t mind me saying, I hold the position of an elder in the Spring and Autumn Alliance and have some influence on the isle. If you have any matters, just say the word, and I may be able to offer some modest assistance."


    Zhao Sheng thought to himself that what he wanted had indeed come to him, and hence took the opportunity to speak, "After my Foundation Establishment, the place where I used to cultivate no longer meets my needs. I''ve heard that Nine Virtuous Isle is rich in Spiritual Energy and has high-level cave mansions for rent, so I am looking to rent one for cultivation."


    Meng Quyi was secretly delighted by this, but a hint of difficulty appeared on his face, and he hesitated, "You might not be aware. The number of high-level cave mansions on the isle is limited, and they must be prioritized for our alliance''s Foundation Establishment. To my knowledge, the cave mansions available for rent have already been rented out a long time ago."


    Zhao Sheng caught the implication in his words and astutely asked, "So there are none left for outsiders, but perhaps there are still some available internally?"


    Meng Quyi nodded and said with a smile, "The alliance keeps several high-level cave mansions vacant all year round, specifically reserved for Foundation Establishment Ministers or elders for their cultivation."


    Understanding dawned on Zhao Sheng, and he inquired, "I wonder if your esteemed alliance is still accepting Guest Elders? Although I have only achieved Foundation Establishment a few years ago and my power is still modest, I am quite adept at the art of talismans."


    "That''s no issue! As long as Taoist Zhao is interested, the Spring and Autumn Alliance welcomes any Foundation Establishment cultivator to join. Our alliance itself was formed by a group of Loose Cultivators, and we do not exclude newcomers at all," Meng Quyi said with overflowing joy, hastily agreeing in fear that Zhao Sheng might decline.


    Zhao Sheng nodded and responded with a smile, "Then I will have to trouble Mr. Meng for the introduction."


    As one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, Nine Virtuous Isle can be said to be a strategic location in the Inner Star Sea.


    And the Inner Star Sea is the core region of the Shattered Star Sea, the true flourishing land for cultivators, with its excellent location and abundant Spiritual Energy. There are countless sects and clans of various sizes.


    Zhao Sheng had initially planned to go to Star God Island after advancing to Foundation Establishment and take a cross-ocean Cloud Boat back to the Central Continent.


    But later, he changed his mind.


    Firstly, Star God Island is the location of the Star God Palace, which would undoubtedly be filled with experts and have rigorous defense. He carried the bloodline of the Spiritual Clan, and breaking into Star God Island recklessly, if he were to be recognized, would likely end up with his life no longer in his own hands, to the point where desiring death would be a luxury.


    Secondly, the Spring and Autumn Alliance would make a great place for him to cleanse his identity; staying on Nine Virtuous Isle for a few years, gathering information before making a move, would not be too late.


    Thirdly, Nine Virtuous Isle is a renowned hub for Cultivation Resources in the Shattered Star Sea, with many Alchemists gathered there. In this life, Zhao Sheng wished to learn Alchemy, and there was no better place than Nine Virtuous Isle for that purpose.

 Chapter 185 One God, Four Saints, Thirty-Six Star Constellations

    After Zhao Sheng verbally agreed to join the Spring and Autumn Alliance, Meng Quyi, pleased with the agreement, no longer considered Zhao Sheng an outsider.As a Foundation Establishment Elder, Meng Quyi was eager to make a good impression on Zhao Sheng and began to detail the current state of the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    "The Spring and Autumn Alliance has a history of over six thousand years since it was founded by the Spring and Autumn Ancestor. Currently, besides Kong, the Late-stage Golden Core Alliance Leader, and two Golden Core Realm Supreme Elders, there are also several Foundation Establishment Realm Elders, island masters, and guest elders, totaling over forty persons."


    In addition to this, the Spring and Autumn Alliance also has almost a hundred affiliated islands, and the smaller forces on the islands are considered part of the alliance''s outer forces, with most island masters serving as guest ministers of the alliance."


    "Mr. Meng, it''s surprising that your alliance has three Golden Core predecessors; it seems your alliance is truly powerful!" Zhao Sheng said politely. The Spring and Autumn Alliance indeed possessed respectable power, making it a suitable temporary refuge.


    "Oh, not at all! Taoist Zhao is too kind. Among the many forces in Shattered Star Sea, although our Spring and Autumn Alliance is one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellations, we merely scrape by due to our high membership; in terms of raw power, we are among the lowest of the top-tier, incomparable to other major sect forces.


    However, our alliance, unlike those Cultivation Sects, does not have many strict rules and regulations constraining our disciples. Not only do we act more freely, but there are also many benefits.


    Once one becomes a Foundation Establishment Minister, not only can they freely browse through the Book Collection Pavilion''s cultivation techniques and secret manuals, but they also receive certain discounts when purchasing various cultivation resources from the shops established by our alliance.


    Moreover, many of our Foundation Establishment fellow daoists regularly hold various experience-sharing meetings. And occasionally, our Alliance Leader and Supreme Elders also make appearances to give us some guidance, which is why our alliance has developed so prosperously."


    At this point, Meng Quyi paused, then sincerely added:


    "To be honest with Taoist Zhao, the Spring and Autumn Alliance is divided into nine major branches, and I very much hope that Taoist Zhao would consider taking up a position as a Minister Elder in the Foreign Affairs Hall. The Foreign Affairs Hall offers generous benefits and is desperately in need of talents, and behind it is the support of the Supreme Elder, Master Qi Feng. What do you think of this proposal?"


    "I appreciate Mr. Meng''s kind offer, and I ask for a few days to think it over. Once we arrive at Nine Virtuous Isle, I will definitely give you an answer," Zhao Sheng responded with a laugh.


    Seeing this, Meng Quyi was not annoyed. Instead, he changed the subject and began to casually chat with Zhao Sheng about the many forces in the Shattered Star Sea and some of the recent major events.


    Through this casual conversation, Zhao Sheng gained a deeper and clearer understanding of the situation in the Shattered Star Sea.


    Overall, the innermost and most flourishing region of the Shattered Star Sea is the Inner Star Sea, which is governed by the so-called "One God, Four Saints, and Thirty-Six Star Constellations" among other Cultivation Forces. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "One God" refers to the Crownless King of the Shattered Star Sea, the Star God Palace. The Star God Palace is teeming with experts, its power unfathomable; each of its Supreme Elders is a Nascent Soul Ancestor, and the palace master is rumored to have crossed the Primordial Spirit Threshold and become a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, a rare occurrence in the Tianzhu Realm in a thousand years.


    "Four Saints" refers to the Four Saints Island named after the four holy beasts: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird. Each island houses one Immortal Sect noble family of Nascent Soul Level, each with a lineage exceeding ten thousand years and a population in the tens of millions, possessing incredibly profound heritage.


    Rumor has it that each of the four major families possesses an Ancient Spiritual Treasure. The power of an Ancient Spiritual Treasure is heaven-defying; a Nascent Soul Ancestor wielding a Spiritual Treasure can contend against a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    Thus, the four major families maintain a stable position, second only to the Star God Palace in the Shattered Star Sea.


    Beneath the Four Saints are the so-called Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, each of which houses at least one Golden Core True Immortal.


    If a Nascent Soul Ancestor is present on an island, it is known as a Heavenly Gang Spirit Island, named for the "Nascent Soul Ancestors who can break through the nine layers of Heavenly Gang Atmosphere and briefly fly into the Outer Void to gather Outer Heaven Mysterious Spirits." Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire


    And the Star Constellation Spirit Islands without a Nascent Soul Ancestor are known as Earth Evil Spirit Islands, deriving the name from the "Golden Core True Immortals who refine their cultivation and condense Divine Skills using the Earth Evil Spirit True found within the realm."


    Most of the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands are home to Cultivation Sects, such as the Sky Sun Sword Sect and Zhenwu Mountain, which have been prominent in the past century, along with Qianyu Pavilion, Mystic Sky Sect, and others.


    The Spring and Autumn Alliance, nominally one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellations occupying Nine Virtuous Isle, is in fact backed by the "Vermilion Bird" Gu Yan family.


    And such Golden Core Level forces like the Spring and Autumn Alliance are required to pay a tribute to the Gu Yan family each year and take care of some unsavory tasks that should not see the light of day.


    The Gu Yan family, in return, ensures that the Spring and Autumn Alliance is not swallowed by other major sectarian families.


    It turned out that Meng Quyi was quite eloquent and witty in his speech.


    And he was very candid about many of the internal details of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, making the tea-drinking and casual conversation between the two quite enjoyable.


    ...


    Five days later, after the ship had passed through a thousand miles of sea and several islands, they finally arrived near a massive and bustling large island at midday.


    Zhao Sheng and Meng Quyi stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at Nine Virtuous Isle.


    "Haha, we''re finally home! Brother Zhao, after you!"


    Meng Quyi laughed heartily and with a flick of his wrist, suddenly produced a brightly glowing scroll from his sleeve. The scroll unfurled in mid-air, and he grabbed it with one hand while casting a spell with the other.


    The scroll suddenly emitted a burst of white light, followed by the clear sound of a bird''s cry. Then, a burst of rosy light swept out, transforming into a massive sea eagle over two meters tall with wings shimmering in blue.


    Once the two men had climbed onto the back of the Spiritual Eagle, Meng Quyi shouted lowly. The eagle instantly spread its wings, stirred up a fierce wind, and took off into the sky, swiftly flying toward Nine Virtuous Isle.

 Chapter 185 One God, Four Saints, Thirty-Six Star Constellations - Part 2

    "Below is the headquarters of our Spring and Autumn Alliance, the Nine Virtuous Isle," said Meng Quyi with self-satisfaction as he pointed toward the island below.Zhao Sheng followed the direction of his finger and saw that the Nine Virtuous Isle was not one, but nine closely adjacent spirit islands.


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    The nine spirit islands varied in size, with the largest spanning several hundred miles and the smallest a few dozen miles; they were either lush with forests and sea cliffs or bustling with workshops and pavilions, densely populated and remarkably scenic.


    From above, the Nine Virtuous Isle resembled a round cake divided into nine uneven portions,


    and the islands were connected by several large sea-crossing stone bridges. The bridges with their eighteen pillars flashed with the light halos of formations, resembling great dragons lying across the strait when viewed from the sky.


    As Meng Quyi propelled their spirit bird forward, he continued to introduce the place with pride:


    "The Nine Virtuous Isle has a population of several million, with over ten thousand cultivators. Divided by the trajectory and concentration of the spirit veins on the islands, the Nine Virtuous Isle consists of the Upper Spirit Three Islands and the Lower Spirit Five Islands.


    The most central Spring and Autumn Island, which is also the largest island, is the location of the main hall of the Spring and Autumn Alliance. The island''s spiritual energy is quite dense. Most of the Qi Refining Realm disciples and some of the Foundation Establishment Fellow Daoists of the Alliance reside here. As for the Lower Spirit Five Islands, they are somewhat chaotic, mainly comprising various workshops and the vast majority of loose cultivators."


    Listening to Meng Quyi, Zhao Sheng noticed that on three of the islands below, the buildings were mostly white and light blue, built from giant stones, but the roofs were made of an unknown silver-white metal, which looked quite unique.


    It was noon, and under the intense sunlight, the building complexes of the three islands reflected dazzling patches of white light, blinding to the eyes and obscuring the view below.


    Suddenly, their spirit eagle dipped sharply, folding its wings and diving towards the largest Spring and Autumn Island, eventually landing on a plaza in front of a large palace built against the mountain.


    "Brother Zhao, please!"


    After Zhao Sheng dismounted from the spirit eagle, Meng Quyi also leaped down, flicking his sleeve and revealing a scroll that radiated dawn light when he collected the spirit eagle.


    Then, with a beaming smile, he led Zhao Sheng towards the Spring and Autumn Hall.


    Looking around, the Spring and Autumn Hall was constructed on a grand scale. Its main body was built from huge four-sided Blue Steel Stones, each side measuring twenty feet. The walls of the hall alone stood tens of feet high.


    All around the main hall were also many slightly smaller stone buildings bustling with people, mostly in green robes and white garments, creating a lively scene.


    Every so often, one could see cultivators on various flying artifacts, such as flying swords and cloud boats, or riding spirit birds flying in from afar, and quickly landing among the cluster of buildings.


    Guided by Meng Quyi, Zhao Sheng circled the Spring and Autumn Hall, weaving in and out of compounds and corridors, bypassing entrances with strict defenses, until they reached a quaint courtyard that occupied a considerable area.


    At the entrance to the courtyard stood a three-zhang-tall White Jade stone, inscribed with the ancient and spiritual text "Eternal Spring and Autumn," which faintly emitted a formidable pressure that was both concealed and profound.


    If one was not familiar with this Taiyi Spiritual Text, ordinary cultivators would likely embarrass themselves in front of the stone.


    "This is where our Alliance accommodates honored guests. Taoist Zhao, please rest here for a moment and enjoy our Alliance''s Spiritual Tea. The Supreme Elder will arrive soon!"


    Meng Quyi ushered Zhao Sheng into a tastefully furnished and peaceful parlor, then gently clapped his hands.


    At that signal, three comely maids entered in single file, one offering a pot of Spiritual Tea while the other two set up the tea cups before quietly withdrawing.


    Zhao Sheng and Meng Quyi then enjoyed their tea while casually chatting about the Spring and Autumn Alliance''s trivial matters and anecdotes.


    After a little while, laughter suddenly echoed from outside the parlor.


    "Haha, Quyi, I heard you invited a Junior Foundation Establishment Friend today. Since the Alliance Hierarch is not on the island, I''ll come and meet our visitor first," came the voice.


    Before the laughter faded, a green-robed elder with a sallow complexion and white hair and beard stepped in through the door.


    "Supreme Elder," Meng Quyi quickly stood up.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression shifted slightly as he too stood up, showing a respectful demeanor. Judging by Meng Quyi''s address, the green-robed elder must be the Supreme Elder of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, Master Qi Feng.


    As the green-robed elder entered, the parlor was suddenly enveloped by a sharp and potent invisible aura. The room seemed to transform into a "vacuum," with every wisp of air falling under the control of the kindly smiling Taoist elder.


    "Supreme Elder, this is Taoist Zhao," Meng Quyi introduced with a smile on his face.


    "I am Zhao Chonghe. Greetings, True Immortal. I wish you a longevity of a thousand years!" Zhao Sheng bowed with a fist-in-palm salute to Master Qi Feng. He didn''t use his real name, but instead gave the name from his past life.


    The green-robed elder eyed Zhao Sheng, his gaze lingering on his face, and said with a hint of profound meaning, "Mr. Zhao, why not reveal your true face? Could it be that you don''t trust our Spring and Autumn Alliance?"


    At these words, Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows furrowed.


    This statement, said at their first meeting, was clearly a subtle show of dominance from Master Qi Feng.


    Now it was up to him to respond.


    Zhao Sheng''s brow relaxed and he said loudly, "The elder is not aware, but I have cultivated a special technique, which will utterly destroy my features until it reaches great success. Therefore, it is inconvenient to show myself in public."


    Unexpectedly, Master Qi Feng did not continue to press the issue, but let it go and proceeded to invite the two of them to sit down.


    Surprised, yet impressed by Master Qi Feng''s skillful handling of people, Zhao Sheng took his seat.


    The three of them sat down in order of seniority, with Master Qi Feng taking the host''s seat without dispute. At his command, a maid came in to replace the old tea and served fresh Spiritual Tea.


    After some casual conversation, Zhao Sheng indirectly expressed his willingness to be recruited, yet still conveyed his reservations.


    Qi Feng''s expression became stern as he said seriously, "Since that is the case, let me speak frankly. Our Spring and Autumn Alliance is currently seeking talents desperately. If Mr. Zhao has any concerns, he may as well express them now. For some negotiable matters, I can make promises on behalf of the Alliance Hierarch."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng appeared somewhat moved. After a moment of contemplation, he hesitantly asked,


    "I would like to ask if, in the event that the Spring and Autumn Alliance is in conflict with a hostile force, would the Minister Elders necessarily have to take part?"


    Hearing this, Qi Feng first looked surprised, then he laughed warmly and sincerely said,


    "Unless the Spring and Autumn Alliance faces a disaster of annihilation, the alliance typically offers missions with rewards if we need the Minister Elders to take action. Minister Elders may consider for themselves whether to accept or not, and the alliance will not force them."


    "Then, what if I become a Minister Eldere and then decide to leave the Spring and Autumn Alliance?" Zhao Sheng pressed on.


    "If Mr. Zhao is unsatisfied with the alliance, he may leave at his discretion, and the alliance will certainly not hinder him purposefully," Qi Feng stated magnanimously.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s expression revealed a hint of satisfaction, and he nodded, "If that is the case, I am willing to join your esteemed alliance as a Minister Elder."


    Qi Feng smiled contentedly at these words, while Meng Quyi''s face lit up with delight.


    After all, any Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Shattered Star Sea was exceedingly valuable.


    A Foundation Establishment Cultivator could easily become the master of an island and support a small Cultivation Force.


    Most importantly, Zhao Sheng was clearly young and had much more potential than the average Foundation Establishment Cultivator, with more time to foster his allegiance to the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    For the Foreign Affairs Hall alone, gaining a Foundation Establishment Minister would mean a significant enhancement of the hall''s overall strength.


    Qi Feng excused himself for another matter thereafter, leaving Meng Quyi to explain the specific benefits of being a Minister Elder to Zhao Sheng,


    There were ranks among the Spring and Autumn Alliance''s Minister Elders. Reaching the early-stage Foundation Establishment qualified one to become an ordinary Minister Elder, and naturally, upon advancing to mid-stage Foundation Establishment or higher, one would become a senior Minister Elder.


    Moreover, the Spring and Autumn Alliance promised each Minister Elder a separate cave mansion located upon a core Spirit Vein, most of which were centered amidst the hills and valleys in the northwest of Spring and Autumn Island.


    In addition, Minister Elders would receive a certain number of Spirit Stones and Spirit Pills as an annual stipend.


    Although Zhao Sheng wasn''t interested in these things, they represented the attitude of the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    After the introduction to the benefits, Meng Quyi formally invited Zhao Sheng to join the Foreign Affairs Hall. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a brief contemplation, Zhao Sheng nodded and agreed.

 Chapter 186 Duel

    Meng Quyi, overwhelmed with joy, eagerly took Zhao Sheng to handle the alliance registration procedures and select a Cultivation Cave Mansion.Four hours later, the procedures were completed, and Zhao Sheng quickly chose his cave mansion.


    Due to principles of maintaining a low profile and ensuring safety, Zhao Sheng purposely chose a remote cave mansion at the edge of Spring and Autumn Island.


    Though the concentration of Spiritual Energy here was slightly lower, the cave mansion was established above a cliff, with the ocean below, which greatly satisfied Zhao Sheng.


    After bidding farewell to Meng Quyi, Zhao Sheng quickly arrived at this cliffside cave mansion, used a Prohibition Token to open the stone gate, and walked in.


    The scale of this cave mansion was not small, boasting a spacious interior with over a dozen stone rooms, fully furnished and decorated, and the concentration of spiritual energy inside was quite substantial, roughly equivalent to a First-Rank Spirit Vein spiritual acupoint, making it very suitable for cultivation.


    After briefly inspecting the cave mansion, Zhao Sheng entered the Cultivation Room. The room was small, only about fifteen to eighteen feet in size, and the setup was quite simple, with just a White Jade stone bed and an apricot-yellow cushion, with no other items.


    Zhao Sheng was satisfied with the arrangement inside. He briefly inspected the stone walls and stone gate to ensure there were no surveillance-type prohibitions before he settled down, moving forward to sit cross-legged on the cushion.


    Zhao Sheng flicked his sleeve, and a Barrier Talisman shot out swiftly, sticking perfectly onto the stone room''s door. A white radiance expanded in all directions, forming a pale white light screen that completely isolated the Cultivation Room from the outside world.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment, flipped his hand, and took out a dark black shield from his Storage Bag¡ªthe low-grade defensive Spiritual Artifact Sea Abyss Shield he had acquired at Bei Mansion Cave Heaven.


    Zhao Sheng gently tossed it, and the Sea Abyss Shield immediately spun into the air. His eyes then shone brightly as he continuously formed spell signs with his hands, and suddenly a Divine Sense Spirit Seal shot out from his hands and merged into the shield.


    ...


    Three days later


    In the Cultivation Room, Zhao Sheng''s expression was solemn as strands of Divine Sense spirit prohibitions continuously merged into the Sea Abyss Shield.


    As the Refining of the Spirit Seal proceeded, the Sea Abyss Shield emitted bursts of black light, and faint sounds of ocean tides echoed in the room.


    At that moment, the Sea Abyss Shield was suspended in mid-air, its surface intermittently covered with countless Spiritual Restriction Runes. The runes were interconnected and clearly formed several defensive spirit prohibitions, numbering over twenty at a glance.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng''s eyes flickered, his hand movements suddenly halted, and he simultaneously spat out a mouthful of essence blood. The essence blood instantly turned into a mist of blood, driven by his Divine Sense, and merged into the Sea Abyss Shield in a flash.


    The next second, the Sea Abyss Shield burst into brilliance, emitting a clear sound of ocean tides, as multiple shield phantoms gradually appeared in the Cultivation Room, swirling and whirling around the Spirit Shield.


    Seeing this, a flicker of joy flashed in Zhao Sheng''s eyes.


    "Gather... Condense!"


    He uttered in a low voice, and his Divine Sense from the Foundation Establishment Realm burst forth, S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Only to see the shield phantoms in the air shining brilliantly, then, like tired birds returning to the forest, they merged into the Sea Abyss Shield''s body.


    In an instant, great swathes of black light erupted from the Sea Abyss Shield, and over twenty spirit prohibitions suddenly appeared and then quickly merged back into the shield.


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    The next second, Zhao Sheng thought, and the Sea Abyss Shield sharply shrank to the size of a palm, turned into a black light, and flew in front of him, rapidly circling his body as it followed his mental commands.


    Zhao Sheng slightly smiled, reached out to call it, and the Sea Abyss Shield flew down with a "whoosh" and landed in his palm.


    "Good. Finally, I''ve finished Refining all three Spiritual Artifacts. The previous owner of Bei Mansion was a good man indeed! The treasures he left behind are all fine pieces." Zhao Sheng put away the Sea Abyss Shield, unable to help but remark.


    After finishing Refining the Spiritual Artifacts, Zhao Sheng immediately stood up and slowly walked out of the secret chamber.


    As soon as he stepped out, he saw a Messenger Talisman Crane flying around the cave mansion, seemingly disoriented and flying all around.


    Zhao Sheng extended his hand, and with a flap of its wings, the talisman crane swiftly flew over and landed in his hand.


    Opening the talisman crane, Zhao Sheng''s brow first furrowed and then relaxed, murmuring to himself, "The Alliance Hierarch is back and wants to assemble the Minister Elders for a meeting? Is it specifically for me, or is there really something? Interesting!"


    Zhao Sheng groomed and dressed up, changing into a plain silk robe, then took a short rest.


    Half a day later, Zhao Sheng left the cave mansion, and suddenly a white light shot out from his sleeve, circled around his body once, and he instantly transformed into a white-golden Sword Rainbow, speeding toward Spring and Autumn Hall.


    Moments later, the Sword Rainbow landed in the hall''s front square, Zhao Sheng dispelled the Sword Light, retracted his flying sword, and stepped into the splendid and majestic Spring and Autumn Hall.


    The hall was extremely large and spacious, covering an area over two hundred feet in length and nearly sixty feet in height, supported by eighteen thickly girthed Golden Pillars entwined with dragons, with the ceiling inlaid with over a hundred fist-sized Shining Spirit Pearls that lit the hall as bright as day.


    In the middle of the hall, two rows of white jade tables and chairs were placed, and at that moment, seventeen or eighteen cultivators of impressive bearing and diverse expressions were sitting on the Jade Chairs, some whispering in low voices and others resting with their eyes closed. Meng Quyi was also among them, appearing to be enjoying a lively conversation with the person next to him.


    At that time, in the central area of the hall, on the three large aqua-colored Jade Chairs sat two old men with unfathomably deep auras. One of them Zhao Sheng had already met, True Immortal Qi Feng, while the other had an ancient and majestic appearance, a tall and fierce build, with eyes as red as flames, as if two fireballs were burning within his pupils.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng entered the hall, some of the Minister Elders looked over.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng arrive, Meng Quyi immediately stood up with a smiling face, quickly approaching with a laugh, "Haha, Brother Zhao, you finally came. Come, come, let me introduce you to the fellow Daoists."

 Chapter 186 Duel_2

    "This is Supreme Elder Master Chi Yuan of our alliance.""Junior Zhao Chonghe, I have seen Master Chi Yuan!"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately bowed respectfully to Master Chi Yuan, whose face bore an ancient nobility.


    "Enough of that! Elder Qi, you are indeed fortunate. To find such a young Foundation Establishment junior is lucky. However, now that he has joined the alliance, why still this secretive demeanor?" Master Chi Yuan''s voice thundered like a great bell, his tone neither cold nor mocking.


    Seeing this, Elder Qi laughed heartily and said, "Ha ha, Great Head Chi Yuan, just be envious! Mr. Zhao has already agreed to join the Foreign Affairs Hall. Moreover, you are being too nosy. That''s his privacy, must he report to you as well?"


    "Hmph!" Master Chi Yuan glared angrily at his old rival.


    Seeing this situation, Meng Quyi quickly pulled Zhao Sheng aside and began introducing him to others.


    "This is Lu Xia, Mr. Lu, currently the Hall Master of the Foreign Affairs Hall," Meng Quyi first pointed to a gracefully dignified middle-aged scholar and said.


    "I am Zhao Chonghe, I have seen Hall Master Lu."


    "So it is Daoist Zhao, I heard just a few days ago that a young and distinguished figure had joined our hall. Seeing you today, it is indeed true! We should become closer friends. Once this affair is over, Mr. Lu definitely must visit Daoist Zhao''s cave mansion," the middle-aged scholar brightened upon seeing Zhao Sheng and immediately stood up to bow from a distance with a loud voice.


    "Hall Master Lu is too courteous. It should be I who visit," Zhao Sheng quickly returned the bow with polite gestures.


    After exchanging pleasantries, Meng Quyi continued to introduce Zhao Sheng to others.


    "This is Daoist Lu..."


    "Greetings, Daoist Lu!..."


    ...


    "This is Senior Zhuge Zhen..."


    "Senior Ge gives his regards..."


    ...


    By the time they had made introductions in half a circle, an hour had passed, and by then the jade chairs in the great hall were all occupied.


    As Zhao Sheng had joined the alliance last, he found a seat at the very end.


    At that moment, one person beside him bowed and said, "Daoist Zhao, you look very young. You must have reached Foundation Establishment at an early age, right?"


    Zhao Sheng turned his head and saw that the speaker''s face was fair and handsome, appearing only in his twenties, dressed in a brocade robe of orchids, looking elegant and dashing, like a refined young master in a troubled world.


    "You must be Daoist Chen Guanxi. I only appear youthful, but I am actually not so young," Zhao Sheng said in a mixture of truth and falsehood to avoid trouble.


    The person smiled slightly and was just about to say a few more words.


    Suddenly, the sound of flapping wings echoed from the entrance of the great hall.


    Chen Guanxi''s expression became solemn as he turned his head toward the entrance, and the rest of the people in the hall did the same.


    The next moment, two individuals entered the hall through the entrance. One was an amiable-faced elderly man about six feet tall, dressed in a jade-colored brocade robe and a high hat, while the other was a vibrant young master with a face like a fine jade and auburn hair.


    "Alliance Hierarch!"


    "Greetings to the Alliance Hierarch!"


    As soon as the elderly man appeared, everyone in the great hall stood up to greet him, their eyes filled with respect.


    The elderly man was none other than Master Chang Kong, the Alliance Hierarch of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, a Late-stage Golden Core powerhouse.


    "Alliance Hierarch, this must be the Special Envoy! Truly an imposing figure, outstanding beyond comparison!"


    Seated at the head, Master Qi Feng and Master Chi Yuan had already stood up in unison and went forward to greet the newcomer.


    "Gu Yanqiu, I''ve seen the two seniors!" The young master smiled slightly, seemingly casual as he saluted the two Golden Core Masters with a cupped fist.


    Zhao Sheng silently sized up this "special envoy." From his name, it was clear he was a member of the Gu Yan family from Vermilion Bird Island.


    And based on the aura emanating from his body, this individual was indeed a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and perhaps even a few years younger than him.


    As soon as Gu Yanqiu had taken his seat, a Minister Elder immediately came forward to introduce himself, speaking very respectfully to the special envoy.


    Gu Yanqiu appeared very polite and amiable, but Zhao Sheng occasionally saw a hint of disdain in the depths of his eyes.


    After a moment, everyone had finished introducing themselves. Because Zhao Sheng was very young and the last one introduced, Gu Yanqiu''s impression of him was inevitably a bit deeper. Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire


    Following this, Master Chang Kong''s demeanor became serious, and without saying a word, he instantly took control of the atmosphere in the hall.


    "Today, I have gathered everyone here to discuss the conflict between our alliance and the Mystic Sky Sect regarding the ownership of the Seven-star Reef Spirit Vein. What are everyone''s opinions?" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, Chen Guanxi explained quietly to Zhao Sheng:


    "Daoist Zhao, you arrived late and might not know. Our Spring and Autumn Alliance has been frequently clashing with the Mystic Sky Sect over the Spirit Vein at Seven-star Reef; we might have to fight a big battle this time. Hehe, Daoist Zhao, your luck is really terrible!"


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly upon hearing this, his face showing no particular emotion. He didn''t think his luck was bad; on the contrary, he saw this as an opportunity.


    The Spring and Autumn Alliance was the hegemon of Nine Virtuous Isle. He wanted to learn true Alchemy, and leveraging the power of the Spring and Autumn Alliance would allow him to achieve his goal faster and better. That was, of course, provided he could establish considerable merits for the alliance.


    Zhao Sheng silently observed as the others passionately expressed their views. He noticed that most of them supported fighting a hard battle against the Mystic Sky Sect.


    Glancing at the three Golden Core Masters seated at the head, Zhao Sheng vaguely understood that all this was being done for Gu Yanqiu''s benefit.


    Once everyone had made their stance clear, Gu Yanqiu smiled slightly with a hint of sentimentality, "Before coming here, my family said that the Spring and Autumn Alliance is like scattered sand. But from what I''ve seen today, such statements are completely mistaken. Your alliance is quite unified! Master Chang Kong, have you already decided? Are you really going to fight the Mystic Sky Sect?"


    Upon hearing this, Master Qi Feng and Master Chi Yuan''s eyes flashed, and they exchanged glances before turning their gaze to the Alliance Hierarch.


    At this, Master Chang Kong smiled slightly and spoke deliberately, "Special envoy, it''s not that the Spring and Autumn Alliance wants to fight the Mystic Sky Sect, but they are too bullying. The affiliation of the Seven-star Reef has long been a public agreement in the Shattered Star Sea! Yet the Mystic Sky Sect keeps twisting the truth, insisting on taking over the Seven-star Reef. Our alliance cannot and should not retreat! Otherwise, wouldn''t we be laughed at by our fellow daoists?"


    Gu Yanqiu took a deep breath and said, "Peace is most precious! Your alliance and the Mystic Sky Sect are both old friends of the Vermilion Bird Island. Why not both sides take a step back? I am willing to act as a mediator and speak to the Mystic Sky Sect. Master Chang Kong, what do you think?"


    As soon as these words were spoken, Elder Qi spoke out loudly, "Special envoy, you might not be aware, but ever since the Seven-star Reef was discovered two hundred years ago, it has been within the territory of our Spring and Autumn Alliance. Initially, there was only a First-rank Spirit Vein here, not much potential for development.


    But recently, someone accidentally discovered that at the end of this Spirit Vein on the Seven-star Reef, there is another, larger Second Order Spirit Vein connected to it. The Mystic Sky Sect covets this Second Order Spirit Vein and even claims that the Spirit Vein is not within the range of Seven-star Reef, calling it unowned.


    Even more shamelessly, they claim that they had discovered this Second Order Spirit Vein earlier and that it should belong to the Mystic Sky Sect. This... This is indeed twisting the facts and is intolerable!"


    At these words, the people present were immediately roused to anger.


    After Elder Qi finished, he stared directly at Gu Yanqiu, pressing, "Special envoy, do you think what the Mystic Sky Sect is doing is right?"


    Gu Yanqiu looked at the intense gaze of Master Qi Feng, reined in his smile, and said slowly, "If that''s the case, let''s proceed with the old rules then! You both will have a wagering battle. As for the method of the battle, it is to have three Foundation Establishment Cultivators from both your alliance and the Purple Cloud Sect engage in a life-and-death struggle. The winner will take ownership of the Seven-star Reef."


    Upon hearing this, both Master Qi Feng and Master Chi Yuan showed signs of dissatisfaction and hesitation.


    Just as Elder Qi was about to argue, Master Chang Kong raised his hand and said firmly, "The wagering battle is acceptable, but the Mystic Sky Sect must also present something of equal value as the stake."


    "Alright, I will persuade the Mystic Sky Sect to agree. So... let''s set this battle a half year from now, shall we?"


    "Agreed!"


    "Alliance Hierarch, this cannot be!" Master Chi Yuan exclaimed anxiously.


    Master Chang Kong waved his hand, leaving no room for dispute, "No need to persuade me anymore, we''ll settle the ownership through the wagering battle."


    With that, the expressions of many below varied unpredictably, their thoughts unknown.

 Chapter 187 Alchemy Master Association

    Zhao Sheng''s eyes flashed as he sent a telepathic message to Chen Guanxi, "Taoist Chen, what are the rules for this gambling duel? Why does the Supreme Elder look so displeased, could it be that our Spring and Autumn Alliance has no confidence in winning?"Upon hearing the question, a bitter smile appeared on Chen Guanxi''s face. He lowered his voice and replied, "If we really have to duel, I''m afraid our alliance really doesn''t stand much of a chance! Taoist Zhao may not know, but Mystic Sky Sect has an Abnormal Skill that risks one''s life. Once triggered, the practitioner''s strength can increase by at least thirty percent in a short time, making them virtually unbeatable among cultivators of the same level."


    Although Chen Guanxi spoke softly, the people present were at least at the Foundation Establishment Realm, so how could they not hear him? Their morale plummeted suddenly, and the faces of both Master Qi Feng and Master Chi Yuan turned dark.


    Gu Yanqiu, hearing this, remained calm as water on the surface, but in his eyes, there was an undeniable hint of contempt.


    "Haha, since we are going to have a duel, how could our Spring and Autumn Alliance be afraid of Mystic Sky Sect? Just agree to it!"


    Right at that moment, someone laughed heartily from outside the hall.


    As the voice faded, a shadow flashed at the entrance of the hall, and three people walked in.


    Then, they saw a gaunt, white-faced old man dressed in a white crimson robe, exuding a rich elixir fragrance, briskly entering the hall like a shooting star.


    "Master Xu Chong!" As soon as the figure was recognized, someone exclaimed out loud. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Qi Feng and Chi Yuan exchanged glances as if they were thinking of something, and their faces showed signs of joy, while Master Chang Kong stroked his beard and smiled slightly.


    The other Minister Elders stood up one after another, greeting him respectfully, calling him "Master" incessantly.


    "The newcomer is none other than the renowned Alchemy Master Xu Chong from Shattered Star Sea, known as one of the few capable of producing Golden Core Formation Pills. Unexpectedly, he has joined the Spring and Autumn Alliance."


    Zhao Sheng was greatly surprised by this turn of events, but after a quick glance, his attention was drawn to the two young people who had followed Xu Chong in, a man and a woman.


    The man was dressed in black, with a sallow complexion and an ordinary appearance, but his eyes shone brilliantly, and he looked at everyone present with an arrogant demeanor.


    The woman appeared to be in her twenties, graceful and lovely with a charming face, and her presence clearly exuded the unique aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the woman and suddenly felt a surge of recognition; she bore a striking resemblance to Master Chang Kong.


    The Alchemy Master Xu Chong, accompanied by the two, walked into the hall under the watchful eyes of everyone present.


    Upon seeing Xu Chong''s arrival, although Gu Yanqiu''s face showed a hint of surprise, there was no excessive sign of astonishment, but he said with a smile, "Congratulations to Master Chang Kong for gaining such a strong support. With Master Xu Chong''s addition to the Spring and Autumn Alliance, I suppose the odds of winning the duel have significantly increased?"


    Master Chang Kong''s eyes shimmered as he replied with a light chuckle, "The Special Envoy jests. This duel is something we have been forced into. If Mystic Sky Sect would be sensible enough to back down, I would not wish to damage the harmony between us."


    Gu Yanqiu smiled without responding, a mysterious glint in his eyes.


    At this moment, Xu Chong came forward and, after exchanging a few pleasantries with the three Golden Core Masters and Gu Yanqiu of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, pointed to the young man and introduced him to everyone, "Let me introduce you to everyone. This is my disciple Ge Chen. A few years ago, when I was exchanging alchemy insights at the Elixir Cauldron Sect, I took him as my disciple due to a fortunate coincidence when I saw his decent talent. As for Yao''er, there''s no need for introductions, right?"


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Master Chi Yuan joked, "Yao''er, the precious daughter of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, a real gem! Seeing your father and all your uncles here, why don''t you greet them?"


    At that, the pretty-faced girl retorted with feigned anger, "Uncle Chi, you''re teasing me again!"


    Then, bowing gracefully to Master Chang Kong, she said respectfully, "Daughter Chu Yao pays respects to father. It''s been a long time, father seems to have lost weight."


    "Rise, Yao''er! In the past ten-plus years, while traveling with Master Xu Chong across the Central Continent, have you gained anything?" Master Chang Kong flicked his sleeve, a red light swirling out to help Chu Yao up, and he asked seriously.


    "Your daughter has indeed gained a lot, ..."


    While the father and daughter were conversing, Zhao Sheng''s face showed a very interested expression.


    As a man of the world, he once again heard the name of Elixir Cauldron Sect and couldn''t help but sigh about the fleeting nature of time and that things of the past could never be returned to.


    Then, he suddenly took a strong interest in the Alchemy Master Xu Chong. He wanted to learn alchemy, and this man seemed the perfect candidate.


    From that moment, Zhao Sheng began to consider ways to learn the secrets of the Alchemy Dao from him.


    After a moment, Xu Chong and his two disciples Chu Yao and Ge Chen each took their seats, and the atmosphere in the hall became fervent and cheerful due to the addition of the Alchemy Master.


    Gu Yanqiu showed great interest in Xu Chong, and during the casual conversation, he made several subtle attempts to recruit him.


    An Alchemy Master was extremely rare even on Vermilion Bird Island, and it was sufficient for Gu Yanqiu to humble himself in an attempt to recruit him.


    However, despite Gu Yanqiu''s attempts to recruit him, Xu Chong responded with a smile and appropriate remarks, showing no signs of being tempted.


    Gu Yanqiu felt snubbed and was inwardly furious, but he did not show it on his face.


    After smiling, he turned and said to Master Chang Kong, "Since the Spring and Autumn Alliance has the support of Master Xu Chong, I suppose you are confident about the outcome of the duel. I will now return to report and set the date for the duel with Mystic Sky Sect."


    "If that''s the case, the Special Envoy should take care. Daoist Qi Feng, please see our guest out," Master Chang Kong said after nodding his head, without any intention of retaining him. He then turned to Qi Feng and gave the instruction.


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    Although Master Qi Feng was the Vice Leader of Spring and Autumn Alliance, he showed no signs of reluctance at the moment. He immediately agreed and personally escorted Gu Yanqiu out of the hall.

 Chapter 187 Alchemy Master Association_2

    When Qi Feng returned to the great hall, Master Chang Kong''s gaze slowly swept across the chamber, observing the respectful expressions of everyone present. He offered a slight smile, his demeanor kind as he spoke, "Well, that will be all for today. Everyone, go back to your own affairs. As for the matter of the wagered battle, once I have discussed it with the two Vice Alliance Hierarchs and reached a decision, I will announce it to you all. You may leave!""Yes, we will heed the Alliance Hierarch''s directive and take our leave now!" The assembly rose from their seats with a thunderous chorus of assent, then bid farewell and departed.


    After Zhao Sheng and the others rose to take their leave, the great hall was left with only Master Chang Kong and the two Vice Alliance Hierarchs, along with Xu Chong and his two disciples.


    "Yao''er, you take your senior brother and rest first," Master Chang Kong mused for a moment before instructing Chu Yao.


    Chu Yao replied softly with "Understood," though Ge Chen''s eyes briefly flashed with dissatisfaction. He seemed on the verge of speaking but was instead pulled out of the hall by his junior sister.


    In the blink of an eye, only Master Chang Kong, Qi Feng, Master Chi Yuan and Xu Chong remained in the great hall.


    The four of them discussed several secret matters concerning the alliance, revealing an exceptionally close relationship between Xu Chong and the Spring and Autumn Alliance. None of these secrets were concealed from him.


    However, what was strange was that the four of them did not mention a single word about the wager with the Mystic Sky Sect.


    After half an hour, when the discussions were nearly finished, and Qi Feng, Chi Yuan, and Xu Chong also rose to bid farewell, Master Chang Kong suddenly mentioned casually,


    "By the way, we need to thoroughly investigate the leak regarding the Seven-star Reef Spirit Vein. Daoist Qi Feng, I entrust this task to you."


    "Yes, Alliance Hierarch!" Qi Feng narrowed his eyes and then bowed deeply in assent.


    Master Chi Yuan was startled by this but said nothing, silently retreating from the hall.


    Once the hall was left with only him, Master Chang Kong''s smile slowly faded, and his right hand struck the jade chair with force.


    In an instant, the jade chair silently shattered into a pile of dust. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    After leaving the great hall, Zhao Sheng politely declined the invitation from Meng Quyi, Zhao Guanxi and others to gather, but agreed to visit their respective cave mansions in the coming days.


    Having bid farewell to everyone, Zhao Sheng rode his flying sword, transforming into a radiant sword rainbow, and headed straight for Xia Guang Island, a subordinate isle of Nine Virtuous Isle.


    Elixir Fire Square of Xia Guang Island,


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng landed on the streets of Elixir Fire Square than he immediately smelled a thick fragrance of elixirs and medicinal herbs.


    The Elixir Fire Square was Nine Virtuous Isle''s main district for alchemy, the selling of Spiritual Medicine, and where the highest concentration of elixir medicine shops could be found. It hosted the largest number of alchemists and saw a tremendous flow of visitors.


    Various medicine shops and elixir stores lined the streets on both sides, bustling with crowds. From time to time, one could spot alchemists in crimson robes being surrounded and flattered by a group of Loose Cultivators as they moved through the streets.


    This clearly showed the lofty status of alchemists on Nine Virtuous Isle, where a severe supply and demand imbalance existed.


    As evening approached, Zhao Sheng left the market with a look of disappointment.


    He had roamed around Elixir Fire Square, visiting countless elixir medicine shops in the market, purchasing a large amount of Spiritual Medicine and spirit medicine seeds. However, he found not a single Alchemy Furnace that caught his eye to purchase, let alone the coveted Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire.


    Upon further inquiry, he found out that the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, Elixir Recipes and Alchemy Furnaces were mostly monopolized by the Alchemy Master Association. The Elixir Fire Square allowed only for the transaction of ordinary elixir recipes and alchemy furnaces of average quality.


    As for Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, it was a forbidden delicacy of the Alchemy Master Association and extremely rare in the market shops.


    The Alchemy Association held a high reputation on Nine Virtuous Isle, possessing vast hidden power; every alchemist on the island was without exception a member.


    Its external headquarters were located at the base of Dusk Peak on Xia Guang Island.


    Leaving the market, Zhao Sheng had already made up his mind. Without any further ado, he released his flying sword, transformed into a radiant sword rainbow, and sped towards Dusk Peak.


    Within minutes, a sword rainbow flew rapidly from afar. Approaching a mountain peak emitting white smoke, the rainbow took a turn and swiftly descended.


    Zhao Sheng dispersed the Sword Light, standing at the base of Dusk Peak.


    The mountain body of Dusk Peak was quite peculiar, from a distance resembling a vast red chimney, and on the summit lay a depressed valley, at its deepest point a hot volcanic lake. Around this lake, cave mansions were carved into the cliffs, frequented by alchemists in crimson robes moving in and out.


    At the base of the mountain, a great number of structures stood tall, with several palace buildings of varying sizes at the center. The most magnificent palace bore the golden-painted words "Alchemy Master Association."


    Zhao Sheng briefly scrutinized the cluster of buildings in front of him before making his way towards Dinglu Palace.


    After showing his Guest Token to the guards at the entrance, he smoothly entered the grand hall of Dinglu Palace. Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire


    As soon as Zhao Sheng stepped inside, a young man in a white robe with the pattern of a three-eared Pill Furnace embroidered on his chest came to greet him.


    "Taoist friend, may I ask if you are here to purchase a Pill Furnace, or do you have a Pill Furnace to sell?" the white-robed youth asked with considerable respect.


    "Hmm, I would like to buy a handy Alchemy Furnace of decent quality, having a Spiritual Artifact Level Alchemy Furnace would be best," Zhao Sheng said indifferently.


    The eyes of the white-robed youth lit up at these words, and his manner became even more respectful as he hurriedly said, "Senior, please follow me. Master Jin Ming happens to be on duty, and he certainly has an Alchemy Furnace you will be satisfied with."


    "Lead the way!"


    After Zhao Sheng responded, he followed the white-robed youth through the hall, down a corridor, and into a side palace.


    Upon entering the side palace, they saw a short, fat, bald elder with a beard, holding a green-rusted Pill Furnace in his hands, which he was examining closely for inscriptions on the surface.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the man, knowing in his heart that this person must be the so-called Master Jin Ming.


    The white-robed youth leaned in and whispered a few words to the elder.


    The short, fat elder set down the Alchemy Furnace, turned his head to look at Zhao Sheng, and suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, "So it''s a customer who has come to us! Taoist friend, please come over here. I may not have much else, but I have the most Pill Furnaces of fine quality. You''ll arrive in high spirits and leave satisfied!"


    Zhao Sheng smiled faintly, stepped forward, and offered a courteous bow before sitting opposite the elder.


    No sooner had he sat down than the short, fat elder couldn''t wait to ask, "May I know what level of Alchemy Furnace you wish to purchase, Taoist friend?"


    Zhao Sheng spoke calmly, "Do you have a Spiritual Artifact Level Alchemy Furnace available?"


    "Hmm?! This... this is going to be difficult!" The short, fat elder gasped, rubbing his hands together with a troubled expression on his face.


    "Could it be that you don''t have any? It can''t be that such a large Alchemy Master Association doesn''t even have a single Spiritual Artifact Furnace!" Zhao Sheng raised an eyebrow, intentionally bringing a hint of challenge into his tone.


    Upon hearing this, Master Jin Ming almost jumped up, responding directly, "How could that be possible? Not just one, even if you wanted ten or eight, we can produce them. But..."


    "But what? Feel free to speak plainly, Taoist friend."


    After saying that, Zhao Sheng released his Foundation Establishment Realm aura and took out the Guest Token, sliding it across to the short, fat elder.


    When Master Jin Ming sensed Zhao Sheng''s Foundation Establishment aura and saw the Token, he immediately relaxed and said with a smile, "So it turns out to be a Guest Elder of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, now that''s great, we''re all family here. Some rules naturally don''t apply."


    Without being asked, the short, fat elder immediately explained to Zhao Sheng.


    It turned out that Alchemy Furnaces were considered special among Magic Artifacts, with a difficulty in refining far exceeding that of other artifacts of the same tier, and Spiritual Artifact Level Alchemy Furnaces were even more challenging.


    Even with the strength of the Alchemy Master Association, the number of Spiritual Artifact Furnaces available for trade on a day-to-day basis wouldn''t exceed twenty.


    To prevent Spiritual Artifact Furnaces from being lost to "outsiders," the Alchemy Master Association had secretly agreed not to sell them unless an outsider could exchange a treasure that would entice the association.


    As the Spring and Autumn Alliance was the dominating force of Nine Virtuous Isle, the Alchemy Master Association also needed its protection, so members with the status of Foundation Establishment Minister within the alliance were not considered outsiders.


    Nevertheless, transactions involving Spiritual Artifact Level Alchemy Furnaces also had to follow the rule of barter, strictly prohibiting the use of Spirit Stones.


    Plainly speaking, the Alchemy Master Association was so wealthy that it held no regard for mere Spirit Stones, of course, except for Top-grade Spirit Stones.


    After listening to the short, fat elder''s explanation, Zhao Sheng fell silent, feeling somewhat troubled.


    After much consideration, the most suitable item he had for trade was the "Refining Elixir Hundred Formulas" written by Can Hezi.


    But was he really willing to exchange that alchemy formula for just one Alchemy Furnace?


    He found himself indecisive.

 Chapter 188 He Has Learned It Again

    The short, plump elder saw Zhao Sheng''s hesitation and tried to persuade him, "Senior, why not buy a first-rank top-grade pill furnace? If I''m not mistaken, senior must be new to the path of alchemy, there''s no need to start practicing with a Spirit Artifact Furnace."The more he spoke, the more Zhao Sheng became determined.


    "I have a set of alchemy formulas here, you may take a glance at them," he said.


    Having said this, Zhao Sheng took out the alchemy formula Jade Scroll from his Storage Bag and handed it to the short, plump elder,


    "Really?" Master Jin Ming couldn''t help revealing his delight, he quickly received the Jade Scroll and placed it against his brow to read.


    Cough cough!


    After a short while, Zhao Sheng saw the other engrossed, holding the Jade Scroll for a long time without putting it down, so he deliberately coughed twice.


    Master Jin Ming, jolted out of his ecstasy, reluctantly set down the Jade Scroll, his face unavoidably showing a hint of embarrassment.


    "Senior, please don''t take offense, but the writings of Master Can Hezi are just so captivating, I got absorbed and lost track of time," he said.


    Zhao Sheng felt that the other party was trying to take advantage, but he didn''t want to dwell on such trifles, so he generously indicated it was no problem.


    When asked if the alchemy formula could be traded for a Spiritual Artifact Furnace, the short, plump elder assured him it was possible and that it would even be one of the best within its grade.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyes flashed, and he suddenly said, "The exchange is possible, but I have one more condition."


    "Senior, please speak," Master Jin Ming said promptly.


    "I wish to learn alchemy, just lacking a good master, but I do not wish to take one as my mentor. How do you propose we resolve this?"


    Without hesitation, Master Jin Ming said, "Simple, as long as senior has enough Spirit Stones, Jin promises to find you an esteemed teacher to give detailed guidance on alchemy."


    "Is that so!"


    Zhao Sheng said indifferently while retracting the alchemy formula Jade Scroll. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing this, Master Jin Ming felt a surge of urgency and hastily said, "Please wait, senior. Whatever your demands, feel free to make them. I will do my utmost to fulfill them."


    He couldn''t afford to miss out on a work personally authored by Master Can Hezi.


    Others often called him a master, but Jin Ming knew that in front of a true Alchemy Master, his skills were barely worth mentioning.


    And Can Hezi was a renowned Alchemy Master from the Shattered Star Sea over a thousand years ago.


    His works were a heavy treasure to any Pill Master, especially invaluable within the Alchemy Master Association.


    Each profession has its own expertise!


    Zhao Sheng had no idea about the real identity of Can Hezi, so naturally, he also didn''t realize the true value of this alchemy formula.


    Of course, even if he knew, Zhao Sheng would not regret it, as he didn''t suffer from the problem of being overly self-regarding.


    But if he had a chance to benefit from a situation, he wouldn''t let it slip by.


    Zhao Sheng tapped the Jade Scroll and muttered to himself, "I''ve considered it, trading this alchemy formula for a pill furnace seems to be a loss. If that won''t do, it''s better not to trade at all."


    Master Jin Ming''s face fell at these words, and he spoke anxiously, "Please reconsider, senior! If worse comes to worst¡­ if worse comes to worst... Ah, I''ve got it!"


    While speaking, Jin Ming''s eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "Senior, I will personally guide you in alchemy and won''t charge you any Spirit Stones. How about this?"


    "You¡­ Are you up to the task?"


    Zhao Sheng drew out his words, his eyes showing just the right amount of disdain and doubt.


    At those words, Master Jin Ming''s expression became even more agitated. "How could I not be up to it! Don''t judge me by my looks, but I am one of the rare Second-Order Alchemists in the association, ranked only below the two Sect Leaders."


    "Is that so?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded non-commitally and, after pondering for a moment, spoke, "This alchemy formula is available for trade, but only to you alone!"


    On the words "to you alone," Zhao Sheng put heavy emphasis.


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    Jin Ming understood the implication.


    He thought it over and then quietly nodded in agreement.


    "Since it''s settled, please guide me well in the future!" Zhao Sheng said with a faint smile, pushing the Jade Scroll back.


    "Alright, let''s pick out a suitable pill furnace first."


    Jin Ming reverted to his cunning merchant demeanor, quickly put away the Jade Scroll, and then slapped the apricot yellow Storage Belt around his waist.


    A flash of blue light swiftly passed, and three pill tripods, each with a unique and ancient design, appeared on the table, radiating spirit light.


    "How about it? Each of these pill furnaces from my collection is a Spirit Artifact, each one a fine piece, definitely not ordinary!" Jin Ming said proudly as he caressed the nearest tripod furnace.


    "Indeed, they''re not bad!" As soon as these pill furnaces appeared, Zhao Sheng could see the spirit light they emitted and the strong Elixir Fragrance.


    "Heh heh! Not to boast, senior, but whichever of these three furnaces you select, you''ll definitely not be at a loss!" Seeing Zhao Sheng seemed interested, the elder said more jubilantly.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly, without forming a rebuttal, slowly picked up one of the pill tripods, and started to meticulously examine it with his Divine Sense.


    "This is the Wind Milling Tripod, made entirely of thousand-year Wind Milling Ancient Copper, containing twenty-three Elixir prohibitions, capable of evenly absorbing the temperature of Spiritual Fire, with ultra high stability, it can improve the success rate of Elixir Pills, and is easy to control..."


    Every time Zhao Sheng picked up a furnace to inspect, Jin Ming wouldn''t stop boasting on the side, the self-satisfied appearance almost comical.


    "I''ll take this one!" After checking over all three furnaces, Zhao Sheng thought for a while and then pointed to a black pill furnace with three legs and six feet, engraved with nine red Fire Dragons on the inner walls, and said to the elder.


    "Tch tch! Senior really has a good eye, this Nine Dragon Tripod is absolutely the best fit for senior. Although it''s only a Low Grade Spirit Artifact, it is embedded with Nine Dragon Fire Pores, capable of accommodating up to nine types of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire. With each additional type of Spiritual Fire, the grade of the tripod will increase significantly. If nine fires come together, the quality of the Nine Dragon Tripod could even rival that of a top-grade Spirit Artifact Furnace."

 Chapter 188 He Has Learned It Again_2

    Jin Ming saw Zhao Sheng choose the lowest-grade item and was slightly astonished, but he immediately regained his composure, praising the Nine Dragon Tripod to the skies within a few sentences.After packing away the Nine Dragon Tripod, Zhao Sheng inquired of Jin Ming, "Master Jin, do you know how to refine Foundation Establishment Pills?"


    Jin Ming was startled upon hearing this, and surprise flashed in his eyes, but he soon replied, "Not to boast, but on the entire Nine Virtues Isle, there are no more than three people who can refine Foundation Establishment Pills, and one of them... one of them is my elder brother in the discipline."


    After finishing, he coughed once and hesitated, "You are a senior at the Foundation Establishment stage, and you haven''t accepted me as your master. To be called master just this once, I really can''t presume. In my arrogance to make big claims, from now on, let''s refer to each other as Daoist friends."


    "Alright, let''s do that. My real name is Zhao Chonghe, and I''ve only joined the Spring and Autumn Alliance a few days ago," Zhao Sheng replied in a straightforward manner.


    After finishing, Zhao Sheng asked again, "Daoist Jin, may I inquire, do you have the Elixir Recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill?"


    Jin Ming was startled again and thought for a moment before nodding, "I do have the Elixir Recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill, but I can''t trade it to you for now."


    "Why not?"


    "Daoist Zhao does not know, but the Elixir Recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill is too important. It must be that one is a Second-Order Alchemist within the Alchemy Master Association and has gained the unanimous affirmation of two Sect Leaders before it can be exchanged with an equivalent treasure. If Daoist friend truly wishes to obtain this Elixir Recipe, you must join the Alchemy Master Association first," Jin Ming explained patiently.


    "I see, how does one join the Alchemy Master Association? And what are the requirements?" Zhao Sheng''s face flashed with sudden understanding as he asked further.


    "It''s quite simple, as long as one can successfully refine ten types of First-order Elixirs, and the success rate exceeds fifty percent, you can join the Alchemy Master Association after being promoted to a First-rank Alchemist," Jin Ming stated with a smile.


    "Thank you for the information, Daoist friend," Zhao Sheng mused for a moment before thanking Jin Ming.


    Afterward, the two discussed for a while and detailed the future arrangements regarding the teaching of alchemy. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire


    An hour later, having settled their agreement, Zhao Sheng made an excuse of having matters to attend to and left the Elixir Furnace Hall.


    Five days later, Zhao Sheng, having initially refined the Nine Dragons Spirit Tripod, headed towards Dusk Peak!


    Upon reaching Dusk Peak and entering through the cave at the foot of the mountain, Zhao Sheng smoothly gained access to the interior of the mountain by showing his Guest Token to the guards and walked along the corridor paved with Fireproof Bricks for a while.


    Inside the Alchemy Room A-D in the Earth Fire Chamber, Zhao Sheng finally met Jin Ming, who was sitting upright and proper.


    Standing beside him was a young man with long limbs and dark yellow skin, who was wearing a white Qing Ding crimson robe.


    Upon meeting, after a brief exchange of greetings, Zhao Sheng learned that the young man''s name was Jin Dancheng, the scion of Jin Ming''s family and his senior apprentice.


    Jin Ming looked at Zhao Sheng and spoke candidly, "Daoist Zhao, as you are first stepping onto the path of Alchemy Dao, the first thing you should learn is not how to refine elixirs but to recognize the types, origins, qualities, pharmacology, and properties of spiritual medicines. Once you have entered the door, then you learn how to handle medicinal ingredients and how to control fire. Only after that should you attempt Alchemy. So, start by learning from Dancheng, and if there''s anything unclear, come ask me."


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s dissatisfied expression, Jin Ming emphasized again, "Refining elixirs is not an easy task; it''s several times harder than cultivation. Of course, with your Foundation Establishment Realm, learning these basic Alchemy Dao skills may not take you many years."


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment and then nodded, "Alright! Then I''ll trouble Taoist Dancheng."


    Jin Dancheng, seeing this, quickly performed a fist-and-palm salute and said, "I dare not presume, junior will definitely do his utmost to quickly impart all the fundamentals of Alchemy Dao to the senior."


    ...


    After a short while, Jin Dancheng took Zhao Sheng to a Spiritual Medicine Shop within the Elixir Fire Square,


    This shop called Treasure Medicine Pavilion, was owned by Jin Ming and boasted more than twenty rooms, ranking it as a large-scale medicine shop within the Elixir Fire Square.


    In the storage room at the back of the shop, where spiritual medicines were kept, the medicine racks appeared dense with brown medicine chests arranged on the shelves, similar to a library''s bookshelves neatly aligned, packing the entire warehouse full to the brim.


    Jin Dancheng walked to the first row of shelves, pulled out a medicine chest, opened it, and revealed a layer of withered yellow, hair-like substances inside.


    "Senior, please look, this is Xu Huang Grass, it¡ª"


    "I know this!"


    Halfway through Jin Dancheng''s explanation, Zhao Sheng interrupted him rudely, "Xu Huang Grass, bitter in taste and color, slightly cool in nature, often grows at the base of trees, in hollows of hills... Xu Huang Grass that''s more than a hundred years old is the main ingredient in refining the Jade Yellow Pill, which is a First-order Detoxification Pill, mainly effective against poison from snakes, scorpions..."


    Watching Zhao Sheng speak non-stop, Jin Dancheng couldn''t help but swallow his saliva, his expression awkward.


    "...That''s all I know. Do you have anything to add, Taoist Jin?" After finishing, Zhao Sheng looked at Jin Dancheng with a sincere expression.


    "No...there''s nothing more! Senior summed it up excellently, let''s move on to the next spiritual medicine... um, this is a Wuling Seed."


    Jin Dancheng had just said half a sentence when he was again interrupted by Zhao Sheng, "This Wuling Seed, I also have some knowledge of it. It grows on the Black Spirit Tree, producing a seed every ten years, and the ripe seed doesn''t fall..."


    ...


    Half an hour later, in the Spiritual Medicine repository,


    "... What about the Sunken Pearl of Elixirs?"


    "Um, I know a little..."


    As each medicinal chest was opened, Jin Dancheng''s pace of opening them grew faster, and his expression became more and more somber.


    Because he suddenly realized that this Foundation Establishment senior''s knowledge of Spiritual Medicines completely exceeded his expectations.


    Although he didn''t recognize every single Spiritual Medicine, he could give details about most of them, some even more comprehensive and detailed than Jin Dancheng''s own understanding.


    No joke!


    Zhao Sheng had lived several lifetimes. In his third life, he had gathered spiritual herbs for the better half of his existence, and in his fourth life, he deliberately scavenged and perused all kinds of ancient texts and scriptures, Cultivation Techniques, talismans, elixirs, tools, insects, arrays, and so on, not letting any cultivation knowledge and experience slip by.


    With so many years of accumulation, it could be said that Zhao Sheng''s theoretical knowledge was quite rich, and his understanding of Spiritual Medicines was in no way inferior to an ordinary alchemist. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Throughout the entire day, Zhao Sheng and Jin Dancheng went through the entire warehouse together, speaking and teaching in turns.


    As a result, Jin Dancheng was deeply affected and nearly became reclusive.


    That night, when Jin Dancheng reported Zhao Sheng''s miracle to his master, Jin Ming, Jin Ming was also inevitably shocked.


    Of course, he just thought that Zhao Sheng had put in many years of hard work learning alchemy, never suspecting that the other party had an advantage.


    Jin Ming thought about it for a moment and realized that this was a great opportunity for him, so he directly ordered, "Do this, start teaching him how to process medicinal materials tomorrow. If he is still like he was today, directly teach him the preparation of Spiritual Medicines. You may leave!"


    "Yes, Master!" Jin Dancheng nodded in agreement and withdrew.


    ...


    Early the next day, inside the Pharmaceutical Institute of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion,


    Jin Dancheng brought Zhao Sheng into a spacious room filled with the thick fragrance of herbs.


    The room was filled with four long rows of wooden tables, on which were various specialized tools and a variety of fresh Spiritual Medicines.


    Jin Dancheng stepped forward, picked up a palm-sized brown Lingzhi, turned back confidently to Zhao Sheng, and said, "This is the sea Ganoderma, a special product of the Shattered Star Sea. It grows on the sea floor and is most averse to being dried by fire. Normally, you''d use a Water Jade..."


    To Jin Dancheng''s surprise, this time Zhao Sheng did not interrupt him but listened with interest.


    "Alright... give it a try!"


    Feeling confident, Jin Dancheng stepped aside to let Zhao Sheng try his hand at preparing the Ganoderma.


    "Okay!"


    Without any hesitation, Zhao Sheng took the sea Ganoderma, picked up the Water Jade Pestle, and gently pressed the cap of the Ganoderma, causing excess moisture to quickly drip from its edges.


    Watching Zhao Sheng''s skillful and professional technique, Jin Dancheng was once again rendered speechless.


    So much for being a newbie, why is his technique so practiced?


    Was he playing a trick?


    And so, the preparation of Spiritual Medicines entered once again into a mode of acceleration, further and further increasing in pace.


    In just seven days, Jin Dancheng had become dispirited, feeling as though his body was hollow, struggling to squeeze out fresh... um, knowledge!


    "What? He''s already learned it all!"


    At night, upon hearing his disciple''s report, Jin Ming''s jaw dropped in disbelief.

 Chapter 189 Beginners Attempt at Bone Marrow Spirit Pill Crafting

    The next morning, Zhao Sheng finished his daily exercises, then, adeptly maneuvering his flying sword, he flew to the base of Dusk Peak.As the sword light dissipated, Zhao Sheng entered the mountain from the foothill cave entrance and walked through a long corridor to arrive at the area in front of the Earth Fire Room.


    Today, the guards at the door had been changed. Just as Zhao Sheng was about to enter, he was stopped by a nearly ten-foot-tall armored giant man.


    "Where''s your pass token? Without the token, you cannot enter!"


    This armored giant, clearly not the brightest, failed to notice the Guest Token Zhao Sheng had intentionally worn on his waist.


    Zhao Sheng silently shook his head, then released the aura of his Foundation Establishment Realm.


    "I have an appointment to meet someone in the Earth Fire Room. Please step aside!" Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Foundation...Elder, please go ahead!"


    The armored giant sensed Zhao Sheng''s Foundation Establishment aura and was immediately startled, hastily acknowledging his error.


    He stepped back two paces, but then hesitated, looking awkward and unsure whether to stop Zhao or not, settling only for a conflicted gaze upon Zhao.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng found it rather amusing and took off his Guest Token, presenting it to the man: "Do you recognize this?"


    The giant scratched his head and sheepishly said, "I recognize it, that''s a Guest Token. Elder, please go ahead! I''ve only been here for a couple of days. If I offended you earlier, I ask for your forgiveness!"


    Observing the man''s quick apologies, Zhao Sheng lightly nodded to him and walked into the corridor.


    After walking a few hundred meters through a passage paved with fireproof bricks, Zhao Sheng arrived inside a very spacious circular stone cavern.


    The temperature inside the cavern was very high, averaging over forty degrees, with the dry hot air mingling with various medicinal smells and the fragrance of elixirs.


    This cavern was entirely built from precious fire-resistant stones, nearly thirty to forty yards in diameter and five to six yards in height.


    Around the cavern walls, there were eight nearly identical black corridors, each two yards high and about a yard wide, and above each corridor entrance, runes like A, B, C, D, and so on were engraved.


    At the moment, the cavern was completely silent with no one inside, but occasionally, a muffled explosion could be heard from deep within the corridors, and curses faintly drifted out from the Earth Fire Rooms.


    According to Jin Dancheng, the alchemy rooms of Dusk Peak had a total of eight Earth''s Core Fire Columns, divided into sixty-four Earth Fire Eyes, meaning there were sixty-four Earth Fire Rooms.


    The closer to the front the sequence number of the Earth Fire Room in each corridor was, the better and more stable the quality of the Earth Fire, and correspondingly the higher the success rate of alchemy.


    The D Class Earth Fire Room on the A path was Jin Ming''s dedicated alchemy room, and Zhao Sheng''s destination was also here.


    After Zhao Sheng transmitted a message using his Divine Sense, the stone gate quickly opened automatically.


    As Zhao Sheng entered the room, Jin Ming got up from his cushion, smiled wryly, and shook his head: "Taoist Zhao, you really gave me a big surprise! Had I known your basic skills were so solid, I wouldn''t have let my apprentice embarrass himself."


    Waving his hand to close the stone gate, Zhao Sheng took a few steps forward, smiling: "Mr. Jin, don''t blame me. I also didn''t expect your apprentice taught him so simply and superficially."


    Jin Ming, gesturing for Zhao Sheng to sit down while looking dejected, said, "That''s also my fault for not clarifying beforehand! But, have you ever heard the ancient proverb, ''All things can be made into medicine, all things can be used in alchemy''?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded upon hearing this and replied with a smile: "I understand what you mean, Mr. Jin. Regarding the step of processing medicinal materials, of course, I would not take it lightly."


    "Exactly! It''s indeed gratifying that Taoist friend, as a newcomer to the Alchemy Dao, could grasp the true essence of this. Ordinary alchemists only use processed Spiritual Medicine for their alchemy, but they don''t realize that a true Alchemist would personally process Spiritual Medicine, getting familiar with and precisely controlling every aspect of its medicinal properties. The Spirit Pills produced this way would not only be greater in quantity but also superior in quality by three parts.


    As for Alchemy Masters and even Alchemy Dao Masters, these outstanding individuals are truly capable of turning decay into miracles. The creation of each new type of Spirit Pill often coincides with more unknown medicinal properties and medical theory being elucidated, meaning there is new development in the path of alchemy.


    Taoist Zhao, have you ever heard of the ''Bone Marrow Spirit Pill''?"


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly: "The Bone Marrow Spirit Pill is quite well-known; of course, I have heard of it."


    Jin Ming, becoming more animated, said excitedly: "Do you know that 5,000 years ago in Tianzhu Realm, there was no Bone Marrow Spirit Pill? No one thought then that demon beast brain marrow could be used in alchemy.


    It wasn''t until the arrival of Master Chen Mo, when he was still an Alchemy Apprentice, that he first conceived this idea. After nearly 60 years of painstaking research, Master Chen Mo finally succeeded in creating the first Bone Marrow Spirit Pill: Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill."


    Without needing Zhao Sheng to prompt, Jin Ming spoke faster, "The Fish Marrow Pill could enhance a Cultivator''s spiritual power, and moreover, it was very affordable. This simply went against conventional elixir theory. Thus, upon its debut, the Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill immediately sparked an unprecedented major debate. In the Shattered Star Sea Alchemy World, few supported Master Chen Mo, with most criticism and ridicule, some even felt that Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill was highly dangerous and needed to be destroyed as soon as possible.


    At this critical moment, Master Chen Mo then created the second type of Bone Marrow Spirit Pill: the Octopus Marrow Pill made from transformed sea octopus brain marrow. Octopus Marrow Pill also belonged to the elixirs capable of enhancing a Cultivator''s spiritual power." sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this point, Jin Ming spread his hands mockingly and laughed: "Following Octopus Marrow Pill came the Golden Crystal Beast Marrow Pill, and then a series of Bone Marrow Spirit Pills. Master Chen Mo, with hard facts, refuted the world''s doubts about him. Those alchemists who ridiculed him had their faces metaphorically slapped swollen. Today, after thousands of years of expansion and improvement, Bone Marrow Spirit Pills have grown into a famous category among Spirit Pills."

 Chapter 189 Beginners Attempt at Bone Marrow Spirit Pill Crafting_2

    Upon hearing his words, Zhao Sheng touched his chin and suddenly said, "Taoist, you have mentioned so much. Does this mean that the first Spirit Pill you are teaching me to refine today is the Bone Marrow Spirit Pill?""Exactly! Taoist Zhao, you truly are extraordinarily perceptive, no wonder you succeeded in the Foundation Establishment at such a young age. Today, I will teach you to refine the Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill. It is a First-stage Spirit Pill, and it is not difficult to make, quite suitable for practice," praised Jin Ming, unable to help himself.


    After speaking, he took out twelve bottles and jars from his Storage Bag, and finally, he pulled out a square porcelain box. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He opened the porcelain box, inside which there were nine fist-sized transparent crystal bottles, each filled with a half finger-deep, clear jelly-like liquid.


    Zhao Sheng looked down at them, while Jin Ming also opened each of the other bottles and jars and then asked, "The Elixir Recipe for the Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill, do you remember it?"


    "I remember! One portion of Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Liquid, three coins weight of Orchid Stone Powder, three liang six qian of Five-leaf Cong, one Coral Worm Corpse of thirty years old," Zhao Sheng said skillfully.


    Jin Ming heard this and gave a pleased smile, praising, "Taoist Zhao, you really are quite attentive. However, alchemy is a highly practical art. Knowing the recipes is one thing, but nothing compares to trying to refine a Spirit Pill yourself."


    "Come, let me first introduce you to the facilities of this Earth Fire Room," he said.


    As he spoke, Jin Ming rose from his cushion and walked to the center of the stone room, with Zhao Sheng following behind him, observing his surroundings intently.


    The entire Earth Fire Room was roughly circular in shape, about forty to fifty zhang in area, with its stone walls made up of Fire-Resistant Stone. In the interior of the stone chamber, there was a stone platform about a foot high. In the center of the platform, there was a round depression as thick as a water bucket.


    Around the depression, an entire circle was embedded with eight thick Earth Fire Pipes, the mouth of each fashioned from the head of a Red Toad, the giant mouth of the toad gaping open. Furthermore, the mouth was tilted upward, precisely aimed at the center above the pit, made to mimic a spewing action, very lifelike.


    By then, Jin Ming had already started explaining proactively to Zhao Sheng, pointing at the depression and saying, "This is the Earth Fire Mouth, the Earth Fire spouts from here. However, for refining a First-stage Spirit Pill, the main fire mouth is usually not used; these eight secondary fire mouths should be sufficient."


    "You see, within the toad''s mouth is embedded a Fire Control Array, capable of using Spiritual Power to manually adjust the size and height of the Earth Fire. Of course, it is even more convenient for you to use your Divine Sense," said Jin Ming.


    At this point, Jin Ming''s tone shifted, "Although refining with Earth Fire is convenient, it ultimately doesn''t compare to using Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire. Taoist, you must make an effort to refine a type of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire in the future. Otherwise, the potential of the Nine Dragon Tripod cannot be fully realized."


    Zhao Sheng listened and silently nodded his head.


    At this time, Jin Ming also briefly mentioned a few alchemy precautions, as well as the usage rules of the Earth Fire Room.


    The usage time of the Earth Fire Room is counted by the day, requiring fifty Merit Points per day, which is equivalent to eighty Spirit Stones per day.


    If Merit Points are insufficient, it is also possible to rent the room by the hour, but there must be a minimum of three hours.


    "Well, that''s all for now, let''s start alchemy!"


    After speaking, Jin Ming turned and walked back to where the cushion was and sat down cross-legged. Seeing this, Zhao Sheng felt a rare flicker of excitement and nervousness.


    He immediately sat next to Jin Ming, released his Divine Sense, and focused intensely on every move Jin Ming made.


    "Go," he uttered in a low shout.


    Afterward, a silver-white Three-legged Elixir Furnace suddenly enlarged several times, transforming into a large alchemy furnace the size of a water vat, flying down to hover above the pit, tightly covering it.


    "Firstly, the first step is to temper the alchemy furnace!"


    Following this instruction, Jin Ming pinched a spell with both hands, and eight beams of spirit light flew from his fingertips, shooting into the mouth of the Red Toad, disappearing in a flash.


    The next second, eight toad mouths violently spouted thick, arm-thick blue flames, which converged at the bottom of the Pill Furnace, and immediately a vast expanse of blue Earth Fire burst into flames.


    A few breaths later, the temperature inside the Earth Fire Room rapidly increased, the air became dry and hot, and the silver-white Pill Furnace quickly heated up.


    Jin Ming continuously cast Alchemy Formulas onto the Alchemy Furnace.


    Soon, the walls of the furnace started to faintly glow red.


    At this moment, with a serious expression, Jin Ming said in a low voice, "There are countless techniques in the art of Alchemy, but broadly it is divided into Fire Refining and Water Refining; nowadays, the mainstream of Alchemy Dao primarily uses Fire Refining. Watch carefully, I am about to add the Spiritual Medicine."


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the lid of the silver-white Pill Furnace suddenly opened a crack, and Jin Ming pointed at the bottles and jars on the ground in front of him.


    Suddenly, a vase with a narrower top and wider bottom emitted a four-foot long, arm-thick, light-blue scaled worm corpse that flew out.


    The worm corpse soared high, traveling over a distance of more than ten meters, and fell into the Pill Furnace.


    Simultaneously, Jin Ming flicked his finger, and a gray powder from a transparent crystal bottle floated out and swiftly entered the Alchemy Furnace.


    Bang!


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    The lid of the furnace snapped back into place, and Jin Ming continuously cast the Spirit Light Technique. The Earth Fire from the eight Red Toad mouths weakened significantly, becoming as thin as a finger.


    While carefully observing the alchemy furnace, Jin Ming did not forget to explain to Zhao Sheng, "The current step is refining the Elixir Base, and it will take about half an hour."


    Zhao Sheng touched his chin, gradually becoming excited.


    In his past two lives, although he had not tried alchemy, he had spent a considerable amount of time studying the Art of Alchemy in his leisure time.


    Therefore, he was not unfamiliar with the Dao of Alchemy.


    Zhao Sheng knew that the success of an elixir primarily depended on the fire control of the Spiritual Medicine during alchemy, the degree of integration of the medicinal properties, and the most critical aspect - timing the Elixir Formation.


    If the time was too early, the Spirit Pill would not have fused completely, and the Elixir Pills would not form.


    If the time was too late, the Elixir Pills would burn into a pile of residue.


    As for the amount and components of the Spiritual Medicine, it had been clearly detailed through countless experiments by predecessors in the Elixir Recipes, and there was generally no need to worry about these.


    Of course, if you wanted to improve a type of Spirit Pill, it was possible to increase or decrease certain components or their purity as long as you could afford the loss from failed alchemy attempts.


    However, while sounding simple, practicing it proved to be extremely difficult!


    In the Cultivation World, there was a catchphrase: "The poor make talismans, the rich refine artifacts, those with mines learn alchemy."


    Another common saying was, "Years to master spells, a lifetime of sorrow in alchemy."


    It stated that nurturing an alchemist required excessively high resources and time investment.


    Just to mention two difficulties, one is precisely controlling the furnace''s temperature, and the other is accurately timing when to open the furnace.


    These two difficulties are the nightmare of any alchemist. Even an Alchemy Master inevitably admits that the success rate of alchemy is not high. Having over a fifty percent success rate in refining the same stage Spirit Pills is a cause for great celebration.


    The Cultivation World universally recognizes alchemy as a skill that extensively depends on experience and practicality.


    In terms of difficulty, it ranks just below divination and formations among the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation, truly difficult to learn, master, and advance in.


    With these thoughts, half an hour passed in a flash.


    "Next step, melt the medicinal properties!"


    Jin Ming called out in a low voice, and several auxiliary Spiritual Medicines continuously flew out in front of him, landing perfectly into the alchemy furnace as the lid opened.


    "Increase the heat! Forty-five minutes, watch carefully!" Jin Ming said more succinctly as his concentration deepened.


    As several Spirit Light Techniques were cast, the Earth Fire spewing from the eight Red Toad mouths suddenly thickened, and the room''s temperature swiftly increased.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng''s expression changed, his face showing a look of astonishment.


    He was at the Foundation Establishment Realm and had already developed Divine Sense.


    Compared to Jin Ming, who relied solely on observation and experience, Zhao Sheng''s Divine Sense had already penetrated the alchemy furnace, precisely observing the melting of the Spiritual Medicines, the extraction of their medicinal properties, and the many reactions occurring within.


    This was very direct and very shocking!


    Divine Sense is indeed a tool for alchemy, and also an advantage for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    As Zhao Sheng minutely observed the reactions and changes inside the furnace, memorizing all the phenomena, time gradually passed.


    Forty-five minutes later, a fist-sized, light brown semi-solid Elixir Liquid bobbed up and down in the center of the alchemy furnace, nearly fully fused under the invisible high temperatures.


    In the Earth Fire Room, Jin Ming occasionally cast an alchemy formula and constantly controlled the intensity of the fire, with a few beads of sweat forming on his forehead.


    But at this moment, he couldn''t afford to wipe them, estimating that the temperature was about right.

 Chapter 190 Initial Success in Alchemy

    Judging that the fire was about right, Jin Ming uttered a low shout, "The final step is to add the main ingredient, solidify the pill!"As soon as his words fell, the Dragon Whisker Fish''s brain marrow liquid flew out of the bottle, forming into a water ball, and with a ''pop'', dropped into the pill furnace.


    Zhao Sheng''s heart tightened as he saw the green Earth Fire being methodically weakened under Jin Ming''s control. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, inside the pill furnace, the moment the elixir liquid came into contact with the main ingredient¡ªthe fish marrow liquid¡ªthey merged and reacted violently,


    Countless tiny grey bubbles burst forth from the surface of the elixir liquid, and its volume quickly diminished.


    The grey bubbles exploded, turning into wisps of grey smoke, which were instantly incinerated by an invisible high temperature.


    In just one minute, the original light brown elixir liquid turned white, shrinking to half its original size.


    Just as the elixir liquid was about to fully solidify, Zhao Sheng felt extremely anxious, almost shouting out a reminder to Jin Ming.


    It was then that the experienced Jin Ming suddenly pinched out alchemy formulas with both hands, and streaks of spirit light instantly entered the pill furnace.


    Following a loud shout, "Solidify, the elixir is formed!"


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng "saw" the elixir liquid in the furnace suddenly wriggling, then in the next instant it split apart, dividing into nine parts.


    Four parts instantly dispersed, burning into a heap of dregs, while the other five portions of elixir liquid swiftly made one turn, condensing into grape-sized white Spirit Pills, and suddenly flew out from the top of the furnace, tracing a beautiful arc, and ''ding ding'' dropped into a pill bottle that had been prepared in advance.


    Jin Ming heaved a sigh of relief and handed the pill bottle to Zhao Sheng, casually wiping the sweat from his forehead, and smiled with a smirk, "It finally succeeded, though only five pills, the success rate is just so-so!"


    In the way of alchemy, nine is the ultimate number, and a batch of Spirit Pills can yield no more than nine.


    Five was already quite a lot.


    With Jin Ming saying so, it was obvious he was showing off in front of Zhao Sheng, which meant he was bragging.


    Zhao Sheng examined the Fish Marrow Pills in the bottle, without the slightest intention of engaging the other party.


    Seeing this, Jin Ming scratched his chin awkwardly, then regained his masterly demeanor, and asked, "Taoist Zhao, what do you think? Would you like me to demonstrate a couple more times for you to see?"


    "Sure, please refine two more batches," Zhao Sheng replied directly.


    Jin Ming was taken aback for a moment, his expression one of surprise as he looked at Zhao Sheng.


    He had assumed that Zhao Sheng would be eager to try his hand at it. Only after failing several times would Zhao Sheng deeply realize the difficulty of alchemy.


    Who knew... the man was in no hurry at all.


    In that case, refine two more batches it is!


    If one could learn alchemy just by casually watching, the world would be teeming with alchemists by now, they wouldn''t be held in such high esteem everywhere.


    Jin Ming did not say much, moved forward to rinse the inside of the alchemy furnace with morning dew, then turned around and returned to his cushion, sitting cross-legged.


    "First, I will warm the furnace!"


    Jin Ming''s movements were swift and clean. Following the spell, eight flame jets once again burst forth with Earth Fire.


    A moment later, his voice rang out again, "Refining the Elixir Base, bring out the Coral Worm Corpse, bring out the Five-leaf Cong!"


    ...


    After two quarters of an hour, "Melt the properties of the medicine!"


    After three quarters of an hour, "Add the main ingredient, prepare to solidify the pill!"


    Pop!


    The lid of the furnace shifted slightly, and six jade-white Fish Marrow Pills carrying a rich elixir fragrance flew out, clearing a distance of a zhang, and fell into the empty pill bottle.


    Looking somewhat fatigued, Jin Ming wiped off some sweat and handed the pill bottle back to Zhao Sheng, proudly saying, "Heh heh! Six pills. Although not as many as the usual eight, it''s decent enough."


    Zhao Sheng secretly concealed the divine light in his eyes, took the pill bottle, and with a beaming smile gave Jin Ming a thumbs up, praising him, "Mr. Jin, your alchemy technique is truly masterful! Could you trouble you to do it one more time?"


    "Of course! As long as Taoist friend doesn''t mind, I''m up for accompanying you all day."


    Jin Ming, having produced two batches of Spirit Pills with great confidence, spoke with a heroic air of generosity.


    "First, warm the furnace!"


    ...


    "Then refine the Elixir Base"


    ... Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire


    "The third step, melt the properties of the medicine!"


    ...


    "The fourth step, add the main ingredient, prepare to solidify the pill!"


    ...


    "Solidify, Elixir Formation!"


    Just as Jin Ming shouted out the word "solidify," a burst of Divine Light exploded in Zhao Sheng''s eyes.


    In an instant, the world seemed to slow down tremendously, and time stretched out manyfold.


    With the augmentation of Bullet Time, Zhao Sheng clearly "witnessed" the entire process of Solidifying Pill.


    What might have been but a fleeting second in the eyes of others was incredibly prolonged for Zhao Sheng; it felt like a whole minute had passed before the Fish Marrow Pill "slowly took shape" and solidified into a pill.


    "The pills are formed, come out!"


    Ding ding dong dong!


    Amid the crisp sound, seven Fish Marrow Pills successively slipped into the pill bottle.


    Jin Ming laughed heartily, not until then did the Divine Light in Zhao Sheng''s eyes slowly fade away.


    "How was it? Did Taoist see it clearly? Want to give it a try?" Jin Ming asked Zhao Sheng with a smile.


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, saying readily, "Then I will have to trouble Mr. Jin to provide guidance on the side."


    "No problem!"


    Saying so, Jin Ming vacated the main seat.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward immediately, washing the Alchemy Furnace clean with morning dew.


    Then he turned around and walked to the central cushion, where he sat down cross-legged.


    Zhao Sheng reined in his smile, looking solemn as he released his Divine Sense, enveloping the Alchemy Furnace in front of him and the Earth Fire Platform below him.


    As his mind moved, he sequentially cast several Spirit Light Techniques, and the Fire Control Array inside the mouth of the Red Toad was suddenly activated, shooting out eight streams of cyan Earth Fire as thick as a child''s arm from the fire mouth.


    "The first step, nurture the Pill Furnace!" Zhao Sheng recited Jin Ming''s words calmly.


    Not that he was being pedantic or conservative, but it was to deepen his impression.


    On the side, Jin Ming watched Zhao Sheng''s technique forming movements and nodded in approval. Although the movements were a bit rusty, the Fire Control Technique was executed perfectly, and the control of Spiritual Power was just right.


    As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, his control was truly strong!


    However, Jin Ming was mistaken. Zhao Sheng had not practiced any Fire Control Techniques in this life, but in his previous one he had been a master of playing with fire, and techniques like the Fire Control Technique were deeply ingrained in him.


    A moment later, the surface of the Alchemy Furnace began to glow faintly red.


    Seeing that the time was about right, Zhao Sheng pointed at the tile jar containing the Coral Worm Corpse, followed by the porcelain bottle containing the Five-leaf Cong.


    "The second step, refine the Elixir Base!"


    The worm corpse and the medicinal powder were successfully added to the Pill Furnace, and Zhao Sheng''s hands continued to form alchemy formulas, casting light after light of spirit light into the furnace, causing the two types of Spiritual Medicine to slowly dissolve and secrete their essence under the invisible high temperature.


    "The third step, smelt the medicinal properties!"


    Bang bang!


    The remaining types of Spiritual Medicine flew into the Pill Furnace in succession, and Zhao Sheng did not stop the movement of his hands, channeling Core Spiritual Power from the Dantian to his fingertips, which quickly transformed into various Spirit Light Pill Formulas, entering the Alchemy Furnace.


    Smelling the Elixir Fragrance that was gradually getting stronger in the air, Jin Ming couldn''t help but stroke his beard, his eyes unconsciously widening by a third, and he murmured to himself, "Has this person studied before? The scent of the medicine seems right, indicating his control of the flame is quite precise. Even with Divine Sense to assist, it''s unusual that the refining is going so smoothly!"


    Most novices would fail at the step of refining the Elixir Base, either due to not controlling the strength of the fire properly, resulting in an insufficiently refined base, or refining it into a pile of waste.


    If an Alchemy beginner doesn''t fail dozens of times, they often don''t even get past the second step.


    "Could it be that the other party is truly a genius of the Alchemy Dao?"


    Thinking of Zhao Sheng''s previous miraculous performance, Jin Ming suddenly had an odd thought.


    "The fourth step, add the main ingredient, Solidify Pill!"


    As the main ingredient, Dragon Whisker Fish Brain Marrow Liquid, entered the Pill Furnace, Zhao Sheng''s Divine Sense erupted to its full extent, intently observing the reaction of the Elixir Liquid with the main medicinal ingredient, his movements speeding up, casting a stream of alchemy formulas one after another.


    As the Elixir Liquid was about to solidify completely, Jin Ming was extremely anxious, carefully scrutinizing Zhao Sheng''s next move.


    Zhao Sheng knew that the most difficult part of Alchemy was how to solidify pills.


    Since it was his first attempt at Alchemy, he decided to forget about the other eight portions of Elixir Liquid and focus on refining just one portion.


    Seeing that the time had come, a burst of Divine Light flashed in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, and the world became extremely slow. Thanks to this, he had ample time to slowly refine the pills.


    Under his control, one portion of the Elixir Liquid swirled and easily solidified into a Spirit Pill.


    At this time, Bullet Time hadn''t even reached halfway.


    "There''s still plenty of time, should I refine another one?"


    No sooner had this thought crossed his mind than Zhao Sheng''s heart began to stir excitedly.

 Chapter 191 Alchemy Newbie is Not So Bad

    "No way!"Zhao Sheng changed his mind and immediately abandoned the thought.


    His identity was sensitive, requiring him to remain low-key. The reputation of an "Alchemy Genius" was too eye-catching and could easily bring unnecessary trouble.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng''s movements slowed down as he watched the other eight portions of Elixir Liquid slowly turn into Elixir Residue.


    Bang bang bang!


    A series of dull bursting sounds came from inside the Alchemy Furnace.


    Just as Jin Ming thought the alchemy had failed, Zhao Sheng stretched out his hand and the lid of the furnace suddenly opened.


    As wisps of black smoke and a burnt smell drifted from the Alchemy Furnace, a spotlessly white Spirit Pill suddenly leapt out of the lid, drawing a trail of white light and tinkling as it fell into the pill bottle that had been prepared earlier.


    "Eh, you... you actually succeeded on your first try!" Jin Ming''s eyes almost popped out in shock, his mouth stuttering in surprise.


    Zhao Sheng shook the pill bottle, listening to the thudding sounds of the Spirit Pill inside, and humbly said, "All thanks to Master Jin''s good teaching! And, of course, a bit of luck."


    Jin Ming shook his head vigorously, looking at Zhao Sheng with a very complex gaze, and said seriously, "One attempt doesn''t count, try refining again."


    He believed there were geniuses in the world who succeeded in their first alchemy attempt, but he didn''t believe Zhao Sheng was one of them.


    Jin Ming would rather believe that Zhao Sheng had multiple previous alchemy experiences that led to his performance today.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t hesitate and promptly replied, "Alright!"


    This time, Zhao Sheng thought wrong.


    He thought Jin Ming spoke this way to help him solidify and enhance the success rate of refining Fish Marrow Pills, yet he did not realize that Jin Ming was unwilling to acknowledge him as an alchemy genius.


    Exactly!


    The definition of "genius" in Zhao Sheng''s mind and in Jin Ming''s eyes were not the same thing at all.


    Zhao Sheng thought he had been low-key enough, but he didn''t know that his performance was still too outstanding.


    It is known that there are countless types of Spirit Pills in the world, roughly categorized into detoxification, healing, replenishing Qi, enhancing cultivation, boosting spiritual power, avoiding calamity, extending life, and so on, each with different difficulties in refinement.


    Among them, apart from a few limited types of extraordinary Spirit Pills that defy heavens, such as those for extending life and avoiding Tribulation, those for enhancing cultivation and spiritual power are recognized as having the highest difficulty in the Alchemy World.


    Although Fish Marrow Pill is just a basic First-stage Spirit Pill, consisting only of a primary ingredient and twelve auxiliary ones, it belongs to the type that enhances spiritual power, making its refining much harder than other pills of the same rank.


    Jin Ming selected Fish Marrow Pill partly as a way to give Zhao Sheng a tough lesson and establish his authority as a "teacher." Moreover, Fish Marrow Pill was one of his specialties and was neither too difficult nor too easy to refine.


    Who knew... someone would play unconventionally, causing Jin Ming some embarrassment.


    Recalling the painful experience of being severely scolded by his master when he was learning to refine Fish Marrow Pills back in the day, Jin Ming still remembered it vividly.


    This time, Jin Ming concentrated, observing Zhao Sheng''s every move in alchemy extremely seriously.


    During the second attempt to refine Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill, Zhao Sheng was noticeably more skilled than the first time, performing the alchemy formula and spells very smoothly, with control precision three times finer than the previous attempt.


    Undoubtedly, the first three steps of the alchemy process were executed both quickly and steadily, showing no signs that this was only his second attempt at alchemy.


    "Solidify, Elixir Formation!"


    Accompanied by a shout, as black smoke billowed from the Alchemy Furnace, a plump and white Fish Marrow Pill swirled its way over and landed in the pill bottle.


    The tinkle of the light sound, though soft, exploded like thunder in Jin Ming''s mind.


    Jin Ming couldn''t help but groan, "¡­to succeed again!"


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng felt a sudden shock in his heart.


    It was then that he realized his recent actions had been somewhat reckless.


    A novice in alchemy managing to succeed in his first two attempts was not just rare, but extremely rare.


    Zhao Sheng''s thought flashed by as he teased, "Mr. Jin, what''s there to be surprised about? After all, I am a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with the help of Divine Sense and decades of foundation in the Alchemy Dao. Isn''t it quite normal to successfully refine several batches of First-stage Spirit Pills right off the bat!"


    "Exactly! Taoist Zhao is at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Refining such a low-difficulty First-stage Spirit Pill isn''t much for you. I almost thought otherwise just now!" Jin Ming suddenly understood and finally showed a relieved smile.


    "Haha! I may be a newbie in alchemy, but I''m not ''green'' at all!" Zhao Sheng laughed heartily as he made fun of himself again.


    Upon thinking this, Jin Ming felt much better.


    However, after this episode, he clearly began to take Zhao Sheng more seriously.


    "It seems you have already grasped the basics of refining Fish Marrow Pills. However, to increase the quantity and success rate of the pills, you should still practice as much as possible.


    There are six more sets of alchemy ingredients here. How about you refine all of them today?"


    Jin Ming meant well with his words, but Zhao Sheng had his own plans.


    He smiled slightly and tentatively asked, "Mr. Jin, there''s plenty of time today. Why don''t you teach me another Spirit Pill refining method?"


    Upon hearing this, Jin Ming frowned.


    Alchemy is difficult to learn and master.


    Zhao Sheng''s request might seem too eager, as if he wanted to run before he could walk, which seemed overly impatient.


    After some thought, Jin Ming sighed, "Well, since you want to learn, I will teach you how to refine the Water Spirit Pill."


    Was Zhao Sheng eager? Not really.


    Through his recent experience in refining the Fish Marrow Pills, he realized that he could also speed up the process of refining other Spirit Pills by leveraging his own talent, resembling a "copying" method.


    Having a master teach you as opposed to figuring it out on your own are completely different concepts; the difficulty level isn''t even on the same scale.


    It would be utterly foolish in Zhao Sheng''s eyes to choose to struggle on his own when he could simply learn from a master, wasting time, energy, and resources.


    No sooner said than done. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once he made up his mind, Jin Ming took out the Spiritual Medicines needed to refine the Water Spirit Pill from his Storage Bag.


    The Water Spirit Pill is also a First-stage Spirit Pill, a type that enhances cultivation. The main medicine is the Hundred-year-old Sea Blue Silk, with auxiliary ingredients like Jade Core Powder, Gourongzi, among fifteen types of Spiritual Medicine, making it slightly more difficult to refine than the Fish Marrow Pills.


    The steps to refine the Water Spirit Pill were almost the same as those for the Fish Marrow Pills, but the refining time was much longer, with the third step of melting the medicinal properties requiring at least an hour. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    Refining any Spirit Pill requires the alchemist''s complete and undivided attention from beginning to end. Often, a single moment of carelessness can lead to the failure of the pills.


    And this is just one of the difficulties in alchemy; there are many more challenging aspects, such as conflicts and fusion of medicinal properties, the complexity of the Elixir Transformation Reaction, how many turns the Elixir Formation takes, the Elixir Tribulation, and so on.


    An hour and a half later, a batch of Water Spirit Pills was successfully refined, with five pills of high quality.


    Jin Ming, looking slightly tired, chuckled, "Did you see, Taoist Zhao? Alchemy isn''t so easy."


    Zhao Sheng touched his chin and said out of the blue, "Mr. Jin, why don''t you refine two more batches?"


    Jin Ming was taken aback and uttered a couple of hesitations, then seeing the expectant look of the other party, he hesitantly said, "Let''s refine one more batch! There''s only one set of materials left for the Water Spirit Pill.


    Once we''re done with this batch, you should go and refine the Fish Marrow Pills! Remember, in alchemy, quality matters, not quantity; biting off more than you can chew isn''t helpful!"


    Zhao Sheng, seeing the situation, didn''t expose the other''s lie, but simply nodded with a smile.


    Since it was the last time, Jin Ming refined with more care, not to mention Zhao Sheng.


    Another hour and a half passed, and a new batch of Water Spirit Pills was again successfully refined!


    This time, four pills were produced with decent quality.


    While Jin Ming wasn''t completely satisfied with this result, as it barely met the passing criteria,


    Zhao Sheng, on the other hand, was very satisfied, feeling he had gained a lot.

 Chapter 192 Two-Year Pill Master

    After Jin Ming finished instructing, he did not stay long in the Earth Fire Room, leaving behind six sets of Fish Marrow Pill spiritual medicinal materials for Zhao Sheng, then excused himself on the pretext of having other matters and left the place.When the Earth Fire Room was left with only Zhao Sheng, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, and a color of uncontrollable excitement emerged on his face.


    He turned around, returned to the cushion and sat down cross-legged, beginning his third attempt at refining the Fish Marrow Pill. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This time, he would give it his all.


    An hour later, black smoke billowed out of the alchemy furnace, with divine light bursting forth in Zhao Sheng''s eyes; two streams of blue light shot from his eyes, extending more than three inches, while his hands flickered with afterimages as he executed the Condensing Pill Mantra.


    "Solidify!"


    Following a low shout, three Fish Marrow Pills suddenly shot out of the pill furnace, swiftly flying in front of Zhao Sheng and stopping mid-air.


    As he examined the Spirit Pills before him, emitting a rich Elixir Fragrance, Zhao Sheng slightly narrowed his eyes.


    Alchemy was indeed not as simple as he had imagined.


    Even with talent to bolster him, Zhao Sheng still underestimated the complexity of refining Spirit Pills, with the other batches of Elixir Liquid either failing to meet the solidification standards due to inadequate fusion of medicinal properties or, due to insufficient Elixir Transformation Reaction, resulting in failure to solidify.


    "Once more!"


    Zhao Sheng put away the Fish Marrow Pills and with a wave of his hand, he moved aside the silver-white pill furnace that Jin Ming had specifically left behind.


    The next second, the Nine Dragons Pill Cauldron flew out, swelling to over a person''s height and landing steadily on the Alchemy Platform.


    Boom!


    With eight Red Toads spewing pure cyan Earth Fire, the Nine Dragons Tripod rapidly became scorching hot.


    The Nine Dragons Tripod, worthy of being at the Spiritual Artifact Level, was much easier for Zhao Sheng to control, like a natural extension of his arm, ten times smoother than that silver-white pill furnace.


    On his fourth attempt to refine the Fish Marrow Pills, with the aid of the Nine Dragons Tripod, Zhao Sheng clearly felt that the medicinal herbs were melted faster, the medicinal properties were extracted more thoroughly and more evenly.


    This became clear during the step of melting medicinal properties; the Elixir Liquid bubbled more finely, shrinking faster by a third in volume, and the temperature changes during refinement were easier to control than with the silver-white pill furnace, achieving a higher level of precision and accuracy.


    This fourth attempt at alchemy immediately provided Zhao Sheng with a tremendous surprise.


    This time, he produced five pills, with four of high-quality and only one slightly flawed, which still counted as of good quality.


    Zhao Sheng was greatly encouraged by this result and took the opportunity to begin refining his fifth batch.


    An hour later, the attempt failed, with the cause of failure unknown.


    ...


    With the sixth batch, three pills were produced; the cause was the inferior quality of the medicinal herbs.


    With the seventh batch, seven pills were produced!


    After seven batches, all the medicinal materials left by Jin Ming were used up, and the total number of Fish Marrow Pills produced had reached seven, most importantly, he had only failed once!


    If other Alchemists knew of his success rate in alchemy, they would be dumbfounded.


    This guy is simply not human!


    Zhao Sheng himself was also satisfied with this result, but not completely content. He felt that there was still much room for improvement.


    When Zhao Sheng left the Earth Fire Room and descended from Dusk Peak, the sky was already darkening, the sun slanting westward.


    The dim yellow sunlight bathed Dusk Peak; the vast expanse of white clouds floating above the peak were suddenly illuminated blood-red, as if clusters of red clouds sprawled across the sky.


    At this moment, the column of smoke rising from the top of Dusk Peak was tinted pink, from afar looking like a red silk ribbon descending from the Nine Heavens, exceedingly beautiful.


    But such a beautiful scene could not attract Zhao Sheng''s attention.


    As soon as he left Dusk Peak, he headed straight for Elixir Fire Square.


    Upon arriving at the square, he didn''t go directly into the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, but instead, he purchased many batches of spiritual medicinal materials for refining Water Spirit Pills and Fish Marrow Pills.


    Not only that, but he also bought several other types of spiritual herbs for refining First-rank Spirit Pills, preparing to have Jin Ming teach him alchemy later on.


    The next day, inside the Earth Fire Room, a muffled explosion came from within the Nine Dragons Pill Cauldron. Though not loud, it sank Zhao Sheng''s heart, his complexion turning somewhat unsightly.


    After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Sheng sighed, stopped the Earth Fire, and then approached, with a wave of his hand, the lid of the cauldron lifted up, and he looked inside to find nothing but a pile of Elixir Residue.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head, flicked his finger, and a Water Dragon materialized out of nowhere, flying into the pill furnace, swiftly and repeatedly rinsing its inner walls.


    This was his fifth attempt at refining the Water Spirit Pill and the second failure!


    From the success rate perspective, indeed the Water Spirit Pill was a bit more difficult than the Fish Marrow Pill.


    After cleaning the pill furnace, Zhao Sheng had already moved past the shadow of failure, his mood returning to calm.


    Expressionless, he sat back down on the cushion, pondered for quite some time, summed up the lessons from his failures, and then started refining the sixth batch of Water Spirit Pills.


    Refining Spirit Pills sometimes requires practice makes perfect, similar to leveling up in a game¡ª the more times you play, the more skilled you become,


    ...


    Seven days later, Jin Ming and Zhao Sheng met again.


    Without waiting for Jin Ming to ask, Zhao Sheng immediately showcased the fruits of his seven-day intensive alchemy training.


    One batch of Fish Marrow Pills, three pills produced.


    One batch of Water Spirit Pills, two pills produced.


    What was most impressive was that he had not failed a single time!


    Looking at Zhao Sheng''s modest yet eager expression, Jin Ming took a deep breath and found himself unable to voice any criticism.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng seized the opportunity to propose, "Mr. Jin, I''ve heard that you are also masterful at refining Jade Yellow Pills. I have prepared twenty sets of medicinal ingredients. How about you teach me how to refine the Jade Yellow Pill today?"


    Upon hearing this, Jin Ming couldn''t help but gasp for air. He felt as if something was pressing against his lungs, causing him a great deal of suffocation and distress.


    He clutched at his chest, painfully agreeing, "...Alright then!"


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed at his response and turned a blind eye to Jin Ming''s suffering, grabbing his hand in gratitude, "Fellow Daoist, you really are generous. Zhao holds you in high regard!"


    As he spoke, Jin Ming felt something hard being pressed into his hand, and upon looking down, he saw a Mid Grade Pure Yin Spirit Stone leaking faint light halos between his fingers.


    Upon seeing this, Jin Ming immediately felt much better and declared loudly, "No need for such courtesy, Fellow Daoist! Since you are sincere, I shall spare no knowledge to ensure your satisfaction!"


    Zhao Sheng patted his hand knowingly and smiled, "I don''t dare to promise other things, but you will see my sincerity in the future."


    "Fine, Jin Ming will start refining a furnace of Jade Yellow Pills right now," Jin Ming said very straightforwardly.


    ...


    Two years passed in a flash.


    On the core spirit island of Nine Virtuous Isle called Spring and Autumn Island, to the east lies a large three-story palace-like building, with the words "Merit Hall" gilded above the entrance of the first floor''s main hall.


    The interior of the building was very spacious, with the main hall on the first floor being fifty to sixty yards wide and divided into numerous areas separated by jade counters.


    In the center of each area stood a huge white light barrier, displaying rows of black, red, yellow, green, and white characters, corresponding to five different task levels.


    The Merit Hall was where the Spring and Autumn Alliance disseminated various tasks to its own members, the loose cultivators on the island, and the minister elders.


    The tasks in different areas varied widely, ranging from ordinary tasks such as hunting demon beasts, seeking Spirit Grass, and medicinal materials, to specialized tasks like Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and talisman refining, and even unique tasks like hiring, assassination, escorts, and even recruitment of sons-in-law or disciples.


    It could be said that as long as you dared to assign a task, Merit Hall would dare to undertake it, provided that the compensation and task commission could be afforded.


    In the Cultivation World, places like Merit Hall were quite common, with any slightly significant Cultivation Sect or Cultivation Family likely to have a similar venue. For example, the Good Deeds Hall established by the Origin Return Sect, where Zhao Sheng had spent a former life, was very similar in function to Merit Hall, except that it didn''t dare to advertise every kind of task openly as Merit Hall did.


    At this moment, in front of a huge light barrier


    Zhao Sheng, dressed in black, stood still, his eyes flickering uncertainly as he watched the changing text on the light barrier.


    A moment later, he activated his Divine Sense and raised a hand to reveal a Jade Token.


    "Level C, Task Number Eleven"


    Following his low shout, a white beam suddenly shot out from the light barrier, entering the Jade Token in his hand.


    After the Jade Token surface lit up with a white glow, a line of small characters became visible:


    "Twenty Water Repelling Pills, Merit Points one thousand!" With a glance, Zhao Sheng had a clear understanding of the task''s details.


    It turned out that the Water Repelling Pill was a special type of First-stage Spirit Pill that was particularly difficult to refine.


    Once a cultivator consumed a Water Repelling Pill, they could breathe freely underwater for a duration of up to three days.


    Alchemy really was a costly skill; even with Zhao Sheng''s ample resources, he felt the strain.


    Especially when he attempted to learn how to refine the Second Order Spirit Pills from the "Refining Elixir Hundred Formulas", any single failure in the refining process would cost a three-digit number of Spirit Stones.


    It wasn''t that he wasn''t content with refining First-stage Spirit Pills; his progress was just too fast. Even Jin Ming had been cleaned out half a year ago.


    The twenty-one methods of refining First-stage Spirit Pills were all masterfully learned by Zhao Sheng.


    As for the Second Order Spirit Pills?


    Regrettably, Jin Ming only knew how to refine one type of Second Order Golden Essence Pill, with a pitifully low success rate.


    He would succeed only one or two times out of ten attempts, and each successful attempt yielded at most two pills, not to mention their quality.


    Zhao Sheng had contemplated the idea of taking another Alchemist as a teacher, but ever since he had occasionally heard rumors that he was an "Alchemy Genius", and had been visited by many fellow Foundation Establishment Daoists multiple times,


    To avoid further trouble, Zhao Sheng had to temporarily dismiss the idea.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng also covertly reduced the frequency of his visits to the Earth Fire Room, as well as the number and frequency of selling Spirit Pills.


    As for Merit Hall, Zhao Sheng had been visiting more frequently in the past two months.


    Firstly, he took on a few alchemy tasks to earn some spirit money to recoup his expenses.


    But mainly, he came for the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire.


    It was just unfortunate that suitable Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire for Alchemy was hard to come by. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    During several months, Zhao Sheng scoured the island''s workshop and Merit Hall. He did see several types of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, but none met his requirements.


    Eventually, when he found the Earth Core Golden Flame suitable for alchemy,


    Before he could make a move, the Earth Core Golden Flame had already been bought by the upper ranks of the Alchemy Master Guild.


    Zhao Sheng was merely an Alchemy Apprentice; he didn''t register on the radar of the others.


    Although no one on Nine Virtuous Isle except for Jin Ming, who had a vague inkling, was aware that he was already a First-rank Alchemist.


    ...


    After taking on the alchemy task, Zhao Sheng glanced over the other task light barriers but found no clues about tasks involving Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire.


    After briefly considering his options, he immediately strode out of Merit Hall, threw his Golden Essence Flying Sword, and with a turn around his body, he transformed into a sword rainbow, speeding directly towards the cave mansion at the edge of the island.

 Chapter 193 Recruitment Failure

    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)Life Span: 33/149


    Realm: Third Level of Foundation Establishment


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master, First-rank Alchemist


    Constitution: Three Spirit Roots - Water, Metal, Fire, Half Spirit Clan


    Talent: Bullet Time, Danger Perception, Absolute Rationality


    [Skill]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Master), Stacking Talisman Technique (Great Success), Fire Control Technique (Great Success), Blood Soul Scripture (incomplete, skilled)


    Spell: Refraction Technique, God-slaying Sword, Water Bomb Technique, Thousand Waterfalls Flowing Cloud¡­


    Talisman Making: ¡­Concentrating God Talisman, Water Dragon Talisman, Life Hundred Thoughts Talisman, Hundred Veil Ice Cloud, Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman and 176 other kinds


    Alchemy: Fish Marrow Pill, Water Spirit Pill, Jade Yellow Pill, Essence Gathering Pill¡­ Soul Condensing Pills, Water Repelling Pill, totaling 25 types.


    ¡­


    Inside the A-D Earth Fire Room, the air was dry and hot with waves of heat rolling in; the indoor temperature was extremely high.


    Zhao Sheng was completely focused, under the precise control of his Divine Sense, eight clam-like mouths spewed azure-colored earth fire from thick to thin, becoming as thin as fingers, and the Nine Dragon Tripod also slowly ascended, shrinking from the size of a water jar to that of a wine jar and slowly rotating under the roasting of the earth fire.


    As time slowly passed, Zhao Sheng carefully added various types of Spiritual Medicine one by one, including tree-root-like dead wood, processed green jade powder, and transparent liquids, among others.


    The melting step was the most likely to lose control in alchemy since the Elixir Transformation Reaction was the most intense, tolerating no negligence.


    This was his fourth time refining the Second Order Spirit Pill, Cold Dove Marrow Spirit Pill. The previous three attempts had failed, but this time seemed hopeful.


    Half an hour later, the Nine Dragon Tripod began to emit wisps of medicinal fragrance, invigorating anyone who smelled it.


    However, Zhao Sheng knew that it was too early to expect the pills without adding the main medicine.


    Only after the main medicine successfully merged with the Elixir Liquid and reached the Solidifying Pill step was there hope for success.


    Refining a Second Order Spirit Pill was ten times more difficult than refining a First Stage Spirit Pill, except for a few special ones.


    Even for a genius with exceptional perceptiveness and talent like Zhao Sheng, multiple failures occurred while attempting to refine Second Order Spirit Pills.


    Of course, this might have been due to his self-directed experiments.


    Refining Second Order Spirit Pills was indeed difficult, but was it harder than achieving Foundation Establishment?


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng enlivened his spirit, and under the control of Divine Sense, the Nine Dragon Tripod flickered with spirit light, appearing somewhat dazzling.


    Gradually, the earth fire grew from fine to coarse, and finally as thick as the mouth of a bowl, enveloping the entire Nine Dragon Tripod in flames,


    At a glance, the Nine Dragon Tripod seemed to have become a fireball, with the scent of the medicine growing richer as it was roasted in the fierce flame.


    Nearly an hour later, the rich scent of the medicine gathered at the top of the stone room and lingered for a long time, eventually forming a small cluster of grey-white Elixir Clouds.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyes flashed with divine light, and with a wave of his right hand, a fist-sized, blue crystalline dehydrated Cold Dove Brain Marrow flew out and dropped into the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    Boom!


    The Nine Dragon Tripod trembled violently, and a large plume of blue smoke spurted from the edge of the lid, the scent in the stone room growing richer, but a piercing chill suddenly surged through the hot air.


    Zhao Sheng''s Divine Sense burst forth fully, and with Shadowy traces of his hand movements, a series of brilliant flashes of spiritual light disappeared into the Nine Dragon Tripod. He controlled the Elixir Liquid to complete the final Elixir Transformation,


    By now, even a fool would know that this moment of alchemy had reached its most critical point.


    "God damn it, solidify!"


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng suddenly roared, and a brilliant flash of divine light surged in his eyes as his hands rapidly became a blur of shadows.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    In a burst of exploding sounds, as the smell of char emerged, Zhao Sheng''s face suddenly broke into a jubilant smile.


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    A faint blue Spirit Pill suddenly leaped from the furnace and under the control of Divine Sense, it spiraled towards Zhao Sheng, dinging softly as it landed in a pill bottle that had been prepared beforehand.


    The Second Order Cold Dove Marrow Spirit Pill was a success!


    At a thought from Zhao Sheng, the eight fire-spouting mouths simultaneously snapped shut and the Earth Fire dispersed.


    He beckoned with his hand, and the Nine Dragon Tripod flew from the Alchemy Platform to him.


    Looking down into the tripod, he saw a layer of charred residues at the bottom, among which were two black and blue burnt pills, clearly failed pills that hadn''t formed properly!


    Alas, it was still just a bit short!


    Zhao Sheng shook his head, lamenting silently.


    After thinking it over, he removed the two wasted pills from the tripod and carefully preserved them in a Jade Box.


    Even if they were failures, they held significant research value, and Zhao Sheng was loath to discard them heedlessly.


    Having done all this, Zhao Sheng settled down on the cushion to meditate, slowly recuperating his spirit while silently summarizing his alchemy experience.


    Only an hour later did he open his eyes, ready to attempt alchemy once more.


    The same steps, the same ingredients powder, the same control of fire, but unfortunately, this time, the problem occurred at the second step - the formulation of the Elixir Base failed.


    The reason for failure was the improper handling of the Spiritual Medicine, which still contained some impurities.


    This time, Zhao Sheng''s face was expressionless. After adjusting his spirit and Spiritual Power, he silently began his sixth batch.


    Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Zhao Sheng walked out from the passageway beneath Dusk Peak with a calm demeanor. If anyone with keen observation saw him now, they would notice a mix of slight joy and pain beneath his calm exterior.


    The joy came from the fact that the success rate of the Second Order Cold Dove Marrow Spirit Pills had surpassed forty percent, averaging more than three pills per batch.


    As for the pain.


    The nearly fifty batches of alchemy ingredients he had prepared were all consumed, costing over ten thousand Spirit Stones.


    In the end, they had yielded merely twenty-five Dove Marrow Pills, worth roughly three thousand Spirit Stones.


    At that moment, the armor-clad Great Han guarding the passage saw Zhao Sheng emerging and initially looked startled, but his expression quickly turned to excitement.


    "Congratulations, Senior, on your further advancement in the Alchemy Dao!" the Great Han congratulated, mustering his courage.


    Zhao Sheng halted, flicked a Spirit Stone with his finger, and it accurately landed in the Great Han''s hand.


    "Li Sanchong, the Alchemy Association assigning you to guard here really underestimates your talent! How about you come with me?"


    Two years was neither short nor long.


    It was enough for Zhao Sheng to recognize the extraordinary nature of the armored Great Han.


    The Great Han''s real name was Li Sanchong. Despite his large, fierce-looking physique and seemingly dim-witted brain, he possessed an extremely keen perception, enough to be considered a master of micro-expressions.


    Zhao Sheng even knew he was capable of reaching Divinity in Martial Arts and that he was probably at the Half-step to God, much like his third life.


    Such an outstanding Martial Arts Grandmaster, even if he wasn''t a Cultivator, shouldn''t have been reduced to guarding a gate.


    Cherishing talents as he did, Zhao Sheng thus made the offer.


    With a fist-palm salute, Li Sanchong earnestly said, "I am deeply honored that Senior holds me in such high regard, and I am very grateful. However, I can only follow you if my master allows it. I was raised by my master from a young age. Wherever he goes, I go. Whatever he asks me to do, I do. I always listen to my master."


    Zhao Sheng, looking at his sincere expression, shook his head and dropped the idea of recruiting him.


    Li Sanchong''s master was a relative of a Second Order Alchemist from the Alchemy Association.


    In other words, Li Sanchong was likely sent here on purpose, and his mission was probably not simple, likely charged with some important task.


    ...

 Chapter 194 Heaven and Earth Law Net and Domain-level Spiritual Medicine

    After leaving Dusk Peak, Zhao Sheng released the silver white flying boat and boarded it. The flying boat soared into the sky, circled half a circle, and then sped toward the southwest.This flight lasted half a day, and finally, at dusk, the silver white flying boat crossed the vast sea and arrived over a circular island lush with verdant greenery.


    The island was not large, but it was lush with vegetation. Many areas on the island had been turned into medicine fields full of various spirit grasses and medicinal materials. In addition, the island housed many docile medicinal rabbits used for testing drugs.


    After circling in the mid-air, the flying boat slowly descended behind a steep sea cliff on the north side of the island.


    After stowing away the flying boat, Zhao Sheng flashed a few times and was already standing in front of a Blue Steel Stone Gate.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward to knock, but the stone gate creaked open on its own.


    Soon, a little boy in a red robe with twin braids poked his head out, and upon seeing Zhao Sheng, immediately asked in a wary tone,


    "Who are you?"


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly, flicked his sleeve, and a green light emerged, transforming into a token flashing with green light, which landed in front of the boy.


    The twin-braided boy took the token, and his eyes immediately widened in surprise, showing an extremely enthusiastic smile.


    "So, it is Senior Zhao. This child was ignorant; please forgive me!"


    The boy quickly stepped out of the cave mansion, respectfully returned the token, and then hurriedly led Zhao Sheng inside. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng certainly would not take an issue with a child, but he also quietly lowered his opinion of the cave mansion''s owner.


    The outside of the cave mansion did not look remarkable, but inside it was much larger than Zhao Sheng''s guest elder mansion, and everywhere was exquisitely and elegantly decorated, understated yet luxurious.


    Before long, under the Daoist child''s guidance, Zhao Sheng arrived in a spacious living room deep inside the mansion.


    The four walls of the living room were adorned with ancient and aromatic paintings, and a faint refreshing fragrance permeated the air. A slight sniff revived Zhao Sheng''s spirit, and the rotation speed of the Core Spiritual Power vortex in his Dantian even accelerated somewhat.


    The furniture in the living room was all made from several hundred-year-old Blood Elixir Wood, which was quite valuable.


    One should know that a single piece of Blood Elixir Wood is worth at least a thousand spirit stones, not something an alchemist without substantial wealth could afford.


    "Daoist Zhao, please enjoy some Spiritual Tea and wait for a moment. I am currently refining a batch of Elixir Pills. Please excuse any lack of hospitality." a cold voice suddenly traveled from the deepest part of the mansion to the living room.


    "Daoist Ge, there''s no need for such formality; I have come early! Alchemy is crucial, I don''t mind waiting, as Mr. Meng and the others will also arrive soon," Zhao Sheng responded loudly.


    Upon entering the living room earlier, he had sensed the restless Fire Spiritual Energy deep within the mansion and felt a wave of hot air emanating from inside.


    Now it seemed, Ge Chen was indeed refining elixirs.


    Ge Chen was a top disciple of the Master of Alchemy, Xu Chong, originating from the Denver Ge Family. It was puzzling why he had left the Elixir Cauldron Sect, where he was well established, to follow Xu Chong to the Shattered Star Sea two years ago.


    Just then, the boy reappeared in the living room. After Zhao Sheng had seated, he brought over a wooden tray holding a cup of Spiritual Tea.


    Zhao Sheng looked carefully at the tea in his hand, noticing the crystal-clear tea cup filled with fragrantly lush green tea, its leaves straight like swords or needles, emitting a strange fragrance.


    He understood then, took a light sip, first feeling a trace of bitterness. However, as soon as the tea slid down his throat, it transformed into a cool sensation that instantly spread throughout his limbs, leaving his whole body exceptionally relaxed and comfortable.


    Indeed, this was the Sword Eyebrow Spiritual Tea, a special product of the Ge family.


    It had been several hundreds of years since Zhao Sheng had last tasted it.


    Tasting it again today unavoidably evoked his longing for home.


    But¡­ returning to the Central Continent was not so easy!


    Over the past two years, Zhao Sheng had not just been busy with alchemy and cultivation.


    A year ago, he had disguised himself, attempting to board Star God Island.


    Who knew that just as he approached within five hundred miles of Star God Island, his Danger Perception madly warned him of extreme danger ahead, extremely dangerous.


    If he proceeded any further, he would undoubtedly die!


    That day, Zhao Sheng personally witnessed thick deadly black qi enveloping heaven and earth.


    An endless, invisible magical net, centered on Star God Island, spread out in all directions like a spider''s web, reaching up to the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere of the Nine Heavens and down to the Ten Thousand Feet Sea Abyss, encompassing everything and omnipresent.


    The densely intertwined, invisible threads, undetectable even by ordinary Golden Core cultivators, revealed their true form amidst the black qi of death.


    Every time he recalled that shocking scene he had witnessed that day, Zhao Sheng''s spirit involuntarily trembled uncontrollably.


    He did not know what that sky-reaching and earth-penetrating net was, but he felt that he was... in over his head!


    Zhao Sheng forcefully suppressed his turbulent thoughts while drinking tea and looking around.


    Huh,


    His gaze suddenly sharpened, falling on a painting on the opposite wall filled with rows of mysterious black runes and accompanied by four images of Spiritual Medicines, his face showing a hint of interest.


    The mysterious black runes were actually written in Taiyi Spiritual Text.


    If it were any other cultivator, not even one in a hundred might know Taiyi Spiritual Text.


    But fortunately, or unfortunately, Zhao Sheng did. Not only did he know it, he was also quite proficient in it.


    After carefully examining it several times, Zhao Sheng was greatly surprised and felt vastly enlightened.


    The content on that drawing turned out to be about four types of Domain-level Spiritual Medicines: Mysterious Star Spirit Tree, Light-bearing Giant Spirit Grass, Earth Core Transformation Mushroom, and Void Devil Fungus.


    Zhao Sheng knew that Spiritual Medicines were classified into levels, but he had never heard that there were Domain-level Spiritual Medicines.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, there had been legends of divine-level Spiritual Medicines. For instance, the Nine Flower Moon Dew legend from Heavenly Pillar Mountain was a type of divine-level Spiritual Medicine.


    So... how did Nine Flower Moon Dew compare to Mysterious Star Spirit Tree and other Domain-level Spiritual Medicines, in terms of superiority and inferiority?


    "Oh, could it be that Taoist Zhao also understands Taiyi Spiritual Text?"


    As Zhao Sheng was absorbed in the painting, a middle-aged man in a Confucian robe walked in from the living room.


    This person was over forty years old, tall and thin, with an elegant face, smiling as he looked at Zhao Sheng.


    "Daoist Fang jests. I recognize only one or two Taiyi Spiritual Texts; I dare not claim I understand it."


    Zhao Sheng snapped out of it upon seeing the person, immediately standing up and explaining with a wry smile.


    The visitor was named Fang Weishan, an island master under the Spring and Autumn Alliance, with cultivation around the early-stage to possibly mid-stage Foundation Establishment.


    At the Foundation Establishment Realm, cultivators often habitually hide part of their power, and if one does not actually engage in battle, it is very difficult to ascertain the other''s true cultivation.


    "Oh, is that so? I saw that you were so engrossed, I thought perhaps I had encountered a fellow enthusiast." Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire


    Fang Weishan did not hide his fascination with Taiyi Spiritual Text.


    Indeed, his reputation as Lord Fang obsessed with words was already widespread throughout the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    Fang Weishan was motivated to participate because the other party gave him a book of detailed explanations of a hundred Taiyi Spiritual Texts.


    "Does Daoist happen to know what is written on this painting?" His interest piqued, Fang Weishan immediately walked up to the painting, smiling at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes flashed, feigning great interest: "Please enlightenment from Lord Fang."


    "Very well, let me see what it says."

 Chapter 195 Python Hunting Operation

    ```There''s a saying that being pretentious is the driving force of human progress.


    Fang Weishan loved to show off. When an opportunity to brag arose, he couldn''t possibly let it slip by.


    "Xuanxing... the Spirit Tree... grows... within... Boundary Heart... for a thousand years... the Spirit Stealing Machine, utterly ten thousand... what was it again... Light Giant Spirit Grass, reaching ten thousand feet... planted... in the core of the Spirit Vein... breaking through... exudes a sap... capable of shattering the void..."


    Fang Weishan''s recitation was disjointed and filled with errors, much to Zhao Sheng''s frustration. Zhao felt anxious for him and thought Fang had picked the wrong hobby.


    Just then, someone else entered the living room.


    "I apologize for making everyone wait. I was delayed by some matters on the way, so I arrived a bit late."


    Dressed in plain white Confucian robes, Meng Quyi entered with an apologetic expression.


    Upon seeing Meng Quyi, Fang Weishan burst into laughter and said, "Haha, Brother Meng, your timing is perfect! You''re skilled in copying Taiyi Spiritual Texts. Come and take a look, how are the Taiyi Spiritual Texts on this painting?"


    The two had known each other for nearly a century, and as fellow Cultivators following the Confucian path, their friendship was deep, surpassing what Zhao Sheng could compare to.


    Meng Quyi''s face showed a bitter expression upon hearing this, but out of consideration for their friendship, he ultimately went over to examine the mural.


    Seeing the situation, Zhao Sheng couldn''t be bothered to join in the banter and sat down to enjoy his tea, quietly waiting for the host to appear.


    Before long, Fang and Meng had only exchanged a few words.


    Ge Chen, clad in black and redolent with Elixir Fragrance, entered the living room with a smug look on his face.


    "Taoist Ge!"


    "Mr. Ge!"


    Seeing the host, Zhao Sheng, Meng Quyi, and Fang Weishan promptly greeted him.


    After exchanging pleasantries, Ge Chen took the seat of honor and gestured for the three men to sit down.


    "With the three of you joining, our plan to eradicate the Black Poison Python Group will surely succeed," Ge Chen said to Zhao Sheng and the others with a smile.


    "Mr. Ge is too modest! Without the Detoxification Pills that Mr. Ge refined, none of us would dare target the Black Poison Pythons," Meng Quyi responded, ever so politely.


    Eradicating the Black Poison Pythons was Ge Chen''s idea, and he had already informed everyone of his goal beforehand.


    His master Xu Chong''s grand birthday celebration was approaching, and the king of the Black Poison Pythons was one of the presents Ge Chen had prepared.


    What moved Meng Quyi, however, was the generous reward promised by Ge Chen.


    Therefore, he went to great lengths to extend invitations. Fang Weishan was invited by him. Zhao Sheng also became interested when he learned Ge Chen was the initiator.


    Don''t get it wrong, Zhao Sheng wasn''t interested in Ge Chen; it was his master, Xu Chong, who was capable of refining the Golden Core Formation Pill¡ªa real powerhouse.


    In addition, Meng Quyi had invited a Foundation Establishment Cultivator surnamed Lan, but for some reason, he had not yet arrived.


    After a round of pleasantries, they began to discuss the hunt for the Black Poison Pythons.


    "This group of Black Poison Pythons nests beneath a ten-thousand-foot-deep sea trench. First, we will head to..." Ge Chen, as the initiator of this hunting operation, began by summarizing the detailed plan.


    "Ten days ago, I went to investigate again. Currently, there are roughly two hundred Black Poison Pythons, with about four Second Order ones among them. The most troublesome is the Poison Dragon Python, the king of the Black Poison Pythons. It''s quite large and extremely toxic and ferocious¡ªvery difficult to handle!" After Ge Chen explained the plan, Meng Quyi suddenly added more details.


    "In order to feed, surely this group of Black Poison Pythons won''t just stay in their lair motionless, right? How can we pinpoint their location? Perhaps we could attack them one by one?" Zhao Sheng slightly furrowed his brow and suggested.


    Confidently smiling at the suggestion, Ge Chen flipped his hand, and a bronze Eight Diagrams Plate appeared in his palm, with directions written around its edge.


    After injecting a Magic Spell, a flash of light appeared on the Eight Diagrams Plate and a silver needle suddenly emerged with a hint of crimson.


    ```


    Then, after a quick spin, the needle suddenly trembled and pointed towards the northeast, stopping motionless.


    "With this Tracking Plate, the Black Poison Python Group won''t be able to escape from my grasp. Taoist Zhao, do you have any other questions?" Ge Chen said after explaining.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head.


    "Very well, then let us set out," Ge Chen, holding the Tracking Plate, said spiritedly.


    "Aren''t we waiting for Taoist Lan?" Fang Weishan asked, puzzled.


    "No need to wait, Taoist Lan has some matters and can''t come," Meng Quyi immediately explained.


    Upon hearing this, both Fang Weishan and Zhao Sheng furrowed their brows but said nothing more.


    Moments later, two Flying Boats suddenly rose from the island and sped off towards the northeast.


    Night fell, and the moon rose to the center of the sky.


    Zhao Sheng and the others had flown over two thousand li and reached the upper sky above a strange sea surface.


    The needle on Ge Chen''s Tracking Plate was trembling incessantly, the tip vaguely pointing downwards.


    "We''ve arrived, it''s this sea area! The Black Poison Pythons should be somewhere below," Ge Chen said, his spirits lifted by the anomaly on the Tracking Plate. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I have Water Repelling Pills and Detoxification Pills here, take them now!" Ge Chen said. He immediately took out Elixir Pills and distributed them to everyone.


    Afterwards, he put away the Compass, swallowed two Elixir Pills, and was the first to fly towards the water below.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng did not take the Water Repelling Pills and Detoxification Pills given by Ge Chen, but instead took his own refined Water Repelling Pills and Jade Yellow Pills.


    He did this solely out of caution, with no other intent.


    Seeing this, Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan also took their Elixir Pills and one after the other plunged into the water, with Zhao Sheng following closely behind.


    Before long, they had all reached the bottom of the sea, ten thousand zhang deep.


    In the pitch-black depths of the sea, all of them were in the Foundation Establishment Realm, using their Divine Sense to navigate, so there was no need for Sunshine Stones to illuminate the way.


    Under Ge Chen''s leadership, the four of them slowly swam about ten li.


    Suddenly, Ge Chen''s expression shifted, and he abruptly stopped in his tracks.


    "Be careful!"


    After transmitting his thought through Divine Sense, Ge Chen swept his hand over his Storage Bag and released a plain-looking talisman.


    A dim and invisible barrier instantly appeared, enveloping the area and causing their forms to blur and hide.


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    Zhao Sheng was somewhat surprised to see this; it was a Second Order Divine Concealing Talisman, an advanced real talisman of invisibility, very rare indeed. He hadn''t expected Ge Chen to have one.


    Under Ge Chen''s lead, the four gradually approached another fifty zhang, and ahead of them was suddenly a vast seabed sandbank with a messy and dense forest of coral reefs in the middle.


    Above the coral reef, they could all vaguely see a vast mass of dense, worm-like black shadows, resembling a giant patch of seaweed, silently coiling in the water,


    At a glance, Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes; these shadows turned out to be a swarm of intertwined Black Poison Pythons.


    These Black Poison Pythons, the large ones were over ten zhang long, thick as water barrels, while the small ones were only three to four chi long but as thick as a child''s arm.


    Their bodies were covered in black diamond-shaped scales, and their triangular heads were more than twice the size of their bodies, each one like a branding iron, shiny black and chilling to behold.


    These were indeed the Black Poison Python Group!

 Chapter 196 The Poison Dragon Python Finally Appears

    Gazing at the Black Poison Python Group not far away deep in slumber, Ge Chen felt a surge of excitement.At that moment, a flash of joy passed through Zhao Sheng''s eyes as he sensed that the concentration of spiritual energy nearby was abnormally high.


    "Could there be a spirit vein nearby?"


    In fact, not only did Zhao Sheng sense it, but the others quickly became aware of it as well. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    All four were cunning old foxes, so they kept their cool outwardly while each privately devised their own plans.


    "Retreat!"


    After transmitting another round of divine sense messages, everyone silently retreated a good distance away.


    In a recessed hollow under the sea, the four of them formed a circle.


    "This group of Black Poison Pythons is in deep sleep. Taoist friends, would you be willing to follow my commands?" asked Ge Chen with a serious expression, speaking through divine sense transmission.


    "Agreed!"


    "Daoist Ge, please lead the way!"


    Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan also transmitted their agreement through divine sense, while Zhao Sheng silently nodded in agreement.


    Half a quarter of an hour later, the four according to plan, split up and submerged to different depths of the sea.


    Under the sea, once Ge Chen estimated that the others were in position, he carefully took out a dragon-eye-sized blood-red elixir pill.


    The pill emitted a strong smell of blood, mixed with the bitter scent of almonds.


    Ge Chen crushed the blood-red pill in one go and swiftly swam upwards, leaving behind a cloud of elixir powder in his wake.


    As the powder spread and mixed with the seawater, an intensely strong smell of blood suddenly diffused, ten times stronger than before.


    Not far away, the Black Poison Python Group, originally in deep slumber, caught a whiff of the blood scent, immediately becoming violently agitated, and the snakes frenziedly writhed around.


    Unable to resist the temptation, a Black Poison Python, about seventy to eighty feet long, abruptly lunged at the source of the blood scent. The rest of the group, like a pot boiling over, crazily surged towards it.


    When they reached the spot where Ge Chen had released the elixir powder, they were so excited they had gone mad, relentlessly chasing the scent upwards.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng, Fang Weishan, and Meng Quyi also crushed their blood pills without hesitation and swam toward the sea surface, just as Ge Chen had done.


    By now, a bloody path had formed in the water, leading directly to the sea surface, with the Black Poison Python Group swiftly swimming against the current. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    Moments later, Fang Weishan was the first to break through the sea surface and flew onto the flying boat to wait for the others to return.


    Soon after, Zhao Sheng and Meng Quyi emerged from the sea surface almost simultaneously and joined Fang Weishan.


    Shortly afterwards, Ge Chen erupted with excitement from undersea and soared up.


    All four reunited on the flying boat and looked down at the sea surface.


    Within a few breaths, a dark shadow suddenly appeared on the sea, quickly expanding until it covered a large area.


    Bang!


    First, a Black Poison Python leaped three to four feet above the sea surface, followed by a fervor on the sea like boiling water as group after group of Black Poison Pythons scrambled out of the sea surface.


    In that instant, continuous bangs filled the air, and the sea became occupied by a vast ensemble of pythons, churning up countless fine white foam.


    Looking at the overly excited Black Poison Pythons below, which were hissing and scrambling in all directions, Ge Chen''s expression darkened, realizing that the most important prey, the Poison Dragon Python, had not appeared.


    Logically, the Dragon Blood Pill should have been enough to drive these beasts into a frenzy. Not even the king of the Black Poison Pythons should have been an exception!


    The others also noticed the anomaly and Meng Quyi couldn''t help asking, "Daoist Ge, if that beast doesn''t show itself, what should we do?"


    "Kill!"


    Ge Chen''s face was gloomy, and after he viciously spat out the word "kill," a Water Blue Pill had appeared in his hand without anyone noticing.


    Upon release, the Water Blue Pills fell rapidly. The moment they touched the seawater, vast blue ripples spread out, and the sea water abruptly turned into frost-white ice, one sheet after another.


    Instantly, more than twenty Black Poison Pythons were enveloped by the icy light, their bodies quickly encased in thick ice and, to everyone''s surprise, frozen dead on the spot.


    Seeing this, Fang Weishan immediately swung the Spiritual Artifact Hundred Spirit Fan in his hand repeatedly.


    With every wave, a gull the size of a man flew out from the fan.


    In just a couple of breaths, seven or eight Black Poison Pythons were snatched up by the gull, lifted high into the sky, and then violently hurled to their deaths.


    In comparison, Meng Quyi''s tactics were much simpler.


    He tossed out several talismans, which transformed in an instant into hundreds of golden, handleless blades, raining down swiftly and killing or injuring a group of Black Poison Pythons on the spot.


    On the other side, Zhao Sheng was calm as still water, his sleeve shaking once, a golden light suddenly shot into the undersea depths.


    Even though he was only wielding a single Golden Essence Flying Sword, Zhao Sheng''s achievements were no less impressive than the others.''


    The golden light darted through the water, swift as a meteor. Every flash of golden light was followed by the sight of a Black Poison Python with a gaping hole in its head.


    In just a few breaths, more than a dozen Black Poison Pythons met their demise under his sword.


    After witnessing this, both Ge Chen and Fang Weishan couldn''t help but show a hint of surprise on their faces.


    They had not expected Taoist Zhao to be a Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator.


    In a mere moment, Zhao Sheng and the others had decimated dozens of Black Poison Pythons with their thunderous techniques.


    "Roar!"


    The group''s sudden attack finally enraged the frenzied group of Black Poison Pythons.


    After a muffled roar, the Black Poison Python Group, as if obeying a command, opened their maws wide and violently spewed out billows of black poison fog.


    In an instant, a vast cloud of black poisonous haze shrouded the nearby sea surface, temporarily obstructing Zhao Sheng and the others'' line of sight.


    At that moment, the seawater where the Black Poison Pythons were located began to boil tumultuously,


    and an enormous serpent over sixty feet long suddenly surged up from beneath the sea surface.


    Next to it, four Second Order Black Poison Pythons, slightly smaller in size¡ªabout forty feet long¡ªappeared as escorts to their king, sticking their heads out menacingly, eyes gleaming fiercely as they fixed their gaze on the Flying Boat above.


    "Damn! The poison fog blocks Divine Sense." Meng Quyi''s face changed color slightly as he let out a low cry.


    "No choice, we''ll have to act opportunistically. That beast should be showing up now. The Poison Dragon Python is mine and Brother Meng''s to handle. Taoist Zhao and Daoist Fang, please take action to temporarily block those four Second Order Black Poison Pythons." Without hesitation, Ge Chen spoke upon seeing the situation.


    First Rank Black Poison Pythons can''t fly, so they''re not worrisome, but once a Black Poison Python breaks through to the Second Order, it can take to the sky for short periods.


    "Don''t worry! Leave it to us!" Fang Weishan immediately responded, and Zhao Sheng also nodded, with no objections.


    Roar!


    At that moment, an extremely angry roar suddenly emitted from below the poison fog. Then, with the fog surging violently, the immense Poison Dragon Python, along with its four guardians, burst through the fog and presented themselves before the four.


    It was the first time Zhao Sheng saw the true form of this king of the Black Poison Pythons.


    Its body was over sixty feet long, its girth larger than a water vat, and its dark, shiny, diamond-shaped Scale Armor layered like an impenetrable fortress, seeming to stretch from the nape of its neck densely all the way down to the tail, resembling a terrifying armored behemoth.


    The wide and flat head was the most conspicuous and frightening feature. The originally black head of the Poison Dragon Python had transformed entirely into crimson, with a seven-foot-long, spiral-patterned black Dragon Horn proudly standing in the center, its surface covered in a layer of black light. As it shimmered, it cast mysterious Light Halos, exuding an otherworldly and mystical aura.

 Chapter 197 The Beginning of Death

    The Poison Dragon Python, upon seeing the four individuals responsible for slaughtering its offspring, instantly had its eyes turn blood red as a boundless killing intent erupted from its body.Roar!


    With a fierce roar, a burst of black light suddenly spread from the dragon horns on its head.


    As the black light appeared, the poison fog beneath the Poison Dragon Python acted as if it had found its backbone, merging into the black light.


    Aided by the poison fog, the black light surged like it had consumed a powerful tonic, quickly expanding and instantly condensing into several black light pythons as thick as a child''s arm, whizzing towards the flying boat with a hissing sound of ''breaking the void.''


    "Not good!" Ge Chen''s face drastically changed, and he violently raised both hands, instantly releasing a vast expanse of golden light.


    When the golden light collided with the black pythons, they rapidly corroded, opening countless holes, and then seven or eight black light pythons broke through the barrier, struck the flying boat, and turned into pools of black liquid, quickly corroding the sturdy hull.


    Hiss Hiss!


    The flying boat, refined from hundred-year-old Yuling wood, couldn''t withstand the fierce corrosion and in an instant, a large chunk of its hull was eroded away.


    The Array light on the flying boat flickered wildly, the Floating Array was immediately damaged, and the boat suddenly stalled, then began to plummet.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng and the others were dealing with the black light pythons shooting towards them. A moment''s delay allowed the Poison Dragon Python a successful strike.


    "Cover for me!"


    Seeing five Second Order Demon Pythons fiercely pouncing towards them, Ge Chen gritted his teeth and shouted, then immediately rushed forward to meet them.


    He pointed with his hand, and in front of him appeared nine three-inch-long cyan Flying Knives, arranged in a Nine Palaces formation, transforming into a curtain of profound cyan Sword Light that shot out swiftly.


    No sooner had the curtain enveloped the Poison Dragon Python than the nine Spiritual Artifact Flying Knives blazed with light, the curtain condensed significantly, countless Sword Lights burst forth like rain, temporarily trapping the Poison Dragon Python.


    Meng Quyi was overjoyed at the sight, and his hand holding the two-foot-long Spring and Autumn Spirit Pen moved like flying, bearing the pattern of a dragon and snake, he actually began writing articles on the spot.


    With each archaic and majestic Taiyi Spiritual Text written by the Spirit Pen, a mysterious and unfathomable air suddenly faintly emerged in the void.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng and Fang Weishan exchanged glances and leapt towards the four Second Order Black Poison Pythons below them.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression was impassive. With a pinch of his right hand''s sword formula, the Golden Essence Flying Sword flashed and disappeared; in the next instant, layers of Sword Light emerged from nowhere, forming a sharp sword circle that ensnared two Black Poison Pythons within it.


    With a wave of his other hand, two Second Order Water Mine Talismans left his hand and instantly transformed into two giant, azure Thunder Balls that shot out.


    The two Second Order Black Poison Pythons below were extremely cunning as they intertwined with each other, suddenly condensing into a twist, their bodies instantly flashed with a layer of black light. After joining forces, they easily resisted the assault of the Sword Light.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows rose, and with a move of his Divine Sense, the two Thunder Balls thunderously collided with them, immediately exploding into a cloud of thunder on the bodies of the two Black Poison Pythons.


    Taking advantage of the moment, Zhao Sheng soared up, keeping his distance while using his Spiritual Artifact Flying Sword to lure the frenzied and irrational demon pythons away from the battlefield.


    His task was to temporarily hold off the two Second Order Demon Pythons, not to slay them.


    The difficulty between holding off and slaying were worlds apart; Zhao Sheng certainly wasn''t going to risk his life against two equal-ranked demon pythons for a mere reward.


    At the same time, Fang Weishan employed a flock of White-winged Sea Gulls to temporarily entrap the two Demon Pythons.


    With a "bang"!


    Sword Light flashed, and a long white scar suddenly appeared on the body of the Poison Dragon Python.


    At this time, its body was already covered in white scars, some spots where the Scale Armor had cracked even bled, but these were only superficial wounds.


    Faced with the Sword Array that clung to it like a festering parasite, the Poison Dragon Python went into a fury, but still couldn''t break free from the encirclement for the time being.


    As an inexplicable pressure in the void gradually intensified, the Poison Dragon Python also sensed danger.


    Roar!


    It suddenly let out an angry roar, madness sparking in its serpent eyes, its head and dragon horns suddenly shone with intense black light, which then quickly flowed throughout its body.


    "Hiss"


    The next second, countless drops of serpent blood seeped out from between its scales, which, upon mixing with the black light, instantly transformed into a dark red glow.


    Upon witnessing this, Ge Chen''s face drastically changed, but before he could react,


    the Poison Dragon Python''s body shuddered, and its mysterious black, massive body instantaneously turned from black to dark red.


    As the strong scent of blood spread around, the originally massive body of the Poison Dragon Python suddenly swelled, at least doubling in size, and became a true behemoth. A powerful aura, exclusive only to Golden Core Level demons, faintly emanated from it.


    "Brother Meng, hurry up!"


    Ge Chen, witnessing this scene, was so shocked that his eyes almost burst, his heart hardened, he flipped his hand to produce a Bursting Spirit Pill, and deftly threw it into his mouth and swallowed.


    Instantly, his face turned tomato red, so red it seemed to drip blood, and his aura surged dramatically.


    "Transform!"


    Before his shout ended, nine green flying knives split into trails of blade light,


    in an instant, the nearby void flickered with green light, transforming into a dense green net of blades.


    Suddenly, blade lights fell like rain, instantly adding countless bone-deep wounds to the Poison Dragon Python''s body, from which blood flowed freely.


    "Roar, roar!"


    The Poison Dragon Python let out continuous low growls, the bloody light on its body surged, and the numerous wounds visibly healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.


    It opened its huge bloody mouth and violently spewed a thick dark red column of light upward. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The column of light hit Sword King head-on, and surprisingly easily severed the net of blades, heading straight for Meng Quyi.


    Meanwhile, the seven-foot-long mysterious black dragon horn rapidly whitened and thinned, as if something was being consumed.


    Meng Quyi, drenched in sweat with a pale face, realizing that mimicking a Taiyi Xiang Long commandment with his Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer cultivation was somewhat forced after all.


    "Be careful!"


    Seeing the cunning of the Poison Dragon Python, Ge Chen shouted loudly, flinging a fist-sized purple-red stone.


    The stone instantly swelled to the size of a house and violently collided with the column of light, blocking it while the purple-red giant stone rapidly corroded the toxic column. It swiftly shrank in size, its surface bubbling up massively, the bubbles bursting forth, releasing a cloud of foul-smelling purple fog.


    From a distance, Zhao Sheng saw this scene, his pupils constricted, and instinctively slapped a Second Order Golden Armor Talisman on his body. In the blink of an eye, he was covered by a thick, solid suit of golden light armor.


    Just then, the dragon horn on the Poison Dragon Python''s head suddenly shone intensely, and a beam of blood light shot out from the tip of the horn,


    the speed of the blood light was inconceivable, blurring for a moment, as if piercing through the void, disappearing in an instant.


    The next moment, Meng Quyi suddenly let out a piercing scream. There was immediately a hole as wide as a bowl in his chest, with dark red blood light rapidly spreading throughout his body.


    In a blink of an eye, a whole living person was corroded by the blood light, turned into a pool of dark red toxic fluid, dripping down to the sea surface.


    Not far away, Fang Weishan''s face greatly changed, his eyes filled with disbelief.


    "Brother Meng, no¡ª" Ge Chen shouted disconsolately, his expression a mix of shock and anger.


    At that critical moment!


    The dragon horn on the head of the Poison Dragon Python flickered continuously, and three streaks of blood light flashed and were gone in an instant.


    Zhao Sheng, Ge Chen, Fang Weishan''s faces drastically changed.

 Chapter 198 Killing Pythons and Treasure Hunting

    Fang Weishan, in a state of panic, frantically dodged and weaved through the air while also summoning the Hundred Spirit Fan to protect his body. However, his movement suddenly stalled, and he plummeted from the sky with a look of utter terror.At the same time, Zhao Sheng''s eyes blazed with divine light, the invisible blood light reappeared in his vision, shockingly close within three zhang of him and shooting rapidly toward his chest.


    In this strange state, Zhao Sheng shifted his body bit by bit to avoid vital areas. He slowly threw out the Sea Abyss Shield, painstakingly placing it in front of the blood light.


    As time stretched on, Zhao Sheng clearly saw the blood light collide with the Sea Abyss Shield, which slowly corroded, eventually creating holes through its center.


    The substantially diminished blood light passed through the hole and continued hurtling toward him.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows barely moved as a thought flashed through his mind, activating the True Talisman of Defense, the Hundred-layered Ice Wall, hidden in his chest.


    In front of him, layers of transparent ice walls began to take shape out of thin air, but they formed much slower than the blood light was moving. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s heart skipped a beat, realizing it was too late to dodge any further, he suddenly remembered something in his moment of urgency.


    After a flash of golden light, a golden Imperial Tablet about a foot long and hand-width appeared in front of Zhao Sheng''s chest, colliding with the blood light.


    Bang!


    The blood light shattered upon impact, and Zhao Sheng''s hands violently shook. A great force surged from the Imperial Tablet, pushing him involuntarily three or four zhang back and out of Bullet Time.


    With his heart pounding wildly, he instinctively looked down to find the surface of the Imperial Tablet in his hand smooth and reflective, without a single mark.


    Ah!


    At that moment, a short scream echoed from not far away. Zhao Sheng looked up and saw Ge Chen''s face deathly pale, chopping off his entire right arm in desperation.


    At this point, his right forearm had already vanished, with a streak of blood light swiftly eroding upward from the elbow. Had Ge Chen not reacted quickly, he would have followed Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan''s fate and ended up dismembered.


    Zhao Sheng felt a chill upon witnessing this. The Poison Dragon Python''s attack had indeed reached the Golden Core Level standard; ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators couldn''t dodge it, nor could they block it easily.


    The Poison Dragon Python let out a mournful cry and its body abruptly shrank by half; the bloody light on its surface suddenly collapsed, and the Dragon Horns on its head turned ash-white, leaving only a two-foot-long segment as thick as a wrist.


    At this moment, its ferocious light faded from its eyes, along with the imposing aura from before, and its aura significantly weakened. Its body trembled slightly, nearly falling into the sea, appearing quite unstable.


    Clearly, the python had pushed beyond its limits with that last attack and suffered a significant drain on its primordial Qi as a result.


    Ge Chen''s face went pale. He suddenly shook his sleeve, and a dazzling golden talisman flew out. It instantly burst into a sphere of golden light that enveloped him, then with a flash, he turned into a streak of golden light and broke the void to escape.


    In a few blinks, the golden light vanished into the vast night.


    "Scoundrel!"


    Zhao Sheng had just witnessed the scene and, despite his mild-mannered nature, couldn''t help but curse loudly when he saw Ge Chen flee without warning.


    At this moment, four Second Order Black Poison Pythons converged, enveloped in swirling poison mist, and charged towards Zhao Sheng with overwhelming ferocity.


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly, and his Golden Essence Flying Sword instantly returned to his side, forming a sword rainbow that protected his entire body.


    Then, with a flick of his wrist, he scattered a heap of Ice Sword Talismans, which soared out like a Heavenly Girl scattering flowers.


    The sky suddenly darkened as countless three-foot Ice Swords materialized, occupying a hundred zhang of void and forming an ice sword forest in the sky. Under the moonlight, they emitted a chilling, bone-penetrating light of murderous intent.


    The next instant, a torrent of Ice Swords mercilessly descended like raindrops, one wave following another without giving the Demon Pythons a chance to breathe.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t dare boast about anything else, but when it came to First-Order Talismans, he could count them by the bag.


    "Pfft, pfft," resounded continuously.


    The four Black Poison Pythons that appeared so formidable suddenly wilted. It was their natural instinct to fear the cold, and even as Second-order Demon Pythons, they couldn''t resist the effect.


    They could temporarily withstand the rain of swords but couldn''t stop the endless chill that spread astonishingly fast each time the Ice Swords shattered.


    In an instant, a surge of killing intent erupted in Zhao Sheng''s eyes. He formed a sword formula with his right hand, and the Golden Essence Flying Sword shot out rapidly.


    A Second Order Black Poison Python was coiling up to fend off the Ice Swords, but the penetrating cold had already made its body stiff and slow.


    Just then, it felt a pain in its head, followed by an excruciating agony that radiated through its entire body. It lost consciousness and plunged into eternal darkness.


    On the other side, Zhao Sheng''s right hand continued to flick swiftly, sending out points of golden light leaping like star pills. After a few flashes, they easily pierced through the skulls of the four Second Order Black Poison Pythons.


    Whizz!


    A sword cry echoed through heaven and earth!


    The Golden Essence Small Sword suddenly transformed into a dazzling sword rainbow that tore through the sky, reaching the Poison Dragon Python that was fleeing towards the sea surface in an instant.


    Just one sword strike caused a bowl-sized hole to appear on its body, and large amounts of python blood gushed out like a fountain from the wound.


    Zhao Sheng knew well the principle of striking while the enemy was weak and couldn''t let the Poison Dragon Python join the Black Poison Python Group with its strength so diminished.


    The Poison Dragon Python continued to cry out in agony as blood light burst from its body, drastically increasing its speed by more than thirty percent in its flight.


    At that moment, the Black Poison Python Group in the sea, sensing their king''s danger, immediately spewed out a massive cloud of black poison fog.


    In the midst of its escape, the Poison Dragon Python sucked in sharply, and an acre''s worth of poison fog was inhaled into its mouth.

 Chapter 198 Killing Pythons and Treasure Hunting - Part 2

    In the blink of an eye, the spirit of the Poison Dragon Python was greatly invigorated; the bloody hole healed rapidly at a visible pace.Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s gaze turned cold, and without a word, he urged the sword formula. The Golden Essence Flying Sword, which had just pierced through, coiled around and transformed into a sword rainbow, slashing through again.


    With a "puff" sound!


    As expected, the Poison Dragon Python had suffered a great loss in its primordial qi, and even its fleshly defense had weakened significantly¡ªit couldn''t withstand the stabbing of the flying sword, and another bloody hole appeared next to its reverse scale.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing that he had not struck a vital point, couldn''t help but snort coldly; divine light surged in his eyes as the Spiritual Flying Sword instantly turned into a point of golden light, shooting into the Poison Dragon Python''s reverse scale at an inconceivable speed.


    In just a few breaths, having activated Bullet Time three times in a row, his mental strength was depleted by nearly a third.


    After a flash of golden light. The reverse scale was penetrated, creating a hole, and the next instant, glistening blood, like jade, of the Poison Dragon Python spurted out.


    Whirr!


    The Golden Essence Flying Sword burst out from the other side of the Poison Dragon Python''s neck, breaking through the scale armor and flying out swiftly.


    Following a buzzing sound, the glow on both edges of the flying sword quickly dulled, its surface covered with a layer of bloody light, which writhed incessantly like a living thing.


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but grunt in displeasure. His complexion changed, realizing he had lost control of the flying sword.


    The Spiritual Artifact flying sword, having lost much of its spiritual essence, wobbled through the air for a bit before suddenly crashing down as if it had lost power.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng was alarmed and without thinking, he suddenly grasped at the void with one hand, while the other sleeve vibrated and flicked out.


    With a "swoo" sound,


    As the flying sword was pulled back by an invisible force, a bright blue Thunder Ball suddenly appeared in the hole at the vital seven-inch spot of the Poison Dragon Python, burrowing fiercely into it.


    Boom!


    A thunderous explosion reverberated through heaven and earth; blood and flesh scattered everywhere, falling into the sea and splashing up countless droplets.


    First struck by the sword at its seven-inch spot and then shattered by the Water Mine, even the Demon Python known for its life force couldn''t withstand such an assault.


    Though the Poison Dragon Python did not die instantly, its massive body writhed in the sea, stirring up waves.


    But Zhao Sheng knew the Poison Dragon Python was already dead; it was just the instinctual reactions of its body now. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was evident from the way the Black Poison Python Group suddenly panicked and scattered, frantically fleeing in all directions.


    Zhao Sheng avoided the last struggles of the Poison Dragon Python and released the Light Spirit Flying Boat.


    After boarding the Flying Boat, he used his Divine Sense to pilot the flying boat down to the sea surface, lifting up the remains of four Second-order Demon Pythons, and placed them into the emptied Storage Bag.


    Next, he dived into the sea, searching in all directions.


    In one hour, he slew dozens of Black Poison Pythons and finally extracted the remains of Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan from inside a Black Poison Python.


    At this time, the writhing body of the Poison Dragon Python was gradually losing its vitality and becoming sluggish.


    Zhao Sheng waited patiently for another hour, until the Poison Dragon Python had completely stopped moving, before he went forward and smoothly stored its body in the specially prepared Storage Bag.


    It was only then that Zhao Sheng fully relaxed, feeling both joy and sorrow in his heart.


    Over the past two years, he had been living a reclusive life within the Spring and Autumn Alliance, devoting himself to Cultivation and Alchemy, and had not made many friends; Meng Quyi was one of the few he had.


    Now, Meng had carelessly died in this unknown sea area, his hundred years of arduous cultivation dissipated in vain. What a pity, a great pity indeed!


    With these thoughts, Zhao Sheng recalled Ge Chen, who had fled without warning, and couldn''t help feeling a blaze of nameless anger.


    Even though he knew that Ge Chen''s actions were quite common in the Cultivation World, Zhao Sheng still despised such behavior deeply.


    What kind of person was this! Brother Meng and Fang Weishan had both been invited by him to hunt pythons together.


    Setting aside their deaths, couldn''t Ge Chen at least have sent a message before fleeing?


    This act was clearly using him as a scapegoat!


    Nevertheless, Zhao Sheng could do nothing to Ge Chen for the time being. After all, Ge was a favored disciple of Master Xu Chong and a Second-Order Alchemist, highly regarded by the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    Zhao Sheng, being merely a Foundation Establishment Minister, couldn''t compare with Ge Chen at all.


    Zhao Sheng knew that he had now formed an enmity with Ge Chen. Although now was not the time, he vowed to settle this account at a later date.


    After all the corpses of the Demon Pythons on the sea surface had been salvaged.


    Zhao Sheng put away the Flying Boat, took a deep dive into the sea, and quickly swam downwards.


    A moment later, he easily reached the ocean floor, ten thousand feet deep.


    After searching around for a while, he found a sunken sea pit, and with a flip of his hand, a completely lustrous Sea Shell suddenly appeared in the palm of his hand.


    The Sea Shell flew out, its size swelling enormously to fifty to sixty feet, and it settled into the sea pit.


    Zhao Sheng cast two spells with his hands, and a layer of white light emerged on the Sea Shell. The shell was suddenly supported open by rune stone pillars, creating a crack. Zhao Sheng flashed and entered through it.


    Having entered the Bei Mansion Cave Heaven, Zhao Sheng headed straight for the quiet room within the courtyard. After he entered the quiet room, he immediately sat cross-legged on an apricot-yellow cushion and began to meditate to recover his consumed Divine Sense and Spiritual Power.


    Beneath the sea was pitch black, without light or sound, almost devoid of the concepts of day and night.


    After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, looking lively as he stood up and walked out of the quiet room.


    A short while later, Zhao Sheng emerged from the Sea Shell.


    With a thought, he saw the Sea Shell instantly shrink to the size of a palm, floated up from the pit, flew back to Zhao Sheng''s palm, and then was stored inside his chest.


    Zhao Sheng did not immediately return to Nine Virtuous Isle, but instead swam towards the seabed of rocky reefs where the Black Poison Pythons had nested the night before.


    He still remembered that the Spiritual Energy there was abnormally high, and he wanted to search the area again.


    Before long, that chaotic seabed of rocky reefs entered the range of his Divine Sense.


    Zhao Sheng took out a Sunshine Stone, whose intense white light dispersed the darkness for about sixty feet around.


    Holding the Sunshine Stone, Zhao Sheng sensed the varying levels of surrounding Spiritual Energy, slowly swimming towards the area with the highest concentration.


    The area of this seabed rocky reef wasn''t large, roughly sixteen or seventeen acres, with the rocks becoming larger towards the center.


    In just a dozen or so breaths, Zhao Sheng had swum to the center of the rocks, where a coral stone pillar, over thirty feet high and six to seven feet in diameter, stood before him.


    The place with the richest Spiritual Energy was this stone pillar.


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and instantly recalled the huge coral reef pillar near the Mist Sea Area that was about to protrude above the sea surface.


    Though the two were vastly different in size, both were formed from rare Coral Spirit Mothers, one gray, while the one before him was green all over.


    With a brief discernment, Zhao Sheng sensed that the surrounding Spiritual Energy was primarily of the Water Element.


    If there were a Spirit Vein here, it would certainly be a Water Element Spirit Vein below.


    Due to the geographical factors of the Shattered Star Sea, the Spirit Veins were mostly of water and earth elements, followed by metal and wood, with the Fire Element Spirit Veins being the rarest.


    Zhao Sheng was eighty percent certain that beneath this coral stone pillar lay a Water Element Spirit Vein.


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng immediately took out a High-grade Magical Weapon Wind Blade and began to dig at the base of the pillar.


    This digging lasted for two full days, with Zhao Sheng working tirelessly, eventually excavating a passage over thirty feet long.


    Bang!


    Half a day later, as Zhao Sheng struck the stone wall with a blade, his hand suddenly felt empty, and a hole appeared in front of him, emitting a faint blue water light.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng was overjoyed inside and began to excavate vigorously.


    He quickly opened up a stone cave half the height of a person and, unable to wait, crawled inside.


    Behind the stone cave was a small, spherical grotto, only slightly more than ten feet high and not more than six feet wide.


    The grotto was empty, but in a small depression in the center lay a pool of pale blue, clear Spirit Liquid.


    The Spirit Liquid emitted a faint bright blue glow, illuminating the entire grotto, casting a blue hue over Zhao Sheng''s face.


    Upon seeing this Spirit Liquid, Zhao Sheng immediately exclaimed in delight, "Jade Spirit Liquid!"


    "Hey hey, Brother Zhao would have guessed it just right." Hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyes gleamed, and without another word, he shook his staff which then extended and bent from both ends, transforming into a pitch-black giant bow.


    Then with a shout, he drew the bow open, and a dazzling golden Light Arrow appeared on the giant bow.


    With a "whoosh" sound!

 Chapter 199 Foundation Establishment Pill Elixir Recipe and Golden Burning Spirit Flame

    In the Spiritual Cave, Zhao Sheng, overwhelmed by surprise, immediately walked to the edge of the pool, took out a Jade Purifying Bottle with a big belly and a thin neck, and reached out towards the Jade Spirit Liquid with a gesture.The spirit liquid in the pool instantly erupted into a column of water, gurgling into the Jade Purifying Bottle.


    A few breaths later, the pool was emptied of its Jade Liquid, and the Jade Purifying Bottle was more than half full,


    Zhao Sheng slightly shook the bottle and listened to the sound of the water, estimating about two liters.


    He smiled in satisfaction, glanced around, and suddenly remembered something, furrowing his brows and immediately turned to leave.


    The sky was clear, and the sunlight was radiant.


    With a splash, Zhao Sheng suddenly burst out from the sea surface.


    In mid-air, he flicked his right hand, and the Silver White Flying Boat shot out, swelling from the size of a palm to three zhang in an instant.


    After leaping onto the Flying Boat, Zhao Sheng activated his Divine Sense, and the boat abruptly sped up, racing towards Nine Virtuous Isle.


    In the blink of an eye, the Flying Boat disappeared into the vast horizon.


    Half a day later, as the sun set and night fell, the various islets of Nine Virtues Isle had already lit up with lights, with the bustling and lively Spring and Autumn Island illuminated brilliantly, lighting up the nearby night sky.


    At that moment, a Silver White Flying Boat suddenly broke through the night sky, descending directly below Alliance Peak in the center of Spring and Autumn Island.


    Alliance Peak was not tall, nor was it large, but it was the core of the Spirit Vein of Nine Virtues Isle, where the Spiritual Energy was most rich.


    This place was also where the upper echelons of the Spring and Autumn Alliance of ascetics secluded themselves for cultivation, and the cave mansions of the three Golden Core Masters were on the mountainside of Alliance Peak.


    Zhao Sheng stowed away the Flying Boat, controlled his sword to fly, and quickly arrived at a stone platform carved out on the mid-mountain. At the end of the stone platform was a tightly closed bronze door, flanked by two young men dressed in black.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward and spoke aloud, "I am Zhao Chonghe, currently a Minister at the alliance. I must urgently meet with Master Qi Feng, please inform him on my behalf."


    With that, he took out the Guest Token to show to the two men.


    The young man on the right seriously verified the authenticity of the Token, then quickly bowed and said, "Senior, please wait a moment! I will inform him immediately."


    "Mm, go ahead!"


    After giving a bow, the young man turned and entered into the cave mansion.


    Shortly after, he returned and guided Zhao Sheng inside.


    The two walked through a hallway, its walls bare stone, with simple and unadorned stone rooms on either side.


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback, not expecting that someone of Master Qi Feng''s high status would be such an ascetic.


    Passing through the hallway, they arrived at a simply furnished living room where they met Master Qi Feng, dressed in a gray Daoist robe. Enjoy exclusive adventures from My Virtual Library Empire


    Master Qi Feng looked slightly displeased, and upon seeing Zhao Sheng, immediately joked, "Zhao Kid, it''s been two years, and this is the first time you''ve come to visit. Tell me, what important matter brings you here?"


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt embarrassed and quickly bowed to beg for mercy with a few words.


    Only then did Master Qi Feng let him off, asking, "What brings you to see this old Daoist today?"


    With a solemn face, Zhao Sheng immediately recounted to Master Qi Feng the invitation from Ge Chen, and how he, Meng Quyi, and Fang Weishan set out to hunt the Poison Dragon Python¡ªresulting in two deaths and one escape, leaving only him alive to discover a Spirit Vein.


    "Hmm? Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan, both Foundation Establishment Cultivators, are dead? And you actually discovered a Spirit Vein?" Master Qi Feng suddenly sat upright, frowning and confirming in a cold voice.


    "Eh, Ge Chen didn''t inform you? I dare not utter any falsehoods. Senior, please look, these are Brother Meng and Daoist Fang''s corpses."


    With that, Zhao Sheng took out the corpses of the two men and laid them on the floor of the living room.


    Master Qi Feng glanced over them, his face suddenly turned cold, the presence of the bodies confirming the truth of the matter.


    The Spring and Autumn Alliance had just over thirty Foundation Establishment Cultivators altogether. Excluding those neutral like Zhao Sheng, only eight belonged to Master Qi Feng''s side.


    Unfortunately, Meng and Fang were two of those eight.


    With two dying at once, it was impossible for Master Qi Feng not to be outraged, even with his mastery in cultivating calm.


    Zhao Sheng''s immediate visit to Master Qi Feng upon his return to Nine Virtuous Isle was of course to turn a passive situation into an active one.


    Paper can''t wrap fire!


    The death and obliteration of two Foundation Establishment Cultivators was no minor issue. Rather than being questioned later, it was better to take the initiative and come clean now.


    Zhao Sheng did not hand over the Storage Bags and Spiritual Artifacts of the two men, and Master Qi Feng did not ask.


    Returning the bodies was already the utmost demonstration of righteousness; the remaining belongings were Zhao Sheng''s spoils of war. This was an "unwritten rule" traditionally passed down in the Cultivation World, rarely broken by anyone.


    ...


    After a moment, two streaks of light shot up from Alliance Peak, soared above Xia Guang Island, and then descended.


    Upon seeing the bodies of Meng and Fang, Master Qi Feng immediately took Zhao Sheng to see Alchemy Master Xu Chong


    The purpose was not anything else, but purely to seek an explanation. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meng and Fang''s Daoist cultivation was insufficient, their deaths were regrettable. However, what truly infuriated Master Qi Feng was that Ge Chen had returned without even notifying anyone.


    This not only reflected poorly on Ge Chen''s character but also chilled the heart.


    Owing to his status, Master Qi Feng would not trouble a junior, but as an elder, Xu Chong needed to provide a satisfactory explanation.


    The affair was both simple and clear.


    Zhao Sheng stated the details once more in front of Xu Chong.


    After hearing the full account, Xu Chong immediately felt disgraced.


    When a disciple lacks integrity, the master inevitably feels disgraced.


    The Cultivation World is not just about battles and killings, but also about the nuances of human relationships.


    What followed need not be mentioned.


    Xu Chong quickly apologized to Master Qi Feng, additionally promising to compensate the families of Meng and Fang generously on behalf of his disciple.

 Chapter 199 Foundation Establishment Pill Recipe and Golden Burning Spirit Flame_2

    Afterward, Zhao Sheng heard that Ge Chen was locked in Contemplation Cave for ten years of reflection as a way to give Master Qi Feng an explanation.Zhao Sheng never expected that after Ge Chen''s narrow escape, he would remain silent, not even sending a word out, eventually leading to this embarrassing situation. Whom could this be blamed on?


    Perhaps Ge Chen thought he was the only one who survived, which is why he chose to "keep his mouth shut."


    The very next morning, under Zhao Sheng''s guidance, Master Qi Feng personally inspected the First-rank Spirit Vein.


    After examining the Spiritual Cave and confirming that the spirit vein''s quality was First Order Middle Grade, Master Qi Feng''s face finally showed a trace of a smile.


    In the Cultivation World, spirit veins are the foundation of all Cultivation Forces; no one would think they had too many.


    Back in the day, the Zhao Family had paid a hefty price to rent the spirit vein in Dragon Carp Lake. After moving to Taifu Mountain, they spared no life or death in participating in the Southern Border expansion war, eventually trading Flame Ridge and Lush Peach Mountain for the ownership of a First-rank Spirit Vein.


    One can imagine the rarity and preciousness of spirit veins.


    Zhao Sheng also wanted to hide this spirit vein, but it was not feasible.


    Let''s not forget, Ge Chen knew of this place as well.


    Instead of letting Ge Chen leak the information, it was better to take the initiative and inform the Spring and Autumn Alliance to secure some benefits in return.


    In the undersea spiritual vein stone cave, Master Qi Feng, having inspected the cave, turned to Zhao Sheng and said, "There are only you and I here. Think carefully about what you want to trade it for. Rest assured, with this True Immortal here, you won''t suffer any losses!"


    Seeing the profound meaning in Master Qi Feng''s eyes, Zhao Sheng got the hint.


    The invitation in his words couldn''t be clearer.


    Since that was the case, he wouldn''t be blamed for making a hefty request.


    "I would like to exchange it for a Foundation Establishment Pill recipe, may the True Immortal grant this wish!" Zhao Sheng said directly.


    Master Qi Feng''s eyebrows raised, and he scolded with a laugh, "Good lad, you sure know when to strike, and you''ve certainly got the nerve to ask."


    Zhao Sheng felt relieved at this response, knowing the matter was settled.


    Which is more important, a spirit vein or the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe? For a power, it really is a subjective question.


    But from Master Qi Feng''s perspective, a mere elixir recipe not only secured a spirit vein but also gained a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, killing two birds with one stone, a very worthwhile deal.


    Shortly after, the two left the undersea spirit vein and returned to Nine Virtuous Isle.


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng was invited by Master Qi Feng again and finally got the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe he wished for.


    At the same time, he naturally became one of Master Qi Feng''s people.


    Over the next month, Zhao Sheng successively met with the eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators from his side, clearly establishing his status as "one of our own."


    ¡­


    Just after returning to his cave mansion, Zhao Sheng rushed into the quiet room, waved his hand to release four Barrier Talismans, and established an isolation barrier.


    Then, he excitedly took out the Jade Scroll that contained the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe, sent his Divine Sense into it, and began to meticulously examine it.


    After a while, Zhao Sheng put away the Jade Scroll, his expression one of deep thought.


    To his knowledge, the Foundation Establishment Pill in the Central Continent used Red Fire Ganoderma as the main ingredient, but this recipe was different. It used Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit as the primary ingredient for Foundation Establishment.


    The Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit is a Spirit Fruit from the Star God Sea, which occasionally floats to the surface during the once-a-year Star Algae Tide and is picked by some lucky few.


    In terms of availability and rarity, the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit is much less common than the Red Fire Ganoderma.


    In other words, the annual production of Foundation Establishment Pills in the Shattered Star Sea is extremely limited and nowhere near enough to meet the demands of Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators.


    Zhao Sheng had once bid on a Foundation Establishment Pill on Wind and Fire Island and was well aware that its price was more than double the average price in the Central Continent.


    After pondering for a while, he put away the Elixir Recipe Jade Scroll and took out the Jade Purifying Bottle containing the Jade Spirit Liquid, poured out a mouthful of Spirit Liquid, and swallowed it.


    Swish!


    As soon as the Spirit Liquid went down, he immediately felt a cool breath rush up from his stomach, passing through the lungs and throat and pouring into the Purple Mansion Soul Sea, materializing into a drizzle of spirit rain that fell down, merging into the Soul Sea.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng felt as if his mind were coated with a layer of refreshing balm. He was utterly cool and comfortable, and his thoughts were crystal clear, his thinking much faster than before.


    At this moment, Divine Sense unconsciously spread out, reaching its maximum range of thirteen zhang, then gradually began to expand even further.


    Time seemed to have passed for ages, yet it felt like just a moment.


    When the Spirit Liquid had been completely absorbed, Zhao Sheng was surprised to find that the strength of his Divine Sense had increased slightly, and its range had expanded by more than a foot.


    Seeing how miraculous the Jade Spirit Liquid was, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but gulp down another mouthful in his joy.


    Swoosh!


    The peculiar state reappeared, and his Divine Sense began to slowly expand outward once again.


    ...


    Three years flew by in the blink of an eye.


    In Elixir Fire Square on Xia Guang Island, a new Alchemy Shop called Heavenly Tripod Pavilion recently opened on True Flame Street.


    "Do you know who the owner of Heavenly Tripod Pavilion is?"


    At a wine table in a tavern facing the street, a middle-aged man with a beard playfully asked his friends.


    "Who is it? Come on, Old Li, stop holding out and just tell us! I''ll foot the bill for this table if I must," his friend urged, running out of patience.


    The middle-aged man known as Old Li chuckled before saying, "You''re aware that the Alchemy Master Association has recently gained a few Alchemists, right?"


    "Cut the nonsense!" his friend interjected impatiently.


    "Don''t be in such a hurry!" the middle-aged man said with an awkward smile, hastening to add, "The owner of Heavenly Tripod Pavilion is none other than the recently renowned Zhao Chonghe. He''s not only a newly-promoted First-rank Alchemist but also a Guest Elder of the Spring and Autumn Alliance. I''ve also heard that Senior Zhao''s strength is unfathomable, never having been defeated in a fight."


    "Really? How come I''ve never heard of him before?"


    "Senior Zhao has always kept a low profile. If my third uncle hadn''t had dealings with him, I wouldn''t have known how formidable he really is either."


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    As the two discussed Zhao Sheng, the subject of their conversation was in the backyard of Heavenly Tripod Pavilion, meeting with a friend.


    In the living room, Jin Ming wiped the sweat from his brow and said with a mix of pride and a bit of complaint, "I''ve been running around so much for your sake that my legs have gotten thinner, and my throat is about to start smoking."


    Zhao Sheng personally poured him a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Brother Jin, you''ve worked hard! Did everything go smoothly?"


    Jin Ming, pleased with himself, took a sip of tea and boasted, "Do you even need to ask? With me on the case, I''ve already got what you wanted." S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After speaking, he took out a fiery red gourd and carefully passed it to Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng received the gourd, probed inside it with his Divine Sense, and saw a palm-sized bright yellow spirit flame quietly burning within.


    "Is this... the Golden Crow True Fire?" Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but ask upon seeing this.


    "You''re getting ahead of yourself! Golden Crow True Fire scorches the heavens and earth, and this little one doesn''t even possess one percent of its power. At best, it''s a Golden Burning Spirit Flame. Whether it can ascend to the Golden Crow True Fire depends on whether you can gather the Seven-colored Spiritual Fire," Jin Ming said with a dismissive wave of his hand.


    Zhao Sheng wasn''t disappointed and nodded, "So it''s the Golden Burning Spirit Flame, not bad. As long as it can be used for alchemy, that''s all that matters."


    "Brother Zhao, aren''t your standards a bit too high? There are countless Alchemists in the association who are coveting this Golden Burning Spirit Flame, and yet it has ended up in your hands. Don''t be ungrateful!" Jin Ming said, quite indignant.


    Zhao Sheng put away the Fire Gourd and said with a smile, "I''m not ungrateful. It''s all fair competition, after all. Whoever is willing to pay the most gets it! If they''re unwilling to make a bid, who can blame them?"


    "Hmph, besides me, who in the Alchemist Association knows how rich you, Zhao Mansion''s Zhao Da, truly are? To get a Spirit Flame for alchemy, you are willing to throw down two hundred thousand Spirit Stones," Jin Ming grumbled.


    "Mr. Jin, are you suggesting the hush money I gave you isn''t enough?"


    Jin Ming''s eyes shifted, and he protested, "I wouldn''t dare say that. But if Taoist Zhao could give me some pointers on how to refine the Spirit Essence Pill, that would be most appreciated."


    The Spirit Essence Pill is a Second Order Spirit Pill recorded in the "Hundred Elixirs Formula" and is primarily used to enhance cultivation.


    In just a few years, Jin Ming was shocked to find that Taoist Zhao''s alchemy skills had quietly surpassed his own.


    Taoist Zhao could refine at least three types of Second Order Spirit Pills, while he hadn''t managed to refine even one successfully.


    Every time Jin Ming thought about this, he felt like he had lived all these years in vain.


    "That''s easy to arrange, we''ll go to the Earth Fire Room tomorrow," Zhao Sheng agreed readily.

 Chapter 200 Enlightenment Pill, Entrusted to Meet an Enemy

    Heavenly Tripod Pavilion''s backyardGuest reception room,


    Zhao Sheng was seated on the chief purple wooden chair, his expression calm as he scrutinized a worn and yellowed beast skin in his hands.


    To his left sat a scrawny old man in a black short robe, his face sallow and appearing quite destitute. This person was anxiously sizing up Zhao Sheng.


    Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng finished examining the elixir recipe in his hands and, lost in thought, placed it on the wooden table beside him, tapping the beast skin with his fingers.


    Seeing this, the scrawny old man couldn''t help but tentatively say, "Senior Zhao, I stake my life on it, this Enlightenment Pill recipe is genuine."


    Zhao Sheng listened, smiled playfully, and calmly said, "The last three ingredients¡ªSeven-flavor Fruit, Stem Lotus, and Heart-opening Fruit¡ªare your additions, aren''t they!"


    Upon hearing this, the elder was initially taken aback and then his face filled with indignation, just about to argue.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng raised his hand to stop him and quickened his speech, "No need to explain. The primary ingredient in this recipe is the Thousand-year-old Xuanxuan Fruit. Don''t you know that Xuanxuan Fruit must absolutely never be mixed with Seven-flavor Fruit?"


    Seeing the elder''s clueless expression, Zhao Sheng continued unhurriedly, "Not knowing is no matter, but you should have heard of the Seven Mysterious Absolute Poison from the Seven Mysterious Sect. Xuanxuan Fruit and Seven-flavor Fruit are the two primary ingredients in that poison."


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    The Seven Mysterious Sect was infamously known throughout the Shattered Star Sea, especially skilled in poisoning and assassination, and their Seven Mysterious Absolute Poison was renowned for being incurable.


    Hearing this, the scrawny old man began sweating profusely, terrified, he suddenly knelt down, bowing repeatedly, begging Zhao Sheng for mercy.


    In the Cultivation World, it was common for people to deceive alchemists with fake elixir recipes, and just as common for such deceptions to be uncovered.


    However, it was audaciously reckless for the old man to attempt such a fraud on a Foundation Establishment Realm alchemist, only to have his deception exposed.


    The consequences of this affair were severe, severe to the extent that being beaten to death was deserved.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, slightly smiled and raised his tone, asking, "What about the refining method of the recipe?"


    "Spare my life, Senior... uh, uh, the refining... the refining method is here!"


    The scrawny old man startled, then snapped back to reality, immediately fumbling to pull a folded piece of beast skin from his chest and presented it respectfully.


    "Spare my life, Senior, I have not spoken falsely, this recipe truly is passed down from my ancestors. If I dare utter a single lie, may I be struck by thunder!"


    As the elder swore his oath, Zhao Sheng swiftly glanced over the Spirit Pill''s refining method, then felt more confident internally.


    From his experience and knowledge, the refining method seemed correct, just missing two critical steps.


    And apart from the last three added ingredients, the ingredients in the rest of the recipe were also most likely genuine.


    This could be verified by combining various alchemy steps.


    Zhao Sheng was eighty percent sure that the recipe was authentic, only missing a few key ingredients and one or two steps in the alchemy process.


    "Ah, what a pity," Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly.


    This recipe revealed just how severe the problem of guarded secrecy was within the Cultivation World.


    For millennia, countless divine skills and secret knowledge had been lost or remained incomplete for reasons of selfishness, monopoly, myopia, and so forth, eventually disappearing from the world.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng felt utterly speechless and signaled impatiently with a wave of his hand for the old man to leave quickly.


    The scrawny old man, seeing this, burst into fits of ecstasy, hopping up and rushing out of the guest reception room.


    Zhao Sheng then picked up the recipe again and studied it thoroughly.


    This time, he pondered it alongside the refining method, gaining insight with each review.


    This Enlightenment Pill... the name must also be genuine, but let us call it the Enlightenment Pill for now.


    The Enlightenment Pill recipe listed thirty-one different Spiritual Medicines, with a total of eleven alchemy steps written on the beast skin. Refining a batch would take about three to five days.


    From his experience, he judged the grade of the Enlightenment Pill to be at least Second Order, possibly even Third-Order Spirit Pills, and the difficulty of its refinement was extremely high.


    After analyzing the properties of the ingredients listed in the recipe, Zhao Sheng felt fairly certain that the Enlightenment Pill was likely a type of "Smart Pill" that could temporarily enhance a cultivator''s aptitude. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If that was the case, the value of this recipe was incalculable, with a huge difference between its upper and lower limits.


    The lower limit might be somewhat similar to Soul Condensing Pills, causing a short-term surge in spiritual power and a significant boost in mental capacity.


    The upper limit was harder to guess, the best expectation being a permanent increase in a portion of a cultivator''s aptitude.


    Yet, regardless of the final outcome, this was a "lucky find" for Zhao Sheng.


    Just as he diligently studied the recipe, a young man in white swiftly entered the reception room and respectfully said, "Master, Senior Jin is here!"


    "Haha! Surely I''m excused from being announced,"


    Before the voice fell, Jin Ming, wearing a smile, suddenly appeared at the doorway, then strolled leisurely into the reception room.


    At this moment, a middle-aged man with a pale, beardless face and eyes shining with sharp light followed him in.


    Zhao Sheng put down the recipe, stood up from his chair, and smilingly said, "Mr. Jin, you certainly don''t need to be. Please, come in."


    After speaking, he instructed the young man in white, "Xiao Yong, go brew two pots of Phoenix Tea."


    The young man in white immediately bowed in agreement and quickly stepped back.


    "Please, have a seat!"


    Once the three were seated, Zhao Sheng examined Jin Ming and noticed that he now had white hair and numerous dark spots covering his face, looking completely aged compared to just a couple of years ago.

 Chapter 200 Enlightenment Pill, Entrusting Meeting with Enemy_2

    Zhao Sheng silently sighed, knowing this was the result of a failed Foundation Establishment.He remembered how, five years ago, Jin Ming had eagerly sought his advice on how to refine the Spirit Essence Pill.


    But half a year ago, after failing to establish his foundation, he rapidly aged, his spirit nearly gone, with seemingly only a few years left to live.


    Jin Ming, noting Zhao Sheng''s regret, laughed it off, pointing to a middle-aged man, and introduced, "Taoist Zhao, this is my clan nephew, Jin Jiang, who is also the next Family Head of the Jin Family."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the middle-aged man abruptly stood up and gave Zhao Sheng a deep bow with utmost respect, saying, "I am Jin Jiang, Junior, who has long revered Senior Zhao''s renowned name. Seeing you today, you indeed transcend the mundane. My admiration for you, Senior, is like the endless Milky Way...


    Seeing Jin Jiang''s sycophantic flattery, Zhao Sheng turned his head and gave Jin Ming a look that seemed to say, "How did you choose this one?"


    A bitter smile appeared on Jin Ming''s face; he didn''t want this either, but Jin Jiang was the most outstanding in his family.


    His disciple, Jin Dancheng, had a temperament too rigid and a mind insufficiently sharp, wholly incapable of supporting the vast Jin Family.


    Jin Ming shook his head helplessly and cut in, "Enough! Jin Jiang, sit down!"


    At these words, Jin Jiang flashed an embarrassed smile and hurriedly sat back down.


    Just then, a young man in white, carrying two pots of Spiritual Tea and teaware, quickly walked into the living room.


    After setting the teacups and pouring three bowls of Spiritual Tea, the young man in white tactfully retreated.


    After some idle chat over tea, Jin Ming finally stated his intentions.


    As it turned out, sensing his days were numbered, Jin Ming planned to entrust the ancestral Treasure Medicine Pavilion to Zhao Sheng, while also introducing his successor, Jin Jiang, to him.


    Hearing the words of his old friend, Zhao Sheng understood.


    The Jin Family''s strength was weak; the previous generation''s foundation builders had died decades ago, and now everything depended on Jin Ming.


    Once Jin Ming was gone, the Jin Family would simply be unable to guard the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, this juicy prize, so they needed a powerful backer.


    After much consideration, Jin Ming felt that Zhao Sheng was wealthy and reliable and probably wouldn''t covet something trivial like the Treasure Medicine Pavilion.


    That was why he had made the visit today.


    After understanding the intentions of the two, Zhao Sheng gave it some thought and readily agreed, but also made it clear upfront that while he would help with small matters, some situations would depend on the circumstances.


    Implicitly, he wasn''t going to get burnt for the sake of the Jin Family.


    Jin Ming, understanding and pleased by Zhao Sheng''s stance of wise self-preservation, was extremely grateful and excited.


    From the conversation, Jin Ming had confirmed that his old friend would absolutely not covet the Precious Herb Pavilion, truly proving he hadn''t misjudged him.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng was left alone in the living room, and on the table next to him now lay two milky-white Jade Scrolls.


    The Jade Scrolls, left by Jin Ming upon his departure, contained the alchemy experiences and insights of generations of alchemists from the Jin Family, while the other recorded various Elixir Recipes collected by the Jin Family.


    This "sincerity" could not be deemed insubstantial. Zhao Sheng pondered for a long time and eventually decided to accept this gift.


    At that moment, in his heart, he felt that he likely had to ensure the Jin Family produced a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to finally settle this cause and effect.


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    ...


    A year later, Jin Ming passed away, and Zhao Sheng advanced to the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer.


    At the same time, the Precious Herb Pavilion indeed became a target for several peers.


    As a rare occurrence to resolve the trouble, Zhao Sheng changed into his Crimson Robe and went to the Alchemy Master Association situated at the base of Dusk Peak.


    That afternoon, Condensation Hall suddenly opened its long-closed grand doors, and one after another, pill masters dressed in lively Qingding Crimson Robes energetically arrived at the site to participate in the pill masters'' exchange meeting held at Condensation Hall.


    While the outside world was basked in scorching sun, the great hall was as cool as spring, adorned with jade tables and chairs all around. The pill masters gathered in groups of two and three, some spiritedly discussing and exchanging alchemy insights; others whispering secrets and spreading gossip; and some engaging in barter exchanges.


    As time passed, the number of alchemists in Condensation Hall exceeded twenty, signifying that one-third of today''s members of the Alchemy Master Association were present here.


    In the northeast corner of the great hall, a red-haired, hawk-nosed alchemist spoke mysteriously to a small group of three, "Do you know? Old Jin has recently passed away!"


    "I knew it already! Alas, with Old Jin gone, the Jin Family has lost its support and it will be difficult for them to establish themselves on Nine Virtuous Isle," another person in the group replied.


    "Exactly! The Jin Family, after all, is an alchemy family with a three-hundred-year legacy, yet now they have declined to this extent. I''m afraid the Treasure Medicine Pavilion will no longer be preserved!"


    "Gentlemen, are you interested in that shop? Not to hide from you, I am in need of a place to prepare medicinal materials. That Treasure Medicine Pavilion, I, Liu, am determined to have it," said a portly middle-aged alchemist with a ruddy face, his tone resolute.


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the skinny Qian Bo chuckled and said, "Hehe, Brother Liu, sorry, but I have also taken a liking to Treasure Medicine Pavilion. Moreover, I have already made an offer to the Jin Family. Unless something unexpected happens, this deal is as good as done."


    "That Qian Bo, acting so quickly! Just you wait, it''s not certain yet who will end up with Treasure Medicine Pavilion," Liu Yu exclaimed angrily, his eyes wide.


    Liu Yu, a veteran First-rank Alchemist and a Loose Cultivator by origin, had studied under Liu Fangzhou, the quasi Third-tier Alchemist and Chairman of the Pill Master Association. He held no low position within the Association, counted as a Pill Master with a significant voice.


    As Liu Yu and Qian Bo were arguing over the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, Zhao Sheng led Jin Dancheng, clad in a brand-new Crimson Robe, into the Condensation Hall.


    Jin Dancheng had been promoted to First-rank Alchemist just a few days ago and had joined the Pill Master Association the day before yesterday. Today was his first official participation in a Pill Master exchange meeting, so he was quite nervous.


    Noticing this, Zhao Sheng reassured him, "Jin Dancheng, don''t be nervous! You''ll get used to it, just stick close to me now."


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng, with a smile, headed towards the nearest exchange circle.


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, he smoothly introduced Jin Dancheng to the other alchemists, clearly expressing his protective intentions in his words.


    Although Zhao Sheng had joined the Pill Master Association less than ten years ago, he was already very famous within the organization.


    Not just because he was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and not just for his generous actions, but more importantly because Zhao Sheng had taken only a few short years to go from starting to study alchemy to being promoted to First-rank Alchemist. He was truly a prodigy in the Alchemy Dao.


    Thus, even though he rarely participated in the various activities organized by the Association, his presence always became the focus of others.


    After introducing Jin Dancheng, Zhao Sheng chatted briefly, and then excusing himself for a matter, he took him to the next circle and again introduced Jin Dancheng to everyone there in a formal manner.


    The intent of such an action was clear.


    Plainly put, it was as if saying, "This person is under my protection."


    A slight contemplation made it easy to guess whose hands the Treasure Medicine Pavilion now fell into.


    Seeing this, Liu Yu was so frustrated that his teeth itched.


    He had been coveting the Treasure Medicine Pavilion not for a day or two, and finally, believing his chance had come with the death of Old Jin. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little did he know, suddenly there was someone else snatching the opportunity.


    Then, Qian Bo spoke lacklusterly, "Brother Liu, we''re out of luck this time. With Mr. Zhao in play, Treasure Medicine Pavilion isn''t something we can aspire to."


    Grinding his teeth, Liu Yu declared vengefully, "This isn''t over yet, just you wait and see!"


    Having said that, Liu Yu stood up and turned to walk towards the back hall.


    "Brother Liu, you..."


    Qian Bo was greatly surprised and just about to call him back when he suddenly stopped, his expression shifting as though he had thought of something.


    Meanwhile, Jin Dancheng followed closely beside Zhao Sheng, looking at Senior Zhao chatting and laughing with others, feeling envious and very grateful.


    He wasn''t foolish and of course understood the implication of Senior Zhao''s actions; it was almost as if he was directly saying that he was the support of the Jin Family.


    For the Jin Family, currently in a precarious situation, this was like taking a reassuring pill.


    Just as Jin Dancheng began to relax more and even occasionally chime into the conversation, a shrill, mocking voice suddenly came from behind him:


    "Haha! I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be the renowned Taoist Zhao. I''ve missed you so much over the years!"


    Jin Dancheng''s heart skipped a beat as he turned to look, only to see a one-armed young man with a face full of amiability but eyes cold as ice, striding towards them surrounded by a group of people.

 Chapter 201 The Tide Will Rise

    "Ah, how truly joyous and congratulatory!"No sooner had Zhao Sheng spoken than Ge Chen''s gaze became unspeakably scheming, his face turning cold in an instant:


    "All thanks to your good fortune! The great kindness and virtue of Taoist Zhao, Ge here will never forget in this lifetime! S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hmph, allow me to repay your ''great kindness'' in the future!"


    As soon as these words were spoken, the volume in the Condensation Hall instantly dropped by more than half, leaving only the sound of whispered conversations.


    At this moment, everyone''s focus was centered on the two Foundation Establishment Alchemists.


    In the Alchemy Master Association, there were nearly a hundred alchemists, but only a scant eleven or twelve had advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    It could be said that any Foundation Establishment Alchemist was a core strength of the Association, and also held extremely high status on Nine Virtuous Isle, being existences best not provoked if possible. Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire


    At the sight of two prominent Foundation Establishment Alchemists at loggerheads, the atmosphere in the great hall instantly became strange.


    Hearing Ge Chen''s sarcastic words, Zhao Sheng didn''t care one bit, chuckling, "Taoist Ge, you overstate things! The matter from last time has already been judged by the alliance, there''s no need to mention it again."


    Hmph!


    Ge Chen snorted coldly, suppressing the resentment in his heart for the moment, and turned his head to look at Jin Dancheng beside Zhao Sheng, asking with a forced smile, "This one looks unfamiliar, could it be a junior of Taoist Zhao? I have deep ties with your elder, and should indeed get closer in the future.


    By the way, what''s your name?"


    Feeling the cold malevolence in the other''s gaze, Jin Dancheng''s scalp tingled and his heart began to pound.


    Being targeted by a Foundation Establishment Realm alchemist for no reason wasn''t a laughing matter, especially since this person''s master was the Alchemy Master, Xu Chong.


    Moreover, Xu Chong was a False Core Master,


    meaning not only did he hold an extraordinary position within the Alchemy Master Association, but he was also famous throughout the entire Nine Virtous Isle, holding an exceptionally revered status.


    To avoid trouble, Jin Dancheng could only bow respectfully, "Junior Jin Dancheng, greets Senior Ge!"


    At this point, Zhao Sheng was just calmly watching from the side without making any superfluous moves.


    He knew that any word or action from him at this time would only be pouring oil on the fire.


    He stood alone, fearless of Ge Chen. But Jin Dancheng had the Jin Family and tens of thousands of clan members to support, and would not dare to provoke Ge Chen.


    Zhao Sheng had lived for years and had long seen through the ways of the world, his heart exceedingly clear.


    In this life, if he were still to dwell on the temporary loss of face, then he might as well have lived all these lives in vain.


    Ge Chen turned his head to Zhao Sheng, with ill-intent, "Taoist Zhao, I see this Taoist Jin has decent potential and wish to take him as a registered disciple. What do you think?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng finally frowned slowly, his tone becoming indifferent, "No!"


    Ge Chen had expected a harsh retort, but received only a definitive ''no,'' which was simply... unimaginable!


    "Hmph, just because you say no, it''s no? This disciple, I have decided to take him!"


    Having dropped the tough stance, Ge Chen then fixed his gaze on Jin Dancheng, asking coldly, "To become my disciple, I guarantee you an upgrade to Foundation Establishment!"


    With these words, there arose a hubbub among the crowd.


    At that moment, most of the alchemists in the hall looked at Jin Dancheng with envy, jealousy, and resentment.


    Everyone knew that Ge Chen''s words were far from empty, as there were only six on Nine Virtuos Isle capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills, and they, master and disciple, were two of them.


    "This... this...."


    It had to be said that Jin Dancheng truly felt tempted, but due to his nature, he still had some reservations.


    Seeing Jin Dancheng sneaking peeks at him, Zhao Sheng sighed softly in his heart.


    No matter what decision Jin Dancheng ultimately made, he wouldn''t be angry at all.


    Because the relationship between him and the Jin Family was merely a transaction without any deep friendship forged.


    After hesitating for a long while, Jin Dancheng finally shook his head, saying gently, "Thank you for your kind consideration, Senior Ge! I truly dare not accept. I am of meager talent and dare not aspire to join your auspicious threshold. Please withdraw your gracious offer, Senior Ge!"


    Before Jin Dancheng had finished speaking, the same thought surged in everyone''s mind, "Is this person a fool?!"


    At that moment, Ge Chen''s assured expression suddenly froze on his face, rage burning within him.


    Zhao Sheng, after hearing this, also couldn''t help but be startled. Then he looked meaningfully at Jin Dancheng.


    At this instant, everyone failed to understand why Jin Dancheng refused Ge Chen''s offer, including Zhao Sheng himself.


    "You... say that again!" Ge Chen looked incredulously at the timorous Jin Dancheng, his words sharp and severe.


    "I apologize! I deeply appreciate your kindness, Senior, but please forgive me for not abiding by your words!" This time, Jin Dancheng''s stance was more resolute than before.


    "Hehe! Please understand, Taoist Ge. Dancheng has already acknowledged a master. Although his master has just passed away, as the saying goes, ''A day as a teacher means a lifetime as a father!'' He''s... just too filial. This child is too stubborn, which is not good," Zhao Sheng said with much emotion and a laugh.


    Without waiting for Ge Chen to express his anger, Zhao Sheng called Jin Dancheng over, "Dancheng, let''s go."


    Then he cupped his hands around the crowd, saying aloud, "Fellow Daoists, take care! I must take my leave first."


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng took Jin Dancheng and turned to leave, paying no attention to Ge Chen behind him, seething with resentment.


    On their way back, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but ask Jin Dancheng, "Why did you refuse just now?"


    Jin Dancheng smiled wryly, shaking his head, "I don''t know what issue you and that person have, but if I accepted him as my master, I doubt I''d live long enough to reach Foundation Establishment."


    Zhao Sheng paused for a moment, then fell silent, choosing not to pursue the matter.

 Chapter 201 The Tide is Coming_2

    Jin Dancheng''s words were pointed, conveying multiple subtle implications.Based merely on that single statement, Zhao Sheng viewed him in a new light, perceiving him as naive yet intellectually bright, showing signs of wisdom.


    ...


    After this incident, Zhao Sheng knew Ge Chen would definitely seek revenge, but he had not anticipated such swift and fierce retaliation.


    The next day, Jin Dancheng arrived at his residence in a panic and immediately began to lament his troubles.


    It turned out that this very morning, the shopkeeper of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion had reported to Jin Dancheng that their medicinal herb purchasing channels had been mostly cut off. Three main channels had informed them that they would no longer sell Spiritual Medicine to them starting today.


    At the same time, as many as eight Alchemists, long-time customers, simultaneously declared they would no longer buy medicinal materials from the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, nor would they sell Elixir Pills through his shop.


    Both avenues of business had been severely disrupted, putting the very survival of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion at risk!


    As the saying goes, "misfortune never comes alone."


    While Jin Dancheng was still voicing his grievances, a Messenger Talisman Crane suddenly located him.


    Upon opening the crane''s message, his hands began to tremble and his face turned as bitter as a gourd with grief.


    "Let me see!"


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng could not remain aloof. The Jin Family was clearly caught in the crossfire this time.


    "Senior, please look¡­ what should we do now?" Jin Dancheng pleaded with a face full of grievance as he handed over a note.


    Zhao Sheng took it, read through once, and understood everything; Ge Chen had indeed taken ruthless measures.


    It turned out that the Jin Family''s clan residence was situated on Fu Feng Island, five hundred miles west of Nine Virtuous Isle.


    Fu Feng Island was a mid-size island that had a First-rank Middle-grade Spirit Vein dividing into eight branches, one of which was leased by the Jin Family.


    The island master of Fu Feng Island was a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Liu He.


    Today, Liu He had suddenly issued a decree without any explanation, forcibly ordering the Jin Family to vacate the leased spirit vein branch within a month.


    After reading, Zhao Sheng put away the note and addressed Jin Dancheng, "You go back to the Treasure Medicine Pavilion now and calm everyone down. I will definitely resolve this matter for you!"


    "Senior, I''m entrusting this entire matter to you!"


    "Rest assured!"


    After seeing off Jin Dancheng, Zhao Sheng''s gaze turned cold, and after a few flickers in his eyes, he stomped his foot and flicked his sleeve, releasing a golden light.


    The golden light swirled around him, and he immediately transformed into a sword rainbow, soaring into the sky, heading straight for the Alliance Peak.


    Moments later, inside the True Master Cave Mansion, Zhao Sheng successfully met with Qi Feng.


    After several years of interaction, Zhao Sheng was well acquainted with his temperament and thus skipped the pleasantries, directly stating his purpose.


    Upon hearing that Ge Chen, still bearing a grudge after coming out of seclusion, had taken out his frustrations on the Jin Family, Qi Feng did not make any moves, simply acknowledging he understood.


    Then, the topic of the Jin Family was dropped, and instead, Qi Feng became interested in asking Zhao Sheng whether he had any thoughts of getting married, mentioning that his family had several outstanding young members who could meet for a potential match.


    Given True Immortal Qi Feng''s astonishing perceptiveness, even though he had not fully seen through Zhao Sheng''s true realm, he noticed that his cultivation was improving rapidly and, importantly, he was still very young.


    Being young meant having great potential, perhaps even the chance to advance to the Golden Core Realm.


    Therefore, Qi Feng valued Zhao Sheng more and wanted to bind him to his own family.


    Qi Feng spoke very bluntly, of course, he had the right to do so.


    He believed the other party would not refuse his kindness unless he was a fool. Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire


    Zhao Sheng was no fool, but he tactfully declined nonetheless.


    It wasn''t that he was ungrateful, but because his identity was sensitive and his lineage special, he absolutely could not reveal it.


    Hearing Zhao Sheng''s refusal, Qi Feng''s brow furrowed, and the atmosphere quickly turned chill.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng emerged from the cave mansion with a grave expression. With a flick of his wrist, his flying sword turned into a rainbow and he departed into the distance.


    That very day, on Fu Feng Island, Liu He suddenly received a talismanic message from Vice Leader Qi Feng of the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    After reading it, Liu He''s face changed and he fiercely glared at his nephew Liu Yu.


    This young man had persuaded him to drive away the Jin Family, originally aiming to please Ge Chen. Little did they know the man had a powerful backer, and now even the Vice Leader was involved, leaving him in a difficult position.


    That afternoon, the present Family Head of the Liu Family on Fu Feng Island, proactively visited the Jin Family and had a delightful conversation with Jin Jiang. Naturally, the eviction order was never brought up again.


    This problem was resolved, but the issue with the Treasure Medicine Pavilion was not so easily handled.


    Although Master Qi Feng had considerable influence, Master Xu Chong also held significant respect.


    A single sentence could clarify the real intention behind this, Master Chang Kong of the Spring and Autumn Alliance personally requested Master Xu Chong out of seclusion, specifically to counter the two Sect Leaders of the Alchemy Master Association to prevent a powerful coalition with Chi Yuan.


    To speak fairly, Xu Chong had done commendably in recent years, having rallied nearly one-third of the Alchemists.


    On Nine Virtuous Isle, Qi Feng was far less influential than Xu Chong in matters related to Alchemy.


    Thus, once Ge Chen spoke out, the Treasure Medicine Pavilion faced the immediate threat of having both its supply and distribution cut off.


    Regarding the resolution of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion issue, Zhao Sheng already had a rough plan.


    ...


    While Zhao Sheng was busy with his plans, a conspiracy that would affect the entire Shattered Star Sea was taking shape.


    Billions of miles away from Nine Virtuous Isle, on a high rock jutting out of the sea, sat an old man with a youthful face and silvery-white hair.


    At that moment, the thin man held a fishing rod, about two fingers thick, that looked wooden but was entirely jade green. A two-zhang-long fishing rod with a fine, hair-thin transparent line dangling from its tip.


    The part of the transparent line that entered the sea swam around non-stop.


    Soon, it created a large whirlpool about forty to fifty zhang in diameter. From the whirlpool emerged muffled gasping sounds, as if a gigantic beast was desperately struggling.


    Just then, a clear and quaint childlike voice floated down through the night sky, "Brother Ling Yuan, if you don''t start pulling now, the prey is going to escape."


    Ling Yuan Ancestor, with a gentle smile, stroked his three-zhang long beard with his right hand and effortlessly held the Dragon-fishing Pole in his left, "Little Zhangzi, you''re still so impatient. One must know, mastering the right timing is most crucial in any endeavor.


    I''ve been leading this foolish creature on for three whole days and nights. Look, isn''t it exhausted by now?"


    "Brother, you said it''s been three days. Why hasn''t the old Dragon King from the Dragon Serpent Ancestor come yet? If he doesn''t show up soon, I''m going to starve,"


    a child with an exceedingly large head but only three feet tall, landed lightly behind Ling Yuan Ancestor. His face was sullen, and frustrated, he fiddled with a tentacle protruding from his ribcage, even biting it harshly as he played.


    "Oh, it''s alright!"


    Speaking thus, Ling Yuan Ancestor, brimming with excitement, placed both hands on the Dragon-fishing Pole and heaved upwards. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a "boom", a seven-zhang-long Dragon Whisker Fish suddenly burst from the whirlpool.


    Simultaneously, a massive column of water, a dozen zhang thick, shot up into the air following the fish, crashing down towards Ling Yuan Ancestor and the others on the rock as if the sky were collapsing.


    Facing the Dragon Whisker Fish''s desperate strike, Zhang Tongzi''s eyes swirled wildly, and he suddenly barked fiercely, "A mere Little Golden Core dares to act wildly! Watch how mighty Zhang Tongzi is!"


    Without waiting for Ling Yuan Ancestor to stop him, he suddenly vanished from the spot like a phantom.


    The next second, Zhang Tongzi appeared above the neck of the Dragon Whisker Fish. His tender little hands clenched into a fist, and then he fiercely slammed it onto the two zhang wide head of the fish.


    "Chirp..."


    As if struck by a meteor, the head of the Dragon Whisker Fish, about one zhang in diameter, deeply caved in.


    "Splash..." Massive amounts of bright red blood mixed with pink brain pulp gushed into the sea below, staining a large area of water red. Countless fish, shrimp, snakes, and crabs surged to the surface, fighting fiercely to claim the blood and brain of the Dragon Whisker Fish.


    Observing this, Ling Yuan Ancestor quickly tossed the half-dead Dragon Whisker Fish onto the rock,


    Meanwhile, he shook his head and lamented, "What a waste! It would''ve been so good to feed my treasures!"


    Zhang Tongzi climbed down from the Dragon Whisker Fish and walked towards Ling Yuan Ancestor, all the while licking the fresh red blood on his little hands with his tender tongue.

 Chapter 202 The Star God Comparable to the Heavenly Dao?

    "Heehee, I''m hungry. Since this little fish is going to die anyway, why not let it fill my belly!"Zhang Tongzi said with a smile, covering his mouth with his small hand, giggling non-stop,


    "No!"


    Just as the words left the Ling Yuan Ancestor''s mouth, two purple-black suction tentacles suddenly shot out from Zhang Tongzi''s sides.


    The tentacles broke through the air and swiftly grew countless times larger, resembling two ferocious giant pythons. In an instant, they shot far away and coiled around the struggling Dragon Whisker Fish.


    With a whoosh, the immense fish, big as an elephant, was pulled up without a fight and heavily dropped above Zhang Tongzi''s head.


    A look of insatiable greed flashed in Zhang Tongzi''s cyclopean eye as he joyfully tilted his head back, his little mouth wide open like a puppy waiting for its food to fall.


    Crunch!


    In a flash, Zhang Tongzi''s little mouth expanded to an enormous five or six zhang wide, the center as dark as a bottomless abyss. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An infinite suction force suddenly emerged, and the Dragon Whisker Fish was instantly drawn into the depths of the abyss.


    Zhang Tongzi closed his mouth, stuck out his pink tongue to lick his lips, and a hint of an unsatisfied expression appeared on his face.


    "Heehee, not bad, just a bit small in portion."


    Ling Yuan Ancestor scolded with a smile, "Pah, enjoy your ill-gotten gains without shame! How did the Sea Dominator Octopus produce such a shameless creature as you!"


    Zhang Tongzi giggled, but did not talk back.


    As the Great Elder of the Demon Ruins and a Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator who dared to use the name ''Ling Yuan,'' Ling Yuan Ancestor was far superior to Eighth-stage Demon King Zhang Tongzi in both strength and status.


    Since he had taken advantage, being scolded a bit was nothing; after all, it didn''t cost him an ounce of flesh.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor wanted to scold Zhang Tongzi some more, but suddenly, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he couldn''t help but look up toward the west.


    At this time, a large patch of dark clouds had appeared in the western night sky.


    The clouds approached rapidly from afar, and as they drew closer, one could see flashes of electric light within them and occasionally hear the sound of long, whining howls.


    When the clouds neared overhead, a huge serpentine shadow could be seen circling indistinctly within them.


    Seeing this, Ling Yuan Ancestor stood up and called out loudly, "Since the Ink Black Serpent King has arrived, why not show yourself."


    No sooner had Ling Yuan Ancestor spoken than the clouds dispersed, and suddenly, there was a person standing on the reef.


    This man was over a zhang tall, with a pair of short antler-like horns on his forehead, a broad mouth, a prominent nose, sword-like eyebrows, and dragon-like eyes that shined brightly with dominance.


    Moreover, he was wearing a Purple Gold Flying Dragon Crown on his head and a dark, Four-clawed True Dragon Robe, with a blood-red belt around his waist adorned with twelve Sea Suppressing Pearls.


    This was none other than one of the three Jiao Long Clan kings, the Ninth Rank Demon King, Ink Black Serpent King, a Mixed Blood True Dragon that had lived for nearly five thousand years.


    "Ling Yuan, this king has come upon invitation. If you have anything to say, speak now!" the Ink Black Serpent King said with a deep and resolutely domineering voice.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor gave a slight smile and responded, "No rush, there''s one more Taoist who has yet to arrive. It isn''t too late to speak once he gets here."


    "Hmph," the Ink Black Serpent King couldn''t help but snort coldly, but he didn''t say much more, simply waiting impatiently.


    At midnight, a huge full moon hung high in the sky, its clear moonlight scattering across the sea surface, creating a glimmering effect.


    "Awooo..."


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    Just then, a long and desolate wolf howl suddenly came from the horizon.


    "Haha, the person we''ve been waiting for has arrived!"


    As the voice fell, a small dot suddenly appeared at the far end of the ocean.


    A few breaths later, the dot disappeared, replaced by a majestic giant wolf sprinting towards them.


    In the clear moonlight, the Wolf King, large as a divine steed and covered in silver-white fur, galloped across the glistening sea surface, rushing toward them.


    Sitting on the back of this unrivaled White Wolf King was none other than a thin, yellow-robed old monk.


    In a moment, the formidable White Wolf King sprinted to below the reef and then leaped into the air, landing in front of the three individuals.


    The yellow-robed old monk climbed down from the wolf''s back and said apologetically, "The old monk is late. Please, do not take offense!"


    The yellow-robed old monk was so thin that when he stood up straight, he was actually not as tall as the shoulders of the White Wolf King, looking quite out of place.


    However, Ling Yuan Ancestor didn''t feel anything was amiss and laughed heartily, "The Sky Wolf Arhat behaves naturally! I am quite envious."


    "He behaves naturally my foot! Had he not indulged in drinking and delayed us, this king would have arrived much sooner!"


    At that moment, the White Wolf King behind the Sky Wolf Arhat suddenly spoke human words, with a look of disdain on its wolf face.


    No sooner had the White Wolf King finished showing its disdain than it suddenly turned and roared at its back, "Get off, you stinking octopus!"


    As it spoke, the wolf''s back shook, its fur bursting out in a great flash of white light, knocking the stealthily climbing Zhang Tongzi off its back.


    Zhang Tongzi, rubbing his bottom, got up from the ground and complained, "We''re both Demon Kings, can''t you give some face?"


    The White Wolf King narrowed its eyes with contempt and replied, "You''re not fit to call yourself a Demon King. This king is a descendant of the bloodline of the Ancient True Spirit Howling Moon Sky Wolf. You are nothing but a giant squid."


    "You... you''re pushing it too far! I am the Sea Dominator Zhang; I''m not some rotten squid," Zhang Tongzi said furiously, ready to start a fight with the White Wolf King, but he was firmly stopped by Ling Yuan Ancestor.


    "Stop it, Little Zhangzi, the matter at hand is more important!"


    On the other side, the yellow-robed old monk pressed a hand on the shoulder of the White Wolf King and warned, "Wolf King, if you cause more trouble, don''t blame this old monk for reciting the Prisoner God Curse on you!"


    Hearing this, the White Wolf King was immediately startled and tucked its tail between its legs.

 Chapter 202 Is the Star God Comparable to the Heavenly Dao?_2

    After pacifying Zhang Tongzi, Ling Yuan Ancestor proceeded as if nothing had happened, turned around, and walked to the middle, saying sternly, "Since everyone is here, I presume you have verified the evidence provided by me."The Ink Black Serpent King nodded and continued, "Indeed! There are signs that a Great Tide of Star Algae is about to occur in the Star God Sea. Calculating the time, nearly a hundred years have passed since the last Divine Sacrifice of the Star God; it should be time for the Star God to awaken soon."


    "Hehe! I just happened to be upgrading during the last Great Tide and missed it. This time, I cannot afford to miss it. I''ll take care of the western attack."


    Zhang Tongzi chuckled, his tentacles excitedly slapping the ground beneath him.


    When the Overseas Sea Demon''s three Sea Dominators stir up a Great Sea Demon Tide to attack the Shattered Star Sea Human Clan, to reduce conflicts, they often divide into three fronts according to the power territories.


    "Hmm, as usual, the middle route will be attacked by the Demon Ruins, the eastern route belongs to my Jiao Long Clan. However, this time I can only send two Seventh Rank Sea Beasts, and no more than twenty of the Sixth Rank."


    After listening, Ling Yuan Ancestor smiled slightly and turned his head to look at the Sky Wolf Arhat.


    After pondering for a moment, the yellow-robed old monk intoned, "Heaven has compassion for all living beings! Our sect does not wish to see life suffer needlessly and to minimize slaughter and calamity. We will try our best to pacify the islands including Tianfeng Island, Zhi Ao Island, Prisoner Dragon Island... among others of the six islands."


    Tianfeng Island is one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, belonging to the First Defense Island Chain, while Zhi Ao Island, Prisoner Dragon Island, and the other five are Dragon Scale Level Spiritual Islands, part of the Second Defense Island Chain.


    The six spirit islands are roughly in a straight line from the outside inwards, and they all fall under the middle route''s territory.


    In other words, the six islands had already been covertly controlled by Buddhism, effectively opening a "gap" in the two major defensive island chains without anyone''s knowledge. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sky Wolf Arhat came from Sacred Heart Temple, which is located on the Bright Great Snow Mountain of the West Desolate Continent with unfathomable strength, indeed a sectarian Sea Dominator of a continent.


    Buddhism, led by Sacred Heart Temple, tried to spread its teachings in the Shattered Star Sea numerous times but was strongly repressed by the Star God Palace, resulting in repeated failures.


    This time, Ancient Buddhism sending Sky Wolf Arhat to establish secret contacts with the three great Overseas Sea Dominators could be seen as a probe towards the Star God Palace and, in a way, a form of retaliation.


    No sooner had Sky Wolf Arhat finished speaking than Zhang Tongzi protested discontentedly, "Unfair! With the support of your Sacred Heart Temple, the Demon Ruins are gaining too much advantage. I want to switch with you. This time let our group attack the middle route."


    Ink Black Serpent King: "This king feels the same way."


    Anticipating this, Ling Yuan Ancestor smiled and said, "Do not be hasty, friends! This triple-front attack, with the east and west as feints, the high-ranking members of the Sea Dominator and Jiao Long Clans who are interested may also join the middle route. When the time comes, we''ll all go to see the Star God together. As for the spots, you can snatch them from the Human Clan."


    "Aow! Count this king in, baldy, are you coming?" The White Wolf King leapt up all at once, the wolf face filled with excitement, turning his head to look at the yellow-robed monk, his gaze extremely serious.


    "Amitabha! The monk is not greedy; this time, Sacred Heart Temple only desires five spots," the yellow-robed monk said, bowing deeply.


    "Ridiculous!"


    "No way!"


    Before the words were fully out, Zhang Tongzi and Ink Black Serpent King flatly refused in unison.


    The number of spots to communicate with the Star God after each awakening is very limited, never exceeding a hundred at most.


    Every time the Star God awakens, the Star God Palace tries to monopolize all the spots by using the name of the Divine Sacrifice, activating the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array to seal the entire Star God Sea, barring outsiders from entering.


    The Overseas Sea Dominators, especially those from the Spirit Clan, often incite boundless slaughters and calamities in their scramble for the spots.


    First, it is to breach the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array temporarily, allowing high-ranking clan members to rush into the Star God Sea.


    Second, it is to please the Star God, in exchange for a chance for "Enlightenment."


    In the lower layers of the Cultivation World, the Star God is a transcendent being almost unknown to anyone, but at the Nascent Soul level, it''s a well-known "secret."


    The Star God is an incredible entity, immortal and unfathomable, on par with the Heavenly Dao.


    Among the Nascent Soul Ancestors, there circulates a saying: the Star God is omnipresent and omniscient!


    Seeing the opposition from the other two forces, Sky Wolf Arhat pondered for a moment and with a sincere expression said, "If that''s the case, the monk requests two guaranteed spots."


    "Agreed, but only two!" Before the other two could protest, Ling Yuan Ancestor quickly agreed.


    Zhang Tongzi reluctantly said, "Alright."


    At this moment, the Ink Black Serpent King suddenly spoke up, "If we can come across that despicable person from the Sky Sun Sect this time, I hope everyone can help me slaughter this wench."


    "The Dragon-taming Sword Immortal''s swordsmanship is peerless, and although her cultivation is only at Nascent Soul Middle Stage, her strength is no less than that of a Great Cultivator. Moreover, she is particularly adept at Sword Light Divine Escape, able to travel tens of thousands of miles in one go. Killing her is difficult, very difficult!" Ling Yuan Ancestor frowned.


    "Old Serpent King, now is not the time for personal vendettas. How about I lend you a hand after the Divine Sacrifice of the Star God? As long as the matter is successful afterward, just gift me a taste of a Seventh Rank Dragon Whale." Zhang Tongzi played with his tentacle with a cheery smile.


    "Amitabha, this old monk possesses a secret technique capable of breaking Sword Light Divine Escape, and that Cloud Dragon can be dealt with by the Sky Wolf Arhat. As long as the Serpent King agrees to return the Light Buddha Relics, this old monk is willing to help."


    Upon hearing the words Light Buddha Relics, the Ink Black Serpent King''s complexion changed and he flatly refused, "Absolutely impossible! The Light Buddha willingly fed himself to the dragon and eventually attained Rainbow Ascension together with our ancestor. The relic has since become a holy object of our clan, and we will absolutely not use it for trading."


    "Then... this old monk can take a step back, allow me to visit your clan''s Holy Dragon Hall and meditate for a hundred years," the yellow-robed old monk proposed immediately.


    This time, the Ink Black Serpent King hesitated.


    After a long thought, he finally said with uncertainty, "This matter is of great importance, I must discuss it with the Dragon Emperor upon my return before I can give you an answer."


    "Agreed!" The Sky Wolf Arhat consented crisply.


    "Alright, let''s discuss how we can deceive the Star God Palace, and then aim to breach the Inner Star Sea in one fell swoop..."


    Ling Yuan Ancestor''s words immediately brought the conversation back to the main topic.


    ...


    The next morning, a fog suddenly rose in the sea area near Nine Virtuous Isle.


    The fog enveloped the entire Nine Virtuous Isle, with its various sub-isles looming through the dense mist.


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    The breeze blew, and the fog on the sea surface scattered like flowing clouds, setting off the pavilions and towers on the islands like a multitude of Immortal Palace treasure halls.


    In the quiet room of the sea-side cave mansion, Zhao Sheng silently operated his Mysterious Skill, as Spiritual Power coursed from his Dantian through his limbs and bones, then back to the Dantian along the Extraordinary Meridians.


    With each completion of the Nine Revolutions Great Circulation, a massive number of spiritual energy particles were crushed and refined by the Spirit Power Vortex, transforming into streams of pure Spiritual Power, gradually enhancing his cultivation.


    "Phew..."


    From Zhao Sheng''s mouth, a long white column of breath was exhaled.


    This column of breath seemed somewhat extraordinary, as if solidified, lingering in the air for a long time without dissipating.


    "I can''t wait any longer, I must find the Primordial Heavy Water as soon as possible. Otherwise, it would be laughable to accidentally upgrade to Foundation Establishment Late Stage!"


    Zhao Sheng rose from the cushion and, sensing the void in the column of breath, a grave expression surfaced on his face.


    "I also need to get my hands on the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit as soon as possible. It seems I can''t avoid making a trip to Day Island."


    Thinking thus, Zhao Sheng quickly left the quiet room and the cave mansion, controlling his sword to pierce through the thick fog, flying towards a crescent-moon-shaped sub-island to the north.


    There are eight sub-islands in Nine Virtuous Isle, one of which is called Day Island, also known as Black Market Island.


    This place is a melting pot of a variety of creatures; it was both a den of iniquity and a cutthroat environment.


    Day Island is the largest black market trading venue within tens of thousands of miles, where the people who come aren''t law-abiding, or the goods they carry are of dubious origin.


    There are rumors that Day Island is one of the Shattered Star Sea Demon Pirate Group''s venues for disposing of stolen goods.


    The Spring and Autumn Alliance holds an ambiguous attitude toward these claims, neither acknowledging nor denying them.


    In just a few minutes, Zhao Sheng landed in front of Ruyi Square on Day Island.


    Entering the market, he didn''t glance at the weirdly shaped signboards on both sides and went straight to a shop named Red Light Tower.


    A moment later, he successfully met with the shopkeeper.


    Smelling the faint scent of blood from the person opposite, Zhao Sheng understood and smiled knowingly, deliberately releasing a bit of blood light,

 Chapter 203 Blood Demon Sect

    The owner of Red Light Tower was a burly elderly man with pale skin, yet his face was ruddy.When he sensed the blood light intentionally released by Zhao Sheng, his heart immediately relaxed, and he laughed heartily, "So it turns out to be a Fellow Daoist! I am Hong Yuanliang, may I ask for your distinguished name?"


    "Just call me Long Li Taoist," Zhao Sheng replied, without the slightest change in his expression.


    The burly elder didn''t mind, as nine out of ten cultivators who came to this place wouldn''t reveal their real names, having a title was enough; after all, anyone who came was a guest.


    After all, the Blood Demon Sect was famously known for their philosophy of ''No Inquiry into One''s Background'' and ''Heroes Do Not Ask for Origins''.


    As long as you practiced the Blood Soul Scripture, you were considered a like-minded Fellow Daoist.


    "Long Li Taoist, have you come to Red Light Tower for Essence Blood Pearls, or perhaps Blood Melting Talismans?


    I won''t hide it from you, my Tower has recently acquired a batch of fresh goods, guaranteed to satisfy you."


    Zhao Sheng had known from his previous life that the Blood Soul Scripture was an extremely sinister Miracle Technique, characterized by exchanging lifespan for cultivation, making progress several times faster than normal.


    However, the drawbacks were also quite evident.


    The most apparent disadvantage was the need for a large amount of essence blood to be converted into Spiritual Power for rapid cultivation advancement.


    Yet the most sinister and chilling consequence for countless others was that upon your ascension to the Foundation Establishment Realm, if you were to die, not only would your Divine Soul be unable to reincarnate, but it would also transform into a Blood Spirit Pill and ultimately become fodder for the blood demons.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t know much about the blood demons, but he roughly knew that they had orchestrated the infamous Blood Demon Calamity three hundred years ago.


    Rumor had it the blood demons weren''t cultivators but a strange form of life, possibly originating from the Upper Realm, possessing qualities nearly akin to being undying and indestructible.


    Of course, these were just rumors, and no one could confirm them.


    But one thing was certain. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The reputation of the Blood Demon Sect among the upper echelons of the Cultivation World was extremely bad, akin to a rat crossing the street that everyone wants to kill, yet in the eyes of the lower-level cultivators, it was a mixed reputation.


    Every year, countless cultivators would begin practicing the Blood Soul Scripture for various reasons.


    Once tasting the sweetness of it, they would flock to it like moths to a flame.


    The thrill of rapid cultivation improvement was akin to drug addiction; once tried, it was often hard to quit. Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire


    This was also why the Blood Demon Sect, even after several eradication attempts, managed to revive itself in a short time.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand dismissively, "I don''t need Essence Blood Pearls or Blood Melting Talismans. I need a few Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits. Does Red Light Tower have them in stock?"


    The burly elder''s eyes sparkled upon hearing this, and then with a pleasing smile said, "Long Li Taoist, the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit is an extremely rare item, monopolized by Sects and noble families, and rarely circulates in the market. If I may presume to ask, could it be that you intend to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill?"


    Despite his many words, the elder''s last sentence was the key point.


    Of course, if Zhao Sheng dared to come here, it meant he had no intention of hiding his purpose.


    "Hmm!"


    "Really! Could you produce some proof?"


    Upon hearing this, the burly elder leapt to his feet, unusually inquiring again with a loss of composure.


    "I never joke," Zhao Sheng said with a slight smile, taking out a First-rank Alchemist Jade Token from the Alchemy Master Association and waving it in front of the elder.


    Seeing the Pill Master Token, the burly elder''s face lit up with joy, and he excitedly leaned close to Zhao Sheng, full of eagerness to please.


    "That''s fantastic! Long Li Taoist, you might not know this, but our Tower just happens to have three Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits. If you want them, the Tower will not charge you a penny, and will directly give them to you. As long as you agree to one small condition."


    The elder''s move was also a gamble, betting that the other party was not deceiving him with this matter.


    "What is the condition, please tell me!" Zhao Sheng appeared undisturbed on the outside, but his mind was as clear as a mirror, immediately guessing the condition the other party was about to propose.


    "If you happen to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill, could you sell it to Red Light Tower? Not only will we pay a high price for it, but we will also continue to supply Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits and guarantee the lowest price."


    No sooner had the elder finished speaking than Zhao Sheng thought to himself, as expected.


    The Blood Demon Sect was repelled by mainstream Cultivation Forces, treated like rats in a gutter, to be hunted and killed on sight.


    Because of the characteristic techniques of the Blood Soul Scripture, the Blood Demon Sect had numerous disciples and had accumulated a large number of Qi Refining Perfections.


    These Qi Refining Perfections were desperate to extend their lifespan and advance to Foundation Establishment, but Foundation Establishment Pills were almost unseen on the market. The sect allocated too few each year, creating a severe supply and demand imbalance.


    This makes it evident why the burly elder was so excited and lost his composure when he heard Zhao Sheng wanted to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.


    This elder was one of those "pitiful people"!


    Seeing Zhao Sheng ponder silently, the burly elder gritted his teeth and spoke in a low and humble voice, "One Foundation Establishment Pill in exchange for five Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits, and I will add a Treasure worth at least fifty thousand Spirit Stones. You may choose the Treasure yourself. If you are unsatisfied, we can negotiate further. What do you think?"


    Zhao Sheng silently calculated; the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits were priceless, with each fruit averaging around ten thousand Spirit Stones.


    In other words, one Foundation Establishment Pill could sell for at least one hundred thousand Spirit Stones in Red Light Tower.


    But the real value could not be calculated like this,


    If Zhao Sheng collected the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits himself, it would consume too much effort.


    Only a Demon Sect like the Blood Demon Sect could have channels to continuously supply a certain amount of Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits.


    By saving the effort of collecting the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pills, the time cost saved by Zhao Sheng was far beyond the measure of one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.


    Of course, trading Foundation Establishment Pills with the Blood Demon Sect was tantamount to dealing with a tiger for its skin, and one must be extremely careful.


    Zhao Sheng had already made sufficient disguises before coming here, so there was no immediate fear of his true appearance being exposed.

 Chapter 203 Blood Demon Sect_2

    But when he had actually refined the Foundation Establishment Pill, the situation thereafter would not be as relaxed.The elderly man finished speaking and looked anxiously at the sallow-faced middle-aged Daoist in front of him, waiting for a response.


    Zhao Sheng tapped on the table and nodded, "I accept these terms."


    "Very well! Dragon Carp Taoist, please wait a moment. I will go and come right back."


    Having said that, the old man turned around excitedly and walked out of the private room.


    A moment later, he hurried back, carrying a square Sea Sunken Wood Box in his hands.


    The elderly man placed the wood box on the table in front of Zhao Sheng and gently opened the lid.


    It was covered with a layer of white silk brocade, and underneath the brocade were three round objects emitting a fragrance similar to that of apples.


    "Taoist, please look!"


    The burly old man said, smiling, as he lifted the brocade.


    Zhao Sheng focused his eyes and saw three chicken egg-sized, smooth, hairless, date-red fruits lying in the box.


    As the brocade was lifted, the fragrance from the fruits became even richer and more compelling, clearing the mind and speeding up one''s thoughts by a fraction.


    These date-red fruits were none other than the famous Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit from the Shattered Star Sea.


    Despite its unprepossessing appearance, when cut open, one could see layers upon layers of crystallized flesh like that of a layered cake, and the core was as transparent as a diamond, containing the essence of heaven and earth.


    Clap!


    Zhao Sheng closed the box with one hand, a satisfied smile appeared on his face, and he nodded to the old man.


    "Yes, these are indeed Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits!"


    "I''m glad you''re satisfied. I dare say boldly, in case you fail this time, just come to Red Light Tower. I''m willing to provide you with three more Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits at half the price," the old man said.


    This time, the old man did not mention the word ''free.''


    Zhao Sheng understood the implication of his words. Even though Red Light Tower was willing to support him substantially in refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, there was a limit to their support.


    If he failed too many times, Red Light Tower would have to act officially.


    Zhao Sheng put the wood box into his Storage Bag, stood up, and bowed to the old man, confidently saying, "Three fruits won''t be enough. The next time I come, I hope Manager Hong can provide at least five Star Algae Fruits, and I also have another favor to ask of you."


    Seeing his confident manner, the burly old man couldn''t help but feel more reassured and thus stated solemnly, "Please speak, Dragon Carp Taoist! As long as it''s within my capabilities, I will not be ambiguous."


    "I need a large amount of Primordial Heavy Water. I hope Red Light Tower can find it for me as soon as possible. Price is absolutely not an issue."


    "Primordial Heavy Water?!" After repeating the name thoughtfully, the old man decisively agreed:


    "No problem! Even at the cost of my old face, I will ensure your wishes are fulfilled."


    "Good! I''ll remember this statement of yours. When the deed is done, there will certainly be a generous reward!"


    ...


    After leaving the Red Light Tower, Zhao Sheng did not go anywhere else but directly flew away from Day Island.


    After flying tens of miles, he plunged into the sea.


    When he reappeared at Elixir Fire Square, he had already switched back to Zhao Chonghe''s appearance.


    Yes, he had used the name Zhao Chonghe from his previous life to join the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    Shortly thereafter,


    Zhao Sheng arrived at the Treasure Medicine Pavilion.


    The vast entrance of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion was quite deserted at this time, with sparse traffic and only two or three customers in the store, while most of the attendants appeared listless, occasionally showing anxious and uneasy looks in their eyes.


    Upon entering, Zhao Sheng was recognized by the attendants.


    A nimble attendant immediately came over to greet him while others ran to the back courtyard to inform the shopkeeper.


    Shortly after, Zhao Sheng met with Jin Dancheng, who looked quite troubled.


    Zhao Sheng did not say much but consoled him briefly, clarifying that there would definitely be a turnaround if they persisted for another month. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then, he took a batch of Spiritual Medicine from the stock and, after leaving most of the Spirit Pills he had refined over the years, drifted away.


    ...


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    More than a thousand miles west of Nine Virtuous Isle, at a depth of four thousand feet under the sea.


    A narrow and sinuous undersea cave at its deepest point had been turned into a large stone cavern with a diameter of over twenty feet.


    A massive giant shell filled the entire cavern, its surface shining with dazzling white light.


    Bei Mansion Cave Heaven, alchemy room.


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged, waving his hand to throw out the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    The Nine Dragon Tripod expanded to more than a man''s height and swiftly fell onto the obsidian platform three yards away.


    Zhao Sheng released his Divine Sense, encompassing the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    He cast a spell with his Divine Sense.


    Suddenly, a golden dragon appeared on the surface of the Nine Dragon Tripod, circling around a few times before entering the base of the tripod.


    In an instant,


    a fierce golden-yellow fire erupted beneath the Nine Dragon Tripod, completely enveloping its base.


    After initiating the Nine Dragon Tripod, Zhao Sheng did not attend to it immediately but waved his hand, causing a large array of wood boxes, bottles, jade bowls, and porcelain jars to appear in front of him.


    The Thousand-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill used Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit as the main medicine, supplemented by nearly twenty kinds of secondary medicinal ingredients, and even more auxiliary ingredients totaling over eighty kinds.


    The Thousand-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill was a Second Order Spirit Pill, but its refining difficulty was very high and could not tolerate the slightest mistake.


    Zhao Sheng had obtained the Elixir Recipe almost a decade ago.


    During these ten years, he had repeatedly simulated the refining process of the Foundation Establishment Pill countless times.


    He had personally prepared many of the secondary and auxiliary medicines.


    From them, he had carefully chosen the batches of the highest quality.


    Now that he had obtained three Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits, he had set a minimum goal for himself to ensure that at least one Foundation Establishment Pill was refined.


    After all, Zhao Sheng had been refining Spirit Pills for nearly a decade and was already an experienced First-rank Alchemist.

 Chapter 203 Blood Demon Sect_3

    Whether in terms of experience, perspective, or technique, he was far beyond any ordinary alchemist, especially with the aid of his talent and a decade of unremitting refinement.Having some insights and realizations about refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, Zhao Sheng was fairly confident in achieving his goal. He wouldn''t dare claim a 100% success rate, but he could still guarantee a probability of 10-20%.


    Zhao Sheng was well aware that this success rate was sufficient for him. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire


    Since there was no rush and plenty of time, Zhao Sheng didn''t start the alchemy immediately. Instead, he took out the Jade Scroll for the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe, and repeatedly reviewed the elixir recipe, refining techniques, and alchemical steps.


    After he knew them by heart, he refined several batches of Water Spirit Pills to get used to the feel and ensure that no errors would occur during the alchemy because of unfamiliarity.


    The next day arrived swiftly, and Zhao Sheng quietly closed his eyes to meditate and adjust his condition.


    In front of him, in addition to the spiritual medicines for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, there was a row of spirit pill bottles in black, white, cyan, red, and yellow. Each bottle contained elixirs like the Bone Marrow Spirit Pill, Soul Condensing Pills, and Soul-refreshing Pills, which could recover or enhance Divine Sense.


    These elixirs were extremely useful, as they could allow Zhao Sheng to use Bullet Time several more times at critical moments.


    Before he knew it, the Nine Dragon Tripod was warmed by the Golden Burning Spirit Flame to its optimal state.


    Zhao Sheng mentally recited the steps for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill once more, and then suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes flashing with Divine Light.


    As the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit flew into the alchemy furnace, the formal refining process of the Foundation Establishment Pill began.


    Unlike other types of Foundation Establishment Pills, the Thousand-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill required the introduction of the main medicine right from the start of the refining process. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The key to this pill lay in "boiling" and "melding." It was vital to ensure that the fruit''s core was not boiled away, while the medicinal power of the fruit''s flesh was fully extracted.


    At the same time, using the fruit''s core as the spirit core of the pill, the elixir liquid derived from auxiliary and main medicines must integrate with the core without any conflict in medicinal properties. The pill would then solidify and come out of the furnace at the end.


    The entire alchemy process sounded simple, but it took seven days and involved more than twenty steps, which was a hundred times more complex than the mere four steps needed for Water Spirit Pills.


    For an alchemist with slightly less talent, it wouldn''t matter if they were given three or even ten sets of spiritual medicines for the Foundation Establishment Pill; they still wouldn''t be able to produce even one such pill.


    In the Alchemy World, it is said: every alchemist who manages to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill possesses the potential to become a Third-rank Alchemist.


    "First add Dragon Serpent Spirit Blood, calcine and purify!"


    Zhao Sheng executed a series of alchemy formulas with his hands. A deep red blood light suddenly flew out of the porcelain jar in front of him and fell into the tripod furnace.


    With a thought to his Divine Sense, the Golden Burning Spirit Flame suddenly intensified by five degrees, engulfing the Nine Dragon Tripod with rising flames.


    "Next, add two ounces and two coins of sea Ganoderma powder, followed by a Jade Glutton Leaf, wait for half a quarter of an hour, then add..."


    Zhao Sheng recited the alchemy steps in his mind, his actions were not the slightest bit hesitant, as if he had refined countless times, his technique was very skilled.


    Refining the Foundation Establishment Pill was indeed difficult. Despite Zhao Sheng having fully prepared in advance, with flawless technique and steps,


    However, when adding the twelfth auxiliary medicine, Stone Spirit Fat, he still failed to control the fire properly. Fortunately, he promptly activated Bullet Time, and before the alchemy could fail, he quickly removed some "impurities" from the elixir liquid, barely managing to continue the refining process.


    The first attempt to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill was bound to have mistakes. Zhao Sheng didn''t believe he could succeed on his first try.


    For the first attempt, whether successful or not was of secondary importance; what mattered most was to go through the entire alchemy process as thoroughly as possible.

 Chapter 204 Foundation Establishment Pill Formation

    Five days later,Bang!


    A muffled sound suddenly emanated from the alchemy room, and the spirit flame under the Nine Dragon Tripod swiftly converged, transforming into a bright yellow fire dragon that slithered back inside the alchemy furnace.


    As soon as the lid of the Pill Furnace was opened, a burnt smell wafted out from inside. It was Zhao Sheng''s first attempt at alchemy, and he had failed at the penultimate step: the Essence Resonance.


    With a wave of his hand, Zhao Sheng materialized a Water Dragon as thick as an arm out of thin air. The dragon twisted its body flexibly and dived into the furnace. Under the control of his Divine Sense, it slowly cleansed the interior of the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    Hiss hiss!


    Massive amounts of white steam ceaselessly billowed from the furnace, quickly filling the entire alchemy room.


    Zhao Sheng wasn''t in a rush to start the second batch.


    He closed his eyes in contemplation, simultaneously cultivating to restore his Spiritual Power and mental strength while repeatedly recalling the situation during his last alchemy attempt and secretly summarizing his alchemy experience.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng had returned to his peak condition. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Igniting the fire, warming up the furnace, adding the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit¡­


    Although it was only his second time refining a Foundation Establishment Pill, his series of movements were as smooth as if he had done them countless times, extremely proficient.


    Time gradually passed. The amount of Spiritual Medicine in front of him slowly decreased, while several bottles of Spirit Pills like Bone Marrow Spirit Pill, which strengthened and nourished the spirit, were quickly exhausted by him.


    In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.


    The alchemy room was filled with a misty haze, and a faint apple-like fragrance lingered in the air.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes were bloodshot, his expression extremely excited, yet his hands moved with unusual steadiness, and his alchemy formula was not the least bit disordered.


    As streaks of white light entered the furnace, the Golden Burning Spirit Flame slowly retracted into the furnace, transforming into a foot-long fire dragon that carefully swam up, down, left, and right around a small grape-sized orange-red Elixir Liquid in the center of the furnace, thus gradually removing the last bit of "discordant" medicinal essence.


    Seeing that the Foundation Establishment Pill was at the crucial Solidifying Pill phase, Zhao Sheng summoned up his remaining mental strength and activated his Bullet Time Talent and Absolute Rationality one last time.


    "Solidify... Pill..."


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    Time suddenly stretched immensely,


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng''s expression instantly became incredibly calm, his eyes filled with extreme indifference, seemingly devoid of human emotions and desires such as nervousness, fatigue, and excitement, like a perfect humanoid machine.


    In an instant, his thoughts were as quick as lightning, his spirit and mind united, and his consciousness soared to an unprecedented pinnacle.


    "Pill solidification, out of the furnace!"


    Snap!


    The lid of the Nine Dragon Tripod was suddenly blown off, and a streak of red light burst forth from the furnace, tracing a curved arc before lightning-fast falling into Zhao Sheng''s hand.


    "Is it done?!"


    Looking at the soybean-sized, wine-red "shrunken" Foundation Establishment Pill lying in his palm, a thought suddenly flashed through Zhao Sheng''s mind.


    Time then returned to normal!


    "Ha ha, it really succeeded."


    His eyes slowly regained their brightness, and he couldn''t help but reveal a radiant and warm smile.


    Bang!


    At that moment, darkness veiled his vision, and a severe pain as fierce as a sudden storm overwhelmed his mind.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng''s head throbbed violently, veins bulging on his face.


    Seven days and nights of alchemy, repeatedly alternating between two talents, had already excessively drained his mental strength.


    Now that the Foundation Establishment Pill was finished and he relaxed, the repercussions instantly erupted.


    He managed to swallow a bottle of Returning God Pill just before he suddenly fainted.


    It was unclear how much time had passed when Zhao Sheng gradually regained consciousness.


    He held his head as he sat up from the ground. Although his head still throbbed painfully, it was infinitely more bearable than before.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng was immensely relieved.


    During the previous alchemy process, he had been too focused to notice, but he hadn''t expected the repercussions to be so severe afterwards.


    This time, he had nearly caused irreparable damage to his Divine Soul.


    "I can''t push myself like this in the future!"


    As Zhao Sheng silently admonished himself, he took out a bottle of Nourishing Spirit Pill and downed it in one go without counting.


    Closing his eyes to focus, he cultivated and regulated his energy and spirit. After resting for three days, Zhao Sheng finally fully recovered.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng revisited the previous two alchemy processes several times, identified mistakes, summarized past lessons, and slightly adjusted the amounts of certain Spiritual Medicines before he began the third attempt at refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Actually, the second attempt at alchemy wasn''t a strict success. The soybean-sized Foundation Establishment Pill could hardly even be considered low-grade, barely qualifying as a rudimentary form of a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    A normal Foundation Establishment Pill is as big as a grape, low-grade ones being pure red. The better the quality, the lighter the color.


    Top-grade Thousand-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pills are pale pink in color, with both their fragrance and medicinal power entirely inwardly contained.


    Fortunately, this time, Zhao Sheng had already touched the threshold of success, and the pill was just a bit shy of being perfectly refined, so he was determined to succeed with the third batch.


    Igniting the fire, warming up the furnace, adding the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit¡­


    This followed the same steps as last time, the only difference being that his techniques seemed even more skilled, and his movements were more precise and stable than before.


    Generally speaking, the achievement of an alchemist is directly proportional to their level of cultivation.


    It''s difficult for Qi Refining Realm alchemists to advance to Second-Order Alchemists, not only because their cultivation and energy aren''t up to the standard required to refine Second Order Spirit Pills but also because Qi Refining Realm cultivators lack Divine Sense, which prevents them from directly observing the various elixir transformation reactions inside the furnace, and thus they can''t react in time.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng was already at the Fifth Layer of the Foundation Establishment realm.


    Having consumed Jade Spirit Liquid, his spiritual power was far stronger than cultivators of the same realm. Not to mention the scope, strength, and precision of his Divine Sense control, which were even more formidable than those in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.


    With the experience accumulated from the previous two times, Zhao Sheng''s refining of the Foundation Establishment Pill this time was even smoother. The risk of loss of control and the pitfalls during the alchemy period were also significantly reduced.

 Chapter 204 Foundation Establishment Pill Elixir Formation_2

    When he opened his eyes, seven more days had passed, and the alchemy room was once again filled with the fragrance of elixirs.As the final moments approached, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but feel nervous, so much so that he activated his two great talents consecutively twice.


    With his talents enhancing his abilities, the last step of Solidifying the Pill went exceptionally smooth.


    Bang!


    Finally, the Nine Dragon Tripod emitted a humming sound, and the Golden Burning Spirit Flame retracted back into the wall of the tripod.


    Then, the lid of the furnace flew up,, with bursts of the heartening aroma of apples wafting ceaselessly from within the furnace.


    "Success, this time it''s truly a success!"


    Unable to contain his excitement, Zhao Sheng reached out, and two wine-red Spirit Pills, the size of grapes, abruptly leaped out of the pill furnace and swiftly fell into the palm of his hand.


    Although these two Spirit Pills were merely Low Grade Foundation Establishment Pills, their significance was monumental. They signified that Zhao Sheng had become a rare true Second Order Foundation Establishment Alchemist.


    From this day forward, his status within the Spring and Autumn Alliance would surely skyrocket, and he was bound to become an extremely sought-after "almost Grandmaster" of the Alchemy Dao on Nine Virtuous Isle.


    A full quarter of an hour passed before Zhao Sheng''s emotions fully stabilized.


    Once he had collected the elixir pills, fatigue overwhelmed him.


    After nearly twenty arduous days of alchemy, Zhao Sheng was severely mentally drained, so he simply went to sleep right there in the alchemy room.


    He slept for a full two days and one night.


    When he awoke, he felt mostly refreshed, and Zhao Sheng calculated the time, finding that just one day shy of a month had passed.


    Now that he had successfully concocted the Foundation Establishment Pills, he saw no reason to waste more time here.


    Zhao Sheng got up and left the alchemy room, then went to the spirit field and cast a few spells of the Spirit Rain Skill. After seeing that the Spiritual Medicines in the field were growing robustly and in good condition, he tidied his appearance, changed into a brand-new robe and left the Bei Mansion Cave Heaven.


    ...


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng returned to Treasure Medicine Pavilion and had a secret half-hour meeting with Jin Dancheng.


    After he left, Jin Dancheng was all smiles, with no trace of the somber look that had come from worries about the shop closing down.


    His subordinates, seeing this change, asked him what had made him so happy, but Jin Dancheng just smiled mysteriously and said not a word.


    Elsewhere, on Day Island, the Red Light Tower once again welcomed a mysterious guest.


    In the same elegant private room as during their last encounter, Hong Yuanliang, the shopkeeper of the Red Light Tower, saw Zhao Sheng''s "unhappy" expression and subconsciously concluded that his alchemy attempt must have failed.


    Following conventional wisdom, a Pill Master would not expect to successfully concoct a Foundation Establishment Pill without failing ten or eight times; that would not be considered failure.


    After all, what true Foundation Establishment Alchemist wasn''t made from a mountain of Spirit Stones?


    However, Hong Yuanliang couldn''t have been further from the truth, as the person before him was a "chosen one". He was simply being deceived.


    "Mr. Dragon Carp, there''s no need to be discouraged. Foundation Establishment Pills are not so easily concocted," Hong Yuanliang said dryly, offering Zhao Sheng a word of comfort, before suddenly changing the subject,


    "By the way, I wonder what brings you here today?"


    Zhao Sheng put away his "dejected" expression and spoke firmly, "I would like to try a few more times. I wonder if what Mr. Hong said last time about a threefold discount was true."


    Hong Yuanliang confidently replied, "It''s true, I never speak lightly. Not only do I have Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit, but also all other accompanying medicinal materials. How many sets would you like? Do you want them processed or in their natural state?"


    "Three Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits and three sets of other Spiritual Medicines. I don''t trust anyone else''s processing, just give me them in their natural state. How many Spirit Stones in total?" Zhao Sheng immediately responded.


    "A total of twenty-one thousand Spirit Stones! Just give me twenty thousand, and you can keep the change," Hong Yuanliang said without hesitation.


    "Very well, your kindness is noted, Mr. Hong. I shall repay it in the future," said Zhao Sheng.


    With that, Zhao Sheng took out a small pile of Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and poured them onto the table.


    As Hong Yuanliang sensed the Pure Yin Spiritual Energy emanating from the Spirit Stones, his eyes widened in surprise, "Pure Yin Spirit Stones? Quite the item! Are you sure you want to part with them?"


    "After all, they are only Spirit Stones, what is there to hesitate about?" replied Zhao Sheng, his tone indifferent.


    Spirit Stones have attributes, divided into the Five Elements and Yin and Yang, with the Yin Yang ones being particularly rare. The price of those of the same grade can be three to eight times higher than regular Five Elements Spirit Stones.


    The high price is secondary, the key issue is that it''s not available in the market.


    Zhao Sheng used Pure Yin Spirit Stones to settle the account, which was both a display of financial strength and a gesture of returning favors.


    With this move alone, Hong Yuanliang couldn''t help but take a fresh look at him, once again raising his valuation and truly placing him on the list of important customers.


    After collecting the Spirit Stones, Hong Yuanliang suddenly slapped his forehead and abruptly said, "I almost forgot. Taoist friend, weren''t you looking to buy Primordial Heavy Water? Our establishment has just had some transported in from the sect. How many drops would you like?"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyes lit up, and he immediately responded, "The more, the better!"


    "Primordial Heavy Water is extremely valuable. A drop of spirit water, weighing a thousand catties, costs at least ten thousand Spirit Stones, no bargaining. After the fifth drop, we do not accept Spirit Stones, only an exchange for a treasure of equivalent value."


    Hong Yuanliang spoke very seriously, but when Zhao Sheng took out a stack of Second Order Blood Melting Talismans from his Storage Bag, his demeanor changed dramatically, and he could barely contain his excitement.


    "Dragon Carp Taoist friend, if only you had said you had these things earlier. I might have been able to procure even more Primordial Heavy Water for you."


    In the Blood Demon Sect, Second Order Blood Melting Talismans were as good as gold.


    With so many cultivators practicing the Blood Soul Scripture, talismans that could accelerate the melting of essence blood were always in short supply. Especially the Second Order ones, each of which would cause a frenzy among Foundation Establishment Blood Cultivators.


    Even with his past life experience, Zhao Sheng was still somewhat surprised to see Hong Yuanliang so excited.


    Seeing this, he relaxed and spoke generously, "Start with five drops of Spiritual Water. The rest we''ll exchange with Blood Melting Talismans¡ªhow many for one drop?"


    Hong Yuanliang cleverly counter-asked, "I have eighteen drops of Primordial Heavy Water. A minimum of thirty talismans for one drop. How many Blood Melting Talismans do you have, Taoist friend?"


    "Fifteen for one drop, in exchange for three drops. If we have a deal, there will be more to come."


    "Deal!"


    "..."


    Two cups of tea later, a beaming Hong Yuanliang earnestly saw Zhao Sheng to the door. He watched him leave before returning to the Red Light Tower with a face full of joy.


    Two days later, news suddenly spread throughout Elixir Fire Square that Treasure Medicine Pavilion would be closing temporarily for a while, and the reopening date was uncertain.


    Upon hearing this news, those with cunning thoughts immediately ran to inform Ge Chen with "good tidings."


    Instead of being pleased to learn about the Treasure Medicine Pavilion''s closure, Ge Chen''s frown deepened.


    He felt like he was experiencing the emptiness of punching into the air, as if his opponent had fallen before he even exerted any effort, which was nothing like what he had expected.


    Not satisfied, Ge Chen immediately instructed his men, "Go find out what that Zhao has been up to these past few days. Make sure you investigate thoroughly."


    His subordinates left to carry out the orders, and Ge Chen''s face showed a look of loathing.


    However, a month went by, and Zhao Sheng''s cave mansion remained tightly closed and never opened.


    He might have been in closed-door cultivation, he might have gone traveling, or he might have intentionally changed his appearance to avoid Ge Chen''s scrutiny.


    But whichever possibility it was, they all conveyed the same message¡ªthat Zhao Sheng had temporarily "disappeared" from everyone''s sight...


    ...


    Half a year later, at the Spring and Autumn Alliance''s Merit Hall.


    "This spirit island is Phoenix Tail Island. The island isn''t large, spanning only sixty to seventy li, with a population of no more than ten thousand, all of whom are miners and their families. There is a Phoenix Blood Stone mine near Phoenix Island, so we have assigned ten Qi Refining Managers, as well as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator as the guardian. Mr. Zhao, what do you think about this place?"


    On the second floor of the Merit Hall, a middle-aged Foundation Establishment Elder asked gently.


    Zhao Sheng did not respond verbally; he knew that since the other party dared to recommend this place, they must have considered it carefully.


    He was very familiar with Phoenix Blood Stones, a kind of spirit material of high grade and low production in the Shattered Star Sea, typically used to make high-grade spirit ink.


    Zhao Sheng was very satisfied with this assignment.


    Serving as a Guest Elder in the Spring and Autumn Alliance wasn''t just about receiving a spiritual salary and doing nothing - every year, he had to take on a Guest Elder task for the alliance.


    The types and difficulties of the tasks were up to his choice, but most came with generous rewards.


    Thanks to Zhao Sheng''s request, the middle-aged Foundation Establishment Elder deliberately selected this "easy" task for him. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Guarding the Phoenix Blood Ore mine was fine, and he could conveniently "accept" a few Phoenix Blood Stones. After all, as long as it wasn''t too excessive, the alliance would typically turn a blind eye.

 Chapter 205 Return to Dome Turtle Island

    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)Life Span: 52/226


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master, Second Order Alchemist


    Constitution: Three Spirit Roots of Water, Metal, Fire, Half Spirit Clan


    Talent: Bullet Time, Danger Perception, Absolute Rationality


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Great Success), Stacking Talisman Technique (Great Success), Sacrificial Fire Technique (Great Success), Blood Soul Scripture (Incomplete, Master), Merging God and Separating Thought Technique (Skilled)


    Spells: Bing Xin Cold Thunder, Blood Escape, God-Slaying Sword, Thousand Waterfalls Flowing Cloud¡­


    Talisman Making: ¡­Concentrating God Talisman, Blood Melting Talisman, Life Hundred Thoughts Talisman, Prisoner Dragon Talisman, Thousand Mirror Ice Cloud Talisman, Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, Summoning Thunder Talisman, and one hundred ninety-six other kinds


    Alchemy: Foundation Establishment Pill, Nourishing Spirit Pill, Bone Marrow Spirit Pill, Essence Spirit Pill, ¡­Soul Condensing Pills, Breakthrough Pill, totaling thirty-three kinds.


    ...


    As time flies by, the years leave no trace.


    The life on Phoenix Tail Island was peaceful and simple, and the peach tree in front of Zhao Sheng''s cave mansion had already produced ripe peaches seven times.


    Perhaps even he hadn''t expected that this mission to guard the mine would last a whole seven years.


    Seven years, not too long and not too short, but enough time for some people and events to change dramatically.


    Over the years, apart from the occasional inspection of the mine pits, Zhao Sheng''s other times were either spent on alchemy and talisman painting or in closed-door cultivation.


    As he made significant progress in both the Dao of Alchemy and Talisman, his cultivation level also surged at an unimaginably fast rate, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer in just seven years.


    By this stage, he had exhausted the benefits of his past life''s accomplishments; the speed of his future cultivation would inevitably slow down, and he could only gradually advance step by step.


    Three years ago, Zhao Sheng had successfully crafted his thirteenth Second Order Spirit Pill, the Breakthrough Pill, and formally advanced to become a Second Order Alchemist.


    In the same year, several events related to him also happened on Nine Virtue Isle.


    Early that year, unexpectedly, the Jin Family gained a new Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Jin Dansheng. After traveling the Shattered Star Sea for many years, he returned to his family and appeared before outsiders as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    However, only a few people knew that Jin Dansheng''s advancement to Foundation Establishment was completely dependent on a Foundation Establishment Pill that Zhao Sheng had secretly sold to the Jin Family.


    It was also in this year that Zhao Sheng started to sell his first Foundation Establishment Pill, with the eager Red Light Tower as the buyer.


    By the end of that year, Master Xu Chong''s favored disciple, Ge Chen, suddenly disappeared after going out on a trip,


    Because of this, Master Xu Chong was furious, and the Spring and Autumn Alliance had to deploy all its members to search for half a year without finding any trace of Ge Chen. He seemed to have vanished into thin air, with no further news since then.


    Due to past conflicts between Zhao Sheng and Ge Chen, Zhao Sheng was also suspected. But at that time, he was stationed on Phoenix Tail Island and had an alibi, and there was no evidence pointing to his involvement.


    Thus, with Master Qi Feng''s protection, Zhao Sheng easily cleared his name.


    In order to avoid Xu Chong''s wrath, Zhao Sheng stayed on Phoenix Tail Island for three more years, under Master Qi Feng''s advice.


    With the seven-year period over, Zhao Sheng smoothly handed over his duties to the incoming Foundation Establishment Minister.


    Stepping out of his cave mansion, he looked at the heavy fruit on the peach tree and silently exhaled. With a flip of his hand, a palm-sized silver-white boat suddenly grew to a size of two zhang, floating three feet off the ground in front of him.


    He lightly hopped onto the flying boat, casually cast a controlling spell, thought for a moment, and the flying boat soared into the sky with a whoosh, rising to a thousand feet in the air, circling half a turn before speeding towards Nine Virtue Isle. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    Two days later, Red Light Tower.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng entered the tower, he was courteously ushered into a private room in the backyard by the overly attentive clerk, and upon hearing that Daoist Long Li had arrived, Hong Yuanliang immediately dropped everything and hurried to the room for the meeting.


    Thump thump thump!


    A series of rapid footsteps approached quickly from afar, and before the person appeared, the laughter arrived first.


    "Haha, Mr. Hong has been longing day and night for the Daoist''s visit. Now that you''ve finally come today, the wait has nearly killed me!"


    The burly Hong Yuanliang stepped through the door, beaming as he strode towards Zhao Sheng, talking non-stop.


    "Mr. Hong flatters me too much!" Zhao Sheng stood up and bowed in courtesy.


    After exchanging a series of flatteries and formalities, the two sat down, drank a pot of tea, and then got down to business.


    Zhao Sheng took out two White Jade Pill Bottles and gently pushed them towards Hong Yuanliang.


    Hong Yuanliang''s face lit up with joy as he hurriedly opened the pill bottles and immediately admired them, "Wow, marvelous! There are actually two Foundation Establishment Pills this time. It seems the Daoist''s mastery of the Alchemy Dao has advanced once again, truly a cause for celebration!"


    "The usual rules, first swap for ten Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits, then use the rest to exchange for Primordial Heavy Water."


    "Ah, I''ve prepared them for you already!"


    As he said this, Hong Yuanliang took out two Dark Wood Wood Boxes and a Mystic Iron Gourd and solemnly handed them to Zhao Sheng.


    As soon as he received the gourd, Zhao Sheng probed into it with his Divine Sense and saw twelve tear-drop sized transparent "crystals" clearly suspended in the center of the gourd.


    These "crystals" were the famed Primordial Heavy Water, which at the moment was completely retracted in spirit and light as a feather, but once it manifested its power, it would instantly become as heavy as a thousand catties.


    Zhao Sheng also opened the wooden box to check, and inside, ten Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits were neatly placed.


    "Very good! Did the ''Blood Soul Scripture¡¤Mysterious Blood Refining Technique'' I requested arrive?" Zhao Sheng asked with satisfaction after tucking away the wooden box.


    Hong Yuanliang paused, looking troubled, "Daoist, you do not know. I reported your request to the mountain gate long ago, but the situation is not optimistic. The ''Dark Blood Alchemy Method'' is considered a true inheritance technique of our sect, which outsiders are hardly granted, unless... unless Daoist, you are willing to return with me to the mountain gate and truly join our sect."

 Chapter 205 Return to Dome Turtle Island_2

    "If that''s the case, then forget it! Then... did you manage to get the Golden Core Formation Pill recipe?" Zhao Sheng waved his hand in resignation and asked for the next best thing.Hong Yuanliang scratched the back of his head awkwardly, not daring to meet Zhao Sheng''s gaze.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly, thinking that things were indeed not that simple.


    In a way, the value of the Golden Core Formation Pill recipe was even more precious than that of a magic artifact, and it was not inferior to any Golden Core Level Cultivation Method.


    Noticing Zhao Sheng''s disappointment, Hong Yuanliang quickly tried to make up for it, "Daoist, don''t you want a talisman treasure to protect yourself? I just happen to have three different talisman treasures for you to choose from."


    With that, he eagerly took out three palm-sized talisman treasures that flickered with intense blood light and appeared to be made of jade-like material, and placed them in front of him.


    The surface of the talisman treasures displayed three typical blood cultivator magic artifact patterns: a Blood Sword, a Blood Shield, and a Blood Bone Knife.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the three talisman treasures in front of him and couldn''t help but show a tempted expression.


    Hong Yuanliang saw this and smiled smugly to himself.


    ...


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng, draped in a black robe, left the Red Light Tower satisfied.


    After leaving the Red Light Tower, he immediately changed his appearance and wandered around the workshop, entering and exiting more than twenty shops.


    After emerging from a store selling talismans, Zhao Sheng''s expression became very grave.


    In just half a year, the prices of pills, artifacts, talismans, and other items in the workshop had uniformly surged by thirty to fifty percent.


    Hong Yuanliang hadn''t deceived him after all; the new round of the Sea Demon Tide was about to begin.


    Earlier in the Red Light Tower, Hong Yuanliang had told him that in the past half a year, there were signs of large numbers of demon beasts assembling on the periphery of the Shattered Star Sea and in the far seas. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire


    During voyages in the far seas, incidents of treasure ships being attacked by demon beasts had become increasingly frequent.


    The Blood Demon Sect, with its Blood Demon Pirate Group rampaging across the far seas, had far more informed sources than ordinary powers.


    A year ago, the Blood Demon Sect had first noticed the clues. A few months back, after multiple verifications, they confirmed the inevitability of the Sea Demon Tide.


    At the same time, the Star God Island also issued a decree, announcing the Star God Divine Sacrifice and their plan to close off the Star Algae Sea in the near future.


    In the history of the Shattered Star Sea, the Star God Divine Sacrifice could almost be equated with the Sea Demon Tide.


    Whenever the Star God Palace holds the Divine Sacrifice, the Sea Demon Tide might not always arrive as scheduled, but in ten times, it would occur five or six times.


    Over time, the cultivators of the Shattered Star Sea realized it was no coincidence, but premeditated.


    As for why the three major overlords of the far seas always chose to launch their attacks on the Human Clan territories during the Divine Sacrifice, the lower-ranked loose cultivators had various speculations, while the Golden Core Masters who knew "the truth" opted for silence. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Information monopolies exist in any world, and they are particularly severe in the Cultivation World.


    For thousands of years, in the face of repeated Sea Demon Tides, the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea had already summarized an extremely comprehensive set of countermeasures.


    The first and second island defense chains were specifically designed to deal with the Sea Demon Tide.


    To the cultivators of the Shattered Star Sea, the Sea Demon Tide was not only a tribulation but also a once-in-a-century opportunity.


    After every tribulation, numerous powers and individuals would vanish into thin air, yet many new emerging powers and outstanding figures would stand out.


    Through the repeated trials of the Sea Demon Tide, countless heroes emerged in the Shattered Star Sea. Thus, a Divinity Transformation True Monarch once praised, "The Star Sea always produces outstanding figures, each leading the era for hundreds of years!"


    ...


    Three months later, Dome Turtle Island.


    Dome Turtle Island was located on the edge of the Outer Star Sea, more than six thousand sea miles away from Dragon Head Island, to the south-southeast, and was one of the one hundred and eight Dragon Scale Level Spiritual Islands.


    The island''s shape resembled that of a turtle, spanning over a hundred miles. Its terrain rose high in the west and sloped low in the east. The Ao Shou Cliff to the west was vertically steep, while the entire eastern side along the island was covered with White Sand Beach. The central terrain of the island was flat, the fields were fertile, and nearly a hundred thousand direct clan members lived there. In addition, around two hundred thousand relatives of the clan lived on the twelve affiliated islands nearby.


    The Zhao family on Dome Turtle Island established their clan through artifact refining, being most adept at creating defense magic artifacts, especially famous for their Turtle Shell Shields.


    The reason for this was that every summer, thousands of iron-armored turtles crawled up the white sand beach and buried their eggs there.


    Dome Turtle Island had a First-rank Middle-grade Spirit Vein running east to west, with the core spirit acupoint beneath Ao Shou Cliff, cutting through the central spirit field in the middle, extending westward to the white sand beach, with part of the vein''s end sinking into the shallow sea.


    Therefore, the majority of the Zhao family''s cultivators were gathered at Ao Shou Cliff.


    After generations of development and maintenance by the island masters'' families, there were now over one hundred fifty cave mansions constructed on Ao Shou Cliff. However, only two-thirds of them were currently inhabited, while one-third remained vacant.


    On this day, "Dianjing Mansion" on Ao Shou Cliff welcomed its new owner.


    Dianjing Mansion was built near the spiritual acupoint, where the concentration of spiritual energy was extremely high, second only to "Mystical Manor," the residence of the Family Head, and in no way inferior to the other two Foundation Establishment elders'' cave mansions.


    Thus, as soon as the news that Dianjing Mansion had an owner spread, it immediately caused a sensation among the Zhao family.


    The junior Qi Refining youths with nothing better to do began to inquire everywhere, wanting to figure out who had the capability to "snatch" Dianjing Mansion from the hands of the family head.


    After all, their generation''s Family Head, Zhao Yunxian, was notoriously stingy; getting any advantage from him was incredibly difficult.


    At this moment, in the meeting hall deep in Dianjing Mansion, an elder and a youth were engaged in a cheerful conversation.


    "Brother Zhao, what do you think of the environment of this cave mansion? If you feel that anything is unsuitable, just say so. I will definitely meet your demands,"


    Zhao Yunxian was the current family head of the Zhao Family, over a hundred thirty years old, with mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, seven feet eight inches tall, striking in appearance. However, with his thin eyebrows and eyes, and his high, hawk-like nose, he sometimes gave people a cold and harsh feeling.


    He was witty and enthusiastic in his speech, extremely sophisticated in dealing with people, but at times too calculating, which could lead to a lack of grandeur.


    Zhao Sheng quickly reviewed his memories of Zhao Yunxian while showing a satisfied smile on his face, speaking in a mild tone, "Family Head Zhao is too courteous! I''m quite pleased with the arrangements here; there''s no need for any changes."


    Since learning the news of the impending sea demon tide, Zhao Sheng immediately interrupted his "reclusive" life at the Spring and Autumn Alliance and traveled tens of thousands of miles back to Dome Turtle Island.


    If he said he returned out of familial love, that would''ve been nonsense.


    Of course, there was a little of blood kinship involved, but mostly it was motivated by interest.


    The better the Zhao family developed, the better for him!


    The reasoning was understood by all, so elaboration was unnecessary.


    When Zhao Sheng released the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm and demonstrated his alchemy prowess, Zhao Yunxian considered him a treasure, immediately recruiting Zhao Sheng as a guest elder with great enthusiasm.


    Zhao Sheng came for the Zhao family and thus, after making a few modest requests, he readily agreed.


    During their warm conversation, Zhao Sheng subtly revealed his "life story" to Zhao Yunxian through casual chat, which served both to be transparent and to show sincerity.


    An hour later, Zhao Yunxian left, his interest satisfied.


    The next day, he gathered all the Zhao family''s cultivators on the island and introduced the new guest elder, Cen Hezi Zhao Tianding, to everyone.


    Zhao Sheng had reversed the characters of his name in this life and renamed himself Zhao Tianding, with the Daoist title "Cen Hezi," identifying himself as a loose cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm and also an alchemist.


    The Zhao family had sixty-four generational name sequences: Feng Xian Ming Ren Sect, Quanzhen Du Taihe. The Classic of Sincerity and Jade Declaration, Zhongzheng Chang Jinke. Essence of the Mystic Path, Gao Hongding Daluo, Moral Performance, Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for longevity.


    The Shattered Star Sea branch of the clan had reached the "Da" generation, and the seniors of the highest standing were two Foundation Establishment elders of the "Han" generation, Zhao Hanqing and Zhao Hanguang.


    Originally, the Zhao family had four Foundation Establishment members, but the eldest, Zhao Tongbei, had passed away sixteen years prior, leaving only three remaining.


    Moreover, the Zhao family''s younger generation wasn''t very promising, and the clan was now facing the danger of a break in the lineage of Foundation Establishment. There were only four members who had reached Qi Refining Perfection, two of whom had already failed once in Foundation Establishment, showing limited potential.


    Zhao Sheng was acquainted with most of the Zhao family members, with the exception of the younger ones born in the past thirty years, so there was no need for Zhao Yunxian to introduce them.


    Just one glance was enough for Zhao Sheng, and the myriad of memories about these people resurfaced in his mind.


    Which of them could still be nurtured, and which were utterly useless? A defining glance was all that Zhao Sheng needed to begin forming his plans.

 Chapter 206 Accepting an Apprentice and the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield

    July''s fiery stars scorched the sky.Waves upon waves churned up, ceaselessly crashing against the uneven rocks below Ao Shou Cliff. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, inside Guanlan Pavilion on the third floor of Sea View Tower atop Ao Shou Cliff, seven youths of differing elegance were waiting with solemn expressions. Some wore particularly anxious looks on their faces.


    Soon after, a ruckus suddenly erupted from below.


    Read chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    "He''s back, the third young master is back!"


    Hearing this, all seven members of the Da Generation of the Zhao Family in Guanlan Pavilion almost instantly turned their gazes toward the entrance.


    Just then, a youth in white robes and a jade crown, with a handsome figure and a pair of thin lips, appeared and hurried into Guanlan Pavilion.


    "Third brother, did you... make it?" Zhao Damo, who was the most impatient, immediately asked with an expectant look upon seeing the newcomer.


    The other Da Generation members also watched the peer, Zhao Dali, with varying expressions.


    Zhao Dali''s face darkened as he shook his head.


    "Alas!"


    Upon seeing this, everyone sighed in unison.


    The thin-lipped Zhao Damo, who was ''Third brother'' Zhao Dali''s cousin from the same branch of the family, couldn''t help but complain repeatedly, "Mr. Zhao''s standards are simply too high! Third brother is the most talented and gifted among us! Even third brother isn''t good enough for him. I say he''s doing it on purpose. His offer to take on a disciple is nothing but lip service!"


    No sooner had Zhao Damo finished speaking, than Zhao Dali suddenly grew furious and shouted urgently, "Hold your tongue!"


    "Third brother...?!" Zhao Damo looked aggrieved.


    "Be quiet, do not slander Senior Zhao!" Zhao Dali said, his tone becoming even more severe.


    After that, he took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "Senior Zhao has decided to take Uncle Nineteen as a registered disciple."


    As soon as he finished speaking, there was a loud stir among the crowd.


    "Uncle Nineteen?!"


    "Zhao... Zhao Dingda!"


    "Impossible, how could Mr. Zhao possibly fancy that lazy smooth-talker with the sharp tongue!"


    "Indeed! Could it be that Mr. Zhao was fooled by ''Big Ding''s'' flowery rhetoric?"


    "Uncle Nineteen is only at the third layer of Qi Refinement, he''s not even a match for me, how could this be!"


    While the Da Generation of the Zhaos were struggling with their pride, the atmosphere inside Dianjing Mansion beneath Ao Shou Cliff was quite warm.


    In the reception hall, Zhao Sheng sat calmly in the center, while Zhao Yunxian of the Zhao Family sat with a stern expression at the upper seat on the left.


    At this moment, a middle-aged man with an ordinary build and an unremarkable face, his greasy little mustache twitching respectfully, held out a bowl of simple-hearted tea towards Zhao Sheng.


    "Disciple Zhao Dingda, respectfully offers tea to the master!"


    Zhao Sheng took the Spiritual Tea and sampled it gently, then said indifferently, "Stand up! From today onward, you are my Cen Hezi''s first registered disciple. Take this ''Alchemy Mastery'' Jade Scroll. Memorize it thoroughly first, then come to find me. You may leave."


    "Yes, Master!"


    Taking the Jade Scroll handed over by his master with both hands, Zhao Dingda bowed his head in acknowledgment, then respectfully left the reception hall.


    When the man had departed, Zhao Yunxian''s eyes briefly flashed with cunning before he laughed heartily and deliberately asked, "Taoist Zhao, I''m somewhat puzzled. Our Zhao Family has many talented young men, any of whom are far stronger than Zhao Dingda. Why on earth did you choose him?"


    "Without concealing from Taoist Zhao, the most important thing in my lineage is affinity. Zhao Dingda just barely met my criteria, so I chose him," Zhao Sheng responded with a nonchalant expression.


    Upon hearing that, Zhao Yunxian was taken aback, and he looked at Zhao Sheng with a somewhat odd expression, thinking to himself, "His words imply that he looks down on everyone else. Are disciples chosen so casually nowadays?"


    Considering this, he consoled himself, "Well, in the end, all the meat ends up in the pot; it doesn''t matter who learns Alchemy. The key issue is whether Cen Hezi will earnestly pass on the Alchemy Technique."


    Although the Zhaos were renowned for their Artifact Refining, a Cultivation Family that wants to grow and prosper cannot afford to have any significant shortcomings.


    Zhao Sheng needed not just Artifact Refiners, but also Alchemists, Talisman Masters, and Array Masters, among other specialized cultivation talents.


    Thus, three days prior, in casual conversation, he had subtly probed the new guest elder regarding his intentions to take disciples. To his surprise, the response came readily, agreeing to take on a member of the Zhao descendants in a single sentence.


    Zhao Sheng had already intended to take a disciple to pass on his Alchemical arts. Zhao Yunxian''s question was precisely what he had been hoping for, and there was no reason for him not to agree.


    Why did he pick Zhao Dingda as his disciple?


    For one, Zhao Dingda was Zhao Dingtian''s direct younger cousin, and they shared the closest blood relationship.


    Moreover, not only did Zhao Dingda possess a Fire Spirit Root, but he had also been an apprentice in Alchemy for over a decade and had a solid foundation in the Alchemy Dao, which would save him a lot of effort.


    The most critical point was that the rest of the Zhao Family were disappointing, with none of them properly adjusting their mindset. Each appeared to be respectful and polite, yet each harbored their own scheming thoughts, which Zhao Sheng didn''t appreciate.


    Seeing Zhao Yunxian falling into an awkward silence, Zhao Sheng changed the subject, reminding him, "By the way, Taoist Zhao. According to my knowledge, the Sea Demon tide is coming again!"


    Zhao Yunxian''s expression changed slightly at the mention, and he nodded gravely, "Zhao has already received the warning sent from Dragon Head Island. In no more than two years, the Sea Demons will definitely encroach on the territory of the Human Clan again. I just don''t know the scale of this tide; I hope it won''t be the millennial kind."


    "It shouldn''t be. If it were a millennial event, it wouldn''t be this ''calm before the storm.''


    By the way, with the demon tide imminent, has your clan made full preparations? Is there anywhere that I, as a poor Daoist, need to lend a hand?"


    Gratitude appeared on Zhao Yunxian''s face as he heard this, and he earnestly said, "If Daoist is willing to be so righteous, I would be extremely grateful. Turtle Island''s defences are secure, and I am not worried about the sea beasts'' assault on the island. However, Dragon Head Island has already issued a co-defence order, commanding our clan to dispatch one Foundation Establishment and five at the Qi Refining Late Stage to station there. So, should the demon tide strike... Zhao hopes that the Daoist can command the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship to maintain open transportation between Dome Turtle Island and the outside world to the best of his ability."

 Chapter 206 Accepting an Apprentice and the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield_2

    Although the other party spoke ambiguously, Zhao Sheng had fully understood his meaning.Generally speaking, during the Sea Demon tide period, it''s rare for sea beasts to attack islands and massacre the Human Clan.


    After all, most sea beasts are marine creatures that either cannot clamber onto land or are extremely unaccustomed to terrestrial environments.


    Of course, once the sea beasts reach the third-tier realm, neither land nor air environments pose a barrier to them.


    If they wish, slaughtering the inhabitants of an entire island is not an issue. However, most sea beasts above third-tier have developed significant spiritual wisdom and generally do not purposely kill mortals, who seem like ants to them. On one hand, they fear the retaliation of Human Clan Golden Cores, and on the other hand, Golden Core demon beasts lacking in clan concepts are quite "lazy," indifferent to the affairs of weak humans, and too lazy to act without any benefit.


    In fact, the impact of the Sea Demon tide on the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea is not primarily the killing, but rather the devastating disruptions to the Shattered Star Sea''s transportation network.


    One could imagine, with billions of sea beasts driven and led by Great Demons, wave after wave crashing into the inner and outer Star Seas, destroying every ship in their path.


    Even worse, if the beasts'' rampage continued unabated, the swarms of sea beasts and demons would persistently and crazily attack every ship at sea.


    Facing endless hordes of crazed sea beasts, ships would struggle to travel, severing sea transportation. The islands of the Shattered Star Sea would inevitably become isolated "lonely islands," and if the blockade lasted too long, the cessation of trade would be the least of their problems; starvation would be the true horror.


    The Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea has proliferated to this day, and the population on most islands far exceeds their capacity. The production from a single island is far from enough to meet demand, requiring constant replenishment of food from the outside world.


    If the siege were to last long, and there wasn''t enough food on the island, it would inevitably lead to a ghastly tragedy of people resorting to cannibalism.


    This isn''t sensationalism but a certainty that occurs during every Sea Demon tide.


    Of course, no matter how tragic the plight of the mortals might be, it generally does not affect cultivators themselves.


    Therefore, a considerable number of cultivators are indifferent to the suffering of mortals, and some even welcome a reduction in the redundant population.


    Some despicable Demon Cultivators even jokingly call the Sea Demon tide the Heavenly Dao''s "population screening" of the Human Clan, aiming to eliminate the useless and stupid, filtering out the superior bloodlines.


    For some Cultivation Forces, what concerns and pains them even more are the spirit veins, spirit fields, and spirit mines laboriously developed on the seabed being destroyed and occupied by swarms of sea beasts.


    This is the real "catastrophe." The reason why all cultivators detest the Sea Demon tide primarily boils down to this.


    But back to the main point!


    The Zhao Family has over two hundred thousand kin scattered on the islands near Dome Turtle Island.


    With the onslaught of the Demon tide, sea routes were severed.


    Kin are the foundation; the Zhao family could not just watch helplessly as over two hundred thousand of their kin were killed or starved to death, so it was imperative to ensure that communication between the islands remained smooth.


    Zhao Sheng had just arrived and was already entrusted with a heavy responsibility, which clearly showed the Zhao Family''s shortage of manpower.


    Understanding the meaning behind Zhao Yunxian''s words, Zhao Sheng nodded, "Thank you for trusting me, Family Head. I will take good care of the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship."


    Zhao Yunxian''s expression showed great emotion, "Daoist, you truly understand the greater good; I am at a loss for words. I am well aware of the dangers of navigating the seas during the Demon tide. To ensure your safety, here are a few defense Spiritual Artifacts collected by our clan. Please choose one."


    With that, he took out five items radiating spiritual light from his Storage Bag and placed them in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at them and immediately ruled out the two armor-like Spiritual Artifacts.


    Although he was not strictly a Sword Cultivator, he followed a path that favored lightness and agility, and the armors were too heavy, completely unsuitable for him.


    Excluding the armors, there were three remaining shield-like Magic Artifacts. One was a black-brown turtle shell shield, another was a light red shield of an unknown metal, and the last Spiritual Artifact had a very peculiar design.


    The peculiarity of this Spiritual Artifact was that its surface was a round black shield, about a foot in diameter, yet startlingly, it was composed of six palm-sized pure black small shields stacked together.


    Even with Zhao Sheng''s Eye Power, he couldn''t discern what material it was made of.


    At first glance, it appeared to be a hard, smooth material like keratin Beast Skin, but it also had a clear metallic luster. Upon closer examination, one could see the skin surface was covered with countless tiny black scales.


    It seemed Mr. Zhao was most interested in this special magic artifact, Zhao Yunxian smiled slightly, reached out to pick up the artifact, and introduced, "Daoist, what excellent discernment! This Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield is the highest grade among these five spiritual artifacts. Each shield by itself is a mid-grade spiritual artifact, but when combined, it ranks as top-grade.


    The key is that it''s a very rare composite spiritual artifact, made up of six child shields.


    Each child shield is refined from the most tenacious part of the underbelly hide of a second-order Mayfly Demon Ray.


    As you may know, the Mayfly Demon Ray is renowned for having the strongest defense among sea beasts of the same tier, so the robustness of these spirit shields goes without saying.


    Not only that, but the key is that the material for all six spirit shields comes from the same Mayfly Demon Ray, and the spirit prohibitions inside are nearly identical. They also contain an extremely rare Divine Communication Spirit Restriction.


    Let me demonstrate its marvelous features for you, Daoist."


    As he spoke, Zhao Yunxian extended his hand and pointed at the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield, and a flash of divine light gleamed in his eyes.


    Then, one could see the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield slowly floating up from the table into the air.


    In a blink, it suddenly dispersed into six streams of black light, like swimming fish, spinning and darting around Zhao Yunxian in all directions, appearing extremely agile and swift.


    What was even more eye-opening was that each child shield could freely combine with the others.


    In the air, sometimes a single shield would circle alone, other times they would pair up in threes or twos, and at times all six would merge into one.


    Watching this spectacle, Zhao Sheng''s eyes sparkled continuously, his heart filled with longing.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s expression, Zhao Yunxian couldn''t help but proudly say, "This Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield is one of the last three masterpieces of our ancestor Zhao Xuanji. If it weren''t for your sake, Daoist, I would never have brought it out."


    After hearing his words, Zhao Sheng first nodded, then shook his head and said, "Taoist Zhao, are you really willing to offer this Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield to me? Aren''t you afraid that after I take the spirit shield, I will break my promise and run away?"


    "Not afraid! I always trust those I employ and do not hire those I mistrust. And I also believe that you are not that kind of person," Zhao Yunxian said confidently.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng nodded inwardly, feeling that indeed the inhabitants of the Shattered Star Sea had made a reliable choice in their family head twice over.


    Zhao Xuanji was a key figure in the resurgence of the Zhao family, leading them away from the brink of extinction and with great effort, fostering their growth until they eventually occupied an island rich in spirit land. His achievements were unrivaled in the Zhao family.


    Although Zhao Yunxian did not match Zhao Xuanji, as the head of a family he could still be considered excellent.


    Under his leadership, the Zhao family developed further, and the atmosphere within the clan could be considered harmonious and united.


    While thinking this, Mr. Zhao by his side laughed and said, "Not to hide from you, Daoist, this Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield isn''t perfect¡ªit has its fair share of flaws.


    First off, the control is overly complex, demanding a cultivator''s Divine Sense to be both strong and precise, making it best suited for those with a talent for multitasking. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators simply cannot manage it.


    Moreover, since it''s composed of six mid-grade spiritual artifacts, this means six times the spiritual power consumption rate. This fact alone disqualifies cultivators below Mid-stage Foundation Establishment." Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Having said this, Zhao Yunxian paused, then tentatively added, "If the Daoist dislikes this Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield, perhaps consider this Nether Bone Heart Shield instead."


    "No need! This one will do," Zhao Sheng suddenly gestured with his hand, cutting the other off mid-sentence in a decisive tone.


    Zhao Yunxian''s heart leapt with joy at those words.


    Seeing the tone and demeanor in which Mr. Zhao spoke, it seemed his cultivation level was at least at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, quite possibly even Foundation Establishment Late Stage.


    If that were truly the case, then the Zhao family had truly gained a great ally.


    As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Zhao Yunxian''s face suddenly changed, and the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield instantly reassembled into a single black round shield, wobbling as it floated toward Zhao Sheng.


    Observing this scene, Zhao Sheng smiled faintly, a surge of Divine Light flashed in his eyes, and his powerful Divine Sense burst forth instantly, enveloping the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield in the blink of an eye. Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire


    With a thought, he effortlessly "seized" ownership of the spirit shield.


    Watching the Mayfly Child Shields flutter about like butterflies piercing through flowers and feeling the astonishing Divine Sense in the void, Zhao Yunxian''s eyes shone with excitement, his heart throbbing with elation: "Foundation Establishment Late Stage! It really is Foundation Establishment Late Stage! This... this is truly a blessing from the heavens for our clan. Thank you, ancestor Zhao Xuanji!"

 Chapter 207 Dragon Head Island Falls and Treasure Ship Attacked

    Within the Foundation Establishment Realm, the late stage is a relatively special phase.Because upon advancing to the Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment, even an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator could have the opportunity for a qualitative transformation in their Spiritual Power.


    Once they successfully complete the transformation of their Spiritual Power, the strength of a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator would soar remarkably. It''s not to say they could take on ten at once, but handling two ordinary cultivators of the same realm alone would not be an issue.


    If it were a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment instead, defeating three to five would also be manageable. Winning might not be guaranteed, but maintaining a stalemate would be considered normal, and at the very least, escape would not be a problem.


    If we drop another half-step to the Early-stage Foundation Establishment, a powerful late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator (after the transformation of Spiritual Power, wielding a top-grade Spiritual Artifact, and having cultivated a Golden Core Level skill above), could indeed take on ten alone. It could be likened to an adult fighting a group of children.


    Zhao Yunxian had no idea if Zhao Sheng was the legendary powerful cultivator who could fight ten on his own, but from his extremely strong Divine Sense, it was clear that even if he wasn''t that strong, he was far from weak.


    As the monster tide was about to erupt and the Zhao family could face a crisis of annihilation at any moment, it was undeniably akin to having the blessing of ancestors when a powerful ally like Zhao Sheng emerged all of a sudden for the Zhao family.


    From this, one could understand why Zhao Yunxian was so excited.


    Hum!


    Following a humming sound, six beams of black light instantly flew back in front of Zhao Sheng and reassembled into the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield.


    The foot-long top-grade Spirit Shield fell downward, and Zhao Sheng caught it with one hand before casually stowing it into his Storage Bag.


    If a Cultivator wishes to wield a Spiritual Artifact at will, as if it were an extension of their own arm, they must undergo years of Refining it and merging it with their spirit.


    What Zhao Sheng had just done with Divine Sense to skillfully manipulate the shield was merely for show. A single powerful collision could cause the Spirit Shield to lose control.


    "Not bad, Daoist is extremely satisfied with this Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield. I thank the Family Head for this gift." Zhao Sheng gave a smile and clasped his hands in thanks toward Zhao Yunxian.


    "Haha! It''s good that Daoist Cen Hezi is satisfied," Zhao Yunxian said with a beaming smile, laughing heartily.


    ...


    From then on, Zhao Sheng settled down on Dome Turtle Island.


    He was a person who preferred quiet to activity, and although he had repeatedly declined invitations from the various branches of the Zhao family, he had not been the least bit discourteous. Each time he politely refused, he would reciprocate with a few bottles of Elixir Pills, both First and Second Order, and of high quality.


    Such a down-to-earth demeanor pleased the different branches of the Zhao family greatly. For a time, a variety of invitations flew to him like snowflakes.


    Zhao Sheng was not truly a pushover. Initially, he had declined out of consideration for the fact that each branch was made up of his descendants, and it was simply a pretext for bestowing favors, as it''s always better to keep resources within the family.


    However, their greed in trying to take an inch and gain a mile was nothing short of wishful thinking.


    Zhao Sheng''s approach was exceedingly straightforward; he simply handed over all the invitations to Zhao Yunxian.


    Within a day, this ill wind disappeared, and tranquility quickly returned to Zhao Sheng''s residence.


    As a homebody Cultivator, his daily schedule was fully booked.


    He had three designated hours for cultivation each day, and half an hour for deep sleep.


    Every day he allocated one hour for talisman refining, to keep his hand in practice. Meanwhile, he spent two to three hours each day on Alchemy, mostly refining First-stage Spirit Pills, and occasionally when inspiration struck, he would spend a few days refining a batch of Second Order Spirit Pills.


    During this time, when he was in peak condition, Zhao Sheng also crafted a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, successfully producing three pills, one mid-grade and two low-grade.


    As a side note, after the mad alchemy on Nine Virtuous Isle, his success rate for refining Foundation Establishment Pills had reached an astounding eighty to ninety percent, although the number and quality of pills produced were not always satisfactory, averaging one to four. He had produced over thirty Foundation Establishment Pills, but not a single one was top-grade.


    The reasons for this could have been the quality of the Spiritual Medicine, the Alchemy techniques, or perhaps some unknown secrets.


    In any case, limited by his own knowledge and horizons, Zhao Sheng admitted he had reached a bottleneck, and it would be difficult to break through it in the short term without external help.


    Currently, he had accumulated as many as six Foundation Establishment Pills, but only three Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits remained.


    If he didn''t make new breakthroughs, he had already decided to temporarily stop refining Foundation Establishment Pills.


    The rest of his time, apart from refining the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield, was mostly spent on broadly reading and researching ancient books, secret abnormal skills, Cultivation Techniques, and knowledge of the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation. This was not only in preparation for advancing to the Golden Core, but also a further reinforcement of his foundation.


    The deeper he went into his studies, the more Zhao Sheng realized how vast and profound the knowledge of a Cultivation Civilization was.


    He was so engrossed in the thrill of exploring the unknown and the pleasure of cultivation that he felt there was never enough time; he wished there were forty-eight hours in a day.


    Zhao Sheng knew his mentality was not quite right. With the Hundred Lifetimes book in his possession, there was no need for such impatience; leisurely enjoying life should have been the correct approach.


    He understood all this, but... it was truly hard to describe his current state.


    "Obsessed without enlightenment" is not a good descriptor, but it applied quite fittingly to Zhao Sheng in this life. He was indeed "obsessed," but had not truly reached "great enlightenment." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Perhaps in some future life, when he felt tired, he would truly attain enlightenment.


    In this life, he was "happily engrossed, obsessed without enlightenment."


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    ...


    The Monster Tide came!


    It''s hard to say exactly when it began, but once a grain transport ship was attacked and sunk by a sea beast near Dome Turtle Island, the island was thrown into instant chaos, with the atmosphere growing tense as if the slightest disturbance could trigger panic.

 Chapter 207 The Fall of Dragon Head Island and the Attack on the Treasure Ship_2

    The Zhao family, from top to bottom, was acutely aware that the demon tide had finally arrived. In the midst of their shock and fear, they felt an odd sense of relief. It was as if a heavy hammer, which had been suspended high in the sky, had finally fallen to the ground, and they no longer needed to live in constant dread.According to the pre-established contingency plan, Dome Turtle and its affiliated islands all implemented scorched earth policies, with the population retreating deep into the island''s settlements, leaving the periphery of the islands empty.


    Meanwhile, apart from the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship and two First Rank Spirit Ships, all other ordinary ships were ordered back to the docks, and no sails were to be set to sea.


    As long as they did not intentionally provoke conflict, sea demons generally would not land.


    Therefore, the Zhao family''s three hundred thousand clan members kept to themselves on the islands and did not venture out, temporarily safe from harm.


    Half a year passed in this fashion.


    During this half-year, the Zhao family received countless pieces of intelligence from their kin abroad, with the information from Dragon Head Island being the most detailed and accurate.


    But one afternoon, a shocking and disastrous piece of news left every member of the Zhao family cultivators stunned.


    Dragon Head Island had fallen!


    After a thousand years, the sea demons once again breached the Heavenly Pass of Dragon Head Island.


    Ten days ago, the Great Elder Ling Yuan of the Sea Demon Clan, leading three seventh- or eighth-tier Demon Kings and over a hundred Solidifying Pill stage sea demons of the third order or higher, deceived everyone''s eyes with a feint to the east but attacked to the west. They crossed the vast ocean in a single day and launched a surprise attack on Dragon Head Island.


    In less than three days, the island''s Defense Array was breached, and the Four Saints Immortal Cultivation Team, led by Ancestor Chongfeng, suffered heavy casualties, with one in ten islanders surviving.


    Just days before the fall of Dragon Head Island, Fu Feng Island, Zhi Ao Island, and six other key spirit islands were surprisingly taken by sea beast armies with ease. It took less than ten days for the vanguard of the great army to reach Dragon Head Island, and soon they would burst into the Inner Star Sea,


    Facing an inevitable catastrophe for all living beings, the Zhao family surprisingly breathed a sigh of relief.


    Since Dome Turtle Island was located at the edge of the Outer Star Sea and the sea demons'' massive tide would sweep through the Inner Star Sea, it meant that the disaster was unlikely to befall the Zhao family.


    As for the countless deaths among the Human Clan of Shattered Star Sea, well... what of it? As long as one''s own people were alive, what did it matter if others lived or died?


    It must be said that the attitude of the Zhao family was very similar to that of most Cultivation Families.


    This was the characteristic of island civilizations. Due to geographical separation and inconvenient communication, coupled with living on small islands, over time, most mortals and even some cultivators developed an attitude of indifference to matters that did not concern them.


    After learning of this earth-shattering news, the two Foundation Establishment members of the Zhao family guarding Dome Turtle Island were extremely anxious.


    Not only because a Foundation Establishment and five Late Stage Qi Refinement members of the Zhao family were now trapped on Dragon Head Island, their fates uncertain. There was also a significant concern due to the serious consequences of the fall of Dragon Head Island.


    Dragon Head Island, located between the Inner and Outer Star Seas, not only controlled critical trade routes but was also the core strategic area of the entire Outer Star Sea.


    The island not only had a third-tier Spirit Vein, but the nearby thousands of miles of sea area also had nearly a hundred secondary Spirit Veins of the first and second orders, with countless spirit mines and spirit fields beneath the sea, and an abundance of various Cultivation Resources, making it one of the highest spirit areas in Tianzhu Realm.


    Usually, Dragon Head Island had at least one Nascent Soul Ancestor in residence, and the Four Saints Immortal Cultivation Team was also stationed on the island.


    Each time the sea demon tide came, Dragon Head Island would be the first to bear the brunt of the attack.


    If the Spirit Clan, Sea Dominator Octopus, and Dragon Serpent¡ª the three dominators¡ª wished to lead the Endless Sea Beasts into the Inner Star Sea, they had to conquer Dragon Head Island.


    If they chose to bypass it, they risked being attacked from both front and rear. Moreover, on their retreat, they could easily be trapped and defeated, or their beast armies could be divided and conquered individually.


    Setting aside the resources and military importance of Dragon Head Island, it was also the undisputed center for trade and goods circulation for the entire Outer Star Sea. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Speaking of Cultivation Resources is one thing, but for mortals, essential bulk items such as food grains would normally need to be centrally traded on Dragon Head Island. After allocation and turnover, they would then be transported to the various islands of the Outer Star Sea.


    This was the invisible control that the major Cultivation Forces of the Inner Star Sea had over the many spirit island families and Sect forces of the Outer Star Sea.


    However, now Dragon Head Island had fallen. Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire


    What did this mean?


    All those in power in the Zhao family who understood the gravity of the situation had a grim expression and furrowed brows.


    "Dingda, quickly go invite your master!"


    In Unity Hall, where the elders of the Zhao Family and the cultivator clansmen were all present, Zhao Yunxian made a decisive command to Zhao Dingda after a brief consideration.


    "Yes, Family Head," Zhao Dingda promptly responded and turned to leave.


    Shortly after, Zhao Dingda respectfully ushered Zhao Sheng into Unity Hall.


    Looking at the arrangement and furnishings of Unity Hall, Zhao Sheng felt as though he had returned to Dragon Carp Lake hundreds of years ago.


    He was momentarily lost in thought, but soon gathered his spirit and saluted Zhao Yunxian and Zhao Hanguang, the two cultivators of the same realm.


    No sooner had he sat down than Zhao Yunxian eagerly shared the downfall of Dragon Head Island and the perilous situation they currently faced.


    After Zhao Sheng had absorbed the shocking news, Zhao Yunxian candidly stated that the island''s food supply could at best support half a year.


    The collapse of Dragon Head Island meant that this sea demon tide would not end easily.


    Could this disaster last a year? Two years? Or perhaps even longer, it was hard to say.


    Faced with three hundred thousand famished clan members, Zhao Yunxian, as the head of the clan, had to plan for the worst.


    Without needing further explanation, Zhao Sheng immediately realized his days of reclusive arduous Cultivation had come to an end.


    "... as a retainer (ancestor) of the Zhao Family, lending a hand to the Zhao Family is an unquestionable duty. Not to mention, I have yet to express my gratitude for the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield. Family Head, please feel free to command me," Zhao Sheng said bluntly.

 Chapter 207 The Fall of Dragon Head Island and the Attack on the Treasure Ship_3

    Zhao Yunxian was overjoyed beyond expectation upon hearing this, his face brimming with gratitude and relief. After expressing his thanks several times, he presented his plan.In short, it was to deploy the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship to the islands of the Star Sea as quickly as possible, and spare no effort to purchase grain, while also trading Cultivation Resources on the side. Experience new tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Their first target was Biluo Island, known as "Dragon Claw." It is the second-largest spirit island in the Outer Star Sea, next only to Dragon Head Island, with thousands of medium and small-sized islands spread within a thousand miles. It is not only known for its thriving trade but also as a famous grain-producing region.


    ...


    Seven days later, somewhere at sea.


    The once calm and azure sea surface was now like boiling water, with large white masses of sea froth continuously churning and rising. Beneath this frothy veil, several three-meter-long Green Flag Swordfish suddenly lept from the sea, furiously charging towards a large three-masted ship with a gleaming black hull and a double deck.


    Mixed among these Green Flag Swordfish were some First Rank swordfish of an even more enormous size. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sharp sword-like beams of green light shot out from the long thorns on their heads, killing every living thing on the ship relentlessly.


    Green Flag Swordfish are a naturally mild-tempered, schooling species of medium to small-sized marine fish, with a sharp bony spike on their heads resembling a long sword, flag-shaped dorsal fins, and a body covered in hard scales.


    A typical adult swordfish can grow to over three meters long, with a swimming speed that exceeds a galloping horse on land, and can easily cover a thousand miles in a day and night.


    Generally speaking, out of every ten swordfish, there might be one First Order demon fish; when a school exceeds a hundred individuals, it tends to give birth to a leader among Second Order Green Flag Swordfish.


    Second Order Green Flag Swordfish are at least twelve meters in size, swim through the water as swiftly as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator flying with a Controlling Device, and the Spiritual Thorn on their heads is not only incredibly tough but also as sharp as a low-grade flying sword.


    Usually, schools of Green Flag Swordfish do not attack passing ships, but at this moment they had transformed into a terrifyingly efficient group of assassins.


    At that time, cowering among the crowd below the second deck, Zhao Dingda bolstered his courage and loudly encouraged everyone''s morale.


    "Hold on! My Master will surely come back. Brothers and uncles, hold on!"


    The Defensive Light Shield of the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship had already shattered under the relentless and frenzied barrage of thrashing from the Green Flag Swordfish a quarter of an hour ago.


    The twenty-five Qi Refining Clan Members of the Zhao family were forced to retreat to the cabins and corners of the ship, using its sturdy body for shelter as they formed small groups to fiercely withstand the swordfish onslaught.


    By this time, blood was flowing everywhere on the deck, and the heavy scent of blood pervaded every corner of the cabins.


    The ship''s deck was marred with deep gashes similar to sword cuts, and the three sails were already riddled with holes, torn to shreds, while two of the three masts had been broken by the impact.


    Faced with a large school of nearly a thousand Green Flag Swordfish, everyone on board felt a sense of despair.


    To make matters worse, since the attack began, Daoist Cen Hezi, who was in charge of the ship, had suddenly plunged into the sea and had not resurfaced, leaving his fate unknown.


    Underneath the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship, a hundred yards deep in the sea, Zhao Sheng''s expression was solemn as he was surrounded by a Triple Profound Ice Wall.


    Outside the ice wall, six dark beams spun rapidly like lightning, keeping the thick green Sword Lights at bay, not allowing them to come within three feet.


    Meanwhile, in the shadowy waters a few yards away, five large, slender, dark green shapes rapidly circled around Zhao Sheng, darting swiftly in all directions.

 Chapter 208 Cultivation Technique Hidden Danger

    At this moment, beneath Zhao Sheng''s feet, three huge fish corpses were slowly sinking into the sea.The bodies of these three Second Order demon fish were intact, scales neat, and on the surface, there wasn''t a single visible wound. However, their eyes had devastatingly burst open, leaving two fist-sized, gaping holes oozing with a thick, pinkish brain matter that quickly dispersed into the surrounding seawater.


    The battle between humans and beasts up to now hadn''t seen any fierce fighting. Merely a few strokes akin to lightning had been exchanged, but each confrontation ended with the demise of a Second Order Green Flag Swordfish. Find your next read on My Virtual Library Empire


    The Green Flag Swordfish attacked in a very straightforward manner. It was known for its lightning-fast speed and the unbreakable sharpness of its spines.


    Imagine a Green Flag Swordfish weighing several thousand pounds, as large as a wild elephant, charging with a sword-like, incredibly sharp spine at a terrifying supersonic speed. The force of the impact and the strength of its destructive power were immense.


    Let alone a person, even if a mountain stood in its path, it would still be pierced with a hole.


    In reality, facing these underwater killers transforming their superkinetic energy into lethal force, the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield was too light; being struck, it would fly off and was essentially useless.


    As the common military adage goes, "The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin."


    The approach should naturally differ when facing different enemies.


    In battles under the sea, one must consider the influence of water resistance.


    Zhao Sheng simply didn''t use the Golden Essence Flying Sword at all, and solely relied on his spells to oppose the enemy.


    Because as he completed the qualitative change of his Spiritual Power, the once well-suited Golden Essence Flying Sword had gradually become inadequate to use. Sometimes it was even less effective than the destruction caused by a single spell of his, necessitating a switch to a higher grade Spiritual Artifact for attack purposes.


    The Second Order Green Flag Swordfish already possessed great spirituality and, after suffering losses three times in a row, they immediately became extremely cautious. They would not attack rashly, merely speeding around Zhao Sheng in circles, hoping for a lapse to appear.


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng also didn''t engage in battle.


    However, unknown to anyone, on the outer side of the triple profound ice wall, teardrop-sized, crystal-clear water drops were rapidly condensing in secret, and once formed, they instantly merged silently into the dark seawater around them.


    These crystal-clear water drops were known as "One-element Heavy Water Swords," possessing characteristics such as "super heavy, sharp, penetrating, and stable."


    It was an evolution of the Waterdrop Sword spell, which in turn was derived from the Condensed Water Ring. The Condensed Water Ring was the first base Water Element Magic that Zhao Sheng learned in his previous life.


    The Condensed Water Ring is the simplest of Water Attribute tricks, formed by five basic runes in a stable water loop. Just a small amount of Spiritual Power is needed to activate it, and a large amount of cloud mist can be condensed.


    In fact, from the Condensed Water Ring, a wide array of First-tier Water Element Magic such as the Water Ball Skill, Water Arrow Technique, and Cloud Mist Technique can be derived.


    The Waterdrop Sword was a new type of First-tier Magic that Zhao Sheng had developed in his previous life, a "unique move" that belonged to him alone.


    After two lifetimes of cultivation, Zhao Sheng gained a lot more comprehension about the way of Water Element and thus innovated and developed the new Second-tier True Technique "One-element Heavy Water Sword."


    ...


    In just a short moment, nearly a hundred One-element Heavy Water Swords had condensed into shape. This number had already reached the limit of Zhao Sheng''s control.


    As he watched the Second Order demon fish swimming restlessly around him, he smiled slightly, intentionally exposing a flaw. The Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield suddenly slowed down drastically, and the outer layer of the Triple Mysterious Water Barrier also suddenly collapsed.


    Beasts are after all beasts, and even the Second Order demon fish with their greatly increased spirituality could not escape their instinctive shackles.


    Seeing the "prey" showing weakness, the five Second Order Green Flag Swordfish, tormented by their bloodthirsty instincts, instantly revealed a ferocious gleam in their eyes. With a powerful flick of their tails, the green fins on their backs shot up. A burst of green light surged out from between their scales, enveloping their entire bodies in a split second.


    Bang Bang Bang!


    The sounds of water exploding almost simultaneously erupted, and with the explosion of five swirls of green light, I saw five streaks of green light fast as lightning. In an instant, they covered a distance of three yards, and with five unbreakable, sharp spines aimed, they simultaneously lunged towards the vital areas of Zhao Sheng''s head and torso.


    The two layers of the Mystic Ice Wall, faced with the tremendous impact, crumbled as if they were crisp biscuits, fragile to touch. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Savage and cunning, cold and ruthless!


    The Green Flag Swordfish truly lived up to their reputation as underwater assassins, born with the instinct to kill with a single blow.


    Just as Zhao Sheng was about to be torn to shreds, divine light exploded in his eyes, and the world slowed down significantly.


    With a thought, he saw the closest ten One-element Heavy Water Swords, under the control of his Divine Sense, shooting out towards the demon fish''s eyes.


    Boom Boom Boom!


    A series of dull sounds, like eggs being smashed, suddenly arose in Zhao Sheng''s mind.


    He clearly saw a drop of crystal-clear "teardrop" effortlessly piercing through a layer of tough eyelid, then brutally crashing into the Green Flag Swordfish''s eyeball. As the juices were squeezed out, a fist-sized hole slowly took shape, boring directly into the depths of the demon fish''s brain.


    Spurt Spurt!


    All the One-element Heavy Water Swords suddenly exploded within the brain, instantly turning the brains of the five demon fish into mush.


    Simultaneously, Zhao Sheng slowly rose to the surface, avoiding the incoming fish spines and massive fish bodies.


    Bang!


    The next second, the world returned to normal. Five giant bodies violently collided with each other, with spines crisscrossing and deeply piercing into the bodies of their fellow swordfish.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, the average strength of a Second-stage Demon Beast is roughly equivalent to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. However, generally speaking, ordinary Second-stage Demon Beasts are no match for Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and the reasons need not be elaborated upon.


    Zhao Sheng is a powerful Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, vastly surpassing most of his fellow Foundation Establishment Daoists.

 Chapter 208 Cultivation Technique Hidden Danger_2

    ```Although there were as many as eight Second Order Green Flag Swordfish, Zhao Sheng didn''t need to be as cunning as before, effortlessly outsmarting them. Even if it came to a direct confrontation, they were still no match for him.


    The reason for this was that from the start, there was a big BOSS within the school of Green Flag Swordfish that had yet to show itself, possibly lying in wait in the dark, eyeing him greedily.


    Zhao Sheng found it hard to believe that a large swordfish school of nearly a thousand was led by just eight Second-tier Fish Bellies. There could very well be a more powerful Swordfish King among them.


    And that was one of the reasons why Zhao Sheng dared not carelessly engage in battle.


    It could have been that he was overthinking, or perhaps the big BOSS lurking behind the scenes was intimidated by Zhao Sheng''s fierce tactics, uncertain of his actual strength and depth.


    Right after the eight Second Order swordfish were killed, the group of Green Flag Swordfish above them, like a frightened flock of sheep, suddenly woke from their bloodthirsty frenzy and scattered in all directions, fleeing wildly into further and deeper waters.


    Zhao Sheng had no desire to chase after a group of small fish. After collecting the corpses of the eight Second Order demon fish, he flashed upward and emerged from the sea surface.


    On the other side, as soon as the school of Green Flag Swordfish fled, the turmoil aboard the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship ceased, and the members of the Zhao Family, seeing the swordfish suddenly disappear, were ecstatic and relieved, feeling the serendipity of having narrowly escaped death.


    Puh!


    Zhao Sheng suddenly breached the sea surface and flew onto the deck, landing firmly.


    "Mr. Zhao!"


    "Senior Cen Hezi!"


    "Master, you''re finally back. We suffered a big loss this time!"


    Upon Zhao Sheng''s appearance, Zhao Dingda, Zhao Gaojie, and the other clan members of the Zhao Family immediately found their pillar of support and flocked to him, greeting him with mixed emotions of sorrow and joy.


    ...


    Later, under Zhao Sheng''s consolation, everyone gradually calmed down.


    The attack of the swordfish school, though brief, resulted in heavy casualties.


    Not only were all members of the Zhao Family injured, but six had died, including a Qi Refining Seventh Layer senior member of the Hong generation. In addition, the treasure ship had suffered extensive damage, with even two masts broken.


    Because of this, the treasure ship had to be repaired in situ for three days. After the ship''s body and masts were mended, it proceeded towards Biluo Island.


    During the subsequent voyage, Zhao Sheng and others encountered several more attacks from sea beasts, but none were as formidable as the Green Flag Swordfish. Zhao Sheng alone easily dealt with them without the younger generation having to lift a finger.


    Seven days later, the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship slowly sailed into a bustling and lively bay. Across, not far from the pier, a variety of ships of different sizes were docked, and nearby, thousands of sails were contending, with countless boats crisscrossing busily.


    At a glance, one could see ships of similar size, or even larger, slowly moving in and out. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Clearly, the news of Dragon Head Island''s fall had spread across the Shattered Star Sea, instantly turning Biluo Island into the new hub of the Outer Star Sea. Under the influence of various complex factors, the place had momentarily fallen into an abnormal boom.


    After waiting half a day for an open berth, the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship finally docked at the pier.


    As soon as they berthed, the members of the Zhao Family couldn''t wait to disembark the ship.


    The task of purchasing food and various other reserve supplies for the Zhao Family on Biluo Island was not Zhao Sheng''s concern, as there were designated personnel responsible for it.


    Before all items were purchased, the treasure ship would be docked at the pier for a few days.


    This left Zhao Sheng with a few days of free time to take care of his own business.


    ...


    Half a day later, at East Jade Square, inside Treasure Tower.


    In the elegant room, a cultured man dressed in a plain white robe, with a scholarly appearance, sat opposite Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng spoke directly, "Shopkeeper Gao, I am here to buy a shell pearl, at least a thousand years old, the higher the grade, the better. Does your establishment have such a treasure?"


    The scholarly middle-aged man replied with a smile, "A thousand-year shell pearl, our establishment naturally has it. But a spiritual pearl nurtured by a thousand-year spiritual shell is equivalent to a third-rank demon pill, and it comes with a hefty price. Moreover, such treasures typically cannot be bought with spirit stones unless the Daoist has top-grade spiritual stones."


    "Top-grade spiritual stones are rare; I certainly do not possess them. But what do you think about this?"


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng produced a pill bottle containing Foundation Establishment Pills, undid the Elixir Seal, and handed it over for inspection.


    The scholarly middle-aged man''s eyes widened in disbelief, "Foundation Establishment Pills? Daoist, that is a generous offer indeed!"


    "Would this suffice?"


    "Yes, of course, it would be more than sufficient!" replied the middle-aged man, nodding like a pecking chicken.


    "Then... it depends on what grade of shell pearl you can provide, Shopkeeper Gao," said Zhao Sheng confidently.


    ```


    "Daoist, please wait a moment. Gao will return shortly."


    As soon as he finished speaking, the refined middle-aged man hastily left the elegant room.


    It wasn''t long before he joyfully returned.


    "Daoist has come at the right time. Our establishment has just received a shell pearl that''s been nurtured for three thousand years, its quality second only to a fourth-rank Demon Pill..."


    ...


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng, expressionless, walked out of Treasure Tower, quickly disappearing into the bustling crowd.


    ...


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng, having changed his appearance, appeared in an Elixir Medicine Shop called Qidan Pavilion.


    Qidan Pavilion was the largest Elixir Medicine Shop on Biluo Island, backed by the famous alchemy sect of the Shattered Star Sea, the Strange Pill Sect.


    Upon entering the shop, Zhao Sheng made no attempt to conceal his powerful aura.


    The shopkeeper, sensing the strong fluctuations of Spiritual Power coming from the main hall, did not dare to neglect such a presence, hurriedly moving to the front and respectfully welcoming Zhao Sheng to the back hall.


    In the Cultivation World, Foundation Establishment Cultivators are the backbone. In the Shattered Star Sea, a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator could rule over a spirit island, and by the late stage of Foundation Establishment, one could certainly be considered above millions, just below a Golden Core Master.


    Take Nine Virtuous Isle, for example.


    As one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, Nine Virtuous Isle''s influence covers thousands of miles of sea territory, nearly ten thousand cultivators, more than a hundred of whom have reached Foundation Establishment. Yet, after several hundred years of accumulation, officially there are only three Golden Core Masters, including suspicious figures like Xu Chong, they do not have more than seven people capable of Golden Core-level combat.


    In any domain within the Cultivation World, Golden Core Masters are regarded as high-level combatants because they are extremely rare and often in closed-door cultivation, rarely showing themselves in public.


    Therefore, late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators often represent the highest level of combat prowess most people ever witness, and their status is understandably elevated.


    In the guest room of the back hall, after the waiter served Spiritual Tea, the shopkeeper of Qidan Pavilion cautiously probed Zhao Sheng''s intentions.


    Since Zhao Sheng had openly revealed his cultivation level, he naturally had his reasons.


    He did not hide his purpose and got straight to the point, "I have come to your esteemed pavilion today, specifically to acquire a Golden Core Formation Pill!"


    The shopkeeper of Qidan Pavilion was an old, short, and plump man with the appearance of a young child with gray hair. He was clad in a Crimson Robe, emitting a faint Elixir Fragrance.


    Upon hearing this, the short, plump old man was taken aback. His expression instantly turned very strange, and after hesitating, he cautiously replied, "Predecessor, please... please don''t make it difficult for this old man. A Golden Core Formation Pill is such a heavy treasure, it is beyond the reach of someone like me. Not only does Qidan Pavilion not have it, but I fear no Elixir Shop throughout the entire Biluo Island would dare to possess such a treasure."


    Zhao Sheng let out a slight smile and calmly said, "If you do not have it here, does the Strange Pill Sect not have it either? If you wish to accomplish something, quickly inform the Strange Pill Sect and have them send someone to trade. I can still stay on Biluo Island for some time."


    The short and plump elder became thrilled upon hearing this, his scalp tingling with excitement as he realized the opportunity he had long awaited had finally arrived.


    "Please wait, Predecessor. I will immediately send a message to the sect."


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    No sooner had he finished speaking than he sprang up, dashing out of the room in one swift move, showing no signs of age.


    In the room, Zhao Sheng picked up the tea cup, slowly savoring the Spiritual Tea while quietly contemplating.


    Recently, during his cultivation, he had several times sensed the barrier at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment beginning to loosen, vaguely grasping the opportunity to advance to the ninth layer.


    Once he succeeded in reaching the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer, he would not be far from Core Formation.


    For this purpose, Zhao Sheng had to prepare in advance.


    Just now at Treasure Tower, he had traded two low-grade Foundation Establishment Pills for a three-thousand-year-old Spiritual Pearl as a preliminary step.


    His current practice of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique was from his previous life, obtained from the Origin Return Sect (now the Blood Demon Sect).


    He had originally thought it was a complete set, but only upon reaching the latter part of the practice did he discover a trap set by the Origin Return Sect.


    The Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique turned out to be missing a crucial part¡ªthe Divine Powers and Treasure Techniques.


    As mentioned before, there are two types of Golden Core Masters: those with True Pills and those with Fake Pills.


    A true Golden Core Master has a life span of eight hundred years and can form a Golden Core without external assistance. Once the Golden Core is formed, the Golden Core Phenomenon arises, which originates from Divine Skills.


    A Golden Core Master is sure to refine a Divine Power or Treasure Technique. This Divine Skill is somewhat similar to the innate spells of demon beasts, not only triggered by a mere thought and consuming very little energy but also immensely powerful, far more effective than regular magical treasures.


    Unfortunately, the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique omitted how to construct the seed of one''s Innate Divine Ability, virtually cutting off Zhao Sheng''s rightful path to refining a Golden Core, forcing him to resort to the crooked path of using external objects for Core Formation.


    The last few pages of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique are about treasure refining. They record in detail the method to refine a Magical Treasure called the Sea Suppressing Pearl.

 Chapter 239 Capture Sky Basket 209 and Heavenly True Water

    The treasure embryo of the Sea Pearl requires shell pearls, the higher the grade the better. Your next read is at My Virtual Library EmpireThat three-thousand-year-old Spiritual Pearl was prepared for refining the Sea Suppressing Pearl. However, he was not satisfied with it and hoped to find a higher quality Spiritual Pearl in the future, preferably one that surpassed ten thousand years.


    Once a shell pearl surpasses ten thousand years, it is called a Spirit Communication Treasure Pearl. Using it to refine magical treasures ensures that the grade of the treasure will be at least high-grade, which is immensely helpful for breaking through the Nascent Soul Barrier in the future.


    That being said, Zhao Sheng was not entirely without hope for advancing to the True Pill.


    All Divine Powers and Treasure Techniques were also created and deduced by predecessors.


    He would neither be arrogantly self-aggrandizing nor unduly self-deprecating.


    If predecessors could achieve it, so might he.


    Such were his thoughts when,


    The short and chubby shopkeeper of Qidan Pavilion rushed into the living room excitedly, running and shouting, "It''s done, it''s done! Senior, the sect has just sent word that they will send a Special Envoy here to meet with you soon. Please be patient and wait a few days."


    "Hmm, thank you for the effort, Taoist friend." Zhao Sheng gently put down his tea bowl, smiling as he slightly bowed in gratitude.


    "Ah, this is but the least I ought to do. Senior, you needn''t be so formal," said the chubby elder in a fluster, waving his hands repeatedly.


    Zhao Sheng then said, "I am still in need of Yin-Yang Green Shoes Fruit, soul leech poison powder, and Illusion Desire Butterfly Eggs. Does Qidan Pavilion have these three Spiritual Medicines available?"


    After thinking for a moment, the chubby elder confidently responded, "The Spiritual Medicines mentioned by senior are extremely rare. Currently, we only have the Yin-Yang Green Shoes Fruit here. The other two would need to be transported from elsewhere. If senior is not in a hurry, could you possibly wait a few days?"


    "I am not in a hurry. Just go ahead and arrange the transport. However, ensure the quality of the Spiritual Medicines is sufficiently good."


    "Rest assured, senior! This humble one would never dare tarnish the reputation of Qidan Pavilion."


    ...


    After leaving Qidan Pavilion, Zhao Sheng strolled around the workshop, entering and exiting various shops to purchase what he needed, before returning to the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship.


    While the Zhao family was busy purchasing various supplies, Zhao Sheng, who had just returned to the ship, went directly to his private cabin on the second deck and started his closed-door cultivation without emerging.


    Entering the cabin, Zhao Sheng flicked his hands and released four Barrier Talismans; four talismans flew out and instantly attached themselves to the four walls of the ship, and suddenly four layers of spirit light dramatically rose, enveloping the entire cabin in a blink of an eye.


    Zhao Sheng went deep into the cabin, sat cross-legged on a cushion and pondered for a moment before stretching his right hand into his bosom to pull out a storage bag of apricot-yellow color.


    With a flick of the storage bag, an ordinary-looking bamboo basket flew out from the mouth of the bag, landing in Zhao Sheng''s hands.


    The bamboo basket was verdant green but crudely weaved, and gaps could be seen between the strips.


    However, the basket surprisingly contained a pool of azure water. When slightly tilted, the azure water rippled and slowly flowed through the gaps in the bamboo yet seemed to be blocked by an invisible barrier, preventing any of it from leaking out.


    In the gently rippling azure water, a little fish emitting a multicolored light halo swam leisurely, occasionally sprinkling patches of vibrant colors.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression was serene as he repeatedly formed Seal Mantras with both hands, and streams of bright blue Spiritual Power shot out from his hands, striking the bamboo basket before him.


    The basket was soon enveloped in dense blue radiance, looking as though it was wrapped in a cloud of blue mist. Within the mist, wisps of blue light undulated unpredictably, continuously striking every strip on the basket''s surface, attempting to refine them.


    However, the effect was minimal.


    After a prolonged refining process lasting an hour, only faint traces of blue light were seen seeping into the surface of the bamboo basket.


    Ever since he acquired this magical treasure bamboo basket more than twenty years ago, Zhao Sheng had been continuously trying to refine it.


    Perhaps due to incompatible attributes or the lack of a key refining treasure formula.


    Over the years, the progress of refining had always been less than satisfactory; he hadn''t even completely refined the first treasure restriction.


    Of course, the efforts of these years were not entirely in vain. At the very least, he had gained a deeper understanding of this magical treasure. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This bamboo basket magical treasure was a Wood Element space-attribute treasure, woven from Ancient Primordial Void Bamboo that was nearly extinct in the Tianzhu Realm.


    Its grade was very high, with Zhao Sheng currently aware of six treasure restrictions.


    Perhaps deeper inside the magical treasure, more treasure restrictions are hidden, but with his current Divine Sense, Zhao Sheng could not sense them.


    The level of a magical treasure does not only depend on its quality but also on how many treasure restrictions it contains internally.


    Generally speaking, a magical treasure can contain up to nine treasure restrictions, categorized by threes, with six or more being a high-grade magical treasure. Four to six restrictions count as a mid-grade magical treasure, and three or fewer as the lowest grade.


    Facing what might very likely be a high-grade magical treasure, or even an ancient heavy treasure, one can imagine how much effort Zhao Sheng had put in over the years to refine it.


    Four hours later, with nearly half of his Core Spiritual Power consumed, a look of delight appeared on Zhao Sheng''s face.


    His hands moved so fast they blurred, pouring bright blue Spiritual Power onto the basket like a waterfall, the dense spirit clouds so thick they almost liquefied, filling the cabin with dazzling blue light.


    At the same time, Divine Light surged in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, a golden light suddenly shot out from his Purple Mansion directly onto the basket''s surface, disappearing into a dark void in a flash, then instantly submerged into a vigorous, cold-colored treasure light and vanished without a trace.


    Zhao Sheng was exceedingly joyful at this moment; his more than twenty years of hard work had not been in vain, as he had finally refined the first treasure restriction.


    The moment after refining, a vast array of information surged into his mind¡ªall about the bamboo basket magical treasure, including its name and the most basic manipulation techniques.


    Zhao Sheng then learned that the true name of this magical treasure was Capturing Sky Basket, a dual-attribute Void and Wood magical treasure, containing eight treasure restrictions and its grade was close to a top-grade magical treasure.

 Chapter 240 Capturing Sky Basket No. 209 and Heavenly True Water_2

    The Capturing Sky Basket''s grade was too high, and Zhao Sheng''s strength was too low. Being able to refine the first layer of the Treasure Restriction was already his limit. He could barely control it simply and couldn''t use it to face enemies at all.Even so, Zhao Sheng was quite satisfied. At the very least, he knew that the Capturing Sky Basket was an extremely rare and precious High-Grade Magical Treasure.


    Don''t forget, the Capturing Sky Basket and that unknown magical treasure in the ancient painting are very likely one and the same.


    Combined, the two magical treasures are at least not inferior to top-grade ones.


    Just this thought alone provided him with an incredibly delightful realm of imagination.


    Zhao Sheng suppressed the urge to take out the ancient painting. That painting was extremely dangerous and not something he could touch at the moment.


    Whoosh!


    With a thought, he cast a controlling spell with his right hand.


    The Capturing Sky Basket instantly rose from the ground, expanding to around ten feet. A layer of emerald brilliance gradually emerged on the surface of the bamboo basket, and a white pillar of light burst forth from the mouth of the basket.


    Within the pillar of light, a crystal clear water droplet the size of a soybean floated up and down. Although it was incredibly tiny, it exuded an indescribable vastness.


    The moment it appeared, a dense water vapor instantly arose in the cabin, and countless tiny droplets swiftly condensed on the walls.


    At this moment, within the droplet, the Five Luck Spirit Fish, now reduced countless times in size, still swam carefree in the water, as if it didn''t sense the tremendous changes happening outside.


    Witnessing this astonishing scene, Zhao Sheng was extremely shaken and exclaimed, "Heavenly True Water! It''s actually Heavenly True Water!"


    This Heavenly True Water had an astonishing origin, and its reputation among Heaven and Earth True Waters was as notable as that of Golden Crow True Fire among True Fires.


    This water was not of this world but came from the Void of the Star Sea. It was said to be the ultimate essence of water remaining after the demise of a world and was considered a top-tier Heaven and Earth True Water second only to the Innate Divine Water. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Heavenly True Water contained a strand of the Taoist Law of water. A single droplet could transform into waves thousands of feet high. Whether it was used to refine Carrying Dao Treasures or to meditate on the Tao of water, it was extremely suitable.


    Zhao Sheng never expected the Capturing Sky Basket to contain such a treasure. He had previously thought it was Pure Spirit Water. The pleasant surprise came so unexpectedly.


    By now, the water vapor in the cabin grew increasingly intense, beginning to turn into fine raindrops falling to the floor, spraying onto Zhao Sheng''s face.


    Feeling the cool droplets on his face, Zhao Sheng took a brief look at the increasingly obvious anomaly of the surrounding water vapor and was instantly alarmed. He hurriedly controlled the Capturing Sky Basket, taking the Heavenly True Water back into the bamboo basket.


    Then, he waved his hand and released a blue light that scattered all the water droplets and vapor in the cabin.


    Thump thump thump!


    No sooner had he finished than he heard someone knocking on the cabin door.


    Zhao Sheng was alarmed again and instantly projected his Divine Sense, seeing his disciple Zhao Dingda and the white-robed Zhao Dali standing outside the door.


    He waved his hand, and the door creaked open on its own.


    "Dingda, what brings you to your master?" Zhao Sheng said expressionlessly.


    Zhao Dingda carefully observed his master''s tone and immediately had a bad feeling.


    His handlebar mustache lifted, his eyes rolled around,


    and he said very cleverly, "Reporting to Master, it''s Zhao Dali who is looking for you. Why don''t you ask him what he has come for?"


    Beside him, Zhao Dali''s face flushed with anger, cursing Zhao Dingda in his heart for his despicable and shameless behavior. Seeing the unfavorable situation, he had turned and betrayed his comrade in a blink of an eye.


    Seeing Daoist Cen Hezi''s gaze fall on him, Zhao Dali hurriedly bowed respectfully and said cautiously, "Reporting to Mr. Zhao, we just went to buy grain and, unfortunately, encountered a deceitful store. We had agreed on buying a million catties of grain for triple the price, but when we went to the warehouse to collect the grain, we found that thirty percent of it was substandard and another ten percent was rotten. We tried to discuss the issue politely with the shop owner, but they were unreasonable and even called a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Without a word, they detained several of us, letting only me return, and demanded a ransom to release them. It''s utterly despicable!"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s eyebrows raised. It seemed that the Zhao family had encountered a dishonest merchant, one who was obviously taking advantage of their position, specifically targeting outsiders.


    As a guest elder of the Zhao family, he naturally would not stand idly by.


    "Dingda, stay on the ship. Dali, you accompany me to take a look," Zhao Sheng commanded as he rose to his feet, his voice stern and his long sleeves fluttering.


    Zhao Dali''s face showed joy, and he hurriedly nodded in agreement.


    What followed was very simple.


    With Zhao Sheng, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, stepping in, there was no need for words. Just by releasing his presence, he immediately made the other party submit and apologize.


    Such was the deterrent power of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. It was proven that once Zhao Sheng took his stance, the mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator they had invited didn''t even have the courage to act. He immediately conceded obediently, and the merchant''s attitude changed drastically. Not only did he voluntarily reduce the food prices by thirty percent, but he also replaced the old grains with fresh ones from the current season.


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    Three days later, at West Jade Immortal Square.


    A sword rainbow came flying across the sky and quickly descended into the square.


    In a short while, Zhao Sheng, having altered his appearance to that of a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion, walked along the streets of the square, his gaze sweeping over the shops on both sides and the stream of people on the streets.


    Compared to the bustling East Jade Square, this West Bi Immortal City, though deeper inland on the island, was equally, if not more, lively.


    As soon as he set foot in the streets, he could hear the constant clamor around him, and the streets were crowded with people. There were members of the Human Clan dressed in colorful thin robes and brocades, as well as members of Alien Races with appearances unusual to humans, and many who were clearly cultivators with an air of arrogance about them, often escorted by crowds as they moved.


    Most of these people came from the islands of the Shattered Star Sea and, because of the threat from the Sea Demon tides, the trading atmosphere in the square was extremely frenzied. Countless people with various expressions were constantly entering and exiting the nearby shops, frantically purchasing all kinds of supplies.


    Of all the squares Zhao Sheng had seen before, only the one on Nine Virtuous Isle could barely compare to this one.


    Zhao Sheng walked and looked around, and after squeezing through three streets for nearly half an hour, he finally arrived at the central plaza of the square.


    The entire plaza was very spacious, covering several acres. In the middle stood a white jade statue about thirty feet high that looked like a dignified and beautiful female immortal. Her white robes billowed, her surface shimmered with a faint light halo, and a very faint yet indifferent majestic pressure emanated from the statue.


    Around the statue in the open space of the plaza, many loose cultivators had set up stalls, with various materials and spiritual medicine laid out tightly packed, and different magic artifacts and talismans shimmering with spirit light.


    The plaza was bustling with people coming and going like a stream, and the cries of vendors were incessant, reminiscent of the lively atmosphere of a worldly market.


    Around the main streets surrounding the plaza, there were several grand buildings rising five or six stories high, their surfaces gleaming with spirit light, magnificent and splendid. These were the largest shops in the square, opened by several big families from Biluo Island.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes flickered a few times before he stepped into the largest Elixir Medicine Shop adjacent to the plaza.


    Half an hour later, he walked out of the shop with an unchanged expression. He had just purchased a batch of auxiliary spiritual medicines for refining Foundation Establishment Pills and also subtly inquired about Golden Core Formation Pills.


    Then, after walking a few steps, he turned and entered another Elixir Medicine Shop.


    After spending about half a day in the square, Zhao Sheng had visited several large Elixir Medicine Shops throughout the square, purchasing Foundation Establishment Spirit Medicine and also asking about the availability of Golden Core Formation Pills.


    Zhao Sheng was doing this deliberately, aiming to spread the news.


    In the Cultivation Market, some secrets might remain secret forever, but some secrets were intentionally spread.


    Thus, news that a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator wanted to buy Golden Core Formation Pills and was suspected of being a Second-Order Alchemist quickly spread in the elixir circles.


    By then, Zhao Sheng had already changed his appearance again, coming in and out of a few well-known shops, investigating the whereabouts of Primordial Heavy Water and shell pearls.


    As a result, he discovered that Biluo Island, famous as a large spirit island with dragon claws in the Outer Star Sea, indeed sold many shell pearls, with almost every shop stocking them, and nearly all had thousand-year shell pearls. However, even after combing through the entire market, he only managed to buy one that was over three thousand years old, and there wasn''t even a shadow of any over five thousand years old.


    As for the whereabouts of Primordial Heavy Water,


    The result of his inquiries indicated that due to its limited availability, Primordial Heavy Water was mostly held by the big families, and would only occasionally appear once or twice over several years at auctions.


    Zhao Sheng, obviously not satisfied with this outcome, saw night approaching and turned to head back to the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship. Once in his cabin, he established a barrier, settled into a meditation posture, and began to meditate.

 Chapter 210 Dont be alarmed, lets meet outside the cave

    Three days later, after the rain, the sky cleared.Zhao Sheng strolled into Qidan Pavilion.


    No sooner had he stepped through the door than he was recognized, prompting a clerk to hurry to the back yard to inform the shopkeeper.


    Soon enough, a short, chubby elder scurried to the front hall. Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, he said with an ingratiating smile, "Senior, your timing is perfect. Please come with me, the Special Envoy has been waiting for quite a while."


    "Oh, please lead the way." Zhao Sheng replied.


    The short, chubby elder nodded in agreement, bowed, and led Zhao Sheng to the back, crossing through a courtyard before arriving at an elegantly unique private room.


    The short, chubby elder took his leave, and a maid served Spiritual Tea.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng sat on a wooden chair, took a sip of the Spiritual Tea, and glanced around, scrutinizing the arrangement of the room.


    The walls around the room were composed of Crimson Wood logs, uniform in length. In the corner, several pots of vibrant Hundred Fragrance Flowers were neatly arranged. An antique shelf stood against the east wall, displaying over a dozen exotically styled and ancient alchemy furnaces. In the middle of the room was a Crimson Wood round table and several Crimson Wood Chairs,


    Besides this, there was nothing else, and a white light barrier hung at the entrance of the private room¡ªlikely some sort of soundproof Prohibition.


    He didn''t have to wait long before the light barrier at the entrance stirred with ripples, and a red-robed Great Han broke through, entering the room from outside.


    The red-robed Great Han stood over three meters tall, his body rippling with muscle, and although his face was covered with horizontal flesh, his eyebrows revealed an unusual serenity. A faint medicinal fragrance could hardly conceal his refined aura. Compared to his like-tower Titanic stature, it gave a distinctly odd contrast. Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    Upon seeing this man, Zhao Sheng involuntarily felt a chill in his heart.


    He actually couldn''t see through the man''s depth; the man''s aura was like a vast ocean, ethereal as an abyss, unfathomable.


    Zhao Sheng got up and greeted with folded hands, "Your humble servant, Cen Hezi, greets the senior." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "No need for such courtesy, young friend. I''m Qiu by surname, Chijiu by given name. Familiar associates call me Qiu Ninth. Those who are not familiar, well, outsiders also call me Jiu Chi Supreme."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s expression changed, and he promptly bowed again, saying, "The junior, Cen Hezi, pays respects to Master Jiu Chi!"


    "No need, no need. Sit down!" Qiu Chijiu, who was also known as Master Jiu Chi, waved his sleeve, and invisible True Yuan surged out, effortlessly lifting Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng rose with the flow, inwardly shocked. He hadn''t expected that for a mere Golden Core Formation Pill, the Strange Pill Sect would send a True Immortal as a Special Envoy.


    Although Qiu Chijiu was a False Core Master, a False Core Master was still a True Immortal, not someone whom one could easily meet.


    Once both had sat down, Master Jiu Chi got right to the point, "Young friend, do you really want to buy a Golden Core Formation Pill?"


    "I dare not deceive you, Master. I indeed came for the Golden Core Formation Pill. I just don''t know what conditions your Sect has, and how I might be able to acquire a Golden Core Formation Pill?" Zhao Sheng asked.


    "Hehe! Wanting to purchase a Golden Core Formation Pill isn''t so simple. This Golden Core Formation Pill is extremely difficult to find in any workshop in the Shattered Star Sea. Even if it occasionally appears at an auction, the quality of the pill cannot be guaranteed, not to mention the price skyrockets. So... Cen Hezi, young friend, what kind of Treasure are you willing to exchange for a Golden Core Formation Pill? I happen to have brought one with me this time," Master Jiu Chi asked with a chuckle.


    "How about one million Spirit Stones for one pill?" Zhao Sheng replied nonchalantly.


    "Haha, young friend, you seem to be quite a generous person. By rights, exchanging one million Spirit Stones for a Golden Core Formation Pill would be more than sufficient. But in these troubled times they are but transient clouds. Try offering something else!" Master Jiu Chi laughed with a he-he, his expression one of having Zhao Sheng right where he wanted.


    "Master, please do not toy with your junior. From the beginning, you''ve been continuously testing me. It seems you already had plans before meeting me. Whatever your conditions are, just say them," Zhao Sheng spoke with a faint smile.


    "There are conditions indeed, but it depends on whether you qualify. Show me all your strength, for I am about to make a move!" Master Jiu Chi''s smile faded as he spoke in a cold voice.


    Zhao Sheng, upon sensing this, thought quickly; he had a slight understanding but could not miss this rare opportunity.


    "Please!"


    He looked solemn, and his eyes suddenly burst with Divine Light¡­


    ...


    An hour later, the private room was in disarray, Water Vapor filling the air. The only thing still intact in the room was the Crimson Wood Chair upon which Master Jiu Chi sat.


    Across from him, Zhao Sheng''s complexion was somewhat pale, but his breathing was steady, and the Divine Light in his eyes gradually faded.


    "Good, good! I didn''t expect you could last an entire hour under my hand."


    Master Jiu Chi looked at him admiringly, his eyes showing surprise as he stood up, clearly appreciating Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng calmed his Boiling vital energy, allowing the Spiritual Power in his limbs and bones to settle back into his Dantian, then spoke calmly, "Master, do I qualify?"


    "Of course, you do! The Golden Core Formation Pill can be given to you, but before that, will you sign a contract with our Sect?" Master Jiu Chi began affirmatively but then took a different turn.


    Zhao Sheng''s eyes flickered slightly, and he softly spoke, "What contract? May I first see it before I decide?"


    "Naturally!" Saying this, Master Jiu Chi flipped his hand and tossed a Golden Plate that glowed faintly with golden light, which flew steadily and landed in Zhao Sheng''s hand.


    Zhao Sheng looked down at the Golden Plate in his hand, and lines of ancient Taiyi Spiritual Text appeared before his eyes.


    ...


    After an hour, Zhao Sheng left Qidan Pavilion, his face expressionless.


    In the back yard of Qidan Pavilion, Master Jiu Chi, his eyes gleaming with curiosity, looked westward. His gaze seemed to penetrate the layers of walls between them, settling on the distant Zhao Sheng while he muttered to himself, "How strange, this young man appears to have many secrets. I almost couldn''t see through his foundation. Also...what''s the deal with those Blue Eyes? Could it be... another Dark Child laid by the Great Sacrificial Leader? Would he really part with such a piece?"

 Chapter 210 Dont be alarmed, lets meet outside the cave_2

    "No, this matter must be communicated to the Spiritual Abyss Ancestor immediately."Thinking this, Master Jiu Chi''s figure flashed and he instantly vanished from the Qidan Pavilion.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng hurried back to the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship, closed the cabin again, and after setting up a barrier inside, a pill bottle emitting golden light suddenly appeared in his hand.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression was solemn yet tinged with a hint of excitement. With a flick of his hand, the Elixir Seal on the pill bottle popped off with a "bang," and a bright golden light immediately spilled out, followed by a rich Elixir Fragrance that diffused from the bottle.


    When Zhao Sheng caught sight of the perfectly round and dazzling golden pill within the bottle, a look of delight flashed across his eyes.


    Although the grade of this Golden Core Formation Pill was low-grade, the ease of obtaining it was still considered a stroke of luck. Therefore, despite signing a hundred-year guardian contract and paying nearly a million Spirit Stones worth of talismans, Elixir Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, and a host of other treasures, Zhao Sheng still felt it was well worth it.


    The so-called hundred-year guardian contract meant that once Zhao Sheng advanced to the Golden Core Realm, he was obliged to serve as the guardian of the Strange Pill Sect for a hundred years.


    The role of the guardian was common among all the major sects of the Cultivation World. As part of the sect''s foundation, they would secretly protect the sect''s laws and traditions, generally not revealing themselves unless the sect faced a moment of critical danger.


    The Strange Pill Sect used the Golden Core Formation Pill as bait to entice Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators like Zhao Sheng into signing guardian contracts.


    Not to mention the fair price,


    every time someone succeeded in forming their core, the Strange Pill Sect would effortlessly gain a Golden Core Level combatant, thus increasing their Qi Fortune by a hundred years.


    Almost no one knows how many guardians the Strange Pill Sect has to this day.


    However, historically, these guardians have turned the tides of disaster multiple times, saving the Strange Pill Sect from the brink of extinction.


    With such a profitable bargains, Strange Pill Sect had been conducting this business for thousands of years.


    After a short while, Zhao Sheng inspected the Golden Core Formation Pill, resealed it, and gently placed it on the table, his face showing contemplation.


    "One pill is not enough, it would be better to have a few more. I wonder how well the news has spread by now. Before embarking on the return voyage, I need to make another trip to West Jade Square. It''s just..."


    Thinking of his deflating Storage Bag, Zhao Sheng''s expression became uncertain, his eyes flashing as if weighing his options.


    Soon after, his gaze firmed and with a flick of his sleeve, a dark black small tripod shot out. After spinning in the air, it transformed into a two-zhang high tripod with three legs. A golden Fire Dragon suddenly emerged on the body of the tripod, making three circuits before turning into a Burning golden flame, sinking beneath the tripod to burn quietly. This was indeed the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    With a wave of his hand, a pile of bottles and jars suddenly appeared in front of Zhao Sheng.


    He flipped his hand, and the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit instantly fell into it. With a flick of his finger, the Spirit Fruit shot out and accurately flew into the alchemy furnace.


    Zhao Sheng''s hands rapidly formed an alchemy formula, casting strands of Spiritual Power, and following that the Golden Burning Spirit Flame surged, filling the cabin with golden light. The room temperature quickly began to rise.


    Five days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Zhao Sheng, bearing the scent of Elixir, walked out of the cabin.


    At this moment, the Zhao Family members were waiting outside with anxious expressions.


    Seeing him emerge, Zhao Dingda, the registered disciple, immediately stepped forward to greet him, "I respectfully welcome Master from his retreat."


    The others heaved a sigh of relief and quickly stepped forward to bow and pay their respects.


    Zhao Sheng gestured for them to rise, then reassured everyone with a few words.


    Seeing this, Zhao Dingda asked, "Master, all the items have been bought. When shall we set sail?"


    Zhao Sheng frowned slightly and said softly, "Wait a few more days. I have something to do."


    Zhao Dingda immediately nodded in agreement, while no one else dared to raise any objections.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng rode his sword down to the central plaza of West Jade Immortal Square.


    Without stopping, he turned and walked towards a large pharmacy adjacent to the plaza.


    ...


    Shortly after, in a private room at the pharmacy. Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire


    Zhao Sheng stood tall and smilingly said, "Since your store does not have it for now, it wouldn''t hurt for me to look elsewhere."


    "By the way, this is a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills I have just refined. Shopkeeper, with your exceptional discernment, please evaluate them for me."


    With that, he took out a pill bottle and poured out a red Spirit Pill with an intoxicating fragrance, handing it to the white-haired shopkeeper opposite him.


    "Eh, the Daoist can actually refine Foundation Establishment Pills. I just failed to recognize a True Alchemist, please forgive my offense!"


    The white-haired shopkeeper kept apologizing while carefully taking the Foundation Establishment Pill and examining it, his face gradually showing a look of astonishment.


    Because he discovered that this Foundation Establishment Pill still contained its fire qi, which clearly indicated it had been refined only a few days ago, and what''s more rare was that its quality had reached the category of a Middle Grade Pill.


    This was indeed no small matter!


    "Shopkeeper, if your store has Golden Core Formation Pills in the future, I hope you can reserve them for this poor Daoist for some time. You can sell this Foundation Establishment Pill, just calculate it at the normal price," Zhao Sheng said calmly and composedly.


    "Certainly! If there are any Golden Core Formation Pills in the future, I will certainly reserve them for the Daoist for a period of time, but it can''t exceed one year at most. I''m sure you understand how hot this item is, and I dare not keep it in hand for too long!"


    "Mmm, this poor Daoist understands."


    "It''s good that the Daoist understands. Please wait a moment. I''ll be right back."


    ...


    Two quarters of an hour later, Zhao Sheng left behind a Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman and, holding a large bag of Mid-grade Spirit Stones, leisurely left the shop.


    After walking a distance and turning half a street, he flashed into another shop.


    In the back courtyard, the long-faced shopkeeper with a smile on his face assuredly said, "No problem, if there is any Primordial Heavy Water in the future, our shop will definitely reserve it for the Daoist first. By the way, do you have any extra Foundation Establishment Pills for sale?"


    "Not for the time being," Zhao Sheng smiled lightly and then swept his sleeve, collecting the pile of Mid-grade Spirit Stones on the table into his Storage Bag.


    "Well... besides Primordial Heavy Water, does the Daoist have any other needs? Our shop has all kinds of talisman and elixirs, and there will be a discount," the long-faced shopkeeper deliberately lowered his voice a few notches, tempting.


    "Shopkeeper, you are too kind. I haven''t thought of any other needs for the time being, but if I do, I will certainly purchase from your shop. Mmm, I have other matters to attend to, so I won''t stay long. I will take my leave now," Zhao Sheng declined indifferently.


    Subsequently, Zhao Sheng was personally escorted downstairs by the long-faced shopkeeper.


    No sooner had he left the shop than he zigzagged and vanished among the crowd.


    Thus, he chose three more shops with significant backgrounds and repeated the process several times, with his objective naturally being the Golden Core Formation Pills, or the Primordial Heavy Water.


    Zhao Sheng was intentionally revealing the fact that he could refine Foundation Establishment Pills.


    If previously there was only suspicion, after his actions today,


    the families on Biluo Island would quickly get wind of the news, knowing that a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator close to Core Formation had arrived, and he was also a true Foundation Establishment Master.


    Only by first showing one''s own value could one attract interested parties.


    Now that the bait had been laid, it was time to wait for it to ferment for a while before it was time for him to appear again.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng returned to the Treasure Ship.


    Before long, the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship slowly started, crossing paths with many other ships entering the harbor.


    As it moved through the busy and bustling bay and gradually left Biluo Island behind, the masts'' three new sails billowed high with the wind''s force, and a thin layer of white Light Shield rose on the ship''s surface.


    Following a whistle, the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship suddenly accelerated, speeding away toward the distant horizon.


    Over the following month on the sea journey, Zhao Sheng repelled five groups of medium to large-scale sea beast attacks a total of five times.


    During the return voyage, although dangers occurred frequently, no one else died in the end. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One month later, the scathed Dome Turtle Treasure Ship finally returned to the long-missed Dome Turtle Island.


    ...


    With the Treasure Ship''s successful return and the food crisis averted, the entire Zhao Family burst into loud cheers, and the island celebrated joyously.


    Zhao Sheng politely declined the invitations from Zhao Yunxian and others and went straight back to Dianjing Mansion upon disembarking, going into seclusion without coming out.


    Half a month flew by in the blink of an eye.


    That night, the starlight was hazy, and all was quiet.


    In the cultivation room of Dianjing Mansion, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, a trace of shock flashing in them.


    Because just a moment ago, a voice as thin as a mosquito suddenly rang in his ear: "Do not be alarmed, come outside the cave for a meeting. I am Master Jiu Chi."

 Chapter 211 Arriving at Dragon Head Island

    "Do not be alarmed, meet me outside the cave! I am Jiu Chi."Zhao Sheng heard this voice transmission and was utterly shocked.


    He found it hard to imagine why Master Jiu Chi had found Dome Turtle Island so quickly, and he also couldn''t figure out the man''s intentions¡ªfriend or foe?


    With a belly full of questions, Zhao Sheng stood up, calmed his mind, and quickly stepped out of the Cultivation Room.


    Upon leaving the cave mansion, he saw the murky night sky sparsely dotted with stars.


    Zhao Sheng''s pupils contracted when he saw, not far away, the tall and burly figure of Master Jiu Chi suspended in mid-air, smiling at him. His large red robe fluttered loudly in the sea breeze.


    "Junior Cen Hezi pays respect to the True Immortal," said Zhao Sheng as he flew on his sword to Jiu Chi and bowed in greeting.


    "Little fellow, you''ve hidden yourself well!" suddenly, Master Jiu Chi spoke teasingly.


    Zhao Sheng heard this and his heart jolted, yet he kept his expression unchanged and asked with confusion, "What do you mean by that, True Immortal? I do not understand."


    Heh heh!


    With that laugh, Zhao Sheng''s vision suddenly brightened and a streak of firelight swiftly passed by his cheek. The hot flame seemed to lick his skin, causing his hair to stand on end.


    Instinctively, he raised his hand to his face, but upon feeling the cool sea breeze on his cheek, he suddenly realized that his disguise had been seen through.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression fluctuated as he slowly lowered his hand, revealing a face of peerless handsomeness, with delicate features and two gem-like blue eyes, adding an enigmatic charm to his persona.


    "Indeed, as a person of the Spirit Clan, you naturally possess such fine features!" Master Jiu Chi couldn''t help but clap his hands in admiration upon seeing his true face.


    "How did you see through my disguise? I thought I had not given any slip," Zhao Sheng said seriously.


    Master Jiu Chi crossed his arms in front of his chest, laughing proudly, "Wouldn''t you say it''s your bad luck? My Lifebound Magic Treasure, the Nine-Glazed Precious Mirror possesses Deceiving-breaking Divine Power. You, unfortunately, walked right into its path. Heh heh!"


    Zhao Sheng was stunned upon hearing this, then suddenly came to a realization, and coldly said, "Your late-night visit couldn''t possibly be to capture me and take me to the Star God Palace for a reward?"


    Simultaneously, he secretly prepared his spell. Core Spiritual Power was ready to burst at any moment. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While it was unlikely that he could escape from a Golden Core Master, waiting passively for doom was not his style.


    As long as there was a glimmer of hope, he would never give up!


    "Hold on!"


    Master Jiu Chi, sensing Zhao Sheng''s resolve, quickly waved his hand to indicate, "I have no ill intentions towards you, young man. If you don''t believe me, look."


    Saying this, Master Jiu Chi blinked his eyes and it seemed as though he shattered an invisible layer, instantly releasing several shards of broken colored starlight and then revealing a pair of light blue pupils.


    "This... this is... are you from the Spirit Clan?!" Zhao Sheng exclaimed in surprise.


    Master Jiu Chi, feeling quite indignant, complained, "Hmm, I did try. But those face dogs refuse to recognize me. They insist that I am too ugly and that if I were to enter their family records, it would disgrace the reputation of the Spirit Clan."


    Looking at the muscular and stern-faced Master Jiu Chi, Zhao Sheng was at a loss for words for a moment before hesitatingly asking, "True Immortal, you came all this way to find me. What is it exactly that you want?"


    "Heh heh, even at this point, you play dumb! My Lord has traveled tens of thousands of miles; do you think it was just to chat with you? Being born with the True Blood of the Spirit Clan, why don''t you go back to claim your heritage instead of hiding about? Isn''t the identity of the Spirit Clan worth less to you? You are indeed a lucky man who doesn''t know when he''s well off!" Master Jiu Chi couldn''t help but complain at this point.


    Zhao Sheng blinked his eyes, seemingly understanding, thus he stopped activating his Spiritual Power and asked ambiguously, "Elder, did you come to take me back to the Spiritual Abyss?"


    Master Jiu Chi shook his head, "Had it been before, I would have immediately taken you back to the Spiritual Abyss to claim your heritage. But now, the situation has changed. The Ancestor commanded me to take you to Dragon Head Island."


    Zhao Sheng''s mind raced, promptly associating it with the Sea Demon tide, and tentatively asked, "May I know which Ancestor you refer to, True Immortal? Could it be one of the Nascent Soul Ancestors from the Spirit Clan?" Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    Master Jiu Chi smiled faintly, flicked a red flame with his finger, which instantly turned into a streak of fire shooting up into the night sky and vanished.


    "Who is the Ancestor? I''ll explain on the way. And you, young man, should not even think about running away, otherwise don''t blame me for being ruthless."


    The moment Master Jiu Chi finished his threatening words, a huge dark shadow suddenly descended from the sky and landed in front of the two.


    On closer inspection, it was a strange massive bird with pitch-black feathers all over its body, a wingspan exceeding fifteen meters, and a beak and claws of steel, resembling both dragon claws and a fierce tiger''s head.


    "A Fifth Rank Demon Pill Realm Tiger-Owl?!"


    Feeling the barely perceptible pressure emanating from the large bird, Zhao Sheng''s expression became solemn, and he was tremendously alarmed.


    "Correct, this Fifth Rank Tiger-Owl is fast enough. It''s quite suitable as a means of transportation," said Master Jiu Chi, his tone nonchalant yet full of coercion.


    Zhao Sheng was momentarily speechless.


    At this moment, he completely abandoned the idea of fleeing.


    Not to mention anything else, with the Tiger-Owl present, he couldn''t escape even into the sea.


    The Tiger-Owl is an amphibious demon beast, known for its agility and ferocity.


    Facing a Demon Pill Realm Great Demon that could traverse air, land, and sea, Zhao Sheng knew he could not escape.


    "Shall we go? Or do you need me to invite you formally?"


    Seeing Zhao Sheng hesitate to come forward, Master Jiu Chi shook his head and urged him.


    Saying this, he stepped into the air, walking a few steps onto the broad back of the Tiger-Owl and turned his head to motion Zhao Sheng with his eyes.

 Chapter 211 Arriving at Dragon Head Island_2

    Zhao Sheng let out a silent sigh, turned his head for a last look at the cave-laden cliffs of Ao Shou, then reached into his bosom for a Storage Bag. With a flick of his hand, he tossed it to the entrance of a nearby cave mansion.Afterward, he resignedly flew over to the back of Hu Xiao and landed behind Jiu Chi.


    "Brace yourself!"


    Just then, a voice with a warning came from beside him. Suddenly, a great force surged from below his feet, his body tilted sharply backward, and the howling wind by his ear turned into invisible Wind Blades brushing against his face.


    Zhao Sheng''s mind stirred, and Spiritual Power burst forth, instantly forming a blue Light Shield around him for protection.


    At that moment, an invisible circular Barrier rose around them, completely blocking out the chilly sea breeze.


    In just a few breaths, Hu Xiao had soared into the Cloud Sky, with Dome Turtle Island below now as small as a sesame seed, quickly hidden by the thick layer of clouds.


    In an instant, a black light streaked across the night sky like a Meteor, twinkling a few times before vanishing into the far reaches of the horizon.


    It was not until then that the stone gate of a cave mansion near Dianjing Mansion was pushed open from the inside, and Zhao Yunxian emerged, his face covered in sweat.


    He picked up the Storage Bag, looked up at the murky, profound night sky with a face full of fearful relief, and his mouth moved several times, but no one knew what he had said.


    ...


    Dragon Head Island lies between the Inner and Outer Star Seas and is the vital connection between them. It is approximately thirty thousand li away from Dome Turtle Island by sea.


    Though the speed of a Demon Pill Realm Hu Xiao was fast, it would still take three days to reach Dragon Head Island.


    During the journey, Zhao Sheng asked Master Jiu Chi earnestly about the current situation of the Spirit Clan.


    It seemed that he was not in the least worried about Zhao Sheng trying to escape.


    To his questions, Master Jiu Chi was exceedingly patient, sparing no detail in his answers.


    Thus, over the days, Zhao Sheng gained a fairly clear understanding of the recent situation of the Spirit Clan.


    Master Jiu Chi''s original human name was Qiu Chijiu, but in the true naming conventions of the Spirit Clan, he was referred to as Wang Jiu.


    The Spirit Clan did not organize their hierarchy based on generational seniority like the Human Clan but instead differentiated status based on the purity of bloodlines and levels of cultivation.


    According to him, individuals of the Spirit Clan with a low bloodline purity, no matter how high their cultivation, could only have a single-character name. Only those whose blood could stir the Clan Guardian Artifact were entitled to a three-character True Name.


    As for what the Clan Guardian Artifact of the Spirit Clan was?


    Zhao Sheng was very curious, but Master Jiu Chi only smiled and remained silent, saying that Zhao would naturally see it once he returned to the Spiritual Abyss.


    The population of the Spirit Clan was sparse, with only over a hundred individuals of the three-character bloodline. Counting the two-character bloodline members, they did not exceed one hundred thousand in total.


    What shocked the Human Clan, however, was the startlingly high proportion of Spirit Root individuals among the Spirit Clan¡ªalmost one in ten.


    And it seemed as if the Spirit Clan were the chosen children of the heavens; the difficult Foundation Establishment that the Human Clan saw as a significant hurdle was something the Spirit Clan could break through with a bit of effort, achieving a terrifying success rate of forty percent.


    What''s more, the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation could not stop the Spirit Clan''s exceptionally talented individuals. Under the protection of their Clan Guardian Artifact, their success rate in overcoming the Tribulation far exceeded that of the Human Clan by more than tenfold.


    Only upon advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm did the odds between the Human and Spirit Clans begin to look similar.


    The Spirit Clan highly valued bloodline purity and favored internal marriage within the clan to maintain it, rarely engaging in intertribal marriages. This led to difficulties in bearing offspring and slow population growth.


    Even so, the number of three-character bloodline individuals of the Spirit Clan, who could move their Clan Guardian Artifact, had been dwindling over the past few thousand years.


    If not for these various factors, the Spirit Clan would have already conquered the Sea Dominator and Dragon Serpent Clans, unified the vast millions of li of ocean territory, and expelled the Human Clan from the Shattered Star Sea.


    Instead, they were now forced to repeatedly incite Sea Demon tides in order to make their way into the Star Algae Sea.


    While speaking, Master Jiu Chi seemed quite indignant, as if he were complaining about the Human Clan occupying space without contributing.


    Zhao Sheng noticed the implications in his words and repeatedly inquired why the Spirit Clan always initiated Sea Demon tides. Was their objective not to prevent the Human Clan from expanding their maritime territory? Could it be purely out of revenge for the Human Clan''s slaughter of sea beasts?


    Master Jiu Chi looked disdainful and then revealed a significant secret to Zhao Sheng.


    The reason the three sea overlords always stirred up the Sea Demon tides, aside from exacting minor revenge on the Human Clan, was mainly to seek an audience with the Star God.


    Before he could ask further, Jiu Chi continued, "Kid, the Human Clan treats the Star God as a secret, hiding its existence from low-level Cultivators. But in our Spirit Clan, what''s that kind of secret? You must be wondering what kind of existence the Star God is," he said.


    Zhao Sheng nodded earnestly in response.


    Master Jiu Chi laughed heartily, sitting cross-legged on the back of Hu Xiao, then he spoke with an air of mystery, "The Star God... it''s not human!"


    Zhao Sheng collapsed.


    Regaining his senses, he rubbed his forehead, complaining somewhat resentfully, "Senior, please don''t beat around the bush."


    "Until now, you have not once called me uncle or any similar term," Master Jiu Chi suddenly said, his tone turning aggressive.


    Zhao Sheng immediately fell silent.


    The meaning behind the other''s words was crystal clear. However, Zhao Sheng was still apprehensive about recognizing his Spirit Clan identity.


    To tell the truth, over the past few days, Master Jiu Chi had indeed treated him very well.


    If he returned to the Spirit Clan, his future would be bright.


    Moreover, as he gained a deeper and clearer understanding of the Spirit Clan, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized that the Spirit Clan and the Human Clan were very similar in terms of lifestyle and habits, not to mention that the physical resemblance between the two clans was over ninety percent.


    Between the lines, Master Jiu Chi subtly conveyed a point of view: the Human Clan was a lineage that branched off from the Ancient Spirit Clan countless tens of thousands of years ago. From the perspective of bloodline origins, the Spirit Clan''s status was far above that of the Human Clan.


    Despite Zhao Sheng''s deep skepticism about this viewpoint, the fact that there was no reproductive isolation between the Spirit Clan and the Human Clan was indeed true.


    Seeing is believing, hearing is not.


    Zhao Sheng knew his attitude was beginning to soften, and occasionally a thought emerged in his heart, "Perhaps living as a member of the Spirit Clan for a lifetime wouldn''t be so bad."


    But this wavering was not enough to shake Zhao Sheng''s tenacity forged over several lifetimes.


    Therefore, Zhao Sheng deflected and asked lightly, "You haven''t told me what exactly the Star God is."


    "You''re such a stubborn little guy! Just like your old man," Master Jiu Chi cursed with a chuckle upon seeing this.


    Zhao Sheng turned a deaf ear to the teasing, maintaining a serious expression of attentiveness.


    Seeing his reaction, Master Jiu Chi shook his head in dissatisfaction but didn''t insist on it. Instead, he went straight to the point, "If you could maintain such obstinacy when meeting the Ling Yuan Ancestor, then I''d truly admire you."


    After finishing his words, he returned to the topic at hand, "The Star God is not a human, nor is it an immortal. It''s... how should I put it. The Star God is an existence akin to the Heavenly Dao, mysterious and varied in form. Its true body is something I''m not quite clear on. However, I once heard the elders in my clan say that the Star God is also referred to as the Sea God by our clan."


    At the mention of the "Sea God," Zhao Sheng''s heart trembled, instantly recalling the mishap he encountered in the Mist Sea Floor cave mansion.


    Those remnant thoughts of the banished Spirit Clan immortal had also mentioned the nurturing of a Primordial Sea God in the sea. Could it be that the Primordial Sea God he spoke of is the current Star God?


    The Star God in the Star Algae Sea? The Star God awakens once every hundred years?


    The Spirit Clan stirs up the Demon Tides for the Star God!


    Why would the Star God Palace conceal the secret existence of the Star God,


    and why does the Spirit Clan seek an audience with the Star God?


    Why do high-level cultivators from the Human Clan, Spirit Clan, Demon Clan, and others place such great importance on the Star God? What benefits could they possibly reap from it? sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng''s thoughts whirled, and his spirit light exploded.


    He swiftly pieced together many things, yet numerous doubts surfaced in his mind.


    With these doubts in mind, Zhao Sheng finally arrived at Dragon Head Island on the evening of the following day.


    ...


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    Dusk was settling in, the sky bathed in red glow, as half of the Great Sun had already sunk, leaving only a crescent of the setting sun at the horizon. The sunlight cast a dim blood-red hue, painting the sea surface with glittering waves surrounded by a misty scarlet aura.


    Standing on Hu Xiao''s back, Zhao Sheng looked down upon the endless vast ocean.


    Beneath the water were vast swathes of shadows, where countless, oddly shaped sea beasts frequently leaped from the sea, creating innumerable splashes.


    At the same time,


    The sea surface churned with ceaseless waves, generating vast stretches of white foam. Huge spines in shades of dark green, silver-white, and crimson appeared above the water. These colossal sea demons freely roamed the sea, occasionally swallowing the smaller sea beasts nearby.


    Above the sea, the sky was filled with various sea birds and demon beasts, each flock occupying its territory. They would sometimes soar up with a whoosh and sometimes plummet down, resembling shifting clouds that scudded across the sky.

 Chapter 212 Spirit Palace

    The sightline passed over the flock of birds and gradually, Zhao Sheng''s expression grew grim. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.From a distance, he looked down to see, as the sun set in the west, a vast island that stretched beyond the horizon suddenly came into his view.


    Several black smoke columns could be seen rising from the island, with the smoke spreading across the sky. Fields and forests inland looked desolate and pitch-black, while most of the buildings in the coastal workshop had collapsed into ruins, and the docks were covered with charred debris, the remnants after the fires.


    On the sea surface nearby, countless broken ships were half-sunk, capsized, and flipped over, yet, strikingly, not a single corpse was to be found. However, the sea fish and sea beasts in the vicinity had recently eaten so much that their bellies were round, making them appear unusually large. Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire


    At this moment, in the shattered workshop, groups of dispirited people in tattered clothes, like walking corpses, were crawling over the rubble, moving in and out, incessantly searching for anything useful.


    On the dilapidated streets, occasionally, one could see rotting remains being dragged out of the ruins and then piled up at the corner of the street, waiting for others to carry them away to feed the fish.


    Around the streets of the workshop, individuals clad in Green Armor, expressionless and imposing, patrolled back and forth, watching over the slavish crowds within the workshop with murderous intent.


    By their sides followed huge mutated sea lizards, all with green scales and purple eyes, six limbs on their bellies, exhaling purple toxic smoke from their mouths ¨C they were the Shattered Star Sea''s notoriously dangerous poison lizards.


    Only by witnessing this scene of utter human misery did Zhao Sheng fully realize that it was a catastrophe, a massacre of the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea.


    The islands of the Shattered Star Sea were numerous; it was possible that tens of millions of the Human Clan had died at the jaws of countless fierce beasts.


    If Dragon Head Island could be so tragic, one could imagine how appalling the fate of the other overrun islands must be!


    After circling over Dragon Head Island for half a round, the Hu Xiao suddenly zeroed in on an area of the sea a hundred miles southwest of the island and dived down.


    At that moment, Master Jiu Chi saw Zhao Sheng''s face darken and seemed to read his thoughts, then he spoke calmly, "You seem angry, are you indignant about the deaths of the Human Clan? But do you know how many innocent lives, intelligent races, die under the blades of the Human Clan every year, every month, every day, even every moment?"


    "Is the life of the Human Clan the only life that matters, and the lives of the billions of the Shattered Star Sea not lives at all?


    That''s the way of the world, the law of the jungle. The Heavenly Dao of karma, the retribution is infallible!"


    Zhao Sheng, looking down at the rapidly approaching sea surface, gazed at the vast shadows roaming below, and then turned to face Master Jiu Chi head-on, saying expressionlessly, "If the Dao is different, do not plan on it!"


    "Humph, don''t forget, you carry the True Blood of the Spirit Clan. You have never belonged to the Human Clan. What do you think would happen to you if I reveal your identity to those stubborn old men of the Human Clan? Heh heh!"


    Zhao Sheng turned his head away, no longer arguing with Jiu Chi. There was no point in discussing issues of race with a die-hard devotee of the Spirit Clan. Whether one belongs to the Human Clan or not isn''t determined by blood, but by agreement with thoughts and ideals, or perhaps by the sense of belonging of the spirit consciousness.


    Bang!


    The Hu Xiao folded its wings and suddenly plunged undersea.


    In an instant, a faint white Light Shield suddenly rose around the body of the Hu Xiao, isolating the seawater outside.


    As it rapidly descended into the deep sea, the light grew dimmer below, but the surrounding sea beasts became denser, with one larger sea creature after another, such as the Spirit Whale, Giant Claw Crab, Thousand Mountain Snail, Sea Covering Ray, and others, appeared within the range of Zhao Sheng''s Divine Sense.


    Within a few breaths, the Hu Xiao had dived hundreds of fathoms deep; by this point, one would expect complete darkness, unable to see even their fingers.


    However, against the pitch-black background, what Zhao Sheng saw instead was a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors. Groups of magnificent Sea Spirits, shining with neon spirit lights of various colors, were leisurely floating and drifting around. Among them, the most conspicuous were the Phantom Light Jellyfish, emitting dazzling light and being extremely large, often reaching tens or hundreds of fathoms and illuminating thousands of fathoms of the surrounding waters with a single one.


    Passing through a beautifully enchanting glowing zone, Zhao Sheng suddenly sensed the concentration of Spiritual Energy around him rapidly increase.


    The Hu Xiao descended swiftly, passing swiftly through hundred fathoms.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly narrowed his eyes as a massive Humpbacked Mountain Turtle with a shell as large as an island unexpectedly appeared in his line of sight.


    Atop the turtle, incredibly, stood a majestic and towering Crystal Palace, shimmering with piercing white light.


    The Crystal Walls surrounding the palace displayed thousands of lively sea beast illusions. These illusions were lifelike, bustling about fighting, hunting, and frolicking.


    This scene was so vivid and real it was hard to believe that they were mere illusions, as if there was an actual world hidden inside the Crystal Walls.


    Zhao Sheng was astonished at this sight.


    When the Hu Xiao landed on the plaza in front of the palace, they passed through an invisible Barrier.


    The palace and its plaza were clear and dry, with the surrounding seawater all being isolated by the invisible barrier above.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng''s expression changed slightly, and he was secretly shocked because he sensed that those sea beast illusions were actually the spirits of sea beasts, refined into the Crystal Walls by someone of Great Ability.


    At the same time, he also faintly sensed an extremely subtle yet immense otherworldly pressure emanating from within the palace. It originated from the depths of the illusionary environment on the walls, from the thick Crystal Stone columns embracing the palace, from each clear and reflective Crystal Stone brick on the floor, even from the Crystal tiles on the ceiling of the palace.

 Chapter 212 Spirit Palace_2

    Zhao Sheng was only stunned for a moment before a thunderous roar awakened him."Halt! Who dares to barge into the Spirit Palace? State your name immediately!"


    Looking up, he saw two bald giants, over three zhang tall, with blue faces and fangs, and thick whiskers hanging below their chins like octopus tentacles, striding meteorically towards Zhao Sheng and Master Jiu Chi.


    These two giants exuded a formidable aura, wearing Red Essence Half-Body Armor on their upper bodies and wielding Sea Blue Great Halberds, followed by two rows of Green-armored men with green scales on their faces and purple glints in their eyes, each with an aura as strong as one at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.


    Although Hu Xiao was naturally fierce, the appearance of the two giants instantly frightened it to the ground, whining incessantly.


    Master Jiu Chi hurriedly jumped down, approached them with a smiling face, and laughed, "Ha ha! Leader Zhang, it has been decades, and you''re still so devoted to your duties, Wang Jiu admires that!"


    "Oh, so who''s the reckless one! It turns out to be you, kid. If Xiao Jiu hadn''t come back, we brothers wouldn''t have even thought of it. When are you going to pay us back for the High-Grade Water Spirit Stones you owe?" The two bald giants suddenly raised their halberds towards Master Jiu Chi and bellowed in a deep voice.


    The pair, one named Zhang Da and the other Zhang Er, were from an Ancient Strange Race of Sea Giants from the Shattered Star Sea¡ªa race formidable in strength, rivaling a Sixth Rank Demon.


    The two were twins from the same mother, born with the superpower of telepathic communication. Not only did they move and gesture in complete unison, but even their manner of speaking was identical.


    "Leader Zhang, please don''t blame me. I''ll return the Spirit Stones now," said Master Jiu Chi with a bitter expression on his face as he quickly took out two azure spirit stones, glinting with spirit light, and tossed them gently, letting the stones float slowly towards the giants.


    Upon seeing this, the two giants opened their gaping mouths, sucked vigorously, and the top-grade spiritual stones were suddenly inhaled and swallowed.


    "Good! Xiao Jiu, what brings you to the Spirit Palace this time?"


    Both giants licked their lips and put down their halberds, turning their rolling eyes together towards Zhao Sheng, their gaze filled with curiosity and surprise.


    Clearly, they had sensed the unusual Spiritual Clan Bloodline within Zhao Sheng.


    Master Jiu Chi turned and pointed to Zhao Sheng, who had just walked up beside him, and said happily, "Here, I came to the Spirit Palace for this young man."


    "I don''t know if Ancestor is currently in the Spirit Palace? If so, please inform Leader Zhang."


    "You''re out of luck. Great Elder Ling Yuan just led the sea beast army to Longjin Island a few days ago, reinforcing the vanguard troops. It''s said the Human Clan set up a Great Array there, and our vanguards are stuck and can''t bypass it. Both sides have been fighting for almost a month now. Dozens of demons have died, and yet they can''t take down a small island. It''s getting tricky!"


    Upon hearing this, Master Jiu Chi was taken aback and hesitated before asking, "If Ancestor is not around, who is currently in charge of the Spirit Palace?"


    "The Spirit Palace is now jointly managed by three kings. If you want to meet, my brother and I will go announce your visit." Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    "May I boldly ask, which three kings?" Master Jiu Chi probed.


    "Heh heh!"


    The two giants chuckled, their expressions inscrutable.


    Seeing this, Master Jiu Chi cursed inwardly and obediently handed over two thousand-year-old sea coral spiritual branches, as thick as thighs and a zhang in length.


    After accepting the bribe, Zhang Da and Zhang Er conveyed through Divine Sense, "The three kings are the Ice King, Heavenly River King, and Star King."


    After pondering for a moment, Master Jiu Chi spoke, "I wish to meet the Ice Mountain King. Please go ahead, Brother Zhang."


    "Wait here!"


    With that, the Sea Giant on the left turned and walked towards the Spirit Palace, while the giant on the right stayed with the Spirit Palace Guards, watching Zhao Sheng and Master Jiu Chi.


    Soon,


    the giant returned, followed by a delicate and seductive woman.


    The seductive woman approached, and with a respectful kneel, said to Zhao Sheng and the others, "Sirs, the king invites you."


    ```


    Seeing Zhao Sheng and his companion follow the woman and disappear into the palace walls, the two Sea Giants exchanged glances, then simultaneously sent a Divine Sense message to the Green-armored Guards beside them.


    Before long, two Green-armored Guards suddenly dashed out from the ranks, transforming into two streaks of green light, and in a flash, they entered the majestic Spirit Palace.


    ...


    Elsewhere, Zhao Sheng and his companion were led by the woman through broad and towering crystal corridors. On both sides of the corridor were grand side halls with closed doors, each door about three to four Zhang wide and five to six Zhang high, shimmering with white light, and covered with numerous strange runes exuding spirit light, all the while emitting a breathtaking, imposing aura.


    Zhao Sheng walked with a seemingly calm expression yet was inwardly astounded.


    As he walked along the crystal corridors, the surroundings felt extremely quiet at first, and one would rarely encounter any living beings. But as they continued, he suddenly sensed as if numerous unseen and intangible eyes had emerged around him,


    These eyes were invisible and untraceable, undetectable even by Divine Sense.


    However, under the gaze of these unseen cold eyes, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt his blood becoming more vibrant than ever before, as if it started to "boil."


    At the same time, an indescribably mysterious aura began to converge from all corners of the palace, swiftly swarming toward him from all directions and merging into Zhao Sheng''s limbs and marrow.


    In an instant, his heart began beating fiercely, and his blood circulated through his body at ten times the usual speed, endlessly.


    The stimulation caused Zhao Sheng''s face to flush red, as the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique operated on its own, channeling copious amounts of pure Spiritual Energy into his Dantian¡ªthe speed of the Spirit Power Vortex inside increased several-fold in an instant.


    The Mystic Primordial Spirit Power in his meridians flowed through his limbs and bones at an unprecedented speed, harmonizing with the blood circulation and repeatedly completing Zhou Tian cycles.


    Master Jiu Chi noticed Zhao Sheng''s anomaly, glanced to the side with a change of expression, and couldn''t help feeling both jealousy and envy.


    Only members of the Spiritual Clan knew that Zhao Sheng had passed a crucial test and gained the recognition of the residual souls of ancestral spirits from generations past.


    As a result, he was also blessed and empowered by them. As long as he was within the Spirit Palace, his cultivation speed would be several times faster than in the outside world, and the purer his bloodline, the faster his cultivation speed would be. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In other words, if Zhao Sheng were to join the Spiritual Clan, he would likely stir the Clan Guardian Artifact and qualify for a three-character True Name.


    Despite the sudden changes, Zhao Sheng quickly adapted and immediately noticed the envious glance from the side.


    Zhao Sheng pretended as if he hadn''t felt anything and maintained a composed expression as he continued walking.


    After walking for about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the three entered a side hall constructed from Red Flame Coral.


    As soon as he stepped into the side hall, a bone-chilling coldness assaulted him.


    Zhao Sheng shivered and instinctively circulated his Spiritual Power, conjuring a blue Light Shield around his body that kept the cold at bay.


    At a glance, the room was resplendent with snow-white splendor; large, sharp icicles hung from the ceiling and rose from the floor everywhere, and rows of snow-white ice chairs were neatly arranged on both sides, leading to a white jade ice bed at the far end of the hall¡ªthree Zhang long, one Zhang high, and of solid construction.


    On the white jade ice bed lay a huge Ice Man with an awe-inspiring chill, his body crystalline. Inside his chest, a vague human-shaped Shadow was curled up.


    Upon seeing this person, Master Jiu Chi immediately bowed and said loudly, "Spirit Shadow Wang Jiu pays his respects to the Ice King! I have brought the person back as instructed, and I am here to report."


    No sooner had he spoken than a chilling voice echoed in the hall, "Wang Jiu, is this the mischievous little fellow?"


    The voice was extremely cold yet carried a strong personal resonance.


    The Ice Man slowly straightened up, and an unseen pressure suddenly pressed down on Zhao Sheng, causing frost to form in his nostrils and nearly freezing his blood.


    Zhao Sheng grunted, his Spiritual Power swiftly circulating as the Protective Light Shield expanded by thirty percent, becoming more rounded and condensed, barely withstanding the Ice King''s pressure.


    "...Yes, it''s this little fellow. His name... his name... what''s your name again?"


    Mid-sentence, Jiu Chi stumbled over his words, then turned his head to look over.


    "Is a name really that important? You can call me, Zhao Chonghe!"


    ```

 Chapter 213 Three Kings Vying for a Person

    Experience new stories with My Virtual Library EmpireZhao Sheng had hardly finished speaking when the invisible oppressive force within the palace surged by threefold in an instant, the ground frost spread, and ice particles rained down from the sky, rendering the atmosphere exceptionally heavy and suffocating, weighing heavily on everyone''s hearts making it difficult to breathe.


    Crack! Crack!


    A thin layer of ice quickly formed on the surface of the light shield around Zhao Sheng, pale yet extremely cold.


    Boom!


    With a thought, Zhao Sheng''s blue light shield violently expanded outward, instantly shattering the layer of ice crystals.


    Just then, the Ice King stood up, and his immense pressure expanded, instantly enveloping the entire palace.


    Simultaneously, a cold voice carrying a chilling coldness suddenly resounded in the palace, "Little fellow, your surname ought to be Wang!"


    Zhao Sheng brushed the frost off his sleeves, standing against the increasingly strong pressure, and indifferently said, "A name is given by one''s parents. I do not have the habit of acknowledging ancestors indiscriminately."


    "Little fellow, do you realize that your veins carry the exceedingly noble blood of the Spirit Clan? Where are your parents now? One of them must surely be a descendant of my Spirit Clan. Descendants of the Spirit Clan bloodline must not be left outside, they must be brought back to the Spiritual Abyss!"


    With every step the Ice King took descending the palace steps, the chill within the palace halls intensified.


    The Ice King was currently in the Golden Core Perfect Peak Stage. As long as he passed the Thirty-Nine Heavenly Tribulations, he could ascend to the Nascent Soul Realm.


    However, he had lingered in this peak stage for far too long, almost unable to hide his own breath, and inadvertently revealing traces of Divine Skills'' pressure with every movement and thought.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s expression changed, and he said somberly, "Since childhood, I have been an orphan."


    "Humph, I see. Such a youthful aura! Little fellow, you are not even 60 years old and have already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Even among the young generation of the Spiritual Abyss, you would be considered outstanding," the Ice King praised, seemingly possessing a superpower to see through one''s heart, as he did not doubt the truthfulness of Zhao Sheng''s words and did not press further.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng had already stimulated his Talent of Absolute Rationality, with a mind as clear as ice and a will that was unbreakable, his facial expression utterly indifferent.


    Facing an old monster who had lived for who knows how many years, he must do his utmost and be extremely cautious in response.


    What Zhao Sheng did not realize in his carefulness, was just how special he was under the state of Absolute Rationality.


    This extremely rational state that discards emotions and desires is perfectly compatible with the Miracle Technique of the Spirit Clan known as the "Eternal Ice Heart Skill."


    By coincidence, the Ice King was the only member of the Spirit Clan who had been able to cultivate the "Eternal Ice Heart Skill" in hundreds of years. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing a perfect successor appear before him, one could imagine how excited the Ice King was.


    Even though the Ice King had nearly eradicated all emotions and desires such as excitement, Zhao Sheng was undoubtedly a heaven-sent treasure in his eyes.


    Suddenly,


    The Ice King abruptly shouted, "Little fellow, no matter what your surname is, from now on, follow this king! Once we return to the Spiritual Abyss, your name will be recorded under this king''s lineage, your status equivalent to a third-generation of the Spirit Clan. And... stop cultivating that life-draining evil technique. I will teach you the supreme Miracle Technique of our clan, the ''Eternal Ice Heart Skill.''"


    Zhao Sheng''s secret of cultivating the "Blood Soul Scripture" couldn''t possibly be concealed from the Ice King, who could easily discern the fact that Zhao Sheng''s Life Span had drastically reduced with a sweep of Divine Sense.


    The Ice King''s voice remained cold, utterly devoid of emotional fluctuations. But even a fool could hear that he was very pleased at this moment, showing unabashed affection for Zhao Sheng.


    The Ice King''s stance caused immense shock to Master Jiu Chi standing aside.


    As one of the most powerful kings under the Nascent Soul of the Spirit Clan, the Ice King not only held a highly revered position within the clan but was also the lord of a 30,000-mile maritime territory.


    For hundreds of years, this was the first time the Ice King had openly taken a disciple, and the chosen one was a Spirit Clan wild-breed who had been cast away.


    This... was beyond imagination! For a moment, Master Jiu Chi was utterly bewildered.


    Zhao Sheng hadn''t figured it out yet, but in the state of Absolute Rationality, his thoughts were changing far faster than usual, myriad thoughts flashing by.


    He suddenly realized something was amiss.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng deactivated the state of Absolute Rationality, his eyes once more revealing various emotions and desires.


    He was about to speak when suddenly, the sound of surging water echoed throughout the palace.


    In between him and the Ice King, a seemingly real yet ethereal river phantom suddenly materialized out of thin air, profound and vast, ancient as if it had flowed through countless worlds from an unknown void to this era.


    As this phantom river appeared, the ice crystals and frost in the palace melted away in large sections, turning into slender streams that flowed upwards into the river, vanishing in a flash.


    "Heavenly River King!" Master Jiu Chi suddenly shouted in surprise.


    "Haha! Ice King, you''re not being fair this time! It''s not easy to find a new clansman. I won''t just watch the little fellow be swayed by you. His belonging must go through deliberation by the elders," the voice said.


    As he spoke, a living water figure rose from the river in the void, leapt out, and landed on the ground. In a blink of an eye, it transformed into a tall man clad in a black robe.


    This man had sharp brows and bright eyes, handsome and dashing, with a temperate and approachable demeanor that instantly gave a refreshing impression.


    "You''re here. You shouldn''t have come."


    "This is the Spirit Palace, not your Iceberg Ocean. I''ll go wherever I wish," the Heavenly River King said languidly.


    No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice of approval came from the entrance: "Well said."


    Zhao Sheng turned around only to see a Star Nebula slowly drifting into the great hall, and amidst the swirling of the nebula, a handsome young man adorned in a deep blue brocade robe stepped in.

 Chapter 213 The Three Kings Compete for a Person_2

    "Star Cloud King!" Master Jiu Chi roared again.At that moment, the palace was filled with three different overwhelming auras, as the three Spirit Clan kings had clashed with their Divine Senses thousands of times in the blink of an eye.


    This invisible confrontation was secretive and perilous; a single misstep could cause severe damage to one''s spirit.


    All three had been at the Perfect Golden Core stage for many years, with their strengths barely distinguishable from one another. After hundreds of years of competition, none could gain an advantage over the others.


    Therefore, after a mere breath''s time, they simultaneously withdrew their auras.


    "Star Fighting, why are you getting involved in this trivial matter?" the Heavenly River King was the first to break the deadlock.


    With a smile, the Star Fighting King said, "This is no trivial matter. The bloodline of this youngster is not ordinary; it is likely a rare occurrence of ancestral rebirth. The purity of his bloodline is comparable to those juniors in the heritage sequence. How could I, as a king, let go of such a talented new member of the Spirit Clan?"


    "Regardless of what you two think. This youngster, I have decided to claim him. If you want to dispute it, then come with me to the Ancestor Sacrifice Altar!"


    The Ancestor Sacrifice Altar is a sacred site for the Spirit Clan, serving not only to worship ancestors but also as an arena for life and death. Whenever there is an insurmountable grudge between clan members, they can resolve it on the Ancestor Sacrifice Altar, to decide both superiority and life or death!


    "Ice King, have you lost your mind? Just for this youngster? Is it worth it?" The Heavenly River King, his expression changing and tone agitated, said after hearing this.


    The Ice King was always silent and reserved; even now, he said nothing, but his silence made the two Spirit Clan kings realize that their old friend was serious this time.


    "Ice King, I won''t dispute with you for now. But the ownership of this person must be determined by the elders'' judgment. Once we meet the Ling Yuan Ancestor, I will surely call for a sacred verdict. Farewell!"


    With these words, the Heavenly River King waved his sleeve, and his whole being suddenly transformed into a stream of water, merging into the emerging image of the Heavenly River.


    In an instant,


    The image of the Heavenly River dissipated, and the Heavenly River King vanished without a trace.


    The Star Fighting King hesitated for a moment, then turned his gaze to Zhao Sheng, giving him a deep look with endless starlight swirling in his eyes.


    This look made Zhao Sheng''s hair stand on end, instantly triggering his danger perception. Only then did he realize that the Star Cloud King was emanating a dense aura of death.


    Zhao Sheng''s heart chilled with shock; the Star Cloud King actually harbored a deep killing intent towards him.


    The Star Cloud King withdrew his gaze, looking composedly towards the Ice Man whose coldness was piercing, and said solemnly, "Ice King, you... take care of yourself!"


    After saying this, the Star Fighting King''s figure flashed, and he instantly disappeared from the palace.


    Seeing this, Master Jiu Chi cautiously spoke up, "Ice King, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."


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    "Mm!"


    Heartened by this response, Master Jiu Chi cast an envious glance at Zhao Sheng before quietly departing.


    Now, only the Ice King and Zhao Sheng were left in the palace.


    At this point, Zhao Sheng finally had the opportunity to speak, "Deeply grateful for the Ice King''s favor, but my foundation has been established, nearing perfection. I''m afraid I cannot re-cultivate this ''Eternal Ice Heart Skill''."


    The Ice King said indifferently, "No matter! You are still young, even if you have to destroy your cultivation and start over, it''s not too late."


    Zhao Sheng paused upon hearing this, but still he was unwilling to cultivate any ''Eternal Ice Heart Skill''.


    ''Eternal Ice Heart Skill'', even though it is a divine skill that leads directly to the Tao, if one cultivated it to the end, one would become like the Ice King, an ice person, with almost no emotions or desires.


    Then what was the purpose of living?


    In some ways, the ''Eternal Ice Heart Skill'' was even more evil than the ''Blood Soul Scripture''.


    Seeing that he was cornered, Zhao Sheng decided to express his thoughts forthrightly, his expression unyielding, "Although the divine skill is impressive, I do not wish to become like the elder. I will not learn it!"


    Crack! Crack!


    A thick layer of frost suddenly formed around the palace¡ªthe ceilings, the floors, the ice chairs, and the jade beds in every corner started to crystalize at a rate visible to the naked eye, quickly turning into a forest of transparent ice pillars.


    And at this moment, it began to snow in the palace.


    The snowflakes fluttered down gently, but as soon as they landed on Zhao Sheng, they instantly turned into large patches of frost.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng''s protective light shield turned into a silver-white ice wall, from which emanated an extreme coldness. Waves of intangible freezing energy infiltrated his body through his pores, skin, and orifices, almost freezing his blood and spiritual power.


    Zhao Sheng was extremely startled; his Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer cultivation was actually unable to withstand even a single thought from the Ice King.


    Even though the other was a Perfect Golden Core, the difference in strength between them seemed to be too vast.


    Fortunately, it lasted only for a moment.


    With a thought from the Ice King, all the freezing energy quickly left Zhao Sheng''s body, and the ice wall dissipated, leaving him "alive" once more.


    "Hmph, in the past century, you are the first being to survive after provoking my ire," the Ice King said.


    "Then... thank you for sparing me, Ice King!" Zhao Sheng exhaled a breath of cold air and responded coldly.


    "Come forth!"


    At the Ice King''s command, a group of frail and delicate white-dressed women quickly stepped into the palace from outside.


    These women, clad in thin veils, seemed utterly unfazed by the piercing chill of the palace.


    They belonged to an alien race living within the Iceberg Ocean, known as Ice Women, innate with a resistance to the biting cold.


    "Your Majesty, what are your orders?"


    "Take this little one down and settle him well, place him near the Ice Palace of this king. Treat him in the same manner as my direct disciples."


    "As you command!" The leading Ice Woman bowed deeply in salute.


    Zhao Sheng, having to accept his situation, allowed the Ice Woman to lead him away.


    Since he could not escape for the time being, he might as well stay temporarily and wait for an opportunity.


    ...


    Ten days later, in a small palace, exquisite and elegant, discreet yet luxurious.


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on a ten-thousand-year-old warm jade stone, holding a high-grade water spirit stone in each hand, eyes closed, cultivating. Inside his body, the vortex of spiritual power roared into motion, strands of exceptionally pure Water Spiritual Energy wending their way along the hand and lung meridians continuously pouring into the Dantian where it was refined.


    In the Dantian, the vortex of spiritual power resembled a heavenly column, with twenty-three crystalline blue "water balls" hovering in mid-air, slowly rotating with the vortex.


    Beneath the vortex swirled a vast ocean of churning waves. Occasional pockets of spirit rain were tossed from the top of the vortex, falling into the vast ocean below.


    Time passed unknown, and at the center of the ocean where it connected with the vortex, a new crystalline blue water ball suddenly rose.


    The water ball broke free from the confinement of the vortex, floated up, and gathered with the other twenty-three above.


    The moment the twenty-four Transforming Spirit Beads came together, a curious change of positions occurred, eventually forming a spherical space with twenty-four sides, with the spirit power vortex right at the center.


    Hu!


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath; the breath remained condensed and seemed incredibly solid.


    With a wave of his hand disrupting the column of breath, a hint of joy appeared on Zhao Sheng''s face. He had just achieved a breakthrough, successfully reaching the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer.


    Once he condensed thirty-six transforming spiritual power beads, it would be time for his Foundation Establishment to reach perfection, advancing to the Golden Core stage.


    He had just finished cultivating and rose to his feet, walking to the door and pushing it open to step outside.


    "Young Master!"


    As he stepped out, two soft voices sounded from beside the door.


    Looking at the two frail Ice Women before him, Zhao Sheng dared not underestimate them.


    With the occasional hint of bone-chilling coldness that leaked from the Ice Women, Zhao Sheng was certain their strength was on par with that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    And during the past few days, he had seen at least twenty such Ice Women.


    Just this fact alone indicated how strong the forces under the Ice King were, and it allowed one to infer the formidable overall strength of the Spirit Clan¡ªthe reason they became the overlord of the distant oceans.


    Zhao Sheng instructed, "I wish to go to Dragon Head Island, you may prepare to descend."


    The Ice Women, without showing any intention of questioning him, nodded very respectfully and complied.


    A short while later, a humpbacked mountain turtle with a shell diameter exceeding twenty zhang slowly swam upwards from the seabed.


    On its back, it carried a jade-stone palace the size of a basketball court, with four Green-armored Guards standing outside.


    Inside the palace, upon a thousand-year-old coral chair deep within, Zhao Sheng lay reclined, his face thoughtful.


    Two quarters of an hour later, the humpbacked mountain turtle slowly crawled onto Dragon Head Island and finally came to rest on a stretch of sand beach, remaining motionless.


    Suddenly,


    Zhao Sheng emerged from the palace, floated down from the turtle''s back, followed by the Ice Women and the four Green-armored Guards.


    "Young Master, where would you like to go? Your servant will immediately inform General Crab of this place," said one Ice Woman, stepping forward with gentle grace, her voice timid.


    Zhao Sheng turned to look at her, speaking indifferently, "To Refugee City!"


    On the surface, it seemed that the guards were lax, and he might have a chance to escape.


    However, in reality, Zhao Sheng had no chance of escape at all because the Ice King had deliberately left a Divine Thought Imprint on him. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Crack! Crack!


    Just at that moment, a massive Hu Xiao descended from the sky.


    Master Jiu Chi laughed heartily as he leapt down from the back of the Hu Xiao, his figure flickered, and he abruptly appeared beside Zhao Sheng.


    "Brother Zhao, you seem more impressive than the last time we met!"


    Fortunate thanks to your blessings, senior, I am managing quite well. But when I think of the hardship faced by the people on Dragon Head Island, I cannot rest easy nights or days," Zhao Sheng said in a tone neither warm nor cold.

 Chapter 214 Calculations and Transactions are Everywhere

    In response to Zhao Sheng''s bizarre tone, Master Jiu Chi laughed without concern and said, "Brother Zhao, don''t blame me for not reminding you. You care about the mortals, but the Human Clan will not appreciate your sentiments. Be careful not to displease both sides! Don''t forget the old Human saying, ''Those not of our kind have different hearts.''"Zhao Sheng raised his eyebrows upon hearing this and looked at the meaningful Master Jiu Chi but did not retort.


    Seeing this, Jiu Chi was certain in his heart and immediately pursued his advantage, saying warmly, "I heard you were going to Refugee City just now. I happen to be free. I might as well accompany you."


    "This trivial matter does not require your esteemed presence," Zhao Sheng replied, trying to decline.


    "No worries. I have nothing better to do, and it would be good to catch up with you. When we return to the Spiritual Abyss, I might even ask you for a favor," Jiu Chi said shamelessly, without any intention of maintaining the image of a True Immortal in front of his junior.


    Master Jiu Chi treated Zhao Sheng as an equal, even with a hint of ingratiation.


    This was not only because Zhao Sheng had been chosen by the Ice King, who held a high position and wielded great power, and would become a major figure in the Demon Ruins after ascending to Nascent Soul,


    but also because he was one of the Ice King''s people. Making friends with Zhao Sheng meant currying favor with the Ice King.


    Additionally, he saw the potential in Zhao Sheng and intentionally befriended him early.


    Shameless, and thus invincible!


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng knew he had no way to refuse, so he reluctantly turned his head and ordered the Ice Woman, "To Refugee City!"


    No sooner had the Ice Woman bowed in agreement than Jiu Chi kindly suggested, "Hey, let my Hu Xiao carry us there! Refugee City is dozens of miles from here. Flying will be faster!"


    "..."


    Shortly thereafter,


    Hu Xiao spread its wings and flew, carrying Zhao Sheng and Master Jiu Chi southwest toward Dragon Head Island.


    Refugee City, located thirty miles deep within Dragon Head Island, was originally a large mortal city and was now temporarily used to detain mortal refugees.


    Near Refugee City was the largest alluvial plain on Dragon Head Island, spanning thousands of miles; a renowned agricultural area that sustained nearly ten million of the Human Clan on Dragon Head Island.


    As Hu Xiao ventured deeper into the island, Zhao Sheng was surprised to find that, apart from the workshops and cities along the coastal line that had been destroyed by sea beasts, the villages, towns, and cities inland were barely affected, with most remaining unscathed by war. The order was meticulous in the villages; the mortals worked from dawn till dusk, seemingly untouched by the great battle that raged dozens of miles away.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s astonishment, Master Jiu Chi couldn''t help but smile proudly and said, "Brother Zhao, are you surprised?"


    "Indeed, I am surprised," Zhao Sheng openly admitted.


    "Hehe! You''re still inexperienced and don''t understand the reasons behind it. The intricacies here are deep; not only you but even I only know a fraction of them."


    "Oh,"


    Zhao Sheng nodded thoughtfully but showed no intention of asking further.


    Seeing this, Master Jiu Chi was momentarily stumped, pondering how to intrigue his companion to inquire further.


    Just then, Hu Xiao''s wings snapped together and it suddenly dove downwards.


    Below, a large ancient city spanning dozens of miles and featuring towering buildings appeared before everyone.


    Thump!


    Hu Xiao landed on a specially cleared square in the center of the city.


    Zhao Sheng and the others dismounted from Hu Xiao, just as two pairs of people quickly approached the edge of the square.


    Leading them were two bald giants nearly two zhang tall with bulging muscles, clearly recognizable as members of the Sea Giant clan.


    Behind them followed a dozen or so listless Human Clan members, both old and young, male and female.


    Each one wore a silver-white collar around their neck, and they were evidently all Cultivators.


    "Who goes there? Please¡ª"


    Their speech halted abruptly midway.


    At that moment, the Ice Woman pulled a round token made of thousand-year-old Ice Jade from her sleeve, engraved with an ancient rune on the front and an imposing ice peak on the back.


    "By the Ice King''s Order, withdraw immediately!"


    The two Sea Giants exchanged glances, knelt in unison, and saluted, shouting, "Understood! We take our leave."


    Upon seeing this, the Human Clan Slave Guards kneeling behind them promptly rose and turned to leave in an orderly manner. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Zhao Sheng watched the retreating backs of the Human Cultivators, his gaze grew profound and enigmatic.


    Just moments ago, he keenly sensed that these people looked at him with fear and panic, yet among them, a few youths had eyes filled with deep resentment.


    Having spent a hundred years undercover, Master Jiu Chi''s skill in observing and understanding people was undoubtedly fully developed.


    He caught this scene and, feeling a surge of satisfaction, feigned pride and said, "Brother Zhao, did you know? Refugee City is almost autonomously governed by the Human Clan, with fewer than thirty of our people inside. Moreover, everyone in the city is well-fed and well-rested. Aside from the lack of freedom, life here is not much different from the outside.


    We, the Spirit Clan, are a hundred times more noble than the Human Clan. As long as these people stay here obediently, we have no need for despicable measures like torture."


    Zhao Sheng asked solemnly, "How many people are here?"


    "About five hundred thousand. The vast majority are mortals. Hehe, they are all direct relatives within three generations of Human Cultivators."


    Zhao Sheng stood in the center of the square, fully releasing his Divine Sense. Continue reading on My Virtual Library Empire


    Divine Sense spread out, scanning everything around him, seeing rooms, floors, and corridors full of people in the surrounding buildings.


    Most of the people had expressions of sorrow and carried an air of fear and unease, but their complexions were rosy, seemingly never having suffered from hunger.


    At that moment, Refugee City was extremely quiet, the air filled with a deathly and oppressive atmosphere.

 Chapter 214 Calculations and Transactions are Everywhere_2

    Zhao Sheng walked down the square, strolling casually along the main thoroughfare of the city.Under the scrutiny of his Divine Sense, the buildings on both sides of the street were also filled with people, who moved about only within the confined spaces, rarely venturing outside.


    After walking a few miles, Master Jiu Chi spoke self-satisfiedly, "How about it? This old man didn''t lie to you, did he? The Spirit Clan''s moral demeanor is a hundred times more noble than the filthy and despicable Human Clan."


    "Where are the Cultivators? Have they all been executed?" Zhao Sheng asked abruptly.


    "Hehe! Those above the Foundation Establishment Realm are locked in the Forbidden Prison, and the majority of the rest, after being implanted with spirit prohibitions, are thrown into the spirit mines to mine. The undersea mines near Dragon Head Island are rich in resources, so it''s also a way of recycling waste," replied the old man.


    Having heard this, Zhao Sheng contemplated in silence.


    The Spirit Clan''s method of dealing with the Cultivators was indeed mysterious, and the establishment of the Refugee City was odd both inside and out.


    It was clear that the Spirit Clan and Human Clan were mortal enemies. Yet, why didn''t they opt for a massacre after taking Dragon Head Island?


    Could all of this somehow be related to the Star God?


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng had a sudden flash of spirit light and thought that the fifty thousand people in the Refugee City and the Cultivators could all be "hostages."


    Perhaps... there was some sort of transaction between the high echelons of the two clans?


    Zhao Sheng was surprised by his own bold thinking.


    Suddenly,


    he came to a halt, his brow furrowing slightly.


    A strange scene had suddenly appeared within the range of his Divine Sense.


    In a courtyard twenty-one zhang to his left, a gathering was unexpectedly taking place.


    The courtyard was teeming with people, and at its center, a tall platform had been erected, upon which a dark-robed old monk was seated in a lotus position.


    At that moment, he was loudly reciting Buddhist scriptures and preaching to the crowd below.


    "Prajna Paramita... the light shines universally... for countless eons..."


    Zhao Sheng looked up toward the courtyard, his Divine Sense sweeping over the old monk only to discover that the man was aged and merely a mortal.


    Zhao Sheng turned and asked, "Senior Jiuchi, is it permitted for monks to preach in the Refugee City?"


    "Hmm, it seems you''ve noticed too! It''s nothing serious. Ancient Buddhism preaching here is something the higher-ups tacitly allow. Besides, this is an internal matter of the Human Clan. It has nothing to do with our Spirit Clan. It would be even better if Ancient Buddhism could start a fight with the Star God Palace," said Master Jiu Chi nonchalantly.


    Zhao Sheng turned back around, his eyes flashing a few times before he continued walking forward.


    By the time everyone had reached the city gates, Zhao Sheng had covertly counted, and along the way, he discovered three monks and thousands of "believers" who had been misled within the city.


    When everyone was feeling anxious and insecure, it was the perfect time for missionary work and preaching.


    Ancient Buddhism truly knew how to seize every opportunity; it likely had its own deal with the Spirit Clan as well.


    Furthermore, Zhao Sheng also found that the ratio of pregnant women in the city was very high, and he saw many bizarre acts of brazen lewdness in broad daylight.


    He couldn''t help but suspect that all of this was intentionally orchestrated by the Spirit Clan.


    As for why? It was obviously to birth as many spirit root babies as possible.


    Zhao Sheng sighed to himself. The Spirit Clan''s schemes were indeed clever!


    ...


    While Zhao Sheng was investigating the Refugee City, located a hundred miles to the northwest of Dragon Head Island, deep within a cave mansion in a Second Order Spiritual Vein beneath the sea,


    the cave mansion was draped in silver and filled with chilling cold air. Ice flowers fluttered within, spiraling as they touched any solid surface, exploding on contact and freezing everything. The white frost spread everywhere, bringing waves of bone-chilling cold with it.


    Atop an ice throne deep within the spirit cave, a young man with white clothes and silver hair sat cross-legged, hands joined in prayer, breathing in and out a white light that caused the surrounding cold air to pulsate.


    Suddenly, a Jade Token at the youth''s waist started flickering with light. The silver-haired young man frowned, took off the Jade Token, and sent a thread of his Divine Sense into it.


    In the next instant, the information flowed on the surface of the Jade Token and into the mind of the silver-haired young man. His expression immediately turned ice-cold.


    "Zhao Chonghe!... Hehe!" he muttered to himself, letting out a cold laugh before quickly returning to silence.


    At the same time, in a hidden space beneath Dragon Head Island, a gaunt young man wearing a Hundred Skull Robe sat opposite a middle-aged man with a jade crown and dark armor. On the stone table between them was a portrait of someone who looked very much like Zhao Sheng.


    This middle-aged man in dark armor was extremely handsome. Although he only showed the cultivation level of Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, he exuded a mysterious aura.


    ```


    "Is this the target?" the thin young man slowly asked.


    The middle-aged man in black armor merely gave a slight, noncommittal smile, "His real name is Zhao Chonghe, and here is some information about him. Kill him within ten days, and the ''Skull God Scripture'' is yours."


    "Are you serious?" the thin young man asked eagerly, his eyes filled with greed.


    The middle-aged man slid two Jade Scrolls across, "One of them contains the first two levels of the ''Skull God Scripture.'' Consider it a down payment."


    The gaunt young man snatched the Jade Scrolls, his Divine Sense probing them. Soon, a look of delight crossed his face, and he declared resolutely, "I, Skeleton Boy, will take this job!"


    ...


    After returning from Refugee City, Zhao Sheng rejected all invitations, locking himself in the Cultivation Room for intense practice. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Three days later, in the Cultivation Room, Zhao Sheng, who was sitting cross-legged, looked serious as he continuously cast Magic Spells with his hands, merging streams of blood light into the Blood Escape Talisman suspended in mid-air.


    After a quarter of an hour, the palm-sized Blood Escape Talisman, having absorbed so much essence blood and Spiritual Power, began to surge with light, gradually emitting layers of a blood-colored Light Halo.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s spirits lifted, and he spat out a mouthful of Heart Blood onto the Blood Escape Talisman.


    The Blood Escape Talisman flared up with an invisible blood flame.


    "Merge!"


    Zhao Sheng''s gaze sharpened, and a speck of black light shot out from the Purple Mansion on his forehead, entering the Blood Escape Talisman in a flash.


    Instantly, the blood flame retracted and turned into countless mysterious blood-colored runes that appeared on the surface of the talisman.


    Zhao Sheng beckoned with his hand, and the Blood Soul Talisman floated over to rest in his palm.


    This Blood Escape Talisman had mutated into a Blood Soul Talisman because it had integrated a strand of Divine Soul.


    Zhao Sheng had devoted nearly a hundred years of intense study to the Blood Soul Talisman, which he started researching in his previous life, only recently managing to create this special Second Order tunneling talisman.


    Although it was a type of tunneling talisman, it could deceive others, especially designed to target High-level Cultivators.


    Upon seeing the talisman fully formed, a hint of joy appeared in Zhao Sheng''s eyes. He carefully hid it in the secret pocket at his waist.


    Half a month later.


    The door to the long-sealed chamber burst open, and Zhao Sheng stepped out at a leisurely pace.


    However, as soon as Zhao Sheng stepped out of the cave mansion, he suddenly turned his head, his expression shifting as he looked to one side.


    There, a flash of light appeared, and two figures sped toward him with lightning speed.


    Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes seeing this, as the two figures seemed to be coming straight for him.


    Boom, boom!


    The two figures landed abruptly a few yards in front of Zhao Sheng, stirring up a gust of wind and revealing the identities of two young men.


    The leader was dressed in a snow-white robe, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with handsome features and a clear distinction between the brows, from which starlight seemed to emanate, giving the illusion of a person not merely standing there but resembling a frigid ice flower.


    The other man, tall and skinny, possessed defined, iron-like muscles that hinted at explosive strength beneath.


    "Who might you two be?" Zhao Sheng asked calmly, regarding the evidently hostile pair.


    Continue your story on My Virtual Library Empire


    "I am Wang Fuyu of the Spirit Clan, and this is Wang Fuchong." The man in the white robe looked Zhao Sheng up and down before letting out a snicker.


    Wang Fuchong, dressed in black, kept his piercing gaze fixed on Zhao Sheng''s eyes without immediately speaking.


    "Oh, so it''s the Young Masters of the Spirit Clan. My apologies for the disrespect! May I ask why you have graced me with your presence?" Zhao Sheng, undisturbed by their stares, asked indifferently.


    "Are you the wild boy who just returned from outside?" Wang Fuchong finally spoke up, his cold smile apparent.


    "Hmph," Zhao Sheng snorted.


    "Good, you do look fairly decent. We''ve come to tell you that the Ice King has abandoned you. Don''t delude yourself any longer," Wang Fuchong said coldly.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly curled the corners of his mouth upwards and scrutinized the two men before him with an odd look.


    "What, need us to repeat it? The Ice King is exalted beyond measure. Someone of your lowly stature is unworthy of the name of the Ice King''s disciple."


    Seeing Zhao Sheng''s reaction, Wang Fuchong huffed and spoke with an unmistakable note of finality.


    ```

 Chapter 215 Unable to Withstand a Single Blow

    "So that''s how it is!"Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but find it somewhat amusing!


    The disciple of the Ice King, whoever wants to be, can be. He was not at all keen on it.


    With his understanding of the Spirit Clan in recent days, he had anticipated that some might feel dissatisfied, yet he had not expected some foolhardy youth to actually come knocking on his door to threaten him.


    It seemed that the Spirit Clan had protected their next generation too well, making them somewhat naive to the ways of the world, like flowers in a greenhouse, innocent, self-centered, and developing a proud and arrogant disposition.


    How could they, just two green youngsters, think that they could interfere with a decision made by someone like the Ice King?


    Truly naive!


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng, with a smile that wasn''t quite a smile, said:


    "I''m afraid you two are mistaken. I have never thought about becoming the Ice King''s disciple. However... if the Ice King were to retract his order, I would indeed have to thank you two. If you gentlemen have nothing else, please return, as I still have some important matters to attend to and cannot keep you company." Zhao Sheng slightly smiled and then intended to walk straight past the two men.


    Upon hearing this, Wang Fuyu and Wang Fuchong''s faces immediately turned sullen as water.


    "Stop, if you think you can leave without clarifying and don''t expect to use the Ice King''s name to press us? In the Spirit Clan, strength speaks. As long as I cripple you, I don''t believe the Ice King will still insist on taking you as a disciple!" Wang Fuyu, clad in a white robe adorned with star specks, sneered coldly, his figure suddenly blocking Zhao Sheng''s path.


    Zhao Sheng''s brows furrowed slightly, just as he wanted to say something else.


    Suddenly, Wang Fuyu roared loudly,"Halt! You dare to attack secretly!"


    The sound was deafening yet subtly contained a sonic miracle technique, a kind of invisible deadly sound.


    In an instant, Wang Fuyu''s robe billowed, he shot up into the sky, his hand forming a seal mantra, the star light on his forehead instantly spread out, transforming into a six-petalled ice flower. Immediately, the light of cold ice from his body shone brightly, a chilling cold air dispersed around him, and the surrounding void began to stir up gusts of cold ice wind.


    With a loud bang, streams of extreme cold converged, and in a blink, they formed a tumultuous cold ice storm as thick as two men embracing, whistling and roaring. Ice and snow spun sharply with the wind, each piece biting cold like a blade. The cold ice storm enveloped Wang Fuyu''s figure, while a terrifying force descended from the sky and pressed down furiously towards Zhao Sheng.


    "Quite capable, no wonder he is so arrogant." Zhao Sheng looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he nodded inwardly. He stood his ground, unmoving, seemingly indifferent to the astonishing spiritual pressure emitted by Wang Fuyu.


    In mid-air, Wang Fuyu, seeing this, was furiously angered, and suddenly shouted loudly, thrusting his hands upwards,


    only to see spiritual energy of extreme cold continuously pouring out from the crystal walls around, merging into the cold ice storm. The storm swelled tremendously, not only filling the entire corridor but also expanding outward, and within the storm, a cold ice flood dragon formed. The dragon scales of the dragon were clearly composed of thousands of ice blades, each emitting a bone-chilling dazzling edge, each one as powerful as a first-rank top-grade spell.


    With a thunderous buzz!


    The cold ice storm abruptly halted, and the cold ice flood dragon burst out of the storm,


    on the side, the thin Wang Fuchong, seeing this, rapidly retreated several tens of feet, his gaze filled with a murderous intent towards Zhao Sheng.


    He knew well that Wang Fuyu''s secret technique was not like ordinary Foundation Establishment secret methods. That cold ice flood dragon was evolved from the Ice Soul Cold Light sourced from beneath thousands of feet of ice mountain, immensely powerful, typical Late Stage Foundation Establishment couldn''t even withstand it for a moment.


    As the saying goes, while it''s late it''s fast, the huge Ice Flood Dragon opened its mouth wide, spewing out countless ice blades, covering the sky and heading towards Zhao Sheng.


    Before the storm of ice blades had even reached Zhao Sheng, an extremely cold air had already invisibly invaded his body, seeking to freeze and solidify all his meridians.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression unchanged, this Ice Jiao Secret Technique was indeed formidable, and the extreme cold ice blades were extremely difficult to deal with. However, it had one major weakness.


    Zhao Sheng raised one hand, and a string of black light flew out from his sleeve. The light scattered around, and a palm-sized shield surface swelled to a three-foot square radius. Six Spirit Shields suddenly formed a large spherical shield.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The sky-full of ice blades smashed onto the Profound Black Armor, breaking apart with loud bangs, turning into streams of extreme cold.


    In an instant, a layer of white frost quickly spread across the surface of the Spirit Shield, and its thickness visibly increased at a rapid pace.


    The extreme cold was indeed formidable, and in less than two breaths, it made it increasingly difficult for Zhao Sheng to control the Spirit Shield, the stagnation in the flow of his Divine Sense and Spiritual Power becoming more pronounced.


    Wang Fuyu saw the situation and smiled triumphantly. His hands performed spell seals rapidly as extreme cold Spiritual Power surged out, causing the Ice Flood Dragon to fiercely spit out one Ice Blade storm after another, aiming to engulf his opponent in one fell swoop.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng''s eyes flashed with divine light, revealing a dazzling yet invisible Sword Light.


    On an ethereal spiritual level, a chilling Sword Intent suddenly condensed into existence.


    The next instant, a sound of a sword cry echoed in the void.


    The Invisible Sword Light flashed from his eyes and, following some kind of spiritual connection in the unknown, the God-Slaying Sword struck an unguarded Divine Soul in an instant.


    "Slashed!"


    Amid the cold shout, Wang Fuyu felt a chill at the heart; his Divine Soul was struck by the Godslaying Sword Intent, causing his mind to blank out instantly, and an unimaginable intense pain emanated from his Purple Mansion.


    Ah!


    Wang Fuyu suddenly screamed and fell to the ground from the air, clutching his head and curling his body, screaming miserably while rolling frantically on the ground like a dying beast struggling.


    At that moment, a muffled sound came!


    The surface of the Ice Flood Dragon cracked open with countless fine fissures, then instantly burst into a large explosion of cold air, with countless Ice Blades flying chaotically, instantly shattering into a sky full of Spiritual Energy, absorbed by the surrounding Crystal Walls.


    From Wang Fuyu being certain of victory to the collapse of the Ice Jiao, it all happened in the time it took to catch one''s breath. Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    Watching his terribly howling clan brother, Wang Fuchong was dumbstruck, hardly believing his own eyes.


    "This is impossible!"


    Wang Fuchong shouted in disbelief. His muscles swelled instantly, and his form suddenly expanded more than twice its size, while a layer of Profound Black Armor with thorny scales emerged on his body, emitting an extremely violent aura.


    Before he finished speaking, a shadow of a huge beast resembling a porcupine, as vast as a mountain, appeared behind him.


    "Die for me!"


    Wang Fuchong''s eyes were blood-red, his face twisted into an extreme ferocity, and he fiercely stomped on the ground. His figure, like an unstoppable Bull Man, charged directly at Zhao Sheng.


    "Body Cultivation?!"


    A hint of surprise flashed in Zhao Sheng''s eyes. With a single flip of his hand, the long-unused Five Elements Talisman Plate fell into his hand.


    As his thoughts shifted, the first layer of the Five Elements Talisman Plate ignited all nine Second-Order Water Mine Talismans at once.


    In an instant, thunderous roars resounded throughout the corridor.


    Endless dazzling Thunder Light erupted, turning the entire corridor into a sea of lightning.


    Humph!


    A grunt sounded as Wang Fuchong flashed out of the sea of lightning, his body streaked with strands of Electric Light, and the surface of his Armor and Shield flickered continuously.


    "Quick reflexes!" Zhao Sheng held up the Five Elements Talisman Plate; in front of him, the six Mayfly Shields merged into one, a foot-wide Profound Black Shield floating in front of his chest, emitting a faint black light, with golden runes appearing intermittently on its surface.


    Wang Fuchong backed off a good distance, circulating his Spiritual Power to extinguish the residual Electric Light on his body.


    His eyes turned cold, filled with murderous intent. He suddenly shouted loudly, and his burly body swelled rapidly, and his Thorny Scale Armor sprouted even more and longer sharp black thorns, densely packed, the tips flickering with cold light, making him appear from afar like a humanoid steel porcupine. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This man was indeed a rare practitioner of Body Cultivation.


    Wang Fuchong, regaining his composure, said nothing as one arm blurred, sending a foot-long spike-shaped Fist Light through the air towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng remained unfazed, his Golden Essence Flying Sword flashing out from his waist, charging towards the incoming long thorn Fist Light.

 Chapter 216 Ten Thousand Immortals Square

    ```Crack!


    With a crisp sound like metal striking, the flying sword collided with the punch, spreading golden and black ripples all around. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    Next, the Golden Essence Flying Sword broke through the punch, turning into a sword rainbow and slashing straight through.


    Wang Fuchong was both shocked and terrified when he saw this. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His bones were of exceptional quality, and his physique was powerful. Specializing in the Body Refining Path for decades, he had now reached the Eighth Layer of Foundation Establishment. Upon activating the Body Refining Secret Technique ''Dragon Elephant Vajra Technique'', his Vajra Spirit Power became extremely concentrated and solid, rivaling any Spiritual Artifact in toughness. Yet now, his defenses were easily broken with a single sword strike.


    With a rush of thoughts, his pupils reflected the swiftly descending Sword Light, and a trace of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.


    Wang Fuchong, throwing caution to the wind, suddenly brought his palms together with massive force.


    Sizzle!


    An extremely harsh friction sound abruptly pierced through the corridor.


    Zhao Sheng''s pupils shrank, and to his surprise, he saw Wang Fuchong across from him with a smug and ferocious smile; his Golden Essence Flying Sword was firmly clamped between his hands, immobilized like a dead fish.


    Wang Fuchong started to rub his hands forcefully, and a mass of black light emerged from his palms, forming a black Light Ball.


    Ugh!


    Zhao Sheng grunted, suddenly losing control of the Golden Essence Flying Sword.


    At that moment, Wang Fuchong tossed aside the flying sword, his massive body soared into the air, dive-bombing straight down at Zhao Sheng. He hurled down his arms like a storm, creating hundreds of long-thorned punches, once again launching a fierce attack on Zhao Sheng.


    He couldn''t believe that he wouldn''t succeed with this attempt.


    With a "boom",


    Zhao Sheng''s figure blurred and suddenly disappeared, while the Crystal Stone floor where he had been standing was impacted by the punch, cracking with a web-like series of fine fissures.


    The material used for the corridor floor was unknown, but its quality was incredibly tough.


    Wang Fuchong''s punches, akin to a Spiritual Artifact Level hammer with the force of ten thousand catties, repeatedly struck the ground, creating only fine cracks without even making a small pit.


    When Zhao Sheng reappeared, Wang Fuchong gave a ferocious smile and lunged at him once more. This time he didn''t use his fists, but opened his arms wide, aiming to tackle Zhao Sheng by the waist.


    If Zhao Sheng were caught by him, given his full-body Thorny Scale Armor and peerless Divine Power, Zhao Sheng would either die or be gravely injured!


    However, just at that moment,


    Zhao Sheng made a light chuckle, his eyes bursting with Divine Light as his hand-held Five Elements Talisman Plate suddenly lit up with a dazzling glow...


    ...


    Moments later, the corridor was a total mess.


    Wang Fuchong, with a defeated look on his face, bent over to pick up the howling Wang Fuyu, gave Zhao Sheng a deep glance, and without uttering a word, turned around, quickly leaving while supporting his clan brother.


    Watching the two leave in such a manner, Zhao Sheng smiled faintly and reached out to recall his Golden Essence Flying Sword.


    Both Wang Fuchong and Wang Fuyu from the Spirit Clan''s younger generation had cultivating levels and strengths not inferior to his. Any ordinary Perfect Foundation Establishment Cultivator would not be a match for either of them.


    Though they were powerful, their actual combat experience was far less than that of human clan cultivators of the same level, not to mention comparing them with Zhao Sheng.


    There had been several occasions where Zhao Sheng could have easily taken their lives, but since they were in the Spirit Palace, he merely administered a slight punishment before letting them go.


    ```


    Talking about sensitive places, the Spirit Palace is one among them, yet despite the huge commotion that just unfolded during the skirmish between the three individuals, not a single person came to check on the situation.


    With a little thought, one could guess how much subterfuge lay behind this incident, and that someone must have deliberately set a trap.


    Zhao Sheng harbored doubts, wondering what the purpose of the schemer was¡ªto test his abilities? To undermine Ice King''s prestige? Or perhaps there is a deeper conspiracy?


    As these thoughts crossed his mind, two Ice Women, panic-stricken, ran from the distant corridor towards him and fell to their knees trembling, begging for mercy, "Young Master, please forgive us, we were negligently asleep and failed to greet you when you exited your retreat. We deserve to die!"


    "Get up!"


    Zhao Sheng had no intention of venting his frustration on these people, and besides, these Ice Women were pitiable beings with no control over their actions.


    "This might be a good opportunity," he thought.


    ...


    Dragon Head Island had been in the hands of the Alien Race for more than half a year. The most dangerous period had passed, and as the resistance forces were being gradually eliminated, the island''s situation became more stable by the day.


    Over half a year, a new pattern had emerged on Dragon Head Island.


    For the Evil Demons of the Outer Path, suppressed by the forces led by the Star God Palace of the Righteous Path, the Sea Demon Tide was a feast that came once every hundred years and was an excellent opportunity for raising a storm to increase their power.


    Unlike the Sea Dominator Octopus with its brute and brainless dominance or the arrogant and condescending Dragon Serpent that disdained others, the Spirit Clan understood the principle that the enemy of one''s enemy could be a friend.


    Therefore, they widely courted the Evil Demons of the Outer Path; they always opened doors for the Demon Cultivators during the Sea Demon Tide, and as long as none betrayed them, the Demon Cultivators could move without hindrance in the "Occupied Zone".


    This had been the case for thousands of years.


    As a result, the Spirit Clan had a sterling reputation and an excellent image in the eyes of the Evil Demons of the Outer Path.


    At this time, countless Evil Demons of the Outer Path Cultivators emerged from various hidden places in the Shattered Star Sea, hurrying to Dragon Head Island to participate in the once-per-century Demon Path grand event.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng, disguised, dressed in a hooded robe, appeared outside a temporary workshop set up jointly by the forces of the Demon Path.


    The workshop was bluntly named Ten Thousand Immortals Square and was established by the three Nascent Soul-level Demon Sect forces: Shade Maiden Clan, Blood Demon Sect, and Ten Thousand Corpses Sect.


    Apart from Ten Thousand Immortals Square like this, there were three other workshops on Dragon Head Island. Except for the largest Sea Spirit Square, which was under the control of the Spirit Clan, the remaining Ghost Market and Demon Cave were established by the Ghost and Demon factions, respectively.


    Ten Thousand Immortals Square was directly built on the ruins of a coastal workshop, clearing the debris from the streets, leveling the broken buildings, and erecting a series of distinctive, colorful buildings along the street. The streets were bustling, with most people wearing hooded robes to conceal their identities.


    Of course, there were also some people from the Evil Demons of the Outer Path who were brazen enough to show their true faces and walk openly on the streets.


    Those who chose to do so were often extremely powerful, with at least the cultivation of the middle to late stages of Foundation Establishment.


    Beyond the palaces and towers were some simple but sturdy stone houses built with the technique of transforming mud into stone.


    Most of these stone houses had flags, banners, and other signs erected at their doors, and those who visited them were mostly in the Qi Refining Realm, with few being of Foundation Establishment level.


    On the outskirts of the workshop, large tents were erected, undulating and sprawling, with Demon Cultivators and Cultivators of Alien Races of various weird and strange shapes continuously coming in and out, making it quite lively.


    And the Loose Cultivators of the lowest standing could only set up their trade outside the workshop, laying out a piece of Beast Skin to display an assortment of chaotic items such as Medicinal Herbs, Bones, Ores, Beast Skins, Talismans, Ancient Scrolls, and broken Magic Artifacts for sale.


    Finding a bargain at these makeshift stalls was as difficult as reaching the heavens!


    Outside the workshop, Zhao Sheng glanced over the bustling but disorderly Loose Cultivator market and stepped through.


    He arrived at the entrance of Ten Thousand Immortals Square, paid an entrance fee of one Low-grade Spirit Stone, and walked into the square smoothly.

 Chapter 217 Joy Realm Joyful Realm

    On the bustling workshop streets, people came and went, creating a lively scene. Yet there was an invisible distance maintained between everyone, as if they were all wary of each other.As he walked, Zhao Sheng not only saw a large number of "hooded men" dressed similarly to himself but also encountered a variety of outcasts.


    There was a giant with bare chest and loincloth, carrying a large axe on his shoulder; a pale-faced Daoist in a Blood Robe with a group of shadows on his back, from which endless screams of life could be heard; a carefree man with disheveled hair, walking barefoot; and Beast Tamers manipulating snakes, tigers, insects, and other creatures...


    These Evil Demons were considered normal, and even if they were strong, they were still confined to the Foundation Establishment Realm, which posed no threat to Zhao Sheng.


    What truly surprised him now were the rare Demon Cultivators; it seemed only those of the Golden Core ilk could disturb him.


    Having walked most of the long street, the only thing that truly made Zhao Sheng''s heart race with terror was one individual he saw.


    She was a woman of unparalleled beauty, with skin as white as snow and an aura of purity that was breathtaking.


    Adorned in sheer gauze and barefoot, with every step she took, bright red, vibrant clouds of fragrance sprang into being beneath her snow-white, delicate feet. These red mists seemed to carry her forward, and from a distance, she appeared like a fairy descending to the mortal world, transcendent and ethereal.


    However, upon closer look, everyone was shocked and quickly moved aside.


    For on the exposed skin of that beautiful woman, there existed hive-like fine holes, from which countless transparent "threadworms" emerged, and the red clouds at her feet were actually swarms of tiny, dust-like insects.


    If anyone got too close and inadvertently inhaled a wisp of the red cloud, they would immediately fall to the ground, their eyes bulging, frantically scratching at their skin to relieve an indescribable itching, as if they would tear open their chests and bellies just to ease the sensation.


    Meanwhile, the astonishing pressure emanating from the woman constantly informed everyone that she was actually a practitioner of the Demon Dao Golden Core.


    Fortunately, the breathtakingly beautiful woman only appeared for a brief moment before she vanished into a corner of the distant street.


    All the Evil Demons and Alien Practitioners on the street heaved a sigh of relief.


    So did Zhao Sheng.


    He relaxed and continued walking forward.


    After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, his expression slightly changing.


    Because at this moment, it seemed as if he had stepped into a "Spiritual Domain"; waves of Divine Sense-level spiritual power non-stop "harassed" his spirit.


    This spiritual fluctuation seemed extremely covert; despite the crowds on the street, hardly anyone noticed anything amiss.


    Zhao Sheng surmised that only those in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage or Foundation Establishment Cultivators with exceptional spiritual power could sense this spiritual fluctuation.


    "Which power is behind this trick? It''s quite a special way of selecting people," Zhao Sheng thought to himself while he subtly released his Divine Sense to connect with the spiritual wave.


    In an instant, the spiritual fluctuation automatically transformed into a piece of information that surfaced in his mind.


    "So that''s how it is!" Zhao Sheng suddenly understood, his lips curving into a slight smile.


    He looked around and, following the guidance of the fluctuation, walked a few hundred steps to a gap between two buildings.


    Zhao Sheng released a trace of Divine Sense, converting it to a special spiritual frequency. Then, his view blurred, and suddenly the ground beneath him opened up, followed by an invisible suction force.


    The next moment, his figure flickered and disappeared from the street.


    Thump!


    Zhao Sheng tumbled down through the passage.


    By the time he landed and steadied himself, he looked up to find that he had arrived at an underground square.


    The square, adorned with Sunlight Stones, was as bright as day.


    Currently, the vast square was occupied by only a few individuals, or demons.


    Each one dressed differently, there was a mysterious person in a hooded robe, a brawny man with a long braid wearing leather armor, an elderly scholar in robes and a cap, and even an Alien covered in black fur, with a protruding jaw, blood-red eyes, and a mouth full of sharp teeth, resembling a wolf demon.


    In the southwestern corner of the square stood a group of trembling young boys and girls.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng stepped into this place, the Alien roared, attracting everyone''s attention.


    With a ferocious smile revealing sharp fangs and exuding a foul breath, his gaze greedily fixed on the group of young boys and girls at the end of the square.


    "Hehe! I didn''t expect the lord of this place to be so considerate. Look at these tender young ones, soft and delicate. Just to my liking, seems like I''ll feast on flesh today," he said.


    Clearly, he was a flesh-eating demon.


    Upon hearing this, the young boys and girls immediately huddled together in terror, with a few even collapsing to the ground, wetting themselves in fear.


    What was strange, however, was that from beginning to end, they all remained silent and dared not run away. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, narrowed his eyes, ready to step in and intervene.


    Just then, the elderly scholar took a few steps forward, positioning himself right in front of the Alien.


    "Old man, if you don''t want to die, you''d best not meddle," the wolf-headed Alien said with a sinister threat, bristling with menace.


    The scholar furrowed his brow, his face showing deep conflict, silent as if he faced a great moral dilemma.


    "Even though I am morally depraved and notorious, in the end... Alas, as Confucius said: ''Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda.'' This matter... old companion, come out!" he exclaimed.


    Before his words finished, a shadow burst forth from the scholar''s body, growing rapidly in the air.


    When it landed, it had become a huge beast, crouching on the ground.


    Zhao Sheng looked intently and his pupils shrank slightly. The beast turned out to be a giant toad as big as an elephant, covered with pus-filled blisters and reeking of stench, its eyes as big as red lanterns, and its mouth holding a huge green bamboo scroll.

 Chapter 217 Joy Realm Joyful Realm_2

    "Ten Thousand Books, Poison Heart Toad! This man is the Bookworm Demon from Evil Immortal Island," Zhao Sheng''s mind flashed with a memory.Wasn''t this old demon supposed to have died decades ago? How is he still alive? Could it be that he had advanced to the Golden Core Realm?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as he recalled this, the wolf-headed alien race seemed to be greatly frightened, its fur bristling as it let out a howl and then scurried into a corner, daring not to make another sound.


    The Bookworm Demon coughed and was about to order an old partner to teach the wolf-headed alien race a profound lesson.


    However, at this moment, a dazzling red light suddenly burst out from the center of the square, and a majestic, colorful giant arched light gate slowly emerged within the light, with three big characters formed of top-grade spiritual stones prominently displayed above it:


    Joy Realm!


    The three words were blunt and direct; even the literarily-challenged alien demons instantly understood their meaning.


    The next moment, the light gate slowly opened, revealing several palatial, brilliantly lit buildings inside.


    Soon, a chorus of enchanting voices wafted from the palace closest to the crowd.


    The buildings, tier upon tier, with their red windows and light gauzes, cast moving shadows, as mesmerizing figures danced enticingly under the lights, their allure undeniable.


    Amidst the sound of strings and bamboo instruments, the inside was already filled with laughter and merry voices.


    At this, the long-braided strong man walked into the Joy Realm without a word, followed by the hooded, robed figure.


    Suddenly, the wolf-headed alien race shot out silently and dashed into the light gate.


    The Bookworm Demon coughed again, reached out to retrieve the Poison Heart Toad into his palm, and tucked it away. After glancing at Zhao Sheng, he also walked casually into the gate.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s figure flashed, and he disappeared into the light gate.


    As his figure vanished, the light gate slowly closed, leaving only the young men and women on the square, waiting for the next batch of "guests" to arrive.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng appeared in front of the palace, he was greeted by several dozen delicate and charming women.


    The mastermind behind the scenes seemed to thoroughly understand the desires of mankind, as the women greeting the guests each had their own unique traits.


    There were the aloof types, the seductively charming ones, those with generous bosoms and petite faces, those with long legs and voluptuous figures, among others... all were unique beauties among thousands.


    Upon seeing this sight, Zhao Sheng''s heart inevitably rippled slightly.


    Just then, a female fairy with perfect proportions and a cold demeanor gracefully approached.


    Her movements were enchanting, but her voice was unexpectedly sultry, stirring the deepest desires of the heart with her words.


    "Sir, it''s your first time to this Joy Realm, you must be in need of guidance," she said.


    "If you don''t mind, allow me to host you."


    In the midst of speaking, the beautiful woman directly hooked Zhao Sheng''s arm, her body felt like warm fragrant jade, soft and slippery, sparking endless fantasies.


    However, Zhao Sheng jerked his hand away, causing her to stagger a few steps back, while a look of disgust appeared on his face.


    By this point, how could he not understand that this so-called Joy Realm was a scheme created by the Shade Maiden Clan, possibly even involving hands from other major Demon Sects.


    The woman noticed something was off immediately.


    As a Shade Maiden, her greatest strength was reading people''s emotions, but at this moment, she could not detect even a hint of emotional fluctuation from him, as if he were a corpse or a phantom.


    However, the vigorous vitality flowing inside him was unmistakable, clearly indicating that he was not a practitioner of the Corpse Ghost Path.


    "Sir, is it possible that you do not fancy your servant?" she said, switching to a pitiful demeanor, her voice filled with mournful lamentation, already employing the seductive tone of the Shade Maidens.


    Such a minor seductive technique stood no chance of swaying Zhao Sheng''s mind.


    He stepped forward, intending to leave the building when a group of enchantresses suddenly surrounded him, each using seductive techniques, trying to draw him into the Desire Realm.


    Unfortunately, their skills were too shallow. Had they been Golden Core Realm Heavenly Girls, Zhao Sheng might have been interested in exchanging a few moves with them.


    Against a group of Qi Refining Realm Shade Maidens, he simply couldn''t be bothered.


    Zhao Sheng circulated his Mysterious Skill, waved his hand, and emitted an ever-expanding ring of light that pushed the numerous Shade Maidens far away.


    By the time he had walked far away, a group of stunning beauties burst out swearing,


    "Don''t know who that dead leftover is, with such an awful attitude."


    "Old woman curses you to be skinned and deboned in the future, your soul extracted and refined into a soul puppet, living a fate worse than death..."


    Zhao Sheng, of course, couldn''t hear the curses of the Charming Girls.


    Having passed through the Desire Realm, Zhao Sheng had a rough idea of what was inside each of the palaces he would encounter next.


    At this moment, he decided that he would not enter any more realms of desire.


    The so-called Palace Desire Realm was actually designed for those who came to this place.


    Indeed, Zhao Sheng then encountered the "Gambling Immortal Tower," "Spiritual Mountain Palace," "Wine Pond," and "Ten-thousand Ancient Pavilion" in the subsequent trials of "wealth, lust, gambling."


    After passing the trials of wealth, lust, and gambling, he also encountered the "Ideal Country," where one could indulge in wishful fantasies to their heart''s content.


    There was also the "Great Taoist Pavilion" that contained endless, profound, and abstruse knowledge of the Daoist way, complex and difficult to understand.


    And the most terrifying was the "Longevity Cave." The Longevity Cave listed over a dozen Longevity Techniques, each seemingly offering eternal youth, yet each was fraught with endless hidden dangers.


    Even so, it drove countless people mad with desire.


    The terrifying aspect of the Joy Realm lay in this.


    Therefore, although powerful Foundation Establishment Cultivators, mighty demons, and members of the Alien Race constantly entered the Joy Realm from the Ten Thousand Immortals Square,


    most of them, before reaching the actual meeting place, were lured away by these realms of desire.


    Walking step by step, very few true cultivators had, over this period, managed to maintain their original intentions.


    By the time Zhao Sheng passed through the Longevity Cave, only one remained by his side, and that was the Bookworm Demon.


    At this moment, standing in front of the two of them was an old monk dressed in a Buddha robe, his appearance ugly, with rough, slack, and elderly skin covered in age spots and long sweat hairs, and his body bent to the extreme, seeming as if he might fall to the ground at any moment.


    Yet his murky eyes seemed to possess the power to see into one''s heart.


    As Zhao Sheng locked eyes with him, he felt as if he had been seen through, which startled him greatly.


    Of course, he immediately collected his spirit and calmed himself like still water.


    The next moment, he heard the old monk''s wise, hoarse voice:


    "A Blood Cultivator and a Parasitic Species. I, Bujie, welcome you both to the Joyful Realm. The ceremony is about to begin."


    Zhao Sheng looked around, only to see the surrounding area misty, unable to see into the distance.


    "Master, is the information true? Does this place truly hold the Method of Liberation that I desire?" the Bookworm Demon immediately asked anxiously.


    "The Bodhisattva does not speak falsely, the donor himself knows," the old monk said with a smile.


    "Dare I ask the Master, I am seeking a Golden Elixir Recipe, does this place have one?"


    "The Bodhisattva''s divine skills are vast, of course, there is a Golden Elixir Recipe here."


    "Time is limited, please enter the realm!"


    No sooner had these words fallen than the mist suddenly sparkled with Buddha Light, and from the depths of the cloud mist drifted a great amount of sacred fragrance.


    Instantaneously, Buddha chants resonated in Zhao Sheng''s ears,


    approaching from afar, solemn and reverent.


    However, more astonishing was the sudden cleavage in the mist, revealing a procession that appeared, walking on air.


    In the procession, many dignified monks and nuns lined up on either side, carrying Buddha altars, aromatic burners, treasure umbrellas, scripture banners, and the incessant sound of wooden fish and bronze bells filled the air.


    At the deepest part of the mist, a giant lotus platform was being carried by eight giant bare-bodied monks. Reclining lazily upon it was a being bathed in Buddha Light, resembling a "Female Bodhisattva."


    As the sounds of Buddha drew near, the dazzling Buddha Light directly illuminated Zhao Sheng''s heart.


    The old monk involuntarily lifted his head, knelt down, and gazed up at the "Bodhisattva."


    Her features were majestic, as if she possessed the utmost beauty of this world.


    Her skin was whiter than snow, her eyebrows long and eyes well-shaped, her head adorned with a treasure crown, her hair styled in a high bun, draped in a large towel and long skirt, adorned with earrings, arm bracelets, bracelets, glorious and beautiful, with a Rainbow Garment and Jade Belt fluttering amidst the mist, inspiring awe and the desire to attend upon her at the Lotus Platform.


    For a moment, everyone seemed to forget how to speak.

 Chapter 218 Hongyuan Bodhisattva and the Blood Seas Li Wufeng

    "Amitabha... Amitabha... Amitabha..."The sacred sound of the Buddha''s name fluctuated high and low, its ceaseless echo drilling into the ears and penetrating the marrow. At first listen, the accompanying sacred music was solemn and austere, but after listening several times, it sent chills from the depths of the heart, feeling eerily demonic.


    At this moment, alarm bells rang endlessly in his mind, and the world before his eyes was filled with spreading and swirling dark Qi, with the source being none other than that "Bodhisattva" of solemn appearance.


    "What... what exactly is that thing!" Zhao Sheng groaned inwardly.


    Boom!


    A series of intense palpitations, indescribably ominous premonitions, made Zhao Sheng''s eyelids twitch uncontrollably and he subconsciously lowered his head to avoid being noticed by the other party.


    He felt as if he could sense that the approaching "Bodhisattva" was lazily straightening her body, a pair of eyes indifferent and strange,


    Her gaze had already swept over him and lingered for a long time.


    Just at this moment, the Bookworm Demon beside him suddenly shouted with a crazed expression, "Could it be that you are the Hongyuan Bodhisattva from the Great Snow Mountain?"


    "Amitabha!"


    Following a drawn-out and sorrowful chant, eerie and androgynous, the sacred music and chanting abruptly stopped.


    "Good sir, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?" the "Bodhisattva" on the lotus throne asked in a chanting voice, full of seduction.


    "Compassionate Bodhisattva! The Soul Refining Demon from Evil Immortal Island has taken away one of my souls and two of my spirits and refined them into the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, henceforth controlling my life and death. I seek liberation and beseech the Bodhisattva''s compassion to relieve my distress and resolve my difficulties." The Book-addicted Old Demon suddenly knelt down, pleading earnestly.


    "This wish can easily be resolved! However, once this mater is settled, you must convert to my Buddhism to repay the cause and effect of the great wish. Are you willing, good sir?"


    Upon hearing these words, the Bookworm Demon hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, with a fierce look on his face, nodded and said, "I am willing, please take action, Bodhisattva!"


    No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Sheng saw a speck of golden light shoot out from the Hongyuan Bodhisattva and flash into the old man''s forehead, after which a lotus flower-shaped golden imprint appeared on his brow. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Thank you for your compassion, Bodhisattva!" As soon as the lotus imprint appeared, the Book-addicted Old Demon''s face immediately showed a look of devout gratitude.


    However, Zhao Sheng saw a thick black Qi suddenly emerge from his body, connected to the source.


    At that moment, the indifferent and unfeeling gaze shifted back onto Zhao Sheng.


    "Good sir, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?"


    As soon as the voice entered his ears, it resounded through his mind like the ringing of a large bell.


    This voice seemed ordinary, but it carried an intensely strong urge to persuade and a mental suggestion, making one feel an instinctive submission and believe the speaker to be supremely powerful and capable of anything.


    "Not good!"


    The sound made Zhao Sheng''s spirit shake, and a tide rose in his Soul Sea. He inwardly cursed at the bad turn of events and instinctively activated his Talent, Absolute Rationality.


    In that instant, Zhao Sheng''s eyes lost all color and became extremely indifferent. His face was also expressionless, like that of the living dead.


    Huh!


    The Hongyuan Bodhisattva suddenly uttered a startled exclamation, a glint of surprise flashing in her eyes. An invisible yet immense pressure radiated from her, causing the surrounding monks and nuns to freeze, like clay statue puppets.


    Standing beside Zhao Sheng, the old monk Bujie suddenly stood up, trembling. In his murky eyes, the vague reflection of a three-headed white-furred strange bird could be seen.


    The middle head was that of a vulture, but the one on the left was a long-haired woman''s, and on the right was unmistakably the ugly face of the old monk Bujie.


    The next moment, his robe rustled, and white feathers abruptly broke through the skin on his face and hands, growing in disarray. His neck twisted and elongated, his eyes turning blood-red.


    Just as he was about to transform into a demon, a rugged and unrestrained voice suddenly came from the depths of the fog.


    The voice''s owner undoubtedly possessed terrifying cultivation. As soon as he spoke, it frightened the old monk Bujie so much that he quickly reverted back to human form and knelt down on the ground once again.


    "Hongyuan Bodhisattva, I heard you were born on the Great Snow Mountain and your original form was a corpse-eating vulture. Over a millennium, you devoured the remains of a hundred thousand monks and nuns. By refining the Corpse Qi and Buddha Power, you finally transformed into a human.


    Later, you were taken into the Sacred Heart Temple, endowed with the title of Bodhisattva and the Buddhist name ''Hongyuan''.


    I also heard that you made a grand vow, wishing to convert a hundred thousand Immortal and Strange Spirits to the Buddhist Sect, thereby resolving the resentment of the dead Buddha and ascending to the Pure Land.


    "But you are, after all, a beast of mixed fur. In front of me, you actually attempted to ''convert'' a junior of my sect. Could it be that you think you can disregard me just because this is your territory? Do you really want me to pluck out your beautiful skin and drain your blood before you''ll be satisfied?"


    With the sound of this voice, the fog that shrouded the heavens and earth dispersed, and Zhao Sheng thus stopped using his Talent, his spirit returning to normal, although his eyes were still filled with indifference, his face showing hardly any emotional fluctuation.


    Years of repeatedly invoking his talent, Absolute Rationality, have finally begun to show side effects. His emotions and desires had greatly diminished, and his rationality had far surpassed his sensory cognition.


    Looking around, he saw that this place was a small world, not very large, merely a dozen miles across, with a Cloud Sea at the edges misting and undulating. Most of the ground was paved with jade, and at its depths stood a majestically towering palace, as grand as the Heavenly Palace itself.


    Above it, there was a high platform adorned with sculpted railings and jade masonry, which was currently hosting a banquet. Exquisite heavenly delicacies were piled high, the fragrance of wine filled the air, and Sacred Sound played continuously.


    Most of the seats were empty, with only a few filled.


    But each guest seated there possessed an extraordinary aura, each with their own marvels, appearing as if each one''s strength was immeasurable.


    Zhao Sheng took one look and knew that the strength of the people present was likely not inferior to his own.


    After a brief scan, a tremor stirred within Zhao Sheng.


    He did not recognize anyone else at the banquet.


    However, there was one woman with skin as white as snow and a sanctified appearance whom Zhao Sheng had seen just once before.


    Not long ago, he had encountered the "Insect Woman" on the street.


    Zhao Sheng had seen with his own eyes the densely packed transparent threadworms on the woman''s body, along with the strange Gu that looked like a red cloud.


    A Golden Core Realm Gu Cultivator, someone hard to forget once seen.


    "This ''Hongyuan Bodhisattva'' is a transformed vulture. The one speaking is also likely a powerhouse from the Nascent Soul Realm. Along with a group of Demon Dao Golden Cores, I''m afraid this meeting isn''t just a simple high-level trade gathering."


    Zhao Sheng, who had discerned a bit of truth, was deep in thought.


    He discreetly lowered his head as much as possible to minimize his presence, and noticed out of the corner of his eye that the Bookworm Demon continued to kneel on the ground with a face full of devotion, secretly amazed at the proficiency of Hongyuan Bodhisattva''s methods.


    Shortly thereafter, he felt that something was amiss. Even though the powerful being on the Heavenly Palace platform had spoken, the Hongyuan Bodhisattva seemed as if she hadn''t heard at all.


    She straightened her body, her gaze fixed on Zhao Sheng, and her eyes began to show a hint of strange light.


    "Tsk tsk! Do you think I would be afraid of you, Li Wufeng?"


    "Besides, he is just a junior of the Sea Demon Clan who merely cultivated the ''Blood Soul Scripture.'' How did he become your Blood Soul Sect''s person?"


    "Li Wufeng, you''re not worried about yourself, but instead, you''ve started meddling in idle affairs. I''ve heard that the Blood God''s flesh is nearly rotten through. The next vessel, it should be your turn, right?"


    As the voice of Hongyuan Bodhisattva rang out, a crowd of Evil Demons covertly glanced towards the man sitting at the main seat of the banquet on the high platform.


    At a glance, he appeared to be a human Great Han, around forty years old, with a face like a red date, a pair of blood-red eyes, red hair and beard, and he was engulfed in a long blood-colored robe. Countless emotionless, pale faces of the dead emerged from time to time on the surface of the robe.


    His appearance, though not ugly, was clearly different from normal people. Not to mention the robe, so bizarre that it chilled one to the core, involuntarily making people avoid his gaze.


    Clearly, this man was Li Wufeng, one of the two Nascent Soul Ancestors of the Blood Demon Sect, known by the moniker "Blood Sea" Ancestor.

 Chapter 219 The Boss Hasnt Arrived, but the Treasure Meeting Starts First

    ```


    As if the Hongyuan Bodhisattva had hit the nail on the head, Li Wufeng''s face blazed with a surge of blood light, and behind him, a vision of a Blood Sea abruptly emerged, the stench of blood instantly permeating the high platform.


    It was at this moment that a voice that seemed both annoyed and amused suddenly rang out on the high platform:


    "It stinks to death! Brother Li, hurry up and withdraw your Divine Skill! Otherwise, this girl is really going to get angry."


    Everyone''s heart skipped a beat as they uniformly turned to look in the direction of the voice, only to see a face that could bewitch all beings entering their sight.


    She was breathtakingly gorgeous, reclining lazily in a Jade Chair, her beautiful face extraordinarily enchanting. Her peach blossom eyes held an untold number of amorous expressions, and the corners of her mouth gradually curled up into a smile captivating enough to seize one''s soul.


    The "Heavenly Girl" of the Shade Maiden Clan, Li Wanru, was also a Nascent Soul Realm old monster.


    "Alright! Take your seats quickly! It''s just a Foundation Establishment junior, no need to spoil everyone''s harmony. Let''s focus on the important matters at hand."


    The speaker was a skeleton over ten feet tall, its whole body crystal clear and gleaming with dazzling golden light, resembling a perfect piece of art.


    It sat beside the Heavenly Girl, with Blood Demon Sect''s Li Wufeng on its right-hand side.


    "Skeleton Ancestor of the Wanshi Sect!" Zhao Sheng''s heart leapt, and he quickly recalled a troublesome bigwig from the Shattered Star Sea.


    Zhao Sheng surreptitiously observed and noticed that on the main seat of the high platform, there were six Jade Chairs. Already seated were the bigwigs from the Blood Demon Sect, Shade Maiden Clan, and Wanshi Sect, along with the Hongyuan Bodhisattva, leaving two seats vacant.


    Needless to say, those who would sit there later would definitely be peers of equal stature.


    "What''s going on? It''s just a trade fair, yet it has drawn out so many big shots? Had I known it would be like this, even if the description was alluring, I would not have come here."


    Now it was too late to say such things. Zhao Sheng silently strategized, deciding to play it by ear for the time being.


    On the other side, the Hongyuan Bodhisattva withdrew her gaze and lightly waved her jade hand with a faint smile.


    In an instant, a group of monks and nuns, treasure parasols, cloud canopies, bell and qing music, as well as lotus throne, all suddenly dispersed into a cloud of mist, merging into the heaven and earth.


    In the next moment, the Hongyuan Bodhisattva had already taken a seat on the Jade Chair, half-reclining lazily just like the Heavenly Girl, revealing a pair of flawlessly perfect jade legs and feet.


    If it were not known that its original form was that of a thousand-year-old corpse-eating vulture, at least half of those present would have fallen under its skirt, irrespective of gender or demon.


    "Hehe! Little fellow, why aren''t you quickly taking a seat? What are you dawdling for?"


    At this time, the Heavenly Girl Li Wanru spoke up again.


    The voice that came from her red lips was a kind of bewitching ecstasy that could lead people to indulge in wild fantasies, indescribably charming.


    But upon hearing it, many of the Evil Demons changed color in shock.


    Zhao Sheng, the target of that voice, felt his blood surging and a nameless anger rising in his heart after hearing it.


    However, in the next instant, his eyes flashed, his expression became calm, and his body returned to normal.


    Shortly after, he found a secluded and less crowded spot to sit down, closed his eyes to rest, staying silent and unobtrusive, trying to minimize his presence.


    However, after what had just happened, he had already attracted many gazes.


    Only those who passed certain tests were allowed to sit down, and it seems you alone have disturbed several big shots.


    "A whelp from the Sea Demon Clan, ignoring many profound Magical Treasures of your own clan to study that troublesome ''Blood Soul Scripture.''


    Just wait until the right moment, and we''ll see how you die!"


    Some of the narrow-minded Evil Demons muttered to themselves in their minds.


    From a broader perspective, the enmity between the Sea Demon Clan and the Human Clan ran deep as the sea, making them utterly irreconcilable.


    But for the group of long-term old demons present, which of them hadn''t killed countless people and had their hands stained with the blood of their own kin? Talk of clan feuds was all nonsense to them; only matters of interest could drive them to move against a member of the Sea Demon Clan, who clearly was not easy to provoke.


    Moreover, Dragon Head Island was currently under the reign of the Sea Demon Clan. To lay hands on a member of the Sea Demon Clan here would be the act of a fool.


    ```


    Hmm, there really is a "fool" here.


    Across from Zhao Sheng, separated by thirteen or fourteen tables, Skeleton Boy occasionally lifted his eyelids, glancing over at Zhao Sheng with deep malice hidden in his eyes.


    The sensing talisman in his sleeve had become extremely hot ever since Zhao Sheng took his seat. Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    "The target actually appears here; it must be fate!" he thought intensely.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng, who seemed to be resting with his eyes closed, had already triggered his danger perception.


    Through the slits of his eyes, he suddenly saw clusters of red, yellow, white, and the most dangerous, black mist rising on the stage.


    Despite having prepared beforehand, Zhao Sheng was still startled by the sight before him.


    About twenty-something people were in attendance, with over half of them emanating black mist, eight red (five deep and three light tones), three yellow, and only five white.


    Red already signified extreme danger, capable of threatening his life, whereas black, the representation of death, was even more self-explanatory.


    Zhao Sheng considered himself to be among the top in the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    But... the fact that more than half of those present were stronger than him was somewhat beyond his expectations.


    Soon, a fiercely pulsating blood-red mist caught Zhao Sheng''s attention.


    His gaze shifted stealthily, and he noticed its owner was a gaunt young man dressed in the Hundred Skull Robe.


    Despite the other''s excellent disguise... his murderous intent was exposed.


    For a moment, Zhao Sheng silently heightened his vigilance.


    As time flowed, two more guests arrived on stage.


    After waiting for most of the day, no one else came.


    The banquet on the high stage had already cleared away the fine wine and dishes, and groups of stunning beauties danced amidst the music, their movements captivating and seductive.


    But at this time, the demon cultivators and the members of alien races had already grown impatient, and no dance, no matter how elegant, could catch their interest.


    If not for the presence of four Nascent Soul bigwigs to keep order, these old demons and monsters would have already flipped the tables.


    At this point, Li Wufeng couldn''t hold back his temper and bellowed, "Hongyuan, when will that old monk Sky Wolf come?"


    By his side, Heavenly Girl Li Wanru also chimed in, "Sky Wolf Arhat must have been delayed by important matters. Why do not we start the trade meet first?"


    "Hmm, this Ancestor agrees to this proposition!" Skeleton Ancestor''s jaw bone opened and closed, his voice eerily firm.


    Hongyuan Bodhisattva did not wish to offend three peers simultaneously, thus quickly nodded and said, "Since that''s the case, let''s follow everyone''s suggestion."


    "Heh heh! Come on then, bring out your treasures. If any catch my fancy, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!"


    Skeleton Ancestor, left with nothing but a skeletal frame as tough as Vajra, turned out to be the most exuberant among the four Nascent Soul old demons. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With its command, the atmosphere on the stage immediately livened up, and the demon cultivators of various races started to present the treasures they had prepared, placing them on the jade tables in front of them.


    Zhao Sheng looked around, and wherever his eyes landed, the tables were filled with treasures shining brightly; talisman treasures and top-grade Spiritual Artifacts were commonplace, and there were luminous Magical Treasures, third-tier and above Spirit Pills and Treasure Talismans, magical refining materials such as Qilin Iron, and even the inner cores and spiritual bones of Great Demons, along with other rare marvels.


    Whenever Spiritual Medicine and Strange Fruit appeared, they were no less than a thousand years old, and even a Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng as thick as a child''s arm had manifested a spiritual nature, with a chubby and tender baby''s silhouette faintly visible above the ginseng''s leaves.


    When Zhao Sheng''s gaze fell upon a certain table, his eyelids couldn''t help but twitch¡ªa set of three shining Golden Core Formation Pills were neatly placed in an open Jade Box.


    The owner of the Jade Box turned out to be that sacred and otherworldly Golden Core Gu Cultivator.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at that individual and then covertly checked the items in his Storage Bag, his heart stirring as he quietly took out the Enlightenment Pill Fragment and a pill bottle containing two Foundation Establishment Pills to place before him on the table.


    At the same time, he flipped his hand and revealed a stone box sealed with a Sealing Talisman, carved from a single piece of Pure Yin Spirit Stone, containing the strange nematode he had discovered in a Mist Sea Cave.

 Chapter 220 It Doesnt Taste the Same After the First Time

    The trading session had just begun when the gathering of Old Demon Evil Cultivators eagerly displayed numerous treasures.


    For a moment, every table was adorned with spirit light and vibrant colors, a display of rare treasures and waves of exotic fragrances.


    This sight greatly widened Zhao Sheng''s horizons and left his heart racing.


    Just then, the Skeleton Ancestor suddenly complained loudly, "Bah, you think you can fool the Ancestor with these broken trash today? A bunch of Evil Demons from the Outer Path trying to act like the Righteous Path in front of the Ancestor! Minions, stop hiding the collected bones, souls, and flesh and bring them out to show off a bit!"


    "Cackle!"


    "Hey, old man here has a Thousand Soul Banner, containing the souls of a thousand people. Whoever wants it just let me know!"


    "Hey, Ancestor, don''t rush! The good stuff obviously comes out later for trades. How about a Blossom of Rotten Bone Fire that''s ten thousand years old, Ancestor, do you want it?"


    "That''s right, it should have been shown earlier! True Immortal here has collected a jar of heart blood from ten thousand people. Any fellow Daoist interested?"


    "Five Spirit Root Children for sale, among them one with three spirit roots, currently on a deserted island. Any interested parties can trade with me, Hundred Bird Guest."


    ...


    With a single sentence from the Skeleton Ancestor, the attendees became excited, revealing their true monstrous and evil nature.


    A large amount of demon bones and spiritual bones were piled up high, jars of essence blood emitted beams of blood light, and numerous soul banners and ghost flags floated in the air, showing countless wailing human souls and thousands of demon souls.


    Corpse Control Bells, Soul Losing Bells, Hundred Charm Maps, Gu Nests, Meat Puppets... among other bizarre and sinister treasures were also displayed.


    Some were even cruder, pulling out pale stiff bodies of Cultivators and carcasses of demon beasts and tossing them beneath the tables to pile up like a butcher selling pork.


    The bodies of Cultivators were also a rare resource, especially for Corpse and Demon Cultivators skilled in manipulating corpses.


    In just a few breaths, the scene on the high platform had completely changed, as if something only seen in hell had emerged¡ªevil, savage, bloody, eerie, and chilling to the bone.


    Of course, a few Demon Cultivators also brought out various Spiritual Fires, spiritual water, spirit soil, and other Heaven and Earth spiritual objects.


    Zhao Sheng even saw a high-level Heavenly Earth spiritual object named Heavenly Heart Ice Marrow, which was as precious as any other Heaven and Earth True Water.


    Seeing the scenes of blood and evil before him, Zhao Sheng shook his head silently, "No wonder the Righteous Path forces have always fought against the Evil Demons from the Outer Path since ancient times. Having seen this today, they were indeed... right in doing so!"


    "Cackle!"


    Li Wufeng, who sat in the main seat, cackled with laughter, reached out his hand, and jars of essence blood whistled as they flew towards his table. Simultaneously, he threw handfuls of top-grade spirit stones, which landed precisely in the hands of each seller.


    The Skeleton Ancestor was not idle either. It opened its big mouth, and a dark vortex of suction forcefully formed inside.


    The next moment, a large amount of human and demon spiritual bones suddenly flew up into the air, forming a river of skeletons that grandly entered the Skeleton Ancestor''s mouth.


    After the last femur was swallowed by the vortex, the Skeleton Ancestor let out a satisfied belch, spewing out some bone debris.


    Simultaneously, the indestructible bone frame it possessed emitted an even more dazzling golden light.


    "Hehe, these few beads are a reward for you guys!"


    Saying so, the Skeleton Ancestor pulled out several fist-sized, pale smooth Bone Beads from its frame.throwing them in front of the tables of the Demon Cultivators who had brought the bones.


    Meanwhile, Heavenly Girl and Hongyuan Bodhisattva silently picked items that caught their eye.


    Despite having joined the Buddhist Sect, the Bodhisattva still had a special fondness for corpses, sweeping all those above the Foundation Establishment Realm from the high platform.


    The Heavenly Girl was clearly more selective.


    She showed no interest in bones, soul blood, or demonic treasures, but she was particularly focused on Heaven and Earth spiritual objects.


    She swept away the Heavenly Heart Ice Marrow among several other high-level Heavenly Earth spiritual objects in one go.


    A quarter hour later, after the four Nascent Soul experts had finished picking, the rest of the people below started to officially trade.


    Seeing others getting up to browse through the treasures, Zhao Sheng quietly joined in.


    The standard and rarity of the treasures at this event were among the rarest he had seen in his five lifetimes.


    Just a brief glance around filled Zhao Sheng with excitement, and he thought to himself that coming here was indeed the right decision.


    Watching item after item such as swords, flags, towers, and other Magical Treasures being placed on the tables, he touched the Storage Bag at his waist and couldn''t help but sigh at his own poverty.


    Any random Magical Treasure on the table could easily cost millions.


    Zhao Sheng, emptying his pockets, could at most afford one or two items.


    But he looked down on ordinary low-grade Magical Treasures.


    And Mid-grade or higher Magical Treasures, starting at several million spirit stones, were out of his reach.


    "Since Magical Treasures... hmm!" Just as Zhao Sheng was reflecting, he suddenly sensed something was off.


    It was just a bit too late, as there were already seven or eight figures around the table of the female Gu cultivator selling Golden Core Formation Pills.


    No explanation needed, they were obviously there for the Golden Core Formation Pills.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression shifted slightly, and without further delay, he rushed over as well.


    Approaching, he heard a low, hoarse female voice say, "Only trading for exotic Gu worms, Gu Scripture, Life Elixirs, or other treasures that can heal Divine Soul injuries. Or something that can truly captivate me."


    Zhao Sheng was delighted at the words, but he didn''t approach immediately; instead, he decided to first see how things would turn out.


    A quarter hour later, there were still two Golden Core Formation Pills on the table that hadn''t been traded away.


    The Golden Core Gu Cultivator had unexpectedly high standards, and most people before him had returned empty-handed, which worried Zhao Sheng.


    Next, it was his turn. Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward, pushing a spirit stone box containing a strange nematode in front of the Gu cultivator, and lifted the Sealing Talisman on the box.


    Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 220 Once Tasted, Its Tasteless the Second Time_2

    "Senior, this is an ancient exotic species I obtained from an ancient cave mansion. Can it be traded for a Golden Core Formation Pill?"


    Getting closer,


    Zhao Sheng clearly saw that the female cultivator''s smooth face was also covered with densely packed wormholes. Countless thin, transparent nematodes poked their heads out of the holes, constantly contracting and expanding, resembling living "body hairs," instinctively disgusting to behold.


    As soon as the stone box was opened, clusters of gray nematodes awakened from their stillness. Their slender limbs slowly began to wriggle, and their heads, resembling earthworms, slightly lifted, appearing like flesh sticks.


    The Gu Cultivator suddenly widened her eyes and exclaimed, "This is... the Original Ancestor Worm!"


    As she spoke, a massive number of transparent nematodes buzzing out from her face and hands, as if in reverence to something sacred.


    Countless tiny nematodes frantically flew out of her body, eagerly burrowing into the stone box to mingle with the gray nematodes.


    In a moment, large and small nematodes filled the stone box carved from Pure Yin Spirit Stone, writhing and mating excitedly like clusters of snake balls.


    Bang!


    The female Gu Cultivator quickly closed the box, flicked her finger, and a Golden Core Formation Pill flew up into the air, landing in Zhao Sheng''s hand.


    "Exchanged!"


    Zhao Sheng flipped his hand, and the Golden Core Formation Pill disappeared.


    Then, he frowned slightly and tentatively said, "Senior, just one pill... is not enough!"


    "How dare you, don''t be greedy!"


    With this cold rebuke, a burst of red mist suddenly appeared in front of Zhao Sheng, and a strange fragrance instantly filled his nostrils.


    Zhao Sheng''s pupils contracted, and he hastily retreated a dozen feet, still with lingering fears as he stared at the buzzing red mist.


    "Senior, you dare to make a move here!"


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng spoken than four incredibly powerful Divine Thoughts enveloped him. The Golden Core Gu Cultivator''s face turned red, and fear was evident in her eyes.


    She quickly stood up, bowed deeply and knelt to the four Nascent Soul grandmasters seated at the head.


    Only then did the four Nascent Soul Divine Thoughts withdraw.


    The female Gu Cultivator turned around, her complexion ashen as she coldly said to Zhao Sheng, "Your Gu Worm is only worth one Golden Core Formation Pill!"


    Seeing that he couldn''t get a better deal, Zhao Sheng bowed and turned to leave.


    After that, Zhao Sheng walked to a table and saw a group of bluish water droplets in a golden bowl on the table.


    Although only the size of a ginkgo nut, it made Zhao Sheng secretly delighted.


    Trouble gone through for nothing, easily found!


    "Primordial Heavy Water, long time no see! I''ve missed you!" Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire


    Zhao Sheng walked up and asked, "How can this glob of Primordial Heavy Water be traded?"


    The person behind the table also wore a hooded robe and a faceless mask, clearly unwilling to reveal their identity.


    "Free Spirit Stones, Magical Treasures, and talismans; anything that matches the value not less than a hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Priority given to equally valued spiritual items."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng didn''t hesitate, immediately took out a spirit stone bag, and handed over a thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones to the other party.


    "I have ten million pounds of Kui Water as well. Do you want it? If you can buy it all, I''ll sell it to you cheaply."


    Zhao Sheng decisively said, "Yes! No matter how much Kui Water you have, I''ll take it all."


    "Good deal! How about one Spirit Stone per pound of Kui Water?"


    "Okay!" Zhao Sheng immediately agreed.


    A pound of Kui Water was worth more than this, the offer clearly showed the seller didn''t know the market price, or perhaps it was a no-cost trade for them.


    "Hehe! I wonder who the unfortunate soul was that was robbed of this. It''s my gain now!" he thought to himself.


    Kui Water is extracted from seawater, slightly spiritual pure water.


    Naturally occurring Kui Water is often found in deep-sea trenches and canyons thousands of fathoms deep.


    It is typically used to irrigate thousand-year-old spiritual medicines, to water-breed elixirs, and temper spiritual artifacts and treasures.


    For Zhao Sheng, Kui Water was an essential spirit material for refining the Sea Suppressing Pearl.


    The more Kui Water that is integrated, the greater the power of the Sea Suppressing Pearl.


    And let''s not forget, Primordial Heavy Water is also known as Kui Water Essence.


    A large amount of Kui Water, specially processed, is likely to yield Primordial Heavy Water.


    Therefore, his demand for Kui Water was limitless, with no upper limit.


    After the trade, Zhao Sheng turned and left without hesitation.


    In the next hour, he only made two transactions: first, he exchanged a Foundation Establishment Pill and sixty thousand Spirit Stones for a top-grade Spiritual Flying Sword, the Chongtao Sword, and finally another Defense Talisman Treasure.


    After these trades, his Storage Bag shriveled up, and he could only drool over the myriad treasures.


    Sitting back at his own spot, Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and took out some Illusion Shadow Escape Talismans, Water Mine Talismans, and other Second-level talismans, along with Bone Marrow Spirit Pills, Soul Condensing Pills, and Second Transition Jade Dew Pills, and placed them on the table.


    Opportunities are rare!


    Though these talisman and spirit pills couldn''t compare to other treasures, they were still practical.


    Surprisingly, the items he set out were quite popular.


    Before long, three different people came by to purchase a batch of talisman and pills.


    At that moment, Skeleton Boy stumbled over to Zhao Sheng''s table and asked in a deep voice, "Young Master would like to buy a few bottles of Bone Marrow Spirit Pills, how much for one bottle?" S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "One bottle, ten pills, a total of three hundred Spirit Stones!" Zhao Sheng said coolly, while secretly heightening his vigilance.


    From the start, this individual bore ill intentions toward him, his gaze occasionally betraying a deep murderous intent.


    "Quite expensive, just one bottle then!"


    Saying this, Skeleton Boy threw down a small bag of Mid-grade Spirit Stones, picked up a bottle of Bone Marrow Spirit Pills, and turned to leave the place.


    Zhao Sheng watched his retreating figure, then looked down at the spirit stone bag on the table, his eyes thoughtful.


    ...


    An hour later, the trade meeting gradually drew to a close.

 Chapter 220 Once Tasted, Its Tasteless the Second Time_3

    Zhao Sheng had tens of thousands of Spirit Stones in his hand, and was just thinking about spending some.


    Suddenly, there were exclamations from the high platform.


    Zhao Sheng was startled and hurriedly looked around.


    He saw that, unbeknownst to him, on the two empty Jade Chairs at the main seat, there now sat a thin yellow-robed old monk and a divinely handsome white wolf.


    The white wolf was as big as a horse, its whole body''s fur shimmering with a silvery-white glow, those wolf eyes filled with human intelligence stared at the crowd below, a drooling expression on its wolf face.


    The yellow-robed old monk appeared like an ordinary mortal, his face brimming with a smile as he looked at everybody.


    "Sky Wolf King!"


    "Sky Wolf Arhat!"


    Seeing the commotion below, Li Wufeng couldn''t help but snort coldly. His extremely powerful Divine Thought swept out, immediately silencing the crowd.


    At this time, the Skeleton Ancestor spoke dissatisfiedly, "Old monk, you''re late!" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Not late, not late, this old monk has come back just in time," said the yellow-robed old monk with a smile,


    He then changed the subject and added, "Oh right, Daoist Ling Yuan and Daoist Ming Wu from the Sea Demon Clan have returned as well!"


    These words immediately caused a stir of unrest, with everyone looking serious, anxious, excited, nervous, and more.


    "Is what the elder brother said true? Could it be¡­ the Star God Palace and the Four Great Ancient Clans have reached a compromise?" Hongyuan Bodhisattva asked eagerly.


    As she spoke, a golden Sanskrit light appeared behind her, with the sound of Buddhist chanting emanating from deep within the golden light.


    The Heavenly Girl, the Skeleton Ancestor, and several other Nascent Souls looked toward the Sky Wolf Ancestor with great concern.


    The old monk had just nodded when the Sky Wolf King interjected, "Heh heh! With this Wolf King''s help, the sea beast army broke through three blockade lines within a month, and now the vanguard is pressing close to the Star Algae Sea. We also threatened them with destroying the islands'' Spirit Veins. They had no choice but to compromise."


    "Wolf King, how many people can be brought in this time?" Li Wufeng asked, his face flushed with a red glow, and in a serious tone.


    "This... well!" The Sky Wolf King was at a loss for words, then turned his head and growled at the yellow-robed old monk dissatisfiedly, "Hey, old immortal, they''re asking you a question!"


    Sky Wolf Arhat replied with a bow, "Amitabha! The three great Sea Clans have a total of three hundred places, and we have eighty."


    "This...is way too few!" The Skeleton Ancestor was extremely dissatisfied.


    Every time the Star God awakens, they select at most a hundred or so "most interesting" beings to communicate with.


    However, the number of cultivators who can enter the Star Algae Sea is far beyond ten thousand.


    The hundred-mile sea region centered on Star God Island is the area where the Star God Consciousness awakens most frequently.


    Therefore, whenever the Star God awakens, this hundred-mile sea region will be strictly blockaded, and only those permitted by the Star God Palace can enter.


    The number of people mentioned by Sky Wolf Arhat was the quota to enter the hundred-mile sea region.


    Of course, the cultivators who enter this sea region are not necessarily chosen by the Star God; it only means the probability is several times higher than in other areas of the Star Algae Sea.


    In addition, the beings chosen by the Star God are not limited to the Human Clan, as exceedingly spiritually aware and conscious beings like the Demon Clan and Ghost Cultivators may occasionally be selected.


    As for what the standard of "most interesting" is,


    After nearly ten thousand years of exploration, it can be roughly summarized in one sentence: it depends on whether you can arouse the interest of the Star God.


    Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire


    Perhaps a certain trait, a particular experience, or a certain thought you possess could attract the Star God and allow you to communicate with the Divine.


    What''s most surprising is that a person has only one opportunity to communicate with the Star God in their lifetime.


    In nearly ten thousand years, there have been no exceptions.


    Whether you become a Divinity Transformation True Monarch or a once-in-an-epoch genius, you won''t attract the Star God''s attention again.


    Someone once asked the Star God this question face-to-face but received only a vague reply: "Once you''ve eaten something, it doesn''t taste the same the second time."


    After this remark was made public, countless prodigies were left looking at each other, at a loss for words.

 Chapter 221 Ling Yuan Ancestor Summons

    "Mr. Skull, please hear my explanation..."


    Before the old monk could finish, the Skeleton Ancestor waved his hand disinterestedly,


    "Forget it! I''m too lazy to ask. I must have twenty spots."


    No sooner had he finished speaking than a surge of scarlet light erupted nearby. Li Wufeng barked, "Skeleton fiend, you''re awfully bold. One must not be too greedy!"


    "Heh, today I''m like this, who would believe I''m a person? That kind of talk is fine for the Heavenly Girl and the old monk. But you, a spare for the Blood God who can''t even reincarnate, what kind of person are you?"


    As the saying goes, don''t bring up one''s faults when insulting them!


    The words of Skeleton Ancestor poked right at the most taboo part of Blood Sea Demon''s heart.


    "You... hmph!"


    Li Wufeng''s expression darkened, and the void behind him suddenly revealed a vast, sticky, and fetid sea of blood. Countless heads slowly emerged from the blood, like blood-red tumors growing on a carpet of flesh.


    Nascent Soul Domain!


    This was a Daoist Divine Power that Nascent Soul Realm cultivators necessarily possessed, already touching upon the Taoist Law.


    At this moment, with tensions high, the Skeleton Ancestor appeared languidly seated on the Jade Chair yet his entire Vajra Skeleton emitted a dazzling golden light, resembling a Golden Light God.


    Just then, the Heavenly Girl of the Shade Maiden Clan waved her jade hand, dispersing a wave of pink radiance like a curtain of light, perfectly positioned between the two men.


    "Neither of you brothers should be angered, let peace be of value. You are both over two thousand years old. Starting a conflict in front of the juniors today, wouldn''t it undermine the dignity of a Nascent Soul Ancestor?" The Heavenly Girl''s voice was tender and gentle, but unknowingly she employed a charm technique.


    "Both Taoist brothers, please heed this old monk''s words!" The Sky Wolf Arhat took this opportunity to interject.


    At this moment, the crowd of evil demons down below were terrified, trembling in fear, wary of being affected by a battle of Nascent Soul level.


    This is no joking matter.


    If one had not experienced it personally, it would be hard for outsiders to imagine the terror of a Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    It can be said that if one inadvertently got caught in a Nascent Soul Domain, even just the residuals of the mana could be unbearable for Golden Core Masters, let alone those with Foundation Establishment Cultivation.


    Fortunately, the other four peers of the same rank were present, so Skeleton Ancestor and Blood Sea Demon restrained themselves from starting a fight.


    At that moment, the Sky Wolf Arhat waved his hand, raising a dark golden Magic Barrier in the center of the high platform, isolating sound, sight, and Divine Sense probing.


    The onlookers below, seeing this, exchanged looks, greatly disappointed.


    Two quarters of an hour later, the dark golden Barrier suddenly shattered, revealing the figures of six Nascent Soul heavyweights.


    Unexpectedly, Skeleton Ancestor was the first to speak, "The Ancestor has ten Core Circle spots. If you can join the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect, one spot will surely be for you. If you catch the eye of this old Ancestor, entering my discipline as a registered disciple is also possible."


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Skeleton Boy rushed forward to bow, respectfully calling out, "Junior Skeleton Boy pays respect to Skeleton Ancestor. Junior follows the Path of the Skeleton and has reached Foundation Establishment Perfection. Junior wishes to join the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect. Please, Ancestor, accept me."


    "Very good! I have heard of you before, also a fellow of my Skull God Path, among the most prominent juniors in recent decades. Are you willing to enter my discipleship?"


    "Willing, willing! Disciple Skeleton Boy greets the Master, wishing the Master eternal life and ascension!"


    "Good, good! What a sweet-talking little rascal, the old Ancestor is very pleased. This item is your reward."


    With that, the Skeleton Ancestor spat out a stream of golden light. The golden light fell into Skeleton Boy''s hand, instantly transforming into a dark golden skull the size of a palm.


    Skeleton Boy''s face was filled with ecstatic delight as he quickly hid the skull, bowing repeatedly to thank the Master.


    Good heavens! The Skeleton Ancestor, delighted, had rewarded a Nascent Soul skull.


    If integrated into his body, Skeleton Boy would certainly make significant advancements in his Daoist practice, with ascension to Golden Core no longer being far-fetched.


    It must be said that Skeleton Boy''s flattery was excellent, delighting the Skeleton Ancestor to the point of giving away a heavy treasure.


    It is known that a Nascent Soul''s maximum Life Span is three thousand years, and only by ascending to the Divinity Transformation Realm can one greatly extend their Life Span, living past six thousand years.


    If proficient in life-preserving techniques, like the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs of the Skull Cultivator lineage, living over ten thousand years is not impossible.


    This had once been vividly demonstrated in the Tianzhu Realm.


    The founding Ancestor of the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect, Heavenly Corpse Divine Monarch, managed to extend his life beyond ten thousand years using nine Fake Bodies, ultimately succeeding in ascending to the Spirit Realm.


    No wonder Skeleton Boy''s flattery was well-received! Implicitly, he had compared Skeleton Ancestor to Heavenly Corpse Divine Monarch.


    And since Heavenly Corpse Divine Monarch is considered a "God" in the eyes of all disciples in the history of the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect, it was clear why Skeleton Ancestor was so happy.


    Seeing someone benefit, the crowd of demons were already heartstruck.


    Just then, the other four Nascent Souls also began to offer their deals. Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire


    "Those who join the Shade Maiden Clan can get one spot. Additionally, they will receive a peer cultivator to cultivate the ''Yin Yang Ascension Technique'' together, first come first serve, limited spots." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Join the Blood Demon Sect, and I guarantee your ascension to Golden Core. For those at the Golden Core Realm, upon joining you''ll get a Blood God Pill. Guaranteed Survival past a thousand years. Oh, and there are spots too."


    The drawbacks of the "Blood Soul Scripture" are widely known in the Shattered Star Sea. To entice these elite Loose Cultivators to join, Li Wufeng had to promise hefty rewards.


    Hongyuan Bodhisattva and Sky Wolf Arhat both belong to Ancient Buddhism, Great Snow Mountain Sacred Heart Temple.


    Compared to the Shade Maiden Clan and the Blood Demon Sect, two major local demon sects, the Sacred Heart Temple inevitably falls short in appeal.


    Moreover, everyone present had passed a test by Hongyuan Bodhisattva to gain entry. Each and every one of them had an immensely firm Daoist heart, making it incredibly difficult to convert them to Buddhism.

 Chapter 221 Ling Yuan Ancestor Summons_2

    Those with penetrating minds would have already seen through the true nature of this grand ceremony by now.


    The final test was clearly orchestrated by the three major Demon Sects, specifically for Ancient Buddhism.


    The losers were considered "spoils of war" belonging to Ancient Buddhism.


    And these "winners" were the most elite individuals among Loose Cultivators in the past century.


    This day''s grand ceremony could be flattering described as a "talent recruitment fair,"


    or less flatteringly as "picking the fruit," a centennial "harvest" of talented Loose Cultivators.


    Why would the forces of the Demon Path covertly collude with the three great overlords of the distant oceans?


    Why did the Spirit Clan repeatedly incite monster tides and repeatedly succeed?


    Why did the numerous sects of the Demon Path dare to hold a workshop "openly and legitimately" on Dragon Head Island, and even conduct a ceremony?


    In the centennial catastrophe of the Human Clan that led to a "reshuffling of the deck," who benefited the most?


    The forces of the Demon Path? The Sea Demon side? Or the forces of the Righteous Path led by the Star God Palace and the Four Great Ancient Clans?


    With the world as the chessboard and all beings as the chess pieces, who is the person behind the scenes controlling the game?


    There are too many and too profound schemes involved here.


    Unless one were truly a Nascent Soul Ancestor standing at the pinnacle of the Cultivation World, it would be difficult to see the "truth" of the world.


    Of course, by this time, Zhao Sheng had already vaguely sensed this cruel reality.


    However, his realm in this life was too low. As one of the chess pieces among all beings, he could only drift along with the current, possessing no strength to turn the tide.


    Everyone sitting here was considered to be the top among Loose Cultivators, each with an extremely high opinion of themselves, their aspirations as lofty as the sky itself.


    But in front of Nascent Soul Ancestors, these people could not afford to be arrogant. Even the most proud and talented Loose Cultivator could not guarantee their future ascension to the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Thus, when a few Nascent Soul Ancestors had spoken, the majority of demons and practitioners of the Outer Path present had pledged allegiance to one of the three major Demon Sects.


    The reason for this was that a spot in the Core Circle was a significant factor.


    Why was this spot so important?


    There is an "open secret" in the Cultivation World that five or six out of ten Nascent Soul Ancestors have met the Star God. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In other words, more than half of the Nascent Soul Ancestors in the Tianzhu Realm advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm after meeting the Star God.


    "Meet the Star God, achieve the Nascent Soul!"


    This saying was widely circulated among the Golden Core realm, and although the Nascent Soul Ancestors have never publicly admitted it, the key point is they have not denied it either.


    This undoubtedly indirectly confirmed the statement above.


    Therefore, any Cultivator with ambition would never give up the opportunity to meet the Star God.


    An hour later, on the high platform, only four people remained seated without bowing their heads.


    Zhao Sheng was one of them. It was beyond his control¡ªthe Spirit Clan would not allow him to join the Demon Path, and neither the three major Demon Sects nor the Sacred Heart Temple would accept a member of the Sea Demon Clan.


    This wasn''t only clear to him but also to the six Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    Therefore, he hadn''t even tried from the beginning.


    Compared to him, the other three appeared quite "independent and distinct."


    Zhao Sheng looked around and noticed that one of these three was the female Gu Cultivator who possessed both purity and enchantment.


    The other two were natives of the Shattered Star Sea from Alien Races¡ªone had fine scales on his cheeks and a white membrane covering his eyes, resembling blindsight, from the Fishman Clan.


    The last one was drenched, with an extremely pale complexion, and his skin occasionally exuded pale green Water Drops, looking like a Water Ghost who had drowned. This person was the Clan Leader of the famous Alien Race known as the Water Ghosts from the Shattered Star Sea, at the Golden Core Middle Stage.


    The two Alien Races were one thing, but the Nascent Soul Ancestors didn''t take much notice of them anyway.


    But the Golden Core realm female Gu Cultivator was quite rare.


    The Heavenly Girl Li Wanru showed the most interest in her and was the first to extend the olive branch.


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    Unexpectedly, the female Gu Cultivator shook her head slightly and then transmitted a few words to Li Wanru using Divine Sense.


    After listening, Li Wanru sat up straight and stopped mentioning the matter of recruitment altogether.


    Seeing this, the other Ancestors also tactfully stayed silent.


    ¡­


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng''s figure reappeared on the streets of Ten Thousand Immortals Square.


    The ceremony was over, but the Joy Realm had not closed. Many Foundation Establishment and Golden Core realm Evil Demons were still "living the dream" inside.


    Their fates would not be good, with the lightest outcome being to exhaust their family fortunes and get thrown out of Joy Realm, while in the worst case, they would lose their lives at the hands of others.


    The exploitation and brutality among the Evil Demons could be seen from this.


    As soon as Fang Yi appeared in the workshop, a white light suddenly descended from the sky, turning into a thin ice crystal atop Zhao Sheng''s head with precision.


    He plucked the ice crystal off, and a cold voice immediately flooded his mind: "Return to the Spirit Palace immediately¡ªAncestor summons you!"


    "The Ling Yuan Ancestor?" Zhao Sheng crushed the ice crystal in his hand, murmuring to himself.


    Soon, passing through an invisible Barrier, Zhao Sheng landed on the square in front of the Spirit Palace''s grand hall.


    At the entrance to the palace, Zhang Da and Zhang Er, two Late Stage Cultivators from the Sea Giant Clan, brightened as they saw him arrive.


    With a flash,


    Two gigantic figures suddenly flanked Zhao Sheng from the left and the right.


    "The Great Elder wants to see you. Follow us to meet him at once," they said.


    Before Zhao Sheng could reply, he felt the ground vanish beneath him¡ªa tremendous force had lifted him into the air.


    In the blink of an eye, they had arrived at the entrance to the grand hall of the Spirit Palace.


    Zhao Sheng followed the two lieutenants of the Spirit Palace into the grand hall and looked up, only to be startled.


    Atop the hall, there were three Dragon Head armchairs placed prominently below the central seat of honor.


    In the middle, an elder of ordinary appearance in a green robe sat casually.


    Even a fool could tell that this person, sitting in that position, was none other than the Spirit Clan''s Great Elder, the Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, the Ling Yuan Ancestor.

 Chapter 221 Ling Yuan Ancestor Summons_3

    Sitting beside Lingyuan Ancestor were two figures who must also be Nascent Soul Realm experts.


    On the left armchair sat not a person, but a gray fog-shaped vortex the size of a human head. At the center of the vortex, a point of darkness contracted, deep and void-like, as if even light could not escape being devoured.


    Seeing this astonishing phenomenon, Zhao Sheng was horrified, for this was undoubtedly Ancestor Ming Wu.


    The last of the Spirit Clan powerhouses was an individual whose handsome appearance bordered on perfection, as if all the words of praise for a man''s looks could be heaped upon him.


    Wait!


    Perhaps words of praise for a woman''s beauty could apply as well.


    This powerhouse''s appearance, physique, and temperament were all too "androgynous,"


    to say he was a peerlessly beautiful young master worthy of the adoration showered on jade-like gentlemen would not be an overstatement.


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    Or one could say she possessed a peerless beauty that could "drown fish and entrap geese, make the moon hide in shame and the flowers blush."


    With every gesture and movement, this true powerhouse''s demeanor and temperament seamlessly shifted, as if even their gender changed along with it.


    Zhao Sheng dared not look any longer, slightly bowing his head, knowing already the identity of this person.


    This must be the Third Elder of the Spirit Clan, known as the "Shadow of the Great Sacrificial Leader," the Lingxu Ancestor.


    Of course, he always preferred to be called Mr. Ling Xu.


    Beneath the three Nascent Soul Realm Spirit Clan members sat a dozen or so high-ranking clan members in two rows, each emanating an extraordinary presence, their cultivation formidable.


    At the forefront of each row sat Ice River King and Star Cloud King, both at the Perfect Golden Core stage.


    By this time, Zhao Sheng could still sense the deep murderous intent Star Cloud King harbored towards him.


    He was somewhat baffled, having no past acquaintance with the man, nor any grudges. He wondered what could make a Clan King hate him to the bone and wish to kill him in delight.


    After much thought, no matter the reason, it always seemed to boil down to "interests," perhaps his existence inadvertently blocked someone else''s path.


    Though his mind was filled with miscellaneous thoughts, Zhao Sheng would not make a mistake in the proper courtesies.


    After saluting and paying respects to each of the ancestors, as soon as Zhao Sheng stood upright, Star Cloud King burst out in rage,


    "Insolence! To be so casual in the presence of your elders. You clearly have no respect for us!"


    Zhao Sheng was startled by these words, not expecting the other party to pick a quarrel so eagerly.


    "No matter!"


    Just then, the Lingyuan Ancestor seated at the head spoke up, diffusing the tension of the moment.


    Lingyuan Ancestor looked at Zhao Sheng with increasing fondness.


    Even though the Spirit Clan had maintained the purity of their bloodline through intermarriage within the clan for twenty thousand years, the inevitable degradation had occurred over generations, and the rate of birth defects had significantly increased.


    Now, out of the blue, a "wild" clansmember had returned to the clan, and more importantly, his blood purity was extremely high, comparable to that of the Second Generation Spirit Clan.


    The so-called Second Generation Spirit Clan referred to those with at least one Pure Blood Spirit Clan parent.


    Of course, the parents of Zhao Sheng''s body could not be from the Pure Blood Spirit Clan.


    His condition was known in the Cultivation World as "ancestral bloodline reversion," a remarkably rare occurrence.


    In recent ten thousand years, there had been only a handful of such cases within the Spirit Clan, with the most famous being Lingyuan Ancestor himself. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Otherwise, how could Lingyuan Ancestor, an individual of average appearance, have reached such heights?


    Therefore, Lingyuan Ancestor regarded Zhao Sheng with an exceptionally favorable eye.


    Zhao Sheng also sensed the benevolence from the other party.


    The questioning that followed confirmed this impression.


    During the conversation that followed, akin to a play between Lingyuan Ancestor and Zhao Sheng, not a single person from the Spirit Clan interjected.


    It was as if witnessing a dialogue between an elder and a younger generation member.


    When asked about his parents, Zhao Sheng replied that they were both deceased.


    Faced with such a vague answer, Lingyuan Ancestor did not press further.


    As for his experiences over the years, Zhao Sheng gave evasive and cursory responses.


    What baffled him the most was that despite his apparent resistance to the Spirit Clan,


    the other party still seemed completely unfazed.


    It wasn''t until after he left the Spirit Palace that Zhao Sheng began to vaguely grasp a bit of Lingyuan Ancestor''s thoughts.


    In contrast to the "enlightened" Great Elder of the Spirit Clan, the other high-ranking clansmembers were very angry.


    Angry that Zhao Sheng was clearly being unappreciative and clueless.

 Chapter 222 Setting Off

    After Zhao Sheng had retreated, Ancestor Ming Wu also abruptly disappeared as if he had appeared just to see the new junior.


    At that moment, Lingxu Ancestor turned his head and nodded slightly to the Great Elder Ling Yuan beside him, then his body suddenly became blurry, vanished in a flash, leaving behind only an empty Jade Chair.


    Seeing this, Ling Yuan Ancestor couldn''t help but smile slightly, knowing that the two had tacitly agreed on the matter. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, many of the Spirit Clan''s upper echelons did not understand the Ancestors'' actions.


    At this time, the atmosphere in the Spirit Palace''s grand hall was tense and oppressive.


    After a moment of silence, someone finally couldn''t restrain themselves.


    Star Cloud King slapped the back of his chair forcefully, and suddenly a burst of starlight appeared behind him.


    He complained, "Ancestor, why do you favor such a bastard? Don''t you see that this person has a rebellious streak, and will surely become a scourge in the future?"


    Hmph!


    Sitting opposite, Ice King coldly retorted, "Scourge? I see you as the scourge, specifically to the promising young ones of our clan."


    "Ice King, don''t spew nonsense! When have I ever harmed any clan member?" Star Cloud King roared furiously.


    At this moment, Ling Yuan Ancestor raised his hand, and a powerful, abyss-like aura suddenly spread out, subduing the two Perfect Golden Cores.


    "Star Cloud, I ask you, how old are you this year?"


    Hearing the Ancestor''s question, Star Cloud King hastened to answer respectfully, "Ancestor, Star Cloud has been through five hundred thirty-seven springs and autumns till now."


    Ling Yuan Ancestor nodded thoughtfully after hearing this and asked, "Hmm, already over five hundred years. How many children do you have now?"


    Star Cloud King felt a chill in his heart and braced himself to answer, "Forgive me, Ancestor, Star Cloud was buried in bitter cultivation in the early years and has no offspring to this day!"


    "Well, I''ll ask you again, how many in our clan are of the direct line, how many are of mixed lineage, and how many outsiders are there?"


    "Reporting to Ancestor, our clan... our clan''s direct line numbers one hundred eighty-two, mixed lineage over ten thousand, and outsiders three hundred forty thousand," Star Cloud King said, his forehead sweating coldly, yet he dared not wipe it.


    By now, the grand hall was covered with Ling Yuan Ancestor''s powerful aura, and apart from Ming Wu and Lingxu Ancestor, everyone else looked solemn.


    After Star Cloud King had answered the Ancestor, he then awaited the Ancestor''s reprimand.


    However, Ling Yuan Ancestor fell silent and did not speak for a long time.


    This made the atmosphere in the hall even heavier.


    At that moment, Star Cloud King privately sensed gazes from both sides, filled with emotions such as sympathy, derision, schadenfreude, and sighs.


    After a moment of silence, Ling Yuan Ancestor slowly withdrew his aura and suddenly sighed, "The difficulty of having descendants! After ten thousand years of propagation, adding up all our people, we are still less than two hundred thousand. How unjust the heavens are to our Spirit Clan!"


    With these words, an immediate empathy resonated among the crowd, revealing expressions of grief, anger, and resentment.


    Then, with his gaze sharp, Ling Yuan Ancestor looked down at the juniors below and said solemnly, "When have I ever been unaware that the young one is reluctant to join our clan? You always feel indignant about this, thinking he does not appreciate the opportunity. But I see it differently. His attachment to his Human Clan identity is indeed a most excellent quality!


    If it were someone else, what choice do you think they would make?"


    Heavenly River King suddenly realized and rushed to say, "What else to say! They would be eager to join our clan. Even a fool knows that after returning to the Spirit Clan, one''s prospects would be unlimited. With his status as a Second Generation Spirit Clan, not to mention achieving a Golden Core, even advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm is very likely."


    "Exactly as the Ancestor said. That young one is extraordinary! Rarely does one find someone who can resist this kind of meteoric rise. Such a resolute will implies that the firmness of his Taoist heart is not inferior. Very good, indeed!"


    "But... what if the young one still does not wish to return to our clan? What then?"


    "Are you foolish! What does it matter if he is reluctant now? Just wait till we send him back to the Spiritual Abyss, give it a few hundred years, and see what he chooses then."


    Below Ice King sat a tall, majestic middle-aged man with silver hair and a jade face whose eyes lit up, exclaiming with surprise, "Right! It would be best if he fathered a group of children. With the young one''s bloodline purity, the offspring would undoubtedly be exceptionally talented. I have a daughter, Wang Zhenyin, whose bloodline purity has reached the Fourth Generation Spirit Clan standard, perfect to match with him.


    Ancestor, I have an audacious request. Why not let you decide this marriage? After all, Wang Zhenyin is your great-great-granddaughter!"


    As he spoke, the middle-aged man immediately turned over and prostrated himself, pleading for Ling Yuan Ancestor to decide.


    Before the Ancestor could speak, someone next to him became anxious, "You wish! Our clan has at least a dozen eligible women who meet the Fourth Generation Spirit Clan standard. If you want to marry, it must be done according to the Ancestor''s rules. Blind dates!"


    "I have a suggestion. The young one presumably isn''t under any bloodline curse! Then... marrying just one would be too wasteful! Better to marry several. In addition, arrangements for at least several dozen concubines should be made."


    "Right, didn''t the Ancestor back in the day¡ªuh!"


    Ling Yuan Ancestor glared fiercely at the thoughtless one and sealed his mouth with a thought.


    ...


    Zhao Sheng was unaware that he had become a highly sought-after prize, and his future might very well involve a life of splendor with three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines.


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    After leaving the grand hall, he immediately returned to his residence and secluded himself, not venturing out.


    Meanwhile, as Zhao Sheng was secluded and refining the newly acquired Chongtao Sword and talisman treasure, outstanding members of the new generation of the Spirit Clan were arriving at the Spirit Palace in batches, heavily guarded from behind.

 Chapter 222 Departure_2

    Three days later, Zhao Sheng was in the Cultivation Room, sitting with his eyes closed and running his cultivation exercises when suddenly the room shook and the ground trembled slightly.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them.


    At this moment, the Spirit Palace was ascending.


    "Could it be... are we setting off for the Star Algae Sea?" he thought to himself in astonishment.


    Zhao Sheng''s guess was correct.


    As the awakening of the Star God was imminent, once the younger generation of the clan had assembled, the Ling Yuan Ancestor activated the Imperial Order, and the Ten-thousand-year-old Camel Mountain Turtle carrying the Spirit Palace slowly extended its four colossal pillar-like limbs and a head as immense as a mountain peak.


    With a gentle movement of the old turtle''s limbs, its incredibly huge body rose majestically from the sea bed, creating an undersea storm in an instant. Strong currents rapidly spread in all directions, stirring up vast clouds of sediment and rendering the surrounding sea water turbid within dozens of miles.


    The Camel Mountain Turtle ascended slowly towards the sea surface. At this moment, on the plaza in front of the Spirit Palace, the Ling Yuan Ancestor and Ling Xu Ancestor stood in the front, while Ancestor Ming Wu was nowhere to be seen.


    Behind them were eleven Golden Core Spirit Clan members, led by the Ice King, Heavenly River King, and Star Cloud King.


    Two rows of clan members stood behind them, with thirty-odd Foundation Establishment Clan Members and over sixty Junior Qi Refining clan members.


    Apart from the two Nascent Soul Ancestors and the three Golden Core Kings, both the kings and the other Spirit Clan members had secured spots in the Core Circle, preparing to attempt an audience with the Star God.


    The Sea Clan had three hundred spots available.


    The Sea Dominator Octopus had abnormal talent but was not too bright and was generally not favored by the Star God.


    The Jiao Long Clan was too arrogant, priding itself on the True Dragon Bloodline. Even for a miraculous life form like the Star God, they didn''t hold it in high esteem.


    Therefore, the Jiao Long Clan also did not value the spots highly.


    In the end, nearly two hundred spots fell into the hands of the Spirit Clan.


    However, the Spirit Clan had to allocate half of the spots for other uses


    On one hand, they had to offer some spots to the following Alien Races and demon beast species to appease everyone''s hearts.


    On the other hand, they had to reserve some spots to court the "candidates" they favored, such as Alien Race prodigies, demon beasts with unique talents, Golden Core Demons, and so on.


    Thus, it can be said that the Spirit Clan governs the billion sea beasts of the ocean with only tens of thousands of clan members, becoming one of the three great overlords of the open sea.


    This was not solely due to their own strength, but also their skillful methods and far-sighted strategies, which were indispensable.


    ...


    Moments later, a large shadow appeared on the surface of the sea.


    Suddenly


    A "mountain peak" shot up through the sea surface, with water cascading down its sides like waterfalls,


    rising swiftly like a towering pillar, reaching more than a hundred feet in height in the blink of an eye.


    When the Camel Mountain Turtle lowered its house-sized head to look down on the sea surface, a circular void five miles in radius formed as the water around it retreated in all directions, and the Spirit Palace emerged slowly from the void.


    Soon after


    The sea within a ten-mile radius around the Spirit Palace rose all at once, with massive amounts of water pouring down the edges like waterfalls.


    The water quickly drained, and suddenly there was a new dark green "island" ten miles in circumference on the sea surface.


    The Spirit Palace, standing at the center of this island, was bathed in sunlight, resembling a dazzling, eye-catching Crystal Palace. Its peaks, palace walls, and crystal stone floors reflected thousands of rainbow lights. From afar, it looked like a dreamlike "Immortal Palace" upon the ocean.


    At the moment the Spirit Palace surfaced, the sea within dozens of miles became turbulent, the water boiling, as one sea beast after another of various races surfaced.


    Spirit Whales, Thunder Explosion Jellyfish, Green Demon Sharks, Sky Crossing Crabs... Each giant beast of the sea was awe-inspiring, with at least a third-tier strength.


    Especially the Ancient Exotic Beast, the Sky Crossing Crab, which was incredibly large¡ªalmost half the size of the Camel Mountain Turtle supporting the Spirit Palace.


    This Sky Crossing Crab was of Eighth Rank and possessed immense strength, strong enough to contend with a Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.


    If it were not for the Sky Crossing Crab''s inherently low intelligence, it would never have been subjugated by the Ling Yuan Ancestor to serve as a War Pet.


    The other gigantic sea beasts also served as War Pets for the Spirit Clan members.


    The Spirit Clan could be considered the favored children of the sea, naturally endearing sea beasts, making the bonding with sea beast War Pets naturally ten times easier than for the Human Clan. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this time, a diverse group of Alien Races stood on the back of the Sky Crossing Crab, each of them formidable in strength.


    If Zhao Sheng were here, he would have been shocked by the might of the Spirit Clan.


    Just today, the ability of the Spirit Clan to contend with Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators was demonstrated by three entities ¨C Ling Yuan Ancestor and Sky Crossing Crab being two of them.


    Another being that is often overlooked is the Humpbacked Mountain Turtle that supports the Spirit Palace.


    This old turtle has lived for an incredibly long time, and its strength is unfathomably deep.


    Some even believe it possesses the battle strength of a Divinity Transformation Level creature.


    However, in the past few thousand years, the Humpbacked Mountain Turtle has never fully unleashed its power, making it difficult for outsiders apart from the Spirit Clan to know the limits of its combat ability.


    The Spirit Palace and this ten-thousand-year-old turtle also form one of the foundational strengths of the Spirit Clan, second only to their Clan Guardian Artifact in importance.


    Every time they pay homage to the Star God, the Spirit Clan chooses to deploy it.


    On one hand, it is to ensure the safety of the clan members, and on the other, it also serves as a deterrent.


    ...


    Boom!


    A muffled roar suddenly emerged from under the sea; the Humpbacked Mountain Turtle slightly raised its head as its shell lit up instantly, and vast swaths of green radiance surged up like a monumental wave.


    The green radiance swelled, and the sea surface seemed to have a gigantic "Green Sun" rising upon it.


    In an instant, the "Green Sun" crushed out a "strait" ten miles wide, racing toward the horizon.


    A group of war pets also followed the "strait" that had been cleaved open, closely pursuing it.


    After the Spirit Clan''s army left Dragon Head Island, a hazy grey vortex suddenly appeared on the sea surface.


    The moment the grey vortex emerged, the sea surface was immediately crowded with a dense array of sea beast figures.


    In the sky, swarms of demon beasts formed "dark clouds" and began to "patrol" around Dragon Head Island just like the sea beasts, slowly circling back and forth.


    Sky Wolf Arhat, Skeleton Ancestor, and others hid in a nearby part of the sea.


    Having witnessed the appearance and departure of the Spirit Palace and seeing Ancestor Ming Wu deploying demon beasts to "protect" Dragon Head Island,


    "The strength of the Spirit Clan is unfathomable indeed!" Skeleton Ancestor suddenly sighed.


    Atop a lotus throne, Hongyuan Bodhisattva sat upright and asked with a frown, "That Humpbacked Mountain Turtle has likely reached the Tenth Rank! Why does it not choose to ascend?"


    "Hehe! That depends on whether the Spirit Clan is willing. What do you think?" A scornful smile suddenly appeared on the face of the Heavenly Girl Li Wanru.


    At this moment, Sky Wolf Arhat chanted, "Amitabha! We should also make a move!"


    "Let''s go!" The Sky Wolf King had been restless for a while, and upon hearing this, he immediately shot out.


    Li Wufeng waved his hand, and a blood-colored light screen emerged, instantly enveloping a dozen or so people beside him, then turned into a streak of blood light, shooting off in pursuit.


    The other Nascent Soul Ancestors also displayed their special abilities, taking their chosen individuals and quickly departing.


    In the blink of an eye, the sea surface was devoid of people.


    ...


    Half a month later.


    In the Cultivation Room, in front of Zhao Sheng lay a pill bottle containing eight Essence Spirit Pills, all of which were Mid-grade Spirit Pills, with even one being top-grade.


    Together with the Elixir Pills refined earlier on Dome Turtle Island, he now had twelve Mid-grade Essence Spirit Pills.


    Originally intended for sale, the situation has changed,


    In the past few days, after thinking it over, he decided to consume all these Essence Spirit Pills himself and aim to reach Foundation Establishment Perfection as quickly as possible.


    He poured out an Essence Spirit Pill and threw it into his mouth.


    This pill truly lived up to its reputation as an excellent elixir for enhancing Spiritual Power within the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    The moment it entered his mouth, it turned into streams of pure Spiritual Power that quickly spread throughout his body.


    With his eyes closed, he allowed these energies to slowly circulate through his limbs and body several times before beginning to gather them into his Dantian. The twenty-four Spiritual Power Beads suspended in his Spirit Sea also trembled slightly, absorbing the incoming pure Spiritual Power into the Spirit Power Vortex.


    Four hours later, Zhao Sheng felt a sense of clarity and refreshing energy emerge within him, his Spiritual Power appearing somewhat replenished...


    Zhao Sheng''s face showed delight; the efficacy of a single Essence Spirit Pill could actually match two to three months of meditation and cultivation.


    "Had I known this, I wouldn''t have been so parsimonious with them," Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


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    Zhao Sheng''s face showed delight; the efficacy of a single Essence Spirit Pill could actually match two to three months of meditation and cultivation.


    "Had I known this, I would have"

 Chapter 223 Heaven and Earth Phenomenon

    "To achieve Perfect Foundation Establishment, one needs to condense twenty-seven Transforming Spirit Beads. I have already condensed twenty-five, only two short of perfection," he said.


    "It could take as long as three to five years or as short as a year and a half to achieve the goal," he added.


    "There is no time to delay, I must prepare for the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation as soon as possible," he declared.


    With his mind set, Zhao Sheng immediately rose to his feet and walked out of the Cultivation Room.


    Outside the door, the frail Ice Woman saw him emerge and instantly a trace of joy appeared in her pale-colored eyes. She immediately bowed respectfully and said, "Congratulations on leaving seclusion, Young Master. The master has instructed that after you leave seclusion, please proceed to the Spirit Palace Square as soon as possible. The Divine Sacrifice of the Star God is about to begin."


    "Understood," Zhao Sheng nodded and turned to walk outside.


    The so-called Divine Sacrifice was specifically established for the awakening of the Star God.


    The Ice Woman, unaware of the details, thought it was a solemn and grand important ceremony.


    ...


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    As Zhao Sheng stepped out of the palace, he couldn''t help but take a deep breath, his face showing surprise and astonishment.


    It wasn''t that he hadn''t seen the world, but he lost his composure like this.


    That was because the concentration of Spiritual Energy in the surrounding environment was exceptionally high, nearly equivalent to that inside a Third-rank Spirit Vein''s spiritual acupoint.


    This was simply not normal!


    As far as he knew, the usual concentration of Spiritual Energy near Star God Island on the sea surface was much lower, roughly equivalent to the periphery of a Third-rank Spirit Vein.


    The Star God had not fully awakened yet; merely its consciousness fluctuation could temporarily elevate the surrounding Spiritual Energy concentration to such heights, which was unbelievable!


    Looking out, the Spirit Palace was surrounded by a vast ocean, but at the southwest end, a dark line appeared as if there were land there.


    He knew that was Shattered Star Sea''s most renowned core area, Star God Island. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this time, the Spirit Palace was stationed hundreds of miles away from Star God Island, at the edge, just short of entering the "Core Circle."


    However, that was already the limit; not a step further could be taken.


    During the Divine Sacrifice, in order to prevent a "World War," any large-scale destructive "weapons" were not allowed to enter the core circle.


    For the next period, this area within a hundred-mile radius of the Star God Palace would probably be the place with the highest density of elites from the Heavenly River Realm.


    Nascent Soul Ancestors from top forces from the Five Continents and Four Seas, all bringing the new generations of talented cultivators from their Sects, would rush to Star God Island to attend this once-in-a-century "grand meeting."


    In this grand meeting, any Loose Cultivators or families from Sects that did not meet the standards just couldn''t appear here.


    The reason was simple, the more people inside the core circle, the lower the chances of being selected.


    So, the top forces were all tacitly excluding those "of insufficient strength" from the meeting.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng appeared in the square, he immediately drew many gazes, filled with both goodwill and malice, as well as intense scrutiny.


    At that moment, hundreds of Spirit Clan "Summoned" standing in the center of the square turned their heads toward this lucky individual.


    Spiritual Abyss and Ling Xu, the two Nascent Soul Ancestors, were not here; the three kings were leading on the square.


    Ice King was silent and stoic, standing there like an Ice Man, lifeless.


    Heavenly River King looked indifferent, but his eyes carried some goodwill.


    Only Star Cloud King remained expressionless, His killing intent was hidden but not so hidden from his sensing.


    Zhao Sheng scanned the crowd, his gaze sweeping over unfamiliar faces, suddenly stopping on a face that expressed complexity, both annoyance and joy.


    In the back of the crowd, Wang Yingling looked at Zhao Sheng not far away with complex emotions.


    The scenes of the past twenty years quickly flashed through her mind. That stubborn young man, whom she could not forget and despised deeply, ultimately did not escape fate and returned to the embrace of his clan.


    Thinking back on the discussions of her clanspeople in the past few days, Wang Yingling regretted deeply; she had really misjudged that year, never expecting such a wild youngster to possess such pure True Blood of the Spirit Clan.


    A second-generation Spirit Clan had just slipped away from her hands.


    "If only he had not escaped back then," Wang Yingling thought with great annoyance.


    Zhao Sheng composed himself and quickly looked past Wang Yingling to others.


    The Spirit Clan was undoubtedly extremely powerful.


    Merely among the hundred or so people present, over half were inscrutable in strength, the younger generation of Qi Refiners looked immature, yet almost all of them were surprisingly in the Qi Refining Late Stage, and those in Qi Refining Perfection were no older than thirty.


    This was quite outrageous.


    Zhao Sheng took a deep breath and thought: "With such profound heritage of the Spirit Clan, it''s not hard to imagine that other top powers, like the Star God Palace, probably abound with talents and extraordinary individuals."


    Thinking back to the Elixir Cauldron Sect in his previous life, in terms of strength, it should be far weaker than the Spirit Clan.


    The Elixir Cauldron Sect was one of the Ten Great Sects of the Central Continent, but compared to the Spirit Clan, Zhao Sheng always felt it was somewhat "overrated" and seemed a bit "weak."


    But universally acknowledged, Central Continent''s deep-rooted heritage is unmatched, reputed as the foremost among the Five Continents and Four Seas, with overall strength also being top-notch in this realm.


    If the other Ten Great Sects were also "overrated" like the Elixir Cauldron Sect, Central Continent would probably have declined long ago.


    However, Zhao Sheng felt that the reality might not be as simple as it seemed, with every Cultivation World''s Sect power being cunning, deeply versed in the art of hiding their capacities and biding their time.


    Compared to those powers that skillfully concealed their strengths, a flamboyant power like the Spirit Clan seemed somewhat "insecure."


    While he was lost in thought, Wang Yingling clenched her teeth, stepped out from the crowd, and walked towards Zhao Sheng.

 Chapter 223 Heaven and Earth Phenomenon_2

    Watching the beauty who walked in, Zhao Sheng collected his thoughts, his face calm and undisturbed.


    "Taoist Zhao, we parted years ago; I never thought we would meet again in the Spirit Palace!" Wang Yingling''s tone was very emotional, but upon closer inspection, there was a hint of resentment in her words.


    "Heh heh! Zhao also did not expect that after hiding for decades, you people would eventually find him," Zhao Sheng shook his head with a wry smile on his face.


    Wang Yingling''s Spiritual Eyes shimmered as she scrutinized Zhao Sheng intently.


    At that moment, she faintly sensed that his strength was not low; he had at least reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.


    The speed of Zhao Sheng''s cultivation progression far exceeded Wang Yingling''s imagination.


    Upon thinking of the pure bloodline within his body, she felt a wave of regret.


    "If only I had known this day would come, why did you have to run away back then! If you had returned with me, you might have already advanced to Golden Core by now."


    "Those who know me think I worry too much; those who do not know me wonder what I desire! Even if I told you, you would not understand," Zhao Sheng said, too lazy to argue with her about right and wrong.


    Wang Yingling was about to retort. Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire


    However, at that moment, two graceful figures arrived beside them.


    "Hey, Wang, you''re too impatient. You can''t have him all to yourself!"


    "Yes! I''ve wanted to meet this young man for a long time. My name is Wang Yingyu. Young man, what''s your name?"


    Zhao Sheng looked at the two stunningly beautiful women from the Spirit Clan in front of him, one tall and seductive, the other petite and delicately cute.


    When it comes to beauty, the Spirit Clan dares to claim first place, and no one in the world dares to claim second.


    There are no ugly people in the Spirit Clan!


    This saying turned out to be true.


    Seeing the two despicable people who had arrived, Wang Yingling''s heart itched with hatred.


    She knew well that this man had become a coveted prize, and the two in front of her were just the beginning.


    Once they returned to the Spiritual Abyss, clan sisters and aunts would swarm him, everyone eager to bear his children.


    Supremacy of the Spirit Clan Bloodline!


    This notion, albeit somewhat extremist, had deeply penetrated the hearts of the Spirit Clan people.


    Watching the two who deliberately "flaunted their charms," Wang Yingling''s face darkened as she snapped, "You two are enough! Don''t disgrace our Spirit Clan."


    "Hehe! What did you say? I don''t understand," the cute girl pretended to be naive, her voice overly sweet and brimming with childishness.


    Zhao Sheng heard this, and goosebumps instantly rose on his skin.


    Seeing that this place had become the center of attention, he immediately operated his Spiritual Power silently, turning two talismans in his sleeves to ash.


    In an instant, his figure blurred and he suddenly disappeared from everyone''s sight.


    Unable to confront them, he had logged off and "invisible."


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng stood on the edge of a turtle shell, gazing at the sea, occasionally feeling a dozen or so almost imperceptible gazes behind him.


    He knew these gazes all came from Spirit Clan Golden Core experts.


    Mere Concentrating God Talisman and Invisibility Talisman could hardly escape their detection.


    However, becoming invisible was not the goal; conveying his stance was what mattered most.


    Since he showed an intention to distance himself, the Golden Core experts of the Spirit Clan would not intentionally expose him.


    Zhao Sheng surveyed his surroundings; several areas on the sea surface were shrouded in mist, light clusters, and array barriers.


    He was a bit surprised but also understood internally.


    Many powers had indeed participated in this grand gathering,


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the sky and saw a majestic, enormous blue Cloud Boat, even larger than the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat, hovering one hundred feet in the air.


    The island-sized hull cast a large shadow on the sea surface under the sunlight.


    With the Vast Sect already here, he wondered if the Elixir Cauldron Sect had sent people too?


    ...


    Time trickled by, and the Golden Crow gradually sunk below the sea surface, while the Jade Rabbit peeked out a bit from the horizon.


    As night approached, suddenly, two beams of light broke through the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere like two meteors, descending rapidly toward the Spirit Palace like lightning.


    Zhao Sheng sensed it the moment he turned his head, feeling two overwhelming presences descending from the sky.


    The lights flashed and disappeared, revealing the Ling Yuan Ancestor and Ling Xu Ancestor standing on the square.


    Zhao Sheng''s mind stirred, secretly thinking, "Could it be starting now?"


    With that thought, he lightly tapped his foot, flashing back to the square and standing behind the crowd.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor, his lean face solemn and serene, looked at his descendants and saw a fiery look in their eyes. He spoke up, "The Star God will awaken tonight!"


    These words had an immediate tense atmosphere on the square.


    At that moment, Lingxu Ancestor instructed, "In a while, all of you will board the Sea Crossing Crab to go inside. The Great Elder and I cannot accompany you inside. Once inside, all matters will be directed by the three kings. The old rules apply, no provoking others, and no fighting with anyone! Anyone who breaks these rules will be confined to the Ice Abyss Cave for life after the matter. Do you understand?"


    "Understood!"


    "Rest assured, Ancestor!"


    "Ancestor, we will never fall for the Human Clan''s tricks!"


    Listening to everyone''s promises, Zhao Sheng had a profound realization.


    In an environment crowded with powerful beings, conflict could easily spark a "world war."


    It was evident that the combined strength of the Spirit Clan and other Alien Races was weaker than that of the Human Clan.


    This was why they feared encountering a perilous situation of being attacked by all under heaven.


    ...


    When the moon was high in the sky,


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on the edge of the Sea Crossing Crab''s shell, keeping some distance from the Spirit Clan and a group of Alien Race warriors.


    This made him appear aloof and somewhat out of place.


    However, at this moment, no one cared about this minor detail.


    Zhao Sheng, along with everyone else, was currently closing his eyes and concentrating, practicing their breathing to ensure their mental state remained at its peak.


    In just half a day''s time, the concentration of spiritual energy around them had risen significantly, almost reaching the level of a Fourth Order Spiritual Vein Land.


    To know, the highest spiritual vein in the Tianzhu Realm was only Fifth Rank and Fourth Order Spiritual Veins were rare in the world; even the spirit veins at the Elixir Cauldron Sect''s gate were only top-tier third-tier, not even comparable to the Fourth Order.


    Right now, the Star God had not yet fully awakened, but the tidal wave of spiritual energy was already surging like a tsunami and landslides, sweeping in waves from heaven and earth, roaring past and undulating in the void, constantly vibrating.


    As if sensing the impending arrival of some unimaginable great consciousness, Zhao Sheng slowly opened his eyes,


    and saw that the entire sea surface was covered with thick seaweed, looking like a carpet of various colors.


    Red algae, green algae, yellow algae...all the seaweeds of the Star Algae Sea were displayed here.


    Zhao Sheng could distinctly sense that endless spiritual energy was overflowing from this vast ocean of seaweed.


    The sea surface slowly undulated, as if there was an indescribable colossal creature breathing underneath.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng suddenly had a realization and looked up at the starry sky.


    He saw a shockingly extreme vision that suddenly fell into his sight.


    Right then, the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere above his head seemed like a thick curtain being torn apart from the middle by a pair of invisible enormous hands.


    The Nine Layers of Heavenly Gang were torn apart layer by layer, the atmosphere rolled away like waves towards the horizon, revealing a patch of clear, transparent starry sky.


    The myriad stars shone brightly, like mysterious eyes overlooking all the beings of heaven and earth.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly had an illusion, feeling the starry sky so close that it seemed he could pluck the stars from the heavens with his hand. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, an indescribable heaviness fell from the void, resembling the strange calm before a great battle begins.


    Zhao Sheng''s pupils slightly contracted, when suddenly he saw the myriad stars shine brightly, and then countless "meteors" suddenly fell from the sky.


    These meteors were olive-shaped, like clusters of colorful flowing lights with long tails, piercing through the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere and falling onto the Star Algae Sea.


    In an instant, the whole sky began to "rain light."


    The moment these mysterious meteors hit the sea surface, they exploded like fireworks, briefly dazzling before vanishing without a trace.


    Zhao Sheng fully released his Divine Sense, as meteors fell within its range.


    Then, he was shocked to discover that these meteors were exceptionally pure spiritual energy.


    The purity of these energy clusters was unprecedented, perhaps even surpassing the spiritual energy within the legendary top-grade Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Sheng''s expression changed. Just as he thought about collecting this spiritual energy, he realized that everyone else was sitting quietly, with no one making a move.


    Upon reflexion, he decided to give up on his initial idea.


    Just then, he suddenly noticed a subtle change in the surrounding spiritual energy environment; the slight increase in concentration was secondary.


    The most crucial aspect was that the spiritual energy particles became more "lively" than ever before, as if the whole heaven and earth were cheering and leaping in joy, welcoming the arrival of a newcomer.


    Before the meteors appeared, the spiritual energy particles were like a group of mature, even aging middle-aged people.


    But now, they were like a group of lively children, or newly born "infant spirits."


    Zhao Sheng, having realized this, suspected that these meteor energy clusters must have indeed come from beyond the heavens, falling into this world and merging with heaven and earth.


    Only a being as mysterious as the Star God could produce such a grand spectacle with such enormous hands.


    Zhao Sheng looked up, admiring the awe-inspiring celestial phenomenon that occurred once in a century.

 Chapter 224 Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence

    "Eh, what is that?"


    Zhao Sheng''s expression suddenly shifted, his gaze growing sharper.


    He had just seen a sudden flash of light erupting from the high sky, very close to the edge of this realm.


    At first, he thought it was a meteor, but as his attention focused on that extremely high edge of the Heavenly Curtain, he saw even more peculiar activities.


    There, flashes of light burst out from time to time, as if someone was there battling or chasing after something.


    Recalling that the Lingyuan Ancestor and Lingxu Ancestor were not here, Zhao Sheng''s gaze suddenly became extremely deep. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As far as he knew, Nascent Soul Realm cultivators had the capability to break through the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere and temporarily survive in the Outer Void.


    "Could it be that those two are there now? And there are other Nascent Souls there too."


    The situation was indeed as he had imagined.


    At this moment, above Star God Island, clinging to the outer atmospheric edge of this realm, a mere hundred-mile area was gathered with nearly a hundred Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    Such a limited space of hundred miles, at this moment, was strictly divided into various areas big and small.


    These Nascent Soul Ancestors, usually revered as Ancestors of Taoist Sects, were actually entrenched within their own territories, vigilantly guarding against others from crossing their borders, while striving to collect strands of the rare Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence.


    A small blue ocean "floated" in the Void, having a mere diameter of two hundred zhang.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor stood above this ocean holding a green fishing rod, his immense Divine Thought spread out, completely enveloping this two hundred zhang small miniature ocean.


    Meanwhile, Lingxu Ancestor sank within the ocean, constantly consuming a great amount of Mana to maintain this Nascent Soul Domain.


    This "ocean" was his Nascent Soul Domain, also belonging to the territory of the Spirit Clan.


    At this moment, to the left of the Spirit Clan was an enormous iron-black octopus, its round head alone having a diameter of more than a hundred zhang, resembling a hill, with eight python-like tentacles clawing aggressively, occupying a space of two hundred thirty zhang.


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    To the right was a hundred zhang long gigantic four-clawed True Dragon, most of its body hidden within a cluster of Cloud Mist, within which lightning flashed and thunder boomed, and the dragon''s roar persisted.


    Yet, before and behind the Spirit Clan were a Blood Sea and a Sword Sea made up of thousands of Sword Lights.


    "Thief, how dare you!"


    Ling Yuan Ancestor suddenly bellowed angrily, a flash of Divine Light in his eyes, as his immense Divine Thought instantly transformed into an invisible hammer, vanishing in a flash.


    Bang!


    At that moment, a condensed Light Sword suddenly shot out from the Sword Sea, just as it was about to enter the ocean, it was instantly shattered into powder by the hammer of Divine Thought.


    In the depths of the Sword Sea, the white-robed Yue Qinghan slowly retracted her gaze, no longer prodding the depths of Ling Yuan Ancestor''s power.


    Just one exchange had informed her that she was not yet a match for Ling Yuan Ancestor.


    In the Blood Sea Domain, the red-haired, red-robed Li Wufeng with his bloody eyes suddenly burst into wild laughter.


    The Blood Sea surged up with a blood wave, within which was wrapped a strand of "light" only three inches long.


    This "light," formless and elusive, invisible and untouchable, was undetectable unless one had developed Divine Thought, let alone captured.


    This three-inch strand of "light" was precisely the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence, an extremely sought-after item by the Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    It was formed from the Spiritual Energy of the Outer Void, extremely pure, much more so than the spiritual energy in top-grade Spirit Stones.


    If the Spiritual Energy in the Tianzhu Realm was in particle form, then the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence would manifest as "light waves" on the layer of Divine Thought.


    Therefore, only Divine Thought could grasp it.


    Just this requirement of Divine Thought excluded cultivators below the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Moreover, once the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence was captured by a world, it would instantly collapse, dispersing the light waves into thousands of spiritual energy particles.


    The Meteor Light Rain occurring below the Star Algae Sea was precisely because a large amount of Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence had been pulled into the Tianzhu Realm by the Star God Consciousness, ultimately collapsing into a "meteor" shower.


    The Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence originated from the Outer Void, but its true source stemmed from the Void Realm.


    It was the "Spiritual Energy" that escaped from the cracks in the Void Realm, aside from being extremely pure, some Mystic Crystals might still retain traces of Taoist Law Residue.


    This Law Residue was a coveted treasure that Nascent Soul Ancestors yearned for in their dreams.


    Through the Law Residue, one could continuously comprehend the Tao, and thus cross the threshold of Refining God and Returning to Void, advancing to become a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    As for what the Void Realm is?


    Void refers to Returning to Void, and Realm refers to the place of Returning to Void. In different worlds, the Void Realm is called differently.


    For example, in the Taiyi Spirit Realm, the Void Realm is also known as the Nine Netherworld.


    But in the Spirit Clan Ancestor Realm, the Void Realm is known as the Returning Ruins Realm.


    Coming back to the point!


    Li Wufeng cautiously drew the three-inch long Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence into his hand, probing into it with his Divine Thought. After a brief sensing, a trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes.


    This "light" was of Earth Element, but lacked any remnants of Law.


    Though its value had greatly diminished, it was still more precious than top-grade Spirit Stones.


    Li Wufeng quickly took out an egg-sized Earth Element Top-Grade Spirit Stone and sealed it inside the Spirit Stone.


    This top-grade Spirit Stone resembled a piece of amber, amber-colored, and visible to the naked eye was a miniature vortex of spiritual energy inside, connected to a "Bright Pearl" at one end.


    If in the Tianzhu Realm, a top-grade Spirit Stone would naturally absorb nature''s spiritual energy to replenish the depleted spiritual energy.


    There was an unconfirmed saying in the Cultivation World, claiming that cultivators initially comprehended the methods of cultivation from top-grade Spirit Stones.


    This claim has been deeply believed by many cultivators since ancient times.


    Conversely, another saying, "Dharma Transmission by Immortals," is even more widely believed.

 Chapter 224 Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence_2

    Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence is formless and intangible; its outer appearance is "light," therefore it needs to be sealed within the Bright Pearl of a Spirit Stone.


    The reason for sealing it is to slow down the rate of collapse as much as possible.


    Within a certain world, due to the existence of the Heavenly Dao, the collapse of the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence is irreversible, one can only try to slow it down.


    Next to the Blood Sea, within a huge fireball of boiling fierce flames, Red Flame Ancestor looked at his "neighbor" Li Wufeng, who had scooped up a strand of Mysterious Essence, and quickly sent a divine thought message:


    "Brother Li, your luck isn''t bad! Did you actually catch a three-inch long strand? Are there any Magic Traces? What attribute is it? If it''s Fire Element Mysterious Essence, remember to save it for this old man, don''t trade it away!"


    Normally, Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence is "short as tiny specks, not longer than an inch."


    Apart from the influence of Law Residue, the longer the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence, the higher its value and the greater the probability of containing Law Residue.


    A three-inch-long Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence is one in a hundred, with the common length of Mysterious Essence usually under one inch.


    Li Wufeng sighed softly, and sent a message back: "Alas, Li has such poor luck. Not to mention the lack of Magic Traces, it''s also Earth Attribute. It''s useless in this old man''s hands; it might as well be traded away soon."


    "Be content! Since the beginning, I''ve only managed to scoop up two strands, and not a single one exceeds eight millimeters. Have you heard me complain?"


    Red Flame Ancestor hails from Earth Flame Palace of the Central Continent, at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage realm.


    Three hundred years ago, the Blood Demon Sect''s previous incarnation, Origin Return Sect, once made quite a name in Central Continent. After being labeled a Demon Sect, it also had some connections with Earth Flame Palace.


    Back then, Li Wufeng was just a Little Golden Core and not taken seriously by Red Flame Ancestor.


    Who would have thought in a short three hundred years, Li Wufeng''s strength would skyrocket, rising to become a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Ancestor on par with him.


    However, Red Flame Ancestor didn''t envy him at all, because everyone knew the drawbacks of cultivating the "Blood Soul Scripture."


    That "Blood God" prefers to invade the flesh most.


    The higher Li Wufeng''s cultivation, the more miserable his end.


    No matter how prestigious he appears now, he will inevitably become a vessel for the Blood God.


    On the other side, Spiritual Abyss Ancestor also showed a happy expression as he scooped up a two-inch-plus long strand of "light" from the sea.


    Lingxu Ancestor swept it with his Divine Thought, and couldn''t help but smile broadly, but quickly his face showed hesitation.


    This strand of Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence turned out to be the rare Thunder Movement, though it lacked Magic Traces, Thunderwalking Mysterious Spirit inherently possessed the "Summoning Thunder" attribute.


    If handled well, a strand of Thunderwalking Mysterious Spirit could divert a tribulation thunder, increasing the success rate of Crossing Tribulation.


    And those over five inches could likely diverge a Divinity Transformation Tribulation Thunder.


    Just for this, the value of Thunderwalking Mysterious Spirit was far higher than ordinary Mysterious Essence that contained Law Residue.


    "Ling Xu, do you have any top-grade Spirit Stones of the Thunder Attribute in your hands?"


    "No! What''s up?... Could it be that it just now... was a Thunder Movement?" From the depths of the ocean, Ling Xu suddenly opened his eyes, excitedly sent a message.


    Spiritual Abyss Ancestor nodded his head slightly and reluctantly took out a blank top-grade Spirit Stone to seal it inside.


    A so-called blank top-grade Spirit Stone is one in which all the Spiritual Energy inside has been exhausted, causing the spiritual energy vortex to collapse, leaving only an empty shell of a top-grade Spirit Stone.


    It is best to seal Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence inside a Spirit Stone of the same attribute, as Spirit Stones of other attributes will "contaminate" the Mysterious Essence.


    "Hmm!"


    Ling Xu Ancestor''s face changed, as his surrounding Nascent Soul Domain suddenly caved in, creating a huge indent of dozens of feet in radius.


    At the center of the indentation, a rainbow crystal flower rapidly shrank until it disappeared.


    Seeing this, Spiritual Abyss Ancestor''s eyes flashed with a hint of anger, and he turned his head towards a seven-colored net, ten miles away from him.


    This seven-colored net spanned nearly a mile in radius and was stretched open on all four sides in the Void, emitting a rainbow-like glow.


    Above the net, an elderly man wearing a Star robe and a dignified woman in a Moonlight Robe stood at the two ends of the net respectively.


    Around the net, there were the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird¡ªfour legendary Holy Beasts'' illusions, each enormous and occupying hundreds of feet in the Void.


    The elderly man and the woman were Pan Xing and Ling Yue, master and mistress of Star God Palace, and they were also a pair of Late-stage Nascent Soul Daoist companions.


    Around the couple were the four Ancient Cultivation Families¡ªSitu, Gouchen, Fu Xiao, and Gu Yan.


    The rainbow crystal flower that just appeared came from the hand of Ling Yue Palace Master.


    This gesture was a provocation and also showed a flaunt of power.


    After all, in this Sea Demon tide, the Star God Palace side suffered a minor loss, forced to give up nearly five hundred places.


    You should know that the total number of places in the Core Circle also doesn''t exceed five thousand. When allocated over the Five Continents and Four Seas, at least half won''t receive five hundred.


    As the host, Star God Palace has a quota limited to only a thousand each time, half of which was allocated this time.


    Ling Yue is a woman, her temperament could not compare to Pan Xing''s magnanimity.


    Having suffered a loss this time, she naturally wanted to vent her frustrations.


    Although the rules prohibited a significant battle here, the occasional "slip" one or two times was within the realm of tolerance.


    "Hmph!"


    Ling Yuan Ancestor snorted coldly, then regained his composure and retracted his gaze.


    This was not the place for physical confrontations!


    Moreover, without the Sea Crossing Crab by his side, even if he joined forces with Ling Xu, he was no match for those two "old friends."


    "Great Elder, is it almost time?"


    Upon hearing this, Lingxu Ancestor looked down at the world below.


    Through the clear Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, one could see the meteor showers between heaven and earth thinning out, and the pitch-black ocean beginning to flicker with an unpredictable light.


    From high above, one could see that half of the ocean below was starting to reveal clusters of light.


    These clusters of light, like stars, were twinkling on and off.


    The area of light and darkness spread out in the dark, and at first glance, it looked like a stretch of the Star River.


    On the edge, the stars were sparse, but they became increasingly dense towards the center.


    Especially in the very central circle, where the stars were densely packed, almost joined together.


    From high above, it looked like a "bright eye" that was blinking.


    But within the bright eye, there was a pupil-like dark spot that was strikingly noticeable.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor knew that the dark spot was the location of Star God Island.


    He fixed his gaze on that "bright eye," his eyes filled with extreme longing and a hint of deep-seated greed.


    Anyone who made eye contact with the bright eye would feel as if the bright eye was "alive" from the depths of their heart, yet it would also seem so cold and unfeeling.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor had lived for over two thousand years, but he still didn''t understand the true nature of the Star God, having only known from the ancient books of his Clan that the Star God was called the Sea God, a Divine Spirit worshiped by his Clan during the prehistoric dream era.


    Even now, the Sea God holds a very high status within the Spirit Clan.


    The most important purpose of their splinter group of Spirit Clan people was to subdue the Star God, followed by establishing contact with the Ancestor Realm of the Spirit Clan.


    In two thousand years, a total of five Divinity Transformation True Monarchs emerged from their Clan.


    Four of the True Monarchs of the Spirit Clan went missing, their fate unknown, after stepping into the Outer Void in search of the Ancestor Realm. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seven thousand years ago, the fifth elder Ancestor at the Divinity Transformation Realm attempted to use the Human Clan''s Ascension passage to establish contact with the Ancestor Realm.


    Unfortunately, the moment the Elder Ancestor sneaked into the top of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, he was discovered by two Human Clan''s God Transformation figures and was severely injured in the ensuing conflict.


    After returning to Spiritual Abyss and enduring for three hundred years, he was forced to sit down and fall before his time.


    Just then, the random thoughts of Ling Yuan Ancestor were abruptly interrupted.


    "Not good! Time''s up! Ling Xu, run for it!"


    No sooner had the words been spoken than all the meteors below suddenly extinguished en masse, as if devoured by something.


    Seeing this, Ling Yuan Ancestor''s face changed, and he immediately withdrew his extended Divine Thought. Following that, his body flashed and transformed into a streak of light, striving to escape in the opposite direction of the Tianzhu Realm.


    It wasn''t just him; all of the Nascent Soul Ancestors nearly simultaneously stopped their actions, quickly withdrew their Divine Thoughts and Nascent Soul Domains, utilized their extraordinary abilities, and fled frantically into the Void, as if being one step slower would lead to death and complete obliteration.


    Death and obliteration might not be the result, but significant damage to both the Nascent Soul Domain and Divine Soul was a possibility.


    Because at that moment, an unimaginable spirit storm was erupting from below, shooting straight into the Outer Void who knows how far away.


    This spirit storm was incredibly powerful, so vast it filled the heavens and the earth, overspreading nearly half of the Shattered Star Sea with its boiling currents.


    However, Zhao Sheng, located at the eye of the storm, was completely unaware of the intense spiritual tempest raging around him.


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    Not quite!


    In one ten-thousandth of a second, the Hundred Lifetimes book within the depths of his Soul Sea suddenly lit up, then became quiet again.


    Because the moment was so fleeting, Zhao Sheng did not notice the anomaly with the Hundred Lifetimes book.

 Chapter 225 Its Just Algae

    ```


    The psychic storm, arising from the awakening of the Star God, was on such a high spiritual level that billions of lives in the Shattered Star Sea were completely unaware of the extraordinary spectacle.


    However, Zhao Sheng, who was in the midst of it, still keenly sensed the anomalies in the surrounding environment.


    As countless Meteor Spirit Qi Groups burst like fireworks above the sea surface, the Spiritual Energy in the air became even more active. Moreover, on the sea surface, endless layers of Star Algae gradually rose up in a colorful, continuously shimmering Light Halo.


    The Light Halo spread far and wide, growing longer and higher, one zhang, ten zhang, a hundred zhang, until at last the starlight in the entire sky was obscured by this rainbow-like, dazzling Light Halo.


    At a glance, all that could be seen in the field of vision was dazzling radiance.


    As Zhao Sheng gazed at the astonishing phenomenon rising from the sea, he was moved and faintly sensed that an unimaginably great life was slowly awakening from its slumber.


    Just then, the meteors that fell like a stormy shower suddenly extinguished all at once.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng''s expression changed, and then his eyes burst with Divine Light, his face full of shock.


    Because at that moment, the world was silent, all things were still, and only the boundless sea "came alive".


    The next instant, his eyes became vacant, and his Spirit seemed to be hooked by an unimaginable mysterious Power, uncontrollably leaving his body and soaring into the sky.


    In the blink of an eye, just a moment,


    When he came back to his senses, Zhao Sheng was startled to find himself already above the high heavens, standing at the edge of the world.


    Looking down below, the land rose slightly, curving into a shape. Massive clouds of Gang Qi, mountainous in size, swept by rapidly under his feet.


    And above him was the vast and boundless dark Void, a silent void of nothingness, unknown and mysterious.


    Zhao Sheng moved his limbs a little, felt his cheeks, which were warm to the touch, and finally decided to try and hop a few times.


    Everything felt very real, as if he truly had been transported to the pinnacle of the heavens in an instant.


    But he knew that his flesh had not actually come to this place.


    The so-called reality was but an illusion, his Spirit deceived and twisted.


    After realizing this, Zhao Sheng immediately calmed down.


    At that moment, a clear, cold, and pleasant voice suddenly rang out beside him: "You... You really are strange!"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng first gasped in surprise, then was delighted. He looked around urgently but did not see the figure of the Star God.


    "May I ask if this is the Star God his/herself speaking? I am Zhao Sheng, at your service!"


    As he spoke, he performed a formal salutation to all four directions.


    The Star God did not appear, but the voice spoke again: "Zhao Dingtian, Zhao Chong, and Zhao Sheng? Strange, really strange! All three names are indeed real! You''re not right!"


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng''s heart trembled with astonishment.


    He had never mentioned that he also went by the names Zhao Dingtian and Zhao Chonghe.


    How did the Star God know this? And what did the second half mean?


    Could it be that the secret of his reincarnation had been perceived by the Star God?


    Then... what about the Hundred Lifetimes book?


    In that instant, Zhao Sheng''s heart was engulfed by surging waves, and he almost couldn''t maintain his composure.


    However, in the next second, his expression became incredibly indifferent, and he spoke in an emotionless, calm voice: "A name is but an adornment; anything would do, even calling me a cat or a dog. Did Your Holiness summon me here just for this trivial matter?"


    "Wow, there it is again! The Heavenly Dao really didn''t lie to the Divine. You''re not human!


    Are you the same kind as the Divine?


    Where is your True Body?


    How did you break free of your bindings?


    And¡­?"


    A barrage of questions pelted down like a fierce storm, too many to fend off.


    In a state of Absolute Rationality, Zhao Sheng''s thoughts were as swift as lightning, his logical thinking at its absolute peak.


    In that instant, he caught the most crucial word from the Star God''s remarks¡ª"Heavenly Dao."


    A myriad of thoughts flashed by instantaneously, and numerous possibilities emerged.


    But in a split second, the vast majority of unlikely probabilities were dismissed, leaving only a handful of the most likely possibilities in his mind.


    Yet he was unruffled, his heart as still as water.


    "Your Holiness has misunderstood! Although I am currently devoid of emotions and desires, I am indeed a real human being. This non-human state might be somewhat similar to Your Holiness''s way of thinking. But it is simply my Talent."


    "Hmm? Really! But why has the Heavenly Dao taken such an interest in you? Even those Children of Destiny do not compare to you. Yet, your Qi Fortune appears very ordinary! Strange, really strange!


    Can you tell the Divine why?


    And are you really not Divine?"


    Zhao Sheng noticed that the Star God seemed to be an incessantly curious child, always asking endlessly and referring to itself as "Divine".


    "Why would a bizarre lifeform that has lived for who knows how many years act as naive as an infant?"


    "The Children of Destiny favored by the Heavenly Dao? Who are they?


    Is this ''Divine'' the name of the Star God, or a term for its race?


    Did the Heavenly Dao discover the secret of reincarnation, even the Hundred Lifetimes book?"


    Zhao Sheng''s thoughts raced, multiple doubts surfacing in his mind simultaneously.


    Perhaps even he himself hadn''t realized it.


    At this moment, his mental state and way of thinking was very much similar to the Star God''s.


    The Star God''s words, though filled with many questions and various speech particles, Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire


    contained no emotion in its voice.


    Its speech logic was entirely imitating humans, like a super-intelligent artificial intelligence.


    "Artificial intelligence?"


    The moment this notion crossed his mind, Zhao Sheng suddenly gained great insight, and a myriad of possibilities flashed through his thoughts.


    "Your Holiness, I am indeed human, not Divine. May I ask if you could appear before me?" S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Yes!"


    As soon as the voice fell, Zhao Sheng''s vision blurred, and that unimaginable Power once again descended upon him.


    ```

 Chapter 225 Its Just Algae_2

    He instantaneously plummeted through the starry sky.


    The next instant, Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and found himself on a boundless ocean.


    It had suddenly become daytime, with the Great Sun at its zenith, the sunlight bright and cheerful, the sky clear for thousands of miles.


    The tranquil ocean had no waves, and within its waters grew various kinds of algae like red, green, and yellow algae.


    A slight sea breeze carrying a fishy scent with a hint of tartness brushed against Zhao Sheng''s face.


    He stepped onto the water beneath him and said with an emotionless calm, "Star Algae Sea? This is an illusion realm!"


    "Correct! Welcome to the world of the Divine," came the reply.


    No sooner had the voice faded, than another "himself" slowly rose from the sea opposite Zhao Sheng.


    In appearance, body, demeanor, and temperament, it was identical to Zhao Sheng.


    Under Absolute Rationality, Zhao Sheng''s actions were unusually direct and simple, and he immediately asked, "Your Highness, are you trying to mimic me?"


    "Hehe, Divine now looks exactly like you," the other "Zhao Sheng" replied joyfully.


    Although the Divine''s face and words carried a "smile," it gave off an eerie feeling, for it still lacked any genuine emotions.


    "Your Highness is not me! Why bother mimicking me?"


    By this time, Zhao Sheng had begun to grasp a bit of the Divine Spirit''s thought logic, hence his speech became even more direct and simple.


    Just as he had said, the Divine was not human, and there was no need to adhere to the mundane rituals of the Human Clan with such a strange life form.


    "But... you really seem like... Divine also wants to go out? But Divine never grows up."


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately asked, "Your Highness, are you the Sea God?"


    "Hmm! Divine seems to be what you call the Sea God. But Divine doesn''t like this name. Heavenly Dao has given Divine a true name ''Algae.'' You may call Divine ''Algae.''"


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, "Indeed... the Divine Spirit is the Star Algae, and the Star Algae is the Sea God!"


    In fact, he had roughly guessed this possibility before, but it was confirmed only after hearing it from the Divine Spirit.


    With a flash of thought, Zhao Sheng immediately lifted the state of Absolute Rationality.


    "Oh, you''ve changed again, turned into a human. Zhao Sheng, you really are human!" The Divine Spirit''s thought pattern was linear, vastly different from that of humans.


    Zhao Sheng couldn''t help but smile wryly and seriously explained, "I have always been human, Your Highness. There''s no need to remind me again and again."


    "I''m very curious about Your Highness''s current state of existence. How big is your true body? Could it be as big as the entire Star Algae Sea?" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Not just the Star Algae Sea, but wherever there is algae, there is Divine. However, Divine''s consciousness never grows up, and its true body is probably just about the size of the Star Algae Sea," replied the Divine Spirit, its words somewhat contradictory and obscure.


    But Zhao Sheng was extremely perceptive and immediately grasped the meaning behind the Divine Spirit''s words.


    The Divine Spirit was likely a type of collective life form, representing the collective spiritual consciousness of countless algae in the Shattered Star Sea.


    The places where algae grew most vigorously and densely, such as the Star Algae Sea, harbored stronger consciousness of the Divine Spirit.


    However, in the Outer Sea and other oceans, due to the scarcity of algae and small clusters, they could not support the Divine Spirit''s spiritual consciousness.


    This caused the Divine''s spiritual consciousness to not spread to the farther Outer Sea regions.


    What the Divine Spirit meant by "never growing up" was likely that the reproduction rate of the algae was too slow and could not scale up.


    If one day, the Star Algae could entirely cover all four great oceans, then the Divine Spirit would surely grow to become a great existence comparable to the Heavenly Dao.


    Actually, such Sea God species of collective life forms like the Divine Spirit are inherently legendary creatures with longevity.


    In the Taiyi Spirit Realm, the Sea God is also known as "Earth Immortal,"


    In the Spirit Clan and other higher races, a fully mature Sea God is a naturally born Divine Spirit, capable of acting on behalf of Heavenly Dao. Thus, it is also known by other great titles such as Main God, Realm Master, and Heavenly Dao Spirit.


    Compared to others of its kind, the Divine Spirit was like an infant just learning to walk, its spiritual consciousness weak and unstable. Occasionally waking for a moment, it would then fall into long periods of deep sleep, waiting endlessly for the day it would "grow up."


    But that day might never arrive, for more than twenty thousand years ago, when the Divine Spirit had just begun to develop consciousness, it was discovered by the Great Ability of the Human Clan.


    To prevent the Divine Spirit from "occupying" this world, the Great Ability of the Human Clan had already made many arrangements in advance and set up the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array.


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    The mission of the Star God Palace and the Four Great Ancient Clans was to guard the Star God and prevent it from losing control.


    Additionally, they were responsible for maintaining the normal operation of the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array.


    The cultivation technique of the Star God was completely different from that of the Human Clan.


    Compared to the Human Clan, whose cultivation assimilated myriad divine skills and power into oneself.


    The consciousness of the Divine was law, divine skills, it was both life and path!


    Within the range of the Divine consciousness, a part of Heavenly Dao Authority was usurped, possessing power to call the wind and summon the rain, to transform heaven and earth¡ªthe title of Heavenly Dao Spirit was not without reason.


    Although the Star God was among the weakest of its kind, its natural instincts still persisted. At least within the range of the Star Algae Sea, it was almost omnipotent and omniscient.


    But back to the main point!


    No sooner had the Star God finished speaking than Zhao Sheng cried out in astonishment, "Wait... the entire Star Algae Sea spans tens of thousands of miles, is it really where your true body resides?"


    As he spoke, he looked up at the boundless ocean, his heart unavoidably shaken by such a miraculous and grand life.


    "This realm can actually nurture such a magnificent lifeform, the wonders of the Heavenly Dao creator are beyond anything, next to the Star God!"


    "Of course! Although the Divine is small now, it will grow one day. It''s just that your Human Clan''s Star God Palace is too annoying. It always stretches out a Magic Net, binding the Divine''s body. Can you help the Divine destroy it?"


    "No, I can''t," Zhao Sheng shook his head and said bluntly.


    Facing a miraculous lifeform like the Star God that could pierce directly into one''s heart, any human lies and deceit could barely be concealed from it.


    Zhao Shengr had keenly perceived this and thus spoke the truth.


    "You can''t do it now, but that doesn''t mean you can''t do it in the future. If you can help the Divine break free from its bonds, the Divine will repay you," the Star God said earnestly.


    "For twenty thousand years, your highness has seen countless Children of Destiny. If these born protagonists couldn''t do it, how could I, a mere subject, manage?"


    "Heavenly Dao told the Divine, you are different! You can do it."


    For some reason, the Star God was exceptionally serious this time.


    Zhao Sheng actually sensed a trace of excitement in those emotionless words.


    "Hmm! Your highness is really... I cannot guarantee that I can help you break free, but if one day I can, I will do it if it''s convenient," Zhao Sheng reconsidered and then spoke outright.


    "Hehe, at most a few thousand years, sleeping through dozens of awakenings will pass it. Such a short time, the Divine can wait," thought the Star God, its perspective simply invincible.


    Its concept of time was fundamentally different from that of the Human Clan.


    A civilization might only span five thousand years from its birth to maturity, but to the consciousness of the Star God, it was merely a few dozen awakenings.


    Looking at the Star God, this unprecedentedly strange life-form, Zhao Sheng was extremely curious at the moment, curious about how the Longevity Species viewed the Human Clan''s cultivation for longevity.


    When he asked the Star God what the true Longevity Technique was,


    the Star God responded, "The Divine does not understand your Human Clan''s cultivation methods. For the Divine, eternal youth does not exist. The Divine is born every moment and dies every moment.


    Once, someone interesting said an interesting thing, he said the Divine is "the ''I'' of yesterday is not ''me'', and the ''me'' of today is neither alive nor dead."


    "The Divine also doesn''t understand your Human Clan''s Longevity Technique, the Divine''s consciousness is life, thinking is cultivation, the Cultivation Technique is consciousness, Heavenly Dao is the Divine''s teacher, the world is the Divine''s body. The larger the consciousness, the larger the body, and you say the Divine is powerful.


    But what is power? Heavenly Dao doesn''t know, the Divine doesn''t understand."


    Saying this, the Star God gave a peculiar laugh and suddenly blurted out a phrase: "In the ancient beginning, who conveyed the doctrine? Above and below not formed, how can it be verified? Dark bright and dim obscured, who can determine it? Bearing semblance yet elusive, how to recognize...


    "These words were spoken by the Human Clan that confined the Divine twenty thousand years ago. At that time, he also said that when the Divine truly understands the meaning of these words, it will be the day the Divine has grown up."


    "Zhao Sheng, the Divine has asked countless people, countless people have given the Divine different answers, yet the Divine still hasn''t ''grown up''. Do you know the true meaning of this passage? Why, oh why!"


    Zhao Sheng was stumped by the Star God for a moment.


    It was like asking why one plus one equals two?


    It seems very simple, but in fact, it is an exceedingly tough question.


    Moreover, everything discussed above comprises eternal mysteries.

 Chapter 226 The World through Divine Eyes

    Just as Zhao Sheng was stumped by the question posed by the Star God, little did he know that a short exchange had already spanned three days and nights in the outside world.


    On that day, the Upper Sky above Star God Island was clear and bright, with the sun and moon shining together in the sky.


    Eighty miles southwest of Star God Island, on the sea surface, a massive Sea Crossing Crab akin to an island stretched out its two immense azure-golden claws, interlocking them above its head.


    A thick, Condensed, spirit light-infused azure-golden Light Shield suddenly stood tall in the sky, enveloping the entire Sea Crossing Crab and propping up a Barrier space.


    Within the Barrier space, members of the Spirit Clan stood scattered across the crab''s shell, largely divided into two groups, surrounding the two lucky ones in the middle.


    One was naturally Zhao Sheng, who currently sat cross-legged with eyes closed, his breath barely perceptible, yet enveloped by strands of "Lightning."


    This "Lightning," flickering in and out of existence, was actually the manifestation of a mighty and unparalleled unknown Divine Thought.


    And the other person was surprisingly Wang Yingling.


    Her silver hair danced around her, with threads of Lightning circling three feet from her body, though in far fewer numbers than Zhao Sheng.


    Previously, no one could have imagined that two seemingly insignificant youngsters would be chosen by the Star God.


    At this moment, everyone present, from the three kings with Perfect Golden Cores down to the silent and Nameless warriors of the Alien Race, looked upon the two lucky ones with envy and jealousy, wishing they could take their places.


    Standing in front of the crowd, the Star Cloud King remained silent, his eyes coldly fixed on Zhao Sheng''s figure, with profound killing intent flickering in the depths of his eyes.


    The Ice King stood to the left of the Star Cloud King, leaning slightly forward, as if to shield him.


    In secrecy, the Ice King transmitted via Divine Sense, "Star Cloud, hold back! This youngster is different now. You can''t touch him. Otherwise, if the Ancestor blames us later, you won''t be able to handle it!"


    "Hmph!" the Star Cloud King snorted coldly, showing no intention of explaining himself.


    As the top three kings under the Ancestor, the Ice King had some knowledge of the Star Cloud King''s secret.


    The Star Cloud King''s bloodline was impure, and he had reached his current height only through bitter cultivation


    However, due to his inferior bloodline, he was not eligible for the inheritance sequence, and it was as difficult as climbing to heaven to advance further.


    Therefore, to ascend to the Nascent Soul Realm, the Star Cloud King secretly cultivated the forbidden technique of the clan, the bloodline stripping art.


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    Originally, his targets were some dying members of his own clan. However, Zhao Sheng''s emergence seemed an unexpected blessing, and avarice surged within him.


    Seeing the Star Cloud King''s obstinate demeanor, the Ice King warned one last time, "Star Cloud, you''d better be sensible! Don''t forget that the Ancestor is watching everything from the sky right now."


    ...


    In the Tianzhu Realm, above Star God Island, at the edge of the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, where Light and Darkness converge.


    A meteorite with a diameter of twenty miles and a pockmarked surface slowly emerged from the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, pausing as it reached the edge.


    Then, the meteorite followed the boundary between light and dark, flying from the horizon towards us, and finally coming to a halt in the Upper Sky above Star God Island.


    Suddenly, a Light Gate seven or eight zhang long and five zhang wide appeared deep within a one-mile-wide Meteor Crater in the middle of the meteorite, as brilliant light erupted from the crater.


    Instantly,


    Streaks of light flew back from the depths of the Void, one after another, landing in the Meteor Crater, flashing through the Light Gate, into a hundred-mile-wide Cave Heaven Blessed Land.


    This Cave Heaven was the location of the Vast Sect''s gates,


    Unless one saw it with their own eyes, no one would believe that the mythical Sky-reaching Cloud Ship, which was talked about in reverence across the Tianzhu Realm, was actually an ordinary meteorite.


    Upon entering the Vast Cave Paradise, a towering Chengtian Wood Tree, extending high into the clouds, was the first thing to catch one''s eye.


    This towering tree, known as Chengtian Wood, boasted three layers of shade; the lowest layer alone spanned a hundred miles, virtually supporting the entire Cave Heaven single-handedly.


    A moment later, within the second layer of the tree''s shade, nearly a hundred Nascent Soul Ancestors of the Gathering Immortal Hall sat around, occupying different spaces based on the closeness or distance of their relationship.


    Today, these Nascent Soul Ancestors gathered for the Nascent Soul Conference within the Tianzhu Realm.


    The Nascent Soul Conference was one of the highest-profile meetings of the realm, held nearly once every hundred years, coinciding with the awakening of the Star God.


    The conference served many purposes, primarily to exchange cultivation insights and barter resources. Of course, it also served to mitigate conflicts of interest, disputes, and old grudges between different powers, as well as among the Ancestors themselves.


    At the Nascent Soul Realm, aside from personal grievances, advancing to Divinity Transformation was of utmost importance; as for factions'' past grudges, they seemed less significant to the Nascent Soul Ancestors, and the lines between friends and foes began to blur.


    In fact, it was similar to Liu Zhengfeng of the Hengshan Sect and Qu Yang in "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" within the Martial World. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, a thousand-year-old Old Demon and a righteous Supreme Elder could also be life-and-death friends.


    In the Gathering Immortal Hall, the Nascent Soul Conference had just begun.


    Ling Yuan and Ling Xu, two Ancestors, immediately sought out Pan Xing and Ling Yue, the Palace Masters of the Star God Palace.


    On a Cloud Platform to the east of the Gathering Immortal Hall, Ancestor Ling Yuan looked at the two "old friends." with expressionless faces and coldly declared, "Pan Xing, Ling Yue, last time you won. Do you dare to bet with us again?"


    "Hmph, Ling Yuan, you old undead, as long as you''re willing. My Palace is willing to accompany you once more. Shall the stakes be the same as last time?" Pan Xing sneered.


    "The same! If you win, I will retreat to the Outer Sea half a year early, and willingly hand over Dragon Head Island along with ten million members of the Human Clan. But if I win..."


    "Hehe! If you win, we will release Ling Kong and return the Xi Yi Bell to you," Ling Yue took up the conversation.


    Ling Kong Ancestor was the second elder of the Spirit Clan, who due to an oversight was captured by the Star God Palace three hundred years ago and had been imprisoned in the Locking God Prison ever since.

 Chapter 226 The World through the Divines Eyes_2

    ```


    And the Xi Yi Bell is a major spiritual treasure of the Spirit Clan, previously controlled by the Ling Kong Ancestor. It also fell into the hands of the Star God Palace three hundred years ago.


    After exchanging a glance, Ling Yuan and Ling Xu nodded gravely at the two Palace Masters.


    "We''ll raise the bet by twenty strands of Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence over one inch each and five strands of Magic Trace Mystic Essence. Do you two dare to take it?"


    "Why wouldn''t we dare? Our palace will take it all at once. Additionally, our palace will add a piece of Geng Metal Meteorite weighing ten thousand juns."


    "Geng Metal? Fine, I''ll add a pot of Moonlight Liquid."


    "Deal! This time, our Star God Palace has three Children of Destiny. What about you?"


    Ling Yuan Ancestor held up two fingers, boasting with a slight sense of pride, "Hehe! There are two youngsters in our clan who have been chosen by the Star God."


    Palace Masters Pan Xing and Ling Yue swiftly exchanged a look, cursing inwardly that the Spirit Clan had stumbled upon blind luck this time.


    Pan Xing collected his spirit, fixing his ''old friend'' with a direct gaze, and coldly said, "Same rules as always, whichever side''s last member wakes up, that side wins. Do you have any objections?"


    "Agreed!"


    ...


    Within the Star God Illusion Realm, Zhao Sheng had no idea that he had become a tool for gambling between two major forces, the Spirit Clan and the Human Clan.


    Zhao Sheng pondered thoughtfully for a long time, but as for the questions posed by the Star God, he was completely at a loss to answer any of them.


    Despite his ability to produce many kinds of "answers," each articulated as if it were a heavenly revelation with impeccable logic,


    Zhao Sheng knew very well that in the presence of a being whose innate status could be compared to that of an immortal, he had to be extremely careful with every word and deed, and falsehoods were absolutely unacceptable.


    After much thought, Zhao Sheng slowly shook his head, gazing earnestly at the Star God, and said solemnly, "Your Highness, these questions are far too profound, I truly do not know the answers. However, I can share with Your Highness my analyses, understanding, and insights about them. Would Your Highness be willing to listen?"


    "Go ahead and speak!" the Star God immediately nodded in agreement.


    "Alright!"


    Zhao Sheng took a deep breath and began to speak loudly:


    "In the beginning, the universe was in chaos, the abyss was dark, and the deity said, ''Let there be light¡ª''


    Uh, wrong scene.


    Let''s start over!


    "In the beginning, the heaven and earth were in chaos, rounded like an egg. The Tao was born within it. In a flash, billions of years passed, and heaven and earth were divided. Pure Yang became the heavens, and turbid Yin became the earth..."


    As he faced the Star God, Zhao Sheng talked on and on.


    For some reason, as soon as he began to speak, brilliant ideas sprang to mind.


    The more Zhao Sheng spoke, the more his ideas surged forth like a fountain, and his understanding of the Tao deepened remarkably as though some extra help had been activated.


    Days passed, and stars shifted.


    Zhao Sheng seemed to be unaware of the passage of time, continuously expounding on his insights.


    What he did not know at this time was,


    In the other over a hundred Star God Worlds, other Children of Destiny, whether spirited, ecstatic, or obsessively engrossed, were "preaching" to the Star Gods. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, the Star Gods they saw were nothing but enormous Light Balls, not taking human form as had occurred with Zhao Sheng.


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    As time went on, the inspirations of the Children of Destiny were ''squeezed dry and consumed,'' and they eventually had to exit the Star God World.


    When world after world faded away, leaving only thirteen remaining, Zhao Sheng''s inspiration finally ran dry, and he had no choice but to stop.


    It was only after this that he realized something was amiss. The explosive bout of inspiration he had just experienced was incredibly bizarre.


    There had to be something fishy about it.


    Without much reflection, it was clear that the Star God had been manipulating things from behind the scenes.


    Nevertheless, that session of Enlightenment was truly too precious.


    Upon reflection, Zhao Sheng found that his understanding of the Tao had improved leaps and bounds.


    At this moment, the Star God squatted down, patted the waters, and called out seriously, "Zhao Sheng, why have you stopped speaking?"


    "Your Highness, I''ve run empty here," Zhao Sheng responded, pointing to his head with a wry smile.


    "Alright then! Since you''ve finished speaking, now it''s time for the Divine to reciprocate."


    As these words were spoken, the Star God slowly transformed into an immense bright white Light Ball. Within it, billions of electric lights zigzagged, their intensity ebbing and flowing unpredictably.


    "Zhao Sheng, would you like to see what the world looks like through the Divine''s Eye?"


    After this sentence was slowly uttered, the Great Sun in the sky began to vanish bit by bit. Light faded, the world started to shrink inwards, its edges blurring, and the sea water also transformed into layers of flowing, twinkling, multicolored radiance.


    Zhao Sheng watched the world fade away and also noticed his hands and body slowly fading into obscurity, beginning to disappear bit by bit.


    ```


    Seeing this scene, he calmed his spirit and resolutely nodded, "I am willing!"


    "Good, just be careful while communicating with the Heavenly Dao, don''t get assimilated by it!"


    As soon as these words were spoken, the world abruptly turned into chaos, and Zhao Sheng''s Divine Soul was suddenly hooked by a force beyond imagination. In an instant, he was pulled into a "world" bizarre and indescribable in words.


    This "world" was all light, with endless threads beyond the radiance.


    The threads were of extreme variegated colors, not only including the nine colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, black, and white, but also countless "colors" beyond human imagination.


    Zhao Sheng didn''t recognize nor understand these "colors," as if they existed in a chaos beyond his cognition.


    And in his eyes, the threads didn''t possess concepts of length, width, or diameter.


    Sometimes they would stretch out boundlessly, at other times they would coil into a point, sometimes intertwining and winding, weaving and piling into endless knots and three-dimensional structures.


    Zhao Sheng just wanted to take another look, but in the next moment.


    He suddenly fell from the obscure depths, returning to the Shattered Star Sea.


    The sun was shining brightly, the sky was cloudless,


    In the boundless sea, islands were scattered like stars, and myriad life bred in the sea and formed an extremely complex food web,


    At the very bottom of this food web, countless algae instinctively reproduced and divided, experiencing endless life and death.


    At this time, he (it) had become a creature so immense it was beyond imagination.


    In a split second, it divided into countless consciousnesses, each occupying a region of the sea, each with its own personality and cognition.


    The largest consciousness radiated tens of thousands of miles, considered the strongest among them.


    However, regardless of their size, the Innate status of each consciousness was equal; there was no hierarchy or gender differentiation.


    Yet Zhao Sheng did not find this surprising, as if the existence of thousands of consciousnesses was perfectly normal, as if it were righteous.


    In the face of massive amounts of information transmitted simultaneously by thousands of consciousnesses, he received and processed it effortlessly and provided timely feedback.


    Suddenly,


    a great sense of crisis welled up in him, as if he was facing a threat to his life. A voice instantly emerged from deep within his consciousness and quickly grew louder and stronger!


    "Danger! Absolute Rationality!"


    The moment this voice sounded, it echoed like a great bell, repeatedly resounding in the depths of his consciousness.


    In an instant, thousands of consciousnesses paused at the same time, then the human form of "Zhao Sheng" appeared from within the largest Light Ball.


    "Indeed danger, I was almost assimilated!"


    Despite nearly perishing, Zhao Sheng''s face was expressionless, his eyes utterly indifferent.


    At this point, he had already invoked Absolute Rationality. Before his Divine Soul was exhausted, his consciousness maintained absolute independence.


    "What is the world seen by the Divine Eye? Let me experience it myself!"


    No sooner had he spoken than he fiercely plucked at the strings of his heart, and the world before his eyes came to a halt.


    No,


    It was the flow of time that had slowed down countless times, as if Zhao Sheng had suddenly activated Bullet Time.


    But he knew he hadn''t activated his Talent.


    The ability to do so was purely the Star God''s innate instinct.


    From the perspective of a Star God, time was an elastic concept.


    If the normal world in human eyes was seen as a movie screen,


    Then in the eyes of a Star God, it could be watched frame by frame, and at the same time, it could be sped up countless times.


    Extreme speed and extreme slowness coexisted in the Star God''s consciousness, without contradiction.


    This was a miracle unimaginable to humans, but all too normal in the eyes of a Star God.


    With a thought, Zhao Sheng once again plucked the strings of his heart.


    In that instant, time sped up countless times.


    Day rose and moon set, stars shifted, the Star Algae from birth to death, all completed in a single thought.


    This novel experience was something Zhao Sheng had never had before.


    For a while, he continuously plucked the strings of time, as if toying with the axis of time.


    The world''s pace fluctuated, blurring time itself!

 Chapter 227 Jin Dancheng

    With the perspective of the Star God, the layers of mist that shrouded this world were lifted, finally revealing to Zhao Sheng countless inexplicable and indescribable secrets.


    He personally experienced the vastness of heaven and earth, where space-time could twist and the earth would show its curvature. The Shattered Star Sea gave rise to tides under the disturbance of the Heavenly Dao; phenomena like wind, thunder, rain, and fog flickered in and out of existence, mysterious and unpredictable.


    Within the expanse of tens of thousands of miles in the Star Algae Sea, he felt as if he had replaced the Heavenly Dao, controlling the climatic changes at will with a spiritual consciousness so powerful it was beyond words. With a single thought, a storm could stir across thousands of miles of the sea''s boundary, and with another, dark clouds could rise nine layers high while thousands of miles of rain and thunder suddenly roared.


    This extraordinary experience, which he had never had before, delighted Zhao Sheng immensely and deeply fascinated him.


    Fortunately, under the guise of Absolute Rationality, his consciousness remained independent and was not assimilated by the overpowering consciousness of the Star God.


    Zhao Sheng''s consciousness reprojected near Star God Island, merging into the most powerful Star God Consciousness.


    In the world''s depths, beneath the Heavenly Dao, a vast consciousness extended over tens of thousands of miles, overlooking a vast seascape.


    Zhao Sheng saw the once colossal ten-thousand-year-old Humpbacked Mountain Turtle, which now seemed as tiny as an ant in his eyes.


    With a single thought, he saw the sea area around the turtle suddenly depress, forming a gigantic vortex with a diameter of a hundred miles in the blink of an eye. This vortex suddenly exerted an infinite suction force, trying to pull the turtle into a ten-thousand-foot-deep abyss.


    At that moment, the turtle let out a furious roar that shook the surrounding hundred miles.


    Its island-sized body rapidly burst with a large expanse of blue radiance, wrapping it into a blue light ball, while a thirty-foot-wide beam of blue light instantly shot into the vortex below.


    As the earth-shattering sound boomed, a massive amount of seawater exploded high into the sky, and towering columns of water surged from the vortex, slightly shaking the sea area within a thousand miles.


    Following this terrifying strike, the turtle effortlessly broke free from the vortex''s grip, the enormous blue light ball carrying vast amounts of seawater soaring into the sky.


    After all, as a Tenth-Order Ancient Beast, even True Monarchs would retreat three feet when it fought for its life.


    Zhao Sheng was merely toying with it; otherwise, by the expansive consciousness of the Star God, erasing the opponent with a single thought would not have been difficult.


    Turning his gaze, he suddenly noticed other presences in the world of consciousness.


    At this moment, there were still seven Children of Destiny in the Star God World, preaching to the Star God.


    Though it was termed preaching, in essence, the Star God lent a strand of consciousness for the Children of Destiny to comprehend the Heavenly Dao themselves, then relay it back to the Star God.


    Zhao Sheng looked at them, feeling a rush of curiosity.


    These seven were indeed the last standing Children of Destiny, each with astonishing cultivation, all at the Golden Core Realm. Six of them possessed a True Golden Core, and only one condensed his pill through external means, but he was remarkable nonetheless¡ªclearly a Golden Core Sword Practitioner.


    Of course, cultivation levels were not Zhao Sheng''s main concern; what caught his attention the most was the Qi Fortune on each of the seven Children of Destiny.


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    For the first time, Zhao Sheng directly observed Qi Fortune and its state of existence.


    With a single flicker of thought, the secrets of vast Qi Fortune unexpectedly transmitted from the Star God Consciousness into his spirit.


    Qi Fortune originates from the Innate Fate Dao, being the foremost among the Innate Five Fortunes.


    Measured against Human Clan concepts, Qi Fortune is usually divided into five colors: gray, white, red, blue, and purple, with purple being the most esteemed and gray the most inferior.


    Qi Fortune is further distinguished by the height it rises. Nine is the utmost number: gray Qi Fortune peaks at nine inches, white at nine feet, red at nine yards... with the highest purple Qi Fortune known as the "Purple Qi Coming from the East."


    At this moment, in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, even the Child of Destiny with the shallowest Qi Fortune had blue Qi Fortune, towering at ninety-three yards. Yet, the one with the deepest Qi Fortune turned out to be the sword practitioner,


    This person had an ordinary appearance, not particularly tall or short, with a resolute gaze.


    Aside from the three-foot iron sword on his waist that proved his occupation as a sword practitioner, his whole body''s aura was calm like water, revealing no trace of sharpness and achieving the state of Returning to the Truth.


    This person''s Qi Fortune was tinged with purple, with a Qi Fortune pillar on his head like a sky-supporting giant pillar, directly disappearing into the clouds, turning the surrounding hundred miles of cloud into a sea of purple clouds.


    Zhao Sheng paid him a bit more attention, and information about this person suddenly surfaced in his mind.


    Li Pingjian, the first true inheritor of the Sky-splitting Sword Dao, Gold Element Single Spirit Root, Innate Sword Son, Golden Core Perfect Realm, Divine Power of Ten Thousand Swords Returning to One...


    "...This person has the potential for Divinity Transformation!"


    Out of nowhere, Zhao Sheng''s mind suddenly had a premonition.


    This thought emerged, and Zhao Sheng suddenly felt curious to explore this person further.


    Just then, he happened to spot some individuals from the Spirit Clan.


    With the thought, the Qi Fortune of the people from the Spirit Clan emerged.


    Among all, the Ice King''s Qi Fortune was pure blue, towering at thirty-two yards, but the one with the deepest Qi Fortune wasn''t him but a junior member of the Spirit Clan... Zhao Sheng''s acquaintance, Wang Yingling.


    Her Qi Fortune was tinged with purple within the blue, reaching ninety-nine yards.


    Zhao Sheng found this somewhat unexpected, but that... was unimportant.


    At this moment, one person stood out.


    Star Cloud King, ranking ninth among the people, with a pale blue Qi Fortune pillar eleven yards high.


    This person had harbored intentions of killing him three or four times.


    "Kill him!" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Under Absolute Rationality, Zhao Sheng''s actions were always straightforward and simple, employing an iron heart that decisively cuts through everything, an understatement for his approach.


    With a single thought, a strand of Divine Thought from the consciousness of the Star God immediately split off.


    This strand of Divine Thought transformed into an invisible thunderbolt, instantly striking the Divine Soul of the Star Cloud King.


    With the high virtue of the Star God, even a strand of Divine Thought, fundamentally speaking, was several levels higher than the Divine Consciousness of the Star Cloud King.

 Chapter 227 Jin Dancheng_2

    The thunderbolt struck Star Cloud King, and immediately and effortlessly erased his divine soul.


    Suddenly, Star Cloud King fell to the ground, devoid of any sign of life.


    "Star Cloud!" Ice King''s face changed dramatically, and he shouted in shock and anger.


    At the same time, his divine sense burst out wildly, swiftly sweeping the surrounding area for several miles, but he detected no trace of the enemy.


    Heavenly River King flashed to Star Cloud King''s side, and without a close inspection, a mere glance turned his complexion ashen, his eyes brimming with intense horror.


    Under the protection of a Ninth-Order Sea Crossing Crab, there were few in the world who could silently claim the life of Star Cloud King.


    "Unless... a Divinity Transformation True Monarch made a move! Star Cloud King, not even a Nascent Soul, how could such a formidable Divinity Transformation True Monarch stoop so low to bully the weak? Then who... Who is his next target?"


    Thinking of this, Heavenly River King felt extremely panicked, fearing he might become the next victim.


    What he could never have anticipated was that the assailant was not a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, but Zhao Sheng, whom they had surrounded.


    A mere Perfect Golden Core had been nonchalantly wiped out by a single thought of his.


    After killing Star Cloud King, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of weakness deep within his divine soul.


    In an instant, the Hundred Lifetimes Book leaped out from the depths of his divine soul and appeared before his eyes, its pages turning silently and without prompt.


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 57/68 (-1, -1)


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer


    ...


    It was to be expected, a mortal using the Star God Consciousness had to pay a price!


    Zhao Sheng saw his own life span rapidly diminishing at the rate of one year per breath.


    Seeing such a terrifying scenario, a normal person would panic.


    But under the influence of Absolute Rationality, Zhao Sheng''s mind was as tranquil as still water, and he felt not a hint of fear or panic.


    His thoughts were as quick as lightning, and he instantly formulated a plan, "Not enough life span, but upon advancing to Golden Core, one gains eight hundred years of life!"


    As Star God incarnate in the Star Algae Sea, he was almost omnipotent.


    As he formed the thought in his mind.


    The sky and clouds changed colors within a thousand miles of Star God Island, and the nature''s spiritual energy from a hundred miles around swarmed toward the location of Zhao Sheng''s true body.


    In less than a breath''s time.


    The Spirit Clan watched in horror as a huge spiritual energy vortex suddenly formed in an instant and hovered above the meditating Zhao Sheng''s head.


    The next moment, a tremendous amount of pure spiritual energy furiously poured into Zhao Sheng''s body.


    The Star God Consciousness was immensely powerful, and manipulating this amount of spiritual energy was like playing a game.


    As soon as the nature''s spiritual energy entered the Dantian, it smoothly integrated into the Spirit Power Vortex, and his cultivation soared like a rocket.


    Foundation Establishment mid-Ninth Layer,


    Foundation Establishment late-Ninth Layer,


    After one breath, the twenty-seventh Spiritual Power Bead was fully formed, achieving Foundation Establishment Perfection!


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng realized he lacked a Divine Skill to serve as the foundation for forming the Golden Core.


    After two lifetimes of hard cultivation, most of his foundation was in the Water Element, and his main cultivation technique was the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique.


    He decided to use a Water Element Divine Power as the basis to forge the Golden Core.


    In an instant, the content of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique flowed through his mind like water, and all the insights from his two lifetimes of hard cultivation surfaced in his mind.


    In a split second, countless understandings of the Water Element Dao surged forth, and Zhao Sheng''s mind was filled with flashes of spirit light.


    Using the countless Star God Consciousness as a tool, his logical thinking skyrocketed, as if equipping his own consciousness with a Fake Heavenly Dao Level quantum computer.


    The numerous Star God Consciousness functioned like a group of super quantum computers, using the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique as the basis and Heavenly Dao Level computing power to simultaneously parallel-process just to deduce a Golden Core Divine Power.


    Prior to Zhao Sheng, whether any Child of Destiny in the Tianzhu Realm had ever done something like this was a secret known only to the Star God.


    Had this event been known to others, it would have caused a sensation across the world and driven countless cultivators to madness, and even Divinity Transformation True Monarchs would be deeply moved.


    Within a single breath, hundreds of "Divine Abilities" were deduced, but the vast majority had three-dimensional structures full of errors or limited potential, and were immediately discarded.


    Divine Skills were different from common Spells.


    Compared to two-dimensional rune Spells, Divine Skills, due to their involvement with Taoist Laws, have cultivated a new three-dimensional structure.


    The information density of three-dimensional runes was several orders of magnitude higher than that of two-dimensional ones, making them perfectly suitable as a structure for Divine Skills.


    Why is the success rate of forming a True Golden Core so low? Golden Core Thunder Tribulation is one reason, the other is that Divine Skills compatible with oneself are too rare.


    Just as one breath passed, Zhao Sheng''s mind was left with only three extremely complex three-dimensional Divine Skill structures.


    The first Divine Skill was named "Boundless Ocean," inspired by the saying that greatness lies in the ability to hold all things vast as the ocean. Its strength was the formidable True Yuan capacity, ten times that of a True Immortal of the same stage.


    The second Divine Skill was called "Sea Suppressing," which was derived from the Treasure Restriction of the Sea Suppressing Pearl. This Divine Skill was orthodox, possessing the superpower of calming the tides and measuring the weight of the seas.


    The Sea Suppressing Divine Skill was almost a perfect match with the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique, likely the last Divine Skill missing from the Cultivation Technique.


    Had there not been a third Divine Skill, Zhao Sheng would have suited to choose it perfectly.


    But it was precisely the third Divine Skill that best fit his Heart Intent.


    This Divine Skill was named "Sumeru Water Realm."


    Based on the use of Heavenly True Water as a defining substance, it was combined with the true essence of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique and further deduced on the basis of the Sea Suppressing Divine Skill.


    The Buddha said: "A single flower is a world, a single leaf is a Tath¨¡gata!"


    Heavenly True Water is the ultimate substance formed after the world''s erasure, where a drop of water can transform into a vast ocean.


    The "Sumeru Water Realm" Divine Skill was founded on the two grand principles of "water and space-time." Its physical form was also a drop of "water," capable of the ability to contain oceans within a mustard seed, to conceal seas in a droplet, and to turn a drop into a vast expanse, as well as inheriting the Divine Power to calm tides and weigh the seas.


    What most moved Zhao Sheng was that he saw a broader world through this Divine Skill and had already preliminarily deduced a blueprint for a new set of Cultivation Techniques. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No, it should be called the evolution of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique.


    For now, this method was called the "Heavenly True Water Skill."


    Once Zhao Sheng truly used this skill to ascend to the Divinity Transformation Realm, this set of techniques could then be referred to as the "Sumeru Sea Transformation Scripture."


    At this thought, Zhao Sheng had already decided to use the Sumeru Water Realm as the foundation for his Golden Core.


    With a thought, the spiritual energy vortex above Zhao Sheng''s head suddenly expanded tenfold, enveloping a hundred-mile radius around Star God Island.


    Under the influence of the Star God Consciousness, the spiritual energy compressed and condensed furiously, taking shape and forming into droplets of spiritual water, which fell from Zhao Sheng''s crown and passed through his chest and abdomen to drop into the Core Spiritual Power Vortex within his Dantian.


    In an instant, an overwhelming suction force surged from the depths of the vortex, and the twenty-seven Spiritual Power Beads flew into it like swallows darting into a forest, rustling into its depths.


    As droplets of spiritual water quickly fell into the Dantian, and as Zhao Sheng''s Divine Sense concentrated on the deep part of the vortex, an extremely complex, intricate three-dimensional rune-filled ball-shaped Divine Skill structure, resembling a galaxy, was constructed at the speed of light.


    Once the Divine Ability Seed was formed, all the Spiritual Power as if it had found its mainstay, suddenly swarmed in.


    Spiritual Power became the flesh; Divine Skill formed the bone!


    After a single breath, a perfectly rounded, resplendent Golden Core, dazzling with thousands of rays of golden light, was suspended at the center of the Dantian.


    Zhao Sheng did not need to take any Golden Core Formation Pill to establish his core; in two words, it was a staunch confrontation.


    As soon as the Golden Core was formed, a Tribulation Cloud suddenly appeared out of nowhere above him, and the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation emerged as expected.


    However, with a single thought from Zhao Sheng, the vast Tribulation Cloud was erased, displaying the inconceivable power of the Star God!


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 57/728 (-1, -1)


    Realm: Golden Core First Layer


    ...


    "728 years, that should be sufficient!" Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    The average Human Clan Golden Core has a maximum of eight hundred years of Life Span, and the Spirit Clan has always lived longer than the Human Clan, averaging around a thousand years.


    Subtracting the previously consumed Life Span, he would still have over seven hundred years left.


    Zhao Sheng was quite satisfied with this.


    However, at this moment, he faced the most important choice of this lifetime.


    To live or to be annihilated, that was the question!


    Making use of the Star God Consciousness, Zhao Sheng envisioned countless future scenarios and made an absolutely rational decision.


    Let the burning of Life Span continue, as he deduced the Tao with the help of the Star God. Find your next read on My Virtual Library Empire


    With Hundred Lifetimes within him, Zhao Sheng would neither stubbornly follow a doomed path nor would he devote all his computational consciousness to deducing the Heavenly True Water Skill.


    After assigning this task to the most powerful Star God Consciousness, the remaining consciousnesses acted like a group of super quantum computers, each with their distinct tasks, beginning to seek "Enlightenment" concurrently.


    Mind One, Task: deducing the "Heavenly True Water Skill."


    Mind Two, Task: deducing the Enlightenment Pill Elixir Recipe.


    Mind Three, Task: exploring the Fire Law, simulating the practice of the "Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique."


    Mind Four, Task...


    .

 Chapter 228 Space-Time Teleportation

    ...


    From Thought Three to Thought One Thousand, task: using talismans and spells as a foundation, deduce higher-level Treasure Techniques.


    From Thought One Thousand and One to Two Thousand, task: organize, summarize, and deduce Artifact Refining, Formations, Beast Taming, Body Refinement, Controlling Corpse... and other Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation.


    "Eh, what''s this?"


    The two thousand three hundred twenty-third "Zhao Sheng," while flipping through his own memories, suddenly discovered several peculiar memory blanks in a stretch of memory from over thirty years ago.


    With a flash of thought, an extremely intricate and strange rune suddenly appeared in his mind.


    At first glance, it resembled a three-dimensional Divine Skill rune, but at the ends of its third dimension, numerous rune threads extended into the unknown, as if connecting to the more mysterious and unfathomable Taoist Laws.


    Merely from the exposed aspect of the rune, it was platinum-colored, with complex and dense lines intertwining yet incredibly rigid, without a single curve.


    At a glance, the rune radiated an aura of unparalleled sharpness, and it conveyed a sense of eternity, solidity, and indestructibility.


    After one look, Zhao Sheng''s heartstrings were plucked by the Heavenly Dao, and in an instant, countless profound messages fell from the unknown and emerged in his mind, "Golden Taoist Text: ''Firm,'' Taoist Intent: indestructible, unbreakable, unchanging..."


    Even though Zhao Sheng was under the influence of Absolute Rationality, to express the indescribable shock in his heart, he still habitually cursed, "Fuck, that Imperial Tablet actually recorded a Tao True Text! No wonder I''ve looked at it so many times and still couldn''t remember it."


    The Tao True Text is one form of expression manifested by the Tao. It represents the embodiment of certain Laws under the Tao.


    The Tao True Text is linked to the Tao, and because it is protected by the Tao, it inherently has the shielding property of "unseen to the eye, unheard to the ear,"


    Without a deep comprehension of a certain Tao, even high-level Great Ability beings in the Returning to Void Realm, like Zhao Sheng, would forget upon seeing it, completely unaware.


    This time, Zhao Sheng managed to break through the shielding of the Tao by chance, using the Star God Consciousness, recalling this Gold Element Dao True Text.


    "Thought Two Thousand Three Hundred Twenty-Three, task: Analyze the Tao True Text ''Firm.'' Taking the ''Refining Gold Hundred Times'' as a blueprint, deduce the Gold Element Dao."


    The two thousand three hundred twenty-third Star God Consciousness had just received the task.


    Just then, the Hundred Lifetimes book suddenly flickered slightly, and a point of golden light erupted on the fifth book page, then disappeared.


    Zhao Sheng felt a sense of relief in his heart, realizing: the Golden Taoist Text ''Firm'' had been recorded into the Hundred Lifetimes book, never to be forgotten again.


    ...


    Ten breaths later,


    In the four thousand five hundred seventy-sixth Star God World, a palm-sized Five Luck Spirit Fish, emitting a five-colored Light Halo, merrily swam past Zhao Sheng.


    Bang!


    With a thought from Zhao Sheng, the Five Luck Spirit Fish suddenly burst open, turning into a wisp of mysterious Qi that entered his Purple Mansion through his forehead.


    "Record task: Using a wisp of innate fate as a basis, observe the Qi Fortune of living beings, thereby deducing the Luck Dao..."


    While Zhao Sheng was busy assigning tasks to the Star God Consciousness cluster, his body began to undergo earth-shattering changes due to his advancement to Golden Core.


    The first qualitative change was the Spirit Power Transition.


    After advancing to Golden Core, the Spiritual Power, which had already undergone one transformation, rapidly metamorphosed into the higher-level Golden Core True Essence.


    In the center of the Dantian, the round Golden Core radiated endless Light, and under its illumination, numerous spirit rainbows enveloping the Golden Core began collapsing and compressing at great speed, consecutively giving rise to strands of "purified" True Essence.


    As a vast amount of Spiritual Power returned rapidly from his limbs and, under the irradiation of the Golden Core, swiftly transformed into Golden Core True Essence.


    In just a short ten breaths, the transformation of Spiritual Power throughout his body was complete, the Golden Core dazzling brightly, a True Essence rainbow encircling it. Moreover, beneath the Golden Core, a drop of crystal-clear, bottom-seeing dew settled deep within the Dantian, refracting rainbow lights.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng''s body began a second rebirth and blood washing process.


    Outside,


    The Spirit Clan people were first tormented by a series of changes, and then they were shocked on the spot by Zhao Sheng''s rapid ascension.


    Everything started off normally, but suddenly, Zhao Sheng, who had been chosen by the Star God, began to age visibly at an alarming rate.


    Following that, the sea suddenly dipped, forming a gigantic vortex with a diameter of a hundred miles directly beneath them, threatening to swallow them whole.


    Fortunately, thanks to the might of the Tuo Mountain Divine Turtle bearing the Spirit Palace, they just barely managed to escape from this predicament. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    But the next second, the Star Cloud King died very suddenly, in a very suspicious manner.


    Just when the Spirit Clan people were terrified, thinking a Human Clan''s Divinity Transformation True Monarch had made a move,


    A huge spiritual energy vortex suddenly appeared with Zhao Sheng as its target.


    The next second, Spiritual Energy poured into his body, his aura soared dramatically, and in the blink of an eye, he reached Foundation Establishment Perfection.


    As they felt both shocked and distressed, precisely when they were utterly confused, a huge Golden Core Tribulation Cloud rapidly coalesced in front of them.


    Everyone thought that Zhao Sheng, caught off-guard, would have an extremely difficult time passing through this Golden Core Thunder Tribulation.


    Unexpectedly, the vast Tribulation Cloud vanished without a trace as if it had never existed.


    Then, a miraculous scene unfolded before their very eyes. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng, a wild youngster who had been hit by sheer luck, actually ascended to the Golden Core Realm.


    Without centuries of harsh cultivation, without consuming a Golden Core Formation Pill, and most importantly, without undergoing the test of the Heavenly Tribulation,


    In just a few breaths'' time, a rarely seen Golden Core Master was born right before everyone, effortlessly.

 Chapter 228 Space-Time Teleportation_2

    This... is preposterous!


    Watching Zhao Sheng visibly regain his youth at an astonishing speed, the people of the Spirit Clan were profoundly shocked.


    However, when a hazy gleam of water light emerged behind him, the people no longer doubted their eyes regarding Zhao Sheng''s advancement to the Golden Core realm.


    The Heavenly River King, a cultivator who specialized in the Water Element Path, was the most sensitive and profoundly affected by the changes in Zhao Sheng''s aura.


    Staring at the mysterious and inexplicable Golden Core Phenomenon, the Heavenly River King, looking utterly shocked, couldn''t help but groan, "Spirit God above, what is this kid''s background? Is he the illegitimate child of Heavenly Dao?"


    "Ice King, you are the most concerned about this kid. Do you know his origins? Does he still have a Divinity Transformation True Monarch alive among his ancestors?" Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire


    "Damn, you ask me, who do I ask!"


    Even the Ice King, who practiced the Eternal Ice Heart Skill and was almost like the Living Dead, had his composure disturbed by these successive changes, and he rarely cursed.


    No sooner had the Ice King spoken than a muffled groan suddenly emanated from the crowd.


    Instantly, the faces of the Ice King and the Heavenly River King changed again.


    Wang Yingling covered her head with her right hand, groaning as her eyes suddenly flew open.


    When she saw the Spirit Clan people around her, her eyes suddenly revealed an immense sense of loss.


    The moment before, she had been ceaselessly imparting her insights to the Star God.


    She never imagined that the next second, she would be inexplicably kicked out.


    From start to finish, she couldn''t understand what she had done to anger the Star God.


    Seeing Wang Yingling''s distraught appearance, a concerned Golden Core of the Spirit Clan immediately asked, "Ling''er, what''s wrong?"


    "Third Great-Uncle, Yingling is alright; I just can''t quite wrap my head around it," Wang Yingling loosened her hand, composed herself, and shook her head.


    "If you can''t figure it out, then don''t think about it for now. Just this one opportunity alone is enough to benefit you for a lifetime. You still have a long life ahead of you, plenty of time to contemplate it."


    Wang Yingling knew that her Third Great-Uncle misunderstood her words, but she chose not to explain.


    When Wang Yingling was kicked out of the Star God Consciousness, the other few Children of Destiny who had persisted until the end were also forcibly logged out simultaneously.


    Needless to say, the culprit besides Zhao Sheng was no one else.


    Of course, the summoneds in the core circle hadn''t realized this yet.


    However, someone had already spotted something suspicious.


    The Star God Palace, acting as the "prison guard" for the Star God, necessarily had means to surveil the Star God.


    Right now, in the Gathering Immortal Hall of Vast Cave Paradise.


    In front of the Nascent Soul Ancestors, a Round Light Treasure Mirror with a diameter of twelve feet displayed the entire scenery within a hundred miles of Star God Island.


    The images in the mirror were lifelike, capturing every detail so vividly that even the multiple barriers set up by various powers couldn''t obstruct the scrutiny of the Round Light Treasure Mirror.


    The Round Light Treasure Mirror, a heavy treasure of the Star God Palace, was seldom shown to others, and it had been used even less frequently in history to kill enemies.


    However, every time the Round Light Treasure Mirror was used, it meant the fall of a formidable demon or even a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    During each Star God Divine Sacrifice, the Star God Palace would deliberately show off the Round Light Mirror.


    Partly, it was to monitor the Star God and other powers, and to prevent the Star God from losing control, partly it was also meant as a deterrent.


    In front of the Round Light Mirror, Pan Xing and Ling Yue could barely hide their surprise, while Ling Xu and Ling Yuan were both shocked and puzzled.


    Behind them, the Nascent Soul Ancestors from various top-tier Sect powers also wore grave expressions, apparently also sensing that something was amiss.


    Over the past twenty thousand years, during the Star God Divine Sacrifice, there had been others like Zhao Sheng who had leaped the Golden Core threshold in one step, and even more, there had been exceptional geniuses who advanced to the Nascent Soul realm overnight.


    There had also been multiple instances in history of summoneds suddenly dying, and investigations afterward had revealed they were killed by hidden enemies.


    However, for over twenty thousand years, there had never been an instance of Heavenly Tribulation being completely obliterated or of only a few individuals left being simultaneously expelled by the Star God.


    The coincidental occurrence of two such unprecedented events made the Nascent Soul Ancestors realize that a significant calamity must have transpired.


    "Panxing Palace Master, something is not right! This elder suggests we immediately restart the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array. Should the Star God go berserk again, I fear countless lives will be smothered," said a softly spoken elder with white hair and green eyes. This person was the Supreme Family Master of the Situ Family from Azure Dragon Island, at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.


    The incident he referred to happened two thousand years ago when, after the Star God awoke, it was misled by the persuasive words of a Spirit Clan prodigy, resulting in an enduring calamity known as the "Star Algae Disaster."


    In just a few decades, the reproduction rate of various sea algae in the Shattered Star Sea rocketed by dozens of times, swarming the shallow waters like a tide and occupying them almost entirely. This not only caused billions of sea beasts to suffocate and die due to the lack of oxygen.


    It also severed major transportation routes, causing the human trade transport scale to plummet by two-thirds, and over the decades, the number of mortals who starved to death was well over ten million.


    The Spirit Clan prodigy responsible for the "Star Algae Disaster" was none other than the current Great Sacrificial Leader of the Spirit Clan, a Divinity Transformation True Monarch and the universally acknowledged "Saint Demon" known as Wang Xusheng.


    Coincidentally, Wang Xusheng also originated from the Human Clan in his youth, being of mixed blood from the Spirit and Human Clans.


    This individual''s appearance and character were considered flawless, and his Talent was outstandingly rare through the ages.


    When his true identity had not yet been exposed, he once was the most celebrated prodigy among the younger generation in the Shattered Star Sea, known as "Heavenly Immortal Human Transformation" and "Demi-God."


    After being exposed, upon his return to Spiritual Abyss, he swiftly climbed to the Absolute Peak of this realm in less than seven hundred years, becoming one of the openly recognized Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.


    Given the precedence, seeing another individual from the Spirit Clan who had not been expelled by the Star God caught everyone''s attention.


    What''s more crucial was that this individual had suddenly advanced to the Golden Core stage.


    This development could not help but bring to mind that terrifying yet perfect Saint Demon.


    "Panxing Palace Master, don''t hesitate any longer! Act quickly to put an end to this Star God Sacrifice," someone urged.


    "Could it be the Spirit Clan playing tricks again?!"


    "Let''s wait and see. If the Star God is forcibly put to sleep, it''s unknown when it will awaken again¡ªperhaps not for hundreds of years," another suggested.


    "Impossible! The Spirit Clan already used up their millennia of Qi Fortune by producing one Saint Demon; they shouldn''t have such good fortune again," one argued.


    "What if there is another Star Algae Disaster! Do you think just because it affects us in Shattered Star Sea and not those in the Five Continents and Three Seas, you can afford to watch with indifference?" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing a Nascent Soul of Shattered Star Sea taunting them, the Lingyue Ancestor had to step forward, coldly retorting: "Humph, are you folks from the Human Clan planning to break the rules again? Can''t stand losing, can you, Panxing, Lingyue?"


    Upon hearing this, Lingyue Palace Master''s phoenix brows furrowed, and suddenly a cold, round moon emerged behind her head, emitting layers of cold, dense, and mysterious light.


    "Lingyue, old fellow, was it you who played tricks? If the Star God loses control again, don''t blame me for uniting with other Fellow Daoists to suppress your clan," she countered.


    "Humph, the Star God has always been ''cared for'' by the Star God Divine Palace. Its loss of control has nothing to do with our clan.


    Two thousand years ago, it was your despicable lot who intentionally pinned the blame of the Star Algae Disaster onto the Great Sacrificial Leader, making my clan suffer an unjust accusation for over two thousand years.


    This vile strategy is something you practice so skilfully. Perhaps like the Blood God Sect and Shade Maiden Clan, the other Fellow Daoists have also been deliberately schemed against by your so-called Righteous Path," the Lingyue Ancestor rebuked fiercely, implicating other Demon Dao Nascent Soul Ancestors in the process.


    "Heh, true justice is inherent in the common conscience! Moreover, ''a kind is suspicious of other kinds.'' The tricky tactics of your Sea Demon Clan are well known to the Fellow Daoists here. The deceitful and venomous reputation of the Saint Demon was already widespread across the Tianzhu Realm a thousand years ago. What I say is not unfounded!" Lingyue coldly smiled, retorting.


    The person Ling Xu Ancestor admired most in his life was the Great Sacrificial Leader, and upon hearing someone slander the Great Leader, he was about to angrily rebut.


    However, just then, a sudden and unexpected change not only interrupted him but also caused the expressions of the Nascent Soul Ancestors to shift dramatically.


    Suddenly a cry of alarm rang out: "That... that Spirit Clan youth is gone!"


    Seeing the astonishing scene in the Round Light Treasure Mirror, the Nascent Soul Ancestors couldn''t help but have their pupils constrict.


    They witnessed in the Round Light Treasure Mirror that Zhao Sheng, under the watchful eyes of all, had suddenly vanished into thin air.


    Vast Sect Supreme Elder, recognized as the fastest in the Tianzhu Realm and known as the "Sun Chasing God Monarch" Gu Fengge, visibly paled and exclaimed in shock, "Space-Time Teleportation! That''s... Space-Time Teleportation! Could it be that a Returning Void Great Power has intervened?!"


    "No, it was the Star God!"

 Chapter 229 Heavenly Dao Light Sea

    Time rewound several minutes.


    ...


    Thought 5128, task: With "Gold Melting and Thought Separation Technique" as the blueprint, simulate the consciousness of the Star God, deduce new spells, tentatively named "Star God Thousand Heart Technique."


    Thought 5129, task: With "Sacrificial Fire Technique" and Fire Control Secret as the blueprint, combine alchemy experience, deduce a new "Fire Control Technique."


    ...


    After assigning a task to Star God number 5309, Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped.


    At this moment, all the aspects he could think of had already established Star God tasks.


    However, there were still more than five thousand independent and clear Divine Separation Consciousness within the Star God''s consciousness.


    "This number should be sufficient," he murmured.


    After the murmur, the "Zhao Shengs" in the more than five thousand consciousness worlds suddenly reverted one by one back to their original Light Ball form.


    "Star God, let me see the true face of the Heavenly Dao in this realm!"


    "As you wish!"


    After a wave of consciousness fluctuated, more than five thousand "Shattered Star Seas" collapsed at the same instant, thereafter transforming into Chaos.


    What met the eyes was a world without the shape of heaven and earth, completely dark and profound, as if it were the boundless Outer Void or the ignorant state before the formation of heaven and earth.


    The next second, in the depths of the dark profundity, patches of "light" of various forms suddenly emerged.


    These "lights" interwove, stacked, and tangled with each other, resembling a spectacularly colorful Light Sea. And most of the light is beyond the imagination and indescribable to ordinary people, mystical substances of the universe.


    They are constantly transforming and annihilating each other, coexisting and countering at every moment.


    These lights are of different strengths; the strong ones, like the Blue Light, were as brilliant as ten thousand rays, while the weaker ones, like grey light, were mere specks of luminescence, and even more "lights" were dark and formless, hidden within the profound.


    Zhao Sheng gained a sudden insight, realizing that this Light Sea was the Heavenly Dao form that best aligned with the concepts in his mind.


    If the Heavenly Dao is seen as a vast sea of light, then the depth of the sea represents the Star God''s depth of understanding of the Heavenly Dao Laws.


    The higher the Light Sea goes, the brighter its light, indicating a deeper comprehension of that Law by the Star God.


    Conversely, the lower the Light Sea sinks, the dimmer the light, the shallower the Star God''s comprehension of its Laws.


    This Heavenly Dao "ocean" was specially evolved by the Star God so that he could directly "see" the Heavenly Dao.


    As for the true form of the Heavenly Dao within the Star God''s consciousness?


    Zhao Sheng suddenly recalled his first extraordinary glimpse, that world composed of "threads," or rather, the "string" world.


    In this Heavenly Dao ocean, the brightest on the topmost layer represented the Water Element Principle with its Blue Light.


    This meant that the Star God''s comprehension of the Water Element Principle was the deepest.


    Below the Water Element was the spiraling green Star Sea of the Wood Element Law, the warm, sun-like Fire Element, and a black and white intertwined pattern resembling the Tai Chi of life and death Laws.


    Next were the principles of wind, thunder, metal, earth...


    Further deep were the principles of Light and Darkness, Space-time... and other extremely intricate and unimaginable Laws of the deeper levels.


    Zhao Sheng could grasp a bit of these Laws, which could be called the building blocks of the Universe.


    However, the Hong Meng Laws, such as Five Transits, Five Supremes, Five Virtues and other innate Taoist Skills, were the most opaque and hardest to sense.


    Let alone Zhao Sheng, even the Star God had just scratched the surface.


    Because the Light Sea was created based on the Star God''s comprehension of the Heavenly Dao.


    Generally speaking, it would be extremely difficult for Zhao Sheng to sense the Hong Meng Law at the deepest part of the Light Sea.


    But there are always exceptions.


    Remember the thread of innate fate articulated by the Five Luck Spirit Fish?


    Now imbued with this Qi Fortune, Zhao Sheng was able to distinctly sense the Innate Destiny Law.


    Of course, this was also because the Star God''s understanding of the Path of Destiny was the deepest.


    In the midst of the profound, a vague seven-colored Cloud Mist suddenly appeared in Zhao Sheng''s mind.


    At this moment, the consciousness of Star God number 4576 suddenly began to flash intensely.


    A vast amount of mysterious information relating to the Path of Destiny suddenly infused into Zhao Sheng''s Divine Soul.


    In this moment, his understanding of the Path of Destiny began to skyrocket at a rapid pace.


    Meanwhile, the myriad Star God consciousnesses, like countless stars, started to flicker intensely, and the Heavenly Dao Light Sea also became "resplendent," bursting with billions of radiance.


    The clash of spirit and consciousness is extremely dangerous.


    Zhao Sheng was using the Star God Consciousness to perceive the Heavenly Dao, which was almost akin to facing the Heavenly Dao directly.


    Sometimes, merely "sensing" can easily burst someone''s Divine Soul.


    The Star God had good intentions, but it forgot that its spiritual level was too much higher than that of humans, with a gap like that between a vast ocean and a droplet of water.


    When the Divine being released its comprehension of the Heavenly Dao,


    In an instant, water, wood, fire, metal, earth... life, death, wind, thunder, Light and Darkness... Five Transits, Five Supremes, Five Virtues... Three Thousand Great Dao, Billions of Laws! Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire


    An endless Law Torrent surged from the "Light Sea" in an instant, then crazily infused into Zhao Sheng''s consciousness.


    Under this astronomical amount of information torrent, Zhao Sheng couldn''t even hold on for a single breath.


    The next second, his entire Divine Soul was about to be annihilated by the Law Torrent.


    In the nick of time, the Hundred Lifetimes book suddenly radiated dazzling brilliance,


    The fifth Book Page instantly expanded countless times, turning into a Sky-covering Jade Plate that was far larger than the Heavenly Dao Light Sea. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No sooner had the Sky-covering Jade Plate emerged than Zhao Sheng had a flash of spirit light,


    With a single thought, the torrent of Law information infusing his Divine Soul was immediately transmitted into the Jade Plate.


    At this moment, his Divine Soul became a conduit for information, the Book Page acting like an infinite-capacity hard drive.


    As the endless torrent of information entered the Book Page, it ceased to make any more waves.


    Although his Divine Soul had not burst, Zhao Sheng was still in grave danger.

 Chapter 229 Heavenly Dao Light Sea_2

    ```


    The peril behind it was a cosmic-scale information abyss.


    For him, the vast majority of law information was like a mass of garbled code, incredibly difficult to perceive and understand.


    One careless step could lead to cognitive chaos and a maddening Divine Soul.


    What''s more terrifying was that originally, a single breath only consumed a year of Life Span, but at this moment it had alarmingly turned into one breath, three years.


    Of course, there are disadvantages as well as advantages.


    Just a small portion of the superficial law information that he was able to understand and absorb had caused his comprehension of laws to increase tremendously in an unbelievable way.


    As a result, the speed of simulating the more than five thousand Star God tasks had also greatly accelerated.


    To put it simply: it was like having an epiphany that connected everything, a sudden complete understanding!


    Time passed, breath by breath.


    Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire


    Zhao Sheng gradually adapted to the intensity of the information torrent.


    And at this time, he faintly sensed that beneath the Heavenly Dao Light Sea there seemed to be a deeper, more vast "Shadow."


    If the Heavenly Dao were a Light Sea, then the "Shadow" would be the dark background beneath that sea of light, an infinitely larger "dark world" than the Heavenly Tiger.


    Zhao Sheng vaguely discovered something even more shocking: this "Shadow" wasn''t in its complete form.


    It... It was actually existing in two states simultaneously, coiled and folded.


    In the depths of his mind, he had a premonition: if the "Shadow" were to be completely unfurled, it might be more vast than the universe itself!


    "What... what is that?" thousands of Zhao Shengs asked in shock at the same time.


    In an instant, the emotionless voice of Star God unexpectedly emerged in his mind: "That is the Returning Void."


    "Returning Ruins? Is that the mythical place where all things come to an end?" Zhao Sheng asked.


    "Divine doesn''t know. But the Returning Void is the Returning Void!"


    Zhao Sheng was about to ask further, but he heard Star God speak again, "Zhao Sheng, if this continues, you will be assimilated by the Heavenly Dao. Do you want to die?"


    "Not at all!" Zhao Sheng replied without hesitation.


    "What do you mean? Divine doesn''t understand."


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the data panel; his Life Span had two hundred years remaining.


    "I can hold on for a while longer. Please, Your Highness, do not stop me. Haven''t you heard ''To understand the Dao in the morning is to die content in the evening''?"


    "Very well! Since you insist, as you wish!"


    Having said that, the Star God Consciousness fell silent again.


    Time passed, breath by breath, as the information torrent kept on pouring in endlessly.


    The tasks that were previously established were beginning to yield no small results. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thought one, the "Heavenly True Water Skill" had been simulated to the Golden Core limit, successfully evolving the Sumeru Water Realm Divine Skills into the Nascent Soul Domain. However, due to the lack of key points for breaking Golden Core into Nascent Soul, the chance of forming a Nascent Soul was extremely low. The Grade was temporarily set as a semi-complete Nascent Soul-level Cultivation Technique.


    Thought two, the Enlightenment Pill Recipe was completed, Grade third-tier,


    Thought three, successfully simulated a Cultivation Technique Divine Skill, tentatively named "Burning Heaven." The essence of the Divine Skill: limitless high temperature.


    ¡­


    "The ''Solid Body Technique,'' created based on the ''Golden Spirit Refining Skill'' blueprint, has completed the Cultivation Technique framework, continuing to simulate, ultimate goal: Undying Golden Body."


    "The ''Star God Thousand Heart Technique,'' based on the ''Merging God and Separating Thought Technique'' blueprint, has been completed, with the Cultivation Technique realm consisting of Ten Thoughts, Hundred Intentions, and Thousand Heart, four stages¡­"


    "Treasure Technique¡­ seventy-one kinds completed. New Pill Recipes, five categories totaling twenty-nine Recipes."


    "Qi Fortune Secret Technique, Qi Observing Skill completed!"


    ¡­


    Soul Cleansing and Body Stripping complete, True Yuan transformation complete, Divine Sense maximum range three hundred feet.


    "Found three Divine Thought Imprints within the body. Cleanse?"


    "Cleanse!"


    As the three Divine Thoughts were erased by the Star God Consciousness, Zhao Sheng''s thought pattern became increasingly similar to that of Star God.


    When his Life Span dwindled to the last two years, he called upon Star God again, "Your Highness, you can stop now."


    "As you wish!"


    Hum!


    As soon as he finished speaking, the thousands of Star God Consciousness Light Balls abruptly paused.


    At the same time, the Heavenly Dao Light Sea abruptly dimmed, returning to cover behind the world''s curtain.


    Chaos reenacted, the Shattered Star Sea world emerged.


    Bright sunshine, cloudless skies,


    An endless ocean stretched out with surging waves, where billions upon billions of Star Algae proliferated and thrived with rampant growth.


    Zhao Sheng stood on the sea water, expressionless, his entire aura extremely faint, barely holding on to life as if he could die at any moment.


    But at this moment, he was completely indifferent to all these things.


    ```


    The fifth Book Page momentarily returned to normal, and Hundred Lifetimes Book gently closed; its radiant surface dimmed, flickered once, and then instantly entered the Divine Soul and became tranquil again.


    The Star God Light Ball condensed before him, twinkling faintly, "Zhao Sheng, you''re about to die! But what about the vow you made to the Divine?"


    Zhao Sheng indifferently said, "I always avenge my enemies and repay my benefactors! Having received such a great favor from Your Highness today, I will surely repay it one day!


    "Isn''t Your Highness longing for freedom? One day, I will help you achieve it! I swear by the Heavenly Dao!"


    "Huh, you actually didn''t lie! But with only a wisp of your Divine Soul remaining, it''s impossible for you to seize another body and cultivate anew. Unless you''re not human!"


    "Perhaps I could undergo transmigration?" Zhao Sheng said noncommittally.


    "Hmm, that statement is actually true as well! Zhao Sheng, are you a Demoted Immortal, a Void Spirit, or a transmigrated Outer Heaven Demon?"


    "Your Highness, that is a secret!"


    "A secret? The Divine knows it now."


    The Star God asked no more, but Zhao Sheng then said, "Your Highness, I won''t live much longer. However, before I depart, I have one last request?"


    "What request?"


    "I am currently trapped by the Spirit Clan; could Your Highness possibly rescue me from their hands."


    "That''s easy! The Divine can transport you to any corner of the Star Algae Sea. Zhao Sheng, where do you wish to go?"


    Zhao Sheng was startled by the Star God''s words, somewhat unsure of their meaning.


    But after a moment, he said, "If Your Highness possesses the power, could you send me to the farthest place from here?"


    "Then, as you wish! Farewell, Zhao Sheng!"


    No sooner had the voice faded than Zhao Sheng felt the ground below him vanish, and his Divine Soul instantly returned to his flesh.


    In the next instant, before he could react, he felt an extremely powerful oppressive force from all directions, and a seven-colored radiance flashed before his eyes.


    Splash!


    Zhao Sheng appeared out of thin air thirty thousand miles away from Star God Island in a remote part of the sea and dropped with a splash into the water.


    Just then, an indescribable acute pain suddenly surged from the depths of his soul.


    The agony came so suddenly that Zhao Sheng, who had just regained consciousness, was immediately engulfed by the pain.


    Before a thought could pass, darkness fell before his eyes, and he abruptly lost consciousness.


    After his body fell into the water, it slowly began to sink towards the sea bottom.


    Having ascended to the Golden Core realm, even though he had passed out, his body instinctively emitted a powerful aura, scaring away the carnivorous sea beasts hunting in the surrounding waters.


    Who knows how much time passed!


    Zhao Sheng slowly woke from his unconscious state, his head throbbing with pain, and veins bulging on his face.


    However, his face was expressionless, his eyes devoid of any warmth, resembling a living dead.


    Without a doubt, having pushed the Talent of Absolute Rationality to its ultimate limit, he had almost lost all human emotions and desires.


    Previously, Zhao Sheng had not anticipated such a severe side effect.


    But now, nothing else mattered.


    Because he had realized he had only three months left to live.


    That... was enough.


    Zhao Sheng stood up from the sea bottom, released his Divine Sense with full force, and all movements and sceneries within three hundred zhang were captured in his heart.


    Seeing a crack in the seabed over two hundred zhang away, Zhao Sheng''s body moved, and he swiftly swam towards it like an arrow.


    Upon reaching the seabed crack, Zhao Sheng dived in.


    Moments later, deep within the Grotto Heaven of the Sea Shell, Zhao Sheng entered the grand hall,


    Took out the Sea Shell


    Zhao Sheng slowly woke from his unconscious state, his head throbbing with pain, and veins bulging on his face.


    However, his face was expressionless, his eyes devoid of any warmth, resembling a living dead.


    Without a doubt, having pushed the Talent of Absolute Rationality to its ultimate limit, he had almost lost all human emotions and desires.


    Previously, Zhao Sheng had not anticipated such a severe side effect.


    But now, nothing else mattered.


    Because he had realized he had only three months left to live.


    That... was enough.


    Zhao Sheng stood up from the sea bottom, released his Divine Sense with full force, and all movements and sceneries within three hundred zhang were captured in his heart.


    Seeing a crack in the seabed over two hundred zhang away, Zhao Sheng''s body moved, and he swiftly swam towards it like an arrow.


    Upon reaching the seabed crack, Zhao Sheng dived in.


    Moments later, deep within the Grotto Heaven of the Sea Shell, Zhao Sheng entered the grand hall,


    Took out the Sea Shell

 Chapter 230 Planting the Legacy

    Bei Mansion Cave Heaven,


    With the Jade fishing rod in hand, Zhao Sheng had just extended his Divine Sense into the magical treasure when he encountered tremendous resistance, as if falling into a quagmire, with every advancement exceedingly difficult.


    Having ascended to Golden Core, Zhao Sheng''s Divine Sense had increased by more than tenfold, yet when faced with an ancient magical treasure of unknown grade, this amount of spiritual power was inevitably insufficient.


    It took him a full fifteen minutes to finally break through the invisible Barrier and truly enter the interior of the magical treasure.


    In the Void interwoven with green rainbow radiance, nine mysterious and unpredictable light beams appeared and disappeared within the rainbow light, extending to the ends of the Void and seeming to connect to an unknown Shadow world.


    At that moment, a streak of light burst into this expanse of Void, transforming into the figure of Zhao Sheng.


    Looking at the nine enigmatic beams of light, Zhao Sheng muttered to himself, "Nine soul attribute Treasure Restrictions? Indeed, a top-grade magic treasure!"


    As he spoke, his figure suddenly dissolved into a mass of light and shadow, instantly pouncing on the nearest beam of light, attempting to merge with it.


    However, the beam of light suddenly erupted with dazzling brilliance.


    In the outside world, Zhao Sheng grunted, his Divine Sense slightly stymied, and involuntarily relaxed his grip, causing the ancient treasure fishing rod to drop to the ground.


    Refining a magical treasure was no easy task, let alone an unknown ancient treasure.


    Nevertheless, he wasn''t without some gains; at the very least, he now understood that the ancient treasure leaned towards soul laws, and its name was "Soul Hook".


    Zhao Sheng picked up the ancient treasure Soul Hook, casually placed it aside, and then extended his Divine Sense into the Storage Bag.


    With a flash of Divine Light, a green bamboo basket gently leaped from the bag and landed in his hand.


    A flash of Divine Light appeared in Zhao Sheng''s eyes, and his Divine Sense once again delved into the magical treasure.


    A moment later, he put down the bamboo basket, looking a shade paler.


    The Capturing Sky Basket contained eight Treasure Restrictions, a magic treasure with restrictions approaching that of a top-grade one.


    In previous years, Zhao Sheng had already refined the first Treasure Restriction.


    Now, after inspecting it once more, the result was just as he had guessed.


    The Soul Hook and the Capturing Sky Basket indeed formed a set of paired ancient treasures with Treasure Restrictions clearly crafted by the same person.


    Moreover, Zhao Sheng secretly speculated that these two treasures were likely the Lifebound Magic Treasures of some Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    Because their refinement difficulty far exceeded his expectations, a Golden Core Master would have to spend hundreds of years to fully refine all the Treasure Restrictions.


    Zhao Sheng took a Nourishing Spirit Pill, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breath to recover his spirit.


    Fifteen minutes later, he reopened his eyes, extended his hand with a gesture, and the Ancient Spiritual Treasure Map flew back into his grasp. Explore more stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Compared to the ancient treasures, this Spiritual Treasure Map was much easier to refine.


    Zhao Sheng only took four hours to completely control it. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A day later, in the Cultivation Room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged, his hands continuously forming Treasure Formulas, as streams of Golden Core True Essence flew out consecutively, landing on a scroll suspended in mid-air, causing layers of ripples to appear.


    At this moment, the Cold River Elder Fishing Painting was fully unfurled. The painting depicted the Cold River surging forward, with waves churning and generating layers of Treasure Light ripples that spread outside the scroll, solidifying into layers of Sealing Prohibitions.


    On the riverbank, the Elder with a conical hat held a green fishing rod, and beside him appeared a seemingly ordinary bamboo basket containing a pool of green water, where a five-colored misty fish frolicked back and forth.


    After a period of time enough for a cup of tea to pass, Zhao Sheng cast the final Sealing Technique, and then saw the Sealing Treasure Light surrounding the Spiritual Treasure Map gradually retract back into the painting.


    Snap!


    The Spiritual Treasure Map rolled up on its own and then whooshed back into Zhao Sheng''s hand before he put it back into the Storage Bag.


    After completing this task, Zhao Sheng waved his right hand, and a pile of blank Jade Scrolls appeared out of thin air, subsequently falling in front of him.


    He picked up a palm-sized Jade Yellow Scroll, placed it on his forehead, and his Divine Sense poured into the jade scroll.


    Upon his Divine Sense entering it, a massive amount of information about the "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique" flooded in.


    Two quarter-hours later, Zhao Sheng had inscribed both lifetimes of cultivation insights and the newly completed "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique" into the jade scroll.


    This version of the "Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique" included the "Boundless Ocean" and "Sea Suppressing" Golden Core Divine Powers, serving as a cultivation inheritance that Zhao Sheng left for future generations.


    After storing away the Cultivation Technique Jade Scroll, Zhao Sheng closed his eyes and deeply reflected for a good while, then picked up another cold White Jade Scroll, pressing it directly onto his forehead as Divine Sense flowed into it.


    Soon, a Jade Scroll encapsulating the introductory insights into Talisman Tao was completed.


    Thereafter, Zhao Sheng repeated this process, using four Jade Scrolls just for the talisman aspect.


    One of them documented more than three hundred kinds of First-Order Talismans and their drawing methods. The last two separately recorded one hundred twenty-one and eighty-one kinds of Second Order True Talismans and Treasure Talismans respectively.


    Treasure Talismans are generally evolved from Golden Core Level Magic, rarely upgraded from Second Order True Talismans.


    But the eighty-one kinds of Treasure Talismans inscribed by Zhao Sheng were mostly deduced and upgraded from Second Order True Talismans with the aid of the Star God Power, with only two obtained by chance from the outside world.


    In addition, some special Treasure Talismans share the same origins as talisman treasures, both crafted by Golden Core Masters. However, talisman treasures contain a strike of the master''s Lifebound Magic Treasure, whereas Treasure Talismans enshrine an Innate Divine Ability.


    Having recorded the inheritance of talismans, Zhao Sheng took Nourishing Spirit Pills and Soul Condensing Pills, circulated his power to regulate his breath and recover his depleted spirit.


    Half a day later, he picked up a blank Jade Scroll and began to inscribe the inheritance of Alchemy.


    The purpose of creating these Inheritance Jade Scrolls was partially to leave a legacy for future generations.


    Even the strongest individual has limits, while the power of a community is far greater than one person alone.


    The inheritance that Zhao Sheng left behind was like a seed, which after generations of research and experience accumulated by Zhao Clan Members could lead to innovation and yield even more fruitful outcomes.


    In this life, he stood alone, so leaving behind an inheritance was secondary. The main reason was that this time''s harvest was too vast and diverse, with his mind involuntarily crammed full of countless confusing pieces of information, causing him an unbearable headache.

 Chapter 1 - 1: the third life

    Chapter 1: Chapter 1: the third life


    Liang Kingdom, Ganzhou.


    The New Year had just passed, and a major event happened in the Martial World of Ganzhou.


    Inside Nanyang City, Ganzhou, Grandmaster Zhao suddenly announced his retirement, handing over the entire family to his eldest grandson, Zhao Mingcheng.


    As this news spread like wildfire, a rumor also began to circulate in secret. It was said that although Grandmaster Zhao was an Innate Grandmaster, he was born a tenant farmer and, in his eager pursuit of progress, had been overly hasty, damaging his foundations to the point where his lifespan was no more than eighty years, and now his time had come.


    Therefore, Grandmaster Zhao¡¯s so-called retirement was actually because he had already passed away.


    The Zhao family naturally denied and debunked this rumor with all their might, but no matter how much the outsiders discussed, Grandmaster Zhao never showed his face.


    From this, it was evident that the rumor was not necessarily false, and the Zhao family¡¯s repeated denials were clearly quite laughable.


    ¡­


    Name: Zhao Sheng


    Life Span: 79/79


    Constitution: Strong Bones (Mediocre)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Refined), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Divine Transformation), Emerald Tide Technique (Great Success), Cloud Dragon Three Changes (Refined)


    ¡°Second life has ended, calculating results¡­ Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Calculation complete, final rating: C+.¡±


    ¡°Rating Reward: Choose one to inherit from Constitution, Skill, or Talent. Please make your selection?¡±


    Hmm, choose to inherit the Talent ¡°Dynamic Vision.¡±


    Talent has been inherited.


    ¡°Congratulations on achieving two life accomplishments: one, Innate Grandmaster; two, Blessed with Many Sons (10/10)¡±


    ¡°Achievement Reward: You have earned two random rewards. You may draw from Constitution, Skill, or Talent, or opt to upgrade Talent level. Please choose?¡±


    Choose Constitution, and draw twice in succession.


    ¡°Drawing¡­ Congratulations on winning the Mortal Level Constitution ¡®Longevity Body¡¯. Congratulations on winning the Mortal Level Constitution ¡®Light as a Feather¡¯.¡±


    ¡­


    Inside Zhao Mansion¡¯s inner residence,


    In a bedroom, Zhao Sheng suddenly sat up from his bed, various pieces of information flashing through his mind, leaving his expression melancholic as he slowly exhaled.


    Compared to his first life, the final evaluation of his second life had improved. Not only was it two levels higher than the ¡°C Lower¡± of his first life, but he had also achieved two lifetime accomplishments.


    Unfortunately, he still hadn¡¯t drawn a Spirit Root Physique.


    ¡°Considering everything, this is already my third life in this world¡­¡± Zhao Sheng mused, surveying his surroundings and noticing the tasteful decoration and exquisite furniture.


    It seemed the family¡¯s circumstances were not bad, at least not a decline like in the second life.


    Over two hundred years ago, Zhao Sheng first came to this world, reincarnating into an ordinary household. As an adult, he quickly established a fortune using the knowledge and experiences from his previous life, becoming the wealthiest man in a city within just over a decade.


    In the latter half of his life, he enjoyed the riches of the world, with not just a multitude of wives and concubines but also a house full of children and grandchildren.


    At the age of eighty, he fell ill with an incurable disease. On his deathbed, he learned from a divine doctor of the existence of Cultivators and was filled with immense regret.


    Unfortunately, it was too late by then. Barely hanging on for one more day, Zhao Sheng passed away.


    To his surprise, after death, he joyfully discovered that he possessed the treasured ¡°Hundred Lifetimes Book,¡± which allowed him to continually be reborn within his own bloodline descendants. As long as the bloodline didn¡¯t cease, his soul would not perish.


    Overjoyed, Zhao Sheng rushed into his second life after drawing the Talent ¡°Dynamic Vision.¡±


    Upon awakening in his second life, he found himself to be the son of a tenant farmer.


    After careful inquiry, he learned that nearly a hundred years had passed since his death in the first life.


    Five years after his death, the Zhao family was suddenly annihilated by a group of bandits. Luckily, one of his sons was studying abroad at the time and thus survived the calamity.


    Since the family¡¯s downfall, the Zhao family had been declining with each generation, and by the time it reached his father¡¯s, they had fallen into tenancy.


    However, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t worry at all, for in this life he intended not only to revitalize the family fortune but also to practice martial arts and pursue the path of cultivation for longevity.


    Ten years later, he had once again established a vast family business, and his martial skills had greatly advanced with the aid of the talent ¡°Dynamic Vision,¡± allowing him to grow smoothly into a second-rate expert.


    Yet, in those ten years, he had not found out any information about the whereabouts of any cultivators.


    After deep contemplation, he resolutely left behind his wife, children, and family fortune to start wandering the martial world.


    That wandering lasted for twenty years.


    At fifty-five, Zhao Sheng, with the help of elixir pills and external forces, barely advanced to the Innate Realm, becoming Ganzhou¡¯s supreme grandmaster.


    Once his level improved, he naturally began to intersect with cultivators.


    Half a year later, Zhao Sheng learned from a cultivator that only those with a Spirit Root can cultivate.


    But Zhao Sheng did not possess a Spirit Root, and unfortunately, in the secular world, less than one in ten thousand had one.


    Luckily, he obtained a critical piece of information that the offspring of cultivators had a higher probability of possessing a Spirit Root.


    Six months later, Zhao Sheng returned to Nanyang City and began seeking marriage alliances for his descendants, naturally aiming for the children of Cultivation Families.


    However, this goal was extremely difficult.


    The Cultivation World was closed and conservative, and exceptionally xenophobic. To increase the chances of having offspring with Spirit Roots, cultivators would often only marry other cultivators, and Cultivation Families would only intermarry with other Cultivation Families.


    For a mortal family to marry into a Cultivation Family was sheer folly.


    Zhao Sheng exhausted his mind and fortune, not only offering up most of his family wealth, but also willingly signed a twenty-year servitude contract. Only then did the Cultivation Family, the Chen Family, relent and agree to send a distant, collateral female relative to marry his eldest grandson, Zhao Mingcheng.


    ¡°It is hard to cultivate for immortality, harder than ascending to the heavens¡­ In my past life, with much effort and difficulty, I barely saw a glimmer of the dawn of cultivation. In this life¡­ can I fulfill my wish?¡±


    Recalling the hardships of his past life, Zhao Sheng sighed lightly, thankful that he still had the treasured ¡°Book of Hundred Lifetimes¡±¡ªif one lifetime wasn¡¯t enough, then he would simply start another!


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng¡¯s consciousness sank into the depths of his mind where a jade-colored book was shining brightly.


    On the book¡¯s cover, the words ¡°Hundred Lifetimes¡± were written. The book slowly opened, the remaining ninety-seven pages were still blank; only the first three pages were filled with text.


    He was very familiar with the records on the first two pages, and his gaze fell on the third page.


    Name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 15/120


    Constitution: Longevity Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (skilled), Cloud Dragon Three Changes (beginner), Emerald Tide Technique (beginner)


    ¡­


    ¡°The ¡®Zhi¡¯ generation?¡± Zhao Sheng murmured to himself, his thoughts gradually spreading out.


    In his previous life, he had established generations for the Zhao family: Feng Xian Ming Ren, Quanzhen Du Taihe, The Classic of Sincerity and Jade Declaration, Zhongzheng Chang Jinke, Essence of the Mystic Path, Gao Hongding Daluo, Moral Performance, and Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity.


    The ¡°Zhi¡± generation was already the eleventh generation.


    Flipping through the memories of this body, Zhao Sheng discovered that another one hundred and sixty years had passed.


    This time, not only had the Zhao family not fallen from grace, but it had also grown into a large family with more than a thousand members. The family¡¯s businesses spread across Ganzhou, and they were famously known in Ganzhou as a martial arts family that had a foot in both the lawful and unlawful, black and white worlds.


    In this lifetime, Zhao Sheng¡¯s status was not low. Although both his parents were deceased, he was still considered a direct-line descendant of the third branch of the Zhao family.

 Chapter 2 - 2: Only Wanting to Have Children in This Life

    Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Only Wanting to Have Children in This Life


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The room¡¯s door was suddenly knocked on.


    Immediately afterwards, a childish, sharp voice came from outside, ¡°Young Master, the Qi Nourishing Soup is ready. Shall I bring it in for you?¡±


    This voice was extremely familiar and distinctive.


    A frail figure quickly appeared in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    Zhao Xiaobao


    His personal attendant. He had been serving him since he was eight.


    ¡°Come in!¡± Zhao Sheng replied calmly, as he remembered.


    Then, he flipped out of bed, his feet landing silently on the floor, not even a speck of dust was stirred, his body felt unbelievably light.


    Zhao Sheng was surprised; he had not expected the effect of ¡°Light as a Feather¡± to be so pronounced.


    The door was pushed open, and Zhao Xiaobao entered, holding a blue and white porcelain bowl with both hands.


    After carefully placing the porcelain bowl on the table in the room, Zhao Xiaobao quickly stepped in front of Zhao Sheng and asked respectfully, ¡°Young Master, the medicine is ready. Do you have any other orders?¡±


    ¡°Um, nothing else, you can leave now,¡± he said.


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng did not go to drink the medicine but instead walked over to the vanity mirror. The reflection showed a young man six feet tall, with rosy lips, white teeth, a high nose, and phoenix eyes, emanating a valiant bearing.


    He was extremely handsome! This was good.


    It should be enough to captivate a young lady from a Cultivation Family.


    That¡¯s right!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s goal in this life was to marry one or even several women from Cultivation Families.


    He vowed to have as many children as possible. He did not believe he could not eventually have descendants with a Spirit Root.


    By then, he had completely assimilated Zhao Zhiqin¡¯s memories. Up until today, no descendant with a Spirit Root had been born to the Zhao family.


    The descendants were incompetent, and now only the ancestor had to personally take action.


    Zhao Xiaobao did not leave.


    He hesitated for a moment, then suddenly spoke through clenched teeth, ¡°Young Master, I just heard some bad news. I heard that Madam is going to cut down your food, clothing, and martial arts expenses. The Qi Nourishing Soup that was given every three days will now be given every seven days.¡±


    Zhao Sheng raised his eyebrows at these words.


    The ¡®Madam¡¯ mentioned by Xiaobao referred to the main wife of Family Head Zhao. She not only controlled the daily expenses of Zhao Family¡¯s Castle but also participated in the management of the family¡¯s enterprises, including overseeing the finances.


    Zhao Sheng turned around and sat down at the table, then asked, ¡°Did the lady have any reason for this?¡±


    Zhao Xiaobao spoke in a low voice, ¡°It¡¯s said that the family business recently lost a large amount of silver. Using the tight turnover of silver as an excuse, she voluntarily reduced the expenses for all branches. Our third branch was cut by twenty percent.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, since there¡¯s a shortage of silver in the house, cutting expenses temporarily isn¡¯t a bad thing,¡± he said.


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng picked up the porcelain bowl and gulped down the medicine soup in one go. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The bitter yet sweetly pungent familiar taste once again spread in his mouth, just like a hundred years ago.


    ¡°Young Master, you don¡¯t know. The young masters and misses of the first and second branches still get their Qi Nourishing Soup every three days, it hasn¡¯t changed to seven days,¡± Zhao Xiaobao couldn¡¯t help but grumble.


    Hmm?!


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately frowned.


    Ever since ancient times, the wealthy engaged in literary pursuits while the poor focused on martial training. Martial arts training consumes a tremendous amount, requiring not only a large amount of meat but also herbal soups to nourish the body.


    Just the cost of a serving of Qi Nourishing Soup is five taels of silver, and there are already more than twenty direct lineage disciples in the Zhao family practicing martial arts. Just this one expense would cost the Zhao family at least thirty thousand taels of silver a year.


    Given the Zhao family¡¯s large-size enterprise, they were only just managing to cope with these massive expenses.


    Therefore, while he could tolerate the reduction in budget, unfair treatment was something he could not tolerate.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind raced, and he soon had an idea.


    ¡°Xiao Jiu, go out and inquire about the recent circumstances of the young masters and misses from the other two branches. After you find out, come back and tell me.¡±


    Zhao Xiaobao nodded in agreement, then quickly left the room.


    After everyone had left the room, Zhao Sheng stood up and walked over to the bed. He reached out and took down the Hundred Refinement Sword hanging above the bed¡¯s headboard.


    Whoosh!


    The sword slid out of its scabbard with a familiar feel in his hand, much like his sword ¡°Floating Light¡± from a hundred years ago.


    In fact, this Hundred Refinement Sword was crafted exactly to the specifications of ¡°Floating Light,¡± with the same weight and length.


    The true renowned sword ¡°Floating Light¡± was kept as a family heirloom, worn at the waist of Family Head Zhao Hexing.


    Swish,


    With a flick of his wrist, Zhao Sheng suddenly displayed a flourish of a six-petal sword flower.


    When he executed the first technique of the Floating Light Sword Skill ¡°Plum Blossoms Six Petals,¡± a continually darting and dodging figure instantly appeared in the room, with sword lights evolving in sync with each of his moves, birthing and vanishing in transformation.


    Gradually, the sword lights in the room grew denser, eventually gathering into a mass of light that moved unpredictably and completely enveloped him.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng stopped, his back drenched with sweat.


    He casually threw the sword in his hand. The next second, the Hundred Refinement Sword incredibly sheathed itself back into its scabbard.


    Full name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 15/120


    Constitution: Hundred Year Constitution (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Great Success), Cloud Dragon Three Changes (Great Success), Emerald Tide Technique (Beginner)


    ¡°Not bad, the feel is still there.¡±


    Looking at the data on the book page, Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction.


    Although he had reincarnated, he had not forgotten the martial arts experience gained over a lifetime.


    After practicing dozens of times, he had cultivated both the Floating Light Sword Skill and the Cloud Dragon Three Changes to a Great Success Realm.


    Once a few years passed and his body fully matured, and his Inner True Qi reached Small Success, he could easily retrain several martial arts to the peak realms of his former life.


    ¡­


    The Nanyang Zhao Family had two important locations: the ancestral home in Nanyang City and the Zhao Mansion, built 150 years ago.


    Located thirty li outside of Nanyang City, the Zhao Mansion was backed by mountains and faced the water, with vast flat fields suitable for farming in front of it.


    The estate alone covered nearly fifty acres, bolstered by thick, solid stone walls and eight protruding five-zhang-high arrow towers at the corners, making it appear like a heavily fortified stronghold.


    Thus, it was also known as Zhao Family¡¯s Castle.


    The castle was filled with halls and lofty buildings, densely populated inside, but nearly five acres in the southeast corner were left empty.


    This area was covered with thick yellow soil, and the wall sides were lined with swords, spears, axes, halberds, wooden stakes, archery targets, and other various martial arts equipment. This place was the Zhao Family Training Ground.


    The next day, Zhao Sheng, dressed in white garments, casually walked into the training ground with the Hundred Refinement Sword in one hand.


    At that moment, the training ground echoed with shouts, and several of the Zhao Family¡¯s direct lineage young masters and misses were earnestly practicing their sword techniques, their faces flushed with exertion.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng cracked a slight smile.


    Perfect timing!


    He approached a handsome young man about twenty years old and cheerfully said, ¡°Third Brother, shall we have a bout?¡±


    Third Brother, named Zhao Zhijing, was twenty-one this year, the legitimate son of Family Head Zhao Hexing, and ranked third among the Zhao generation.


    Having the highest level of martial arts among those present, he naturally became Zhao Sheng¡¯s target to establish his might.


    Zhao Zhijing halted his sword movements, turned around to see who it was, and immediately laughed, teasingly said, ¡°So it¡¯s Little Nine. What¡¯s up? Feeling itchy and wanting your third brother to loosen up your skin?¡±


    Zhao Zhijing did not take Zhao Sheng seriously at all.


    Not to mention the six-year age difference between them. Even if one considered just their cultivation levels, he was one of the first two in the current generation of the Zhao Family to advance into the Third-rank Realm.


    Little Nine, Zhao Zhiqin, hardly practiced the Floating Light Sword Skill proficiently, and was no match for him.

 Chapter 3 - 3 Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley

    Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley


    Zhao Sheng still smiled and said, ¡°Third brother, don¡¯t laugh at me, my martial arts have greatly improved recently. Be careful or you might lose to me later!¡±


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng drew his long sword, cast aside the scabbard, and aimed the tip at Zhao Zhijing.


    ¡°Come on!¡±


    Seeing the seriousness in Ninth¡¯s expression, Zhao Zhijing shook his head helplessly and after assuming the ¡°Phoenix Coming¡± stance, he said unconcernedly, ¡°Come on, just do your best!¡± Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing the other¡¯s careless demeanor, was determined to teach him a profound lesson.


    With a misstep, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure suddenly disappeared from its spot, and the next instant, he abruptly appeared beside Zhao Zhijing, his right hand thrusting a sword at the throat, as fast as lightning.


    Zhao Zhijing only saw a blur before his eyes and instantly cried out in alarm.


    However, before he could raise his sword to change his move, a cold, brilliant long sword had already rested on his neck.


    ¡°You¡¯ve lost!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, with a beaming smile, looked at Zhao Zhijing and casually took back the Hundred Refinement Sword.


    Fast, incredibly fast!


    So fast that it stunned the onlookers.


    Third brother had lost without even making a move, everyone simply couldn¡¯t believe their eyes.


    Zhao Zhijing, greatly startled, couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°How¡­ how could you be so fast?¡±


    ¡°I just said, my martial arts have greatly improved recently,¡± Zhao Sheng replied calmly.


    ¡°Could it be you¡­ had a sudden enlightenment?¡± someone suddenly shouted from the side.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded, affirming it.


    As soon as these words were spoken, everyone including Zhao Zhijing looked at him with envy and jealousy.


    It was rumored in the Martial World that sudden enlightenment was something you could encounter but not seek.


    Once someone had a sudden enlightenment, their martial arts would dramatically improve afterward, advancing at a rapid pace every day.


    How could such good fortune fall on the lazy Xiao Jiu? It truly seemed unfair!


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it! Xiao Jiu, come and spar with me!¡±


    At that moment, Lao Liu, Zhao Zhiping, jumped out. He was tall and strong, ranking among the highest in martial prowess among his peers, aside from two others.


    Seeing this, Zhao Zhijing silently made way, the meaning of his action was self-evident.


    ¡°Sixth brother, come and attack!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was here today to establish his authority and did not fear any challenges.


    Besides, no one in the Zhao Family here today was worthy of his respect; they were all ineffectual fellows.


    Good!


    Zhao Zhiping roared and lunged with his sword, executing the White Rainbow Piercing the Sun, his sword tip thrusting directly at Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest.


    Fool!


    As soon as the opponent¡¯s sword move was made, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but curse inwardly.


    White Rainbow Piercing the Sun was supposed to be light and fast, but in Zhao Zhiping¡¯s hands, it was executed with ferocity and overwhelming power, completely deviating from its essence.


    The Zhao Family had gotten too complacent over the years, really neglecting the education of the younger generation.


    Sigh, it needed to change!


    Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly and with a flick of his sword, the back of his blade met the opponent¡¯s blade. Then with a slight tremor, a flick, and a release, he effortlessly neutralized Zhao Zhiping¡¯s force.


    Then,


    suddenly, a streak of sword light, like light smoke and thin mist, seemingly slow but actually fast, easily broke through Zhao Zhiping¡¯s defense, the sword tip firmly pressing against his chest.


    ¡°Sixth brother, this is how White Rainbow Piercing the Sun should be executed!¡± Zhao Sheng said indifferently.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhiping instantly turned beet red, stepped back in humiliation and anger.


    ¡°Who else wants to try?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked around calmly, his Hundred Refinement Sword slightly raised.


    Impossible!


    In just two days, Xiao Jiu¡¯s skills have become so profound.


    Could sudden enlightenment truly be this powerful, transforming a person completely in just a few days?


    Yet, the facts were there, as others tried to challenge him and were all defeated.


    Indeed, the younger members of the Zhao family were justifiably defeated.


    Not to mention them, if excluding the enhancement from Inner True Qi and considering only the martial arts techniques, there were no more than three people who could survive a hundred moves against Zhao Sheng.


    After this event, the news of Zhao Sheng¡¯s significant improvement in martial arts quickly spread throughout Zhao Family¡¯s Castle.


    Some skeptical young masters and misses daringly approached him, only to leave covering their faces in shame.


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng¡¯s treatment was quietly restored to what it had been before, and his monthly allowance was even increased to two hundred taels.


    He was very pleased with this arrangement, for the major lady truly deserved to be the lady of the house, being smart and conscious of the times, handling the measures very precisely.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng, carrying his sword, sought out Zhao Hetai, the manager of the third house. What did the two discuss in secrecy? No one knew except the people involved.


    Yet later that evening, Zhao Hetai suddenly found Family Head Zhao Hexing.


    After a brief conversation, Zhao Hexing took the initiative to gather all the house administrators and elders for a secret meeting.


    A few days later, all discussions regarding the Ninth Young Master abruptly ceased. No one ever mentioned the incidents of those days again.


    In a family, if some represent the face, some must be the inside. The face cannot be touched by even a speck of dust, and if blood is shed, the inside must contain it. If it cannot be contained and leaks to the surface, it could lead to the destruction of the family.


    Zhao Sheng chose to silently become the ¡°inside¡± of the Nanyang Zhao Family


    Having lived three lifetimes, he had long passed the stage of seeking fame and profit, so what of a lifetime of glory? Could he achieve immortality?


    In this life, he had only one goal: to produce a Cultivator.


    ¡­


    As spring came and went, time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, another three years had passed.


    When the name of Zhao Zhijing, the ¡°Jade Sword Young Master¡± of the Zhao family, spread throughout the Ganzhou Martial World, an ordinary carriage slowly entered through the gates of Moling City, eventually stopping in front of a three-story inn.


    ¡°Young master, we have arrived,¡± Zhao Xiaobao said as he jumped down from the carriage, speaking respectfully to the person inside.


    Three years had passed, and Zhao Xiaobao had changed a lot, growing into a handsome young man.


    As for his master, Zhao Sheng¡­


    As the carriage curtain was rolled up, a strikingly handsome young man with a tall figure and elegant demeanor stepped down from the carriage.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go in!¡±


    Having said this, Zhao Sheng stepped forward and entered the inn.


    This inn, named Yuelai Inn, was a covert operation set up by the Zhao Family in Moling City.


    As soon as the master and servant appeared, they were quickly ushered by the inn¡¯s shopkeeper into a secret room.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng took a seat in the secret room, the shopkeeper Zhao Sanchong immediately moved to kneel in greeting.


    Zhao Sheng extended his hand to support him, emitting a streak of azure True Qi, preventing the other party from kneeling, and said, ¡°Spare the formalities, let¡¯s get to the matter at hand.¡±


    ¡°True Qi externalization?!¡± Zhao Sanchong was profoundly shocked. He hadn¡¯t expected Master Jiu, not yet twenty, to have advanced so significantly in his capabilities.


    It was known in the Martial World that only top-tier experts could externalize True Qi.


    What was even more frightening was that Master Jiu was only eighteen this year!


    ¡°The resurgence of the Zhao family seems promising!¡± Zhao Sanchong thought excitedly to himself.


    In two hundred years, countless Zhao family members had practiced martial arts, producing many experts. However, there were only two true Innate Grandmasters: the original progenitor and the fifth Family Head.


    The difficulty of advancing to Innate was obvious!


    With this in mind, Zhao Sanchong became even more cautious and respectful towards the Ninth Young Master.


    ¡°Young Master, I have discovered a highly suspicious location. Fifty miles south of Moling City lies a mysterious canyon called Fragrant Swallow Valley.


    The area is perennially enveloped in thick fog, but woodcutters often see people moving about in the valley. Occasionally, they even spot Immortals flying in from the sky. Hence, I believe there is an eighty percent chance that Fragrant Swallow Valley is a base of the Wang Family.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded in approval and said, ¡°You¡¯ve done well. Once the matter is confirmed beyond doubt, you may return to Zhao Family¡¯s Castle to report, and then I¡¯ll grant you thirty acres of superior farmland and increase your monthly salary by twenty taels. Additionally, I grant permission for one of your sons to be included in the family genealogy.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your generous reward, Young Master!¡± Zhao Sanchong said, moved to tears.


    Not to mention anything else, just the permission to include a son in the family genealogy was enough for him to be immensely grateful.

 Chapter 4 - 4: Perfume Moves the Heart

    Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Perfume Moves the Heart


    By the time Zhao Sanchong had left with thousands of thanks, Zhao Xiaobao wore a worried expression as he said, ¡°Young Master, perhaps you should reconsider. Although the Wang Family is a local cultivation family in Ganzhou, they are extremely ruthless. Fifty years ago, the Cultivating Chen Family was annihilated by their hand. Not only did none of their family members escape, but it also nearly implicated our Zhao Family.¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand and said calmly, ¡°No need to reconsider. Ganzhou is a land with scarce spiritual energy, with few cultivators, and the Wang Family is the only cultivation family in Ganzhou. If I don¡¯t approach them, who else can I turn to?¡±


    Zhao Xiaobao wanted to say more but eventually chose not to continue persuading.


    He knew that once the Young Master made up his mind, no one could change his thoughts.


    ¡°Can the Young Master really marry a woman from the Wang Family? When the time comes, you must not force it!¡±


    Thinking about his Young Master¡¯s way of handling things, Zhao Xiaobao felt even more anxious.


    Zhao Sheng was unaware that his faithful servant had no faith in him, as he had his own plans.


    After three years of seclusion and rigorous training, he had elevated the Emerald Tide Technique to the Great Achievement Realm, his Internal True Qi had matured for thirty years, and his cultivation was no less than any top expert in the Martial World.


    If he also restored a few of his peak realm Martial Arts, he felt confident that apart from an Innate Grandmaster, he could handle any martial artist below the Innate level.


    This had been confirmed on the Clan Leader Elder Zhao Taizhen of Zhao Family Town, who was at the Half-step Innate Realm.


    Zhao Sheng always planned thoroughly before taking action. Naturally, he came prepared on this trip to Moling City.


    The first step in his plan was to start with a fragrance shop.


    ¡­


    Three days later, an old-established fragrance shop in Moling City, Zhenxiang Pavilion, quietly changed owners.


    Ten days later, Zhenxiang Pavilion launched a new type of product called perfume.


    Unlike traditional scented powder, perfume didn¡¯t require dabbing; a light spray on the body was enough.


    Moreover, it not only had a lasting fragrance but also contained a variety of natural floral scents.


    The launch of the perfume quickly caused a sensation. All female customers who tried it were infatuated, becoming devoted fans of the perfume.


    However, few female customers could afford it,


    as it was extremely expensive.


    A small bottle cost twenty taels of silver.


    The inventor of the perfume was naturally Zhao Sheng. This was the big killer he had specifically prepared.


    No woman doesn¡¯t love beauty, and similarly, few women can resist the charm of perfume.


    If there¡¯s any difference between women from cultivation families and those from the Mortal World?


    Three words would suffice to describe it: ¡°not short of money¡±.


    Therefore, Zhao Sheng purposely priced the perfume extremely high. His intent was naturally to ¡°filter¡± out the target persons.


    The Wang Family couldn¡¯t possibly be completely isolated from the world; their family¡¯s women would occasionally go out shopping, and Moling City, being the closest to Fragrant Swallow Valley, was unintentionally the best place.


    Time passed quickly, and a month later,


    in a scenic and elegant courtyard, Zhao Sanchong, the new Shopkeeper of Zhenxiang Pavilion, was reporting the recent situation to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Young Master, the first and second targets have come to buy perfume for the third time recently. Both of them claimed their surname was Wang, so this subordinate believes there¡¯s a significant possibility that these two are from the Wang Family.¡±


    ¡°Oh, they came again and bought up all the perfume?¡± Zhao Sheng asked with interest. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Yes, these two women simply don¡¯t treat silver as money, spending lavishly to the point of shocking. Every time they visit, they will not leave without cleaning out our stock of perfume,¡± Zhao Sanchong answered excitedly.


    He felt his own young master was really formidable, using just a simple trick to lure the women of the Wang Family out.


    After listening, Zhao Sheng felt the timing was just about right, so he decided to initiate the second phase of his plan.


    He then instructed, ¡°Next time they come, you release the news about the new type of perfume. Then do so and so¡­¡±


    Zhao Sanchong nodded repeatedly, then excitedly went to execute the orders.


    Three days later, an extravagant carriage drawn by four tall horses slowly stopped in front of the Zhenxiang Pavilion.


    The carriage driver, a tall middle-aged man with a stern face, reached out to pull back the curtain of the carriage.


    Two youthful girls stepped out of the carriage¡ªone dressed in red with an oval face and delicate features, and the other in a sky-blue dress with a voluptuous figure and a stunningly cold expression.


    The female servants at Zhenxiang Pavilion were instantly invigorated by their arrival, for wealthy customers had come. Someone alert immediately ran to the back to report to the shopkeeper.


    Zhao Sanchong¡¯s guess was right; both women were from the Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley. The one in red was Wang Yu Yan, and the one in blue was Wang Yuqi, half-sisters from the same father.


    Wang Yu Yan took the lead. As soon as they entered, she specifically mentioned wanting to buy perfume.


    The female servants had already been instructed, so they intentionally delayed for a moment.


    Taking advantage of this brief moment, Zhao Sanchong hurried to the main hall.


    Upon seeing the two, he immediately bowed with his hands clasped and said, ¡°Honored guests, I am the shopkeeper of Zhenxiang Pavilion. I am terribly sorry! Our perfume has just sold out and we are momentarily out of stock.¡±


    Wang Yuqi, who was quick-tempered, immediately furrowed her brows and demanded sharply, ¡°Shopkeeper, we are not short of silver; do not try to deceive us. Is the perfume really sold out?¡±


    Zhao Sanchong swore, ¡°Absolutely true! Zhao swears to the heavens, the perfume is indeed gone. However¡­¡±


    ¡°However, what?¡± Wang Yuqi quickly interjected.


    Zhao Sanchong hesitated for a moment, until the two were nearly out of patience urging him, then reluctantly said, ¡°Actually, there is one type of perfume that is unique in the world. However, it is not for sale.¡±


    ¡°Not for sale?¡±


    Wang Yu Yan coldly smiled and said, ¡°There is no such thing as not for sale in this world, only the problem of not enough silver. Unfortunately, the one thing we do not lack is silver. Shopkeeper, name your price!¡±


    Zhao Sanchong¡¯s face instantly turned into a bitter expression as he continued bowing desperately, pleading, ¡°Miss, you have wrongly accused this humble old man. My master repeatedly emphasized that this perfume is only to be gifted to someone destined, and not to be sold.¡±


    Women¡¯s curiosity is sometimes greater than a cat¡¯s.


    When Zhao Sanchong said this, Wang Yuqi¡¯s curiosity was piqued, and she immediately asked, ¡°Who is your master? Why would he say such a thing?¡±


    Zhao Sanchong said with pride, ¡°My master is from the Nanyang Zhao Family. Not only is he extremely intelligent but he is also accomplished in both literature and martial arts, truly a genius bestowed by heaven.¡±


    To Zhao Sanchong¡¯s words, Wang Yu Yan was indifferent. What does it matter if his master was a genius bestowed by heaven? He was merely a mortal, after all, how could he compare to a cultivator?


    Wang Yu Yan asked, ¡°Your master said he would gift perfume only to those with destiny. Do you think we look like people with destiny?¡±


    Zhao Sanchong was overjoyed inside but quickly suppressed his excitement, making a troubled face as he said, ¡°Honored guests, you make it hard for this humble old man. How would I know whom my master has in mind when he speaks of people with destiny?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, pretentious mystery! Where is your master? Take us to him right now,¡± Wang Yuqi impulsively volunteered, naively walking right into his trap.

 Chapter 5 - 5 Golden Wind Jade Dew Meet Once

    Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Golden Wind Jade Dew Meet Once


    ¡°This¡­¡± Zhao Sanchong hesitated for a moment before saying with a face full of apologies, ¡°Our Young Master has always disliked meeting outsiders.¡±


    Upon seeing this, Wang Yuqi immediately called out to the store entrance, ¡°Wang Si.¡±


    Before her words had finished echoing, the middle-aged coachman who had just been outside the store suddenly took a step that spanned the void and appeared before everyone in an instant, crossing a distance of three zhang.


    He stepped forward, bowing respectfully and said, ¡°Miss, what are your orders?¡±


    Zhao Sanchong was greatly shocked in his heart. The middle-aged coachman was highly skilled in martial arts, obviously a top expert in the Martial World, and now he had become a coachman for the Wang Family.


    Wang Yuqi ordered, ¡°Wang Si, make him take us to see his Young Master.¡±


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Zhao Sanchong saw that the play was about to fail and hurriedly shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t fight, I¡¯ll take you there.¡±


    ¡°Lead the way!¡± Wang Si said with a stern tone.


    ¡­


    A quarter of an hour later, under the guidance of Zhao Sanchong, the group arrived at an exquisitely elegant courtyard.


    Before they even entered the courtyard gate, the Wang sisters heard the sound of a guqin coming from the backyard.


    The music sometimes soared majestically, with a natural and flowing resonance like the mountains, and at times trickled gently, soft as flowing water, with endless meaning.


    Hearing such enchanting guqin music, the Wang sisters couldn¡¯t help but immerse themselves in it.


    Zhao Sanchong couldn¡¯t help but sigh at how astute Ninth Young Master¡¯s tactics were, deeply understanding the human heart.


    After a while, when the music slowly faded away, the Wang sisters finally came to their senses as if awakening from a dream.


    Do not wonder why the Wang sisters lost their composure. The real reason goes back to the fact that the Wang Family¡¯s ancestor was a Loose Cultivator.


    Out of lament for the difficulties of cultivation, the Wang Family had always centered on cultivation. Other arts such as playing the guqin, chess, calligraphy, and painting were regarded as frivolous distractions.


    Therefore, Fragrant Swallow Valley was always very cold, and the atmosphere exceptionally dull; the Wang sisters had never heard such wonderful guqin music in their lives.


    ¡°Hurry and take us to see your Young Master,¡± Wang Yuqi said eagerly after coming to her senses.


    Although her sister, Wang Yu Yan, did not speak, her expectant expression also revealed a bit of longing.


    ¡°Ladies, please follow me!¡±


    After saying this, Zhao Sanchong immediately led the three through the courtyard, passed the front hall, and walked along a corridor. They then entered a garden complete with artificial hill and flowing water.


    In the center of the garden, beneath the Octagonal Pavilion, sat a white-clad Young Master. He had a face like a beautiful jade, eyes like bright stars, and an elegant and outstanding demeanor, as he slowly tuned an ancient guqin.


    There is a saying, ¡°When Golden Wind encounters Jade Dew, they surpass countless encounters in the mortal world.¡±


    The strategic setup that Zhao Sheng had painstakingly prepared for the Wang sisters was taking effect from the very beginning.


    Food and sex are human nature! In this world, not only do men love beauty, but women do as well.


    Zhao Sanchong led the three to the vicinity of the Octagonal Pavilion and called out loudly, ¡°Young Master, you have visitors!¡±


    Zhao Sheng ¡°seemingly¡± started as if awakened from a dream, and slowly lifted his head to look at the Wang sisters.


    So close.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s incredibly handsome face was unabashedly displayed before their eyes.


    In the flush of youth, which girl doesn¡¯t harbor secret affections? Even though they knew that the man before them was just an ordinary person, the two Wang sisters couldn¡¯t help but feel a stir in their hearts.


    Zhao Sheng hesitated slightly before asking in a deep voice, ¡°Manager Zhao, who are these people? Why have they been brought to see me?¡±


    Following the script, Zhao Sanchong introduced the purpose of the Wang Family¡¯s visit to the Young Master and smoothly brought up the topic of perfume and the destined individual.


    After he heard Zhao Sanchong¡¯s words, Zhao Sheng finally showed a smile, and his attitude became gentle.


    He gestured with his hand, pointing to several cushions beside the zither table, and said, ¡°Please take a seat, esteemed guests!¡±


    After exchanging glances, the Wang sisters walked to the Octagonal Pavilion and settled onto the cushions, sitting with great decorum.


    ¡°My name is Zhao Zhiqin. May I have the honor of knowing the esteemed ladies¡¯ full names?¡±


    ¡°I am Wang Yu Yan.¡± sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°And I am Wang Yuqi.¡±


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng spoken than the Wang sisters replied in unison.


    ¡°Ah, so you are the two sisters of the Wang Family. My apologies, my apologies!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, his manner refined and courteous.


    Wang Yu Yan spoke directly, ¡°We have come today for that unique perfume. Young Master Zhao mentioned that he only gifts it to the person of destiny. I wonder who this person of destiny might be?¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng fell silent for a moment before speaking in a low tone about a tragic love story.


    The story was adapted from the famous love narratives of past eras like the Magpie Bridge Meeting and the stories of Liangshan and Zhu Yingtai.


    It told of a love between a poor young man and a rich girl which, in the end, was brutally torn apart by the girl¡¯s father. After being humiliated, the young man worked diligently to become an Innate Grandmaster in martial arts, while the rich girl was forced into a marriage with a high-class family, leading a life of depression and dying at an early age.


    ¡°¡­Before she died, the unfortunate woman created a unique perfume to commemorate their unfulfilled love, naming it Golden Wind Jade Dew. There¡¯s even a poem as proof!¡±


    At this point, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but recite, ¡°Delicate clouds craft shapes, shooting stars carry sorrow, the Milky Way stretches long and dark. When Golden Wind and Jade Dew meet, they surpass countless others in this world. Affection is like water, our rendezvous a dream, it¡¯s hard to face the road back from Magpie Bridge. If love endures for a long time, does it even matter in the endless cycle of days and nights.¡±


    The charm of words can indeed transcend time and space. Even in another world, the tender poetic essence within the verses of Magpie Bridge Immortal immediately touched the heart of a young girl inexperienced in the world.


    Upon hearing the poem, Wang Yuqi¡¯s eyes were blurred with tears, deeply moved, almost to the point of crying, while Wang Yu Yan¡¯s expression remained calm, her gaze becoming much softer.


    Seeing this reaction, Zhao Sheng inwardly nodded and then deliberately exclaimed, ¡°What is love in this world, that it commands one to pledge life and death to another? Golden Wind Jade Dew is given only to those who truly understand the nature of love.¡±


    ¡°Ladies, do you consider yourselves to be such destined individuals?¡±


    Wang Yu Yan and Wang Yuqi looked at each other and both shook their heads.


    Born into a Cultivation Family, neither had ever experienced what love is. The clansmen in their family were also arranged in marriages by their elders, leaving no room for talk of love.


    Zhao Sheng sighed softly, his expression one of regret, and said sadly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but it seems Golden Wind Jade Dew is not destined for you.¡±


    Wang Yuqi opened her mouth as if to speak but was tugged at by Wang Yu Yan beside her and closed her mouth again.


    ¡°Young Master, having heard such a moving story is already a significant gain for us. Since we are not destined for it, we will not insist on having it.¡±


    Wang Yu Yan quickly regained her composure and suddenly said, ¡°However, I have a presumptuous request. I wonder if you would be willing to hear it.¡±


    ¡°By all means, speak freely!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded to indicate she should continue.


    ¡°I would like to ask if the Young Master has any intention of selling the perfume formula?¡±


    Well, I admit I¡¯m covetous of your bodies, but you¡¯re no better, setting your sights on my chicken.


    ¡°Could it be that the value of the perfume is far more than that?¡±


    A thought suddenly crossed Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind, and then he resolutely shook his head, saying, ¡°The perfume formula is a legacy from my ancestors, not to be shared with outsiders.¡±


    Hearing this, Wang Yu Yan¡¯s face showed her disappointment.

 Chapter 6 - 6 We Collaborate

    Chapter 6: Chapter 6 We Collaborate


    ¡°Miss,¡±


    Suddenly, a stern voice came from outside the pavilion. The middle-aged coachman sharply lifted his head, stepped forward, and looked at his young mistress. When his gaze inadvertently swept past Zhao Sheng, it was filled with murderous intent.


    ¡°Stop being unreasonable! Step back,¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    The coachman, Wang Si, bowed and acknowledged, immediately retreating back to his original position and bowing his head silently.


    After dismissing the coachman with a word, Wang Yu Yan said with a full sense of apology, ¡°I apologize for the rudeness of my servant; I didn¡¯t mean to startle you, Mr. Zhao.¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled faintly and replied, ¡°It¡¯s fine; a mere Half-Step Innate cannot hinder me. However, these ways of handling situations by force after failing negotiations are not good in my view. It can easily bring trouble to the family.¡±


    ¡°Oh, really? Just with you?¡± Wang Yuqi interjected indignantly, feeling offended.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head calmly and responded, ¡°Well, I obviously can¡¯t. But the world is so vast, and there are many entities you cannot afford to provoke. Even if your Wang family belongs to a Cultivation Family, it won¡¯t be enough.¡±


    On hearing this, Wang Yu Yan¡¯s expression changed, and she questioned, ¡°How do you know our background?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, while plucking the strings of his instrument to produce a lingering note, spoke in a calm tone, ¡°This¡­ isn¡¯t this easy to guess?¡±


    Without waiting for them to ask further, he explained, ¡°Having a Half-Step Innate top expert willing to serve as your coachman and both of you young ladies bearing the surname Wang, not to mention your exceptional beauty. I can¡¯t think of any other family that fits these descriptions besides the Cultivation Wang Family in Ganzhou.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s explanation, Wang Yu Yan¡¯s expression eased.


    Meanwhile, Wang Yuqi, hearing his words, felt joyful and displayed a proud look, for they had never been described as divinely beautiful before.


    The key being that the man who said this was also quite handsome himself.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Young Master to have such exceptional discernment. I suppose your background must also be extraordinary?¡±


    ¡°Not hiding it from Miss Wang, I hail from the Zhao family of Ganzhou,¡± Zhao Sheng straightforwardly revealed his identity.


    He had no intention of concealing his background. In fact, other than the perfume, everything up to this point was going according to plan.


    From his past life¡¯s experience, he knew that marrying a woman from a Cultivation Family couldn¡¯t rely too much on schemes or trickery; going with the flow was best.


    And certainly not by abducting her, since the bloodline tracking spell was one of the most common basic spells in the Cultivation World.


    ¡°The Zhao family of Ganzhou?¡± Wang Yu Yan looked puzzled. She had never heard of a Zhao family in Ganzhou.


    Zhao Sheng knew that people from Cultivation Families tended to be arrogant, but he hadn¡¯t expected such disregard.


    ¡°Well, originally from Nanyang, my lineage is somewhat of a Martial Arts family. It¡¯s normal that Miss Wang hasn¡¯t heard of us,¡± he explained.


    Although Zhao Sheng strove to maintain respect, Wang Yuqi turned to the coachman and queried, ¡°Wang Si, you come from the Martial World, you must know about the Zhao family, right?¡±


    Are you polite?


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng really wanted to retort with a comment.


    Wang Si answered flatly, keeping his face expressionless, ¡°Master, the Zhao family from Nanyang is considered a significant family in Ganzhou and is somewhat known in the Martial World too, having produced two Innate Grandmasters.¡±


    Wang Yuqi, being outspoken, realized, ¡°Oh, Innate Grandmasters! I know them; my third Uncle and sixth Uncle are both Innate Grandmasters. They are almost as powerful as those in the early stages of Qi Refinement.¡±


    ¡°Yuqi, stop talking,¡±


    Wang Yu Yan nudged her sister and then added with slight apologetic tones, ¡°My sister always speaks without thinking, Mr. Zhao; please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    ¡°Haha, Miss Wang is innocent and joyful. I like it enough as it is, why would I be offended?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s words were bold and forthright. The Wang sisters blushed at his comment, with Wang Yuqi¡¯s face turning as red as a tomato. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From childhood to adulthood, no one had ever spoken to them so insolently in their presence.


    It was only because Zhao Sheng had initially made a good impression that if an ordinary person had dared to speak this way, their grave would be overgrown with grass by now.


    By using slightly outrageous remarks, Zhao Sheng had successfully resolved the awkward atmosphere and regained control of the situation.


    Wang Yu Yan no longer focused on Zhao Sheng¡¯s family background, but rather returned to the original topic, ¡°Mr. Zhao, I am determined to obtain the perfume formula. Please name your price!¡±


    Her tone was very firm, indicating her resolve to achieve her goal at all costs.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng frowned and quickly weighed his options.


    It now seemed that the true value of the perfume significantly exceeded his expectations.


    However, such a surprise was clearly more advantageous for him.


    After pondering for a while, he decisively said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to go against my ancestors¡¯ wishes; the formula cannot be sold, but we can collaborate.¡±


    ¡°How should we collaborate?¡± Wang Yu Yan¡¯s eyes lit up, and she immediately asked.


    Her obsession with the perfume formula was simple¡ªit was a means to earn Spirit Stones.


    In the eyes of ordinary people, the Wang family was highly esteemed.


    But in the Cultivation World, the Wang family was always at the bottom of the food chain, only slightly better than Loose Cultivators.


    The entire Wang family had only nine cultivators: two in the Qi Refining Late Stage, three in the Qi Refining Middle Stage, and four novices in the first and second layers of Qi Refining.


    It is worth mentioning that Wang Yu Yan was the least skilled cultivator in the family. With Five Spirits Roots, she had struggled for five or six years to barely advance to the first level of Qi Refining.


    The Wang family relied solely on twenty acres of spirit field, crafting First-rank magic talismans and refining spirit materials to earn some Spirit Stones. Together, they earned just over a thousand Spirit Stones a year, barely enough for the family¡¯s cultivators¡¯ needs, making life quite tight.


    Thus, after trying out the perfume, Wang Yu Yan keenly spotted a business opportunity. After experimenting for several days, she became even more convinced of this.


    Perfume had great financial prospects!


    In the Cultivation World, female cultivators had many ways to keep themselves fragrant all day, such as the First-stage Spirit Pill Hundred Fragrance Pill. Just by consuming one, a female cultivator¡¯s body would emit a strong fragrance for an entire year.


    However, buying a Hundred Fragrance Pill required ten Spirit Stones. For some female cultivators, this might not seem like much.


    But do not forget that the largest number of people in the world always belong to the lowest level. There are many Qi Refining female cultivators who are unwilling to buy Hundred Fragrance Pills.


    And this is where the value of perfume lies.


    Is the Hundred Fragrance Pill too expensive, and scented powder too low-end?


    No problem, you can buy a large bottle of perfume for one Spirit Stone, enough to last you a year.


    Wang Yu Yan had calculated that earning a hundred and eighty Spirit Stones a year should not be a problem.


    By such calculations, the business in perfume was equivalent to one-tenth of the family¡¯s annual output, which was simply a huge profit.


    Wang Yu Yan was very aware that once the family noticed the perfume, neither Mr. Zhao nor she and her sisters would be able to keep the perfume formula secret.


    Therefore, Wang Yu Yan and her sister had already agreed to earn as much as they could before the perfume was exposed.


    After all, even daughters of a Cultivation Family need to save up for their dowries.


    With Spirit Stones by her side, even if she married into another family, she could stand tall and speak her mind.


    This was true, whether for immortals or mortals.


    Furthermore, Zhao Sheng¡¯s proposal hit right at Wang Yu Yan¡¯s needs. She had no trusted aides on her side; even if she obtained the perfume formula, she could not keep it a secret.


    On the other hand, Mr. Zhao had ample manpower and was better at keeping secrets.

 Chapter 7 - 7 Strategy in Progress

    Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Strategy in Progress


    Watching the Wang sisters¡¯ anxious expressions, Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and began, ¡°I will be responsible for formulating the perfume, and you two will handle the sales. The profits will be split equally between our sides.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Wang Yu Yan blurted out.


    Zhao Sheng, unhurried, said, ¡°Nothing is impossible! I think you wouldn¡¯t want your family to know about the perfume either.¡±


    By then, he had firmly grasped the situation.


    After all, the Wang sisters were too naive, and Zhao Sheng had easily figured out their thoughts.


    ¡°How did you guess that?¡±


    Hearing Zhao Sheng expose their motives, Wang Yu Yan¡¯s face changed dramatically.


    Zhao Sheng felt he should not continue to provoke her, in case it caused a backlash.


    He explained, ¡°If the Wang Family knew about this, I believe it wouldn¡¯t be you two standing here today . . .¡±


    The Wang sisters then realized that they had indeed exposed such a significant flaw.


    Regaining her composure, Wang Yu Yan seriously said, ¡°Half of the profits is too much, twenty-eighty, I get eighty and you get twenty!¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head, ¡°No, half and half is my bottom line. After all, I provide the raw materials, labor, and formula, and the perfume-making process is complex and not easy to execute.¡±


    ¡°Without us, the perfume simply wouldn¡¯t reach the hands of cultivators. Mr. Zhao, do you have a sales channel?¡±


    After Wang Yu Yan countered, Wang Yuqi suddenly intervened, ¡°If my grandfather finds out, not only will you not make any Spirit Stones, but you may also struggle to keep your life.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a valid point. Well, I¡¯ll compromise, let¡¯s split it forty-sixty.¡±


    ¡°It won¡¯t work¡­¡±


    An hour later, after a warm and friendly conversation, both parties finally agreed to a thirty-seventy split. Additionally, Zhao Sheng generously offered to allow the Wang sisters to ¡°buy on credit.¡±


    After the successful negotiation, Zhao Sheng had unconsciously drawn closer to the Wang sisters. This was his primary goal for the day.


    Although plans had changed halfway through, it had unexpectedly worked out. With business interactions now in place, their relationship would only grow stronger, and everything would naturally fall into place.


    After agreeing on the monthly production quantity of the perfume, Zhao Sheng glanced outside the pavilion and suddenly asked, ¡°Are the people you brought reliable?¡±


    Wang Yu Yan was taken aback at the question, then nodded firmly, ¡°Wang Si was raised by my father from a young age. He absolutely will not betray us!¡±


    ¡°Is your esteemed father at home now?¡± Zhao Sheng probed.


    Wang Yu Yan, although inexperienced, was quite smart and quickly understood the implication in Zhao Sheng¡¯s words, quickly responding, ¡°He has gone out for business, and it will be at least half a year before he returns.¡± S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hmm.


    Zhao Sheng nodded after hearing this, temporarily easing his intention to kill Wang Si.


    Meanwhile, outside the pavilion, Wang Si also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.


    Because just a moment ago, a strong and fierce Sword Intent had suddenly erupted from Mr. Zhao and abruptly targeted him.


    In that instant, his whole body was pained by the Sword Intent, and he suddenly got the illusion as though he was facing a powerful member of the Innate Sword Sect.


    ¡°What a terrifying young man!¡± Wang Si was filled with fear, unable to help thinking: ¡°Could this person have already advanced to Innate?¡±


    Wang Si could never imagine that Zhao Sheng indeed possessed a powerful Innate Sword Intent, yet hadn¡¯t developed Innate True Qi.


    He had exhausted all his True Qi, yet could only perform a move equivalent to a full-strength strike of the Innate Sword Sect.


    This move was Zhao Sheng¡¯s ultimate trump card, easily capable of killing any martial artist below Innate level.


    After that day, the group of three was officially established.


    Zhao Sheng used carrier pigeons to send a message to his family, briefly explaining the situation.


    Soon, a secret workshop within Zhao Family¡¯s Castle was tightly sealed off, and a large number of trusted family members were dispatched inside to start mass production of perfume.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng, citing the Wang sisters¡¯ lack of experience and fear of exposing flaws, insisted on accompanying them.


    Thus, the three of them, after disguising themselves, successively entered and exited various cultivation markets in Liang Kingdom, choosing specific shops to start selling perfume in bulk.


    During this time, the trio faced several dangers, but all were resolved one by one by the experienced Zhao Sheng.


    The reason they did not retail was because Zhao Sheng knew well that perfume making was not complex and could not be kept secret from those with intentions. Therefore, before the recipe was cracked, they aimed to maximize their profits.


    The Wang sisters thought they could sustain this venture slowly and steadily, which was far too naive.


    The benefits of the perfume were obvious, hence the trio¡¯s sales went very smoothly, and things quickly got on track.


    Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, four months had passed.


    During this period, the trio earned a fortune, far exceeding their most optimistic estimates.


    However, Wang Yu Yan and Wang Yuqi were consistently downcast, looking gloomy all day long.


    Because once again that guy had predicted correctly. A cultivator had already cracked the perfume formula.


    Indeed,


    Compared to alchemy, making perfume was really simple.


    Zhao Sheng did not care about such minor gains.


    It only took him two days to figure out the sisters¡¯ personalities.


    The older sister was rational and intelligent, yet a money-grubber. The younger sister was impulsive and muddled, very vain, and fond of fine foods and luxurious clothes.


    Four months of constant interaction significantly advanced his relationship with the Wang sisters. Wang Yuqi had fallen deeply in love with him and was utterly captivated by affection.


    The reason for such quick progress was not only Zhao Sheng¡¯s meticulous planning but also related to two secrets of romance.


    One was ¡°Keeping busy with leisure,¡± and the other was a saying: ¡°If she is naive to the world, show her its splendor; if she is weary of the world, take her on a merry-go-round.¡±


    An attractive, dashing, extremely intelligent young man, humbly courting you all day, making you happy with a variety of delicious food and beautiful clothes.


    How many women in the world could resist such temptation?


    Wang Yuqi could not. Her sister, Wang Yu Yan, seemed more aware, but when she looked at Zhao Sheng, her eyes often sparkled unusually.


    ¡­


    ¡°Eight hundred three, eight hundred four, eight hundred¡­¡±


    In a simple yet spacious room, Wang Yu Yan counted seriously, tallying up the total number of Spirit Stones they had earned during this period.


    In front of her, a small mountain of Spirit Stones had accumulated on the table.


    At that moment, Wang Yuqi, seated beside her in a pink tasseled long dress, suddenly complained with impatience, ¡°Sister Yu Yan, stop counting. There are a total of eight hundred fifty-four Spirit Stones, you¡¯ve counted them dozens of times already. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡±


    ¡°Eight hundred nine, eight hundred ten¡­¡±


    Wang Yu Yan ignored her sister and continued counting calmly.


    Wang Yuqi, feeling increasingly irritated, immediately raised her voice, ¡°Brother Zhi Qin said that giving him two hundred forty Spirit Stones is enough, he doesn¡¯t want the rest.¡±

 Chapter 8 - 8 Proposing Marriage

    Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Proposing Marriage


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    Wang Yu Yan suddenly stopped what she was doing, her beautiful eyes fixed intently on her younger sister, her gaze filled with confusion.


    Seeing this, Wang Yuqi felt immensely proud and arrogantly said, ¡°Brother Zhi Qin told me yesterday. Since we can¡¯t continue with the perfume business, he¡¯s decided to round up the numbers, as a compensation for the two of us.¡±


    Wang Yu Yan shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t want his compensation! Besides, I still want to make a few more deals.¡±


    Wang Yuqi¡¯s face changed dramatically, and she shouted in shock and anger, ¡°Are you out of your mind! Brother Zhi Qin said that we¡¯ve already exposed our wealth, continuing would put our lives in danger.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhi Qin, Brother Zhi Qin! You can¡¯t say three sentences without bringing up Brother Zhi Qin. You might as well marry him.¡±


    At these words, Wang Yuqi¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment. She stomped her foot and protested coyly, ¡°Hmph, blinded by greed! I¡¯m not talking to you anymore!¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng walked into the room from outside, just in time to hear this sentence, and he couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you two now?¡±


    As he spoke, he casually placed the food box he was carrying onto the table.


    ¡°Brother Zhi Qin, what delicious food have you made this time?¡±


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, Wang Yuqi immediately ran up to him joyfully, both asking and curiously opening the food box.


    ¡°This one took quite a bit of effort. I call it ¡®cake.¡¯ Try it, isn¡¯t it delicious?¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng took out a piece of soft pale-yellow cake from the food box and brought it to Wang Yuqi¡¯s mouth.


    Facing the offered treat, Wang Yuqi showed no resistance. Her face was full of infatuation and love, and she obediently opened her mouth and took a bite.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s so delicious! Sister Yu Yan, you should try some too.¡±


    Compared to her overjoyed sister, Wang Yu Yan¡¯s expression remained calm.


    She gracefully took a piece of cake out of the food box and began to taste it.


    While eating, Wang Yuqi suddenly tattled to Zhao Sheng, ¡°Brother Zhi Qin, Sister Yu Yan is not giving up, she wants to go back to the workshop again.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed slightly upon hearing this.


    He turned his head to look at Wang Yu Yan and asked sternly, ¡°Is what she¡¯s saying true? Don¡¯t you know that it¡¯s too dangerous?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I just want to earn a little bit more,¡± Wang Yu Yan said, her face unwilling, but her voice growing fainter in protest.


    Blinded by greed!


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng shook his head helplessly and said, ¡°Even if you want to, we can¡¯t continue anymore. If I¡¯m not mistaken, Fragrant Swallow Valley has already discovered us.¡±


    ¡°This is bad!¡±


    ¡°Oh no!¡±


    Upon hearing those words, the sisters immediately exclaimed in shock, becoming flustered.


    They didn¡¯t doubt Zhao Sheng¡¯s words at all.


    After several months together, their perception of Zhao Sheng as a man capable of sophisticated strategy was deeply ingrained.


    Seeing the sisters panic like this, Zhao Sheng oddly smiled.


    He suddenly said with unnatural calmness, ¡°Don¡¯t panic! This is a good thing. I was actually planning to visit Fragrant Swallow Valley.¡±


    Wang Yuqi became terrified, her face losing color as she quickly advised, ¡°Brother Zhi Qin, you mustn¡¯t go to my house! My grandfather is very fierce. Be careful, or he might kill you in a fit of anger. You need to escape quickly!¡±


    Zhao Sheng listened and replied with an even expression, ¡°Why should I run? Have I done something wrong?¡±


    Hearing him say this, the Wang sisters suddenly realized, ¡°Right, we haven¡¯t done anything wrong. All we did was conceal the perfume matter and incidentally made a bit of Spirit Stone profit.¡±


    Seeing them calm down, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face suddenly revealed a mischievously playful smile, ¡°Moreover, if I don¡¯t go to Fragrant Swallow Valley, how could I¡­ propose to the Wang Family?¡±


    This earth-shattering statement instantly petrified Wang Yu Yan and Wang Yuqi.


    ¡°`


    After waiting for quite some time, Wang Yuqi finally mustered up the courage to ask with a face full of anticipation, ¡°Brother Zhi Qin, are you¡­ are you saying you want to go¡­ propose?¡± S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng surveyed the two sisters before his gaze decisively fell on Wang Yuqi and he said in a deep voice, ¡°Yuqi, I want to take you as my wife. Will you have me?¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you! I won¡¯t talk to you anymore.¡±


    Wang Yuqi, mid-sentence, ran out of the room, her face covered in embarrassment.


    Only two people were left in the room, and at this moment, Wang Yu Yan by the side was exceptionally quiet. She lowered her head in silence, her eyes betraying traces of loss.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing her like this, silently sighed.


    If there was a chance, he would marry both sisters.


    It¡¯s just a pity that Wang Yu Yan had a Spirit Root, and it would be impossible for her to marry a mortal.


    ¡­


    Two days later, a carriage stopped in front of Fragrant Swallow Valley. The driver, Wang Si, quietly lifted the carriage curtain to let Zhao Sheng and the Wang sisters disembark.


    He was a witness, having seen firsthand how a mortal effortlessly captured the heart of the miss in a matter of months.


    As for Zhao Sheng, Wang Si didn¡¯t want to say much but could only express his admiration!


    Stepping out of the carriage, Wang Yu Yan handed Zhao Sheng a Storage Talisman containing five hundred Spirit Stones.


    These Spirit Stones were prepared by Zhao Sheng for the proposal gift. The extra hundred and sixty Spirit Stones represented the willingness of the younger sister, Wang Yuqi.


    Wang Yu Yan took out a bronze token and infused a thread of Spiritual Power into it.


    A beam of light shot out from the bronze token, piercing the dense fog and opening up a narrow path through it.


    Walking along the path for several dozen steps, Zhao Sheng emerged into the open. What came into view was a narrow valley, spanning roughly a few hundred acres.


    The visitors approached an area shaded with green trees and covered with fragrant grass. Further away, neatly arranged spirit fields appeared like stars in the sky, and seven or eight wooden towers with courtyards were faintly visible in the shade of the trees.


    But Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t afford to admire these sights. A few steps away was a group of expressionless middle-aged and older persons, staring at him fiercely.


    ¡°Dad, Uncle, Third Uncle¡­¡±


    Wang Yuqi became flustered as she saw these people, especially when her gaze landed on the square-faced middle-aged man in the center.


    Wang Yu Yan, in contrast, remained unusually calm as she greeted her elders one by one.


    The square-faced middle-aged man was named Wang Yigong, the father of Wang Yu Yan and Wang Yuqi.


    Half a month ago, he received the Thousand-mile Talisman from his family. After reading the content, he was furious and dropped everything to hurry back to Fragrant Swallow Valley without a second thought.


    Nothing was more urgent than the prospect of his ¡®little cotton jacket¡¯ being snatched away!


    Wang Yigong glanced at Zhao Sheng and couldn¡¯t help but let out a cold snort.


    His face was exceptionally gloomy as he motioned to the sisters with a wave of his hand and said coldly, ¡°Follow me!¡±


    With that, he ignored Zhao Sheng and turned to walk towards the Wang Family Hall.


    The Wang sisters obediently followed behind, and the rest of the party also turned and left.


    Zhao Sheng silently chuckled bitterly, then quietly followed.


    They walked about three to four miles and passed through two groves of trees before arriving in front of a spacious and majestic hall.


    The entire hall was constructed from pieces of blue steel giant stone, incredibly hard and covering nearly an acre. Despite having only one layer, the walls were tall, and the roof was as high as the third layer of the adjacent wooden buildings.


    Wang Yigong and the other Wang Family members stepped over the stone steps and entered the hall.


    As Zhao Sheng was about to enter through the doorway, a burly arm suddenly stretched out beside him, blocking his path.

 Chapter 9 - 9 The Most Genuine Side of Humanity

    Chapter 9: Chapter 9 The Most Genuine Side of Humanity


    The owner of the arm was a broad-faced Great Han with a tiger¡¯s back and a bear¡¯s waist, bearing some resemblance to Wang Yigong.


    The broad-faced Great Han looked at Zhao Sheng ferociously and arrogantly said, ¡°Kid, you¡¯re not from the Wang family. You can¡¯t go in!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, knew that the Wang family¡¯s trial had begun.


    He remained calm and slightly raised his voice, saying, ¡°This junior has come today out of respect for your reputation, and I have not failed in courtesy. Yet, you would not let me enter. Could it be that this is the way the Wang family treats its guests?¡±


    ¡°In our Wang family, we exchange pleasantries with cultivators, and no ordinary people come and go. You, boy, want to enter my family¡¯s gate? Hmph, you¡¯re not qualified!¡±


    The broad-faced Great Han was called Wang Yitao, the third in rank among his peers, and although he had no Spirit Root and couldn¡¯t undergo cultivation, he was also an Innate Grandmaster.


    In his view, it was sheer folly for a mere mortal pretty boy to think of marrying the Bright Pearl of their family.


    So, with Wang Yitao standing guard, this pretty boy shouldn¡¯t even dream of getting past the first test.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t get angry, but instead asked earnestly, ¡°Uncle, what qualifications are needed to go inside?¡±


    Wang Yitao was suddenly stumped by the question; he had thought that the young pretty boy, being hot-headed, wouldn¡¯t stand the insult for long and would retreat knowing the difficulty. Yet, here was this young man, keeping his cool.


    It was said that this kid came from a Martial Arts Family, apparently, he had some skills.


    With this in mind, Wang Yitao dropped the useless tricks and began the formal test.


    He laid down a round of tough talk, saying, ¡°As long as you can break through my challenge. That¡¯s when you¡¯ll be qualified.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes showed a trace of a smile, thinking to himself that it was the same old routine, nothing new.


    Bowing with hands clasped, Zhao Sheng confidently said, ¡°Excuse me!¡±


    Before his words fell, his figure suddenly vanished, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared on the far left of the gate.


    ¡°So fast!¡±


    The moment Wang Yitao inwardly expressed his surprise, his outstretched right arm suddenly bent and pushed out, creating a row of solid invisible walls in an instant, rolling directly towards the left side of the gate.


    As an Innate Grandmaster, Wang Yitao clearly intended to bully with strength.


    Although Zhao Sheng moved swiftly, he couldn¡¯t evade Wang Yitao¡¯s spiritual sense.


    Just as the Qi wall that filled the air was about to touch his body, Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet tapped the ground, and he leaped three yards high, easily dodging the Qi wall.


    His body leaning to the side, he stood on the eaves with his feet, walking as if on level ground, taking four steps and dodging four Innate Qi Swords shot rapidly at him.


    ¡°Impressive Qinggong!¡±


    Wang Yitao silently praised in his heart.


    His feet stayed planted at the doorway, not moving an inch, but his hands were unsparing. Relying on his vast and potent Innate True Qi, he relentlessly released streams of Innate Qi Swords, forming a net of swords that gradually closed in to limit Zhao Sheng¡¯s space to evade.


    The elders had already instructed him earlier that as long as no one died, he could play however he wanted.


    After dodging sixteen Innate Qi Swords in succession, Zhao Sheng secretly thought, ¡°That¡¯s about enough.¡±


    Thinking this, a Divine Light burst in his eyes, and those incredibly fast Qi Swords suddenly slowed many times over.


    Under the Dynamic Vision, the previously tightly-defended sword net suddenly revealed many flaws and openings. Zhao Sheng moved like a fish, easily passing through the sword net, his body clinging close to the eaves, racing beyond the threshold.


    ¡°Not good!¡±


    At that moment, Wang Yitao realized he had fallen for an opponent¡¯s trick.


    As he progressively narrowed the enclosure, it was inevitable that he would leave a large gaping space behind.


    But by the time he wanted to make a move to stop it, it was too late. Zhao Sheng had already flown past the line of the doorway, his body landing inside the great hall.


    In the great hall, Wang Yuqi, who witnessed this scene, was so thrilled she nearly shouted out.


    On the contrary, the expressions of the Wang family elders turned even darker.


    ¡°Humph, next time, I won¡¯t be so careless!¡±


    Seeing the unwilling expression on his opponent¡¯s face, Zhao Sheng smiled without saying a word.


    He turned around and walked straight to the center of the hall with dignity.


    At this moment, seated at the highest position of the hall was an unremarkable little old man.


    He wasn¡¯t tall, his hair partially gray, and his face bore a slight smile as his eyes sized up Zhao Sheng from top to bottom.


    Zhao Sheng knew at a glance that this person was the Wang family¡¯s authority, Wang Yu Yan¡¯s grandfather, Wang Zonghai, a Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivator at Great Perfection.


    On the surface, Wang Zonghai seemed the most amiable, but Zhao Sheng felt least certain about him.


    As the saying goes, the older the ginger, the spicier it gets! Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No one knew what kind of schemes were hidden beneath Wang Zonghai¡¯s smiling demeanor.


    At this time, the atmosphere in the hall was extremely tense, yet Zhao Sheng appeared calm and composed, saluting with his fists humbly but confidently: ¡°Junior Zhao Zhiqin pays respects to the elders of the Wang family.¡±


    Once he finished speaking, there was no response.


    As the situation grew somewhat awkward, Wang Yuqi became anxious, about to speak out, but was quickly silenced by Wang Yu Yan¡¯s hand covering her mouth.


    A moment later, Wang Zonghai, still wearing a smile, suddenly asked, ¡°Young man, what brings you to the Wang family today?¡±


    Without any hesitation, Zhao Sheng stated his purpose: ¡°Junior has fallen in love at first sight with Sister Qi, and our feelings are mutual. I came to Fragrant Swallow Valley today to ask for her hand in marriage.¡±


    ¡°Insolence!¡± Wang Yigong slammed the table and rose, his beard bristling with anger. He absolutely disagreed with his daughter marrying a mortal.


    ¡°Sit down!¡±


    Wang Zonghai¡¯s face darkened as he scolded Wang Yigong: ¡°Cultivation is about cultivating the mind! Decades old and still so impatient. Tomorrow you will go to the quiet room on the back mountain for closed-door cultivation; do not emerge until you¡¯ve reached the Sixth Level of Qi Refining.¡±


    ¡°But Father¡ª¡±


    ¡°Sit down!¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes!¡±


    Seeing his father¡¯s anger, Wang Yigong could only sit down huffily, his eyes fiercely fixed on Zhao Sheng.


    After admonishing his son, Wang Zonghai turned back to Zhao Sheng and said, ¡°Young man, my Wang family has stood for over nine hundred years. There have been many attempts like yours in our family¡¯s history. Some succeeded, but most failed. Do you know why?¡±


    ¡°I would like to hear the details,¡± replied Zhao Sheng, unmoved.


    ¡°Because of benefits. Marrying a mortal brings far less benefit than an alliance with a Cultivation Family. Can you bring greater benefits to my Wang family?¡±


    For some reason, the Wang family¡¯s authority was uncharacteristically candid with Zhao Sheng, openly revealing the most real aspect of human nature in front of his clan.


    Zhao Sheng fell silent for a moment, then answered firmly, ¡°I can!¡±


    ¡°Empty promises. Where¡¯s the evidence?¡± Wang Zonghai scoffed. At this moment, he had transformed into the purest form of a creature motivated by interest, devoid of any sentiment.


    Perhaps individuals like Wang Zonghai truly qualified as heads of Cultivation Families, but for some inexplicable reason, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t like him at all.


    Zhao Sheng took out a Storage Talisman, indicating: ¡°I have five hundred Spirit Stones in here, is that enough?¡±


    ¡°Not enough!¡± Wang Zonghai shook his head without hesitation.


    In contrast, the other Wang family members seemed pleased, for five hundred Spirit Stones amounted to nearly half the family¡¯s annual income.


    Zhao Sheng then pulled out a stack of papers from his chest and announced, ¡°These papers detail the complete process for crafting perfumes, along with recipes for twelve kinds of perfumes, including three new types that have not yet appeared in the marketplace.¡±


    Suddenly, Wang Zonghai laughed oddly and also took out a stack of papers from his Storage Bag.


    With a gentle push, the papers flew towards Zhao Sheng as if they had eyes, and he caught them in one swift motion.

 Chapter 10 - 10 Getting Married and I Want You

    Chapter 10: Chapter 10 Getting Married and I Want You


    Zhao Sheng opened the paper and his heart immediately sank. It was almost identical to what he held in his hands.


    The perfume workshop was clearly already exposed under the Wang Family¡¯s surveillance, yet he was completely unaware.


    In the Cultivation World, one must never underestimate any cultivation family, especially those that have been glorious but have now fallen into decline, like the Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley.


    Zhao Sheng had long known that the coachman Wang Si was the Wang Family¡¯s mole.


    Wang Si would not betray the Wang sisters, but that did not mean he would not secretly relay messages back to the Wang Family.


    Zhao Sheng was prepared for this, but he had never imagined the Wang Family would be so shameless.


    Today¡¯s lesson was profound, making him recall it occasionally even hundreds of years later.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng remain silent, Wang Zonghai smiled and asked, ¡°Young man, there shouldn¡¯t be any omissions in this document, right?!¡±


    Zhao Sheng did not question the other party. It was pointless, and questioning is the display of incapability.


    Faced with a predicament, his mind quickly started working, constantly searching for a way out.


    The Zhao family and the perfume workshop aside, as the dominant force in Ganzhou, the cultivation Wang Family¡¯s situated power was certainly far beyond that of the Zhao family.


    ¡°What other bargaining chips are there?¡±


    While pondering, an idea suddenly struck him.


    If the Wang Family had already unraveled the trio¡¯s tracks, why hadn¡¯t they intervened directly and instead chose to quietly observe from the sidelines?


    Seeing the smile reappear on the patriarch¡¯s face, Zhao Sheng suddenly conceived a bold idea.


    It seems the Wang Family¡¯s strange behavior could all be attributed to the man in front of him.


    Realizing this, Zhao Sheng raised the prescription he held and confidently said, ¡°I recall someone once said, ¡®Interest is the sole motive of human actions.¡¯ You¡¯ve gone through great lengths to create this situation, surely it wasn¡¯t just to toy with the junior? If you have any requests, please, feel free to speak directly.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Wang Zonghai suddenly burst out in hearty, genuine laughter.


    ¡°Excellent! If my descendants were half as clever as you in dealing with people, I would die content.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart stuttered, thinking, ¡°No way! Does this old man really want me to marry into the Wang Family?¡±


    A real man should stand tall and mighty, how could he stoop to marrying into another family?


    Zhao Sheng immediately reminded him, ¡°Mr. Wang. My family has had only one child for three generations.¡±


    ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you are the ninth in line in your generation,¡± Wang Zonghai immediately exposed his lie.


    ¡°My parents passed away, and I need to offer incense yearly.¡±


    ¡°With just a bit of effort, you could do the same in Fragrant Swallow Valley.¡±


    ¡°Uh!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was momentarily at a loss for words, left with no choice but to concede honestly, ¡°Mr. Wang, it¡¯s impossible for me to marry into the Wang Family.¡±


    Only then did the people of the Wang Family realize what the old and the young were cryptically discussing.


    In a flash, everyone was dumbfounded.


    But Wang Zonghai¡¯s face darkened as he said, ¡°Do you not want to marry my granddaughter?¡±


    ¡°I do. But I simply cannot betray my ancestors,¡± Zhao Sheng replied.


    What a joke! I am the founder of the Zhao family, how could I possibly betray myself.


    Despite Wang Zonghai¡¯s subsequent threats and temptations, Zhao Sheng remained firm and shook his head in refusal.


    Finally, Wang Zonghai gave in a step, ¡°Let¡¯s make a gentleman¡¯s agreement then. If you can advance to the Innate Realm within three years, everything will be according to your wishes. If not, you¡¯ll marry into my Wang Family. Moreover, among the descendants of you and Yuqi, those without a Spirit Root can carry your surname, but those with a Spirit Root must bear the Wang surname.¡±


    Listen to how this is phrased.


    The old man clearly had everything figured out from the start, yet he had initially pretended to be confused.


    Hearing Wang Zonghai say this, Zhao Sheng immediately nodded, ¡°Agreed, your word is my bond.¡±


    He was certain of victory! For he estimated that he could advance to the Innate within two years.


    Wang Zonghai thought he had won, unaware that Zhao Sheng was a man with a plan.


    Name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 18/120


    Realm: First-class Martial Artist


    Constitution: Hundred-year-old Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Refined), Emerald Tide Technique (Great Success), Cloud Dragon Three Changes (Unprecedented), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Divine Transformation)


    ¡­


    After that day, Zhao Sheng left Fragrant Swallow Valley alone.


    Three days later, he returned to Zhao Family¡¯s Castle and, after two separate discussions with the Family Head He Xing and Clan Elder Zhao Taizhen, began his lengthy period of closed-door cultivation.


    At the same time, a large group of martial arts experts suddenly appeared in Zhao Family¡¯s Castle, led by a man with a tiger¡¯s back and bear¡¯s waist.


    Upon their arrival, they completely took over the perfume workshop and expanded its size tenfold in one fell swoop.


    With the support of some mysterious power, the Zhao family quickly swallowed up several factions in the Ganzhou Martial World.


    This caused a stir in the Ganzhou Martial World, with everyone crying wolf.


    A year later, in a cultivation room within Zhao Family¡¯s Castle, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged with his eyes tightly closed, a faint clear aura emerging above his head.


    An elixir pill bottle lay in front of him on the floor, empty.


    Thirty minutes earlier, Zhao Sheng had taken the last Essence Qi Pill and began his official attempt to break through to the Innate Realm.


    Having the experience of advancing to the Innate Realm before, he smoothly converted all the Bi Hai True Qi in his body into Innate True Qi.


    About an hour later, Zhao Sheng suddenly shook violently, his body soaring three feet off the ground before gently floating back to the floor.


    Slowly opening his eyes, an excited expression appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    With the aid of the Essence Qi Pills, he had advanced to Innate a year ahead of schedule.


    The power of the elixir pills was terrifying!


    ¡­


    Six months later, on the day the Ninth Young Master of the Zhao family got married, the whole of Nanyang City was astounded.


    Because the people of Nanyang City had never seen anyone¡¯s marriage dowry stretch for twenty miles.


    The Zhao family was tremendously generous, laying out thousands of tables for a continuous feast that lasted a month.


    During that month, even the skinniest beggar in Nanyang City gained more than ten pounds.


    This grand wedding was discussed enthusiastically by the people of Nanyang for nearly a hundred years.


    A year later, Zhao Sheng had his first son, unfortunately without a Spirit Root.


    The following year, a lovely daughter was born, still without a Spirit Root.


    Zhao Sheng was not discouraged and continued his grand endeavors hidden within Zhao Family¡¯s Castle.


    One night in the third year, the increasingly delicate and elegant Wang Yu Yan suddenly approached Zhao Sheng.


    Her first words upon seeing him were, ¡°I¡¯m getting married!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was silent for a moment, then said, ¡°Congratulations!¡±


    ¡°A Sixth Level Qi Refining Loose Cultivator has agreed to marry into the Wang family. My father has agreed. Next month, on an auspicious day, we will have the wedding.¡±


    Wang Yu Yan looked intently at the man opposite her, her tone unusually calm as if she were discussing someone else. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°¡­Congratulations!¡± Zhao Sheng, not knowing what else to say, repeated his earlier words.


    ¡°Hmph, a man without courage!¡±


    Having said that, Wang Yu Yan suddenly leaped and tackled Zhao Sheng to the ground.


    Indeed, the mighty Innate Grandmaster was easily brought down.


    ¡°I want you!¡±

 Chapter 11 - 11 The Wang Family is Doomed

    Chapter 11: Chapter 11 The Wang Family is Doomed


    A night of madness, rain dwindling and flowers blooming.


    At dawn, Wang Yu Yan left alone, her figure drifting away.


    Zhao Sheng could never have imagined that Wang Yu Yan, known for her rational coolness, harbored a fiery passion within.


    And she was¡­ so brave!


    As a man, he felt somewhat ashamed.


    On the eighth day of the ninth lunar month, an auspicious day for weddings and funerals, the Fragrant Swallow Valley was festooned in red, joyful and festive.


    Among the throng of guests and family, Zhao Sheng looked forlorn as he watched Wang Yu Yan marry a man with the appearance of a sly rat at a ceremony.


    That evening, Wang Yuqi, already mother to three children, suddenly flew into an unexplained rage. It took countless kind words from Zhao Sheng to calm her down.


    Time is like sand in one¡¯s grasp, the tighter one holds it, the faster it slips away.


    As Zhao Sheng toiled for his life¡¯s goals, fifteen years flew by in the blink of an eye.


    That day, cries of pain echoed from a room in the rear residence of the Zhao Family¡¯s Castle.


    In the courtyard outside the room, Zhao Sheng paced back and forth restlessly, anxiously glancing towards the birthing room.


    Just then, a tall and handsome youth couldn¡¯t help but complain, ¡°Dad, can you stop pacing? You¡¯re making me dizzy.¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl chimed in, ¡°Yeah! Dad, don¡¯worry. Mom has already given birth to seven of us, there¡¯s absolutely no danger.¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned and looked at his eldest son Zhao Chenggong and eldest daughter Zhao Chengfeng with a serious expression, ¡°You don¡¯t understand!¡±


    Zhao Chengfeng was bold and teased him on purpose, ¡°Dad, all of us know what you¡¯re thinking, except for Old Seven. Isn¡¯t it just that you want to have a younger brother with a Spirit Root?¡±


    ¡°Feng¡¯er, how dare you speak to dad like that! Apologize now!¡± Zhao Chenggong immediately scolded his sister.


    Zhao Chengfeng suddenly felt wronged by her brother¡¯s chastisement and pouted.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, indicating it was alright.


    Da Feng was right; he did indeed wish to have a son with a Spirit Root.


    On this matter, from the day of marriage, he had been quite open with his wife, Wang Yuqi.


    So, over the years, Wang Yuqi had borne him seven children. Although after each birth she would declare she¡¯d never have another one.


    But within a couple of years, she was pregnant again.


    Zhao Sheng was deeply grateful for his wife¡¯s sacrifices over the years, and perhaps his initial reason for marriage was very purpose-driven, but over a decade of life together deepened their feelings for each other and gradually changed his utilitarian thinking.


    Another quarter hour passed and suddenly a loud cry came from the birthing room, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s suspended heart finally settled.


    Old Eight was finally born!


    A long time later, just as Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t resist rushing into the birthing room, a slender figure holding a wrapped baby finally emerged.


    ¡°Auntie, let me have a look,¡± Zhao Chengfeng said excitedly upon seeing the person, running over and reaching for the bundle.


    Wang Yu Yan stepped aside to dodge Da Feng¡¯s reaching hands and chided, ¡°Your father hasn¡¯t even seen him yet, it¡¯s not your turn, you little brat.¡±


    So many years had passed, yet Wang Yu Yan still looked young, her appearance seemingly unchanged from fifteen years ago, as if time had stood still upon her.


    As he gazed at the beautiful woman approaching, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help feeling uneasy.


    Ever since the sly-looking man died in an accident eight years ago, Wang Yu Yan had once again sought him out.


    Since that day, they had been conducting a secret affair.


    In between the thrills, Zhao Sheng inevitably felt a little guilty towards his wife.


    Wang Yu Yan thrust the baby bundle into the man¡¯s arms with a very complicated look and said, ¡°Here, have a look at your son. Congratulations on getting your wish!¡±


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng shook violently, nearly failing to catch hold of the child.


    ¡°You mean¡­..¡± sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hmm, I¡¯ve already tested it, and it¡¯s Four Spirit Roots,¡± Wang Yu Yan nodded, confirming it.


    Good, very good!


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was extremely excited, after so many years of struggle, the heavens had finally opened their eyes.


    ¡°Haha, let¡¯s just call Old Eight ¡®Zhao Cheng¡¯ then,¡± he laughed heartily.


    That very night, Zhao Family¡¯s Castle was suddenly sealed off tightly, followed shortly by pigeons carrying the news of great joy flying in all directions.


    Soon, people from the Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley had arrived, and the important members of the Zhao family who were outside also hurried back without a stop.


    The birth of Old Eight was unquestionably significant for the Zhao family, but this time they did not celebrate grandly, instead, they were exceptionally low-key.


    Apart from some insiders from the Zhao and Wang families, no outsiders knew that the Nanyang Zhao Family had finally given birth to a child with a Spirit Root.


    Time flies, a year later


    In the scorching summer, amidst the chorus of cicadas and frogs, Zhao Sheng sat by the table in a parlor within Zhao Family¡¯s Castle, slowly wiping a three-inch ancient bronze small sword.


    This item was his recently acquired spoils of war, a First Order Middle Grade Magical Flying Sword.


    Over the year, Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation had reached Innate Great Success, and his true combat strength far surpassed his realm, especially his qinggong, which had reached an unbelievable level.


    Name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 38/120


    Realm: Innate Great Success


    Constitution: Hundred-year-old Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Unprecedented), Emerald Tide Technique (Refined), Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations (Unprecedented), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Refined), Cross Refining Iron Body (Great Success)


    Looking at the data on the Hundred Lifetimes Book Page, Zhao Sheng wore a very proud expression.


    It wasn¡¯t due to his cultivation, but because he had left a qinggong of extraordinary and peerless quality for the descendants of the Zhao family.


    Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations evolved from Cloud Dragon Three Changes; it was a skill that Zhao Sheng had spent eight years and a great deal of effort to develop.


    Once cultivated to great success, one only needed to muster a single breath of True Qi to take nine consecutive steps in the air, each step covering thirty feet, with clouds forming beneath each step.


    To test this peerless qinggong, Zhao Sheng had traversed the seven states of Liang Kingdom in half a year, challenged the twelve major martial arts sects, and consecutively faced more than twenty Innate Grandmasters. Yet, not one of them could even touch the hem of his garments.


    Just two days ago, he personally killed a cultivator at the Qi Refinement Fourth Level.


    Suddenly,


    Clang!


    The door to the parlor was violently thrown open from the outside, and Zhao Sheng, annoyed by the disturbance, looked towards the doorway, only to see his wife Wang Yuqi rush in with her face streaked with tears, looking panicked and distraught.


    ¡°Husband, something terrible has happened! Our Wang Family¡­ Wah!¡±


    Wang Yuqi plunged into Zhao Sheng¡¯s arms, having managed only a single sentence before bursting into loud sobs.


    Seeing her state, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed drastically as he quickly comforted his wife while asking, ¡°Don¡¯t panic, what has happened? To see Sister Qi in such sorrow, tell your husband all about it, I am here for you.¡±


    Wuwu!


    Wang Yuqi was crying inconsolably, her right hand trembling as she handed the Thousand-mile Talisman she was clutching to her husband.


    Zhao Sheng took it, unfolded it, and his expression grew darker as he read, eventually turning ashen.


    ¡°How is this possible!¡±


    At that moment, he was both shocked and furious.


    The Wang Family was ruined!

 Chapter 12 - 12 Heavenly Pillar Mountain Medicine Collectors

    Chapter 12: Chapter 12 Heavenly Pillar Mountain Medicine Collectors


    One day ago, the Wang Family¡¯s mortal enemy, the Golden Core Family, the Zhou family, suddenly located Fragrant Swallow Valley and trapped dozens of the Wang Family members inside the valley.


    To ensure not a single remnant of the Wang Family escaped, the Zhou family even deployed three Foundation Establishment and a team of Qi Refinement Late Stage clan members this time.


    There¡¯s no hope to hold onto; the Wang Family was doomed this time.


    At the end of the Thousand-mile Talisman, it was written, hoping that Zhao Sheng and his family would escape quickly, to prevent the Zhou family from targeting the Zhao family, intending to eradicate them completely.


    The Wang family had moved to Ganzhou over sixty years ago and had been safe all this while; why did the Zhou family choose now to come knocking?


    Beyond his shock and anger, Zhao Sheng was deeply puzzled, and Wang Yuqi didn¡¯t know why either.


    He quickly guessed a possibility, ¡°Could it be because of that Foundation Establishment Pill?¡±


    Over the past dozen years, due to the additional income from perfume, the Wang Family¡¯s annual profits increased significantly, saving up three to four hundred Spirit Stones a year.


    And Wang Zonghai was already nearly ninety; if he didn¡¯t attempt Foundation Establishment, he wouldn¡¯t have many years left to live.


    Thus, six months ago, the Wang family unanimously decided to gamble all their wealth to let Wang Zonghai try Foundation Establishment.


    For the past half a year, aside from selling their ancestral property, the Wang family also repeatedly engaged in unprofitable trades, forcefully involving their son-in-law Zhao Sheng.


    A month ago, the Wang family finally splurged over twenty thousand Spirit Stones to purchase an inferior Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s guess wasn¡¯t wrong, indeed the disaster stemmed from the Foundation Establishment Pill, but it was an indirect factor. The final item that the Wang family sold, a hereditary spiritual artifact, the Red Dragon Sword, was the direct cause of this annihilation of their clan.


    The Red Dragon Sword was the most frequently used spiritual artifact by the Patriarch of the Wang Family during his Foundation Establishment.


    Because the Red Dragon Sword appeared at a workshop in the Liang Kingdom, a Foundation Establishment Clan Member of the Zhou family happened to see the Red Dragon Sword at an auction, which alerted them to the Wang Family¡¯s remnants hiding in the Liang Kingdom.


    The Wang Family¡¯s ancestral home was in the Desolate Domain of the Da Yong Dynasty, once a Golden Core Family; their family ancestor and the neighboring Zhou Family¡¯s Golden Core Ancestor were archenemies.


    So, after the Patriarch of the Wang Family passed away, the Wang Family fell and was pushed by all. Led by the Patriarch of the Zhou Family, the Wang Family was eventually defeated and their clan¡¯s Great Array was broken, nearly wiping them out completely.


    Wang Zonghai and his group were the last of the Wang family to escape.


    ¡°Husband, what should we do?¡± Wang Yuqi was utterly distraught and clueless.


    ¡°Don¡¯t panic! Leave everything to me.¡±


    The Wang family was beyond saving; the most imperative thing now was to save the lives of his entire family as much as possible.


    Now, Zhao Sheng faced an exceptionally tough decision. He had eight children; the oldest, Zhao Chenggong, was sixteen years old, while the youngest, Zhao Chengle, had just turned one.


    Besides, there were over a thousand clan members at the Nanyang Zhao Family.


    The Nanyang Zhao Family should not be a big problem. Considering they were merely mortals, the Zhou family might not regard them highly and might not opt to kill them.


    However, the Zhou family would not spare his family, as there was a tradition in the Cultivation World to eradicate thoroughly.


    ¡°Dayong Zhou family! This blood feud of a family ruined and scattered, Zhao will repay tenfold. Even if not in this life, then in the next or the one after¡­ Someday, I will make the Zhou family pay with blood for blood.¡±


    Having thought this, Zhao Sheng grimly made a cruel decision.


    To maximize their chances of survival, he and his wife would only take Zhao Chengle and flee, while the other seven children would be taken by close kin, trying to escape separately.


    Having made his choice, Zhao Sheng did not hesitate and immediately sought out the Family Head Zhao Hexing, to inform him that the Wang Family had perished and that his own family needed to escape without delay as well.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Hexing¡¯s face turned ashen, and he stood frozen on the spot.


    Zhao Sheng had no time to delay, regardless of Zhao Hexing¡¯s reaction, he repeated his plan once again.


    Decades of serving as the Family Head were not in vain, Zhao Hexing quickly calmed down and decisively gathered seven of his most trusted clan members. In just a quarter of an hour, he had everything arranged properly.


    Four hours later, Zhao Sheng, with a face full of sorrow, watched as the carriages carrying his children split up and drove towards the unknown.


    For safety, no one in the Zhao family knew the final destination of the escape, not even Zhao Sheng.


    When fleeing, each of the seven children carried a family keepsake on them to facilitate future recognition.


    Zhao Sheng did not know if he would ever see his children again in his lifetime.


    ¡°Madam, stop looking. We need to go!¡±


    Zhao Sheng placed Old Eight into a sleeping bag, securely tied it on his back, then forcefully pulled Wang Yuqi, who was staring blankly into the distance, and jumped onto the backs of two Thousand-mile Divine Steeds.


    ¡°Take care!¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked back and saw Zhao Hexing, whose hair had suddenly turned all white, and nodded solemnly.


    Clip-clop!


    The two Thousand-mile Steeds snorted excitedly, their hooves clattering, and galloped away like arrows shot from the bow.


    As Zhao Sheng¡¯s family disappeared far into the horizon, Zhao Hexing suddenly burst into tears.


    ¡­


    In the summertime, Heavenly Pillar Mountain towered into the clouds, its cliffs lush with greenery, and wild vines and unknown plants covered almost every nook and cranny.


    Zhao Sheng stood at the edge of the cliff, looking far into the distance, with only boundless clouds beneath his feet, where looking up revealed no end. The sound of the wind all around was tumultuous, roaring like the tide of the ocean, pushing clouds and squeezing fog, beating against the rocks beneath his feet as if trying to sweep the cliffside¡¯s occupants into the endless Cloud Sea.


    From his vantage point, looking left and right, the mountain walls stretched far away, seemingly endless.


    This stretch of precipice, though not small and had some cliffside depressions, was just a minor and remote corner within Heavenly Pillar Mountain, which crossed thousands of miles with peaks that soared out of sight; it was rarely visited by medicine collectors.


    ¡°Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Heavenly Pillar Mountain¡­ have you really pierced the heavens? I wonder if one day, when the endless Sea of Clouds and Heavenly Gang disperses, will I be able to see the full view of this mountain?¡±


    A perfectly normal thought, one that nearly every medicine collector on Heavenly Pillar Mountain might have felt impulsively. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had traveled up and down the boundless cliffside countless times, and regardless of the weather, whether clear or cloudy, he had never seen the sea of clouds above his head or beneath his feet ever clear up.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain was a renowned place in the Cultivation World, known as the Axis of Heaven and the center of the world, and it was also a paradise for loose cultivators.


    Twenty-three years ago, the family of three, Zhao Sheng, escaped to the vicinity of Heavenly Pillar Mountain and settled down here incognito.


    To accumulate cultivation resources for Old Eight, Zhao Sheng quickly became one of hundreds of thousands of medicine collectors on Heavenly Pillar Mountain. He busied himself daily collecting various spiritual medicines in exchange for spirit stones, magic talismans, and other cultivation resources.


    The mountain was rich in spiritual medicines, among which the most famous were Purple Qi Mushroom and Moon Dew.


    Moon Dew was too mysterious, only appearing at heights thirty miles and above on Heavenly Pillar Mountain. The place was too high and too perilous, unreachable for those below the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    So, leaving out Moon Dew, let¡¯s talk about Purple Qi Mushroom.


    Purple Qi Mushrooms are categorized into four grades according to their age: White, Green, Red, and Purple Ganoderma.


    Lingzhi less than a hundred years old is White Ganoderma, between a hundred and five hundred years old is Green Ganoderma. Lingzhi over five hundred years old turns red as fire, and a thousand-year-old Lingzhi shades into purple, which is where the name Purple Qi Mushroom comes from.


    It is famous because the Red Ganoderma over five hundred years old is the main ingredient for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, while the thousand-year Purple Qi Mushrooms are one of the main ingredients for Golden Core Formation Pills.


    Just these points alone show how sought after Purple Qi Mushrooms are in the Cultivation World!

 Chapter 13 - 13 Gongsun, where are you fleeing to?

    Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Gongsun, where are you fleeing to?


    It was untold years ago that all major sects in the Cultivation World simultaneously issued an indefinite task: They would purchase the uniquely found Purple Qi Mushroom from Heavenly Pillar Mountain in unlimited quantities, regardless of quantity or age, and set a substantial reward for it.


    The rewards included gold and silver treasures, Magic Artifact Talismans, and various Elixir Pills such as the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    A five-hundred-year-old Red Fire Ganoderma could be exchanged for a Foundation Establishment Pill or a Mountain Gate Token. Anyone possessing the token could unconditionally join a Cultivation Sect, even if they had Five Spirits Roots.


    If one were fortunate enough to find a thousand-year-old Purple Qi Mushroom¡­ an ordinary person would definitely be doomed. Without cultivation above the Foundation Establishment, one simply couldn¡¯t secure such a heavy treasure.


    You must realize that this was a third-tier treasure medicine that even Golden Core Masters would fight over.


    This unlimited bounty task inspired countless people to dream of making a fortune and cultivating to immortality.


    For thousands of years, countless Martial World Knights, Qi Refining Practitioners, Foundation Establishment Purple Mansions, and even Golden Core Masters have flocked to the vicinity of Heavenly Pillar Mountain. Regardless of its steep heights, they climbed up and down the cliffs and precipices, risking their lives to obtain the treasures they desired.


    As Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts wandered, suddenly a furious shout came from above: ¡°Shameless old thief, I¡¯ve finally found you! Where will you run to today?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked up and saw a burly man around forty years of age, with twining beard and brown hair, suddenly come into view.


    The burly man, his face filled with anger, was standing on a sword as wide as a door and rapidly diving toward the cliff.


    Upon seeing the incoming man, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but smirk and stepped closer to the edge of the cliff,


    facing the oncoming fierce wind. His eyes narrowed as he suddenly leaped downward.


    His body freely fell through the void, accelerating as he quickly disappeared into the cloud mist, with shadows of branches and bizarre rocks dimly visible between the mountainsides.


    Zhao Sheng moved like an agile eagle, effortlessly dodging the protruding branches and rocks.


    After falling for about ten thousand meters, Zhao Sheng suddenly spread his arms wide, and two pieces of canvas stretched out from his hands and waist, forming wings that billowed high with the wind.


    The next second, Zhao Sheng¡¯s descending speed drastically reduced, and he finally aimed for a protruding rock beam on the cliff and lightly landed on it.


    With no intention to linger there, Zhao Sheng hesitated not a moment longer, his feet tapping rapidly as his body shot like an arrow into the side mists.


    Without needing to rely on the cliff walls for support, he hovered through the air, crossing hundreds of meters in the blink of an eye.


    Upon finding a crevice large enough to accommodate himself, Zhao Sheng immediately stopped his momentum, pressed against the rock wall, and easily slipped inside, then began the Turtle Breath Technique to enter a state of feigned death.


    Simultaneously, the surrounding area howled with a strong wind, causing the nearby clouds and mist to rapidly swirl around.


    The next moment, a thunder-like roar carried by thewind hit his ears: ¡°Cloud Entering Dragon Gongsun Sheng, I remember you now. Sooner or later, I will catch you, you shameless old thief.¡±


    Moving through the Martial World, caution is paramount!


    Hence, Zhao Sheng never used his real name but introduced himself as Gongsun Sheng, nicknamed Cloud Entering Dragon.


    Hearing this voice, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly: ¡°Alas, it was just me transforming your three-hundred-year-old Green Ganoderma with Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations, no need to relentlessly chase me like this. Han Xuanwu, Han Xuanwu, you are too stubborn!¡±


    For fear of being ambushed, Zhao Sheng hid in the crevice for an entire day.


    It was not until the mountain wind changed direction and night fell that he stealthily poked his head out, looking around cautiously, like a timid mole.


    Don¡¯t fault him for being so timid, for it is said that caution helps one sail the sea for ten thousand years!


    Having braved over twenty years of blood and stormy ordeals, ambushing, lying in wait, and battling for treasures, he¡¯d seen plenty.


    The medicine collectors, over a single Spiritual Medicine, would fight to the death, a scene so ferocious and tragic that one could hardly imagine it without experiencing it firsthand. It¡¯s true what they say¡ªwhether for wealth or mere survival, people, like birds, often meet their end.


    If Zhao Sheng hadn¡¯t been extremely cautious, he would have perished in some nameless corner twenty years earlier.


    Peeking his head out and twitching his nose, he sniffed the mountain breeze, feeling the air was free of ¡°human scent,¡± only then did he relax. He then stepped on the void, his body shooting out like an arrow, quickly speeding in a certain direction.


    His landing spots were ever-changing; the place he had arranged the day before was dozens of miles away, which would take about half an hour just going back and forth on the road.


    Two quarters of an hour later, Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped; the cliff under his feet had sparse vegetation replaced by rugged rocks, lean and dark, looking exceedingly desolate in the night.


    That was why, at nearly a thousand feet away across the mountain cliff, the huge spherical Light Flame Talisman hanging in the air was exceptionally conspicuous.


    ¡°Haha, a Light Flame Talisman from the Purple Sun Sect? What a coincidence.¡±


    Zhao Sheng grinned, not expecting to encounter a trade meeting on his ¡°return to the nest.¡±


    He was lucky.


    Because of its particular terrain, Heavenly Pillar Mountain was inconvenient for the medicine collectors to navigate, which is why many Major Sects of the Cultivation World would send numerous disciples to Heavenly Pillar Mountain to hold temporary trade meetings. This facilitated the medicine collectors in timely exchanging goods and cultivation resources.


    This was somewhat like the relationship between gold prospectors and the merchants who sold mining tools. The ¡®Gold¡¯ mined by the prospectors at great personal risk ended up filling the pockets of the ¡®merchants¡¯ who sold the tools.


    While countless prospectors died or were harmed, very few made a fortune, whereas the ¡®merchants¡¯ earned a great deal. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he approached within a mile of the trading spot, the people there also spotted Zhao Sheng.


    A mile away? Even in the darkness, a Qi Refining Immortal Cultivator could see very clearly.


    Seven or eight breaths later, Zhao Sheng stepped onto the stone platform that jutted out beyond the mountain cliff, where a pile of bonfires was already lit.


    Around the bonfire gathered a group of medicine collectors, each wearing a different expression and visibly weather-beaten.


    The two parties faced each other.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s arrival, the crowd was stunned at first, but it didn¡¯t take long for someone to spring up energetically.


    ¡°Haha, Gongsun, you dare show your face here!¡±


    Seeing the ferocious look on Han Xuanwu¡¯s face, Zhao Sheng cursed his luck, lamenting that he hadn¡¯t checked the calendar before leaving home, as this fool had caused him trouble yet again.


    Han Xuanwu was originally a Martial World Knight but later met a master who discovered he possessed a Spirit Root. After receiving a Qi Refining Method from the master, who then vanished, Han Xuanwu discovered his cultivation talent was incredibly high. He managed to reach the Sixth Level of Qi Refining all by himself in just twenty years.


    Although he had become a Cultivator, Han the Martial Enthusiast, always considering himself a Martial Artist, loved collecting various Martial Arts Masterpieces.


    Three months prior, at a trade meeting, Zhao Sheng had ¡°traded¡± a 300-year-old Green Ganoderma from Han Xuanwu using his unique mastery, the Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations.


    Later, upon realizing he had been deceived, the fool had relentlessly pursued Zhao Sheng for a full three months, up until this very evening.


    ¡°Han the Martial Enthusiast, you should check where you are before you try anything!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, not intimidated in the least, strode confidently to the fire and faced Han Xuanwu.

 Chapter 14 - 14 Heed My Advice and Leave Here as Soon as Possible

    Chapter 14: Chapter 14 Heed My Advice and Leave Here as Soon as Possible


    ¡°You¡­ if you¡¯ve got the guts, don¡¯t run away.¡±


    Han Xuanwu¡¯s face froze upon hearing this and he actually didn¡¯t dare to take action. After fiercely dropping a sentence, he sat back down with an unwilling expression, his tiger-like eyes unceasingly fixed on Zhao Sheng.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain had several taboos, one of which was that you must never fight during the trading assembly, or else¡­


    Zhao Sheng glanced intentionally and unintentionally at a young man wearing a purple Magic Robe among the crowd. That person was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Purple Sun Sect, in charge of presiding over today¡¯s trading assembly.


    Zhao Sheng had been mingling on Heavenly Pillar Mountain for over twenty years and although he was not even a Cultivator, his reputation was not small at all.


    Daredevil, cunning and ruthless, the number one in Wing Suit Flying, innate ambushes against those in the late stages of Qi Refining, escaping from the hands of Foundation Establishment¡­ all these were his labels.


    Therefore, several familiar medicine collectors greeted him one after another, and Zhao Sheng repeatedly returned the salute with cupped fists.


    Upon finding a spot where he knew many people, he turned his head and greeted the playboy monk, Lu Dayou, sitting next to him, saying, ¡°Brother Lu is well, and the rest of you too¡­¡±


    While speaking, Zhao Sheng took a glance and noticed that there were a few fewer people in Lu Dayou¡¯s team, causing him to frown slightly.


    The absent ones probably met with more misfortune than luck.


    One should know that picking Spiritual Medicines was never easy. One must always be careful of strong winds and mists on cliffs and precipices, and also be wary of the sudden appearance of poisonous insects, fierce birds, and Fierce Beasts. The slightest carelessness could result in there being no bones left.


    What¡¯s more, was Heavenly Pillar Mountain merely a place for collecting herbs?


    Lu Dayou saw through his thoughts, but as an old slicker of Qi Refinement who had long become indifferent to life and death, he simply laughed it off and shifted his attention:


    ¡°Brother Gongsun, where have you been making money recently? It¡¯s really dangerous to be alone; better to join my team. It¡¯s good to have each other¡¯s backs.¡±


    Ever since Zhao Sheng had invented the mode of Wing Suit Flying, he had become a coveted asset for many small herb collecting teams.


    Because Wing Suit Flying was truly useful, and many Cultivators in the early stages of Qi Refining increased their chances of survival dramatically after learning Wing Suit Flying.


    So, while earning a hefty ¡°tuition fee,¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s fame grew with each passing day.


    ¡°Haha, Brother Lu, I appreciate your kindness. However, I¡¯ve grown used to being idle and alone over the years and don¡¯t quite suit working with others,¡± Zhao Sheng laughingly and tactfully declined the offer.


    Cultivators were prideful and arrogant, always looking down on Innate Martial Artists. Although Zhao Sheng was quite well-known, he was no exception.


    If he were to join Lu Dayou¡¯s team, who knows when he might be stabbed in the back by one of his own.


    Zhao Sheng knew he was quite a ¡°fatty¡± target!


    Lu Dayou tried persuading him a few more times, but seeing that Zhao Sheng kept sidestepping, he finally became impatient, turned his face coldly, and stopped paying attention to him.


    Cough cough!


    Sometime later, seeing that no one else seemed to be approaching, the Purple Sun Sect Disciple suddenly coughed twice and stood up.


    The area around the bonfire immediately quieted down, and everyone looked at him.


    The man surveyed the crowd, then spoke, ¡°The time is about right, let¡¯s start tonight¡¯s trading assembly. The same old rules: one, no fighting; two, once the goods are traded, neither party may regret the deal. Three, beyond the ten-mile safe range, everyone¡¯s life and death is in their own hands.


    Additionally, those who need to may exchange with me. Whether it be Spirit Stones, Magic Artifacts, talismans or Elixir Pills.¡±


    After finishing, he sat back down.


    The trading assembly started, and some medicine collectors gradually approached the Purple Sun Sect Disciple to exchange their Spiritual Medicines for things they needed.


    Other medicine collectors skillfully laid out a cloth and placed various items on it, such as assorted dried or well-preserved Spiritual Medicines, various damaged Magic Artifacts and swords, dried meat, water flasks, some unknown ores or demon beast remains, claws, teeth, and so on.


    Zhao Sheng did the same.


    ¡°`


    He unbuckled the strap from his back and dumped the contents of his backpack onto the ground, then spread them out one by one.


    Three century-old Red Fruits, a scroll of Mountain-piercing Iron Armor Beast Skin, a Green Ganoderma as big as a face, two tender White Ganoderma like jade, a small bronze knife, and a neatly folded blue Magic Robe.


    The above items were his harvest from the past month, but they were not the most important.


    Zhao Sheng hesitated for a long time before finally pulling out a crystal clear, glowing white round Jade Pendant from his chest.


    As soon as this item appeared, it immediately drew the attention of those nearby.


    ¡°A First Rank Protective Jade Pendant!¡± someone exclaimed in surprise.


    ¡°F***, has Gongsun Sheng launched another sneak attack on some Sect¡¯s Disciple?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, Gongsun relies on his peerless Qinggong to often strike from behind. If it weren¡¯t for his strong ability to escape, he would have long been caught and flayed.¡±


    Zhao Sheng paid no mind to the surrounding chatter, but by now, someone had already approached, unable to restrain their curiosity, asking how to exchange for the Protective Jade Pendant.


    ¡°I only exchange for Yellow Bud Pills, Green Jade Powder, and other Spirit Pills that increase cultivation.¡±


    In the face of the inquirer, Zhao Sheng raised his voice slightly, deliberately letting others hear.


    Upon hearing his words, the man laughed awkwardly and said, ¡°Brother Gongsun, as an Innate Martial Artist, you have no use for these Cultivation Elixirs. Perhaps we could change the terms, I have a bottle of Revitalizing Pills and a bottle of Innate Pills here, take a look¡­¡±


    ¡°Sorry, I won¡¯t exchange for anything else,¡± Zhao Sheng refused without hesitation. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hmph!


    The man walked away muttering to himself.


    Another person who approached, however, gave Zhao Sheng a great headache.


    Han Xuanwu spread his legs apart, squatting opposite him, staring at Zhao Sheng with intense focus, not uttering a word.


    ¡°Brother Han, do you have to be like this! I really haven¡¯t held back anything, if you can¡¯t master Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations, it¡¯s because your constitution doesn¡¯t suit it, it¡¯s not my fault,¡± Zhao Sheng earnestly pleaded.


    He had a good impression of Han Xuanwu. This man adhered to the code of honor of the Martial World, acted openly and aboveboard, and most importantly, he never discriminated against ordinary Martial Artists.


    Additionally, what Zhao Sheng said was true, without a Light as a Feather constitution, a normal person at their peak could only span seven or eight zhang with a step, not ten zhang like him, traversing the air with ease.


    Han Xuanwu remained silently resolute. Gongsun¡¯s reputation among the medicine collectors had become quite notorious; his words could not be trusted.


    Moreover, Han Xuanwu was certain there must be some secrets to mastering Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations that he wasn¡¯t aware of, otherwise, with his talent as a Martial Artist prodigy, he couldn¡¯t possibly fail to reach Great Success.


    Zhao Sheng saw that the other party was determined to persist, and was about to try to persuasively reason with him further.


    Suddenly,


    his nose twitched violently, detecting a faint yet peculiar scent.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed subtly as he quietly surveyed his surroundings. Everything appeared normal, with bustling transactions underway, but the strange scent in the air grew progressively stronger.


    Ever since reaching the Innate Limit last year, his sense of smell had become exceptionally acute, enabling him to distinguish each complex scent in the air and detect odors that even Cultivators were unable to sense.


    He had come to call this extraordinary ability Spiritual Smell, also known as ¡°dog¡¯s nose.¡±


    In recent years, the ability had played a significant role in saving his life multiple times.


    ¡°Take my advice, leave this place as soon as you can.¡±


    Using the skill of covert sound transmission, Zhao Sheng finished warning Han Xuanwu and swiftly packed the items on the ground back into his backpack.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 15 - 15: Earth Flame Palace Demon Disciples

    Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Earth Flame Palace Demon Disciples


    After packing up his things, Zhao Sheng suddenly stood up, and with fury, he yelled at Han Xuanwu, ¡°Fine, fine, running into you today is just my bad luck! Can¡¯t I just leave? If you¡¯ve got the guts, come chase after me!¡±


    Without regard for the other people¡¯s strange gazes, he quickly walked toward the outside.


    ¡°Brother Gongsun, hold on! There¡¯s no harm in waiting to exchange the Jade Pendant before leaving!¡± Lu Dayou suddenly shouted at Zhao Sheng.


    However, as if Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t hear him, Innate True Qi burst forth from the Yongquan acupoint in his feet, his figure flickered, and he leaped into the darkness.


    But the next second, he flew back in a very sorry state, his complexion turning exceedingly ugly.


    By then, the clever medicine collectors had already sensed that something was wrong.


    The surroundings quickly fell silent, and at this moment, that Purple Sun Sect disciple abruptly stood up and demanded of Zhao Sheng, ¡°What happened?¡±


    Zhao Sheng glanced at him and said coldly, ¡°Someone has set up a Barrier Formation outside; we can¡¯t get out.¡±


    ¡°Hiss!¡±


    The sight of several dozen people gasping in unison was quite impressive.


    This is bad!


    The same thought suddenly emerged in everyone¡¯s minds.


    Zhao Sheng had a bad feeling. For some reason, after seeing that Purple Sun Sect disciple¡¯s reaction, he felt very uncomfortable, but before he could figure out why,


    That person suddenly and inexplicably said, ¡°Hmm, it¡¯s a bit early, but it will do.¡±


    Huh? What does he mean?


    Zhao Sheng keenly picked up on the change in that person¡¯s tone.


    He wasn¡¯t the only smart one; Lu Dayou also looked up, scrutinizing him with a puzzled expression.


    At that moment, the scent in the air suddenly intensified.


    ¡°Be careful!¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly shouted, and before the others could react, he swiftly arched his back, his body sticking close to the ground as he flew backward.


    Just a beat later, a massive burst of scorching red light swept past his nose, the blaze erupting violently, followed by an acrid ¡°spicy¡± scent assaulting the mouths and noses.


    Screams ensued, accompanied by the unchecked, maniacal laughter of that Purple Sun Sect disciple.


    ¡°Earth Lungs Poison Flames! Be careful, he¡¯s not a Purple Sun Sect disciple, he¡¯s a Demon Disciple from the Earth Flame Palace!¡± That was Han Xuanwu¡¯s voice, and with it came a series of explosions.


    Zhao Sheng rolled again, jumping to the edge of the stone platform and hiding behind a piece of rubble while quickly swallowing a few Detoxification Pills and activating the Turtle Breath Technique to enter the Fetal Breathing State.


    Despite this, he still felt dizzy and nauseated.


    Throughout this process, the screams never ceased.


    Looking up, he saw a sky filled with flames, with ¡°Fire Men¡± running and screaming in all directions.


    The original campfire had swelled to ten times its size, turning into giant beasts of greenish flame, rapidly devouring the people around them.


    Some of those who were close had been burned to charred corpses, and a few not yet dead were struggling and howling on the ground, their faces charred black as coal, no trace of blood flowing out.


    The cause of all this was that ¡°Purple Sun Sect¡± disciple, whose true identity was a True Inheritor Demon Disciple from the Earth Flame Palace, named Fu Yanqing, at the level of Qi Refining Perfection.


    He continued to laugh madly, flinging out ball after ball of crimson fire.


    Upon touching anything, the Red Fire Fireball would explode, sending out rings of flames that surged forth and caused everything in their path to spontaneously combust, quickly creating vast oceans of red fire.


    What was more terrifying was that everyone seemed to have their Spiritual Power shackled by something, with less than ten percent at their disposal, leaving them practically powerless to resist.


    However, Han Xuanwu, a master of various martial arts, still had the strength to run about frantically.


    He tapped the ground lightly with his foot, his body suddenly changing direction, dodging several whooshing fireballs, then leapt seven or eight zhang, crossing over the rolling flames coming at him.


    While busily killing and setting fire, Fu Yanqing still had the leisure to turn his head and laugh at Zhao Sheng, ¡°You¡¯re quite alert. The moment I released the Soul Shackling Powder, you sensed it. Fortunately, I arranged the Array in advance, or you might have escaped.¡±


    He had killed and disguised himself as a disciple of the Purple Sun Sect, and that was something he absolutely couldn¡¯t let be exposed. Otherwise, he would certainly be hunted down by the Purple Sun Sect and killed.


    If it weren¡¯t for his desire to buy a few more Foundation Establishment Pills, he wouldn¡¯t have taken such a big risk.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows shot up; this man was insufferably arrogant.


    Of course, Fu Yanqing did have the capital to be arrogant. Not even forty years old, he had cultivated to the Qi Refining Perfection Realm. That definitely placed him among the geniuses of the Cultivation World.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng remaining very calm, Fu Yanqing let out a sneer, and then suddenly shouted:


    ¡°Behead him!¡±


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zhao Sheng saw a red line slashing down straight at him from above. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face underwent a drastic change, and he thrust his hands upwards violently. A three-foot-thick True Qi Wall instantly formed, attempting to block the red line.


    But it was all in vain!


    The three-foot True Qi Wall had no effect at all, like a hot knife through butter, effortlessly sliced open by the red line.


    The next second, however, there was a loud bang.


    The red line instantly stopped, and then revealed the shape of a pale-red small sword.


    A suddenly appeared circular white Light Shield took the hit for him,


    but the cost was that the Jade Pendant in his hand cracked and split into several pieces.


    At the same time, all the screams and groans disappeared. Aside from Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu, the rest of the medicine collectors had all died at Fu Yanqing¡¯s hands.


    Han Xuanwu rapidly escaped to Zhao Sheng¡¯s side, both shocked and angry, ¡°Brother Gongsun, you¡¯re a cunning one, quickly think of a way to escape! I must not die, my daughter is waiting for me to return home!¡±


    The perpetrator¡¯s intent still unsatisfied, his eyes now a reddened hue, glanced over the two men several times before finally staring intently at Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    ¡°Heh heh, how do you want to die?¡±


    At that moment, Han Xuanwu, without saying a word, suddenly leaped toward the void outside the stone platform, but a blood-colored Barrier suddenly appeared along the edge of the stone platform.


    This layer of Light Film, which seemed very thin, was actually very tough. Han Xuanwu, acting in a panic, crashed head-first into it, was immediately bounced back, and fell spread-eagled on the ground.


    Idiot!


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng cursed inwardly. If it were possible to escape, he would have run long ago.


    Essentially, Han Xuanwu didn¡¯t trust him one bit and wouldn¡¯t give up without trying it out for himself.


    Boom!


    While he was thinking,


    Seven or eight red fireballs, with an extremely hot aura, smashed towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s head from above.


    Luckily, his Qinggong was unparalleled. Within ten yards, it was almost like instantaneous movement.


    Dodging one wave of attacks, Zhao Sheng felt a burning sensation in his lungs; nearby, the ground was ablaze, the stones nearly melting.


    He was running out of places to stand.


    However, the greater threat was that pale-red flying sword. With its continuous attacks, the circular Light Shield rapidly dimmed, and the Protective Jade Pendant was also covered with cracks.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t know how much longer it would last.


    But he understood that his time was running out.


    ¡°Damn it, I¡¯m going all out with you!¡±


    On the other side, Han Xuanwu, with no chance of escape, was so angry that he pulled out a Magic Talisman, poured his remaining Spiritual Power into it, and then threw it out without any consideration.


    Fireballs, ice arrows, golden sword light,


    For a moment, a dozen First-tier Five Elements Magic spells simultaneously smashed towards Fu Yanqing.

 Chapter 16 - 16 A Narrow Escape from Death

    Chapter 16: Chapter 16 A Narrow Escape from Death


    ¡°`


    Facing the skyful of attacks, Fu Yanqing remained composed, chanting spells unhurriedly.


    The next second, the flames on the ground before him suddenly surged up to the height of a man and in a blink, solidified into three thick Flame Shields, effortlessly blocking wave after wave of the attack.


    Seeing this, Han Xuanwu¡¯s face showed despair.


    But just then, Zhao Sheng suddenly jumped to his side, his face excited as he urgently shouted, ¡°Do you still have any Water and Ice Series Magic Talismans? We¡¯re saved.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Han Xuanwu was overjoyed and quickly shouted back, ¡°Yes, yes!¡±


    As he spoke, he seemed to perform a magic trick as he pulled out a large stack of Magic Talismans from his waist.


    Fortunately, Han Xuanwu was not very adept at gathering herbs, and to support his cultivation, he moonlighted as a secondary dealer, always stocked up with essential cultivation supplies like Magic Talismans and Elixir Pills.


    ¡°There are eight more Water and Ice Series Magic Talismans. But I don¡¯t have much Spiritual Power left to use.¡±


    ¡°Is it enough to release these eight talismans?¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    ¡°Great! When I tell you where to throw them, you must smash them all out as fast as you can. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, understood!¡±


    Facing a life and death crisis, Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu spoke extremely quickly, and in just a few short sentences, the plan was set.


    ¡°Follow me!¡±


    Zhao Sheng scanned the surroundings with his eyes and immediately pointed to an area of the ground about a dozen feet away.


    There, the fire waves were rolling, and the ground was almost burnt into magma.


    ¡°Throw!¡±


    Although Han Xuanwu didn¡¯t understand why, he didn¡¯t hesitate and immediately mobilized the last bit of his Spiritual Power to release all of the Water and Ice Series Magic Talismans.


    In an instant, three or four water jar-sized azure Water Balls, seven or eight arm-length ice arrows, and dozens to nearly a hundred Mystic Ice Needles pummeled the searing hot ground.


    In that moment, it was like ice water being poured into boiling magma, a large amount of grey-white fog erupted and filled the space within a few feet in the blink of an eye.


    The dense fog not only engulfed Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu but also obscured Fu Yanqing¡¯s vision.


    The whole process seemed long but only lasted a few seconds.


    Hiss!


    The magma-like ground rapidly cooled and solidified, revealing the grey-white stone surface and suddenly cracking with countless tiny fissures.


    ¡°Ah! I get it now!¡±


    Ignoring Han Xuanwu¡¯s ecstatic outburst, Zhao Sheng immediately drew a Soft Sword from his waist, infused it with Innate True Qi, and in an instant, the Soft Sword became as straight and hard as steel.


    With the hilt reversed, he thrust the tip downward with all his might.


    A light crack.


    The body of the Soft Sword plunged deeply into the stone.


    Zhao Sheng gripped the hilt and sawed vigorously, his sword moving back and forth in horizontal and vertical cuts,


    In just two seconds, the three-foot-thick stone ground beneath Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet was cut into countless pieces of rubble, and the nearby cracks quickly lengthened and deepened.


    The next instant, a dense series of crackling sounds erupted, and the ground within a two-yard radius suddenly broke apart.


    The ground collapsed instantaneously, and Zhao Sheng felt the earth give way beneath him, his body falling down the Abyss along with countless pieces of rubble.


    ¡°We¡¯re saved!¡±


    He inwardly shouted, and a look of wild joy inevitably spread across his face.


    ¡°No!¡±


    At that moment, an unwilling roar came from above, followed by seven or eight flame beasts leaping down from the stone platform, in a mad frenzy as if they would not rest until they were dead.


    The mountain wind howled, and beast roars shrilled,


    ¡°`


    A red streak of lightning cleaved through the night, covering a distance of dozens of yards in an instant and striking the defensive light shield in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Crack! Crack!


    The defensive light shield suddenly shattered into countless points of light.


    The red streak¡¯s speed diminished slightly, but it still headed towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s head at a speed invisible to the naked eye.


    As if he had sensed the breath of death, Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils instantly constricted to their limits, and in his vision, the red streak seemed to slow by tenfold, its blade becoming clear and visible as it approached at normal speed through the void.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart was like a still mirror, reflecting the trajectory of the flying sword. With his right hand, he thrust his soft sword with all his might, its tip striking the tip of the flying sword with unmatched precision.


    It was like the meeting of needle and wheat awn,


    Sixty years of Innate True Qi erupted explosively!


    In that instant, a massive shockwave transmitted from the blade into Zhao Sheng¡¯s body.


    His body shook violently, and the soft sword that had accompanied him for over a decade snapped inch by inch.


    Fortunately, the pale red flying sword was finally knocked away.


    Thanks to this desperate strike, Zhao Sheng¡¯s falling speed suddenly increased by a large margin.


    In just a few breaths, he plunged into the cloud sea below, his vision obstructed by layers of fog.


    It was at this moment that Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit again experienced turbulence, realizing he had narrowly escaped a calamity.


    After falling another two thousand yards, he swiftly unfolded the Flying Wings on either side of him, using the wind to silently blend into the dark night of Green Darkness and make his escape.


    ¡­


    Decades later.


    Zhao Sheng was huddled up in a tree hollow, looking very nervous.


    He held his breath and focused, daring not to make a move.


    The reason for his caution was that perched on a thick tree branch thick enough to embrace, just about a yard away from him, sat an enormous creature.


    It was a giant flying beast with wings spanning dozens of yards, its Croc Dragon-like head crowned with densely packed, dark red horn scales layered one atop another. These scales couldn¡¯t hide its typical crocodile-like maw and dragon eyes, or the domineering fangs that protruded fiercely. As the scales continued down its body, they became increasingly vivid in color until they were as bright as freshly spilled blood. A faint shudder of its body would send a wave of blood-light shimmering through the cloud mist.


    This giant beast was called a Blood-winged Flying Lizard, a demon beast unique to the shadow side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, known for its fierce and combative nature. It was not only capable of tearing apart tigers, eagles, and python-like creatures in life but also boasted a combat strength comparable to that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s small stature was too weak to withstand a single claw from this demon beast.


    After a good while, as the smell of blood wafted to Zhao Sheng¡¯s nose, the faint sound of something large moving through the dense fog seemed to be approaching the big tree. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Blood-winged Flying Lizard let out a screeching cry, unfolded its wings, and struck down through the fog, its sharp claws aimed at a giant mountain ape that had just appeared.


    But this ape was robust as a mountain, with four arms and an unmatched Divine Power.


    With a furious roar, it leaped ten yards high, pounced on the Blood-winged Flying Lizard, and began pounding it with its fists. Thereupon, the two ferocious creatures embarked on a fierce battle amidst the clouds, with flesh and scales scattering through the air.


    Seizing the opportunity while the beasts were locked in fierce combat and heedless of their surroundings, Zhao Sheng quietly emerged from the tree hollow and stealthily slipped into the denser fog farther away.


    As the saying goes, wander the night long enough, and you¡¯re bound to encounter ghosts.


    As the pioneer of WingSuit Mode, Zhao Sheng had the incredible misfortune of encountering a Cloud Sea turbulence during a flight yesterday.


    Cloud Sea turbulence is a common weather phenomenon on Heavenly Pillar Mountain. It is extremely dangerous and complex, akin to a hurricane or tornado. Once caught in it, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would struggle to escape promptly.


    Caught in its grasp, Zhao Sheng completely lost control of his body, tumbling and spinning uncontrollably within the turbulent flow.


    Repeated cycles of disorientation made his head pound, and unsure how long he had been tossed around in the turbulence, he finally felt a sharp pain in his head and then lost consciousness.


    When he came to, his initial shock was not because his body almost fell from the vines, but because he found himself surrounded by thick fog.


    Zhao Sheng struggled to get up from the vine and carefully moved to an old tree next to the mountain wall, cautiously observing his surroundings.


    Stones, plants, moss¡ªall were common sights on Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    It seemed that everything was normal?

 Chapter 17 - 17 Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden

    Chapter 17: Chapter 17 Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden


    An hour had swiftly passed, and the dense fog showed no sign of dissipating.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly had a terrifying thought¡ªhe might have been swept into the ¡°Death Treasure Land.¡±


    Instantly, he broke out in a cold sweat.


    The sunny side and the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain were completely different worlds.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain was so tall and vast that the sunshine could never reach its shaded side. This caused the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain to be constantly enveloped in thick fog, hidden from the sun year-round. The brightness during the day was extremely low; even at noon, one couldn¡¯t see a few yards ahead, and at night it was pitch black, not even allowing one to see their own hand.


    For this reason, vast unexplored ¡°Barbaric Territories¡± existed on the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain. It was a paradise for Spiritual Medicines, Spirit Plants, demon beasts, and fierce beasts but also the final resting place for countless medicine collectors.


    Mysterious and unknown, it was extremely dangerous yet contained countless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.


    ¡°Death Treasure Land¡± was the term countless medicine collectors used to jokingly refer to the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, fully expressing their complex feelings of both love and fear towards it.


    The area Zhao Sheng found himself in was undoubtedly in some unknown corner of the shaded side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    After escaping the peril, unknowingly, Zhao Sheng had climbed several hundred yards up the mountain face. Along the way, there were many hazardous spots, not to mention poisonous creatures and fierce beasts. As he climbed higher, the air became thinner, and the temperature dropped unusually quickly. Ice formed everywhere on the mountain face, its surface wet and slippery. A single misstep could send him plummeting into the Cloud Sea, his life out of his own hands.


    With great effort, he found a small crevice to rest and catch his breath.


    The cold here was bone-chilling, quite reminiscent of winter.


    However, for Zhao Sheng, the most difficult part wasn¡¯t the temperature, but the feeling of fear.


    The most useful senses for humans are sight and hearing, with most external information being gathered by these two senses.


    The thick, heavy fog ¡°sealed¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes and ears, and the world became eerily ¡°silent.¡± A little further away, and he could neither hear nor see anything clearly.


    Deprived of the senses of sight and hearing, and well aware of being in an extremely dangerous place, most people would instinctively feel fear, and Zhao Sheng was no exception.


    He was even more aware that the nights here were far busier than the days, with the number of fierce beasts roaming the Cloud Sea at least fifty percent greater than on the sunny side. Moreover, some enormous creatures roamed the higher and deeper parts of the Cloud Sea, their mere presence exerting a pressure that could make him, a mere mortal, hold his breath.


    In fact, Zhao Sheng had already consciously entered the Fetal Breathing State, and his superpower, the Spirit Nose, was operating at full capacity, constantly sniffing out the dangers lurking in the fog.


    Because the shaded side world was more dangerous, bloodier, and more elusive. The fierce beasts were always roaming about, seemingly searching for something, which led to frequent conflicts.


    In just four hours, there had been four or five extremely brutal fights, each ending in the death of one or both parties involved. The smell of blood permeated the air, mixing with the fog, becoming a part of this unique ecology.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng realize why this place was called ¡°Death Treasure Land.¡± Without the Divine Sense unique to Foundation Establishment Cultivators, even those at Qi Refining Perfection would struggle to survive here. Ordinary medicine collectors could not last a day.


    However, soon after, this foggy land revealed to Zhao Sheng why it was also known as a treasure land.


    Half a day later, he climbed up to a sloping area recessed into the mountain wall.


    The slope below was extremely steep, while the upper part was somewhat flat, receding into the mountain for about ten yards. The vegetation on the slope was dense, which was out of the ordinary. This area was usually concealed beneath thick fog, not exposed to sunlight, and besides some mosses and fungi, plants should find it difficult to survive.


    But once he remembered this was Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Zhao Sheng immediately understood.


    Just as he stepped onto the sloped land, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but sneeze in response to the strong medicinal scent in the fog¡ªit was as if hundreds of Spiritual Medicines were growing together, with over a dozen different fragrances mingling into one, overwhelming upon first whiff.


    The most intense among these was the scent of the Purple Qi Mushroom.


    That was definitely the Purple Qi Mushroom.


    Zhao Sheng could not possibly mistake the scent, even though he couldn¡¯t understand why the Purple Qi Mushroom could grow in a place without sunlight.


    But he trusted his nose and his decades of experience collecting medicines.


    Immediately, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirits lifted, and he cautiously began his exploration.


    The more unfamiliar the place, the more cautious one must be, especially in a ¡°Barbaric¡± territory untouched for millions of years.


    ¡°`


    Fortunately, there were no large creatures on this slope, only some minor poisonous insects like Yin Wu Gui Bie.


    As it turned out, Zhao Sheng¡¯s nose was even more sensitive than a dog¡¯s, for this place was indeed a rare Spirit Medicine Garden in Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    As far as the eye could see, Blood Sword Grass, Strange Spirit Branches, Dragonbane Fruits, Heartless Flowers, Golden Essence Seeds¡­ Various valuable spiritual medicines were growing wildly under trees, in the grass, and between rocks, each of them robust and thick with extremely long medicinal ages.


    Of course, the most numerous were the delicate white and indigo Purple Qi Mushrooms.


    Eh?


    Zhao Sheng suddenly gasped in surprise, his expression ecstatic.


    On a dead tree root two yards to his right, there was a washbasin-sized, flaming red and unusual Lingzhi mushroom.


    Red Fire Ganoderma?!


    Zhao Sheng took a few quick strides over and touched the cap of the mushroom. The burning sensation unique to the Red Fire Ganoderma made him realize that he had truly hit the jackpot.


    This was indeed a Red Fire Ganoderma that could be exchanged for a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Seeing the densely packed medicinal patterns on the surface of the Lingzhi, even Zhao Sheng¡¯s usually steady hands began to tremble slightly.


    After counting carefully, there were a total of eight hundred and thirty-one medicinal patterns, indicating that this Red Fire Ganoderma was more than eight hundred years old, sufficient to exchange for a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Elixir Pills always come in different qualities, with a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill offering a cultivator more than a thirty percent chance of successful Foundation Establishment, whereas a low-grade pill offers less than a ten percent chance.


    Thirty percent chance of success in Foundation Establishment!


    One can imagine just how sought after top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills are in the Cultivation World.


    Stable!


    The Zhao family¡¯s rise to becoming a Cultivation Family was set!


    This was the first thought that came to Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    He never imagined that he could exceed his life goals by such a margin.


    With this Red Fire Ganoderma, Zhao Chengle, that disappointing fellow, could be considered to have half-stepped through the gate to Foundation Establishment.


    Of course, he would have to cultivate to Qi Refining Perfection first.


    Thinking about Old Eight¡¯s usual behavior, Zhao Sheng could hardly wait to fly back and give him a couple of hard slaps.


    Practice martial arts, what use is that when you could cultivate¡­ isn¡¯t it enticing?


    But no matter how much he beat or scolded, the stubborn kid remained unaffected.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly thought of Han Xuanwu, could it be that he took a liking to Old Eight because they shared similar characteristics?


    Sometimes, too much happiness can also be a worry!


    There were many spirit medicines growing on this slope, most with long medicinal ages. Those over a hundred years old were common, and he had found three that were over a thousand years old.


    One of them was a thousand-year-old Blood Sword Grass, a natural Wood Element Magical Artifact; with a bit of refining, it could become an excellent Spiritual Flying Sword.


    There was also a Nine-Section Ink Jade Orchid with twelve hundred years of maturity, as well as a thousand-year-old Golden Essence Seed.


    It is worth mentioning that he found another Red Fire Ganoderma, but it was only six hundred and eighty years old.


    Zhao Sheng did not feel any regret for not finding a thousand-year-old Purple Qi Mushroom.


    As a matter of fact, no one has ever discovered a Purple Qi Mushroom on the shady side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This is because Purple Qi Mushrooms that are over a thousand years old have developed spirituality and naturally possess the characteristics of ¡°becoming mist when encountering clouds, burrowing when encountering soil, and merging with wood¡±.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 18 - 18: The Withered Root of the Divine Tree and Medicinal Mud

    Chapter 18: Chapter 18: The Withered Root of the Divine Tree and Medicinal Mud


    The backpack space was limited, so Zhao Sheng picked and chose, and finally decided to pack the nine most valuable spiritual medicines, including the Red Fire Ganoderma and thousand-year-old spiritual medicines, inside.


    He didn¡¯t plan to take away the other spiritual medicines.


    Because carrying them would affect the agility of his body.


    In such an extremely dangerous place, even being slightly slower could be fatal.


    Zhao Sheng hadn¡¯t brought his ¡°hope¡± back yet, naturally he wouldn¡¯t throw away the big for the sake of the small.


    Just as he was busy digging up spiritual medicines, a fishy smell suddenly rolled in from the clouds. Zhao Sheng let out a surprised gasp, his body dropped down, and with a roll, he darted into a hiding spot he had already scoped out.


    Just as he concealed himself, the sound of flapping wings came from overhead. He glanced outside, and landing on the slope was the Blood-winged Flying Lizard he had seen before.


    This Blood-winged Flying Lizard seemed to be heavily injured, with its dark red horn scales in disarray and numerous wounds along its body. It appeared lethargic, yet it came here with a strong sense of purpose. After landing, it didn¡¯t look around but went straight to a tree root, extended its front claw, and started digging downward along the root.


    That was exactly where the Red Fire Ganoderma grew. Zhao Sheng was not worried about the demon beast discovering him but was filled with intense curiosity.


    The claws of the Blood-winged Flying Lizard were sharp, and it quickly dug a few feet deep, revealing the soil layer below. The creature skillfully grabbed a handful of soil and swallowed it directly without even chewing before gulping it down.


    Perhaps this ¡°soil¡± really had medicinal effects, because after the Flying Lizard swallowed this stuff, its spirits were lifted, it let out a loud cry, flapped its wings and stirred up a whirlwind, then took to the air and flew away.


    Eating soil?


    Zhao Sheng leaped out from his hiding spot and ran to the pit the Flying Lizard had dug, examining it carefully. In the deep pit, broken roots remained, and the soil was a dark brown color.


    Besides that, he found nothing unusual.


    Zhao Sheng felt very strange, he reached into the pit to grab a handful of soil and brought it to his nose to smell.


    Huh?


    A faint fragrance came from the soil; the scent was really light, and only Zhao Sheng with his nose more sensitive than a dog¡¯s could detect it.


    He tentatively licked a bit of the soil from his hand, and the taste was extremely bitter.


    An idea suddenly came to Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind, ¡°Could this¡­ possibly be the legendary Medicinal Mud?¡±


    Since ancient times in the Cultivation World, there has been talk of Medicinal Mud. It is said that when spiritual medicines are not harvested and naturally wither and die, after hundreds and thousands of years of decay and weathering they turn into soil with medicinal properties. After tens of thousands of years of accumulation, layers of Medicine Soil pile up and gradually form a kind of ¡°Medicinal Mud¡± that can speed up the growth of spiritual medicines.


    This Medicinal Mud contains a portion of medicinal efficacy and can be ingested as spiritual medicine, but it¡¯s far less valuable than its ripening properties.


    Thinking of this, Zhao Sheng was extraordinarily excited and began to dig rapidly around the slope.


    An hour later, the slope was full of holes. At that time, Zhao Sheng stood up with a mixed expression of joy and concern.


    He discovered that not all of the slope was made of Medicinal Mud; in fact, only within a one-foot range of the withered tree roots could traces of Medicinal Mud be found.


    But he also discovered another thing that shocked him immensely.


    There were no large trees on this slope, yet there was a remnant of a massive tree root system.


    From the results of his excavation, it was clear that the protruding dead tree roots were just the tip of the iceberg, majority of the root system was buried below the earth and rocks, spreading in all directions, not only occupying the entire slope but even extending into the surrounding cliff faces.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t imagine how such a gigantic tree could grow in such a dark place, and if a tree with such a large root system still existed, how tremendous it would be!


    For some reason, the tree had snapped, very likely having fallen into an abyss with no bottom, leaving behind this root system, most of which had also died, but a small part remained, creating the unique ecosystem of this area. At the same time, the dead roots had also turned into patches of Medicinal Mud, becoming the nourishment for numerous spiritual medicines growing on this slope.


    With the recent discovery of Medicinal Mud, Zhao Sheng spent another hour carefully coating each of the nine spiritual medicines with Medicinal Mud he dug out.


    This not only ensured that their effect would not dissipate but also prevented the scent of the medicines from leaking out, attracting unpredictable dangers.


    As he was leaving, he suddenly thought of something and turned back to the slope, cutting off a small section of what looked to be a ¡°fresher¡± root with the dagger he carried, and placed it into his backpack.


    After leaving the slope, Zhao Sheng began his long journey to find his way.


    There was one advantage to Heavenly Pillar Mountain; as long as you climbed horizontally, you would always come around to the other side of the mountain.


    In fact, that was exactly what Zhao Sheng did.


    After an indeterminate amount of time, Zhao Sheng finally broke free from Death Treasure Land and once again saw the Sun and the Cloud Sea.


    By then, his body was covered with wounds, and his clothes were tattered.


    No one knew the hardships and dangers he had faced during that time. As for this experience, Zhao Sheng himself kept his lips sealed, avoiding all talk about it.


    ¡­


    Several months later, at the Zhao Family Mansion by the Lishui River, a roar suddenly echoed from the ancestral hall:


    ¡°Kneel down before me!¡±


    Zhao Sheng glared at his disappointing son, furious and with a pounding headache. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thump! Zhao Chengle, sturdy and broad-shouldered yet with unexpectedly delicate features, knelt down promptly before his own father.


    ¡°Father, I realize my mistake!¡±


    ¡°Pah, what mistake do you understand? Over the years, your mother and I have admonished you countless times. Have you ever changed?¡±


    ¡°Cultivating for decades, and you¡¯ve barely reached the third layer of Qi Refining. Meanwhile, your wife, with her useless Five Spirits Root, has already reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer Realm. A Four Spirit Roots not even comparable to a useless spiritual root.


    Speak up, have you been secretly giving your Spirit Origin Pills to her again?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, now well into his old age, still had a voice as resonant as a large bell and full of vigor.


    The angrier he became, the more he picked up the family disciplinary rattan stick and fiercely whipped his son.


    Zhao Chengle, who had already advanced to the Innate Realm and become tough-skinned, was indifferent to the superficial pain.


    While kneeling on the ground and taking the beating, he defended himself, ¡°Father, as you know, I¡¯ve always been restless since childhood, falling asleep the moment I start cultivating. Since the Spirit Origin Pills are wasted on me, it¡¯s better given to Qingqing.¡±


    The Qingqing mentioned by Zhao Chengle was named Han Qingqing, born with a useless spiritual root.


    Ah, her father was Han Xuanwu.


    Speaking of which, more than a decade earlier, after Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu had a narrow escape from Fu Yanqing,


    Zhao Sheng was relatively unaffected, but Han Xuanwu, on the other hand, had the stroke of luck.


    Because he promptly reported to the Purple Sun Sect that Demon Disciples of Earth Flame Palace had killed and disguised themselves as Purple Sun Sect disciples, setting traps to kill and rob on Heavenly Pillar Mountain,


    he was admitted into the Purple Sun Sect.


    Later, due to his high cultivation talent, he was taken as a disciple by a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. From that point on, his progress was unstoppable.


    In just over a decade, he skyrocketed from the Sixth Level of Qi Refining to the Ninth Layer.


    Back then, Han Xuanwu was extremely grateful for Zhao Sheng¡¯s life-saving grace and made numerous visits to express his gratitude.


    The relationship between the two men grew closer and closer, until Han Xuanwu eventually betrothed his daughter to Zhao Chengle, making the two families in-laws.

 Chapter 19 - 19 Spirit Vein Hundred-Year Token

    Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Spirit Vein Hundred-Year Token


    Compared to her husband¡¯s laissez-faire attitude, Han Qingqing was undoubtedly a cultivation fanatic.


    Aside from the two months she spent giving birth to children, she spent all her time in the quiet room, practicing cultivation behind closed doors and rarely leaving the house.


    Zhao Sheng became even more furious when he heard his son¡¯s excuses, ¡°Your wife was born with a useless spiritual root; she could never establish a foundation. Giving her the Spirit Origin Pill would be a waste. It would be better to give it to Xuan Han and Lan Lan.¡±


    Zhao Xuanhan, Zhao Chengle¡¯s eldest son, was twelve years old and at the Qi Refining Second Level, just like his father, with Four Spirit Roots.


    Lan Lan, whose full name was Zhao Xuanlan, was only six years old, but she was the beloved treasure of old Zhao Sheng and his wife, born with three spirit roots of metal, earth, and wood.


    She was the hope of the Zhao family, with a promising future of foundation establishment ahead of her.


    Zhao Chengle was startled by his father¡¯s words and then muttered, ¡°Dad, I think martial arts are good. Why must I practice cultivation? Aren¡¯t you also an Innate Martial Artist?¡±


    Zhao Sheng scolded angrily, ¡°Nonsense! What¡¯s so good about martial arts? Can they grant you immortality? After a hundred years, no matter how skilled you are in martial arts, you will still end up a pile of dust. Tell me, what is the ancestral teaching of our family?¡±


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng finished speaking when a small figure hopped into the room, calling out in a childish voice, ¡°Grandpa, I know, ¡®All is inferior, only cultivation stands supreme!''¡±


    ¡°Oh, Lan Lan is here! Come to grandpa. Where¡¯s your grandma?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression brightened immediately upon seeing his granddaughter, and a smile appeared on his face.


    He casually tossed aside the vine stick in his hand and strode over to pick up his precious granddaughter.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your grandma?¡± he asked while playing with the little one.


    ¡°Grandma is in the back,¡± Zhao Xuanlan replied earnestly with her baby-like voice, nestled in her grandfather¡¯s arms.


    While they were talking, an old and decrepit figure also appeared before the three of them.


    Life beyond seventy is a rarity!


    Wang Yuqi, now in her seventies, no longer had the beautiful appearance of her youth and had become white-haired and full of wrinkles.


    Upon seeing her son kneeling on the ground, she immediately complained, ¡°You old man, Old Eight is already nearly forty. Why do you always have him kneel at the slightest provocation? It¡¯s useless to force him to practice cultivation if he doesn¡¯t want to.¡±


    Zhao Sheng said angrily, ¡°Foolish! Aren¡¯t you from a cultivation family? Don¡¯t you know that only cultivators are above others in this world?¡±


    ¡°Humph, Zhao Zhiqin, are you saying this because you despise me for being old? After I painstakingly bore eight children for your Zhao family¡­¡±


    Seeing she couldn¡¯t win against the old man, Wang Yuqi suddenly began to cry and complain.


    Zhao Sheng was most afraid of this tactic. Seeing her like this, he quickly apologized and softened his stance while ordering his son to roll out at once.


    Wang Yuqi was quite pleased with herself; this tactic had always worked well on her husband throughout their lives.


    Yet, looking at her husband who appeared no more than fifty with a head full of black hair and not a single wrinkle, then at herself, her hair white and aged as such,


    Wang Yuqi couldn¡¯t help but feel a sudden sense of melancholy over her fading youth.


    However, this melancholy was fleeting, as her mind quickly shifted back to her granddaughter.


    A family storm quickly subsided.


    At this moment, Zhao Chengle, who had just left the ancestral hall, hurriedly returned.


    ¡°Dad, my father-in-law has arrived! He¡¯s waiting for you in the living room,¡± he said.


    Upon hearing this, a gleam flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes. He immediately commanded, ¡°You keep your mother company first, I¡¯ll go see your father-in-law.¡±


    After saying this, he apologized to Wang Yuqi once more, then quickly left the ancestral hall and headed to the living room.


    The year before last, the Purple Sun Sect had sent Han Xuanwu to Heavenly Pillar Mountain to preside over the trade fair as the special emissary in charge.


    Zhao Sheng had benefited greatly from this.


    To know, being a special emissary in charge meant occupying a lucrative position. Buying low and selling high, exploiting medicine collectors, finding deals, and playing both sides of the market for elixirs and magical artifacts to earn a markup¡ªthere were plenty of easy ways for them to make spirit stones.


    Two months prior, Zhao Sheng, having recovered from his injuries, obtained a thousand-year-old Nine-Section Ink Jade Orchid through Han Xuanwu.


    Not only did he exchange it for a batch of Five Elements Talismans and Spirit Origin Pills among other basic cultivation resources, but he also received an important piece of information.


    Today, as Han Xuanwu returned to visit, he surely brought good news.


    Zhao Sheng and Han Xuanwu were relatives through their children¡¯s marriage, so there was no need for deliberate pleasantries.


    After a brief chat, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but eagerly ask, ¡°Xuanwu, is the news confirmed? How many Hundred-year Tokens will the Purple Sun Sect release this year?¡±


    Han Xuanwu gestured a cross with his hands and said, ¡°Exactly ten.¡±


    Without waiting for Zhao Sheng to inquire further, he quickly explained the details of the matter. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It turned out that over twenty years ago, a True Immortal on the verge of Perfect Golden Core within the Purple Sun Sect was about to challenge the Nascent Soul Realm.


    To increase the success rate, the Purple Sun Sect spared no expense in attempting to refine a Nascent Soul Pill.


    The Nascent Soul Pill, a fourth-rank top-grade Treasure Pill, had an obviously very low success rate of refining.


    So after failing twice in a row, the Purple Sun Sect was severely weakened and recently had no choice but to sell off a large amount of resources to recover.


    The Hundred-year Token was one such very important resource.


    It was not a Magical Treasure, yet more precious than one, as it represented a hundred years of ownership rights to a First-rank Spirit Vein, which was sufficient to support a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    A Cultivation Family in possession of a Hundred-year Token would also be protected by the Purple Sun Sect.


    As a large influence with a Nascent Soul Ancestor sitting in residence, with more than a dozen Golden Core Masters and over a hundred at Foundation Establishment, the Purple Sun Sect¡¯s strength was exceptionally strong, with few powers daring to provoke them.


    Therefore, the Hundred-year Token was extremely important for a Cultivation Family, especially for a small Qi Refining family like Zhao Sheng¡¯s.


    Conversely, the price of the Hundred-year Token was naturally exorbitantly high.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes lit up, and he immediately asked, ¡°What¡¯s the starting bid? How many Spirit Stones need to be repaid each year?¡±


    Han Xuanwu sighed and said, ¡°Alas, the starting bid is from 50,000 Spirit Stones, the upper limit unknown, but at the very least also 60,000. Anyway, our two families combined can¡¯t afford it. It¡¯s better not to mention the annual rent.¡±


    ¡°How do you know I can¡¯t afford it?¡± Zhao Sheng said with a smile.


    ¡°Do you have 50,000 Spirit Stones?¡±


    ¡°That I really don¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°Alas, you don¡¯t, so what are you talking about? The Hundred-year Token isn¡¯t something we can covet.¡±


    Unlike Han Xuanwu, who was disheartened, Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and felt he had to take a risk and give it a try.


    Because the opportunity was just too rare.


    Every Spirit Vein under the name of the Purple Sun Sect had a matching strong Mountain Protection Array. Once activated, it could fend off attacks from ordinary Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    In addition, they were equipped with a Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman. In case of emergency, a talisman can be sent to the Purple Sun Sect for help.


    For decades, the Dayong Zhou Family had been like a sharp sword hanging over him, constantly making him anxious, fearing that one day the Zhou family would suddenly come knocking.


    As long as he had the Hundred-year Token, the Zhao family would not fear an attack from the Zhou family and could develop in peace for a hundred years.


    Therefore, Zhao Sheng said with a determined expression, ¡°The ten Spirit Veins, due to differences in quality and resource output, would inevitably have varying prices. We¡¯ll just target the ones with lower prices. I may not have fifty or sixty thousand Spirit Stones, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t come up with a treasure of equivalent value.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhao, what do you mean¡­?¡±


    Thinking of the thousand-year-old spiritual medicine that was just sold two months ago, Han Xuanwu¡¯s eyes suddenly shone like lightbulbs.


    His daughter Han Qing had married into the Zhao family. As a father, Han Xuanwu didn¡¯t ask for much, only that he very much hoped the Zhao family could develop better.


    Zhao Sheng signaled for him to wait a moment and then got up from the living room and left.

 Chapter 20 - 20 Treasure Medicine Worth Ten Thousand Spirits

    Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Treasure Medicine Worth Ten Thousand Spirits


    Shortly after, he returned with six jade boxes of various shapes in his hands.


    Placing the jade boxes on the table, Zhao Sheng picked out a square one and carefully removed its seal before flipping open the lid.


    As soon as Han Xuanwu got a clear view of the spiritual medicine inside the box, he jumped up on the spot and pounced toward the box like a starving wolf, his face a picture of disbelief.


    Zhao Sheng said with a smile, ¡°This Red Fire Ganoderma is over eight hundred years old and should be worth fifty or sixty thousand spirit stones, I¡¯d say!¡±


    ¡°Worth it, more than worth it! A top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill in Purple Sun Sect would cost at least fifty thousand spirit stones internally, and it¡¯s priceless on the market. Outside in the workshop, you can¡¯t even catch a glimpse of top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.¡±


    Han Xuanwu was rubbing his hands in excitement, barely able to hide the greedy look in his eyes.


    Such a heaven-sent opportunity presenting itself before a Qi refining immortal cultivator¡ªanyone would lose their composure!


    Zhao Sheng, of course, saw the avaricious gleam in his eyes.


    But he wasn¡¯t afraid at all, because¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m giving it to you.¡±


    ¡°What? What did you just say? I didn¡¯t hear clearly!¡± Han Xuanwu could hardly believe his ears and asked repeatedly, anxious.


    Zhao Sheng answered very calmly but with great seriousness, ¡°I said, I¡¯m giving it to you!¡±


    ¡°Big brother, you can¡¯t be joking about this! Really?¡± Han Xuanwu immediately asked for confirmation.


    Zhao Sheng smiled and explained, ¡°It is true, but there¡¯s a small condition you have to agree to first.¡±


    Overjoyed, Han Xuanwu quickly thumped his chest and said, ¡°Brother Zhao, just name it. Not just one condition, even if it¡¯s ten. I won¡¯t say a word.¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled and waved his hand, ¡°No need for ten, just one is sufficient. I hope that after you reach Foundation Establishment, you could look after the Zhao family for a few years, preferably until Xuan Han or Xuan Lan establish their foundations.¡±


    Hearing this, Han Xuanwu suddenly burst into laughter, pointed at Zhao Sheng, and said with a chuckle, ¡°Big brother, what am I supposed to say about you? It seems you live for your family. Whether it¡¯s Xuan Han or Lan Lan, they are my grandchildren too. If I don¡¯t look after them, who will?¡±


    ¡°With your word, I am at ease,¡± said Zhao Sheng.


    Then, Zhao Sheng pushed the box containing the Red Fire Ganoderma in front of Han Xuanwu, signaling for him to take it.


    As Han Xuanwu carefully stored away the Red Fire Ganoderma, Zhao Sheng opened the other jade boxes one by one.


    Han Xuanwu only took one glance and was flabbergasted.


    Good heavens! sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A 17-inch long Blood Sword Grass with at least a fifteen-hundred-year maturity.


    Amber orchids, a necessary ingredient for refining high-level talisman demons, as big as a palm and at least seven hundred years old.


    Additionally, there were other special spiritual medicines: a seven-hundred-year-old Strange Spirit Branch, a five-hundred-year-old Dragonbane Fruit, and a triangular Yin Yang Flower with seven leaves and seven petals.


    Each of these special medicines ranged from a few thousand to over ten thousand spirit stones.


    Especially the thousand-year-old blood sword grass, worth at least tens of thousands of spirit stones.


    This natural spiritual artifact possesses irreplaceable growth and affinity.


    So long as the user continues to infuse their own spiritual power into the Blood Sword Grass, it will keep growing, and its power will also grow increasingly tremendous.


    It might even develop into a Golden Core level magical treasure, the kind that is a lifebound magic treasure.


    Han Xuanwu, with eyes full of envy and his heart burning with desire, couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Brother Zhao, have you struck a treasure trove here?¡±


    ¡°Heh, collecting medicine for decades, I¡¯ve only accumulated these few fine items. For the Hundred-year Token, I¡¯ve now turned out everything, even the old stash,¡± Zhao Sheng said, revealing the reason he¡¯d already fabricated.


    The matter of the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden would not be disclosed to anyone by Zhao Sheng.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain¡¯s shadowy face is far too dangerous; even someone like Zhao Sheng barely escaped with his life after countless brushes with death. The descendants of the Zhao family should just cultivate honestly, not risking their lives on a gambit.


    ¡°Just?¡±


    Han Xuanwu wanted to spit in the man¡¯s face after hearing all this, Zhao Sheng was truly shameless.


    How many medicine collectors in Heavenly Pillar Mountain had gone their whole lives without ever finding a spiritual medicine over five hundred years old?


    Yet, this elder brother casually presented six.


    No, not six ¨C with the inclusion of the thousand-year Nine-Section Ink Jade Orchid, it made seven!


    Most importantly, each type of spiritual medicine was exceptionally precious.


    However, he had still underestimated Zhao Sheng.


    Beyond those mentioned, Zhao Sheng was also hiding Red Fire Ganoderma and a thousand-year Golden Essence Seed, both worth over ten thousand spirit stones.


    These were his trump cards reserved for the Zhao family, and he wouldn¡¯t even discuss them with Han Xuanwu.


    Han Xuanwu caressed the Blood Sword Grass with an expression of infatuation on his face,


    For him, a former martial enthusiast now on the path of sword cultivation, Blood Sword Grass, a natural spirit sword embryo, was absolutely a rare treasure that was serendipitous to encounter.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly asked, ¡°Stop coveting the Blood Sword Grass. Instead, try to estimate the value of these spiritual medicines in spirit stones.¡±


    Reluctantly returning the Blood Sword Grass to the jade box, Han Xuanwu gave a rough estimate and said, ¡°Excluding the Blood Sword Grass, the other four should be around sixteen thousand spirit stones in total.¡±


    ¡°What about if we include the Blood Sword Grass?¡± Zhao Sheng pressed.


    After a brief contemplation, Han Xuanwu seriously said, ¡°At least sixty thousand. If we can get more Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivators to join the bidding, the Blood Sword Grass could fetch an extra ten or twenty thousand spirit stones.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, Han Xuanwu¡¯s estimate was close to his own.


    Han Xuanwu confidently added, ¡°Brother Zhao, you don¡¯t have to worry. These amounts of spiritual medicine are nothing within the Purple Sun Sect and can easily be absorbed internally. Besides, my master is also a sword cultivator with considerable wealth. Guarantee you won¡¯t suffer any loss if the Blood Sword Grass is sold to my master.¡±


    Han Xuanwu¡¯s master was a Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer Sword Cultivator, while his grandmaster was at the Golden Core Middle Stage.


    Sword Cultivators were known for their formidable combat capabilities, hence Han Xuanwu¡¯s lineage within the Purple Sun Sect was considered a significant faction that could even speak with the Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    One reason why Zhao Sheng dared to covet the Hundred-Year Token was to leverage this influential backing.


    This point needed no elaboration, as Han Xuanwu was likely well aware.


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, ¡°In that case, I won¡¯t bother you with two issues. I¡¯ll also leave the participation in the Purple Sun Sect auction to you!¡±


    A small matter!


    Han Xuanwu knew that the Zhao family was currently too weak to make a public bid for the Hundred-Year Token.


    With his master¡¯s support, he had no fear of competing with ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivation Families.


    Especially after acquiring the Red Fire Ganoderma that was over eight hundred years old, Han Xuanwu believed his status in his master¡¯s eyes would soar.


    He suddenly remembered something and asked urgently, ¡°Old Brother, the annual rent of two thousand spirit stones is not a small sum. Can your Zhao family sustain that? Do you need me to mediate a loan from the Spirit Stone Bank to cover several years?¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand and shook his head, ¡°No need, I can temporarily manage for three to four years. Plus, with the output from the spirit vein, we should be able to last even longer. Maybe after acquiring the Hundred-Year Token, we¡¯ll even have plenty of spirit stones left.¡±


    Han Xuanwu mentally calculated and silently nodded.


    Afterward, the two discussed some more details and key points regarding the matter.


    By the time the serious issues were settled, the sky had grown dim.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, extended a warm invitation for Han Xuanwu to stay over and see his grandchildren.


    He deliberately didn¡¯t mention Han Qingqing because Zhao Sheng knew that Han Xuanwu and his daughter had a very strained relationship.


    He also knew that his daughter-in-law Han Qingqing hadn¡¯t actually fancied Zhao Chengle.


    It was just that Han Xuanwu particularly liked Old Eight, whose temperament was similar to his, and due to his close relationship with Zhao Sheng, he had forcefully pushed his daughter to marry Old Eight.


    Han Xuanwu naturally agreed, as he had been wanting to visit his grandchildren at the Zhao Mansion for some time.

 Chapter 21 - 21: Shortening Life by 20 Years

    Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Shortening Life by 20 Years


    After staying at Zhao Mansion for two days, Han Xuanwu left for Purple Sun Sect to start preparing for the auction.


    Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, two months had passed.


    That day, Purple Sun Square was festively decorated, teeming with a sea of people. Countless cultivators were attracted by this grand auction and flocked to the location.


    Naturally, Zhao Sheng along with his son, Zhao Chengle, and daughter-in-law, Han Qingqing, would not miss this grand event.


    When Han Xuanwu entered the auction venue, Zhao Chengle and Han Qingqing also visited various elixir shops and spiritual medicine stores, purchasing many different kinds of spirit medicine seeds.


    Zhao Sheng, being a mortal, found it inconvenient to show up in person and could only send the two of them instead.


    Why buy spirit medicine seeds?


    Of course, because Zhao Sheng wanted to take a risk and visit the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden once again.


    Harvesting spiritual medicine was one aspect; on the other hand, he wanted to take advantage of the unique environment there to actively cultivate some rare yet vital spiritual medicines from the outside world. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such as the other two main ingredients for the Golden Core Formation Pill, the Jade Divine Flower and the Nine Curves Ginseng, among others.


    The saying ¡°Plan for the present and strategize for a thousand years ahead¡± refers to people like Zhao Sheng.


    Cultivating spiritual medicine was just the beginning.


    ¡­


    A month later.


    As the last group of Purple Sun Sect¡¯s miscellaneous disciples withdrew from Dragon Carp Lake, Zhao Sheng¡¯s family moved to a manor by the lake under Han Xuanwu¡¯s guidance.


    Dragon Carp Lake had been discovered and developed for over two thousand years, and Purple Sun Sect had been managing it for nearly a thousand years.


    As a result, Dragon Carp Lake had long been developed maturely, and its annual output and profits were very stable.


    The Hundred-year Token for Dragon Carp Lake wasn¡¯t expensive, costing only 63,000 spirit stones.


    This was because its spirit vein was a First-rank Water Spirit Vein, with most of it located at the bottom of the lake.


    Unlike spirit veins in mountains and plains that can be used to grow spirit grain and medicine, and even occasionally yield small spirit mines.


    Besides having an area over two hundred li, Dragon Carp Lake did not have much to offer in terms of stable output. Aside from selling some spiritual fish and shrimp, the most famous were the Red Carp and Green Carp, two types of First-rank demon fish.


    If lucky enough, one might even catch a Dragon Carp.


    Dragon Carp was a hybrid offspring of Red Carp and Green Carp, an extraordinary spiritual carp rarely seen in decades.


    Rumors had it that Dragon Carp possessed a trace of the True Dragon Bloodline, consuming it could greatly enhance the potential of dragon-kind demon beasts like the Jiao python.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t harbor much hope for the Dragon Carp; having secured the Hundred-year Token and found a safe haven for the Zhao family, he was already quite content and did not expect more.


    However, there were unexpected surprises at Dragon Carp Lake. Zhao Sheng discovered eight mu of spirit field by the lake.


    Without a doubt, someone had secretly developed it without the sect¡¯s knowledge, and it was a mystery who had such audacity.


    Well, Dragon Carp Lake was far from the reach of the Emperor, so it was possible that the miscellaneous disciples here were banding together in an unspoken alliance.


    Of course, it wasn¡¯t something Zhao Sheng needed to worry about; the eight mu of spirit field might not be large but was already sufficient for the small Zhao family.


    One thing surprised Zhao Sheng greatly; after moving to Dragon Carp Lake, the relationship between Zhao Chengle and Han Qingqing improved drastically.


    When Old Eight, Zhao Chengle, diligently tilled the spirit field, Han Qingqing unexpectedly became pregnant again, out of the blue.


    This was a joyous occasion. Not only for the Zhao family but even more so for Zhao Sheng.


    In preparation for the birth of his third grandchild eight months later, Zhao Sheng suddenly became busy and planned to head into the mountains ahead of time.


    Fasting Pills, Deodorizing Powder, Protective Jade Token, Half Magic Bow, Armor-Piercing Arrows, Half-Magic Tool Mixed Gold Soft Sword¡­


    As item after item was purchased, the day for Zhao Sheng to head into the mountains finally arrived.


    He did not disclose to his family the dangers of the trip, only saying he was going to Heavenly Pillar Mountain to gather herbs.


    In the final moments before departure, Zhao Sheng pulled Zhao Chengle aside, secretly handed a brocade bag to his son, and told him that if he hadn¡¯t returned in half a year, then to open the brocade bag.


    Although Zhao Chengle was a bit lazy by nature, he was not foolish. He quickly sensed that his father¡¯s words carried a hint of an ultimate farewell.


    However, no matter how much he was persuaded, Zhao Sheng never changed his mind.


    Soon, Zhao Sheng bid farewell to his family, resolutely set off towards Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    ¡­


    Three months later, when Zhao Sheng reappeared at Dragon Carp Lake, he had lost an arm, and his chest and abdomen were covered with deep, bone-deep wounds, as if they were repeatedly scratched by the claws of some terrible demon beast.


    At that time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body was on the verge of collapse, severely injured and close to death.


    Upon seeing his wife Wang Yuqi, Zhao Sheng relaxed all at once and immediately collapsed to the ground unconscious.


    The collapse of the Zhao family¡¯s main pillar, all of a sudden, also caused the old lady Wang Yuqi to faint from fright, and that¡¯s when Han Qingqing suddenly stood up and quickly stabilized the situation.


    She tightly sealed off any news while sending out a communication token to let Han Xuanwu come to Dragon Carp Lake as soon as possible to take control of the situation.


    Not only because Han Xuanwu was the only one who might be able to save Zhao Sheng, but also because Han Qingqing and her husband Zhao Chengle, while packing up Zhao Sheng¡¯s belongings, were shocked to discover a backpack full of Spiritual Medicine, each at least a few hundred years old.


    Upon receiving the precious communication token from his daughter, Han Xuanwu immediately realized the severity of the situation.


    Because he knew his daughter well, if it weren¡¯t for a major issue, she would never send a communication token to him.


    Therefore, Han Xuanwu immediately stopped his closed-door cultivation, rented the sect¡¯s Cloud Sculpture that could travel thousands of miles, and arrived at Dragon Carp Lake in just half a day.


    Luckily, he arrived quickly, carrying with him a First-Order High-Grade Rejuvenation Pill, which just barely saved Zhao Sheng¡¯s life.


    It took a full two years for Zhao Sheng to recover from his injuries.


    But the price was too high this time; not only had he lost an arm, but his cultivation had also halted at the Innate Limit, and his strength was reduced to a mere sixty percent, never to be restored.


    What¡¯s worse¡­


    Name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 79/99


    Realm: Innate Limit (Half-step to Divinity)


    Constitution: Hundred-year-old Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level), Spirit Nose (Mortal Level)


    Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Unprecedented), Emerald Tide Technique (Refined), Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations (Unprecedented), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Refined), Cross Refining Iron Body (Broken)


    For the sake of one visit to the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden, he had reduced his lifespan by twenty years.


    However, in Zhao Sheng¡¯s view, he ultimately came out ahead on this deal.


    He always remembered one phrase: Do not quarrel over the length of one lifetime, and look at the heights and lows after ten lifetimes!


    As the master of ¡°Hundred Lifetimes Book,¡± Zhao Sheng certainly had such a long-term perspective.


    After this incident, Zhao Sheng announced his retirement from the martial world and thereafter lived a leisurely life of enjoying candy and raising grandchildren.


    ¡­


    Ten years later, the atmosphere in the back house of Zhao Mansion was abnormally heavy, with servants and maids daring not to even breathe loudly.


    Outside a room filled with a strong medicinal scent, Zhao Chengle, whose hair had begun to gray, paced anxiously and worriedly in the courtyard, just like Zhao Sheng did sixty years ago. He was followed by about seventeen or eighteen people, all Zhao Sheng¡¯s descendants.


    This day was the birthday of his grandson.


    On the same day, however, his mother Wang Yuqi had fallen into a comatose state.


    At such a critical moment, his own father actually kicked their entire family out of the house.


    It was utterly unreasonable!


    Humph, the older he gets, the more muddled he becomes!


    The more Zhao Chengle thought about it, the angrier he became, his expression growing increasingly gloomy. But even if he wanted to storm into the room, he didn¡¯t have the guts.


    It wasn¡¯t that he truly didn¡¯t dare, but rather that he truly couldn¡¯t win.


    Despite nearing ninety years old, after creating three divine skills two years ago, his father could easily overpower him, who was at the Qi Refining Fourth Level.

 Chapter 22 - 22 The Prodigal Returns Home

    Chapter 22: Chapter 22 The Prodigal Returns Home


    Just as Zhao Chengle was anxious and uneasy, the atmosphere inside the room was not as sorrowful as one might imagine.


    Seated by the bed, Zhao Sheng held his wife Wang Yuqi¡¯s hand, tenderly recounting every little detail of their seventy years together since marriage.


    Wang Yuqi was emaciated, her face covered with unsightly age spots.


    At that moment, she had fallen into a coma and couldn¡¯t hear a word her husband was saying.


    Yet Zhao Sheng seemed without a trace of sadness, continuing to narrate calmly and unhurriedly.


    After an indeterminate length of time, Wang Yuqi¡¯s hand twitched slightly, her eyelids quivered a few times and then slowly, clouded with cataracts, her eyes opened.


    Her gaze was dull, her eyes aimlessly wandering, somewhat panicky.


    But upon feeling her husband¡¯s dry, withered hand, Wang Yuqi quickly relaxed, a contented smile appearing on her face.


    ¡°Brother Zhi Qin, I¡¯m finally dying before you. How wonderful!¡± she murmured in a feeble and low voice, almost inaudible.


    ¡°Yes! Now it will just be me, living alone,¡± Zhao Sheng said gently, leaning close to her ear. ¡°I know how much you dread being lonely.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhi Qin, you¡¯ve always understood me best. Do you remember how we first met?¡±


    Zhao Sheng adjusted the blankets for his wife and chuckled lightly, ¡°How could I forget? It was perfume that lured you and Sister Yu Yan to me. To attract your attention, I even played a piece on the guqin, ¡®High Mountain Flowing Water¡¯ particularly for you.¡±


    ¡°Cough cough, I knew you had ill intentions. I was young and naive back then, easily tricked into your hands.¡±


    ¡°Do you regret it?¡±


    ¡°No regrets! Never any regrets!¡±


    After she spoke, Wang Yuqi¡¯s complexion suddenly turned radiantly rosy, her voice becoming clear again.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit tensed, and he couldn¡¯t help but tightly grasp his wife¡¯s hand.


    He knew it was a sign of ¡°returning light before death.¡±


    Suddenly turning her face to Zhao Sheng, Wang Yuqi gazed at him with an intense yearning, ¡°Brother Zhi Qin, I want to hear you say it once more, the love poem you gave me back then.¡±


    At that moment, tears surged in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, his voice trembling slightly as he gently recited, ¡°Wisps of cloud skillfully crafted, shooting stars carry my wistful thoughts, the Milky Way silently stretches far and wide. Once the Golden Wind meets the Jade Dew, they surpass countless scenes in this mortal world¡­¡±


    When Zhao Sheng finished reciting the love poem, Wang Yuqi seemed to have fulfilled her final wish, her complexion rapidly turning ashen, her breath nearly stilled, leaving only the faintest trace of consciousness, ¡°Brother Zhi Qin, I suddenly miss home, my grandpa, grandma, daddy, mommy, and Sister Yu Yan. I want¡­ want to go back¡ª¡±


    Before she could finish saying the word ¡°home,¡± she limply released the hand of her husband, and from that moment ceased to breathe.


    Seeing his companion depart from this world, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes instantly blurred with tears.


    In that moment, his tears flowed freely.


    When Zhao Sheng stepped outside the house, the Zhao Mansion was soon filled with the sounds of sobbing.


    A month later, under the watchful eyes of his son Zhao Chengle, his grandson Zhao Xuanhan, and others, Zhao Sheng held his wife¡¯s urn as he boarded a horse-drawn carriage.


    Then, driven by a coachman of the Innate Realm, the carriage slowly set off, beginning its journey to Ganzhou in the Liang Kingdom, over four thousand miles away.


    ¡­


    As winter gave way to spring, in the warm light of March, the peach blossoms in Nanyang City bloomed overnight.


    The fragrance of flowers filled the air, petals dancing and swirling.


    On the day when the citizens of Nanyang celebrated the Peach Blossom Festival, a dilapidated carriage stopped in front of an old mansion.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng alighted from the carriage than seven or eight men armed with knives and swords suddenly surrounded him, shouting loudly, ¡°No matter where you¡¯re from, leave at once! The Zhao family is not receiving visitors today!¡±


    ¡°How dare you!¡±


    The coachman Zhao Er had been personally taught by Zhao Sheng and revered Grandmaster Zhao like a deity.


    Seeing this scene, he bravely stepped forward and bellowed, with the Innate True Qi in his voice suddenly erupting.


    The seven or eight men instantly had their eardrums and cochleas shattered and collapsed to the ground.


    ¡°Ouch, why can¡¯t I get up!¡±


    ¡°Ah, I can¡¯t hear anything!¡±


    Their screams were continuous as they completely lost their balance. No matter how they struggled, they couldn¡¯t stand up.


    At this moment, the expressions of the two middle-aged men in red guarding the entrance of Zhao Mansion changed drastically.


    Unlike the riffraff common in the Martial World, being from the Blood Saber Sect, they immediately recognized the footwork of the seemingly ordinary coachman.


    This man was an Innate Grandmaster, a rarity in Ganzhou and someone of the same caliber as the Blood Saber Ancestor. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Realizing the situation was bad, the two disciples of the Blood Saber Sect attempted to run into the Zhao Mansion.


    Who would have thought that at this moment, an elderly figure with white hair and a missing arm would suddenly appear between them?


    What followed was a tremendous oppressive force, heavy like a mountain, instantly subduing the two men, rendering them motionless as if they were insects encased in amber.


    Thankfully, though the terrifying pressure arrived quickly, it also dissipated just as fast.


    Soon, both men regained their freedom, but neither dared to move, let alone report back to the Blood Saber Ancestor.


    ¡°I ask you, what has happened to the Zhao family? And who are you?¡± Zhao Sheng, having withdrawn his Innate pressure, asked the two men.


    Without daring any concealment, they quickly confessed, ¡°We are disciples of the Blood Saber Sect. But we mean no harm. It¡¯s the Blood Saber Ancestor himself who wished to take the third young master of the Zhao family as a disciple, and that¡¯s why he personally came to Zhao Mansion. We are merely standing guard outside to prevent disturbances.¡±


    ¡°Recruit a disciple?¡±


    Zhao Sheng frowned and thought, ¡°If he really wanted to take on a disciple, would he create such a commotion?¡±


    At that moment, the coachman Zhao Er suddenly leaned in and said, ¡°Grandmaster Zhao, from the looks of the way they are drawing their blades, it seems like this Blood Saber Ancestor has ill intentions! Shall I dispose of this person first?¡±


    ¡°No need,¡±


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng stepped into the ancestral home he hadn¡¯t returned to in fifty years.


    Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the main hall of Zhao Mansion where guests were received was exceptionally tense.


    The head of the hall was occupied by a ruddy old man with a drooping beard. Despite his age, his hair was still pitch black, and his face free of any wrinkles, clearly indicating his mastery of life-preserving techniques.


    On the lower left and right sides of the hall, the left side was occupied by four elders of the Zhao family, while there were only two on the right.


    The person sitting at the top was a tall, bald, pigeon-faced old man dressed in a bright red robe, looking formidable and ferocious.


    This was none other than Elder Chang, the Blood Saber Ancestor who had dominated the Ganzhou Martial World for half a century.


    Sitting below him was an old Taoist holding a horsetail whisk, with a childlike face and white hair.


    Behind them stood a row of Blood Saber Sect disciples in red robes, with bulging temples that showed at a glance that each was a rare top-notch master in the Martial World.


    Perhaps growing impatient, the Blood Saber Ancestor asked with a gloomy tone, ¡°How has the Zhao family considered my proposal? When will you let the Ancestor meet my precious disciple?¡±


    After hearing these words, the bearded old man smiled and said, ¡°Elder Chang, it would be fortunate for our Zhao family if you took Jie¡¯er as your disciple. However, fortune was not in our favor, as Jie¡¯er went to visit his aunt two days ago and has yet to return. Once he¡¯s back, I will have Jie¡¯er personally go to the Blood Saber Sect to pay his respects to you as his master, how¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡±

 Chapter 23 - 23 Why Didnt You Come Back Earlier

    Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Why Didn¡¯t You Come Back Earlier


    Blood Saber Ancestor swore profusely, ¡°You Zhao family only know how to put on a show. A few days ago, Ancestor here was fooled by your sweet talk. Today you won¡¯t be able to deceive me again. Hurry up and bring that young lad out, otherwise, don¡¯t blame Ancestor here for taking action!¡±


    At these words, the handsome elder¡¯s complexion stiffened, and he immediately furrowed his brow tightly.


    The Blood Saber Ancestor was an Innate Grandmaster, and aside from the third grand uncle, no one in the Zhao family could match him, but the third grand uncle was already ninety-five this year, and it was still unknown whether he could be a match for the Blood Saber Ancestor.


    ¡°Do we have to ask great-aunt to take action again? But she always has been indifferent to worldly matters. And Jie is still hiding with her. If¡­¡±


    The handsome elder was named Zhao Xuanyi, the current Family Head of the Zhao family, and the father of Zhao Yujie.


    Just as Zhao Xuanyi was in a dilemma, a figure, old and feeble, using a jade cane for support, staggered from the rear hall, appearing before everyone.


    ¡°Haha, I was just wondering who could make such a big commotion? Turns out it¡¯s you, Chang Xuedao. No wonder!¡±


    Upon seeing the newcomer, Chang Meng immediately became much more cautious. Although he reined in some of his arrogance, he still mocked, ¡°Old Zhao, so you¡¯re still not dead yet? But looking at you panting for breath, whether you can even draw your sword is another matter.¡±


    Unperturbed, the old man smiled and patted his cane, ¡°The Jade Sword Young Master of the past is long dead, now there¡¯s only an old man with a solitary cane left. But I¡¯m tired of living anyway, how about I take you with me?¡±


    Hearing this, Chang Meng couldn¡¯t help but narrow his eyes, sitting upright and watching Zhao Zhijing with a wary expression.


    Even though he was in his prime while the other was already so aged he was almost unrecognizable, no one dared to underestimate the desperate strike of an Innate Martial Sect, even if he had only a breath left in him.


    ¡°You old immortal, you dare to threaten me?¡± Chang Meng eyed Zhao Zhijing up and down and suddenly said viciously.


    ¡°How could that be! I just fear a lonely journey. I¡¯m merely seeking someone pleasing to the eye to keep me company,¡± Zhao Zhijing explained at a leisurely pace.


    It was at this moment that the Taoist with a child-like face and crane hair suddenly spoke.


    ¡°Mr. Zhao has misunderstood. Mr. Chang actually means no harm. He simply saw that your family¡¯s third young master is intelligent and an excellent martial arts prospect. Overjoyed by the hunt, he has come here to voluntarily propose to take him as a disciple.¡±


    ¡°Take as a disciple? It¡¯s more likely a lamb walking into the tiger¡¯s mouth!¡± Zhao Zhijing inwardly sneered repeatedly, while secretly pondering, ¡°Why are these two so fixated on Yu Jie? Could it be that the news of Yu Jie having the Spirit Root has inadvertently leaked out?¡±


    A family knows their own affairs best.


    While it may seem he is ever-ready to take someone down with him, in reality, he was utterly incapable of doing so.


    Two years ago, he had already broken his power, and all his Innate True Qi had dissipated.


    But the old saying goes, a tiger, even if old, does not fall easily!


    Zhao Zhijing maintained a calm expression and shook his head resolutely, refusing, ¡°Your kindness is appreciated by the Zhao family, but our family¡¯s studies have deep roots, and our Floating Light Sword Skill combined with the Cloud Dragon Three Changes are unmatched in Ganzhou, not requiring outsiders to instruct our children and grandchildren.¡±


    After hearing this, the Blood Saber Ancestor burst into an angry laugh, ¡°Well then, toasting you won¡¯t work, forcing you to drink a forfeit! It seems today that Ancestor here cannot refrain from taking action.¡±


    Seeing that the words had reached a deadlock, the four Zhao Family Elders and Family Head Zhao Xuanyi immediately stood up to block the other party, looking extremely serious.


    The disciples of the Blood Saber Sect, likewise, showed no weakness, swiftly drawing their sabers. They only awaited Ancestor¡¯s command to strike and annihilate the Zhao family.


    As a fight seemed inevitable, a hoarse old voice suddenly came from outside the door, ¡°Who was it that said they wanted to take action in my Zhao Family¡¯s home?¡±


    While speaking, Zhao Sheng, carrying an urn, slowly stepped into the reception hall, followed closely by the coachman Zhao Er.


    Seeing the newcomer was an old man and also one-armed, the Blood Saber Ancestor couldn¡¯t help but mock, ¡°Where did this old cripple come from? Daring to upbraid Ancestor here. Disciples, go, show no mercy!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ancestor!¡±


    The Blood Saber disciples boomed in agreement, aware that their Ancestor was out to kill for a show of power.


    Immediately a group of disciples in red, holding their sabers upside down, charged at Zhao Sheng at high speed.


    ¡°Be careful!¡± the Zhao Family elders cried out, ready to take action and assist.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng gave the coachman a brief glance:


    ¡°Zhao Er!¡±


    Before his words had fully fallen, the coachman Zhao Er suddenly plunged into the crowd of Blood-clothed People. A streak of emerald-colored Innate Qi Sword burst forth from his palm, and no disciple of the Blood Saber Sect could withstand this terrifying sword attack. One by one, they were decapitated and fell into pools of blood.


    ¡°An Innate Grandmaster?!¡±


    ¡°The Emerald Tide Technique?!¡±


    Chang Meng and Zhao Xuanyi both exclaimed almost simultaneously.


    At this time, Chang Meng, the Blood Saber Ancestor, felt as if he had just eaten a bitter melon, his mouth awash with bitterness and his heart filled with shock. ¡°Who on earth is this person? How can a mere attendant also be an Innate Martial Sect master?¡±


    Zhao Zhijing looked intently at the one-armed old man a few steps away, feeling incredibly familiar with him, as if he had seen him somewhere before.


    Zhao Sheng also looked back at the other man and couldn¡¯t help but feel emotional, saying, ¡°Third brother, so many years have passed, and you¡¯ve grown old too!¡±


    ¡°Ninth brother? You¡¯re Ninth, Zhao Zhiqin? How is it possible!¡± Zhao Zhijing could hardly believe his eyes.


    Ninth, Zhao Zhiqin, had been missing for fifty years.


    He had never imagined that the two would have the chance to see each other again.


    Zhao Sheng said with an emotional expression: ¡°Third brother, I am Zhao Zhiqin, I have truly returned.¡±


    After learning the identity of the newcomer, Zhao Xuanyi¡¯s whole body trembled, and his face instantly revealed an extremely complicated expression, ¡°Is this¡­ the grandfather father often mentioned?¡±


    The other four Zhao Family Elders heard the newcomer claim to be the legendary third Innate Grandmaster of the Zhao family, Zhao Zhiqin.


    Wasn¡¯t it rumored that he had long been dead?


    Now the Zhao Family Elders were utterly confused and couldn¡¯t figure out the truth of the matter.


    ¡°Ninth, where have you been all these years? Why didn¡¯t you come back earlier? They¡¯ve all died, our older brothers and elders, all dead! Even Chenggong and Chengli, these younger generations, are also gone. Now only I barely cling to life. You¡­ why didn¡¯t you come back sooner!¡±


    By the end of his talk, Zhao Zhijing couldn¡¯t help but let the old tears flow, his face full of misery and desolation.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s whole body shook violently, as he just heard a name he least wanted to hear.


    Chenggong?!


    His eldest son had already passed away. So he had ultimately chosen to return to the Zhao family.


    An older person burying a younger one! There is no greater sorrow in this world.


    Yet even more painful was the fact that, when his son passed away, he as a father hadn¡¯t only failed to see him for one last time but also didn¡¯t know when¡­ it had happened.


    Zhao Sheng was definitely not a qualified father.


    He had once personally put his seven flesh and blood onto a carriage, and then watched, wide-eyed, as they each set off towards unknown horizons.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart was suddenly filled with extreme bitterness; he had thought he was rational enough, but¡­ he was wrong!


    Just then, the Blood Saber Ancestor suddenly stood up and said cautiously, ¡°Well¡­ I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first.¡±


    Noisy!


    Zhao Sheng was suddenly snapped out of his thoughts by Chang Meng¡¯s interruption, and a nameless anger suddenly surged in his heart.


    sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 24 - 24: 24 chapters, 50 years of vicissitudes

    Chapter 24: 24 chapters, 50 years of vicissitudes


    Noise!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s clothing suddenly moved without wind, his aura as an Innate Extreme Martial Artist explosively erupted, instantly ¡°submerging¡± the entire reception hall like a massive wave.


    In that moment, the air seemed to solidify.


    Blood Saber Ancestor, caught off guard, bulged his eyes out, seeing nothing but blood before him, with endless killing intent rushing towards him.


    For a moment, he felt his limbs icy cold and stiff, a chill seeping through his neck, and he seemed to smell the scent of blood.


    The next instant, Chang Meng suddenly felt dizzy, his vision elevated significantly, but it quickly fell, and finally, a headless corpse wearing a long red robe appeared in his view.


    ¡°It looks very familiar. Who is it? It seems like¡ª¡±


    The next moment, he suddenly plunged into boundless darkness, but just as he lost his last bit of consciousness, Chang Meng suddenly realized, ¡°¡­It seems like¡­ it¡¯s me!¡±


    However, to everyone else, all they saw was Blood Saber Ancestor¡¯s head suddenly, without any warning, falling off his neck as soon as the noise erupted.


    But there was one who witnessed the entire process of Zhao Sheng¡¯s action.


    This person was the old Taoist from Chang Meng¡¯s side.


    He saw an incredibly fast blue light fly out from the sleeve of the one-armed elder, passing through Blood Saber Ancestor¡¯s neck instantly, as easy as slicing a watermelon.


    Besides, he didn¡¯t sense any fluctuation of spiritual energy.


    However, this only made it seem even more terrifying! Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Senior, spare my life!¡± The old Taoist suddenly knelt down with a thud, kowtowing continuously to Zhao Sheng, begging for mercy.


    The Zhao Family Elders, seeing Blood Saber Ancestor being dealt with so easily, were greatly delighted and looked at Zhao Sheng with awe and closeness.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng quickly calmed down from his anger.


    His complexion was calm, as if he had just done something trivial.


    In fact, this deed truly was trivial.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had killed more than two dozen Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators, so what was an Innate Grandmaster worth mentioning.


    Zhao Sheng paid no heed to the old Taoist but looked towards Zhao Zhijing.


    Zhao Zhijing coughed once and said to the old Taoist, ¡°Explain the situation clearly, and you may live. But if there¡¯s any concealment, I will make your life worse than death!¡±


    Seeing this, the old Taoist was overjoyed, immediately spilling all the antecedents and consequences.


    It turned out that three months ago, Liang Kingdom¡¯s Black Ice Platform suddenly issued a secret bounty mission. The mission was to ¡°invite¡± Zhao Family¡¯s third young master, Zhao Yujie, to Qingfeng City, the capital of Liang Kingdom.


    Blood Saber Ancestor Chang Meng was not only a Martial World magnate but also a gold medal client elder of the Black Ice Platform.


    He, coveting the hefty bounty, had quickly taken up this task.


    However, after arriving in Nanyang City, Chang Meng couldn¡¯t find Zhao Yujie¡¯s whereabouts, so he resorted to using the guise of taking in disciples to track down Zhao Yujie.


    ¡°¡­So we really only wanted to invite your esteemed house¡¯s third young master to make a trip to Qingfeng City; there really was no malicious intent. Please, senior, raise your esteemed hand and spare this humble one¡¯s life.¡± The old Taoist frantically looked at Zhao Sheng after finishing his plea.


    After Zhao Zhijing understood the whole situation, his expression darkened, as if he had a tough decision to make.


    But Zhao Xuanyi and the four family elders suddenly revealed expressions of sudden realization.


    So that was it!


    ¡°It appears that Dongling Duke¡¯s avaricious intentions haven¡¯t ceased; our Zhao family has repeatedly refused him, yet he still wishes to forcibly wed Yu Jie. Absolutely unreasonable!¡± an elder spoke angrily.


    Yet, Zhao Xuanyi just wore a face full of bitter smiles.


    Dongling Duke was a collateral member of the Liang Family, part of Liang Kingdom¡¯s imperial family, and the Liang Family was also a Foundation Establishment Cultivation Family.


    The reason Dongling Duke was so persistent was probably not just to seek a son-in-law but possibly to use Jie as a breeding tool.


    The elders didn¡¯t know the details; thus they couldn¡¯t understand Dongling Duke¡¯s insane actions.


    You must know that the descendants of cultivators do not necessarily have Spirit Roots, and most are mortals. Moreover, the rate at which Spirit Roots are born in successive generations declines swiftly.


    If five consecutive generations lack Spirit Roots, it means that descendants with Spirit Roots will not be born in the future.


    The Dongling Duke family is now facing such an extremely embarrassing situation.


    At that moment, Zhao Zhijing had made a decision.


    He began to command, ¡°Xuan Yong, Xuanxin, the two of you take this person down and interrogate him again to see if any details were missed. Xuanhua and Xuanwei, you two take people and clean this place up.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Great Uncle,¡± the four Zhao family elders immediately bowed and complied.


    After Zhao Zhijing finished, he turned to look at Zhao Sheng and invited, ¡°Ninth, let¡¯s go to the inner study for a talk, shall we?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded gravely.


    Zhao Zhijing then looked at Zhao Xuanyi and said, ¡°Xuanyi, come along with us! You have worked hard all these years.¡±


    ¡­


    Four hours later, when Zhao Sheng had heard all about the struggles and turmoil the Zhao family had faced over the years, he felt both sorrow and profound emotion in his heart.


    For their one family, the Zhao family could indeed be said to have been severely weakened.


    After Zhao Sheng¡¯s family had dispersed and fled, the then Family Head, Zhao Hexing, suddenly killed all those who were in the know, then ordered his clan to scatter and hide. Finally, he took his own life, dying a heroic death.


    Just one day later, the Zhou Family indeed traced them and arrived, but all those who knew about Zhao Sheng¡¯s family fleeing had already died.


    With no clues found, the Zhou Family went on a rampage, committing a massive slaughter in the Zhao family.


    After the Zhou Family left, the Zhao family¡¯s Ren, Li, and Yi branches suffered horrendous casualties, and the direct lineage children were decimated.


    The Zhao family was gravely weakened and had no choice but to actively retract their influence and choose to lay low while nursing their wounds.


    It was not until thirty years later, when Zhao Zhijing advanced to Innate, that the Zhao family began to recover their strength.


    During those decades, only Zhao Chenggong, the eldest of Zhao Sheng¡¯s seven children, returned to the Zhao family ten years later with his wife and children.


    And his son was exactly Zhao Xuanyi.


    When Zhao Xuanyi knelt before Zhao Sheng, Zhao Sheng was overwhelmed with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.


    His eldest son, Zhao Chenggong, had not lived to see his return and had died three years prior.


    However, Zhao Chenggong was fortunate, as he at least could be buried in his ancestral land. On the other hand, Cheng Feng and Cheng Zhao, among the six, had always been missing over the years, with no word on whether they were still alive.


    After recognizing his grandson, Zhao Sheng briefly recounted the various events on his side over the last few decades.


    He did not clarify things very clearly, deliberately keeping some details vague.


    He wasn¡¯t intentionally hiding something, but rather, was protecting the Zhao family.


    Because Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t sure whether the Zhou family had already given up on tracing their whereabouts.


    This was also one of the reasons why Zhao Sheng returned to his hometown alone.


    Before coming back, he had prepared himself to commit suicide at any moment.


    Because the concept of time in the Cultivation World is different from that in the Mortal World.


    A Foundation Establishment Cultivator could live for over two hundred years, while a False Core Master might live for five hundred years, and a Golden Core Master could rival Peng Zu, living for as much as eight hundred years.


    Thus, in the mindset of a Cultivation Family, a century is not considered long.


    Even though Zhao Sheng spoke ambiguously, it was already enough for Zhao Zhijing and Zhao Xuanyi.


    The magnificent and mystical Cultivation World, the cultivators who flew with magic tools and cast spells, the various unheard-of Spirit Plants and medicines, and more.


    All of this profoundly shocked both of them, making them even more envious of those cultivators who could live for several hundreds to thousands of years.

 Chapter 25 - 25: Why Love in the World Is What It Is in 25

    Chapter 25: Why Love in the World Is What It Is in Chapter 25


    When Zhao Zhijing and Zhao Xuanyi heard that the Zhao family had established a foundation in the Cultivation World and already had four Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators, their expressions were excited, and they were thrilled.


    After exchanging a glance, they quickly confessed to Zhao Sheng that there was also a cultivator in the Zhao family.


    Zhao Yujie, fifteen years old this year, with three spirit roots: metal, wood, and fire, and a cultivation of Qi Refining First Layer.


    He was Zhao Xuanyi¡¯s third son and also Zhao Sheng¡¯s great-grandson.


    Zhao Sheng was exceedingly surprised upon hearing this news.


    But when he learned of another unexpected piece of news, he abruptly stood up and asked, nearly losing his composure, ¡°What did you say, Yu Yan is still alive? Where is she now?¡±


    Zhao Xuanyi nodded and said, ¡°Grandfather, Auntie Grandma is indeed still alive. She is currently living in seclusion in Moling City, a place you should know. Additionally, Jie is also there.¡±


    Upon hearing this, a glow suddenly appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s thin and aged face, and he said impatiently, ¡°No, I need to go find her now.¡±


    As he spoke, his figure flashed, and he instantly appeared at the door.


    ¡°Ninth¡­¡±


    Before Zhao Zhijing could call out a second time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure had already vanished from the room.


    Witnessing this, Zhao Zhijing and Zhao Xuanyi looked at each other, speechless.


    The next day, Zhao Er the coachman drove the carriage swiftly into Moling City, finally stopping in front of a small courtyard.


    After getting off the carriage, Zhao Sheng looked at the plaque on the doorway that read ¡®Zhao Mansion,¡¯ feeling very emotional and also increasingly guilty.


    Back in his day, while arranging for his family members¡¯ escape, he negligently left Wang Yu Yan behind.


    He always thought she and the Wang Family had perished in Fragrant Swallow Valley, never expecting that she had survived the ordeal.


    As Zhao Sheng was slowly recalling past events, a sudden sound of qin music came from over the courtyard wall.


    The music was halting, as if a beginner was playing an unfamiliar piece.


    However, to Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears, a long-forgotten ancient qin piece resurfaced in his mind.


    High Mountains and Flowing Water,


    Ah, it¡¯s been such a long time since I last played.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng lightly tapped his foot, lifted gently off the ground, and then floated over the wall, landing in a garden with mountains and waters.


    At that moment, in the Octagonal Pavilion in the center of the garden, a handsome young man sat behind a qin table, awkwardly plucking at the ancient qin before him.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt as if he had returned to that afternoon seventy years ago when two beauties walked together, their eyes full of expectation and their smiles charming and sweet.


    Just then, the young man noticed Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure, his expression drastically changed, and he asked cautiously and defensively, ¡°Who are you? Why are you trespassing in my Zhao family¡¯s property?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked at the young man who resembled him in appearance, and with a kind smile and a gentle tone, he said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, child! I mean no harm. I am here today just to see an old friend whom I have not met in a long time.¡±


    Not mentioning it would have been better; as soon as he spoke, Zhao Yujie became even more nervous.


    ¡°Who exactly are you? Speak, or don¡¯t blame me for being rude!¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Yujie flipped his right hand, and suddenly two red talismans appeared in it.


    Zhao Sheng saw this and couldn¡¯t help but laugh silently, finding it ironic that a first meeting between grandfather and great-grandson was so tense.


    It would be too ridiculous for him to fight his own great-grandson.


    Additionally, revealing his identity was tricky as without proof, how could his great-grandson possibly believe him? S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fortunately, Zhao Sheng hadn¡¯t grown completely senile and seeing the ancient qin, he quickly thought of a solution.


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Seeing his great-grandson eagerly ready to start a fight, Zhao Sheng quickly said, ¡°The piece you just played was incorrect, High Mountains and Flowing Water isn¡¯t played that way.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Yujie exclaimed in surprise, ¡°You know I was playing High Mountains and Flowing Water?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled and said boastfully, ¡°I composed that piece of High Mountains and Flowing Water, so you tell me if I know it or not.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡±


    Zhao Yujie suddenly grew angry and coldly said, ¡°Granny has said that only a few people in the world know this piece. You couldn¡¯t possibly be one of them.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng smiled slyly and said, ¡°Why not? People can lie, but music does not. Come, let this old man show you what it means to seek a soulmate with High Mountains and Flowing Water.¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng extended his right hand, his fingers curling and pressing downwards virtually, causing five streaks of purple-blue Innate True Qi to burst forth from his fingertips, instantly connecting to the qin strings two yards away.


    As Zhao Sheng continuously pressed and plucked in the air, the ancient qin strings were manipulated by the Innate True Qi, and sounds ethereal and wonderful emerged, quickly spreading from the garden to the surrounding courtyard.


    While Zhao Sheng played, the qin music was sometimes grand and natural, with ups and downs like tall mountains, and sometimes flowing and soft like water, rich in implication.


    Hearing this familiar music, Zhao Yujie stood frozen on the spot, his mind filled with confusion: ¡°Who is this one-armed old man? Could it be¡­¡±


    Clang!


    However, in the midst of playing, the qin strings suddenly went haywire, emitting a harsh clang.


    Everything abruptly stopped.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s body stiffened, and he slowly turned his head towards the garden¡¯s side gate, where a frail, white-haired old woman was standing.


    Fifty years of wind and snow had eroded the beauty of the past, but Zhao Sheng still recognized the identity of the person in front of him at a glance.


    The two stared at each other for a long while until Zhao Sheng¡¯s surging excitement gradually calmed down, and he managed to speak with difficulty, ¡°Yu Yan, I¡­ I have come back.¡±


    Wang Yu Yan, looking at the one-armed old man under the Octagonal Pavilion, felt exceedingly conflicted.


    Fifty years was too long, too long, erasing too much anticipation and passion.


    She had thought she would be uncontrollable, but when they truly reunited, Wang Yu Yan found herself unusually calm, like a wife who had lived alone for decades suddenly seeing her long-absent husband, feeling still that familiar.


    Wang Yu Yan slowly walked up to Zhao Sheng and calmly greeted him, ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, are you okay?¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly fell silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, ¡°I¡¯m fine. And you?¡±


    ¡°Not good at all!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was immediately choked up.


    Seeing him like this, Wang Yu Yan suddenly laughed.


    For an instant, it was as if they were back in the past.


    She complained, ¡°So many years not seen, how did you become so foolish? Where have your sweet words from your youth gone?¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and sighed, ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve gotten old! So old I¡¯m almost muddled. You¡¯ve gotten old too, we all have!¡±


    Wang Yu Yan didn¡¯t respond but shifted the topic, ¡°What about Yuqi? Is she still well? Is her temperament still as impetuous as before?¡±


    At her words, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression stiffened, and after hesitating a moment, he said in a deep voice, ¡°Three months ago, Sister Qi passed away!¡±


    The smile that had just appeared on Wang Yu Yan¡¯s face instantly vanished without a trace.


    After a long while, her eyes brimming with tears, she murmured, ¡°Gone, all gone. Now in the Wang family, only I am left.¡±


    Zhao Sheng quickly tried to comfort her, ¡°You still have me.¡±


    After hearing him, Wang Yu Yan shook her head and said coldly, ¡°You are not of the Wang family.¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt a bit disheartened and thus emphasized, ¡°I am the son-in-law of the Wang family, and moreover, Chengle, Yu Jie, and many grandchildren also carry the Wang family¡¯s blood. Yu Yan, you are not alone.¡±


    Ah!


    Suddenly,


    a cough interrupted their conversation.


    Looking over, they saw Zhao Yujie standing there with an embarrassed expression near the Octagonal Pavilion.


    ¡­


    Three days later,


    in the northwest corner of the Zhao family¡¯s ancestral graveyard, a new grave was erected.


    Zhao Xuanyi and his wife, along with Zhao Yujie and several other great-grandchildren, solemnly performed the three bows and nine kowtows ritual in front of Wang Yuqi¡¯s stele.


    Seeing this scene, Wang Yu Yan beside Zhao Sheng was already sobbing uncontrollably.


    Perhaps greatly shocked by this, Wang Yu Yan suddenly fell ill that very day and didn¡¯t recover,


    Driven by a sense of guilt, Zhao Sheng, despite being weary, stayed by her side every day.


    Due to her old age, Wang Yu Yan¡¯s illness showed no signs of improvement; initially, she could still get out of bed and walk around, but later, she became too weak to leave her bed.


    During Wang Yu Yan¡¯s illness, Zhao Sheng took care of her while secretly arranging for Zhao Xuanyi, Zhao Yujie, and some Zhao family members to covertly migrate to Dragon Carp Lake.


    The Zhao family had just settled at Dragon Carp Lake, which was in dire need of people.


    Moving some family members there at this time would quickly solidify the family¡¯s foundation.


    Decades earlier, Zhao Sheng had realized that Zhao Cheng¡¯s couple, one lazy by nature and the other a cultivation fanatic, were not suited for managing the family business.


    Zhao Xuanyi was the family head on this side at Nanyang, known for his capability.


    Once he arrived at Dragon Carp Lake, he could just support Zhao Cheng¡¯s couple in managing affairs and ordinary family members.


    As batches of Zhao family members continuously migrated to Dragon Carp Lake, time also flowed little by little.


    Three years later, the autumn wind was bleak and the leaves fluttered in the wind.


    In the Zhao family¡¯s ancestral graveyard near Wang Yuqi¡¯s grave, another tombstone was erected.


    Zhao Sheng, with entirely white hair and a wrinkled face, sat on the stone steps in front of the tombstone, staring at the rows of characters on the tombstone, his expression vacant, silent for a long time.


    Long after, as the sunset descended and dusk fell,


    Zhao Sheng shifted his body and suddenly sighed deeply towards the tombstone, whispering, ¡°Yu Yan, I said I would give you a status, but you never agreed while alive. Do you want me to owe you for a lifetime?


    Ah, I once wrote Sister Qi a poem to pledge our love. Now I¡¯ll give you one too. So you won¡¯t tell Qi I was unfair when you see her.¡±


    The autumn wind blew the withered leaves off the stele, revealing the few lines on it:


    ¡°Asked of the world, what is love, that commands life and death to adhere?


    Old wings fluttering across distances, how many times through cold and heat?


    Amidst joys and sorrows, partings are the worst, with even more lovesick fools.


    I might say:


    Vast miles of clouds, mountains of evening snow, whose shadow goes alone?¡±


    As the sunset slowly declined, the bleak autumn wind stroked the letters on the tombstone again and again.


    Zhao Sheng, supporting his frail body, rose from the stone steps, his form stooped, and shuffled towards the distance¡­

 Chapter 26 - 26 Four Spirit Roots

    Chapter 26: Chapter 26 Four Spirit Roots


    ¡°`


    Name: Zhao Sheng


    Life Span: 93/99


    Realm: Half-step to Divinity Realm


    Constitution: Hundred-year-old Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level), Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level)


    Skill: Law-breaking Nine Swords (Unprecedented), Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations (Unprecedented), Infinite Divine Skill (Unprecedented), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Refined)


    ¡°The third life has ended, calculating rewards¡­¡±


    In the chaotic void of nothingness, a rejuvenated Zhao Sheng stood in the void, his eyes intently fixed on the ¡°Hundred Lifetimes Book¡± that was flashing with a jade radiance before him.


    As the memories and emotions of nearly a hundred years from his third life were extracted, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit suddenly became crystal clear, as if he had shed some heavy burden in an instant.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng could observe his third life with the detached view of an outsider, rationally reflecting on it.


    Despite already having two experiences to draw from, watching the memories of his third life still felt novel to Zhao Sheng, as if he were watching an incredibly realistic movie, with himself as the protagonist.


    He had not expected the Spiritual Smell superpower to evolve into a Yellow Level talent and to be added to the data panel. Whats more, it was selectable for inheritance.


    It seemed that the Hundred Lifetimes Book held many more secrets, awaiting his discovery.


    As the final scene before his third life¡¯s death ended, a voice extremely familiar to Zhao Sheng rose from the depths of his heart:


    ¡°Calculation complete, the final assessment for the third life is: Grade B Lower.¡±


    ¡°Assessment reward: Gain one Yellow Level inheritance right, or it can be split into three Mortal Level inheritance rights.


    You may choose an inheritance from Constitution, Skill, or Talent. Please select?¡±


    Zhao Sheng glanced at his personal data panel and said without hesitation, ¡°No need to split it, I choose to inherit the Yellow Level Talent, Spiritual Smell.¡±


    ¡°Talent inherited. Congratulations on achieving four life accomplishments:


    Mortal Level Achievements: one, Innate Limit; two, Born a descendant with a Spirit Root


    Yellow Level Achievements: one, Established a micro Cultivation Family; two, Slaying an Immortal with Mortal Strength (26/24)


    ¡°Achievement rewards: Two Mortal Level random rewards, two Yellow Level random rewards. A Yellow Level random reward can be split into three Mortal Level random rewards.


    You can draw from Constitution, Skill, and Talent or opt to upgrade the level of a talent. Please choose?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed; he hadn¡¯t realized the big prize was waiting for him here.


    What level would the Spirit Root Physique be?


    At least Yellow Level, right?


    After pondering for a moment and playing it safe, he chose to draw once for a Yellow Level Constitution.


    ¡°Drawing Constitution¡­¡±


    Watching countless yellow Light Balls falling rapidly on the fourth page of the Hundred Lifetimes Book, Zhao Sheng began to feel apprehensive.


    Suddenly, one of the Light Balls expanded rapidly before bursting and scattering into numerous Light Points.


    ¡°Congratulations on drawing the Four Spirit Roots Constitution, with the Spirit Root Attributes being Metal, Water, Wood, and Earth.¡±


    Upon seeing the results, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but curse out loud, ¡°Fuck, I can finally start cultivating. I¡¯ve been waiting for this day for so damn long. Heaven finally rewards those with perseverance!¡±


    Having his greatest wish fulfilled made Zhao Sheng extremely excited.


    He exulted for quite some time before calming down gradually.


    Now he had one Yellow and two Mortal, three chances to draw left.


    After much deliberation, Zhao Sheng decided to draw for a Mortal Level Talent first.


    ¡°Drawing Talent¡­ Congratulations on drawing the Mortal Level Talent, Rock Hand.¡±


    At that moment, an intangible message flooded into Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    [Rock Hand: Your hands are as steady as a rock]


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was somewhat speechless, thinking that cheap goods indeed were not of high quality.


    This talent wasn¡¯t even as good as Dynamic Vision.


    ¡°I choose a Yellow Level draw.¡±


    ¡°`


    ¡°Extracting¡­ Congratulations on drawing¡­¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Chonghe, Chonghe, are you alright?¡±


    When Zhao Sheng awoke once again from the darkness, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly reached his ears.


    His mind instantly became alert, and countless memories rapidly surfaced in his heart.


    Zhao Chonghe, sixteen years old this year, possesses four Spirit Roots ¡ª metal, water, wood, earth. His parents had passed away, and he had Qi Refining First Layer cultivation. He had just been knocked unconscious by an Azure Water Pearl in a contest with the second branch of his family, losing the opportunity to enter the Water Vein Cultivation Room.


    After fusing with Zhao Chonghe¡¯s memories, Zhao Sheng was surprised to discover that more than two hundred and eighty years had passed since his death.


    And the Zhao family had taken root near Dragon Carp Lake for nearly three hundred years, with the number of the family members exceeding fifty thousand, including thirty-one cultivators.


    Zhao Sheng felt very gratified; his descendants did not let him down.


    Seventy years after his death, Zhao Xuanlan successfully advanced to Foundation Establishment, and from then on, the Zhao family finally secured their footing and no longer needed to rely on the reputation of Han Xuanwu.


    Speaking of which, Han Xuanwu had already become a Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator while Zhao Sheng was alive, but unfortunately, he did not manage to reach Core Formation and eventually passed away at the age of two hundred and ten within the Purple Sun Sect.


    As he was sorting through the memories,


    his ears were bombarded with several calls, and his body was continuously shaken.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes reluctantly, and what appeared before him was a slender young girl with peachy cheeks and pearly teeth.


    The girl¡¯s name was Zhao Chongwei, with three Spirit Roots ¡ª metal, water, and wood, and Qi Refining Second Level cultivation.


    Both of them were from the Zhao family¡¯s major branch, with the generation names starting with Chong.


    In Cultivation Families, the generational hierarchy of cultivators is different from that based on bloodlines.


    The cultivation generational names are usually spaced every sixty years, while bloodline generational names are still decided by familial relations.


    The Zhao family¡¯s cultivation generations follow the sequence ¡°The Classic of Sincerity and Jade Declaration, Zhongzheng Chang Jinke, Essence of the Mystic Path¡±.


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongwei belonged to the same cultivation generation, but according to their bloodline relations, Zhao Sheng should call her Great-aunt. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Zhao Chongwei was only seventeen this year, so Zhao Chonghe usually addressed her as Little Great-aunt.


    But¡­


    Zhao Sheng was not accustomed to calling anyone Great-aunt.


    He opened his eyes and sat up from the ground, mumbling, ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡±


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirits down, Zhao Chongwei consoled him, ¡°Chonghe, don¡¯t lose heart! Next time, you will definitely win against Zhao Chongxia from the second branch.¡±


    Um,


    Zhao Sheng nodded, suddenly feeling a headache thinking of the information in his memories.


    The current situation of the Zhao family was a bit troublesome!


    Competing for the chance to consume a Foundation Establishment Pill, the internal division of the Zhao family was serious, with fierce infighting between the two branches.


    The cultivators of the major branch and second branch were as strangers to each other, their relationship nearly broken.


    To be honest, the seeds of this discord had been sown from the very beginning.


    The major branch of the Zhao family descended from Zhao Sheng¡¯s eldest son, Zhao Chenggong, while the second branch descended from Old Eight, Zhao Chengle.


    Originally, the two branches of the Zhao family were not very close, but because of the urgent need for people around Dragon Carp Lake back then, under the mediation of Ancestor Zhao Zhiqin, the two Zhao families eventually merged together.


    For the first hundred years, the second branch, having numerous cultivators and backed by Han Xuanwu, controlled most of the family¡¯s powers.


    Although Zhao Xuanyi from the major branch managed the family¡¯s matters and the family members, he was a mortal and could only play the role of a ¡°manager¡±.


    Especially after Zhao Xuanlan from the second branch successfully cultivated to Foundation Establishment, the entire Zhao family was completely led by the second branch.


    If it had stayed this way, it would have been fine; at least it wouldn¡¯t have led to the many disputes that later arose.


    However, fate is unpredictable!


    Zhao Xuanyi¡¯s son, Zhao Yujie, with both perseverance and luck, made a desperate gamble at the age of ninety-three and succeeded.


    At that time, with two people from the Zhao family having reached Foundation Establishment, their fame spread far and wide, intimidating the surrounding minor Cultivation Families, and the Zhao family¡¯s power expanded rapidly, with an increasing number of cultivators, reaching a golden age one hundred and eighty years ago.


    At that period, the Zhao family had over a hundred cultivators, two at Foundation Establishment, and more than ten in the Qi Refining Late Stage¡ªtheir strength was comparable to a thousand-year-old Foundation Establishment Cultivation Family.


    Ever more promising was that, through the mediation of Han Xuanwu, the Purple Sun Sect agreed to allow the Zhao family to continue renting Dragon Carp Lake for another two hundred years.

 Chapter 27 - 27 Bullet Time (Please follow)

    Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Bullet Time (Please follow)


    One hundred and fifty years ago, just a few years after Han Xuanwu had passed away, Zhao Xuanlan of the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer had suddenly disappeared during an outing, never to be heard from again.


    At that time, Zhao Yujie was the only Foundation Establishment Cultivator left in the Zhao family.


    Overnight, the Zhao family underwent a transformation.


    For the first time, the main branch took control of the family, starting to suppress the second branch both overtly and covertly.


    The reason for this was that the two branches of the Zhao family had never been close, and over the years, due to limited cultivation resources and unfair distribution, the relationship had always been lukewarm and full of disputes.


    Thus, it was no surprise that the main branch would choose to suppress the second branch once they came into power.


    The second branch benefitted from Han Xuanwu¡¯s legacy and had certain relations and connections in the Purple Sun Sect.


    Therefore, Zhao Yujie didn¡¯t dare to oppress them too blatantly, only resorting to small, subtle suppressions.


    Ninety years ago, Zhao Yujie passed away.


    Zhao Zhongge of the main branch advanced to Foundation Establishment and continued to dominate the Zhao family¡¯s power, also opting to covertly suppress the second branch.


    Until a year ago, when Zhao Zhongge died from severe injuries, the Zhao family suddenly found itself without a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, leaving the family¡¯s power in a vacuum.


    Consequently, the second branch, long suppressed for nearly one hundred fifty years under the leadership of Elder Zhao Jingang, suddenly erupted, confronting the main branch head-on.


    Over the past year, due to the unceasing internal strife between the two branches, the Zhao family¡¯s power significantly weakened, and relations between the branches rapidly deteriorated.


    Two months ago, the Zhao family used their family¡¯s resources to secure a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Afterward, the Zhao family¡¯s two branches quarreled incessantly over who should consume the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Were it not for the several neighboring Cultivation Forces eyeing them covetously, the main branch and the second branch might have already come to blows.


    However¡­


    While his thoughts swirled chaotically, Zhao Sheng got up from the ground and dusted off the dirt from his clothes.


    Looking at the clearly divided groups below the magic platform, he couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°Things haven¡¯t improved much.¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt something being slipped into his hand. Looking down, he saw it was a white porcelain pill bottle.


    He looked up at Zhao Chongwei, his expression complex.


    Without opening it, Zhao Sheng knew that the bottle contained a First Rank Spirit Origin Pill.


    The Spirit Origin Pill is the most commonly consumed elixir by Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators.


    There are ten pills in a bottle, with each bottle costing seven Spirit Stones¡ªa fair and unchanged price for a thousand years.


    Zhao Chongwei whispered, ¡°Hurry up and put it away; don¡¯t let anyone see it.¡±


    Zhao Sheng pushed the pill bottle back into her hands and shook his head, ¡°No need to give it to me; you keep it for your own cultivation. You have three spirit roots and a chance at reaching Foundation Establishment. The family gave you the Spirit Origin Pills hoping you would cultivate diligently and achieve Foundation Establishment soon. Remember not to let down the family¡¯s expectations!¡±


    Zhao Chongwei was taken aback at his words. She felt that since Zhao Chong had woken up, he seemed to have completely changed into a different person, suddenly becoming exceptionally mature and composed.


    Previously, he would always pester her for elixir pills and Spirit Stones, but now he was refusing them outright.


    Zhao Chongwei couldn¡¯t help but wonder in her heart, ¡°Could it be that a setback can really make a person mature so quickly?¡±


    Seeing her stunned and silent, Zhao Sheng decided to turn around and leave the magic platform.


    Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from behind them, ¡°Weiwei, what are you doing? Are you thinking of giving the Spirit Pill to that waste again?¡±


    As he spoke, a burly, square-faced, thin-lipped elder strode up to them.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at him and felt an instinctive revulsion.


    The elder, named Zhao Jinpeng, was known for his harsh and narrow-minded nature, always acting as a senior.


    Zhao Jinpeng was one of the seventeen Cultivators in the Zhao family¡¯s main branch, with a cultivation at the Qi Refining Fifth Level.


    For some reason, Zhao Jinpeng had always looked down on Zhao Sheng¡¯s former self, either berating or mocking him whenever they met.


    Seeing Zhao Jinpeng, Zhao Chongwei timidly defended herself, ¡°Sixth Grandpa, I wasn¡¯t.¡± Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Jinpeng glared at her, snatched the pill bottle from her hand, and said sternly, ¡°You say you weren¡¯t, what is this then? When our family is barely making ends meet, and we¡¯ve managed to allocate a few bottles of Spirit Origin Pills, are you going to give them to this waste?¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt extremely aggravated when he heard these words.


    ¡°Damn it, calling someone ¡®trash¡¯ over and over, doesn¡¯t this old man have a name?!¡±


    ¡°Who are you calling trash?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s face darkened, and he stared at Zhao Jinpeng.


    Zhao Jinpeng looked back at Zhao Sheng contemptuously and mocked, ¡°You are the trash. You¡¯ve been cultivating for five or six years and still can¡¯t beat a fourteen-year-old Zhao Chongxia. If you¡¯re not trash, then what are you? It¡¯s not just you; your father is the same, a Sixth Level Qi Refining Immortal Cultivator who couldn¡¯t even keep track of goods, deserved to die out there.¡±


    ¡°To insult one¡¯s parents, is that the behavior of an elder? I, Zhao Chonghe, will remember the humiliation of today. I leave you with these words, ¡®Bully not the old for failing to thrive, nor the young for their poverty!''¡±


    After dropping these harsh words, Zhao Sheng nodded at Zhao Chongwei, then turned and walked away.


    ¡°Chonghe, Chonghe!¡± Seeing Zhao Sheng stride off in anger, Zhao Chongwei hurriedly called out repeatedly.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jinpeng scolded, ¡°Weiwei, why are you calling that trash? Your turn is coming up next. You better get ready quickly.¡±


    ¡°Sixth Master, how can you say that? Chonghe is also from our main family.¡±


    ¡°He is just trash, whether he is there or not, it¡¯s all the same for the main family.¡±


    In a short exchange, Zhao Sheng had already walked far away.


    ¡­


    Upon returning to his small courtyard, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t wait to enter the cultivation room.


    Compared to the most important thing, cultivation, Zhao Jinpeng was nothing.


    By now, Zhao Sheng had already pushed him out of his mind.


    Before beginning his cultivation, Zhao Sheng quickly opened his book page to check his personal data:


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 16/97


    Realm: Qi Refining First Level


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystical Spirit Skill (Beginner)


    Spell: Spring Breeze and Rain Technique (Skilled), Waterdrop Sword (Beginner), Refraction Technique (Beginner)


    Talisman Making: First Rank Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman (Beginner), First Rank Golden Light Wall (Beginner)


    In the last two draws before his reincarnation, Zhao Sheng had drawn the Yellow Level talent Bullet Time and the Mortal Level constitution Primary Healing.


    Bullet Time (Yellow Level): Once activated, your consciousness will become incredibly focused, senses extremely sharp, and the whole world slows down many times over in your sight as if time has come to a standstill. Each activation lasts for two seconds.


    Primary Healing (Mortal Level): Depending on personal constitution, wound healing speed increases three to ten times.


    Zhao Sheng pondered as he read the descriptions.


    There¡¯s not much to say about Primary Healing, but Bullet Time seems very interesting.


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng discarded all distractions, and his consciousness gradually focused.


    As his consciousness converged to a point, it was like suddenly piercing through an invisible barrier. Zhao Sheng suddenly found that the world before his eyes had nearly ¡°paused.¡±


    The once fluid world moved as slow as frame-by-frame movie scenes.


    No, it was ten times slower than that.


    Under extremely sharp spiritual sensing, countless invisible particles of water vapor also suddenly became visible.


    Fluffy fungi of strange shapes, coarse dust, round water vapor,


    All sorts of bizarre tiny particles became clearly visible in his ¡°vision.¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt incredibly fascinated, as if he were seeing a brand new world.

 Chapter 28 - 28: The First Cultivation and the Arrangements of a Past Life

    Chapter 28: Chapter 28: The First Cultivation and the Arrangements of a Past Life


    ¡°`


    Two seconds later, the world returned to normal, and Zhao Sheng instantly ¡°fell¡± out of the time-stop status.


    It was magical, it was wonderful!


    It was only two seconds, yet Zhao Sheng felt as if the entire process lasted at least a minute.


    Two seconds VS one minute!


    In a sense, it meant that time had slowed down by thirty times.


    What did that mean?


    Zhao Sheng hadn¡¯t fully grasped it yet, but he knew that in any world, any ability or talent involving time was exceedingly rare.


    With a single Yellow-Level draw, he had drawn the talent ¡°Bullet Time.¡±


    It had to be said, he had hit the jackpot this time!


    After experimenting with his newfound talent, Zhao Sheng calmed his mood and began his first cultivation in this life.


    In the quiet room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused, his spirit quickly entering a state of emptiness and clarity.


    It seemed like a long time had passed, yet it felt like just an instant.


    In the darkness surrounding Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, suddenly, particles of spiritual energy appeared densely packed and in various colors.


    Some were red as fire, some green as wood, some dark as the abyss, some bright as gold, some yellow as earth. There were also flecks of pure white like ice, deep blue like lightning, and green darkness like the wind.


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed to see this scene, knowing that the first step of sensing spiritual energy was successful. The next step was to activate the vortex of spirit power in his dantian using the Nourishing God Skill, absorb the surrounding spiritual energy particles, and then begin the refining and fusion process.


    The Nourishing God Skill Zhao Sheng practiced was called ¡°Colorful Cloud Chasing Moon.¡± Regard the spirit as the moon, and spiritual energy as the clouds. The skill is named Colorful Cloud Chasing Moon, but in reality, it¡¯s the moon that moves and the clouds that follow.


    Simply put, it involves using one¡¯s consciousness, the embryo of Divine Sense, to activate the vortex of Spirit Power. This pulls the spiritual energy particles into the vortex, refines and fuses them based on their attributes, while also discarding ¡°impurities,¡± ultimately strengthening the Spirit Power.


    The entire cultivation process can be described in the phrase ¡°Nourish the Spirit, Refine the Qi, Remove the Dross, Preserve the Essence.¡±


    Why do cultivators with fewer spirit roots cultivate faster?


    This has to do with ¡°removing the dross and preserving the essence,¡± which simply means purifying and removing impurities.


    Given the same amount of time and equal quantity of spiritual energy particles absorbed, cultivators with Five Spirits Roots will absorb five types of particles but can only refine one type, with the other four being impurities.


    On the other hand, cultivators with a Single Spirit Root only absorb one type of particle, eliminating the process of discarding impurities.


    Other factors notwithstanding, just from this point of view, the cultivation speed of a Single Spirit Root is at least five times that of Five Spirits Roots.


    This is why all Cultivation Forces treasure cultivators with a Single Spirit Root, viewing them as supreme treasures.


    Zhao Sheng possessed Four Spirit Roots ¡ª gold, water, earth, and wood ¡ª and was cultivating the Water Element Technique ¡°Mystical Spirit Skill.¡±


    The Mystical Spirit Skill wasn¡¯t highly ranked, and in the Cultivation World, it wasn¡¯t considered particularly precious, but it was extensively pervasive.


    Many cultivators chose it as their main cultivation method. They favored Mystical Spirit Skill for its balanced and stable nature, a characteristic that reduced the likelihood of one becoming a Fallen Demon, and the Spirit Power cultivated was known for its purity.


    However, the downside of Mystical Spirit Skill was also quite apparent: it was slow. Not only was the purification and fusion process slow, but the speed at which cultivation increased was even slower.


    But in Zhao Sheng¡¯s view, the slowness of Mystical Spirit Skill wasn¡¯t a disadvantage,


    because he had plenty of time. If not in this life, then in the next.


    Under the state of spiritual introspection, Zhao Sheng ¡°saw¡± the vortex of pitch-black Spirit Power deep in his dantian begin to ¡°rotate¡± slowly under the drive of his consciousness.


    An invisible force of attraction formed and gradually, particles of spiritual energy of gold, wood, water, and earth were drawn into the vortex.


    Afterward, the particles of gold, wood, and earth were ¡°cast out¡± of his body while the Water Element Spirit Qi was slowly crushed and gradually merged into the Spirit Power.


    As time passed, Zhao Sheng felt his consciousness gradually weaken, and a faint pain began to emerge at his brow.


    Continuing to cultivate, the throbbing pain in his brow became more pronounced, eventually turning into a stabbing pain as sharp as needles.


    Zhao Sheng knew this was a sign of severe spiritual exhaust, and it was time to end this cultivation session.


    He took a long breath, stopped activating the technique, and exited the state of empty clarity.


    ¡°Haha!¡±


    ¡°`


    ¡°`


    After waking up, Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and suddenly burst into loud laughter.


    That night, at midnight, the moon appeared hazy, with light clouds and a gentle breeze.


    By the banks of Dragon Carp Lake, Zhao Sheng, dressed in a black robe, found a large rock about the height of two men on the shore.


    He circled the rock and quickly started digging under a corner-shaped protrusion.


    A short while later, Zhao Sheng dug out a package from a three-feet-deep pit.


    Unwrapping the package, he found over a hundred milky-white, eyeball-sized low-grade Spirit Stones, a three-inch-long ancient bronze flying sword, three dark crystal shards, and a dismal green small arrow.


    The ancient bronze flying sword was a First Order Mid-grade flying sword, equivalent to an ordinary First-rank top-grade magic tool. Its value was around seven hundred and fifty Spirit Stones.


    It was Zhao Sheng¡¯s spoils of war, obtained from a Qi Refining Fourth Level medicine collector.


    The dark crystal shards were a First-tier rare refining material called Mystic Wave Crystal, each worth a few dozen low-grade Spirit Stones.


    The most precious was the dismal green small arrow. It was a one-time self-exploding magic tool, highly toxic and corrosive. Once hit by it, even someone at the late stage of Qi Refining would be severely injured, and any hesitation could lead to immediate death from the poison.


    These Spirit Stones, magic tools, and refining materials were one of the contingencies left behind by Zhao Sheng in his previous life.


    Now, they indeed came into use.


    ¡­


    One month later,


    In the quiet room, Zhao Sheng awoke from meditation, suddenly sporting an excited smile.


    After a month of grueling closed-door cultivation, he had finally broken through to the Qi Refining Second Level realm.


    Of course, the cost was not small; he had finished six bottles of Spirit Origin Pills in one go.


    Six sevens equal forty-two.


    While forty-two Spirit Stones might not seem much, they are enough to buy a First-rank low-grade magical artifact.


    An average early stage Qi Refining Loose Cultivator wouldn¡¯t earn fifty Spirit Stones in a year.


    Compared to those hard-struggling Loose Cultivators, Zhao Sheng was already extravagant.


    But when compared with Sect Disciples, this wasn¡¯t much at all.


    These Spirit Origin Pills were exchanged from the family clan¡¯s treasury.


    There was a member of the Zhao family named Zhao Keru, the only alchemist in the Zhao family. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Spirit Origin Pills were made by him.


    In Zhao Sheng¡¯s plan, learning alchemy was an essential Cultivation Art.


    However, as alchemy consumed too many Spirit Stones and his current conditions didn¡¯t permit it, he planned to start with talisman painting.


    Talisman painting had the lowest entry barrier among the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation; all it required were a magic pen, spiritual ink, and talisman paper.


    Fortunately, his former self had a foundation in talisman painting.


    After leaving the quiet room, Zhao Sheng was suddenly greeted by his personal servant Zhao Tai, who was waiting anxiously at the door, with a look of distress.


    As soon as he saw Zhao Sheng come out, Zhao Tai immediately shouted, ¡°Young master, it¡¯s bad! You must go and see! The elders are about to get into a fight with people from the second branch.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and he said in a deep voice, ¡°Don¡¯t panic, what happened?¡±


    Zhao Tai quickly explained, ¡°This morning, the elder from the second branch, along with people from the Wei Family, suddenly came storming in, demanding to settle some issues with us.¡±


    Hearing that it was the Wei Family, Zhao Sheng¡¯s frown deepened.


    The Li Mountain Wei Family was a marital ally of the Zhao family, with the Wei Family¡¯s residence two hundred miles southwest of Dragon Carp Lake at the base of Li Mountain, beneath which lay a First-level top-grade spirit vein.


    The Wei Family had one Foundation Establishment Cultivator and seven at the Late Stage of Qi Refining. Their strength was a notch above the current Zhao family.


    Thinking of elder Zhao Jingang¡¯s behavior and manner, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt the looming sense of an approaching storm.


    The presence of the Wei Family was not a good sign; they were likely after the Foundation Establishment Pills, or perhaps their target was the Zhao family itself.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 29 - 29 Zhao Family

    Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Zhao Family ¡°Tongxin¡± Hall


    The Cultivation World has always been a place where the strong prey on the weak!


    The Zhao family is now in constant internal strife, with enemies lurking all around. Without a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to preside, it¡¯s when their strength is at its weakest.


    Apart from the Wei Family, other Cultivation forces such as the Lan Family and Xiaofeng Valley around Dragon Carp Lake are likely eyeing the Zhao family as juicy prey.


    Once a fatal flaw is exposed, the Zhao family will inevitably face the danger of being divided and devoured by the surrounding powers.


    Thinking of this, Zhao Sheng immediately asked, ¡°Where are they now?¡±


    ¡°At the Unity Hall on Yanyue Island,¡± Zhao Tai replied without a second thought.


    Zhao Sheng was stunned at the words and felt a sudden thump in his heart, realizing something was terribly wrong.


    Yanyue Island was the most core and secret place of the Zhao family, where outsiders were not allowed to enter.


    That¡¯s because it was the location of the Dragon Carp Lake Defensive Array and also the Zhao family¡¯s last refuge in the event of existential threat.


    The fact that members of the second branch were now bringing people from the Wei Family into Yanyue Island was clearly a case of letting the wolf into the house.


    ¡­


    Yanyue Island, situated on the eastern side of the Dragon Carp Lake, is surrounded by water on three sides, with only a three-mile plank road connecting it to the mainland, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.


    As Zhao Sheng rushed to the plank road, he found two unfamiliar Cultivators wearing dark talismanic crowns guarding the entrance.


    ¡°Stop!


    Sure enough, as he tried to enter Yanyue Island, he was immediately blocked by the two men.


    Zhao Sheng sized up his opponents and knew they were from the Wei Family.


    The dark talismanic crown was the most famous symbol of the Li Mountain Wei Family.


    He immediately shouted, ¡°Step aside, I need to get inside!¡±


    One of them laughed without responding to Zhao Sheng, instead posing a counter question, ¡°Are you really unaware or pretending not to know?¡±


    ¡°Know what?¡± Zhao Sheng asked.


    The other Wei Family Cultivator retorted sharply, ¡°You¡¯re too late. Go back to wherever you came from.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had a thought and cried out loud, ¡°I am a member of the Zhao clan, and the elder Zhao Jingang is my Third Master. It is only right for me to enter Yanyue Island! Besides, I am on my way to lend a helping hand. Aren¡¯t you guys from the Wei Family invited by my second uncle to assist us? Are you now thinking of siding with the major branch?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was not lying; Zhao Jingang really was his ¡°second uncle,¡± albeit the blood relationship was distant, spanning more than seven or eight generations.


    ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re from the second branch? Why didn¡¯t you say so earlier? Hurry in, you might be able to help with something.¡±


    As soon as they heard Zhao Sheng belonged to the ¡°second branch,¡± the two from the Wei Family hurriedly cleared the way.


    Zhao Sheng cupped his hands in thanks and said, ¡°You two have worked hard, make sure not to let anyone from the major branch in. Once this business is settled, I will definitely commend your efforts to the Third Master on your behalf.¡±


    ¡°Oh no, not at all! You give us too much credit, young brother. We are just following orders,¡± the two from the Wei Family said humbly, but their eager eyes betrayed them.


    Zhao Sheng smiled, nodded at them, and quickly passed between them and into Yanyue Island.


    The three-mile plank road passed in a flash, and far away, he could see the palace-like Unity Hall on Yanyue Island.


    Seeing that the island¡¯s protective array was not activated, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart sank, and he quickened his pace.


    As there was no one guarding the main entrance of the Unity Hall, Zhao Sheng easily walked inside.


    No sooner had he entered the Unity Hall than the sound of a heated argument between two people reached Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears.


    Zhao Sheng saw that the Cultivation members of the two branches of the Zhao family were each occupying one side of the main hall, confronting each other.


    On the left side were people from the major branch. They were few in number; including Zhao Sheng there were barely eleven¡ªothers were either managing the workshop or were out and had not returned.


    On the other hand, the second branch had all fourteen Cultivation family members present, along with several unfamiliar Cultivators.


    Needless to say, these strangers were all from the Wei Family.


    At that moment in the center of the Unity Hall, two Zhao Family Elders were squabbling like fishwives, berating each other and lacking any of the usual dignity and authority.


    ¡°`


    Among the two men, the one with a lean figure and a stern face was Zhao Jinding, an elder from the main branch of the Zhao Family. He had attained the realm of Qi Refining Great Perfection, possessing extraordinary strength. In his early years, he had single-handedly defeated two late-stage Qi-Refining independent practitioners of the same realm.


    Zhao Jingang appeared to be a kindly old man with a ruddy complexion, very white skin, and a chubby physique. In reality, he was ruthless, shrewd, and deeply cunning, having solidified his second branch into a unified front early on.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes suddenly narrowed, and he immediately lowered his head, quickly walking towards the side of the main branch.


    At that moment, a gaunt elder wearing a blood-red talisman crown behind Zhao Jingang glanced towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s side before quickly looking away, continuing to watch with keen interest as the Zhao Family elders squabbled.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng felt a heavy weight in his heart, secretly fretting, ¡°Wei Chengwo, the Foundation Establishment Ancestor from the Wei Family, has actually come himself! This is bad.¡±


    Upon approaching the main branch¡¯s side, one could see that a small portion of the family members were full of indignation, but the majority had a grave expression, their faces pale.


    Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the second branch was well-prepared, even inviting the Wei Family Foundation Establishment Ancestor.


    Clearly, they would not rest until their goals were achieved today. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The current situation was extremely unfavorable for the main branch!


    Zhao Sheng, like an inconspicuous presence, blended into the crowd of the main branch¡¯s people, standing beside Zhao Chongwei at the very back.


    ¡°Chongwei, how did you manage to get in?¡± Zhao Chongwei, with a worried expression, asked anxiously upon seeing Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand and whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about that now. What¡¯s the current situation? What demands has the second branch made?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongwei said angrily, ¡°The second branch not only wants Foundation Establishment Pills, but they also want us to hand over the storeroom, the Scripture Storage Tower, and eight cultivation rooms.¡±


    Goodness me!


    The second branch has quite the appetite, not afraid of bursting their belly.


    ¡®Dharma, Wealth, Comrades, and Place¡¯ are the four essential elements of cultivation. The second branch wants to seize three of them straight away, which is clearly an attempt to usurp power.


    Such exorbitant demands will definitely not be agreed upon by the main branch.


    ¡°But now that the second branch has the upper hand, what countermeasures does the main branch have?¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    Who holds the power between the two branches of the Zhao Family is not of much concern to Zhao Sheng¡ªafter all, they are all his kin.


    However, he was extremely wary of the Wei Family!


    Zhao Sheng was not afraid of the Wei Family launching a direct attack on Dragon Carp Lake; with the Hundred-Year Token in hand, the Wei Family wouldn¡¯t dare to make an open move.


    But if they planned to move in secret, with internal traitors from the second branch, the Zhao Family would indeed be in danger.


    Zhao Sheng stood quietly as part of the backdrop, rapidly contemplating the future course for the Zhao Family.


    At this time, the bickering between the elders of the two branches also escalated, reaching a fever pitch.


    The two are indeed strong figures, as indicated by ¡®Ding¡¯ and ¡®Gang¡¯ in their names.


    One truly holding firm, the other truly unyielding!


    The verbal fight had escalated to this stage, where they dared to expose all kinds of dirty laundry.


    Adultery, embezzlement, misconduct, substituting inferior goods for good ones, corruption, framing¡ªeach and every messy affair.


    This made Zhao Sheng¡¯s face turn dark with anger, his fury at the brink!


    What a disappointment the descendants are!


    No wonder the Zhao Family has seen harder days with each passing year, and in recent years, they¡¯ve even struggled to distribute the spiritual salaries to clan members.


    But alongside his anger, Zhao Sheng also found something strange.


    The day¡¯s turn of events was truly very peculiar.


    In his predecessor¡¯s memory, Zhao Jinding and Zhao Jingang, the two family elders, always cared about their image and should not have been this undignified, openly hurling insults in front of the younger clan members.


    It was odd as if both were deliberately stalling for time.


    Seeing that the argument would lead nowhere, Wei Chengwo, the Foundation Establishment Ancestor from the Wei Family, coughed and suddenly stood up.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 30 - 30 Visitors from Purple Sun

    Chapter 30: Chapter 30 Visitors from Purple Sun


    People are the trees, and their reputation is the shadow!


    No one dared to ignore a Foundation Establishment Cultivator once they revealed themselves.


    The two great clan elders nearly stopped their quarreling at the same time and turned their attention to Wei Chengwo.


    Satisfied with the reaction, Wei Chengwo nodded and spoke, ¡°Listen to me, both of you. You are all descendants of the Zhao family, and blood is thicker than water. There really isn¡¯t any deep-seated hatred among you, so don¡¯t let a single Foundation Establishment Pill ruin your harmony.¡±


    Having said that, he turned his head to Zhao Jinding and persuaded him, ¡°Jinding, you were also one I watched grow up. As your in-law and senior, let me speak a word of justice. Over the past hundred years, has the second branch of the Zhao family ever received even one Foundation Establishment Pill?¡±


    ¡°That is¡ª¡±


    Just as Zhao Jinding started to argue, he was suppressed by Wei Chengwo¡¯s Foundation Establishment might.


    ¡°So, in my opinion, it is now the second branch¡¯s turn for the Foundation Establishment Pill. It just so happens that Jingang has ascended to the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm. Giving him the pill to use would not be a waste at all.¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At these words, the people of the second branch were ecstatic, while the members of the main branch were all extremely dejected.


    At this moment, Zhao Jinding suddenly let out a muffled grunt, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.


    By self-harm, he broke free from Wei Chengwo¡¯s constraint, saying angrily, ¡°This is a family matter of the Zhao family. Senior Wei, by overstepping your boundaries like this, you have broken the fairness of the Cultivation World.¡±


    Hmph!


    At this, Zhao Jingang suddenly snorted coldly, ¡°You still have the nerve to speak of fairness. Fairness resides in the hearts of the people! Ancestor Wei couldn¡¯t stand your main branch any longer and thus spoke a word of justice. What his excellency said is right, it is indeed our second branch¡¯s turn this time.¡±


    ¡°How audacious, Zhao Jingang! You actually defied the ancestral teachings by allowing outsiders into the Unity Hall. Do you even have the ancestors in your eyes? When you die, how will you explain this to the ancestors?¡± Zhao Jinding said, burning with rage.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng thought, ¡°The ancestors are watching here, what¡¯s there to explain. With your embarrassing behavior, it¡¯s like rats giving birth to a litter, each generation worse than the last.¡±


    Zhao Jingang sneered, about to say something.


    But just then, suddenly, three people walked into the Unity Hall from outside.


    The one walking in the middle was a middle-aged cultivator wearing a purple robe embroidered with a small golden sword.


    This person had fiery red hair and a golden complexion, his powerful physique not the least bit concealing his strong Foundation Establishment presence.


    On his left side was an old woman with chicken-skin and crane-hair, and on his right was a young man, good-looking and suave with a sunny and cheerful disposition. However, his long, narrow fox-like eyes slightly marred his cheerful demeanor.


    ¡°A Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Purple Sun Sect!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s great, Jinfu has brought people to save us.¡±


    ¡°Yes, with Jinfu here, let¡¯s see how the second branch can continue to act so arrogant.¡±


    The main branch, like water hitting hot oil, immediately erupted, and everyone soon showed looks of excitement, lifting their heads and puffing out their chests.


    The reinforcements they had been desperately waiting for had finally arrived!


    In contrast, the people from the second branch looked as if they were in mourning.


    Zhao Sheng, upon seeing the timely arrival of the young man, also heaved a sigh of relief. After observing the reactions of Zhao Jingang and Wei Chengwo, his heart tightened again.


    For good reason!


    The two were too composed, showing no signs of panic.


    The one to know was named Zhao Jinfu, indeed a member of the main branch of the Zhao family and the direct descendant of Zhao Zhongge of the Foundation Establishment realm. There was no need to question his allegiance.


    Zhao Jinfu was born with Metal, Fire, and Wood three spirit roots, with the Metal Spirit Root accounting for seventy percent of his talent¡ªa talent unmatched in the three hundred-year history of the Zhao family.


    Six years ago, he was accepted into the Purple Sun Sect. At merely twenty-eight years old, he had already reached the Qi Refining Seventh Level Realm.


    With an excited expression, Zhao Jinding waved his hands saying, ¡°Jinfu, you¡¯ve finally arrived! Is this senior someone you invited?¡±


    As he spoke, he looked toward the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Purple Sun Sect with a reverent expression.


    However, there was not a trace of a smile on Zhao Jinfu¡¯s face.


    He asked coldly, ¡°The Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman is only to be used in the most dangerous of times. Each family has only one, and yet you dared to use it for such a trifling matter. It seems I was right! The Zhao Family is rotten to the core.¡±


    ¡°Jinfu, what¡­ what do you mean by that?¡± Zhao Jinding asked in astonishment and confusion upon hearing this.


    Zhao Jinfu raised his voice and said word by word in front of everyone, ¡°I said the Zhao Family is rotten to the core, this family is not worth staying in!¡±


    As soon as these words were uttered, there was an uproar among the crowd, including the second branch of the family.


    Quarrels are quarrels, fights are fights! In truth, within the entire Zhao Family, Zhao Jinfu was the only one most likely to achieve Foundation Establishment,


    The reason the Zhao Family had been living so frugally over the years was largely due to the massive investment of cultivation resources into Zhao Jinfu.


    Despite the two clan elders nearly coming to blows over the Foundation Establishment Pill, it was uncertain if either of them could achieve Foundation Establishment, as no one in the Zhao Family had any certainty.


    After all, a ten percent success rate for Foundation Establishment is too low, and not everyone is as ¡°lucky¡± as Ancestor Yu Jie.


    At this point, Zhao Jingang suddenly stepped in to try to smooth things over, ¡°Jinfu, what are you saying? You are the direct descendant of the Central Pavilion Ancestor; if not the Zhao Family, where else could you go?¡±


    That was when the old crone with her chicken-skin and crane-hair suddenly spoke up, her voice in stark contrast to her appearance, strikingly crisp and clear.


    ¡°He can come back to the Wei Family with me!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jinding immediately burst out in a thunderous rage, shouting, ¡°Who are you? This is our Zhao Family¡¯s private affair. What right does an outsider have to intervene?¡±


    Smack!


    Before his words had even finished echoing, a giant earthen-yellow palm flashed by, and Zhao Jinding was abruptly slapped away, falling to the ground and spitting blood repeatedly.


    ¡°A Foundation Establishment Cultivator!¡±


    Nobody had expected this unremarkable old crone to also be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    ¡°Presumptuous!¡± The old woman uttered those two words coldly.


    Silence instantly fell upon Unity Hall.


    Heh heh!


    At that moment, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Purple Sun Sect suddenly chuckled twice, stepped forward, and cheerfully said, ¡°I received a sect mission, which was originally for rescue. Before I came, I thought the Zhao Family was almost done for. Now it seems it¡¯s all just a farce!¡±


    He then continued, his tone suddenly turning icy, and scolded harshly, ¡°What foolishness! Is this what my Purple Sun Sect¡¯s Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman is to be used for?


    The Zhao Family has been a great disappointment. For you worthless bunch, Grandmaster Han exhausted all his connections and favors to renew the lease of Dragon Carp Lake for your family for another two hundred years. Now, it appears he was completely mistaken!¡±


    ¡°May I ask Senior, what is your relationship with Grandmaster Han?¡± Zhao Jingang asked, still uncertain and bewildered.


    Zhao Jinfu took the opportunity to introduce him, ¡°Junior Master Chen¡¯s master is Sword Obsession Daoist.¡±


    When the Zhao Family heard this, they instantly understood.


    Sword Obsession Daoist was Grandmaster Han Xuanwu¡¯s foremost disciple and had a good relationship with the Zhao Family back in the day, especially, more precisely, with the second branch.


    Zhao Jingang¡¯s face brightened with joy, and he happily said, ¡°So it¡¯s our own people! Senior Chen, this junior, Zhao Jingang, is from the second branch of the Zhao Family. My apologies for earlier.¡±


    This ¡°Junior Master Chen¡± swung his hand, launching a streak of sword light, stopping Zhao Jingang from performing the kowtowing gesture.


    At the same time, he spoke in a mild tone, ¡°Grandmaster Han is the man I, Chen Zichuan, respect the most. You of the second branch carry his bloodline, so spare the formalities.¡±


    Zhao Jingang¡¯s expression grew even more excited, and he promptly withdrew his kowtowing gesture.

 Chapter 31 - 31 Mr. Zhao is Dispensable (Please Follow)

    Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Mr. Zhao is Dispensable (Please Follow)


    In just a few short sentences, the members of the main house had already seen which way the wind was blowing.


    It seemed that the reinforcements they had asked for were not allies but unwelcome guests!


    The people of the main house were dumbfounded, as was the blood-spitting Zhao Jinding.


    At that moment, Wei Chengwo, unwilling to be left out, stepped forward with a friendly tone, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Mr. Chen to be so close to the second house. I am Wei Chengwo, related by marriage to the second house. It would seem that we are not strangers to each other.¡±


    Chen Zichuan gave Wei Chengwo a look and immediately engaged in pleasantries with him.


    In the time it takes to exchange a few words, the two had subtly drawn closer together.


    Seeing Chen Zichuan going off track, the old crone intentionally reminded him, ¡°Mr. Chen, we must attend to the pressing matter at hand!¡±


    Chen Zichuan nodded, ceased talking about other matters, and then said to Zhao Jingang, ¡°Let me introduce him. This is Senior Wei from the Fulong Wei Family of the West Desolate Continent, a high-level individual in the late stage of Foundation Establishment.¡±


    ¡°Senior Wei, greetings!¡± Zhao Jingang hastily bowed in salute.


    Chen Zichuan continued, ¡°Senior Wei is here today for his nephew Jinfu, to be precise, to take his nephew back to the Wei Family to recognize his ancestry and return to his clan.¡±


    What?


    Recognize his ancestry and return to his clan?!


    Isn¡¯t Zhao Jinfu one of us from the Zhao family? How has he suddenly become a member of the Wei Family?


    The Zhao Family Members in Unity Hall were all confused.


    However, the elders, such as those from the ¡®Jin¡¯ and ¡®Ke¡¯ generations, had all turned pale at this point.


    This matter touched upon a highly secretive and shameful incident within the Zhao family, unknown to the younger members, but crystal clear to them.


    It was said that, back in the day, the Central Pavilion Ancestor Zhao Zhongge had a granddaughter named Zhao Changzhi who was extremely favored by the old Ancestor.


    But what she did that year brought shame upon the family.


    Zhao Changzhi went out for half a year.


    Upon her return, it was discovered she was pregnant; worse still, the child was illegitimate,


    Everyone asked her who the father was, but Zhao Changzhi refused to speak a word about it to her death.


    That year, because of this incident, Zhao Zhongge flew into a furious rage. After Zhao Changzhi gave birth, she was married off far away.


    From then on, she became a taboo subject in the Zhao Family, not to be mentioned by anyone.


    If someone were to ask, the reply would merely be that she died in childbirth.


    What no one anticipated, however, was that this illegitimate child would be born with a Spirit Root and possess exceptional Talent, intelligence surpassing that of ordinary people.


    ¡°No good, could it be that Jinfu¡¯s father is someone from the Wei Family?¡±


    With this realization, a foreboding feeling arose in the hearts of those who knew the truth.


    At this time, Zhao Jinding struggled to his feet from the ground, rushed forward, and argued loudly, ¡°You¡¯re mistaken! Jinfu is a direct descendant of my Zhao family, he could not possibly belong to your Wei Family.¡±


    The old crone sneered, ¡°The old woman has already tested him with a third-tier Bloodline Talisman. He definitely has the blood of my Wei Family¡ªand the blood relation is very close to that of our family Ancestor. Could a third-tier Bloodline Talisman make a mistake?¡±


    A Bloodline Talisman, of course, couldn¡¯t be wrong¡ªespecially not a third-tier one.


    Zhao Jinding was rendered speechless but still held onto a sliver of hope as he looked towards Zhao Jinfu.


    ¡°Jinfu, you¡ª¡±


    Zhao Jinfu abruptly interrupted his next words and spoke with an indifferent tone, ¡°My father has the Wei surname, so naturally, I also carry the Wei surname. I don¡¯t need this Zhao surname. From today on, I shall rename myself Wei Fu and have nothing more to do with you Zhao Family folks.¡±


    ¡°You beast! Where has the Zhao Family wronged you over the years, you¡­¡±


    Zhao Jinding shook with rage. While the old Ancestor¡¯s body was still warm, Zhao Jinfu heartlessly cast aside the grace of being raised by the Zhao Family and went off to seek refuge with the so-called Wei Family.


    Pah, did the Wei Family ever feed you a single meal, a drop of milk!


    ¡°You beast!¡± Zhao Jinding rushed forward, intending to beat him up, not caring about anything else.


    The Zhao family members were filled with righteous indignation, wishing they could kill this ungrateful beast.


    Well, except for Zhao Sheng.


    He, on the other hand, thought this was a good opportunity, perhaps a chance to be reborn into the Wei Family.


    From Chen Zichuan¡¯s unusually respectful attitude towards the old woman, it was clear that this so-called Fulong Wei Family was no simple matter!


    Zhao Chongwei also wept, murmuring in complaint, ¡°Jinfu, you are a descendant of the direct lineage of the Zhao family¡¯s main house! How could you, how could you¡­ change your surname!¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡± With a flick of her sleeve, the old woman who seemed eager to rush up and hit someone, once again sent Zhao Jinding flying far away with a slap, tumbling seven or eight times on the ground, blood pouring from all seven orifices.


    Zhao Jingang, however, remained very calm, thought over his words, and asked, ¡°Jinfu, what¡¯s so good about the Wei Family, that even if the Wei Family is stronger than the Zhao family, you are still the Zhao family¡¯s direct grandson? Once you reach Foundation Establishment, the Zhao family will eventually be passed on to you.¡±


    A hint of mockery crossed Zhao Jinfu¡¯s face as he said with resentment, ¡°The Zhao family!? Look at the two branches of the Zhao family members, fighting and scheming against each other over a mere Foundation Establishment Pill, colluding with outsiders!¡±


    Pointing at the plaque with the words ¡®Unity Hall¡¯ written on it, he said, ¡°Hmph, Unity Hall. What a joke! The Zhao family, I despise! To be of the Zhao family, I refuse!¡±


    He pulled out a Storage Bag, ¡°These are the things that the Zhao family has given me over the years, today I will return them double to you all!¡±


    Zhao Jinfu¡¯s gaze passed over each member of the main house and also landed on the calm-looking Zhao Sheng.


    He was surprised; he hadn¡¯t expected such a person to exist in the main house.


    After observing his appearance, Zhao Jinfu suddenly remembered that this man seemed to be called Zhao Chonghe.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, he made a decision in his heart, saying, ¡°The Zhao family is rotten to the core, there¡¯s only one person who is barely acceptable in my eyes. Today, I will entrust these things to him to handle.¡±


    With that, he tossed the Storage Bag into Zhao Sheng¡¯s arms.


    ¡°From now on, I have nothing to do with the Zhao family of Dragon Carp Lake!¡±


    Having said this, Zhao Jinfu turned and walked away without a hint of nostalgia, striding out of Unity Hall.


    ¡°Heh, the Zhao family!¡±


    The old woman from the Wei Family laughed coldly and followed Zhao Jinfu out.


    In her eyes, the Zhao family, which didn¡¯t even have a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, was simply a joke, not even worthy of carrying the Wei Family¡¯s shoes.


    Wei Chengwo watched the Wei Family¡¯s old woman leave, thinking that this farce should also come to an end.


    So, he gave Zhao Jingang a look.


    Zhao Jingang understood and nodded slightly.


    He walked up to Zhao Sheng and demanded, ¡°Hand it over!¡±


    Zhao Sheng took a step back and said nothing.


    Because he didn¡¯t need to speak, the people of the main house exploded first.


    ¡°Pah, old thing, if you want to rob the Storage Bag, you have to ask if we, the main house, agree.¡±


    ¡°Jinfu is one of our main house¡¯s own, the Storage Bag was also given to our main house. Naturally, we should handle it.¡±


    ¡°Chonghe, come here quickly! Guard the items well, don¡¯t let them be taken away.¡±


    All the Zhao family members knew how many resources the family had invested in Zhao Jinfu over the years.


    It was enough to buy another Foundation Establishment Pill and still have plenty to spare, let alone double that amount.


    Cultivation people are extremely pragmatic, knowing that Zhao Jinfu had his heart set on severing ties with the family.


    Since the situation was irretrievable, most family members quickly shifted their thoughts, turning their attention to Zhao Sheng.


    Their eyes were full of greed, longing, and jealousy. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Don¡¯t blame them for being shallow and clumsy in their behavior.


    They have had enough of those years of hardship.


    Those days when they wished they could split a Spirit Stone in half to make it last, they were truly fed up with.

 Chapter 32 - 32: Choosing the Family Head and Lease Renewal Approaches

    Chapter 32: Chapter 32: Choosing the Family Head and Lease Renewal Approaches


    Zhao Jinpeng, who usually had nothing but contempt for Zhao Sheng, now rushed up like a madman, blocking in front of him, and berated Zhao Jingang furiously:


    ¡°You shameless old thing! That beast had already said it should be left to our main branch to handle. And yet you dare to come and snatch it! Have you forgotten the ancestral rules of our family? Don¡¯t forget that the Zhao family is still headed by our main branch.¡±


    Zhao Jingang retorted, ¡°Speaking of rules, have you forgotten that I am also one of the family elders? In the absence of the Family Head, I have the right to deal with any matters concerning the Zhao family.¡±


    Upon hearing the words ¡®Family Head,¡¯ Zhao Jinpeng¡¯s complexion changed, and his momentum faltered.


    In years past, to suppress the seccond branch, starting from Ancestor Yu Jie, the position of Family Head of the Zhao family was held concurrently by Foundation Establishment Ancestors.


    However, the last Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Zhao family died too suddenly, failing to pass on the position of family head before leaving this world.


    This was also one of the reasons why the conflict between the two branches had escalated so rapidly.


    It was at this moment that Chen Zichuan suddenly threw out a casual remark, ¡°In that case, why don¡¯t you just choose a new Family Head now?¡±


    Wei Chengwo picked up the conversation perfectly, ¡°Mr. Chen makes a fair point. As your in-law, I agree. Who objects?¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, they were like the Stabilizing Pillar, instantly calming the situation.


    With both Foundation Establishment Cultivators having made their stance clear, how was the main branch supposed to play this?


    Before long, some astute individuals sensed something was amiss.


    It was clear that these two had planned this in advance, backing the second branch all along!


    Chen Zichuan then added, ¡°To follow the fairest approach, everyone in the Zhao family now has a single vote, which you can cast for the person you see as the Chief.¡±


    ¡°Exactly, this is very fair!¡± Wei Chengwo echoed.


    Pah, fair my ass!


    Right now, in the Unity Hall, the main branch had only eleven people, while the second branch had fourteen.


    It was a lost cause no matter how you looked at it!


    Unless¡­


    ¡°I disagree. There are thirty-one cultivators in the Zhao family in total. Only twenty-five are present. Unless everyone is here, I refuse to accept this method,¡± Zhao Jinding, resilient as a cockroach, stood up bravely at the crucial moment.


    Chen Zichuan and Wei Chengwo looked at each other.


    Wei Chengwo¡¯s face changed instantly, his Foundation Establishment aura flaring up, filled with murderous intent as he bellowed at Zhao Jinding, ¡°Are you really going to oppose?¡±


    It was clear that with one wrong word, he was ready to become severely violent.


    Zhao Jinding finally hesitated!


    At that moment, Zhao Jingang turned and walked over to the members of the main branch, proclaiming arrogantly, ¡°Anyone who is willing to choose me as the Family Head, I will not pursue past grudges. From now on, we will all pull together. The contents of the Storage Bag will be shared fairly with everyone.


    If you¡¯re not willing, I¡¯ll confiscate everything and expel you from the family. Go on and become a Loose Cultivator, destitute and wander without a home, unable to bring a shred of honor to your mortal relatives. Those who are willing, stand behind me!¡±


    As soon as his words fell, the members of the main branch looked at each other, speechless.


    But quickly, two members with wavering stances moved their feet, their heads nearly touching the ground, not daring to look at the relatives beside them.


    Then, another three family members stepped forward.


    ¡°Ah! There¡¯s nothing I can do, having a large family to support.¡±


    ¡°I was born at Dragon Carp Lake; I want to die here as well!¡±


    ¡°One can¡¯t write two ¡®Zhao¡¯ characters with a single stroke, so why resist? Blood is thicker than water!¡±


    They murmured as they walked, as if they were trying to convince others or perhaps reassuring themselves.


    Gradually, the number of people on the side of the main branch of the family dwindled until only four remained: Zhao Jinding, Zhao Chongwei, Zhao Sheng,


    and one that came as a surprise to everyone.


    This man had a simple and honest appearance, and his body was suffused with a strong scent of herbs. He was none other than Zhao Keru, the sole alchemist of the Zhao family.


    Zhao Jinpeng was very astute. Seeing the situation, he immediately shouted, ¡°Ke Ru, have you lost your mind? Hurry over here!¡± sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°No, Uncle Six! I think I¡¯ll stand over here,¡± Zhao Keru said, scratching the back of his head with some embarrassment.


    Zhao Jinding saw so many people betraying their loyalties and became so angry that he was blowing his beard and glaring. He was about to curse aloud.


    It was then that Zhao Sheng suddenly patted his shoulder and then moved to stand at the front.


    At this moment, he was exceptionally calm.


    Although he didn¡¯t care who would take charge of the Zhao family, he couldn¡¯t stand by and watch outsiders toy with his family.


    Furthermore, Zhao Jinfu wasn¡¯t as ruthless and ungrateful as imagined.


    He had left something in his storage bag that could be put to good use at this moment.


    Respectfully bowing to the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Zhao Sheng spoke, ¡°Senior Chen, Ancestor Wei. I greatly agree with both of your proposals. However, due to the suddenness of this matter, may we have a moment of privacy to discuss it between our two branches?¡±


    ¡°Heh, if you could have worked it out, your Zhao family wouldn¡¯t have ended up in this state. Young friend, there¡¯s no need for futile struggling. Come stand over here!¡± Wei Chengwo said while shaking his head, occasional flashes of contempt in his eyes.


    ¡°I only need a quarter of an hour. When the time is up, regardless of the outcome, I am willing to hand over the storage bag.


    Although Zhao Jinfu has disowned the Zhao family, he still has our family¡¯s blood flowing in his veins. If he learned that someone immediately overturned his decision after he left, I don¡¯t think he would be pleased. I believe the Fulong Wei Family would not just stand by and watch.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Zichuan¡¯s brow furrowed.


    Others might not understand, but he knew all too well that the Fulong Wei Family from the West Desolate Continent was a titanic power, no less formidable than the Purple Sun Sect, with a lineage of formidable masters and a Nascent Soul Ancestor in every generation.


    Wei Chengwo, cunning with age, could tell from Chen Zichuan¡¯s demeanor that the Fulong Wei Family must be far from simple, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t be so cautious.


    ¡°What a joke, Zhao Jinfu is no longer a part of the Zhao family anymore, he has no say in this¡ª¡±


    Zhao Jingang had barely gotten his words out when he was interrupted.


    ¡°Enough! I¡¯ll give you the quarter hour to discuss. Brother Wei, let¡¯s go!¡±


    By this point, Chen Zichuan couldn¡¯t be bothered to keep up the pretense and ordered Wei Chengwo in a commanding tone.


    Without another word, Wei Chengwo, accompanied by his family, followed Chen Zichuan out of the Unity Hall.


    Once the grand doors of the Unity Hall were closed, Zhao Jingang, completely dismissive, impatiently said, ¡°Speak up if you have something to say!¡±


    Seeing that the overall situation was settled, yet a new complication had suddenly arisen, he was irritated and began to contemplate how to make things difficult for Zhao Sheng in the future.


    Zhao Sheng smiled nonchalantly and spoke, causing everyone¡¯s expression to change, ¡°Have you all forgotten that the lease on Dragon Carp Lake has less than ten years left?¡±


    This statement starkly uncovered the reality that everyone was reluctant to confront.


    Indeed! With the two hundred-year lease term nearing its end, what would become of the Zhao family?


    The threats of the elder of the Zhao family still echoed in their ears, and now the true crisis was looming.


    Could he really turn the tide?


    Everyone was uncertain.


    If the Purple Sun Sect decided to take back Dragon Carp Lake, what would the Zhao family do?


    They could simply become Loose Cultivators, but the predicament of the fifty thousand people of the Zhao family was a massive problem.


    Could they really be expected to relocate everyone out of Dragon Carp Lake?

 Chapter 33 - 33 Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture

    Chapter 33: Chapter 33 Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture


    Zhao Jingang saw the morale of the crowd was low and couldn¡¯t help but forcefully boost their spirits, saying, ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry! Once I have achieved Foundation Establishment, I will definitely persuade Senior Chen to mediate on our behalf. I think the Purple Sun Sect shouldn¡¯t act this way.¡± sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng laughed and said, ¡°Can you guarantee your success in Foundation Establishment? Can you assure that Chen Zichuan can achieve what Grandmaster Han could.¡±


    Without waiting for a reply, Zhao Sheng confidently said, ¡°You can¡¯t! Not only can you not guarantee Foundation Establishment, but Chen Zichuan will definitely not go to the lengths that Grandmaster Han would. The so-called reliance on people will run, reliance on a mountain will fall. Give up your illusions and face reality; no one can help the Zhao family, one must rely on themselves!¡±


    Seeing the crowd deep in thought, Zhao Sheng struck while the iron was hot, taking out a White Jade Pill Bottle from his Storage Bag.


    He poured out from it a pill that was round and plump, emitting a faint green light.


    ¡°Foundation Establishment Pill!¡± someone blurted out loudly.


    Indeed, before Zhao Jinfu left, he also did a good deed by exchanging a Low-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill from the Purple Sun Sect for the Zhao family to keep.


    He must have known that the greatest crisis facing the Zhao family now was the absence of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator at Dragon Carp Lake.


    After displaying the Foundation Establishment Pill, Zhao Sheng put it away again, then continued, ¡°We have a total of two Foundation Establishment Pills in our hands right now. The fairest method is for each branch to receive one. Conveniently, both branches have one person at Qi Refining Perfection. This way, there¡¯s no need to fight over it.¡±


    Hearing this, the Zhao family members suddenly saw the light, looking towards Zhao Jinding and Zhao Jingang, the two elders.


    Zhao Jingang thought for a moment and shook his head in doubt, ¡°To increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment, it¡¯s best to give both Foundation Establishment Pills to one person to consume.¡±


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight smile and said, ¡°I know Second Granduncle¡¯s suggestion is very correct. The key is that there isn¡¯t enough time.¡±


    Hmm?!


    With his reminder, everyone suddenly understood and nodded in agreement.


    It¡¯s known that advancing from Qi Refining Perfection to the Foundation Establishment Realm is no easy task.


    A failure in Foundation Establishment would cause a massive drain in Primordial Qi, and it might take ten years to recover.


    What the Zhao family lacked most at the moment was time.


    Zhao Jingang soon came to understand as well.


    His heart was filled with unwillingness; the wish he harbored for decades was about to come true, yet now it was being messed up by a child.


    However, faced with the ironclad reality, he had no choice but to bow his head.


    But¡­


    ¡°Even if what you say makes sense, the position of Family Head shall be mine,¡± he declared, unable to hide his resentment.


    Zhao Sheng reminded him, ¡°If you succeed in Foundation Establishment, no one can take the position of Family Head from you. But if you fail, what¡¯s the point in being Family Head?¡±


    The words left Zhao Jingang at a loss for words, his face momentarily flushed red, then turned to a shade of iron blue.


    ¡°To the Zhao family, whether or not there is a Family Head makes no difference; it¡¯s just a position. Whether you take it, I take it, or anyone else does, it¡¯s all the same!¡±


    After saying this, Zhao Jingang felt a sudden movement in his heart, as if he had grasped something.


    The next moment, he suddenly spoke up, ¡°I suggest that the position of Family Head temporarily be held by Zhao Chonghe, until someone succeeds in Foundation Establishment, and then we can change the Family Head.¡±


    Since the position of Family Head had now become an unappetizing bone, Zhao Jingang simply chose to back away completely, actively pushing Zhao Chonghe forward.


    This way, he could rightfully divide the things in the Storage Bag, while keeping someone in the position of Family Head.


    After all, Zhao Chonghe, being young and of little repute, was nothing more than a figurehead.


    No sooner had he said this than the crowd was once again astir.


    But quickly, some of the more astute family members began to see the light.


    ¡°I agree!¡±


    ¡°I support the motion!¡±


    ¡°Let Chonghe hold the position temporarily for a few months! Once the elder achieves an upgrade, he can step down.¡±


    In the blink of an eye, the majority of the Zhao family had reached a consensus, and even Zhao Jinding eventually agreed.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was somewhat flabbergasted.


    He hadn¡¯t expected Zhao Jinfu to come up with such a sly maneuver, and even more so, that it would gain the approval of the majority.


    He wanted to refuse, but the opportunity had already passed.


    The him who ¡°deeply won the people¡¯s trust¡± was now definitively the Family Head.


    A quarter of an hour later, when Wei Chengwo found out that Zhao Chonghe had actually become the new Family Head of the Zhao Family, he burst into an angry laughter, while Chen Zichuan shook his head and sighed repeatedly.


    But after triple-checking that this was no joke, Wei Chengwo glared at Zhao Sheng with full intent to kill.


    It was this kid who had ruined the plans the Wei Family had been scheming for years.


    Wei Chengwo wished he could tear him to pieces on the spot. However, he couldn¡¯t make a move in front of Chen Zichuan.


    After all, the other party was a disciple of the Purple Sun Sect, and moreover, this group of good-for-nothings from the Zhao Family had accidentally sent out a Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman.


    Under the constraint of not wanting to damage valuable items, Wei Chengwo had no choice but to suppress his anger and lead his family members back empty-handed.


    Seeing a turn of events, Chen Zichuan also frowned slightly.


    However, he wasn¡¯t as angry as Wei Chengwo.


    If one strategy fails, look for another opportunity.


    The Zhao Family¡¯s juicy prize wouldn¡¯t slip through his fingers.


    ¡°Speaking of which, the lease for Dragon Carp Lake is almost up!¡± Chen Zichuan thought with a smile as he left.


    ¡­


    Half a month later,


    The breeze was gentle, and the sunlight pleasantly warm.


    A wooden boat about thirty to forty feet long drifted on the surface of Dragon Carp Lake, where from afar one could see a row of fishing rods extending from the left side of the boat, seven or eight fishing lines submerged in the water, the floats trembling slightly in the breeze.


    A moment later, one of the floats suddenly sank. Zhao Tai hurried over and grabbed the fishing rod, pulling up with force and excitedly said, ¡°Young Master, we¡¯ve got a fish on the hook.¡±


    Zhao Sheng seemed not to have heard Zhao Tai¡¯s call. He was sitting cross-legged on the cool mat in the cabin, holding an ancient text in his hand, completely engrossed in his reading.


    ¡°In talisman painting, you lay down spirit qi and inscribe images to communicate with the divine.


    ¡°When qi connects with the true heaven, it possesses its own divine nature and can become a talisman.


    ¡°With each orifice interconnected, the spirit light shines brightly, and thus the talisman is complete.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze stayed on these three sentences for a long time, his spirit immersed in contemplation.


    Just these three sentences provided him with profound insight.


    This ¡°Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture¡± clearly pointed out the essence of talismanic arts right at the beginning.


    Even if Zhao Sheng¡¯s comprehension was poor, he could tell that these three sentences were laid out in a progressive relationship, clearly explaining how to refine and paint talismans.


    Among the three sentences, the first talks about ¡°what makes a talisman,¡± the second discusses ¡°the key to a talisman,¡± while the third pertains to ¡°how one should paint a talisman.¡±


    To Zhao Sheng, the true value of these three sentences on talisman discussion didn¡¯t lie in the sentences themselves but in their clear levels of hierarchy as well as their concise and pivotal significance.


    With these three sentences in hand, the Hundred True Talismans within the ¡°Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture¡± were no longer just complex and messy images but layers of exquisite runes, each of which could be traced back to their original source.


    Having grasped this, Zhao Sheng felt moved, which caused his thoughts to wander a bit.


    The ¡°Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture¡± was found in the Storage Bag left by Zhao Jinfu.


    Why would he leave this scripture? Was it intentional? Or indeed intentional!


    Zhao Sheng might be slow-witted, but he could tell that this talismanic scripture would be considered a treasured text in any Sect, not to be disclosed to those who are not True Inheritors.


    Zhao Sheng found it increasingly difficult to understand Zhao Jinfu; the image of that selfish person seemed to blur in his mind.

 Chapter 34 - 34 Concerns of the Young Family Head

    Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Concerns of the Young Family Head


    ¡°`


    As his thoughts fluttered, the water beside the boat suddenly churned. With a swoosh, a head emerged from beneath the water, followed by a delicate hand grasping the edge of the boat. With a strong tug, a skinny bald man flipped into the boat from the water.


    Wrapped around his waist were several loops of dark green aquatic grass, each seven to eight feet long and as thick as a finger, shimmering with specks of blue light on the surface.


    Zhao Tai, seeing the newcomer board the boat, was greatly annoyed and said, ¡°Zhao Xiaoqi, why have you come up again? You¡¯ve dirtied the boat¡ªcan you afford that?¡±


    ¡°Brother Xiao Tai, don¡¯t be angry. Next time, next time I¡¯ll definitely be careful,¡± Zhao Xiaoqi pleaded with a grin, continuously bowing and scraping, apparently unafraid of Zhao Tai¡¯s threats to complain to the young master.


    Zhao Sheng, jolted out of his conversation by the two men, looked up to see Zhao Xiaoqi with Ethereal Bluegrass and his eyes lit up. He waved him over and said, ¡°Xiaoqi, come here.¡±


    Upon hearing the young master¡¯s summons, Zhao Xiaoqi quickly scrambled to Zhao Sheng¡¯s side, and as he unwound the Spirit Grass, he boasted, ¡°Hey, Grand Elder, look at these stalks of Ethereal Bluegrass, they¡¯re of enough age, aren¡¯t they?¡±


    Zhao Sheng pinched the sticky surface of the Ethereal Bluegrass and sniffed it, nodding in satisfaction and said, ¡°Good, they all have a century¡¯s worth of maturity. Xiaoqi, you¡¯ve done well. You truly deserve to be called the current ¡®White Dragon of the Waves¡¯ of the Zhao family.¡± S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Oh, I can¡¯t accept such high praise from the Grand Elder, I¡¯m not worthy,¡± Zhao Xiaoqi responded, pretending to be overwhelmed by the compliment, yet a broad grin revealed all his teeth.


    Unlike the strength of cultivation sects, some less powerful cultivation families often fully utilise the power of their mundane kin.


    Just like the Zhao family of Dragon Carp Lake, there were only about thirty cultivators within the family, but the total number of family members had already exceeded fifty thousand.


    There were many mortals within the Zhao family like Zhao Xiaoqi, who served the cultivators. They undertook tasks within their capabilities, seeking to spare the family¡¯s cultivators from mundane chores.


    Such as diving to gather medicinal herbs, rowing boats to catch spirit fish, simply processing medicinal herbs, making raw materials for talisman paper, and so on.


    Seeing Zhao Xiaoqi being praised, Zhao Tai quickly presented a Red Carp, two feet in length, sleek and strong, with scale armor shining like blood and eyes like jade pearls, to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Young master, what do you think of this Red Carp?¡±


    Zhao Sheng took a look and shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s not even three feet long, not old enough, let it go!¡±


    Zhao Tai, displeased with the response, walked to the side of the boat and reluctantly released the Red Carp back into the lake.


    He didn¡¯t understand why they had to let go of a spirit fish that was so hard to catch, nor did he understand why the ancestor had established such a strange rule.


    Even if it wasn¡¯t three feet long, it was still a spirit fish! A pound of its meat could sell for a Spirit Stone.


    Zhao Tai didn¡¯t know the principle of sustainable development, so naturally he didn¡¯t understand the reasoning behind Zhao Sheng¡¯s rule.


    Seeing Zhao Tai coming up empty-handed, Zhao Xiaoqi snickered and obsequiously said, ¡°Grand Elder, are these Ethereal Bluegrasses enough? If not, I¡¯ll dive down again.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, placing the Ethereal Bluegrass into his storage bag, shook his head, ¡°No need. These are enough for some time. After you get back, go to the Good Deeds Hall to claim your merit.¡±


    Zhao Xiaoqi was delighted to hear this, as the good deeds from the Good Deeds Hall were precious and could not be bought with gold or silver. One could exchange for many worldly treasures like Magic Talismans, treasure medicine, advanced martial arts, and so on.


    ¡°Grand Elder, please wait, I¡¯ll fetch a few more for you,¡± he said, and with that, he turned and dove into the water with a splash, quickly disappearing from the surface.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t even have the chance to stop him.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head somewhat helplessly.


    Perhaps this was the aftermath of becoming the head of the Zhao family!


    Since being pushed into the position of Family Head, although Zhao Sheng had little real power, couldn¡¯t speak for family affairs, nor manage them,


    there were still some privileges that came with the position. For example, he could designate good deeds missions, had the authority to manage the mundane kin, and most importantly, one of the twelve Water Vein Cultivation Rooms was reserved for the Family Head¡¯s exclusive use.


    Especially the exclusive right to a Water Vein Cultivation Room.


    His reason for fishing at Dragon Carp Lake for spiritual carp was to evade the ¡°harassment¡± of some of the elder cultivators.


    It couldn¡¯t be helped,


    the number of Cultivation Rooms on the Spirit Vein was limited while the number of family cultivators was far greater, creating a situation where demand far exceeded supply.


    Especially since elders like Zhao Jinding and Zhao Jingang occupied two rooms, making the remaining Cultivation Rooms even more scarce.


    ¡°`


    Twelve hours a day, every cultivation room was packed full.


    Therefore, the cultivation rooms managed by Zhao Sheng had become a particularly coveted commodity.


    Following Zhao Chongwei¡¯s successful use of the cultivation room, cultivators from the main branch of the family flocked in succession, each clamoring to ¡°borrow the cultivation room¡±.


    But on this matter, Zhao Sheng was very steadfast, adhering to the principle of fairness and impartiality.


    He wouldn¡¯t favor one side over the other, the main and secondary branches must be treated equally.


    Aside from reserving six hours for his personal use, the remaining six hours would be rotated between one person from each branch every day.


    Because of this, he faced numerous grievances and criticisms from the elders of his own branch, but Zhao Sheng remained unswayed.


    If the Zhao family wanted to grow and strengthen, unity was of utmost importance.


    The collapse of any vast power often starts with infighting.


    It was fortunate that Zhao Sheng was reincarnated just in time¡ªhad it been a decade or two later,


    the Zhao family would likely have already fallen apart.


    From the day he became the family head, Zhao Sheng had begun trying to gradually resolve the rifts and conflicts between the two branches.


    And the first thing he did was propose to back-pay the clan members¡¯ spiritual salaries for the past two years.


    In Zhao Jinfu¡¯s storage bag, aside from Foundation Establishment Pills and the Jade Void Talisman Scripture, there were also some mid and lower grade spirit stones, talismans, magic artifacts, elixir pills, and other treasures.


    All in all, there were over forty thousand spirit stones.


    Meanwhile, the annual spiritual salary for the thirty-one cultivators of the Zhao family added up to just over eight thousand seven hundred spirit stones.


    After setting aside seventeen thousand spirit stones, the rest of the difficult-to-sell treasures like magic artifacts were placed in the family¡¯s treasury as reserves.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s proposal was exquisite; both branches of the Zhao Family nodded in agreement, with not a single voice of opposition.


    The issue of back-paying the spiritual salaries greatly eased the tension between the two branches.


    Add to this the fact that two of the family elders entered the cultivation room to begin three months of secluded nurturing,


    and without their lead, the tense atmosphere in the Zhao family, which was as if drawn swords stood ready, became much more relaxed under Zhao Sheng¡¯s skillful rhetoric.


    When they occasionally met, members from both branches even greeted each other.


    Zhao Sheng saw very clearly that the Zhao family had become what it was because, in a word, they were ¡°poor¡±.


    So,


    they needed to find every way to increase income and reduce expenditure, ah!


    Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly, his thoughts turning to the Spirit Medicine Garden on the shady side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Now was not yet the time.


    At the very least, he would wait until he advanced to the Qi Refining Middle Stage before attempting to enter there.


    The profound lessons of his previous life were still fresh in his memory, and he would never underestimate the dangers of the Death Treasure Land.


    Three days later, at the Zhao Family Territory,


    in the talisman making room of Harmony Courtyard, Zhao Sheng stood seriously in front of a curly maple wood desk, holding a First Order Middle Grade Embroidered Fox Talisman Brush, as he fluently drew a Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman.


    Suddenly,


    he frowned as he noticed a wisp of blue water vapor rise from the talisman paper on the desk, instantly blurring the entire paper.


    A clear mist quickly condensed in the air, swiftly enveloping the entire room.

 Chapter 35 - 35: The Talisman Painting Hangs

    Chapter 35: Chapter 35: The Talisman Painting Hangs


    Another failure!


    Zhao Sheng felt somewhat depressed.


    This time, it was because he hadn¡¯t promptly connected the spiritual acupoint, leading to an obstruction in the transmission of spiritual power and causing the spell to leak out.


    In the past, he always thought making a Spirit Talisman wasn¡¯t difficult, but reality had harshly slapped him several times.


    Zhao Sheng believed he had completely grasped the Spring Breeze and Rain Technique, but when it came to the talisman-making step, there would always be some flaws.


    After four hours, he had drawn a total of eleven Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans, but only four were successful.


    His success rate was actually less than thirty percent.


    He knew that only with a success rate exceeding fifty percent would he turn a profit; below fifty percent would mean losses without gains.


    After pondering for a moment, an idea flashed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind, and he couldn¡¯t help but reveal a slight smile.


    He waved his sleeve, and invisible spiritual power scattered out, dispersing the water vapor in the room.


    Zhao Sheng picked up the talisman pen again, dipping its tip in the pale blue talismanic ink from the bottle.


    This talismanic ink was a low-grade Water Element Spirit Ink developed by the Zhao family two hundred years ago. Its base material was the essence extracted from the Ethereal Bluegrass, which had a slight amplifying effect on Water Element Spirit Talismans.


    He took a blank talisman paper about the size of a palm.


    Zhao Sheng held his breath and concentrated, suspending his wrist as he right hand, and after infusing spiritual power into the pen tip, he swiftly brought it down to the paper to resume the swift talisman painting.


    Suddenly, a beautifully crafted talisman shape gradually formed on the paper.


    When only a few strokes remained, he felt a disruption in the spiritual power at the pen tip, as specks of blue light threatened to flash from the talisman paper.


    At that moment, divine light surged in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, and ¡°Bullet Time¡± suddenly activated.


    Instantly, the world seemed to come to a halt, with time stretching considerably, and everything moving in extreme slow motion.


    In this strange state, Zhao Sheng¡¯s perception heightened to an unimaginable level.


    He ¡°saw¡± strands of spiritual power flowing from the tip of the talisman pen. The power moved ¡°intermittently,¡± flowing onto the paper and forming an uneven spiritual pattern line, connecting each talismanic point and Spiritual Network node.


    Zhao Sheng was extremely excited at the moment; ¡°Bullet Time¡± had indeed played a significant role.


    With time elongated, Zhao Sheng managed to smoothly regulate the output of the spiritual power within his body.


    As each line of uniformly thick and dense spirit patterns emerged from the pen tip, the Spirit Talisman quickly returned to normal.


    In a flash, Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped the talisman pen, and in an instant, divine light shone bright on the surface of the paper.


    The Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman was completed!


    Once ¡°Bullet Time¡± passed, the flow of time returned to normal.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s body shuddered, and his gaze became slightly dim.


    The effects of ¡°Bullet Time¡± were impressively good, but its side effects were not to be underestimated.


    Every activation of this talent ability consumed a significant amount of Zhao Sheng¡¯s spiritual power.


    Recalling the state he was just in, Zhao Sheng tried to draw another talisman.


    This time his strokes were smooth and fluent, and once again, the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman was completed.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was very excited, and he was about to push forward when he suddenly felt a sense of emptiness in his Dantian.


    It was then that he realized that almost all of his spiritual power had been depleted.


    Zhao Sheng sighed, thinking that being at the Qi Refining Second Level was still too low; he must quickly enhance his cultivation!


    With that thought, he put away the talisman pen, the spiritual ink, and the five Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans and left the talisman room to head towards Dragon Carp Lake.


    The Zhao family¡¯s Water Vein Cultivation Rooms were all located at the bottom of Dragon Carp Lake, carved out along a First-rank Water Spirit Vein.


    Zhao Sheng took a boat to a part of Dragon Carp Lake that extended seven or eight miles.


    Here, more than ten boats had already gathered.


    Zhao Sheng had long since become accustomed to this.


    He took out a Water Repelling Magic Bead and popped it into his mouth before jumping into the water.


    Dragon Carp Lake was an enormous lake spanning over two hundred miles in circumference, with an average depth of more than ten zhang. The lakebed where the Spirit Vein lay was nearly a hundred zhang deep from the surface.


    As he dove deeper, the light underwater grew dimmer, and by the time he had reached a depth of fifty zhang, it was so dark that he could not see his own fingers.


    Just then, a few spots of light unexpectedly appeared in the darkness below.


    Zhao Sheng continued to dive deeper, and the area of light in the darkness quickly expanded, eventually revealing the contour of bubbly air pockets about three to four zhang in diameter, emitting a dazzling white light.


    Pop! S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng passed through the light film of one of these air pockets and entered the land of the Spirit Vein.


    The place was not very large, the ground slightly wet and slippery, and at the center, a large pit three to four zhang deep had been dug by someone,


    Within the pit, there was a Cultivation Stone Chamber constructed from Water Wave Stones.


    Zhao Sheng had arrived a bit early and waited roughly a quarter of an hour before the doors of the stone chamber were opened by someone.


    On seeing Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jinpeng, who had emerged from the inside, couldn¡¯t quite save face.


    He usually looked down on Zhao Sheng, yet this time he had benefited from Zhao Sheng¡¯s success.


    ¡°Sixth Master!¡± Zhao Sheng greeted him without losing any courtesy.


    ¡°Hm,¡± Zhao Jinpeng grunted vaguely in response before leaping out of the Water Repelling Barrier.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head and stepped into the Cultivation Room, and the stone doors were then closed again.


    A month passed in a blink of an eye, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s path of cultivation gradually became more established.


    Besides six hours of cultivation and two hours of sleep each day, Zhao Sheng put all his energy into talisman making after dealing with various chores.


    It couldn¡¯t be helped; even as a Family Head, he needed to make money.


    Because he had the Bullet Time spell to assist him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s talisman making skills quickly improved from skilled to proficient, and from proficient to masterful.


    In just three days, the success rate of the First-rank Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman had dramatically increased from thirty percent to ninety percent.


    The Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman was a commonly used first-rank magic talisman for irrigating spirit fields,


    Once released, it could nourish half an acre of spirit field with its water spiritual energy-infused vapor.


    As a result, its price was exceptionally stable: twelve for a dozen, with a dozen selling for three Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Sheng was able to create eight to ten magic talismans a day, which, after deducting costs, allowed him to earn roughly half a Spirit Stone every day.


    In a year, that would amount to more than one hundred seventy low-grade Spirit Stones.


    For the average Loose Cultivator, this was enough to satisfy their daily cultivation needs.


    However, for someone like Zhao Sheng who popped Spirit Origin Pills like candy, this amount of Spirit Stones was far from sufficient.


    Half a month later, when the success rate of the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman reached one hundred percent, Zhao Sheng quickly abandoned it and turned his focus to more profitable Invisibility Talismans.


    To make talismans, one must first learn the spell!


    The prerequisite spell for the Invisibility Talisman was the Refraction Technique.


    The Refraction Technique was a first-rank top-grade Water Technique, its principle being to condense a transparent layer of water film around the body and deflect the external light through the film, thereby achieving ¡°invisibility.¡±


    However, the grade of the Invisibility Talisman was too low; it could only hide a cultivator¡¯s shape but not their aura. Furthermore, if the light around them changed rapidly, the cultivator would immediately be revealed.


    Even so, the Invisibility Talisman, based on the Refraction Technique, was highly sought after by cultivators in the Qi Refining Realm.


    Compared to the First-tier Lower Grade Spring Breeze and Rain Technique, the Refraction Technique was harder to master, requiring a certain level of perception from the cultivator.


    Without guidance from someone knowledgeable, an average cultivator might spend ten years or more without finding the right path.


    Zhao Sheng naturally had no such concerns. A year ago, following his ancestor¡¯s spell annotations, he had successfully mastered the Refraction Technique.

 Chapter 36 - 36: The Spirit Fish Retreat Incident

    Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The Spirit Fish Retreat Incident


    ¡°`


    Ten days later, in the talisman making room


    Zhao Sheng, fully immersed, held a talisman pen in hand as he drew lines on the talisman paper with fluid movements, gradually outlining the spirit pattern of the Invisibility Talisman.


    As the final stroke was completed, the surface of the talisman paper suddenly shone with spirit light, with wisps of light wandering uncertainly through the rune.


    Soon the light disappeared, leaving only a grayish First-Order Talisman on the table.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but reveal a smile, sighing, ¡°It¡¯s finally done.¡±


    In ten days, he had ruined nearly two hundred pieces of talisman paper before he managed to barely draw the Invisibility Talisman.


    And that was with the help of Bullet Time.


    Zhao Sheng thought the Invisibility Talisman was difficult, little did he know if outsiders found out that he succeeded in mere ten days, they would be utterly astonished.


    In the Cultivation World, there are countless types of First-rank magic talismans, but the Invisibility Talisman is recognized as one of the most difficult among the nineteen kinds of First-rank magic talismans to create.


    However, he soon understood this point.


    Two quarters of an hour later, in the Good Deeds Hall, Zhao Keqin, who was in charge of exchanges, looked at Zhao Sheng across from him with an incredulous gaze and exclaimed, ¡°What did you say? You really drew an Invisibility Talisman?¡±


    ¡°Uncle Qin, there¡¯s no falsehood. You¡¯ll know once you see it.¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng took out an Invisibility Talisman from his Storage Bag and slapped it onto the table.


    Zhao Keqin grabbed the talisman at once and examined it closely.


    The lines, the symbols, the spirit light ¨C all corresponded; it was indeed an Invisibility Talisman without a doubt.


    After looking, Zhao Keqin said with an unusually excited expression, ¡°My heavens, our Zhao family has produced another Talisman Tao genius. The Ancestor is truly showing blessings!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was taken aback and thought to himself, ¡°Isn¡¯t that the truth! The Ancestor is indeed standing right before you.¡±


    As for the other Talisman Tao genius he mentioned, Zhao Sheng knew he was referring to Zhao Chongwei.


    Zhao Chongwei had an extremely high talent for talismans, capable of drawing dozens of different First-rank magic talismans at the mere Qi Refining Second Level, and each with a success rate of over fifty percent.


    In the entire Zhao family of thirty-one cultivators, less than five could earn sufficient Cultivation Resources completely on their own merit, without relying on the family, and Zhao Chongwei was one of them.


    The Zhao family placed great importance on Zhao Chongwei, seeing her as a seed for Foundation Establishment. Even if the family faced hardships, they would scrape together resources to support her cultivation.


    Whether he was a Talisman Tao genius or not, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t care. What he was concerned about was how many Spirit Stones an Invisibility Talisman was worth.


    So, he immediately asked, ¡°Uncle Qin, how many Spirit Stones can I get for this Invisibility Talisman?¡±


    Zhao Keqin extended two fingers with a joyful expression and said, ¡°At least two Spirit Stones.¡±


    Hisss!


    What a deal! The price was nearly ten times that of the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman, yet their costs were almost identical.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement, and all he could think of was to rush back and churn out a hundred or eighty of them in one go. That would be a fortune!


    Coincidentally, Zhao Keqin had the same thought.


    The family was going through difficult times, with limited ways to earn Spirit Stones. Now that a new source of wealth had suddenly emerged, he couldn¡¯t let it slip away.


    So, Zhao Keqin urged Zhao Sheng repeatedly to go back quickly and draw more Invisibility Talismans, assuring him a fair price.


    Just as Zhao Sheng was about to leave, a flustered figure suddenly burst into the Good Deeds Hall.


    The person looked extremely troubled and shouted as soon as he entered, ¡°Second Brother, something has happened!¡±


    Zhao Keqin was the second eldest among his siblings, which is why his peers called him Second Brother.


    Zhao Keqin stepped forward to support the newcomer, asking urgently, ¡°Keshang, quick, what¡¯s happened?¡±


    Zhao Keshang was from the second branch of the family, born with a Five Spirits Root, and had just barely reached the Qi Refining Second Level in his fifties.


    ¡°`


    The Zhao family made use of everything, assigning him to miscellaneous tasks, such as sending and receiving talisman letters, part-time errand running, and gathering information, among others.


    Zhao Keshang said in a panic, ¡°I don¡¯t know what went wrong, Jade Pill Pavilion, Hundred Refinement Workshop, Huangfeng Lan Family, Li Mountain Wei Family, they¡¯ve all returned the spirit fish and even said they won¡¯t procure their stock from us anymore.¡±


    Hearing this, not only did Zhao Keqin¡¯s face change dramatically, but Zhao Sheng also felt a tightness in his heart.


    What a vicious move!


    It was well-known that the largest source of the Zhao family¡¯s wealth was the variety of spirit fish and spirit shrimp harvested from Dragon Carp Lake. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Especially famous were the Red Carp and Green Carp, whose meat was both delicious and abundant in spiritual energy, not only nurturing the flesh of cultivators but also capable of dispelling the ¡°Fire Qi¡± within a cultivator¡¯s body.


    In the Cultivation World, Artifact Refiners and Alchemists, due to the nature of their professions, were in frequent contact with various types of Spiritual Fire over the years.


    Over time, the flesh was inevitably eroded by the ¡°Fire Qi¡± leaking from the Spiritual Fire.


    At such times, spirit fish rich in Water Element Spirit Qi became a kind of excellent medicine to resolve the Fire Qi.


    Therefore, the spirit fish meat produced by the Zhao family was very popular and had established a renowned reputation within a thousand miles over three hundred years, securing a stable group of major clients.


    However, today, all the major clients had, without prior arrangement, uniformly rejected the spirit fish.


    For the Zhao family, which was already in turmoil, this was nothing short of a disaster.


    There must be a hidden hand behind this!


    No, it might be a tacit understanding.


    Some forces wanted to ¡°force the Zhao family to death¡± bit by bit, such as the ¡°good in-laws¡± from Li Mountain Wei family, the ¡°good neighbors¡± from Huangfeng Lan Family, and so on.


    Without a doubt, the Zhao family had encountered another crisis.


    If it wasn¡¯t handled properly, it might trigger a series of domino-like disasters.


    Zhao Keqin quickly regained his composure and immediately asked, ¡°Kezhang, have you informed the others?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had the chance yet. After the incident, you were the first one I thought of, Second Brother,¡± replied Zhao Keshang, shaking his head.


    Zhao Keqin, also born in the second branch, had become the main decision-maker of that branch after Zhao Jingang entered seclusion. Therefore, Zhao Keshang sought him first.


    ¡°Inform all Zhao clan members of the Jin and Ke generations who are at home to meet at Unity Hall for a discussion in one hour,¡± he instructed.


    After giving orders to Zhao Keshang, Zhao Keqin turned to Zhao Sheng and said, ¡°Chong and you should come too.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, as even as the nominal head of Zhao Family, he had the right to be involved in family affairs.


    An hour later, in the Lake Heart Hall of Yanyue Island.


    In the council hall of the back hall, in front of a super-large black round table exceeding twenty square meters, sat Zhao Sheng and nine Zhao clan members of the Jin and Ke generations.


    Zhao Sheng had specially made this round table in his previous life to symbolize equality and unity.


    By the time they arrived, everyone was already aware of the issue with the returned spirit fish.


    As a result, the atmosphere inside Unity Hall was exceptionally tense.


    No one was a fool; the situation was very strange, and it was clear that someone was manipulating things from the shadows.


    However, the hidden hand behind this had played a truly powerful move that hit the Zhao family right where it hurt.


    Seeing that no one was speaking, Zhao Jingge, the oldest among those present, broke the silence and asked, ¡°Let¡¯s hear it! How should we resolve this matter?¡±


    The moment he finished speaking, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly said with a furious face, ¡°It must be someone causing trouble in secret, I think it¡¯s that old coot from Wei Family behind this.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, a Ke generation member of the second branch retorted, ¡°Uncle Six, don¡¯t speak carelessly without evidence. The Wei Family and our Zhao family have been in-laws for nearly two hundred years, and the families have always been as close as branches on the same tree. How dare you suspect Ancestor Wei, what are your intentions?¡±


    Hehe, as close as branches on the same tree? It¡¯s only you second branch people who believe his nonsense,¡± Zhao Jinpeng said sarcastically.

 Chapter 37 - 37: 37 Chapters on Promoting Unity through Threats

    Chapter 37: 37 Chapters on Promoting Unity through Threats


    Zhao Jingge, seeing this situation, stopped the two and said, ¡°Enough, no need for those useless words. Let us solve this matter first, and discuss the rest later.¡±


    After a moment of silence, Zhao Keqin, with a solemn expression, said, ¡°I have just calculated. We currently have twenty-one spirit fish in hand, nineteen under a hundred years old, one First-Rank Green Carp over a hundred years, and two First-Rank Red Carps over two hundred years. The total of the spirit fish meat is twelve thousand jin.


    This is not a small number. Relying solely on retail is far from enough; we must develop new major customers or try to send it to further workshops for sale.


    Of course, it would be best to persuade old customers like Jade Pill Pavilion and Hundred Refinement Room to reconsider.¡±


    After finishing, Zhao Keqin thought for a moment and added, ¡°This is only our production for half a year.¡±


    After he had spoken, someone interjected, ¡°If there were new major buyers, we would have found them a hundred years ago. Now, looking for one? A single word, difficult!¡±


    Once the topic was broached, members of the Zhao family began discussing vehemently.


    Someone exclaimed, ¡°The worst we can do is sell a little bit at a time, drag it out for a while, and see if there¡¯s a turn of events; after all, the family just had some surplus. We can still support for a year or so.¡±


    ¡°No, that¡¯s too passive. I think, it¡¯s best to send someone to old customers like the Hundred Refinement Room to gather information, and if needed, lower the prices a bit.¡±


    ¡°Ninth, aren¡¯t your words passive as well? I think there¡¯s something odd at the core of this issue. We¡¯d better stay idle for now. Let¡¯s plan after the two elders have reached Foundation Establishment,¡± another argued.


    ¡°That¡¯s not good either. Our Zhao family, after all, is a Cultivation Family that has produced several Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The more difficult the times, the more we need to hold our ground. Otherwise, letting others see the frailty within our family will lead to late regrets,¡± someone contended.


    Hearing this, Zhao Keshang quickly agreed, ¡°That¡¯s right! We cannot show weakness proactively.¡±


    At this moment, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly cursed, ¡°Nonsense! Without a Foundation Establishment to stand guard, the harder we act, the more obviously frail we appear. Do you think those Foundation Establishment Cultivators are fools?¡±


    Zhao Jinpeng, the radical member of the Zhao family¡¯s main branch, was always at the forefront when it came to conflicts with the second branch.


    After he spoke, others began to express their suggestions and views.


    Zhao Sheng listened quietly on the side, nodding or shaking his head occasionally.


    Through this matter, he realized that not all members of the Zhao family were incompetent; some were quite capable.


    When everyone else had spoken, only Zhao Sheng remained silent.


    This appeared quite strange.


    Zhao Jingge looked at Zhao Sheng, recalling the events from a few days ago.


    He then tried asking, ¡°Chong He, would you like to share your thoughts?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled and did not decline, directly stating loudly, ¡°All present are my elders. If there are any discrepancies in what I am about to say, please correct me.¡±


    Having said this, he began, ¡°First, we need to clarify one issue. In this matter, who are our enemies? Who are our friends?¡±


    Not giving the crowd time to think, Zhao Sheng continued, ¡°Are Jade Pill Pavilion and Hundred Refinement Workshop our enemies?¡±


    As he spoke, he declared decisively, ¡°No! They are not the enemies, because even if the Zhao family were to be defeated, they wouldn¡¯t benefit greatly.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ who are our enemies? Whoever stands to gain the most from our downfall is our enemy.¡±


    At this point, seeing that the people were growing impatient, Zhao Sheng sped up his speech, ¡°The spirit fish were returned. Those who suffer are not only our Zhao family but also our old customers.


    So, there must be someone offering greater benefits, such as promising that after the downfall of the Zhao family, the prices of spirit fish will drastically reduce and other such empty promises.¡±


    Just then, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly interrupted him, challenging, ¡°You¡¯ve rambled a lot, but it¡¯s all useless talk. What we urgently need now is a solution to this issue.¡±


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight smile and said, ¡°Actually, this matter is quite easy to solve. Since they don¡¯t want it, let¡¯s not sell it for a while and just endure for a few months.¡±


    As soon as he spoke, it immediately caused an uproar.


    Zhao Jinpeng scoffed, ¡°Not sell! You make it sound so easy. If we don¡¯t sell the spirit fish, how will we continue to cultivate in the future?¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied, ¡°Someone has already mentioned that without a Foundation Establishment elder, no matter how the family reacts outwardly, it seems weak. So, the best choice is to avoid any drastic reactions and let things take their natural course.


    We should try to stall for time until the two elders come out of seclusion, then making a decision won¡¯t be too late.¡±


    ¡°Heh, talking in circles just to summarize it in one sentence, ¡®remain unresponsive to myriad changes¡¯ eh!¡± Zhao Jinpeng derisively said in a mocking tone.


    ¡°Sixth Master, well said.¡± Zhao Sheng responded with a smile and nodded.


    Zhao Sheng actually had a way to solve this issue but chose to sit on the sidelines.


    Because he deeply understood a principle: ¡°Sometimes, an appropriate external threat can promote unity within the family.¡±


    In his view, the timing of the spirit fish incident was just right. The tactics of those pulling the strings behind the scenes, although not foolish, were also not particularly clever.


    If it were he, he would have actively raised the purchase price of the spirit fish and then collaborated with various powers to place an extremely large order with the Zhao family.


    Right before the delivery, they would suddenly cancel the order.


    At that time, the Zhao family, having expended a large amount of spirit stones and elixirs to catch enough spirit fish, would truly regret their actions too late and be at the mercy of others.


    After Zhao Sheng spoke, the meeting quickly concluded in a hasty manner, and ultimately no effective solutions were proposed.


    In the end, it was decided to take a multi-faceted approach¡­


    Members of the Jin generation went to various powers to negotiate and see if they could persuade them to change their minds.


    A few from the Ke generation took a batch of spirit fish to several nearby workshops to sell. Although loose cultivators were reluctant to buy and general spirit food restaurants had limited purchase volumes, selling even a little was better than nothing.


    The remaining younger members of the Chong generation stayed home, going nowhere.


    Soon, most of the Qi Refinement mid and late-stage cultivator members of the Zhao family went out, leaving only a bunch of cultivation novices at home.


    To prevent accidents, under Zhao Sheng¡¯s strong recommendation, the family, not minding the depletion of spirit stones, activated the Mountain Protection Array, the Ten-layered Water Dragon Formation.


    Over the next half-month, Zhao Sheng buried himself in intense cultivation while also fully devoting himself to crafting the Invisibility Talisman.


    The Invisibility Talisman truly is among the hardest to craft of the nineteen First-Order Talismans.


    Even with his talent, Zhao Sheng still frequently failed. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After half a month of hard work, he looked pale and lifeless, with dark circles under his eyes like a panda, and appeared as though he were physically and mentally drained.


    But the majority of Invisibility Talismans still ended in failure, with only about twenty to thirty percent success rate.


    However, the bad news did not stop there.


    Unsurprisingly, the Zhao family¡¯s attempts at persuasion also ended in failure, and after half a month of scattered selling, only about two thousand kilograms of spirit fish were sold.


    It¡¯s the same old story; although spirit fish meat is good, it¡¯s not an essential item like elixir pills.


    As each member of the Zhao family Cultivator returned from their unsuccessful endeavors, the atmosphere around Dragon Carp Lake grew increasingly oppressive. Even the mortal relatives were affected, feeling extremely panicked as if the sky were falling.

 Chapter 38 - 38: 38 Chapters of Two Years in Retreat

    Chapter 38: 38 Chapters of Two Years in Retreat


    In Harmony Courtyard, after patiently calming down, Zhao Sheng sent away Zhao Xiaoqi, who had come to inquire about news.


    Having sent off Zhao Xiaoqi, he shook his head with a bitter smile and couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°The mastermind behind the scenes is really painstaking, even resorting to spreading rumors among the mortals. It seems they won¡¯t stop until the Zhao family is tormented to death.¡±


    By this time, Zhao Sheng had already vaguely guessed who was manipulating everything behind the scenes¡ªmost likely Wei Chengwo, that old fox.


    Only he would stop at nothing to achieve his aims.


    The reason Wei Chengwo wanted to drive the Zhao family to their demise was not only aimed at the Zhao family¡¯s cultivators but also, more importantly, for the sake of the fifty thousand mundane relatives of the Zhao family.


    Don¡¯t assume that mundane relatives are unimportant to a cultivation family.


    On the contrary, they are the most important foundation for any cultivation family.


    Take the Zhao family as an example, among the thirty-one cultivators of the Zhao family, more than ten came from mundane families.


    Once the Wei family assimilates the fifty thousand relatives of the Zhao family, the number of newly emerged cultivators in their family will surely increase significantly.


    In the cultivation world, a considerable part of cultivation families grows their power by continuously assimilating the mundane relatives of other families.


    Zhao Sheng also guessed that perhaps not only he had figured this out, but also several astute elders in the family probably had a rough idea as well.


    But what of it!


    Wei Chengwo¡¯s move was clearly brazen, the conspiracy almost overt.


    It was the Zhao family¡¯s own incompetence that had exposed such a grand vulnerability.


    Regarding this, Zhao Sheng had no good solutions, only to react as challenges arose.


    The key to breaking this situation lay in whether the two elders could successfully establish their Foundation.


    If successful, everyone would have a bright future.


    If not¡­ they would only have to make other plans!


    ¡­


    The Sun blazed fiercely, and July seethed with heat; two months had swiftly passed.


    That day, Zhao Sheng was entirely focused on drawing an Invisibility Talisman in the talisman-making room.


    A moment later, as the talisman paper¡¯s surface flashed with spiritual light and the intricate and ornate rune vanished, an Invisibility Talisman formed suddenly. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng succeed again, Zhao Chongwei, who was nearby, dropped her talisman pen in disheartenment and complained to Zhao Sheng, ¡°Chonghe, why is the Invisibility Talisman so difficult! I¡¯ve already failed more than ten times today.¡±


    Zhao Sheng approached her, picked up a ruined talisman from the table, and after examining it for a while, he said, ¡°Xiao Wei, your penmanship and rune shapes are correct, and all the spiritual acupoints are intact. The reason for your repeated failures is the uneven distribution of spiritual power between the runes, causing blockages at the nodes.¡±


    Zhao Chongwei took the talisman and looked at it for a while, then said dejectedly, ¡°I¡¯ve tried my best to control it, but the Invisibility Talisman is too complicated. I¡¯ve used all my energy on its rune shapes and spiritual acupoints; I really can¡¯t manage anything else. Not everyone is as freakish as you!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was left speechless. So it¡¯s all my fault!


    Eventually, he could only comfort her, ¡°Don¡¯t rush, take it slow. Practice makes perfect. With your current progress, you¡¯ll master it in at most three months.¡±


    Zhao Chongwei couldn¡¯t help rolling her eyes, disdainfully saying, ¡°Are you mocking me for being dumb!¡±


    On hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face stiffened, and he hurriedly apologized, ¡°Young lady, you are the family¡¯s genius girl, reaching the third layer of Qi Refining at just seventeen. I, a mere second-layer Qi Refining novice, dare not mock you.¡±


    Hearing him say this, Zhao Chongwei¡¯s frustration abated somewhat, but she still sighed, ¡°What use is the third layer of Qi Refining? It doesn¡¯t help the family at all. When will the elders come out of seclusion?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression darkened as he comforted her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the two elders will surely succeed!¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Chongwei clasped her hands together, bowed her head, closed her eyes, and prayed sincerely, ¡°Ancestors, bless our Zhao family with another Foundation Establishment Cultivator!¡±


    Finished, she elbowed Zhao Sheng and urged, ¡°Chonghe, pray with me quickly.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was somewhat speechless.


    Who says cultivators aren¡¯t superstitious, they¡¯re actually very superstitious.


    Just like Zhao Keru, the alchemist of the Zhao Family, every time he started his alchemy furnace, he would bathe and change clothes, burn incense, and pray, with great pomp and ceremony.


    Not only him, but most artifact refiners, alchemists, and array masters in the Cultivation World also practiced similar worship rituals. Some worshipped heaven and earth, some revered the sages of their path, and some even worshipped their own ancestors.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng unmoved, Zhao Chongwei urged, ¡°Hurry up!¡±


    Zhao Sheng touched his nose and reluctantly muttered a few blessings from the ancestors.


    Due to his perfunctory attitude, Zhao Chongwei severely scolded him.


    It wasn¡¯t until Zhao Sheng ¡°reformed¡± that she let him off.


    After all, praying for one¡¯s own descendants isn¡¯t such an uncommon practice!


    As it turned out, praying to the ancestors proved utterly useless.


    Two days later, bad news struck like a bolt from the blue, throwing the Zhao Family into disarray.


    Zhao Jingang had failed in his Foundation Establishment!


    Not only had he failed, but many of his meridians were broken, and his realm had regressed to the early stage of Qi Refining Ninth Layer.


    Within half an hour, Zhao Chonghe, as the only member of his generation, and seven powerful elders of the Zhao Family once again sat around the round table.


    This time, the atmosphere in Unity Hall was even heavier than it had been two months earlier.


    There was no doubt that Zhao Jingang¡¯s failure was a severe blow to the Zhao Family, one that shook everyone¡¯s confidence deeply.


    During this emergency meeting, Zhao Sheng did not speak up; after all, there was nothing much to say.


    A failure was a failure, and the sky hadn¡¯t fallen.


    This time, the other elders of the Zhao Family displayed great rationality; after a brief period of dejection, they immediately arranged to handle the aftermath efficiently.


    To put it simply, they decided to block the news externally, downplay the failure internally as much as possible, stabilize morale fully, and crack down hard on any rumors.


    After leaving Unity Hall, Zhao Sheng immediately went to the Good Deeds Hall, using his status as Family Head to draw ten years of spiritual salary in advance and exchanged all the treasures like the flying sword and Mystic Wave Crystal in his storage bag for Fasting Pills and Spirit Origin Pills.


    Then, he plunged into the Water Vein Cultivation Room, embarking on a lengthy period of closed-door cultivation.


    He had started preparing for a way out.


    If Zhao Jinding also failed,


    Zhao Sheng decided that once he advanced to the Qi Refining Third Layer, he would head to Heavenly Pillar Mountain ahead of time.


    Time flew swiftly by, and two years passed in the blink of an eye.


    That day, a disheveled Zhao Sheng finally emerged from the cultivation room.


    At this point, no one knew that he had successfully advanced to the Qi Refining Third Layer.


    After emerging from his retreat, Zhao Sheng boarded a wooden boat and instructed the boatman to sail towards the shore of Dragon Carp Lake.


    Midway through the journey, he was shocked to discover that the number of boats on Dragon Carp Lake had increased by more than sixty percent from two years ago.


    From wooden boats thirty feet long to wide-bottomed boats with upward-curving bows, totaling over a hundred of various types and sizes.


    Moreover, there were two mid-sized Dragon Head Magic Boats over thirty feet long and seven or eight feet high, their surfaces flickering with countless rune spiritual lights, racing across the lake at high speed.


    Occasionally, someone on the magic boats would cast a luminous fishing net into the water.


    This busy scene seemed to symbolize the great prosperity of the Zhao Family.


    However, the sight did not please Zhao Sheng; instead, he furrowed his brows tightly.


    Standing at the bow of the boat, Zhao Sheng muttered to himself, ¡°Things are looking grim!¡±


    After landing, Zhao Sheng quickly learned of another dire piece of news from his clan members.

 Chapter 39 - 39 The Chives of the Cultivation World

    Chapter 39: Chapter 39 The Chives of the Cultivation World


    A year ago, Zhao Jinding failed in his Foundation Establishment!


    The harsh reality once again confirmed that the success rate for cultivators to advance to the Foundation Establishment realm was indeed frightfully low, and the Zhao family had truly run out of luck.


    That very afternoon, Zhao Sheng tidied himself up, trimming excess hair and donning a new set of robes, impatiently seeking out Zhao Keqin of the Good Deeds Hall.


    Seeing Zhao Keqin again after two years, Zhao Sheng found he had aged much, looking haggard and worn.


    Not only had his hair turned white, but his complexion was also abnormally sallow, coughing intermittently as if he had suffered a serious injury.


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng appear suddenly, Zhao Keqin measured him up and immediately revealed a joyous expression, exclaiming, ¡°Haha, you have actually reached the Qi Refining Third Layer.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded humbly, ¡°It¡¯s just luck.¡±


    He had just advanced to the third layer and had not yet fully concealed his aura, which allowed Zhao Keqin to see the signs.


    In the Cultivation World, unless there¡¯s a big difference in realm, it¡¯s difficult for cultivators of the same level to discern each other¡¯s cultivation without specific spells.


    Zhao Keqin shook his head earnestly, ¡°This is not luck at all. Among the sixteen members of the Zhao family¡¯s ¡®Chong¡¯ generation, you are the only one who could endure the loneliness and seclude yourself for two years. Heaven rewards the diligent; there is nothing to be modest about.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this.¡±


    Zhao Sheng said, then suddenly asked, ¡°Uncle Qin, why have so many fishing boats suddenly appeared on Dragon Carp Lake? Have the spirit fish found a new market?¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Keqin¡¯s expression changed and he sighed, ¡°Ah, finding a market isn¡¯t that easy. Because we couldn¡¯t sell them, the family had to take the initiative to lower the price by thirty percent.¡±


    ¡°Thirty percent! That¡¯s too much of a drop!¡± Zhao Sheng exclaimed in shock.


    Zhao Keqin spread his hands helplessly, ¡°If we don¡¯t lower the price, we can¡¯t sell; by lowering it, we can earn a little more. You know we only have six years left on the lease of Dragon Carp Lake. Before we leave, we have to grab what we can, right?¡±


    Zhao Keqin had almost given up hope on renewing the lease.


    He had heard that elder Zhao Jingang had already made contact with Purple Sun Foundation Establishment Chen Zichuan, and their relationship seemed rather warm.


    But based on his seventy years of life experience, this¡­ didn¡¯t seem very reliable!


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately realized that the family¡¯s actions were undoubtedly in preparation for their departure from Dragon Carp Lake.


    But where could the Zhao family move to after leaving?


    Every Spirit Vein in the Central Continent was already claimed.


    As the cradle of the Human Clan¡¯s civilization in this world, Central Continent has an ancient and immeasurable history.


    All the lands suitable for habitation were developed and matured over ten thousand years ago.


    After countless years of big fish eating small fish, today, most of the Spirit Veins in Central Continent have been monopolized by the Major Sects.


    Countless Cultivation Families like the Zhao family, and even some third-tier Cultivation Sects, must lease Spirit Veins from large powers to have a place to call home.


    They are like continually growing chives, year by year harvested by the likes of Purple Sun Sect and other Great Sects.


    It could be said that the class structure in the Central Continent Cultivation World is extremely rigid, with the classes nearly fixed. To cultivate, lower-class cultivators either choose to toil till death or simply give up.


    While Zhao Sheng had some plans for the Zhao family¡¯s predicament, he couldn¡¯t think of a once-and-for-all solution at the moment.


    Thus, he changed the subject, asking with concern, ¡°Uncle Qin, your complexion doesn¡¯t look very good. Have you been injured?¡±


    Zhao Keqin was taken aback by the question and quickly dismissed it, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, I just encountered a few worms during an outing.¡±


    ¡°Worms¡± refer to rotten cultivators.


    In the Cultivation World, there is a group of people who, due to talent, opportunity, or injury leading to a hopeless pursuit of longevity and a dead end ahead, cease cultivation.


    These people willingly degenerate, pursuing various pleasures.


    Some go even further, turning to destroy the cultivation of others since they cannot progress themselves, their abhorrent actions even more despicable than those of Evil Demons and the Outer Path, making them detestable by both gods and ghosts.


    These fallen cultivators are called worms of the Cultivation World, or more politely, rotten cultivators.


    But did Zhao Keqin really encounter rotten cultivators?


    Zhao Sheng had his doubts.


    Seeing the other party reluctant to elaborate, he did not press further and promptly stated his purpose for the visit.


    Upon learning Zhao Sheng wanted to take some talisman paper and talismanic ink on credit, Zhao Keqin was exceptionally cooperative, not only agreeing immediately but also providing double the amount.


    In the end, he repeatedly entrusted him to produce as many as possible, as the family was in urgent need of Invisibility Talismans.


    Leaving the Good Deeds Hall and returning to Harmony Courtyard.


    When Zhao Sheng held the Strong Fox Talisman Pen in his hand and once again began to paint the Invisibility Talisman, he suddenly discovered a pleasant surprise.


    Although he hadn¡¯t wielded a pen in two years, he realized that he felt no unfamiliarity, and his first attempt at painting the talisman was effortlessly successful.


    Underneath his puzzled expression, he pondered for a moment.


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng was struck by a thought.


    The reason for this ease seemed to be due to the Rock Hand.


    Rock Hand: Your hands are as steady as rock.


    Put another way, does it mean that once the movements of the hands become muscle memory, they will never degrade?


    Judging from the outcome, it seemed this was indeed the case.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but berate himself for being shortsighted, thinking that no wonder the success rate of the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman increased so rapidly back then ¨C the Rock Hand must have also played an important role behind the scenes.


    It seemed there were no useless talents in this world, only useless people.


    Later, Zhao Sheng gathered his thoughts again and commenced the second attempt.


    This time, he nearly succeeded!


    Then on the third try, success!


    The fourth attempt failed


    ¡­


    When the sixteenth Invisibility Talisman was halfway done, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt a pain in his Dantian, and the spiritual power at the tip of his pen abruptly ceased.


    It was only after he emerged from his Heart Flow state that Zhao Sheng realized with a start that the spiritual power within him had completely drained away.


    Looking at the five radiantly glowing Invisibility Talismans, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t hide his joy, but he sighed inwardly, ¡°With just the cultivation of Qi Refining Third Layer, my level is still too low. Who knows when I will be able to reach Qi Refining Perfection.¡±


    Out of sixteen Invisibility Talismans, five were successful, more than a thirty percent success rate.


    Zhao Sheng was fairly satisfied with this result and thought it seemed the elders¡¯ words were not wrong.


    The higher the cultivation, the easier it became to make talismans.


    Zhao Sheng did a rough calculation and estimated that, subtracting costs, his daily profit was around eight Spirit Stones. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, this was still not enough.


    Consider the dangers of the dark side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain!


    Having entered it twice before, Zhao Sheng had an extremely painful and indelible experience of it.


    This time, he would not joke with his own life.


    Even if he had to enter Heavenly Pillar Mountain earlier than planned, he would make thorough preparations.


    He needed to have Magic Artifacts, plenty of talismans, and an abundance of Elixir Pills.


    ¡­


    The trees long for peace, but the wind will not cease!


    After coming out of seclusion, Zhao Sheng disregarded worldly affairs and had no interest in socializing; he dedicated all his spare time outside of cultivation to painting talismans and refining spells.


    However, there were some matters he couldn¡¯t avoid, and some troubles came seeking him out.


    One afternoon, a month later, as Zhao Sheng was just stepping out of the Good Deeds Hall, he saw two of his contemporaries, Zhao Chongxiao and Zhao Chongwei, approaching him.


    Zhao Sheng felt a bit surprised and wondered what they wanted with him.


    The moment Zhao Chongwei saw Zhao Sheng, she excitedly shouted, ¡°Chonghe, I have some good news to tell you. Guess what it is?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the good news?¡± Zhao Sheng asked in return.


    At the same time, he also greeted Zhao Chongxiao.


    Zhao Chongwei, with an excited face, exclaimed, ¡°Brother Chongxiao has invited us to go to Qixia Peak to watch the clouds and enjoy the moon. Isn¡¯t that great news?¡±


    Hmm?!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face revealed a look of surprise and he couldn¡¯t help but turn his gaze towards Zhao Chongxiao.

 Chapter 40 - 40 Inside and Out

    Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Inside and Out


    Zhao Chongxiao saw that Zhao Sheng was a bit puzzled and explained with a smile, ¡°Chonghe, you and Xiao Wei are both over eighteen years old. Naturally, you are eligible to attend the Qixia Conference. I am the leader for our Zhao Family this year and will take you two to ascend Qixia Peak.¡±


    After listening, Zhao Sheng seemed contemplative and at the same time, he subtly stepped back to create some distance from Zhao Chongxiao.


    It wasn¡¯t that he wanted to keep away on purpose, but because Zhao Chongxiao ¡°stank too much¡±.


    It wouldn¡¯t have been too bad if he hadn¡¯t spoken, but once he opened his mouth, a rotten smell wafted out from it.


    That smell was hard to describe, as if it was the strong stench that comes from decaying blood.


    Zhao Sheng found it very strange; this stench was so prominent, yet Zhao Chongxiao and Zhao Chongwei both behaved very naturally, as if they hadn¡¯t smelled anything at all.


    Zhao Chongxiao was very sensitive and immediately noticed Zhao Sheng¡¯s odd behavior.


    He instinctively sniffed around and then asked with surprise, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Is there something wrong?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled and spoke naturally, ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong! I just wanted to ask, is this year¡¯s Qixia Conference still scheduled for July fifteenth?¡±


    Zhao Chongxiao, relieved, answered smoothly, ¡°It¡¯s been moved up this year, set for the first of July,¡±


    ¡°Oh! Then¡­ that means there are only three days left,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a flash of surprise in his eyes, before muttering to himself in a low voice.


    At that moment, the still very excited Zhao Chongwei suddenly reminded him, ¡°Don¡¯t forget to dress up nicely for the occasion. Also, make sure to bring more Invisibility Talismans. They¡¯re in high demand!¡±


    ¡°Mhm, got it! You should also dress up beautifully, maybe you¡¯ll find a satisfactory husband at the Qixia Conference.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, I¡¯m not talking to you anymore!¡±


    Zhao Chongwei, her face flushed with shyness, stamped her foot and turned to run away.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng and the others couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    The Qixia Conference isn¡¯t just a gathering for the younger generation of Cultivation Families like Lan, Wei, Zhao, Wang, etc.; it also has a semblance of a matchmaking meeting.


    While Cultivation Families certainly prioritize arranged marriages, if the younger generation finds mutual affection, isn¡¯t that countless times better than a blind and mute marriage arrangement?


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget, the first of July,¡± Zhao Chongxiao patted Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulder seriously as he left.


    Watching the other party leave, Zhao Sheng touched the shoulder that had been patted, sniffed it, and his expression immediately turned very solemn.


    After thinking for a moment, he suddenly turned around and entered the Good Deeds Hall again.


    Soon, Zhao Keqin and Zhao Sheng left the Good Deeds Hall together with grave expressions and rushed to Chaoxing Garden, where they found Zhao Jinding who was healing.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng and the others left Chaoxing Garden separately.


    Subsequently, a slight disturbance occurred within the Zhao Family. Some people were quietly called in for questioning, some subtly changed their positions, and additionally, two teams of scouts were dispatched quickly.


    A day later, the personnel of the Zhao Family¡¯s external patrol team suddenly doubled, and Dragon Carp Lake quietly entered a state of tightened internal security with a relaxed exterior.


    Two days later, in Chaoxing Garden,


    Inside the secret room, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Keqin, and Zhao Jinding met again.


    No sooner had they settled down than Zhao Sheng eagerly asked, ¡°Uncle Qin, did you find any anomalies?¡±


    Zhao Keqin¡¯s expression was dark as he said gravely, ¡°Chonghe, you were right. There is indeed something wrong with Chongxiao. This year¡¯s Qixia Conference hasn¡¯t been moved forward at all. Chongxiao, he¡­ he lied!¡±


    Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Jinding smashed the table with his palm, stood up, and roared furiously, ¡°Dammit! What is he trying to do? What¡¯s his scheme for tricking you and Weiwei out?¡±


    ¡°Damn, there¡¯s nothing I hate more in my life than deceitful actions!¡±


    Compared to the furious Zhao Jinding, Zhao Sheng appeared very calm. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He stroked his chin, his words carrying a hint of meaning, ¡°This probably wasn¡¯t his own idea. I fear there might be someone else behind the scenes.¡±


    Zhao Keqin¡¯s expression became solemn as he nodded, sharing the same thought.


    Looking at the two elders, Zhao Sheng then said, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about how to deal with Zhao Chongxiao for now. The most important thing is to figure out why the mastermind targeted the two of us, and not someone else?¡±


    ¡°I can probably guess the purpose of the other party. It must be trouble brought on by the Invisibility Talisman.¡± Zhao Keqin immediately continued.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face changed upon hearing this; he hadn¡¯t expected the Invisibility Talisman to be the cause.


    The cultivators in the Zhao family totaled just thirty¡­


    No, that¡¯s not right,


    In the past two years, the family has suffered frequent mishaps, losing several members of the Ke generation; now only twenty-seven cultivators remain.


    Anyone with a mind to do so could easily find out that the Invisibility Talisman was refined by him and Zhao Chongwei.


    Zhao Sheng knew that Invisibility Talismans were in high demand, but he never thought they would be so coveted that someone would go to great lengths to abduct them.


    It was also his fault for having too narrow a perspective,


    Zhao Sheng not only underestimated his own talent but also the difficulty of refining the Invisibility Talisman.


    Even if the threshold for talisman making is low, it still requires a certain talent, especially for talismans of the highest difficulty, which require the most top-notch talent in Talisman Tao.


    For the sake of a long-term ¡°meal ticket,¡± Zhao Sheng could hardly imagine what crazy things some people or forces might do.


    The incidents that happened to him today were merely child¡¯s play in comparison.


    Zhao Sheng quickly asked, ¡°Then¡­ how should we handle this matter?¡±


    ¡°What else is there to say, immediately seize that treacherous cur, and reduce him to ashes!¡± Zhao Jinding declared furiously.


    He was becoming more hot-tempered with age, especially after failing at Foundation Establishment, which had him lit at the slightest spark. He was full of pent-up frustration with no outlet, and these unlucky rogue cultivators just happened to cross his path.


    Zhao Keqin nodded in agreement, ¡°Without uncovering the mastermind, we won¡¯t have peace of mind. There¡¯s no logic in guarding against a thief for a thousand days!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, looking at Zhao Jinding, asked, ¡°In that case, shall we play along with their plot, or should we capture Zhao Chongxiao first?¡±


    Zhao Chongxiao belonged to the main branch, and they needed to consult Zhao Jinding¡¯s opinion before taking him down.


    Unexpectedly, Family Elder Zhao, without a second thought, declared, ¡°We don¡¯t need to lure the snake out of its hole with tricks. I want to ask Zhao Chongxiao how the Zhao family has wronged him, that he dared to collude with outsiders to plot against his own!¡±


    ¡°Elder Ding has spoken well! We must be cautious in our actions, and if we have a choice, we should not take risks,¡± Zhao Keqin stated his agreement promptly after hearing this.


    Seeing that the two elders had made a decision, Zhao Sheng naturally wouldn¡¯t object. After all, he didn¡¯t want to risk his own life.


    Having discussed and agreed, the three immediately left Chaoxing Courtyard to head to Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s residence.


    Just half an hour later, Zhao Jinding, with a face full of rage, kicked open the door to the quiet room and saw Zhao Chongxiao cultivating inside.


    In the quiet room, Zhao Chongxiao opened his eyes and saw Zhao Sheng and the others bursting in. His expression shifted slightly but quickly returned to normal.


    He immediately rose to his feet, about to greet the two elders respectfully with a bow.


    But at that moment, Zhao Jinding suddenly flashed by his side, his right palm filled with spirit light, and slapped it on Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s Dantian. A surge of powerful Spiritual Power poured in, instantly sealing the other¡¯s Dantian energy points.


    Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s face drastically changed, and he managed a forced smile, ¡°Second Grandfather, why¡­ why have you sealed my Dantian? Have I done something wrong?¡±


    Slap!


    Zhao Jinding slapped Zhao Chongxiao across the face, sending blood seeping from his mouth and nose.

 Chapter 41 - 41 Spiritual Artifact Red Scale Armor

    Chapter 41: Chapter 41 Spiritual Artifact Red Scale Armor


    ¡°Hmph, a disloyal cur that bites the hand that feeds, colluding with outsiders to plot against your own kin! Do you admit to these charges?¡±


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s pupils shrank, and the smile on his face instantly stiffened, his heart filled with immense shock and fear.


    In a Cultivation Family, colluding with outsiders to harm one¡¯s own kin was an unforgivable and heinous crime. Anyone who committed this crime would be executed, but what was more terrifying was that they would often be denied a quick death.


    ¡°Second Grandpa, what are you talking about? Your grandson is completely confused,¡± Zhao Chongxiao still harbored a sliver of hope, pretending to be bewildered and at a loss.


    Seeing that the other party was still hoping for a chance, Zhao Sheng stepped forward, produced evidence, and asked, ¡°Tell me, is the Qixia Conference this year on the first or the fifteenth of July? Why did you have me carry Insect Powder from the Shadowless Insect on my shoulder?¡±


    As soon as Zhao Chongxiao heard this, his facial expression collapsed instantly.


    He thudded to his knees and immediately started sobbing like a dog.


    At the same time, he clutched Zhao Jinding¡¯s thighs tightly, sobbing with tears streaming down, pleading:


    ¡°Second Grandpa, I was forced to do it! I didn¡¯t want to! But they placed a Corrosive Blood Gu on me. If I don¡¯t follow their orders, the Gu Worm will act up and eventually turn me into a puddle of rotten blood.¡±


    Zhao Jinding kicked him away with a foot and sternly demanded, ¡°Who are they? Why did they make you do this? Tell me everything you know!¡±


    Zhao Chongxiao scrambled back to his knees, his face showing fear as he replied, ¡°Grandson truly doesn¡¯t know who they are, only that they are three individuals who call themselves the Wushan Three Immortals.


    Seven days ago, I was accidentally captured by them and was inflicted with the Corrosive Blood Gu. Then they ordered me to lure Zhao Chong and Chongwei out.¡±


    Having said this, he looked at the three of them with eager eyes.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jinding impatiently urged, ¡°What else?¡±


    Before the words had even finished, Zhao Chongxiao suddenly began to kowtow desperately, his head bleeding from the impact,


    ¡°I admit my wrongdoing, and I beg Grandpa and Uncle Qin to spare my life. I swear I will never dare to do it again!¡±


    Zhao Chongxiao knew that if he did not take this opportunity to beg for mercy, he would surely die.


    Zhao Jinding kicked him to the ground again, and with a sneer, rebuked: ¡°Humph, you deserve to die!¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed and he suddenly spoke up: ¡°Second Grandpa, Zhao Chongxiao was also compelled, since he has acknowledged his wrongs, and he has not caused any serious consequences. Why not spare his life, would that be acceptable?¡±


    Zhao Keqin, upon hearing this, also persuaded, ¡°That¡¯s right! Chongxiao did not intend to do it. Now the family is short on manpower, so why not let him redeem himself through meritorious service?¡±


    As he spoke, his tone turned harsh, and he forcefully questioned, ¡°Chongxiao, tell the truth, what was their plan? If we wanted you to draw them out, could you do it?¡±


    Seeing the lifeline thrown to him, why wouldn¡¯t Zhao Chongxiao grab it?


    He was overjoyed, quickly spilling everything he knew. In the end, he even volunteered to act as bait to lure the other party into a trap.


    Having heard what he said, Zhao Jinding¡¯s anger slightly cooled. After discussing with Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongxiao, they decided to set a trap to catch the enemies all at once.


    A day later, at noon.


    Outside the Zhao family¡¯s residence by Dragon Carp Lake, three Green-Scaled Jiao Horses over three meters tall and with smoke rising from their hooves, constantly shook their manes on the open ground. Occasionally, they snorted, and a puff of green smoke would burst from their nostrils.


    Green-Scaled Jiao Horses are a common type of Beast Taming in the Cultivation World, specifically bred by the Beast Taming Sect. They are said to have a trace of Dragon Serpent blood, allowing them to travel a thousand miles in a day and to race continuously for three days and nights.


    Next to the Jiao Horses, Zhao Jinding solemnly handed two blood-red soft armors to Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chong.


    Zhao Sheng inspected the soft armor and saw it was covered with fine crimson scales, with countless runes flowing and flickering on them.


    He exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Spiritual Artifact Red Scale Armor!¡±


    ¡°No, this is too precious!¡± Zhao Sheng hastily declined.


    The Red Scale Armor was a treasured heirloom of the Zhao family. It was made from the reverse scales under the necks of five hundred and eighty century-old Red Carps, its defensive power was twice as strong as that of a similar grade Spiritual Artifact,


    The Zhao family had been established near Dragon Carp Lake for nearly three hundred years, and had only managed to accumulate four pieces of Red Scale Armor.


    Two of them had already been sold, and aside from being worn by the clan¡¯s Foundation Establishment Ancestors, the two pieces in the hands of Zhao Sheng and the others spent most of their time hidden away in the family¡¯s treasure vault, away from prying eyes.


    Zhao Jinding pushed the Red Scale Armor back to Zhao Sheng and said very seriously, ¡°Put it on! Are your lives not worth more than a mere object?¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng had no choice but to put on the Red Scale Armor and cover it with his robe. Zhao Chongwei beside him followed suit.


    Zhao Chongxiao watched this scene with eyes red with envy and jealousy.


    At this moment, Zhao Jinding turned his head to look at him and scolded with a cold tone, ¡°Be smart about it! Even if you die, you cannot let these two suffer any harm. Otherwise, don¡¯t blame me for personally expelling your branch of the family from the clan.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Second Granduncle, I understand,¡± replied Zhao Chongxiao.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s body shook violently, and he rapidly nodded in agreement.


    In the Cultivation World, being expelled from the family clan was akin to betraying the clan, and almost certainly meant death. This punishment was extremely cruel and ruthless.


    Before leaving, Zhao Jinding took out a Second Order Trapped Dragon Talisman from his Storage Bag and handed it to Zhao Sheng, instructing, ¡°Chong and, when you encounter the enemy, do not hesitate to throw the Trapped Dragon Talisman. We will be secretly following behind you. Just delay them momentarily, and we will arrive immediately. Do you hear me?¡±


    ¡°I heard you! I will be careful,¡±


    Zhao Sheng solemnly nodded and then mounted his horse.


    Go!


    Shortly after, with the sound of a whip, three Green-Scaled Jiao Horses suddenly pranced, their majestic forms instantly leaping into the air, and then rapidly dashing along the straight path towards the horizon amidst the clouds.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go as well!¡±


    After watching the three of them disappear into the distance, Zhao Jinding took out a two-zhang-long magic artifact wooden kite made of light spirit wood from his Storage Bag.


    At the same time, Zhao Keqin, Zhao Jingge, and the other four Qi Refinement Late Stage individuals also took out similar magic artifact wooden kites.


    The Zhao family was truly incensed by this affair and had dispatched five Qi Refinement Late Stage individuals at once, each equipped with a Second Order True Talisman. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It¡¯s worth noting that even the lowest grade Second Order True Talisman had power equivalent to a full-strength strike from an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. A single one would cost at least a few hundred Spirit Stones.


    Two breaths later, the wooden kites, under the control of the five individuals, roared into the sky.


    Soon, the wooden kites turned into specks and disappeared into the clouds.


    On the other side, Zhao Sheng and the others, riding on the Green-Scaled Jiao Horses, rode at full speed towards Qixia Peak.


    Zhao Chongxiao was not clear about the Wushan Three Immortals¡¯ plan. He had only received an order to bring Zhao Sheng and the other to Qixia Peak.


    Whether the Wushan Three Immortals planned to make their move on the way or at Qixia Peak, Zhao Chongxiao was unaware.


    Therefore, as the three of them galloped on their horses, they had to remain vigilant at all times.


    Such constant vigilance was truly exhausting!


    Three hours later, when the Sun dipped toward the horizon, Zhao Sheng and the others, surprisingly, did not encounter any mishaps along the way and arrived at Qixia Mountain quite smoothly.

 Chapter 42 - 42 Laozi is your future master

    Chapter 42: Chapter 42 Laozi is your future master


    ¡°`


    Qixia Peak is situated over four hundred li to the northwest of Dragon Carp Lake, deep within the Yandang Mountain Range. The mountain soars a thousand zhang high, with treacherous terrain. Ancient trees stand tall while green grass and wildflowers blanket its land.


    A bluestone path, just over a zhang wide, snaked its way up the mountain, veiled intermittently by the dense foliage and large trees, curving and twisting up to the summit.


    Zhao Sheng and two others dismounted at the foot of Qixia Peak, entrusting their Green-Scaled Jiao Horses to the care of the Mountain Guardian.


    The Mountain Guardian was a group of mortals whose ancestors also hailed from Cultivation Families, but whose power had long since declined.


    They had taken on the responsibility, entrusted by nearby Cultivation Families, to guard Qixia Peak for generations, serving the needs of Cultivators.


    Just as the trio set foot on the stone pathway, Zhao Chongxiao suddenly stopped, looking hesitantly at Zhao Sheng, as if he had something to say but was holding back.


    Noticing this, Zhao Sheng asked with a hint of surprise, ¡°You¡­ have something to say?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ after we meet the Wushan Three Immortals, can we not start fighting right away? I would like to speak first,¡± Zhao Chongxiao pleaded, rubbing his hands together nervously.


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s fine. But you need to give me a reason to convince me,¡± Zhao Sheng said with ease.


    At this, Zhao Chongwei couldn¡¯t hold back her displeasure, huffing, ¡°Hmph, Chong He, let¡¯s not bother with this turncoat. Who knows what kind of vile scheme he¡¯s concocting.¡±


    Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s face was filled with bitterness as he said, ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve been infected with the Corrosive Blood Gu. I want to try and trick them into giving me the antidote first.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was taken aback, almost forgetting about the deadly creature ensnaring Zhao Chongxiao.


    After contemplating, Zhao Sheng figured it was possible to delay their plans slightly, and after all, Zhao Chongxiao was still a member of their own family; it wouldn¡¯t do to drive him to a dead end.


    So, he agreed, ¡°Alright! But only if it doesn¡¯t affect our plan.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s face lit up with joy, and he quickly agreed.


    Zhao Sheng nodded, then stepped aside and gestured with an open hand, saying, ¡°Then please, go ahead!¡±


    Zhao Chongxiao took a deep breath and led the way up Qixia Peak, with Zhao Sheng pulling the still-irritated Zhao Chongwei along closely behind.


    Despite the steep, slippery stone steps of Qixia Peak, it posed no challenge for the three Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators.


    In less than a quarter of an hour, they had traversed a thousand stone steps to reach a flat area halfway up the mountain.


    This was a recess in the mountainside, spanning roughly twenty zhang in diameter, with a four-pillared stone pavilion at one edge next to the cliff, built for admiring the scenery.


    As soon as the trio reached this spot, they immediately saw two figures in the pavilion, one standing and one sitting.


    Both were dressed in the garb of Taoists, wearing apricot-yellow robes and green leaf crowns.


    The one sitting had a face round as the full moon, his body portly and swollen. The one standing had green-tinted hair and beard, with skin so blue that he looked more like a corpse than a living person.


    Upon seeing them, Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s body shook violently, becoming instantly rigid in place.


    From the corner of his eye, Zhao Sheng noticed his reaction, aware that those two were undoubtedly two of the Wushan Three Immortals.


    But where was the third one?


    As this thought crossed his mind, Zhao Sheng suddenly heard a clattering sound behind him, crisp like metal striking stone.


    Turning around swiftly, he looked back.


    He saw a limping figure about a dozen steps below, with an empty right pant leg, leaning on a silver serpent-headed cane, slowly making its way up the mountain.


    In such a situation, even a fool would know something was amiss.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s left hand slipped into his sleeve, quietly gripping the Trapped Dragon Talisman, while he slowly retreated towards the mountain wall, pulling Zhao Chongwei with him.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Chongxiao suddenly rushed towards the stone pavilion, shouting excitedly at the two people inside, ¡°Seniors, I¡¯ve brought the people you wanted. Please give me the antidote now!¡±


    Sitting in the pavilion was the fatty named Zhang Xiong, a Qi Refining Seventh Layer practitioner, and the second of the Wushan Three Immortals.


    The green-haired ghoul standing was the third, named Chu Hu, a Sixth Level of Qi Refining practitioner.


    Hearing Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s shout, Zhang Xiong patted his belly and laughed heartily, ¡°Well done, boy. The Daoist master won¡¯t shortchange you. The antidote is just a trivial thing, take it!¡± S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°`


    As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Xiong casually tossed something. A blood-colored pill shot out from his sleeve, tracing an arc through the air and landing precisely in Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s hand.


    Overcome with joy, Zhao Chongxiao quickly raised his hand to his mouth and swallowed the Blood Pill.


    After taking the antidote, he was full of gratitude, bowing repeatedly as he thanked him: ¡°Thank you, Senior, for bestowing the antidote. I am eternally grateful.¡±


    Just at that moment, the limping Dead Limp Man happened to appear in the depression.


    Seeing Zhao Chongxiao in this state, he suddenly spoke up: ¡°Young lad, today I¡¯ll teach you a lesson. Remember not to trust anyone¡¯s promises. Don¡¯t forget this in your next life!¡±


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s face instantly went ashen, and he stammered in fear, ¡°Se¡­ Senior, what is this¡­ you¡¯re¡­ agh!¡±


    Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s body began to convulse violently, and his exposed skin turned scarlet and purple in an instant, with countless droplets of blood seeping from his pores.


    In just a moment, dark purple pus and blood began flowing from Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s seven orifices, and his skin rapidly necrosed, oozing large amounts of pus and blood.


    In just seven or eight breaths, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhao Chongxiao¡¯s body quickly dissolved into a puddle of Blood Stain.


    A gust of wind blew by, and a red and white skeletal frame crashed to the ground with a bang, scattering among the Blood Stain.


    The scene was horrifying!


    Ugh!


    Zhao Chongwei had never seen such a bloody scene. Her stomach churned violently, and she couldn¡¯t help bending over to vomit.


    The Dead Limp Man was quite satisfied as he watched this unfold.


    In his view, this display of ¡°killing the chicken to scare the monkey¡± was executed perfectly.


    When it came time to ¡°persuade¡± the two treasures later on, he would probably save himself a lot of effort.


    The Dead Limp Man was the leader of the Wushan Three Immortals; his real name and background were very mysterious, even his sworn brothers were unclear about them.


    He always called himself Zhou Laoguai and was the highest in cultivation among the three, nearing Qi Refining Perfection.


    Zhou Laoguai slowly approached Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongwei, emitting the formidable aura of the Qi Refining Ninth Layer while threatening in a sinister voice, ¡°You¡¯d better surrender obediently. Don¡¯t make me take action, or you¡¯ll suffer greatly later!¡±


    Zhao Sheng pulled Zhao Chongwei back to the mountain wall, his expression guarded, as he demanded, ¡°Who are you people?¡±


    With an air of confidence that the game was in his hands, Zhou Laoguai laughed triumphantly: ¡°Haha, you¡¯re asking who we are? I am your future master!¡±


    ¡°Hold on, I have something to say!¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly shouted out loud.


    He wanted to buy some time because the situation was somewhat different than he had anticipated.


    The Wushan Three Immortals were not standing together; the Dead Limp Man and the other two were at least five or six zhang apart, while the range of the Trapped Dragon Talisman was only three zhang.


    This was going to be complicated!


    Zhou Laoguai chuckled sinisterly: ¡°Once I¡¯ve placed the Prohibition on you, you¡¯ll have plenty of time to talk.¡±


    As he spoke, there was no sign of him stopping.


    Seeing the Dead Limp Man approach within two zhang, Zhao Sheng clenched his teeth and tore apart the Trapped Dragon Talisman with a trembling hand.


    The next instant, a golden light circle burst forth from Zhao Sheng¡¯s sleeve, expanding countless times in an instant into a golden dome-shaped Light Shield that, like lightning, trapped Zhou Laoguai inside.


    Immediately afterward, more than a dozen golden light chains suddenly ¡°grew¡± from the dome wall, reaching in and coiling around Zhou Laoguai¡¯s head, neck, hips, arms, left foot, and the headed snake staff like living creatures.


    ¡°Elder Brother, be careful!¡±


    However, this warning from the second brother, Zhang Xiong, was ultimately a moment too late.


    The activated Second Order Trapped Dragon Talisman was as fast as lightning!


    By the time he shouted, Zhou Laoguai had already been bound by the Trapped Dragon Talisman.

 Chapter 43 - 43 Taiyi Spirit Realm

    Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Taiyi Spirit Realm


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    After cursing, Zhang Xiong took off the Alien Insect Bag from his waist, opened the bag wide, and poured out hundreds of fist-sized Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes.


    Buzz, buzz, buzz!


    In mid-air, the Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes circled once and quickly formed a Blood Cloud that charged towards Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongwei.


    At the same time, Third Chu Hu¡¯s head, face, and limbs rapidly grew green hair, then he leaped straight out of the stone pavilion, covering three zhang in one bound, his body stiff like a zombie, he hopped and pounced toward Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng pulled Zhao Chongwei behind him and paid no attention to the swarm of Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes.


    He quickly produced a Fireball Talisman, poured Spiritual Power into it, and forcefully threw it toward the sky.


    The next second, at a height of seven or eight zhang above, an orange-red fireball the size of a human head suddenly exploded, standing out starkly against the dusky sky.


    Meanwhile, just as the Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes reached Zhao Sheng and Zhao Chongwei and were about to bite fiercely, they all slammed into a solid and heavy barrier of Red Light.


    The Red Scale Armor, as a Spiritual Artifact designed for defense, not only boasted exceptionally sturdy materials but also inherent a Second-level Defensive Magic ¡°Red Light.¡±


    Should the Spiritual Artifact¡¯s Master encounter danger, ¡°Red Light¡± would automatically activate, defending against any tangible or intangible attacks.


    Seeing this, Third Chu Hu, the green-haired ghost, underwent a drastic change in expression and immediately shifted his body shape, crashing against the golden Light Shield of the Trapped Dragon Talisman.


    Decades of life as a Loose Cultivator had honed Chu Hu¡¯s extremely sharp sense of crisis.


    The very moment he saw the Red Light, he instinctively sensed some kind of danger.


    Trouble!


    He must escape quickly!


    But before fleeing, he had to rescue the boss!


    Chu Hu practiced an Evil Technique called the Zombification Technique.


    This evil method transformed the practitioner¡¯s flesh into an unbreakable zombie body.


    After decades of cultivation, Chu Hu¡¯s body had evolved from a Black Zombie to a Green Zombie, not only extremely hard like iron but also immensely powerful.


    His charge was laden with a force well beyond a thousand catties!


    However, how could a Second-level Talisman be easily broken by a Qi Refining Immortal Cultivator?


    The golden Light Shield trembled slightly and then immediately returned to normal.


    Seeing this, Chu Hu became frantic.


    He exerted all his Core Stiff Power, causing each strand of his green hair to stand on end like a human-shaped green hedgehog.


    With a series of Crackling pops, Chu Hu¡¯s rigid body suddenly swelled by a third, then he violently pushed his feet backward, instantly creating two pits in the ground.


    His body flew up like a cannonball and fiercely smashed against the golden Light Shield.


    This time, the golden Light Shield buckled inward as the golden chains inside vibrated rapidly a few times.


    But the next second, Chu Hu spat black blood and was instantly flung away.


    Having failed once more, Chu Hu¡¯s expression grew even more hideous. He wiped the blood from his mouth, struggled to get up from the ground, and was about to charge for the third time.


    Just then, Zhang Xiong, the second brother, yelled in a panic, ¡°Third, forget about the boss. Bail out immediately!¡±


    Obviously,


    His attention to detail was no less than that of third brother, and upon seeing the Spiritual Artifact and the Trapped Dragon Talisman,


    Zhang Xiong also immediately realized that instead of catching their prey, they had fallen into a trap.


    The reason he came to this conclusion was that the characteristics of the Red Scale Armor, a familial Spiritual Artifact of the Zhao family, were too distinctive.


    Zhang Xiong recognized at a glance that the lad was actually wearing a piece of Red Scale Armor.


    Is this normal?


    Pah, this is totally abnormal!


    Chu Hu¡¯s expression was exceptionally stubborn as he turned his head and shouted to Zhang Xiong, ¡°Second Brother, if you want to leave, go by yourself, I need to save the boss!¡±


    Although Chu Hu was known for his unscrupulous behavior, he was loyal to Elder Zhou. Without the boss¡¯s repeated rescues over the years, he would have died countless times already.


    ¡°Damn it! Practicing that shitty Zombie Skill, and even ruining your own brain in the end. Fine, if you won¡¯t go, I¡¯ll make a run for it first!¡±


    With that, Zhang Xiong didn¡¯t bother to retrieve his Four-winged Blood Mosquitoes and contracted his limbs, turning his body into a big meat ball and rapidly bouncing out of the stone pavilion, rolling down the mountain.


    Just at that moment, a cold voice suddenly resounded through the sky, ¡°None of you will escape!¡±


    Before the sound faded, five figures descended from the sky.


    Zhao Jingge and Zhao Keqin flew down to the stone steps on the side of the mountain, blocking Zhang Xiong¡¯s escape route.


    Zhao Jiading and the other two encircled Chu Hu in the center.


    When Zhao Sheng saw this scene, his heart relaxed, and he loudly called out to Zhao Jiading, ¡°Second Grandpa, Zhao Chongxiao is dead.¡±


    Zhao Jiading glanced at the bloody skeleton not far away, then slowly furrowed his brows.


    Although Zhao Chongxiao had deserved to die for his actions, he was, after all, a member of the main branch, and his death was so miserable in the end.


    Beyond pity, Zhao Jiading felt a surge of anger well up inside him.


    Facing five cultivators at the Qi Refining Late Stage, Chu Hu and Zhang Xiong had absolutely no strength to resist and were quickly captured one after another.


    As for Elder Zhou, there was even less that needed to be said,


    A mighty Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivator hadn¡¯t unleashed a single move before he bewilderingly became a captive. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He probably couldn¡¯t understand how his supposedly meticulous plan had been so easily seen through by the Zhao family.


    Zhao Jiading and the others would not easily kill the Wushan Three Immortals; they would wait until after they had drained all their value.


    Three days later, just when Zhao Sheng thought the matter had passed, Elder Zhao Jiading came to him with an excited expression.


    As the two settled down in the living room, without waiting for Zhao Sheng to speak, Zhao Jiading eagerly took something out and handed it over, saying mysteriously, ¡°Chongwei, take a look at this, what do you think it is?¡±


    Zhao Sheng took it and saw an object that looked like a piece of White Silk Handkerchief. It was soft and silky to touch, easily crumpled into a ball.


    When he unfolded it, the handkerchief was thin and translucent, about one foot square. The surface of the silk was covered with dense and mysterious runes embroidered one by one, not just written on.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but ask with curiosity, ¡°What is this? Could it be a Cultivation Method?¡±


    ¡°Not exactly, but not far off!¡±


    Zhao Jiading smiled and shook his head, then quickly explained, ¡°While this thing isn¡¯t a Cultivation Method, it¡¯s almost the same for a talisman cultivator. This silk handkerchief records a Talisman Tao method known as ¡®Stacking Talisman Technique¡¯.¡±


    Stacking Talisman Technique!


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart stirred, certain he had come across this name in some ancient book.


    He quickly spread out the handkerchief to take a closer look, but he couldn¡¯t recognize the runes on it as they were vastly different from the ones commonly used in the Cultivation World.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts, Zhao Jiading quickly took out an ancient book from his Storage Bag and handed it to him, while urging seriously, ¡°This ¡®Taiyi Spiritual Text Annotation¡¯ was found on them. Be sure to keep it safe and don¡¯t let others see it.¡±


    Upon hearing the words Taiyi, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart shook violently.


    In the Cultivation World, all items related to Taiyi pointed directly to the Taiyi Spirit Realm.


    As Zhao Sheng knew, his world was called the Tianzhu Realm. Because of the limits in Spiritual Energy density, cultivators could only reach up to the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    After advancing to Divinity Transformation, cultivators must find ways to ascend to the Spirit Realm to continue their cultivation.


    Taiyi Spirit Realm is where the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs of the Tianzhu Realm ascend to.


    Divinity Transformation True Monarchs who successfully ascended didn¡¯t completely sever their ties with the Tianzhu Realm.

 Chapter 44 - 44: Pocket World City

    Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Pocket World City


    Whenever a new Divinity Transformation True Monarch ascended in the Tianzhu Realm, some True Monarchs who had ascended countless years ago would take the opportunity to send some secret techniques from the Taiyi Spirit Realm through the ascension passage.


    For millions of years, through the efforts of numerous Divinity Transformation True Monarchs, the secret techniques and cultivation methods of the Taiyi Spirit Realm gradually spread throughout the Tianzhu Realm.


    However, this dissemination was limited only to major sects or Cultivation Families that had Golden Core practitioners and above; ordinary Cultivation Families hardly ever glimpsed their true form.


    Zhao Sheng was quite surprised that Loose Cultivators like the Wushan Three Immortals had managed to obtain a copy of ¡°Annotations on Taiyi Spiritual Texts.¡±


    This truly made him reconsider his view of the three.


    However, what surprised Zhao Sheng even more was how the Wushan Three Immortals, with their qualifications and abilities, could possess such a precious treasure.


    It was known that in the Cultivation World, any knowledge about the Taiyi Spirit Realm¡¯s cultivation techniques was tightly controlled by the major sects and powers.


    How had they managed to get it?


    If these two items brought disaster upon the family, it would indeed be a loss too great to compensate.


    Thinking of this, Zhao Sheng hesitantly asked, ¡°This item¡­ might be too hot to handle. Does the family have¡­¡±


    Zhao Jinding suddenly waved his hand and confidently said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry! There will absolutely be no repercussions. You have to trust the family¡¯s interrogation methods. Those three are all cowards; after being served seven or eight appetizers, they confessed everything.


    These two items were dug up from an ancient tomb on the outskirts of the Sky Burying Plain. Aside from these, they also found a ¡®Zombification Technique.¡¯ They kidnapped you and Chongwei exactly because they couldn¡¯t learn the Stacking Talisman Technique by any means.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt a mix of amusement and disbelief; turns out the Wushan Three Immortals had come up with such a foolish idea because they were too ¡°clumsy.¡±


    Pity that man¡¯s schemes cannot compare to heaven¡¯s!


    In the end, the three got nothing and inadvertently benefitted the Zhao Family.


    With this realization, Zhao Sheng felt more relieved.


    He knew that relics excavated from the Sky Burying Plain were unlikely to cause any trouble.


    The Heavenly Burial Plain was located in the eastern part of the Central Continent and was a nearly ten thousand miles wide netherworld wasteland.


    As the cradle of the human clan in the Tianzhu Realm, Central Continent had a long and storied history, having experienced countless disasters over millions of years.


    The Heavenly Burial Plain used to be a highly prosperous part of the Cultivation World. Legend has it that ten thousand years ago, a demon tore open a space-time crack with the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood Sacrifice Array, inviting an invasion from the Netherworld Ghost Realm into the Tianzhu Realm.


    The Heavenly Burial Plain was the location of the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood Sacrifice Array and was the first part of the Cultivation World to suffer an invasion from the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    After that great catastrophe, the Heavenly Burial Plain was completely turned into ruins.


    Because the space-time crack couldn¡¯t be completely sealed, the nether gas from the Ghost Realm continually seeped into Tianzhu Realm, turning the Heavenly Burial Plain into a haven for ghostly creatures and zombies.


    After sending Zhao Jinding away, Zhao Sheng touched the ancient tome and suddenly laughed quietly.


    For the first time, he felt he might have miscalculated.


    There¡¯s a saying¡ª¡¯Even a rotten boat has three pounds of nails¡¯!


    The Zhao family had produced three Foundation Establishment Cultivators consecutively over three hundred years; Zhao Sheng simply didn¡¯t believe the family hadn¡¯t saved up some good items.


    And now, at the critical moment,


    First, they brought out two pieces of Red Scale Armor, and now, they had brought the Annotations on Taiyi Spiritual Text.


    If the Zhao family ultimately had to leave Dragon Carp Lake, Zhao Sheng believed that the family, scraping together all their resources and making a determined effort to purchase another Foundation Establishment Pill, would not find it difficult.


    Not to mention, exchanging two pieces of Red Scale Armor for a Foundation Establishment Pill was more than sufficient.


    Setting aside his worries about the future of the Zhao family, Zhao Sheng eagerly picked up the ancient scroll and silk, and stepped into the quiet room to immerse himself fully in his studies.


    Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, another year had passed.


    ¡­


    At the end of summer, nestled in the central region of this world, Heavenly Pillar Mountain still boasted steaming clouds and blooming sunsets, with verdant peaks and vibrant life.


    On a kilometer-high cliff on the southern slope of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, there was a gigantic cave entrance a hundred yards tall and about twenty miles long, with an interior that spread across nearly a hundred square miles.


    Inside the cave, pavilions, towers, and fortified buildings were scattered everywhere, each district clearly marked and roads neatly organized. Surrounding the cave were double stone walls ten yards high that made it look like a bustling city. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And around the cave, the walls were densely packed with caves, from which cultivators constantly flew in and out, creating a scene of bustling activity.


    This enormous cave was one of the four famous cities of loose cultivators in the Tianzhu Realm, known as Pocket World City.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain had just experienced a torrential rain. The accumulated water, channeled through newly dug tunnels, cascaded down from within the mountain, thoroughly flushing the drainage system of Pocket World City, which considerably cleaned up the area.


    Zhao Yongwu hurriedly stepped onto the stone steps, crossing three district streets consecutively.


    He was very cautious, his right hand always resting on the wooden box inside his robe. The box was not heavy, but it weighed heavily on his heart.


    Zhao Yongwu was an Innate Martial Artist, but he also held another identity.


    He was born into the Zhao family of Dragon Carp Lake, closely related to the family head, Zhao Chonghe, within five degrees of kinship.


    Just two months ago, he was helping his family escort goods.


    He never expected that a great opportunity would suddenly fall upon him¡­


    One day, the family head suddenly summoned him and asked if he was willing to go to Pocket World City.


    Faced with such a great opportunity, Zhao Yongwu naturally did not hesitate and nodded in agreement.


    However, sometimes a single thought can turn a good opportunity into a disaster!


    Zhao Yongwu suddenly tensed up, extinguishing the fleeting thought in his mind, and swiftly walked past a stretch of stone pavement, already entering the realm of the ¡°Outer City.¡±


    Pocket World City, after thousands of years of continuous excavation and expansion, naturally formed three areas: the ¡°Inner City,¡± which was originally built and is the most interior; the ¡°Outer City¡± between the two city walls; and the ¡°Cave Mansion District,¡± which is carved around the caves along the mountain walls and connected to the mountain itself.


    This division wasn¡¯t formally planned; it was just a conventional understanding.


    However, in the mind of an ordinary person like Zhao Yongwu, the Inner City and the Cave Mansion District are places where cultivators reside and live, while the Outer City is a mixed bag, home to down-and-out loose cultivators and medicine collectors, as well as many more ordinary people like him who serve the cultivators.


    The Zhao¡¯s Mixed Spirit Store was located in the Outer City. It had a small front but a far more spacious backyard, encompassing two courtyards.


    At the moment, however, Zhao¡¯s Mixed Spirit Store was only halfway open, with a lean young man lazily sitting inside.


    Zhao Yongwu tiptoed into the store. The spirited young man, seeing him, abruptly stood up and hurriedly approached, his face full of concern as he asked, ¡°Uncle, did you get it back?¡±


    ¡°Mmh, let¡¯s talk inside,¡± Zhao Yongwu nodded lightly and asked in a low voice, ¡°Has Uncle emerged from seclusion yet?¡±


    The spirited young man, Zhao Xiaodong, smiled knowingly and quickly ushered Zhao Yongwu into the backyard, leading the way while replying, ¡°Not yet. It¡¯s been three days with no sign of activity; the waiting is making everyone anxious!¡±


    Zhao Yongwu fell silent for a moment.


    Three days ago, his uncle had instructed him to fetch an item from the Treasure Talisman Pavilion, then hurried into the cultivation room to seclude himself.


    During these few days, he had constantly guarded the entrance of the Treasure Talisman Pavilion, and the treasure had just been delivered.


    He immediately took it and returned as quickly as possible to the Mixed Spirit Shop.

 Chapter 45 - 45 The Stacking Talisman Technique is Accomplished

    Chapter 45: Chapter 45 The Stacking Talisman Technique is Accomplished


    In the backyard of the store, Zhao Yongwu placed a wooden box containing treasures on the table,


    As Zhao Xiaodong reached out with a smirk, hoping to open the box for a look, he was unexpectedly slapped away by his second uncle.


    Zhao Yongwu warned, ¡°Be careful, the items in here could get you a whole storefront in Pocket World City!¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Xiaodong staggered, dared not entertain any curious thoughts, and immediately kept his distance.


    The Zhao family had spent over a thousand Spirit Stones to buy the facade and courtyard of the Mixed Spirit Store they were standing in.


    He wondered what kind of treasure could be worth so much!


    It was strange that the Family Head was so bold, to entrust such a valuable item to the second uncle. Wasn¡¯t he afraid of attracting the attention of those lowly rotten cultivators?


    Zhao Xiaodong was unaware of Zhao Sheng¡¯s intentions.


    Zhao Sheng had acted this way due to a chance coincidence; he could have retrieved it himself, which would have been better.


    The reason he chose to do so was purely coincidental.


    Three days ago, he suddenly had an insight into the intricacies of the Stacking Talisman Technique.


    Such a rare opportunity granted by fate, Zhao Sheng naturally would not let it pass by.


    Not knowing when he would emerge from seclusion, yet afraid of missing the time to retrieve the treasure,


    Zhao Sheng had no choice but to entrust the matter to Zhao Yongwu, then focused on entering seclusion to draw talismans.


    While Zhao Yongwu and his nephew were anxiously waiting, Zhao Sheng reached a critical moment.


    In the secret room, Zhao Sheng concentrated, holding the talisman pen, his strokes fluid and powerful on the talisman paper, and soon the paper was radiant with spirit light, and the shapes flickered forming a peculiar talismanic symbol.


    Mist inexplicably surged out of the air, hazy yet containing a chilling Sword Qi.


    This was a Fog Sword Talisman!


    It was a new type of First-Order Talisman that Zhao Sheng had created six months ago from the Waterdrop Sword Spell.


    Therefore, among all the talismans Zhao Sheng had mastered, his understanding and mastery of the Fog Sword Talisman was the deepest and most thorough.


    As soon as the talisman was completed, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brushwork shifted, still a Fog Sword Talisman but not drawn elsewhere. Instead, it was drawn directly over the just completed talisman, retracing the runes in reverse.


    To the untrained eye, there was nothing remarkable, but any expert who had studied talismanic magic for years would be astounded and speechless.


    When Zhao Sheng drew the talisman for the second time, the tip of his talisman pen surged with spirit light, tracing exactly over the already existing runes.


    This method seemed simple, but was as hard as reaching the heavens.


    If one did not know the secret technique, even spending thousands of years on it would be in vain.


    Once a talisman is completed, it naturally acquires spirit light.


    At this point, the talisman is no longer a mere pattern drawn with Spiritual Power, but rather, it resonates with yin and yang and the five elements, harnessing the natural spirituality of the universe.


    Introducing more Spiritual Power at this time is like carrying coals to Newcastle. If it cannot perfectly match the spirit within the forms, the conflicting spirits would cause the talisman to explode and fail.


    Just as there are no two exactly identical people in the world, each talisman is also unique; there are never exactly identical talismans.


    Even with the simplest Condensing Water Talisman, which talisman cultivator could guarantee remembering every detail by heart and when redrawing, replicate the previous brush force, Spiritual Power infusion, and precise positioning of the spiritual acupoints one hundred percent?


    Even if it were possible, the spiritual acupoints on the talisman were already set, leaving no ¡°space¡± to carry more Spiritual Power. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The significance of the Stacking Talisman Technique lies in its secret technique, which can expand the space of the spiritual acupoints and continuously strengthen it.


    After painting the second time, Zhao Sheng seemed addicted to drawing; the two rounds were complete, yet he did not pause. With a flick of his brush, he surprisingly began a third layer in the correct order again,


    Three times, four times¡­ finally, after adding a total of nine layers, he stopped only when his spirit was exhausted.


    At this point, the Fog Sword Talisman could hardly be considered a first-order talisman anymore.


    The symbols on the talisman paper turned blurry within the dazzling spirit light, with thick spirit light gathering but not dispersing around the circumference of the talisman, creating a striking light halo. This talisman now looked more like a translucent jade talisman rather than a paper talisman.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the talisman in front of him and couldn¡¯t help but throw his head back and laugh, ¡°Haha, a year¡¯s hard work has not been in vain, the Stacking Talisman Technique has finally succeeded.¡±


    At that moment, he felt extremely reflective, the Stacking Talisman Technique¡¯s demand for meticulous control over numerous details had reached an almost inhuman level.


    If it weren¡¯t for ¡°Bullet Time,¡± with his talent, it would probably have taken him dozens to hundreds of years to master this talismanic secret technique.


    No wonder the Wushan Three Immortals could never learn it. If they could, it would really be a marvel.


    Later, Zhao Sheng composed himself, placed the mutated Fog Sword Talisman into his storage bag, changed into a new robe, and walked out of the Cultivation Room.


    Waiting in the backyard, Zhao Yongwu and his nephews immediately came forward to greet Zhao Sheng as he reappeared.


    After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhao Yongwu handed Zhao Sheng a wooden box that contained the Small Circulation Talisman Plate.


    ¡°Uncle, this is the item you requested.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes brightened, he hooked his finger and, with a snap, opened the wooden box.


    Inside the wooden box was an ancient bronze circular object.


    This dish-like item, made entirely of wind-abraded bronze, had an exterior shaped like a full circle of heaven, measuring only about a foot in diameter, yet it was divided into nine layers.


    On the surface of the plate, each layer had nine concentric circuits, capable of holding nine talismans each.


    The area of each layer was greater than the layer above it, with the lowest being about half the size larger than the topmost. In the very center of the talisman plate, there was a purposely left inch-wide hole, which was a spiritual acupoint for embedding spirit stones.


    Zhao Sheng picked up the talisman plate and joyfully said, ¡°So this is what the Small Circulation Talisman Plate looks like, seeing is truly beyond hearing.¡±


    A plate is a vessel for carrying objects and also signifies envelopment by the Heavenly Origin. The talisman plate, as the name suggests, is a magic artifact crafted in the manner of refining spell tools, used specifically for carrying talismans to connect with Spiritual Power.


    Simply put, it is a special tool used specifically by talisman cultivators for combat.


    Any cultivator knows that talismans are convenient to use and powerful.


    However, compared to other methods, the activation time for talismans is too long; the more powerful the talisman, the more complex it is, and the longer the activation time.


    Although talisman cultivators have countless techniques to accelerate spell casting, compared to other forms of attack¡ªsuch as flying swords, beast taming, and Divine Skills¡ªit is significantly slower.


    Before a spirit talisman is even released, an enemy¡¯s flying sword may have already reached your neck.


    This kind of situation occurs almost daily in the Cultivation World.


    For all cultivators who master talismanic magic, this is a very real, life-threatening problem.


    Hence, the talisman plate was created.


    By preloading talismans onto the talisman plate, it keeps the talismans between an activated and unactivated state.


    When suddenly faced with combat, the cultivator only needs a flicker of thought to instantly activate the talismans on the talisman plate.


    This Small Circulation Talisman Plate has nine layers, each capable of carrying nine talismans.


    In other words,


    If faced with a life-and-death crisis, the holder of this plate could simultaneously activate up to eighty-one talismans, which is extremely formidable.


    The talisman plate has many advantages, but its greatest flaw makes countless financially embarrassed cultivators hesitate to approach it.

 Chapter 46 - 46 Returning to the Cloud Sea

    Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Returning to the Cloud Sea


    The talisman plate really burns through Spirit Stones!


    To maintain the talisman¡¯s readiness for immediate activation, the talisman plate continuously consumes Spiritual Power every moment.


    The spiritual acupoint in the center of the talisman plate, where the Spirit Stone is embedded, is specifically designed for this purpose.


    A low-grade Spirit Stone can only last for one day, while a mid-grade Spirit Stone barely lasts for four months.


    A mid-grade Spirit Stone can be exchanged for a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones.


    By this calculation, the Small Circulation Talisman Plate consumes three mid-grade Spirit Stones a year.


    If the talisman plate is used in battle, its consumption drastically increases; sometimes, a single fight can completely deplete a low-grade Spirit Stone.


    Is Zhao Sheng, who can afford a talisman plate, a wealthy man?


    Clearly, he is not!


    But even if it meant spending all his wealth, Zhao Sheng needed to buy this Small Circulation Talisman Plate.


    Compared to life, mere Spirit Stones mean nothing.


    With the Small Circulation Talisman Plate, Zhao Sheng had mostly completed his preparations for entering the Death Treasure Land.


    Now, he only had two things left to do, no, perhaps just one: create talismans to earn Spirit Stones!


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng immediately stored the talisman plate in his Storage Bag and, after instructing Zhao Yongwu and his nephews to watch the shop, he turned back to the talisman making room.


    In the time that followed, besides his daily cultivation and sleep, Zhao Sheng spent most of his time furiously creating talismans.


    Whenever he produced a batch of First Rank talismans, he kept one-fifth to sell in his own shop, and sold the other four-fifths to the Treasure Talisman Pavilion.


    Zhao Sheng was not the least bit worried about the Treasure Talisman Pavilion bullying through its size.


    Because the Treasure Talisman Pavilion belonged to Master Treasure Talisman, one of the four Perfect Golden Core cultivators in Pocket World City, it was highly reputable for fair and just dealings and offered reasonable prices.


    In Pocket World City, many Loose Cultivators choose to sell their treasures to the Treasure Talisman Pavilion.


    Three months later, it was now late autumn, and the weather gradually grew colder.


    That afternoon, after Zhao Sheng had depleted his Spiritual Power, he stopped his talisman pen.


    Looking at the thick stack of Water Healing Talismans beside him, he nodded in satisfaction.


    With a thought, Zhao Sheng summoned the Hundred Lifetimes Book from the depths of his Divine Soul, opened the fourth Book Page, and his personal data instantly appeared in his mind:


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 20/97


    Realm: Qi Refining Third Layer


    Profession: First Rank Talisman Master


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skill]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystical Spirit Skill (Small Success)


    Spell: Spring Breeze and Rain Technique (Great Success), Waterdrop Sword (Great Success), Refraction Technique (Small Success), Water Vortex Shield (Small Success), Qinggong¡­


    Talisman Making: Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman (Great Success), Fog Sword Talisman (Refined), Invisibility Talisman (Small Success), Vast Feather Talisman (Small Success), Water Healing Talisman (Great Success)¡­


    Martial Arts: Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations (Unprecedented), Spring Rain Sword Technique (Unprecedented)


    This past year, Zhao Sheng¡¯s data panel underwent significant changes, and, without notice, a new profession option had emerged.


    First Rank Talisman Master,


    This was the cultivation profession that suddenly appeared after he successfully created his tenth First Rank talisman.


    Furthermore, Zhao Sheng spent a month reviving his previous lifetime¡¯s Qinggong and took the opportunity to create a new Innate Sword Skill called Spring Rain Sword.


    Spiritual Power is a higher level energy than Innate True Qi, naturally encompassing many characteristics of Innate True Qi.


    It can temporarily substitute for Innate True Qi, but not the other way around.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The door to the talisman making room was suddenly knocked.


    Zhao Sheng lifted his head, his tone slightly displeased, ¡°What is it?¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Yongwu¡¯s voice came from outside, ¡°Uncle, someone from the family has arrived; they are waiting for you in the living room.¡±


    ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll be right there,¡± Zhao Sheng replied, his eyebrows raising momentarily before he responded quickly.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng appeared in the living room and immediately saw Zhao Keqin sitting in a red chair.


    Seeing him, Zhao Sheng felt very surprised and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Uncle Qin, what brings you to Pocket World City? Is there something the matter?¡±


    Zhao Keqin nodded and indicated, ¡°I¡¯m here indeed on an urgent matter to take care of.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Zhao Sheng asked as he walked over and sat down in a red chair.


    Zhao Keqin suddenly sighed, a trace of helplessness in his voice, ¡°I¡¯m here to liquidate this shop and all its contents.¡±


    Huh?!


    Zhao Sheng was startled upon hearing this and quickly said, ¡°Has the family already become so distressed? Liquidating this entire shop wouldn¡¯t even fetch a few thousand Spirit Stones, would it?¡±


    ¡°I know, but right now the family is indeed facing great difficulties. Fourth Uncle needs a large amount of Spirit Stones for smoothing over relations. Without any choice, the family has to start by selling off external properties.¡±


    Zhao Keqin¡¯s mention of Fourth Uncle was referring to Zhao Jingang. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As for what was meant by smoothing over relations, that was easy to understand.


    In the past two years, to renew the lease of Dragon Carp Lake, the Zhao family had to bribe certain ¡°influential figures¡± within the Purple Sun Sect.


    Zhao Sheng knew that Chen Zichuan, a Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator, was at the top of those ¡°influential figures.¡±


    The main public relations target for Zhao Jingang was him.


    However, Zhao Sheng was very skeptical of Zhao Jingang¡¯s approach.


    He didn¡¯t have a good impression of Chen Zichuan, and this matter was likely to end up fruitless in the end.


    Zhao Sheng truly didn¡¯t know what secret promises Chen Zichuan had made that had everyone in the second branch of the family so fully confident in him.


    Especially Zhao Jingang, who acted as if under some enchanting drug, continually sending various treasures Chen Zichuan¡¯s way.


    There¡¯s no winning against a stronger force!


    Seeing that the family had already made a decision, Zhao Sheng did not bother to ask further and immediately called for Zhao Yongwu and Zhao Xiaodong, nephew and uncle, and instructed them to follow Zhao Keqin¡¯s directions.


    After discussing some recent family matters, Zhao Sheng quickly found an excuse to end the conversation.


    Three days later, while Zhao Keqin was busy looking for a suitable buyer for the shop, Zhao Sheng, dressed as a medicine collector, quietly left Pocket World City.


    Upon finding a deserted cliffside, Zhao Sheng kicked against the rock face with his left foot, his body instantly soaring seven or eight zhang high.


    The next second, he stepped on a protruding stone with his right foot, and his body shot up another seven or eight zhang.


    Thus, with each kick and step, Zhao Sheng climbed swiftly along the rock face of Heavenly Pillar Mountain like a Spiritual Sheep, quickly surpassing a height of a thousand zhang before gradually shrinking into a black dot and disappearing into the mist.


    ¡­


    A quarter of an hour later, at a point where the mountain wall met the Cloud Sea, a nimble figure suddenly burst forth.


    Zhao Sheng stood on a diagonal ancient tree branch, looking down at the rolling Cloud Sea below, where the vast expanse of cloud and fog churned with thunder and wind, roaring like the tide


    Having not visited for hundreds of years, the Cloud Sea phenomenon of Heavenly Pillar Mountain seemed unchanged, still as magnificent and grand as ever.


    Breaking through the first layer of the Cloud Sea meant that he was now more than ten li above ground.


    The place Zhao Sheng was searching for was close to the second layer of the Cloud Sea, approximately around eighteen li high.


    The vast area between the first and second Cloud Sea was the ¡°busiest¡± section of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng in his previous life had mainly lingered here.


    But to be honest, with thirty to forty years of experience as a medicine collector, Zhao Sheng still knew very little about this area.


    That was because the area was immensely vast; a few hundred li in radius placed here was as insignificant as a fingernail in comparison.

 Chapter 47 - 47 Tianzhu

    Chapter 47: Chapter 47 Tianzhu ¡°Treasure


    Four hours later, Zhao Sheng propped his limbs at the corners, squatting in a crack in the rock to rest for a while.


    Upon stepping onto this ¡°hot land,¡± Zhao Sheng had to be constantly vigilant,


    on one hand guarding against the venomous insects and demon beasts that hid among the rocks and vegetation, ready to attack at any moment.


    On the other, he had to keep well away from the Herbal Medicine Guests appearing in sight.


    But what he needed to be most cautious of was¡­


    Whoosh!


    A blur the size of a tabletop, accompanied by a piercing scream, whizzed past Zhao Sheng¡¯s face, plummeting downward at nearly supersonic speed and shrinking to a speck before dropping into the depths of the Cloud Sea.


    Zhao Sheng broke out in a cold sweat, thankful that he was resting in the crevice, or else he would have been struck.


    Falling objects from high altitudes!


    The number one killer of medicine collectors at Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Every year, at least half of the medicine collectors are hit by falling objects and fall into the abyss, eventually dying without a whole body.


    You can imagine what happens to someone on the ground when a stone is dropped from ten thousand meters up in the sky.


    The height of Heavenly Pillar Mountain is unknown, and the danger of its falling rocks is many times greater than that above.


    However, heaven doesn¡¯t seal off all exits.


    Fortunately, Heavenly Pillar Mountain also has the anomaly of the Cloud Sea Sky Gang, which intercepts a considerable part of these high altitude falling objects.


    It¡¯s said that from the third level of the Cloud Sea Sky Gang upwards, each layer of the Cloud Sea was laid with extremely fierce Ancient Prohibitions by great beings of the ancient times.


    These Ancient Prohibitions possess sealing and isolating characteristics, capable of preventing people who don¡¯t meet the criteria from entering the higher levels of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    As for intercepting high-altitude falling objects, that¡¯s just an incidental addition.


    About half an hour later, Zhao Sheng was well rested.


    He nimbly wriggled out of the crevice, grabbed and pushed with his hands and feet, and in an instant, he scaled the rocky wall at great speed like a gecko flying through the air.


    Thirty feet,


    three hundred feet,


    three thousand feet,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure gradually vanished into the uneven rocky cliff sides.


    ¡­


    Half a day passed, and the Cloud Mist rose, bringing a piercing cold wind S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The far-off horizon, drunk with the setting sun, had sunk halfway down, and the vast Cloud Sea was steeped through, putting on a wine-red face.


    As the evening approached, Zhao Sheng looked up at the second layer of the Cloud Sea in the Upper Sky, estimating the altitude.


    Throughout the day, unbeknownst to him, he had climbed to a height of sixteen li.


    The rest of the journey would have to wait until tomorrow.


    Zhao Sheng glanced around and soon spotted a half man-high cave in a depression about a li away.


    With a few leaps and bounds, Zhao Sheng easily arrived at the cave.


    The cave was not large, just over ten feet deep, with plenty of debris on the floor and marks of human excavation on the walls.


    Zhao Sheng knew at a glance that this cave was a temporary dwelling excavated by medicine collectors.


    To this, he had long been accustomed.


    After millions of years of mining and digging, the surface of Heavenly Pillar Mountain was already covered with countless such man-made caves.


    And Heavenly Pillar Mountain, with its exceptional geomancy, reigns supreme over the Five Continents as the Holy Land for Loose Cultivators in the Cultivation World.


    Over millions of years,


    countless Loose Cultivators chose Heavenly Pillar Mountain as the final place for their sitting down.


    Most of the Secret Realm Netherworld Palace Relics within Heavenly Pillar Mountain came into existence this way.


    Thus, each year, many Netherworld Palace Relics emerge, attracting thousands of Cultivators to converge here.


    The reason why Pocket World City was able to grow and prosper has a lot to do with these ¡°treasures.¡±


    ¡­


    With a freezing cold and mist rising,


    after eating his dry food, Zhao Sheng carefully sealed the cave entrance and then went to bed early, and the night passed without incident.


    The next morning, Zhao Sheng cleansed his face with condensed water and quickly resumed his climb.


    Because the demon beasts and fierce birds that had stirred all night were beginning a new cycle of hiding during the day and emerging at night.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s journey next was exceptionally smooth.


    After only a quarter of an hour, he had climbed to a height of eighteen miles and then proceeded to traverse horizontally towards the east.


    An hour later, twenty miles behind him, Zhao Sheng arrived atop a protruding rock and was about to stop for a brief rest.


    Suddenly,


    his nose twitched.


    He then abruptly tilted his head back, eyes darting towards the upper reaches of the mountain wall to the east.


    There, on the mountain wall thirty yards away, grew a Cypress, half-dead, half-green.


    At this moment, in the rotten hole around the waist of the Cypress tree, was a Lingzhi, about a foot high and the size of a dinner plate, vividly indigo against the shade,


    catching the eye at first glance.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the Lingzhi and, the next second, as if he had not seen it, abruptly pushed off the ground with his feet, shooting forward like an arrow.


    After a dozen leaps, he had already run far away in the blink of an eye.


    At this time, the mountain wall beside the Cypress suddenly rippled like water.


    After several flickers, a gap suddenly opened in the wall and two pale-yellow heads poked out.


    They both looked in the direction where Zhao Sheng had fled, their faces filled with regret.


    ¡°Big brother, did that kid discover us?¡±


    ¡°Impossible! The Illusion Array I set up is flawless; that kid is clearly a greenhorn, he definitely can¡¯t see through it.¡±


    ¡°Big brother, we¡¯ve been holed up here for seven or eight days. Can we move to a new location? There¡¯s not a feather in sight; this place is so remote!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you make sense. Let¡¯s leave.¡±


    ¡­


    Elsewhere, Zhao Sheng clung to an old vine between sheer cliffs, swinging away into the distance.


    At the same time, he couldn¡¯t help shaking his head and mocking under his breath, ¡°What kind of blockheads! Out of all things to learn, they choose to fish like crooks. Didn¡¯t they ask themselves if they had the skill for it?¡±


    Zhao Sheng had the least respect for these brainless ¡°fishermen.¡±


    You hide your body, at least take care of your smell too.


    What a piece of work!


    Your body odor is wafting thirty yards downwind. Tell me, who wouldn¡¯t smell that!


    Two days later, after a trek of nearly a thousand miles, Zhao Sheng finally reached the junction of Yin and Yang on Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Another hour passed, and he found the landmark of the entrance from his previous life: a big green stone, three yards high.


    Standing on the big green stone, Zhao Sheng looked three to four yards away.


    All he could see was dense fog that seemed boundless, connecting the Green Darkness above and the Abyss below.


    Aside from the fog, there was nothing else in his sight.


    It was as if since time immemorial, an invisible Divine Weapon had cleaved Heavenly Pillar Mountain into two stark worlds¡ªone with clear skies as far as the eye could see, and the other shrouded in dense fog.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng slowly exhaled and took out an Invisibility Talisman from his Storage Bag, casually infusing it with Spiritual Power.


    As an imperceptible ripple washed over, cerulean light flashed around Zhao Sheng and was gone; then, the light flickered slightly and his figure gradually faded until at last, he ¡°disappeared.¡±


    If one were to look carefully, they could see a slight warp in the light where Zhao Sheng had been standing.


    Two breaths later, a human-shaped gap suddenly opened in the thick fog, but the surrounding fog quickly filled it back in, smoothing over the gap once more.


    Once inside Death Treasure Land, Zhao Sheng heightened his vigilance to the extreme, moving very slowly, ready to hide at the slightest rustle of movement.


    It¡¯s always best to be cautious,


    as Zhao Sheng certainly didn¡¯t want to die and go back without achieving his purpose after finally entering this place.


    Three hundred years had passed, and there had been significant changes here.


    All the ¡°locations¡± of danger he had noted in his previous life were now void.


    Zhao Sheng could only search for landmarks while advancing with extreme caution.


    Fortunately, despite three hundred years, the landscape along the way hadn¡¯t changed too much,


    so long as Zhao Sheng carefully avoided those fierce demon beasts and birds of prey, he would be fine.


    It¡¯s hard to say how much time had passed when the ¡°night¡± of Death Treasure Land fell.


    Faced with near absolute darkness, Zhao Sheng wisely chiseled into the mountainside, carved out a deep pit, and finally buried himself inside.


    Soon, the frost that condensed sealed the soil on the surface of the pit solid!

 Chapter 48 - 48: Green Blood Treasure Tree and Spirit Vein Traces

    Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Green Blood Treasure Tree and Spirit Vein Traces


    Half a month later,


    Deep inside the thick fog, a recessed wallow in the mountain wall once again welcomed a visitor.


    Zhao Sheng, dusty and disheveled, tumbled into the slope. He sat down on the ground, gasping for breath.


    Ignoring everything else, he immediately swallowed a Spirit Origin Pill and tore a Water Healing Talisman to treat the wound on his arm.


    A deep gash had been torn open on his arm, from which blood ceaselessly flowed out.


    As the spiritual water adhered to the wound, the bleeding at the gash quickly stopped.


    He was really unlucky.


    Two hundred miles in fifteen days, during which he got lost dozens of times and faced dangers seventeen or eighteen times but had never been injured once.


    He had nearly completed 99% of the journey to Ling Mountain, just one step away.


    At the doorstep, he suffered an unwarranted disaster.


    Less than ten miles from the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden, on a cliff Zhao Sheng was walking well when two giant beasts suddenly fought above him on the cliff, collapsing the rocks and clay, which fell in sheets.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t completely dodge and was struck by the falling rocks and dirt.


    Dusty and disheveled with a large gash on his arm.


    One word: Unfortunate!


    However, within moments, the gash on Zhao Sheng¡¯s arm stopped bleeding and contracted rapidly, forming a layer of red crystal-like membrane, inside which new flesh began to grow.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, knew it was because of his self-healing constitution!


    His body recovered seven times faster than ordinary people.


    His heart was at ease!


    In an instant, dozens of strong medicinal scents entered Zhao Sheng¡¯s nostrils.


    He couldn¡¯t help but sneeze, yet suddenly burst into a wide smile.


    Zhao Sheng got up and took steps towards the Medicine Garden.


    ¡­


    As he shifted his gaze, under the dead trees, in the bushes, and in the crevices of stones, precious spirit medicines occasionally peeked out.


    But these were not enough to make Zhao Sheng stop.


    He headed straight for a side near the mountain wall.


    Walking a distance, he faced a flat piece of land cleared under the mountain wall, about half an acre in size.


    The land was neatly covered with various spirit medicines rare in the outside world.


    Dragon Transformation Fruit, Seven-Combined Jade Leaf, Jade Divine Flower, Nine Curves Ginseng, and Refining God Grass¡­


    Zhao Sheng had planted these rare spirit medicine seeds in his previous life, and they had already grown to maturity.


    The growth of these demanding spirit medicines could only be attributed to the miraculous effects of the medicinal mud.


    For this half-acre medicine field, Zhao Sheng had dug through the slope in those years, investing all the gathered medicinal mud into this land.


    Now, it seems, the effect was outstanding!


    Beyond these spirit medicines, the other half of the garden was planted with Purple Qi Mushroom, Blood Sword Grass, Dragonbane Fruit, and other original spirit medicines from the slope.


    He had transplanted them one by one.


    When transplanted, each had at least a few hundred years of medicinal age.


    Three hundred years had passed!


    Except for a few spirit medicines that withered after maturation, most of them were still growing well.


    Zhao Sheng counted and instantly grinned ear to ear.


    Glancing over, there were actually as many as three Red Fire Ganoderma aged over five hundred years in the medicine field.


    However, the Red Fire Ganoderma was not the most eye-catching,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze involuntarily landed on the center of the medicine field.


    There, a seven-foot-tall spirit plant with the thickness of a wrist, whose branches and leaves were as clear as white jade and which was filled with a network of fibers throughout,


    Inside the fibers of the spirit plant, strands of green spirit liquid unceasingly flowed, looking incredibly mystical.


    It stood proudly in the center of the medicine field, overlooking the numerous surrounding spirit medicines like a crane among chickens.


    Upon seeing this spirit plant, Zhao Sheng immediately exclaimed, ¡°White Jade Green Blood? A mutated Strange Spirit Branch!¡±


    Zhao Sheng had never expected that such a mere medicine field could nurture such a rare spirit plant in the world.


    The mutated Strange Spirit Branch, also known as the Green Blood Treasure Tree, was one of a million, truly rare in the world.


    It was one of the few strange treasures in the Cultivation World that disregarded rank and could even have a slight effect on a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    The Green Blood Spirit Liquid produced by the Green Blood Treasure Tree could purify the divine soul of a cultivator, whether you were a Divinity Transformation True Monarch or a Qi Refinement novice.


    This was incredible!


    Considering that a Divinity Transformation True Monarch represented the pinnacle of power in this realm.


    There were indeed few treasures in this world that could touch the hearts of these venerable beings.


    What more could be said about such a rare treasure capable of purifying the Primordial Spirit?


    In the Cultivation World, a similar treasure would have a starting price of at least 200,000 Spirit Stones.


    Previously, Zhao Sheng had won the hundred-year lease of Dragon Carp Lake for less than 60,000 Spirit Stones, adding an annual rent of 2,000 Spirit Stones.


    A hundred years summed up to only 260,000 Spirit Stones.


    That amount of Spirit Stones could only purchase a drop of Green Blood.


    Impatiently, Zhao Sheng walked over and carefully measured its height with his hands.


    Seven feet, three inches!


    ¡°Pity it¡¯s not nine feet!¡± Zhao Sheng sighed with a face full of regret.


    Eight feet counts as spiritual, nine feet transforms it into a treasure!


    Only when the Green Blood Treasure Tree exceeds nine feet does it qualify as a Treasure Tree.


    Because only Green Blood Treasure Trees over nine feet could significantly impact Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.


    Of course, this is not to say that Green Blood Trees under nine feet are useless, but their effects are minimal.


    Although Zhao Sheng felt profound regret, he still couldn¡¯t contain his wild joy.


    A seven-feet tall Green Blood Tree was already precious enough.


    For the Zhao family, a Green Blood Treasure Tree over eight feet was not a treasure but a disaster that could lead to their downfall.


    Because such high-level Spirit Plants could attract countless Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    A seven-feet Treasure Tree corresponds to the Golden Core Level, just about the limit the Zhao family could handle.


    Hmm?


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked down at the soil beneath the tree.


    He saw a thin layer of black sand-sized granules covering the area within three feet of the tree roots.


    This patch of ¡°black sand¡± was clearly different from the surrounding Medicine Soil.


    ¡°What is this¡­?¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly squatted down, pinched a handful of black sand, and smelled it under his nose.


    The smell was fishy, musky, yet had a slightly astringent taste.


    Could it be¡­


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes brightened suddenly, and he quickly put his finger in his mouth, stirring it a few times.


    The taste, the texture, all correct!


    There was no doubt, it was Spirit Soil.


    Zhao Sheng quickly stood up and looked around swiftly.


    Where there is Spirit Soil, there must be spirit worm nests.


    Because Spirit Soil is the excrement of spirit worms.


    Zhao Sheng quickly noticed the clues.


    Looking closely, one could see a thin black sand trail starting from the roots of the Green Blood Treasure Tree, extending all the way into the mountain, and finally disappearing into a pile of debris.


    Zhao Sheng walked over in a few steps and bent down to carefully observe the pile of debris.


    Suddenly, he sensed something was not right.


    It seemed¡­ it seemed that the Spiritual Energy here was a bit richer than in the Medicine Field.


    Considering that spirit worms do not dwell in places without spirit and transform energy into soil.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart suddenly started pounding uncontrollably, and he couldn¡¯t help but conceive a bold idea. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Behind this pile of rubble¡­ there might be a Spirit Vein hidden.


    His guess was not far-fetched.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain had many Spirit Veins of all grades.


    There was even a rumor that claimed that inside Heavenly Pillar Mountain lay the only Level 5 Spirit Vein in this realm, which was restrained by a great power tens of thousands of years ago.


    Some even assert that the other Spirit Veins in Heavenly Pillar Mountain are just extensions of this Level 5 Spirit Vein.


    Zhao Sheng knew this rumor was not groundless.


    To say nothing else,


    If there was not enough Spiritual Power support, how could the Ancient Prohibition above the Third Level Cloud Sea of Heavenly Pillar Mountain have persisted from ancient times to today without collapsing?


    This evident logic is clear to any intelligent person after a moment¡¯s thought.


    Zhao Sheng was now caught in a sweet dilemma.


    At the moment, he did not know which to choose?


    Should he excavate the Spirit Vein first, or should he harvest the Spiritual Medicine first?


    After thinking it over, he turned and returned to the Medicine Field.


    Since the Spirit Vein wasn¡¯t going anywhere, it seemed wiser to first harvest the Spiritual Medicine and secure it safely.

 Chapter 49 - 49 The Cold Wave of the Sky Pillar

    Chapter 49: Chapter 49 The Cold Wave of the Sky Pillar


    Half a day later, the Spiritual Medicine within the Medicine Field had become much sparser, and the ground was littered with pits and hollows.


    Zhao Sheng was extremely careful as he placed the last stalk of Red Fire Ganoderma into his Storage Bag.


    Then, he took out the spirit medicine seeds he had prepared in advance, carefully scattered them into the vacated spaces of the Medicine Field, and finally covered them with soil.


    After completing these tasks, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized he had encountered another thorny issue.


    What should he do with the Green Blood Treasure Tree?


    The space in his Storage Bag was limited; there was no way he could take it with him.


    To kill the goose that laid the golden eggs?


    Such folly, Zhao Sheng would never commit.


    As long as the Green Blood Treasure Tree was alive, it would continuously produce Green Blood.


    Steady gains were the true path to success!


    After pondering for a while, Zhao Sheng decided not to tamper with it for now.


    Not only that, but Zhao Sheng also temporarily extinguished the thought of extracting the Green Blood.


    Extracting Green Blood would greatly impact the tree¡¯s growth.


    By then, Zhao Sheng had already harbored a greater ambition.


    If he waited until the next life¡­


    Thinking of the wonderful future, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Time, ah! It always stood on his side.


    After taking a short break, Zhao Sheng took a Crane Beak Shovel out of his Storage Bag and walked slowly to the front of the pile of rubble at the mountain wall.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    With a series of digging and tapping sounds, Zhao Sheng began his journey of excavation.


    The Spiritual Vein was bound to be hidden within the mountain.


    What Zhao Sheng needed to do now was to carve out a passage leading to the land of the Spiritual Vein.


    He had only been digging for a short while when Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped his actions, his expression turning somewhat shocked.


    Inside the mountain wall, there were also thick roots growing?


    They seemed to be the remaining roots of an incredibly huge and mysterious tree.


    Moreover, judging by the direction of the roots, they appeared to be growing towards the Spirit Vein.


    To verify this thought, Zhao Sheng actively chose to dig into the mountain following the direction of the roots.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng had excavated a tunnel three zhang deep and high enough for a person to stand upright.


    Standing at the end of the tunnel, Zhao Sheng could feel a slight increase in the concentration of Spiritual Energy around him.


    Although slight, it was distinguishable.


    As it turned out, his guess was not wrong.


    As the excavation went deeper, Zhao Sheng vexedly discovered that the roots within the mountain were becoming more dense, often obstructing his digging.


    Despite this, Zhao Sheng carefully avoided these roots.


    Because the roots here not only looked ¡°fresher¡± than those on the slope but also faintly exuded a hint of vitality.


    This made Zhao Sheng exceptionally surprised.


    A certain idea he once had in a previous life once again surged within his heart.


    ¡­


    A month later,


    Zhao Sheng emerged from the tunnel entrance covered in dust, dumping the rubble from his Storage Bag onto a large pile of rocks beside the cave.


    After a month of continuous digging, the tunnel had exceeded a hundred zhang in length. However, the Spiritual Vein was still nowhere to be seen. The only difference was a significant increase in the concentration of Spiritual Energy, almost matching the core of Dragon Carp Lake¡¯s Spirit Vein.


    All signs indicated that the grade of this Spiritual Vein was higher than that of Dragon Carp Lake¡¯s, and it might even be a Second Order Spiritual Vein.


    After dumping the rocks, Zhao Sheng was about to return to the cave when he suddenly heard a series of dull rumbles coming from the Cloud Mist above his head. It was like the continuous booming of thunder during a thunderstorm, the sound of the thunder approaching oppressively.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression turned to one of surprise as he felt an ominous premonition.


    At that moment, he suddenly heard a series of soft cracking sounds coming from the mountain wall, as if something was being frozen.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng felt the outside temperature drop sharply, and then he saw frost rapidly forming on the mountain wall.


    As a piercing screech suddenly passed by his ear, a cold stream rushed down from the fog above, grazing Zhao Sheng¡¯s scalp and striking the mountain wall in an instant.


    In the blink of an eye, a large patch of thick white frost had formed on the nearby wall.


    The temperature of the cold stream was extremely low, the chill piercing to the bone, causing Zhao Sheng¡¯s face to go numb and his hands and feet to stiffen from the cold.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s complexion changed drastically, and he exclaimed in alarm, ¡°Not good! The cold wave has arrived early this year.¡±


    At this moment, the surrounding fog began to churn chaotically, with countless cold whirlwinds descending from the upper sky, continuously stirring the dense fog.


    The temperature dropped drastically once again,


    Zhao Sheng saw countless white ice particles suddenly forming in the fog, fluttering down, looking very much like snow.


    But he knew well that these ice particles were far ¡°colder¡± than snow.


    As the temperature dropped to freezing point, the density of the surrounding fog decreased sharply.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly found that his vision had never been so clear.


    Yet he wished none of this had happened.


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the upper sky, only to see his line of sight engulfed by an endless white.


    What made his heart skip a beat was a white line emerging from the higher Cloud Sea, descending from above, extending left to right with no end in sight.


    The white cold wave was boundless, crushing everything in its path with an unstoppable momentum.


    Given the height of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, cold drafts and cold waves were not unusual; this was a reflection of Heavenly Pillar Mountain¡¯s unique climate.


    But each year when the cold wave arrived, there were signs to follow, nothing like the suddenness of today.


    The chilling air should naturally descend, but the cold streams of Heavenly Pillar Mountain were known for their chaos,


    under the disturbance of raging vortices in the sky, countless cold streams turned into chilling ¡°Ice Spears,¡± stabbing thousands of feet deep, whistling through the enveloping cloud mist.


    Such a grand spectacle was beyond imagination for anyone who had not witnessed it with their own eyes.


    This was a natural disaster!


    Not something mankind could stop!


    Just as Zhao Sheng was about to take refuge in a cave, the demon beasts living in the area also sensed the imminent cold wave.


    These normally fearless and ferocious creatures seemed to be terrified of the cold wave. They scrambled to escape, either jumping down or hiding in rock crevices and caves,


    Regardless of their choice, all were trying to avoid this natural disaster.


    In the blink of an eye, the number of creatures in Zhao Sheng¡¯s sight had halved.


    Yet there was an unfortunate few that couldn¡¯t avoid the brunt of the cold wave and were engulfed by it midway through their escape.


    ¡°This is a huge problem!¡±


    ¡°Truly a huge problem!¡±


    Elsewhere on Heavenly Pillar Mountain, but on the sunny side, numerous medicine collectors looked up at the snowflakes drifting from the sky, all with drastically changed expressions and shock in their hearts.


    Cultivators were often superstitious. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Most believed the cold wave of Heavenly Pillar Mountain wouldn¡¯t come early without reason, especially three months early.


    It was surely an omen. Something drastic must have happened in the upper layers of the Cloud Sea on Heavenly Pillar Mountain,


    perhaps a great disaster was about to strike, or maybe a new Secret Realm had emerged!


    On the other side, in the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden, Zhao Sheng was quickly wrapping up his work.


    At this moment, the surrounding fog had been blown into ice particles by the cold air, wildly dancing in the wind with a suffocating chill.


    The cold wave advanced at an incredibly fast pace, and countless demon beasts were engaged in a frenzied slaughter for their Life Path.


    As he approached the cave, Zhao Sheng turned back for a glance and saw a sky full of blood, scales, and feathers, with countless large and small demon beasts and demon birds frantically fleeing and fighting in the air, their roars and cries reverberating through the Cloud Sky.


    Bang, bang!


    Zhao Sheng quickly moved a pile of rubble, firmly blocking the entrance to the cave.


    Soon, the inside of the cave was pitch dark, and he could not see his hand in front of him.


    Pop!


    After a soft sound, a fist-sized fireball suddenly appeared in Zhao Sheng¡¯s palm,


    brightening the cave instantly.


    With light, people instinctively relax.


    Listening to the distant howls and screeches coming from outside the cave, Zhao Sheng¡¯s tense mood surprisingly calmed down.


    He quickly started a fire, using it to resist the surrounding cold environment.

 Chapter 50 - 50 Cloud Dragon

    Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Cloud Dragon


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng felt the temperature inside the cave rise rapidly.


    He knew the cold wave had passed.


    So, he stood up and walked outside.


    Moments later, a pile of rubble beside a mountain wall on the slope was pushed aside, and Zhao Sheng emerged from the cave.


    However, the next moment, his spirit was greatly shocked, and his body suddenly stiffened.


    At this moment, his gaze was directly meeting the slowly rising head of a giant ape at the edge of the slope.


    Disaster!


    I¡¯m going to die!


    Zhao Sheng internally screamed in panic.


    The giant ape he was staring at was quite familiar to him.


    In his previous life, he had witnessed its fierce power more than once.


    Naturally born with four arms and unrivalled divine power, it was indeed a Four-Armed Fierce Ape with the strength of Foundation Establishment.


    But as the massive body of the Four-Armed Fierce Ape emerged like a giant elephant, Zhao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, just relieved it didn¡¯t attack immediately.


    He knew this type of fierce beast well; as long as one didn¡¯t provoke it, and depending on if it had eaten, the Four-Armed Fierce Ape generally wouldn¡¯t launch an attack on its own.


    Now, it appeared the fierce ape harbored no intention to kill.


    But one thing was very strange.


    Why did he feel that the fierce ape¡¯s eyes were filled with fear?


    It was as if it were afraid of him.


    As that thought lingered, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt a darkness above him, and in the blink of an eye, a large shadow appeared on the ground.


    The next second, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes widened in shock.


    Above the head of the Four-Armed Fierce Ape, a silver giant claw suddenly pressed down. The claw had four toes, each with sharp nails sharp as knives.


    This claw was extremely large. The ape¡¯s head was already as large as a washbasin, but the five long, sharp claws still effortlessly enclosed the giant head.


    With just a gentle squeeze, the fierce ape let out no sound as its head burst into pieces.


    Red and white mixed blood plasma sprayed out, the blood from the neck of the Four-Armed Fierce Ape shot up two yards high, splashing a large patch on the ground.


    The smell of blood instantly permeated the air, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s breathing abruptly stopped.


    At that moment, an extremely massive body slowly appeared in his sight.


    The first thing to appear was a huge head


    The body of the Four-Armed Fierce Ape was as large as a giant elephant, but this head was even larger by a measure.


    Let alone the massive body beneath the head, which appeared intermittently through the fog, stretching dozens of yards like a mountain.


    The two were simply incomparable.


    When Zhao Sheng eventually saw the full appearance of this giant beast, he immediately gasped in shock.


    The head of this massive beast was like that of a camel, with a broad forehead and a three-foot-long silver ¡°short horn,¡± and a crocodile-like massive mouth with fangs, thick lips bordered with two long flaps of flesh fluttering in the wind,


    From the neck down, layer upon layer of silver white scales spread out, stretching down to its tail.


    Besides, beneath the long body which stretched dozens of yards, grew four sturdy hind limbs like deer legs, each ending with sharp claws.


    Below the massive beast, a large expanse of cloud mist swirled, as if lifting it, yet seemingly just an embellishment.


    Clouds from the dragon, wind from the tiger!


    Such a spectacle, only one type of powerful creature in the Cultivation World could possess.


    ¡°How could it be a Cloud Dragon! Aren¡¯t they always found only above the Fourth Level Cloud Sea?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was incredibly frightened and almost cried out.


    The Cloud Dragon was an overlord-level life form of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, each capable of rivaling a Golden Core.


    It was unclear whether it was fortunate or not, but the high-level Dragon Serpent didn¡¯t care about the small insects on the slope; it merely stretched its huge body upwards, occupying most of the area.


    Fortunately, the body of the Dragon Serpent was suspended in the air.


    If it had been on the ground, the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden would have been completely destroyed, leaving Zhao Sheng nowhere to cry.


    Zhao Sheng deeply regretted his carelessness.


    He knew that after the cold wave, various powerful demon beasts often broke through the Cloud Sea Heavenly Gang to appear at lower levels.


    Yet, he didn¡¯t pay attention and carelessly left the cave.


    Now, it seemed an unforgivable mistake.


    But regret was too late now; Zhao Sheng decisively suppressed any unnecessary thoughts and took small steps backward, preparing to seize the opportunity to quietly slip back into the cave.


    Zhao Sheng now only hoped that the Cloud Dragon had not noticed him.


    However, in the next instant, a low and majestic dragon roar exploded, sending an endless, overwhelming terror which swept towards Zhao Sheng.


    With a ¡°buzz¡±, Zhao Sheng faced the roar at close distance, and it was like being hammered on the head by a ten-thousand-pound sledgehammer. His thoughts stalled as he didn¡¯t even have the chance to activate Bullet Time.


    In that instant, he even thought his brain would burst out. His body could not bear it and was thrown backward, hitting a stone wall at the end of the slope before finally stopping.


    Vomit!


    After struggling to get up, Zhao Sheng felt his blood churning and couldn¡¯t help but vomit a large amount of blood filled with pink bubbles, which also contained fragments of his internal organs.


    The Golden Core-Level Cloud Dragon was terrifyingly powerful; just a residual wave had seriously injured him.


    Facing such a dire situation, Zhao Sheng instead calmed down.


    If he must die, there¡¯s still the next life.


    Barely opening his eyes, Zhao Sheng spat out the blood accumulated in his chest and stomach. He leaned against the cliff and struggled to stand up.


    Meanwhile, he took out a bottle of Revitalizing Pills and, without hesitation, tilted his head back and poured the entire bottle of Elixir Pills into his mouth.


    At this moment, the fog above suddenly surged continuously. Zhao Sheng abruptly turned his head, only to be dazzled once more.


    He only saw dense fog descending from high above, splitting to form a narrow crack, and then a brilliant sword rainbow came breaking through the sky. At the moment the Cloud Dragon roared, it shot into the dragon¡¯s spine and disappeared.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng hear a faint sound of sword chant, seemingly coming from beyond the heavens. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A miserable roar followed immediately in the dense fog.


    Then, the Cloud Sea tumultuously parted, the Dragon Serpent blood-stained, a two-yard-long, bone-exposing wound split open along its back.


    Zhao Sheng finally realized that someone had attacked the Cloud Dragon, and it must be an incredibly powerful figure.


    While Zhao Sheng was very curious about the identity of the newcomer, that was not the point.


    Without trying to discern the appearance of the newcomer, he pushed off the ground and shot like an arrow back into the cave.


    Upon entering the cave, Zhao Sheng¡¯s right hand reached into his Storage Bag, and in the next second, the Small Circulation Talisman Plate appeared in his palm.


    In a flash of thought, eighteen talismans on two separate levels of the plate simultaneously ignited.


    Golden Armor, Water Vortex Shield, stone wall¡­ Over a dozen Defensive Spells instantly sealed the cave entrance.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng relaxed, but immediately after, his vision darkened, and he passed out.


    He didn¡¯t know how much time had passed when Zhao Sheng slowly woke up, suddenly stiffening.


    At that moment, a subtle fragrance entered his nostrils and lingered.


    A moment later, a pleasing and melodious female voice asked, ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡±


    Zhao Sheng steadied his spirit, opened his eyes, and turned his head to look.


    The first thing he saw was a swath of lustrous white skirt hem, weighed down by a Jade Sword at the corner of the skirt.


    Moving his gaze upward, Zhao Sheng saw a plain satin ribbon lightly tied around a waist, the plain clothing embroidered with elegant and delicate patterns, details of which he could not discern at the moment.

 Chapter 53 - 53 Zhaos Secret Department

    Chapter 53: Chapter 53 Zhao¡¯s Secret Department


    In the mountains, without a calendar, the end of the cold season does not reveal the year.


    Since the cold tide sealed off the mountain, the temperature on Heavenly Pillar Mountain has been dropping day by day.


    The Yin Side Mist Sea often has ice crystals falling from the sky, which the cold wind blows onto the cliff faces. Over time, Heavenly Pillar Mountain has become covered in white snow.


    Inside the Earth Dragon Cave, Zhao Sheng, sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes, filled with frustration.


    He fiercely pounded the Mountain Dragon Remains behind him several times and then abruptly stood up from the ground.


    What does it feel like to leave a treasure mountain empty-handed?


    He truly knew that feeling now!


    Although the Spiritual Energy in the Mountain Dragon Cave was extremely rich, why¡­


    ¡°Ah, why is it all Earth Element Spiritual Energy?¡± Zhao Sheng yelled, somewhat frantically.


    Being alone for too long inevitably leads to losing control of one¡¯s emotions.


    Zhao Sheng, so angry he was almost rampaging, took out the Dragon Serpent Claw Knife from his Storage Bag and started to hack wildly at the Mountain Dragon Remains.


    After venting his emotions, Zhao Sheng sheathed the claw knife and took a step forward. He bent down and gathered the chopped remains into a pile, then carried it to a stone jar not far away.


    Years later, today, the remnants of this Mountain Dragon have turned to dust and stone, losing most of their spiritual essence.


    But to Zhao Sheng¡¯s surprise, he found that these ¡°dust and stones¡± could actually be used as Medicine Soil. Although it was inferior to Medicinal Mud, it was comparable to Spirit Soil. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Therefore, after repeated failures in cultivation, Zhao Sheng took up a side job as a medicine farmer, spending a considerable amount of time each day in the Medicine Field.


    Loosening the soil, watering, spreading Medicine Soil, relocating Spirit Worms¡­ he did all the work he could think of.


    What else could he do?


    With the mountain sealed by the cold tide and cultivation not an option, he had to find something to do.


    Talisman painting?


    He would have liked to, but his Spiritual Power did not allow it.


    As for the few Spirit Origin Pills he had saved up before entering the mountain, they were all consumed a month ago.


    However, these hard days were about to end.


    Counting the days, the thaw and the reopening of the mountain were not far off.


    Half a month later,


    on the edge of a sloped ground, Zhao Sheng stood on a protruding rock, watching the last bit of ice crystals silently dissolve in the fog, finally wearing a smile on his face.


    After sealing the cave entrance on the mountain wall with broken stones, Zhao Sheng immediately set out on his journey down the mountain.


    Twenty days later, when he reappeared, he was already at the gates of Pocket World City.


    At that time, Zhao Sheng was dressed in a deep blue Daoist robe, without a single wrinkle on his clothes.


    He seemed like a fledgling cultivator fresh from seclusion, with no sign that he had just come down from Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Safety first, always.


    Zhao Sheng had no desire to let the sharp-eyed old hands of Pocket World City spot any flaw due to his attire or appearance.


    After paying the entrance tax, Zhao Sheng smoothly entered Pocket World City.


    As soon as he passed the city gate and was considering finding a temporary place to stay, an unkempt figure suddenly rushed up to him and grabbed his arm.


    ¡°Uncle, you¡¯re finally back. I was so scared. Thank the Ancestors for their blessing!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately dispersed the spell in his palm and looked closely. To his surprise, the person was Zhao Yongwu.


    ¡°Yongwu, it was just a short trip I took. How did you end up like this?¡± Zhao Sheng asked curiously.


    Zhao Yongwu responded with a bitter smile on his face, looked around, and quickly whispered, ¡°Uncle, it¡¯s not convenient to talk here. Let¡¯s go home and discuss.¡±


    Yes,


    Zhao Sheng nodded and followed Zhao Yongwu toward the direction of the Cave Heaven Outer City.


    ¡­


    Seven days later, in a rented courtyard in the Cave Heaven Outer City. Inside the quiet room, Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and exhaled a long pillar of white breath, and the Spirit Power Vortex within him expanded another notch.


    ¡°`


    He had just advanced to the Qi Refining Fourth Level.


    Zhao Sheng felt it unexpected, as he hadn¡¯t thought that the life-and-death ordeal at Heavenly Pillar Mountain would actually enable him to break through the barrier between the Qi Refining Third Level and the Fourth.


    Although such a barrier was merely a minor hurdle within the Qi Refinement Realm, one that cultivators could generally overcome in just a few years.


    But don¡¯t forget, Zhao Sheng possessed inferior aptitude with the Four Spirit Roots, and his cultivation speed was much slower than those with Three Spirit Roots.


    This breakthrough saved him at least three years of time.


    The breakthrough in his realm made Zhao Sheng extremely pleased, temporarily putting aside his worries about the family.


    Seven days ago, he learned from Zhao Yongwu that ever since they sold off their assets in Pocket World City, the relationship between the two branches of the Zhao family, which had been gradually easing, suddenly became tense.


    In particular, the second branch, believing it had the support of someone within the Purple Sun Sect, disregarded the opposition from the main branch and began to pillage the family¡¯s wealth even more aggressively.


    The actions of the second branch, ostensibly for the renewal of the lease for Dragon Carp Lake, had hidden motives that no one knew about.


    As a conflict seemed inevitable, both branches of the Zhao family realized that Zhao Sheng, the nominal ¡°Family Head,¡± had suddenly become important.


    And yet, at this critical moment, Zhao Sheng was not at home.


    This situation gravely worried the people from the main branch.


    Without Zhao Sheng¡¯s return, how could they use the name of the Family Head to stop the foolish actions of the second branch?


    However, the elders of the main branch never considered whether Zhao Sheng would obey their commands¡ªor even if he would return.


    Zhao Sheng already had his answer in his heart: he would not return, nor would he intervene in the strife between the two branches.


    Because he knew that even if he went back, he couldn¡¯t solve the fundamental problem.


    A great man once said, to resolve matters one must distinguish between primary and secondary contradictions.


    Zhao Sheng understood very well that the root causes of all conflicts within the Zhao family were twofold: first, the family lacked a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to take charge, and second, the matter of renewing the lease for Dragon Carp Lake.


    As long as those two issues were resolved, everything else would fall into place.


    With these thoughts, Zhao Sheng got up and walked out of the room, looking up toward the exterior of the cave.


    It was already getting dark.


    He muttered to himself, ¡°Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon!¡±


    The next morning, while Zhao Sheng was painting talismans, Zhao Yongwu walked into the room with an excited expression, bringing good news.


    Elder Zhao Jinding had personally arrived.


    A short while later, Zhao Sheng strode into the living room, and the first person he saw was Zhao Jinding with a pale face, sitting atop the chair to the left.


    At his side sat a gaunt old man with a face somewhat resembling Zhao Jinding.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes turned to this person, secretly thinking, ¡°Could it be that he is the leader of Zhao¡¯s Secret Department of this generation?¡±


    Years ago, Zhao Sheng, learning from the downfall of Fragrant Swallow Valley, knew that one should not put all eggs in one basket, so two years before his death, he personally established Zhao¡¯s Secret Department.


    After entering the living room, Zhao Sheng greeted Zhao Jinding, who quickly introduced the old man¡¯s identity to Zhao Sheng.


    As expected, the old man was indeed the leader of the Zhao family¡¯s current generation¡¯s secret department, his real name was Zhao Jijian, a cultivator at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.


    Once the three were seated again, Zhao Jinding¡¯s expression became serious, and he asked with a grave tone, ¡°Chonghe, now can you tell us? Why did you insist on summoning Jijian to Grotto Heaven City? Don¡¯t you know how special his identity is?¡±


    The reason Zhao Jinding said this was because Zhao Sheng had once established a rule that once a clansman became a part of the dark department, they would be independent from the family, absolutely not allowed to intervene in family affairs, and not touch power.


    Zhao Sheng smiled and did not offer an explanation; instead, he took out a jade box from his storage bag, pushing it in front of Zhao Jinding, signaling him to open it.


    In the meantime, Zhao Jijian, sitting silently beside, was closely observing Zhao Sheng.


    For the most special and youngest family head of the Zhao family in three hundred years, to say he wasn¡¯t interested would be a lie.


    After dozens of years wandering the Cultivation World, Zhao Jijian considered himself to have met innumerable people, but he had never seen someone as unique as the person before him.


    He was clearly only about twenty years old, yet his demeanor was exceptionally mature and steady. He didn¡¯t look like a young man at all; instead, he resembled an old monster who had lived for centuries.


    Strange, truly strange!


    Could it be that he had been body-snatched?


    While Zhao Jijian was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Zhao Jinding exclaim in surprise.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 54 - 54 Elixir Cauldron Pavilion

    Chapter 54: Chapter 54 Elixir Cauldron Pavilion ¡°Sells¡± Ganoderma


    ¡°Red Fire Ganoderma?!¡±


    Hmm?!


    Upon hearing the three words ¡°Red Fire Ganoderma,¡± Zhao Jijian¡¯s mind went blank, and he instantly cast aside the doubts he had just moments ago.


    He sprang to his feet in one swift motion and stepped forward, staring intently at the contents of the Jade Box.


    Red as fire, its cap like jade.


    ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s Red Fire Ganoderma!¡± Zhao Jijian exclaimed.


    Since the moment he was summoned back, he had wondered why his family had called him to Pocket World City.


    He had speculated whether his family wanted him to handle certain people or matters.


    After all, the Dark Department was known for dealing with dirty work. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now, it seemed he had guessed entirely wrong.


    However¡­ it was a good mistake!


    Zhao Jijian¡¯s face flushed with excitement, for he was no fool.


    Upon seeing the Red Fire Ganoderma, how could he not understand what this meant?


    Zhao Jijian struggled to suppress the urge to burst out laughing, thinking to himself, ¡°Haha, I can establish my foundation now! I can¡¯t believe this day has come for me.¡±


    He was well aware of the Zhao family¡¯s background.


    He had thought that in this life, he could only reach Qi Refining Perfection.


    But¡­ the ancestors had shown their grace, gifting him such an incredible surprise!


    Compared to the reserved Zhao Jijian, Zhao Jinding was more direct.


    He snapped the Jade Box shut with a slap and asked excitedly, ¡°Conghe, how did you come by this item?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled and calmly said, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s divine providence! I was fortunate to find a few spiritual herbs on Heavenly Pillar Mountain, and Red Fire Ganoderma was one of them.¡±


    As the saying goes, listen to the tone as much as the words.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jinding immediately grasped the implied meaning in Zhao Sheng¡¯s words and quickly asked, ¡°Could it be that you have other spiritual herbs that rival Red Fire Ganoderma?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and smoothly brought out three more Jade Boxes.


    After returning to Pocket World City, he chose not to sell the spiritual herbs at merchant stores such as the Alchemy Pavilion Spiritual Medicine Shop.


    Firstly, these herbs were all extremely precious.


    If Zhao Sheng, alone, attempted to sell them, it would be too conspicuous.


    Even if he disguised his identity, the Cultivation World teemed with countless miracle techniques and secret arts. If someone were determined, there were too many ways to find him.


    After all, he could quickly identify someone¡¯s identity using his Spiritual Smell. There was no guarantee other cultivators didn¡¯t possess similar secret techniques.


    In such a scenario, it was essential to distribute the pressure among several individuals.


    Taking two Qi Refining Ninth Layer cultivators should block most of the greedy gazes.


    As Zhao Sheng thought thus, Zhao Jinding gradually opened each of the three Jade Boxes.


    Four-hundred-year-old Refining God Grass,


    seven-hundred-year-old Dragonbane Fruit,


    and a Thousand-year-old Yellow Ginseng Root as long as an arm.


    Each of these three herbs was extremely valuable,


    especially the Thousand-year-old Yellow Ginseng Root, a primary herb for the Third-Order Yellow Spirit Pill.


    The Third-Order Yellow Spirit Pill was a precious elixir used by Golden Core Masters for urgent mana recovery.


    One pill could instantly replenish thirty percent of a Golden Core Master¡¯s mana.


    This highlighted its invaluable nature.


    The above four herbs were just a small part of what was in Zhao Sheng¡¯s Storage Bag.


    He did not plan to take out the other two strains of Red Fire Ganoderma or the Blood Sword Grass over one and a half inches long, among other herbs, just yet.


    As for when to act, that would depend on how things unfolded at Dragon Carp Lake and whether Zhao Jijian could establish his foundation in time.


    It¡¯s important to note that less than five years remained on the lease.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head to look at Zhao Jijian, who was brimming with excitement, and said, ¡°According to our family rankings, I should address you as Fourth Grandpa.¡±


    ¡°Fourth Grandpa, with these items in hand, how many years will it take you to reach Foundation Establishment?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian thought for a moment and then understood the implication of Zhao Sheng¡¯s words.


    He thought about it and said firmly, ¡°Four years should be enough. I¡¯m already in the Late Ninth Layer, and three years should suffice to advance me to Qi Refining Perfection. The remaining year will be just right for Foundation Establishment.¡±


    Zhao Jinding, standing nearby, had a bittersweet expression on his face.


    The joy needs no explanation.


    The sadness is also understandable.


    Watching someone possibly succeed in Foundation Establishment while having failed himself can¡¯t be painless.


    It would be odd if he wasn¡¯t sad. He could only blame his own lack of perseverance; no one else was at fault.


    Three days later, Zhao Jinding left Pocket World City full of ambition, while Zhao Jijian rented a courtyard near Zhao Sheng¡¯s and settled there.


    ¡­


    Three years passed in the blink of an eye.


    Three days after the summer solstice, Zhao Sheng watched as Zhao Jijian entered a quiet room in Cave Heaven Inner City specially used for Foundation Establishment.


    Afterward, he returned to the courtyard and instructed Zhao Yongwu to guard the door well.


    Then, Zhao Sheng, having dressed up neatly and disguised his appearance to middle age, went to the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion in the inner city.


    The Elixir Cauldron Pavilion was a six-story building, occupying more than two acres. It looked like a gigantic alchemy furnace. Inside, it was exquisitely elegant and antique, the air filled with various elixir fragrances and medicinal scents.


    It was a large shop owned by the great Cultivation sect, the Elixir Cauldron Sect, in Pocket World City, dealing in spiritual medicine and selling all kinds of miraculous elixirs.


    As a millennium-old brand, the credibility of the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion was unquestionable.


    Over the past three years, Zhao Sheng had sold four spiritual medicines to Elixir Cauldron Pavilion intermittently.


    Besides, he had spent a great deal of effort in understanding and getting information about the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion during these years.


    The reason Zhao Sheng came in disguise this time was that he was finally ready to take real action.


    Once he entered the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion, Zhao Sheng approached an elegant-looking attendant and asked, ¡°I need to see your manager, Mr. Liu. Please inform him.¡±


    The attendant maintained a polite smile, but responded, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Manager Liu isn¡¯t in the shop. Esteemed guest, if you wish to purchase elixirs or other items, please proceed to the transaction room. You can also ask me for information.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng flipped his wrist, and suddenly, a pill bottle with Spirit Origin Pills appeared in his hand.


    He stepped closer to the attendant, flicked his finger, and the Spirit Origin Pill smoothly slipped into the attendant¡¯s sleeve.


    At the same time, he whispered, ¡°Could you please check if Manager Liu has returned?¡±


    The attendant felt the pill bottle in his sleeve and immediately showed a sincere smile.


    This time, he nodded and said, ¡°Please wait a moment, esteemed guest.¡±


    After saying this, the attendant turned and walked into the back courtyard of the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion.


    A moment later, he came back to Zhao Sheng with a joyful expression and said, ¡°What a coincidence! Manager Liu has just returned. Please, follow me.¡±


    Zhao Sheng also smiled and said, ¡°Yes, what a coincidence.¡±


    A short while later, in an ancient and elegant room, Zhao Sheng met Manager Liu.


    Manager Liu appeared to be around forty, with a pale, beardless face and a well-proportioned body. He was dressed in a Crimson Robe embroidered with two three-legged and six-eared bronze tripods.


    After the attendant left and the two were seated, Manager Liu took the initiative to speak, ¡°May I know the esteemed guest¡¯s name and what important matter brings you to see me today?¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied, ¡°I am humbly known as Zhao with the given name Sheng. Today, I am here for a happy occasion.¡±


    Showing curiosity, Manager Liu asked, ¡°May I know, Taoist Zhao, what this happy occasion you speak of is?¡±


    Zhao Sheng took out a square jade box from his storage bag, opened the lid, pushed it towards Manager Liu, and said, ¡°I am looking to sell a Red Fire Ganoderma. Isn¡¯t that a happy occasion?¡±


    True to his great sect background, Manager Liu showed only a slight surprise upon seeing the Red Fire Ganoderma before regaining his composure.


    He smiled and said, ¡°Just a Red Fire Ganoderma; How could that be considered a happy occasion?¡±


    Unperturbed, Zhao Sheng smiled and said, ¡°I mentioned selling, but I never said it had to be sold to your pavilion.¡±


    Oh?

 Chapter 55 - 55 Hundred-year Token

    Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Hundred-year Token


    Hmm?


    Upon hearing this, Manager Liu¡¯s expression changed, and he asked hurriedly, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    After finishing, he stared intently at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng extended his right hand and gently patted the jade box, speaking indifferently, ¡°What if I sell it to you? Wouldn¡¯t that be a good thing?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Manager Liu was taken aback, but his anger turned to joy, and he laughed, ¡°Taoist Zhao, what do you mean by this? Liu cannot produce a Foundation Establishment Pill.¡±


    Zhao Sheng also smiled and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need for a Foundation Establishment Pill, just an equivalent amount of Elixir Pills and Spirit Stones will do. I merely wish to make friends with Manager Liu.¡±


    As the saying goes, listen to the tone as well as the words.


    Manager Liu was quick-witted and immediately understood that the person opposite him was in need of something.


    He relaxed, his face breaking into a joyful smile, ¡°Very well! Taoist Zhao, I accept your friendship. Should you face any difficulties in the future, feel free to seek me out.¡±


    Zhao Sheng inwardly praised the other¡¯s experienced handling of matters, but his face suddenly showed a hint of hesitation, and he faltered a few times as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.


    Seeing this, Manager Liu asked at just the right moment, ¡°Brother Zhao, do you perhaps really have a problem? Feel free to speak up and let Liu hear it.¡±


    Seeing the other¡¯s perfectly coordinated response, Zhao Sheng could not help but show a look of ¡°gratitude¡± and took the opportunity to reveal his true intentions.


    ¡°To be honest, Brother Liu, my family has a large population, and the place we currently live is becoming too cramped. The family is quite worried. Do you know where we could find a new spirit land to rent?¡±


    Brother Liu, having come from the Elixir Cauldron Sect and being well-informed, may know of any spirit lands available for rent?¡±


    Manager Liu was shocked after hearing this, privately amazed at the other¡¯s well-informed sources.


    Two months ago, indeed, word had spread from the Elder Hall of the sect about hosting a small auction to rent out several unused Spirit Veins.


    However, this auction was merely for show.


    Long before this, those several Spirit Veins had already been discreetly claimed by others.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s sudden desire to intervene was like snatching food from the jaws of a tiger.


    Thinking this, Manager Liu shook his head secretly, about to say he had heard nothing of the sort, but just as he was about to speak, he saw Zhao Sheng playing with the Red Fire Ganoderma, a smile that was not quite a smile on his face.


    His expression stiffened, and he hesitated.


    Looking at the Red Fire Ganoderma before him, Manager Liu¡¯s eyes grew increasingly covetous.


    Even though he came from a prominent family with several Golden Core Ancestors in it,


    the larger the family, the fiercer the competition.


    Although he was of the Direct Lineage, obtaining a Foundation Establishment Pill was not easy.


    This Red Fire Ganoderma, in the hands of outsiders, could only be exchanged for one Foundation Establishment Pill.


    If it were in his hands, turning to the family elders to refine it could net at least several more Foundation Establishment Pills in just one transaction.


    Forget it,


    Even if it offended some connected families, how could the formidable Liu family of the Elixir Cauldron Sect fear a few struggling small families?


    Once Manager Liu made up his mind, he immediately said, ¡°Not to hide from you, my sect recently indeed intends to release a few Hundred-year Tokens. Brother, you¡¯ve come to the right person.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, ¡°It¡¯s you I was looking for. I¡¯ve already spent hundreds of Spirit Stones for this.¡±


    As soon as Manager Liu finished speaking, Zhao Sheng immediately replied with ¡°joy¡±? ¡°Really? That¡¯s great!


    May I ask, Brother Liu, how might one procure a Hundred-year Token?¡±


    Manager Liu glanced at the Red Fire Ganoderma and said nothing.


    Zhao Sheng, quickly catching on, generously declared, ¡°Brother Liu, rest assured! No matter the outcome, I will sell this Red Fire Ganoderma only to you.¡±


    Upon hearing these words, Manager Liu showed a satisfied smile and then said warmly, ¡°Three months from now, my Elixir Cauldron Sect will host an auction for the Hundred-year Token. Anyone with an invitation can participate. However¡­¡±


    Seeing the other party hesitating in his words, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but ask seriously, ¡°But what? Please speak clearly, Brother Liu.¡±


    Cough cough!


    Manager Liu coughed twice, somewhat embarrassedly saying, ¡°Not to deceive you, Brother. Those few Hundred-year Tokens have¡­ have already found their next master.¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and calmly said, ¡°Zhao naturally wouldn¡¯t make Brother Liu uncomfortable. I only want an invitation. This shouldn¡¯t be too difficult for Brother Liu, right?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Manager Liu was overjoyed and immediately patted his chest to assure, ¡°Just an invitation. Rest assured, give me at most half a month. Come back to the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion, and I promise to deliver the invitation.¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed and said, ¡°Then I¡¯ll trouble Brother Liu.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, it¡¯s a small matter.¡±


    With these words, both parties were very pleased.


    A quarter of an hour later, Manager Liu enthusiastically escorted Zhao Sheng to the door of the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion, finally watching him leave.


    ¡­


    Leaving the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion, Zhao Sheng crossed several streets, then darted into an inn. When he came out again, he had a different face. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Next, he aimlessly roamed around the inner city until he was sure no one was following him, then he switched back to his original appearance and returned to his residence.


    As soon as he got home, Zhao Sheng immediately entered the quiet room.


    After sitting cross-legged on the cushion, Zhao Sheng took off his storage bag and took out a bunch of bottles and jars.


    There were ten bottles of Gathering Spirit Pills, ten bottles of Nourishing Spirit Pills, seven bottles of Vessel Firming Pills, four bottles of Bursting Spirit Pills, three bottles of Breakthrough Pills¡­


    In addition to various types of First-stage Spirit Pills, Zhao Sheng had also specifically exchanged some spirit medicine seeds. Together, they were worth about thirty thousand spirit stones, which was exactly the market price of a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Zhao Sheng knew he had lost out.


    These elixir pills were sold to him by Manager Liu at market price, which meant his cost was definitely lower.


    But Zhao Sheng did not regret it. In some matters, a loss could be a blessing, and one must have foresight.


    After checking the elixir pills, Zhao Sheng put most of them back into the storage bag, leaving only one bottle of Gathering Spirit Pills in his hand.


    Gathering Spirit Pill was a First-rank top-grade Spirit Pill with effects 30 percent better than those of the Spirit Origin Pill.


    As a ¡°waste¡± with Four Spirit Roots, if Zhao Sheng wanted to achieve Foundation Establishment, he was destined to become a player who relied heavily on pills.


    After consuming a Gathering Spirit Pill, Zhao Sheng closed his eyes to meditate, sitting cross-legged; soon, countless colorful particles of spiritual energy emerged in the air.


    As the effect of the Gathering Spirit Pill dispersed, the speed of the Spirit Power Vortex in Zhao¡¯s Dantian suddenly increased by a third, pulling in the spiritual energy particles faster than before.


    Correspondingly, the subsequent purification and refining processes also significantly sped up.


    Zhao Sheng estimated that with the aid of the Gathering Spirit Pill, what would normally take at least eight years to break through the Qi Refining Fifth Level now required only five to six years.


    Saving at least two years, this deal was very cost-effective.


    Zhao Sheng, delighted by his gains, cultivated for three days and three nights, until he could no longer maintain his energy, then came out of the quiet room, crawled into bed, and quickly fell into a deep sleep.


    ¡­


    Seven days later, in the quiet room,


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on the cushion, with a scroll spread out on the floor in front of him,


    The left side of the book page was packed with tiny words, while the right side showed a complex and intricate arrangement of talismanic symbols.


    The talismanic symbols Zhao Sheng was studying were recorded in the Jade Void Talisman Scripture as a Second Order True Talisman known as the ¡°Illusion Shadow Escape.¡±


    The Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman belonged to one type of Water Element Talisman and was also a type of tunneling talisman.


    In the Cultivation World, as a talisman primarily used for life-saving, tunneling talismans were always several times more expensive than other talismans.


    But correspondingly, tunneling talismans were also among the most difficult to craft in the category of talismans.

 Chapter 56 - 56: Purple Mist Fairy is my beloved indeed.

    Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Purple Mist Fairy is my beloved indeed.


    After observing for a long time, Zhao Sheng suddenly snapped the talismanic scripture shut, sighed deeply with a complex expression, and said, ¡°Ah, why is the Second-level Talisman so difficult?¡±


    Since leaving Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Zhao Sheng had been researching how to draw the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, and it had already been three years. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It could be said that he considered himself extremely familiar with the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman. Whether it was connecting the eighty-one spiritual acupoints or mastering the beginning and ending strokes of the talisman, he had entirely grasped it.


    Even his weakest aspect, spiritual power, with the help of the Bursting Spirit Pill, was sufficient to support him in completing the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman.


    However, in the past three years, he had tried to draw it at least a hundred times and failed every single time.


    Previously, he had no idea what the problem was until a recent talisman cultivator gathering unintentionally enlightened him.


    ¡°The air connects to heavenly truth, uniquely possessing its divine essence, hence it becomes a talisman.¡±


    Zhao Sheng held the rolled-up talismanic scripture in his hand and tapped his forehead with it, murmuring to himself in frustration.


    Over the past years, relying on his talent, he had been successful in talisman painting without fail, to the extent that he gradually emphasized ¡°technique¡± and almost forgot that the key to talisman painting lay in the ¡°Divine Intent.¡±


    Although he had come to this realization, he still found himself completely at a loss with the Second Order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman.


    Because his spiritual power was not sufficient to ¡°construct¡± the Divine Intent of a Second-level Talisman.


    The reason why a True Talisman of the Second Order is named so is not just because its power is many times greater than that of a First-Order Talisman.


    In fact, it implies that only those above the Foundation Establishment Cultivation are capable of drawing such talismans.


    Shortly after, Zhao Sheng put away the Jade Void Talisman Scripture and walked out of the quiet room.


    Upon leaving the quiet room, Zhao Sheng suddenly saw a talismanic crane continuously circling over the courtyard.


    His eyes lit up, and he extended his hand to emit a stream of spiritual power, drawing the talismanic crane down to him.


    Once the talismanic crane sensed the imprint of spiritual power, it immediately flew down to Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand.


    Zhao Sheng opened the talismanic crane, and saw written on it: ¡°Tomorrow at late afternoon, you are respectfully invited, Taoist Zhao, to a small gathering in the art of talismans, located at the Cave Heaven Inner City Treasure Talisman Pavilion, Jingcheng Courtyard.¡±


    At the bottom of the text was an abstract Tai Chi talismanic pattern.


    Seeing this Tai Chi pattern, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help laughing and said, ¡°Speak of the devil. I wonder if Old Man Xie will go tomorrow?¡±


    As he said this, he left a bit of spiritual power imprint on the talisman paper and then refolded the paper crane.


    After infusing it with a stream of spiritual power, he gently sent it off, and the paper crane immediately took flight, quickly flying over the wall and returning to a certain location.


    ¡­


    The following day at late afternoon, in the Cave Heaven City Treasure Talisman Pavilion,


    Dressed in a talisman robe, Zhao Sheng slowly approached the entrance of an exquisite courtyard.


    At that moment, seeing Zhao Sheng arrive, the young attendant guarding the door immediately came forward with a smile plastered all over his face and flatteringly said, ¡°Senior Zhao, it¡¯s been a while since you visited. My grandfather has been talking about you a lot recently. He would be thrilled to see you today.¡±


    ¡°How has Elder Wei been feeling lately?¡± Zhao Sheng casually asked, handing over a Water Healing Talisman to the attendant.


    ¡°Grandpa¡¯s in great health, he¡¯s even taken a new concubine recently,¡± the young attendant replied smoothly, barely able to contain his grin after receiving the talisman.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng gave him a glance and said in a flat tone, ¡°If you weren¡¯t so incompetent, Elder Wei wouldn¡¯t need to be trying so hard. I remember he¡¯s ninety-one this year?¡±


    The young attendant¡¯s face froze at his words, and he was at a loss for words.


    It was strange to note that there were over a hundred members in the Wei family, yet none had a Spirit Root.


    As is known in the Cultivation World, for a cultivation family that cannot produce descendants with Spirit Roots, no matter how prosperous and flourishing they are currently, it all indicates the end of their lineage.


    Approaching the gate, Zhao Sheng waved his hand and said, ¡°That¡¯s all right, you stay here to welcome the next visitor. After all, this isn¡¯t my first time here.¡±


    Having finished speaking, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t even glance at the other party before turning around and entering the small courtyard.


    The talisman cultivator gathering was still held at the old place.


    As Zhao Sheng walked through the door, familiar with the route, he was immediately greeted enthusiastically by many people.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, you¡¯ve arrived. How many Invisibility Talismans did you bring this time? I want to buy a few for self-protection.¡±


    ¡°Ah, Brother Zhao, it¡¯s been a while. You look even more spirited than before. It seems your cultivation has improved again. By the way, the Water Vortex Shield Talisman from last time was excellent. I¡¯d like to order a batch more this time.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhao, I have a top-notch talisman pen here. Just two hundred spirit stones, and a bottle of spiritual ink comes with it for free.¡±


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, do you need a wife or not?¡±


    Zhao Sheng skillfully dealt with his fellow Daoists while repeatedly and gently declining someone¡¯s offer of a wife.


    After sending this group away, Zhao Sheng looked around the hall and saw a crowd gathered around a corner. In the middle, an old man with a youthful face and white hair was speaking animatedly to the surrounding people.


    Seeing this scene, a smile appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face, and he walked to the perimeter of the crowd to listen quietly.


    ¡°It¡¯s not boasting if I tell you, the Purple Mist Fairy is unmatched in beauty and grace, and has a figure and looks like no other. But the most crucial part, do you know what it is?¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± The crowd, well aware of Old Man Xie¡¯s temperament, enthusiastically asked.


    Old Man Xie glanced around and, puffing up with pride, said, ¡°She is a natural born White Tiger. Understand?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I heard White Tigers are unlucky! This time the price must be cheaper.¡±


    ¡°Right! What if we are cursed? That would be terrible for us.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhu, well said! One hundred spirit stones is indeed expensive. How about fifty spirit stones?¡±


    Seeing the crowd unanimously trying to drive the price down, Old Man Xie, ¡°fuming with anger,¡± shouted angrily, ¡°Buy it or leave it. If you think you can get an advantage over me, there¡¯s no way. That would only happen over my dead body.¡±


    Just then, a voice came from the outskirts of the crowd: ¡°Senior Xie, I¡¯ll buy that Purple Mist Fairy.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Old Man Xie¡¯s anger turned to joy. He turned his head and looked towards Zhao Sheng, who was walking in from outside the crowd.


    He couldn¡¯t help but bow slightly and said, ¡°I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be you, young man. Listen clearly, this spring palace talisman isn¡¯t easy to create; it must cost one hundred spirit stones.¡±


    Zhao Sheng said seriously, ¡°One hundred spirit stones, neither more nor less. And it¡¯s not just the Purple Mist Fairy; I want all the other ones you¡¯ve created in the past like the Jing Hong Fairy, the Dragon Girl, the Nine-tailed Fox Lady, and so on.¡±


    Hearing this, Old Man Xie burst into joy and grabbed Zhao Sheng¡¯s arm, leading him outside while mumbling, ¡°It¡¯s you, the young man who knows the goods. These are all my beloved creations!¡±


    In a corner of the hall, Old Man Xie let go and asked seriously, ¡°Are you really buying? All nine of them?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, ¡°Junior will take them all, but¡­¡±


    ¡°No buts. Just say what you want,¡± Old Man Xie interrupted him directly.


    As the saying goes, the older the ginger, the spicier it gets.


    Having lived for so many years, he could tell that Zhao Sheng¡¯s true intention wasn¡¯t just the talismans.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng candidly said, ¡°I want to learn how to refine an illusion talisman?¡±


    ¡°Like the character illusion talismans used in the spring palace talismans.¡± Zhao Sheng emphasized at the end.


    ¡°No way!¡± Old Man Xie flatly refused: ¡°The Purple Mist Fairy and others are my beloved creations.¡±


    Just as Zhao Sheng thought he had failed, Old Man Xie took a deep breath and then added a few more words: ¡°¡­unless you pay more!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 57 - 57 Killing Living Beings

    Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Killing Living Beings


    Seven days later,


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged in the quiet room, his fingers restless, flicking a light ball back and forth across his fingertips.


    Within the light ball, several shadows of light faintly flickered.


    This light ball was precisely a First-tier Magic, the Illusion Light Skill.


    Zhao Sheng loosened his grip, allowing the light ball to hover before his eyes as he stared intently.


    However, as his mind flowed, he felt that there were nine ¡°Spirit Vortices¡± scattered within and around the ball, with invisible threads connecting the vortices and specks of light emanating continuously from these threads.


    At the same time, the voice of Old Man Xie, echoing the guidance he provided seven days ago, lingered in his mind:


    ¡°Every talisman has its acupoints, and through these acupoints, Divinity is channeled.


    If one opens the acupoints while painting a talisman, Divine Intent will flow into them; without opening them, the Divine Intent is wasted.¡±


    Those specks of light were precisely the scattering of Divine Intent.


    And this was the very reason why Zhao Sheng kept observing and contemplating the Illusion Light Skill.


    Because his control over Divine Intent was too weak.


    ¡°Acupoints interconnected, Divine Intent flowing endlessly¡­¡±


    This phrase was recorded on the second page of the Jade Void Talisman Scripture.


    Zhao Sheng had always thought that the phrase meant that when painting talismans, the spirit and Divine Intent had to flow continuously, with each stroke connecting seamlessly in every direction.


    This understanding was not wrong, but now it seemed to be somewhat superficial.


    According to what Elder Xie had said, one must understand the acupoints to control Divine Intent when painting talismans.


    It is difficult for Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators to craft Second-level Talismans.


    The biggest reason is not the lack of Divine Intent, but rather the insufficient control over it.


    Thus, when painting talismans, Cultivators unconsciously waste a significant amount of Divine Intent.


    According to Zhao Sheng¡¯s understanding, the ¡°spiritual acupoints¡± in talismans and spells are like the body¡¯s acupoints, with Spiritual Power constructing the pathways between them that must be unobstructed.


    Divine Intent serves as the markers on these pathways, guiding nature¡¯s spiritual energy to flow along them and transform.


    Take the simplest Illusion Light Skill as an example, it has nine acupoints, which, once activated, communicate with nature¡¯s spiritual energy, allowing it to pass through these acupoints and, guided by Divine Intent and Spiritual Power, transform into various natural phenomena.


    Understanding talismans leads to understanding magic, and knowing magic leads to understanding talismans.


    To draw the Second-order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, Zhao Sheng must start by deciphering the most fundamental Illusion Techniques.


    And he needs to improve his control over Divine Intent as much as possible to achieve the effect of ¡°reducing waste and increasing efficiency.¡±


    Knowing is easy, but doing is difficult!


    Even after receiving pointers from Elder Xie, it was not something that could be achieved immediately.


    In the past few days, in an effort to improve his control over Divine Intent, Zhao Sheng had repeatedly drawn hundreds of Illusion Light Talismans.


    From being able to draw only eighteen talismans before running out of spiritual power seven days ago, today, he could draw twenty-three.


    Such progress could not be described as anything but tremendous.


    But for the Second-order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, this level of progress still did not meet the minimum standard required for refinement.


    Shortly thereafter, Zhao Sheng waved his hand, dispersing the light ball, and sighed, ¡°Oh well, there¡¯s plenty of time! I should go check out the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion. It should be time; the invitation ought to have arrived.¡±


    With that, he stood up, pushed the door open, and walked out.


    Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng once again arrived at the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion.


    This time, there was no need for him to ask anyone; someone had already been waiting for him for quite some time. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon Zhao Sheng¡¯s arrival, a servant promptly led him to meet with Manager Liu.


    In the third-floor trading room, Manager Liu had just sent off a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Seeing Zhao Sheng, he immediately greeted him with a smile, ¡°Brother Zhao, your timing is perfect. Your items have arrived.¡±


    Zhao Sheng bowed his hands in greeting and replied with a smile, ¡°I should be thanking you, Brother Liu. Without you, I wouldn¡¯t have had such an opportunity.¡±


    Manager Liu felt heartened upon hearing this. Although he was aware that Zhao Sheng¡¯s words were but courteous flatteries, sweet words please everyone, and he was certainly no exception.


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, Manager Liu quickly took out a dark green invitation with a medicinal fragrance and handed it to Zhao Sheng, along with a thin booklet.


    Zhao Sheng took the two items, looked at the booklet, and with a puzzled expression, he asked, ¡°Brother Liu, what is this¡­?¡±


    Manager Liu smiled, his voice mysteriously hushed, ¡°This booklet, you should take a good look at it when you get back. It contains an overview of the upcoming Spirit Vein auction. There¡¯s also some intelligence on various Cultivation Families, all of whom are your competitors.¡±


    Upon hearing this, a sharp light flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes as he immediately bowed and said, ¡°Brother Liu is thoughtful. I will keep this kindness in mind. Allow me to repay you in the future.¡±


    Manager Liu waved his hand dismissively, saying carelessly, ¡°Brother Zhao, you¡¯re being too formal. It was nothing¡ªa mere gesture that¡¯s not worth mentioning. Besides, thanks to you, I¡¯ve made a fortune this time.¡±


    Upon returning to his family after this trip, Manager Liu hit the jackpot as his batch of Foundation Establishment Pills astonishingly yielded six, one of which was even top-grade.


    Because of this, not only was his own Foundation Establishment assured, but his status within the family had significantly increased.


    To express his gratitude, he felt he had to do something to thank Zhao Sheng.


    When he heard this, Zhao Sheng retorted, ¡°Why say such things, Brother Liu? Our last deal was a fair trade. Even if you made a fortune, it¡¯s simply because your luck was high; it has nothing to do with me, Zhao.¡±


    ¡°Haha, let¡¯s not talk about that anymore,¡± Manager Liu laughed heartily, then added, ¡°In three months, I¡¯ll have to return to the sect for my duty report. At that time, Brother Zhao, you bring your people and accompany me.¡±


    Zhao Sheng quickly expressed his thanks.


    Seeing his reaction, Manager Liu feigned annoyance and said, ¡°Brother Zhao, you¡¯re being too courteous.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was about to say more.


    Just then, a person suddenly turned out from the corridor and walked towards them, appearing to just pass by.


    As soon as Manager Liu saw the person, he immediately greeted, ¡°Manager Shen.¡±


    Manager Shen was an old man past his sixties.


    ¡°Hmm,¡±


    He nodded towards Manager Liu but showed no intention of stopping.


    However, as this person passed by Zhao Sheng, his fingertips quietly grazed the hem of Zhao Sheng¡¯s clothes.


    Manager Liu seemed not to notice anything amiss.


    But after Manager Shen left, Zhao Sheng suddenly excused himself to leave.


    Manager Liu retained him with a few words, but seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s determined attitude, he said no more.


    Shortly after, Zhao Sheng, with an emotionless expression, hurried away from the Elixir Cauldron Pavilion.


    As he walked farther away, a middle-aged man with a plain appearance, a Black Vulture perched on his shoulder, and silver-white armor covering his upper body, suddenly turned out from a street corner.


    He watched Zhao Sheng¡¯s back, a glint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.


    As the Black Vulture took flight with a flap of its wings, the middle-aged man sneered softly and quietly followed behind Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng seemed unaware of being tracked, his head lowered as he walked towards the Outer City.


    After walking about three to four miles and passing seven or eight streets, he suddenly slowed down, turned, and entered a secluded alley.


    The middle-aged man looked up at the sky upon witnessing this scene, where the Black Vulture was circling above.


    Gaining confidence from the sight, the man soundlessly approached the alley and slipped inside.


    As soon as he entered the alley, he suddenly saw a stunning beauty draped in a purple veil, full of coquettish charm, standing not far away with a winsome smile, her eyes brimming with tenderness and affection.


    Caught off guard by such a seductive vision, the middle-aged man couldn¡¯t help but be momentarily distracted, instantly losing his focus.


    At that moment, a sudden crisis erupted!


    Suddenly,


    A thick fog rose, enveloping the entire alley in an instant.


    With his vision obstructed, the middle-aged man came to his senses, his face drastically changing as he exclaimed, ¡°Not good!¡±


    But it was already too late!


    Amidst the resounding noise of swords clanging, countless water drops imbued with sharp Sword Intent coalesced from the air; the next moment, like a torrential rain, they viciously crashed down, ¡°submerging¡± the middle-aged man.


    In an instant, thick blood mist burst forth within the white fog, and a potent, nausea-inducing scent of blood rapidly spread.


    By the time the fog gradually dissipated, the alley was empty.


    At this moment, the alley¡¯s ground was densely pockmarked with numerous small pits.


    And at the edge of the alley, what was once a silver-white half armor had turned into a honeycomb, with a pool of bloodied flesh slowly oozing from its insides.

 Chapter 58 - 58: Golden Sword Foundation Establishment

    Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Golden Sword Foundation Establishment


    Elixir Cauldron Pavilion


    As soon as Zhao Sheng had left, Manager Liu¡¯s face instantly darkened.


    He turned around and returned to the pavilion, bursting into a sunlit room on the second floor where he found the recently seen Steward Shen.


    Upon seeing him, Manager Liu spoke harshly and demanded, ¡°Shen Zhongze, you must give me an explanation!¡±


    At this moment, Steward Shen, who had been looking out the window, turned back calmly and said, ¡°Brother Liu, what explanation? I have no idea what you are talking about.¡±


    ¡°Bah, still playing dumb with me. Have you already forgotten what you did just now?¡±


    Continuing, Manager Liu added fiercely, ¡°The Shen family has some nerve, even daring to rob the invitation issued by the Elder Hall of our sect!


    Do you think that even if this matter eventually comes to light, Steward Shen from the Good Deeds Hall will be able to protect the Shen family?


    Heh, daring to engage in such filthy acts, did you consult our Liu family?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Steward Shen¡¯s expression changed drastically, and he quickly put on a smile, trying to appease, ¡°Brother Liu, let¡¯s talk this over calmly. Why ruin our own harmony over a stranger who doesn¡¯t want to be involved?


    You know how long our Shen family has been longing for the Hundred-year Token. What was nearly a sure thing has now suddenly gained a new competitor. It¡¯s inevitable to react a bit strongly.¡±


    As he spoke, Steward Shen very skillfully placed a brilliantly glowing jade pendant into the hands of Manager Liu.


    Seeing this, Manager Liu¡¯s expression slightly cleared, and he couldn¡¯t help but complain, ¡°Even for the family¡¯s future, one must not resort to any means necessary. I actually had a high opinion of that young man. Being so perceptive and understanding at such a young age is rare in the Cultivation World these days.¡±


    Just as Zhao Sheng had thought, the Cultivation World was filled with numerous miraculous skills and secret techniques.


    Although he had carefully disguised himself, he couldn¡¯t hide his fiery and overwhelming vitality.


    With just a mere sensing of his vitality, Manager Liu could tell that Zhao Sheng was definitely no older than thirty.


    Hypocrisy,


    Steward Shen inwardly sneered continuously, thinking that it was the Liu family who had leaked the information about that person.


    Wanting to benefit from both ends, yet not wanting to get their hands dirty.


    Heh, truly worthy of being from the smiling Denver Liu family!


    Just then, the sound of flapping wings came from outside the window, and a Black Vulture suddenly flew into the room through the window, landing on the table in front of the two.


    Seeing the Black Vulture, Steward Shen¡¯s expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed, ¡°This is bad¡ª¡±


    ¡­


    After slaying the tracker, Zhao Sheng nonstop continued walking out of Pocket World City.


    As he walked, he took out the booklet and began to flip through it.


    Soon, his gaze sharpened, and his eyes stopped on one page: ¡°Southern Mountain Kingdom, Shen family¡­!¡±


    Upon leaving the Cave Heaven Cave, Zhao Sheng immediately changed into a new set of clothes and casually threw the old ones off the cliff.


    Then, he soared into the air, rapidly climbing towards the upper areas of Heavenly Pillar Mountain along the cliff face.


    Within a short while, Zhao Sheng had reduced to a black dot, soon vanishing into the Cloud Sea.


    Twenty days later, the owner finally returned to the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden.


    Three years had passed, and Zhao Sheng found that this slope appeared hardly changed from three years ago.


    No, that wasn¡¯t true; the Spiritual Medicines in the Medicine Field had grown even more robust.


    Moreover, he saw several spirit worms of varying sizes in the Medicine Field, their bodies marked with golden rings, continuously consuming the soil. As they ate, they excreted fresh spirit soil.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s purpose for returning to the slope this time was for these endearing and hardworking creatures.


    They were Zhao Sheng¡¯s biggest bargaining chip in exchanging for the Hundred-year Token from the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    Because time was of the essence, everything was rushed together.


    Zhao Sheng did not linger much in the slope.


    He descended to Mountain Dragon Cave, transferring a nest of spirit worms from the remains of the Mountain Dragon into a spirit worm bag.


    Then, he took out the flesh and scale armor of the Cloud Dragon, left untouched for three years, and stored them in a new storage bag.


    Because of the ice seal, even after three years, the Cloud Dragon¡¯s flesh was still as fresh as before.


    Having done all this, Zhao Sheng looked back at the mountain-like remains of the Mountain Dragon, hesitated for a moment.


    In the end, he did nothing and left the place.


    One month later, Zhao Sheng walked into his rented courtyard, his face pale.


    Zhao Yongwu saw the faltering Zhao Sheng and shuddered before quickly stepping forward to support him.


    At the same time, he asked anxiously, ¡°Uncle, are you injured?¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, ¡°I¡¯m fine, go fetch some water. I need to bathe and change my clothes.¡±


    Although he said he was fine, a strong scent of blood emanated from his breath as he spoke.


    Zhao Yongwu became even more worried upon seeing this, but he dared not disobey Zhao Sheng¡¯s instructions.


    After responding, he immediately turned and ran towards the backyard¡­


    For the next half month, while recuperating at home, Zhao Sheng continued to research the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, while instructing Zhao Yongwu to keep watch outside the cave mansion where Zhao Jijian was in seclusion.


    If, before departing, Zhao Jijian had not yet come out of seclusion,


    There was no choice, Zhao Sheng would have to go to the Elixir Cauldron Sect alone.


    It was a pity, without a significant help, the chances of acquiring the Hundred-year Token had decreased slightly.


    With three days left before departure, the recovered Zhao Sheng finally couldn¡¯t sit still and personally rushed to wait outside the cave mansion. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Three days,


    Two days,


    On the last day, just when Zhao Sheng was about to give up hope,


    As evening approached, the large gates of the cave mansion slowly opened, and Zhao Jijian walked out from inside.


    At this moment, his head was full of silver hair, his face was wrinkled, and he looked significantly older than before his seclusion.


    Failure?


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed, but he quickly turned his worry into joy.


    No, he had succeeded!


    Because at this moment, the strong aura emanating from Zhao Jijian¡¯s body was no less than that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    However¡­


    Looking at Zhao Jijian¡¯s aged face, Zhao Sheng felt very heavy-hearted.


    He knew Zhao Jijian had paid a heavy price for his success in Foundation Establishment.


    Bone Burning Skill!


    A demon path secret technique that improved the success rate of Foundation Establishment by burning one¡¯s life span.


    Once activated, it could not be stopped.


    Unless Foundation Establishment was successful, there was only one outcome: death from exhausted life span.


    Zhao Sheng had to admit that flowers in a greenhouse were far less robust than wildflowers.


    Both aimed at Foundation Establishment,


    The elders of the Zhao family did not have Zhao Jijian¡¯s resolve of succeeding or dying in the attempt.


    At that moment, Zhao Jijian approached Zhao Sheng, smiled slightly, and said, ¡°I have not dishonored my mission!¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt a warmth in his eyes upon hearing this and was quietly moved.


    He knew that once the Bone Burning Skill was activated, it was a matter of success or death, and even if Foundation Establishment was successful, the consumed life span would not be restored.


    In other words, Zhao Jijian¡¯s lifespan was significantly shorter than other Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    At this time, any words of praise would be superfluous.


    Zhao Sheng thought for a long time and finally said, ¡°You have worked hard! I think our ancestor¡¯s spirit in heaven, seeing another Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the family, must be immensely comforted.¡±


    At this moment, Zhao Jijian¡¯s demeanor was light and calm, not mentioning the Bone Burning Skill at all.


    He looked at the young Family Head before him with an extremely appreciative gaze and said gently, ¡°Zhong He, without your help, this old man would not have today¡¯s glory¡­ Thank you!¡±


    Zhao Jijian¡¯s thank you seemed offhanded, but behind it lay a firm commitment.


    Upon hearing this thank you, Zhao Sheng suddenly smiled.


    He knew that the family¡¯s affairs were now secure!

 Chapter 59 - 59 Moving Montains, Covering the Sea, Reaching the Heavens

    Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Moving Montains, Covering the Sea, Reaching the Heavens


    At dawn, the fog had not yet dispersed.


    At Heavenly Pillar Mountain, cultivators had already begun to arrive at the Cloud Boat Pier beneath the Cave Heaven Cave.


    The Cloud Boat Pier was a massive square spanning a thousand acres, with the ground entirely cast from fine steel, capable of withstanding a tremendous weight.


    Today, the cultivators who came to this place were all passengers. They were to board the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat of the Vast Sect and head to various territories within the Cultivation World.


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were also among the passengers.


    The two had arrived here early and waited silently.


    As he looked at the young Zhao Sheng beside him, Zhao Jijian felt a mixture of emotion and astonishment.


    He had not expected the youngest Family Head in the history of the Zhao family to be so formidable.


    Formidable beyond his imagination!


    Even now, he could not help but frequently recall the stunned expression on his face when he was informed last night about attending the Elixir Cauldron Sect¡¯s auction for the Hundred-Year Token.


    ¡°I really lost face!¡±


    Thinking of this, Zhao Jijian couldn¡¯t help but feel somewhat embarrassed.


    However, he quickly rallied. The future was promising with the family under the leadership of such a talented Family Head!


    But Zhao Sheng was not concerned with what Zhao Jijian was thinking.


    At this moment, he was repeatedly reasoning and predicting various situations and contingencies they might encounter after arriving at the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    The auction of the Hundred-year Token was critical for the Zhao family¡¯s Qi Fortune for the next several hundred years, and there was no room for the slightest complacency.


    Time passed by gradually, and more and more cultivators gathered at the Cloud Boat Pier.


    Until, at about three poles past sunrise.


    Suddenly, someone shouted, ¡°It¡¯s here, it¡¯s here!¡±


    There was instantly a stir on the pier, as people craned their necks towards the sky.


    Zhao Sheng also placed his right hand over his eyebrows and looked up at the Cloud Sea Sky Gang above.


    Just then, high above the ten thousand zhang, a black dot emerged behind the white clouds.


    Soon, the black dot grew larger and larger, the surrounding clouds roiled and parted under its pressure.


    Against the backdrop of the white clouds, a giant pitch-black hull slowly emerged from the Cloud Sea, looking like the belly of a massive beast.


    After seven or eight breaths, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat had quietly descended to the Cloud Boat Pier from the sky far above.


    Now, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat finally revealed its full appearance before everyone.


    Huge!


    It was simply too huge!


    The Cloud Boat Pier extended over a thousand acres, but just one Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat occupied a tenth of the pier¡¯s area.


    The length of the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat was around two hundred zhang, and its height from the bottom deck to the keel also exceeded twenty zhang.


    In addition, there were up to nine floors of buildings on the deck, with the highest level nearly fifty zhang from the ground.


    It was less a mode of transportation, and more like a flying city that could move freely through the sky.


    Zhao Sheng had heard that the Vast Sect had a whopping ten such colossal Flying Boats of the same class as the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat.


    And above the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat, there were two even higher classes of fearsome existence: the Ocean Covering and the Heavenly types.


    It was said that the gate of the Vast Sect was not on the surface of the Cultivation World but aboard a Heavenly-class giant Flying Boat.


    This Heavenly Giant Ship, bearing the sect¡¯s gate, floated in the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere year-round, and could appear in various territories of the Cultivation World at any time.


    If one were to ask which power in the Cultivation World had the most impregnable gate?


    Opinions may differ among the public!


    But if asked whose gate was the hardest to find?


    The Vast Sect claimed to be the second, with only the Ksitigarbha Sect daring to claim the first.


    Throughout the ages, the Tianzhu Realm faced multiple tribulations, with nearly half of the Cultivation World¡¯s top ten powers being replaced.


    However, the Vast Sect always stood unshaken, remaining at the pinnacle of the Cultivation World.


    The credit for this was largely due to the Heavenly Giant Ship.


    As Zhao Sheng reminisced about the various legends regarding the Vast Sect, they quickly boarded the Mountain Shifting Giant Ship amidst the crowd.


    The ship tickets for the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat are charged based on distance, one Spirit Stone per thousand miles.


    As for the food and lodging, that is calculated separately.


    If you¡¯re reluctant to part with Spirit Stones, you¡¯re welcome to stay on deck, which does not require any Spirit Stones.


    If you want a better accommodation, there are many charging grades to choose from, ranging from pigeon rooms at two Spirit Stones a day to the Nine Heavens Cloud Palace at ten thousand a day.


    Pocket World City is more than twenty thousand miles away from the gate of the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    The journey seems far, but under the premise of the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat not stopping, this distance can be covered in just one day and one night.


    However, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat is ultimately a means of transportation, and it stops at many places along the way, such as various workshops or the mountain gate residences of certain forces, and so on.


    With that in mind, the trip from Pocket World City to the Elixir Cauldron Sect will take five days.


    Zhao Sheng did a quick calculation, with the auction being seven days away, there was plenty of time.


    An hour later, a white light film suddenly appeared on the surface of the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat.


    Then, it silently floated up from the ground and shot straight into the sky.


    After just a minute, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat had already entered the Cloud Sea Sky Gang and ascended to an altitude of ten thousand zhang.


    Immediately after, the brightness on the surface of the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat surged, and countless mysterious runes emerged on the light film covering the entire boat.


    In the blink of an eye, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat broke through the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, speeding towards the horizon like a bolt of lightning, leaving behind a long cloud trail.


    Talk long if there¡¯s much to say, talk short if there¡¯s little!


    The five days passed in a flash.


    At noon, under the bright sun, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat slowly descended from the high sky and finally docked at the Elixir Cauldron Sect¡¯s private pier.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian alighted from the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat.


    According to the plan, the next step was to find accommodation in Nine Tripods Square.


    The Cloud Boat Pier is right next to Nine Tripods Square. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And Nine Tripods Square is located two hundred miles west of the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    Such a distance is trivial for a Golden Core Master, easily covered back and forth ten times in a day with energy to spare.


    Therefore, Nine Tripods Square is practically built under the Elixir Cauldron Sect¡¯s nose, which speaks volumes of its security.


    Just like Nine Tripods Square to the Elixir Cauldron Sect, major powers in the Cultivation World have similar workshops.


    In legends of the Mortal World, the gates of Cultivation Sects are often built on lofty mountains and in remote, inaccessible places.


    In reality, it¡¯s the exact opposite, the gates of most sects in the Cultivation World are often located in the most bustling areas within their respective boundaries.


    This greatly overturns the common perception that mortals have of the Cultivation World.


    When Zhao Sheng first learned of this, he too was astonished for a long time.


    It was not until he had truly interacted with cultivators that he had an epiphany: cultivators are humans too!


    Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng followed the crowd into Nine Tripods Square along with his companion.


    The two quickly found an inn and checked into two separate rooms.


    After securing the door to his room, Zhao Sheng took out a long, rectangular wooden box from his Storage Bag and placed it on the table, signaling Zhao Jijian to open it.


    Curiosity piqued, Zhao Jijian opened the box to find a four-foot-long, silver-white claw with a metallic sheen inside.


    ¡°Eh? What is this¡­?¡±


    Zhao Jijian exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly picked up the claw to take a closer look.


    Before he could fully confirm, Zhao Sheng revealed the origin of the claw.


    ¡°Fourth Grandpa, no need to look any further. This claw was chopped from a Golden Core Level Cloud Dragon.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian gasped and said in disbelief, ¡°Impossible! Where did you get this?¡±


    One has to know that a Cloud Dragon is a terrifying existence that can easily defeat an average Golden Core Master, not something that can be trifled with.


    How could its claw come so easily into their hands?


    Zhao Sheng explained, ¡°I found this claw in Heavenly Pillar Mountain. Not just this, but also some Cloud Dragon flesh and Scale Armor.¡±


    As he spoke, he tipped out a pile of various parts of the Cloud Dragon from his Storage Bag.


    Gazing at the brilliantly vibrant flesh exuding a subtle pressure and the silver-white Scale Armor as large as a washbasin on the table, Zhao Jijian couldn¡¯t help but swallow and his heart began to pound wildly.


    All of this was real!

 Chapter 60 - 60 The Cloud Dispersion Robe and the Initial Appearance of the Conspiracy

    Chapter 60: Chapter 60 The Cloud Dispersion Robe and the Initial Appearance of the Conspiracy


    For a moment, Zhao Jijian couldn¡¯t help but let his thoughts wander:


    ¡°If this claw were refined into a magic artifact, it would at least be a Mid Grade Spirit Artifact to start.


    To exchange a Mid Grade Spirit Artifact for a Foundation Establishment Pill would be more than sufficient.


    Furthermore, the Scale Armor could be refined into a Spiritual Artifact Level Armor and Shield.


    Also, the flesh and blood of the Cloud Dragon is a great tonic; if used to feed the spiritual carps¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng saw that Zhao Jijian had somewhat lost his composure, so he coughed to remind him.


    Zhao Jijian suddenly woke from his reverie and hastily asked, ¡°Family Head, although these treasures are precious, they are far from enough to bid for a Hundred-year Token.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, ¡°I know that, but I never said I would use them to exchange for the Hundred-year Token.¡±


    Seeing Zhao Jijian¡¯s puzzled face, Zhao Sheng slightly smiled and said, ¡°These treasures are meant for you. It would be a joke among Fellow Daoists if a Foundation Establishment Cultivator like yourself didn¡¯t have a couple of handy Spiritual Artifacts.


    There¡¯s another point; we might encounter some unexpected situations.


    To be on the safe side, the key is to improve our own strength as much as possible.¡±


    ¡°Meant for me?!¡± Zhao Jijian was both shocked and delighted after hearing the complete statement.


    But he quickly came to his senses and immediately followed up, ¡°Then what treasure will you use to bid for the Hundred-year Token?¡±


    ¡°This!¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand, as if performing a magic trick, suddenly held an eight to nine-inch long, finger-thick, constantly writhing and struggling Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Zhao Jijian was somewhat taken aback at the sight of the spirit worm.


    No wonder he didn¡¯t recognize it,


    Spirit earthworms were exceedingly rare in the Cultivation World. Apart from occasionally being found in the Spirit Medicine Gardens of major forces such as the Elixir Cauldron Sect, they were almost never seen elsewhere.


    Zhao Sheng explained, ¡°This creature is called a spirit worm. Its excrement, known as spirit soil, is the best at fertilizing spirit land.¡±


    Upon hearing the term spirit soil, Zhao Jijian suddenly had an epiphany and quickly recalled scattered memories regarding the spirit worm.


    ¡°Family Head, although the spirit worm is rare, the Elixir Cauldron Sect should have already had it, right? Using it to trade for the Hundred-year Token seems a bit¡­¡±


    Before he could say the words ¡®wishful thinking,¡¯ Zhao Sheng smiled mysteriously and said, ¡°This is no ordinary spirit worm.


    Rest assured! If the Elixir Cauldron Sect knows the goods, the Hundred-year Token will surely not escape our grasp. Now, the most important thing is to consider which piece of spirit land to select as the future base for our family.¡±


    With that, he put away the spirit worm and took out a booklet detailing information on the Spirit Veins, spreading it open on the table.


    Zhao Jijian was half-doubtful and half-believing, but seeing the Family Head¡¯s confident demeanor,


    somehow, his confidence surged in an instant.


    The day before the auction, Zhao Sheng stayed in the inn, not going out, while Zhao Jijian took the items to the Artifact Refining Shop in the workshop by himself.


    By the time he returned, it was already late in the evening.


    Seeing the look of joy on Zhao Jijian¡¯s face, Zhao Sheng knew he must have had a fruitful haul.


    Indeed,


    Without waiting to be asked, Zhao Jijian eagerly displayed several items before him.


    A three-inch-long flying sword radiating a layer of Red Light on its surface.


    A dark black Scale Armor shield, the size of a Heart Protecting Mirror, occasionally showing the illusion of a giant Black Tortoise on its body.


    In addition, there was a bright blue robe, smooth as water, embroidered with countless white cloud patterns, and bone-chillingly cold to the touch.


    Without waiting for Zhao Sheng to inquire, Zhao Jijian proudly explained the three treasures.


    It turned out that the flying sword, named the Red Rainbow Sword, was a Mid Grade Spirit Artifact. Besides the function of slaying enemies and defending, it naturally contained a unique sword escape technique, capable of transforming into a red rainbow and traversing a thousand miles in a flash.


    The dark black shield was named the Black Tortoise Shield, a Low Grade Spirit Artifact. It had no special features and was quite standard, but its one advantage was its extreme defensive power, comparable to the Red Scale Armor.


    As for the third item, a bright blue robe, it was something Zhao Jijian had specifically prepared for Zhao Sheng.


    It was named Cloud Dispersion Robe and was a top-grade magic tool.


    Top-grade magic tools were also known as Half-Spiritual Artifacts. Apart from not possessing the ability of Spiritual Artifacts to change size at will, they were almost no different from general low-grade Spiritual Artifacts.


    The function of this Cloud Dispersion Robe was very simple: it was to accelerate the gathering of Water Element Spirit Qi and to store a portion of the Spiritual Energy.


    But when its owner faced danger, it could instantly produce a vast amount of Cloud Mist, not only obscuring the enemy¡¯s vision but also allowing the wearer to utilize the innate Cloud Ascending Escape Technique to mount the clouds and flee from the enemy¡¯s pursuit.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t put down the Cloud Dispersion Robe, silently praising Zhao Jijian¡¯s discerning eye.


    He had only casually mentioned a few requirements the night before, yet today he had received the Cloud Dispersion Robe. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This top-grade magic tool was incredibly suitable for him.


    Not to mention the Cloud Ascending Escape Technique, just the creation of the Cloud Mist alone, when combined with Zhao Sheng¡¯s Nine-layered Mist Sword Talisman, could be said to obstruct the enemy and also slay the enemy unseen.


    Moreover, the fact that the Cloud Dispersion Robe had some Spirit Gathering Array effects was somewhat beyond Zhao Sheng¡¯s expectations.


    You must know, in the Cultivation World, Spirit Gathering Arrays are extremely rare and are known for their exorbitant price.


    It is a kind of Formation that is absolutely forbidden to be divulged and has always been monopolized by the major Cultivation Forces.


    Zhao Sheng was very curious about how Zhao Jijian had acquired this Cloud Dispersion Robe.


    After inquiring, he learned it was partly due to luck.


    It turned out that in a certain Artifact Refining Shop, a Second-Order Artifact Refiner had taken a fancy to that Cloud Dragon claw and insisted on buying it.


    Zhao Jijian, being cunning and astute, purposefully played hard to get, putting on an act that he would never sell it and that it was solely for his own use in Artifact Refining, successfully bluffing the Second-Order Artifact Refiner.


    In the end, Zhao Jijian pretended to be worn down and, seizing the opportunity, made the requests Zhao Sheng wanted.


    Desperate for the Cloud Dragon claw, that Artifact Refiner searched high and low and had no choice but to contact many fellow Artifact Refiners to find a top-grade magic tool that met the requirements.


    That was how the Cloud Dispersion Robe came into Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands.


    After hearing the story, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but give a thumbs-up and admire, ¡°Brilliant, truly brilliant!¡±


    While Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were appreciating the magic tool, in a certain courtyard within the workshop, people were also talking about them.


    ¡­


    ¡°How many families are participating in tomorrow¡¯s auction?¡±


    ¡°A total of twelve, but there are only seven Hundred-year Tokens. Too many wolves and not enough meat!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, two more families have wedged in. The situation that our families have struggled to set up is not meant to be exploited by others.


    If there are more wolves, we should start by eliminating the weaker ones. Tomorrow, you arrange for someone to¡­ do this and that. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°I understand, but if we do this, we¡¯ll be violating sectarian rules. If we¡¯re discovered by the disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall, it¡¯ll be bad.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Our family has several ¡®good friends¡¯ in the Law Enforcement Hall. Even if we are discovered, we can make a big issue small, a small issue nonexistent.


    Besides, tomorrow we are not the only ones making a move. The heads of both the Zhou family and the Wan Family will certainly play dirty too.¡±


    ¡°I see, I¡¯ll go make the arrangements right away.¡±


    ¡°Good, go!¡±


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were unaware that a covert battle revolving around the auction was gradually unfolding.


    Some had already set traps waiting for them to leap into.


    At this time, after finalizing the last details of their plan, each with their own aspirations for a bright future, they both returned to their guest rooms to sleep.


    Tomorrow, amidst sword lights and shadow, would they achieve their wishes?

 Chapter 61 - 61 Time Difference

    Chapter 61: Chapter 61 Time Difference


    The next morning, Zhao Sheng got dressed and cleaned up, donning his Cloud Dispersion Robe before leaving his guest room to meet with Zhao Jijian on the first floor.


    Today, Zhao Jijian was also dressed with vigor, his head full of silver hair tied into a Taoist bun, with the Red Rainbow Sword inserted into it as a Magic hairpin.


    Upon meeting, the two exchanged a knowing smile.


    As Zhao Jijian put it the night before, regardless of the outcome of today¡¯s matters, they could not be outdone in terms of presence.


    Zhao Sheng took out the invitation and handed it to Zhao Jijian, asking, ¡°Shall we keep this invitation with you?¡±


    ¡°No need, you are the main character today, and I am responsible for support.¡±


    After pushing the invitation back, Zhao Jijian added, ¡°Let¡¯s go, to the workshop station first.¡±


    Indeed,


    Zhao Sheng nodded, pocketing the invitation.


    Upon leaving the inn, the two headed straight for the station.


    In the Cultivation World, the gates of the major Cultivation Sects generally do not allow outsiders to enter.


    If outsiders want to enter the gates, they must be escorted.


    In the station of Jiuding Square, Outer Disciples of the Elixir Cauldron Sect are stationed all year round, specifically to escort Cultivators.


    The Elixir Cauldron Sect is located in the southern part of Central Continent, near the Ten Thousand Great Mountains of the Southern Border. Together with the Beast Taming Sect, which guards the Endless Mang Forest, they are called the Twin Giants of the Southern Domain. Both sects are among the top ten paramount sects of Central Continent.


    The climate in the Southern Border is hot, and the local customs are vastly different from those of Pocket World City in the central part.


    On their way to the station, they caught glimpses of Southern Border beauties wearing short skirts and crop tops, flaunting their voluptuous figures.


    There were also muscular Great Han simply going shirtless, their chests and backs tattooed with varied demon beast totems like bears, tigers, and dragons.


    Besides, on the streets, all kinds of demon beasts were walking among the people with sheer audacity.


    It was only because a Master was watching over that these demon beasts had not been slaughtered by Cultivators already.


    Compared to the other four continents, Central Continent was the earliest to be developed, so beasts and Spiritual Medicines had become increasingly scarce on the land.


    Especially in certain boundaries of the Cultivation World where demon beasts were nearly hunted to extinction.


    It was precisely because of the unique geography of the Southern Border, with the Ten Thousand Great Mountains and the Endless Mang Forest as paradises for demon beasts, that such an abundance of demon beings could be found.


    The sights and scenes along the way greatly broadened Zhao Sheng¡¯s horizons, and he couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the vast and wondrous world of Cultivation.


    Such magnificent and mystical phenomena are beyond the wildest imaginations of mortals.


    An hour later, after crossing the majority of the Square, Zhao Sheng and the other finally reached the station.


    Just as they arrived at the entrance, Zhao Sheng suddenly heard a chirping sound by his ear, and then saw a small bird with a yellow beak and white feathers fly out from the station, hovering over his head without leaving.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng became inwardly vigilant, and Zhao Jijian did the same.


    At that moment, a young Cultivator with delicate eyebrows and a long face, wearing a white robe adorned with Elixir Patterns, hurried out from the station.


    He looked around, and upon spotting Zhao Sheng and his companion, his face lit up with pleasure, and he quickly approached them with a gentle voice, ¡°May I ask if you two Taoists have come for the auction?¡±


    After listening, Zhao Sheng exchanged a glance with Zhao Jijian and then nodded, ¡°Indeed, we are here by invitation to attend the auction.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ could you please show the invitation?¡±


    Zhao Sheng hesitated for a moment before taking out the invitation from his Storage Bag and showing it to the young man.


    After inspecting it, the young man said joyfully, ¡°Very good, my name is Zhou Siming, and I am the escort messenger of the Elixir Cauldron Sect. I am specifically in charge of escorting you two to the Outer Object Hall for the auction. Please follow me!¡±


    With that, he gestured for them to follow and then turned to walk towards the station.


    Zhao Sheng and his companion exchanged glances once again, then followed suit together.


    Moments later, a single-horned Flying Lizard with a wide back, two legs, and a wingspan extending over thirty feet suddenly burst into the sky from the station, flying directly towards the heavens.


    After passing through the clouds, the Flying Lizard flapped its wings and flicked its tail, veering towards the southwest.


    Standing on the broad back of the Flying Lizard, Zhou Siming turned his head to look at them and asked with a congenial smile, ¡°May I have the honor of knowing your esteemed names?¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied with a smile, ¡°We are both surnamed Zhao. My name is Zhao Chonghe. This gentleman is an elder of my family.¡±


    ¡°Where do you hail from? You both seem not to be natives of the Southern Border based on your attire,¡± Zhou Siming inquired curiously.


    ¡°Mr. Zhou, what a keen observation. We are indeed not from the Southern Border, but rather¡­¡±


    Facing the ever-curious Zhou Siming, Zhao Sheng was invigorated, chatting and joking with him, while Zhao Jijian remained silent throughout, maintaining the demeanor of a lofty figure.


    The Flying Lizard was incredibly fast, and it only took a quarter of an hour to cover the distance of over two hundred li.


    As they were about to arrive at the mountain gate of the Elixir Cauldron Sect, the conversation between Zhao Sheng and Zhou Siming suddenly ceased, and their moods differed.


    Looking down at the earth below, Zhao Sheng saw nothing but mountains, valleys, and large lakes, the landscape covered in green forests, Spirit Plants, and treasure beasts and demon beasts.


    However, in the midst of this vibrant world, there lay a vast expanse of barren hills and marshes, strikingly out of harmony with the surroundings.


    Zhao Sheng saw a flat area to the south of the barren hills and marshes, dotted with pavilions, towers, and palace complexes, a grand architectural cluster. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet to Zhao Sheng¡¯s surprise, the Flying Lizard did not head towards that cluster of buildings but instead flew toward the barren hills and marshes.


    Zhou Siming, noticing the change in their expressions, explained, ¡°Please don¡¯t misunderstand. That area of barren hills and marshes is nothing more than an illusion created by a Formation. Our Sect¡¯s mountain gate is hidden behind it. And the buildings below are merely the peripheral clusters, not the location of my Elixir Cauldron Sect¡¯s mountain gate.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡±


    After nodding towards Zhou Siming, Zhao Sheng suddenly turned his head to Zhao Jijian and asked, ¡°Is it about time?¡±


    Zhao Jijian glanced at the barren hills ahead and surveyed below once more before nodding slightly, saying in a deep voice, ¡°It¡¯s about time.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng gave a slight smile and said to Zhou Siming, who was somewhat perplexed, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Zhou, for accompanying us on this journey. We¡¯ll proceed on our own from here. There¡¯s no need to trouble you further to lead the way.¡±


    Before Zhou Siming could react, Zhao Sheng had already stepped off the lizard¡¯s back, his body freely falling towards the cluster of buildings below.


    At that moment, the Red Rainbow Sword in Zhao Jijian¡¯s hair suddenly sang out, transforming into a streaking red sword rainbow that enveloped Zhao Jijian and sped downward.


    Zhou Siming simply thought Zhao Sheng and his companion were fools.


    Did they really think he was unaware of the rule that one cannot rashly intrude into any Sect¡¯s mountain gate?


    Even with a Sect disciple leading the way, without a Pass Token, they would still be captured as intruders.


    The planner of this scheme had a simple and effective intention ¨C to capitalize on a timing discrepancy.


    If Zhao Sheng were even slightly slower to react, with the Flying Lizard¡¯s speed, by the time he noticed something was amiss, he would probably have already flown into the Illusion Array.


    By then, everything would have been too late.


    Zhao Sheng and his companion would certainly miss the auction.


    Mid-fall, Zhao Sheng was caught by Zhao Jijian, who came on a gliding sword rainbow.


    The two of them stepped onto the Red Rainbow Sword and quickly landed on a stone pathway in the cluster of buildings below.


    Upon landing, they suddenly heard a loud shout: ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned his head and saw a team of red-robed sword-carrying Patrol Disciples running towards them from not far away.


    The leader was a robust Great Han, nearly nine feet tall with a panther-like face and piercing eyes ¨C it was he who had shouted the query.

 Chapter 62 - 62: Encountering the Conspiracy Again

    Chapter 62: Chapter 62: Encountering the Conspiracy Again


    ¡°Who are you people? How dare you barge into our sect uninvited? Surrender now!¡± the burly man rushed up to Zhao Sheng and demanded.


    Zhao Sheng took out the invitation, showed it to him, and explained, ¡°Taoist friend, please don¡¯t misunderstand. The two of us were invited; we did not come unbidden.¡±


    The burly man checked the invitation and, seeing that it was genuine, his expression cleared slightly, but he still questioned, ¡°Where is your escort messenger? Where did he go?¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Ha-ha, look, he¡¯s coming now.¡±


    Zhao Sheng chuckled and pointed skyward with his right hand.


    At that moment, Zhou Siming was rapidly flying towards them on a Flying Lizard.


    Before he could dismount, the burly man suddenly cursed, ¡°Zhou Sinian, look at the fine mess you¡¯ve created! Instead of properly escorting guests, where did you run off to? Do you want to take a trip to the Law Enforcement Hall?¡±


    Upon hearing the burly man¡¯s voice, Zhou Siming shuddered, hurried over, and repeatedly bowed, ¡°Brother Ren, I realize my mistakes. Please have mercy, do not report this to the Law Enforcement Hall.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, for the sake of Senior Sister Zhou, this time I¡¯ll let it pass!¡±


    Once the burly man and the patrol team had gone far away, Zhao Sheng, looking at a sweating Zhou Siming, said with a chuckle, ¡°Mr. Zhou, aren¡¯t you supposed to take us to the Foreign Affairs Hall now? Hopefully, you won¡¯t go the wrong way this time!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, let¡¯s go!¡±


    Zhou Siming let out an irritated snort, shot Zhao Sheng a harsh glare, then turned and walked away.


    This time, Zhou Siming did not play any tricks.


    Within merely the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the three of them arrived in front of a majestic building that looked like a palace, with the words ¡®Foreign Affairs Hall¡¯ in gold lettering in the middle of the plaque.


    The Foreign Affairs Hall was a six-story palace building covering nearly ten acres and over twenty meters in height, with no fewer than five entrances.


    At that time, many disciples of the Elixir Cauldron Sect in various colored Crimson Robes and other Cultivators in different outfits were bustling in and out, creating a very busy scene.


    Zhou Siming led the two around the plaza, bypassed the main entrance, and stopped in front of one of the side doors of the Foreign Affairs Hall.


    ¡°Here we are, you can go in on your own!¡± Zhou Siming coldly dropped the remark and then left.


    Zhao Sheng, unfazed, smiled and walked into the Foreign Affairs Hall with Zhao Jijian.


    However, just as they reached the entrance, they were stopped once again.


    An Outer Disciple in a white robe stood at the door, expressionless, and challenged, ¡°What is your business here?¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, ¡°It seems no matter the world, it¡¯s always the same. With power comes arrogance, and this makes things difficult and unpleasant.¡±


    Despite feeling uncomfortable, Zhao Sheng still dutifully took out the invitation and repeated his explanation for the third time.


    ¡°Hand it over!¡±


    ¡°Hand over what?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback by the question, momentarily unable to respond.


    At this moment, Zhao Jijian stepped forward and tossed a bottle of Elixir Pills into the other¡¯s chest.


    Unexpectedly, this only enraged the man, who stomped the Elixir Pills into the ground and cursed, ¡°Pah, what kind of person do you think I am? I was asking for the invitation.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Jijian, aside from feeling embarrassed, was inwardly shocked.


    Not accepting a bribe! This hardly seemed like the behavior of an Outer Disciple of a major sect!


    It is known that some Loose Cultivators and children from small families who come to handle affairs at a sect¡ªif they don¡¯t give a bribe to the gatekeepers¡ªare not even allowed inside.


    This bad practice had almost become a norm in the Cultivation World for thousands of years.


    Could it be that they had encountered a true gentleman today?


    Probably not that simple!


    As Zhao Jijian thought this, just as he was about to remind the Family Head, he saw him unhesitatingly putting back the invitation into his Storage Bag.


    The man, seeing this, angrily said, ¡°What are you doing? Hand it over now!¡±


    ¡°Hand over what?¡± Zhao Sheng asked with a smirk.


    ¡°The¡ªinvitation¡ªletter!¡± the man, clenching his teeth and suppressing his anger, demanded harshly.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head solemnly, ¡°I can¡¯t give you the invitation letter. What if you lose it?¡±


    The man laughed in annoyance and angrily said, ¡°If you don¡¯t have the invitation letter, then don¡¯t even think about entering.¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian stepped forward, subtly channeling his spiritual power to release the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    ¡°Heh, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, so what? Try to make a move if you dare,¡± the man retorted fearlessly, even provocatively.


    He was fearless.


    Although the rules of the Elixir Cauldron Sect were strict, there were always loopholes to exploit.


    Over the years, the rules of the Elixir Cauldron Sect had been thoroughly understood by its disciples.


    And with the myriad personal relations at play, outsiders unaware of the Sect¡¯s influence risked suffering losses even if they were right, should they rashly confront an Elixir Cauldron Sect Disciple.


    In the world of cultivation, it¡¯s not just about fighting; it¡¯s also about understanding human relationships!


    So¡­ did Zhao Jijian and Zhao Sheng understand the implications?


    One was an old man who had mingled in the Cultivation World for decades, while the other was an old immortal who had been reincarnated four times.


    The answer was self-evident!


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward, signaling Zhao Jijian not to act.


    Looking at the confident gatekeeper Disciple, Zhao Sheng smiled and suddenly shouted loudly, ¡°Why won¡¯t you let us in?¡±


    ¡°I told you, without an invitation letter, no one is allowed in,¡± the man said impatiently.


    ¡°But we do have it!¡± Zhao Sheng channeled his Dantian, making his voice more resonant.


    At this moment, when the gatekeeper Disciple saw the curious onlookers around him, far from panicking, he mocked, ¡°What are you yelling for! If you had shown it earlier, I would¡¯ve already let you in.¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng raised an eyebrow, knowing that this person must have a powerful backer behind him.


    Seeing that his little trick was ineffective, Zhao Sheng shifted his mind and pretended to naively argue loudly with the man for a few moments.


    Meanwhile, the situation around Zhao Sheng had successfully attracted increasingly more people¡¯s attention.


    When the timing seemed right, Zhao Sheng, feigning anger, pulled a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm from the spirit worm bag and threw it on the ground, pretending he was about to step on it.


    Just then, a thunderous shout suddenly exploded, ¡°Stop!¡±


    In an instant, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck from the sky, causing a heart-wrenching pain among the bystanders, making them almost spit blood.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s vision blurred momentarily, and when he focused, he saw an elderly man with a long beard suddenly appear in front of him.


    This person had a broad face and big ears, with a beard hanging down to his chest, dressed in a Heavenly Silkworm Silk Robe, embroidered with six three-legged, two-eared alchemy furnaces.


    The long-bearded elder took the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm into his hand, his face showing relief as he said, ¡°Thank goodness I arrived in time, otherwise this precious treasure would have been wasted by you, lad.¡±


    Seeing this person appear, Zhao Sheng felt a surge of joy inside and thought to himself, ¡°Indeed, someone who recognizes the value, not in vain did I perform this act. I¡¯ve finally lured a big fish.¡±


    The gatekeeper Disciple, seeing the newcomer, turned pale with fright and hurriedly bowed in panic, saying, ¡°Disciple pays respect to True Spirit Ginseng!¡±


    The Elixir Cauldron Sect had a very interesting tradition: once a Disciple successfully formed a Golden Core, they not only automatically became an elder of the Sect, but they also invariably adopted a name related to a Spiritual Medicine.


    Spirit Ginseng is one of the most famous Spiritual Medicines in the Cultivation World.


    Considering that this long-bearded elder had taken ¡®Spirit Ginseng¡¯ as his Taoist name, one could imagine his high status within the Elixir Cauldron Sect.

 Chapter 63 - 63 Master Qiong Shen

    Chapter 63: Chapter 63 Master Qiong Shen


    At this moment, the gatekeeper disciple was scared to death, his body trembling uncontrollably.


    He fervently prayed in his heart that True Spirit Ginseng hadn¡¯t noticed what had just happened.


    One should know that True Spirit Ginseng was not just a simple elder of the sect; he also held the position of Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall.


    The most critical point was that his temperament was extremely explosive!


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t escape my doom this time.¡± The thought couldn¡¯t stop wailing in his heart, while he simultaneously cursed the Wan Family cultivators who had put him up to this.


    Sure enough, what he feared came to pass.


    With a cold snort, True Spirit Ginseng pointed at him and said, ¡°You, go report to the Law Enforcement Hall immediately and spend a month in the Ice and Fire Cave. Say that it is my order. Did you hear that clearly?¡±


    ¡°Heard¡­ heard clearly! Disciple will go now. Thank you for showing leniency, True Immortal!¡±


    The gatekeeper disciple bowed deeply, trembling with fear.


    No sooner had he finished speaking than he ran off like a quail about to be slaughtered, fearing that True Spirit Ginseng would add to his punishment.


    After dealing with the scum, True Spirit Ginseng¡¯s eyes lifted slightly as his gaze swept across the crowd.


    ¡°Oh no, it¡¯s the death glare of a Golden Core master. Let¡¯s get out of here, scatter quickly!¡±


    Everyone felt a jolt in their hearts and dispersed in an instant.


    Having cleared the area with a single glance, True Spirit Ginseng turned his head and looked kindly at Zhao Sheng and the others.


    Zhao Chong and Zhao Jijian hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.


    ¡°Junior Zhao Chonghe greets True Immortal.¡±


    ¡°Zhao Jijian of Dragon Carp Lake, greets True Immortal. May the True Immortal live a thousand years!¡±


    ¡°No need for formalities!¡±


    True Spirit Ginseng waved his hand indifferently, then immediately instructed, ¡°You two, come with me.¡±


    Zhao Chong and Zhao Jijian exchanged glances, communicating a great deal of information in an instant.


    Zhao Jijian understood and a trace of difficulty crossed his face, ¡°Reporting to True Immortal, we were just about to attend an auction. If we go late, we¡¯re afraid that¡­ ¡±


    Before he could finish, True Spirit Ginseng had already realized, ¡°So you¡¯ve come for the Hundred-year Token auction. However, you don¡¯t need to go now, just follow me!¡±


    Before the words had fallen, a gentle female voice suddenly rang in the ears of the three, ¡°Hold on! Who says they aren¡¯t going?¡±


    Zhao Chong looked in the direction of the voice and saw a majestic and well-dressed woman in a Six Cauldron Pill Robe floating down from the third layer of the Foreign Affairs Hall, landing before the three of them.


    After the woman appeared, she immediately paid her respects to True Spirit Ginseng with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s been ten years since True Spirit Ginseng brother went into retreat. Seeing you today, your mana seems to have improved, and I fear that you¡¯ve reached the Late Stage of the Golden Core Realm, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    True Spirit Ginseng, upon seeing the newcomer, felt his heart sink but showed no change in expression.


    He nodded and said, ¡°Master Qiong Shen, you flatter me. It¡¯s not so easy to break through to the Late Stage of the Golden Core. I¡¯ve only gained a little.¡±


    ¡°Brother, you weren¡¯t in the Nine Curves Peak for your retreat; how do you have the leisure to visit my Foreign Affairs Hall today?¡±


    ¡°Haha, I was merely passing by. Who would have thought I¡¯d have some unexpected gains?¡±


    Following that, the two Golden Core Masters exchanged a few more ¡°pleasantries.¡±


    As the two powerhouses sparred with words, Zhao Chong and Zhao Jijian stood stiffly like wooden stakes, daring not to make any disrespectful moves.


    Seeing that she wasn¡¯t getting the upper hand, Master Qiong Shen¡¯s eyes flashed, and she finally spoke seriously, ¡°Brother, what you did just now was somewhat lacking. These two clearly came for the Hundred-year Token. Why disallow them from participating in the auction?¡±


    True Spirit Ginseng laughed and said, ¡°I have never uttered the word ¡®disallow¡¯. If Sister doesn¡¯t believe me, she can ask the two of them?¡±


    As the gazes of both Golden Core Masters turned to them, Zhao Chong internally lamented his misfortune.


    He hadn¡¯t expected the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm to cause trouble with two Golden Core Masters.


    He couldn¡¯t afford to offend either of these great personages!


    Under the weight of their meaningful stares, Zhao Chong braced himself and answered, ¡°Uh, the True Immortal indeed didn¡¯t¡­ didn¡¯t use the word ¡®disallow¡¯.¡±


    Hmm,


    Master True Spirit Ginseng and Master Qiong Shen were quite surprised. They had thought the Foundation Establishment cultivator would speak up, but it turned out to be that young man who responded.


    With not a word succeeding, Master Qiong Shen continued, ¡°Are you here to attend the auction?¡±


    ¡°In reply to the True Immortal, yes,¡± Zhao Sheng quickly grasped the implication behind the other¡¯s words and immediately responded.


    Master Qiong Shen nodded in satisfaction and softly said, ¡°Go ahead then! The auction is about to start.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was just about to nod in acknowledgment when a gentle yet powerful mana force easily invaded his body, instantly sealing his movements.


    ¡°Hold on, what is the meaning of this, Junior Sister?¡± Master True Spirit Ginseng asked with a displeased expression.


    ¡°Senior Brother, do not blame me, your Junior Sister is merely following the rules. Besides, that Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm is not something you can monopolize by yourself.¡± S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Having said that, Master Qiong Shen swept her sleeve, and a faint blue light entered Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, easily neutralizing the invasive foreign mana.


    ¡°Hmph,¡± Master True Spirit Ginseng, seeing that the conversation had been pointedly brought to light, couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly and turn back to Zhao Sheng and the others, demanding, ¡°Tell me, do you intend to sell the spirit worm to me, or are you determined to participate in the auction?¡±


    As he spoke, the overwhelming presence of a Golden Core Realm cultivator was unabashedly released.


    Without a doubt, he was using his powerful status to pressure others.


    Faced with the oppressive aura of a Golden Core Master, Zhao Sheng struggled bitterly to withstand it, and Zhao Jijian wasn¡¯t faring much better.


    Without attaining a Golden Core, everything is like an ant, be it Foundation Establishment or mortal!


    What was strange, however, was that Master Qiong Shen showed no intention of intervening, merely watching calmly from the side.


    At that moment, a thought flashed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind as if he had come to a realization. With great effort, he slightly opened his mouth and managed to say, ¡°Please forgive us, True Immortal. We seek only the Hundred-year Token, nothing else.¡±


    Although Zhao Sheng did not directly answer, the meaning behind his words was unmistakably clear.


    Seeing this, Master Qiong Shen smiled slightly and then released her own aura, blocking Master True Spirit Ginseng¡¯s oppressive pressure.


    ¡°Senior Brother, please do not make it difficult for your Junior Sister. Openly undermining the sect¡¯s foundations is a great taboo for our kind!¡±


    Master True Spirit Ginseng, clearly enraged, flicked his sleeve but still defended himself, ¡°You exaggerate, Junior Sister. Just now, I was merely attracted by the prospect.¡±


    ¡°Very well, you two go in then. I was planning to go in and see the excitement myself. Junior Sister, please do as you wish.¡±


    ¡°Senior Brother, it¡¯s rare that you visit our Foreign Affairs Hall, so of course, I should personally keep you company.¡±


    ¡­


    On the third layer of the Outer Object Hall, in one of the chambers.


    At this moment, there were already quite a few people scattered sparsely in the seats of the chamber.


    From their attire and the distribution of their seats, it was evident that they likely represented nine different power blocs.


    The Shen Family from Southern Mountain Kingdom, the Zhou family from Chen Country, the Wei Family from Wanyi Mountain¡­


    The nine Foundation Establishment Families were there to attend the auction for the Hundred-year Token.


    Originally, there were twelve families, but due to some underhanded manoeuvres by certain individuals, three families were successfully excluded.


    Perhaps having waited too long, someone in the chamber couldn¡¯t help but mutter, ¡°The appointed time has already arrived, why hasn¡¯t it started yet?¡±


    Though the voice was low, it still reached the ears of others, and soon the chamber was filled with whispered conversations.


    To earn the favor of the Elixir Cauldron Sect and secure the Hundred-year Tokens, these families had invested a great deal of effort and resources.


    If something unexpected occurred leading to the abortion of the auction,


    They would be in a dire situation, and even worse, they would not even have the chance to lament.


    Because the methods they used were somewhat shady.


    If a Golden Core Master raised questions about the loss of sect assets or someone embezzling for personal gain,


    Once the Elixir Cauldron Sect took it seriously and conducted an audit, no one would escape the consequences.

 Chapter 64 - 64: Regret Not Having Done Sooner

    Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Regret Not Having Done Sooner


    Seeing that the noise in the hall was getting louder and louder, Liu Quji had no choice but to step up to the front stage, his face stern as he called out loudly, ¡°Quiet!¡±


    As soon as these words came out, the crowd below instantly fell silent.


    Seeing this, Liu Quji nodded with satisfaction, thinking to himself, ¡°The Outer Object Hall truly deserves to be one of the core chambers of the sect. Even serving as a third-class deacon here is much better than being a manager outside. It was not in vain that I beseeched my Third Uncle for half a month before finally being assigned here.¡±


    Turning to step down from the high stage, Liu Quji quietly found his Third Uncle, Liu Fadeng, and whispered, ¡°Third Uncle, why hasn¡¯t the auction started yet?¡±


    ¡°Everyone else isn¡¯t in a hurry, so why are you? The Ancestor has been delayed by some matter. They told you to wait a while; do you have an objection?¡±


    Liu Fadeng, who had been meditating with closed eyes in the back hall, opened his eyes and reprimanded him.


    Liu Fadeng was a first-class manager of the Outer Object Hall, with a cultivation at the Third Level of Foundation Establishment. At the same time, he and Liu Quji were both from the Denver Liu Family.


    Beyond that, both were descendants of relatives of Master Qiong Shen.


    Mhm, Master Qiong Shen was also from the Liu Family, the youngest of the three Golden Core Masters of the Liu Family.


    Liu Quji got a fright and hastened to say he dared not have any objections.


    Just then, a sudden scraping of chairs could be heard in the front hall.


    Straight away, the two of them heard the crowd shouting in unison:


    ¡°The Shen Family of Southern Mountain¡­ Wanyi Mountain Wan Family¡­ Greetings to Master Qiong Shen¡­ Greetings to True Spirit Ginseng! May the True Immortal live for a thousand years!¡±


    ¡°The Ancestor has arrived, let¡¯s hurry out,¡± Liu Fadeng called out, then quickly ran towards the front hall, with Liu Quji following close behind.


    But at this moment, they did not know what the representatives of the nine Cultivation Families in the front hall were feeling. They were truly shocked.


    What had they seen?


    They had witnessed with their own eyes that two unassuming cultivators had been accompanied personally into this place by two of the Golden Core Masters of the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    And apparently, the Masters¡¯ attitude was very approachable.


    Was this still the style of the Elixir Cauldron Sect¡¯s Golden Core bigwigs?


    The cultivators from these families could hardly believe their own eyes, and they looked at those two individuals with a mix of envy, jealousy¡­ and hatred, wishing that they could be in their place!


    By the time Liu Fadeng and his nephew arrived at the front hall, they too saw this scene.


    The two of them looked at each other, speechless with both shock and uncertainty about what to say.


    However, Liu Fadeng only hesitated for a moment before quickly rushing forward to kowtow and pay his respects to the Ancestor.


    He then very respectfully accorded the same honors to True Spirit Ginseng.


    Liu Quji was a little slower, but he also arrived in time to follow his uncle in paying respects.


    ¡°Enough. The auction can begin now.¡±


    After saying this, Master Qiong Shen took out a Crystal Ball as big as a human head and seven bronze tokens from his Storage Bag and passed them to Liu Fadeng.


    After doing these things, Master Qiong Shen turned to True Spirit Ginseng and smiled, ¡°Senior Brother, why don¡¯t we go to the back hall and let the younger generation handle the affairs here? What do you think?¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± True Spirit Ginseng nodded. Then he turned to look at Zhao Sheng and the other person, instructing, ¡°You two go take a seat first. Bid on any Spirit Vein you¡¯re interested in. If you¡¯re not prepared enough, you can ask this old man for help.¡±


    ¡°Also¡­¡±


    At this point, True Spirit Ginseng pondered for a moment before he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Tell this old man, how many spirit worms do you have in your possession?¡±


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than Master Qiong Shen said, ¡°Senior Brother, that¡¯s against the rules!¡±


    True Spirit Ginseng laughed heartily, ¡°Don¡¯t blame me, Junior Sister. I¡¯m merely curious. Besides, my Sun Family and your Liu Family have been intermarried for thousands of years, with both great families being closely connected. It shouldn¡¯t be a problem to accommodate each other a little, right?¡±


    Master Qiong Shen, upon hearing this, remained silent.


    The Elixir Cauldron Sect comprised of ¡°One Cauldron, Two Medicines, Four Great Elixirs,¡± the seven great Cultivation Families.


    The True Spirit Ginseng, originally named Sun Situi, was the Golden Core Ancestor of the Medicine King Sun Family, one of the Seven Great Families.


    After thousands of years of intermarriages, the Seven Great Families of Elixir Cauldron had become intimately interwoven, their relationships both distant and exceptionally close.


    Among the Seven Great Families, it was true that the Denver Liu Family was the closest to the Medicine King Sun Family.


    This was one point that True Spirit Ginseng hadn¡¯t gotten wrong.


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng honestly said, ¡°Junior has a nest of spirit earthworms in his spirit worm bag, but the number¡ª¡±


    ¡°What? A whole nest!¡± the True Spirit Ginseng exclaimed in surprise, suddenly interrupting Zhao Sheng.


    The next second, True Spirit Ginseng eagerly asked, ¡°Do you have any of those giant Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms?¡±


    Zhao Sheng recalled for a moment and responded with uncertainty, ¡°There seems to be two that are over ten feet long.¡±


    ¡°Give them to me!¡±


    With that, True Spirit Ginseng, disregarding his status, unleashed his mana to form a giant golden palm, which he reached directly for the spirit worm bag at Zhao Sheng¡¯s waist.


    However, no sooner had the giant palm flown halfway than it was shattered by a streak of blue light.


    ¡°Brother, you¡¯re losing your composure,¡± Master Qiong Shen said, his expression stern as he rebuked.


    True Spirit Ginseng¡¯s loss of composure was because the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm was quite different from ordinary spirit earthworms.


    Spirit earthworms are a species of asexually reproducing spiritual insects of not particularly high grade and without any formidable divine skills or superpowers.


    It¡¯s only because the spirit soil they excrete can improve and enhance the soil quality that spirit worms are highly sought after by all cultivation forces.


    It could be said that spirit earthworms are not uncommon in the Cultivation World, and their presence can be seen in the medicine fields of most cultivation sects.


    However, spirit earthworms have the drawback of generational degradation; after many divisions, they degrade into ordinary earthworms, losing the ability to produce spirit soil.


    This fact has proved highly troublesome for all cultivation forces.


    Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms, as the aristocrats among spirit earthworms, have bloodlines closest to the Mountain Dragon.


    Compared to ordinary spirit earthworms, they are much rarer but often can split into more generations.


    But what¡¯s most critical is not this; it is that only Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms might evolve into Mountain Dragons.


    Mountain Dragons are the kings of spirit earthworms, possessing the trait of near-immortality with extraordinarily tenacious life force, earning them the moniker of the ¡°Water Bear Bug¡± of the Cultivation World.


    If a Golden Core Master were to sign a Spirit Contract with a Mountain Dragon, not only would they acquire a powerful spirit pet, but more importantly, their life span would surge to two thousand years, in no way inferior to that of a Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    Although the chances of a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm evolving into a Mountain Dragon are minuscule, what if¡­ it actually happened!


    Furthermore, the likelihood of turning into a dragon is directly proportional to the length of the spirit earthworm.


    A Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm over ten feet long has a much higher chance of becoming a dragon, over a hundred times greater than that of an ordinary Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now it becomes clear why True Spirit Ginseng lost his composure.


    At this moment, the cultivation families in the hall who saw the two True Immortals actually make a move over a young man were all shockingly bewildered.


    But no matter how shocked they were in their hearts, it could not compare to that of Liu Quji.


    Liu Quji, or rather Manager Liu, was by now almost regretting himself blue in the face.


    Because he had recognized the identity of the young man¡ªit was his ¡°good brother¡± Zhao Sheng.


    The participants of the Hundred-year Token auction were only a few families, and the other families were all natives of the Southern Border.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s accent was very similar to the residents of Pocket World City, and they were of a similar age.


    If Liu Quji could not figure out Zhao Sheng¡¯s identity now, it would be an insult to his decades of experiences in Pocket World City.


    ¡°If only I had known earlier¡­ Ah, the regret is unbearable!¡±


    At that time, Liu Quji very much wanted to give himself a few hard slaps.

 Chapter 65 - 65: Im Taking This Spirit Vein

    Chapter 65: Chapter 65: I¡¯m Taking This Spirit Vein


    Foreign Affairs Hall, third layer hall


    At this moment, True Spirit Ginseng was also feeling very annoyed within his heart. If he had known that the youngster had a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm longer than a zhang in his possession, Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    he wouldn¡¯t have wasted any words and would have abducted him right away.


    Alas¡­


    Thinking of this, True Spirit Ginseng coughed once, regained his composure, and said, ¡°Sister is right, I indeed lacked sufficient resolve. You take charge here for now, I will go to the Ice and Fire Cave to calm my mind.¡±


    With these words, he swept his sleeve, a clear light surged under his feet, lifting his body, and he suddenly flew away.


    But before leaving, True Spirit Ginseng gave Zhao Sheng a meaningful glance.


    Zhao Sheng caught it from the corner of his eye, and his heart suddenly trembled, becoming somewhat uneasy.


    ¡°Could it be that I¡¯ve caught the attention of a Golden Core grandee? Or is there another meaning?¡±


    Before he could ponder further, Liu Quji, who was scratching his head at his side, couldn¡¯t contain his little schemes any longer and tentatively said, ¡°Brother Zhao?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked up at Manager Liu when he heard the words, and seeing the other¡¯s nervous expression, he felt a stir in his heart.


    He suddenly smiled faintly and said happily, ¡°It turns out to be Brother Liu! How¡¯s it been, it¡¯s been months since we last saw each other; have you returned to your sect from Pocket World City?¡±


    Liu Quji, seeing that Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t deny his identity, was overjoyed and hurriedly said, ¡°Yes, thanks to your blessing, I was transferred back to the Foreign Affairs Hall.¡±


    Zhao had no intention of hiding his identity. Besides, even if he hid it for the moment, he couldn¡¯t hide it forever; as soon as the Zhao family moved to the Southern Border, it would be easy for outsiders to trace him.


    What¡¯s more important was that the Zhao family would be following the Elixir Cauldron Sect in the future, and having a ¡°friend¡± in the sect wasn¡¯t a bad thing ¨C after all, having more friends meant more pathways.


    At this point, Zhao Sheng asked as if offhand, ¡°By the way, is Manager Shen also back?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Liu Quji¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he forced a smile, saying, ¡°Manager Shen is still in Pocket World City.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a pity,¡± Zhao Sheng sighed.


    Others might not know what this ¡®pity¡¯ referred to, but Liu Quji already had a guess.


    Seeing this scene, Master Qiong Shen¡¯s eyes gleamed momentarily before she suddenly asked, ¡°Quji, you two know each other?¡±


    Hearing the question from the Ancestor, Liu Quji immediately responded respectfully, ¡°Replying to the Ancestor¡¯s question. Brother Zhao, no, Taoist Zhao¡¯s invitation was personally sent out by my grandnephew.¡±


    Master Qiong Shen nodded and said, ¡°Hmm, you¡¯ve done well.¡±


    Then, she looked towards Liu Fadeng and instructed, ¡°The auction can begin now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ancestor!¡± Liu Fadeng and Liu Quji, uncle and nephew, straightened their expressions and answered in unison.


    After speaking, Liu Quji¡¯s cheeks flushed, and he staggered a little as he walked towards the front stage.


    At this moment, his heart was surging, and he was overwhelmed with excitement: ¡°The Ancestor actually praised him for doing well! My heavens, my luck is turning. Shen Family, I¡¯m sorry about this time!¡±


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian also bowed and said, ¡°Please forgive us, True Immortal, we will take our leave first!¡±


    Master Qiong Shen nodded at them and then gracefully left.


    The people from the nine major families present in the hall felt a collective chill in their hearts when they saw this scene, and they couldn¡¯t help but silently lament their unfortunate timing.


    It was already a case of too many wolves and not enough meat, and now, one of the spirit veins was surely to be claimed by someone.


    As long as the Liu uncle and nephew were not foolish, did they even need a reminder on what to do?


    At this time, Zhao Sheng and his companion casually found two vacant seats and sat down.


    The people nearby hurried over to greet them and subtly tried to probe their identities and their relationship with the two Golden Core Masters.


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were both old hands, and dealing with such a situation was a piece of cake for them.


    After uttering a few vague phrases, they left the people from the other families with the impression that the Zhao family was unfathomable, and they couldn¡¯t help but feel awe towards Zhao Sheng and his companion.


    Before the auction began, Liu Fadeng stepped onto the stage to deliver some opening remarks before announcing the official start.


    ¡°Sanhe Hill, a First-order Middle-grade Spirit Vein with fifty acres of spirit field and a Green Gold Spirit Mine, a population exceeding one hundred thousand. The range starts from¡­¡±


    As Liu Fadeng continued with the introduction, Liu Quji infused Spiritual Power into the Crystal Ball.


    The very next second, a burst of brilliant white light emanated from the Crystal Ball.


    Three winding rivers converged beneath a hill, a small city filled with ancient charm, vast fields of golden spirit grain¡­


    A series of vivid images were instantaneously projected into the hall.


    Seeing these incredibly lifelike scenes, everyone felt as if they were truly there.


    Zhao Sheng watched this unfold, inwardly shocked.


    This level of realistic three-dimensional imagery was comparable to the virtual reality technology of his first life¡ªno, it was even more advanced by far.


    Because Zhao Sheng could genuinely smell the fragrance of the ripening spirit grain.


    Once Liu Fadeng finished the introduction, an odd hush fell over the hall.


    As Zhao Sheng felt something amiss, he noticed that everyone else was looking in their direction.


    Thinking quickly, Zhao Sheng suddenly understood.


    They were clearly waiting to see if he would choose this Spirit Vein.


    If he declined, then others would dare to make their moves.


    If he was interested, then the others wouldn¡¯t need to expend their efforts competing.


    With this in mind, Zhao Sheng shook his head slightly and revealed a restrained smile to everyone.


    Upon seeing this, a red-faced elder immediately stood up from the crowd and declared in a loud voice, ¡°My Zhou family possesses a treasure called the Nine Shining Exquisite Heart. Manager Liu, please have a look!¡±


    As he spoke, the elder strode forward, took out a heart-shaped Crystal Jade with nine holes, and presented it to Liu Fadeng.


    Three hundred years ago, the Hundred-year Token auction held by the Purple Sun Sect was aimed at collecting Spirit Stones, yet the Elixir Cauldron Sect was abundantly wealthy and had no shortage of Spirit Stones. Consequently, this auction was primarily a trade of treasures for tokens.


    At that moment, another family stood up: ¡°I also have a treasure named ¡®Ancient Barbarian Medical Book.¡¯ Please, Manager Liu, have a look!¡±


    Quickly, a third and then a fourth family came forward to compete for the Sanhe Hill Spirit Vein.


    The auction descended into intense competition from the start¡ªall thanks to the unwitting disturbance caused by Zhao Sheng and his partner.


    One hour later, of the seven Spirit Veins, three had already been auctioned off.


    Then, Liu Fadeng glanced at Zhao Sheng and proceeded to announce loudly, ¡°The next Spirit Vein is a First-rank top-grade one, located at Taifu Mountain, and has been established for over six hundred years. It mainly produces¡­¡±


    As the Illusion Realm images unfolded one by one, Zhao Sheng finally stood up and calmly said, ¡°I¡¯ll take this Spirit Vein.¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, the people of the Wanyi Mountain Wan Family looked as if they had suffered a bereavement.


    That¡¯s because the Spirit Vein at Taifu Mountain was a Dragon Rising Land meticulously selected by the old ancestor of their family.


    Now¡­ the Dragon Rising Land belonged to someone else!


    ¡­


    Four hours later, the members of the Shen Family left the Outer Object Hall with ashen faces.


    They hadn¡¯t managed to acquire a single Spirit Vein this time, even though the treasures they had prepared were among the top three of the nine families.


    And that detestable Manager Liu didn¡¯t even spare their offerings a single glance.


    The Shen Family members couldn¡¯t figure it out at the moment, but they would likely come to understand soon, as they had provoked someone they shouldn¡¯t have.


    After the auction ended, just as Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian were about to leave, they were stopped by Liu Quji.

 Chapter 66 - 66 The Performance Ends and Another Begins

    Chapter 66: Chapter 66 The Performance Ends and Another Begins


    At the entrance of the Outer Object Hall, Liu Quji excitedly said to Zhao Sheng, ¡°Brother Zhao, you¡¯re in luck. The ancestor Qiong Shen wishes to see you!¡±


    Indeed, as expected!


    Having anticipated that Master Qiong Shen might wish to see him, Zhao Sheng felt no surprise.


    Zhao Sheng handed over the Hundred-year Token to Zhao Jijian and then followed Liu Quji away.


    After a moment, on the sixth floor of the Outer Object Hall, Zhao Sheng met Master Qiong Shen standing by the window.


    At that time, Liu Quji tactfully left the room and carefully closed the door behind him.


    As the room¡¯s door closed, Zhao Sheng immediately bowed respectfully and said, ¡°Junior Zhao Chonghe pays his respects to the Master!¡±


    ¡°A name meaning ¡®one¡¯s zeal matches one¡¯s peace¡¯¡ªwell chosen!¡±


    After praising him, Master Qiong Shen waved his hand to release a stream of mana, lifting Zhao Sheng up, and spoke with a pleasant countenance.


    Zhao Sheng straightened his posture and spoke candidly, ¡°Master has invited this junior to meet. Could it be about the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms?¡±


    Master Qiong Shen smiled without giving a direct reply and suddenly asked, ¡°Were the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms discovered by you?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, ¡°Indeed. I found the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms in a secluded valley cliff on Heavenly Pillar Mountain while gathering herbs. Besides those I presented, I still have a dozen or so in my possession.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, you¡¯re quite candid. There are not many Qi Refining disciples in my sect as astute as you,¡± Master Qiong Shen said, admiring Zhao Sheng¡¯s dignity and poise.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly but didn¡¯t continue the topic. Instead, he took the initiative to bring out a spirit worm bag and place it on the table.


    Before coming to the Elixir Cauldron Sect, he had anticipated all possible emergencies that could arise.


    The current situation did not surprise him.


    Would a cultivator who obtained Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms foolishly turn them all in?


    No,


    A typical cultivator would intentionally conceal some, especially the best quality batch.


    Zhao Sheng had done just that.


    Master Qiong Shen took the spirit worm bag into his hand, and his Divine Sense penetrated it, his face quickly revealing a hint of joy.


    There were twelve Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms in the bag; the shortest one was five feet long, and one of them was incredibly over thirty feet in length.


    You should know that as long as Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms do not split and replicate, they will continue to grow.


    Those that grow over thirty feet indicate potential to revert to their Ancestor Mountain Dragon lineage.


    The longer they are, the greater the likelihood of reverting!


    A three-feet-long Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm approaches a Second Order grade and is considered an extremely rare treasure. Its chances of reverting are as high as one percent.


    Don¡¯t underestimate one percent; this probability is quite high already.


    In the Cultivation World, there are Golden Core Masters who would invest all they have for this one percent chance.


    After carefully inspecting them, Master Qiong Shen flipped his wrist, tucking the spirit worm bag into his sleeve, and with an amiable smile praised, ¡°Very well, you¡¯ve been considerate!¡±


    Zhao Sheng spoke modestly, ¡°This junior does not dare to take credit; I only ask the Master to forgive my concealment.¡±


    Master Qiong Shen replied, ¡°What crime is there to speak of? It is but human nature. Now, you may state any requests you have.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind whirled with numerous thoughts. Suddenly, he ventured, ¡°Master, it seems¡­ True Spirit Ginseng is quite interested in this junior?¡±


    He did not directly say that True Spirit Ginseng was also eyeing this batch of Golden Ring Spirit Earthworms, instead, he subtly chose different words.


    Master Qiong Shen appeared unconcerned upon hearing this and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will deal with True Spirit Ginseng and it will not involve you.¡±


    Relieved, Zhao Sheng then said, ¡°This junior dares not presume anything, I only ask the Master to bestow upon me an Elixir Scripture.¡±


    In fact, Zhao Sheng had already planned what to exchange for these spirit worms.


    Initially, he only wished to exchange them for a few Elixir Recipes, but after witnessing the importance that both Qiong Shen and Spirit Ginseng placed on the spirit worms, Zhao Sheng secretly raised his asking price by two levels.


    In the Cultivation World, Dharma, Wealth, Comrades, and Place are the four crucial secrets, with Dharma being the foremost.


    Having finally encountered a splendid opportunity for bargaining, Zhao Sheng would have wasted his several hundred years of life if he did not take advantage and suggest somewhat excessive demands.


    Master Qiong Shen laughed and said, ¡°You truly dare to ask!¡± S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face changed color.


    ¡­


    A short while later, Zhao Sheng, with a composed expression, emerged from the room and immediately saw Liu Quji guarding beside the staircase on the sixth floor.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, how did it go?¡± Liu Quji asked eagerly as soon as he saw Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°What do you mean, how did it go? Are you asking about Master Qiong Shen?¡± Instead of answering, Zhao Sheng deflected with a question.


    Liu Quji¡¯s face turned pale, and he suddenly slapped himself, pleading, ¡°I misspoke just now. Please don¡¯t take it to heart, brother.¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed and said, ¡°What are you talking about, Brother Liu? If it wasn¡¯t for your help, how could I have stumbled upon such an opportunity? Master Qiong Shen is quite fond of me, she even gifted me some alchemy notes from her youth.¡±


    ¡°What? The Ancestor actually gave you her own handwritten insights. That¡¯s impossible!¡±


    Liu Quji was extremely excited; he would rather believe that Zhao Sheng acquired a top-grade Spiritual Artifact than believe what he had heard.


    Zhao Sheng did not explain but silently pulled out a booklet and waved it in front of him.


    Gazing at the graceful handwriting on the cover of the booklet, Liu Quji¡¯s eyes turned red with envy.


    Seeing the other party¡¯s reaction, Zhao Sheng knew he had been hoodwinked.


    In reality, how could the alchemy insights of a Golden Core Master possibly be bestowed upon an outsider?


    Master Qiong Shen simply gave him some casual notes, which recorded only a dozen or so Elixir Recipes, including her analyses and summaries.


    Even so, Zhao Sheng was very satisfied in his heart.


    A Golden Core Master¡¯s partial alchemy insights were sufficient to provide the Zhao family with an additional alchemy legacy.


    Of course, the actual situation was something that Zhao Sheng would naturally not reveal to Liu Quji.


    When it came to bluffing and grandstanding, Zhao Sheng was an old hand, always yielding extraordinary results.


    Indeed,


    after this incident, the way Liu Quji looked at him was different, filled with a mix of respect and eagerness.


    Upon learning that Zhao Sheng was going to take over Taifu Mountain, Liu Quji volunteered to accompany him and directly offered to help resolve some minor troubles, such as difficulties posed by certain individuals during the handover.


    No need for superfluous words!


    Four days later, with the full assistance of Liu Quji, Zhao Sheng and another took over Taifu Mountain without any effort from the disciples stationed there by external forces.


    Ten days later, at the Cloud Boat Pier of Nine Tripods Square.


    After bidding farewell to Liu Quji several times, Zhao Sheng turned and boarded the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat with Zhao Jijian to return to Pocket World City.


    ¡­


    Five days later, as the sun set in the west,


    watching the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat ascend and depart, Zhao Jijian burst into laughter as if he had let go of an immense burden.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng seemed to be infected by the mirth, his face breaking into a radiant smile.


    After laughing their fill, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression became serious, and he said in a deep voice, ¡°Let¡¯s go! The grand show at Dragon Carp Lake has already begun. If we don¡¯t hurry, we¡¯ll miss the finale.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Jijian¡¯s expression turned solemn, and he nodded, saying, ¡°Some people have really gone too far!¡±


    Zhao Sheng said indifferently, ¡°When a great disaster looms, everyone flies separately. That¡¯s all there is to it!¡±

 Chapter 67 - 67 Shattered Star Sea

    Chapter 67: Chapter 67 Shattered Star Sea


    Ten miles east of Dragon Carp Lake, there was a county town named East Zhao with a population exceeding one hundred thousand, over half of whom had the surname Zhao.


    This county town had a history of nearly three hundred years and was the main settlement for the secular relatives of the Zhao family from Dragon Carp Lake.


    Recently, the atmosphere in East Zhao City had become unusually oppressive, as if the sky were about to collapse. The faces of the Zhao clan members were all somber, their hearts filled with anxiety and unease.


    A month ago, Unity Hall had suddenly transmitted a message, stating that the Purple Sun Sect would reclaim Dragon Carp Lake in a year and demanded that the Zhao family vacate by the deadline.


    This news struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, instantly shattering the last hopes of the fifty thousand Zhao clan members.


    Having lived comfortably for three hundred years, the Zhao family members had long considered Dragon Carp Lake their ancestral homeland.


    Now they were being abruptly told to move away from their homeland.


    It was a cruel reality that no one could easily accept.


    For a while, the entire Zhao family was plunged into a state of incessant anxiety.


    However, in the past few days, a rumor had been rapidly spreading among the Zhao family members, and it seemed there might be some positive turn of events.


    In a certain residence in East Zhao City, people were discussing this matter.


    ¡°Go to the Shattered Star Sea?¡±


    ¡°Alas, there¡¯s no choice but to go! Who would have thought my great-grandfather¡¯s brother¡¯s son was a Cultivator. My entire family is within the fifth degree of kinship, we have no choice but to go!¡±


    ¡°I heard that the Shattered Star Sea is beyond the Central Continent, who knows how many thousands of miles away from here. Once you go there, you can never come back.¡±


    ¡°If we can¡¯t come back, so be it! At least we have a family Cultivator to support us if the sky falls.


    Besides, without a Cultivator to protect us, who knows what will happen to the Zhao family in East Zhao City in the future. I advise you to join everyone and go to the Shattered Star Sea.¡±


    ¡°Alas, it¡¯s hard to leave one¡¯s homeland. Besides, I still have a lot of family property to deal with. Forget it, I¡¯m not going. After all, my family is already beyond the fifth degree of kinship.¡±


    ¡­


    In the Zhao family¡¯s station, within a certain council hall. Key decision-makers of the main branch of the Zhao family also gathered with furrowed brows, unable to think of any solutions.


    After a long time, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly broke the silence, ¡°Second brother, does the Purple Sun Sect really intend to take back Dragon Carp Lake no matter what?¡±


    Zhao Jinding replied with a helpless expression, ¡°The relocation order has been issued. Could it be false?¡±


    ¡°But¡­ but we can¡¯t move to the Shattered Star Sea! I¡¯ve heard that place is extremely dangerous. The family members from the second branch are foolish to believe Chen Zichuan¡¯s nonsense and are set on moving to the Shattered Star Sea.¡±


    Zhao Jinpeng argued, ¡°The Purple Sun Sect has just opened a new branch in the Shattered Star Sea and they¡¯re short of people. Unfortunately, our Zhao family is caught at this juncture. If we really don¡¯t go to the Shattered Star Sea, are we supposed to become homeless Loose Cultivators? You¡¯ve seen for yourself how miserable the life of a Loose Cultivator can be. And anyway, our Zhao family needs to find somewhere to settle all these tens of thousands of people, right?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s really something that Zhao Chonghe decided to vanish at such a critical moment. If he were here, he might have come up with a good idea.¡±


    Hearing someone complain, Zhao Jinding¡¯s expression became very complicated, his face creasing even more deeply.


    The relocation of the Zhao family from Dragon Carp Lake was a foregone conclusion.


    Facing this no-win situation, Zhao Jinding admitted to himself that he had no solutions.


    His only hope now lay with Zhao Chonghe, no, it should be said, with Zhao Jijian.


    Unfortunately, when he went to Pocket World City two weeks ago to discuss strategies with them, he had come back empty-handed.


    Even Zhao Yongwu couldn¡¯t clarify where the two had gone; he only knew that right after Fourth Ancestor came out of seclusion, he had left Pocket World City immediately with the elder.


    Had Zhao Jijian left seclusion? And had he advanced to Foundation Establishment?


    Harboring this question, Zhao Jinding returned to Dragon Carp Lake, his heart faintly filled with some hope.


    After discussing for a long time, everyone still had no clue what to do.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jinpeng shouted, ¡°If we keep delaying like this, all the Zhao family members will be persuaded by the second branch.


    I¡¯ve heard that quite a few people from our main branch have been influenced as well and want to venture into the Shattered Star Sea to carve out new prospects. Otherwise, we might as well all go together. After all, we¡¯ll have nowhere else to go if we leave Dragon Carp Lake.¡±


    Hearing this, some people were vaguely tempted, but others scoffed at the idea.


    Just then, Zhao Chongwei suddenly burst in, panting and shouting, ¡°Second¡­ the second branch has suddenly called for a family meeting. They¡¯ve already gone to Unity Hall. They say the assembly will officially start in an hour, and they won¡¯t wait for anyone who¡¯s late.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Outrageous! The second branch dares to call a family meeting without consulting us. Have they no regard for ancestral rules anymore?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s hurry to Unity Hall.¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Jinding fiercely slammed his hand down and stood up, his face stern as he declared, ¡°To Unity Hall! I am determined to see what tricks Zhao Jingang is playing!¡±


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    An hour later, Unity Hall on Yanyue Island.


    The atmosphere inside Unity Hall was tense; members of the two branches of the Zhao family glared furiously at each other, poised for conflict.


    Looking around, one could see not only all twenty-seven Cultivators of the Zhao family gathered, but also over a dozen venerable common relatives.


    On the side of the second branch, Chen Zichuan, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Purple Sun Sect, was also present, engaging in pleasant conversation with Zhao Keqin, utterly at ease.


    Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhao Jingang suddenly coughed twice, hunched his body as he walked out from the crowd of the second branch to the center of the hall, and began with a hoarse voice, ¡°Everyone is here. I have an important announcement to make.¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Keqiang of the Sixth Level of Qi Refining suddenly jumped out and shouted, ¡°Hold on! Zhao Jingang, you haven¡¯t discussed this with our main branch, what authority do you have to call a family meeting?¡±


    ¡°How dare you, a junior, utter my name so disrespectfully,¡± Zhao Jingang burst out furiously, his eyes wolf-like, emitting a chilling gleam.


    At that moment, Zhao Jinding stepped forward, his voice grave, ¡°Third, stop avoiding the important issues. What¡¯s the purpose of calling this family meeting today? If it¡¯s to persuade everyone to move to the Shattered Star Sea, then save your breath. I, representing the main branch, will never agree.¡±


    ¡°Heh, Zhao Jinding, you say you represent the main branch? Did you ask everyone? As for moving to the Shattered Star Sea, it¡¯s not up to you to decide.


    Moreover, let me tell you, I have already accepted the Immigration Decree on behalf of the Zhao family.¡±


    At these words, Zhao Jinding and some other deeply stunned members of the Zhao Clan were completely dumbfounded.


    The Immigration Decree was a recent edict issued by the Purple Sun Sect. It represented the authority and credibility of the Purple Sun Sect.


    Once accepted, there was absolutely no possibility of reneging. Otherwise, they would face the wrath of the Purple Sun Sect, and the annihilation of their family would be inevitable.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡± Zhao Jinding¡¯s face turned crimson, his finger trembling as he pointed at Zhao Jingang, his lips quivering with rage.


    ¡°Zhao Jingang! How has our Zhao family wronged you? You insist on leading our family down a path of destruction.¡±


    Zhao Jingang sneered coldly, ¡°Zhao Jinding, don¡¯t slander me. What I do is all for the good of our family, and Shattered Star Sea is the future path for the Zhao family.¡±


    ¡°Nonsense!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, I¡¯m talking nonsense? Zhao Jinding, your vision and perspective are too limited, I¡¯m ashamed to be considered a family elder alongside you,¡± retorted Zhao Jingang harshly.


    After mocking him for a bit, Zhao Jingang continued aggressively, ¡°After the Purple Sun Sect reclaimed Dragon Carp Lake, are you willing to just watch as our entire Zhao family is divided and our people become Loose Cultivators? What better ideas do you have? Or do you only know how to bark like a mad dog!¡±


    Zhao Jinding was left speechless, his face ghastly pale, looking extremely embarrassed.


    Zhao Jingang¡¯s words pierced deeply; if Zhao Jinding really had a solution, he wouldn¡¯t have let the second branch be so rampant.


    Just then, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly spoke out, loudly saying, ¡°Let me speak a fair word, Elder Zhao is absolutely right. At this point, moving to the Shattered Star Sea is our only way out for the Zhao family, and we must set out as soon as possible to claim a treasured island. If we delay, we will only have to pick from what others have left behind.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! The early bird gets the worm, latecomers will suffer! Sixth Master speaks the truth,¡± a member of the second branch promptly agreed.


    ¡°Do we really have to go to the Shattered Star Sea?¡±


    First witnessing Zhao Jinding being easily defeated, then hearing Zhao Jinpeng¡¯s enticing argument,


    The members of the Zhao family in the hall suddenly harbored the same thought.


    At that moment, upon seeing the change in everyone¡¯s expressions, seemingly swayed by his words,


    Zhao Jingang couldn¡¯t help but reveal a hint of a smug smile.


    Did Zhao Jingang really want to make the Zhao family move to the Shattered Star Sea?


    The answer was that he himself didn¡¯t know.


    But he knew he could no longer turn back, because for the past seven or eight years, he had already invested a significant sunk cost in the matter of renewing the lease of Dragon Carp Lake.


    From the day he heard Chen Zichuan propose that the Zhao family move to the Shattered Star Sea, Zhao Jingang had realized that he had fallen into someone else¡¯s trap.


    What was scarier, he was already in too deep to extricate himself, and could only follow this path to the end.


    Luckily, in his view, moving to the Shattered Star Sea was not a dead end but might very well be a chance for the Zhao family to undergo a rebirth, like a phoenix from the ashes.


    The Cultivation World of the Central Continent was stagnant and rigid in hierarchy, while the Shattered Star Sea offered a whole new world without the heavy shackles, providing the Zhao family with much wider room for development.


    Moreover¡­


    As Zhao Jingang was lost in these extensive musings, the doors of Unity Hall were suddenly pushed open from the outside.


    Accompanied by the sound of footsteps, the figures of Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian appeared before everyone.


    Facing expressions of surprise, shock, disgust, and more, Zhao Sheng walked into Unity Hall unruffled.

 Chapter 68 - 68: Return and Struggle for Power

    Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Return and Struggle for Power


    ¡°Chonghe!¡±


    ¡°Family Head!¡±


    ¡°Eh, he¡¯s actually returned!¡±


    ¡°Hehe, when the family needed him the most, he vanished. Now that everything has been set, he suddenly shows up. Truly worthy of being Zhao Chonghe, too clever by half.¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned a deaf ear to the clan¡¯s discussions.


    Due to their limited vision, these Zhao Family members were completely unaware of the immense efforts the Family Head had invested for the future of the entire Zhao Family.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t mind these murmurs at all. They were all his descendants, and the Ancestor had the capacity to be inclusive.


    Zhao Sheng walked up to Zhao Jinding and said with composure, ¡°Second Grandpa, we¡¯ve come back!¡±


    Zhao Jinding looked at Zhao Sheng and then at Zhao Jinjian, whose features had greatly changed, and instantly seemed to realize something.


    His expression was stirred, and his voice trembled as he said, ¡°Jinjian, he has¡­ succeeded!¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded with a smile,


    Then Zhao Jinjian stepped forward, unleashing the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm as he said, ¡°Second Brother, thank you for your concern! With the blessings of our Ancestor, I have not disappointed you.¡±


    Buzz!


    As the sound of a sword cry resonated, the Spiritual Artifact, Red Rainbow Sword, soared into the sky. Its radiant light surged to three feet in length, and in an instant, it circled the area three times as fast as lightning, before finally hovering above Zhao Jinjian¡¯s head.


    Spiritual Artifact!


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    ¡°Good heavens, could it be¡­!¡±


    Witnessing the scene before them, the hearts of the Zhao Family members trembled with indescribable excitement.


    At the critical moment of the Zhao Family¡¯s survival, a Foundation Establishment Clan Member had emerged.


    The Ancestor has shown his grace!


    At that moment, Zhao Jinpeng suddenly rushed over to Zhao Jinjian with a flushed face, crying out excitedly, ¡°Cousin? You¡¯re my cousin, Zhao Jinjian?!¡±


    At this instant, Zhao Jinpeng was unspeakably thrilled.


    After all, he and Zhao Jinjian were the closest of cousins, their fathers being siblings by blood.


    Zhao Jinjian looked at the excited old man before him and then remembered that he was indeed his cousin, Zhao Jinpeng.


    So, he nodded and said, ¡°So it¡¯s Lao Liu! We brothers haven¡¯t seen each other for decades! Once this matter is settled today, let¡¯s catch up properly.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Cousin, you¡¯re right,¡± Zhao Jinpeng agreed repeatedly, and instantly stood even straighter than before.


    Cough cough!


    Zhao Jingang suddenly coughed twice and squeezed a smile onto his face, then addressed Zhao Jinjian, ¡°Fourth Brother, when did you ascend to the Foundation Establishment? Such great news, why didn¡¯t you inform the family sooner?¡±


    Zhao Jinjian¡¯s expression became more reserved as he calmly replied, ¡°Third Brother, compared to big matters like the clan¡¯s relocation to Shattered Star Sea, my Foundation Establishment is hardly worth mentioning.¡±


    At these words, Zhao Jingang faltered, and he found himself unable to say anything more.


    With just one statement, Zhao Jinjian had clearly defined his position.


    It had to be said that as the Zhao Family¡¯s sole Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Zhao Jinjian¡¯s words carried too much weight.


    Just that one sentence instantly swayed the standing of many.


    Within the crowd from the second branch, Chen Zichuan ceased his conversation with Zhao Keqin and looked towards Zhao Jinjian. He didn¡¯t take the lead himself but instead gave Zhao Keqin a meaningful glance.


    Seeing this, Zhao Keqin inwardly sighed and, with some reluctance, stepped forward.


    No choice!


    For the sake of the Foundation Establishment Pill promised by Chen Zichuan, he had to give it his all, especially since he still had an ace up his sleeve.


    He walked to the center of the main hall, looked directly at Zhao Jinpeng, performed a courtesy, and said with joy, ¡°Congratulations to my Fourth Uncle on advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm. It¡¯s perfect timing for your return, as you are to preside over the major matter of the family¡¯s relocation.¡±


    Zhao Jijian let out a chuckle and said, ¡°Keqin, it¡¯s been decades since we last met, and you still like to play your little tricks as you did when you were a child. When did I ever agree to this?¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Keqin hurriedly explained, ¡°Fourth Uncle, you might not be aware of the situation with the Dragon Carp¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hmph, there¡¯s no need to say more, I am well aware of all the causes and consequences. Although the family has to move away from Dragon Carp Lake, it¡¯s not necessary to go to the Shattered Star Sea.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Keqin¡¯s face drastically changed, and he demanded, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    Zhao Jijian disdained to explain. He turned his head to look at the Family Head, then took a step back.


    With that single step back, he suddenly highlighted Zhao Sheng.


    It was the same step back that clearly indicated who was the leader and who was the follower between the two.


    At this time, none of the Zhao family members present in Unity Hall were fools.


    From just this action alone, they saw numerous clues, and precisely because of this, they were all profoundly shaken, their gazes towards Zhao Sheng instantly changed.


    Zhao Sheng smiled faintly, took a step forward, and said in a clear voice, ¡°Let the Purple Sun Sect take back Dragon Carp Lake if they wish. Our Zhao family will not be left homeless. Because we have already acquired a new spirit land in the Southern Border.¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, there was an immediate sensation in the hall.


    Among the Zhao family members, some were overjoyed, some were half-convinced and dubious, and others were furiously embarrassed.


    Zhao Jingang¡¯s eyes bulged with rage as he pointed at Zhao Sheng and challenged, ¡°Nonsense! How could I not know about such a matter? You, a mere brat, dare to spout such nonsense. If you delay the important affair of the family, you, Zhao Chong, and your descendants will not be forgiven even if you die a thousand times!¡±


    Seeing the other¡¯s loss of composure, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, ¡°There¡¯s so much you don¡¯t know! When I was born, you didn¡¯t even know where you were. I, as the Ancestor, am magnanimous, but¡ª¡±


    Slap!


    A bronze token was thrown onto Zhao Jingang¡¯s face.


    ¡°Open your old eyes and see what this is,¡± said Zhao Sheng coldly.


    The Hundred-year Tokens of the Purple Sun Sect and the Elixir Cauldron Sect were slightly different in details but consistent in general.


    Moreover, the Hundred-year Token was personally crafted by a Golden Core Level Artifact Refining Master, and it was absolutely not fake.


    Zhao Jingang took one look at it in his hand, then touched it, and his heart suddenly sank.


    The material and texture of this token were exactly the same as the one enshrined in the ancestral hall.


    ¡°So, he¡­ he actually didn¡¯t lie.¡±


    In that moment, Zhao Jingang suddenly recalled the compromises he had made over the years, the large amounts of Spirit Stones he had personally sent away.


    At that moment, he felt almost mad.


    Zhao Jingang gripped the Hundred-year Token tightly, the veins in his hands bulging, and his old face involuntarily twisted into a terrifying expression, looking like a fierce ghost.


    Seeing this, Zhao Keqin suddenly felt a thud in his heart, which then sank rapidly.


    Meanwhile, Chen Zichuan noticed that the atmosphere was off and shook his head privately, cursing to himself, ¡°What a bunch of incompetents! Looks like I¡¯ll have to take matters into my own hands.¡±


    He pushed through the people blocking his way and strode over to Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian.


    After a slight smile, Chen Zichuan said warmly, ¡°First, I would like to congratulate Taoist Zhao on advancing to the Foundation Establishment. The Zhao family has gained another two hundred years of Qi Fortune. Truly a joyous and congratulatory occasion!¡±


    ¡°I dare not! Mr. Chen is a distinguished disciple of the Purple Sun Sect and a senior in the Foundation Establishment. I, Zhao, do not dare to accept your congratulations!¡± As he heard this, Zhao Jijian¡¯s expression changed slightly, and he responded by clasping his hands together in a bow.


    Chen Zichuan did not respond to that but went straight to the point, ¡°The Zhao family acquiring a new spirit land in the Southern Border is indeed great news. However, I have a few words on my chest that I must express. I wonder if you are willing to hear me out.¡±


    ¡°Senior Chen, please feel free to speak,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a smile.


    He had long figured out that the person behind encouraging the second branch to move to the Shattered Star Sea, besides the scheming Chen Zichuan, was nobody else.


    But¡­ this action somewhat coincidentally aligned with one of his own plans.


    In a flash of thought, numerous ideas surfaced in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.

 Chapter 69 - 69: This Shattered Star Sea, you must go even if you dont want to!

    Chapter 69: Chapter 69: This Shattered Star Sea, you must go even if you don¡¯t want to!


    Chen Zichuan specifically looked at Zhao Sheng a few times, thinking that it was this greenhorn who had foiled his plans a few years ago.


    However, this time was different from the past, it was a clear and open strategy.


    From ancient times, the most difficult strategies to counter have been those out in the open; no matter how intelligent or capable a person is, they struggle against the larger trend.


    And Purple Sun Sect¡¯s expansion of their branch in the Shattered Star Sea was indeed an overwhelming trend.


    With several thoughts flashing through his mind, Chen Zichuan nevertheless said, ¡°Although your Zhao Family has obtained a piece of spirit land, you only have a hundred years of respite. After a century, you will surely face the same situation as today. Where will you move to then?


    If you move to the Shattered Star Sea, the situation will be completely different. The Heavenly Sun Ancestor who founded our Sky Sun Sword Sect has personally promised that any family that occupies any Spirit Vein Island, from then on, the spirit island will belong to that family forever.


    Having ownership of a Spirit Vein is surely countless times stronger than constantly worrying about a sect taking back the Hundred-year Token and your family being displaced.¡±


    One has to admit that Chen Zichuan¡¯s oratory skills were remarkable; with just a few sentences, he had completely turned the situation around.


    He was right; compared to holding a Spirit Vein permanently, a mere century-long lease paled into insignificance.


    Seeing the Zhao family members so easily swayed, Zhao Sheng secretly shook his head, thinking that greed blinds the wise.


    Chen Zichuan only mentioned the benefits, not saying a word about the risks.


    The spirit islands of the Shattered Star Sea were not so easily occupied.


    And even if the Zhao family could seize a spirit island, could they defend it?


    Considering the countless sea beasts and rampant demon cultivators on the Demon Path in the Shattered Star Sea.


    Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t very optimistic about the future of the second branch of the family.


    Luckily, Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t the only wise person in the Zhao Family; Zhao Jijian immediately retorted, ¡°Mr. Chen speaks eloquently, but I¡¯ve heard that the Shattered Star Sea is rampant with demon cultivators and teeming with sea beasts. The danger goes without saying, and the contention and strife are fierce.


    Our Zhao Family is alone and weak, and our clan members are not good at fighting, absolutely no match for those villains and fierce monsters.


    No matter how good the spirit island is, one must be alive to enjoy it!¡±


    Hearing this, Chen Zichuan¡¯s eyebrows raised momentarily before returning to normal.


    Looking around, he turned back to Zhao Jijian, slightly mocking, ¡°Taoist Zhao, you really exaggerate. The Shattered Star Sea is not as dangerous as you say.


    Think of our Purple Sun Sect¡¯s Heavenly Sword Ancestor who, after reaching Nascent Soul, went alone with his sword to the Shattered Star Sea to establish the Sky Sun Sword Sect. In thirty years, he traversed millions of miles of sea, instilling fear in thousands of demon cultivators and those on the Demon Path in the Shattered Star Sea, securing a territory spanning tens of thousands of miles with over a thousand spirit islands under his command. Now that the Sky Sun Sword Sect has just been established, we are in urgent need of insightful families to join.¡±


    At this point, Chen Zichuan looked very confident, suddenly raising his voice and speaking loudly, ¡°Our Sky Sun Sword Sect currently has one Nascent Soul Ancestor, more than three Golden Core Masters, and several dozen Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivators. With such a strong force overseeing the territory, which demon cultivator would dare to offend our Sky Sun Sword Sect?


    Moreover, if your family were to move to the Shattered Star Sea, you would be among the first founding families. As they say, fortune comes with risk; the earlier you go, the more benefits you¡¯ll reap.¡±


    Chen Zichuan¡¯s words truly swayed some; a number of Zhao Clan Members who were bold, liked to take risks, and were impetuous, seriously began to consider the possibility of moving to develop in the Shattered Star Sea.


    Chen Zichuan didn¡¯t give everyone a chance to think it over and added fuel to the fire, emphasizing again, ¡°Not to mention, as our Sky Sun Sword Sect has just been established for less than five years and is in need of disciples, we are going to recruit a large number of Qi Refining disciples in the coming years.


    I have the authority to promise the Zhao family two Outer Disciple spots, with the Spirit Root requirement lowered to four Spirit Roots.¡±


    This promise was added on the spot.


    Because the Zhao family with Foundation Establishment was an entirely different concept from one without. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without a doubt, Chen Zichuan had his eye on Zhao Jijian.


    Despite his seemingly promising words about how no one would dare to offend the Heavenly Sword Sect with a Nascent Soul Ancestor and Golden Core Masters defending the borders, in reality, the Heavenly Sun Ancestor had made numerous enemies in the Shattered Star Sea while establishing the Sky Sun Sword Sect. There were constant disturbances by demon cultivators within the territory, and sea beasts were endlessly rampaging.


    The vast ten-thousand-mile territory was also very difficult to defend.


    Even if the Foundation Establishment or higher-level combat powers of the Sky Sun Sword Sect were fully deployed, they would still be insufficient for fighting fires, forever catching up and overwhelmed with crises.


    The Sky Sun Sword Sect is currently in urgent need of Cultivators to replenish its ranks, and those at the Foundation Establishment level are considered the backbone of the Cultivation World and more than capable of guarding a body of water.


    If Chen Zichuan¡¯s initial remarks merely swayed a few, the offer of two Outer Disciple slots caused a significant stir.


    One must know that large Sects like the Purple Sun Sect with Nascent Soul Ancestors presiding over them, have extremely stringent requirements for discipleship, with even the lowest standard requiring three spirit roots.


    The Sky Sun Sword Sect also had a Nascent Soul Ancestor presiding over it and was on the brink of becoming a major Sect. This time, they were actually extending grace by actively lowering their standards.


    If the Zhao family missed out on this once-in-a-century opportunity, then they would truly be useless, beyond help and incapable of being shaped.


    ¡°Such favorable conditions, could it be¡­?¡±


    Zhao Sheng thought quickly and grasped Chen Zichuan¡¯s intentions.


    Thinking of the latter¡¯s designs on Zhao Jijian, Zhao Sheng shook his head and mused to himself, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but the Zhao family¡¯s only Foundation Establishment Cultivator won¡¯t be able to join you in the Shattered Star Sea.¡±


    Seeing the tide of the situation turn once again, Zhao Sheng resolutely played his trump card, suddenly raising his voice and saying, ¡°Senior Chen¡¯s generosity towards my Zhao family is greatly appreciated. However, not everyone is willing to leave their homes and travel to the distant Shattered Star Sea.¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng¡¯s voice softened and he continued, ¡°To satisfy both parties, I propose, in my capacity as the head of the Zhao Family, that those willing to go to the Shattered Star Sea stand to my left, and those who wish to head to the new territory in the Southern Border stand to my right.¡±


    Upon these words, the Zhao Clan Members started whispering among themselves.


    Some of them realized for the first time that Zhao Sheng was still the Zhao family¡¯s current Family Head.


    Although it had been in name only before, seeing Zhao Jijian¡¯s respectful attitude toward him, everyone understood that he was a changed man.


    From this day on, both the name and authority of the head of Zhao Family fell squarely into the hands of Zhao Chonghe.


    Nevertheless, some were ultimately unwilling to face reality.


    Zhao Jingang suddenly burst out in rage, shouting, ¡°No, I absolutely do not agree to a split in the family!¡±


    The Zhao family was already weak, and it was only by a fortunate twist of fate that they had produced a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Now, to cry out for a split was to undermine the foundation of the second branch.


    Once the family was divided, it was obvious that Zhao Jijian and the main branch would choose to go to the Southern Border.


    The second branch had but a mere handful of Cultivator members, none at the Foundation Establishment level. Even if they moved to the Shattered Star Sea, their prospects would be grim and their chances of rising to prominence slim.


    Zhao Keqin also said, ¡°The elder speaks the truth. According to our ancestral teachings, our Zhao Family must not split up!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, if we go, we go together! The Zhao family must stick together; we absolutely cannot afford to splinter.¡±


    ¡°Well said. Some people, rather than considering the future of the family, are fixated on dividing it. We absolutely do not acknowledge such a Family Head.¡±


    To the clamor and ridicule of the second branch members, Zhao Sheng was as if facing a spring breeze, turning a deaf ear.


    The opinions of the second branch members did not matter, and even the verbal protests of Zhao Jingang and Zhao Keqin were futile.


    As long as he had the support of Zhao Jijian and the main branch, he was determined to divide the family.


    However, Zhao Sheng¡¯s proposal managed to rattle someone.


    Chen Zichuan took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation in his heart.


    He had been scheming in secret for over a decade, finally managing to back the Zhao family into a corner,


    The Shattered Star Sea, they would have no choice but to go!

 Chapter 70 - 70: Remember 70...

    Chapter 70: Remember Chapter 70¡­


    Chen Zichuan couldn¡¯t simply watch as a large piece of meat was mostly carved away by others.


    It was known that the Heavenly Sun Ancestor had made a promise that any disciple who successfully persuaded an entire Cultivation Family to migrate to the Shattered Star Sea would receive a large amount of good deeds.


    Initially, at the Purple Sun Sect, Chen Zichuan had given up on advancing to the Golden Core.


    But now, he saw hope for Core Formation.


    By urging several Cultivation Families to move to the Shattered Star Sea, he might accumulate a large amount of good deeds and exchange them for a Golden Core Formation Pill.


    Seeing that soft methods were ineffective, he had no choice but to resort to force.


    ¡°Haha!¡±


    Suddenly, Chen Zichuan burst into roaring laughter.


    When everyone¡¯s gaze turned toward him, Chen Zichuan¡¯s laughter abruptly stopped, his face turned cold, and he said harshly, ¡°Thinking of dividing the family? Did you ask for my permission?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian¡¯s expression darkened. He stepped forward and questioned, ¡°Mr. Chen, what do you mean by that? The division of the family is a private matter of the Zhao Family. What right do you have to interfere?¡±


    Hmph!


    Chen Zichuan snorted coldly, his finger hooked toward Zhao Jingang and commanded, ¡°Where is the Immigration Decree? Show it to him.¡±


    Having said that, Chen Zichuan turned back, his gaze sweeping over Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, and the others, then he coldly smirked and said, ¡°What a joke! The Immigration Decree of my Purple Sun Sect is not something you can exploit just because you want to.¡±


    Zhao Jingang shivered, a hint of joy surprisingly emerging on his face. He quickly pulled out the Immigration Decree and handed it to Zhao Jijian.


    The Immigration Decree appeared as a scroll made of golden yellow exotic leather, one foot long and eight inches wide, embroidered with a purple Great Sun with the shadow of a Three-legged Golden Crow faintly visible upon it.


    Zhao Jijian carefully examined the Immigration Decree, his expression changing slightly before swiftly passing it to Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng quickly read the decree, and his heart relaxed.


    The decree stipulated the migration of the Zhao family to Shattered Star Sea, but it did not specify that they could not split the family.


    Although splitting the family might mean deceiving the Purple Sun Sect, a typical Cultivation Family would not dare to do such a thing. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Zhao Sheng dared to mention splitting because he certainly had some reliance.


    He never fought a battle without some confidence!


    ¡°Hmph, since you Zhao family have already accepted the Immigration Decree, don¡¯t think about playing any tricks. Just move to the Shattered Star Sea obediently. If anyone dares mention dividing again, don¡¯t blame me, Chen Zichuan, for being ruthless,¡± Chen Zichuan said fiercely.


    With the Purple Sun Sect behind him, he was very aware that the Zhao family dared not defy the orders of the Immigration Decree.


    At that moment, Zhao Jingang with a face full of joy said, ¡°I always said this family must not split. Now see! Hmph, still wanting to split the Zhao family, what wicked intentions you harbor. If you anger the Purple Sun Sect, not even sacrificing your life, you young fool, would suffice.¡±


    By his side, Zhao Keqin also chimed in, ¡°The elder is right. Why do you think this place is named Unity Hall? Naturally, it¡¯s to emphasize the strength brothers united can bring, just like cutting through metal. Hence, splitting the family is absolutely unacceptable!¡±


    At this moment, Zhao Jinpeng also couldn¡¯t stand being left out and jumped out shouting, ¡°Let me say something fair ¡ª united, the Zhao family thrives; divided, it perishes. Zhao Chonghe¡¯s actions are clearly malicious. Everyone, be sure not to fall for his traps.¡±


    ¡°Lao Liu, what rubbish are you talking about? Get back right now,¡± Zhao Jijian severely reprimanded upon hearing this.


    ¡°Fourth brother, I mean well for our Zhao family. Besides, what¡¯s so bad about moving to Shattered Star Sea?¡± Zhao Jinpeng complained, feeling aggrieved.


    ¡°Say it again, and don¡¯t blame me for turning my face and not recognizing you as a brother,¡± Zhao Jijian roared.


    ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t say it. I don¡¯t know what kind of bewitching potion he¡¯s given you to make you listen to every whim of that young fool,¡± Zhao Jinpeng muttered as he swiftly withdrew back into the crowd.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng weighed the Immigration Decree in his hand, glanced at his relatives from the second house, and then looked at Chen Zichuan.


    He suddenly asked with a smile, ¡°Senior Chen, does your sect have a Golden Core Master surnamed Yue with the given name Qinghan? Oh right, she, like you, is also a Sword Cultivator.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Chen Zichuan was greatly alarmed in his heart, unconsciously recalling from years ago at the summit of Purple Sun Peak that exceptional immortal figure who had returned riding a dragon ¡ª the contemporary Sword Master.


    Yue Qinghan, a Mutated Metal Spirit Root, a prodigy in the Sword Dao, the chosen successor of the Heavenly Sun Ancestor, who rose to prominence in the Shattered Star Sea a hundred years ago.


    Before the age of sixteen, she was just a common fisherman¡¯s daughter.


    When the Heavenly Sun Ancestor was testing his swords in Shattered Star Sea, he randomly discovered the extraordinarily talented and pure-spirited Yue Qinghan on an island and thus took her as his secluded disciple.


    After beginning her cultivation journey, Yue Qinghan¡¯s unbeatable talent was revealed without reservations, from then on becoming unstoppable.


    At the age of thirty, she achieved Qi Refining Perfection and ascended to Foundation Establishment the same year.


    In less than a century, she stepped into the Golden Core Realm.


    Five years ago, Yue Qinghan was promoted to the late-stage of Golden Core and followed the Heavenly Sun Ancestor back to the Purple Sun Sect.


    In the same year at the great Purple Sun competition, she used the Heart-washing Sword to challenge the Purple Sun Thirteen Peaks, successively defeating nine peer Golden Core cultivators. This forced those below the rank of Purple Sun Nascent Soul to bow their heads, and she ultimately won the reputation of the Guanghan Sword Immortal.


    Recalling the various legendary stories of Ancestor Master Uncle Qinghan.


    Chen Zichuan gasped for breath, his voice trembling as he asked, ¡°Why¡­ why do you ask this? Could it be you know my Ancestor Master Uncle?¡±


    Zhao Sheng saw Chen Zichuan¡¯s discomposed behavior and couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    He took a Jade Sword from the Storage Bag and brandished it in front of Chen Zichuan, declaring composedly, ¡°Do you recognize this Jade Sword?¡±


    Chen Zichuan¡¯s eyes suddenly widened.


    How could he not recognize this Jade Sword!


    It was clearly identical to the ornamental sword tucked beside his Ancestor Master Uncle¡¯s skirt.


    Moreover, as a Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator, he keenly sensed the traces of Sword Intent emanating from the Jade Sword, which were exceedingly similar to Grandmaster Yue¡¯s God-Slaying Sword Intent.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡­ huh! This Jade Sword, where did you get it from?¡± Chen Zichuan asked anxiously.


    Zhao Sheng chuckled lightly and said calmly, ¡°You might want to go back and ask True Immortal Yue. Ask her if she remembers a certain Zhao from Heavenly Pillar Mountain back in the day?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Chen Zichuan was profoundly shocked, and he no longer underestimated the young man before him.


    Since he dared to say it, he naturally wouldn¡¯t lie!


    Chen Zichuan had never imagined that this person could be acquainted with Grandmaster Yue, and it seemed they even shared a past connection.


    ¡°Alright, I have noted what you said. Once I return, I will indeed verify this with Grandmaster Yue.¡±


    Zhao Sheng spoke confidently, ¡°Senior Chen is free to ask. Moreover, I saw nothing in the Immigration Decree prohibiting splitting the family. What is not forbidden is allowed! Therefore, the Zhao Family¡¯s separation did not violate any decree of the Immigration Decree!¡±


    Chen Zichuan took a deep look at Zhao Sheng, no longer bringing up the earlier threat.


    Chen Zichuan was by nature prudent, and until he clarified this person¡¯s relationship with Ancestor Master Uncle, he would by no means act rashly.


    Compared to the demeanor of Grandmaster Yue, what were these slightly questionable minor matters of the Zhao family!


    Chen Zichuan left!


    He left very decisively, utterly disregarding the desperate pleas of the second household.


    Without a backer, Zhao Jingang and Zhao Keqin and others naturally couldn¡¯t stop the Zhao Family¡¯s overwhelming separation.


    Under the leadership of Zhao Jijian, all fifty thousand members of the Dragon Carp Lake Zhao family began the grand process of family partition.


    At the same time, various branches of the Zhao Family also began to pick sides sequentially.


    Some branches wanted to try their luck in the Shattered Star Sea; some thought it better to move to the Southern Border where a Foundation Establishment Cultivator presided; but a considerable part of the Zhao Clan was reluctant to leave Dragon Carp Lake.


    For those who found it hard to leave their homeland, Zhao Sheng bluntly stated that direct relatives within five degrees of kinship among the Cultivation Clan must move out of Dragon Carp Lake.


    As for whether to go to the Shattered Star Sea or Southern Border, that was left to their free choice.


    Hmm,


    Zhao Sheng had no intention of preventing his kin from migrating to the Shattered Star Sea.


    Many hides make a safer fox!


    The dispersal of the Zhao family bloodline was more conducive to his reincarnation for cultivation.


    It also spared him the constant worry of the Zhao family being wiped out in a single blow.


    More than ten days passed, and the affairs of the Zhao Family division proceeded vigorously, while the Purple Sun Sect did not send down a single word.


    Chen Zichuan also had not returned.


    This quite clearly indicated that the Purple Sun Sect, or rather the Sky Sun Sword Sect, had tacitly approved the Zhao Family¡¯s division.


    No need for superfluous words, the high influence of Yue Qinghan undoubtedly played a major role.


    Otherwise, the Purple Sun Sect would have let everyone know the consequences of defying the Heavenly Might.

 Chapter 72 - 72: The Mysterious Characters Make Their First Appearance

    Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Mysterious Characters Make Their First Appearance


    Gazing at the beautiful scenery between the mountains, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart was stirred, and he soon sank into his memories.


    Five years ago, the Zhao family arrived at Taifu Mountain aboard the Heavenly Eagle Cloud Boat.


    They encountered a major problem on the first day.


    The limited buildings on Taifu Mountain were absolutely insufficient to house three thousand people.


    Facing this difficulty, Zhao Sheng went against everyone¡¯s opinion and used the last of his Spirit Stone savings to hire the Spiritual Craftsmen from the Heavenly Workshop,


    who managed to construct a city on the plains fifty miles away from Taifu Mountain in just half a month.


    It was eventually named: Zhao¡¯an City.


    But simply having a place to live wasn¡¯t enough.


    Cultivators had access to the resources produced by the Spirit Veins of Taifu Mountain, enough for their cultivation needs.


    But what about the future lives of the three thousand mortal relatives?


    The path of cultivation was not about cutting off emotions and severing ties.


    As Zhao Clan Members, it was the undeniable responsibility of Zhao Sheng and other Cultivators to take care of the futures of these three thousand relatives.


    For this purpose, Zhao Jijian and sixteen other Cultivator Clan Members from the main family neglected their cultivation and tirelessly visited all the nearby Cultivation Families and Sects to carve out a living space for their family.


    Zhao Sheng went directly to the Elixir Cauldron Sect, found Liu Quji, and candidly spoke of the Zhao family¡¯s predicament.


    His forthrightness was a result of careful consideration.


    Sometimes, seeking help from a ¡°friend¡± can strengthen the relationship and affection between two parties.


    At that time, Liu Quji was keen on getting closer to Zhao Sheng.


    On hearing Zhao Sheng come for help, Liu Quji was very pleased, so he used all his connections and successfully arranged several long-term collaborative trades for the Zhao family.


    It could be said that the successful settling of the three thousand Zhao Clansmen was largely thanks to Liu Quji¡¯s efforts.


    As a result, Zhao Sheng returned the favor with interest, and took the opportunity to sell most of the spiritual peaches, spirit grain, and Spiritual Medicine produced by Taifu Mountain through Liu Quji.


    Because interests were intertwined.


    Over time, the relationship between Zhao Sheng and Liu Quji grew closer and closer.


    Indeed, by leveraging the influence of the Denver Liu Family, the Zhao family, having just moved to Taifu Mountain, easily integrated into the local cultivation environment and swiftly formed alliances with the nearby Cultivation Forces.


    The environment of Taifu Mountain was far superior to that of Dragon Carp Lake, boasting not only beautiful mountains and thick spiritual energy, but its cultivation resources, such as the spiritual peach, were even more profitable than selling spirit fish.


    Furthermore, there were fewer than twenty Cultivators from the Zhao family¡¯s main house.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng and the others were pleasantly surprised to find that the spiritual peaches from Taifu Mountain alone were enough to support the cultivation needs of all the Zhao Clan¡¯s Cultivators.


    Taifu Mountain became famous in the vicinity for its spiritual peaches, with hundreds of acres of peach orchards on the mountain, including forty-eight spiritual peach trees under three hundred years old, and seven spiritual peach trees between three hundred and under a thousand years old.


    Apart from that, there was a revered Spiritual Peach Tree over a thousand years old at the summit of Taifu Mountain.


    This millennium-old Spiritual Peach Tree, rooted in the core Spirit Acupoint of the Spirit Vein, blossomed once every ten years, bore fruit once every ten years, and ripened once every ten years. In thirty years, it produced only eighteen Spiritual Longevity Peaches, which had the miraculous effect of prolonging life. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One of the main reasons Zhao Sheng chose Taifu Mountain was because of this millennium-old Spiritual Peach Tree.


    An aside, when Zhao Sheng chose Taifu Mountain, the competing Cultivation Family cried all the way home after their loss.


    Having spent a large sum of money and ending up empty-handed, they had no choice but to cry on their way back!


    Since cultivation resources were ample for sharing, the Zhao family¡¯s atmosphere was harmonious as never before, with every Cultivator¡¯s spirits skyrocketing, cultivating so intensely they forgot to sleep and eat.


    By the time the difficult period ended two years ago, the Zhao family was the first to experience a baby boom.


    In just a few years, the Zhao family seemed to have turned their fortunes around, giving birth to as many as seven children with Spirit Roots.


    These seven children were the first batch of cultivators of the Zhao Family¡¯s Xuan generation.


    Zhao Sheng clearly remembered that he named the first child of the Xuan generation Zhao Xuanjing, carrying the meaning of expecting the Zhao family to enjoy peace and smoothness henceforth.


    Just as Zhao Sheng was lost in his memories, a ruckus of children playing suddenly reached his ears.


    Zhao Sheng looked up and saw two radish-heads running towards him, one after the other.


    The one in front was about three or four years old, wearing a red bellyband, with a round face and big eyes, his arms and legs as tender as lotus roots, looking like a chubby baby from a New Year painting.


    At this moment, the child was laughing with his eyebrows raised, holding a large white peach with a red top in his arms, munching on the spiritual peach while running.


    Compared to this child who looked like a spiritual boy, the one chasing after him was much less impressive.


    His height was not much different from a seven or eight-year-old, with slightly yellow skin, robust arms and legs, and barely handsome with thick eyebrows and big eyes, but he naturally had a mournful look about him.


    ¡°Second Brother, hurry up and give me back the spiritual peach. Auntie said it was mine, you¡¯re shameless!¡±


    ¡°Haha, if you catch up to me, I¡¯ll give you back the spiritual peach. If you can¡¯t, you¡¯ll only get the pit.¡±


    Zhao Sheng saw this scene and his eyebrows shot up, his brows knitted tightly as he immediately shouted sternly, ¡°Zhao Xuan¡¯an! Come here, now!¡±


    The spirited child looked up and saw the stern Zhao Sheng, and was scared nearly half to death.


    The child quickly stopped and obediently approached Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Uncle Seven, Xuan¡¯an knows he¡¯s wrong!¡±


    No sooner had the words fallen than four-year-old Zhao Xuan¡¯an knelt on the ground with a thud, holding the irregularly bitten spiritual peach high above his head with both hands.


    By this time, the child from behind also caught up. Seeing Zhao Sheng, he immediately saluted respectfully, saying, ¡°Xuanjing pays his respects to Uncle Seven.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded to him, his face softened, and asked, ¡°Jing¡¯er, has Xuan¡¯an been bullying you again?¡±


    Five-year-old Zhao Xuanjing sneaked a glance at Zhao Xuan¡¯an, just in time to make eye contact with a pair of pitifully large eyes.


    His heart softened and he hesitated to say, ¡°Uncle Seven, it¡¯s not¡­ my Second Brother didn¡¯t¡­ didn¡¯t bully me. It¡¯s just¡­ just that¡­ ¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was naturally honest and simple, unable to tell a lie. His face turned crimson with the strain, he stumbled over his words and failed to come up with a good excuse even after a long while.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng snorted and said with a straight face, ¡°Hmph, can¡¯t even lie properly, you¡¯re exactly like your father.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s father was none other than Zhao Keru, the only alchemist in the Zhao family.


    Zhao Sheng handed over the Heart of Alchemy from Master Qiong Shen to Zhao Keru five years ago, and he immediately plunged into the Alchemy Room to pore over it, not even sparing a glance for his newborn son.


    It wasn¡¯t until the baby was nearly a month old that he held his son for the first time, which was utterly preposterous.


    Turning his head, Zhao Sheng looked at Zhao Xuan¡¯an whose eyeballs were spinning wildly. He said sternly, ¡°Recite Zhao Rong¡¯s Pear for me. If you get it right, I¡¯ll let today¡¯s incident slide. But if you miss a single word, you¡¯ll roll to the ancestral hall and kneel for four hours.¡±


    After settling on Taifu Mountain, in order to reaffirm the family discipline, Zhao Sheng not only amended some of the ancestral teachings but also personally wrote dozens of ¡°ancestral stories.¡±


    Zhao Rong¡¯s Pear was one of those moral stories.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuan¡¯an, as if pardoned, opened his little mouth and recited the several-hundred-word story without a hitch, not missing a single word.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly, ¡°Both belong to the Zhao family¡¯s Xuan generation, and although Zhao Xuanjing is a year older than Zhao Xuan¡¯an, he¡¯s only grown in stature. When it comes to wisdom, he lags far behind his brother by more than just Taifu Mountain.¡±


    ¡°If only the two could switch places,¡± thought Zhao Sheng, unable to help himself.

 Chapter 73 - 73

    Chapter 73: Chapter 73 ¡°Infinite Earth Technique¡± and the Establishment of the First School


    ¡°Get up! If you dare to steal your brother¡¯s things again, watch your ass blossom.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Seven, An¡¯er will never dare to do it again,¡± An¡¯er said.


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an quickly scrambled to his feet, though he spoke earnestly, his eyes were shifting around.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± seeing this, Zhao Sheng had no good solution for dealing with this little clever ghost.


    ¡°Uncle Seven, can we go now?¡± Zhao Xuan¡¯an asked cautiously.


    Zhao Sheng nodded and waved his hand to signal that they could leave.


    Relieved at hearing this, Zhao Xuan¡¯an and Zhao Xuanjing both ran up the mountain.


    Just then, a voice filled with anger suddenly came from below:


    ¡°Zhao Xuan¡¯an! Stop right there!¡±


    Hearing this voice, Zhao Sheng looked helplessly down the mountain to see a visibly fuller Zhao Chongwei charging over in a fury.


    ¡°Aiya, my mom¡¯s coming!¡±


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an, upon seeing the approaching figure, was scared out of his wits and didn¡¯t dare to stop, taking off as fast as lightning.


    Zhao Chongwei reached Zhao Sheng¡¯s side, took out a Jade Purifying Bottle, and stuffed it into his arms: ¡°Chonghe, this is the Purple Mist Jade Dew you wanted. There¡¯s about one liter. If it¡¯s not enough, there¡¯s some more in the Dew Plate.¡±


    The Spiritual Peach Tree occasionally condenses drops of life-infused spiritual dew on its leaf tips after bathing in the first rays of the morning sun.


    This kind of spiritual dew is known as Purple Mist Spirit Dew. Though not extremely rare, it¡¯s very troublesome to collect.


    Zhao Sheng put away the Jade Purifying Bottle and said sternly, ¡°Not even close! I need at least ten times more than this.¡±


    Zhao Chongwei was stunned, then quickly said, ¡°That would take at least ten years to collect the amount you need. What do you need so much Purple Mist Jade Dew for? You¡¯re not an alchemist.¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, ¡°I have my uses, but I need to keep it a secret for now.¡±


    ¡°Fine, who asked you to be the head of the Zhao Family? I¡¯ll urge Chongying and the others to collect it.¡±


    ¡°Chongwei, I¡¯ve already stepped down. Now it¡¯s Jianbo who is the head of the Zhao family,¡± Zhao Sheng explained helplessly.


    ¡°It¡¯s all the same! Anyway, I¡¯m not going to talk to you anymore, I still have to chase that little brat. At such a young age, not learning good things, this time I won¡¯t stop until I spank his ass rotten.¡±


    Saying this, Zhao Chongwei went off in a huff up the mountain.


    Zhao Sheng was left on the spot, caught between laughter and tears.


    Back in the day, Zhao Chongwei was such an understanding and reasonable woman!


    But after becoming a mother, I never expected her to become so fierce.


    Looking at the sky, Zhao Sheng turned around and headed down to the alchemy room.


    The Great Alchemist Zhao was waiting for him there.


    Ever since Zhao Keru found out about his extraordinary sense of smell, he had been pestering him.


    Identifying the origin and properties of Spiritual Medicine and ¡°taking care of¡± the timing for Spirit Pills, all depended on his nose.


    Zhao Keru often lamented that it would be great if Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation wasn¡¯t the Mystical Spirit Skill but the Fire Flame Technique instead.


    Then the Zhao family would have another alchemist.


    Unfortunately¡­


    ¡­


    Spring came and went, time flowed like water.


    By the time frost descended, the dozen hectares of spirit grain at the foot of Taifu Mountain had been completely harvested, and the dozens of Spiritual Peach Trees on the mountain had their peaches carefully picked and placed into special storage bags.


    At dawn that day, just as a sliver of light appeared in the sky,


    a wooden kite suddenly flew out from the peak of Taifu Mountain, and after soaring high, it flew off in the direction of the northeast.


    Three hours later, at the Elixir Cauldron Sect¡¯s Outer Mountain Gate, Foreign Affairs Hall,


    Zhao Sheng put away the wooden kite, and hurried into the hall.


    Thirty minutes later, in the guest room on the second floor, Zhao Sheng and Liu Quji sat opposite each other. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As soon as he was seated, Zhao Sheng noted a different aura emanating from his counterpart and couldn¡¯t help but show a look of joy as he hurriedly congratulated him, ¡°Congratulations to Brother Liu on advancing to Foundation Establishment. From now on, the path of immortality will be wide open, and the Golden Core lies within reach!¡±


    ¡°How could I dare to hope for forming a Golden Core? It¡¯s already a fortune granted by the heavens to have successfully established my foundation. And it¡¯s largely thanks to that Red Fire Ganoderma you gave me,¡± said Liu Quji, both proud and emotional.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng laughed and said, ¡°Ah, Brother Liu, you are being too modest. The Red Fire Ganoderma just added splendor to what was already there, after all, it¡¯s your foundation that¡¯s profound.¡±


    ¡°Haha, let¡¯s not speak of this anymore. You came at a good time, little brother. A few days ago, I found the Earth Element Technique you asked me to search for. Quickly take a look and see if it matches your intentions?¡±


    As he spoke, Liu Quji took out a jade scroll from his storage bag and handed it to Zhao Sheng.


    A jade scroll?


    Zhao Sheng was startled inwardly. Such an item was rare. It seemed that this technique must be extraordinary.


    Zhao Sheng pressed the jade scroll to his forehead and his divine intent probed into the scroll.


    In an instant, a vast amount of obscure and unknown information flooded his mind.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng let out a muffled grunt and moved the jade scroll away from his forehead.


    He wiped the sweat from his brow and with a look of surprise said to Liu Quji, ¡°Brother Liu, this technique¡­ is truly profound! Isn¡¯t it too precious?¡±


    The technique recorded in the jade scroll was an Earth Element Technique named ¡°Infinite Earth Technique,¡± and it detailed every stage from the beginning of Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment Perfection in extreme detail, leaving nothing to question.


    This technique was clearly one that had been refined to this degree of detail through the continuous practice and analysis of countless generations.


    A completely ¡°mature¡± technique like the Infinite Earth Technique is considered a treasure that loose cultivators and ordinary cultivation families can only hope for but never obtain.


    Only a fool would sell it to others.


    Liu Quji smiled slightly, a hint of pride on his face, ¡°Brother Zhao need not worry. This technique comes from the Ksitigarbha Sect, and it¡¯s definitely reliable.¡±


    ¡°Ksitigarbha Sect?!¡±


    Zhao Sheng repeated these three words, thoughtful, and then suddenly understood, his expression becoming overjoyed.


    He remembered.


    The Ksitigarbha Sect was known as the Hidden Immortal Sect in the cultivation world and never publicly recruited disciples.


    Its method of passing on the legacy greatly differed from other cultivation sects, as it actively spread its exclusive cultivation techniques throughout the various boundaries of the cultivation world.


    Any cultivator who practiced a technique from the Ksitigarbha Sect was considered an outer disciple of the sect.


    Usually, once they reached Foundation Establishment Perfection in their practice, they would find their cultivation stagnating, unable to form a core no matter what.


    At this point, the Ksitigarbha Sect would often actively reach out through secret methods.


    Facing such a situation, the cultivators usually had two choices: either remain forever at Foundation Establishment Perfection, or join the Ksitigarbha Sect and acquire the second half of the technique.


    Their choice was obvious, wasn¡¯t it?


    Having understood all this, Zhao Sheng finally felt at ease.


    He didn¡¯t think his family descendants would reach the Golden Core barriers within a few hundred years.


    In his view, advancing to Foundation Establishment was already a perfect accomplishment of merit.


    ¡°Brother Liu, may I ask how this technique can be exchanged?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not expensive, seventy percent of this year¡¯s spiritual peach output can be traded for it. After all, it¡¯s a technique that the Ksitigarbha Sect deliberately spreads and is not rare.¡±


    ¡°Good, let¡¯s go by that price,¡± Zhao Sheng said, his face lighting up with joy as he immediately accepted without hesitation.


    Thirty minutes later, Zhao Sheng bid farewell to Liu Quji, taking with him the cultivation technique, elixir pills, and various cultivation resources exchanged for spirit grain and spiritual peaches, and left the Foreign Affairs Hall aboard a wooden kite.


    As autumn passed and winter arrived, and then spring returned, the peach blossoms bloomed once more.


    In that year, Zhao¡¯s Immortal Cultivation School was officially established,


    The Cultivation Academy was built at the base of Taifu Mountain, neighboring the Jade Water to the north, surrounded by peach groves. In the front courtyard, there was a seven-hundred-year-old Spiritual Peach Tree, securing the academy¡¯s Qi Fortune.


    That year, Zhao Xuanjing, who had turned six, and Zhao Xuan¡¯an, who was five, became the first batch of students in the academy.

 Chapter 74 - 74 Unique Skills

    Chapter 74: Chapter 74 Unique Skills


    Although there were only two students for the time being, the Zhao family attached great importance to their education, providing several teachers for them.


    Zhao Sheng himself took on the role of Mountain Master and was also responsible for teaching runes and talisman painting,


    Zhao Keru was in charge of herb identification, alchemy, and cultivating courses.


    The venerable and sage-like Zhao Jinding shared with the children his extensive knowledge on the different regions and customs of the Cultivation World, as well as information about various Cultivation Sects.


    Zhao Chongwei acted much like a director of education, not only always focusing on the two children¡¯s cultivation but also responsible for correcting their outlook on life and values, to prevent them from following the same pitfalls as the two branches of the Zhao family.


    In addition, several members of the Zhao Clan would occasionally come to pass on their experience.


    It could be said that the Cultivation Academy embodied Zhao Sheng¡¯s beautiful hopes for the future of the Zhao family.


    Poor Zhao Xuanjing and his brother were plunged into an intense educational routine at a very young age.


    In the following years, as more members of the Xuan generation gradually entered the academy, most of Zhao Sheng¡¯s free time outside of cultivation and talisman painting was occupied by these heedless youngsters.


    At the same time, Taifu Mountain¡¯s specialties such as Spirit Pills, talismans, Spiritual Wine, Flower Spirit Honey, and peach wood magical tools gradually made a name for themselves in the surrounding areas through the concerted efforts of the Zhao family.


    Day by day, life for the Zhao family grew more and more prosperous, and the strength of Zhao¡¯s cultivators kept increasing.


    ¡­


    Early this morning, Zhao Xuanjing had arrived at the academy.


    Today was an opportunity not to be missed, as his Uncle Seven had uncharacteristically agreed to impart one of his signature skills.


    Upon entering the academy, he found it already neatly arranged with seventeen low tables, each accompanied by a Meditation Cushion, most of which were already occupied.


    Zhao Xuanjing quickly took a glance and headed towards the row of cushions in the front.


    ¡°Big brother, lend me your notes to copy; I haven¡¯t finished my coursework.¡±


    ¡°Brother Jing, you¡¯re here! Where is the Jade Doll you promised me?¡±


    ¡°Big brother, can I postpone returning the Spirit Stone I borrowed from you by a few days?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing, while dealing with his younger brothers and sisters, made his way to the front and expertly sat down on the cushion closest to the podium in the first row.


    At this time, a fair-skinned, tall young man was already seated on the cushion beside him,


    This young man was handsome, his eyes shining like stars, full of vivacity and carefreeness.


    In stark contrast, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s complexion was darker and tinged with worry.


    This handsome youth was none other than Zhao Xuan¡¯an, who was now fifteen years old.


    Looking at the robust and imposing Zhao Xuanjing, who resembled a small giant, Zhao Xuan¡¯an laughed heartily and teased, ¡°Big brother, you¡¯re playing the kind-hearted soul again. Just how many nice things have you given away over the years? When will you ever learn?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing scratched the back of his head, a bit sheepishly responding, ¡°They are my younger brothers and sisters; when they come asking for help, I lend a hand if I can. It¡¯s no big deal, really!¡±


    ¡°Tsk, tsk, ever the soft touch. Tell me, why don¡¯t they come to ask me for help?¡± retorted Zhao Xuan¡¯an with disdain.


    Zhao Xuanjing chuckled guilelessly and, glancing up, happened to see a familiar figure emerging from the back hall.


    He hurriedly settled into a cross-legged position and whispered a prompt, ¡°Uncle Seven is coming!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was naturally bigger than most, and his voice was much louder than that of an average person.


    Even though he tried to keep it down, his whisper was as loud as someone speaking normally.


    At his reminder, the academy immediately became a flurry of activity.


    By the time Zhao Sheng reached the center of the podium, the seventeen members of the Zhao clan¡¯s Xuan generation had all obediently sat down.


    Today, ten years down the line, Zhao Sheng was nearly forty years old.


    Now, he had grown a beard, and faint lines were visible at the corners of his eyes.


    Standing at the podium, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was grave. After scanning the room, he spoke in an even tone, ¡°Today, I will teach you the Stacking Talisman Technique!¡±


    The awe of the elder and the authority of the teacher brought silence to the academy instantaneously. The youngsters dared not breathe loudly and listened intently.


    ¡°Xuanjing, what are the three most important things for painting talismans?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing promptly stood up and earnestly replied, ¡°For talismans, the essence lies in the ¡®infusion of energy,¡¯ ¡®inscription of imagery,¡¯ and those ¡®that bridge the divine.''¡±


    The energy flows naturally and possesses its own spirit, fit to become a talisman.


    When every orifice connects and the spirit light shines brightly, the talisman is complete.¡±


    These three essential principles of talisman painting were all too familiar to the younger members of the Zhao Family, having been admonished from their very first day of contact with talismans to commit them to heart.


    What they didn¡¯t understand, however, was why Uncle Seven had specifically pointed out these three lines today.


    Zhao Sheng did not offer an explanation but continued, ¡°Nature abides by principles in heaven and earth, which apply to all things big and small. This ¡®principle¡¯ is the law, the way, and also the secret. By understanding the secret, one grasps the law, and the same applies to talismans.¡±


    There was more to his words than met the eye!


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an, with his exceptional comprehension, blurted out, ¡°The ¡®principle¡¯ of a talisman lies in connecting the orifices. Could it be that the Stacking Talisman Technique is a method of stacking orifices?¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, the younger members of the Zhao Family all turned to look at him, eyes filled with shock.


    The gaze of the others mattered little to Zhao Xuan¡¯an, but Zhao Sheng was different.


    Uncle Seven held considerable influence within the entire clan, and even the Ancestor paid close attention to his words.


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an placed great importance on his standing in Uncle Seven¡¯s eyes and seized any opportunity to showcase himself.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s piercing gaze turned towards him, as sharp as a sword, seeming to penetrate to the depths of his heart.


    For a moment, Zhao Xuan¡¯an felt suffocated, but then he heard praise in his ear:


    ¡°Well said!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s tone appeared to rise slightly but quickly evened out again.


    He did not elaborate further on this but instead raised another issue, ¡°Have you learned talisman painting over these years?¡±


    The question was asked in an unusual manner, and even though the answer was obvious, none of the younger members dared to respond.


    In the end, it was the honest-natured Zhao Xuanjing who answered.


    He replied, ¡°I can¡¯t learn it, but Xuan¡¯an has already mastered the refinement of four types of First-Order Talismans.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mouth twitched slightly without acknowledging Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s words, instead stating on his own, ¡°Today, I will teach you how to paint talismans.¡±


    Having said that, he extended his hand, and his slender fingers moved across the void in a crisscrossing fashion, executing dozens of strokes.


    Suddenly, the void was illuminated with spirit light, and a talisman image emitting soft radiance appeared in front of everyone, forming a simple and abstract talismanic shape.


    Upon witnessing this scene, the younger members of the Zhao Family were amazed and recognized it as the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman.


    That was the first talisman they had ever crafted.


    Most of the younger members of the Zhao Family had already mastered such a basic talisman.


    But what happened next left them stunned and staring in wonder.


    Once the talisman was formed, Zhao Sheng began anew with the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman, but instead of painting it elsewhere, he overlaid it directly on the just completed talisman, tracing it once more.


    At this point, no one could discern what was different from before.


    But as Zhao Sheng confidently repeated the process over and over, twice, thrice, four times¡­ and on to nine, ten times, until he eventually laid down his brush after eighteen iterations.


    By then, the hovering Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman could no longer be considered a First-Order Talisman. The symbol, within the bright spirit light, became blurred, the dense spirit light gathering without dispersing, forming a bright halo around the talisman, making it look like a resplendent Bright Pearl suspended in the sky above the Academy.


    A deathly silence pervaded the Academy.


    Miraculously skillful!


    Perhaps this was the only thought left in the minds of the seventeen Zhao members of the Xuan generation.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng speak, ¡°This is the Stacking Talisman Technique, a secret art unique to the Zhao Family. Simply practice as you have seen.¡±


    Practice as seen? How to practice? S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The seemingly miraculous technique left everyone scratching their heads, utterly baffled.


    At that moment, everyone eagerly watched him, waiting for a relative to provide further explanation.


    However, Zhao Sheng replied with but a single phrase, ¡°There are no shortcuts to this technique, practice makes perfect. Those with high comprehension may succeed in one or two years, the rest will have to wait for their next life!¡±


    A deathly silence fell over the Academy, while Zhao Xuanjing felt a tingling in his scalp. He was one naturally endowed with extremely poor comprehension.

 Chapter 75 - 75 Selection and Pruning (Please Follow)

    Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Selection and Pruning (Please Follow)


    After the lesson, Zhao Sheng kept Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Xuan¡¯an behind, while the others dispersed.


    In the back hall, Zhao Sheng sat behind the talisman table, ignoring both of them and leisurely painted one first-order talisman after another.


    In front of the talisman table, Zhao Xuanjing stood trembling, not daring to raise his head to look at his seventh uncle¡¯s face, while Zhao Xuan¡¯an stared intently at the entire process of Zhao Sheng painting talismans, his eyes sparkling with delight.


    This quiet atmosphere lasted for a full hour.


    Just as Zhao Xuanjing was sweating nervously, Zhao Xuan¡¯an suddenly spoke up.


    ¡°Seventh Uncle, I understand! This is a test for the two of us.¡±


    When Zhao Sheng heard this, he inwardly sighed and stopped his hand movements.


    ¡°Indeed, An¡¯er indeed possesses insight. Take these two items with you!¡±


    After praising him, Zhao Sheng took out a book and a scroll and handed them to Zhao Xuan¡¯an.


    With joy written all over his face, Zhao Xuan¡¯an excitedly exclaimed as he received them, ¡°The ¡®Annotations of Taiyi Spiritual Texts,¡¯ and what is this? Could it be that what is recorded here is the Stacking Talisman Technique?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, ¡°Correct, the white silk indeed records the Stacking Talisman Technique. This secret method of the Talisman Tao has been passed down from the Taiyi Spirit Realm. It¡¯s extremely precious! Keep it safe and don¡¯t let others learn it.¡±


    With that said, Zhao Sheng glanced over at Zhao Xuanjing standing beside him and noticed his look of envy, devoid of any jealousy.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng secretly nodded to himself, having made a decision in his heart.


    ¡°Alright, you may leave now! If there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t understand, you can ask me for guidance.¡±


    However, Zhao Xuan¡¯an didn¡¯t leave; instead, he put on a cheeky smile and cajoled, ¡°Seventh Uncle, as a master of the Talisman Tao, could you give me a few protective talismans? Hehe, something like the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman would be nice. An¡¯er wouldn¡¯t mind at all. Three or four will do.¡±


    ¡°Scram, a few? Do you think second-order true talismans are that easy to make? Only one, no more.¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed and cursed a few words, then threw a dull grey square talisman towards Zhao Xuan¡¯an with a wave of his hand.


    ¡°Ah, thank you, Seventh Uncle!¡±


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an grabbed the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman and left with a playful bow, turning around and dashing off with fluid movement.


    Just as Zhao Xuanjing was about to sneak out behind him, Zhao Sheng called him to a halt.


    ¡°Xuanjing, stay!¡±


    ¡°Seventh Uncle, do you¡­ do you need something?¡± Zhao Xuanjing turned back with a pained expression, cautiously asking.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head secretly and asked, ¡°What level of Qi Refinement are you at now?¡±


    ¡°Seventh Uncle, I just broke through to the third layer of Qi Refinement a few days ago.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was quite surprised upon hearing this; Zhao Xuanjing was progressing not slowly at all.


    To have broken through to the third layer of Qi Refinement at sixteen, even with three spirit roots, was considered an excellent performance.


    Zhao Sheng stood up and walked around from behind the table, gesturing for Zhao Xuanjing to follow him as he walked out.


    Feeling puzzled, Zhao Xuanjing wondered, ¡°Has Seventh Uncle changed his ways? Why isn¡¯t he scolding me this time?¡±


    Though he thought this, he didn¡¯t dare to hesitate and immediately followed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s footsteps.


    The two left the school and headed towards the peak of Taifu Mountain.


    Along the way, family members occasionally met the two and came up to greet them.


    Zhao Sheng nodded to each in acknowledgment, while Zhao Xuanjing bowed to everyone he met.


    It couldn¡¯t be helped, given that he was the youngest in terms of seniority!


    After walking for about fifteen minutes, they reached the peak of the three-hundred-foot-high Taifu Mountain.


    Upon arriving at the mountaintop, what first caught their eyes was a millennia-old peach tree with lush branches and leaves, robust and twisted, standing nine feet tall.


    This nearly third-tier ancient spiritual peach tree, with a canopy as expansive as an umbrella covering three to four acres, completely shaded the entire mountaintop.


    Below the ancient peach tree¡¯s shade, a two-acre green stone courtyard had been built to envelop its trunk.


    This was where Zhao Jijian, the Zhao Family¡¯s only Foundation Establishment Cultivator, resided.


    Like the others in the Cultivation Clan of the Zhao Family, Zhao Jijian lived here both to guard the Spiritual Peach Tree and to take advantage of the rich environment of spiritual energy for cultivation.


    Why are there less than a hundred spiritual peach trees in the hundreds of acres of Taifu Mountain¡¯s peach orchards?


    The reason is simple: the other peach trees do not grow atop the node of a Spirit Vein.


    Upon entering the courtyard, Zhao Sheng immediately spotted Zhao Jijian in red clothes and silver hair, standing under the ancient peach tree, gazing up at the canopy.


    Following the line of sight, Zhao Sheng looked up and saw in between the lush foliage, fuzzy peaches the size of apricots that were somewhat green and unripe.


    Upon seeing Zhao Jijian, Zhao Xuanjing hurriedly went forward and bowed respectfully, greeting him, ¡°Jing¡¯er pays respects to the Fourth Ancestor!¡±


    Zhao Sheng also walked over to his side.


    Zhao Jijian ignored the two of them.


    He looked up at the spiritual peaches and sighed softly, ¡°Alas, what a pity! Is it worth it?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was confused, but Zhao Sheng nodded and said, ¡°It is worth it!¡±


    Only then did Zhao Jijian turn his head to look at Zhao Sheng, and gave Zhao Xuanjing a quick glance, abruptly asking, ¡°Have you decided it¡¯s going to be him?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, ¡°I observed the two of them for a full ten years. Xuan¡¯an is exceptionally intelligent and has great comprehension, but he is too shrewd and can¡¯t endure solitude. Jing¡¯er is not as good as him in any respect, but he can persevere, and more importantly, he has a simple heart.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing, not fully understanding, felt that something significant involving him was being discussed.


    ¡°Seventh Uncle, what are you talking about? Jing¡¯er doesn¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Do not worry, in a few days, you will understand.¡±


    Zhao Sheng reassured him, then turned to Zhao Jijian with a serious expression, ¡°Sorry to trouble you, we can start now!¡±


    Zhao Jijian nodded seriously as well.


    The next second, light surged around him, and his body began to float off the ground, quickly ascending to the summit of the ancient peach tree.


    Zhao Sheng looked towards the treetop and saw flashes of blue light there, and wafts of a rich fragrance emanated from the top of the tree.


    Zhao Xuanjing twitched his nose, smelling the fragrance scattering in the air, feeling his spirit relaxed and the Spiritual Power within his body becoming more vibrant and lively.


    A moment later, Zhao Jijian descended gently back to the ground, holding a branch as tall as a man and as thick as an arm.


    The peach tree branch was strikingly green and the leaves gleamed with clarity as flecks of blue light played across the surface of the branches, which contained a highly concentrated, almost Condensed life force.


    ¡°Here you go!¡±


    Zhao Sheng took the peach tree branch, carefully placing it into a specially made Spirit Plant Bag.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    Just then, three unripe peaches unexpectedly fell from the canopy without any warning, thudding and rolling to the feet of the three people. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Jijian¡¯s face was full of distress as he quickly picked up the peaches, lamenting, ¡°There were only eighteen in total to begin with, now, there are only fifteen left.¡±


    Zhao Sheng consoled him, ¡°Fourth Master, do not be distressed, when we reach that place, I promise you will not be disappointed.¡±


    ¡°Chonghe, you said it!¡±


    Zhao Jijian looked seriously at Zhao Sheng. He¡¯d been very curious a few years back as to why the latter could come up with so many rare Spiritual Medicines.


    But he had restrained himself from asking until recently when the latter took the initiative to give him a hint.


    Hence, today¡¯s actions took place.


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the sky and said, ¡°It¡¯s getting late, we should set off now!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you need to say goodbye to Ke Ru? After all, Xuanjing is his son.¡±


    ¡°No need, I¡¯ve already informed him. Besides, Xuanjing can always come back in the future.¡±


    Hearing the conversation between his Seventh Uncle and the Fourth Ancestor, Zhao Xuanjing became even more confused.


    Not being a person of quick wit to begin with, his mind was even more muddled at this moment, vaguely realizing that he appeared to be leaving Taifu Mountain for another place and that it would be a long time before he could return.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go! The Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat will be here soon. Any later and we¡¯ll miss it.¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng released the wooden kite.


    A moment later, the wooden kite carried two figures and soared into the sky, quickly leaving Taifu Mountain behind. A streak of Sword Light followed closely, heading towards the horizon.

 Chapter 76 - 76: Return to the Slope and Arrange the Formation (Please Follow)

    Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Return to the Slope and Arrange the Formation (Please Follow)


    Five days later,


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Pocket World City Cloud Boat Pier.


    Zhao Sheng and his two companions disembarked from the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat, bypassed Pocket World City, and flew directly upwards along the rock walls of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Four hours later, at an altitude of eighteen miles above Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Zhao Sheng piloted the wooden kite to land on a protruding Big Green Stone.


    Not far across from him was the Yin Side Mist Sea.


    Zhao Jijian landed next to him and after putting away the Red Rainbow Sword, he said with a grave expression, ¡°Could it be that the place is within the Death Treasure Land?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Once we enter, you must follow my commands and don¡¯t act recklessly,¡±


    As Zhao Sheng spoke, he took out Invisibility Talismans and Illusion Shadow Escape Talismans and distributed them to the two of them.


    Eventually, he put the Red Scale Armor on Zhao Xuanjing.


    Seeing how serious his Seventh Uncle was about this, Zhao Xuanjing, who had never experienced the dangers of Death Treasure Land, suddenly became anxious.


    Seeing Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s nervousness, Zhao Sheng reassured, ¡°Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ve been in and out of this place several times, and I¡¯m still fine. Besides, you have your Fourth Ancestor with you!¡±


    ¡°Mhm,¡± Zhao Xuanjing nodded, feeling slightly more at ease. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After applying the Invisibility Talisman to himself, Zhao Sheng led the two slowly into the midst of the mist sea.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng, gasping like a cow, pulled Zhao Xuanjing and plunged headfirst into the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden, then they hid inside a cave in the mountain wall before they stopped their flight.


    Sitting back against the rock wall, they were both panting and filled with trepidation.


    After the trio entered the Death Treasure Land, the majority of their journey was smooth sailing, but during the last part of their route, they were unlucky enough to get targeted by a Golden-eyed Flood Python.


    This Golden-eyed Flood Python had lived for several hundred years and had already upgraded to a Second-stage Demon Beast. Not only was its combat power comparable to Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, but its bizarre golden eyes also saw through the trio¡¯s tracks.


    The trio were the ones ambushed.


    If it hadn¡¯t been for Zhao Sheng, who had promptly activated the Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman at a critical moment, conjuring nine fleeing illusory shadows to temporarily confuse the python,


    they would have narrowly escaped that calamity.


    However, the Golden-eyed Flood Python soon caught up again.


    In the meantime, the trio continuously released two more Illusion Shadow Escape Talismans, and eventually, Zhao Jijian even bravely risked himself by voluntarily leading the python away.


    That allowed Zhao Sheng to escape to the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden with Zhao Xuanjing.


    After catching their breath for a moment, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly asked with a worried face, ¡°Seventh Uncle, could Fourth Ancestor have escaped safely in the end?¡±


    Zhao Sheng cracked a smile and replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Your Fourth Ancestor has been in the Cultivation World for nearly a hundred years; he¡¯s weathered through all sorts of storms. Such danger can¡¯t bother him,¡±


    Although he said this, Zhao Sheng was also anxious in his heart.


    Soon, he took out a Guiding Talisman and channelled his Spiritual Power into it.


    The Guiding Talisman instantly burned to ashes and then shot out a Radiance that darted off and disappeared into the dense mist sea.


    About half an hour later, just when Zhao Sheng was starting to fear the worst,


    a cry of surprise suddenly came from outside.


    Overjoyed upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng hurried out of the cave, only to see Zhao Jijian, covered in blood, standing on the edge of the Sloping Land.


    At that moment, he was standing still, looking at the nearby Medicine Field with a face full of surprise.


    ¡°Phew, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay!¡± Zhao Sheng finally breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this.


    Zhao Xuanjing also quickly dashed out of the cave, and upon seeing Zhao Jijian, he immediately asked with concern, ¡°Fourth Ancestor, are you not hurt?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine! Haha, I couldn¡¯t be better!¡±


    Zhao Jijian laughed heartily as he wiped the blood off his face.


    ¡°Zhong He, you truly gave this old man a great surprise. I¡¯m very curious, how did you find this spiritually vibrant land?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled upon hearing this and said, ¡°Perhaps it was the blessing of our ancestors! By chance, I obtained a treasure map. That¡¯s how I found this place.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re quite bold. You were only at the third or fourth layer of Qi Refinement back then, yet you dared to venture into this Death Treasure Land, and you actually found it. It seems the fortune of the Zhao family has not yet declined!¡±


    Zhao Jijian, brimming with enthusiasm, walked into the Medicine Garden, bent down, and began to gently touch each of the rare Spiritual Medicines.


    ¡°Dragonbane Fruit, Jade Divine Flower, Nine Curves Ginseng, Purple Qi Mushroom¡­¡±


    Just then, something occurred to him, and he hurriedly asked, ¡°Zhong He, was the Red Fire Ganoderma also found here?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said yes, while taking out a Jade Box, ¡°Not just one, but two. I still have the other one with me.¡±


    The truth was, Zhao Sheng had picked three Red Fire Ganoderma, but one of them had been used on Liu Quji.


    He did not find it convenient to reveal this to Zhao Jijian, to avoid his complaints later on.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian leaped over to Zhao Sheng¡¯s side, snatched the Jade Box, opened it, and saw within a Red Fire Ganoderma with a lustrous cap as if transmuted from jade.


    ¡°Excellent, this is Red Fire Ganoderma! Haha, now there¡¯s hope for Ke Ru¡¯s Foundation Establishment.¡± Having confirmed it, Zhao Jijian exclaimed with an excited expression.


    Among the several dozen Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators in the Zhao family, apart from the aged Zhao Jinding, only Zhao Keru had cultivated to the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm.


    It must be said that with the skill of Alchemy, Cultivators can indeed improve their cultivation rapidly, and Zhao Keru was the most evident example of this.


    Zhao Jijian didn¡¯t mention Zhao Sheng¡¯s Foundation Establishment at all.


    For one thing, Zhao Sheng was only at the Qi Refining Seventh Level; even to reach Qi Refining Perfection would take at least twenty or thirty years.


    If they waited until then, much of the medicinal potency of the Red Fire Ganoderma would surely be lost, which would not be worth it.


    Secondly, there was no need to say more; once Zhao Sheng reached the Qi Refining Perfection, the Zhao family, even if they had to scrape together all their resources, would help him with his Foundation Establishment.


    This understanding didn¡¯t need to be put into words, as the consensus within the Zhao family had long been established.


    Hearing the Fourth Ancestor speak in this way, Zhao Xuanjing, standing beside him, began to laugh foolishly.


    Zhao Keru was his own father. If his father could advance to Foundation Establishment, he would be foolish not to be happy.


    Zhao Sheng watched the old and the young laughing heartily, and could only silently wait for them to calm down.


    After a while, when the two had stopped laughing, Zhao Sheng took out a large stack of Jade Tablets from his Storage Bag.


    These Jade Tokens were about a foot long and three inches both in width and height, looking like rectangular Tokens, with spirit light flickering on their surface and countless cloud patterns etched on both sides.


    Upon seeing the Jade Tokens, Zhao Jijian asked in astonishment, ¡°Zhong He, where did you trade for these Array Bases? What Formation are they for? First Rank or Second Order?¡±


    Zhao Sheng handed over the Jade Tokens to Zhao Jijian, while explaining, ¡°These are Array Bases for a Second Order Flowing Cloud Illusion Array. Fourth Master, please arrange this Formation on the slope.¡±


    Formation is one of the most challenging amongst the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation, always difficult to learn and master.


    A Formation cannot be casually established, as it must adapt on-the-fly according to variations in the terrain and Spirit Veins.


    After advancing to Foundation Establishment, Cultivators give birth to Divine Sense, thus becoming far more sensitive to changes in Earth Veins and Spiritual Energy than Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators, naturally making them the best candidates for arranging Formations.


    Therefore, in the Cultivation World, only those who have advanced past Foundation Establishment can begin to delve into the study of Formations. This high threshold speaks volumes.


    Since Zhao Sheng had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, he had to rely on Zhao Jijian instead.


    After Zhao Jijian accepted the Jade Tokens and sensed them with his eyes closed for a moment, he began to bustle about on the slope.


    An hour later, as Zhao Jijian buried the last Jade Token into the Earth Veins,


    suddenly, the fog above the slope began to move rapidly, followed by a thick fog gathering towards this spot.


    After a few breaths, a surge of radiance spread from the ground into the fog and quickly dissipated, the slope soon returned to calm as if nothing had changed from before.


    But now, if a stranger looked towards the slope, they would see nothing but a dense fog, and even when approaching, they would perceive just a flat mountainside.

 Chapter 77 - 77: The Rise of the Land and Grafting with Spirit Plants

    Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Rise of the Land and Grafting with Spirit Plants


    ¡°This¡­ huh, wait a minute! Could this be the legendary Mountain Dragon?!¡±


    In the Mountain Dragon Cave, Zhao Jijian ignored the tree roots filling the cave, his gaze completely fixed on the Mountain Dragon Remains, as enormous as a mountain, his expression utterly shocked.


    He rushed over eagerly, touching the petrified and rough true skin with his hands, his expression instantly filled with immense regret.


    ¡°What a pity! If only it were still alive, how great would that be!¡±


    Standing nearby, upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but sneer internally, thinking: ¡°If the Mountain Dragon were still alive, the three of us would have been doomed a long time ago.¡±


    However, Zhao Xuanjing wasn¡¯t too concerned with the Mountain Dragon since he was young and had not heard of its formidable reputation. Instead, he found the spirit worms burrowing in and out very interesting.


    He scurried over gleefully, picking up one as thick as an arm, holding it in his hand to fiddle and stroke, playing with it joyfully.


    ¡°Seventh Uncle, what¡¯s this? It looks like a giant earthworm! Also, the Spiritual Energy here is so rich! It¡¯s so much more than on Taifu Mountain.¡±


    Zhao Sheng explained: ¡°Xuanjing, this is a spirit worm, somewhat related to earthworms.¡±


    Spirit worms are mild by nature and not aggressive. No matter how Zhao Xuanjing played with them, they seemed not to mind and even grew closer to him.


    Zhao Sheng found this curious and secretly thought it might be due to having similar attributes.


    Zhao Xuanjing had three spirit roots of earth, metal, and wood, and he primarily cultivated the ¡°Infinite Earth Technique,¡± his Earth Element Spiritual Power was exceptionally pure.


    Zhao Jijian only realized the high density of the Spiritual Energy in the cave after being reminded by Zhao Xuanjing, it was almost on par with a Second Order Spiritual Vein.


    His expression ¨C ecstatic; he couldn¡¯t help but excitedly say, ¡°Bless the Ancestors! There¡¯s hope for the rise of the Zhao family!¡±


    Although Taifu Mountain was good, it could, at best, support the cultivation of Foundation Establishment Cultivators. But this cave could allow cultivators to continue cultivating all the way to the Golden Core Realm.


    More importantly, this spirit cave was the Zhao family¡¯s alone, unlike Taifu Mountain which was a leased Spirit Vein. Now they didn¡¯t have to worry about being evicted every hundred years.


    What did this represent?


    Zhao Jijian knew very clearly in his heart.


    This was the Zhao family¡¯s last refuge, symbolizing that even if the family declined or even fell to the brink of extinction, as long as this spirit cave remains undiscovered, the Zhao Family could one day rise again.


    It was only now that he suddenly understood why, in recent years, the elder made various irrational decisions.


    ¡°Elder, you¡­ you did well!¡±


    In the face of Zhao Jijian¡¯s almost incoherent excitement, Zhao Sheng simply smiled and said nothing.


    On the day he discovered the Mountain Dragon Cave, he had decided to make it the Zhao¡¯s secret mansion and also the core secret base of the Dark Department.


    And Zhao Xuanjing had been selected by him as the head of the current generation¡¯s Dark Department after ten years of scrutiny.


    Over the past few years, he had made countless preparations just for this day.


    At that moment, Zhao Jijian suddenly asked with a fervent look, ¡°Elder, do you still have the mountain dragon¡¯s Dragon Ball in your possession?¡±


    ¡°Hm?!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s face showed a hint of embarrassment,


    The Dragon Ball? It seemed he had forgotten to dig for it.


    ¡­


    Three days later,


    Zhao Jijian grabbed a handful of spirit soil, carefully and evenly spreading it over the Medicine Field.


    Half of this spirit soil was the excrement of the spirit worms, and the other half came from the Mountain Dragon Remains that had been crushed into small pieces.


    After Zhao Jijian brought it to his attention three days ago, Zhao Sheng and the other two spent two whole days using Spirit Swords as tools to carve out a passage within the Mountain Dragon¡¯s body, ultimately finding a stone sphere as tall as a person in its belly.


    The stone sphere was the Dragon Ball, a pity the vast majority of it had petrified.


    Handling the Dragon Ball carefully, Zhao Sheng peeled it layer by layer, eventually obtaining a Yellow Jade Bead the size of a human head.


    Lucky amidst the unfortunate.


    The bead still had diffuse yellow light surging and flowing, indicating that the last bit of the Mountain Dragon¡¯s essence still remained inside.


    Boom boom!


    Bursts of roaring explosions came from within the cave in the mountain wall. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng walked out from inside, came to the edge of the broken ground, opened the Storage Bag, and dumped a huge pile of rubble into the abyss thousands of feet deep.


    A day ago, the second round of large-scale renovations and upgrades began in the cave mansion. Cultivation Rooms, rest areas, quiet rooms, talisman making rooms, alchemy rooms, storage rooms, and a whole host of other structures within the cave mansion all needed to be carved out.


    Zhao Sheng had calculated that to get Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion into shape, it would take about a month.


    However, he planned to entrust the heavy task of opening up the cave mansion to Zhao Xuanjing.


    He and Zhao Jijian had more important things to attend to.


    Zhao Sheng lightly tapped his feet, his form floated up and flew to a concave surface three zhang high on the mountain wall.


    This concave area had already been dug four zhang deep into the mountain wall, the ground was clean of any broken rocks, revealing a rough, yellow-white wooden cross-section. Upon closer inspection, one could see dense, circular growth rings covering its surface.


    This¡­ was unmistakably a colossal wooden stake with a diameter of over four zhang.


    ¡°Fourth Master,¡± Zhao Sheng called out to Zhao Jijian from afar.


    After hearing him, Zhao Jijian straightened up, patted the spirit soil dust from his hands, and replied, ¡°¡­I¡¯m coming.¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Jijian leapt into the air and in the blink of an eye, flew the distance of six zhang, landing beside Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Chonghe, do you have confidence in this?¡± he asked with concern.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, ¡°At most a ten percent chance, but¡­ it¡¯s enough to wager a try.¡±


    Zhao Jijian looked at the gigantic tree stump and then recalled the unimaginably thick tree roots in the cave; he fell silent.


    If this success,


    He dared not imagine the kind of rare and strange treasures that would be nurtured.


    Zhao Sheng took out a bottle of Purple Mist Jade Dew and handed it to Zhao Jijian.


    Next, he took out the Small Circulation Talisman Plate. The talisman plate radiated dazzling spirit light with multiple haloes. Seventy-two eighteen-layered Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans and nine Second Order Gan Lin True Talismans were neatly arranged on it.


    Zhao Sheng took a deep breath, his expression solemn as he said, ¡°Uncle Si, let¡¯s begin!¡±


    Um,


    Zhao Jijian nodded, flipped his hand, and a Red Rainbow Sword appeared in his grip.


    The next second, a streak of red Sword Light burst forth from the Red Rainbow Sword, instantly plunging into the tree stump.


    Crack!


    A soft sound was heard as a tiny crack appeared on the surface of the tree stump, measuring no more than three inches in length.


    Already the day before, the two had been shocked to find that this tree stump was made of an extraordinarily hard material, harder than they could have imagined.


    With Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation at the Qi Refining Seventh Level and wielding a high-quality Magic Sword, he couldn¡¯t leave so much as a mark on it.


    From this one detail alone, the two knew that the tree stump could at least be used to refine a Spiritual Artifact.


    But what a shame it would be to merely use it for crafting Spiritual Artifacts¨Cit would be a waste of its potential.


    Boom,


    Crack!


    As the Sword Light whirled into existence and vanished just as quickly, Zhao Jijian slashed nearly a hundred times, finally splitting a crack over a foot deep in the tree stump.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±


    Zhao Sheng quickly intervened to stop Zhao Jijian.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian stepped back to make room, while intently watching Zhao Sheng¡¯s next move.


    Zhao Sheng stepped up to the crack and waved his hand to take out a segment of the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch from his Spirit Plant Bag.


    In the dim environment, the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch shimmered with a lush green radiance, its vitality made all the more evident amidst its delicate beauty.


    Zhao Sheng carefully inserted the lower end of the peach branch into the crack.


    Quickly after, he took out another bottle of Purple Mist Jade Dew and poured it into the crack,


    One bottle emptied, seeing it not yet full, he poured another half a bottle down.


    Only when ripples of spiritual energy and surges of vitality appeared at the crack, forming tendrils of mist that ceaselessly ascended,


    Did Zhao Sheng take a step back, his eyes intently fixed on the spot, not missing any abnormalities.

 Chapter 78 - 78 Mysterious Spirit Tree Revival

    Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Mysterious Spirit Tree Revival


    One breath, S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Two breaths,


    ¡­


    Seven or eight breaths had passed, and the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch and the stake seemed as calm as before, showing no signs of anything out of the ordinary.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian grew anxious and couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Chonghe, has it failed?¡±


    To coordinate with this whimsical experiment, the Zhao family had already paid a considerable price.


    Not to mention the Purple Mist Jade Dew, just the three fallen green peaches, which could be exchanged for ten thousand Spirit Stones each once they matured.


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush, wait a bit longer.¡±


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng finished speaking,


    Suddenly,


    The ground trembled, and a humming sound seemed to emanate from beneath the earth.


    At that moment, one could see the Purple Mist Jade Dew at the crack of the stump sinking rapidly as if there was an invisible large mouth swallowing it voraciously.


    ¡°It worked!¡±


    Zhao Sheng shouted in surprise.


    However, at this moment, the verdant and dripping Spiritual Peach Tree Branch visibly darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye, as if a great deal of life force had been drained from it¡­


    ¡°Quick, pour in the Jade Dew!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s complexion drastically changed.


    Before the words faded, Zhao Jijian¡¯s right hand motioned, and the Purple Mist Jade Dew instantly flew out from the Jade Purifying Bottle on his hand, forming a stream that accurately fell into the crack.


    Zhao Sheng also took a step forward like an arrow, pouring the remaining half bottle of Jade Dew into it without hesitation.


    But they had still underestimated the strong yearning for life force and Spiritual Energy that a mysterious Spirit Tree, dormant and dead for countless years, had upon awakening.


    In just a few breaths, the equivalent of three bottles of Purple Mist Jade Dew had been completely consumed.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng gritted his teeth and took out the remaining seven bottles of Purple Mist Jade Dew, handing them over to Zhao Jijian.


    Meanwhile, his expression was solemn as he held up the Small Circulation Talisman Plate, and with a rapid flicker of his thoughts, a total of eighteen Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans immediately turned to ashes.


    In an instant, a vast vortex, formed as intense spirit light burst into the sea of mist centered around the slope area, seemed to take shape both slowly and quickly.


    Two breaths later, a giant vortex resembling a massive Dragon Tornado, descended slowly above Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, and with his thought¡¯s quick flicker, a spirit cloud brimming with strong vitality quickly formed below the vortex.


    Then, small water droplets began to fall from the spirit cloud,


    When the raindrops, rich with abundant vitality, fell onto the stump, it was like they fell onto desert sand, and were absorbed in the blink of an eye.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face changed again.


    The next instant, another nine sets of eighteen Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans turned to ash.


    Then, the third batch, the fourth batch


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng might not have known, or he might have known and couldn¡¯t care less at that point.


    As he released a large number of talismans, the Dragon Tornado vortex¡¯s range grew larger and larger, eventually affecting areas a hundred miles away.


    This time, the commotion was indeed quite significant, startling an unknown number of demon birds and Fierce Beasts.


    What¡¯s more, some Cultivators who were affected by the disturbance were also alarmed by this anomaly.


    Some chose to stay far away, but others, bold and regardless of their own lives, rushed towards the site.


    On their way, they inevitably clashed with groups of demon beasts that were drawn in.


    Thus, numerous battles between humans and demons erupted within a hundred miles of the slope area.


    As for all sorts of anomalies happening outside the slope area, Zhao Sheng had no time to care about them.


    As the seventy-two Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans were depleted, Zhao Jijian also emptied six bottles of Purple Mist Jade Dew from his hand.


    If the last bottle poured in still wasn¡¯t enough, he would only have the last nine Second-Order Gan Lin Talismans left in his hand.


    But to tell the truth, Zhao Sheng had experimented before and found that the effects of the Gan Lin Talismans weren¡¯t much stronger than the stacked eighteen Spring Breeze and Rain Talismans.


    ¡°Keep pouring!¡± Zhao Sheng clenched his teeth and decisively ordered Zhao Jijian, who nodded solemnly and then poured the last bottle of Jade Dew into the crack.


    Zhao Sheng was about to activate the last wave of talismans.


    Suddenly, his eyes burst with astonishing brilliance, and his face showed an expression of extreme delight.


    Because at that moment, the wooden stump finally had a second response.


    One could see the crack suddenly writhing, and in the blink of an eye, it healed, and the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch finally grew together with the stump.


    At this time, faint white light gradually emerged from the growth rings of the stump, and a halo also appeared on the leaves and branches of the Spiritual Peach Tree Branch, making it look incredibly mystical.


    ¡°It¡¯s alive! Chonghe, it¡¯s finally alive!¡± Zhao Jijian jumped up excitedly, his expression extremely animated.


    After spending so much over the years, they finally saw a glimmer of hope.


    Zhao Sheng, suppressing his excitement, circulated his Spiritual Power and continued to maintain the current state of the spirit cloud.


    Gradually, the spirit rain became heavier and heavier. The wooden stump was no longer as indiscriminately ravenous.


    The water drops rich in life force rolled down to the base of the Spiritual Peach Tree, eventually forming a small puddle.


    At this time, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly ran out of the cave in a fluster, looked up, and shouted to the two men, ¡°Uncle Seven, Fourth Ancestor, the tree roots in the cave¡­ the roots have come to life!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I know!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, with most of his attention on the Spiritual Peach Tree, nodded nonchalantly.


    The revival of a mystical Spirit Tree is bound to produce some strange phenomena; this was not unusual.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing scratched his head in frustration and said, ¡°But the Spiritual Energy in the cave has just been drained by a large amount, and the concentration of Spiritual Energy has declined greatly!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows furrowed.


    ¡°Not good, some demon beasts have broken into the Illusion Array¡±


    Just then, Zhao Jijian¡¯s face suddenly changed, and the Red Rainbow Sword shot out abruptly, disappearing into the outer cloud mist.


    The next second, the Red Rainbow Sword, carrying fresh crimson blood, flew back and hovered above Zhao Jijian¡¯s head.


    ¡°Chonghe, quickly stop casting! If we¡¯re late, it¡¯ll be too late.¡±


    Upon hearing this, a shock went through Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart, and he immediately waved his hand to release seven or eight streams of Spiritual Power, quickly dissipating the spirit cloud above their heads.


    The Dragon Tornado vortex, now lacking the support of Spiritual Power, also quickly calmed and dissipated.


    ¡°Fourth Master, what¡¯s the situation outside? Can the Flowing Cloud Illusion Array hold on?¡±


    Zhao Jijian¡¯s Divine Sense had already expanded to its maximum range, with every movement within dozens of feet under his control.


    He said with a grim face, ¡°The Formation can hold on. Demon beasts below the third-tier can¡¯t peer through the illusions of the array unless they blindly charge through it. But now there are many demon beasts wandering around the slope. If one of the big fellows is drawn here, that would be bad trouble.¡±


    Zhao Sheng knew that the so-called big fellows were referring to powerful demon beasts at the Golden Core Level.


    Golden Core Level demon beasts have developed a sense similar to Divine Sense, and simple illusions created by a Second Order Flowing Cloud Illusion Array would hardly confuse them.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hide inside the cave for now, and leave the rest to fate,¡± Zhao Sheng said, knowing he was taking a risk, but such is the path of cultivation¡ªa road filled with perils and obstacles. If one isn¡¯t willing to take even this small risk, then there¡¯s no point in pursuing cultivation.


    Then the three of them, each with different expressions, walked into the cave. Zhao Sheng and another stepped back voluntarily, while Zhao Jijian stood by the edge of the cave, the Red Rainbow Sword radiating with spiritual light, ready for battle.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Jijian¡¯s sword lured away two demon beasts on three separate occasions.


    Three quarters of an hour later, his sword struck twice, killing a First-stage Rock Scorpion.


    After an hour, the demon beasts around slowly dispersed, and although the slope suffered minor damage, it remained largely unscathed.


    A month later, Zhao Jijian left the slope, carrying a Storage Bag full of spirit soil and three carefully selected Spiritual Medicines, filled with joy.

 Chapter 79 - 79: Learning to Let Go and Newborn Foundation Establishment

    Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Learning to Let Go and Newborn Foundation Establishment


    Time flowed like water, and two years had swiftly passed.


    On the sloping terrain, under the Spiritual Peach Tree, Zhao Sheng was seated cross-legged on a wooden stump, cultivating with his eyes closed, surrounded by a lingering cloud mist around him.


    Behind him, the Spiritual Peach Tree had grown to over six meters tall, radiating spirit light all over. The thick branches, as wide as arms, were covered with fine scale-patterns and the leaves, like jade, emitted specks of white light.


    Over these two years, as the mystical peach tree gradually revived and grew, it had brought quite a few surprises to Zhao Sheng.


    A year ago, the concentration of spiritual energy in the cave slowly returned to normal, and that was when Zhao Sheng suddenly discovered that this grafted Spiritual Peach Tree naturally gathered Wood Element and Water Element Spiritual Energy.


    At first, there was only a slight increase in the concentration of spiritual energy.


    But recently, Zhao Sheng was delighted to discover that within a ten-meter radius of the Spiritual Peach Tree, the concentration of spiritual energy was now no less than that of a First-rank Spirit Vein.


    Especially since the Spiritual Peach Tree primarily absorbed Wood Element Spiritual Qi, leaving most of the Water Element Spiritual Qi to benefit Zhao Sheng.


    Furthermore, his Cloud Dispersion Robe also contributed part of the effect of a Spirit Gathering Array.


    When combined, Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation progress was even faster than in Taifu Mountain.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng slowly ended his cultivation session, and as if on cue, Zhao Xuanjing appeared under the Spiritual Peach Tree.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and looked at Zhao Xuanjing, asking, ¡°Have you finished your lessons?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing frowned miserably and said softly, ¡°Not¡­ yet! I¡­ I failed again.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows and chastised, ¡°Three months, and you¡¯ve wasted over a hundred sheets of talisman paper without succeeding in a single one. What am I to say about you?¡±


    ¡°Uncle Seven, that Magma Talisman is too difficult to draw. It¡¯s better not to learn it at all,¡± Zhao Xuanjing resisted, a rarity for him.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t learn talisman painting, what can you do? You¡¯re not good at artifact refining, and alchemy, which requires precision, is even more out of the question. Do you want to end up like those spiritual craftsmen who only do tedious work building mansions?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing brightened up, nodding repeatedly, ¡°Uncle Seven, I really like developing cave mansions. Our family¡¯s secret mansion was also excavated by me. Plus, I think being a Spiritual Craftsman isn¡¯t too bad either!¡±


    Zhao Sheng jumped up fiercely, and slapped his lower back, scolding, ¡°Nonsense! I¡¯ve put so much effort into this for you to establish your foundation, not for you to become a craftsman. Besides, how many spiritual craftsmen can establish their foundation?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing, who was thick-skinned, didn¡¯t feel the slap on his body at all.


    At eighteen, he stood nearly three meters tall, towering like an iron tower, appearing as a giant.


    It was hard to say whether this was due to his natural constitution or the cultivation of the Infinite Earth Technique.


    In fact, by this time, Zhao Sheng himself was almost ready to give up.


    Apart from his decent cultivation speed and some knowledge of Earth Element Magic, Zhao Xuanjing was a mess in everything else.


    To call him simple-minded would be a compliment; he was utterly blockheaded.


    ¡°Forget it, since you can¡¯t learn it, you don¡¯t have to focus on talisman painting anymore. There are two Body Refinement Techniques in the Scripture Pavilion, one of which is a fragment of the ¡®Profound Yellow Battle Body.¡¯ Learn that one; it¡¯d be a shame to waste your unusual talent,¡± Zhao Sheng finally suggested.


    ¡°Uncle Seven, I¡¯ve actually already learned it.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing said, and his body swelled up a bit, his exposed skin instantly gained a layer of gray-white rock armor, and his body burst into a yellow halo, making him appear like the Immortal of Colossal Spirit.


    ¡°You sneaky boy, now you¡¯ve learned to keep it from me,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a mix of laughter and scolding.


    ¡°I was afraid you would scold me,¡± Zhao Xuanjing, rubbing his head, said sheepishly.


    ¡°Scolding you would be the least of it. If you learned the body refinement techniques so quickly, why didn¡¯t you tell me sooner? You could have saved me a few bouts of frustration.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Seven, I know my mistake.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not at fault, I am!¡± Zhao Sheng patted Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s arm, finally sighing in conclusion.


    ¡­


    From then on, besides paying attention to Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s cultivation, Zhao Sheng refrained from interfering with his other actions.


    As for Uncle Qi¡¯s hands-off approach, Zhao Xuanjing was almost crazily joyful and thus the sloping land underwent its third round of massive cave mansion renovations.


    Day by day, a large number of new stone rooms, stone tables, stone stools, and even stone figures were carved and shaped by Zhao Xuanjing.


    In the end, Zhao Sheng looked at the hundreds of empty stone rooms with a helpless expression.


    Another month passed, and suddenly there was a fluctuation in the illusion array on the periphery of the slope, followed by two figures breaking in.


    Under the Spirit Tree, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes and looked downward, his face instantly showing a joyous smile.


    The visitors were none other than Zhao Jijian and Zhao Keru.


    Zhao Sheng floated down in front of them, looking at the much younger Zhao Keru, excitedly asked, ¡°Uncle Ru, you¡¯ve advanced to Foundation Establishment?¡±


    Zhao Keru couldn¡¯t help but nod with a smile, ¡°Yes! All thanks to that Red Fire Ganoderma of yours.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! Now our family has two Foundation Establishment Cultivators. Finally, we don¡¯t have to worry about the risk of decline.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had barely finished speaking when an astonished shout came from Zhao Xuanjing at the cave entrance, ¡°Dad, how did you get here?!¡±


    ¡°You little rascal, seeing your old man, are you not happy?¡±


    ¡°Not at all!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing hurried over, bending down as much as he could, trying to please his own father.


    Zhao Keru patted his head and exclaimed, ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you for more than two years, and you¡¯ve grown so tall.¡±


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯ve reached the Qi Refining Fourth Level.¡± Zhao Xuanjing said somewhat boastfully.


    ¡°Haha, Qi Refining Fourth Level means nothing. Your dad has already reached Foundation Establishment,¡± Zhao Keru joked.


    ¡°Really?!¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s eyes lit up like light bulbs.


    ¡­


    One day later, in the sloping medicine field.


    ¡°Ah, who planted this? How could Earth Fat be planted together with Vitality Herb? Don¡¯t they know they influence each other?¡±


    ¡°Ah, the Red Fire Ganoderma is planted so densely, it¡¯s totally amateurish. Dragonbane Fruit loves water; look how wilted it is. It¡¯s only because this spirit land is special that most of the Spiritual Medicine hasn¡¯t already died.¡±


    Zhao Sheng sat under the Spiritual Peach Tree pretending to cultivate. He listened to Zhao Keru¡¯s constant chattering below, his face slightly red.


    In the past, he knew nothing about pharmacology and had planted those Spiritual Medicines at random.


    Over the years, as the Spiritual Medicines had been growing well, he hadn¡¯t managed them attentively.


    However, this wasn¡¯t a big mistake, just a minor oversight.


    Now, with a professional Alchemist and Pharmacist, not only was the Sloping Spiritual Medicine Garden newly planned, but even the Mountain Dragon Cave was turned into a medicine garden by Zhao Keru, planted with Earth Fat, Ghost Mushrooms, Longevity Grass, and Six Mysterious Pearls that favor shade over sunlight.


    After ten days, seeing Zhao Keru thoroughly enjoying himself, Zhao Sheng left the secret mansion at ease and followed Zhao Jijian back to Taifu Mountain.


    Having not been home for more than two years, Zhao Sheng heard that the juniors at the Cultivation Academy were getting out of control, and the learning atmosphere was worsening by the day. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This time going back, he must quickly quash this trend; otherwise, it would be too late to correct if it turned into a customary practice.


    Seven days later, when Zhao Sheng stepped onto the lecture platform again, the sixteen juniors of the Xuan generation below were stunned, their bodies instantly froze on the spot as if petrified.


    ¡°Class begins!¡±

 Chapter 80 - 80: The Peach Blossom Curse

    Chapter 80: Chapter 80: The Peach Blossom Curse


    ¡°Ugh!¡±


    In the quiet room, Zhao Sheng suddenly groaned, his face turning instantly pale.


    He forcefully endured the agony of his spirit being torn apart and removed the God-slaying Pearl from his forehead.


    Looking at the figure faintly visible within the Jade Pearl, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was slightly gloomy.


    ¡°Sigh, Yue Qinghan, oh Yue Qinghan! Giving me something I can¡¯t use, what exactly do you mean by this!¡±


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but lament before carelessly returning the God-slaying Pearl to his storage bag.


    More than thirty years ago, during an encounter at Heavenly Pillar Mountain, he received the God-slaying Pearl from Yue Qinghan.


    After all these years, each time his divine intent probed the interior of the Jade Pearl, he was met with the slash of sword light,


    regardless of how he dodged, even if he used Bullet Time, he still couldn¡¯t avoid it for an instant.


    In the blink of an eye, his divine intent would be cut off, followed by a splitting headache and a great loss of spirit as he exited the Jade Pearl.


    As a result, over the years, there wasn¡¯t much progress in his swordsmanship, but the strength of his divine intent increased significantly.


    This, in turn, also indirectly improved his skill in drawing and making talismans.


    After catching his breath, Zhao Sheng took out a bottle of Returning God Pills and swallowed one.


    Soon, his mind felt a refreshing coolness, and the severe headache immediately lessened significantly.


    The Returning God Pill was a Second Order Spirit Pill recorded in the alchemical experiences of Master Qiong Shen.


    Zhao Keru, after advancing to Foundation Establishment, saw a dramatic improvement in his alchemy, and he successfully refined a batch during the third year of his seclusion in the secret mansion.


    Zhao Sheng, learning of this, treasured it like a prized possession. Over the years, his divine intent had been severed countless times, but he recovered quickly, all thanks to the Returning God Pills.


    Feeling much better spiritually, Zhao Sheng summoned the Hundred Lifetimes book and flipped to the fourth page, whereupon a data panel appeared before him:


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 62/97


    Realm: Qi Refining Ninth Layer


    Profession: Quasi Second-rank Talisman Master (7/10)


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talents: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystical Spirit Skill (Refined), Stacking Talisman Technique (Small Success, Eighteen Stacks)


    Spell: Thousand Silk Sword Rain (Great Success), Refraction Technique (Refined), Water Dragon Roar (Small Success), Water Bomb Technique (Small Success), Bone Burning Skill (Beginner)


    Talisman Making: Invisibility Talisman (Divine Transformation) Flowing Cloud Sword Talisman (Divine Transformation), Concentrating God Talisman (Second Order, Great Success), Sweet Rain Talisman (Second Order, Small Success), Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Great Success), Illusion True Talisman (Second Order, Refined)¡­


    Martial Arts: Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations¡­


    Looking at the data on the panel, Zhao Sheng sighed at how quickly time passed but felt fairly satisfied with his cultivation progress.


    After all, he was just a Four Spirit Roots cultivator. Despite having an abundance of elixir pills and spirit stones, there was a limit to how fast he could refine and absorb them; he couldn¡¯t hurry the process even if he wanted to.


    ¡°Having just passed a sixty-year lifespan, I reckon I have three chances to make a surge at Foundation Establishment. Hmm, that should be enough.¡±


    With that thought, a trace of a smile appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face. He put away the Hundred Lifetimes book and stood up, leaving the quiet room.


    As soon as he left the quiet room, his brow furrowed, his expression darkened, and he turned his head to look at a corner, stating sternly, ¡°Xuan¡¯an, what are you hiding for? Get over here!¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°`


    ¡°Ah! Uncle Seven, I knew I couldn¡¯t hide it from you,¡± confessed Zhao Xuan¡¯an after being caught red-handed. He quickly emerged from a corner and scurried to Zhao Sheng¡¯s side, obsequiously flattering him.


    At this time, Zhao Xuan¡¯an was already over thirty years old and had evolved from a handsome and dashing youth into a charming and mature heartthrob that still looked incredibly youthful, barely in his twenties.


    Upon seeing Zhao Xuan¡¯an still carrying that debonair and untamed demeanor, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but seethe with irritation and reprimanded, ¡°Just look at you, already in your thirties, yet still so immature. Have you come to hide out at my place because you¡¯ve found yourself in trouble again?¡±


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an nodded incessantly and raised his thumb in approval, praising, ¡°Uncle Seven, you hit the nail on the head. Today, my mother was once again urging me to get married soon. You know what I¡¯m like. So, I thought I¡¯d lay low here for a while to avoid the pressure.¡±


    Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows and said decisively, ¡°No! If that were the case, you wouldn¡¯t dare come near me. Tell me, which female cultivator friend of yours has come looking for you at Heavenly Pillar Mountain?¡±


    Zhao Sheng thought this because Zhao Xuan¡¯an had a history of ¡°previous offenses.¡±


    This young man, starting from the age of sixteen when he first experienced the pangs of young love, quickly revealed his playboy nature. It was a mystery who he inherited that from with his gift of the gab, good looks, and knack for being humble and submissive.


    Since graduating from the Cultivation Academy at the age of eighteen, Zhao Xuan¡¯an had been living it up, accumulating countless amorous debts over the years and even earning the nickname ¡°Lord Peach Blossom.¡±


    Sometimes, Zhao Sheng would wonder if there were too many peach trees on Heavenly Pillar Mountain, causing Zhao Xuan¡¯an¡¯s life to be plagued with romantic entanglements.


    Now it seems like a streak of peach blossom luck, but who knows if it will turn into a peach blossom tribulation in the future.


    As Zhao Sheng thought this, he heard Zhao Xuan¡¯an say with gloom, ¡°Uncle Seven, you have to help me! I¡¯m your only direct disciple. My mother is pushing me hard to get married, and now, Little Feng has also shown up, leaving me with no way out.¡±


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an wasn¡¯t wrong.


    In the entire Zhao Family, he was the only one capable of carrying on Zhao Sheng¡¯s legacy of Talisman Tao.


    Over the years, the members of the Zhao family¡¯s Xuan generation had grown to twenty-three, with four having decent Talisman Tao talent.


    However, after so many years since Zhao Sheng passed down the Stacking Talisman Technique, only Zhao Xuan¡¯an had succeeded in mastering it.


    From this point alone, it was clear that Zhao Sheng valued Zhao Xuan¡¯an greatly.


    But what Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t tolerate was that Zhao Xuan¡¯an actually¡­


    Zhao Sheng smacked Zhao Xuan¡¯an on the head, furiously berating, ¡°Little Feng is the daughter of which family? You haven¡¯t even sorted things out with Xiao Lan and Little Hua yet, and you¡¯re already stirring up new romantic debts. Are you trying to infuriate your mother to death?¡±


    Rubbing his head, Zhao Xuan¡¯an replied aggrievedly, ¡°Uncle Seven, my relationships with Xiao Lan and Hua Hua were all genuine love, and yes, I may be flirtatious, but I¡¯m not indecent! But this time, Little Feng is different; she¡¯s really persistent. I remember I didn¡¯t provoke her at all!¡±


    Before Zhao Sheng could scold him further, Zhao Xuan¡¯an continued with a mournful face, ¡°This time I¡¯m in deep trouble. That Little Feng is the legitimate daughter of Medicine Immortal Ge Family. I heard her grandfather is a Golden Core Master.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng was taken aback and promptly inquired, ¡°Tell me, how did you get involved with her? You¡¯re clearly courting disaster for Heavenly Pillar Mountain!¡±


    The Elixir Saint Ge Family was renowned in the Southern Border, not just any average Cultivation Family, but one of the Seven Great Families of Elixir Cauldron, as famous as Denver Liu Family, Medicine Immortal Sun Family, and others.


    Although the family had no Nascent Soul Ancestor at its helm, it boasted more than five Golden Core Masters, compared to which the Zhao Family was nothing more than chickens and pottery dogs.


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an thought back and said woefully, ¡°Two months ago, at the Youlan Pavilion gathering, I think I drew her a Portrait Talisman.¡±


    ¡°But other sisters got one too, she wasn¡¯t the only one,¡± Zhao Xuan¡¯an emphasized lastly.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was furious.


    The Portrait Talisman, by its name, was a talisman that could create an image of a person and further beautify it.


    It was a new type of First-Order Talisman that Zhao Sheng had successfully derived eight years ago by combining Old Li¡¯s spring palace talisman with a Second Order Illusion True Talisman from the Secret Talisman Scripture.


    To teach the Illusion True Talisman, he had carelessly taught Zhao Xuan¡¯an how to make the Portrait Talisman.


    Little did he know that Zhao Xuan¡¯an would use it to attract women, tsk, this good-for-nothing kid.


    But Zhao Sheng quickly calmed down, realizing that this situation was different from the previous ones. One wrong move could indeed bring disaster upon the Zhao family.


    ¡°If it really comes down to it¡­¡± Zhao Sheng glanced at Zhao Xuan¡¯an and made up his mind.


    ¡°Come on, tell me, how did you get to know her? And how did you carry on the relationship? Don¡¯t hide anything.¡±


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an recalled, ¡°Little Feng¡¯s name is Ge Feng¡¯er. Half a year ago, I went to Nine Tripods Square¡­¡±

 Chapter 81 - 81: Three Steps to Foundation Establishment

    Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Three Steps to Foundation Establishment


    Five months later, Taifu Mountain was adorned with lanterns and streamers.


    From early dawn, waves of envoys from various Cultivation Families and Sects arrived here like a stream of water to congratulate the Zhao Family on the union of a new couple.


    The Foundation Establishment Ancestor of the Zhao Family, Zhao Jijian, personally took the lead to stand at the foot of Taifu Mountain to welcome each fellow Foundation Establishment Daoist, accompanied by a member of the Ge family who had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection.


    On that day, with the arrival of a Golden Core True Immortal from the Ge family, the festive atmosphere on Taifu Mountain instantly reached its climax. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thereafter, all Cultivation Forces within a thousand miles around Taifu Mountain knew that the Zhao family had formed an alliance with the high branches of the Elixir Saint Ge Family.


    In the same year, Zhao Jijian stepped down from the position of Family Head, and Zhao Xuan¡¯an smoothly took over.


    Two years later, Zhao Sheng advanced to Qi Refining Perfection. In that year, Zhao Xuan¡¯an had another son, named Zhao Tongxian.


    ¡­


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain, Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion.


    When Zhao Sheng once again set foot on the slope, the first thing that caught his eye was an ancient spiritual peach tree, over three zhang tall and lush with foliage.


    It shone with spirit light, its jade leaves and emerald branches surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, at first glance revealing its extraordinary and remarkable essence, like the fabled trees of the Spirit Realm.


    Zhao Keru was busy working in the medicine field; upon seeing Zhao Sheng, he joked, ¡°Zhao Chonghe, what brings such a busy person like you to the secret mansion?¡±


    Zhao Sheng approached the edge of the medicine field and said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m here to bring you a treasure, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll like it.¡±


    ¡°What treasure? Hurry up and bring it out.¡± Zhao Keru¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement, urging him on immediately.


    He knew Zhao Chonghe had high standards, and anything he called a treasure must be extraordinary.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and with a flip of his wrist, a small red-gold tripod with three legs and six ears covered in Spiritual Text appeared in his palm.


    ¡°A Spirit Artifact Elixir Cauldron?!¡±


    Zhao Keru exclaimed in surprise, his gaze fixed on the alchemy furnace, unable to look away.


    He rushed out of the medicine field in a few steps, snatching the Spirit Artifact Elixir Cauldron and fondling it with admiration.


    ¡°This cauldron is called Nine Extinguishing, a Mid-grade Spirit Artifact. Within it are nine strands of extinguishing winds that can refine and purify the impurities in Elixir Pills, enhancing the grade of Spirit Pills,¡± explained Zhao Sheng with a smile.


    This Nine Extinguishing Spirit Cauldron was one of the dowries that Ge Feng¡¯er brought with her in her marriage.


    Since Zhao Keru was the only Second-Order Alchemist in the Zhao Family, Zhao Sheng brought it along while coming to the secret mansion for his own Foundation Establishment.


    ¡°Wait here, I¡¯ll refine a batch first then we¡¯ll talk.¡±


    After saying that, Zhao Keru turned and walked away, completely forgetting about Zhao Sheng¡¯s presence.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head with a smile, not minding it, because he knew that Zhao Keru was obsessed with alchemy, and such behavior was quite normal for him.


    Only a moment passed when Zhao Xuanjing suddenly ran out of a cave, and upon seeing Zhao Sheng, he cheerfully said, ¡°Uncle Seven, you¡¯ve finally come.¡±


    ¡°Eh, you¡¯re in such a hurry, could it be you¡¯ve found a sweetheart in Pocket World City?¡± Zhao Sheng teased, seeing his mood.


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s face turned bright red on the spot as he defended, ¡°Uncle Seven, you wrong me. I was just happy to see you, that¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°Hehe!¡± Zhao Sheng simply laughed without a word.


    Compared to the romantically inclined Zhao Xuan¡¯an, Zhao Xuanjing was a purely innocent young man.


    Poor him, already in his thirties yet because he has been stationed at the secret mansion all year round, he hadn¡¯t even experienced the taste of a woman.


    Seeing Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s growing embarrassment, Zhao Sheng dropped the teasing and earnestly advised, ¡°Xuanjing, you must be more cautious in Pocket World City. You¡¯re too straightforward and honest; be careful not to be deceived by others.¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng stuffed a bunch of talismans, including the Invisibility Talisman, Concentrating God Talisman, and Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, into Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s hands, also patting his arm and saying, ¡°Go on then! Don¡¯t forget to return on time in a month.¡±


    ¡°`


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Zhao Xuanjing nodded.


    Suddenly, as if just remembering something, he hurriedly said, ¡°Uncle Qi, can I have that Dragon Ball? Little Gold is about to undergo transformation, and I think the Dragon Ball could help it transform faster.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was startled and immediately shook his head in refusal, ¡°No, I have another important use for that Dragon Ball.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Zhao Xuanjing sounded somewhat disappointed.


    The ¡°Little Gold¡± he mentioned was a golden ring spirit worm over seven zhang long, with the greatest potential among its group.


    If it were to succeed in this transformation, it would surpass the ten-zhang limit and advance to a second-order spiritual insect.


    If it could continue to transform, once Little Gold¡¯s body length exceeded a hundred zhang, a newborn Mountain Dragon would be born as a result.


    After Zhao Xuanjing left the secret mansion with disappointment, Zhao Sheng floated beneath the spiritual peach tree and sat down cross-legged.


    Sensing the rich and quintessential Water Spiritual Energy around him, Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction, then closed his eyes and started running the Mystical Spirit Skill, beginning to refine the Spiritual Energy bit by bit.


    One month later, on the day Zhao Xuanjing returned to the secret mansion, Zhao Sheng had finally reached his own limit, his spiritual power cultivation had reached an impasse.


    That day, he handed over the Storage Bag to Zhao Keru and his son Zhao Xuanjing and took care of all the affairs.


    Finally, he sat down cross-legged under the spiritual peach tree and began to close his eyes in concentration.


    Zhao Sheng did not attempt a breakthrough immediately but continuously recalled the three major steps of Foundation Establishment.


    According to records of predecessors, advancing from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment included three steps: ¡°Qi, Body, Spirit.¡± The first step was the transformation and liquefaction of spiritual power, the second step was cleansing the body with spiritual power and greatly increasing Life Span, and the final step was to break the Purple Mansion to condense the Divine Sense.


    Only after completing all three steps could one be considered to have succeeded in Foundation Establishment.


    Breaking the Purple Mansion was the most dangerous step, with nine out of ten attempting Foundation Establishment failing at this point.


    If failed, the cultivator would at best suffer major spiritual damage, or at worst, lose normal cognitive functions and become an idiot.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s closed eyes suddenly shot open, reflecting his belief that he must succeed or die trying.


    He was not afraid of death, as a failure meant he could simply try again in the next life.


    Taking out a Foundation Establishment Pill, Zhao Sheng swallowed it without hesitation.


    There was a ¡°boom¡± as if a volcano had erupted within his Qi Sea.


    In an instant, streams of incredibly pure Spiritual Energy surged into his Core Energy Sea, blending into the Spirit Power Vortex.


    The Spirit Power Vortex, already expanded to its limit, instantly broke through his body, not only swelling by half again but also more than doubling in speed.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but groan, but his spiritual power, far stronger than that of the average cultivator, immediately took control of the about-to-lose-control Spirit Power Vortex, beginning to refine the incoming Spiritual Energy with all his might.


    After who knows how many rotations, eventually, a drop of transparent ¡°Spirit Liquid¡± finally formed at the bottom of the cloud-mist-like Spirit Power Vortex.


    Once the first drop of liquefied spiritual power appeared, the irreversible transformation of spiritual power began. In the blink of an eye, a second drop, a third drop¡­ Numerous drops of liquefied spiritual power rapidly took shape.


    At this step, the gaseous Spirit Power Vortex collapsed thunderously.


    Within a few breaths, a greatly reduced and ¡°delicate¡± Spirit Liquid Vortex suddenly formed in the depths of the Dantian.


    After the spiritual power transformation was completed, Zhao Sheng silently ran the Mystical Spirit Skill over and over, and with the flow of liquid spiritual power washing through his limbs and bones and the Extraordinary Meridians with each pass.


    He could clearly feel his cells growing stronger, meridians and bones fortifying, and his blood and marrow turning even more vibrant red with each immersion in spiritual power.


    Zhao Sheng knew this was the Refining process, a rebirth from the marrow.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 82 - 82: Sword Cleaves Purple Mansion, Foundation Establishment Achieved

    Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Sword Cleaves Purple Mansion, Foundation Establishment Achieved


    One day,


    two days,


    three days,


    ¡­


    As time slowly trickled by, a thick layer of blackish-yellow blood stains emerged on Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, impurities deeply embedded within him along with old, dark injuries from accumulated traumas.


    The ultimate goal of a cultivator¡¯s cultivation was for longevity, and throughout the process of cultivation, one¡¯s physical condition would naturally and continuously improve.


    Reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm was the first qualitative change, shedding the mortal body and evolving to a higher level of life. It was akin to a stubborn rock being polished and refined, gradually transforming into fine jade.


    Eliminating the impurities within the body was akin to tempering oneself, accelerating the process of ¡°becoming jade¡±.


    This change was subtle, yet its effects were immensely clear.


    Time continued to pass, and within the depths of meditation,


    suddenly, Zhao Sheng felt his mind clear and his thoughts quicken like bolts of lighting.


    At that moment, he gained a sudden enlightenment, realizing that the second step of Foundation Establishment was achieved.


    Zhao Sheng was neither sad nor happy. His spirit ascended to its peak as he silently directed the Spiritual Power in his Dantian. A stream of liquid Spiritual Power began to flow upwards against his twelve major meridians.


    Under the guidance of Divine Intent, this stream of Spiritual Power soon touched the barrier of the Purple Mansion.


    At that moment, a burst of spirit light flashed across Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind, and a sudden Sword Light appeared, encompassing all the past experiences of being slashed, condensing into a brilliant Sword Light at that instant.


    The Sword Light was like lightning, easily cleaving open the Purple Mansion.


    Instantly, the dark and silent Purple Mansion seemed to turn into a newly born world, the Sword Light breaking into the darkness, lighting up the first Divine Light of antiquity.


    The Divine Light, like a seed, as more Spiritual Power surged into the Purple Mansion, began to sprout and thrive robustly, and then uncontrollably burst through the Purple Mansion, expanding violently outward.


    The next moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly ¡°saw¡± all the things within a fourteen zhang radius around him, from Zhao Xuanjing and his son watching in the distance to the water vapor particles in the air, as clear as if they were patterns on his palm, vivid and detailed.


    With the Purple Mansion opening and Divine Sense emerging, the third step of Foundation Establishment was perfectly successful!


    Zhao Sheng gradually withdrew the Spiritual Power back to his Dantian, and his Divine Sense also retracted.


    Simultaneously, water clouds condensed out of thin air around him, forming a waterfall that cascaded down, continuously washing over his body.


    Then, carrying a large amount of blood stains, the waterfall twisted into a water dragon as thick as a bucket and about five to six zhang long. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Water Dragon lightly swayed its tail, its head raised, and it swiftly flew out of the slope, before exploding with a roar and finally plummeting into an abyss thousands of zhang deep.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, a brilliant light shooting more than an inch out of them before instantly vanishing without a trace.


    ¡°So, it is like this, haha!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, overwhelmed with joy, suddenly stood up, unable to restrain himself from bursting into loud laughter.


    After four reincarnations, he had finally advanced to Foundation Establishment!


    At that moment, Zhao Keru, his face full of smiles, quickly walked forward and praised, ¡°Chonghe, congratulations on achieving Foundation Establishment!¡±


    ¡°Uncle Seven, You are too amazing! You succeeded on your first try.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing also came over, hardly able to contain his astonishment.


    Slap!


    Hearing this, Zhao Keru slapped his thigh and scolded, ¡°You rascal, what are you saying! If you can¡¯t speak properly, then don¡¯t speak at all!¡±


    Zhao Sheng sobered up from his laughter, looked at the father and son, and advised, ¡°Uncle Ru, there¡¯s no need to make a fuss. Jing¡¯er has always been like this, don¡¯t be too harsh on him.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing quickly replied, ¡°Uncle Seven is right. I¡¯ve always been poor with words, Dad. You don¡¯t have to always hit me. Besides, I¡¯m over thirty years old.¡±


    ¡°No matter how old you are, you¡¯re still my son. It¡¯s only natural for a father to discipline his son.¡±


    As soon as Zhao Keru finished his assertions,


    Slap! He delivered another palm to his son.


    ¡°Father, you¡¯re right!¡± Zhao Xuanjing admitted honestly.


    His body was as tough as steel; this level of force felt as gentle as a spring breeze, and he felt no pain at all.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng watched the unique way the father and son interacted and couldn¡¯t help but smile silently.


    After reaching the Foundation Establishment, a cultivator¡¯s strength experiences a rapid growth phase, and Zhao Sheng was no exception.


    After taking a brief day of rest, he immediately re-entered his closed-door cultivation.


    As soon as he started operating the Mystical Spirit Skill, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Core Energy Sea became like a voracious black hole, quickly sucking in the Cloud Mist Spiritual Energy that pervaded beneath the Spiritual Peach Tree.


    If an outsider were present, they would see a dragon-tornado-like vortex quickly forming above Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, with the end of the vortex directly pointing to his Core Energy Sea.


    At that moment, the branches and leaves of the Spiritual Peach Tree suddenly started swaying without wind, and during the swaying, the tips of the leaves scattered countless mysterious light points.


    In an instant, the slope was bustling with action, and more Water Spiritual Energy from within the sea of mist was drawn to it.


    Two years flickered by.


    Under the Spiritual Peach Tree, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his Divine Sense probing into the Dantian, where in the depths of the Qi Sea, a shallow ¡°puddle¡± had accumulated, continuously sending up wafting ¡°Water Vapor.¡± This vapor, carrying copious amounts of mist-like Spiritual Power, was then sucked into the vortex and transformed back into droplets of spirit rain, pooling back into the puddle.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes, satisfied. After two years of arduous cultivation, he had not only stabilized his Foundation Establishment Realm, but his cultivation had also advanced to the mid-phase of the first layer.


    In another seven or eight years, he might be able to break through to the Second Level of Foundation Establishment.


    Once a cultivator advances beyond Foundation Establishment, the improvement of cultivation becomes increasingly difficult.


    Sometimes it¡¯s common to not advance a single realm even in ten to eighteen years, and more often than not, once a certain realm is reached, cultivation might come to a permanent standstill.


    Many factors contribute to this, such as falling into demonic paths, flaws in cultivation techniques, damage to meridians and physical body, indulgence in pleasures, or simply aging, among others.


    Fortunately, the Mystical Spirit Skill which Zhao Sheng primarily cultivated was balanced and even, and although progress was slow, if one persistently practiced, they could smoothly cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Perfection Realm.


    Zhao Sheng felt that with his own inferior aptitude, he might find it difficult even to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment in this lifetime, let alone consider forming a Golden Core after reaching Foundation Establishment Perfection.


    Ending the cultivation session,


    Zhao Sheng formed a hand seal, and before him, a mini water dragon as thick as an arm, its scales and claws defined, vividly appeared in the air.


    On closer inspection, this water dragon was almost identical to the Cloud Dragon from decades ago.


    Because the memory was so profoundly vivid, after Zhao Sheng mastered the Water Dragon Roar Spell, he subconsciously replicated the Cloud Dragon.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    With a low shout, the water dragon swiftly flew under the Spiritual Peach Tree, its agile and elongated dragon body spiraling rapidly around the trunk while a large expanse of clouds rapidly emerged beneath it.


    These spirit-rich clouds continued to nourish the Spiritual Peach Tree, causing its branches and leaves to become greener and more vibrant.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng nodded approvingly.


    Since his Foundation Establishment, he had been casting different Water Techniques thrice daily to irrigate the Spiritual Peach Tree.


    He did this to refine his spell-casting skills and enhance both the speed and power of his spells, and to accelerate the growth of the Spiritual Peach Tree.


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng was cultivating beneath the Spiritual Peach Tree.


    Just then, a sizzling sound, like something being corroded, suddenly came from above.


    Zhao Sheng abruptly opened his eyes and looked up.


    He saw that in the cloud mist about fifteen meters above the slope, an area the size of a wash basin had somehow become stained with blood.

 Chapter 83 - 83: Mysterious Blood Stain

    Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Mysterious Blood Stain


    Seeing this scene, a hint of surprise flashed across Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    He knew very well that the five-zhang-tall cloud mist was the edge of the Flowing Cloud Illusion Array.


    Some unknown creature had managed to silently pass through the Flowing Cloud Illusion Array, and it looked like it was about to corrode its way into the slope.


    Zhao Sheng slapped the ground, and his body suddenly floated out of the depression. In mid-air, his body stretched out with ease, and his feet landed on the slope below.


    Crack!


    With a light sound, a mass of ¡°blood stain¡± suddenly fell from above the cloud mist to the ground, not far from Zhao Sheng.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils constricted as he saw the mass of ¡°blood stain¡± writhing non-stop like a living thing. Its surface intermittently bulged out in shapes of various creatures such as centipedes, lizards, snakes, and even human heads and faces.


    Zhao Sheng felt his stomach churn at the sight and couldn¡¯t help but curse, ¡°What in the world is this thing?¡±


    Before the words had finished, the blood stain, as if sensing Zhao Sheng¡¯s ¡°human presence,¡± suddenly stretched into a snake-like, eerie creature and rushed towards Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Thunder, come!¡±


    Zhao Sheng shouted, flipping his right hand, and in an instant, a water ball sparkling with electric light appeared in his palm and expanded rapidly to the size of a human head.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    Amidst the buzzing electric light, the Water Mine was thrown. After flying out two zhang, it collided head-on with the eerie blood stain.


    Boom!


    A loud thunderclap exploded, and in an instant, electric light scattered in all directions, accompanied by a sudden, piercing scream.


    Soon after, waves of foul odor along with the backdraft of the Gang Wind kept flooding into Zhao Sheng¡¯s nostrils.


    Ugh!


    As Zhao Sheng instinctively covered his mouth and nose, a look of shock suddenly appeared on his face.


    Because of the heavy impact of the Water Mine, the mass of blood stain had not died but had shrunk in size by more than half.


    After falling to the ground, it quickly shed most of its charred body, and the remaining fist-sized remnant turned into a blood centipede. It bent its body sharply and sprung off the ground, shooting towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    Hmph!


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly, spreading his right hand wide and waving it forward. In the blink of an eye, a thick layer of water screen formed in front of him, suddenly blocking his path.


    The blood stain thudded into the water screen.


    With a thought from Zhao Sheng, the water screen quickly solidified into a large water ball, half the height of a person, trapping the blood stain firmly inside.


    In the blink of an eye, the blood stain shifted into hundreds of life forms but failed to break through the barrier of the water ball.


    As Zhao Sheng watched the blood stain struggle and shift shapes inside the water ball, he grew very curious.


    He wanted to know, was this blood stain a kind of strange creature or a product of some evil demon from the Outer Path?


    Zhao Sheng circulated his Spiritual Power to slowly cut the blood stain.


    It split from one to two, from two to four, from four to eight¡­


    By the time it was sliced to the thickness of a hair, the remaining blood stain suddenly lost its vitality and collapsed into specks of dirty blood.


    Even so, Zhao Sheng was still shocked by its extraordinary tenacity and strange life force.


    Zhao Sheng racked his brains but could not recall any such bizarre creatures in the Cultivation World.


    ¡°What exactly is it?¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    On the slope, he was the only one present. Zhao Keru and his son had returned to Taifu Mountain two months ago, leaving him with no one to discuss the matter.


    Zhao Sheng collected the dirty blood from the ground into a jade box, planning to go down to Pocket World City to gather information.


    Just because he was unaware did not mean that others didn¡¯t know the origin of this ghastly thing.


    ¡°`


    Sizzle!


    Zhao Sheng suddenly looked up, his complexion changing drastically.


    ¡°Hm?!¡±


    At this moment, he saw three patches of blood appear in the mist above, the smallest with a diameter less than half a foot, while the largest spanned over ten feet in diameter.


    ¡­


    A quarter hour later, with a grave expression, Zhao Sheng collected a small clump of bloodstain into the Magic Artifact, the Jade Purifying Bottle, and sealed the neck and body of the bottle with a Sealing Talisman.


    Then, Zhao Sheng activated his Spiritual Power and poured it into the Cloud Dispersion Robe. In a flash, a large swath of mist swiftly surged from the robe, quickly surrounding Zhao Sheng, and eventually submerging his figure.


    The next moment, the mist rose and merged into the cloud mist above, quickly vanishing without a trace.


    Having escaped the Flowing Cloud Illusion Array, Zhao Sheng appeared amidst the Cloud Sea.


    He pressed himself against the mountainside, his body concealed within the mist.


    Zhao Sheng watched his surroundings with a cautious expression while expanding his Divine Sense to its limits, always attentive to any movement around him.


    However, after a quarter hour had passed, the dense fog that occupied most of his field of vision remained as tranquil as before, aside from the occasional roars and cries nearby, Zhao Sheng neither heard nor saw anything out of the ordinary.


    Moreover, Zhao Sheng could smell the air filled with the scent of earth and the bitter aroma of grass, yet he detected not a hint of blood. It was as if the bloodstain that had just invaded the slope had never appeared.


    Zhao Sheng felt quite perplexed. He looked up at the sky and saw the mountainside riddled with uneven pits and covered with soil, stones, and moss.


    After pondering for a moment, a thought occurred to him, and a Concentrating God Talisman appeared between his fingers, transforming into ashes.


    Instantly, the aura around Zhao Sheng¡¯s body became as subdued as the rocks and soil. Then, the mist began to rise slowly around him, drifting upwards towards the Cloud Sea above along the mountainside.


    An hour later, just above the second layer of the Cloud Sea on Heavenly Pillar Mountain, at a height of twenty-three li.


    Zhao Sheng carefully hid beneath an overhanging rock on the cliffside, his Divine Sense probing upward.


    Above him, around six to seven zhang away on the cliff, lay a corpse with its chest and belly mostly decayed, continuously oozing filthy blood. Beside the corpse, on the ground, lay an Ancient Bronze Flying Sword thrust upside down into the earth.


    Near this corpse, there were even more mutilated bodies, some hanging, some prone, scattered among the surrounding rocks, tree branches, and crevices.


    But these corpses were not what made Zhao Sheng so cautious.


    The reason for his wariness was that the corrupted blood oozing from those corpses wriggled through them like living creatures, almost identical to the bloodstains Zhao Sheng had encountered on the slope.


    The only difference was that these ¡°bloodstains¡± bore an expressionless human face on their surface.


    With a closer look, one could recognize that each face matched the features of the nearby corpses exactly.


    After silently observing for a while, Zhao Sheng was astonished to find that the corpses were gradually being dissolved and devoured by the bloodstains.


    Once the corpses were completely consumed, not only did the volume of the bloodstains significantly increase, but they also actively merged together.


    At this time, as if called by some force, the bloodstain quickly transformed into a large blood-colored blanket and began to climb rapidly up the cliffside, soon passing beyond the reach of Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng hesitated for a moment before curiosity got the better of him.


    After releasing two Invisibility Talismans and a Concentrating God Talisman upon himself, he lifted the Small Circulation Talisman Plate and immediately followed the trail.


    moments later, anxiety grew within Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart, as he noticed that the silent, lifeless journey upwards revealed no signs of life, something highly abnormal.


    This was exceedingly strange because Heavenly Pillar Mountain¡¯s Yin side was teeming with life, and such stillness would not occur without some major calamity.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense occasionally picked up the figures of other ¡°bloodstains.¡±


    From their trajectories, it seemed as if these bloodstains were all converging towards the same location.


    As Zhao Sheng ascended higher, the number of ¡°bloodstains¡± appearing within his Divine Sense increased. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By this point, Zhao Sheng began to consider retreating.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 84 - 84 The Giant Face and the Blood Refining Talisman

    Chapter 84: Chapter 84 The Giant Face and the Blood Refining Talisman


    When he had tracked the target to an altitude of thirty miles, Zhao Sheng¡¯s steps halted abruptly, and he stopped in his tracks.


    His facial expressions shifted rapidly, and a sense of ominous foreboding instantly sprang up in his heart.


    ¡°I can¡¯t go any further!¡±


    Gazing at the Cloud Sea Sky Gang in front of him, which resembled a wall of clouds that covered the sky, Zhao Sheng hesitated repeatedly but finally gave up on continuing the pursuit.


    The vast area above the third layer of the Cloud Sea of Heavenly Pillar Mountain mainly serves as the activity zone for Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and occasionally Golden Core practitioners appear as well.


    Although Zhao Sheng had recently advanced to Foundation Establishment, he ultimately decided not to risk his life in the face of such a strange blood stain.


    It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t dare; it was that he had more important things yet to accomplish.


    Zhao Sheng turned around and rode the clouds, rapidly descending towards the mountain below.


    However, he was completely unaware that the moment he turned around to leave, a giant face abruptly emerged above the cloud wall.


    With no nose, ears, or eyebrows, all that could be seen were a pair of cold and indifferent blood-colored eyes and a dark red mouth that seemed to surge with lava, covering dozens of miles of the Cloud Sea. It looked down upon the sea of mist below like a merciless Divine Mansion, as well as the tiny human figure that seemed as insignificant as dust.


    ¡­


    Two days later, in Pocket World City


    In an elegant room on the third floor of Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, Zhao Sheng sat opposite a mild-mannered middle-aged man dressed in a plain silk robe.


    Currently on the table between the two men, there were seven or eight Middle-Upper Grade magical artifacts such as swords, towers, and badges, all glinting with spirit light.


    Zhao Sheng was sipping his Spiritual Tea carefully while the middle-aged man picked up each magical artifact, meticulously inspecting them.


    After a moment, the middle-aged man put down the last item, a Purple Gold Coin, and said with a smile, ¡°I hope Senior Zhao wasn¡¯t kept waiting too long. These magical artifacts are in good condition and their protections are intact. Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion will purchase them all.¡±


    ¡°How many Spirit Stones is the pavilion willing to offer?¡± asked Zhao Sheng, setting down his teacup.


    The middle-aged man immediately replied, ¡°How about a total of eight thousand Spirit Stones for the lot?¡±


    ¡°Agreed, let¡¯s proceed at that price,¡± Zhao Sheng readily accepted.


    These artifacts were just a small part of his unexpected gains from last time, and selling them for so many Spirit Stones had exceeded his expectations.


    The middle-aged man was slightly surprised to hear this, having thought the other would bargain, but then¡­


    ¡°Please wait a moment, Senior Zhao. I will return shortly,¡± he said.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Zhao Sheng called out to him.


    ¡°Senior Zhao, may I assist you with something else?¡± the middle-aged man turned around and asked.


    Zhao Sheng spoke, ¡°I need a set of Second-Order Defensive Formation. Does your pavilion currently have it in stock?¡±


    With a smile, the middle-aged man replied, ¡°Our Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion is backed by the Hundred Refinement Sect, so we are never short of Second-Order Formations. Please wait a moment, I¡¯ll bring a few sets for Senior Zhao to review.¡±


    A short while later, the middle-aged man returned to the elegant room holding two Storage Bags.


    ¡°Please have a look, Senior. I have here three sets of Second-Order Defensive Formations. This first set is the Yimu Array. This array can produce countless iron woods, and as long as the energy of Yimu doesn¡¯t dissipate, it can be restored numerous times. It is extremely resilient.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was noncommittal.


    Seeing this, the middle-aged man took out several dozen golden Array Bases and stated, ¡°This is the Gold Dripping Array, which excels in offense as a form of defense. Once it is attacked, it will generate countless Golden Arrows to retaliate against the enemies.¡±


    ¡°Next!¡±


    ¡°This one is the Second-Order Stone Wall Array, capable of raising a hundred stone walls as hard as metal. If used in conjunction with Earth Element Spiritual Veins, the defensive power of this array could at least double.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes lit up and he quickly inquired, ¡°How many Spirit Stones for this array?¡±


    The middle-aged man saw this and said with a smiling eye, ¡°Not expensive at all, just ten thousand Spirit Stones.¡±


    Zhao Sheng bargained with him for a while and eventually got it for nine thousand four hundred Spirit Stones.


    After leaving the Ten Thousand Treasure Pavilion, Zhao Sheng changed into a set of talisman robes, passed through two workshops, and arrived at the Treasure Talisman Pavilion.


    The yard was still the same, but the owner had changed.


    The beautiful female servant guarding the gate saw Zhao Sheng coming and quickly greeted him with a smile, ¡°Senior Zhao, peace be upon you. You¡¯ve come at just the right time, the gathering has just begun.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded to her and then walked into the yard.


    There were countless Loose Cultivators in Pocket World City, with various circles of exchanges flourishing. The Talisman Tao Association was a gathering circle where Talisman Masters exchanged ideas.


    For the past twenty years or so, whenever Zhao Sheng came to Pocket World City, he would pay a visit here.


    On one hand, it was for the exchange of experience in talisman painting, and on the other hand, it was to collect various unique and rare talismans. After all, the art of talismans is profound and extensive, and working in isolation is absolutely inadvisable.


    The furniture in the main hall of the gathering had not changed much compared to decades ago, but the host had changed to a Second Order Talisman Master, the former host, Elder Wei, had already passed away thirteen years ago.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had become somewhat of a celebrity in the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association, not only for his generous contributions but also for the wide variety of talismans he possessed. Many Talisman Masters in financial need often took the initiative to trade with him.


    After chatting with a group of acquaintances for a while, Zhao Sheng skillfully entered a private room next to the main hall to await Talisman Masters seeking trade.


    It wasn¡¯t long before the door was knocked on. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Come in!¡± Zhao Sheng said aloud.


    As soon as he finished speaking, a skinny old man with a long face and thick eyebrows entered with a grin on his face and a fawning smile, ¡°Senior Zhao, I¡¯ve come to bother you.¡±


    Zhao Sheng raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw the visitor, but still responded with a smile, ¡°It turns out to be Mr. Wei, please take a seat.¡±


    The visitor was named Wei Youquan, a Sixth Level of Qi Refining Cultivator.


    After Elder Wei died, this fellow claimed to be related to Elder Wei and, under the pretense of offering condolences, suddenly barged into the Wei Family home. Afterwards, he forcibly took over the Wei Family¡¯s property.


    Luckily for him, he was shrewd enough to promptly find a powerful patron, offering most of his family¡¯s wealth, and only then was he barely able to keep a small portion for himself.


    Wei Youquan was cunning and ignorant; over the years, he had squandered much of the Wei Family¡¯s property.


    In recent years, Zhao Sheng had traded for many rare talismans from him, the majority being First-Order Talismans, and even three or four kinds of Second Order True Talismans.


    Despite being a regular customer, Zhao Sheng still did not look favorably upon him.


    Wei Youquan quickly took a seat in front of him.


    Zhao Sheng asked, ¡°Mr. Wei, have you come with new talismans to trade today, or will it be the usual deal?¡±


    Wei Youquan nodded his head obsequiously and said with a sycophantic smile, ¡°The usual Spirit Stones exchange will do, as I cannot paint talismans anyway.¡±


    As he spoke, he took out a blood-red, palm-sized Paper Talisman from his chest and placed it in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Along with it, he also handed over a sheet of paper filled with writing.


    Zhao Sheng, smelling the strong scent of blood on the talisman, focused his gaze and asked sternly without taking it, ¡°What kind of talisman is this? Demon Path or Evil Path?¡±


    Wei Youquan was startled by the question, but hurriedly replied, ¡°Senior Zhao, please don¡¯t misunderstand. This talisman is called the Blood Refining Talisman, which has the function of condensing essence blood. It¡¯s not a dangerous talisman from the Evil Demon Path. You will see once you take a look.¡±


    With that, he pushed the sheet detailing the refining method a little further forward.


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment, then took it and read it carefully.


    The sheet only outlined half of the refining method, but there was nothing unusual about it. Instead, it followed the typical Taoist style, not resembling the style of the Evil Demon Path at all.


    Most importantly, drawing this talisman only required the blood of the talisman painter, with no need to collect the fresh blood of others.

 Chapter 86 - 86 The Coming Colonial War (Please Follow)

    Chapter 86: Chapter 86 The Coming Colonial War (Please Follow)


    A month later, the cold wave was approaching.


    Zhao Sheng felt exceptionally irritable, just as he could no longer restrain himself from setting out to return to Taifu Mountain.


    Zhao Keru unexpectedly returned to the secret mansion alone.


    Zhao Sheng floated down from beneath the Spiritual Peach Tree and came before him, asking curiously, ¡°Why didn¡¯t Jing¡¯er come back?¡±


    While wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Zhao Keru answered, ¡°The thing is, not only is Xuanjing not coming back, but you also must immediately come back to Taifu Mountain with me.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart grew cold, and he immediately pressed, ¡°Uncle Ru, has something happened at home?¡±


    Caught off guard by the question, Zhao Keru quickly replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything at home is safe and sound! It¡¯s just that there¡¯s a major issue at home waiting for you to come back and discuss.¡±


    Upon hearing that nothing had happened at home, Zhao Sheng was relieved and laughed, ¡°What matter at home requires me to return before a decision can be made? Could it be that Jing¡¯er is about to get married?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t joke about that, if Xuanjing had half the intelligence of Xuanan with that wooden head of his, I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about his marriage matters at all!¡± Zhao Keru repeatedly waved his hands as he spoke.


    When speaking about his son, Zhao Keru¡¯s face was filled with helplessness.


    After the casual family banter ended, his expression suddenly turned solemn as he said in a heavy tone, ¡°The matter I¡¯m talking about has nothing to do with Xuanjing but it¡¯s related to the family¡¯s Qi Fortune for the next few hundred years.¡±


    Qi Fortune again for the next few hundred years?!


    Shocked by the words, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but think to himself, ¡°Isn¡¯t the term ¡®Qi Fortune¡¯ almost worn out from overuse?¡±


    Pushing aside this frivolous thought, Zhao Sheng immediately grew serious.


    Without waiting for him to ask further, Zhao Keru continued, ¡°You are not aware of it here in Heavenly Pillar Mountain, but in the Elixir Cauldron Sect, there¡¯s been a Golden Core Master who has achieved Perfect Completion and successfully advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was at first astonished and then delighted.


    Seeing that Zhao Keru still had the mood to play coy suggested that this event was cause for joy, not sorrow, for the Zhao family.


    But what was the family¡¯s connection with that newly advanced Nascent Soul Ancestor?


    Could it be that it was the Ge family¡¯s individual who had finally succeeded in making this advancement?


    Thinking of the Ge family having a Perfect Golden Core, Zhao Sheng was secretly pleased.


    ¡°Uncle Ru, is the one who advanced from the Ge family¡¯s individual?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt a chill in his heart.


    At that time, he then heard Zhao Keru say with pride, ¡°But it¡¯s not much different, the one who advanced to Nascent Soul Ancestor is the Dao partner of the Ge family¡¯s Golden Branch True Man.¡±


    Zhao Sheng exclaimed almost reflexively, ¡°Master Yu Ye?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, exactly,¡± Zhao Keru nodded and said with a smile.


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed at this sight.


    One had to know that Golden Branch and Yu Ye, this pair of Golden Core Dao companions, not only had a resounding reputation within the Elixir Cauldron Sect, but their names were also well-known throughout the entire Tianzhu Realm.


    Back in the day, Master Yu Ye was a Loose Cultivator, while Golden Branch True Man was the esteemed daughter of the Ge family.


    Their statuses were starkly different, yet Golden Branch True Man had an eye for talent and set her sights on Master Yu Ye, who had not yet revealed his potential.


    For the Ge family, having their cherished daughter fancy a down-and-out Loose Cultivator was an utter disgrace.


    Consequently, the Ge family repeatedly suppressed and made things difficult for Master Yu Ye, attempting time and again to separate the Dao companions.


    However, life is unpredictable, and fate is unfathomable.


    The more the Ge family wanted to tear them apart, the more steadfast and unwavering the bond between the renowned Dao companions became.


    Even more so, far from declining under the Ge family¡¯s suppression, Master Yu Ye¡¯s cultivation soared, encountering one fortuitous opportunity after another, and successfully advanced to Golden Core at the mere age of one hundred and thirty.


    By this time, the Ge family had no choice but to swallow their pride and acknowledge Master Yu Ye as their son-in-law.


    The reputation of the two True Immortals, whose affection was said to be stronger than gold, had spread throughout the Southern Border.


    Over the past century, as both Golden Branch and Yu Ye had advanced to the Late-stage Golden Core, their story had become a beloved anecdote within the Cultivation World.


    Having confirmed the news, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but lament, ¡°Master Yu Ye truly is a role model for us all. With such fierce diligence, she is indeed an exceptional Loose Cultivator.¡±


    Beside him, Zhao Keru also nodded in agreement, visibly moved.


    After his moment of reflection, Zhao Sheng composed himself and asked calmly, ¡°What does Master Yu Ye¡¯s upgrade to Nascent Soul have to do with our family¡¯s important affairs?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hugely significant. We¡¯ve relocated to the Southern Border for so many years. Don¡¯t tell me you haven¡¯t heard of the Pioneer Wars?¡±


    The Pioneer Wars?!


    On hearing these words, Zhao Sheng was shocked, and he had an immediate epiphany.


    ¡°Uncle Ru, you mean to say that Master Yu Ye¡­no, Ancestor Yu Ye actually harbors such grand ambitions to expand territory in the Southern Border Wilderness? Is she aiming for the Ten Thousand Great Mountains or the Endless Mang Forest?¡±


    Zhao Keru said, ¡°Where exactly Ancestor Yu Ye has set her sights on remains unknown, but there¡¯s a high probability it leans toward the Ten Thousand Great Mountains. After all, the Endless Mang Forest is the domain of the Beast Taming Sect.¡± sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Zhao Sheng had countless unresolved questions swirling in his mind, he did not inquire further but said with a stern expression, ¡°There¡¯s no time to lose; we should set off for home immediately.¡±


    ¡°Wait a moment, I still have some unsettled business,¡± Zhao Keru hastily interjected.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Two things: one is to harvest a batch of Spiritual Medicine, the other is to bring Little Gold back to Taifu Mountain.¡±


    Zhao Sheng frowned upon hearing this.


    Harvesting Spiritual Medicine was understandable; as the Zhao family intended to participate in the Pioneer Wars, the expenses would be significant. Using Spiritual Medicine to exchange for spirit stone and elixir, among other resources, was also understandable.


    But¡­ Little Gold posed a huge risk. If he was accidentally exposed after being brought to Taifu Mountain, it would be nothing short of a disaster for the Zhao family.


    In the past years, he had only dared to stealthily take some spirit soil back but had not dared to remove a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm. He feared accidentally giving himself away and allowing those with intentions to find the leak.


    ¡°Uncle Ru, it was Zhao Xuanjing who asked you to bring Little Gold back, wasn¡¯t it? Does he not realize how dangerous this is?¡± Zhao Sheng questioned.


    Zhao Keru scratched his head and admitted frankly, ¡°I also advised Jing¡¯er against it. But he insisted, saying that Little Gold could be of great use in the upcoming Pioneer Wars.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng contemplated for a moment, then nodded decisively, ¡°In that case, let¡¯s follow Xuanjing¡¯s wishes.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had watched Zhao Xuanjing grow up and knew him well. Given his insistence, there must be a reason behind his decision.


    After all, Xuanjing was not one to boast or deceive without cause.


    Four hours later, having packed up, the two immediately embarked on their journey home.


    No need for long-windedness when nothing needs to be said!


    Seven days later, two streaks of light raced across the sky, descending like meteors onto the Upper Sky above Taifu Mountain and, in the blink of an eye, landed in the green stone courtyard at the mountain¡¯s peak.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, within a small building on the mountainside.


    In the courtyard of the building, Zhao Sheng stood in front of a wall, his face calm, eyes intently studying it.


    This wall was densely covered with pieces of paper,


    which bore intelligence gathered by the Zhao family.


    It ranged from minor details such as the recent market price fluctuations of talisman, elixir, and refining materials, to major movements within the Elixir Cauldron Sect¡ªcovering all aspects.


    Although the Zhao family had limited strength and most of the intelligence was inconsequential, significant pieces of information were very scarce.


    After summarizing all the information, Zhao Sheng suddenly perceived that the seemingly tranquil Southern Border was on the verge of upheaval due to the Pioneer Wars.

 Chapter 87 - 87: Preparations for the Land-Expansion War (Please Follow)

    Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Preparations for the Land-Expansion War (Please Follow)


    War has always been preceded by the forward movement of supplies before the deployment of troops and horses.


    The news of the territorial expansion war had not yet spread, but in the Jiuding Square of the Southern Border, the prices of resources such as Elixir Pills, talismans, Magic Artifacts, and Arrays had already risen to varying degrees.


    The Zhao family, benefiting from the marriage alliance with the Ge family, became the second wave of families to learn the insider information.


    Zhao Sheng was well aware that the news could not be concealed for long.


    At most a month, at least seven or eight days.


    The message that the Yuye Ancestor wanted to initiate a territorial expansion war would inevitably spread throughout the Southern Border.


    It had been nearly five hundred years since the last territorial expansion war in the Southern Border.


    Zhao Sheng could imagine that when a deliciously enticing big cake was suddenly placed in front of countless Cultivators of the Southern Border, it would definitely attract many participants eager to benefit from the war.


    This would be a joint carnival feast of Sects, Cultivation Families, and Loose Cultivators.


    By that time, there would certainly be some Cultivation Families rising to power by taking advantage of the situation, and some forces would suffer heavy losses, never to recover or even perish.


    War has always been cruel, especially wars within the Cultivation World.


    Demon beasts have an exceptionally strong sense of territory, and Cultivators who want to open up a new fertile land for humanity in the Southern Border must inevitably engage in a protracted, life-and-death war with thousands of demon beasts.


    For the Zhao family, the territorial expansion war was an opportunity that came once in a thousand years.


    Because there is a recognized tradition in the territorial expansion war: Whoever conquers, occupies! Whoever develops, owns.


    In simple terms, if you can occupy a piece of spirit land and successfully develop it,


    Then that piece of spirit land will belong to you.


    The reason for this tradition is that ¡°a single tree does not make a forest.¡±


    Developing a region is never something that one or two people or even one or two forces can easily accomplish.


    Even if the Elixir Cauldron Sect has the strength to do it, choosing to monopolize will provoke public outrage.


    After the Yu Lin Ancestor cut the largest piece of cake, he would often release the remaining scraps for other forces to fight over.


    However, with countless Cultivation Clan and Sect forces in the Southern Border, which forces are chosen to participate at that time will depend on the personal opinion of the Yu Lin Ancestor.


    And this is where the opportunity for the Zhao family lies.


    Before Zhao Xuan¡¯an¡¯s return, he had already taken his wife, Ge Feng¡¯er, back to the Ge family for a visit.


    It was ostensibly a family visit, but in reality, he was gathering intelligence.


    Once any useful information was obtained, it would be immediately sent back to Taifu Mountain.


    The Zhao family had three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, with Zhao Sheng stationed at Taifu Mountain, responsible for summarizing and analyzing intelligence, and issuing various commands to the clan members at any time.


    Zhao Jijian, who was already at the Third Level of Foundation Establishment with the strongest strength, was currently in Nine Tripods Square, purchasing Elixir Pills and various materials for the family while ensuring the safety of clan members and materials. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To covertly gather materials, more than thirty Cultivator clan members of the Zhao family had already dispersed throughout Nine Tripods Square.


    Zhao Keru was immersed in the alchemy room, tirelessly refining Breaking Miasma Pills, Revitalizing Pills, and various other Elixir Pills.


    With the Southern Border Wilderness filled with deep forests and miasmas and Gu Worms, Breaking Miasma Pills are essential Elixir Pills.


    The Revitalizing Pill is a Healing Pill, which goes without saying.


    To gain ownership of a piece of spirit land, the Zhao family was mobilizing all its strength and resources.


    As time went by day after day, countless outdated pieces of intelligence were mercilessly torn down from the wall in front of Zhao Sheng, but even more notes would be put up.


    The day the news of the territorial expansion war thundered throughout the Southern Border, the Zhao family¡¯s preparation of supplies had just barely begun.


    Zhao Sheng was very concerned, not because of a shortage of supplies, but because he had discovered a difficult-to-mend weakness within the family.


    The most important thing was that this weakness could very well decide the final success or failure of the family.


    The next morning, smoke rose from the chimneys of Zhao¡¯an City, a picture of tranquility and peace.


    But within the City Lord Mansion, situated in the center of the inner city, the atmosphere was exceptionally tense, and the servants and maids did not even dare to breathe too loudly.


    Zhao Sheng sat at the head of the main hall, silently observing the seven Zhao family members below him.


    Nearly thirty years after its construction, the Zhao clan had grown from just over three thousand to nearly ten thousand members.


    Yet out of these nearly ten thousand people, only seven had become Innate Martial Artists.


    For the Zhaos, who had built their foundation on martial prowess, this number was rather low.


    Every year, the Zhao family would bestow a good number of Essence Qi Pills, in addition to the many experiences and notes left by the ancestral Innate Martial Artists.


    The Zhao family should not have only seven Innates. In Zhao Sheng¡¯s view, there should be at least a dozen or more.


    The saying goes, ¡°Prosperity breeds complacency, and adversity fosters strength.¡±


    ¡°Alas, it seems the Zhao family has grown slack over the years!¡±


    After Zhao Sheng internally sighed, his expression turned extremely cold.


    He turned his head toward the visibly anxious patriarch of the Zhao¡¯s Mortal Clan and commanded in a cold voice, ¡°I don¡¯t care what methods you use. Within one year, you must gather twenty Innates. If one is missing, someone else will take your place as patriarch!¡±


    Hearing this demanding requirement, the Zhao clan leader, known for his shrewdness and capability, almost burst into tears.


    Innate Grandmasters are not cabbages that one can grow on a whim.


    He was about to beg for leniency but, seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s stern face, he swallowed the words that had come to his mouth and silently nodded instead.


    The Zhao family currently faced a very troublesome weakness.


    A normal Cultivation Family¡¯s strength is usually pyramid-shaped from top to bottom.


    However, the Zhao family¡¯s structure resembled a dumbbell, with a serious scarcity of middle-tier strength in the Qi Refining Late Stage.


    As the older generation of the Zhao family, including Zhao Jinding, passed away one after another, there were only twelve people in the Ke and Chong generations combined, with only two in the Qi Refining Late Stage, six in the middle stage, and the remaining four in the early stage of Qi Refining, not significant enough to be of great use.


    In the Xuan generation, there were nearly thirty members, but the highest in cultivation was Zhao Xuanjing, only at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, followed by Zhao Xuan¡¯an at the Sixth Layer, with the majority around the first and second layers.


    Zhao Sheng had once estimated that among the family¡¯s three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the strongest had but the Third Level Foundation Establishment, and Zhao Keru was not adept at combat.


    For these three to establish a spiritual land was not impossible, but it would be challenging.


    That wasn¡¯t even the worst of it.


    The bigger challenge was how to ensure the spiritual land remained intact under the coveting of outsiders and demon beasts.


    However, the most pressing issue for the Zhao family was the critical shortage of usable manpower.


    To know, establishing a new spiritual land in the Southern Border Wilderness required more than ordinary people; you¡¯d need at least Innate Martial Artists.


    Ordinary humans couldn¡¯t possibly adapt to the extremely harsh environment of the wilderness, where even a small amount of miasma could claim a life, not to mention the savage demon beasts and gu worms.


    Unfortunately, the Zhao family didn¡¯t have deep enough resources compared to other venerable Foundation Establishment Families and couldn¡¯t afford to hire Loose Cultivators to assist.


    Form an alliance with other families?


    Zhao Sheng wouldn¡¯t choose to do so unless it was absolutely necessary.


    Because mutual trust was a major issue.


    You should never underestimate a Cultivation Family¡¯s longing for their own spiritual land.


    Likewise, you couldn¡¯t trust the promises of any family, even if a Blood Covenant was signed.


    In the hierarchically stringent Central Continent Cultivation World, a Cultivation Family without its spiritual land will always dwell at the bottom of the cultivation hierarchy.

 Chapter 88 - 88 Desolate Domain Topographic Map

    Chapter 88: Chapter 88 Desolate Domain Topographic Map


    Dawn broke, with the first pale light of day kissing the horizon.


    Next to the grand entrance of a large estate in the eastern part of Zhao¡¯an City,


    a Blue Dragon Horse nearly ten feet tall, its body covered with scales, tossed its head and swished its tail restlessly as the stable boy tried in vain to calm it, its four large, bowl-sized iron hooves kicking the ground impatiently.


    Sometime later, with a creak, the mansion¡¯s gate was slowly opened by someone, and then a tall, broad-faced middle-aged man with large ears emerged, surrounded by a throng of people.


    ¡°Madam, you should go back,¡± said Zhao Shuo, pulling on the horse¡¯s reins and turning to speak to his wife.


    ¡°My lord, can¡¯t you avoid going? Otherwise, let An¡¯er beg Grandfather. He is a Cultivator, he can surely get you out of this assignment.¡±


    Seeing his wife¡¯s tearful state, Zhao Shuo set his face sternly and said in a grave voice, ¡°Madam, you do not see! Precisely because An¡¯er is a Cultivator, it is all the more reason for me, his father, to go. Besides, it is my inescapable duty to do this for the Zhao Family¡¯s thousand-year foundation.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ what if¡±


    Zhao Shuo waved his hand, cutting off his wife¡¯s words, and said decisively, ¡°There are no ¡®what ifs.¡¯ Even if I die in the Southern Border Wilderness, it will be in service of the family enterprise. That would be¡­ a worthy death.¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Shuo suddenly mounted his horse, pulling the reins to turn the horse around, and looking back at his wife said, ¡°Madam, take care!¡±


    With those words, Zhao Shuo spurred his horse, and the Blue Dragon Horse, pained, reared up on its front hooves before leaping forward.


    ¡°My lord¡­ sob sob!¡±


    Watching her husband¡¯s receding figure, the lady of the Zhao family, who had always lived in luxury, suddenly burst into tears.


    A moment later, Zhao Shuo, mounted on the dragon horse, quickly approached the eastern gate of Zhao¡¯an City.


    By then, he could see silhouettes of twelve people already waiting on the side of the gate, each mounted on a dragon horse.


    Among these figures, most were white-haired elders, with only one like him in the prime of life.


    Upon reaching the gate, Zhao Shuo pulled on his horse¡¯s head, silently joining the group with his Blue Dragon Horse.


    After a while, seven more Innate Martial Artists of the Zhao family arrived from various parts of Zhao¡¯an City.


    Seeing that everyone had arrived, the eldest among them, Zhao Wenxi, suddenly spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Gentlemen, the Zhao family has committed fully to this, so this mission to the Southern Border must succeed¡ªwe cannot afford to fail.


    Additionally, let me remind you once more. Even in death, we, the old bones, must die before the Cultivating members of our family. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Third Master, rest assured!¡±


    ¡°Of course!¡±


    ¡°Haha, Third Brother, we know what¡¯s more important,¡± responded the gathered Innate members of the Zhao family, their expressions varying from solemn to carefree.


    Zhao Wenxi nodded with a smile, then, pulling the reins tightly, he called out, ¡°Depart!¡±


    No sooner had his words fallen than his Blue Dragon Horse surged forward.


    Following his lead, the rest of the Innate Martial Artists of the Zhao family raised their whips and squeezed their mounts¡¯ sides, and twenty-one dragon horses thundered forth, racing toward Taifu Mountain.


    ¡­


    Three days later, beside a secluded pond halfway up the mountain, Zhao Shuo looked down at the two troops of horses gradually disappearing into the distance, his expression as still as an ancient well, silent for a long time.


    Standing beside him, Zhao Xuan¡¯an couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Seventh Uncle, was this all too hasty?¡±


    Zhao Shuo turned to look at the current Family Head of the Zhaos and spoke with a calm tone, ¡°This is a trial, as well as an adjustment. If they can¡¯t even cope with the nearby Ghost Mist Ridge, how will they be of any use in the Southern Border Wilderness¡­¡±


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an, despite not fully agreeing with his Seventh Uncle¡¯s approach, refrained from further questioning.


    Over the past two years, he had stayed with the Ge family to gather intelligence. The more he delved into the intricacies of the war for territorial expansion, the more Zhao Xuan¡¯an soberly realized the brutality of the conflict.


    As harsh and unfeeling as Seventh Uncle¡¯s decision might have seemed, it was indeed the best choice for the family.


    ¡°Xuan¡¯an, you and Feng¡¯er should stay behind this time and remain at Taifu Mountain,¡± he said.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuan¡¯an protested urgently, ¡°How can this be acceptable? With the family currently short on manpower, and both Feng¡¯er and I at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, how can we simply stand by and watch?¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand and said, ¡°Anyone in the family, including myself, may die, but neither of you, husband and wife, can perish. Do you understand?¡±


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an fell silent, grasping the unspoken implications in his Seventh Uncle¡¯s words.


    ¡°Besides, having you two preside over Taifu Mountain is very important for the family. We must cut off the prying eyes of those with ill-intent while also taking care of the younger generation of the Zhao family, the ¡®Xuan¡¯ wards, who are in the first and second layers of Qi Refinement.


    The most crucial thing is that the tremendous responsibility of logistics for the family will also fall on you. Compared to the addition of two more Sixth Level of Qi Refining combatants, aren¡¯t these tasks far more significant?¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Xuan¡¯an nodded in earnest agreement, his heart¡¯s doubts instantly resolving.


    ¡°By the way, when is Feng¡¯er returning?¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly asked.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Zhao Xuan¡¯an replied, ¡°Considering the journey, she should be back soon, at most in a day or two.¡±


    ¡°Mm,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded thoughtfully.


    ¡­


    Two days later, within the green stone courtyard on the summit of Taifu Mountain.


    Zhao Jijian, Zhao Keru, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Xuan¡¯an, and other key members of the Zhao family were all present.


    The reason for this full attendance was because Ge Feng¡¯er had brought back a piece of intelligence of utmost importance. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ge Feng¡¯er, not very tall and exuding a delicate charm, boasted an unexpectedly cheerful and magnanimous personality.


    She stood beside her husband, smiling as she looked at her Zhao family uncles and elders, her presence somehow managing to subtly overshadow Zhao Xuan¡¯an.


    ¡°Feng¡¯er, quickly show us what you¡¯ve brought!¡± urged Zhao Xuan¡¯an.


    Ge Feng¡¯er rolled her eyes at her husband and, with a smile, pulled a crystal ball the size of a human head from her Storage Bag and said, ¡°Respected uncles and elders, I have not failed in my task. I have brought back the True Shadow Ball, which records part of the Desolate Domain¡¯s terrain.¡±


    Afterwards, she took out a scroll, a map, handed it to her husband, and added, ¡°This is a simplified map I copied from our family archives, roughly encompassing the area of this expansion war.¡±


    At her words, Zhao Jijian couldn¡¯t hide his delight, promptly stepping forward to take the Crystal Ball while repeatedly praising, ¡°Feng¡¯er, you¡¯ve done well! You have truly made a significant contribution to the Zhao family. If we succeed this time, you shall be credited with the highest merit!¡±


    ¡°Feng¡¯er dares not claim such credit. Having married into the Zhao family, my duty is to prioritize the family¡¯s interests,¡± Ge Feng¡¯er replied modestly.


    ¡°Well said. An¡¯er is truly fortunate to have you as his wife!¡± Zhao Sheng praised as well.


    ¡°Seventh Uncle, you flatter me. Who made me fall for this casanova back then?¡± Ge Feng¡¯er quipped, casting a sideways glance at her husband.


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an offered an embarrassed smile, a trace of bitterness evident on his face.


    In the brief span of the conversation, Zhao Jijian successfully activated the magic artifact, the True Shadow Ball.


    At that moment, a layer of light emerged on the surface of the Crystal Ball, and shortly after, a lifelike three-dimensional image projected from within the sphere into mid-air.


    The perspective of the image was from high above, as if someone were flying forward at great speed with a Controlling Device, looking down below, capturing every detail of the passing landscape and topology.


    As far as the eye could see, the land below was filled with undulating peaks and hills, valleys and swamps.

 Chapter 89 - 89 Waiting Until Autumn Comes September 8

    Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Waiting Until Autumn Comes September 8


    In the fleeting shimmer of the Floating Light, the towering ancient woods spread across the mountains and hills, with vines intertwining amongst the trees.


    Colorful miasmas not only permeated through the woods but also formed clusters of virulent cloud mist in the upper sky.


    Within the mountains, hills, and dense vegetation, Fierce Beasts and demon birds often appeared and disappeared.


    Moreover, various strange and rare Gu worms would gather and disperse, forming patches of insect clouds that rampaged across the forests and marshes.


    Seeing the rapidly changing images before him, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but smile broadly, knowing that these were the real terrains within the Desolate Domain,


    These images were extremely precious,


    as they were the true memories of a Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    These were captured by the Yuye Ancestor after personally exploring the Desolate Domain, imprinting all that had been seen and heard along the journey onto the True Shadow Ball with powerful Divine Thought.


    Although this True Shadow Ball only contained a copy of the original imprint, it was still a treasure that no ordinary Cultivation Families could obtain.


    After just a short while of observation, Zhao Sheng immediately ordered Zhao Xuan¡¯an to unfold the map.


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an nodded and tossed the map forward.


    The map unfurled slowly, and in an instant, a large map nearly three square meters in size hovered in front of everyone.


    The Zhao Family members approached, looking down upon the spread-out map to see mountains, rivers, forests, marshes all complete, with various names marked on it.


    Only a small portion of the terrain was covered in black, gray, red, yellow, and green colors.


    The very center of the map was dyed a grayish black, revealing an area of mountains marked with the words ¡°Pig Emperor Ridge.¡±


    Ge Feng¡¯er stepped forward, pointed at the map, and introduced, ¡°My uncles, please look. This map covers nearly seven thousand miles. The degree of danger is represented by colors.¡±


    Black denotes absolute Dead Lands, the most dangerous level. Even a Nascent Soul entering it would barely survive.


    Gray areas indicate the presence of Transformed Demons. Following that are red, which represents Golden Core demon beasts, and yellow for Foundation Establishment demon beasts.


    The remaining majority of green areas do not mean absolute safety but stand for the unknown¡ªonly that no Foundation Establishment or higher level demon beasts have been discovered there yet.¡±


    Zhao Sheng carefully examined the map, noticing that the closer to Pig Emperor Ridge, the more red and yellow areas there were. On the contrary, the majority of the green unknown areas were on the edges of the map.


    Without any need for Ge Feng¡¯er to explain further, the Zhao Family members quickly realized that those territories occupied by demon beasts might very well be where the Spirit Veins were located.


    The colors indicating danger levels also often hinted at the rank of the Spirit Veins. The gray Pig Emperor Ridge could very likely contain a Third-rank Spirit Vein, while the yellow areas were likely to be First-rank Spirit Veins, at the very least, they were lands of miscellaneous spirits.


    The areas above red were not for the Zhao Family to covet. Zhao Sheng quickly moved on, his gaze shifting to those yellow areas.


    After carefully considering for a while, Zhao Sheng silently selected a few areas in his mind.


    He looked up, asking the others, ¡°After looking at the map, have you selected any targets for our strategy?¡±


    ¡°I think Yellow Maple Valley is good, with its open terrain, suitable for farming.¡±


    ¡°No, I think Five Dragons River is better. Here, five waters converge naturally forming a dragon¡¯s lair, which is sure to yield heavy treasures.¡±


    ¡°Safety first, the area around Qingsong Mountain is all green, not very dangerous, suitable for our family to conquer.¡±


    After discussing seven or eight locations, Zhao Sheng turned his head to Zhao Jijian and said, ¡°Fourth Master, the True Shadow Ball!¡±


    Hmm,


    Zhao Jijian nodded, manipulated the True Shadow Ball, and as a plethora of light and shadows changed rapidly, the image quickly settled on a gentle terrain covered with red and yellow maple trees in a valley.


    ¡°Hmm, Yellow Maple Valley!¡± Zhao Jijian declared calmly.


    The True Shadow Ball came from the hands of a Nascent Soul Ancestor, and the images were transformed from Divine Sense visions.


    Although Red Maple Valley was just a glimpse in Divine Sense, the resolution was still very high, and the terrain and trees were clearly visible.


    At this moment, Ge Feng¡¯er timely took out a book and quickly flipped through dozens of pages, soon stopping on one page.


    She read aloud, ¡°Yellow Maple Valley, abundant with Spiritual Maple, inhabited by groups of Red-tailed Flying Squirrel demon beasts, currently there¡¯s one Second Order Red-tailed Flying Squirrel.¡±


    Seeing that she didn¡¯t continue, Zhao Sheng asked in surprise, ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s it. The Yuye Ancestor only spoke these few sentences. It seems that in his esteemed eyes, anything below a Second Order Demon Beast isn¡¯t worth mentioning.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt extremely regretful and had no choice but to say, ¡°What does everyone think of Red Maple Valley? For the sake of the family¡¯s great enterprise, please speak your minds freely!¡±


    ¡°I think¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Four hours later, as the sky gradually darkened, the courtyard of the Zhao Family on Taifu Mountain was ablaze with enthusiastic discussions about a certain spirit land, with fierce debates erupting from time to time.


    At this time, three or four yellow regions on the map were already marked with crosses, areas like Red Maple Valley and Five Dragons River were abandoned by the Zhao family due to various flaws.


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the outside sky, then at everyone, and suddenly said, ¡°Let me suggest a place! Lush Peach Mountain, what do you all think?¡± S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As soon as he spoke, everyone immediately quieted down, and Ge Feng¡¯er quickly searched the booklets, reading aloud, ¡°Lush Peach Mountain, countless rotten peaches grow in the mountain, and it is pervaded by peach blossom miasma. A group of long-armed White Apes resides here, with both a male and a female Second Order White Ape, both of which are fierce and belligerent.¡±


    After Zhao Jijian pulled up the image of Lush Peach Mountain, he looked at the large patches of pink miasma clouds drifting over the mountain forests in the picture.


    He couldn¡¯t help frowning and said, ¡°Peach blossom miasma is notorious for its mind-befuddling and intense poison, common Barrier Avoiding Pills might not be effective. Plus, there are two Second Order Demon Apes and an unknown number of White Ape groups. Such a perilous place is hard for the family to handle!¡±


    Hearing his words, Zhao Xuan¡¯an, Zhao Keru, and others nodded one after another, then looked towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng swept his gaze over everyone and said with a smile, ¡°The reason I chose this place is manifold, but mainly for three reasons.


    First, within a circumference of six hundred miles around Lush Peach Mountain, there is a number of First and Second Order spirit lands, indicating that the concentration of Spiritual Energy in this area must be high. Once developed in the future, the surrounding area is bound to become a bustling Cultivation region.


    Second, Lush Peach Mountain has numerous peach trees, and spiritual peaches must be common. This is very similar to Taifu Mountain, which will be very convenient for future relocation, exchange, or transplantation of spiritual peaches.


    Third, I have my eye on¡­¡±


    After Zhao Sheng finished stating the three reasons, Zhao Jijian and others had a brief discussion and decided to temporarily set Lush Peach Mountain as a backup choice, and they would continue discussing to see if there was a more suitable place.


    Zhao Sheng had no dissatisfaction with this. As it was a matter of great importance, it was only right that everyone considered all possibilities.


    If the location was decided too easily with just a few words, Zhao Sheng would actually be disappointed.


    The Zhao family discussed for three full days about where to expand their territory, going over almost all the yellow regions, and finally selected two or three suitable places, including Lush Peach Mountain.


    Next, the Zhao Family members prepared for the expansion into the Desolate Domain, keeping them busy all the time.


    In the face of a major battle between humans and demon beasts, Zhao Sheng dared not take it lightly.


    He mixed twenty-three Cultivators of the Zhao Family who were above the Third Layer of Qi Refining and twenty-one Innate Martial Artists into three squads, and subjected them to strict training using the methods of secular military forces.


    A month later, just as the Zhao Family members were being drilled to the point of exhaustion by Zhao Sheng, a sudden message arrived from the Ge family at Taifu Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng looked at Ge Feng¡¯er, who had voluntarily come over, and asked, ¡°Has the date for the expansion war been set?¡±


    Ge Feng¡¯er nodded.


    ¡°When is it?¡±


    ¡°Wait until the eighth day of the ninth month in autumn!¡±

 Chapter 90 - 90 Huan Niang Wishes to Draw Down the Tribulation

    Chapter 90: Chapter 90 Huan Niang Wishes to Draw Down the Tribulation


    On the eighth day of the ninth lunar month, the Northern Land was already a sea of blooming golden chrysanthemums, a time when frost slays all grass.


    Here in the Southern Border, only a slight drop in temperature occurred, and it remained extremely hot and humid.


    Early this morning, the streets of Jiuding Square were completely sealed off, and no idle persons were allowed to travel, while high above the workshop, a huge and splendid three-tiered palace floated in the sky.


    The palace was ancient and majestic in style, with a base diameter of over a hundred zhang, the lower part having more than twenty holes, from which thick gun barrels protruded, and it was enveloped in a thick white light shield, dotted with countless mysterious runes flickering and moving.


    Around this flying palace, there were seven or eight large magical artifacts of various sizes, including Cloud Boats and mountain peaks, as well as flying magical treasures styled like seashells. The largest of them was nearly a hundred zhang long, and the smallest was over thirty zhang.


    Flags with big characters such as Shen, Chen, Liu, and Zhang were planted on these large and medium flying artifacts, each character signifying a powerful Golden Core Family.


    At this moment, there were also many smaller-sized Cloud Boats encircling them, usually belonging to weaker Foundation Establishment Families.


    From time to time, new Cloud Boats or other shaped flying artifacts from all directions converged here.


    By noon, the sky above Jiuding Square was already densely packed, and at this moment, the Zhao family¡¯s ten-zhang-long small Cloud Boat also quietly joined the throng.


    Taking advantage of the fact that they had not yet set off,


    Zhao Jijian, the one in the Zhao family with the widest connections and strongest power, immediately went to visit the other Cultivation Families nearby.


    One reason was to take the opportunity to exchange intelligence, confirm individual targets, and avoid selecting the same targets as other families as much as possible.


    The second was to establish a temporary alliance for mutual assistance and benefit in case of future dangers.


    No cultivators are fools, and the Zhao family¡¯s plans are actually what most families are also thinking.


    So there was no need for Zhao Jijian to make the proposal; some ¡°enthusiastic¡± Cultivation Families had taken the initiative to organize it beforehand.


    An hour later, Zhao Jijian returned to the family¡¯s Cloud Boat with a somber expression.


    The small Cloud Boat was only ten zhang in length, and with nearly fifty Zhao Clan Members sitting inside, it became very cramped.


    Even for Zhao Sheng and Zhao Keru, both Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the situation was hardly better, just slightly more spacious.


    On the second deck of the Cloud Boat, Zhao Jijian sighed as soon as he saw Zhao Sheng, ¡°Chonghe, this time it¡¯s a bit tricky!¡±


    Zhao Sheng asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Don¡¯t tell me the place we¡¯ve set our sights on is also coveted by other families?¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Zhao Jijian nodded.


    ¡°Heh, isn¡¯t all this within our expectations? There are only so many spirit lands in the Desolate Domain, it¡¯s not surprising that a certain place caught the eye of multiple families at the same time.¡±


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s unconcerned demeanor, Zhao Jijian was both surprised and anxious.


    Although he had lived over a century, he was far from matching Zhao Sheng¡¯s skill in cultivating serenity.


    ¡°Chonghe, just now at least two old Foundation Establishment Families have declared that they are resolute in obtaining the spirit lands of Shilan Mountain and Flame Ridge. After hearing this, are you not worried?¡±


    Zhao Sheng chuckled, ¡°What use is worrying? Besides, there¡¯s truth within falsehoods, and falsehoods within truth. What others say might not necessarily be true; it could just be a ruse. No one reveals their hand until it¡¯s time to show the real deal, right?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian was taken aback and then inwardly ashamed, scolding himself for being so confused with worry that he failed to see as clearly as the younger generation.


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng then asked, ¡°Fourth Master, have you got any information about Lush Peach Mountain?¡±


    Zhao Jijian shook his head, ¡°No, so far no family has made a claim to it.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s lips tightened, his eyes reflecting deep thought.


    ¡°Chonghe, do you suspect someone has also set their sights on Lush Peach Mountain in secret?¡± Zhao Jijian asked tentatively.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s tone grew heavier as he pondered, ¡°We don¡¯t have enough intelligence to make a solid analysis. But we¡¯d better prepare in advance, just in case.¡± S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While Zhao Sheng and the others were racking their brains over the affairs of their family, an uninvited guest arrived unexpectedly at the Pig Emperor Ridge deep within the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.


    Under the scorching sun, the sky above Pig Emperor Ridge was a brilliant azure, clear of any clouds.


    Suddenly, a space a hundred feet high in the upper sky twisted slightly, and a delicate and exquisite figure stepped out from the void.


    This figure, only three feet tall with skin as fair as jade, and a lithe figure, graced with a perfect and flawless face, was enough to bewitch all living beings.


    ¡°Yah! Who is this? How dare you¡­ ah, Lady Qian Huan!!¡±


    Following a heaven-shaking roar, a burly man with the head of a pig and a body as sturdy as a mountain, wrapped in black demon winds, took to the sky in a single breath. He had bellowed only half a sentence at the newcomer before cutting himself off abruptly.


    ¡°Hehe, Little Three, it¡¯s been hundreds of years. Have you forgotten Huan Niang?¡± Huan Niang spoke seductively with a charming smile.


    Lady Qian Huan, also known as Lady Huan Die, was originally a Seventh Rank Thousand Illusion Spirit Butterfly.


    She was one of the four Great Demon Kings of the Southern Border¡¯s Ten Thousand Great Mountains and was quite famous in the Central Continent Cultivation World.


    ¡°Lady Qian Huan, I beg your pardon! Even if Little Zhu forgot his dad, he would never dare forget your grace! May I know the purpose of Lady¡¯s visit to Pig Emperor Ridge?¡± Zhu Sanju¡¯s face was all smiles as he repeatedly bowed and scraped.


    The big man named Zhu Sanju was a Sixth-Order Pig Demon, originally an ancient exotic species, the Giant Toothed Pig.


    From the time a demon beast forms its Demon Core, its grade is equivalent to that of a Golden Core Master. Third, fourth, and fifth grade correspond to the early, middle, and late stages of Golden Core respectively.


    However, a Sixth-rank Demon Beast doesn¡¯t correspond to a Perfect Golden Core but to the False Infant Realm.


    Two hundred years ago, under Pig Emperor¡¯s guidance, Zhu Sanju practiced the partial Sky Demon Transformation Technique, allowing him to shed his demon body, refine his Horizontal Bone, and transform into this form.


    However, as he didn¡¯t genuinely pass the Transformation Tribulation, Zhu Sanju¡¯s transformation was incomplete, still retaining a pig¡¯s head.


    Huan Niang¡¯s gaze shifted, and she suddenly asked, ¡°Has Elder Pig Emperor not awakened yet?¡±


    Zhu Sanju¡¯s eyes darted around as he laughed obsequiously, ¡°That¡¯s right! The elder is sleeping soundly and shouldn¡¯t be disturbed. If Lady doesn¡¯t have urgent business, it¡¯s best not to wake the elder. Pig Emperor gets very irritated when woken up by others, and if he gets angry, it would be unfortunate if Lady were to get hurt.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, you go ahead and wake Pig Emperor. If anything happens, I will take responsibility.¡±


    ¡°Ah, alright then! This little demon will go now, Lady, please wait a moment.¡±


    Lady Qian Huan¡¯s charm was astonishing, leaving Zhu Sanju dare not argue or look at her again. He shrank his neck, agreed, and disappeared into a black wind, hurrying down from the high sky.


    As he approached the ground, he suddenly flipped upside down and plunged headfirst into the earth, with a smooth and dust-free motion.


    Then,


    Boom, boom!


    The rolling hills of Pig Emperor Ridge began to shake suddenly, the vast ground swelling unpredictably and cracking open with countless unfathomable chasms.


    In an instant, an area of earth more than ten miles across began to rise rapidly.


    And just then, for some reason, the sky that had been clear suddenly condensed with thick black clouds out of nowhere,


    In that moment, thunder rumbled, lightning flashed, and a very distinct aura of destruction swiftly spread in all directions above and below.


    Seeing the black clouds forming overhead, Huan Niang¡¯s face turned pale, and her form flickered at great speed, vanishing into the void in an instant.


    These black clouds were an omen of an impending Heavenly Tribulation. And Heavenly Tribulation was the absolute bane of all demon creatures.


    Even a Seventh Rank Great Demon feared Heavenly Tribulation like a deadly poison, afraid of being caught off-guard and enveloped by the tribulation thunder.

 Chapter 91 - 91 Yu Ye Makes Her First Appearance and War is Like a Play

    Chapter 91: Chapter 91 Yu Ye Makes Her First Appearance and War is Like a Play


    Having seen the tribulation cloud, Huan Niang finally realized why the Pig Emperor had secluded himself at Pig Emperor Ridge for the past three hundred years, always in a deep slumber.


    It was to avoid the heavenly tribulation that was afflicting him.


    Fortunately, the tribulation cloud appeared swiftly and disappeared just as quickly!


    Two breaths later, the vast black clouds quickly dispersed, and the sky turned clear and serene once again in the blink of an eye.


    Suddenly,


    a rich voice sounded simultaneously in the ears of Huan Niang and Roc King, ¡°So it is Lady Qian Huan. Please come up to the ridge! I am currently somewhat indisposed.¡±


    The next second, Huan Niang stepped out from the void and reappeared at the top of the ridge.


    ¡°Pig Emperor, your servant Huan Die pays her respects!¡± Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, the ground below trembled slightly, and that rich voice emerged from the thick layers of soil, ¡°Hehe, it¡¯s been hundreds of years, and your cultivation has indeed progressed, Huan Niang. This emperor is very pleased!


    Yet, you are not dominating Flowers Valley but visiting my Pig Emperor Ridge today. What brings you here?¡±


    After performing a side courtesy, Huan Niang sincerely said, ¡°Could it be that the Pig Emperor does not know that the group of Human Cultivators are about to attack our doorstep.¡±


    ¡°So what if I know it? What difference does it make if I don¡¯t?¡±


    The light in Huan Niang¡¯s eyes shifted, her tone slightly urgent, ¡°Pig Emperor, your territory is right at the entrance of Ten Thousand Great Mountains. If we allow the Human Clan to attack, it could lead to another catastrophe.


    The Human Clan from Central Continent is powerful. Our Demon Clan is now cornered, barely surviving. If this continues, in a few hundred to a thousand years, there may be no place left for Demons in Central Continent.


    For the future of the Demon Clan, and for the countless little demons to have a chance to live, I implore the Pig Emperor to teach the Human Clan a profound lesson.¡±


    As soon as her words fell, the ground shook unceasingly, and the Pig Emperor laughed heartily, ¡°Haha, the youngsters always say Lady Qian Huan is eloquent. Today, this emperor has finally witnessed it. But look at me, do I look like I can lift a finger in my current state?¡±


    Huan Niang, upon hearing this, bit her lip unwillingly, her appearance pitiful.


    After thinking for a moment, she tested, ¡°Since the Pig Emperor is indisposed, may I act on your behalf? When the time comes, I hope you won¡¯t blame me for being ruthless.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! Huan Niang, feel free to act! I won¡¯t feel sorry for the death of countless little demons within my territory. But one thing, don¡¯t deceive my clan, especially that Zhu Sanju, who loses his sense in the face of beauty.¡±


    Conveniently at that moment, Zhu Sanju stealthily emerged from the ground, his head tilted upwards staring fixedly under Huan Niang¡¯s skirt, his face lustfully piggish, saliva dripping from his mouth unknowingly.


    Huan Niang chuckled charmingly, her allure radiating as she said, ¡°Rest assured, Pig Emperor, I will not cast the Illusion Dream Enchanting Technique on him.¡±


    Shortly thereafter, Huan Niang achieved her purpose and departed contentedly.


    When Pig Emperor Ridge was deserted, a voice suddenly sounded in the sky: ¡°Are you satisfied now?¡±


    Before the voice faded, a young Taoist, unmatched in grace and beauty, instantly appeared on Pig Emperor Ridge.


    ¡°Satisfied. I have felt the sincerity of Elder Pig Emperor!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, where is what you promised me?¡±


    The young Taoist smiled slightly, and with a flick of his wrist, an exotic leather scroll appeared in his palm.


    At the same time, he spoke, ¡°Here is the other half of the Heavenly Demon Refining Technique scroll. Just as the Pig Emperor had promised, once you receive this technique, you will instantly relinquish these seven thousand miles of the Desolate Domain. For prudence, I implore you, Pig Emperor, to make a True Spirit Oath!¡±


    ¡°Yu Ye, this emperor isn¡¯t like you humans, going back on words! Since you young man don¡¯t trust, I¡¯ll make a True Spirit Oath!¡±


    ¡°I, Zhu Chongshan, swear by the ancient True Spirit and bloodline of Chongshan Pig, upon receiving this¡­ If violated, may I suffer bloodline backfire and perish by shattering spirit from heavenly thunder!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, are you reassured now?¡±


    Yuye Ancestor, the newly ascended Nascent Soul Cultivator, bowed slightly, apologetically, ¡°Please understand, Elder Pig Emperor, I am compelled to do so. After all, our races differ, making it hard to trust one another without guarantees.¡±


    Speaking, he casually tossed the Heavenly Demon Ancient Scroll onto the ground.


    As soon as the scroll left his hand, it was swept away by a gust of black wind and disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.


    A moment later, the satisfied voice of the Pig Emperor resonated between heaven and earth, ¡°Good! Yu Ye, you indeed did not lie to this old pig.¡±


    Yu Ye smiled and said, ¡°How dare I deceive the Pig Emperor. You are, after all, close to achieving a True Spirit body as a Ninth Rank Demon King. My Elixir Cauldron Sect cannot afford a thunderous fury from an elder like you.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! You don¡¯t need to flatter me, I have already said I would not interfere, and I will not set hidden traps. You should worry more about Huan Niang, that young lady. She harbors a deep hatred towards the Human Clan!¡±


    Yu Ye replied indifferently, ¡°Since I dared to initiate the expansion war, I naturally took precautions against Lady Qian Huan. Although she is extremely difficult to deal with, she is not without weaknesses. I have already come up with a complete strategy.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, this old pig couldn¡¯t care less about you handling these juniors¡¯ messy affairs. You may go ahead and attack the Desolate Domain, but as for Pig Emperor Ridge, it must wait until I have undergone my True Spirit Tribulation.¡±


    Yu Ye said, ¡°I am not in a rush momentarily. However, to stop the gossip of the world, I still request that the Pig Emperor and Wu put on a few acts when we meet.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just acting, very simple! Little Three, come out.¡±


    Before the words faded, a pig-headed humanoid, Zhu Sanju, suddenly burst out of the ground, riding on black winds, and flew opposite Yu Ye Ancestor.


    He respectfully shouted towards the rising ground, ¡°My lord, what are your commands?¡±


    ¡°Little Three, go play a few rounds with him!¡± The rumble of heaven and earth rose again.


    ¡°Hehe, I will obey my lord¡¯s orders!¡± Upon hearing this, Zhu Sanju instantly responded with a joyful smile.


    ¡­


    In the late afternoon, once all factions involved in the territorial war had gathered.


    The defense light shield on the surface of the central floating palace flickered on and off nine times.


    This was like a signal!


    Subsequently, the floating palace slowly ascended into the Sky Gang atmosphere layer, with nearby Cloud Boats and other Flying Artifacts following it like fish.


    Suddenly, the floating palace burst from slow to fast, exploding a ring of sonic boom clouds, and swiftly cut through the atmospheric clouds, rushing towards the southwest horizon.


    The flying crafts behind quickly activated and chased after it one after another.


    Due to different flying speeds, a long torrent was rapidly pulled across the sky in a short moment.


    Zhao Sheng, who was aboard a smaller Cloud Boat with lower performance, was left behind in the last wave from the beginning.


    He did not mind this.


    While those who arrive first can seize the initiative, the true victor of a war is always the one who has the last laugh.


    A day later, the journey of five thousand miles was completed.


    As the sunrise gradually ascended, Zhao Sheng stood at the bow, looking down upon the earth.


    At this time, traces of human activity on the surface of the earth were gradually becoming scarce, until they finally disappeared altogether.


    In their place were endless rolling hills and gray-green wild ancient forests, while demon beast-carrying Gu Clouds started appearing more frequently in the field of view.


    Gazing out, Zhao Sheng felt an endless, savage, and brutal Barbaric atmosphere rushing towards him, infecting him, and miraculously, his usually calm mind began to feel wild.


    At this point, Cloud Boats and other Flying Artifacts began to break away from the formation, dispersing towards various parts of the Desolate Domain.


    Some flew alone, while others in groups of twos and threes.

 Chapter 92 - 92 Encountering Obstacles at Flame Ridge, Heading to Lush Peach Mountain

    Chapter 92: Chapter 92 Encountering Obstacles at Flame Ridge, Heading to Lush Peach Mountain


    Approximately an hour later, the entire convoy had become thin and scattered. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, Zhao Jijian approached Zhao Sheng, took out a map and spread it open before inquiring, ¡°Which location shall we head to first?¡±


    The Zhao family had previously selected Shilan Mountain, Flame Ridge, and Lush Peach Mountain as targets, but had not made a final decision.


    They needed to conduct an on-site survey first to truly determine which spirit land was most suitable for their Zhao family.


    Zhao Sheng immediately said, ¡°Let¡¯s go to Flame Ridge first, then to Lush Peach Mountain. The two places are conveniently on a straight line.¡±


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll head to Flame Ridge first.¡±


    Shortly after, the prow of Zhao¡¯s Cloud Boat suddenly veered, and the vessel sharply turned seventy degrees, quickly breaking away from the team and flying towards the eastern horizon.


    An hour later, a distance of six hundred li had been left behind.


    It was then that Zhao Jijian suddenly shouted, ¡°Chongwei, someone is following us!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng turned around to look back.


    His eyes slightly squinted, he could faintly see a speck in the distant horizon, intermittently visible.


    After observing for a while, Zhao Sheng confirmed that it was a small-sized Cloud Boat similar in size and length to the one under his feet.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind it; it could just be someone passing by.¡±


    As Zhao Sheng spoke these words, on the Cloud Boat behind them, there were people discussing the Zhao family.


    Shen Zhenghui, with an aged face, looked at the family¡¯s Foundation Establishment Cultivators and asked, ¡°Uncle, shall we just keep tailing them like this?¡±


    Shen Yangao was one of the only two Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Shen Family, having reached Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.


    He kept his eyes on the Cloud Boat ahead as he spoke, ¡°Taifu Mountain¡¯s Zhao family has recently become in-laws with Elixir Saint Ge Family. They surely know many details we are unaware of. Instead of blindly choosing a place, it¡¯s better to follow the Zhao family. The spirit land they pick must be excellent.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that makes sense!¡±


    ¡°Moreover, I have already inquired clearly. The two highest in cultivation among the Zhao¡¯s Mid-stage Foundation Establishment members are only at third layer realm. There¡¯s no need for the Great Elder to make a move; I alone can handle it.¡±


    Shen Yangao was unaware that the Zhao family had a third Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Zhao Sheng had been staying in the secret mansion of Heavenly Pillar Mountain after reaching Foundation Establishment, only returning to Taifu Mountain recently due to the territory expansion war. Because he had intentionally kept a low profile, outsiders had no idea that the Zhao family was hiding a third Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows began to furrow, the Cloud Boat that had been persistently following behind could no longer be explained as a mere coincidence.


    After pondering for a moment, he suddenly raised his voice and commanded, ¡°Uncle Ru, reduce speed! Everyone, on alert!¡±


    The Cloud Boat promptly decelerated, and Zhao Clan Members began drawing out their flying swords, hard crossbows, and other weapons, their expressions instantly becoming serious.


    Beside him, Zhao Jijian said coldly, ¡°Are you planning to confront those following us?¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied in a stern voice, ¡°Let¡¯s go up and say hello first; we¡¯ll make a decision after assessing the situation!¡±


    Meanwhile,


    ¡°Uncle, the Zhao family has slowed down.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal; let¡¯s just go meet them.¡±


    Moments later, the Cloud Boats of the Shens and Zhaos stood a hundred zhang apart in the upper sky, facing each other.


    Zhao Sheng stayed behind while Zhao Jijian stepped forward to the bow, commanding the Red Rainbow Sword, flying to the middle between both boats, and proclaimed loudly, ¡°Taifu Mountain¡¯s Zhao family is here. May I know which honorable guests are on the opposite side?¡±


    ¡°Haha, the Shen Family of Southern Mountain. Shen Yangao has the pleasure of meeting Taoist Zhao,¡± Shen Yangao laughed heartily as he leapt from his Cloud Boat, meeting them.


    Zhao Jijian asked in a solemn tone, ¡°Why is your distinguished family following the Zhao¡¯s?¡±


    ¡°Tracking? Ha, what a joke! The sky is so vast, and my Shen Family will fly as we please. How does it concern the Zhao Family?¡± Shen Yangao sneered in response.


    Zhao Jijian paused, then said, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, how about your esteemed family takes the lead and heads out first?¡±


    Huh?!


    Upon hearing this, a flash of cold light crossed Shen Yangao¡¯s eyes as he asked in a cold voice, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Nothing much, just that our Cloud Boat has encountered a small problem and needs to stop for a bit of repair,¡± Zhao Jijian said with an unwavering tone.


    After hearing this, Shen Yangao¡¯s expression fluctuated uncertainly as he hovered in the air, not speaking immediately.


    At this moment, Zhao Keru suddenly flew out from the Cloud Boat and hurried over to stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhao Jijian.


    Facing two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Shen Yangao¡¯s face turned fierce, ready to make a move.


    Suddenly, his figure paused, and he tilted his head to listen carefully.


    A few breaths later, Shen Yangao nodded his head and then, without hesitation, turned around and flew back to the Cloud Boat.


    Shortly after, the Shen Family¡¯s Cloud Boat increased its speed, swiftly surpassing the Zhao family¡¯s and soared towards the horizon.


    Back on the Cloud Boat, Zhao Jijian immediately found Zhao Sheng and asked with bewilderment, ¡°What exactly is the Shen Family up to, slipping away silently all of a sudden? Could we have guessed wrong?¡±


    Zhao Sheng did not answer immediately,


    After making a mark on the map, he smiled and said, ¡°Fourth Master, we¡¯ve been a bit careless this time. Look here,¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng drew a straight line on the map and explained, ¡°After breaking away from the group, we¡¯ve been flying straight towards Flame Ridge. Our current location is less than two hundred miles from Flame Ridge. It wouldn¡¯t take much for them to deduce our destination.¡±


    Zhao Jijian leaned over to look and saw that they were indeed very close to Flame Ridge.


    His expression tensed and he said immediately, ¡°Then what are we waiting for? Let¡¯s hurry up and catch up! Don¡¯t let the Shen Family get there first.¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, ¡°No need to chase. We¡¯ll give up on Flame Ridge for now and head straight to Lush Peach Mountain. Flame Ridge has an Earth Fire Vein, which is immensely useful for both Alchemy and Artifact Refining.


    The target is too obvious, and it won¡¯t be easy for the Shen Family to take it. Right now, who knows how many families are waiting to swoop in like opportunistic fishermen. It wouldn¡¯t hurt for us to play the role of those fishermen as well.¡±


    ¡­


    An hour later, the Zhao¡¯s Cloud Boat flew through the thick clouds, and below the cloud layer was a reddish-brown mountain peak with sparse vegetation and a ring-shaped valley in the center.


    By this time, the Shen Family¡¯s Cloud Boat had already landed on the summit of this extinct volcano.


    After passing Flame Ridge, the Cloud Boat flew for about another four hundred miles.


    Zhao Sheng peered down and saw clumps of pink clouds rising intermittently from the mountain ridges ahead.


    Ah, Lush Peach Mountain at last!


    Just then, the Cloud Boat suddenly descended from the heavens, landing in a valley about twenty miles away from Lush Peach Mountain.


    Upon touching down, the Zhao Clan Members didn¡¯t need Zhao Sheng¡¯s instruction; they immediately jumped from the Cloud Boat and set about establishing a temporary camp based on the prearranged plan.


    Zhao Chongwei, at the Qi Refining Seventh Level, led a team of Innate Martial Artists to hunt in the nearby forest and scout the surroundings.


    Zhao Xuanjing, at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, together with a few Qi Refining Clan Members, quickly found a stable rock wall and activated the Stone to Mud Technique to begin digging and carving out a cave.


    Zhao Xuanjing had spent nearly twenty years digging and constructing cave mansions on Heavenly Pillar Mountain and was now akin to a master of cave digging. Constructing a temporary cave mansion was like child¡¯s play to him.


    In just four hours, as dusk fell, a cave mansion with more than twenty stone rooms complete with a main hall and storage was constructed.


    After the Zhao family members moved into the cave mansion, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian quickly set up an alert Array around the perimeter of the dwelling.

 Chapter 93 - 93 I Really Dont Want to be a Fisherman

    Chapter 93: Chapter 93 I Really Don¡¯t Want to be a Fisherman


    A night passed without incident.


    Early the next morning, Zhao Sheng instructed everyone else to rest and stay on standby in the cave mansion.


    Then, he, along with Zhao Jijian and Zhao Xuanjing, quietly made their way toward Lush Peach Mountain.


    War is a battle of intelligence.


    Before attacking Lush Peach Mountain, the Zhao family had to thoroughly scout the situation within the mountain.


    Half an hour later, they arrived at Lush Peach Mountain.


    Looking at the splendidly colored peach blossom miasma before them, the three men wisely stopped in their tracks.


    Zhao Sheng took out a Storage Bag and handed it to Zhao Xuanjing.


    Inside the Storage Bag were various talismans such as the Invisibility Talisman, Concentrating God Talisman, Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, Thousand Silk Sword Rain Talisman, and others.


    Zhao Sheng asked with concern, ¡°Xuanjing, are you sure there¡¯s no problem?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing patted the spirit worm bag at his waist, and a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm about seventy feet long, resembling a giant python, instantly landed on the ground near the three men.


    As soon as the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm appeared, it affectionately curled around Zhao Xuanjing.


    Zhao Xuanjing patted the head of the spirit earthworm and smiled at Zhao Sheng, ¡°Uncle Seven, with Xiao Qi here, I¡¯m very safe!¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, knowing he wasn¡¯t boasting.


    Previously, Zhao Xuanjing had insisted on bringing Xiao Qi back, which indeed brought a huge surprise to the Zhao family.


    Zhao Xuanjing and the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm coordinated seamlessly, unexpectedly exhibiting the ¡°Earth Escape Divine Ability,¡± allowing them to travel freely through the soil without hindrance.


    The usefulness of the Earth Escape Divine Ability goes without saying.


    Across the entire Zhao family, including the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Zhao Xuanjing was the unequivocal choice for scouting Lush Peach Mountain.


    ¡°Fourth Ancestor, Uncle Seven, I¡¯m off!¡±


    After making this announcement, Zhao Xuanjing hugged the neck of the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm, and a faint yellow glow surfaced on both the man and the insect.


    At that moment, the nearby ground suddenly became as soft as water, and abruptly, Zhao Xuanjing with Xiao Qi sunk into the ground.


    The ground quickly returned to normal, and the spot where they had been was now empty.


    Zhao Sheng whispered a few words to Zhao Jijian, after which Zhao Jijian remained at the spot to keep watch. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng then swallowed a Breaking Miasma Pill, hid his form, and retracted his spirit, before secretly flying high into the sky to survey the entirety of Lush Peach Mountain.


    Lush Peach Mountain was only a couple to three hundred feet tall, with gentle rolling hills, three mountain peaks, two valleys, and an area close to a hundred miles.


    True to its name, Lush Peach Mountain was covered with peach trees.


    Due to the lack of harvesting, the ground was littered with rotten and decayed peaches.


    Years of fallen peach blossoms, tree leaves, and branches had accumulated a thick layer of organic matter on the ground.


    After fermenting, this layer, mixed with the rotten peaches, gradually produced clumps of highly poisonous and spirit-bewitching peach blossom miasma.


    Day by day, Lush Peach Mountain gradually became enveloped in thick peach blossom miasma, so that very few insects or beasts ventured there, apart from the group of Mutant White Apes that enjoyed the peaches and were immune to the miasma.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng stood in the sky a hundred feet above, gazing down at the peach forest below, clearly seeing many White Apes with unusually long arms playing and chasing each other,


    These White Apes were robust, mostly around five feet tall, but a few exceeded seven or eight feet.


    They were agile, moving as swiftly as the wind.


    What surprised Zhao Sheng even more was that these Mutant White Apes had a skilled technique in throwing, hitting whatever they aimed at with uncanny accuracy.


    Broken stones, peach pits, and even their feces became their projectiles.


    From the sounds of breaking wind and the ease with which they snapped branches, Zhao Sheng was certain of the remarkable strength of the Mutant White Apes. Even the weakest among them had an arm strength exceeding a thousand pounds.


    After surveying the three mountain peaks, Zhao Sheng felt inwardly alarmed; he had carefully counted several times and found that there were over a hundred Mutant White Apes, with at least ten above seven feet tall.


    From his initial observations, White Apes over seven feet tall had a combat power comparable to that of the Qi Refining Middle Stage, and there were a few exceeding nine feet that could match the average Qi Refining Late Stage.


    Furthermore, he had not spotted any Second-Order White Apes, only a stone cave beneath a cliff in the middle valley, surrounded by scattered white bones.


    If he hadn¡¯t guessed wrong, this cave was likely the dwelling of the two Second-Order White Apes.


    Zhao Sheng did not hastily sneak into the stone cave to scout, but returned to Zhao Jijian instead.


    About half an hour later, a layer of yellow light suddenly emerged from the ground in front of them, and in the blink of an eye, Zhao Xuanjing rose from underground, holding the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm in his arms.


    ¡°Uncle Qi, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s talk back at the camp!¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly interrupted.


    Soon after, the three returned to the temporary camp cave.


    In the stone room, after the three of them sat down, Zhao Xuanjing couldn¡¯t wait to relay the intelligence he had gathered in detail.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s guess was right; the two Second-Order White Apes were indeed hiding inside the stone cave and had not come out.


    To his great surprise, the female ape was actually pregnant.


    This was indeed great news.


    After becoming pregnant, a demon beast¡¯s strength usually diminishes significantly.


    Zhao Sheng had been worried about how to capture the two Second-Order White Apes, but now he wouldn¡¯t miss this godsent opportunity.


    He made a snap decision to wait for the male ape to leave and be alone before Xuanjing, along with all the clan members who practiced the Earth Element Technique, would cast spells to shake and collapse the passage, temporarily sealing the stone cave.


    He, Zhao Jijian, and Zhao Keru would then jointly attack the Second-Order male ape, striving to achieve victory in one battle.


    However, plans never keep up with changes, and before Zhao Sheng could act, his plan was rendered useless.


    That¡¯s because another unwelcome group of visitors arrived at Lush Peach Mountain that afternoon.


    ¡­


    As the sun set, Zhao Sheng stood on the branch of an ancient tree, looking out at Lush Peach Mountain from a distance.


    At that moment, a vermilion dragon-carved Cloud Boat was circling above Lush Peach Mountain, looking very arrogant as it blatantly surveilled the mountain.


    After observing for a moment, Zhao Xuanjing, who was beside him, asked in surprise, ¡°Uncle Qi, are these clan people stupid or what?¡±


    Zhao Sheng chuckled and said, ¡°Perhaps they¡¯re not stupid, but just accustomed to arrogance. Judging by the style of the Cloud Boat, this clan should not be local to the Southern Border but from the Cultivation World of the Ten Kingdoms. The demon beasts of the Ten Kingdoms are nearly extinct, so the cultivators there have probably forgotten the terror of the Desolate Domain¡¯s demon beasts.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing scratched his chin and asked, ¡°Then are we still going to take action?¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed and said, ¡°Why not let someone else rush to be the cannon fodder? We¡¯re not in a hurry; let¡¯s watch the play first.¡±


    ¡°Oh, then I¡¯ll go back and inform everyone.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead!¡±


    After Zhao Xuanjing left, Zhao Sheng continued to quietly observe the activity at Lush Peach Mountain.


    The newcomers weren¡¯t completely foolish either; they knew to scout the surroundings in advance.


    Now, the careful approach taken by Zhao Sheng earlier proved its worth.


    With the Zhao family¡¯s camp hidden inside a cave and their tracks deliberately concealed, the people from the other clan had no chance of discovering another power hidden within a valley twenty miles away.


    One day later, the war between the new forces and the White Ape tribe of Lush Peach Mountain started with a hail of fire raining down from the sky.


    Standing atop a mountain about ten miles southwest of Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Keru, and Zhao Jijian, three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, stood side by side.


    The three gazed solemnly at the rising flames and dust from Lush Peach Mountain, watching as the cultivators in red robes fearlessly leaped from the Cloud Boat like dumplings dropping into water, charging into the midst of the White Ape tribe.


    Who knew reality would fall so far short of expectation.


    The group of White Apes was too fast, too agile.


    Sometimes a spell would be cast and they would have already leaped far away by the time it landed.


    Flying swords and knives fell like rain, yet they continually missed their targets.


    Some spells, like fiery orbs and golden swords, were often scattered by stones hurled at them.


    This group of cultivators had barely boasted when they were variously scratched, bitten, knocked flying, or even smashed until their bones fractured, retreating one after another.

 Chapter 94 - 94: Run for Your Life

    Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Run for Your Life


    Listening to the roars and screams coming from Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Sheng spoke softly, ¡°Luckily we didn¡¯t rush to make the first move.¡±


    ¡°Indeed! Who would have thought these White Apes were so fierce,¡± Zhao Keru also said with lingering fear.


    However, Zhao Jijian said, ¡°The outcome of this battle is not yet decided, the key lies in whether that family¡¯s Foundation Establishment Cultivator can subdue the Second-Order White Ape King. Look, the White Ape King has appeared.¡±


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Keru both looked in the direction he indicated.


    At this moment, a huge White Ape burst out from the stone cave.


    It was fifteen feet tall, with bulging muscles like Jingang, and two exceptionally strong arms that looked like thick stone pillars.


    Most notable was that the White Ape King was dragging a nine-foot long, thigh-thick club in its right hand, the surface of which was pockmarked and covered with thick coagulated blood and flesh, obscuring its original texture.


    After emerging from the stone cave, the White Ape King raised its head and roared angrily, suddenly bending its body and leaping up seventy to eighty feet high. Swinging the giant club in its hand, it brought forth a pitiful howl and smashed it down towards a red-robed elder hanging midair.


    The red-robed elder was the Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the family, and at that moment, he was controlling a Spirit Fire Gourd, releasing a great expanse of scarlet rain of fire that scorched the White Ape group below, burning their fur and flesh as they scattered and fled.


    The elder, caught off guard, only realized that a Second-Order White Ape was hidden among the group when the giant club was upon him.


    In shock, he instinctively raised the Spirit Fire Gourd above his head.


    Boom!


    A loud thunderous noise erupted, and instantly, fiery sparks flew in all directions. The elder was knocked flying, smashed into the ground, and instantly created a shallow pit where he lay, continuously spitting blood from his mouth.


    The red-robed elder felt terrible heartache, not for his injuries, but because his ancestral Spirit Fire Gourd had been smashed and several cracks appeared, with strands of scarlet Spiritual Fire leaking directly from the cracks.


    ¡°Be careful!¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, dodge!¡±


    Just then, two cries of alarm suddenly reached the ears of the red-robed elder, who had no time to react before he sensed darkness before his eyes and a cold breeze sweeping over his head.


    Filled with dread, he disregarded all else and instantly activated the talisman treasure in his embrace.


    In an instant, a massive, dark turtle shell-like shield appeared above the elder¡¯s head, its surface displaying the phantom image of a one-horned giant turtle.


    Bang!


    The giant club smashed ruthlessly onto the shield, and in that instant, the White Ape King¡¯s ferocious Divine Power erupted violently.


    Unexpectedly, the shield didn¡¯t budge; instead, the White Ape King staggered backward, stunned by its own strength.


    Roar!


    Having failed to land a blow, the furious White Ape King¡¯s eyes turned blood red. Clasping the club with both hands, it leaped up and began its berserk onslaught.


    The club whipped around, creating numerous afterimages, like a storm pelting down on the Turtle Shell Shield, not giving the red-robed elder any chance to dodge.


    These White Apes were exceptionally agile, and the White Ape King was the elite among them. Its movements were so fast and its strength so savage that, to the average person, it would all be a blur, only seeing multiples of the White Ape King¡¯s figure everywhere.


    In just a couple of breaths, the Turtle Shell Shield, under countless frenzied strikes, visibly began to fade away.


    At that moment, the red-robed elder behind the shield was shaken so hard that his face turned as red as blood, and his body was deeply smashed into the ground.


    Seeing that the Magic Shield was about to break, the red-robed elder put his pride aside and shouted urgently upwards, ¡°Quick¡­ take action!¡±


    Before his words fell, a tremendous Sword Intent suddenly erupted from the Cloud Boat.


    The next moment, a massive golden Sword Light soared into the sky, with the phantom of a Red Gold Small Sword appearing within it.


    Slash!


    As a cold shout came from the Cloud Boat, the golden Sword Light suddenly cut across the sky, descending in a sweeping motion.


    Below, sensing an unprecedented danger, the White Ape King suddenly looked up and howled, hastily blocking the club in front of itself.


    In an instant, the golden Sword Light easily pierced through the White Ape King¡¯s body, and the residual energy of the Sword Light swept the ground behind it, creating a narrow sword mark over twenty feet long and three feet deep. The sword mark sheared through stone and wood, severing several dozen peach trees that could only be encircled by joined arms.


    The might of a single sword, so terrifying!


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng and his two companions, who were ten miles away, witnessed this earth-shattering sword strike and were utterly shocked.


    ¡°It must be a talisman treasure,¡± Zhao Jijian blurted out.


    ¡°Indeed, as expected from a family from the ten dynasties in the Cultivation World, their heritage is indeed rich. Including that shield just now, they¡¯ve already used two talisman treasures,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded and lamented.


    ¡°Alas, with the death of the White Ape King, most of Lush Peach Mountain has fallen into others¡¯ hands. Shouldn¡¯t we make a move now?¡± Zhao Keru couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    ¡°No rush, let the bullets fly a little longer!¡±


    Zhao Sheng had just said something inexplicable when he suddenly exclaimed in surprise.


    Oh!


    ¡°It¡¯s not dead!¡± he said in amazement.


    ¡°Yes! It survived an attack equivalent to a full-force strike from a Golden Core Master. The staff in that White Ape King¡¯s hand is made of an extraordinary material!¡± Zhao Jijian also exclaimed with admiration.


    While the two were expressing their feelings of surprise, at the top of Lush Peach Mountain, the White Ape King gasped for breath and planted its staff into the ground.


    Although it did not die, it was seriously injured, with countless wounds of varying depths all over its body due to the impact of the Sword Qi,


    the largest of which were more than half a foot long, deep enough to see bone, and blood gushed out from the wounds, quickly staining its fur red.


    The man in the red robe, holding up his shield, carefully pulled himself out of the pit and, while retreating, greedily eyed the staff.


    The seemingly unremarkable staff didn¡¯t even have a sword mark deeper than a couple of inches deep,


    considering that it was struck by a Magical Treasure Level Flying Sword¡ªordinary Middle and Lower Grade Spirit Artifacts couldn¡¯t withstand such a hit, yet the staff had resisted it with its own material strength.


    As someone from an Artifact Refining Family, the man in the red robe was acutely aware of what this meant.


    But there was no time for him to think further.


    The White Ape King, having suffered a significant loss just now, suddenly roared at his subordinates and then lifted the staff and charged once again.


    The man in the red robe¡¯s expression greatly changed at the sight. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, the group of White Apes suddenly ceased their earlier disarray and assembled in groups of threes and fives like an army, jointly attacking a single Cultivator.


    Because of this change, the humans immediately fell into disarray.


    Just then, a middle-aged man in a red robe flew out of the Cloud Boat.


    He was another Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the family, skilled in Artifact Refining rather than fighting, and had not participated in the battle from the start.


    Now, seeing his family on the verge of defeat, he had no choice but to join the battle.


    But as soon as he appeared, a ferocious roar suddenly rang in his ear.


    Roar!


    The next instant, before the middle-aged man could react, a fist-sized green stone flew like lightning and struck him instantly.


    Pfft!


    The middle-aged man in the red robe spewed blood violently and was sent flying four or five zhang, crashing through a peach tree before tumbling to the ground.


    Only then did everyone discover with extreme horror that a giant White Ape with a large belly had appeared beside the stone cave at some point.


    Seeing this scene, everyone¡¯s hearts turned cold, truly feeling the misery of inadequate information.


    Regrettably, it was too late now to realize this!


    ¡°Run for your lives!¡±

 Chapter 95 - 95: Not Talking About Martial Virtues

    Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Not Talking About Martial Virtues


    ¡°Run for your lives!¡±


    As the two Foundation Establishment members of the family were defeated, someone in the crowd shouted, and everyone couldn¡¯t care less and desperately fled towards the mountain exit.


    The man in the red robe saw that the situation was bad and hurriedly flew back to the Cloud Boat, trying to land several times, but each time he was sent flying back by a stone resembling a cannonball.


    After several attempts, the Cloud Boat gave up on landing at Lush Peach Mountain and had to flee into the distance, attempting to rendezvous with the remaining family members.


    The group of White Apes had truly unleashed their fury; they would not allow the enemy an easy escape. The White Ape King led the charge chasing the red-robed elder on the Yu Hu, while other White Apes grouped together to pursue the rest.


    Faced with the mutant White Apes, swift as the wind, the cultivators who were unfamiliar with the surroundings were in a dire situation.


    In just a few minutes, most of the cultivators were surrounded and either killed or torn into pieces by the White Apes.


    Of course, before dying, these people also managed to kill quite a number of White Apes.


    The great battle between humans and demonic creatures ended with the White Apes victorious, although they also suffered significant casualties.


    A little earlier in time,


    When Zhao Sheng and the others saw the cultivators fleeing one after another, they felt very surprised.


    Even though the current situation was unfavorable for the Human Clan, even an ordinary person would know that running away in such circumstances is the most foolish choice.


    But this group chose the worst possible action.


    The trio couldn¡¯t comprehend it.


    Just then, the ground nearby suddenly emitted a yellow light, and Zhao Xuanjing appeared from underground holding a spirit worm.


    Seeing the trio frowning, Zhao Xuanjing was startled and asked quickly, ¡°Fourth Ancestor, Uncle Seven, what¡¯s wrong? Has something happened again?¡± Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing him return, smiled and said, ¡°Nothing. We¡¯re just puzzled by these cultivators¡¯ poor performance. It seems like they¡¯ve enjoyed the mortal world for too long and have become incredibly foolish.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing nodded in agreement, ¡°Yes! They are too foolish. I just shouted ¡®run for your lives¡¯ casually. I can¡¯t believe they actually ran.¡±


    ¡°What? A shout from you made them run away? Haha!¡± Zhao Sheng was greatly surprised by this revelation and ultimately burst into laughter.


    Next to him, Zhao Ke Ru tried to hold back his laughter and asked Jing¡¯er, ¡°When did you become so clever?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing scratched the back of his head and asked with a peculiar expression, ¡°Am I very foolish?¡±


    ¡°Haha!¡± Hearing this, the three of them let out a loud laughter.


    A moment later, when the laughter subsided, Zhao Xuanjing quickly changed the subject, ¡°When do we make our move?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked towards Lush Peach Mountain ten miles away, eyeing the White Ape King as he dragged the dead body of the red-robed elder step by step back to his base, and said with a smile, ¡°No rush, the darkest hour is just before the dawn.¡±


    Night passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was less than half an hour till dawn.


    At this time, it was pitch-dark outside, but the Zhao Family¡¯s cave was brightly lit.


    Zhao Sheng stood on the stone platform, gazing at the fully armed Zhao Clan members below, and said solemnly, ¡°Are you ready?¡±


    ¡°Ready!¡± The crowd shouted back with high morale.


    Zhao Sheng nodded and gave one final instruction, ¡°When we strike, be fierce and quick, and don¡¯t forget to cooperate with each other. Now, let¡¯s move out!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    The Zhao Clan members responded in unison and then split into two groups, streaming out of the cave.


    Under the leadership of Zhao Chongwei and Zhao Keqing, both at the Qi Refinement Late Stage, the two teams swiftly advanced toward the Lush Peach Mountain.


    Momentarily, atop Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Xuanjing sneakily emerged halfway from underground, watching the White Apes sleeping soundly, and cracked a secret smile. He then pulled out a pile of earth-colored talismans from his Storage Bag and began to lay them around the White Apes.


    These earth-colored talismans were First-Order Talismans named Stone Prison Talisman.


    Before the departure, Zhao Sheng had specially made a batch, though he hadn¡¯t expected them to be of any use.


    Who knew a naive youth would rush to take a tribulation for the Zhao family.


    These White Apes could never have anticipated that after repelling a group of people, there were still others plotting against them from behind.


    Thus, caught off guard, they inadvertently fell for some old schemer¡¯s trap.


    To prevent the White Ape King from noticing, Zhao Xuanjing didn¡¯t dare to venture too deep into the stone cave; he simply laid Earth Stabbing Talismans, Earth Splitting Talismans, and other Earth Element Talismans near the entrance and slightly inside the cave.


    About an hour later, the eastern sky began to lighten to a fish belly white.


    At that moment, the Zhao Family members reached the foothills of Lush Peach Mountain.


    This time was when the peach blossom miasma inside Lush Peach Mountain was at its thinnest, providing the clearest visibility; one could still make out figures from thirty or forty paces away.


    Unlike thick fog, the peach blossom miasma, nourished by rotten and spoiled fruits, becomes denser with stronger sunshine and higher temperatures, lingering immensely without dispersing.


    As Zhao Xuanjing, who had been waiting at the base of the mountain, immediately came forward and whispered something to Zhao Sheng upon their arrival.


    Zhao Sheng nodded his head and turned back to wave at the clan members.


    Seeing this, the Zhao Clan members quickly swallowed their Breaking Miasma Pills, dividing into two groups, one left and one right, and slowly approached the soundly sleeping group of White Apes.


    Moments later, as everyone was closing in on a run of thirty meters, indeed a White Ape with a keen sense of smell was startled awake.


    Squeak!


    Strike!


    Two shouts rose almost simultaneously.


    It was at that moment, Zhao Xuanjing grinned, his Spiritual Power burst forth wildly. A vast yellow light swept across the ground around him instantaneously.


    The next moment, numerous huge stone pillars suddenly shot up from the ground surrounding the group of White Apes.


    These stone pillars, crisscrossing and winding, formed a massive stone prison in an instant, trapping the newly awakened White Apes in place.


    No sooner had the stone prison taken shape than the next wave of attacks followed.


    The first was a barrage of arrows; twenty-one Innate Grandmasters of the Zhao family each held a Magic Device Crossbow and fired wildly at the group of White Apes.


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The White Apes were trapped in place, unable to escape and were immediately struck by fine steel Armor-Piercing Arrows.


    The lucky ones were not hit in vital areas, while the unlucky ones had their foreheads, eyes, and hearts pierced through.


    However, that was not the end; after the arrows, a mix of Blazing Fireballs, Ice Blades, Golden Light Needles, Stone Cone Magic, mixed with flying swords, Demon-breaking Sabers, and Triangular Spears and other magic weapons, bombarded the unfortunate group of White Apes.


    They had just undergone a major battle the day before and their physical and demonic power had not fully recovered. Now, they faced a group of unscrupulous Zhao Family members.


    It was truly a case of bad luck inviting more bad luck¡ªmisfortune had reached their doorstep!


    However, though the Zhao family had killed many White Apes, that was all they could achieve.


    The stone prison only held for a few breaths before being shattered by the group of astonishingly powerful Mutant White Apes.


    Thus, a life-and-death battle officially began.


    One side, although suffering heavy casualties, retained its ferocity and was agile as the wind.


    The other side had high morale and coordinated well but had less real combat experience. Not even the Innate Martial Artists could match a single White Ape and had no choice but to serve as human shields.


    Zhao Shuo wielded his Wandering Dragon Sword, frantically chopping and slashing; myriad sword lights flew about, almost forming a continuous curtain of light.


    Yet even so, he was still profoundly shaken, feeling as if there were claw shadows everywhere before him,


    It was only when he directly clashed with the White Apes that he shockingly discovered their incredible speed, which made it difficult for him to discern which were real and which were false. He could only passively defend.

 Chapter 96 - 96: Pyrrhic Victory

    Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Pyrrhic Victory


    Ah!


    Suddenly, a scream came from the side.


    Zhao Shuo caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye, the eldest, Zhao Wenxi, had already fallen to the ground, a big hole in his chest, clearly not going to survive.


    Zhao Shuo had no time to grieve.


    At this moment, he only felt the sword in his hand getting heavier, and his robust Innate True Qi was being consumed at an alarming rate.


    But he could neither call for help nor dare to run away, as the condition of his clan¡¯s cultivators was hardly any better than his.


    If he cowardly fled, he would certainly die in the end.


    If not by the hands of the White Ape, then by those of his own clan members.


    Since either way was death, why not die for the clan.


    ¡°Hang in there!¡± Zhao Shuo encouraged himself internally, and with a hardened heart, he swallowed the Bursting Qi Pill hidden under his tongue.


    An hour later, he felt as if a volcano had suddenly erupted in his stomach, an infinite heat instantly spreading throughout his body, and in an instant, his limbs and bones were refilled with strength,


    At the same time, a vast amount of Innate True Qi continuously generated from his muscles, bones, and organs, quickly filling his nearly depleted Dantian with Innate True Qi.


    Instantly, Zhao Shuo¡¯s spirit reached an unprecedented peak,


    It slowed down!


    The previously fast-moving White Ape that left afterimages suddenly seemed much slower, and Zhao Shuo could now clearly see its movements.


    Kill!


    Zhao Shuo roared, his eyes suffused with blood, the Wandering Dragon Sword as fast as lightning, its tip emitting a three-inch sword radiance, instantly piercing the forehead of the White Ape opposite him.


    With the aid of the Bursting Qi Pill, Zhao Shuo, facing life and death, had broken through and officially entered the Innate Great Success Realm.


    Bang!


    Zhao Shuo swung his sword to deflect a whistling stone, and suddenly leaped into another battle, joining hands with Cultivation Clan members to confront a White Ape.


    The human-ape war quickly intensified, with the Zhao family side soon having six or seven members fall, while the White Apes, having fought continuously and lacking energy, lost even more.


    Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, and Zhao Keru, all braced tightly, stared at the stone cave.


    As soon as the battle began, the White Ape King rushed out of the cave like a gust of stench, soaring.


    No sooner had it shown itself than a Red Rainbow Sword came slashing head-on.


    Bang!


    A swath of stick shadows swept across the sky, easily knocking the Red Rainbow Sword flying with a bang.


    Just then, an expanse of thick fog suddenly emerged, enshrouding much of the White Ape King¡¯s body out of nowhere.


    In the blink of an eye, countless water droplets laden with sharp Sword Intent within the fog vibrated intensely, instantly triggering the Godslaying Sword Intent.


    At that moment, deep within the ferocious eyes of the White Ape King, a sword light was seen growing bigger and bigger, eventually filling its heart.


    The next instant, it felt an excruciating pain in its head, as if it were split into two by a sword.


    The White Ape King¡¯s ferocious eyes suddenly became vacant, and its body instantly stiffened on the spot.


    Great opportunity!


    Just then, the ground under its feet flashed with yellow light, and a golden ring python suddenly rushed up from below, not only tightly wrapping around the White Ape King¡¯s thick legs but also pulling down fiercely.


    Splash!


    The White Ape King was violently dragged below the waist into the ground.


    At that moment, the White Ape King¡¯s spirit reconverged, and it timely supported itself with its arms against the ground. This barely prevented itself from being tragically dragged underground.


    It was a mere miscalculation, yet it lost the whole game!


    The White Ape King, who had roamed the mountains for hundreds of years, could never have imagined how many times humans had rehearsed to deal with it.


    Just as it managed to stabilize its sinking body, a spiritual cauldron as large as a vat suddenly dropped from the sky and heavily smashed onto its head.


    Humming!


    The White Ape King was stunned, immediately seeing a chaos of golden light and feeling the world spinning around it.


    Plunk!


    In an instant, a blur of the Red Rainbow Sword whizzed past its eyes, and then it felt a sharp pain in its neck followed by severe pain in its eyes, losing sight.


    In the moment before plunging into darkness, the White Ape King heard a tremendous bang from the stone cave, followed by an angry roar in its ears.


    Watching the White Ape King¡¯s head soar high, Zhao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and immediately flew to the side of the stone cave, standing next to Zhao Xuanjing.


    By then, the stone cave had already collapsed, but the rubble blocking the entrance continued to tremble; moreover, faint roaring sounds of the Mother Ape King could still be heard from behind the cave.


    Zhao Xuanjing spoke with a grave expression, ¡°Uncle Seven, it looks like it won¡¯t hold much longer.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, looking relaxed, replied, ¡°No matter, the overall situation is already set.¡±


    As they spoke, Zhao Keru and Zhao Jijian had already charged into the ape troop and started a massacre.


    An hour later, as the sun rose over the mountain, Lush Peach Mountain had returned to its usual tranquility.


    However, the bloodstains, corpses, and severed limbs scattered across the mountain, and the dense scent of blood lingering in the air, signaled that a fierce battle had just taken place.


    In an open area near the stone cave, seventeen or eighteen dispirited White Apes were tightly bound by loops of Iron Wire Vine around their limbs and thrown aside.


    In front of them, not only lay the grinning White Ape King¡¯s head, but also the Mother Ape King, barely alive.


    Seeing both their Clan King and clan queen about to die, the apes showed sad expressions on their faces, their eyes flickering with obvious fear.


    Zhao Sheng stood by, closely observing the Mother Ape King, and when he saw a pleading look in its eyes.


    A spark of light flickered in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, and with a flip of his right hand, a three-inch-long flying sword suddenly appeared.


    He approached and aimed carefully at the mother Ape King¡¯s heavily swollen belly, cautiously making an incision.


    Shortly after, as the longing gaze of the Mother Ape King dimmed, Zhao Sheng held up a baby-sized Little White Ape in his hand.


    Moments later, as the Little White Ape opened its eyes amid crying, the first sight it saw was that man.


    At that moment, Zhao Jijian approached Zhao Sheng with a solemn face, speaking in a low tone, ¡°Nineteen are dead; twelve from Innate, one from Qi Refinement Middle Stage, and six from early stages. Additionally, six are severely injured, and also, Zhao Keqing has suffered severe chest and lung injuries, and his meridians are broken; he¡¯ll be stuck at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer for life.¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was very sad, and he couldn¡¯t help but lament, ¡°A Pyrrhic victory indeed!¡±


    Zhao Jijian, however, consoled him, ¡°The will of heaven is hard to defy! Heaven had destined our Zhao family to face this catastrophe. Fortunately, we ultimately won. Lush Peach Mountain is now ours.¡±


    Zhao Sheng handed Little White Ape to Zhao Jijian, simultaneously saying, ¡°This little creature as well. Our family will no longer lack a guardian beast for the mountain.¡±


    After the great battle, there were many trivial matters to handle, such as cleaning up the battlefield, burying the clan members, collecting the spoils of war, and so on.


    It took two solid days for the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Zhao family to get a break and start dealing with the collected treasures.


    Zhao Jijian, Zhao Keru, and Zhao Sheng stood beside a pile of treasures, each picking through them.


    The first treasure Zhao Sheng picked up was not the Storage Bag of the red-robed elder but the White Ape King¡¯s big stick.


    When he grabbed it, Zhao Sheng felt his hand suddenly weigh down.


    Goodness, it must weigh at least a thousand pounds!


    Thankfully, the White Ape King didn¡¯t get a chance to use its stick technique, or else no one could have withstood its strike.


    Hey,


    Zhao Sheng suddenly exclaimed in surprise, his eyes focused on a sword mark on the big stick, where he saw flickering blue light within the indentation.

 Chapter 97 - 97 When the Geng Metal Mine and the White Feather Flowers Blossom

    Chapter 97: Chapter 97 When the Geng Metal Mine and the White Feather Flowers Blossom


    ¡°Could it be¡­?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart suddenly gave rise to a thought.


    He immediately set the stick askew, waving his hand to condense a water dragon that repeatedly washed over the surface of the stick.


    As the thick layer of blood scabs was washed away, the stick gradually revealed its true texture.


    The stick looked as if it had been melted by high heat and then solidified again.


    The uneven surface was riddled with glass-like, smooth, molten crystals, but in some pits, there were a few grains of sand-sized and flashing with blue light, mysterious metal particles.


    ¡°Is this¡­ could this be Geng Metal?!¡± Zhao Sheng exclaimed in astonishment.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s out-of-character exclamation, Zhao Jijian and the other person were immediately alarmed and hurried over to check.


    Upon inspection, both were also shocked.


    Geng Metal?!


    In the Cultivation World, among the thousands of Gold Element Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, only Geng Metal from beyond the Nine Heavens emitted this kind of unique, mysterious blue light.


    If it was truly Geng Metal, then all the people from the Zhao family who died for Lush Peach Mountain this time, it would be considered worth it.


    It must be known that Geng Metal was a high-grade Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure, usually used for refining Magical Treasures.


    In the Cultivation World, there is a very special category of Magical Treasures called Sword Pills.


    Sword Pills are the highest level among Fake Pills. Sword Cultivators who upgrade using Sword Pills, their strength is not inferior to other Golden Core Masters who have formed a Golden Core.


    Therefore, Sword Pills have always been the most cherished treasure of Sword Cultivators, and Geng Metal is the most core treasure material for refining Geng Gold Sword Pills.


    After repeated inspection by the three people, they unanimously believed that the blue light spirit gold was indeed the legendary Geng Metal.


    Zhao Sheng ceased his smile and decisively said, ¡°Geng Metal is a derivative of Taibai Gold Essence. This Geng Gold Stick is enough to prove that there must be a Geng Metal Mine near Lush Peach Mountain.¡±


    The reason why Zhao Sheng was so certain was determined by the special properties of Taibai Gold Essence.


    Taibai Gold Essence from beyond the heavens autonomously diffuses a type of radiation-like, peculiar spirit light. This peculiar spirit light can transform nearby metals into sub-grade spirit gold, also known as Geng Metal.


    Zhao Jijian and Zhao Keru looked at each other with faces full of excitement and then nodded heavily.


    Compared to a potential Geng Metal Mine, the treasures in the stone room became less important.


    The three of them made a quick inventory. Ordinary Magical Treasures, Spirit Stones, Elixir Pills, refining materials and medicinal herbs, Storage Bags, and so forth are not worth mentioning in detail; in any case, they were a great variety, all left behind by that unlucky family.


    Just these items alone made the Zhao family not only recover their initial investment but also made a huge fortune.


    Just with Magical Treasures alone, after allocating two pieces per person among the Zhao Family, there were still leftovers.


    This made the three of them couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how deep the foundations of the ten Cultivation Forces were, to the point where even an ordinary Foundation Establishment Family was extremely wealthy.


    Besides the aforementioned items, there were several treasures that the three especially valued.


    First of all, there were four Spiritual Artifacts. The first was a damaged Spirit Fire Gourd, containing inside the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire Red Spirit Flame, usable for Alchemy and Artifact Refining.


    This Spirit Fire Gourd was directly taken into possession by Zhao Keru.


    The second was a bright red Magic Robe taken from the body of the red-robed elder; Zhao Jijian didn¡¯t mind that it was worn by a deceased, and directly put it on.


    The remaining two Spiritual Artifacts were a dark black seal and twelve small flags with a red glow on their surface, constantly emitting an extremely sweet scent.


    Apart from the Spiritual Artifacts, the most important find this time was a Turtle Shield Talisman Treasure.


    This, too, was contributed by the red-robed elder.


    Well, from this perspective, the man can be regarded as an old man who gives away treasures.


    This Turtle Shell Talisman Treasure had already been used twice, but it still had one chance left for use.


    Even so, it was exceptionally precious.


    After mutually deferring to each other for a while, because Zhao Sheng was the youngest, he ultimately had to accept it.


    An hour later, the three had sorted out the spoils of war and immediately summoned all clan members, distributing part of the treasures among them. Not to mention that at least one Magic Artifact per person was given, but also three hundred Spirit Stones and additional Elixir Pills.


    Since ancient times, military achievements have been most significant, and rewards should be given sooner rather than later. The three distributed the spoils so early in accordance with this principle.


    At the time when the members of the Zhao family were sharing the profits from the battle of Lush Peach Mountain, countless Cultivation Forces in this Desolate Domain had also launched their campaigns to clear mountains and slay demons one after another.


    At the same time, a conspiracy surrounding the war for territory expansion had also begun.


    In a Mang Forest where ancient trees touched the sky, more than twenty demon wolves were leaping up and down, besieging a Second-tier Flower-patterned Spiritual Deer.


    Beside them, on the branch of an ancient tree thick enough to be embraced, stood a silver-white giant wolf the size of a calf with crescent-shaped patterns on its forehead.


    At this moment, the alpha wolf was watching the Second Rank Spirit Deer below intently, ready to deliver a fatal blow at any moment.


    Suddenly, a petite figure emerged beside the alpha wolf.


    As soon as Huan Niang appeared, she waved her hand and scattered Enchanting God Illusion Light. The mere Second Order demon beasts had absolutely no power to resist and were enchanted by the Enchanting God Illusion Light instantly.


    Huan Niang casually planted a thought in the alpha wolf¡¯s Soul Sea, ¡°The Human Clan must die. When the White Feather Flower blooms, immediately lead the wolf pack to attack the humans.¡±


    At the same time, she conveniently designated the nearby settlements of the human race.


    After doing all this, Huan Niang¡¯s figure flashed, and she teleported away.


    Since leaving Pig Emperor Ridge, Huan Niang has been doing things like planting suggestions into lower-grade demon beasts.


    Moreover, she planned to continue doing so until the day the White Feather Flower bloomed.


    The most formidable aspect of a beast tide was its scale and suddenness. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A few demons attacking the Human Clan would hardly have any effect; they would only end up delivering spoils of war to the humans.


    Furthermore, no matter how numerous the First or Second Order demon beasts are, they cannot harm the essence of the Human Clan.


    Huan Niang was acting casually; what she valued the most were the powerful demons of Third-tier and above that could contend with Golden Core Masters.


    However, those above the third-tier already possessed spiritual wisdom, and it was very difficult to enchant them with merely Enchanting God Illusion Light.


    In order to achieve her goal, Huan Niang, as a Seventh Rank Demon, did not hesitate to lower her stance, tirelessly and personally persuading or defeating the rebellious demons one by one.


    Huan Niang was merely passing by earlier; her target was a Third-stage Earth Splitting Demon Bear in the Black Pine Forest a hundred miles away.


    Zhao Sheng and the others did not know that when the White Feather Flower bloomed next year, a devastating beast calamity was about to strike the countless Cultivation Forces in this Desolate Domain.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was stationed at Lush Peach Mountain, leading the clan members to gradually expand the territory while also being responsible for constructing a safe settlement for long-term residence.


    The other two Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Zhao family had already taken the Cloud Boat, escorting the spoils of war back to Taifu Mountain.


    After returning to Lush Peach Mountain, the two also needed to exchange part of the spoils for a variety of supplies to develop Lush Peach Mountain.


    As the Cloud Boat returned to Taifu Mountain, Zhao Sheng called Zhao Xuanjing over, revealed to him the secret of the Geng Metal Mine and secretly ordered him to search for the location of the Geng Metal Mine nearby.


    A little while later, Zhao Xuanjing took his leave to carry out the mission.


    One day later, Zhao Sheng placed twelve Spirit Banners around Lush Peach Mountain.


    At this point, the Zhao Clan Members were surprised to see that the peach blossom miasma above Lush Peach Mountain was swiftly flowing towards the twelve Spirit Banners and being quickly absorbed and refined by them.


    As the peach blossom miasma gradually dissipated, the banners¡¯ surfaces shone more brilliantly, and clumps of rosy clouds began to condense on the banners.


    In the end, the rosy clouds actually detached from the banners, autonomously forming a thick and extremely sweet pink Divine Light around the Spirit Banners.


    This Divine Light, the further refined product of the peach blossom miasma, was not only extremely toxic but also alluring to the mind.


    Cultivators below Foundation Establishment who took a single whiff would die instantly, while those above Foundation Establishment, even if they did not die, would be so enchanted by their own illusions that they could not extricate themselves.

 Chapter 98 - 98: Too Close!

    Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Too Close!


    Three days later, the peach blossom miasma had dissipated, and the Zhao Family no longer needed to take Breaking Miasma Pills to freely enter and exit Lush Peach Mountain.


    It was not until this moment that an unexplored treasure land finally opened its arms to the Zhao family.


    The Lush Peach Mountain covered nearly a hundred miles, with countless peach trees within, including a rare type of spiritual peach tree, of which there were only a little more than thirty.


    The spiritual peaches that grew on these trees had golden skins and light red flesh, tasting extraordinarily sweet,


    Once eaten, they produced strands of Spiritual Energy, with some effect of Refining the flesh, greatly improving one¡¯s Constitution and enhancing the quality of one¡¯s flesh.


    No wonder the White Apes on Lush Peach Mountain were so nimble, with an average physical quality even stronger than that of Innate Martial Artists, all thanks to these golden peaches.


    Apart from the spiritual peach trees, there were also numerous Spiritual Medicines planted on Lush Peach Mountain, with one of them even having a medicine age of over two thousand years.


    For thousands of years, the Spiritual Medicines on Lush Peach Mountain had not been harvested, causing them to mature and then rot away uselessly.


    After Lush Peach Mountain fell into the hands of the Zhao family, these Spiritual Medicines finally had a purpose.


    Now the Zhao family suffered from the pain of insufficient manpower; there was so much to do in developing a spirit land.


    They had to clear the decayed soil, chop down trees, drive away insects, fierce beasts, establish Spiritual Fields and Medicine Fields, and construct living quarters and defensive fortifications, among other tasks.


    Any of the aforementioned tasks was not something that could be easily accomplished by just a few dozen people.


    Moreover, a specialized Mountain Patrol Team had to be established to constantly guard against external enemies and invading demon beasts.


    One could say that even splitting all the Zhao Family members in half would not be enough.


    For a while, Zhao Sheng was so busy with countless trifling matters that he was running in circles. Unfortunately, at this time, no one could help share his burden.


    With dangers lurking at every corner in the Desolate Domain, to ensure the safety of the Cloud Boat, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator had to be stationed, and Zhao Jijian was the obvious choice.


    Because Zhao Jijian had to pilot the Cloud Boat, shuttling continuously between Taifu Mountain, Jiuding Square, and Lush Peach Mountain, he couldn¡¯t lend a hand to Zhao Sheng.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Keru couldn¡¯t handle such matters and he too was frantically busy.


    After a great battle on Lush Peach Mountain, the family¡¯s stockpile of Elixir Pills had been exhausted. Just Alchemy alone would keep Zhao Keru busy for a year or two.


    As time trickled by, two months passed in the blink of an eye.


    By this time, Zhao Sheng had completely sorted out the myriad of trivial matters on Lush Peach Mountain, and various affairs gradually got on the right track.


    Finally, Zhao Sheng was able to take the time to pay attention to other matters, such as the most important Geng Metal Mine.


    For over two months, Zhao Xuanjing worked tirelessly, bustling about from early in the morning until late at night.


    However, after scouring the two-hundred-mile radius around Lush Peach Mountain, he still hadn¡¯t found the Geng Metal Mine.


    Zhao Sheng found this odd and thought perhaps his conjecture was wrong and that the Geng Gold Stick had been a fluke?


    Three days later, just as Zhao Sheng was about to search for himself, Zhao Xuanjing came to him with excitement written all over his face.


    ¡°Uncle Seven, I found it!¡±


    Zhao Sheng stood up immediately, asking anxiously, ¡°What? You really found the Geng Metal Mine?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Uncle Seven, look!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing nodded and slowly opened his palm; visible within it was a pinch of Geng Metal granules glinting with Blue Light.


    ¡°It¡¯s true, this is Geng Metal! Xuanjing, where did you find it?¡± Zhao Sheng asked excitedly.


    Zhao Xuanjing replied with a smile, ¡°The Geng Metal Mine is located in a lake more than four hundred miles away from Lush Peach Mountain. You said before that Taibai Gold Essence, when it falls to the ground, will leave a big pit.


    ¡°I just followed this clue, and at first, I searched through all low-lying valleys and found nothing. Two days ago, when I passed by that wild lake, I suddenly wondered if the lake was created by an impact. So, I dove in and looked around. This search actually led me to find it.¡±


    Zhao Sheng clapped Zhao Xuanjing on the arm happily, praising him, ¡°Xuanjing, you¡¯ve worked hard!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing touched his head sheepishly and said modestly, ¡°Uncle Seven, compared to those uncles and brothers who died for the family, my efforts are really nothing.¡±


    Zhao Sheng said, ¡°That¡¯s good, if everyone in the family thinks like you do, why would we worry about the Zhao family not thriving in the future!¡±


    ¡­


    Half a day later, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing landed by the side of a wild lake.


    Looking through the clear bottom of the lake, one could clearly see that the bottom was covered with large patches of solidified, glass-like molten material.


    Zhao Sheng looked toward the northeast, his gaze flickering a few times.


    Shortly afterward, Zhao Xuanjing led Zhao Sheng through the thick layers of soil and rocks to enter the Geng Metal Mine.


    Zhao Sheng stood at the deepest part of the mine, holding a Bright Pearl in his hand. The pale white light diffused outwards, casting reflections on the surrounding mine walls, showing specks of blue light reflecting back from the innermost rock wall.


    Zhao Xuanjing stepped forward, reached out to touch the rock wall, and the Yellow Light emanating from his hand spread across the nearby rock surface.


    A layer of the rock crumbled away, and in an instant, six Geng Metal granules the size of gravel were squeezed out, clinking into his hand.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, asked, ¡°Xuanjing, how much Geng Metal do you estimate can be produced from this mine at most? Have you found the Taibai Gold Essence?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing replied, ¡°Uncle Seven, the rocks in this Geng Metal Mine are extremely hard. Little Gold and I together couldn¡¯t even penetrate them.


    And without using spells, it¡¯s very difficult to break these rocks. If we use spells, with my current cultivation of Qi Refining Eighth Layer, I can dig at most half a zhang a day, collecting between one hundred to two hundred Geng Metal granules. As for the Taibai Gold Essence, I think it must be at the very depths of the Geng Metal Mine.¡±


    Geng Metal was too precious, and it had to be kept in extreme secrecy.


    Until now, only four people in the Zhao Family knew this secret, and they had no intentions of informing anyone else.


    The more people who knew, the easier it was for secrets to be leaked, so for the time being, Zhao Xuanjing would have to be the sole miner.


    Coming out from the mine, Zhao Sheng stood by the lake and looked towards the northeast direction.


    Watching the black smoke rising in the distance, his expression gradually became serious.


    ¡°Xuanjing, how far are we from Flame Ridge?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing shaded his eyes with his hand, gazed in the direction of Flame Ridge, thought for a moment, and answered, ¡°Almost a hundred li away.¡± S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Too close, too close!¡± Zhao Sheng murmured to himself, then turned to Zhao Xuanjing and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go! Back to Lush Peach Mountain.¡±


    A day later, the Cloud Boat returned to Lush Peach Mountain.


    Zhao Jijian had just disembarked from the Cloud Boat when Zhao Sheng pulled him into the secret chamber, where Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Keru were already waiting.


    Zhao Jijian, seeing this, expressed his surprise, ¡°What¡¯s happened? Has something big occurred?¡±


    After having him sit down, Zhao Sheng said in a serious tone, ¡°Indeed, there are two important matters that we need to discuss.¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng then informed Zhao Jijian and Zhao Keru about the discovery of the Geng Metal Mine and its uncomfortably close proximity to Flame Ridge.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian¡¯s and Zhao Keru¡¯s expressions became very grave.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s meaning was clear. The Shen Family posed a significant threat.


    If the Geng Metal Mine were to remain unknown to outsiders, the Shen Family must either be driven away or prevented from ever speaking out.

 Chapter 99 - 99: Hit the Shen Family Hard

    Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Hit the Shen Family Hard


    ¡°`


    ¡°Are we perhaps worrying unnecessarily? The Geng Metal Mine is deep beneath the lake. It seems very well-hidden; the Shen Family shouldn¡¯t be able to discover it,¡± Zhao Keru cautiously asked.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and explained, ¡°Uncle Ru, we can¡¯t just focus on the short term. Once the Shen Family settles in, they could come across that wild lake at any time. What will we do if they discover the Geng Metal Mine?¡±


    Hehe!


    Zhao Keru let out an awkward laugh, ¡°Maybe by the time they discover it, the Geng Metal Mine will have long been mined out by us. As long as we destroy any traces, nobody will be able to tell that a Geng Metal Mine ever existed there.¡±


    Zhao Keru was prudently minded; the family had suffered significant losses recently, and he was not willing to provoke a conflict over a spirit mine.


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhao Sheng immediately countered, ¡°There will always be traces left behind from our work. Nobody can guarantee that the Shen Family will not discover the secrets of the wild lake. What do you think the Shen Family¡¯s first move would be if they found the Geng Metal Mine?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Jijian¡¯s white eyebrows shot up as he said coldly, ¡°Naturally, they would do everything in their power to eradicate our Zhao Family.¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Xuanjing added, ¡°The terrain of the Geng Metal Mine is unique. Anyone who has seen it before will surely recognize it.¡±


    Seeing the situation, Zhao Keru could only say helplessly, ¡°Then¡­ what do you think we should do?¡±


    As soon as his words fell, the three men simultaneously said, ¡°Strike first to gain the upper hand, delay and bring disaster upon ourselves!¡±


    After saying this, Zhao Sheng and the two others smiled at each other in unspoken understanding and agreement.


    ¡­


    Flame Ridge was an active volcano, with a Molten Lake nestled at the concave peak.


    Due to multiple volcanic eruptions, the inside of the mountain had developed countless vein-like molten stone caves.


    With an extensive number of molten stone caves intersecting and connecting with each other, a vast and complex Underground Maze had formed within Flame Ridge, inhabited by a clan of Earth Fire Salamanders for generations.


    Therefore, when the Shen Family took control of Flame Ridge, they were immediately attacked by the Earth Fire Salamanders.


    The Shen Family faced an enormous challenge.


    Taking advantage of the terrain, the Earth Fire Salamanders became ethereal and elusive in the maze, launching sudden attacks here and causing chaos there, and most infuriatingly, they were capable of breathing fire. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Imagine navigating a narrow Melt Cave tunnel where it¡¯s hard even to turn around, and suddenly a burst of fire floods in from the entrance, spewing flames from one end of the cave to the other. That feeling of living yet wishing for death could only truly be grasped by the scorched members of the Shen Family.


    In the past two months, the Shen Family had been utterly frantic and distressed.


    In order to eliminate these Earth Fire Salamanders, the Shen Family had tried every possible method.


    Although many Earth Fire Salamanders had been killed, under the leadership of a Second-tier Leader, the demon beasts became increasingly cunning and difficult to kill.


    Over the past two days, the Shen Family had lost two members at the Qi Refining Third Layer, without even catching a glimpse of an Earth Fire Salamander.


    Because of this, Foundation Establishment Shen Yangao¡¯s hair had practically turned white with worry.


    In a large Melt Cave that had been cleared out, Shen Baiao sat opposite an old man with longevity eyebrows.


    ¡°Great Elder, the clan has suffered heavy losses recently, and that Second-tier Salamander is too cunning, eluding us time and time again. Perhaps we should consider moving to a different place?¡± said Shen Yangao, his heart filled with worry.


    The Great Elder of the Shen Family gently stroked his longevity eyebrows and asked in a calm voice, ¡°Where do you propose we go?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Shen Yangao immediately became excited and said, ¡°I think Lush Peach Mountain, which is a few hundred miles away, looks good. I sneaked over there the day before yesterday. It has already been captured by the Zhao Family, so we could simply drive them out.¡±


    Hearing this, the Great Elder lifted his eyelids, and his eyes flashed sharply as he said in a deep voice, ¡°Yang Ao, driving out the Zhao Family is easy, but aren¡¯t you afraid of provoking the Elixir Saint Ge Family?¡±


    ¡°`


    Shen Yangao held an air of arrogance, clutching the Wisdom Pearl as he said, ¡°I have already inquired clearly. The Zhao family is merely welcoming a granddaughter of a Golden Core Master from the Ge family. Yet that Golden Core Master has over a hundred grandchildren, and it is nearly impossible for him to stand up for a marriage concerning an ordinary grandchild. The Cultivation World has always been a place where the strong prey on the weak. If the Ge family were to meddle in such a minor matter, they would incur the wrath of many.¡±


    The Great Elder listened but was not the least bit moved.


    He slowly pulled down his eyelid and said leisurely, ¡°Yangao, your thoughts are not bad, but the Zhao family has already lost many lives for Flame Ridge. Now, to provoke another Cultivation Family is not wise.


    Let¡¯s wait and see! Wait another half a year. If by then we still can¡¯t take down Flame Ridge, this old man will personally take action to drive away the Zhao family. How does that sound?¡±


    Although Shen Yangao was reluctant, he dared not go against the will of the Great Elder and had no choice but to bow his head and say, ¡°What the Great Elder said is correct.¡±


    Shen Yangao was plotting to snatch Lush Peach Mountain, unaware that the Zhu family had already secretly infiltrated Flame Ridge.


    At this time, Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Sheng quietly appeared in a narrow tunnel.


    Ptui, ptui!


    The air in the tunnel was murky, and as soon as Zhao Xuanjing entered, he was greeted by a full breath of sulfuric acid odor, which made him involuntarily spit out several mouthfuls of saliva.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s complexion changed as he instinctively covered his nose. Possessing the Divine Skill of Spiritual Smell, he was even less able to put up with this harsh environment.


    ¡°Uncle Seven, how could the Shen family fancy such a damned place?¡± Zhao Xuanjing squatted on the ground with a section of Little Gold¡¯s body wrapped around his leg, his face filled with disgust.


    The Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm preferred the dark and disliked the sun, and it hated environments like Flame Ridge that were hot and dry, so it only exposed a small section of its body.


    ¡°So much nonsense. Don¡¯t forget the purpose of our visit here.¡±


    Having finished speaking, Zhao Sheng quickly circulated his Spiritual Power and cast a Dust Cleaning Technique on himself. After filtering most of the air, he started to feel a bit better.


    Zhao Xuanjing said with an innocent expression, ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten. Aren¡¯t we trying to figure out the Earth Veins nodes of Flame Ridge? And to map the Underground Maze. Then we¡¯ll take the chance to hit the Shen family hard.¡±


    ¡°Mhm, now we¡¯ll split up. You go down, I go up. Right, do you have enough Invisibility Talismans and Concentrating God Talismans?¡±


    ¡°Enough. I didn¡¯t use much last time.¡±


    ¡°Good, be careful then!¡±


    After saying their goodbyes, Zhao Xuanjing grabbed Little Gold and left using the Earth Escape Technique.


    Zhao Sheng skillfully equipped himself with the Invisibility Talisman and Concentrating God Talisman to hide his figure, then quickly moved through the tunnel.


    Thanks to Divine Sense, Zhao Sheng was extremely efficient in his exploration. He ran for half a day and quickly mapped the positions and directions of dozens of tunnels.


    At this time, the Shen family was completely unaware of the Zhu family¡¯s shameful act of infiltration, still struggling day in and day out, outwitting and battling the Earth Fire Salamanders, nearly too preoccupied to take any notice of their surroundings.


    And so, a month passed by swiftly.


    On this day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.


    In the middle of Lush Peach Mountain, centered around a stone cave, twenty-some buildings made of stone and wood had been established, and on the periphery, a stone wall two zhang high and one zhang thick was glowing with the light halo of a Defensive Array, protecting the whole architectural complex.


    A small settlement was beginning to take shape.


    At this time, in the stone house at the center of the settlement, all the key members of the Zhao family were present, except for Zhao Sheng.


    Everyone had solemn expressions and was listening intently to Zhao Xuanjing explain.

 Chapter 100 - 100 A Poisonous Show

    Chapter 100: Chapter 100 A Poisonous Show


    Zhao Xuanjing stood before everyone, speaking eloquently.


    On the wall opposite him hung a massive map with the breadth of nearly three meters, displaying all the tunnels and terrains of the Underground Maze of Flame Ridge.


    ¡°¡­There are twenty-seven critical nodes of the Earth Fire Vein, and only by destroying two-thirds of these nodes simultaneously will Flame Ridge¡­ burst suddenly with a loud rumble. At that moment, endless magma will spurt out, flooding the entire underground maze, coupled with the sudden madness of the Earth Fire Salamanders.


    At that time, we will intentionally collapse most of the passages, leaving only one escape route.


    ¡°What interesting events do you think will occur then?¡±


    It must be said that having been around Zhao Sheng for a long time, Zhao Xuanjing had also developed a taste for mischief.


    Though he spoke the last sentence in a teasing tone, he couldn¡¯t hide the overtly fierce and ruthless intent in his words.


    But¡­ towards enemies, one must be as ruthless and merciless as the autumn wind sweeping away the fallen leaves!


    In the Cultivation World, this is considered a significant advantage!


    There is a saying that goes well: only the completely dead enemy is a good opponent!


    However, as good as the plan is, it must be completely feasible.


    Zhao Jijian was the first to express doubts, ¡°Xuanjing, how are we going to destroy two-thirds of the twenty-seven nodes simultaneously? And how do we induce a collective frenzy among the Earth Fire Salamanders?¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Keru also expressed doubts, ¡°Just this tactic may not be enough to kill the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Shen Family. How to deal with them is our biggest challenge?¡±


    Faced with these doubts, Zhao Xuanjing chuckled innocently, ¡°Seventh Uncle said he has a way. I believe in Seventh Uncle.¡±


    Upon hearing that Zhao Sheng had already devised a solution, everyone felt an inexplicable relief.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had frequently accomplished great merits for the family, and everyone had long been profoundly convinced of his intelligence and strategies.


    Just then, a weary Zhao Sheng walked into the stone room.


    Before entering, he had just heard everyone¡¯s doubts.


    Thus, as soon as Zhao Sheng came in, he confidently said, ¡°Regarding Fourth Master¡¯s doubts, I have already thought of two methods, which I will now share for everyone to offer their opinions on?¡±


    ¡°Firstly, as for how to destroy the Earth Vein nodes simultaneously, I have designed a Second Order True Talisman called the Mother-Child Linked Talisman, which can be exactly used for this purpose.¡±


    The Mother-Child Linked Talisman is a Second Order True Talisman recorded in the ¡®Jade Void Mysterious Talisman Scripture.¡¯ It consists of a mother talisman and child talismans; there is only one mother talisman, but the number of child talismans is unlimited, depending entirely on the skill level of the Talisman Master. As long as the mother talisman is activated, the child talismans will also activate simultaneously.


    ¡°¡­There are many ways to make the Earth Fire Salamanders go mad. Fortunately, we have a powerful artifact, the Red Cloud Banner, at hand, combined with the volcanic eruption crisis. With these three-pronged approaches, it would be hard for the Shen Family not to perish.¡±


    So cunning, too cunning!


    After Zhao Sheng explained, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.


    Someone couldn¡¯t help but think wildly, ¡°As members of the same Zhao family, why are you, Zhao Chonghe, such a poisonous show-off?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was unaware that someone was secretly cursing him.


    He continued, ¡°To ensure that we kill the two Foundation Establishment members of the Shen Family, I have deliberately preserved one life path. Just waiting for them to rush out, giving them a big surprise.¡±


    Although Zhao Sheng did not specify what the surprise was, after this meeting, the Zhao family mobilized the majority of their manpower and resources into the plan to annihilate the Shen Family.


    A month later, after all the plans and materials were ready, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing secretly returned to Flame Ridge.


    Re-entering the underground maze, the two felt as familiar as if they were returning to their own home, without any need to consult the map or remind each other repeatedly.


    The two exchanged glances, nodded to each other, and each took a Storage Bag and started to act separately.


    In a certain tunnel, lava flowed slowly, and suddenly, a head popped out from the top of the tunnel.


    Zhao Xuanjing, hanging upside down, placed his hand on the stone wall, and a yellow light emerged, instantly creating a deep pit in the wall.


    Zhao Xuanjing skillfully took out one child talisman and two Fire Bombs, placed the items in the pit, and then used a spell to seal it.


    This was already the twelfth Earth Vein node he had set up.


    There were eleven more to go, and time was pressing.


    ¡°Little Gold, let¡¯s go!¡± Zhao Xuanjing slapped the stone wall and commanded in a low voice.


    Whoosh!


    As soon as his words fell, he was instantly pulled back into the soil layer,


    This tunnel quickly returned to its previous silence, as if the recent change was just an illusion.


    Four hours later, as the sun set and night fell,


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing met by the lakeside.


    Zhao Sheng gazed at the faintly glowing blue starlight below the lake, his expression becoming solemn and serious.


    ¡°Xuanjing, is everything set?¡±


    ¡°Uncle Seven, you can count on me when it comes to tasks!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good, we¡¯ll launch the attack immediately once the clan members arrive at Flame Ridge in three days.¡±


    ¡°Mm,¡± Zhao Xuanjing nodded silently. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With Uncle Seven there, he always preferred not to think too much and would just follow his plans.


    Three days went by in the blink of an eye.


    As the sun climbed high and Shen Family members entered the Underground Maze, Zhao Sheng also quietly appeared in a tunnel within the maze.


    This tunnel housed a small magma pool, where five scale-armored, gold-colored creatures with crocodile-like mouths and bodies resembling giant lizards, Earth Fire Salamanders, floated.


    This was one of the nests of the Earth Fire Salamanders, discovered by Zhao Sheng two months ago.


    In fact, the nest was not hard to locate; what was rare was killing them before they could escape.


    The Shen Family had been entangled with Earth Fire Salamanders for nearly half a year, and the reason they were still troubled was that the salamanders had the nasty habit of escaping into the magma when outmatched.


    Watching the Earth Fire Salamanders bathing in the magma, Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and slowly began to wave a Red Cloud Banner he retrieved from his bosom.


    In a moment, strands of pink mist began to seep from the Red Cloud Banner, quickly filling the tunnel.


    As the pink mist thickened, the Earth Fire Salamanders in the magma pool lifted their heads and hungrily inhaled the mist from the air.


    They soon became excited and agitated, their golden eyes turning a fiery red.


    Seeing that the cooking was enough, Zhao Sheng reabsorbed most of the mist in the tunnel with the Red Cloud Banner and then hurried to another nest.


    As time passed, Zhao Sheng successfully refreshed all the nests.


    Meanwhile, the Shen Family members were thrilled to discover that the Earth Fire Salamanders no longer fled from humans but crazily attacked instead.


    This was exactly what the Shen Family had hoped for¡ªthey did not fear the crazed attacks of the salamanders but their tendency to escape when outmatched.


    The Shen Family had been immensely frustrated by this over the past half-year, almost to the point of disgust.


    Yet, a few members of the Shen Family were cautious about this abnormal behavior.


    They couldn¡¯t immediately discern the trickery and could only report it to the two Foundation Establishment cultivators of their family.


    Shen Yangao, and the Great Elder, already aware of the anomaly,


    The Great Elder, naturally suspicious, immediately proposed evacuating the Underground Maze, but Shen Yangao was very excited, believing this to be a God-given opportunity to wipe out the Earth Fire Salamanders once and for all.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng had already quietly left the Underground Maze and flown to a dense forest on the west side of Flame Ridge.

 Chapter 101 - 101 The Script Isnt Written Like This (Please Subscribe, Request Monthly Pass)

    Chapter 101: Chapter 101 The Script Isn¡¯t Written Like This (Please Subscribe, Request Monthly Pass)


    In the dense forest, all thirty-two members of the Zhao family had gathered.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng entered, all eyes turned to him.


    Zhao Sheng straightened his face and said solemnly, ¡°The prelude has unfolded, now it¡¯s our turn to take the stage. Let¡¯s move out!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± The crowd responded thunderously, then split into two teams, left the dense forest, and headed straight for the base of Flame Ridge.


    Thump thump!


    Following two almost inaudible sounds of landing, and screams, the heads of two Shen Family members guarding the entrance were sliced off by the Red Rainbow Sword and fell to the ground.


    The next second, Zhao Jijian and Zhao Sheng descended from the sky, landing beside the entrance.


    Upon landing, Zhao Jijian immediately looked towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng silently took out a Second-order Mother Talisman from his chest and promptly activated it with his spiritual power.


    The Mother Talisman burned by itself without fire, turning into ash in the blink of an eye.


    The next moment, the earth suddenly shook violently, followed by a series of muffled booms from deep underground, like a string of muffled thunder cracking inside thick clouds during a thunderstorm.


    Two breaths later, a hot and acrid airflow spewed out from the passage, filled with sparks and dust.


    Boom!


    At the same time, amidst the intense shaking, Flame Ridge slowly emitted a prolonged howl.


    After the howl, billows of black smoke blasted upwards from the mouth of the volcano, forming a massive black column shooting straight into the sky,


    Following that, a large amount of red magma erupted from the mouth of the volcano, gushing out from the crevices in the rocky body of Flame Ridge.


    In an instant, the sky above Flame Ridge was ablaze with fireworks, and the air was filled with thick smoke and dust, laden with heat, causing the temperature to surge abruptly.


    Witnessing this scene, Zhao Jijian couldn¡¯t help but be visibly moved, his eyes filled with shock.


    He had not anticipated that the eruption of a volcano could be so awe-inspiring.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly spoke up to remind him, ¡°Fourth Master, it¡¯s time to take action!¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡±


    As Zhao Jijian came back to his senses, Zhao Sheng waved his hand and flicked out twelve Red Cloud Banners one after the other, planting them into the ground near the entrance.


    Then, Zhao Sheng took out the Small Circulation Talisman Plate,


    The Small Circulation Talisman Plate was dazzling with spirit light, and neatly arranged on it were seventy-two Second-order Water Mine Talismans, each one layered sixfold.


    The difficulty of crafting Second Order True Talismans has increased exponentially compared to First Rank, so much so that a Foundation Establishment Cultivator can only draw a few in a day.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng had only managed to elevate a few Second Order True Talismans to the six-layered realm, with the Water Mine Talisman being one of them.


    These seventy-two Water Mine Talismans will show the Shen Family Foundation Establishment what a real surprise is!


    The two didn¡¯t have to wait long, for after just five or six breaths, a sound of rustling clothes came from the passage.


    However, the sounds stopped abruptly as they neared the exit.


    Soon after, an aged voice came from inside, ¡°No need to hide anymore, come on out! The old man has already found you.¡±


    Zhao Jijian was startled and was about to take action.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly grabbed his arm and gave a slight shake of his head.


    Both of them had used Invisibility Talismans and Concentrating God Talismans and had specifically retreated a distance, so by all logic the Shen Family members should not be able to detect them.


    There must be deceit at play!


    Indeed,


    the voice from the passage probed again with two more sentences, and this time Zhao Jijian had caught on. It seemed the Shen Family elder was bluffing.


    The Great Elder still probed, ¡°Hehe, if you won¡¯t come out, the old man will not come out¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish speaking, Shen Baiao, bearing a Golden Armor Shield, charged out like a whirlwind.


    This sudden attack caught even Zhao Sheng off guard, as the Great Elder had deceived him with words.


    However, no matter how cunning the Shen Family¡¯s plans were, they couldn¡¯t outmatch the meticulous scheming Zhao Sheng had prepared over the past few months.


    Seeing Shen Baiao already two zhang away, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind stirred, and the twelve Red Cloud Banners moved without wind, instantly spurting out a large amount of pink cloud mist, which spread and enveloped an area of three to four zhang in the blink of an eye.


    At the same time, a meteor-like Red Rainbow Sword slashed straight towards Shen Baiao¡¯s head.


    Shen Baiao¡¯s face changed dramatically, and the Spirit Shield in his hands suddenly tripled in size, fully concealing his figure and blocking the strike of the Red Rainbow Sword.


    However, he was shaken to the ground by the blow and fell into the Red Cloud Formation.


    The red clouds obstructed the passageway, but they could not block the voice of the Great Elder. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Humph!


    With a resentful snort, he said, ¡°So there indeed are people plotting against our Shen Family. Who are you? My Shen Family has always been fair and honorable, without any deep-seated hatred or grudges with anyone. Why would you strike with such venom?¡±


    Meanwhile, the flushed-faced Shen Baiao, standing at the entrance of the passageway, was fuming with rage, shouting loudly, ¡°Great Elder, they are from the Zhao family of Taifu Mountain. That flying sword is the best proof.¡±


    At that moment, Shen Baiao, feeling utterly humiliated and enraged, thought, ¡°How dare they¡­ how could they¡­ The script wasn¡¯t supposed to go like this! It was supposed to be us stealing¡­ no, righteously reclaiming our spirit¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian, unaware of the rich inner drama playing out in Shen Baiao¡¯s mind, exchanged glances with a touch of helplessness.


    Zhao Sheng revealed his figure and with a beckoning hand, the twelve Red Cloud Banners uprooted and fell back into his hands, then pocketed into his Storage Bag.


    ¡°Oh, my Shen Family has no quarrels or grudges with your Zhao Family, so why would you drive us to a dead land?¡± the Great Elder¡¯s tone was low, his voice passing through the red clouds to the two men.


    Zhao Jijian opened his mouth, about to¡ª


    ¡°No, wait!¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly changed his expression and shouted loudly.


    Before his words even ended, the Small Circulation Talisman Plate shot from his hand into the passageway.


    The next instant, Zhao Sheng activated the Small Circulation Talisman Plate with a thought.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!


    In a flash, the earth shook, lightning flashed, and thunder roared as a massive Thunder Mound rose within an area ten zhang near the passageway. Countless blue lightning bolts wriggled inside it, crisscrossing and bursting with the terrifying aura of total destruction.


    To avoid the effects, Zhao Sheng dragged Zhao Jijian a good seven or eight zhang back.


    The power of seventy-two Water Mine Talismans activated at once far exceeded Zhao Sheng¡¯s expectations.


    Shen Baiao was doomed, trapped within, but the Great Elder of the Shen Family hiding deep within the passageway might not be so certain.


    The reason Zhao Sheng had urgently activated the Water Mine Talismans was because he felt the Great Elder of the Shen Family seemed to be intentionally stalling for time.


    Although he couldn¡¯t immediately understand the reason, Zhao Sheng trusted his sixth sense.


    Collapse!


    Just as Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian watched the Thunder Mound mercilessly devastate everything, the ground suddenly collapsed a dozen zhang away from them,


    followed by a charred old silhouette bursting out from beneath, stepping on a crystal small sword, and fleeing at extreme speed.


    ¡°Chase!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face turned grim, and he immediately released the Cloud Boat.


    A breath later, the Cloud Boat soared, swiftly pursuing the fleeing Great Elder of the Shen Family.


    On the Cloud Boat, Zhao Jijian asked anxiously, ¡°Brother Zhao, can we catch up to him?¡±


    Zhao Sheng intently watched the fleeing figure ahead and solemnly said, ¡°The Cloud Boat¡¯s speed is faster than a Foundation Establishment Cultivator flying with a magic tool; we can definitely catch up to him.


    Furthermore, that he doesn¡¯t dare to turn and fight us means he is already seriously injured. This is an opportunity provided by heaven, one we absolutely cannot miss.¡±


    ¡°What if he flees into the Mang Forest below? The forest is complex, and once he escapes into it, we will find it difficult to locate him.¡±


    As if to prove his words, the fleeing Great Elder of the Shen Family suddenly veered and plummeted down, right above the endless stretch of hill and Mang Forest below.

 Chapter 102 - 102 Cant Escape

    Chapter 102: Chapter 102 Can¡¯t Escape


    ¡°Not good!¡±


    Zhao Jijian¡¯s face drastically changed.


    The bow of the Cloud Boat suddenly dipped, rapidly plunging towards the ground.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng revealed a smile, confidently saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he won¡¯t be able to escape!¡±


    The Great Elder Shen, reeking of sulfur, had plunged into Mang Forest trying to rid his body of the scent in desperation.


    But as long as there was even a hint of sulfur left on him, he would never be able to elude Zhao Sheng¡¯s nose.


    The Great Elder Shen fled into Mang Forest, vanishing in the blink of an eye amidst the layers of dense foliage and branches.


    As the Cloud Boat reached above Mang Forest, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian quickly jumped down, landing on the damp, soft forest floor.


    The two looked around vigilantly, their Divine Sense sweeping the area, but apart from the ancient trees, tangled vines, and the rustling insects, the surroundings were eerily silent, with no trace of the Great Elder Shen in sight.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Zhao Jijian asked anxiously, summoning the Red Rainbow Sword and turning to Zhao Sheng.


    If this person were to escape, it would be an endless source of trouble. The Zhao Family couldn¡¯t afford the relentless sneak attacks from a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t respond.


    He sniffed the air, quickly picking up on the scents of sulfur and blood.


    ¡°Follow me!¡±


    Before his words fell, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure burst towards the eastern part of the forest.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian was overjoyed and hastily followed suit.


    Following the scents lingering in the air, Zhao Sheng tracked him down, and soon enough, he spotted the figure of the Great Elder Shen, attempting to flee.


    After that, no matter how the Great Elder Shen tried to conceal himself or spread false clues, he was never able to shake off the relentless pursuit of those behind him.


    An hour later, the chase had covered more than three hundred miles.


    In a sparse valley, the Great Elder Shen abruptly stopped, turning to stare coldly at Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian, who had caught up with him.


    The Great Elder didn¡¯t bother to ask why they could always find him.


    Such a pointless question, even if asked, was meaningless.


    Zhao Sheng and his companion swiftly halted three yards away, looking very cautiously at the severely wounded Great Elder Shen.


    At that moment, the body of the Great Elder Shen was covered with burn marks and scratches, and a large chunk was missing from his waist as if something had been bitten off by a massive beast.


    The Great Elder Shen¡¯s eyes were filled with bitter resentment as he glared at Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian, bellowing, ¡°Well then, it seems you really are intent on wiping me out completely! I¡¯ll fight you to the end.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than a tremendous aura burst forth from within the Great Elder Shen, followed by a wisp of faint blue Spiritual Fire that leapt from his Dantian into mid-air, transforming into a flaming tiger upon touching the ground.


    The moment the Flame Tiger hit the ground, the dry twigs and leaves around it instantly caught fire, and with the fire feeding on more fire, the size of the tiger swelled by a third, becoming as tall as a giant elephant.


    Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire?!


    Zhao Sheng felt a shock in his heart, hastily retreating backward.


    And Zhao Jijian, even more alarmed, blurted out a warning, ¡°Foundation Establishment Late Stage, he¡¯s actually at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment!¡±


    Only those at the Late Stage of the Foundation Establishment could refine and absorb the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire into their Core Energy Sea.


    This was because the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire had already developed its own spiritual nature and was difficult to be subdued and refined by Cultivators.


    The biggest difference between Early Middle Stage Foundation Establishment and Late Stage wasn¡¯t higher cultivation, but rather the initial merging of Divine Sense and Spiritual Power, paving the way for the embryonic forms of Mana in the Golden Core Realm.


    Although the Spiritual Power of a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator does not reach the qualitative change to Mana, it is sufficient to refine the spiritual nature within Spiritual Fire, finally integrating it into one¡¯s Spiritual Power.


    Therefore, this ball of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire undoubtedly revealed the Great Elder Shen¡¯s true strength.


    Since there was no escaping, he might as well have an outright battle.


    This time, the Shen Family¡¯s disciples were nearly wiped out in a surprise attack.


    Even if he escaped this tribulation, returning to the clan would mean losing face and authority.


    If the two Zhao Family Foundation Establishment cultivators before him were killed, perhaps he could obtain two spirit lands, and the Shen Family disciples would not have died in vain.


    A sword shadow flickered and vanished.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure suddenly twisted, tilting his head to the side, and a lock of hair slowly fell from his cheek.


    He had miraculously dodged the sword that had been plotted against him for so long.


    ¡°Invisible flying sword!¡±


    Zhao Jijian looked in astonishment at the Great Elder not far away, and not only him, even Zhao Sheng, who had narrowly escaped, had a grave expression.


    The Great Elder Shen regretfully shook his head, having thought that the Crystal Invisible Sword would achieve success in one strike, or at least severe the enemy even if it did not kill.


    Little did he expect the Zhao Family junior¡¯s reaction to be so swift, truly beyond normal expectations.


    Great Elder Shen summoned back the Crystal Invisible Sword in front of him and said with a cold smile, ¡°Very well, today I shall show you juniors the true power of the late stage of Foundation Establishment!¡±


    ¡°Tiger Spirit, attack!¡±


    Before his words fell, a giant flame tiger leapt with a thunderous roar, aggressively pouncing towards Zhao Jijian.


    Even before the beast arrived, its maw gaping wide, it spat out a dreadful poisonous fire that could melt gold and disintegrate bones.


    A red rainbow burst forth from above Zhao Jijian¡¯s head, the Sword Qi fierce, transforming into a sword light as thick as if one embraced it, not only dispersing the poisonous fire but also directly slashing towards the giant flame tiger.


    On the other side, seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart stirred, and from his embrace, a dark seal flew out.


    The seal suddenly swelled to the size of a house, crushing down towards Great Elder Shen with the force of a collapsing mountain.


    Humph!


    Great Elder Shen snorted coldly, his hand suddenly flicking out a spark.


    The spark met the wind and expanded, in the blink of an eye growing countless times larger, transforming into a grand flame tree with distinct branches and leaves, staunchly holding up against the Small Mountain Seal.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression abruptly changed, and he took a sharp intake of breath, his body stretching a foot taller, his waist shrinking by three inches, and the next instant, the sound of fabric tearing echoed as his clothing suddenly slit open.


    ¡°How is that possible!¡± The Great Elder¡¯s eyes looked as if they were about to pop out of his head.


    To know that the Crystal Invisible Sword was nearly invisible even under Divine Sense, and if one¡¯s Divine Sense was not stronger than his, they couldn¡¯t possibly detect the invisible sword¡¯s trace.


    He would never believe that a Zhao Family junior¡¯s Divine Sense could surpass that of someone in the late stage of Foundation Establishment.


    Unwilling to admit defeat, Great Elder Shen launched another sneak attack with the Crystal Invisible Sword, flying in for the kill.


    Hmm, this time Zhao Sheng dodged with much ease.


    His expression finally changed, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.


    Once or twice might be luck, but thrice was no longer a coincidence.


    Meanwhile, in another battlefield, Zhao Jijian was entangled in battle with the giant flame tiger, wielding the Red Rainbow Sword, unable to extricate himself for the moment.


    Originally, Great Elder Shen¡¯s strategy was to first kill the younger of the two, then remove the one with white hair.


    Little did he know, no matter how well-calculated his plans were, they could not stand against the slippery Zhao Sheng.


    It was unknown how this Zhao Family junior cultivated; with merely the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment First Layer, his reactions were as quick as a spectre¡¯s, as if he could predict the future, truly a monstrous genius!


    The Great Elder finally lost his patience.


    Previously at Flame Ridge, he had already sustained serious injury, most of his Spiritual Power drained away, and even his most relied upon defensive Spiritual Artifact was destroyed in the mouth of that Second Order monstrosity.


    If he could not kill these two in a short time, it would certainly be him who would die.


    Boom boom boom!


    Great Elder Shen continuously waved his hands, six giant flame dragons roaring forth, threateningly charging towards Zhao Sheng with great momentum. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In an instant, within a ten-zhang radius, the flames raged to the sky, seemingly about to engulf Zhao Sheng.

 Chapter 103 - 103 What treasure?

    Chapter 103: Chapter 103 What treasure?


    Zhao Sheng burst into a sudden smile and rubbed his fingers together, turning five Water Dragon Talismans into flying ash in an instant.


    The next moment, five water dragons as thick as barrels appeared out of thin air, quickly merged together, and formed a giant water ball as big as a small mountain, protecting Zhao Sheng within it.


    Hiss hiss hiss!


    Water and fire collided violently, instantly exploding into a vast expanse of scorching cloud mist, which quickly dispersed throughout the entire valley.


    Under the dense fog, the visibility was temporarily obscured.


    At that moment, a flash of sharpness flickered in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes as he shot out like a fish, swiftly rushing towards the Great Elder of the Shen Family.


    However, under the Divine Sense, Zhao Sheng¡¯s sudden attack could not possibly escape the Great Elder¡¯s notice.


    Yet the fog provided the perfect opportunity for an invisible sword¡¯s surprise attack.


    The Great Elder¡¯s heart leapt with joy, as a shadow of an invisible sword instantly swept across Zhao Sheng¡¯s neck.


    However, this strike once again missed its mark.


    By this time, Zhao Sheng had already closed the distance to within two zhang.


    Rustle rustle!


    A flame light shield suddenly appeared on the Great Elder¡¯s body, trembling incessantly as if pelted by rain, showing densely packed fine dots on its surface.


    Upon closer inspection, strands of fog could be seen rapidly evaporating outside the shield.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng silently lamented that the Thousand Silk Sword Rain had ultimately failed in its surprise attack. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Great Elder¡¯s expression changed, he staggered backward three steps and, glaring at the halted Zhao Sheng, said furiously, ¡°Good, good, I didn¡¯t expect to be humiliated when the tiger is down. You youngsters managed to push me to this extent. No wonder the Zhao family dares to conspire; indeed, we underestimated you all. But if you think this is enough to keep me here, you are still far from capable.¡±


    As soon as the Great Elder finished speaking, he seized the moment to fish out a bright red elixir and swallowed it,


    ¡°Well then, today¡¯s deep grudge, I shall temporarily remember it. One day my Shen Family will surely eradicate you disgraceful lot.¡±


    While he was speaking, the flame giant tiger had already broken free from the entanglement, turned into a beam of firelight, dashed seven or eight zhang away in an instant, and reentered the Great Elder¡¯s dantian.


    Just at that moment, the Great Elder suddenly pulled back, the light under his feet flashed as he rushed towards the sky.


    ¡°Not good, he¡¯s escaping!¡± Zhao Jijian shouted, and the Red Rainbow Sword flew up, chasing after the Great Elder.


    Zhao Sheng did not move, but merely smiled faintly.


    The next instant, a red cloud suddenly fell from the sky, and the Great Elder, unable to dodge, crashed right into it.


    The Great Elder¡¯s heart shook violently, and he instinctively held his breath, but the Peach Blossom Barrier was not so easily avoided.


    It didn¡¯t even need you to breathe, as the red cloud entered swiftly through the pores of his skin like a living thing.


    After flying up another two zhang, the Great Elder suddenly felt dizzy, and a dazzling illusion appeared before his eyes.


    Not good!


    Even though his Divine Sense was powerful, he regained his senses in the next second, but in that instant, a mysterious sword light suddenly appeared in his Purple Mansion.


    This sword light seemed real and illusory, reflecting in his sea of consciousness, appearing harmless.


    But in a flash, a sword light suddenly appeared in the Great Elder¡¯s eyes, and a sharp pain immediately spread from his Purple Mansion throughout his body.


    His Divine Sense dispersed, and his body instantly stiffened.


    Slash!


    By the time the Great Elder regained consciousness, he heard the final echoes of the word ¡°slash¡± disappear, and his neck felt unbearably painful.


    In an instant, intense fear welled up in his heart.


    Releasing his powerful Divine Sense with all his might, he swept around him. But to his utter horror, he saw a headless body falling into the cloud mist below.


    And¡­ that body¡­ was his own.


    ¡°This old man¡­ to die by the hands of a nameless youngster in the end. I cannot¡­ ah!¡±


    Crack!


    The Great Elder¡¯s corpse fell not far from Zhao Sheng.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s tightly wound nerves finally relaxed.


    At that moment, a sword rainbow wrapped around the Great Elder¡¯s head, rushed through the cloud mist at high speed, flew back to Zhao Jijian¡¯s side, and transformed back into the Red Rainbow Sword.


    Clutching the head, Zhao Jijian hurriedly walked to Zhao Sheng¡¯s side, his face unable to contain his wild joy, ¡°Chonghe, we ¡­ we actually killed a Foundation Establishment Late Stage, Foundation Establishment Late Stage! Haha, I never imagined such a day would come.¡±


    Zhao Sheng reached out to recall the Spiritual Artifact Small Mountain Seal, then continued to summon the Crystal Flying Sword and two Storage Bags that had fallen to the ground into his hands.


    Turning his head and seeing the unrestrained joy on Zhao Jijian¡¯s face, Zhao Sheng smiled and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, with the Shen Family¡¯s last Great Elder dead and the rest likely eradicated, Flame Ridge is probably now seized too.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you forgot something.¡± Zhao Jijian quickly stopped him.


    As soon as he finished speaking, the Great Elder¡¯s corpse suddenly burst into a mass of ghostly blue flames.


    The flames blazed fiercely, and in an instant, the corpse was burned to a pile of flying ash.


    Suddenly, a mass of ghostly blue Spiritual Fire burned quietly in front of them, a tiger¡¯s phantom shape faintly visible within the flames.


    Zhao Sheng frowned and spoke with a bit of difficulty, ¡°Fourth Master, this ball of Spiritual Fire is tricky to collect! How can we take it?¡±


    Zhao Jijian took out the Spirit Fire Gourd from his Storage Bag, shook it in front of Zhao Sheng, and smiled, ¡°I just happened to borrow this!¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng slapped his forehead, he had almost forgotten about this treasure.


    The Spirit Fire Gourd, despite being significantly damaged, was still more than capable of containing an unowned mass of Spiritual Fire.


    Suddenly, a fiery red flame shot out from the mouth of the gourd, wrapped the ghostly blue Spiritual Fire, and quickly pulled it into the gourd.


    Zhao Jijian, satisfied, tucked away the Spirit Fire Gourd, then returned to Flame Ridge on the Cloud Boat with Zhao Sheng.


    An hour later, Flame Ridge was in sight,


    At that time, the area around Flame Ridge for miles was shrouded in volcanic ash, the sky and earth were dim, and dark clouds billowed overhead, as if the apocalypse had come.


    Zhao Sheng piloted the Cloud Boat through the thick gray cloud, descending to a flat grassland ten miles from Flame Ridge.


    This place was a gathering point previously set by the Zhao family.


    The moment the two disembarked from the Cloud Boat, they were surrounded by their clan members.


    Looking at the expectant, worried, proud, and excited faces of the crowd, Zhao Jijian swung his hand to throw out the Great Elder Shen¡¯s head, loudly proclaiming, ¡°Mission accomplished, the old Shen has perished!¡±


    Ah!


    The crowd was first shocked, and then their faces lit up with wild joy.


    The death of Great Elder Shen meant not a single Shen Family member had escaped, signifying a complete and risky victory for the Zhao family.


    More importantly, the family now held two spirit lands.


    This all felt like a dream.


    Zhao Sheng swept his gaze over everyone, his brow slightly furrowed, feeling somewhat heavy-hearted.


    Thirty-two members of the Zhao family had taken part in the Flame Ridge operation.


    But at the scene, only thirty people appeared. Not only were two people missing, but one was also left with a lifelong disability.


    Zhao Keru had led the charge in eradicating the remnants of the Shen Family.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng looking distressed, he stepped forward and consoled, ¡°Life and death struggles inevitably result in casualties. Chonghe, you¡¯ve done your best. If a clan member dies, it¡¯s only because their skills were lacking; you shouldn¡¯t blame yourself too harshly.¡±


    Zhao Sheng sighed and said, ¡°I understand that, but ¡­ sigh!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about this anymore. I have a treasure here that you¡¯ll definitely like,¡± Zhao Keru quickly changed the subject, saying enthusiastically.


    Hmm?


    Before Zhao Sheng could speak, Zhao Jijian curiously leaned over and asked, ¡°What treasure?¡±

 Chapter 104 - 104 Divinity Test

    Chapter 104: Chapter 104 Divinity Test


    ¡°What do you think this is?¡±


    While speaking, Zhao Keru carefully took out a jade box from his storage bag, opened it, and placed it before two men.


    The two men looked down and saw a soil-gray, irregular stone the size of a human head inside the jade box. The stone was crisscrossed with numerous tiny cracks, from which countless minuscule golden flames were flickering.


    The entire stone was enveloped in golden flames, appearing to be continuously burning.


    ¡°Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire?¡±


    ¡°Stone Fire!¡±


    Two exclamations almost simultaneously arose, the first uttered by Zhao Sheng, and the latter by Zhao Jijian.


    Stone Fire is one of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fires, known for its gentle and temperate fire nature and pure flawless spirituality, making it one of the most favored Spiritual Fires among Alchemists and Artifact Refiners.


    Zhao Keru couldn¡¯t help but exclaim excitedly, ¡°Yes, exactly, Stone Fire. This volcanic eruption actually spewed it out. Truly, heaven blesses the Zhao Family!¡±


    No wonder Zhao Keru was so thrilled, for within the entire Zhao family, he was the most qualified to refine this Stone Fire.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian exchanged a look, their expressions odd.


    Zhao Jijian chuckled and pulled out a Spirit Fire Gourd, handing it to Zhao Keru and gesturing for him to take a look.


    However, the next second,


    Zhao Keru suddenly burst out furiously, ¡°Heaven¡¯s curse, which old thief wasted this treasure?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng and the other man exchanged glances, unable to utter a word.


    ¡­


    Time flies, years pass like a shuttle.


    Half a year had passed since the battle at Flame Ridge.


    In that half-year, Lush Peach Mountain underwent great changes. Not to mention the two mountains adjacent to it, the middle mountain was newly planned.


    Most of the disorderly growing peach trees on the mountain were removed, and all sorts of dirt such as rotten soil, decaying leaves, weeds, and broken stones were completely cleared away.


    Midway up the hill, a large flat land of several tens of acres was cleared, on which a series of brand new buildings had been erected, including three-to-four-story wooden buildings, large and spacious stone houses, and even a twenty-five-foot-tall ancestral hall of the Zhao Family.


    Further down, around the perimeter of the buildings, there lay a massive defensive stone wall, three meters high and two meters thick made of green stone.


    The stone wall occasionally flashed with spirit light, obviously having been equipped with powerful defense prohibitions.


    Across the pathway of the stone wall, at intervals, stood a large black and shiny Dragon-shooting Crossbow, shaped like flying wings on the side, with runes twinkling on its surface.


    The crossbows were loaded with three crossbow arrows each, each over nine feet in length, typically used to hunt large, tough-skinned demon beasts. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Zhao family, having eradicated two Cultivation Families and temporarily occupied two spirit lands, found themselves suddenly wealthy, and began to spend lavishly.


    Those who benefited first and most were the cultivating members of the family.


    Not only was their spiritual salary doubled, but each was also provided with at least two magic artifacts for offense and defense.


    Moreover, to assure safety, the Zhao family spared no expense to purchase a Second Order High Grade Defensive Array, the Small Four Symbols Formation, and also casually bought five Dragon-shooting Crossbows.


    In the middle of the stone wall, there was a gateway ten feet wide, which connected to a stone path six feet wide, extending all the way to the foot of the mountain.


    At the base of the mountain, more than twenty acres of spirit field had just been cleared.


    Within the spirit field, Zhao Shuo was drenched in sweat, swinging a light-flickering Magic Hoe. The hoe shadow flew up and down, quickly breaking large clumps of hard soil and leveling them.


    This morning, just as dawn was breaking, Zhao Shuo had rushed to the spirit field and had been busy working until the sun was almost overhead.


    Though he was exhausted, Zhao Shuo did not feel it to be bitter; rather, he felt more and more energetic.


    Because two acres of this spirit field belonged to him.


    Even though he wasn¡¯t a Cultivator, his son was!


    These two acres of spirit field would become their family¡¯s ancestral enterprise.


    Decades later, Zhao Shuo could proudly point at the spirit field and tell his descendants, ¡°Look, this is the foundation that your grandfather established.¡±


    A century later, he might no longer be in this world, but his descendants would definitely remember there once was an ordinary ancestor named Zhao Shuo who had made contributions and shed blood for the family.


    Zhao Shuo was energetically at work.


    Suddenly,


    a wooden kite descended from the sky, and a young man jumped down from it.


    The young man ran up to Zhao Shuo and excitedly shouted, ¡°Dad, Seventh Uncle wants to see you. You must come with me.¡±


    The young man was Zhao Xuanang, Zhao Shuo¡¯s son, born with Four Spirit Roots.


    A month ago, Zhao Xuanang¡¯s cultivation had advanced to the Qi Refining Third Layer, and he was thus assigned to Lush Peach Mountain.


    ¡°Oh, Xuanang, why does the elder want to see me?¡± Zhao Shuo, upon hearing this, immediately stopped his hoeing, looking very surprised.


    Zhao Xuanang grabbed Zhao Shuo and headed towards the wooden kite, while saying, ¡°I don¡¯t know why Seventh Uncle suddenly wants to see you. But it must be something good.¡±


    Half an hour later, in a stone room, Zhao Shuo met Zhao Sheng, who was busy drawing talismans.


    ¡°Just a moment,¡±


    Zhao Sheng said, his pen moving fluidly like a dragon and snake, his talisman¡¯s surface becoming increasingly dazzling as he repeatedly traced over it.


    A moment later, a Water Healing Talisman, nineteen layers thick, formed instantly, rings of intense light suddenly spreading from the surface of the talisman.


    Bang!


    Zhao Sheng flicked his finger, and the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman swiftly flew out, accurately landing in Zhao Xuanang¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Ang-er, you go outside for now. I have something to discuss with your dad.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Seventh Uncle!¡± Zhao Xuanang left the room, overjoyed, leaving Zhao Shuo alone, looking slightly nervous as he stood watching the family elder.


    Zhao Sheng swept Divine Sense over Zhao Shuo, sensing the pure and powerful Infinite True Qi inside him. He nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile, ¡°Indeed, you have reached Innate Great Success. If I remember correctly, you¡¯re not yet fifty years old!¡±


    Zhao Shuo cautiously answered, ¡°Elder, I am forty-three this year.¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt even more pleased upon hearing this.


    He handed over three books to Zhao Shuo, saying at the same time, ¡°The family possesses three supreme Innate Cultivation Techniques: ¡®Infinite Divine Skill,¡¯ ¡®Law-breaking Nine Swords,¡¯ and ¡®Cloud Dragon Nine Transformations.''¡±


    These three books contain some of my improvements and insights on the three techniques. Take them and read them. If you have any questions, you can come here to ask me on this day each month.


    Well, you can go now.¡±


    Zhao Shuo left the stone room with mixed feelings.


    He truly hadn¡¯t expected the family elder to summon him to transmit skills,


    Yes, in Zhao Shuo¡¯s heart, this was indeed the transmission of skills.


    However, there was one thing he couldn¡¯t understand. Innate Martial Artists could only threaten those in the early stages of Qi Refining and posed no threat to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    So why did the elder care so much about Martial Arts, even appearing to place great importance on it?


    Naturally, Zhao Sheng would not reveal his true intentions to Zhao Shuo.


    There were many benefits to continuously reincarnating, one being ample time.


    So much time that Zhao Sheng could experiment with any idea he wished.


    For example, helping Zhao Shuo break through to the Divinity Realm.


    Zhao Sheng could not guarantee that he would reincarnate as a cultivator in every lifetime.


    Therefore, whether Zhao Shuo eventually succeeded or failed, it would be a very precious experience for him.


    Moreover, Zhao Sheng was also curious whether the Life Span of Innate Martial Artists would significantly increase after breaking through the Divinity Realm and whether they could pose a threat to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

 Chapter 105 - 105: Eclipse

    Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Eclipse


    Nameless Wild Lake,


    Inside the mine, Zhao Sheng activated the Spirit Fire Gourd, from which a thick purplish Spiritual Fire as thick as a child¡¯s arm sprayed continuously.


    At this moment, not far in front of Zhao Sheng, dozens of Geng Gold were slowly melting under the relentless burning of the Spiritual Fire, showing signs of fusion.


    Time slowly passed, sweat appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s forehead, and his eyes looked slightly weary.


    But he dared not relax at all, striving to maintain the stable output of the Spiritual Fire.


    A quarter of an hour later, a bead flashing with blue light was rising and falling, spinning sleekly within the Spiritual Fire.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart leaped for joy. He immediately withdrew the Spiritual Fire and summoned the Geng Gold Pearl to his side, then carefully placed it on the spirit plate beside him to cool naturally.


    By now, the spirit plate already held another bead of the same size as the Geng Gold Pearl.


    Zhao Xuanjing had labored for an entire day mining just to obtain these two Geng Gold Pearls.


    But despite seeming so little, a single Geng Gold Pearl could easily sell for hundreds to thousands of Spirit Stones.


    Two quarters of an hour later, Zhao Sheng stored the two Geng Gold Pearls into the Storage Bag, nodded to Zhao Xuanjing, and then left the place.


    When Zhao Sheng appeared again, he had already arrived at Flame Ridge.


    After erupting for nearly half a year, this volcano had vented all its fury and gradually cooled down, only emitting some black smoke occasionally, but it no longer affected the Zhao family members from digging and treasure hunting here.


    Lying on the Spiritual Vein Land, Flame Ridge, an active volcano like this,


    After each eruption, it would spew out numerous spirit materials from Earth¡¯s Core, mainly of the Fire and Metal elements, and occasionally Earth element spirit materials as well.


    Zhao Sheng came here not to hunt for treasures, but to check on the excavation progress.


    Don¡¯t forget, beneath Flame Ridge lies an Earth Fire Vein.


    In a rare instance of initiative, Zhao Keru volunteered to be in charge of the development of Flame Ridge, in order to utilize the Earth Fire as soon as possible.


    Zhao Sheng landed at the base of the mountain and targeted a piece of open ground, casting several spiritual formulas in succession.


    The ground there suddenly blurred, then split open to reveal a doorway into the pitch-black tunnel behind it.


    Zhao Sheng quickly entered the tunnel, and the entrance soon sealed itself, returning the area to its empty state as before.


    A short while later, the entrance opened again, and Zhao Sheng walked out, his face showing a hint of happiness.


    The progress of the tunnel was pleasing; according to Zhao Keru, the Earth Fire Vein would be breached within a maximum of half a month.


    Back at Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Sheng listened to the reports from the clan members, learned that all matters on the mountain were going smoothly, and felt relieved.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng stood by the spirit field at the foot of the mountain, looking at the lush spirit grain seedlings in the field, and expressed his satisfaction to Zhao Xuanjing and the others nearby, saying, ¡°Very good, you¡¯ve been diligent.¡±


    ¡°We dare not take the elder¡¯s praise lightly. This is what we should do.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, about to inspect another industry,


    when suddenly a breeze came, carrying drifts of fresh fragrance as large swathes of white flower feathers floated down from the sky, much like snowflakes.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulders were soon covered in white. He caught a few flower feathers with his hand, and said in slight surprise, ¡°Eh, the White Feather Flowers are blooming? Another year has passed already, time flies indeed!¡±


    ¡°Yes, time really flies!¡± Zhao Xuanjing agreed.


    Hm?


    After dusting the flower feathers from his head and shoulders, Zhao Sheng suddenly looked up towards the southern sky, his face showing a trace of surprise.


    At that moment, looking from afar, a dark line slowly appeared on the southern horizon, which then turned into a sparse black cloud and gradually spread toward Lush Peach Mountain.


    Flap, flap!


    Zhao Sheng quickly made out that the so-called black cloud was, in fact, a countless number of birds and flying beasts.


    Some very fast-flying creatures like the Wind Swallows and Eagles had already flown past Lush Peach Mountain and were desperately fleeing into the distance.


    In no time, a variety of chirping and flapping sounds filled the air, growing louder and louder, until finally, it became extremely noisy and grating.


    As more and more birds and demon beasts flew over their heads, the sunlight was completely blocked by the birds, preventing it from reaching the ground and darkening the sky as if heavy clouds were pressing down.


    Just as everyone¡¯s expression turned increasingly anxious, the number of birds in the sky abruptly thinned out, followed by the bird swarm flying past Lush Peach Mountain altogether, and soon the sky cleared and sunlight once again bathed the land.


    Seeing this, everyone heaved a great sigh of relief, but Zhao Sheng kept staring solemnly at the south.


    Zhao Sheng, without attending to his enterprise, hurriedly returned to Lush Peach Mountain and immediately issued a recall message.


    At Flame Ridge, Zhao Keru, with a shocked face, watched the tide of birds flying across the sky; just then, a streak of light flew from a distance and landed in his hand. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon opening the talisman, he saw written: ¡°Urgent! Summon everyone back to Lush Peach Mountain immediately!¡±


    Inside the Geng Metal Mine, Zhao Xuanjing looked at the words ¡°return immediately¡± on the talisman, his expression very surprised.


    A hundred miles away from Lush Peach Mountain, in a dense forest, Zhao Jijian was hunting a raccoon-headed demon beast when a streak of light flew toward him,


    Shortly after, a sword light carrying a figure surged from the dense forest and ascended into the sky, making a half-circle before swiftly flying toward Lush Peach Mountain.


    As the sun gradually leaned toward the west, the members of the Zhao Family began coming back to Lush Peach Mountain one after another.


    During this period, two more waves of birds flew over, each group larger than the one that appeared first.


    At the time of the third wave of birds, a group of about twenty Steel Claw Sparrows suddenly attacked the encampment, but fortunately, Zhao Sheng was well-prepared and, along with his clansmen, quickly killed this group of First Rank demon beasts.


    By this time, everyone had realized that something was amiss.


    Once Zhao Jijian, Zhao Keru, and Zhao Xuanjing and all other family members had returned to Lush Peach Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng immediately activated the full power of the Small Four Symbols Formation. A light shield quickly rose from the stone wall, occasionally displaying illusions of earth, water, wind, and fire on its surface.


    The Dragon-shooting Crossbows were also fully equipped with crossbow arrows, aimed at the sky.


    The members of the Zhao Family rushed to the wall, ready for battle.


    Zhao Sheng stood with Zhao Jijian and others atop the wall, each wearing a different expression as they looked down upon the mountain slopes.


    After several controlled burns, the area within ten miles of Lush Peach Mountain had long been burned to white bare ground, devoid of any vegetation.


    However, beyond ten miles it was still overgrown with bushes and wild grass, still the unkempt, undeveloped look of a wild, rugged mountain.


    At that moment, ordinary animals like wild boars, rabbits, foxes, and lizards panicked and fled out from the deep forest, dazedly charging toward Lush Peach Mountain.


    Their alertness gone, they exhibited irrational behavior, as if a myriad of fierce beasts were chasing them from behind.


    Zhao Jijian, watching a gray-haired wild rabbit dash to its death against the stone wall, asked in astonishment, ¡°Chong He, what do you make of this situation?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, seeing more and more wild animals appearing below the mountain, said seriously, ¡°This is not good! What in the world happened in the depths of the Desolate Domain? If this continues, a beast tide is inevitable.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not worry too much; it might just be a mountain fire causing the panic. It might calm down in a few days,¡± Zhao Keru casually said.


    Beast tides are not uncommon in the Southern Border; every few decades to a century, large or small beast tides occur in the Southern Border.


    Many factors can cause a beast tide, most are natural disasters like earthquakes or mountain fires, but a few are also caused by human errors.

 Chapter 106 - 106: The Beast Tide Arrives, the Great Demon Emerges from the Mountain

    Chapter 106: Chapter 106: The Beast Tide Arrives, the Great Demon Emerges from the Mountain


    At this time, Zhao Sheng and the others were still unaware that a super beast tide, a rare occurrence that took place once every few centuries, was rapidly forming under the manipulation of a Transformed Great Demon.


    The scale of the beast tide would roll and swell like an avalanche, soon sweeping across seventy thousand miles of the Desolate Domain.


    The moment Zhao Keru finished speaking, dozens of demon wolves, each half a human¡¯s height, leaped out of the dense forest ten miles down the mountain.


    No sooner had these demon wolves appeared than they spread out into a large circle under the leadership of the lead wolf, baring their teeth and howling madly as they drove the beasts at the foot of the mountain towards Lush Peach Mountain.


    Such overt hostility from the pack of demon wolves took Zhao completely by surprise.


    According to common sense, as long as you don¡¯t provoke a pack of demon wolves, they would not show such great animosity toward the Human Clan.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle this!¡±


    Immediately after Zhao Jijian spoke, he wrapped himself in sword light and charged down the mountain, with the Red Rainbow Sword heading straight for the lead wolf.


    ¡°I¡¯ll help too!¡± Unwilling to be shown up, Zhao Keru followed, holding the Spiritual Cauldron as he also flew down the mountain. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Merely a pack of First-rank demon wolves, they were no match for the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators and were slaughtered in no time at all.


    However, before the group could feel any relief, a giant black-scaled python, as thick as a man¡¯s waist and more than thirty feet long, slithered out from the dense forest.


    Its eyes, as large as fists, were bloodshot, and its tongue flickered ceaselessly as its huge head turned towards Zhao Keru, who was closest.


    At the same time, two Steel Feathered Eagles plunged from the sky like lightning, aiming for Zhao Sheng standing on the wall, only to be repelled by the Defensive Light Shield of the Small Four Symbols Formation the next second.


    The Steel Feathered Eagles slightly adjusted their wings and flew off, then suddenly nearly a hundred one-foot-long green Wind Blades rained down from the sky, reducing the two eagles to a mush of flesh and feathers in an instant.


    These Wind Blades were one of the Small Four Symbols Formation¡¯s stress responses after being attacked; in addition, it had three other attack modes depending on the Heart Intent of the controller: Fireballs, Ice Arrows, and Earth Spikes.


    Watching the blood and feathers fall from the sky, everyone from the Zhao Family felt a chill in their hearts.


    Was a beast tide coming?


    While the Zhao family was ceaselessly killing the attacking demon beasts and fierce birds, countless similar scenes were taking place nearly simultaneously in newly established domains of the Human Clan.


    Some forces, like the Zhao family, who had taken spirit land early on and established a complete defensive system, were coping relatively well and didn¡¯t fall into disarray when suddenly attacked by demon beasts or other animals.


    But those Cultivation Forces still in a stalemate without having secured their targets were seeing their situation go downhill fast, not only being attacked from both front and rear, but even being besieged by demon beasts.


    As the situation became increasingly grim and adverse, their eventual fate seemed inauspicious.


    On the same day, across various towering peaks, cliffs deep in the Southern Border Wilderness, poisonous insects and demon beasts-infested desolate mountains and marshes, and treacherous domains rarely tread by humans, a succession of earth-shaking roars and screeches began to echo.


    In a forest stretching for a thousand miles, an Earth-shattering Demon Bear, three meters tall and as majestic as a mountain, slowly emerged from the forest. It was followed by hundreds of black-furred demon bears of varying grades from First to Second Order.


    The Earth-shattering Demon Bear suddenly raised its head and roared, followed by the ground trembling incessantly as the layers of soil rolled up like surging waves, lifting its enormous body and swiftly moving toward a Human Clan settlement a hundred miles away.


    Behind it, the group of demon bears gradually released a savage and bloody aura, pursuing with a threatening momentum.


    In a certain marshland, as the water surface violently churned, a vast shadow quickly surfaced; the next moment, a gigantic crocodile head burst out of the water, followed by a Small Mountain-like scale-armored body and thick, pillar-like limbs with a crocodile tail more than thirty feet long, with a bone hammer the size of a water jar at its end.


    This giant hammer-crocodile had lived for over a thousand years and had now reached the strength of a Sixth Rank; it was considered one of the most powerful demon beasts within several thousand miles.


    Six months ago, it received a Transformation Technique from Lady Qian Huan with the condition that when the White Feather Flower bloomed, it would lead the tens of thousands of crocodiles out of Croc Swamp to kill every member of the Human Clan it encountered.


    Today was the day it would fulfill that promise!


    ¡­


    Amidst a cluster of volcanoes spanning nearly a thousand miles, there was a low volcano a hundred feet tall with countless holes peppered across it, where innumerable fiery-red centipedes were busily burrowing in and out.


    Just then, a prolonged insect hum suddenly sounded from the top of the volcano.


    ¡°`


    In an instant, the entire mountain fell silent, followed by a low humming sound emanating from within the mountain, growing louder and louder.


    Suddenly, streams of red insects poured out from the holes in the mountain, merging at the base into a boundless red sea of insects,


    As thousands of two-winged Fire Centipedes took flight, the red sea divided into massive red torrents, led by higher-ranked Fire Centipedes, and they furiously rushed in all directions.


    At that moment, above Fire Centipede Mountain, Huan Niang stood side by side with an eight-winged, ugly red-faced man.


    The Fire Centipede Demon King looked greedily at Huan Niang¡¯s graceful figure and asked impatiently, ¡°Qian Huan, I¡¯ve done everything you¡¯ve said, when do you plan to keep your promise?¡±


    Huan Niang smiled coquettishly and said, ¡°Fire Centipede Brother, you¡¯re too anxious. What I¡¯ve promised, I¡¯ll certainly do. Just wait another month or two.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what you said. If you don¡¯t keep your word in two months, don¡¯t blame me for flattening Flowers Valley,¡± the Fire Centipede King said threateningly.


    ¡°I naturally won¡¯t disappoint you, Brother,¡± Huan Niang said with a smile, although a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.


    ¡­


    Thwack, thwack, thwack!


    Zhao Shuo¡¯s swordplay was lightning fast, as he unleashed bursts of sword light, covering a radius of about ten feet around him. Wherever the sword light reached, birds and strange insects fell like rain.


    He didn¡¯t have time to assess the damage, as he leaped to his son¡¯s side to protect him from the pounce of a black-faced owl.


    ¡°Xuanang, can you hold on?¡± Zhao Shuo asked, cutting through a dozen fist-sized green beetles with a few swift sword strikes, while looking at his son with concern.


    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m fine!¡±


    Zhao Xuanang said, before throwing a fireball and incinerating a swarm of poisonous flies.


    Since the demon wolf had started driving animals to assault Lush Peach Mountain, the Zhao family had been fighting non-stop, all the way until the sun set in the west.


    Wave after wave of attacks came at them continuously.


    Sometimes, before they had finished off the demon beasts on the ground, a massive dark cloud of insects would suddenly descend from the sky.


    The cloud was filled with countless bizarre Gu and poison insects.


    They were often attracted by the bloody scent emitting from Lush Peach Mountain and descended here recklessly.


    The insects were extremely weak, with two being killed by a single slap, but their numbers were overwhelming.


    It was a never-ending cycle of killing one group only for another to arrive, often leaving the illusion there were more and more, as fatigue set into weary wrists.


    However, they had to continue slaughtering because most Southern Border insects were poisonous, some deadly so.


    Sometimes, an inconspicuous poison insect could easily kill a Qi Refining Immortal Cultivator.


    As the sun set and twilight descended,


    Zhao Sheng killed a patterned leopard and looked up at the ever-thickening insect cloud in the sky.


    He knew they couldn¡¯t go on like this.


    Many insects are phototactic, and if the battle dragged on into the night, the situation would become even more disadvantageous for the family.


    Zhao Sheng quickly flew back to the stone wall, took out the Main Array Plate from his Storage Bag, and poured Spiritual Power and Divine Sense into it, causing the Array Plate to suddenly shine brightly.


    Simultaneously, the light shield in mid-air quickly solidified, and the demon insects that could have passed through were immediately repelled from the outside.


    The next second, innumerable white flames appeared on the surface of the light shield and in an instant, these small white flames expanded into Blazing Fireballs the size of heads.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    ¡°`

 Chapter 107 - 107 Vision

    Chapter 107: Chapter 107 Vision


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Countless blazing fireballs shot out, deeply burying themselves into the insect cloud before explosively detonating.


    In an instant, myriad white flames rapidly spread throughout the insect cloud, igniting vast swathes of it into huge flames that illuminated the dark skies around.


    After this extreme outburst, the brightness of the defensive light shield quickly dimmed, beginning to flicker unsteadily.


    Although this strike cleared out most of the insects, Zhao Sheng knew it was only a temporary solution, not a cure.


    Sooner rather than later, the demon insect tide would return, as the Southern Border¡¯s Gu Worms could never be completely eradicated.


    As for using a formation to block the incoming insect cloud, Zhao Sheng had never even considered it.


    Facing the relentless assault of the endless insect tide, even with a spirit mine at home, the Zhao Family couldn¡¯t afford to keep a Second Order Formation at full power all day and night due to its immense consumption!


    Formations, as good as they are, just burn through too many Spirit Stones!


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, and twelve Red Cloud Banners immediately flew out, evenly inserted atop the wall.


    Seeing this, all the clansmen, without needing a reminder, immediately gathered towards Zhao Sheng.


    Once all the clansmen had returned, Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts prompted the Red Cloud Banners to automatically generate large swathes of pink, sweetly cloying mist that quickly spread out, shrouding the entire stone wall.


    ¡°Quick, retreat! Everyone, temporarily take cover in the stone caves!¡±


    At Zhao Sheng¡¯s command, everyone, including Zhao Jijian, without asking why, immediately withdrew from the stone wall and retreated towards the stone caves.


    After everyone had left, Zhao Sheng shut down the formation and extinguished all lights.


    After applying an Invisibility Talisman and a Concentrating God Talisman to himself, he quietly retreated into a stone room to secretly observe the situation.


    Before long, the sky began to drizzle with a rain of insects, countless bugs attracted by the scent emitted by the peach blossom miasma, rushing into the Red Cloud like moths to a flame.


    At that time, wild beasts and demon beasts gathered at the foot of the mountain also began to climb over piles of corpses to scale the wall, and under the hallucinogenic effects of the Red Cloud, they began to ferociously slaughter each other, creating an extremely bloody and brutal scene.


    Why hadn¡¯t Zhao Sheng used such a powerful tool from the start?


    It was because, though marvelous, the Red Cloud was not infinite.


    As time slowly passed, the air became thick with the scent of blood, and the ground was layered higher and higher with the flesh and blood of corpses, eventually almost reaching the height of the three Zhang high stone wall.


    Correspondingly, the Red Cloud was also significantly depleted, its concentration fading gradually, thinning out.


    By the late hours of the night, the potency of the peach blossom miasma was so diminished it nearly lost its hallucinogenic ability.


    Zhao Sheng quietly recalled the Red Cloud Banners, heart aching terribly.


    At this moment, the Red Cloud on the banners had been reduced by more than half, each one barely holding a few clusters.


    Not knowing how long the beast tide would last, with the Red Cloud Banners already mostly spent from the first day, there was much to endure in the future.


    As dawn broke, the insect cloud gradually dispersed. The demon beasts that survived were few, and even fewer ordinary animals were left intact.


    A faint shadow of a sword flashed by!


    Sizzle!


    A waterfall of blood suddenly spurted from the neck of a black, twin-tailed tiger.


    This heavily scarred demon beast collapsed to the ground with a thud, twitching a few times before quickly dying.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The Invisible Sword morphed into an unseen specter, mercilessly reaping the lives of one demon beast after another.


    These exhausted and often severely injured beasts had their spiritual sense greatly weakened; they had barely reacted before their lives were taken by the Invisible Sword.


    However, there were exceptions; two Second-order Demon Beasts managed to survive the ordeal.


    One Golden Armored Giant Python had an extremely strong defense and managed to block the cutting of the Invisible Sword with its scales.


    Meanwhile, the other was a Second Order Wind Falcon, which reacted as swiftly as lightning. Before the Invisible Sword could strike, it swiftly vanished and reappeared high in the sky, a hundred yards up.


    The Golden Armored Giant Python raised its head high, flicking its tongue to sense its surroundings, yet it failed to detect Zhao Sheng¡¯s presence.


    Suddenly, the Second-order Demon Python thrashed its body, slamming its thick tail against the stone wall with a loud bang.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Its tail whipped wildly like a divine whip. In an instant, the ground trembled, carving deep trenches. Flesh flew in all directions from the sky to the ground, and the stone wall was cracked open with countless fissures.


    After a while, the Golden Armored Giant Python destroyed seven or eight houses in succession. After venting its rage, its body suddenly stretched and twisted, and in a flash, it soared down Lush Peach Mountain and burrowed into the boundless Mang Forest in a couple of leaps.


    After a while, once sure that the giant python had left, Zhao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out from his hiding spot.


    Only now did he realize, as the Golden Armored Giant Python displayed its formidable combat power,


    that it had approached the strength of a Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer Cultivator, nearly a third-tier.


    All together, the Zhao family was far from its match.


    After sending a Communication Token, Zhao Sheng looked at the gruesome scene in front of him, filled with mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and grew greatly worried.


    With such fierce fighting in just one day, what would follow could only be even more brutal!


    Most importantly, had the beast tide passed?


    While thinking, Zhao Sheng tossed fireballs onto the mountains of animal and insect corpses.


    He was burning the bodies to prevent the scent of blood from spreading and attracting more demon beasts and insect tides.


    Moments later, Zhao Jijian and Zhao Keru, leading their kinsmen, swiftly arrived at the site.


    Upon seeing such a dire scene, everyone gasped in shock, and several of the younger members turned deathly pale, almost vomiting.


    After a short period of shock, the elder family members like Zhao Jijian quickly got busy as well.


    The dead demon beasts were dragged to the side, and their fur, claws, scale armor, and eyeballs among other useful parts were cut off.


    The remaining unwanted scraps and insect corpses were burned along with ordinary animal remains.


    Sometime later, black smoke billowed over Lush Peach Mountain, like a volcano erupting.


    The sun broke through the mist, gradually climbing high into the sky.


    For dozens of miles around Lush Peach Mountain, the air was filled with the scent of meat and the smell of burning.


    What slightly reassured Zhao Sheng that day was that the scale of the beast herd was only a tenth of the day before, and the number of insect clouds had also greatly decreased.


    On the third day, the scale of the beast herd and insect clouds diminished even more.


    Everything seemed to be improving, as if the beast tide had indeed passed.


    On the fourth day, the sky was gloomy, covered with dense clouds, looking like rain was imminent.


    But contrary to the gloomy weather, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mood was quite good. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After three days of fighting, the family had lost only one member, which was far better than his initial expectations.


    And much of this was thanks to Zhao Keru.


    A few days before the beast tide, Zhao Keru fortuitously managed to refine a batch of Life Elixirs using the characteristics of Stone Fire.


    Life Elixir was a Second Order Spirit Pill primarily for healing, providing a massive amount of pure Vitality Power.


    As long as the Divine Soul wasn¡¯t injured, one could sustain even the seriously wounded, keeping their last breath from escaping for a full day.


    However, Zhao Sheng¡¯s good mood lasted only a short while before it was disrupted by a sudden anomaly on the horizon.


    Gazing into the distance, a faint red first appeared at the edge of the sky, then turned into a swath of red. Soon, the red spread toward Lush Peach Mountain, gradually ¡°submerging¡± the dark clouds in the sky.

 Chapter 108 - 108 Fire Centipede Swarm and the Uninvited Guest

    Chapter 108: Chapter 108 Fire Centipede Swarm and the Uninvited Guest


    On the stone wall, Zhao Xuanang, who was engrossed in cleaning the bloodstains, occasionally lifted his head and suddenly caught sight of the crimson apparition.


    He was startled and pointed there, exclaiming, ¡°What¡­ what is that?¡±


    Hearing this exclamation, everyone raised their heads and saw the phenomenon in the sky.


    At that moment, Zhao Jijian, as if thinking of something, his face drastically changed as he bellowed, ¡°Fire Centipedes! It must be the Fire Centipede Swarm! Everyone, quickly hide in the stone cave, it¡¯s already too late. Hurry!¡±


    Seeing this, the Zhao Family members didn¡¯t need to be reminded again; they dropped what they were doing and fled towards the stone cave at the fastest speed.


    The stone cave was the most secure place in Lush Peach Mountain and had been prepared by the Zhao family as a refuge from disasters.


    After everyone swiftly evacuated from the stone wall, Zhao Jijian noticed that Zhao Sheng was still standing in the same place looking upwards at the southern crimson clouds.


    ¡°Zhao He, hurry up! Don¡¯t you know how dangerous Fire Centipedes are?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, pointing south, said with a solemn expression, ¡°Fourth Master, there are people in the Insect Cloud, and they are fleeing towards us.¡±


    Zhao Jijian looked up, his face suddenly turning ashen.


    In that moment, the Insect Cloud formed by the Fire Centipede Swarm was already close to Lush Peach Mountain, and within the cloud, a small area was conspicuously noticeable.


    Because a desperate battle was unfolding there.


    Within the boundless Insect Cloud, countless Crimson Armored, red-toothed Fire Centipedes from all directions fiercely lunged at a medium-sized Cloud Boat over twenty meters long.


    At this time, the boat¡¯s outer hull, deck, cabins, and all exposed areas were already covered with Fire Centipedes.


    These terrifying demon insects had an enormous appetite, almost nothing was inedible to them.


    The spirit wood that constituted the main body of the Cloud Boat was harder than steel, but beneath the jaws of the Fire Centipedes, it was like crispy potato chips, being bitten into and losing pieces.


    In just a short while, the Cloud Boat was pitted all over.


    ¡°No¡­don¡¯t!¡±


    On a deck, Qian Gang, covered in blood, cried out, his body weakly leaning against the cabin wall, his face filled with despair.


    Opposite him, about a dozen seven-foot-long Fire Centipedes with two blood-red wings on their backs were looking at him with unfeeling eyes, as if staring at a lamb waiting for slaughter.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­don¡¯t come over!¡±


    However, his fate was already sealed.


    Suddenly, over a dozen fiery red streaks of light whistled down mercilessly onto him.


    Then came the ¡°crunch, crunch,¡± the sounds of chewing.


    Before long, the Fire Centipedes quietly dispersed, leaving behind only a pile of bloodstains,


    On the other side of the Cloud Boat, some were still resisting stubbornly.


    Seeing the numbers dwindling, Shao Shangzi couldn¡¯t help but blurt out, ¡°Fuck, this won¡¯t do, let¡¯s escape!¡±


    ¡°Big brother, where do you say we should escape to?¡± Liu Donghai, despite his age, had a hint of crying in his voice.


    From the moment the Cloud Boat was caught up by the Insect Tide, within merely half a quarter of an hour, the crew of over thirty was now reduced to just three survivors.


    Liu Donghai and Shao Shangzi were sworn brothers, and the last person was a Taoist High Crown.


    The three did not know each other before but now, driven by the circumstances, had to work together for survival.


    Facing the swarming insects, despite being Foundation Establishment Cultivators, they couldn¡¯t hold out for much longer.


    Considering the overwhelming madness of the Fire Centipedes, despair was in everyone¡¯s hearts.


    Just then, Shao Shangzi suddenly cried out in wild joy, ¡°Fuck, we¡¯re saved! Look¡­ look below, there¡­ there¡¯s someone!¡±


    The other two looked in the direction of the voice. Through the gaps in the Insect Cloud, they could see a mountaintop amidst the vast greenery of Mang Forest, surprisingly adorned with a vast expanse of man-made structures.


    Seeing this, the three were greatly encouraged and a hope for survival surged in their hearts. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Run for it!¡±


    Before he could finish speaking, Shao Shangzi¡¯s complexion suddenly turned from white to red, so red it seemed almost to drip blood, and at the same time, he spat out three mouthfuls of essence blood in quick succession.


    Suddenly, a large amount of essence blood caught fire out of thin air, forming a blood-light that enveloped him.


    Whoosh!


    The next second, a streak of blood light rapidly broke through layers of the Insect Cloud, fleeing towards Lush Peach Mountain.


    ¡°Woo¡­!¡±


    However, at this moment, with a sharp screech, a gigantic insect shadow shot out from the depths of the Insect Cloud.


    This insect shadow moved as fast as lightning and caught up with Shao Shangzi, who had just used Blood Escape, in the blink of an eye, biting off a large portion of his body.


    ¡°Ah!¡± Shao Shangzi let out a brief scream, then fell silent.


    Good opportunity!


    At this moment, Taoist High Crown¡¯s eyes flashed with a ruthless light, suddenly tossing a clump of green spirit flame onto Liu Donghai¡¯s body.


    The next second, the Spiritual Fire surged, and Liu Donghai instantly became a Burning ¡°Fire Man.¡±


    Ah!


    Fire Centipedes are Fire Attribute demon insects and are naturally attracted by the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, not to mention the scent of human flesh.


    Seizing the chance while the Fire Centipedes around were temporarily distracted by the spirit flame, Taoist High Crown swiftly leaped off the Cloud Boat, exerting all his strength to dash towards Lush Peach Mountain with a green bamboo staff.


    ¡­


    Atop Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Jijian and Zhao Sheng looked towards the direction of the swelling Insect Tide, their expressions ugly.


    At this time in the southern sky, a figure wrapped in green light was rapidly flying towards Lush Peach Mountain, with a vast expanse of red Insect Cloud fiercely pursuing behind.


    ¡°I¡¯ll draw them away!¡±


    Zhao Jijian suddenly produced the Red Rainbow Sword, ready to take flight.


    Zhao Sheng quickly grabbed him, shaking his head and speaking in a deep voice, ¡°It¡¯s too late, and you won¡¯t be able to draw the Fire Centipede Swarm away either.¡±


    His words were not false at all.


    Although treated with burning, Lush Peach Mountain was still littered with remnants of blood and flesh, and the air was filled with the scent of blood.


    In the eyes of the Fire Centipede demon insects, Lush Peach Mountain was like a constantly tempting ¡°big cake¡±¡ªnot something Zhao Jijian could simply lead away as he claimed.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Zhao Jijian roared furiously, anxiously asking, ¡°What do we do now?¡±


    ¡°The massive Insect Tide won¡¯t pause at Lush Peach Mountain. We are only facing a small part of it. Try to delay them and wait for the Insect Tide to pass before we plan further.¡±


    ¡°What about that person?¡± Zhao Jijian pointed fiercely toward the rapidly approaching Taoist High Crown.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the ruthless light in his eyes, and he sneered, ¡°Hehe, let¡¯s invite him into the stone cave first!¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Zhao Jijian blurted out, but quickly caught on.


    The location of the stone cave was not hidden, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators using Divine Sense could quickly find it.


    Rather than shutting Taoist High Crown out, they might as well temporarily invite him to take refuge in the stone cave.


    First, it would prevent him from getting desperate.


    Second, facing the Insect Tide, the more strength they had, the better their chances of survival.


    Third¡­ it was easier to dispose of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the stone cave.


    In just a few moments, Taoist High Crown had escaped to their front.


    By then, he was in a terrible state, his hair and Daoist robe nearly disintegrated by the corrosive fire poison, and his body was a blur of flesh and blood, with white bones visible in his deep wounds.


    ¡°Fellow Daoists, run! The Fire Centipedes are about to catch up.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t panic, fellow Daoist. Follow me!¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved him over, then turned and flew towards the stone cave.


    Zhao Jijian expressionlessly sized up Taoist High Crown, nodded at him, and then controlled his sword to leave.


    Seeing this, Taoist High Crown was overjoyed and quickly followed.

 Chapter 109 - 109: Cunning Plan

    Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Cunning Plan


    As the sky filled with an insect cloud bearing boundless malevolence, crazily descending upon Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, and Taoist High Crown rushed into the stone cave in Jia Valley like a whirlwind.


    The three hurried through a corridor about thirteen or fourteen zhang long and quickly appeared in a spacious stone cave.


    Inside the cave, Zhao Keru stood in front of the clan members. Seeing Zhao Sheng and the others safely returned, his expression brightened.


    But upon seeing the figure of Taoist High Crown, his face shifted slightly, and he deftly hefted the Spiritual Artifact, the Nine Extinguishing Tripod, ready to unleash the Core Spiritual Power stored within his Dantian.


    With the situation so urgent, Zhao Sheng had no time to explain.


    No sooner had he appeared than he rushed to Zhao Xuanjing by the corridor and yelled, ¡°Xuanjing, collapse the tunnel!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing reacted extremely quickly. As soon as Zhao Sheng¡¯s words fell, he immediately pressed his hand against the stone wall beside him, with massive amounts of Yellow Light streaming into the earth and rock.


    Crack! Crack!


    Boom!


    The stone walls of the thirteen or fourteen zhang long corridor instantly burst with innumerable cracks, which rapidly grew longer and deeper, followed by countless pebbles clattering down.


    Within two short breaths, amidst a cacophony of crumbling, the entire corridor collapsed with a thunderous crash, burying the stone cave deep underground with a multitude of fallen stones.


    At the moment of the tunnel¡¯s collapse, a two-winged Fire Centipede narrowly chased up to the cave entrance, only to be blown off balance by a fierce gust from the stone cave, nearly tumbling to the ground.


    The appearance of this Fire Centipede seemed to be a signal.


    The next second, the sky suddenly rained down countless crimson Fire Centipedes like a downpour.


    They surged like a tide and in the blink of an eye submerged the entire mountain top.


    Hum! Hum! Hum!


    In an instant, Lush Peach Mountain seemed to be covered with a layer of writhing red carpet; everywhere were the figures of Fire Centipedes.


    The moment this fearsome swarm of demon insects landed, they began frantically gnawing on everything around¡­ the blood-stained soil, scraps of flesh and bone hidden in crevices among the grass and rocks, and even the Arrays on the stone walls could not escape their fate.


    Clearly visible to the naked eye, the mountain¡¯s topsoil was gnawed away layer by thick layer, with trees and buildings also overwhelmed by countless Fire Centipedes and eaten clean in no time, leaving only debris scattered across the ground.


    Meanwhile,


    Outside the cave, hundreds of two-winged Fire Centipedes led by a four-winged Fire Centipede sprayed sticky, venomous flame at the stones blocking the cave,


    ¡°Ssssss,¡±


    The moment the stone touched the fire poison, it was as if splashed with King Water, blackening and corroding swiftly, producing copious black smoke as the rocks quickly melted and collapsed.


    For a time, black smoke filled the air, laden with an overwhelmingly sour and nauseating stench.


    On the other side, S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After the collapse of the passage, without waiting for Zhao Sheng¡¯s instructions, Zhao Xuanjing immediately slapped the stone wall.


    The next second, the wall glowed with Yellow Light and he was pulled into the earth and stones.


    But quickly, Zhao Xuanjing emerged again from the ground.


    Now, his expression tinged with fear, he urgently called out to Zhao Sheng, ¡°Uncle Seven, the Fire Centipedes are corroding the tunnel outside. It won¡¯t be long before they break through.¡±


    As these words were uttered, everyone became panicky.


    In this critical moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts raced like lightning, recalling any information about Fire Centipedes.


    Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, he decisively instructed, ¡°Everyone, do as I say! Quickly move all the stored demon beast meat jerky and the hides and bones here.¡±


    No sooner had he spoken, the somewhat panicked people immediately found their focus and quickly busied themselves following Zhao Sheng¡¯s command.


    Before long, a large mound of red and black meat piled up in the center of the cave, laden with various hides and bones of demon beasts.


    Having done this, Zhao Jijian, while keeping an eye on Taoist High Crown, couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What next?¡±


    Zhao Sheng managed a strained smile, ¡°Next¡­ we hide!¡±


    Then, under his command, they quickly took refuge in the storage room at the lowest level of the cave.


    With Zhao Xuanjing, the master builder, the interior of the stone cave had long been transformed into many stone rooms with various functions.


    After taking refuge in the storage room, Zhao Sheng swiftly circulated his Spiritual Power, simultaneously conjuring large amounts of clean water while reminding, ¡°Those proficient in the Water Technique, follow my lead. Don¡¯t forget, Fire Centipedes disdain water!¡±


    Everyone, upon hearing those words, had an epiphany and began releasing various Water Element Magic spells in rapturous haste.


    With everyone¡¯s combined efforts, the storeroom was soon submerged in water.


    At this time, an iceberg mixed with soil and stone sank into the water, and at its very center was a narrow space where everyone squeezed in.


    If they still couldn¡¯t avoid this calamity after doing all this,


    Zhao Sheng actually had one last move up his sleeve.


    Don¡¯t forget, with Zhao Xuanjing and Little Gold¡¯s combined ¡°Earth Escape¡± Divine Skills, they could at most take two people to slip away and escape.


    But Zhao Sheng wouldn¡¯t do that until it was absolutely necessary.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, a tunnel was quickly melted through the collapsed passage in a short amount of time.


    Countless Fire Centipedes poured into the stone cave, and upon seeing the mountain of meat in the middle, their instinct drove them to pounce on it and furiously start eating.


    The meat mountain rapidly diminished at a rate visible to the naked eye until it finally disappeared.


    After finishing off the meat mountain, the Fire Centipedes began to scuttle about the stone cave in disarray.


    A moment later, the figure of Fire Centipedes was seen in every stone room.


    However, they did not discover any trace of people.


    In the meantime, quite a few Fire Centipedes broke into the lowest level of the cave.


    But when they saw the cold water surface emitting a chill, they all stepped back warily, hissed twice, and then retreated.


    The intelligence of the Fire Centipedes was low, and as time passed without finding anyone, their patience quickly wore thin, with their innate insect hunting drive taking over.


    Time slowly passed by, and the Fire Centipedes in the cave became fewer and fewer until after the last one left, the cave became utterly silent.


    After an unknown amount of time, the figure of Zhao Xuanjing quietly appeared in the cave,


    After making a round outside, he quickly ran back with a joyous expression to report the news.


    A while later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the cave.


    A few breaths later, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, Taoist High Crown, and others emerged in the stone cave.


    The Zhao Clan Members following behind wore faces full of excitement and exhilaration.


    They had survived!


    Upon seeing the passage to the outside world, Taoist High Crown was the most eager of all.


    He quickened his steps and dashed to the front, about to rush out.


    At the crucial moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure suddenly appeared at the entrance of the passage, blocking him.


    Taoist High Crown¡¯s face changed slightly, and he immediately stopped, looking around, only to find himself surrounded by three Zhao Family Foundation Establishment practitioners.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, what is the meaning of this?¡±


    Taoist High Crown looked very displeased, his right hand swept over his Storage Bag, throwing it forward.


    ¡°Clack clack clack¡±


    Sounds of heavy objects hitting the ground rang out. In an instant, he had four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets each about a zhang tall and pitch-black in appearance.


    Each of these four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets possessed the battle power of Qi Refining Perfection.


    Looking at the defensive old Taoist, Zhao Sheng said with a cold smile, ¡°Old Taoist Shang, you can leave, but give me a satisfactory explanation first.¡±


    ¡°What explanation does Taoist Zhao want? I¡¯ll definitely do whatever I can do. The great kindness of saving our lives, I will never forget it in my heart,¡± Old Taoist Shang replied with a sheepish smile, his face full of gratitude.


    ¡°Lush Peach Mountain was completely destroyed because of you. Tell me, how will you compensate us for our losses?¡± Zhao Keru finished speaking and turned the Red Rainbow Sword, pointing its tip at Old Taoist Shang. If he did not get a satisfactory answer, he was ready to take action at any moment.

 Chapter 110 - 110: If You Cant Beat Them, Trick Them

    Chapter 110: Chapter 110: If You Can¡¯t Beat Them, Trick Them


    ¡°Gentlemen, let¡¯s talk this out, why resort to violence? It¡¯s just a matter of compensation! My Mystic Wood Pavilion isn¡¯t going to shy away from reimbursing for your losses,¡±


    Old Taoist Shang¡¯s expression changed upon hearing this, but he quickly regained his smile. While speaking kindly, his hands were secretly forming spells.


    Suddenly,


    the four Mystic Wood tiger puppets opened their merciless eyes and in an instant, their gaping maws shot out several thick beams of light.


    These beams, like long white silks, fiercely aimed at Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest and abdomen.


    At the same time, he stepped back and flicked his right hand forward, releasing dozens of peanut-sized black seeds from his sleeve which rapidly expanded in mid-air, sprouting into several dozen thick black thorns with a metallic sheen.


    The black thorns quickly intertwined like living things, landing on the ground to form a high wall of thorns, blocking the way for Zhao Jijian and the others.


    Elsewhere,


    seeing the four beams of light shooting at him, Zhao Sheng emotionlessly slapped his Storage Bag, and a dark small seal suddenly leaped out.


    In the blink of an eye, the Spiritual Artifact, the Small Mountain Seal, expanded to the size of a house, not only blocking the passageway but also stopping the four beams of light.


    ¡°Bang, bang, bang¡±


    The beams fiercely collided with the surface of the Small Mountain Seal.


    The great impact shook the Small Mountain Seal continuously.


    But that was all; the Small Mountain Seal quickly stabilized.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Jijian maneuvered the Red Rainbow Sword to strike the same black thorn thrice before narrowly managing to slice it, sending sparks flying. The thorn was apparently three times harder than refined steel.


    Next to him, Zhao Keru muttered incantations, his hand pressed onto the Nine Extinguishing Tripod when suddenly, a stream of golden-yellow Spiritual Fire shot out from the mouth of the tripod and landed on the black thorns.


    Unexpectedly, these thorns appeared to be a mutated species, completely resistant to the scorching of the Spiritual Fire.


    ¡°Down!¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng coldly spat out a single word with a frosty expression.


    In the gloomy stone cave, the rumbling Small Mountain Seal, carrying the sound of thunder, bore down towards Taoist High Crown¡¯s head.


    Taoist High Crown¡¯s face turned utterly solemn as he quickly took out a green staff and tossed it upward.


    The staff swiftly rose above his head, a flash of green light, and it abruptly expanded into a huge column that fiercely braced itself upwards.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face darkened, his hands formed spells rapidly, and the Small Mountain Seal expanded by a third more, filling half of the cave, its presence even more formidable.


    In an instant, the Spiritual Mountain Seal collided with the giant column.


    A tremendous explosion sounded, and the column, fashioned from the green staff, suddenly creaked, as if unable to bear the mountainous weight, inch by inch, it began to descend.


    Seeing the impressive power of the Small Mountain Seal, Taoist High Crown started to panic.


    His hands flashed with green light as he pressed them against the giant column, frantically channeling Spiritual Power into it, attempting to bolster its strength.


    But at that moment, a Red Rainbow Sword suddenly flew from afar, its dazzling Sword Light instantly illuminating the dim surroundings.


    Seeing that his head was about to be cleaved in two, Taoist High Crown infuriatingly exclaimed, ¡°Very well! You¡¯re forcing my hand.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than he bit his tongue, spitting out a mouthful of blood from the tip of his tongue onto the column before him.


    The column immediately blazed with light, managing to momentarily resist the descent of the Small Mountain Seal.


    Simultaneously, Taoist High Crown spat four mouthfuls of essence blood onto the heads of the four tiger puppets.


    The essence blood quickly seeped into the bodies of the puppets.


    Roar, roar, roar!


    The four Mystic Wood tiger puppets glowed red, two of them suddenly looked up with wide-open mouths, spitting out two even larger beams with a faint red tint, clashing against the Red Rainbow Sword,


    while the other two leaped up to a height of thirty feet, ferociously pouncing towards Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Bring it on!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils abruptly contracted as he willed his heart, a Spirit Fire Gourd twirled out from his waist, and from the gourd spewed a giant purple-flamed tiger.


    The Fire Spirit Tiger that emerged was a mutated Fire Spirit born from the fusion of two types of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, its strength not inferior to that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    After the Fire Spirit Tiger landed, it shook its body, and immediately two smaller Tiger Spirits split off from its left and right.


    They charged forward, one to the left and one to the right.


    In the blink of an eye, four ¡°tigers¡± were embroiled in a fight.


    Old Taoist Shang spat out several mouthfuls of essence blood, his face deathly pale.


    He did not consider himself a match for three Foundation Establishment Cultivators,


    and seeing no Life Path emerging, he was filled with extreme frustration and regret.


    Seizing the slim chance while he could still catch his breath, he immediately took out a Green Talisman and then started to chant. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Amid the mysterious spell incantations, the Green Talisman gradually emitted a dazzling green light, within which the phantom of a small jade knife appeared.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face darkened, and his Crystal Invisible Sword suddenly could not be cast.


    ¡°A third-tier Treasure Talisman?!¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng¡¯s right hand swept over his Storage Bag, and the Turtle Shell Talisman Treasure instantly fell into his palm.


    A third-tier Treasure Talisman had power comparable to a talisman treasure of the same tier.


    However, the difference was that a talisman treasure could be used multiple times, while a Treasure Talisman could only be used once.


    Old Taoist Shang clenched the Treasure Talisman whilst swallowing seven or eight colorful Spirit Pills, threatening fiercely, ¡°All of you stop, or I will activate the Divine Saber Talisman and many will surely perish. If anyone wants to die, come at me.¡±


    Seeing Zhao Sheng and the others hesitate slightly, he quickly added, ¡°I only seek to live, so how about we stop here?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately said, ¡°Old Taoist Shang, if you want to stop! Then you must first make these tiger puppets stop.¡±


    ¡°You guys stop first!¡±


    Although Old Taoist Shang said this, the four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets swiftly retreated to his side, protecting him tightly.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts moved, and the Small Mountain Seal whistled into the air, hovering above the cave ceiling,


    and the two Tiger Spirits merged back into one, standing in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Seeing this, Zhao Jijian also retracted the Red Rainbow Sword.


    However, Zhao Keru seemed as if he hadn¡¯t heard, still engrossed in his struggle with Black Thorns.


    But from the curious expression on his face, it was apparent that Zhao Keru had discovered something new and intriguing.


    Knowing that he was in the wrong, Old Taoist Shang saw everyone stopping and immediately, knowing his place, said, ¡°I am deeply grateful for the life-saving grace you all showed a few days ago. If you have any conditions, just state them! There¡¯s no need to resort to violence straight away.¡±


    Upon this, Zhao Sheng immediately made a demand, ¡°As long as you promise to serve my family for the rest of your life, we will grant you a Life Path.¡±


    Old Taoist Shang was startled by this, and soon laughed with an ugly expression, ¡°Taoist Zhao, are you serious?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I am serious, as long as you swear a Heart Demon Oath,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded, his expression nowhere near joking.


    ¡°Alright, I will swear the Heart Demon Oath now,¡±


    Old Taoist Shang agreed readily, then solemnly swore an oath.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, now that the Heart Demon Oath is sworn, what do you think?¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said coldly, ¡°Old Taoist Shang, do you take us for fools? A Heart Demon Oath without the Heart Blood is as good as none.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha, I would have forgotten if you hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I¡¯ll swear it again right now.¡±


    Saying so, Old Taoist Shang vomited a mouthful of blood and once again repeated the oath, word for word.


    Only this time, he spoke very slowly.


    As the oath was halfway through, Zhao Jijian suddenly shouted, ¡°Wrong, he¡¯s just buying time, don¡¯t be fooled!¡±


    As soon as the words fell, Old Taoist Shang¡¯s expression turned grim.

 Chapter 111 - 111 Samadhi True Fire

    Chapter 111: Chapter 111 Samadhi True Fire


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Having his tricks exposed, Old Taoist Shang snorted coldly and, tearing off the pretense, roared loudly as a burst of jade-green light suddenly exploded from his hand.


    The jade-green light shot toward the roof of the cave, illuminating it brilliantly. Within the radiance, a small jade-colored knife rapidly transitioned from ethereal to solid, swelling in size to over a yard in length,


    Simultaneously, an extremely fierce oppressive force abruptly emanated from the blade, causing everyone¡¯s eyes to sting and forcing them to avert their gaze from the sword light.


    ¡°Slash!¡±


    Old Taoist Shang coldly spat out a word while making a downward slashing motion with his hand.


    No sooner had his voice fallen,


    than the jade-colored long knife¡¯s light violently surged. In an inconceivable burst of speed, it appeared like lightning above Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, then thunderously chopped down.


    At this critical moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes shone brightly as he instantly activated ¡°Bullet Time.¡±


    In an instant, the world slowed manifold. The previously lightning-fast, thunderous divine knife now fell inch by inch in his eyes.


    However, because of the oppressive sword light, Zhao Sheng felt as if the air had turned into glue, making it extremely difficult to move and too late to dodge.


    Yet Zhao Sheng was not at all panicked; in ¡°Bullet Time,¡± his thoughts and reactions were at least thirty times faster than normal.


    He even had time to look up and study the style of the jade-colored long knife above his head.


    Only when the long knife was less than three feet above his head did Zhao Sheng calmly shift his thoughts.


    In an instant, the turtle shell talisman treasure, which had been primed for action in his palm, was activated.


    Zhao Sheng could ¡°clearly¡± see a black light flying from his hand, rising above his head, then condensing into a massive shield, dark all over and shaped like a turtle shell.


    A majestic one-horned turtle emerged from the surface of the shield, fearlessly charging at the slashing jade-colored long knife.


    With a booming sound, a blinding explosion of light erupted, stinging Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes.


    As he turned his head away, the world returned to normal.


    Boom!


    The collision of blade and armor suddenly produced a burst of dazzling light above the cave,


    Whoosh whoosh!


    A strong wind suddenly swept through the cave, creating a powerful whirlwind that echoed through the cave.


    At the same time, a large section of the cave ceiling collapsed, raining down numerous rocks and filling the entire cave with dust and smoke.


    Old Taoist Shang¡¯s face dramatically changed, unable to believe that his trump card had been blocked.


    Seeing his hope shattered, he was struck with terror, yet he still made a desperate move,


    as he sent the four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets rushing toward the tunnel entrance with a single thought.


    But at that moment, the faceful of dust made Old Taoist Shang blink reflexively.


    The moment he opened his eyes, a figure unexpectedly appeared beside him.


    ¡°When did¡­?¡± the moment a thought of doubt rose in Old Taoist Shang¡¯s mind, a familiar voice suddenly rang out beside his ear,


    ¡°It¡¯s over!¡±


    Before the words had finished, Old Taoist Shang suddenly felt an intense pain in his head, as if a spike were deeply plunged into his brain and vigorously stirred. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The next instant, he¡­ died!


    After spitting out a mouthful of blood, Zhao Sheng casually withdrew the Invisible Sword, shook the brain matter off the blade, and stowed it in his Storage Bag.


    Having had to initiate ¡°Bullet Time¡± three times in succession, Zhao Sheng had almost surpassed the physical limit of endurance, causing a slight injury to his organs.


    Bang bang bang!


    Without Old Taoist Shang¡¯s Spiritual Power and Divine Sense to control them, the four Mystic Wood Tiger Puppets immediately ceased their attacking motions, and the Jade Bamboo Stick fell to the ground, rolling towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet.


    As Zhao Sheng bent down to pick up the Spiritual Artifact, Zhao Jijian and the others finally broke through the barrier of thorny walls and arrived at the scene.


    ¡°Phew, he¡¯s finally dead!¡±


    Zhao Jijian, seeing the body of Old Taoist Shang with brain matter oozing out, let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Yes, dead through and through,¡± Zhao Sheng said nonchalantly while fiddling with the Jade Bamboo Stick.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Keru suddenly crouched down quietly, reaching around Old Taoist Shang¡¯s body, searching.


    ¡°Uncle Ru, are you looking for something?¡± Zhao Sheng asked curiously upon seeing this.


    Zhao Keru quickly found a dark green Storage Bag, and after probing inside with his Divine Sense, his expression suddenly brightened with joy.


    He hastily stood up, and suddenly in his right hand appeared a thick vine, as thick as a thigh and over three feet long,


    The vine had a charred, black appearance, looking almost like charcoal, but at its tip burned quietly a fist-sized, azure flame, which looked quite magical.


    ¡°What is this? Could it be another type of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire?¡±


    Zhao Sheng found it quite strange, as the family had previously exhausted much effort to acquire Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire but had never succeeded, yet now, Spiritual Fire seemed to be appearing one after another.


    Zhao Keru was very delighted and proudly said, ¡°This is Wood Fire!¡±


    Upon hearing it was Wood Fire, Zhao Sheng then understood why Uncle Ru was so excited.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, there were many types of Spiritual Fire, with the most numerous and common being those of the Five Elements: wind, thunder, ice, and other attributes.


    Above Spiritual Fire rank were True Fire or True Flame, examples of which included the famous Samadhi True Fire, Golden Crow True Flame, and so on.


    Not to mention others, just consider the Samadhi True Fire,


    Samadhi True Fire, also known as Golden Core True Fire, is formed by the fusion of Wood Fire, Stone Fire, and Air Fire. It has a divine effect of purifying Spiritual Power and aiding in the condensation of the Golden Core.


    Any Foundation Establishment Cultivator who has refined Samadhi True Fire greatly increases their chances of advancing to Golden Core, generally by more than thirty percent.


    Zhao Sheng immediately got excited because the family already possessed Stone Fire.


    If they were lucky enough to get a type of Air Fire,


    then when the three fires merge, they would produce Samadhi True Fire.


    It could be foreseen that the Zhao family might very well give birth to a Golden Core Master because of this.


    That was what Zhao Sheng thought, but it did not mean that Zhao Keru thought the same.


    Zhao Keru¡¯s thought was quite simple; he was excited not because the Samadhi True Fire could aid in Core Formation, but because the Samadhi True Fire was a much-coveted type of alchemy fire for any Alchemist.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, at least half of the Alchemy Masters had elevated to the master level because they had refined the Samadhi True Fire.


    By then, Zhao Jijian also realized this, and a look of delighted surprise immediately appeared on his face.


    Compared to Wood Fire, a Spiritual Artifact Puppet was not even worth mentioning¡ª even the losses of Lush Peach Mountain seemed negligible.


    While the three were jubilant about obtaining the Wood Fire, the Zhao Clan Members hiding in the rear cave heard the silence upfront, so they sent someone to check.


    Upon seeing the body of Old Taoist Shang, the people immediately ran out.


    Seeing this, Zhao Keru very alertly stored the Wood Fire back into the Storage Bag.


    With many people and much noise, secrets are easily leaked. The family had already collected two types of Spiritual Fire; their secret could absolutely not be revealed.


    The temptation of Samadhi True Fire was truly too great; even Golden Core Masters would act to snatch it.


    ¡­


    Following the passage forged by the Fire Centipede, the Zhao family members walked out of the stone cave.


    Looking at the devastated mountain top, everyone was stunned.


    The peach trees were gone, the flowers and grass were gone.


    Even the wooden buildings that had been constructed were gone, leaving only a spread of broken tiles and rubble.


    Seeing his clansmen¡¯s disheartened expressions, Zhao Sheng could not help but console them, ¡°What¡¯s destroyed is destroyed; it doesn¡¯t matter. The most important thing is that we are alive! We can always rebuild.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was right about one thing¡ªthe most important thing was to be alive.


    Compared to the losses of the Zhao family, some ordinary Foundation Establishment Families who also participated in the war of territorial expansion had fared much worse.


    The beast tide had come too mysteriously and too suddenly; in just a day or two, it had swept across seven thousand miles of the Desolate Domain.


    As waves of demon beasts, demon birds, and Insect Clouds charged in great numbers, many Cultivation Families, caught off guard, suffered heavy casualties.


    Some families, unlucky enough to have their spirit lands directly in the path of advancing high-level demon beasts, were wiped out entirely.


    But while smoke and carnage spread throughout the Desolate Domain, and countless from the Human Clan died or were injured, certain special forces behind the scenes profited immensely, reaping great rewards.


    Whenever a spirit land was breached by the demon beast tide, people would always arrive in time to occupy the area afterwards.


    After the beast tide ended, at least one third of the new spirit lands in the Desolate Domain had changed hands.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng was not aware of these things at the time.


    He would later learn some inside information from people of the Ge family.

 Chapter 112 - 112 Zhangers Children Have Their Own Blessings

    Chapter 112: Chapter 112 Zhang¡¯er¡¯s Children Have Their Own Blessings


    Three days later, Zhao Shuo hid behind a pile of rubble, carefully observing the activities below the mountain and in the sky.


    After a flock of demon beasts flew over from Lush Peach Mountain towards the north, he patted the dust off his body, stood up, and was about to turn towards the stone cave.


    At that moment, a black dot suddenly appeared on the horizon.


    Zhao Sheng stopped in his tracks and looked towards it.


    The dot grew larger and quickly became a white Cloud Boat.


    Seeing the Cloud Boat rapidly approaching Lush Peach Mountain, Zhao Shuo¡¯s expression became very vigilant, and he immediately leapt into the stone cave to alert the elders.


    After Zhao Sheng and several clansmen emerged from the stone cave, the Cloud Boat just happened to fly over Lush Peach Mountain and deftly landed on the ground.


    Then, two elders in Crimson Robes jumped down from the Cloud Boat.


    One was tall and thin, the other had a round face, both unabashedly radiating the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jijian, and Zhao Keru exchanged glances and simultaneously released the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng stepped forward and said with a smile, ¡°So it turns out to be friends from the Elixir Cauldron Sect. May I ask what brings the two of you to Lush Peach Mountain?¡±


    The two men scrutinized Zhao Sheng and the others, then looked up at the ruins of the mountaintop, their expressions strange.


    ¡°Lush Peach Mountain? Might as well call it Rotten Mound Mountain.¡±


    Then, the tall thin elder spoke, ¡°Hmm, we had thought that this place had already been destroyed by the beast tide. It seems we were mistaken. Farewell!¡± S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Please wait a moment!¡±


    Just as the two turned to leave, Zhao Sheng hastily stopped them and asked, ¡°May I ask, my friends, how are conditions outside now? We¡¯ve been trapped on Lush Peach Mountain and haven¡¯t had contact with the outside world for quite some time.¡±


    The tall, thin elder turned around and said, ¡°The largest wave of the beast tide passed two days ago, but the repercussions are far from over. As for when the beast tide will end, we do not know either. But it will take at least a month. I hope you can hold out until the beast tide is over. Otherwise, this place belongs to someone else! Farewell!¡±


    As they watched the two leave on the Cloud Boat, Zhao Sheng and the others discussed and decided to temporarily not rebuild Lush Peach Mountain.


    Lie low, everything else could wait until after the beast tide.


    ¡­


    One month later,


    Having seen no large-scale beast herds for three consecutive days, everyone from the Zhao family realized that the beast tide had finally passed.


    That day, laughter finally resounded over Lush Peach Mountain once again.


    The next day, under Zhao Jijian¡¯s command, the Cloud Boat roared towards Nine Tripods Square.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng led his clansmen in beginning the reconstruction of Lush Peach Mountain.


    Three months later, Lush Peach Mountain boasted a brand-new set of buildings, and the spirit fields below the mountain were redeveloped.


    Seeing Lush Peach Mountain back on track, Zhao Sheng slowly shifted his focus to cultivation.


    Simultaneously, Zhao Xuanjing secretly returned to Geng Gold Mine, commencing an eight-year long miner¡¯s career.


    One year later, the Desolate Domain was initially pacified.


    Yuye Ancestor reappeared in the world, announcing to various major sects that Pig Emperor Ridge was renamed Golden Jade Valley.


    That same year, Yuye Ancestor and his spouse broke away from the Ge Family and established the Wu Family in Jade Leaf Valley, with an influence spanning seven thousand miles of the Desolate Domain.


    Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, eight years had passed.


    That afternoon, Zhao Xuanjing rushed to the Alchemy Hall to deliver the last batch of Geng Metal to Zhao Sheng.


    In the Alchemy Hall, Zhao Sheng looked at the small amount of Geng Metal in his palm, a trace of melancholy on his face.


    ¡°Is that all?¡±


    ¡°Really, that¡¯s it! I searched for half a month and only found this bit. In the last few days, I didn¡¯t dig up a single piece,¡± Zhao Sheng replied.


    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s gone, it¡¯s gone. By the way, is the mine taken care of?¡± Zhao Sheng asked as he stowed away the Geng Metal.


    ¡°Uncle, the entire mine has been filled and sealed. I assure you no outsider can find even a trace,¡± replied Zhao Xuanjing.


    At this time, Zhao Xuanjing, who was over forty, had bushy eyebrows and a square face that clearly bore the marks of age.


    With his giant-like robust stature, he appeared very imposing and dignified.


    Zhao Sheng nodded, then suddenly asked, ¡°Xuanjing, which do you think is better, Lush Peach Mountain or Taifu Mountain?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing, upon hearing the question, wore a bitter expression and scratched his head, pretending to be dumb and dazed, ¡°Uncle Qi, such an important decision about choosing spirit land should be made by the elders. It¡¯s better for a junior like me to just follow orders.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng laughed and scolded him, ¡°You¡¯re getting slicker by the day. Not a word of truth, just talking circles to bamboozle me. Come on, what do you really think?¡±


    Hehe!


    Zhao Xuanjing, feeling a bit embarrassed, laughed and then couldn¡¯t help but speak his truth, ¡°If you ask me, both Taifu Mountain and Lush Peach Mountain have their own merits. Taifu Mountain is better in terms of peace and stability, while Lush Peach Mountain holds great potential for development with superior geographical conditions. Plus, with the Yuye Ancestor having just upgraded to Nascent Soul, as long as no accidents occur, we could have at least two thousand years of stable development here.¡±


    Although Zhao Xuanjing didn¡¯t explicitly say so, his words clearly favored the future of Lush Peach Mountain.


    His thoughts aligned with Zhao Sheng, but most of the Zhao family members were completely leaning toward Taifu Mountain.


    This was especially true for Zhao Xuan¡¯an¡¯s opinion, which was very firm, and he had even convinced Zhao Jijian.


    As for Zhao Keru, he was impartial, staying in the middle.


    Since Zhao Xuan¡¯an was the Family Head of the Zhao family, once he insisted on choosing Taifu Mountain, it was hard for Zhao Sheng to object.


    Seeing Uncle Qi deep in thought, Zhao Xuanjing wanted to slip away quietly but was unexpectedly stopped again.


    ¡°How are things going at Flame Ridge?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing quickly responded, ¡°The Earth Fire Chamber has already been built. The Ge family has reserved two rooms especially for our family.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded silently, very satisfied with the Ge family¡¯s generosity in his heart.


    The Zhao family didn¡¯t have the capacity to occupy two spirit lands simultaneously.


    Thus, three years ago, he had instructed Zhao Xuan¡¯an to give Flame Ridge to the Elixir Saint Ge Family.


    Even though Zhao Sheng hadn¡¯t asked for anything in return, it was clear the Ge family had no intention of taking advantage unduly.


    These two Earth Fire Chambers were their greatest form of repayment to the Zhao family.


    Aside from family use, if rented out to others,


    One Earth Fire Chamber could bring in a rental income of at least a couple of thousand Spirit Stones each year.


    While it wasn¡¯t much, it added up over time.


    ¡°Uncle Qi, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll head out first.¡±


    ¡°Wait, there¡¯s one more thing. You¡¯ve advanced to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, haven¡¯t you?¡± Zhao Sheng said, his gaze intensely focused on him.


    Zhao Xuanjing, smiling naively, nodded, ¡°Nothing can escape Uncle Qi¡¯s eyes. I just advanced two days ago.¡±


    ¡°Good, Xuanjing, you¡¯ve really given me a big surprise. I thought I¡¯d have to wait another two years, but now it seems we can¡¯t delay any further,¡± Zhao Sheng stood up, walked around his nephew in a circle, and exclaimed in admiration.


    ¡°Uncle Qi, do you mean¡­ returning to Heavenly Pillar Mountain?¡± Zhao Xuanjing asked, seemingly enlightened.


    ¡°Yes, the environment of the secret mansion is more suitable for you. Staying in Lush Peach Mountain any longer would greatly slow down your cultivation progress. You know, the sooner you attempt Foundation Establishment, the better it is not only for you but also for the family,¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt more and more that he was right as he spoke.


    Right after, he immediately instructed Zhao Xuanjing to pack up and return to Heavenly Pillar Mountain as soon as possible.


    When Zhao Xuanjing heard that Uncle Qi was also leaving, he asked in surprise, ¡°You¡¯re not going to take care of things here?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m letting it go. Let Xuan¡¯an worry about it. Children have their own good fortune. I can manage it for a lifetime, but I can¡¯t manage it forever,¡±


    After saying this, Zhao Sheng felt as if he had lifted a great weight off his shoulders, his entire demeanor much more relaxed.


    Zhao Xuanjing didn¡¯t quite understand the meaning behind Zhao Sheng¡¯s words, but he clearly heard an intention to let go.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll go back and prepare right away, and also say goodbye to my mother,¡±


    Seeing that Zhao Sheng had made up his mind, Zhao Xuanjing didn¡¯t say anything more.


    He was pure-hearted, without the heavy desire for power that Zhao Xuan¡¯an possessed.


    Though he preferred Lush Peach Mountain, if the family ultimately chose Taifu Mountain, he had no complaints.


    After all, he held a special identity as the leader of Zhao¡¯s Secret Department.


    According to the ancestral teachings, the Dark Department should not interfere in family affairs.

 Chapter 113 - 113: Origin Return Sects Boundless Future

    Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Origin Return Sect¡¯s Boundless Future


    One month later, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Jijian appeared outside Pocket World City.


    After paying the city gate tax, the two followed the crowd, passed through the towering gate, and entered Pocket World City.


    As soon as he entered the city, Zhao Sheng heard a uniform chant:


    ¡°Soul blood never dies, known as Mysterious Blood, the source of Mysterious Blood is spirit, everlasting and inexhaustible.¡±


    Looking towards the source of the sound, Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned by what he saw.


    He remembered that to the left of the city gate, there used to be a bustling row of shops, which had now been leveled and transformed into a square at an unknown time.


    At this moment, the square was filled with people dressed in bright red robes, chanting slogans with an extremely fanatic and obsessed demeanor.


    In front of the crowd was a high platform, on which stood a spirited, lean old man.


    This old man was very familiar to Zhao Sheng, as it was Wei Youquan, with whom he had traded many times before.


    Zhao Sheng had not expected to run into an old acquaintance as soon as he entered Pocket World City.


    It had been ten years since their last meeting, and Wei Youquan had clearly come up in the world, looking completely different from before.


    If he wasn¡¯t mistaken, the other party had likely joined Master Gui Yuan¡¯s forces.


    Zhao Sheng still clearly remembered that ten years ago, Wei Youquan had sold him a copy of the ¡°Blood Refining Body Forging Technique,¡± which originated from Master Gui Yuan¡¯s disciples.


    Of course, Wei Youquan¡¯s affairs had nothing to do with him.


    After his curiosity passed, Zhao Sheng quickly looked away, patted Zhao Xuanjing on the arm, and hinted, ¡°Stop looking, let¡¯s go!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing snapped back to reality and asked with interest, ¡°Uncle Seven, I remember Pocket World City wasn¡¯t like this ten years ago. Where did these people come from? They look quite strange?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so strange about it? There are far weirder things in the Cultivation World. Your experience is still too limited. Wait until you¡¯ve been out training for a few decades, then nothing will surprise you.¡±


    ¡°Uncle Seven, what are we going to do next?¡±


    ¡°First, let¡¯s find a place to stay, then sell the demon beast materials we have accumulated over the years.¡±


    ¡°When will we return to the old place?¡±


    ¡°No hurry, we¡¯ll go back to the old place after we¡¯ve bought everything we need.¡±


    Thus, the two casually conversed while slowly disappearing into the crowd.


    ¡­


    Two days later, in the Qiwu Pavilion


    In a guest room, Zhao Sheng sat across from a thin old man.


    Zhao Sheng pulled out a gray storage bag, opened it wide, and tipped it upside down.


    Clatter!


    Immediately, a pile of scale armor, fur, beast horns, claws, and other demon beast materials fell onto the table in front of them, forming a small mountain.


    ¡°Manager Chu, please assess these,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a smile as he put away the storage bag.


    Manager Chu¡¯s face lit up with joy as he skillfully sorted through the demon beast materials in front of him.


    ¡°Hmm, this is a Red Antelope Horn, well-preserved. It can sell for fifty spirit stones.


    The skin and fur of the Fire Horse Beast, fire-resistant, unfortunately with two holes, greatly reducing its value. Barely sells for a hundred.¡±


    Manager Chu continued to identify the quality of the materials and evaluate their prices as he handled each one.


    About an hour later, Manager Chu had assessed all the demon beast materials.


    Setting down the last piece of scale armor, Manager Chu smiled and said, ¡°Senior Zhao, if this humble one is not mistaken, you¡­ come from the Southern Border?¡±


    ¡°Correct! Manager Chu, you have good eye,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded.


    This batch of demon beast materials had been accumulated by the Zhao family over recent years, as they could not fetch good prices in the Southern Border.


    This time, Zhao Sheng had brought them all to Pocket World City.


    ¡°The elder flatters me. It¡¯s not that I have exceptional discernment, but lately, all the big transactions like yours have come from the Southern Border without exception.¡±


    As Manager Chu was speaking, he suddenly exclaimed, ¡°Yuye Ancestor is truly a rare genius encountered once in a millennium. The great achievement of his successful development of new land has already spread throughout the Central Continent.


    An entire seven thousand li of the Desolate Domain, that is a fertile land containing endless treasures. If I were decades younger¡ª¡±


    ¡°Alright, Manager Chu, name your price!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, seeing the conversation drifting farther away, immediately interrupted him.


    Manager Chu slapped his forehead, apologized repeatedly, and admitted his old habit had kicked in again. Only after apologizing did he provide a price.


    ¡°In total, twenty-three thousand seven hundred and fifty Spirit Stones.¡±


    ¡°What if exchanged entirely for Mid-grade Spirit Stones?¡± Zhao Sheng asked.


    ¡°That would be only two hundred and thirty-five Mid-grade Spirit Stones; the rest is the price difference,¡± Manager Chu answered promptly. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Fair enough! Let¡¯s settle on that price!¡± Zhao Sheng quickly estimated and agreed readily.


    ¡°Please wait a moment, senior, while I get the Spirit Stones.¡±


    Just as Manager Chu was about to get up and leave, Zhao Sheng called out to him again.


    ¡°Hold on, I have more items to sell!¡±


    Saying that, Zhao Sheng took out three wooden boxes, nearly as tall as a person, from his Storage Bag, opened the lids, and invited Manager Chu to inspect them.


    As soon as Manager Chu saw the contents of the boxes, he immediately sat back down and eagerly started to evaluate them. ¡°This is Python Skin from a Second-level Black Nightmare Python and feathers from a Second Order Wind Eagle! Could this be¡­¡±


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng, with his Storage Bag bulging, left Qiwu Pavilion, while an exceedingly attentive Manager Chu stood at the entrance, watching him walk away.


    After passing through two workshops, Zhao Sheng stepped into the inn where he was staying.


    Upon entering the main hall of the inn, he saw Zhao Xuanjing entangled with a young woman dressed in a bright red robe.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already told you, I won¡¯t join the Origin Return Sect. Stop bothering me!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was very frustrated, and as soon as he saw Zhao Sheng return, he quickly addressed the woman with a comment, then took two steps to meet him.


    ¡°Uncle Qi, you¡¯re finally back.¡±


    ¡°Yes, what¡¯s going on?¡± Zhao Sheng nodded and gestured to what was happening behind him.


    Zhao Xuanjing turned around and a look of impatience washed over his face.


    Meanwhile, the woman in the red robe, persistent, chased after them, ¡°Taoist friend, listen to me. Your Constitution far surpasses that of ordinary people and is most suited for cultivating our sect¡¯s techniques. It would be such a waste to not use such an exceptional body.¡±


    ¡°How many times do I need to tell you? I won¡¯t join.¡±


    Despite being generally good-tempered, even Zhao Xuanjing lost his temper, unable to restrain the aura of a Qi Refining Ninth Layer, his towering, physically imposing figure exuded an oppressive air.


    Unexpectedly, the woman in the red robe showed no fear, her face determined and earnest.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng inevitably grew curious and asked, ¡°Miss, are you not afraid of my nephew taking action?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not! Even if it kills me, I accept it, as long as he joins the Origin Return Sect,¡± the woman in the red robe said resolutely.


    Hearing her, Zhao Sheng grew even more curious.


    ¡°Why are you so persistent about him joining the Origin Return Sect? Does it benefit you somehow?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    The woman in the red robe was direct and openly admitted, ¡°If he joins the Origin Return Sect, I will be his guide. The higher his status in the sect, the more merit I receive.¡±


    Although he didn¡¯t know what merit was, Zhao Sheng had already seen through the schemes of the Origin Return Sect.


    ¡°Creating a pyramid scheme in the Cultivation World. Talent indeed! Who thought of this trick? Could it be Master Gui Yuan?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was pondering this when,


    suddenly, the woman in the red robe¡¯s eyes lit up, and she turned her attention to him, ¡°Senior, why don¡¯t you also join the Origin Return Sect? Though our sect is newly established, it possesses immense power. We have tens of thousands of disciples, nearly a hundred at the Foundation Establishment stage, and most importantly, a Nascent Soul Ancestor presides over us.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was startled and inquired, ¡°Nascent Soul Ancestor? Has Master Gui Yuan already advanced to Nascent Soul?¡±


    The woman in the red robe proudly said, ¡°Correct, Origin Return Ancestor successfully elevated to Nascent Soul five years ago. Thus, the future of the Origin Return Sect is boundless. You should join quickly. If you delay, you¡¯ll miss this excellent opportunity.¡±


    Heh!

 Chapter 114 - 114 What is the Use of the Dragon Ball?

    Chapter 114: Chapter 114 What is the Use of the Dragon Ball?


    Hehe!


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but sneer inwardly, but he remained unmoved and continued to inquire, ¡°Miss, does your Origin Return Sect not have any requirements for accepting disciples?¡± Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Who says we don¡¯t? We don¡¯t just accept anyone, at the very least, they must have a Spirit Root.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng thought, ¡°That requirement is indeed ¡®high¡¯ enough.¡±


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng asked about a few more things.


    The woman in the red robe was surprisingly patient, showing no sign of impatience no matter what Zhao Sheng asked.


    Two quarters of an hour later, Zhao Sheng felt there was nothing more to ask. He secretly used an Enchanting Technique, handed the woman in the red robe ten Spirit Stones, and then ¡°shooed¡± her out the door.


    Watching the woman walk away, Zhao Xuanjing couldn¡¯t help but complain, ¡°Uncle Seven, what was the point of chatting with her? You could have sent her away early on.¡±


    ¡°The Origin Return Sect is powerful in Pocket World City, backed by a Nascent Soul Ancestor. It¡¯s always beneficial to inquire about some insider information.¡±


    After explaining, Zhao Sheng took out a Spirit Stone Storage Bag and handed it to Zhao Xuanjing, while speaking, ¡°There are ten thousand Spirit Stones in here, take them!¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Uncle Seven! The Earth-Shaking Mace I have isn¡¯t very handy for me. Now I can finally exchange it for a new Magic Artifact.¡± Zhao Xuanjing exclaimed with unrestrained joy.


    ¡­


    Three days later, Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion at Heavenly Pillar Mountain finally welcomed its own master.


    Walking through the Illusion Array and stepping onto the slope, the first thing Zhao Sheng saw was the revived Spiritual Peach Tree.


    After ten years, the Spiritual Peach Tree hadn¡¯t changed much, still with winding branches like a pavilion canopy. But its peach leaves were even more emerald green, spirit light sprinkled beneath the tree, and cloud mist swirled around, with bursts of rich Water Spiritual Energy hitting the face.


    Perhaps nurtured by the Water Spiritual Energy, the Spiritual Medicines in the Medicine Field seemed more vigorous than ten years ago, each growing pleasingly well.


    After Zhao Xuanjing entered, he immediately let Little Gold out.


    Little Gold quickly sensed the familiar environment, and its serpent-like body excitedly twisted on the ground.


    Zhao Xuanjing gave Little Gold¡¯s head a pat.


    Their hearts connected, they didn¡¯t even need a reminder.


    Then, Zhao Xuanjing, with Little Gold and an excited expression, quickly ran into the stone cave.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng suddenly thought of something, his expression changed, and he hurriedly shouted, ¡°Wait!¡±


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    Almost at the same time, a loud noise erupted from inside the stone cave.


    Then they saw Zhao Xuanjing, holding his forehead, grimacing in pain as he walked out of the stone cave.


    ¡°I forgot to tell you just now, I¡¯ve set up a Second-Order Stone Wall Formation in the passage.¡± Zhao Sheng explained somewhat embarrassingly.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    After the minor incident, the two settled down in the secret mansion.


    Life in the secret mansion was simple and pure, with Zhao Xuanjing bitterly cultivating in seclusion within the Mountain Dragon Cave, aiming to swiftly reach Qi Refining Perfection.


    Zhao Sheng, on the other hand, was much more leisurely.


    In this life, he had no hope of advancing to Golden Core.


    Therefore, he naturally wouldn¡¯t put all his energy into cultivation. Instead, he devoted most of his efforts to talismanic magic, with the remainder on Elixir Pills, Artifacts, Formations, Curses, and other Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation.


    All this was to accumulate knowledge, experience, and insight for his next life.


    A month later, under the Spiritual Peach Tree, the cloud mist was sparse, and Zhao Sheng, sitting cross-legged beneath it, suddenly opened his eyes and sighed.


    After a month of cultivation, the Water Spiritual Energy around the Spiritual Peach Tree had already dwindled to a trickle.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng also finally confirmed that, after advancing to the Second Level of Foundation Establishment, the spiritual energy environment here was no longer sufficient to support his continued cultivation.


    Now, he faced two choices: one was to use Elixir Pills and Spirit Stones to aid his cultivation, and the other was to move to a place with more concentrated Spiritual Energy.


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment, stood up, and walked into the stone cave.


    He passed through the long passage, turned into the tunnel, and walked another two or three miles.


    Along the path, stone rooms and large stone caves could be seen everywhere, with tables and benches carved from stone placed within.


    All of these were the masterpieces of Zhao Xuanjing, but they were not all there was.


    As Zhao Sheng entered the Mountain Dragon Cave, an even more astonishing scene appeared before his eyes.


    Around the walls of the Mountain Dragon Cave, Zhao Xuanjing had actually carved out four grottoes, which housed groups of stone buildings of grand scales and diverse styles.


    Zhao Sheng had seen plenty before and was not at all surprised.


    Upon entering the Mountain Dragon Cave, he quickly saw Zhao Xuanjing standing in front of the Mountain Dragon Remains.


    Stepping forward, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze suddenly sharpened.


    Zhao Xuanjing was staring intently at the pit in front of him as if he hadn¡¯t noticed Zhao Sheng¡¯s arrival.


    At that moment, Little Gold¡¯s thick body was constantly rolling and writhing in the pit, rubbing forcefully against the walls of the pit while devouring the falling debris of the Mountain Dragon.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng felt both shocked and delighted.


    He knew that Little Gold was undergoing transformation and would upgrade to Second Order upon success.


    If it failed, it wouldn¡¯t die, but it would split and reproduce.


    And this meant that Little Gold had limited potential and could never condense True Blood and revert to its dragon ancestry.


    A day later, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing had not moved, silently watching by the side.


    At this time, Little Gold¡¯s transformation was reaching its crucial moment.


    With a sound like tearing silk, dozens of golden rings on Little Gold¡¯s body suddenly burst open, revealing a new layer of brighter, larger golden rings beneath.


    At the same time, Zhao Xuanjing shouted with great joy, ¡°It¡¯s a success!¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but be all smiles.


    In no time, Little Gold quickly shed its old skin, with its body becoming several times thicker, as large as a water bucket, and its length exceeding thirty feet.


    Then, without making a sound, Little Gold burrowed into the ground and the next instant, its head popped up from under Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s feet, its spirit body skillfully wrapping around its master¡¯s body, affectionately rubbing itself against him!


    Zhao Xuanjing played with Little Gold for a while, sharing in its joy.


    ¡°Seventh Uncle, as you can see, Little Gold has great potential. The Dragon Ball is of no use to you, could you not feed it to Little Gold?¡±


    Taking advantage of the good opportunity, Zhao Xuanjing once again asked Zhao Sheng for the Dragon Ball.


    He had asked for it several times before, but Zhao Sheng had never budged.


    This time¡­


    ¡°That Dragon Ball, I have a great use for it. I can¡¯t give it to you!¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was very disappointed, forever puzzled as to why his Seventh Uncle insisted on hoarding the Dragon Ball.


    Zhao Sheng would not tell anyone the use of the Dragon Ball.


    In his heart, he had a plan that had been in the works for many years, and the Dragon Ball was the most critical prop in this plan.


    Ignoring the disappointed look on the other¡¯s face, Zhao Sheng said, ¡°I will be leaving the secret mansion for several years, you stay here and cultivate properly. I will leave these two Array Plates with you.¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng handed the Stone Wall Formation and Flowing Cloud Illusion Array Plates to Zhao Xuanjing.


    Zhao Xuanjing took the Array Plates, looking very puzzled, ¡°Seventh Uncle, it¡¯s only been a month, why are you leaving the secret mansion now?¡±


    Zhao Sheng then told him the reason for his departure.


    Upon hearing it, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly realized.


    He naturally supported Zhao Sheng¡¯s decision wholeheartedly.


    So,


    A day later, with Zhao Xuanjing watching, Zhao Sheng passed through the Illusion Array and left Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion.


    The next day, in the Treasure Talisman Pavilion located in the Outer City of Pocket World City, a Mixed Spirit Shop on the street quietly changed owners.

 Chapter 115 - 115: The Birth of a Prosperous Shop

    Chapter 115: Chapter 115: The Birth of a Prosperous Shop


    Treasure Talisman Pavilion,


    In front of a shop by the street, at this moment, it was surrounded by people forming three inner and three outer circles.


    In the middle of the crowd, two exceptionally beautiful women with alluring figures stood in front of the shop entrance, striking various enticing poses.


    As time passed, the crowd in front of the shop grew larger and larger, almost blocking the street.


    Zhao Sheng felt that the time was ripe, so he gave the two ¡°beautiful women¡± a wink.


    Understanding his signal, the women smiled charmingly, then turned gracefully, their hands reaching out to grasp a hanging red ribbon and gave it a gentle tug.


    The ribbon fell, revealing the shop¡¯s signboard above the door with the big characters ¡°Golden Talisman Pavilion¡±.


    Zhao Sheng chose this name to commemorate Zhao Jinfu.


    Without him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s path in Talisman Tao would not have been so smooth.


    After pulling down the ribbon, the two beauties delicately moved to the front of the door, gently pushed it open, glanced back with a smile, and quickly disappeared behind the door.


    The crowd outside, upon seeing this scene, looked at each other.


    The next second, no one knew who moved first, but the crowd suddenly surged forward, scrambling to rush into the shop.


    When the crowd entered the shop, the two beauties were already standing behind the counter, gracefully waiting for customers.


    Behind the beauties, on the white wall, hung hundreds of various types of talismans with labels below them: Water Healing Talisman, Golden Arrow Talisman, Rejuvenation Talisman, Earth Shield Talisman, Fire Dragon Talisman, and so on.


    It¡¯s worth mentioning that the topmost part of the wall was still empty, having no samples, but displayed prominently were the words Second-Order such-and-such Talisman, like Second-Order Water Mine Talisman, Second-Order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, Second-Order Water Dragon Roar, and so forth.


    Such a straightforward and clear arrangement was refreshing for everyone.


    Without needing someone to explain, just a glance was enough to know what talismans could be purchased in this shop.


    ¡°I want to buy three Water Healing Talismans,¡± someone tentatively spoke.


    The beautiful woman slightly bowed with a smile showing her teeth, ¡°Senior, one Water Healing Talisman costs two Spirit Stones. Are you sure you want to buy them?¡±


    As soon as she finished speaking, a thought suddenly emerged in everyone¡¯s minds, ¡°Oh my, her voice is so pleasing, it¡¯s almost soul-stirring!¡±


    Smack!


    ¡°Just two per piece, that¡¯s too cheap! Give me ten!¡± The person took out a sparkling Mid-grade Spirit Stone and slapped it on the counter with a lavish gesture.


    ¡°Alright, Senior, please wait a moment!¡±


    The beauty, evidently well-trained professionally, was extremely efficient; within a few breaths, she completed the full process of collecting the payment, fetching the talismans, and returning the change.


    ¡°I want two Water Healing Talismans, two Earth Shield Talismans.¡±


    ¡°Four Golden Armor Talismans, one Illusion Talisman, six Condensing Water Talismans.¡±


    ¡°I want¡­¡±


    After the successful first transaction, the crowd rushed to make purchases one after another.


    In an instant, the trading atmosphere at Golden Talisman Pavilion was exceptionally heated.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng led seven or eight fellow talisman cultivators to quietly retreat from the front of the shop to the guest hall in the backyard.


    No sooner had everyone sat down than one person eagerly said, ¡°Senior Zhao, I, Zhou Shengsan, agree to your consignment proposal.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded at him, then asked the others, ¡°What are your thoughts, everyone?¡±


    The others nodded without hesitation in agreement.


    At that moment, there was no need for anyone else to point it out, anyone with clear vision could see that Golden Talisman Pavilion¡¯s opening was a smashing success.


    Given the condition today, it wouldn¡¯t take much time for Treasure Talisman Pavilion to add yet another bustling shop. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just past the time of Hai, Golden Talisman Pavilion closed for the day.


    As soon as the door closed, the two beauties immediately lost their composed images and slumped over the counter, huffing and puffing heavily.


    ¡°Senior Zhao, if every day is as busy as today, we sisters won¡¯t be able to keep up,¡± they said.


    After this complaint, the figures of the two beautiful women suddenly became blurry.


    Then, as if shedding a layer of painted skin, the two stunning beauties disappeared, replaced by two women with excellent figures but ordinary faces.


    The two women looked very similar, clearly indicating that they were twin sisters.


    Zhao Sheng laid out a row of Spirit Stones and placed them in front of the two: ¡°Your daily wage is ten Spirit Stones each. Believe me, I could easily find a large group of people to replace you with just eight Spirit Stones.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the two became extremely nervous. Jobs with such high wages were almost impossible to find in the Outer City!


    If they lost their jobs over a slip of the tongue, they would be devastated!


    The two sisters quickly bowed their heads and apologized, correcting their attitudes.


    Zhao Sheng was just scaring them, he had no intention of replacing them.


    ¡­


    After closing the door and checking the accounts, Zhao Sheng, despite having braced himself, still jumped after tallying the accounts.


    The Golden Talisman Pavilion had a turnover of more than twenty thousand Spirit Stones just on the first day of business, and the profit, because it included consignment, was temporarily uncalculated, but was surely above ten percent.


    Others, even Foundation Establishment Cultivators, could not sustain such a bustling shop.


    But Zhao Sheng was well prepared.


    Before opening, he had given forty percent of the shop shares to the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association, without any charges.


    Zhao Sheng had been a member of the Enthusiasts Association for decades. He was well aware that the association was divided into several layers. The core circle had profound connections and was supported by several Golden Core Masters.


    Having the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association as a support not only solved the source of talismans but also avoided external scrutiny,


    Most importantly, this opportunity had brought him into the core layer of the association.


    From then on, more literary classics about the Talisman Tao that were previously inaccessible were finally opened up to him.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s actions could not just be considered hitting several birds with one stone, but an overwhelming success.


    The next day, the Golden Talisman Pavilion continued its booming success from the opening day.


    The third day, the number of customers slightly decreased, but the shop was still bustling.


    The Golden Talisman Pavilion was on fire, incredibly successful!


    As the owner of the Golden Talisman Pavilion, Zhao Sheng gradually gained a reputation in Pocket World City, at least somewhat famous among Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    Soon, more secretive circles within Pocket World City began to send him invitations one after another.


    Zhao Sheng naturally accepted them.


    In less than a month, Zhao Sheng¡¯s social circle rapidly expanded, with more and more channels opening up for him.


    Having been a person of high standing across several lives, his experience and ability ensured that he thrived in any circle.


    Thus, in a short period of time, Zhao Sheng was accepted by even more layers of society.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, Zhao Sheng rented a cultivation cave mansion through his connections.


    A month later, with a friend¡¯s guidance, he entered the underground black market of Pocket World City for the first time.


    From then on, he became a regular at the black market.


    Half a year later, the third floor of the Book Sea Tower in Cave Heaven Inner City opened its doors to him.


    A year later, a significant event occurred in Pocket World City. The Origin Ancestor announced his departure from Pocket World City and officially established the Origin Return Sect on Cliff Mountain, a thousand miles away.


    On the day the sect was founded, the sect gates were opened to all without discrimination, allowing anyone with a Spirit Root to join.


    Immediately, countless destitute Loose Cultivators spread the word and invited friends to join the Origin Return Sect.


    Two months later, at a gathering of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Zhao Sheng heard someone jokingly mention that the number of disciples under the Origin Return Sect had already exceeded fifty thousand, thus it was humorously referred to as the ¡°Great Sect¡± of Central Continent.

 Chapter 116 - 116: The 116th Chapter: Faking Is a Craft

    Chapter 116: The 116th Chapter: Faking Is a Craft


    Golden Talisman Pavilion,


    That late afternoon, Mei San sneaked into the shop with furtive steps.


    Upon entering, he sidled up to Xiao Huan and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m looking for your shopkeeper.¡±


    Xiao Huan was the elder of the two beauties.


    She was already quite accustomed to this kind of sneaky behavior from visitors.


    ¡°May I ask if you¡¯re here for a transaction?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, one of my ancestors was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Before he passed away, he left behind several refining notes. We, the descendants, have no talent, so we can only trade them for some spirit stones to spend,¡± Mei San seemed to say with shame.


    ¡°Please take your number plaque, turn left after you enter, and there¡¯s a guest lounge. You can wait there for a while, and when it¡¯s your turn, you can go in.¡±


    Xiao Huan skillfully took a wooden plaque from below the counter and slid it across to Mei San.


    ¡°Huh? Are there a lot of people coming here?¡± Mei San looked surprised and couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    ¡°Not many lately. Today you¡¯re number forty-three,¡± Xiao Huan responded lightly, maintaining a professional and delicate smile on her face.


    Mei San¡¯s face reddened as he grabbed the wooden plaque and walked toward the back.


    After turning past the side door of the shop and walking a dozen steps, he entered a simply decorated room.


    The room was about a hundred square meters, and there were thirty or forty chairs placed inside.


    When Mei San entered, there were already seven or eight people seated in the room.


    The room was very quiet, no one was speaking, and Mei San shrunk his neck as he quietly walked in, randomly picking a chair to sit down, and began to wait silently.


    It wasn¡¯t long before,


    a young attendant entered the room, and without a word, someone immediately got up and followed the attendant out.


    After a long wait, those in front of him had gone, and finally, it was his turn.


    Mei San followed the attendant through a hallway to the innermost room. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thump, thump!


    The attendant knocked on the door.


    ¡°Come in,¡± a warm voice called from inside the room.


    ¡°Go on in,¡± the attendant said to Mei San.


    Mei San nodded appreciatively at the attendant and then pushed the door open and walked in.


    ¡°Sit!¡± Zhao Sheng indicated the chair in front of him.


    Mei San nodded repeatedly with a smiling face and sat down across from Zhao Sheng, then carefully pulled out a yellow jade scroll from his bosom and placed it on the table in front of him.


    Seeing it was a Jade Scroll, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirits lifted immediately; anything recorded on a Jade Scroll was no trivial matter.


    Following protocol, he didn¡¯t inquire about the origins of the Jade Scroll, nor did he check the content inside. Instead, he directly asked the visitor.


    ¡°Taoist friend, may I ask what is recorded inside this Jade Scroll? Is it a Cultivation Method, Elixir Recipe, secret news, treasure map, or something else?¡±


    Mei San said, ¡°Senior Zhao, this Jade Scroll was left by my ancestor, and it records a Cultivation Method called ¡®Fire Cloud Skill.¡¯ My ancestor was able to cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Realm with this very method.¡±


    As Zhao Sheng picked up the Jade Scroll, his Divine Sense swept across Mei San¡¯s body, sensing that his cultivation was very low, at merely the Qi Refining Second Level.


    He pressed the Jade Scroll to his forehead, his divine sense probing inside, and in a flash, countless details about the Cultivation Method flooded his mind.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng took down the Jade Scroll and fell into contemplation.


    Indeed, the scroll recorded a Fire Element Cultivation Method, with very detailed accounts of steps for refining spiritual energy, transporting spiritual power, refining meridians, and nourishing the spirit as part of the cultivation.


    However, Zhao Sheng was still unable to confirm whether the Cultivation Method was genuine.


    After all, the Cultivation World had a longstanding tradition of fraud, with few honest people and too many swindlers, to the point where fools were nearly extinct.


    Altering elixir recipes, fabricating Cultivation experiences, forging spells, and treasure maps were just child¡¯s play.


    More sophisticated methods of deception involved cutting and completely fabricating Cultivation Methods, deriving hundreds of ¡®different¡¯ methods from a single one.


    In the Cultivation World, falsification and counterfeiting had become a hereditary craft for some cultivator swindlers.


    But those weren¡¯t the cruelest of practices.


    The thing that countless cultivators hated most was that the cultivation methods were real, but someone had deliberately altered, erased, or even intentionally set cultivation traps in the most crucial parts of the methods.


    There were many, very many cultivators who did this. It could be to prevent leakage of secrets, or it could be to deliberately harm others.


    Imagine this,


    After killing someone, someone searches the corpse and finds a cultivation method named ¡°Fire Cloud Skill.¡±


    Ninety-nine percent of the content of the method is true, but at the upgrade to Foundation Establishment, the record prescribes the Nine Revolutions, claiming self-establishment upon completion.


    But in fact, the Nine Revolutions had been tampered with, and following it not only failed to establish the foundation but would cause the cultivator to explode and die.


    In the Cultivation World, every year there are countless cultivators who practiced false methods and ended up meeting with various tragedies.


    But I digress, back to the main point.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng silent, Mei San grew anxious inside.


    He naturally knew about the other¡¯s concerns and hurriedly revealed his origins and family background, even explaining the reason for selling his ancestral cultivation method.


    When Zhao Sheng heard that the other party was selling the method to join the Origin Return Sect, he felt very curious.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the Origin Return Sect known for admitting anyone with a Spirit Root into its gate?¡±


    Mei San smiled bitterly and said, ¡°Senior is not aware, it¡¯s not difficult to enter the Origin Return Sect, but cultivating requires Spirit Stones! Besides, there are too many disciples in the sect, and the number of Essence Blood Pearls is limited. Right now, it¡¯s like too many monks and not enough porridge; the disciples are nearly fighting to the death over it.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had also heard a little about the current state of the Origin Return Sect, so he naturally knew that the other party was not lying.


    The rapid expansion of the Origin Return Sect¡¯s power was rare in the recent tens of thousands of years of Tianzhu Realm history.


    In just a few years¡¯ time, the number of disciples exceeded fifty-thousand, so naturally, the resources within the sect couldn¡¯t keep up.


    Zhao Sheng was very curious, watching as the Origin Return Sect grew like a balloon day by day, why the powers of the Ten Great Sects of Central Continent hadn¡¯t chosen to suppress it?


    After all, in any world, the upper classes are extremely vigilant about any person or force that might threaten their own position, and they often choose to snuff out or co-opt such threats in advance.


    Could it be that the Origin Return Sect has already been ¡°co-opted¡±? Or is it just a ¡°white glove¡± put forward by some top force?


    Or perhaps¡­


    For a moment, numerous possibilities sprang up in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    ¡°Senior, Senior?¡±


    Mei San¡¯s call brought back Zhao Sheng¡¯s wandering thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take this Cultivation Technique Jade Scroll. What would you like to exchange for it?¡±


    After coming to his senses, Zhao Sheng finally decided to take that cultivation method.


    Upon hearing this, Mei San¡¯s face lit up with joy, and then he cautiously said, ¡°Senior, I heard that you can refine Essence Blood Talismans?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you want an Essence Blood Talisman?¡± Zhao Sheng nodded, his gaze sharp as he looked at the other party.


    ¡°Yes, I want the Essence Blood Talisman!¡± said Mei San very affirmatively.


    Mei San¡¯s request somewhat troubled Zhao Sheng.


    It wasn¡¯t that Essence Blood Talismans were difficult to refine, but he was afraid that once he started, he wouldn¡¯t be able to stop.


    Zhao Sheng was very clear about how large the supply gap for Essence Blood Talismans was.


    In the past two years, every Talisman Master in the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association had been visited by Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Origin Return Sect, not once but dozens or even more times.


    Zhao Sheng was no exception, especially a certain individual surnamed Wei who considered himself an old acquaintance, repeatedly visiting with a thick-skinned persistence that was nearly unbearable.


    However, Zhao Sheng did not want to outright reject them.


    After all, one has to respect the Ancestor for the sake of the Origin Ancestor¡¯s face.


    Just as other Golden Core Perfected Masters monopolized certain industries in Pocket World City, the Origin Ancestor monopolized the talisman industry.


    In other words, the greatest backer of the Talisman Cultivator Enthusiasts Association was the Origin Ancestor.


    Of course, ever since the Origin Ancestor was forced to leave Pocket World City, the backer of the association had changed.


    However, the connections built up over hundreds of years couldn¡¯t be erased in a short period.


    Even now, a considerable number of talisman cultivators from Pocket World City had been taken in as disciples by the Origin Return Sect.


    Zhao Sheng had also been invited multiple times to join but had declined each time.

 Chapter 117 - 117 Copper-Armored Corpse, Im Not Interested

    Chapter 117: Chapter 117 Copper-Armored Corpse, I¡¯m Not Interested


    ¡°How many Essence Blood Talismans can I exchange for this Fire Cloud Skill?¡±


    Mei San carefully observed Zhao Sheng¡¯s facial expression.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and pushed the Jade Scroll back. ¡°You better come up with another request, or I don¡¯t want this Jade Scroll.¡±


    Mei San¡¯s expression stiffened, then he hesitantly began to ponder.


    A moment later, Mei San quietly left through the back door of the Golden Talisman Pavilion.


    In the room, Zhao Sheng put away the Cultivation Technique Jade Scroll, just as there was a knock at the door.


    ¡°Come in!¡±


    ¡°Senior Zhao, I have a family secret recipe¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Three days later, at a Foundation Establishment exchange meeting, Zhao Sheng looked at the red-haired Foundation Establishment Practitioner opposite him with a smile and asked, ¡°Mr. Zhu, I acquired a Fire Element Cultivation Method a few days ago; would you be interested in taking a look?¡±


    ¡°Oh, what Cultivation Technique?¡± Zhu Xingyun specialized in Fire Techniques and was extremely keen on any Cultivation Techniques of the same kind.


    Zhao Sheng took out the Fire Cloud Skill Jade Scroll and handed it over to Zhu Xingyun.


    After a short while, Zhu Xingyun put down the Jade Scroll, his expression very satisfied, and he exclaimed, ¡°Fire Cloud Skill, refining fire into clouds! The mind of the person who created this method is really unique. Tsk tsk, very interesting!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Zhu, are you interested in taking it? I¡¯ve heard you have a Sacrificial Fire Technique.¡±


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng finished speaking than Zhu Xingyun laughed heartily. ¡°Taoist Zhao, you¡¯re too cunning! You actually want to exchange an ordinary Cultivation Technique for Zhu¡¯s unique supreme skill.¡±


    Seeing that the other party didn¡¯t outright refuse, Zhao Sheng was overjoyed and quickly said, ¡°As long as Mr. Zhu is willing to part with it, you can name your price. If the Fire Cloud Skill isn¡¯t enough, I also know a few methods for refining Second Order Fire Element True Talismans.¡±


    A moment later, the two had successfully traded and left very satisfied with each other. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After completing a deal, Zhao Sheng looked around and set his sights on another Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    ¡°Taoist Zheng, it¡¯s a pleasure. I acquired another method a few days ago¡­¡±


    An hour later, the exchange meeting ended, and Zhao Sheng returned home with a full load.


    And so, Zhao Sheng cultivated at a leisurely pace while busily engaged in business, selling items from one hand to the other.


    He wasn¡¯t in it for the Spirit Stones; he was accumulating a foundation.


    In the meantime, he¡¯d been taken advantage of quite a few times and lost some capital, but Zhao Sheng was always enthusiastic and never tired of the hustle.


    Two years swiftly passed,


    business at Golden Talisman Pavilion continued to be booming, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s own dealings were also thriving.


    All this was thanks to the ¡°naive and wealthy¡± persona he had established early on.


    Now, more and more Cultivators sought him out for transactions.


    Naturally, this also attracted more con artists.


    So much so that over the years, Zhao Sheng was forced to develop a pair of ¡°Fire Eyes¡± that could discern truth from deceit.


    One day, Zhao Sheng acquired from a Loose Cultivator a refining method for an obscure magic artifact, the Seven-orifice Soul Sealing Nails.


    The Seven-orifice Soul Sealing Nails were a type of Corpse Dao Magical Artifact with very specific uses, not easy to trade in Pocket World City.


    Wanting to sell them off quickly, Zhao Sheng used an Illusion True Talisman on himself, transforming into a dark-faced Great Han, and entered a shop that sold magic robes.


    Upon entering and seeing the attendant, Zhao Sheng directly asked, ¡°I want to buy a three foot three inch black robe; do you have any for sale in your shop?¡±


    The attendant¡¯s eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed. ¡°Senior, I¡¯m very sorry! Our shop only has Eight-direction Guest Robes left, ten Spirit Stones each.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take one,¡± Zhao Sheng replied briskly.


    ¡°Senior, please follow me!¡± the attendant said joyfully as he gestured with an outstretched arm.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng, clad in a hooded black robe, walked alone through a tunnel about three feet wide and two people tall.


    He could distinctly feel the tunnel sloped downward.


    After going about three or four miles, Zhao Sheng passed through the exit, and the world suddenly opened up before him.


    Before him lay an enormous cavern with a ceiling nearly a hundred feet high, and at the very top floated a fireball, three feet in diameter, radiating endless light and heat, resembling a ¡°miniature Sun¡±.


    This ¡°miniature Sun¡± was the most famous landmark of the Grotto Heaven City black market.


    It was a rare instance of Golden Crow True Flame, now being used by some powerful being for illumination.


    The deterrent effect was self-evident!


    The layout of the underground black market was almost identical to that of Pocket World City, and the architectural style was largely the same.


    Walking on the streets, if it wasn¡¯t for the fact that everyone was shrouded in a black robe, some might think they were still in Pocket World City.


    Zhao Sheng was very familiar with the black market, heading straight for his destination without hesitation after entering.


    After walking along Corpse God Street for a while, Zhao Sheng flashed into a shop with ¡°Charity Estate¡± written on its sign.


    Upon entering, he saw rows of coffins placed on the floor of the shop.


    The coffins came in a variety of styles, their surfaces etched with countless mysterious symbols¡ªthere were Black Coffins, copper coffins, golden coffins, and even two Jade Coffins carved from Spirit Stones at the deepest part of the store.


    Ding-a-ling-a-ling!


    At that moment, the bronze bell hanging at the shop¡¯s entrance suddenly began to shake, and then a crippled elder hobbled out from the back of the shop.


    ¡°Mr. Lin, it¡¯s me,¡± Zhao Sheng said as he moved a few steps closer.


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s voice, the crippled elder¡¯s expression darkened immediately, and he said impatiently, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you! What kind of junk did you bring to fool me with this time?¡±


    ¡°I made a mistake last time, but this time I assure you it¡¯s no fake!¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng took out a Skin Scroll and tossed it with his right hand.


    The Skin Scroll slowly flew towards the man, who snatched it out of the air.


    Upon opening it, the crippled elder¡¯s eyes suddenly widened, an excited expression spreading across his face.


    Seven-orifice Soul Sealing Nails, a Corpse Dao Magical Artifact designed to seal souls and pacify corpses, commonly used to seal unruly living corpses.


    ¡°Good stuff! I¡¯ll take it. What do you want to exchange it for?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and said, ¡°Mr. Lin, you should already know what I want.¡±


    The crippled elder¡¯s face changed, and he immediately refused, ¡°No! The Corpse Control Technique is a secret of our sect, and it cannot be imparted to outsiders.¡±


    ¡°What if I add this incomplete volume of the Zombification Technique?¡± Zhao Sheng produced another booklet, waving it in front of him.


    As it so happens, he had acquired the incomplete volume of the Zombification Technique many years ago from someone belonging to the Wushan Three Immortals, and it hadn¡¯t been of much use until now.


    Now, using it to exchange for the Corpse Control Technique was, in a way, making the best of waste.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng mentioned the Zombification Technique than the crippled elder¡¯s face went through a dramatic change, and an amazing aura suddenly burst forth from him.


    Late-stage Foundation Establishment!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart went cold; he hadn¡¯t expected this crippled old man to be a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    He realized he had made a misstep¡ªthe Zombification Technique was far more valuable than he had imagined.


    At that moment, the coffins in the shop began to shake violently, with a grating scraping noise coming from inside them.


    Ding-a-ling-a-ling!


    The bronze bell at the entrance swung as if by an invisible wind.


    The crippled elder suppressed his excitement and waved his hand, sending streaks of black light into the coffins.


    Soon, all the coffins fell silent again.


    ¡°Hand it over!¡± the crippled elder said with a grave expression.


    Zhao Sheng stepped back several paces to the doorway, his tone cautious, ¡°Mr. Lin, keeping this technique does me no good. But a mere Corpse Control Technique isn¡¯t worth an exchange for the Zombification Technique.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only an incomplete volume¡ªnot as important as you think,¡± the crippled elder said with a cold sneer.


    ¡°In that case, we¡¯ll meet again some other time!¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t even ask for the Skin Scroll back; he simply turned and walked away.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Just as he expected, as soon as he stepped through the doorway, Zhao Sheng was called back.


    ¡°Mr. Lin, is there anything else?¡±


    Seeing the other party¡¯s smug expression, the crippled elder felt extremely frustrated, wishing he could turn him into a living corpse.


    ¡°I¡¯ll add a copper-armored corpse with combat prowess not inferior to a Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator,¡± he offered.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said very seriously, ¡°I have no interest in a copper-armored corpse, but I have heard that your sect possesses a unique Resurrection Skill.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, you really dare to ask for the moon,¡± the crippled elder huffed.

 Chapter 118 - 118 True Immortal Requests Your Presence

    Chapter 118: Chapter 118 True Immortal Requests Your Presence


    ¡°Mr. Lin, I¡¯ll ask just one question, will you exchange it or not?¡±


    After finishing his words, Zhao Sheng stood as if he would leave the moment the answer was no.


    The lame old man¡¯s face changed between shades of dark and light for a while before he finally gritted his teeth and squeezed out a word, ¡°Exchange!¡±


    Before the echo of his voice had faded, he immediately emphasized, ¡°But you must swear an oath that the Corpse Control Technique and the Resurrection Skill can only be cultivated by you alone and not be disclosed to anyone else.¡±


    ¡°Agreed,¡± Zhao Sheng answered briskly.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng left the Charity Estate in high spirits, completely ignoring the gloomy expression on the lame old man¡¯s face behind him.


    Three days later, in an Earth Fire Room of the Hundred Refinement Workshop, within the inner city of Pocket World City.


    Zhao Sheng was fully focused, his hands continuously forming the Sacrificial Formulas, as streaks of spirit light flew from his hands into the Spirit Fire Gourd two yards away.


    At this moment, the Spirit Fire Gourd was bobbing up and down in a mass of cyan Earth Fire, with faint purple flames emerging from the mouth of the gourd,


    As the Sacrificial Fire Technique was infused, wisps of cyan Earth Fire were constantly being absorbed into the Spirit Fire Gourd and gradually transformed into a pale purple Spiritual Fire.


    After three hours, the cyan Earth Fire suddenly weakened rapidly and quickly fell back into the Earth Fire Eye below.


    At that moment, the Spirit Fire Gourd was surrounded by a faint purple spiritual light, and above its mouth appeared a flame tiger the size of a thumb, extremely lively and vivid.


    Zhao Sheng reached out and summoned the Spirit Fire Gourd back into his hand. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking at the very spiritual Tiger Spirit, Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction and then stored the Spirit Gourd back into his Storage Bag.


    After Cultivators tame Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, because it loses the environment it relies on to survive, the Spiritual Fire will gradually lose its spirituality over time.


    In order to maintain the spirituality of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, Cultivators have created many methods over thousands of years, and the Sacrificial Fire Technique is one of them.


    Zhao Sheng stood up and left the Earth Fire Room, then directly returned to the Golden Talisman Pavilion of the Treasure Talisman Pavilion after leaving the Hundred Refinement Workshop.


    As soon as he entered the shop¡¯s door, the female servant Xiao Huan came forward to greet him and said in a low voice, ¡°Shopkeeper, Senior Wei from the Origin Return Sect has come again; he is waiting for you in the back courtyard parlor.¡±


    Zhao Sheng frowned slightly, waved his hand, and calmly said, ¡°I understand, go on with your work!¡±


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng turned and walked toward the back courtyard.


    The Golden Talisman Pavilion was not large; it only took a few steps to go from the front hall to the back courtyard.


    Zhao Sheng soon walked into the back courtyard parlor and saw his ¡°old friend¡± Wei Youquan.


    Compared to ten years ago, Wei Youquan looked like a different person. Not only had he become much younger, but his demeanor was also majestic, with a confident and proud look between his brows, completely devoid of the timid and shrunken appearance of the previous years.


    What Zhao Sheng found most astonishing was that Wei Youquan had reached the Foundation Establishment phase.


    Ten years ago, Wei Youquan¡¯s cultivation was only at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining.


    In just a short ten years, he had successively passed through the seventh, eighth, and ninth levels of Qi Refining, and then advanced to Foundation Establishment in one breath.


    This was considered a miracle to any Cultivator!


    Therefore, the Origin Return Sect intentionally sent Wei Youquan to Pocket World City and entrusted him with heavy responsibilities, clearly treating him as a ¡°walking advertisement.¡±


    According to what he had seen and heard over the past few years, Wei Youquan truly lived up to expectations, and he performed his duties quite exceptionally.


    ¡°Haha, Brother Wei! How come you have the time to visit me today? You are a very busy man!¡± Zhao Sheng greeted him cheerfully as soon as he entered the door.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, I won¡¯t hide it from you, I don¡¯t come to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing! I¡¯m here today specifically to deliver an invitation,¡± Wei Youquan stood up and said with a smile, giving Zhao Sheng a cupped hands salute.


    ¡°Oh, what kind of invitation? Enough to prompt Dean Wei himself to deliver it personally?¡± Zhao Sheng walked into the living room, his face expressing confusion.


    ¡°Our sect will soon have a Golden Core Master grace Pocket World City with his presence. He specifically requested Brother Zhao to attend a cultivation gathering.¡±


    As he spoke, Wei Youquan waved his long sleeve, and a light red invitation inscribed with a mountain peak fluttered out of his cuff, gently flying into Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands.


    Zhao Sheng opened the invitation, read through its contents, his expression changed slightly, but quickly returned to a smile, ¡°It¡¯s an honor to be invited by a True Immortal. I will most certainly arrive at the Spirit Essence Institute on time in three days.¡±


    ¡°Well, with that settled, I will not disturb Brother Zhao any longer. Farewell!¡±


    Saying this, Wei Youquan cupped one fist in the other hand and began to walk away.


    ¡°Brother Wei, why the rush to leave? Let¡¯s chat a bit more; I recently acquired a jar of two-hundred-year-old Drunken Spring Breeze. Today, let¡¯s not stop until we¡¯re thoroughly inebriated!¡±


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t let Wei Youquan leave just like that. He needed to probe and figure out why a Golden Core Master would invite him to a cultivation gathering without any apparent reason.


    Upon hearing about the two-hundred-year-old Drunken Spring Breeze, Wei Youquan abruptly stopped in his tracks, saliva flooding his mouth.


    He had a vast array of pleasures in his life, but his love for liquor was unmatched. The mention from Zhao Sheng immediately tempted his inner alcoholic worm.


    But¡­ thinking of the True Immortal¡¯s orders, Wei Youquan regretfully swallowed, turned back, and laughed heartily, ¡°Haha, Brother Zhao is too kind! But I¡¯m incredibly busy today; another day then! I will definitely come by another time. You must keep that jar of Drunken Spring Breeze for me.¡±


    With a thought, Zhao Sheng immediately pulled out a human-head-sized Jade White Wine Jar from his Storage Bag and placed it into Wei Youquan¡¯s hands.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll give this jar of Drunken Spring Breeze to Brother Wei. I ask for nothing more than for you to speak favorably of me in front of the True Immortal.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Wei Youquan immediately knew there was a hidden message in Zhao Sheng¡¯s words, and quickly slapped his chest to assure, ¡°Brother Zhao, rest assured! The True Immortal inviting you is a good thing, certainly not bad.¡±


    You all?


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng seized the moment to ask, ¡°Besides me, which other Taoists have been invited?¡±


    Realizing his slip of the tongue, Wei Youquan laughed it off, ¡°Brother Zhao, no need to ask further; you will know once you¡¯re there.¡±


    After Wei Youquan left, Zhao Sheng remained alone in the living room, his gaze flickering uncertainly, contemplating deeply.


    ¡­


    Three days passed in a blink of an eye,


    Just after the third quarter of the Chen hour, Zhao Sheng, dressed in a blue Daoist robe, stepped out of the Golden Talisman Pavilion and headed towards Jinggu Square in the inner city.


    The Spirit Essence Institute, one of the three lower institutes set up by the Origin Return Sect in Pocket World City, was located in Jinggu Square on the eastern side of the inner city. It wasn¡¯t small in size and consisted of a complex of courtyard buildings.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng arrived at the Spirit Essence Institute. After explaining his purpose to the gatekeeping disciple and showing the invitation, he was quickly invited inside.


    Passing through three layers of courtyards, Zhao Sheng noticed many disciples dressed in red robes; in just a few steps, he encountered more than a hundred of them.


    Zhao Sheng was inwardly shocked; just a lower institute like the Spirit Essence Institute had so many people.


    The vast number of disciples and the rapid expansion of the Origin Return Sect¡¯s influence was evident from this alone!


    ¡°There¡¯s a problem, there must be a big problem!¡­ Why would the foremost powers such as Vast Sect, Purple Sun Sect, and others allow the Origin Return Sect to expand their influence unchecked?


    Pocket World City is clearly the backyard garden for the top ten powers, so why would they tolerate the Origin Return Sect infringing on their interests?¡±


    As Zhao Sheng harbored these doubts, he was quickly led into a spacious and elegant hall.


    Upon entering, taking one glance, Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned.

 Chapter 119 - 119 The Golden Core Technique is Greatly Beneficial

    Chapter 119: Chapter 119 The Golden Core Technique is Greatly Beneficial


    ¡°Elder Taoist Feng Yu, Master Buhu, Qian Zhenzi, Xinggu Wanderer¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng glanced over one by one, all the people he saw were well-known Foundation Establishment talisman cultivators of Pocket World City.


    They shared another identity with Zhao Sheng; they were all Loose Cultivators who had not joined the Origin Return Sect.


    ¡°Master Zhao!¡±


    ¡°Taoist Zhao!¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhao, you¡¯ve come too!¡±


    As Zhao Sheng entered, everyone greeted him in turn.


    They were all Fellow Daoists of talisman cultivation and had become acquainted with each other previously.


    ¡°Everyone is well, I hope!¡± Zhao Sheng greeted each with a fist and palm salute, then casually found a seat and sat down.


    No sooner had he settled down than the aged Elder Taoist Feng Yu leaned over and asked in a low voice, ¡°Master Zhao, you are always well-informed. Do you know why we have been invited here?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t hide it from you, Senior, I am also in the dark. However, I think everyone here might already have some guesses,¡± Zhao Sheng said, his words laden with implications, prompting Elder Taoist Feng Yu to nod in understanding and take his seat again.


    At that moment, everyone exchanged looks, each falling silent, lost in thought. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a while, two more Foundation Establishment talisman cultivators hurried to this place.


    Zhao Sheng silently counted and realized that all the Foundation Establishment talisman cultivators who had not joined the Origin Return Sect were present.


    A while later, footsteps were heard coming from outside the door.


    Zhao Sheng looked towards the source of the noise and saw a ¡°young man¡± with snowy eyebrows, green eyes, red lips, and clad in a red Taoist robe entering from outside.


    With this person¡¯s arrival, a tremendous pressure suddenly spread out, quickly suffusing the entire hall.


    Even more astonishing was the phenomenon that manifested behind him.


    There appeared a faceless giant, over three meters tall, materializing out of the void.


    The giant was bare-chested, with muscles bulging on the torso, occasionally producing a thousand arm illusions from its shoulders, sometimes transforming into two robust arms.


    Below, its lower half was shrouded in a swirling cloud of blood mist, which churned ceaselessly, sometimes forming faceless figures within it.


    Upon seeing this person, everyone¡¯s faces showed profound shock, and they stood up in unison.


    Xinggu Wanderer even cried out with agitation, ¡°Elder Jing Hong!¡±


    ¡°Taoist Brother Jing Hong, have you truly formed your Golden Core?¡± Elder Taoist Feng Yu exclaimed in disbelief.


    On the side, Zhao Sheng remained silent, but he was equally astonished.


    The person who had come was Jing Hong, a talisman cultivator by profession. He was quite famous in Pocket World City and was once one of the rare Perfect Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the city.


    When the Origin Return Sect was established, Jing Hong had actively enlisted with them.


    It was unthinkable that in just a few years, he had ascended all at once, becoming a Golden Core Master.


    If the success rate of progressing from Qi Refinement to Foundation Establishment was one in ten, then the likelihood of a Foundation Establishment forming a Golden Core was even one in a hundred.


    The Golden Core mentioned here refers to a true Golden Core, not a Fake Pill solidified by external objects.


    A Golden Core Master has a lifespan of eight hundred years, unlike a False Core Master, who only has five hundred years, so they are incomparable.


    The presence of a Golden Core Phenomenon is the key to distinguishing between a True Pill and a Fake Pill.


    The Golden Core has it; the Fake Pill does not. Identifying them is that simple.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, most Golden Core Masters ascend with the assistance of external objects, and a True Golden Core like Jing Hong¡¯s is extremely rare, mostly found among the top echelons.


    For the recently established Origin Return Sect to have produced a True Core Master was simply inconceivable.


    Zhao Sheng was not at all familiar with Jing Hong, so he did not join the others in approaching him and simply watched with a smile from behind everyone.


    Once Jing Hong had greeted everyone and rekindled their rapport, the atmosphere in the hall became incredibly warm.


    After bidding everyone to take their seats, Jing Hong got straight to the point, ¡°I am very familiar with my fellow Daoists here, so I¡¯ll skip the pleasantries. Today, I have invited you all with the hope of asking you to join our Origin Return Sect. What are your thoughts on this proposal?¡±


    As soon as these words were uttered, Elder Taoist Feng Yu was the first to stand up and decisively said, ¡°With Master Jing¡¯s sincere invitation, I wouldn¡¯t think twice. I will join the Origin Return Sect!¡±


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist had hardly finished speaking when someone immediately cursed in their heart, ¡°Damn, this old geezer switched sides way too fast. He got a head start on us!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m joining too!¡±


    ¡°Count me in as well!¡±


    Soon, two more people spoke up, announcing their intention to join the Origin Return Sect.


    There¡¯s no need to doubt why these few were so eager.


    Master Jing Hong was a perfect example for them.


    Since the Origin Return Sect could quickly cultivate a True Golden Core, it had the ability to cultivate many more.


    For any Foundation Establishment Cultivator aspiring to form their Golden Core, this was an irresistible temptation.


    In the time it took for a few sentences to be spoken, about half the crowd had defected, swearing they would join the Origin Return Sect.


    However, this left the Loose Cultivators like Zhao Sheng and Master Buhu, who were unwilling to join, in somewhat of an awkward position.


    After all those willing had made their intentions clear, the rest turned their gazes towards Zhao Sheng and the others, and the atmosphere in the hall immediately turned cold.


    Seeing this, Feng Yu Elder Taoist jumped back into the fray, directly questioning Zhao Sheng, ¡°Master Zhao, could it be that you are unwilling to join the Origin Return Sect?¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt Master Jing Hong¡¯s gaze on him, and a heavy pressure suddenly descended upon him.


    Zhao Sheng remained silent, feeling some resistance to joining the Origin Return Sect.


    Perhaps it was because of the strange incident he had encountered on the dark side of Heavenly Pillar Mountain some years before.


    Perhaps it was his grave concern about the intense, cutthroat atmosphere of the Origin Return Sect.


    Or perhaps it was an instinctual wariness.


    Just then, Master Jing Hong suddenly let out a hearty laugh, drawing everyone¡¯s attention and simultaneously lifting the pressure that engulfed Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng heaved a sigh of relief, then heard Master Jing Hong say, ¡°Feng Yu, Taoist Qian Zhenzi, and the others spoke too quickly just now, and I didn¡¯t get the chance to say something.


    In order to invite everyone here, our sect has made the most sincere offer.


    If you join us, our sect will bestow upon you a Golden Core Level Cultivation Method that absolutely matches your Spirit Root Attribute.¡±


    Before he had finished speaking, Master Buhu couldn¡¯t help but interject, ¡°I cultivate a Water Element Technique, and I wonder if your esteemed sect has a suitable technique for me?¡±


    Master Jing Hong nodded and said, ¡°Yes, in fact, we have two. ¡®Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡¯ and ¡®Wave Stepping Sea Treading Technique¡¯ are both Golden Core Techniques that fit your requirements perfectly.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but be tempted as well.


    After all, the ¡®Mystical Spirit Skill¡¯ he was cultivating was a Water Element Technique.


    Golden Core Techniques were incredibly precious, and in any Cultivation Forces, they were highly confidential.


    Before any Cultivator was granted a Golden Core Technique, they had to swear an oath to a Heart Demon that they would never disclose it.


    Even the Ksitigarbha Sect, as generous as it was, only let out techniques below the Golden Core Chapter, keeping anything above that tightly concealed.


    ¡°Master Jing, my cultivation is in the Wood Element, do you have something that fits me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ¡®Ten Thousand Trees Reach the Sky Technique¡¯.¡±


    ¡°What about Fire Element?¡±


    ¡°The Golden Core Chapter of the ¡®Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique¡¯ is currently harbored within the scripture pavilion of our sect.¡±


    With each question asked, Master Jing Hong promptly provided a satisfactory answer.


    Once everyone had made their inquiries, he confidently smiled and said, ¡°Does anyone else have questions?¡±


    ¡°Master Jing, after joining your sect, what sect rules and precepts must we comply with? Not to conceal anything from the True Immortal, but we have long been accustomed to a laid-back life and I fear we couldn¡¯t endure overly strict constraints.¡±


    Master Jing Hong immediately responded, ¡°Rest assured, everyone, our sect¡¯s precepts are quite lenient. As long as you don¡¯t disrespect your masters or betray the sect, there are no other restrictions.¡±


    ¡°I dare to ask bluntly, Master Jing Hong, how did you ascend to Golden Core so quickly? Is there a secret to it?¡±


    No sooner had these words been spoken than the hall fell silent, every gaze burning with intense eagerness as they looked at Master Jing Hong.


    Master Jing Hong haughtily laughed and said, ¡°As for the secret, there indeed is one! You all should be aware that our sect¡¯s core cultivation script is the ¡®Blood Soul Scripture¡¯.¡±


    The crowd nodded in unison, for how could they not? At least half of those present had cultivated the ¡®Blood Refining Body Forging Technique¡¯ from the Qi Refining Chapter of the ¡®Blood Soul Scripture¡¯.

 Chapter 120 - 120 Mysterious Face

    Chapter 120: Chapter 120 Mysterious Face


    As he observed the intense yearning in everyone¡¯s eyes, Jing Hong displayed a proud expression.


    ¡°The Origin Ancestor harbored great ambitions. As a youth, he decided that everyone should be as mighty as a dragon. Thus, after advancing to the Nascent Soul realm, he publicly disclosed the miraculous ¡®Blood Soul Scripture¡¯ that he had acquired early in his life. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Any disciple who joins our sect will receive the Qi Refining Chapter of ¡®Blood Soul Scripture.¡¯ If they can successfully achieve Foundation Establishment, they will be eligible to exchange for the Foundation Establishment chapter, ¡®Blood Melting God Refining Technique.¡¯


    Jing Hong was not exceptionally talented, but he had established great merit for our sect. Not only was he granted early access to the Golden Core chapter of ¡®Blood Soul Scripture,¡¯ the ¡®Dark Blood Alchemy Method,¡¯ but he was also gifted a Golden Core Formation Pill. That is how he had the good fortune to condense a Golden Core!¡±


    As soon as Jing Hong finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall instantly surged to a climax!


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll join!¡±


    ¡°Me too!¡±


    ¡°The Origin Ancestor is a great man! Myself admires him, and I wish to join your esteemed sect.¡±


    In total, twelve Foundation Establishment Cultivators were in the hall, and in a blink, eleven surrendered.


    There was no helping it; the prospects Jing Hong described were too enticing.


    Who could resist such an offer!


    No, there was one more person.


    In an instant, everyone¡¯s gaze simultaneously shifted to Zhao Sheng, who was sitting in the corner.


    The atmosphere suddenly turned somewhat strange and mysterious.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng slowly raised his head, then suddenly smiled warmly at everyone and nodded, saying aloud, ¡°Why are you all looking at me? How could I miss out on such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? I¡¯m not stupid!¡±


    ¡°Haha! Taoist Zhao indeed speaks humorously.¡±


    After Zhao Sheng made his position clear, everyone in the room laughed heartily.


    Upon seeing this scene, Master Jing Hong was thrilled, knowing he had established another great merit for the sect, and he could expect a substantial influx of merit.


    An hour later, Master Buhu, Qian Zhenzi, and other Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators temporarily stayed at the Spirit Essence Institute.


    Zhao Sheng and other Foundation Establishment Cultivators who had property in Pocket World City left one after another.


    The group agreed to meet at the Spirit Essence Institute in seven days and then head to the Origin Return Sect together.


    Leaving the Spirit Essence Institute, Zhao Sheng, burdened with heavy thoughts, returned to Golden Talisman Pavilion.


    Upon entering, he instructed Xiao Huan to not receive visitors for the time being, then went straight to the cultivation room.


    In the cultivation room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on the Meditation Cushion, his eyes closed in contemplation.


    Today¡¯s events had happened so suddenly that he needed time to carefully think things through.


    After pondering for a while, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized there were numerous benefits to joining the Origin Return Sect, and his previous worries were somewhat unnecessary.


    Others had only one life; once they died, that was it.


    But he was not afraid!


    As long as he was careful to prevent any repercussions on his family, no matter how many big shots were scheming within the Origin Return Sect or whatever traps were hidden, it would not affect him; at worst, he could simply escape death in the end.


    Having realized this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind suddenly felt clearer.


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng hurried back to Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion and found Zhao Xuanjing, who was in closed-door cultivation.


    Two years had passed, and Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s cultivation had nearly reached Qi Refining Perfection.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was overjoyed and began to plan to exchange for a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill for Zhao Xuanjing.


    A top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was impossible to buy on the market; it could only be exchanged with treasures.


    As for what treasures to use for the exchange, Zhao Sheng was not worried at all, as there were plenty of treasures in his Storage Bag, like the Spirit Fire Gourd, Geng Metal, and Longevity Peach, more than enough for a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.


    After meeting, Zhao Sheng soon informed Zhao Xuanjing of his plans to join the Origin Return Sect and instructed him not to reveal their relationship or disclose any information about their family.


    Zhao Sheng did this because he was not optimistic about the future of the Origin Return Sect.


    To be safe, he had intentionally severed ties with his family in advance to avoid implicating them in the future.


    Although Zhao Xuanjing was a bit confused, he did not ask further questions and solemnly nodded in agreement.


    He was well aware that his Uncle Seven had always been meticulous and nearly flawless in his planning; following his advice was guaranteed to be the right choice!


    After leaving Zhao Xuanjing with enough cultivation resources, Zhao Sheng did not stay long and immediately left Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion.


    Four days later, on the agreed meeting day, Zhao Sheng, looking tired, arrived at the Spirit Essence Institute.


    Without unnecessary elaboration,


    after meeting with Master Buhu and Feng Yu Elder Taoist, under the guidance of Master Jing Hong, the group left Pocket World City.


    A moment later, a massive cloud roc, with a wingspan exceeding thirty feet, suddenly flapped its wings, soared into the sky, and shot like lightning toward Cliff Mountain, thousands of miles away, breaking through two layers of cloud seas.


    ¡­


    Soon after, the cloud roc flew over an extensive plain, fertile for thousands of miles.


    At the same time, a mountain perilously steep, soaring into the clouds with cliffs on all sides, appeared like a divine sword thrust into the heavens, came into their view¡ªit was Cliff Mountain.


    Shortly afterward, the cloud roc landed in the plaza in front of the Origin Hall atop Cliff Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng, along with the others, floated down from the cloud roc and looked around.


    The plaza was vast, entirely paved with white jade, and to the north of it stood a majestic palace with dragon eaves and phoenix corners, adorned with golden tiles and jade walls, surrounded by spirit clouds, occasionally revealing countless dazzling mysterious runes.


    After the cloud roc flew away, Master Jing Hong led Zhao Sheng and the others to the front of the Origin Hall.


    At that moment, an elder wearing a plain cloud robe and a feathered crown, his appearance anciently unique, stepped out of the hall accompanied by a line of disciples in red robes.


    Master Jing Hong, with a solemn expression, stepped forward and saluted the feather-crowned elder, ¡°Sect Leader Brother, Master Jing Hong has not failed his mission. Once again, I have found a group of cultivators willing to join our sect.¡±


    ¡°Disciple Jing, you have worked hard,¡± the feather-crowned elder, seeing that Zhao Sheng and others were all Foundation Establishment Cultivators, nodded his head in satisfaction.


    The feather-crowned elder, known as Jin Chenzi, was the senior disciple of the Origin Ancestor and the current Sect Leader of the Origin Return Sect, within the Golden Core Third Layer Realm.


    After encouraging Zhao Sheng and the others for a few words, Jin Chenzi led them into the Origin Hall.


    Since Zhao Sheng and the others were all Foundation Establishment Cultivators, which meant they were initiated with skills, the rituals to enter the sect were greatly simplified.


    Jin Chenzi briefly explained the six rules and precepts of the Origin Return Sect, and then immediately began the most crucial part of the initiation ceremony: the oath.


    Unlike other sects¡¯ initiation oaths, the Origin Return Sect included an extra step of dripping blood.


    Jin Chenzi solemnly took out a stele, over three feet high and two feet thick, placed it before everyone, and asked them to drop a drop of Heart Blood onto the stele.


    One by one, they did as instructed, and when it was Zhao Sheng¡¯s turn, he walked up to the stele and gazed at it.


    The stele was azure green, engraved with over a hundred ancient and vigorous mystical runes.


    Due to severe weathering, the runes on it were a bit blurred.


    However, Zhao Sheng discovered that the structures of these mysterious runes seemed somewhat similar to those of the Taiyi Spiritual Text, yet they were more ancient and rudimentary.


    Feeling curious, Zhao Sheng silently memorized these runes.


    Simultaneously, he squeezed out a drop of Heart Blood and let it fall on the stele.


    The moment the Heart Blood touched the surface of the stele, it was instantly absorbed.


    ¡°Now is the moment!¡±


    At this instant, Zhao Sheng suddenly activated ¡°Bullet Time,¡± and the flow of time slowed down immensely.


    It was at this moment that Zhao Sheng, shocked, ¡°saw¡± a bizarre face suddenly emerge from the surface of the stele.


    It lacked a nose, ears, and eyebrows; its entire face was smooth as if it were a mask, with only a pair of Blood Eyes and a blood-oath mouth.


    It swallowed the Heart Blood in one gulp and then immediately submerged back into the stele.


    The entire process was as fast as lightning, and even in Bullet Time, it lasted only a moment before disappearing without a trace.


    Once Bullet Time ended, Zhao Sheng, suppressing his uneasy and shocked emotions, calmly walked back to the group.


    After everyone had dripped their blood, they solemnly swore never to deceive or betray their mentors and sect.

 Chapter 121 - 121 Spirit Power Transition

    Chapter 121: Chapter 121 Spirit Power Transition


    After taking their oaths, they were supposed to pay respects to the Origin Ancestor.


    Unfortunately, the Origin Ancestor was away visiting a friend, so they had to skip this step.


    Upon entering the mountain gate, Zhao Sheng and Feng Yu Elder Taoist, along with others, addressed each other as brothers according to their seniority, and then paid their respects to Elder Jing Hong and Master Jin Chenzi.


    Next came the moment everyone was most concerned about: the imparting of techniques and transmission of arts.


    Perhaps due to the importance placed on Foundation Establishment Cultivators, Jin Chenzi personally led them to the Scripture Pavilion located deep within the mountain belly.


    There are three places within the Origin Return Sect where cultivation techniques and the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation are stored.


    The first is called the Scripture Storage Tower, located on the plains at the foot of the mountain. This place is open to all disciples without the need for merit, but it mostly houses books of irrelevant matters such as common knowledge in cultivation, basic spells, general knowledge of the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation, and wild, strange tales.


    The Scripture Pavilion where they arrived was the second location, storing various precious cultivation methods, elixir recipes, artifact refining techniques, magic talisman, and other skills in secret manuals.


    As for the most treasured techniques, elixir recipes, Refining Treasure Records, and other treasures of the Origin Return Sect, they were kept in the cave mansion of the Origin Ancestor, and one had to earn the Ancestor¡¯s approval to be granted these.


    The Scripture Pavilion was a six-layered large stone hall, with its doors tightly closed. To the right there was a palm-sized square indent,


    At this time, the surface of the stone hall was covered with a rainbow-colored light film, clearly indicating an extremely powerful prohibition.


    With a wave of his long sleeve, Jin Chenzi sent a blood-colored token flying silently through the light film, fitting steadily into the indent in the door.


    After blurring for a moment, the rainbow light film quickly dissipated.


    Jin Chenzi waved his hand to recall the blood-colored token, then the doors to the hall opened silently on both sides, revealing the spacious hall behind them.


    Jin Chenzi stepped in first, and Zhao Sheng and the others followed him in file.


    The first-floor hall was very spacious, the interior space was circular, about five or six zhang high, with a diameter of approximately thirty zhang or more.


    The top of the hall was embedded with flame pearls, releasing bright flames, illuminating the hall as bright as day.


    Around the walls of the hall, there were ten stone doors, each carved with runes such as spell, elixir, talisman, artifact, curse, beast, and so on.


    Jin Chenzi did not stop and directly pushed open the stone door with the rune for spell, then ascended the stone steps.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng and the others hastened to follow.


    After ascending twenty stone steps, they reached the second floor, where the stone doors were also tightly shut and covered with a layer of light film, but only tricolored.


    Jin Chenzi continued without pausing, bypassing the third and fourth floors, stopping only on the fifth floor.


    ¡°This time I have brought you up here myself. In the future, when you come here, you must have an identity token, otherwise you will be killed by the prohibitions in place,¡±


    said Jin Chenzi as he extracted the blood-colored token and inserted it into the indent in the stone door.


    The prohibition light film dissipated, and the stone door opened silently.


    Jin Chenzi reminded them, ¡°Remember, each person may only select one Golden Core Technique. In an hour, whether you have chosen or not, you must come out on time. Otherwise, you bear the consequences!¡±


    Zhao Sheng and the others nodded earnestly and then entered eagerly.


    The fifth floor was not small but quite empty. There were only fifteen stone platforms that were half a person tall and three feet square. Each platform was covered by a spherical light film, and on the surface of each was placed an ancient jade scroll.


    ¡°Ten Thousand Trees Reach the Sky Technique¡±


    ¡°Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique¡±


    ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡±


    ¡°One Qi Ascending Sky Technique¡±


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng did not rush to select a technique but walked past each platform in turn,


    As he beheld each of the precious Golden Core Techniques, an impulse to sweep them all away surged within him.


    But¡­ he knew that was impossible, at least for now.


    After a while, having looked over all the cultivation methods, Zhao Sheng went straight to the stone platform where the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡± was placed, and easily took the jade scroll by reaching through the light film.


    Unlike others, Zhao Sheng had set his sights on the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡± from the beginning.


    In fact, it was not at all strange, because the ¡°Mystical Spirit Skill¡± he practiced was precisely one of the simplified cultivation techniques derived from the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡±; the two were closely linked.


    In the Cultivation World, cases like Zhao Sheng¡¯s were not rare.


    The higher the grade of a cultivation method, the difficulty of practicing it often increases proportionally to its grade.


    To select more outstanding inheritors, Cultivation Sects often divide a high-level technique into several simplified methods and choose to disseminate them.


    This practice is very common in the Cultivation World, and the Ksitigarbha Sect is the most extreme example of this.


    ¡­


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng let out a muffled groan, his face pale as he removed the cultivation technique jade scroll from his forehead.


    The ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique,¡± worthy of being a Golden Core Level Cultivation Method, had a very high information entropy and could be described as profoundly meaningful.


    Additionally, the latter half of the jade scroll surprisingly contained a vast number of insights and experiences from past cultivators.


    Because he had replicated too much information in a short time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spiritual power had been greatly depleted. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Not until he had taken a Nourishing Spirit Pill did his complexion improve significantly.


    An hour passed quickly.


    Zhao Sheng and the other twelve Foundation Establishment Cultivators walked out of the stone tower with joyful expressions and then followed Master Jin out of the Scripture Pavilion.


    ¡­


    Five days later, in the cultivation room of a cave mansion, Zhao Sheng was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, each hand holding a Water Wave Stone, as the spirit power vortex within his body spun at high speed.


    At that moment, threads of pure Water Spiritual Energy were continuously drawn from the Water Wave Stones into the vortex within his Dantian, then rapidly refined into spirit power.


    Simultaneously, streams of spirit power flowed out of Zhao Sheng¡¯s Dantian under the guidance of his Divine Sense, following a complex route that traversed the Extraordinary Meridians and reached his limbs and bones.


    The spirit power then reconvened from numerous subtle veins back into the Twelve Primary Channels and finally flowed back into the Core Energy Sea within the Dantian, merging into the spirit power vortex.


    Zhao Sheng carefully maintained this cycle of spirit power.


    It had just been established less than a day ago and was still very fragile.


    If he was careless, it would immediately collapse, nullifying days of hard effort.


    Time passed unknowingly until with the sudden crumbling of the two Water Wave Stones into a pile of debris, Zhao Sheng slowly opened his eyes, a flash of joy in his gaze.


    Because the ¡°Mystical Spirit Skill¡± is a simplified version of the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique,¡± Zhao Sheng found the transition between cultivation methods exceptionally smooth, successfully establishing a new spirit power cycle within just a few days.


    This saved him at least three months of time.


    It was only after obtaining the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡± that Zhao Sheng truly realized the true value of a Golden Core Level Cultivation Method.


    Its value was not just in significantly boosting cultivation efficiency but particularly in its involvement with Spirit Power Transition.


    What is Spirit Power Transition?


    Take a simple example. In the Cultivation World, there are countless varieties of Spiritual Fire, but based on their energy levels, they can be divided into Mortal Fire, Spiritual Fire, True Fire, etc.


    The spirit power of cultivators is somewhat similar to the grading of Spiritual Fires.


    During Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment Realm, it is called spirit power; it is known as True Yuan at the Golden Core Realm, and above the Nascent Soul Realm, it is generally referred to as Mana.


    One of the major reasons why Foundation Establishment Cultivators struggle to advance to the Golden Core Realm is due to failure in Spirit Power Transition.


    The transition of spirit power to True Yuan is like Mortal Fire suddenly evolving into Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, which is incredibly difficult!

 Chapter 122 - 122 Merit Hall

    Chapter 122: Chapter 122 Merit Hall


    In the Cultivation World, when a Foundation Establishment Cultivator¡¯s cultivation reaches the late stage, they could refine Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire and store it inside their Dantian.


    Refining Spiritual Fire is preparation for ascending to the Golden Core!


    At the Foundation Establishment Perfection, if a cultivator could merge the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire into their Spiritual Power, successfully imbuing their spiritual power with some characteristics of the Spiritual Fire, their chances of ascending to the Golden Core would significantly increase.


    Depending on the Five Elements, the Heaven and Earth spiritual items that cultivators refine also vary.


    However, unlike ordinary cultivators, those who have practiced the Golden Core Technique, upon advancing past Foundation Establishment, cultivate spiritual power that is more refined than ordinary spiritual power.


    Starting from the early stage of Foundation Establishment, one could attempt to refine Heaven and Earth spiritual items.


    Therefore, after reaching the Foundation Establishment Perfection, these individuals have a much higher chance of experiencing a qualitative change in their core spiritual power than ordinary cultivators do.


    Now, Zhao Sheng had finally become one of these exceptional individuals.


    And the Heaven and Earth spiritual item he needed was called Primordial Heavy Water.


    Primordial Heavy Water, as the name implies, is known for its ¡°heaviness,¡± with a single drop weighing a thousand catties.


    It is the essence of Kui Water, often found beneath the depths of a Ten Thousand Feet Sea Abyss. It is extremely rare in the Central Continent, completely untraceable in ordinary rivers and lakes.


    Only across the Dragon River that traverses the Central Continent is there a slight presence in a few of the deepest parts of the riverbed.


    A quarter-hour later, beneath Cliff Mountain,


    Zhao Sheng alighted within a complex of palace buildings, passing through halls and crossing courtyards. Red-robed disciples he encountered along the way all paid their respects, and Zhao Sheng nodded in acknowledgment to each.


    As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, although he had just joined the Origin Return Sect, he had already taken up the profession of a Steward in the Ten Thousand Talisman Hall, a position many levels above that of a Qi Refining disciple.


    Zhao Sheng soon arrived in front of a three-story hall.


    There was a noticeably larger crowd here than in other areas, with thousands of red-robed disciples coming and going, creating a bustling scene.


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the plaque above the hall: Merit Hall!


    Inside the hall, he found the arrangement quite peculiar. Hanging in the center was a long scroll with the words ¡°Infinite Merit,¡± and behind it was a screen. Both sides of the hall were painted white but covered with dense arrays of runes.


    Upon closer inspection, these images were not simply painted on but were layers of constantly shifting lights and shadows,


    There were lights casting images on the walls, each character and image clear and distinct.


    The Merit Hall in the Origin Return Sect, like the Good Deeds Hall in other Cultivation Sects, served as a place for posting bounty tasks.


    In the Merit Hall, everything was quantified in terms of ¡®merit.¡¯


    Whether it was a talisman, a Cultivation Technique, a bounty task, or the exchange of teachings for a profession, everything could be converted into a certain number of merit points and displayed within the Merit Hall for the sect disciples to choose from.


    It could be said that in the Origin Return Sect, merit was everything.


    This approach by the Origin Return Sect gave Zhao Sheng a strange sense of familiarity, making it seem less like a Cultivation Sect and more like a clearly priced shop.


    As long as one had enough merit, even the position of Sect Leader could be bought.


    The walls on either side of the Merit Hall were divided into several categories, and Zhao Sheng walked under the Cultivation Technique section.


    Looking up, the first three rows in this section were in large golden characters, neatly arranged and very clear. The text below them occasionally shifted with the flow of light, but those in the top three rows never moved at all.


    Zhao Sheng read the top line, which was the name of a spell: ¡°Mystic Soul Transformation Body,¡± followed by a line of smaller text: ¡°Blood Soul Scripture¡± Nascent Soul Chapter.


    Just from the name of the scripture, Zhao Sheng was shocked, then he looked at the merit points required for exchange. Instead of numbers, there were two big characters: Infinite!


    Beneath ¡°Mystic Soul Transformation Body¡± was the ¡°Taiyi Spirit Crossing Technique,¡± which was not infinite, but had the suffix ¡°one million.¡±


    The third tag was ¡°Clear Void Transformation Technique¡± fragment, also with a concrete number: nine hundred ninety-nine thousand!


    Beyond that, the text turned to ordinary black ink, the first item listed still quite significant: ¡°Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique,¡± priced at eight hundred thousand.


    For Zhao Sheng, these were still astronomical figures.


    Seeing these numbers and thinking about his purpose for joining the Origin Return Sect, Zhao Sheng wondered what his expression looked like at that moment, probably not great.


    Briefly setting these thoughts aside, Zhao Sheng turned and walked to the back of the hall, approaching the counter where bounty tasks were issued.


    ¡°I want to issue a reward task,¡± Zhao Sheng said as he unfastened a green jade token from his waist and placed it on the counter, his tone calm.


    Behind the counter, a young man in a black robe saw the green jade token and immediately broke into a broad smile and said, ¡°Senior Uncle, what task would you like to post? What is the reward?¡±


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment, then said, ¡°I wish to offer a reward for Primordial Heavy Water, eight thousand spirit stones for a drop. The task has no time limit.¡±


    The man acted swiftly, setting up the task quickly and broadcasting it through a rune-illuminated mirror to the task board in the front hall.


    ¡°The task has been posted. Senior Uncle, do you have any other requirements?¡± the young man in the black robe asked, lifting his head again with a smile.


    Zhao Sheng asked, ¡°I would like to undertake a task for Merit, particularly in the talismanic aspect. Could you show me which ones offer high merit rewards?¡±


    The young man in the black robe tapped the rune-illuminated mirror a few times, then handed it to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Senior Uncle, please have a look!¡±


    Zhao Sheng took it and saw that the top line in golden characters read: Blood Refining Talisman, quantity: unlimited, reward: two Merit Points per talisman. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Below that inscription in black ink read: Third-rank Treasure Talisman, attribute not limited, quantity: one, reward: one mid-grade Spiritual Artifact.


    Zhao Sheng scrolled further, taking on seven or eight tasks to draw Second Order True Talismans.


    After handing back the rune-illuminated mirror, Zhao Sheng also said, ¡°That will be all for now. Besides, prepare essence blood for a thousand people. I need to refine Blood Refining Talismans.¡±


    The Blood Refining Talisman, unlike ordinary talismans, was not difficult to make but required the user¡¯s essence blood as a catalyst for refining.


    ¡°Alright, please wait a moment, Senior Uncle,¡± he replied.


    ¡­


    Day turned into night, seasons changed, and two years passed.


    Ding!


    A clear sound of a copper chime suddenly emanated from deep inside the cave mansion.


    Waiting outside the talisman room, leaning against the wall and dozing off, Wei Ling was suddenly awakened and hurriedly stood up straight, walking softly to the door, and whispered, ¡°Master, what are your instructions?¡±


    A mild voice then came out from the talisman room, ¡°This batch of Blood Refining Talismans is ready. Take them to the Merit Hall.¡±


    No sooner had the voice fallen than the talisman room¡¯s door suddenly opened, and a thick stack of blood-colored talismans flew out, landing precisely in Wei Ling¡¯s hands.


    Bang!


    The next moment, the door of the talisman room closed again!


    Seeing this, Wei Ling could not help but curl her lip and turned to leave.


    Once outside the mansion, Wei Ling released a Spirit Eagle over ten feet tall.


    Wei Ling climbed onto the back of the Spirit Eagle and then patted its neck.


    Whoosh!


    The Spirit Eagle flapped its giant wings, lifting off the ground and swiftly flying down the mountain with Wei Ling.


    Shortly after, at the task counter in the Merit Hall,


    Wei Ling slapped a thick stack of Blood Refining Talismans onto the counter and said, ¡°Task delivery, two hundred Blood Refining Talismans! Little Wuzi, you count them.¡±


    Faced with the haughty Wei Ling, Liu Wu dared not dally, and without counting immediately swept the Blood Refining Talismans into a storage bag.


    ¡°No need to count! Not one is missing. With Master Zhao¡¯s unmatched talismanic cultivation among his peers, it¡¯s simply not possible for him to fail in refining. Sister Wei, if you can inherit Master Zhao¡¯s mantle, your future will undoubtedly be boundless,¡± he said.


    ¡°Humph, as if I needed you to tell me that! Same as usual, another batch of Blood Refining Talismans,¡± Wei Ling said haughtily.


    To become a disciple under her master, she had nagged her grandfather for two whole months to personally plead on her behalf.


    It was only because her grandfather had a deep relationship with her master that she was reluctantly accepted.


    However, it had been almost half a year since she became a disciple, and aside from passing down an Introduction to Talisman, her master had taught her nothing else.


    This made Wei Ling feel quite frustrated!

 Chapter 123 - 123 Qian Zhenzi and Calming Tea

    Chapter 123: Chapter 123 Qian Zhenzi and Calming Tea


    Half a day later, Wei Ling returned to her cave mansion and approached the door of the talisman room. Before she could knock, the talisman room¡¯s door suddenly opened on its own.


    ¡°Come in!¡±


    The voice of her master reached her ears, filling Wei Ling¡¯s heart with joy. She hurried inside.


    Upon seeing her master standing behind the talisman table deep within the room, clad in a plain-colored Daoist robe, hair slightly graying at the temples, and wearing a slight expression of fatigue, Wei Ling reined in her emotions and respectfully approached him.


    ¡°Master, you summoned Ling¡¯er. What are your orders?¡±


    As she spoke, Wei Ling placed a porcelain bottle about the height of a palm and two hundred sheets of talisman paper onto the talisman table.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t even glance at them, but instead extended his Divine Sense to sweep over his disciple¡¯s entire body. He noticed that her complexion was rosy, her physical state was excellent, and her vitality within was lively, having increased considerably in the past month.


    ¡°Ling¡¯er, come closer!¡±


    Upon hearing her master¡¯s command, Wei Ling obediently walked to Zhao Sheng¡¯s side and extended her right hand, revealing a section of her porcelain-white, tender arm.


    Zhao Sheng nodded approvingly, then reached out two fingers to press on the acupoint on Wei Ling¡¯s wrist. He directed his Spiritual Power into her meridians and bloodstream, circulating through her entire body and carefully sensing her physical state.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng withdrew his hand with a relaxed smile and praised her, ¡°Very good, you have not been negligent in your cultivation this month. As your teacher, I am very pleased. What reward would you like this time?¡±


    ¡°Here it comes!¡±


    Wei Ling excitedly cheered inwardly. Her master, despite his cold and eccentric nature, was uncharacteristically generous with rewards.


    ¡°Master, Ling¡¯er does not dare to ask for much. If possible, please reward me with some Blood Refining Talismans.¡±


    Wei Ling had already considered what she wanted. The Blood Refining Talismans were in high demand within the sect, second only to Merit Points in value, and her own master was especially skilled in creating them. Not asking for Blood Refining Talismans would be foolish.


    ¡°Hmm,¡±


    Zhao Sheng casually pulled out a stack of Blood Refining Talismans and handed them to his overjoyed disciple. At the same time, he seemed to nonchalantly ask, ¡°Ling¡¯er, you have been practicing the Blood Refining Body Forging Technique for nearly a year now, have you noticed any discomforts?¡±


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t care much about the Blood Refining Talismans; he could produce them in large batches. Instead, he was much more concerned about Wei Ling¡¯s cultivation progress.


    Ling¡¯er hasn¡¯t noticed anything wrong. My physical strength and cultivation have improved quickly, but the condensation of essence blood is too slow. The Essence Blood Pills are always out of stock in the sect.


    ¡°Master, perhaps you could refine a few more batches of Essence Blood Talismans. My grandfather has been urging me again recently.¡±


    Wei Ling¡¯s grandfather was Wei Youquan, who oversaw the Spirit Essence Institute, which had been growing larger year by year. With so many disciples, the supply of Blood Refining Talismans could hardly keep up.


    Lately, he had sent messages repeatedly, hoping to increase the supply of Blood Refining Talismans, and he certainly offered an abundance of promises in exchange, such as secret techniques, spirit stones, and refining materials.


    Zhao Sheng was acutely aware of this, but he had not anticipated Wei Youquan¡¯s intense thirst for power, to the point of exploiting his own granddaughter to boost ¡°performance.¡±


    ¡°When you return, write back to your grandfather and tell him that the supply will increase by ten percent in the second half of the year. But tell him not to try to fob me off with some commonplace spells; if he doesn¡¯t come up with something genuinely valuable by the end of the year, do not blame me for seeking another partner.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, Master. I will make sure to convey your message to my grandfather!¡±


    ¡°Hmm. You can go out now.¡±


    With a worried look on her face, Wei Ling withdrew. Zhao Sheng packed up his things and changed into a new robe before leaving the cave mansion as well.


    Cliff Mountain was steep and precipitous, and the cave mansions of the cultivators in the sect were mostly built into the cliffsides. Zhao Sheng¡¯s cave mansion was no exception, build upon a protruding rock face on the sunny side of the mountain.


    Walking to the edge of the cliff, he could see sparse clouds and hear the howling wind below; the palaces and buildings of the sect were spread out beneath him, but from this vantage point, they looked as small as sesame seeds, densely scattered and no larger than the size of a palm.


    Zhao Sheng looked up to see the sun hanging in the sky, releasing endless light and heat.


    After considering for a moment, he took out the Spirit Fire Gourd and lightly tossed it into the air. The Spirit Fire Gourd suddenly enlarged to over a person¡¯s height, with a belly as large as a vat.


    Zhao Sheng jumped onto the Spirit Gourd and thought.


    With a flash of brilliance, the Spirit Fire Gourd quickly ascended, soaring toward the sun.


    In just a moment, Zhao Sheng, standing on the Spirit Gourd, pierced through the dense clouds and broke through a layer of atmosphere.


    In the high-altitude sky, the air was clear and the view was infinitely vast.


    Looking up, Zhao Sheng saw a captivating sight against a deep blue backdrop: a stone pavilion with green tiles and jade columns, octagonal in shape, defying the biting Gang Wind and quietly suspended in the high heavens.


    This pavilion was known as Open Pavilion, symbolizing open-heartedness and absence of malice.


    It was a public place where Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Origin Return Sect often came to conduct transactions.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and the Spirit Gourd suddenly picked up speed, swiftly flying towards the stone pavilion.


    Ten or so miles flashed by in an instant, and Zhao Sheng arrived at the edge of the stone pavilion. He retracted the Spirit Gourd, passed through a layer of faint white light, and, with a smile, walked into the stone pavilion.


    The stone pavilion wasn¡¯t large, with just a square White Jade table and three round stone stools placed beside it.


    At that time, inside the stone pavilion, Qian Zhenzi, a youth with crane-like hair, had already taken a seat early on one of the stools, watching with a smile as Zhao Sheng arrived as agreed.


    ¡°Junior Zhao, please take a seat!¡± Qian Zhenzi beckoned Zhao Sheng, and he pointed to the stone stool opposite him.


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight nod, took two steps forward, and sat opposite Qian Zhenzi.


    ¡°Senior Brother Qian, have you invited me here today to bring news about the Primordial Heavy Water?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not rush into that. First, I would like you to taste and see how you find this Calming Tea,¡± replied Qian Zhenzi.


    With those words, Qian Zhenzi waved his long sleeve and instantly added two White Jade tea cups to the table.


    Next, Qian Zhenzi took out a palm-sized Black Spirit Wood Box.


    Upon opening the lid, he carefully took out two tea leaves the size of melon seeds, emerald green like jade, and placed them at the bottom of the tea cups.


    After completing these actions, Qian Zhenzi said with a smile, ¡°Junior Zhao, they say good tea must be paired with good water! I¡¯ve heard you have a bottle of Purple Mist Jade Dew.¡±


    ¡°Senior Brother Qian, you truly are¡­¡± said Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng laughed and made a few feigned points in the air towards the other person before taking out the White Jade Purifying Bottle and tilting its mouth downward,


    Instantly, a stream of water flowed from the bottle¡¯s mouth.


    The stream of water carried a faint purple halo and in the blink of an eye split into two streams, precisely landing in the two tea cups.


    As the water in the tea cups rose to about eight-tenths full, Zhao Sheng immediately retracted the White Jade Purifying Bottle.


    ¡°Junior, you¡¯re being a bit stingy!¡±


    Although he said this, Qian Zhenzi¡¯s hands moved quickly, flicking two white spirit flames towards the bottom of the tea cups.


    The spirit flames flew beneath the tea cups, then lifted them off the table surface, suspending them in the air between the two of them.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face changed as he exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Is this¡­ the Great Sun Spirit Fire?! Senior Brother, you¡¯ve only reached Mid-stage Foundation Establishment and have already successfully refined it! Congratulations, congratulations!¡±


    The Great Sun Spirit Fire was one kind of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire that could be extracted from sunlight, making it one of the most easily collectible types of Spiritual Fire in the world.


    Qian Zhenzi was cultivating the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique, and Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t expect his cultivation to be progressing so smoothly.


    Recalling that he hadn¡¯t even seen what Primordial Heavy Water looked like, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but feel somewhat envious.


    ¡°It was just luck, mere luck!¡± Qian Zhenzi said with an appearance of modesty, though pleasure was evident on his face.


    As they spoke, the water began to boil with a bubbling sound, and a rich tea fragrance quickly filled the stone pavilion.


    Zhao Sheng inhaled the tea aroma and immediately felt his spirit clear, his thoughts accelerating by a margin of threefold.


    What a fine thing!


    Qian Zhenzi waved his hand lightly, and the two tea cups descended, each flying towards one of them.


    ¡°Please!¡±


    ¡°Please!¡±


    Zhao Sheng caught the tea cup, raised it in a toast towards Qian Zhenzi, and then drank the entire cup in one go. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No sooner had the tea entered his stomach than a clear energy suddenly rushed up from his abdomen, through his chest, neck, and into the Purple Mansion in an instant, turning into a veil of green spirit rain, falling into the vast Soul Sea.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit was extremely clear, his Divine Sense extremely active, and suddenly it burst out of the Purple Mansion, releasing freely into the surroundings.


    Seventeen zhang, seventeen zhang two, seventeen zhang four¡­ it continued to grow until it reached eighteen zhang far, with his Divine Sense range expanding to its limit.


    ¡°What excellent tea!¡±


    After a while, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, exclaiming in delight.


    ¡°Haha! While the Calming Tea is indeed good, the Purple Mist Jade Dew is also extremely wonderful,¡± replied Qian Zhenzi with a face full of smiles.


    After exchanging a few more words of mutual praise, they finally turned to serious matters.

 Chapter 124 - 124 Talent-Based Personnel

    Chapter 124: Chapter 124 Talent-Based Personnel


    In the stone pavilion, Qian Zhenzi said solemnly, ¡°Junior Zhao, I must return to Pocket World City.¡±


    Oh!


    Zhao Sheng recalled recent news about Pocket World City and tentatively asked, ¡°Senior Brother Qian, are you going to take charge of Ling Kong Temple?¡±


    Ling Kong Temple is one of the three major branches of the Origin Return Sect in Pocket World City. Recently, due to insufficient supplies of Essence Blood Pearls, the former Dean was recalled to the sect, leaving the position vacant.


    ¡°Indeed!¡± Qian Zhenzi nodded and then added, ¡°I hope Junior Brother will come to help me, as this position of Vice Dean is meant for no one but Junior Brother.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was moved inside, but he expressed difficulty outwardly, ¡°Thank you for your kind offer, Senior Brother, but I had not truly considered leaving the mountains.¡±


    Qian Zhenzi¡¯s gaze intensified as he looked at Zhao Sheng and pondered, ¡°Since Junior Brother is unwilling, we shall not discuss it further. However, I now wish to ask a favor of you?¡±


    There is a saying that goes, ¡°receiving gifts makes the mouth soft!¡±


    Having just accepted a favor, Zhao Sheng naturally could not insult the other¡¯s face.


    ¡°Senior Brother, feel free to speak your mind.¡±


    ¡°Upon taking over Ling Kong Temple, I cannot assume office empty-handed. Therefore, I would like to place a long-term order with Junior Brother for supplying Ling Kong Temple with two thousand Blood Refining Talismans every year.¡±


    ¡°I knew it was this!¡± Zhao Sheng thought.


    ¡°You must be joking, Senior Brother. As an expert in the Talisman Tao, you surely do not need to reserve Blood Refining Talismans from me. And two thousand is simply too many.¡±


    Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t lying; crafting two thousand Blood Refining Talismans would take him at least two months.


    ¡°My skills are nothing compared to yours, Junior Brother. Let¡¯s make it fifteen hundred! I cannot accept any less.¡±


    ¡°Senior Brother might not know, my disciple¡¯s grandfather¡­¡±


    After a period of haggling back and forth, Zhao Sheng had no choice but to agree to supply eight hundred Blood Refining Talismans to Ling Kong Temple each year, at a rate of two merit points per talisman.


    Although Qian Zhenzi repeatedly complained verbally, he was overjoyed inside.


    Among all members of the Origin Return Sect, when it came to producing large quantities of high-quality Blood Refining Talismans, there was none to the right of Zhao Sheng.


    Although it was regrettable not to have drawn him to Ling Kong Temple, his objective for today was nonetheless achieved.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng jokingly and reproachfully said, ¡°Senior Brother, you invited me here for something more than just this, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Everyone knows Junior Brother is a busy man; I wouldn¡¯t trouble you to come in person for just a trivial matter. Look, what¡¯s this?¡±


    As he spoke, Qian Zhenzi took out a Mystic Iron Bowl from his Storage Bag, which contained a shallow layer of colorless liquid that looked unremarkable.


    Bang!


    The Mystic Iron Bowl seemed very heavy. As soon as it was placed on the table, a dull sound echoed.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face lit up as he eagerly asked, ¡°Could it be that this is the Primordial Heavy Water?¡±


    Qian Zhenzi nodded, proudly replying, ¡°By chance, I found ten drops. Is that enough?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s enough for now!¡± Zhao Sheng was very pleased and then thanked him, ¡°Thank you for parting with this, Senior Brother! What would you like to exchange for it?¡±


    Qian Zhenzi said, ¡°I know you are wealthy, Junior Brother; give me eighty thousand Spirit Stones. If that¡¯s not feasible, an equivalent value in treasures will do!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned, but he quickly understood that Qian Zhenzi was intentionally showing goodwill.


    ¡°Then¡­ Junior Brother might as well take advantage of Senior Brother today!¡± After a brief thought, Zhao Sheng readily agreed.


    The details of the trade that followed need not be elaborated upon.


    After collecting the Primordial Heavy Water, Zhao Sheng further inquired about various details concerning the Blood Melting God Refining Technique from Qian Zhenzi.


    When he learned that Zhao Sheng had not yet practiced the technique, Qian Zhenzi was quite surprised. It had been over two years since he began, yet Zhao Sheng had resisted the temptation to practice this Divine Level Technique.


    Right, that¡¯s correct!


    To all cultivators who had experienced the Blood Soul Scripture, this technique seemed nothing short of miraculous.


    How miraculous it was could only be appreciated by those who had actually practiced it.


    For Qian Zhenzi, he had only practiced for two years, yet his cultivation had easily broken through from Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer to the Fifth Layer Realm, and his Divine Sense Power had greatly increased, now comparable to that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer Cultivator.


    Although it felt quite strange, Qian Zhenzi would not refuse such an opportune favor and thus spared no detail in responding to Zhao Sheng¡¯s queries.


    Half a day later, as the sun was setting and the sky was filled with an evening glow,


    Zhao Sheng, feeling fulfilled, ceased talking and bid farewell to Qian Zhenzi,


    The two quickly parted ways at the Open Pavilion, each heading their own way.


    ¡­


    Three months later, a sudden explosion emanated from the depths of the Cultivation Room in the cave mansion. Wei Ling was startled and hurried to the edge of the quiet room, peering inside curiously.


    Suddenly,


    the door of the Cultivation Room flung open, and Zhao Sheng emerged with a radiant complexion.


    However, contrary to his healthy appearance, his expression was unusually stern, revealing a hint of dejection.


    Three months had been enough for a person to truly understand themselves.


    Hmm,


    All ten drops of Primordial Heavy Water had been completely consumed, resulting in hundreds of failures.


    This outcome made Zhao Sheng deeply realize that he was not a true cultivation prodigy. At best, he was merely talent-based.


    While he failed to Refine the Primordial Heavy Water, the practice of the Blood Soul Scripture proceeded exceptionally smoothly.


    In just one day, he had easily mastered the introductory level of the Blood Refining Body Forging Technique.


    Having already reached Foundation Establishment, the Qi Refining Chapter was no challenge for him, and by the three-month mark, his Cultivation Technique realm had advanced to Great Success.


    Condensing essence blood required consuming a large amount of energy, but at that moment, Zhao Sheng nearly forgot about a talent that suddenly emerged prominently.


    Primary Healing (Mortal Level): Due to individual Constitution differences, bodily recovery speed increases three to ten times.


    After Foundation Establishment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body recovery rate had reached the highest tenfold.


    In the same realm of Great Success, while others could only condense one drop of essence blood per day, Zhao Sheng could condense three drops.


    Of course, the more he produced, the greater his consumption.


    Every day, Zhao Sheng consumed several times more Great Nourishing Elixir Pills and demon beast meat than others.


    However, he was wealthy enough that this consumption wouldn¡¯t bankrupt him.


    ¡°Master!¡±


    Wei Ling, noticing the troubled mood of her master, but having encountered him, had no choice but to greet him bravely.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded expressionlessly,


    Seeing that the master didn¡¯t vent his anger on her, Wei Ling felt relieved and was about to bow and retreat when she heard him ask,


    ¡°What is the success rate of the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman now?¡±


    Wei Ling inwardly groaned, but she had to answer the master¡¯s question, so she whispered almost inaudibly, ¡°Three¡­ thirty percent!¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡±


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly but did not scold her.


    Although Wei Ling was his disciple, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t really care much about her.


    This was all just a trade between him and Wei Youquan.


    He ¡°looked after¡± Wei Ling while Wei Youquan ¡°watched¡± over the Golden Talisman Pavilion for him.


    Seeing signs of anger in her master, Wei Ling inwardly panicked and racked her brain.


    In her nervousness, she actually remembered something.


    ¡°Master, Grandfather sent a message a few days ago. He mentioned that things have been unstable at the Golden Talisman Pavilion recently and hopes you can make time to return to Pocket World City.¡±


    Oh?


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback by her words and asked, ¡°Did your grandfather mention what it was about?¡±


    ¡°Grandfather didn¡¯t say,¡± Wei Ling replied, her eyes darting around. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hmm, understood!¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, his face thoughtful.


    Seeing this, Wei Ling couldn¡¯t help feeling pleased, and she tiptoed out of the room.

 Chapter 125 - 125: Thirty Years

    Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Thirty Years


    A year later, at Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion in Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged under the Spiritual Peach Tree, his gaze aimlessly wandering through the fluctuating cloud mist surrounding the illusion array, his mind filled with a whirlwind of thoughts.


    After resolving the trouble with the Golden Talisman Pavilion, he had returned to the secret mansion and had been there for four full months now, with three months having passed since Zhao Xuanjing entered seclusion for his Foundation Establishment.


    With so much time having passed, Zhao Xuanjing still had not emerged, which made Zhao Sheng feel increasingly anxious.


    However, his concerns did not stop there.


    After watching the changing mists for a while, Zhao Sheng sighed, his mind stirred, and he summoned his personal data panel:


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 83/196


    Realm: Third Level of Foundation Establishment


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skill]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Small Success), Blood Refining Body Forging Technique (Great Success), Blood Melting God Refining Technique (Skilled), Stacking Talisman Technique (Master, twenty-six layers)


    Spell: God-Slaying Sword (Small Success), Thousand Silk Sword Rain (Great Success), Water Dragon Roar (Great Success), Water Bomb Technique (Great Success), Cold Ice Waterfall (Small Success)¡­


    Talisman Making: Blood Refining Talisman (Refined), Thousand Catties Talisman (Great Success), Flowing Cloud Sword Talisman (Divine Transformation), Concentrating God Talisman (Great Success), Sweet Rain Talisman (Great Success), Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Great Success)¡­


    Zhao Sheng did not focus on the breakthrough to the Third Level of Foundation Establishment, but rather, his attention was fixed on the number 196.


    Just half a year ago, this number had still been 197, but now, it had silently changed to 196.


    Two days ago, when Zhao Sheng suddenly discovered that his life span had decreased by a year, he was terribly shocked.


    Initially, he could not understand what had caused it.


    But on the same day, as he habitually executed his cultivation technique to condense essence blood, Zhao Sheng suddenly came to a realization.


    The Blood Refining Body Forging Technique was problematic!


    More precisely, the Blood Soul Scripture concealed significant risks.


    All cultivators who practiced this technique would see rapid advancements in their cultivation, but the cost was the consumption of their own life span.


    Traded life span for a boost in cultivation!


    The Blood Soul Scripture was genuinely a typical technique of the Demon Path.


    The key issue was that the detriment of losing life span was deeply hidden.


    If not for Zhao Sheng possessing the treasured Hundred Lifetimes book, he might never have realized this danger even until his death.


    If it was so for him, others were completely kept in the dark.


    The move by Origin Ancestor was incredibly cunning and vicious!


    Thinking of the sixty to seventy thousand disciples of the Origin Return Sect, thinking of how the Blood Refining Body Forging Technique was not only rampant in Pocket World City but had also widely spread across the Central Continent Cultivation World.


    Zhao Sheng felt a chill of fear!


    ¡°The essence blood never dies, that is called Mysterious Blood, the source of Mysterious Blood is called spirit, eternal life that continues unendingly, inexhaustible in use.¡±


    Underneath the spiritual peach tree, Zhao Sheng repeatedly muttered the preamble of the Blood Soul Scripture, his heart experiencing surges of shock and awe.


    He still could not figure out, what was the ultimate purpose of Origin Ancestor spreading the Blood Soul Scripture so extensively?


    Origin Ancestor could not possibly be doing this just to rapidly enhance the overall strength of the Origin Return Sect.


    If it were merely for this reason, he would not have allowed the Blood Refining Body Forging Technique to spread everywhere. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°All the hustle and bustle of the world is for profit, the world moves for profit,¡± Zhao Sheng murmured:


    ¡°So¡­ What ¡®benefit¡¯ is Origin Ancestor doing this for?


    What is in it for the Ten Great Sects?¡±


    Zhao Sheng would not underestimate anyone, he did not believe that the Ten Great Sects were completely oblivious to the oddities of Origin Ancestor, nor did he believe those Nascent Soul Ancestors failed to notice the peculiarity of the Blood Soul Scripture.


    However, mysteriously, they remained indifferent, watching from the sidelines.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t figure it out. Perhaps in this life, he would never know the hidden details.


    Because his status was too low, he was far too distant from the upper echelons of the Central Continent Cultivation World.


    ¡­


    Three days later, under the Spiritual Peach Tree, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged with closed eyes. His face was as red as blood, and blood surged through his body like waves, emitting a faint roaring sound from within.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    His heart contracted and expanded violently. In the chambers, blood gathered into a vortex, slowly forming a drop of essence blood at the bottom of the swirl, which quickly took shape.


    With inner sight, Zhao Sheng watched the birth of this drop of essence blood, his heart neither sad nor happy.


    With a thought, the drop of essence blood suddenly burst into a mist of blood, then instantly transformed into a streak of blood light.


    The blood light, ignoring the obstruction of the flesh, rushed into Zhao Sheng¡¯s Purple Mansion in an instant and shot into the Soul Sea, disappearing without a trace.


    The next moment, Zhao Sheng felt his Divine Sense naturally increase slightly, and the range of his Divine Sense also expanded by an inch.


    Shortly after, the flush on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face faded, and he opened his eyes, a flash of satisfaction evident in them.


    What of the fact that cultivating the ¡°Blood Soul Scripture¡± diminishes life span?


    By then, Zhao Sheng had realized, as long as his cultivation could rapidly improve, he didn¡¯t need to concern himself with this hidden danger.


    Zhao Sheng stood up from the ground,


    Just then, a look of joy suddenly appeared on his face, his figure flashed, and he appeared at the entrance of a cave.


    Boom!


    As the walls of the cave thunderously fell back to the ground, Zhao Xuanjing strode out like a shooting star.


    ¡°Uncle Qi, I¡¯ve succeeded!¡±


    Seeing Zhao Xuanjing returning to a youthful appearance, Zhao Sheng was very pleased. ¡°Good, good! Xuanjing, you truly are the Qilin¡¯er of our Zhao family, you didn¡¯t let me down!¡±


    This time, Zhao Xuanjing didn¡¯t respond with humility as he had before, but instead confidently accepted Zhao Sheng¡¯s praise.


    Having advanced to the Foundation Establishment realm before the age of fifty, Zhao Xuanjing knew he had the opportunity to assault the Golden Core realm.


    The title of the Zhao family¡¯s Qilin¡¯er was rightfully his.


    ¡­


    Two months later, Zhao Xuanjing bid farewell to Zhao Sheng and left Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion.


    Following the plan, he first wanted to return to Taifu Mountain and then began to travel the four directions.


    This was a journey of experience, its duration unknown. It might be years, or even decades.


    When he felt his experiences were sufficient, he would return to Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion.


    While Zhao Xuanjing traveled the world to refine his spirit, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t return to the Origin Return Sect but chose to ¡°seclude¡± himself in Pocket World City.


    Time flies, the years pass swiftly


    As time passed, Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation also steadily improved,


    Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer,


    Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer,


    ¡­


    When Zhao Sheng successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer, thirty full years had passed.


    During those thirty years, while enduring the hardships of cultivation, Zhao Sheng had been coldly observing the development of the Origin Return Sect.


    But contrary to what he had anticipated, the major hidden danger of the ¡°Blood Soul Scripture¡± hadn¡¯t been detected; perhaps someone had discovered it, but it had been suppressed by the Origin Ancestor or an unknown power.


    Over the years, the Origin Return Sect had grown vigorously: the number of Qi Refining disciples surpassed a hundred thousand, Foundation Establishment cultivators emerged like bamboo shoots after a rain, and even three Golden Core Masters were added.


    Because Zhao Sheng was too low-key, his status in the Origin Return Sect had dropped more and more.


    When the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the sect exceeded a hundred, he had become so unobtrusive that he was almost ignored.


    Of course, this was a situation Zhao Sheng was very happy to see.

 Chapter 126 - 126: Blood Withering Disease

    Chapter 126: Chapter 126: Blood Withering Disease


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 114/167


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Great Success), Blood Soul Scripture (Melt Blood Chapter, Great Success), Stacking Talisman Technique (Great Success, thirty-three layers)


    Spells: God-Slaying Sword (Great Success), Light Splitting Sword (Great Success), Blood Escape Technique (Great Success), Nine Dragons Chant (Small Success), Mystical Spirit Puppet (Small Success), Water Bomb Technique (Great Success), Cold Ice Waterfall (Master)¡­


    Talisman making: Blood Refining Talisman (Refined), Blood Melting Talisman (Great Success), Blood Escape Talisman (Great Success), Ten Thousand Jins Talisman (Great Success), Flowing Cloud Sword Talisman (Divine Transformation), Concentrating God Talisman (Great Success), Sweet Rain Talisman (Great Success), Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Great Success)¡­


    Looking at the data on the panel, Zhao Sheng was lost in thought.


    Over the years, although he had been very restrained, he still had consumed twenty-nine years of his life span to improve his cultivation.


    After closing the personal panel, Zhao Sheng stood up and paced back and forth in the quiet room, contemplating the recent situation within the Origin Return Sect.


    After much thought, he suddenly realized that the Origin Return Sect seemed like a powder keg about to explode.


    Where there are people, there are conflicts of interest!


    In the past, because of rapid development and sufficient benefits, the internal contradictions of the Origin Return Sect had been temporarily suppressed.


    But in recent years, the Origin Return Sect had offended too many powers and was facing opposition from all surrounding forces, causing a sharp decline in its expansion rate.


    For this reason, the previously suppressed contradictions and conflicts began to surface repeatedly.


    People only saw the blazingly prosperous situation of the Origin Return Sect, but they were unaware of the undercurrents swirling within.


    Now that the powder keg was about to explode, it seemed only a fuse was missing.


    After observing these years, Zhao Sheng felt that this fuse was¡ª


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The door of the quiet room was suddenly knocked violently, and a frantic cry followed from outside:


    ¡°Master, Master! Please come out quickly!¡±


    Zhao Sheng frowned and suddenly appeared at the doorway.


    He opened the door and saw a middle-aged beautiful woman with tear-streaked face standing at the doorstep.


    ¡°Master, my grandfather, he¡­ sob!¡±


    Zhao Sheng said in a deep voice, ¡°Ling¡¯er, slow down, what happened to your grandfather?¡±


    Wei Ling looked extremely panicked and said, ¡°My grandfather suddenly fainted just now, and he¡¯s almost¡­ gone!¡±


    ¡°Where is your grandfather? Take me to him quickly!¡±


    Wei Ling quickly wiped away her tears and led Zhao Sheng to the Spirit Essence Institute.


    Soon, the two arrived at the backyard of the Spirit Essence Institute,


    where Qi Refining disciples in red robes filled the area,


    their faces filled with fear, gathered in front of the main room in the north of the courtyard, yet no one dared to step inside.


    Seeing that it was Zhao Sheng who had arrived, everyone bowed in unison.


    Zhao Sheng ignored these formalities and walked straight into the inner room.


    When he saw Wei Youquan lying on the bed, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed.


    The man who had been well just a few days ago now appeared emaciated, not only his hair and teeth had all fallen out, but the exposed skin was wrinkled like chicken skin and covered with black spots, and a foul smell of decay emanated from his body.


    ¡°Blood desiccation syndrome!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart sank, knowing Wei Youquan¡¯s end was near.


    Blood desiccation syndrome had recently emerged as a terminal disease,


    similar to the Heavenly Person Five Decays, those who contracted it were undoubtedly doomed, hence cultivators feared it like a tiger and changed color upon hearing it.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain was particularly devastated by the disease of blood depletion.


    In recent years, Heavenly Pillar Mountain had already lost over a dozen Foundation Establishment Cultivators to this fatal disease.


    As for Qi Refining disciples, there were even more.


    It was with good reason that Zhao Sheng believed Heavenly Pillar Mountain had become a powder keg, with blood depletion undeniably serving as the most compelling evidence.


    Taking his own situation into account, Zhao Sheng felt confident that those who died from blood depletion had certainly exhausted their life spans.


    The cultivation technique ¡°Blood Soul Scripture¡± was extremely sinister, undetectable usually, but its hidden dangers only erupted suddenly just before death.


    The Cultivation World was not lack of smart people; someone surely must have discovered the connection between the ¡°Blood Soul Scripture¡± and blood depletion.


    Although he did not know when this secret would be exposed, Zhao Sheng knew that the day it became public, Heavenly Pillar Mountain would definitely become the target of public vitriol.


    Zhao Sheng walked up to the bedside, and Wei Ling, in a panic, asked, ¡°Master, is there any hope left for my grandfather?¡±


    When Zhao Sheng¡¯s divine sense penetrated into Wei Youquan¡¯s body, he discovered his blood had dried up, his organs were rapidly decaying, and his bones gradually dissolving.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head in regret and said, ¡°Your grandfather has blood depletion! There¡¯s no saving him.¡±


    Upon hearing it was blood depletion, Wei Ling fainted on the spot.


    Seeing this, a glint of sharpness flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes as he waved his hand to release a burst of spiritual power, which he shot into Wei Ling¡¯s forehead to temporarily seal off her senses.


    Then, Zhao Sheng waved his sleeve, and a Barrier Talisman suddenly flew out, turning into flying ash.


    In an instant, an invisible barrier rose from the room, temporarily blocking any outside view.


    Having done these, Zhao Sheng took a step forward and scanned Wei Youquan¡¯s body inch by inch with his divine sense, not overlooking any peculiarities.


    In previous years, he had examined the corpses of some Qi Refining disciples who had died from blood depletion, but had not found anything unusual.


    As for Foundation Establishment Cultivators who succumbed to blood depletion, the Heavenly Pillar Mountain would swiftly collect their bodies, so he had never had the chance to investigate.


    Now, finally, the opportunity had come!


    From head to toe, Zhao Sheng scanned three times continuously,


    Uh?


    Zhao Sheng felt very odd; Wei Youquan¡¯s corpse seemed no different from those of the Qi Refining disciples¡¯ corpses.


    But there was one thing¡­


    Zhao Sheng bent down, his face drawing near Wei Youquan¡¯s body, and flaring his nostrils, he sniffed intently.


    Suddenly,


    a look of elation crossed Zhao Sheng¡¯s face. He smelled a strange scent of blood emanating from Wei Youquan¡¯s seven orifices.


    This smell of blood was extremely similar to that of a corpse, imperceptible to ordinary people, but Zhao Sheng¡¯s nose could not be deceived.


    Pressing his hand on Wei Youquan¡¯s head, streams of pure spiritual power seeped into his seven orifices.


    Soon, Zhao Sheng made a significant discovery.


    Inside Wei Youquan¡¯s Purple Mansion, there appeared a red, round, inch-sized Blood Pill.


    The surface of the Blood Pill intermittently showed a lifeless, expressionless face¡ªit could be no one but Wei Youquan.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart shook violently. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In an instant, he suddenly recalled the incident he had encountered at Heavenly Pillar Mountain decades ago.


    The mysterious blood stain, the bizarre face on the stele, and the strange Blood Pill bearing Wei Youquan¡¯s face!


    What exactly was the connection between the three?


    As Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind was beset by surging waves, someone suddenly kicked open the room door, and then a streak of bloodlight flew in, instantly shattering the barrier.


    Zhao Sheng abruptly turned around to look outside.


    He saw two figures wearing black hooded robes walk in.


    Upon seeing these two figures, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed, and he thought to himself, ¡°They¡¯ve come so quickly!¡±


    He did not recognize these two hooded figures, but he was very familiar with their roles.


    These two were corpse collectors from Heavenly Pillar Mountain, specifically tasked with collecting the bodies of Foundation Establishment Cultivators and bringing them back to Heavenly Pillar Mountain for burial.

 Chapter 127 - 127: The Inevitable Calm of the South

    Chapter 127: Chapter 127: The Inevitable Calm of the South


    In the room, Zhao Sheng touched Wei Ling¡¯s forehead with the tip of his foot and imperceptibly infused a stream of Spiritual Power.


    The next second, Wei Ling groaned and slowly woke up, sitting up from the ground.


    Zhao Sheng stood in front of the bed, watching the two corpse collector disciples with a calm expression. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing this situation, the two black-robed figures paused momentarily, and one of them suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice, ¡°Senior Uncle, Master Wei has passed away. We are here under orders to escort Master Wei¡¯s body back to the mountain for burial.¡±


    Brother Wei has just passed, and you two have already arrived. Could it be that you have some foresight?¡± Zhao Sheng bluntly questioned.


    He knew that asking this might be taboo, but it was a rare opportunity not to take advantage and probe their intentions would be to waste a good opportunity.


    The two black-robed figures fell silent for a moment before one of them answered, ¡°Senior Uncle, we are merely following orders, and we know nothing else.¡±


    ¡°Grandfather¡­sob, sob!¡±


    Just then, Wei Ling suddenly threw himself beside the bed, crying loudly and calling out.


    Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the room, and the sound of crying faintly reached them; it was clear that the people outside had already learned of Elder Wei¡¯s death.


    Zhao Sheng took the opportunity to say, ¡°Master Wei presided over the Spirit Essence Institute for decades and was highly respected in the hearts of the disciples. His unfortunate passing today has caused great sorrow among the disciples. Could we perhaps have a few more days of leniency? After the seven-day mourning period, we could then bring his body back to Cliff Mountain for burial.¡±


    With seven days¡¯ time, he would have enough opportunity to thoroughly investigate the peculiar Blood Pill.


    ¡°It is not possible! The sect has rules that anyone who falls outside must be brought back for burial as soon as possible. I implore Senior Uncle not to make this difficult for us!¡± The black-robed corpse collector disciples immediately rejected Zhao Sheng¡¯s suggestion, with an extraordinarily firm tone.


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a while and had a rough guess in his mind.


    ¡°Hmm, if that¡¯s the case¡­ Ling¡¯er, step aside!¡±


    ¡°Master, I won¡¯t! They want to snatch away my grandfather¡¯s body while it¡¯s still warm¡ª they¡¯re inhuman!¡± Wei Ling lay on the bed, clutching Wei Youquan¡¯s right hand tightly and crying stubbornly.


    ¡°My apologies!¡± Having said that, the two figures moved forward¡­


    ¡­


    Seven days later, when the Spirit Essence Institute welcomed its new Dean, Zhao Sheng returned to the Origin Return Sect in a very low-key manner.


    Thirty years had gone by, and Cliff Mountain, which was once quite desolate, was now a place of celestial grandeur.


    Atop the mountain, the Guiyuan Hall was shrouded in dense Spiritual Energy, glowing brilliantly with large swathes of colorful clouds encircling the mountain slopes, and Immortal Cranes and spirit birds soaring and singing loudly on the plaza.


    As night fell, from the cliffs and precipices of Cliff Mountain, colorful lights shone from caves, solitary trees, and other hidden places.


    Underneath the lights were cultivators¡¯ cave mansions.


    Below Cliff Mountain, countless palaces and lofty towers stood like forests, sprawling for dozens of miles. From the high heavens, the ground was brilliantly lit, looking like a city that never slept.


    The Origin Return Sect, not yet sixty years in establishment, had reached a level of grandeur that one would find hard to believe, not just outsiders, but even Zhao Sheng, who had just returned, found it beyond belief.


    It was late into the night, yet the Merit Hall was still bustling with activity. The disciples of the Origin Return Sect were coming and going in such a lively manner that it appeared even busier than during the day.


    Zhao Sheng used an Illusion True Talisman to change his appearance before blending into the crowd to enter the Merit Hall.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng left the Merit Hall very inconspicuously.


    As soon as he left, the Merit Hall exploded in commotion.


    ¡°The Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique has been exchanged by someone!¡±


    ¡°Yes! A whole eight hundred thousand Merit Points!¡±


    ¡°Do you know which divine being from our sect it was?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know! But surely it must be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!¡±


    ¡°That makes sense!¡±


    The news of the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique being exchanged quickly spread among the disciples of the Origin Return Sect and soon throughout the entire sect.


    As to who exchanged for it, there were various speculations within the sect.


    The Qi Refining disciples might not know, but several of the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Origin Return Sect had their suspicions, and Zhao Sheng was one of them.


    Thus, during a gathering half a month later, Feng Yu Elder Taoist teased Zhao Sheng, ¡°Junior Zhao, you haven¡¯t returned to the sect for decades, and I didn¡¯t expect you to cause such a stir as soon as you did!¡±


    Having not seen each other for many years, Feng Yu Elder Taoist had aged beyond recognition, with an aura that faintly exuded a scent of death.


    Faced with a man about to die, Zhao Sheng was very careful and shook his head with a wry smile, ¡°Brother, you jest. Even if I chop and sell my entire self, I couldn¡¯t afford to exchange for the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t hide it anymore, if it wasn¡¯t you, then who? We entered the sect together; don¡¯t you trust this old Taoist!¡±


    Despite Feng Yu Elder Taoist¡¯s repeated inquiries, Zhao Sheng still adamantly denied it.


    Just as Feng Yu Elder Taoist was about to press on, Zhao Sheng suddenly looked sad and sighed, ¡°Brother, do you know that Brother Wei of the Spirit Essence Institute has passed away!¡±


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist was surprised, ¡°What are you saying, Wei Youquan has died! When? How? He had just passed his second ji¨¦z¨«!¡±


    ¡°Seven days ago, he died of blood withering disease!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Feng Yu Elder Taoist staggered, with a sudden expression of terror and horror crossing his face.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng finished speaking, the gathering place fell deathly silent; all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators present looked unnatural, and some, like Feng Yu Elder Taoist, even showed expressions of fear.


    Without a doubt, blood withering disease had become a deeply taboo phrase within the Origin Return Sect.


    Zhao Sheng was perhaps the only one who could speak of it so openly.


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist, having been shocked, had no more desire to ask about the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique.

 Chapter 128 - 127 Finally, Yinan is at Peace_2

    Chapter 128: Chapter 127 Finally, Yinan is at Peace_2


    He wanted to leave, but Zhao Sheng¡¯s purpose for attending the gathering had not been achieved yet, so he couldn¡¯t let him go.


    ¡°Elder Brother, wait a moment, I still have something to ask you?¡±


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist frowned, ¡°Junior Brother, what is it you wish to ask?¡±


    ¡°I have heard that more than a decade ago, Elder Brother once went to the Desolate Domain to establish a branch. Is this true?¡± Zhao Sheng asked with a serious expression.


    After hearing this, Feng Yu Elder Taoist¡¯s frown deepened, and his mood worsened!


    This matter was a humiliation to him,


    Sixteen years ago, in order to earn merit, he eagerly went to the Desolate Domain to make a name for himself. Little did he know that he would be ostracized by the local forces, and in the end, was unable to maintain his footing, leaving in utter disarray back to Cliff Mountain.


    ¡°Hmm, there is probably such a matter,¡± Feng Yu Elder Taoist responded noncommittally.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes lit up, and he spoke earnestly, ¡°Elder Brother, please do not take offense, I too have similar aspirations. It¡¯s just that I know very little about the Desolate Domain¡¯s customs and practices, so I earnestly seek Elder Brother¡¯s guidance!¡±


    A glint flickered in Feng Yu Elder Taoist¡¯s eyes as he suddenly said, ¡°Since Junior Brother wishes to ask, naturally, I shall hold nothing back. However¡­¡±


    His tone lengthened, and he did not continue but looked intently at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng understood the hint and felt enlightened.


    ¡°As long as Elder Brother speaks truthfully. I have some small trinkets here that I find of no use. I might as well gift them to Elder Brother for your enjoyment.¡±


    Feng Yu Elder Taoist shook his head and said gravely, ¡°Not enough! Although I failed, I still have a group of useful people left in the Desolate Domain. If Junior Brother wants to take over, feel free to do so, but these trinkets are far from sufficient.¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt elated inside. The reason he had approached Feng Yu Elder Taoist was precisely for the manpower he just mentioned.


    Thereupon, he immediately and decisively agreed.


    Considering that this was not the place to discuss such matters, the two quickly got up and left, finding a private place to sit down and start negotiating back and forth.


    After a period of bargaining, Zhao Sheng spent a large sum of merit to finally satisfy Feng Yu Elder Taoist¡¯s demands.


    Then, Feng Yu Elder Taoist began to eagerly explain the customs and practices of the Desolate Domain to Zhao Sheng.


    This explanation lasted for a full day and night, and only after Feng Yu Elder Taoist had emptied all he knew did Zhao Sheng let him leave contentedly.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, Zhao Sheng actively sought out Sect Leader Jin Chenzi, proposing to establish a branch in the Desolate Domain.


    Jin Chenzi greatly appreciated Zhao Sheng¡¯s proactive offer to serve the sect and agreed immediately and readily.


    In a certain sense, the Origin Return Sect was very welcoming of Foundation Establishment disciples venturing to various Boundary realms of the Central Continent to establish branches.


    Branches could be established anywhere, but there was one condition¡­ the ¡°performance¡± had to meet the annual target.


    The so-called performance referred to Essence Blood Pearls.


    Based on the number of disciples, the sect would require the branch to provide a certain number of Essence Blood Pearls.


    If the performance met the target, the Dean could receive a large sum of merit.


    If the target was exceeded, the Dean could not only get half of the extra part but also enjoy the benefit of ¡°discounted¡± exchanges at the Merit Hall.


    Zhao Sheng had limited connections in the Origin Return Sect, and hardly had any Direct Disciples.


    However, there were too many disciples in the Origin Return Sect and the competition was fierce, with many who were ¡°full of ambition.¡±


    Therefore, when Zhao Sheng spread the word, that day itself over a dozen disciples at Qi Refining Great Perfection approached him, volunteering to follow him to ¡°make their mark.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s intention was not for this, but facing these enthusiastic individuals who brought their own provisions, he naturally accepted.


    Quality over quantity!


    After some interviews, Zhao Sheng only accepted four of them, and sent the others away after giving each a few Essence Blood Talismans.


    Just as Zhao Sheng was concentrating on preparing for the Desolate Domain, a piece of sudden bad news interrupted his plans.


    That afternoon, Zhao Sheng was focused on refining a batch of Blood Refining Talismans.


    Crack


    A jade pendant hanging from his waist suddenly split in two and dropped to the ground.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face turned pale instantaneously, he dropped the talisman pen, and dashed out of the talisman room.


    Two breaths later, a Cloud Boat abruptly ascended from a cliff at mid-mountain on Cliff Mountain, soaring into the sky, and then sped toward Pocket World City.


    ¡­


    Six days later, at Taifu Mountain,


    in the courtyard at the mountaintop, every single member of the Zhao Cultivation Clan was present. At this moment, the expressions on their faces were filled with overwhelming grief.


    Meanwhile, in a bedroom of the courtyard, Zhao Jijian¡¯s body lay stiff on the bed, his complexion deathly pale.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng sat by the bed, slightly bowing his head in silence, yet his expression was unusually calm.


    Behind him stood Zhao Xuanjing, Zhao Xuan¡¯an, Zhao Keru, and other important figures of the Zhao Family, all standing solemnly.


    Ultimately, Zhao Sheng had not managed to make it in time to see Zhao Jijian¡¯s last moment.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng remain silent, after a long wait, Zhao Xuan¡¯an couldn¡¯t help but advise, ¡°Seventh Uncle, you mustn¡¯t grieve too much! The Fourth Ancestor passed away with a smile.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Sheng suddenly let out a laugh, tears spilling from the corners of his eyes as he did,


    ¡°Of course your Fourth Ancestor would smile. Not just him, I would smile too. He could hold his head high, proudly report to our ancestors that he did not let them down. Not only did the family not decline under his leadership, but it also flourished even more, securing a legacy for generations to come. He¡­ he was proud!¡±


    Having finished, Zhao Sheng stood up, turned around, and looked over at Zhao Xuanjing and the others with a face full of satisfaction.


    Zhao Keru, Third Level of Foundation Establishment,


    Zhao Xuanjing, Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer, S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Xuan¡¯an, Second Level of Foundation Establishment,


    Zhao Xuance, Qi Refining Perfection


    Zhao Tongxian, Qi Refining Perfection


    ¡­


    Thirty years had passed, and other than him, the Zhao Family had three at Foundation Establishment, four at Qi Refining Perfection, and eighteen at the Qi Refining Late Stage¡­ The number of Cultivators in the family had surpassed one hundred.


    In addition, there was a spirit land on Taifu Mountain covering a hundred miles, with over two hundred thousand common clan members, their influence extending over a thousand miles.


    The Zhao Family was thriving with successors. Zhao Jijian could die with a smile, and Zhao Sheng also could lay down his heavy responsibilities to pursue a significant matter.


    One day later, Zhao Jijian was buried with great pomp and ceremony, and on that day, Taifu Mountain was lit up with lanterns and festooned with decorations, brimming with joy.


    A month later, Zhao Sheng appeared on the slope of Taifu Mountain and quietly slipped into the green pond. He placed the first set of ¡°contingencies¡± at the bottom of the pond.


    Three months later, Zhao Sheng, despite the entreaties of Zhao Xuan¡¯an and others, resolutely left Taifu Mountain.


    Before departing, he had secret lengthy discussions with both Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Xuan¡¯an over two days.


    After Zhao Sheng left, Zhao Xuanjing also returned to the secret mansion of the Zhao Family at Heavenly Pillar Mountain. He was the chief of the Dark Department, content to live a life of solitude.


    Seven days later, a Cloud Boat quietly descended on the banks of Dragon Carp Lake.


    After the Zhao Family moved away, the Purple Sun Sect reclaimed Dragon Carp Lake, but they did not relocate a new Cultivation Family there. Instead, they used it again as a base for outstation disciples.


    Zhao Sheng did not linger in the area and, after setting down the second batch of ¡°contingencies,¡± he drifted away.


    When he next made an appearance, he had already arrived thousands of miles away in Nanyang City.


    Several hundred years had passed, and although Liang Kingdom had long become a fleeting memory, the Nanyang Zhao Family still stood unyielding, renowned as a millennium-old clan, dominating Ganzhou.


    Through hundreds of years of continuous expansion, the Zhao Family¡¯s Cemetery had encompassed the entire mountaintop.


    Even though the cemetery was filled with countless tombstones and graves, the two tombs in the very center were always the most conspicuous.


    As the setting sun descended, the dimming sunlight slanted across the surface of the tombstones, Zhao Sheng sat on the stone steps, looking at the few lines inscribed on the tombstone, his expression complex and inexplicable.


    ¡°Who can tell me if love transcends the world, making one willing to live and die for it?


    A pair of wandering lovers, how many times have their old wings endured the coldness of winter and heat of summer?


    There is joy, and there is the grief of parting, and among these, even more, are the foolish men and women.


    One should declare:


    Amidst thousands of miles of layered clouds, with snow-covered mountains all around, whose shadow journeys alone?¡±


    Looking at the tombstone of his ¡°wife¡± Wang Yuqi, Zhao Sheng fell silent for a long while.


    As the sunset faded and dusk fell, Zhao Sheng suddenly stood up without a word and began to walk down the mountain.


    As his figure stretched and disappeared under the crimson sunset, a breeze passed by, and a soft sigh emerged in the air, a whispered phrase slowly reverberating through the cemetery,


    ¡°¡­yet feelings remain unsettled!¡±

 Chapter 129 - 128: Trouble upon the New Arrival

    Chapter 129: Chapter 128: Trouble upon the New Arrival


    Zhou Quan rubbed the sleep from his eyes, emerging from the dilapidated mine with a hand rubbing his ear as he walked.


    No matter how many years he had lived in Mystic Iron City, he never grew accustomed to the ceaseless noise, which made getting a proper night¡¯s sleep impossible.


    The Defensive Array set up by the previous sect still operated from time to time, blanketing Mystic Iron City with a layer of hazy Barrier, but certain areas had already failed. The whirling winds and sand battered against the barrier created by the Formation at the city¡¯s edge, producing a rustling, buzzing noise, like swarms of demon locusts descending in billions¡ªan overwhelming cacophony that set newcomers¡¯ scalps tingling with fear.


    The walls of Mystic Iron City were riddled with holes, many areas damaged, allowing gravel to seep in through the gaps like black, stagnant water, carrying with it the momentum for total erasure, sweeping across the surrounding houses and mines.


    Over time, when Mystic Iron City lost a livable environment, it quickly became an abandoned place, facing the same fate as numerous other discarded mining towns in the Desolate Domain.


    Most of the Desolate Domain consisted of Gobi deserts and few oases; this vast Boundary, located at the Northwest of Central Continent, was famous for its abundance of spirit mines and variety.


    Mystic Iron City was initially a large ¡°mine¡± that produced Mystic Iron Ore, and twenty years ago, it flourished, hosting a population of thirteen to fourteen thousand. Later, the main Mystic Iron Ore veins were mostly excavated, and the mine lost much of its value.


    As a result, the sect powers swiftly relocated, and Mystic Iron City completely fell into neglect, becoming a wild city without anyone to take care of it.


    But Mystic Iron City was far from barren; folks like Zhou Quan, who had no roots, still counted on making a living in Mystic Iron City.


    He had just dug up a few dozen jins of Mystic Iron Ore in ¡°Bingwu Road.¡±


    After selling the ore today, he planned to return to ¡°Moon Spring¡± for a few days of restful respite.


    At this moment, Zhou Quan spotted a person draped in a cloak entering through the western city gate at the end of the road.


    Like all those coming into Mystic Iron City from outside, they began to shake off the dust and sand from their body.


    Zhou Quan couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile, but he quickly covered his mouth.


    However, it was already too late; the cloaked person had looked up in his direction.


    Zhou Quan promptly turned around. Although somewhat careless, he was quite sharp-minded. He knew which kinds of people should not be provoked and were beyond his league.


    Anyone coming to Mystic Iron City alone at this time must possess astonishing martial skills and might even be an Immortal Master.


    Wasn¡¯t he asking for trouble by standing there and laughing?


    ¡°Quan¡¯er, when will you change this playful habit of yours!¡±


    Zhou Quan criticized himself inwardly as he calmly turned to leave.


    After walking a few steps and hearing no movement behind him, he finally let out a sigh of relief.


    However, just then, someone behind him cleared their throat lightly, ¡°Excuse me, young man¡­¡±


    Zhou Quan¡¯s scalp tingled, but he quickly feigned ignorance, turning his head and spinning around, and, as expected, it was that cloaked individual.


    ¡°This one, err, senior, do you need something?¡± Zhou Quan asked.


    Zhou Quan was the quintessential treasure hunter, with rough skin, a tanned face, and strong, powerful limbs.


    Strikingly, he had a friendly smile that was quite endearing and had saved him from many a dire strait.


    ¡°I¡¯m new here and was looking for directions. Could you tell me how to get to Wind Feather Hall in the city?¡±


    The cloaked person¡¯s voice was mild, and the tone amiable, yet the accent sounded unfamiliar.


    ¡°Could he be fresh from another Boundary, newly arrived in the Desolate Domain?¡± Zhou Quan thought to himself, while his smile widened: ¡°Wind Feather Hall, you say! Just go straight from here, turn right at the second intersection in East City, and the shop in the middle of the block is it.¡±


    With that, he offered a ¡°simple-minded¡± grin.


    The cloaked individual nodded slightly and turned to head that way.


    Zhou Quan couldn¡¯t help but glance several times at the retreating figure of the cloaked person before turning and walking away.


    Just then, a lustrous white Stone Bead suddenly fell from the sky and landed in his embrace.


    When Zhou Quan examined the Stone Bead, he gasped in shock, ¡°A Spirit Stone!¡±


    Uh!


    Zhou Quan immediately covered his mouth, quickly tucked the Spirit Stone into his chest, and with a cautious look around, darted into a nearby alley.


    After several turns and twists, he was almost back to his dwelling when a malicious breeze hit him from behind. Zhou Quan hastily dodged to the side, but the person who had approached was far superior in speed and skill. They grabbed his shoulder, exerted a bit of force, and flung him against the wall nearby. Their towering frame cast a shadow over him as they said:


    ¡°Heh heh, Quan¡¯er, long time no see. You must have dug up quite a few treasures by now, eh?¡±


    Upon recognizing the newcomer, Zhou Quan¡¯s face twisted into a bitter smile, ¡°I have Third Master to thank for¡­ taking care of me¡­¡±


    As he spoke, he flipped his palm and a gold leaf appeared in his hand, which he deftly slipped into the giant¡¯s hand.


    After taking the gold leaf, the giant¡¯s expression turned fierce, ¡°And the rest, hand it over!¡±


    ¡°What else?¡± Zhou Quan¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but his face remained feigning confusion.


    The giant, known as Third Master, gave a cold smile. With a little force, he hoisted Zhou Quan up close and bellowed with a vicious look, ¡°Still playing dumb with me? I¡¯m talking about the Spirit Stone! Where is the Spirit Stone!¡±


    Zhou Quan shuddered, his face filled with fear, ¡°Forgive me, Third Master! The Spirit Stone is here!¡±


    As he spoke, Zhou Quan reached into his chest and drew out the Spirit Stone, presenting it before the giant.


    Thud!


    Zhou Quan fell to the ground,


    the giant examined the Spirit Stone, a smile spreading across his face before tucking it into his pocket.


    Zhou Quan lay on the ground, his body curled up, ¡°I won¡¯t dare do it again, Third Master!¡±


    ¡°Get up, I have a task for you!¡± The giant kicked Zhou Quan¡¯s arm and commanded sharply.


    ¡°What¡¯s the task? I¡¯m not smart; I¡¯m afraid I might fail and jeopardize your important business,¡± Zhou Quan got up, nodding and bowing with a foolish smile on his face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that, you¡¯re quite suited for this job. Who else but you, always the good Samaritan giving directions? Who else should I turn to if not you?¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Giving directions? You mean¡­¡±


    ¡°The one who just entered from the West Gate.¡±


    Third Master spoke in a lowered voice, ¡°You don¡¯t need to know anything else. Go join Wind Feather Hall and find an opportunity to mention a ¡®Treasure Pit¡¯ discovered in Yihai Mine Tunnel. Then lead a group of Wind Feather Hall¡¯s people to that pit¡­¡±


    Third Master had been keeping an eye on Wind Feather Hall all along, and his response was rapid.


    Something big was indeed unfolding!


    Wind Feather Hall had been a major force in the past, and although it was now in decline, it was not an entity that a treasure hunter like himself could afford to provoke.


    Zhou Quan groaned inwardly but complained out loud, ¡°Yihai Road, that¡¯s too remote!¡±


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t remote, I wouldn¡¯t need you.¡±


    Third Master scolded, ¡°I¡¯m giving you seven days. At the latest, before the next Black Sandstorm arrives, you¡¯re to lure them into Yihai Road¡­ Don¡¯t worry about your reward; you¡¯ll be well-compensated. Of course, if you fail, you don¡¯t need to worry about living either!¡±


    The chilling tone in his words made Zhou Quan¡¯s face darken. Yet Third Master laughed heartily, straightening up, ¡°I¡¯d say you¡¯re lucky. If this works out! You¡¯ll have a plot of land for yourself at Moon Spring,¡±


    At the mention of ¡°land,¡± Zhou Quan shuddered, lowered his head, then lifted it again and said through clenched teeth, ¡°I¡¯ll do it! But I need a solid promise, Third Master. Wind Feather Hall¡¯s members are ruthless. Afterward, Great Dragon Hall has to ensure my safety.¡±


    ¡°Haha, don¡¯t worry! After this, Wind Feather Hall will be nothing but a puff of smoke. When they¡¯re all dead, who will come looking for trouble with you?¡± Third Master laughed boisterously, patting Zhou Quan on the shoulder.

 Chapter 130 - 129 Reporting Secrets

    Chapter 130: Chapter 129 Reporting Secrets


    Zhao Sheng walked towards East City, silently lamenting in his heart. Having grown accustomed to the greenery and waters of the central region, he found himself somewhat ill-at-ease upon abruptly arriving in the massive desert and Gobi of the Northwest.


    The Desolate Domain was cold and filled with sandy desert; the land was barren, and its people were like the coarse and cold sand and stones. However, the young man who had just given him directions wasn¡¯t bad, possessing a human touch.


    After walking for a while, following the guidance he had been given, Zhao Sheng arrived in front of a shop. The doors of the hall were tightly closed, and a signboard above the door bore the three large characters ¡°Wind Feather Hall.¡±


    He had reached his destination!


    Approaching, he knocked on the door, which was opened by a lean young man.


    ¡°Who are you looking for?¡± The young man was very vigilant.


    Zhao Sheng made several peculiar hand gestures at the man, then showed a Token.


    ¡°Wind Feather Token!¡± the young man exclaimed in shock, hastily welcoming Zhao Sheng inside.


    Clap!


    The doors of the Wind Feather Hall were firmly shut again.


    At the same time, in a dark corner of a street, a disheveled beggar slowly stood up.


    After glancing at Wind Feather Hall a few times, the beggar turned and limped towards West City.


    The beggar was a spy for the Great Dragon Hall.


    ¡°Wind Feather Hall has new people again!¡± he had to report back to Master Long immediately.


    ¡­


    Moments later, in the back hall of Wind Feather Hall.


    Zhao Sheng took off his cloak and turned to sit in the Dragon and Tiger Chair at the head of the hall entrance.


    At this moment, a group of people in dark tight-fitting clothes were kneeling on the ground in front of him, while four Blood Robe Disciples of varying appearances were bowing to him:


    ¡°Chen Shao¡¯ang!¡±


    ¡°Feng Bupo!¡±


    ¡°Wan Zhen¡¯er!¡±


    ¡°Liu Gongyu!¡±


    ¡°¡­respectfully welcome Uncle-Master¡¯s august presence!¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand and said calmly, ¡°Dispense with the formalities! Please rise!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Hall Master!¡± Everyone responded in unison, then all stood up together.


    Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction, praising Chen Shao¡¯ang and the others, ¡°Well done, you have put in the effort!¡±


    Chen Shao¡¯ang and the others had been carefully selected by Zhao Sheng.


    A month ago, they had arrived in Mystic Iron City and in only a matter of days had subdued the entire Wind Feather Hall, quickly integrating its forces.


    Therefore, upon Zhao Sheng¡¯s arrival, there was not a whisper of dissent within Wind Feather Hall.


    Of course, the changes within Wind Feather Hall also drew the attention of other forces, especially those halls that had joined forces in previous years to push against Wind Feather Hall.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, dismissing everyone except the four ¡°Jingang.¡±


    ¡°Who will tell me about the current situation of Wind Feather Hall?¡± he asked, issuing a mildly challenging question.


    The four glanced at each other before Chen Shao¡¯ang immediately stepped forward and respectfully said, ¡°Reporting to Uncle-Master, Wind Feather Hall currently has twelve Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators, one at the Qi Refining Late Stage, in the middle stage¡­¡±


    Chen Shao¡¯ang¡¯s voice was clear as he continued to report.


    He was distinguished-looking, still graceful though over sixty years old.


    Zhao Sheng listened silently, nodding inwardly. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°In just three months, this man has had the others under his control; it seems this individual is worth cultivating. From now on, the day-to-day affairs of Wind Feather Hall can be entrusted to him with confidence.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had traveled a great distance to the Desolate Domain, not to be a ¡®workhorse¡¯ for the Origin Return Sect, but to annihilate the Zhou family and avenge the untimely demise of his wife and children and the ruin of his own clan in his previous life.


    Before coming to Mystic Iron City, he had already laid out a rough plan; integrating Wind Feather Hall was merely the beginning.


    The implementation of the next step in the plan will still depend on the specific circumstances.


    After Chen Shao¡¯ang finished describing the situation at Wind Feather Hall, Zhao Sheng had him talk about the powers within Mystic Iron City.


    ¡°There are currently two major halls in Mystic Iron City, namely Great Dragon Hall and the Mining Gang. Each has a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in residence, but their exact cultivation levels are unknown. Apart from these, there are two other halls with strength similar to that of Wind Feather Hall¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng interrupted, ¡°No need to mention the others, just talk about Great Dragon Hall and the Mining Gang!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Uncle Master! The Hall Master of Great Dragon Hall, known as Master Long, is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Within the hall, there are¡­¡±


    A cup of tea¡¯s time later, Chen Shao¡¯ang finished speaking and retreated back among the four.


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment and then ordered, ¡°Go write an invitation and send it to the hands of the Mining Gang¡¯s leader, saying that I will visit in three days!¡±


    According to Feng Yu Elder Taoist¡¯s description, Great Dragon Hall was one of the forces that had pushed out Wind Feather Hall, while the Mining Gang was a power that had only been organized in the last ten years and had no old grudges with Wind Feather Hall.


    Zhao Sheng initially planned to ally with the Mining Gang to swallow up Great Dragon Hall.


    Of course, before this, he needed to find out the true cultivation level of Master Long from the Mining Gang, as well as whether Great Dragon Hall had any followers.


    Desolate Domain is situated in a special location, right at the midpoint between the righteous and demonic paths, belonging to a complex grey zone.


    Just as Wind Feather Hall is to Origin Return Sect, the forces of the various major sects from both righteous and demonic paths have laid countless overt and covert pawns within Desolate Domain. Their territories interlock like teeth of a comb, and the secret struggles have continued for countless years.


    ¡­


    A day later, Zhao Sheng sat in his study flipping through a book about the customs and culture of the Great Yong dynasty.


    At this time, Chen Shao¡¯ang quietly walked in.


    ¡°Is there something?¡±


    ¡°Uncle Master, someone wishes to see you, claiming they have important matters to report.¡±


    Zhao Sheng thought briefly, closed the book, and said, ¡°Bring him in!¡±


    Soon after, Zhou Quan followed Chen Shao¡¯ang into the room, trembling with fear.


    The moment he saw Zhao Sheng, he kneel with a thud and cried out with a sobbing voice, ¡°Honorable senior above, Zhou Quan kowtows before you, please save my life!¡±


    As he spoke, he knocked his head violently towards the ground.


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, and a streak of spirit light flew out, stopping Zhou Quan¡¯s action of kowtowing. He then asked, ¡°You speak with neither head nor tail, start from the beginning and explain what happened!¡±


    Zhou Quan wiped away his tears and cautiously asked, ¡°Yesterday, was it you, senior, who asked me for directions?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, a thoughtful expression coming over his face.


    Zhou Quan excitedly said, ¡°Right after senior asked me about the way, Third Master from Great Dragon Hall came looking for me.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was startled. He had underestimated the local tyrant¡¯s influence and did not expect to have been targeted as soon as he entered the city.


    ¡°He wanted me to defect to you and then find an opportunity to lure the people from your hall to Yihai Road, saying that there¡­¡±


    Zhou Quan finished speaking and looked earnestly at Zhao Sheng.


    Chen Shao¡¯ang, who was standing by, could no longer restrain his anger after hearing this, ¡°Despicable! Great Dragon Hall¡¯s treacherous heart persists; it seems they intend to catch us all in one fell swoop! Uncle Master, you¡ª¡±


    Zhao Sheng raised his hand to interrupt Chen Shao¡¯ang.


    He looked at Zhou Quan with interest and asked, ¡°Why do you reveal this matter to me? Are you not afraid of Great Dragon Hall¡¯s retaliation against you afterward?¡±


    Zhou Quan bit his lip and said bitterly, ¡°I am not afraid! Whether I report it or not, I am doomed either way after the fact!¡±


    Oh?


    Seeing the doubt on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face, Zhou Quan immediately explained, ¡°That wretched thug promised me a share of Moon Spring¡¯s lands after the deed was done.


    Heh, he¡¯s treating me like a fool! Are the lands of Moon Spring something mortals can touch? Even if I couldn¡¯t get them, even if they were given to me at that time, I would surely die an untimely death the next day.


    Since I¡¯m bound to die one way or the other, I might as well take a chance!¡±


    Hmm!


    Zhao Sheng hummed thoughtfully and instructed, ¡°Get up! Zi¡¯ang, take him down and arrange for him to stay. He will play a part in the drama that¡¯s going to take place in a few days.¡±


    Chen Zi¡¯ang bowed in respect, ¡°Yes, Uncle Master!¡±

 Chapter 131 - 130: There is a City Beneath the Spring (Two-in-One)

    Chapter 131: Chapter 130: There is a City Beneath the Spring (Two-in-One)


    Not long after, Chen Shao¡¯ang, who had left, suddenly returned and whispered into Zhao Sheng¡¯s ear.


    Smack!


    Zhao Sheng closed the book, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Are you saying Zhou Quan is from the Hongyang State Zhou Family? Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Uncle-Master, I¡¯ve asked numerous times. On such a matter, he wouldn¡¯t dare to tell a lie!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, good! I understand. You may leave now,¡± Zhao Sheng said.


    Once Chen Shao¡¯ang turned around and left, a hint of a smile appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    In the Desolate Domain, there were two major dynasties, the Da Yong and Da Zhen, with the former encompassing Eighty-eight States, among which Hongyang State, where the Zhou family resided, was one of the nine Upper Continents.


    And this Zhou Family!


    It was precisely the target Zhao Sheng intended to obliterate!


    ¡­


    The Mining Gang, one of the two major factions in Mystic Iron City, was established thirteen years ago.


    That year, just when the Mystic Iron Ore beneath Mystic Iron City had been exhausted, Sect powers withdrew, leaving behind thousands of miners.


    Seeing the countless miners without livelihoods, at this critical moment, a Foundation Establishment Practitioner arrived in Mystic Iron City. He took in miners, took possession of mine tunnels and, with the momentum, established the Mining Gang.


    After the Mining Gang was established, its power rapidly expanded, and in a very short time, it took over most of the mine tunnels in Mystic Iron City.


    In a mining city, mine tunnels meant wealth; the Mining Gang¡¯s seizure of them was tantamount to snatching food from the mouth of the Great Dragon Hall.


    Therefore, the Great Dragon Hall and the Mining Gang fought countless times over the mine tunnels, each winning and losing at times, but never able to decisively outdo the other.


    The saying that one mountain cannot contain two tigers was verifiable; the two major factions of Mystic Iron City soon became mortal enemies.


    That day, dark clouds filled the sky, with endless wind and sand whistling past Mystic Iron City. Sand and gravel rained down, the air became dry, the sandstorm blinded the eyes,


    Mystic Iron City was very deserted, with almost no one walking the streets. The vast majority of people were holed up in the mine¡¯s rooms, avoiding the harsh weather.


    However, in front of the Jiazi Mine on Yihai Road in South City, many burly men braved the sandstorm, constantly pacing around the mine.


    These men wore woven bamboo hats, their gazes under the hats were exceptionally vigilant, always paying attention to their surroundings.


    Next to the entrance of the mine, a man in grey with his arms crossed stood, his face as grim as water.


    A Light Shield surrounded him, keeping the sandstorm at bay.


    After some time, there was still no sign of the person he was waiting for!


    Just as the man in grey¡¯s patience was wearing thin, a light cough suddenly came from behind him.


    Cough, cough!


    The man in grey was greatly alarmed, quickly turning to look, only to see a tall, slightly white-haired old man at the inner side of the mine entrance, his figure mostly hidden by the dim mine.


    ¡°May I ask if the esteemed guest is from Wind Feather Hall?¡± the man in grey asked cautiously, still feeling startled.


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, ¡°Indeed!¡±


    The man in grey¡¯s gaze flickered multiple times, shocked again.


    He couldn¡¯t detect any breath of life, as if the person in front of him was merely an illusion.


    But¡­ the elder clearly stood there, alive.


    As the deputy leader of the Mining Gang, he was at the Qi Refining Perfection realm.


    If the newcomer was stronger than him¡­ could it be¡­ Foundation Establishment!


    The man in grey, setting aside his prior discontent, said respectfully, ¡°Senior, please follow me! Our leader has been eagerly expecting you.¡±


    ¡°Much obliged,¡± Zhao Sheng responded.


    ¡°The pleasure is mine, please!¡±


    The man in grey led the way ahead, escorting Zhao Sheng down to a depth of two hundred zhang.


    It was then that Zhao Sheng realized that almost all beneath Mystic Iron City had been hollowed out, forming a vast empty nest; within it lay dense and disorderly tunnels. While the lighting was poor, the tunnels were well-connected, crisscrossing in all directions.


    A quarter of an hour later, the two arrived at a large mine.


    This mine was akin to an underground stone cave, roughly half the size of the Mountain Dragon Cave in terms of space.


    A mine tunnel, two zhang wide, spiraled down along the walls of the cave, with nooks carved into the inner side for habitation.


    At the very bottom of the mine, there were stone buildings of varying heights. Some were exquisitely made, while others were rugged, much like the dwellings of the people of the Desolate Domain.


    Shortly after, the two passed by a dozen houses and stopped in front of a broad, white stone house.


    At this time, a small, dark-skinned old man stood in front of the stone house, smiling warmly at Zhao Sheng and his companion, with a row of muscular men standing behind him.


    ¡°Boss, the distinguished guest has arrived!¡± the man in grey hurried forward a few steps, came in front of the little old man, and bowed.


    Sensing the undisguised Foundation Establishment energy from the old man, Zhao Sheng smiled faintly and released his own aura.


    The old man¡¯s eyes brightened, he cupped his hands and said loudly, ¡°Master Ma Dacai of the Mining Gang welcomes the Taoist visitor!¡±


    ¡°Feng Yu Hall¡¯s Zhao Zhiqin pays respects to Master Ma,¡± Zhao Sheng said, using the name from his previous life instead of his real one.


    ¡°Please!¡±


    Ma Dacai stepped aside, gesturing for Zhao Sheng to enter.


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly and stepped forward.


    Soon, the two entered the stone house side by side.


    ¡­


    Half a day later, it was deep into the night in Mystic Iron City, and Zhao Sheng reappeared at Feng Yu Hall.


    Upon his return, Zhao Sheng immediately summoned Chen Shao¡¯ang and Feng Bupo among the four.


    ¡°Uncle-Master, have you come to an agreement?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    Zhao Sheng sat on the throne-like chair, rubbing his forehead.


    He had just spent a long time engaged in a battle of wits with an old fox, which had drained him of considerable energy.


    Seeing this, Chen Shao¡¯ang and the other three showed expressions of joy. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With two major powers joining forces, the chances of swallowing the Great Dragon Hall increased by another twenty percent.


    ¡°Shao¡¯ang, have you investigated Yihai Road? What¡¯s the latest from the Great Dragon Hall?¡± Zhao Sheng asked.


    ¡°Thanks to the talismans you bestowed upon us, the so-called Treasure Pit traps have been mostly figured out. The Great Dragon Hall has secretly laid many Fire Bombs there. They plan to collapse Yihai Road and bury us alive,¡± Chen Shao¡¯ang reported.

 Chapter 132 - 130: There is a City Beneath the Spring (Two-in-One)_2

    Chapter 132: Chapter 130: There is a City Beneath the Spring (Two-in-One)_2


    Zhao Sheng listened carefully and couldn¡¯t help but marvel internally; the Great Dragon Hall¡¯s method was one he had used at Flame Ridge once to good effect!


    He never imagined that one day, others would use a similar method to set him up.


    ¡°Hehe, might as well add fuel to the fire!¡±


    Zhao Sheng chuckled secretly and then pulled out a large handful of talismans from his Storage Bag and handed them to Chen Shao¡¯ang,


    ¡°Shao¡¯ang, these are the Mother-Child Linked Talismans. Bury them on Yihai Road, and then do this and that¡­¡±


    As Zhao Sheng shared his thoughts one by one, Chen Shao¡¯ang and the others¡¯ eyes grew brighter as they listened, and excitement and awe eventually appeared on their faces.


    Time flew quickly, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.


    In recent days, Zhou Quan felt as if each day was as long as a year, repeatedly receiving death threats from the Great Dragon Hall.


    The originally set seven-day deadline had long since passed, yet Wind Feather Hall, despite clearly understanding everything, remained stationary.


    Just as Zhou Quan thought Wind Feather Hall was afraid of the Great Dragon Hall¡¯s power and ready to abandon him, someone finally sent out the message, ¡°It¡¯s time to make a move!¡±


    Upon receiving this news, Zhou Quan almost cried tears of joy.


    Soon, he relayed the message as instructed to the Great Dragon Hall.


    That very afternoon, Zhou Quan ¡°secretively¡± took a group of people from Wind Feather Hall out of Mystic Iron City and headed to the mining trail on Yihai Road a hundred li away.


    Among this group were conspicuously ¡°Zhao Sheng,¡± ¡°Chen Shao¡¯ang,¡± Feng Bupo, and others.


    If they were laying bait, it had to be convincing, or else they wouldn¡¯t be able to catch the big fish.


    Seeing Wind Feather Hall ¡°take the bait,¡± the Great Dragon Hall also quickly acted on the news, sending messages to their men lying in ambush on Yihai Road.


    However, they didn¡¯t know that the real Zhao Sheng was actually in a secret room in West City of Mystic Sky City at that very moment.


    Watching the murderously intent Ma Dacai, Zhao Sheng gave a faint smile and said, ¡°Master Ma, the Great Dragon Hall has taken the bait!¡±


    ¡°Hehe! This plot to use their own strategy against them, luring the tiger out of the mountain, is brilliant! Wang Dalong¡¯s side is left open. Let¡¯s strike directly at them!¡±


    ¡°Master Ma, since you and he are old rivals, how about you lead the charge? I¡¯ll hit him hard from the shadows.¡±


    Ma Dacai chuckled, ¡°Taoist Zhao, you¡¯re not trying to calculate me as well, are you?¡±


    ¡°Of course not! If you don¡¯t trust me, I¡¯ll make an oath with my Heart Demon!¡±


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t beat around the bush, and immediately after speaking, he made a Heart Demon oath.


    Upon witnessing this, Ma Dacai felt relieved and immediately exclaimed, ¡°Good! I¡¯ll take on this leading role.¡±


    Moments later, the room was empty, yet the air still carried lingering strands of intense murderous intent.


    That day, Mystic Sky City was greeted with rare good weather as the sandstorm dispersed, leaving the sky a clear blue.


    Approaching evening, the setting sun was as red as blood!


    On the desolate Gobi Desert a hundred li away from Mystic Iron City, suddenly there came a thunderous roar, followed by a billowing cloud of dust and flying rocks, obscuring a good part of the sky in the blink of an eye.


    Simultaneously, several short battle cries suddenly rang out in West City of Mystic Iron City.


    Soon after, a gray streak of light shot up from West City, speeding towards the distant horizon.


    Immediately following, one red and one black streak of light shot out from within the city, chasing after the gray light.


    The three streaks of light flew faster and faster, vanishing into the horizon in the blink of an eye.


    As the last ray of sunlight fell and night descended upon Mystic Iron City, one red and one black streak of light suddenly appeared from the horizon and flew toward this place.


    By the time they reached the skies above Mystic Iron City, the two streaks of light separated upon contact, each landing in East City and South City, respectively.


    The next day, as the sun rose again, the residents of Mystic Iron City were shocked to discover that there had been a shift in power!


    The once high and mighty Great Dragon Hall had dissipated overnight, replaced by the once declining Wind Feather Hall.


    In just one day, the residents of Mystic Iron City had recognized the status of Wind Feather Hall. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In just a few days, all traces of the Great Dragon Hall were erased from the hearts of the residents of Mystic Sky City, as if it had never existed.


    However, there was one thing that most people found very strange.


    They had originally thought that after the fall of the Great Dragon Hall, the Mining Gang and Wind Feather Hall would fight over control of Mystic Iron City.


    But to everyone¡¯s surprise, not only did the two sides not fight, their relationship instead grew closer and closer.


    The reason for this was that Ma Dacai was scared!


    Because on the day they ambushed Wang Dalong, Zhao Sheng not only severely injured Wang Dalong but also revealed his Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer cultivation.


    As Ma Dacai¡¯s cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer, he didn¡¯t see himself as a match for Zhao Sheng and naturally feared Zhao Sheng might suddenly turn on him.


    Therefore, after the incident, the head of the Mining Gang voluntarily gave up most of the profits to show goodwill.


    Zhao Sheng never intended to kill Ma Dacai.


    Because he wouldn¡¯t stay long in Mystic Iron City.


    After he left, with Wind Feather Hall lacking a Foundation Establishment to preside over it, Ma Dacai would conveniently take over the supervision for him.


    ¡­


    Three hundred li south of Mystic Iron City, there was an oasis, approximately over thirty li in size. At the center of the oasis was a lake, which from the sky looked like a round moon, thus named Moon Spring. This oasis also took its name after it.


    That day, a Cloud Boat flew above the Moon Spring Oasis.


    Gazing downward, Zhao Sheng saw vast farmlands developed around Moon Lake, with channels of water radiating and spreading along the fields in every direction. However, on the outermost fringe of the oasis were dense thickets of Green Thorns and Wild Hawthorn Trees, unique to the Desolate Domain.


    These green barriers formed by the Green Thorns and Wild Hawthorn Trees blocked the encroaching sand and wind.


    Around Moon Spring, apart from the farmland, there were scattered about a dozen exquisite stone halls and wooden pavilions. Each of these buildings twinkled with spirit light. It was obvious that they were all protected by various Defensive Arrays.


    A moment later, the Cloud Boat descended in front of a stone hall by Moon Spring.


    Zhao Sheng retracted the Cloud Boat and entered the stone hall with Zhou Quan.


    This stone hall was one of the entrances to Quanxia City.


    With the harsh environment of the Desolate Domain, green oases were rare.


    So as not to excessively damage the ecological environment of the oasis, like most cities situated within oases, Quanxia City too was developed underground, beneath Moon Spring.


    After paying the city entrance tax, the two walked down a giant stone passage heading underground.


    After traversing the lengthy passageway and descending almost three hundred zhang, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes suddenly brightened as a magnificent Underground City revealed itself before him.


    Zhao Sheng looked around and noticed that Quanxia City¡¯s lighting was very distinctive.


    Lighting was crucial because it was underground.


    At that moment, he saw two types of light sources.


    One type was the Light Balls suspended high up in the dome, white and scorching, a single sphere illuminating an area of several li. Their differing heights and distances created patches of light throughout the city, casting a diverse array of luminous patterns below.


    The other type of light source were Fluorite embedded in the cavern¡¯s ceiling, a scattering of twinkling points, giving the illusion of a starlit sky from a distance, yet providing a soft, comforting light.


    However, the issue of light sources quickly ceased to capture Zhao Sheng¡¯s attention,


    He turned his head to Zhou Quan and asked, ¡°Where do you live?¡±


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s question, Zhou Quan was momentarily astonished, stammering out an ¡°uh-ah,¡± then hastily responded with a smile, ¡°Senior, I live in Black Teeth Alley. I will take you there at once.¡±


    Zhou Quan had already explained the general structure of Quanxia City to Zhao Sheng on their way here.


    Just like many large cities in the world, Quanxia City had a clear division between the powerful and the weak, the rich and the poor.


    The area Zhao Sheng had stepped into was the northwest corner of Quanxia City, notorious for its disorder and mingling of good and bad. From here towards the center of the city were the most prosperous and renowned Immortal Squares, Changsheng Square and Joy Square.


    Changsheng Square was the dwelling place for Cultivators.


    Adjacent to ¡°Changsheng Square¡± was the commercial and entertainment district built by the various powers of the Desolate Domain, known as Joy Square.


    In the Underground Cities scattered throughout the Desolate Domain, there existed ¡°Changsheng Squares¡± and ¡°Joy Squares¡± as well.


    ¡°Black Teeth Alley? Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng led the way into the city.


    Zhou Qiu stood like a stupefied bird, watching Zhao Sheng walk away. He mumbled to himself but ultimately did not voice his thoughts.


    Zhou Quan sighed inwardly and quickly followed with swift steps.


    In his view, Black Teeth Alley was where ordinary people lived; Immortal Master Zhao Sheng, he thought, should be going to Changsheng Square.


    In the blink of an eye, Zhao Sheng settled down in Quanxia City, moreover, without any concerns, he moved into the residence rented by Zhou Quan.


    Zhou Quan couldn¡¯t understand this but didn¡¯t dare to ask.


    However, the very next day, Zhou Quan had already put his confusion out of his mind.


    Thanks to Zhao Sheng¡¯s presence, Zhou Quan¡¯s standard of living increased drastically, with not only food and drink aplenty but also a soaring income from gathering intelligence.


    Indeed! He was now collecting information about the Zhou family for Zhao Sheng.


    The Zhou family owned many businesses in Quanxia City,


    Zhou Quan¡¯s father belonged to the Zhou family and was a Qi Refinement Late Stage Cultivator. Decades ago, he was dispatched to Quanxia City to protect these interests.


    When Zhou Quan was in his teens, his father died of old age.


    Afterward, Zhou Quan found himself without support and had to fend for himself.

 Chapter 133 - 131 The Curtain Begins

    Chapter 133: Chapter 131 The Curtain Begins


    Half a month later, the information Zhou Quan could gather became scarcer, causing him great distress as he appeared gloomy over the past few days.


    After all, the less information he had, the fewer Spirit Stones he could earn.


    Zhao Sheng paid no attention to Zhou Quan¡¯s troubles.


    Having spent a month hibernating in Quanxia City, it was time for him to take action.


    In the depths of Quanxia City, underground, there was no day or night, no concept of time passing.


    To track time, the floating light balls on the ceiling would change in brightness according to the outside world¡¯s day and night.


    That day, as the light balls slowly dimmed, the fluorite on the ceiling emitted a star-like radiance, and Quanxia City welcomed the new night.


    Zhao Sheng, dressed in a hooded robe, walked into Joyous Tower. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Joyous Tower, located in the bustling area of Joy Square, was not a place of indulgence but a well-known Wind Carrier organization in Central Continent.


    Rumor had it that Joyous Tower was an espionage organization set up under the Vast Sect, its name derived from the words ¡°a beam of mighty spirit, a thousand miles of joyful wind!¡±


    Upon entering Joyous Tower, Zhao Sheng saw no one, only an empty hall with eight plain wooden doors on either side.


    In the center of the hall was a screen wall inscribed with the words ¡°Heaven and Earth, Mysterious and Yellow.¡±


    Below each character, there stood a wooden cabinet labeled ¡°ten thousand, thousand, hundred, ten.¡±


    Without hesitation, Zhao Sheng walked beneath the character ¡°Mysterious,¡± placed a mid-grade Spirit Stone on the cabinet.


    Hum!


    A faint buzzing sound as the cabinet surface flipped instantly, making the Spirit Stone disappear, replaced by a bronze token.


    As Zhao Sheng picked up the bronze token, the third wooden door to his left suddenly snapped open.


    Zhao Sheng, without hesitating, walked through the wooden door with the token.


    After passing through a corridor, Zhao Sheng arrived in a narrow room.


    The room was quite spartan, furnished only with a wooden table and two chairs.


    An ordinary-looking middle-aged man sat behind the table, silently waiting for a visitor to enter.


    Zhao Sheng entered the room and sat down directly.


    ¡°Visitor, what would you like to inquire about?¡± the middle-aged man, though unremarkable in appearance, spoke with an unusually deep and magnetic voice that felt like a spring breeze.


    Zhao Sheng spoke directly, ¡°I want information about the Zhou family of the Da Yong Dynasty, especially regarding the Golden Core Ancestor and the Foundation Establishment Clan Members.¡±


    ¡°Is the client referring to the Zhou family from Hongyang State?¡±


    ¡°Correct!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, for information regarding the Golden Core Family, charges usually start at one thousand Spirit Stones. The exact price will depend on the quality of information collected. Please come back after three days.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    Shortly after, Zhao Sheng left the Joyous Tower.


    Three days passed in a flash!


    Zhao Sheng returned to Joyous Tower and placed the token on the cabinet under the character ¡°Mysterious.¡±


    The cabinet surface flipped, making the token disappear.


    Snap!


    The wooden door opened again, and Zhao Sheng stepped inside.


    Upon reaching the same room as last time, he saw the same middle-aged man.


    As soon as the man spoke, he delivered bad news to Zhao Sheng:


    ¡°Visitor, I¡¯m very sorry! The Zhou family has purchased an Earth-level confidentiality decree from this establishment. For a hundred years, we cannot divulge any secret information about the Zhou family.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng frowned.


    The confidentiality of an Earth-level decree was extremely high, and breaking through its restrictions would require at least a Heavenly-level authority.


    However, in Joyous Tower, obtaining Heavenly-level authority was extremely difficult, not something that could be achieved merely by spending Spirit Stones, but at least requiring the status of a Golden Core Master.


    After pondering for a moment, Zhao Sheng asked, ¡°If secret information isn¡¯t possible, what about the public information?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, there is some public information available, one thousand Spirit Stones!¡±


    As he spoke, the middle-aged man pushed a thin booklet towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng took out ten mid-grade Spirit Stones, aligned them on the table, then picked up the booklet and put it into his Storage Bag.


    ¡°Farewell!¡±


    ¡°Welcome back next time, guest!¡±


    ¡­


    Patriarch of the Zhou Family


    True name: Zhou Xilai


    Life Span: Unknown (celebrated his 600th birthday a hundred years ago)


    Cultivation: Unknown (was in the late-stage Golden Core a hundred years ago)


    Main Cultivation Technique: Unknown (Fire Element)


    Life experiences: Entered the Earth Flame Palace in his early years¡­


    Family Head of the Zhou Family


    True name: Zhou Yingze


    Life Span: Unknown


    Cultivation: Unknown (estimated to be at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment)


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng slowly flipped through the intelligence booklet in his hand, his frown deepening as he read.


    It truly was ¡°public¡± intelligence, not only irrelevant but also severely outdated.


    Most of the contents, Zhao Sheng had already inquired about clearly, some even more detailed by tenfold than those listed in the booklet.


    Take, for example, Zhou Yingze, the Family Head of the Zhou family. Zhao Sheng had a detailed understanding that this man had already reached the Foundation Establishment Perfection Realm ten years ago, and though there was no specific intelligence now, he might have successfully upgraded to Golden Core.


    However, having said that, the intelligence from Joyous Tower, though outdated, was highly accurate.


    The records on the booklet mostly matched the information he had gathered.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng finished reading the intelligence booklet and quietly estimated the strength of the Zhou Family


    The Zhou family currently had one Late-stage Golden Core Ancestor, eighteen members in Foundation Establishment, among which one was at Foundation Establishment Perfection, two at Late Stage, six at Mid-stage, and nine at Early-stage; those in the Qi Refinement Realm were insignificant.


    Summing it up, only one thought remained in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind: they could not be confronted with force, only outsmarted.


    Opening his eyes, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but exhale a breath of frustration, his thoughts shifting to Quanxia City.


    The person in charge of the Zhou family¡¯s businesses in Quanxia City was named Zhou Zhongyu, with three spirit roots, his cultivation at the Second Level of Foundation Establishment, meticulous nature, fond of liquor but not lustful¡­


    Zhao Sheng repeatedly pondered over this individual Zhou Zhongyu, slowly forming a plan in his mind.


    After solidifying his plan, Zhao Sheng, accompanied by Zhou Quan, returned to Mystic Iron City and first ensured that Zhou Quan was well settled.


    Then, he gathered the Four Great Vajra and ordered them to collect various kinds of Spiritual Wine, including ordinary wines.


    Chen Shao¡¯ang and the others did not understand why their uncle-master issued such a strange order, but they dared not delay and immediately carried out his commands.


    In just a few days, hundreds of different types of alcoholic beverages had been delivered to the inner courtyard of Wind Feather Hall.


    Then, Zhao Sheng instructed everyone to purchase various medicines, spices, and even odd items like fruits and vegetables.


    This directly confused Chen Shao¡¯ang and the others, they couldn¡¯t understand what their uncle-master was planning to do.


    Zhao Sheng had no intention of explaining to them.


    He stayed in the courtyard, not leaving the house, and stayed put for three months.


    Chen Shao¡¯ang and the others tried a few times to understand his intentions, but they gained no insights.


    Every time they came, though, they could smell the rich scent of alcohol from the courtyard, mixed with sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy fragrances.


    Three months later, Zhao Sheng finally stepped out of the courtyard.


    Seeing this, Chen Shao¡¯ang breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly reported the affairs of Wind Feather Hall of the past three months to his uncle-master.


    After hearing a few details, Zhao Sheng nodded and told them to make decisions on their own in the future. He wanted no disturbances unless it was something significant.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng left Mystic Iron City as if floating on air.


    When he showed up again, he was already on the second floor of the Immortal Delicacies Workshop in Quanxia City.


    Zhao Sheng ordered a table full of dishes.


    Shortly, specialties like Devil Bear Honey Claw Roast, Ten Birds Golden Marrow, Eight Treasures Five-Colored Meat, and Red Steamed Tiger and Leopard Tongue were served like flowing water.


    Once all the dishes were served, Zhao Sheng took out a palm-sized White Jade Gourd.

 Chapter 134 - 132

    Chapter 134: Chapter 132 ¡°Qin Se You Zhi


    Zhao Sheng stretched his hand to remove the stopper, and a rich aroma of wine instantly spread, quickly permeating the entire Immortal Delicacies Workshop.


    ¡°Eh, how fragrant!¡±


    ¡°Where is this wine scent coming from? It¡¯s making me drool!¡±


    In a flash, customers at the Immortal Delicacies Workshop perked up their noses, following the scent of the wine, their gazes converging on Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng was oblivious to the stir around him.


    He picked up the gourd and poured himself a sip of wine, then picked up a piece of bear meat, placed it in his mouth, and chewed leisurely.


    After swallowing, he took another sip of wine and then another piece of meat.


    Alternating between wine and meat this way, he didn¡¯t seem to eat fast, but in a word, it was delightful!


    The wine was truly too fragrant!


    Some customers couldn¡¯t help but come up to ask where he bought the wine.


    Zhao Sheng just smiled and said that it was brewed at home and not for sale.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng settled his bill and turned to leave the Immortal Delicacies Workshop.


    The next day, he appeared at the Immortal Delicacies Workshop again.


    So it went on for half a month.


    However, the fish Zhao Sheng wanted to catch still had not appeared.


    But he was not in a hurry, time was on his side!


    A few more days passed.


    One day, as Zhao Sheng was halfway through his meal, he suddenly heard someone downstairs exclaim, ¡°What a fragrant aroma of wine!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt a surge of joy in his heart and thought to himself, ¡°Here it comes!¡±


    No sooner had the thought passed than a stout, portly, middle-aged man with a kindly face and upward-sloping eyebrows suddenly flew up to the second floor and landed in front of Zhao Sheng¡¯s table.


    Then, the man sat down unceremoniously while exclaiming, ¡°What a fragrant wine!¡±


    After speaking, he straightened his face and said, ¡°Please forgive me, Taoist friend. My name is Zhou Zhongyu. May I have the honor of knowing your distinguished name?¡±


    ¡°Zhao Zhiqin!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was cold, and after stating his name, he retorted, ¡°Mr. Zhou, for you to come uninvited is quite presumptuous!¡±


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng suddenly radiated an intense aura, as both his Spiritual Power and Divine Sense burst forth, overwhelmingly pressing down upon the other party.


    Zhou Zhongyu was shocked and inwardly groaned, not expecting to have hit such a tough spot. The other party was also a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and his cultivation was far superior to his own.


    He hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply, apologizing to Zhao Sheng, ¡°Please, esteemed senior, forgive my presumption this time!¡±


    Zhao Sheng withdrew his aura and said indifferently, ¡°Sit down! Are you also fond of wine?¡± Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhou Zhongyu sat down cautiously and shamelessly said, ¡°I won¡¯t lie to you, senior. I don¡¯t have many hobbies, just a love for wine. I was drawn here by the fragrance of your fine liquor, which was why I intruded so impudently!¡±


    ¡°Fine wine, good indeed! A universe resides within the wine, with days and months prolonged inside the pot! Seeing that you too have a fondness for wine, I will gift you this half gourd of Amber Fragrance.¡±


    Zhao Sheng finished speaking and with a push of his hand, the White Jade Gourd slid across the table, landing steadily in front of Zhou Zhongyu.


    Zhou Zhongyu couldn¡¯t wait to pick up the gourd, tilting it for a gulp of wine.


    Wow!


    Down the wine went, and he felt a unique aroma tantalizing his nostrils, saliva generating fragrance in his mouth. A clear and refreshing Spiritual Energy, like water, spread from his stomach through his body, and in an instant, all his pores opened, the vortex of Spirit Power within accelerating by a third.


    ¡°Excellent wine!¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu repeated his praise, ¡°The Immortal Delicacies serve wine with rich fragrance, poured from a Jade Gourd that bears the scent of amber!¡±


    Hearing this praise, Zhao Sheng¡¯s originally cool face suddenly softened with a smile, and within that smile arose a hint of pride.


    Zhou Zhongyu, keen to observe Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression, felt a surge of inner joy and promptly asked, ¡°May I inquire, senior, did you personally brew this exquisite wine?¡±


    ¡°Indeed! This Amber Fragrance is just a trifle I brewed in my free time, hardly worth mentioning,¡± Zhao Sheng replied.


    Although he said it that way, the smugness on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face became even more evident.


    Upon seeing this, Zhou Zhongyu kept lavishing praise on him.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression grew increasingly amiable, and his attitude towards Zhou Zhongyu became even more cordial.


    Also, due to their shared identity as ¡°drinking buddies,¡± their conversation flowed more and more smoothly. Eventually, they even made a pact to become friends over drinks.


    In the following month, Zhao Sheng and Zhou Zhongyu met up for drinks seven or eight times, each time bringing out various kinds of Spiritual Wine for them to sample together.


    Zhou Zhongyu had the backing of the Zhou family and hence, had an abundance of Spiritual Wine. While Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t match that, he had his own trump card¡ªhe could ¡°brew¡± wine, and his Spiritual Wine came in a wide variety, full of flavor, aroma, and complexity.


    The secret to his brewing was his ability to ¡°blend¡± and ¡°adjust,¡± which was all thanks to his Talent for Spiritual Smell.


    After several drinking contests, Zhao Sheng and Zhou Zhongyu formed a friendship through their shared experiences.


    Once they became familiar with each other, Zhao Sheng no longer hid his identity¡ªhe was Zhao Zhiqin, a Loose Cultivator who later joined the Origin Return Sect and was recently assigned to Desolate to oversee the Wind Feather Hall.


    Zhou Zhongyu saw that Zhao Sheng had a ¡°clean¡± background and also noted his higher cultivation level, having reached the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer.


    Plus, they both shared a passion for drinking.


    Finding such a rare ¡°drinking buddy,¡± Zhou Zhongyu naturally didn¡¯t want to let the opportunity slip by, so he made efforts to get closer, with the intention of winning Zhao Sheng over.


    When faced with these overtures, would Zhao Sheng reject them?


    Of course not!


    So, just like when Liang Shanbo met Zhu Yingtai, they hit it off immediately and soon formed a deep bond.


    If one word were to describe it, it would be ¡°conspiratorial fervor!¡±


    No wait, it should be ¡°harmonious as a zither and a harp.¡±


    As the saying goes, ¡°In wine, there¡¯s truth!¡±


    Once the two of them became drinking buddies, Zhao Sheng frequently got Zhou Zhongyu drunk on purpose and often used conversation to probe for information.


    Zhou Zhongyu couldn¡¯t even imagine that someone would scheme so meticulously against the Zhou family.


    As such, he was not very guarded against Zhao Sheng and revealed quite a few ¡°secrets¡± about the Zhou family while drunk, including but not limited to complaints, the failures of certain Family Heads in their promotions, the Ancestor¡¯s favoritism, and the Family Head¡¯s oppression of their branch of the direct line, among other intelligence.


    Zhao Sheng silently made note of all this, and while leveraging his connection with Zhou Zhongyu, he made acquaintances with other Foundation Establishment members of the Zhou family while quietly remaining undercover, awaiting his opportunity.


    And this wait lasted for more than ten years.


    ¡­


    In Desolate, there were only two seasons each year, the rainy season and the dry season.


    With the dry season approaching, a raging ¡°Black Sandstorm¡± would lift from the Death Desert, rampaging across the vast Gobi terrain, from north to south, from day to night, unceasingly.


    However, it ultimately had a limit to its intensity. Often, after a wave of Black Sandstorm ebbed, its ferocity would decrease significantly.


    It was at this time that some transport caravans would take a calculated risk to traverse the ravaging sandstorm region and enter the isolated Green Oasis.


    It must be said that under normal circumstances, the risk and reward were proportional, and enormous profits were often born from this!


    At that moment, within the endless sand-filled sky, there was a gray-black shuttle-shaped Flying Boat gliding just above the ground.


    The people on the boat were very used to this kind of risky behavior. They were still three hundred miles away from Moon Spring Oasis, each one regulating their breath, preparing for the final leg of the journey.


    The Flying Boat wasn¡¯t large, seating three people inside, with one who had a pair of droopy eyebrows sitting in the principal seat, looking quite prosperous.


    ¡°All is normal! The wind is weakening!¡±


    ¡°Pay attention to any movements in the surroundings, and also, do not deviate from our course. Keep the Flying Boat at this speed!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Uncle Yu!¡±


    The Cultivator making observations was very steady, only responding with a single word. But suddenly, he threw back his head, his voice filled with an abnormal mix of panic and falsetto, not sure if it stemmed from fear or excitement:


    ¡°What¡­ what is that!¡±


    Upon the principal seat, Zhou Zhongyu was sipping his drink leisurely. Hearing the alarmed shout, he was startled, and with a flash of his body, he suddenly appeared beside the man.

 Chapter 135 - 133: A Strange Encounter

    Chapter 135: Chapter 133: A Strange Encounter


    ¡°Calm down!¡±


    He pressed the man¡¯s shoulder, then Zhou Zhongyu looked out through the jade window on the inner side of the flying boat.


    However¡­


    His gaze swept around, but he didn¡¯t notice anything unusual, which left him feeling somewhat dissatisfied.


    ¡°Xiao Si, what are you blabbering about¡­ Oh my god!¡±


    His words were cut off by a curse as Zhou Zhongyu suddenly stiffened.


    A gust of wind and sand had blown over, making the visibility significantly clearer.


    So he saw it, a giant shadow rolling within the vast expanse of Black Sand nearly twenty li away. It must have been motionless before, but it was now soaring up. Even the thick curtain of sand couldn¡¯t hide its massive body, large as a range of mountains.


    So huge from such a distance.


    ¡°Python? Flood dragon? Or¡­ dragon!¡±


    The size and length, along with the blurred outline, left Zhou Zhongyu with only these three possibilities. Regardless of what it was, such a massive creature had to be incredibly rare. There might even be a ¡°Demon Core.¡±


    If he could seize this monster¡¯s ¡°Demon Core,¡± wouldn¡¯t he have the opportunity for Core Formation!


    To not seize the gifts of heaven is but to invite disaster!


    Therefore, without any hesitation, Zhou Zhongyu immediately ordered, ¡°Get close to it, now.¡±


    At that moment, the man exclaimed strangely, ¡°Uncle Yu, it¡¯s gone!¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu was taken aback and quickly looked down and out.


    Indeed¡­ By now, there was no longer any trace of the giant shadow in the spread of Black Sand, as if all he had seen was just an illusion.


    ¡°Could it be¡­ the Black Sand Mirage!¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s mind raced as he suddenly recalled a peculiar celestial phenomenon from the legends of the Desolate Domain.


    The Black Sand Mirage, much like a mirage over the sea, differed in that the former was a reflection of past time, rather than a refraction of space.


    Because of the influence of the Black Sand storms, some areas in the Desolate Domain occasionally experienced an unknown disturbance of the magnetic field, which would project past images into the present.


    ¡°Get closer!¡±


    Still not willing to leave empty-handed, Zhou Zhongyu commanded once more.


    The flying boat veered sharply off course, gliding quickly low over the ground towards that location.


    The distance of twenty li passed in a flash.


    Zhou Zhongyu carefully scrutinized the outside world, his gaze passing over uneven patches of sand, clusters of wild thorns that grew close to the ground, and block after block of weathered rocks.


    However, everything within sight was a common scene in the Desolate Domain. This place seemed no different from any other boundary.


    ¡°Could I¡­ have been mistaken?¡± Zhou Zhongyu wondered doubtfully to himself.


    ¡°Hey, Uncle Yu, look there!¡± S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Someone¡¯s surprised shout brought him back to his senses.


    Zhou Zhongyu hurriedly looked in the direction the man indicated.


    Hmm?


    About two li away from the flying boat, on a slope of broken rocks, they saw a great depression forming a massive pit, and at the edge of the pit stood a cave about three zhang high, with the mouth of the cave showing signs of man-made excavation.


    ¡°Quick, get closer!¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s face lit up with joy, and he immediately gave the command.


    ¡°Yes,¡±


    At his command, the flying boat swiftly approached the cave.


    Upon nearing it, the signs of man-made excavation within the cave were very clear.


    ¡°Stand guard outside, I¡¯ll be right back!¡±


    Leaving these words behind, Zhou Zhongyu flashed out of the flying boat and in the blink of an eye, he flew into the cave, disappearing from view.


    Zhou Zhongyu quickly swept through the passage, and upon seeing room after room filled with dust within the stone chambers, his heart leapt with joy.


    Without a doubt, this was the legacy of a cultivator.


    The passage was not long, merely a few breaths, and he flew into a spacious stone room at the deepest part of the cave.


    Upon a single glance at the scene within the stone room, Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s eyes shone with amazement, and his breathing abruptly halted.


    At this moment, on the stone bed at the end of the stone room, a skeleton sat cross-legged, leaning against the stone wall at an angle.


    A plain storage bag had fallen from its embrace, and in front of it on the bed¡¯s surface, various pill bottles lay scattered haphazardly, while at the skeleton¡¯s feet, a small blue sword was half-buried into the stone bed.


    The scene before him was quite simple, obviously signifying that an unknown number of years ago, a cultivator had exhausted his life span and ended up sitting down in this place.


    But this scene did not attract the newcomer¡¯s attention at all, as Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s gaze was completely focused beneath the stone bed.


    There lied a round, smooth bead about the size of a head, exuding a faint radiance and resting quietly there.


    Next to the bead, the remains of a worm corpse over two Zhang long, dried up with only its skin left and circles of golden rings on its hide, were tightly coiling around the bead, its mouth open like a chrysanthemum¡¯s sharp beak, as if it was trying to swallow the bead.


    However, this unknown bead actually emitted a faint yet very clear oppressive force, as if it had deterred the worm corpse, ultimately causing its failure!


    Seeing this, Zhou Zhongyu felt his spirit tremble slightly under this pressure, his heart was utterly shaken, and he even began to stutter while speaking,


    ¡°This¡­ this is¡­ Dragon Might!¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu immediately stepped forward, lifted the bead, and held it close to his eyes.


    Indeed, upon touching the bead with his hands, the oppressive force from the Dragon Ball became even clearer. And deep within his blood, an instinctive sense of fear emerged, as if it were the bloodline suppression of a higher being upon a lower one.


    Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s expression was one of great excitement as he continuously caressed the Dragon Ball.


    However, the look of joy on his face gradually disappeared, replaced with an expression of profound sadness and regret.


    Because by then, he had noticed that a large portion of the essence within the Dragon Ball, for some unknown reason, had already dissipated.


    Perhaps too much time had passed, or perhaps the last owner had extracted the essence of the Dragon Ball. Perhaps¡­


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Zhou Zhongyu cursed in frustration.


    He regretfully put away the Dragon Ball and swept up the worm skin with a wave of his hand.


    After carefully inspecting it for a while, Zhou Zhongyu suddenly showed a look of great joy, ¡°This is a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm! Then¡­ could that bead possibly be the legendary Mountain Dragon Pearl?¡±


    In an instant, Zhou Zhongyu had numerous thoughts darting through his mind, conceiving many possibilities.


    An hour later, the stone room was void of human presence, empty except for the heap of disordered bones on the bed.


    Just then, at a certain section of the stone room¡¯s ceiling, the stone wall suddenly blurred and twisted, and then a person leapt down from it.


    This person was none other than Zhao Sheng, who else could it be?


    In Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand was a True Shadow Ball, and as he looked at the empty stone room, a meaningful smile suddenly appeared on his face.


    ¡­


    One month later, in Quanxia City, Changsheng Square,


    Inside a room within a certain mansion, Zhao Sheng was mixing a new type of blended Spiritual Wine.


    At that moment, Zhou Zhongyu arrived in high spirits.


    Entering the room, he plopped down across from Zhao Sheng, his face brimming with excitement, ¡°Brother Zhao, I¡¯m heading back to Hongyang State!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands paused slightly, then he continued his work as before.


    While continuing to blend the wine, he asked nonchalantly, ¡°When will you return? When you¡¯re back, I¡¯ll let you taste a new wine.¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s face stiffened, and with reluctance in his eyes as he gazed at the wine cup in Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand, he said with regret, ¡°I won¡¯t be returning this time!¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng set down his wine cup, ¡°Then¡­ we won¡¯t be able to meet often. It hasn¡¯t been easy to find a kindred spirit like Brother Zhou in wine. Now¡­ alas!¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the truth! Our interests align, Brother Zhao. It¡¯s a pity that family commands are hard to disobey!¡± Zhou Zhongyu empathized.


    Moon Spring is five thousand li away from Hongyang State. In other Boundaries, it might merely be a one or two-day journey.


    But in the Desolate Domain, when the Black Sand storm rises and the wind and sand stretch for ten thousand li, the desert plains are fraught with danger. Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators are reluctant to take the risk of traversing the Black Storm.


    Zhao Sheng pondered briefly, then suddenly asked, ¡°Is your family still accepting Guest Elders?¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu responded with surprise and delight, ¡°Brother Zhao, what do you mean by that? Could it be¡­?¡±


    After Zhao Sheng nodded, he exhaled a long sigh.


    Alas!

 Chapter 136 - 134: Ten Thousand Treasures Auction

    Chapter 136: Chapter 134: Ten Thousand Treasures Auction


    Alas!


    After a long sigh, Zhao Sheng said with a worried face, ¡°The Origin Return Sect is now in troubled waters, soon to become a target for all! I must find a way out for myself!¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu was very puzzled, ¡°Brother Zhao, the Origin Return Sect is currently unrivaled in the Central Continent, at the height of its power! Why do you have such a negative view of it?¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhou, have you heard of the Blood Deficiency Disease?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard a bit about it!¡±


    Zhao Sheng then explained in detail the relationship between the Blood Deficiency Disease and the Origin Return Sect, not concealing the fact that the ¡°Blood Soul Scripture¡± would reduce one¡¯s lifespan.


    Zhou Zhongyu was greatly shocked after listening, and then he understood why Zhao Sheng was seeking a way out in advance.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, could it be that you also cultivated the ¡®Blood Soul Scripture¡¯?¡± he eventually couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Zhao Sheng gave a bitter smile and nodded, ¡°Otherwise, with my inferior Four Spirit Roots, how could I have cultivated to the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer!¡±


    ¡°Ha! So, to put it bluntly, it¡¯s exchanging lifespan for cultivation! I don¡¯t even know how many years I have left.¡± Zhao Sheng flicked his fully white sideburns and smiled bitterly with self-mockery. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Brother Zhao¡­¡± Zhou Zhongyu looked at his drinking buddy with great sympathy.


    However, Zhao Sheng was quite carefree and directly asked, ¡°Brother Zhou, give me a straightforward answer. Will your Zhou family take me as a guest elder?¡±


    ¡°We will take you! Of course, we will! Brother Zhao, you are a Great Cultivator of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. There are less than five people in my family who exceed you in cultivation. It would be foolish and idiotic not to take you!¡± Zhou Zhongyu promptly agreed.


    ¡°I still have some trivial matters to handle here. In half a month, I will visit Hongyang State!¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ I might as well not return to Hongyang State for now. I¡¯ll set out with Brother Zhao in a month,¡± Zhou Zhongyu said with a very excited expression after hearing this.


    Zhao Sheng saw this and gave a slight smile, not verbally rejecting the other¡¯s kind offer.


    Half a month later, having dealt with the matters of the Wind Feather Hall, Zhao Sheng and Zhou Zhongyu boarded a flying shuttle and departed from the Moon Spring Oasis.


    Hongyang State and Moon Spring were about eight thousand miles apart.


    Unlike Moon Spring, which only spans about thirty miles, Hongyang State is generally oval, with a diameter of over a thousand miles, and the terrain is flat and the soil fertile. The population of the oasis exceeds ten million.


    Because it was the dry season and the Black Sandstorm was raging, it took Zhao Sheng and Zhou Zhongyu a total of seventeen days to reach Hongyang State with difficulty.


    Once they entered Hongyang State, the sandstorms diminished, and the speed of the flying boat quickly increased to its maximum. In just a quarter of an hour, they flew over five or six hundred miles to a bustling, prosperous oasis city.


    Zhou City is one of the rare ground cities in the Desolate Domain. Although the city is not large, its population is nearly a million, and what¡¯s more important is that most of them have the surname Zhou.


    The Zhou family ancestral home is located in the most central and bustling district of Zhou City, occupying nearly half the city¡¯s area.


    Looking down from the sky, one could see a tan-colored light shield enveloping the Zhou family ancestral home. Occasionally, streaks of flowing light appeared on the shield, containing a faint but strong pressure.


    Under Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s driving, the flying boat easily passed through the defensive light shield and landed in a large mansion among the lower-level building clusters.


    After that, everything went very smoothly!


    With Zhou Zhongyu as a guarantor and Zhao Sheng¡¯s clean identity,


    the Zhou family was overjoyed to voluntarily accept such a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator.


    After Zhao Sheng met the family head, Zhou Yingze, he immediately became the Zhou family¡¯s Chief Guest Elder, and his spiritual salary and other benefits need not be said.


    Furthermore, the Zhou family specifically set aside a plot of land around Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s mansion for Zhao Sheng and built a luxurious mansion according to his specifications.


    After becoming the Chief Guest Elder, Zhao Sheng instantly became the ¡°favorite¡± in the eyes of the Zhou family members.


    The Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Zhou family frequently visited to offer various precious treasures, and during the conversations, they expressed their intentions of forming alliances and showing goodwill, both subtly and overtly.


    With regard to ¡°forming alliances¡± and showing goodwill, Zhao Sheng skillfully navigated among the several major branches of the Zhou family. On the surface, he did not offend anyone and appeared unbiased, but he subtly leaned towards the branch of the family head.


    In no time, Zhao Sheng established himself in the Zhou family as a generous and kind person.


    Don¡¯t forget, Zhao Sheng was not only a skilled brewer but also an exceptionally talented talisman master.


    In just half a year, he had sent out no fewer than twenty Second Order True Talismans as return gifts.


    Additionally, his uniquely characteristic Spiritual Wines flowed out like water, not only to every Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Zhou family but even some junior Qi Refinement practitioners received gifts from Zhao Sheng.


    Faced with such a generous and approachable ¡°guest elder¡± the Zhou family felt like they had stumbled upon a treasure.


    Some with darker thoughts even muttered to themselves, ¡°The chief guest elder¡± has no children and won¡¯t live much longer.


    After his death, all his possessions will belong to the Zhou family.


    Thus, Zhao Sheng quickly became very popular, with Zhou family Foundation Establishers bringing their juniors to his door, hoping Zhao Sheng would take them as apprentices.


    This move was exactly what Zhao Sheng had hoped for; he turned none away.


    The Zhou family was not foolish,


    After Zhao Sheng joined the Zhou family, the family head, Zhou Yingze, immediately sent people in secret to places like Mystic Iron City, Origin Return Sect, and Heavenly Pillar Mountain to investigate Zhao Sheng¡¯s background and origins.


    Half a year later, the scouts returned one by one to report, and their findings were exactly as Zhao Sheng had stated, with no falsehoods in his background or origins.


    Haha! Zhao Sheng had planned for nearly sixty years to destroy the Zhou family, how could mere scouts possibly find any flaw in him!


    From there on, although the Zhou family could not fully trust him, apart from some secretive family matters, they would not deliberately hide other things from Zhao Sheng.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng was very good at maintaining his boundaries, adhering to his role as a guest elder and not intentionally prying into the affairs of the Zhou family,


    However, his reputation for loving to drink and even more for giving away drinks solidified in the hearts of the Zhou family, eventually making him and Zhou Zhongyu known as the ¡°Two Drunken Friends.¡±


    ¡­


    A year later,


    Dayong Dynasty, Yongjing.


    That day, the front of the Ten Thousand Treasures Auction House was bustling with a crowd rare on ordinary days, filled with Cultivators but not a single mortal.


    Each year, the first month after the rainy season in the Desolate Domain, Yongjing would host the annual Ten Thousand Treasures Auction.


    Each year it attracted countless Cultivators to Yongjing to participate in this rare grand event of the Desolate Domain.


    And the Ten Thousand Treasures Auction House was the main venue for the Ten Thousand Treasures Auction,


    There were rumors¡­


    ¡°No need for rumors! This Ten Thousand Treasures Auction House is a property of the Royal Mo Family! They make mountains of Spirit Stones every year!¡±


    In a private room of a tavern facing the street, Zhou Zhongyu looked down at the bustling crowd below and said to Zhao Sheng with a face full of envy and jealousy.


    Zhao Sheng chuckled and replied in a casual tone: ¡°This Mo Family has a Nascent Soul Ancestor at its helm, this mere Ten Thousand Treasures Auction House is nothing compared to that, the entire Da Yong Dynasty belongs to their Mo Family. We are nothing compared to them. Unless¡­ the Zhou family could produce a thousand-year-old Nascent Soul!¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s eyes shifted, but he did not continue the conversation.


    Zhao Sheng gave him a slight glance, his eyes flickering with an inexplicable light.


    ¡°By the way, why did the family head insist on dragging this old man to Yongjing? Doesn¡¯t he know how busy I am?¡±


    Hearing his older brother¡¯s complaint, Zhou Zhongyu suddenly gave a bitter smile and said: ¡°Brother Zhao, you¡¯re spoiling your precious disciples so much that they¡¯re almost in the heavens! The family head really couldn¡¯t stand it anymore, which is why he dragged you to Yongjing. Also, to serve as a covert move for the family.¡±


    ¡°A covert move? What covert move? Could it be that there¡¯s something the family cannot openly bid on?¡± Zhao Sheng asked, his eyes flickering with an inexplicable light, though his expression showed slight curiosity.


    ¡°Exactly! Brother Zhao, please have a look!¡±


    Saying this, Zhou Zhongyu passed a folded sheet of paper to Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng took it, unfolded it, and saw that the top line boldly read ¡°Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm.¡±

 Chapter 137 - 135: The Grand Finale

    Chapter 137: Chapter 135: The Grand Finale


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he continued to look down. There were over a dozen items listed below the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm.


    In his heart, he sneered, knowing that apart from the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm, which was a must-have for the Zhou family, the rest were merely for show.


    The Zhou family had truly taken the bait. His plan to release the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm as bait had not been in vain.


    After reading through the list, Zhao Sheng closed the paper and asked, ¡°Do we need to win all the items listed above?¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu nodded seriously and said, ¡°Yes! No matter the cost, we must acquire the first three treasures. As for the rest, Brother Zhao can deal with them as he sees fit. Just try to secure them if it doesn¡¯t exceed ten thousand Spirit Stones.¡±


    ¡°Mm, since the family shouldn¡¯t make an appearance, I shall make a move on their behalf this time.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhao, I¡¯m counting on you!¡±


    With that, Zhou Zhongyu handed over a Storage Bag.


    Zhao Sheng took it, didn¡¯t even look at it, and placed it directly into his bosom as he nodded solemnly.


    ¡­


    Three days later, in a quiet room, Zhao Sheng was sitting with his eyes closed, regulating his breath.


    Suddenly, there came a knock at the door, followed by a tender voice outside,


    ¡°Senior, the auction is about to begin.¡±


    ¡°I know!¡±


    Zhao Sheng stood up, walked to the door, opened it, and saw a scantily clad, pure-looking maid standing respectfully to the side.


    ¡°Lead the way!¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The maid bowed and then led Zhao Sheng outside.


    He was currently located near Wanbao Square in Yongjing.


    Because the Ten Thousand Treasures Auction was so large, in addition to the main venue, there were hundreds of smaller auction events.


    Aside from the public auctions, there were also secret auctions, exchange meets, and treasure appraisal gatherings, among various other forms of trading.


    Zhao Sheng was going to participate in one of these smaller auctions.


    Passing through a corridor, the two arrived in front of a stone wall.


    The maid reached out and lightly pressed against the stone wall, and after a ripple of white light, a Light Gate appeared out of nowhere.


    ¡°Senior, please enter,¡± said the girl, stepping back respectfully.


    Zhao Sheng nodded and without saying anything, stepped through. The girl followed closely behind.


    Once they were in, the Light Gate disappeared automatically, with the wall outside returning to its stone form.


    The passageway wasn¡¯t long, with a faint white light flickering at the end,


    Zhao Sheng walked forward quietly, turning a corner, and suddenly a stone gate appeared before him.


    Standing outside the stone gate was a dignified middle-aged man dressed in sky-blue scholar¡¯s attire.


    As soon as this man saw Zhao Sheng appear, he immediately greeted him with a beaming smile, ¡°My name is Mo Yunji. Welcome, Fellow Daoist, to this auction.


    Xiao Li, make sure to treat the senior well. If there is any negligence, you¡¯ll answer to me afterwards!¡±


    The Mo surname middle-aged man was exceptionally polite to Zhao Sheng and then gave a serious instruction to the maid.


    ¡°As you command, Master.¡±


    The maid seemed extremely afraid of this person, her face paling with fear, quickly replying obediently.


    A flash of something different passed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, but he said nothing, nodded to Mo Yunji, and then entered through the stone gate.


    Inside the gate was a hall that glittered with gold and jade. In the center was a high platform surrounded by tables and chairs, most of which were already occupied.


    However, as Zhao Sheng observed the situation inside the hall, his face revealed a strange expression.


    Aside from two female cultivators sitting alone, by all other male cultivators¡¯ sides, there clung a female servant.


    Although these female servants were mortals, not a single one lacked youth or beauty, with charms surpassing the ordinary.


    As Zhao Sheng was lost in thought, a fragrant breeze suddenly arose, and a soft, trembling body pressed gently against his side.


    Zhao Sheng frowned slightly and, with a flash, he dodged the woman¡¯s attempt to lean against him.


    Seeing this, the maid bit her lip lightly, looking pitiful and forlorn.


    Zhao Sheng paid no mind to what she might be thinking, for he was quietly observing the other attendees at that moment.


    A majority of the cultivators present had auras that flickered in and out of perception, elusive to the eye, a sure sign they were Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The rest were at least at the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm.


    Noticing this, a hint of interest flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, but he soon found an empty seat and sat down with an air of command and authority.


    The female servant followed him and stood timidly behind him; she seemed to want to approach several times, yet dared not to move.


    Most of the people in the room were indifferent to Zhao Sheng¡¯s arrival, but a few showed him obsequious smiles.


    Without mentioning anything else, his profound and inscrutable presence alone warranted their courteous treatment.


    Zhao Sheng remained calm and unresponsive to the flattery of those around him, silently waiting instead.


    A short while later, another five or six cultivators with distinctly different demeanors entered the hall, each accompanied by a young and beautiful maid.


    Seeing all this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression did not change, but he felt a slight surprise in his heart. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The scale of this auction was not large, but among the participants, he could not discern the realms of more than half, indicating that this auction promised some intrigue.


    Soon, the hall was filled.


    At that moment, Mo Yunji, with a beaming smile, climbed onto the high platform and, after nodding to the cultivators below, announced in a clear voice,


    ¡°I am honored to preside over today¡¯s Chenyi Auction. It is indeed an honor for Mo to have nearly a hundred Fellow Daoists participating.¡±


    Following his opening remarks, he immediately got to the point, ¡°Let¡¯s not waste any time on idle chatter. Let the auction begin.¡±


    After a burst of light, several items suddenly appeared in front of Mo Yunji.


    ¡°A bottle of Second Order Yunling Pills, a Da Yong Purple Gold Coin, ten sticks of Heart Building Incense¡±


    With each item he picked up, Mo Yunji gave a thorough introduction, eliciting a stir among the cultivators present. The items clearly held rare value, and the cultivators showed signs of amazement.


    Zhao Sheng, however, had no interest in these treasures. While they might indeed be valuable to others, they were utterly useless to him.


    Because he did not have many years left to live.


    Mo Yunji was a competent auctioneer; he skilfully heightened the atmosphere of the auction, warming it to greater excitement.


    Every item he presented for auction spurred a frenzied competition among a throng of bidders.


    Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the auction was nearing its end.


    After a seven-hundred-year-old Alien Bee Fruit was auctioned off,


    Mo Yunji composed himself and announced loudly, ¡°Fellow Daoists, please pay attention. The ordinary items have all been auctioned off. Now it is time for the three final treasures to be presented.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the atmosphere in the hall turned solemn, with every cultivator sitting upright, their gazes fixed on Mo Yunji like burning torches.


    Zhao Sheng glanced around and nodded inwardly, knowing that among those present were individuals who had come specifically for the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm and others like him with ¡°missions to fulfill.¡±


    At that moment, Mo Yunji suddenly held a yellow spirit worm bag in his hand.


    ¡°The next treasure is a spiritual insect rarely seen in the world, known as the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm.


    When mentioning the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm, one cannot help but speak of an ancient dragon species that has long since gone extinct.


    Have any of you heard of the Mountain Dragon?¡±


    Mo Yunji asked confidently, looking toward the people below.


    As soon as his words fell, an exclamation erupted from below, ¡°The Mountain Dragon? Is that not the Longevity Dragon Descendant, said to live for tens of thousands of years, capable of rivaling a Nascent Soul?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked at the person who had spoken with an odd expression on his face, and he was not the only cultivator to react in such a manner.


    Noticing this response, the corners of Zhao Sheng¡¯s mouth couldn¡¯t help but curve into a slight smile.

 Chapter 138 - 136: Distinguish Friends from Foes and Bait Continuously

    Chapter 138: Chapter 136: Distinguish Friends from Foes and Bait Continuously


    Hehe, confirmed!


    Apart from a few clueless ¡°dumbheads,¡± the others were all ¡°interested parties.¡±


    ¡°The Taoist friend here is correct! The Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm is¡­¡±


    Mo Yunji immediately gave a detailed introduction of the relationship between the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm and the Mountain Dragon, emphasizing the magical characteristic that the spirit worm may revert to its ancestors.


    Of course, he also mentioned other features of the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm that could improve a spirit field.


    However, at this moment, no one was paying attention to what he said afterward.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes gleamed with intensity, not just towards the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm that Mo Yunji held, but also towards their other competitors.


    Mo Yunji read the room and sensed that the timing was ripe, so he turned his hand over.


    With a flash of light, a wriggling, entwined Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm suddenly appeared on the high platform.


    Two zhang two!


    A Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm over two zhang long!


    Those present immediately became serious, their eyes sparkling with eagerness.


    Zhao Sheng found this strange at that moment, as he had originally brought out a cluster, yet now only one remained.


    But then, after a thought, he understood.


    Undoubtedly, the Mo Family must have intercepted it in advance!


    ¡°That¡¯s good, it indicates that the Mo Family highly values the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm,¡± Zhao Sheng secretly delighted.


    As he was thinking, Mo Yunji¡¯s words reached their conclusion:


    ¡°The starting bid for this Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm is five thousand Spirit Stones, with each bid not less than one hundred. Please place your bids!¡±


    Before his voice had faded, voices urgently shouted from below:


    ¡°Six thousand!¡±


    ¡°Seven thousand!¡±


    ¡°Ten thousand!¡±


    Goodness! In the blink of an eye, the auction price had already surpassed ten thousand.


    Some might think this price to be a peak, not realizing it was just the beginning!


    ¡°Twelve thousand!¡±


    ¡°Fifteen thousand!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Twenty thousand!¡±


    In the space of a breath, the price rose another twenty thousand, yet the pace of increase did not slow at all.


    ¡°Twenty-one thousand!¡±


    ¡°Twenty-two thousand!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Thirty thousand!¡±


    Only when the price soared past thirty thousand did the number of bidders greatly reduce.


    Although the price was already high, equivalent to a Foundation Establishment Pill,


    there were still seven or eight people relentlessly raising the bid.


    Without a doubt, each of these individuals had a powerful backing.


    But Zhao Sheng was not among them.


    In fact, from the start until now, he had not made a single bid.


    Not only he, Zhao Sheng noticed there were three others in the room who, like him, sat calmly and watched.


    Clearly, the big buyers had yet to make their move!


    Zhao Sheng discreetly memorized the appearances of the three individuals.


    At this time, the bid had elevated to thirty-three thousand Spirit Stones.


    The speed of the bids had greatly slowed, often taking two or three breaths before someone would raise the price again.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng chuckled and resolutely uttered two words:


    ¡°Sixty thousand!¡±


    At this price, everyone¡¯s eyes suddenly focused on Zhao Sheng, their expressions varying, some filled with malice and annoyance.


    ¡°This guy is clearly here to mess things up!¡±


    ¡°Damn it! Doubling the price in one go, you¡¯ve got money, you¡¯re pretentious! Just don¡¯t let me encounter you again!¡±


    Overjoyed, Mo Yunji hurriedly repeated, ¡°This Taoist friend has bid sixty thousand! Is there no higher offer? If so¡ª¡±


    ¡°`


    He had not finished speaking when a thunderous laughter drowned him out.


    ¡°Haha! Old Hua Hong is here to join the fun, seventy thousand!¡±


    The crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw a towering old man with a square face and large ears, his lion-like hair shining gold, sitting there with the imposing air of a great mounted warrior.


    Upon seeing this man with his dazzling golden hair, someone immediately exclaimed, ¡°The Sleeping Lion Hua Family!¡±


    In the Dayong Dynasty, the Royal Family stood high above all, followed by the four great Golden Core Families of the Royal Mo Family, each represented by the symbols of ¡°lion, tiger, owl, and coyote.¡±


    The Sleeping Lion Hua Family was the leader among the four great families, because two thousand years ago, a Nascent Soul Ancestor had emerged from the Hua Family.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s Zhou family was the least among the four great families and was known as the ¡°Coyote.¡±


    Although the title might seem rustic, the coyotes are a major pest in the Desolate Domain, renowned for their cunning and unity. Moreover, the Chinese character for ¡°soil¡± or ¡°earth¡± resembles the word for ¡°poison.¡±


    Due to the Zhou family¡¯s ruthless and venomous methods in the past, leaving enemies dead without exception, they were known as the ¡°Poison Wolves.¡±


    In the past two hundred years, the Zhou family¡¯s way of handling affairs has mellowed, and they have gradually retracted their claws and teeth, thus transforming from ¡°Poison Wolves¡± to ¡°Coyotes.¡±


    ¡°Eighty thousand!¡±


    No sooner had Hua Hong shouted his bid than Zhao Sheng immediately added ten thousand more.


    After all, the wool was coming from the Zhou family¡¯s sheep, why not fleece it!


    Hua Hong straightened up, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping across Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    Pity that Zhao Sheng had already changed his face by then, so nobody recognized him at all.


    ¡°Eighty-one thousand!¡±


    ¡°Eighty-two thousand!¡±


    Just at this moment, suddenly two more people joined in to stir up the auction.


    Zhao Sheng turned to look and saw that the bidders were none other than the two who had kept silent all this while.


    Hua Hong obviously knew those two; his lips were constantly moving, apparently sending secret voice transmissions to them.


    ¡°Ninety thousand!¡±


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t care about these developments, and immediately raised the price to ninety thousand on the spot.


    Two breaths later, Hua Hong seemed to have dealt with the two men and then resolutely shouted, ¡°One hundred thousand!¡±


    ¡°One hundred and ten thousand!¡± Zhao Sheng casually raised his hand.


    Does Hua Hong want to compete in audacity and length with Zhao Sheng?


    He is still far behind!


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t mind spending the Zhou family¡¯s Spirit Stones at all.


    Every time Hua Hong raised the bid, he immediately followed, always raising by at least ten thousand.


    Until the bid reached one hundred and fifty thousand, until Hua Hong was so angry that his hair stood on end, Zhao Sheng still remained calm and collected.


    Hua Hong, furious to the point of laughter, said viciously, ¡°Such a magnanimous Taoist friend you are! Do you dare to reveal your name?¡±


    ¡°Hehe,¡± Zhao Sheng let out a light chuckle.


    Hua Hong¡¯s face stiffened, and standing up with a furious laugh, he said, ¡°Fine, fine! I¡¯ll let you have this Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm today!¡±


    After these words, he gave Zhao Sheng a deep look and then turned to leave. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With no one left to compete, Zhao Sheng eventually secured the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm for the exorbitant price of one hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones.


    After the auction ended, Zhao Sheng quickly left the auction house and secretly found Zhou Zhongyu.


    When Zhou Zhongyu learned that the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm had cost one hundred and fifty thousand Spirit Stones, his expression did not change nor did his heart skip a beat.


    Seeing his reaction, Zhao Sheng strongly suspected whether there were still Dark Children of the Zhou family at the scene.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng would never ask such a foolish question.


    He simply took a mental note of this, aware that the Zhou family did not trust him as much as they appeared to on the surface.


    Over the next month, Zhao Sheng attended many more auctions, some on behalf of the Zhou family, others to divert attention from himself.


    He was ostensibly participating in auctions, but in reality, he was trying to shake off the Zhou family members and covertly take care of some matters.


    For instance, settling accounts with Spirit Stones at the auction house.


    During the settlement period, a Foundation Establishment Perfection member of the Mo family found Zhao Sheng.


    He first expressed his apologies with utmost tact and then stated that they would waive the commission for this transaction, and furthermore, they would purchase the remaining spirit worms for the same price of one hundred and fifty thousand.


    Presented with such good fortune, Zhao Sheng naturally agreed immediately.


    Not to agree would be foolish!


    One item sold twice, double the price, double the joy!


    With the unexpected windfall, Zhao Sheng was obviously pleased, but he did not forget the real reason he came to Yongjing.


    The day before the conclusion of the Ten Thousand Treasures Auction, the Black Ice Platform of the Five Weapon Square in Yongjing suddenly received an intelligence report, the carrier of which was a True Shadow Ball.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 139 - 137: Revenge is Like Stir-Frying Vegetables

    Chapter 139: Chapter 137: Revenge is Like Stir-Frying Vegetables


    The Black Ice Platform is a special intelligence organization of the Dayong Dynasty, exclusively managed by the Royal Mo Family.


    Subsequently, an extremely secretive piece of information was urgently reported to the top few bosses of the Mo Family.


    ¡°Someone is suspected of having found a Mountain Dragon Dragon Ball! But the image has been deliberately erased!¡±


    This matter even disturbed the ancestor of the Mo Family, who had long been removed from worldly affairs, and even for this, he issued a decree, ¡°Find him at all costs!¡±


    This ¡°him¡±


    Maybe it refers to the person who found the Dragon Ball!


    Maybe it¡¯s the mysterious informant!


    Or maybe it refers to the Dragon Ball itself!


    But none of that is important; what¡¯s important is that the Mo Family has ¡°acted¡±!


    This action immediately alarmed the four great Golden Core Families of the Dayong, as well as all the big and small forces of the Dayong Dynasty.


    Nobody knew what the Mo Family was stirring up such a grand scale for.


    The Mo Family seemed to be searching for something. Was it a person or an object? Or perhaps something else?


    Aside from a few people in the Mo Family and a certain instigator, other forces were in the dark.


    Zhao Sheng had no intention of exposing Zhou Zhongyu at this time.


    In his view, to destroy a Golden Core Family was a very difficult task, not something that could be accomplished overnight.


    To annihilate the Zhou family was a systematic project that had to be carried out step by step.


    It was like cooking; you first had to put the wok on the fire and heat the oil, then add the seasonings and ingredients, stir-fry repeatedly, then add salt, and when the cooking was almost done, you could serve the dish.


    If the True Shadow Ball was the seasoning, then the Dragon Ball would be the main ingredient.


    The wok was already hot, and the oil had started to sizzle. Now it was time for the stirring stage.


    When the Mo Family stirred up this matter to a frenzy, Zhao Sheng would secretly add a crucial pinch of salt (Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm).


    Seeing that the timing was almost perfect, Zhou Zhongyu could officially make his entrance.


    There¡¯s also a key factor of timing, but let¡¯s not mention that for now.


    Once the Ten Thousand Treasures Auction had concluded, Zhao Sheng did not stay any longer and immediately returned to Hongyang State with the Zhou family members.


    Back in Zhou City, Zhao Sheng resumed his usual rhythm of life, spending his days either brewing alcohol or earnestly teaching his disciples the art of talisman painting.


    On regular days he no longer cultivated, often inviting others to join him in tasting wine and discussing poetry and philosophy, entirely the picture of one enjoying his twilight years.


    Every now and then, Zhao Sheng would give away some of his Spiritual Wine for people to taste, choosing his recipients at random; as long as he found them ¡°agreeable,¡± he would freely gift them a jar.


    As a result, in just a year or two, Zhao Sheng¡¯s reputation within the Zhou family improved greatly, and everyone praised him highly.


    As he gained more and more of the Zhou family¡¯s trust, Zhao Sheng gradually came into contact with some of the Zhou family¡¯s internal secrets.


    At the same time, the Zhou Family¡¯s Scripture Pavilion gradually opened up to Zhao Sheng.


    The past few years had shown through his every action that his time was running short, and he had let go of worldly concerns.


    Attitude really is everything!


    The power-holders of the Zhou family took notice of Zhao Sheng¡¯s conduct and never suspected that this kind, seemingly dying old man was covertly plotting to overturn the Zhou family.


    Time flowed like water, and in the blink of an eye, two years had passed!


    Zhou Family¡¯s Scripture Pavilion


    The third floor was dedicated to alchemy texts, and at this moment, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged behind a low table, slowly perusing a volume of ¡°Water Refining and Fetus Formation.¡±


    This secret alchemy scroll was something he had stumbled upon two days prior.


    Since its discovery, Zhao Sheng, considering it a treasure, had not left the Scripture Pavilion, continuing to read it over and over to this point.


    In the Cultivation World, alchemy mostly revolves around Fire Refining, while Water Refining is exceedingly rare.


    If Fire Refining focuses on the act of refining¡ªburning the Spiritual Medicine to extract the essence, and finally merging it together¡ª


    Then Water Refining emphasizes the act of nurturing. It uses spiritual water to wash and break down the Spiritual Medicine, allowing the essence to merge into the spiritual water, and finally slowly nurturing the Spirit Pill.


    Fire Refining and Water Refining each have their pros and cons, but why is Water Refining seldom heard of in the Cultivation World?


    The key is that Water Refining has a significant flaw¡ªthe process of nurturing Spirit Pills is too slow, with one batch taking several months to form, and it¡¯s not rare for it to take more than a year.


    Fire Refining, on the other hand, is much quicker, hardly ever taking more than a month, with the majority taking just three to five days, and occasionally seven to eight days to produce a batch.


    Simply from the perspective of efficiency, the Water Refining and Fetus Breeding method had already been outdated.


    However, the fact that Water Refining could be passed down to this day and had not been completely lost was due to its unique advantages.


    The Spirit Pills refined through the Fetus Formation method were not only purer but also had very little pill toxicity. Most importantly, the success rate of pill refinement was far higher than that of Fire Refining.


    Therefore, when refining high-level Spirit Pills, Water Refining and Fetus Breeding had incomparable advantages.


    That¡¯s why, although Water Refining and Fetus Breeding had not been lost, it was secretly monopolized and blocked by major forces in the Cultivation World and was rarely known to ordinary cultivators.


    After flipping over the last page, Zhao Sheng closed his eyes and silently recalled the content several times, feeling that he had fully grasped all of it.


    He opened his eyes and casually tossed the Elixir Book, which flew up like a bird, covering a distance of seven or eight zhang with precision, landing back in its original place on the shelf.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng stretched out his hand and a roll of ancient books suddenly flew from the shelf directly into his hand.


    Then he opened the ancient tome and quietly began to read.


    Five days later, a beam of spirit light suddenly flew up from downstairs, landing on Zhao Sheng¡¯s table and transforming into a Jade Token.


    ¡°Is it that time again?


    Seeing it, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly, picked up the Jade Token, put the ancient book back in its place, and then walked downstairs. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just as he stepped out of the Scripture Pavilion, Zhao Sheng saw a gallant young man dressed in yellow, standing right at the doorway.


    ¡°Master!¡±


    Looking at the gallant young man who ran up to him with a respectful face, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly.


    This young man was named Zhou Qingwu, and he had the highest comprehension and was the most astute among the bunch of inexpensive disciples he had taken in.


    Moreover, Zhou Qingwu had rare dual Spirit Roots with top-grade quality and was the most talented among his peers in the Zhou family.


    If he hadn¡¯t been born in the Zhou family, Zhao Sheng might have taken him as his mantle successor.


    ¡°What a pity¡­ who made you a member of the Zhou family!¡±


    Zhao Sheng inwardly sighed, but his face turned serious as he said, ¡°Qingwu, you should be doing your homework. What brings you to the Scripture Pavilion!¡±


    Hearing the reprimand from his master, Zhou Qingwu¡¯s eyes rolled, and he immediately responded confidently, ¡°Master misunderstands! I came to the Scripture Pavilion to look for some of our predecessors¡¯ insights. I just happened to run into Master, is all.¡±


    Having a disciple too astute was not always a good thing, and Zhao Sheng found himself temporarily unable to deal with him, his face turning stern.


    ¡°Even so, get inside quickly!¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Zhou Qingwu obediently responded and then slipped into the Scripture Pavilion.


    Watching the young figure disappear at the doorway, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered a few times; then his body transformed into a long rainbow, flying rapidly into the distance.


    Two days later, in a secret chamber of a mansion, Zhao Sheng exercised the Nine Revolutions technique to restore his Core Spiritual Power to its peak state.


    After finishing his practice, his thoughts stirred, and the Hundred Lifetimes Book from the depths of his Soul Sea emerged in his mind; the fourth page naturally turned, revealing his personal data panel:


    Name: Zhao Chonghe (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 130/143


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    [Skill]


    Cultivation Technique: ¡­


    Spell: ¡­


    Talisman Making: ¡­


    Looking at the Life Span column, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was complex. He pondered for a moment and murmured to himself, ¡°Just over a dozen more years, but that¡¯s enough. The dish is almost ready to be served; it¡¯s time to add salt and take it off the stove.¡±


    Half a day later, a water ripple message appeared before Zhou Family Master, Zhou Yingze.


    Upon opening the message, a trace of confusion flashed across Zhou Yingze¡¯s face, and he wondered, ¡°Mr. Zhao, why does he wish to see me?¡±


    Although perplexed, Zhou Yingze dared not neglect the request and immediately instructed his servant, ¡°Quickly invite Mr. Zhao in.¡±


    The servant responded and left,

 Chapter 140 - 138 Walking into a Trap

    Chapter 140: Chapter 138 Walking into a Trap


    Shortly after, Zhao Sheng entered the living room and met with Zhou Yingze.


    After exchanging pleasantries, Zhou Yingze broached the main subject and asked, ¡°Taoist Zhao, what brings you here today?¡±


    Zhao Sheng first took a good look at Zhou Yingze.


    Zhou Yingze had a striking appearance, with a pair of molten gold red eyes that exuded an imposing aura even without anger. Coupled with his high and profound cultivation at Foundation Establishment Perfection, his whole presence seemed as unfathomable as a mountain standing at the edge of an abyss.


    Although Zhao Sheng held resentment towards the Zhou family, he couldn¡¯t help but silently praise, ¡°This man is truly worthy of being a ruler of this territory, possessing quite the ambition and spirit.¡±


    Zhao Sheng bowed his hands and said, ¡°Brother Zhou, I have come to bid farewell!¡±


    Zhou Yingze¡¯s gaze sharpened, ¡°Hmm? Taoist Zhao, why do you say so? Has my Zhou family wronged you in any way?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled and waved his hand, ¡°Brother Zhou misunderstands! The Zhou family has treated me as an honored guest, and I am deeply moved. My visit today is not to resign from the position of Guest Elder, but to return to my hometown to visit old friends. It won¡¯t take long, at most a year or two before I return.¡±


    Zhou Yingze relaxed inwardly and said with a smile, ¡°I see, that eases my mind.


    When you set off for home, I will definitely present a generous gift!¡±


    Zhao Sheng immediately refused, ¡°There¡¯s no need! Brother Zhou¡¯s heart intent, I have fully appreciated! But the spiritual salary provided by the Zhou family is already quite generous, and I should not accept more, otherwise I would feel uneasy.¡±


    Zhou Yingze insisted on giving, but Zhao Sheng adamantly refused.


    After several rounds, seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s sincere attitude, Zhou Yingze was very satisfied and thus did not persist any further.


    After chatting leisurely for a while, Zhao Sheng suggested leaving, and Zhou Yingze, busy with countless affairs, did not detain him.


    Moments later, Zhou Yingze personally escorted Zhao Sheng to the door and watched him fly away on his sword before returning to the mansion.


    Three days later, after saying goodbye to Zhou Zhongyu and others, Zhao Sheng maneuvered his Cloud Boat and left Zhou City.


    Once past the boundary of Hongyang State, the Cloud Boat suddenly took a sharp turn, pierce through the sky full of wind and sand, and flew toward the southeast with difficulty.


    That was where Yongjing was located!


    ¡­


    Yongjing, Wanbao Square.


    The Ten Thousand Treasure Auction House was extremely large, with numerous buildings occupying most of Wanbao Square. Just the shops responsible for receiving the consignment of cultivators¡¯ treasures numbered nearly a hundred, forming a Treasure Street.


    Treasure Street was bustling with people every day, with a constant stream of people coming and going, and busy crowds moving in and out of the shops on both sides of the street.


    Arriving at Treasure Street, Zhao Sheng entered one of the most lavishly decorated shops.


    Once inside, an alert servant quickly came up with a smile, ¡°Esteemed senior, do you have a treasure to consign for auction?¡±


    Zhao Sheng grunted affirmatively and said, ¡°Hmm, I have a Spiritual Artifact that I wish to consign! Find me a Second Order Treasure Appraiser.¡±


    At the Ten Thousand Treasure Auction House, there were Treasure Appraisers specifically tasked with verifying the authenticity of treasures and estimating their prices.


    Depending on the value of the treasures, these appraisers were divided into several different levels.


    A Second Order Treasure Appraiser corresponded to Second Order treasures, such as Second Order spirit pills, True Talismans, Spiritual Artifacts, Arrays, and so on.


    Hearing it was a Spiritual Artifact, the servant did not dare to delay, quickly leading Zhao Sheng to the back courtyard, into an elegant room.


    Sitting behind a table to the north of the room was an elderly man with a spirited and sharp gaze.


    After the servant reported the situation and withdrew, the elderly man¡¯s eyes flashed, and looking at the seated Zhao Sheng, he asked, ¡°Senior, may this old man take a look at your Spiritual Artifact that you wish to consign?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, took out a dark and small seal from his Storage Bag, and placed it on the table.


    The Small Mountain Seal was a low-grade Spiritual Artifact, and since Zhao Sheng had advanced to Foundation Establishment Late Stage, it had become somewhat inadequate for him.


    Zhao Sheng had come to the Ten Thousand Treasure Auction House this time both to use the Small Mountain Seal as a prop and to conveniently sell it off.


    Some might have guessed.


    The main purpose of Zhao Sheng¡¯s visit today was not to consign treasures for auction, but to make an ¡°appearance.¡±


    In order to attract the attention of certain individuals, he had deliberately reverted to his appearance and attire from two years earlier.


    Before long, the Treasure Appraiser confirmed the rank and condition of the Small Mountain Seal, and casually offered an estimated price.


    Zhao Sheng nodded indifferently and agreed to send the Small Mountain Seal for consignment.


    After the two of them had agreed on some finer details of the auction, Zhao Sheng left the shop.


    He didn¡¯t linger there and quickly left Treasure Street.


    The next day, Zhao Sheng suddenly appeared at an auction and bought most of the items on offer, creating quite a stir on the spot.


    Two days later, he appeared on Treasure Street again, entering and exiting several shops in succession, consigning three or four treasures.


    Five days later, a special auction for talismans ended, and Zhao Sheng walked out of the venue.


    He hadn¡¯t gone far when suddenly he grunted, his figure staggered, and he came to an abrupt stop.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart shook, and he looked up to see a bald old man with a smoking pipe about ten paces away, smilingly gazing at him.


    Feeling a tremendous oppressive force firmly suppressing his Spiritual Power within his body, Zhao Sheng felt not fear but joy and thought to himself, ¡°That was quick!¡±


    Although he was ¡°walking into a trap,¡± he still had to play his part in this performance.


    With a look of terror, Zhao Sheng faced the unfamiliar Golden Core Master and tried to remain calm, ¡°The True Immortal sees clearly, I have never met the True Immortal before and do not know how I might have offended you?¡±


    The bald old man took a few puffs of his pipe, exhaled a purple smoke ring, and said indifferently, ¡°You haven¡¯t offended me! But someone wants to see you. They were just afraid you¡¯d run, so they asked me to step in. Are you going to come willingly, or do we need to beat you half to death first?¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but bitterly smile, then promptly nodded in recognition of the situation, ¡°Junior will follow the True Immortal!¡± Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hmm, you have some sense. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    As soon as those words fell, Zhao Sheng felt lightened, the whistling of wind in his ears, and all he could see was a swirl of purple smoke.


    Shortly after, when the smoke in front of Zhao Sheng dissipated and he could see the outside world, his spirits lifted; the building before him was very familiar¡ªit was the Black Ice Platform of the Five Weapon Square.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng was led to a dark, enclosed underground chamber with no daylight.


    At this time, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, who would instantly blend into a crowd, was inside the chamber.


    Looking at the middle-aged man dressed in black, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes twitched slightly, the murderous aura emanating from this person was the heaviest he had ever witnessed in his life. More importantly, this person was indeed a true Golden Core Master.


    Because behind him, the Void was an absolute darkness that not even light could escape.


    And within this darkness, there ¡°sprouted¡± a dense cluster of blood-red eyes,


    These eyes, the size of glass beads, all stared intently at him, with each gaze filled with naked killing intent.


    As Zhao Sheng was enveloped by the endless killing intent and his body instinctively trembled slightly, the middle-aged man spoke: ¡°Name?¡±


    Just two words, but they sounded in Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears like thunderous Tribulation Swords, or like the clash of golden spears and iron horses, with a thick stench of blood emanating from the voice.


    That instant, the twin blood-red eyes within the Golden Core Phenomenon brightened significantly, and an unknown terror suddenly descended upon him.


    In this moment, Zhao Sheng instinctively knew he could not lie in front of this man.


    ¡°Zhao Zhiqin!¡±

 Chapter 141 - 139: An Insoluble Open Conspiracy

    Chapter 141: Chapter 139: An Insoluble Open Conspiracy


    ¡°Zhao Zhiqin,¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied succinctly.


    Hmm?


    He actually didn¡¯t lie!


    This surprised Mo Shengxuan, the leader of Black Ice Platform.


    He had thought he would need to put some effort into it, but who would have thought this person¡­ was quite sensible!


    ¡°Two years ago, did you bid on a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm at an auction?¡± Mo Shengxuan¡¯s voice was incomparably cold, and even the tone seemed to be frozen, unchanged from just now.


    The moment Zhao Sheng heard this, he pretended to be ¡°energized¡± and immediately nodded, ¡°Yes, on behalf of someone else, I indeed bid on a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm.¡±


    Someone else?


    Mo Shengxuan¡¯s body stiffened, and waves of tumult churned in his heart, ¡°Could it be that this person is not the main party, and there is another master behind the Dragon Ball?¡±


    Ever since the Ancestor issued the decree, the Mo family had mobilized all visible and hidden forces to search for this extremely rare Dragon Ball, nearly turning the Da Yong Dynasty upside down.


    However, over the past two years, the Mo family had found numerous plausible but ultimately unrelated clues to the Dragon Ball.


    After filtering down to the last few unverifiable leads, the most critical one was from the Ten Thousand Treasures Auction two years ago, where a mysterious person bid an exorbitantly high price of 150,000 for a Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm.


    Therefore, the Black Ice Platform and all branches within the Mo family were searching with all their might for this mysterious person.


    This search lasted for two years.


    Fortunately, the Black Ice Platform had the upper hand and was the first to discover this person¡¯s whereabouts days after they reappeared, managing to capture them in time.


    Because it was a matter of great importance, that¡¯s why Mo Shengxuan personally took charge of the interrogation.


    To his surprise, this interrogation actually led to a significant clue.


    Mo Shengxuan¡¯s expression was stern, his voice extremely cold, ¡°Who is the ¡®someone else¡¯ you mentioned?¡±


    As soon as these words fell, the Blood Eyes in the darkness suddenly shot out an icy and chilling radiance, casting onto Zhao Sheng.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng felt as if his organs were frozen, his blood turned to ice, and an intense chill surged into his Soul Sea.


    Zhao Sheng became extremely pale, his eyebrows, mustache, and hair suddenly coated with layers of frost.


    Seeing this reaction, Mo Shengxuan immediately realized that his emotions fluctuated too greatly, unintentionally revealing a hint of the Golden Core¡¯s true intent.


    Cough!


    He coughed lightly, immediately reining back all of the Golden Core¡¯s true intent.


    Phew!


    Zhao Sheng exhaled a breath of icy fragments, his Spiritual Power quickly circulating through his limbs and bones, dispelling the coldness remaining in his body.


    As the frost on his face gradually dissipated, he was greatly shaken inside.


    He had no idea that the gap between Foundation Establishment and the Golden Core was so vast until he actually faced a Golden Core Master!


    No wonder there¡¯s an old saying in the Cultivation World, ¡°Below the Golden Core, all are ants.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had previously thought it was an exaggeration, but now he realized¡­ it was no understatement!


    At that moment, Mo Shengxuan repeated the same question as before.


    ¡°Who is the ¡®someone else¡¯ you mentioned?¡±


    After regaining his composure, Zhao Sheng immediately gave the answer he had prepared, ¡°To report to the True Immortal, it¡¯s the Hongyang State Zhou Family.¡±


    The Hongyang State Zhou Family?!!


    Mo Shengxuan¡¯s gaze sharpened, and the Void True Eye behind him told him that this man was not lying.


    ¡°Could it be that the Dragon Ball also ended up in the hands of the Zhou Family?¡±


    A thought flashed through Mo Shengxuan¡¯s mind, but his suspicious nature as part of his profession instinctively made him doubt Zhao Sheng.


    This person was being too cooperative!


    Something was off!


    With that thought, Mo Shengxuan immediately asked, ¡°What is your relationship with the Zhou Family?¡±


    ¡°I am a Guest Elder of the Zhou family!¡± (I¡¯m not lying!)


    ¡°As a Guest Elder, loyalty¡¯s expected! Why wouldn¡¯t you conceal the truth for the Zhou family?¡±


    ¡°The renowned reputation of the Black Ice Platform is known to all in the Dayong Dynasty! Lying and hiding the truth would be meaningless. Most importantly, I harbor a deep-seated grudge against the Zhou family!¡± (I¡¯m not lying!)


    Upon hearing these words, Mo Shengxuan¡¯s body trembled, and a look of surprise flashed across his face.


    He had not anticipated that, after all the interrogation, he would end up with such a result.


    ¡°You hold a grudge against the Zhou family?¡±


    ¡°Yes, in the past¡­¡± Zhao Sheng laid out the well-prepared story he had concocted.


    From beginning to end, he remained calm and collected, because he had not lied at all. He had simply emphasized how the Wang Family was annihilated by the Zhou family and how his own family fled to the Heavenly Pillar Mountain. Then he intentionally glossed over certain details, changed the subject, and went straight to the part about joining the Origin Return Sect, entering the Desolate Domain, and infiltrating the Zhou family.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s editing skills were superb. Mo Shengxuan had too much faith in the powers of his Void True Eye, so he did not notice someone¡¯s trickery of Shifting Flower and Wood.


    Zhao Sheng had originally planned to make use of the Mo family¡¯s power to destroy the Zhou family.


    Although Mo Shengxuan¡¯s involvement was unexpected, overall, the development of events was under his control.


    Zhao Sheng was not afraid that the other party would see through his tricks.


    Because at this stage of events, the entire affair had become an overt conspiracy!


    Why did he plan to launch this scheme only two years later?


    As mentioned earlier, time was a key factor.


    Two years had passed, and it was likely that the final essence of the Dragon Ball had been fully absorbed by the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm.


    It¡¯s even uncertain whether the Dragon Ball still exists.


    If the Dragon Ball was gone, the Zhou family would be hard-pressed to defend themselves!


    Even if the Dragon Ball remained, where had the essence within the Dragon Ball gone?


    The Zhou family might argue that most of the essence in the Dragon Ball had already dissipated before they obtained it.


    However, would the Mo family believe such an argument?


    Regardless of whether what the Zhou family said was true or not, the Mo family would not believe it.


    Because the Mo family could not afford to gamble, nor did they dare to!


    If the Patriarch of Zhou Family managed to cultivate a Mountain Dragon and signed a Symbiotic Contract.


    With a lifespan of two thousand years, even if as dumb as a pig, given time, a Nascent Soul Ancestor could be cultivated through sheer endurance.


    And the lifespan of the Mo family¡¯s Ancestor had already surpassed two thousand years, with only a few hundred years remaining.


    When the Ancestor of the Mo family passed away in meditation, and the Zhou family produced a Nascent Soul Ancestor, it was not hard to imagine what would happen to the Dayong Dynasty at that time.


    More than two thousand years ago, how the Mo family seized control over the Dayong Dynasty from the Sleeping Lion Hua Family was something the Zhou family would attempt to replicate.


    But by then, the Mo family might not have the against-the-heavens Qi Fortune like the Hua family did.


    Although the Hua family declined, they had the secret support of a great sect from the Demon Path, which ultimately forced the Mo family to ease up on them.


    It can be said that from the day the Zhou family acquired the Dragon Ball, no matter how they responded, they would become a thorn in the side of the Mo family.


    As long as the Zhou family existed, the Mo family would feel like there was a fishbone stuck in their throat, like a thorn in their back, as if sitting on pins and needles.


    The reason lay in the potential existence of a ¡°Mountain Dragon,¡± whether it was real or mere fabrication.


    Of course, Mo Shengxuan currently only suspected that the Zhou family had found the Dragon Ball but had no concrete evidence.


    However, ¡°evidence¡± would soon present itself!


    Before Zhao Sheng appeared in Yongjing, he had already duplicated the recording twice, with one copy secretly sent to the Hua family and the remaining copy in the hands of a mortal,


    If Zhao Sheng ultimately couldn¡¯t extricate himself, this mortal would volunteer to deliver the True Shadow Ball to the Black Ice Platform in half a month.


    After recounting his deep enmity with the Zhou family, Zhao Sheng volunteered information about some sabotage he had conducted on members of the Zhou family. In the end, he firmly pledged that if it meant annihilating the Zhou family, he was willing to be like Lao Liu, even if it cost him his life.


    Mo Shengxuan silently listened to Zhao Sheng¡¯s declaration, and couldn¡¯t help but regard this man with a heightened sense of esteem.


    In this vast world, perhaps nothing is more terrifying than death!


    Without tremendous courage, few dare pledge their lives to their convictions. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 142 - 140 Five Elements Three Envoys

    Chapter 142: Chapter 140 Five Elements Three Envoys


    Zhao Sheng was too cooperative, which allowed Mo Shengxuan to understand the ¡°truth¡± of the matter without effort.


    Therefore, Mo Shengxuan did not make things difficult for Zhao Sheng, but simply imposed a Prohibition on him, locking his Dantian.


    Then, Zhao Sheng was taken to a courtyard for surveillance, even sparing him the need for a cell.


    For the next half month, Zhao Sheng seemed to have been forgotten, with only a deaf-mute person coming daily to deliver his meals, and no one else visited him.


    On the surface, Zhao Sheng appeared very anxious, but inside, he was unusually calm.


    Because that day was soon to come!


    Five days later, Zhao Sheng was finally remembered.


    That day, two people suddenly arrived in the courtyard.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng silently followed them and left the courtyard.


    He was quickly taken back to the Black Ice Platform and saw Mo Shengxuan again.


    However, this time it was not only Mo Shengxuan alone, three others were standing behind him, curiously observing him.


    Zhao Sheng silently lowered his head and bound his hands, not bothering to look around much.


    Mo Shengxuan looked at Zhao Sheng but did not immediately speak.


    Just the day before, there had been significant progress in the Dragon Ball incident, and the truth had finally come to light.


    The Dragon Ball had indeed fallen into the hands of the Zhou family.


    Because the person who picked up the Dragon Ball was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Zhou family, Zhou Zhongyu!


    After pondering for a moment, Mo Shengxuan suddenly asked, ¡°Zhao Zhiqin, if I send you to infiltrate the Zhou family, would you be willing?¡±


    ¡°Willing! Very willing!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirits lifted, and he immediately nodded in agreement.


    Mo Shengxuan was very pleased with Zhao Sheng¡¯s response.


    Raising his hand, he beckoned the three people behind him to step forward, standing across from Zhao Sheng and looking at him with different expressions.


    Mo Shengxuan then said to Zhao Sheng, ¡°To better utilize your capabilities, I have specially assigned three Five Elements Masters to assist you.¡±


    At this point, he turned slightly, instructing the three, ¡°Introduce yourselves!¡±


    ¡°At your command, sir!¡±


    The words had barely finished when one of them solemnly took the command and stepped forward.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng finally raised his head to carefully observe the three people in front of him.


    The first one to step forward was clad in Profound Gold Spirit Armor, even his face concealed by a helmet. Carved with countless gold runes on the armor, these runes emitted a faint glow,


    His actions, whether standing or walking, seemed as if measured by a ruler and were exceptionally precise, resembling a mechanical puppet.


    ¡°Gold Element, Mo Ruowu!¡±


    The armored figure¡¯s voice, devoid of any emotion, sounded mechanical as he spit out three words, then without concerning himself with Zhao Sheng¡¯s reaction, he turned and resumed his original position, his posture and movements exactly as before.


    Zhao Sheng frowned slightly at this.


    At that moment, an elderly figure with chicken-skin and crane-hair approached, his voice hoarse, ¡°Taoist Zhao, do not take it to heart! Wu Dazi is always so rigid and dull.¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked toward the approaching figure and saw that the man was no taller than five feet, his face so wrinkled it could trap flies, his exposed skin as dry as rotting wood; bent-backed, yet he wore a floor-length robe of dark gray that made one wonder if he might trip over it should he hasten his pace.


    Zhao Sheng clasped his hands together in greeting and smilingly asked, ¡°May I ask for the esteemed name of you, Taoist?¡±


    ¡°This humble old man bears the surname He, with a simple given name, Ying. I am currently an Earth Element Envoy, and my cultivation lies ambiguously around the initial phase of Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer,¡± the elder replied with all due ceremony, downplaying his statement.


    Zhao Sheng felt a shock within; despite the elder¡¯s decrepit appearance, he had actually achieved Great Success in his foundation establishment¡ªtruly, appearances were deceiving.


    ¡°I, Zhao Zhiqin, have the honor of meeting Mr. He! I am new here and seek your guidance in the future!¡±


    ¡°Well said! Now that Taoist Zhao has a momentous task at hand. The three of us must certainly cooperate with you to complete the mission.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! Mr. He, I heard what you just said. Don¡¯t you go deceiving people this time~¡±


    A sickeningly sweet voice suddenly rang out, its reverberating tones unforgettable to the ears.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head and saw a figure in flaming red approaching, clad in a thin red dress with a sash tied around her waist that accentuated her slim body.


    The woman walked up smiling, her stature not particularly tall yet exquisitely proportioned, and any slight movement under her thin spring robe exaggerated her curves dramatically, truly a breathtaking sight.


    But Mr. He had no intention to admire her, stepping closer and snorting coldly, ¡°This old man has always been honest and trustworthy, never deceiving anyone!¡±


    The woman¡¯s black hair was coiled up, with two strands hanging beside her face, adding seductiveness. Her gaze was also bold, rolling her eyes and sizing up Zhao Sheng from head to toe, then performing a curtsy and saying with a smile:


    ¡°I am Bao Yu¡¯er, a Fire Element Practitioner. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet Taoist Zhao. I, too, have an irreconcilable vendetta against the Zhou family! I hope we can cooperate wholeheartedly to eradicate the Zhou family completely!¡± S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Though Bao Yu¡¯er¡¯s face was smiling, her words were filled with murderous intent.


    Zhao Sheng evaluated the charming woman and said in a deep voice, ¡°The Zhou family has committed numerous atrocities and long deserves divine retribution! I deeply agree with your words, Daoist Bao!¡±


    ¡°Now that you all have become acquainted, I will announce your tasks,¡± Mo Shengxuan suddenly interrupted the conversation with a serious tone.


    Zhao Sheng straightened his expression and listened attentively, while Bao Yu¡¯er and Mr. He¡¯s bodies trembled, immediately pulling their demeanor together, bowing in readiness.


    Mo Shengxuan took out a jade scroll and said to the four, ¡°This jade scroll contains the details of one hundred sixty-seven individuals, encompassing all significant members of the Zhou family. Your task is to clarify the movements of every person listed and to covertly monitor these individuals, ensuring that when we launch our total assault, no members of the Zhou family escape.¡±


    Mr. He felt troubled upon hearing this, and said tactfully, ¡°True Immortal, it isn¡¯t that this old man shies from difficulty, but this task seems preposterously tough! Even if we split ourselves into eight parts, the four of us couldn¡¯t monitor so many people!¡±


    Mo Shengxuan did not respond, but instead looked up at Zhao Sheng.


    Understanding the cue, Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, then stepped forward, turning his gaze toward Mr. He and the others, and confidently declared, ¡°This task is not difficult! I have made some preparations in advance.¡±


    With this, Zhao Sheng shared with the trio about the alterations he had made to the Spiritual Wine.


    Anyone who had drunk his Spiritual Wine wouldn¡¯t notice anything odd under normal circumstances, but once they mobilized their Spiritual Power, their bodies would emanate a distinct Blood Spiritual Energy.


    Blood Spiritual Energy was almost colorless, odorless, non-toxic, and even beneficial to a cultivator¡¯s flesh.


    This distinctive Blood Spiritual Energy was refined through a method called Essence Blood Spirit Refining, using Zhao Sheng¡¯s own essence blood as the base material.


    Essence Blood Spirit Refining was quite common in the Origin Return Sect, originally meant to accelerate the growth of qi and blood.


    Yet here, Zhao Sheng used it for tracking purposes.


    For this, he had chosen a type of blood-sucking mosquito common in the Desolate Domain, spending ten years of hard labor, feeding generation after generation of these mosquitoes with essence blood, eventually breeding nearly a hundred bloodthirsty mosquitoes.


    These Demon Mosquitoes were extremely sensitive to the scent of his essence blood and are the best aid in tracking.


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s explanation, Mr. He was at a loss for words, and Bao Yu¡¯er secretly admired his meticulous efforts for revenge.

 Chapter 143 - 141: Eating Extinction and the Name of Justice

    Chapter 143: Chapter 141: Eating Extinction and the Name of Justice


    When Zhao Sheng returned to Hongyang State, three months had already passed.


    Upon learning of his friend¡¯s return, Zhou Zhongyu was exceptionally delighted and immediately rushed over, shouting about giving Zhao Sheng a welcome-back feast.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t refuse and simply went along with his friend¡¯s wishes.


    The best chefs in Zhou City were all in the Zhou family, so the feast was directly hosted at Zhao Sheng¡¯s residence.


    At the banquet, not to mention the delicious food, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brewed Spiritual Wine was indispensable.


    Halfway through the banquet, Zhao Sheng finally realized that Zhou Zhongyu wasn¡¯t there just for the welcome-back celebration; clearly, he had something on his mind.


    Zhao Sheng was puzzled but decided not to expose it and just accompanied his friend in drinking and chatting.


    After the third round of drinks and the fifth dish was served, Zhou Zhongyu appeared seven parts drunk.


    Taking advantage of his inebriation, he suddenly asked, ¡°Brother Zhao, I want to ask you something honest. Among all your apprentices, who do you favor the most?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand clutching his cup paused, and a hint of coldness flashed through his eyes.


    Although Zhou Zhongyu seemed to be rambling drunkenly, asking which apprentice he favored most, what was the real intention?


    The real intention was to probe Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts!


    What thoughts?


    Naturally, it was to subtly inquire through his drunkenness about whom his possessions would be left to after he passed away.


    Do not forget, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t have much time left, and superficially, he was a ¡°childless¡± Foundation Establishment Practitioner.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s return trip alarmed some people in the Zhou family.


    They thought that after Zhao Sheng¡¯s death, his inheritance would undoubtedly belong to the Zhou family.


    Now it wasn¡¯t so certain.


    Perhaps Zhao Sheng had already left his inheritance in his homeland to his kin or some ¡°fortunate person.¡±


    Keep in mind that Zhao Sheng was a highly skilled Second Order Talisman Master, his possessions far richer than the average Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Such a large inheritance, if it fell into the hands of ¡°outsiders,¡± certain people in the Zhou family would definitely be infuriated.


    Therefore, as soon as Zhao Sheng returned, Zhou Zhongyu hurriedly came over under the guise of hosting a welcome banquet, but in reality, he came to gather information.


    Looking at his ¡°dear friend¡± with misty drunken eyes, Zhao Sheng put down his cup, pondered for a moment, and smiled, ¡°Since my younger brother asked, I might as well chat casually. Out of my sixteen apprentices, in terms of talent and understanding, Zhou Qingwu is the best.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s face showed delight.


    However, Zhao Sheng changed the topic, ¡°But¡­ when it comes to diligence in cultivation, Qingwu is not as good as Zhou Qingli. And when it comes to the reverent awe for talismans, Qingwu is far less than Zhou Yunmin.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhongyu became somewhat anxious, ¡°Brother Zhao, do you really not favor Qingwu, your grand-nephew?¡±


    ¡°Not at all, not at all! Qingwu is the Qilin¡¯er of your Zhou family. I certainly value him highly. But to say who should inherit my mantle, he is not the most suitable candidate.¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng picked up his cup again and said with a smile, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about these things anymore. Let¡¯s drink!¡±


    Zhou Zhongyu¡¯s face flashed with a hint of gloom, and he quickly lifted his cup as well, shouting, ¡°Right, let¡¯s drink! Here¡¯s to you, Brother Zhao!¡±


    Clang!


    The two porcelain cups gently clinked together, the Spiritual Wine in them slightly rippling, much like their thoughts at that moment.


    After the welcome-back banquet, Zhao Sheng visited several important figures over the next few days.


    This was a ceremonial act, indicating his return. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After several days of frequent socializing, Zhao Sheng finally had some ¡°free time.¡±


    Seven days later, he appeared at a Spirit Wine Shop in the West City Market of Zhou City.


    The shop, named ¡°Baili Su,¡± was superficially a venue for selling Spiritual Wine, but it was actually an intelligence point set up under the Black Ice Platform.


    The Black Ice Platform was a secret service organization, tasked with monitoring the internals of the Dayong Dynasty; establishing dedicated intelligence points for the ¡°princes¡± within the dynasty was fairly typical.


    Zhao Sheng could confirm that in Zhou City, there were far more than just one such intelligence point.


    Upon entering the shop and revealing his identity, Zhao Sheng was quickly led into the shop¡¯s underground secret chamber, where he saw He Ying, who was on the brink of death, Third Master He!


    ¡°Fourth Master, where are the other two?¡± Zhao Sheng asked with some curiosity.


    He Ying liked to use his age to command respect and also enjoyed being called Fourth Master.


    Zhao Sheng ¡°When in Rome, do as the Romans do,¡± had no intention of fussing over this trivial matter, so he too called him Fourth Master.


    ¡°Wu Dazi and Bao¡¯er both have urgent matters to attend to.¡±


    He Ying did not elaborate but simply found an excuse.


    Indeed!


    Zhao Sheng nodded, showing no interest in prying further.


    His visit today was twofold, first to establish a contact and second to report on the recent movements of the Zhou family members.


    Taking the Intelligence Jade Disc handed over by Zhao Sheng, He Ying flipped through it casually, seemingly unconcerned.


    Zhao Sheng was not surprised at his reaction.


    There¡¯s a saying,


    Sometimes those who know you best aren¡¯t yourself, but your enemies!


    Three months ago, when he was first taken to the secret archive in Black Ice Platform and saw the intelligence about the Zhou family, which filled up a full twenty large rooms.


    Zhao Sheng had already realized that the little tricks he played were not likely to catch Mo Shengxuan¡¯s eye.


    It was only because his cultivation was high enough that he had caught Mo Shengxuan¡¯s attention.


    In other words, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage practitioner in the war to annihilate the Zhou family could still be considered a powerful combatant.


    Logically speaking, it wouldn¡¯t be too difficult for the Mo family to annihilate the Zhou family.


    Not to mention, having a Nascent Soul Ancestor was enough to suppress all foes.


    However, the rules of an Immortal Dynasty weren¡¯t played out like that.


    Being the rule maker, the Mo family had to abide by the rules to gain the greatest benefit.


    If they trampled the rules arbitrarily, the greatest harm would always be to the Royal Family itself.


    Thus, for the Mo family to annihilate the Zhou family, they had to occupy the moral high ground, only by being just and proper could they convince the masses, otherwise it would cause panic within the Dynasty and destabilize the foundation of the Dynasty.


    Zhao Sheng had already understood this.


    While intelligence was important, it wasn¡¯t the most crucial¡ªtiming was!


    The Mo family was waiting for the Zhou family to ¡°make a mistake.¡±


    This was like a spider waiting in its web for an insect to misstep, eventually falling into the trap.


    After reviewing the intelligence, He Ying nodded, casually stowed away the Jade Plate, then said, ¡°Brother Zhao, you have just joined Black Ice Platform, and might not understand the internal situation. We have actually already placed many scouts within the Zhou family. Some agents have been in the Zhou family for nearly a hundred years; some span several generations in hiding¡­¡±


    Speaking to this point, He Ying probed, ¡°Do you understand what I¡¯m saying?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, ¡°I very much understand, Fourth Master.¡±


    He Ying smiled contentedly, then continued, ¡°So I say, our primary task isn¡¯t there but in Boiling Spring Valley!¡±


    Upon hearing Boiling Spring Valley, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized, so that was it!


    If the Zhou family were to cultivate the Golden Ring Spirit Earthworm, they would inevitably choose Boiling Spring Valley.


    Because Boiling Spring Valley was the most core and secretive location of the Zhou family as well as the hiding place for the Patriarch of Zhou Family.


    The defense of Boiling Spring Valley was extremely strict, perennially enveloped by a third-tier Defensive Array, never open to the outside.


    Not to mention outsiders, even the general Qi Refining Clan Members of the Zhou family had no right to step inside unless you advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm or were favored by the Ancestor.

 Chapter 144 - 142 Cultivation Version of the Thirty-Six Stratagems (How Many Can You Identify?)

    Chapter 144: Chapter 142 Cultivation Version of the Thirty-Six Stratagems (How Many Can You Identify?)


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment before hesitatingly saying, ¡°Fourth Master, infiltrating Boiling Spring Valley is very difficult!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not just very difficult, it¡¯s incredibly, extremely difficult! Let me put it this way, in the last five hundred years, Black Ice Platform has only had one spy enter Boiling Spring Valley, and that was just twice at that.¡±


    He Ying picked up his robe that dragged on the ground and sat back down, his face expressing a sense of helplessness.


    Zhao Sheng said thoughtfully, ¡°Let¡¯s try it anyway. We can¡¯t rush this, we have to wait for the right moment!¡±


    ¡°Heh heh! You don¡¯t need to be anxious, the opportunity will present itself. If you knew the number of plans and rehearsals Black Ice Platform has conducted to eliminate any force that threatens the Imperial Family, you¡¯d understand how terrifying an intelligence agency with over two thousand years of history can be!¡±


    Facing the smug He Ying, Zhao Sheng felt an inexplicable chill in his heart.


    After leaving the intelligence point, Zhao Sheng followed his previous persona, resuming his ¡°normal life¡± and ¡°social interactions.¡±


    As for the intelligence, he no longer deliberately sought it out but took advantage of opportunities that came his way.


    He guessed that the information he gathered was not of much concern to He Ying and others.


    Moreover, Zhao Sheng knew that He Ying and the others all had their own plans, they were just keeping him in the dark.


    From start to finish, Black Ice Platform never treated him as ¡°one of their own,¡± only as a ¡°hired hand¡± and ¡°cannon fodder.¡±


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t care about this at all.


    ¡­


    Time remained still, time flowed like water!


    In the blink of an eye, the dry season in Desolate Domain had passed, and once again the rainy season arrived.


    One day, an imperial edict suddenly arrived from Yongjing, landing squarely upon the Zhou family.


    The content of the edict quickly spread throughout Hongyang State: ¡°By the decree of the Holy Emperor, the Zhou family¡¯s eldest daughter, given her virtues and good morals, her orchid-like character and the high esteem she holds among the people, is hereby promoted to the position of Crown Princess Consort!¡±


    The Zhou family now had a daughter who had become the Crown Princess Consort!


    This was like an invigorating shot to the Zhou family, not just exhilarating their mundane relatives but also exciting the cultivation clan members.


    Being promoted to Crown Princess Consort meant that the Zhou family was favored by the current Crown Prince, which also meant that the Zhou family was very likely to become a future royal clan of the Dayong Dynasty.


    If she ultimately became the Empress, it would secure the Zhou family¡¯s position in the Dayong Dynasty as solid as a mountain for at least two to three hundred years.


    Not to mention the distant future, even now, the daughter of the Zhou family¡¯s promotion to Crown Princess Consort could bring tangible benefits to the Zhou family.


    Indeed, everything proceeded as expected.


    The ¡°sincerity¡± of the Crown Prince arrived very quickly!


    The position of guard for Black Sand State was vacant, and Zhou family¡¯s General Zhou Zhonghang was specially appointed as General of Border, to be stationed in Black Sand State.


    Black Sand State is located on the border of Dayong, a strategic location fiercely contested between Dayong and Da Zhen dynasties.


    The reason for the contention is not the strategic terrain of Black Sand State but rather its large to medium spirit stone mine, which produces nearly two million spirit stones annually, with a steady output of top-grade spiritual stones and even occasional findings of Top-grade Spirit Stones.


    Top-grade Spirit Stones are treasures even Nascent Soul Ancestors covet; if the Zhou family could secretly obtain one, even the faces of the Golden Core Ancestors of Zhou would beam with delight.


    Therefore, upon receiving the decree, the Zhou family did not delay for a moment, immediately mobilizing the ¡°Fire Wolf Army,¡± and followed the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer General Zhou Zhonghang, traveling day and night to take up the post in Black Sand State.


    The Fire Wolf Army is a trump card force of the Zhou Family, trained under strict discipline following the method of a Major Sect in nurturing Guardian Immortal Soldiers.


    Guardian Immortal Soldiers, from the legendary Dao of Arms, are somewhat like mundane armies, placing great emphasis on the power of unity and coordination.


    The method of nurturing Daoist Soldiers typically uses Tao Formations to link everyone¡¯s spirit and establish a connection, reaching a level of unity where all are of one mind and strength.


    Creating a Daoist Soldier Corps is extremely consuming and difficult to achieve; the Zhou family also used their bloodline as a guide and, after decades of day and night training, painstakingly formed a force of two hundred individuals in the Fire Wolf Army.


    It can be said that once this Fire Wolf Army launches its formation, it could contend with Golden Core Masters beyond their level, and ordinary Fake Pill cultivators would be no match for it.


    The Golden Core families of the Dayong Dynasty were not only limited to the ¡°Lion, Tiger, Owl, Wolf¡± four houses, so why was it that only these four stood out.


    The key lies in the fact that each of these four major families had a Daoist Soldier Corps similar to the Fire Wolf Army.


    Therefore, only the Mo Family and the four major families were able to have a hand in the large spirit stone mines of Black Sand State.


    When the Crown Prince offered ¡°sincerity,¡± the Zhou family reciprocated with their goodwill, unconsciously leaning towards the Crown Prince.


    Moreover, with the Crown Prince¡¯s clout, the Zhou family rapidly expanded its influence across the Dayong Eighty-Eight States, reaping considerable benefits in just a year or two.


    It could be said that the Zhou family was on an upward trajectory, with everything going smoothly and successfully, as if endowed with a hero¡¯s fortune that borrowed strength from the world itself.


    Zhao Sheng had always been watching these ¡°flourishing¡± fortunes of the Zhou family from a detached perspective.


    Despite He Ying¡¯s tight-lipped nature, not giving away even the slightest hint, Zhao Sheng¡¯s intuition told him that all of this was the doing of the Black Ice Platform!


    Having the Fire Wolf Army stationed in Black Sand State was clearly a trick to lure the tiger away from the mountain.


    While the Zhou family¡¯s expansion seemed beneficial on the surface, it could also be seen as a dispersion of their own strength.


    Such cunning and perilously concealed tactics had ensnared the Zhou family in a trap without them realizing it.


    As far as Zhao Sheng knew, the Zhou family was currently short-staffed, with half of their Foundation Establishment Clan Members needing to be dispersed across various states to oversee their family¡¯s businesses, and even more of the ordinary Qi Refining Clan Members were posted elsewhere.


    If it weren¡¯t for Zhao Sheng emphasizing that his ¡°days were numbered,¡± and considering his devoted teaching of the younger Zhou family members, he as the Chief Guest Elder would have been sent to other states long ago.


    Even so, Zhao Sheng was tasked with additional ¡°missions,¡± such as periodically inspecting Zhou City, taking occasional trips on assignments, and dealing with certain ¡°enemies,¡± and so on.


    While Zhao Sheng silently awaited the right moment, time passed day by day.


    Two years later, the situation of the Zhou family continued to improve, but dark clouds were drawing closer with each passing day.


    In the past half year, the Zhou family suddenly noticed something amiss as their businesses across the states started to face troubles, either their transport teams being ambushed by Magic Thieves, their shops¡¯ businesses being usurped by certain powers, or even many clan members disappearing without reason.


    At the same time, the Crown Prince also faced significant trouble. The Holy Emperor had recently chastised the Crown Prince for his reckless behavior and granted the Second Prince the title of prince.


    The message was clear, allowing the Second Prince to compete with the Crown Prince.


    With the inscrutability of the royal heart, the position of the Crown Prince was unstable.


    In the past few months, the Crown Princess Consort sent letters home three times, repeatedly mentioning in her correspondences that the Crown Prince had very few capable people left and requested more able clan members from her family to serve under the Crown Prince.


    Since they were already on the Crown Prince¡¯s ship, naturally, the Zhou family would fully support the Crown Prince to stabilize royal favor, which led to three Foundation Establishment Clan Members being dispatched to Yongjing posthaste.


    Zhao Sheng saw all of this.


    He vaguely felt that the opportunity he was waiting for was near, but he had not fully figured out how the Mo Family could gain the ¡°moral high ground.¡±


    Without the moral high ground, they could not justifiably campaign against the ¡°traitor¡± Zhou family. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Being an ancient family for a thousand years, the Zhou family was not to be trifled with. Although they had not completely seen through the Mo Family¡¯s conspiracy, they had their unique sources of intelligence.


    Through intelligence and the recent series of unusual incidents, the Zhou family seemed to sense some imminent danger and surprisingly began to show signs of consolidating their forces.


    Furthermore, the day before yesterday, the Patriarch of the Zhou Family suddenly issued a decree for outstanding younger generations such as Zhou Qingwu and Zhou Qingli to enter Boiling Spring Valley.


    On the surface, it was for the Ancestor himself to provide personal instruction, but in Zhao Sheng¡¯s view, such an action seemed to imply protection.


    ¡°Could it be that Zhou Xilai has realized the Mo Family is about to make a move against the Zhou family?¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    As Zhao Sheng was covertly sharpening his claws, awaiting the downfall of the Zhou family, He Ying unexpectedly contacted him.


    Upon arriving at the information point, Zhao Sheng was surprised to find that Mo Wushuang, Bao Yu¡¯er, and He Ying were all present.


    ¡°Eh, why is there a bald monk here?¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned his head to look at the corner of the secret chamber, where a red-robed, dignified bald monk was standing.

 Chapter 145 - 143 Formless Incarnation

    Chapter 145: Chapter 143 Formless Incarnation


    Zhao Sheng was even more surprised to see a monk here.


    The monks were not well-received in the Dayong Dynasty, as their arch-enemy, the Dazhen Dynasty, was a Buddhist state.


    Over the years, countless Dayong people had died at the hands of the Dazhen people, and the two dynasties had long formed a vendetta that spanned hundreds of lifetimes, impossible to resolve.


    It was easy to imagine the hateful glares that monks in the Dayong Dynasty would receive. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s surprised expression, Old Man He chuckled and said, ¡°Taoist Zhao, this high monk is our Water Element Envoy among the Five Elements Envoys, the Wuxiang Monk!¡±


    ¡°Amitabha! I, the Wuxiang Monk, have the honor of meeting Master Zhao.¡± He loudly chanted with his palms pressed together, his voice echoing like a clear spring, refreshing to the soul.


    ¡°I am Zhao Zhiqin, pleased to meet you!¡± Zhao Sheng, marveling inwardly, quickly returned the gesture.


    Then, Zhao Sheng turned his head toward Old Man He and asked, ¡°Fourth Master, what matter requires such urgent attention to call me here today?¡±


    He Ying, being the leader among the Five Elements Envoys and most trusted by the Black Ice Platform Envoy, Mo Shengxuan, was regarded as their leader.


    He Ying said, ¡°The Water Element Envoy needs to infiltrate Boiling Spring Valley. We need your assistance.¡±


    Although puzzled, Zhao Sheng readily agreed, ¡°If there¡¯s any way I can be of help, just say the word!¡±


    At that moment, the Wuxiang Monk spoke, ¡°Master Zhao, I understand you have a disciple named Zhou Qingli. Please coax him out as quickly as possible.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was stunned,


    Today the younger generations of the Zhou family were about to enter the valley, and deceiving him out at this juncture would be extremely difficult.


    Thus, he immediately asked, ¡°Great Master, why must it be so?¡±


    Before the Wuxiang Monk could speak, Bao Yu¡¯er suddenly laughed and said, ¡°What else? The bald monk wants to use the Formless Incarnation Technique again!¡±


    Zhao Sheng pondered upon hearing this.


    Formless Incarnation Technique?


    He seemed to recall reading about it in some ancient book; it appeared to be a minor Mahayana Buddhist skill from the Dharma Image Only Mind Sect.


    He Ying urged, ¡°Taoist Zhao, this matter must be completed quickly! Otherwise, it could jeopardize everything. If not, you will be held accountable!¡±


    Zhao Sheng scoffed inwardly, ¡°What great matter? It¡¯s nothing more than probing the reality of Boiling Spring Valley or possibly searching for the whereabouts of the Dragon Ball.¡±


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng nonetheless said, stern-faced, ¡°There¡¯s no time to lose, I¡¯ll go handle it immediately!¡±


    ¡°Master Zhao, I will accompany you!¡± said the monk.


    As he spoke, large droplets of water suddenly burst from every pore on the Wuxiang Monk¡¯s body, quickly gathering into a curtain of water that enshrouded him.


    In an instant, the Wuxiang Monk¡¯s body became transparent, turning into a silhouette of water.


    Then, the watery figure¡¯s facial features and body twisted, swiftly transforming into the appearance of another person.


    Hmm?!


    As the watery hue faded, a living person appeared in front of everyone.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed slightly as he recognized this person to be a servant from his own household.


    He was identical in height, appearance, and body shape.


    Without any hesitation in front of everyone, the Wuxiang Monk took off his monk¡¯s robe and put on the servant¡¯s clothes, then walked over to Zhao Sheng,


    ¡°Master, let us depart!¡±


    Wow! Even the voice was identical!


    Watching the respectfully behaving ¡°Wuxiang Monk¡±, Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils constricted, and he couldn¡¯t help but reveal a wary expression on his face.


    ¡°This person is very dangerous!¡±


    After leaving the information point, Zhao Sheng and the monk quickly returned to his residence.


    Considering it was too conspicuous to only call for Zhou Qingli at this time, Zhao Sheng summoned all his disciples under the pretense of giving out tokens.


    Hearing that the master was going to award the token, Zhou Qingwu and the others never imagined this was a conspiracy and came to Zhao Sheng¡¯s place in high spirits.


    Further unnecessary details need not be elaborated.


    Zhao Sheng called his disciples one by one into the talisman room under the pretext of confidentiality.


    While Zhou Qingwu and the others had all received a second-order Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, when it was Zhou Qingli¡¯s turn, excitedly entering, what greeted him was a curtain of water.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng also witnessed the truly terrifying aspect of the Formless Incarnation Technique.


    A curtain of water engulfed Zhou Qingli completely and, ignoring his struggles, the water split into countless tiny streams that forcibly burrowed into his body through every pore.


    By the time the streams had all penetrated his body, he was completely stiff, his complexion deathly pale as if he were dead.


    However, soon after, Zhou Qingli¡¯s complexion turned ruddy, and his chest began to rise and fall again.


    He first twisted his limbs, then slowly rose from the ground, the lingering look of horror on his face quickly replaced by a look of submission.


    ¡°Disciple Zhou Qingli, thanks the master for the token!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, looking at his exceptionally submissive ¡°disciple,¡± suddenly felt somewhat uneasy.


    ¡°Zhou Qingli¡± left, carrying some unknown mission.


    That afternoon, the Zhou family¡¯s younger generation left Zhou City and entered the Boiling Spring Valley.


    Zhao Sheng was very worried that Zhou Xilai, a Golden Core Master of the Black Ice Platform, would see through the disguise of the Wuxiang Monk.


    After a few days, the event he feared did not occur, and there were no abnormalities in the Boiling Spring Valley, indicating that the Wuxiang Monk had succeeded.


    Then came two months of waiting.


    Suddenly, an unexpected battle report not only caught Zhao Sheng¡¯s attention but also caused great unrest among the Zhou family.


    Seven days earlier, the Dazhen Buddha Army had launched a surprise attack on Black Sand State. The Fire Wolf Army confronted them directly, suffering a slight defeat, and subsequently retreated to Spirit Stone Pass to hold the enemy outside the pass.


    This battle report not only marked the start of the thirty-second Spirit Stone War between the two dynasties but also meant that the Fire Wolf Army was tied down.


    This outcome led Zhao Sheng to speculate in secret whether there was some secret agreement between the Dayong and the Dazhen Royal Families, otherwise, all of this was too coincidental.


    Just two days later, He Ying urgently sent a message to him.


    Arriving at the intelligence point, Zhao Sheng saw the Five Elements Three Envoys again, and seeing the three people, He Ying included, with very serious expressions yet carrying a hint of irrepressible excitement, startled him.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was shocked and immediately had a premonition.


    The moment he had been waiting for had arrived!


    Upon meeting, He Ying immediately said, ¡°The upper ranks have issued the command, seven days from now, the Wolf Slaughter operation will officially begin!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed upon hearing this, his heart surged wildly as he inwardly shouted ¡°It¡¯s finally here!¡±


    At that moment, He Ying continued, ¡°We need not bother with Zhou City here; others will take over. Once the operation begins, our only target is to enter Boiling Spring Valley and assist the Wuxiang Monk as quickly as possible.¡±


    Speaking of this, He Ying turned his head to look at Zhao Sheng, asking, ¡°How many Bloodthirsty Mosquitoes do you have left?¡±


    Zhao Sheng immediately replied, ¡°Twelve.¡±


    At the Black Ice Platform, he had already turned in most of the Bloodthirsty Mosquitoes, and only had so few left.


    ¡°Two for each person, that¡¯s enough!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately took out the spirit worm bag, poured out twelve fist-sized, completely black Bloodthirsty Mosquitoes, their eyes a bloody red, and then distributed them to the others.


    After distributing the Bloodthirsty Mosquitoes, Zhao Sheng looked towards He Ying, slightly curious, and asked, ¡°Fourth Master, exterminating the Zhou family is a matter that will shock the court and the public. If not carried out with valid justification, it may cause unrest and fear. Does the upper echelon have a strategy to handle this?¡±


    He Ying smiled enigmatically, patted his shoulder, and said meaningfully, ¡°Young brother, just wait and see! The court will never punish without teaching. The Zhou family¡¯s ambition will lead to their own destruction!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind raced, faintly guessing what action the Mo Family would take next!


    If his guess was true, then he could only sigh, ¡°Ruthless, truly ruthless!¡±

 Chapter 146 - 144 Blood Robe Decree

    Chapter 146: Chapter 144 Blood Robe Decree


    One day,


    Two days,


    Three days!


    Three days had passed, and Zhao Sheng had been secretly waiting for the big event to arrive, but Zhou City remained as peaceful as ever, without a hint of anything unusual!


    However, that evening, Zhou Zhongyu suddenly found him and said, ¡°The Family Head summons you,¡± before dragging him to the Family Master Mansion.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t ask what it was about.


    Seeing his good friend¡¯s solemn and tense demeanor, he knew that asking wouldn¡¯t have yielded an answer.


    Shortly after, two streams of spirit light simultaneously descended into a rich and splendid mansion in the center of Zhou City.


    The two quickly entered the grand hall of the Zhou Mansion.


    Upon entering, Zhao Sheng was suddenly taken aback, as he saw all eight Foundation Establishment Clan Members of the Zhou family, who had not gone out, were present without a single one missing.


    At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was extremely heavy.


    Zhao Sheng remained silent and sat down next to Zhou Zhongyu, waiting quietly.


    Shortly after, Zhou Yingze emerged from the back hall with an expressionless face, followed by a handsome man with a soft and gentle demeanor.


    Zhou Yingze took a seat in the main position, but he didn¡¯t pay any attention to the gentle man.


    That man was not angry, instead he smiled, walked to Zhou Yingze¡¯s side, and stood still, not too close nor too far, his posture and demeanor very natural, as if he was used to serving others.


    ¡°Everyone, take a look!¡±


    Having said that, Zhou Yingze took out a bundle of bright golden brocade and handed it to the elder sitting next to him.


    While speaking, his tone was extremely serious, and his face even bore a hint of severity.


    The elder received it, unfolded it for a look, and his expression greatly changed.


    Zhao Sheng glanced over and noticed that the item seemed to be a robe, embroidered with large patches of tricolored clouds and a lifelike, dark black True Dragon clearly depicted in scales, weaving through the clouds and roaming as though it were alive.


    Zhao Sheng was first shocked, then overjoyed; if he was not mistaken, ¡°This robe is clearly the crown prince¡¯s dragon robe, now in the hands of the Zhou family¡ªwhat does this signify?¡±


    Initially, Zhao Sheng¡¯s guess was a mere speculation, but now it had risen to almost certainty.


    The elder, after looking, passed it on with a troubled expression to the next person.


    That person, upon receiving it, also had a greatly changed expression, his look mirroring that of the elder.


    ¡°This¡­ this can¡¯t be!¡± The man, grey and aged, had a trembling voice due to his shock.


    ¡°Second Uncle, let me see!¡±


    Another Zhou family Foundation Establishment member snatched the robe, looked it over once, and silently passed it to the next person.


    This process repeated several times, making the atmosphere in the hall very strange. An invisible storm was accumulating, as if it could erupt at any moment.


    The robe quickly passed to Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands.


    He opened it, only to see the robe dyed deep red, covered with rows of blood-written characters.


    Zhao Sheng scanned it briefly, and it indeed matched his expectations.


    This was the crown prince¡¯s personal Blood Robe Decree.


    The content of the Blood Robe Decree roughly stated that the Demon Concubine had corrupted the harem, plotted against the Holy Mother, colluded with the Second Prince to secretly control the Holy Emperor, causing chaos to the court and plotting against high officials.


    Being deeply persecuted, the Crown Prince could no longer bear it and did not wish to see a repeat of the dynasty¡¯s past tragedies, leading to the overturning of authority!


    Therefore, he wrote this secret Blood Robe Decree, calling for loyalists and righteous men to rescue the Holy Emperor and restore the court¡¯s order.


    The decree ended with a promise of great rewards after its successful execution, with the most meritorious leader granted the right to divide and rule territories.


    After reading, Zhao Sheng was inwardly pleased and noticed that the time set for initiating the political upheaval was at midnight tomorrow.


    Calculating the timing, it would take about a day from Hongyang State to Yongjing.


    ¡°This Crown Prince is quite interesting, timing it just right!¡± Zhao Sheng mused inwardly.


    Zhao Sheng stood up and returned the Blood Robe Decree to Zhou Yingze, who held onto the robe as if it were a scorching piece of coal. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°The Crown Prince¡¯s movement is imminent! What stance shall our Zhou family take? Let¡¯s discuss this now!¡±


    As he finished speaking, an elder immediately inquired, ¡°Ancestor, what¡¯s your opinion?¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng inwardly praised, ¡°This man has hit the mark.¡±


    The opinions of the other Zhou family members were not important; the key was whether Zhou Xilai supported the cause.


    This matter seemed like a great gamble.


    If they won, the gains would be immeasurable!


    If they lost, well,


    The best outcome would have been a major blow to the primordial Qi of the Zhou family, but the worst?


    Zhou Yingze had summoned everyone, which, in a sense, represented the stance of Zhou Xilai, the Patriarch of the Zhou family.


    In fact, there was no need to wait until the end; Zhao Sheng could already be certain now.


    Regarding the Crown Prince¡¯s coup, the Zhou family would definitely get involved, but they would never give it their full support.


    Just like how eggs should not be put in one basket.


    The best strategy for the Zhou family was to split into two factions, one fully supporting the Crown Prince while the other remaining ¡°completely unaware,¡±


    Both factions had to make the cut in advance, ensuring that even in the case of failure, it would not implicate the other.


    Even more maliciously, Zhao Sheng thought that the Zhou family would likely create a third faction, actively joining the Second Prince¡¯s camp, with betrayal being the best way to declare allegiance.


    Of course, the timing of the betrayal had to be just right, neither too late nor too early.


    Just as expected!


    When questioned by the elders, Zhou Yingze avoided answering and then repeated his previous words with a heavy tone.


    No need for a heavy hammer to beat the loud drum!


    Seeing the Family Head¡¯s demeanor, everyone present instantly understood.


    Afterward, events developed just as Zhao Sheng had anticipated in his mind.


    The Zhou family rapidly split into two factions, one staunchly supporting the Crown Prince, the other steadfastly sitting on the sidelines, watching the fire burn.


    The two sides argued incessantly.


    Zhao Sheng was a Guest Elder, not getting involved but merely observing coldly from the side.


    Very soon, he noticed that the effeminate man was too shrewd; while the Zhou family members caused a commotion, his expression remained unchanged, as if he were an outsider.


    Yet, this man was clearly a confidant of the Crown Prince.


    Suddenly, a flash of spirit light came to Zhao Sheng, and he had an epiphany, ¡°This man is not the Crown Prince¡¯s confidant. He is clearly a ¡®witness,¡¯ a pawn, a dagger aimed at the heart of the Zhou family.¡±


    From the moment he saw the Blood Robe Decree, Zhao Sheng had realized that all this was a setup, a grand scheme specifically designed to annihilate the Zhou family.


    Because three days ago, He Ying had said that the operation to slaughter the wolves would officially commence in seven days.


    At this critical juncture, the Crown Prince¡¯s coup was ¡°coincidentally¡± set to take place.


    So it was not a coincidence at all, but a conspiracy.


    The Crown Prince¡¯s coup was bound to fail and would inevitably implicate the Zhou family.


    This way, the Zhou family would naturally be branded as ¡°traitorous¡± officials.


    If it were any ordinary family, the crime of treason would suffice to implicate nine clans.


    But for the Zhou family, this crime alone was not enough to annihilate them completely.


    Zhao Sheng guessed that by then, even greater ¡°charges¡± would be attributed to the Zhou family.


    This meeting, crucial to the fate of the clan, did not last long.


    Family Head Zhou Yingze quickly hammered the decision, ordering three elders who supported the Crown Prince to lead a hundred Qi Refining Clan members to rush to Yongjing immediately.


    Furthermore, Zhao Sheng was to go to Yongjing as well.


    He was not surprised by this.


    After all, risking danger as a Guest Elder was part of the role! When it came to life-threatening situations, he was to be the first to step forward!


    Unfortunately¡­ these people would probably never reach Yongjing!


    Zhao Sheng cast a covert glance at the effeminate man, a flicker of sharpness flashing through his eyes.


    With urgency and to prevent any leaks,


    Zhao Sheng was left in the Family Master Mansion to wait for departure.


    Merely a quarter of an hour later, the three Foundation Establishment elders, each leading a group of close clan members, returned to the Family Master Mansion.


    Shortly after, a twenty-zhang long gray Cloud Boat suddenly soared into the sky from the center of Zhou City, passing through the Defensive Light Shield and speeding towards Yongjing.


    A quarter of an hour later, the Cloud Boat had flown out of Hongyang State, entering the Desolate Gobi.


    The night was deep, the stars scarce, and visibility darkened.


    An hour later, the Cloud Boat was already seven or eight hundred miles away from Hongyang State.


    Just as the Cloud Boat passed over a chaotic rocky beach filled with bizarrely shaped rocks, Zhao Sheng suddenly sensed a wave of Divine Sense and a large swath of information entered his mind.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed with a fierce light as he looked up toward the effeminate man at the bow of the boat.


    Just at that moment, the man turned around with a smile on his lips, nodded slightly at him,


    ¡°The rock beach has arrived, make your move!¡±

 Chapter 147 - 145: How Could There Be a Crown Prince for Two Hundred Years?

    Chapter 147: Chapter 145: How Could There Be a Crown Prince for Two Hundred Years?


    The night was dark and the wind was high, as the never-ceasing gales of the Desolate Domain blew the thick scent of blood from the Cloud Boat, where figures in black robes busied themselves tirelessly, washing away the bloodstains on the deck and inside the cabins.


    One after another, lifeless bodies with unseeing eyes were tossed from the boat onto the rocky shore. Soon, the corpses would be devoured by scavengers drawn by the smell.


    At the bow of the Cloud Boat, Zhao Sheng, He Ying, Mo Wushuang, Bao Yu¡¯er, and the effeminate man gathered together, all of them wearing smiles on their faces.


    The recent ambush had been a resounding triumph, even though they had not rehearsed it beforehand.


    The Zhou family had not expected a traitor among their ranks, let alone two at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and thus they were caught completely off guard. Suffering heavy casualties, two of the three Foundation Establishment Clansmen were seriously injured, and then the Five Elements Three Envoys descended from the sky, with Nameless sweeping the field.


    It was only after achieving their great success that Zhao Sheng learned from He Ying that the effeminate man was actually the Wood Element Practitioner among the Five Elements Master, known as Eunuch Huai, a Foundation Establishment Realm Grand Eunuch, and also a confidant of the Crown Prince.


    That proud Crown Prince could never have imagined that his trusted Grand Eunuch was actually a spy for the Black Ice Platform.


    Not just the Crown Prince, even Zhao Sheng felt a chill down his spine after learning of Eunuch Huai¡¯s identity, and couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°The Black Ice Platform of Da Yong is truly terrifying!¡±


    An hour later, the Cloud Boat was washed clean both inside and out, and the figures in black robes changed into clothing of the Zhou family.


    At this moment, He Ying stepped forward with a fist salute toward the effeminate man and said, ¡°Eunuch Huai, we part ways here! This old man wishes you a smooth journey. When you rise high in the ranks, do not forget us.¡±


    Eunuch Huai laughed and replied, ¡°Fourth Master, you¡¯re being too formal! After all, I¡¯m one of the Five Elements Master. How could I forget our centuries of acquaintance?¡±


    Bao Yu¡¯er also said with a smile, ¡°Brother Huai, I wish you a journey of thousands of miles ahead.¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Thank you for your auspicious words, Sister Bao! Time is pressing, and some words will have to wait until after we have achieved great success. My colleagues, I shall take my leave first!¡±


    A moment later, the Cloud Boat rose high into the sky again, speeding toward Yongjing.


    Once the Cloud Boat had vanished in the distance, the smile on He Ying¡¯s face disappeared, and he turned to look at Zhao Sheng, Bao Yu, and Mo Wushuang, saying coldly, ¡°Eunuch Huai has gone to secure his merit, and we cannot fall behind. Let¡¯s go!¡±


    With those words, He Ying¡¯s long robe billowed out like a ball, and a surge of gray light emerged from beneath it, lifting him off the ground. Then, wrapped in the gray light, he turned into a hazy fog and sped toward Hongyang State at an alarming speed.


    Bao Yu¡¯er smiled Yanran and suddenly transformed into a trail of fire, quickly following behind.


    Mo Wushuang didn¡¯t move,


    Just as Zhao Sheng was about to set off, he felt a gaze from within his helmet piercing his face, carrying with it a thread of indiscernible emotion.


    Zhao Sheng had a thought and instead of releasing the Invisible Sword he was about to throw, he summoned a Cloud Boat about seventy to eighty Zhang long.


    After boarding the Cloud Boat, Zhao Sheng suddenly turned around and invited, ¡°Mr. Mo, if you don¡¯t mind, how about I give you a ride?¡±


    Mo Wushuang paused for a moment, his voice solid like metal as he uttered a single word: ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡­


    Elsewhere, the Zhou Family each harbored their own thoughts, waiting anxiously and impatiently for news from Yongjing.


    A day went by.


    By now, the Crown Prince must absolutely have launched the coup.


    However, there had been not a single piece of news from Yongjing.


    The group sent earlier seemed to have vanished into thin air, with no news coming back.


    By this time, the Zhou family already had an ominous premonition.


    Of course, even at this point, they had not yet realized the ambition of the Mo Family, who intended to completely annihilate the Zhou family in one fell swoop.


    As a Golden Core Family with a foundation of over a thousand years, the Zhou family had many channels of information and soon learned through other means that last night, indeed, there had been major turmoil in Yongjing.


    At this time, Yongjing had already activated the Sealing Array, locking down the entire city, making it nearly impossible to send out any messages.


    However, from some fragmented information that managed to leak out before the city was sealed off, it seemed that things were not going well for the Crown Prince¡¯s faction. They had managed to breach the Imperial City, but just an hour later, the shouts and killing noises inside had swiftly died down, leading to deafening silence.


    Sensing that the situation was dire, the faces of the Zhou family members turned extremely ugly.


    As a result, conflicts within the Zhou family erupted. Everyone spent a long day arguing, agonizing, and filled with regret.


    Just one day later, one piece of bad news after another followed in quick succession!


    The first was that the Crown Prince¡¯s coup at Ziwei Palace had failed. The Crown Prince was stripped of his title, imprisoned in the Imperial Mansion to be confined there until death.


    Subsequently, there was news that the Holy Emperor had been assassinated during the coup at Ziwei Palace, and his fate was still unknown.


    While this might have seemed like good news for the Zhou family, it was at that moment that an outrageous piece of bad news suddenly arrived, making everyone in the Zhou family shiver with dread,


    ¡°Among the assassins, one was Zhou Zhonglu, a Foundation Establishment Clan Member of the Zhou family ¡ª his identity is beyond doubt!¡±


    Zhou Yingze had no doubts about the authenticity of this news, as it was sent at the risk of their lives by one of the family¡¯s dedicated agents deep within the Imperial City.


    In the Zhou Mansion¡¯s council hall, the atmosphere was tense and almost boiling. The emotions of regret and frustration were like oil, and a single spark could set the hall ablaze.


    ¡°Impossible! Zhonglu would never be that stupid! There must be something fishy about this!¡±


    ¡°Master Seven is right! There is something very suspicious about this. The Crown Prince couldn¡¯t be foolish enough to involve Zhonglu in an assassination plot. He isn¡¯t qualified for such a highly confidential matter!¡±


    ¡°Hmph! Are you suggesting that the message is false then?¡±


    Zhou Yingze said with a grave expression, ¡°It can¡¯t be false! It came from our family¡¯s dedicated agent.¡±


    ¡°Family Head, what should we do now?¡±


    ¡°Why hasn¡¯t our Ancestor left seclusion yet?¡±


    ¡°Family Head, does the Ancestor know about this?¡±


    Seeing the anxious and restless elder, Zhou Yingze felt a surge of nameless anger. A bunch of useless old men! They¡¯re experts at holding things back when it¡¯s trivial matters, but they¡¯re utterly clueless when it comes to serious matters!


    Yet, this wasn¡¯t the time to dwell on such things. Zhou Yingze forcefully suppressed his Fire Qi and said sternly, ¡°The Ancestor is already aware of the situation and has issued a decree.¡±


    As soon as they heard the Ancestor had issued a decree, the hall immediately quieted down, and everyone looked hopefully at the Family Head.


    Zhou Yingze didn¡¯t beat around the bush and directly communicated the Ancestor¡¯s intentions to everyone.


    It all boiled down to sixteen words: ¡°Sacrifice the pawn to save the chariot, cut flesh to admit defeat, retract forces, unite the four families against Mo!¡±


    The first three were straightforward, but with the four major families¡ªthe lion, tiger, owl, and wolf¡ªhaving had their fair share of squabbles, it was difficult for the Zhou family to seek help from the other three and to beg for assistance, appealing to their ¡°brotherly righteousness¡± to lend a hand.


    Seeing the misfortune of the Zhou family, the other three families might not be willing to help, and more likely than not, they would kick the Zhou family while they were down.


    Looking at the difficult expressions of the elders, Zhou Yingze said angrily, ¡°Fools! What are you waiting for at such a time, still worrying about face! If the Zhou family falls, do you think you¡¯ll have a good end?¡±


    ¡°Impossible! Our Zhou family, after all¡ª¡±


    ¡°Idiots! The knife is already at your throat, can¡¯t you see that? At your age, have you really lived your lives in vain?¡±


    After berating the foolish bunch, Zhou Yingze threatened, ¡°The Ancestor¡¯s decree has been issued. Are you questioning it?¡±


    At this remark, everyone was at a loss for words.

 Chapter 148 - 146 Holy Emperor Mo Wen Dao

    Chapter 148: Chapter 146 Holy Emperor Mo Wen Dao


    ¡°Dare not! Absolutely dare not!¡±


    ¡°We had just failed to think it through, only now do we realize Ancestor had our best interests at heart!¡±


    ¡°Exactly! The four great families are branches of the same tree; if the Zhou family were to decline, the other three would not fare well either. The Mo Clan is already predominant, and if the balance that is barely maintained now were to be broken, it would only be a matter of time before the other three families would suffer!¡±


    When Zhou Yingze saw that there were still ¡°understanding people¡± among the elders, the fiery anger in his heart subsided a bit.


    He hadn¡¯t told everyone something; the Ancestor had already begun planning an exit strategy for the family.


    While it seemed that the situation hadn¡¯t yet reached that extreme, those who plan for the worst often survive, and everything had to be prepared for the worst scenario.


    As members of the Zhou family were dispersing to carry out their tasks, suddenly a streak of red light pierced through the roof and shot into Zhou Yingze¡¯s hand, transforming into a jade pearl the size of a thumb.


    When Zhou Yingze probed it with his Divine Sense, his face drastically changed, and he exclaimed, ¡°Disaster! This is terrible!¡±


    ¡­


    On that day, an earth-shattering event occurred within just one day and rapidly spread throughout Zhou City.


    ¡°The Crown Prince of Da Yong instigated a rebellion at Ziwei Palace, and after its failure, he was thrown into the Imperial Mansion!¡±


    At the same time, numerous astonishing pieces of news and various rumors were also spread wildly!


    ¡°All the Crown Prince¡¯s trusted officials and confidants were thrown into the Heavenly Prison, and countless palace servants and soldiers were killed or wounded, with Yongjing¡¯s streets running with blood that night. Many Cultivation Families were implicated by the Crown Prince and were raided overnight.¡±


    ¡°The Holy Emperor has been assassinated; his life hangs in the balance!¡±


    ¡°It is said that when the Crown Prince was captured, he roared in madness, proclaiming ¡®How can there be a Crown Prince of two hundred years¡¯, and then he uttered the delirious words, ¡®A thousand-year Holy Emperor yet alone, proclaiming solitude and rarity for tens of thousands of years¡¯.¡±


    Among the numerous rumors in Yongjing, one particularly made the hearts of the Zhou Family tremble, feeling as if they had fallen into an inescapable trap.


    ¡°The Zhou Family harbored malicious intentions, firstly bewitching the Crown Prince to lead the charge, then stabbing the King and killing the driver; such unforgivable treachery, the crime is unpardonable!¡±


    Faced with the onslaught of rumors and news, Zhou City was thrown into panic; everyone knew the Crown Princess Consort was a woman from the Zhou Family. Having committed such a monstrous treachery, the Zhou family would inevitably be implicated.


    However, as the Holy Emperor¡¯s fate still remained unknown, the Zhou family was unaware of the extent of the grave accusations that could fall upon them.


    The day after the Crown Prince¡¯s failed coup, two days remained until Operation Slaughterwolf.


    As dawn broke, another thunderbolt struck the Zhou family, shaking them to the core!


    ¡°The Holy Emperor, gravely injured, did not survive his wounds and passed away last night! The Second Prince has succeeded to the throne and been crowned as the new Emperor!¡±


    When Zhou Yingze heard this news, he was so distressed and furious that he spurted blood two yards away,


    The title of having assassinated the Holy Emperor, resulting in his death, was now firmly pinned on his family, and there was no removing it.


    ¡°Quick¡­ go ask the Three Great Families for aid! Whatever the cost, we must get them to help our family through this tribulation. Hurry! There¡¯s no time to lose!¡±


    Zhou Yingze, too agitated to even wipe his own blood, ordered frantically.


    The situation was extremely severe. It was already too late to send someone; therefore, the Zhou family had to continuously send out several Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talismans to the other three great families, making many promises and offering countless benefits within the talismans.


    Within less than four hours, both the Raging Tiger Wu Family and the Eagle Hawk Yan Family sent back messages, explicitly promising to support them with all their might.


    Seeing this, Zhou Yingze felt slightly relieved.


    However, as he waited and waited, he never received any response from the Sleeping Lion Hua Family.


    This made his heart slowly sink to rock bottom.


    The Sleeping Lion Hua Family, being the leader among Da Yong¡¯s numerous families and second only to the Royal Mo Family in strength, was also backed by the powerful Demon Sect, Six Desires Demon Sect.


    Only with the Hua Family taking the lead and rallying the families could they oppose the Royal Family.


    Now the Hua family¡­ had an ambiguous attitude.


    For the Zhou family, who were in desperate need of strong support, this was news that couldn¡¯t get any worse.


    As dusk fell, Zhou Yingze felt a surge of anger and thought to himself, ¡°No! I must report this to Ancestor Zhou as soon as possible.¡±


    With that thought, he couldn¡¯t contain his anxious emotions and hastily wrote a talisman, sending it to Boiling Spring Valley.


    However, Zhou Yingze was completely unaware that, while he was eagerly waiting for a reply from the Hua Family.


    Someone from the Hua Family had already arrived at Hongyang State, and it was a heavyweight figure.


    Above Boiling Spring Valley, high above the clouds spanning ten thousand miles, two Golden Core Masters hovered in the air, braving the fierce Gang Winds, standing a mile apart facing each other.


    Old Zhou, seeing that a great disaster is about to descend upon us, what¡¯s the use in hiding and concealing? Hand over the Dragon Ball, and my Hua Family will definitely help your Zhou family get through this tribulation!¡±


    The speaker was tall and imposing, with thick brows slanting upwards, eyes as wide as copper bells, and the corners of his mouth drooping down, displaying a naturally furious demeanor. What was even more terrifying was the golden flame burning atop his head.


    The billowing flames spread out and from a distance looked just like a mane of golden lion hair fluttering in the wind.


    This person was named Hua Xin Yan, one of the three Golden Core Ancestors of the Hua Family, and a formidable figure at the late-stage Golden Core.


    Zhou Xilai asked with a puzzled tone, ¡°Brother Hua, what do you mean by this? Since when do I have a Dragon Ball?¡±


    Ancestor Zhou was now over seven hundred years old, his body decayed and as thin as kindling, with a wide red robe hanging loosely on his frame, looking utterly ridiculous as if a monkey had put on a sack.


    However, looking at his face, his features resembled that of a young man, his skin pale and rosy, soft as a baby¡¯s.


    Hua Xin Yan suddenly smiled. ¡°Heh heh! Take a look at this.¡±


    As he spoke, a True Shadow Ball shot out from his hand, swiftly landing in Zhou Xilai¡¯s hand. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Divine Sense penetrated the True Shadow Ball, Zhou Xilai¡¯s heart tightened; inside was clearly stored the image of Zhou Zhongyu picking up the Dragon Ball.


    After watching, Zhou Xilai laughed, ¡°You can¡¯t possibly believe this! You should know these images can be forged.¡±


    Hua Xin Yan sneered, ¡°I didn¡¯t quite believe it either, but seeing how the Mo Family went to such lengths to deal with your Zhou family, I can¡¯t help but believe it now.¡±


    As he said this, the golden flame on Hua Xin Yan¡¯s head expanded a hundredfold instantly, forming a vast sea of fire. Within the depths of the fire sea, a three-meter-tall, six-armed, three-headed, angry Ming Wang figure loomed faintly.


    ¡°Stop fucking around, hand over the Dragon Ball, and I¡¯ll spare your life!¡±


    Zhou Xilai was startled and quickly shouted, ¡°Brother Hua, calm your anger! If we fight now, we are likely to end up mutually destroyed. In the end, others might just pick up the scraps.¡±


    As he spoke, Zhou Xilai swiped his right hand, and a thick child-forearm-sized fiery red light burst out from his palm, shooting a hundred meters away and striking an ordinary-looking cloud.


    Suddenly,


    the cloud erupted into a vast expanse of red flames, and a figure rapidly appeared within the red flames.


    In an instant, a figure wearing a Dragon Robe and adorned with a Twelve-tassel Five-color Crown, radiating an imposing aura, waved his hands to clear the red flames, stepping out of the fire light and walking step by step until he stood opposite the two Golden Core Masters and then stopped.


    Upon seeing the newcomer, Hua Xin Yan¡¯s face dramatically changed, and he exclaimed in shock, ¡°Mo Wen Dao! Weren¡¯t you supposed to be dead?¡±


    The rumors had said that the critically injured Holy Emperor Mo Wen Dao had not survived his injuries, yet here he was, miraculously appearing before them.


    This not only greatly startled Hua Xin Yan but also made Zhou Xilai turn pale with fear.


    Zhou Xilai was not shocked because Mo Wen Dao had faked his death, but he was terrified by the overwhelming powerful aura emanating from him.


    Previously, Mo Wen Dao¡¯s cultivation had only achieved Foundation Establishment, yet the person who appeared here now possessed an aura not inferior to either of theirs.


    Zhou Xilai even faintly sensed an even stronger presence hidden within Mo Wen Dao, appearing to be¡­ Nascent Soul Mana!

 Chapter 149 - 147 Mystic Nether Arrives, Igniting the Battle

    Chapter 149: Chapter 147 Mystic Nether Arrives, Igniting the Battle


    Facing this ¡°Mo Wen Dao,¡± Zhou Xilai instantly felt an overwhelming sense of danger.


    ¡°Not good!¡±


    At that moment, a thought flashed through his mind, and his expression suddenly changed.


    Without hesitating, Zhou Xilai¡¯s right hand, hidden in his sleeve, suddenly produced a Spirit Communication Jade Token.


    In an instant, a Divine Thought poured into the jade token.


    At the same time, Zhou Yingze, who was in Zhou City, suddenly noticed his waist jade token flashing.


    His face drastically changed as his Divine Sense instantly probed into the jade token, and in a moment, a stream of information rapidly filled his mind.


    After reading the information, Zhou Yingze felt a chill in his heart; he was extremely shocked and, disregarding the demeanor of a Family Head, shouted out to the elders, ¡°Quick, activate the Defensive Array! An enemy is attacking!¡±


    ¡­


    After sending out the information, Zhou Xilai felt slightly relieved.


    However, he did not notice that Mo Wen Dao on the opposite side had quietly done the same thing.


    Boom!


    All of a sudden, a large mass of Fire Clouds burst forth from under Zhou Xilai¡¯s feet, expanding rapidly and forming a blazing inferno that protected him while illuminating the surrounding hundred miles of the void.


    Meanwhile, Hua Xin Yan had a Six-Eyed Purple Gold Hammer in his hand, all gilded. The six vertical pupils on the hammer blinked, shooting out beams of scorching light, seemingly capable of melting the surrounding void.


    ¡°Brother Hua!¡±


    Zhou Xilai called out and quickly moved closer to Hua Xin Yan. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing this, Hua Xin Yan lifted his Magical Treasure Purple Gold Hammer and lightly smashed it down, causing the hammerhead to spray out dozens of molten golden light beams.


    The beams of light formed a net of light, intercepting Zhou Xilai.


    It was only then that Hua Xin Yan¡¯s voice rang out in the air, ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Seeing this, Zhou Xilai exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Brother Hua, can¡¯t you see that all of this is a plot by the Mo Family?¡±


    At this moment, Mo Wen Dao suddenly coldly sneered, ¡°Ridiculous! If I had wanted to deal with the Zhou Family, I would have acted long ago. Why would I wait until today!¡±


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your Zhou Family constantly bewitching the Crown Prince, causing him to lose his mind and commit such a heinous act, why would I end up like this?¡±


    After Mo Wen Dao finished speaking, a sinister and terrible aura emanated from him, causing both Zhou and Hua to take notice.


    Zhou Xilai scoffed, ¡°Heh! All old foxes who¡¯ve lived for hundreds of years, why put on an innocent act here! Everyone knows the intentions of your Mo Family!¡±


    ¡°Heaven may permit some wrongdoings to survive, but those who bring disaster upon themselves cannot live! Planning rebellion is a sin unforgivable by any of the ten evils, and all of it is your Zhou Family¡¯s own fault!¡±


    Just after Mo Wen Dao finished speaking, Hua Xin Yan impatiently said, ¡°I don¡¯t care whether you are Mo Wen Dao or not, nor if you are human or ghost. Anyone who dares target the Dragon Ball will be beaten to death by me!¡±


    Zhou Xilai¡¯s face showed bitterness; he was about to reveal that the Dragon Ball had already been destroyed.


    Just then, he suddenly turned his head to look north, his face showing an extremely angry and shocked expression.


    Because at that moment, a great fire had suddenly been lit in Zhou City, a hundred miles away, illuminating the night there with its flames.


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    Zhou Xilai, furious and alarmed, now realized that not only was he delaying time, but Mo Wen Dao had the same idea.


    But the result was that the Zhou Family was one step behind, allowing the Mo Family to gain the upper hand.


    ¡°I will have your life!¡±


    Zhou Xilai, driven by extreme anger, forgot his apprehension towards Mo Wen Dao and the watchful Hua Xin Yan.


    In an instant, he unleashed a boundless Fire Sea. The scorching waves of fire, like a heavenly curtain overturned, roared towards Mo Wen Dao like a mountain collapsing and the sea surging.


    In that instant, the surrounding night was ignited, turning patches of white clouds into red.


    ¡­


    Night fell, and the sky was filled with stars.


    Thirty li north of Boiling Spring Valley, in a cave, Zhao Sheng, He Ying, and Bao Yu¡¯er were all sitting with their eyes closed, meditating and waiting for the operation to begin.


    The night wind poured into the cave from the entrance, the silent breeze lifting particles of dust from the ground, bringing with it a hint of chill.


    At that moment, a streak of light with a long tail flame shot into the cave from outside, instantly illuminating the dark surroundings, before finally entering He Ying¡¯s forehead.


    He Ying suddenly opened his eyes and flashed a grin, swiftly standing up from the ground.


    Seeing the inquiring looks from Zhao Sheng and the others, Old Man He smiled and said, ¡°The Mystic Nether guards have already arrived, the operation is starting ahead of schedule.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, these guys are really quick!¡± A flicker of excitement passed through Bao Yu¡¯er¡¯s eyes.


    Zhao Sheng was startled, having heard of the formidable reputation of the Mystic Nether guards during his many years in Da Yong.


    Similar to the Fire Wolf Army of the Zhou family, the Mystic Nether guards were not only Imperial Guards but also an elite Daoist Soldier Corps.


    Also a Daoist Soldier Corps, the Mystic Nether guards were far superior to the Fire Wolf Army, with guards having a minimum cultivation of the Sixth Level of Qi Refining and leaders being at least Foundation Establishment Cultivators, while the chief leader of the Mystic Nether had Golden Core level capabilities.


    Moreover, the Mystic Nether guards totaled a full eight hundred men.


    To annihilate the Zhou family, even the Mystic Nether guards had been dispatched by the Mo Family, which seemed like using a cleaver to kill a chicken.


    It should be noted that the strength of the Zhou family had already been reduced by at least half.


    Just in the matter of the coup by the Crown Prince alone, the Zhou family had lost six Foundation Establishment cultivators and over a hundred Qi Refining Clan Members.


    Additionally, due to its rapid expansion of influence over the past two years, the Zhou family had had to station multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators across various regions.


    Now, with the situation having taken a drastic turn, they were scattered far and wide, not only unable to return in time but also getting sequentially eliminated by the Mo Family cultivators.


    Moreover, with one side having prepared in advance and the other caught off guard, it could be said that unless a miracle occurred, the Zhou family¡¯s demise was already sealed.


    Zhao Sheng followed He Ying out of the cave.


    Standing at the entrance and looking northward, he saw the sky a hundred li away illuminated by a blazing heavenly fire, casting a bloody hue.


    At the same time, faint sounds of yelling and screaming were carried into Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears by the wind.


    Bao Yu¡¯er¡¯s expression changed, and he couldn¡¯t help but curse, ¡°Damn it! These goddamn Mystic Nether guards, they really never change! Even if they want to steal the credit, this isn¡¯t how they should do it. They simply don¡¯t see us from the Black Ice Platform as worthy!¡±


    He Ying gave a cold laugh and said, ¡°We from the Black Ice Platform are meant to do the dirty work; the chief leader of the Mystic Nether guards is a senior of the Holy Emperor and also doesn¡¯t get along with the Envoy. It¡¯s normal that they don¡¯t regard us.¡±


    While he said this, Zhao Sheng could see a fierce light flashing in He Ying¡¯s eyes.


    Bao Yu¡¯er asked, ¡°Fourth Master, what should we do now?¡±


    Looking towards the fire over Zhou City, He Ying waved his hand decisively and said, ¡°Let¡¯s leave Zhou City to the Mystic Nether guards. We¡¯ll head to Boiling Spring Valley.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡± Bao Yu¡¯er was very reluctant.


    He Ying explained, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we won¡¯t come out at a loss! Don¡¯t forget that Wushuang is currently lurking in Zhou City. He is of royal blood, closely related to the current Holy Emperor.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, his expression changed, and he suddenly looked up at the sky.


    Following slightly behind, Zhao Sheng and Bao Yu¡¯er also quickly looked up, turning their gaze toward Boiling Spring Valley.


    At that moment, under the star-filled sky, the night over Boiling Spring Valley was suddenly¡­ ignited!


    The night was set ablaze, and the sky over Boiling Spring Valley suddenly resounded with several thunderous booms.


    From a distance, the fiery night abruptly extinguished for the most part, replaced by a cluster of cold white Cloud Mist. The Cloud Mist, reflecting off the surrounding firelight, shimmered with streaks of silver-white cold light, making it appear like an iceberg standing in the night sky.

 Chapter 150 - 148: Aftermath of the Great Battle

    Chapter 150: Chapter 148: Aftermath of the Great Battle


    ¡°Hurry up!¡±


    He Ying¡¯s face changed, he waved his sleeve, and his whole body was wrapped in a mass of gray light, rolling up streams of airflow as he flew swiftly towards Boiling Spring Valley.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng turned into a sword rainbow, closely following behind. Bao Yu¡¯er also stepped on a pink handkerchief, rising off the ground, and swiftly chased through the air.


    A distance of thirty li flashed by in an instant.


    Just as the three were about to reach the edge of Boiling Spring Valley, He Ying¡¯s shrill shout suddenly echoed, ¡°Dodge!¡±


    Dodge, dodge!


    In that instant, Zhao Sheng felt a chill descend upon his head, bone-chilling cold, freezing his scalp numb.


    Danger! Extreme danger!


    Zhao Sheng fiercely spat out a mouthful of essence blood, which instantly turned into a mist of blood that wrapped around him.


    The next moment, he suddenly transformed into a beam of blood light, escaping towards the horizon with unbelievable speed.


    In just a moment, he had escaped ten li away.


    The blood light dispersed, Zhao Sheng staggered a step before steadying his body again and then he looked towards Boiling Spring Valley with a pale face.


    Before his eyes, the ten li of Boiling Spring Valley were now a vast expanse of white. The originally steaming cloud mist had been completely wiped out, all the water vapor had solidified into ice scraps, and the boiling spring eyes in the valley had all frozen into various shapes of ice bubbles and ice ponds.


    The valley was covered with ice pillars and ice cones of varying thickness, densely standing like a forest of ice crystals.


    This astonishing scene made Zhao Sheng involuntarily hold his breath, his lips drying out.


    ¡°Hum!¡±


    Just then, a wave of Divine Thought, substantial as reality, descended from the sky, sweeping across the surroundings.


    The air suddenly felt as if it had been washed over with water, not a speck of dust remained, all minor floating particles were suppressed by a formless yet dense telekinesis.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart shook violently. He had never seen such a powerful Divine Thought before, It must belong to a Golden Core Master or someone even more powerful.


    In just a few breaths, a person appeared out of thin air in the air, bringing an intense chill. The temperature around rapidly decreased, the already dim environment grew even darker, countless ice particles fell rustling through the air, and a cold and eerie aura filled the surroundings, plunging one into a nightmarish hell.


    Sweat had just appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s forehead when it froze into a thin layer of ice.


    He slightly raised his head and saw the newcomer dressed in a five-clawed black dragon robe, wearing a five-colored crown with twelve jeweled treasure beads, each emitting a faint divine light, each bead containing a powerful Divine Power and Treasure Technique.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart trembled, instantly realizing he had seen what he shouldn¡¯t have and immediately lowered his head.


    Mo Wen Dao didn¡¯t even notice the ant under his feet.


    He looked around the world, the cold gleam in his pupils flowing slowly like icebergs moving in his eyes. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As his mind moved, the surface of the earth beneath his feet cracked like a spider web, ice cones grew from the cracks, and a large expanse of silver-white frost rapidly spread in all directions, covering the original landscape under a thick layer of frost. The few plants that had managed to grow here, too, were frozen into ice sculptures.


    ¡°Hmph, you can¡¯t escape!¡±


    After murmuring softly, Mo Wen Dao¡¯s figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.


    Feeling relieved, Zhao Sheng quickly fled from the location.


    Later, Zhao Sheng returned to Boiling Spring Valley, just in time to see Old Man He emerging from underground.


    At that moment, his body was covered in frost, shivering intensely.


    Zhao Sheng was eager to know, who had caused such a ¡°big scene¡± and why an ¡°Emperor¡± would appear here?


    Of course, he would not ask too directly.


    He hesitantly asked, probing indirectly, ¡°Whose grand move is this?¡±


    He Ying shook his head with hesitation, ¡°I don¡¯t know either! But such a large commotion could only be the work of a heavy treasure or a Nascent Soul.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat, ¡°The Mo Clan has only one Nascent Soul Ancestor, could it be that ancestor who has made a move!¡±


    This was giving too much credit to the Zhou family!


    The two waited a while but saw no sign of Bao Yu¡¯er, causing He Ying¡¯s expression to turn somewhat ugly.


    Zhao Sheng tentatively said, ¡°How about we wait a little longer,¡±


    He Ying waved his hand decisively, ¡°No need, the mission is crucial! Let¡¯s go and meet the Wuxiang Monk first. Bao Yu won¡¯t die so easily, something must have delayed her.¡±


    Saying this, He Ying took the lead and dashed into Boiling Spring Valley, heading towards a cave in the southwest of the valley, and Zhao Sheng shook his head and followed.


    Boiling Spring Valley had been managed by the Zhou family for a thousand years, the underground had long been excavated into countless tunnels, connecting layers of underground buildings¡ªstone rooms, palaces, warehouses, storage rooms, and so on, resembling a massive underground city.


    But this city was extremely sparse in terms of people, Zhao Sheng and He Ying searched three layers and were surprised to find all the buildings empty, not a single person around.


    It was as if the Zhou family had been prepared all along.


    As they ventured deeper underground, Zhao Sheng noticed the temperature rising, and a faint smell of sulfur began to appear in the air.


    A while later, the two had gone nearly a hundred feet deep, where man-made structures became less frequent and rough earthen and stone surroundings became more common.


    Walking down a recently opened passage, Zhao Sheng suddenly heard a faint scream,


    Oh!


    Upon hearing the scream, He Ying¡¯s expression changed.


    The recent scream, all too familiar, was from the Water Element Envoy, Wuxiang Monk; its sharpness and poignant nature, despite being muffled by thick layers of earth and stone, were unmistakable.


    ¡°This is bad!¡±


    Before he had finished speaking, a violent tremor suddenly shook the ground beneath their feet. Numerous cracks fissured through the surrounding stone walls.


    Following this, was a deep rumbling like thunder, sweeping under their feet as though a raging river was flowing through.


    The temperature was rising rapidly!


    Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows, listened carefully, and realized that beneath his feet there were countless booming sounds strung together continuously, like waves of a great river¡¯s surge.


    Upon closer inspection, the successive shockwaves seemed to escalate one after another, causing tremendous damage to the geological tunnels; within mere moments, Zhao Sheng felt the ground beneath becoming soft and crumbly, filled with cracks, while tunnels in all directions were collapsing countless times over.


    No one needed to tell him what had happened just now.


    A Golden Core True Immortal was engaged in fierce battle, and it was not just a probing attack but a life-and-death struggle.


    The Wuxiang Monk, it seemed, had been killed unclearly due to being affected by the battle of the Golden Core True Immortal.


    Zhao Sheng was shocked, ¡°How did the fight reach underground and so close at that?¡±


    The immense pressure caused by the battle between the Golden Core True Immortals, said to be immeasurably heavy, was intensified by their dense and complex Divine Thoughts clashing; the nature¡¯s spiritual energy within a fifteen-mile radius transforming void into reality, creating a deadly severe distortion, was truly unavoidable and undefendable.


    The situation became dire in an instant, during such times, Old Man He spoke concisely, ¡°Retreat, five miles!¡±


    He Ying, being an Earth Element Cultivator, held a geographical advantage, better grasping the extent of the impact from the battle between the two Golden Core True Immortals.


    As Zhao Sheng fled, he muttered, ¡°Five miles, might still not be enough, perhaps running far away would be better.¡±


    But soon, Zhao Sheng understood that in terms of dealing with a battle between True Immortals, he was far less experienced than Old Man He.

 Chapter 151 - 149 Igniting the Volcano

    Chapter 151: Chapter 149 Igniting the Volcano


    During the escape, Zhao Sheng retracted all of his aura, his shape flickering, leaving streaks of afterimages, much like a ghost.


    Old Man He¡¯s body remained straight and static, yet his speed was no less than Zhao Sheng¡¯s. Beneath his feet, the earth undulated like waves, escorting him swiftly forward.


    Just as the two fled from the tunnel exit, a loud crash sounded from behind them. The whole tunnel collapsed with a roar, cracks spreading everywhere on the ground and walls, like countless vines growing at high speed, chasing after them.


    At that moment, the earth trembled again, and the Underground City could no longer withstand the aftermath of a battle between True Immortals, starting to collapse in chunks.


    For a time, falling rocks splattered all around the underground palace tunnels, and a haze of dust obscured all visibility.


    In the torrent of shock waves from the True Immortals¡¯ clash, nature¡¯s spiritual energy became agitated, boiling like hot water, causing the corners of Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes to twitch slightly. No matter which boundary one was in, a battle between Golden Core Masters was exceedingly rare. Now that he had encountered one, he wasn¡¯t sure if it was luck or misfortune.


    The two hurriedly escaped back to the upper layer of the underground palace, which was far from the battle¡¯s center and wasn¡¯t much affected by the residual forces; the surrounding structures were largely intact.


    Old Man He suddenly stopped, and Zhao Sheng calculated in his mind¡ªit was exactly five miles, neither more nor less.


    After another round of sensing, he felt that the temperature around them dropped significantly and the underground rumbling became much fainter.


    Zhao Sheng turned to look at Old Man He and saw his brows were tightly furrowed.


    ¡°Wait a moment!¡±


    Having said that, Old Man He laid his whole body down on the ground, his ear to the earth as if sensing something.


    Gradually, Zhao Sheng discerned the trick to it and his expression changed¡ªbeing a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who specialized in the Water Element, he was most sensitive to the Water Element Spiritual Qi. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, he could clearly sense that the Water Element Spiritual Energy around them was becoming more and more active.


    Underneath Boiling Spring Valley lay a cluster of underground volcanoes; this place should absolutely be the arena of the Fire Spiritual Energy.


    Yet, at this moment, the Water Element Spiritual Qi around them was even more active than the Fire Spiritual Energy, and what was more terrifying was that its concentration was rapidly increasing¡ªwithin moments, it had risen by a third from before.


    This was no small feat; clearly, a Great Ability had intervened to disturb the nature of this place, causing water spirits from who knows how many miles around to gather here at Boiling Spring Valley.


    Such a feat, putting aside everything else but the alteration of the local environment alone, was enough to make Zhao Sheng gasp in amazement.


    Could such ¡°bold strokes¡± really be made by a Golden Core True Immortal?


    As Zhao Sheng was struck with profound shock, He Ying suddenly leaped up from the ground, took a defensive stance beside him, and looked towards the pitch-dark tunnel, calling out sharply, ¡°Who¡¯s there?!¡±


    As these words were spoken, Zhao Sheng was startled, his Divine Sense released fully, scanning thrice, yet he sensed nothing unusual.


    ¡°Fourth Master, where is the enemy?¡±


    He Ying didn¡¯t answer, but instead stamped his right foot on the ground, causing a two-foot-high wave of earth to surge up and rush towards the depths of the tunnel.


    Also at this moment, a bright red light shined in the darkness, and the temperature around them abruptly skyrocketed, with a wave of heat hitting their faces.


    Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes and saw within the red light a twisted Flame Shadow charging towards them.


    He Ying reacted quickly, sweeping his large sleeve and scattering a burst of Yellow Light that infused into the ground. The corridor shook violently as the earth and rock surged forth, converging into a wall that topped and sided to isolate the Flame Shadow behind it.


    However, immediately after, a fiery-white claw oozing magma punched through the dirt wall. Twisted flames spewed several feet out, and a wave of heat struck them, nearly burning Zhao Sheng¡¯s clothes.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t move an inch and coldly said, ¡°It¡¯s a Magma Demon Puppet.¡±


    ¡°Fool¡­ Kill!¡±


    Through the wall, the Demon Puppet growled, its voice hoarse and barely human, difficult to discern¡ªafter all, speaking was indeed a challenge for a puppet pieced together from magma and a Demon Soul.


    Yet, this was enough to greatly broaden Zhao Sheng¡¯s horizons. The Zhou family¡¯s Demon Flame Divine Defense was indeed well-deserved; they could actually allow a Demon Soul to manipulate inanimate objects without losing its spiritual nature, with astonishing power.


    At this time, the Magma Demon¡¯s claw jerked twice as if it was being withdrawn.


    At that moment, He Ying let out a strange chuckle, his concentrated spiritual power surged, and the earthen wall instantly turned to flying ash, along with the magma demon¡¯s claw, which was shredded to pieces.


    The earthen wall, along with a section of the corridor, collapsed, and the wave of heat from the opposite side surged toward them once more, but it suddenly faltered amidst the whirling dirt and dust.


    Following close behind, Mr. He silently charged forward, his spiritual power surging, gathering sand and stones into a fist to slam into the magma demon shadow, sending hot magma splattering onto the surrounding stone walls, hissing as it made contact.


    Slash!


    Zhao Sheng let out a low roar, the invisible sword striking as fast as if he were instantly moving; with a single flash, it sliced directly into the Flame Shadow¡¯s head, splitting it into two halves.


    A pitiful scream emanated from the green demon soul hidden within the head, as half of its soul was cleaved into a wisp of green smoke.


    Upon seeing this, He Ying¡¯s hands surged with spiritual power, flooding into the Flame Soul¡¯s body.


    As the strange spiritual power entered its body, the magma that covered it rapidly cooled and dimmed, before shattering into countless scorching pebbles.


    The Magma Demon Puppet, though made with a Second-stage Demon Soul as its main material, was after all only a puppet. Its combat power was at most at the Foundation Establishment level. Facing the combined attack of two late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, it couldn¡¯t withstand a single blow.


    Meanwhile, Zhou Zhongyu seemed to realize he was outmatched. As soon as the demon puppet shattered, there was no further movement from it.


    He Ying turned to Zhao Sheng and inquired, ¡°Taoist Zhao, what do you think?¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head, ¡°The puppet is controlled by a secret technique from afar. The True Immortal might be dozens of miles away.¡±


    He Ying gave a slight nod, ¡°The Zhou family indeed has some¡­¡±


    Before he could finish his sentence, he exclaimed, ¡°Ah!¡± as a violent impact surged up from the ground below, passing through layers of earth and striking like surging waves.


    In an instant, the temperature around them had climbed at a shocking rate.


    The air became unbearably hot, as if a single spark could cause an explosion at any moment.


    Boom, boom!


    Amidst the violent rumbling, a gust of hot wind blew suddenly from the depths, followed by the sound of rushing water, like a flood pounding the judge¡¯s bench, quickly approaching their location.


    In the darkness, red light gleamed, and within moments, a torrent of magma burst forth.


    ¡°Run!¡±


    Zhao Sheng made a split-second decision, his figure flashed as he fled into the distance, and He Ying reacted similarly.


    The two of them timed their escape perfectly; no sooner had they left than the area was inundated by the upsurging magma.


    Moreover, the roaring magma continued to surge upward with unstoppable momentum, causing the underground volcano of Boiling Spring Valley to finally erupt through the hands of the Golden Core Masters!


    Elsewhere, Zhao Sheng was racing through the corridors at breakneck speed, but after traversing several passageways, he suddenly stopped in his tracks because the corridor ahead had collapsed and was completely blocked by rubble.


    Looking back, he could no longer see Old Man He.


    Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows slightly, hearing faint roaring sounds behind him, his expression extremely grave.


    With no path forward and pursuers behind!


    Facing a dead end, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind raced, and he suddenly had an idea.


    Boom, boom!


    With a burst of loud noises, dust and debris flew up. The corridor behind Zhao Sheng collapsed, section by section, under the barrage of talismans.


    Just as one would create a firebreak in the face of a raging fire, Zhao Sheng proactively crafted a barrier against the magma.

 Chapter 152 - 150 Magma River

    Chapter 152: Chapter 150 Magma River


    Seven days later, the magma receded.


    In an underground void of Boiling Spring Valley, the cave was eerily quiet; the surrounding soil and rocks bore the scars of scorching and melting.


    With a crash, a large chunk of rock suddenly fell from the rocky wall, revealing a pitch-black hole behind it, right after which Zhao Sheng emerged, his face covered in ash and dirt.


    Breathing in the hot, murky air of the cave, Zhao Sheng was rendered speechless, albeit with a slight sense of fortunate relief having survived a disaster.


    Undoubtedly, the magma eruption three days prior had completely altered the terrain of Boiling Spring Valley and, incidentally, destroyed the Zhou family¡¯s millennium of effort.


    Zhao Sheng composed himself, released his Divine Sense, and began to search for an exit along this magma-forged passage.


    An hour later, having traversed many a false and dead-end path, Zhao Sheng felt he was nearing the surface, with one sign being the substantial drop in temperature around him.


    After a while, Zhao Sheng walked through a rough and uneven trench.


    By then, he could feel fresh air coming from the end of the path.


    Joy surged within Zhao Sheng, and Spiritual Power within him turned sharply, lifting him from the ground, ready to fly out of there.


    Just at that moment, a figure flashed by the end of the trench. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze sharpened, and his right hand quickly brushed over his Storage Bag, suddenly holding two Concentrating God Talismans and an Invisibility Talisman.


    In an instant, he concealed his presence, vanished from sight, and pressed his body into a recess on the top of the trench.


    Soon, a silhouette rushed past below, heading deeper into the trench.


    ¡°It¡¯s him!¡±


    Even though the person moved extremely fast, Zhao Sheng still recognized his identity.


    ¡°Zhou Yingze!¡±


    The current Family Head of the Zhou family, a Perfect Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Zhou Yingze¡ªsupposedly their most important target¡ªwas actually alive!


    This greatly surprised Zhao Sheng.


    However, seeing his pale face and feeble aura, it was clear that he was seriously injured.


    Zhao Sheng knew that the Zhou family was doomed, but why did Zhou Yingze dare to enter Boiling Spring Valley at such a critical juncture, risking discovery? There must be a significant scheme at play.


    Without any hesitation, Zhao Sheng concealed his breath and quietly followed.


    Zhou Yingze was gravely injured; while the damage to his meridians and internal organs was secondary, the more severe injury was to his Divine Soul, which had been struck by the Ice Soul Divine Light, freezing a soul and a spirit.


    If he did not find treatment quickly, by the time the extreme Yin coldness fully infiltrated his Divine Soul, his death would be certain.


    Therefore, he had to risk his life to enter Boiling Spring Valley, in search of a certain Treasure hidden deep underground.


    About a quarter of an hour later, after flying through seven or eight forks in the path, he arrived at a spacious cave where Zhou Yingze stopped. Then he released a palm-sized black-furred mouse with only its pair of eyes shining a bright red, like rubies.


    Once the mouse touched the ground, it squeaked twice and then scurried rapidly into the depths below.


    Zhou Yingze¡¯s face brightened with joy, and he quickly followed.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t dare to follow too closely, nor did he use his Divine Sense to investigate; he simply tracked cautiously using his Spiritual Smell.


    In the days that followed, Zhou Yingze passed through countless Melt Cave tunnels, sometimes having to make his own paths when none existed, with this task alone consuming a great deal of time.


    After squeezing through a narrow and uneven crevice, Zhao Sheng saw a dim red light shining ahead, and of course, the wave of heat that hit his face.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure paused, then slowly floated towards the entrance of the tunnel, completely concealing himself, cautiously releasing only a sliver of his Divine Sense.


    The next second, his field of vision suddenly widened, revealing an underground cavern before his eyes ¨C below was a surging, boiling river of crimson lava, giant fire bubbles swelled and burst within, and tongues and pillars of fire spouted from the rock crevices, eventually turning into flows of molten rock that merged into the sea of fire below.


    ¡°Is this a lava¡­ river?¡±


    Zhao Sheng peeked out from the crevices, observing the thick lava slowly flowing along the riverbed, turning corners from one rock fissure to another, or splitting into even more branches. However, due to the force of gravity, the lava river ultimately flowed into deeper strata.


    Surveying the cavern, he easily spotted Zhou Yingze¡¯s figure.


    At this moment, he stood at the edge of the Magma River, staring motionlessly as if confronted with a dilemma.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze quickly found the source of his trouble.


    Above the Magma River, that thing was quite conspicuous, its pitch-black body bobbing in the red-hot lava, occasionally twisting ¨C a sign it was a living creature.


    Perhaps Zhou Yingze had been watching for too long, for that creature was extremely sensitive ¨C its body suddenly twisted and rose, revealing a wide, flat, and substantial head.


    In the next instant, six molten gold, fiery pupils opened at once, six beams of golden light extended over a foot out of their sockets, staring directly at Zhou Yingze in a scene that was quite shocking,


    Zhou Yingze¡¯s body noticeably stiffened.


    ¡°Molten Gold Frog?¡±


    Zhao Sheng too, was startled, a name suddenly leapt to his mind.


    When the demon finally emerged completely from the lava, Zhao Sheng got a clear view of its entirety.


    It propped up its massive body, roughly ten feet tall, covered in dark gold scale armor ¨C molten lava flowed out of the gaps in the scale armor seemingly without bothering the formidable creature.


    Zhou Yingze moved very cautiously, immediately stepping back and assuming a defensive posture.


    If it had been in the past, the Molten Gold Frog might be strong, but it would not be his match.


    But now he was not only severely wounded, his handy Spiritual Artifacts and talismans were either lost or used up, his strength reduced to less than half of his usual.


    Above the Magma River, the Molten Gold Frog, irritated by the creature that disturbed its sleep, hissed and roared ¨C the three pairs of golden pupils dilated fiercely, and suddenly, blinding golden light shone in the dim cavern.


    Zhou Yingze cursed under his breath and his figure abruptly retreated ¨C a moment too late, and six arm-thick beams of golden light would have pierced six bottomless holes in his original location, their edges glowing red, molten rock dripping into them.


    The six beams of golden light had shot out from the pupil of the Molten Gold Frog ¨C their core temperature was several magnitudes higher than that of lava, comparable to high-energy lasers, incredibly potent.


    If struck by these beams of light, ordinary defensive Spiritual Artifacts would be as fragile as paper, thoroughly useless.


    After the attack missed, the Molten Gold Frog seemed visibly agitated. It thrashed twice on the Magma River, crying out loudly, wanting to leap over but hesitating ¨C in the end, it could only release its golden light again, and not surprisingly, missed yet again.


    ¡°Eh?¡±


    Witnessing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind stirred.


    The Molten Gold Frog clearly was not one to easily tolerate provocation, but despite Zhou Yingze¡¯s repeated taunts, it remained above the Magma River, preferring to spray and bellow angrily rather than leave its spot.


    By this time, Zhao Sheng had realized that there must be something hidden beneath the Molten Gold Frog.


    With this discovery, Zhao Sheng also noticed that Zhou Yingze, while entangled with the Molten Gold Frog, kept his eyes fixed on the area beneath the creature.


    After a lengthy struggle between man and demon, Zhou Yingze had already figured out the Molten Gold Frog¡¯s main attacks.


    So, taking advantage of dodging another golden light attack, Zhou Yingze chanted a Spell and suddenly lifted his hands upward.


    Two vortices formed suddenly on the sides of the Molten Gold Frog¡¯s body, as if an invisible hand was stirring within them, and suddenly exploded upwards, sending a torrent of red-hot lava into the air, carrying with it a whirlwind of scorching heat.

 Chapter 153 - 151 Destructive God Soul Erosion True Fire

    Chapter 153: Chapter 151 Destructive God Soul Erosion True Fire


    ¡°`


    In the blink of an eye, the lava took on a humanoid form, growing a head and two arms, vaguely resembling a giant man. Its lower half remained fused with the river of lava and was not fully shaped, but even just the upper body stood over twenty feet tall.


    Out of instinct, the Molten Gold Frog was extremely wary of the two Magma Giants that had appeared.


    It opened its massive mouth and spewed out a thick stream of high-temperature fire, engulfing one of the giants.


    But let¡¯s not forget that there were two Magma Giants.


    In a flash, the intact giant lunged at the Molten Gold Frog, its arms oozing with lava tightly strangling the demon¡¯s mouth while its head and chest turned into a large amount of sticky substance, blinding the frog¡¯s six golden eyes.


    The suddenness caught the Molten Gold Frog off guard; it was smothered with lava¡­ no, stuck to its body!


    At this moment, even more Magma Giants rose from the river of lava beneath them, fearlessly throwing themselves at the Molten Gold Frog one after another. In just a few breaths, they had piled up into a veritable small mountain.


    If that were all, it would only trap the Molten Gold Frog temporarily; it wouldn¡¯t kill it.


    Zhou Yingze needed just that brief moment.


    He chanted spells with his mouth, and suddenly, there was a three-inch-long, needle-like bone spur in his hand, with a layer of pale white flame flickering around it.


    ¡°When the Prajnaparamita Tribulation comes, the five aggregates are full, the three poisons blaze¡­ go!¡±


    With a low roar from Zhou Yingze, the bone spur shot out like lightning, turning into a streak of white light that disappeared into the pile of volcanic rock.


    Wow!


    A shrill frog croak was heard, the fire mountain erupted violently in all directions, and within the lava, the huge struggling body was exposed.


    At that moment, a fist-sized hole appeared on the Molten Gold Frog¡¯s forehead, with red and white brain matter splattering out.


    A layer of pale white flame spread rapidly across the frog¡¯s body from the center of the hole.


    The powerful demon appeared to be in excruciating pain, with jets of molten gold shooting out from its golden eyes like worthless fireworks, reminiscent of both fireworks and the flames before death.


    It opened its mouth wide, as if to scream, but in that brief moment, its entire body appeared paralyzed, frozen in the position of looking up with its mouth open. Its golden eyes instantly became lifeless, and the demon¡¯s body could no longer maintain balance on the river of magma, toppling over with a thunderous crash into the lava.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng gasped in admiration at the formidable bone spur; struck by just one hit, a Second-stage Demon Beast on par with a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage couldn¡¯t even endure for a moment.


    Luckily he hadn¡¯t acted rashly, or the consequences would be unpredictable.


    On the other side, Zhou Yingze¡¯s face briefly flashed with a green hue. After catching his breath, he walked over to the bank of the Magma River, stretched out his hands toward the surface, and pushed and pulled.


    Immediately, the Magma River roared, its blistering lava churning and flames splashing. Then, two objects slowly rose from below, emerging on the surface.


    One of them was the corpse of the Molten Gold Frog, which goes without saying.


    The other object was square-shaped and bright red, with lava flowing down its surface, still ablaze; it was hard to make out clearly for a while, but anything that could maintain its shape in the scorching lava surely couldn¡¯t be an ordinary object.


    Zhou Yingze¡¯s expression was one of joy. He drew closer, tugging and pulling with his hands, quickly dragging the two objects to the shore.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng get a clear look at the object: it was a half-person-tall, square, entirely crimson metal box. The surface of the box was smooth with no visible seams, as if it were a solid metal block.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng felt somewhat troubled.


    Now, he had two choices: one was to act immediately, whether by sneak attack or by force, to prevent Zhou Yingze from obtaining the treasure inside the box.


    The reasons hardly needed explaining.


    The other was to wait and see how things unfolded until a good opportunity arose to strike a thunderous blow.


    Caso!


    ¡°`


    He hesitated for just a moment when a sudden voice abruptly rang in Zhao Sheng¡¯s ear.


    Caught off guard, before he could figure out where the voice came from, he saw Zhou Yingze uncover the metal box¡¯s lid in an instant by some method unknown to him.


    It was in that instant that a strand of red light burst forth from the metal box, shooting into mid-air.


    The moment the red light appeared, it rapidly expanded in all directions, filling the entire space in the blink of an eye.


    ¡°Not good!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts had not yet dispersed when his vision was completely covered by the overwhelming red light.


    He was about to make a hasty retreat when suddenly a sharp pain exploded in his mind, as if it were being scorched by fire. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng grunted, circulating the Profound Water Spiritual Power throughout his body and across the Six Yang Heads, which made him feel slightly better.


    But this was a temporary solution, not a cure!


    Upon examining his Purple Mansion with his Divine Sense, Zhao Sheng sucked in a breath of cold air ¨C his boundless Soul Sea looked as though it had been doused in oil, ablaze with fierce flames that added a layer of scarlet light on the sea surface.


    Simultaneously, his Divine Sense was being rapidly consumed at an abnormal rate, as if it were being used as some sort of fuel.


    Facing this terrifying spectacle, Zhao Sheng was extremely shocked and instantly recalled the name of a dreadful sect: ¡°Earth Flame Palace, Destructive God Soul Erosion True Fire!¡±


    The Destructive God Soul Erosion True Fire was a characteristic technique of the Earth Flame Palace. Unlike other True Fires, it did not possess attributes like high temperature or explosive heat common to traditional Spiritual Fires; rather than being called Heaven and Earth True Fire, it was more like a special kind of Divine Light.


    It did not burn the flesh but specifically annihilated the Divine Soul. There was no need for contact, as it had the property of ¡®affecting anyone who sees it.¡¯


    Unless one had specific means to protect the Divine Soul, there was no way to avoid the attack of the Destructive God Soul Erosion True Fire.


    It was at this time that Zhao Sheng suddenly realized something brutal ¨C the Patriarch of Zhou family, Zhou Xilai, being from the Earth Flame Palace, it wasn¡¯t surprising for him to have seized a strand of Destructive God True Fire.


    Who would have thought Zhou Xilai would use such a treacherous thing as a protection method, completely catching one off guard!


    And just like that, Zhao Sheng was unfortunately struck.


    ¡°Damn sneaky¡­¡±


    No sooner had this thought passed than a sharp scream burst forth suddenly, followed by an invisible shockwave that pierced through soil and stone, shooting towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Damn, I¡¯ve been found!¡±


    He roared lowly, enduring the soul-burning pain as he let out his Spiritual Power from his body, forming a dense, flawless transparent water barrier around himself.


    This water barrier was none other than the ¡°Mystic Primordial Water Barrier¡± he had refined after refining the Primordial Heavy Water, leveraging the heavy water¡¯s dense and tough nature. It had become one of Zhao Sheng¡¯s most skilled defensive techniques at present.


    The next moment, the shockwave arrived.


    As the shockwave collided with the water barrier, an invisible turbulence spread instantly; Zhao Sheng¡¯s form shuddered, his Purple Mansion violently shaken, and a mouthful of fresh blood rose to his throat.


    For an instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Soul trembled, but fortunately, the Mystic Primordial Water Barrier had reached the instinctual realm, and his Spiritual Power adjusted automatically. Even if his consciousness was disrupted, the circulation of his Spiritual Power did not become chaotic.


    Otherwise, he would have been seriously injured by that hit.


    Since he was already exposed, there was no point in hiding anymore.


    With the water barrier deployed around him, Zhao Sheng moved out from the passageway and into the cavern.


    ¡°It¡¯s you!¡± Zhou Yingze, who had been on full alert by the Magma River, upon seeing Zhao Sheng, immediately swelled with anger and disbelief, and shouted, ¡°Damn it! You¡­ You turned out to be a spy sent by the Mo Family! I¡­ I so hate this!¡±


    In that instant, he suddenly understood many puzzling things and realized a lot of facts.

 Chapter 154 - 152 The Final Battle

    Chapter 154: Chapter 152 The Final Battle


    Zhao Sheng stretched out his hand to wipe away the blood from his nose, and sneered, ¡°Heh, there¡¯s a lot you didn¡¯t expect!¡±


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Soul had been damaged, causing blood to flow from his seven orifices. Because his pupils were soaked in blood, everything he saw was shrouded in a thick layer of blood.


    ¡°Damn you, you traitor!¡±


    Thinking of his family that had stood for a thousand years being destroyed overnight by this man, Zhou Yingze was consumed with rage, and he instantly lost his reason.


    ¡°Your life is mine!¡±


    Before his words fell, a blazing white spirit flame suddenly flew out from his Dantian below his abdomen. Once it reached mid-air, it expanded a hundredfold in size, and then distorted and transformed into a giant Flame Saber over twenty feet long.


    In a blink, it crossed a distance of over twenty yards and chopped down towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s head.


    Before the saber even arrived, the intense heat had already twisted the air, violently colliding with the Mystic Primordial Water Barrier and making a sizzling sound.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts moved, ready to summon the Spirit Fire Gourd, but unexpectedly, a sharp pain in his head caught him off guard as the Destructive God True Fire on the Soul Sea in his Purple Mansion suddenly surged higher, burning even more fiercely.


    It was this split second of delay that allowed the giant Flame Saber to fiercely strike the Mystic Primordial Water Barrier and blow up immediately thereafter.


    In a flash, flames scattered in all directions, water vapor steamed up, and the intense heat, explosion, and the force of a thousand jun came all at once!


    Crack,


    The water barrier could not withstand it for a moment and exploded with a thunderous sound.


    At the same time, a Flame Saber about an inch long, condensed from fire and solidified into reality, appeared abruptly at Zhao Sheng¡¯s forehead, piercing forward.


    The crisis was right before his eyes¡­ How could this be!


    In this critical moment of life and death!


    It was as if someone had pressed the pause button on the world, suddenly slowing it down countless times.


    Zhao Sheng could clearly see the little Flame Saber, forged from spirit flame, inching closer through the air, nearly touching his forehead.


    However, this small distance now seemed as far as the heavens.


    Under this strange state, Zhao Sheng¡¯s reflexes sped up countless times. He simply tilted his head ¡°slightly,¡± easily dodging this lethal blow.


    The next second, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit relaxed, and the world resumed its normal pace.


    Whoosh!


    The little saber missed its strike and plunged into the earth and stone behind Zhao Sheng, instantly causing an explosion and creating a crater over twenty yards in diameter and nearly ten yards deep. The earth and stones inside and outside of the crater burned with strands of white flame.


    Seeing his sure-kill strike miss its mark, Zhou Yingze¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and with a pat on the Treasure Box beside him,


    a cherry-sized, crystal red Treasure Bead suddenly leaped into the air, and the next instant, a flame suddenly ignited on the surface of the bead.


    The flame rapidly expanded, swelling into a huge Fireball the size of a house in the blink of an eye. Due to the appearance of the Fireball, the original hot temperature of the stone cave increased by another dozen degrees, becoming unbearably hot.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    The giant Fireball shot out swiftly upon command, like a meteor fireball.


    On the other side, facing the onrush of the gigantic Fireball, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes shone even more blood-red, and he stood still instead of dodging, as if petrified.


    However, at the moment the Fireball was about to hit him, his body vanished from the spot.


    When he reappeared the next instant, Zhao Sheng was already three yards away, with blood flowing from his seven orifices once again for some reason.


    But Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t care. After dodging the Fireball, he charged straight at Zhou Yingze, looking as if he was seeking close combat.


    Seeing this, Zhou Yingze sneered in disdain and moved his thoughts, causing the Flame Treasure Pearl to suddenly turn and whistle down towards the back of Zhao Sheng¡¯s head.


    But Zhao Sheng seemed to have eyes in the back of his head; his body flashed and disappeared, moving as fast as if by instantaneous movement.


    In an instant, he not only easily dodged the bead¡¯s strike but also covered another three yards.


    Seeing that the distance between them was less than five zhang, Zhou Yingze felt a rush of urgency. He hadn¡¯t expected someone to react so quickly, leaving him no time to activate his talisman treasures.


    The next moment, Zhou Yingze quickly reached for his storage bag at his waist, and suddenly there was a talisman in his hand.


    Then, without a second thought, he channeled spiritual power into the talisman, activating them all at once.


    In an instant, half of the stone cave was ablaze with light, with hundreds of Fire Sabers and Fire Birds arrayed and dancing in the sky. Large swathes of Fire Clouds and Fire Rain filled the air, and a thick and mighty Fire Dragon struck and spiraled around,


    such a formidable onslaught that an ordinary cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage would find it impossible to dodge, let alone block.


    But to Zhao Sheng, it was full of flaws.


    Expanding a Mystic Primordial Water Barrier, the world seemed to slow down, and Zhao Sheng, finding gaps in the spell, easily slipped away.


    Amidst a rumble of explosions, the distance between the two had narrowed to less than two zhang.


    This distance¡­ it was enough!


    A surge of blood glowed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes as the essence blood stored in his heart suddenly shattered, transforming into streaks of blood light that rushed into the Purple Mansion between his eyebrows.


    The blood light, like dewdrops after rain, fell into the Soul Sea. In an instant, the Destructive God True Fire¡¯s flames greatly diminished, leaving only a thin layer grazing the sea surface. His Divine Sense and spirit instantly recovered to their peak, at the cost of a hundred drops of essence blood accumulated over half a year being reduced to nothing.


    Bullet Time began, and the Crystal Invisible Sword struck!


    In that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s consciousness was extremely focused, his spirit clear and flawless. The world was unprecedentedly quiet; dust in the air, the light of flames, the panicked expression on his enemy¡¯s face¡ªall emerged in the depths of his Soul Sea, exceptionally clear.


    In this peculiar state, Zhao Sheng felt an odd contradiction: he sensed the Crystal Invisible Sword was moving slowly, so slowly that even the blade itself seemed easily visible.


    Yet his true awareness told him the Crystal Invisible Sword was incredibly fast, at least three times faster than normal.


    The contrast between the two sensations was so stark that even after over a hundred years of having this Talent, Zhao Sheng had yet to fully adapt, always feeling a twisted sensation as if his spirit were being torn apart.


    Fortunately¡­ the twisting of his spirit didn¡¯t affect the effectiveness of his attack at all!


    In Bullet Time, Zhao Sheng had ample time, enough to thoroughly enjoy the increasingly panicked expression on Zhou Yingze¡¯s face, and enough time to watch the Crystal Invisible Sword effortlessly penetrate a layer of formless light barrier.


    Then, with a single effort, it pierced through the enemy¡¯s head, with the blade emerging from the back, carrying with it a large mass of pinkish, tender brain matter.


    As the brain matter splattered, Zhao Sheng felt a lightness in his spirit, and the speed of time abruptly returned to normal.


    Thud!


    Looking at Zhou Yingze, who collapsed limply to the ground, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but spit out a mouthful of blood. From his lips and nose to the corners of his eyes, ears, and even the pores of his scalp, blood seeped out.


    Although the sight was gruesome, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit was surprisingly good.


    After a long five hundred years and two lifetimes of upheaval, he had finally avenged the destruction of his family and the scattering of his offspring from his previous life.


    Finally¡­ it was over! S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It¡¯s over, and that¡¯s good!


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng let out a long breath, feeling extraordinarily relaxed, with even the pain from his burned Divine Soul temporarily lessened.


    After a short rest, Zhao Sheng gathered his emotions, stepped forward, and collected Zhou Yingze¡¯s and the Molten Gold Frog¡¯s carcasses into his storage bag.


    Then, without even looking, he closed the lid of the Treasure Box and carefully stored it away.


    He was close to death; how could he have the mindset to look at it?


    After retrieving the Flame Treasure Pearl, Zhao Sheng turned his attention inward to the Purple Mansion and sensed that the Destructive God Soul Erosion True Fire above the Soul Sea began to burn fiercely again.


    Gradually, a bitter smile appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    He couldn¡¯t die just yet, at least not until he had completed his final contingency.


    Although the Destructive God Soul Erosion True Fire was deemed incurable, fortunately, he could temporarily replenish his spent spirit by continuously transforming essence blood.


    Even though it was like drinking poison to quench thirst and he couldn¡¯t hold on for much longer, for Zhao Sheng¡­ it was enough!

 Chapter 155 - 153 The Fifth World

    Chapter 155: Chapter 153 The Fifth World


    Name: Zhao Sheng


    Life Span: 131/139


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master,


    Constitution: Four Spirit Roots (Yellow Level), Primary Healing (Mortal Level)


    Talent: Spiritual Smell (Yellow Level), Bullet Time (Yellow Level), Rock Hand (Mortal Level),


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique, Blood Soul Scripture Fragment, Stacking Talisman Technique, Resurrection Skill, Sacrificial Fire Technique¡­


    Spell: Godslaying Sword Intent, Blood Escape Technique, Water Bomb Technique¡­ and thirty-seven others


    Talisman Making: Invisibility Talisman, Concentrating God Talisman, Illusion True Talisman, Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman¡­ and one hundred seventy-eight others.


    ¡°The fourth lifetime has ended, calculating rewards¡­¡±


    Out of nothingness arose chaos, and from chaos came darkness, within the vast and boundless darkness, a jade book emanating endless radiance suddenly leapt from the unknown void.


    The jade book opened automatically to the fourth page, then a figure stepped out from the page, quickly solidifying from an ethereal form into a living, breathing young man.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes, and gazing at the fluctuating memories on the pages, his expression was highly complex.


    As the final scene of memories became fixed, the myriad loves, hates, and sorrows of his fourth lifetime were suddenly extracted by the Hundred Lifetimes Book.


    In a flash, Zhao Sheng felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, revitalizing his entire being, his spirit becoming incredibly relaxed.


    At the same time, an extremely familiar voice suddenly sprang from the bottom of his heart:


    ¡°Evaluation completed, the final rating for the fourth lifetime is: B+.¡±


    ¡°Rating Reward: You have earned three Yellow Level inheritance permissions (one high-level permission can be split into three low-level permissions).


    You can choose to inherit from Constitution, Skill, Talent, or Profession. Please make your selection?¡±


    Having heard the summary, Zhao Sheng felt a bit intrigued, as this time there was even a choice to inherit a Profession, suggesting that even the Hundred Lifetimes Book advances with the times.


    As for what to inherit?


    After a moment of thought, Zhao Sheng said, ¡°Inherit the Four Spirit Roots Constitution, Bullet Time Talent, and Second Order Talisman Master Profession.¡±


    ¡°Inheriting¡­¡±


    ¡°Constitution, Talent, Profession have been inherited!¡±


    Ding!


    Following the clear sound like that of a bell, the voice from within sprang forth again: ¡°Congratulations on achieving five life achievements!¡±


    ¡°The achievements are as follows: 1. Family Revival (Mortal Level); 2. Foundation Establishment Success (Yellow Level); 3. Upgraded to Second Order Talisman Master (Yellow Level); 4. Family Upgraded to Spirit Vein Family (Yellow Level); 5. Destroying Golden Core enemy (Profound Level)


    ¡°Achievement Reward: Five random rewards consisting of one Profound, three Yellow, and one Mortal (note: a high-level reward can be split into three low-level rewards).


    You can draw from Constitution, Skill, Talent, Profession, or opt to enhance an ability level. Please make your selection?¡±


    After hearing the achievements tally, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart felt cool.


    During his fourth lifetime, he believed he had achieved many great deeds, thinking that he would have at least eight or nine, if not ten achievements.


    Yet the Hundred Lifetimes Book was so stingy, granting him only five achievements in total.


    Even more infuriating, destroying the Zhou family was only considered a Profound Level achievement!


    Could it be that one must bring about an apocalypse to reach a higher achievement?


    This¡­ was definitely too much to ask of Zhao Sheng!


    With this realization, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart began to ache faintly, sensing that his future life would become increasingly difficult.


    ¡°My life is truly difficult!¡±


    After a sigh, Zhao Sheng rallied his spirits and started his calculations in earnest.


    First, he attempted to use a Yellow Level reward to enhance his Spirit Root Constitution.


    As expected, he failed!


    ¡°Use the Profound Level reward to upgrade Spirit Root Constitution¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng felt very nervous, deeply hoping that the Spirit Roots included a Water Spirit Root so as not to waste his fourth lifetime¡¯s cultivation experience.


    Fortunately, he was not cursed with bad luck, nor was the Hundred Lifetimes Book that cruel.


    ¡°Spirit Root upgrade in progress¡­ Congratulations, your Constitution has been upgraded to Water, Metal, Fire Three Spirit Roots.¡±


    Good!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face showed delight as he couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in praise.


    With the most important task accomplished, he immediately relaxed.


    What remained was the enjoyable random draw.


    First, he tried a Mortal Level Talent draw to test the waters.


    ¡°Mortal Level Talent extraction in progress¡­¡±


    In an instant, countless white light balls appeared and then vanished on the fifth book page.


    Soon, one of the light balls rapidly expanded and then burst open, scattering into numerous light points.


    ¡°Congratulations to the host for drawing the Mortal Level Talent Steel Will.¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt a bit disappointed to see that it was Steel Will, feeling the Talent wasn¡¯t very useful.


    Never mind that, the main event was the three Yellow Level draws.


    Zhao Sheng spoke solemnly, ¡°Choose to draw once for a Yellow Level Talent and once for a Yellow Level Constitution.¡±


    ¡°Yellow Level Talent and Constitution extraction in progress¡­ Congratulations on drawing the Yellow Level Talent Danger Perception¡­ Congratulations on drawing the Yellow Level Constitution Spiritual Clan Bloodline (Incomplete)¡± sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, two pieces of information flooded Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    [Danger Perception: Your Innate Spiritual Consciousness is different from ordinary people, capable of sensing danger in the unknown.]


    [Spiritual Clan Bloodline (Incomplete): A part of the Ancient Spirit Clan¡¯s bloodline awakens within you, remember it is a blessing not a curse.]


    After reading the two pieces of information, Zhao Sheng¡¯s interest was piqued, and he very much wanted to know the specifics of these two abilities, whether they could compare to the Bullet Time Talent.


    That¡¯s right, there¡¯s still one Yellow Level random reward left.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng no longer wished to draw randomly, instead choosing to enhance the Steel Will Talent.


    ¡°Promotion of Talent Steel Will in progress¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Oooh¡­ ooh!


    A deep and powerful sound of a horn seemed to come from the distant horizon, then grew deafeningly loud.


    Zhao Sheng jerked awake from his dream, his body suddenly sitting upright.


    As his vision cleared and he saw he was in a cramped, dim cabin, the cabin suddenly shook violently, close to ninety degrees, and Zhao Sheng was thrown out, headlong towards the cabin wall.


    ¡°Be careful!¡± Wu Fang¡¯s face changed drastically as he cried out in warning.


    Expecting an inevitable tragedy, Wu Fang wore an expression of distress.


    However, just at that moment, his eyes widened in shock.


    Thrown into the air, Zhao Sheng was suddenly surrounded by a large amount of water that appeared out of nowhere. The water instantly formed into a large water ball, firmly protecting him in its center.


    Smack!


    The water ball hit the cabin wall and easily bounced off.


    Zhao Sheng casually landed on the floor and then waved away the water ball.


    Whoosh!


    The water dispersed with a crash, spilling all over the cabin floor.


    ¡°This¡­ this¡­¡± Wu Fang was taken aback, stuttering for a few seconds before exclaiming in shock, ¡°Ding Tian, you¡­ you can instant cast a spell?¡±


    ¡°Brother Wu, it¡¯s just a matter of practice! I¡¯ve been practicing this Water Condensation Skill since I was six, never missing a day, and it¡¯s been seven years now,¡± Zhao Sheng casually provided an explanation as he absorbed the memories.


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it is!¡± Wu Fang felt relieved after hearing the explanation.


    The Water Condensation Skill is just a First-tier Magic, and after nearly ten years of hard practice, it¡¯s very possible to reach the Instantaneous Realm¡­


    ¡­as if!


    If it weren¡¯t for the Bullet Time Talent, Zhao Sheng might have already died before achieving mastery in this life.


    Curious again, Wu Fang was about to ask more questions when he suddenly heard Zhao Sheng urging, ¡°Brother Wu, the emergency horn has sounded. Let¡¯s hurry up to the deck!¡±


    ¡°Right, right! Let¡¯s move quickly to the deck!¡±


    As if waking from a dream, Wu Fang leaped out of his hammock and hurriedly clambered up the ladder, barefoot.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and followed suit.

 Chapter 156 - 154 Shattered Star Sea Demon Pirate Group

    Chapter 156: Chapter 154 Shattered Star Sea Demon Pirate Group


    Seizing the opportunity as he climbed the ship¡¯s ladder, Zhao Sheng rapidly pieced together the history of this body.


    Zhao Dingtian, currently fifteen years old, resident of Dome Turtle Island, an orphan by birth, discovered two years prior that he possessed the three spirit roots of water, metal, and fire, cultivating the ¡°Wave Stepping Technique¡±¡­


    Flipping through the memories of this body, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, ¡°Interesting!¡±


    From the memories, he found that Zhao Dingtian, due to his unique physical characteristics, had been discriminated against from a young age.


    It wasn¡¯t until the age of eleven, when his spirit root attributes were revealed and found to be three spirit roots, that he was taken into the Zhao Family, given the name Zhao Dingtian, and his status greatly improved.


    However, because of the notion ¡°those not of our kind must have different hearts,¡± Zhao Dingtian, although a three spirit roots cultivator, was still not well-regarded.


    This could be proven in many ways, such as his status in the family being even lower than those with four spirit roots.


    Another example was the vast Outer Star Sea, filled with countless islands, yet no cultivation sect was willing to take him in.


    The most glaring example was that Zhao Dingtian, at only fifteen years old, actually had to join the Treasure Ship and become a sailor.


    This was truly preposterous!


    While he was thinking this, he reached the end of the ladder and leaped onto the deck, the scene before him suddenly opened up.


    The grand Treasure Ship on which he sailed was gigantic, its entirety a bronze hue, with a double-decked structure. The lower deck was extremely spacious, nearly forty zhang in length and eight or nine zhang in width. The upper deck was only one-tenth the area of the lower deck, but it housed the spiritual tool warehouse, the captain¡¯s quarters, and the helm¡ªkeys to the ship¡¯s operation.


    At the center of the Treasure Ship stood one main and two auxiliary masts, three vast sails fluttering in the wind, taut and bulging with the sea breeze. The sails emitted layers of light haloes, within which a huge white whale¡¯s phantom appeared.


    Zhao Sheng had not even finished taking in the sight when he was suddenly pushed hard from behind.


    He stumbled a step but then steadied himself and turned to look.


    He saw a man eight zhang tall with a build like a bear, cursing as he emerged from the cabin.


    ¡°Damn! Just when I finally fell asleep, you had to wake me up again.¡±


    Seeing Zhao Sheng looking over, the man couldn¡¯t help but glare and roar, ¡°What are you looking at! Xiao Si, be careful or I¡¯ll smash you to death!¡±


    Zhao Sheng gave the man a deep look, the ring of blue light at the edge of his pupils suddenly emitted a faintly enchanting luster.


    Just then, an angry shout came from the upper deck: ¡°What are you all standing around for? Get to your positions, now!¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned around and quickly walked to the ¡°Gengzi¡± direction in the northwest corner of the deck, as per his memory.


    Once the other thirty-two sailors of the East Dome had taken their positions¡­


    Hum!


    With a humming sound, the deck seemed to be electrified, and a blue glow lit up instantly on the floor, followed by a white light web rising from the deck, intricate and containing symbols of the eight trigrams and five elements.


    Beneath Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet, a white circle of light also rose, at its center a ¡°water¡± character glowed brightly, connecting to the light web. The others had similar experiences.


    At that moment, Dongyang Ju, the captain of East Dome, stepped forward onto the deck, shouting down to the sailors, ¡°In a moment, follow my command. After I count to three, everyone will infuse their spiritual power. Understood?¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± The crowd shouted in unison.


    Zhao Sheng leaned against the ship¡¯s side, looking outward.


    At this moment, the sun was at its zenith, the sunshine bright and the sea breeze blowing in gusts.


    On the boundless and vivid blue ocean, twenty li away from East Dome, a pitch-black ship was slowly emerging from the water surface, with water gushing down the sides, splashing up a great deal of foam.


    And on the mainmast of this black ship hung a black flag emblazoned with a bloody severed hand.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng knew they had encountered pirates.


    And not just any pirates, but the infamous Blood Pirate Alliance of the Outer Star Sea, known for their distinctive feature of combining blood with parts of the human body, such as the blood hand pirates this time.


    ¡°Lower the sails!¡±


    At the captain¡¯s command, the three sails of the East Dome quickly dropped, and the ship¡¯s speed dropped sharply.


    ¡°Activate the Spirit Stone Furnace! Prepare, one, two, three, activate!¡±


    No sooner had the words been spoken than Zhao Sheng flipped out a spirit stone in his hand. At the same time, he circulated the vortex in his dantian, channeling spiritual power through the Yongquan acupoint in his feet, pouring into the spirit energy network on the deck.


    In an instant, the light net lines on the deck suddenly became several times thicker, as streams of red, blue, gold, green, and yellow spiritual power rapidly transmitted from each spirit array node into the spirit stone furnace below deck. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    The East Dome suddenly shuddered, the stern sharply sinking, and as the sea breeze rushed toward them, the East Dome surged forward like it had been injected with an adrenaline rush.


    Whoosh!


    Vast amounts of seawater were split open, with the waves swiftly cast behind the ship, while Zhao Sheng absorbed spiritual energy from the spirit stones and incessantly infused spiritual power.


    The Shattered Star Sea was boundless, with countless islands scattered throughout its waters. Over generations, ancestors fought to the death to carve out these islands, and more and more of them became populated by humans.


    In the great oceans, the primary mode of transportation and communication between islands naturally revolved around ships.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, due to the different locations, resources, and spiritual energy environments of the islands, some were extremely prosperous and wealthy, others were poor, and of course, there were many uninhabited ones.


    Over thousands of years, countless shipping routes had been established between the islands of the Shattered Star Sea¡ªsome of these routes were so profitable they were known as the Spirit Stone Routes.


    Where there are profits, flies follow. Thus, pirates were rampant on the Spirit Stone Routes.


    Just as there were cultivators protecting legit businesses, pirates were sure to have cultivators lurking in the shadows behind them.


    As Zhao Sheng knew, the vast majority of pirate groups were supported by demon cultivators, so the pirates of the Shattered Star Sea were also referred to as Demon Pirate Groups.


    As for the backer behind this Blood Hands Demon Pirate Group.


    After briefly recalling, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but laugh wryly, feeling it was too much of a coincidence.


    The force behind the entire Blood Pirate Alliance was none other than what had once been the illustrious Origin Return Sect, now known as the Blood Demon Sect.


    As for how the Origin Return Sect evolved into the Blood Demon Sect? Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t quite understand.


    It seemed that Zhao Dingtian only remembered something called the ¡°Blood God Catastrophe,¡± which occurred over three hundred years ago, causing major turmoil in the Central Continent.


    After the chaos had subsided, the Origin Return Sect became despised outcasts, jointly expelled from the Central Continent, and ultimately ended up in the Shattered Star Sea, where they even changed their name to the Blood Demon Sect.


    Although he wasn¡¯t clear about the specifics, Zhao Sheng had already guessed why the Origin Return Sect ended up in such a plight, combining it with his own situation.


    ¡°Attention! A flying boat is catching up! If you don¡¯t want to become a blood slave, get ready to fight for your lives!¡±


    The captain, Dongyang Ju¡¯s shout, snapped Zhao Sheng out of his reverie.


    He turned to look back, his complexion changing. At that moment, he saw a sleek, three-foot-long red flying boat rise from behind their ship and rapidly approach them.


    The flying boat was incredibly fast and caught up with the East Dome in the blink of an eye.


    Whoa!


    With a strange cry of ¡°whoa,¡± more than twenty blood-clothed people jumped down from the flying boat, landing on the deck before ferociously lunging at everyone.


    Dongyang Ju, the only Foundation Establishment Cultivator on the ship, was about to make a move, but he was intercepted by an elder in red robes wearing a faceless mask and with white hair.


    ¡°Hehe! Your opponent is me.¡±


    With that, the masked elder flung a blood-luminous flying sword from his hand, slashing at Dongyang Ju.


    Dongyang Ju, seeing this, had no choice but to halt and, using his spiritual artifact, the Nine Yang Spear, to block the bloody flying sword.


    The two Foundation Establishment Cultivators quickly became entangled in battle.


    On the other side, Zhao Sheng was also confronted by an enemy, a towering blood thief, who was shouting wildly, wielding a sword and shield.


    Zhao Sheng charged forward¡­ as if!


    Seeing the enemy, he took off running the other way.


    Are you kidding? He was only at the Qi Refining Second Level, facing a blood thief who was at least at the Qi Refining Fourth Level.


    Not running would be foolish!


    It wasn¡¯t that he couldn¡¯t kill the enemy, but unless absolutely necessary, he didn¡¯t want to reveal his true strength.

 Chapter 157 - 155: Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

    Chapter 157: Chapter 155: Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?


    The battle on the ship quickly escalated, with flesh and blood flying everywhere, and shouts and killing shaking the heavens.


    The towering Blood Thieves crazily pursued, yet Zhao Sheng moved as if his feet were greased, incredibly agile as he darted around the deck in chaos.


    Despite the commotion, his reactions were astonishing. Spells and magic artifacts clashed and exploded in the sky, with battles raging all over the deck.


    However, like a fish swimming through water, Zhao Sheng weaved through the gaps with ease, occasionally throwing a few water balls and water arrows to hinder the enemy¡¯s pursuit, looking quite composed amidst the swirling chaos.


    After a moment, and narrowly avoiding being speared by a blade spear, the towering Blood Thief stomped his feet in fury and banged his sword on his large shield with a clang, bellowing, ¡°Hey, you little brat, stop running if you¡¯ve got the guts!¡±


    Zhao Sheng stood at the edge of the ship, scanning his surroundings. Half the area was yellow, and a glaring red light shone off the bodies of others, while the two Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared almost black and purple.


    Every time his gaze swept over them, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart pounded like a drum, rapid and intense, giving rise to an overwhelming sense of danger, as if death could come at any moment.


    He knew all of this was the work of Danger Perception at play.


    This Yellow Level talent functioned instinctively based on his actual combat strength, categorizing danger levels into five colors: green, white, yellow, red, and black.


    Green and white indicated safety, yellow meant one¡¯s life could be at risk, and red and above signified a high possibility of life-threatening danger that should be avoided at all costs.


    The final color, black, meant death, indicating that if the enemy took action, one would undoubtedly die.


    At this moment, the East Dome had greatly reduced its sailing speed, and the pirate ship behind was nearly catching up, so much so that the bloodthirsty, grinning faces on the bow of the pursuing ship could be seen clearly.


    Looking at the deck again, two Foundation Establishment cultivators were locked in a stalemate; it was clear that East Dome was at a disadvantage, with three or four sailors lying in pools of blood, including one of the Zhao family members.


    ¡°Can¡¯t wait any longer!¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    Just then, the towering Blood Thief caught up, ¡°Little brat, I¡¯d like to see where you¡¯ll run to now!¡±


    Zhao Sheng lifted his head and gave him a slight smile, ¡°Goodbye, big fool!¡±


    With that, he leaped, stretching his body to easily clear the ship¡¯s rail and freely fall towards the sea.


    ¡°Damn!¡±


    The towering Blood Thief was startled; the little brat dared to jump into the sea. Could it be he was tired of living?


    This was the Outer Star Sea, after all, where there were no islands for thousands of miles and the average depth of the water was over a thousand fathoms, teeming with countless sea beasts.


    Without a passing ship to rescue him in time, this brat would either die or face an ugly death, certainly not surviving more than a month.


    Zhao Sheng crashed into the sea with a loud splash. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The moment his body touched the water, it was like he was back home, as the closed pores all over his body opened automatically and quickly secreted an extremely slippery mucus.


    Meanwhile, his pair of black pupils were quickly tinged by the blue halo at their edges. With each blink, the black pupils instantly transformed into a pair of radiant turquoise eyes, like a pair of dazzling sapphires.


    Zhao Sheng became like a true fish, no, he was even more flexible than ordinary fish, more free in the vast ocean.


    Without making much effort, his body swayed slightly, and he shot far off, swiftly diving toward the deeper seabed.


    The water was incredibly clear. As he descended, Zhao Sheng saw many curious and strange fish, shrimp, and sea beasts leisurely swimming, hunting, and curiously approaching to circle around him.


    Watching these vivid and lively scenes, Zhao Sheng felt an indescribable sense of relaxation and pleasure from the bottom of his heart.


    It was as if¡­ he belonged to this sea!


    Feeling the continuous fresh oxygen seeping into his pores and then into his lungs, Zhao Sheng exclaimed in amazement, ¡°No wonder¡­ Is this the magical nature of the Ancient Spirit Clan?¡±


    No, breathing underwater was just the beginning of the magic.


    He descended rapidly, and in no time, he dove past twelve hundred fathoms, successfully reaching the seabed.


    At such depths, the water pressure was extremely heavy, something ordinary bodies couldn¡¯t withstand, and even normal cultivators had to use pressure-resistant spells to cope with the pressure here.


    Yet Zhao Sheng was different; his body underwent a peculiar change and instinctively adapted to the high-pressure environment.


    Furthermore, at a depth of a thousand fathoms, light could not penetrate the water to the seabed, making it incredibly dark with almost no visibility.


    However, with just his bare eyes, Zhao Sheng could see clearly within ten fathoms.


    ¡°`


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng was unexpectedly overjoyed.


    At that moment, a question suddenly occurred to him,


    Before reincarnation, he had improved his Spirit Root talent and drawn the Spiritual Clan Bloodline. And from birth, Zhao Dingtian¡¯s body had been different from ordinary people.


    So the question was,


    Did he reincarnate directly through the Hundred Lifetimes Book by body seizing, or did he not body seize at all, and was it merely a mystery of the womb?


    At this time, Zhao Sheng was also a little uncertain. If he had not existed, would there still be a person named Zhao Dingtian in this world¡¯s timeline?


    This question was like the ¡°chicken or the egg¡± paradox, the answer might forever remain elusive.


    With this eternal conundrum in mind, Zhao Sheng carved out a niche¡ªno, he established a temporary cave under the sea and hid inside to start his closed-door cultivation.


    Taking advantage of the pirate ship raid, Zhao Sheng seized the opportunity to break away from the Zhao family so he didn¡¯t have to awkwardly explain why his cultivation improved so rapidly.


    The first step of closed-door cultivation was to switch cultivation techniques.


    Wave Stepping Technique not only sounded low-grade, it truly was garbage.


    Without a word, he immediately replaced it with the Golden Core Level Cultivation Method, ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡±.


    Due to his previous life¡¯s experience, Zhao Sheng only took two days to successfully switch the operation route of the cultivation technique and rebuild a new Spirit Power Vortex.


    Compared to Four Spirit Roots, the cultivation speed with three spirit roots had increased at least by a quarter.


    Zhao Sheng absolutely loved this soaring sensation and wanted to continue the arduous cultivation nonstop until he advanced to Foundation Establishment.


    However, the incredibly tight reality didn¡¯t permit him to do so.


    After rummaging through his Storage Bag, Zhao Sheng had only one thought, ¡°Tragic! This is just too tragic!¡±


    In his possession, he had only a total of nineteen low-grade Spirit Stones, half a bottle containing eight Water Spirit Pills, and a bunch of shoddy demon bones and skins. He had only one magic artifact, and it was the most rubbish common Water Dividing Needle.


    This kind of wealth wasn¡¯t even comparable to a Loose Cultivator!


    ¡­


    Half a month later, inside the temporary cave, Zhao Sheng ceased the operation of his cultivation technique, and the Core Spiritual Power Vortex in his Dantian receded accordingly.


    Just then, with a series of crackling sounds, the last Spirit Stone in his hand suddenly turned into a pile of dust.


    Zhao Sheng frowned at the sight, and with a thought, he summoned his personal data panel:


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 15/149


    Realm: Qi Refining Third Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master


    Constitution: Water, Metal, Fire Three Spirit Roots, Spiritual Clan Bloodline (Remnant)


    Talent: Bullet Time, Danger Perception, Absolute Rationality


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Skilled)


    Spells: Water Condensation Skill, Water Arrow Technique, Refraction Technique


    Talisman Making: Water Arrow Talisman, Water Shield Talisman, Invisibility Talisman¡­Blood Melting Talisman (Grey), Concentrating God Talisman (Grey), Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Grey)¡­ and one hundred seventy-six other kinds


    Looking at his personal data, Zhao Sheng relaxed his brow, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.


    He had advanced to the Qi Refining Third Layer!


    ¡°`

 Chapter 159 - 157: Setting a Trap to Earn Spirit Stones

    Chapter 159: Chapter 157: Setting a Trap to Earn Spirit Stones


    ¡°The game has begun! How long can Little Tian last this time? Below five breaths, odds of three to one! Above five breaths¡­ above thirty breaths, ten to one! If Mr. Li loses, the banker sweeps! Place your bets now!¡±


    Aboard the Da Fu vessel, with Cabin Head Chen Laoer¡¯s loud call, a bunch of idle sailors immediately gathered around, shouting in a cacophony:


    ¡°I bet thirty Spirit Stones, Little Tian can¡¯t last five breaths.¡±


    ¡°Pah! Have you forgotten the lesson from last time? I put down forty, betting at least ten breaths.¡±


    ¡°A small bet keeps things fun, ten pieces, above thirty breaths!¡±


    Seeing everyone eagerly join in, Chen Laoer laughed joyfully, adroitly collecting individual bets and recording the information.


    Whaling in the ocean, a round trip taking at least a year, there¡¯s not much entertainment on the ship. Driven to boredom, gambling naturally became the crew¡¯s way of passing time and having fun.


    Once the bets were placed, Chen Laoer gave Zhao Sheng a look from where he leaned against the ship¡¯s side.


    Zhao Sheng nodded knowingly, stood upright, stretched languidly, and slowly walked to the center of the deck, shouting to the second deck above, ¡°Leader Chen, come down for a bout!¡±


    No sooner had his voice fallen than a lithe figure suddenly leapt from the deck above, landing lightly opposite Zhao Sheng.


    The newcomer had a cold countenance, dressed in dark martial attire with a three-inch Jade White Flying Sword hanging over his shoulder, its blade crackling with electric light.


    ¡°Five breaths, two pieces!¡±


    Li Mu, looking at the grinning Zhao Sheng, spat out a few words expressionlessly, and suddenly two streams of white light flew from his hand, landing precisely in the Chest Head Chen Laoer¡¯s embrace.


    The so-called Leader was the head sailor on the ship, generally the best fighter besides the captain himself.


    Sword Cultivator Li Mu was a Qi Cultivation Perfection practitioner, once an Outer Disciple of the Sky Sun Sword Sect.


    Chen Laoer felt in his chest, his expression shifting slightly as he shouted to the others: ¡°Mr. Li has placed a bet of two Mid-grade Spirit Stones on himself! Who else wants to raise? Limited time, no waiting!¡±


    ¡°I will, add another eight Spirit Stones!¡±


    ¡°Me too, risking it all, twenty Spirit Stones!¡±


    Seeing Mr. Li¡¯s confidence, the crowd bet more eagerly, and Chen Laoer was busy again.


    After the bets, Chen Laoer covertly held up two fingers to Zhao Sheng, who blinked in acknowledgment.


    ¡°Leader Chen, please show mercy!¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng flicked his right hand, and suddenly held a Water Dividing Needle over a foot long, its tip gleaming coldly, as if an iron rod.


    ¡°Be careful!¡±


    As soon as he spoke, Li Mu pinched a sword formula, and the Jade Thunder Sword transformed into a streak of white light, shooting out like lightning towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulder.


    Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes to slits, his figure unmoving in place, but at the moment the flying sword nearly reached him, his shoulder suddenly jolted slightly.


    Whoosh!


    The Jade Thunder Sword narrowly missed his skin, gliding past.


    ¡°Wow!¡±


    Among the onlooking crowd, someone witnessed the close shave and couldn¡¯t help but let out a gasp of amazement.


    Li Mu was unperturbed by the missed strike. He¡¯s sparred with this youngster multiple times; if the other couldn¡¯t even dodge a single strike, he would¡¯ve been too lazy to make a move long ago.


    The Jade Thunder Sword soared into the sky, drawing a semicircular arc.


    At this time, the Noon sun was fierce, and the flying sword suddenly merged with the blinding sunlight, becoming nearly invisible.


    Instantly, the sunlight poured onto Zhao Sheng¡¯s face, bringing with it a hint of sword light hidden in its depths.


    Zhao Sheng looked up, squinting from the dazzling sunlight.


    However, in that moment he abruptly raised the Water Dividing Needle in his hand, jabbing it directly into the blinding light of the sun.


    Ding!


    With a metallic chime, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure flickered, retreating three feet.


    At the same time, the Jade Thunder Sword was shaken out of the sunlight, flying out at an angle.


    ¡°Bravo!¡± The crowd couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in praise, with the keen-eyed ones seeing that Zhao Sheng¡¯s thrust accurately hit the flying sword¡¯s tip, diverting it away.


    Such precision in movement, eye power, and reaction speed were hard to imagine coming from a fifteen-year-old child.


    However, reality proved even more bizarre than imagination!


    As they were talking, the two on the field went through another seven or eight rounds of combat, with Li Mu wielding his sword as fast as lightning, yet still unable to leave even a scratch on Zhao Sheng.


    Five breaths had passed, and Li Mu felt a surge of urgency. He bellowed, ¡°Brat, watch out! Sword Control secret technique, Sword Light Division!¡±


    The tail sound of the word ¡°hua¡± (¡°division¡±) still lingering, the Jade Thunder Sword suddenly burst with electric light, its blade flickering and dancing. In a flash, it split into two, then four, and finally eight.


    Eight beams of Sword Light stood suspended in the air, forming a semicircle and surrounding Zhao Sheng.


    Slash!


    Following the command, the eight beams of Sword Light vanished in a flash and reappeared, all striking simultaneously towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, hands, chest, and six other vital points.


    As the Sword Light neared him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed with blue light, and his body suddenly contracted into a ball, spinning rapidly like a top. His Water Dividing Needle instantly thrust out in all directions, moving as quickly as lightning. He seemed to turn himself into a hedgehog.


    Clang, clang, clang!


    Accompanied by a series of metallic clashes, Zhao Sheng suddenly darted along the ground, slipping away like a cunning fox.


    At that moment, Li Mu¡¯s face turned pale. He had just felt the spiritual connection with his Jade Thunder Sword break for an instant, leaving him inwardly startled and alarmed.


    Seeing that even the Sword Light Division secret technique was ineffective against Zhao Sheng, Li Mu, in his urgency, forgot to hold back and forced another thirty percent of his spiritual power into his movements.


    With this infusion, the Jade Thunder Sword seemed to have taken a potent tonic; its Sword Light intensified and its speed increased threefold in an instant, launching a barrage of attacks on Zhao Sheng¡¯s tail.


    ¡°Easy there, take it easy! Grey head, that¡¯s foul play!¡±


    After rolling away like a donkey to narrowly dodge the flying sword¡¯s strike, Zhao Sheng quickly waved his hands, his face full of aggrieved innocence as he pleaded for mercy.


    Upon hearing this, Li Mu was taken aback, and then he remembered that in his haste, he had forgotten to suppress his cultivation.


    A hint of embarrassment crossed his face, and with a gesture, the Jade Thunder Sword swiftly flew back to his shoulder. Then, in a deep voice, he declared, ¡°This time, you win, kid!¡±


    Having said this, Li Mu regained his cool expression, leaped up, jumped onto the second deck, and vanished into the Cultivation Room.


    ¡°Hey! Mr. Li, this is outright trickery!¡±


    ¡°Damn it, the banker wins everything! The world is so unjust.¡±


    ¡°Did Mr. Li rig the game with Leader Chen or something?¡±


    ¡°Buzz off! Do you think Mr. Li is as despicable as you!¡±


    Li Mu¡¯s admission of defeat caused everyone to voice their grievances, except for Chen Laoer, who was all smiles.


    Without a doubt, he made a killing this time.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng also had a share in this gambling money.


    If it weren¡¯t for his pressing needs, Zhao Sheng would not have been willing to work with Chen Laoer to hype up the betting game.


    But in this vast ocean where the Spiritual Energy was so thin, nearly desert-like, without Spirit Stones, Zhao Sheng would hardly be able to cultivate at all.


    To improve his cultivation as quickly as possible, he had no choice but to reveal part of his strength. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course, there were other benefits. Although his cultivation was only at Qi Refining Third Layer, no one dared to underestimate him on Da Fu.


    Everyone understood that a fifteen-year-old Cultivator at Qi Refining Third Layer, barring any accidents, had the prospect of reaching Foundation Establishment.


    If coupled with strength far surpassing his peers, his chances of becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator were not guaranteed, but they exceeded a fifty percent probability.


    Therefore, after Zhao Sheng was rescued on board the Da Fu, he was quickly accepted by others, and even held a high status.


    The Heavenly Dao is balanced; for every good, there is bad!


    On Da Fu, Zhao Sheng found himself in great trouble, despite not being in control of his own destiny.


    As he emerged from the cabin of Leader Chen and was about to climb the stairs with his three hundred Spirit Stones, he suddenly encountered a figure in a short skirt coming down from above, with two plump buttocks directly in front of him.


    Zhao Sheng looked up and, as if by accident, saw something under the skirt that he was not meant to see.


    Smack!


    A slap landed on Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulder, neither too light nor too heavy.


    ¡°Little devil, what exactly did you just see?¡±


    At that moment, a voice as gentle as water reached Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears.

 Chapter 160 - 158 Creditor Hai Laner

    Chapter 160: Chapter 158 Creditor Hai Lan¡¯er


    Zhao Sheng looked up and saw a radiant, charming face before him. The person was tall and statuesque, with a voluptuous figure and long, fiery red hair that cascaded down like flames, matching her fiery personality.


    Hai Lan¡¯er, the precious jewel of Captain Hai Dafu and Zhao Sheng¡¯s creditor.


    ¡°Sister Lan¡¯er, do you believe me when I say I just saw nothing?¡±


    ¡°Hehe, I don¡¯t believe you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m telling the truth, whether you believe it or not, I believe it!¡±


    Slap!


    ¡°Speak human language!¡±


    Though Zhao Sheng could have dodged the slap, he chose to endure it to avoid further torment.


    After a bit of roughing up, Hai Lan¡¯er finally vented her frustration, considering she was still a virgin, she couldn¡¯t let someone take advantage like that.


    If Zhao Sheng knew what was on Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s mind, he definitely would have something to say, ¡°Knowing that you¡¯re still a virgin, yet you dress so scantily and run around the ship every day. It¡¯s because¡­¡±


    Hai Dafu spoils his daughter like crazy. Because of Hai Lan¡¯er, all the crew members had experienced the painful ordeal of the captain¡¯s torment.


    As these incidents accumulated over time, Hai Lan¡¯er became the Emperor of the Da Fu ship. The crew members, seeing her, were like mice seeing a cat, either holding her in high regard or avoiding her entirely.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng acting meekly, Hai Lan¡¯er uninterestedly pouted, stretched out a slender, fair hand, and said righteously, ¡°It¡¯s time to pay this month¡¯s interest. Two hundred Spirit Stones!¡±


    Here!


    While mentally grumbling about her being a money-grubber, Zhao Sheng deftly pulled out two mid-grade Spirit Stones and handed them over to Hai Lan¡¯er.


    Three months ago, after Hai Dafu ¡°rescued¡± Zhao Sheng onto the ship, he immediately declared that such a life-saving favor could not go unrewarded, then conveniently announced that the favor could be repaid with ten thousand Spirit Stones.


    At the same time he ¡°thoughtfully¡± lent Zhao Sheng ten thousand Spirit Stones, the interest, honestly speaking, was very low, just two percent.


    However, there was one condition: until the debt was fully repaid, Zhao Sheng was required to work on the Da Fu, with a monthly salary based on his Cultivation Realm. Being at the third layer of Qi Refinement, he only earned thirty Spirit Stones, not even enough to cover the interest.


    Facing his ¡°life-saver,¡± Foundation Establishment Cultivator Hai Dafu, what could Zhao Sheng do, honestly he was helpless!


    What made Zhao Sheng even more helpless was that Hai Dafu had actually assigned Miss Lan to collect the debt.


    This decision was hardly his idea,


    perhaps it was a certain Miss who spotted a new toy¡­ no, a newcomer on the ship and suddenly became interested.


    Hai Lan¡¯er happily accepted the Spirit Stones, and with her other hand patted Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulder, encouraging him with a smile, ¡°Young man, you must work hard in the future!¡±


    With that, she turned and nimbly climbed up the ship¡¯s ladder and left, inadvertently giving Zhao Sheng a break.


    As Zhao Sheng watched her swaying figure disappearing, he thought to himself, ¡°Young man? Hmph, if I told you how old I am, saying it out loud might scare you to death!¡±


    Only after Hai Lan¡¯er disappeared from the ladder did Zhao Sheng climb up.


    Shortly after, he walked across the deck and entered the Spirit Stone cultivation room located beneath the second deck.


    On a side note, the Shattered Star Sea is not quite what people imagine.


    This ocean has a very uneven distribution of Spiritual Energy. In areas like the Inner Star Sea, the average concentration of Spiritual Energy far exceeds that of the Central Continent. Yet, most regions of the Shattered Star Sea have sparse Spiritual Energy, almost to the point of being desert-like.


    Cultivating in a Spiritual Energy desert is like squeezing milk from sand, you can imagine the difficulty.


    Therefore, spirit cultivation and Food Cultivation are prevalent in the Shattered Star Sea, and the prevalence of Spirit Gathering Arrays is much higher than in other realms of the Tianzhu Realm.


    The Da Fu whaling ship is a second-tier Treasure Ship equipped with three mini Spirit Gathering Arrays and matching Spirit Burning Arrays, making full use of the Spiritual Energy within the Spirit Stones.


    With the experience from his previous life, Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation rate is at least twice as fast as other cultivators with three spirit roots.


    Though it had only been three months since his breakthrough to the third layer of Qi Refinement, he had already vaguely touched the edge of the fourth level. With another half a month, he would break through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage.


    Moving from the third layer to the fourth level is a not too big, nor too small threshold; leaping over it, a cultivator¡¯s strength would see a significant jump.


    For Zhao Sheng, once he reached the Qi Refining Fourth Level, even common cultivators at the Qi Refining Seventh or Eighth Level would not be his match once he used all his methods.


    Time flashed by, and half a month had passed.


    Zhao Sheng walked calmly out of the cultivation room, unknown to anyone that he had successfully advanced to the Qi Refining Fourth Level.


    Chen Laoer was leaning against the Dragon-shooting Crossbow. Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, he immediately exclaimed excitedly, ¡°Little Tian, you¡¯ve come out of retreat. That¡¯s great, it¡¯s just your turn to take over!¡±


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward, smiling, ¡°Brother Chen, you go rest. I¡¯ll keep watch here, rest assured!¡±


    ¡°Be extra careful, lad. We¡¯ve already crossed the Second Island Chain and are truly deep into the ocean. This place is fraught with danger and unexpected threats can arise at any time. If something goes wrong, remember not to panic but rush back into the cultivation room to hide.¡±


    After several months of interaction, Chen genuinely admired Zhao Sheng and, risking the captain¡¯s reprimand, revealed the ¡°truth.¡±


    Zhao Sheng sincerely felt his heartfelt concern.


    Without saying much, Zhao Sheng nodded and said solemnly, ¡°Hmm, I got it!¡±


    After Chen Laoer left, Zhao Sheng looked towards the sea surface.


    This was the open sea, where the wind was strong and the waves were high, and the water below was pitch black.


    Zhao Sheng knew this signified that the depth of the sea was beyond imagination, at least thousands of fathoms deep, and even tens of thousands were not unusual.


    As the saying goes, deep mountains and great swamps give rise to Dragon Serpents; only a mysterious and magnificent Outer Sea like this could breed giant beings like the Spirit Whale.


    Three days later, the weather was sunny and the sea calm.


    On the Da Fu, a group of sailors ran to one side of the ship, looking at the sea surface tens of miles away, pointing and discussing.


    There, the waves surged, and foam spiraled upward. From time to time, large spouts of water shot high from the sea surface, and soon after, gigantic creatures leapt from the water, crashing back down and throwing up waves as big as mountains.


    Hearing the distant sounds of thunderous roars, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was grave; he was encountering creatures bigger than Cloud Dragons for the first time in his many lives, other than Mountain Dragons that had died.


    The Spirit Whale was one of the largest types of sea beasts in the Shattered Star Sea, with an average length of over fifty fathoms when mature, roughly the size of the Da Fu.


    To be precise, the keel of the Da Fu was forged from the spine of a mature Spirit Whale.


    Once a Spirit Whale reached maturity, it became a Second-order Demon Beast and a particularly powerful one at that.


    Afterwards, living just a few hundred more years would allow its size to grow to seventy or eighty fathoms, easily making it one of the top Second-order Demon Beasts, a match only for Golden Core cultivators.


    Occasionally, those with outstanding talent could exceed a hundred fathoms in size and advance to a Third-rank Demon Beast without surprise.


    If it weren¡¯t for the Spirit Whale¡¯s gentle and non-aggressive nature, they could have dominated a territory of the ocean just like the Sea Dominator Octopus or Dragon Serpents, instead of becoming targets for cultivators.


    But that said, even the gentle Spirit Whale, when faced with the danger of being killed, would show a brutally violent side.


    Whaling was an extremely dangerous job!


    Each year, nearly a hundred Treasure Ships from Whale Island went out to hunt whales, and only eighty percent managed to return safely.


    Keep in mind that each Treasure Ship capable of killing a Spirit Whale had at least one Foundation Establishment Cultivator on board, yet the loss rate was still over twenty percent.


    The peril was imaginable.


    Of course, as great as the danger was during whaling, the profits afterward were equally substantial!


    On the second deck, Hai Dafu observed the frolicking group of Spirit Whales in the distance with a very serious expression.


    The Da Fu had the capability to kill a Spirit Whale, but it certainly wouldn¡¯t dare confront a group of them.


    At that moment, Hai Lan¡¯er turned and asked, ¡°Dad, shall we put out the bait?¡±


    Hai Dafu stroked his beard, waving his hand, ¡°No rush, let¡¯s observe for a few more days. It won¡¯t be too late to make our move after spotting an isolated one!¡±


    Three days later, a sudden thunderstorm struck. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That day, the opportunity Hai Dafu had been anxiously waiting for finally arrived.

 Chapter 161 - 159 Whale Hunting

    Chapter 161: Chapter 159 Whale Hunting


    Crack¡­ Boom, boom!


    Above the Endless Ocean, thick clouds darkened the sky, and within them, lightning flashed and thunder roared. Chains of thick blue and white lightning crisscrossed, forming a net, and the sound of thunder echoed through heaven and earth.


    It was as if a hole had opened in the sky, and rain cascaded down like a flood from the dark clouds.


    Accompanying the howling winds, massive waves rose high on the vast ocean, churning one after another, pounding against everything.


    The fifty-yard-long Treasure Ship Da Fu, amidst such extreme and harsh weather, was like a toy tossed about¡ªnow thrown high, now submerged by the waves, and then stubbornly surfacing once more. The ship¡¯s body swung violently back and forth, nearly capsizing several times. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet all this did not extinguish Hai Dafu¡¯s dreams of striking it rich.


    Under his skilled control, the crew cooperated seamlessly, piloting the Da Fu through the torrential rain and waves, doggedly pursuing the pod of Spirit Whales.


    One hour,


    Four hours,


    After six hours, the thunder in the sky abruptly ceased. The rain stopped and the clouds dispersed as quickly as they had come, making way for the bright sun once again.


    Hai Dafu couldn¡¯t care less where the ship had drifted. All he saw were the thick columns of water spurting up from the sea surface not far away.


    What an opportunity!


    Seeing that this Spirit Whale had become separated from the rest of the pod, Hai Dafu made a split-second decision. He extended his Divine Sense to its limit, encompassing everyone on board.


    A piece of information flowed into everyone¡¯s minds: ¡°Attention, all hands on deck, everyone to your positions. Whether we dine in luxury or return empty-handed, it all depends on our teamwork. Let¡¯s move!¡±


    In the cabin, Chen Laoer leaped up excitedly, shouting, ¡°Hey, finally we can start the slaughter! I¡¯ve been waiting so long I¡¯m getting moldy.¡±


    Zhao Sheng also jumped down from the wall where he had braced himself and climbed up onto the deck following Chen Laoer.


    Soon after, the sailors on the deck of the Da Fu took their positions while a pale golden net of Spiritual Power emerged from below, connecting all crew members into the Formation.


    At this moment, Hai Dafu, bare-chested, stood behind a large Dragon-shooting Crossbow. Li Mu and a sailor at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer also manned the other two crossbows.


    Hai Dafu, with a commanding presence, turned to look at the crew and asked in a grave tone, ¡°Everyone ready?¡±


    The sailors immediately cheered, ¡°Captain, we¡¯re all dying for action, give the order already!¡±


    Seeing their high spirits, Hai Dafu smiled in satisfaction before turning back and gripping the firing mechanism of the Dragon-shooting Crossbow.


    Amid the clicking sounds, the Dragon-shooting Crossbow adjusted its position slightly, the Crossbow Arrows gleaming coldly, their sharp tips aimed at a Spirit Whale resting on the sea surface about a mile away.


    Boom¡­ Boom, boom!


    With a burst of noise, the six-foot-long Mystic Iron Crossbow Arrows suddenly disappeared from the crossbow, shooting out at a speed too fast for the naked eye to see.


    Zhao Sheng had just heard the buzzing vibration of the crossbow strings next to his ear when he suddenly heard a high-pitched and pitiful whale cry.


    At that moment, three columns of blood erupted from the ocean in the distance, quickly turning the nearby sea surface red.


    Hum!


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng saw three silver-white ropes surge out of the ocean. The ropes were pulled taut in a flash, and then the body of the Da Fu shook violently. The bow of the ship lurched downwards,


    Zhao Sheng felt a strong force pushing him from behind. Luckily, he had been forewarned and braced his feet firmly, saving himself from embarrassment.


    ¡°Mind your footing and engage the Formation,¡± Hai Dafu instructed his crew with remarkable calm.


    Meanwhile, the Da Fu began to move slowly forward, gradually picking up speed.


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback. So great was the force of the Spirit Whale that it could pull a fifty-yard-long Treasure Ship, weighing a thousand tons.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng wasted no time. Spiritual Power surged rapidly from his Dantian, pouring into the Spiritual Power Formation at his feet.


    A breath later, the Spiritual Power net on the deck already shimmered brilliantly, radiating dense Five-colored Spiritual Light.


    As this spectacle unfolded, the speed of the Da Fu actually began to slow down little by little.


    Clearly, the ship¡¯s power was now fully engaged, and it began a struggle of force with the Spirit Whale.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    The Dragon-shooting Crossbow launched three volleys in succession, with nine Crossbow Arrows embedding deeply into the body of the Spirit Whale.


    By this time, twelve Whale Barrier Ropes on the Da Fu were stretched straight, firmly linking the Spirit Whale to the ship.


    ¡°Very good!¡±


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu¡¯s tongue licked excitedly at his lips, his gaze intently fixed on the fleeing Spirit Whale ahead.


    If everything went smoothly, sooner or later the Spirit Whale would be in the bag for Da Fu.


    However, he celebrated too soon!


    The next second, the Whale Barrier Rope suddenly slackened and fell into the sea.


    At the same time, a huge black and white whale tail, shaped like a character ¡°°Ë,¡± suddenly stretched high into the air one nautical mile ahead before striking the water forcefully, splashing up a giant wave dozens of feet tall.


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu¡¯s complexion changed dramatically, and he yelled frantically, ¡°Bad news, dodge quickly!¡±


    No sooner had his voice fallen than everyone aboard changed color as well, only to see a wide, mountain-like black whale back suddenly emerge nearby on the sea surface,


    At that moment, within ten miles around, the sea water surged violently, and the Spirit Whale, having turned head to tail, carried an unimaginable volume of water, forming towering waves, which roared towards the Da Fu, about to collide with it.


    With the thousands of tons that made up the Spirit Whale¡¯s massive bulk, plus the incalculable amount of water behind it, one could hardly imagine the consequences if the Da Fu were to be hit.


    ¡°Lift off, lift off!¡±


    At this time, Hai Dafu¡¯s face was extremely ugly as he roared loudly, his body suddenly shooting up swiftly and throwing himself into the steering cabin.


    The helmsman, Li Mu, also shouted loudly, ¡°Everyone, don¡¯t hold back, inject your full Spiritual Power!¡±


    Actually, there was no need for him to remind them; everyone knew that the most dangerous moment had arrived, and in that critical time, they all exerted themselves with all their might.


    Zhao Sheng clasped a Spirit Stone in each hand, veins bulging on his forehead, the Spirit Power Vortex in his Dantian spinning like a whirlwind, as he poured all his Spiritual Power into the Formation under his feet like a flood.


    Hum hum!


    The web of the Formation immediately became dazzlingly bright, as the torrent of Spiritual Power was quickly channeled into the furnace filled with Spirit Stones within the cabin.


    Boom!


    The Da Fu shuddered violently, and then with a creaking sound, the hull began to slowly lift off from the sea surface.


    Quicker, even quicker!


    Watching the rapidly approaching gigantic waves, especially the massive brownish-black back at the very front, everyone grew desperately anxious.


    One zhang,


    Two zhang,


    Three zhang,


    ¡­


    The Da Fu rose swiftly into the air, just about to surpass the height of the waves.


    However, at that very moment, the colossal body of the Spirit Whale suddenly leaped up from the sea, its tail striking the waves behind it, and with the force of the second impact, the whale¡¯s body had already exceeded the height of the Treasure Ship.


    The next second, the whale¡¯s head dipped down, with a fearless momentum, aiming straight for the Da Fu.


    ¡°It¡¯s over!¡±


    Seeing this, everyone was aghast, the same thought occurring to all of them.


    Yet, as an experienced whaling veteran, Hai Dafu was not about to sit idly by and await his demise.


    A fierce light flashed in his eyes, disregarding the risk of damaging the Spirit Stone Furnace, he immediately switched the Spiritual Power route from the Floating Array to the Gravity Magic Array.


    Instantly, the Da Fu¡¯s hull jolted, then plummeted from the sky with a crash.


    In that instant, the Spirit Whale broke through the mast and, barely grazing the deck, flew over the Da Fu. Three unlucky sailors, struck head-on by the whale, exploded into a mist of gore that splattered onto the whale¡¯s forehead.


    Boom!


    The giant wave, like a small mountain, smashed down onto the now-falling Da Fu.


    The Da Fu tilted nearly ninety degrees, its stern rising high, seemingly on the verge of capsizing.


    Luckily, there was a highly skilled captain aboard, and the Da Fu¡¯s bow turned just in time, its stern facing the wave; the hull was propelled out, avoiding a rollover tragedy by flying with the wave.

 Chapter 162 - 160: Death Flames and Strange Spiritual Energy

    Chapter 162: Chapter 160: Death Flames and Strange Spiritual Energy


    Huge volumes of seawater crashed onto the deck, and Zhao Sheng was heavily slammed by the water as well.


    However, he was well-prepared, and with a thought, his entire body was enveloped by a large Water Ball, which cushioned the impact of the seawater and prevented any injury.


    Some crew members reacted too slowly and were hurled out by the surging waves, quickly disappearing into the vast ocean.


    But the sailors of the Da Fu were cultivators, not so easily killed.


    Zhao Sheng simply did not have the luxury to consider the fate of those men.


    At this moment, the battle between the Da Fu and the Spirit Whale had just begun.


    The Spirit Whale tried to repeat its old trick, but the Da Fu easily dodged it.


    Under Hai Dafu¡¯s skilled control, the maneuvering of the Da Fu was almost like an art form.


    Subsequently, no matter how often the Spirit Whale attempted to ram, the Da Fu neatly avoided each collision.


    The entire sequence was thrilling and exciting, almost indescribable, akin to¡­ bullfighting!


    Half a day later, the nearby seawater had turned blood red, the Spirit Whale¡¯s energy was greatly depleted, and its initial sharpness had been erased.


    With a mournful cry, the Spirit Whale suddenly swung its tail and dove rapidly toward the seabed.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    Twelve whale barrier ropes suddenly tightened, and the immense pulling force caused the bow of the Da Fu to quickly sink; if this continued, the hull would inevitably submerge beneath the sea.


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu was not alarmed but delighted, knowing this was the Spirit Whale¡¯s final struggle.


    ¡°Everyone, hurry into the cabin, the whaling slip is starting!¡±


    Wow!


    Upon hearing the captain¡¯s order, a sailor shouted excitedly, the most dangerous stage of whaling had passed¡ªnext was the lengthy journey under the sea.


    Once the Spirit Whale¡¯s energy was exhausted and its blood flowed, the harvest would come.


    Two breaths later, the deck was completely empty,


    As seawater washed over the deck, a dim light film enveloped the Da Fu.


    The next moment, the Da Fu had vanished from the sea surface.


    The Da Fu was being dragged towards the depths of the sea by the Spirit Whale.


    Inside the cabin, Zhao Sheng and others returned to their positions, their hands pressed to the cabin walls¡¯ Spirit Array, silently contributing their Spiritual Power to the Spirit Stone Furnace.


    At this time, that was all they could do.


    Elsewhere, in the steering cabin, Hai Lan¡¯er and Li Mu guarded the door, while Hai Dafu firmly held the helm, his gaze piercing through the crystal window, watching the fleeing Spirit Whale ahead.


    He could feel that the speed of the ship was gradually decreasing, which meant that the Spirit Whale was about to exhaust its strength.


    Half a day later, the speed of the Da Fu had become very slow.


    However, at this moment, Hai Dafu became unusually tense, not only to guard against the Spirit Whale¡¯s dying strike but also because the Da Fu had now dived thousands of feet below the sea.


    Surrounding them was pitch darkness, with only the occasional luminescent, bizarre sea creatures appearing, making visibility extremely poor.


    Facing such a mysterious and unknown sea area, no amount of caution was too much.


    A moment later, Hai Lan¡¯er suddenly exclaimed, ¡°Dad, what is that?¡±


    Before the words had fully left her mouth, Li Mu dashed to the crystal window, gazing ahead with a grave expression.


    Seeing the phenomenon ahead, Hai Dafu involuntarily furrowed his brows.


    As the trio looked ahead, a faint blue light suddenly appeared in the pitch-black water.


    This flame bobbed in the water, although its brightness was extremely weak, seemingly about to extinguish at any moment, yet it was very conspicuous against the dark background.


    As the Da Fu slowly moved forward, more and more of these faint blue lights appeared in the water.


    Gradually, a cluster of light reached the steering cabin, yet it seemed like an illusion, silently passing through the thick walls into the cabin.


    Seeing this scene, Hai Lan¡¯er and Li Mu stepped aside, while Hai Dafu appeared thoughtful.


    The next second, this cluster of light also penetrated the wall and disappeared from their sight.


    However, this was just the beginning, as more and more faint blue lights passed through the hull and appeared before the trio.


    At the same time, the appearance of these peculiar flames also caused some disturbance below the ship¡¯s cabin.


    However, everyone quickly calmed down again. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Because everyone realized that these flames were harmless; they were like ghosts or illusions, not interacting with the material world at all.


    Someone was inadvertently passed through by a flame but found themselves completely unharmed.


    Watching countless flames appear and disappear, Hai Lan¡¯er, unable to contain her curiosity, asked Hai Dafu, ¡°Dad, what are these things?¡±


    Hai Dafu shook his head, unsure, and said, ¡°There are too many unknowns in this world, I¡¯m also not sure what they are, but they feel a bit like the phosphorescence from the sea bottom that¡¯s mentioned in rumors.¡±


    Hai Lan¡¯er, growing excited, pressed on, ¡°Dad, don¡¯t you think they look like some kind of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire? Hmm, they could very well be a kind of Spiritual Fire never discovered before!¡±


    As she spoke, Hai Lan¡¯er tried to capture these odd flames, and Li Mu next to her also seemed moved by the idea.


    Hai Dafu thought for a moment and didn¡¯t stop his daughter¡¯s actions while his attention returned to the dying Spirit Whale.


    Elsewhere, some of the sailors in the cabin, just like Hai Lan¡¯er, thought to capture these blue flames, with the quicker ones already attempting to catch them.


    Seeing someone take the lead, others followed suit, each deploying their methods, except for¡­ Zhao Sheng!


    At that moment, his face was as grave as water, his body far from the cabin walls, he diligently avoided contact with the flames while secretly observing everyone¡¯s expressions.


    Because in Zhao Sheng¡¯s view, these blue flames were distinctly surrounded by a faint black mist, and when someone touched the flames, a thin layer of black also appeared mingled in the white light around that person¡¯s body.


    Black represents death!


    The flames are dangerous, extremely dangerous!


    Having seen this scene, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind rang with alarm bells, his Danger Perception fully activated.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch! These flames are very peculiar, and could likely be dangerous! It¡¯s best not to touch them!¡± Out of kindness, Zhao Sheng intended to warn them.


    Some, like Chen Laoer, heeded his advice.


    Having spent several months together, Chen Laoer knew very well that Zhao Sheng, despite seeming young and na?ve, was actually calm and exceptionally mature, not one to speak without reason.


    If he issued a warning, then he surely must have perceived some danger.


    Chen Laoer thinking so didn¡¯t mean others agreed with Zhao Sheng¡¯s view.


    In plain terms, it was greed.


    Such peculiar flames, unrecognized and unseen by anyone in the cabin.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, the more bizarre and unusual, the more precious. Particularly fire-related Strange Treasures are even more valuable.


    If these blue flames were a type of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, or even some extremely rare kind of Heaven and Earth True Fire.


    Then¡­ they would be made for life!


    Good advice is hard to accept with a doomed fate.


    Seeing everyone looking as if greed was their life, Zhao Sheng then refrained from speaking further.


    Chen Laoer moved in close to Zhao Sheng, and asked in a low voice, ¡°Little Tian, did you discover something?¡±


    Zhao Sheng first nodded, then shook his head, and whispered like an ant¡¯s whisper, ¡°Leader Chen, I have been extraordinarily sensitive spiritually since I was a child. The moment I saw those flames, I sensed great danger, very great danger!¡±


    Chen Laoer was stunned on hearing this, then fell silent. Zhao Sheng¡¯s reasoning seemed far-fetched, but in the Cultivation World, those with extraordinary spiritual sense were not uncommon.


    ¡°You¡­ um?!¡±


    Oops!


    Chen Laoer had just begun to speak when he abruptly stopped, and Zhao Sheng also suddenly gasped in shock.


    The two exchanged glances, then said at the same time, ¡°Did you feel it too?¡±


    At that moment, those in the cabin trying to capture the flames unanimously halted their actions.


    Just then, everyone sensed something unusual. A sinister and cold Spiritual Energy stealthily flowed into the cabin.


    This Spiritual Energy was clearly different from the Five Element Spiritual Energy.


    Zhao Sheng held his breath and concentrated, his spirit sensing heaven and earth, and then ¡°saw¡± countless gray spiritual energy particles filling the surrounding space.


    Instantly, a rare kind of Spiritual Energy abruptly surfaced in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.

 Chapter 163 - 161 Bizarre Suicide

    Chapter 163: Chapter 161 Bizarre Suicide


    ¡°Pure Yin Spiritual Energy!¡± someone suddenly exclaimed in a loud voice. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As these words were spoken, the cabin erupted into commotion!


    There are many kinds of nature¡¯s spiritual energy, and the more extreme the property of the spiritual energy, the rarer it is. The Five Elements Spiritual Energy of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth are the most common, followed by wind, thunder, and ice, but the rarest of all are the Yin Yang Spiritual Energy.


    The reason why Yin Yang Spiritual Energy is so rare is that the conditions required for their emergence are extremely stringent in terms of timing and terrain; even a slight deviation can cause them to evolve into a different property or dissipate completely.


    Following the simple principle that the rarer something is, the more precious it is, special regions that give birth to Yin Yang Spiritual Energy often hide treasures of comparable value.


    As the Da Fu steadily moved forward, the surrounding concentration of Pure Yin Spiritual Energy grew more intense, and those pale blue flames became denser.


    In the steersman¡¯s cabin of the Da Fu, Hai Lan¡¯er had already stopped trying to capture the flames and stared ahead in shock. The usually cool Li Mu stood beside her, his mouth slightly agape, looking somewhat pale.


    Looking through the crystal-clear window, one could see an endless sea of pale blue, slowly unveiling itself against the pitch-black backdrop to the awe of the three onlookers.


    Countless pale blue flames rose from the sea and oscillated aimlessly within the waters.


    Below this ocean, as far as the eye could see, were mountains of white bones, uncountable carcasses and skeletons layered and undulating, extending to the horizon before disappearing into the darkness.


    The Da Fu ¡°sailed¡± over this ocean of bones as if it had inadvertently entered a mysterious and eerie otherworld, silent and eerie yet incredibly grand.


    After a while, Hai Lan¡¯er broke the silence with a panicked expression, stuttering, ¡°Wha¡­ what is this?!¡±


    Hai Dafu pondered for a moment before speaking solemnly, ¡°This¡­ I fear this is the legendary Ocean Graveyard. We¡¯ve hit the jackpot this time!¡±


    Li Mu, sensing his hesitation to proceed, immediately chimed in, ¡°Boss, with such a dense concentration of Pure Yin Spiritual Energy, there must be a Pure Yin Spirit Vein nearby. We can¡¯t afford to miss this chance to strike it rich!¡±


    Hai Dafu nodded slightly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Talent does not blame one for taking advantage of it! Since we have come to a Treasure Land, naturally we cannot leave empty-handed.¡±


    Moments later, the spirit whale let out one final lament before its colossal body completely lost its life force and the carcass began to sink into the pale blue ¡°ocean¡± below.


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu¡¯s face beamed with joy, and he immediately altered the Formation to make the Da Fu ascend.


    Boom! Boom!


    As the Treasure Ship rose, the Whale Barrier Rope quickly tightened, dragging the huge whale carcass slowly toward the sea surface.


    Midway through the ascent, Hai Lan¡¯er suddenly slapped her father¡¯s arm and pointed towards the edge of the window, exclaiming in surprise, ¡°Dad, look¡­?¡±


    Huh!


    Hai Dafu looked in response and let out a surprised huh.


    Far off in the distance, about a dozen miles away and aided by the faint glow of the pale blue flames, a vast shadow suddenly became visible.


    This shadow was roughly cylindrical in shape, about a mile in diameter, and it became thicker the deeper it went.


    Curiosity piqued, Hai Dafu directed the Da Fu toward it.


    As they drew closer, the shadow revealed its true form¡ªit was an immense and towering grey-white coral reef that had accumulated and grown from the deep seafloor over countless millennia, eventually reaching its current monumental scale.


    As they neared the coral reef, Li Mu could clearly sense that the Pure Yin Spiritual Energy was becoming even denser.


    He was immediately overjoyed and quickly said, ¡°Boss, do you feel it? This coral reef is highly likely the Coral of Gathered Spirits! The Spirit Vein must be right beneath it.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Hai Dafu was taken aback for a moment, but after briefly sensing it with his spirit, he burst into a hearty laugh and said, ¡°Indeed, it is the Coral of Gathered Spirits. It¡¯s like finding what you searched so hard for without any effort at all!¡±


    The Coral of Gathered Spirits, also known as Zhi Lingshan, has an affinity for spiritual energy and wherever it grows, a Spirit Vein is surely present.


    After growing for tens of thousands of years, the coral breaches the sea surface, forming numerous coral islets that eventually evolve into spirit islands.


    Many of the spirit islands in the Shattered Star Sea came from this.


    Hai Lan¡¯er was also very excited. If this coral reef had already broken through the sea surface and grown into an island,


    it would mean that their Hai Family possessed a spirit island, and a rare Pure Yin Spirit Island at that.


    With a spirit island, the Hai Family would have the foundation to establish their clan.


    Thinking of the bright future, Hai Lan¡¯er couldn¡¯t help but feel emotionally overwhelmed.


    A quarter of an hour later, the Da Fu abruptly broke through the water, and its gigantic hull emerged on the surface.


    No sooner had the treasure ship surfaced than Zhao Sheng and others hurriedly escaped from the cabin, rushing onto the deck to breathe in the fresh air.


    Once everyone had calmed their nerves, Hai Dafu directed them to start salvaging the corpse of the spirit whale.


    In the blink of an eye, three days passed.


    The water around the Da Fu was blood-red, attracting wave after wave of sharks and other ocean predators, only to be ruthlessly slain by Immortal Cultivators.


    After three days and nights of dissection, only a massive skeleton of the spirit whale remained, lying close to the Da Fu.


    Not only everyone¡¯s Storage Bag, but also the ship¡¯s warehouse was filled with spirit whale meat and spirit fat.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, spirit whale meat was an ingredient rich in Spiritual Energy, very popular among Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators. Spirit fat had an even wider use, not only as an auxiliary material for Alchemy and Artifact Refining but also essential in refining special Fire Bombs.


    A single spirit whale represented a huge fortune.


    If it had been in the past, the people on the Da Fu would have been overjoyed by now.


    But at this moment, there was no joyful atmosphere on the ship; instead, it was extremely gloomy.


    In the captain¡¯s cabin, Hai Dafu, Hai Lan¡¯er, Li Mu, and Chen Laoer sat together.


    Hai Dafu stroked his red beard, his face grave as he asked, ¡°Which one is it now?¡±


    With a somber tone, Li Mu replied, ¡°The fourth one, Shou Hou just jumped into the sea!¡±


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than Chen Laoer exploded with curses, ¡°Damn it! What¡¯s going on? The guy was fine yesterday, how could he suddenly jump into the sea and commit suicide today?¡±


    Everybody was supposed to be getting rich, all smiles and laughter, reveling in the future just yesterday.


    But the next day, without a word, this person plunged into the sea to take his own life.


    An Immortal Cultivator committing suicide without any warning and choosing to die by suffocation.


    It¡¯s simply a joke!


    But when the joke repeats over and over, anyone would be terrified.


    Hai Lan¡¯er, being the most timid, tugged at Hai Dafu¡¯s sleeve in fear and said anxiously, ¡°Father, let¡¯s leave quickly! This cursed place bodes ill. It will be too late if we don¡¯t leave now.¡±


    Hai Dafu was hesitant; beneath this area of the sea lay a hidden unknown treasure, and if they left now, it might not be easy to find this place again.


    Li Mu suggested, ¡°Captain, I think this place is very strange. Why don¡¯t we leave this sea area for now and see what happens later?¡±


    Chen Laoer, remembering Little Tian¡¯s instructions before their departure, echoed, ¡°Captain, beneath this sea lies the Ocean Graveyard, and I feel that Shou Hou¡¯s death is definitely related to it. It¡¯s best for us to leave for now.¡±


    ¡°In that case, we¡ª¡ª¡±

 Chapter 164 - 162: Lost and Death

    Chapter 164: Chapter 162: Lost and Death


    Hai Dafu¡¯s speech was cut off by a sudden panic-stricken voice, ¡°Captain, it¡¯s terrible, Chen Jinsui is dead! Come take a look quickly!¡±


    Bang!


    Hearing this bad news, Hai Dafu¡¯s face turned ashen. He kicked away his stool and swiftly swept out of the room.


    Moments later, a full circle of people gathered around the mast on the deck, and in the middle of the crowd lay a stiff corpse, its face wearing a ghastly smile.


    At this point, everyone present felt anxious and uneasy, with expressions of panic, gloom, and trepidation varying from one to another.


    After a thorough examination of the body, Hai Dafu¡¯s complexion became even more grim.


    With his more than a hundred years of experience, he concluded that the Chen brothers must have severed their own heart channels by their own volition; it couldn¡¯t be homicide.


    Another¡­ suicide!


    Hai Dafu stood up and asked the crowd, ¡°Did Chen Jinsui show any abnormalities before he died?¡±


    Immediately, a burly man said in panic, ¡°Before this, Jinsui wanted to jump into the sea, but after I stopped him, he¡­ he suddenly laughed, in a chilling manner, then severed his own heart channel.¡±


    At that moment, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, ¡°Boss, let¡¯s get out of this cursed place fast!¡±


    ¡°Yes! If we stay here any longer, we¡¯ll all be dead.¡±


    ¡°Captain, please give us a definite answer!¡±


    Facing everyone¡¯s pleas, Hai Dafu did not hesitate to say, ¡°Pull up the Spirit Whale Skeleton onto the deck; then we¡¯ll leave here at once.¡±


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    After a cheer, the crew immediately began to salvage the spiritual bone.


    An hour later, The Da Fu, carrying the Spirit Whale Skeleton, quickly set sail from this area.


    However, death seemed to have its eyes on The Da Fu.


    Even after leaving the area, the suicides continued to occur.


    Facing the unknown strange events, the Cultivators seemed to become helpless mortals, dying one after the other without any warning.


    The number of crew on The Da Fu rapidly decreased,


    In just one day, the thirty-six member crew of The Da Fu had dwindled to twelve.


    Faced with such a dire situation, Chen Laoer had reported the odd properties of the blue flame to Hai Dafu two days prior, and the ¡°secret¡± of Little Tian¡¯s astonishing spiritual sense could not be kept hidden anymore.


    Hai Dafu immediately called over Zhao Sheng to inquire about it.


    Zhao Sheng immediately shared his speculation with the captain that everyone who had contact with the flame would commit suicide.


    Once this ¡°paper window¡± was punctured, the ¡°truth¡± immediately became clear to all, ¡°The blue flame is the culprit!¡±


    After questioning all the survivors, Hai Dafu breathed a sigh of relief; none of the remaining people had touched the flame.


    This was a piece of good fortune amidst the misfortune.


    However, as the old saying goes, blessings never come in pairs, and misfortunes never come singly!


    Soon, The Da Fu encountered another bizarre incident.


    Night fell, and a thick fog suddenly rose over the sea.


    The fog was so dense that you couldn¡¯t see the sea surface two yards away.


    To avoid getting lost, The Da Fu immediately stopped to wait for the fog to clear.


    The next day, as the sun rose, the fog quickly dispersed, and The Da Fu resumed its homeward journey.


    However, in the evening, the thick fog suddenly engulfed The Da Fu again.


    This¡­ was unusual, but encountering thick fog while at sea can also be considered normal.


    On the third day, the fog cleared with the sunrise. But by evening, as if on cue, the thick fog returned.


    On the fourth day,


    On the fifth day,


    ¡­


    For seven consecutive days, the situation remained the same, and even the most insensible among them started to notice the oddity.


    Calculating the distance, after seven days, The Da Fu should have traveled over three thousand nautical miles.


    Logically, they should have escaped the Foggy Sea Area by now, but peculiarly¡­


    Hai Dafu gathered all the survivors, including Zhao Sheng, Chen Laoer, Hai Lan¡¯er, and Li Mu.


    Looking at the crowd, he asked seriously, ¡°What do you think is going on now?¡±


    The crowd looked at each other, but no one spoke up first.


    Seeing this, Hai Dafu directly called on one of them, ¡°Li Mu, you speak.¡±


    Li Mu pondered for a moment, his expression grave, and said, ¡°Boss, I fear we might be lost at sea!¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, everyone¡¯s heart sank deeply.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng shook his head and said in a low voice, ¡°I think it¡¯s not just that we¡¯re lost; for seven days, we¡¯ve been circling within the same area.¡±


    Hai Dafu¡¯s expression became solemn upon hearing this, ¡°Little Tian, do you have any evidence for what you¡¯re saying?¡±


    Zhao Sheng pointed toward the sea surface, ¡°The evidence lies undersea.¡±


    ¡­


    An hour later, Hai Dafu emerged from the water with an extremely grim expression on his face.


    He brought back a terrible piece of news: the Ocean Graveyard was right beneath their feet.


    In other words, the Da Fu had been going around in circles for seven days and ended up back where it started.


    That night, the Da Fu disregarded the fog and fled at full speed.


    After a night passed, the Sun rose and the fog dissipated, and Hai Dafu once again dived into the sea, then surfaced with an even darker expression.


    Two months passed in the blink of an eye, and the Da Fu was still trapped in this sea area.


    That day, Hai Dafu gathered everyone and announced something.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to explore that Pure Yin Spirit Vein. Who wants to come with me?¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than people immediately stood up.


    ¡°I¡¯m in!¡±


    ¡°Count me in!¡±


    ¡°We should have gone earlier. Heh, the bold ones die of gluttony, the timid of starvation!¡±


    After some declarations, as many as eight out of twelve people were willing to go.


    However, Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t among them.


    Zhao Sheng had his own plans; after all, cultivation was the same everywhere.


    Now, with a boat full of spirit whale meat and no lack of cultivation resources, his main priority was to elevate his cultivation; other matters could wait.


    While Zhao Sheng remained silent, Hai Dafu glanced at his daughter sternly and said in a deep voice, ¡°Lan¡¯er, you¡¯re not allowed to go!¡± sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hai Lan¡¯er said with indignation, ¡°Dad, I want to go.¡±


    Hai Dafu unhesitatingly said, ¡°I said no means no!¡±


    Hai Lan¡¯er wanted to argue more, but her father silenced her with a wave of his hand.


    After some consideration, Hai Dafu decided to leave half of the people on board, while the others, who weren¡¯t afraid to die, would follow him.


    Splash, splash!


    The water rippled in waves as the figures of Hai Dafu and his six men quickly vanished beneath the sea.


    Hai Lan¡¯er watched longingly as the group dived down into the depths.


    At that moment, Li Mu walked up behind her and consoled, ¡°Lan¡¯er, you don¡¯t need to worry! The boss will be back soon.¡±


    Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s face was full of hope, ¡°Uncle Mu, are you telling the truth?¡±


    ¡°Of course, don¡¯t forget your father is a Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer Cultivator.¡±


    However, a day passed and there was no return of Hai Dafu and the others.


    Two days,


    Three days,


    Four days later, there was still no word from Hai Dafu and his men.


    Now, Li Mu¡¯s face also turned somber.


    According to the earlier agreement, regardless of whether they discovered anything new, they would send a message back in a timely manner.


    But now¡­ this situation of being lost without a trace, what was it all about?


    Another day passed, and when the sun once again rose from the horizon, Hai Lan¡¯er could no longer wait.


    On the deck, Hai Lan¡¯er, her face streaked with tears, cried out with a sobbing voice, ¡°Uncle Mu, let go of me! I have to find my father!¡±


    She struggled several times trying to dive into the sea, but could not break free from Li Mu¡¯s iron grip.


    Li Mu said coldly, ¡°Going now will be of no help. All we can do now is to wait.¡±


    ¡°Let me go! Let me go!¡±


    As they spoke, Zhao Sheng came out of the cabin and saw the struggle between the two.


    Despite not wanting to admit it, he feared in his heart that Hai Dafu and the others were more likely unfortunate than not.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward and chopped at the back of Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s neck, knocking her unconscious.


    Zhao Sheng caught her collapsing body smoothly and turned to Li Mu, saying, ¡°Old Man, I¡¯ll take her down to rest.¡±


    Li Mu looked approvingly and instructed, ¡°Take good care of her for me, make sure she doesn¡¯t do anything foolish.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and then suddenly asked, ¡°Old Man, what should we do if the captain doesn¡¯t come back?¡±


    ¡°What to do? We¡¯ll take it one step at a time!¡± Li Mu turned his head towards the sparkling sea and spoke with a forlorn expression.

 Chapter 165 - 163 A Woman Will Only Slow Down My Cultivation

    Chapter 165: Chapter 163 A Woman Will Only Slow Down My Cultivation


    A large slab of white, oily roast meat quivered as it was piled on the table, emitting a thick aroma of meat.


    Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows, stared at it for a while, then picked up the piece of meat and shoved it into his mouth. He bit off a chunk of the fatty meat, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it down.


    In no time, a five-pound piece of spirit whale meat had made its way into Zhao Sheng¡¯s stomach.


    Wiping away the grease from the corner of his mouth, Zhao Sheng endured the nausea, closed his eyes and started running his cultivation technique, digesting the spirit whale meat while absorbing the spiritual energy emanating from it.


    As streams of spiritual energy were absorbed from his stomach into his dantian, they were quickly refined by the spirit power vortex and became a part of his spiritual power.


    Through a continuous cycle of absorption and refining, Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation level was gradually improving.


    Since Hai Dafu and others had not returned, a year had passed.


    In that one year, Zhao Sheng miraculously broke through from the Qi Refining Fourth Level to the Qi Refining Fifth Level.


    Indeed, in Hai Lan¡¯er and Li Mu¡¯s eyes, this simply seemed like a miracle.


    But Zhao Sheng knew it was nothing extraordinary. After all, he had gone through cultivation in his past life, and with sufficient cultivation resources in this life, he was confident he could reach Foundation Establishment before the age of thirty.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    Who knows how much time had passed when the spirit whale meat was completely digested, and the spiritual energy fully refined, Zhao Sheng awoke from his cultivation state.


    He finished his practice, stood up, and pushed open the door to exit.


    No sooner had he stepped onto the deck than Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows twitched, then his expression returned to normal and even revealed a faint smile.


    On the deck, Hai Lan¡¯er was leaning against the rail, murmuring responses to the incessant chatter of the Gui Xin Tree while actually feeling thoroughly annoyed.


    Looking up, she just happened to see Zhao Sheng appear, and her face instantly became radiantly joyful.


    This made the Gui Xin Tree beside her, who had been desperately trying to please the beauty, look dumbfounded.


    With a cheer, Hai Lan¡¯er ran up to Zhao Sheng, narrowed her eyes, and said with an expectant smile, ¡°Little Tian, you¡¯re out of seclusion. How¡¯s your cultivation going? If there¡¯s anything you don¡¯t understand, you can ask me¡­ um, ask Uncle Mu!¡±


    A year had gone by, and Hai Lan¡¯er had finally stepped out of the shadow of her father¡¯s death, but it had brought a side effect.


    Since then, she had been clinging to Zhao Sheng.


    It was because Zhao Sheng had always comforted and cared for her with an ¡°attentive big brother¡± demeanor.


    Zhao Sheng initially did so at the behest of Li Mu and also saw Hai Lan¡¯er as a little girl who had lost her father.


    Out of sympathy and compassion, he had casually looked after her for a while, helping her step out of the gloom and rediscover hope in life.


    If he had known the cost would be this, Zhao Sheng would certainly not have been so attentive.


    After all¡­ women only affected the speed of his cultivation!


    Facing the overly enthusiastic Hai Lan¡¯er, Zhao Sheng moved forward without changing his demeanor and casually asked, ¡°Uncle Mu, has he returned?¡±


    Hai Lan¡¯er looked up at the sky, hurriedly followed and said, ¡°Uncle Mu has been out for nearly three hours; he should be back soon.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the time it took for the two exchanges, the Gui Xin Tree had already sidled over.


    At this moment, a surge of jealousy welled up within him, and a flash of yellow light passed over his hands as he suddenly slapped towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulder.


    At the same time, he said to Zhao Sheng with a smiling face, ¡°Little Tian, long time no see!¡±


    A hint of coldness flickered in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, his shoulder suddenly sunk down, dodging the other¡¯s attack.


    ¡°Mr. Gui, didn¡¯t we just meet yesterday?¡± Zhao Sheng stopped and looked calmly at the other person.


    Huh?


    Gui Xin Tree frowned, having intended to teach the pretty boy a lesson, only to find his efforts foiled.


    ¡°Nice reflexes! Let¡¯s see if you¡¯ve made any progress recently,¡± he said as his body flashed with a layer of yellow light and he pounced without regard for fairness due to the difference in age and strength.


    Gui Xin Tree was a Qi Refining Seventh Layer practitioner, second only to Li Mu, who was at Qi Refining Perfection, among the six survivors.


    Perhaps because of the long drift at sea without female company, or maybe because Hai Lan¡¯er was too beautiful, or even intending to gain both wealth and beauty, Gui Xin Tree had been trying everything to please Hai Lan¡¯er of late, aiming to win the beauty over.


    Zhao Sheng snorted at this thought, feeling that Gui Xin Tree did not even bother to look at himself, with his sharp monkey features and advancing years.


    How could Hai Lan¡¯er ever fancy him!


    People must have self-awareness!


    The Gui Xin Tree felt good about himself, even brimming with confidence.


    A Qi Cultivation Late Stage Practitioner ¡°teaching¡± a couple of Qi Refining Fifth Level kids, it was supposed to be a piece of cake.


    However, reality turned out to be much less ideal than he imagined!


    First a lunge,


    then a tear,


    and a fling¡­


    On the deck, the two figures chased and dodged, their movements so fast and elusive they made onlookers dizzy.


    The Gui Xin Tree had been grabbing and kicking for quite a while, panting for breath, yet he hadn¡¯t even touched the hem of Zhao Sheng¡¯s clothes.


    He didn¡¯t believe that a fifteen or sixteen-year-old kid could be stronger than him; he just thought his opponent was too cunning.


    If it weren¡¯t for Li Mu¡¯s prohibition against using weapons on the ship, the Gui Xin Tree would have taken out his Magic Artifact, the Golden Bite Sword, and chopped the annoying brat into seven or eight pieces long ago.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng suddenly looked up at the sky, then stopped in his tracks and waved at the Gui Xin Tree, saying, ¡°Mr. Gui, let¡¯s stop for now, Uncle Mu and the others are back!¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than a three-zhang-long mini Cloud Boat descended from the sky and landed gracefully on the deck.


    The stern-faced Li Mu leapt down from the Cloud Boat, followed by two brawny men, one tall and one short, jumping down behind him.


    The tall one was named Yan Kai, and the short one was Zou Li, both were Qi Refining Mid Stage cultivators.


    Seeing Li Mu return, Hai Lan¡¯er was overjoyed and hurriedly went up to greet him.


    ¡°Uncle Mu, did you find anything?¡±


    Li Mu habitually shook his head in response, ¡°Nothing.¡±


    After hearing this, Hai Lan¡¯er pursed her lips in disappointment, but having been disappointed many times, she wasn¡¯t too let down.


    She quickly cheered up and started chattering away to Li Mu about various trivial and boring little matters.


    Li Mu had been saved by Hai Dafu in his youth, and had spent the past two decades on the Da Fu, effectively becoming Hai Dafu¡¯s right-hand man.


    He had also watched Hai Lan¡¯er grow up, so after Hai Dafu¡¯s disappearance, he started to treat Hai Lan¡¯er as his own daughter.


    This was also a major reason why the Gui Xin Tree didn¡¯t dare to be forceful with Hai Lan¡¯er.


    ¡­


    The night was calm and quiet, with a thick fog blanketing the sea.


    Bang!


    A dull thud suddenly broke the silence, the Da Fu trembled slightly, and a creaking friction sound ensued.


    Zhao Sheng, who was meditating in the steering cabin, abruptly opened his eyes; with a slap on the floor, his body soared up, rushing out of the room at high speed.


    Passing through the misty deck, he arrived at the side of the ship and saw a huge shadowy figure swaying faintly through the fog. Zhao Sheng paused with a surprised look, exclaiming, ¡°What¡¯s this¡­?¡±


    Shortly after, all six people gathered on the deck.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the ¡°sea ship¡± opposite them, lost in thought.


    This sea ship was very strange. It was about one-third smaller than the Da Fu, a single-decked sea ship with an eerie appearance.


    The cloudy boards of the ship were covered with thick layers of gray-green seaweed. The deck, masts, and various parts of the ship were filled with black demonic-looking barnacles and diverse marine life.


    Slippery dark green sunflower tentacles messily ¡°grew¡± out of deck crevices and ship cabins.


    Seeing the sea ship opposite them, the Gui Xin Tree exclaimed in amazement, ¡°This¡­ This is a ¡®Ghost Ship¡¯?!¡±


    In the Shattered Star Sea, any unmanned ship that had sunk and reappeared on the sea surface, drifting with the currents, was called a Ghost Ship.


    The Shattered Star Sea was full of unknown and mysterious things, and Ghost Ships were one of them.


    Ghost Ships sometimes harbored unknown dangers; it was recorded that even a Golden Core Master had perished after boarding a Ghost Ship.


    In fact, most Ghost Ships bore no danger and were merely abandoned vessels.


    However, many lucky individuals had found treasures left behind by predecessors on Ghost Ships and had thus changed their destinies.

 Chapter 166 - 164: Life Path of Despair

    Chapter 166: Chapter 164: Life Path of Despair


    Li Mu carefully examined the strange ship and nodded, ¡°Hmm, it is indeed a Ghost Ship. Who will come with me to explore it?¡±


    Hearing this, Hai Lan¡¯er turned her head to look at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng knew what her glance meant, so he spoke up, ¡°I haven¡¯t sensed any danger.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the Gui Xin Tree eagerly said, ¡°Boss Mu, I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    ¡°Count me in.¡± Others didn¡¯t want to miss the opportunity and also volunteered one after another.


    After everyone made their positions clear, six people simply boarded the ship together.


    Once on the ship, the details of their search need not be elaborated upon.


    An hour later, everyone left the Ghost Ship and returned to the Da Fu, sharing their respective finds.


    Gui Xin wanted to show off the top-grade magical tool and the two Storage Bags he had just found to everyone.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t care about Gui Xin¡¯s show-off act at all.


    What he was concerned about now were the two items in Li Mu¡¯s hands, the Nautical Gold Plate and a palm-sized White Jade Scroll.


    Engraved on the Nautical Gold Plate was a nautical chart, and the importance of the nautical chart was self-evident. In the Shattered Star Sea, the nautical chart is the most precious treasure on a ship.


    Zhao Sheng was very patient. He waited for Li Mu to finish looking at the Golden Plate and also waited until he had removed the Jade Scroll from his forehead before taking the opportunity to ask, ¡°Uncle Mu, any findings?¡±


    Li Mu glanced at Zhao Sheng and handed over the Jade Scroll, ¡°See for yourself!¡±


    Zhao Sheng took the Jade Scroll and held it close to his forehead, his spirit probing into it,


    ¡°¡­ Mist Sea¡­ Death Flames¡­ Soul Absorption¡­ True Water¡­ Thunder Cloud Storm¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked pained because too much time had passed, and the imprint of the spirit within the Jade Scroll had mostly dissipated, leaving the information inside fragmented. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After struggling through it once, he only gathered some disjointed information.


    ¡°Let me see!¡±


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng removed the Jade Scroll than a delicate pale hand appeared before his eyes.


    He handed the Jade Scroll to Hai Lan¡¯er, then fell into deep thought.


    Combining his own experiences and the information on the Jade Scroll, Zhao Sheng was certain they were in the Mist Sea.


    The Mist Sea is a mysterious sea region just beyond the Shattered Star Sea, enshrouded in fog all year round. Once a ship inadvertently strays into it, very few return alive.


    The sea region he was in differed from the typical Mist Sea; it seemed normal during the day, only reverting to the appearance of the Mist Sea at night.


    This was one of the reasons they had previously speculated but had not dared to confirm that they had truly fallen into the Mist Sea.


    Zhao Sheng wouldn¡¯t dwell on why this place differed from other regions of the Mist Sea, only considering how to escape from here.


    Escaping from the Mist Sea is difficult, but the Jade Scroll suggested an idea: during a Thunder Cloud Storm, when the fog briefly dissipates, one could take the risk to navigate and strive to break through the Mist Sea.


    Navigating under a Thunder Cloud Storm is extremely dangerous.


    If it weren¡¯t a last resort, it would be best not to try, after all, it is just a conjecture.


    In fact, Zhao Sheng had thought of a way to escape, but the conditions did not allow it for now, so he could only temporarily keep it in mind.


    While Zhao Sheng was deep in thought, the Jade Scroll had already been passed around the others.


    When Li Mu asked for everyone¡¯s opinion,


    Gui Xin, the biggest gambler, immediately stated his intention to try it no matter what.


    Yan Kai and Zou Li both subtly expressed that they should be cautious.


    Hai Lan¡¯er had no opinion of her own; she only looked to Li Mu for guidance.


    Zhao Sheng finally said, ¡°What¡¯s on the Jade Scroll is just a conjecture, and besides, we don¡¯t have enough people right now!¡±


    His words immediately awakened everyone.


    They only had six people, far from enough to bring out the full power of the Da Fu.


    To maximize the capabilities of the Da Fu, they would need at least twenty Cultivators.


    After hearing this, Li Mu frowned.


    The Gui Xin Tree was extremely disappointed, complaining, ¡°Damn, I don¡¯t want to die old on a ship. I haven¡¯t even taken a wife or had kids yet!¡±


    Zhao Sheng said, ¡°All we can do now is wait, wait for another Treasure Ship to fall into this place.¡±


    As soon as everyone heard this, their spirits were instantly boosted.


    That¡¯s right!


    If another ship came in, they could pool their manpower and that would be enough.


    Seeing the crew¡¯s morale lifted, Li Mu¡¯s brows relaxed slightly, but his face still bore an expression full of concerns.


    Zhao Sheng noticed this and with a thought, he roughly guessed what the other was thinking.


    There wasn¡¯t much time left for Li Mu!


    After the Ghost Ship incident, the crew¡¯s morale surged, and the frequency of the Cloud Boat going out to scout the surroundings immediately increased from once a day to three times a day.


    In the first month, morale was high, with three outings a day.


    By the third month, morale slightly waned, changing to twice a day.


    In the sixth month, morale plummeted, reverting to once a day.


    ¡­


    Three years later, the reserves of Spirit Stones were nearly gone, the crew¡¯s spirits were down, and the task of scouting became a perfunctory chore done with half the effort¡ªgoing fishing for three days and drying nets for two.


    In such circumstances, Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation quietly advanced to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, the price being that he was sick of eating spirit whale meat.


    Over the years, Zhao Sheng often went out to sea to catch prawns, fish, sea beasts, and various other seafood under the pretext of improving the meals.


    Having witnessed his extraordinary swimming ability, the crew had long since stopped finding it strange.


    As his diving expeditions became more frequent, Zhao Sheng gradually gained a deeper understanding and made more discoveries about this sea area.


    He found that as long as he didn¡¯t touch the Death Flames on the ocean floor and didn¡¯t approach the coral reef too closely, there wasn¡¯t much danger here.


    Zhao Sheng also discovered that the spiritual acupoint of the Pure Yin Spirit Vein was right beneath the coral reef, and the Ocean Graveyard spanned around the reef with a radius of about three hundred li.


    Over these three years, Zhao Sheng clearly noticed that Li Mu was especially concerned about that Pure Yin Spirit Vein,


    because Li Mu made no attempt to hide his intentions and had asked Zhao Sheng to take him to the coral reef to investigate multiple times.


    But it was just for investigation, Li Mu never took a step beyond the Thunder Pool.


    Zhao Sheng knew he was waiting for the right moment.


    As for what the moment was¡­


    Three months later, on a certain day, just after a Thunder Cloud Storm had passed,


    Hai Lan¡¯er, feeling dejected, stood on the deck, gazing blankly at the sunrise on the horizon.


    It is said that women change drastically when they turn eighteen, but the same is true of men.


    At twenty years old, Zhao Sheng had grown into a handsome young master with a handsome appearance, a tall figure, and a mature and solid temperament.


    So, there are some things that Zhao Sheng can¡¯t simply avoid if he wants to.


    For example, Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s infatuation with him was so obvious that even a fool could see.


    And yet, a certain someone was clueless, always responding in a lackluster way, which made the Gui Xin Tree itch with frustration, wishing he could step in his place.


    As the dawn¡¯s colors faded and the sun leaped above the sea surface, at the point where the sun and the ocean met at the horizon, suddenly a black dot appeared.


    Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s gaze sharpened, she rubbed her eyes to be sure she wasn¡¯t seeing things, and upon confirming she was right, her face lit up with ecstasy as she shouted, ¡°A ship! There¡¯s a ship coming!¡±


    ¡°What? A ship from where?¡±


    Upon hearing there was a ship, the Gui Xin Tree, in a panic, hurried out of the helm cabin, jumping up and down and looking towards the distance.


    Seeing the black dot, he was overjoyed, ¡°It¡¯s really a ship!¡±


    Meanwhile, Li Mu, Zhao Sheng, and others also hurried onto the deck, all showing joyful expressions as they watched the approaching sea ship gradually becoming visible in the distance.


    Year after year, and another year¡­ they had finally waited for this moment!

 Chapter 167 - 165: Mysterious Jade Bi

    Chapter 167: Chapter 165: Mysterious Jade Bi


    Da Fu, in a cabin cleared out for this purpose, Zhao Sheng stood in front of a wooden table, his eyes closed in concentration.


    Suddenly


    his eyes snapped open, shining with confidence.


    Grabbing the azure talisman pen from the table, Zhao Sheng channeled Spiritual Power into the tip, quickly drawing complex patterns on the talisman paper with vigorous strokes. Spirit Light burst forth wherever the pen went, and a complicated talisman symbol soon emerged vividly on the paper, bursting with spirit light.


    As an invisible thunderclap suddenly exploded in his Soul Sea, Zhao Sheng instantly stopped the pen, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.


    ¡°Second-order Water Mine Talisman, complete!¡±


    With his rich experience and added talents, Zhao Sheng, at the mere cultivation of Qi Refining Seventh Layer, had successfully drawn a Second Order True Talisman.


    After a brief rest, Zhao Sheng picked up the talisman pen again and continued to draw Second Order True Talismans.


    Before embarking on the undersea exploration, he wanted to accumulate as many trump cards as possible.


    ¡­


    Seven days later, as the sun rose and the fog cleared, the two ships returned to this eerie sea area once more.


    After seven days of failures, the cultivators on Zhi Jin had to accept reality and admit that they had become entrapped in the Mist Sea Area.


    Zhi Jin was two sizes smaller than Da Fu, but it was not a whaling ship; it was a cargo ship that sailed between the Outer Star Sea and the ocean, buying low and selling high, earning various price margins.


    On the deck of Zhi Jin, Li Mu said to a short, fat man in a golden robe, ¡°Mr. Chen, I didn¡¯t lie to you, did I? One cannot leave this Mist Sea without a nautical chart.¡±


    Anguish was clearly written on the short, fat old man¡¯s face. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After sighing deeply, he turned solemn and resolutely said, ¡°Very well, we will do as Mr. Li suggests and retrieve the ship owner¡¯s body from the sea floor. But are you sure the nautical chart is on him?¡±


    Li Mu said earnestly, ¡°I am sure!¡±


    Next to the Zhi Jin, Zhao Sheng leaned against the side of Da Fu, silently watching Li Mu fool people.


    He was well aware of the schemes Li Mu was secretly playing.


    However, as they were on the same side, he naturally wouldn¡¯t expose his ruse.


    Moreover, the group from Zhi Jin was no easy opponent; when they first met, relying on their fifteen cultivators, they had attempted to seize Da Fu.


    It was fortunate that Li Mu was a Qi Refining Great Perfection Sword Cultivator, unrivaled in combat.


    And since Zhi Jin had no Foundation Establishment Cultivators, the highest cultivation there was only comparable to Li Mu.


    That day, Li Mu, with all his combat power and relying solely on a flying sword, fought one against three. Three cultivators at the late stage of Qi Refining together couldn¡¯t subdue him.


    That¡¯s how the current ¡°peaceful¡± situation had been forged.


    Once the negotiation was settled, Li Mu immediately asked Zhao Sheng and a few others to get ready.


    A day later, guided by Zhao Sheng, both Da Fu and Zhi Jin ships stopped over the sea surface under which lay the Shanling Reef.


    On the day of departure, Zhao Sheng and his party of six argued, precisely because Hai Lan¡¯er insisted on coming along.


    Originally, according to the plan, this adventure was voluntary, except for Hai Lan¡¯er, because Li Mu forbade it.


    But Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s desire to go was extremely strong, no matter how Li Mu tried to persuade her, she was determined and adamantly wanted to go.


    Li Mu couldn¡¯t handle her and had to comply with Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s wishes.


    Yan Kai and Zou Li were unwilling to take the risk, opting to stay behind voluntarily.


    Thus, on the Da Fu side, there were four people: Li Mu, Zhao Sheng, Gui Xin Tree, and Hai Lan¡¯er.


    Possibly because of Li Mu¡¯s promotion of spirit veins and treasures under the sea, the cultivators on Zhi Jin were eager to sign up.


    Eventually, after excluding three early-stage Qi Refiners and leaving the short, fat old man behind, the remaining eleven decided to go.


    ¡­


    Splash, splash!


    When Li Mu took the lead and jumped into the sea, the other cultivators also jumped from the ship.


    With splashes of diving, ripples spread across the sea surface,


    Immediately upon entering the water, each cultivator¡¯s head was surrounded by a pale blue circular Light Shield.


    This Light Shield, known as the Water Breathing Skill, was specially designed to filter oxygen from seawater for human respiration.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, the Water Breathing Skill was a First-tier Magic that every cultivator must master.


    At that moment, aside from Li Mu and Hai Lan¡¯er, the other cultivators all cast sidelong glances at Zhao Sheng, the ¡°outcast.¡±¡®


    Zhao Sheng clearly felt hostility and caution in the gazes of others, yet his heart remained as calm as water.


    Having lived through several lifetimes, he had faced far greater dangers. This was barely the beginning!


    He didn¡¯t take these malicious intentions to heart at all.


    The group descended quickly, and in a blink of an eye, they dived down a hundred arms deep, reaching the top of the coral reef.


    After a slight rearrangement, led by Li Mu, the group continued to dive along the coral reef.


    Two hundred arms


    Five hundred arms


    ¡­


    One thousand arms!


    At a thousand arms deep, the surroundings became pitch black and eerily silent, and the water pressure was astonishing.


    At this point, everyone put their abilities to use, some casting Spells, some relying on the power of Magic Artifacts, to counter the enormous pressure coming from all around.


    Then, each person took out a piece of Fluorite; the Fluorite emitted a dazzling white light, illuminating the surrounding dark waters.


    They continued to dive.


    One thousand five hundred arms,


    Two thousand three hundred arms,


    ¡­


    An hour later, the group had descended several thousand arms deep undersea.


    At that moment, the mysterious blue Light Sea reappeared before everyone¡¯s eyes.


    And the endless white bones under the Light Sea frightened the people from Zhi Jin immensely.


    Some now harbored thoughts of retreat, but most were even more excited, their greed intensified.


    Zhao Sheng paid no mind to the reactions of others.


    At this moment, his eyes were only on the swirling black fog in the Light Sea below.


    Especially at the edge of the coral reef, where the black fog was even denser.


    However, not all places were like this, Zhao Sheng discovered that within the black fog, there was a winding path about two arms wide, a ¡°Life Path.¡±

 Chapter 168 - 165 The Strange Jade Bi_2

    Chapter 168: Chapter 165 The Strange Jade Bi_2


    The end of the Life Path was an underwater cave emitting a white light, located at the base of a cliff within the coral reef.


    The black fog clearly feared the ¡°Life Path¡± and dared not intrude upon the path.


    Two years ago, Zhao Sheng had already discovered this Life Path, but at that time his cultivation was shallow, and he did not plan to venture alone.


    Now, with a bunch of cannon fodder to scout the way, it would be foolish not to use them.


    The others didn¡¯t have Zhao Sheng¡¯s Talent and were unaware of the black fog¡¯s existence, but they could not miss something as obvious as the cave.


    Clearly, the Treasure was inside the cave.


    Seeing this scene, the impatient ones immediately swam towards it, eager to seize the opportunity.


    Once someone moved, the rest followed suit, afraid that being a step late would mean others would claim the Treasure.


    At this moment, they seemed to forget that the cave contained unknown dangers which had already claimed lives.


    Hai Lan¡¯er wanted to move, but suddenly someone grabbed her arm from behind.


    Turning her head, she saw Zhao Sheng pulling her back, and Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s heart suddenly sweetened, relaxing her body instantaneously.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand to signal her to follow him and then pulled Hai Lan¡¯er towards the Life Path.


    Aside, Gui Xin Tree watched the event and quietly trailed after them with a quiet roll of his eyes.


    A quarter of an hour later, when the others had already entered the cave, Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan¡¯er finally reached the entrance.


    Zhao Sheng peered inside and was surprised to find that the cave¡¯s passage was straight and spacious, and its walls were clean from top to bottom, with no dust, nor any growths like seaweed or coral stone.


    Embedded along both sides of the passage were fist-sized pearls emitting white light.


    The cave was clearly man-hewn.


    Zhao Sheng sensed for a while and found no dangers inside.


    Therefore, he pulled Hai Lan¡¯er and swam into it.


    ¡­


    Upon entering the cave, the two swam for two or three miles but still didn¡¯t see the end of the passage, just feeling the surrounding Spiritual Energy growing richer.


    An hour later, they finally reached the end of the passage, where there was a light wall emitting a blinding white light that made it impossible to see what was behind it.


    Zhao Sheng nodded to Hai Lan¡¯er, and they joined hands and charged into the light wall.


    Pop!


    Zhao Sheng felt as if he had broken through a membrane,


    and as his eyes lit up, his body suddenly felt lighter with the heavy water pressure disappearing instantly.


    Zhao Sheng looked up to find that he had appeared in an underground cave.


    The cave was very dry, without a trace of seawater, and the Spiritual Energy here was incredibly dense, at least twice as high as in the passage.


    The cave was about five or six acres in size, with stone walls around that were studded with spirit stones of various sizes, flashing a faint grey light.


    ¡°A spirit stone mine!¡± Hai Lan¡¯er couldn¡¯t help but exclaim.


    Zhao Sheng was also very surprised; he hadn¡¯t expected a spirit stone mine to be hidden here, particularly a mine of the extremely rare Pure Yin Spirit Stones.


    At that moment, an excited shout came from behind them: ¡°Damn, I¡¯m going to be rich!¡±


    Gui Xin Tree, overcome with delight, forgot everything, stepped past them, and ran towards the deepest part of the cave.


    At the deepest part of the cave, there stood a Spirit Stone Jade Wall, three zhang long and more than two zhang high, where Li Mu and others were gathered before it, pointing and discussing something.


    Zhao Sheng found it strange that there was no danger inside the cave.


    He hadn¡¯t forgotten the incidence of Hai Dafu and others who never returned. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After scanning the area, Zhao Sheng frowned and wondered to himself, ¡°Where are the bodies of Hai Dafu and the others?


    After thinking for a moment and coming up with no leads, Zhao Sheng decided to walk with Hai Lan¡¯er towards the Spirit Stone Jade Wall.


    Halfway there, Zhao Sheng saw Li Mu, Gui Xin Tree, and others sitting down cross-legged, eyes glowing with a fascinated expression as they stared at the Jade Wall, as if there was an endless attraction to it.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng calmed himself and, sensing again, still did not detect any danger.


    He looked up at the Jade Wall, scrutinizing it carefully, and only felt countless lights and shadows flashing before his eyes. Upon focusing his gaze again, his heart suddenly skipped a beat.


    Zhao Sheng was slightly startled, quickly closing his eyes to cut off his line of sight. Once everything returned to normal, he reopened his eyes.


    This time, he didn¡¯t look directly at the Jade Wall. Instead, he walked up close and began to observe Li Mu and the others.


    At present, Li Mu¡¯s complexion was rosy and his eyes were infatuated. His face was full of joy. His body emitted specks of golden light, and an exceedingly sharp breath began to radiate from within, growing stronger by the moment.


    It looked like¡­ He was in the midst of Enlightenment!


    Although the others displayed slightly different reactions, they too seemed to have gained significant insights.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart stirred, and a peculiar thought suddenly arose: ¡°This¡­ this Jade Wall seems to be a heavy treasure!¡±


    Just then, Hai Lan¡¯er let out a startled cry, shouting, ¡°Ah! I¡¯m so dizzy!¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned around sharply, just in time to see Hai Lan¡¯er sway unstably, nearly toppling over.


    He rushed forward to support her, asking with concern, ¡°What did you see just now?¡±


    Hai Lan¡¯er collapsed into Zhao Sheng¡¯s arms, her cheeks flushed with a tinge of shyness, and whispered softly, ¡°Nothing¡­ nothing!¡±


    Zhao Sheng saw a flash of peculiarity in her eyes but did not press further. He merely cautioned her not to look at the Jade Wall too much and then gave her a task.


    To observe the condition of Li Mu and the others at all times and to inform him immediately of any abnormalities.


    Hai Lan¡¯er hummed gently in acknowledgment and agreed to it.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze sharpened as he suddenly noticed many strange scratch marks on the ground near the Jade Wall, varying in depth. Some were straight, others winding and twisted, and some even looked like mysterious symbols resembling but not quite forming coherent characters, almost covering a radius of dozens of feet around them.


    He raised his eyebrows, stepped forward, and ran his fingers over these engravings and symbols, feeling his heart spontaneously overflowing with countless inspirations and many hazy visions being reflected in his Soul Sea.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng came to a realization.


    These engravings and symbols must have been left by those who had comprehended the Jade Wall before. Most of them were probably left hastily by predecessors who suddenly realized something from the Jade Wall, afraid of forgetting it in the moment, thus leaving behind these imprinted marks.


    Of course, most of these markings might be of no use, but a few might inspire those who later sought to comprehend the Immortal Spirit Jade Bi.


    Zhao Sheng was wary of the peculiar Jade Wall, but he had no reservations about these carvings.


    He spent half an hour touching all the engravings, etching every inspiration and insight firmly in his mind without bothering to understand them.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes sparked with brilliance as he attempted to look at the Jade Wall again.


    As soon as his gaze made contact with the Jade Wall, thousands of inspirations flashed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind. However, his cheeks flushed crimson, the Spirit Power Vortex within his body sped up dramatically, and billowing blue spirit light emerged from his back.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng let out a low shout, his eyes¡¯ sharpness quickly retracting as he rapidly closed his eyelids. His face relaxed, and he exhaled deeply, murmuring,


    Just now, countless extraordinary thoughts arose in his mind, and one unfamiliar scene after another appeared before him: ethereal Immortal Palaces and Ling Mountains, a Sword Immortal slaying demons, and boundless Blood Seas filled with mountains of corpses and bones.


    All these had surfaced suddenly after he saw the Jade Wall.


    He could not be sure if these images were just illusions or if they had truly existed in the past.


    But one thing was certain, the Jade Wall was either an Ancient Strange Treasure or a rare and ominous object.


    Suddenly,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat again.


    The feeling was abrupt and inexplicably strange,


    with Zhao Sheng unable to pinpoint anything amiss.


    Then, with a thought, he probed into his Purple Mansion with his spirit.


    ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was shocked, as he saw an unexpected dark shadow over his Soul Sea. The lower end of the shadow was connected to the Soul Sea, and strands of soul water were being drawn into the shadow¡¯s body.


    As the shadow became clearer, it took on the appearance of an old man. Zhao Sheng tried to get a clearer look, but the shadow suddenly emitted a surge of black light.


    In the next instant, a heavy sensation overcame Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, and his vision went dark. When he came to, he found himself in a vast and boundless starry space.


    Stars twinkled brightly all around, and beneath his feet, there lay a dense and sprawling field of meteorites of various sizes and shapes. It was, in fact, an endless Meteorite Sea.

 Chapter 169 - 166 The Demoted Immortals Remnant Soul and Destruction

    Chapter 169: Chapter 166 The Demoted Immortal¡¯s Remnant Soul and Destruction


    Under the boundless starry sky, countless star meteors slowly turned, and the Meteorite Sea meandered, wandering through the Void.


    Faced with such vast and strange phenomena, an individual seemed incredibly insignificant!


    But for Zhao Sheng, the starry sky and the Meteorite Star Sea were all irrelevant now.


    Because at this moment, not far in front of him in the Void, there was a black robed Daoist with blue eyes and silver hair, skin white as jade, and extremely handsome appearance standing there.


    Moreover, this person¡¯s temperament was ethereal and transcendent, surpassing all others.


    At this time, this person was looking at him with a very odd expression.


    ¡°You are¡­¡± Zhao Sheng was taken aback and couldn¡¯t help but take a half step back, looking at the other party with extreme vigilance.


    ¡°You¡¯re also from the Spiritual Clan? How come you¡¯re so ugly!¡± the black robed Daoist suddenly asked weirdly.


    Zhao Sheng was stunned upon hearing this, as no one had ever told him he was ugly in his several lifetimes, and based on appearance alone, this life was the most handsome one.


    To say he was ugly, what kind of aesthetic was this?


    However, seeing the unmatched handsome face of the black robed Daoist, he couldn¡¯t help but feel somewhat inferior.


    While thinking about how to reply, Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts raced.


    However,


    The black robed person suddenly exclaimed in surprise, ¡°Eh, you¡¯re not a Pure Blood Spirit Clan member, but a mixed-blood. No wonder, no wonder!¡±


    Mixed-blood really wasn¡¯t a nice term.


    Zhao Sheng felt a fire rise in his heart and couldn¡¯t help but say with a cold face, ¡°Your words are a bit too unpleasant!¡±


    The black robed Daoist, upon hearing this, gave Zhao Sheng a strange look.


    ¡°Boy, you dare to speak to me like this. Could it be that I have fallen for too long and the Spiritual Clan has forgotten me? Or is there another reason?¡±


    After speaking, he didn¡¯t wait for Zhao Sheng to reply and asked again, ¡°Boy, tell me, is the world you are in the Tianzhu Realm? What year is it now in the Void Spirit Calendar?¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng was greatly shocked, with countless thoughts flashing through his mind.


    In the end, he decided to tell the truth.


    ¡°This realm is indeed the Tianzhu Realm. However, I have never heard of any Void Spirit Calendar. The calendar of this realm has always been the Taiyi Calendar!¡±


    ¡°Since ancient times? Taiyi Calendar¡­ Taiyi Spirit Realm! So it is, after all¡­ we lost!¡±


    The black robed Daoist muttered to himself with an extremely disheartened expression.


    After a long while, he suddenly sighed in disconsolation and then said, ¡°Boy, what is your name? How many of our clan members are left in this realm?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, sensing no danger from the person opposite, let down his guard and asked coldly in return, ¡°Before asking these questions, shouldn¡¯t you reveal your identity first? And why have you trespassed into my Soul Sea without reason?¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than the black robed Daoist¡¯s face changed, and he snorted coldly, ¡°Junior, you want to know my name? First, let¡¯s see if you¡¯re worthy!¡±


    With that, the Void behind the black robed Daoist abruptly revealed a sky-high, indescribably colossal blue giant.


    The giant burst forth with endless chill, instantly freezing the Star River. The majestic aura, vast and mighty, filled the boundless starry sky.


    Seeing such grand phenomena, Zhao Sheng should have been fearful, but he still sensed no danger.


    Not only that, for some reason, the grander the opposite side¡¯s spectacle became, the more Zhao Sheng wanted to laugh, and he finally couldn¡¯t help but say teasingly, ¡°You¡¯re really amazing, do you plan to shatter this Star Sea with a strike?¡±


    Huh?


    Eh!


    Seeing this, the black robed Daoist waved his long sleeves, and the giant phantom behind him immediately dissipated, restoring the normal starry sky scene.


    He slowly retracted the killing intent in his body, then looked at Zhao Sheng with that same odd expression,


    ¡°Do you truly not fear?¡±


    ¡°Not afraid, you can¡¯t kill me!¡± Zhao Sheng said confidently.


    After hearing this, the black robed person¡¯s body shook abruptly, and his attitude changed dramatically.


    He smiled faintly and suddenly said, ¡°I am one of the thirty-six Spirit Venerables of the Spiritual Clan, my true name is Qi Wuyang. Boy, what is your name?¡±


    Zhao Sheng clasped his fists and said, ¡°My name is Zhao Dingtian. Do you have any guidance for me, senior?¡±


    ¡°I see you¡¯re a member of the Spiritual Clan as well, and you have decent potential. Would you like to take me as your master?¡±


    ¡°¡­ Ah!¡± Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t expect such a drastic change in the other¡¯s attitude and was momentarily at a loss for words.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the surprise! Although I don¡¯t know your situation in the Tianzhu Realm, I dare guarantee that as long as you take me as your master, you¡¯ll definitely be able to dominate the Star Sea and have a prospect of Ascension! Boy, you really don¡¯t want to miss this opportunity.¡±


    Such grand claims!


    Zhao Sheng did not believe a word the black robed person said.


    But being cautious, he still asked, ¡°May I ask senior, what is the Spiritual Clan? What sort of realm is a Spirit Venerable? And¡­ how did you end up in such a state?¡±


    The black robed Daoist, after hearing this, became extremely irate and said, ¡°Hmph! You carry the Spiritual Clan Bloodline and yet are ignorant of the great name of my Spiritual Clan. The Taiyin Immortal Palace, what ruthless means! Truly¡­ a disgrace!¡±


    Seeing the Daoist speak cryptically yet avoid talking about himself, Zhao Sheng grew even more suspicious and tentatively asked, ¡°Senior, did you ¡®invite¡¯ me here for some matter? And what is this Star River?¡±


    ¡°This is a world created by one of my Divine Thoughts; it¡¯s specially transformed to allow you and me to meet. As for why I have appeared to meet you, a baby, it¡¯s all because of the trouble caused by your Spiritual Clan Bloodline. Otherwise, content in my sleep, why would I bother wasting Divine Thought to pull you in?¡± the black robed Daoist said with irritation.


    ¡°Senior, why not send me back then?¡± Zhao Sheng tentatively asked.


    ¡°Hmph, too late! I thought you were from our clan, and that¡¯s why I burned my remaining thought to create this illusionary world. Who knew I would be mistaken. Could this be fate?¡± the black robed Daoist said with an intense gaze at Zhao Sheng, his expression complex. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 170 - 166 The Demoted Immortals Remnant Soul and Destruction_2

    Chapter 170: Chapter 166 The Demoted Immortal¡¯s Remnant Soul and Destruction_2


    Zhao Sheng saw the situation and his heart sank with a bad premonition.


    ¡°Below¡­¡±


    After Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered a few times, he was just about to say something when the vast starry sky suddenly trembled. At the same time, a crisp ¡°crack¡± sound emanated from the infinite void.


    Immediately after, a dense array of cracks appeared out of thin air, as if the next moment, the entire world would shatter apart.


    ¡°Impossible, this Divine Thought World is actually collapsing.¡± The originally composed Black Robed Taoist lost his composure and exclaimed in disbelief upon seeing this scene.


    Zhao Sheng, witnessing the scene of the world¡¯s destruction, was also startled.


    He did not know what was happening, but seeing the Black Robed Taoist¡¯s panic,


    Zhao Sheng felt that this might be a good thing.


    ¡°How is this possible! With my cultivation at the realm of Crossing Tribulation back in the day, even if only a thread of residual thoughts remained, those below the realm of Divinity Transformation should absolutely not be able to shake it, let alone destroy this world.¡±


    The Black Robed Taoist watched as the stars in the sky instantly dimmed and disappeared, and the world collapsed in large swathes, his face turning deathly pale in an instant.


    Zhao Sheng calmed his spirit, concentrated, and felt something strange,


    ¡°Weird! I don¡¯t sense any danger?¡±


    Just then, the Black Robed Taoist looked up to the sky and sighed deeply, ¡°It seems my life¡¯s fate has run out. There¡¯s no escape from this retribution. Oh well! In my life as a Spirit Venerable of my clan who once traversed the Three Thousand Realms, what great prestige I had, yet now only a wisp of a residual thought wheezily persists.


    Forget it, since my true body has perished countless years ago, now it is merely the end of my life¡¯s fate.¡± The Black Robed Taoist was briefly lost in despair, then quickly accepted his final end with resignation.


    ¡°Young man, since fate has led you to meet me, it suggests there¡¯s some destiny between us. I have an unfulfilled task to entrust to you,¡± the Black Robed Taoist said solemnly, turning his gaze to Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng declined, ¡°I am weak and of little strength, I fear I may not be able to carry out the important task of my predecessor.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! The task is not difficult, you just need to do it incidentally. And as a reward, I will tell you the location of an immortal¡¯s legacy and a complete Returning to Void Skill. Regrettably, before my death, I deliberately removed all memories related to my clan¡¯s skills. Otherwise, giving you ten or eight sets of Divine Skill Treasure Books would have been effortless.¡±


    After saying this, the Black Robed Taoist confidently waited for the young man opposite him to agree.


    ¡°What is the unfulfilled matter, Senior? I am all ears!¡± Zhao Sheng was full of doubt in his heart, but he could not resist the temptation, so he promptly agreed.


    ¡°Hehe, no need to be so tense! If you can do it, great; if not, no harm done.


    What I am asking you to do is very simple, just to pass on a message to any member of the Spirit Clan who is above the realm of the Nascent Soul.¡±


    ¡°Senior, please tell me!¡±


    ¡°Remember well, inside the Tianzhu Realm, a Primordial Sea God is being nurtured. Remember, aside from the people of the Spirit Clan, you must not tell this message to anyone else,¡± the Black Robed Taoist instructed with a grave expression.


    ¡°I will remember!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded and then spoke with difficulty, ¡°Senior also knows that although I possess the bloodline of the Spirit Clan, I have never encountered any of its members. The way I see it, the Spirit Clan is either extinct or extremely rare in Tianzhu Realm. To encounter a Nascent Soul Ancestor is almost impossible!¡±


    ¡°No matter! As long as you pass the message to the next generation before you die, one day your descendants will encounter one,¡± the Black Robed Taoist said unconcernedly.


    ¡°¡­¡± Zhao Sheng was speechless.


    At this time, with the Star River World on the brink of complete collapse, the Black Robed Taoist sighed, stretched out his hand into empty space, and pulled out a stone tablet that looked like gold and jade, with a dull spirit light emanating from its surface.


    Then, with a gentle toss, the stone tablet sharply shot towards him,


    Zhao Sheng instinctively caught the stone tablet, but it blurred for a moment and then disappeared into the palm of his hand without a trace.


    After doing this, the Black Robed Taoist¡¯s body suddenly became vague and misty, as if the heart core that was supporting him had been lost.


    The next instant, his entire being turned into a wisp of gray smoke and merged into the surrounding void.


    Boom!


    This world finally completely collapsed like shattered glass, and a raging torrent of gray erupted violently from the void, instantly engulfing Zhao Sheng.


    All these changes happened so quickly that Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t react.


    But the moment the torrent ¡°engulfed¡± him, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt an intense danger.


    ¡°No good, I¡¯ve been tricked!¡±


    However, just as his regret emerged, at that moment, he suddenly heard a piercingly miserable scream:


    ¡°Ah! This is¡ª¡±


    As the scream ended, the rolling gray torrent instantly turned into a thread of gray smoke and was sucked into Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest.


    The next second, his vision blurred, his spirit returned to the Purple Mansion, and he saw the tranquil and clear water of the boundless Soul Sea.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was astonished to see the Hundred Lifetimes Book slowly sinking into the Soul Sea.


    ¡°The Hundred Lifetimes Book has actually appeared! Then¡­ what exactly is the background of the Black Robed Taoist?¡± Zhao Sheng was somewhat puzzled at the moment.


    With this thought, suddenly a phrase emerged in his mind: ¡°Earth Level Achievement: Captured a strand of a Banished Immortal¡¯s residual thoughts.¡±


    This statement held so much information that Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t quite process it momentarily.


    In his previous life, he had spent all his heart and mind, not hesitating to shorten his life span, and only after a sudden collapse in the middle of his journey had he managed to barely annihilate the Zhou family.


    And that was merely a Mystic Level Achievement.


    Now, he had effortlessly gained an Earth Level Achievement.


    This was really¡­ a matter of giving thanks to the unfortunate remains of a Banished Immortal¡¯s soul!


    As soon as this thought ended, Zhao Sheng asked himself, ¡°Hundred Lifetimes Book, what level of existence are Banished Immortals?¡±


    But this time, the Hundred Lifetimes Book did not respond at all.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, repeated his question twice more, but the Hundred Lifetimes Book remained silent.


    Not willing to give up, Zhao Sheng focused his thoughts, and finally, there was a reaction from the Hundred Lifetimes Book. Its pages unfolded, and his personal data panel emerged in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind:


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 20/149


    Realm: Qi Refinement Seventh Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master


    Constitution: Water, Metal, Fire Three Spirit Roots, Spiritual Clan Bloodline (Evolving)


    Talent: Bullet Time, Danger Perception, Absolute Rationality


    [Skill]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Great Success), Stacking Talisman Technique (Great Success)


    Spell: Godslaying Sword Intent, Water Bomb Technique, Refraction Technique¡­


    Talisman Making: Water Escape Talisman, Invisibility Talisman¡­ Concentrating God Talisman, Water Mine Talisman, Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman (Gray)¡­


    A glint flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes as he suddenly noticed the words ¡°Evolving¡±.


    He remembered that the word ¡°Incomplete¡± originally followed ¡°Spiritual Clan Bloodline¡±, but now¡­


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but speculate whether the completion of the evolution of his Spiritual Clan Bloodline would be beneficial to him.


    Combining what he knew, the Spirit Clan had once waged a great boundary war against the Human Clan in the Tianzhu Realm, which ultimately resulted in the Spirit Clan¡¯s defeat and expulsion from the Tianzhu Realm. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As a result, from ancient times to the present, a Spirit Clan half-blood like him was always subjected to disdain from the pure-blooded Human Clan.


    If his blood concentration were to increase further, turning him into someone with silver hair and blue eyes like the Black Robed Taoist, with skin as white as jade¡­


    Then¡­ his fate would probably not bode well.


    At this thought, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression turned somewhat grim.


    ¡­


    Just as Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit had barely disengaged from the Purple Mansion, he felt his body shake violently, and at the same time, he heard Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s anxious voice crying out, ¡°Wake up! Little Tian, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes to find himself lying on the ground, with Hai Lan¡¯er looking at him in a panic.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said while quickly standing up.


    At the same time, he swiftly scanned his surroundings, only to be shocked by what he saw.


    At this moment, Li Mu, the Gui Xin Tree, and others lay in disarray on the ground, lifeless.


    All of their faces were as pale as snow, their eyes as lifeless as dead fish, but what was terrifying was that their expressions were one of immense bliss and satisfaction, as if they had seen the utmost truth.


    Right then, the ground beneath these bodies began to soften tremendously, turning into something resembling a swamp.


    Countless gray ¡°threads¡± stretched out from the ground beneath and spread rapidly over the bodies, wrapping them up into cocoon-like shapes.


    ¡°This¡­ this¡­ Dad!¡±


    Hai Lan¡¯er witnessed all of this, and, overwhelmed by horror, tears began to stream from her eyes, turning her into a weeping figure in no time.


    Zhao Sheng inwardly sighed upon seeing this scene, instantly realizing the ultimate fate of Hai Dafu and the others.


    No wonder the corpses of those who had entered before couldn¡¯t be seen; they had all become food.


    Curiosity welled up in Zhao Sheng. What species of demon insects were these ¡°threads¡±, and what was their relationship with the Black Robed Taoist?


    As he pondered this, a fine, cracking sound suddenly came from the spirit stone jade.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head abruptly, only to see the surface of the jade riddled with countless cracks.


    The next second, the jade collapsed with a loud bang, sending debris flying everywhere, leaving behind a large pile of spirit stones of various sizes where it once stood.

 Chapter 171 - 167: Breaking out of the Mist Sea

    Chapter 171: Chapter 167: Breaking out of the Mist Sea


    ¡°`


    Splash!


    Before he could react, another rushing wave of water sound erupted from behind him.


    Zhao Sheng turned around and saw that the luminous wall of the passage had somehow disappeared, and now a massive amount of seawater was gushing in.


    The strong water pressure of the seabed forced the water to shoot in violently, forming a thick, straight jet of water.


    In just a few breaths, the water in the underground cave had reached his waist.


    Hai Lan¡¯er clung to Zhao Sheng¡¯s arm in fear.


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight tug, and, seeing that it did not budge, he let it be.


    Soon, the underground cavern was submerged by the seawater!


    Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan¡¯er emerged from the underwater cave.


    Gazing at the dark blue ¡°vast ocean¡± below the sea, Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted.


    He was astonished to find that the deathly black qi above the blue flames had disappeared.


    As for why it disappeared?


    Zhao Sheng had a rough guess that it had to do with the Black Robed Daoist.


    ¡­


    Yan Kai, the short and fat elder, and the others waiting on the ship would never have expected Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan¡¯er to return so quickly.


    When they learned that the others had tragically perished, everyone was shocked and dumbstruck, especially the short and fat elder, who found it unbelievable.


    But Zhao Sheng had no reason to lie,


    After waiting in vain for three days, the short and fat elder finally accepted the ominous news.


    This person was truly the master of a ship, for he set his sights on the Da Fu shortly after accepting reality.


    It must be known that the Da Fu was a Whale Hunting Treasure Ship, which could easily sell for two to three hundred thousand Spirit Stones.


    Relying on his cultivation at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, the short and fat elder made no effort to hide his intention to seize the Da Fu.


    It was a pity he didn¡¯t know there was someone pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger opposite him.


    So, when the short and fat elder made his move to suppress everyone, he was beheaded by Zhao Sheng with a single sword strike, meeting his end on the spot.


    After witnessing Zhao Sheng¡¯s mysterious and profound strength, whether it was Yan Kai, Zou Li, or the three survivors from the early stage of Qi Refining on the Zhi Jin, they immediately expressed their loyalty as if to a god.


    After this small interlude, the biggest problem facing Zhao Sheng was how to leave the Mist Sea Area.


    Because they were short-handed, he had no choice but to abandon the Zhi Jin.


    Though the Zhi Jin could not compare to the Da Fu, being a ship that could travel on open sea trade routes was not something to scoff at, typically costing no less than one hundred thousand Spirit Stones to construct.


    Unfortunately, Zhao Sheng only had seven people; just being able to operate the Da Fu was already at their limit, let alone caring for the Zhi Jin.


    For the next two months, Zhao Sheng¡¯s actions were incomprehensible to everyone.


    Apart from cultivating and sleeping, he would spend all his remaining time diving into the sea, busying himself with something unknown.


    When Hai Lan¡¯er asked him for a reason, his response was vague, merely stating he was searching for a ¡°Life Path.¡±


    However, gradually everyone noticed certain changes in Zhao Sheng¡¯s physical characteristics.


    His eyes were originally black pupils with a blue halo around the edges. But after a month, his pupils had turned completely into a clear blue like the sky.


    His skin became fairer day by day, and finally was as smooth and radiant as white jade, as if coated with a layer of jade ointment.


    This made Hai Lan¡¯er incredibly envious, and her affection in her eyes became more and more evident¡ªeven a blind person could see it.


    Three months later, the weather turned cold, the sea breeze grew stronger, and the fog¡¯s density slightly diminished.


    One day, as the sunset, the afterglow spread across the sky


    The Da Fu sailed into a certain area of the sea and came to a slow stop.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng stood in the helm cabin, hands on the ship¡¯s wheel, his expression serious.


    ¡°Lower the sails!¡±


    At his command, Yan Kai and two others ran to the mast and quickly lowered the sails.


    ¡°Seal the hold, prepare the Spirit Stone Furnace!¡±


    ¡°`


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The cabin doors of the Da Fu were tightly sealed one by one, leaving the deck deserted.


    At this moment, standing solemnly in front of the Spirit Stone Furnace located under the lower hold was Hai Lan¡¯er.


    ¡°Ignite the Spirit Stone Furnace,¡±


    Upon receiving Zhao Sheng¡¯s command, Hai Lan¡¯er immediately took out a Storage Bag and poured a large bag of Pure Yin Spirit Stones into the Spirit Stone Furnace, filling its chamber over a person¡¯s height with Stones.


    Due to a shortage of manpower, they had to resort to burning Spirit Stones, which seemed wasteful, but Zhao Sheng had an abundance of Pure Yin Spirit Stones. Just that piece of spirit stone jade alone would be enough to keep the furnace burning for six months.


    Hum!


    As the Spirit Stone Furnace emitted a great amount of Spiritual Power, the hull of the Da Fu was quickly covered by a layer of Light Film.


    Then, the vessel began to slowly sink beneath the sea.


    Zhao Sheng skillfully navigated the Da Fu down to a depth of one thousand two hundred zhang under the sea.


    At this depth, it was pitch dark, and marine life was extremely scarce.


    However, Zhao Sheng knew there was an undersea current here. It was the ¡°Life Path¡± he had found after two months of searching.


    Originally, the Da Fu had been dragged into the Mist Sea by a Spirit Whale, and now Zhao Sheng was using a similar method, drifting out with the help of the current.


    This strategy had a high success rate, though it took quite a bit of time.


    Once the Da Fu had been steered into the current, Zhao Sheng let go of the ship¡¯s wheel, allowing the current to slowly push the ship towards the unknown ahead.


    The days under the sea were dull and lengthy. While the rest of the crew grew anxious and restless with the wait, Zhao Sheng feasted on the rich spirit whale meat, immersing himself daily in strenuous cultivation.


    In a flash, three months had passed.


    Hai Lan¡¯er, Yan Kai, Zou Li, and others could no longer bear the wait. Life in confinement had been unbearably monotonous and dull.


    Hai Lan¡¯er and the others had sought out Zhao Sheng for three consecutive days, their implication clear in their relentless hints.


    Zhao Sheng calculated the time, and whenever he could, he would swim out from the ship and surface.


    Looking up at the stars and the crescent moon, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but slap the sea surface forcefully, splashing water everywhere.


    ¡°Finally out!¡±


    An hour later, the Da Fu emerged from the water.


    The cabin doors were opened, and Hai Lan¡¯er and the others couldn¡¯t wait to rush onto the deck.


    When they saw the boundless seawater and the moon¡¯s reflection glistening on it, everyone immediately burst into loud cheers, and some even wept with joy.


    That night, no one aboard could sleep. The delicacies and Spiritual Wine brought over from the Zhi Jin were laid out on the deck like flowing water, as the people reveled in the food and drink and the enchanting seascape of the outside world.


    Two days later, having vented the stress of their narrow escape from death, they began to seriously discuss how to return to the Shattered Star Sea.


    It was said to be a discussion, but in reality, it was Zhao Sheng making the decisions. Even though Hai Lan¡¯er was the heir to the Da Fu, it was Zhao Sheng who was at the heart of everyone¡¯s trust.


    The first thing to do after escaping the Mist Sea was to determine their location.


    However, this sea area was completely unfamiliar,


    Zhao Sheng held three Nautical Gold Plates in his hand, but none of them matched the terrain features of this sea area.


    Even though the Nautical Gold Plates were of no use, Zhao Sheng was not to be defeated.


    The main island groups of the Shattered Star Sea were mostly to the north.


    If they couldn¡¯t confirm their bearings, they would simply head north.


    After making the decision, the Da Fu raised its sails again, turned its bow northward, and with the effect of the Wind Swinging Formation on the sails, a strong wind billowed them. The Treasure Ship used the wind to gradually accelerate, sailing towards the distant horizon.


    One day,


    Two days,


    ¡­


    Each day, Zhao Sheng would control the Cloud Boat to venture out, scouting the surrounding hundreds of miles of the sea.


    Persistence pays off!


    Half a month later, quite unexpectedly, Zhao Sheng discovered an island. This island also enabled them to confirm their position. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Their location was on the edge of the Outer Star Sea, merely three hundred sea miles from the nearest Dragon Scale Level Spiritual Island, Zhi Ao Island.

 Chapter 172 - 168 The Wind Rises on Zhi Ao Island

    Chapter 172: Chapter 168 The Wind Rises on Zhi Ao Island


    Back on the Da Fu, Zhao Sheng immediately summoned everyone for a short meeting.


    Regarding the question of where the Da Fu should head next, there was unanimous agreement among the members ¨C they all requested to first head to Zhi Ao Island.


    The most important reason for this was the numerous Alien Sea Demon Thieves in the Outer Star Sea; if they encountered any Demon Pirate Group, they would find it extremely difficult to defend themselves.


    ¡°Then set course for Zhi Ao Island!¡±


    With Zhao Sheng¡¯s final decision, the Da Fu turned around, pushing aside the water, and sailed swiftly toward the northwest.


    Four days later, to the cheers of Hai Lan¡¯er and others, the Da Fu finally arrived at Zhi Ao Island.


    After the Treasure Ship docked at the pier, an early arrival dock Manager promptly came to the ship¡¯s side.


    Without any need for urging, this person promptly and diligently processed the registration procedures for Zhao Sheng and the other six to go ashore.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, it was an iron law that ships must register when they arrive at an island. This rule served many purposes, the most important of which was to prevent Magic Thieves or the Sea Clan from infiltrating the islands.


    In the previous Great Beast Tide Wars, there had been many occasions where spies and traitors infiltrated the spirit islands, leading to their downfall.


    The most noticeable and severe incident was the submersion of Dragon Head Island a thousand years ago, where, due to someone¡¯s actions, tens of millions of lives on the island became sacrifices to the ocean.


    The Da Fu was too distinctive, and those who frequently mingled at the docks could tell at a glance that this ship was a Whale Hunting Treasure Ship, which must have a Foundation Establishment Immortal Master onboard. No one dared to treat them negligently.


    After all, the Island Master of Zhi Ao Island was also of Foundation Establishment Cultivation. When a Foundation Establishment Cultivator arrived on this island, those below must pay great attention and must not fail in courtesy.


    However, after the Manager had completed the registration, he secretly thought it was strange ¨C why were there only seven people on the ship and the leader, a young man with Blue Eyes, did not look like a high-level Foundation Establishment expert at all.


    Strange, very strange!


    This person secretly took note of this matter, planning to report to his superiors immediately afterwards.


    After the Manager left, Zhao Sheng stood on the deck, silently observing the pier and everything on the island, which gave him the impression that the pier was large, but the ships were not, the pier and the streets were quite bustling, at least there were many people.


    For a huge ship like the Da Fu, there were only two of that size on this pier. Ships slightly smaller numbered less than ten, and as for the other smaller vessels, there were dozens, if not hundreds, too insignificant to mention.


    Zhao Sheng was observing his surroundings, unaware that he too was being watched in secret.


    In a private room on the third floor of a tavern close to the dock, a noble young master dressed in purple leaned by the window, gazing far off at the Da Fu and just happened to take in Zhao Sheng and the others.


    ¡°Tsk tsk! Today Zhi Ao Island actually has a Whale Hunting Treasure Ship arriving. I wonder if this ship caught any Spirit Whales? Recently, spirit whale meat is very sought after.¡±


    Dong Zheng clicked his tongue in wonder as he mumbled to himself, contemplating how to make a small fortune.


    He was a direct descendant of the third generation in the Dong family, a Four Spirit Roots Cultivator with Qi Refining Third Layer. The Dong family was one of the Foundation Establishment Families on Zhi Ao Island. The family elder was not only the Island Master of the island but also the leader among the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators guarding the island, with cultivation at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.


    Li Ziqi, with a smile, addressed Dong Zheng: ¡°Brother Dong, don¡¯t be anxious! This Treasure Ship has a Foundation Establishment Cultivator aboard. Ancestor Dong and my Master will certainly host the other party. Just a casual mention and the amount they let slip from their hands will be enough for us to eat our fill.¡±


    Hearing this, Dong Zheng had an epiphany and slapped the table excitedly, ¡°Brother Li is right! We must report this to the Ancestor quickly.¡±


    As he spoke, he shouted outward.


    ¡°Come here!¡±


    ¡°Hold on!¡± Li Ziqi immediately stopped him.


    Seeing Dong Zheng look over, Li Ziqi said, ¡°It would be best to first find out the background, name, and the information on the people aboard the ship. The more detailed, the better. Only then can we take targeted measures.¡±


    ¡°Brother Li is indeed more thoughtful!¡±


    After Dong Zheng expressed his admiration, he turned his head to command the underling who entered the private room to go out and investigate the news of the Da Fu.


    Before long, the dock manager was led into the private room.


    Upon seeing Dong Zheng and Li Ziqi, the two young masters, the manager knelt down with a thud and in the face of their questions, he didn¡¯t dare to conceal a thing, spilling everything he knew.


    Learning that there were only seven people on the Da Fu, Dong Zheng and Li Ziqi were very surprised and instantly realized something was amiss.


    If it was¡­


    After sending away the manager, the two sat in silence for a moment before Dong Zheng spoke with a playful tone, ¡°Brother Li, what do you think of this matter?¡±


    Li Ziqi said gravely, ¡°We mustn¡¯t be careless! Let¡¯s find out more first.¡±


    ¡°Right! In any case, that ship isn¡¯t going anywhere for the time being. If it¡¯s a dragon crossing the river, we¡¯ll give it due respect, but if it¡¯s a lame shrimp? Hehe!¡­ You must know that the Outer Star Sea is not peaceful!¡±


    On the other hand, Zhao Sheng was unaware that someone had already started to target the Da Fu.


    Out of caution, Zhao Sheng promised a handsome reward to Yan Kai and Zou Li, instructing them to keep watch over the other three at the Qi Refining Early Stage, not allowing them to leave the ship.


    After that, he found Hai Lan¡¯er and asked her about the next steps, or more precisely, how to handle the Da Fu as well as the whale meat, blubber, and bones on board.


    Without Hai Dafu to oversee things, Hai Lan¡¯er alone couldn¡¯t manage the Da Fu, even with Zhao Sheng¡¯s help. Besides, he had no such aspirations.


    Although Hai Lan¡¯er was beautiful and well-endowed, she was not brainless; she had long considered the fate of the Da Fu.


    In her hands, the Da Fu was like a child holding gold in a bustling market, bound to attract wolves and tigers at any moment.


    Therefore, when Zhao Sheng asked about it, Hai Lan¡¯er readily shared her thoughts without hesitation.


    It turned out that Hai Dafu and his daughter hailed from the Xu Clan, and Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s suggestion was to affiliate the Da Fu with the elders of her branch and thus obtain their protection.


    The Xu Clan was one of the indigenous tribes of the Shattered Star Sea, known for the unity and solidarity amongst its members, who were bound by blood and settled together.


    The Xu Clan members usually sailed the seas, hunting sea beasts as their main occupation, and rarely resided on islands, thus earning them the title of ¡°Sea People.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, observing Hai Lan¡¯er¡¯s prethought plans, felt that her considerations were very thorough.


    So he said no more. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had already made up his mind that once this matter was handled, he would quickly return to the Central Continent, dig up the backups left from his previous life, and then strive to advance to Foundation Establishment as soon as possible.


    That afternoon, Zhao Sheng accompanied Hai Lan¡¯er off the ship and onto Zhi Ao Island.


    Upon reaching a bustling workshop district on the island, Hai Lan¡¯er walked down two streets and quickly located their destination, the Sea Treasure Pavilion.


    The Sea Treasure Pavilion was a shop specializing in the sale of marine treasures and had branches on each spirit island across the Shattered Star Sea. Its hidden owner was the Xu Clan.


    As soon as Hai Lan¡¯er entered the Sea Treasure Pavilion, she immediately caught the attention of the store owner.


    Because flaming red hair was the most distinctive feature of the Xu Clan¡¯s cultivators.


    Not wanting to neglect an Immortal Master from his own clan, the store owner promptly presented himself and kindly led the two to the backyard.


    An hour later, Hai Lan¡¯er left the Sea Treasure Pavilion with a smiling face.


    Just now, she had sent the matter of the Da Fu back to Thousand Boat City through special channels.


    At the latest within half a month, or as soon as three or four days, the elders would receive the message, and by then, they would surely send someone to Zhi Ao Island to take over the Da Fu.

 Chapter 173 - 169 The Legendary Person

    Chapter 173: Chapter 169 The Legendary Person


    Having accomplished great things, Hai Lan¡¯er was in high spirits.


    On their way back to the dock, they passed a restaurant.


    Smelling the delicious scent of food coming from the restaurant, she was instantly overtaken by cravings.


    Hai Lan¡¯er grabbed Zhao Sheng¡¯s arm, headed towards the restaurant, and gleefully exclaimed, ¡°It¡¯s been years since I¡¯ve had a decent meal! I¡¯m almost starving to death. Come on, let¡¯s go in and have a feast!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, who had grown sick of eating whale meat over the years, naturally did not object.


    The two entered the restaurant, didn¡¯t fuss over choosing a spot, picked a table in the main hall on the first floor at random, and then summoned the servant to order every dish the restaurant had.


    It didn¡¯t matter if they couldn¡¯t finish everything; there were five others back on the ship as well.


    Seeing two generous customers, the servant dared not neglect them, and soon a variety of delicious dishes was brought to the table like flowing water.


    Hai Lan¡¯er cheered and, without regard for her image, picked up her chopsticks and began to devour the food. Zhao Sheng¡¯s eating manners were much better than hers, but he was not slow.


    Soon, the table of dishes was swept clean.


    Luckily, the restaurant¡¯s serving speed could keep up with their pace of eating.


    Such alarming eating manners immediately captured the attention of the nearby diners.


    Everyone began to glance over, and for a moment Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan¡¯er became the ¡°center¡± of the restaurant.


    At that moment, Dong Zheng and Li Ziqi happened to be coming downstairs. They instantly spotted Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan¡¯er, who were concentrating on their meal.


    ¡°Oh, red hair¡­?¡±


    Dong Zheng exclaimed in surprise, unable to help but turn his head to exchange a glance with Li Ziqi.


    Li Ziqi gave a slight nod, and Dong Zheng immediately got the hint.


    They had just been discussing the Da Fu, and unexpectedly, the moment they came downstairs, they ran into its owner.


    ¡°Could this be fate!¡±


    While thinking this, Dong Zheng walked down the stairs.


    While passing through the main hall on the first floor, he glanced at Zhao Sheng and Hai Lan¡¯er out of the corner of his eye.


    When he saw Zhao Sheng¡¯s Blue Eyes, Dong Zheng¡¯s heart was profoundly shaken, and he inadvertently staggered.


    Seeing this, Li Ziqi stepped forward to steady Dong Zheng¡¯s arm, asking in a low voice, ¡°Brother Dong, are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, let¡¯s talk outside!¡± Dong Zheng¡¯s voice was slightly panicked. He secretly patted Li Ziqi¡¯s hand and quickly pulled him to walk out of the restaurant.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng raised his head and saw the faint Yellow Light emanating from the backs of the two men, a strange light flashing in his eyes.


    He had only been on Zhi Ao Island for a day and didn¡¯t know anyone, so why would someone show hostility toward him?


    Hai Lan¡¯er, noticing Zhao Sheng¡¯s unusual behavior, stopped eating and asked, ¡°Hmm, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, you keep eating!¡±


    After saying this and thinking for a moment, Zhao Sheng summoned the servant.


    ¡°Sir, may I help you with anything?¡±


    The young servant, who appeared very clever, rushed over when called and respectfully awaited Zhao Sheng¡¯s order.


    ¡°I want to ask you, do you recognize the two people who just left? What are their identities?¡±


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s question, the servant¡¯s expression changed, and a troubled look appeared on his face.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng took out a golden leaf, stuffing it into the servant¡¯s hand.


    The servant had never seen a patron act so boldly, and in an instant, his eyes turned red, his defenses shattered on the spot. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He glanced around, then leaned close to Zhao Sheng¡¯s ear and began whispering softly.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, as soon as Dong Zheng left the tavern, he hurried Li Ziqi onto a carriage.


    Once the curtain was drawn, Li Ziqi, puzzled, asked, ¡°Brother Dong, those two don¡¯t even know us nor do they know our plans. Why did you seem a bit panicked just now? That isn¡¯t like you at all!¡±


    Dong Zheng took a deep breath to calm his racing heart and instinctively whispered low, ¡°Brother Li, did you notice that man just now?¡±


    ¡°I did. Why? Was there something off about him?¡± Li Ziqi asked, full of curiosity.


    ¡°He had a pair of Blue Eyes!¡± Dong Zheng¡¯s voice was as faint as an ant¡¯s, as if afraid of being overheard.


    ¡°Blue Eyes, Blue Eyes?¡± Li Ziqi repeated to himself a couple of times, not seeing anything unusual about it.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, native races were plenty and many looked strange¡ªfrom the all-black Kun Nu, Shrimp People with lobster-claw hands, to Merfolk with gills behind their ears. None was stranger than a man with Blue Eyes!


    Seeing that Li Ziqi still didn¡¯t understand, Dong Zheng urgently whispered, ¡°Remember the man from the legends who also had a pair of Blue Eyes?¡±


    ¡°Which man?¡± Li Ziqi asked reflexively.


    Dong Zheng, seeing his reaction, became anxious and hinted, ¡°Think about it, the man who fell at Dragon Head Pass a thousand years ago!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Li Ziqi¡¯s heart skipped, and a chill ran down his spine. That man was an absolute taboo in the Cultivation World of the Shattered Star Sea, not only his life story but even his name had been obliterated. Typically, no one dared to even mention him, always referring to him merely as ¡®that person.¡¯


    ¡°You mean, the person just now has something to do with ¡®that person¡¯?¡± Li Ziqi asked in a hushed voice, leaning forward.


    Dong Zheng first nodded but then shook his head.


    Li Ziqi was confused by his odd behavior.


    At that moment, Dong Zheng¡¯s face showed a greedy yet fearful grin as he whispered, ¡°Brother Li, since you¡¯ve heard of that person, you must know how much the Divine Palace of the Star God dreads him. Now that a man with Blue Eyes has appeared on Zhi Ao Island, don¡¯t you have any thoughts about it?¡±


    ¡°Brother Dong, if you have any ideas, just speak freely, no need to hold back,¡± Li Ziqi said, showing a trace of impatience.


    Seeing Li Ziqi¡¯s impatience, Dong Zheng quickly spoke his thoughts, ¡°Let¡¯s gather some men and capture those seven at once, then take that man to Star God Island and offer him to the Divine Palace of the Star God. Brother Li, what do you think?¡±


    Li Ziqi was initially shocked, but the next second, he was tempted.


    Following Dong Zheng¡¯s plan could bring numerous benefits after success.


    The most obvious and immediate benefit was taking possession of the Whale Hunting Treasure Ship.


    But that was nothing compared to the potential rewards from the Divine Palace of the Star God.


    As the uncrowned ruler of the Shattered Star Sea, the Divine Palace of the Star God not only possessed an extraordinary status and profound strength, but its disciples were all considered exceptional talents.


    If they could use this opportunity to join the Divine Palace of the Star God, their futures would surely be limitless.


    Even if they couldn¡¯t join, just establishing a connection with the Divine Palace of the Star God would bring endless benefits to both the Dong family and the master-disciple pair.


    Thinking this, Li Ziqi¡¯s eyes turned red with excitement.


    Dong Zheng, seeing all this, couldn¡¯t help but smile satisfactorily, seizing the moment to say, ¡°We must keep this strictly confidential. You only tell your master, and I¡¯ll only tell my ancestor and my father. Let the elders handle the rest. Once we make a Great Merit this time, all we have to do is wait to reap the benefits.¡±


    Li Ziqi¡¯s eyes twinkled as he nodded in agreement with a grin.


    Dong Zheng, still uneasy, urged once more, ¡°Keep it tight-lipped. Before that man is offered to the Divine Palace of the Star God, we can¡¯t let this news leak, or else¡ª¡±


    He was cut off mid-sentence as Li Ziqi interrupted, ¡°I understand!¡±


    Dong Zheng was momentarily taken aback, then took a breath and replied, ¡°Good, as long as you understand!¡±

 Chapter 174 - 170 Foundation Establishment Assaults

    Chapter 174: Chapter 170 Foundation Establishment Assaults


    As Dong Zheng and another conferred secretly about capturing Zhao Sheng and the others, Zhao Sheng learned of the two¡¯s identities from a servant¡¯s mouth¡ªone was the legitimate young master of the Dong family, and the other was a high pupil of the Foundation Establishment Cultivator stationed on the island.


    After Zhao Sheng finished his questioning, he added another golden leaf to send the servant away.


    At this moment, Hai Lan¡¯er put down her chopsticks and quietly asked, ¡°Was there something wrong with those two people just now?¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, ¡°Nothing much, just curious to see that those two are also cultivators.¡±


    Oh!


    After exhaling an ¡°Oh!¡± Hai Lan¡¯er didn¡¯t inquire further, picked up her chopsticks, and continued to enjoy the delicious food.


    Zhao Sheng also picked up his chopsticks, seemingly focused on his meal, but his mind was busy pondering the intentions of Dong Zheng and his companion.


    Although he hadn¡¯t figured out their true motive, he had already heightened his vigilance.


    An hour later, the two finished their meal and packed the leftovers into their Storage Bags.


    After settling the bill and leaving the restaurant, they swiftly returned to the Da Fu.


    ¡­


    Sunset gave way to moonrise, and the night enveloped the world in darkness.


    As night fell, the workshop on Zhi Ao Island bustled for one or two hours.


    With the deepening of the night, the lights on the workshop, the streets, and the docks were extinguished one by one, and the island slowly sank into silence.


    The moon was patchy with clouds, the stars scarce, S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The docks gradually produced threads of fog, and the moored ships shrouded in mist began to blur.


    It was then that Zhao Sheng suddenly walked up from the cabin onto the deck.


    The night was thick with fog, the docks deserted, but in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, two human-shaped shadows gleaming with black light obscured by a cloud in the sky were exceedingly conspicuous.


    He looked up to the sky and with a serious expression, he clasped his fists and called out loudly, ¡°I wonder what brings two exalted persons here in these late hours? I am Zhao Dingtian, may I ask the two of you to reveal yourselves!¡±


    No sooner had the words fallen than a chilling shout sounded from midair, ¡°How did you discern our traces? This cloud sail of mine can even deceive a Companion, how could a junior Qi Refining cultivator like yourself detect us!¡±


    ¡°Hee hee, seeing as our whereabouts have been exposed! What¡¯s there to argue about? After we capture him, we¡¯ll just ask then,¡±


    A lazy and charming voice came from above, the implication of which made Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart sink, and he quickly raised his guard.


    At that moment, a man and a woman suddenly revealed themselves, descending rapidly from the sky.


    The man had a full head of white hair, skin and bones as if a gust of wind could knock him over. The woman, however, was seductively beautiful, with a graceful figure that bewitched every move she made.


    Zhao Sheng swept a glance over these two and inwardly cursed his bad luck, for the appearance of two Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators at the same time spelled trouble.


    ¡°Junior Zhao Dingtian pays respect to Mr. Dong and Senior Lian Yue!¡± Upon seeing the two, Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils shrank sharply, and he greeted them with great solemnity and a respectful fist clasp.


    There were only three Foundation Establishment cultivators on Zhi Ao Island. Associating them with the two individuals from the day, Zhao Sheng immediately guessed the identities of the newcomers.


    ¡°Hee hee, so you recognize the two of us! That¡¯s hardly fair, as you know of our origins, yet we are quite unfamiliar with you. During the day, we heard that a Whale Hunting Treasure Ship had arrived on Zhi Ao Island, thinking perhaps a fellow Daoist had come. Now it seems there is no fellow Daoist, but instead, a handsome young lad,¡± said the seductive woman with a smile, appearing as if she bore no hostility.


    Yet when Zhao Sheng saw the woman¡¯s coquettishly smiling face, he felt even colder inside since the malice the two harbored towards him was becoming increasingly evident.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s face full of wariness, the woman¡¯s lips curled slightly, and she suddenly changed her tone, saying, ¡°What a buzzkill of a boy!¡±


    ¡°Hehe, why waste words with this boy, Lian Yue Daoist friend?¡± The skeleton chuckled sinisterly and then spoke to Zhao Sheng, ¡°Kid, to spare yourself some pain, I advise you to surrender without resistance!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts raced, and with a bitter expression, he said, ¡°I have no grudges or grievances with the two seniors, why have you come in the dead of night to capture Zhao? Even if death is the end result, I would like to die with clarity.¡±


    ¡°Kid, telling you won¡¯t hurt! It¡¯s your blue eyes that are to blame.¡±


    Before his voice had even faded, countless yellow silks shot out from the old man¡¯s hands. The yellow silks, like living creatures, twisted and interwove back and forth, instantly forming a yellow silk net that whooshed down towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, his pupils instantly shrinking to their smallest size.


    As the world seemed to slow down by countless times, a large mass of water light burst forth from both of his hands, followed by the water light exploding, expanding into a vast expanse of white fog.


    The white fog generated crazily, surging out rapidly, in the blink of an eye surrounding the entirety of Da Fu, including the sky above, within it.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng instantly disappeared from sight, concealing his presence and, following the fog, escaping towards the outside of the ship.


    In the next instant, the world returned to normal.


    ¡°Courting death!¡±


    The roar of the white-haired old man came from within the mist, while the beautiful woman laughed furiously.


    A beam of yellow light shot into the fog instantly, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart suddenly filled with a hair-raising sensation,


    In a moment, an intense killing intent suddenly came from behind!


    ¡°Neither Concentrate nor the Invisibility Talisman are effective!¡±


    In shock, Zhao Sheng, without thinking, threw a Second-order Water Mine Talisman behind him.


    Boom!


    The water cloud and electric light exploded with a bang, blowing a large hole in the fog, and as the yellow light was also dispersed, a pink phoenix hairpin, with its sharp edge, flashed by in front of Zhao Sheng, flying forward another two fathoms before turning back, once again chasing towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng instantly broke out in a cold sweat, shocked that Lian Yue could actually predict the direction in which he would flee.


    White-Haired Elder Dong¡¯s attack missed, his gaze filled with icy coldness.


    He snorted coldly, his Divine Sense bursting forth violently, instantly enveloping the entire Da Fu.


    This person had actually concealed his cultivation; he was not at Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment, but Late Stage!


    ¡°Bad news!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, sensing this powerful Divine Sense, inwardly cursed his bad luck.


    But he also knew that it was useless to say anything or beg for mercy now. He could only first escape into the sea, to see if he could use the vast ocean to escape from the two pursuers.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eye shone with Divine Light, his blue eyes suddenly transforming into a vast ocean of profound depths.


    The world came to a halt again, and this time he violently spat out a mouthful of essence blood, which turned into a blood mist wrapping around his entire body.


    In the next instant, his whole body moved so fast it turned into a streak of blood light, and disappeared in a flash.


    At the same time, White-Haired Elder Dong suddenly spread his hands, and numerous yellow light points spiraled out from his fingers, quickly turning into palm-sized crescent light blades, silently covering the entire Da Fu.


    ¡°Puff puff¡± sounds kept ringing out without stop, splinters flew, and the deck, the cabins, the masts¡ªevery place the light blades touched was densely slashed with deep cuts.


    However, all attacks hit empty air, which infuriated White-Haired Elder Dong. ¡°Damn it, let that kid escape!¡±


    The two Foundation Establishment cultivators had missed an opportunity and could only watch as a streak of blood light, like a long rainbow piercing the moon, suddenly shot out from the white fog and, like instantaneous movement, flew more than a hundred fathoms.


    After a while, the blood light dissipated, revealing Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure.


    As Zhao Sheng saw the two people rapidly chasing after him, he suddenly revealed a contemptuous smile, his body quickly plunging into the sea, and in the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the dark waters.

 Chapter 175 - 171 Divine Soul Mark

    Chapter 175: Chapter 171 Divine Soul Mark


    ¡°Chase!¡±


    Mr. Dong let out an angry roar, a surge of yellow light flooding from his body and transforming into a streak of light that swiftly flew to where Zhao Sheng had plunged into the sea, before diving in after him.


    If he let a junior Qi Refiner slip away from his grasp, where would the face of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Ancestor like him be left!


    Seeing this, Lianyue Wanderer¡¯s eyes flickered with unusual light, and after a charming laugh, she inserted her Spiritual Artifact, the Water Phoenix Hairpin, back into her hair and also gave chase.


    Splash!


    A wave rippled, and above the sea there was no longer any sign of them.


    The moment Zhao Sheng entered the water, his body transformed into an extremely nimble fish, and with a light flick of his tail, he darted several zhang downward.


    In just a moment, he had dived more than twenty zhang deep undersea.


    At that moment, a powerful Divine Sense suddenly swept over him. Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat, sensing a strong intent to kill coming from above. The Divine Sense clung to him like a persistent maggot, impossible to shake off.


    Having been a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in his past life, he knew all too well that if he couldn¡¯t escape the range of the opponent¡¯s Divine Sense, he would inevitably be caught, and it would be all over for him.


    After all, Mr. Dong was a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator. The gulf in their cultivations was too wide, not something that could be overcome by mere trickery.


    To wish for victory was farfetched, but even escaping from his opponent¡¯s hands would indeed be a fortunate occurrence.


    As Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts raced, above him the water surged with yellow light. Numerous yellow light blades easily pierced through the thick water, stabbing towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, chest, abdomen, and limbs.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face hardened, and without looking back, he dived deeper, releasing two Second-order Water Mine Talismans while on the move.


    Boom boom!


    A series of dull explosions went off above his head. The seawater within a seven to eight zhang radius suddenly ¡°boiled and churned¡± incessantly, a chaotic mixture of currents swirling everywhere, with countless tiny bubbles spreading around densely like froth.


    For a moment, the nearby seawater was blasted into a muddled mess.


    Zhao Sheng felt the Divine Sense behind him break due to the water mines, and after a cold huff, Spiritual Power surged violently from beneath his feet, transforming into a powerful repulsive force that made his dive speed increase several times over in an instant.


    He had already made up his mind; now was not the time to hesitate. Rather than conserving Spiritual Power, he was eager to escape the range of the Divine Sense as quickly as possible.


    Otherwise, once his pursuer caught up with him, it would already be too late to even think about escaping. However, he was quite confident in himself; after all, the undersea was his home turf.


    Seeing the boy trying to escape through the muddy waters, Mr. Dong¡¯s eyes flashed with a cold light, and within a cloak of yellow light, his hands fiercely swept downward.


    Two enormous light blades flew out of his hands.


    The light blades seemed to ignore the resistance of the seawater, crossing twenty zhang of space in an instant, slicing towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s back.


    As the light blade neared, a suddenly intense shadow of death emerged in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He shivered abruptly and flung his hands backward.


    From one hand flew a massive, heavy black turtle shell, while the other hand burst forth with a copious blue light, forming layers upon layers of robust water barriers.


    ¡°Splash¡±


    The light blade swiftly cut into the water barrier, effortlessly slicing through it as if it were a hot knife through butter; in no time, the barrier was hacked to pieces, turning back into ordinary seawater.


    Meanwhile, the light blade collided with the turtle shell; with a ¡°crack¡±, the shell split into two halves and was utterly destroyed.


    After breaking through two defenses, the light blade¡¯s speed greatly decreased and its size halved.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t spare a single thought of regret for the destruction of the turtle shell Magic Artifact.


    Without even looking, his hand reached to his Storage Bag at his waist, and two head-sized pale blue water mines flew out, squarely colliding with the light blade in perfect unison.


    Boom boom


    The seawater exploded in an instant, and as electric light rampaged through, the light blade flickered a few times before dissipating like glowworms.


    Seeing his attack fail again, Mr. Dong was shocked and furious!


    In the Shattered Star Sea, due to the environment, cultivators have always been most adept at underwater combat.


    As a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Mr. Dong, who had lived for nearly two hundred years, had experienced countless underwater skirmishes.


    But he had never encountered a slippery youngster like Zhao Sheng.


    Barely delayed, the Lianyue Wanderer also caught up to Mr. Dong¡¯s side.


    Watching Zhao Sheng getting further away, about to escape the range of her Divine Sense, a flash of astonishment appeared in her eyes as she transmitted with her Divine Sense, ¡°Brother Dong, with the youngster¡¯s agility, I now believe more and more that he¡¯s related to ¡®that person¡¯!¡±


    ¡°Pursue!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Mr. Dong didn¡¯t hesitate at all and rapidly descended, his figure a dazzling yellow comet, eagerly chasing after Zhao Sheng.


    A distance of twenty zhang, which could be crossed in the blink of an eye in the air, was undoubtedly much slower undersea.


    Zhao Sheng, carrying the Spiritual Clan Bloodline, could be called the darling of the sea, and with the help of Spiritual Power, his underwater speed was not only not slower than Mr. Dong and his companion¡¯s but was also imperceptibly faster.


    During the chase, the two Foundation Establishment cultivators launched several attacks in succession, but all were blocked by talismans.


    Zhao Sheng had talismans in his hand that seemed inexhaustible, and to obstruct the two¡¯s pursuit, he spared no expense in scattering them generously.


    Facing such an overbearing junior Qi Refining cultivator, Mr. Dong was frustrated and furious.


    Yet in this unique underwater environment, for a moment he could do nothing to Zhao Sheng.


    Only if the distance between them was less than ten zhang could he command his Spiritual Artifact to strike that youngster fiercely.


    The gap between them widened further and further, and in the blink of an eye, the three had dived to a depth of a thousand zhang at the sea floor.


    There, in the pitch-dark surroundings where vision was useless, they could only rely on Divine Sense to lock onto Zhao Sheng.


    At this moment, Mr. Dong sensed that the youngster was about to escape from his Divine Sense range. With a hardened heart, a speck of golden light suddenly burst from his glabella and disappeared into Zhao Sheng¡¯s back with a flash.


    The next instant, Mr. Dong, filled with shame and unwillingness, ¡°watched¡± the youngster ¡°disappear¡± from his Divine Sense.


    Seeing him like this, the Lianyue Wanderer had her suspicions, but she still added fuel to the fire and transmitted, ¡°Brother Dong, did that youngster¡­ get away?¡±


    Mr. Dong ground his teeth and said, ¡°Humph, he¡­ won¡¯t escape! I¡¯ve planted a Divine Soul Mark on him. Even if he burrows into a trench, I will catch him.¡±


    The Lianyue Wanderer was taken aback upon hearing this.


    She knew that a Divine Soul Mark was a forbidden technique that hurt the enemy a thousand at the cost of self-injury of eight hundred.


    To cast this forbidden technique, one must pay with the loss of a strand of one¡¯s Divine Soul.


    And injuries to the Divine Soul were amongst the most difficult to heal in the world, revealing the resoluteness of Mr. Dong¡¯s intention.


    Meanwhile, as Zhao Sheng made his escape, he didn¡¯t relax at all, instead he swam with all his might towards the deeper undersea.


    Zhao Sheng dived to the ocean floor in one breath, and upon touching the sand, he quickly burrowed into it and released a Concentrating God Talisman, reducing his presence to the utmost limit.


    However, even after doing this, Zhao Sheng was still filled with unease, a strong sense of crisis lingering at the forefront of his mind, refusing to dissipate.


    After a few breaths, his body tensed up, and his heart pounded furiously; the feeling of crisis grew more intense, as if an enemy could strike at any moment.


    ¡°Something¡¯s not right!¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly burst out of the sand. Although he didn¡¯t know what method Mr. Dong and his companion had used, he realized they could still track him.


    Zhao Sheng trusted his spiritual sense wasn¡¯t wrong.


    Without any hesitation, he forcefully kicked off the ground, his body shot out sharply, and he fled towards even deeper and more distant waters.


    No more than twenty breaths after he left the area, Mr. Dong suddenly burst forth from the darkness, appearing there.


    Sensing the rapidly fading Divine Soul Mark, Mr. Dong¡¯s anger boiled, ¡°Damn it, just one step too late!¡±

 Chapter 176 - 172: The Mysterious Heavenly Tribulation

    Chapter 176: Chapter 172: The Mysterious Heavenly Tribulation


    After swimming more than two hundred nautical miles in one breath, Zhao Sheng felt the crisis in his heart diminish slightly.


    However, as soon as he stopped and time passed, that nameless sense of crisis in his heart quickly intensified.


    Zhao Sheng had no choice but to leave again and continue his underwater escape.


    In this way, the chase endured for three whole days.


    During these three days, Zhao Sheng searched inside and out of his body and finally discovered a Divine Soul Mark on his twelfth vertebra.


    Having been a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in his past life, Zhao Sheng was very familiar with Divine Soul Marks and knew they were extremely hidden and difficult to remove.


    For other Qi Refining Realm cultivators, not to mention not being able to find it, even if they did find it, they would be helpless against it.


    But for Zhao Sheng, the Divine Soul Mark was not unsolvable; it only required a lot of time to erode it.


    And the means to erode it was the Godslaying Sword Intent. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng once again sincerely thanked that transcendent and free-spirited True Immortal.


    No, he should now be referred to as the Yue Ancestor.


    From the memories of Zhao Dingtian, he knew that Yue Qinghan had successfully ascended to the Nascent Soul Realm over a hundred and twenty years ago, becoming the new sect¡¯s ancestor of the Sky Sun Sword Sect.


    Because of her decisive killing and divinely skilled swordsmanship, she also earned the reputation of a Female Sword Immortal.


    Thus, Zhao Sheng escaped while repeatedly bombarding the Divine Soul Mark with Godslaying Sword Intent.


    Two months later, in an undersea cave with no name, Zhao Sheng appeared pale with tattered clothing and deep dark circles under his eyes, showing great fatigue and dishevelment.


    However, he didn¡¯t care about such things at the moment.


    After two months of wear and tear, the Divine Soul Mark had dimmed to its limit and was on the verge of being shattered.


    The most critical moment had arrived!


    Zhao Sheng focused all his attention on the Divine Soul Mark; suddenly, a flash of Sword Light emerged from the depths of his Purple Mansion Soul Sea, leapt out of the Purple Mansion in a flash, and the next instant fiercely slashed upon the Divine Soul Mark.


    Crack!


    Zhao Sheng seemed to hear an invisible shattering sound and saw the mark flash before breaking into countless light points, which then vanished in the blink of an eye.


    Phew!


    Zhao Sheng finally let out a sigh of relief, his heart¡¯s burden completely dissipated, feeling an immense weight lifted off his shoulders.


    Opening his eyes, he turned his head and gazed into the distance, his vision penetrating through the cave and the thick seawater.


    He seemed to see that Mr. Dong, mad as a rabid dog, was utterly frustrated.


    ¡°Two months of relentless pursuit, Zhao has noted this vendetta! There will be retribution in the future!¡±


    After muttering to himself, Zhao Sheng¡¯s tense body relaxed, and a surge of profound exhaustion rose to his heart.


    Moments later, a series of bubbles quickly rose in the cave.


    He was indeed too exhausted!


    ¡­


    Three days later, standing atop the highest sea cliff on a secluded and desolate island, Zhao Sheng looked up at the sun that had just risen on the horizon.


    As time passed, the sun slowly climbed to its zenith.


    Having observed enough, Zhao Sheng took out three Nautical Gold Plates and began to carefully discern them.


    After a lot of effort, combining information about ocean currents, sea winds, marine life populations, and the position of the sun, he finally determined his approximate location.


    He had now crossed the Second Island Chain and was roughly in the middle of the Outer Star Sea,


    Within five thousand nautical miles, there were quite a few mid and small-sized islands; there were also about five or six spirit islands.


    After a short time, Zhao Sheng thoughtfully put away the Nautical Gold Plates.


    Looking around at the sea surface and the scorching sun above, Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, adjusted his direction, leaped into the sea, and quickly vanished into the deep waters.


    On his way, Zhao Sheng casually caught a First-stage Speckled Seahorse to use as transportation.


    He avoided ships when he encountered them, landed on deserted islands to make fire and roast fish to fill his stomach, and took the opportunity to recover his Spiritual Power.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, on an isolated island, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure appeared above the nearby sea surface.


    This island was not as bustling as Zhi Ao Island, with few people and not a high concentration of spiritual energy, but it was still a small spirit island, far superior to the vast majority of barren islands.


    This was the destination Zhao Sheng had chosen: Beilu Island.


    Aside from a few thousand mortals, the island was inhabited by some cultivators who had chosen to live in seclusion and retire here. There was no concept of an island master, making it a completely free island.


    Beilu Island earned its name because the nearby sea produced a very peculiar type of big sea shell.


    These big sea shells looked identical to ordinary ones, with the only difference being their size, which was more than tenfold larger, with an average diameter of over one foot.


    The meat of these shells, after being simmered for a long time, could produce a special Jade Dew.


    Regular consumption of this Jade Dew had a slight effect on prolonging life and enhancing longevity.


    Therefore, some elderly and frail cultivators simply settled on the island, buying the living ¡°big sea shells¡± at a low price all year round to simmer into Beilu and consume for themselves, selling any surplus to visiting merchant ships.


    As a result, the island attracted a number of low-level cultivators.


    Although the concentration of spiritual energy on Beilu Island was not high, its influence was wide enough to cover the entire island and even extend to the undersea nearby.


    Because the spiritual energy was too thin, and there were only a few specialties, few Foundation Establishment Cultivators chose to stay here; most were just passersby.


    This was the perfect place for Zhao Sheng to hide!


    ¡­


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng stood beneath a sea cliff on the edge of the island, looking at the newly opened temporary cave mansion in front of him with great satisfaction.


    In addition to the essential rooms like the cultivation room, talisman room, and storage room, under each room there was an escape tunnel leading to the undersea.


    Moreover, he had deliberately constructed the entrance to the cave mansion under the sea surface, and above it was a naturally protruding giant stone.


    As long as visitors weren¡¯t too meticulous in their search, Zhao Sheng was confident that they wouldn¡¯t detect anything unusual.


    With this in mind, Zhao Sheng entered the cultivation room, sat down cross-legged, and took out two Water Element Spirit Stones in his hands. As he ran the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique, the spiritual energy within the spirit stones was slowly absorbed into his Core Vortex, being refined and assimilated.


    As his cultivation deepened, the passage of time became meaningless to Zhao Sheng.


    Spring came and winter passed, time flew by!


    Two years later in July, Beilu Island was unusually lively.


    It was the season when the big sea shells were ripe and reproducing. Many Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators were bustling in and out of the island, taking boats into the sea to catch the big sea shells that usually hid undersea and rarely revealed their true form.


    But by midday, about three hundred sea miles from Beilu Island, a fierce wind suddenly rose, accompanied by flashing lightning and thunder.


    The originally clear blue sky rapidly transformed as ominous clouds gathered.


    A huge expanse of dark clouds quickly engulfed that area of the sea, with silver lightning and deafening thunderbolts dancing chaotically like wild snakes.


    At the same time, within six hundred miles above the sea and sky, nature¡¯s spiritual energy was being drawn towards the center of the sea area, forming a giant spiritual energy vortex over one hundred feet wide and two hundred feet high on the sea surface.


    Such a massive vortex of spiritual energy could be clearly sensed even on Beilu Island, hundreds of miles away.


    The cultivators on the island were astounded and looked simultaneously towards the area where the sky was changing.


    Faced with such a phenomenon, expressions of both envy and fear flickered across everyone¡¯s face.


    Spiritual energy swirling, skies changing colors, Heavenly Tribulation was on its way!


    This was clearly a sign of Core Formation.


    But it was not known for whom the Heavenly Tribulation was descending.


    If it were a Human Clan member forming their core, then it would be a moment of joy rather than sorrow.


    But if it were a demon beast solidifying its pill, it would indicate the birth of a third-tier sea beast.


    With Beilu Island not too far from this place, should the beast successfully upgrade, the humans on the island might suffer.


    If the beast¡¯s upgrade failed¡­ the mere corpse of the demon beast would allow the cultivators to make a fortune.


    Thinking this, some greedy cultivators who cared little for their lives hurriedly took to the sea in boats, racing towards that maritime region.

 Chapter 177 - 173 Sea Shell

    Chapter 177: Chapter 173 Sea Shell


    Three hundred li southwest of Beilu Island, the sky was covered with dark clouds, where thunder rumbled within, as a thick spiritual energy vortex stood like a giant pillar on the sea surface, slowly rotating and triggering violent movements of spiritual energy within a radius of six hundred li.


    Faced with the sudden celestial phenomena, a scene of chaos unfolded on Beilu Island. Ordinary folks stepped out of their homes, looking towards the extraordinary scene in the sky, expressions of panic and confusion on their faces.


    And at that moment, the only pier of Beilu Island was also in a state of disarray. Some people were anxious to flee, while others did not want to miss this rare opportunity.


    The plank road of the pier was crowded, and on the various vessels docked, several cultivators were shouting to the crowd:


    ¡°Come quickly! The ship will leave in half a quarter of an hour! It¡¯s only ten Spirit Stones to board. Today¡¯s opportunity is a once-in-a-century event; don¡¯t miss it!¡±


    ¡°Those who want to pick up leftovers, those who want to get rich, and those who aren¡¯t afraid of death, board the ship! Ten Spirit Stones for a spot on the boat!¡±


    ¡°Run for your lives! Disaster approaches, lifesaving is the most important thing! Spirit Stones are good, but not as precious as life. Not for one hundred and eight, only for eighty-eight, Old Liu will take you away from here!¡±


    Amidst the crowd, a black-clad young man of ordinary appearance paid ten Spirit Stones as passage and boarded a sizeable suspicious ship, sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The black-clad youth was Zhao Sheng, who used a Disguise Technique and an Illusion True Talisman to temporarily change his appearance in order to hide his identity.


    Today, he had rarely left his retreat for a trip to the island¡¯s workshop, originally to exchange some Elixir Pills and Spirit Stones.


    But after seeing the Golden Core Phenomenon, he was inspired to go and take a look.


    In the world of cultivation, opportunities are not waited for, but fought for.


    After boarding the ship, Zhao Sheng found a quiet corner to stay in, silently waiting for the ship to depart.


    At this time, the atmosphere on the ship was tense yet intense, with other cultivators enthusiastically engaging in conversation, forming alliances while they had the chance.


    From time to time, someone would approach Zhao Sheng, attempting to recruit him to join their group.


    Regarding this, Zhao Sheng politely declined them all. To him, the cultivation levels of those on the ship were merely Qi Refinement, none having reached Foundation Establishment, likely to be a burden more than anything.


    It wasn¡¯t long before the ships at the pier set sail away from Beilu Island one after another.


    As tribulation thunder began to slash through the distant sky, the vessels carrying the cultivators braved the waves and surged towards that area of the sea.


    The three hundred-li distance took a full four hours to reach even at the ships¡¯ full speed.


    By the time Zhao Sheng and the others arrived, there were already seven or eight Treasure Ships of various sizes roaming and searching in this sea region.


    By that time, the Heavenly Tribulation had long passed, and the dark clouds had dissipated. The spiritual energy vortex had mostly collapsed, and the concentration of spiritual energy on the sea surface had greatly increased, allowing spiritual energy to howl into the Dantian with just a slight operation of the Cultivation Technique.


    However, the cultivators who dared to venture here were not after such trivial gains.


    The celestial phenomenon might have dissipated, but remnants of the tribulation¡¯s essence still lingered between heaven and earth.


    Seeing the calm sea surface with no waves or abnormalities, all the cultivators were invigorated, their eyes shining with greedy light.


    Seeing this situation, it was highly likely that the Core Formation, whether it was a person or a demon beast, had failed!


    Plop,


    Plop!


    As someone suddenly jumped into the sea, others no longer hesitated, following suit and diving in one after another, starting to search with all their might.


    Zhao Sheng did not hurry to dive in.


    He stood at the prow of the ship, looking up towards heaven and earth, his pupils shimmering with glittering blue light.


    In the world, what was originally invisible and intangible traces of Heavenly Tribulation had manifested as faint strands of black qi in his eyes.


    This black qi continuously rose and spread throughout heaven and earth, vanishing with alarming rapidity.


    Watching the area where the black qi was most concentrated, a hint of a smile appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    Plop!


    The next second, Zhao Sheng jumped from the prow of the ship into the sea, swiftly swimming towards that part of the sea.


    Due to the Heavenly Tribulation, the marine life had all been frightened away from this area, making Undersea empty and silent at this moment, with hardly any fish, shrimp, or sea beasts to be seen.


    In just a dozen or so breaths, Zhao Sheng reached the area where the tribulation qi was most intense.


    Without any hesitation, he flipped over, head down and feet up, pushed with both hands, and swiftly plunged deeper, diving at full speed into the unknown Undersea.


    One hundred zhang,


    Two hundred zhang,


    ¡­


    This region of the sea was not deep, and when Zhao Sheng reached six hundred zhang Undersea, he found he had reached the seabed.


    At the seabed, Zhao Sheng paused, looking down at the trench below, his expression showing a slight hesitation.


    The trench was about twenty zhang wide, pitch-black below, with uneven walls on both sides, where rocks and sand were exposed, and seaweed grew wildly,


    The trench extended to both sides of the seabed, like a massive crack in the earth, continuing to split open into the darkness beyond the range of vision.


    Such a unique trench had clearly caught everyone¡¯s attention.


    Zhao Sheng had only just arrived when he saw many cultivators, who could not wait any longer, diving into the trench, losing sight of them soon after.


    After seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze flickered a few times, and with an agile twist of his body, he dived down into it.


    Seven hundred zhang,


    Eight hundred zhang,


    ¡­


    Soon after diving into the trench, the surroundings had become so dark that one couldn¡¯t see their own hand.


    Zhao Sheng took out a piece of Fluorite, which emitted a bright light, illuminating the surroundings within two zhang.


    Dodging clusters of lush seaweed, he continued to dive further down with full attention.


    One thousand two hundred zhang,


    One thousand five hundred zhang,


    ¡­


    Unexpectedly deep, this trench had seen him diving for more than three thousand zhang at his pace.


    Yet, he still hadn¡¯t seen the bottom of the trench.


    Under the sea at a depth of three thousand zhang, the water pressure was enormous. Even with Zhao Sheng¡¯s unique bloodline, he felt a twinge of pain in his internal organs, and his entire body had ¡°shrunk¡± by two inches.

 Chapter 178 - 173 Sea Shell_2

    Chapter 178: Chapter 173 Sea Shell_2


    Just as he was about to cast a spell to withstand the water pressure, Zhao Sheng suddenly saw a point of white light appearing from the darkness below.


    The white light was faint like a firefly, yet it invigorated Zhao Sheng to swim strenuously towards that direction.


    As he swam closer, the white light gradually became brighter and larger. After descending about twenty fathoms, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression slowly turned to one of shock.


    Because a shell of unimaginable size appeared before him.


    This enormous shell was pure white, covered with dense, wave-like fine marks, and radiated dazzling white light.


    It looked similar to a big sea shell, only magnified countless times. The trench, twenty-odd fathoms wide, was completely filled by its colossal body.


    This ancient shell, which had lived who knows how many years, was regrettably only a shell now.


    Zhao Sheng swam to the side and saw the shell was slightly open, held apart by five strange stone pillars,


    Each pillar was about seven feet thick and a little over ten feet tall, spiraled with more than a hundred crude runes from top to bottom. Beside the runes, countless wave-like fine marks were engraved. Embedded in each pillar was a Spirit Stone the size of a washbasin, with ripple-like light moving up and down the pillar occasionally.


    Connected between the five pillars was a layer of white light screen, blocking the view and making it impossible to see what lay beyond.


    ¡­


    ¡­


    Just as he entered the light screen, a gust of wind roared past Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears, and a skull as big as a fight slammed toward him.


    The skull was shiny black all over, and it emitted a strong black aura, clearly indicating its malevolence.


    Zhao Sheng had no time to dodge, but fortunately, he was prepared. With a flick of his hand, over a hundred two-foot-long, crystal clear Water Arrows appeared out of thin air before him and shot towards the skull,


    As soon as the Water Arrows flew towards it, the hollow eye sockets of the skull blazed with red light, and its gaping mouth emitted a wave of green-black phosphorescent fire.


    The moment the Water Arrows touched the flames, they exploded like water meeting fierce fire, instantly bursting into a burst of white Water Vapor.


    However, the green-black phosphorescent fire did not diminish at all. It pierced through the Water Arrows¡¯ barrier and burned directly towards Zhao Sheng.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes and flung his right hand forward, releasing a ball of Thunder that was the size of a fist.


    The Thunder Ball collided with the flames and exploded with a boom, the spreading Electric Light sweeping away the sky full of phosphorescent fire.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t hesitate as he released the spells, immediately throwing out two more Thunder Balls, hitting the black skull.


    With his Talent, Zhao Sheng cast talismans as swiftly as if they were instantaneous, and the Second-level Water Mine Talisman materialized as soon as he willed it.


    Boom, boom!


    The black skull, hit repeatedly by the Thunder Skill, was immediately blasted dull and flew back, its surface suddenly cracking with countless fine fissures.


    Meanwhile, not far from Zhao Sheng, a tall, thin old man let out a dismal scream, his complexion turning deathly pale in an instant.


    ¡°You dare destroy my Treasure!¡±


    The tall, thin old man pointed at Zhao Sheng, shouting in extreme shock and anger, but his eyes couldn¡¯t help revealing a hint of fear.


    Others might not know, but he was very clear about it!


    His Corrosive Fire Ghost Skull, refined over decades and which had slain countless formidable enemies in the past, had just been destroyed in a single encounter by that man¡¯s Thunder Skill.


    This man¡­ must be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!


    While fear gripped the tall, thin old man¡¯s heart, Zhao Sheng did not take the opportunity to attack; instead, he surveyed his surroundings.


    He looked extremely surprised; he had not expected the space inside the shell to be much bigger than it seemed from the outside. It was very spacious, more than a hundred fathoms in diameter and nearly twenty fathoms high, resembling a small Grotto Heaven.


    In fact, it had been arranged into a Grotto Heaven, with courtyards, pavilions, stone pavilions, green trees, spirit fields, water ponds ¡ª everything was complete.


    If Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t know he was three thousand fathoms beneath the sea, he might have thought he had arrived at a secluded paradise.


    ¡°Is this¡­?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was greatly shocked, and suddenly, a name of a rare treasure surfaced in his mind: ¡°Sea Shell!¡±


    Sea Shell was a unique and rare shell in the Shattered Star Sea, inherently possessing spatial properties. Besides storing items, it also had some functions of a Cave Heaven Blessed Land.


    In Ancient Times, Sea Shells that were over a thousand years old, because they could be refined into Personal Cave Mansions, were hunted to extinction by ancient Cultivators. In the last few thousand years, this rare species of shell had nearly disappeared.


    The tall and thin old man glanced at Zhao Sheng before taking a step back, hoping to sneak away quietly.


    ¡°Hold up, where do you think you¡¯re going!¡± Zhao Sheng, startled, immediately called out coldly.


    The tall and thin old man halted his step and threatened in a low voice, ¡°Senior, I advise you to leave quickly, otherwise, once my uncle frees his hands, you won¡¯t be able to leave.¡±


    ¡°Oh? And who is your uncle?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked towards the exquisite courtyard not far away, where shouts were incessant, and from time to time, black skulls could be seen flying up and down, stirring up bunches of green flames and constantly colliding with the golden sword rainbows, bursting out large swaths of black gas and golden light.


    From the surface, the battle there was very intense, with both sides locked in a stalemate.


    But judging from the fact that the tall and thin old man was sent to guard the door, the side with the skulls was clearly prevailing; otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t leave a capable fighter unused.


    It seemed that if he didn¡¯t intervene, one side would quickly be defeated.


    Zhao Sheng did not wish to see this happen.


    After all, muddy waters make it easier to catch fish. Inside, there were at least two Foundation Establishment Cultivators fighting to the death. As a mere Eighth Layer Qi Refinement cultivator, how could he profit as a fisherman if he didn¡¯t resort to some tricks?


    Thinking this way, Zhao Sheng looked back at the tall and thin old man, aiming to extract some information from him.


    Assuming Zhao Sheng was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the tall and thin old man couldn¡¯t help but feel fearful.


    He also wanted to buy time and, upon being questioned, immediately said, ¡°My uncle is the Withered Bone Master. He has roamed the Outer Star Sea for a hundred years with his formidable strength, rarely meeting his match. I advise you to leave at once.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that powerful! How have I never heard of him?¡± Zhao Sheng asked with a smile, not in a hurry to take action.


    The tall and thin old man continued to boast, ¡°If you haven¡¯t heard of him, it¡¯s because of your limited knowledge. Let me mention another name, the Corpse Demon Pirate Group; you must have heard of them! My uncle is a member of the Corpse Demon Pirate Group.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s brows furrowed; the Corpse Demon Pirate Group had run rampant in the Shattered Star Sea for five hundred years, with a notorious reputation.


    It was said that any crew member from the Corpse Demon Pirate Group had at least reached Foundation Establishment, and the captain was a Late-stage Golden Core True Immortal.


    If what this man said was true, this situation had become somewhat troublesome.


    In the few moments of conversation, the situation in the battling group had changed again. The golden light of the sword rainbow dimmed and was losing ground under the onslaught of the skulls. It seemed on the verge of defeat.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng hesitated no longer. He immediately reached into his Storage Bag at his waist and tossed out seven or eight stacks of First-order Water Arrow Talismans, each stack more than twenty sheets.


    In an instant, thousands of water arrows suddenly occupied half of the sky, bearing a chilling sharpness, submerging the tall and thin old man in an instant.


    Over the past two years, Zhao Sheng had spent his spare time drawing talismans to pass the time. As time passed, his Storage Bag was filled with various stacked talismans and Second-level Talismans.


    As for the other ¡°defective products,¡± they had been exchanged for Spirit Pills and Spirit Stones.


    With the old man¡¯s death, it seemed as if the others were warned; the battle instantly intensified threefold.


    Zhao Sheng smiled faintly, his figure flashed, and he suddenly vanished into thin air.


    ¡­


    Zhen Yue was in a panic, dodging everywhere and constantly striking with her flying sword at the group of skulls that relentlessly pursued her.


    Clearly, these skulls had been meticulously refined by their master, each as hard as fine steel, impervious to sword and spear. Common magic artifacts could not harm them in the slightest, only managing to steer clear by avoiding their edge.


    As for the Golden Light Spirit Sword, it was being scorched by the green flames, its speed had slowed, and its blade was covered with green marks, losing its previous grandeur.


    While engaged with two Single-Horned Black Skulls, it was unexpectedly entwined by bunches of green flames. As the light gradually dimmed, beads of sweat streamed down Zhen Yue¡¯s face.


    The gaunt Withered Bone Master, looking plausibly like a skeleton walking the earth, saw this and laughed shrilly, pouring Divine Sense and Spiritual Power into his control of the Single-Horned Ghost Skulls, pressing the attack on Zhen Yue to end the battle quickly.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng had already sneaked into the courtyard and stolen a glance at the Withered Bone Master. Without any further hesitation, he flipped his hand, and two Second-Order Water Mine True Talismans were pinched between his fingers.


    Go!


    Following his low shout, two large, sapphire Thunder Balls flew into the sky and, upon reaching the midst of the Ghost Skull swarm, exploded abruptly.


    For a moment, it was as if two splendid fireworks had erupted in the sky, sending the Ghost Skull swarm flying chaotically.


    The Withered Bone Master¡¯s expression changed. He practiced the path of Corpse God and Ghost Skulls and feared the Thunder Skill the most. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, with an ugly expression, he beckoned back the skulls to reform above his head into a cloud of burning green flames.

 Chapter 179 - 174: Five Transits Fish, Spiritual Pearl, and Ancient Painting Murder

    Chapter 179: Chapter 174: Five Transits Fish, Spiritual Pearl, and Ancient Painting Murder


    ¡°Who dares to strike from the shadows and harm others, yet cowardly hides their face? Dare you not show yourself?¡± the Withered Bone Master looked around sharply and bellowed fiercely.


    Taking the opportunity, Zhen Yue called back her Golden Light Spirit Sword, and as the golden light circled around her, her heart relaxed a bit, and her hopeful eyes scanned the small courtyard¡¯s surroundings, also hoping that Zhao Sheng would come out and join her against the Old Demon of Withered Bone.


    Zhao Sheng stood in a corner of the courtyard, secretly watching the two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, hesitated briefly, then dissolved his talisman power and appeared before the other two.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng, so young and with an aura that barely revealed his presence, the Withered Bone Master became slightly more cautious and spoke coldly, ¡°Who are you? I advise you not to meddle in these troubled waters. If you leave now, I shall spare you the crime of your sneak attack.¡±


    Zhao Sheng ignored the Withered Bone Master¡¯s threat, turned to Zhen Yue, and called out, ¡°Taoist friend, how about we join forces to deal with this demon first?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Yue eagerly nodded and responded, ¡°You speak truly, Taoist friend.¡± S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hehe!¡±


    The Withered Bone Master, seeing that the two before him disregarded him as nothing, immediately burst into rage and with a sinister laugh roared, ¡°You think you can take my life? You two are still too green!¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, he glared fiercely at Zhao Sheng, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes, and reached into his chest as if to grasp something else.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t have time to explain thoroughly, and immediately shouted to Zhen Yue, ¡°You attack, I¡¯ll support!¡±


    Having said this, he threw the three Spirit Talismans in his hand into the air.


    As the Spirit Talismans turned to ash, a large expanse of rain clouds suddenly formed in the sky above the courtyard. In the blink of an eye, a rain of droplets mixed with Sword Intent and cold light poured down,


    The Withered Bone Master, seeing this, showed disdain and chuckled coldly. He had already pulled out a pot-cover-shaped, iron-blue, thick skull from his chest and threw it without a second thought.


    The object whistled, expanding nearly a hundredfold in midair, then emitted a glowing blue light, shielding his head.


    Sounds of ¡°bang¡± ¡°bang¡± followed as the sword rain met the giant skull, turning into sparkles of water light, while the skull remained unharmed.


    ¡°Ha, ha¡­¡± the Withered Bone Master laughed wildly, then pointed at Zhao Sheng, and immediately, eight or nine skeleton heads of the circling Ghost Skulls split off, spewing clumps of green flames, and rushed fiercely toward Zhao Sheng.


    Simultaneously, a golden sword rainbow roared in from another direction, cutting toward the Withered Bone Master at the waist.


    Although the Old Demon faced two opponents, his expression remained unchanged. With a wave of his right hand, the remaining group of Ghost Skulls immediately moved to engage the sword rainbow, battling the flying swords.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng flicked his wrist and threw out three Cold Ice Hundred Blade Talismans. The Spirit Talismans suddenly exploded, and hundreds of Crescent Moon-like transparent ice blades, carrying a piercing cold air, formed a large expanse of cold icy clouds, enveloping the incoming Ghost Skulls.


    The collision of the green flames and the cold air instantly created a vast amount of fog, and the numerous ice blades revolving around the Ghost Skulls significantly slowed their movements.


    Zhao Sheng, multitasking, did not give the Withered Bone Master a chance to catch his breath and immediately threw out two shimmering True Talismans.


    Instantly, two dragon roars echoed in succession in the sky above the courtyard, and two water dragons as thick as barrels, both vividly emerald and lifelike, took shape and charged toward the Withered Bone Master with astonishing momentum.


    ¡°Seeking death!¡±


    Seeing this, the Withered Bone Master¡¯s pupils contracted, and after cursing loudly, he immediately formed a Magic Spell with both hands; the iron-blue giant skull instantly grew a third larger.


    However, what left the Withered Bone Master stunned occurred next.


    The two water dragons split apart, one entangling the skull, while the other flicked its tail, catching a hanging rain cloud. The dragon¡¯s body was quickly saturated by the rain cloud, its mouth wide open, spewing out a huge bunde of transparent, silk-like sword strands.


    Seeing this, the Withered Bone Master couldn¡¯t help but reveal a terrified look, employing Talisman Tao, integrating form and intent, such advanced secret techniques unexpectedly mastered by a young man without any sign of strain.


    The Withered Bone Master¡¯s face darkened, and feeling spiteful, he saw a Single-Horned Ghost Skull in the swarm explode instantly, the green flames flaring wildly like fire fuelled by oil.


    The Withered Bone Master¡¯s Divine Sense pulsated, and suddenly half of the green flames encircling the Ghost Skulls split off, transforming into a colossal Flame Shield that plummeted from the sky to stand before him.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The Flame Shield trembled unceasingly as numerous sword strands pierced its surface, causing the volume of the green flames to shrink significantly, the shield flickering dimly as if it might extinguish soon.


    Seeing this, Zhen Yue¡¯s face lit up with joy. While controlling the Golden Light Spirit Sword to break through the blockade of the Ghost Skulls, she took the opportunity to throw out two small golden swords.


    The small swords shot out rapidly, turning into two streaks of golden Sword Light, skimming along the ground and viciously targeting the Withered Bone Master¡¯s legs.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Seeing this, the Withered Bone Master¡¯s face darkened like the bottom of a pot, looking viciously ferocious. He stretched out two fingers of his left hand into ¡®¡±>¡¯

 Chapter 180 - 174: The Five Transits Fish, Spiritual Pearl, and the Ancient Painting Murder_2

    Chapter 180: Chapter 174: The Five Transits Fish, Spiritual Pearl, and the Ancient Painting Murder_2


    The eyes of the two Blood Skeletons overflowed with blood light, and obediently, they turned into two beams of bloody light, howling as they rushed down, easily intercepting the two Sword Lights.


    With a wide-open mouth, the Blood Skeletons swallowed up the flying swords. Their jaws moved up and down a few times, and an ear-piercing crunching sound started to resound.


    Zhen Yue¡¯s face drastically changed, while on the other side, the Blood Skeletons opened their mouths to spit out showers of golden debris which fell like rain, and instantly, the ground was riddled with a dense mass of tiny holes.


    Seeing how difficult the Withered Bone Master was to deal with, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brows slightly furrowed as he weighed his options.


    Zhen Yue appeared to be going all out, but he knew that his opponent had definitely held back a third of their power.


    This was naturally due to the wariness they held towards him.


    Zhao Sheng was very clear about his adversary¡¯s mentality. He himself hadn¡¯t used all his strength, so he had no expectation that others would either.


    But now, countless Cultivators were searching for this place outside, and someone could barge in here at any moment.


    He couldn¡¯t drag this on any longer!


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brow relaxed; he turned his head, and inexplicably smiled at Zhen Yue before suddenly pulling back and swiftly retreating. His figure flickered, and in the blink of an eye, he had left the courtyard.


    ¡°Escaping?¡±


    A trace of joy appeared on the Withered Bone Master¡¯s face, but the joy lasted only for a fleeting instant before it vanished without a trace.


    On the other side, as Zhen Yue saw Zhao Sheng fleeing without a word, she felt anxious and enraged, but her face showed a drastic change.


    The Withered Bone Master, cunning and shrewd, had a translucent mind and quickly grasped why Zhao Sheng had suddenly withdrawn.


    ¡°Damn it, that kid must have gone to loot the treasures!¡±


    Rage surged in the Withered Bone Master¡¯s heart, and a vicious glint flickered in his eyes, as he suddenly let out a shriek.


    The swarm of Ghost Skulls suddenly made one turn, the green flames were retracted, and they swiftly flew back above his head.


    ¡°Young lady, how about we call a truce? Otherwise, others will snatch away all the treasures!¡± The Withered Bone Master, with his skull retracted, spoke vilely to Zhen Yue.


    Zhen Yue looked surprised. She reached up to tuck a strand of hanging hair behind her ear, hesitated a moment, and then called back her Golden Light Spirit Sword.


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    Her voice was crisp, with a trace of tremor.


    The Withered Bone Master nodded, revealing an ugly smile. Then, he turned and left decisively, leaving Zhen Yue astounded by his abrupt departure. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But how could she fall behind? She quickly leaped up, pursuing him with a Flying Escape.


    The two, one after the other, left the small courtyard, took half a circuit, and quickly arrived at the back courtyard.


    As for Zhao Sheng, who had left earlier, he stood motionless in the middle of the back courtyard, staring unblinkingly at something inside the main hall, seemingly observing.


    The Withered Bone Master¡¯s eyeballs rolled a few times, barely suppressing the desire to take action, and then, driven by curiosity, he stepped forward.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    Once he saw clearly what was inside the main hall, the Withered Bone Master couldn¡¯t help but show a shocked expression.


    Inside the main hall was a charred corpse, sitting cross-legged on an apricot-yellow cushion, with a Cold River Elder Fishing Painting hanging on the wall behind it.


    The scorching corpse¡¯s head had a big hole, and a fist-sized Jade White Spirit Pearl lay between the knees. The right hand was holding a gold Imperial Tablet about a foot long, and the left hand was severed.


    A green bamboo basket lay slanted on the floor, seemingly crudely woven, yet it contained a pool of clear water, within which swam a small fish.


    Not large, only the length of a palm, the fish¡¯s body was crystal clear, emitting ripples of a Five-Colored Light Halo. As it swam, the halo diffused and shimmered, incredibly dazzling.


    Upon seeing the clear water, despite being far away, one could smell the entrancing fragrance.


    ¡°Five Luck Spirit Fish! There¡¯s no mistake, it absolutely is this creature. I thought they had long been extinct. Never did I expect to find a live one here. And that water¡­ could it be the legendary Pure Spirit Water?¡± the Withered Bone Master muttered, his eyes fixed in a trance.


    In contrast to the Withered Bone Master, Zhen Yue didn¡¯t blink as she stared intently at the Jade White Spirit Pearl, her face filled with a bewitched look.


    If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, that Spirit Pearl should be the core of the Bei Mansion. If she could refine it, she would be able to take control of this miniature Grotto Heaven.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t know what the other two were looking at. At the moment, his expression was grave, divine light circulating in his eyes. He wasn¡¯t looking at the scorched corpse, nor did he care about the bamboo basket and other treasures, but stared fixedly at the ancient painting behind the scorched corpse.


    At that moment, it was as if his feet were nailed to the ground, and he didn¡¯t dare to move forward a single step.


    Because in his eyes, that ancient painting was enveloped in an extremely dense aura of purple-black light, which diffused all around. The halo not only shrouded the charred corpse below but also covered the entire hall within its influence.


    Since his reincarnation, Zhao Sheng had never seen such a dangerous object. He had a premonition that if he entered its range of influence, his death would be certain.


    The Withered Bone Master, always the greediest, was just about to step into the hall when he suddenly saw Zhao Sheng stop in his tracks. A wary expression immediately surfaced on his face.


    After a moment of hesitation, he glanced at Zhen Yue next to him and chose not to make a move. Instead, he said coldly, ¡°I don¡¯t want anything else, old man just wants that bamboo basket and the things inside it.¡±


    As soon as Zhen Yue heard these words, she snapped out of her trance. After looking at Zhao Sheng, she decisively said, ¡°I want that Spiritual Pearl!¡±


    After both had stated their choices, they turned their attention toward Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng came to his senses, stroked his chin, and after pondering for a while, nodded and said, ¡°Since you both have made your choices, what¡¯s left will be mine! Any objections?¡±


    The Withered Bone Master immediately answered, ¡°No objections!¡±


    Zhen Yue was just a beat slower but also concurred, ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    Both of their straightforward answers made Zhao Sheng feel puzzled. He looked at the bamboo basket and the Spiritual Pearl again, reevaluating the true value of these two treasures.


    As soon as that was said, the Withered Bone Master couldn¡¯t wait to rush into the hall, but unexpectedly a golden sword rainbow flew across the sky, blocking his way.


    ¡°Little girl, what are you doing?¡± The Withered Bone Master looked back at Zhen Yue with great displeasure.


    Zhen Yue said with a smile, ¡°Skull old man, you can go in first if you want, but you must make a vow on your Heart Demon first.¡±


    With a flick of his sleeves, the Withered Bone Master said sternly, ¡°I¡¯ve never made any damned Heart Demon vows. Little girl, if you keep meddling, I might as well settle scores with you again.¡±


    As he said this, he turned to Zhao Sheng and forced an ugly smile, ¡°Little brother, if you do not take sides, the Spiritual Pearl will be yours. What do you say?¡±


    Zhen Yue, in a panic, immediately shouted to Zhao Sheng, ¡°Don¡¯t fall for Old Mo¡¯s trick; he¡¯s trying to defeat us one by one!¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked at the two of them, took a step back, and, without saying a word, made his stance quite clear.


    Seeing this, the Withered Bone Master smiled smugly and gave Zhao Sheng a satisfied look.


    He then threatened Zhen Yue saying, ¡°Little girl, get out of the way! Otherwise, don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless!¡±


    Zhen Yue, seeing Zhao Sheng act so ¡°stupidly,¡± felt her mood sour, but on her own, she was no match for the Withered Bone Master.


    After hesitating, she reluctantly recalled her Spirit Sword and then glared fiercely at Zhao Sheng.


    The Withered Bone Master pinched a spell, and the group of Ghost Skulls above his head suddenly spread out, spurting green flames to form a wall of flame skulls, blocking in front of Zhao Sheng and Zhen Yue.


    Then, he turned to face them, but his body gradually stepped backward into the hall.


    Zhen Yue watched unwillingly, feeling an urgent dread in her heart.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing the Withered Bone Master be so cautious, couldn¡¯t help but flash a self-mocking glance. But that shade of emotion was quickly concealed deep within his heart, his face serene as still water.


    The Withered Bone Master stepped backwards through the doorway, and seeing that neither of them showed signs of attacking, he was overjoyed.


    With lightning speed, he turned around, grabbed the bamboo basket with one hand, and with an unsatisfied wave, whisked the Spiritual Pearl into his pouch.


    If Zhen Yue could recognize the Spiritual Pearl as the Cave Mansion Core, the Withered Bone Master naturally recognized it as well.


    His earlier offer was merely a ruse, as he had no intention of keeping his word from the very start.


    However, at the moment of his utmost triumph, his gaze accidentally swept across the Cold River Elder Fishing Painting, and in an instant, a transparent fishing line shot out of the painting, and a golden fishhook vanished into his skull with a flash.


    Instantly, the Withered Bone Master¡¯s eyes became vacant, and his body stiffened on the spot.


    Bang!


    The Spiritual Pearl, bamboo basket, and the rigid body of the Withered Bone Master all fell to the ground together.


    No one could have imagined that a living person could die in the blink of an eye, and so silently, with extreme strangeness.


    It wasn¡¯t just Zhen Yue who was shocked; even Zhao Sheng had no idea how the Withered Bone Master had died.


    All he saw was a moment of stillness followed by the Withered Bone Master suddenly collapsing to the ground with a thud.


    ¡°What¡­ what happened!¡± Zhen Yue, after witnessing this scene, felt a chill in her heart, her voice stammering in fright.


    But Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes lit up.

 Chapter 181 - 175: Spiritual Treasure Map and Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu

    Chapter 181: Chapter 175: Spiritual Treasure Map and Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu


    With the aid of ¡°Bullet Time¡± and ¡°Danger Perception¡± talents, he witnessed the entire process of the ancient painting committing murder in that instant. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking at the ancient painting afterward, the face of the old man clad in a bamboo hat and straw raincoat was indiscernible. His fishing rod was entirely emerald green, the fishing line was as thin as invisible, but under the surging river water, a five-colored little fish suddenly bit onto the hook.


    This five-colored little fish hadn¡¯t been there before but now had abruptly appeared on the ancient painting.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but look at the fish in his bamboo basket and compared it to the fish in the painting.


    ¡°¡­They are exactly the same!¡± He felt a chill in his heart, suddenly gaining some kind of realization.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The Single-Horned Ghost Skull lost control from the Divine Sense, instantly falling from the sky to the ground, its skull scattering around while green flames flowed onto the ground, igniting eerie green fires wherever it flowed.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward, sweeping his long sleeves and collecting all the Single-Horned Ghost Skulls into his Storage Bag.


    On the side, Zhen Yue saw this but moved her lips, uncharacteristically refraining from stopping his action of collecting treasures.


    After doing all this, Zhao Sheng turned back, pointed at the painting above the hall, and asked, ¡°Taoist, do you know how that Old Demon died?¡±


    ¡°You know¡­ Ah!¡±


    Zhen Yue, following his gesture, looked over, her words halting midway as she suddenly let out a cry, her eyes then fixated on the five-colored fish in the painting, her face successively showing fear, shock, realization, and greed.


    Zhao Sheng, observing her expressions, vaguely grasped the complex emotions within Zhen Yue¡¯s heart, and suddenly asked again, ¡°Is the Five Luck Spirit Fish very famous in Shattered Star Sea? Does it have any special uses?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhen Yue¡¯s heart tightened, her mind instantly becoming alert, and she looked towards Zhao Sheng with some unease.


    Having just fought the Withered Bone Master together, she had seen his capability and knew that she might not be able to defeat him.


    Even as prideful as she was, she couldn¡¯t help but show a hint of hesitation and nervousness.


    With Zhao Sheng¡¯s cunning, a glance at her expressions gave him a good idea of what she was thinking.


    ¡°The name ¡®Five Luck Spirit Fish¡¯ is very unique! I have read many ancient books and yet have no memory of it. Could it be a type of spiritual item from Shattered Star that has gone extinct? Why has that ancient painting suddenly gained a Five Luck Spirit Fish? What is its relation to the death of the Old Demon?¡± Zhao Sheng directly pointed out the core issue, aggressively questioning Zhen Yue, not giving her any chance to stall.


    Honestly, if it weren¡¯t for wanting to extract more information from Zhen Yue¡¯s mouth, Zhao Sheng would have already made his move.


    Seeing the aggressive Zhao Sheng, Zhen Yue¡¯s thoughts rapidly shifted. After coughing dryly, she reluctantly explained,


    ¡°It seems Taoist is a dedicated cultivator who isn¡¯t well-versed in ancient secrets. Even if you searched all the ancient books, I fear you couldn¡¯t find anything about the Five Luck Spirit Fish. This item often appears only in ancient legends. Taoist, are you familiar with the concept of Innate Five Fortunes?¡±


    After saying this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face showed excitement, his eyes narrowing slightly, uncertainly saying, ¡°Innate Five Fortunes, do they include Qi Fortune, Killing Destiny, Tribulation Fate, Intercepting Fortune, and End of Fortune?¡±


    ¡°Correct, Taoist! This Five Luck Spirit Fish is a spiritual item that carries a strand of Innate Five Fortunes. Legend says that consuming it can increase one¡¯s Innate Destiny. If we hadn¡¯t seen this Five Luck Spirit Fish today, we also wouldn¡¯t believe such a thing truly existed in the world! However, among the Innate Five Fortunes, besides Qi Fortune, the other four are unpredictable blessings and curses for us low-level cultivators!¡± Zhen Yue spoke confidently.


    ¡°I see,¡±


    Zhao Sheng simply nodded his head, not pressing further, instead he lowered his head to examine the charred corpse, showing a highly interested expression.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s demeanor, Zhen Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that he would inquire further about the ancient painting.


    At that moment, she was fifty percent certain that the ancient painting was a heavy treasure that could rival Bei Mansion Cave Heaven.


    If she wasn¡¯t mistaken, the ancient painting should be the Spiritual Treasure Map from ancient legends.


    The Spiritual Treasure Map, also known as the Sealing Treasure Map, likely seals an Ancient Magical Treasure within it, and not just any treasure but one of the top-grade top-quality among Ancient Magical Treasures.


    The reason ancient cultivators created such maps was probably to ensure the spiritual nature of some rare heavy treasures was not lost.


    Zhen Yue even boldly guessed that the bamboo basket was probably also a part of the magical treasure.


    Unfortunately, the previous owner had shallow Qi Fortune and unluckily perished under the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation, unable to enjoy such a heavy treasure.


    Since that person didn¡¯t even recognize the Five Luck Spirit Fish, he probably wouldn¡¯t know about the Spiritual Treasure Map either.


    Thinking about this, Zhen Yue tentatively asked, ¡°Taoist friend, have you discovered any clues?¡±


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was looking down at the burnt corpse, his expression unchanged. This slightly eased Zhen Yue¡¯s mind, who had been cautiously observing him.


    ¡°Old Demon Skull¡¯s cultivation was not inferior to ours, and he died mysteriously without any warning, which means there must be some sort of Absolute Killing Restriction in this hall that we Foundation Establishment Cultivators cannot resist. It must be related to that ancient painting,¡± Zhen Yue confidently said.


    Zhao Sheng nodded thoughtfully, not mentioning that what Zhen Yue said was somewhat obvious.


    Zhen Yue¡¯s expression changed as if she remembered something, and she quickly said, ¡°Why don¡¯t we try using a distance-grabbing method?¡±


    Her words, rather than being a kind reminder, seemed more like a covert incitement for Zhao Sheng to act.


    Zhao Sheng, without turning his head, waved his hand to show that he understood.


    Then his gaze fell on the Jade White Spirit Pearl.


    In his past few lives, he had reincarnated in the Central Continent, and when it came to understanding the Shattered Star Sea, he was far less knowledgeable than Zhen Yue, who hailed from a prestigious family in the Inner Star Sea.


    But things like the core of a cave mansion, Zhao Sheng had seen introductions in ancient books.


    Initially, he might not have been certain, but by now, Zhao Sheng was convinced that the Spirit Pearl was the core control center of the Bei Mansion Cave Heaven.


    ¡°The most important thing is to refine it as soon as possible. Everything else can be postponed,¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze shift towards the Spirit Pearl, Zhen Yue suddenly became very anxious, obviously harboring the same thoughts.


    Just then, a sound like a deflating balloon suddenly emanated from the hall.


    Zhao Sheng was startled and quickly looked over.


    He saw the dead Withered Bone Master¡¯s body suddenly swell into a lump, his robe starting to rustle and emitting a sand-like noise, followed by a swarm of strange insects burrowing out from beneath the robe.


    These strange insects, round and about the size of a fingernail, had black armor on their backs and two rows of fine claws on their bellies; their mouthparts were ferocious saw-like teeth, akin to scorpion fangs.


    In the blink of an eye, the swarm of insects continued to emerge unceasingly and spread out, forming a large black carpet of bugs,


    Buzzing!


    the next second, transparent membranous wings popped out from under the bodies of the strange insects. The wings vibrated and suddenly became invisible.


    As the buzzing intensified, the swarm of insects flapped their wings in unison, leaping into the air and merging into a dense black cloud that swooped down, covering the sky and heading straight for Zhao Sheng and Zhen Yue.


    ¡°Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu!¡±


    Seeing the swarm of insects approaching, Zhen Yue screamed in alarm.

 Chapter 182 - 176 Choices Under Absolute Rationality

    Chapter 182: Chapter 176 Choices Under Absolute Rationality


    It wasn¡¯t Zhen Yue¡¯s fault for losing her composure, for the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu in the Shattered Star Sea was a kind of vicious thing that changed people¡¯s colors upon hearing about it.


    The leader of the Corpse Demon Pirate Group, Corpse Demon Master, in order to better control his subordinates, cruelly inflicted each of them with this Evil Gu.


    This act not only ensured the ¡°loyalty¡± of his subordinates but also turned them into a breeding ground for nurturing Gu Worms and, ultimately, served as a kind of self-destructing killing device.


    If a crew member dared to defy the leader¡¯s orders, with just a thought from Corpse Demon Master, the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu would immediately awaken from within their bodies and devour everything from their viscera to their flesh and bones.


    Once a crew member died, the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu would also awaken, and if without a master¡¯s control, it would instinctively kill all living creatures nearby.


    Part of the notorious ferocity of the Corpse Demon Pirate Group was due to the extreme cruelty of the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu.


    Imagine, after trying so hard to kill a member of the Corpse Demon Pirate Group, what you get in return is an even more terrifying Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu.


    The more people killed, the larger the scale of the Gu Worms. Such a horrifying scene, if not experienced firsthand, is unimaginably desperate.


    This turn of events also caught Zhao Sheng by surprise, and he couldn¡¯t help but inwardly curse the opponent for being vicious and sinister.


    In a thought, he recalled all sorts of information about the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu, and his heart stirred.


    All of a sudden, he threw out a Magic Talisman, which turned into flying ash. Under Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet, a large amount of clear water surged from nowhere, spreading upwards and quickly ¡°encapsulating¡± his body into a Water Ball.


    At that moment, a flash of blue light flickered in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, the spirit in his eyes instantly disappeared, his pupils turned dim and lifeless, and his face became extremely indifferent, completely emotionless.


    In that instant, all passions and desires were abandoned. Zhao Sheng was in a state of Absolute Rationality, and the world suddenly became ¡°clearer¡± by tenfold.


    Wherever he looked, all people, events, and things were finely detailed before his eyes. Numerous pieces of information suddenly surged from his mind, and he felt the world had never been so vivid and orderly.


    Crack, crack!


    The Water Ball quickly solidified into ice, turning into a large ice ball in the blink of an eye, and Zhao Sheng, like a dead person, did not move at all within the ice ball!


    Elsewhere, the dense Gu Cloud suddenly became chaotic, but immediately afterward, it thunderously pounced towards Zhen Yue.


    Zhen Yue, seeing Zhao Sheng hiding in the ice ball, internally cursed him for being foolish.


    But at this moment, she couldn¡¯t afford to worry about that.


    Seeing the Gu Cloud about to completely engulf her, Zhen Yue hardened her heart, and suddenly, a fiery red scroll appeared in her hands.


    In the next instant, as the scroll unfurled, countless Red Flame Birds, big as seagulls, flew out from the scroll at high speed, forming a huge flock of Fire Birds, and collided thunderously with the attacking Gu Cloud.


    Boom, crackling!


    The Gu Cloud was temporarily swallowed by the flames, then exploded, the blast expanding the Fire Cloud, red feathers flying chaotically in the sky, and countless Gu corpses fell from the sky like rain.


    Zhen Yue was first delighted, but her face quickly turned ugly.


    Because beyond the few hundred Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu on the outer edge of the Gu Cloud that were burned to death by the flames, the vast majority of the Gu Worms were unharmed.


    These Gu Worms, not yet fully mature, already possessed such strong resistance to flames, and if they were to fully develop, wouldn¡¯t they be unafraid of ordinary Spiritual Fire.


    Zhen Yue knew that the Red Spirit Map in her hand contained a Chi Li Spirit Fire, and these Red Flame Birds were formed from the Chi Li Spirit Fire.


    Chi Li Spirit Fire, a type of Spiritual Fire derived from Nanming Li Fire, has properties of Supreme Yang and specifically counters all sinister demons.


    Logically, Chi Li Spirit Fire should be the nemesis of the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu.


    But now, it seemed that the situation was far from satisfactory!


    Zhen Yue kept urging the Red Spirit Map, releasing more Red Flame Birds, which transformed into walls of flame surrounding her, temporarily forcing the Gu Cloud not to approach.


    She tried several times to escape but was extremely reluctant to abandon the heavy treasure in the hall. She noticed that the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu ignored the person next to her, dodging the ice balls and charging at her alone as if she were the only living person there.


    This scene made Zhen Yue feel a combination of fear and urgency, and she was nearly bursting with anger!


    Buzz, buzz!


    The number of Gu Worms a corpse could contain was ultimately limited.


    A few breaths later, as the corpses shriveled, the last few hundred Gu Worms joined the insect cloud in the courtyard, intensifying their attack on Zhen Yue.


    At that moment, the ice ball surrounding Zhao Sheng suddenly cracked open with countless tiny fissures.


    The next second, the ice ball abruptly shattered, scattering ice chunks all around.


    Zhao Sheng, his face covered with white frost, expressionlessly stepped over the ice on the ground, walking step by step toward the hall, his robe shedding small particles of ice with every movement.


    Strangely, the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu acted as if they didn¡¯t see him at all, even passing by his body without biting, instead, they attacked Zhen Yue.


    Zhen Yue was utterly baffled by the reason.


    However, Zhao Sheng had seen a description of the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu in a Gu Scripture from the Beast Taming Sect.


    This type of Yin-related Gu Worm had an exceedingly peculiar sensory organ, not only capable of sensing the presence of living beings but also extremely adept at detecting fluctuations in a person¡¯s emotions and desires. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As long as a person had even a slight fluctuation in their desires or emotions, they couldn¡¯t possibly evade the pursuit of the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu.


    This characteristic was also one of the reasons it was ranked among the top hundred Gu Worms in the Tianzhu Realm.


    Zhao Sheng walked to the entrance of the hall and suddenly stopped, his eyes unmoving. He did not even glance at the ancient painting, but with a wave of his hand, a surge of water flew out, effortlessly scooping up the Treasure Bead and curling back to fall into his hand.


    Then, he turned his head to look at the bamboo basket, his mind whirring like electricity, instantly conjuring countless possibilities, arranging them in order of probability.


    The next second, taking into account factors such as human nature, traps, luck, coincidences, and more, Zhao Sheng immediately excluded most of the possibilities, leaving only the most likely and optimal scenarios in his mind.


    After a moment of thought, Zhao Sheng suddenly turned away, surprisingly leaving the bamboo basket and other treasures untouched.


    Under the principle of Absolute Rationality, preserving one¡¯s life always comes first. Any action that has a certain probability of endangering one¡¯s life would be excluded by him.


    Clearly, there was some unknown connection between the bamboo basket and the ancient painting; touching it would raise the probability of death beyond the warning line Zhao Sheng had set.


    Just then, Zhen Yue, overwhelmed with shock and anger, forcefully lifted the scroll she was holding upwards rapidly.


    Countless Red Flame Birds gushed out, with the majority rushing toward the Gu Cloud en masse.


    Simultaneously, a small portion quickly merged into a giant flame bird, screeching loudly and sending a wave of scorching flames fiercely shooting towards Zhao Sheng.


    She was not having an easy time either, but she couldn¡¯t let him take away the core treasure of the Bei Mansion. Besides, she hoped that once he made a move, it would expose him, allowing the Three Corpses Seven Absolute Gu to discover him and thus share the pressure she was under.


    Facing the attack, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t utter a word. His figure flashed, fast as if he was using Instantaneous Movement, moving unpredictably to a spot dozens of feet away, nearly ready to leave the area.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Zhen Yue cried out furiously, as the Golden Light Spirit Sword suddenly transformed into a sword rainbow, shooting out fiercely, aiming for Zhao Sheng¡¯s head.

 Chapter 183 - 177 Refining and Collecting

    Chapter 183: Chapter 177 Refining and Collecting


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng still remained expressionless. His hands trembled continuously, and eight crystal-clear ice swords, each three feet long, abruptly took shape.


    These ice swords circled around his body in one turn, soared into the sky, and then merged into a transparent Ice Giant Sword of great tenacity.


    Without a word, Zhao Sheng pinched the sword formula. The giant ice sword suddenly shuddered and split into four rays of sword light that seemed both real and illusory. The sword light flew out in unison, directly confronting the golden sword rainbow, and tangled with it without showing any signs of weakening.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng looked up at Zhen Yue, his right hand touching his waist. With a flick of his hand, four Second Order True Talismans flew out together.


    The next instant, four huge Thunder Balls, each as large as a ball, suddenly flew thirty to forty feet into the air. Then, converging towards the center, a massive Thunder Ball, teeming with Thunder Light and as big as a water jar, appeared above the courtyard.


    Zhen Yue couldn¡¯t help but look up, her complexion turning deathly pale in astonishment, drained of all color.


    Beneath the Thunder Ball, Zhao Sheng looked at Zhen Yue with an expressionless face, his gaze ice-cold as if he were looking at a dead person, and he uttered the word ¡°Go¡±.


    In an instant, the Thunder Ball flickered and transformed into a beam of expansive azure light, thick as a water barrel, striking across the four corners, instantly splitting above Zhen Yue¡¯s head, giving her no chance to dodge.


    Boom!


    A vast expanse of thunder and lightning violently exploded, and the courtyard seemed to be submerged in a sea of thunder, filled with dazzling white light. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, a three-inch-long flying sword, surrounded by the brilliant Electric Light of thunder, pierced through Zhen Yue¡¯s neck.


    Zhen Yue only had time to look down at the hole in her neck. Before she could even show regret, she turned to ash within the endless thunder.


    In the meantime, the Insect Cloud was also shattered by this overwhelming attack, thousands of Gu Worms were struck by the lightning, turning into charred remains, and fell to the ground.


    After confirming Zhen Yue¡¯s death, Zhao Sheng waved his hand to collect the Spirit Light Flying Sword, the Scroll, and the Storage Bag.


    Then, without even glancing at the small Gu Cloud that was reassembling in the courtyard, he swiftly left the place.


    Now, the foremost task in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind was to refine the core of Bei Mansion as quickly as possible to take control, with everything else secondary.


    ¡­


    The light screen surrounding the Sea Shell fluctuated suddenly, and Zhao Sheng emerged from within before swimming upward.


    After ascending more than twenty yards, he looked down to his left, where only a glimmer of light was visible amid the darkness, Zhao Sheng stopped, swiftly carved out a stone cave in the trench wall, and then darted into it.


    After sealing the entrance of the cave, he took out a Spiritual Pearl and gripped it in his hand, then suddenly hammered his left chest with his left hand.


    With a retching sound, Zhao Sheng suddenly spat out a mouthful of essence blood onto the surface of the Spiritual Pearl.


    The next second, the essence blood quickly merged with the Spiritual Power, turning into streams of blood-laced Spiritual Power. Under Zhao Sheng¡¯s spiritual power control, the blood-colored Spiritual Power transformed into blood runes, beginning to slowly seep into the Spiritual Pearl.


    Every time a batch of Blood Talismans entered the Spiritual Pearl, Zhao Sheng would again expel a mouthful of essence blood, merging it with Spiritual Power to form new blood runes that continued to penetrate the interior of the Spiritual Pearl.


    Refining the core of a cave mansion was not an easy task, especially since Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation level hadn¡¯t even reached Foundation Establishment, making it quite a stretch to refine it. Having no other methods at hand, he could only rely on time, determination, and self-harm to grind it down bit by bit.


    Time slowly passed, and Zhao Sheng continued to cough up mouthfuls of essence blood.


    As batch after batch of blood runes merged into the Spiritual Pearl, which gradually exhibited a faint red glow, Zhao Sheng¡¯s complexion grew increasingly pale.


    Three days later, in the temporarily opened cave, the Spiritual Pearl was emitting a soft yet bright red glow, illuminating the cave as well as Zhao Sheng¡¯s pale and emaciated face.


    ¡°Take in!¡±


    Following a hoarse voice resounding in the cave, the Spiritual Pearl naturally floated up and suddenly turned into a mass of blood light, vanishing with a flash into Zhao Sheng¡¯s Dantian.


    Zhao Sheng slowly ended his cultivation, standing up from the ground with an unmistakable excitement in his eyes.


    After a while, he left the cave and stealthily approached the outer area of Bei Mansion below.


    The enormously large Sea Shell was still radiating dazzling white light. However, outside the light screen connected by five stone pillars, three tattered corpses were floating conspicuously.


    The corpses were densely covered with oddly shaped marine worms, which were slowly gnawing away at the flesh and blood of the corpses.


    Upon seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression became slightly grave.


    Someone being able to find this place actually didn¡¯t surprise him.


    What he worried about the most was that Bei Mansion had already been occupied by someone or a certain power.


    After contemplating for a moment, Zhao Sheng concealed his aura, pinching an Invisibility Talisman and a Concentrating God Talisman in his right hand, and made his way forward with a swaying motion, quietly entering the light curtain.


    Stepping through the light curtain, before Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet touched the ground, his figure had already disappeared.


    Listening to the sounds of combat coming from Bei Mansion, interspersed with the clash of Magic Artifacts and the booming of Spells, Zhao Sheng saw at a glance that inside this mini Grotto Heaven were more than a dozen Cultivators engaged in a fight to the death.


    At this moment,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tightened, and he quickly looked over.


    He saw that on one side, each person was clad in red robes, wielding large swords that glowed with red light; as they chanted spells, streams of red Sword Light mixed with Fireballs were relentlessly blasted towards the opposing group.


    The other side seemed to have a slightly larger number of people, but they were dressed in a disarray, with odd and varied weapons, none alike.


    Among the fighting crowd, two people were engaged in the most fierce battle, one was a red-clothed, burly man with a face full of horizontal flesh, controlling a fiery red Flying Knife. With each flash of the Flying Knife, streaks of blood-red Sword Light shot out. The other was an old crone whose weapon was a pair of mandarin duck axes. The axes crossed and struck rapidly, creating swathes of duck-shaped lights that easily shattered the incoming Sword Light, evenly matching the burly man in combat.


    Observing secretly for a while, Zhao Sheng relaxed.


    These Cultivators were all in the Qi Refining Realm, with the two strongest only at Qi Refining Perfection, and most of the objects in their hands were common high-grade Magical Artifacts, with crude methods of fighting, not catching his eye.


    It seemed that they were all just Loose Cultivators, not worth considering.


    After watching for two more quarters, confirming that neither side had someone who was disguising their power,


    To avoid further complications with delays, Zhao Sheng decided to take action.


    He stealthily approached the two battling groups, slowly placing his hands on the Storage Bag. In a flash, he had a crude talisman plate in his hands, which was divided into three layers, each layer holding more than twenty stacks of Water Arrow Talismans.


    ¡°Go¡±


    As the talisman plate¡¯s spirit light gradually grew stronger, Zhao Sheng uttered a soft command, and then all the Water Arrow Talismans turned to flying ash simultaneously.


    The next second, thousands of three-foot-long, child¡¯s arm-thick, incredibly sharp Water Arrows, condensed out of thin air above Bei Mansion and crashed down explosively with a speed faster than the ear could hear thunder.


    In an instant, it had started raining Water Arrows from the sky!


    Ahhhhhhh!


    Suddenly, a wave of screams erupted from within Bei Mansion.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng flashed out from the light curtain and swam to the side, looking at the huge Sea Shell. He patted his abdomen, and the Town Suppressing Spirit Pearl emerged from within his body, suspended in front of him.


    Zhao Sheng muttered incantations, his hands successively casting a series of spells. The blood light on the Town Suppressing Spirit Pearl surged, and a beam of white light shot out from the pearl, splitting into five and connecting to five stone pillars.


    The stone pillars then streamed wave-like lights, which quickly spread throughout the entire Sea Shell.


    As the sound of the ocean waves grew from faint to strong, the Sea Shell gradually shrank in size.


    Fifteen Zhang,


    Ten Zhang,


    Three Zhang


    ¡­


    Finally, an inch-long pristine and jade-like Exquisite Sea Shell fell into Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands, which he quickly tucked into his chest.


    Pop!


    A mass of dense bubbles surged in the sea trench, and like a swordfish, Zhao Sheng shot rapidly upwards.


    A quarter of an hour later, he surfaced, checked his bearings, and didn¡¯t return to Beilu Island but instead swam directly towards a route leading to the Inner Star Sea.

 Chapter 184 - 178: Auction and Foundation Establishment Pill

    Chapter 184: Chapter 178: Auction and Foundation Establishment Pill


    Two months later, an ordinary three-masted sea ship slowly entered a crescent-shaped bay,


    on the bow deck, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes were slightly narrowed, staring at the large workshop by the pier from afar.


    ¡°Finally arrived at Wind and Fire Island,¡± Zhao Sheng muttered to himself, gently drifted from the ship, flew over a distance of eight yards across the sea surface, and landed on the plank road of the pier. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An hour later, an ordinary-looking young man in blue robes appeared in the workshop of Wind and Fire Island, blending in with the bustling crowd, hardly noticeable.


    Wind and Fire Island was one of the spirit islands under the jurisdiction of Dragon Turtle Island among the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, and it was the most famous Refining Island within the realm of Dragon Turtle Island; its workshop was renowned throughout the Shattered Star Sea, marking it as a bustling location.


    Zhao Sheng discreetly observed and noticed that the buildings on Wind and Fire Island were mostly made of submarine fire rocks, which under the sun¡¯s rays, exhibited a faint reddish glow, rendering these structures exceptionally bright and solid-looking.


    On the streets, one could often see squads of elite armored soldiers from the Wind Fire Sect marching in unison, patrolling the streets.


    Zhao Sheng scanned them and was surprised to find the aura of these elite soldiers extremely peculiar, almost devoid of any signs of life, resembling squads of eerie living corpse puppets,


    Zhao Sheng had long heard that the Wind Fire Sect possessed a secret technique to refine Yin Corpse Soldier Puppets, and seeing this firsthand was somewhat shocking. He thought to himself that the Wind Fire Sect indeed was no ordinary sect.


    As he walked through the workshop, Zhao Sheng discovered that Wind and Fire Island indeed lived up to its name as an island of artifact refining, with numerous Artifact Refining Shops, nearly every street hosting several such shops.


    He also noticed that the shops along the streets predominantly sold various Magic Artifacts, and their primary acquisitions were also various refining spirit materials,


    As for shops selling Spiritual Medicine, Spirit Pills, and talismans, there were some, but not many.


    This Artifact Refining-famed Wind and Fire Island truly lived up to its reputation.


    One reason Zhao Sheng traveled thousands of miles to Wind and Fire Island


    was to sell the unused Magic Artifacts and to buy Spirit Pills for cultivation, along with acquiring a few suitable Magic Artifacts.


    The other, more crucial reason was to figure out the death trap in Bei Mansion,


    and if he could also unravel the origins of the ancient painting and bamboo basket, that would be even better.


    ¡­


    Four hours later, after making a round in the workshop and entering several shops, Zhao Sheng casually inquired about the prices of Magic Artifacts at different levels.


    Once he had a good understanding, Zhao Sheng stopped wandering aimlessly and found a place to stay temporarily within the workshop.


    Over the next three days, Zhao Sheng, assuming various appearances, entered multiple Artifact Refining shops and offloaded unusable Magic Artifacts such as the Water Dividing Needle, Flying Knife, Mandarin Duck Hooks, low-grade talismans, and so forth, ultimately exchanging them for over eight thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones.


    Having dealt with these transactions, Zhao Sheng, now in the guise of a fair-faced young master, entered a quite imposing-looking shop.


    This shop was large, luxuriously decorated inside, and even the lowest quality of the Magic Artifacts sold were of top-grade, suggesting that it was a boutique specializing in fine products.


    ¡°Taoist, are you looking to buy Magic Artifacts, or sell refining materials?¡± As soon as Zhao Sheng entered, a middle-aged man whose weathered and yellow skin appeared as if scorched by fire, immediately came forward to greet him.


    ¡°I would like to sell this item, please have a look,¡± Zhao Sheng said nonchalantly and pulled a squarish stone box from his Storage Bag.


    He gently opened the box, but made sure that only the middle-aged man could see the contents inside.


    Upon seeing the Single-Horned Ghost Skull in the stone box, the middle-aged man¡¯s complexion changed, and he promptly said to Zhao Sheng,


    ¡°Taoist, please follow me to a private room at the back. I will immediately call the shopkeeper to examine it.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, his expression serene as he followed the man into a private room at the back.


    Shortly after, a gray-robed elderly man with a white beard entered the room, smiling slightly at Zhao Sheng, bowed his hands, and said, ¡°I am Sun Delu, honored to meet you, Taoist. I heard you have a treasure to offer. May I have the privilege to take a look?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and opened the stone box, pushing it forward.


    Upon seeing the completely black skull with horns on top, the elder¡¯s pupils involuntarily shrank slightly.


    ¡­


    An hour later, the elder placed the Single-Horned Ghost Skull back into the stone box, his face still showing traces of joy.


    He knew that this item was a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact and candidly spoke up, ¡°The item is indeed good, containing Corrosive Bone Corpse Fire and has been sacrificially refined for over a hundred years. However, it is difficult to deal with openly, and it is slightly flawed. Therefore, the price is a bit lower than that of a similar Spiritual Artifact, around nine thousand Spirit Stones.¡±


    Zhao Sheng slightly nodded upon hearing this, apparently agreeing with the other party¡¯s view.


    Then, he smiled and said, ¡°Although the price is good, I am not short of Spirit Stones. I wonder if your shop has Puppet Magical Artifacts or top-grade magic tools available? I would like to consider an item exchange, is that possible?¡±


    The elder confidently answered, ¡°Our shop is one of the directly affiliated shops of Wind Fire Sect, and we can certainly engage in item exchange, and we will not disappoint you, Taoist.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, noncommittally, hummed a sound and suddenly asked, ¡°I heard that your island is about to hold a special auction. I am interested in participating, but are there any special requirements?¡±


    The elder was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, ¡°Special requirements? Indeed, there are two: first, you need a guarantee letter provided by a shop on the island, and second, you must provide an item for the auction.¡±


    The elder hesitated not at all to say this, after all, this was no secret on Wind and Fire Island, so naturally there was no need to hide it from Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng silently nodded.


    The reason he wanted to participate in this auction was that he had heard Foundation Establishment Pills would be auctioned there.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, Foundation Establishment Pills are much more scarce and rare than in the Central Continent.


    The reasons are not only because there are fewer Alchemists in the Shattered Star Sea and the refining materials for Foundation Establishment Pill are rare. Most importantly, the other continents have intentionally reduced the supply of Foundation Establishment Pill, making their prices nearly sky-high in the Shattered Star Sea, where even Low Grade Foundation Establishment Pills are unlikely to appear on the market.


    Eager for the Foundation Establishment Pill, he hesitated no longer and immediately said to the elder, ¡°I must confess, my visit to Wind and Fire Island this time is specifically for the auction. If you could provide a guarantee for me, I have a Spiritual Flying Sword in my possession that I could sell to your shop at a reduced price.¡±


    Hearing this, the elder¡¯s brows slightly furrowed as he quietly weighed the implications.


    After pondering for a moment, he lightly slapped the stone box and said:


    ¡°Well then, I could agree to vouch for you. May I examine the Spiritual Artifact in your hands?¡±


    ¡°Certainly!¡± said Zhao Sheng without hesitation.


    As he spoke, he pulled out Zhen Yue¡¯s Golden Light Spirit Sword from his Storage Bag, along with a scroll housing a Spiritual Artifact and Chi Li Spirit Fire.


    This scroll was what he planned to use for the auction, and he wanted the elder to appraise it as well.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng left the shop smiling, holding a pale red Jade Scroll in his hand, its surface engraved with the same pattern as the shop¡¯s sign.


    In addition, his Storage Bag now contained over two hundred Mid-grade Spirit Stones.


    Having obtained the guarantee letter and Spirit Stones, he then visited two Elixir Medicine Shops and bought more than a dozen bottles of Cloud Ginseng Pills, costing him nearly a thousand Spirit Stones.


    Unfortunately, there were many shops selling Elixir Pills on Wind and Fire Island, but almost none selling spirit medicine seeds.


    After inquiring in several shops to no avail, he had to temporarily give up on planting Spiritual Medicine in the Bei Mansion.


    Half a day later, Zhao Sheng returned to his residence and began to cultivate behind closed doors.


    But as the auction approached, various rumors inevitably began to spread.


    As word of the Foundation Establishment Pills being auctioned spread, an increasing number of outside Cultivators started arriving on Wind and Fire Island.

 Chapter 185 - 179 Mysterious Woman

    Chapter 185: Chapter 179 Mysterious Woman


    Seven days later, the auction finally arrived.


    Zhao Sheng left the guesthouse, and following the directions given by the elderly shop owner, he wound his way through the streets and alleys until he reached a magnificent palace in the southwest workshop area of Wind and Fire Island.


    Zhao Sheng stood on a street corner and did not hurry to enter. Instead, he observed the auction venue.


    As time drew near, cultivators began to arrive one after another, displaying various demeanors. Some were open and aboveboard, while others made a deliberate effort to conceal their features. However, as long as they presented a pledge letter, the guards at the door would check it and allow them through.


    ¡°It seems that this auction recognizes the letter over the person, and the security is quite strict. A few days ago, the shopkeeper mentioned that, for this auction, Dragon Turtle Island rarely dispatched a Golden Core Master to oversee this place. I presume it is both for safety reasons and because there are quite a few rare treasures at this auction,¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself with a serene expression.


    ¡°There are probably many people here today specifically for the Foundation Establishment Pill. This will be quite a competition.¡±


    With these thoughts in mind, Zhao Sheng, who had changed his appearance, walked around the corner of the street and strode toward the entrance.


    Upon reaching the entrance of the venue, he presented his Jade Leaf guarantee letter to the guards.


    Just as he was about to enter, Zhao Sheng suddenly changed his expression and turned his head to sweep a glance behind him. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He saw, not far off, three unusually tall figures in black robes, escorting a woman dressed in a blue skirt as they walked toward the venue.


    The woman had a graceful figure and wore a hat with a white veil hanging down, concealing her face.


    Even though Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t clearly see the woman¡¯s features, he felt a stirring within him, as if there was some indistinct and secretive connection between him and her.


    ¡°Who is this woman¡­¡± Zhao Sheng wondered, somewhat surprised.


    Just as he wanted to take another look, the guard grew impatient and urged him to enter quickly.


    Zhao Sheng withdrew his gaze, his mind filled with thoughts as he walked into the venue.


    Meanwhile, the veiled woman suddenly stopped in her tracks, her beautiful eyes fixed on the entrance to the auction house, gazing at the slowly disappearing figure of Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Young Master, why have you stopped? Is there something amiss?¡±


    Right then, an ancient voice emerged from the woman¡¯s sleeve, elusive, audible only to her.


    ¡°Did you see that person just now?¡± Wang Yingling flicked her sleeve, speaking softly.


    ¡°Which person? I was preoccupied with sensing the Ancestor¡¯s exuvia and didn¡¯t notice our surroundings,¡± replied Elder Chong.


    Wang Yingling licked her lips and, while continuing to walk forward, murmured to herself, ¡°I feel like I¡¯ve just seen someone of my own kind, and it seems that their bloodline is not of low purity.¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°The auspicious time has come¡ªthe auction officially begins!¡±


    In the grand venue, a deep and magnetic voice announced from the high platform at the front.


    Originally filled with hushed conversations, the auction hall fell silent at once.


    Then a middle-aged man in a bright red robe with a long face and large ears, his forehead marked with a Flame Totem, confidently walked onto the high platform in front of everyone.


    In the venue below, over a hundred attendees occupied their own tables, scattered throughout the hall.


    As for the cultivators of a special status or above the Foundation Establishment Realm, they were in the private rooms on the second floor, overlooking the hall below.


    The number of people present at the auction was somewhat small, but Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t find this strange.


    After all, merely demanding guarantees from merchants and the submission of suitable auction items had already filtered out the majority of cultivators with less substantial fortunes.


    Auctions in the Cultivation World always valued quality over quantity, whether regarding the items or the participants.


    Situated in the venue, Zhao Sheng could not discern the depth of other people¡¯s Cultivation Realms. However, based on his extensive experience, he concluded that there were at least five Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the first-floor venue, not to mention those in the second-floor private rooms.


    ¡°It seems I need to be especially cautious this time,¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    ¡°Welcome, Esteemed Fellow Daoists and Seniors, to this year¡¯s auction on Wind and Fire Island. I won¡¯t go into the rules, as I trust you are all familiar with them¡ªhigher bids take the treasure. If anyone has special requests, bartering is also permitted.¡±


    Finished speaking, the middle-aged man respectfully bowed toward the high platform to his left, then straightened his posture.


    All eyes turned to that spot where a lone fiery-red chair sat beside the high platform. On it was a frail, gray-robed elderly man.


    The old man sat in meditation, motionless with his eyes closed, and emanated an aura both deep and unfathomable.


    This was the Golden Core Master presiding over the event.


    After a brief pause, the middle-aged man scanned the crowd below and then announced:


    ¡°Enough talk! Please behold the first treasure up for auction!¡±


    With that, he slapped his Storage Bag, and a palm-sized Jade Box appeared in his hand. The box was opened to reveal a golden-blue flying sword an inch long, lying quietly inside.


    ¡°Our first auction item is a top-grade magic tool, the Geng Metal Flying Sword. The sword is mixed with Geng Metal, indestructible and three times faster than other flying swords of the same tier, with nine Magic Prohibitions embedded within. The starting bid is seven thousand Spirit Stones, and each bid must increase by no less than a hundred Spirit Stones,¡± declared the middle-aged man with a proud smile.


    At these words, the venue burst into murmurs.


    One must know that flying swords are one of the most demanding types of offensive magic artifacts when it comes to materials. Sword Cultivators are famously known for their creed, ¡°The sword lives, the cultivator lives; the sword perishes, the cultivator perishes.¡±


    Geng Metal is a treasured material for refining flying swords.


    Even if the quantity of Geng Metal mixed in this flying sword is unknown, and it might just be a selling point¡­

 Chapter 186 - 179 Mysterious Woman_2

    Chapter 186: Chapter 179 Mysterious Woman_2


    Even seven thousand Spirit Stones could buy a Low Grade Spiritual Artifact.


    But a flying sword of such excellent quality was sure to set off a frenzy among the cultivators.


    Upon seeing that the first treasure was a Geng Metal Flying Sword, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but feel disappointed; he didn¡¯t care for Geng Metal at all.


    If he could return to the Central Continent, he dared say that he could produce a piece of Geng Metal as big as a human head.


    ¡°Eight thousand!¡±


    ¡°Eight thousand one hundred!¡±


    ¡°Eight thousand eight hundred!¡±


    ¡­


    As expected, as soon as this top-grade flying sword was revealed, it spurred a round of spirited bidding from the crowd.


    After an intense competition, the sword was ultimately auctioned off for nineteen thousand Spirit Stones to a solemn-faced old man.


    By now, the atmosphere of the auction was heated by the Geng Metal Flying Sword. The next two treasures, an Orange Gold Armor and a Mother-child Spirit Shield, both top-grade magic tools, were auctioned off at the high prices of six thousand and nine thousand Spirit Stones, respectively.


    Indeed, defensive magic tools were generally harder to refine than offensive ones, and their prices were usually twenty to eighty percent higher¡ªflying swords being the exception.


    Witnessing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but feel surprised.


    The standard of this auction wasn¡¯t low at all! Starting with top-grade magic tools, the main stream later surely would be Spiritual Artifacts.


    ¡°The fourth auction item, a top-grade talismanic artifact, the Five Elements Talisman Plate.¡±


    As the sound faded, a middle-aged man produced a square wooden box with one hand.


    He slapped the box with one hand, and the lid immediately flipped open, revealing a talisman plate about a foot in diameter, with three layers and five colors, in a Zhouyi Bagua pattern. It looked exquisitely delicate and faintly emitted a Five-Colored Light Halo.


    ¡°The Five Elements Chaos Plate, while admittedly limited to the use of talisman cultivators, is forged from a thousand-year-old Spirit Wood and Five Elements Spiritual Gold by an Artifact Refining Master who took forty-nine days to complete it. Although it¡¯s not a Spiritual Artifact, it¡¯s even more precious than ordinary Spiritual Artifacts,¡± the middle-aged man said slowly while holding the talisman plate.


    These words naturally caused a stir among the crowd, and someone who was outspoken immediately asked why.


    The middle-aged man smiled confidently and said, ¡°The Artifact Refining Master originally intended to refine a Spiritual Artifact Level talisman plate. However, due to a minor mishap during the refining process, the grade of this talismanic artifact dropped.


    Although its grade is much lower than initially planned, it coincidentally gained two unique effects. First, it can hold higher-grade talismans, and it can withstand a Second Order High Grade True Talisman at the maximum. Second, when Five Elements talismans are activated simultaneously, different attributes of talismans can lead to a certain probability of mutation under the guidance of the talisman plate, such as the Five Elements promoting each other and wind feeding fire, etc.


    The former isn¡¯t too remarkable, after all, high-grade True Talismans are very rare and are seldom obtained.


    But the latter would be infinitely useful if it falls into the hands of a cultivator skilled in both talismanic magic and combat.


    Most importantly, this talisman plate is a once-in-a-lifetime creation, with almost no chance of a second one ever being made. Therefore¡­ the starting bid is ten thousand Spirit Stones!¡±


    Upon saying this, the middle-aged man deliberately paused for a moment to gauge the reaction of the people below.


    As expected, the audience below was once again abuzz with excitement, with many being interested, including Zhao Sheng.


    No matter what the others were thinking, he truly wanted to win it.


    With this powerful artifact, he wouldn¡¯t fear an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the slightest.


    ¡°Fifteen thousand Spirit Stones.¡±


    As soon as the middle-aged man finished speaking, someone from below immediately called out, boosting the price by five thousand Spirit Stones.


    This high bid surprised many, causing some who were about to bid to swallow their words back down.


    After a good while, someone snorted coldly and then fiercely bid eighteen thousand Spirit Stones.


    Good heavens, that¡¯s three thousand more.


    With this bid, the vast majority of people backed out.


    After all, the Geng Metal Flying Sword at the beginning was sold for only nineteen thousand Spirit Stones.


    A talismanic artifact was ultimately niche in use, and even with its rare and magical effects, this was the peak price.


    At this point, Zhao Sheng, who had been the first to bid, couldn¡¯t help but frown slightly.


    It wasn¡¯t that he lacked Spirit Stones; not to mention the nearly thirty thousand Spirit Stones he earned from selling magic tools or that the spiritual artifact painting scroll could bring in a good ten thousand Spirit Stones. Even the Pure Yin Spirit Stones he dug up from the Mist Sea Floor would be enough to buy three or four talisman plates like this one.


    It was just that he had some concerns. He still needed to win the Foundation Establishment Pills later, and if he ran out of Spirit Stones, he might have to reveal the Pure Yin Spirit Stones. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Given the rarity of Pure Yin Spirit Stones in the Shattered Star Sea, it was not guaranteed that the organizers wouldn¡¯t take an interest in him.


    While Zhao Sheng weighed the pros and cons, from a private room on the second floor, Wang Yingling quietly focused on his silhouette.


    ¡°Young Master, are you sure that person truly has Holy Clan blood?¡± Elder Turtle¡¯s aged voice resonated at that moment.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Wang Yingling nodded lightly.


    ¡°Excellent! After this, we must bring this person back to the Void Spirit Abyss¡ªthe Great Sacrificial Leader will be delighted,¡± Elder Turtle said excitedly.


    This time, Wang Yingling simply nodded but said nothing more.


    And just then, a faint voice suddenly rang out over the auction hall:


    ¡°Twenty thousand Spirit Stones.¡±


    The one who made the bid was none other than Zhao Sheng.


    He raised the bid by another two thousand Spirit Stones in one go.


    Such a high price caused even some wealthy Foundation Establishment Cultivators to shake their heads in amazement.


    ¡°Good, very good. It seems this Taoist friend is determined to get the Five Elements Talisman Plate. Is there anyone else who will bid higher?¡± The middle-aged man was very pleased and asked the audience once more.


    Seeing that no one below bid for a long time, the middle-aged man didn¡¯t mind and immediately announced that the talisman plate belonged to Zhao Sheng.

 Chapter 187 - 179 Mysterious Woman_3

    Chapter 187: Chapter 179 Mysterious Woman_3


    After auctioning the talisman plate, the middle-aged man began to present treasures of spiritual artifact grade for auction, with starting bids of at least ten thousand Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s spiritual artifact painting scroll was the ninth item, and because it harbored Chi Li Spirit Fire, and this place was the renowned Wind and Fire Island for Artifact Refining, the final transaction price was unexpectedly high for Zhao Sheng. It was sold for thirty-four thousand Spirit Stones.


    ¡­


    ¡°¡­Next, this item, provided by a fellow Taoist, is a White Spirit Turtle Shell, said to have the miraculous effect of turning bad luck into good fortune. The starting bid is twenty thousand Spirit Stones,¡±


    Having said this, the middle-aged man flipped his palm, and a palm-sized, translucent White Jade Turtle Shell appeared in his hand.


    At these words, an extremely quiet and eerie atmosphere enveloped the entire cave.


    Everyone¡¯s gaze fixed on the turtle shell, but most displayed a scornful expression.


    This White Jade Turtle Shell was quite famous in Wind and Fire Island, having been auctioned five times before, and each time after it was purchased, it would be up for auction again within two years.


    It was a well-known fact that all the owners of this turtle shell had died accidently, with none spared. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What turning bad luck into good fortune¡ªmore like a Death Omen Turtle Shell!


    Seeing this reaction, the middle-aged man smiled awkwardly, and asked once more if anyone would bid.


    After a while, a cold voice came from a private room on the second floor: ¡°Twenty-one thousand!¡±


    ¡°Done! It¡¯s sold!¡± the middle-aged man immediately blurted out without asking anyone else, as if afraid someone would back out.


    Wang Yingling inwardly exhaled in relief; she was glad no one competed with her.


    But what she didn¡¯t notice was that down below on the stage, Master Wu Yan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, now slightly opened his eyes, his gaze inadvertently flicking towards her.


    Three hours later, the auction had reached its final stage.


    ¡°Ahem, ahem!¡±


    The middle-aged man intentionally coughed twice, drawing the audience¡¯s attention towards him, then confidently took out three Green Jade Pill Bottles.


    Seeing the pill bottles appear, the atmosphere in the venue instantly quieted down, with everyone¡¯s hearts aflutter, their gazes eagerly fixed on the middle-aged man on the stage.


    With that reaction, the middle-aged man took out a white Spirit Pill from the pill bottle, round and about the size of a longan, its fragrance wafting to the audience.


    ¡°This is the Foundation Establishment Pill, with a quantity of three. All are of low grade. Their value, even if I don¡¯t mention it, you fellow Taoists naturally understand. Thus, I¡¯ll skip the unnecessary details.


    This auction will be conducted in both visible and concealed bids. Visible bids start at thirty thousand Spirit Stones with each increase not less than a thousand Spirit Stones. At the same price, higher grade Spirit Stones will be prioritzed. For concealed bids, other treasures, Cultivation Techniques, and secret techniques can be exchanged.¡±


    The revelation of there being three Foundation Establishment Pills far exceeded everyone¡¯s expectations.


    It was known that in the past, there was often only one, contested by many.


    The middle-aged man seemed very satisfied with the shocked expressions of the crowd, waited for a while before he confidently spoke:


    ¡°Well, everyone can write down their concealed bid prices, or participate in the visible bidding. As for who will end up with these three precious Foundation Establishment Pills, Master Wu Yan will decide.¡±


    At these words, the tension in the venue instantly ratcheted up; many people looked at Master Wu Yan, their eyes filled with respect and envy.


    Once again, the room fell silent as no one took the initiative to speak, as if waiting for others to speak first.


    The middle-aged man was not in a rush, just quietly watching the crowd below.


    ¡°Thirty-three thousand Spirit Stones. Since no one is speaking, let this old man start,¡± spoke a stern-faced elder slowly after a moment.

 Chapter 188 - 180 Demon Ruins and the Sea Demon Clan

    Chapter 188: Chapter 180 Demon Ruins and the Sea Demon Clan


    ¡°Thirty-four thousand Spirit Stones,¡±


    As soon as the words fell, someone immediately picked up the bid.


    ¡°Thirty-five thousand Spirit Stones.¡±


    ¡°Thirty-six thousand Spirit Stones.¡±


    Once someone initiated the bidding, the price of the Foundation Establishment Pill started rising by thousands.


    The increments seemed small, but the rate of increase was swift.


    It wasn¡¯t long before it surpassed fifty thousand Spirit Stones, which caused many who were initially eager to turn pale, and soon they discarded the idea of using Spirit Stones and turned to think about secret bids.


    All present were cultivators, and who didn¡¯t have some treasures hidden up their sleeves? Even if one¡¯s assets were insufficient, there were still spells, right?


    The four essentials of cultivation are ¡°Dharma, Wealth, Comrades, and Place,¡± with Dharma being of foremost importance.


    As long as one was willing to sell their own Cultivation Technique, couldn¡¯t they exchange it for a Foundation Establishment Pill?


    It must be said that the method of secret auctions was indeed impressive.


    In the venue, Zhao Sheng sat unperturbed, inwardly praising the organizer¡¯s thorough thinking.


    After some deliberation, Zhao Sheng decided to use the unique spell ¡°Sacrificial Fire Technique¡± that he had obtained in his previous life, as an exchange item.


    To ensure foolproof success, he silently summoned the Hundred Lifetimes scripture, turned to the fourth page, and found a Foundation Establishment level Fire Attribute Cultivation Technique from the memory images he acquired from the Zhou family¡¯s Scripture Pavilion in the Desolate Domain.


    Zhao Sheng did not believe that two Fire Attribute Cultivation Techniques could not exchange for a mere Foundation Establishment Pill.


    During this time, the bidding price had already broken through fifty thousand Spirit Stones. Those who still dared to bid were now only a few.


    Zhao Sheng was inwardly surprised; fifty thousand Spirit Stones would have been enough to purchase a Mid-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill in Central Continent Cave Heaven City.


    Yet it seemed, this price was still not the final transaction price.


    ¡°Fifty-four thousand Spirit Stones. This elderly man here represents the Li family of Wind Mantis Island and hopes for some accommodation from those present,¡± an aged voice from a gaunt, pale-faced and narrow-eyed old man spoke.


    As these words were spoken, the old man emitted a unique pressure from a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Realm, causing an immediate fright among some of lesser cultivation levels.


    Hmph!


    However, at that moment, a cold snort suddenly sounded in the venue, and that member of the Li family suddenly grunted, blood flowing from his seven orifices, his complexion deathly pale.


    Seeing this, several Cultivation Forces that wanted to emulate dropped their unseemly ideas of using pressure.


    While the open auction was proceeding normally, most of the cultivators in the venue also participated in the secret bids.


    Waiters moved around the venue, collecting one secret post after another, and then brought them to Master Wu Yan¡¯s table.


    Master Wu Yan picked up the secret posts one by one, and after looking through them, he tossed most of the posts to his left side, placing only a few on the right side after reading them.


    Seeing this, the cultivators present couldn¡¯t misunderstand that those placed on the left side were already eliminated.


    ¡°Fifty-nine thousand Spirit Stones!¡±


    ¡°Fifty-nine thousand Spirit Stones? Is there any Taoist who would offer a higher price?¡± the middle-aged man asked again.


    After repeating the question twice, he immediately announced that the auction was concluded at a price of fifty-nine thousand Spirit Stones.


    At this moment, Master Wu Yan also selected four or five tentative secret posts.


    The venue suddenly quieted down, everyone¡¯s gaze turning towards Master Wu Yan.


    Swoosh!


    Master Wu Yan lightly tapped the table, causing two of the secret posts to rise up, enveloped in a faint layer of fire light and gently fly into the hands of the middle-aged man.


    The middle-aged man slightly bowed and then opened the two posts saying, ¡°Congratulations to Yi Ding and Gengzi, as well as the Taoist who offered fifty-nine thousand Spirit Stones. Congratulations to the three of you for winning the Foundation Establishment Pills.¡±


    No sooner had he finished his statement than sighs filled the room. This result left the majority of those present greatly disappointed.


    Zhao Sheng felt a surge of joy inside, though he maintained a composed expression as his bidding number was Gengzi.


    ¡°Alright! This auction concludes successfully. I request the Taoists to exit the venue in an orderly manner. Those who won the treasures, please proceed to the back to exchange for your items.¡±


    As soon as the auction ended, Zhao Sheng was led by a waiter through two corridors into a private room.


    After he had finished transcribing the ¡°Sacrificial Fire Technique¡± and the ¡°Deserted Four Flames Skill¡¯s Separation Flame Technique,¡± ¡°coincidentally,¡± Master Wu Yan entered the room.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was greatly astonished but immediately rose to greet him, ¡°Junior Zhao Chonghe greets Master Wu Yan!¡±


    ¡°No need for excessive courtesy, please sit!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was not restrained, and once Master Wu Yan settled down, he too sat down.


    A flicker of surprise crossed the eyes of Master Wu Yan. Since his advancement to Golden Core, few low-level cultivators in face-to-face exchanges maintained an attitude as composed as Zhao Sheng¡¯s.


    Based on this alone, he couldn¡¯t help but respect him a bit more.


    Little did he know, Zhao Sheng, who appeared calm, was inwardly somewhat anxious.


    He did not know what Master Wu Yan wanted with him?


    If it was merely about exchanging the Foundation Establishment Pill, it probably wouldn¡¯t require the attendance of a Golden Core Master.


    Besides, Zhao Sheng was most fearful that Master Wu Yan would see through his disguise.


    It¡¯s important to note that he was an ¡°Alien Race,¡± and the precedent set by Zhi Ao Island was not something to be ignored!


    Fortunately, things didn¡¯t turn out that bad!


    Master Wu Yan, not concerned about a Junior Qi Refining cultivator¡¯s disguise, directly stated that he was there for those two Cultivation Techniques.


    Relieved, Zhao Sheng immediately handed over the freshly written Cultivation Techniques.


    Master Wu Yan took them, but without even glancing at the ¡°Deserted Four Flames Skill¡±, he picked up ¡°Sacrificial Fire Technique¡± and began to ponder it intently. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he flipped through it, a smile gradually appeared on his face, seemingly gaining a lot from it.


    A quarter of an hour later, Master Wu Yan gently placed down the secret manual, his gaze intense as he seriously asked Zhao Sheng, ¡°From where did you obtain this spell?¡±

 Chapter 189 - 180 Demon Ruins and the Sea Demon Clan_2

    Chapter 189: Chapter 180 Demon Ruins and the Sea Demon Clan_2


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tightened, and he immediately answered, ¡°Esteemed True Immortal, the ¡®Sacrificial Fire Technique¡¯ has been passed down from our ancestors. To the best of my knowledge, it seemingly originates from the Central Continent.¡±


    ¡°Hmm!¡± Master Wu Yan nodded noncommittally, then sighed, ¡°What a pity!¡±


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t understand what the other party meant by ¡®what a pity,¡¯ so he had no choice but to keep silent and guard his spirit, waiting for the other party¡¯s reaction.


    After sighing, Master Wu Yan took out the pill bottle containing the Foundation Establishment Pills and the Five Elements Talisman Plate, pushing these two items in front of Zhao Sheng, and said at the same time, ¡°I¡¯m giving you the Foundation Establishment Pills. As for this Five Elements Talisman Plate, you must use it well and not waste my efforts.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng said in surprise, ¡°Senior, did you refine this Five Elements Talisman Plate?¡±


    Master Wu Yan nodded and said, ¡°My original intention was to refine a spirit plate that combined all five elements. Who knew that something would go wrong in the middle, and in the end, I produced this mediocre product.¡±


    Seeing the situation, Zhao Sheng felt it wasn¡¯t appropriate to say much, and could only say, ¡°Junior will definitely live up to Senior¡¯s expectations.¡±


    Master Wu Yan grunted, then stood up and left the place.


    Soon after, a dignified female servant walked in¡­.


    A moment later, after completing the transaction for the Spirit Stones, Zhao Sheng changed his makeup and quietly left the auction hall.


    ¡­


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng bought an Instrument-level Warrior Puppet from an Artifact Refining Shop.


    Upon leaving the shop, he looked around casually, seeing people coming and going; everything seemed perfectly normal.


    However, Zhao Sheng knew someone was secretly watching him.


    These past few days, he had changed his locations and varied his appearance and clothing numerous times, but he was still unable to shake off the other party¡¯s ¡°surveillance.¡±


    At first, he thought the other party was interested in the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    But after he impulsively felt a vague sensation several times, S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    he knew that things were not so simple.


    Especially today, Zhao Sheng had a strong premonition that the other party would definitely come looking for him.


    As night fell, a guest room on the second floor of the inn.


    Zhao Sheng sat upright, silently waiting for the visitor.


    Just after midnight, the window of the guest room suddenly opened by itself, and a thick water vapor quietly drifted in from outside the window.


    Shortly after, the water vapor dissipated. A figure in a white dress slowly appeared inside the room, and the woman wearing a white veil sat down opposite Zhao Sheng with a serene demeanor.


    Even though Zhao Sheng was prepared, his heart still jumped when he actually faced the woman. A strange and inexplicable feeling suddenly surged in his heart.


    At that moment, he suddenly understood why she had come; she too was a person with the Spiritual Clan Bloodline.


    ¡°You¡ª¡±


    Hush!


    Zhao Sheng had just uttered a word when the other party interrupted him.


    Wang Yingling gently waved her sleeve, and a palm-sized white turtle shell spun down onto the table.


    The next moment, the turtle shell suddenly extended its limbs and head.


    The head bumped against the table, the limbs scrambled, quickly flipped over, and positioned the shell upright.


    Then, two small jet-black eyes, the size of green beans, met Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze, filled with an air of ancient depth and significance.


    Zhao Sheng was shocked!


    Just then, a bean-sized bubble was suddenly exhaled from the turtle¡¯s mouth.


    A flash of white light emerged, and the bubble instantly expanded countless times, enveloping the entire room.


    After a flash, the bubble turned invisible.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows creased slightly.


    Across him, Wang Yingling slowly removed her face veil, revealing stunningly tender and bewitching beauty.


    She was a breathtakingly beautiful girl of about seventeen or eighteen, with delicate eyebrows and a porcelain nose, her skin white as snow, and her silvery white hair cascading over her shoulders. Each smile or frown radiated a captivating charm.


    Zhao Sheng stared at this stunning face, and despite being prepared, his pupils still constricted,


    The uninvited stunning girl also had a pair of sapphire-blue eyes, which looked like a vast azure ocean¡ªprofound yet extraordinarily clear.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s silence, Wang Yingling couldn¡¯t help but smile gently, saying, ¡°My name is Wang Yingling, what¡¯s yours?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression regained calmness as he said indifferently, ¡°My family name is Zhao, a nobody of no consequence!¡±


    Wang Yingling reproached coquettishly, ¡°That¡¯s not fair! I¡¯ve already told you my name. Why are you being so stingy? Could it be that your name is not for public ears?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was not swayed by her, and responded directly, ¡°Miss Wang, your visit tonight surely wasn¡¯t meant for idle talk!¡±


    Wang Yingling¡¯s expression froze as she put away her smile and turned serious, ¡°You should know why I am here.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know!¡± Zhao Sheng shook his head as he feigned ignorance.


    Meanwhile, his mind raced as he pondered the true purpose of her visit.


    Upon hearing his words, Wang Yingling¡¯s expression stiffened once again, and a hint of anger arose in her heart.


    From birth until now, she had been the center of adoration among thousands, and rarely had anyone dared to treat her with such disrespect.


    Hey!


    Just then, a cold laugh suddenly echoed in the room, followed by a beam of white light shooting forth from the nostrils of the turtle on the table.


    As fast as lightning, the light flashed past Zhao Sheng¡¯s face and then dispersed into the air.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face cooled, instinctively wanting to touch his cheek, but he refrained the next second.


    Because he had realized that his disguise was uncovered by that turtle.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng reveal a pair of blue eyes, Wang Yingling¡¯s eyes brightened, and her face showed a surprised smile.


    She had thought he was merely a ¡°hybrid,¡± yet this person possessed Spiritual Eyes with a bloodline purity no less than hers.


    Wang Yingling thought elatedly, ¡°This¡­ is just wonderful! Our clan has gained another Spirit Blood Clan member.¡±


    ¡°Congratulations, Young Master, for making another great accomplishment for the Holy Clan! When we return, your place in the lineage sequence will surely advance several ranks,¡±


    An elderly voice emanated from the White Turtle, reverberating around the room.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze intensified as he suddenly looked toward the palm-sized white turtle, his heart skipping a beat.


    The ability to speak was a hallmark of a third-tier Great Demon!


    He never imagined that this seemingly inconspicuous Little Wu was a Great Demon comparable to a Golden Core.


    ¡°Kid, you¡¯re in luck! Join us and return to the Void Spirit Abyss,¡± the White Turtle ambled over to Zhao Sheng, its head held high with undeniable pride.


    Of course, it had reason to be proud.


    It, Gui Wujiu, was a genius of the White Turtle Clan, who had lived just over 1,300 years and had already successfully condensed a Demon Core after surviving the Heavenly Tribulation.


    Otherwise, guarding the Young Master, such a coveted task, would not have fallen to Gui Wujiu.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng spread his hands helplessly and said, ¡°I don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re talking about. Could you bother explaining what the Holy Clan is, and what place is the Void Spirit Abyss?¡±


    Wang Yingling looked at Zhao Sheng with a strange expression, curiously asking, ¡°Do you truly never heard of the Void Spirit Abyss? You don¡¯t even know a little about your own clan¡¯s history?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded at her and said, ¡°Otherwise, what?¡±


    Wang Yingling looked enlightened and, after putting her veil back on, clarified in a clear voice, ¡°The Void Spirit Abyss, also known as the Demon Ruins, is called the Sea Demon by the deceitful Human Clan. Of course, we never acknowledge the name ¡®Sea Demon.¡¯ We are a unique and noble race, far superior to the black-eyed Human Clan¡ªwe are the singular Void Spirit Clan!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was greatly shocked upon hearing the words ¡°Demon Ruins.¡±


    Demon Ruins, the Sea Demon Clan?!


    The Demon Ruins was the nightmare of the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea, representing a vast influence that ruled over billions of sea beasts across an ocean area spanning nearly a hundred thousand miles.


    And the Sea Demon Clan, alongside the Dragon Serpent and Sea Dominator Octopus, was known as one of the three great overlords of the distant oceans.


    With the shortest emergence among the three, the Sea Demon Clan had rapidly expanded its influence. In recent millennia, its status had subtly exceeded the other two overlords.


    Out of ten great Sea Beast Tides, at least six were spearheaded by the Demon Ruins.


    It could be said that the Demon Ruins were the number one scourge of the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea.


    Legend had it that the Sea Demon Clan was extremely mysterious, its people extremely rare, scarcely appearing within Human Clan territories.


    Most only appeared briefly during the Sea Demon Tides attacking the Outer Star Sea, and were then concealed beneath layers of sea beast protection.


    At this thought, Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows tightly.


    Honestly, he had not expected that his Spiritual Clan Bloodline would be connected to the legendary Sea Demon Clan.


    This made him suspect that the Book of Hundred Lifetimes might have set him up as a ¡°fall guy.¡±


    All he wanted was to wholeheartedly pursue cultivation, not to be born as an enemy of the Human Clan.

 Chapter 190 - 181 Dui Xun Ominous

    Chapter 190: Chapter 181 Dui Xun Ominous


    ¡°You do not belong to the Human Clan. Come back with me to the Void Spirit Abyss. That is where you belong. We are family.¡±


    Having said that, Wang Yingling looked at Zhao Sheng with a confident smile, waiting for his response.


    However, no matter what his response might be, willing or not, the eventual outcome would be the same¡ªhe would return with her to the Void Spirit Abyss.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng shook his head and said, ¡°I won¡¯t go back with you. And whether one belongs to the Human Clan is not determined by bloodline, but by this.¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng gently pounded his chest with his right hand.


    Wang Yingling¡¯s expression froze, and a clear displeasure emerged between her brows.


    ¡°Heh heh!¡±


    The cold laughter of White Turtle Gui Wujiu suddenly echoed in the room. ¡°Boy, you really don¡¯t know how to appreciate favors. You probably don¡¯t realize how exalted and glorious the position of a member of the Holy Clan is.


    As long as you follow the Young Master back and get the approval of the Great Sacrificial Leader, you will rule over a territory of sea, with thousands of sea beasts at your command.


    In the future, advancing to the Golden Core Realm wouldn¡¯t be a difficult task either. Then living for seven to eight hundred years, wielding power over a territory of sea in your lifetime, and having a host of wives and concubines. Wouldn¡¯t that be countless times better than being a down-and-out Loose Cultivator?¡±


    Truly, had it been someone else, they would have agreed long ago. However, Zhao Sheng was unwilling to do so.


    Zhao Sheng said solemnly, ¡°Each person has their own aspirations. Born a human, I would not sully myself by consorting with the foul and fishy. And without you, I can still advance to the Golden Core.¡±


    ¡°Foul and fishy?!¡±


    Gui Wujiu was instantly provoked by these words, his nostrils spurting out two streams of bubbles. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Listen well, boy, I am the supreme descendant of the Black Tortoise, a genius of the White Turtle Clan. I am a million times nobler than any hairless monkey.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Gui Wujiu suddenly cried out in pain, his white turtle shell emitting a pale white light, within which rotated two interlocking Golden Light Eight Diagrams, endlessly moving.


    Upon seeing the Golden Light Eight Diagrams, Wang Yingling¡¯s face showed a slight change.


    At this moment, Gui Wujiu shouted, ¡°Young Master, the ancestral shedding has given a warning. Quick, look at the divination!¡±


    As he spoke, the Golden Light Eight Diagrams suddenly stopped turning, and a strange divination diagram immediately appeared before the two of them.


    Wang Yingling gazed at the divination, chanting with a grave expression, ¡°Upper six, Dui above Sun below, an excessive crossing of the marsh by the wind, crossing the river to destruction! Great misfortune, without reproach!¡±


    ¡°Not good! The day before yesterday was just Kan over Lei, trapped. It took us three days to escape. But now it¡¯s Dui and Sun, disaster. Young Master, we must leave this place at once.¡±


    As he finished, Gui Wujiu suddenly threw back his head and spat out a shimmering white bubble.


    The bubble expanded suddenly to over a human¡¯s height, just large enough to envelop both Wang Yingling and Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng wanted to move, but was immobilized by a pressure as heavy as a mountain that bore down on him. He felt like an insect trapped in amber, rigid and unable to so much as wiggle a finger.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    After a sharp cry, the bubble, enclosing the two of them, shot through the window. They quickly rose to the high heavens and then sped away into the vast night sky towards the great sea.


    Moments later, the duo and the creature flew out for more than two hundred li.


    Now, the clouds were thick above, and Gang Wind howled in the sky while below lay the boundless dark sea.


    Just then, the bubble racing through the air abruptly came to a halt, suspending high above.


    Gui Wujiu¡¯s palm-sized body swelled instantly to a circumference of one zhang, and with a wide-open mouth, he suddenly spat out an arm-thick beam of dazzling golden light.


    As the golden light shot into the clouds above, his turtle shell flickered, and a thick, Condensed white Light Shield emerged to protect both Wang Yingling and Zhao Sheng.


    Boom!


    The golden light suddenly exploded, sweeping a swath of golden light across the sky, clearing several li of cloud in all directions.


    The next second, three figures descended from the heavens, surrounding them in the middle.


    Upon seeing the three arrivals, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the shock in his heart.


    Among the three was a gaunt old man in grey robes, none other than Master Wu Yan, whom he had met just three days prior.


    As for the other two, one was tall and mighty, carrying an Azure Flame Spirit Banner with flames Burning fiercely on it and invisible flames shooting out, scorching one¡¯s Spirit.


    The other was a bald, black-robed Great Han standing on roiling grey Cloud Mist, with grey phantoms emerging within it.


    The pair emitted a strong pressure, evidently they were two Golden Core Masters.


    ¡°Wu Yan, Grey Ghost, Li Yan! So it¡¯s the three of you Fake Pills!¡±


    Upon seeing the newcomers, Gui Wujiu spoke in a cold voice. His turtle body suddenly increased in size by half, looking mighty and imposing as it grew as large as a house.


    ¡°Humph, to think it was you, Daoist Gui Wujiu of the White Turtle Clan. Instead of staying in the Black Tortoise Sea, you dare to trespass the Human Clan¡¯s territory. Are you not taking our Star God Palace seriously, or have you forgotten the millennium-old pact between the human and demon clans!¡± Master Li Yan said menacingly as he gently shook the Azure Flame Spirit Banner.


    ¡°Heh, you humans are truly hypocritical! It was clearly your trap that lured us here, and yet now you¡¯re trying to pass the blame.¡± Gui Wujiu¡¯s voice carried again, cold with a hint of mockery.


    Master Li Yan ignored Gui Wujiu¡¯s retort.


    His eyes alight with interest, he looked at Wang Yingling and spoke cordially, ¡°Is this the young friend from the Sea Demon Clan? It¡¯s better to meet by chance than by appointment. Now that you¡¯re here, why not stay at the Star God Palace for a few months? Later, your Clan Leader can come to take you home.¡±


    Wang Yingling looked very uncomfortable, realizing that in her eagerness to achieve, she had fallen into the other party¡¯s scheme.

 Chapter 191 - 181 Dui Xun Ominous_2

    Chapter 191: Chapter 181 Dui Xun Ominous_2


    She gently declined, ¡°I appreciate your kind intentions, Elder, but my grandfather will be joining me shortly. No need for your concern.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the three Golden Core Masters were startled. Although the Sea Demon Clan had few members, their strength was unparalleled, with more than five Nascent Souls and dozens of Golden Core level warriors.


    If any Golden Core from the Sea Demon Clan were to come, the three of them would almost certainly be overwhelmed, not to mention the watchful Third-Order White Turtle nearby.


    However, they quickly realized that Wang Yingling was merely bluffing.


    Having set up the trap for decades, this time they were determined to capture a member of the Sea Demon Clan.


    Just then, Master Wu Yan suddenly laughed out loud, ¡°Very well, I didn¡¯t expect an additional prize. There¡¯s another one here!¡±


    Saying this, his gaze, full of fervor, turned towards Zhao Sheng.


    The True Master Grey Ghost, standing on grey clouds, rejoiced and exuberantly said, ¡°Haha, truly a demon with True Blood. Now there¡¯s enough for all three of us to share.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, feeling the intensity of three searing gazes, was alarmed, his eyes twitched slightly, and his facial expression became uncertain.


    He knew the situation was turning dire.


    Nevertheless, Zhao Sheng immediately composed himself and decided to silently observe the developments without speaking.


    ¡°Humph, if you think you can capture the Young Master and earn accolades at the Star God Palace, you have to ask if I, Gui Wujiu, agree!¡± Gui Wujiu swiped with a claw, creating a white light barrier, and retorted coldly, showing a hint of irritation in his tone.


    His eyes flashing with dark light, an immense aura, surpassing those of the three Human Clan Golden Cores, emanated from him, commanding respect.


    ¡°Master Wu Yan, Taoist Grey Ghost, keep Gui Wujiu busy for now. I¡¯ll take down those two young demons,¡± said True Master Li Yan as his gaze bore down on Zhao Sheng and Wang Yingling like a blade, exuding an extremely terrifying and piercing aura.


    The Star God Palace had secretly set a bounty for any member of the Sea Demon Clan, granting significant rewards, even including Lifespan Extension Pills.


    For these False Core Masters, a Lifespan Extension Pill, which could extend life by 60 years, was the ultimate treasure they craved.


    Therefore, the three of them had gone to great lengths to set up this trap.


    Suddenly, Master Wu Yan chuckled, ¡°I¡¯ll go first!¡± His body remained motionless, but with a single hand from within his sleeve forming a Seal Mantra, his arm blurred and swiftly struck towards Li Kun and the others of the Sea Clan like lightning, saying coldly:


    The moment he finished speaking, there was a violent tremor above Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, then a blurry azure giant palm appeared and ferociously clawed at Zhao Sheng.


    Unexpectedly, Master Wu Yan attacked an unknown young man, causing surprise among the others.


    Gui Wujiu immediately roared in fury, tilting his head back sharply, and with his mouth wide open, a white rainbow surged skyward.


    With a ¡°boom¡±, the azure giant palm clashed with the White Rainbow, interweaving flashes of cyan and white True Yuan, instantly creating a turbulent blast, and winds raged furiously.


    At that moment, Grey Ghost flicked his fingers, and the cloud mist below him instantly shot out hundreds of grey tentacles as thick as arms; the tips of these tentacles grew skulls with vacant orifices,


    and the tentacles surged from all directions, slamming against the white light barrier. Some tentacles merged together, forming a barrel-thick multi-headed ghostly creature that broke through the barrier and ferociously bit and wrapped around Gui Wujiu¡¯s massive turtle shell.


    Although it only delayed for a brief moment, it was enough for True Master Li Yan to act.


    The white bubble that had enveloped both Wang Yingling and Zhao Sheng suddenly flickered and inexplicably burst.


    As the wild wind hit them, two deep blue flames appeared out of thin air, transforming into two giant flaming hands, each reaching out towards one of them.


    The next moment, the flaming hands were blocked by a blue water curtain.


    Wang Yingling formed a spell, and a Water Rhythm Jade appeared on her chest, radiating a dazzling light linked to the water curtain.


    Water Curtain Heavenly Flower! A Golden Core level spell engraved on the Spirit Jade.


    Eventually, the flaming hands completely turned to smoke and vanished into the sky.


    Seeing this, True Master Li Yan couldn¡¯t help but look dismayed.


    Taking advantage of the situation, Zhao Sheng looked down at the sea below, pondering how he might escape.


    On the other side, seeing the Young Master nearly harmed, Gui Wujiu couldn¡¯t contain his fury and his body swelled even larger, quickly reaching the size of a hill,


    making all others seem as small as insects in comparison.


    As he revealed his true form, Gui Wujiu¡¯s ferocity soared, his tremendous, majestic aura suddenly enveloping the surrounding area for several miles.


    Boom!


    One could see bubbles, as big as water jars and containing pure demonic power, spewing from Gui Wujiu¡¯s mouth, carrying fierce wind and thunder, and violently crashing towards the three Golden Core Masters. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom, boom!


    With each contact, the bubbles exploded like bombs, turning the demonic power into countless flashing blades of cold light, slicing down on the three like rain.


    In a flash, the three were busy defending, their movements inevitably slowed by a bit.


    At that moment, a sly gleam flashed across Gui Wujiu¡¯s eyes, and suddenly a White Jade Turtle Shell burst forth from his body.


    The White Jade Turtle Shell grew in size as it met the wind, instantly expanding to a circumference of two zhang, and it sucked Wang Yingling and Zhao Sheng into the shell.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    In the next instant, Gui Wujiu fiercely expelled a beam of intense white light, spraying it onto the White Jade Turtle Shell.


    The White Jade Turtle Shell suddenly transformed into a white light, falling into the vast ocean below at an unbelievable speed.


    ¡°Spirit Suppression Eight Trigrams Formation, activate!¡±


    After that, Gui Wujiu bellowed, his voice booming like a large bell.


    As soon as he finished speaking, the plates of his shell back suddenly began to fall off and shoot out, and in the blink of an eye, a hundred and eight pieces of turtle shell separated and arrayed themselves, floating in the surrounding void.


    The next instant, white light burst from the turtle shell, and vague trigram figures began to emerge, and within a mile radius centered on the three people and Gui Wujiu, a massive light formation in the shape of a giant turtle suddenly materialized, and a dazzling Eight Trigrams phantom appeared above the giant turtle, quickly pressing down.


    Master Wu Yan, True Master Grey Ghost, and Master Li Yan, the three Golden Core Masters, were trapped within the Spirit Suppression Eight Trigrams Formation, unable to escape for the time being.


    ¡­


    Elsewhere, after the White Jade Turtle Shell fell into the sea, it maintained its speed, rushing straight to a thousand zhang beneath the sea surface.


    Wang Yingling, expressionless, continually formed seal mantras with both hands, sending out streaks of blue spell incantations that instantly merged into the turtle shell above.


    The turtle shell was quickly brought under her control, then immediately changed direction, lying horizontally as it shot forth, rapidly fleeing into the distance.


    Zhao Sheng rose from the ground, his eyes flickering as he looked towards Wang Yingling in front of him, secretly plotting how to escape from her grasp.


    Escaping was not going to be easy, especially now since Wang Yingling emanated an aura as powerful as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator¡¯s.


    Moreover, he was now ¡°trapped¡± inside the turtle shell.


    Seemingly aware of Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts, Wang Yingling continued to control the turtle shell and without turning her head suddenly said, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about running away!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was startled, but his face remained very calm, not responding to her words.


    Wang Yingling then asked, ¡°By the way, what¡¯s your name? Who are your ancestors, and what¡¯s your background? Do you have any keepsakes?¡±


    The Sea Demon Clan valued every clansman highly due to their small population.


    Wang Yingling¡¯s thorough questioning was an attempt to bring all those with her clan¡¯s bloodline back to the Void Spirit Abyss.


    And this was one of the main reasons why Zhao Sheng did not want to go with her to the Void Spirit Abyss.


    Facing one Nascent Soul after another, even Sea Demon Clan leaders of Nascent Soul level, any lie he told would instantly be discovered, yet he could not clearly explain the origin of his own bloodline.


    In short, it was very troublesome!


    Wang Yingling did not particularly care whether Zhao Sheng responded to her or not.


    While they were fleeing, she continued to introduce the Sea Demon Clan and the situation in the Demon Ruins to Zhao Sheng.


    In her words, there was a mix of pride and boastfulness.


    As she told her stories, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but feel alarmed by the vast power of the Sea Demon Clan.


    As one of the three dominant forces of the distant oceans, the Sea Demon Clan alone had more than ten individuals at the Nascent Soul level, half of whom were from the Spirit Clan and the others were Transformed Demon Kings of Seventh Rank or higher.


    For instance, the Turtle Ancestor of the White Turtle Clan was an Eighth Rank Demon, possessing strength comparable to the Middle Stage of Nascent Soul.


    Within the Sea Demon Clan, the most powerful and highly esteemed was the Great Sacrificial Leader of the Demon Ruins.


    According to Wang Yingling¡¯s proud boasting, the Great Sacrificial Leader had reached the legendary Divinity Transformation Realm, only half a step away from ascending to the Void and returning to their ancestral clan.

 Chapter 192 - 182 Bei Mansion Cave Heaven

    Chapter 192: Chapter 182 Bei Mansion Cave Heaven


    In the intermittent narrative of Wang Yingling, time passed bit by bit.


    Half a day later, Wang Yingling suddenly stopped speaking and fell silent.


    Having gone so long without anyone catching up, it meant that they had successfully escaped to the heavens.


    The heavy pressure in Wang Yingling¡¯s heart suddenly dissipated, leaving her without the desire to speak.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t know how far the two of them had escaped, but he estimated in secret that they must have already gone at least three thousand miles.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    So much time had passed, and it was only now that Zhao Sheng spoke for the first time.


    Wang Yingling was startled, immediately turning her head to look at him, asking, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    ¡°Let me leave!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was as still as water, slowly rising from the shell, with each hand pressing on a skull-sized Thunder Ball emitting electric light, filled with a destructive aura.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want to return with me to the Void Spirit Abyss? Don¡¯t you know what a tremendous opportunity this is?¡±


    Wang Yingling looked at Zhao Sheng with an incredulous expression.


    She could not understand how anyone could be so ¡°foolish.¡±


    ¡°Miss Wang, in this world, a twisted melon isn¡¯t sweet,¡± Zhao Sheng said in an even tone.


    Upon hearing this, Wang Yingling¡¯s expression turned exceedingly cold.


    ¡°You want to leave? Hmph, I just won¡¯t let you!¡±


    Saying this, Wang Yingling gave up control of the turtle shell, and with a flip of her hand, she now held a Crystal Spirit Ball in her palm, within which was a miniature ocean illusion.


    Massive waves surged on the ocean, the sky was covered with dense clouds, and thunder roared with columns of tornadoes connecting heaven to earth, ravaging the vast ocean in a scene like the apocalypse.


    This Crystal Spirit Ball was also known as the Thunder Cloud Storm Pearl, a top-grade Spiritual Artifact of the wind, water, and thunder attributes, capable of amplifying spells of these three types and embedded with three Divine Ability Level Treasure Techniques. It was extremely rare and precious.


    ¡°Zhao does not wish to be your enemy! Let me leave!¡±


    As the words fell, a talisman plate brimming with spiritual light leapt from Zhao Sheng¡¯s embrace, with Water Mine Talisman, Fire Thunder Talisman, Heavenly Sword Talisman, Ice Sealing Talisman, and several other Second Order True Talismans affixed to its three layers.


    Wang Yingling¡¯s pupils constricted, and she no longer took Zhao Sheng lightly.


    The space inside the turtle shell was cramped, and if all the True Talismans on the talisman plate were activated simultaneously, the consequences would be unthinkable!


    Poor her, she had a defense talisman treasure stored in her Storage Bag, but at this moment, she dared not take it out.


    Because she saw a resolute determination in his eyes.


    Wang Yingling couldn¡¯t fathom why such a great opportunity was being repeatedly refused and treated as worthless.


    ¡°Fine, I will let you go!¡±


    Though Wang Yingling said this verbally, she had other plans in her mind.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s lips curled into a smile, slowly dissipating the Thunder Balls in his hands, his right hand supporting the Five Elements Talisman Plate.


    Pop!


    The light film at the exit of the turtle shell suddenly disappeared, and a large amount of seawater poured in.


    Zhao Sheng stomped on the ground, his figure shooting out backward like an arrow, escaping through the tail opening of the turtle shell.


    Wang Yingling¡¯s gaze turned cold, a miniature ¡°tornado¡± suddenly appeared inside the Thunder Cloud Storm Pearl in her hand.


    However, before she could act, she saw the five outlets of the turtle shell suddenly blocked by a thick layer of ice.


    Although this layer of ice could only delay a moment or two, for Zhao Sheng, it was enough time for him to escape.


    Pfft!


    Zhao Sheng spat out a mouthful of essence blood, his entire person instantly enveloped in a layer of blood light.


    The next moment, the blood light sped away rapidly, disappearing into the pitch-black depths of the deep sea in the blink of an eye.


    Bang!


    Two moments later, the ice wall shattered, and Wang Yingling burst out from inside the turtle shell.


    She looked all around but could no longer see Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure.


    Seeing this, Wang Yingling¡¯s eyebrows inverted in anger, a flash of rage passing through her eyes, yet a smug smile appeared on her face.


    A mere Qi Refining Practitioner, ignorant of the formidable methods of a top power¡­


    Wanting to ascertain the whereabouts of a bloodline family member, there were plenty of tracking spells available.


    Wang Yingling herself had mastered more than three types of Bloodline Tracking Techniques.


    In a thought, Wang Yingling chanted a spell as her fingers flexed and snapped, abruptly forming a blood-red light between her fingers that stretched far away, connecting to someone who was escaping in the distance.


    ¡­


    On the other hand, Zhao Sheng spat out three mouthfuls of essence blood, using the Blood Escape Technique to flee swiftly toward the distance.


    In the blink of an eye, dozens of miles flashed by.


    Just then, his heart skipped a beat, suddenly filled with a foreboding feeling.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but look back, only to see that no one was pursuing him, yet his heart thumped wildly.


    Danger!


    He had not yet escaped from peril!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered, and he fiercely spat out another mouthful of essence blood, suddenly increasing his speed by a fraction.


    A quarter of an hour later, his sense of crisis slowly diminished, but it still remained at a considerably high level.


    This feeling of possibly being caught up at any time was all too familiar and deeply engraved in Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart.


    In previous years, he had been chased by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator for three whole months until he erased the Divine Soul Mark and finally escaped safely.


    ¡°Could the opponent have done something to him?¡±


    However, he tried every method and found not a single abnormality on his body.


    Sensing the rising sense of crisis in his heart, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression subtly changed.


    Though the speed of Blood Escape was fast, it greatly harmed his primordial Qi. He couldn¡¯t keep using it indefinitely.


    ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, there¡¯s only one option left!¡±


    With that thought, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed, and he reached into his robe to pull out the Sea Shell.


    Then, his body turned, and he suddenly dove toward the seabed.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng successfully found a speckled whale around thirty to forty feet long.


    He quickly burrowed into the whale¡¯s stomach through its mouth.


    Hum!


    Inside the whale¡¯s stomach, the Sea Shell¡¯s surface shone brightly, swelling from the size of a palm to that of a millstone in an instant.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s body shrank, and he suddenly slipped inside.


    Bang!


    The shell of the Sea Shell snapped shut, slowly sinking into the whale¡¯s acrid stomach fluids.


    Meanwhile, far away, spanning several dozen miles, Wang Yingling¡¯s expression changed.


    For the tracking spell had just suddenly been interrupted, signaling its failure. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wang Yingling¡¯s expression turned grave as she switched through several tracking secret techniques, yet still failed to pinpoint his whereabouts.


    Now her expression grew even graver, almost distressed.


    The adversary had somehow rendered all her tracking secret techniques useless.


    This person¡­had actually escaped from her grasp!


    For someone of Wang Yingling¡¯s esteemed status and position, this was a major blow.


    Grinding her teeth with rage, Wang Yingling said, ¡°Zhao¡ªSheng¡ªhe! Miss remembers you now!¡±


    ¡­


    Ten days later, in the Bei Mansion Cave Heaven,


    Zhao Sheng slowly walked into the backyard hall.


    Here, the traces of the last fierce battle were still visible everywhere.


    But Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t mind that.


    He stopped at the entrance of the hall, touched the storage bag at his waist, and lightly tossed it forward.


    Suddenly, a humanoid wooden puppet, seven feet tall with limbs and a head, all constructed from century-old Dark Wood, fell into the hall.


    Zhao Sheng formed a spell, and streams of Spiritual Power shot out, linking with the puppet¡¯s limbs.


    Under his mental command, the puppet clicked and clacked step by step toward the charred corpse, reaching out to remove the golden Imperial Tablet from the right hand of the charred body.

 Chapter 193 - 183 Five Generations Foundation Establishment

    Chapter 193: Chapter 183 Five Generations Foundation Establishment


    ¡°`


    Nothing unusual happened in the hall; the whole process went very smoothly.


    Zhao Sheng saw this situation and a trace of joy flashed across his face.


    His gaze circled several times between the spirit fish in the bamboo basket and that painting of Cold River Old Man fishing.


    After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Sheng gave up any riskier actions.


    The wooden puppet, following his heart¡¯s intent, took the black storage bag from the waist of the charred corpse and walked out of the hall.


    Zhao Sheng took the golden imperial tablet and the storage bag, put away the wooden puppet, and then turned to leave the place.


    Half a day later, in the cultivation room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on a cushion. Then, a golden imperial tablet about a foot long appeared in his hands.


    Looking at this object, Zhao Sheng felt intrigued; the tablet seemed neither gold nor a magical artifact, with a surface as smooth as a mirror and inscribed with neither cultivation techniques nor secret skills.


    Zhao Sheng tried many methods but could not figure out what this object was.


    He only knew that it was incredibly hard, as neither flying swords nor spells could leave a mark on it.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng blinked and suddenly saw that the originally blank surface of the golden imperial tablet flashed, revealing an extremely complex and odd rune. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This rune, in its entirety, was white gold in color, with intricate and dense lines that were unbendingly rigid with not a single curve.


    At first glance, the rune exuded an aura of sharpness unparalleled, giving off a sense of eternity, immobilization, and indestructibility.


    However, in the next instant, the rune disappeared without a trace, as if what he had seen had only been an illusion.


    No matter how hard Zhao Sheng tried to recall, he could not remember what the rune looked like.


    It wasn¡¯t just that he couldn¡¯t remember; his memory had been wiped clean in an instant, leaving his mind utterly blank; he had completely forgotten the scene that had just unfolded.


    Zhao Sheng continued to investigate the golden imperial tablet seriously, as if he had just blinked his eyes.


    Another hour passed, and the extremely complex white-gold rune suddenly ¡°emerged¡± again; Zhao Sheng¡¯s face lit up with joy.


    However, the next moment, before the joy on his face had faded, his eyes became vacant.


    For a full two hours, he forgot the strange rune again, feeling as if he had gained nothing.


    With the golden imperial tablet in hand, Zhao Sheng fell into deep thought for a while.


    Considering how the charred corpse held onto the imperial tablet till death, it was clear that this object must be very important and probably held some kind of secret.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng took out the black storage bag, opened the mouth wide, and turned it upside down. A large pile of colorful spirit stones, various boxes, elixir bottles, and other miscellaneous items spilled out.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t care much for these items; he casually put away the spirit stone and elixir bottles, then opened the boxes to check their contents.


    If they contained spirit medicine, refining materials and talismans, he threw them back into the storage bag. But if they were treasures like books, ancient scrolls, jade slips, and magical artifacts, he selected them out and placed them to one side.


    After some selection, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but reveal a slight smile on his face.


    Not to mention the low-level magical artifacts, there were three spirit artifacts alone: one mid-grade and two low-grade.


    The mid-grade spirit artifact was a white-gold flying sword about an inch long, made from the essence of the Five Metals and contained forty-five spirit prohibitions.


    The remaining two low-grade spirit artifacts were a palm-sized, dark black shield made from thousand-year-old sea abyss iron, imbued with twenty-seven spirit prohibitions.


    The other was a miniature flying boat, forged from light spirit silver, able to extend up to ten feet long and move at incredible speeds, covering ten feet in an instant.


    After inspecting the spirit artifacts, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze turned to the ancient books and jade slips beside him.


    ¡­


    ¡°`


    ¡°`


    Four hours later, Zhao Sheng took the last jade slip from his forehead and fell into deep thought.


    As for the ancient books and scrolls, there was nothing extraordinary; they were mostly records about spiritual medicine strange plants, sea beasts and demonic birds, and various secret news from different places.


    To Zhao Sheng, they could increase his knowledge and broaden his horizons, but they were not of much use.


    However, the jade slips contained some precious knowledge. There were five slips in total, one of which was filled with various tricks and knowledge about artifact refining.


    Another jade slip recorded a refining technique called ¡°Refining Device Compendium of Hundred Tools¡±, authored by an artifact refiner called Can Hezi.


    The other two jade slips detailed two cultivation techniques: ¡°Golden Spirit Refining Skill¡± and ¡°Merging God and Separating Thought Technique¡±.


    Zhao Sheng examined them twice and discovered that ¡°Golden Spirit Refining Skill¡± was a halfway Golden Core level cultivation method, which could smoothly take one to the Foundation Establishment Perfection, and outlined two methods for condensing fake pills, but it did not reveal how to refine a true Golden Core.


    In terms of value, it was far inferior to real Golden Core techniques like ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡± and ¡°Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique¡±.


    In Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands, the technique was as good as useless, but for the vast majority of loose cultivators and some small cultivation families, this technique was extremely valuable.


    Zhao Sheng was more interested in the secret technique ¡°Merging God and Separating Thought Technique¡±, as it was an extremely rare divine thought technique. In the cultivation world, methods and techniques related to the divine soul are exceptionally precious and are often monopolized by large forces such as cultivation sects.


    Acquiring this technique was a stroke of great luck for him.


    Nevertheless, Zhao Sheng harbored significant reservations and, after much deliberation, ultimately decided not to cultivate ¡°Merging God and Separating Thought Technique¡± for the time being.


    Why was Zhao Sheng so cautious?


    The reason was simple: he feared that the secret technique might be ¡°adulterated¡±. By making one or two critical changes to the technique, what was once a beneficial secret technique could become a harmful one.


    The key issue was that some of the harm was very subtle; unless one cultivated to a certain degree, they would not realize the potential trouble.


    By the time it was discovered, it was already too late!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s apprehension wasn¡¯t limited to ¡°Merging God and Separating Thought Technique¡±. Even with ¡°Golden Spirit Refining Skill¡±, he was wary that someone might have secretly added a ¡°cultivation method password¡±.


    Without breaking the password, falling into demonhood was inevitable.


    Having put away the other jade slips back into his storage bag, Zhao Sheng was left with only one cream-white jade slip in his hand.


    This jade slip was only the size of a palm, its material crystal clear and lustrous, radiating bright spirit light, and its essence was actually that of a top-grade spiritual stone.


    However, the spiritual energy within this top-grade spiritual stone had been entirely extracted, leaving only the excellent quality jade that was ultimately refined into a jade slip.


    Zhao Sheng had just scrutinized the inside of the jade slip, which was empty except for a vague and largely incomplete image. It resembled partly a rune, partly a map, and might even be part of a painting.


    Due to its obscurity, Zhao Sheng could not discern exactly what it was.


    The fact that someone was willing to record it on a top-grade jade slip indicated its immense importance.


    Although Zhao Sheng had not yet determined its value, it was enough to warrant his serious attention.


    After examining it a hundred times and deeply etching the image into his mind, Zhao Sheng put away the jade slip and took out two mid-grade Water Storage Spirit Stones. He began to cultivate by operating the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡±.


    ¡­


    Time flies, the years pass swiftly.


    Two years later, Zhao Sheng broke through to the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.


    Another five years passed, and he reached Qi Refining Perfection.


    Zhao Sheng consumed a Foundation Establishment Pill and, thanks to his previous life¡¯s successful experience, he safely advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    That year, Zhao Sheng was twenty-nine years old, having become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator thirty-three years earlier than in his previous life.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 194 - 184: Retrieving the Painting and the Spring and Autumn Alliance

    Chapter 194: Chapter 184: Retrieving the Painting and the Spring and Autumn Alliance


    The scorching sun blazed down as a lazy and smug hum came from an elegant courtyard nestled at the foot of the lush, verdant mountains in the center of South Lamma Island.


    ¡°Hum hum¡­ having eaten sea cucumber stewed with fatty meat, not even an¡­ immortal¡­ can match me, aha¡­ ya ya!¡±


    In the courtyard, an ancient Spiritual Rong Tree grew lush and leafy, casting a large patch of cool shade. Beneath the shade, Xin Buhai squinted leisurely, lying on a spacious lounge chair, rhythmically tapping his hand and intermittently humming a ditty.


    A porcelain pot was placed over the fire stove beside him, inside the pot, black and white slices of sea cucumber and fat meat intermingled, and the soup burbled, emitting a rich and exotic fragrance.


    Indulging in the aroma of the Spirit Food in the pot, Xin Buhai felt extremely comfortable and satisfied.


    As a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator, Xin Buhai¡¯s status on South Lamma Island was second only to the Island Master himself.


    Just waiting for the old man of his house to die, the title of South Lamma Island Master was bound to fall into his hands sooner or later.


    The thought of more than twenty thousand people on the island being at his command in the future excited Xin Buhai beyond measure.


    ¡°¡­life rarely offers¡­ such intoxication! Ya ya!¡±


    As Xin Buhai delightedly sang, he suddenly sensed a dark shadow appear before him.


    He opened his eyes, only to see a handsome and dashing young man standing beside him, as elegant as a flourishing willow.


    ¡°You¡­ who are you? Why¡­ ouch!¡±


    He was cut off mid-sentence as a surge of aura, characteristic of the Foundation Establishment Realm, burst forth from Zhao Sheng. A drastic change crossed Xin Buhai¡¯s expression, and he almost collapsed on the spot.


    Although Xin Buhai had a round face and big ears, and his body was round like a pig¡¯s, he was exceedingly clever.


    He quickly rolled off the lounge chair and lay prostrate on the ground, pleading repeatedly, ¡°Senior, spare my life! This lowly one was blind and has offended your dignity, I beg you to spare me this once.¡±


    ¡°Get up,¡± Zhao Sheng said indifferently.


    ¡°Ah, thank you, Senior, for your magnanimity!¡±


    Xin Buhai, with tears of gratitude, scrambled up from the ground and looked at Zhao Sheng with a fawning expression.


    Zhao Sheng sat down on the lounge chair, relaxed his body, and incidentally glanced at the hot pot on the side.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze, Xin Buhai immediately said with a flattering smile, ¡°Senior, this is the famous delicacy of South Lamma Island, sea cucumber stewed with fat meat. Not only is the flavor superb, but it is also highly nourishing!¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded noncommittally and asked, ¡°Hmm, what is your name? And where is this place? Tell me about the nearby seas.¡±


    ¡°My name is Xin Buhai, this place is South Lamma Island, located in the southwestern part of the Inner Star Sea, under the jurisdiction of Star Constellation Spirit Island¡¯s Nine Virtuous Isle¡­¡±


    Xin Buhai began to introduce the local customs and the situation in the Cultivation World in detail while diligently serving a bowl of Spirit Meat Sea Cucumber Soup in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Having cultivated in seclusion for several years, Zhao Sheng had developed a craving for some good food.


    That was why he found himself rather appreciative of Xin Buhai¡¯s cleverness.


    ¡°When the time comes¡­ I¡¯ll spare his life,¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself after sipping the exceptionally delicious soup, a new idea forming in his mind.


    ¡­


    Seven days later, under the Spiritual Rong Tree in the small courtyard, Zhao Sheng lay leisurely on the lounge chair, feigning sleep.


    Beside him, Xin Buhai wore a worried expression, his hands clumsily forming spells, channeling Spiritual Power, and barely managing to infuse a thread of spirit light into a human-shaped wooden puppet that was taller than him.


    At this moment, Xin Buhai felt very anxious. He had lived a carefree life, but since the Senior¡¯s arrival, his good days were gone.


    Being only at the Qi Refining Third Layer, the Senior had actually asked him to Refine a top-grade wooden puppet.


    Xin Buhai didn¡¯t know why the Senior had made such a request, nor did he dare to ask.


    ¡°Entrusting such a precious thing to him for Refining, has this Senior gone mad or is he a fool? Or perhaps¡­ he has other plans.¡±


    He, Xin Buhai, a man weighing over two hundred fifty pounds, hadn¡¯t done anything wrong!


    As the sun reached its zenith, Zhao Sheng slowly opened his eyes and languidly said, ¡°Little Xinzi, it¡¯s about time for lunch, what¡¯s on the menu today?¡±


    Xin Buhai hurriedly stopped what he was doing and respectfully answered, ¡°Senior, today the island sent over a hundred-year-old sea gate snake, how about we make some steamed minced meat?¡±


    ¡°Go on,¡± Zhao Sheng waved his hand, giving the signal to proceed.


    ¡°Ah, Senior, please wait a moment!¡±


    With that, Xin Buhai dashed into the nearby kitchen. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After successfully reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, Zhao Sheng had originally wanted to find a scapegoat to collect the ancient painting and bamboo basket for him.


    Passing by South Lamma Island, he discovered Xin Buhai, a Qi Refining Third Layer cultivator.


    His cultivation might have been low, but after all, he was a cultivator.


    Thus Zhao Sheng had chosen Xin Buhai, only to find that this fellow had excellent culinary skills.


    In just seven days, Zhao Sheng¡¯s taste buds had been spoiled by Xin Buhai.


    Smelling the fragrance wafting from not too far away, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, ¡°What a waste it would be if this little guy weren¡¯t a chef!¡±


    ¡­


    Three months passed in the blink of an eye.


    One day, Xin Buhai came to Zhao Sheng, his face lit up with excitement, and shouted, ¡°Senior, I¡¯ve done it! I¡¯ve refined the puppet.¡±


    ¡°Oh, have you?¡±


    The moment the words fell, Xin Buhai felt a pain in his forehead, his vision went dark, and he fainted, his face still wearing an excited expression.


    He didn¡¯t know how long it had been when Xin Buhai groggily regained consciousness.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake!¡±


    A familiar voice sounded in his ear. Xin Buhai instinctively shuddered and instantly became fully aware.


    He flipped over and sat up abruptly, then lay prostrate on the ground, begging in fear, ¡°Senior, spare my life! I haven¡¯t leaked any information about your whereabouts. Please spare me for the sake of my diligent service over the past three months!¡±

 Chapter 195 - 184: Retrieving the Painting and Spring and Autumn Alliance_2

    Chapter 195: Chapter 184: Retrieving the Painting and Spring and Autumn Alliance_2


    Zhao Sheng saw this situation and frowned slightly.


    ¡°Get up! When did I say I was going to kill you?¡± he said irritably without making a sound.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s just that I was scared,¡± came the meek reply.


    Xin Buhai, upon hearing these words, relaxed, then climbed up from the ground with an embarrassed expression before looking at Zhao Sheng with a face full of flattery.


    ¡°Come with me!¡±


    At this command, Xin Buhai followed Zhao Sheng to the main hall at the back courtyard.


    Xin Buhai surreptitiously surveyed his surroundings, his expression swiftly shifting from shock to fear.


    Clearly, the scenery of Bei Mansion Cave Heaven made Xin Buhai realize that this place was no ordinary abode, which made him fear for his life.


    Seeing the fear in Xin Buhai¡¯s face, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but knock on his forehead and coldly said, ¡°Relax! As long as you do one thing for me, I guarantee you won¡¯t die.¡±


    ¡°Senior, your wish is my command!¡± Xin Buhai collected himself and said respectfully.


    Zhao Sheng pointed to an ancient painting in the hall and instructed, ¡°You operate the wooden puppet to take down the painting on the wall.¡±


    Is that it?


    Xin Buhai turned his head to look at the Cold River Elder Fishing Painting on the wall, feeling somewhat relieved.


    ¡°Senior, please wait a moment.¡± Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After speaking, Xin Buhai took out the wooden puppet, then chanted the Magic Spell while channeling his Spiritual Power to control the puppet, sending it into the hall toward the innermost part.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze heavy with darkness engulfing the hall, a sensation of looming death surrounding his heart.


    However, when the wooden puppet touched the ancient painting, the scene Zhao Sheng most dreaded never occurred.


    Xin Buhai, still standing in place, controlled the wooden puppet with ease to take down the ancient painting.


    ¡°Be careful! Slowly roll it up!¡± Zhao Sheng cautiously reminded.


    ¡°Mhm!¡±


    Xin Buhai softly acknowledged, then slowly began rolling up the ancient painting as instructed by Zhao Sheng.


    When the ancient painting was rolled into a scroll, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face instantly showed an expression of delight.


    For at that moment, the deadly dark aura in the hall abruptly vanished without a trace.


    ¡°Good, very good! Little Xinzi, you¡¯ve done a great deed!¡± Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but praise Xin Buhai.


    Then, he instructed, ¡°Next, use the puppet to bring out that bamboo basket as well.¡±


    Xin Buhai obediently complied, commanding the wooden puppet to pick up the lush green bamboo basket and step by step, walked out of the hall.


    ¡°Senior¡­ uh!¡±


    Xin Buhai had just spoken two words when a sudden intense pain on his forehead, followed by darkness, overcame him.


    ¡°Not again!¡±


    As his last thought flashed, Xin Buhai¡¯s eyes rolled back and he immediately fainted.


    ¡­


    The dazzling sunlight hit Xin Buhai¡¯s eyelids, and the sting of the light woke him from his unconscious state.


    Xin Buhai suddenly turned over and sat up from the reclining chair, opened his eyes, and dazedly looked around, only to find himself back in the familiar courtyard.


    The courtyard was empty, without that hateful figure.


    ¡°Senior?¡±


    ¡°Senior?!¡±


    He tentatively called out a few times, but there was no response.


    Really gone?


    After double-checking, Xin Buhai shouted excitedly, ¡°That¡¯s great!¡±


    Just then, he suddenly noticed a Storage Bag and a secret manual placed on the stone table behind him, with the title ¡°Golden Spirit Refining Skill¡± written in big characters on its cover.


    ¡°Eh! What is this¡­¡±


    Just as Xin Buhai discovered the gifts Zhao Sheng had left for him, a silver-white, three-zhang-long Flying Boat, skimming close to the sea surface, sped like lightning towards Nine Virtuous Isle.


    ¡­


    Two days later, the Flying Boat raced over the wavy sea surface.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng saw a large, dull-colored ship suddenly rise from the sea ahead.


    This ship was over seventy zhang in length, with a round, large belly and was several times wider than common ocean-going ships, looking from afar like a gigantic sea turtle lying on the sea surface.


    Zhao Sheng frowned slightly upon seeing this abruptly appearing ship.


    With a thought, the Light Spirit Flying Boat suddenly swerved, changing its direction to steer far around the sea ship, and continued to fly forward.


    However, despite his desire for peace, the wind was unceasing!


    A streak of light suddenly launched from the ship, rapidly chasing after the Flying Boat.


    Zhao Sheng squinted his eyes, quickly identifying the light to contain a middle-aged man in a green robe.


    He was riding a green flying sword, pursuing at an extreme speed.


    ¡°Halt!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression darkened as his White Gold Spirit Sword suddenly flew from his waist, transforming into a white-gold sword rainbow spanning in front of the Flying Boat,


    ¡°Haha, Taoist friend, please don¡¯t misunderstand, I mean no harm. I hope the Taoist friend doesn¡¯t blame me,¡± the middle-aged man in the green robe laughed and quickly stopped ten zhang away.


    This person was dressed in a bamboo green robe, his head adorned with a green jade crown, and he wore an emerald-green spiritual pendant around his waist, his face exuding scholarly air, as if he had read many books.


    From the aura emanating from him, it was clear he was also a Cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage, but the exact level of his cultivation was not apparent from the surface.


    Seeing this person¡¯s polite demeanor, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression lightened, and he asked, ¡°Taoist friend, why do you block my path?¡±


    ¡°I am Meng Quyi. May I ask for your distinguished name?¡± the middle-aged man in the green robe responded with a smile and bowing gesture, without directly addressing the question.


    ¡°I am merely Nameless, no need to mention my name. Taoist friend Meng, you have not answered my question yet?¡± Zhao Sheng said, his face not showing much displeasure, but his tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.


    Meng Quyi, upon seeing this, responded with a slight smile, ¡°Do not be offended, Taoist friend! This sea area is under the jurisdiction of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, and there is some secrecy here that should not be disclosed to outsiders. Thus I came to inquire. But I certainly have no malice.¡±

 Chapter 196 - 184: Retrieving the Painting and the Spring and Autumn Alliance_3

    Chapter 196: Chapter 184: Retrieving the Painting and the Spring and Autumn Alliance_3


    ¡°Mr. Meng turns out to be from the Spring and Autumn Alliance, and I am just about to head to your esteemed alliance¡¯s Nine Virtuous Isle. I didn¡¯t expect to encounter you here,¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart stirred as he heard this, and he quickly retracted his Platinum Flying Sword and chuckled in response.


    Meng Quyi was initially startled upon hearing this, but his eyes immediately lit up, and he became more eager: ¡°What a coincidence! We are just about to return to Nine Virtuous Isle. Why not accompany us back?¡±


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment before nodding, ¡°It¡¯s better to meet by chance than by appointment. In that case, I¡¯ll trouble Mr. Meng for his company!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Meng Quyi¡¯s face showed even greater joy, smiling warmly, ¡°Not at all, not at all! Since Taoist Zhao has come from afar, it is Meng¡¯s duty to offer the hospitality of a host.¡±


    While they spoke, Meng Quyi led the way, with Zhao Sheng driving his Flying Boat and following behind.


    Shortly after, in the largest guest room on the boat, Zhao Sheng and Meng Quyi sat facing each other.


    After pouring a cup of Spiritual Tea for Zhao Sheng, Meng Quyi asked tentatively, ¡°May I know what brings Taoist Zhao to Nine Virtuous Isle? If you don¡¯t mind me saying, I hold the position of an elder in the Spring and Autumn Alliance and have some influence on the isle. If you have any matters, just say the word, and I may be able to offer some modest assistance.¡±


    Zhao Sheng thought to himself that what he wanted had indeed come to him, and hence took the opportunity to speak, ¡°After my Foundation Establishment, the place where I used to cultivate no longer meets my needs. I¡¯ve heard that Nine Virtuous Isle is rich in Spiritual Energy and has high-level cave mansions for rent, so I am looking to rent one for cultivation.¡±


    Meng Quyi was secretly delighted by this, but a hint of difficulty appeared on his face, and he hesitated, ¡°You might not be aware. The number of high-level cave mansions on the isle is limited, and they must be prioritized for our alliance¡¯s Foundation Establishment. To my knowledge, the cave mansions available for rent have already been rented out a long time ago.¡±


    Zhao Sheng caught the implication in his words and astutely asked, ¡°So there are none left for outsiders, but perhaps there are still some available internally?¡±


    Meng Quyi nodded and said with a smile, ¡°The alliance keeps several high-level cave mansions vacant all year round, specifically reserved for Foundation Establishment Ministers or elders for their cultivation.¡±


    Understanding dawned on Zhao Sheng, and he inquired, ¡°I wonder if your esteemed alliance is still accepting Guest Elders? Although I have only achieved Foundation Establishment a few years ago and my power is still modest, I am quite adept at the art of talismans.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s no issue! As long as Taoist Zhao is interested, the Spring and Autumn Alliance welcomes any Foundation Establishment cultivator to join. Our alliance itself was formed by a group of Loose Cultivators, and we do not exclude newcomers at all,¡± Meng Quyi said with overflowing joy, hastily agreeing in fear that Zhao Sheng might decline.


    Zhao Sheng nodded and responded with a smile, ¡°Then I will have to trouble Mr. Meng for the introduction.¡±


    As one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, Nine Virtuous Isle can be said to be a strategic location in the Inner Star Sea.


    And the Inner Star Sea is the core region of the Shattered Star Sea, the true flourishing land for cultivators, with its excellent location and abundant Spiritual Energy. There are countless sects and clans of various sizes.


    Zhao Sheng had initially planned to go to Star God Island after advancing to Foundation Establishment and take a cross-ocean Cloud Boat back to the Central Continent.


    But later, he changed his mind.


    Firstly, Star God Island is the location of the Star God Palace, which would undoubtedly be filled with experts and have rigorous defense. He carried the bloodline of the Spiritual Clan, and breaking into Star God Island recklessly, if he were to be recognized, would likely end up with his life no longer in his own hands, to the point where desiring death would be a luxury.


    Secondly, the Spring and Autumn Alliance would make a great place for him to cleanse his identity; staying on Nine Virtuous Isle for a few years, gathering information before making a move, would not be too late.


    Thirdly, Nine Virtuous Isle is a renowned hub for Cultivation Resources in the Shattered Star Sea, with many Alchemists gathered there. In this life, Zhao Sheng wished to learn Alchemy, and there was no better place than Nine Virtuous Isle for that purpose. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 197 - 185: One God, Four Saints, Thirty-Six Star Constellations

    Chapter 197: Chapter 185: One God, Four Saints, Thirty-Six Star Constellations


    After Zhao Sheng verbally agreed to join the Spring and Autumn Alliance, Meng Quyi, pleased with the agreement, no longer considered Zhao Sheng an outsider.


    As a Foundation Establishment Elder, Meng Quyi was eager to make a good impression on Zhao Sheng and began to detail the current state of the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    ¡°The Spring and Autumn Alliance has a history of over six thousand years since it was founded by the Spring and Autumn Ancestor. Currently, besides Kong, the Late-stage Golden Core Alliance Leader, and two Golden Core Realm Supreme Elders, there are also several Foundation Establishment Realm Elders, island masters, and guest elders, totaling over forty persons.¡±


    In addition to this, the Spring and Autumn Alliance also has almost a hundred affiliated islands, and the smaller forces on the islands are considered part of the alliance¡¯s outer forces, with most island masters serving as guest ministers of the alliance.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Meng, it¡¯s surprising that your alliance has three Golden Core predecessors; it seems your alliance is truly powerful!¡± Zhao Sheng said politely. The Spring and Autumn Alliance indeed possessed respectable power, making it a suitable temporary refuge.


    ¡°Oh, not at all! Taoist Zhao is too kind. Among the many forces in Shattered Star Sea, although our Spring and Autumn Alliance is one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellations, we merely scrape by due to our high membership; in terms of raw power, we are among the lowest of the top-tier, incomparable to other major sect forces.


    However, our alliance, unlike those Cultivation Sects, does not have many strict rules and regulations constraining our disciples. Not only do we act more freely, but there are also many benefits.


    Once one becomes a Foundation Establishment Minister, not only can they freely browse through the Book Collection Pavilion¡¯s cultivation techniques and secret manuals, but they also receive certain discounts when purchasing various cultivation resources from the shops established by our alliance.


    Moreover, many of our Foundation Establishment fellow daoists regularly hold various experience-sharing meetings. And occasionally, our Alliance Leader and Supreme Elders also make appearances to give us some guidance, which is why our alliance has developed so prosperously.¡±


    At this point, Meng Quyi paused, then sincerely added:


    ¡°To be honest with Taoist Zhao, the Spring and Autumn Alliance is divided into nine major branches, and I very much hope that Taoist Zhao would consider taking up a position as a Minister Elder in the Foreign Affairs Hall. The Foreign Affairs Hall offers generous benefits and is desperately in need of talents, and behind it is the support of the Supreme Elder, Master Qi Feng. What do you think of this proposal?¡±


    ¡°I appreciate Mr. Meng¡¯s kind offer, and I ask for a few days to think it over. Once we arrive at Nine Virtuous Isle, I will definitely give you an answer,¡± Zhao Sheng responded with a laugh.


    Seeing this, Meng Quyi was not annoyed. Instead, he changed the subject and began to casually chat with Zhao Sheng about the many forces in the Shattered Star Sea and some of the recent major events.


    Through this casual conversation, Zhao Sheng gained a deeper and clearer understanding of the situation in the Shattered Star Sea. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Overall, the innermost and most flourishing region of the Shattered Star Sea is the Inner Star Sea, which is governed by the so-called ¡°One God, Four Saints, and Thirty-Six Star Constellations¡± among other Cultivation Forces.


    ¡°One God¡± refers to the Crownless King of the Shattered Star Sea, the Star God Palace. The Star God Palace is teeming with experts, its power unfathomable; each of its Supreme Elders is a Nascent Soul Ancestor, and the palace master is rumored to have crossed the Primordial Spirit Threshold and become a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, a rare occurrence in the Tianzhu Realm in a thousand years.


    ¡°Four Saints¡± refers to the Four Saints Island named after the four holy beasts: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird. Each island houses one Immortal Sect noble family of Nascent Soul Level, each with a lineage exceeding ten thousand years and a population in the tens of millions, possessing incredibly profound heritage.


    Rumor has it that each of the four major families possesses an Ancient Spiritual Treasure. The power of an Ancient Spiritual Treasure is heaven-defying; a Nascent Soul Ancestor wielding a Spiritual Treasure can contend against a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    Thus, the four major families maintain a stable position, second only to the Star God Palace in the Shattered Star Sea.


    Beneath the Four Saints are the so-called Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, each of which houses at least one Golden Core True Immortal.


    If a Nascent Soul Ancestor is present on an island, it is known as a Heavenly Gang Spirit Island, named for the ¡°Nascent Soul Ancestors who can break through the nine layers of Heavenly Gang Atmosphere and briefly fly into the Outer Void to gather Outer Heaven Mysterious Spirits.¡±


    And the Star Constellation Spirit Islands without a Nascent Soul Ancestor are known as Earth Evil Spirit Islands, deriving the name from the ¡°Golden Core True Immortals who refine their cultivation and condense Divine Skills using the Earth Evil Spirit True found within the realm.¡±


    Most of the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands are home to Cultivation Sects, such as the Sky Sun Sword Sect and Zhenwu Mountain, which have been prominent in the past century, along with Qianyu Pavilion, Mystic Sky Sect, and others.


    The Spring and Autumn Alliance, nominally one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellations occupying Nine Virtuous Isle, is in fact backed by the ¡°Vermilion Bird¡± Gu Yan family.


    And such Golden Core Level forces like the Spring and Autumn Alliance are required to pay a tribute to the Gu Yan family each year and take care of some unsavory tasks that should not see the light of day.


    The Gu Yan family, in return, ensures that the Spring and Autumn Alliance is not swallowed by other major sectarian families.


    It turned out that Meng Quyi was quite eloquent and witty in his speech.


    And he was very candid about many of the internal details of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, making the tea-drinking and casual conversation between the two quite enjoyable.


    ¡­


    Five days later, after the ship had passed through a thousand miles of sea and several islands, they finally arrived near a massive and bustling large island at midday.


    Zhao Sheng and Meng Quyi stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at Nine Virtuous Isle.


    ¡°Haha, we¡¯re finally home! Brother Zhao, after you!¡±


    Meng Quyi laughed heartily and with a flick of his wrist, suddenly produced a brightly glowing scroll from his sleeve. The scroll unfurled in mid-air, and he grabbed it with one hand while casting a spell with the other.


    The scroll suddenly emitted a burst of white light, followed by the clear sound of a bird¡¯s cry. Then, a burst of rosy light swept out, transforming into a massive sea eagle over two meters tall with wings shimmering in blue.


    Once the two men had climbed onto the back of the Spiritual Eagle, Meng Quyi shouted lowly. The eagle instantly spread its wings, stirred up a fierce wind, and took off into the sky, swiftly flying toward Nine Virtuous Isle.

 Chapter 198 - 185: One God, Four Saints, Thirty-Six Star Constellations - Part 2

    Chapter 198: Chapter 185: One God, Four Saints, Thirty-Six Star Constellations ¨C Part 2


    ¡°Below is the headquarters of our Spring and Autumn Alliance, the Nine Virtuous Isle,¡± said Meng Quyi with self-satisfaction as he pointed toward the island below.


    Zhao Sheng followed the direction of his finger and saw that the Nine Virtuous Isle was not one, but nine closely adjacent spirit islands.


    The nine spirit islands varied in size, with the largest spanning several hundred miles and the smallest a few dozen miles; they were either lush with forests and sea cliffs or bustling with workshops and pavilions, densely populated and remarkably scenic.


    From above, the Nine Virtuous Isle resembled a round cake divided into nine uneven portions,


    and the islands were connected by several large sea-crossing stone bridges. The bridges with their eighteen pillars flashed with the light halos of formations, resembling great dragons lying across the strait when viewed from the sky.


    As Meng Quyi propelled their spirit bird forward, he continued to introduce the place with pride:


    ¡°The Nine Virtuous Isle has a population of several million, with over ten thousand cultivators. Divided by the trajectory and concentration of the spirit veins on the islands, the Nine Virtuous Isle consists of the Upper Spirit Three Islands and the Lower Spirit Five Islands.


    The most central Spring and Autumn Island, which is also the largest island, is the location of the main hall of the Spring and Autumn Alliance. The island¡¯s spiritual energy is quite dense. Most of the Qi Refining Realm disciples and some of the Foundation Establishment Fellow Daoists of the Alliance reside here. As for the Lower Spirit Five Islands, they are somewhat chaotic, mainly comprising various workshops and the vast majority of loose cultivators.¡±


    Listening to Meng Quyi, Zhao Sheng noticed that on three of the islands below, the buildings were mostly white and light blue, built from giant stones, but the roofs were made of an unknown silver-white metal, which looked quite unique.


    It was noon, and under the intense sunlight, the building complexes of the three islands reflected dazzling patches of white light, blinding to the eyes and obscuring the view below.


    Suddenly, their spirit eagle dipped sharply, folding its wings and diving towards the largest Spring and Autumn Island, eventually landing on a plaza in front of a large palace built against the mountain.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, please!¡± S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After Zhao Sheng dismounted from the spirit eagle, Meng Quyi also leaped down, flicking his sleeve and revealing a scroll that radiated dawn light when he collected the spirit eagle.


    Then, with a beaming smile, he led Zhao Sheng towards the Spring and Autumn Hall.


    Looking around, the Spring and Autumn Hall was constructed on a grand scale. Its main body was built from huge four-sided Blue Steel Stones, each side measuring twenty feet. The walls of the hall alone stood tens of feet high.


    All around the main hall were also many slightly smaller stone buildings bustling with people, mostly in green robes and white garments, creating a lively scene.


    Every so often, one could see cultivators on various flying artifacts, such as flying swords and cloud boats, or riding spirit birds flying in from afar, and quickly landing among the cluster of buildings.


    Guided by Meng Quyi, Zhao Sheng circled the Spring and Autumn Hall, weaving in and out of compounds and corridors, bypassing entrances with strict defenses, until they reached a quaint courtyard that occupied a considerable area.


    At the entrance to the courtyard stood a three-zhang-tall White Jade stone, inscribed with the ancient and spiritual text ¡°Eternal Spring and Autumn,¡± which faintly emitted a formidable pressure that was both concealed and profound.


    If one was not familiar with this Taiyi Spiritual Text, ordinary cultivators would likely embarrass themselves in front of the stone.


    ¡°This is where our Alliance accommodates honored guests. Taoist Zhao, please rest here for a moment and enjoy our Alliance¡¯s Spiritual Tea. The Supreme Elder will arrive soon!¡±


    Meng Quyi ushered Zhao Sheng into a tastefully furnished and peaceful parlor, then gently clapped his hands.


    At that signal, three comely maids entered in single file, one offering a pot of Spiritual Tea while the other two set up the tea cups before quietly withdrawing.


    Zhao Sheng and Meng Quyi then enjoyed their tea while casually chatting about the Spring and Autumn Alliance¡¯s trivial matters and anecdotes.


    After a little while, laughter suddenly echoed from outside the parlor.


    ¡°Haha, Quyi, I heard you invited a Junior Foundation Establishment Friend today. Since the Alliance Hierarch is not on the island, I¡¯ll come and meet our visitor first,¡± came the voice.


    Before the laughter faded, a green-robed elder with a sallow complexion and white hair and beard stepped in through the door.


    ¡°Supreme Elder,¡± Meng Quyi quickly stood up.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression shifted slightly as he too stood up, showing a respectful demeanor. Judging by Meng Quyi¡¯s address, the green-robed elder must be the Supreme Elder of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, Master Qi Feng.


    As the green-robed elder entered, the parlor was suddenly enveloped by a sharp and potent invisible aura. The room seemed to transform into a ¡°vacuum,¡± with every wisp of air falling under the control of the kindly smiling Taoist elder.


    ¡°Supreme Elder, this is Taoist Zhao,¡± Meng Quyi introduced with a smile on his face.


    ¡°I am Zhao Chonghe. Greetings, True Immortal. I wish you a longevity of a thousand years!¡± Zhao Sheng bowed with a fist-in-palm salute to Master Qi Feng. He didn¡¯t use his real name, but instead gave the name from his past life.


    The green-robed elder eyed Zhao Sheng, his gaze lingering on his face, and said with a hint of profound meaning, ¡°Mr. Zhao, why not reveal your true face? Could it be that you don¡¯t trust our Spring and Autumn Alliance?¡±


    At these words, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows furrowed.


    This statement, said at their first meeting, was clearly a subtle show of dominance from Master Qi Feng.


    Now it was up to him to respond.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s brow relaxed and he said loudly, ¡°The elder is not aware, but I have cultivated a special technique, which will utterly destroy my features until it reaches great success. Therefore, it is inconvenient to show myself in public.¡±


    Unexpectedly, Master Qi Feng did not continue to press the issue, but let it go and proceeded to invite the two of them to sit down.


    Surprised, yet impressed by Master Qi Feng¡¯s skillful handling of people, Zhao Sheng took his seat.


    The three of them sat down in order of seniority, with Master Qi Feng taking the host¡¯s seat without dispute. At his command, a maid came in to replace the old tea and served fresh Spiritual Tea.


    After some casual conversation, Zhao Sheng indirectly expressed his willingness to be recruited, yet still conveyed his reservations.


    Qi Feng¡¯s expression became stern as he said seriously, ¡°Since that is the case, let me speak frankly. Our Spring and Autumn Alliance is currently seeking talents desperately. If Mr. Zhao has any concerns, he may as well express them now. For some negotiable matters, I can make promises on behalf of the Alliance Hierarch.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng appeared somewhat moved. After a moment of contemplation, he hesitantly asked,


    ¡°I would like to ask if, in the event that the Spring and Autumn Alliance is in conflict with a hostile force, would the Minister Elders necessarily have to take part?¡±


    Hearing this, Qi Feng first looked surprised, then he laughed warmly and sincerely said,


    ¡°Unless the Spring and Autumn Alliance faces a disaster of annihilation, the alliance typically offers missions with rewards if we need the Minister Elders to take action. Minister Elders may consider for themselves whether to accept or not, and the alliance will not force them.¡±


    ¡°Then, what if I become a Minister Eldere and then decide to leave the Spring and Autumn Alliance?¡± Zhao Sheng pressed on.


    ¡°If Mr. Zhao is unsatisfied with the alliance, he may leave at his discretion, and the alliance will certainly not hinder him purposefully,¡± Qi Feng stated magnanimously.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression revealed a hint of satisfaction, and he nodded, ¡°If that is the case, I am willing to join your esteemed alliance as a Minister Elder.¡±


    Qi Feng smiled contentedly at these words, while Meng Quyi¡¯s face lit up with delight.


    After all, any Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Shattered Star Sea was exceedingly valuable.


    A Foundation Establishment Cultivator could easily become the master of an island and support a small Cultivation Force.


    Most importantly, Zhao Sheng was clearly young and had much more potential than the average Foundation Establishment Cultivator, with more time to foster his allegiance to the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    For the Foreign Affairs Hall alone, gaining a Foundation Establishment Minister would mean a significant enhancement of the hall¡¯s overall strength.


    Qi Feng excused himself for another matter thereafter, leaving Meng Quyi to explain the specific benefits of being a Minister Elder to Zhao Sheng,


    There were ranks among the Spring and Autumn Alliance¡¯s Minister Elders. Reaching the early-stage Foundation Establishment qualified one to become an ordinary Minister Elder, and naturally, upon advancing to mid-stage Foundation Establishment or higher, one would become a senior Minister Elder.


    Moreover, the Spring and Autumn Alliance promised each Minister Elder a separate cave mansion located upon a core Spirit Vein, most of which were centered amidst the hills and valleys in the northwest of Spring and Autumn Island.


    In addition, Minister Elders would receive a certain number of Spirit Stones and Spirit Pills as an annual stipend.


    Although Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t interested in these things, they represented the attitude of the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    After the introduction to the benefits, Meng Quyi formally invited Zhao Sheng to join the Foreign Affairs Hall.


    After a brief contemplation, Zhao Sheng nodded and agreed.

 Chapter 199 - 186 Duel

    Chapter 199: Chapter 186 Duel


    Meng Quyi, overwhelmed with joy, eagerly took Zhao Sheng to handle the alliance registration procedures and select a Cultivation Cave Mansion.


    Four hours later, the procedures were completed, and Zhao Sheng quickly chose his cave mansion.


    Due to principles of maintaining a low profile and ensuring safety, Zhao Sheng purposely chose a remote cave mansion at the edge of Spring and Autumn Island.


    Though the concentration of Spiritual Energy here was slightly lower, the cave mansion was established above a cliff, with the ocean below, which greatly satisfied Zhao Sheng.


    After bidding farewell to Meng Quyi, Zhao Sheng quickly arrived at this cliffside cave mansion, used a Prohibition Token to open the stone gate, and walked in.


    The scale of this cave mansion was not small, boasting a spacious interior with over a dozen stone rooms, fully furnished and decorated, and the concentration of spiritual energy inside was quite substantial, roughly equivalent to a First-Rank Spirit Vein spiritual acupoint, making it very suitable for cultivation.


    After briefly inspecting the cave mansion, Zhao Sheng entered the Cultivation Room. The room was small, only about fifteen to eighteen feet in size, and the setup was quite simple, with just a White Jade stone bed and an apricot-yellow cushion, with no other items.


    Zhao Sheng was satisfied with the arrangement inside. He briefly inspected the stone walls and stone gate to ensure there were no surveillance-type prohibitions before he settled down, moving forward to sit cross-legged on the cushion.


    Zhao Sheng flicked his sleeve, and a Barrier Talisman shot out swiftly, sticking perfectly onto the stone room¡¯s door. A white radiance expanded in all directions, forming a pale white light screen that completely isolated the Cultivation Room from the outside world.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment, flipped his hand, and took out a dark black shield from his Storage Bag¡ªthe low-grade defensive Spiritual Artifact Sea Abyss Shield he had acquired at Bei Mansion Cave Heaven.


    Zhao Sheng gently tossed it, and the Sea Abyss Shield immediately spun into the air. His eyes then shone brightly as he continuously formed spell signs with his hands, and suddenly a Divine Sense Spirit Seal shot out from his hands and merged into the shield.


    ¡­


    Three days later


    In the Cultivation Room, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was solemn as strands of Divine Sense spirit prohibitions continuously merged into the Sea Abyss Shield. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the Refining of the Spirit Seal proceeded, the Sea Abyss Shield emitted bursts of black light, and faint sounds of ocean tides echoed in the room.


    At that moment, the Sea Abyss Shield was suspended in mid-air, its surface intermittently covered with countless Spiritual Restriction Runes. The runes were interconnected and clearly formed several defensive spirit prohibitions, numbering over twenty at a glance.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered, his hand movements suddenly halted, and he simultaneously spat out a mouthful of essence blood. The essence blood instantly turned into a mist of blood, driven by his Divine Sense, and merged into the Sea Abyss Shield in a flash.


    The next second, the Sea Abyss Shield burst into brilliance, emitting a clear sound of ocean tides, as multiple shield phantoms gradually appeared in the Cultivation Room, swirling and whirling around the Spirit Shield.


    Seeing this, a flicker of joy flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Gather¡­ Condense!¡±


    He uttered in a low voice, and his Divine Sense from the Foundation Establishment Realm burst forth,


    Only to see the shield phantoms in the air shining brilliantly, then, like tired birds returning to the forest, they merged into the Sea Abyss Shield¡¯s body.


    In an instant, great swathes of black light erupted from the Sea Abyss Shield, and over twenty spirit prohibitions suddenly appeared and then quickly merged back into the shield.


    The next second, Zhao Sheng thought, and the Sea Abyss Shield sharply shrank to the size of a palm, turned into a black light, and flew in front of him, rapidly circling his body as it followed his mental commands.


    Zhao Sheng slightly smiled, reached out to call it, and the Sea Abyss Shield flew down with a ¡°whoosh¡± and landed in his palm.


    ¡°Good. Finally, I¡¯ve finished Refining all three Spiritual Artifacts. The previous owner of Bei Mansion was a good man indeed! The treasures he left behind are all fine pieces.¡± Zhao Sheng put away the Sea Abyss Shield, unable to help but remark.


    After finishing Refining the Spiritual Artifacts, Zhao Sheng immediately stood up and slowly walked out of the secret chamber.


    As soon as he stepped out, he saw a Messenger Talisman Crane flying around the cave mansion, seemingly disoriented and flying all around.


    Zhao Sheng extended his hand, and with a flap of its wings, the talisman crane swiftly flew over and landed in his hand.


    Opening the talisman crane, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brow first furrowed and then relaxed, murmuring to himself, ¡°The Alliance Hierarch is back and wants to assemble the Minister Elders for a meeting? Is it specifically for me, or is there really something? Interesting!¡±


    Zhao Sheng groomed and dressed up, changing into a plain silk robe, then took a short rest.


    Half a day later, Zhao Sheng left the cave mansion, and suddenly a white light shot out from his sleeve, circled around his body once, and he instantly transformed into a white-golden Sword Rainbow, speeding toward Spring and Autumn Hall.


    Moments later, the Sword Rainbow landed in the hall¡¯s front square, Zhao Sheng dispelled the Sword Light, retracted his flying sword, and stepped into the splendid and majestic Spring and Autumn Hall.


    The hall was extremely large and spacious, covering an area over two hundred feet in length and nearly sixty feet in height, supported by eighteen thickly girthed Golden Pillars entwined with dragons, with the ceiling inlaid with over a hundred fist-sized Shining Spirit Pearls that lit the hall as bright as day.


    In the middle of the hall, two rows of white jade tables and chairs were placed, and at that moment, seventeen or eighteen cultivators of impressive bearing and diverse expressions were sitting on the Jade Chairs, some whispering in low voices and others resting with their eyes closed. Meng Quyi was also among them, appearing to be enjoying a lively conversation with the person next to him.


    At that time, in the central area of the hall, on the three large aqua-colored Jade Chairs sat two old men with unfathomably deep auras. One of them Zhao Sheng had already met, True Immortal Qi Feng, while the other had an ancient and majestic appearance, a tall and fierce build, with eyes as red as flames, as if two fireballs were burning within his pupils.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng entered the hall, some of the Minister Elders looked over.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng arrive, Meng Quyi immediately stood up with a smiling face, quickly approaching with a laugh, ¡°Haha, Brother Zhao, you finally came. Come, come, let me introduce you to the fellow Daoists.¡±

 Chapter 200 - 186 Duel_2

    Chapter 200: Chapter 186 Duel_2


    ¡°This is Supreme Elder Master Chi Yuan of our alliance.¡±


    ¡°Junior Zhao Chonghe, I have seen Master Chi Yuan!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately bowed respectfully to Master Chi Yuan, whose face bore an ancient nobility.


    ¡°Enough of that! Elder Qi, you are indeed fortunate. To find such a young Foundation Establishment junior is lucky. However, now that he has joined the alliance, why still this secretive demeanor?¡± Master Chi Yuan¡¯s voice thundered like a great bell, his tone neither cold nor mocking.


    Seeing this, Elder Qi laughed heartily and said, ¡°Ha ha, Great Head Chi Yuan, just be envious! Mr. Zhao has already agreed to join the Foreign Affairs Hall. Moreover, you are being too nosy. That¡¯s his privacy, must he report to you as well?¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Master Chi Yuan glared angrily at his old rival.


    Seeing this situation, Meng Quyi quickly pulled Zhao Sheng aside and began introducing him to others.


    ¡°This is Lu Xia, Mr. Lu, currently the Hall Master of the Foreign Affairs Hall,¡± Meng Quyi first pointed to a gracefully dignified middle-aged scholar and said.


    ¡°I am Zhao Chonghe, I have seen Hall Master Lu.¡±


    ¡°So it is Daoist Zhao, I heard just a few days ago that a young and distinguished figure had joined our hall. Seeing you today, it is indeed true! We should become closer friends. Once this affair is over, Mr. Lu definitely must visit Daoist Zhao¡¯s cave mansion,¡± the middle-aged scholar brightened upon seeing Zhao Sheng and immediately stood up to bow from a distance with a loud voice.


    ¡°Hall Master Lu is too courteous. It should be I who visit,¡± Zhao Sheng quickly returned the bow with polite gestures.


    After exchanging pleasantries, Meng Quyi continued to introduce Zhao Sheng to others.


    ¡°This is Daoist Lu¡­¡±


    ¡°Greetings, Daoist Lu!¡­¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°This is Senior Zhuge Zhen¡­¡±


    ¡°Senior Ge gives his regards¡­¡±


    ¡­


    By the time they had made introductions in half a circle, an hour had passed, and by then the jade chairs in the great hall were all occupied.


    As Zhao Sheng had joined the alliance last, he found a seat at the very end.


    At that moment, one person beside him bowed and said, ¡°Daoist Zhao, you look very young. You must have reached Foundation Establishment at an early age, right?¡± Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head and saw that the speaker¡¯s face was fair and handsome, appearing only in his twenties, dressed in a brocade robe of orchids, looking elegant and dashing, like a refined young master in a troubled world.


    ¡°You must be Daoist Chen Guanxi. I only appear youthful, but I am actually not so young,¡± Zhao Sheng said in a mixture of truth and falsehood to avoid trouble.


    The person smiled slightly and was just about to say a few more words.


    Suddenly, the sound of flapping wings echoed from the entrance of the great hall.


    Chen Guanxi¡¯s expression became solemn as he turned his head toward the entrance, and the rest of the people in the hall did the same.


    The next moment, two individuals entered the hall through the entrance. One was an amiable-faced elderly man about six feet tall, dressed in a jade-colored brocade robe and a high hat, while the other was a vibrant young master with a face like a fine jade and auburn hair.


    ¡°Alliance Hierarch!¡±


    ¡°Greetings to the Alliance Hierarch!¡±


    As soon as the elderly man appeared, everyone in the great hall stood up to greet him, their eyes filled with respect.


    The elderly man was none other than Master Chang Kong, the Alliance Hierarch of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, a Late-stage Golden Core powerhouse.


    ¡°Alliance Hierarch, this must be the Special Envoy! Truly an imposing figure, outstanding beyond comparison!¡±


    Seated at the head, Master Qi Feng and Master Chi Yuan had already stood up in unison and went forward to greet the newcomer.


    ¡°Gu Yanqiu, I¡¯ve seen the two seniors!¡± The young master smiled slightly, seemingly casual as he saluted the two Golden Core Masters with a cupped fist.


    Zhao Sheng silently sized up this ¡°special envoy.¡± From his name, it was clear he was a member of the Gu Yan family from Vermilion Bird Island.


    And based on the aura emanating from his body, this individual was indeed a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and perhaps even a few years younger than him.


    As soon as Gu Yanqiu had taken his seat, a Minister Elder immediately came forward to introduce himself, speaking very respectfully to the special envoy.


    Gu Yanqiu appeared very polite and amiable, but Zhao Sheng occasionally saw a hint of disdain in the depths of his eyes.


    After a moment, everyone had finished introducing themselves. Because Zhao Sheng was very young and the last one introduced, Gu Yanqiu¡¯s impression of him was inevitably a bit deeper.


    Following this, Master Chang Kong¡¯s demeanor became serious, and without saying a word, he instantly took control of the atmosphere in the hall.


    ¡°Today, I have gathered everyone here to discuss the conflict between our alliance and the Mystic Sky Sect regarding the ownership of the Seven-star Reef Spirit Vein. What are everyone¡¯s opinions?¡±


    At this moment, Chen Guanxi explained quietly to Zhao Sheng:


    ¡°Daoist Zhao, you arrived late and might not know. Our Spring and Autumn Alliance has been frequently clashing with the Mystic Sky Sect over the Spirit Vein at Seven-star Reef; we might have to fight a big battle this time. Hehe, Daoist Zhao, your luck is really terrible!¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly upon hearing this, his face showing no particular emotion. He didn¡¯t think his luck was bad; on the contrary, he saw this as an opportunity.


    The Spring and Autumn Alliance was the hegemon of Nine Virtuous Isle. He wanted to learn true Alchemy, and leveraging the power of the Spring and Autumn Alliance would allow him to achieve his goal faster and better. That was, of course, provided he could establish considerable merits for the alliance.


    Zhao Sheng silently observed as the others passionately expressed their views. He noticed that most of them supported fighting a hard battle against the Mystic Sky Sect.


    Glancing at the three Golden Core Masters seated at the head, Zhao Sheng vaguely understood that all this was being done for Gu Yanqiu¡¯s benefit.


    Once everyone had made their stance clear, Gu Yanqiu smiled slightly with a hint of sentimentality, ¡°Before coming here, my family said that the Spring and Autumn Alliance is like scattered sand. But from what I¡¯ve seen today, such statements are completely mistaken. Your alliance is quite unified! Master Chang Kong, have you already decided? Are you really going to fight the Mystic Sky Sect?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Master Qi Feng and Master Chi Yuan¡¯s eyes flashed, and they exchanged glances before turning their gaze to the Alliance Hierarch.


    At this, Master Chang Kong smiled slightly and spoke deliberately, ¡°Special envoy, it¡¯s not that the Spring and Autumn Alliance wants to fight the Mystic Sky Sect, but they are too bullying. The affiliation of the Seven-star Reef has long been a public agreement in the Shattered Star Sea! Yet the Mystic Sky Sect keeps twisting the truth, insisting on taking over the Seven-star Reef. Our alliance cannot and should not retreat! Otherwise, wouldn¡¯t we be laughed at by our fellow daoists?¡±


    Gu Yanqiu took a deep breath and said, ¡°Peace is most precious! Your alliance and the Mystic Sky Sect are both old friends of the Vermilion Bird Island. Why not both sides take a step back? I am willing to act as a mediator and speak to the Mystic Sky Sect. Master Chang Kong, what do you think?¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, Elder Qi spoke out loudly, ¡°Special envoy, you might not be aware, but ever since the Seven-star Reef was discovered two hundred years ago, it has been within the territory of our Spring and Autumn Alliance. Initially, there was only a First-rank Spirit Vein here, not much potential for development.


    But recently, someone accidentally discovered that at the end of this Spirit Vein on the Seven-star Reef, there is another, larger Second Order Spirit Vein connected to it. The Mystic Sky Sect covets this Second Order Spirit Vein and even claims that the Spirit Vein is not within the range of Seven-star Reef, calling it unowned.


    Even more shamelessly, they claim that they had discovered this Second Order Spirit Vein earlier and that it should belong to the Mystic Sky Sect. This¡­ This is indeed twisting the facts and is intolerable!¡±


    At these words, the people present were immediately roused to anger.


    After Elder Qi finished, he stared directly at Gu Yanqiu, pressing, ¡°Special envoy, do you think what the Mystic Sky Sect is doing is right?¡±


    Gu Yanqiu looked at the intense gaze of Master Qi Feng, reined in his smile, and said slowly, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s proceed with the old rules then! You both will have a wagering battle. As for the method of the battle, it is to have three Foundation Establishment Cultivators from both your alliance and the Purple Cloud Sect engage in a life-and-death struggle. The winner will take ownership of the Seven-star Reef.¡±


    Upon hearing this, both Master Qi Feng and Master Chi Yuan showed signs of dissatisfaction and hesitation.


    Just as Elder Qi was about to argue, Master Chang Kong raised his hand and said firmly, ¡°The wagering battle is acceptable, but the Mystic Sky Sect must also present something of equal value as the stake.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I will persuade the Mystic Sky Sect to agree. So¡­ let¡¯s set this battle a half year from now, shall we?¡±


    ¡°Agreed!¡±


    ¡°Alliance Hierarch, this cannot be!¡± Master Chi Yuan exclaimed anxiously.


    Master Chang Kong waved his hand, leaving no room for dispute, ¡°No need to persuade me anymore, we¡¯ll settle the ownership through the wagering battle.¡±


    With that, the expressions of many below varied unpredictably, their thoughts unknown.

 Chapter 201 - 187: Alchemy Master Association

    Chapter 201: Chapter 187: Alchemy Master Association


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed as he sent a telepathic message to Chen Guanxi, ¡°Taoist Chen, what are the rules for this gambling duel? Why does the Supreme Elder look so displeased, could it be that our Spring and Autumn Alliance has no confidence in winning?¡±


    Upon hearing the question, a bitter smile appeared on Chen Guanxi¡¯s face. He lowered his voice and replied, ¡°If we really have to duel, I¡¯m afraid our alliance really doesn¡¯t stand much of a chance! Taoist Zhao may not know, but Mystic Sky Sect has an Abnormal Skill that risks one¡¯s life. Once triggered, the practitioner¡¯s strength can increase by at least thirty percent in a short time, making them virtually unbeatable among cultivators of the same level.¡±


    Although Chen Guanxi spoke softly, the people present were at least at the Foundation Establishment Realm, so how could they not hear him? Their morale plummeted suddenly, and the faces of both Master Qi Feng and Master Chi Yuan turned dark.


    Gu Yanqiu, hearing this, remained calm as water on the surface, but in his eyes, there was an undeniable hint of contempt. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Haha, since we are going to have a duel, how could our Spring and Autumn Alliance be afraid of Mystic Sky Sect? Just agree to it!¡±


    Right at that moment, someone laughed heartily from outside the hall.


    As the voice faded, a shadow flashed at the entrance of the hall, and three people walked in.


    Then, they saw a gaunt, white-faced old man dressed in a white crimson robe, exuding a rich elixir fragrance, briskly entering the hall like a shooting star.


    ¡°Master Xu Chong!¡± As soon as the figure was recognized, someone exclaimed out loud.


    Qi Feng and Chi Yuan exchanged glances as if they were thinking of something, and their faces showed signs of joy, while Master Chang Kong stroked his beard and smiled slightly.


    The other Minister Elders stood up one after another, greeting him respectfully, calling him ¡°Master¡± incessantly.


    ¡°The newcomer is none other than the renowned Alchemy Master Xu Chong from Shattered Star Sea, known as one of the few capable of producing Golden Core Formation Pills. Unexpectedly, he has joined the Spring and Autumn Alliance.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was greatly surprised by this turn of events, but after a quick glance, his attention was drawn to the two young people who had followed Xu Chong in, a man and a woman.


    The man was dressed in black, with a sallow complexion and an ordinary appearance, but his eyes shone brilliantly, and he looked at everyone present with an arrogant demeanor.


    The woman appeared to be in her twenties, graceful and lovely with a charming face, and her presence clearly exuded the unique aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the woman and suddenly felt a surge of recognition; she bore a striking resemblance to Master Chang Kong.


    The Alchemy Master Xu Chong, accompanied by the two, walked into the hall under the watchful eyes of everyone present.


    Upon seeing Xu Chong¡¯s arrival, although Gu Yanqiu¡¯s face showed a hint of surprise, there was no excessive sign of astonishment, but he said with a smile, ¡°Congratulations to Master Chang Kong for gaining such a strong support. With Master Xu Chong¡¯s addition to the Spring and Autumn Alliance, I suppose the odds of winning the duel have significantly increased?¡±


    Master Chang Kong¡¯s eyes shimmered as he replied with a light chuckle, ¡°The Special Envoy jests. This duel is something we have been forced into. If Mystic Sky Sect would be sensible enough to back down, I would not wish to damage the harmony between us.¡±


    Gu Yanqiu smiled without responding, a mysterious glint in his eyes.


    At this moment, Xu Chong came forward and, after exchanging a few pleasantries with the three Golden Core Masters and Gu Yanqiu of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, pointed to the young man and introduced him to everyone, ¡°Let me introduce you to everyone. This is my disciple Ge Chen. A few years ago, when I was exchanging alchemy insights at the Elixir Cauldron Sect, I took him as my disciple due to a fortunate coincidence when I saw his decent talent. As for Yao¡¯er, there¡¯s no need for introductions, right?¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Master Chi Yuan joked, ¡°Yao¡¯er, the precious daughter of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, a real gem! Seeing your father and all your uncles here, why don¡¯t you greet them?¡±


    At that, the pretty-faced girl retorted with feigned anger, ¡°Uncle Chi, you¡¯re teasing me again!¡±


    Then, bowing gracefully to Master Chang Kong, she said respectfully, ¡°Daughter Chu Yao pays respects to father. It¡¯s been a long time, father seems to have lost weight.¡±


    ¡°Rise, Yao¡¯er! In the past ten-plus years, while traveling with Master Xu Chong across the Central Continent, have you gained anything?¡± Master Chang Kong flicked his sleeve, a red light swirling out to help Chu Yao up, and he asked seriously.


    ¡°Your daughter has indeed gained a lot, ¡­¡±


    While the father and daughter were conversing, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face showed a very interested expression.


    As a man of the world, he once again heard the name of Elixir Cauldron Sect and couldn¡¯t help but sigh about the fleeting nature of time and that things of the past could never be returned to.


    Then, he suddenly took a strong interest in the Alchemy Master Xu Chong. He wanted to learn alchemy, and this man seemed the perfect candidate.


    From that moment, Zhao Sheng began to consider ways to learn the secrets of the Alchemy Dao from him.


    After a moment, Xu Chong and his two disciples Chu Yao and Ge Chen each took their seats, and the atmosphere in the hall became fervent and cheerful due to the addition of the Alchemy Master.


    Gu Yanqiu showed great interest in Xu Chong, and during the casual conversation, he made several subtle attempts to recruit him.


    An Alchemy Master was extremely rare even on Vermilion Bird Island, and it was sufficient for Gu Yanqiu to humble himself in an attempt to recruit him.


    However, despite Gu Yanqiu¡¯s attempts to recruit him, Xu Chong responded with a smile and appropriate remarks, showing no signs of being tempted.


    Gu Yanqiu felt snubbed and was inwardly furious, but he did not show it on his face.


    After smiling, he turned and said to Master Chang Kong, ¡°Since the Spring and Autumn Alliance has the support of Master Xu Chong, I suppose you are confident about the outcome of the duel. I will now return to report and set the date for the duel with Mystic Sky Sect.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, the Special Envoy should take care. Daoist Qi Feng, please see our guest out,¡± Master Chang Kong said after nodding his head, without any intention of retaining him. He then turned to Qi Feng and gave the instruction.


    Although Master Qi Feng was the Vice Leader of Spring and Autumn Alliance, he showed no signs of reluctance at the moment. He immediately agreed and personally escorted Gu Yanqiu out of the hall.

 Chapter 202 - 187: Alchemy Master Association_2

    Chapter 202: Chapter 187: Alchemy Master Association_2


    When Qi Feng returned to the great hall, Master Chang Kong¡¯s gaze slowly swept across the chamber, observing the respectful expressions of everyone present. He offered a slight smile, his demeanor kind as he spoke, ¡°Well, that will be all for today. Everyone, go back to your own affairs. As for the matter of the wagered battle, once I have discussed it with the two Vice Alliance Hierarchs and reached a decision, I will announce it to you all. You may leave!¡±


    ¡°Yes, we will heed the Alliance Hierarch¡¯s directive and take our leave now!¡± The assembly rose from their seats with a thunderous chorus of assent, then bid farewell and departed.


    After Zhao Sheng and the others rose to take their leave, the great hall was left with only Master Chang Kong and the two Vice Alliance Hierarchs, along with Xu Chong and his two disciples.


    ¡°Yao¡¯er, you take your senior brother and rest first,¡± Master Chang Kong mused for a moment before instructing Chu Yao.


    Chu Yao replied softly with ¡°Understood,¡± though Ge Chen¡¯s eyes briefly flashed with dissatisfaction. He seemed on the verge of speaking but was instead pulled out of the hall by his junior sister.


    In the blink of an eye, only Master Chang Kong, Qi Feng, Master Chi Yuan and Xu Chong remained in the great hall.


    The four of them discussed several secret matters concerning the alliance, revealing an exceptionally close relationship between Xu Chong and the Spring and Autumn Alliance. None of these secrets were concealed from him.


    However, what was strange was that the four of them did not mention a single word about the wager with the Mystic Sky Sect.


    After half an hour, when the discussions were nearly finished, and Qi Feng, Chi Yuan, and Xu Chong also rose to bid farewell, Master Chang Kong suddenly mentioned casually,


    ¡°By the way, we need to thoroughly investigate the leak regarding the Seven-star Reef Spirit Vein. Daoist Qi Feng, I entrust this task to you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Alliance Hierarch!¡± Qi Feng narrowed his eyes and then bowed deeply in assent.


    Master Chi Yuan was startled by this but said nothing, silently retreating from the hall.


    Once the hall was left with only him, Master Chang Kong¡¯s smile slowly faded, and his right hand struck the jade chair with force.


    In an instant, the jade chair silently shattered into a pile of dust.


    ¡­


    After leaving the great hall, Zhao Sheng politely declined the invitation from Meng Quyi, Zhao Guanxi and others to gather, but agreed to visit their respective cave mansions in the coming days. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Having bid farewell to everyone, Zhao Sheng rode his flying sword, transforming into a radiant sword rainbow, and headed straight for Xia Guang Island, a subordinate isle of Nine Virtuous Isle.


    Elixir Fire Square of Xia Guang Island,


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng landed on the streets of Elixir Fire Square than he immediately smelled a thick fragrance of elixirs and medicinal herbs.


    The Elixir Fire Square was Nine Virtuous Isle¡¯s main district for alchemy, the selling of Spiritual Medicine, and where the highest concentration of elixir medicine shops could be found. It hosted the largest number of alchemists and saw a tremendous flow of visitors.


    Various medicine shops and elixir stores lined the streets on both sides, bustling with crowds. From time to time, one could spot alchemists in crimson robes being surrounded and flattered by a group of Loose Cultivators as they moved through the streets.


    This clearly showed the lofty status of alchemists on Nine Virtuous Isle, where a severe supply and demand imbalance existed.


    As evening approached, Zhao Sheng left the market with a look of disappointment.


    He had roamed around Elixir Fire Square, visiting countless elixir medicine shops in the market, purchasing a large amount of Spiritual Medicine and spirit medicine seeds. However, he found not a single Alchemy Furnace that caught his eye to purchase, let alone the coveted Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire.


    Upon further inquiry, he found out that the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, Elixir Recipes and Alchemy Furnaces were mostly monopolized by the Alchemy Master Association. The Elixir Fire Square allowed only for the transaction of ordinary elixir recipes and alchemy furnaces of average quality.


    As for Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, it was a forbidden delicacy of the Alchemy Master Association and extremely rare in the market shops.


    The Alchemy Association held a high reputation on Nine Virtuous Isle, possessing vast hidden power; every alchemist on the island was without exception a member.


    Its external headquarters were located at the base of Dusk Peak on Xia Guang Island.


    Leaving the market, Zhao Sheng had already made up his mind. Without any further ado, he released his flying sword, transformed into a radiant sword rainbow, and sped towards Dusk Peak.


    Within minutes, a sword rainbow flew rapidly from afar. Approaching a mountain peak emitting white smoke, the rainbow took a turn and swiftly descended.


    Zhao Sheng dispersed the Sword Light, standing at the base of Dusk Peak.


    The mountain body of Dusk Peak was quite peculiar, from a distance resembling a vast red chimney, and on the summit lay a depressed valley, at its deepest point a hot volcanic lake. Around this lake, cave mansions were carved into the cliffs, frequented by alchemists in crimson robes moving in and out.


    At the base of the mountain, a great number of structures stood tall, with several palace buildings of varying sizes at the center. The most magnificent palace bore the golden-painted words ¡°Alchemy Master Association.¡±


    Zhao Sheng briefly scrutinized the cluster of buildings in front of him before making his way towards Dinglu Palace.


    After showing his Guest Token to the guards at the entrance, he smoothly entered the grand hall of Dinglu Palace.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng stepped inside, a young man in a white robe with the pattern of a three-eared Pill Furnace embroidered on his chest came to greet him.


    ¡°Taoist friend, may I ask if you are here to purchase a Pill Furnace, or do you have a Pill Furnace to sell?¡± the white-robed youth asked with considerable respect.


    ¡°Hmm, I would like to buy a handy Alchemy Furnace of decent quality, having a Spiritual Artifact Level Alchemy Furnace would be best,¡± Zhao Sheng said indifferently.


    The eyes of the white-robed youth lit up at these words, and his manner became even more respectful as he hurriedly said, ¡°Senior, please follow me. Master Jin Ming happens to be on duty, and he certainly has an Alchemy Furnace you will be satisfied with.¡±


    ¡°Lead the way!¡±


    After Zhao Sheng responded, he followed the white-robed youth through the hall, down a corridor, and into a side palace.


    Upon entering the side palace, they saw a short, fat, bald elder with a beard, holding a green-rusted Pill Furnace in his hands, which he was examining closely for inscriptions on the surface.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the man, knowing in his heart that this person must be the so-called Master Jin Ming.


    The white-robed youth leaned in and whispered a few words to the elder.


    The short, fat elder set down the Alchemy Furnace, turned his head to look at Zhao Sheng, and suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, ¡°So it¡¯s a customer who has come to us! Taoist friend, please come over here. I may not have much else, but I have the most Pill Furnaces of fine quality. You¡¯ll arrive in high spirits and leave satisfied!¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled faintly, stepped forward, and offered a courteous bow before sitting opposite the elder.


    No sooner had he sat down than the short, fat elder couldn¡¯t wait to ask, ¡°May I know what level of Alchemy Furnace you wish to purchase, Taoist friend?¡±


    Zhao Sheng spoke calmly, ¡°Do you have a Spiritual Artifact Level Alchemy Furnace available?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?! This¡­ this is going to be difficult!¡± The short, fat elder gasped, rubbing his hands together with a troubled expression on his face.


    ¡°Could it be that you don¡¯t have any? It can¡¯t be that such a large Alchemy Master Association doesn¡¯t even have a single Spiritual Artifact Furnace!¡± Zhao Sheng raised an eyebrow, intentionally bringing a hint of challenge into his tone.


    Upon hearing this, Master Jin Ming almost jumped up, responding directly, ¡°How could that be possible? Not just one, even if you wanted ten or eight, we can produce them. But¡­¡±


    ¡°But what? Feel free to speak plainly, Taoist friend.¡±


    After saying that, Zhao Sheng released his Foundation Establishment Realm aura and took out the Guest Token, sliding it across to the short, fat elder.


    When Master Jin Ming sensed Zhao Sheng¡¯s Foundation Establishment aura and saw the Token, he immediately relaxed and said with a smile, ¡°So it turns out to be a Guest Elder of the Spring and Autumn Alliance, now that¡¯s great, we¡¯re all family here. Some rules naturally don¡¯t apply.¡±


    Without being asked, the short, fat elder immediately explained to Zhao Sheng.


    It turned out that Alchemy Furnaces were considered special among Magic Artifacts, with a difficulty in refining far exceeding that of other artifacts of the same tier, and Spiritual Artifact Level Alchemy Furnaces were even more challenging.


    Even with the strength of the Alchemy Master Association, the number of Spiritual Artifact Furnaces available for trade on a day-to-day basis wouldn¡¯t exceed twenty.


    To prevent Spiritual Artifact Furnaces from being lost to ¡°outsiders,¡± the Alchemy Master Association had secretly agreed not to sell them unless an outsider could exchange a treasure that would entice the association.


    As the Spring and Autumn Alliance was the dominating force of Nine Virtuous Isle, the Alchemy Master Association also needed its protection, so members with the status of Foundation Establishment Minister within the alliance were not considered outsiders.


    Nevertheless, transactions involving Spiritual Artifact Level Alchemy Furnaces also had to follow the rule of barter, strictly prohibiting the use of Spirit Stones.


    Plainly speaking, the Alchemy Master Association was so wealthy that it held no regard for mere Spirit Stones, of course, except for Top-grade Spirit Stones.


    After listening to the short, fat elder¡¯s explanation, Zhao Sheng fell silent, feeling somewhat troubled.


    After much consideration, the most suitable item he had for trade was the ¡°Refining Elixir Hundred Formulas¡± written by Can Hezi.


    But was he really willing to exchange that alchemy formula for just one Alchemy Furnace?


    He found himself indecisive.

 Chapter 203 - 188 He Has Learned It Again

    Chapter 203: Chapter 188 He Has Learned It Again


    The short, plump elder saw Zhao Sheng¡¯s hesitation and tried to persuade him, ¡°Senior, why not buy a first-rank top-grade pill furnace? If I¡¯m not mistaken, senior must be new to the path of alchemy, there¡¯s no need to start practicing with a Spirit Artifact Furnace.¡±


    The more he spoke, the more Zhao Sheng became determined.


    ¡°I have a set of alchemy formulas here, you may take a glance at them,¡± he said.


    Having said this, Zhao Sheng took out the alchemy formula Jade Scroll from his Storage Bag and handed it to the short, plump elder,


    ¡°Really?¡± Master Jin Ming couldn¡¯t help revealing his delight, he quickly received the Jade Scroll and placed it against his brow to read.


    Cough cough!


    After a short while, Zhao Sheng saw the other engrossed, holding the Jade Scroll for a long time without putting it down, so he deliberately coughed twice.


    Master Jin Ming, jolted out of his ecstasy, reluctantly set down the Jade Scroll, his face unavoidably showing a hint of embarrassment.


    ¡°Senior, please don¡¯t take offense, but the writings of Master Can Hezi are just so captivating, I got absorbed and lost track of time,¡± he said.


    Zhao Sheng felt that the other party was trying to take advantage, but he didn¡¯t want to dwell on such trifles, so he generously indicated it was no problem.


    When asked if the alchemy formula could be traded for a Spiritual Artifact Furnace, the short, plump elder assured him it was possible and that it would even be one of the best within its grade.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed, and he suddenly said, ¡°The exchange is possible, but I have one more condition.¡±


    ¡°Senior, please speak,¡± Master Jin Ming said promptly.


    ¡°I wish to learn alchemy, just lacking a good master, but I do not wish to take one as my mentor. How do you propose we resolve this?¡±


    Without hesitation, Master Jin Ming said, ¡°Simple, as long as senior has enough Spirit Stones, Jin promises to find you an esteemed teacher to give detailed guidance on alchemy.¡±


    ¡°Is that so!¡±


    Zhao Sheng said indifferently while retracting the alchemy formula Jade Scroll.


    Seeing this, Master Jin Ming felt a surge of urgency and hastily said, ¡°Please wait, senior. Whatever your demands, feel free to make them. I will do my utmost to fulfill them.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t afford to miss out on a work personally authored by Master Can Hezi.


    Others often called him a master, but Jin Ming knew that in front of a true Alchemy Master, his skills were barely worth mentioning.


    And Can Hezi was a renowned Alchemy Master from the Shattered Star Sea over a thousand years ago.


    His works were a heavy treasure to any Pill Master, especially invaluable within the Alchemy Master Association.


    Each profession has its own expertise!


    Zhao Sheng had no idea about the real identity of Can Hezi, so naturally, he also didn¡¯t realize the true value of this alchemy formula.


    Of course, even if he knew, Zhao Sheng would not regret it, as he didn¡¯t suffer from the problem of being overly self-regarding.


    But if he had a chance to benefit from a situation, he wouldn¡¯t let it slip by.


    Zhao Sheng tapped the Jade Scroll and muttered to himself, ¡°I¡¯ve considered it, trading this alchemy formula for a pill furnace seems to be a loss. If that won¡¯t do, it¡¯s better not to trade at all.¡±


    Master Jin Ming¡¯s face fell at these words, and he spoke anxiously, ¡°Please reconsider, senior! If worse comes to worst¡­ if worse comes to worst¡­ Ah, I¡¯ve got it!¡±


    While speaking, Jin Ming¡¯s eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, ¡°Senior, I will personally guide you in alchemy and won¡¯t charge you any Spirit Stones. How about this?¡± S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°You¡­ Are you up to the task?¡±


    Zhao Sheng drew out his words, his eyes showing just the right amount of disdain and doubt.


    At those words, Master Jin Ming¡¯s expression became even more agitated. ¡°How could I not be up to it! Don¡¯t judge me by my looks, but I am one of the rare Second-Order Alchemists in the association, ranked only below the two Sect Leaders.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded non-commitally and, after pondering for a moment, spoke, ¡°This alchemy formula is available for trade, but only to you alone!¡±


    On the words ¡°to you alone,¡± Zhao Sheng put heavy emphasis.


    Jin Ming understood the implication.


    He thought it over and then quietly nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Since it¡¯s settled, please guide me well in the future!¡± Zhao Sheng said with a faint smile, pushing the Jade Scroll back.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s pick out a suitable pill furnace first.¡±


    Jin Ming reverted to his cunning merchant demeanor, quickly put away the Jade Scroll, and then slapped the apricot yellow Storage Belt around his waist.


    A flash of blue light swiftly passed, and three pill tripods, each with a unique and ancient design, appeared on the table, radiating spirit light.


    ¡°How about it? Each of these pill furnaces from my collection is a Spirit Artifact, each one a fine piece, definitely not ordinary!¡± Jin Ming said proudly as he caressed the nearest tripod furnace.


    ¡°Indeed, they¡¯re not bad!¡± As soon as these pill furnaces appeared, Zhao Sheng could see the spirit light they emitted and the strong Elixir Fragrance.


    ¡°Heh heh! Not to boast, senior, but whichever of these three furnaces you select, you¡¯ll definitely not be at a loss!¡± Seeing Zhao Sheng seemed interested, the elder said more jubilantly.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly, without forming a rebuttal, slowly picked up one of the pill tripods, and started to meticulously examine it with his Divine Sense.


    ¡°This is the Wind Milling Tripod, made entirely of thousand-year Wind Milling Ancient Copper, containing twenty-three Elixir prohibitions, capable of evenly absorbing the temperature of Spiritual Fire, with ultra high stability, it can improve the success rate of Elixir Pills, and is easy to control¡­¡±


    Every time Zhao Sheng picked up a furnace to inspect, Jin Ming wouldn¡¯t stop boasting on the side, the self-satisfied appearance almost comical.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take this one!¡± After checking over all three furnaces, Zhao Sheng thought for a while and then pointed to a black pill furnace with three legs and six feet, engraved with nine red Fire Dragons on the inner walls, and said to the elder.


    ¡°Tch tch! Senior really has a good eye, this Nine Dragon Tripod is absolutely the best fit for senior. Although it¡¯s only a Low Grade Spirit Artifact, it is embedded with Nine Dragon Fire Pores, capable of accommodating up to nine types of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire. With each additional type of Spiritual Fire, the grade of the tripod will increase significantly. If nine fires come together, the quality of the Nine Dragon Tripod could even rival that of a top-grade Spirit Artifact Furnace.¡±

 Chapter 204 - 188 He Has Learned It Again_2

    Chapter 204: Chapter 188 He Has Learned It Again_2


    Jin Ming saw Zhao Sheng choose the lowest-grade item and was slightly astonished, but he immediately regained his composure, praising the Nine Dragon Tripod to the skies within a few sentences.


    After packing away the Nine Dragon Tripod, Zhao Sheng inquired of Jin Ming, ¡°Master Jin, do you know how to refine Foundation Establishment Pills?¡±


    Jin Ming was startled upon hearing this, and surprise flashed in his eyes, but he soon replied, ¡°Not to boast, but on the entire Nine Virtues Isle, there are no more than three people who can refine Foundation Establishment Pills, and one of them¡­ one of them is my elder brother in the discipline.¡±


    After finishing, he coughed once and hesitated, ¡°You are a senior at the Foundation Establishment stage, and you haven¡¯t accepted me as your master. To be called master just this once, I really can¡¯t presume. In my arrogance to make big claims, from now on, let¡¯s refer to each other as Daoist friends.¡±


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do that. My real name is Zhao Chonghe, and I¡¯ve only joined the Spring and Autumn Alliance a few days ago,¡± Zhao Sheng replied in a straightforward manner.


    After finishing, Zhao Sheng asked again, ¡°Daoist Jin, may I inquire, do you have the Elixir Recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill?¡±


    Jin Ming was startled again and thought for a moment before nodding, ¡°I do have the Elixir Recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill, but I can¡¯t trade it to you for now.¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    ¡°Daoist Zhao does not know, but the Elixir Recipe for the Foundation Establishment Pill is too important. It must be that one is a Second-Order Alchemist within the Alchemy Master Association and has gained the unanimous affirmation of two Sect Leaders before it can be exchanged with an equivalent treasure. If Daoist friend truly wishes to obtain this Elixir Recipe, you must join the Alchemy Master Association first,¡± Jin Ming explained patiently.


    ¡°I see, how does one join the Alchemy Master Association? And what are the requirements?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s face flashed with sudden understanding as he asked further.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite simple, as long as one can successfully refine ten types of First-order Elixirs, and the success rate exceeds fifty percent, you can join the Alchemy Master Association after being promoted to a First-rank Alchemist,¡± Jin Ming stated with a smile.


    ¡°Thank you for the information, Daoist friend,¡± Zhao Sheng mused for a moment before thanking Jin Ming.


    Afterward, the two discussed for a while and detailed the future arrangements regarding the teaching of alchemy.


    An hour later, having settled their agreement, Zhao Sheng made an excuse of having matters to attend to and left the Elixir Furnace Hall.


    Five days later, Zhao Sheng, having initially refined the Nine Dragons Spirit Tripod, headed towards Dusk Peak!


    Upon reaching Dusk Peak and entering through the cave at the foot of the mountain, Zhao Sheng smoothly gained access to the interior of the mountain by showing his Guest Token to the guards and walked along the corridor paved with Fireproof Bricks for a while.


    Inside the Alchemy Room A-D in the Earth Fire Chamber, Zhao Sheng finally met Jin Ming, who was sitting upright and proper.


    Standing beside him was a young man with long limbs and dark yellow skin, who was wearing a white Qing Ding crimson robe.


    Upon meeting, after a brief exchange of greetings, Zhao Sheng learned that the young man¡¯s name was Jin Dancheng, the scion of Jin Ming¡¯s family and his senior apprentice.


    Jin Ming looked at Zhao Sheng and spoke candidly, ¡°Daoist Zhao, as you are first stepping onto the path of Alchemy Dao, the first thing you should learn is not how to refine elixirs but to recognize the types, origins, qualities, pharmacology, and properties of spiritual medicines. Once you have entered the door, then you learn how to handle medicinal ingredients and how to control fire. Only after that should you attempt Alchemy. So, start by learning from Dancheng, and if there¡¯s anything unclear, come ask me.¡±


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s dissatisfied expression, Jin Ming emphasized again, ¡°Refining elixirs is not an easy task; it¡¯s several times harder than cultivation. Of course, with your Foundation Establishment Realm, learning these basic Alchemy Dao skills may not take you many years.¡±


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment and then nodded, ¡°Alright! Then I¡¯ll trouble Taoist Dancheng.¡±


    Jin Dancheng, seeing this, quickly performed a fist-and-palm salute and said, ¡°I dare not presume, junior will definitely do his utmost to quickly impart all the fundamentals of Alchemy Dao to the senior.¡±


    ¡­


    After a short while, Jin Dancheng took Zhao Sheng to a Spiritual Medicine Shop within the Elixir Fire Square,


    This shop called Treasure Medicine Pavilion, was owned by Jin Ming and boasted more than twenty rooms, ranking it as a large-scale medicine shop within the Elixir Fire Square.


    In the storage room at the back of the shop, where spiritual medicines were kept, the medicine racks appeared dense with brown medicine chests arranged on the shelves, similar to a library¡¯s bookshelves neatly aligned, packing the entire warehouse full to the brim.


    Jin Dancheng walked to the first row of shelves, pulled out a medicine chest, opened it, and revealed a layer of withered yellow, hair-like substances inside.


    ¡°Senior, please look, this is Xu Huang Grass, it¡ª¡±


    ¡°I know this!¡±


    Halfway through Jin Dancheng¡¯s explanation, Zhao Sheng interrupted him rudely, ¡°Xu Huang Grass, bitter in taste and color, slightly cool in nature, often grows at the base of trees, in hollows of hills¡­ Xu Huang Grass that¡¯s more than a hundred years old is the main ingredient in refining the Jade Yellow Pill, which is a First-order Detoxification Pill, mainly effective against poison from snakes, scorpions¡­¡±


    Watching Zhao Sheng speak non-stop, Jin Dancheng couldn¡¯t help but swallow his saliva, his expression awkward.


    ¡°¡­That¡¯s all I know. Do you have anything to add, Taoist Jin?¡± After finishing, Zhao Sheng looked at Jin Dancheng with a sincere expression.


    ¡°No¡­there¡¯s nothing more! Senior summed it up excellently, let¡¯s move on to the next spiritual medicine¡­ um, this is a Wuling Seed.¡±


    Jin Dancheng had just said half a sentence when he was again interrupted by Zhao Sheng, ¡°This Wuling Seed, I also have some knowledge of it. It grows on the Black Spirit Tree, producing a seed every ten years, and the ripe seed doesn¡¯t fall¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Half an hour later, in the Spiritual Medicine repository,


    ¡°¡­ What about the Sunken Pearl of Elixirs?¡±


    ¡°Um, I know a little¡­¡±


    As each medicinal chest was opened, Jin Dancheng¡¯s pace of opening them grew faster, and his expression became more and more somber.


    Because he suddenly realized that this Foundation Establishment senior¡¯s knowledge of Spiritual Medicines completely exceeded his expectations.


    Although he didn¡¯t recognize every single Spiritual Medicine, he could give details about most of them, some even more comprehensive and detailed than Jin Dancheng¡¯s own understanding.


    No joke!


    Zhao Sheng had lived several lifetimes. In his third life, he had gathered spiritual herbs for the better half of his existence, and in his fourth life, he deliberately scavenged and perused all kinds of ancient texts and scriptures, Cultivation Techniques, talismans, elixirs, tools, insects, arrays, and so on, not letting any cultivation knowledge and experience slip by.


    With so many years of accumulation, it could be said that Zhao Sheng¡¯s theoretical knowledge was quite rich, and his understanding of Spiritual Medicines was in no way inferior to an ordinary alchemist.


    Throughout the entire day, Zhao Sheng and Jin Dancheng went through the entire warehouse together, speaking and teaching in turns.


    As a result, Jin Dancheng was deeply affected and nearly became reclusive.


    That night, when Jin Dancheng reported Zhao Sheng¡¯s miracle to his master, Jin Ming, Jin Ming was also inevitably shocked.


    Of course, he just thought that Zhao Sheng had put in many years of hard work learning alchemy, never suspecting that the other party had an advantage.


    Jin Ming thought about it for a moment and realized that this was a great opportunity for him, so he directly ordered, ¡°Do this, start teaching him how to process medicinal materials tomorrow. If he is still like he was today, directly teach him the preparation of Spiritual Medicines. You may leave!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master!¡± Jin Dancheng nodded in agreement and withdrew. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    Early the next day, inside the Pharmaceutical Institute of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion,


    Jin Dancheng brought Zhao Sheng into a spacious room filled with the thick fragrance of herbs.


    The room was filled with four long rows of wooden tables, on which were various specialized tools and a variety of fresh Spiritual Medicines.


    Jin Dancheng stepped forward, picked up a palm-sized brown Lingzhi, turned back confidently to Zhao Sheng, and said, ¡°This is the sea Ganoderma, a special product of the Shattered Star Sea. It grows on the sea floor and is most averse to being dried by fire. Normally, you¡¯d use a Water Jade¡­¡±


    To Jin Dancheng¡¯s surprise, this time Zhao Sheng did not interrupt him but listened with interest.


    ¡°Alright¡­ give it a try!¡±


    Feeling confident, Jin Dancheng stepped aside to let Zhao Sheng try his hand at preparing the Ganoderma.


    ¡°Okay!¡±


    Without any hesitation, Zhao Sheng took the sea Ganoderma, picked up the Water Jade Pestle, and gently pressed the cap of the Ganoderma, causing excess moisture to quickly drip from its edges.


    Watching Zhao Sheng¡¯s skillful and professional technique, Jin Dancheng was once again rendered speechless.


    So much for being a newbie, why is his technique so practiced?


    Was he playing a trick?


    And so, the preparation of Spiritual Medicines entered once again into a mode of acceleration, further and further increasing in pace.


    In just seven days, Jin Dancheng had become dispirited, feeling as though his body was hollow, struggling to squeeze out fresh¡­ um, knowledge!


    ¡°What? He¡¯s already learned it all!¡±


    At night, upon hearing his disciple¡¯s report, Jin Ming¡¯s jaw dropped in disbelief.

 Chapter 205 - 189: Beginners Attempt at Bone Marrow Spirit Pill Crafting

    Chapter 205: Chapter 189: Beginner¡¯s Attempt at Bone Marrow Spirit Pill Crafting


    The next morning, Zhao Sheng finished his daily exercises, then, adeptly maneuvering his flying sword, he flew to the base of Dusk Peak.


    As the sword light dissipated, Zhao Sheng entered the mountain from the foothill cave entrance and walked through a long corridor to arrive at the area in front of the Earth Fire Room.


    Today, the guards at the door had been changed. Just as Zhao Sheng was about to enter, he was stopped by a nearly ten-foot-tall armored giant man.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your pass token? Without the token, you cannot enter!¡±


    This armored giant, clearly not the brightest, failed to notice the Guest Token Zhao Sheng had intentionally worn on his waist.


    Zhao Sheng silently shook his head, then released the aura of his Foundation Establishment Realm.


    ¡°I have an appointment to meet someone in the Earth Fire Room. Please step aside!¡±


    ¡°Foundation¡­Elder, please go ahead!¡±


    The armored giant sensed Zhao Sheng¡¯s Foundation Establishment aura and was immediately startled, hastily acknowledging his error.


    He stepped back two paces, but then hesitated, looking awkward and unsure whether to stop Zhao or not, settling only for a conflicted gaze upon Zhao.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng found it rather amusing and took off his Guest Token, presenting it to the man: ¡°Do you recognize this?¡±


    The giant scratched his head and sheepishly said, ¡°I recognize it, that¡¯s a Guest Token. Elder, please go ahead! I¡¯ve only been here for a couple of days. If I offended you earlier, I ask for your forgiveness!¡±


    Observing the man¡¯s quick apologies, Zhao Sheng lightly nodded to him and walked into the corridor.


    After walking a few hundred meters through a passage paved with fireproof bricks, Zhao Sheng arrived inside a very spacious circular stone cavern.


    The temperature inside the cavern was very high, averaging over forty degrees, with the dry hot air mingling with various medicinal smells and the fragrance of elixirs.


    This cavern was entirely built from precious fire-resistant stones, nearly thirty to forty yards in diameter and five to six yards in height.


    Around the cavern walls, there were eight nearly identical black corridors, each two yards high and about a yard wide, and above each corridor entrance, runes like A, B, C, D, and so on were engraved. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the moment, the cavern was completely silent with no one inside, but occasionally, a muffled explosion could be heard from deep within the corridors, and curses faintly drifted out from the Earth Fire Rooms.


    According to Jin Dancheng, the alchemy rooms of Dusk Peak had a total of eight Earth¡¯s Core Fire Columns, divided into sixty-four Earth Fire Eyes, meaning there were sixty-four Earth Fire Rooms.


    The closer to the front the sequence number of the Earth Fire Room in each corridor was, the better and more stable the quality of the Earth Fire, and correspondingly the higher the success rate of alchemy.


    The D Class Earth Fire Room on the A path was Jin Ming¡¯s dedicated alchemy room, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s destination was also here.


    After Zhao Sheng transmitted a message using his Divine Sense, the stone gate quickly opened automatically.


    As Zhao Sheng entered the room, Jin Ming got up from his cushion, smiled wryly, and shook his head: ¡°Taoist Zhao, you really gave me a big surprise! Had I known your basic skills were so solid, I wouldn¡¯t have let my apprentice embarrass himself.¡±


    Waving his hand to close the stone gate, Zhao Sheng took a few steps forward, smiling: ¡°Mr. Jin, don¡¯t blame me. I also didn¡¯t expect your apprentice taught him so simply and superficially.¡±


    Jin Ming, gesturing for Zhao Sheng to sit down while looking dejected, said, ¡°That¡¯s also my fault for not clarifying beforehand! But, have you ever heard the ancient proverb, ¡®All things can be made into medicine, all things can be used in alchemy¡¯?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded upon hearing this and replied with a smile: ¡°I understand what you mean, Mr. Jin. Regarding the step of processing medicinal materials, of course, I would not take it lightly.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! It¡¯s indeed gratifying that Taoist friend, as a newcomer to the Alchemy Dao, could grasp the true essence of this. Ordinary alchemists only use processed Spiritual Medicine for their alchemy, but they don¡¯t realize that a true Alchemist would personally process Spiritual Medicine, getting familiar with and precisely controlling every aspect of its medicinal properties. The Spirit Pills produced this way would not only be greater in quantity but also superior in quality by three parts.


    As for Alchemy Masters and even Alchemy Dao Masters, these outstanding individuals are truly capable of turning decay into miracles. The creation of each new type of Spirit Pill often coincides with more unknown medicinal properties and medical theory being elucidated, meaning there is new development in the path of alchemy.


    Taoist Zhao, have you ever heard of the ¡®Bone Marrow Spirit Pill¡¯?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly: ¡°The Bone Marrow Spirit Pill is quite well-known; of course, I have heard of it.¡±


    Jin Ming, becoming more animated, said excitedly: ¡°Do you know that 5,000 years ago in Tianzhu Realm, there was no Bone Marrow Spirit Pill? No one thought then that demon beast brain marrow could be used in alchemy.


    It wasn¡¯t until the arrival of Master Chen Mo, when he was still an Alchemy Apprentice, that he first conceived this idea. After nearly 60 years of painstaking research, Master Chen Mo finally succeeded in creating the first Bone Marrow Spirit Pill: Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill.¡±


    Without needing Zhao Sheng to prompt, Jin Ming spoke faster, ¡°The Fish Marrow Pill could enhance a Cultivator¡¯s spiritual power, and moreover, it was very affordable. This simply went against conventional elixir theory. Thus, upon its debut, the Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill immediately sparked an unprecedented major debate. In the Shattered Star Sea Alchemy World, few supported Master Chen Mo, with most criticism and ridicule, some even felt that Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill was highly dangerous and needed to be destroyed as soon as possible.


    At this critical moment, Master Chen Mo then created the second type of Bone Marrow Spirit Pill: the Octopus Marrow Pill made from transformed sea octopus brain marrow. Octopus Marrow Pill also belonged to the elixirs capable of enhancing a Cultivator¡¯s spiritual power.¡±


    At this point, Jin Ming spread his hands mockingly and laughed: ¡°Following Octopus Marrow Pill came the Golden Crystal Beast Marrow Pill, and then a series of Bone Marrow Spirit Pills. Master Chen Mo, with hard facts, refuted the world¡¯s doubts about him. Those alchemists who ridiculed him had their faces metaphorically slapped swollen. Today, after thousands of years of expansion and improvement, Bone Marrow Spirit Pills have grown into a famous category among Spirit Pills.¡±

 Chapter 206 - 189: Beginners Attempt at Bone Marrow Spirit Pill Crafting_2

    Chapter 206: Chapter 189: Beginner¡¯s Attempt at Bone Marrow Spirit Pill Crafting_2


    Upon hearing his words, Zhao Sheng touched his chin and suddenly said, ¡°Taoist, you have mentioned so much. Does this mean that the first Spirit Pill you are teaching me to refine today is the Bone Marrow Spirit Pill?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Taoist Zhao, you truly are extraordinarily perceptive, no wonder you succeeded in the Foundation Establishment at such a young age. Today, I will teach you to refine the Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill. It is a First-stage Spirit Pill, and it is not difficult to make, quite suitable for practice,¡± praised Jin Ming, unable to help himself.


    After speaking, he took out twelve bottles and jars from his Storage Bag, and finally, he pulled out a square porcelain box.


    He opened the porcelain box, inside which there were nine fist-sized transparent crystal bottles, each filled with a half finger-deep, clear jelly-like liquid.


    Zhao Sheng looked down at them, while Jin Ming also opened each of the other bottles and jars and then asked, ¡°The Elixir Recipe for the Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill, do you remember it?¡±


    ¡°I remember! One portion of Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Liquid, three coins weight of Orchid Stone Powder, three liang six qian of Five-leaf Cong, one Coral Worm Corpse of thirty years old,¡± Zhao Sheng said skillfully.


    Jin Ming heard this and gave a pleased smile, praising, ¡°Taoist Zhao, you really are quite attentive. However, alchemy is a highly practical art. Knowing the recipes is one thing, but nothing compares to trying to refine a Spirit Pill yourself.¡±


    ¡°Come, let me first introduce you to the facilities of this Earth Fire Room,¡± he said.


    As he spoke, Jin Ming rose from his cushion and walked to the center of the stone room, with Zhao Sheng following behind him, observing his surroundings intently.


    The entire Earth Fire Room was roughly circular in shape, about forty to fifty zhang in area, with its stone walls made up of Fire-Resistant Stone. In the interior of the stone chamber, there was a stone platform about a foot high. In the center of the platform, there was a round depression as thick as a water bucket.


    Around the depression, an entire circle was embedded with eight thick Earth Fire Pipes, the mouth of each fashioned from the head of a Red Toad, the giant mouth of the toad gaping open. Furthermore, the mouth was tilted upward, precisely aimed at the center above the pit, made to mimic a spewing action, very lifelike.


    By then, Jin Ming had already started explaining proactively to Zhao Sheng, pointing at the depression and saying, ¡°This is the Earth Fire Mouth, the Earth Fire spouts from here. However, for refining a First-stage Spirit Pill, the main fire mouth is usually not used; these eight secondary fire mouths should be sufficient.¡±


    ¡°You see, within the toad¡¯s mouth is embedded a Fire Control Array, capable of using Spiritual Power to manually adjust the size and height of the Earth Fire. Of course, it is even more convenient for you to use your Divine Sense,¡± said Jin Ming.


    At this point, Jin Ming¡¯s tone shifted, ¡°Although refining with Earth Fire is convenient, it ultimately doesn¡¯t compare to using Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire. Taoist, you must make an effort to refine a type of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire in the future. Otherwise, the potential of the Nine Dragon Tripod cannot be fully realized.¡±


    Zhao Sheng listened and silently nodded his head.


    At this time, Jin Ming also briefly mentioned a few alchemy precautions, as well as the usage rules of the Earth Fire Room.


    The usage time of the Earth Fire Room is counted by the day, requiring fifty Merit Points per day, which is equivalent to eighty Spirit Stones per day.


    If Merit Points are insufficient, it is also possible to rent the room by the hour, but there must be a minimum of three hours.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s all for now, let¡¯s start alchemy!¡±


    After speaking, Jin Ming turned and walked back to where the cushion was and sat down cross-legged. Seeing this, Zhao Sheng felt a rare flicker of excitement and nervousness.


    He immediately sat next to Jin Ming, released his Divine Sense, and focused intensely on every move Jin Ming made.


    ¡°Go,¡± he uttered in a low shout.


    Afterward, a silver-white Three-legged Elixir Furnace suddenly enlarged several times, transforming into a large alchemy furnace the size of a water vat, flying down to hover above the pit, tightly covering it.


    ¡°Firstly, the first step is to temper the alchemy furnace!¡±


    Following this instruction, Jin Ming pinched a spell with both hands, and eight beams of spirit light flew from his fingertips, shooting into the mouth of the Red Toad, disappearing in a flash.


    The next second, eight toad mouths violently spouted thick, arm-thick blue flames, which converged at the bottom of the Pill Furnace, and immediately a vast expanse of blue Earth Fire burst into flames.


    A few breaths later, the temperature inside the Earth Fire Room rapidly increased, the air became dry and hot, and the silver-white Pill Furnace quickly heated up.


    Jin Ming continuously cast Alchemy Formulas onto the Alchemy Furnace.


    Soon, the walls of the furnace started to faintly glow red.


    At this moment, with a serious expression, Jin Ming said in a low voice, ¡°There are countless techniques in the art of Alchemy, but broadly it is divided into Fire Refining and Water Refining; nowadays, the mainstream of Alchemy Dao primarily uses Fire Refining. Watch carefully, I am about to add the Spiritual Medicine.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the lid of the silver-white Pill Furnace suddenly opened a crack, and Jin Ming pointed at the bottles and jars on the ground in front of him.


    Suddenly, a vase with a narrower top and wider bottom emitted a four-foot long, arm-thick, light-blue scaled worm corpse that flew out.


    The worm corpse soared high, traveling over a distance of more than ten meters, and fell into the Pill Furnace.


    Simultaneously, Jin Ming flicked his finger, and a gray powder from a transparent crystal bottle floated out and swiftly entered the Alchemy Furnace.


    Bang!


    The lid of the furnace snapped back into place, and Jin Ming continuously cast the Spirit Light Technique. The Earth Fire from the eight Red Toad mouths weakened significantly, becoming as thin as a finger.


    While carefully observing the alchemy furnace, Jin Ming did not forget to explain to Zhao Sheng, ¡°The current step is refining the Elixir Base, and it will take about half an hour.¡±


    Zhao Sheng touched his chin, gradually becoming excited.


    In his past two lives, although he had not tried alchemy, he had spent a considerable amount of time studying the Art of Alchemy in his leisure time.


    Therefore, he was not unfamiliar with the Dao of Alchemy.


    Zhao Sheng knew that the success of an elixir primarily depended on the fire control of the Spiritual Medicine during alchemy, the degree of integration of the medicinal properties, and the most critical aspect ¨C timing the Elixir Formation.


    If the time was too early, the Spirit Pill would not have fused completely, and the Elixir Pills would not form.


    If the time was too late, the Elixir Pills would burn into a pile of residue.


    As for the amount and components of the Spiritual Medicine, it had been clearly detailed through countless experiments by predecessors in the Elixir Recipes, and there was generally no need to worry about these.


    Of course, if you wanted to improve a type of Spirit Pill, it was possible to increase or decrease certain components or their purity as long as you could afford the loss from failed alchemy attempts.


    However, while sounding simple, practicing it proved to be extremely difficult!


    In the Cultivation World, there was a catchphrase: ¡°The poor make talismans, the rich refine artifacts, those with mines learn alchemy.¡±


    Another common saying was, ¡°Years to master spells, a lifetime of sorrow in alchemy.¡±


    It stated that nurturing an alchemist required excessively high resources and time investment.


    Just to mention two difficulties, one is precisely controlling the furnace¡¯s temperature, and the other is accurately timing when to open the furnace.


    These two difficulties are the nightmare of any alchemist. Even an Alchemy Master inevitably admits that the success rate of alchemy is not high. Having over a fifty percent success rate in refining the same stage Spirit Pills is a cause for great celebration.


    The Cultivation World universally recognizes alchemy as a skill that extensively depends on experience and practicality.


    In terms of difficulty, it ranks just below divination and formations among the Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation, truly difficult to learn, master, and advance in.


    With these thoughts, half an hour passed in a flash.


    ¡°Next step, melt the medicinal properties!¡±


    Jin Ming called out in a low voice, and several auxiliary Spiritual Medicines continuously flew out in front of him, landing perfectly into the alchemy furnace as the lid opened.


    ¡°Increase the heat! Forty-five minutes, watch carefully!¡± Jin Ming said more succinctly as his concentration deepened.


    As several Spirit Light Techniques were cast, the Earth Fire spewing from the eight Red Toad mouths suddenly thickened, and the room¡¯s temperature swiftly increased.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed, his face showing a look of astonishment. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was at the Foundation Establishment Realm and had already developed Divine Sense.


    Compared to Jin Ming, who relied solely on observation and experience, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense had already penetrated the alchemy furnace, precisely observing the melting of the Spiritual Medicines, the extraction of their medicinal properties, and the many reactions occurring within.


    This was very direct and very shocking!


    Divine Sense is indeed a tool for alchemy, and also an advantage for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    As Zhao Sheng minutely observed the reactions and changes inside the furnace, memorizing all the phenomena, time gradually passed.


    Forty-five minutes later, a fist-sized, light brown semi-solid Elixir Liquid bobbed up and down in the center of the alchemy furnace, nearly fully fused under the invisible high temperatures.


    In the Earth Fire Room, Jin Ming occasionally cast an alchemy formula and constantly controlled the intensity of the fire, with a few beads of sweat forming on his forehead.


    But at this moment, he couldn¡¯t afford to wipe them, estimating that the temperature was about right.

 Chapter 207 - 190 Initial Success in Alchemy

    Chapter 207: Chapter 190 Initial Success in Alchemy


    Judging that the fire was about right, Jin Ming uttered a low shout, ¡°The final step is to add the main ingredient, solidify the pill!¡±


    As soon as his words fell, the Dragon Whisker Fish¡¯s brain marrow liquid flew out of the bottle, forming into a water ball, and with a ¡®pop¡¯, dropped into the pill furnace.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tightened as he saw the green Earth Fire being methodically weakened under Jin Ming¡¯s control.


    Meanwhile, inside the pill furnace, the moment the elixir liquid came into contact with the main ingredient¡ªthe fish marrow liquid¡ªthey merged and reacted violently,


    Countless tiny grey bubbles burst forth from the surface of the elixir liquid, and its volume quickly diminished.


    The grey bubbles exploded, turning into wisps of grey smoke, which were instantly incinerated by an invisible high temperature.


    In just one minute, the original light brown elixir liquid turned white, shrinking to half its original size.


    Just as the elixir liquid was about to fully solidify, Zhao Sheng felt extremely anxious, almost shouting out a reminder to Jin Ming.


    It was then that the experienced Jin Ming suddenly pinched out alchemy formulas with both hands, and streaks of spirit light instantly entered the pill furnace.


    Following a loud shout, ¡°Solidify, the elixir is formed!¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng ¡°saw¡± the elixir liquid in the furnace suddenly wriggling, then in the next instant it split apart, dividing into nine parts.


    Four parts instantly dispersed, burning into a heap of dregs, while the other five portions of elixir liquid swiftly made one turn, condensing into grape-sized white Spirit Pills, and suddenly flew out from the top of the furnace, tracing a beautiful arc, and ¡®ding ding¡¯ dropped into a pill bottle that had been prepared in advance.


    Jin Ming heaved a sigh of relief and handed the pill bottle to Zhao Sheng, casually wiping the sweat from his forehead, and smiled with a smirk, ¡°It finally succeeded, though only five pills, the success rate is just so-so!¡±


    In the way of alchemy, nine is the ultimate number, and a batch of Spirit Pills can yield no more than nine.


    Five was already quite a lot.


    With Jin Ming saying so, it was obvious he was showing off in front of Zhao Sheng, which meant he was bragging.


    Zhao Sheng examined the Fish Marrow Pills in the bottle, without the slightest intention of engaging the other party.


    Seeing this, Jin Ming scratched his chin awkwardly, then regained his masterly demeanor, and asked, ¡°Taoist Zhao, what do you think? Would you like me to demonstrate a couple more times for you to see?¡±


    ¡°Sure, please refine two more batches,¡± Zhao Sheng replied directly.


    Jin Ming was taken aback for a moment, his expression one of surprise as he looked at Zhao Sheng.


    He had assumed that Zhao Sheng would be eager to try his hand at it. Only after failing several times would Zhao Sheng deeply realize the difficulty of alchemy.


    Who knew¡­ the man was in no hurry at all.


    In that case, refine two more batches it is!


    If one could learn alchemy just by casually watching, the world would be teeming with alchemists by now, they wouldn¡¯t be held in such high esteem everywhere.


    Jin Ming did not say much, moved forward to rinse the inside of the alchemy furnace with morning dew, then turned around and returned to his cushion, sitting cross-legged.


    ¡°First, I will warm the furnace!¡±


    Jin Ming¡¯s movements were swift and clean. Following the spell, eight flame jets once again burst forth with Earth Fire.


    A moment later, his voice rang out again, ¡°Refining the Elixir Base, bring out the Coral Worm Corpse, bring out the Five-leaf Cong!¡±


    ¡­


    After two quarters of an hour, ¡°Melt the properties of the medicine!¡±


    After three quarters of an hour, ¡°Add the main ingredient, prepare to solidify the pill!¡±


    Pop!


    The lid of the furnace shifted slightly, and six jade-white Fish Marrow Pills carrying a rich elixir fragrance flew out, clearing a distance of a zhang, and fell into the empty pill bottle.


    Looking somewhat fatigued, Jin Ming wiped off some sweat and handed the pill bottle back to Zhao Sheng, proudly saying, ¡°Heh heh! Six pills. Although not as many as the usual eight, it¡¯s decent enough.¡± S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng secretly concealed the divine light in his eyes, took the pill bottle, and with a beaming smile gave Jin Ming a thumbs up, praising him, ¡°Mr. Jin, your alchemy technique is truly masterful! Could you trouble you to do it one more time?¡±


    ¡°Of course! As long as Taoist friend doesn¡¯t mind, I¡¯m up for accompanying you all day.¡±


    Jin Ming, having produced two batches of Spirit Pills with great confidence, spoke with a heroic air of generosity.


    ¡°First, warm the furnace!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Then refine the Elixir Base¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°The third step, melt the properties of the medicine!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°The fourth step, add the main ingredient, prepare to solidify the pill!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Solidify, Elixir Formation!¡±


    Just as Jin Ming shouted out the word ¡°solidify,¡± a burst of Divine Light exploded in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes.


    In an instant, the world seemed to slow down tremendously, and time stretched out manyfold.


    With the augmentation of Bullet Time, Zhao Sheng clearly ¡°witnessed¡± the entire process of Solidifying Pill.


    What might have been but a fleeting second in the eyes of others was incredibly prolonged for Zhao Sheng; it felt like a whole minute had passed before the Fish Marrow Pill ¡°slowly took shape¡± and solidified into a pill.


    ¡°The pills are formed, come out!¡±


    Ding ding dong dong!


    Amid the crisp sound, seven Fish Marrow Pills successively slipped into the pill bottle.


    Jin Ming laughed heartily, not until then did the Divine Light in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes slowly fade away.


    ¡°How was it? Did Taoist see it clearly? Want to give it a try?¡± Jin Ming asked Zhao Sheng with a smile.


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, saying readily, ¡°Then I will have to trouble Mr. Jin to provide guidance on the side.¡±


    ¡°No problem!¡±


    Saying so, Jin Ming vacated the main seat.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward immediately, washing the Alchemy Furnace clean with morning dew.


    Then he turned around and walked to the central cushion, where he sat down cross-legged.


    Zhao Sheng reined in his smile, looking solemn as he released his Divine Sense, enveloping the Alchemy Furnace in front of him and the Earth Fire Platform below him.


    As his mind moved, he sequentially cast several Spirit Light Techniques, and the Fire Control Array inside the mouth of the Red Toad was suddenly activated, shooting out eight streams of cyan Earth Fire as thick as a child¡¯s arm from the fire mouth.


    ¡°The first step, nurture the Pill Furnace!¡± Zhao Sheng recited Jin Ming¡¯s words calmly.


    Not that he was being pedantic or conservative, but it was to deepen his impression.


    On the side, Jin Ming watched Zhao Sheng¡¯s technique forming movements and nodded in approval. Although the movements were a bit rusty, the Fire Control Technique was executed perfectly, and the control of Spiritual Power was just right.


    As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, his control was truly strong!


    However, Jin Ming was mistaken. Zhao Sheng had not practiced any Fire Control Techniques in this life, but in his previous one he had been a master of playing with fire, and techniques like the Fire Control Technique were deeply ingrained in him.


    A moment later, the surface of the Alchemy Furnace began to glow faintly red.


    Seeing that the time was about right, Zhao Sheng pointed at the tile jar containing the Coral Worm Corpse, followed by the porcelain bottle containing the Five-leaf Cong.


    ¡°The second step, refine the Elixir Base!¡±


    The worm corpse and the medicinal powder were successfully added to the Pill Furnace, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands continued to form alchemy formulas, casting light after light of spirit light into the furnace, causing the two types of Spiritual Medicine to slowly dissolve and secrete their essence under the invisible high temperature.


    ¡°The third step, smelt the medicinal properties!¡±


    Bang bang!


    The remaining types of Spiritual Medicine flew into the Pill Furnace in succession, and Zhao Sheng did not stop the movement of his hands, channeling Core Spiritual Power from the Dantian to his fingertips, which quickly transformed into various Spirit Light Pill Formulas, entering the Alchemy Furnace.


    Smelling the Elixir Fragrance that was gradually getting stronger in the air, Jin Ming couldn¡¯t help but stroke his beard, his eyes unconsciously widening by a third, and he murmured to himself, ¡°Has this person studied before? The scent of the medicine seems right, indicating his control of the flame is quite precise. Even with Divine Sense to assist, it¡¯s unusual that the refining is going so smoothly!¡±


    Most novices would fail at the step of refining the Elixir Base, either due to not controlling the strength of the fire properly, resulting in an insufficiently refined base, or refining it into a pile of waste.


    If an Alchemy beginner doesn¡¯t fail dozens of times, they often don¡¯t even get past the second step.


    ¡°Could it be that the other party is truly a genius of the Alchemy Dao?¡±


    Thinking of Zhao Sheng¡¯s previous miraculous performance, Jin Ming suddenly had an odd thought.


    ¡°The fourth step, add the main ingredient, Solidify Pill!¡±


    As the main ingredient, Dragon Whisker Fish Brain Marrow Liquid, entered the Pill Furnace, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense erupted to its full extent, intently observing the reaction of the Elixir Liquid with the main medicinal ingredient, his movements speeding up, casting a stream of alchemy formulas one after another.


    As the Elixir Liquid was about to solidify completely, Jin Ming was extremely anxious, carefully scrutinizing Zhao Sheng¡¯s next move.


    Zhao Sheng knew that the most difficult part of Alchemy was how to solidify pills.


    Since it was his first attempt at Alchemy, he decided to forget about the other eight portions of Elixir Liquid and focus on refining just one portion.


    Seeing that the time had come, a burst of Divine Light flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, and the world became extremely slow. Thanks to this, he had ample time to slowly refine the pills.


    Under his control, one portion of the Elixir Liquid swirled and easily solidified into a Spirit Pill.


    At this time, Bullet Time hadn¡¯t even reached halfway.


    ¡°There¡¯s still plenty of time, should I refine another one?¡±


    No sooner had this thought crossed his mind than Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart began to stir excitedly.

 Chapter 208 - 191 Alchemy Newbie is Not So Bad

    Chapter 208: Chapter 191 Alchemy Newbie is Not So ¡®Bad


    ¡°No way!¡±


    Zhao Sheng changed his mind and immediately abandoned the thought.


    His identity was sensitive, requiring him to remain low-key. The reputation of an ¡°Alchemy Genius¡± was too eye-catching and could easily bring unnecessary trouble.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s movements slowed down as he watched the other eight portions of Elixir Liquid slowly turn into Elixir Residue.


    Bang bang bang!


    A series of dull bursting sounds came from inside the Alchemy Furnace.


    Just as Jin Ming thought the alchemy had failed, Zhao Sheng stretched out his hand and the lid of the furnace suddenly opened.


    As wisps of black smoke and a burnt smell drifted from the Alchemy Furnace, a spotlessly white Spirit Pill suddenly leapt out of the lid, drawing a trail of white light and tinkling as it fell into the pill bottle that had been prepared earlier.


    ¡°Eh, you¡­ you actually succeeded on your first try!¡± Jin Ming¡¯s eyes almost popped out in shock, his mouth stuttering in surprise. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng shook the pill bottle, listening to the thudding sounds of the Spirit Pill inside, and humbly said, ¡°All thanks to Master Jin¡¯s good teaching! And, of course, a bit of luck.¡±


    Jin Ming shook his head vigorously, looking at Zhao Sheng with a very complex gaze, and said seriously, ¡°One attempt doesn¡¯t count, try refining again.¡±


    He believed there were geniuses in the world who succeeded in their first alchemy attempt, but he didn¡¯t believe Zhao Sheng was one of them.


    Jin Ming would rather believe that Zhao Sheng had multiple previous alchemy experiences that led to his performance today.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t hesitate and promptly replied, ¡°Alright!¡±


    This time, Zhao Sheng thought wrong.


    He thought Jin Ming spoke this way to help him solidify and enhance the success rate of refining Fish Marrow Pills, yet he did not realize that Jin Ming was unwilling to acknowledge him as an alchemy genius.


    Exactly!


    The definition of ¡°genius¡± in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind and in Jin Ming¡¯s eyes were not the same thing at all.


    Zhao Sheng thought he had been low-key enough, but he didn¡¯t know that his performance was still too outstanding.


    It is known that there are countless types of Spirit Pills in the world, roughly categorized into detoxification, healing, replenishing Qi, enhancing cultivation, boosting spiritual power, avoiding calamity, extending life, and so on, each with different difficulties in refinement.


    Among them, apart from a few limited types of extraordinary Spirit Pills that defy heavens, such as those for extending life and avoiding Tribulation, those for enhancing cultivation and spiritual power are recognized as having the highest difficulty in the Alchemy World.


    Although Fish Marrow Pill is just a basic First-stage Spirit Pill, consisting only of a primary ingredient and twelve auxiliary ones, it belongs to the type that enhances spiritual power, making its refining much harder than other pills of the same rank.


    Jin Ming selected Fish Marrow Pill partly as a way to give Zhao Sheng a tough lesson and establish his authority as a ¡°teacher.¡± Moreover, Fish Marrow Pill was one of his specialties and was neither too difficult nor too easy to refine.


    Who knew¡­ someone would play unconventionally, causing Jin Ming some embarrassment.


    Recalling the painful experience of being severely scolded by his master when he was learning to refine Fish Marrow Pills back in the day, Jin Ming still remembered it vividly.


    This time, Jin Ming concentrated, observing Zhao Sheng¡¯s every move in alchemy extremely seriously.


    During the second attempt to refine Dragon Whisker Fish Marrow Pill, Zhao Sheng was noticeably more skilled than the first time, performing the alchemy formula and spells very smoothly, with control precision three times finer than the previous attempt.


    Undoubtedly, the first three steps of the alchemy process were executed both quickly and steadily, showing no signs that this was only his second attempt at alchemy.


    ¡°Solidify, Elixir Formation!¡±


    Accompanied by a shout, as black smoke billowed from the Alchemy Furnace, a plump and white Fish Marrow Pill swirled its way over and landed in the pill bottle.


    The tinkle of the light sound, though soft, exploded like thunder in Jin Ming¡¯s mind.


    Jin Ming couldn¡¯t help but groan, ¡°¡­to succeed again!¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng felt a sudden shock in his heart.


    It was then that he realized his recent actions had been somewhat reckless.


    A novice in alchemy managing to succeed in his first two attempts was not just rare, but extremely rare.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s thought flashed by as he teased, ¡°Mr. Jin, what¡¯s there to be surprised about? After all, I am a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with the help of Divine Sense and decades of foundation in the Alchemy Dao. Isn¡¯t it quite normal to successfully refine several batches of First-stage Spirit Pills right off the bat!¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Taoist Zhao is at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Refining such a low-difficulty First-stage Spirit Pill isn¡¯t much for you. I almost thought otherwise just now!¡± Jin Ming suddenly understood and finally showed a relieved smile.


    ¡°Haha! I may be a newbie in alchemy, but I¡¯m not ¡®green¡¯ at all!¡± Zhao Sheng laughed heartily as he made fun of himself again.


    Upon thinking this, Jin Ming felt much better.


    However, after this episode, he clearly began to take Zhao Sheng more seriously.


    ¡°It seems you have already grasped the basics of refining Fish Marrow Pills. However, to increase the quantity and success rate of the pills, you should still practice as much as possible.


    There are six more sets of alchemy ingredients here. How about you refine all of them today?¡±


    Jin Ming meant well with his words, but Zhao Sheng had his own plans.


    He smiled slightly and tentatively asked, ¡°Mr. Jin, there¡¯s plenty of time today. Why don¡¯t you teach me another Spirit Pill refining method?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Jin Ming frowned.


    Alchemy is difficult to learn and master.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s request might seem too eager, as if he wanted to run before he could walk, which seemed overly impatient.


    After some thought, Jin Ming sighed, ¡°Well, since you want to learn, I will teach you how to refine the Water Spirit Pill.¡±


    Was Zhao Sheng eager? Not really.


    Through his recent experience in refining the Fish Marrow Pills, he realized that he could also speed up the process of refining other Spirit Pills by leveraging his own talent, resembling a ¡°copying¡± method.


    Having a master teach you as opposed to figuring it out on your own are completely different concepts; the difficulty level isn¡¯t even on the same scale.


    It would be utterly foolish in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes to choose to struggle on his own when he could simply learn from a master, wasting time, energy, and resources.


    No sooner said than done.


    Once he made up his mind, Jin Ming took out the Spiritual Medicines needed to refine the Water Spirit Pill from his Storage Bag.


    The Water Spirit Pill is also a First-stage Spirit Pill, a type that enhances cultivation. The main medicine is the Hundred-year-old Sea Blue Silk, with auxiliary ingredients like Jade Core Powder, Gourongzi, among fifteen types of Spiritual Medicine, making it slightly more difficult to refine than the Fish Marrow Pills.


    The steps to refine the Water Spirit Pill were almost the same as those for the Fish Marrow Pills, but the refining time was much longer, with the third step of melting the medicinal properties requiring at least an hour.


    Refining any Spirit Pill requires the alchemist¡¯s complete and undivided attention from beginning to end. Often, a single moment of carelessness can lead to the failure of the pills.


    And this is just one of the difficulties in alchemy; there are many more challenging aspects, such as conflicts and fusion of medicinal properties, the complexity of the Elixir Transformation Reaction, how many turns the Elixir Formation takes, the Elixir Tribulation, and so on.


    An hour and a half later, a batch of Water Spirit Pills was successfully refined, with five pills of high quality.


    Jin Ming, looking slightly tired, chuckled, ¡°Did you see, Taoist Zhao? Alchemy isn¡¯t so easy.¡±


    Zhao Sheng touched his chin and said out of the blue, ¡°Mr. Jin, why don¡¯t you refine two more batches?¡±


    Jin Ming was taken aback and uttered a couple of hesitations, then seeing the expectant look of the other party, he hesitantly said, ¡°Let¡¯s refine one more batch! There¡¯s only one set of materials left for the Water Spirit Pill.


    Once we¡¯re done with this batch, you should go and refine the Fish Marrow Pills! Remember, in alchemy, quality matters, not quantity; biting off more than you can chew isn¡¯t helpful!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, seeing the situation, didn¡¯t expose the other¡¯s lie, but simply nodded with a smile.


    Since it was the last time, Jin Ming refined with more care, not to mention Zhao Sheng.


    Another hour and a half passed, and a new batch of Water Spirit Pills was again successfully refined!


    This time, four pills were produced with decent quality.


    While Jin Ming wasn¡¯t completely satisfied with this result, as it barely met the passing criteria,


    Zhao Sheng, on the other hand, was very satisfied, feeling he had gained a lot.

 Chapter 209 - 192: Two-Year Pill Master

    Chapter 209: Chapter 192: Two-Year Pill Master


    After Jin Ming finished instructing, he did not stay long in the Earth Fire Room, leaving behind six sets of Fish Marrow Pill spiritual medicinal materials for Zhao Sheng, then excused himself on the pretext of having other matters and left the place.


    When the Earth Fire Room was left with only Zhao Sheng, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, and a color of uncontrollable excitement emerged on his face.


    He turned around, returned to the cushion and sat down cross-legged, beginning his third attempt at refining the Fish Marrow Pill.


    This time, he would give it his all.


    An hour later, black smoke billowed out of the alchemy furnace, with divine light bursting forth in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes; two streams of blue light shot from his eyes, extending more than three inches, while his hands flickered with afterimages as he executed the Condensing Pill Mantra.


    ¡°Solidify!¡±


    Following a low shout, three Fish Marrow Pills suddenly shot out of the pill furnace, swiftly flying in front of Zhao Sheng and stopping mid-air.


    As he examined the Spirit Pills before him, emitting a rich Elixir Fragrance, Zhao Sheng slightly narrowed his eyes.


    Alchemy was indeed not as simple as he had imagined.


    Even with talent to bolster him, Zhao Sheng still underestimated the complexity of refining Spirit Pills, with the other batches of Elixir Liquid either failing to meet the solidification standards due to inadequate fusion of medicinal properties or, due to insufficient Elixir Transformation Reaction, resulting in failure to solidify.


    ¡°Once more!¡±


    Zhao Sheng put away the Fish Marrow Pills and with a wave of his hand, he moved aside the silver-white pill furnace that Jin Ming had specifically left behind.


    The next second, the Nine Dragons Pill Cauldron flew out, swelling to over a person¡¯s height and landing steadily on the Alchemy Platform.


    Boom!


    With eight Red Toads spewing pure cyan Earth Fire, the Nine Dragons Tripod rapidly became scorching hot.


    The Nine Dragons Tripod, worthy of being at the Spiritual Artifact Level, was much easier for Zhao Sheng to control, like a natural extension of his arm, ten times smoother than that silver-white pill furnace.


    On his fourth attempt to refine the Fish Marrow Pills, with the aid of the Nine Dragons Tripod, Zhao Sheng clearly felt that the medicinal herbs were melted faster, the medicinal properties were extracted more thoroughly and more evenly.


    This became clear during the step of melting medicinal properties; the Elixir Liquid bubbled more finely, shrinking faster by a third in volume, and the temperature changes during refinement were easier to control than with the silver-white pill furnace, achieving a higher level of precision and accuracy.


    This fourth attempt at alchemy immediately provided Zhao Sheng with a tremendous surprise.


    This time, he produced five pills, with four of high-quality and only one slightly flawed, which still counted as of good quality.


    Zhao Sheng was greatly encouraged by this result and took the opportunity to begin refining his fifth batch.


    An hour later, the attempt failed, with the cause of failure unknown.


    ¡­


    With the sixth batch, three pills were produced; the cause was the inferior quality of the medicinal herbs.


    With the seventh batch, seven pills were produced!


    After seven batches, all the medicinal materials left by Jin Ming were used up, and the total number of Fish Marrow Pills produced had reached seven, most importantly, he had only failed once!


    If other Alchemists knew of his success rate in alchemy, they would be dumbfounded.


    This guy is simply not human!


    Zhao Sheng himself was also satisfied with this result, but not completely content. He felt that there was still much room for improvement.


    When Zhao Sheng left the Earth Fire Room and descended from Dusk Peak, the sky was already darkening, the sun slanting westward.


    The dim yellow sunlight bathed Dusk Peak; the vast expanse of white clouds floating above the peak were suddenly illuminated blood-red, as if clusters of red clouds sprawled across the sky.


    At this moment, the column of smoke rising from the top of Dusk Peak was tinted pink, from afar looking like a red silk ribbon descending from the Nine Heavens, exceedingly beautiful.


    But such a beautiful scene could not attract Zhao Sheng¡¯s attention.


    As soon as he left Dusk Peak, he headed straight for Elixir Fire Square.


    Upon arriving at the square, he didn¡¯t go directly into the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, but instead, he purchased many batches of spiritual medicinal materials for refining Water Spirit Pills and Fish Marrow Pills.


    Not only that, but he also bought several other types of spiritual herbs for refining First-rank Spirit Pills, preparing to have Jin Ming teach him alchemy later on.


    The next day, inside the Earth Fire Room, a muffled explosion came from within the Nine Dragons Pill Cauldron. Though not loud, it sank Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart, his complexion turning somewhat unsightly.


    After hesitating for a moment, Zhao Sheng sighed, stopped the Earth Fire, and then approached, with a wave of his hand, the lid of the cauldron lifted up, and he looked inside to find nothing but a pile of Elixir Residue.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head, flicked his finger, and a Water Dragon materialized out of nowhere, flying into the pill furnace, swiftly and repeatedly rinsing its inner walls.


    This was his fifth attempt at refining the Water Spirit Pill and the second failure!


    From the success rate perspective, indeed the Water Spirit Pill was a bit more difficult than the Fish Marrow Pill.


    After cleaning the pill furnace, Zhao Sheng had already moved past the shadow of failure, his mood returning to calm.


    Expressionless, he sat back down on the cushion, pondered for quite some time, summed up the lessons from his failures, and then started refining the sixth batch of Water Spirit Pills.


    Refining Spirit Pills sometimes requires practice makes perfect, similar to leveling up in a game¡ª the more times you play, the more skilled you become,


    ¡­


    Seven days later, Jin Ming and Zhao Sheng met again.


    Without waiting for Jin Ming to ask, Zhao Sheng immediately showcased the fruits of his seven-day intensive alchemy training.


    One batch of Fish Marrow Pills, three pills produced.


    One batch of Water Spirit Pills, two pills produced.


    What was most impressive was that he had not failed a single time!


    Looking at Zhao Sheng¡¯s modest yet eager expression, Jin Ming took a deep breath and found himself unable to voice any criticism.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng seized the opportunity to propose, ¡°Mr. Jin, I¡¯ve heard that you are also masterful at refining Jade Yellow Pills. I have prepared twenty sets of medicinal ingredients. How about you teach me how to refine the Jade Yellow Pill today?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Jin Ming couldn¡¯t help but gasp for air. He felt as if something was pressing against his lungs, causing him a great deal of suffocation and distress.


    He clutched at his chest, painfully agreeing, ¡°¡­Alright then!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed at his response and turned a blind eye to Jin Ming¡¯s suffering, grabbing his hand in gratitude, ¡°Fellow Daoist, you really are generous. Zhao holds you in high regard!¡±


    As he spoke, Jin Ming felt something hard being pressed into his hand, and upon looking down, he saw a Mid Grade Pure Yin Spirit Stone leaking faint light halos between his fingers.


    Upon seeing this, Jin Ming immediately felt much better and declared loudly, ¡°No need for such courtesy, Fellow Daoist! Since you are sincere, I shall spare no knowledge to ensure your satisfaction!¡±


    Zhao Sheng patted his hand knowingly and smiled, ¡°I don¡¯t dare to promise other things, but you will see my sincerity in the future.¡±


    ¡°Fine, Jin Ming will start refining a furnace of Jade Yellow Pills right now,¡± Jin Ming said very straightforwardly.


    ¡­


    Two years passed in a flash.


    On the core spirit island of Nine Virtuous Isle called Spring and Autumn Island, to the east lies a large three-story palace-like building, with the words ¡°Merit Hall¡± gilded above the entrance of the first floor¡¯s main hall.


    The interior of the building was very spacious, with the main hall on the first floor being fifty to sixty yards wide and divided into numerous areas separated by jade counters.


    In the center of each area stood a huge white light barrier, displaying rows of black, red, yellow, green, and white characters, corresponding to five different task levels.


    The Merit Hall was where the Spring and Autumn Alliance disseminated various tasks to its own members, the loose cultivators on the island, and the minister elders.


    The tasks in different areas varied widely, ranging from ordinary tasks such as hunting demon beasts, seeking Spirit Grass, and medicinal materials, to specialized tasks like Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and talisman refining, and even unique tasks like hiring, assassination, escorts, and even recruitment of sons-in-law or disciples.


    It could be said that as long as you dared to assign a task, Merit Hall would dare to undertake it, provided that the compensation and task commission could be afforded.


    In the Cultivation World, places like Merit Hall were quite common, with any slightly significant Cultivation Sect or Cultivation Family likely to have a similar venue. For example, the Good Deeds Hall established by the Origin Return Sect, where Zhao Sheng had spent a former life, was very similar in function to Merit Hall, except that it didn¡¯t dare to advertise every kind of task openly as Merit Hall did.


    At this moment, in front of a huge light barrier


    Zhao Sheng, dressed in black, stood still, his eyes flickering uncertainly as he watched the changing text on the light barrier.


    A moment later, he activated his Divine Sense and raised a hand to reveal a Jade Token.


    ¡°Level C, Task Number Eleven¡± S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Following his low shout, a white beam suddenly shot out from the light barrier, entering the Jade Token in his hand.


    After the Jade Token surface lit up with a white glow, a line of small characters became visible:


    ¡°Twenty Water Repelling Pills, Merit Points one thousand!¡± With a glance, Zhao Sheng had a clear understanding of the task¡¯s details.


    It turned out that the Water Repelling Pill was a special type of First-stage Spirit Pill that was particularly difficult to refine.


    Once a cultivator consumed a Water Repelling Pill, they could breathe freely underwater for a duration of up to three days.


    Alchemy really was a costly skill; even with Zhao Sheng¡¯s ample resources, he felt the strain.


    Especially when he attempted to learn how to refine the Second Order Spirit Pills from the ¡°Refining Elixir Hundred Formulas¡±, any single failure in the refining process would cost a three-digit number of Spirit Stones.


    It wasn¡¯t that he wasn¡¯t content with refining First-stage Spirit Pills; his progress was just too fast. Even Jin Ming had been cleaned out half a year ago.


    The twenty-one methods of refining First-stage Spirit Pills were all masterfully learned by Zhao Sheng.


    As for the Second Order Spirit Pills?


    Regrettably, Jin Ming only knew how to refine one type of Second Order Golden Essence Pill, with a pitifully low success rate.


    He would succeed only one or two times out of ten attempts, and each successful attempt yielded at most two pills, not to mention their quality.


    Zhao Sheng had contemplated the idea of taking another Alchemist as a teacher, but ever since he had occasionally heard rumors that he was an ¡°Alchemy Genius¡±, and had been visited by many fellow Foundation Establishment Daoists multiple times,


    To avoid further trouble, Zhao Sheng had to temporarily dismiss the idea.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng also covertly reduced the frequency of his visits to the Earth Fire Room, as well as the number and frequency of selling Spirit Pills.


    As for Merit Hall, Zhao Sheng had been visiting more frequently in the past two months.


    Firstly, he took on a few alchemy tasks to earn some spirit money to recoup his expenses.


    But mainly, he came for the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire.


    It was just unfortunate that suitable Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire for Alchemy was hard to come by.


    During several months, Zhao Sheng scoured the island¡¯s workshop and Merit Hall. He did see several types of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire, but none met his requirements.


    Eventually, when he found the Earth Core Golden Flame suitable for alchemy,


    Before he could make a move, the Earth Core Golden Flame had already been bought by the upper ranks of the Alchemy Master Guild.


    Zhao Sheng was merely an Alchemy Apprentice; he didn¡¯t register on the radar of the others.


    Although no one on Nine Virtuous Isle except for Jin Ming, who had a vague inkling, was aware that he was already a First-rank Alchemist.


    ¡­


    After taking on the alchemy task, Zhao Sheng glanced over the other task light barriers but found no clues about tasks involving Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire.


    After briefly considering his options, he immediately strode out of Merit Hall, threw his Golden Essence Flying Sword, and with a turn around his body, he transformed into a sword rainbow, speeding directly towards the cave mansion at the edge of the island.

 Chapter 210 - 193 Recruitment Failure

    Chapter 210: Chapter 193 Recruitment Failure


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 33/149


    Realm: Third Level of Foundation Establishment


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master, First-rank Alchemist


    Constitution: Three Spirit Roots ¨C Water, Metal, Fire, Half Spirit Clan


    Talent: Bullet Time, Danger Perception, Absolute Rationality


    [Skill]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Master), Stacking Talisman Technique (Great Success), Fire Control Technique (Great Success), Blood Soul Scripture (incomplete, skilled)


    Spell: Refraction Technique, God-slaying Sword, Water Bomb Technique, Thousand Waterfalls Flowing Cloud¡­


    Talisman Making: ¡­Concentrating God Talisman, Water Dragon Talisman, Life Hundred Thoughts Talisman, Hundred Veil Ice Cloud, Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman and 176 other kinds


    Alchemy: Fish Marrow Pill, Water Spirit Pill, Jade Yellow Pill, Essence Gathering Pill¡­ Soul Condensing Pills, Water Repelling Pill, totaling 25 types.


    ¡­


    Inside the A-D Earth Fire Room, the air was dry and hot with waves of heat rolling in; the indoor temperature was extremely high.


    Zhao Sheng was completely focused, under the precise control of his Divine Sense, eight clam-like mouths spewed azure-colored earth fire from thick to thin, becoming as thin as fingers, and the Nine Dragon Tripod also slowly ascended, shrinking from the size of a water jar to that of a wine jar and slowly rotating under the roasting of the earth fire.


    As time slowly passed, Zhao Sheng carefully added various types of Spiritual Medicine one by one, including tree-root-like dead wood, processed green jade powder, and transparent liquids, among others.


    The melting step was the most likely to lose control in alchemy since the Elixir Transformation Reaction was the most intense, tolerating no negligence.


    This was his fourth time refining the Second Order Spirit Pill, Cold Dove Marrow Spirit Pill. The previous three attempts had failed, but this time seemed hopeful.


    Half an hour later, the Nine Dragon Tripod began to emit wisps of medicinal fragrance, invigorating anyone who smelled it.


    However, Zhao Sheng knew that it was too early to expect the pills without adding the main medicine.


    Only after the main medicine successfully merged with the Elixir Liquid and reached the Solidifying Pill step was there hope for success.


    Refining a Second Order Spirit Pill was ten times more difficult than refining a First Stage Spirit Pill, except for a few special ones.


    Even for a genius with exceptional perceptiveness and talent like Zhao Sheng, multiple failures occurred while attempting to refine Second Order Spirit Pills.


    Of course, this might have been due to his self-directed experiments.


    Refining Second Order Spirit Pills was indeed difficult, but was it harder than achieving Foundation Establishment?


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng enlivened his spirit, and under the control of Divine Sense, the Nine Dragon Tripod flickered with spirit light, appearing somewhat dazzling.


    Gradually, the earth fire grew from fine to coarse, and finally as thick as the mouth of a bowl, enveloping the entire Nine Dragon Tripod in flames,


    At a glance, the Nine Dragon Tripod seemed to have become a fireball, with the scent of the medicine growing richer as it was roasted in the fierce flame.


    Nearly an hour later, the rich scent of the medicine gathered at the top of the stone room and lingered for a long time, eventually forming a small cluster of grey-white Elixir Clouds.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed with divine light, and with a wave of his right hand, a fist-sized, blue crystalline dehydrated Cold Dove Brain Marrow flew out and dropped into the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    Boom!


    The Nine Dragon Tripod trembled violently, and a large plume of blue smoke spurted from the edge of the lid, the scent in the stone room growing richer, but a piercing chill suddenly surged through the hot air.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense burst forth fully, and with Shadowy traces of his hand movements, a series of brilliant flashes of spiritual light disappeared into the Nine Dragon Tripod. He controlled the Elixir Liquid to complete the final Elixir Transformation,


    By now, even a fool would know that this moment of alchemy had reached its most critical point.


    ¡°God damn it, solidify!¡±


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng suddenly roared, and a brilliant flash of divine light surged in his eyes as his hands rapidly became a blur of shadows.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    In a burst of exploding sounds, as the smell of char emerged, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face suddenly broke into a jubilant smile.


    Slap!


    A faint blue Spirit Pill suddenly leaped from the furnace and under the control of Divine Sense, it spiraled towards Zhao Sheng, dinging softly as it landed in a pill bottle that had been prepared beforehand.


    The Second Order Cold Dove Marrow Spirit Pill was a success! S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At a thought from Zhao Sheng, the eight fire-spouting mouths simultaneously snapped shut and the Earth Fire dispersed.


    He beckoned with his hand, and the Nine Dragon Tripod flew from the Alchemy Platform to him.


    Looking down into the tripod, he saw a layer of charred residues at the bottom, among which were two black and blue burnt pills, clearly failed pills that hadn¡¯t formed properly!


    Alas, it was still just a bit short!


    Zhao Sheng shook his head, lamenting silently.


    After thinking it over, he removed the two wasted pills from the tripod and carefully preserved them in a Jade Box.


    Even if they were failures, they held significant research value, and Zhao Sheng was loath to discard them heedlessly.


    Having done all this, Zhao Sheng settled down on the cushion to meditate, slowly recuperating his spirit while silently summarizing his alchemy experience.


    Only an hour later did he open his eyes, ready to attempt alchemy once more.


    The same steps, the same ingredients powder, the same control of fire, but unfortunately, this time, the problem occurred at the second step ¨C the formulation of the Elixir Base failed.


    The reason for failure was the improper handling of the Spiritual Medicine, which still contained some impurities.


    This time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was expressionless. After adjusting his spirit and Spiritual Power, he silently began his sixth batch.


    Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Zhao Sheng walked out from the passageway beneath Dusk Peak with a calm demeanor. If anyone with keen observation saw him now, they would notice a mix of slight joy and pain beneath his calm exterior.


    The joy came from the fact that the success rate of the Second Order Cold Dove Marrow Spirit Pills had surpassed forty percent, averaging more than three pills per batch.


    As for the pain.


    The nearly fifty batches of alchemy ingredients he had prepared were all consumed, costing over ten thousand Spirit Stones.


    In the end, they had yielded merely twenty-five Dove Marrow Pills, worth roughly three thousand Spirit Stones.


    At that moment, the armor-clad Great Han guarding the passage saw Zhao Sheng emerging and initially looked startled, but his expression quickly turned to excitement.


    ¡°Congratulations, Senior, on your further advancement in the Alchemy Dao!¡± the Great Han congratulated, mustering his courage.


    Zhao Sheng halted, flicked a Spirit Stone with his finger, and it accurately landed in the Great Han¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Li Sanchong, the Alchemy Association assigning you to guard here really underestimates your talent! How about you come with me?¡±


    Two years was neither short nor long.


    It was enough for Zhao Sheng to recognize the extraordinary nature of the armored Great Han.


    The Great Han¡¯s real name was Li Sanchong. Despite his large, fierce-looking physique and seemingly dim-witted brain, he possessed an extremely keen perception, enough to be considered a master of micro-expressions.


    Zhao Sheng even knew he was capable of reaching Divinity in Martial Arts and that he was probably at the Half-step to God, much like his third life.


    Such an outstanding Martial Arts Grandmaster, even if he wasn¡¯t a Cultivator, shouldn¡¯t have been reduced to guarding a gate.


    Cherishing talents as he did, Zhao Sheng thus made the offer.


    With a fist-palm salute, Li Sanchong earnestly said, ¡°I am deeply honored that Senior holds me in such high regard, and I am very grateful. However, I can only follow you if my master allows it. I was raised by my master from a young age. Wherever he goes, I go. Whatever he asks me to do, I do. I always listen to my master.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, looking at his sincere expression, shook his head and dropped the idea of recruiting him.


    Li Sanchong¡¯s master was a relative of a Second Order Alchemist from the Alchemy Association.


    In other words, Li Sanchong was likely sent here on purpose, and his mission was probably not simple, likely charged with some important task.


    ¡­

 Chapter 211 - 194: Heaven and Earth Law Net and Domain-level Spiritual Medicine

    Chapter 211: Chapter 194: Heaven and Earth Law Net and Domain-level Spiritual Medicine


    After leaving Dusk Peak, Zhao Sheng released the silver white flying boat and boarded it. The flying boat soared into the sky, circled half a circle, and then sped toward the southwest.


    This flight lasted half a day, and finally, at dusk, the silver white flying boat crossed the vast sea and arrived over a circular island lush with verdant greenery.


    The island was not large, but it was lush with vegetation. Many areas on the island had been turned into medicine fields full of various spirit grasses and medicinal materials. In addition, the island housed many docile medicinal rabbits used for testing drugs.


    After circling in the mid-air, the flying boat slowly descended behind a steep sea cliff on the north side of the island.


    After stowing away the flying boat, Zhao Sheng flashed a few times and was already standing in front of a Blue Steel Stone Gate.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward to knock, but the stone gate creaked open on its own.


    Soon, a little boy in a red robe with twin braids poked his head out, and upon seeing Zhao Sheng, immediately asked in a wary tone,


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly, flicked his sleeve, and a green light emerged, transforming into a token flashing with green light, which landed in front of the boy.


    The twin-braided boy took the token, and his eyes immediately widened in surprise, showing an extremely enthusiastic smile.


    ¡°So, it is Senior Zhao. This child was ignorant; please forgive me!¡±


    The boy quickly stepped out of the cave mansion, respectfully returned the token, and then hurriedly led Zhao Sheng inside.


    Zhao Sheng certainly would not take an issue with a child, but he also quietly lowered his opinion of the cave mansion¡¯s owner.


    The outside of the cave mansion did not look remarkable, but inside it was much larger than Zhao Sheng¡¯s guest elder mansion, and everywhere was exquisitely and elegantly decorated, understated yet luxurious.


    Before long, under the Daoist child¡¯s guidance, Zhao Sheng arrived in a spacious living room deep inside the mansion.


    The four walls of the living room were adorned with ancient and aromatic paintings, and a faint refreshing fragrance permeated the air. A slight sniff revived Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit, and the rotation speed of the Core Spiritual Power vortex in his Dantian even accelerated somewhat.


    The furniture in the living room was all made from several hundred-year-old Blood Elixir Wood, which was quite valuable.


    One should know that a single piece of Blood Elixir Wood is worth at least a thousand spirit stones, not something an alchemist without substantial wealth could afford.


    ¡°Daoist Zhao, please enjoy some Spiritual Tea and wait for a moment. I am currently refining a batch of Elixir Pills. Please excuse any lack of hospitality.¡± a cold voice suddenly traveled from the deepest part of the mansion to the living room.


    ¡°Daoist Ge, there¡¯s no need for such formality; I have come early! Alchemy is crucial, I don¡¯t mind waiting, as Mr. Meng and the others will also arrive soon,¡± Zhao Sheng responded loudly.


    Upon entering the living room earlier, he had sensed the restless Fire Spiritual Energy deep within the mansion and felt a wave of hot air emanating from inside.


    Now it seemed, Ge Chen was indeed refining elixirs.


    Ge Chen was a top disciple of the Master of Alchemy, Xu Chong, originating from the Denver Ge Family. It was puzzling why he had left the Elixir Cauldron Sect, where he was well established, to follow Xu Chong to the Shattered Star Sea two years ago.


    Just then, the boy reappeared in the living room. After Zhao Sheng had seated, he brought over a wooden tray holding a cup of Spiritual Tea.


    Zhao Sheng looked carefully at the tea in his hand, noticing the crystal-clear tea cup filled with fragrantly lush green tea, its leaves straight like swords or needles, emitting a strange fragrance.


    He understood then, took a light sip, first feeling a trace of bitterness. However, as soon as the tea slid down his throat, it transformed into a cool sensation that instantly spread throughout his limbs, leaving his whole body exceptionally relaxed and comfortable.


    Indeed, this was the Sword Eyebrow Spiritual Tea, a special product of the Ge family.


    It had been several hundreds of years since Zhao Sheng had last tasted it.


    Tasting it again today unavoidably evoked his longing for home.


    But¡­ returning to the Central Continent was not so easy!


    Over the past two years, Zhao Sheng had not just been busy with alchemy and cultivation.


    A year ago, he had disguised himself, attempting to board Star God Island.


    Who knew that just as he approached within five hundred miles of Star God Island, his Danger Perception madly warned him of extreme danger ahead, extremely dangerous.


    If he proceeded any further, he would undoubtedly die!


    That day, Zhao Sheng personally witnessed thick deadly black qi enveloping heaven and earth.


    An endless, invisible magical net, centered on Star God Island, spread out in all directions like a spider¡¯s web, reaching up to the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere of the Nine Heavens and down to the Ten Thousand Feet Sea Abyss, encompassing everything and omnipresent.


    The densely intertwined, invisible threads, undetectable even by ordinary Golden Core cultivators, revealed their true form amidst the black qi of death.


    Every time he recalled that shocking scene he had witnessed that day, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit involuntarily trembled uncontrollably.


    He did not know what that sky-reaching and earth-penetrating net was, but he felt that he was¡­ in over his head!


    Zhao Sheng forcefully suppressed his turbulent thoughts while drinking tea and looking around.


    Huh,


    His gaze suddenly sharpened, falling on a painting on the opposite wall filled with rows of mysterious black runes and accompanied by four images of Spiritual Medicines, his face showing a hint of interest.


    The mysterious black runes were actually written in Taiyi Spiritual Text.


    If it were any other cultivator, not even one in a hundred might know Taiyi Spiritual Text.


    But fortunately, or unfortunately, Zhao Sheng did. Not only did he know it, he was also quite proficient in it.


    After carefully examining it several times, Zhao Sheng was greatly surprised and felt vastly enlightened.


    The content on that drawing turned out to be about four types of Domain-level Spiritual Medicines: Mysterious Star Spirit Tree, Light-bearing Giant Spirit Grass, Earth Core Transformation Mushroom, and Void Devil Fungus.


    Zhao Sheng knew that Spiritual Medicines were classified into levels, but he had never heard that there were Domain-level Spiritual Medicines.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, there had been legends of divine-level Spiritual Medicines. For instance, the Nine Flower Moon Dew legend from Heavenly Pillar Mountain was a type of divine-level Spiritual Medicine.


    So¡­ how did Nine Flower Moon Dew compare to Mysterious Star Spirit Tree and other Domain-level Spiritual Medicines, in terms of superiority and inferiority?


    ¡°Oh, could it be that Taoist Zhao also understands Taiyi Spiritual Text?¡±


    As Zhao Sheng was absorbed in the painting, a middle-aged man in a Confucian robe walked in from the living room.


    This person was over forty years old, tall and thin, with an elegant face, smiling as he looked at Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Daoist Fang jests. I recognize only one or two Taiyi Spiritual Texts; I dare not claim I understand it.¡±


    Zhao Sheng snapped out of it upon seeing the person, immediately standing up and explaining with a wry smile.


    The visitor was named Fang Weishan, an island master under the Spring and Autumn Alliance, with cultivation around the early-stage to possibly mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the Foundation Establishment Realm, cultivators often habitually hide part of their power, and if one does not actually engage in battle, it is very difficult to ascertain the other¡¯s true cultivation.


    ¡°Oh, is that so? I saw that you were so engrossed, I thought perhaps I had encountered a fellow enthusiast.¡±


    Fang Weishan did not hide his fascination with Taiyi Spiritual Text.


    Indeed, his reputation as Lord Fang obsessed with words was already widespread throughout the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    Fang Weishan was motivated to participate because the other party gave him a book of detailed explanations of a hundred Taiyi Spiritual Texts.


    ¡°Does Daoist happen to know what is written on this painting?¡± His interest piqued, Fang Weishan immediately walked up to the painting, smiling at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed, feigning great interest: ¡°Please enlightenment from Lord Fang.¡±


    ¡°Very well, let me see what it says.¡±

 Chapter 212 - 195 Python Hunting Operation

    Chapter 212: Chapter 195 Python Hunting Operation


    ¡°`


    There¡¯s a saying that being pretentious is the driving force of human progress.


    Fang Weishan loved to show off. When an opportunity to brag arose, he couldn¡¯t possibly let it slip by.


    ¡°Xuanxing¡­ the Spirit Tree¡­ grows¡­ within¡­ Boundary Heart¡­ for a thousand years¡­ the Spirit Stealing Machine, utterly ten thousand¡­ what was it again¡­ Light Giant Spirit Grass, reaching ten thousand feet¡­ planted¡­ in the core of the Spirit Vein¡­ breaking through¡­ exudes a sap¡­ capable of shattering the void¡­¡±


    Fang Weishan¡¯s recitation was disjointed and filled with errors, much to Zhao Sheng¡¯s frustration. Zhao felt anxious for him and thought Fang had picked the wrong hobby.


    Just then, someone else entered the living room.


    ¡°I apologize for making everyone wait. I was delayed by some matters on the way, so I arrived a bit late.¡±


    Dressed in plain white Confucian robes, Meng Quyi entered with an apologetic expression.


    Upon seeing Meng Quyi, Fang Weishan burst into laughter and said, ¡°Haha, Brother Meng, your timing is perfect! You¡¯re skilled in copying Taiyi Spiritual Texts. Come and take a look, how are the Taiyi Spiritual Texts on this painting?¡±


    The two had known each other for nearly a century, and as fellow Cultivators following the Confucian path, their friendship was deep, surpassing what Zhao Sheng could compare to.


    Meng Quyi¡¯s face showed a bitter expression upon hearing this, but out of consideration for their friendship, he ultimately went over to examine the mural.


    Seeing the situation, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t be bothered to join in the banter and sat down to enjoy his tea, quietly waiting for the host to appear.


    Before long, Fang and Meng had only exchanged a few words.


    Ge Chen, clad in black and redolent with Elixir Fragrance, entered the living room with a smug look on his face.


    ¡°Taoist Ge!¡±


    ¡°Mr. Ge!¡±


    Seeing the host, Zhao Sheng, Meng Quyi, and Fang Weishan promptly greeted him.


    After exchanging pleasantries, Ge Chen took the seat of honor and gestured for the three men to sit down.


    ¡°With the three of you joining, our plan to eradicate the Black Poison Python Group will surely succeed,¡± Ge Chen said to Zhao Sheng and the others with a smile.


    ¡°Mr. Ge is too modest! Without the Detoxification Pills that Mr. Ge refined, none of us would dare target the Black Poison Pythons,¡± Meng Quyi responded, ever so politely.


    Eradicating the Black Poison Pythons was Ge Chen¡¯s idea, and he had already informed everyone of his goal beforehand.


    His master Xu Chong¡¯s grand birthday celebration was approaching, and the king of the Black Poison Pythons was one of the presents Ge Chen had prepared.


    What moved Meng Quyi, however, was the generous reward promised by Ge Chen.


    Therefore, he went to great lengths to extend invitations. Fang Weishan was invited by him. Zhao Sheng also became interested when he learned Ge Chen was the initiator.


    Don¡¯t get it wrong, Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t interested in Ge Chen; it was his master, Xu Chong, who was capable of refining the Golden Core Formation Pill¡ªa real powerhouse.


    In addition, Meng Quyi had invited a Foundation Establishment Cultivator surnamed Lan, but for some reason, he had not yet arrived.


    After a round of pleasantries, they began to discuss the hunt for the Black Poison Pythons.


    ¡°This group of Black Poison Pythons nests beneath a ten-thousand-foot-deep sea trench. First, we will head to¡­¡± Ge Chen, as the initiator of this hunting operation, began by summarizing the detailed plan.


    ¡°Ten days ago, I went to investigate again. Currently, there are roughly two hundred Black Poison Pythons, with about four Second Order ones among them. The most troublesome is the Poison Dragon Python, the king of the Black Poison Pythons. It¡¯s quite large and extremely toxic and ferocious¡ªvery difficult to handle!¡± After Ge Chen explained the plan, Meng Quyi suddenly added more details.


    ¡°In order to feed, surely this group of Black Poison Pythons won¡¯t just stay in their lair motionless, right? How can we pinpoint their location? Perhaps we could attack them one by one?¡± Zhao Sheng slightly furrowed his brow and suggested.


    Confidently smiling at the suggestion, Ge Chen flipped his hand, and a bronze Eight Diagrams Plate appeared in his palm, with directions written around its edge.


    After injecting a Magic Spell, a flash of light appeared on the Eight Diagrams Plate and a silver needle suddenly emerged with a hint of crimson.


    ¡°`


    Then, after a quick spin, the needle suddenly trembled and pointed towards the northeast, stopping motionless.


    ¡°With this Tracking Plate, the Black Poison Python Group won¡¯t be able to escape from my grasp. Taoist Zhao, do you have any other questions?¡± Ge Chen said after explaining.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head.


    ¡°Very well, then let us set out,¡± Ge Chen, holding the Tracking Plate, said spiritedly.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t we waiting for Taoist Lan?¡± Fang Weishan asked, puzzled.


    ¡°No need to wait, Taoist Lan has some matters and can¡¯t come,¡± Meng Quyi immediately explained.


    Upon hearing this, both Fang Weishan and Zhao Sheng furrowed their brows but said nothing more.


    Moments later, two Flying Boats suddenly rose from the island and sped off towards the northeast.


    Night fell, and the moon rose to the center of the sky.


    Zhao Sheng and the others had flown over two thousand li and reached the upper sky above a strange sea surface.


    The needle on Ge Chen¡¯s Tracking Plate was trembling incessantly, the tip vaguely pointing downwards.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived, it¡¯s this sea area! The Black Poison Pythons should be somewhere below,¡± Ge Chen said, his spirits lifted by the anomaly on the Tracking Plate.


    ¡°I have Water Repelling Pills and Detoxification Pills here, take them now!¡± Ge Chen said. He immediately took out Elixir Pills and distributed them to everyone.


    Afterwards, he put away the Compass, swallowed two Elixir Pills, and was the first to fly towards the water below.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng did not take the Water Repelling Pills and Detoxification Pills given by Ge Chen, but instead took his own refined Water Repelling Pills and Jade Yellow Pills.


    He did this solely out of caution, with no other intent.


    Seeing this, Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan also took their Elixir Pills and one after the other plunged into the water, with Zhao Sheng following closely behind.


    Before long, they had all reached the bottom of the sea, ten thousand zhang deep.


    In the pitch-black depths of the sea, all of them were in the Foundation Establishment Realm, using their Divine Sense to navigate, so there was no need for Sunshine Stones to illuminate the way.


    Under Ge Chen¡¯s leadership, the four of them slowly swam about ten li.


    Suddenly, Ge Chen¡¯s expression shifted, and he abruptly stopped in his tracks.


    ¡°Be careful!¡±


    After transmitting his thought through Divine Sense, Ge Chen swept his hand over his Storage Bag and released a plain-looking talisman. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A dim and invisible barrier instantly appeared, enveloping the area and causing their forms to blur and hide.


    Zhao Sheng was somewhat surprised to see this; it was a Second Order Divine Concealing Talisman, an advanced real talisman of invisibility, very rare indeed. He hadn¡¯t expected Ge Chen to have one.


    Under Ge Chen¡¯s lead, the four gradually approached another fifty zhang, and ahead of them was suddenly a vast seabed sandbank with a messy and dense forest of coral reefs in the middle.


    Above the coral reef, they could all vaguely see a vast mass of dense, worm-like black shadows, resembling a giant patch of seaweed, silently coiling in the water,


    At a glance, Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes; these shadows turned out to be a swarm of intertwined Black Poison Pythons.


    These Black Poison Pythons, the large ones were over ten zhang long, thick as water barrels, while the small ones were only three to four chi long but as thick as a child¡¯s arm.


    Their bodies were covered in black diamond-shaped scales, and their triangular heads were more than twice the size of their bodies, each one like a branding iron, shiny black and chilling to behold.


    These were indeed the Black Poison Python Group!

 Chapter 213 - 196: The Poison Dragon Python Finally Appears

    Chapter 213: Chapter 196: The Poison Dragon Python Finally Appears


    Gazing at the Black Poison Python Group not far away deep in slumber, Ge Chen felt a surge of excitement.


    At that moment, a flash of joy passed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes as he sensed that the concentration of spiritual energy nearby was abnormally high.


    ¡°Could there be a spirit vein nearby?¡±


    In fact, not only did Zhao Sheng sense it, but the others quickly became aware of it as well.


    All four were cunning old foxes, so they kept their cool outwardly while each privately devised their own plans.


    ¡°Retreat!¡±


    After transmitting another round of divine sense messages, everyone silently retreated a good distance away.


    In a recessed hollow under the sea, the four of them formed a circle.


    ¡°This group of Black Poison Pythons is in deep sleep. Taoist friends, would you be willing to follow my commands?¡± asked Ge Chen with a serious expression, speaking through divine sense transmission.


    ¡°Agreed!¡±


    ¡°Daoist Ge, please lead the way!¡±


    Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan also transmitted their agreement through divine sense, while Zhao Sheng silently nodded in agreement.


    Half a quarter of an hour later, the four according to plan, split up and submerged to different depths of the sea.


    Under the sea, once Ge Chen estimated that the others were in position, he carefully took out a dragon-eye-sized blood-red elixir pill. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The pill emitted a strong smell of blood, mixed with the bitter scent of almonds.


    Ge Chen crushed the blood-red pill in one go and swiftly swam upwards, leaving behind a cloud of elixir powder in his wake.


    As the powder spread and mixed with the seawater, an intensely strong smell of blood suddenly diffused, ten times stronger than before.


    Not far away, the Black Poison Python Group, originally in deep slumber, caught a whiff of the blood scent, immediately becoming violently agitated, and the snakes frenziedly writhed around.


    Unable to resist the temptation, a Black Poison Python, about seventy to eighty feet long, abruptly lunged at the source of the blood scent. The rest of the group, like a pot boiling over, crazily surged towards it.


    When they reached the spot where Ge Chen had released the elixir powder, they were so excited they had gone mad, relentlessly chasing the scent upwards.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng, Fang Weishan, and Meng Quyi also crushed their blood pills without hesitation and swam toward the sea surface, just as Ge Chen had done.


    By now, a bloody path had formed in the water, leading directly to the sea surface, with the Black Poison Python Group swiftly swimming against the current.


    Moments later, Fang Weishan was the first to break through the sea surface and flew onto the flying boat to wait for the others to return.


    Soon after, Zhao Sheng and Meng Quyi emerged from the sea surface almost simultaneously and joined Fang Weishan.


    Shortly afterwards, Ge Chen erupted with excitement from undersea and soared up.


    All four reunited on the flying boat and looked down at the sea surface.


    Within a few breaths, a dark shadow suddenly appeared on the sea, quickly expanding until it covered a large area.


    Bang!


    First, a Black Poison Python leaped three to four feet above the sea surface, followed by a fervor on the sea like boiling water as group after group of Black Poison Pythons scrambled out of the sea surface.


    In that instant, continuous bangs filled the air, and the sea became occupied by a vast ensemble of pythons, churning up countless fine white foam.


    Looking at the overly excited Black Poison Pythons below, which were hissing and scrambling in all directions, Ge Chen¡¯s expression darkened, realizing that the most important prey, the Poison Dragon Python, had not appeared.


    Logically, the Dragon Blood Pill should have been enough to drive these beasts into a frenzy. Not even the king of the Black Poison Pythons should have been an exception!


    The others also noticed the anomaly and Meng Quyi couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Daoist Ge, if that beast doesn¡¯t show itself, what should we do?¡±


    ¡°Kill!¡±


    Ge Chen¡¯s face was gloomy, and after he viciously spat out the word ¡°kill,¡± a Water Blue Pill had appeared in his hand without anyone noticing.


    Upon release, the Water Blue Pills fell rapidly. The moment they touched the seawater, vast blue ripples spread out, and the sea water abruptly turned into frost-white ice, one sheet after another.


    Instantly, more than twenty Black Poison Pythons were enveloped by the icy light, their bodies quickly encased in thick ice and, to everyone¡¯s surprise, frozen dead on the spot.


    Seeing this, Fang Weishan immediately swung the Spiritual Artifact Hundred Spirit Fan in his hand repeatedly.


    With every wave, a gull the size of a man flew out from the fan.


    In just a couple of breaths, seven or eight Black Poison Pythons were snatched up by the gull, lifted high into the sky, and then violently hurled to their deaths.


    In comparison, Meng Quyi¡¯s tactics were much simpler.


    He tossed out several talismans, which transformed in an instant into hundreds of golden, handleless blades, raining down swiftly and killing or injuring a group of Black Poison Pythons on the spot.


    On the other side, Zhao Sheng was calm as still water, his sleeve shaking once, a golden light suddenly shot into the undersea depths.


    Even though he was only wielding a single Golden Essence Flying Sword, Zhao Sheng¡¯s achievements were no less impressive than the others.¡¯


    The golden light darted through the water, swift as a meteor. Every flash of golden light was followed by the sight of a Black Poison Python with a gaping hole in its head.


    In just a few breaths, more than a dozen Black Poison Pythons met their demise under his sword.


    After witnessing this, both Ge Chen and Fang Weishan couldn¡¯t help but show a hint of surprise on their faces.


    They had not expected Taoist Zhao to be a Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator.


    In a mere moment, Zhao Sheng and the others had decimated dozens of Black Poison Pythons with their thunderous techniques.


    ¡°Roar!¡±


    The group¡¯s sudden attack finally enraged the frenzied group of Black Poison Pythons.


    After a muffled roar, the Black Poison Python Group, as if obeying a command, opened their maws wide and violently spewed out billows of black poison fog.


    In an instant, a vast cloud of black poisonous haze shrouded the nearby sea surface, temporarily obstructing Zhao Sheng and the others¡¯ line of sight.


    At that moment, the seawater where the Black Poison Pythons were located began to boil tumultuously,


    and an enormous serpent over sixty feet long suddenly surged up from beneath the sea surface.


    Next to it, four Second Order Black Poison Pythons, slightly smaller in size¡ªabout forty feet long¡ªappeared as escorts to their king, sticking their heads out menacingly, eyes gleaming fiercely as they fixed their gaze on the Flying Boat above.


    ¡°Damn! The poison fog blocks Divine Sense.¡± Meng Quyi¡¯s face changed color slightly as he let out a low cry.


    ¡°No choice, we¡¯ll have to act opportunistically. That beast should be showing up now. The Poison Dragon Python is mine and Brother Meng¡¯s to handle. Taoist Zhao and Daoist Fang, please take action to temporarily block those four Second Order Black Poison Pythons.¡± Without hesitation, Ge Chen spoke upon seeing the situation.


    First Rank Black Poison Pythons can¡¯t fly, so they¡¯re not worrisome, but once a Black Poison Python breaks through to the Second Order, it can take to the sky for short periods.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! Leave it to us!¡± Fang Weishan immediately responded, and Zhao Sheng also nodded, with no objections.


    Roar!


    At that moment, an extremely angry roar suddenly emitted from below the poison fog. Then, with the fog surging violently, the immense Poison Dragon Python, along with its four guardians, burst through the fog and presented themselves before the four.


    It was the first time Zhao Sheng saw the true form of this king of the Black Poison Pythons.


    Its body was over sixty feet long, its girth larger than a water vat, and its dark, shiny, diamond-shaped Scale Armor layered like an impenetrable fortress, seeming to stretch from the nape of its neck densely all the way down to the tail, resembling a terrifying armored behemoth.


    The wide and flat head was the most conspicuous and frightening feature. The originally black head of the Poison Dragon Python had transformed entirely into crimson, with a seven-foot-long, spiral-patterned black Dragon Horn proudly standing in the center, its surface covered in a layer of black light. As it shimmered, it cast mysterious Light Halos, exuding an otherworldly and mystical aura.

 Chapter 214 - 197 The Beginning of Death

    Chapter 214: Chapter 197 The Beginning of Death S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Poison Dragon Python, upon seeing the four individuals responsible for slaughtering its offspring, instantly had its eyes turn blood red as a boundless killing intent erupted from its body.


    Roar!


    With a fierce roar, a burst of black light suddenly spread from the dragon horns on its head.


    As the black light appeared, the poison fog beneath the Poison Dragon Python acted as if it had found its backbone, merging into the black light.


    Aided by the poison fog, the black light surged like it had consumed a powerful tonic, quickly expanding and instantly condensing into several black light pythons as thick as a child¡¯s arm, whizzing towards the flying boat with a hissing sound of ¡®breaking the void.¡¯


    ¡°Not good!¡± Ge Chen¡¯s face drastically changed, and he violently raised both hands, instantly releasing a vast expanse of golden light.


    When the golden light collided with the black pythons, they rapidly corroded, opening countless holes, and then seven or eight black light pythons broke through the barrier, struck the flying boat, and turned into pools of black liquid, quickly corroding the sturdy hull.


    Hiss Hiss!


    The flying boat, refined from hundred-year-old Yuling wood, couldn¡¯t withstand the fierce corrosion and in an instant, a large chunk of its hull was eroded away.


    The Array light on the flying boat flickered wildly, the Floating Array was immediately damaged, and the boat suddenly stalled, then began to plummet.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng and the others were dealing with the black light pythons shooting towards them. A moment¡¯s delay allowed the Poison Dragon Python a successful strike.


    ¡°Cover for me!¡±


    Seeing five Second Order Demon Pythons fiercely pouncing towards them, Ge Chen gritted his teeth and shouted, then immediately rushed forward to meet them.


    He pointed with his hand, and in front of him appeared nine three-inch-long cyan Flying Knives, arranged in a Nine Palaces formation, transforming into a curtain of profound cyan Sword Light that shot out swiftly.


    No sooner had the curtain enveloped the Poison Dragon Python than the nine Spiritual Artifact Flying Knives blazed with light, the curtain condensed significantly, countless Sword Lights burst forth like rain, temporarily trapping the Poison Dragon Python.


    Meng Quyi was overjoyed at the sight, and his hand holding the two-foot-long Spring and Autumn Spirit Pen moved like flying, bearing the pattern of a dragon and snake, he actually began writing articles on the spot.


    With each archaic and majestic Taiyi Spiritual Text written by the Spirit Pen, a mysterious and unfathomable air suddenly faintly emerged in the void.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng and Fang Weishan exchanged glances and leapt towards the four Second Order Black Poison Pythons below them.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was impassive. With a pinch of his right hand¡¯s sword formula, the Golden Essence Flying Sword flashed and disappeared; in the next instant, layers of Sword Light emerged from nowhere, forming a sharp sword circle that ensnared two Black Poison Pythons within it.


    With a wave of his other hand, two Second Order Water Mine Talismans left his hand and instantly transformed into two giant, azure Thunder Balls that shot out.


    The two Second Order Black Poison Pythons below were extremely cunning as they intertwined with each other, suddenly condensing into a twist, their bodies instantly flashed with a layer of black light. After joining forces, they easily resisted the assault of the Sword Light.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows rose, and with a move of his Divine Sense, the two Thunder Balls thunderously collided with them, immediately exploding into a cloud of thunder on the bodies of the two Black Poison Pythons.


    Taking advantage of the moment, Zhao Sheng soared up, keeping his distance while using his Spiritual Artifact Flying Sword to lure the frenzied and irrational demon pythons away from the battlefield.


    His task was to temporarily hold off the two Second Order Demon Pythons, not to slay them.


    The difficulty between holding off and slaying were worlds apart; Zhao Sheng certainly wasn¡¯t going to risk his life against two equal-ranked demon pythons for a mere reward.


    At the same time, Fang Weishan employed a flock of White-winged Sea Gulls to temporarily entrap the two Demon Pythons.


    With a ¡°bang¡±!


    Sword Light flashed, and a long white scar suddenly appeared on the body of the Poison Dragon Python.


    At this time, its body was already covered in white scars, some spots where the Scale Armor had cracked even bled, but these were only superficial wounds.


    Faced with the Sword Array that clung to it like a festering parasite, the Poison Dragon Python went into a fury, but still couldn¡¯t break free from the encirclement for the time being.


    As an inexplicable pressure in the void gradually intensified, the Poison Dragon Python also sensed danger.


    Roar!


    It suddenly let out an angry roar, madness sparking in its serpent eyes, its head and dragon horns suddenly shone with intense black light, which then quickly flowed throughout its body.


    ¡°Hiss¡±


    The next second, countless drops of serpent blood seeped out from between its scales, which, upon mixing with the black light, instantly transformed into a dark red glow.


    Upon witnessing this, Ge Chen¡¯s face drastically changed, but before he could react,


    the Poison Dragon Python¡¯s body shuddered, and its mysterious black, massive body instantaneously turned from black to dark red.


    As the strong scent of blood spread around, the originally massive body of the Poison Dragon Python suddenly swelled, at least doubling in size, and became a true behemoth. A powerful aura, exclusive only to Golden Core Level demons, faintly emanated from it.


    ¡°Brother Meng, hurry up!¡±


    Ge Chen, witnessing this scene, was so shocked that his eyes almost burst, his heart hardened, he flipped his hand to produce a Bursting Spirit Pill, and deftly threw it into his mouth and swallowed.


    Instantly, his face turned tomato red, so red it seemed to drip blood, and his aura surged dramatically.


    ¡°Transform!¡±


    Before his shout ended, nine green flying knives split into trails of blade light,


    in an instant, the nearby void flickered with green light, transforming into a dense green net of blades.


    Suddenly, blade lights fell like rain, instantly adding countless bone-deep wounds to the Poison Dragon Python¡¯s body, from which blood flowed freely.


    ¡°Roar, roar!¡±


    The Poison Dragon Python let out continuous low growls, the bloody light on its body surged, and the numerous wounds visibly healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.


    It opened its huge bloody mouth and violently spewed a thick dark red column of light upward.


    The column of light hit Sword King head-on, and surprisingly easily severed the net of blades, heading straight for Meng Quyi.


    Meanwhile, the seven-foot-long mysterious black dragon horn rapidly whitened and thinned, as if something was being consumed.


    Meng Quyi, drenched in sweat with a pale face, realizing that mimicking a Taiyi Xiang Long commandment with his Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer cultivation was somewhat forced after all.


    ¡°Be careful!¡±


    Seeing the cunning of the Poison Dragon Python, Ge Chen shouted loudly, flinging a fist-sized purple-red stone.


    The stone instantly swelled to the size of a house and violently collided with the column of light, blocking it while the purple-red giant stone rapidly corroded the toxic column. It swiftly shrank in size, its surface bubbling up massively, the bubbles bursting forth, releasing a cloud of foul-smelling purple fog.


    From a distance, Zhao Sheng saw this scene, his pupils constricted, and instinctively slapped a Second Order Golden Armor Talisman on his body. In the blink of an eye, he was covered by a thick, solid suit of golden light armor.


    Just then, the dragon horn on the Poison Dragon Python¡¯s head suddenly shone intensely, and a beam of blood light shot out from the tip of the horn,


    the speed of the blood light was inconceivable, blurring for a moment, as if piercing through the void, disappearing in an instant.


    The next moment, Meng Quyi suddenly let out a piercing scream. There was immediately a hole as wide as a bowl in his chest, with dark red blood light rapidly spreading throughout his body.


    In a blink of an eye, a whole living person was corroded by the blood light, turned into a pool of dark red toxic fluid, dripping down to the sea surface.


    Not far away, Fang Weishan¡¯s face greatly changed, his eyes filled with disbelief.


    ¡°Brother Meng, no¡ª¡± Ge Chen shouted disconsolately, his expression a mix of shock and anger.


    At that critical moment!


    The dragon horn on the head of the Poison Dragon Python flickered continuously, and three streaks of blood light flashed and were gone in an instant.


    Zhao Sheng, Ge Chen, Fang Weishan¡¯s faces drastically changed.

 Chapter 215 - 198: Killing Pythons and Treasure Hunting

    Chapter 215: Chapter 198: Killing Pythons and Treasure Hunting


    Fang Weishan, in a state of panic, frantically dodged and weaved through the air while also summoning the Hundred Spirit Fan to protect his body. However, his movement suddenly stalled, and he plummeted from the sky with a look of utter terror.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes blazed with divine light, the invisible blood light reappeared in his vision, shockingly close within three zhang of him and shooting rapidly toward his chest.


    In this strange state, Zhao Sheng shifted his body bit by bit to avoid vital areas. He slowly threw out the Sea Abyss Shield, painstakingly placing it in front of the blood light.


    As time stretched on, Zhao Sheng clearly saw the blood light collide with the Sea Abyss Shield, which slowly corroded, eventually creating holes through its center.


    The substantially diminished blood light passed through the hole and continued hurtling toward him. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows barely moved as a thought flashed through his mind, activating the True Talisman of Defense, the Hundred-layered Ice Wall, hidden in his chest.


    In front of him, layers of transparent ice walls began to take shape out of thin air, but they formed much slower than the blood light was moving.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat, realizing it was too late to dodge any further, he suddenly remembered something in his moment of urgency.


    After a flash of golden light, a golden Imperial Tablet about a foot long and hand-width appeared in front of Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest, colliding with the blood light.


    Bang!


    The blood light shattered upon impact, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands violently shook. A great force surged from the Imperial Tablet, pushing him involuntarily three or four zhang back and out of Bullet Time.


    With his heart pounding wildly, he instinctively looked down to find the surface of the Imperial Tablet in his hand smooth and reflective, without a single mark.


    Ah!


    At that moment, a short scream echoed from not far away. Zhao Sheng looked up and saw Ge Chen¡¯s face deathly pale, chopping off his entire right arm in desperation.


    At this point, his right forearm had already vanished, with a streak of blood light swiftly eroding upward from the elbow. Had Ge Chen not reacted quickly, he would have followed Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan¡¯s fate and ended up dismembered.


    Zhao Sheng felt a chill upon witnessing this. The Poison Dragon Python¡¯s attack had indeed reached the Golden Core Level standard; ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators couldn¡¯t dodge it, nor could they block it easily.


    The Poison Dragon Python let out a mournful cry and its body abruptly shrank by half; the bloody light on its surface suddenly collapsed, and the Dragon Horns on its head turned ash-white, leaving only a two-foot-long segment as thick as a wrist.


    At this moment, its ferocious light faded from its eyes, along with the imposing aura from before, and its aura significantly weakened. Its body trembled slightly, nearly falling into the sea, appearing quite unstable.


    Clearly, the python had pushed beyond its limits with that last attack and suffered a significant drain on its primordial Qi as a result.


    Ge Chen¡¯s face went pale. He suddenly shook his sleeve, and a dazzling golden talisman flew out. It instantly burst into a sphere of golden light that enveloped him, then with a flash, he turned into a streak of golden light and broke the void to escape.


    In a few blinks, the golden light vanished into the vast night.


    ¡°Scoundrel!¡±


    Zhao Sheng had just witnessed the scene and, despite his mild-mannered nature, couldn¡¯t help but curse loudly when he saw Ge Chen flee without warning.


    At this moment, four Second Order Black Poison Pythons converged, enveloped in swirling poison mist, and charged towards Zhao Sheng with overwhelming ferocity.


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly, and his Golden Essence Flying Sword instantly returned to his side, forming a sword rainbow that protected his entire body.


    Then, with a flick of his wrist, he scattered a heap of Ice Sword Talismans, which soared out like a Heavenly Girl scattering flowers.


    The sky suddenly darkened as countless three-foot Ice Swords materialized, occupying a hundred zhang of void and forming an ice sword forest in the sky. Under the moonlight, they emitted a chilling, bone-penetrating light of murderous intent.


    The next instant, a torrent of Ice Swords mercilessly descended like raindrops, one wave following another without giving the Demon Pythons a chance to breathe.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t dare boast about anything else, but when it came to First-Order Talismans, he could count them by the bag.


    ¡°Pfft, pfft,¡± resounded continuously.


    The four Black Poison Pythons that appeared so formidable suddenly wilted. It was their natural instinct to fear the cold, and even as Second-order Demon Pythons, they couldn¡¯t resist the effect.


    They could temporarily withstand the rain of swords but couldn¡¯t stop the endless chill that spread astonishingly fast each time the Ice Swords shattered.


    In an instant, a surge of killing intent erupted in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes. He formed a sword formula with his right hand, and the Golden Essence Flying Sword shot out rapidly.


    A Second Order Black Poison Python was coiling up to fend off the Ice Swords, but the penetrating cold had already made its body stiff and slow.


    Just then, it felt a pain in its head, followed by an excruciating agony that radiated through its entire body. It lost consciousness and plunged into eternal darkness.


    On the other side, Zhao Sheng¡¯s right hand continued to flick swiftly, sending out points of golden light leaping like star pills. After a few flashes, they easily pierced through the skulls of the four Second Order Black Poison Pythons.


    Whizz!


    A sword cry echoed through heaven and earth!


    The Golden Essence Small Sword suddenly transformed into a dazzling sword rainbow that tore through the sky, reaching the Poison Dragon Python that was fleeing towards the sea surface in an instant.


    Just one sword strike caused a bowl-sized hole to appear on its body, and large amounts of python blood gushed out like a fountain from the wound.


    Zhao Sheng knew well the principle of striking while the enemy was weak and couldn¡¯t let the Poison Dragon Python join the Black Poison Python Group with its strength so diminished.


    The Poison Dragon Python continued to cry out in agony as blood light burst from its body, drastically increasing its speed by more than thirty percent in its flight.


    At that moment, the Black Poison Python Group in the sea, sensing their king¡¯s danger, immediately spewed out a massive cloud of black poison fog.


    In the midst of its escape, the Poison Dragon Python sucked in sharply, and an acre¡¯s worth of poison fog was inhaled into its mouth.

 Chapter 216 - 198: Killing Pythons and Treasure Hunting - Part 2

    Chapter 216: Chapter 198: Killing Pythons and Treasure Hunting ¨C Part 2


    In the blink of an eye, the spirit of the Poison Dragon Python was greatly invigorated; the bloody hole healed rapidly at a visible pace.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze turned cold, and without a word, he urged the sword formula. The Golden Essence Flying Sword, which had just pierced through, coiled around and transformed into a sword rainbow, slashing through again.


    With a ¡°puff¡± sound!


    As expected, the Poison Dragon Python had suffered a great loss in its primordial qi, and even its fleshly defense had weakened significantly¡ªit couldn¡¯t withstand the stabbing of the flying sword, and another bloody hole appeared next to its reverse scale.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing that he had not struck a vital point, couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly; divine light surged in his eyes as the Spiritual Flying Sword instantly turned into a point of golden light, shooting into the Poison Dragon Python¡¯s reverse scale at an inconceivable speed.


    In just a few breaths, having activated Bullet Time three times in a row, his mental strength was depleted by nearly a third.


    After a flash of golden light. The reverse scale was penetrated, creating a hole, and the next instant, glistening blood, like jade, of the Poison Dragon Python spurted out.


    Whirr!


    The Golden Essence Flying Sword burst out from the other side of the Poison Dragon Python¡¯s neck, breaking through the scale armor and flying out swiftly.


    Following a buzzing sound, the glow on both edges of the flying sword quickly dulled, its surface covered with a layer of bloody light, which writhed incessantly like a living thing.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but grunt in displeasure. His complexion changed, realizing he had lost control of the flying sword.


    The Spiritual Artifact flying sword, having lost much of its spiritual essence, wobbled through the air for a bit before suddenly crashing down as if it had lost power.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng was alarmed and without thinking, he suddenly grasped at the void with one hand, while the other sleeve vibrated and flicked out.


    With a ¡°swoo¡± sound,


    As the flying sword was pulled back by an invisible force, a bright blue Thunder Ball suddenly appeared in the hole at the vital seven-inch spot of the Poison Dragon Python, burrowing fiercely into it.


    Boom!


    A thunderous explosion reverberated through heaven and earth; blood and flesh scattered everywhere, falling into the sea and splashing up countless droplets.


    First struck by the sword at its seven-inch spot and then shattered by the Water Mine, even the Demon Python known for its life force couldn¡¯t withstand such an assault.


    Though the Poison Dragon Python did not die instantly, its massive body writhed in the sea, stirring up waves.


    But Zhao Sheng knew the Poison Dragon Python was already dead; it was just the instinctual reactions of its body now.


    This was evident from the way the Black Poison Python Group suddenly panicked and scattered, frantically fleeing in all directions.


    Zhao Sheng avoided the last struggles of the Poison Dragon Python and released the Light Spirit Flying Boat.


    After boarding the Flying Boat, he used his Divine Sense to pilot the flying boat down to the sea surface, lifting up the remains of four Second-order Demon Pythons, and placed them into the emptied Storage Bag.


    Next, he dived into the sea, searching in all directions.


    In one hour, he slew dozens of Black Poison Pythons and finally extracted the remains of Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan from inside a Black Poison Python.


    At this time, the writhing body of the Poison Dragon Python was gradually losing its vitality and becoming sluggish.


    Zhao Sheng waited patiently for another hour, until the Poison Dragon Python had completely stopped moving, before he went forward and smoothly stored its body in the specially prepared Storage Bag.


    It was only then that Zhao Sheng fully relaxed, feeling both joy and sorrow in his heart.


    Over the past two years, he had been living a reclusive life within the Spring and Autumn Alliance, devoting himself to Cultivation and Alchemy, and had not made many friends; Meng Quyi was one of the few he had.


    Now, Meng had carelessly died in this unknown sea area, his hundred years of arduous cultivation dissipated in vain. What a pity, a great pity indeed!


    With these thoughts, Zhao Sheng recalled Ge Chen, who had fled without warning, and couldn¡¯t help feeling a blaze of nameless anger.


    Even though he knew that Ge Chen¡¯s actions were quite common in the Cultivation World, Zhao Sheng still despised such behavior deeply.


    What kind of person was this! Brother Meng and Fang Weishan had both been invited by him to hunt pythons together.


    Setting aside their deaths, couldn¡¯t Ge Chen at least have sent a message before fleeing?


    This act was clearly using him as a scapegoat!


    Nevertheless, Zhao Sheng could do nothing to Ge Chen for the time being. After all, Ge was a favored disciple of Master Xu Chong and a Second-Order Alchemist, highly regarded by the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    Zhao Sheng, being merely a Foundation Establishment Minister, couldn¡¯t compare with Ge Chen at all.


    Zhao Sheng knew that he had now formed an enmity with Ge Chen. Although now was not the time, he vowed to settle this account at a later date.


    After all the corpses of the Demon Pythons on the sea surface had been salvaged.


    Zhao Sheng put away the Flying Boat, took a deep dive into the sea, and quickly swam downwards.


    A moment later, he easily reached the ocean floor, ten thousand feet deep.


    After searching around for a while, he found a sunken sea pit, and with a flip of his hand, a completely lustrous Sea Shell suddenly appeared in the palm of his hand.


    The Sea Shell flew out, its size swelling enormously to fifty to sixty feet, and it settled into the sea pit.


    Zhao Sheng cast two spells with his hands, and a layer of white light emerged on the Sea Shell. The shell was suddenly supported open by rune stone pillars, creating a crack. Zhao Sheng flashed and entered through it.


    Having entered the Bei Mansion Cave Heaven, Zhao Sheng headed straight for the quiet room within the courtyard. After he entered the quiet room, he immediately sat cross-legged on an apricot-yellow cushion and began to meditate to recover his consumed Divine Sense and Spiritual Power.


    Beneath the sea was pitch black, without light or sound, almost devoid of the concepts of day and night.


    After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, looking lively as he stood up and walked out of the quiet room.


    A short while later, Zhao Sheng emerged from the Sea Shell.


    With a thought, he saw the Sea Shell instantly shrink to the size of a palm, floated up from the pit, flew back to Zhao Sheng¡¯s palm, and then was stored inside his chest.


    Zhao Sheng did not immediately return to Nine Virtuous Isle, but instead swam towards the seabed of rocky reefs where the Black Poison Pythons had nested the night before.


    He still remembered that the Spiritual Energy there was abnormally high, and he wanted to search the area again.


    Before long, that chaotic seabed of rocky reefs entered the range of his Divine Sense.


    Zhao Sheng took out a Sunshine Stone, whose intense white light dispersed the darkness for about sixty feet around.


    Holding the Sunshine Stone, Zhao Sheng sensed the varying levels of surrounding Spiritual Energy, slowly swimming towards the area with the highest concentration.


    The area of this seabed rocky reef wasn¡¯t large, roughly sixteen or seventeen acres, with the rocks becoming larger towards the center.


    In just a dozen or so breaths, Zhao Sheng had swum to the center of the rocks, where a coral stone pillar, over thirty feet high and six to seven feet in diameter, stood before him.


    The place with the richest Spiritual Energy was this stone pillar.


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and instantly recalled the huge coral reef pillar near the Mist Sea Area that was about to protrude above the sea surface.


    Though the two were vastly different in size, both were formed from rare Coral Spirit Mothers, one gray, while the one before him was green all over.


    With a brief discernment, Zhao Sheng sensed that the surrounding Spiritual Energy was primarily of the Water Element.


    If there were a Spirit Vein here, it would certainly be a Water Element Spirit Vein below.


    Due to the geographical factors of the Shattered Star Sea, the Spirit Veins were mostly of water and earth elements, followed by metal and wood, with the Fire Element Spirit Veins being the rarest.


    Zhao Sheng was eighty percent certain that beneath this coral stone pillar lay a Water Element Spirit Vein.


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng immediately took out a High-grade Magical Weapon Wind Blade and began to dig at the base of the pillar.


    This digging lasted for two full days, with Zhao Sheng working tirelessly, eventually excavating a passage over thirty feet long.


    Bang!


    Half a day later, as Zhao Sheng struck the stone wall with a blade, his hand suddenly felt empty, and a hole appeared in front of him, emitting a faint blue water light.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng was overjoyed inside and began to excavate vigorously.


    He quickly opened up a stone cave half the height of a person and, unable to wait, crawled inside.


    Behind the stone cave was a small, spherical grotto, only slightly more than ten feet high and not more than six feet wide.


    The grotto was empty, but in a small depression in the center lay a pool of pale blue, clear Spirit Liquid.


    The Spirit Liquid emitted a faint bright blue glow, illuminating the entire grotto, casting a blue hue over Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    Upon seeing this Spirit Liquid, Zhao Sheng immediately exclaimed in delight, ¡°Jade Spirit Liquid!¡±


    ¡°Hey hey, Brother Zhao would have guessed it just right.¡± Hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes gleamed, and without another word, he shook his staff which then extended and bent from both ends, transforming into a pitch-black giant bow. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then with a shout, he drew the bow open, and a dazzling golden Light Arrow appeared on the giant bow.


    With a ¡°whoosh¡± sound!

 Chapter 217 - 199: Foundation Establishment Pill Elixir Recipe and Golden Burning Spirit Flame

    Chapter 217: Chapter 199: Foundation Establishment Pill Elixir Recipe and Golden Burning Spirit Flame


    In the Spiritual Cave, Zhao Sheng, overwhelmed by surprise, immediately walked to the edge of the pool, took out a Jade Purifying Bottle with a big belly and a thin neck, and reached out towards the Jade Spirit Liquid with a gesture.


    The spirit liquid in the pool instantly erupted into a column of water, gurgling into the Jade Purifying Bottle.


    A few breaths later, the pool was emptied of its Jade Liquid, and the Jade Purifying Bottle was more than half full,


    Zhao Sheng slightly shook the bottle and listened to the sound of the water, estimating about two liters.


    He smiled in satisfaction, glanced around, and suddenly remembered something, furrowing his brows and immediately turned to leave.


    The sky was clear, and the sunlight was radiant.


    With a splash, Zhao Sheng suddenly burst out from the sea surface.


    In mid-air, he flicked his right hand, and the Silver White Flying Boat shot out, swelling from the size of a palm to three zhang in an instant. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After leaping onto the Flying Boat, Zhao Sheng activated his Divine Sense, and the boat abruptly sped up, racing towards Nine Virtuous Isle.


    In the blink of an eye, the Flying Boat disappeared into the vast horizon.


    Half a day later, as the sun set and night fell, the various islets of Nine Virtues Isle had already lit up with lights, with the bustling and lively Spring and Autumn Island illuminated brilliantly, lighting up the nearby night sky.


    At that moment, a Silver White Flying Boat suddenly broke through the night sky, descending directly below Alliance Peak in the center of Spring and Autumn Island.


    Alliance Peak was not tall, nor was it large, but it was the core of the Spirit Vein of Nine Virtues Isle, where the Spiritual Energy was most rich.


    This place was also where the upper echelons of the Spring and Autumn Alliance of ascetics secluded themselves for cultivation, and the cave mansions of the three Golden Core Masters were on the mountainside of Alliance Peak.


    Zhao Sheng stowed away the Flying Boat, controlled his sword to fly, and quickly arrived at a stone platform carved out on the mid-mountain. At the end of the stone platform was a tightly closed bronze door, flanked by two young men dressed in black.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward and spoke aloud, ¡°I am Zhao Chonghe, currently a Minister at the alliance. I must urgently meet with Master Qi Feng, please inform him on my behalf.¡±


    With that, he took out the Guest Token to show to the two men.


    The young man on the right seriously verified the authenticity of the Token, then quickly bowed and said, ¡°Senior, please wait a moment! I will inform him immediately.¡±


    ¡°Mm, go ahead!¡±


    After giving a bow, the young man turned and entered into the cave mansion.


    Shortly after, he returned and guided Zhao Sheng inside.


    The two walked through a hallway, its walls bare stone, with simple and unadorned stone rooms on either side.


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback, not expecting that someone of Master Qi Feng¡¯s high status would be such an ascetic.


    Passing through the hallway, they arrived at a simply furnished living room where they met Master Qi Feng, dressed in a gray Daoist robe.


    Master Qi Feng looked slightly displeased, and upon seeing Zhao Sheng, immediately joked, ¡°Zhao Kid, it¡¯s been two years, and this is the first time you¡¯ve come to visit. Tell me, what important matter brings you here?¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt embarrassed and quickly bowed to beg for mercy with a few words.


    Only then did Master Qi Feng let him off, asking, ¡°What brings you to see this old Daoist today?¡±


    With a solemn face, Zhao Sheng immediately recounted to Master Qi Feng the invitation from Ge Chen, and how he, Meng Quyi, and Fang Weishan set out to hunt the Poison Dragon Python¡ªresulting in two deaths and one escape, leaving only him alive to discover a Spirit Vein.


    ¡°Hmm? Meng Quyi and Fang Weishan, both Foundation Establishment Cultivators, are dead? And you actually discovered a Spirit Vein?¡± Master Qi Feng suddenly sat upright, frowning and confirming in a cold voice.


    ¡°Eh, Ge Chen didn¡¯t inform you? I dare not utter any falsehoods. Senior, please look, these are Brother Meng and Daoist Fang¡¯s corpses.¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng took out the corpses of the two men and laid them on the floor of the living room.


    Master Qi Feng glanced over them, his face suddenly turned cold, the presence of the bodies confirming the truth of the matter.


    The Spring and Autumn Alliance had just over thirty Foundation Establishment Cultivators altogether. Excluding those neutral like Zhao Sheng, only eight belonged to Master Qi Feng¡¯s side.


    Unfortunately, Meng and Fang were two of those eight.


    With two dying at once, it was impossible for Master Qi Feng not to be outraged, even with his mastery in cultivating calm.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s immediate visit to Master Qi Feng upon his return to Nine Virtuous Isle was of course to turn a passive situation into an active one.


    Paper can¡¯t wrap fire!


    The death and obliteration of two Foundation Establishment Cultivators was no minor issue. Rather than being questioned later, it was better to take the initiative and come clean now.


    Zhao Sheng did not hand over the Storage Bags and Spiritual Artifacts of the two men, and Master Qi Feng did not ask.


    Returning the bodies was already the utmost demonstration of righteousness; the remaining belongings were Zhao Sheng¡¯s spoils of war. This was an ¡°unwritten rule¡± traditionally passed down in the Cultivation World, rarely broken by anyone.


    ¡­


    After a moment, two streaks of light shot up from Alliance Peak, soared above Xia Guang Island, and then descended.


    Upon seeing the bodies of Meng and Fang, Master Qi Feng immediately took Zhao Sheng to see Alchemy Master Xu Chong


    The purpose was not anything else, but purely to seek an explanation.


    Meng and Fang¡¯s Daoist cultivation was insufficient, their deaths were regrettable. However, what truly infuriated Master Qi Feng was that Ge Chen had returned without even notifying anyone.


    This not only reflected poorly on Ge Chen¡¯s character but also chilled the heart.


    Owing to his status, Master Qi Feng would not trouble a junior, but as an elder, Xu Chong needed to provide a satisfactory explanation.


    The affair was both simple and clear.


    Zhao Sheng stated the details once more in front of Xu Chong.


    After hearing the full account, Xu Chong immediately felt disgraced.


    When a disciple lacks integrity, the master inevitably feels disgraced.


    The Cultivation World is not just about battles and killings, but also about the nuances of human relationships.


    What followed need not be mentioned.


    Xu Chong quickly apologized to Master Qi Feng, additionally promising to compensate the families of Meng and Fang generously on behalf of his disciple.

 Chapter 218 - 199: Foundation Establishment Pill Recipe and Golden Burning Spirit Flame_2

    Chapter 218: Chapter 199: Foundation Establishment Pill Recipe and Golden Burning Spirit Flame_2


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng heard that Ge Chen was locked in Contemplation Cave for ten years of reflection as a way to give Master Qi Feng an explanation.


    Zhao Sheng never expected that after Ge Chen¡¯s narrow escape, he would remain silent, not even sending a word out, eventually leading to this embarrassing situation. Whom could this be blamed on?


    Perhaps Ge Chen thought he was the only one who survived, which is why he chose to ¡°keep his mouth shut.¡±


    The very next morning, under Zhao Sheng¡¯s guidance, Master Qi Feng personally inspected the First-rank Spirit Vein.


    After examining the Spiritual Cave and confirming that the spirit vein¡¯s quality was First Order Middle Grade, Master Qi Feng¡¯s face finally showed a trace of a smile.


    In the Cultivation World, spirit veins are the foundation of all Cultivation Forces; no one would think they had too many.


    Back in the day, the Zhao Family had paid a hefty price to rent the spirit vein in Dragon Carp Lake. After moving to Taifu Mountain, they spared no life or death in participating in the Southern Border expansion war, eventually trading Flame Ridge and Lush Peach Mountain for the ownership of a First-rank Spirit Vein.


    One can imagine the rarity and preciousness of spirit veins.


    Zhao Sheng also wanted to hide this spirit vein, but it was not feasible.


    Let¡¯s not forget, Ge Chen knew of this place as well.


    Instead of letting Ge Chen leak the information, it was better to take the initiative and inform the Spring and Autumn Alliance to secure some benefits in return.


    In the undersea spiritual vein stone cave, Master Qi Feng, having inspected the cave, turned to Zhao Sheng and said, ¡°There are only you and I here. Think carefully about what you want to trade it for. Rest assured, with this True Immortal here, you won¡¯t suffer any losses!¡±


    Seeing the profound meaning in Master Qi Feng¡¯s eyes, Zhao Sheng got the hint.


    The invitation in his words couldn¡¯t be clearer.


    Since that was the case, he wouldn¡¯t be blamed for making a hefty request.


    ¡°I would like to exchange it for a Foundation Establishment Pill recipe, may the True Immortal grant this wish!¡± Zhao Sheng said directly.


    Master Qi Feng¡¯s eyebrows raised, and he scolded with a laugh, ¡°Good lad, you sure know when to strike, and you¡¯ve certainly got the nerve to ask.¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt relieved at this response, knowing the matter was settled.


    Which is more important, a spirit vein or the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe? For a power, it really is a subjective question.


    But from Master Qi Feng¡¯s perspective, a mere elixir recipe not only secured a spirit vein but also gained a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, killing two birds with one stone, a very worthwhile deal.


    Shortly after, the two left the undersea spirit vein and returned to Nine Virtuous Isle.


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng was invited by Master Qi Feng again and finally got the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe he wished for.


    At the same time, he naturally became one of Master Qi Feng¡¯s people.


    Over the next month, Zhao Sheng successively met with the eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators from his side, clearly establishing his status as ¡°one of our own.¡±


    ¡­


    Just after returning to his cave mansion, Zhao Sheng rushed into the quiet room, waved his hand to release four Barrier Talismans, and established an isolation barrier.


    Then, he excitedly took out the Jade Scroll that contained the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe, sent his Divine Sense into it, and began to meticulously examine it.


    After a while, Zhao Sheng put away the Jade Scroll, his expression one of deep thought.


    To his knowledge, the Foundation Establishment Pill in the Central Continent used Red Fire Ganoderma as the main ingredient, but this recipe was different. It used Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit as the primary ingredient for Foundation Establishment. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit is a Spirit Fruit from the Star God Sea, which occasionally floats to the surface during the once-a-year Star Algae Tide and is picked by some lucky few.


    In terms of availability and rarity, the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit is much less common than the Red Fire Ganoderma.


    In other words, the annual production of Foundation Establishment Pills in the Shattered Star Sea is extremely limited and nowhere near enough to meet the demands of Qi Refining Immortal Cultivators.


    Zhao Sheng had once bid on a Foundation Establishment Pill on Wind and Fire Island and was well aware that its price was more than double the average price in the Central Continent.


    After pondering for a while, he put away the Elixir Recipe Jade Scroll and took out the Jade Purifying Bottle containing the Jade Spirit Liquid, poured out a mouthful of Spirit Liquid, and swallowed it.


    Swish!


    As soon as the Spirit Liquid went down, he immediately felt a cool breath rush up from his stomach, passing through the lungs and throat and pouring into the Purple Mansion Soul Sea, materializing into a drizzle of spirit rain that fell down, merging into the Soul Sea.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng felt as if his mind were coated with a layer of refreshing balm. He was utterly cool and comfortable, and his thoughts were crystal clear, his thinking much faster than before.


    At this moment, Divine Sense unconsciously spread out, reaching its maximum range of thirteen zhang, then gradually began to expand even further.


    Time seemed to have passed for ages, yet it felt like just a moment.


    When the Spirit Liquid had been completely absorbed, Zhao Sheng was surprised to find that the strength of his Divine Sense had increased slightly, and its range had expanded by more than a foot.


    Seeing how miraculous the Jade Spirit Liquid was, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but gulp down another mouthful in his joy.


    Swoosh!


    The peculiar state reappeared, and his Divine Sense began to slowly expand outward once again.


    ¡­


    Three years flew by in the blink of an eye.


    In Elixir Fire Square on Xia Guang Island, a new Alchemy Shop called Heavenly Tripod Pavilion recently opened on True Flame Street.


    ¡°Do you know who the owner of Heavenly Tripod Pavilion is?¡±


    At a wine table in a tavern facing the street, a middle-aged man with a beard playfully asked his friends.


    ¡°Who is it? Come on, Old Li, stop holding out and just tell us! I¡¯ll foot the bill for this table if I must,¡± his friend urged, running out of patience.


    The middle-aged man known as Old Li chuckled before saying, ¡°You¡¯re aware that the Alchemy Master Association has recently gained a few Alchemists, right?¡±


    ¡°Cut the nonsense!¡± his friend interjected impatiently.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be in such a hurry!¡± the middle-aged man said with an awkward smile, hastening to add, ¡°The owner of Heavenly Tripod Pavilion is none other than the recently renowned Zhao Chonghe. He¡¯s not only a newly-promoted First-rank Alchemist but also a Guest Elder of the Spring and Autumn Alliance. I¡¯ve also heard that Senior Zhao¡¯s strength is unfathomable, never having been defeated in a fight.¡±


    ¡°Really? How come I¡¯ve never heard of him before?¡±


    ¡°Senior Zhao has always kept a low profile. If my third uncle hadn¡¯t had dealings with him, I wouldn¡¯t have known how formidable he really is either.¡±


    As the two discussed Zhao Sheng, the subject of their conversation was in the backyard of Heavenly Tripod Pavilion, meeting with a friend.


    In the living room, Jin Ming wiped the sweat from his brow and said with a mix of pride and a bit of complaint, ¡°I¡¯ve been running around so much for your sake that my legs have gotten thinner, and my throat is about to start smoking.¡±


    Zhao Sheng personally poured him a cup of tea and said with a smile, ¡°Brother Jin, you¡¯ve worked hard! Did everything go smoothly?¡±


    Jin Ming, pleased with himself, took a sip of tea and boasted, ¡°Do you even need to ask? With me on the case, I¡¯ve already got what you wanted.¡±


    After speaking, he took out a fiery red gourd and carefully passed it to Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng received the gourd, probed inside it with his Divine Sense, and saw a palm-sized bright yellow spirit flame quietly burning within.


    ¡°Is this¡­ the Golden Crow True Fire?¡± Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but ask upon seeing this.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting ahead of yourself! Golden Crow True Fire scorches the heavens and earth, and this little one doesn¡¯t even possess one percent of its power. At best, it¡¯s a Golden Burning Spirit Flame. Whether it can ascend to the Golden Crow True Fire depends on whether you can gather the Seven-colored Spiritual Fire,¡± Jin Ming said with a dismissive wave of his hand.


    Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t disappointed and nodded, ¡°So it¡¯s the Golden Burning Spirit Flame, not bad. As long as it can be used for alchemy, that¡¯s all that matters.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhao, aren¡¯t your standards a bit too high? There are countless Alchemists in the association who are coveting this Golden Burning Spirit Flame, and yet it has ended up in your hands. Don¡¯t be ungrateful!¡± Jin Ming said, quite indignant.


    Zhao Sheng put away the Fire Gourd and said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯m not ungrateful. It¡¯s all fair competition, after all. Whoever is willing to pay the most gets it! If they¡¯re unwilling to make a bid, who can blame them?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, besides me, who in the Alchemist Association knows how rich you, Zhao Mansion¡¯s Zhao Da, truly are? To get a Spirit Flame for alchemy, you are willing to throw down two hundred thousand Spirit Stones,¡± Jin Ming grumbled.


    ¡°Mr. Jin, are you suggesting the hush money I gave you isn¡¯t enough?¡±


    Jin Ming¡¯s eyes shifted, and he protested, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare say that. But if Taoist Zhao could give me some pointers on how to refine the Spirit Essence Pill, that would be most appreciated.¡±


    The Spirit Essence Pill is a Second Order Spirit Pill recorded in the ¡°Hundred Elixirs Formula¡± and is primarily used to enhance cultivation.


    In just a few years, Jin Ming was shocked to find that Taoist Zhao¡¯s alchemy skills had quietly surpassed his own.


    Taoist Zhao could refine at least three types of Second Order Spirit Pills, while he hadn¡¯t managed to refine even one successfully.


    Every time Jin Ming thought about this, he felt like he had lived all these years in vain.


    ¡°That¡¯s easy to arrange, we¡¯ll go to the Earth Fire Room tomorrow,¡± Zhao Sheng agreed readily.

 Chapter 219 - 200 Enlightenment Pill, Entrusted to Meet an Enemy

    Chapter 219: Chapter 200 Enlightenment Pill, Entrusted to Meet an Enemy


    Heavenly Tripod Pavilion¡¯s backyard


    Guest reception room,


    Zhao Sheng was seated on the chief purple wooden chair, his expression calm as he scrutinized a worn and yellowed beast skin in his hands.


    To his left sat a scrawny old man in a black short robe, his face sallow and appearing quite destitute. This person was anxiously sizing up Zhao Sheng.


    Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng finished examining the elixir recipe in his hands and, lost in thought, placed it on the wooden table beside him, tapping the beast skin with his fingers.


    Seeing this, the scrawny old man couldn¡¯t help but tentatively say, ¡°Senior Zhao, I stake my life on it, this Enlightenment Pill recipe is genuine.¡±


    Zhao Sheng listened, smiled playfully, and calmly said, ¡°The last three ingredients¡ªSeven-flavor Fruit, Stem Lotus, and Heart-opening Fruit¡ªare your additions, aren¡¯t they!¡±


    Upon hearing this, the elder was initially taken aback and then his face filled with indignation, just about to argue.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng raised his hand to stop him and quickened his speech, ¡°No need to explain. The primary ingredient in this recipe is the Thousand-year-old Xuanxuan Fruit. Don¡¯t you know that Xuanxuan Fruit must absolutely never be mixed with Seven-flavor Fruit?¡±


    Seeing the elder¡¯s clueless expression, Zhao Sheng continued unhurriedly, ¡°Not knowing is no matter, but you should have heard of the Seven Mysterious Absolute Poison from the Seven Mysterious Sect. Xuanxuan Fruit and Seven-flavor Fruit are the two primary ingredients in that poison.¡±


    The Seven Mysterious Sect was infamously known throughout the Shattered Star Sea, especially skilled in poisoning and assassination, and their Seven Mysterious Absolute Poison was renowned for being incurable.


    Hearing this, the scrawny old man began sweating profusely, terrified, he suddenly knelt down, bowing repeatedly, begging Zhao Sheng for mercy.


    In the Cultivation World, it was common for people to deceive alchemists with fake elixir recipes, and just as common for such deceptions to be uncovered.


    However, it was audaciously reckless for the old man to attempt such a fraud on a Foundation Establishment Realm alchemist, only to have his deception exposed.


    The consequences of this affair were severe, severe to the extent that being beaten to death was deserved.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, slightly smiled and raised his tone, asking, ¡°What about the refining method of the recipe?¡±


    ¡°Spare my life, Senior¡­ uh, uh, the refining¡­ the refining method is here!¡±


    The scrawny old man startled, then snapped back to reality, immediately fumbling to pull a folded piece of beast skin from his chest and presented it respectfully.


    ¡°Spare my life, Senior, I have not spoken falsely, this recipe truly is passed down from my ancestors. If I dare utter a single lie, may I be struck by thunder!¡±


    As the elder swore his oath, Zhao Sheng swiftly glanced over the Spirit Pill¡¯s refining method, then felt more confident internally.


    From his experience and knowledge, the refining method seemed correct, just missing two critical steps.


    And apart from the last three added ingredients, the ingredients in the rest of the recipe were also most likely genuine.


    This could be verified by combining various alchemy steps.


    Zhao Sheng was eighty percent sure that the recipe was authentic, only missing a few key ingredients and one or two steps in the alchemy process.


    ¡°Ah, what a pity,¡± Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly.


    This recipe revealed just how severe the problem of guarded secrecy was within the Cultivation World.


    For millennia, countless divine skills and secret knowledge had been lost or remained incomplete for reasons of selfishness, monopoly, myopia, and so forth, eventually disappearing from the world.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng felt utterly speechless and signaled impatiently with a wave of his hand for the old man to leave quickly.


    The scrawny old man, seeing this, burst into fits of ecstasy, hopping up and rushing out of the guest reception room.


    Zhao Sheng then picked up the recipe again and studied it thoroughly.


    This time, he pondered it alongside the refining method, gaining insight with each review.


    This Enlightenment Pill¡­ the name must also be genuine, but let us call it the Enlightenment Pill for now.


    The Enlightenment Pill recipe listed thirty-one different Spiritual Medicines, with a total of eleven alchemy steps written on the beast skin. Refining a batch would take about three to five days.


    From his experience, he judged the grade of the Enlightenment Pill to be at least Second Order, possibly even Third-Order Spirit Pills, and the difficulty of its refinement was extremely high.


    After analyzing the properties of the ingredients listed in the recipe, Zhao Sheng felt fairly certain that the Enlightenment Pill was likely a type of ¡°Smart Pill¡± that could temporarily enhance a cultivator¡¯s aptitude. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If that was the case, the value of this recipe was incalculable, with a huge difference between its upper and lower limits.


    The lower limit might be somewhat similar to Soul Condensing Pills, causing a short-term surge in spiritual power and a significant boost in mental capacity.


    The upper limit was harder to guess, the best expectation being a permanent increase in a portion of a cultivator¡¯s aptitude.


    Yet, regardless of the final outcome, this was a ¡°lucky find¡± for Zhao Sheng.


    Just as he diligently studied the recipe, a young man in white swiftly entered the reception room and respectfully said, ¡°Master, Senior Jin is here!¡±


    ¡°Haha! Surely I¡¯m excused from being announced,¡±


    Before the voice fell, Jin Ming, wearing a smile, suddenly appeared at the doorway, then strolled leisurely into the reception room.


    At this moment, a middle-aged man with a pale, beardless face and eyes shining with sharp light followed him in.


    Zhao Sheng put down the recipe, stood up from his chair, and smilingly said, ¡°Mr. Jin, you certainly don¡¯t need to be. Please, come in.¡±


    After speaking, he instructed the young man in white, ¡°Xiao Yong, go brew two pots of Phoenix Tea.¡±


    The young man in white immediately bowed in agreement and quickly stepped back.


    ¡°Please, have a seat!¡±


    Once the three were seated, Zhao Sheng examined Jin Ming and noticed that he now had white hair and numerous dark spots covering his face, looking completely aged compared to just a couple of years ago.

 Chapter 220 - 200 Enlightenment Pill, Entrusting Meeting with Enemy_2

    Chapter 220: Chapter 200 Enlightenment Pill, Entrusting Meeting with Enemy_2


    Zhao Sheng silently sighed, knowing this was the result of a failed Foundation Establishment.


    He remembered how, five years ago, Jin Ming had eagerly sought his advice on how to refine the Spirit Essence Pill.


    But half a year ago, after failing to establish his foundation, he rapidly aged, his spirit nearly gone, with seemingly only a few years left to live.


    Jin Ming, noting Zhao Sheng¡¯s regret, laughed it off, pointing to a middle-aged man, and introduced, ¡°Taoist Zhao, this is my clan nephew, Jin Jiang, who is also the next Family Head of the Jin Family.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, the middle-aged man abruptly stood up and gave Zhao Sheng a deep bow with utmost respect, saying, ¡°I am Jin Jiang, Junior, who has long revered Senior Zhao¡¯s renowned name. Seeing you today, you indeed transcend the mundane. My admiration for you, Senior, is like the endless Milky Way¡­


    Seeing Jin Jiang¡¯s sycophantic flattery, Zhao Sheng turned his head and gave Jin Ming a look that seemed to say, ¡°How did you choose this one?¡±


    A bitter smile appeared on Jin Ming¡¯s face; he didn¡¯t want this either, but Jin Jiang was the most outstanding in his family.


    His disciple, Jin Dancheng, had a temperament too rigid and a mind insufficiently sharp, wholly incapable of supporting the vast Jin Family.


    Jin Ming shook his head helplessly and cut in, ¡°Enough! Jin Jiang, sit down!¡±


    At these words, Jin Jiang flashed an embarrassed smile and hurriedly sat back down.


    Just then, a young man in white, carrying two pots of Spiritual Tea and teaware, quickly walked into the living room.


    After setting the teacups and pouring three bowls of Spiritual Tea, the young man in white tactfully retreated.


    After some idle chat over tea, Jin Ming finally stated his intentions.


    As it turned out, sensing his days were numbered, Jin Ming planned to entrust the ancestral Treasure Medicine Pavilion to Zhao Sheng, while also introducing his successor, Jin Jiang, to him.


    Hearing the words of his old friend, Zhao Sheng understood.


    The Jin Family¡¯s strength was weak; the previous generation¡¯s foundation builders had died decades ago, and now everything depended on Jin Ming.


    Once Jin Ming was gone, the Jin Family would simply be unable to guard the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, this juicy prize, so they needed a powerful backer.


    After much consideration, Jin Ming felt that Zhao Sheng was wealthy and reliable and probably wouldn¡¯t covet something trivial like the Treasure Medicine Pavilion.


    That was why he had made the visit today.


    After understanding the intentions of the two, Zhao Sheng gave it some thought and readily agreed, but also made it clear upfront that while he would help with small matters, some situations would depend on the circumstances.


    Implicitly, he wasn¡¯t going to get burnt for the sake of the Jin Family.


    Jin Ming, understanding and pleased by Zhao Sheng¡¯s stance of wise self-preservation, was extremely grateful and excited.


    From the conversation, Jin Ming had confirmed that his old friend would absolutely not covet the Precious Herb Pavilion, truly proving he hadn¡¯t misjudged him.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng was left alone in the living room, and on the table next to him now lay two milky-white Jade Scrolls.


    The Jade Scrolls, left by Jin Ming upon his departure, contained the alchemy experiences and insights of generations of alchemists from the Jin Family, while the other recorded various Elixir Recipes collected by the Jin Family.


    This ¡°sincerity¡± could not be deemed insubstantial. Zhao Sheng pondered for a long time and eventually decided to accept this gift.


    At that moment, in his heart, he felt that he likely had to ensure the Jin Family produced a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to finally settle this cause and effect.


    ¡­


    A year later, Jin Ming passed away, and Zhao Sheng advanced to the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer.


    At the same time, the Precious Herb Pavilion indeed became a target for several peers.


    As a rare occurrence to resolve the trouble, Zhao Sheng changed into his Crimson Robe and went to the Alchemy Master Association situated at the base of Dusk Peak.


    That afternoon, Condensation Hall suddenly opened its long-closed grand doors, and one after another, pill masters dressed in lively Qingding Crimson Robes energetically arrived at the site to participate in the pill masters¡¯ exchange meeting held at Condensation Hall.


    While the outside world was basked in scorching sun, the great hall was as cool as spring, adorned with jade tables and chairs all around. The pill masters gathered in groups of two and three, some spiritedly discussing and exchanging alchemy insights; others whispering secrets and spreading gossip; and some engaging in barter exchanges. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As time passed, the number of alchemists in Condensation Hall exceeded twenty, signifying that one-third of today¡¯s members of the Alchemy Master Association were present here.


    In the northeast corner of the great hall, a red-haired, hawk-nosed alchemist spoke mysteriously to a small group of three, ¡°Do you know? Old Jin has recently passed away!¡±


    ¡°I knew it already! Alas, with Old Jin gone, the Jin Family has lost its support and it will be difficult for them to establish themselves on Nine Virtuous Isle,¡± another person in the group replied.


    ¡°Exactly! The Jin Family, after all, is an alchemy family with a three-hundred-year legacy, yet now they have declined to this extent. I¡¯m afraid the Treasure Medicine Pavilion will no longer be preserved!¡±


    ¡°Gentlemen, are you interested in that shop? Not to hide from you, I am in need of a place to prepare medicinal materials. That Treasure Medicine Pavilion, I, Liu, am determined to have it,¡± said a portly middle-aged alchemist with a ruddy face, his tone resolute.


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the skinny Qian Bo chuckled and said, ¡°Hehe, Brother Liu, sorry, but I have also taken a liking to Treasure Medicine Pavilion. Moreover, I have already made an offer to the Jin Family. Unless something unexpected happens, this deal is as good as done.¡±


    ¡°That Qian Bo, acting so quickly! Just you wait, it¡¯s not certain yet who will end up with Treasure Medicine Pavilion,¡± Liu Yu exclaimed angrily, his eyes wide.


    Liu Yu, a veteran First-rank Alchemist and a Loose Cultivator by origin, had studied under Liu Fangzhou, the quasi Third-tier Alchemist and Chairman of the Pill Master Association. He held no low position within the Association, counted as a Pill Master with a significant voice.


    As Liu Yu and Qian Bo were arguing over the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, Zhao Sheng led Jin Dancheng, clad in a brand-new Crimson Robe, into the Condensation Hall.


    Jin Dancheng had been promoted to First-rank Alchemist just a few days ago and had joined the Pill Master Association the day before yesterday. Today was his first official participation in a Pill Master exchange meeting, so he was quite nervous.


    Noticing this, Zhao Sheng reassured him, ¡°Jin Dancheng, don¡¯t be nervous! You¡¯ll get used to it, just stick close to me now.¡±


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng, with a smile, headed towards the nearest exchange circle.


    After exchanging a few pleasantries, he smoothly introduced Jin Dancheng to the other alchemists, clearly expressing his protective intentions in his words.


    Although Zhao Sheng had joined the Pill Master Association less than ten years ago, he was already very famous within the organization.


    Not just because he was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and not just for his generous actions, but more importantly because Zhao Sheng had taken only a few short years to go from starting to study alchemy to being promoted to First-rank Alchemist. He was truly a prodigy in the Alchemy Dao.


    Thus, even though he rarely participated in the various activities organized by the Association, his presence always became the focus of others.


    After introducing Jin Dancheng, Zhao Sheng chatted briefly, and then excusing himself for a matter, he took him to the next circle and again introduced Jin Dancheng to everyone there in a formal manner.


    The intent of such an action was clear.


    Plainly put, it was as if saying, ¡°This person is under my protection.¡±


    A slight contemplation made it easy to guess whose hands the Treasure Medicine Pavilion now fell into.


    Seeing this, Liu Yu was so frustrated that his teeth itched.


    He had been coveting the Treasure Medicine Pavilion not for a day or two, and finally, believing his chance had come with the death of Old Jin.


    Little did he know, suddenly there was someone else snatching the opportunity.


    Then, Qian Bo spoke lacklusterly, ¡°Brother Liu, we¡¯re out of luck this time. With Mr. Zhao in play, Treasure Medicine Pavilion isn¡¯t something we can aspire to.¡±


    Grinding his teeth, Liu Yu declared vengefully, ¡°This isn¡¯t over yet, just you wait and see!¡±


    Having said that, Liu Yu stood up and turned to walk towards the back hall.


    ¡°Brother Liu, you¡­¡±


    Qian Bo was greatly surprised and just about to call him back when he suddenly stopped, his expression shifting as though he had thought of something.


    Meanwhile, Jin Dancheng followed closely beside Zhao Sheng, looking at Senior Zhao chatting and laughing with others, feeling envious and very grateful.


    He wasn¡¯t foolish and of course understood the implication of Senior Zhao¡¯s actions; it was almost as if he was directly saying that he was the support of the Jin Family.


    For the Jin Family, currently in a precarious situation, this was like taking a reassuring pill.


    Just as Jin Dancheng began to relax more and even occasionally chime into the conversation, a shrill, mocking voice suddenly came from behind him:


    ¡°Haha! I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be the renowned Taoist Zhao. I¡¯ve missed you so much over the years!¡±


    Jin Dancheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he turned to look, only to see a one-armed young man with a face full of amiability but eyes cold as ice, striding towards them surrounded by a group of people.

 Chapter 221 - 201: The Tide Will Rise

    Chapter 221: Chapter 201: The Tide Will Rise


    ¡°Ah, how truly joyous and congratulatory!¡±


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng spoken than Ge Chen¡¯s gaze became unspeakably scheming, his face turning cold in an instant: sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°All thanks to your good fortune! The great kindness and virtue of Taoist Zhao, Ge here will never forget in this lifetime!


    Hmph, allow me to repay your ¡®great kindness¡¯ in the future!¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, the volume in the Condensation Hall instantly dropped by more than half, leaving only the sound of whispered conversations.


    At this moment, everyone¡¯s focus was centered on the two Foundation Establishment Alchemists.


    In the Alchemy Master Association, there were nearly a hundred alchemists, but only a scant eleven or twelve had advanced to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    It could be said that any Foundation Establishment Alchemist was a core strength of the Association, and also held extremely high status on Nine Virtuous Isle, being existences best not provoked if possible.


    At the sight of two prominent Foundation Establishment Alchemists at loggerheads, the atmosphere in the great hall instantly became strange.


    Hearing Ge Chen¡¯s sarcastic words, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t care one bit, chuckling, ¡°Taoist Ge, you overstate things! The matter from last time has already been judged by the alliance, there¡¯s no need to mention it again.¡±


    Hmph!


    Ge Chen snorted coldly, suppressing the resentment in his heart for the moment, and turned his head to look at Jin Dancheng beside Zhao Sheng, asking with a forced smile, ¡°This one looks unfamiliar, could it be a junior of Taoist Zhao? I have deep ties with your elder, and should indeed get closer in the future.


    By the way, what¡¯s your name?¡±


    Feeling the cold malevolence in the other¡¯s gaze, Jin Dancheng¡¯s scalp tingled and his heart began to pound.


    Being targeted by a Foundation Establishment Realm alchemist for no reason wasn¡¯t a laughing matter, especially since this person¡¯s master was the Alchemy Master, Xu Chong.


    Moreover, Xu Chong was a False Core Master,


    meaning not only did he hold an extraordinary position within the Alchemy Master Association, but he was also famous throughout the entire Nine Virtous Isle, holding an exceptionally revered status.


    To avoid trouble, Jin Dancheng could only bow respectfully, ¡°Junior Jin Dancheng, greets Senior Ge!¡±


    At this point, Zhao Sheng was just calmly watching from the side without making any superfluous moves.


    He knew that any word or action from him at this time would only be pouring oil on the fire.


    He stood alone, fearless of Ge Chen. But Jin Dancheng had the Jin Family and tens of thousands of clan members to support, and would not dare to provoke Ge Chen.


    Zhao Sheng had lived for years and had long seen through the ways of the world, his heart exceedingly clear.


    In this life, if he were still to dwell on the temporary loss of face, then he might as well have lived all these lives in vain.


    Ge Chen turned his head to Zhao Sheng, with ill-intent, ¡°Taoist Zhao, I see this Taoist Jin has decent potential and wish to take him as a registered disciple. What do you think?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng finally frowned slowly, his tone becoming indifferent, ¡°No!¡±


    Ge Chen had expected a harsh retort, but received only a definitive ¡®no,¡¯ which was simply¡­ unimaginable!


    ¡°Hmph, just because you say no, it¡¯s no? This disciple, I have decided to take him!¡±


    Having dropped the tough stance, Ge Chen then fixed his gaze on Jin Dancheng, asking coldly, ¡°To become my disciple, I guarantee you an upgrade to Foundation Establishment!¡±


    With these words, there arose a hubbub among the crowd.


    At that moment, most of the alchemists in the hall looked at Jin Dancheng with envy, jealousy, and resentment.


    Everyone knew that Ge Chen¡¯s words were far from empty, as there were only six on Nine Virtuos Isle capable of refining Foundation Establishment Pills, and they, master and disciple, were two of them.


    ¡°This¡­ this¡­.¡±


    It had to be said that Jin Dancheng truly felt tempted, but due to his nature, he still had some reservations.


    Seeing Jin Dancheng sneaking peeks at him, Zhao Sheng sighed softly in his heart.


    No matter what decision Jin Dancheng ultimately made, he wouldn¡¯t be angry at all.


    Because the relationship between him and the Jin Family was merely a transaction without any deep friendship forged.


    After hesitating for a long while, Jin Dancheng finally shook his head, saying gently, ¡°Thank you for your kind consideration, Senior Ge! I truly dare not accept. I am of meager talent and dare not aspire to join your auspicious threshold. Please withdraw your gracious offer, Senior Ge!¡±


    Before Jin Dancheng had finished speaking, the same thought surged in everyone¡¯s mind, ¡°Is this person a fool?!¡±


    At that moment, Ge Chen¡¯s assured expression suddenly froze on his face, rage burning within him.


    Zhao Sheng, after hearing this, also couldn¡¯t help but be startled. Then he looked meaningfully at Jin Dancheng.


    At this instant, everyone failed to understand why Jin Dancheng refused Ge Chen¡¯s offer, including Zhao Sheng himself.


    ¡°You¡­ say that again!¡± Ge Chen looked incredulously at the timorous Jin Dancheng, his words sharp and severe.


    ¡°I apologize! I deeply appreciate your kindness, Senior, but please forgive me for not abiding by your words!¡± This time, Jin Dancheng¡¯s stance was more resolute than before.


    ¡°Hehe! Please understand, Taoist Ge. Dancheng has already acknowledged a master. Although his master has just passed away, as the saying goes, ¡®A day as a teacher means a lifetime as a father!¡¯ He¡¯s¡­ just too filial. This child is too stubborn, which is not good,¡± Zhao Sheng said with much emotion and a laugh.


    Without waiting for Ge Chen to express his anger, Zhao Sheng called Jin Dancheng over, ¡°Dancheng, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Then he cupped his hands around the crowd, saying aloud, ¡°Fellow Daoists, take care! I must take my leave first.¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng took Jin Dancheng and turned to leave, paying no attention to Ge Chen behind him, seething with resentment.


    On their way back, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but ask Jin Dancheng, ¡°Why did you refuse just now?¡±


    Jin Dancheng smiled wryly, shaking his head, ¡°I don¡¯t know what issue you and that person have, but if I accepted him as my master, I doubt I¡¯d live long enough to reach Foundation Establishment.¡±


    Zhao Sheng paused for a moment, then fell silent, choosing not to pursue the matter.

 Chapter 222 - 201: The Tide is Coming_2

    Chapter 222: Chapter 201: The Tide is Coming_2


    Jin Dancheng¡¯s words were pointed, conveying multiple subtle implications.


    Based merely on that single statement, Zhao Sheng viewed him in a new light, perceiving him as naive yet intellectually bright, showing signs of wisdom.


    ¡­


    After this incident, Zhao Sheng knew Ge Chen would definitely seek revenge, but he had not anticipated such swift and fierce retaliation.


    The next day, Jin Dancheng arrived at his residence in a panic and immediately began to lament his troubles.


    It turned out that this very morning, the shopkeeper of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion had reported to Jin Dancheng that their medicinal herb purchasing channels had been mostly cut off. Three main channels had informed them that they would no longer sell Spiritual Medicine to them starting today.


    At the same time, as many as eight Alchemists, long-time customers, simultaneously declared they would no longer buy medicinal materials from the Treasure Medicine Pavilion, nor would they sell Elixir Pills through his shop. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Both avenues of business had been severely disrupted, putting the very survival of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion at risk!


    As the saying goes, ¡°misfortune never comes alone.¡±


    While Jin Dancheng was still voicing his grievances, a Messenger Talisman Crane suddenly located him.


    Upon opening the crane¡¯s message, his hands began to tremble and his face turned as bitter as a gourd with grief.


    ¡°Let me see!¡±


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng could not remain aloof. The Jin Family was clearly caught in the crossfire this time.


    ¡°Senior, please look¡­ what should we do now?¡± Jin Dancheng pleaded with a face full of grievance as he handed over a note.


    Zhao Sheng took it, read through once, and understood everything; Ge Chen had indeed taken ruthless measures.


    It turned out that the Jin Family¡¯s clan residence was situated on Fu Feng Island, five hundred miles west of Nine Virtuous Isle.


    Fu Feng Island was a mid-size island that had a First-rank Middle-grade Spirit Vein dividing into eight branches, one of which was leased by the Jin Family.


    The island master of Fu Feng Island was a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Liu He.


    Today, Liu He had suddenly issued a decree without any explanation, forcibly ordering the Jin Family to vacate the leased spirit vein branch within a month.


    After reading, Zhao Sheng put away the note and addressed Jin Dancheng, ¡°You go back to the Treasure Medicine Pavilion now and calm everyone down. I will definitely resolve this matter for you!¡±


    ¡°Senior, I¡¯m entrusting this entire matter to you!¡±


    ¡°Rest assured!¡±


    After seeing off Jin Dancheng, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze turned cold, and after a few flickers in his eyes, he stomped his foot and flicked his sleeve, releasing a golden light.


    The golden light swirled around him, and he immediately transformed into a sword rainbow, soaring into the sky, heading straight for the Alliance Peak.


    Moments later, inside the True Master Cave Mansion, Zhao Sheng successfully met with Qi Feng.


    After several years of interaction, Zhao Sheng was well acquainted with his temperament and thus skipped the pleasantries, directly stating his purpose.


    Upon hearing that Ge Chen, still bearing a grudge after coming out of seclusion, had taken out his frustrations on the Jin Family, Qi Feng did not make any moves, simply acknowledging he understood.


    Then, the topic of the Jin Family was dropped, and instead, Qi Feng became interested in asking Zhao Sheng whether he had any thoughts of getting married, mentioning that his family had several outstanding young members who could meet for a potential match.


    Given True Immortal Qi Feng¡¯s astonishing perceptiveness, even though he had not fully seen through Zhao Sheng¡¯s true realm, he noticed that his cultivation was improving rapidly and, importantly, he was still very young.


    Being young meant having great potential, perhaps even the chance to advance to the Golden Core Realm.


    Therefore, Qi Feng valued Zhao Sheng more and wanted to bind him to his own family.


    Qi Feng spoke very bluntly, of course, he had the right to do so.


    He believed the other party would not refuse his kindness unless he was a fool.


    Zhao Sheng was no fool, but he tactfully declined nonetheless.


    It wasn¡¯t that he was ungrateful, but because his identity was sensitive and his lineage special, he absolutely could not reveal it.


    Hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s refusal, Qi Feng¡¯s brow furrowed, and the atmosphere quickly turned chill.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng emerged from the cave mansion with a grave expression. With a flick of his wrist, his flying sword turned into a rainbow and he departed into the distance.


    That very day, on Fu Feng Island, Liu He suddenly received a talismanic message from Vice Leader Qi Feng of the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    After reading it, Liu He¡¯s face changed and he fiercely glared at his nephew Liu Yu.


    This young man had persuaded him to drive away the Jin Family, originally aiming to please Ge Chen. Little did they know the man had a powerful backer, and now even the Vice Leader was involved, leaving him in a difficult position.


    That afternoon, the present Family Head of the Liu Family on Fu Feng Island, proactively visited the Jin Family and had a delightful conversation with Jin Jiang. Naturally, the eviction order was never brought up again.


    This problem was resolved, but the issue with the Treasure Medicine Pavilion was not so easily handled.


    Although Master Qi Feng had considerable influence, Master Xu Chong also held significant respect.


    A single sentence could clarify the real intention behind this, Master Chang Kong of the Spring and Autumn Alliance personally requested Master Xu Chong out of seclusion, specifically to counter the two Sect Leaders of the Alchemy Master Association to prevent a powerful coalition with Chi Yuan.


    To speak fairly, Xu Chong had done commendably in recent years, having rallied nearly one-third of the Alchemists.


    On Nine Virtuous Isle, Qi Feng was far less influential than Xu Chong in matters related to Alchemy.


    Thus, once Ge Chen spoke out, the Treasure Medicine Pavilion faced the immediate threat of having both its supply and distribution cut off.


    Regarding the resolution of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion issue, Zhao Sheng already had a rough plan.


    ¡­


    While Zhao Sheng was busy with his plans, a conspiracy that would affect the entire Shattered Star Sea was taking shape.


    Billions of miles away from Nine Virtuous Isle, on a high rock jutting out of the sea, sat an old man with a youthful face and silvery-white hair.


    At that moment, the thin man held a fishing rod, about two fingers thick, that looked wooden but was entirely jade green. A two-zhang-long fishing rod with a fine, hair-thin transparent line dangling from its tip.


    The part of the transparent line that entered the sea swam around non-stop.


    Soon, it created a large whirlpool about forty to fifty zhang in diameter. From the whirlpool emerged muffled gasping sounds, as if a gigantic beast was desperately struggling.


    Just then, a clear and quaint childlike voice floated down through the night sky, ¡°Brother Ling Yuan, if you don¡¯t start pulling now, the prey is going to escape.¡±


    Ling Yuan Ancestor, with a gentle smile, stroked his three-zhang long beard with his right hand and effortlessly held the Dragon-fishing Pole in his left, ¡°Little Zhangzi, you¡¯re still so impatient. One must know, mastering the right timing is most crucial in any endeavor.


    I¡¯ve been leading this foolish creature on for three whole days and nights. Look, isn¡¯t it exhausted by now?¡±


    ¡°Brother, you said it¡¯s been three days. Why hasn¡¯t the old Dragon King from the Dragon Serpent Ancestor come yet? If he doesn¡¯t show up soon, I¡¯m going to starve,¡±


    a child with an exceedingly large head but only three feet tall, landed lightly behind Ling Yuan Ancestor. His face was sullen, and frustrated, he fiddled with a tentacle protruding from his ribcage, even biting it harshly as he played.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s alright!¡±


    Speaking thus, Ling Yuan Ancestor, brimming with excitement, placed both hands on the Dragon-fishing Pole and heaved upwards.


    With a ¡°boom¡±, a seven-zhang-long Dragon Whisker Fish suddenly burst from the whirlpool.


    Simultaneously, a massive column of water, a dozen zhang thick, shot up into the air following the fish, crashing down towards Ling Yuan Ancestor and the others on the rock as if the sky were collapsing.


    Facing the Dragon Whisker Fish¡¯s desperate strike, Zhang Tongzi¡¯s eyes swirled wildly, and he suddenly barked fiercely, ¡°A mere Little Golden Core dares to act wildly! Watch how mighty Zhang Tongzi is!¡±


    Without waiting for Ling Yuan Ancestor to stop him, he suddenly vanished from the spot like a phantom.


    The next second, Zhang Tongzi appeared above the neck of the Dragon Whisker Fish. His tender little hands clenched into a fist, and then he fiercely slammed it onto the two zhang wide head of the fish.


    ¡°Chirp¡­¡±


    As if struck by a meteor, the head of the Dragon Whisker Fish, about one zhang in diameter, deeply caved in.


    ¡°Splash¡­¡± Massive amounts of bright red blood mixed with pink brain pulp gushed into the sea below, staining a large area of water red. Countless fish, shrimp, snakes, and crabs surged to the surface, fighting fiercely to claim the blood and brain of the Dragon Whisker Fish.


    Observing this, Ling Yuan Ancestor quickly tossed the half-dead Dragon Whisker Fish onto the rock,


    Meanwhile, he shook his head and lamented, ¡°What a waste! It would¡¯ve been so good to feed my treasures!¡±


    Zhang Tongzi climbed down from the Dragon Whisker Fish and walked towards Ling Yuan Ancestor, all the while licking the fresh red blood on his little hands with his tender tongue.

 Chapter 223 - 202 The Star God Comparable to the Heavenly Dao?

    Chapter 223: Chapter 202 The Star God Comparable to the Heavenly Dao?


    ¡°Heehee, I¡¯m hungry. Since this little fish is going to die anyway, why not let it fill my belly!¡±


    Zhang Tongzi said with a smile, covering his mouth with his small hand, giggling non-stop,


    ¡°No!¡±


    Just as the words left the Ling Yuan Ancestor¡¯s mouth, two purple-black suction tentacles suddenly shot out from Zhang Tongzi¡¯s sides.


    The tentacles broke through the air and swiftly grew countless times larger, resembling two ferocious giant pythons. In an instant, they shot far away and coiled around the struggling Dragon Whisker Fish.


    With a whoosh, the immense fish, big as an elephant, was pulled up without a fight and heavily dropped above Zhang Tongzi¡¯s head.


    A look of insatiable greed flashed in Zhang Tongzi¡¯s cyclopean eye as he joyfully tilted his head back, his little mouth wide open like a puppy waiting for its food to fall.


    Crunch!


    In a flash, Zhang Tongzi¡¯s little mouth expanded to an enormous five or six zhang wide, the center as dark as a bottomless abyss.


    An infinite suction force suddenly emerged, and the Dragon Whisker Fish was instantly drawn into the depths of the abyss.


    Zhang Tongzi closed his mouth, stuck out his pink tongue to lick his lips, and a hint of an unsatisfied expression appeared on his face.


    ¡°Heehee, not bad, just a bit small in portion.¡±


    Ling Yuan Ancestor scolded with a smile, ¡°Pah, enjoy your ill-gotten gains without shame! How did the Sea Dominator Octopus produce such a shameless creature as you!¡±


    Zhang Tongzi giggled, but did not talk back.


    As the Great Elder of the Demon Ruins and a Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator who dared to use the name ¡®Ling Yuan,¡¯ Ling Yuan Ancestor was far superior to Eighth-stage Demon King Zhang Tongzi in both strength and status. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Since he had taken advantage, being scolded a bit was nothing; after all, it didn¡¯t cost him an ounce of flesh.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor wanted to scold Zhang Tongzi some more, but suddenly, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he couldn¡¯t help but look up toward the west.


    At this time, a large patch of dark clouds had appeared in the western night sky.


    The clouds approached rapidly from afar, and as they drew closer, one could see flashes of electric light within them and occasionally hear the sound of long, whining howls.


    When the clouds neared overhead, a huge serpentine shadow could be seen circling indistinctly within them.


    Seeing this, Ling Yuan Ancestor stood up and called out loudly, ¡°Since the Ink Black Serpent King has arrived, why not show yourself.¡±


    No sooner had Ling Yuan Ancestor spoken than the clouds dispersed, and suddenly, there was a person standing on the reef.


    This man was over a zhang tall, with a pair of short antler-like horns on his forehead, a broad mouth, a prominent nose, sword-like eyebrows, and dragon-like eyes that shined brightly with dominance.


    Moreover, he was wearing a Purple Gold Flying Dragon Crown on his head and a dark, Four-clawed True Dragon Robe, with a blood-red belt around his waist adorned with twelve Sea Suppressing Pearls.


    This was none other than one of the three Jiao Long Clan kings, the Ninth Rank Demon King, Ink Black Serpent King, a Mixed Blood True Dragon that had lived for nearly five thousand years.


    ¡°Ling Yuan, this king has come upon invitation. If you have anything to say, speak now!¡± the Ink Black Serpent King said with a deep and resolutely domineering voice.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor gave a slight smile and responded, ¡°No rush, there¡¯s one more Taoist who has yet to arrive. It isn¡¯t too late to speak once he gets here.¡±


    ¡°Hmph,¡± the Ink Black Serpent King couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly, but he didn¡¯t say much more, simply waiting impatiently.


    At midnight, a huge full moon hung high in the sky, its clear moonlight scattering across the sea surface, creating a glimmering effect.


    ¡°Awooo¡­¡±


    Just then, a long and desolate wolf howl suddenly came from the horizon.


    ¡°Haha, the person we¡¯ve been waiting for has arrived!¡±


    As the voice fell, a small dot suddenly appeared at the far end of the ocean.


    A few breaths later, the dot disappeared, replaced by a majestic giant wolf sprinting towards them.


    In the clear moonlight, the Wolf King, large as a divine steed and covered in silver-white fur, galloped across the glistening sea surface, rushing toward them.


    Sitting on the back of this unrivaled White Wolf King was none other than a thin, yellow-robed old monk.


    In a moment, the formidable White Wolf King sprinted to below the reef and then leaped into the air, landing in front of the three individuals.


    The yellow-robed old monk climbed down from the wolf¡¯s back and said apologetically, ¡°The old monk is late. Please, do not take offense!¡±


    The yellow-robed old monk was so thin that when he stood up straight, he was actually not as tall as the shoulders of the White Wolf King, looking quite out of place.


    However, Ling Yuan Ancestor didn¡¯t feel anything was amiss and laughed heartily, ¡°The Sky Wolf Arhat behaves naturally! I am quite envious.¡±


    ¡°He behaves naturally my foot! Had he not indulged in drinking and delayed us, this king would have arrived much sooner!¡±


    At that moment, the White Wolf King behind the Sky Wolf Arhat suddenly spoke human words, with a look of disdain on its wolf face.


    No sooner had the White Wolf King finished showing its disdain than it suddenly turned and roared at its back, ¡°Get off, you stinking octopus!¡±


    As it spoke, the wolf¡¯s back shook, its fur bursting out in a great flash of white light, knocking the stealthily climbing Zhang Tongzi off its back.


    Zhang Tongzi, rubbing his bottom, got up from the ground and complained, ¡°We¡¯re both Demon Kings, can¡¯t you give some face?¡±


    The White Wolf King narrowed its eyes with contempt and replied, ¡°You¡¯re not fit to call yourself a Demon King. This king is a descendant of the bloodline of the Ancient True Spirit Howling Moon Sky Wolf. You are nothing but a giant squid.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re pushing it too far! I am the Sea Dominator Zhang; I¡¯m not some rotten squid,¡± Zhang Tongzi said furiously, ready to start a fight with the White Wolf King, but he was firmly stopped by Ling Yuan Ancestor.


    ¡°Stop it, Little Zhangzi, the matter at hand is more important!¡±


    On the other side, the yellow-robed old monk pressed a hand on the shoulder of the White Wolf King and warned, ¡°Wolf King, if you cause more trouble, don¡¯t blame this old monk for reciting the Prisoner God Curse on you!¡±


    Hearing this, the White Wolf King was immediately startled and tucked its tail between its legs.

 Chapter 224 - 202 Is the Star God Comparable to the Heavenly Dao?_2

    Chapter 224: Chapter 202 Is the Star God Comparable to the Heavenly Dao?_2


    After pacifying Zhang Tongzi, Ling Yuan Ancestor proceeded as if nothing had happened, turned around, and walked to the middle, saying sternly, ¡°Since everyone is here, I presume you have verified the evidence provided by me.¡±


    The Ink Black Serpent King nodded and continued, ¡°Indeed! There are signs that a Great Tide of Star Algae is about to occur in the Star God Sea. Calculating the time, nearly a hundred years have passed since the last Divine Sacrifice of the Star God; it should be time for the Star God to awaken soon.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! I just happened to be upgrading during the last Great Tide and missed it. This time, I cannot afford to miss it. I¡¯ll take care of the western attack.¡±


    Zhang Tongzi chuckled, his tentacles excitedly slapping the ground beneath him.


    When the Overseas Sea Demon¡¯s three Sea Dominators stir up a Great Sea Demon Tide to attack the Shattered Star Sea Human Clan, to reduce conflicts, they often divide into three fronts according to the power territories.


    ¡°Hmm, as usual, the middle route will be attacked by the Demon Ruins, the eastern route belongs to my Jiao Long Clan. However, this time I can only send two Seventh Rank Sea Beasts, and no more than twenty of the Sixth Rank.¡±


    After listening, Ling Yuan Ancestor smiled slightly and turned his head to look at the Sky Wolf Arhat.


    After pondering for a moment, the yellow-robed old monk intoned, ¡°Heaven has compassion for all living beings! Our sect does not wish to see life suffer needlessly and to minimize slaughter and calamity. We will try our best to pacify the islands including Tianfeng Island, Zhi Ao Island, Prisoner Dragon Island¡­ among others of the six islands.¡±


    Tianfeng Island is one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, belonging to the First Defense Island Chain, while Zhi Ao Island, Prisoner Dragon Island, and the other five are Dragon Scale Level Spiritual Islands, part of the Second Defense Island Chain.


    The six spirit islands are roughly in a straight line from the outside inwards, and they all fall under the middle route¡¯s territory.


    In other words, the six islands had already been covertly controlled by Buddhism, effectively opening a ¡°gap¡± in the two major defensive island chains without anyone¡¯s knowledge.


    Sky Wolf Arhat came from Sacred Heart Temple, which is located on the Bright Great Snow Mountain of the West Desolate Continent with unfathomable strength, indeed a sectarian Sea Dominator of a continent.


    Buddhism, led by Sacred Heart Temple, tried to spread its teachings in the Shattered Star Sea numerous times but was strongly repressed by the Star God Palace, resulting in repeated failures.


    This time, Ancient Buddhism sending Sky Wolf Arhat to establish secret contacts with the three great Overseas Sea Dominators could be seen as a probe towards the Star God Palace and, in a way, a form of retaliation.


    No sooner had Sky Wolf Arhat finished speaking than Zhang Tongzi protested discontentedly, ¡°Unfair! With the support of your Sacred Heart Temple, the Demon Ruins are gaining too much advantage. I want to switch with you. This time let our group attack the middle route.¡±


    Ink Black Serpent King: ¡°This king feels the same way.¡±


    Anticipating this, Ling Yuan Ancestor smiled and said, ¡°Do not be hasty, friends! This triple-front attack, with the east and west as feints, the high-ranking members of the Sea Dominator and Jiao Long Clans who are interested may also join the middle route. When the time comes, we¡¯ll all go to see the Star God together. As for the spots, you can snatch them from the Human Clan.¡±


    ¡°Aow! Count this king in, baldy, are you coming?¡± The White Wolf King leapt up all at once, the wolf face filled with excitement, turning his head to look at the yellow-robed monk, his gaze extremely serious.


    ¡°Amitabha! The monk is not greedy; this time, Sacred Heart Temple only desires five spots,¡± the yellow-robed monk said, bowing deeply.


    ¡°Ridiculous!¡±


    ¡°No way!¡±


    Before the words were fully out, Zhang Tongzi and Ink Black Serpent King flatly refused in unison.


    The number of spots to communicate with the Star God after each awakening is very limited, never exceeding a hundred at most. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Every time the Star God awakens, the Star God Palace tries to monopolize all the spots by using the name of the Divine Sacrifice, activating the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array to seal the entire Star God Sea, barring outsiders from entering.


    The Overseas Sea Dominators, especially those from the Spirit Clan, often incite boundless slaughters and calamities in their scramble for the spots.


    First, it is to breach the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array temporarily, allowing high-ranking clan members to rush into the Star God Sea.


    Second, it is to please the Star God, in exchange for a chance for ¡°Enlightenment.¡±


    In the lower layers of the Cultivation World, the Star God is a transcendent being almost unknown to anyone, but at the Nascent Soul level, it¡¯s a well-known ¡°secret.¡±


    The Star God is an incredible entity, immortal and unfathomable, on par with the Heavenly Dao.


    Among the Nascent Soul Ancestors, there circulates a saying: the Star God is omnipresent and omniscient!


    Seeing the opposition from the other two forces, Sky Wolf Arhat pondered for a moment and with a sincere expression said, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, the monk requests two guaranteed spots.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, but only two!¡± Before the other two could protest, Ling Yuan Ancestor quickly agreed.


    Zhang Tongzi reluctantly said, ¡°Alright.¡±


    At this moment, the Ink Black Serpent King suddenly spoke up, ¡°If we can come across that despicable person from the Sky Sun Sect this time, I hope everyone can help me slaughter this wench.¡±


    ¡°The Dragon-taming Sword Immortal¡¯s swordsmanship is peerless, and although her cultivation is only at Nascent Soul Middle Stage, her strength is no less than that of a Great Cultivator. Moreover, she is particularly adept at Sword Light Divine Escape, able to travel tens of thousands of miles in one go. Killing her is difficult, very difficult!¡± Ling Yuan Ancestor frowned.


    ¡°Old Serpent King, now is not the time for personal vendettas. How about I lend you a hand after the Divine Sacrifice of the Star God? As long as the matter is successful afterward, just gift me a taste of a Seventh Rank Dragon Whale.¡± Zhang Tongzi played with his tentacle with a cheery smile.


    ¡°Amitabha, this old monk possesses a secret technique capable of breaking Sword Light Divine Escape, and that Cloud Dragon can be dealt with by the Sky Wolf Arhat. As long as the Serpent King agrees to return the Light Buddha Relics, this old monk is willing to help.¡±


    Upon hearing the words Light Buddha Relics, the Ink Black Serpent King¡¯s complexion changed and he flatly refused, ¡°Absolutely impossible! The Light Buddha willingly fed himself to the dragon and eventually attained Rainbow Ascension together with our ancestor. The relic has since become a holy object of our clan, and we will absolutely not use it for trading.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ this old monk can take a step back, allow me to visit your clan¡¯s Holy Dragon Hall and meditate for a hundred years,¡± the yellow-robed old monk proposed immediately.


    This time, the Ink Black Serpent King hesitated.


    After a long thought, he finally said with uncertainty, ¡°This matter is of great importance, I must discuss it with the Dragon Emperor upon my return before I can give you an answer.¡±


    ¡°Agreed!¡± The Sky Wolf Arhat consented crisply.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s discuss how we can deceive the Star God Palace, and then aim to breach the Inner Star Sea in one fell swoop¡­¡±


    Ling Yuan Ancestor¡¯s words immediately brought the conversation back to the main topic.


    ¡­


    The next morning, a fog suddenly rose in the sea area near Nine Virtuous Isle.


    The fog enveloped the entire Nine Virtuous Isle, with its various sub-isles looming through the dense mist.


    The breeze blew, and the fog on the sea surface scattered like flowing clouds, setting off the pavilions and towers on the islands like a multitude of Immortal Palace treasure halls.


    In the quiet room of the sea-side cave mansion, Zhao Sheng silently operated his Mysterious Skill, as Spiritual Power coursed from his Dantian through his limbs and bones, then back to the Dantian along the Extraordinary Meridians.


    With each completion of the Nine Revolutions Great Circulation, a massive number of spiritual energy particles were crushed and refined by the Spirit Power Vortex, transforming into streams of pure Spiritual Power, gradually enhancing his cultivation.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡±


    From Zhao Sheng¡¯s mouth, a long white column of breath was exhaled.


    This column of breath seemed somewhat extraordinary, as if solidified, lingering in the air for a long time without dissipating.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait any longer, I must find the Primordial Heavy Water as soon as possible. Otherwise, it would be laughable to accidentally upgrade to Foundation Establishment Late Stage!¡±


    Zhao Sheng rose from the cushion and, sensing the void in the column of breath, a grave expression surfaced on his face.


    ¡°I also need to get my hands on the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit as soon as possible. It seems I can¡¯t avoid making a trip to Day Island.¡±


    Thinking thus, Zhao Sheng quickly left the quiet room and the cave mansion, controlling his sword to pierce through the thick fog, flying towards a crescent-moon-shaped sub-island to the north.


    There are eight sub-islands in Nine Virtuous Isle, one of which is called Day Island, also known as Black Market Island.


    This place is a melting pot of a variety of creatures; it was both a den of iniquity and a cutthroat environment.


    Day Island is the largest black market trading venue within tens of thousands of miles, where the people who come aren¡¯t law-abiding, or the goods they carry are of dubious origin.


    There are rumors that Day Island is one of the Shattered Star Sea Demon Pirate Group¡¯s venues for disposing of stolen goods.


    The Spring and Autumn Alliance holds an ambiguous attitude toward these claims, neither acknowledging nor denying them.


    In just a few minutes, Zhao Sheng landed in front of Ruyi Square on Day Island.


    Entering the market, he didn¡¯t glance at the weirdly shaped signboards on both sides and went straight to a shop named Red Light Tower.


    A moment later, he successfully met with the shopkeeper.


    Smelling the faint scent of blood from the person opposite, Zhao Sheng understood and smiled knowingly, deliberately releasing a bit of blood light,

 Chapter 225 - 203 Blood Demon Sect

    Chapter 225: Chapter 203 Blood Demon Sect


    The owner of Red Light Tower was a burly elderly man with pale skin, yet his face was ruddy.


    When he sensed the blood light intentionally released by Zhao Sheng, his heart immediately relaxed, and he laughed heartily, ¡°So it turns out to be a Fellow Daoist! I am Hong Yuanliang, may I ask for your distinguished name?¡±


    ¡°Just call me Long Li Taoist,¡± Zhao Sheng replied, without the slightest change in his expression.


    The burly elder didn¡¯t mind, as nine out of ten cultivators who came to this place wouldn¡¯t reveal their real names, having a title was enough; after all, anyone who came was a guest.


    After all, the Blood Demon Sect was famously known for their philosophy of ¡®No Inquiry into One¡¯s Background¡¯ and ¡®Heroes Do Not Ask for Origins¡¯.


    As long as you practiced the Blood Soul Scripture, you were considered a like-minded Fellow Daoist.


    ¡°Long Li Taoist, have you come to Red Light Tower for Essence Blood Pearls, or perhaps Blood Melting Talismans?


    I won¡¯t hide it from you, my Tower has recently acquired a batch of fresh goods, guaranteed to satisfy you.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had known from his previous life that the Blood Soul Scripture was an extremely sinister Miracle Technique, characterized by exchanging lifespan for cultivation, making progress several times faster than normal.


    However, the drawbacks were also quite evident.


    The most apparent disadvantage was the need for a large amount of essence blood to be converted into Spiritual Power for rapid cultivation advancement.


    Yet the most sinister and chilling consequence for countless others was that upon your ascension to the Foundation Establishment Realm, if you were to die, not only would your Divine Soul be unable to reincarnate, but it would also transform into a Blood Spirit Pill and ultimately become fodder for the blood demons.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t know much about the blood demons, but he roughly knew that they had orchestrated the infamous Blood Demon Calamity three hundred years ago.


    Rumor had it the blood demons weren¡¯t cultivators but a strange form of life, possibly originating from the Upper Realm, possessing qualities nearly akin to being undying and indestructible.


    Of course, these were just rumors, and no one could confirm them.


    But one thing was certain.


    The reputation of the Blood Demon Sect among the upper echelons of the Cultivation World was extremely bad, akin to a rat crossing the street that everyone wants to kill, yet in the eyes of the lower-level cultivators, it was a mixed reputation.


    Every year, countless cultivators would begin practicing the Blood Soul Scripture for various reasons.


    Once tasting the sweetness of it, they would flock to it like moths to a flame.


    The thrill of rapid cultivation improvement was akin to drug addiction; once tried, it was often hard to quit.


    This was also why the Blood Demon Sect, even after several eradication attempts, managed to revive itself in a short time.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand dismissively, ¡°I don¡¯t need Essence Blood Pearls or Blood Melting Talismans. I need a few Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits. Does Red Light Tower have them in stock?¡±


    The burly elder¡¯s eyes sparkled upon hearing this, and then with a pleasing smile said, ¡°Long Li Taoist, the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit is an extremely rare item, monopolized by Sects and noble families, and rarely circulates in the market. If I may presume to ask, could it be that you intend to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill?¡±


    Despite his many words, the elder¡¯s last sentence was the key point. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course, if Zhao Sheng dared to come here, it meant he had no intention of hiding his purpose.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    ¡°Really! Could you produce some proof?¡±


    Upon hearing this, the burly elder leapt to his feet, unusually inquiring again with a loss of composure.


    ¡°I never joke,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a slight smile, taking out a First-rank Alchemist Jade Token from the Alchemy Master Association and waving it in front of the elder.


    Seeing the Pill Master Token, the burly elder¡¯s face lit up with joy, and he excitedly leaned close to Zhao Sheng, full of eagerness to please.


    ¡°That¡¯s fantastic! Long Li Taoist, you might not know this, but our Tower just happens to have three Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits. If you want them, the Tower will not charge you a penny, and will directly give them to you. As long as you agree to one small condition.¡±


    The elder¡¯s move was also a gamble, betting that the other party was not deceiving him with this matter.


    ¡°What is the condition, please tell me!¡± Zhao Sheng appeared undisturbed on the outside, but his mind was as clear as a mirror, immediately guessing the condition the other party was about to propose.


    ¡°If you happen to refine the Foundation Establishment Pill, could you sell it to Red Light Tower? Not only will we pay a high price for it, but we will also continue to supply Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits and guarantee the lowest price.¡±


    No sooner had the elder finished speaking than Zhao Sheng thought to himself, as expected.


    The Blood Demon Sect was repelled by mainstream Cultivation Forces, treated like rats in a gutter, to be hunted and killed on sight.


    Because of the characteristic techniques of the Blood Soul Scripture, the Blood Demon Sect had numerous disciples and had accumulated a large number of Qi Refining Perfections.


    These Qi Refining Perfections were desperate to extend their lifespan and advance to Foundation Establishment, but Foundation Establishment Pills were almost unseen on the market. The sect allocated too few each year, creating a severe supply and demand imbalance.


    This makes it evident why the burly elder was so excited and lost his composure when he heard Zhao Sheng wanted to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.


    This elder was one of those ¡°pitiful people¡±!


    Seeing Zhao Sheng ponder silently, the burly elder gritted his teeth and spoke in a low and humble voice, ¡°One Foundation Establishment Pill in exchange for five Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits, and I will add a Treasure worth at least fifty thousand Spirit Stones. You may choose the Treasure yourself. If you are unsatisfied, we can negotiate further. What do you think?¡±


    Zhao Sheng silently calculated; the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits were priceless, with each fruit averaging around ten thousand Spirit Stones.


    In other words, one Foundation Establishment Pill could sell for at least one hundred thousand Spirit Stones in Red Light Tower.


    But the real value could not be calculated like this,


    If Zhao Sheng collected the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits himself, it would consume too much effort.


    Only a Demon Sect like the Blood Demon Sect could have channels to continuously supply a certain amount of Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits.


    By saving the effort of collecting the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pills, the time cost saved by Zhao Sheng was far beyond the measure of one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.


    Of course, trading Foundation Establishment Pills with the Blood Demon Sect was tantamount to dealing with a tiger for its skin, and one must be extremely careful.


    Zhao Sheng had already made sufficient disguises before coming here, so there was no immediate fear of his true appearance being exposed.

 Chapter 226 - 203 Blood Demon Sect_2

    Chapter 226: Chapter 203 Blood Demon Sect_2


    But when he had actually refined the Foundation Establishment Pill, the situation thereafter would not be as relaxed.


    The elderly man finished speaking and looked anxiously at the sallow-faced middle-aged Daoist in front of him, waiting for a response.


    Zhao Sheng tapped on the table and nodded, ¡°I accept these terms.¡±


    ¡°Very well! Dragon Carp Taoist, please wait a moment. I will go and come right back.¡±


    Having said that, the old man turned around excitedly and walked out of the private room.


    A moment later, he hurried back, carrying a square Sea Sunken Wood Box in his hands.


    The elderly man placed the wood box on the table in front of Zhao Sheng and gently opened the lid.


    It was covered with a layer of white silk brocade, and underneath the brocade were three round objects emitting a fragrance similar to that of apples.


    ¡°Taoist, please look!¡±


    The burly old man said, smiling, as he lifted the brocade.


    Zhao Sheng focused his eyes and saw three chicken egg-sized, smooth, hairless, date-red fruits lying in the box.


    As the brocade was lifted, the fragrance from the fruits became even richer and more compelling, clearing the mind and speeding up one¡¯s thoughts by a fraction.


    These date-red fruits were none other than the famous Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit from the Shattered Star Sea.


    Despite its unprepossessing appearance, when cut open, one could see layers upon layers of crystallized flesh like that of a layered cake, and the core was as transparent as a diamond, containing the essence of heaven and earth.


    Clap!


    Zhao Sheng closed the box with one hand, a satisfied smile appeared on his face, and he nodded to the old man.


    ¡°Yes, these are indeed Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re satisfied. I dare say boldly, in case you fail this time, just come to Red Light Tower. I¡¯m willing to provide you with three more Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits at half the price,¡± the old man said.


    This time, the old man did not mention the word ¡®free.¡¯


    Zhao Sheng understood the implication of his words. Even though Red Light Tower was willing to support him substantially in refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, there was a limit to their support.


    If he failed too many times, Red Light Tower would have to act officially.


    Zhao Sheng put the wood box into his Storage Bag, stood up, and bowed to the old man, confidently saying, ¡°Three fruits won¡¯t be enough. The next time I come, I hope Manager Hong can provide at least five Star Algae Fruits, and I also have another favor to ask of you.¡±


    Seeing his confident manner, the burly old man couldn¡¯t help but feel more reassured and thus stated solemnly, ¡°Please speak, Dragon Carp Taoist! As long as it¡¯s within my capabilities, I will not be ambiguous.¡±


    ¡°I need a large amount of Primordial Heavy Water. I hope Red Light Tower can find it for me as soon as possible. Price is absolutely not an issue.¡±


    ¡°Primordial Heavy Water?!¡± After repeating the name thoughtfully, the old man decisively agreed:


    ¡°No problem! Even at the cost of my old face, I will ensure your wishes are fulfilled.¡±


    ¡°Good! I¡¯ll remember this statement of yours. When the deed is done, there will certainly be a generous reward!¡±


    ¡­


    After leaving the Red Light Tower, Zhao Sheng did not go anywhere else but directly flew away from Day Island.


    After flying tens of miles, he plunged into the sea.


    When he reappeared at Elixir Fire Square, he had already switched back to Zhao Chonghe¡¯s appearance.


    Yes, he had used the name Zhao Chonghe from his previous life to join the Spring and Autumn Alliance.


    Shortly thereafter,


    Zhao Sheng arrived at the Treasure Medicine Pavilion.


    The vast entrance of the Treasure Medicine Pavilion was quite deserted at this time, with sparse traffic and only two or three customers in the store, while most of the attendants appeared listless, occasionally showing anxious and uneasy looks in their eyes.


    Upon entering, Zhao Sheng was recognized by the attendants.


    A nimble attendant immediately came over to greet him while others ran to the back courtyard to inform the shopkeeper. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shortly after, Zhao Sheng met with Jin Dancheng, who looked quite troubled.


    Zhao Sheng did not say much but consoled him briefly, clarifying that there would definitely be a turnaround if they persisted for another month.


    Then, he took a batch of Spiritual Medicine from the stock and, after leaving most of the Spirit Pills he had refined over the years, drifted away.


    ¡­


    More than a thousand miles west of Nine Virtuous Isle, at a depth of four thousand feet under the sea.


    A narrow and sinuous undersea cave at its deepest point had been turned into a large stone cavern with a diameter of over twenty feet.


    A massive giant shell filled the entire cavern, its surface shining with dazzling white light.


    Bei Mansion Cave Heaven, alchemy room.


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged, waving his hand to throw out the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    The Nine Dragon Tripod expanded to more than a man¡¯s height and swiftly fell onto the obsidian platform three yards away.


    Zhao Sheng released his Divine Sense, encompassing the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    He cast a spell with his Divine Sense.


    Suddenly, a golden dragon appeared on the surface of the Nine Dragon Tripod, circling around a few times before entering the base of the tripod.


    In an instant,


    a fierce golden-yellow fire erupted beneath the Nine Dragon Tripod, completely enveloping its base.


    After initiating the Nine Dragon Tripod, Zhao Sheng did not attend to it immediately but waved his hand, causing a large array of wood boxes, bottles, jade bowls, and porcelain jars to appear in front of him.


    The Thousand-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill used Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit as the main medicine, supplemented by nearly twenty kinds of secondary medicinal ingredients, and even more auxiliary ingredients totaling over eighty kinds.


    The Thousand-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill was a Second Order Spirit Pill, but its refining difficulty was very high and could not tolerate the slightest mistake.


    Zhao Sheng had obtained the Elixir Recipe almost a decade ago.


    During these ten years, he had repeatedly simulated the refining process of the Foundation Establishment Pill countless times.


    He had personally prepared many of the secondary and auxiliary medicines.


    From them, he had carefully chosen the batches of the highest quality.


    Now that he had obtained three Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits, he had set a minimum goal for himself to ensure that at least one Foundation Establishment Pill was refined.


    After all, Zhao Sheng had been refining Spirit Pills for nearly a decade and was already an experienced First-rank Alchemist.

 Chapter 227 - 203 Blood Demon Sect_3

    Chapter 227: Chapter 203 Blood Demon Sect_3


    Whether in terms of experience, perspective, or technique, he was far beyond any ordinary alchemist, especially with the aid of his talent and a decade of unremitting refinement.


    Having some insights and realizations about refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, Zhao Sheng was fairly confident in achieving his goal. He wouldn¡¯t dare claim a 100% success rate, but he could still guarantee a probability of 10-20%.


    Zhao Sheng was well aware that this success rate was sufficient for him.


    Since there was no rush and plenty of time, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t start the alchemy immediately. Instead, he took out the Jade Scroll for the Foundation Establishment Pill recipe, and repeatedly reviewed the elixir recipe, refining techniques, and alchemical steps.


    After he knew them by heart, he refined several batches of Water Spirit Pills to get used to the feel and ensure that no errors would occur during the alchemy because of unfamiliarity.


    The next day arrived swiftly, and Zhao Sheng quietly closed his eyes to meditate and adjust his condition.


    In front of him, in addition to the spiritual medicines for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, there was a row of spirit pill bottles in black, white, cyan, red, and yellow. Each bottle contained elixirs like the Bone Marrow Spirit Pill, Soul Condensing Pills, and Soul-refreshing Pills, which could recover or enhance Divine Sense.


    These elixirs were extremely useful, as they could allow Zhao Sheng to use Bullet Time several more times at critical moments.


    Before he knew it, the Nine Dragon Tripod was warmed by the Golden Burning Spirit Flame to its optimal state.


    Zhao Sheng mentally recited the steps for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill once more, and then suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes flashing with Divine Light.


    As the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit flew into the alchemy furnace, the formal refining process of the Foundation Establishment Pill began.


    Unlike other types of Foundation Establishment Pills, the Thousand-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pill required the introduction of the main medicine right from the start of the refining process.


    The key to this pill lay in ¡°boiling¡± and ¡°melding.¡± It was vital to ensure that the fruit¡¯s core was not boiled away, while the medicinal power of the fruit¡¯s flesh was fully extracted.


    At the same time, using the fruit¡¯s core as the spirit core of the pill, the elixir liquid derived from auxiliary and main medicines must integrate with the core without any conflict in medicinal properties. The pill would then solidify and come out of the furnace at the end.


    The entire alchemy process sounded simple, but it took seven days and involved more than twenty steps, which was a hundred times more complex than the mere four steps needed for Water Spirit Pills.


    For an alchemist with slightly less talent, it wouldn¡¯t matter if they were given three or even ten sets of spiritual medicines for the Foundation Establishment Pill; they still wouldn¡¯t be able to produce even one such pill.


    In the Alchemy World, it is said: every alchemist who manages to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill possesses the potential to become a Third-rank Alchemist.


    ¡°First add Dragon Serpent Spirit Blood, calcine and purify!¡±


    Zhao Sheng executed a series of alchemy formulas with his hands. A deep red blood light suddenly flew out of the porcelain jar in front of him and fell into the tripod furnace.


    With a thought to his Divine Sense, the Golden Burning Spirit Flame suddenly intensified by five degrees, engulfing the Nine Dragon Tripod with rising flames. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Next, add two ounces and two coins of sea Ganoderma powder, followed by a Jade Glutton Leaf, wait for half a quarter of an hour, then add¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng recited the alchemy steps in his mind, his actions were not the slightest bit hesitant, as if he had refined countless times, his technique was very skilled.


    Refining the Foundation Establishment Pill was indeed difficult. Despite Zhao Sheng having fully prepared in advance, with flawless technique and steps,


    However, when adding the twelfth auxiliary medicine, Stone Spirit Fat, he still failed to control the fire properly. Fortunately, he promptly activated Bullet Time, and before the alchemy could fail, he quickly removed some ¡°impurities¡± from the elixir liquid, barely managing to continue the refining process.


    The first attempt to refine a Foundation Establishment Pill was bound to have mistakes. Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t believe he could succeed on his first try.


    For the first attempt, whether successful or not was of secondary importance; what mattered most was to go through the entire alchemy process as thoroughly as possible.

 Chapter 228 - 204 Foundation Establishment Pill Formation

    Chapter 228: Chapter 204 Foundation Establishment Pill Formation


    Five days later,


    Bang!


    A muffled sound suddenly emanated from the alchemy room, and the spirit flame under the Nine Dragon Tripod swiftly converged, transforming into a bright yellow fire dragon that slithered back inside the alchemy furnace.


    As soon as the lid of the Pill Furnace was opened, a burnt smell wafted out from inside. It was Zhao Sheng¡¯s first attempt at alchemy, and he had failed at the penultimate step: the Essence Resonance.


    With a wave of his hand, Zhao Sheng materialized a Water Dragon as thick as an arm out of thin air. The dragon twisted its body flexibly and dived into the furnace. Under the control of his Divine Sense, it slowly cleansed the interior of the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    Hiss hiss!


    Massive amounts of white steam ceaselessly billowed from the furnace, quickly filling the entire alchemy room.


    Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t in a rush to start the second batch.


    He closed his eyes in contemplation, simultaneously cultivating to restore his Spiritual Power and mental strength while repeatedly recalling the situation during his last alchemy attempt and secretly summarizing his alchemy experience.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng had returned to his peak condition.


    Igniting the fire, warming up the furnace, adding the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit¡­


    Although it was only his second time refining a Foundation Establishment Pill, his series of movements were as smooth as if he had done them countless times, extremely proficient.


    Time gradually passed. The amount of Spiritual Medicine in front of him slowly decreased, while several bottles of Spirit Pills like Bone Marrow Spirit Pill, which strengthened and nourished the spirit, were quickly exhausted by him.


    In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.


    The alchemy room was filled with a misty haze, and a faint apple-like fragrance lingered in the air.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, his expression extremely excited, yet his hands moved with unusual steadiness, and his alchemy formula was not the least bit disordered.


    As streaks of white light entered the furnace, the Golden Burning Spirit Flame slowly retracted into the furnace, transforming into a foot-long fire dragon that carefully swam up, down, left, and right around a small grape-sized orange-red Elixir Liquid in the center of the furnace, thus gradually removing the last bit of ¡°discordant¡± medicinal essence.


    Seeing that the Foundation Establishment Pill was at the crucial Solidifying Pill phase, Zhao Sheng summoned up his remaining mental strength and activated his Bullet Time Talent and Absolute Rationality one last time.


    ¡°Solidify¡­ Pill¡­¡±


    Time suddenly stretched immensely,


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression instantly became incredibly calm, his eyes filled with extreme indifference, seemingly devoid of human emotions and desires such as nervousness, fatigue, and excitement, like a perfect humanoid machine.


    In an instant, his thoughts were as quick as lightning, his spirit and mind united, and his consciousness soared to an unprecedented pinnacle. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Pill solidification, out of the furnace!¡±


    Snap!


    The lid of the Nine Dragon Tripod was suddenly blown off, and a streak of red light burst forth from the furnace, tracing a curved arc before lightning-fast falling into Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Is it done?!¡±


    Looking at the soybean-sized, wine-red ¡°shrunken¡± Foundation Establishment Pill lying in his palm, a thought suddenly flashed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    Time then returned to normal!


    ¡°Ha ha, it really succeeded.¡±


    His eyes slowly regained their brightness, and he couldn¡¯t help but reveal a radiant and warm smile.


    Bang!


    At that moment, darkness veiled his vision, and a severe pain as fierce as a sudden storm overwhelmed his mind.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s head throbbed violently, veins bulging on his face.


    Seven days and nights of alchemy, repeatedly alternating between two talents, had already excessively drained his mental strength.


    Now that the Foundation Establishment Pill was finished and he relaxed, the repercussions instantly erupted.


    He managed to swallow a bottle of Returning God Pill just before he suddenly fainted.


    It was unclear how much time had passed when Zhao Sheng gradually regained consciousness.


    He held his head as he sat up from the ground. Although his head still throbbed painfully, it was infinitely more bearable than before.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng was immensely relieved.


    During the previous alchemy process, he had been too focused to notice, but he hadn¡¯t expected the repercussions to be so severe afterwards.


    This time, he had nearly caused irreparable damage to his Divine Soul.


    ¡°I can¡¯t push myself like this in the future!¡±


    As Zhao Sheng silently admonished himself, he took out a bottle of Nourishing Spirit Pill and downed it in one go without counting.


    Closing his eyes to focus, he cultivated and regulated his energy and spirit. After resting for three days, Zhao Sheng finally fully recovered.


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng revisited the previous two alchemy processes several times, identified mistakes, summarized past lessons, and slightly adjusted the amounts of certain Spiritual Medicines before he began the third attempt at refining the Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Actually, the second attempt at alchemy wasn¡¯t a strict success. The soybean-sized Foundation Establishment Pill could hardly even be considered low-grade, barely qualifying as a rudimentary form of a Foundation Establishment Pill.


    A normal Foundation Establishment Pill is as big as a grape, low-grade ones being pure red. The better the quality, the lighter the color.


    Top-grade Thousand-Pattern Foundation Establishment Pills are pale pink in color, with both their fragrance and medicinal power entirely inwardly contained.


    Fortunately, this time, Zhao Sheng had already touched the threshold of success, and the pill was just a bit shy of being perfectly refined, so he was determined to succeed with the third batch.


    Igniting the fire, warming up the furnace, adding the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit¡­


    This followed the same steps as last time, the only difference being that his techniques seemed even more skilled, and his movements were more precise and stable than before.


    Generally speaking, the achievement of an alchemist is directly proportional to their level of cultivation.


    It¡¯s difficult for Qi Refining Realm alchemists to advance to Second-Order Alchemists, not only because their cultivation and energy aren¡¯t up to the standard required to refine Second Order Spirit Pills but also because Qi Refining Realm cultivators lack Divine Sense, which prevents them from directly observing the various elixir transformation reactions inside the furnace, and thus they can¡¯t react in time.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng was already at the Fifth Layer of the Foundation Establishment realm.


    Having consumed Jade Spirit Liquid, his spiritual power was far stronger than cultivators of the same realm. Not to mention the scope, strength, and precision of his Divine Sense control, which were even more formidable than those in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.


    With the experience accumulated from the previous two times, Zhao Sheng¡¯s refining of the Foundation Establishment Pill this time was even smoother. The risk of loss of control and the pitfalls during the alchemy period were also significantly reduced.

 Chapter 229 - 204 Foundation Establishment Pill Elixir Formation_2

    Chapter 229: Chapter 204 Foundation Establishment Pill Elixir Formation_2


    When he opened his eyes, seven more days had passed, and the alchemy room was once again filled with the fragrance of elixirs.


    As the final moments approached, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but feel nervous, so much so that he activated his two great talents consecutively twice.


    With his talents enhancing his abilities, the last step of Solidifying the Pill went exceptionally smooth.


    Bang!


    Finally, the Nine Dragon Tripod emitted a humming sound, and the Golden Burning Spirit Flame retracted back into the wall of the tripod.


    Then, the lid of the furnace flew up,, with bursts of the heartening aroma of apples wafting ceaselessly from within the furnace.


    ¡°Success, this time it¡¯s truly a success!¡±


    Unable to contain his excitement, Zhao Sheng reached out, and two wine-red Spirit Pills, the size of grapes, abruptly leaped out of the pill furnace and swiftly fell into the palm of his hand.


    Although these two Spirit Pills were merely Low Grade Foundation Establishment Pills, their significance was monumental. They signified that Zhao Sheng had become a rare true Second Order Foundation Establishment Alchemist.


    From this day forward, his status within the Spring and Autumn Alliance would surely skyrocket, and he was bound to become an extremely sought-after ¡°almost Grandmaster¡± of the Alchemy Dao on Nine Virtuous Isle.


    A full quarter of an hour passed before Zhao Sheng¡¯s emotions fully stabilized.


    Once he had collected the elixir pills, fatigue overwhelmed him.


    After nearly twenty arduous days of alchemy, Zhao Sheng was severely mentally drained, so he simply went to sleep right there in the alchemy room.


    He slept for a full two days and one night.


    When he awoke, he felt mostly refreshed, and Zhao Sheng calculated the time, finding that just one day shy of a month had passed.


    Now that he had successfully concocted the Foundation Establishment Pills, he saw no reason to waste more time here.


    Zhao Sheng got up and left the alchemy room, then went to the spirit field and cast a few spells of the Spirit Rain Skill. After seeing that the Spiritual Medicines in the field were growing robustly and in good condition, he tidied his appearance, changed into a brand-new robe and left the Bei Mansion Cave Heaven.


    ¡­


    Two days later, Zhao Sheng returned to Treasure Medicine Pavilion and had a secret half-hour meeting with Jin Dancheng.


    After he left, Jin Dancheng was all smiles, with no trace of the somber look that had come from worries about the shop closing down.


    His subordinates, seeing this change, asked him what had made him so happy, but Jin Dancheng just smiled mysteriously and said not a word.


    Elsewhere, on Day Island, the Red Light Tower once again welcomed a mysterious guest.


    In the same elegant private room as during their last encounter, Hong Yuanliang, the shopkeeper of the Red Light Tower, saw Zhao Sheng¡¯s ¡°unhappy¡± expression and subconsciously concluded that his alchemy attempt must have failed.


    Following conventional wisdom, a Pill Master would not expect to successfully concoct a Foundation Establishment Pill without failing ten or eight times; that would not be considered failure.


    After all, what true Foundation Establishment Alchemist wasn¡¯t made from a mountain of Spirit Stones?


    However, Hong Yuanliang couldn¡¯t have been further from the truth, as the person before him was a ¡°chosen one¡±. He was simply being deceived.


    ¡°Mr. Dragon Carp, there¡¯s no need to be discouraged. Foundation Establishment Pills are not so easily concocted,¡± Hong Yuanliang said dryly, offering Zhao Sheng a word of comfort, before suddenly changing the subject,


    ¡°By the way, I wonder what brings you here today?¡±


    Zhao Sheng put away his ¡°dejected¡± expression and spoke firmly, ¡°I would like to try a few more times. I wonder if what Mr. Hong said last time about a threefold discount was true.¡±


    Hong Yuanliang confidently replied, ¡°It¡¯s true, I never speak lightly. Not only do I have Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit, but also all other accompanying medicinal materials. How many sets would you like? Do you want them processed or in their natural state?¡±


    ¡°Three Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits and three sets of other Spiritual Medicines. I don¡¯t trust anyone else¡¯s processing, just give me them in their natural state. How many Spirit Stones in total?¡± Zhao Sheng immediately responded.


    ¡°A total of twenty-one thousand Spirit Stones! Just give me twenty thousand, and you can keep the change,¡± Hong Yuanliang said without hesitation.


    ¡°Very well, your kindness is noted, Mr. Hong. I shall repay it in the future,¡± said Zhao Sheng.


    With that, Zhao Sheng took out a small pile of Spirit Stones from his Storage Bag and poured them onto the table.


    As Hong Yuanliang sensed the Pure Yin Spiritual Energy emanating from the Spirit Stones, his eyes widened in surprise, ¡°Pure Yin Spirit Stones? Quite the item! Are you sure you want to part with them?¡±


    ¡°After all, they are only Spirit Stones, what is there to hesitate about?¡± replied Zhao Sheng, his tone indifferent.


    Spirit Stones have attributes, divided into the Five Elements and Yin and Yang, with the Yin Yang ones being particularly rare. The price of those of the same grade can be three to eight times higher than regular Five Elements Spirit Stones.


    The high price is secondary, the key issue is that it¡¯s not available in the market.


    Zhao Sheng used Pure Yin Spirit Stones to settle the account, which was both a display of financial strength and a gesture of returning favors.


    With this move alone, Hong Yuanliang couldn¡¯t help but take a fresh look at him, once again raising his valuation and truly placing him on the list of important customers.


    After collecting the Spirit Stones, Hong Yuanliang suddenly slapped his forehead and abruptly said, ¡°I almost forgot. Taoist friend, weren¡¯t you looking to buy Primordial Heavy Water? Our establishment has just had some transported in from the sect. How many drops would you like?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes lit up, and he immediately responded, ¡°The more, the better!¡± S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Primordial Heavy Water is extremely valuable. A drop of spirit water, weighing a thousand catties, costs at least ten thousand Spirit Stones, no bargaining. After the fifth drop, we do not accept Spirit Stones, only an exchange for a treasure of equivalent value.¡±


    Hong Yuanliang spoke very seriously, but when Zhao Sheng took out a stack of Second Order Blood Melting Talismans from his Storage Bag, his demeanor changed dramatically, and he could barely contain his excitement.


    ¡°Dragon Carp Taoist friend, if only you had said you had these things earlier. I might have been able to procure even more Primordial Heavy Water for you.¡±


    In the Blood Demon Sect, Second Order Blood Melting Talismans were as good as gold.


    With so many cultivators practicing the Blood Soul Scripture, talismans that could accelerate the melting of essence blood were always in short supply. Especially the Second Order ones, each of which would cause a frenzy among Foundation Establishment Blood Cultivators.


    Even with his past life experience, Zhao Sheng was still somewhat surprised to see Hong Yuanliang so excited.


    Seeing this, he relaxed and spoke generously, ¡°Start with five drops of Spiritual Water. The rest we¡¯ll exchange with Blood Melting Talismans¡ªhow many for one drop?¡±


    Hong Yuanliang cleverly counter-asked, ¡°I have eighteen drops of Primordial Heavy Water. A minimum of thirty talismans for one drop. How many Blood Melting Talismans do you have, Taoist friend?¡±


    ¡°Fifteen for one drop, in exchange for three drops. If we have a deal, there will be more to come.¡±


    ¡°Deal!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Two cups of tea later, a beaming Hong Yuanliang earnestly saw Zhao Sheng to the door. He watched him leave before returning to the Red Light Tower with a face full of joy.


    Two days later, news suddenly spread throughout Elixir Fire Square that Treasure Medicine Pavilion would be closing temporarily for a while, and the reopening date was uncertain.


    Upon hearing this news, those with cunning thoughts immediately ran to inform Ge Chen with ¡°good tidings.¡±


    Instead of being pleased to learn about the Treasure Medicine Pavilion¡¯s closure, Ge Chen¡¯s frown deepened.


    He felt like he was experiencing the emptiness of punching into the air, as if his opponent had fallen before he even exerted any effort, which was nothing like what he had expected.


    Not satisfied, Ge Chen immediately instructed his men, ¡°Go find out what that Zhao has been up to these past few days. Make sure you investigate thoroughly.¡±


    His subordinates left to carry out the orders, and Ge Chen¡¯s face showed a look of loathing.


    However, a month went by, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s cave mansion remained tightly closed and never opened.


    He might have been in closed-door cultivation, he might have gone traveling, or he might have intentionally changed his appearance to avoid Ge Chen¡¯s scrutiny.


    But whichever possibility it was, they all conveyed the same message¡ªthat Zhao Sheng had temporarily ¡°disappeared¡± from everyone¡¯s sight¡­


    ¡­


    Half a year later, at the Spring and Autumn Alliance¡¯s Merit Hall.


    ¡°This spirit island is Phoenix Tail Island. The island isn¡¯t large, spanning only sixty to seventy li, with a population of no more than ten thousand, all of whom are miners and their families. There is a Phoenix Blood Stone mine near Phoenix Island, so we have assigned ten Qi Refining Managers, as well as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator as the guardian. Mr. Zhao, what do you think about this place?¡±


    On the second floor of the Merit Hall, a middle-aged Foundation Establishment Elder asked gently.


    Zhao Sheng did not respond verbally; he knew that since the other party dared to recommend this place, they must have considered it carefully.


    He was very familiar with Phoenix Blood Stones, a kind of spirit material of high grade and low production in the Shattered Star Sea, typically used to make high-grade spirit ink.


    Zhao Sheng was very satisfied with this assignment.


    Serving as a Guest Elder in the Spring and Autumn Alliance wasn¡¯t just about receiving a spiritual salary and doing nothing ¨C every year, he had to take on a Guest Elder task for the alliance.


    The types and difficulties of the tasks were up to his choice, but most came with generous rewards.


    Thanks to Zhao Sheng¡¯s request, the middle-aged Foundation Establishment Elder deliberately selected this ¡°easy¡± task for him.


    Guarding the Phoenix Blood Ore mine was fine, and he could conveniently ¡°accept¡± a few Phoenix Blood Stones. After all, as long as it wasn¡¯t too excessive, the alliance would typically turn a blind eye.

 Chapter 230 - 205 Return to Dome Turtle Island

    Chapter 230: Chapter 205 Return to Dome Turtle Island


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 52/226


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master, Second Order Alchemist


    Constitution: Three Spirit Roots of Water, Metal, Fire, Half Spirit Clan


    Talent: Bullet Time, Danger Perception, Absolute Rationality


    [Skills]


    Cultivation Technique: Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique (Great Success), Stacking Talisman Technique (Great Success), Sacrificial Fire Technique (Great Success), Blood Soul Scripture (Incomplete, Master), Merging God and Separating Thought Technique (Skilled)


    Spells: Bing Xin Cold Thunder, Blood Escape, God-Slaying Sword, Thousand Waterfalls Flowing Cloud¡­


    Talisman Making: ¡­Concentrating God Talisman, Blood Melting Talisman, Life Hundred Thoughts Talisman, Prisoner Dragon Talisman, Thousand Mirror Ice Cloud Talisman, Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, Summoning Thunder Talisman, and one hundred ninety-six other kinds


    Alchemy: Foundation Establishment Pill, Nourishing Spirit Pill, Bone Marrow Spirit Pill, Essence Spirit Pill, ¡­Soul Condensing Pills, Breakthrough Pill, totaling thirty-three kinds.


    ¡­


    As time flies by, the years leave no trace.


    The life on Phoenix Tail Island was peaceful and simple, and the peach tree in front of Zhao Sheng¡¯s cave mansion had already produced ripe peaches seven times.


    Perhaps even he hadn¡¯t expected that this mission to guard the mine would last a whole seven years.


    Seven years, not too long and not too short, but enough time for some people and events to change dramatically.


    Over the years, apart from the occasional inspection of the mine pits, Zhao Sheng¡¯s other times were either spent on alchemy and talisman painting or in closed-door cultivation.


    As he made significant progress in both the Dao of Alchemy and Talisman, his cultivation level also surged at an unimaginably fast rate, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer in just seven years.


    By this stage, he had exhausted the benefits of his past life¡¯s accomplishments; the speed of his future cultivation would inevitably slow down, and he could only gradually advance step by step.


    Three years ago, Zhao Sheng had successfully crafted his thirteenth Second Order Spirit Pill, the Breakthrough Pill, and formally advanced to become a Second Order Alchemist.


    In the same year, several events related to him also happened on Nine Virtue Isle.


    Early that year, unexpectedly, the Jin Family gained a new Foundation Establishment Cultivator named Jin Dansheng. After traveling the Shattered Star Sea for many years, he returned to his family and appeared before outsiders as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    However, only a few people knew that Jin Dansheng¡¯s advancement to Foundation Establishment was completely dependent on a Foundation Establishment Pill that Zhao Sheng had secretly sold to the Jin Family.


    It was also in this year that Zhao Sheng started to sell his first Foundation Establishment Pill, with the eager Red Light Tower as the buyer.


    By the end of that year, Master Xu Chong¡¯s favored disciple, Ge Chen, suddenly disappeared after going out on a trip,


    Because of this, Master Xu Chong was furious, and the Spring and Autumn Alliance had to deploy all its members to search for half a year without finding any trace of Ge Chen. He seemed to have vanished into thin air, with no further news since then.


    Due to past conflicts between Zhao Sheng and Ge Chen, Zhao Sheng was also suspected. But at that time, he was stationed on Phoenix Tail Island and had an alibi, and there was no evidence pointing to his involvement.


    Thus, with Master Qi Feng¡¯s protection, Zhao Sheng easily cleared his name.


    In order to avoid Xu Chong¡¯s wrath, Zhao Sheng stayed on Phoenix Tail Island for three more years, under Master Qi Feng¡¯s advice. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the seven-year period over, Zhao Sheng smoothly handed over his duties to the incoming Foundation Establishment Minister.


    Stepping out of his cave mansion, he looked at the heavy fruit on the peach tree and silently exhaled. With a flip of his hand, a palm-sized silver-white boat suddenly grew to a size of two zhang, floating three feet off the ground in front of him.


    He lightly hopped onto the flying boat, casually cast a controlling spell, thought for a moment, and the flying boat soared into the sky with a whoosh, rising to a thousand feet in the air, circling half a turn before speeding towards Nine Virtue Isle.


    ¡­


    Two days later, Red Light Tower.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng entered the tower, he was courteously ushered into a private room in the backyard by the overly attentive clerk, and upon hearing that Daoist Long Li had arrived, Hong Yuanliang immediately dropped everything and hurried to the room for the meeting.


    Thump thump thump!


    A series of rapid footsteps approached quickly from afar, and before the person appeared, the laughter arrived first.


    ¡°Haha, Mr. Hong has been longing day and night for the Daoist¡¯s visit. Now that you¡¯ve finally come today, the wait has nearly killed me!¡±


    The burly Hong Yuanliang stepped through the door, beaming as he strode towards Zhao Sheng, talking non-stop.


    ¡°Mr. Hong flatters me too much!¡± Zhao Sheng stood up and bowed in courtesy.


    After exchanging a series of flatteries and formalities, the two sat down, drank a pot of tea, and then got down to business.


    Zhao Sheng took out two White Jade Pill Bottles and gently pushed them towards Hong Yuanliang.


    Hong Yuanliang¡¯s face lit up with joy as he hurriedly opened the pill bottles and immediately admired them, ¡°Wow, marvelous! There are actually two Foundation Establishment Pills this time. It seems the Daoist¡¯s mastery of the Alchemy Dao has advanced once again, truly a cause for celebration!¡±


    ¡°The usual rules, first swap for ten Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits, then use the rest to exchange for Primordial Heavy Water.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve prepared them for you already!¡±


    As he said this, Hong Yuanliang took out two Dark Wood Wood Boxes and a Mystic Iron Gourd and solemnly handed them to Zhao Sheng.


    As soon as he received the gourd, Zhao Sheng probed into it with his Divine Sense and saw twelve tear-drop sized transparent ¡°crystals¡± clearly suspended in the center of the gourd.


    These ¡°crystals¡± were the famed Primordial Heavy Water, which at the moment was completely retracted in spirit and light as a feather, but once it manifested its power, it would instantly become as heavy as a thousand catties.


    Zhao Sheng also opened the wooden box to check, and inside, ten Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits were neatly placed.


    ¡°Very good! Did the ¡®Blood Soul Scripture¡¤Mysterious Blood Refining Technique¡¯ I requested arrive?¡± Zhao Sheng asked with satisfaction after tucking away the wooden box.


    Hong Yuanliang paused, looking troubled, ¡°Daoist, you do not know. I reported your request to the mountain gate long ago, but the situation is not optimistic. The ¡®Dark Blood Alchemy Method¡¯ is considered a true inheritance technique of our sect, which outsiders are hardly granted, unless¡­ unless Daoist, you are willing to return with me to the mountain gate and truly join our sect.¡±

 Chapter 231 - 205 Return to Dome Turtle Island_2

    Chapter 231: Chapter 205 Return to Dome Turtle Island_2


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then forget it! Then¡­ did you manage to get the Golden Core Formation Pill recipe?¡± Zhao Sheng waved his hand in resignation and asked for the next best thing.


    Hong Yuanliang scratched the back of his head awkwardly, not daring to meet Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly, thinking that things were indeed not that simple.


    In a way, the value of the Golden Core Formation Pill recipe was even more precious than that of a magic artifact, and it was not inferior to any Golden Core Level Cultivation Method.


    Noticing Zhao Sheng¡¯s disappointment, Hong Yuanliang quickly tried to make up for it, ¡°Daoist, don¡¯t you want a talisman treasure to protect yourself? I just happen to have three different talisman treasures for you to choose from.¡±


    With that, he eagerly took out three palm-sized talisman treasures that flickered with intense blood light and appeared to be made of jade-like material, and placed them in front of him.


    The surface of the talisman treasures displayed three typical blood cultivator magic artifact patterns: a Blood Sword, a Blood Shield, and a Blood Bone Knife.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the three talisman treasures in front of him and couldn¡¯t help but show a tempted expression.


    Hong Yuanliang saw this and smiled smugly to himself.


    ¡­


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng, draped in a black robe, left the Red Light Tower satisfied.


    After leaving the Red Light Tower, he immediately changed his appearance and wandered around the workshop, entering and exiting more than twenty shops.


    After emerging from a store selling talismans, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression became very grave.


    In just half a year, the prices of pills, artifacts, talismans, and other items in the workshop had uniformly surged by thirty to fifty percent.


    Hong Yuanliang hadn¡¯t deceived him after all; the new round of the Sea Demon Tide was about to begin.


    Earlier in the Red Light Tower, Hong Yuanliang had told him that in the past half a year, there were signs of large numbers of demon beasts assembling on the periphery of the Shattered Star Sea and in the far seas.


    During voyages in the far seas, incidents of treasure ships being attacked by demon beasts had become increasingly frequent.


    The Blood Demon Sect, with its Blood Demon Pirate Group rampaging across the far seas, had far more informed sources than ordinary powers.


    A year ago, the Blood Demon Sect had first noticed the clues. A few months back, after multiple verifications, they confirmed the inevitability of the Sea Demon Tide.


    At the same time, the Star God Island also issued a decree, announcing the Star God Divine Sacrifice and their plan to close off the Star Algae Sea in the near future.


    In the history of the Shattered Star Sea, the Star God Divine Sacrifice could almost be equated with the Sea Demon Tide.


    Whenever the Star God Palace holds the Divine Sacrifice, the Sea Demon Tide might not always arrive as scheduled, but in ten times, it would occur five or six times.


    Over time, the cultivators of the Shattered Star Sea realized it was no coincidence, but premeditated.


    As for why the three major overlords of the far seas always chose to launch their attacks on the Human Clan territories during the Divine Sacrifice, the lower-ranked loose cultivators had various speculations, while the Golden Core Masters who knew ¡°the truth¡± opted for silence.


    Information monopolies exist in any world, and they are particularly severe in the Cultivation World.


    For thousands of years, in the face of repeated Sea Demon Tides, the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea had already summarized an extremely comprehensive set of countermeasures.


    The first and second island defense chains were specifically designed to deal with the Sea Demon Tide.


    To the cultivators of the Shattered Star Sea, the Sea Demon Tide was not only a tribulation but also a once-in-a-century opportunity.


    After every tribulation, numerous powers and individuals would vanish into thin air, yet many new emerging powers and outstanding figures would stand out. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Through the repeated trials of the Sea Demon Tide, countless heroes emerged in the Shattered Star Sea. Thus, a Divinity Transformation True Monarch once praised, ¡°The Star Sea always produces outstanding figures, each leading the era for hundreds of years!¡±


    ¡­


    Three months later, Dome Turtle Island.


    Dome Turtle Island was located on the edge of the Outer Star Sea, more than six thousand sea miles away from Dragon Head Island, to the south-southeast, and was one of the one hundred and eight Dragon Scale Level Spiritual Islands.


    The island¡¯s shape resembled that of a turtle, spanning over a hundred miles. Its terrain rose high in the west and sloped low in the east. The Ao Shou Cliff to the west was vertically steep, while the entire eastern side along the island was covered with White Sand Beach. The central terrain of the island was flat, the fields were fertile, and nearly a hundred thousand direct clan members lived there. In addition, around two hundred thousand relatives of the clan lived on the twelve affiliated islands nearby.


    The Zhao family on Dome Turtle Island established their clan through artifact refining, being most adept at creating defense magic artifacts, especially famous for their Turtle Shell Shields.


    The reason for this was that every summer, thousands of iron-armored turtles crawled up the white sand beach and buried their eggs there.


    Dome Turtle Island had a First-rank Middle-grade Spirit Vein running east to west, with the core spirit acupoint beneath Ao Shou Cliff, cutting through the central spirit field in the middle, extending westward to the white sand beach, with part of the vein¡¯s end sinking into the shallow sea.


    Therefore, the majority of the Zhao family¡¯s cultivators were gathered at Ao Shou Cliff.


    After generations of development and maintenance by the island masters¡¯ families, there were now over one hundred fifty cave mansions constructed on Ao Shou Cliff. However, only two-thirds of them were currently inhabited, while one-third remained vacant.


    On this day, ¡°Dianjing Mansion¡± on Ao Shou Cliff welcomed its new owner.


    Dianjing Mansion was built near the spiritual acupoint, where the concentration of spiritual energy was extremely high, second only to ¡°Mystical Manor,¡± the residence of the Family Head, and in no way inferior to the other two Foundation Establishment elders¡¯ cave mansions.


    Thus, as soon as the news that Dianjing Mansion had an owner spread, it immediately caused a sensation among the Zhao family.


    The junior Qi Refining youths with nothing better to do began to inquire everywhere, wanting to figure out who had the capability to ¡°snatch¡± Dianjing Mansion from the hands of the family head.


    After all, their generation¡¯s Family Head, Zhao Yunxian, was notoriously stingy; getting any advantage from him was incredibly difficult.


    At this moment, in the meeting hall deep in Dianjing Mansion, an elder and a youth were engaged in a cheerful conversation.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, what do you think of the environment of this cave mansion? If you feel that anything is unsuitable, just say so. I will definitely meet your demands,¡±


    Zhao Yunxian was the current family head of the Zhao Family, over a hundred thirty years old, with mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, seven feet eight inches tall, striking in appearance. However, with his thin eyebrows and eyes, and his high, hawk-like nose, he sometimes gave people a cold and harsh feeling.


    He was witty and enthusiastic in his speech, extremely sophisticated in dealing with people, but at times too calculating, which could lead to a lack of grandeur.


    Zhao Sheng quickly reviewed his memories of Zhao Yunxian while showing a satisfied smile on his face, speaking in a mild tone, ¡°Family Head Zhao is too courteous! I¡¯m quite pleased with the arrangements here; there¡¯s no need for any changes.¡±


    Since learning the news of the impending sea demon tide, Zhao Sheng immediately interrupted his ¡°reclusive¡± life at the Spring and Autumn Alliance and traveled tens of thousands of miles back to Dome Turtle Island.


    If he said he returned out of familial love, that would¡¯ve been nonsense.


    Of course, there was a little of blood kinship involved, but mostly it was motivated by interest.


    The better the Zhao family developed, the better for him!


    The reasoning was understood by all, so elaboration was unnecessary.


    When Zhao Sheng released the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm and demonstrated his alchemy prowess, Zhao Yunxian considered him a treasure, immediately recruiting Zhao Sheng as a guest elder with great enthusiasm.


    Zhao Sheng came for the Zhao family and thus, after making a few modest requests, he readily agreed.


    During their warm conversation, Zhao Sheng subtly revealed his ¡°life story¡± to Zhao Yunxian through casual chat, which served both to be transparent and to show sincerity.


    An hour later, Zhao Yunxian left, his interest satisfied.


    The next day, he gathered all the Zhao family¡¯s cultivators on the island and introduced the new guest elder, Cen Hezi Zhao Tianding, to everyone.


    Zhao Sheng had reversed the characters of his name in this life and renamed himself Zhao Tianding, with the Daoist title ¡°Cen Hezi,¡± identifying himself as a loose cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm and also an alchemist.


    The Zhao family had sixty-four generational name sequences: Feng Xian Ming Ren Sect, Quanzhen Du Taihe. The Classic of Sincerity and Jade Declaration, Zhongzheng Chang Jinke. Essence of the Mystic Path, Gao Hongding Daluo, Moral Performance, Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for longevity.


    The Shattered Star Sea branch of the clan had reached the ¡°Da¡± generation, and the seniors of the highest standing were two Foundation Establishment elders of the ¡°Han¡± generation, Zhao Hanqing and Zhao Hanguang.


    Originally, the Zhao family had four Foundation Establishment members, but the eldest, Zhao Tongbei, had passed away sixteen years prior, leaving only three remaining.


    Moreover, the Zhao family¡¯s younger generation wasn¡¯t very promising, and the clan was now facing the danger of a break in the lineage of Foundation Establishment. There were only four members who had reached Qi Refining Perfection, two of whom had already failed once in Foundation Establishment, showing limited potential.


    Zhao Sheng was acquainted with most of the Zhao family members, with the exception of the younger ones born in the past thirty years, so there was no need for Zhao Yunxian to introduce them.


    Just one glance was enough for Zhao Sheng, and the myriad of memories about these people resurfaced in his mind.


    Which of them could still be nurtured, and which were utterly useless? A defining glance was all that Zhao Sheng needed to begin forming his plans.

 Chapter 232 - 206: Accepting an Apprentice and the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield

    Chapter 232: Chapter 206: Accepting an Apprentice and the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield


    July¡¯s fiery stars scorched the sky.


    Waves upon waves churned up, ceaselessly crashing against the uneven rocks below Ao Shou Cliff.


    At this moment, inside Guanlan Pavilion on the third floor of Sea View Tower atop Ao Shou Cliff, seven youths of differing elegance were waiting with solemn expressions. Some wore particularly anxious looks on their faces.


    Soon after, a ruckus suddenly erupted from below.


    ¡°He¡¯s back, the third young master is back!¡±


    Hearing this, all seven members of the Da Generation of the Zhao Family in Guanlan Pavilion almost instantly turned their gazes toward the entrance.


    Just then, a youth in white robes and a jade crown, with a handsome figure and a pair of thin lips, appeared and hurried into Guanlan Pavilion.


    ¡°Third brother, did you¡­ make it?¡± Zhao Damo, who was the most impatient, immediately asked with an expectant look upon seeing the newcomer.


    The other Da Generation members also watched the peer, Zhao Dali, with varying expressions.


    Zhao Dali¡¯s face darkened as he shook his head.


    ¡°Alas!¡±


    Upon seeing this, everyone sighed in unison.


    The thin-lipped Zhao Damo, who was ¡®Third brother¡¯ Zhao Dali¡¯s cousin from the same branch of the family, couldn¡¯t help but complain repeatedly, ¡°Mr. Zhao¡¯s standards are simply too high! Third brother is the most talented and gifted among us! Even third brother isn¡¯t good enough for him. I say he¡¯s doing it on purpose. His offer to take on a disciple is nothing but lip service!¡±


    No sooner had Zhao Damo finished speaking, than Zhao Dali suddenly grew furious and shouted urgently, ¡°Hold your tongue!¡±


    ¡°Third brother¡­?!¡± Zhao Damo looked aggrieved.


    ¡°Be quiet, do not slander Senior Zhao!¡± Zhao Dali said, his tone becoming even more severe.


    After that, he took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, ¡°Senior Zhao has decided to take Uncle Nineteen as a registered disciple.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, there was a loud stir among the crowd.


    ¡°Uncle Nineteen?!¡±


    ¡°Zhao¡­ Zhao Dingda!¡±


    ¡°Impossible, how could Mr. Zhao possibly fancy that lazy smooth-talker with the sharp tongue!¡±


    ¡°Indeed! Could it be that Mr. Zhao was fooled by ¡®Big Ding¡¯s¡¯ flowery rhetoric?¡±


    ¡°Uncle Nineteen is only at the third layer of Qi Refinement, he¡¯s not even a match for me, how could this be!¡±


    While the Da Generation of the Zhaos were struggling with their pride, the atmosphere inside Dianjing Mansion beneath Ao Shou Cliff was quite warm.


    In the reception hall, Zhao Sheng sat calmly in the center, while Zhao Yunxian of the Zhao Family sat with a stern expression at the upper seat on the left.


    At this moment, a middle-aged man with an ordinary build and an unremarkable face, his greasy little mustache twitching respectfully, held out a bowl of simple-hearted tea towards Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Disciple Zhao Dingda, respectfully offers tea to the master!¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng took the Spiritual Tea and sampled it gently, then said indifferently, ¡°Stand up! From today onward, you are my Cen Hezi¡¯s first registered disciple. Take this ¡®Alchemy Mastery¡¯ Jade Scroll. Memorize it thoroughly first, then come to find me. You may leave.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master!¡±


    Taking the Jade Scroll handed over by his master with both hands, Zhao Dingda bowed his head in acknowledgment, then respectfully left the reception hall.


    When the man had departed, Zhao Yunxian¡¯s eyes briefly flashed with cunning before he laughed heartily and deliberately asked, ¡°Taoist Zhao, I¡¯m somewhat puzzled. Our Zhao Family has many talented young men, any of whom are far stronger than Zhao Dingda. Why on earth did you choose him?¡±


    ¡°Without concealing from Taoist Zhao, the most important thing in my lineage is affinity. Zhao Dingda just barely met my criteria, so I chose him,¡± Zhao Sheng responded with a nonchalant expression.


    Upon hearing that, Zhao Yunxian was taken aback, and he looked at Zhao Sheng with a somewhat odd expression, thinking to himself, ¡°His words imply that he looks down on everyone else. Are disciples chosen so casually nowadays?¡±


    Considering this, he consoled himself, ¡°Well, in the end, all the meat ends up in the pot; it doesn¡¯t matter who learns Alchemy. The key issue is whether Cen Hezi will earnestly pass on the Alchemy Technique.¡±


    Although the Zhaos were renowned for their Artifact Refining, a Cultivation Family that wants to grow and prosper cannot afford to have any significant shortcomings.


    Zhao Sheng needed not just Artifact Refiners, but also Alchemists, Talisman Masters, and Array Masters, among other specialized cultivation talents.


    Thus, three days prior, in casual conversation, he had subtly probed the new guest elder regarding his intentions to take disciples. To his surprise, the response came readily, agreeing to take on a member of the Zhao descendants in a single sentence.


    Zhao Sheng had already intended to take a disciple to pass on his Alchemical arts. Zhao Yunxian¡¯s question was precisely what he had been hoping for, and there was no reason for him not to agree.


    Why did he pick Zhao Dingda as his disciple?


    For one, Zhao Dingda was Zhao Dingtian¡¯s direct younger cousin, and they shared the closest blood relationship.


    Moreover, not only did Zhao Dingda possess a Fire Spirit Root, but he had also been an apprentice in Alchemy for over a decade and had a solid foundation in the Alchemy Dao, which would save him a lot of effort.


    The most critical point was that the rest of the Zhao Family were disappointing, with none of them properly adjusting their mindset. Each appeared to be respectful and polite, yet each harbored their own scheming thoughts, which Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t appreciate.


    Seeing Zhao Yunxian falling into an awkward silence, Zhao Sheng changed the subject, reminding him, ¡°By the way, Taoist Zhao. According to my knowledge, the Sea Demon tide is coming again!¡±


    Zhao Yunxian¡¯s expression changed slightly at the mention, and he nodded gravely, ¡°Zhao has already received the warning sent from Dragon Head Island. In no more than two years, the Sea Demons will definitely encroach on the territory of the Human Clan again. I just don¡¯t know the scale of this tide; I hope it won¡¯t be the millennial kind.¡±


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be. If it were a millennial event, it wouldn¡¯t be this ¡®calm before the storm.¡¯


    By the way, with the demon tide imminent, has your clan made full preparations? Is there anywhere that I, as a poor Daoist, need to lend a hand?¡±


    Gratitude appeared on Zhao Yunxian¡¯s face as he heard this, and he earnestly said, ¡°If Daoist is willing to be so righteous, I would be extremely grateful. Turtle Island¡¯s defences are secure, and I am not worried about the sea beasts¡¯ assault on the island. However, Dragon Head Island has already issued a co-defence order, commanding our clan to dispatch one Foundation Establishment and five at the Qi Refining Late Stage to station there. So, should the demon tide strike¡­ Zhao hopes that the Daoist can command the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship to maintain open transportation between Dome Turtle Island and the outside world to the best of his ability.¡±

 Chapter 233 - 206: Accepting an Apprentice and the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield_2

    Chapter 233: Chapter 206: Accepting an Apprentice and the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield_2


    Although the other party spoke ambiguously, Zhao Sheng had fully understood his meaning.


    Generally speaking, during the Sea Demon tide period, it¡¯s rare for sea beasts to attack islands and massacre the Human Clan.


    After all, most sea beasts are marine creatures that either cannot clamber onto land or are extremely unaccustomed to terrestrial environments.


    Of course, once the sea beasts reach the third-tier realm, neither land nor air environments pose a barrier to them.


    If they wish, slaughtering the inhabitants of an entire island is not an issue. However, most sea beasts above third-tier have developed significant spiritual wisdom and generally do not purposely kill mortals, who seem like ants to them. On one hand, they fear the retaliation of Human Clan Golden Cores, and on the other hand, Golden Core demon beasts lacking in clan concepts are quite ¡°lazy,¡± indifferent to the affairs of weak humans, and too lazy to act without any benefit.


    In fact, the impact of the Sea Demon tide on the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea is not primarily the killing, but rather the devastating disruptions to the Shattered Star Sea¡¯s transportation network.


    One could imagine, with billions of sea beasts driven and led by Great Demons, wave after wave crashing into the inner and outer Star Seas, destroying every ship in their path. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even worse, if the beasts¡¯ rampage continued unabated, the swarms of sea beasts and demons would persistently and crazily attack every ship at sea.


    Facing endless hordes of crazed sea beasts, ships would struggle to travel, severing sea transportation. The islands of the Shattered Star Sea would inevitably become isolated ¡°lonely islands,¡± and if the blockade lasted too long, the cessation of trade would be the least of their problems; starvation would be the true horror.


    The Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea has proliferated to this day, and the population on most islands far exceeds their capacity. The production from a single island is far from enough to meet demand, requiring constant replenishment of food from the outside world.


    If the siege were to last long, and there wasn¡¯t enough food on the island, it would inevitably lead to a ghastly tragedy of people resorting to cannibalism.


    This isn¡¯t sensationalism but a certainty that occurs during every Sea Demon tide.


    Of course, no matter how tragic the plight of the mortals might be, it generally does not affect cultivators themselves.


    Therefore, a considerable number of cultivators are indifferent to the suffering of mortals, and some even welcome a reduction in the redundant population.


    Some despicable Demon Cultivators even jokingly call the Sea Demon tide the Heavenly Dao¡¯s ¡°population screening¡± of the Human Clan, aiming to eliminate the useless and stupid, filtering out the superior bloodlines.


    For some Cultivation Forces, what concerns and pains them even more are the spirit veins, spirit fields, and spirit mines laboriously developed on the seabed being destroyed and occupied by swarms of sea beasts.


    This is the real ¡°catastrophe.¡± The reason why all cultivators detest the Sea Demon tide primarily boils down to this.


    But back to the main point!


    The Zhao Family has over two hundred thousand kin scattered on the islands near Dome Turtle Island.


    With the onslaught of the Demon tide, sea routes were severed.


    Kin are the foundation; the Zhao family could not just watch helplessly as over two hundred thousand of their kin were killed or starved to death, so it was imperative to ensure that communication between the islands remained smooth.


    Zhao Sheng had just arrived and was already entrusted with a heavy responsibility, which clearly showed the Zhao Family¡¯s shortage of manpower.


    Understanding the meaning behind Zhao Yunxian¡¯s words, Zhao Sheng nodded, ¡°Thank you for trusting me, Family Head. I will take good care of the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship.¡±


    Zhao Yunxian¡¯s expression showed great emotion, ¡°Daoist, you truly understand the greater good; I am at a loss for words. I am well aware of the dangers of navigating the seas during the Demon tide. To ensure your safety, here are a few defense Spiritual Artifacts collected by our clan. Please choose one.¡±


    With that, he took out five items radiating spiritual light from his Storage Bag and placed them in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at them and immediately ruled out the two armor-like Spiritual Artifacts.


    Although he was not strictly a Sword Cultivator, he followed a path that favored lightness and agility, and the armors were too heavy, completely unsuitable for him.


    Excluding the armors, there were three remaining shield-like Magic Artifacts. One was a black-brown turtle shell shield, another was a light red shield of an unknown metal, and the last Spiritual Artifact had a very peculiar design.


    The peculiarity of this Spiritual Artifact was that its surface was a round black shield, about a foot in diameter, yet startlingly, it was composed of six palm-sized pure black small shields stacked together.


    Even with Zhao Sheng¡¯s Eye Power, he couldn¡¯t discern what material it was made of.


    At first glance, it appeared to be a hard, smooth material like keratin Beast Skin, but it also had a clear metallic luster. Upon closer examination, one could see the skin surface was covered with countless tiny black scales.


    It seemed Mr. Zhao was most interested in this special magic artifact, Zhao Yunxian smiled slightly, reached out to pick up the artifact, and introduced, ¡°Daoist, what excellent discernment! This Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield is the highest grade among these five spiritual artifacts. Each shield by itself is a mid-grade spiritual artifact, but when combined, it ranks as top-grade.


    The key is that it¡¯s a very rare composite spiritual artifact, made up of six child shields.


    Each child shield is refined from the most tenacious part of the underbelly hide of a second-order Mayfly Demon Ray.


    As you may know, the Mayfly Demon Ray is renowned for having the strongest defense among sea beasts of the same tier, so the robustness of these spirit shields goes without saying.


    Not only that, but the key is that the material for all six spirit shields comes from the same Mayfly Demon Ray, and the spirit prohibitions inside are nearly identical. They also contain an extremely rare Divine Communication Spirit Restriction.


    Let me demonstrate its marvelous features for you, Daoist.¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Yunxian extended his hand and pointed at the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield, and a flash of divine light gleamed in his eyes.


    Then, one could see the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield slowly floating up from the table into the air.


    In a blink, it suddenly dispersed into six streams of black light, like swimming fish, spinning and darting around Zhao Yunxian in all directions, appearing extremely agile and swift.


    What was even more eye-opening was that each child shield could freely combine with the others.


    In the air, sometimes a single shield would circle alone, other times they would pair up in threes or twos, and at times all six would merge into one.


    Watching this spectacle, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes sparkled continuously, his heart filled with longing.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression, Zhao Yunxian couldn¡¯t help but proudly say, ¡°This Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield is one of the last three masterpieces of our ancestor Zhao Xuanji. If it weren¡¯t for your sake, Daoist, I would never have brought it out.¡±


    After hearing his words, Zhao Sheng first nodded, then shook his head and said, ¡°Taoist Zhao, are you really willing to offer this Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield to me? Aren¡¯t you afraid that after I take the spirit shield, I will break my promise and run away?¡±


    ¡°Not afraid! I always trust those I employ and do not hire those I mistrust. And I also believe that you are not that kind of person,¡± Zhao Yunxian said confidently.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng nodded inwardly, feeling that indeed the inhabitants of the Shattered Star Sea had made a reliable choice in their family head twice over.


    Zhao Xuanji was a key figure in the resurgence of the Zhao family, leading them away from the brink of extinction and with great effort, fostering their growth until they eventually occupied an island rich in spirit land. His achievements were unrivaled in the Zhao family.


    Although Zhao Yunxian did not match Zhao Xuanji, as the head of a family he could still be considered excellent.


    Under his leadership, the Zhao family developed further, and the atmosphere within the clan could be considered harmonious and united.


    While thinking this, Mr. Zhao by his side laughed and said, ¡°Not to hide from you, Daoist, this Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield isn¡¯t perfect¡ªit has its fair share of flaws.


    First off, the control is overly complex, demanding a cultivator¡¯s Divine Sense to be both strong and precise, making it best suited for those with a talent for multitasking. Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators simply cannot manage it.


    Moreover, since it¡¯s composed of six mid-grade spiritual artifacts, this means six times the spiritual power consumption rate. This fact alone disqualifies cultivators below Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.¡±


    Having said this, Zhao Yunxian paused, then tentatively added, ¡°If the Daoist dislikes this Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield, perhaps consider this Nether Bone Heart Shield instead.¡±


    ¡°No need! This one will do,¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly gestured with his hand, cutting the other off mid-sentence in a decisive tone.


    Zhao Yunxian¡¯s heart leapt with joy at those words.


    Seeing the tone and demeanor in which Mr. Zhao spoke, it seemed his cultivation level was at least at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, quite possibly even Foundation Establishment Late Stage.


    If that were truly the case, then the Zhao family had truly gained a great ally.


    As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Zhao Yunxian¡¯s face suddenly changed, and the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield instantly reassembled into a single black round shield, wobbling as it floated toward Zhao Sheng.


    Observing this scene, Zhao Sheng smiled faintly, a surge of Divine Light flashed in his eyes, and his powerful Divine Sense burst forth instantly, enveloping the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield in the blink of an eye.


    With a thought, he effortlessly ¡°seized¡± ownership of the spirit shield.


    Watching the Mayfly Child Shields flutter about like butterflies piercing through flowers and feeling the astonishing Divine Sense in the void, Zhao Yunxian¡¯s eyes shone with excitement, his heart throbbing with elation: ¡°Foundation Establishment Late Stage! It really is Foundation Establishment Late Stage! This¡­ this is truly a blessing from the heavens for our clan. Thank you, ancestor Zhao Xuanji!¡±

 Chapter 234 - 207 Dragon Head Island Falls and Treasure Ship Attacked

    Chapter 234: Chapter 207 Dragon Head Island Falls and Treasure Ship Attacked


    Within the Foundation Establishment Realm, the late stage is a relatively special phase.


    Because upon advancing to the Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment, even an ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivator could have the opportunity for a qualitative transformation in their Spiritual Power.


    Once they successfully complete the transformation of their Spiritual Power, the strength of a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator would soar remarkably. It¡¯s not to say they could take on ten at once, but handling two ordinary cultivators of the same realm alone would not be an issue.


    If it were a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment instead, defeating three to five would also be manageable. Winning might not be guaranteed, but maintaining a stalemate would be considered normal, and at the very least, escape would not be a problem.


    If we drop another half-step to the Early-stage Foundation Establishment, a powerful late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator (after the transformation of Spiritual Power, wielding a top-grade Spiritual Artifact, and having cultivated a Golden Core Level skill above), could indeed take on ten alone. It could be likened to an adult fighting a group of children.


    Zhao Yunxian had no idea if Zhao Sheng was the legendary powerful cultivator who could fight ten on his own, but from his extremely strong Divine Sense, it was clear that even if he wasn¡¯t that strong, he was far from weak.


    As the monster tide was about to erupt and the Zhao family could face a crisis of annihilation at any moment, it was undeniably akin to having the blessing of ancestors when a powerful ally like Zhao Sheng emerged all of a sudden for the Zhao family.


    From this, one could understand why Zhao Yunxian was so excited.


    Hum! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Following a humming sound, six beams of black light instantly flew back in front of Zhao Sheng and reassembled into the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield.


    The foot-long top-grade Spirit Shield fell downward, and Zhao Sheng caught it with one hand before casually stowing it into his Storage Bag.


    If a Cultivator wishes to wield a Spiritual Artifact at will, as if it were an extension of their own arm, they must undergo years of Refining it and merging it with their spirit.


    What Zhao Sheng had just done with Divine Sense to skillfully manipulate the shield was merely for show. A single powerful collision could cause the Spirit Shield to lose control.


    ¡°Not bad, Daoist is extremely satisfied with this Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield. I thank the Family Head for this gift.¡± Zhao Sheng gave a smile and clasped his hands in thanks toward Zhao Yunxian.


    ¡°Haha! It¡¯s good that Daoist Cen Hezi is satisfied,¡± Zhao Yunxian said with a beaming smile, laughing heartily.


    ¡­


    From then on, Zhao Sheng settled down on Dome Turtle Island.


    He was a person who preferred quiet to activity, and although he had repeatedly declined invitations from the various branches of the Zhao family, he had not been the least bit discourteous. Each time he politely refused, he would reciprocate with a few bottles of Elixir Pills, both First and Second Order, and of high quality.


    Such a down-to-earth demeanor pleased the different branches of the Zhao family greatly. For a time, a variety of invitations flew to him like snowflakes.


    Zhao Sheng was not truly a pushover. Initially, he had declined out of consideration for the fact that each branch was made up of his descendants, and it was simply a pretext for bestowing favors, as it¡¯s always better to keep resources within the family.


    However, their greed in trying to take an inch and gain a mile was nothing short of wishful thinking.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s approach was exceedingly straightforward; he simply handed over all the invitations to Zhao Yunxian.


    Within a day, this ill wind disappeared, and tranquility quickly returned to Zhao Sheng¡¯s residence.


    As a homebody Cultivator, his daily schedule was fully booked.


    He had three designated hours for cultivation each day, and half an hour for deep sleep.


    Every day he allocated one hour for talisman refining, to keep his hand in practice. Meanwhile, he spent two to three hours each day on Alchemy, mostly refining First-stage Spirit Pills, and occasionally when inspiration struck, he would spend a few days refining a batch of Second Order Spirit Pills.


    During this time, when he was in peak condition, Zhao Sheng also crafted a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, successfully producing three pills, one mid-grade and two low-grade.


    As a side note, after the mad alchemy on Nine Virtuous Isle, his success rate for refining Foundation Establishment Pills had reached an astounding eighty to ninety percent, although the number and quality of pills produced were not always satisfactory, averaging one to four. He had produced over thirty Foundation Establishment Pills, but not a single one was top-grade.


    The reasons for this could have been the quality of the Spiritual Medicine, the Alchemy techniques, or perhaps some unknown secrets.


    In any case, limited by his own knowledge and horizons, Zhao Sheng admitted he had reached a bottleneck, and it would be difficult to break through it in the short term without external help.


    Currently, he had accumulated as many as six Foundation Establishment Pills, but only three Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits remained.


    If he didn¡¯t make new breakthroughs, he had already decided to temporarily stop refining Foundation Establishment Pills.


    The rest of his time, apart from refining the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield, was mostly spent on broadly reading and researching ancient books, secret abnormal skills, Cultivation Techniques, and knowledge of the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation. This was not only in preparation for advancing to the Golden Core, but also a further reinforcement of his foundation.


    The deeper he went into his studies, the more Zhao Sheng realized how vast and profound the knowledge of a Cultivation Civilization was.


    He was so engrossed in the thrill of exploring the unknown and the pleasure of cultivation that he felt there was never enough time; he wished there were forty-eight hours in a day.


    Zhao Sheng knew his mentality was not quite right. With the Hundred Lifetimes book in his possession, there was no need for such impatience; leisurely enjoying life should have been the correct approach.


    He understood all this, but¡­ it was truly hard to describe his current state.


    ¡°Obsessed without enlightenment¡± is not a good descriptor, but it applied quite fittingly to Zhao Sheng in this life. He was indeed ¡°obsessed,¡± but had not truly reached ¡°great enlightenment.¡±


    Perhaps in some future life, when he felt tired, he would truly attain enlightenment.


    In this life, he was ¡°happily engrossed, obsessed without enlightenment.¡±


    ¡­


    The Monster Tide came!


    It¡¯s hard to say exactly when it began, but once a grain transport ship was attacked and sunk by a sea beast near Dome Turtle Island, the island was thrown into instant chaos, with the atmosphere growing tense as if the slightest disturbance could trigger panic.

 Chapter 235 - 207 The Fall of Dragon Head Island and the Attack on the Treasure Ship_2

    Chapter 235: Chapter 207 The Fall of Dragon Head Island and the Attack on the Treasure Ship_2


    The Zhao family, from top to bottom, was acutely aware that the demon tide had finally arrived. In the midst of their shock and fear, they felt an odd sense of relief. It was as if a heavy hammer, which had been suspended high in the sky, had finally fallen to the ground, and they no longer needed to live in constant dread.


    According to the pre-established contingency plan, Dome Turtle and its affiliated islands all implemented scorched earth policies, with the population retreating deep into the island¡¯s settlements, leaving the periphery of the islands empty.


    Meanwhile, apart from the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship and two First Rank Spirit Ships, all other ordinary ships were ordered back to the docks, and no sails were to be set to sea.


    As long as they did not intentionally provoke conflict, sea demons generally would not land.


    Therefore, the Zhao family¡¯s three hundred thousand clan members kept to themselves on the islands and did not venture out, temporarily safe from harm.


    Half a year passed in this fashion.


    During this half-year, the Zhao family received countless pieces of intelligence from their kin abroad, with the information from Dragon Head Island being the most detailed and accurate. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But one afternoon, a shocking and disastrous piece of news left every member of the Zhao family cultivators stunned.


    Dragon Head Island had fallen!


    After a thousand years, the sea demons once again breached the Heavenly Pass of Dragon Head Island.


    Ten days ago, the Great Elder Ling Yuan of the Sea Demon Clan, leading three seventh- or eighth-tier Demon Kings and over a hundred Solidifying Pill stage sea demons of the third order or higher, deceived everyone¡¯s eyes with a feint to the east but attacked to the west. They crossed the vast ocean in a single day and launched a surprise attack on Dragon Head Island.


    In less than three days, the island¡¯s Defense Array was breached, and the Four Saints Immortal Cultivation Team, led by Ancestor Chongfeng, suffered heavy casualties, with one in ten islanders surviving.


    Just days before the fall of Dragon Head Island, Fu Feng Island, Zhi Ao Island, and six other key spirit islands were surprisingly taken by sea beast armies with ease. It took less than ten days for the vanguard of the great army to reach Dragon Head Island, and soon they would burst into the Inner Star Sea,


    Facing an inevitable catastrophe for all living beings, the Zhao family surprisingly breathed a sigh of relief.


    Since Dome Turtle Island was located at the edge of the Outer Star Sea and the sea demons¡¯ massive tide would sweep through the Inner Star Sea, it meant that the disaster was unlikely to befall the Zhao family.


    As for the countless deaths among the Human Clan of Shattered Star Sea, well¡­ what of it? As long as one¡¯s own people were alive, what did it matter if others lived or died?


    It must be said that the attitude of the Zhao family was very similar to that of most Cultivation Families.


    This was the characteristic of island civilizations. Due to geographical separation and inconvenient communication, coupled with living on small islands, over time, most mortals and even some cultivators developed an attitude of indifference to matters that did not concern them.


    After learning of this earth-shattering news, the two Foundation Establishment members of the Zhao family guarding Dome Turtle Island were extremely anxious.


    Not only because a Foundation Establishment and five Late Stage Qi Refinement members of the Zhao family were now trapped on Dragon Head Island, their fates uncertain. There was also a significant concern due to the serious consequences of the fall of Dragon Head Island.


    Dragon Head Island, located between the Inner and Outer Star Seas, not only controlled critical trade routes but was also the core strategic area of the entire Outer Star Sea.


    The island not only had a third-tier Spirit Vein, but the nearby thousands of miles of sea area also had nearly a hundred secondary Spirit Veins of the first and second orders, with countless spirit mines and spirit fields beneath the sea, and an abundance of various Cultivation Resources, making it one of the highest spirit areas in Tianzhu Realm.


    Usually, Dragon Head Island had at least one Nascent Soul Ancestor in residence, and the Four Saints Immortal Cultivation Team was also stationed on the island.


    Each time the sea demon tide came, Dragon Head Island would be the first to bear the brunt of the attack.


    If the Spirit Clan, Sea Dominator Octopus, and Dragon Serpent¡ª the three dominators¡ª wished to lead the Endless Sea Beasts into the Inner Star Sea, they had to conquer Dragon Head Island.


    If they chose to bypass it, they risked being attacked from both front and rear. Moreover, on their retreat, they could easily be trapped and defeated, or their beast armies could be divided and conquered individually.


    Setting aside the resources and military importance of Dragon Head Island, it was also the undisputed center for trade and goods circulation for the entire Outer Star Sea.


    Speaking of Cultivation Resources is one thing, but for mortals, essential bulk items such as food grains would normally need to be centrally traded on Dragon Head Island. After allocation and turnover, they would then be transported to the various islands of the Outer Star Sea.


    This was the invisible control that the major Cultivation Forces of the Inner Star Sea had over the many spirit island families and Sect forces of the Outer Star Sea.


    However, now Dragon Head Island had fallen.


    What did this mean?


    All those in power in the Zhao family who understood the gravity of the situation had a grim expression and furrowed brows.


    ¡°Dingda, quickly go invite your master!¡±


    In Unity Hall, where the elders of the Zhao Family and the cultivator clansmen were all present, Zhao Yunxian made a decisive command to Zhao Dingda after a brief consideration.


    ¡°Yes, Family Head,¡± Zhao Dingda promptly responded and turned to leave.


    Shortly after, Zhao Dingda respectfully ushered Zhao Sheng into Unity Hall.


    Looking at the arrangement and furnishings of Unity Hall, Zhao Sheng felt as though he had returned to Dragon Carp Lake hundreds of years ago.


    He was momentarily lost in thought, but soon gathered his spirit and saluted Zhao Yunxian and Zhao Hanguang, the two cultivators of the same realm.


    No sooner had he sat down than Zhao Yunxian eagerly shared the downfall of Dragon Head Island and the perilous situation they currently faced.


    After Zhao Sheng had absorbed the shocking news, Zhao Yunxian candidly stated that the island¡¯s food supply could at best support half a year.


    The collapse of Dragon Head Island meant that this sea demon tide would not end easily.


    Could this disaster last a year? Two years? Or perhaps even longer, it was hard to say.


    Faced with three hundred thousand famished clan members, Zhao Yunxian, as the head of the clan, had to plan for the worst.


    Without needing further explanation, Zhao Sheng immediately realized his days of reclusive arduous Cultivation had come to an end.


    ¡°¡­ as a retainer (ancestor) of the Zhao Family, lending a hand to the Zhao Family is an unquestionable duty. Not to mention, I have yet to express my gratitude for the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield. Family Head, please feel free to command me,¡± Zhao Sheng said bluntly.

 Chapter 236 - 207 The Fall of Dragon Head Island and the Attack on the Treasure Ship_3

    Chapter 236: Chapter 207 The Fall of Dragon Head Island and the Attack on the Treasure Ship_3


    Zhao Yunxian was overjoyed beyond expectation upon hearing this, his face brimming with gratitude and relief. After expressing his thanks several times, he presented his plan.


    In short, it was to deploy the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship to the islands of the Star Sea as quickly as possible, and spare no effort to purchase grain, while also trading Cultivation Resources on the side.


    Their first target was Biluo Island, known as ¡°Dragon Claw.¡± It is the second-largest spirit island in the Outer Star Sea, next only to Dragon Head Island, with thousands of medium and small-sized islands spread within a thousand miles. It is not only known for its thriving trade but also as a famous grain-producing region.


    ¡­


    Seven days later, somewhere at sea.


    The once calm and azure sea surface was now like boiling water, with large white masses of sea froth continuously churning and rising. Beneath this frothy veil, several three-meter-long Green Flag Swordfish suddenly lept from the sea, furiously charging towards a large three-masted ship with a gleaming black hull and a double deck.


    Mixed among these Green Flag Swordfish were some First Rank swordfish of an even more enormous size.


    Sharp sword-like beams of green light shot out from the long thorns on their heads, killing every living thing on the ship relentlessly.


    Green Flag Swordfish are a naturally mild-tempered, schooling species of medium to small-sized marine fish, with a sharp bony spike on their heads resembling a long sword, flag-shaped dorsal fins, and a body covered in hard scales.


    A typical adult swordfish can grow to over three meters long, with a swimming speed that exceeds a galloping horse on land, and can easily cover a thousand miles in a day and night.


    Generally speaking, out of every ten swordfish, there might be one First Order demon fish; when a school exceeds a hundred individuals, it tends to give birth to a leader among Second Order Green Flag Swordfish.


    Second Order Green Flag Swordfish are at least twelve meters in size, swim through the water as swiftly as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator flying with a Controlling Device, and the Spiritual Thorn on their heads is not only incredibly tough but also as sharp as a low-grade flying sword.


    Usually, schools of Green Flag Swordfish do not attack passing ships, but at this moment they had transformed into a terrifyingly efficient group of assassins.


    At that time, cowering among the crowd below the second deck, Zhao Dingda bolstered his courage and loudly encouraged everyone¡¯s morale.


    ¡°Hold on! My Master will surely come back. Brothers and uncles, hold on!¡±


    The Defensive Light Shield of the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship had already shattered under the relentless and frenzied barrage of thrashing from the Green Flag Swordfish a quarter of an hour ago.


    The twenty-five Qi Refining Clan Members of the Zhao family were forced to retreat to the cabins and corners of the ship, using its sturdy body for shelter as they formed small groups to fiercely withstand the swordfish onslaught.


    By this time, blood was flowing everywhere on the deck, and the heavy scent of blood pervaded every corner of the cabins.


    The ship¡¯s deck was marred with deep gashes similar to sword cuts, and the three sails were already riddled with holes, torn to shreds, while two of the three masts had been broken by the impact.


    Faced with a large school of nearly a thousand Green Flag Swordfish, everyone on board felt a sense of despair.


    To make matters worse, since the attack began, Daoist Cen Hezi, who was in charge of the ship, had suddenly plunged into the sea and had not resurfaced, leaving his fate unknown.


    Underneath the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship, a hundred yards deep in the sea, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was solemn as he was surrounded by a Triple Profound Ice Wall.


    Outside the ice wall, six dark beams spun rapidly like lightning, keeping the thick green Sword Lights at bay, not allowing them to come within three feet.


    Meanwhile, in the shadowy waters a few yards away, five large, slender, dark green shapes rapidly circled around Zhao Sheng, darting swiftly in all directions.


    sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 237 - 208 Cultivation Technique Hidden Danger

    Chapter 237: Chapter 208 Cultivation Technique Hidden Danger


    At this moment, beneath Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet, three huge fish corpses were slowly sinking into the sea.


    The bodies of these three Second Order demon fish were intact, scales neat, and on the surface, there wasn¡¯t a single visible wound. However, their eyes had devastatingly burst open, leaving two fist-sized, gaping holes oozing with a thick, pinkish brain matter that quickly dispersed into the surrounding seawater.


    The battle between humans and beasts up to now hadn¡¯t seen any fierce fighting. Merely a few strokes akin to lightning had been exchanged, but each confrontation ended with the demise of a Second Order Green Flag Swordfish.


    The Green Flag Swordfish attacked in a very straightforward manner. It was known for its lightning-fast speed and the unbreakable sharpness of its spines.


    Imagine a Green Flag Swordfish weighing several thousand pounds, as large as a wild elephant, charging with a sword-like, incredibly sharp spine at a terrifying supersonic speed. The force of the impact and the strength of its destructive power were immense.


    Let alone a person, even if a mountain stood in its path, it would still be pierced with a hole.


    In reality, facing these underwater killers transforming their superkinetic energy into lethal force, the Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield was too light; being struck, it would fly off and was essentially useless.


    As the common military adage goes, ¡°The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin.¡±


    The approach should naturally differ when facing different enemies.


    In battles under the sea, one must consider the influence of water resistance.


    Zhao Sheng simply didn¡¯t use the Golden Essence Flying Sword at all, and solely relied on his spells to oppose the enemy.


    Because as he completed the qualitative change of his Spiritual Power, the once well-suited Golden Essence Flying Sword had gradually become inadequate to use. Sometimes it was even less effective than the destruction caused by a single spell of his, necessitating a switch to a higher grade Spiritual Artifact for attack purposes.


    The Second Order Green Flag Swordfish already possessed great spirituality and, after suffering losses three times in a row, they immediately became extremely cautious. They would not attack rashly, merely speeding around Zhao Sheng in circles, hoping for a lapse to appear.


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng also didn¡¯t engage in battle.


    However, unknown to anyone, on the outer side of the triple profound ice wall, teardrop-sized, crystal-clear water drops were rapidly condensing in secret, and once formed, they instantly merged silently into the dark seawater around them.


    These crystal-clear water drops were known as ¡°One-element Heavy Water Swords,¡± possessing characteristics such as ¡°super heavy, sharp, penetrating, and stable.¡± S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was an evolution of the Waterdrop Sword spell, which in turn was derived from the Condensed Water Ring. The Condensed Water Ring was the first base Water Element Magic that Zhao Sheng learned in his previous life.


    The Condensed Water Ring is the simplest of Water Attribute tricks, formed by five basic runes in a stable water loop. Just a small amount of Spiritual Power is needed to activate it, and a large amount of cloud mist can be condensed.


    In fact, from the Condensed Water Ring, a wide array of First-tier Water Element Magic such as the Water Ball Skill, Water Arrow Technique, and Cloud Mist Technique can be derived.


    The Waterdrop Sword was a new type of First-tier Magic that Zhao Sheng had developed in his previous life, a ¡°unique move¡± that belonged to him alone.


    After two lifetimes of cultivation, Zhao Sheng gained a lot more comprehension about the way of Water Element and thus innovated and developed the new Second-tier True Technique ¡°One-element Heavy Water Sword.¡±


    ¡­


    In just a short moment, nearly a hundred One-element Heavy Water Swords had condensed into shape. This number had already reached the limit of Zhao Sheng¡¯s control.


    As he watched the Second Order demon fish swimming restlessly around him, he smiled slightly, intentionally exposing a flaw. The Six Harmonies Mayfly Shield suddenly slowed down drastically, and the outer layer of the Triple Mysterious Water Barrier also suddenly collapsed.


    Beasts are after all beasts, and even the Second Order demon fish with their greatly increased spirituality could not escape their instinctive shackles.


    Seeing the ¡°prey¡± showing weakness, the five Second Order Green Flag Swordfish, tormented by their bloodthirsty instincts, instantly revealed a ferocious gleam in their eyes. With a powerful flick of their tails, the green fins on their backs shot up. A burst of green light surged out from between their scales, enveloping their entire bodies in a split second.


    Bang Bang Bang!


    The sounds of water exploding almost simultaneously erupted, and with the explosion of five swirls of green light, I saw five streaks of green light fast as lightning. In an instant, they covered a distance of three yards, and with five unbreakable, sharp spines aimed, they simultaneously lunged towards the vital areas of Zhao Sheng¡¯s head and torso.


    The two layers of the Mystic Ice Wall, faced with the tremendous impact, crumbled as if they were crisp biscuits, fragile to touch.


    Savage and cunning, cold and ruthless!


    The Green Flag Swordfish truly lived up to their reputation as underwater assassins, born with the instinct to kill with a single blow.


    Just as Zhao Sheng was about to be torn to shreds, divine light exploded in his eyes, and the world slowed down significantly.


    With a thought, he saw the closest ten One-element Heavy Water Swords, under the control of his Divine Sense, shooting out towards the demon fish¡¯s eyes.


    Boom Boom Boom!


    A series of dull sounds, like eggs being smashed, suddenly arose in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    He clearly saw a drop of crystal-clear ¡°teardrop¡± effortlessly piercing through a layer of tough eyelid, then brutally crashing into the Green Flag Swordfish¡¯s eyeball. As the juices were squeezed out, a fist-sized hole slowly took shape, boring directly into the depths of the demon fish¡¯s brain.


    Spurt Spurt!


    All the One-element Heavy Water Swords suddenly exploded within the brain, instantly turning the brains of the five demon fish into mush.


    Simultaneously, Zhao Sheng slowly rose to the surface, avoiding the incoming fish spines and massive fish bodies.


    Bang!


    The next second, the world returned to normal. Five giant bodies violently collided with each other, with spines crisscrossing and deeply piercing into the bodies of their fellow swordfish.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, the average strength of a Second-stage Demon Beast is roughly equivalent to a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. However, generally speaking, ordinary Second-stage Demon Beasts are no match for Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and the reasons need not be elaborated upon.


    Zhao Sheng is a powerful Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator, vastly surpassing most of his fellow Foundation Establishment Daoists.

 Chapter 238 - 208 Cultivation Technique Hidden Danger_2

    Chapter 238: Chapter 208 Cultivation Technique Hidden Danger_2


    ¡°`


    Although there were as many as eight Second Order Green Flag Swordfish, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t need to be as cunning as before, effortlessly outsmarting them. Even if it came to a direct confrontation, they were still no match for him.


    The reason for this was that from the start, there was a big BOSS within the school of Green Flag Swordfish that had yet to show itself, possibly lying in wait in the dark, eyeing him greedily.


    Zhao Sheng found it hard to believe that a large swordfish school of nearly a thousand was led by just eight Second-tier Fish Bellies. There could very well be a more powerful Swordfish King among them.


    And that was one of the reasons why Zhao Sheng dared not carelessly engage in battle.


    It could have been that he was overthinking, or perhaps the big BOSS lurking behind the scenes was intimidated by Zhao Sheng¡¯s fierce tactics, uncertain of his actual strength and depth.


    Right after the eight Second Order swordfish were killed, the group of Green Flag Swordfish above them, like a frightened flock of sheep, suddenly woke from their bloodthirsty frenzy and scattered in all directions, fleeing wildly into further and deeper waters.


    Zhao Sheng had no desire to chase after a group of small fish. After collecting the corpses of the eight Second Order demon fish, he flashed upward and emerged from the sea surface.


    On the other side, as soon as the school of Green Flag Swordfish fled, the turmoil aboard the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship ceased, and the members of the Zhao Family, seeing the swordfish suddenly disappear, were ecstatic and relieved, feeling the serendipity of having narrowly escaped death.


    Puh!


    Zhao Sheng suddenly breached the sea surface and flew onto the deck, landing firmly.


    ¡°Mr. Zhao!¡±


    ¡°Senior Cen Hezi!¡±


    ¡°Master, you¡¯re finally back. We suffered a big loss this time!¡±


    Upon Zhao Sheng¡¯s appearance, Zhao Dingda, Zhao Gaojie, and the other clan members of the Zhao Family immediately found their pillar of support and flocked to him, greeting him with mixed emotions of sorrow and joy.


    ¡­


    Later, under Zhao Sheng¡¯s consolation, everyone gradually calmed down.


    The attack of the swordfish school, though brief, resulted in heavy casualties.


    Not only were all members of the Zhao Family injured, but six had died, including a Qi Refining Seventh Layer senior member of the Hong generation. In addition, the treasure ship had suffered extensive damage, with even two masts broken.


    Because of this, the treasure ship had to be repaired in situ for three days. After the ship¡¯s body and masts were mended, it proceeded towards Biluo Island.


    During the subsequent voyage, Zhao Sheng and others encountered several more attacks from sea beasts, but none were as formidable as the Green Flag Swordfish. Zhao Sheng alone easily dealt with them without the younger generation having to lift a finger.


    Seven days later, the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship slowly sailed into a bustling and lively bay. Across, not far from the pier, a variety of ships of different sizes were docked, and nearby, thousands of sails were contending, with countless boats crisscrossing busily.


    At a glance, one could see ships of similar size, or even larger, slowly moving in and out.


    Clearly, the news of Dragon Head Island¡¯s fall had spread across the Shattered Star Sea, instantly turning Biluo Island into the new hub of the Outer Star Sea. Under the influence of various complex factors, the place had momentarily fallen into an abnormal boom.


    After waiting half a day for an open berth, the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship finally docked at the pier.


    As soon as they berthed, the members of the Zhao Family couldn¡¯t wait to disembark the ship.


    The task of purchasing food and various other reserve supplies for the Zhao Family on Biluo Island was not Zhao Sheng¡¯s concern, as there were designated personnel responsible for it.


    Before all items were purchased, the treasure ship would be docked at the pier for a few days.


    This left Zhao Sheng with a few days of free time to take care of his own business.


    ¡­


    Half a day later, at East Jade Square, inside Treasure Tower.


    In the elegant room, a cultured man dressed in a plain white robe, with a scholarly appearance, sat opposite Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng spoke directly, ¡°Shopkeeper Gao, I am here to buy a shell pearl, at least a thousand years old, the higher the grade, the better. Does your establishment have such a treasure?¡±


    The scholarly middle-aged man replied with a smile, ¡°A thousand-year shell pearl, our establishment naturally has it. But a spiritual pearl nurtured by a thousand-year spiritual shell is equivalent to a third-rank demon pill, and it comes with a hefty price. Moreover, such treasures typically cannot be bought with spirit stones unless the Daoist has top-grade spiritual stones.¡±


    ¡°Top-grade spiritual stones are rare; I certainly do not possess them. But what do you think about this?¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng produced a pill bottle containing Foundation Establishment Pills, undid the Elixir Seal, and handed it over for inspection.


    The scholarly middle-aged man¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, ¡°Foundation Establishment Pills? Daoist, that is a generous offer indeed!¡±


    ¡°Would this suffice?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course, it would be more than sufficient!¡± replied the middle-aged man, nodding like a pecking chicken.


    ¡°Then¡­ it depends on what grade of shell pearl you can provide, Shopkeeper Gao,¡± said Zhao Sheng confidently.


    ¡°`


    ¡°Daoist, please wait a moment. Gao will return shortly.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, the refined middle-aged man hastily left the elegant room.


    It wasn¡¯t long before he joyfully returned.


    ¡°Daoist has come at the right time. Our establishment has just received a shell pearl that¡¯s been nurtured for three thousand years, its quality second only to a fourth-rank Demon Pill¡­¡±


    ¡­


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng, expressionless, walked out of Treasure Tower, quickly disappearing into the bustling crowd.


    ¡­


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng, having changed his appearance, appeared in an Elixir Medicine Shop called Qidan Pavilion.


    Qidan Pavilion was the largest Elixir Medicine Shop on Biluo Island, backed by the famous alchemy sect of the Shattered Star Sea, the Strange Pill Sect.


    Upon entering the shop, Zhao Sheng made no attempt to conceal his powerful aura.


    The shopkeeper, sensing the strong fluctuations of Spiritual Power coming from the main hall, did not dare to neglect such a presence, hurriedly moving to the front and respectfully welcoming Zhao Sheng to the back hall.


    In the Cultivation World, Foundation Establishment Cultivators are the backbone. In the Shattered Star Sea, a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator could rule over a spirit island, and by the late stage of Foundation Establishment, one could certainly be considered above millions, just below a Golden Core Master. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Take Nine Virtuous Isle, for example.


    As one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands, Nine Virtuous Isle¡¯s influence covers thousands of miles of sea territory, nearly ten thousand cultivators, more than a hundred of whom have reached Foundation Establishment. Yet, after several hundred years of accumulation, officially there are only three Golden Core Masters, including suspicious figures like Xu Chong, they do not have more than seven people capable of Golden Core-level combat.


    In any domain within the Cultivation World, Golden Core Masters are regarded as high-level combatants because they are extremely rare and often in closed-door cultivation, rarely showing themselves in public.


    Therefore, late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators often represent the highest level of combat prowess most people ever witness, and their status is understandably elevated.


    In the guest room of the back hall, after the waiter served Spiritual Tea, the shopkeeper of Qidan Pavilion cautiously probed Zhao Sheng¡¯s intentions.


    Since Zhao Sheng had openly revealed his cultivation level, he naturally had his reasons.


    He did not hide his purpose and got straight to the point, ¡°I have come to your esteemed pavilion today, specifically to acquire a Golden Core Formation Pill!¡±


    The shopkeeper of Qidan Pavilion was an old, short, and plump man with the appearance of a young child with gray hair. He was clad in a Crimson Robe, emitting a faint Elixir Fragrance.


    Upon hearing this, the short, plump old man was taken aback. His expression instantly turned very strange, and after hesitating, he cautiously replied, ¡°Predecessor, please¡­ please don¡¯t make it difficult for this old man. A Golden Core Formation Pill is such a heavy treasure, it is beyond the reach of someone like me. Not only does Qidan Pavilion not have it, but I fear no Elixir Shop throughout the entire Biluo Island would dare to possess such a treasure.¡±


    Zhao Sheng let out a slight smile and calmly said, ¡°If you do not have it here, does the Strange Pill Sect not have it either? If you wish to accomplish something, quickly inform the Strange Pill Sect and have them send someone to trade. I can still stay on Biluo Island for some time.¡±


    The short and plump elder became thrilled upon hearing this, his scalp tingling with excitement as he realized the opportunity he had long awaited had finally arrived.


    ¡°Please wait, Predecessor. I will immediately send a message to the sect.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than he sprang up, dashing out of the room in one swift move, showing no signs of age.


    In the room, Zhao Sheng picked up the tea cup, slowly savoring the Spiritual Tea while quietly contemplating.


    Recently, during his cultivation, he had several times sensed the barrier at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment beginning to loosen, vaguely grasping the opportunity to advance to the ninth layer.


    Once he succeeded in reaching the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer, he would not be far from Core Formation.


    For this purpose, Zhao Sheng had to prepare in advance.


    Just now at Treasure Tower, he had traded two low-grade Foundation Establishment Pills for a three-thousand-year-old Spiritual Pearl as a preliminary step.


    His current practice of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique was from his previous life, obtained from the Origin Return Sect (now the Blood Demon Sect).


    He had originally thought it was a complete set, but only upon reaching the latter part of the practice did he discover a trap set by the Origin Return Sect.


    The Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique turned out to be missing a crucial part¡ªthe Divine Powers and Treasure Techniques.


    As mentioned before, there are two types of Golden Core Masters: those with True Pills and those with Fake Pills.


    A true Golden Core Master has a life span of eight hundred years and can form a Golden Core without external assistance. Once the Golden Core is formed, the Golden Core Phenomenon arises, which originates from Divine Skills.


    A Golden Core Master is sure to refine a Divine Power or Treasure Technique. This Divine Skill is somewhat similar to the innate spells of demon beasts, not only triggered by a mere thought and consuming very little energy but also immensely powerful, far more effective than regular magical treasures.


    Unfortunately, the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique omitted how to construct the seed of one¡¯s Innate Divine Ability, virtually cutting off Zhao Sheng¡¯s rightful path to refining a Golden Core, forcing him to resort to the crooked path of using external objects for Core Formation.


    The last few pages of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique are about treasure refining. They record in detail the method to refine a Magical Treasure called the Sea Suppressing Pearl.

 Chapter 239 - 239: Capture Sky Basket 209 and Heavenly True Water

    Chapter 239: Capture Sky Basket 209 and Heavenly True Water


    The treasure embryo of the Sea Pearl requires shell pearls, the higher the grade the better.


    That three-thousand-year-old Spiritual Pearl was prepared for refining the Sea Suppressing Pearl. However, he was not satisfied with it and hoped to find a higher quality Spiritual Pearl in the future, preferably one that surpassed ten thousand years.


    Once a shell pearl surpasses ten thousand years, it is called a Spirit Communication Treasure Pearl. Using it to refine magical treasures ensures that the grade of the treasure will be at least high-grade, which is immensely helpful for breaking through the Nascent Soul Barrier in the future.


    That being said, Zhao Sheng was not entirely without hope for advancing to the True Pill.


    All Divine Powers and Treasure Techniques were also created and deduced by predecessors.


    He would neither be arrogantly self-aggrandizing nor unduly self-deprecating.


    If predecessors could achieve it, so might he.


    Such were his thoughts when,


    The short and chubby shopkeeper of Qidan Pavilion rushed into the living room excitedly, running and shouting, ¡°It¡¯s done, it¡¯s done! Senior, the sect has just sent word that they will send a Special Envoy here to meet with you soon. Please be patient and wait a few days.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, thank you for the effort, Taoist friend.¡± Zhao Sheng gently put down his tea bowl, smiling as he slightly bowed in gratitude.


    ¡°Ah, this is but the least I ought to do. Senior, you needn¡¯t be so formal,¡± said the chubby elder in a fluster, waving his hands repeatedly.


    Zhao Sheng then said, ¡°I am still in need of Yin-Yang Green Shoes Fruit, soul leech poison powder, and Illusion Desire Butterfly Eggs. Does Qidan Pavilion have these three Spiritual Medicines available?¡±


    After thinking for a moment, the chubby elder confidently responded, ¡°The Spiritual Medicines mentioned by senior are extremely rare. Currently, we only have the Yin-Yang Green Shoes Fruit here. The other two would need to be transported from elsewhere. If senior is not in a hurry, could you possibly wait a few days?¡±


    ¡°I am not in a hurry. Just go ahead and arrange the transport. However, ensure the quality of the Spiritual Medicines is sufficiently good.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, senior! This humble one would never dare tarnish the reputation of Qidan Pavilion.¡±


    ¡­ Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After leaving Qidan Pavilion, Zhao Sheng strolled around the workshop, entering and exiting various shops to purchase what he needed, before returning to the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship.


    While the Zhao family was busy purchasing various supplies, Zhao Sheng, who had just returned to the ship, went directly to his private cabin on the second deck and started his closed-door cultivation without emerging.


    Entering the cabin, Zhao Sheng flicked his hands and released four Barrier Talismans; four talismans flew out and instantly attached themselves to the four walls of the ship, and suddenly four layers of spirit light dramatically rose, enveloping the entire cabin in a blink of an eye.


    Zhao Sheng went deep into the cabin, sat cross-legged on a cushion and pondered for a moment before stretching his right hand into his bosom to pull out a storage bag of apricot-yellow color.


    With a flick of the storage bag, an ordinary-looking bamboo basket flew out from the mouth of the bag, landing in Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands.


    The bamboo basket was verdant green but crudely weaved, and gaps could be seen between the strips.


    However, the basket surprisingly contained a pool of azure water. When slightly tilted, the azure water rippled and slowly flowed through the gaps in the bamboo yet seemed to be blocked by an invisible barrier, preventing any of it from leaking out.


    In the gently rippling azure water, a little fish emitting a multicolored light halo swam leisurely, occasionally sprinkling patches of vibrant colors.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was serene as he repeatedly formed Seal Mantras with both hands, and streams of bright blue Spiritual Power shot out from his hands, striking the bamboo basket before him.


    The basket was soon enveloped in dense blue radiance, looking as though it was wrapped in a cloud of blue mist. Within the mist, wisps of blue light undulated unpredictably, continuously striking every strip on the basket¡¯s surface, attempting to refine them.


    However, the effect was minimal.


    After a prolonged refining process lasting an hour, only faint traces of blue light were seen seeping into the surface of the bamboo basket.


    Ever since he acquired this magical treasure bamboo basket more than twenty years ago, Zhao Sheng had been continuously trying to refine it.


    Perhaps due to incompatible attributes or the lack of a key refining treasure formula.


    Over the years, the progress of refining had always been less than satisfactory; he hadn¡¯t even completely refined the first treasure restriction.


    Of course, the efforts of these years were not entirely in vain. At the very least, he had gained a deeper understanding of this magical treasure.


    This bamboo basket magical treasure was a Wood Element space-attribute treasure, woven from Ancient Primordial Void Bamboo that was nearly extinct in the Tianzhu Realm.


    Its grade was very high, with Zhao Sheng currently aware of six treasure restrictions.


    Perhaps deeper inside the magical treasure, more treasure restrictions are hidden, but with his current Divine Sense, Zhao Sheng could not sense them.


    The level of a magical treasure does not only depend on its quality but also on how many treasure restrictions it contains internally.


    Generally speaking, a magical treasure can contain up to nine treasure restrictions, categorized by threes, with six or more being a high-grade magical treasure. Four to six restrictions count as a mid-grade magical treasure, and three or fewer as the lowest grade.


    Facing what might very likely be a high-grade magical treasure, or even an ancient heavy treasure, one can imagine how much effort Zhao Sheng had put in over the years to refine it.


    Four hours later, with nearly half of his Core Spiritual Power consumed, a look of delight appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    His hands moved so fast they blurred, pouring bright blue Spiritual Power onto the basket like a waterfall, the dense spirit clouds so thick they almost liquefied, filling the cabin with dazzling blue light.


    At the same time, Divine Light surged in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, a golden light suddenly shot out from his Purple Mansion directly onto the basket¡¯s surface, disappearing into a dark void in a flash, then instantly submerged into a vigorous, cold-colored treasure light and vanished without a trace.


    Zhao Sheng was exceedingly joyful at this moment; his more than twenty years of hard work had not been in vain, as he had finally refined the first treasure restriction.


    The moment after refining, a vast array of information surged into his mind¡ªall about the bamboo basket magical treasure, including its name and the most basic manipulation techniques.


    Zhao Sheng then learned that the true name of this magical treasure was Capturing Sky Basket, a dual-attribute Void and Wood magical treasure, containing eight treasure restrictions and its grade was close to a top-grade magical treasure.

 Chapter 240 - 240: Capturing Sky Basket No. 209 and Heavenly True Water_2

    Chapter 240: Capturing Sky Basket No. 209 and Heavenly True Water_2


    The Capturing Sky Basket¡¯s grade was too high, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s strength was too low. Being able to refine the first layer of the Treasure Restriction was already his limit. He could barely control it simply and couldn¡¯t use it to face enemies at all.


    Even so, Zhao Sheng was quite satisfied. At the very least, he knew that the Capturing Sky Basket was an extremely rare and precious High-Grade Magical Treasure.


    Don¡¯t forget, the Capturing Sky Basket and that unknown magical treasure in the ancient painting are very likely one and the same.


    Combined, the two magical treasures are at least not inferior to top-grade ones.


    Just this thought alone provided him with an incredibly delightful realm of imagination.


    Zhao Sheng suppressed the urge to take out the ancient painting. That painting was extremely dangerous and not something he could touch at the moment.


    Whoosh!


    With a thought, he cast a controlling spell with his right hand.


    The Capturing Sky Basket instantly rose from the ground, expanding to around ten feet. A layer of emerald brilliance gradually emerged on the surface of the bamboo basket, and a white pillar of light burst forth from the mouth of the basket.


    Within the pillar of light, a crystal clear water droplet the size of a soybean floated up and down. Although it was incredibly tiny, it exuded an indescribable vastness.


    The moment it appeared, a dense water vapor instantly arose in the cabin, and countless tiny droplets swiftly condensed on the walls.


    At this moment, within the droplet, the Five Luck Spirit Fish, now reduced countless times in size, still swam carefree in the water, as if it didn¡¯t sense the tremendous changes happening outside.


    Witnessing this astonishing scene, Zhao Sheng was extremely shaken and exclaimed, ¡°Heavenly True Water! It¡¯s actually Heavenly True Water!¡±


    This Heavenly True Water had an astonishing origin, and its reputation among Heaven and Earth True Waters was as notable as that of Golden Crow True Fire among True Fires.


    This water was not of this world but came from the Void of the Star Sea. It was said to be the ultimate essence of water remaining after the demise of a world and was considered a top-tier Heaven and Earth True Water second only to the Innate Divine Water.


    The Heavenly True Water contained a strand of the Taoist Law of water. A single droplet could transform into waves thousands of feet high. Whether it was used to refine Carrying Dao Treasures or to meditate on the Tao of water, it was extremely suitable.


    Zhao Sheng never expected the Capturing Sky Basket to contain such a treasure. He had previously thought it was Pure Spirit Water. The pleasant surprise came so unexpectedly.


    By now, the water vapor in the cabin grew increasingly intense, beginning to turn into fine raindrops falling to the floor, spraying onto Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    Feeling the cool droplets on his face, Zhao Sheng took a brief look at the increasingly obvious anomaly of the surrounding water vapor and was instantly alarmed. He hurriedly controlled the Capturing Sky Basket, taking the Heavenly True Water back into the bamboo basket.


    Then, he waved his hand and released a blue light that scattered all the water droplets and vapor in the cabin.


    Thump thump thump!


    No sooner had he finished than he heard someone knocking on the cabin door.


    Zhao Sheng was alarmed again and instantly projected his Divine Sense, seeing his disciple Zhao Dingda and the white-robed Zhao Dali standing outside the door.


    He waved his hand, and the door creaked open on its own.


    ¡°Dingda, what brings you to your master?¡± Zhao Sheng said expressionlessly.


    Zhao Dingda carefully observed his master¡¯s tone and immediately had a bad feeling.


    His handlebar mustache lifted, his eyes rolled around,


    and he said very cleverly, ¡°Reporting to Master, it¡¯s Zhao Dali who is looking for you. Why don¡¯t you ask him what he has come for?¡±


    Beside him, Zhao Dali¡¯s face flushed with anger, cursing Zhao Dingda in his heart for his despicable and shameless behavior. Seeing the unfavorable situation, he had turned and betrayed his comrade in a blink of an eye.


    Seeing Daoist Cen Hezi¡¯s gaze fall on him, Zhao Dali hurriedly bowed respectfully and said cautiously, ¡°Reporting to Mr. Zhao, we just went to buy grain and, unfortunately, encountered a deceitful store. We had agreed on buying a million catties of grain for triple the price, but when we went to the warehouse to collect the grain, we found that thirty percent of it was substandard and another ten percent was rotten. We tried to discuss the issue politely with the shop owner, but they were unreasonable and even called a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Without a word, they detained several of us, letting only me return, and demanded a ransom to release them. It¡¯s utterly despicable!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows raised. It seemed that the Zhao family had encountered a dishonest merchant, one who was obviously taking advantage of their position, specifically targeting outsiders.


    As a guest elder of the Zhao family, he naturally would not stand idly by.


    ¡°Dingda, stay on the ship. Dali, you accompany me to take a look,¡± Zhao Sheng commanded as he rose to his feet, his voice stern and his long sleeves fluttering.


    Zhao Dali¡¯s face showed joy, and he hurriedly nodded in agreement.


    What followed was very simple.


    With Zhao Sheng, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, stepping in, there was no need for words. Just by releasing his presence, he immediately made the other party submit and apologize.


    Such was the deterrent power of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. It was proven that once Zhao Sheng took his stance, the mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator they had invited didn¡¯t even have the courage to act. He immediately conceded obediently, and the merchant¡¯s attitude changed drastically. Not only did he voluntarily reduce the food prices by thirty percent, but he also replaced the old grains with fresh ones from the current season.


    ¡­


    Three days later, at West Jade Immortal Square.


    A sword rainbow came flying across the sky and quickly descended into the square.


    In a short while, Zhao Sheng, having altered his appearance to that of a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion, walked along the streets of the square, his gaze sweeping over the shops on both sides and the stream of people on the streets.


    Compared to the bustling East Jade Square, this West Bi Immortal City, though deeper inland on the island, was equally, if not more, lively.


    As soon as he set foot in the streets, he could hear the constant clamor around him, and the streets were crowded with people. There were members of the Human Clan dressed in colorful thin robes and brocades, as well as members of Alien Races with appearances unusual to humans, and many who were clearly cultivators with an air of arrogance about them, often escorted by crowds as they moved.


    Most of these people came from the islands of the Shattered Star Sea and, because of the threat from the Sea Demon tides, the trading atmosphere in the square was extremely frenzied. Countless people with various expressions were constantly entering and exiting the nearby shops, frantically purchasing all kinds of supplies.


    Of all the squares Zhao Sheng had seen before, only the one on Nine Virtuous Isle could barely compare to this one.


    Zhao Sheng walked and looked around, and after squeezing through three streets for nearly half an hour, he finally arrived at the central plaza of the square.


    The entire plaza was very spacious, covering several acres. In the middle stood a white jade statue about thirty feet high that looked like a dignified and beautiful female immortal. Her white robes billowed, her surface shimmered with a faint light halo, and a very faint yet indifferent majestic pressure emanated from the statue.


    Around the statue in the open space of the plaza, many loose cultivators had set up stalls, with various materials and spiritual medicine laid out tightly packed, and different magic artifacts and talismans shimmering with spirit light.


    The plaza was bustling with people coming and going like a stream, and the cries of vendors were incessant, reminiscent of the lively atmosphere of a worldly market.


    Around the main streets surrounding the plaza, there were several grand buildings rising five or six stories high, their surfaces gleaming with spirit light, magnificent and splendid. These were the largest shops in the square, opened by several big families from Biluo Island.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered a few times before he stepped into the largest Elixir Medicine Shop adjacent to the plaza.


    Half an hour later, he walked out of the shop with an unchanged expression. He had just purchased a batch of auxiliary spiritual medicines for refining Foundation Establishment Pills and also subtly inquired about Golden Core Formation Pills.


    Then, after walking a few steps, he turned and entered another Elixir Medicine Shop.


    After spending about half a day in the square, Zhao Sheng had visited several large Elixir Medicine Shops throughout the square, purchasing Foundation Establishment Spirit Medicine and also asking about the availability of Golden Core Formation Pills. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng was doing this deliberately, aiming to spread the news.


    In the Cultivation Market, some secrets might remain secret forever, but some secrets were intentionally spread.


    Thus, news that a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator wanted to buy Golden Core Formation Pills and was suspected of being a Second-Order Alchemist quickly spread in the elixir circles.


    By then, Zhao Sheng had already changed his appearance again, coming in and out of a few well-known shops, investigating the whereabouts of Primordial Heavy Water and shell pearls.


    As a result, he discovered that Biluo Island, famous as a large spirit island with dragon claws in the Outer Star Sea, indeed sold many shell pearls, with almost every shop stocking them, and nearly all had thousand-year shell pearls. However, even after combing through the entire market, he only managed to buy one that was over three thousand years old, and there wasn¡¯t even a shadow of any over five thousand years old.


    As for the whereabouts of Primordial Heavy Water,


    The result of his inquiries indicated that due to its limited availability, Primordial Heavy Water was mostly held by the big families, and would only occasionally appear once or twice over several years at auctions.


    Zhao Sheng, obviously not satisfied with this outcome, saw night approaching and turned to head back to the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship. Once in his cabin, he established a barrier, settled into a meditation posture, and began to meditate.

 Chapter 241 - 210: Dont be alarmed, lets meet outside the cave

    Chapter 241: Chapter 210: Don¡¯t be alarmed, let¡¯s meet outside the cave


    Three days later, after the rain, the sky cleared.


    Zhao Sheng strolled into Qidan Pavilion.


    No sooner had he stepped through the door than he was recognized, prompting a clerk to hurry to the back yard to inform the shopkeeper.


    Soon enough, a short, chubby elder scurried to the front hall. Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, he said with an ingratiating smile, ¡°Senior, your timing is perfect. Please come with me, the Special Envoy has been waiting for quite a while.¡±


    ¡°Oh, please lead the way.¡± Zhao Sheng replied.


    The short, chubby elder nodded in agreement, bowed, and led Zhao Sheng to the back, crossing through a courtyard before arriving at an elegantly unique private room.


    The short, chubby elder took his leave, and a maid served Spiritual Tea.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng sat on a wooden chair, took a sip of the Spiritual Tea, and glanced around, scrutinizing the arrangement of the room.


    The walls around the room were composed of Crimson Wood logs, uniform in length. In the corner, several pots of vibrant Hundred Fragrance Flowers were neatly arranged. An antique shelf stood against the east wall, displaying over a dozen exotically styled and ancient alchemy furnaces. In the middle of the room was a Crimson Wood round table and several Crimson Wood Chairs,


    Besides this, there was nothing else, and a white light barrier hung at the entrance of the private room¡ªlikely some sort of soundproof Prohibition.


    He didn¡¯t have to wait long before the light barrier at the entrance stirred with ripples, and a red-robed Great Han broke through, entering the room from outside.


    The red-robed Great Han stood over three meters tall, his body rippling with muscle, and although his face was covered with horizontal flesh, his eyebrows revealed an unusual serenity. A faint medicinal fragrance could hardly conceal his refined aura. Compared to his like-tower Titanic stature, it gave a distinctly odd contrast.


    Upon seeing this man, Zhao Sheng involuntarily felt a chill in his heart.


    He actually couldn¡¯t see through the man¡¯s depth; the man¡¯s aura was like a vast ocean, ethereal as an abyss, unfathomable.


    Zhao Sheng got up and greeted with folded hands, ¡°Your humble servant, Cen Hezi, greets the senior.¡±


    ¡°No need for such courtesy, young friend. I¡¯m Qiu by surname, Chijiu by given name. Familiar associates call me Qiu Ninth. Those who are not familiar, well, outsiders also call me Jiu Chi Supreme.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed, and he promptly bowed again, saying, ¡°The junior, Cen Hezi, pays respects to Master Jiu Chi!¡±


    ¡°No need, no need. Sit down!¡± Qiu Chijiu, who was also known as Master Jiu Chi, waved his sleeve, and invisible True Yuan surged out, effortlessly lifting Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng rose with the flow, inwardly shocked. He hadn¡¯t expected that for a mere Golden Core Formation Pill, the Strange Pill Sect would send a True Immortal as a Special Envoy.


    Although Qiu Chijiu was a False Core Master, a False Core Master was still a True Immortal, not someone whom one could easily meet.


    Once both had sat down, Master Jiu Chi got right to the point, ¡°Young friend, do you really want to buy a Golden Core Formation Pill?¡±


    ¡°I dare not deceive you, Master. I indeed came for the Golden Core Formation Pill. I just don¡¯t know what conditions your Sect has, and how I might be able to acquire a Golden Core Formation Pill?¡± Zhao Sheng asked.


    ¡°Hehe! Wanting to purchase a Golden Core Formation Pill isn¡¯t so simple. This Golden Core Formation Pill is extremely difficult to find in any workshop in the Shattered Star Sea. Even if it occasionally appears at an auction, the quality of the pill cannot be guaranteed, not to mention the price skyrockets. So¡­ Cen Hezi, young friend, what kind of Treasure are you willing to exchange for a Golden Core Formation Pill? I happen to have brought one with me this time,¡± Master Jiu Chi asked with a chuckle.


    ¡°How about one million Spirit Stones for one pill?¡± Zhao Sheng replied nonchalantly.


    ¡°Haha, young friend, you seem to be quite a generous person. By rights, exchanging one million Spirit Stones for a Golden Core Formation Pill would be more than sufficient. But in these troubled times they are but transient clouds. Try offering something else!¡± Master Jiu Chi laughed with a he-he, his expression one of having Zhao Sheng right where he wanted.


    ¡°Master, please do not toy with your junior. From the beginning, you¡¯ve been continuously testing me. It seems you already had plans before meeting me. Whatever your conditions are, just say them,¡± Zhao Sheng spoke with a faint smile.


    ¡°There are conditions indeed, but it depends on whether you qualify. Show me all your strength, for I am about to make a move!¡± Master Jiu Chi¡¯s smile faded as he spoke in a cold voice.


    Zhao Sheng, upon sensing this, thought quickly; he had a slight understanding but could not miss this rare opportunity.


    ¡°Please!¡±


    He looked solemn, and his eyes suddenly burst with Divine Light¡­


    ¡­


    An hour later, the private room was in disarray, Water Vapor filling the air. The only thing still intact in the room was the Crimson Wood Chair upon which Master Jiu Chi sat.


    Across from him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s complexion was somewhat pale, but his breathing was steady, and the Divine Light in his eyes gradually faded.


    ¡°Good, good! I didn¡¯t expect you could last an entire hour under my hand.¡±


    Master Jiu Chi looked at him admiringly, his eyes showing surprise as he stood up, clearly appreciating Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng calmed his Boiling vital energy, allowing the Spiritual Power in his limbs and bones to settle back into his Dantian, then spoke calmly, ¡°Master, do I qualify?¡±


    ¡°Of course, you do! The Golden Core Formation Pill can be given to you, but before that, will you sign a contract with our Sect?¡± Master Jiu Chi began affirmatively but then took a different turn. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered slightly, and he softly spoke, ¡°What contract? May I first see it before I decide?¡±


    ¡°Naturally!¡± Saying this, Master Jiu Chi flipped his hand and tossed a Golden Plate that glowed faintly with golden light, which flew steadily and landed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand.


    Zhao Sheng looked down at the Golden Plate in his hand, and lines of ancient Taiyi Spiritual Text appeared before his eyes.


    ¡­


    After an hour, Zhao Sheng left Qidan Pavilion, his face expressionless.


    In the back yard of Qidan Pavilion, Master Jiu Chi, his eyes gleaming with curiosity, looked westward. His gaze seemed to penetrate the layers of walls between them, settling on the distant Zhao Sheng while he muttered to himself, ¡°How strange, this young man appears to have many secrets. I almost couldn¡¯t see through his foundation. Also¡­what¡¯s the deal with those Blue Eyes? Could it be¡­ another Dark Child laid by the Great Sacrificial Leader? Would he really part with such a piece?¡±

 Chapter 242 - 210: Dont be alarmed, lets meet outside the cave_2

    Chapter 242: Chapter 210: Don¡¯t be alarmed, let¡¯s meet outside the cave_2


    ¡°No, this matter must be communicated to the Spiritual Abyss Ancestor immediately.¡±


    Thinking this, Master Jiu Chi¡¯s figure flashed and he instantly vanished from the Qidan Pavilion.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng hurried back to the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship, closed the cabin again, and after setting up a barrier inside, a pill bottle emitting golden light suddenly appeared in his hand.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was solemn yet tinged with a hint of excitement. With a flick of his hand, the Elixir Seal on the pill bottle popped off with a ¡°bang,¡± and a bright golden light immediately spilled out, followed by a rich Elixir Fragrance that diffused from the bottle.


    When Zhao Sheng caught sight of the perfectly round and dazzling golden pill within the bottle, a look of delight flashed across his eyes.


    Although the grade of this Golden Core Formation Pill was low-grade, the ease of obtaining it was still considered a stroke of luck. Therefore, despite signing a hundred-year guardian contract and paying nearly a million Spirit Stones worth of talismans, Elixir Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, and a host of other treasures, Zhao Sheng still felt it was well worth it.


    The so-called hundred-year guardian contract meant that once Zhao Sheng advanced to the Golden Core Realm, he was obliged to serve as the guardian of the Strange Pill Sect for a hundred years.


    The role of the guardian was common among all the major sects of the Cultivation World. As part of the sect¡¯s foundation, they would secretly protect the sect¡¯s laws and traditions, generally not revealing themselves unless the sect faced a moment of critical danger.


    The Strange Pill Sect used the Golden Core Formation Pill as bait to entice Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators like Zhao Sheng into signing guardian contracts.


    Not to mention the fair price,


    every time someone succeeded in forming their core, the Strange Pill Sect would effortlessly gain a Golden Core Level combatant, thus increasing their Qi Fortune by a hundred years.


    Almost no one knows how many guardians the Strange Pill Sect has to this day.


    However, historically, these guardians have turned the tides of disaster multiple times, saving the Strange Pill Sect from the brink of extinction.


    With such a profitable bargains, Strange Pill Sect had been conducting this business for thousands of years.


    After a short while, Zhao Sheng inspected the Golden Core Formation Pill, resealed it, and gently placed it on the table, his face showing contemplation.


    ¡°One pill is not enough, it would be better to have a few more. I wonder how well the news has spread by now. Before embarking on the return voyage, I need to make another trip to West Jade Square. It¡¯s just¡­¡±


    Thinking of his deflating Storage Bag, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression became uncertain, his eyes flashing as if weighing his options.


    Soon after, his gaze firmed and with a flick of his sleeve, a dark black small tripod shot out. After spinning in the air, it transformed into a two-zhang high tripod with three legs. A golden Fire Dragon suddenly emerged on the body of the tripod, making three circuits before turning into a Burning golden flame, sinking beneath the tripod to burn quietly. This was indeed the Nine Dragon Tripod.


    With a wave of his hand, a pile of bottles and jars suddenly appeared in front of Zhao Sheng.


    He flipped his hand, and the Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit instantly fell into it. With a flick of his finger, the Spirit Fruit shot out and accurately flew into the alchemy furnace.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands rapidly formed an alchemy formula, casting strands of Spiritual Power, and following that the Golden Burning Spirit Flame surged, filling the cabin with golden light. The room temperature quickly began to rise.


    Five days passed in the blink of an eye.


    Zhao Sheng, bearing the scent of Elixir, walked out of the cabin.


    At this moment, the Zhao Family members were waiting outside with anxious expressions.


    Seeing him emerge, Zhao Dingda, the registered disciple, immediately stepped forward to greet him, ¡°I respectfully welcome Master from his retreat.¡±


    The others heaved a sigh of relief and quickly stepped forward to bow and pay their respects.


    Zhao Sheng gestured for them to rise, then reassured everyone with a few words.


    Seeing this, Zhao Dingda asked, ¡°Master, all the items have been bought. When shall we set sail?¡±


    Zhao Sheng frowned slightly and said softly, ¡°Wait a few more days. I have something to do.¡±


    Zhao Dingda immediately nodded in agreement, while no one else dared to raise any objections.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng rode his sword down to the central plaza of West Jade Immortal Square.


    Without stopping, he turned and walked towards a large pharmacy adjacent to the plaza.


    ¡­


    Shortly after, in a private room at the pharmacy.


    Zhao Sheng stood tall and smilingly said, ¡°Since your store does not have it for now, it wouldn¡¯t hurt for me to look elsewhere.¡±


    ¡°By the way, this is a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills I have just refined. Shopkeeper, with your exceptional discernment, please evaluate them for me.¡±


    With that, he took out a pill bottle and poured out a red Spirit Pill with an intoxicating fragrance, handing it to the white-haired shopkeeper opposite him.


    ¡°Eh, the Daoist can actually refine Foundation Establishment Pills. I just failed to recognize a True Alchemist, please forgive my offense!¡±


    The white-haired shopkeeper kept apologizing while carefully taking the Foundation Establishment Pill and examining it, his face gradually showing a look of astonishment.


    Because he discovered that this Foundation Establishment Pill still contained its fire qi, which clearly indicated it had been refined only a few days ago, and what¡¯s more rare was that its quality had reached the category of a Middle Grade Pill.


    This was indeed no small matter!


    ¡°Shopkeeper, if your store has Golden Core Formation Pills in the future, I hope you can reserve them for this poor Daoist for some time. You can sell this Foundation Establishment Pill, just calculate it at the normal price,¡± Zhao Sheng said calmly and composedly.


    ¡°Certainly! If there are any Golden Core Formation Pills in the future, I will certainly reserve them for the Daoist for a period of time, but it can¡¯t exceed one year at most. I¡¯m sure you understand how hot this item is, and I dare not keep it in hand for too long!¡±


    ¡°Mmm, this poor Daoist understands.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good that the Daoist understands. Please wait a moment. I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    ¡­


    Two quarters of an hour later, Zhao Sheng left behind a Ten Thousand Miles One Line Talisman and, holding a large bag of Mid-grade Spirit Stones, leisurely left the shop.


    After walking a distance and turning half a street, he flashed into another shop.


    In the back courtyard, the long-faced shopkeeper with a smile on his face assuredly said, ¡°No problem, if there is any Primordial Heavy Water in the future, our shop will definitely reserve it for the Daoist first. By the way, do you have any extra Foundation Establishment Pills for sale?¡±


    ¡°Not for the time being,¡± Zhao Sheng smiled lightly and then swept his sleeve, collecting the pile of Mid-grade Spirit Stones on the table into his Storage Bag.


    ¡°Well¡­ besides Primordial Heavy Water, does the Daoist have any other needs? Our shop has all kinds of talisman and elixirs, and there will be a discount,¡± the long-faced shopkeeper deliberately lowered his voice a few notches, tempting.


    ¡°Shopkeeper, you are too kind. I haven¡¯t thought of any other needs for the time being, but if I do, I will certainly purchase from your shop. Mmm, I have other matters to attend to, so I won¡¯t stay long. I will take my leave now,¡± Zhao Sheng declined indifferently.


    Subsequently, Zhao Sheng was personally escorted downstairs by the long-faced shopkeeper.


    No sooner had he left the shop than he zigzagged and vanished among the crowd.


    Thus, he chose three more shops with significant backgrounds and repeated the process several times, with his objective naturally being the Golden Core Formation Pills, or the Primordial Heavy Water.


    Zhao Sheng was intentionally revealing the fact that he could refine Foundation Establishment Pills.


    If previously there was only suspicion, after his actions today,


    the families on Biluo Island would quickly get wind of the news, knowing that a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator close to Core Formation had arrived, and he was also a true Foundation Establishment Master.


    Only by first showing one¡¯s own value could one attract interested parties.


    Now that the bait had been laid, it was time to wait for it to ferment for a while before it was time for him to appear again.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng returned to the Treasure Ship.


    Before long, the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship slowly started, crossing paths with many other ships entering the harbor. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As it moved through the busy and bustling bay and gradually left Biluo Island behind, the masts¡¯ three new sails billowed high with the wind¡¯s force, and a thin layer of white Light Shield rose on the ship¡¯s surface.


    Following a whistle, the Dome Turtle Treasure Ship suddenly accelerated, speeding away toward the distant horizon.


    Over the following month on the sea journey, Zhao Sheng repelled five groups of medium to large-scale sea beast attacks a total of five times.


    During the return voyage, although dangers occurred frequently, no one else died in the end.


    One month later, the scathed Dome Turtle Treasure Ship finally returned to the long-missed Dome Turtle Island.


    ¡­


    With the Treasure Ship¡¯s successful return and the food crisis averted, the entire Zhao Family burst into loud cheers, and the island celebrated joyously.


    Zhao Sheng politely declined the invitations from Zhao Yunxian and others and went straight back to Dianjing Mansion upon disembarking, going into seclusion without coming out.


    Half a month flew by in the blink of an eye.


    That night, the starlight was hazy, and all was quiet.


    In the cultivation room of Dianjing Mansion, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, a trace of shock flashing in them.


    Because just a moment ago, a voice as thin as a mosquito suddenly rang in his ear: ¡°Do not be alarmed, come outside the cave for a meeting. I am Master Jiu Chi.¡±

 Chapter 243 - 211: Arriving at Dragon Head Island

    Chapter 243: Chapter 211: Arriving at Dragon Head Island


    ¡°Do not be alarmed, meet me outside the cave! I am Jiu Chi.¡±


    Zhao Sheng heard this voice transmission and was utterly shocked.


    He found it hard to imagine why Master Jiu Chi had found Dome Turtle Island so quickly, and he also couldn¡¯t figure out the man¡¯s intentions¡ªfriend or foe?


    With a belly full of questions, Zhao Sheng stood up, calmed his mind, and quickly stepped out of the Cultivation Room.


    Upon leaving the cave mansion, he saw the murky night sky sparsely dotted with stars.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils contracted when he saw, not far away, the tall and burly figure of Master Jiu Chi suspended in mid-air, smiling at him. His large red robe fluttered loudly in the sea breeze.


    ¡°Junior Cen Hezi pays respect to the True Immortal,¡± said Zhao Sheng as he flew on his sword to Jiu Chi and bowed in greeting.


    ¡°Little fellow, you¡¯ve hidden yourself well!¡± suddenly, Master Jiu Chi spoke teasingly.


    Zhao Sheng heard this and his heart jolted, yet he kept his expression unchanged and asked with confusion, ¡°What do you mean by that, True Immortal? I do not understand.¡±


    Heh heh!


    With that laugh, Zhao Sheng¡¯s vision suddenly brightened and a streak of firelight swiftly passed by his cheek. The hot flame seemed to lick his skin, causing his hair to stand on end.


    Instinctively, he raised his hand to his face, but upon feeling the cool sea breeze on his cheek, he suddenly realized that his disguise had been seen through.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression fluctuated as he slowly lowered his hand, revealing a face of peerless handsomeness, with delicate features and two gem-like blue eyes, adding an enigmatic charm to his persona.


    ¡°Indeed, as a person of the Spirit Clan, you naturally possess such fine features!¡± Master Jiu Chi couldn¡¯t help but clap his hands in admiration upon seeing his true face.


    ¡°How did you see through my disguise? I thought I had not given any slip,¡± Zhao Sheng said seriously.


    Master Jiu Chi crossed his arms in front of his chest, laughing proudly, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you say it¡¯s your bad luck? My Lifebound Magic Treasure, the Nine-Glazed Precious Mirror possesses Deceiving-breaking Divine Power. You, unfortunately, walked right into its path. Heh heh!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was stunned upon hearing this, then suddenly came to a realization, and coldly said, ¡°Your late-night visit couldn¡¯t possibly be to capture me and take me to the Star God Palace for a reward?¡±


    Simultaneously, he secretly prepared his spell. Core Spiritual Power was ready to burst at any moment.


    While it was unlikely that he could escape from a Golden Core Master, waiting passively for doom was not his style.


    As long as there was a glimmer of hope, he would never give up!


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Master Jiu Chi, sensing Zhao Sheng¡¯s resolve, quickly waved his hand to indicate, ¡°I have no ill intentions towards you, young man. If you don¡¯t believe me, look.¡±


    Saying this, Master Jiu Chi blinked his eyes and it seemed as though he shattered an invisible layer, instantly releasing several shards of broken colored starlight and then revealing a pair of light blue pupils.


    ¡°This¡­ this is¡­ are you from the Spirit Clan?!¡± Zhao Sheng exclaimed in surprise.


    Master Jiu Chi, feeling quite indignant, complained, ¡°Hmm, I did try. But those face dogs refuse to recognize me. They insist that I am too ugly and that if I were to enter their family records, it would disgrace the reputation of the Spirit Clan.¡±


    Looking at the muscular and stern-faced Master Jiu Chi, Zhao Sheng was at a loss for words for a moment before hesitatingly asking, ¡°True Immortal, you came all this way to find me. What is it exactly that you want?¡±


    ¡°Heh heh, even at this point, you play dumb! My Lord has traveled tens of thousands of miles; do you think it was just to chat with you? Being born with the True Blood of the Spirit Clan, why don¡¯t you go back to claim your heritage instead of hiding about? Isn¡¯t the identity of the Spirit Clan worth less to you? You are indeed a lucky man who doesn¡¯t know when he¡¯s well off!¡± Master Jiu Chi couldn¡¯t help but complain at this point.


    Zhao Sheng blinked his eyes, seemingly understanding, thus he stopped activating his Spiritual Power and asked ambiguously, ¡°Elder, did you come to take me back to the Spiritual Abyss?¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Master Jiu Chi shook his head, ¡°Had it been before, I would have immediately taken you back to the Spiritual Abyss to claim your heritage. But now, the situation has changed. The Ancestor commanded me to take you to Dragon Head Island.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind raced, promptly associating it with the Sea Demon tide, and tentatively asked, ¡°May I know which Ancestor you refer to, True Immortal? Could it be one of the Nascent Soul Ancestors from the Spirit Clan?¡±


    Master Jiu Chi smiled faintly, flicked a red flame with his finger, which instantly turned into a streak of fire shooting up into the night sky and vanished.


    ¡°Who is the Ancestor? I¡¯ll explain on the way. And you, young man, should not even think about running away, otherwise don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless.¡±


    The moment Master Jiu Chi finished his threatening words, a huge dark shadow suddenly descended from the sky and landed in front of the two.


    On closer inspection, it was a strange massive bird with pitch-black feathers all over its body, a wingspan exceeding fifteen meters, and a beak and claws of steel, resembling both dragon claws and a fierce tiger¡¯s head.


    ¡°A Fifth Rank Demon Pill Realm Tiger-Owl?!¡±


    Feeling the barely perceptible pressure emanating from the large bird, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression became solemn, and he was tremendously alarmed.


    ¡°Correct, this Fifth Rank Tiger-Owl is fast enough. It¡¯s quite suitable as a means of transportation,¡± said Master Jiu Chi, his tone nonchalant yet full of coercion.


    Zhao Sheng was momentarily speechless.


    At this moment, he completely abandoned the idea of fleeing.


    Not to mention anything else, with the Tiger-Owl present, he couldn¡¯t escape even into the sea.


    The Tiger-Owl is an amphibious demon beast, known for its agility and ferocity.


    Facing a Demon Pill Realm Great Demon that could traverse air, land, and sea, Zhao Sheng knew he could not escape.


    ¡°Shall we go? Or do you need me to invite you formally?¡±


    Seeing Zhao Sheng hesitate to come forward, Master Jiu Chi shook his head and urged him.


    Saying this, he stepped into the air, walking a few steps onto the broad back of the Tiger-Owl and turned his head to motion Zhao Sheng with his eyes.

 Chapter 244 - 211: Arriving at Dragon Head Island_2

    Chapter 244: Chapter 211: Arriving at Dragon Head Island_2


    Zhao Sheng let out a silent sigh, turned his head for a last look at the cave-laden cliffs of Ao Shou, then reached into his bosom for a Storage Bag. With a flick of his hand, he tossed it to the entrance of a nearby cave mansion.


    Afterward, he resignedly flew over to the back of Hu Xiao and landed behind Jiu Chi.


    ¡°Brace yourself!¡±


    Just then, a voice with a warning came from beside him. Suddenly, a great force surged from below his feet, his body tilted sharply backward, and the howling wind by his ear turned into invisible Wind Blades brushing against his face.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind stirred, and Spiritual Power burst forth, instantly forming a blue Light Shield around him for protection.


    At that moment, an invisible circular Barrier rose around them, completely blocking out the chilly sea breeze.


    In just a few breaths, Hu Xiao had soared into the Cloud Sky, with Dome Turtle Island below now as small as a sesame seed, quickly hidden by the thick layer of clouds.


    In an instant, a black light streaked across the night sky like a Meteor, twinkling a few times before vanishing into the far reaches of the horizon.


    It was not until then that the stone gate of a cave mansion near Dianjing Mansion was pushed open from the inside, and Zhao Yunxian emerged, his face covered in sweat.


    He picked up the Storage Bag, looked up at the murky, profound night sky with a face full of fearful relief, and his mouth moved several times, but no one knew what he had said.


    ¡­


    Dragon Head Island lies between the Inner and Outer Star Seas and is the vital connection between them. It is approximately thirty thousand li away from Dome Turtle Island by sea.


    Though the speed of a Demon Pill Realm Hu Xiao was fast, it would still take three days to reach Dragon Head Island.


    During the journey, Zhao Sheng asked Master Jiu Chi earnestly about the current situation of the Spirit Clan.


    It seemed that he was not in the least worried about Zhao Sheng trying to escape.


    To his questions, Master Jiu Chi was exceedingly patient, sparing no detail in his answers.


    Thus, over the days, Zhao Sheng gained a fairly clear understanding of the recent situation of the Spirit Clan.


    Master Jiu Chi¡¯s original human name was Qiu Chijiu, but in the true naming conventions of the Spirit Clan, he was referred to as Wang Jiu.


    The Spirit Clan did not organize their hierarchy based on generational seniority like the Human Clan but instead differentiated status based on the purity of bloodlines and levels of cultivation.


    According to him, individuals of the Spirit Clan with a low bloodline purity, no matter how high their cultivation, could only have a single-character name. Only those whose blood could stir the Clan Guardian Artifact were entitled to a three-character True Name.


    As for what the Clan Guardian Artifact of the Spirit Clan was?


    Zhao Sheng was very curious, but Master Jiu Chi only smiled and remained silent, saying that Zhao would naturally see it once he returned to the Spiritual Abyss.


    The population of the Spirit Clan was sparse, with only over a hundred individuals of the three-character bloodline. Counting the two-character bloodline members, they did not exceed one hundred thousand in total.


    What shocked the Human Clan, however, was the startlingly high proportion of Spirit Root individuals among the Spirit Clan¡ªalmost one in ten.


    And it seemed as if the Spirit Clan were the chosen children of the heavens; the difficult Foundation Establishment that the Human Clan saw as a significant hurdle was something the Spirit Clan could break through with a bit of effort, achieving a terrifying success rate of forty percent.


    What¡¯s more, the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation could not stop the Spirit Clan¡¯s exceptionally talented individuals. Under the protection of their Clan Guardian Artifact, their success rate in overcoming the Tribulation far exceeded that of the Human Clan by more than tenfold.


    Only upon advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm did the odds between the Human and Spirit Clans begin to look similar.


    The Spirit Clan highly valued bloodline purity and favored internal marriage within the clan to maintain it, rarely engaging in intertribal marriages. This led to difficulties in bearing offspring and slow population growth.


    Even so, the number of three-character bloodline individuals of the Spirit Clan, who could move their Clan Guardian Artifact, had been dwindling over the past few thousand years.


    If not for these various factors, the Spirit Clan would have already conquered the Sea Dominator and Dragon Serpent Clans, unified the vast millions of li of ocean territory, and expelled the Human Clan from the Shattered Star Sea.


    Instead, they were now forced to repeatedly incite Sea Demon tides in order to make their way into the Star Algae Sea.


    While speaking, Master Jiu Chi seemed quite indignant, as if he were complaining about the Human Clan occupying space without contributing.


    Zhao Sheng noticed the implications in his words and repeatedly inquired why the Spirit Clan always initiated Sea Demon tides. Was their objective not to prevent the Human Clan from expanding their maritime territory? Could it be purely out of revenge for the Human Clan¡¯s slaughter of sea beasts?


    Master Jiu Chi looked disdainful and then revealed a significant secret to Zhao Sheng.


    The reason the three sea overlords always stirred up the Sea Demon tides, aside from exacting minor revenge on the Human Clan, was mainly to seek an audience with the Star God.


    Before he could ask further, Jiu Chi continued, ¡°Kid, the Human Clan treats the Star God as a secret, hiding its existence from low-level Cultivators. But in our Spirit Clan, what¡¯s that kind of secret? You must be wondering what kind of existence the Star God is,¡± he said.


    Zhao Sheng nodded earnestly in response.


    Master Jiu Chi laughed heartily, sitting cross-legged on the back of Hu Xiao, then he spoke with an air of mystery, ¡°The Star God¡­ it¡¯s not human!¡±


    Zhao Sheng collapsed.


    Regaining his senses, he rubbed his forehead, complaining somewhat resentfully, ¡°Senior, please don¡¯t beat around the bush.¡±


    ¡°Until now, you have not once called me uncle or any similar term,¡± Master Jiu Chi suddenly said, his tone turning aggressive.


    Zhao Sheng immediately fell silent.


    The meaning behind the other¡¯s words was crystal clear. However, Zhao Sheng was still apprehensive about recognizing his Spirit Clan identity.


    To tell the truth, over the past few days, Master Jiu Chi had indeed treated him very well.


    If he returned to the Spirit Clan, his future would be bright.


    Moreover, as he gained a deeper and clearer understanding of the Spirit Clan, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized that the Spirit Clan and the Human Clan were very similar in terms of lifestyle and habits, not to mention that the physical resemblance between the two clans was over ninety percent.


    Between the lines, Master Jiu Chi subtly conveyed a point of view: the Human Clan was a lineage that branched off from the Ancient Spirit Clan countless tens of thousands of years ago. From the perspective of bloodline origins, the Spirit Clan¡¯s status was far above that of the Human Clan.


    Despite Zhao Sheng¡¯s deep skepticism about this viewpoint, the fact that there was no reproductive isolation between the Spirit Clan and the Human Clan was indeed true.


    Seeing is believing, hearing is not.


    Zhao Sheng knew his attitude was beginning to soften, and occasionally a thought emerged in his heart, ¡°Perhaps living as a member of the Spirit Clan for a lifetime wouldn¡¯t be so bad.¡±


    But this wavering was not enough to shake Zhao Sheng¡¯s tenacity forged over several lifetimes.


    Therefore, Zhao Sheng deflected and asked lightly, ¡°You haven¡¯t told me what exactly the Star God is.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re such a stubborn little guy! Just like your old man,¡± Master Jiu Chi cursed with a chuckle upon seeing this.


    Zhao Sheng turned a deaf ear to the teasing, maintaining a serious expression of attentiveness.


    Seeing his reaction, Master Jiu Chi shook his head in dissatisfaction but didn¡¯t insist on it. Instead, he went straight to the point, ¡°If you could maintain such obstinacy when meeting the Ling Yuan Ancestor, then I¡¯d truly admire you.¡±


    After finishing his words, he returned to the topic at hand, ¡°The Star God is not a human, nor is it an immortal. It¡¯s¡­ how should I put it. The Star God is an existence akin to the Heavenly Dao, mysterious and varied in form. Its true body is something I¡¯m not quite clear on. However, I once heard the elders in my clan say that the Star God is also referred to as the Sea God by our clan.¡±


    At the mention of the ¡°Sea God,¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart trembled, instantly recalling the mishap he encountered in the Mist Sea Floor cave mansion.


    Those remnant thoughts of the banished Spirit Clan immortal had also mentioned the nurturing of a Primordial Sea God in the sea. Could it be that the Primordial Sea God he spoke of is the current Star God?


    The Star God in the Star Algae Sea? The Star God awakens once every hundred years?


    The Spirit Clan stirs up the Demon Tides for the Star God!


    Why would the Star God Palace conceal the secret existence of the Star God,


    and why does the Spirit Clan seek an audience with the Star God?


    Why do high-level cultivators from the Human Clan, Spirit Clan, Demon Clan, and others place such great importance on the Star God? What benefits could they possibly reap from it?


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts whirled, and his spirit light exploded.


    He swiftly pieced together many things, yet numerous doubts surfaced in his mind. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With these doubts in mind, Zhao Sheng finally arrived at Dragon Head Island on the evening of the following day.


    ¡­


    Dusk was settling in, the sky bathed in red glow, as half of the Great Sun had already sunk, leaving only a crescent of the setting sun at the horizon. The sunlight cast a dim blood-red hue, painting the sea surface with glittering waves surrounded by a misty scarlet aura.


    Standing on Hu Xiao¡¯s back, Zhao Sheng looked down upon the endless vast ocean.


    Beneath the water were vast swathes of shadows, where countless, oddly shaped sea beasts frequently leaped from the sea, creating innumerable splashes.


    At the same time,


    The sea surface churned with ceaseless waves, generating vast stretches of white foam. Huge spines in shades of dark green, silver-white, and crimson appeared above the water. These colossal sea demons freely roamed the sea, occasionally swallowing the smaller sea beasts nearby.


    Above the sea, the sky was filled with various sea birds and demon beasts, each flock occupying its territory. They would sometimes soar up with a whoosh and sometimes plummet down, resembling shifting clouds that scudded across the sky.

 Chapter 245 - 212 Spirit Palace

    Chapter 245: Chapter 212 Spirit Palace


    The sightline passed over the flock of birds and gradually, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression grew grim.


    From a distance, he looked down to see, as the sun set in the west, a vast island that stretched beyond the horizon suddenly came into his view.


    Several black smoke columns could be seen rising from the island, with the smoke spreading across the sky. Fields and forests inland looked desolate and pitch-black, while most of the buildings in the coastal workshop had collapsed into ruins, and the docks were covered with charred debris, the remnants after the fires.


    On the sea surface nearby, countless broken ships were half-sunk, capsized, and flipped over, yet, strikingly, not a single corpse was to be found. However, the sea fish and sea beasts in the vicinity had recently eaten so much that their bellies were round, making them appear unusually large.


    At this moment, in the shattered workshop, groups of dispirited people in tattered clothes, like walking corpses, were crawling over the rubble, moving in and out, incessantly searching for anything useful.


    On the dilapidated streets, occasionally, one could see rotting remains being dragged out of the ruins and then piled up at the corner of the street, waiting for others to carry them away to feed the fish.


    Around the streets of the workshop, individuals clad in Green Armor, expressionless and imposing, patrolled back and forth, watching over the slavish crowds within the workshop with murderous intent.


    By their sides followed huge mutated sea lizards, all with green scales and purple eyes, six limbs on their bellies, exhaling purple toxic smoke from their mouths ¨C they were the Shattered Star Sea¡¯s notoriously dangerous poison lizards.


    Only by witnessing this scene of utter human misery did Zhao Sheng fully realize that it was a catastrophe, a massacre of the Human Clan of the Shattered Star Sea.


    The islands of the Shattered Star Sea were numerous; it was possible that tens of millions of the Human Clan had died at the jaws of countless fierce beasts.


    If Dragon Head Island could be so tragic, one could imagine how appalling the fate of the other overrun islands must be!


    After circling over Dragon Head Island for half a round, the Hu Xiao suddenly zeroed in on an area of the sea a hundred miles southwest of the island and dived down.


    At that moment, Master Jiu Chi saw Zhao Sheng¡¯s face darken and seemed to read his thoughts, then he spoke calmly, ¡°You seem angry, are you indignant about the deaths of the Human Clan? But do you know how many innocent lives, intelligent races, die under the blades of the Human Clan every year, every month, every day, even every moment?¡±


    ¡°Is the life of the Human Clan the only life that matters, and the lives of the billions of the Shattered Star Sea not lives at all?


    That¡¯s the way of the world, the law of the jungle. The Heavenly Dao of karma, the retribution is infallible!¡± S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng, looking down at the rapidly approaching sea surface, gazed at the vast shadows roaming below, and then turned to face Master Jiu Chi head-on, saying expressionlessly, ¡°If the Dao is different, do not plan on it!¡±


    ¡°Humph, don¡¯t forget, you carry the True Blood of the Spirit Clan. You have never belonged to the Human Clan. What do you think would happen to you if I reveal your identity to those stubborn old men of the Human Clan? Heh heh!¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned his head away, no longer arguing with Jiu Chi. There was no point in discussing issues of race with a die-hard devotee of the Spirit Clan. Whether one belongs to the Human Clan or not isn¡¯t determined by blood, but by agreement with thoughts and ideals, or perhaps by the sense of belonging of the spirit consciousness.


    Bang!


    The Hu Xiao folded its wings and suddenly plunged undersea.


    In an instant, a faint white Light Shield suddenly rose around the body of the Hu Xiao, isolating the seawater outside.


    As it rapidly descended into the deep sea, the light grew dimmer below, but the surrounding sea beasts became denser, with one larger sea creature after another, such as the Spirit Whale, Giant Claw Crab, Thousand Mountain Snail, Sea Covering Ray, and others, appeared within the range of Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense.


    Within a few breaths, the Hu Xiao had dived hundreds of fathoms deep; by this point, one would expect complete darkness, unable to see even their fingers.


    However, against the pitch-black background, what Zhao Sheng saw instead was a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors. Groups of magnificent Sea Spirits, shining with neon spirit lights of various colors, were leisurely floating and drifting around. Among them, the most conspicuous were the Phantom Light Jellyfish, emitting dazzling light and being extremely large, often reaching tens or hundreds of fathoms and illuminating thousands of fathoms of the surrounding waters with a single one.


    Passing through a beautifully enchanting glowing zone, Zhao Sheng suddenly sensed the concentration of Spiritual Energy around him rapidly increase.


    The Hu Xiao descended swiftly, passing swiftly through hundred fathoms.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly narrowed his eyes as a massive Humpbacked Mountain Turtle with a shell as large as an island unexpectedly appeared in his line of sight.


    Atop the turtle, incredibly, stood a majestic and towering Crystal Palace, shimmering with piercing white light.


    The Crystal Walls surrounding the palace displayed thousands of lively sea beast illusions. These illusions were lifelike, bustling about fighting, hunting, and frolicking.


    This scene was so vivid and real it was hard to believe that they were mere illusions, as if there was an actual world hidden inside the Crystal Walls.


    Zhao Sheng was astonished at this sight.


    When the Hu Xiao landed on the plaza in front of the palace, they passed through an invisible Barrier.


    The palace and its plaza were clear and dry, with the surrounding seawater all being isolated by the invisible barrier above.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed slightly, and he was secretly shocked because he sensed that those sea beast illusions were actually the spirits of sea beasts, refined into the Crystal Walls by someone of Great Ability.


    At the same time, he also faintly sensed an extremely subtle yet immense otherworldly pressure emanating from within the palace. It originated from the depths of the illusionary environment on the walls, from the thick Crystal Stone columns embracing the palace, from each clear and reflective Crystal Stone brick on the floor, even from the Crystal tiles on the ceiling of the palace.

 Chapter 246 - 212 Spirit Palace_2

    Chapter 246: Chapter 212 Spirit Palace_2


    Zhao Sheng was only stunned for a moment before a thunderous roar awakened him.


    ¡°Halt! Who dares to barge into the Spirit Palace? State your name immediately!¡±


    Looking up, he saw two bald giants, over three zhang tall, with blue faces and fangs, and thick whiskers hanging below their chins like octopus tentacles, striding meteorically towards Zhao Sheng and Master Jiu Chi.


    These two giants exuded a formidable aura, wearing Red Essence Half-Body Armor on their upper bodies and wielding Sea Blue Great Halberds, followed by two rows of Green-armored men with green scales on their faces and purple glints in their eyes, each with an aura as strong as one at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.


    Although Hu Xiao was naturally fierce, the appearance of the two giants instantly frightened it to the ground, whining incessantly.


    Master Jiu Chi hurriedly jumped down, approached them with a smiling face, and laughed, ¡°Ha ha! Leader Zhang, it has been decades, and you¡¯re still so devoted to your duties, Wang Jiu admires that!¡±


    ¡°Oh, so who¡¯s the reckless one! It turns out to be you, kid. If Xiao Jiu hadn¡¯t come back, we brothers wouldn¡¯t have even thought of it. When are you going to pay us back for the High-Grade Water Spirit Stones you owe?¡± The two bald giants suddenly raised their halberds towards Master Jiu Chi and bellowed in a deep voice.


    The pair, one named Zhang Da and the other Zhang Er, were from an Ancient Strange Race of Sea Giants from the Shattered Star Sea¡ªa race formidable in strength, rivaling a Sixth Rank Demon.


    The two were twins from the same mother, born with the superpower of telepathic communication. Not only did they move and gesture in complete unison, but even their manner of speaking was identical.


    ¡°Leader Zhang, please don¡¯t blame me. I¡¯ll return the Spirit Stones now,¡± said Master Jiu Chi with a bitter expression on his face as he quickly took out two azure spirit stones, glinting with spirit light, and tossed them gently, letting the stones float slowly towards the giants.


    Upon seeing this, the two giants opened their gaping mouths, sucked vigorously, and the top-grade spiritual stones were suddenly inhaled and swallowed.


    ¡°Good! Xiao Jiu, what brings you to the Spirit Palace this time?¡±


    Both giants licked their lips and put down their halberds, turning their rolling eyes together towards Zhao Sheng, their gaze filled with curiosity and surprise.


    Clearly, they had sensed the unusual Spiritual Clan Bloodline within Zhao Sheng.


    Master Jiu Chi turned and pointed to Zhao Sheng, who had just walked up beside him, and said happily, ¡°Here, I came to the Spirit Palace for this young man.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if Ancestor is currently in the Spirit Palace? If so, please inform Leader Zhang.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re out of luck. Great Elder Ling Yuan just led the sea beast army to Longjin Island a few days ago, reinforcing the vanguard troops. It¡¯s said the Human Clan set up a Great Array there, and our vanguards are stuck and can¡¯t bypass it. Both sides have been fighting for almost a month now. Dozens of demons have died, and yet they can¡¯t take down a small island. It¡¯s getting tricky!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Master Jiu Chi was taken aback and hesitated before asking, ¡°If Ancestor is not around, who is currently in charge of the Spirit Palace?¡±


    ¡°The Spirit Palace is now jointly managed by three kings. If you want to meet, my brother and I will go announce your visit.¡±


    ¡°May I boldly ask, which three kings?¡± Master Jiu Chi probed.


    ¡°Heh heh!¡±


    The two giants chuckled, their expressions inscrutable.


    Seeing this, Master Jiu Chi cursed inwardly and obediently handed over two thousand-year-old sea coral spiritual branches, as thick as thighs and a zhang in length.


    After accepting the bribe, Zhang Da and Zhang Er conveyed through Divine Sense, ¡°The three kings are the Ice King, Heavenly River King, and Star King.¡±


    After pondering for a moment, Master Jiu Chi spoke, ¡°I wish to meet the Ice Mountain King. Please go ahead, Brother Zhang.¡±


    ¡°Wait here!¡±


    With that, the Sea Giant on the left turned and walked towards the Spirit Palace, while the giant on the right stayed with the Spirit Palace Guards, watching Zhao Sheng and Master Jiu Chi.


    Soon,


    the giant returned, followed by a delicate and seductive woman.


    The seductive woman approached, and with a respectful kneel, said to Zhao Sheng and the others, ¡°Sirs, the king invites you.¡±


    ¡°`


    Seeing Zhao Sheng and his companion follow the woman and disappear into the palace walls, the two Sea Giants exchanged glances, then simultaneously sent a Divine Sense message to the Green-armored Guards beside them.


    Before long, two Green-armored Guards suddenly dashed out from the ranks, transforming into two streaks of green light, and in a flash, they entered the majestic Spirit Palace.


    ¡­


    Elsewhere, Zhao Sheng and his companion were led by the woman through broad and towering crystal corridors. On both sides of the corridor were grand side halls with closed doors, each door about three to four Zhang wide and five to six Zhang high, shimmering with white light, and covered with numerous strange runes exuding spirit light, all the while emitting a breathtaking, imposing aura.


    Zhao Sheng walked with a seemingly calm expression yet was inwardly astounded.


    As he walked along the crystal corridors, the surroundings felt extremely quiet at first, and one would rarely encounter any living beings. But as they continued, he suddenly sensed as if numerous unseen and intangible eyes had emerged around him,


    These eyes were invisible and untraceable, undetectable even by Divine Sense. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, under the gaze of these unseen cold eyes, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt his blood becoming more vibrant than ever before, as if it started to ¡°boil.¡±


    At the same time, an indescribably mysterious aura began to converge from all corners of the palace, swiftly swarming toward him from all directions and merging into Zhao Sheng¡¯s limbs and marrow.


    In an instant, his heart began beating fiercely, and his blood circulated through his body at ten times the usual speed, endlessly.


    The stimulation caused Zhao Sheng¡¯s face to flush red, as the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique operated on its own, channeling copious amounts of pure Spiritual Energy into his Dantian¡ªthe speed of the Spirit Power Vortex inside increased several-fold in an instant.


    The Mystic Primordial Spirit Power in his meridians flowed through his limbs and bones at an unprecedented speed, harmonizing with the blood circulation and repeatedly completing Zhou Tian cycles.


    Master Jiu Chi noticed Zhao Sheng¡¯s anomaly, glanced to the side with a change of expression, and couldn¡¯t help feeling both jealousy and envy.


    Only members of the Spiritual Clan knew that Zhao Sheng had passed a crucial test and gained the recognition of the residual souls of ancestral spirits from generations past.


    As a result, he was also blessed and empowered by them. As long as he was within the Spirit Palace, his cultivation speed would be several times faster than in the outside world, and the purer his bloodline, the faster his cultivation speed would be.


    In other words, if Zhao Sheng were to join the Spiritual Clan, he would likely stir the Clan Guardian Artifact and qualify for a three-character True Name.


    Despite the sudden changes, Zhao Sheng quickly adapted and immediately noticed the envious glance from the side.


    Zhao Sheng pretended as if he hadn¡¯t felt anything and maintained a composed expression as he continued walking.


    After walking for about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the three entered a side hall constructed from Red Flame Coral.


    As soon as he stepped into the side hall, a bone-chilling coldness assaulted him.


    Zhao Sheng shivered and instinctively circulated his Spiritual Power, conjuring a blue Light Shield around his body that kept the cold at bay.


    At a glance, the room was resplendent with snow-white splendor; large, sharp icicles hung from the ceiling and rose from the floor everywhere, and rows of snow-white ice chairs were neatly arranged on both sides, leading to a white jade ice bed at the far end of the hall¡ªthree Zhang long, one Zhang high, and of solid construction.


    On the white jade ice bed lay a huge Ice Man with an awe-inspiring chill, his body crystalline. Inside his chest, a vague human-shaped Shadow was curled up.


    Upon seeing this person, Master Jiu Chi immediately bowed and said loudly, ¡°Spirit Shadow Wang Jiu pays his respects to the Ice King! I have brought the person back as instructed, and I am here to report.¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than a chilling voice echoed in the hall, ¡°Wang Jiu, is this the mischievous little fellow?¡±


    The voice was extremely cold yet carried a strong personal resonance.


    The Ice Man slowly straightened up, and an unseen pressure suddenly pressed down on Zhao Sheng, causing frost to form in his nostrils and nearly freezing his blood.


    Zhao Sheng grunted, his Spiritual Power swiftly circulating as the Protective Light Shield expanded by thirty percent, becoming more rounded and condensed, barely withstanding the Ice King¡¯s pressure.


    ¡°¡­Yes, it¡¯s this little fellow. His name¡­ his name¡­ what¡¯s your name again?¡±


    Mid-sentence, Jiu Chi stumbled over his words, then turned his head to look over.


    ¡°Is a name really that important? You can call me, Zhao Chonghe!¡±

 Chapter 247 - 213 Three Kings Vying for a Person

    Chapter 247: Chapter 213 Three Kings Vying for a Person


    Zhao Sheng had hardly finished speaking when the invisible oppressive force within the palace surged by threefold in an instant, the ground frost spread, and ice particles rained down from the sky, rendering the atmosphere exceptionally heavy and suffocating, weighing heavily on everyone¡¯s hearts making it difficult to breathe.


    Crack! Crack!


    A thin layer of ice quickly formed on the surface of the light shield around Zhao Sheng, pale yet extremely cold.


    Boom!


    With a thought, Zhao Sheng¡¯s blue light shield violently expanded outward, instantly shattering the layer of ice crystals. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just then, the Ice King stood up, and his immense pressure expanded, instantly enveloping the entire palace.


    Simultaneously, a cold voice carrying a chilling coldness suddenly resounded in the palace, ¡°Little fellow, your surname ought to be Wang!¡±


    Zhao Sheng brushed the frost off his sleeves, standing against the increasingly strong pressure, and indifferently said, ¡°A name is given by one¡¯s parents. I do not have the habit of acknowledging ancestors indiscriminately.¡±


    ¡°Little fellow, do you realize that your veins carry the exceedingly noble blood of the Spirit Clan? Where are your parents now? One of them must surely be a descendant of my Spirit Clan. Descendants of the Spirit Clan bloodline must not be left outside, they must be brought back to the Spiritual Abyss!¡±


    With every step the Ice King took descending the palace steps, the chill within the palace halls intensified.


    The Ice King was currently in the Golden Core Perfect Peak Stage. As long as he passed the Thirty-Nine Heavenly Tribulations, he could ascend to the Nascent Soul Realm.


    However, he had lingered in this peak stage for far too long, almost unable to hide his own breath, and inadvertently revealing traces of Divine Skills¡¯ pressure with every movement and thought.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed, and he said somberly, ¡°Since childhood, I have been an orphan.¡±


    ¡°Humph, I see. Such a youthful aura! Little fellow, you are not even 60 years old and have already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage. Even among the young generation of the Spiritual Abyss, you would be considered outstanding,¡± the Ice King praised, seemingly possessing a superpower to see through one¡¯s heart, as he did not doubt the truthfulness of Zhao Sheng¡¯s words and did not press further.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng had already stimulated his Talent of Absolute Rationality, with a mind as clear as ice and a will that was unbreakable, his facial expression utterly indifferent.


    Facing an old monster who had lived for who knows how many years, he must do his utmost and be extremely cautious in response.


    What Zhao Sheng did not realize in his carefulness, was just how special he was under the state of Absolute Rationality.


    This extremely rational state that discards emotions and desires is perfectly compatible with the Miracle Technique of the Spirit Clan known as the ¡°Eternal Ice Heart Skill.¡±


    By coincidence, the Ice King was the only member of the Spirit Clan who had been able to cultivate the ¡°Eternal Ice Heart Skill¡± in hundreds of years.


    Seeing a perfect successor appear before him, one could imagine how excited the Ice King was.


    Even though the Ice King had nearly eradicated all emotions and desires such as excitement, Zhao Sheng was undoubtedly a heaven-sent treasure in his eyes.


    Suddenly,


    The Ice King abruptly shouted, ¡°Little fellow, no matter what your surname is, from now on, follow this king! Once we return to the Spiritual Abyss, your name will be recorded under this king¡¯s lineage, your status equivalent to a third-generation of the Spirit Clan. And¡­ stop cultivating that life-draining evil technique. I will teach you the supreme Miracle Technique of our clan, the ¡®Eternal Ice Heart Skill.''¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s secret of cultivating the ¡°Blood Soul Scripture¡± couldn¡¯t possibly be concealed from the Ice King, who could easily discern the fact that Zhao Sheng¡¯s Life Span had drastically reduced with a sweep of Divine Sense.


    The Ice King¡¯s voice remained cold, utterly devoid of emotional fluctuations. But even a fool could hear that he was very pleased at this moment, showing unabashed affection for Zhao Sheng.


    The Ice King¡¯s stance caused immense shock to Master Jiu Chi standing aside.


    As one of the most powerful kings under the Nascent Soul of the Spirit Clan, the Ice King not only held a highly revered position within the clan but was also the lord of a 30,000-mile maritime territory.


    For hundreds of years, this was the first time the Ice King had openly taken a disciple, and the chosen one was a Spirit Clan wild-breed who had been cast away.


    This¡­ was beyond imagination! For a moment, Master Jiu Chi was utterly bewildered.


    Zhao Sheng hadn¡¯t figured it out yet, but in the state of Absolute Rationality, his thoughts were changing far faster than usual, myriad thoughts flashing by.


    He suddenly realized something was amiss.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng deactivated the state of Absolute Rationality, his eyes once more revealing various emotions and desires.


    He was about to speak when suddenly, the sound of surging water echoed throughout the palace.


    In between him and the Ice King, a seemingly real yet ethereal river phantom suddenly materialized out of thin air, profound and vast, ancient as if it had flowed through countless worlds from an unknown void to this era.


    As this phantom river appeared, the ice crystals and frost in the palace melted away in large sections, turning into slender streams that flowed upwards into the river, vanishing in a flash.


    ¡°Heavenly River King!¡± Master Jiu Chi suddenly shouted in surprise.


    ¡°Haha! Ice King, you¡¯re not being fair this time! It¡¯s not easy to find a new clansman. I won¡¯t just watch the little fellow be swayed by you. His belonging must go through deliberation by the elders,¡± the voice said.


    As he spoke, a living water figure rose from the river in the void, leapt out, and landed on the ground. In a blink of an eye, it transformed into a tall man clad in a black robe.


    This man had sharp brows and bright eyes, handsome and dashing, with a temperate and approachable demeanor that instantly gave a refreshing impression.


    ¡°You¡¯re here. You shouldn¡¯t have come.¡±


    ¡°This is the Spirit Palace, not your Iceberg Ocean. I¡¯ll go wherever I wish,¡± the Heavenly River King said languidly.


    No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice of approval came from the entrance: ¡°Well said.¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned around only to see a Star Nebula slowly drifting into the great hall, and amidst the swirling of the nebula, a handsome young man adorned in a deep blue brocade robe stepped in.

 Chapter 248 - 213 The Three Kings Compete for a Person_2

    Chapter 248: Chapter 213 The Three Kings Compete for a Person_2


    ¡°Star Cloud King!¡± Master Jiu Chi roared again.


    At that moment, the palace was filled with three different overwhelming auras, as the three Spirit Clan kings had clashed with their Divine Senses thousands of times in the blink of an eye.


    This invisible confrontation was secretive and perilous; a single misstep could cause severe damage to one¡¯s spirit.


    All three had been at the Perfect Golden Core stage for many years, with their strengths barely distinguishable from one another. After hundreds of years of competition, none could gain an advantage over the others.


    Therefore, after a mere breath¡¯s time, they simultaneously withdrew their auras.


    ¡°Star Fighting, why are you getting involved in this trivial matter?¡± the Heavenly River King was the first to break the deadlock.


    With a smile, the Star Fighting King said, ¡°This is no trivial matter. The bloodline of this youngster is not ordinary; it is likely a rare occurrence of ancestral rebirth. The purity of his bloodline is comparable to those juniors in the heritage sequence. How could I, as a king, let go of such a talented new member of the Spirit Clan?¡±


    ¡°Regardless of what you two think. This youngster, I have decided to claim him. If you want to dispute it, then come with me to the Ancestor Sacrifice Altar!¡±


    The Ancestor Sacrifice Altar is a sacred site for the Spirit Clan, serving not only to worship ancestors but also as an arena for life and death. Whenever there is an insurmountable grudge between clan members, they can resolve it on the Ancestor Sacrifice Altar, to decide both superiority and life or death!


    ¡°Ice King, have you lost your mind? Just for this youngster? Is it worth it?¡± The Heavenly River King, his expression changing and tone agitated, said after hearing this.


    The Ice King was always silent and reserved; even now, he said nothing, but his silence made the two Spirit Clan kings realize that their old friend was serious this time.


    ¡°Ice King, I won¡¯t dispute with you for now. But the ownership of this person must be determined by the elders¡¯ judgment. Once we meet the Ling Yuan Ancestor, I will surely call for a sacred verdict. Farewell!¡±


    With these words, the Heavenly River King waved his sleeve, and his whole being suddenly transformed into a stream of water, merging into the emerging image of the Heavenly River.


    In an instant,


    The image of the Heavenly River dissipated, and the Heavenly River King vanished without a trace.


    The Star Fighting King hesitated for a moment, then turned his gaze to Zhao Sheng, giving him a deep look with endless starlight swirling in his eyes.


    This look made Zhao Sheng¡¯s hair stand on end, instantly triggering his danger perception. Only then did he realize that the Star Cloud King was emanating a dense aura of death.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart chilled with shock; the Star Cloud King actually harbored a deep killing intent towards him.


    The Star Cloud King withdrew his gaze, looking composedly towards the Ice Man whose coldness was piercing, and said solemnly, ¡°Ice King, you¡­ take care of yourself!¡±


    After saying this, the Star Fighting King¡¯s figure flashed, and he instantly disappeared from the palace.


    Seeing this, Master Jiu Chi cautiously spoke up, ¡°Ice King, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave.¡±


    ¡°Mm!¡±


    Heartened by this response, Master Jiu Chi cast an envious glance at Zhao Sheng before quietly departing.


    Now, only the Ice King and Zhao Sheng were left in the palace.


    At this point, Zhao Sheng finally had the opportunity to speak, ¡°Deeply grateful for the Ice King¡¯s favor, but my foundation has been established, nearing perfection. I¡¯m afraid I cannot re-cultivate this ¡®Eternal Ice Heart Skill¡¯.¡±


    The Ice King said indifferently, ¡°No matter! You are still young, even if you have to destroy your cultivation and start over, it¡¯s not too late.¡±


    Zhao Sheng paused upon hearing this, but still he was unwilling to cultivate any ¡®Eternal Ice Heart Skill¡¯.


    ¡®Eternal Ice Heart Skill¡¯, even though it is a divine skill that leads directly to the Tao, if one cultivated it to the end, one would become like the Ice King, an ice person, with almost no emotions or desires.


    Then what was the purpose of living?


    In some ways, the ¡®Eternal Ice Heart Skill¡¯ was even more evil than the ¡®Blood Soul Scripture¡¯.


    Seeing that he was cornered, Zhao Sheng decided to express his thoughts forthrightly, his expression unyielding, ¡°Although the divine skill is impressive, I do not wish to become like the elder. I will not learn it!¡±


    Crack! Crack!


    A thick layer of frost suddenly formed around the palace¡ªthe ceilings, the floors, the ice chairs, and the jade beds in every corner started to crystalize at a rate visible to the naked eye, quickly turning into a forest of transparent ice pillars.


    And at this moment, it began to snow in the palace.


    The snowflakes fluttered down gently, but as soon as they landed on Zhao Sheng, they instantly turned into large patches of frost.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s protective light shield turned into a silver-white ice wall, from which emanated an extreme coldness. Waves of intangible freezing energy infiltrated his body through his pores, skin, and orifices, almost freezing his blood and spiritual power.


    Zhao Sheng was extremely startled; his Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer cultivation was actually unable to withstand even a single thought from the Ice King.


    Even though the other was a Perfect Golden Core, the difference in strength between them seemed to be too vast.


    Fortunately, it lasted only for a moment.


    With a thought from the Ice King, all the freezing energy quickly left Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, and the ice wall dissipated, leaving him ¡°alive¡± once more.


    ¡°Hmph, in the past century, you are the first being to survive after provoking my ire,¡± the Ice King said.


    ¡°Then¡­ thank you for sparing me, Ice King!¡± Zhao Sheng exhaled a breath of cold air and responded coldly.


    ¡°Come forth!¡±


    At the Ice King¡¯s command, a group of frail and delicate white-dressed women quickly stepped into the palace from outside.


    These women, clad in thin veils, seemed utterly unfazed by the piercing chill of the palace.


    They belonged to an alien race living within the Iceberg Ocean, known as Ice Women, innate with a resistance to the biting cold.


    ¡°Your Majesty, what are your orders?¡±


    ¡°Take this little one down and settle him well, place him near the Ice Palace of this king. Treat him in the same manner as my direct disciples.¡±


    ¡°As you command!¡± The leading Ice Woman bowed deeply in salute.


    Zhao Sheng, having to accept his situation, allowed the Ice Woman to lead him away.


    Since he could not escape for the time being, he might as well stay temporarily and wait for an opportunity.


    ¡­


    Ten days later, in a small palace, exquisite and elegant, discreet yet luxurious.


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on a ten-thousand-year-old warm jade stone, holding a high-grade water spirit stone in each hand, eyes closed, cultivating. Inside his body, the vortex of spiritual power roared into motion, strands of exceptionally pure Water Spiritual Energy wending their way along the hand and lung meridians continuously pouring into the Dantian where it was refined.


    In the Dantian, the vortex of spiritual power resembled a heavenly column, with twenty-three crystalline blue ¡°water balls¡± hovering in mid-air, slowly rotating with the vortex.


    Beneath the vortex swirled a vast ocean of churning waves. Occasional pockets of spirit rain were tossed from the top of the vortex, falling into the vast ocean below.


    Time passed unknown, and at the center of the ocean where it connected with the vortex, a new crystalline blue water ball suddenly rose.


    The water ball broke free from the confinement of the vortex, floated up, and gathered with the other twenty-three above.


    The moment the twenty-four Transforming Spirit Beads came together, a curious change of positions occurred, eventually forming a spherical space with twenty-four sides, with the spirit power vortex right at the center.


    Hu!


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath; the breath remained condensed and seemed incredibly solid.


    With a wave of his hand disrupting the column of breath, a hint of joy appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face. He had just achieved a breakthrough, successfully reaching the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer.


    Once he condensed thirty-six transforming spiritual power beads, it would be time for his Foundation Establishment to reach perfection, advancing to the Golden Core stage.


    He had just finished cultivating and rose to his feet, walking to the door and pushing it open to step outside.


    ¡°Young Master!¡±


    As he stepped out, two soft voices sounded from beside the door.


    Looking at the two frail Ice Women before him, Zhao Sheng dared not underestimate them.


    With the occasional hint of bone-chilling coldness that leaked from the Ice Women, Zhao Sheng was certain their strength was on par with that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    And during the past few days, he had seen at least twenty such Ice Women.


    Just this fact alone indicated how strong the forces under the Ice King were, and it allowed one to infer the formidable overall strength of the Spirit Clan¡ªthe reason they became the overlord of the distant oceans.


    Zhao Sheng instructed, ¡°I wish to go to Dragon Head Island, you may prepare to descend.¡±


    The Ice Women, without showing any intention of questioning him, nodded very respectfully and complied.


    A short while later, a humpbacked mountain turtle with a shell diameter exceeding twenty zhang slowly swam upwards from the seabed.


    On its back, it carried a jade-stone palace the size of a basketball court, with four Green-armored Guards standing outside.


    Inside the palace, upon a thousand-year-old coral chair deep within, Zhao Sheng lay reclined, his face thoughtful. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Two quarters of an hour later, the humpbacked mountain turtle slowly crawled onto Dragon Head Island and finally came to rest on a stretch of sand beach, remaining motionless.


    Suddenly,


    Zhao Sheng emerged from the palace, floated down from the turtle¡¯s back, followed by the Ice Women and the four Green-armored Guards.


    ¡°Young Master, where would you like to go? Your servant will immediately inform General Crab of this place,¡± said one Ice Woman, stepping forward with gentle grace, her voice timid.


    Zhao Sheng turned to look at her, speaking indifferently, ¡°To Refugee City!¡±


    On the surface, it seemed that the guards were lax, and he might have a chance to escape.


    However, in reality, Zhao Sheng had no chance of escape at all because the Ice King had deliberately left a Divine Thought Imprint on him.


    Crack! Crack!


    Just at that moment, a massive Hu Xiao descended from the sky.


    Master Jiu Chi laughed heartily as he leapt down from the back of the Hu Xiao, his figure flickered, and he abruptly appeared beside Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, you seem more impressive than the last time we met!¡±


    Fortunate thanks to your blessings, senior, I am managing quite well. But when I think of the hardship faced by the people on Dragon Head Island, I cannot rest easy nights or days,¡± Zhao Sheng said in a tone neither warm nor cold.

 Chapter 249 - 214 Calculations and Transactions are Everywhere

    Chapter 249: Chapter 214 Calculations and Transactions are Everywhere


    In response to Zhao Sheng¡¯s bizarre tone, Master Jiu Chi laughed without concern and said, ¡°Brother Zhao, don¡¯t blame me for not reminding you. You care about the mortals, but the Human Clan will not appreciate your sentiments. Be careful not to displease both sides! Don¡¯t forget the old Human saying, ¡®Those not of our kind have different hearts.''¡± Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng raised his eyebrows upon hearing this and looked at the meaningful Master Jiu Chi but did not retort.


    Seeing this, Jiu Chi was certain in his heart and immediately pursued his advantage, saying warmly, ¡°I heard you were going to Refugee City just now. I happen to be free. I might as well accompany you.¡±


    ¡°This trivial matter does not require your esteemed presence,¡± Zhao Sheng replied, trying to decline.


    ¡°No worries. I have nothing better to do, and it would be good to catch up with you. When we return to the Spiritual Abyss, I might even ask you for a favor,¡± Jiu Chi said shamelessly, without any intention of maintaining the image of a True Immortal in front of his junior.


    Master Jiu Chi treated Zhao Sheng as an equal, even with a hint of ingratiation.


    This was not only because Zhao Sheng had been chosen by the Ice King, who held a high position and wielded great power, and would become a major figure in the Demon Ruins after ascending to Nascent Soul,


    but also because he was one of the Ice King¡¯s people. Making friends with Zhao Sheng meant currying favor with the Ice King.


    Additionally, he saw the potential in Zhao Sheng and intentionally befriended him early.


    Shameless, and thus invincible!


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng knew he had no way to refuse, so he reluctantly turned his head and ordered the Ice Woman, ¡°To Refugee City!¡±


    No sooner had the Ice Woman bowed in agreement than Jiu Chi kindly suggested, ¡°Hey, let my Hu Xiao carry us there! Refugee City is dozens of miles from here. Flying will be faster!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Shortly thereafter,


    Hu Xiao spread its wings and flew, carrying Zhao Sheng and Master Jiu Chi southwest toward Dragon Head Island.


    Refugee City, located thirty miles deep within Dragon Head Island, was originally a large mortal city and was now temporarily used to detain mortal refugees.


    Near Refugee City was the largest alluvial plain on Dragon Head Island, spanning thousands of miles; a renowned agricultural area that sustained nearly ten million of the Human Clan on Dragon Head Island.


    As Hu Xiao ventured deeper into the island, Zhao Sheng was surprised to find that, apart from the workshops and cities along the coastal line that had been destroyed by sea beasts, the villages, towns, and cities inland were barely affected, with most remaining unscathed by war. The order was meticulous in the villages; the mortals worked from dawn till dusk, seemingly untouched by the great battle that raged dozens of miles away.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s astonishment, Master Jiu Chi couldn¡¯t help but smile proudly and said, ¡°Brother Zhao, are you surprised?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, I am surprised,¡± Zhao Sheng openly admitted.


    ¡°Hehe! You¡¯re still inexperienced and don¡¯t understand the reasons behind it. The intricacies here are deep; not only you but even I only know a fraction of them.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded thoughtfully but showed no intention of asking further.


    Seeing this, Master Jiu Chi was momentarily stumped, pondering how to intrigue his companion to inquire further.


    Just then, Hu Xiao¡¯s wings snapped together and it suddenly dove downwards.


    Below, a large ancient city spanning dozens of miles and featuring towering buildings appeared before everyone.


    Thump!


    Hu Xiao landed on a specially cleared square in the center of the city.


    Zhao Sheng and the others dismounted from Hu Xiao, just as two pairs of people quickly approached the edge of the square.


    Leading them were two bald giants nearly two zhang tall with bulging muscles, clearly recognizable as members of the Sea Giant clan.


    Behind them followed a dozen or so listless Human Clan members, both old and young, male and female.


    Each one wore a silver-white collar around their neck, and they were evidently all Cultivators.


    ¡°Who goes there? Please¡ª¡±


    Their speech halted abruptly midway.


    At that moment, the Ice Woman pulled a round token made of thousand-year-old Ice Jade from her sleeve, engraved with an ancient rune on the front and an imposing ice peak on the back.


    ¡°By the Ice King¡¯s Order, withdraw immediately!¡±


    The two Sea Giants exchanged glances, knelt in unison, and saluted, shouting, ¡°Understood! We take our leave.¡±


    Upon seeing this, the Human Clan Slave Guards kneeling behind them promptly rose and turned to leave in an orderly manner.


    As Zhao Sheng watched the retreating backs of the Human Cultivators, his gaze grew profound and enigmatic.


    Just moments ago, he keenly sensed that these people looked at him with fear and panic, yet among them, a few youths had eyes filled with deep resentment.


    Having spent a hundred years undercover, Master Jiu Chi¡¯s skill in observing and understanding people was undoubtedly fully developed.


    He caught this scene and, feeling a surge of satisfaction, feigned pride and said, ¡°Brother Zhao, did you know? Refugee City is almost autonomously governed by the Human Clan, with fewer than thirty of our people inside. Moreover, everyone in the city is well-fed and well-rested. Aside from the lack of freedom, life here is not much different from the outside.


    We, the Spirit Clan, are a hundred times more noble than the Human Clan. As long as these people stay here obediently, we have no need for despicable measures like torture.¡±


    Zhao Sheng asked solemnly, ¡°How many people are here?¡±


    ¡°About five hundred thousand. The vast majority are mortals. Hehe, they are all direct relatives within three generations of Human Cultivators.¡±


    Zhao Sheng stood in the center of the square, fully releasing his Divine Sense.


    Divine Sense spread out, scanning everything around him, seeing rooms, floors, and corridors full of people in the surrounding buildings.


    Most of the people had expressions of sorrow and carried an air of fear and unease, but their complexions were rosy, seemingly never having suffered from hunger.


    At that moment, Refugee City was extremely quiet, the air filled with a deathly and oppressive atmosphere.

 Chapter 250 - 214 Calculations and Transactions are Everywhere_2

    Chapter 250: Chapter 214 Calculations and Transactions are Everywhere_2


    Zhao Sheng walked down the square, strolling casually along the main thoroughfare of the city.


    Under the scrutiny of his Divine Sense, the buildings on both sides of the street were also filled with people, who moved about only within the confined spaces, rarely venturing outside.


    After walking a few miles, Master Jiu Chi spoke self-satisfiedly, ¡°How about it? This old man didn¡¯t lie to you, did he? The Spirit Clan¡¯s moral demeanor is a hundred times more noble than the filthy and despicable Human Clan.¡±


    ¡°Where are the Cultivators? Have they all been executed?¡± Zhao Sheng asked abruptly.


    ¡°Hehe! Those above the Foundation Establishment Realm are locked in the Forbidden Prison, and the majority of the rest, after being implanted with spirit prohibitions, are thrown into the spirit mines to mine. The undersea mines near Dragon Head Island are rich in resources, so it¡¯s also a way of recycling waste,¡± replied the old man.


    Having heard this, Zhao Sheng contemplated in silence.


    The Spirit Clan¡¯s method of dealing with the Cultivators was indeed mysterious, and the establishment of the Refugee City was odd both inside and out.


    It was clear that the Spirit Clan and Human Clan were mortal enemies. Yet, why didn¡¯t they opt for a massacre after taking Dragon Head Island?


    Could all of this somehow be related to the Star God?


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng had a sudden flash of spirit light and thought that the fifty thousand people in the Refugee City and the Cultivators could all be ¡°hostages.¡±


    Perhaps¡­ there was some sort of transaction between the high echelons of the two clans?


    Zhao Sheng was surprised by his own bold thinking.


    Suddenly,


    he came to a halt, his brow furrowing slightly.


    A strange scene had suddenly appeared within the range of his Divine Sense.


    In a courtyard twenty-one zhang to his left, a gathering was unexpectedly taking place.


    The courtyard was teeming with people, and at its center, a tall platform had been erected, upon which a dark-robed old monk was seated in a lotus position.


    At that moment, he was loudly reciting Buddhist scriptures and preaching to the crowd below.


    ¡°Prajna Paramita¡­ the light shines universally¡­ for countless eons¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked up toward the courtyard, his Divine Sense sweeping over the old monk only to discover that the man was aged and merely a mortal.


    Zhao Sheng turned and asked, ¡°Senior Jiuchi, is it permitted for monks to preach in the Refugee City?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, it seems you¡¯ve noticed too! It¡¯s nothing serious. Ancient Buddhism preaching here is something the higher-ups tacitly allow. Besides, this is an internal matter of the Human Clan. It has nothing to do with our Spirit Clan. It would be even better if Ancient Buddhism could start a fight with the Star God Palace,¡± said Master Jiu Chi nonchalantly.


    Zhao Sheng turned back around, his eyes flashing a few times before he continued walking forward.


    By the time everyone had reached the city gates, Zhao Sheng had covertly counted, and along the way, he discovered three monks and thousands of ¡°believers¡± who had been misled within the city.


    When everyone was feeling anxious and insecure, it was the perfect time for missionary work and preaching.


    Ancient Buddhism truly knew how to seize every opportunity; it likely had its own deal with the Spirit Clan as well.


    Furthermore, Zhao Sheng also found that the ratio of pregnant women in the city was very high, and he saw many bizarre acts of brazen lewdness in broad daylight.


    He couldn¡¯t help but suspect that all of this was intentionally orchestrated by the Spirit Clan.


    As for why? It was obviously to birth as many spirit root babies as possible.


    Zhao Sheng sighed to himself. The Spirit Clan¡¯s schemes were indeed clever!


    ¡­


    While Zhao Sheng was investigating the Refugee City, located a hundred miles to the northwest of Dragon Head Island, deep within a cave mansion in a Second Order Spiritual Vein beneath the sea,


    the cave mansion was draped in silver and filled with chilling cold air. Ice flowers fluttered within, spiraling as they touched any solid surface, exploding on contact and freezing everything. The white frost spread everywhere, bringing waves of bone-chilling cold with it.


    Atop an ice throne deep within the spirit cave, a young man with white clothes and silver hair sat cross-legged, hands joined in prayer, breathing in and out a white light that caused the surrounding cold air to pulsate. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, a Jade Token at the youth¡¯s waist started flickering with light. The silver-haired young man frowned, took off the Jade Token, and sent a thread of his Divine Sense into it.


    In the next instant, the information flowed on the surface of the Jade Token and into the mind of the silver-haired young man. His expression immediately turned ice-cold.


    ¡°Zhao Chonghe!¡­ Hehe!¡± he muttered to himself, letting out a cold laugh before quickly returning to silence.


    At the same time, in a hidden space beneath Dragon Head Island, a gaunt young man wearing a Hundred Skull Robe sat opposite a middle-aged man with a jade crown and dark armor. On the stone table between them was a portrait of someone who looked very much like Zhao Sheng.


    This middle-aged man in dark armor was extremely handsome. Although he only showed the cultivation level of Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, he exuded a mysterious aura.


    ¡°`


    ¡°Is this the target?¡± the thin young man slowly asked.


    The middle-aged man in black armor merely gave a slight, noncommittal smile, ¡°His real name is Zhao Chonghe, and here is some information about him. Kill him within ten days, and the ¡®Skull God Scripture¡¯ is yours.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious?¡± the thin young man asked eagerly, his eyes filled with greed.


    The middle-aged man slid two Jade Scrolls across, ¡°One of them contains the first two levels of the ¡®Skull God Scripture.¡¯ Consider it a down payment.¡±


    The gaunt young man snatched the Jade Scrolls, his Divine Sense probing them. Soon, a look of delight crossed his face, and he declared resolutely, ¡°I, Skeleton Boy, will take this job!¡±


    ¡­


    After returning from Refugee City, Zhao Sheng rejected all invitations, locking himself in the Cultivation Room for intense practice.


    Three days later, in the Cultivation Room, Zhao Sheng, who was sitting cross-legged, looked serious as he continuously cast Magic Spells with his hands, merging streams of blood light into the Blood Escape Talisman suspended in mid-air.


    After a quarter of an hour, the palm-sized Blood Escape Talisman, having absorbed so much essence blood and Spiritual Power, began to surge with light, gradually emitting layers of a blood-colored Light Halo.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirits lifted, and he spat out a mouthful of Heart Blood onto the Blood Escape Talisman.


    The Blood Escape Talisman flared up with an invisible blood flame.


    ¡°Merge!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze sharpened, and a speck of black light shot out from the Purple Mansion on his forehead, entering the Blood Escape Talisman in a flash.


    Instantly, the blood flame retracted and turned into countless mysterious blood-colored runes that appeared on the surface of the talisman.


    Zhao Sheng beckoned with his hand, and the Blood Soul Talisman floated over to rest in his palm.


    This Blood Escape Talisman had mutated into a Blood Soul Talisman because it had integrated a strand of Divine Soul.


    Zhao Sheng had devoted nearly a hundred years of intense study to the Blood Soul Talisman, which he started researching in his previous life, only recently managing to create this special Second Order tunneling talisman.


    Although it was a type of tunneling talisman, it could deceive others, especially designed to target High-level Cultivators.


    Upon seeing the talisman fully formed, a hint of joy appeared in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes. He carefully hid it in the secret pocket at his waist.


    Half a month later.


    The door to the long-sealed chamber burst open, and Zhao Sheng stepped out at a leisurely pace.


    However, as soon as Zhao Sheng stepped out of the cave mansion, he suddenly turned his head, his expression shifting as he looked to one side.


    There, a flash of light appeared, and two figures sped toward him with lightning speed.


    Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes seeing this, as the two figures seemed to be coming straight for him.


    Boom, boom!


    The two figures landed abruptly a few yards in front of Zhao Sheng, stirring up a gust of wind and revealing the identities of two young men.


    The leader was dressed in a snow-white robe, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with handsome features and a clear distinction between the brows, from which starlight seemed to emanate, giving the illusion of a person not merely standing there but resembling a frigid ice flower.


    The other man, tall and skinny, possessed defined, iron-like muscles that hinted at explosive strength beneath.


    ¡°Who might you two be?¡± Zhao Sheng asked calmly, regarding the evidently hostile pair.


    ¡°I am Wang Fuyu of the Spirit Clan, and this is Wang Fuchong.¡± The man in the white robe looked Zhao Sheng up and down before letting out a snicker.


    Wang Fuchong, dressed in black, kept his piercing gaze fixed on Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes without immediately speaking.


    ¡°Oh, so it¡¯s the Young Masters of the Spirit Clan. My apologies for the disrespect! May I ask why you have graced me with your presence?¡± Zhao Sheng, undisturbed by their stares, asked indifferently.


    ¡°Are you the wild boy who just returned from outside?¡± Wang Fuchong finally spoke up, his cold smile apparent.


    ¡°Hmph,¡± Zhao Sheng snorted.


    ¡°Good, you do look fairly decent. We¡¯ve come to tell you that the Ice King has abandoned you. Don¡¯t delude yourself any longer,¡± Wang Fuchong said coldly.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly curled the corners of his mouth upwards and scrutinized the two men before him with an odd look.


    ¡°What, need us to repeat it? The Ice King is exalted beyond measure. Someone of your lowly stature is unworthy of the name of the Ice King¡¯s disciple.¡±


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s reaction, Wang Fuchong huffed and spoke with an unmistakable note of finality.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 251 - 215 Unable to Withstand a Single Blow

    Chapter 251: Chapter 215 Unable to Withstand a Single Blow


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it is!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but find it somewhat amusing!


    The disciple of the Ice King, whoever wants to be, can be. He was not at all keen on it.


    With his understanding of the Spirit Clan in recent days, he had anticipated that some might feel dissatisfied, yet he had not expected some foolhardy youth to actually come knocking on his door to threaten him.


    It seemed that the Spirit Clan had protected their next generation too well, making them somewhat naive to the ways of the world, like flowers in a greenhouse, innocent, self-centered, and developing a proud and arrogant disposition.


    How could they, just two green youngsters, think that they could interfere with a decision made by someone like the Ice King?


    Truly naive!


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng, with a smile that wasn¡¯t quite a smile, said:


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid you two are mistaken. I have never thought about becoming the Ice King¡¯s disciple. However¡­ if the Ice King were to retract his order, I would indeed have to thank you two. If you gentlemen have nothing else, please return, as I still have some important matters to attend to and cannot keep you company.¡± Zhao Sheng slightly smiled and then intended to walk straight past the two men.


    Upon hearing this, Wang Fuyu and Wang Fuchong¡¯s faces immediately turned sullen as water.


    ¡°Stop, if you think you can leave without clarifying and don¡¯t expect to use the Ice King¡¯s name to press us? In the Spirit Clan, strength speaks. As long as I cripple you, I don¡¯t believe the Ice King will still insist on taking you as a disciple!¡± Wang Fuyu, clad in a white robe adorned with star specks, sneered coldly, his figure suddenly blocking Zhao Sheng¡¯s path.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, just as he wanted to say something else.


    Suddenly, Wang Fuyu roared loudly,¡±Halt! You dare to attack secretly!¡±


    The sound was deafening yet subtly contained a sonic miracle technique, a kind of invisible deadly sound.


    In an instant, Wang Fuyu¡¯s robe billowed, he shot up into the sky, his hand forming a seal mantra, the star light on his forehead instantly spread out, transforming into a six-petalled ice flower. Immediately, the light of cold ice from his body shone brightly, a chilling cold air dispersed around him, and the surrounding void began to stir up gusts of cold ice wind.


    With a loud bang, streams of extreme cold converged, and in a blink, they formed a tumultuous cold ice storm as thick as two men embracing, whistling and roaring. Ice and snow spun sharply with the wind, each piece biting cold like a blade. The cold ice storm enveloped Wang Fuyu¡¯s figure, while a terrifying force descended from the sky and pressed down furiously towards Zhao Sheng. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Quite capable, no wonder he is so arrogant.¡± Zhao Sheng looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he nodded inwardly. He stood his ground, unmoving, seemingly indifferent to the astonishing spiritual pressure emitted by Wang Fuyu.


    In mid-air, Wang Fuyu, seeing this, was furiously angered, and suddenly shouted loudly, thrusting his hands upwards,


    only to see spiritual energy of extreme cold continuously pouring out from the crystal walls around, merging into the cold ice storm. The storm swelled tremendously, not only filling the entire corridor but also expanding outward, and within the storm, a cold ice flood dragon formed. The dragon scales of the dragon were clearly composed of thousands of ice blades, each emitting a bone-chilling dazzling edge, each one as powerful as a first-rank top-grade spell.


    With a thunderous buzz!


    The cold ice storm abruptly halted, and the cold ice flood dragon burst out of the storm,


    on the side, the thin Wang Fuchong, seeing this, rapidly retreated several tens of feet, his gaze filled with a murderous intent towards Zhao Sheng.


    He knew well that Wang Fuyu¡¯s secret technique was not like ordinary Foundation Establishment secret methods. That cold ice flood dragon was evolved from the Ice Soul Cold Light sourced from beneath thousands of feet of ice mountain, immensely powerful, typical Late Stage Foundation Establishment couldn¡¯t even withstand it for a moment.


    As the saying goes, while it¡¯s late it¡¯s fast, the huge Ice Flood Dragon opened its mouth wide, spewing out countless ice blades, covering the sky and heading towards Zhao Sheng.


    Before the storm of ice blades had even reached Zhao Sheng, an extremely cold air had already invisibly invaded his body, seeking to freeze and solidify all his meridians.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression unchanged, this Ice Jiao Secret Technique was indeed formidable, and the extreme cold ice blades were extremely difficult to deal with. However, it had one major weakness.


    Zhao Sheng raised one hand, and a string of black light flew out from his sleeve. The light scattered around, and a palm-sized shield surface swelled to a three-foot square radius. Six Spirit Shields suddenly formed a large spherical shield.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    The sky-full of ice blades smashed onto the Profound Black Armor, breaking apart with loud bangs, turning into streams of extreme cold.


    In an instant, a layer of white frost quickly spread across the surface of the Spirit Shield, and its thickness visibly increased at a rapid pace.


    The extreme cold was indeed formidable, and in less than two breaths, it made it increasingly difficult for Zhao Sheng to control the Spirit Shield, the stagnation in the flow of his Divine Sense and Spiritual Power becoming more pronounced.


    Wang Fuyu saw the situation and smiled triumphantly. His hands performed spell seals rapidly as extreme cold Spiritual Power surged out, causing the Ice Flood Dragon to fiercely spit out one Ice Blade storm after another, aiming to engulf his opponent in one fell swoop.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed with divine light, revealing a dazzling yet invisible Sword Light.


    On an ethereal spiritual level, a chilling Sword Intent suddenly condensed into existence.


    The next instant, a sound of a sword cry echoed in the void.


    The Invisible Sword Light flashed from his eyes and, following some kind of spiritual connection in the unknown, the God-Slaying Sword struck an unguarded Divine Soul in an instant.


    ¡°Slashed!¡±


    Amid the cold shout, Wang Fuyu felt a chill at the heart; his Divine Soul was struck by the Godslaying Sword Intent, causing his mind to blank out instantly, and an unimaginable intense pain emanated from his Purple Mansion.


    Ah!


    Wang Fuyu suddenly screamed and fell to the ground from the air, clutching his head and curling his body, screaming miserably while rolling frantically on the ground like a dying beast struggling.


    At that moment, a muffled sound came!


    The surface of the Ice Flood Dragon cracked open with countless fine fissures, then instantly burst into a large explosion of cold air, with countless Ice Blades flying chaotically, instantly shattering into a sky full of Spiritual Energy, absorbed by the surrounding Crystal Walls.


    From Wang Fuyu being certain of victory to the collapse of the Ice Jiao, it all happened in the time it took to catch one¡¯s breath.


    Watching his terribly howling clan brother, Wang Fuchong was dumbstruck, hardly believing his own eyes.


    ¡°This is impossible!¡±


    Wang Fuchong shouted in disbelief. His muscles swelled instantly, and his form suddenly expanded more than twice its size, while a layer of Profound Black Armor with thorny scales emerged on his body, emitting an extremely violent aura.


    Before he finished speaking, a shadow of a huge beast resembling a porcupine, as vast as a mountain, appeared behind him.


    ¡°Die for me!¡±


    Wang Fuchong¡¯s eyes were blood-red, his face twisted into an extreme ferocity, and he fiercely stomped on the ground. His figure, like an unstoppable Bull Man, charged directly at Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Body Cultivation?!¡±


    A hint of surprise flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes. With a single flip of his hand, the long-unused Five Elements Talisman Plate fell into his hand.


    As his thoughts shifted, the first layer of the Five Elements Talisman Plate ignited all nine Second-Order Water Mine Talismans at once.


    In an instant, thunderous roars resounded throughout the corridor.


    Endless dazzling Thunder Light erupted, turning the entire corridor into a sea of lightning.


    Humph!


    A grunt sounded as Wang Fuchong flashed out of the sea of lightning, his body streaked with strands of Electric Light, and the surface of his Armor and Shield flickered continuously.


    ¡°Quick reflexes!¡± Zhao Sheng held up the Five Elements Talisman Plate; in front of him, the six Mayfly Shields merged into one, a foot-wide Profound Black Shield floating in front of his chest, emitting a faint black light, with golden runes appearing intermittently on its surface.


    Wang Fuchong backed off a good distance, circulating his Spiritual Power to extinguish the residual Electric Light on his body.


    His eyes turned cold, filled with murderous intent. He suddenly shouted loudly, and his burly body swelled rapidly, and his Thorny Scale Armor sprouted even more and longer sharp black thorns, densely packed, the tips flickering with cold light, making him appear from afar like a humanoid steel porcupine.


    This man was indeed a rare practitioner of Body Cultivation.


    Wang Fuchong, regaining his composure, said nothing as one arm blurred, sending a foot-long spike-shaped Fist Light through the air towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng remained unfazed, his Golden Essence Flying Sword flashing out from his waist, charging towards the incoming long thorn Fist Light.

 Chapter 252 - 216 Ten Thousand Immortals Square

    Chapter 252: Chapter 216 Ten Thousand Immortals Square


    ¡°`


    Crack!


    With a crisp sound like metal striking, the flying sword collided with the punch, spreading golden and black ripples all around.


    Next, the Golden Essence Flying Sword broke through the punch, turning into a sword rainbow and slashing straight through.


    Wang Fuchong was both shocked and terrified when he saw this.


    His bones were of exceptional quality, and his physique was powerful. Specializing in the Body Refining Path for decades, he had now reached the Eighth Layer of Foundation Establishment. Upon activating the Body Refining Secret Technique ¡®Dragon Elephant Vajra Technique¡¯, his Vajra Spirit Power became extremely concentrated and solid, rivaling any Spiritual Artifact in toughness. Yet now, his defenses were easily broken with a single sword strike.


    With a rush of thoughts, his pupils reflected the swiftly descending Sword Light, and a trace of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.


    Wang Fuchong, throwing caution to the wind, suddenly brought his palms together with massive force.


    Sizzle! S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An extremely harsh friction sound abruptly pierced through the corridor.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils shrank, and to his surprise, he saw Wang Fuchong across from him with a smug and ferocious smile; his Golden Essence Flying Sword was firmly clamped between his hands, immobilized like a dead fish.


    Wang Fuchong started to rub his hands forcefully, and a mass of black light emerged from his palms, forming a black Light Ball.


    Ugh!


    Zhao Sheng grunted, suddenly losing control of the Golden Essence Flying Sword.


    At that moment, Wang Fuchong tossed aside the flying sword, his massive body soared into the air, dive-bombing straight down at Zhao Sheng. He hurled down his arms like a storm, creating hundreds of long-thorned punches, once again launching a fierce attack on Zhao Sheng.


    He couldn¡¯t believe that he wouldn¡¯t succeed with this attempt.


    With a ¡°boom¡±,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure blurred and suddenly disappeared, while the Crystal Stone floor where he had been standing was impacted by the punch, cracking with a web-like series of fine fissures.


    The material used for the corridor floor was unknown, but its quality was incredibly tough.


    Wang Fuchong¡¯s punches, akin to a Spiritual Artifact Level hammer with the force of ten thousand catties, repeatedly struck the ground, creating only fine cracks without even making a small pit.


    When Zhao Sheng reappeared, Wang Fuchong gave a ferocious smile and lunged at him once more. This time he didn¡¯t use his fists, but opened his arms wide, aiming to tackle Zhao Sheng by the waist.


    If Zhao Sheng were caught by him, given his full-body Thorny Scale Armor and peerless Divine Power, Zhao Sheng would either die or be gravely injured!


    However, just at that moment,


    Zhao Sheng made a light chuckle, his eyes bursting with Divine Light as his hand-held Five Elements Talisman Plate suddenly lit up with a dazzling glow¡­


    ¡­


    Moments later, the corridor was a total mess.


    Wang Fuchong, with a defeated look on his face, bent over to pick up the howling Wang Fuyu, gave Zhao Sheng a deep glance, and without uttering a word, turned around, quickly leaving while supporting his clan brother.


    Watching the two leave in such a manner, Zhao Sheng smiled faintly and reached out to recall his Golden Essence Flying Sword.


    Both Wang Fuchong and Wang Fuyu from the Spirit Clan¡¯s younger generation had cultivating levels and strengths not inferior to his. Any ordinary Perfect Foundation Establishment Cultivator would not be a match for either of them.


    Though they were powerful, their actual combat experience was far less than that of human clan cultivators of the same level, not to mention comparing them with Zhao Sheng.


    There had been several occasions where Zhao Sheng could have easily taken their lives, but since they were in the Spirit Palace, he merely administered a slight punishment before letting them go.


    ¡°`


    Talking about sensitive places, the Spirit Palace is one among them, yet despite the huge commotion that just unfolded during the skirmish between the three individuals, not a single person came to check on the situation.


    With a little thought, one could guess how much subterfuge lay behind this incident, and that someone must have deliberately set a trap.


    Zhao Sheng harbored doubts, wondering what the purpose of the schemer was¡ªto test his abilities? To undermine Ice King¡¯s prestige? Or perhaps there is a deeper conspiracy?


    As these thoughts crossed his mind, two Ice Women, panic-stricken, ran from the distant corridor towards him and fell to their knees trembling, begging for mercy, ¡°Young Master, please forgive us, we were negligently asleep and failed to greet you when you exited your retreat. We deserve to die!¡±


    ¡°Get up!¡±


    Zhao Sheng had no intention of venting his frustration on these people, and besides, these Ice Women were pitiable beings with no control over their actions.


    ¡°This might be a good opportunity,¡± he thought.


    ¡­


    Dragon Head Island had been in the hands of the Alien Race for more than half a year. The most dangerous period had passed, and as the resistance forces were being gradually eliminated, the island¡¯s situation became more stable by the day.


    Over half a year, a new pattern had emerged on Dragon Head Island.


    For the Evil Demons of the Outer Path, suppressed by the forces led by the Star God Palace of the Righteous Path, the Sea Demon Tide was a feast that came once every hundred years and was an excellent opportunity for raising a storm to increase their power.


    Unlike the Sea Dominator Octopus with its brute and brainless dominance or the arrogant and condescending Dragon Serpent that disdained others, the Spirit Clan understood the principle that the enemy of one¡¯s enemy could be a friend.


    Therefore, they widely courted the Evil Demons of the Outer Path; they always opened doors for the Demon Cultivators during the Sea Demon Tide, and as long as none betrayed them, the Demon Cultivators could move without hindrance in the ¡°Occupied Zone¡±.


    This had been the case for thousands of years.


    As a result, the Spirit Clan had a sterling reputation and an excellent image in the eyes of the Evil Demons of the Outer Path.


    At this time, countless Evil Demons of the Outer Path Cultivators emerged from various hidden places in the Shattered Star Sea, hurrying to Dragon Head Island to participate in the once-per-century Demon Path grand event.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng, disguised, dressed in a hooded robe, appeared outside a temporary workshop set up jointly by the forces of the Demon Path.


    The workshop was bluntly named Ten Thousand Immortals Square and was established by the three Nascent Soul-level Demon Sect forces: Shade Maiden Clan, Blood Demon Sect, and Ten Thousand Corpses Sect.


    Apart from Ten Thousand Immortals Square like this, there were three other workshops on Dragon Head Island. Except for the largest Sea Spirit Square, which was under the control of the Spirit Clan, the remaining Ghost Market and Demon Cave were established by the Ghost and Demon factions, respectively.


    Ten Thousand Immortals Square was directly built on the ruins of a coastal workshop, clearing the debris from the streets, leveling the broken buildings, and erecting a series of distinctive, colorful buildings along the street. The streets were bustling, with most people wearing hooded robes to conceal their identities.


    Of course, there were also some people from the Evil Demons of the Outer Path who were brazen enough to show their true faces and walk openly on the streets.


    Those who chose to do so were often extremely powerful, with at least the cultivation of the middle to late stages of Foundation Establishment.


    Beyond the palaces and towers were some simple but sturdy stone houses built with the technique of transforming mud into stone.


    Most of these stone houses had flags, banners, and other signs erected at their doors, and those who visited them were mostly in the Qi Refining Realm, with few being of Foundation Establishment level.


    On the outskirts of the workshop, large tents were erected, undulating and sprawling, with Demon Cultivators and Cultivators of Alien Races of various weird and strange shapes continuously coming in and out, making it quite lively.


    And the Loose Cultivators of the lowest standing could only set up their trade outside the workshop, laying out a piece of Beast Skin to display an assortment of chaotic items such as Medicinal Herbs, Bones, Ores, Beast Skins, Talismans, Ancient Scrolls, and broken Magic Artifacts for sale.


    Finding a bargain at these makeshift stalls was as difficult as reaching the heavens!


    Outside the workshop, Zhao Sheng glanced over the bustling but disorderly Loose Cultivator market and stepped through.


    He arrived at the entrance of Ten Thousand Immortals Square, paid an entrance fee of one Low-grade Spirit Stone, and walked into the square

 Chapter 253 - 217 Joy Realm Joyful Realm

    Chapter 253: Chapter 217 Joy Realm Joyful Realm


    On the bustling workshop streets, people came and went, creating a lively scene. Yet there was an invisible distance maintained between everyone, as if they were all wary of each other.


    As he walked, Zhao Sheng not only saw a large number of ¡°hooded men¡± dressed similarly to himself but also encountered a variety of outcasts.


    There was a giant with bare chest and loincloth, carrying a large axe on his shoulder; a pale-faced Daoist in a Blood Robe with a group of shadows on his back, from which endless screams of life could be heard; a carefree man with disheveled hair, walking barefoot; and Beast Tamers manipulating snakes, tigers, insects, and other creatures¡­


    These Evil Demons were considered normal, and even if they were strong, they were still confined to the Foundation Establishment Realm, which posed no threat to Zhao Sheng.


    What truly surprised him now were the rare Demon Cultivators; it seemed only those of the Golden Core ilk could disturb him.


    Having walked most of the long street, the only thing that truly made Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart race with terror was one individual he saw.


    She was a woman of unparalleled beauty, with skin as white as snow and an aura of purity that was breathtaking.


    Adorned in sheer gauze and barefoot, with every step she took, bright red, vibrant clouds of fragrance sprang into being beneath her snow-white, delicate feet. These red mists seemed to carry her forward, and from a distance, she appeared like a fairy descending to the mortal world, transcendent and ethereal.


    However, upon closer look, everyone was shocked and quickly moved aside.


    For on the exposed skin of that beautiful woman, there existed hive-like fine holes, from which countless transparent ¡°threadworms¡± emerged, and the red clouds at her feet were actually swarms of tiny, dust-like insects.


    If anyone got too close and inadvertently inhaled a wisp of the red cloud, they would immediately fall to the ground, their eyes bulging, frantically scratching at their skin to relieve an indescribable itching, as if they would tear open their chests and bellies just to ease the sensation.


    Meanwhile, the astonishing pressure emanating from the woman constantly informed everyone that she was actually a practitioner of the Demon Dao Golden Core.


    Fortunately, the breathtakingly beautiful woman only appeared for a brief moment before she vanished into a corner of the distant street.


    All the Evil Demons and Alien Practitioners on the street heaved a sigh of relief.


    So did Zhao Sheng.


    He relaxed and continued walking forward.


    After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, his expression slightly changing.


    Because at this moment, it seemed as if he had stepped into a ¡°Spiritual Domain¡±; waves of Divine Sense-level spiritual power non-stop ¡°harassed¡± his spirit.


    This spiritual fluctuation seemed extremely covert; despite the crowds on the street, hardly anyone noticed anything amiss.


    Zhao Sheng surmised that only those in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage or Foundation Establishment Cultivators with exceptional spiritual power could sense this spiritual fluctuation.


    ¡°Which power is behind this trick? It¡¯s quite a special way of selecting people,¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself while he subtly released his Divine Sense to connect with the spiritual wave.


    In an instant, the spiritual fluctuation automatically transformed into a piece of information that surfaced in his mind.


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it is!¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly understood, his lips curving into a slight smile.


    He looked around and, following the guidance of the fluctuation, walked a few hundred steps to a gap between two buildings.


    Zhao Sheng released a trace of Divine Sense, converting it to a special spiritual frequency. Then, his view blurred, and suddenly the ground beneath him opened up, followed by an invisible suction force.


    The next moment, his figure flickered and disappeared from the street.


    Thump!


    Zhao Sheng tumbled down through the passage.


    By the time he landed and steadied himself, he looked up to find that he had arrived at an underground square.


    The square, adorned with Sunlight Stones, was as bright as day.


    Currently, the vast square was occupied by only a few individuals, or demons.


    Each one dressed differently, there was a mysterious person in a hooded robe, a brawny man with a long braid wearing leather armor, an elderly scholar in robes and a cap, and even an Alien covered in black fur, with a protruding jaw, blood-red eyes, and a mouth full of sharp teeth, resembling a wolf demon.


    In the southwestern corner of the square stood a group of trembling young boys and girls.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng stepped into this place, the Alien roared, attracting everyone¡¯s attention.


    With a ferocious smile revealing sharp fangs and exuding a foul breath, his gaze greedily fixed on the group of young boys and girls at the end of the square.


    ¡°Hehe! I didn¡¯t expect the lord of this place to be so considerate. Look at these tender young ones, soft and delicate. Just to my liking, seems like I¡¯ll feast on flesh today,¡± he said.


    Clearly, he was a flesh-eating demon.


    Upon hearing this, the young boys and girls immediately huddled together in terror, with a few even collapsing to the ground, wetting themselves in fear.


    What was strange, however, was that from beginning to end, they all remained silent and dared not run away.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, narrowed his eyes, ready to step in and intervene.


    Just then, the elderly scholar took a few steps forward, positioning himself right in front of the Alien.


    ¡°Old man, if you don¡¯t want to die, you¡¯d best not meddle,¡± the wolf-headed Alien said with a sinister threat, bristling with menace.


    The scholar furrowed his brow, his face showing deep conflict, silent as if he faced a great moral dilemma. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Even though I am morally depraved and notorious, in the end¡­ Alas, as Confucius said: ¡®Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda.¡¯ This matter¡­ old companion, come out!¡± he exclaimed.


    Before his words finished, a shadow burst forth from the scholar¡¯s body, growing rapidly in the air.


    When it landed, it had become a huge beast, crouching on the ground.


    Zhao Sheng looked intently and his pupils shrank slightly. The beast turned out to be a giant toad as big as an elephant, covered with pus-filled blisters and reeking of stench, its eyes as big as red lanterns, and its mouth holding a huge green bamboo scroll.

 Chapter 254 - 217 Joy Realm Joyful Realm_2

    Chapter 254: Chapter 217 Joy Realm Joyful Realm_2


    ¡°Ten Thousand Books, Poison Heart Toad! This man is the Bookworm Demon from Evil Immortal Island,¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind flashed with a memory.


    Wasn¡¯t this old demon supposed to have died decades ago? How is he still alive? Could it be that he had advanced to the Golden Core Realm?¡±


    Just as he recalled this, the wolf-headed alien race seemed to be greatly frightened, its fur bristling as it let out a howl and then scurried into a corner, daring not to make another sound.


    The Bookworm Demon coughed and was about to order an old partner to teach the wolf-headed alien race a profound lesson.


    However, at this moment, a dazzling red light suddenly burst out from the center of the square, and a majestic, colorful giant arched light gate slowly emerged within the light, with three big characters formed of top-grade spiritual stones prominently displayed above it:


    Joy Realm!


    The three words were blunt and direct; even the literarily-challenged alien demons instantly understood their meaning.


    The next moment, the light gate slowly opened, revealing several palatial, brilliantly lit buildings inside.


    Soon, a chorus of enchanting voices wafted from the palace closest to the crowd.


    The buildings, tier upon tier, with their red windows and light gauzes, cast moving shadows, as mesmerizing figures danced enticingly under the lights, their allure undeniable.


    Amidst the sound of strings and bamboo instruments, the inside was already filled with laughter and merry voices.


    At this, the long-braided strong man walked into the Joy Realm without a word, followed by the hooded, robed figure.


    Suddenly, the wolf-headed alien race shot out silently and dashed into the light gate.


    The Bookworm Demon coughed again, reached out to retrieve the Poison Heart Toad into his palm, and tucked it away. After glancing at Zhao Sheng, he also walked casually into the gate.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure flashed, and he disappeared into the light gate.


    As his figure vanished, the light gate slowly closed, leaving only the young men and women on the square, waiting for the next batch of ¡°guests¡± to arrive.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng appeared in front of the palace, he was greeted by several dozen delicate and charming women. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The mastermind behind the scenes seemed to thoroughly understand the desires of mankind, as the women greeting the guests each had their own unique traits.


    There were the aloof types, the seductively charming ones, those with generous bosoms and petite faces, those with long legs and voluptuous figures, among others¡­ all were unique beauties among thousands.


    Upon seeing this sight, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart inevitably rippled slightly.


    Just then, a female fairy with perfect proportions and a cold demeanor gracefully approached.


    Her movements were enchanting, but her voice was unexpectedly sultry, stirring the deepest desires of the heart with her words.


    ¡°Sir, it¡¯s your first time to this Joy Realm, you must be in need of guidance,¡± she said.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, allow me to host you.¡±


    In the midst of speaking, the beautiful woman directly hooked Zhao Sheng¡¯s arm, her body felt like warm fragrant jade, soft and slippery, sparking endless fantasies.


    However, Zhao Sheng jerked his hand away, causing her to stagger a few steps back, while a look of disgust appeared on his face.


    By this point, how could he not understand that this so-called Joy Realm was a scheme created by the Shade Maiden Clan, possibly even involving hands from other major Demon Sects.


    The woman noticed something was off immediately.


    As a Shade Maiden, her greatest strength was reading people¡¯s emotions, but at this moment, she could not detect even a hint of emotional fluctuation from him, as if he were a corpse or a phantom.


    However, the vigorous vitality flowing inside him was unmistakable, clearly indicating that he was not a practitioner of the Corpse Ghost Path.


    ¡°Sir, is it possible that you do not fancy your servant?¡± she said, switching to a pitiful demeanor, her voice filled with mournful lamentation, already employing the seductive tone of the Shade Maidens.


    Such a minor seductive technique stood no chance of swaying Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    He stepped forward, intending to leave the building when a group of enchantresses suddenly surrounded him, each using seductive techniques, trying to draw him into the Desire Realm.


    Unfortunately, their skills were too shallow. Had they been Golden Core Realm Heavenly Girls, Zhao Sheng might have been interested in exchanging a few moves with them.


    Against a group of Qi Refining Realm Shade Maidens, he simply couldn¡¯t be bothered.


    Zhao Sheng circulated his Mysterious Skill, waved his hand, and emitted an ever-expanding ring of light that pushed the numerous Shade Maidens far away.


    By the time he had walked far away, a group of stunning beauties burst out swearing,


    ¡°Don¡¯t know who that dead leftover is, with such an awful attitude.¡±


    ¡°Old woman curses you to be skinned and deboned in the future, your soul extracted and refined into a soul puppet, living a fate worse than death¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng, of course, couldn¡¯t hear the curses of the Charming Girls.


    Having passed through the Desire Realm, Zhao Sheng had a rough idea of what was inside each of the palaces he would encounter next.


    At this moment, he decided that he would not enter any more realms of desire.


    The so-called Palace Desire Realm was actually designed for those who came to this place.


    Indeed, Zhao Sheng then encountered the ¡°Gambling Immortal Tower,¡± ¡°Spiritual Mountain Palace,¡± ¡°Wine Pond,¡± and ¡°Ten-thousand Ancient Pavilion¡± in the subsequent trials of ¡°wealth, lust, gambling.¡±


    After passing the trials of wealth, lust, and gambling, he also encountered the ¡°Ideal Country,¡± where one could indulge in wishful fantasies to their heart¡¯s content.


    There was also the ¡°Great Taoist Pavilion¡± that contained endless, profound, and abstruse knowledge of the Daoist way, complex and difficult to understand.


    And the most terrifying was the ¡°Longevity Cave.¡± The Longevity Cave listed over a dozen Longevity Techniques, each seemingly offering eternal youth, yet each was fraught with endless hidden dangers.


    Even so, it drove countless people mad with desire.


    The terrifying aspect of the Joy Realm lay in this.


    Therefore, although powerful Foundation Establishment Cultivators, mighty demons, and members of the Alien Race constantly entered the Joy Realm from the Ten Thousand Immortals Square,


    most of them, before reaching the actual meeting place, were lured away by these realms of desire.


    Walking step by step, very few true cultivators had, over this period, managed to maintain their original intentions.


    By the time Zhao Sheng passed through the Longevity Cave, only one remained by his side, and that was the Bookworm Demon.


    At this moment, standing in front of the two of them was an old monk dressed in a Buddha robe, his appearance ugly, with rough, slack, and elderly skin covered in age spots and long sweat hairs, and his body bent to the extreme, seeming as if he might fall to the ground at any moment.


    Yet his murky eyes seemed to possess the power to see into one¡¯s heart.


    As Zhao Sheng locked eyes with him, he felt as if he had been seen through, which startled him greatly.


    Of course, he immediately collected his spirit and calmed himself like still water.


    The next moment, he heard the old monk¡¯s wise, hoarse voice:


    ¡°A Blood Cultivator and a Parasitic Species. I, Bujie, welcome you both to the Joyful Realm. The ceremony is about to begin.¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked around, only to see the surrounding area misty, unable to see into the distance.


    ¡°Master, is the information true? Does this place truly hold the Method of Liberation that I desire?¡± the Bookworm Demon immediately asked anxiously.


    ¡°The Bodhisattva does not speak falsely, the donor himself knows,¡± the old monk said with a smile.


    ¡°Dare I ask the Master, I am seeking a Golden Elixir Recipe, does this place have one?¡±


    ¡°The Bodhisattva¡¯s divine skills are vast, of course, there is a Golden Elixir Recipe here.¡±


    ¡°Time is limited, please enter the realm!¡±


    No sooner had these words fallen than the mist suddenly sparkled with Buddha Light, and from the depths of the cloud mist drifted a great amount of sacred fragrance.


    Instantaneously, Buddha chants resonated in Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears,


    approaching from afar, solemn and reverent.


    However, more astonishing was the sudden cleavage in the mist, revealing a procession that appeared, walking on air.


    In the procession, many dignified monks and nuns lined up on either side, carrying Buddha altars, aromatic burners, treasure umbrellas, scripture banners, and the incessant sound of wooden fish and bronze bells filled the air.


    At the deepest part of the mist, a giant lotus platform was being carried by eight giant bare-bodied monks. Reclining lazily upon it was a being bathed in Buddha Light, resembling a ¡°Female Bodhisattva.¡±


    As the sounds of Buddha drew near, the dazzling Buddha Light directly illuminated Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart.


    The old monk involuntarily lifted his head, knelt down, and gazed up at the ¡°Bodhisattva.¡±


    Her features were majestic, as if she possessed the utmost beauty of this world.


    Her skin was whiter than snow, her eyebrows long and eyes well-shaped, her head adorned with a treasure crown, her hair styled in a high bun, draped in a large towel and long skirt, adorned with earrings, arm bracelets, bracelets, glorious and beautiful, with a Rainbow Garment and Jade Belt fluttering amidst the mist, inspiring awe and the desire to attend upon her at the Lotus Platform.


    For a moment, everyone seemed to forget how to speak.

 Chapter 255 - 218: Hongyuan Bodhisattva and the Blood Seas Li Wufeng

    Chapter 255: Chapter 218: Hongyuan Bodhisattva and the Blood Sea¡¯s Li Wufeng


    ¡°Amitabha¡­ Amitabha¡­ Amitabha¡­¡±


    The sacred sound of the Buddha¡¯s name fluctuated high and low, its ceaseless echo drilling into the ears and penetrating the marrow. At first listen, the accompanying sacred music was solemn and austere, but after listening several times, it sent chills from the depths of the heart, feeling eerily demonic.


    At this moment, alarm bells rang endlessly in his mind, and the world before his eyes was filled with spreading and swirling dark Qi, with the source being none other than that ¡°Bodhisattva¡± of solemn appearance.


    ¡°What¡­ what exactly is that thing!¡± Zhao Sheng groaned inwardly.


    Boom!


    A series of intense palpitations, indescribably ominous premonitions, made Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyelids twitch uncontrollably and he subconsciously lowered his head to avoid being noticed by the other party.


    He felt as if he could sense that the approaching ¡°Bodhisattva¡± was lazily straightening her body, a pair of eyes indifferent and strange,


    Her gaze had already swept over him and lingered for a long time.


    Just at this moment, the Bookworm Demon beside him suddenly shouted with a crazed expression, ¡°Could it be that you are the Hongyuan Bodhisattva from the Great Snow Mountain?¡±


    ¡°Amitabha!¡±


    Following a drawn-out and sorrowful chant, eerie and androgynous, the sacred music and chanting abruptly stopped.


    ¡°Good sir, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?¡± the ¡°Bodhisattva¡± on the lotus throne asked in a chanting voice, full of seduction.


    ¡°Compassionate Bodhisattva! The Soul Refining Demon from Evil Immortal Island has taken away one of my souls and two of my spirits and refined them into the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, henceforth controlling my life and death. I seek liberation and beseech the Bodhisattva¡¯s compassion to relieve my distress and resolve my difficulties.¡± The Book-addicted Old Demon suddenly knelt down, pleading earnestly.


    ¡°This wish can easily be resolved! However, once this mater is settled, you must convert to my Buddhism to repay the cause and effect of the great wish. Are you willing, good sir?¡±


    Upon hearing these words, the Bookworm Demon hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, with a fierce look on his face, nodded and said, ¡°I am willing, please take action, Bodhisattva!¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than Zhao Sheng saw a speck of golden light shoot out from the Hongyuan Bodhisattva and flash into the old man¡¯s forehead, after which a lotus flower-shaped golden imprint appeared on his brow.


    ¡°Thank you for your compassion, Bodhisattva!¡± As soon as the lotus imprint appeared, the Book-addicted Old Demon¡¯s face immediately showed a look of devout gratitude.


    However, Zhao Sheng saw a thick black Qi suddenly emerge from his body, connected to the source.


    At that moment, the indifferent and unfeeling gaze shifted back onto Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Good sir, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?¡± S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As soon as the voice entered his ears, it resounded through his mind like the ringing of a large bell.


    This voice seemed ordinary, but it carried an intensely strong urge to persuade and a mental suggestion, making one feel an instinctive submission and believe the speaker to be supremely powerful and capable of anything.


    ¡°Not good!¡±


    The sound made Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit shake, and a tide rose in his Soul Sea. He inwardly cursed at the bad turn of events and instinctively activated his Talent, Absolute Rationality.


    In that instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes lost all color and became extremely indifferent. His face was also expressionless, like that of the living dead.


    Huh!


    The Hongyuan Bodhisattva suddenly uttered a startled exclamation, a glint of surprise flashing in her eyes. An invisible yet immense pressure radiated from her, causing the surrounding monks and nuns to freeze, like clay statue puppets.


    Standing beside Zhao Sheng, the old monk Bujie suddenly stood up, trembling. In his murky eyes, the vague reflection of a three-headed white-furred strange bird could be seen.


    The middle head was that of a vulture, but the one on the left was a long-haired woman¡¯s, and on the right was unmistakably the ugly face of the old monk Bujie.


    The next moment, his robe rustled, and white feathers abruptly broke through the skin on his face and hands, growing in disarray. His neck twisted and elongated, his eyes turning blood-red.


    Just as he was about to transform into a demon, a rugged and unrestrained voice suddenly came from the depths of the fog.


    The voice¡¯s owner undoubtedly possessed terrifying cultivation. As soon as he spoke, it frightened the old monk Bujie so much that he quickly reverted back to human form and knelt down on the ground once again.


    ¡°Hongyuan Bodhisattva, I heard you were born on the Great Snow Mountain and your original form was a corpse-eating vulture. Over a millennium, you devoured the remains of a hundred thousand monks and nuns. By refining the Corpse Qi and Buddha Power, you finally transformed into a human.


    Later, you were taken into the Sacred Heart Temple, endowed with the title of Bodhisattva and the Buddhist name ¡®Hongyuan¡¯.


    I also heard that you made a grand vow, wishing to convert a hundred thousand Immortal and Strange Spirits to the Buddhist Sect, thereby resolving the resentment of the dead Buddha and ascending to the Pure Land.


    ¡°But you are, after all, a beast of mixed fur. In front of me, you actually attempted to ¡®convert¡¯ a junior of my sect. Could it be that you think you can disregard me just because this is your territory? Do you really want me to pluck out your beautiful skin and drain your blood before you¡¯ll be satisfied?¡±


    With the sound of this voice, the fog that shrouded the heavens and earth dispersed, and Zhao Sheng thus stopped using his Talent, his spirit returning to normal, although his eyes were still filled with indifference, his face showing hardly any emotional fluctuation.


    Years of repeatedly invoking his talent, Absolute Rationality, have finally begun to show side effects. His emotions and desires had greatly diminished, and his rationality had far surpassed his sensory cognition.


    Looking around, he saw that this place was a small world, not very large, merely a dozen miles across, with a Cloud Sea at the edges misting and undulating. Most of the ground was paved with jade, and at its depths stood a majestically towering palace, as grand as the Heavenly Palace itself.


    Above it, there was a high platform adorned with sculpted railings and jade masonry, which was currently hosting a banquet. Exquisite heavenly delicacies were piled high, the fragrance of wine filled the air, and Sacred Sound played continuously.


    Most of the seats were empty, with only a few filled.


    But each guest seated there possessed an extraordinary aura, each with their own marvels, appearing as if each one¡¯s strength was immeasurable.


    Zhao Sheng took one look and knew that the strength of the people present was likely not inferior to his own.


    After a brief scan, a tremor stirred within Zhao Sheng.


    He did not recognize anyone else at the banquet.


    However, there was one woman with skin as white as snow and a sanctified appearance whom Zhao Sheng had seen just once before.


    Not long ago, he had encountered the ¡°Insect Woman¡± on the street.


    Zhao Sheng had seen with his own eyes the densely packed transparent threadworms on the woman¡¯s body, along with the strange Gu that looked like a red cloud.


    A Golden Core Realm Gu Cultivator, someone hard to forget once seen.


    ¡°This ¡®Hongyuan Bodhisattva¡¯ is a transformed vulture. The one speaking is also likely a powerhouse from the Nascent Soul Realm. Along with a group of Demon Dao Golden Cores, I¡¯m afraid this meeting isn¡¯t just a simple high-level trade gathering.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, who had discerned a bit of truth, was deep in thought.


    He discreetly lowered his head as much as possible to minimize his presence, and noticed out of the corner of his eye that the Bookworm Demon continued to kneel on the ground with a face full of devotion, secretly amazed at the proficiency of Hongyuan Bodhisattva¡¯s methods.


    Shortly thereafter, he felt that something was amiss. Even though the powerful being on the Heavenly Palace platform had spoken, the Hongyuan Bodhisattva seemed as if she hadn¡¯t heard at all.


    She straightened her body, her gaze fixed on Zhao Sheng, and her eyes began to show a hint of strange light.


    ¡°Tsk tsk! Do you think I would be afraid of you, Li Wufeng?¡±


    ¡°Besides, he is just a junior of the Sea Demon Clan who merely cultivated the ¡®Blood Soul Scripture.¡¯ How did he become your Blood Soul Sect¡¯s person?¡±


    ¡°Li Wufeng, you¡¯re not worried about yourself, but instead, you¡¯ve started meddling in idle affairs. I¡¯ve heard that the Blood God¡¯s flesh is nearly rotten through. The next vessel, it should be your turn, right?¡±


    As the voice of Hongyuan Bodhisattva rang out, a crowd of Evil Demons covertly glanced towards the man sitting at the main seat of the banquet on the high platform.


    At a glance, he appeared to be a human Great Han, around forty years old, with a face like a red date, a pair of blood-red eyes, red hair and beard, and he was engulfed in a long blood-colored robe. Countless emotionless, pale faces of the dead emerged from time to time on the surface of the robe.


    His appearance, though not ugly, was clearly different from normal people. Not to mention the robe, so bizarre that it chilled one to the core, involuntarily making people avoid his gaze.


    Clearly, this man was Li Wufeng, one of the two Nascent Soul Ancestors of the Blood Demon Sect, known by the moniker ¡°Blood Sea¡± Ancestor.

 Chapter 256 - 219: The Boss Hasnt Arrived, but the Treasure Meeting Starts First

    Chapter 256: Chapter 219: The Boss Hasn¡¯t Arrived, but the Treasure Meeting Starts First


    ¡°`


    As if the Hongyuan Bodhisattva had hit the nail on the head, Li Wufeng¡¯s face blazed with a surge of blood light, and behind him, a vision of a Blood Sea abruptly emerged, the stench of blood instantly permeating the high platform.


    It was at this moment that a voice that seemed both annoyed and amused suddenly rang out on the high platform:


    ¡°It stinks to death! Brother Li, hurry up and withdraw your Divine Skill! Otherwise, this girl is really going to get angry.¡±


    Everyone¡¯s heart skipped a beat as they uniformly turned to look in the direction of the voice, only to see a face that could bewitch all beings entering their sight.


    She was breathtakingly gorgeous, reclining lazily in a Jade Chair, her beautiful face extraordinarily enchanting. Her peach blossom eyes held an untold number of amorous expressions, and the corners of her mouth gradually curled up into a smile captivating enough to seize one¡¯s soul.


    The ¡°Heavenly Girl¡± of the Shade Maiden Clan, Li Wanru, was also a Nascent Soul Realm old monster.


    ¡°Alright! Take your seats quickly! It¡¯s just a Foundation Establishment junior, no need to spoil everyone¡¯s harmony. Let¡¯s focus on the important matters at hand.¡±


    The speaker was a skeleton over ten feet tall, its whole body crystal clear and gleaming with dazzling golden light, resembling a perfect piece of art.


    It sat beside the Heavenly Girl, with Blood Demon Sect¡¯s Li Wufeng on its right-hand side.


    ¡°Skeleton Ancestor of the Wanshi Sect!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart leapt, and he quickly recalled a troublesome bigwig from the Shattered Star Sea.


    Zhao Sheng surreptitiously observed and noticed that on the main seat of the high platform, there were six Jade Chairs. Already seated were the bigwigs from the Blood Demon Sect, Shade Maiden Clan, and Wanshi Sect, along with the Hongyuan Bodhisattva, leaving two seats vacant.


    Needless to say, those who would sit there later would definitely be peers of equal stature.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? It¡¯s just a trade fair, yet it has drawn out so many big shots? Had I known it would be like this, even if the description was alluring, I would not have come here.¡±


    Now it was too late to say such things. Zhao Sheng silently strategized, deciding to play it by ear for the time being.


    On the other side, the Hongyuan Bodhisattva withdrew her gaze and lightly waved her jade hand with a faint smile.


    In an instant, a group of monks and nuns, treasure parasols, cloud canopies, bell and qing music, as well as lotus throne, all suddenly dispersed into a cloud of mist, merging into the heaven and earth.


    In the next moment, the Hongyuan Bodhisattva had already taken a seat on the Jade Chair, half-reclining lazily just like the Heavenly Girl, revealing a pair of flawlessly perfect jade legs and feet.


    If it were not known that its original form was that of a thousand-year-old corpse-eating vulture, at least half of those present would have fallen under its skirt, irrespective of gender or demon.


    ¡°Hehe! Little fellow, why aren¡¯t you quickly taking a seat? What are you dawdling for?¡±


    At this time, the Heavenly Girl Li Wanru spoke up again.


    The voice that came from her red lips was a kind of bewitching ecstasy that could lead people to indulge in wild fantasies, indescribably charming.


    But upon hearing it, many of the Evil Demons changed color in shock.


    Zhao Sheng, the target of that voice, felt his blood surging and a nameless anger rising in his heart after hearing it.


    However, in the next instant, his eyes flashed, his expression became calm, and his body returned to normal.


    Shortly after, he found a secluded and less crowded spot to sit down, closed his eyes to rest, staying silent and unobtrusive, trying to minimize his presence.


    However, after what had just happened, he had already attracted many gazes.


    Only those who passed certain tests were allowed to sit down, and it seems you alone have disturbed several big shots.


    ¡°A whelp from the Sea Demon Clan, ignoring many profound Magical Treasures of your own clan to study that troublesome ¡®Blood Soul Scripture.¡¯


    Just wait until the right moment, and we¡¯ll see how you die!¡±


    Some of the narrow-minded Evil Demons muttered to themselves in their minds.


    From a broader perspective, the enmity between the Sea Demon Clan and the Human Clan ran deep as the sea, making them utterly irreconcilable.


    But for the group of long-term old demons present, which of them hadn¡¯t killed countless people and had their hands stained with the blood of their own kin? Talk of clan feuds was all nonsense to them; only matters of interest could drive them to move against a member of the Sea Demon Clan, who clearly was not easy to provoke.


    Moreover, Dragon Head Island was currently under the reign of the Sea Demon Clan. To lay hands on a member of the Sea Demon Clan here would be the act of a fool.


    ¡°`


    Hmm, there really is a ¡°fool¡± here.


    Across from Zhao Sheng, separated by thirteen or fourteen tables, Skeleton Boy occasionally lifted his eyelids, glancing over at Zhao Sheng with deep malice hidden in his eyes.


    The sensing talisman in his sleeve had become extremely hot ever since Zhao Sheng took his seat.


    ¡°The target actually appears here; it must be fate!¡± he thought intensely.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng, who seemed to be resting with his eyes closed, had already triggered his danger perception.


    Through the slits of his eyes, he suddenly saw clusters of red, yellow, white, and the most dangerous, black mist rising on the stage.


    Despite having prepared beforehand, Zhao Sheng was still startled by the sight before him.


    About twenty-something people were in attendance, with over half of them emanating black mist, eight red (five deep and three light tones), three yellow, and only five white.


    Red already signified extreme danger, capable of threatening his life, whereas black, the representation of death, was even more self-explanatory.


    Zhao Sheng considered himself to be among the top in the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    But¡­ the fact that more than half of those present were stronger than him was somewhat beyond his expectations.


    Soon, a fiercely pulsating blood-red mist caught Zhao Sheng¡¯s attention.


    His gaze shifted stealthily, and he noticed its owner was a gaunt young man dressed in the Hundred Skull Robe.


    Despite the other¡¯s excellent disguise¡­ his murderous intent was exposed.


    For a moment, Zhao Sheng silently heightened his vigilance.


    As time flowed, two more guests arrived on stage.


    After waiting for most of the day, no one else came.


    The banquet on the high stage had already cleared away the fine wine and dishes, and groups of stunning beauties danced amidst the music, their movements captivating and seductive.


    But at this time, the demon cultivators and the members of alien races had already grown impatient, and no dance, no matter how elegant, could catch their interest.


    If not for the presence of four Nascent Soul bigwigs to keep order, these old demons and monsters would have already flipped the tables.


    At this point, Li Wufeng couldn¡¯t hold back his temper and bellowed, ¡°Hongyuan, when will that old monk Sky Wolf come?¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By his side, Heavenly Girl Li Wanru also chimed in, ¡°Sky Wolf Arhat must have been delayed by important matters. Why do not we start the trade meet first?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, this Ancestor agrees to this proposition!¡± Skeleton Ancestor¡¯s jaw bone opened and closed, his voice eerily firm.


    Hongyuan Bodhisattva did not wish to offend three peers simultaneously, thus quickly nodded and said, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s follow everyone¡¯s suggestion.¡±


    ¡°Heh heh! Come on then, bring out your treasures. If any catch my fancy, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!¡±


    Skeleton Ancestor, left with nothing but a skeletal frame as tough as Vajra, turned out to be the most exuberant among the four Nascent Soul old demons.


    With its command, the atmosphere on the stage immediately livened up, and the demon cultivators of various races started to present the treasures they had prepared, placing them on the jade tables in front of them.


    Zhao Sheng looked around, and wherever his eyes landed, the tables were filled with treasures shining brightly; talisman treasures and top-grade Spiritual Artifacts were commonplace, and there were luminous Magical Treasures, third-tier and above Spirit Pills and Treasure Talismans, magical refining materials such as Qilin Iron, and even the inner cores and spiritual bones of Great Demons, along with other rare marvels.


    Whenever Spiritual Medicine and Strange Fruit appeared, they were no less than a thousand years old, and even a Nine-leaf Spirit Ginseng as thick as a child¡¯s arm had manifested a spiritual nature, with a chubby and tender baby¡¯s silhouette faintly visible above the ginseng¡¯s leaves.


    When Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze fell upon a certain table, his eyelids couldn¡¯t help but twitch¡ªa set of three shining Golden Core Formation Pills were neatly placed in an open Jade Box.


    The owner of the Jade Box turned out to be that sacred and otherworldly Golden Core Gu Cultivator.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at that individual and then covertly checked the items in his Storage Bag, his heart stirring as he quietly took out the Enlightenment Pill Fragment and a pill bottle containing two Foundation Establishment Pills to place before him on the table.


    At the same time, he flipped his hand and revealed a stone box sealed with a Sealing Talisman, carved from a single piece of Pure Yin Spirit Stone, containing the strange nematode he had discovered in a Mist Sea Cave.

 Chapter 257 - 220: It Doesnt Taste the Same After the First Time

    Chapter 257: Chapter 220: It Doesn¡¯t Taste the Same After the First Time


    The trading session had just begun when the gathering of Old Demon Evil Cultivators eagerly displayed numerous treasures.


    For a moment, every table was adorned with spirit light and vibrant colors, a display of rare treasures and waves of exotic fragrances.


    This sight greatly widened Zhao Sheng¡¯s horizons and left his heart racing.


    Just then, the Skeleton Ancestor suddenly complained loudly, ¡°Bah, you think you can fool the Ancestor with these broken trash today? A bunch of Evil Demons from the Outer Path trying to act like the Righteous Path in front of the Ancestor! Minions, stop hiding the collected bones, souls, and flesh and bring them out to show off a bit!¡±


    ¡°Cackle!¡±


    ¡°Hey, old man here has a Thousand Soul Banner, containing the souls of a thousand people. Whoever wants it just let me know!¡±


    ¡°Hey, Ancestor, don¡¯t rush! The good stuff obviously comes out later for trades. How about a Blossom of Rotten Bone Fire that¡¯s ten thousand years old, Ancestor, do you want it?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right, it should have been shown earlier! True Immortal here has collected a jar of heart blood from ten thousand people. Any fellow Daoist interested?¡±


    ¡°Five Spirit Root Children for sale, among them one with three spirit roots, currently on a deserted island. Any interested parties can trade with me, Hundred Bird Guest.¡±


    ¡­


    With a single sentence from the Skeleton Ancestor, the attendees became excited, revealing their true monstrous and evil nature.


    A large amount of demon bones and spiritual bones were piled up high, jars of essence blood emitted beams of blood light, and numerous soul banners and ghost flags floated in the air, showing countless wailing human souls and thousands of demon souls.


    Corpse Control Bells, Soul Losing Bells, Hundred Charm Maps, Gu Nests, Meat Puppets¡­ among other bizarre and sinister treasures were also displayed.


    Some were even cruder, pulling out pale stiff bodies of Cultivators and carcasses of demon beasts and tossing them beneath the tables to pile up like a butcher selling pork.


    The bodies of Cultivators were also a rare resource, especially for Corpse and Demon Cultivators skilled in manipulating corpses.


    In just a few breaths, the scene on the high platform had completely changed, as if something only seen in hell had emerged¡ªevil, savage, bloody, eerie, and chilling to the bone.


    Of course, a few Demon Cultivators also brought out various Spiritual Fires, spiritual water, spirit soil, and other Heaven and Earth spiritual objects.


    Zhao Sheng even saw a high-level Heavenly Earth spiritual object named Heavenly Heart Ice Marrow, which was as precious as any other Heaven and Earth True Water.


    Seeing the scenes of blood and evil before him, Zhao Sheng shook his head silently, ¡°No wonder the Righteous Path forces have always fought against the Evil Demons from the Outer Path since ancient times. Having seen this today, they were indeed¡­ right in doing so!¡±


    ¡°Cackle!¡±


    Li Wufeng, who sat in the main seat, cackled with laughter, reached out his hand, and jars of essence blood whistled as they flew towards his table. Simultaneously, he threw handfuls of top-grade spirit stones, which landed precisely in the hands of each seller.


    The Skeleton Ancestor was not idle either. It opened its big mouth, and a dark vortex of suction forcefully formed inside.


    The next moment, a large amount of human and demon spiritual bones suddenly flew up into the air, forming a river of skeletons that grandly entered the Skeleton Ancestor¡¯s mouth.


    After the last femur was swallowed by the vortex, the Skeleton Ancestor let out a satisfied belch, spewing out some bone debris.


    Simultaneously, the indestructible bone frame it possessed emitted an even more dazzling golden light.


    ¡°Hehe, these few beads are a reward for you guys!¡±


    Saying so, the Skeleton Ancestor pulled out several fist-sized, pale smooth Bone Beads from its frame.throwing them in front of the tables of the Demon Cultivators who had brought the bones.


    Meanwhile, Heavenly Girl and Hongyuan Bodhisattva silently picked items that caught their eye.


    Despite having joined the Buddhist Sect, the Bodhisattva still had a special fondness for corpses, sweeping all those above the Foundation Establishment Realm from the high platform.


    The Heavenly Girl was clearly more selective.


    She showed no interest in bones, soul blood, or demonic treasures, but she was particularly focused on Heaven and Earth spiritual objects.


    She swept away the Heavenly Heart Ice Marrow among several other high-level Heavenly Earth spiritual objects in one go.


    A quarter hour later, after the four Nascent Soul experts had finished picking, the rest of the people below started to officially trade.


    Seeing others getting up to browse through the treasures, Zhao Sheng quietly joined in.


    The standard and rarity of the treasures at this event were among the rarest he had seen in his five lifetimes.


    Just a brief glance around filled Zhao Sheng with excitement, and he thought to himself that coming here was indeed the right decision.


    Watching item after item such as swords, flags, towers, and other Magical Treasures being placed on the tables, he touched the Storage Bag at his waist and couldn¡¯t help but sigh at his own poverty.


    Any random Magical Treasure on the table could easily cost millions.


    Zhao Sheng, emptying his pockets, could at most afford one or two items.


    But he looked down on ordinary low-grade Magical Treasures.


    And Mid-grade or higher Magical Treasures, starting at several million spirit stones, were out of his reach.


    ¡°Since Magical Treasures¡­ hmm!¡± Just as Zhao Sheng was reflecting, he suddenly sensed something was off. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was just a bit too late, as there were already seven or eight figures around the table of the female Gu cultivator selling Golden Core Formation Pills.


    No explanation needed, they were obviously there for the Golden Core Formation Pills.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression shifted slightly, and without further delay, he rushed over as well.


    Approaching, he heard a low, hoarse female voice say, ¡°Only trading for exotic Gu worms, Gu Scripture, Life Elixirs, or other treasures that can heal Divine Soul injuries. Or something that can truly captivate me.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was delighted at the words, but he didn¡¯t approach immediately; instead, he decided to first see how things would turn out.


    A quarter hour later, there were still two Golden Core Formation Pills on the table that hadn¡¯t been traded away.


    The Golden Core Gu Cultivator had unexpectedly high standards, and most people before him had returned empty-handed, which worried Zhao Sheng.


    Next, it was his turn.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward, pushing a spirit stone box containing a strange nematode in front of the Gu cultivator, and lifted the Sealing Talisman on the box.

 Chapter 258 - 220: Once Tasted, Its Tasteless the Second Time_2

    Chapter 258: Chapter 220: Once Tasted, It¡¯s Tasteless the Second Time_2


    ¡°Senior, this is an ancient exotic species I obtained from an ancient cave mansion. Can it be traded for a Golden Core Formation Pill?¡±


    Getting closer,


    Zhao Sheng clearly saw that the female cultivator¡¯s smooth face was also covered with densely packed wormholes. Countless thin, transparent nematodes poked their heads out of the holes, constantly contracting and expanding, resembling living ¡°body hairs,¡± instinctively disgusting to behold.


    As soon as the stone box was opened, clusters of gray nematodes awakened from their stillness. Their slender limbs slowly began to wriggle, and their heads, resembling earthworms, slightly lifted, appearing like flesh sticks.


    The Gu Cultivator suddenly widened her eyes and exclaimed, ¡°This is¡­ the Original Ancestor Worm!¡±


    As she spoke, a massive number of transparent nematodes buzzing out from her face and hands, as if in reverence to something sacred.


    Countless tiny nematodes frantically flew out of her body, eagerly burrowing into the stone box to mingle with the gray nematodes.


    In a moment, large and small nematodes filled the stone box carved from Pure Yin Spirit Stone, writhing and mating excitedly like clusters of snake balls.


    Bang!


    The female Gu Cultivator quickly closed the box, flicked her finger, and a Golden Core Formation Pill flew up into the air, landing in Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Exchanged!¡±


    Zhao Sheng flipped his hand, and the Golden Core Formation Pill disappeared.


    Then, he frowned slightly and tentatively said, ¡°Senior, just one pill¡­ is not enough!¡±


    ¡°How dare you, don¡¯t be greedy!¡±


    With this cold rebuke, a burst of red mist suddenly appeared in front of Zhao Sheng, and a strange fragrance instantly filled his nostrils.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils contracted, and he hastily retreated a dozen feet, still with lingering fears as he stared at the buzzing red mist.


    ¡°Senior, you dare to make a move here!¡±


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng spoken than four incredibly powerful Divine Thoughts enveloped him. The Golden Core Gu Cultivator¡¯s face turned red, and fear was evident in her eyes.


    She quickly stood up, bowed deeply and knelt to the four Nascent Soul grandmasters seated at the head.


    Only then did the four Nascent Soul Divine Thoughts withdraw.


    The female Gu Cultivator turned around, her complexion ashen as she coldly said to Zhao Sheng, ¡°Your Gu Worm is only worth one Golden Core Formation Pill!¡±


    Seeing that he couldn¡¯t get a better deal, Zhao Sheng bowed and turned to leave.


    After that, Zhao Sheng walked to a table and saw a group of bluish water droplets in a golden bowl on the table.


    Although only the size of a ginkgo nut, it made Zhao Sheng secretly delighted.


    Trouble gone through for nothing, easily found!


    ¡°Primordial Heavy Water, long time no see! I¡¯ve missed you!¡±


    Zhao Sheng walked up and asked, ¡°How can this glob of Primordial Heavy Water be traded?¡±


    The person behind the table also wore a hooded robe and a faceless mask, clearly unwilling to reveal their identity.


    ¡°Free Spirit Stones, Magical Treasures, and talismans; anything that matches the value not less than a hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Priority given to equally valued spiritual items.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t hesitate, immediately took out a spirit stone bag, and handed over a thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones to the other party.


    ¡°I have ten million pounds of Kui Water as well. Do you want it? If you can buy it all, I¡¯ll sell it to you cheaply.¡±


    Zhao Sheng decisively said, ¡°Yes! No matter how much Kui Water you have, I¡¯ll take it all.¡±


    ¡°Good deal! How about one Spirit Stone per pound of Kui Water?¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡± Zhao Sheng immediately agreed.


    A pound of Kui Water was worth more than this, the offer clearly showed the seller didn¡¯t know the market price, or perhaps it was a no-cost trade for them.


    ¡°Hehe! I wonder who the unfortunate soul was that was robbed of this. It¡¯s my gain now!¡± he thought to himself.


    Kui Water is extracted from seawater, slightly spiritual pure water.


    Naturally occurring Kui Water is often found in deep-sea trenches and canyons thousands of fathoms deep.


    It is typically used to irrigate thousand-year-old spiritual medicines, to water-breed elixirs, and temper spiritual artifacts and treasures.


    For Zhao Sheng, Kui Water was an essential spirit material for refining the Sea Suppressing Pearl.


    The more Kui Water that is integrated, the greater the power of the Sea Suppressing Pearl.


    And let¡¯s not forget, Primordial Heavy Water is also known as Kui Water Essence.


    A large amount of Kui Water, specially processed, is likely to yield Primordial Heavy Water.


    Therefore, his demand for Kui Water was limitless, with no upper limit.


    After the trade, Zhao Sheng turned and left without hesitation.


    In the next hour, he only made two transactions: first, he exchanged a Foundation Establishment Pill and sixty thousand Spirit Stones for a top-grade Spiritual Flying Sword, the Chongtao Sword, and finally another Defense Talisman Treasure.


    After these trades, his Storage Bag shriveled up, and he could only drool over the myriad treasures.


    Sitting back at his own spot, Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and took out some Illusion Shadow Escape Talismans, Water Mine Talismans, and other Second-level talismans, along with Bone Marrow Spirit Pills, Soul Condensing Pills, and Second Transition Jade Dew Pills, and placed them on the table.


    Opportunities are rare!


    Though these talisman and spirit pills couldn¡¯t compare to other treasures, they were still practical.


    Surprisingly, the items he set out were quite popular.


    Before long, three different people came by to purchase a batch of talisman and pills.


    At that moment, Skeleton Boy stumbled over to Zhao Sheng¡¯s table and asked in a deep voice, ¡°Young Master would like to buy a few bottles of Bone Marrow Spirit Pills, how much for one bottle?¡±


    ¡°One bottle, ten pills, a total of three hundred Spirit Stones!¡± Zhao Sheng said coolly, while secretly heightening his vigilance.


    From the start, this individual bore ill intentions toward him, his gaze occasionally betraying a deep murderous intent.


    ¡°Quite expensive, just one bottle then!¡± S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Saying this, Skeleton Boy threw down a small bag of Mid-grade Spirit Stones, picked up a bottle of Bone Marrow Spirit Pills, and turned to leave the place.


    Zhao Sheng watched his retreating figure, then looked down at the spirit stone bag on the table, his eyes thoughtful.


    ¡­


    An hour later, the trade meeting gradually drew to a close.

 Chapter 259 - 220: Once Tasted, Its Tasteless the Second Time_3

    Chapter 259: Chapter 220: Once Tasted, It¡¯s Tasteless the Second Time_3


    Zhao Sheng had tens of thousands of Spirit Stones in his hand, and was just thinking about spending some.


    Suddenly, there were exclamations from the high platform.


    Zhao Sheng was startled and hurriedly looked around.


    He saw that, unbeknownst to him, on the two empty Jade Chairs at the main seat, there now sat a thin yellow-robed old monk and a divinely handsome white wolf.


    The white wolf was as big as a horse, its whole body¡¯s fur shimmering with a silvery-white glow, those wolf eyes filled with human intelligence stared at the crowd below, a drooling expression on its wolf face.


    The yellow-robed old monk appeared like an ordinary mortal, his face brimming with a smile as he looked at everybody.


    ¡°Sky Wolf King!¡±


    ¡°Sky Wolf Arhat!¡±


    Seeing the commotion below, Li Wufeng couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly. His extremely powerful Divine Thought swept out, immediately silencing the crowd.


    At this time, the Skeleton Ancestor spoke dissatisfiedly, ¡°Old monk, you¡¯re late!¡±


    ¡°Not late, not late, this old monk has come back just in time,¡± said the yellow-robed old monk with a smile,


    He then changed the subject and added, ¡°Oh right, Daoist Ling Yuan and Daoist Ming Wu from the Sea Demon Clan have returned as well!¡±


    These words immediately caused a stir of unrest, with everyone looking serious, anxious, excited, nervous, and more.


    ¡°Is what the elder brother said true? Could it be¡­ the Star God Palace and the Four Great Ancient Clans have reached a compromise?¡± Hongyuan Bodhisattva asked eagerly.


    As she spoke, a golden Sanskrit light appeared behind her, with the sound of Buddhist chanting emanating from deep within the golden light.


    The Heavenly Girl, the Skeleton Ancestor, and several other Nascent Souls looked toward the Sky Wolf Ancestor with great concern.


    The old monk had just nodded when the Sky Wolf King interjected, ¡°Heh heh! With this Wolf King¡¯s help, the sea beast army broke through three blockade lines within a month, and now the vanguard is pressing close to the Star Algae Sea. We also threatened them with destroying the islands¡¯ Spirit Veins. They had no choice but to compromise.¡±


    ¡°Wolf King, how many people can be brought in this time?¡± Li Wufeng asked, his face flushed with a red glow, and in a serious tone.


    ¡°This¡­ well!¡± The Sky Wolf King was at a loss for words, then turned his head and growled at the yellow-robed old monk dissatisfiedly, ¡°Hey, old immortal, they¡¯re asking you a question!¡±


    Sky Wolf Arhat replied with a bow, ¡°Amitabha! The three great Sea Clans have a total of three hundred places, and we have eighty.¡±


    ¡°This¡­is way too few!¡± The Skeleton Ancestor was extremely dissatisfied.


    Every time the Star God awakens, they select at most a hundred or so ¡°most interesting¡± beings to communicate with.


    However, the number of cultivators who can enter the Star Algae Sea is far beyond ten thousand.


    The hundred-mile sea region centered on Star God Island is the area where the Star God Consciousness awakens most frequently.


    Therefore, whenever the Star God awakens, this hundred-mile sea region will be strictly blockaded, and only those permitted by the Star God Palace can enter. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The number of people mentioned by Sky Wolf Arhat was the quota to enter the hundred-mile sea region.


    Of course, the cultivators who enter this sea region are not necessarily chosen by the Star God; it only means the probability is several times higher than in other areas of the Star Algae Sea.


    In addition, the beings chosen by the Star God are not limited to the Human Clan, as exceedingly spiritually aware and conscious beings like the Demon Clan and Ghost Cultivators may occasionally be selected.


    As for what the standard of ¡°most interesting¡± is,


    After nearly ten thousand years of exploration, it can be roughly summarized in one sentence: it depends on whether you can arouse the interest of the Star God.


    Perhaps a certain trait, a particular experience, or a certain thought you possess could attract the Star God and allow you to communicate with the Divine.


    What¡¯s most surprising is that a person has only one opportunity to communicate with the Star God in their lifetime.


    In nearly ten thousand years, there have been no exceptions.


    Whether you become a Divinity Transformation True Monarch or a once-in-an-epoch genius, you won¡¯t attract the Star God¡¯s attention again.


    Someone once asked the Star God this question face-to-face but received only a vague reply: ¡°Once you¡¯ve eaten something, it doesn¡¯t taste the same the second time.¡±


    After this remark was made public, countless prodigies were left looking at each other, at a loss for words.

 Chapter 260 - 221 Ling Yuan Ancestor Summons

    Chapter 260: Chapter 221 Ling Yuan Ancestor Summons


    ¡°Mr. Skull, please hear my explanation¡­¡±


    Before the old monk could finish, the Skeleton Ancestor waved his hand disinterestedly,


    ¡°Forget it! I¡¯m too lazy to ask. I must have twenty spots.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than a surge of scarlet light erupted nearby. Li Wufeng barked, ¡°Skeleton fiend, you¡¯re awfully bold. One must not be too greedy!¡±


    ¡°Heh, today I¡¯m like this, who would believe I¡¯m a person? That kind of talk is fine for the Heavenly Girl and the old monk. But you, a spare for the Blood God who can¡¯t even reincarnate, what kind of person are you?¡±


    As the saying goes, don¡¯t bring up one¡¯s faults when insulting them!


    The words of Skeleton Ancestor poked right at the most taboo part of Blood Sea Demon¡¯s heart.


    ¡°You¡­ hmph!¡±


    Li Wufeng¡¯s expression darkened, and the void behind him suddenly revealed a vast, sticky, and fetid sea of blood. Countless heads slowly emerged from the blood, like blood-red tumors growing on a carpet of flesh.


    Nascent Soul Domain!


    This was a Daoist Divine Power that Nascent Soul Realm cultivators necessarily possessed, already touching upon the Taoist Law.


    At this moment, with tensions high, the Skeleton Ancestor appeared languidly seated on the Jade Chair yet his entire Vajra Skeleton emitted a dazzling golden light, resembling a Golden Light God.


    Just then, the Heavenly Girl of the Shade Maiden Clan waved her jade hand, dispersing a wave of pink radiance like a curtain of light, perfectly positioned between the two men.


    ¡°Neither of you brothers should be angered, let peace be of value. You are both over two thousand years old. Starting a conflict in front of the juniors today, wouldn¡¯t it undermine the dignity of a Nascent Soul Ancestor?¡± The Heavenly Girl¡¯s voice was tender and gentle, but unknowingly she employed a charm technique.


    ¡°Both Taoist brothers, please heed this old monk¡¯s words!¡± The Sky Wolf Arhat took this opportunity to interject.


    At this moment, the crowd of evil demons down below were terrified, trembling in fear, wary of being affected by a battle of Nascent Soul level.


    This is no joking matter.


    If one had not experienced it personally, it would be hard for outsiders to imagine the terror of a Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    It can be said that if one inadvertently got caught in a Nascent Soul Domain, even just the residuals of the mana could be unbearable for Golden Core Masters, let alone those with Foundation Establishment Cultivation.


    Fortunately, the other four peers of the same rank were present, so Skeleton Ancestor and Blood Sea Demon restrained themselves from starting a fight.


    At that moment, the Sky Wolf Arhat waved his hand, raising a dark golden Magic Barrier in the center of the high platform, isolating sound, sight, and Divine Sense probing. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The onlookers below, seeing this, exchanged looks, greatly disappointed.


    Two quarters of an hour later, the dark golden Barrier suddenly shattered, revealing the figures of six Nascent Soul heavyweights.


    Unexpectedly, Skeleton Ancestor was the first to speak, ¡°The Ancestor has ten Core Circle spots. If you can join the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect, one spot will surely be for you. If you catch the eye of this old Ancestor, entering my discipline as a registered disciple is also possible.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Skeleton Boy rushed forward to bow, respectfully calling out, ¡°Junior Skeleton Boy pays respect to Skeleton Ancestor. Junior follows the Path of the Skeleton and has reached Foundation Establishment Perfection. Junior wishes to join the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect. Please, Ancestor, accept me.¡±


    ¡°Very good! I have heard of you before, also a fellow of my Skull God Path, among the most prominent juniors in recent decades. Are you willing to enter my discipleship?¡±


    ¡°Willing, willing! Disciple Skeleton Boy greets the Master, wishing the Master eternal life and ascension!¡±


    ¡°Good, good! What a sweet-talking little rascal, the old Ancestor is very pleased. This item is your reward.¡±


    With that, the Skeleton Ancestor spat out a stream of golden light. The golden light fell into Skeleton Boy¡¯s hand, instantly transforming into a dark golden skull the size of a palm.


    Skeleton Boy¡¯s face was filled with ecstatic delight as he quickly hid the skull, bowing repeatedly to thank the Master.


    Good heavens! The Skeleton Ancestor, delighted, had rewarded a Nascent Soul skull.


    If integrated into his body, Skeleton Boy would certainly make significant advancements in his Daoist practice, with ascension to Golden Core no longer being far-fetched.


    It must be said that Skeleton Boy¡¯s flattery was excellent, delighting the Skeleton Ancestor to the point of giving away a heavy treasure.


    It is known that a Nascent Soul¡¯s maximum Life Span is three thousand years, and only by ascending to the Divinity Transformation Realm can one greatly extend their Life Span, living past six thousand years.


    If proficient in life-preserving techniques, like the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs of the Skull Cultivator lineage, living over ten thousand years is not impossible.


    This had once been vividly demonstrated in the Tianzhu Realm.


    The founding Ancestor of the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect, Heavenly Corpse Divine Monarch, managed to extend his life beyond ten thousand years using nine Fake Bodies, ultimately succeeding in ascending to the Spirit Realm.


    No wonder Skeleton Boy¡¯s flattery was well-received! Implicitly, he had compared Skeleton Ancestor to Heavenly Corpse Divine Monarch.


    And since Heavenly Corpse Divine Monarch is considered a ¡°God¡± in the eyes of all disciples in the history of the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect, it was clear why Skeleton Ancestor was so happy.


    Seeing someone benefit, the crowd of demons were already heartstruck.


    Just then, the other four Nascent Souls also began to offer their deals.


    ¡°Those who join the Shade Maiden Clan can get one spot. Additionally, they will receive a peer cultivator to cultivate the ¡®Yin Yang Ascension Technique¡¯ together, first come first serve, limited spots.¡±


    ¡°Join the Blood Demon Sect, and I guarantee your ascension to Golden Core. For those at the Golden Core Realm, upon joining you¡¯ll get a Blood God Pill. Guaranteed Survival past a thousand years. Oh, and there are spots too.¡±


    The drawbacks of the ¡°Blood Soul Scripture¡± are widely known in the Shattered Star Sea. To entice these elite Loose Cultivators to join, Li Wufeng had to promise hefty rewards.


    Hongyuan Bodhisattva and Sky Wolf Arhat both belong to Ancient Buddhism, Great Snow Mountain Sacred Heart Temple.


    Compared to the Shade Maiden Clan and the Blood Demon Sect, two major local demon sects, the Sacred Heart Temple inevitably falls short in appeal.


    Moreover, everyone present had passed a test by Hongyuan Bodhisattva to gain entry. Each and every one of them had an immensely firm Daoist heart, making it incredibly difficult to convert them to Buddhism.

 Chapter 261 - 221 Ling Yuan Ancestor Summons_2

    Chapter 261: Chapter 221 Ling Yuan Ancestor Summons_2


    Those with penetrating minds would have already seen through the true nature of this grand ceremony by now.


    The final test was clearly orchestrated by the three major Demon Sects, specifically for Ancient Buddhism.


    The losers were considered ¡°spoils of war¡± belonging to Ancient Buddhism.


    And these ¡°winners¡± were the most elite individuals among Loose Cultivators in the past century.


    This day¡¯s grand ceremony could be flattering described as a ¡°talent recruitment fair,¡±


    or less flatteringly as ¡°picking the fruit,¡± a centennial ¡°harvest¡± of talented Loose Cultivators.


    Why would the forces of the Demon Path covertly collude with the three great overlords of the distant oceans?


    Why did the Spirit Clan repeatedly incite monster tides and repeatedly succeed?


    Why did the numerous sects of the Demon Path dare to hold a workshop ¡°openly and legitimately¡± on Dragon Head Island, and even conduct a ceremony?


    In the centennial catastrophe of the Human Clan that led to a ¡°reshuffling of the deck,¡± who benefited the most?


    The forces of the Demon Path? The Sea Demon side? Or the forces of the Righteous Path led by the Star God Palace and the Four Great Ancient Clans?


    With the world as the chessboard and all beings as the chess pieces, who is the person behind the scenes controlling the game?


    There are too many and too profound schemes involved here.


    Unless one were truly a Nascent Soul Ancestor standing at the pinnacle of the Cultivation World, it would be difficult to see the ¡°truth¡± of the world.


    Of course, by this time, Zhao Sheng had already vaguely sensed this cruel reality.


    However, his realm in this life was too low. As one of the chess pieces among all beings, he could only drift along with the current, possessing no strength to turn the tide.


    Everyone sitting here was considered to be the top among Loose Cultivators, each with an extremely high opinion of themselves, their aspirations as lofty as the sky itself.


    But in front of Nascent Soul Ancestors, these people could not afford to be arrogant. Even the most proud and talented Loose Cultivator could not guarantee their future ascension to the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Thus, when a few Nascent Soul Ancestors had spoken, the majority of demons and practitioners of the Outer Path present had pledged allegiance to one of the three major Demon Sects.


    The reason for this was that a spot in the Core Circle was a significant factor.


    Why was this spot so important?


    There is an ¡°open secret¡± in the Cultivation World that five or six out of ten Nascent Soul Ancestors have met the Star God.


    In other words, more than half of the Nascent Soul Ancestors in the Tianzhu Realm advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm after meeting the Star God.


    ¡°Meet the Star God, achieve the Nascent Soul!¡±


    This saying was widely circulated among the Golden Core realm, and although the Nascent Soul Ancestors have never publicly admitted it, the key point is they have not denied it either.


    This undoubtedly indirectly confirmed the statement above.


    Therefore, any Cultivator with ambition would never give up the opportunity to meet the Star God.


    An hour later, on the high platform, only four people remained seated without bowing their heads.


    Zhao Sheng was one of them. It was beyond his control¡ªthe Spirit Clan would not allow him to join the Demon Path, and neither the three major Demon Sects nor the Sacred Heart Temple would accept a member of the Sea Demon Clan.


    This wasn¡¯t only clear to him but also to the six Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    Therefore, he hadn¡¯t even tried from the beginning.


    Compared to him, the other three appeared quite ¡°independent and distinct.¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked around and noticed that one of these three was the female Gu Cultivator who possessed both purity and enchantment.


    The other two were natives of the Shattered Star Sea from Alien Races¡ªone had fine scales on his cheeks and a white membrane covering his eyes, resembling blindsight, from the Fishman Clan.


    The last one was drenched, with an extremely pale complexion, and his skin occasionally exuded pale green Water Drops, looking like a Water Ghost who had drowned. This person was the Clan Leader of the famous Alien Race known as the Water Ghosts from the Shattered Star Sea, at the Golden Core Middle Stage.


    The two Alien Races were one thing, but the Nascent Soul Ancestors didn¡¯t take much notice of them anyway.


    But the Golden Core realm female Gu Cultivator was quite rare.


    The Heavenly Girl Li Wanru showed the most interest in her and was the first to extend the olive branch.


    Unexpectedly, the female Gu Cultivator shook her head slightly and then transmitted a few words to Li Wanru using Divine Sense. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After listening, Li Wanru sat up straight and stopped mentioning the matter of recruitment altogether.


    Seeing this, the other Ancestors also tactfully stayed silent.


    ¡­


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure reappeared on the streets of Ten Thousand Immortals Square.


    The ceremony was over, but the Joy Realm had not closed. Many Foundation Establishment and Golden Core realm Evil Demons were still ¡°living the dream¡± inside.


    Their fates would not be good, with the lightest outcome being to exhaust their family fortunes and get thrown out of Joy Realm, while in the worst case, they would lose their lives at the hands of others.


    The exploitation and brutality among the Evil Demons could be seen from this.


    As soon as Fang Yi appeared in the workshop, a white light suddenly descended from the sky, turning into a thin ice crystal atop Zhao Sheng¡¯s head with precision.


    He plucked the ice crystal off, and a cold voice immediately flooded his mind: ¡°Return to the Spirit Palace immediately¡ªAncestor summons you!¡±


    ¡°The Ling Yuan Ancestor?¡± Zhao Sheng crushed the ice crystal in his hand, murmuring to himself.


    Soon, passing through an invisible Barrier, Zhao Sheng landed on the square in front of the Spirit Palace¡¯s grand hall.


    At the entrance to the palace, Zhang Da and Zhang Er, two Late Stage Cultivators from the Sea Giant Clan, brightened as they saw him arrive.


    With a flash,


    Two gigantic figures suddenly flanked Zhao Sheng from the left and the right.


    ¡°The Great Elder wants to see you. Follow us to meet him at once,¡± they said.


    Before Zhao Sheng could reply, he felt the ground vanish beneath him¡ªa tremendous force had lifted him into the air.


    In the blink of an eye, they had arrived at the entrance to the grand hall of the Spirit Palace.


    Zhao Sheng followed the two lieutenants of the Spirit Palace into the grand hall and looked up, only to be startled.


    Atop the hall, there were three Dragon Head armchairs placed prominently below the central seat of honor.


    In the middle, an elder of ordinary appearance in a green robe sat casually.


    Even a fool could tell that this person, sitting in that position, was none other than the Spirit Clan¡¯s Great Elder, the Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, the Ling Yuan Ancestor.

 Chapter 262 - 221 Ling Yuan Ancestor Summons_3

    Chapter 262: Chapter 221 Ling Yuan Ancestor Summons_3


    Sitting beside Lingyuan Ancestor were two figures who must also be Nascent Soul Realm experts.


    On the left armchair sat not a person, but a gray fog-shaped vortex the size of a human head. At the center of the vortex, a point of darkness contracted, deep and void-like, as if even light could not escape being devoured.


    Seeing this astonishing phenomenon, Zhao Sheng was horrified, for this was undoubtedly Ancestor Ming Wu.


    The last of the Spirit Clan powerhouses was an individual whose handsome appearance bordered on perfection, as if all the words of praise for a man¡¯s looks could be heaped upon him.


    Wait!


    Perhaps words of praise for a woman¡¯s beauty could apply as well.


    This powerhouse¡¯s appearance, physique, and temperament were all too ¡°androgynous,¡±


    to say he was a peerlessly beautiful young master worthy of the adoration showered on jade-like gentlemen would not be an overstatement.


    Or one could say she possessed a peerless beauty that could ¡°drown fish and entrap geese, make the moon hide in shame and the flowers blush.¡±


    With every gesture and movement, this true powerhouse¡¯s demeanor and temperament seamlessly shifted, as if even their gender changed along with it.


    Zhao Sheng dared not look any longer, slightly bowing his head, knowing already the identity of this person.


    This must be the Third Elder of the Spirit Clan, known as the ¡°Shadow of the Great Sacrificial Leader,¡± the Lingxu Ancestor.


    Of course, he always preferred to be called Mr. Ling Xu.


    Beneath the three Nascent Soul Realm Spirit Clan members sat a dozen or so high-ranking clan members in two rows, each emanating an extraordinary presence, their cultivation formidable.


    At the forefront of each row sat Ice River King and Star Cloud King, both at the Perfect Golden Core stage.


    By this time, Zhao Sheng could still sense the deep murderous intent Star Cloud King harbored towards him.


    He was somewhat baffled, having no past acquaintance with the man, nor any grudges. He wondered what could make a Clan King hate him to the bone and wish to kill him in delight.


    After much thought, no matter the reason, it always seemed to boil down to ¡°interests,¡± perhaps his existence inadvertently blocked someone else¡¯s path.


    Though his mind was filled with miscellaneous thoughts, Zhao Sheng would not make a mistake in the proper courtesies.


    After saluting and paying respects to each of the ancestors, as soon as Zhao Sheng stood upright, Star Cloud King burst out in rage,


    ¡°Insolence! To be so casual in the presence of your elders. You clearly have no respect for us!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was startled by these words, not expecting the other party to pick a quarrel so eagerly.


    ¡°No matter!¡±


    Just then, the Lingyuan Ancestor seated at the head spoke up, diffusing the tension of the moment.


    Lingyuan Ancestor looked at Zhao Sheng with increasing fondness.


    Even though the Spirit Clan had maintained the purity of their bloodline through intermarriage within the clan for twenty thousand years, the inevitable degradation had occurred over generations, and the rate of birth defects had significantly increased.


    Now, out of the blue, a ¡°wild¡± clansmember had returned to the clan, and more importantly, his blood purity was extremely high, comparable to that of the Second Generation Spirit Clan.


    The so-called Second Generation Spirit Clan referred to those with at least one Pure Blood Spirit Clan parent.


    Of course, the parents of Zhao Sheng¡¯s body could not be from the Pure Blood Spirit Clan.


    His condition was known in the Cultivation World as ¡°ancestral bloodline reversion,¡± a remarkably rare occurrence.


    In recent ten thousand years, there had been only a handful of such cases within the Spirit Clan, with the most famous being Lingyuan Ancestor himself.


    Otherwise, how could Lingyuan Ancestor, an individual of average appearance, have reached such heights?


    Therefore, Lingyuan Ancestor regarded Zhao Sheng with an exceptionally favorable eye.


    Zhao Sheng also sensed the benevolence from the other party.


    The questioning that followed confirmed this impression.


    During the conversation that followed, akin to a play between Lingyuan Ancestor and Zhao Sheng, not a single person from the Spirit Clan interjected.


    It was as if witnessing a dialogue between an elder and a younger generation member.


    When asked about his parents, Zhao Sheng replied that they were both deceased.


    Faced with such a vague answer, Lingyuan Ancestor did not press further.


    As for his experiences over the years, Zhao Sheng gave evasive and cursory responses. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What baffled him the most was that despite his apparent resistance to the Spirit Clan,


    the other party still seemed completely unfazed.


    It wasn¡¯t until after he left the Spirit Palace that Zhao Sheng began to vaguely grasp a bit of Lingyuan Ancestor¡¯s thoughts.


    In contrast to the ¡°enlightened¡± Great Elder of the Spirit Clan, the other high-ranking clansmembers were very angry.


    Angry that Zhao Sheng was clearly being unappreciative and clueless.

 Chapter 263 - 222 Setting Off

    Chapter 263: Chapter 222 Setting Off


    After Zhao Sheng had retreated, Ancestor Ming Wu also abruptly disappeared as if he had appeared just to see the new junior.


    At that moment, Lingxu Ancestor turned his head and nodded slightly to the Great Elder Ling Yuan beside him, then his body suddenly became blurry, vanished in a flash, leaving behind only an empty Jade Chair.


    Seeing this, Ling Yuan Ancestor couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly, knowing that the two had tacitly agreed on the matter.


    However, many of the Spirit Clan¡¯s upper echelons did not understand the Ancestors¡¯ actions.


    At this time, the atmosphere in the Spirit Palace¡¯s grand hall was tense and oppressive.


    After a moment of silence, someone finally couldn¡¯t restrain themselves.


    Star Cloud King slapped the back of his chair forcefully, and suddenly a burst of starlight appeared behind him.


    He complained, ¡°Ancestor, why do you favor such a bastard? Don¡¯t you see that this person has a rebellious streak, and will surely become a scourge in the future?¡±


    Hmph!


    Sitting opposite, Ice King coldly retorted, ¡°Scourge? I see you as the scourge, specifically to the promising young ones of our clan.¡±


    ¡°Ice King, don¡¯t spew nonsense! When have I ever harmed any clan member?¡± Star Cloud King roared furiously.


    At this moment, Ling Yuan Ancestor raised his hand, and a powerful, abyss-like aura suddenly spread out, subduing the two Perfect Golden Cores.


    ¡°Star Cloud, I ask you, how old are you this year?¡±


    Hearing the Ancestor¡¯s question, Star Cloud King hastened to answer respectfully, ¡°Ancestor, Star Cloud has been through five hundred thirty-seven springs and autumns till now.¡±


    Ling Yuan Ancestor nodded thoughtfully after hearing this and asked, ¡°Hmm, already over five hundred years. How many children do you have now?¡±


    Star Cloud King felt a chill in his heart and braced himself to answer, ¡°Forgive me, Ancestor, Star Cloud was buried in bitter cultivation in the early years and has no offspring to this day!¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll ask you again, how many in our clan are of the direct line, how many are of mixed lineage, and how many outsiders are there?¡±


    ¡°Reporting to Ancestor, our clan¡­ our clan¡¯s direct line numbers one hundred eighty-two, mixed lineage over ten thousand, and outsiders three hundred forty thousand,¡± Star Cloud King said, his forehead sweating coldly, yet he dared not wipe it.


    By now, the grand hall was covered with Ling Yuan Ancestor¡¯s powerful aura, and apart from Ming Wu and Lingxu Ancestor, everyone else looked solemn.


    After Star Cloud King had answered the Ancestor, he then awaited the Ancestor¡¯s reprimand.


    However, Ling Yuan Ancestor fell silent and did not speak for a long time.


    This made the atmosphere in the hall even heavier.


    At that moment, Star Cloud King privately sensed gazes from both sides, filled with emotions such as sympathy, derision, schadenfreude, and sighs.


    After a moment of silence, Ling Yuan Ancestor slowly withdrew his aura and suddenly sighed, ¡°The difficulty of having descendants! After ten thousand years of propagation, adding up all our people, we are still less than two hundred thousand. How unjust the heavens are to our Spirit Clan!¡±


    With these words, an immediate empathy resonated among the crowd, revealing expressions of grief, anger, and resentment.


    Then, with his gaze sharp, Ling Yuan Ancestor looked down at the juniors below and said solemnly, ¡°When have I ever been unaware that the young one is reluctant to join our clan? You always feel indignant about this, thinking he does not appreciate the opportunity. But I see it differently. His attachment to his Human Clan identity is indeed a most excellent quality!


    If it were someone else, what choice do you think they would make?¡±


    Heavenly River King suddenly realized and rushed to say, ¡°What else to say! They would be eager to join our clan. Even a fool knows that after returning to the Spirit Clan, one¡¯s prospects would be unlimited. With his status as a Second Generation Spirit Clan, not to mention achieving a Golden Core, even advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm is very likely.¡±


    ¡°Exactly as the Ancestor said. That young one is extraordinary! Rarely does one find someone who can resist this kind of meteoric rise. Such a resolute will implies that the firmness of his Taoist heart is not inferior. Very good, indeed!¡±


    ¡°But¡­ what if the young one still does not wish to return to our clan? What then?¡±


    ¡°Are you foolish! What does it matter if he is reluctant now? Just wait till we send him back to the Spiritual Abyss, give it a few hundred years, and see what he chooses then.¡±


    Below Ice King sat a tall, majestic middle-aged man with silver hair and a jade face whose eyes lit up, exclaiming with surprise, ¡°Right! It would be best if he fathered a group of children. With the young one¡¯s bloodline purity, the offspring would undoubtedly be exceptionally talented. I have a daughter, Wang Zhenyin, whose bloodline purity has reached the Fourth Generation Spirit Clan standard, perfect to match with him.


    Ancestor, I have an audacious request. Why not let you decide this marriage? After all, Wang Zhenyin is your great-great-granddaughter!¡±


    As he spoke, the middle-aged man immediately turned over and prostrated himself, pleading for Ling Yuan Ancestor to decide.


    Before the Ancestor could speak, someone next to him became anxious, ¡°You wish! Our clan has at least a dozen eligible women who meet the Fourth Generation Spirit Clan standard. If you want to marry, it must be done according to the Ancestor¡¯s rules. Blind dates!¡±


    ¡°I have a suggestion. The young one presumably isn¡¯t under any bloodline curse! Then¡­ marrying just one would be too wasteful! Better to marry several. In addition, arrangements for at least several dozen concubines should be made.¡± S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Right, didn¡¯t the Ancestor back in the day¡ªuh!¡±


    Ling Yuan Ancestor glared fiercely at the thoughtless one and sealed his mouth with a thought.


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng was unaware that he had become a highly sought-after prize, and his future might very well involve a life of splendor with three palaces, six courtyards, and seventy-two concubines.


    After leaving the grand hall, he immediately returned to his residence and secluded himself, not venturing out.


    Meanwhile, as Zhao Sheng was secluded and refining the newly acquired Chongtao Sword and talisman treasure, outstanding members of the new generation of the Spirit Clan were arriving at the Spirit Palace in batches, heavily guarded from behind.

 Chapter 264 - 222 Departure_2

    Chapter 264: Chapter 222 Departure_2


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng was in the Cultivation Room, sitting with his eyes closed and running his cultivation exercises when suddenly the room shook and the ground trembled slightly.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them.


    At this moment, the Spirit Palace was ascending.


    ¡°Could it be¡­ are we setting off for the Star Algae Sea?¡± he thought to himself in astonishment.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s guess was correct.


    As the awakening of the Star God was imminent, once the younger generation of the clan had assembled, the Ling Yuan Ancestor activated the Imperial Order, and the Ten-thousand-year-old Camel Mountain Turtle carrying the Spirit Palace slowly extended its four colossal pillar-like limbs and a head as immense as a mountain peak.


    With a gentle movement of the old turtle¡¯s limbs, its incredibly huge body rose majestically from the sea bed, creating an undersea storm in an instant. Strong currents rapidly spread in all directions, stirring up vast clouds of sediment and rendering the surrounding sea water turbid within dozens of miles.


    The Camel Mountain Turtle ascended slowly towards the sea surface. At this moment, on the plaza in front of the Spirit Palace, the Ling Yuan Ancestor and Ling Xu Ancestor stood in the front, while Ancestor Ming Wu was nowhere to be seen.


    Behind them were eleven Golden Core Spirit Clan members, led by the Ice King, Heavenly River King, and Star Cloud King.


    Two rows of clan members stood behind them, with thirty-odd Foundation Establishment Clan Members and over sixty Junior Qi Refining clan members.


    Apart from the two Nascent Soul Ancestors and the three Golden Core Kings, both the kings and the other Spirit Clan members had secured spots in the Core Circle, preparing to attempt an audience with the Star God.


    The Sea Clan had three hundred spots available.


    The Sea Dominator Octopus had abnormal talent but was not too bright and was generally not favored by the Star God.


    The Jiao Long Clan was too arrogant, priding itself on the True Dragon Bloodline. Even for a miraculous life form like the Star God, they didn¡¯t hold it in high esteem.


    Therefore, the Jiao Long Clan also did not value the spots highly.


    In the end, nearly two hundred spots fell into the hands of the Spirit Clan.


    However, the Spirit Clan had to allocate half of the spots for other uses


    On one hand, they had to offer some spots to the following Alien Races and demon beast species to appease everyone¡¯s hearts.


    On the other hand, they had to reserve some spots to court the ¡°candidates¡± they favored, such as Alien Race prodigies, demon beasts with unique talents, Golden Core Demons, and so on.


    Thus, it can be said that the Spirit Clan governs the billion sea beasts of the ocean with only tens of thousands of clan members, becoming one of the three great overlords of the open sea.


    This was not solely due to their own strength, but also their skillful methods and far-sighted strategies, which were indispensable.


    ¡­


    Moments later, a large shadow appeared on the surface of the sea.


    Suddenly


    A ¡°mountain peak¡± shot up through the sea surface, with water cascading down its sides like waterfalls,


    rising swiftly like a towering pillar, reaching more than a hundred feet in height in the blink of an eye.


    When the Camel Mountain Turtle lowered its house-sized head to look down on the sea surface, a circular void five miles in radius formed as the water around it retreated in all directions, and the Spirit Palace emerged slowly from the void.


    Soon after


    The sea within a ten-mile radius around the Spirit Palace rose all at once, with massive amounts of water pouring down the edges like waterfalls.


    The water quickly drained, and suddenly there was a new dark green ¡°island¡± ten miles in circumference on the sea surface.


    The Spirit Palace, standing at the center of this island, was bathed in sunlight, resembling a dazzling, eye-catching Crystal Palace. Its peaks, palace walls, and crystal stone floors reflected thousands of rainbow lights. From afar, it looked like a dreamlike ¡°Immortal Palace¡± upon the ocean.


    At the moment the Spirit Palace surfaced, the sea within dozens of miles became turbulent, the water boiling, as one sea beast after another of various races surfaced.


    Spirit Whales, Thunder Explosion Jellyfish, Green Demon Sharks, Sky Crossing Crabs¡­ Each giant beast of the sea was awe-inspiring, with at least a third-tier strength.


    Especially the Ancient Exotic Beast, the Sky Crossing Crab, which was incredibly large¡ªalmost half the size of the Camel Mountain Turtle supporting the Spirit Palace.


    This Sky Crossing Crab was of Eighth Rank and possessed immense strength, strong enough to contend with a Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.


    If it were not for the Sky Crossing Crab¡¯s inherently low intelligence, it would never have been subjugated by the Ling Yuan Ancestor to serve as a War Pet.


    The other gigantic sea beasts also served as War Pets for the Spirit Clan members.


    The Spirit Clan could be considered the favored children of the sea, naturally endearing sea beasts, making the bonding with sea beast War Pets naturally ten times easier than for the Human Clan.


    At this time, a diverse group of Alien Races stood on the back of the Sky Crossing Crab, each of them formidable in strength.


    If Zhao Sheng were here, he would have been shocked by the might of the Spirit Clan.


    Just today, the ability of the Spirit Clan to contend with Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivators was demonstrated by three entities ¨C Ling Yuan Ancestor and Sky Crossing Crab being two of them.


    Another being that is often overlooked is the Humpbacked Mountain Turtle that supports the Spirit Palace.


    This old turtle has lived for an incredibly long time, and its strength is unfathomably deep.


    Some even believe it possesses the battle strength of a Divinity Transformation Level creature.


    However, in the past few thousand years, the Humpbacked Mountain Turtle has never fully unleashed its power, making it difficult for outsiders apart from the Spirit Clan to know the limits of its combat ability.


    The Spirit Palace and this ten-thousand-year-old turtle also form one of the foundational strengths of the Spirit Clan, second only to their Clan Guardian Artifact in importance.


    Every time they pay homage to the Star God, the Spirit Clan chooses to deploy it.


    On one hand, it is to ensure the safety of the clan members, and on the other, it also serves as a deterrent.


    ¡­


    Boom!


    A muffled roar suddenly emerged from under the sea; the Humpbacked Mountain Turtle slightly raised its head as its shell lit up instantly, and vast swaths of green radiance surged up like a monumental wave.


    The green radiance swelled, and the sea surface seemed to have a gigantic ¡°Green Sun¡± rising upon it.


    In an instant, the ¡°Green Sun¡± crushed out a ¡°strait¡± ten miles wide, racing toward the horizon.


    A group of war pets also followed the ¡°strait¡± that had been cleaved open, closely pursuing it.


    After the Spirit Clan¡¯s army left Dragon Head Island, a hazy grey vortex suddenly appeared on the sea surface.


    The moment the grey vortex emerged, the sea surface was immediately crowded with a dense array of sea beast figures.


    In the sky, swarms of demon beasts formed ¡°dark clouds¡± and began to ¡°patrol¡± around Dragon Head Island just like the sea beasts, slowly circling back and forth.


    Sky Wolf Arhat, Skeleton Ancestor, and others hid in a nearby part of the sea.


    Having witnessed the appearance and departure of the Spirit Palace and seeing Ancestor Ming Wu deploying demon beasts to ¡°protect¡± Dragon Head Island,


    ¡°The strength of the Spirit Clan is unfathomable indeed!¡± Skeleton Ancestor suddenly sighed.


    Atop a lotus throne, Hongyuan Bodhisattva sat upright and asked with a frown, ¡°That Humpbacked Mountain Turtle has likely reached the Tenth Rank! Why does it not choose to ascend?¡±


    ¡°Hehe! That depends on whether the Spirit Clan is willing. What do you think?¡± A scornful smile suddenly appeared on the face of the Heavenly Girl Li Wanru.


    At this moment, Sky Wolf Arhat chanted, ¡°Amitabha! We should also make a move!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± The Sky Wolf King had been restless for a while, and upon hearing this, he immediately shot out.


    Li Wufeng waved his hand, and a blood-colored light screen emerged, instantly enveloping a dozen or so people beside him, then turned into a streak of blood light, shooting off in pursuit.


    The other Nascent Soul Ancestors also displayed their special abilities, taking their chosen individuals and quickly departing.


    In the blink of an eye, the sea surface was devoid of people.


    ¡­


    Half a month later.


    In the Cultivation Room, in front of Zhao Sheng lay a pill bottle containing eight Essence Spirit Pills, all of which were Mid-grade Spirit Pills, with even one being top-grade.


    Together with the Elixir Pills refined earlier on Dome Turtle Island, he now had twelve Mid-grade Essence Spirit Pills.


    Originally intended for sale, the situation has changed,


    In the past few days, after thinking it over, he decided to consume all these Essence Spirit Pills himself and aim to reach Foundation Establishment Perfection as quickly as possible.


    He poured out an Essence Spirit Pill and threw it into his mouth.


    This pill truly lived up to its reputation as an excellent elixir for enhancing Spiritual Power within the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    The moment it entered his mouth, it turned into streams of pure Spiritual Power that quickly spread throughout his body.


    With his eyes closed, he allowed these energies to slowly circulate through his limbs and body several times before beginning to gather them into his Dantian. The twenty-four Spiritual Power Beads suspended in his Spirit Sea also trembled slightly, absorbing the incoming pure Spiritual Power into the Spirit Power Vortex. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Four hours later, Zhao Sheng felt a sense of clarity and refreshing energy emerge within him, his Spiritual Power appearing somewhat replenished¡­


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face showed delight; the efficacy of a single Essence Spirit Pill could actually match two to three months of meditation and cultivation.


    ¡°Had I known this, I wouldn¡¯t have been so parsimonious with them,¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face showed delight; the efficacy of a single Essence Spirit Pill could actually match two to three months of meditation and cultivation.


    ¡°Had I known this, I would have¡±

 Chapter 265 - 223 Heaven and Earth Phenomenon

    Chapter 265: Chapter 223 Heaven and Earth Phenomenon


    ¡°To achieve Perfect Foundation Establishment, one needs to condense twenty-seven Transforming Spirit Beads. I have already condensed twenty-five, only two short of perfection,¡± he said.


    ¡°It could take as long as three to five years or as short as a year and a half to achieve the goal,¡± he added.


    ¡°There is no time to delay, I must prepare for the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation as soon as possible,¡± he declared.


    With his mind set, Zhao Sheng immediately rose to his feet and walked out of the Cultivation Room.


    Outside the door, the frail Ice Woman saw him emerge and instantly a trace of joy appeared in her pale-colored eyes. She immediately bowed respectfully and said, ¡°Congratulations on leaving seclusion, Young Master. The master has instructed that after you leave seclusion, please proceed to the Spirit Palace Square as soon as possible. The Divine Sacrifice of the Star God is about to begin.¡±


    ¡°Understood,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded and turned to walk outside.


    The so-called Divine Sacrifice was specifically established for the awakening of the Star God.


    The Ice Woman, unaware of the details, thought it was a solemn and grand important ceremony.


    ¡­


    As Zhao Sheng stepped out of the palace, he couldn¡¯t help but take a deep breath, his face showing surprise and astonishment.


    It wasn¡¯t that he hadn¡¯t seen the world, but he lost his composure like this.


    That was because the concentration of Spiritual Energy in the surrounding environment was exceptionally high, nearly equivalent to that inside a Third-rank Spirit Vein¡¯s spiritual acupoint.


    This was simply not normal!


    As far as he knew, the usual concentration of Spiritual Energy near Star God Island on the sea surface was much lower, roughly equivalent to the periphery of a Third-rank Spirit Vein.


    The Star God had not fully awakened yet; merely its consciousness fluctuation could temporarily elevate the surrounding Spiritual Energy concentration to such heights, which was unbelievable!


    Looking out, the Spirit Palace was surrounded by a vast ocean, but at the southwest end, a dark line appeared as if there were land there.


    He knew that was Shattered Star Sea¡¯s most renowned core area, Star God Island.


    At this time, the Spirit Palace was stationed hundreds of miles away from Star God Island, at the edge, just short of entering the ¡°Core Circle.¡±


    However, that was already the limit; not a step further could be taken.


    During the Divine Sacrifice, in order to prevent a ¡°World War,¡± any large-scale destructive ¡°weapons¡± were not allowed to enter the core circle.


    For the next period, this area within a hundred-mile radius of the Star God Palace would probably be the place with the highest density of elites from the Heavenly River Realm.


    Nascent Soul Ancestors from top forces from the Five Continents and Four Seas, all bringing the new generations of talented cultivators from their Sects, would rush to Star God Island to attend this once-in-a-century ¡°grand meeting.¡±


    In this grand meeting, any Loose Cultivators or families from Sects that did not meet the standards just couldn¡¯t appear here.


    The reason was simple, the more people inside the core circle, the lower the chances of being selected.


    So, the top forces were all tacitly excluding those ¡°of insufficient strength¡± from the meeting.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng appeared in the square, he immediately drew many gazes, filled with both goodwill and malice, as well as intense scrutiny.


    At that moment, hundreds of Spirit Clan ¡°Summoned¡± standing in the center of the square turned their heads toward this lucky individual.


    Spiritual Abyss and Ling Xu, the two Nascent Soul Ancestors, were not here; the three kings were leading on the square.


    Ice King was silent and stoic, standing there like an Ice Man, lifeless.


    Heavenly River King looked indifferent, but his eyes carried some goodwill.


    Only Star Cloud King remained expressionless, His killing intent was hidden but not so hidden from his sensing.


    Zhao Sheng scanned the crowd, his gaze sweeping over unfamiliar faces, suddenly stopping on a face that expressed complexity, both annoyance and joy.


    In the back of the crowd, Wang Yingling looked at Zhao Sheng not far away with complex emotions.


    The scenes of the past twenty years quickly flashed through her mind. That stubborn young man, whom she could not forget and despised deeply, ultimately did not escape fate and returned to the embrace of his clan.


    Thinking back on the discussions of her clanspeople in the past few days, Wang Yingling regretted deeply; she had really misjudged that year, never expecting such a wild youngster to possess such pure True Blood of the Spirit Clan.


    A second-generation Spirit Clan had just slipped away from her hands.


    ¡°If only he had not escaped back then,¡± Wang Yingling thought with great annoyance.


    Zhao Sheng composed himself and quickly looked past Wang Yingling to others.


    The Spirit Clan was undoubtedly extremely powerful.


    Merely among the hundred or so people present, over half were inscrutable in strength, the younger generation of Qi Refiners looked immature, yet almost all of them were surprisingly in the Qi Refining Late Stage, and those in Qi Refining Perfection were no older than thirty.


    This was quite outrageous.


    Zhao Sheng took a deep breath and thought: ¡°With such profound heritage of the Spirit Clan, it¡¯s not hard to imagine that other top powers, like the Star God Palace, probably abound with talents and extraordinary individuals.¡±


    Thinking back to the Elixir Cauldron Sect in his previous life, in terms of strength, it should be far weaker than the Spirit Clan.


    The Elixir Cauldron Sect was one of the Ten Great Sects of the Central Continent, but compared to the Spirit Clan, Zhao Sheng always felt it was somewhat ¡°overrated¡± and seemed a bit ¡°weak.¡±


    But universally acknowledged, Central Continent¡¯s deep-rooted heritage is unmatched, reputed as the foremost among the Five Continents and Four Seas, with overall strength also being top-notch in this realm.


    If the other Ten Great Sects were also ¡°overrated¡± like the Elixir Cauldron Sect, Central Continent would probably have declined long ago.


    However, Zhao Sheng felt that the reality might not be as simple as it seemed, with every Cultivation World¡¯s Sect power being cunning, deeply versed in the art of hiding their capacities and biding their time.


    Compared to those powers that skillfully concealed their strengths, a flamboyant power like the Spirit Clan seemed somewhat ¡°insecure.¡±


    While he was lost in thought, Wang Yingling clenched her teeth, stepped out from the crowd, and walked towards Zhao Sheng.


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 Chapter 266 - 223 Heaven and Earth Phenomenon_2

    Chapter 266: Chapter 223 Heaven and Earth Phenomenon_2


    Watching the beauty who walked in, Zhao Sheng collected his thoughts, his face calm and undisturbed.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, we parted years ago; I never thought we would meet again in the Spirit Palace!¡± Wang Yingling¡¯s tone was very emotional, but upon closer inspection, there was a hint of resentment in her words.


    ¡°Heh heh! Zhao also did not expect that after hiding for decades, you people would eventually find him,¡± Zhao Sheng shook his head with a wry smile on his face.


    Wang Yingling¡¯s Spiritual Eyes shimmered as she scrutinized Zhao Sheng intently.


    At that moment, she faintly sensed that his strength was not low; he had at least reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment.


    The speed of Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation progression far exceeded Wang Yingling¡¯s imagination.


    Upon thinking of the pure bloodline within his body, she felt a wave of regret.


    ¡°If only I had known this day would come, why did you have to run away back then! If you had returned with me, you might have already advanced to Golden Core by now.¡±


    ¡°Those who know me think I worry too much; those who do not know me wonder what I desire! Even if I told you, you would not understand,¡± Zhao Sheng said, too lazy to argue with her about right and wrong.


    Wang Yingling was about to retort.


    However, at that moment, two graceful figures arrived beside them.


    ¡°Hey, Wang, you¡¯re too impatient. You can¡¯t have him all to yourself!¡±


    ¡°Yes! I¡¯ve wanted to meet this young man for a long time. My name is Wang Yingyu. Young man, what¡¯s your name?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked at the two stunningly beautiful women from the Spirit Clan in front of him, one tall and seductive, the other petite and delicately cute.


    When it comes to beauty, the Spirit Clan dares to claim first place, and no one in the world dares to claim second.


    There are no ugly people in the Spirit Clan!


    This saying turned out to be true.


    Seeing the two despicable people who had arrived, Wang Yingling¡¯s heart itched with hatred.


    She knew well that this man had become a coveted prize, and the two in front of her were just the beginning.


    Once they returned to the Spiritual Abyss, clan sisters and aunts would swarm him, everyone eager to bear his children.


    Supremacy of the Spirit Clan Bloodline!


    This notion, albeit somewhat extremist, had deeply penetrated the hearts of the Spirit Clan people.


    Watching the two who deliberately ¡°flaunted their charms,¡± Wang Yingling¡¯s face darkened as she snapped, ¡°You two are enough! Don¡¯t disgrace our Spirit Clan.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! What did you say? I don¡¯t understand,¡± the cute girl pretended to be naive, her voice overly sweet and brimming with childishness.


    Zhao Sheng heard this, and goosebumps instantly rose on his skin.


    Seeing that this place had become the center of attention, he immediately operated his Spiritual Power silently, turning two talismans in his sleeves to ash.


    In an instant, his figure blurred and he suddenly disappeared from everyone¡¯s sight.


    Unable to confront them, he had logged off and ¡°invisible.¡±


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng stood on the edge of a turtle shell, gazing at the sea, occasionally feeling a dozen or so almost imperceptible gazes behind him.


    He knew these gazes all came from Spirit Clan Golden Core experts.


    Mere Concentrating God Talisman and Invisibility Talisman could hardly escape their detection.


    However, becoming invisible was not the goal; conveying his stance was what mattered most.


    Since he showed an intention to distance himself, the Golden Core experts of the Spirit Clan would not intentionally expose him.


    Zhao Sheng surveyed his surroundings; several areas on the sea surface were shrouded in mist, light clusters, and array barriers.


    He was a bit surprised but also understood internally.


    Many powers had indeed participated in this grand gathering,


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the sky and saw a majestic, enormous blue Cloud Boat, even larger than the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat, hovering one hundred feet in the air.


    The island-sized hull cast a large shadow on the sea surface under the sunlight.


    With the Vast Sect already here, he wondered if the Elixir Cauldron Sect had sent people too?


    ¡­


    Time trickled by, and the Golden Crow gradually sunk below the sea surface, while the Jade Rabbit peeked out a bit from the horizon.


    As night approached, suddenly, two beams of light broke through the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere like two meteors, descending rapidly toward the Spirit Palace like lightning.


    Zhao Sheng sensed it the moment he turned his head, feeling two overwhelming presences descending from the sky.


    The lights flashed and disappeared, revealing the Ling Yuan Ancestor and Ling Xu Ancestor standing on the square. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind stirred, secretly thinking, ¡°Could it be starting now?¡±


    With that thought, he lightly tapped his foot, flashing back to the square and standing behind the crowd.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor, his lean face solemn and serene, looked at his descendants and saw a fiery look in their eyes. He spoke up, ¡°The Star God will awaken tonight!¡±


    These words had an immediate tense atmosphere on the square.


    At that moment, Lingxu Ancestor instructed, ¡°In a while, all of you will board the Sea Crossing Crab to go inside. The Great Elder and I cannot accompany you inside. Once inside, all matters will be directed by the three kings. The old rules apply, no provoking others, and no fighting with anyone! Anyone who breaks these rules will be confined to the Ice Abyss Cave for life after the matter. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, Ancestor!¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, we will never fall for the Human Clan¡¯s tricks!¡±


    Listening to everyone¡¯s promises, Zhao Sheng had a profound realization.


    In an environment crowded with powerful beings, conflict could easily spark a ¡°world war.¡±


    It was evident that the combined strength of the Spirit Clan and other Alien Races was weaker than that of the Human Clan.


    This was why they feared encountering a perilous situation of being attacked by all under heaven.


    ¡­


    When the moon was high in the sky,


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on the edge of the Sea Crossing Crab¡¯s shell, keeping some distance from the Spirit Clan and a group of Alien Race warriors.


    This made him appear aloof and somewhat out of place.


    However, at this moment, no one cared about this minor detail.


    Zhao Sheng, along with everyone else, was currently closing his eyes and concentrating, practicing their breathing to ensure their mental state remained at its peak.


    In just half a day¡¯s time, the concentration of spiritual energy around them had risen significantly, almost reaching the level of a Fourth Order Spiritual Vein Land.


    To know, the highest spiritual vein in the Tianzhu Realm was only Fifth Rank and Fourth Order Spiritual Veins were rare in the world; even the spirit veins at the Elixir Cauldron Sect¡¯s gate were only top-tier third-tier, not even comparable to the Fourth Order.


    Right now, the Star God had not yet fully awakened, but the tidal wave of spiritual energy was already surging like a tsunami and landslides, sweeping in waves from heaven and earth, roaring past and undulating in the void, constantly vibrating.


    As if sensing the impending arrival of some unimaginable great consciousness, Zhao Sheng slowly opened his eyes,


    and saw that the entire sea surface was covered with thick seaweed, looking like a carpet of various colors.


    Red algae, green algae, yellow algae¡­all the seaweeds of the Star Algae Sea were displayed here.


    Zhao Sheng could distinctly sense that endless spiritual energy was overflowing from this vast ocean of seaweed.


    The sea surface slowly undulated, as if there was an indescribable colossal creature breathing underneath.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng suddenly had a realization and looked up at the starry sky.


    He saw a shockingly extreme vision that suddenly fell into his sight.


    Right then, the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere above his head seemed like a thick curtain being torn apart from the middle by a pair of invisible enormous hands.


    The Nine Layers of Heavenly Gang were torn apart layer by layer, the atmosphere rolled away like waves towards the horizon, revealing a patch of clear, transparent starry sky.


    The myriad stars shone brightly, like mysterious eyes overlooking all the beings of heaven and earth.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly had an illusion, feeling the starry sky so close that it seemed he could pluck the stars from the heavens with his hand.


    At that moment, an indescribable heaviness fell from the void, resembling the strange calm before a great battle begins.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils slightly contracted, when suddenly he saw the myriad stars shine brightly, and then countless ¡°meteors¡± suddenly fell from the sky.


    These meteors were olive-shaped, like clusters of colorful flowing lights with long tails, piercing through the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere and falling onto the Star Algae Sea.


    In an instant, the whole sky began to ¡°rain light.¡±


    The moment these mysterious meteors hit the sea surface, they exploded like fireworks, briefly dazzling before vanishing without a trace.


    Zhao Sheng fully released his Divine Sense, as meteors fell within its range.


    Then, he was shocked to discover that these meteors were exceptionally pure spiritual energy.


    The purity of these energy clusters was unprecedented, perhaps even surpassing the spiritual energy within the legendary top-grade Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed. Just as he thought about collecting this spiritual energy, he realized that everyone else was sitting quietly, with no one making a move.


    Upon reflexion, he decided to give up on his initial idea.


    Just then, he suddenly noticed a subtle change in the surrounding spiritual energy environment; the slight increase in concentration was secondary.


    The most crucial aspect was that the spiritual energy particles became more ¡°lively¡± than ever before, as if the whole heaven and earth were cheering and leaping in joy, welcoming the arrival of a newcomer.


    Before the meteors appeared, the spiritual energy particles were like a group of mature, even aging middle-aged people.


    But now, they were like a group of lively children, or newly born ¡°infant spirits.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, having realized this, suspected that these meteor energy clusters must have indeed come from beyond the heavens, falling into this world and merging with heaven and earth.


    Only a being as mysterious as the Star God could produce such a grand spectacle with such enormous hands.


    Zhao Sheng looked up, admiring the awe-inspiring celestial phenomenon that occurred once in a century.

 Chapter 267 - 224 Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence

    Chapter 267: Chapter 224 Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence


    ¡°Eh, what is that?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression suddenly shifted, his gaze growing sharper.


    He had just seen a sudden flash of light erupting from the high sky, very close to the edge of this realm.


    At first, he thought it was a meteor, but as his attention focused on that extremely high edge of the Heavenly Curtain, he saw even more peculiar activities.


    There, flashes of light burst out from time to time, as if someone was there battling or chasing after something.


    Recalling that the Lingyuan Ancestor and Lingxu Ancestor were not here, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze suddenly became extremely deep.


    As far as he knew, Nascent Soul Realm cultivators had the capability to break through the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere and temporarily survive in the Outer Void.


    ¡°Could it be that those two are there now? And there are other Nascent Souls there too.¡±


    The situation was indeed as he had imagined.


    At this moment, above Star God Island, clinging to the outer atmospheric edge of this realm, a mere hundred-mile area was gathered with nearly a hundred Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    Such a limited space of hundred miles, at this moment, was strictly divided into various areas big and small.


    These Nascent Soul Ancestors, usually revered as Ancestors of Taoist Sects, were actually entrenched within their own territories, vigilantly guarding against others from crossing their borders, while striving to collect strands of the rare Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence.


    A small blue ocean ¡°floated¡± in the Void, having a mere diameter of two hundred zhang.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor stood above this ocean holding a green fishing rod, his immense Divine Thought spread out, completely enveloping this two hundred zhang small miniature ocean.


    Meanwhile, Lingxu Ancestor sank within the ocean, constantly consuming a great amount of Mana to maintain this Nascent Soul Domain.


    This ¡°ocean¡± was his Nascent Soul Domain, also belonging to the territory of the Spirit Clan.


    At this moment, to the left of the Spirit Clan was an enormous iron-black octopus, its round head alone having a diameter of more than a hundred zhang, resembling a hill, with eight python-like tentacles clawing aggressively, occupying a space of two hundred thirty zhang.


    To the right was a hundred zhang long gigantic four-clawed True Dragon, most of its body hidden within a cluster of Cloud Mist, within which lightning flashed and thunder boomed, and the dragon¡¯s roar persisted.


    Yet, before and behind the Spirit Clan were a Blood Sea and a Sword Sea made up of thousands of Sword Lights.


    ¡°Thief, how dare you!¡±


    Ling Yuan Ancestor suddenly bellowed angrily, a flash of Divine Light in his eyes, as his immense Divine Thought instantly transformed into an invisible hammer, vanishing in a flash.


    Bang!


    At that moment, a condensed Light Sword suddenly shot out from the Sword Sea, just as it was about to enter the ocean, it was instantly shattered into powder by the hammer of Divine Thought.


    In the depths of the Sword Sea, the white-robed Yue Qinghan slowly retracted her gaze, no longer prodding the depths of Ling Yuan Ancestor¡¯s power.


    Just one exchange had informed her that she was not yet a match for Ling Yuan Ancestor.


    In the Blood Sea Domain, the red-haired, red-robed Li Wufeng with his bloody eyes suddenly burst into wild laughter.


    The Blood Sea surged up with a blood wave, within which was wrapped a strand of ¡°light¡± only three inches long.


    This ¡°light,¡± formless and elusive, invisible and untouchable, was undetectable unless one had developed Divine Thought, let alone captured.


    This three-inch strand of ¡°light¡± was precisely the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence, an extremely sought-after item by the Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    It was formed from the Spiritual Energy of the Outer Void, extremely pure, much more so than the spiritual energy in top-grade Spirit Stones.


    If the Spiritual Energy in the Tianzhu Realm was in particle form, then the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence would manifest as ¡°light waves¡± on the layer of Divine Thought.


    Therefore, only Divine Thought could grasp it.


    Just this requirement of Divine Thought excluded cultivators below the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Moreover, once the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence was captured by a world, it would instantly collapse, dispersing the light waves into thousands of spiritual energy particles.


    The Meteor Light Rain occurring below the Star Algae Sea was precisely because a large amount of Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence had been pulled into the Tianzhu Realm by the Star God Consciousness, ultimately collapsing into a ¡°meteor¡± shower.


    The Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence originated from the Outer Void, but its true source stemmed from the Void Realm.


    It was the ¡°Spiritual Energy¡± that escaped from the cracks in the Void Realm, aside from being extremely pure, some Mystic Crystals might still retain traces of Taoist Law Residue.


    This Law Residue was a coveted treasure that Nascent Soul Ancestors yearned for in their dreams.


    Through the Law Residue, one could continuously comprehend the Tao, and thus cross the threshold of Refining God and Returning to Void, advancing to become a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    As for what the Void Realm is?


    Void refers to Returning to Void, and Realm refers to the place of Returning to Void. In different worlds, the Void Realm is called differently.


    For example, in the Taiyi Spirit Realm, the Void Realm is also known as the Nine Netherworld.


    But in the Spirit Clan Ancestor Realm, the Void Realm is known as the Returning Ruins Realm.


    Coming back to the point!


    Li Wufeng cautiously drew the three-inch long Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence into his hand, probing into it with his Divine Thought. After a brief sensing, a trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes.


    This ¡°light¡± was of Earth Element, but lacked any remnants of Law.


    Though its value had greatly diminished, it was still more precious than top-grade Spirit Stones.


    Li Wufeng quickly took out an egg-sized Earth Element Top-Grade Spirit Stone and sealed it inside the Spirit Stone.


    This top-grade Spirit Stone resembled a piece of amber, amber-colored, and visible to the naked eye was a miniature vortex of spiritual energy inside, connected to a ¡°Bright Pearl¡± at one end.


    If in the Tianzhu Realm, a top-grade Spirit Stone would naturally absorb nature¡¯s spiritual energy to replenish the depleted spiritual energy. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    There was an unconfirmed saying in the Cultivation World, claiming that cultivators initially comprehended the methods of cultivation from top-grade Spirit Stones.


    This claim has been deeply believed by many cultivators since ancient times.


    Conversely, another saying, ¡°Dharma Transmission by Immortals,¡± is even more widely believed.

 Chapter 268 - 224 Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence_2

    Chapter 268: Chapter 224 Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence_2


    Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence is formless and intangible; its outer appearance is ¡°light,¡± therefore it needs to be sealed within the Bright Pearl of a Spirit Stone.


    The reason for sealing it is to slow down the rate of collapse as much as possible.


    Within a certain world, due to the existence of the Heavenly Dao, the collapse of the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence is irreversible, one can only try to slow it down.


    Next to the Blood Sea, within a huge fireball of boiling fierce flames, Red Flame Ancestor looked at his ¡°neighbor¡± Li Wufeng, who had scooped up a strand of Mysterious Essence, and quickly sent a divine thought message:


    ¡°Brother Li, your luck isn¡¯t bad! Did you actually catch a three-inch long strand? Are there any Magic Traces? What attribute is it? If it¡¯s Fire Element Mysterious Essence, remember to save it for this old man, don¡¯t trade it away!¡±


    Normally, Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence is ¡°short as tiny specks, not longer than an inch.¡±


    Apart from the influence of Law Residue, the longer the Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence, the higher its value and the greater the probability of containing Law Residue.


    A three-inch-long Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence is one in a hundred, with the common length of Mysterious Essence usually under one inch.


    Li Wufeng sighed softly, and sent a message back: ¡°Alas, Li has such poor luck. Not to mention the lack of Magic Traces, it¡¯s also Earth Attribute. It¡¯s useless in this old man¡¯s hands; it might as well be traded away soon.¡±


    ¡°Be content! Since the beginning, I¡¯ve only managed to scoop up two strands, and not a single one exceeds eight millimeters. Have you heard me complain?¡±


    Red Flame Ancestor hails from Earth Flame Palace of the Central Continent, at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage realm.


    Three hundred years ago, the Blood Demon Sect¡¯s previous incarnation, Origin Return Sect, once made quite a name in Central Continent. After being labeled a Demon Sect, it also had some connections with Earth Flame Palace.


    Back then, Li Wufeng was just a Little Golden Core and not taken seriously by Red Flame Ancestor.


    Who would have thought in a short three hundred years, Li Wufeng¡¯s strength would skyrocket, rising to become a Nascent Soul Middle Stage Ancestor on par with him.


    However, Red Flame Ancestor didn¡¯t envy him at all, because everyone knew the drawbacks of cultivating the ¡°Blood Soul Scripture.¡±


    That ¡°Blood God¡± prefers to invade the flesh most.


    The higher Li Wufeng¡¯s cultivation, the more miserable his end.


    No matter how prestigious he appears now, he will inevitably become a vessel for the Blood God.


    On the other side, Spiritual Abyss Ancestor also showed a happy expression as he scooped up a two-inch-plus long strand of ¡°light¡± from the sea.


    Lingxu Ancestor swept it with his Divine Thought, and couldn¡¯t help but smile broadly, but quickly his face showed hesitation.


    This strand of Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence turned out to be the rare Thunder Movement, though it lacked Magic Traces, Thunderwalking Mysterious Spirit inherently possessed the ¡°Summoning Thunder¡± attribute.


    If handled well, a strand of Thunderwalking Mysterious Spirit could divert a tribulation thunder, increasing the success rate of Crossing Tribulation.


    And those over five inches could likely diverge a Divinity Transformation Tribulation Thunder. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just for this, the value of Thunderwalking Mysterious Spirit was far higher than ordinary Mysterious Essence that contained Law Residue.


    ¡°Ling Xu, do you have any top-grade Spirit Stones of the Thunder Attribute in your hands?¡±


    ¡°No! What¡¯s up?¡­ Could it be that it just now¡­ was a Thunder Movement?¡± From the depths of the ocean, Ling Xu suddenly opened his eyes, excitedly sent a message.


    Spiritual Abyss Ancestor nodded his head slightly and reluctantly took out a blank top-grade Spirit Stone to seal it inside.


    A so-called blank top-grade Spirit Stone is one in which all the Spiritual Energy inside has been exhausted, causing the spiritual energy vortex to collapse, leaving only an empty shell of a top-grade Spirit Stone.


    It is best to seal Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence inside a Spirit Stone of the same attribute, as Spirit Stones of other attributes will ¡°contaminate¡± the Mysterious Essence.


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    Ling Xu Ancestor¡¯s face changed, as his surrounding Nascent Soul Domain suddenly caved in, creating a huge indent of dozens of feet in radius.


    At the center of the indentation, a rainbow crystal flower rapidly shrank until it disappeared.


    Seeing this, Spiritual Abyss Ancestor¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of anger, and he turned his head towards a seven-colored net, ten miles away from him.


    This seven-colored net spanned nearly a mile in radius and was stretched open on all four sides in the Void, emitting a rainbow-like glow.


    Above the net, an elderly man wearing a Star robe and a dignified woman in a Moonlight Robe stood at the two ends of the net respectively.


    Around the net, there were the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird¡ªfour legendary Holy Beasts¡¯ illusions, each enormous and occupying hundreds of feet in the Void.


    The elderly man and the woman were Pan Xing and Ling Yue, master and mistress of Star God Palace, and they were also a pair of Late-stage Nascent Soul Daoist companions.


    Around the couple were the four Ancient Cultivation Families¡ªSitu, Gouchen, Fu Xiao, and Gu Yan.


    The rainbow crystal flower that just appeared came from the hand of Ling Yue Palace Master.


    This gesture was a provocation and also showed a flaunt of power.


    After all, in this Sea Demon tide, the Star God Palace side suffered a minor loss, forced to give up nearly five hundred places.


    You should know that the total number of places in the Core Circle also doesn¡¯t exceed five thousand. When allocated over the Five Continents and Four Seas, at least half won¡¯t receive five hundred.


    As the host, Star God Palace has a quota limited to only a thousand each time, half of which was allocated this time.


    Ling Yue is a woman, her temperament could not compare to Pan Xing¡¯s magnanimity.


    Having suffered a loss this time, she naturally wanted to vent her frustrations.


    Although the rules prohibited a significant battle here, the occasional ¡°slip¡± one or two times was within the realm of tolerance.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Ling Yuan Ancestor snorted coldly, then regained his composure and retracted his gaze.


    This was not the place for physical confrontations!


    Moreover, without the Sea Crossing Crab by his side, even if he joined forces with Ling Xu, he was no match for those two ¡°old friends.¡±


    ¡°Great Elder, is it almost time?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Lingxu Ancestor looked down at the world below.


    Through the clear Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, one could see the meteor showers between heaven and earth thinning out, and the pitch-black ocean beginning to flicker with an unpredictable light.


    From high above, one could see that half of the ocean below was starting to reveal clusters of light.


    These clusters of light, like stars, were twinkling on and off.


    The area of light and darkness spread out in the dark, and at first glance, it looked like a stretch of the Star River.


    On the edge, the stars were sparse, but they became increasingly dense towards the center.


    Especially in the very central circle, where the stars were densely packed, almost joined together.


    From high above, it looked like a ¡°bright eye¡± that was blinking.


    But within the bright eye, there was a pupil-like dark spot that was strikingly noticeable.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor knew that the dark spot was the location of Star God Island.


    He fixed his gaze on that ¡°bright eye,¡± his eyes filled with extreme longing and a hint of deep-seated greed.


    Anyone who made eye contact with the bright eye would feel as if the bright eye was ¡°alive¡± from the depths of their heart, yet it would also seem so cold and unfeeling.


    Ling Yuan Ancestor had lived for over two thousand years, but he still didn¡¯t understand the true nature of the Star God, having only known from the ancient books of his Clan that the Star God was called the Sea God, a Divine Spirit worshiped by his Clan during the prehistoric dream era.


    Even now, the Sea God holds a very high status within the Spirit Clan.


    The most important purpose of their splinter group of Spirit Clan people was to subdue the Star God, followed by establishing contact with the Ancestor Realm of the Spirit Clan.


    In two thousand years, a total of five Divinity Transformation True Monarchs emerged from their Clan.


    Four of the True Monarchs of the Spirit Clan went missing, their fate unknown, after stepping into the Outer Void in search of the Ancestor Realm.


    Seven thousand years ago, the fifth elder Ancestor at the Divinity Transformation Realm attempted to use the Human Clan¡¯s Ascension passage to establish contact with the Ancestor Realm.


    Unfortunately, the moment the Elder Ancestor sneaked into the top of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, he was discovered by two Human Clan¡¯s God Transformation figures and was severely injured in the ensuing conflict.


    After returning to Spiritual Abyss and enduring for three hundred years, he was forced to sit down and fall before his time.


    Just then, the random thoughts of Ling Yuan Ancestor were abruptly interrupted.


    ¡°Not good! Time¡¯s up! Ling Xu, run for it!¡±


    No sooner had the words been spoken than all the meteors below suddenly extinguished en masse, as if devoured by something.


    Seeing this, Ling Yuan Ancestor¡¯s face changed, and he immediately withdrew his extended Divine Thought. Following that, his body flashed and transformed into a streak of light, striving to escape in the opposite direction of the Tianzhu Realm.


    It wasn¡¯t just him; all of the Nascent Soul Ancestors nearly simultaneously stopped their actions, quickly withdrew their Divine Thoughts and Nascent Soul Domains, utilized their extraordinary abilities, and fled frantically into the Void, as if being one step slower would lead to death and complete obliteration.


    Death and obliteration might not be the result, but significant damage to both the Nascent Soul Domain and Divine Soul was a possibility.


    Because at that moment, an unimaginable spirit storm was erupting from below, shooting straight into the Outer Void who knows how far away.


    This spirit storm was incredibly powerful, so vast it filled the heavens and the earth, overspreading nearly half of the Shattered Star Sea with its boiling currents.


    However, Zhao Sheng, located at the eye of the storm, was completely unaware of the intense spiritual tempest raging around him.


    Not quite!


    In one ten-thousandth of a second, the Hundred Lifetimes book within the depths of his Soul Sea suddenly lit up, then became quiet again.


    Because the moment was so fleeting, Zhao Sheng did not notice the anomaly with the Hundred Lifetimes book.

 Chapter 269 - 225: Its Just Algae

    Chapter 269: Chapter 225: It¡¯s Just Algae


    ¡°`


    The psychic storm, arising from the awakening of the Star God, was on such a high spiritual level that billions of lives in the Shattered Star Sea were completely unaware of the extraordinary spectacle.


    However, Zhao Sheng, who was in the midst of it, still keenly sensed the anomalies in the surrounding environment.


    As countless Meteor Spirit Qi Groups burst like fireworks above the sea surface, the Spiritual Energy in the air became even more active. Moreover, on the sea surface, endless layers of Star Algae gradually rose up in a colorful, continuously shimmering Light Halo.


    The Light Halo spread far and wide, growing longer and higher, one zhang, ten zhang, a hundred zhang, until at last the starlight in the entire sky was obscured by this rainbow-like, dazzling Light Halo.


    At a glance, all that could be seen in the field of vision was dazzling radiance.


    As Zhao Sheng gazed at the astonishing phenomenon rising from the sea, he was moved and faintly sensed that an unimaginably great life was slowly awakening from its slumber.


    Just then, the meteors that fell like a stormy shower suddenly extinguished all at once.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed, and then his eyes burst with Divine Light, his face full of shock.


    Because at that moment, the world was silent, all things were still, and only the boundless sea ¡°came alive¡±.


    The next instant, his eyes became vacant, and his Spirit seemed to be hooked by an unimaginable mysterious Power, uncontrollably leaving his body and soaring into the sky.


    In the blink of an eye, just a moment,


    When he came back to his senses, Zhao Sheng was startled to find himself already above the high heavens, standing at the edge of the world.


    Looking down below, the land rose slightly, curving into a shape. Massive clouds of Gang Qi, mountainous in size, swept by rapidly under his feet.


    And above him was the vast and boundless dark Void, a silent void of nothingness, unknown and mysterious.


    Zhao Sheng moved his limbs a little, felt his cheeks, which were warm to the touch, and finally decided to try and hop a few times.


    Everything felt very real, as if he truly had been transported to the pinnacle of the heavens in an instant.


    But he knew that his flesh had not actually come to this place.


    The so-called reality was but an illusion, his Spirit deceived and twisted.


    After realizing this, Zhao Sheng immediately calmed down.


    At that moment, a clear, cold, and pleasant voice suddenly rang out beside him: ¡°You¡­ You really are strange!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng first gasped in surprise, then was delighted. He looked around urgently but did not see the figure of the Star God.


    ¡°May I ask if this is the Star God his/herself speaking? I am Zhao Sheng, at your service!¡±


    As he spoke, he performed a formal salutation to all four directions.


    The Star God did not appear, but the voice spoke again: ¡°Zhao Dingtian, Zhao Chong, and Zhao Sheng? Strange, really strange! All three names are indeed real! You¡¯re not right!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart trembled with astonishment.


    He had never mentioned that he also went by the names Zhao Dingtian and Zhao Chonghe.


    How did the Star God know this? And what did the second half mean?


    Could it be that the secret of his reincarnation had been perceived by the Star God?


    Then¡­ what about the Hundred Lifetimes book?


    In that instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart was engulfed by surging waves, and he almost couldn¡¯t maintain his composure.


    However, in the next second, his expression became incredibly indifferent, and he spoke in an emotionless, calm voice: ¡°A name is but an adornment; anything would do, even calling me a cat or a dog. Did Your Holiness summon me here just for this trivial matter?¡±


    ¡°Wow, there it is again! The Heavenly Dao really didn¡¯t lie to the Divine. You¡¯re not human!


    Are you the same kind as the Divine?


    Where is your True Body?


    How did you break free of your bindings?


    And¡­?¡±


    A barrage of questions pelted down like a fierce storm, too many to fend off.


    In a state of Absolute Rationality, Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts were as swift as lightning, his logical thinking at its absolute peak.


    In that instant, he caught the most crucial word from the Star God¡¯s remarks¡ª¡±Heavenly Dao.¡±


    A myriad of thoughts flashed by instantaneously, and numerous possibilities emerged.


    But in a split second, the vast majority of unlikely probabilities were dismissed, leaving only a handful of the most likely possibilities in his mind.


    Yet he was unruffled, his heart as still as water.


    ¡°Your Holiness has misunderstood! Although I am currently devoid of emotions and desires, I am indeed a real human being. This non-human state might be somewhat similar to Your Holiness¡¯s way of thinking. But it is simply my Talent.¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Really! But why has the Heavenly Dao taken such an interest in you? Even those Children of Destiny do not compare to you. Yet, your Qi Fortune appears very ordinary! Strange, really strange!


    Can you tell the Divine why?


    And are you really not Divine?¡±


    Zhao Sheng noticed that the Star God seemed to be an incessantly curious child, always asking endlessly and referring to itself as ¡°Divine¡±.


    ¡°Why would a bizarre lifeform that has lived for who knows how many years act as naive as an infant?¡±


    ¡°The Children of Destiny favored by the Heavenly Dao? Who are they?


    Is this ¡®Divine¡¯ the name of the Star God, or a term for its race?


    Did the Heavenly Dao discover the secret of reincarnation, even the Hundred Lifetimes book?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts raced, multiple doubts surfacing in his mind simultaneously.


    Perhaps even he himself hadn¡¯t realized it.


    At this moment, his mental state and way of thinking was very much similar to the Star God¡¯s.


    The Star God¡¯s words, though filled with many questions and various speech particles,


    contained no emotion in its voice.


    Its speech logic was entirely imitating humans, like a super-intelligent artificial intelligence.


    ¡°Artificial intelligence?¡±


    The moment this notion crossed his mind, Zhao Sheng suddenly gained great insight, and a myriad of possibilities flashed through his thoughts.


    ¡°Your Holiness, I am indeed human, not Divine. May I ask if you could appear before me?¡± S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    As soon as the voice fell, Zhao Sheng¡¯s vision blurred, and that unimaginable Power once again descended upon him.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 270 - 225: Its Just Algae_2

    Chapter 270: Chapter 225: It¡¯s Just Algae_2


    He instantaneously plummeted through the starry sky.


    The next instant, Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and found himself on a boundless ocean.


    It had suddenly become daytime, with the Great Sun at its zenith, the sunlight bright and cheerful, the sky clear for thousands of miles.


    The tranquil ocean had no waves, and within its waters grew various kinds of algae like red, green, and yellow algae.


    A slight sea breeze carrying a fishy scent with a hint of tartness brushed against Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    He stepped onto the water beneath him and said with an emotionless calm, ¡°Star Algae Sea? This is an illusion realm!¡±


    ¡°Correct! Welcome to the world of the Divine,¡± came the reply.


    No sooner had the voice faded, than another ¡°himself¡± slowly rose from the sea opposite Zhao Sheng.


    In appearance, body, demeanor, and temperament, it was identical to Zhao Sheng.


    Under Absolute Rationality, Zhao Sheng¡¯s actions were unusually direct and simple, and he immediately asked, ¡°Your Highness, are you trying to mimic me?¡±


    ¡°Hehe, Divine now looks exactly like you,¡± the other ¡°Zhao Sheng¡± replied joyfully.


    Although the Divine¡¯s face and words carried a ¡°smile,¡± it gave off an eerie feeling, for it still lacked any genuine emotions.


    ¡°Your Highness is not me! Why bother mimicking me?¡±


    By this time, Zhao Sheng had begun to grasp a bit of the Divine Spirit¡¯s thought logic, hence his speech became even more direct and simple.


    Just as he had said, the Divine was not human, and there was no need to adhere to the mundane rituals of the Human Clan with such a strange life form.


    ¡°But¡­ you really seem like¡­ Divine also wants to go out? But Divine never grows up.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately asked, ¡°Your Highness, are you the Sea God?¡±


    ¡°Hmm! Divine seems to be what you call the Sea God. But Divine doesn¡¯t like this name. Heavenly Dao has given Divine a true name ¡®Algae.¡¯ You may call Divine ¡®Algae.''¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng thought to himself, ¡°Indeed¡­ the Divine Spirit is the Star Algae, and the Star Algae is the Sea God!¡±


    In fact, he had roughly guessed this possibility before, but it was confirmed only after hearing it from the Divine Spirit.


    With a flash of thought, Zhao Sheng immediately lifted the state of Absolute Rationality. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve changed again, turned into a human. Zhao Sheng, you really are human!¡± The Divine Spirit¡¯s thought pattern was linear, vastly different from that of humans.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly and seriously explained, ¡°I have always been human, Your Highness. There¡¯s no need to remind me again and again.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m very curious about Your Highness¡¯s current state of existence. How big is your true body? Could it be as big as the entire Star Algae Sea?¡±


    ¡°Not just the Star Algae Sea, but wherever there is algae, there is Divine. However, Divine¡¯s consciousness never grows up, and its true body is probably just about the size of the Star Algae Sea,¡± replied the Divine Spirit, its words somewhat contradictory and obscure.


    But Zhao Sheng was extremely perceptive and immediately grasped the meaning behind the Divine Spirit¡¯s words.


    The Divine Spirit was likely a type of collective life form, representing the collective spiritual consciousness of countless algae in the Shattered Star Sea.


    The places where algae grew most vigorously and densely, such as the Star Algae Sea, harbored stronger consciousness of the Divine Spirit.


    However, in the Outer Sea and other oceans, due to the scarcity of algae and small clusters, they could not support the Divine Spirit¡¯s spiritual consciousness.


    This caused the Divine¡¯s spiritual consciousness to not spread to the farther Outer Sea regions.


    What the Divine Spirit meant by ¡°never growing up¡± was likely that the reproduction rate of the algae was too slow and could not scale up.


    If one day, the Star Algae could entirely cover all four great oceans, then the Divine Spirit would surely grow to become a great existence comparable to the Heavenly Dao.


    Actually, such Sea God species of collective life forms like the Divine Spirit are inherently legendary creatures with longevity.


    In the Taiyi Spirit Realm, the Sea God is also known as ¡°Earth Immortal,¡±


    In the Spirit Clan and other higher races, a fully mature Sea God is a naturally born Divine Spirit, capable of acting on behalf of Heavenly Dao. Thus, it is also known by other great titles such as Main God, Realm Master, and Heavenly Dao Spirit.


    Compared to others of its kind, the Divine Spirit was like an infant just learning to walk, its spiritual consciousness weak and unstable. Occasionally waking for a moment, it would then fall into long periods of deep sleep, waiting endlessly for the day it would ¡°grow up.¡±


    But that day might never arrive, for more than twenty thousand years ago, when the Divine Spirit had just begun to develop consciousness, it was discovered by the Great Ability of the Human Clan.


    To prevent the Divine Spirit from ¡°occupying¡± this world, the Great Ability of the Human Clan had already made many arrangements in advance and set up the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array.


    The mission of the Star God Palace and the Four Great Ancient Clans was to guard the Star God and prevent it from losing control.


    Additionally, they were responsible for maintaining the normal operation of the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array.


    The cultivation technique of the Star God was completely different from that of the Human Clan.


    Compared to the Human Clan, whose cultivation assimilated myriad divine skills and power into oneself.


    The consciousness of the Divine was law, divine skills, it was both life and path!


    Within the range of the Divine consciousness, a part of Heavenly Dao Authority was usurped, possessing power to call the wind and summon the rain, to transform heaven and earth¡ªthe title of Heavenly Dao Spirit was not without reason.


    Although the Star God was among the weakest of its kind, its natural instincts still persisted. At least within the range of the Star Algae Sea, it was almost omnipotent and omniscient.


    But back to the main point!


    No sooner had the Star God finished speaking than Zhao Sheng cried out in astonishment, ¡°Wait¡­ the entire Star Algae Sea spans tens of thousands of miles, is it really where your true body resides?¡±


    As he spoke, he looked up at the boundless ocean, his heart unavoidably shaken by such a miraculous and grand life.


    ¡°This realm can actually nurture such a magnificent lifeform, the wonders of the Heavenly Dao creator are beyond anything, next to the Star God!¡±


    ¡°Of course! Although the Divine is small now, it will grow one day. It¡¯s just that your Human Clan¡¯s Star God Palace is too annoying. It always stretches out a Magic Net, binding the Divine¡¯s body. Can you help the Divine destroy it?¡±


    ¡°No, I can¡¯t,¡± Zhao Sheng shook his head and said bluntly.


    Facing a miraculous lifeform like the Star God that could pierce directly into one¡¯s heart, any human lies and deceit could barely be concealed from it.


    Zhao Shengr had keenly perceived this and thus spoke the truth.


    ¡°You can¡¯t do it now, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t do it in the future. If you can help the Divine break free from its bonds, the Divine will repay you,¡± the Star God said earnestly.


    ¡°For twenty thousand years, your highness has seen countless Children of Destiny. If these born protagonists couldn¡¯t do it, how could I, a mere subject, manage?¡±


    ¡°Heavenly Dao told the Divine, you are different! You can do it.¡±


    For some reason, the Star God was exceptionally serious this time.


    Zhao Sheng actually sensed a trace of excitement in those emotionless words.


    ¡°Hmm! Your highness is really¡­ I cannot guarantee that I can help you break free, but if one day I can, I will do it if it¡¯s convenient,¡± Zhao Sheng reconsidered and then spoke outright.


    ¡°Hehe, at most a few thousand years, sleeping through dozens of awakenings will pass it. Such a short time, the Divine can wait,¡± thought the Star God, its perspective simply invincible.


    Its concept of time was fundamentally different from that of the Human Clan.


    A civilization might only span five thousand years from its birth to maturity, but to the consciousness of the Star God, it was merely a few dozen awakenings.


    Looking at the Star God, this unprecedentedly strange life-form, Zhao Sheng was extremely curious at the moment, curious about how the Longevity Species viewed the Human Clan¡¯s cultivation for longevity.


    When he asked the Star God what the true Longevity Technique was,


    the Star God responded, ¡°The Divine does not understand your Human Clan¡¯s cultivation methods. For the Divine, eternal youth does not exist. The Divine is born every moment and dies every moment.


    Once, someone interesting said an interesting thing, he said the Divine is ¡°the ¡®I¡¯ of yesterday is not ¡®me¡¯, and the ¡®me¡¯ of today is neither alive nor dead.¡±


    ¡°The Divine also doesn¡¯t understand your Human Clan¡¯s Longevity Technique, the Divine¡¯s consciousness is life, thinking is cultivation, the Cultivation Technique is consciousness, Heavenly Dao is the Divine¡¯s teacher, the world is the Divine¡¯s body. The larger the consciousness, the larger the body, and you say the Divine is powerful.


    But what is power? Heavenly Dao doesn¡¯t know, the Divine doesn¡¯t understand.¡±


    Saying this, the Star God gave a peculiar laugh and suddenly blurted out a phrase: ¡°In the ancient beginning, who conveyed the doctrine? Above and below not formed, how can it be verified? Dark bright and dim obscured, who can determine it? Bearing semblance yet elusive, how to recognize¡­


    ¡°These words were spoken by the Human Clan that confined the Divine twenty thousand years ago. At that time, he also said that when the Divine truly understands the meaning of these words, it will be the day the Divine has grown up.¡±


    ¡°Zhao Sheng, the Divine has asked countless people, countless people have given the Divine different answers, yet the Divine still hasn¡¯t ¡®grown up¡¯. Do you know the true meaning of this passage? Why, oh why!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was stumped by the Star God for a moment.


    It was like asking why one plus one equals two?


    It seems very simple, but in fact, it is an exceedingly tough question.


    Moreover, everything discussed above comprises eternal mysteries.

 Chapter 271 - 226 The World through Divine Eyes

    Chapter 271: Chapter 226 The World through Divine Eyes


    Just as Zhao Sheng was stumped by the question posed by the Star God, little did he know that a short exchange had already spanned three days and nights in the outside world.


    On that day, the Upper Sky above Star God Island was clear and bright, with the sun and moon shining together in the sky.


    Eighty miles southwest of Star God Island, on the sea surface, a massive Sea Crossing Crab akin to an island stretched out its two immense azure-golden claws, interlocking them above its head.


    A thick, Condensed, spirit light-infused azure-golden Light Shield suddenly stood tall in the sky, enveloping the entire Sea Crossing Crab and propping up a Barrier space.


    Within the Barrier space, members of the Spirit Clan stood scattered across the crab¡¯s shell, largely divided into two groups, surrounding the two lucky ones in the middle.


    One was naturally Zhao Sheng, who currently sat cross-legged with eyes closed, his breath barely perceptible, yet enveloped by strands of ¡°Lightning.¡±


    This ¡°Lightning,¡± flickering in and out of existence, was actually the manifestation of a mighty and unparalleled unknown Divine Thought.


    And the other person was surprisingly Wang Yingling.


    Her silver hair danced around her, with threads of Lightning circling three feet from her body, though in far fewer numbers than Zhao Sheng.


    Previously, no one could have imagined that two seemingly insignificant youngsters would be chosen by the Star God.


    At this moment, everyone present, from the three kings with Perfect Golden Cores down to the silent and Nameless warriors of the Alien Race, looked upon the two lucky ones with envy and jealousy, wishing they could take their places.


    Standing in front of the crowd, the Star Cloud King remained silent, his eyes coldly fixed on Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure, with profound killing intent flickering in the depths of his eyes.


    The Ice King stood to the left of the Star Cloud King, leaning slightly forward, as if to shield him.


    In secrecy, the Ice King transmitted via Divine Sense, ¡°Star Cloud, hold back! This youngster is different now. You can¡¯t touch him. Otherwise, if the Ancestor blames us later, you won¡¯t be able to handle it!¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡± the Star Cloud King snorted coldly, showing no intention of explaining himself.


    As the top three kings under the Ancestor, the Ice King had some knowledge of the Star Cloud King¡¯s secret.


    The Star Cloud King¡¯s bloodline was impure, and he had reached his current height only through bitter cultivation


    However, due to his inferior bloodline, he was not eligible for the inheritance sequence, and it was as difficult as climbing to heaven to advance further.


    Therefore, to ascend to the Nascent Soul Realm, the Star Cloud King secretly cultivated the forbidden technique of the clan, the bloodline stripping art.


    Originally, his targets were some dying members of his own clan. However, Zhao Sheng¡¯s emergence seemed an unexpected blessing, and avarice surged within him.


    Seeing the Star Cloud King¡¯s obstinate demeanor, the Ice King warned one last time, ¡°Star Cloud, you¡¯d better be sensible! Don¡¯t forget that the Ancestor is watching everything from the sky right now.¡±


    ¡­


    In the Tianzhu Realm, above Star God Island, at the edge of the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, where Light and Darkness converge.


    A meteorite with a diameter of twenty miles and a pockmarked surface slowly emerged from the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, pausing as it reached the edge.


    Then, the meteorite followed the boundary between light and dark, flying from the horizon towards us, and finally coming to a halt in the Upper Sky above Star God Island.


    Suddenly, a Light Gate seven or eight zhang long and five zhang wide appeared deep within a one-mile-wide Meteor Crater in the middle of the meteorite, as brilliant light erupted from the crater.


    Instantly,


    Streaks of light flew back from the depths of the Void, one after another, landing in the Meteor Crater, flashing through the Light Gate, into a hundred-mile-wide Cave Heaven Blessed Land.


    This Cave Heaven was the location of the Vast Sect¡¯s gates,


    Unless one saw it with their own eyes, no one would believe that the mythical Sky-reaching Cloud Ship, which was talked about in reverence across the Tianzhu Realm, was actually an ordinary meteorite.


    Upon entering the Vast Cave Paradise, a towering Chengtian Wood Tree, extending high into the clouds, was the first thing to catch one¡¯s eye.


    This towering tree, known as Chengtian Wood, boasted three layers of shade; the lowest layer alone spanned a hundred miles, virtually supporting the entire Cave Heaven single-handedly.


    A moment later, within the second layer of the tree¡¯s shade, nearly a hundred Nascent Soul Ancestors of the Gathering Immortal Hall sat around, occupying different spaces based on the closeness or distance of their relationship.


    Today, these Nascent Soul Ancestors gathered for the Nascent Soul Conference within the Tianzhu Realm.


    The Nascent Soul Conference was one of the highest-profile meetings of the realm, held nearly once every hundred years, coinciding with the awakening of the Star God.


    The conference served many purposes, primarily to exchange cultivation insights and barter resources. Of course, it also served to mitigate conflicts of interest, disputes, and old grudges between different powers, as well as among the Ancestors themselves.


    At the Nascent Soul Realm, aside from personal grievances, advancing to Divinity Transformation was of utmost importance; as for factions¡¯ past grudges, they seemed less significant to the Nascent Soul Ancestors, and the lines between friends and foes began to blur.


    In fact, it was similar to Liu Zhengfeng of the Hengshan Sect and Qu Yang in ¡°The Smiling, Proud Wanderer¡± within the Martial World.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, a thousand-year-old Old Demon and a righteous Supreme Elder could also be life-and-death friends.


    In the Gathering Immortal Hall, the Nascent Soul Conference had just begun.


    Ling Yuan and Ling Xu, two Ancestors, immediately sought out Pan Xing and Ling Yue, the Palace Masters of the Star God Palace.


    On a Cloud Platform to the east of the Gathering Immortal Hall, Ancestor Ling Yuan looked at the two ¡°old friends.¡± with expressionless faces and coldly declared, ¡°Pan Xing, Ling Yue, last time you won. Do you dare to bet with us again?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, Ling Yuan, you old undead, as long as you¡¯re willing. My Palace is willing to accompany you once more. Shall the stakes be the same as last time?¡± Pan Xing sneered.


    ¡°The same! If you win, I will retreat to the Outer Sea half a year early, and willingly hand over Dragon Head Island along with ten million members of the Human Clan. But if I win¡­¡±


    ¡°Hehe! If you win, we will release Ling Kong and return the Xi Yi Bell to you,¡± Ling Yue took up the conversation.


    Ling Kong Ancestor was the second elder of the Spirit Clan, who due to an oversight was captured by the Star God Palace three hundred years ago and had been imprisoned in the Locking God Prison ever since. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 272 - 226: The World through the Divines Eyes_2

    Chapter 272: Chapter 226: The World through the Divine¡¯s Eyes_2


    ¡°`


    And the Xi Yi Bell is a major spiritual treasure of the Spirit Clan, previously controlled by the Ling Kong Ancestor. It also fell into the hands of the Star God Palace three hundred years ago.


    After exchanging a glance, Ling Yuan and Ling Xu nodded gravely at the two Palace Masters.


    ¡°We¡¯ll raise the bet by twenty strands of Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence over one inch each and five strands of Magic Trace Mystic Essence. Do you two dare to take it?¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t we dare? Our palace will take it all at once. Additionally, our palace will add a piece of Geng Metal Meteorite weighing ten thousand juns.¡±


    ¡°Geng Metal? Fine, I¡¯ll add a pot of Moonlight Liquid.¡±


    ¡°Deal! This time, our Star God Palace has three Children of Destiny. What about you?¡±


    Ling Yuan Ancestor held up two fingers, boasting with a slight sense of pride, ¡°Hehe! There are two youngsters in our clan who have been chosen by the Star God.¡±


    Palace Masters Pan Xing and Ling Yue swiftly exchanged a look, cursing inwardly that the Spirit Clan had stumbled upon blind luck this time.


    Pan Xing collected his spirit, fixing his ¡®old friend¡¯ with a direct gaze, and coldly said, ¡°Same rules as always, whichever side¡¯s last member wakes up, that side wins. Do you have any objections?¡±


    ¡°Agreed!¡±


    ¡­


    Within the Star God Illusion Realm, Zhao Sheng had no idea that he had become a tool for gambling between two major forces, the Spirit Clan and the Human Clan.


    Zhao Sheng pondered thoughtfully for a long time, but as for the questions posed by the Star God, he was completely at a loss to answer any of them.


    Despite his ability to produce many kinds of ¡°answers,¡± each articulated as if it were a heavenly revelation with impeccable logic,


    Zhao Sheng knew very well that in the presence of a being whose innate status could be compared to that of an immortal, he had to be extremely careful with every word and deed, and falsehoods were absolutely unacceptable.


    After much thought, Zhao Sheng slowly shook his head, gazing earnestly at the Star God, and said solemnly, ¡°Your Highness, these questions are far too profound, I truly do not know the answers. However, I can share with Your Highness my analyses, understanding, and insights about them. Would Your Highness be willing to listen?¡±


    ¡°Go ahead and speak!¡± the Star God immediately nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    Zhao Sheng took a deep breath and began to speak loudly:


    ¡°In the beginning, the universe was in chaos, the abyss was dark, and the deity said, ¡®Let there be light¡ª¡¯


    Uh, wrong scene.


    Let¡¯s start over!


    ¡°In the beginning, the heaven and earth were in chaos, rounded like an egg. The Tao was born within it. In a flash, billions of years passed, and heaven and earth were divided. Pure Yang became the heavens, and turbid Yin became the earth¡­¡±


    As he faced the Star God, Zhao Sheng talked on and on.


    For some reason, as soon as he began to speak, brilliant ideas sprang to mind.


    The more Zhao Sheng spoke, the more his ideas surged forth like a fountain, and his understanding of the Tao deepened remarkably as though some extra help had been activated.


    Days passed, and stars shifted.


    Zhao Sheng seemed to be unaware of the passage of time, continuously expounding on his insights. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What he did not know at this time was,


    In the other over a hundred Star God Worlds, other Children of Destiny, whether spirited, ecstatic, or obsessively engrossed, were ¡°preaching¡± to the Star Gods.


    However, the Star Gods they saw were nothing but enormous Light Balls, not taking human form as had occurred with Zhao Sheng.


    As time went on, the inspirations of the Children of Destiny were ¡®squeezed dry and consumed,¡¯ and they eventually had to exit the Star God World.


    When world after world faded away, leaving only thirteen remaining, Zhao Sheng¡¯s inspiration finally ran dry, and he had no choice but to stop.


    It was only after this that he realized something was amiss. The explosive bout of inspiration he had just experienced was incredibly bizarre.


    There had to be something fishy about it.


    Without much reflection, it was clear that the Star God had been manipulating things from behind the scenes.


    Nevertheless, that session of Enlightenment was truly too precious.


    Upon reflection, Zhao Sheng found that his understanding of the Tao had improved leaps and bounds.


    At this moment, the Star God squatted down, patted the waters, and called out seriously, ¡°Zhao Sheng, why have you stopped speaking?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, I¡¯ve run empty here,¡± Zhao Sheng responded, pointing to his head with a wry smile.


    ¡°Alright then! Since you¡¯ve finished speaking, now it¡¯s time for the Divine to reciprocate.¡±


    As these words were spoken, the Star God slowly transformed into an immense bright white Light Ball. Within it, billions of electric lights zigzagged, their intensity ebbing and flowing unpredictably.


    ¡°Zhao Sheng, would you like to see what the world looks like through the Divine¡¯s Eye?¡±


    After this sentence was slowly uttered, the Great Sun in the sky began to vanish bit by bit. Light faded, the world started to shrink inwards, its edges blurring, and the sea water also transformed into layers of flowing, twinkling, multicolored radiance.


    Zhao Sheng watched the world fade away and also noticed his hands and body slowly fading into obscurity, beginning to disappear bit by bit.


    ¡°`


    Seeing this scene, he calmed his spirit and resolutely nodded, ¡°I am willing!¡±


    ¡°Good, just be careful while communicating with the Heavenly Dao, don¡¯t get assimilated by it!¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, the world abruptly turned into chaos, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Soul was suddenly hooked by a force beyond imagination. In an instant, he was pulled into a ¡°world¡± bizarre and indescribable in words.


    This ¡°world¡± was all light, with endless threads beyond the radiance.


    The threads were of extreme variegated colors, not only including the nine colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, black, and white, but also countless ¡°colors¡± beyond human imagination.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t recognize nor understand these ¡°colors,¡± as if they existed in a chaos beyond his cognition.


    And in his eyes, the threads didn¡¯t possess concepts of length, width, or diameter.


    Sometimes they would stretch out boundlessly, at other times they would coil into a point, sometimes intertwining and winding, weaving and piling into endless knots and three-dimensional structures.


    Zhao Sheng just wanted to take another look, but in the next moment.


    He suddenly fell from the obscure depths, returning to the Shattered Star Sea.


    The sun was shining brightly, the sky was cloudless,


    In the boundless sea, islands were scattered like stars, and myriad life bred in the sea and formed an extremely complex food web,


    At the very bottom of this food web, countless algae instinctively reproduced and divided, experiencing endless life and death.


    At this time, he (it) had become a creature so immense it was beyond imagination.


    In a split second, it divided into countless consciousnesses, each occupying a region of the sea, each with its own personality and cognition.


    The largest consciousness radiated tens of thousands of miles, considered the strongest among them.


    However, regardless of their size, the Innate status of each consciousness was equal; there was no hierarchy or gender differentiation.


    Yet Zhao Sheng did not find this surprising, as if the existence of thousands of consciousnesses was perfectly normal, as if it were righteous.


    In the face of massive amounts of information transmitted simultaneously by thousands of consciousnesses, he received and processed it effortlessly and provided timely feedback.


    Suddenly,


    a great sense of crisis welled up in him, as if he was facing a threat to his life. A voice instantly emerged from deep within his consciousness and quickly grew louder and stronger!


    ¡°Danger! Absolute Rationality!¡±


    The moment this voice sounded, it echoed like a great bell, repeatedly resounding in the depths of his consciousness.


    In an instant, thousands of consciousnesses paused at the same time, then the human form of ¡°Zhao Sheng¡± appeared from within the largest Light Ball.


    ¡°Indeed danger, I was almost assimilated!¡±


    Despite nearly perishing, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was expressionless, his eyes utterly indifferent.


    At this point, he had already invoked Absolute Rationality. Before his Divine Soul was exhausted, his consciousness maintained absolute independence.


    ¡°What is the world seen by the Divine Eye? Let me experience it myself!¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than he fiercely plucked at the strings of his heart, and the world before his eyes came to a halt.


    No,


    It was the flow of time that had slowed down countless times, as if Zhao Sheng had suddenly activated Bullet Time.


    But he knew he hadn¡¯t activated his Talent.


    The ability to do so was purely the Star God¡¯s innate instinct.


    From the perspective of a Star God, time was an elastic concept.


    If the normal world in human eyes was seen as a movie screen,


    Then in the eyes of a Star God, it could be watched frame by frame, and at the same time, it could be sped up countless times.


    Extreme speed and extreme slowness coexisted in the Star God¡¯s consciousness, without contradiction.


    This was a miracle unimaginable to humans, but all too normal in the eyes of a Star God.


    With a thought, Zhao Sheng once again plucked the strings of his heart.


    In that instant, time sped up countless times.


    Day rose and moon set, stars shifted, the Star Algae from birth to death, all completed in a single thought.


    This novel experience was something Zhao Sheng had never had before.


    For a while, he continuously plucked the strings of time, as if toying with the axis of time.


    The world¡¯s pace fluctuated, blurring time itself!

 Chapter 273 - 227 Jin Dancheng

    Chapter 273: Chapter 227 Jin Dancheng


    With the perspective of the Star God, the layers of mist that shrouded this world were lifted, finally revealing to Zhao Sheng countless inexplicable and indescribable secrets.


    He personally experienced the vastness of heaven and earth, where space-time could twist and the earth would show its curvature. The Shattered Star Sea gave rise to tides under the disturbance of the Heavenly Dao; phenomena like wind, thunder, rain, and fog flickered in and out of existence, mysterious and unpredictable.


    Within the expanse of tens of thousands of miles in the Star Algae Sea, he felt as if he had replaced the Heavenly Dao, controlling the climatic changes at will with a spiritual consciousness so powerful it was beyond words. With a single thought, a storm could stir across thousands of miles of the sea¡¯s boundary, and with another, dark clouds could rise nine layers high while thousands of miles of rain and thunder suddenly roared.


    This extraordinary experience, which he had never had before, delighted Zhao Sheng immensely and deeply fascinated him.


    Fortunately, under the guise of Absolute Rationality, his consciousness remained independent and was not assimilated by the overpowering consciousness of the Star God.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s consciousness reprojected near Star God Island, merging into the most powerful Star God Consciousness.


    In the world¡¯s depths, beneath the Heavenly Dao, a vast consciousness extended over tens of thousands of miles, overlooking a vast seascape.


    Zhao Sheng saw the once colossal ten-thousand-year-old Humpbacked Mountain Turtle, which now seemed as tiny as an ant in his eyes. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a single thought, he saw the sea area around the turtle suddenly depress, forming a gigantic vortex with a diameter of a hundred miles in the blink of an eye. This vortex suddenly exerted an infinite suction force, trying to pull the turtle into a ten-thousand-foot-deep abyss.


    At that moment, the turtle let out a furious roar that shook the surrounding hundred miles.


    Its island-sized body rapidly burst with a large expanse of blue radiance, wrapping it into a blue light ball, while a thirty-foot-wide beam of blue light instantly shot into the vortex below.


    As the earth-shattering sound boomed, a massive amount of seawater exploded high into the sky, and towering columns of water surged from the vortex, slightly shaking the sea area within a thousand miles.


    Following this terrifying strike, the turtle effortlessly broke free from the vortex¡¯s grip, the enormous blue light ball carrying vast amounts of seawater soaring into the sky.


    After all, as a Tenth-Order Ancient Beast, even True Monarchs would retreat three feet when it fought for its life.


    Zhao Sheng was merely toying with it; otherwise, by the expansive consciousness of the Star God, erasing the opponent with a single thought would not have been difficult.


    Turning his gaze, he suddenly noticed other presences in the world of consciousness.


    At this moment, there were still seven Children of Destiny in the Star God World, preaching to the Star God.


    Though it was termed preaching, in essence, the Star God lent a strand of consciousness for the Children of Destiny to comprehend the Heavenly Dao themselves, then relay it back to the Star God.


    Zhao Sheng looked at them, feeling a rush of curiosity.


    These seven were indeed the last standing Children of Destiny, each with astonishing cultivation, all at the Golden Core Realm. Six of them possessed a True Golden Core, and only one condensed his pill through external means, but he was remarkable nonetheless¡ªclearly a Golden Core Sword Practitioner.


    Of course, cultivation levels were not Zhao Sheng¡¯s main concern; what caught his attention the most was the Qi Fortune on each of the seven Children of Destiny.


    For the first time, Zhao Sheng directly observed Qi Fortune and its state of existence.


    With a single flicker of thought, the secrets of vast Qi Fortune unexpectedly transmitted from the Star God Consciousness into his spirit.


    Qi Fortune originates from the Innate Fate Dao, being the foremost among the Innate Five Fortunes.


    Measured against Human Clan concepts, Qi Fortune is usually divided into five colors: gray, white, red, blue, and purple, with purple being the most esteemed and gray the most inferior.


    Qi Fortune is further distinguished by the height it rises. Nine is the utmost number: gray Qi Fortune peaks at nine inches, white at nine feet, red at nine yards¡­ with the highest purple Qi Fortune known as the ¡°Purple Qi Coming from the East.¡±


    At this moment, in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, even the Child of Destiny with the shallowest Qi Fortune had blue Qi Fortune, towering at ninety-three yards. Yet, the one with the deepest Qi Fortune turned out to be the sword practitioner,


    This person had an ordinary appearance, not particularly tall or short, with a resolute gaze.


    Aside from the three-foot iron sword on his waist that proved his occupation as a sword practitioner, his whole body¡¯s aura was calm like water, revealing no trace of sharpness and achieving the state of Returning to the Truth.


    This person¡¯s Qi Fortune was tinged with purple, with a Qi Fortune pillar on his head like a sky-supporting giant pillar, directly disappearing into the clouds, turning the surrounding hundred miles of cloud into a sea of purple clouds.


    Zhao Sheng paid him a bit more attention, and information about this person suddenly surfaced in his mind.


    Li Pingjian, the first true inheritor of the Sky-splitting Sword Dao, Gold Element Single Spirit Root, Innate Sword Son, Golden Core Perfect Realm, Divine Power of Ten Thousand Swords Returning to One¡­


    ¡°¡­This person has the potential for Divinity Transformation!¡±


    Out of nowhere, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind suddenly had a premonition.


    This thought emerged, and Zhao Sheng suddenly felt curious to explore this person further.


    Just then, he happened to spot some individuals from the Spirit Clan.


    With the thought, the Qi Fortune of the people from the Spirit Clan emerged.


    Among all, the Ice King¡¯s Qi Fortune was pure blue, towering at thirty-two yards, but the one with the deepest Qi Fortune wasn¡¯t him but a junior member of the Spirit Clan¡­ Zhao Sheng¡¯s acquaintance, Wang Yingling.


    Her Qi Fortune was tinged with purple within the blue, reaching ninety-nine yards.


    Zhao Sheng found this somewhat unexpected, but that¡­ was unimportant.


    At this moment, one person stood out.


    Star Cloud King, ranking ninth among the people, with a pale blue Qi Fortune pillar eleven yards high.


    This person had harbored intentions of killing him three or four times.


    ¡°Kill him!¡±


    Under Absolute Rationality, Zhao Sheng¡¯s actions were always straightforward and simple, employing an iron heart that decisively cuts through everything, an understatement for his approach.


    With a single thought, a strand of Divine Thought from the consciousness of the Star God immediately split off.


    This strand of Divine Thought transformed into an invisible thunderbolt, instantly striking the Divine Soul of the Star Cloud King.


    With the high virtue of the Star God, even a strand of Divine Thought, fundamentally speaking, was several levels higher than the Divine Consciousness of the Star Cloud King.

 Chapter 274 - 227 Jin Dancheng_2

    Chapter 274: Chapter 227 Jin Dancheng_2


    The thunderbolt struck Star Cloud King, and immediately and effortlessly erased his divine soul.


    Suddenly, Star Cloud King fell to the ground, devoid of any sign of life.


    ¡°Star Cloud!¡± Ice King¡¯s face changed dramatically, and he shouted in shock and anger.


    At the same time, his divine sense burst out wildly, swiftly sweeping the surrounding area for several miles, but he detected no trace of the enemy.


    Heavenly River King flashed to Star Cloud King¡¯s side, and without a close inspection, a mere glance turned his complexion ashen, his eyes brimming with intense horror.


    Under the protection of a Ninth-Order Sea Crossing Crab, there were few in the world who could silently claim the life of Star Cloud King.


    ¡°Unless¡­ a Divinity Transformation True Monarch made a move! Star Cloud King, not even a Nascent Soul, how could such a formidable Divinity Transformation True Monarch stoop so low to bully the weak? Then who¡­ Who is his next target?¡±


    Thinking of this, Heavenly River King felt extremely panicked, fearing he might become the next victim.


    What he could never have anticipated was that the assailant was not a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, but Zhao Sheng, whom they had surrounded.


    A mere Perfect Golden Core had been nonchalantly wiped out by a single thought of his.


    After killing Star Cloud King, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of weakness deep within his divine soul.


    In an instant, the Hundred Lifetimes Book leaped out from the depths of his divine soul and appeared before his eyes, its pages turning silently and without prompt.


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 57/68 (-1, -1)


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer


    ¡­


    It was to be expected, a mortal using the Star God Consciousness had to pay a price! Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng saw his own life span rapidly diminishing at the rate of one year per breath.


    Seeing such a terrifying scenario, a normal person would panic.


    But under the influence of Absolute Rationality, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind was as tranquil as still water, and he felt not a hint of fear or panic.


    His thoughts were as quick as lightning, and he instantly formulated a plan, ¡°Not enough life span, but upon advancing to Golden Core, one gains eight hundred years of life!¡±


    As Star God incarnate in the Star Algae Sea, he was almost omnipotent.


    As he formed the thought in his mind.


    The sky and clouds changed colors within a thousand miles of Star God Island, and the nature¡¯s spiritual energy from a hundred miles around swarmed toward the location of Zhao Sheng¡¯s true body.


    In less than a breath¡¯s time.


    The Spirit Clan watched in horror as a huge spiritual energy vortex suddenly formed in an instant and hovered above the meditating Zhao Sheng¡¯s head.


    The next moment, a tremendous amount of pure spiritual energy furiously poured into Zhao Sheng¡¯s body.


    The Star God Consciousness was immensely powerful, and manipulating this amount of spiritual energy was like playing a game.


    As soon as the nature¡¯s spiritual energy entered the Dantian, it smoothly integrated into the Spirit Power Vortex, and his cultivation soared like a rocket.


    Foundation Establishment mid-Ninth Layer,


    Foundation Establishment late-Ninth Layer,


    After one breath, the twenty-seventh Spiritual Power Bead was fully formed, achieving Foundation Establishment Perfection!


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng realized he lacked a Divine Skill to serve as the foundation for forming the Golden Core.


    After two lifetimes of hard cultivation, most of his foundation was in the Water Element, and his main cultivation technique was the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique.


    He decided to use a Water Element Divine Power as the basis to forge the Golden Core.


    In an instant, the content of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique flowed through his mind like water, and all the insights from his two lifetimes of hard cultivation surfaced in his mind.


    In a split second, countless understandings of the Water Element Dao surged forth, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind was filled with flashes of spirit light.


    Using the countless Star God Consciousness as a tool, his logical thinking skyrocketed, as if equipping his own consciousness with a Fake Heavenly Dao Level quantum computer.


    The numerous Star God Consciousness functioned like a group of super quantum computers, using the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique as the basis and Heavenly Dao Level computing power to simultaneously parallel-process just to deduce a Golden Core Divine Power.


    Prior to Zhao Sheng, whether any Child of Destiny in the Tianzhu Realm had ever done something like this was a secret known only to the Star God.


    Had this event been known to others, it would have caused a sensation across the world and driven countless cultivators to madness, and even Divinity Transformation True Monarchs would be deeply moved.


    Within a single breath, hundreds of ¡°Divine Abilities¡± were deduced, but the vast majority had three-dimensional structures full of errors or limited potential, and were immediately discarded.


    Divine Skills were different from common Spells.


    Compared to two-dimensional rune Spells, Divine Skills, due to their involvement with Taoist Laws, have cultivated a new three-dimensional structure.


    The information density of three-dimensional runes was several orders of magnitude higher than that of two-dimensional ones, making them perfectly suitable as a structure for Divine Skills.


    Why is the success rate of forming a True Golden Core so low? Golden Core Thunder Tribulation is one reason, the other is that Divine Skills compatible with oneself are too rare.


    Just as one breath passed, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind was left with only three extremely complex three-dimensional Divine Skill structures.


    The first Divine Skill was named ¡°Boundless Ocean,¡± inspired by the saying that greatness lies in the ability to hold all things vast as the ocean. Its strength was the formidable True Yuan capacity, ten times that of a True Immortal of the same stage.


    The second Divine Skill was called ¡°Sea Suppressing,¡± which was derived from the Treasure Restriction of the Sea Suppressing Pearl. This Divine Skill was orthodox, possessing the superpower of calming the tides and measuring the weight of the seas.


    The Sea Suppressing Divine Skill was almost a perfect match with the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique, likely the last Divine Skill missing from the Cultivation Technique.


    Had there not been a third Divine Skill, Zhao Sheng would have suited to choose it perfectly.


    But it was precisely the third Divine Skill that best fit his Heart Intent.


    This Divine Skill was named ¡°Sumeru Water Realm.¡±


    Based on the use of Heavenly True Water as a defining substance, it was combined with the true essence of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique and further deduced on the basis of the Sea Suppressing Divine Skill.


    The Buddha said: ¡°A single flower is a world, a single leaf is a Tath¨¡gata!¡±


    Heavenly True Water is the ultimate substance formed after the world¡¯s erasure, where a drop of water can transform into a vast ocean.


    The ¡°Sumeru Water Realm¡± Divine Skill was founded on the two grand principles of ¡°water and space-time.¡± Its physical form was also a drop of ¡°water,¡± capable of the ability to contain oceans within a mustard seed, to conceal seas in a droplet, and to turn a drop into a vast expanse, as well as inheriting the Divine Power to calm tides and weigh the seas.


    What most moved Zhao Sheng was that he saw a broader world through this Divine Skill and had already preliminarily deduced a blueprint for a new set of Cultivation Techniques.


    No, it should be called the evolution of the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique.


    For now, this method was called the ¡°Heavenly True Water Skill.¡±


    Once Zhao Sheng truly used this skill to ascend to the Divinity Transformation Realm, this set of techniques could then be referred to as the ¡°Sumeru Sea Transformation Scripture.¡±


    At this thought, Zhao Sheng had already decided to use the Sumeru Water Realm as the foundation for his Golden Core.


    With a thought, the spiritual energy vortex above Zhao Sheng¡¯s head suddenly expanded tenfold, enveloping a hundred-mile radius around Star God Island.


    Under the influence of the Star God Consciousness, the spiritual energy compressed and condensed furiously, taking shape and forming into droplets of spiritual water, which fell from Zhao Sheng¡¯s crown and passed through his chest and abdomen to drop into the Core Spiritual Power Vortex within his Dantian.


    In an instant, an overwhelming suction force surged from the depths of the vortex, and the twenty-seven Spiritual Power Beads flew into it like swallows darting into a forest, rustling into its depths.


    As droplets of spiritual water quickly fell into the Dantian, and as Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense concentrated on the deep part of the vortex, an extremely complex, intricate three-dimensional rune-filled ball-shaped Divine Skill structure, resembling a galaxy, was constructed at the speed of light.


    Once the Divine Ability Seed was formed, all the Spiritual Power as if it had found its mainstay, suddenly swarmed in.


    Spiritual Power became the flesh; Divine Skill formed the bone!


    After a single breath, a perfectly rounded, resplendent Golden Core, dazzling with thousands of rays of golden light, was suspended at the center of the Dantian.


    Zhao Sheng did not need to take any Golden Core Formation Pill to establish his core; in two words, it was a staunch confrontation.


    As soon as the Golden Core was formed, a Tribulation Cloud suddenly appeared out of nowhere above him, and the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation emerged as expected.


    However, with a single thought from Zhao Sheng, the vast Tribulation Cloud was erased, displaying the inconceivable power of the Star God!


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 57/728 (-1, -1)


    Realm: Golden Core First Layer


    ¡­


    ¡°728 years, that should be sufficient!¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    The average Human Clan Golden Core has a maximum of eight hundred years of Life Span, and the Spirit Clan has always lived longer than the Human Clan, averaging around a thousand years.


    Subtracting the previously consumed Life Span, he would still have over seven hundred years left.


    Zhao Sheng was quite satisfied with this.


    However, at this moment, he faced the most important choice of this lifetime.


    To live or to be annihilated, that was the question!


    Making use of the Star God Consciousness, Zhao Sheng envisioned countless future scenarios and made an absolutely rational decision.


    Let the burning of Life Span continue, as he deduced the Tao with the help of the Star God.


    With Hundred Lifetimes within him, Zhao Sheng would neither stubbornly follow a doomed path nor would he devote all his computational consciousness to deducing the Heavenly True Water Skill.


    After assigning this task to the most powerful Star God Consciousness, the remaining consciousnesses acted like a group of super quantum computers, each with their distinct tasks, beginning to seek ¡°Enlightenment¡± concurrently.


    Mind One, Task: deducing the ¡°Heavenly True Water Skill.¡±


    Mind Two, Task: deducing the Enlightenment Pill Elixir Recipe.


    Mind Three, Task: exploring the Fire Law, simulating the practice of the ¡°Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique.¡±


    Mind Four, Task¡­


    .

 Chapter 275 - 228 Space-Time Teleportation

    Chapter 275: Chapter 228 Space-Time Teleportation


    ¡­


    From Thought Three to Thought One Thousand, task: using talismans and spells as a foundation, deduce higher-level Treasure Techniques.


    From Thought One Thousand and One to Two Thousand, task: organize, summarize, and deduce Artifact Refining, Formations, Beast Taming, Body Refinement, Controlling Corpse¡­ and other Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation.


    ¡°Eh, what¡¯s this?¡±


    The two thousand three hundred twenty-third ¡°Zhao Sheng,¡± while flipping through his own memories, suddenly discovered several peculiar memory blanks in a stretch of memory from over thirty years ago.


    With a flash of thought, an extremely intricate and strange rune suddenly appeared in his mind.


    At first glance, it resembled a three-dimensional Divine Skill rune, but at the ends of its third dimension, numerous rune threads extended into the unknown, as if connecting to the more mysterious and unfathomable Taoist Laws.


    Merely from the exposed aspect of the rune, it was platinum-colored, with complex and dense lines intertwining yet incredibly rigid, without a single curve.


    At a glance, the rune radiated an aura of unparalleled sharpness, and it conveyed a sense of eternity, solidity, and indestructibility.


    After one look, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heartstrings were plucked by the Heavenly Dao, and in an instant, countless profound messages fell from the unknown and emerged in his mind, ¡°Golden Taoist Text: ¡®Firm,¡¯ Taoist Intent: indestructible, unbreakable, unchanging¡­¡±


    Even though Zhao Sheng was under the influence of Absolute Rationality, to express the indescribable shock in his heart, he still habitually cursed, ¡°Fuck, that Imperial Tablet actually recorded a Tao True Text! No wonder I¡¯ve looked at it so many times and still couldn¡¯t remember it.¡±


    The Tao True Text is one form of expression manifested by the Tao. It represents the embodiment of certain Laws under the Tao.


    The Tao True Text is linked to the Tao, and because it is protected by the Tao, it inherently has the shielding property of ¡°unseen to the eye, unheard to the ear,¡±


    Without a deep comprehension of a certain Tao, even high-level Great Ability beings in the Returning to Void Realm, like Zhao Sheng, would forget upon seeing it, completely unaware.


    This time, Zhao Sheng managed to break through the shielding of the Tao by chance, using the Star God Consciousness, recalling this Gold Element Dao True Text.


    ¡°Thought Two Thousand Three Hundred Twenty-Three, task: Analyze the Tao True Text ¡®Firm.¡¯ Taking the ¡®Refining Gold Hundred Times¡¯ as a blueprint, deduce the Gold Element Dao.¡±


    The two thousand three hundred twenty-third Star God Consciousness had just received the task.


    Just then, the Hundred Lifetimes book suddenly flickered slightly, and a point of golden light erupted on the fifth book page, then disappeared.


    Zhao Sheng felt a sense of relief in his heart, realizing: the Golden Taoist Text ¡®Firm¡¯ had been recorded into the Hundred Lifetimes book, never to be forgotten again.


    ¡­


    Ten breaths later,


    In the four thousand five hundred seventy-sixth Star God World, a palm-sized Five Luck Spirit Fish, emitting a five-colored Light Halo, merrily swam past Zhao Sheng.


    Bang!


    With a thought from Zhao Sheng, the Five Luck Spirit Fish suddenly burst open, turning into a wisp of mysterious Qi that entered his Purple Mansion through his forehead.


    ¡°Record task: Using a wisp of innate fate as a basis, observe the Qi Fortune of living beings, thereby deducing the Luck Dao¡­¡±


    While Zhao Sheng was busy assigning tasks to the Star God Consciousness cluster, his body began to undergo earth-shattering changes due to his advancement to Golden Core.


    The first qualitative change was the Spirit Power Transition.


    After advancing to Golden Core, the Spiritual Power, which had already undergone one transformation, rapidly metamorphosed into the higher-level Golden Core True Essence.


    In the center of the Dantian, the round Golden Core radiated endless Light, and under its illumination, numerous spirit rainbows enveloping the Golden Core began collapsing and compressing at great speed, consecutively giving rise to strands of ¡°purified¡± True Essence.


    As a vast amount of Spiritual Power returned rapidly from his limbs and, under the irradiation of the Golden Core, swiftly transformed into Golden Core True Essence.


    In just a short ten breaths, the transformation of Spiritual Power throughout his body was complete, the Golden Core dazzling brightly, a True Essence rainbow encircling it. Moreover, beneath the Golden Core, a drop of crystal-clear, bottom-seeing dew settled deep within the Dantian, refracting rainbow lights.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body began a second rebirth and blood washing process.


    Outside, S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Spirit Clan people were first tormented by a series of changes, and then they were shocked on the spot by Zhao Sheng¡¯s rapid ascension.


    Everything started off normally, but suddenly, Zhao Sheng, who had been chosen by the Star God, began to age visibly at an alarming rate.


    Following that, the sea suddenly dipped, forming a gigantic vortex with a diameter of a hundred miles directly beneath them, threatening to swallow them whole.


    Fortunately, thanks to the might of the Tuo Mountain Divine Turtle bearing the Spirit Palace, they just barely managed to escape from this predicament.


    But the next second, the Star Cloud King died very suddenly, in a very suspicious manner.


    Just when the Spirit Clan people were terrified, thinking a Human Clan¡¯s Divinity Transformation True Monarch had made a move,


    A huge spiritual energy vortex suddenly appeared with Zhao Sheng as its target.


    The next second, Spiritual Energy poured into his body, his aura soared dramatically, and in the blink of an eye, he reached Foundation Establishment Perfection.


    As they felt both shocked and distressed, precisely when they were utterly confused, a huge Golden Core Tribulation Cloud rapidly coalesced in front of them.


    Everyone thought that Zhao Sheng, caught off-guard, would have an extremely difficult time passing through this Golden Core Thunder Tribulation.


    Unexpectedly, the vast Tribulation Cloud vanished without a trace as if it had never existed.


    Then, a miraculous scene unfolded before their very eyes.


    Zhao Sheng, a wild youngster who had been hit by sheer luck, actually ascended to the Golden Core Realm.


    Without centuries of harsh cultivation, without consuming a Golden Core Formation Pill, and most importantly, without undergoing the test of the Heavenly Tribulation,


    In just a few breaths¡¯ time, a rarely seen Golden Core Master was born right before everyone, effortlessly.

 Chapter 276 - 228 Space-Time Teleportation_2

    Chapter 276: Chapter 228 Space-Time Teleportation_2


    This¡­ is preposterous!


    Watching Zhao Sheng visibly regain his youth at an astonishing speed, the people of the Spirit Clan were profoundly shocked.


    However, when a hazy gleam of water light emerged behind him, the people no longer doubted their eyes regarding Zhao Sheng¡¯s advancement to the Golden Core realm.


    The Heavenly River King, a cultivator who specialized in the Water Element Path, was the most sensitive and profoundly affected by the changes in Zhao Sheng¡¯s aura.


    Staring at the mysterious and inexplicable Golden Core Phenomenon, the Heavenly River King, looking utterly shocked, couldn¡¯t help but groan, ¡°Spirit God above, what is this kid¡¯s background? Is he the illegitimate child of Heavenly Dao?¡± S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Ice King, you are the most concerned about this kid. Do you know his origins? Does he still have a Divinity Transformation True Monarch alive among his ancestors?¡±


    ¡°Damn, you ask me, who do I ask!¡±


    Even the Ice King, who practiced the Eternal Ice Heart Skill and was almost like the Living Dead, had his composure disturbed by these successive changes, and he rarely cursed.


    No sooner had the Ice King spoken than a muffled groan suddenly emanated from the crowd.


    Instantly, the faces of the Ice King and the Heavenly River King changed again.


    Wang Yingling covered her head with her right hand, groaning as her eyes suddenly flew open.


    When she saw the Spirit Clan people around her, her eyes suddenly revealed an immense sense of loss.


    The moment before, she had been ceaselessly imparting her insights to the Star God.


    She never imagined that the next second, she would be inexplicably kicked out.


    From start to finish, she couldn¡¯t understand what she had done to anger the Star God.


    Seeing Wang Yingling¡¯s distraught appearance, a concerned Golden Core of the Spirit Clan immediately asked, ¡°Ling¡¯er, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Third Great-Uncle, Yingling is alright; I just can¡¯t quite wrap my head around it,¡± Wang Yingling loosened her hand, composed herself, and shook her head.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t figure it out, then don¡¯t think about it for now. Just this one opportunity alone is enough to benefit you for a lifetime. You still have a long life ahead of you, plenty of time to contemplate it.¡±


    Wang Yingling knew that her Third Great-Uncle misunderstood her words, but she chose not to explain.


    When Wang Yingling was kicked out of the Star God Consciousness, the other few Children of Destiny who had persisted until the end were also forcibly logged out simultaneously.


    Needless to say, the culprit besides Zhao Sheng was no one else.


    Of course, the summoneds in the core circle hadn¡¯t realized this yet.


    However, someone had already spotted something suspicious.


    The Star God Palace, acting as the ¡°prison guard¡± for the Star God, necessarily had means to surveil the Star God.


    Right now, in the Gathering Immortal Hall of Vast Cave Paradise.


    In front of the Nascent Soul Ancestors, a Round Light Treasure Mirror with a diameter of twelve feet displayed the entire scenery within a hundred miles of Star God Island.


    The images in the mirror were lifelike, capturing every detail so vividly that even the multiple barriers set up by various powers couldn¡¯t obstruct the scrutiny of the Round Light Treasure Mirror.


    The Round Light Treasure Mirror, a heavy treasure of the Star God Palace, was seldom shown to others, and it had been used even less frequently in history to kill enemies.


    However, every time the Round Light Treasure Mirror was used, it meant the fall of a formidable demon or even a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    During each Star God Divine Sacrifice, the Star God Palace would deliberately show off the Round Light Mirror.


    Partly, it was to monitor the Star God and other powers, and to prevent the Star God from losing control, partly it was also meant as a deterrent.


    In front of the Round Light Mirror, Pan Xing and Ling Yue could barely hide their surprise, while Ling Xu and Ling Yuan were both shocked and puzzled.


    Behind them, the Nascent Soul Ancestors from various top-tier Sect powers also wore grave expressions, apparently also sensing that something was amiss.


    Over the past twenty thousand years, during the Star God Divine Sacrifice, there had been others like Zhao Sheng who had leaped the Golden Core threshold in one step, and even more, there had been exceptional geniuses who advanced to the Nascent Soul realm overnight.


    There had also been multiple instances in history of summoneds suddenly dying, and investigations afterward had revealed they were killed by hidden enemies.


    However, for over twenty thousand years, there had never been an instance of Heavenly Tribulation being completely obliterated or of only a few individuals left being simultaneously expelled by the Star God.


    The coincidental occurrence of two such unprecedented events made the Nascent Soul Ancestors realize that a significant calamity must have transpired.


    ¡°Panxing Palace Master, something is not right! This elder suggests we immediately restart the Sealing Heaven and Locking Sea Array. Should the Star God go berserk again, I fear countless lives will be smothered,¡± said a softly spoken elder with white hair and green eyes. This person was the Supreme Family Master of the Situ Family from Azure Dragon Island, at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.


    The incident he referred to happened two thousand years ago when, after the Star God awoke, it was misled by the persuasive words of a Spirit Clan prodigy, resulting in an enduring calamity known as the ¡°Star Algae Disaster.¡±


    In just a few decades, the reproduction rate of various sea algae in the Shattered Star Sea rocketed by dozens of times, swarming the shallow waters like a tide and occupying them almost entirely. This not only caused billions of sea beasts to suffocate and die due to the lack of oxygen.


    It also severed major transportation routes, causing the human trade transport scale to plummet by two-thirds, and over the decades, the number of mortals who starved to death was well over ten million.


    The Spirit Clan prodigy responsible for the ¡°Star Algae Disaster¡± was none other than the current Great Sacrificial Leader of the Spirit Clan, a Divinity Transformation True Monarch and the universally acknowledged ¡°Saint Demon¡± known as Wang Xusheng.


    Coincidentally, Wang Xusheng also originated from the Human Clan in his youth, being of mixed blood from the Spirit and Human Clans.


    This individual¡¯s appearance and character were considered flawless, and his Talent was outstandingly rare through the ages.


    When his true identity had not yet been exposed, he once was the most celebrated prodigy among the younger generation in the Shattered Star Sea, known as ¡°Heavenly Immortal Human Transformation¡± and ¡°Demi-God.¡±


    After being exposed, upon his return to Spiritual Abyss, he swiftly climbed to the Absolute Peak of this realm in less than seven hundred years, becoming one of the openly recognized Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.


    Given the precedence, seeing another individual from the Spirit Clan who had not been expelled by the Star God caught everyone¡¯s attention.


    What¡¯s more crucial was that this individual had suddenly advanced to the Golden Core stage.


    This development could not help but bring to mind that terrifying yet perfect Saint Demon.


    ¡°Panxing Palace Master, don¡¯t hesitate any longer! Act quickly to put an end to this Star God Sacrifice,¡± someone urged.


    ¡°Could it be the Spirit Clan playing tricks again?!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see. If the Star God is forcibly put to sleep, it¡¯s unknown when it will awaken again¡ªperhaps not for hundreds of years,¡± another suggested.


    ¡°Impossible! The Spirit Clan already used up their millennia of Qi Fortune by producing one Saint Demon; they shouldn¡¯t have such good fortune again,¡± one argued.


    ¡°What if there is another Star Algae Disaster! Do you think just because it affects us in Shattered Star Sea and not those in the Five Continents and Three Seas, you can afford to watch with indifference?¡±


    Hearing a Nascent Soul of Shattered Star Sea taunting them, the Lingyue Ancestor had to step forward, coldly retorting: ¡°Humph, are you folks from the Human Clan planning to break the rules again? Can¡¯t stand losing, can you, Panxing, Lingyue?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Lingyue Palace Master¡¯s phoenix brows furrowed, and suddenly a cold, round moon emerged behind her head, emitting layers of cold, dense, and mysterious light.


    ¡°Lingyue, old fellow, was it you who played tricks? If the Star God loses control again, don¡¯t blame me for uniting with other Fellow Daoists to suppress your clan,¡± she countered.


    ¡°Humph, the Star God has always been ¡®cared for¡¯ by the Star God Divine Palace. Its loss of control has nothing to do with our clan.


    Two thousand years ago, it was your despicable lot who intentionally pinned the blame of the Star Algae Disaster onto the Great Sacrificial Leader, making my clan suffer an unjust accusation for over two thousand years.


    This vile strategy is something you practice so skilfully. Perhaps like the Blood God Sect and Shade Maiden Clan, the other Fellow Daoists have also been deliberately schemed against by your so-called Righteous Path,¡± the Lingyue Ancestor rebuked fiercely, implicating other Demon Dao Nascent Soul Ancestors in the process.


    ¡°Heh, true justice is inherent in the common conscience! Moreover, ¡®a kind is suspicious of other kinds.¡¯ The tricky tactics of your Sea Demon Clan are well known to the Fellow Daoists here. The deceitful and venomous reputation of the Saint Demon was already widespread across the Tianzhu Realm a thousand years ago. What I say is not unfounded!¡± Lingyue coldly smiled, retorting.


    The person Ling Xu Ancestor admired most in his life was the Great Sacrificial Leader, and upon hearing someone slander the Great Leader, he was about to angrily rebut.


    However, just then, a sudden and unexpected change not only interrupted him but also caused the expressions of the Nascent Soul Ancestors to shift dramatically.


    Suddenly a cry of alarm rang out: ¡°That¡­ that Spirit Clan youth is gone!¡±


    Seeing the astonishing scene in the Round Light Treasure Mirror, the Nascent Soul Ancestors couldn¡¯t help but have their pupils constrict.


    They witnessed in the Round Light Treasure Mirror that Zhao Sheng, under the watchful eyes of all, had suddenly vanished into thin air.


    Vast Sect Supreme Elder, recognized as the fastest in the Tianzhu Realm and known as the ¡°Sun Chasing God Monarch¡± Gu Fengge, visibly paled and exclaimed in shock, ¡°Space-Time Teleportation! That¡¯s¡­ Space-Time Teleportation! Could it be that a Returning Void Great Power has intervened?!¡±


    ¡°No, it was the Star God!¡±

 Chapter 277 - 229 Heavenly Dao Light Sea

    Chapter 277: Chapter 229 Heavenly Dao Light Sea S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time rewound several minutes.


    ¡­


    Thought 5128, task: With ¡°Gold Melting and Thought Separation Technique¡± as the blueprint, simulate the consciousness of the Star God, deduce new spells, tentatively named ¡°Star God Thousand Heart Technique.¡±


    Thought 5129, task: With ¡°Sacrificial Fire Technique¡± and Fire Control Secret as the blueprint, combine alchemy experience, deduce a new ¡°Fire Control Technique.¡±


    ¡­


    After assigning a task to Star God number 5309, Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped.


    At this moment, all the aspects he could think of had already established Star God tasks.


    However, there were still more than five thousand independent and clear Divine Separation Consciousness within the Star God¡¯s consciousness.


    ¡°This number should be sufficient,¡± he murmured.


    After the murmur, the ¡°Zhao Shengs¡± in the more than five thousand consciousness worlds suddenly reverted one by one back to their original Light Ball form.


    ¡°Star God, let me see the true face of the Heavenly Dao in this realm!¡±


    ¡°As you wish!¡±


    After a wave of consciousness fluctuated, more than five thousand ¡°Shattered Star Seas¡± collapsed at the same instant, thereafter transforming into Chaos.


    What met the eyes was a world without the shape of heaven and earth, completely dark and profound, as if it were the boundless Outer Void or the ignorant state before the formation of heaven and earth.


    The next second, in the depths of the dark profundity, patches of ¡°light¡± of various forms suddenly emerged.


    These ¡°lights¡± interwove, stacked, and tangled with each other, resembling a spectacularly colorful Light Sea. And most of the light is beyond the imagination and indescribable to ordinary people, mystical substances of the universe.


    They are constantly transforming and annihilating each other, coexisting and countering at every moment.


    These lights are of different strengths; the strong ones, like the Blue Light, were as brilliant as ten thousand rays, while the weaker ones, like grey light, were mere specks of luminescence, and even more ¡°lights¡± were dark and formless, hidden within the profound.


    Zhao Sheng gained a sudden insight, realizing that this Light Sea was the Heavenly Dao form that best aligned with the concepts in his mind.


    If the Heavenly Dao is seen as a vast sea of light, then the depth of the sea represents the Star God¡¯s depth of understanding of the Heavenly Dao Laws.


    The higher the Light Sea goes, the brighter its light, indicating a deeper comprehension of that Law by the Star God.


    Conversely, the lower the Light Sea sinks, the dimmer the light, the shallower the Star God¡¯s comprehension of its Laws.


    This Heavenly Dao ¡°ocean¡± was specially evolved by the Star God so that he could directly ¡°see¡± the Heavenly Dao.


    As for the true form of the Heavenly Dao within the Star God¡¯s consciousness?


    Zhao Sheng suddenly recalled his first extraordinary glimpse, that world composed of ¡°threads,¡± or rather, the ¡°string¡± world.


    In this Heavenly Dao ocean, the brightest on the topmost layer represented the Water Element Principle with its Blue Light.


    This meant that the Star God¡¯s comprehension of the Water Element Principle was the deepest.


    Below the Water Element was the spiraling green Star Sea of the Wood Element Law, the warm, sun-like Fire Element, and a black and white intertwined pattern resembling the Tai Chi of life and death Laws.


    Next were the principles of wind, thunder, metal, earth¡­


    Further deep were the principles of Light and Darkness, Space-time¡­ and other extremely intricate and unimaginable Laws of the deeper levels.


    Zhao Sheng could grasp a bit of these Laws, which could be called the building blocks of the Universe.


    However, the Hong Meng Laws, such as Five Transits, Five Supremes, Five Virtues and other innate Taoist Skills, were the most opaque and hardest to sense.


    Let alone Zhao Sheng, even the Star God had just scratched the surface.


    Because the Light Sea was created based on the Star God¡¯s comprehension of the Heavenly Dao.


    Generally speaking, it would be extremely difficult for Zhao Sheng to sense the Hong Meng Law at the deepest part of the Light Sea.


    But there are always exceptions.


    Remember the thread of innate fate articulated by the Five Luck Spirit Fish?


    Now imbued with this Qi Fortune, Zhao Sheng was able to distinctly sense the Innate Destiny Law.


    Of course, this was also because the Star God¡¯s understanding of the Path of Destiny was the deepest.


    In the midst of the profound, a vague seven-colored Cloud Mist suddenly appeared in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    At this moment, the consciousness of Star God number 4576 suddenly began to flash intensely.


    A vast amount of mysterious information relating to the Path of Destiny suddenly infused into Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Soul.


    In this moment, his understanding of the Path of Destiny began to skyrocket at a rapid pace.


    Meanwhile, the myriad Star God consciousnesses, like countless stars, started to flicker intensely, and the Heavenly Dao Light Sea also became ¡°resplendent,¡± bursting with billions of radiance.


    The clash of spirit and consciousness is extremely dangerous.


    Zhao Sheng was using the Star God Consciousness to perceive the Heavenly Dao, which was almost akin to facing the Heavenly Dao directly.


    Sometimes, merely ¡°sensing¡± can easily burst someone¡¯s Divine Soul.


    The Star God had good intentions, but it forgot that its spiritual level was too much higher than that of humans, with a gap like that between a vast ocean and a droplet of water.


    When the Divine being released its comprehension of the Heavenly Dao,


    In an instant, water, wood, fire, metal, earth¡­ life, death, wind, thunder, Light and Darkness¡­ Five Transits, Five Supremes, Five Virtues¡­ Three Thousand Great Dao, Billions of Laws!


    An endless Law Torrent surged from the ¡°Light Sea¡± in an instant, then crazily infused into Zhao Sheng¡¯s consciousness.


    Under this astronomical amount of information torrent, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t even hold on for a single breath.


    The next second, his entire Divine Soul was about to be annihilated by the Law Torrent.


    In the nick of time, the Hundred Lifetimes book suddenly radiated dazzling brilliance,


    The fifth Book Page instantly expanded countless times, turning into a Sky-covering Jade Plate that was far larger than the Heavenly Dao Light Sea.


    No sooner had the Sky-covering Jade Plate emerged than Zhao Sheng had a flash of spirit light,


    With a single thought, the torrent of Law information infusing his Divine Soul was immediately transmitted into the Jade Plate.


    At this moment, his Divine Soul became a conduit for information, the Book Page acting like an infinite-capacity hard drive.


    As the endless torrent of information entered the Book Page, it ceased to make any more waves.


    Although his Divine Soul had not burst, Zhao Sheng was still in grave danger.

 Chapter 278 - 229 Heavenly Dao Light Sea_2

    Chapter 278: Chapter 229 Heavenly Dao Light Sea_2


    ¡°`


    The peril behind it was a cosmic-scale information abyss.


    For him, the vast majority of law information was like a mass of garbled code, incredibly difficult to perceive and understand.


    One careless step could lead to cognitive chaos and a maddening Divine Soul.


    What¡¯s more terrifying was that originally, a single breath only consumed a year of Life Span, but at this moment it had alarmingly turned into one breath, three years.


    Of course, there are disadvantages as well as advantages.


    Just a small portion of the superficial law information that he was able to understand and absorb had caused his comprehension of laws to increase tremendously in an unbelievable way.


    As a result, the speed of simulating the more than five thousand Star God tasks had also greatly accelerated.


    To put it simply: it was like having an epiphany that connected everything, a sudden complete understanding!


    Time passed, breath by breath.


    Zhao Sheng gradually adapted to the intensity of the information torrent.


    And at this time, he faintly sensed that beneath the Heavenly Dao Light Sea there seemed to be a deeper, more vast ¡°Shadow.¡±


    If the Heavenly Dao were a Light Sea, then the ¡°Shadow¡± would be the dark background beneath that sea of light, an infinitely larger ¡°dark world¡± than the Heavenly Tiger.


    Zhao Sheng vaguely discovered something even more shocking: this ¡°Shadow¡± wasn¡¯t in its complete form.


    It¡­ It was actually existing in two states simultaneously, coiled and folded.


    In the depths of his mind, he had a premonition: if the ¡°Shadow¡± were to be completely unfurled, it might be more vast than the universe itself!


    ¡°What¡­ what is that?¡± thousands of Zhao Shengs asked in shock at the same time.


    In an instant, the emotionless voice of Star God unexpectedly emerged in his mind: ¡°That is the Returning Void.¡±


    ¡°Returning Ruins? Is that the mythical place where all things come to an end?¡± Zhao Sheng asked.


    ¡°Divine doesn¡¯t know. But the Returning Void is the Returning Void!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was about to ask further, but he heard Star God speak again, ¡°Zhao Sheng, if this continues, you will be assimilated by the Heavenly Dao. Do you want to die?¡±


    ¡°Not at all!¡± Zhao Sheng replied without hesitation.


    ¡°What do you mean? Divine doesn¡¯t understand.¡±


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the data panel; his Life Span had two hundred years remaining.


    ¡°I can hold on for a while longer. Please, Your Highness, do not stop me. Haven¡¯t you heard ¡®To understand the Dao in the morning is to die content in the evening¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Very well! Since you insist, as you wish!¡±


    Having said that, the Star God Consciousness fell silent again.


    Time passed, breath by breath, as the information torrent kept on pouring in endlessly.


    The tasks that were previously established were beginning to yield no small results.


    Thought one, the ¡°Heavenly True Water Skill¡± had been simulated to the Golden Core limit, successfully evolving the Sumeru Water Realm Divine Skills into the Nascent Soul Domain. However, due to the lack of key points for breaking Golden Core into Nascent Soul, the chance of forming a Nascent Soul was extremely low. The Grade was temporarily set as a semi-complete Nascent Soul-level Cultivation Technique.


    Thought two, the Enlightenment Pill Recipe was completed, Grade third-tier,


    Thought three, successfully simulated a Cultivation Technique Divine Skill, tentatively named ¡°Burning Heaven.¡± The essence of the Divine Skill: limitless high temperature.


    ¡­


    ¡°The ¡®Solid Body Technique,¡¯ created based on the ¡®Golden Spirit Refining Skill¡¯ blueprint, has completed the Cultivation Technique framework, continuing to simulate, ultimate goal: Undying Golden Body.¡±


    ¡°The ¡®Star God Thousand Heart Technique,¡¯ based on the ¡®Merging God and Separating Thought Technique¡¯ blueprint, has been completed, with the Cultivation Technique realm consisting of Ten Thoughts, Hundred Intentions, and Thousand Heart, four stages¡­¡±


    ¡°Treasure Technique¡­ seventy-one kinds completed. New Pill Recipes, five categories totaling twenty-nine Recipes.¡±


    ¡°Qi Fortune Secret Technique, Qi Observing Skill completed!¡±


    ¡­


    Soul Cleansing and Body Stripping complete, True Yuan transformation complete, Divine Sense maximum range three hundred feet.


    ¡°Found three Divine Thought Imprints within the body. Cleanse?¡±


    ¡°Cleanse!¡±


    As the three Divine Thoughts were erased by the Star God Consciousness, Zhao Sheng¡¯s thought pattern became increasingly similar to that of Star God.


    When his Life Span dwindled to the last two years, he called upon Star God again, ¡°Your Highness, you can stop now.¡±


    ¡°As you wish!¡±


    Hum!


    As soon as he finished speaking, the thousands of Star God Consciousness Light Balls abruptly paused.


    At the same time, the Heavenly Dao Light Sea abruptly dimmed, returning to cover behind the world¡¯s curtain.


    Chaos reenacted, the Shattered Star Sea world emerged.


    Bright sunshine, cloudless skies,


    An endless ocean stretched out with surging waves, where billions upon billions of Star Algae proliferated and thrived with rampant growth.


    Zhao Sheng stood on the sea water, expressionless, his entire aura extremely faint, barely holding on to life as if he could die at any moment.


    But at this moment, he was completely indifferent to all these things.


    ¡°`


    The fifth Book Page momentarily returned to normal, and Hundred Lifetimes Book gently closed; its radiant surface dimmed, flickered once, and then instantly entered the Divine Soul and became tranquil again.


    The Star God Light Ball condensed before him, twinkling faintly, ¡°Zhao Sheng, you¡¯re about to die! But what about the vow you made to the Divine?¡±


    Zhao Sheng indifferently said, ¡°I always avenge my enemies and repay my benefactors! Having received such a great favor from Your Highness today, I will surely repay it one day!


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Your Highness longing for freedom? One day, I will help you achieve it! I swear by the Heavenly Dao!¡±


    ¡°Huh, you actually didn¡¯t lie! But with only a wisp of your Divine Soul remaining, it¡¯s impossible for you to seize another body and cultivate anew. Unless you¡¯re not human!¡±


    ¡°Perhaps I could undergo transmigration?¡± Zhao Sheng said noncommittally.


    ¡°Hmm, that statement is actually true as well! Zhao Sheng, are you a Demoted Immortal, a Void Spirit, or a transmigrated Outer Heaven Demon?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, that is a secret!¡±


    ¡°A secret? The Divine knows it now.¡±


    The Star God asked no more, but Zhao Sheng then said, ¡°Your Highness, I won¡¯t live much longer. However, before I depart, I have one last request?¡±


    ¡°What request?¡±


    ¡°I am currently trapped by the Spirit Clan; could Your Highness possibly rescue me from their hands.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s easy! The Divine can transport you to any corner of the Star Algae Sea. Zhao Sheng, where do you wish to go?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was startled by the Star God¡¯s words, somewhat unsure of their meaning.


    But after a moment, he said, ¡°If Your Highness possesses the power, could you send me to the farthest place from here?¡±


    ¡°Then, as you wish! Farewell, Zhao Sheng!¡±


    No sooner had the voice faded than Zhao Sheng felt the ground below him vanish, and his Divine Soul instantly returned to his flesh.


    In the next instant, before he could react, he felt an extremely powerful oppressive force from all directions, and a seven-colored radiance flashed before his eyes.


    Splash!


    Zhao Sheng appeared out of thin air thirty thousand miles away from Star God Island in a remote part of the sea and dropped with a splash into the water.


    Just then, an indescribable acute pain suddenly surged from the depths of his soul.


    The agony came so suddenly that Zhao Sheng, who had just regained consciousness, was immediately engulfed by the pain.


    Before a thought could pass, darkness fell before his eyes, and he abruptly lost consciousness.


    After his body fell into the water, it slowly began to sink towards the sea bottom.


    Having ascended to the Golden Core realm, even though he had passed out, his body instinctively emitted a powerful aura, scaring away the carnivorous sea beasts hunting in the surrounding waters.


    Who knows how much time passed!


    Zhao Sheng slowly woke from his unconscious state, his head throbbing with pain, and veins bulging on his face.


    However, his face was expressionless, his eyes devoid of any warmth, resembling a living dead.


    Without a doubt, having pushed the Talent of Absolute Rationality to its ultimate limit, he had almost lost all human emotions and desires.


    Previously, Zhao Sheng had not anticipated such a severe side effect.


    But now, nothing else mattered.


    Because he had realized he had only three months left to live.


    That¡­ was enough.


    Zhao Sheng stood up from the sea bottom, released his Divine Sense with full force, and all movements and sceneries within three hundred zhang were captured in his heart.


    Seeing a crack in the seabed over two hundred zhang away, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body moved, and he swiftly swam towards it like an arrow. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon reaching the seabed crack, Zhao Sheng dived in.


    Moments later, deep within the Grotto Heaven of the Sea Shell, Zhao Sheng entered the grand hall,


    Took out the Sea Shell


    Zhao Sheng slowly woke from his unconscious state, his head throbbing with pain, and veins bulging on his face.


    However, his face was expressionless, his eyes devoid of any warmth, resembling a living dead.


    Without a doubt, having pushed the Talent of Absolute Rationality to its ultimate limit, he had almost lost all human emotions and desires.


    Previously, Zhao Sheng had not anticipated such a severe side effect.


    But now, nothing else mattered.


    Because he had realized he had only three months left to live.


    That¡­ was enough.


    Zhao Sheng stood up from the sea bottom, released his Divine Sense with full force, and all movements and sceneries within three hundred zhang were captured in his heart.


    Seeing a crack in the seabed over two hundred zhang away, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body moved, and he swiftly swam towards it like an arrow.


    Upon reaching the seabed crack, Zhao Sheng dived in.


    Moments later, deep within the Grotto Heaven of the Sea Shell, Zhao Sheng entered the grand hall,


    Took out the Sea Shell

 Chapter 279 - 230 Planting the Legacy

    Chapter 279: Chapter 230 Planting the Legacy


    Bei Mansion Cave Heaven,


    With the Jade fishing rod in hand, Zhao Sheng had just extended his Divine Sense into the magical treasure when he encountered tremendous resistance, as if falling into a quagmire, with every advancement exceedingly difficult.


    Having ascended to Golden Core, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense had increased by more than tenfold, yet when faced with an ancient magical treasure of unknown grade, this amount of spiritual power was inevitably insufficient.


    It took him a full fifteen minutes to finally break through the invisible Barrier and truly enter the interior of the magical treasure.


    In the Void interwoven with green rainbow radiance, nine mysterious and unpredictable light beams appeared and disappeared within the rainbow light, extending to the ends of the Void and seeming to connect to an unknown Shadow world.


    At that moment, a streak of light burst into this expanse of Void, transforming into the figure of Zhao Sheng.


    Looking at the nine enigmatic beams of light, Zhao Sheng muttered to himself, ¡°Nine soul attribute Treasure Restrictions? Indeed, a top-grade magic treasure!¡±


    As he spoke, his figure suddenly dissolved into a mass of light and shadow, instantly pouncing on the nearest beam of light, attempting to merge with it.


    However, the beam of light suddenly erupted with dazzling brilliance.


    In the outside world, Zhao Sheng grunted, his Divine Sense slightly stymied, and involuntarily relaxed his grip, causing the ancient treasure fishing rod to drop to the ground.


    Refining a magical treasure was no easy task, let alone an unknown ancient treasure.


    Nevertheless, he wasn¡¯t without some gains; at the very least, he now understood that the ancient treasure leaned towards soul laws, and its name was ¡°Soul Hook¡±.


    Zhao Sheng picked up the ancient treasure Soul Hook, casually placed it aside, and then extended his Divine Sense into the Storage Bag. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a flash of Divine Light, a green bamboo basket gently leaped from the bag and landed in his hand.


    A flash of Divine Light appeared in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, and his Divine Sense once again delved into the magical treasure.


    A moment later, he put down the bamboo basket, looking a shade paler.


    The Capturing Sky Basket contained eight Treasure Restrictions, a magic treasure with restrictions approaching that of a top-grade one.


    In previous years, Zhao Sheng had already refined the first Treasure Restriction.


    Now, after inspecting it once more, the result was just as he had guessed.


    The Soul Hook and the Capturing Sky Basket indeed formed a set of paired ancient treasures with Treasure Restrictions clearly crafted by the same person.


    Moreover, Zhao Sheng secretly speculated that these two treasures were likely the Lifebound Magic Treasures of some Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    Because their refinement difficulty far exceeded his expectations, a Golden Core Master would have to spend hundreds of years to fully refine all the Treasure Restrictions.


    Zhao Sheng took a Nourishing Spirit Pill, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breath to recover his spirit.


    Fifteen minutes later, he reopened his eyes, extended his hand with a gesture, and the Ancient Spiritual Treasure Map flew back into his grasp.


    Compared to the ancient treasures, this Spiritual Treasure Map was much easier to refine.


    Zhao Sheng only took four hours to completely control it.


    A day later, in the Cultivation Room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged, his hands continuously forming Treasure Formulas, as streams of Golden Core True Essence flew out consecutively, landing on a scroll suspended in mid-air, causing layers of ripples to appear.


    At this moment, the Cold River Elder Fishing Painting was fully unfurled. The painting depicted the Cold River surging forward, with waves churning and generating layers of Treasure Light ripples that spread outside the scroll, solidifying into layers of Sealing Prohibitions.


    On the riverbank, the Elder with a conical hat held a green fishing rod, and beside him appeared a seemingly ordinary bamboo basket containing a pool of green water, where a five-colored misty fish frolicked back and forth.


    After a period of time enough for a cup of tea to pass, Zhao Sheng cast the final Sealing Technique, and then saw the Sealing Treasure Light surrounding the Spiritual Treasure Map gradually retract back into the painting.


    Snap!


    The Spiritual Treasure Map rolled up on its own and then whooshed back into Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand before he put it back into the Storage Bag.


    After completing this task, Zhao Sheng waved his right hand, and a pile of blank Jade Scrolls appeared out of thin air, subsequently falling in front of him.


    He picked up a palm-sized Jade Yellow Scroll, placed it on his forehead, and his Divine Sense poured into the jade scroll.


    Upon his Divine Sense entering it, a massive amount of information about the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡± flooded in.


    Two quarter-hours later, Zhao Sheng had inscribed both lifetimes of cultivation insights and the newly completed ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡± into the jade scroll.


    This version of the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡± included the ¡°Boundless Ocean¡± and ¡°Sea Suppressing¡± Golden Core Divine Powers, serving as a cultivation inheritance that Zhao Sheng left for future generations.


    After storing away the Cultivation Technique Jade Scroll, Zhao Sheng closed his eyes and deeply reflected for a good while, then picked up another cold White Jade Scroll, pressing it directly onto his forehead as Divine Sense flowed into it.


    Soon, a Jade Scroll encapsulating the introductory insights into Talisman Tao was completed.


    Thereafter, Zhao Sheng repeated this process, using four Jade Scrolls just for the talisman aspect.


    One of them documented more than three hundred kinds of First-Order Talismans and their drawing methods. The last two separately recorded one hundred twenty-one and eighty-one kinds of Second Order True Talismans and Treasure Talismans respectively.


    Treasure Talismans are generally evolved from Golden Core Level Magic, rarely upgraded from Second Order True Talismans.


    But the eighty-one kinds of Treasure Talismans inscribed by Zhao Sheng were mostly deduced and upgraded from Second Order True Talismans with the aid of the Star God Power, with only two obtained by chance from the outside world.


    In addition, some special Treasure Talismans share the same origins as talisman treasures, both crafted by Golden Core Masters. However, talisman treasures contain a strike of the master¡¯s Lifebound Magic Treasure, whereas Treasure Talismans enshrine an Innate Divine Ability.


    Having recorded the inheritance of talismans, Zhao Sheng took Nourishing Spirit Pills and Soul Condensing Pills, circulated his power to regulate his breath and recover his depleted spirit.


    Half a day later, he picked up a blank Jade Scroll and began to inscribe the inheritance of Alchemy.


    The purpose of creating these Inheritance Jade Scrolls was partially to leave a legacy for future generations.


    Even the strongest individual has limits, while the power of a community is far greater than one person alone.


    The inheritance that Zhao Sheng left behind was like a seed, which after generations of research and experience accumulated by Zhao Clan Members could lead to innovation and yield even more fruitful outcomes.


    In this life, he stood alone, so leaving behind an inheritance was secondary. The main reason was that this time¡¯s harvest was too vast and diverse, with his mind involuntarily crammed full of countless confusing pieces of information, causing him an unbearable headache.

 Chapter 280 - 230 Plant the Legacy_2

    Chapter 280: Chapter 230 Plant the Legacy_2


    ¡°`


    Although part of it had been deciphered and understood by him, much more had been forcibly imparted by the Star God, and could barely be considered hastily gobbled up.


    The information in his head accounted for less than one percent of his gains, and thankfully, over ninety-nine percent of the unknown information was sealed by the Hundred Lifetimes book; otherwise, his head would have burst open like a watermelon long ago.


    The creation of the Inheritance Jade Scroll was also to organize information, to summarize and conclude what had been acquired.


    It took Zhao Sheng one day to create the Alchemy Inheritance Jade Scroll.


    However, Zhao Sheng did not inscribe the Elixir Recipe for the Enlightenment Pill into the Jade Scroll.


    The Enlightenment Pill belonged to the rarest and most valuable category even among third-tier Spirit Pills.


    In Zhao Sheng¡¯s view, the Golden Core Formation Pill was not as precious as the Enlightenment Pill.


    Because the Enlightenment Pill could assist cultivators in comprehending the Dao, and could be used even by Nascent Soul Ancestors, while the Golden Core Formation Pill was only useful for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    Leaving the Elixir Recipe for the Enlightenment Pill to later generations was purely asking for trouble for the Zhao family.


    Until a Nascent Soul Ancestor appeared to preside over the family, Zhao Sheng would not let the Enlightenment Pill out.


    Subsequently, he practiced cultivation for two days to stabilize his precariously unstable Golden Core.


    Logically, the three most important tasks for a newly advanced Golden Core Master are to stabilize their realm, nourish their flesh, and condense their Divine Sense.


    But for Zhao Sheng, who had only a few months to live, the above tasks were not important as long as he maintained the integrity of his Golden Core.


    After stabilizing the Golden Core, he began to busy himself with creating the Inheritance Jade Scrolls,


    It took almost a month for Zhao Sheng to reorganize the information in his mind, and the result was nearly eighty Jade Scrolls, which not only encompassed the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation such as talisman, Array Device, beast divination, curses, etc., but also included various Cultivation Methods.


    In addition, eight of the Jade Scrolls contained information that was extremely abstruse and difficult to understand, detailing Zhao Sheng¡¯s insights into the Taoist Laws, with the Water Element taking up the majority of the content.


    ¡­


    Late at night, thick clouds obscured the stars and the moon, plunging the night into pitch-black darkness. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In a remote part of the Star Algae Sea, a small silver-white Flying Boat suddenly broke through the sea surface, quietly shot up into the sky, and disappeared into the thick clouds in the blink of an eye.


    After passing through the clouds, the Flying Boat flew into the second layer of Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, its hull nimbly turning from vertical to horizontal.


    Inside the Flying Boat, Zhao Sheng slapped the hull, his robust True Yuan plunged into the boat, and a white Light Shield rose up, wrapping the Flying Boat within.


    Having discerned the direction, with a thought from Zhao Sheng, the back of the Flying Boat instantly exploded with a boom, accelerating rapidly, turning into a streak of light that darted towards the Outer Sea at a lightning-fast speed.


    Half a month later, the Flying Boat crossed a hundred thousand miles of sea territory and finally arrived at Dome Turtle Island.


    As dusk approached, the Sun had already sunk halfway down, and countless columns of cooking smoke rose from the Zhao Family Territory in the middle of the island, presenting an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.


    At this time, on the White Sand Beach on the eastern side of Dome Turtle Island, huge black-backed ironclad turtles were retreating back to the sea from the white sands.


    Led by Zhao Yunxian, the Zhao Clan Members formed small turtle-hunting teams and were cautiously hunting old and frail ironclad turtles.


    Despite their docile nature, the ironclad turtles could be three times more ferocious than same-tier sea sharks when fighting for their lives.


    Every year during the ironclad turtles¡¯ egg-laying period, incidents occurred where Zhao Clan Members who failed to hunt would instead be killed by the turtles.


    There were three Foundation Establishment Elders in the Zhao family altogether, and two of them were present on the White Sand Beach at this time.


    Ah!


    A sudden scream rang out as a Qi Refining Late Stage Zhao Clan Member was carelessly sent flying by a three-hundred-year-old turtle, blood trickling from his mouth and nose, clearly suffering from serious internal injuries.


    Watching his ¡°clumsy¡± and barely capable clanspeople, Zhao Yunxian frowned deeply, feeling extremely frustrated.


    Ever since the Guest Elder, Cen Hezi, had been taken away by someone, it seemed as if the Zhao family had been struck by a string of bad luck, with one unfortunate event following another.


    First, the Treasure Ship to Biluo Island was attacked by a group of Elder Phantom Birds, resulting in significant casualties among the Clan Members. Even Foundation Establishment Elder Zhao Hanguang was injured in his Purple Mansion and had to retreat for recovery.


    Then, Zhao Hongli, who was at the peak of Qi Refining, failed to upgrade to Foundation Establishment, activating the Bone Burning Skill, which greatly reduced his Life Span, leaving him only a few years to live.


    The most serious issue was the lack of successors within the family; now, there was only one promising Qi Refining Perfection cultivator left. There were a few talented youngsters, but if they couldn¡¯t pass the Foundation Establishment phase, even the most extraordinary talents would become nothing more than a pile of yellow soil after a hundred years.


    As Zhao Yunxian was worrying about the future of the family, a cold voice suddenly sounded in his ear: ¡°May I ask if this is the Zhao family of Dome Turtle Island?¡±


    Startled, Zhao Yunxian¡¯s Divine Sense burst out, capturing every motion within thirty meters.


    However, besides his own Clan Members, he could not find the person who spoke.


    ¡°Who are you? Please show yourself!¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Yunxian¡¯s face hardened, and a trace of golden light faintly appeared under his sleeve.


    However, as the sea winds howled around him, the person in question did not appear.


    ¡°`


    As his nervousness grew, that detached voice rang out again in his ears, ¡°At midnight, a hundred miles southwest of Dome Turtle Island, among the reef cluster.¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, a pill bottle suddenly fell from the sky, landing precisely in Zhao Yunxian¡¯s hand.


    ¡°What do you mean by this? If you are a friend and not an enemy, please show yourself!¡±


    However, no matter how many times Zhao Yunxian repeated his call, he received no response.


    Seeing that the visitor had quietly slipped away, he reluctantly stopped calling out. He extended his hand to remove the seal of the elixir, tipped the pill bottle upside down, and out rolled an elixir pill the size of a longan fruit, flickering with spirit light.


    Upon seeing this spirit pill, Zhao Yunxian¡¯s face changed drastically. He immediately poured the pill back into the bottle and sealed it again.


    ¡°It¡¯s actually a Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. The person has been so generous, what could be their intention? The chaotic reefs to the southwest at the dead of night¡­ Should I go or not?¡±


    Zhao Yunxian tightly clutched the pill bottle in his right hand, his eyebrows knitted together, his thoughts in a jumbled unrest.


    ¡­


    At midnight, with the moon high in the sky,


    Jagged and oddly shaped, the reefs protruded above the sea surface, forming a reef cluster nearly a mile wide, while the distribution of the underwater reefs was a hundred times greater.


    Bang!


    A massive ironclad turtle surfaced, slowly crawling onto a reef that was about ten yards in diameter.


    Fully armed, Zhao Yunxian jumped down from the turtle¡¯s shell, his expression cautious as he observed the mysterious figure standing on another rock, five yards away.


    ¡°Who are you? Why have you invited Zhao here in the middle of the night? What is your purpose?¡±


    ¡°I hear your Zhao family hails from the Central Continent. Is that so?¡±


    In the middle of speaking, the mysterious person turned around, revealing a deathly pale face.


    His eyes were extremely cold, like those of a demon that had killed countless people.


    The moment Zhao Yunxian saw this person¡¯s face, his heart lurched, and he immediately went on high alert.


    As the saying goes, the face is a reflection of the heart!


    The face of the person before him was too ¡°fierce¡±; he was either a demon or a ruthless murderer who regarded human life as grass underfoot.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Seeing that Zhao Yunxian wasn¡¯t responding as expected, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly, releasing a trace of the Golden Core¡¯s pressure.


    ¡°Ah! Senior, please forgive me, forgive me! I didn¡¯t realize your identity, and thus I have been disrespectful. Please be magnanimous and forgive my rudeness!¡± Zhao Yunxian exclaimed in fear, hastily bowing to apologize.


    ¡°Ignorance is no sin. I ask you, does your Zhao family come from the Central Continent, and did you have an ancestor named Zhao Chonghe?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Yunxian was taken aback. He quickly recalled, finding the culprit who had led to their branch being stranded in the Shattered Star Sea; it was indeed named Zhao Chonghe.


    ¡°Senior, it is true that our branch had a Family Head named Zhao Chonghe over three hundred years ago. Our ancestral home is at Dragon Carp Lake.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! Then there¡¯s no mistake. I have indeed found the right place.¡±


    ¡°May I know your esteemed name, Senior? Do you have some important matter to discuss by coming here?¡±


    Zhao Sheng said hoarsely, ¡°More than three hundred years ago, I was greatly indebted to one of your ancestors. Now that I am about to achieve Nascent Soul, I need to resolve the past cause and effect. Since Zhao Chonghe is dead, this cause and effect must now fall upon your clan.¡±


    Such good fortune?!


    Zhao Yunxian was overjoyed upon hearing this, but he still maintained full caution, given that Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t look remotely like a good person.


    But then, he was immediately stunned by a rain of generous gifts from heaven.


    Let alone the several dozen Jade Scrolls, there were nine Foundation Establishment Pills, and even more was the two Golden Core Formation Pills he had long dreamt of.


    Beyond that, a vast quantity of various talismans and spirit pills filled two Storage Bags.


    For a moment, Zhao Yunxian looked at the dead-faced man before him with intense eagerness, even more affectionately than he would his own father.


    The talismans and spirit pills, having been worn by hundreds of years, were essentially useless.


    Zhao Sheng giving them to the Zhao family was, therefore, not a waste.


    ¡°Many thanks to Senior for your generous gifts¡­¡± Zhao Yunxian bowed repeatedly in gratitude.


    However, when he straightened his body, he was astonished to find that the visitor had already vanished.


    One month later, in a deep trench a thousand miles away from Dome Turtle Island, a Sea Shell nestled deep in a cave on the trench wall, emitting a faint white glow.

 Chapter 281 - 231 Sixth Life, the Zhao Family Produces a Dragon

    Chapter 281: Chapter 231 Sixth Life, the Zhao Family Produces a Dragon


    Name: Zhao Dingtian (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 58/58


    Realm: Golden Core First Layer


    Profession: Third-tier Talisman Master, Quasi Third-rank Alchemist


    [Constitution:] Three Spirit Roots Physique (Profound Level), Half Spirit Clan (Profound)


    [Talent:] Bullet Time (Profound Level), Danger Perception (Yellow), Absolute Rationality (Profound Level)


    [Skill:] S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Cultivation Technique: Heavenly True Water Skill (Master), Blood Soul Scripture (Master), Star God Thousand Heart Technique (Skilled), Immortal Golden Body (Uninitiated)¡­


    Divine Skills: Sumeru Water Realm


    Hundred Arts: Talisman (Master), Alchemy (Expert), Formation (Beginner), Beast Taming (Beginner), Artifact Refining (Beginner)¡­


    ¡­


    ¡°The fifth life has ended, calculating¡­¡±


    With a grand and indifferent voice rising from the indescribable void, the Hundred Lifetimes Book congealed from the void, detached from an unknown place, emanating billions of rainbow lights, turning the void into chaos.


    The Jade Book automatically opened, and a light sphere arose from the fifth Jade Leaf.


    Suddenly, the light sphere shattered into billions of starlights, and Zhao Sheng manifested from within.


    After taking a long breath, he suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with immense joy.


    ¡°Haha, I¡¯ve finally escaped the state of the living dead. It truly felt worse than death!¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed heartily, relieved, his spirit becoming incredibly light.


    After reviewing his data panel, Zhao Sheng marveled, realizing that the Hundred Lifetimes Book had evolved once again.


    ¡°Eh, what¡¯s this?¡± he suddenly exclaimed, his gaze turning towards a corner of the page.


    There, a vibrant little world hovered, suspended between the real and the surreal,


    roughly spherical, with the sun and the moon orbiting around it, stars faintly visible.


    Though it seemed only as big as a fist, the world inside contained oceans, islands, sky, sun, star algae, and millions of living beings¡­ The more he looked, the more it resembled the Shattered Star Sea, shrunk down by billions of times.


    No,


    Zhao Sheng quickly revised his view because he spotted Star God Island right at the center of the world, then observed the nearby distribution of islands for thousands of miles.


    He finally confirmed something, ¡°This is the damned Star Algae Sea!¡­ Star God, you damn well pulled through!¡±


    Unable to contain his excitement, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but blurt out a few swear words.


    As his thoughts shifted, the Hundred Lifetimes Book flickered once, and suddenly, information about this illusionary world surged into his mind.


    After browsing the information, Zhao Sheng had an epiphany. Looking at it again, his eyes couldn¡¯t hide the greed and fear they held.


    It turned out that this ¡°world¡± was just an appearance, the reality behind it was an information abyss beyond human imagination. From the vastness of the sun, moon, and sky to the minutiae of a drop of water, a ray of light, every detail was embedded with astronomical levels of unresolved information.


    This unresolved information was all ¡°copied¡± by Zhao Sheng from the Star God Consciousness, representing the Star God¡¯s understanding and insights of this world over tens of thousands of years.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng also discovered that this ¡°information¡± world was only a very small part of the Star God Consciousness.


    It looked vivid and lifelike, but was less than one ten-thousandth of the real world, essentially void, with very crude and sparse laws, merely a pretty ¡°fa?ade.¡±


    Yet, if others saw this ¡°world¡±, even a Returning Void Great Power would be tempted to snatch it.


    One could imagine how precious a perception of the world by an Earth Immortal Level life was, immature though it might be, its inherent stature was there.


    Star God, such a miraculous life, was capable of facing the Heavenly Dao directly!


    By now, he realized that just this ¡°world¡± alone neatly arranged his future lives.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng felt both joy and worry.


    Just then, that familiar and intimate voice suddenly emerged from the depths of his heart:


    ¡°Calculation complete, the final evaluation of the fifth life is: Lower Grade A.¡±


    ¡°Evaluation Reward: One Earth-level Inheritance Right (Divisible)nPlease choose from Constitution, Skill, Talent, Profession to inherit.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, after pondering for a moment, said, ¡°Split the inheritance right,¡±


    ¡°Divided into three Profound-level inheritance rights. Please choose from Constitution, Skill, Talent, Profession to inherit.¡±


    ¡°Choose to inherit Three Spirit Roots Physique, Bullet Time Talent. Can the remaining inheritance right be reserved for the next life?¡±


    ¡°That is possible!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, his eyes shining brightly, thought to himself: ¡°The Hundred Lifetimes Book indeed isn¡¯t that simple! If something unexpected happens in the future, I won¡¯t have to start over.¡±


    ¡°Inheriting¡­¡±


    ¡°Constitution, Talent, inherited!¡±


    Ding!


    After a bell-like clear sound, that voice emerged again from the depths of his heart: ¡°Congratulations on achieving three human life achievements!¡±


    Just then, the voice trembled slightly before returning to normal, ¡°World trajectory deviation exceeded 10%, extra reward one Earth-level achievement!¡±


    ¡°Achievements as follows: One, Collect Banished Immortal¡¯s Residual Thoughts (Earth); Two, Ascend to Golden Core (Profound); Three, Face Heavenly Dao and Survive (Profound); Four, Twist World Trajectory (Earth)¡±


    ¡°Achievement Reward: Two Earth and two Profound, total four random rewards (note: high-level rewards can be split into three low-level rewards).nChoose from Constitution, Skill, Talent, Profession to randomly draw or replace with skill level improvement, please choose?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was greatly shocked.


    This was the first time he heard about the notion of world trajectories. Could it be that worlds, like individuals, have their fates?


    ¡°It makes sense when you think about it. The vast universe, billions of Constant Sand Worlds. Every moment, worlds are born and worlds fade. Every world inevitably goes through the stages of formation, existence, destruction, and void. Fate belongs to one of the Three Thousand Great Dao, and every life is influenced by it; thus, naturally, the world too!¡±

 Chapter 282 - 231 Sixth Life, the Zhao Family Produces a Dragon_2

    Chapter 282: Chapter 231 Sixth Life, the Zhao Family Produces a Dragon_2


    ¡°`


    At this thought, Zhao Sheng had a moment of realization.


    The future trajectory of the world had indeed been changed by him!


    If he had chosen to give up burning his lifespan, he might have eventually been taken back to the Spirit Clan.


    Let¡¯s boldly assume, with his abilities, talent, and the resources of the Spirit Clan,


    in a few hundred years, he could very likely have ascended to Nascent Soul, and even reached the late stages of Nascent Soul, potentially matching the Ling Yuan Ancestor.


    What¡¯s more terrifying is that if he were to marry and have children, given the Spirit Clan¡¯s superior talent for spirit roots, it¡¯s very likely that he would reincarnate into the Spirit Clan in his future lives.


    Zhao Sheng found it hard to imagine how high he might elevate the Spirit Clan, and how much the trajectory of the world might twist.


    Human Clan or Spirit Clan?


    ¡°Life is indeed too difficult for me!¡±


    After a sigh, Zhao Sheng rallied his spirits and started to focus on the task at hand.


    ¡°Use the Earth-level reward to upgrade Spirit Root Physique.¡±


    At the command, Zhao Sheng felt a bit nervous, hoping that Water Spirit Root would be among the spirit roots, lest the foundation built in his fifth life be wasted.


    However, this time, he was ultimately disappointed.


    ¡°Spirit Root upgrading¡­ Congratulations, physique upgraded to Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots. Allocation of spirit roots: 7 Parts Fire, 3 Parts Metal.¡±


    Alas!


    A flash of bitterness crossed Zhao Sheng¡¯s face, yet it was quickly overpowered by joy. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dual Spirit Roots were certainly much better than three spirit roots, after all!


    At this time, the remainder of the random rewards from two Profound and three Earth levels were given.


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and asked, ¡°Is it possible to save one Profound-level random draw for my next life?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it has been reserved.¡±


    Good!


    Zhao Sheng perked up and decisively said, ¡°Use one Earth-level reward to upgrade Bullet Time Talent.¡±


    ¡°Talent upgrading¡­ Congratulations, talent upgraded to Immortal Spirit Vision (Incomplete).¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, a delicate piece of information flowed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind:


    ¡°For the Immortals, time hardly holds any significance. To their eyes, time is no longer elusive and intangible but becomes an extremely elastic ¡®True Thing¡¯.¡±


    [Immortal Spirit Vision (Incomplete): Also known as True Time, to the eyes of an Immortal Spirit, time can be infinitely prolonged or shortened.


    Due to incomplete talent, the flow of time can only be extended, not shortened. The fastest pace of time flow is the same as an ordinary person, but at its slowest, it can be extended to a hundred times the normal speed, the specific multiple dependent on the individual¡¯s Divine Soul strength.]


    After reading this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart was enlightened. The Bullet Time previously could only extend time flow by up to thirty times, and it was highly taxing on spiritual power.


    But this Immortal Spirit Vision (Incomplete) could extend the flow of time by up to a hundred times, and it appeared to have no side effects.


    As expected of an Earth-level talent, it¡¯s truly incredible!


    That being said, would the complete Immortal Spirit Vision not be a Heavenly-level talent?


    Zhao Sheng thought back to the magical experience when he viewed the world from the standpoint of a Star God, his heart thrilling with excitement.


    ¡°Use one Earth-level random draw to select for Constitution,¡± he said.


    ¡°Drawing¡­¡±


    In a blink, a countless number of white Light Balls emerged and disappeared on the sixth Book Page.


    Quickly, one Light Ball swelled rapidly and then burst open, scattering into numerous Light Points.


    ¡°Congratulations, host has drawn the Earth-level Constitution Barbaric Ancient Battle Body.¡±


    With this, a block of information immediately poured into his mind.


    [Barbaric Ancient Battle Body: Stemming from a branch of the Human Clan in the Immortal Realm, the bloodline war body of the Barbaric Ancient Clan. Fighting Heaven and Earth, the Barbaric Ancients bow not to heaven!]


    Having read the information, Zhao Sheng¡¯s interest was instantly piqued: ¡°This Barbaric Ancient Battle Body seems really exciting! It¡¯s invigorating just hearing about it.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was very much looking forward to the surprises it would bring him.


    Hmm, there is still one Profound-level random reward left.


    ¡°Should I use it now, or save it for the next life?¡±


    ¡­ Random skill drawing in progress¡­¡±


    In a single second, as the sound emerged from the depths of his heart, Zhao Sheng¡¯s silhouette gradually faded from the Void, his thoughts plunging into darkness.


    ¡­


    Starving


    So hungry!


    The moment Zhao Sheng regained consciousness, a sudden and overwhelming sensation of hunger took over most of his rationality.


    In a daze, he felt as if his stomach had become a Black Hole, from which countless little hands reached out, clutching desperately at his throat.


    Zhao Sheng bolted upright in bed and instinctively shouted, ¡°Someone come here!¡±


    To his surprise, his voice was unusually childlike, as though he were a child.


    Crack!


    As Zhao Sheng¡¯s right hand accidentally pressed against the bedpost, there was a crack, and the teak bedpost promptly broke into two pieces, flying off.


    ¡°Young master, Xiao Qi is here, you must be hungry! The food will be ready shortly.¡±


    As he spoke, a tall and burly man with a dark face barged into the room like a whirlwind.


    With a wave of his hand, a line of servants streamed in from outside the door, each carrying a large food box.


    Zhao Sheng retracted his hand and lifted it to his eyes, his expression turning to one of surprise.


    His hand was tiny, the skin yellowed and extremely thin, akin to skin and bones.


    Yet it was this small hand that had lightly pressed and snapped a teak bedpost as thick as a wrist.


    The incredible strength of this flesh body was quite frightening; could it be an effect of the Barbaric Ancient Battle Body?


    With a brief recollection, a flood of memories from his predecessor¡¯s life quickly surfaced in his mind.


    Zhao Qingyang, just passed his eighth birthday.


    A member of the Zhao Family from the Xinglong Origin, belonging to the Qing branch and ranked thirteenth, with Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots and Qi Refining First Layer.


    Naturally endowed with incredible strength and impenetrable bones, his appetite was vast, requiring at least five meals a day, each meal¡¯s quantity surpassing that of his peers by a hundredfold.


    However, his development was noticeably slower than that of his peers; his skin was naturally yellowed, and his frame even thinner, standing at the height of a four or five-year-old child at the age of eight, appearing frail and sickly.


    Since birth, he had ingested countless Spirit Pills to supplement his energy and blood, yet to no avail; therefore, he had always been seen as a monster by his peers.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 283 - 231 Sixth Life, the Zhao Family Produces a Dragon_3

    Chapter 283: Chapter 231 Sixth Life, the Zhao Family Produces a Dragon_3


    However, he was also valued by some of the Zhao Family elders and regarded as a rarely seen Golden Core True Seed within the clan.


    ¡­


    ¡°Huh, my parents are alive! Why has the script changed? Is being an orphan with deceased parents no longer popular?¡±


    Upon seeing a certain piece of information, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but widen his eyes.


    ¡°My father¡¯s name is Zhao Yancang, a Qi Refining Perfection, hailing from the careful line of the Zhao Family¡¯s Eight Branches, and my mother is a disciple from Elixir Cauldron Sect, her maiden name being Min Rou, at the Qi Refining Late Stage¡­¡±


    ¡°Young Master, dinner is ready!¡±


    At that moment, a hearty voice interrupted Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts, followed by a wave of enticing aroma that completely captured his attention. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Turning his head to look, he saw one after another of golden-brown, crispy roasted chickens and ducks being taken out of the food box and placed on the table.


    Seeing the delicacies before him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes lit up, and with a strong push against the bed plank, he leaped to his feet.


    As the bed crashed down with a terrible crack, sounds of chewing and swallowing soon arose in the room.


    Watching Zhao Sheng consume chickens three bites at a time, the dark-faced Great Han reminded him worryingly, ¡°Young Master, eat slowly! There¡¯s more after this.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, got it!¡± Zhao Sheng muffled the response with a mouth full of food.


    ¡°Young Master, the Old Master believes you lack attendants by your side, so he has sent a maid to serve you.¡±


    With that, the dark-faced Great Han clapped his hands gently and shouted towards the door, ¡°Su Girl, come in!¡±


    As his words fell, a tall and nimble beautiful woman walked in from outside.


    ¡°Maid Su Girl, greets Thirteen Young Master!¡±


    Zhao Sheng kept eating as he turned his head to look.


    The woman appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate and dignified features. She was extremely vivacious, and her martial skills were profound, nearing that of an Innate Grandmaster.


    In addition, her aura was pure and elegant, and she was also a cultivator, with her cultivation between the First and Second Order.


    ¡°Father¡¯s gesture is quite generous,¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    ¡°Hmm,¡±


    Zhao Sheng responded in a dull voice, according to his predecessor¡¯s temperament.


    The dark-faced Great Han wasn¡¯t taken aback; he knew that the Young Master had always been laconic since childhood, mainly due to the lack of playmates.


    ¡°Young Master, after eating, you should go to the Immortal Martial Hall.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng paused in his action, swallowed the meat in his mouth, and narrowed his eyes slightly before slowly speaking, ¡°Let¡¯s not go to the Immortal Martial Hall for now, let¡¯s change to the family clan¡¯s school.¡±


    The dark-faced Great Han was puzzled and about to ask for the reason, ¡°Young Master, you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­?¡±


    Hearing the Young Master draw out his tone, the dark-faced Great Han suddenly shuddered involuntarily, feeling an inexplicable pressure emanating from the Young Master, which instilled a deep awe in him and deterred further questions.


    That afternoon, in the Zhao Family clan school, Zhao Qingyang¡¯s ability to memorize with one glance and induce from one case astounded his peers and also earned high praise from the school teacher Zhao Dezhou.


    The next day, in the talisman hall, Zhao Qingyang consecutively drew the Condensing Water Talisman and Water Ball Talisman, two types of First-Order Talismans, leaving the Second Order Talisman Master Zhao Deguang stunned, who admitted that Qingyang had become enlightened.


    On the third day, in the Immortal Martial Hall, Zhao Qingyang defeated eight Half-step Innate disciples in succession, causing Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator Zhao Daoqian to smile from ear to ear.


    That evening, Zhao Sheng¡¯s father Zhao Yancang, along with four Foundation Establishment Elders of the family, came together to his place.


    After a thorough testing, everyone left the room expressionlessly.


    From then on, information about Zhao Qingyang was quietly sealed by the Zhao Family.


    Latter, a cryptic message circulated barely discernible from the Unity Hall: ¡°A dragon has emerged from the Zhao Family!¡±

 Chapter 284 - 232: Ancestor and the Monkey Kid

    Chapter 284: Chapter 232: Ancestor and the Monkey Kid


    Xinglong City, the Zhao Family¡¯s Dao Field, was in the midst of the semi-final stage of the most intense part of the annual competition among the Eight Branches, vying for the top sixteen to advance into the top eight.


    ¡°Next up, Zhao Yanqi of the Shen Character Lineage against Zhao Dehan of the Xin Character Lineage, please both debaters come out to the field!¡±


    No sooner had the voice faded than two figures flew out from the crowd. They pierced through a white light barrier and landed in a large Dao Field that was two hundred zhang long and one hundred eighty zhang wide, entirely paved with yellow soil.


    At this moment, the Dao Field was full of pits and uneven surfaces, strewn with traces of smoke and fire, and swamps and frost left behind from previous fights.


    Around the edges of the combat field, eight barrier light shields were erected, enclosing it. Standing at the edge of the area outside the barriers was a crowd of people.


    At a glance, they were all Cultivators of Zhao Sheng¡¯s Eight Branches, from the Foundation Establishment elders to the Qi Refining First Level novices. Over two hundred of the entire Zhao Family¡¯s three hundred plus cultivators were present this day.


    Zhao Yanqi of the Shen Character Lineage was a man in his fifties with a cultivation at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer.


    A Coiling Dragon Flying Knife hovered in front of him as he eyed Zhao Dehan with a sharp glint in his eyes.


    Also at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, despite being a generation older than his opponent, Zhao Dehan maintained a youthful appearance. A man who was actually over seventy, he looked to be in his forties, holding an Eagle Feather Seven Feather Fan with refined elegance.


    ¡°Uncle Eighteen, I have offended!¡± Being of a lower generation, Zhao Yanqi bowed first before he spoke.


    Zhao Dehan tapped his Magic Fan with his right hand and sneered, ¡°Heh, when we start, just don¡¯t be careless like last year, my great-nephew!¡±


    In last year¡¯s competition, the two had also faced each other in the top sixteen. Zhao Yanqi had fallen short in strategy, resulting in immediate defeat on the spot.


    ¡°Haha, thanks for the reminder, Uncle Eighteen. I¡¯m making my move now, be careful!¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Zhao Yanqi¡¯s expression turned solemn. He pointed forward with his right hand, and the Coiling Dragon Flying Knife in front of him suddenly transformed into a saber rainbow over a zhang long and shot out rapidly.


    Where the saber rainbow passed, with a sound like a dragon¡¯s roar, soil flew in all directions, carrying a fierce saber intent, and slashed towards Zhao Dehan¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Good timing!¡±


    Zhao Dehan narrowed his eyes, and with a roar, he swung the Eagle Feather Seven Feather Fan in his hand. Deflecting sand and rocks, a dragon tornado, a zhang thick, suddenly condensed before him, perfectly blocking the oncoming saber rainbow.


    With the roaring of the wind and the glinting sword light,


    the two Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivators went all out from the beginning, engaging in a fierce battle.


    Outside the Dao Field, the Qi Refining Clan Members of the Zhao Family¡¯s Eight Branches watched the fight with bated breath, feeling both dazzled and bewildered, while the clansmen from the Shen and Xin lineages were completely absorbed, their expressions extremely tense and excited.


    On the surface, this was merely a competition to decide who would make it into the top eight, but the result of the match would actually determine next year¡¯s allocation of family resources.


    Every year, the branches whose members made it into the top eight in the Dao Field would receive certain resource rewards, with the most important among them pertaining to the allotment of Foundation Establishment Pills.


    The Zhao Family produced a fixed number of Foundation Establishment Pills each year. After deducting those that had to be exchanged with the family¡¯s good deeds, only a limited number of pills remained to be distributed as prizes, never exceeding three pills in a year.


    The importance of the Foundation Establishment Pill goes without saying.


    Besides the fixed pill awarded to the first-place winner of the annual competition, the remaining Foundation Establishment Pills would not be distributed based on ranking. Instead, they were allocated according to the total points accumulated by the Eight Branches in the Dao Field. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For example, the eighth-place finisher would earn one point, the second-place finisher ten points, and the first-place winner wouldn¡¯t count towards this total. Points were tallied each year, and the sum of multiple years was calculated.


    Over the years, once the competition concluded and it came time to allocate the Foundation Establishment Pills, the branch with the highest total points would receive one pill and simultaneously have twenty points deducted. If there were any spare pills, they would be distributed according to the point ranking.


    Though the Zhao Family could have distributed the Foundation Establishment Pills based on competition rankings, why was the system made so complicated?


    This was thanks to the foresight of Ancestor Zhao Xuanjing.


    The entire point exchange system was his idea.


    Just as the battle between the two on the field reached its climax, none of the Zhao Clan Members present noticed that there were two figures standing in the air above the Dao Field, one tall and one short.


    From within the concealed barrier, the Zhao Family¡¯s ancestors watched on as the seemingly sickly and jaundiced ¡°child¡± in front of them was asked by the amiable ancestor, ¡°Qingyang, what do you think of the two below?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked up at Zhao Xuanjing before casting his gaze downward, speaking in a seemingly weak and powerless tone, ¡°Nothing special, I could take on ten of them with one hand.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing gave a slight smile at the response and did not reprimand him; he knew that if this ¡°child¡± said he could do it, he really could.


    The child, barely eighteen, was already at the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm. His appearance was misleadingly frail, but within his slight frame flowed vigor as robust as that of a dragon and elephant, with a body of steel and boundless strength, enough to tear apart a Croc Dragon barehanded.


    What was more important was that Zhao Qingyang was a genius, a veritable all-around prodigy in all aspects, from actual combat to Alchemy and Talisman Making among the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation.


    Having just spoken, Zhao Sheng asked, puzzled, ¡°Ancestor Jing, the Cultivation World has always seen the strong prevail. Why did you come up with such an exchange system back then?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing answered with profound meaning, ¡°For the sake of fairness and unity, do you understand?¡±


    ¡°Now that you mention it, I understand!¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly seemed thoughtful, his mind going back to the painful lesson of the division at Dragon Carp Lake. He realized that Zhao Xuanjing must have had such a precedent in mind when devising this complicated rule system.


    Since the fall of Zhao Sheng in his fourth life and his sitting down transformation in his fifth, up until today, time had flowed like water, and seven hundred years had passed.


    C

 Chapter 285 - 232: Ancestor and the Monkey Kid _2

    Chapter 285: Chapter 232: Ancestor and the Monkey Kid _2


    Although Zhao Xuanjing was nearly a thousand years old, his vitality was ten times stronger than that of Zhao Sheng, as intense and robust as the Great Sun. Approaching within three feet of him, one could feel the scorching waves of heat rolling towards them, almost causing harm.


    After 800 years, Zhao Xuanjing had now achieved Perfect Golden Core Realm, and due to the Great Success of his Profound Yellow Battle Body, his stature had tremendously grown to over seven meters tall. His huge frame was not bulky; instead, his musculature was pronounced, and his skin was jade-yellow like it was cast from ancient bronze, appearing at first glance like the reincarnation of the Immortal of Colossal Spirit.


    However, if a stranger were to see him, they would be shocked to discover that this Ancestor of the Xinglong Zhao Family no longer possessed the ferocious iron will from three hundred years ago. Now, his face was calm and peaceful, his eyes as deep as the Abyss Sea, his gaze emanating a shine of wisdom.


    At that moment, Zhao Xuanjing smiled and asked, ¡°Qingyang, have you ever learned about the origins and history of the Xinglong Zhao Family?¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied, ¡°The Xinglong Zhao Family originated a thousand years ago from Dragon Carp Lake in the heart of the Central Continent¡­¡±


    Since his reincarnation, exactly ten years had passed, but eighteen-year-old Zhao Sheng was barely six feet tall and so thin he was practically skin and bones.


    In these ten years, the amount of Elixir Pills he had consumed to supplement his Qi and blood could pile up to the height of two people, the resources he used up each year being enough for the cultivation of more than thirty clan members.


    Zhao Sheng had been nourished from a young age, consuming resources extensively, so much so that even the wealthy and influential Zhao Family found it overwhelming.


    Every year, proposals to cut his expenses were repeatedly raised at the Unity Hall Clan Elder Council meetings, but they were always vetoed by Patriarch Zhao Dingguang.


    The Zhao Family currently had three Golden Core Ancestors, Zhao Xuanjing being one of them, of course.


    Among the others was another acquaintance of Zhao Sheng.


    He never expected that the little brat Zhao Tongxian would also ascend to the Golden Core Realm and even become an Alchemy Master.


    Back when he was browsing the family annals, he saw that 700 years ago, the Zhao Family ¡°accidentally¡± acquired a Samadhi True Fire, which ultimately was used on Zhao Tongxian, leading to the rise of a Golden Core Ancestor in the family. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized and couldn¡¯t help but deeply admire Zhao Keru¡¯s noble and bright character.


    Strangers might not know, but he was very aware that the Samadhi True Fire was not obtained by chance but was gathered by the Zhao family through two generations¡¯ hard efforts by collecting Stone Fire, Wood Fire, and Air Fire.


    The merging of the three fires yielded the Samadhi True Fire!


    According to merit and seniority, Zhao Keru, a Foundation Establishment Elder and Second-Order Alchemist, was the best candidate for the Samadhi True Fire.


    Yet, he gave it up and personally handed the Samadhi True Fire to Zhao Tongxian.


    Under a thirty percent chance of successful Core Formation, Zhao Tongxian did not disappoint and indeed successfully ascended to become a Golden Core Master.


    Past events had faded with the wind, and time stretched to today. Zhao Tongxian was nearing his eight hundredth birthday, with sitting down imminent.


    Patriarch Zhao Dingguang had ascended to the Golden Core Realm three hundred years ago.


    Unfortunately, he formed his core with the aid of external objects and only had a life span of five hundred years.


    Calculating the time, Patriarch Zhao Dingguang was also nearly five hundred years old, with his time approaching as well.


    In less than twenty years, two of the Zhao Family¡¯s great Golden Core Ancestors would be sitting down, and recently, in the last 60 years, six Foundation Establishment Perfection clan elders of the Zhao Family had successively attempted to form their cores, all failing without a single success.


    This painful outcome cast a shadow over the flourishing recent years of the Zhao Family under Zhao Sheng¡¯s lead.


    ¡°¡­Three hundred years ago, Patriarch Zhao Dingguang crossed Tribulation and condensed his pill during the beginning of a new round of territory expansion wars because Taifu Mountain no longer sufficed for the family¡¯s developmental needs.


    So you, Zhao Tongxian, and Patriarch Zhao Dingguang, our three ancestors, led our clan¡¯s Foundation Establishment Elders boldly into battle during the territory expansion war and captured the Thousand-mile Crocodile Dragon Swamp in one fell swoop, thereby establishing the foundation of the Xinglong Zhao Family.


    After three hundred years of reclaiming and cultivating the land, turning the swamp into fields, most of the Thousand-mile Swamp has been transformed into the fertile Xinglong Plain where Zhao clan members thrive and reproduce, now numbering over five hundred¡ª¡±


    At this point, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly waved his hand, interrupting Zhao Sheng¡¯s recitation:


    ¡°Enough! The rest is just flattery; no need to continue.¡±


    ¡°But wait, I haven¡¯t even got to how you singlehandedly created the famed Xinglong City in the Southern Border.


    This Xinglong City is extraordinary, also known as Yin Yang Eight Diagram City, covering an area of eighty square miles, built according to the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams on the surface, with a matching Dark Eight Regions underground, the twin cities of light and shadow forming a unified defensive array¡ªugh!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was cut mid-sentence as a streak of golden light flew towards him, immediately sealing his mouth shut.


    Zhao Xuanjing shook his head, laughing and scolding, ¡°You little monkey, almost all the family secrets have been shaken out by you. Your mouth really spares no one. I also don¡¯t know how the usually quiet and reserved you from childhood grew into this personality today?¡±


    For some reason, from the first time he saw Zhao Qingyang, he felt an unusual kinship.


    This child was very different from other family members, perfectly suited to his temperament.

 Chapter 286 - 232 Ancestor and the Monkey Kid_3

    Chapter 286: Chapter 232 Ancestor and the Monkey Kid_3


    ¡°In front of me, you dare to act like an elder!¡±


    With a laugh and a scold, a gigantic bronze-colored hand suddenly pressed down on Zhao Sheng¡¯s head.


    The hand closed, and effortlessly completely covered his entire head. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hmm!


    Zhao Sheng violently grabbed two thick fingers, exerting force from his shoulders, veins bulging on his face as immense strength surged from his hands.


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s hand slowly rose, surprisingly lifted inch by inch off his head by Zhao Sheng¡¯s effort.


    Feeling the young man¡¯s astonishing strength, a hint of surprise appeared on Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s face, followed by a flash of joy in his eyes.


    ¡°Ancestor, didn¡¯t you know? A man¡¯s head and a woman¡¯s waist are not to be touched casually. And let me say it again, I am no longer the child I was ten years ago.¡± Zhao Sheng released his hands and smoothly adjusted his slightly disheveled hair, while complaining.


    Reminded by him, Zhao Xuanjing recalled the first time he met the child ten years ago, and couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly, ¡°Back then, I remember you were hardly as big as one of my hands, skinny as a little chick. You¡¯ve grown a bit now, almost as tall as the White Ape of Taifu Mountain.¡±


    Zhao Sheng resisted the urge to roll his eyes and chose not to respond.


    Meanwhile, he couldn¡¯t help but recall Zhao Xuanjing from over eight hundred years ago, how simple and honest he was back then, nothing like his dark-humored and foul-mouthed demeanor now.


    Seeing the child seemingly annoyed, Zhao Xuanjing rubbed his palms and refrained from further provoking him.


    His gaze shifted downward, seriously observing the competition among the Zhao Family¡¯s younger generation.


    Time flew by, and evening had arrived.


    After a day of fierce competition, this year¡¯s Dao Field top eight were freshly determined, all being at Qi Refining Ninth Layer, with six reaching Qi Refining Perfection.


    Seeing the pride on the faces of the top eight clansmen below, Zhao Xuanjing shook his head secretly and thought to himself, ¡°The family really is degenerating with each generation. Hardly a few of this generation are promising, yet they all think too highly of themselves. No wonder the family hasn¡¯t produced a Golden Core for so many years. How can we continue like this!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing sighed inwardly, deeply worried about the future of the family.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng was also exaggeratedly shaking his head in a disappointed ¡°old man¡± manner.


    Seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing had a spark of inspiration and immediately came up with an idea.


    Cough!


    He coughed and then asked Zhao Sheng with a serious expression, ¡°Qingyang, tell me, our Zhao Family has been established for a thousand years with descendants in the Eight Branches including Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom, Faith, Shen, Courage, and Secret. Which branch do you belong to?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was startled by the question and answered strangely, ¡°Ancestor Jing, did you forget? I am from the Shen Lineage of the Qing generation, ranked Thirteen and commonly known as Thirteen Young Master.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, the Shen Lineage?¡± Zhao Xuanjing pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°It seems your branch doesn¡¯t score high. It looks like you won¡¯t be getting a Foundation Establishment Pill in the next few years. As a member of the Shen Lineage, shouldn¡¯t you be contributing more to your branch?¡±


    ¡°If the Ancestor has orders, just say them outright. Why beat around the bush? If you give an order, would I dare not listen?¡± Zhao Sheng spread his hands indifferently as he spoke.


    ¡°You cheeky brat, lacking respect.¡± Zhao Xuanjing laughed and scolded before instructing, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say you can take on ten at once? See those eight down there? Go down tonight and teach them a lesson for me. Stop them from getting too arrogant with so little strength, nearly sticking their tails up into the sky.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng got serious, looked down toward the Dao Field, a hint of Five-Colored Divine Light shining in the depths of his eyes.

 Chapter 287 - 233 I Have Made Contributions to the Family

    Chapter 287: Chapter 233 I Have Made Contributions to the Family


    Two breaths later, the divine light at the bottom of his eyes receded, and Zhao Sheng pointed to the crowd below without any courtesy, saying, ¡°This one, and that one. Call them too, just to make up ten people.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing followed his gaze and saw the two people Zhao Sheng was pointing at: one was a middle-aged, black and chubby man bowing and nodding with a servile smile, and the other was a young man with red lips and white teeth, exceptionally handsome.


    The two were very inconspicuous.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing couldn¡¯t help but ask curiously, ¡°What use do you have for these two? That black fatty will never be able to establish his foundation in this lifetime, and the younger one is only at the Qi Refining Middle Stage. Could it really be just to make up the numbers?¡±


    Zhao Sheng cracked a smile and mysteriously said, ¡°Don¡¯t just look at their ordinary appearances, but they are lucky fellows, bound to encounter great opportunities in the future.¡±


    ¡°How can you tell that these two are lucky?¡±


    ¡°Among the more than two hundred people present, if they can be spotted by me in a single glance, isn¡¯t that great luck?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing couldn¡¯t help but laugh and curse, ¡°You little brat, all you do is spout nonsense at me. Be serious, if you handle this matter well, I¡¯ll reward you with a Foundation Establishment Pill.¡±


    ¡°Just one? The ancestor is being too stingy. The second ancestor has just rewarded me with a Purple Sun Fire. Now that is what you call generous,¡± Zhao Sheng teased disdainfully.


    The second ancestor he mentioned was Zhao Tongxian.


    Among the three Golden Cores of the Zhao family, Zhao Xuanjing was undoubtedly the great ancestor, while Zhao Dingguang was the third ancestor.


    After hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s eyes shone with sharpness and he asked, ¡°Tongxian actually gave you a piece of Spiritual Fire. It seems you are quite capable, young man! Tell me, how far have you progressed in alchemy? Have you become a First-rank Alchemist yet?¡±


    Zhao Sheng spoke lightly, ¡°A mere First-rank Alchemist, not worth mentioning. A while ago, I happened to concoct a new type of Spirit Pill, which I named Boiling Blood Pill. The second ancestor was so pleased that he rewarded me with the Purple Sun Fire.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was taken aback, then spoke with profound meaning, ¡°These past few years, I have heard that you have ¡®coincidentally¡¯ had several successes. The most recent one seems to be a ¡®coincidental¡¯ creation of a Divine Eye Talisman. I¡¯ve heard they are selling extremely well, with demand exceeding supply. You must be making a fortune. This Boiling Blood Pill seems to be quite useful too. No wonder you look down on a mere Foundation Establishment Pill. Or should I take it back?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, sensing the implication in the ancestor¡¯s words, hurriedly begged for mercy, playing the pitiful card.


    ¡°No way, Ancestor, your words carry weight. Once you¡¯ve granted the Foundation Establishment Pill, there¡¯s no taking it back. Besides, you know my situation. Despite my Spirit Talismans selling like hot cakes, I¡­ I am poor! So poor I can barely afford to eat.


    Ancestor, you are wealthy, with thighs thicker than my waist. How about you ¡®sponsor¡¯ me a few hundred thousand Spirit Stones? After I advance to Golden Core, I can pay you back double.¡±


    ¡°Tch, what a sly little monkey you are. By the time you ascend to Golden Core, my bones might already be drumsticks,¡± Zhao Xuanjing raised his hand, pretending to strike.


    Zhao Sheng quickly dodged a good distance away and then said with an air of indifference, ¡°Ancestor Jing, you shouldn¡¯t keep even your own family in the dark. You are the renowned Dragon Slayer Master of the Southern Border. Those unaware of the truth think the name comes from the sixth-rank Croc Dragon you tamed three hundred years ago.


    But what is the truth?¡±


    At this point, Zhao Sheng laughed gleefully, confident as he proclaimed loudly, ¡°The Dragon Worm has a king, called the Mountain Dragon, which lives for ten thousand years without dying and, after a hundred tribulations, becomes a True Dragon!¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing straightened his face and demanded, ¡°Where did you learn this secret, you little rascal? Did Zhao Dingguang with that big mouth of his reveal it to you?


    That kid has never been able to shut his mouth.


    I¡¯ve never had much hope for him. But who would have guessed that of all the juniors, only he has managed to reach this point today. It really is fate¡¯s play!¡± S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One hundred years after Zhao Sheng¡¯s fourth-generation ancestors had passed away in meditation, Zhao Xuanjing finally cultivated to the Great Perfection Realm of Foundation Establishment at the ripe age of two hundred and eighty.


    Subsequently, the Ksitigarbha Sect found him while roaming the world, discovering both Zhao Xuanjing, who had attained a third-tier Golden Ring Dragon Worm. They were overjoyed and treated him like a precious gem.


    Then, Zhao Xuanjing smoothly joined the Ksitigarbha Sect.


    After another 60 years, he successfully ascended to become a Golden Core Master and also became the new guardian of the Ksitigarbha Sect.


    The reason was simple, as Zhao Xuanjing shared life with the Dragon Worm King, his lifespan was as long as two thousand years, and even if he relied on the passage of time, he could grind his way to the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Five hundred years ago, after Zhao Xuanjing ascended to Golden Core,


    To prevent the opposing forces from nipping a potential Nascent Soul in the bud, the Ksitigarbha Sect took special measures to hide Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s origins,


    While the Zhao Family issued a gag order to their clan members and revised Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s records and experience.


    Zhao Xuanjing was already the leader of Zhao¡¯s Secret Department, often keeping a low profile and never revealing his True Face,


    Not to mention the outsiders who were ignorant of the truth, even members of his own family knew very little about him.


    Afterward, Central Continent gained a silent and nameless Ksitigarbha Sect Golden Core, and the Taiwu Zhao Family lost a Golden Core Ancestor.


    Therefore, during the battle at Croc Dragon Swamp three hundred years ago, Zhao Xuanjing emerged from obscurity. With his first move, he tamed the Sixth-Order Crocodile Dragon for his own use, establishing a quick victory,


    Not only did he snatch the Thousand-mile Crocodile Dragon Swamp for the Taiwu Zhao Family, but he also caused various competitors to back off, including a few Golden Core Families.


    It is worth mentioning that the Croc Dragon Swamp possesses a Second-Order High-Grade Spirit Vein, and within a thousand miles, there are as many as seven First-rank Spirit Vein branches.


    Even more impressive is that the branches of the Spirit Vein contain all Five Elements: Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth; it can truly be called a Treasure Land.

 Chapter 288 - 233 I Have Made Contributions to the Family_2

    Chapter 288: Chapter 233 I Have Made Contributions to the Family_2


    Over the past three hundred years, the Xinglong Zhao family prospered thanks to this treasure land, having opened spiritual fields and medicine fields measuring in the thousands of mu, truly the envy of onlookers.


    But let¡¯s get to the point!


    Faced with Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s demanding inquiry, Zhao Sheng showed no fear and with a flip of his hand, a somewhat antiquated booklet and a azure jade scroll appeared.


    ¡°Ancestor, please do not wrongfully accuse Great-Grandfather. As for how I knew this secret? The truth lies within this booklet; you¡¯ll see once you look at it,¡± he said.


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng handed over the booklet.


    With skepticism, Zhao Xuanjing took the booklet and opened it, only to be physically shaken and his eyes widened with shock.


    ¡°This is¡­ Uncle Seven¡¯s¡­ handwriting?!¡±


    Looking at the familiar handwriting on the booklet, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s normally steady hands began to tremble slightly, his face showing an expression of deep reminiscence.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes twinkled with a hidden smile, silently proud of his own craftiness.


    It goes without saying, the booklet was a forgery of his own making.


    But in some sense, it was truly written by Zhao Chonghe.


    Zhao Qingyang was Zhao Chonghe, and Zhao Chonghe was Zhao Qingyang.


    No two Zhao Shengs could be penned by a single stroke.


    Ha-ha! Everyone in the world knows it¡¯s all my doing.


    After quickly reading through the booklet¡¯s contents, Zhao Xuanjing seemed somewhat incredulous, yet puzzled. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It turned out that the booklet was a will left by Uncle Seven, Zhao Chonghe, which said that he was going to do something significant and likely wouldn¡¯t last much longer.


    Hence, he had written this will in advance, explaining some arrangements he¡¯d left behind and specially addressed many entrusted matters to Zhao Xuanjing, Zhao Xuan¡¯an, and Zhao Keru, among others, with particular emphasis on matters regarding the Mountain Dragon and Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion.


    Furthermore, at the end of the will, he wrote a most peculiar and cryptic prophecy: ¡°Every five hundred years, the Zhao Family shall produce a Saint!¡±


    Around the word ¡°Saint,¡± Zhao Chonghe rambled on for several pages, ultimately revealing the most crucial point.


    The Zhao¡¯s ¡°Saint¡± could perceive the mysteries of heaven, born with such knowledge.


    However, the workings of heaven must not be revealed, for should the Saint disclose these mysteries, they would surely incur heavenly retribution; one could only hint at them posthumously through writings.


    To prove that his words were true, he wrote in the will: ¡°Three hundred years after my passing, at the Shattered Star Outer Sea, on Dome Turtle Island, the second branch of the Zhao family will continue to thrive!¡±


    Finally, the will also included two upper grade Cultivation Methods glimpsed from the designs of heaven.


    After reading it, Zhao Xuanjing clenched the booklet tightly and sternly asked, ¡°Where did you get this from?¡±


    Without any sign of panic, Zhao Sheng took out a pile of treasures from the Storage Bag, the most prominent being nearly a hundred beads the size of eyeballs made of Geng Gold Pearl.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be hasty, Ancestor! It was quite by chance. Weren¡¯t we just at Taifu Mountain offering sacrifices to our ancestors three months ago?


    The weather was so hot that I stealthily went down to immerse myself in the Emerald Waves Lake for a bath. While diving, it was quite the coincidence that I found our ancestor¡¯s relics.


    And from them, I learned just how deeply you had hidden your secret,


    who would have thought that our family actually had a living Mountain Dragon!


    In a few years, won¡¯t you become the first Nascent Soul Ancestor of the Xinglong Zhao family, and the Saint of the Zhao Family no less?¡± Zhao Sheng grew more animated as he spoke, his face eventually filled with an exaggeratedly ingratiating expression.


    Zhao Xuanjing replied impatiently, ¡°Don¡¯t try to flatter me. Whether I¡¯m a Saint or not, don¡¯t you think I would know? I can see right through your little schemes at a glance.¡±


    Perhaps because of the astounding nature of the will, even the always composed and dignified Patriarch Zhao rarely lost his composure.


    Three hundred years ago, after the Zhao family established its foundations in Xinglong Origin, they had sent people to Shattered Star to reestablish contact with the overseas branch on Dome Turtle Island.


    Zhao Xuanjing naturally knew that the prophecy left on the will was not unfounded.


    He gestured with his hand and the Geng Gold Pearls instantly flew up and landed in his hand.


    Zhao Xuanjing felt the melting traces on the Geng Gold Pearls, which he had melted down by hand.


    Thinking back to Uncle Seven¡¯s handwriting, Zhao Xuanjing no longer doubted the authenticity of the will but remained half-convinced about the notion of the Saint.


    ¡°What else is there? Bring them out quickly!¡±


    ¡°Here they all are,¡± said Zhao Sheng cheerfully as he passed over two Cultivation Technique Jade Scrolls.


    One contained the ¡°Heavenly True Water Skill¡± with the attached Divine Skill ¡°Sumeru Water Realm.¡±


    The other was an original Gold Element Body Refining Technique called ¡°Solid Body Technique,¡± which Zhao Sheng had renamed ¡°Immortal Golden Body,¡± signifying the indestructible nature of gold.


    The ¡°Heavenly True Water Skill¡± was originally an evolution of the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique.¡± Although both were interrelated, the former was much more sophisticated and profound, with unlimited potential.


    Zhao Xuanjing realized upon seeing this Cultivation Method that the family had truly stumbled upon a treasure.


    This method described a very lofty conception of the Sumeru Water Realm Divine Skill, and at the end of the method, it even deduced how this Divine Skill could transform into a Nascent Soul Domain, needing only someone to advance to Nascent Soul to elevate it to a Nascent Soul level Divine Skill.


    Having been founded nearly a thousand years ago, the Zhao family had collected over a hundred cultivation techniques, yet none could compare to this one.


    What excited him the most was that the complete ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡± had been obtained from the Star Sea three hundred years prior and was now stored in the deepest part of the family¡¯s Scripture Cave.


    There were already four Foundation Establishment Clan Members in the family who had used this technique for their Foundation Establishment.


    If these four could switch to cultivating this ¡°Heavenly True Water Skill,¡± their transition would be exceptionally smooth, and they might even have a chance at advancing to Golden Core.


    Zhao Xuanjing was greatly delighted inwardly but for the sake of the Ancestor¡¯s dignity, he maintained an impassive face, placed down the Jade Scroll, and turned to browse through ¡°Immortal Golden Body.¡±


    Just by reading the opening of the Body Refinement Technique, Zhao Xuanjing couldn¡¯t help but applaud the progenitor who had created it.

 Chapter 289 - 233 I Have Made Contributions to the Family_3

    Chapter 289: Chapter 233 I Have Made Contributions to the Family_3


    Don¡¯t be fooled by his reputation for subduing the Croc Dragon and single-handedly building the Yin Yang Eight Diagram City.


    But don¡¯t forget, Zhao Xuanjing initially followed the path of Body Refinement, with a major focus on the ¡°Profound Yellow Battle Body¡±.


    Even today, few know that the ¡°Divine Skill¡± Dragon Slayer Master was a rare Body Refining True Immortal.


    The ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± can be considered a creatively brilliant Body Refining Technique that is greatly beneficial to the art of Body Refinement.


    The creator dared to treat the human body as a Magical Treasure for refinement, dividing it into five parts: skin, flesh, bones, tendons, and blood, which could be cultivated in any order or all at once.


    This technique uses a Secret Technique to extract all sorts of Geng Metal essence from the external environment, melting it into the body to forge five great ¡°Magical Treasures.¡±


    Once these five Magical Treasures are refined, the flesh almost becomes an indestructible Magical Treasure, formidable amongst peers and even capable of challenging those at higher levels.


    Furthermore, the conditions for practicing this technique are not high.


    Poverty-stricken Loose Cultivators using common Mystic Iron can cultivate, but achieving Great Merit results only in a humanoid ¡°Magic Artifact.¡±


    If one were to use Spiritual Artifact Level materials like Iron Essence and Wind Grinding Copper, after achieving Great Merit, it would be equivalent to a humanoid ¡°Spiritual Artifact.¡±


    And if one were to start with high-end treasures like Geng Metal or Nine Profound Steel, then¡­ my oh my!


    One could say that this ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± is a Body Refinement Realm technique with vastly varying upper and lower limits.


    Though it still lacks discrete parts for organs, to Zhao Xuanjing, this Body Technique¡¯s value is in no way less than that of the ¡°Heavenly True Water Technique.¡±


    The valuable aspect is its high universality; everyone from Qi Refining Practitioners to Golden Core Masters can get a grip on it, and it¡¯s not necessary to cultivate all parts; choosing just one or two for refinement is also possible.


    The downside, well, it¡¯s just too resource-intensive.


    Take ¡°skin¡± for instance, to achieve Great Merit, the spirit gold consumption alone can create five same-ranking ¡°Magic Artifacts.¡±


    If one has higher expectations and desires to refine into a humanoid ¡°Spiritual Artifact,¡± the resources consumed would be enough to bankrupt a Foundation Establishment Family.


    Seeing Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s delighted expression, Zhao Sheng took the opportunity to showcase his contributions: ¡°Ancestor, I¡¯ve brought back the family ancestor¡¯s last words and selflessly offered these two priceless treasures. I¡¯ve contributed significantly, and if the family doesn¡¯t reward me properly this time, I will not let it go easily.¡±


    ¡°Good lad, your thick-skinned and scheming lazy look is just like your seventh uncle. No wonder you got his will. Could it perhaps be fate?¡± Zhao Xuanjing commented lastly, deeply moved.


    Goodness, I didn¡¯t look this ugly back in the day.


    This youth filter is unwelcome!


    After silently scoffing to himself, Zhao Sheng spoke again, ¡°Ancestor, I want to hear from you. How will the family reward me this time?¡±


    ¡°Tell me, what reward do you want?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng unapologetically raised his finger, ¡°First of all, these Geng Metals must be mine. Besides, I also want Moon Flowing Silver, Nine Returns Iron, Silver Soul Marrow, and Ice Flame Copper in as large quantities as possible, at least one of each. Furthermore¡ª


    ¡°Stop right there, stop!¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing quickly intervened to stop someone from asking too much, and playfully scolded, ¡°Son, do you really need to spend every last bit of the family¡¯s resources to be satisfied?¡±


    Geng Metals can be considered given, I¡¯ll take out two more backups later, there might still be some of that stuff. But the four items that follow are each more expensive than the last.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately retorted righteously, ¡°I have accomplished merits for the family; I have kept¡­ blood for the family! I¡­ I am greatly meritorious and selfless!¡± Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 290 - 234 Everyone, Im Swelling Up

    Chapter 290: Chapter 234 Everyone, I¡¯m Swelling Up


    Zhao Xuanjing couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the words and said, ¡°Old man knows your spirit is high, but you can¡¯t become fat in one gulp.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even reached Foundation Establishment and you dream of refining such high-end materials. Truly whimsical!¡±


    ¡°Change the terms! For instance, I could give you at most two more Foundation Establishment Pills.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so special about Foundation Establishment Pills? I don¡¯t fancy them. One is enough. Just wait, in no more than two months, I will definitely reach Foundation Establishment. By then, I can use Geng Metal and such.¡±


    ¡°Oh, quite confident, aren¡¯t you? Foundation Establishment is not even a hindrance to you?!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s difficult about Foundation Establishment, even Golden Core isn¡¯t worth mentioning,¡± Zhao Sheng said unconcernedly.


    ¡°Good, ambitious! Old man is optimistic about you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m also very optimistic about myself,¡± Zhao Sheng confidently replied.


    Zhao Xuanjing laughed heartily and suddenly reminded him, ¡°Confidence is a good thing, but boy, you¡¯re forgetful. Have you forgotten how many Elixir Pills and demon beast meat you¡¯ve consumed over the years? Adding it all up, your intake alone is much higher than that of two Foundation Establishment cultivators. With that, you dare to make such bold demands?!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s momentum faltered, and he couldn¡¯t help but say with a sense of grievance, ¡°Ancestor, please see clearly, nowadays the Spirit Stones I earn from alchemy and talisman painting are enough for my own cultivation. I don¡¯t need to ask for support from the family. You must see the details!¡± S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His words were true, for Zhao Sheng had been able to support himself since a year ago, freeing himself from the fact of drawing on the family¡¯s resources.


    The reason he offered up two extra Cultivation Techniques was firstly to deepen the family¡¯s foundation and secondly to allow more family members to cultivate these two techniques.


    The more people that pick up wood, the higher the flames!


    Each additional member who cultivates the ¡°Heavenly True Water Skill¡± and ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± means accumulating more cultivation experience.


    This, in turn, would be greatly beneficial for further perfecting the two techniques.


    Only a fool would think of hiding them.


    Zhao Sheng had a grand perspective.


    He was never afraid of others learning them, especially if those learning were his own family members.


    And it¡¯s not like he would reveal all the good things.


    Many new Pill Recipes and talismans, the Enlightenment Pill recipe, the ¡°Star God Thousand Heart Technique,¡± and the latter half of the ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± were all kept in his mind.


    The latter half of ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± is about how to refine the viscera and control the core secrets of the Golden Body, involving the Tao True Text of ¡°firm.¡±


    This latter part about the viscera, at least before Zhao Sheng¡¯s sitting down in this life, he did not plan to tell anyone else.


    ¡°Alright! Old man won¡¯t haggle with you anymore. Geng Metal all yours, and I also have a block of Ice and Fire Copper, might as well give it to you, kid. The rest will be noted down, and I will instruct the subordinates to keep an eye out for collection. Also, the family and I will not deny your contributions, let¡¯s record one Great Merit first!¡±


    ¡°Many thanks for the generous reward, Ancestor!¡± Zhao Sheng joyfully laughed.


    ¡°Hm, don¡¯t forget today¡¯s affair.¡±


    ¡°Got it, it¡¯s just teaching a lesson to the top eight, a trivial matter,¡± Zhao Sheng said with an unconcerned face.


    ¡°Cheeky lad, be careful of getting slapped in the face!¡± Zhao Xuanjing teased.


    ¡°Hehe, the person who can slap me hasn¡¯t been born yet.¡±


    ¡°What about old man?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t count, I was talking about those born after me. Before I was born, you had been wandering the world for eight hundred years. Of course, that doesn¡¯t count.¡±


    As this bantering conversation faded away, the figures of the two gradually vanished, disappearing under the dim sunset.


    ¡­


    Xinglong City has eight major districts named Qian, Kun, Kan, Li, Zhen, Dui, Xun, and Gen.


    The Li Fire District is located in the eastern part of the city and is the base of the Zhao Family¡¯s Shen Character Lineage.


    As night fell, the moonlight was slightly cool.


    In an underground corridor made of Blue Steel Stone in the Li Fire District, Zhao Yanqi walked forward with a solemn face.


    An hour ago, he suddenly received a family decree, commanding him to rush to the Overweight Room in the Underground City¡¯s Li District 3 before midnight.


    The decree was vague, and he did not know why he was supposed to go there.


    But he knew this matter might not bode well.


    Those from other branches might not be fully aware of the situation.


    As a member of the Shen Character Lineage, Zhao Yanqi was well aware that place was dominated by a certain little monster from his lineage.


    ¡°Could it be¡­?!¡±


    At that thought, Zhao Yanqi was struck by a dreadful premonition.


    A moment later, he passed through the corridor and turned into a eight zhang wide Red Stone Avenue.


    This avenue was the main artery of the Underground Li Fire District, straight and broad, with countless runes flickering in and out of existence on the walls on either side, shimmering with fiery mist.


    Not far along, Zhao Yanqi suddenly saw a spirited, nine-foot-tall bearded man emerge from a corridor.


    The man saw Zhao Yanqi and came over with a big laugh,


    ¡°Haha, Old Eight! So, you received the decree as well. Do you know what it¡¯s about?¡±


    The bearded man, named Zhao Yanyongg, was a member of the Ren Character Pulse.


    He was ranked third in the recent cultivation competition. Zhao Yanqi, having placed eighth, was thus nicknamed Old Eight by him.


    Regarding the cultivation competition, the Zhao Family had an acknowledged unspoken rule: the top eight of the year¡¯s competition could address each other by their rankings instead of their seniority.


    ¡°Third, I¡¯m not sure either, we¡¯ll know once we get there,¡± Zhao Yanqi replied vaguely, though he had a guess, he purposely kept it unclear.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go see what¡¯s there. Speaking of the competition, you were really unlucky this time, actually facing the Boss that freak.¡±


    At this mention, Zhao Yanqi couldn¡¯t help but think back to that overwhelming storm of Water Arrows and sighed, ¡°Who can tell? Below Foundation Establishment, how many can withstand the Boss¡¯s storm baptism?¡±


    However, Zhao Yanqi harbored the image of a slight figure in his heart.

 Chapter 291 - 234 Everyone, Im Swelling Up

    Chapter 290: Chapter 234 Everyone, I¡¯m Swelling Up


    Zhao Xuanjing couldn¡¯t help but laugh at the words and said, ¡°Old man knows your spirit is high, but you can¡¯t become fat in one gulp.¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t even reached Foundation Establishment and you dream of refining such high-end materials. Truly whimsical!¡±


    ¡°Change the terms! For instance, I could give you at most two more Foundation Establishment Pills.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so special about Foundation Establishment Pills? I don¡¯t fancy them. One is enough. Just wait, in no more than two months, I will definitely reach Foundation Establishment. By then, I can use Geng Metal and such.¡±


    ¡°Oh, quite confident, aren¡¯t you? Foundation Establishment is not even a hindrance to you?!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s difficult about Foundation Establishment, even Golden Core isn¡¯t worth mentioning,¡± Zhao Sheng said unconcernedly.


    ¡°Good, ambitious! Old man is optimistic about you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m also very optimistic about myself,¡± Zhao Sheng confidently replied.


    Zhao Xuanjing laughed heartily and suddenly reminded him, ¡°Confidence is a good thing, but boy, you¡¯re forgetful. Have you forgotten how many Elixir Pills and demon beast meat you¡¯ve consumed over the years? Adding it all up, your intake alone is much higher than that of two Foundation Establishment cultivators. With that, you dare to make such bold demands?!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s momentum faltered, and he couldn¡¯t help but say with a sense of grievance, ¡°Ancestor, please see clearly, nowadays the Spirit Stones I earn from alchemy and talisman painting are enough for my own cultivation. I don¡¯t need to ask for support from the family. You must see the details!¡±


    His words were true, for Zhao Sheng had been able to support himself since a year ago, freeing himself from the fact of drawing on the family¡¯s resources.


    The reason he offered up two extra Cultivation Techniques was firstly to deepen the family¡¯s foundation and secondly to allow more family members to cultivate these two techniques.


    The more people that pick up wood, the higher the flames!


    Each additional member who cultivates the ¡°Heavenly True Water Skill¡± and ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± means accumulating more cultivation experience. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This, in turn, would be greatly beneficial for further perfecting the two techniques.


    Only a fool would think of hiding them.


    Zhao Sheng had a grand perspective.


    He was never afraid of others learning them, especially if those learning were his own family members.


    And it¡¯s not like he would reveal all the good things.


    Many new Pill Recipes and talismans, the Enlightenment Pill recipe, the ¡°Star God Thousand Heart Technique,¡± and the latter half of the ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± were all kept in his mind.


    The latter half of ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± is about how to refine the viscera and control the core secrets of the Golden Body, involving the Tao True Text of ¡°firm.¡±


    This latter part about the viscera, at least before Zhao Sheng¡¯s sitting down in this life, he did not plan to tell anyone else.


    ¡°Alright! Old man won¡¯t haggle with you anymore. Geng Metal all yours, and I also have a block of Ice and Fire Copper, might as well give it to you, kid. The rest will be noted down, and I will instruct the subordinates to keep an eye out for collection. Also, the family and I will not deny your contributions, let¡¯s record one Great Merit first!¡±


    ¡°Many thanks for the generous reward, Ancestor!¡± Zhao Sheng joyfully laughed.


    ¡°Hm, don¡¯t forget today¡¯s affair.¡±


    ¡°Got it, it¡¯s just teaching a lesson to the top eight, a trivial matter,¡± Zhao Sheng said with an unconcerned face.


    ¡°Cheeky lad, be careful of getting slapped in the face!¡± Zhao Xuanjing teased.


    ¡°Hehe, the person who can slap me hasn¡¯t been born yet.¡±


    ¡°What about old man?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t count, I was talking about those born after me. Before I was born, you had been wandering the world for eight hundred years. Of course, that doesn¡¯t count.¡±


    As this bantering conversation faded away, the figures of the two gradually vanished, disappearing under the dim sunset.


    ¡­


    Xinglong City has eight major districts named Qian, Kun, Kan, Li, Zhen, Dui, Xun, and Gen.


    The Li Fire District is located in the eastern part of the city and is the base of the Zhao Family¡¯s Shen Character Lineage.


    As night fell, the moonlight was slightly cool.


    In an underground corridor made of Blue Steel Stone in the Li Fire District, Zhao Yanqi walked forward with a solemn face.


    An hour ago, he suddenly received a family decree, commanding him to rush to the Overweight Room in the Underground City¡¯s Li District 3 before midnight.


    The decree was vague, and he did not know why he was supposed to go there.


    But he knew this matter might not bode well.


    Those from other branches might not be fully aware of the situation.


    As a member of the Shen Character Lineage, Zhao Yanqi was well aware that place was dominated by a certain little monster from his lineage.


    ¡°Could it be¡­?!¡±


    At that thought, Zhao Yanqi was struck by a dreadful premonition.


    A moment later, he passed through the corridor and turned into a eight zhang wide Red Stone Avenue.


    This avenue was the main artery of the Underground Li Fire District, straight and broad, with countless runes flickering in and out of existence on the walls on either side, shimmering with fiery mist.


    Not far along, Zhao Yanqi suddenly saw a spirited, nine-foot-tall bearded man emerge from a corridor.


    The man saw Zhao Yanqi and came over with a big laugh,


    ¡°Haha, Old Eight! So, you received the decree as well. Do you know what it¡¯s about?¡±


    The bearded man, named Zhao Yanyongg, was a member of the Ren Character Pulse.


    He was ranked third in the recent cultivation competition. Zhao Yanqi, having placed eighth, was thus nicknamed Old Eight by him.


    Regarding the cultivation competition, the Zhao Family had an acknowledged unspoken rule: the top eight of the year¡¯s competition could address each other by their rankings instead of their seniority.


    ¡°Third, I¡¯m not sure either, we¡¯ll know once we get there,¡± Zhao Yanqi replied vaguely, though he had a guess, he purposely kept it unclear.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go see what¡¯s there. Speaking of the competition, you were really unlucky this time, actually facing the Boss that freak.¡±


    At this mention, Zhao Yanqi couldn¡¯t help but think back to that overwhelming storm of Water Arrows and sighed, ¡°Who can tell? Below Foundation Establishment, how many can withstand the Boss¡¯s storm baptism?¡±


    However, Zhao Yanqi harbored the image of a slight figure in his heart.

 Chapter 292 - 235 Lets go up together, Im in a hurry

    Chapter 292: Chapter 235 Let¡¯s go up together, I¡¯m in a hurry


    ¡°`


    If I can teach this arrogant brat a lesson, my achievements will surely catch the Ancestor¡¯s eye.


    If I seize this opportunity to be favored by the Ancestor, then¡­ wouldn¡¯t that be a meteoric rise.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go first!¡±


    Zhao Yanyongg, who placed third in the great competition, shouted loudly and strode ahead of everyone else.


    ¡°Why should it be you first, I¡¯m the runner-up of the competition, it should be me who goes first.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t bully the younger ones for being small, I¡¯m from the Qing generation, let me do it!¡±


    Suddenly, everyone argued about who should make the first move, causing a commotion.


    The eight finalists of the competition were at least at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer, which meant they were among the strongest eight of the Zhao Family¡¯s Qi Refining Clan Members.


    Zhao Qingyang was young, and though his Body Refinement was impressive, his cultivation probably wasn¡¯t that high. To have cultivated to the Qi Refining Middle Stage was already a sign of a cultivation prodigy, and it was impossible for him to be at the Qi Refining Late Stage.


    In short, this person couldn¡¯t possibly be their opponent.


    ¡°Stop, I am the champion of the competition and also from the Qing generation. Who of you dares to contend with me? Defeat me first then speak.¡±


    It had to be said that Zhao Qingming¡¯s threat was indeed effective. As soon as he spoke, his words settled the dispute.


    Although a few people were dissatisfied, they did not dare to challenge his sharpness because of his prominence.


    Put another way, even if they could contend, they could not beat him; having the biggest fist was the truth.


    Zhao Qingming took a few steps to face Zhao Sheng, his demeanor arrogant, and said coldly, ¡°You make your move!¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you can¡¯t!¡± Zhao Sheng shook his head in distress.


    ¡°Hmph, why can¡¯t I? Are you scared?¡± Zhao Qingming¡¯s face turned blue as he asked this question.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly smiled, rubbed his chin, and sighed, ¡°Ah, don¡¯t get me wrong. I¡¯m not saying you can¡¯t do it, but that none of you can! Let¡¯s all fight at once, I¡¯m in a hurry.¡± S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These words immediately drew ridicule, and everyone became extremely indignant and angry.


    ¡°Audacious!¡±


    ¡°Such big talk without shame!¡±


    ¡°Haha, let me be the one to teach you a lesson first.¡±


    ¡°Brave lad, to look down upon your grandfather!¡± Zhao Deqian, the plump elder, laughed furiously.


    Huh, he wasn¡¯t wrong; according to seniority, anyone from the De generation was indeed Zhao Sheng¡¯s grandfather.


    Right, De Gang?


    The middle-aged, plump man with a swinish look secretly rejoiced.


    Observing the situation, he felt something was amiss and cleverly took two steps back, adopting the stance of a bystander.


    Conveniently, the handsome young man had thought the same thing.


    Thus, the two outsiders immediately retreated to the back of the crowd and came together.


    On the other side,


    Zhao Sheng completely ignored the others¡¯ arrogant airs, which ignited a fire in Zhao Qingming¡¯s heart.


    Seeing the crowd fervently agitated, he took a deep breath, and abruptly spread his hands outward, causing Spiritual Power to surge forth.


    Bang bang bang!


    With a flash of light, a row of thick, eight-foot-long, crystal-clear, and tough Ice Spears, appeared out of thin air.


    Bang bang bang! The Ice Spears forcefully planted themselves in front of everyone¡¯s feet, forming a straight line and effectively blocking the others.


    ¡°Hmph, Zhao Qingyang, the Ancestor was right; you really are too arrogant. Young man, don¡¯t be so hot-blooded!¡±


    ¡°If one is not hot-blooded, how can one be called a young person?¡± Zhao Sheng retorted without hesitation.


    After speaking, he suddenly paused, murmuring to himself, ¡°Eh, this sounds very familiar! Have I said this somewhere in my previous lives?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, although you¡¯re so arrogantly confident, I never bully the weak. Fine, I¡¯ll let you use just one hand.¡±


    ¡°No need; someone like you, I can fight ten with just one hand.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s words were like oil on a fire.


    Zhao Qingming finally couldn¡¯t hold back and roared, ¡°Hey, boy, you¡¯re asking for a beating!¡±


    As soon as his words fell, Zhao Qingming¡¯s lips moved, silently chanting a Magic Spell, his hands dancing so quickly they created a series of afterimages, almost like the Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara.


    ¡°Ten Thousand Arrows Piercing the Heart!¡±


    With a sharp cry from Zhao Qingming, the Upper Sky of the Dao Field suddenly filled with hundreds of transparent Water Arrows, each around two feet in length and as thick as an arm, with a gleaming point and a sharp, unmistakable air.


    ¡°Kill!¡±


    Before his voice faded, the skyful of Water Arrows plummeted down in a ferocious assault, directly covering Zhao Sheng and a one zhang radius around him.


    Watching the arrow rain shooting towards him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was calm. He then let out a low sigh, ¡°Ah, too slow¡­ah!¡±


    Before the echo dissipated, Zhao Sheng¡¯s form suddenly distorted and blurred.


    In the blink of an eye, his figure had completely vanished from the spot.


    ¡°Where is he?¡±


    At the same time, Zhao Qingming¡¯s pupils suddenly shrank to their limits, as an immense sense of danger instantaneously emanated from behind him.


    Crackling sounds followed as the Water Arrows struck the iron-hard ground, shattering on impact and leaving only speckled craters.


    Meanwhile, a languid voice arose from behind Zhao Qingming, ¡°Are you practicing the ¡®Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Not good!¡±


    Hearing these words, Zhao Qingming¡¯s hair stood on end. Instinctively, he deployed his protective magic armor and darted away a great distance in an instant.


    Zhao Sheng stood with his arms crossed in the initial spot, his face exuding nonchalance, showing no intention to attack.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡­¡±


    Three zhang away, Zhao Qingming¡¯s heart was struck with terror, his mouth trembling, unable to articulate a single word.


    It was a known fact: when a master makes a move, one knows if there is a match or not!


    The recently unfolding scene caused everyone to feel a chill.


    ¡°This kid¡¯s speed¡­ it¡¯s too fast!¡±


    With this thought, the other seven strong contenders simultaneously felt an overwhelming sense of difficulty.


    In the world of martial arts, nothing is unbreakable except speed!


    This maxim holds true and applies to any world.


    The reason Zhao Qingming managed to claim the top spot in the competition wasn¡¯t just due to his extraordinary strength, but also because he had a nearly instantaneous spellcasting technique.


    ¡°The ¡®Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique¡¯ isn¡¯t bad, you just rush for quick success too much. Continue like this, and in this life, a Golden Core is hopeless.¡± Zhao Sheng inspected Zhao Qingming for a few moments, commenting with a hint of regret.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 293 - 235 Hurry Up, Im in a Rush_2

    Chapter 293: Chapter 235 Hurry Up, I¡¯m in a Rush_2


    ¡°You understand¡­ what!¡±


    Before the word even escaped his lips, Zhao Qingming forcibly swallowed it and gave Zhao Sheng a look of disdain.


    A young boy who followed the path of Body Cultivation and primarily practiced the Fire Element dared to critique the Cultivation Technique he was practicing?


    It was utterly absurd!


    Zhao Qingming thought so, but he was gravely mistaken.


    In this world, when it came to the understanding of the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique,¡± very few could surpass Zhao Sheng.


    He had focused on this technique in his past two lives, and in his previous life, he had even used it as his foundation to advance to Golden Core.


    Therefore, Zhao Sheng noticed at a glance that Zhao Qingming¡¯s path was deviating, already showing signs of valuing quantity over quality.


    If this continued, he might manage until just before or during the Early Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, but Zhao Sheng was sure that Zhao Qingming wouldn¡¯t be able to overcome the qualitative transformation of Spiritual Power at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng silently shook his head; since the other party was unreceptive, he wouldn¡¯t bother enlightening him.


    Besides, even if he did, the other party wouldn¡¯t believe him.


    Despite thinking this, Zhao Sheng had already begun to secretly plan to someday write a book on the Cultivation insights of the ¡°Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique,¡± anonymously attributing it to some Nameless Golden Core Master.


    He, as an old ancestor¡­ really had a heart full of concern for the family¡¯s affairs.


    Back to the matter at hand!


    Seeing that Zhao Qingming was unappreciative, Zhao Sheng spoke no further, directly saying, ¡°You¡¯re no match for me.¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°And you guys, just come at me together! Whoever wins against me can have this Foundation Establishment Pill.¡±


    Saying so, Zhao Sheng flicked his right hand, sending a pill bottle flying out. It landed three yards away on the ground and shattered, revealing a Foundation Establishment Pill radiating with spirit light within.


    The Foundation Establishment Pill was given in advance by Zhao Xuanjing and here, Zhao Sheng used it as a tool to stir everyone¡¯s fighting spirit.


    Without putting their full effort into a real fight, they wouldn¡¯t even recognize their own weaknesses!


    ¡°Are these words true?¡± Zhao Degang, a middle-aged, chubby man, asked with overflowing joy, preempting others by shouting out loud.


    ¡°You can choose not to believe.¡±


    ¡°Believe, I thoroughly believe, count me in.¡± Zhao Degang repeatedly nodded and bowed, while pulling out a folding fan from around his waist.


    The handsome young man beside him, Zhao Qinghua, had a gleam in his eyes that was frighteningly bright, silently producing a three-feet-long, arm-thick charred wooden club in his hand.


    The wooden club had a knotted bulge the size of a head on one side, its surface pocked with burn marks, resembling nothing so much as a fire poker.


    ¡°Make your move!¡±


    Zhao Sheng placed one hand behind his back and stretched out the other towards the crowd, his contempt obvious.


    ¡°Arrogant!¡±


    Zhao Yanyongg, a burly man, roared and charged forward like a wild ox, his body clad in the Hundred-refined Poison Hedgehog Armor, stomping fiercely off the ground.


    At the same time, the others, not wanting to be outdone, began their attacks.


    Zhao Qingming: ¡°Twine Silk Net, unite!¡±


    A multitude of invisible water lines merged into a net of water, emerging from under Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet, trying to bind his limbs.


    Zhao Deqian threw a pebble that instantly transformed into a swarm of flying rock locusts, crashing down from above.


    The others could be ignored,


    for as they launched their attacks, their opponent suddenly vanished from sight. They could only hear a burst of firecracker-like rapid stepping sounds within the Dao Field.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s physique was exceptionally formidable; despite not having trained specifically, his natural constitution was second to none among Body Refining Cultivators.


    With his current strength of Divine Soul, the Immortal Spirit Realm could be stably maintained at ten times the Time Flow, occasionally stretching to the limit of twenty times.


    In Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, everyone else¡¯s movements appeared like slow motion.


    And the proudly instantaneous Spell cast by Zhao Qingming was simply not worth mentioning.


    To prove that it amounted to nothing, Zhao Sheng decided to start with him.


    ¡°Fall down!¡±


    The voice erupted suddenly, Zhao Qingming only felt a pain in the back of his head, his vision darkened, and he passed out instantly.


    He was the first to show off, and so the first to be eliminated.


    ¡°Fall!¡±


    ¡°Down!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, ethereal and elusive, flickered in and out of sight. Each time he spoke, a member of the Zhao family fell to the ground, unconscious,


    all without exception hit on the back of the neck with a single palm, directly knocked out.


    In fact, even a year earlier, Zhao Sheng was able to compete on equal terms with Zhao Deqian, a Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator from his family, when both were unarmed.


    In this scenario, Zhao Sheng¡¯s speed and reflexes were unmatched.


    However, in his view, his own Barbaric Ancient Battle Body had yet to reveal even a fraction of its full potential¡ªnot even half.


    Zhao Sheng never anticipated that in the Tianzhu Realm, the Barbaric Ancient Battle Body would suffer from unfamiliar conditions and degradation.


    He had speculated that the Tianzhu Realm was just one among billions of Constant Sand Worlds and that compared to the legendary Immortal Realm, it surely lacked some critical mystical substances.


    This led the Barbaric Ancient Battle Body to develop poorly, turning him into the ugly mess he is today.


    It¡¯s important to note that his father, Zhao Yancang, was famously handsome within the clan, otherwise he wouldn¡¯t have managed to charm his mother Min Rou.


    To get back to the point,


    In just a few breaths, most of the people had fallen.


    The remaining ones were all utterly stunned. If they couldn¡¯t even see their opponent, how could they possibly hit him, let alone defeat him?


    ¡°Foundation Establishment, he¡­ he must have reached the Foundation Establishment!¡± Zhao Degang shouted excitedly.


    At that moment, including him, only four people remained standing.


    The four of them stood back to back, nervously scanning their surroundings.


    Snap!


    A bolt of lightning suddenly struck an open area of the Dao Field.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure flashed, and he jumped out from that spot, his gaze surprised as he looked at Zhao Qinghua holding a black stick.


    ¡°Thunder Spirit Root? Thousand-year-old Thunderstruck Wood!¡± he said, slightly astonished.


    Zhao Qinghua nodded slightly, and a few strands of lightning sprang up from the Thunderstruck Wood in his hand.


    In the Cultivation World, Thunder Spirit Roots are extremely rare, truly one in ten thousand.


    In terms of lethality, Thunder Cultivators are on par with Sword Cultivators, but in terms of speed, Thunder Skills are unmatched in the world.


    Zhao Sheng clapped his hands in admiration, ¡°Good lad, good fortune!¡±


    ¡°No wonder the pillar of Qi Fortune was radiating blue within the red, reaching up to more than thirty zhang, truly worthy of having the potential to ascend to Golden Core.¡±


    Of course, he kept the latter half of the sentence to himself and did not say it aloud.


    At his words, everyone felt somewhat speechless.


    A young boy¡¯s speech and demeanor were so unnaturally serious, it was extremely disconcerting.


    Yet, Zhao Sheng himself was completely oblivious.


    ¡­


    A few breaths later, even Zhao Degang, who had managed to last until the end, rolled his eyes and collapsed to the ground.


    This man was quite interesting; his divine soul was unusually sharp, repeatedly sensing Zhao Sheng¡¯s movements and managing to dodge in advance, almost like he had a foreknowledge.


    Caught in a whim, Zhao Sheng playfully teased him a few times before making a move to take him down after figuring out the reasons.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, someone from the clan delivered a Storage Bag to Zhao Sheng.


    Moments later, in the quiet room, Zhao Sheng opened the Storage Bag and dumped out a pile of items.


    After a quick glance, a satisfied smile appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    The last resort left by the fourth generation had all been delivered to him.


    Additionally, on the ground lay a pile of ten thousand Spirit Stones, forming a small mountain half a person¡¯s height,


    and in three pill bottles, there were three Foundation Establishment Pills each.


    Over two hundred Geng Gold Pearls rolled across the floor, emitting faint mysterious blue lights.


    There was also a palm-sized chunk of black metal covered in fish-scale patterns, emanating nine layers of light haloes, which was precisely the Nine Returns Iron Zhao Sheng had wanted.


    Aside from these, a family Jade Token representing the identity of the Foundation Establishment Elders was held and fondled by Zhao Sheng.


    The intention of Patriarch Zhao sending over this Jade Token early was self-evident.


    Thus, from that day onward, Zhao Sheng closed his door to visitors and began his seclusion for Foundation Establishment.


    Two months flew by,


    and when Zhao Sheng appeared before others again, he had already become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Of course, apart from a few people like Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Yancang, the others knew nothing of the fact that the Zhao family had finally produced a Young Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    The so-called Young Foundation Establishment refers to a Cultivation genius who achieves Foundation Establishment before the age of twenty.


    Compared to a lifespan of more than two hundred years, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator under twenty truly is a ¡°youngster.¡±


    In the Tianzhu Realm, Golden Core cultivators under a hundred are extremely rare and are usually referred to as ¡°Daoist.¡±


    Therefore, Young Foundation Establishment cultivators are also called ¡°Little Taoists.¡±


    ¡­


    Time flies, and ten years passed in the blink of an eye.


    In those ten years, the Xinglong Zhao Family welcomed three more Foundation Establishment Elders.


    Of the eight strong contenders from that year¡¯s Dao performance, only Zhao Qingming successfully ascended to Foundation Establishment, while others either died or were injured beyond notice.


    Today, ten years later,


    The Zhao family¡¯s Dao performance competition once again determined the new eight strong contestants.

 Chapter 294 - 236 Data Panel Refresh

    Chapter 294: Chapter 236 Data Panel Refresh


    This year¡¯s Dao Performance Tournament saw an unexpected victor for first place, the famously sharp-tongued, shameless, and cunning Zhao Degang.


    Watching the stocky, dark-skinned man on stage bowing repeatedly, Zhao Sheng turned his head towards Zhao Qinghua beside him, her gaze firm:


    ¡°If you had chosen to compete in the tournament, first place would undoubtedly have been yours, along with the Foundation Establishment Pill. Seeing others bask in glory while you must hide your name and talents from this day on, do you have any regrets?¡±


    Zhao Qinghua¡¯s face remained impassive as she confidently replied, ¡°I have no regrets!¡±


    ¡°Good, I really wasn¡¯t wrong about you. With your addition, Zhao¡¯s Secret Department will be even more formidable.¡±


    At this point, Zhao Sheng confidently said, ¡°As long as you don¡¯t meet with a mishap on your journey, I assure you a Golden Core future.¡±


    Ten years had passed, and Zhao Qinghua had now reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer Realm, with her Qi Fortune growing day by day, one-third of her red Qi Fortune having transformed into a cyan color.


    Zhao Sheng dared to make such a grand claim, partly because her Qi Fortune was exceptionally strong.


    More importantly, Zhao Qinghua¡¯s character, principled conduct, and handsome features had caught Zhao Sheng¡¯s eye.


    He was more than willing to nurture a second ¡°Zhao Xuanjing¡± for the Zhao Family.


    ¡­


    As night fell, within a modestly luxurious mansion in Xinglong City¡¯s Fire District, Zhao Sheng sat in the chief seat of his living room.


    Zhao Degang, who had just won the Dao Performance that day, sat at the lower end, his face full of respect.


    ¡°Lord Gang, how confident are you in advancing to the Foundation Establishment?¡±


    Zhao Sheng had taken Zhao Degang under his wing ten years ago and had completely won him over, treating him as a confidant, allowing for straightforward conversation without the need for pleasantries.


    ¡°At most twenty percent,¡± Zhao Degang instantly looked troubled upon hearing the question, losing all of his earlier arrogance.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and a flash of Five-Colored Divine Light flickered in his gaze, revealing a slight disarray in the other¡¯s Qi Fortune, yet the red Qi Fortune remained as stable as ever.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll give you a peace of mind.¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng loosened his hand, and a pill bottle flew out from the sleeve and landed steadily in Zhao Degang¡¯s hand.


    Upon opening it, he was overjoyed: ¡°Is this¡­ a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill?!¡±


    After speaking, his expression changed, and he quickly declined, ¡°Qingyang, this is too valuable, I can¡¯t accept it!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, keep it. I¡¯ve recently been rather eager and managed to refine a batch, coincidentally producing two top-grade pills.¡±


    Zhao Sheng spoke lightly, but it left Zhao Degang secretly astounded, filled with admiration.


    In the family hierarchy, he was of the elder generation to the other.


    But the truth was, the other man was the real ¡®elder.¡¯


    Compared to him, Zhao Degang was like a loach meeting a True Dragon, incomparable.


    This ¡®elder,¡¯ not yet thirty years old, had already upgraded to Foundation Establishment, not only nurturing both the Magic Body and scholarly pursuits but also knowledgeable and skilled, renowned as a master of alchemy and talisman making.


    In terms of alchemy and talisman painting, few in the entire Zhao Family could match him.


    What was more important was that this ¡®elder¡¯ was indifferent to fame and fortune, extremely low-profile within the family, and even less known in the outside world. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If Zhao Degang hadn¡¯t followed him for ten years, he would never have known that this hidden Zhao Family dragon was such a genius!


    Take alchemy, for instance. He had never heard of anyone who could effortlessly produce top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills after merely a decade or so of study.


    Just like he had never seen anyone who could pick up talisman making so quickly, quickly becoming adept, and even innovatively creating new talismans.


    This elder before him possessed such ¡°Divine Skills¡±!


    There was a time when Zhao Degang snorted at the Ancient Buddhism of the Western Wilderness¡¯s teachings about ¡®innate wisdom¡¯, but now it seemed it wasn¡¯t entirely a false notion.


    Zhao Sheng was unaware that Zhao Degang had so many thoughts in the blink of an eye.


    He had high hopes for Zhao Degang¡¯s future.


    The other¡¯s Qi Fortune was not low; categorized by the gray, white, red, cyan, and purple Qi Fortunes, the red Qi Fortune was already at the third level.


    Since being reincarnated, after years of discreet observation, Zhao Sheng discovered that most of the Foundation Establishment Elders in the Zhao Family ranged from light red to pure red in Qi Fortune.


    A few of the late-stage Foundation Establishment elders had red Qi Fortune tinged with cyan, far from Zhao Qinghua¡¯s level but nonetheless outstanding in the family.


    Zhao Xuanjing, Zhao Tongxian, and Zhao Dingguang¡ªthe three ancestral elders of the family¡ªhad Qi Fortune of pure cyan. Among them, Zhao Dingguang had the lightest cyan, while Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s was a soaring purple with barely a trace of cyan.


    After summarizing and conducting research, Zhao Sheng found that the gray, white, red, cyan, and purple Qi Fortune roughly corresponded with the five major realms of mortals, Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul.


    Of course, he had also seen many exceptions, such as those brimming with Red Fortune suddenly dying before their time, with only the Qi Refining Realm achieved before their deaths.


    The Path of Destiny was mysterious and profound. Zhao Sheng had barely grazed the surface and dared not claim understanding.


    ¡­


    Suddenly, as spring turned to autumn, the peaches ripened.


    In Xinglong City, in the Underground Fire District, within the Overweight Room shrouded in steam and fog, muffled thudding sounds could faintly be heard from within.


    Zhao Sheng, drenched in sweat, was clad in a layer of Mystic Iron Armor, running laps in the Dao Field.


    He wasn¡¯t practicing Body Refinement, merely warming up.


    Since establishing his foundation ten years ago, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body surprisingly had a second growth spurt.


    For a full decade, he never missed a meal without consuming demon meat or Spiritual Medicine, gnawing on ginseng as if it were radishes, and ingested countless Spirit Pills that nourished Qi and blood.


    Now, he had finally grown to over seven feet tall. His face and body had put on some flesh, barely moving past the look of a sickly ghost.


    To outsiders, Zhao Sheng still seemed alarmingly thin and sallow, but almost no one knew of the significant enhancement in his physique.


    Under twenty times the gravity, he wore Mystic Iron Heavy Armor weighing three hundred pounds and could still run dozens of laps with ease, solely to warm up.


    After about the time it takes for a pot of tea to brew, having completed thirty laps, Zhao Sheng slowly stopped, lifting his hand to drop the Mystic Iron Heavy Armor with a thunderous crash to the ground.

 Chapter 295 - 236 Data Panel Refresh_2

    Chapter 295: Chapter 236 Data Panel Refresh_2


    Amid his blood boiling, he took out an entire bottle of Essence Yuan Pills, didn¡¯t even look, and tossed his head back, swallowing ten Essence Yuan Pills.


    After consuming the elixir pills, Zhao Sheng took out the Magic Array Stone Ball, disabling the Gravity Magic Array.


    The moment the twentyfold gravity disappeared, he immediately felt relieved all over, his body felt light as if a slight step could lift him into the air.


    In fact, with a little effort, he could easily jump up to ninety feet.


    The potential of this physical body was so strong that even Zhao Sheng himself was shocked.


    Zhao Sheng sat down cross-legged, allowing his stomach, voracious as a Taotie, to digest the Essence Yuan Pills.


    He summoned the Hundred Lifetimes Book from his Divine Soul, opened the sixth page, and a data panel appeared before his mind:


    Name: Zhao Qingyang (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 29/236


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer, Half-step to God


    Profession: Second Order Talisman Master, Second Order Alchemist, Second Order Artifact Refiner,


    [Constitution:]Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots (Earth), Barbaric Ancient Battle Body (Earth)


    [Talent:] Immortal Spirit Realm (impaired)


    [Skills:]


    Cultivation Technique: Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique (skilled), Star God Thousand Heart Technique (skilled), Qi Observing Skill (beginner), Little Cloud Realm Spirit Puppet Technique (mastered)¡­


    Body Refinement: Immortal Golden Body (beginner), True Void Mountain Shattering Skill (Great Success), Near and far (Small Success), Heavenly Human Four Forms (Spiritual Smell, Divine Eye, Taotie)


    Hundred Arts: Taoist Skill (skilled), talisman (mastered), alchemy (mastered), artifact refining (skilled)¡­


    Before his reincarnation, Zhao Sheng randomly drew a profound-level skill: a mastered ¡°Little Cloud Realm Spirit Puppet Technique¡±.


    This was a unique artifact refining magic skill, more specifically, a special technique belonging to the category of refining spirit puppets.


    Where exactly in the vast universe was Little Cloud Realm, and how many worlds away was it from Tianzhu Realm?


    Zhao Sheng did not know, but he understood that Little Cloud Realm was probably a cultivation world where artifact refining was prevalent.


    From the exquisite soul refining and artifact refining methods in the ¡°Little Cloud Realm Spirit Puppet Technique¡±, it was clear that the level of artifact refining in that world was considerably higher than in Tianzhu Realm.


    This profound-level drawing turned out to be a win for Zhao Sheng, as he not only learned a foreign language but also easily advanced to a Second Order Artifact Refiner.


    Although he was significantly specialized as an artifact refiner, when a real Spiritual Puppet Artifact was placed before others, no one could deny that he was a Second Order Artifact Refiner.


    Of course, his simultaneous practice in artifact refining was currently known only to him.


    Being a thirty-year-old body refiner at the Foundation Establishment stage, along with being a Second Order Alchemist and Second Order Talisman Master was already shocking enough.


    If he also revealed his title as a Second Order Artifact Refiner, he feared that Nascent Soul old freaks might come knocking on his door the next day, if not to take him as a disciple, then for live dissection.


    Zhao Sheng dared not bet that they would come with good intentions, solely to take him as a disciple. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In Tianzhu Realm, body refiners at the Foundation Establishment stage were also known as Divinity Realm Body Refiners.


    Above the Innate stage of martial arts is referred to as ¡°Divinity¡±!


    Body refiners at the Foundation Establishment stage, with the enhancement of Spirit Roots, are more than ten times stronger than Divine Communication Martial Artists.


    Zhao Sheng was precisely at the Half-step to God stage.


    In terms of physical prowess, he was far stronger than other body refiners at the Foundation Establishment stage.


    However, regarding realm, he had yet to master the five senses; he was not yet a true Body Refiner.


    The Immortal Martial Hall was personally established by Zhao Xuanjing six hundred years ago.


    By then, he had just advanced to Golden Core and had joined the Ksitigarbha Sect for exactly half a cycle.


    Living among the top ten major sects of the Central Continent, Zhao Xuanjing experienced a broadening of his vision, deeper than during his time on Taifu Mountain.


    Back then, he deliberately exchanged for over a dozen body refining techniques from the Ksitigarbha Sect¡¯s Scripture Cave and founded the Immortal Martial Hall.


    This move was not only to pave a path of body refining for his family but also to stimulate and tap into the potential of the Zhao¡¯s Mortal Clan.


    You should know that the strength of Divine Communication Martial Artists was no less than those at Qi Refining Perfection; some exceptionally strong Divinity-reaching Grandmasters could even contend with Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    Judging by the outcome, Zhao Xuanjing made the right move, as today Immortal Martial Hall is filled with native-born Innate stages; there are even more than a hundred who are at Half-step Divine Communication Martial Sect.


    And the number of Divinity-reaching Grandmasters who could compete against Foundation Establishment Cultivators for more than a hundred rounds exceeds five.


    Don¡¯t think this is too exaggerated; considering just five or six ¡°comparable to Foundation Establishment¡± Divinity-reaching Grandmasters emerged from over five million of the Zhao¡¯s Mortal Clan.


    This one in a million ratio is what¡¯s truly astonishing, and the difficulty of martial arts can be seen from this alone.


    ¡°Heavenly Human Four Forms¡± is the principal Divine Communication Martial Arts practiced by Zhao Sheng, its origins lying in Ancient Buddhism before it was acquired by an ancestor from the Ksitigarbha Sect.


    This unknown ancestor personally removed the overly devout aspects of the technique and merged it with the sect¡¯s Body Refinement Techniques, thus creating ¡°Heavenly Human Four Forms¡±.


    This technique is divided into four major realms: ¡°Body Phase, Heart Phase, Divine Phase, Dharma Phase¡±, corresponding to the realms of Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Divinity Transformation.


    The Immortal Martial Hall only possesses the Body Phase section of Heavenly Human Four Forms, intricately divided into the Divine Communication of the five senses: ¡°eyes, ears, mouth, nose, body¡±.


    As a Body Refining Technique derived from Buddhist practices, Heavenly Human Four Forms has the unique feature of varying divine powers depending on the individual.


    Take Zhao Sheng, for example, he had mastered ¡°Spiritual Smell, Divine Eye, Taotie¡±, but was still lacking in the ear and body aspects.


    If it were other Divine Communication Martial Artists, they might possess abilities like seeing in the dark, hearing over distances, and other superpowers.


    ¡­


    After reviewing his personal data, Zhao Sheng put away his Hundred Lifetimes book and sent his Divine Sense into his storage bag. Then a grape-sized Geng Gold Pearl flew out, spinning around, and finally hovered three feet in the air in front of him.


    Then, he silently operated his technique, and the spiritual power in his core started ¡°boiling¡±, turning into a pale purple sea of fire.


    ¡°Purple Sun Fire, arise!¡±


    Following a low shout, a purple ¡°lotus¡± suddenly rose within the pale purple sea of fire,


    The moment the Fire Lotus appeared, it abruptly flew out of the dantian, through layers of skin and flesh, emerging below Zhao Sheng¡¯s navel and gently flew under the Geng Gold Pearl, enveloping it.


    Zhao Sheng formed a Golden Crow Seal with his hands, and the Purple Sun Spiritual Power in his body surged, following the line of spiritual power connected to the Purple Sun Fire.


    With a thought, his Divine Sense stirred, and spiritual power poured into the fire, causing the Purple Sun Fire to explosively bloom into a huge fire lotus about ten feet in diameter. The petals of the fire lotus slowly spun, releasing an intimidatingly high temperature.


    In the center of the Fire Lotus, the Geng Gold Pearl gently pulsed. Under the intense heat of the Purple Sun Fire, its surface gradually shone with a brilliant blue light, as dazzling as the stars.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng was sweaty, with nearly half of his core¡¯s spiritual power consumed.


    At that moment, the Geng Gold Pearl within the Purple Sun Fire Lotus had noticeably shrunk significantly, the wisps of Geng Metal Qi were trapped by the Fire Lotus, swirling around the pearl.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes blazed with Divine Light, he spread the Golden Crow Seal and suddenly changed his hands into the Lotus Seal.


    Instantly, the Purple Sun Fire Lotus swiftly shrank to the size of a fist,


    Then, the Purple Sun Fire Lotus, wrapped in Geng Metal Qi, quickly retracted back into Zhao Sheng¡¯s abdomen like a weary bird returning to the forest, delved deep into his dantian, and finally merged into the Purple Sun Spiritual Power.


    The moment the Geng Metal Qi was freed from its binds, Zhao Sheng hooked it with his spiritual power, slowly drawing it out from the dantian, transporting it to his right thigh bone, and began refining it into the bone using a secret technique.


    Half an hour later, the last wisp of Geng Metal Qi was completely refined, and by then, the surface of Zhao Sheng¡¯s right thigh bone exhibited spots of cold light, within which faint Sword Intent was clearly overflowing.


    Over the next ten years, Zhao Sheng successively transformed nearly seventy bones such as limbs, hands, feet, ribs, and breastbones into Geng Metal Sword Bones.


    Only less than twenty Geng Gold Pearls remained, but only one-third of the Geng Metal Sword Bones had been refined.


    Geng Metal, a high-end treasure material, is rare and sought after; who knows how long it will take to fully refine the Geng Metal Sword Bones.


    Unable to help himself, Zhao Sheng sighed, waving his hand as a beam of Geng Metal Sword Light burst out instantaneously from his palm.


    In an instant, the Sword Light fell upon the cast iron ground, leaving behind a deep, pitch-black hole with its edges smooth as glass.


    He released his Divine Sense into the hole and discovered that the hole was over half a foot deep, considering the thickness of the cast iron was over three inches.


    Seeing this, a smile finally appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    ¡°Geng Metal Sword Bone is indeed powerful, making all the effort worthwhile.¡±


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng put away the Geng Gold Pearls, flipped a Magic Array Stone Ball single-handedly, reactivated the Gravity Magic Array, and set it to twenty-three times gravity.


    Then, he took out two Mid-grade Fire Spirit Stones from the storage bag, held them in his hand, silently operated a mysterious skill, and began extracting the spiritual energy from the spirit stones, refining and merging it into the Purple Sun Spiritual Power.


    ¡­


    A year later, the Geng Gold Pearls were exhausted, eighty-three Geng Metal Sword Bones were refined, and he successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer.


    That day, Zhao Sheng, sweaty from exertion, walked out of the Overweight Room.


    Just then, the elder Jade Token on his waist suddenly began flashing urgently.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was stunned for a moment, then immediately sent his Divine Sense into it, and a message instantly appeared.


    ¡°Tonight, late afternoon, Unity Hall, the elders have a meeting, you must attend! Left by Zhao Dexuan.¡±


    Zhao Dexuan is the current Clan Leader of the Xinglong Zhao Family, a Perfect Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    This Clan Leader, who advocates Governance Without Action in managing the family, is particularly adept at playing it safe, essentially a ¡®good-natured¡¯ type of leader.¡±


    ¡°Clan Leader, to think that I was notified this time! It seems something significant must have arisen in the family again. Could it be¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s complexion changed as he suddenly thought of something.

 Chapter 296 - 237 Designated Marriage

    Chapter 296: Chapter 237 Designated Marriage


    In the vast expanse of Xinglong City, there are two structures that stand out the most. One is the Black Gang Rock City Wall, which stretches over a hundred miles, stands twenty zhang high, and is sixteen zhang wide; it looms like a mountain, solid like a ridge.


    The other is the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower, located at the very center of Xinglong City,


    This tower occupies a hundred acres, with the building divided into nine floors and eight sides, soaring into the clouds, visible from anywhere in Xinglong City at a glance.


    The main body of the building is constructed from Purple Patterned Diamond, and the external walls are covered with Bright Glazed Tiles. During the daytime, it¡¯s splendid and golden, like a grand pavilion forged from gold.


    When night falls and the Bright Glazed Tiles, which have absorbed sunlight all day, begin to emanate a myriad of lights, they not only turn the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower into a massive column reaching for the sky but also illuminate nearly half of Xinglong City.


    Just after midnight, one by one, the Foundation Establishment Elders with somber expressions emerged from the eighth floor of the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower and then, riding various Spiritual Artifacts, swiftly flew off in all directions.


    Some quickly descended into the deep courtyards within the city, while others flew far into the dusky night, vanishing without a trace.


    A man in a black robe with a lean figure, wearing a Taotie mask, walked to the edge of the terrace, about to leap off, when suddenly, someone behind him called out,


    ¡°Taotie, wait a moment! This old man has matters to discuss with you.¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned to look at the speaker, not unexpectedly, it was indeed Clan Leader Zhao Dexuan.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head and made a gesture to Ba Xia, Yazi, and Suan Ni, the leaders of the Dark Department standing beside him, and said in a hoarse voice, ¡°You all go first. The plan remains unchanged, just as before!¡±


    The three leaders of the Dark Department silently nodded and then each disappeared, scattering individually.


    Since a thousand years ago, Zhao¡¯s Secret Department had grown exponentially in number and scale, no longer confined to the Zhao Family members alone. Instead, it consisted largely of Loose Cultivators they had recruited and subdued, traitors from Sects, and even notorious Demon Cultivators, not to mention Evil Demons from the Outer Path.


    The four great leaders of the Dark Department were all Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators, each commanding a team of several dozen agents.


    As far as Zhao Sheng knew, aside from Yazi, who was from the Zhao Family, Ba Xia had originally been an Inner Sect Disciple of the Sky-splitting Sword Dao. He was expelled for breaking the Sect¡¯s rules and later subjugated by Zhao Dingguang to join Zhao¡¯s Secret Department.


    Suan Ni was a Demon Cultivator from the Foundation Establishment stage, originating from the Shiyin Sect, and could be identified from afar by the smell of decay that clung to him. He joined the Dark Department voluntarily because his only daughter had married into the Zhao Family twenty years earlier.


    It had been ten years since Zhao Sheng had advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, and under the arrangements of Zhao Xuanjing, had become one of the four major leaders of the Dark Department, his status implicitly above the other three.


    This was because ever since Zhao Sheng joined, Patriarch Zhao would issue orders directly through him to the other members of the Secret Department.


    When only the two of them were left in the tower, Zhao Sheng removed his Taotie mask, looking puzzled, he said, ¡°Clan Leader, if you had instructions, you could have simply told me. Why go through all this scene?¡±


    ¡°I need to inquire about your opinion on a matter,¡±


    Zhao Dexuan, who had a broad and portly figure, was ruddy-faced, with laughter always on his round, smiling face and his mouth corners naturally tilted upwards, much like the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha.


    This old Clan Leader who had wielded power over the Zhao Family for almost sixty years was over two hundred and twenty years old. Although he had achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection, he had no hope for Golden Core and wouldn¡¯t live for many more decades.


    Zhao Dexuan bore two great worries in his heart; one was to choose a qualified candidate for the next Clan Leader of the family.


    This was incredibly difficult, extremely difficult.


    To put it plainly, the Xinglong Zhao Family¡¯s current prosperity was at its zenith. Established merely a thousand years ago, its overall strength could now rival that of second-rate Cultivation Sects.


    The family¡¯s sphere of influence encompassed the surrounding five thousand li of land and rivers. Including vassal and allied families obtained through marriage, the number came close to fifty, with nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators related to them, let alone countless Qi Refinement practitioners. Billions of mortals lived within the territories that they controlled directly and indirectly.


    Among these billions of mortals, dozens or even hundreds of Human Cultivators would emerge each year.


    These Cultivation grassroots had nothing to their names. Aside from those snatched up first by other families, the Zhao Family would recruit ten to twenty promising talents each year, making them change their last names and incorporating them into the Zhao Family genealogy.


    Given the scale of the Xinglong Zhao Family today, each Clan Leader succession was comparable to the inheritance of a Dynasty¡¯s throne, a slight misstep could spell a tempest of blood and a potentially negative impact on the Zhao Family¡¯s Qi Fortune for the following century.


    Therefore, the selection of a new Clan Leader could not be taken lightly by Zhao Dexuan, who had to seek the unanimous consent of most of the Zhao Family Elders before his death. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Some might suggest that the selection of a new Clan Leader was not difficult, with the Golden Core Ancestors directly designating a candidate.


    It might be the case for other Cultivation Families, but the Xinglong Zhao Family was somewhat different, bound by the ancestral teachings. Furthermore, the situations of the three family Ancestors were not promising.


    Ancestor Dingguang could hold on for another ten or twenty years, but Ancestor Tongxian was on the brink of passing away.


    The reason behind tonight¡¯s Unity Hall meeting was precisely this matter.


    The impending demise of a Golden Core Ancestor was a significant event that could affect the rise and fall of the family, and every arrangement needed to be made in advance to minimize the impact of this event.


    As for Ancestor Xuanjing, he had his own troubles as the Mountain Dragon that he shared a bond with was facing its centennial Dragon Transformation Tribulation. He had to return to the Ksitigarbha Sect to prepare for the Tribulation.


    If the Tribulation was successful, a hundred years of freedom awaited.


    However, if the Tribulation failed, the consequences were something the entire Zhao Family could not bear: both the Mountain Dragon and the Ancestor would be reduced to ashes.


    Compared to this, the demise of Ancestor Tongxian was a secondary concern.


    With the Golden Core Ancestors soon to be reduced by two-thirds, yet a new generation of Golden Core Ancestors within the Zhao Family was long overdue.


    This had become the greatest shadow in Zhao Dexuan¡¯s heart, a malaise that he could not shake off, and he would not rest in peace even in death without resolving it.

 Chapter 297 - 237 Designated Marriage_2

    Chapter 297: Chapter 237 Designated Marriage_2


    He searched through all the Cultivation Clan members¡¯ records in the family and finally identified seven or eight ¡°seeds¡± who had hope of advancing to Golden Core.


    However, Zhao Dexuan was deeply aware that achieving Golden Core was a hundred times more difficult than Foundation Establishment.


    Among these ¡°seed¡± candidates, having a ten percent chance of successfully advancing to Golden Core would be enough for him to be very grateful. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Among these individuals, the one Zhao Dexuan was most bullish on was this unremarkable-looking young man before him.


    In the entire Zhao Family, including himself, only no more than ten people knew that Zhao Qingyang had advanced to Foundation Establishment. The only ones who knew that the other party had advanced ten years ago were himself, Zhao Dexuan and three other Ancestors.


    At this moment, he stopped this scion of the Zhao Family because there was an important matter for which he needed to ask the other party¡¯s opinion.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the earnest-faced Clan Leader and said in a solemn voice, ¡°What is the matter? Please speak, Clan Leader.¡±


    Zhao Dexuan pondered for a moment and said earnestly, ¡°I am considering announcing your Foundation Establishment. What are your thoughts?¡±


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment and asked, ¡°Is this the Ancestors¡¯ idea? Thirty years old or twenty years old?¡±


    His words carried multiple meanings.


    Originally, his joining the family¡¯s Dark Department and concealing his true identity and strength was meticulously arranged by Zhao Xuanjing.


    The purpose is well understood; it goes without saying.


    The latter part of Zhao Sheng¡¯s sentence was even more meaningful.


    For a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the difference between achieving Foundation Establishment at age twenty and at age thirty was like heaven and earth.


    Under the age of twenty, one could be called a ¡°Little Taoist,¡± with a Golden Core future in sight.


    Whereas at thirty, one is only considered exceptionally talented, although quite rare, it¡¯s not uncommon in the Tianzhu Realm.


    ¡°The Ancestor¡¯s intention is for you to decide for yourself.¡±


    ¡°If you were to make it public proactively, which age would you, the Clan Leader, choose?¡±


    Zhao Dexuan paused for a moment, then said decisively, ¡°Twenty years old!¡±


    ¡°Good!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded his head decisively.


    Zhao Dexuan was very surprised; he had not expected the other party to answer so promptly.


    After all, the title of ¡°Little Taoist¡± is not that easy to obtain.


    An ancient saying goes: ¡°The wind will destroy the tallest tree in the forest, and the strongest rivers will erode the highest cliffs!¡±


    Once the Zhao Family released this information, announcing the emergence of a ¡°Little Taoist¡± in the family, it would certainly attract the attention of many forces.


    Let¡¯s not even mention the young Foundation Establishment challengers who will come knocking for the sake of reputation and progress.


    Those Sects and families hostile to the Zhao Family will certainly not sit idly by and watch an enemy give birth to a Golden Core Master; they will surely strike in secret.


    Zhao Dexuan could even predict that over the next few decades, Zhao Qingyang would face countless overt and covert attacks.


    However, overt attacks are easy to dodge, secret ones hard to guard against!


    ¡°Qingyang, I also have no¡­¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to explain, Clan Leader. I understand that the current positive development of the family must not be interrupted. Otherwise, at best, our power will fall back and we will struggle to make progress; at worst, it will draw the attack of jackals and tigers.¡±


    It was clear to anyone with eyes that the Zhao Family was in a phase of rising power.


    However, the successive passing of family Ancestors would undoubtedly severely damage the morale of the clansmen and shake the loyalty of the vassal forces, the consequences of which could be dire.


    Although Ancestor Zhao Xuanjing was there, making the Xinglong Zhao Family as stable as a boulder, the difference between steady progression and rapid decline in power was something even a fool could see.


    Thus, at this critical moment of rise and fall within the Xinglong Zhao Family, the family needed a ¡°hope¡± to boost the morale of all the clansmen.


    In Zhao Dexuan¡¯s view, Zhao Sheng was the ¡°hope¡± of the Zhao Family.


    Of course, if Zhao Xuanjing could advance to Nascent Soul, then everything would be perfect and Zhao Sheng wouldn¡¯t need to ¡°show himself¡± in the limelight.


    However, to be cautious, waiting for Ancestor Zhao to be confident enough to advance to Nascent Soul would take at least another hundred or two hundred years.


    The key to overcoming the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation lies with the Mountain Dragon.


    Next, it¡¯s crucial for the Zhao Family to produce a new Golden Core Master as soon as possible.


    But in Zhao Sheng¡¯s view, this prospect didn¡¯t seem very promising, very mystical in fact.


    Probably Clan Leader Zhao Dexuan thought so too, otherwise he wouldn¡¯t have suggested such a thing.


    Seeing the Clan Leader as if relieved of a heavy burden, Zhao Sheng teased, ¡°I wonder what kind of grand entrance you¡¯ve arranged for me, Clan Leader?¡±


    Zhao Dexuan chuckled, ¡°I assure you, you¡¯ll be satisfied! But I have to ask, what is your current level of strength? Which layer of Foundation Establishment are you at?¡±


    ¡°Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?¡±


    ¡°What about a lie? And how about the truth?¡±


    ¡°A lie would be that I¡¯ve just advanced to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment, able to contend with those at the fifth or sixth layer, with a fifty-fifty chance of victory.¡±


    Zhao Dexuan was startled when he heard this.


    It¡¯s only been ten years, and Qingyang had already reached the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment. His realm improvement was rocketing up, practically skyrocketing.


    ¡°And the truth?¡± he quickly asked.


    ¡°The truth is the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment. Even if four or five cultivators at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment teamed up against me, they couldn¡¯t touch me. It¡¯s not a problem to fight a couple at the seventh or eighth layer. If I go all out, even you, Clan Leader, should be careful to avoid capsizing.¡±


    ¡°Really¡­ really?¡± Zhao Dexuan¡¯s heart thudded powerfully, his pitch unconsciously rose three notches.


    ¡°How about we test each other out right now?¡± Zhao Sheng rolled up his sleeves, eager to try.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need, I know you never speak without meaning it; I believe what you say.¡± Zhao Dexuan¡¯s expression was exhilarated, his face adorned with a trademark smile, nearly as joyful as if Maitreya Buddha were present.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then let¡¯s drop it.¡± Zhao Sheng loosened his sleeves, ¡°By the way, you haven¡¯t yet told me what kind of grand entry you¡¯ve arranged?¡±


    Zhao Dexuan¡¯s face showed a mysterious smile, his tone warm and friendly, ¡°Originally, I was planning to have you challenge the Little Taoist from the Elixir Cauldron Sect, the legitimate young master Liu Xinwu of the Denver Liu Family. But now, I have a different idea.¡±

 Chapter 298 - 237 Arranged Marriage_3

    Chapter 298: Chapter 237 Arranged Marriage_3


    ¡°Clan Leader, stop beating around the bush and just tell me what you are planning,¡± Zhao Sheng urged.


    Zhao Dexuan¡¯s smile deepened, and he intentionally lowered his voice, ¡°I plan to arrange¡­ a marriage for you!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was astonished¡­


    ¡­


    Two months later, in the ancestral mausoleum¡¯s secret chamber on the third layer beneath the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower, Zhao Xuanjing, Zhao Dingguang, Zhao Dexuan¡­ Zhao Sheng, and other core members of the Zhao family stood solemnly in front of the Eternal Cold Ice Coffin,


    Their expressions grave as they watched Ancestor Zhao Tongxian lie down in the ice coffin, instantly frozen by the eternal ice, entering a state of suspended animation.


    The Eternal Cold Ice Coffin could preserve Zhao Tongxian¡¯s life force for up to a thousand years, sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Should the Zhao family face an existential crisis in the next thousand years, Zhao Tongxian would awaken to fight the final battle for the family¡¯s survival.


    This technique of ice-encased suspended animation was quite common among large cultivation forces and was considered one of the most practical essences.


    The reason the hierarchy in the Tianzhu Realm had become increasingly rigid, with the strong remaining strong, was greatly linked to such techniques of extended life through suspended animation.


    Moments later, the Eternal Cold Ice Coffin was slowly sealed inside the secret chamber. As soon as the chamber door closed, a layer of earthen yellow barrier rose instantly, its array base connected to the main hub of the Eight Diagrams Tower¡¯s formation.


    Without permission, anyone who touched the barrier would certainly be detected by the Zhao family.


    Moments later, various Zhao family core members, each carrying heavy responsibilities, gradually left the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower.


    At this time, in a large hall on the third floor of the tower, Zhao Xuanjing sat at the head, Zhao Dingguang at the next seat, and present were also Zhao Dexuan, Zhao Sheng, and Zhao Yancang.


    Although Ancestor Zhao Dingguang was nearing his life¡¯s end, he was still spirited, his long, wispy eyebrows floating near his ears as he radiated intense Fire Qi.


    Three hundred years ago, Zhao Dingguang had successfully achieved Core Formation using a Fifth-Order Fire Qiu Dragon inner core. He was most skilled in artifact refining and had long been a third-rank refining master.


    His proudest achievement was the creation of no less than ten magical treasures, among them a Thunder Protection Ring of the fourth grade, which now hung around the neck of a Mountain Dragon.


    Zhao Dingguang, having just seen off an elder, was understandably in low spirits as he leaned back in his jade chair, resting with his eyes closed.


    ¡°Honored ancestors, the family chosen for the arranged marriage is the Weaver Dong Family. I¡¯ve received information that the Dong family intends to release four reserve weavers, all of whom are soon to choose their destined partners. Thus, I propose letting Qingyang ask for their hand in marriage,¡± he said.


    ¡°Qingyang, what do you think?¡± Zhao Xuanjing turned to look at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng had not yet spoken when Zhao Yancang preempted him, his face full of joy, ¡°Honored ancestors, Qingyang agrees! The Dong family¡¯s daughter, who wouldn¡¯t want to marry her?¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Zhao Sheng, seeing his father eagerly state his position, could only touch his nose and hum in helpless agreement.


    Zhao Yancang was right; the daughters of the Dong family were the coveted brides among countless cultivation families.


    Let¡¯s put it this way, the Weaver Dong Family¡¯s relatives through marriage spanned across the Tianzhu Realm, with ninety-nine percent of Nascent Soul forces being in-laws to the Dong family.


    The reason for this was that not only did the Weaver women of the Dong family naturally enhance their husbands¡¯ fortunes, but they were also highly fertile, with half of their children likely to possess a Spirit Root.


    It is well-known that the higher the realm of a cultivator, the more difficult it is to bear offspring.


    A Golden Core Master finds it difficult to have children, not to mention the Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    Yet, the daughters of the Weaver Dong family broke this iron rule.


    Furthermore, it¡¯s important to note that the Dong family, by linking through marital ties, had successfully woven the most complex and high-end cultivation network within the Tianzhu Realm.


    If the Xinglong Zhao family could marry a reserve weaver into the family, they would undoubtedly secure an entry ticket to this high-end network,


    This was extremely important for the Zhao family!

 Chapter 299 - 238 Level 1 - Birth

    Chapter 299: Chapter 238 Level 1 ¨C Birth


    ¡°` S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Half a month later, outside Xinglong City,


    along the banks of the Hidden Dragon River that circled the city, Zhao Sheng, Zhao Yancang, Zhao Dexuan, and others stood on the shore, gazing at the river¡¯s surface in silent anticipation.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, the river¡¯s surface ten zhang away began to boil violently, with waves surging tumultuously.


    Accompanied by a thunderous roar, the waters within a ten-zhang radius were blasted upwards, scattering like a waterfall before crashing back down onto the river.


    In an instant,


    a massive shadow emerged from beneath the river, followed by the gradual ascent of a crocodile¡¯s head, as large as a hall, ferocious and terrifying. Next to surface was its thirty-zhang-long body, reminiscent of a prehistoric beast, with clanging Scale Armor, claws and teeth like knives, emanating a brutal, cold-blooded aura.


    As the Sixth-Order Croc Dragon made its appearance, its overwhelming and frightening Great Demon presence instantly pressed down on everything, causing the breath of the Zhao family by the riverbank to catch, as they instinctively activated their Mysterious Skills to resist the oppression of the Great Demon.


    At that moment, a thunderous shout suddenly exploded above the crocodile dragon¡¯s head:


    ¡°You beast, behave yourself for me!¡±


    No sooner had the words fallen than two heavy thuds sounded, and the Croc Dragon¡¯s arrogantly raised head was smashed directly into the river as though struck by a falling meteorite.


    Ao!


    As a long and miserable dragon cry came from under the water, Zhao Xuanjing, imposing like the Immortal of Colossal Spirit, burst through the splashing water curtain and landed in front of the crowd in a flash.


    ¡°This creature is naturally unruly; if it isn¡¯t taught a lesson every day, it¡¯ll start thinking too highly of itself!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing worked his wrist a bit, pointing at the Sixth-Order Croc Dragon writhing and howling on the river¡¯s surface, his face full of anger.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the behemoth, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and cautiously proposed, ¡°How about we spare the trouble of enlisting this Croc Dragon. Stirring up such a commotion doesn¡¯t seem too good.¡±


    ¡°No way!¡±


    Before he could finish, everyone spoke out in unison against the idea.


    It was no joke!


    The intention of the Zhao family¡¯s visit to the Dong family to seek a marriage alliance was partly to make a name for themselves and showcase the family¡¯s strength.


    Without a grand display, without bringing forth the Sixth-Order Croc Dragon, how could they reflect the might of the Xinglong Zhao Family?


    To elevate Zhao Sheng¡¯s status, Zhao Dexuan had specially arranged for nearly a hundred people to accompany him, with no fewer than six Foundation Establishment Cultivators just for protection, including Ba Xia and Yazi, two leaders of the Dark Department, and one Sixth-Order crocodile servant at the Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer.


    This crocodile servant was a loyal follower that Zhao Xuanjing had subdued in his earlier years and was now looking after the Sixth-Order Croc Dragon for his old master.


    ¡°Zhao Jiu, come and see Thirteen! You must protect him well. Should there be any mishap, you alone will answer to me!¡±


    As he spoke, a fierce-faced old man with half-bald hair and a shriveled mouth pushed through the crowd and quickly stepped forward.


    ¡°Rest assured, master! Even if it costs me my life, I will not let Thirteen Young Master suffer the slightest harm,¡± said the half-bald old man, who was about to bow respectfully but was quickly steadied by Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Uncle Jiu, there¡¯s no need for such formalities! Thirteen trusts you, and for the coming months, we rely on you for protection,¡± Zhao Sheng said.


    ¡°Qingyang, your success in taking a bride from the Dong family on this trip rests on you. But don¡¯t forget the primary purpose of your journey,¡± Zhao Dexuan solemnly instructed.


    ¡°I understand! Securing a bride is important, but so is elevating the family¡¯s reputation,¡± Zhao Sheng replied just as Zhao Xuanjing handed him a bright red carved dragon box. ¡°Here, this is the Door Greeting Gift. Take good care of it!¡±


    Zhao Sheng received the carved box, opened it, and his eyes suddenly widened in astonishment. ¡°Generous indeed! Even such a treasure is given away. Ancestor Jing, aren¡¯t you worried that our family will become the target of public censure?¡±


    After finishing his sentence, he couldn¡¯t help but take another glance at the item inside the box. He saw a huge Flat Peach as large as a human head, with Red Top Jade Skin, plump and round, and exuding a captivating fragrance.


    This peach was plucked from the Ancient Immortal Peach Tree of the Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion located at Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    With eight hundred years of passage, this Ancient Immortal Peach Tree¡¯s age had surpassed three thousand years. It blossomed every thirty years and bore fruit every thirty years, yielding only thirty-six peaches with divine life-prolonging effects.


    A single one could extend life by half a cycle of the sexagenary (Jiazi).


    A bit of a pity was that one could only eat one of these peaches in a lifetime; eating more had no effect.


    Hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s question, Zhao Xuanjing closed the carved box and said with a deep voice, ¡°One must give in order to receive! Besides, our family trusts the Weaver Dong Family; they would never damage their millennial reputation over such a trifle treasure.¡±


    Zhao Sheng immediately understood upon hearing this: ¡°The Door Greeting Gift is genuine, but advertising the Longevity Peach is also part of the goal. Once the Door Greeting Gift is sent, the Zhao family can wait for the Dong family to take the bait.¡±


    In the Tianzhu Realm, the Weaver Dong Family has always been adept at maneuvering socially, using marriages as a foundation to weave a network of relationships, while also conveniently creating an upscale trading platform.


    Without a doubt, as an intermediary on the platform, the most important thing is confidentiality and integrity.


    In the Cultivation World, there are many treasures that cannot withstand scrutiny and are difficult to sell openly; however, transacting through the platform of the Dong family not only facilitates a smooth sale but also maintains confidentiality.


    As middlemen, the Weaver Dong Family reaps countless benefits and has seen numerous heavy treasures; they would never break the rules for a mere Longevity Peach.


    The safest way for the Zhao family to dispose of their Longevity Peach, undoubtedly, was through the secret sale on the Dong family¡¯s platform.


    Upon realizing this, Zhao Sheng was reassured, secured the carved box, and then said farewell to Zhao Xuanjing and the others.


    The rest is not worth mentioning.


    A moment later, the Croc Dragon¡¯s massive body climbed onto the riverbank, lying there like a mound of flesh.


    At that moment, a magnificent palace with carved railings and jade built, exquisite in every detail, stood proudly on the back of the Croc Dragon.


    Zhao Sheng flew up onto the Croc Dragon¡¯s back first, followed by the crocodile servant Zhao Jiu leading the six Foundation Establishment Cultivators, with the nearly hundred guards and attendants closely behind.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 300 - 238 Level 1 Origin_2

    Chapter 300: Chapter 238 Level 1 Origin_2


    ¡°`


    Hu!


    As a long bell tone sounded, the Sixth-Rank Croc Dragon suddenly sprang from the ground, and large swaths of green and purple demon clouds instantly appeared beneath it.


    In the blink of an eye, a ten-mile expanse of demon clouds surged into the sky and then, like a bank of clouds, swiftly drifted away toward the horizon.


    Gazing into the distance, one could vaguely make out the Croc Dragon¡¯s massive body oscillating its head and swaying its tail through the cloud mist, with the Jade Palace on its back intermittently visible.


    ¡­


    A month later, in the eastern part of the Central Continent, near the Yunhuang Mountain Range, there stood a lofty peak thousands of feet tall, with scenery breathtakingly beautiful. This peak was named Heavenly Maiden Peak,


    To the northeast of Heavenly Maiden Peak was the fertile expanse of Tianfu Plain, and to the southwest, the Yunhuang Mountain Range radiated with celestial beauty and abundant Spiritual Energy.


    The Weaver Dong Family, a name well-known in the Tianzhu Realm, resided deep within the Yunhuang Mountain Range, their family estate built at the heart of a Third-rank Spirit Vein.


    Heavenly Maiden Peak was the gateway to the Yunhuang Mountain Range and also the Dong family¡¯s guest-receiving peak.


    And thirty miles below Heavenly Maiden Peak was Jinlan City.


    This city was a mix of immortals and mortals, with a population of a million, most of whom bore the surname Dong.


    On this day, a cloud of demon mist flew from the distant skyline to hover above Jinlan City.


    The demon cloud plummeted swiftly, landing in a vast open space outside the city.


    In an instant, the demon cloud dispersed, revealing a Croc Dragon as large as a small mountain, its appearance ferocious and terrifying.


    Ao!


    The moment the Croc Dragon touched the ground, it couldn¡¯t wait to let out a long howl to the heavens, venting the frustration it had accumulated over the past few days.


    The dragon¡¯s howl echoed for a hundred miles, and the overwhelming pressure from a Sixth-rank Demon Beast suddenly spread out, frightening countless nearby people and animals into a panic, causing them to lose control of their bladders and bowels.


    On the Jade Palace atop the Croc Dragon, Zhao Sheng turned his head to look at his crocodile servant, Zhao Jiu, and with a displeased expression asked, ¡°Uncle Jiu, aren¡¯t we being a bit too ostentatious?¡±


    ¡°Thirteen Young Master, Cultivators and mortals are not so different; they have always feared power but do not appreciate kindness. Moreover, letting the Croc Dragon vent a bit is good as well, we¡¯ve been pushing it quite hard these days.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned his head back towards the city below, nodding thoughtfully as he grudgingly accepted Zhao Jiu¡¯s explanation.


    ¡­


    Jinlan City, with its open and warm atmosphere, was completely different in style from the solemn and strictly ordered Xinglong City,


    First, it was open and welcoming, evidenced by its lack of city walls.


    Second, the city¡¯s architecture showcased a variety of styles from the far south and remote barbaric lands to the north, truly a spectacle of splendor and diversity.


    The residents of Jinlan City were even warmer than the city itself, and particularly hospitable.


    Especially noteworthy was the attractiveness of its residents, all above average in appearance, where beautiful girls and handsome, cheerful young men could be seen everywhere.


    Walking on the bustling streets of the city, the flow of people was like a weaving loom, and carriages came and went like a stream of horses and carriages.


    The Zhao family formed a procession, with four Qi Refining Guards at the head of the team clearing vehicles and parting the crowd to forge a path.


    In the middle of the team, Zhao Sheng, who was being escorted, was clad in white with a ringed belt, donning a Purple Jade Crown and Qingyun Boots, indeed looking like¡­ a gilded monkey.


    There was no helping it, for he was slim with a pointed face and monkey cheeks, looking nothing like a good person!


    This image was rather jarring.


    A classic case of the clothes not making the man!


    However, Zhao Sheng walked with his head held high and chest puffed out, confident and self-assured, strutting with a regal gait, completely oblivious to the fact that his appearance had brought down the average beauty of Jinlan City.


    ¡°Young Master, shall we first visit the City Lord Mansion to present our visiting card, or should we rest at our lodging first?¡±


    Zhao Sheng paused in his stride, without hesitation replied, ¡°Let¡¯s visit the City Lord Mansion first. Don¡¯t forget the purpose of our visit.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Young Master!¡±


    Shortly after,


    The Zhao family procession traversed half of Jinlan City and arrived at the central City Lord Mansion, presented their visiting card, and after a brief conversation with the city lord, they left the mansion.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng and his party left the City Lord Mansion than the news of the Xinglong Zhao family¡¯s intention to attend the upcoming Phoenix Meeting spread like wildfire across Jinlan City.


    Information about the Xinglong Zhao family was swiftly delivered into the hands of all the interested parties.


    A grand and luxurious estate, spanning nearly ten acres in the western part of Jinlan City, had changed hands a month ago and now bore the sign of Zhao Mansion.


    Today, the estate finally welcomed its rightful owner.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng and his entourage arrived than the steward and servants, who had received the news, crowded around to welcome them through the gates.


    The steward, named Zhao Jinzhong, was not only a Cultivator at the Qi Refining Late Stage, but his ancestors had also served the Zhao family for generations, making his loyalty unquestionable as a family-born servant.


    He was sent half a month in advance to Jinlan City to take charge of the estate and gather intelligence.


    The next day, after Zhao Sheng got up, groomed himself, and finished his meal, the steward immediately offered him a Jade Scroll.


    ¡°`


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense probed into the Jade Scroll, quickly perusing the intelligence contained within.


    Indeed, the renown of the Weaver from the Dong family was formidable; a single Phoenix Meeting unexpectedly drew countless outstanding figures and prodigies to Jinlan City.


    Among the Ten Great Sects of the Central Continent, apart from the Supreme Sensing Sect which sent no one, other Sects like the Carefree Sect, Future Temple, Lingyun Academy, Purple Sun Sect, Vast Sect, Elixir Cauldron Sect, Beast Taming Sect, Ksitigarbha Sect, Sky-splitting Sword Dao, and Immortal Device Sect, the nine major sects all sent their new generation of prodigies.


    Among them, there were not a few ¡°Little Taoists¡± who had achieved Foundation Establishment before the age of twenty.


    Beneath the Ten Great Sects, second-rate Golden Core level Cultivation Forces like the Xinglong Zhao family were plentiful, not to mention the third-rate Foundation Establishment forces that weren¡¯t even worth mentioning.


    As for Loose Cultivators, there was no need for them to join the fray.


    Unless you were blessed with exceptional talent and superior strength.


    For instance, among the genius Loose Cultivators mentioned in the intelligence Jade Scroll was one nicknamed ¡°Flying Spirit Sword,¡± barely twenty-three years old when he achieved Foundation Establishment Success, barely counted as one of the more renowned contestants beneath the ¡°Little Taoists.¡±


    Zhao Sheng counted once over¡ªthere were over a hundred competitors with names and surnames, all with extraordinary backgrounds.


    Not to mention, there were even more figures who were low-profile, unwilling to expose their strength prematurely, akin to ¡°dragons and snakes lying in the deep.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was secretly astonished; the Dong family had just released the position of Reserve Weaver and yet had caused such a huge stir.


    If the true Weaver were to emerge, wouldn¡¯t it draw Golden Core Daoists and even Nascent Soul Ancestors from the Five Continents and Four Seas to personally attend?


    Even before the Phoenix Meeting had begun, beneath the prosperity and clamor of Jinlan City, there were already ripples of undercurrents surging, and intelligence flew high and far.


    While Zhao Sheng was gathering information on others, the related intelligence of the Xinglong Zhao family was also being laid out on the tables of other forces.


    It was a pity that Zhao Sheng had kept a too low profile before, resulting in scant information about him.


    There¡¯s no doubt about it, although the Phoenix Meeting hadn¡¯t started, the ¡°war¡± had actually already begun from the moment they entered the city.


    The first challenge of the Phoenix Meeting: Origin!


    This challenge directly weeded out the majority of Loose Cultivators and inconsequential Sects and families.


    The Dong family rarely married their daughters to anyone less than extremely rare talents.


    Don¡¯t blame the world for being so realistic; in fact, the Cultivation World is a hundred times more realistic and cruel than you could imagine.


    Why did Zhao Sheng, upon just entering the city, actively present his visiting card? Its purpose goes without saying.


    Sure enough, on the third day after entering the city, an invitation scroll for the Phoenix Meeting was delivered into Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands.


    He easily passed the challenge of Origin!


    ¡­


    Seven days later, Zhao Sheng, adorned with a Purple Jade Crown and a red robe, calmly ascended Heavenly Maiden Peak.


    Standing among a group of handsome men, the unassuming Zhao Sheng immediately became the epitome of an ugly duckling, which by comparison, made him look even more unfavorably by three parts.


    However, Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t worried at all.


    Although the Cultivation World might judge by appearance, it is one¡¯s virtue (strength) that is the most important.


    And he just so happened to excel at winning people over with virtue!


    At the peak¡¯s side, Zhao Sheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze overlooking the competing counterparts opposite him, the Five-Colored Divine Light surging in his eyes.


    In an instant, more than two hundred Qi Fortune Light Pillars of varying heights soared into the sky!


    ¡°Red, red, blue, blue tinged with purple¡­ Eh, there¡¯s even one red-purple, how curious and strange!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze turned towards the individual with the red-purple Qi Fortune, a youth with cold brows and an upright figure.


    He looked very familiar!


    In an instant, information about this person surfaced in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind: ¡°Li Feixuan, a former Martial World Knight who turned to Cultivation, born with three spirit roots of metal, water, and fire, an Early-stage Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator. Nicknamed ¡®Flowing Light Saber,¡¯ he has fought countless bloody battles in his life, displaying extraordinary strength.¡±


    Zhao Sheng merely glanced at this person, but Li Feixuan¡¯s keen intuition made him suddenly turn his head and look over.


    Zhao Sheng smiled at him and naturally shifted his gaze away.


    Zhao Sheng was not concerned about Li Feixuan; there were many more formidable than him at the venue.


    He had only found it strange to see a few strands of Purple Fortune within the man¡¯s Red Fortune.


    Little did he know, Li Feixuan was extremely shocked at that moment because inside his body, the Ancient Exotic Insect, Thousand-Autumn Cicada, was extremely agitated and buzzing continuously.


    And, the object of its fear was unmistakably that unremarkable-looking short fellow.


    ¡°How is this possible? The Thousand-Autumn Cicada is one of the top ten Ancient Exotic Insects; why is it so frightened?¡± Li Feixuan wondered in silence. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Having surveyed everyone¡¯s Qi Fortune and cross-referencing the collected data, Zhao Sheng was set in his estimation, hence his demeanor became even more composed.


    An hour later, flocks of Cloud Phoenix Birds, donning white plumed crowns, flew from the distant depths of the mountain range, swiftly landing on the top of Heavenly Maiden Peak.


    Without needing to go into detail, everyone quickly chose a Cloud Phoenix Bird and mounted it.


    In a short while, the Cloud Phoenix Birds took off, flying towards the depths of the Yunhuang Mountain Range.

 Chapter 301 - 239: Fame Should Be Gained Early

    Chapter 301: Chapter 239: Fame Should Be Gained Early


    An hour later, the Cloud Phoenix Bird carried everyone across towering mountains and into the southwest of Yunhuang Mountain, a thousand miles deep, and finally descended upon a place where the mountains were clear and the waters were beautiful.


    Shortly after, people began jumping off the bird¡¯s back one by one, and the Cloud Phoenix Bird spread its wings with a long cry, flying off into the distance.


    At this moment, the place where everyone stood was a flat grassland in a valley, surrounded by a ring of mountains and lush forests threaded with babbling streams.


    Looking far into the distance, one could see mountains upon mountains, cascading waterfalls amidst the clouds, immortal birds and treasure beasts, and fragrant grasses among verdant woods. There were lofty buildings by lake peaks, with carved balustrades and waterside pavilions hidden among them, truly a picturesque Immortal Realm.


    At this time, a handsome young master in jinyi and Confucian clothes, with a gentle and refined appearance, suddenly proclaimed aloud,


    ¡°The Cloud Phoenix abounds in mountains. Among its southwestern peaks, with particularly beautiful forests and ravines, towering and deeply majestic is¡­ Wutong Mountain¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­Nature¡¯s treasures and celestial light cast upon the stars¡­ waters recede revealing the clear cold pool, the evening light gathers and the distant mountains turn purple¡­¡±


    Not long after, a round of applause erupted from the crowd, followed by a fair-faced Daoist in a pine hairpin and simple robe stepping forward.


    ¡°Bravo! The disciples of Lingyun Academy truly speak in eloquent verses and carry an extraordinary demeanor! Here, Song Xingyun of the Carefree Sect wishes Mr. Kong success in winning over his beauty.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Confucian scholar, Kong Lang, paused his recitation and replied with a polite smile, ¡°Brother Song flatters me too much! The words simply came to me, and indeed, this Wutong Mountain we are on is justifiably famous throughout the Central Continent¡ª¡±


    ¡°Pah!¡±


    Kong Lang was abruptly cut off by a disdainful spit.


    Furrowing his brows and then relaxing them, he turned toward the source of the sound and saw a burly, unrestrained man with a square face coming to the forefront, his face full of scorn.


    ¡°Scholars can be so bothersome, spouting all that tedious and sour-sounding literature. It¡¯s made my ears raw. Kong Xiao Lang, you dare to keep spouting your scriptures, and I¡¯ll whip your backside with my sword, believe it or not?¡±


    As soon as Kong Lang saw the newcomer, his composure greatly faltered, and he said with an unpleasant expression, ¡°Jian Manzi, how uncultured you are! As if Lingyun Academy is afraid of your Sky-splitting Sword Dao! If you dare to slander scholars again, don¡¯t blame me for dragging you to the Struggle Platform!¡±


    ¡°Hehe! The Struggle Platform is just twenty miles to the north on Harmony Peak, should we go there now?¡±


    The square-faced man showed no fear, instead taunting with a chuckle.


    He hailed from the Sky-splitting Sword Dao, whose real name was unknown. Due to his ranking of thirteen on the Foundation Establishment Board of the Sword Pavilion, he was also known as Jian Shisan.


    He had once arrogantly claimed that all on the Foundation Establishment Board were nothing more than mediocre, and one day he would take the name of Jian Yi and ascend to the Sword Immortal Board.


    ¡°Seven days from now, when I, Kong, ascend the Struggle Platform, will you dare to face me?¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I dare!¡±


    Seeing the situation, Song Xingyun hurriedly stepped forward to mediate, ¡°My fellow Daoists, let¡¯s not escalate this trivial verbal dispute and damage our harmony.¡± S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng watched from behind the crowd, silently noting the profiles of the several ¡°scholars¡± in front of him.


    Song Xingyun, the second disciple of Muye, the peculiar elder of the Carefree Sect, one of the Central Continent¡¯s ¡°Little Taoists,¡± blessed with the Wood Element Heavenly Spirit Root, skilled in¡­


    Kong Lang, a Confucian scholar from Lingyun Academy, the legitimate young master of the Kong family, whose Ancestor is the academy¡¯s Sacrificial Wine, a Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator¡­


    Jian Shisan, ¡­


    ¡°Having just landed, and already people are vying to ¡®show off.¡¯ Wutong Mountain, the Phoenix Meeting! Indeed, a public spectacle, whether man or ghost, all must put on a display!¡±


    Thinking thus, Zhao Sheng slowly stepped back, lifting his gaze to survey the surroundings, seeking a place to stay temporarily.


    The Dong family¡¯s recruiting for a son-in-law¡­ Hmm, the Phoenix Meeting has been held countless times before, and information regarding it had long been leaked by predecessors.


    Zhao Sheng had received extensive information from the Clan Leader before setting out.


    Thus, he was well-versed in the proceedings of the Phoenix Meeting and the situation of Wutong Mountain.


    The Phoenix Meeting wouldn¡¯t end in a day or two, but rather would last a whole month.


    During this month, Zhao Sheng and others would stay in Wutong Mountain, their days leisurely and unrestricted, free to roam the scenery, engage in philosophical discussions, sleep soundly, cultivate, and perhaps reach Enlightenment¡­


    Of course, if one was not satisfied or had urgent matters, anyone could leave the grand event at any time without any restrictions.


    During this period, the daughters of the Dong family would play and take in the sights around Wutong Mountain, socializing with others, all the while observing the suitors who caught their Heart Intent.


    The Phoenix Meeting could be considered a large matchmaking event.


    Of course, the Dong family¡¯s Phoenix Meeting was nothing like a shallow and crude matchmaking event, but rather refined and subtle, inviting longing in one¡¯s spirit.


    Wutong Mountain was not just the name of a single mountain, but referred to the land and rivers within a radius of three hundred miles centered around this mountain.


    This location was one of several exquisite sites within the Yunhuang Mountain Range, with its scenic and cultural beauty renowned throughout the Tianzhu Realm.


    Some of the famous places included Perch Phoenix Lake, Luohuang Mountain, Bamboo Sea Listening Wave Pavilion, Guardian Peak, Debating Platform, Ten Thousand Dao Tower, Tao Character Stele¡­and so on,


    As for the one hundred and seven uniquely styled and ingeniously constructed Guest Houses by lake and forest, although also quite famous, they seemed inconsequential compared to those absolutely splendid scenic spots.


    The first order of business for Zhao Sheng and the others upon arriving at Wutong Mountain was to choose their accommodations.


    Undoubtedly, this was the first grand showcase of the Phoenix Meeting.


    There were only one hundred and seven Guest Houses, but attending were more than two hundred individuals.


    Hence, one could imagine what would happen next.


    Naturally, those with thick skins could simply choose a spot and build a temporary shelter on their own.


    This was not a difficult task, but the hard part¡­ was losing face.


    One should know that those able to come to Wutong Mountain all had profound backgrounds,


    Not being strong enough to compete with others, losing one¡¯s own face was a minor matter, but losing the face of one¡¯s own power was a major problem.

 Chapter 302 - 239 It is important to become famous early_2

    Chapter 302: Chapter 239 It is important to become famous early_2


    ¡°Fellow Daoists, I, Lu Zhiwei, am going to stay at Tingtao Pavilion for a while, so I will take my leave first!¡±


    The speaker was Lu Zhiwei, born of the Purple Sun Sect.


    His meaning was straightforward: the pavilion at Tingtao Pavilion was already taken, and those who dared to contest it would have to fight him first.


    No sooner had Lu Zhiwei flown away than people began to openly claim their territories.


    ¡°Jing Zhongzhi of the Jing family from the Desolate Domain wishes to visit the Sky Wind Tower. Those who¡¯d like to join me are welcome.¡±


    ¡°Before coming, Mr. Wu heard from the ancestor that the scenery at Phoenix Lake Pavilion is quite splendid. I am off there!¡± With these words, a sudden wind swept up a graceful youth toward Perch Phoenix Lake.


    ¡°Saint Du once said: One should ascend the peak to see all the mountains as small below. I, Kong Lang, am heading to Absolute Peak Pavilion to honor the relics of our forebears. Farewell!¡±


    As Kong Lang finished speaking, a Qingyun cloud rose suddenly under his feet, carrying him toward a towering, precipitous peak to the southeast.


    Soon, people gradually left the area.


    At this moment, there were few who hadn¡¯t moved from the field, including Zhao Sheng and Li Feixuan.


    Among the remaining eight or nine people, the most eye-catching was a young ¡°Beauty¡± whose face seemed powdered and skin appeared as smooth as gelatin, so beautiful that one couldn¡¯t distinguish their gender.


    Zhao Sheng glanced over at this person and quickly turned his gaze elsewhere.


    It was better to see less of the disciples from the Joy Palace, or else straight paths might bend.


    Seeing Li Feixuan hesitated, Zhao Sheng simply walked up to him, clasped his fist, and smiling, said, ¡°I am Zhao Qingyang. May I ask for your distinguished name, sir?¡±


    ¡°I am Li Feixuan. I¡¯ve seen Taoist Zhao. May I know what business Taoist Zhao has with me?¡±


    Seeing the guarded expression on Li Feixuan¡¯s face, Zhao Sheng was moved and couldn¡¯t help but smile faintly, calmly saying, ¡°Nothing much, just that Zhao likes making friends, especially interesting ones.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Li Feixuan, assuming the worst, started to see Zhao Sheng as someone with ill-intentions.


    ¡°Mr. Li, there¡¯s no need to be nervous. I genuinely have no ill intentions; I¡¯m truly here just to make friends. If you dislike it, I will leave!¡±


    ¡°Thanks, but no thanks!¡±


    Zhao Sheng paused, gave a forced smile, was about to turn away but then heard a sultry voice from behind: ¡°What a strong body you have! My name is Hua Lianqiao. Nice to meet you, Brother Zhao.¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly shivered, feeling a pair of greedy eyes staring at his backside.


    ¡°Farewell!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, not daring to look back, flicked his sleeves to release a beam of golden light. He wrapped himself in the light and sped away.


    ¡°Wait! Dear¡­¡±


    Hua Lianqiao quickly released a strip of golden-red silk about a foot wide, which snatched at his form, chasing after Zhao Sheng.


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng dodged three times and hid twice, running around the forest, and threw out three Illusion Flowing Light Talismans before narrowly shaking off Hua Lianqiao¡¯s pursuit.


    One could hardly be as unlucky from the start.


    On the outside, Zhao Sheng looked nothing like the word ¡®strong¡¯ from any perspective.


    But when it really came to vitality and physical strength, Zhao Sheng was confident he was stronger than any competitor.


    His skinny frame had somehow not escaped Hua Lianqiao¡¯s sensing.


    Poeple of the Joy Palace always favored robust men.


    Talk about rotten luck!


    ¡­


    As the sun reached its zenith, above Ling Jue Peak, in front of Absolute Peak Pavilion,


    Zhao Sheng landed in the open space before the pavilion, dispersed the light from the war halberd, and looking at the two-story, simple yet elegant Absolute Peak Pavilion, he suddenly shouted, ¡°Xinglong Zhao Qingyang! I¡¯ve heard that the scenery of the Thousand Mountains Cloud Sea here is unparalleled in Central Continent. Zhao would like to stay here to enjoy the mountains and clouds. I would like to ask the people inside to please make way and relinquish the Absolute Peak Pavilion.¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Kong Lang responded in a cold voice, ¡°This place has already been taken by me, Kong Lang. If you know what¡¯s best for you, please leave as soon as possible, or don¡¯t blame me for being rude.¡±


    ¡°Is the person inside Taoist Kong Lang from Lingyun Academy?¡±


    ¡°It is indeed I, Kong Lang. Didn¡¯t you hear earlier?¡±


    As they spoke, the doors to Absolute Peak Pavilion opened, and Kong Lang stepped out, striding like a shooting star.


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, his brows immediately furrowed, showing a hint of disgust unconsciously.


    Don¡¯t blame him for that; after all, it was because Zhao Sheng looked too lowly.


    Zhao Sheng wore a smile, very politely saying, ¡°Mr. Kong, please forgive me! I too wish to stay at the Absolute Peak Pavilion. How about you let me stay for a few days first, and then I will give it back to you when I have had enough.¡±


    ¡°Impudent! If you hesitate not to leave any longer, I might have to personally teach you how to write the words ¡®courtesy and yielding¡¯!¡± Kong Lang, hearing this, was furious, raising one hand that suddenly brandished a black and white Spring and Autumn Brush.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not well-read, honestly, I don¡¯t know how many ways there are to write ¡®courtesy and yielding¡¯? Perhaps Brother Kong could enlighten me?¡±


    As Zhao Sheng spoke, he rolled up his sleeves.


    After finishing, he unhooked a hand-palm-sized, red and gold halberd from his waist.


    With a slight flick, the small Heavenly Square Halberd swelled to a length of more than 1.2 meters; the shaft was blood red and as thick as a duck egg, with a tri-pointed dual-bladed head that shimmered with a chilling golden light, clearly a renowned weapon¡ªthe Heavenly Square Halberd.


    Zhao Sheng, holding the halberd in one hand, blade pointing directly at Kong Lang, roared with a momentum as fierce as a rainbow, wildly and unrestrainedly shouting, ¡°Absolute Peak Pavilion, I¡¯m staying for sure! And I mean it, even the Confucian Saint can¡¯t change that!¡±


    They say to make your name known early, and to strike the leading bird when hunting.


    Zhao Sheng knew he was not as handsome as others, but to make a name for himself, he aimed to play to his strengths and win people over with virtue.


    Therefore, the first three to stand out among the crowd became his targets. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kong Lang was undoubtedly the best candidate, with a family background and reputation second to none.


    Additionally, he had truly taken a liking to the Absolute Peak Pavilion.


    Hadn¡¯t the Confucian Saint Du also said, ¡°He who surpasses the peak can see all other mountains as small¡±?


    The meaning behind Absolute Peak Pavilion was excellent, and for Zhao Sheng, who aspired to ascend, it was the best place to reside.


    ¡°Kong said, ¡®A gentleman¡ª''¡±


    Kong Lang intoned continuously, swinging the Spring and Autumn Brush in his hand, from which a chain of black and white runes instantly flew out, turning into streaks of ink-colored sword light slicing toward the vital areas of Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest and abdomen.


    Zhao Sheng smiled wryly, his pupils suddenly shrinking; the entire world seemed to slow down by more than tenfold around him.


    His figure flickered, vanishing into nothing,


    The next instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure appeared right beside Kong Lang, the Heavenly Square Halberd like a poison dragon, thrusting directly at the latter¡¯s right hand holding the brush, with lightning-fast speed.


    Crack!


    Kong Lang¡¯s face changed dramatically, the Spring and Autumn Brush shifting from vertical to horizontal, just in time to block the tip of the halberd with the cap of the brush.


    ¡°The firmness of my heart shall not be penetrated!¡±


    In a flash of thought, a Jade Token at Kong Lang¡¯s waist shattered, and a golden light wall instantly rose around him.


    Zhao Sheng, with one hand on the war halberd, turned into a streak of light, violently whipping around Kong Lang.


    He used only half his strength, aiming merely to gauge the capability of a fellow ¡°Little Taoist¡± of the same rank.


    Unfortunately for him, he encountered a practitioner of the Ancient Confucian Dao.


    After all, the Ancient Confucians are famously known for ¡°A gentleman uses his mouth, not his fists.¡±


    Kong Lang might have had a chance against a law cultivator, but facing the barbaric ancient battle body with immense strength and speed akin to instantaneous movement, Kong Lang, who followed the Ancient Confucian path, was completely outmatched and treated like a punching bag.


    In the midst of this, Kong Lang, both shocked and anxious, continuously unleashed several treasure talismans, but¡­ all were evaded by Zhao Sheng with his abnormal reflexive speed.


    Not until he deployed his trump card, a Divine Ability Talisman of ¡®Imprisonment Drawing,¡¯ did he manage to temporarily trap Zhao Sheng.


    However, when Kong Lang attempted to counterattack, he was frightened by Zhao Sheng¡¯s ferocity!


    ¡°Twenty times, let it open for me!¡±


    Within a five-meter radius black and white prison, Zhao Sheng suddenly let out a thunderous shout; a purple flame instantly rose from his body. Purple Sun Spirit Fire spread from his right hand all the way to the Heavenly Square Halberd, burning fiercely along the blade, creating a flame halberd ten times bigger.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face strained, veins wriggling like living worms, his right arm suddenly swelling several times over, becoming massive like a water bucket.


    In the slowed twentyfold time flow, Zhao Sheng¡¯s blood boiled, his entire body¡¯s strength thunderously surged into his right hand, and in the blink of an eye, the Heavenly Square Halberd continuously slashed out like a storm.


    In an instant, a hundred halberds, each strike as heavy as a mountain!


    Infinite strength erupted like a volcano, the heavy halberd light gathered in one place, forming a giant three-meter long flaming light halberd that instantly solidified immensely.


    Boom!


    The flaming light halberd merged with the war halberd, heavily chopping onto a prison wall, suddenly erupting a blinding Bright Sun from the slash.


    In an instant, the peak of Ling Jue Peak was engulfed by a Bright Sun!


    ¡°You lost!¡±


    Under the Bright Sun, the blade of the Heavenly Square Halberd gently rested next to someone¡¯s neck, and a cold voice followed from the ashen-faced Kong Lang¡¯s ear.

 Chapter 303 - 240: Seven-Colored Rainbow Light

    Chapter 303: Chapter 240: Seven-Colored Rainbow Light


    As Kong Lang fled down the mountain in a panic, his face hidden in his hands, Zhao Sheng strode into the Absolute Peak Pavilion, while the other competitors also exhibited their divine skills for the remaining one hundred and six Guest Houses, not hesitating to fight fiercely for them.


    Of course, those with a strong background and well-known reputations, such as Jian Shisan, Song Xingyun, Jin Wulin, and others, naturally no one dared to provoke.


    Kong Lang was originally one of those who should not be provoked, but who asked him to encounter an unconventional Zhao Sheng?


    While everyone was fiercely competing for their residences, no one knew that behind a white cloud above Wutong Mountain lay a tall, green-robed, disheveled-bearded, decadent uncle.


    This person had a sheathless iron sword resting behind his head and held a three-inch-tall, exquisitely carved jade gourd in his right hand. From the mouth of the gourd steamed red lotus blossoms, emitting a fragrance of wine that could even intoxicate immortals.


    The decadent uncle looked to be about forty, with a hint of weariness in his brows, a somewhat scattered gaze, flushed cheeks, and a slightly drunken expression.


    After taking a gulp of Red Beauty Drunk and spilling some on his chest without care, he mumbled in a drunken haze,


    ¡°That little Taoist from Carefree Sect doesn¡¯t abide by the rules, just like his Ancestor; such a ghostly figure. The youngsters from Purple Sun Sect have no prospects, the Elixir Cauldron Sect is too rigid, no hope for Golden Core; the kid from Vast Sect is quite clever though, so fast¡­


    Uh, those from the Sky-Splitting Sword Dao all look like they were cut from the same mold, what Sword Dao ancestral temple, a single sword breaking all magic skills? Bullshit! No wonder they can¡¯t produce a Divinity Transformation even after thousands of years.¡±


    No one knew who this person was, but his bold tone was frightening, seemingly paying no regard to the Ten Great Sects of Central Continent.


    However, at this time, this person¡¯s presence on Wutong Mountain must undoubtedly be related to the Dong family.


    And it seemed, he had come specifically for Zhao Sheng and others.


    What was even more astonishing was that, although Wutong Mountain was not very large, covering an area of three hundred miles, this man lying on the cloud, while drinking, managed to see every move of all the people within the three hundred miles.


    This was simply incredible!


    One should know that in the Tianzhu Realm, only a Divinity Transformation True Monarch could possibly encompass an area of three hundred miles with their divine thought.


    ¡°Sigh, it won¡¯t do, there are only two or three Loose Cultivators, really lackluster compared to previous times. The younger generation today is nothing but a bunch of embroidered pillows.


    No bright futures! It would be good fortune if any of these people could become Nascent Soul in the future!¡±


    A trace of loneliness flashed across the face of the decadent uncle as he raised the gourd to his mouth to drink, but suddenly stopped mid-air.


    ¡°Eh, this kid is interesting, very interesting!¡±


    He suddenly exclaimed with a rare gleam in his eyes.


    ¡°A vigor like a Dragon Elephant, and this speed, this reaction¡­ tsk, tsk, an oddity has once again appeared in Tianzhu Realm. If he¡¯s a bit smarter and doesn¡¯t die midway, in eight hundred to a thousand years, he might become a Nascent Soul, and perhaps¡­ even take to the road together.


    Two thousand years, huh! I¡¯m young enough to wait, but I¡¯m afraid those old folks might have grown impatient already.¡±


    Muttering to himself, he showed a rare seriousness on his face.


    ¡­


    In the Absolute Peak Pavilion, Zhao Sheng was unaware that an old oddity had taken quite an interest in him.


    He walked into the Absolute Peak Pavilion, took a tour around, and after observing the furnishing and architectural style in the rooms, his eyes revealed a look that said, ¡°as expected.¡±


    The study room, the four treasures of the study, bookshelves filled with ancient books, and ancient paintings hanging on the walls, every detail was telling him¡­ just how terrifying the Dong family¡¯s grasp of the human heart was.


    The Dong family must have anticipated that Confucian Scholars from the Lingyun Academy would stay in the Absolute Peak Pavilion if they visited Wutong Mountain, hence they decorated this pavilion earlier in the style that scholars liked.


    If his guess was correct?


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng approached the bookshelf, casually took out an ancient book, and opened it. It turned out to be a rare rubbing of a stele, with the text of a stele inscribed on the pages. On closer examination, they were ancient seal characters from the Mortal World, which he happened to recognize.


    ¡°Heavenly Mansion Water Source Notes.¡±


    The rubbings in the book seemed accurate, with some of the text still very clear, though many were incomplete. However, the large characters on the left were preserved well enough for Zhao Sheng to discern. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Water Source Notes were often documents about water veins recorded in the Mortal World. Zhao Sheng knew that many literati and refined visitors would casually write down a few Water Source Notes during their travels, and then have them carved in stone to commemorate.


    The rubbings of this stele, presumably, recorded the water veins of the Tianfu Plain.


    ¡°In the land of Heavenly Mansion in Central Continent, there were historically nine rivers and eighteen lakes, from the Upper Prefecture downstream, crisscrossed by a network of water, where the Three Rivers came together, the source of the river veins is called ¡®he¡¯, connecting internally to Lin Yang, and out to the East Nether Sea¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng carefully read it over and suddenly felt something strange, with a familiar sense to it.


    Upon reflection, he suddenly remembered some Taoist Skills he had previously seen.


    Taoist Skills placed great emphasis on understanding and often contained many metaphors.


    Zhao Sheng carefully compared them and found that rather than describing the water veins of Heavenly Mansion, these Water Source Notes seemed more like a Cultivation Method filled with hidden metaphors.


    ¡°Just as I thought, the Dong family truly¡­ so delicately clever!¡±


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in amazement, then concentrated and calmed his spirit, as his mind suddenly plunged into the vast void.


    At a mere thought, one golden figurine after another instantaneously emerged in the void.


    Having cultivated the ¡°Star God Thousand Heart Technique¡± until now, he had reached the realm of Ten Thoughts and was capable of performing ten tasks with one mind.


    Zhao Sheng stilled his heart and concentrated his spirit, and in the profound expanse, his consciousness split into ten, fusing with the ten golden figurines that were identical to himself.

 Chapter 304 - 240: Seven-Colored Rainbow Light_2

    Chapter 304: Chapter 240: Seven-Colored Rainbow Light_2


    The golden figurine¡¯s body became translucent, its orifices, Dantian, and meridians all vividly manifesting, quite mysterious.


    After more than a decade of cultivation, the mystique of the Star God Thousand Heart Technique was all too familiar to Zhao Sheng. He had played with it enough to use it with extreme proficiency.


    Chanting silently in his mind the stele text he had just seen on the ancient stele, the orifices and meridians on the ten golden figures each began to reveal various scattered and intermittent cultivation technique pathways.


    The cultivation techniques generally began at the Purple Mansion, and followed down the Ren channel, using metaphors described in the Water Source Notes to transport spiritual power. Although it initially seemed obscure, as Zhao Sheng guided the flow through each orifice mentioned in the Water Classics, moving through the meridians, and opening the energy points, it became clearer.


    As one golden figure after another dissipated and reformed, after countless attempts, he indeed made some gains.


    One of the figurines successfully cycled the technique through the nine major cycles, which meant that this Heavenly Mansion Water Source Notes was a mental method that could be cultivated.


    The human meridian diagram or the golden figurines that Zhao Sheng visualized were identical to his own physical condition, meaning that if the techniques he tried on the golden figures were successful, he could cultivate them as well.


    Zhao Sheng also discovered that this Water Source Notes was different from ordinary Water Element Techniques. As he had guessed, it was a rare Spirit Guiding method, beneficial for nurturing the body, fortifying the foundation and increasing spiritual power.


    Zhao Sheng was quite pleased with this; although the content on the stele was incomplete, as long as it could be cultivated, that was enough.


    Though this method wasn¡¯t much use to him, it did confirm his thoughts.


    Zhao Sheng returned the Water Source Notes to the shelf and drew out another ancient book. After reading it carefully several times, he closed his eyes and concentrated for a while. When he opened his eyes again, they were brimming with a sharp light.


    ¡°Opportunity, opportunity, the Dong family truly deserves to be a millennium-old household, bringing detail to perfection. Such a wondrous opportunity they¡¯ve offered!¡± Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but feel moved.


    Casually placing the ancient book back on the shelf, Zhao Sheng strolled to a wall and slowly began to appreciate the ancient paintings before him.


    In the span of a few lifetimes, even though the Absolute Peak Pavilion was filled with hidden opportunities, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t feel too excited.


    After all, it was just the Dong family¡¯s way of currying favor. Taking this too seriously meant falling into someone else¡¯s trap.


    ¡­


    The next day, as the red sun rose, its path brightly shining, clouds and haze were dyed with color, the peaks and ranges like clusters.


    On the second floor of the Absolute Peak Pavilion, after Zhao Sheng finished observing the Cloud Sea of a Thousand Peaks, he always felt that the scenery, though beautiful, couldn¡¯t compare with the majestic and grandiose Cloud Sea of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Looking at the calm expanse of the Cloud Sea, Zhao Sheng suddenly smiled, leaped from the building, and shot down with a spear of light, plunging through the Cloud Sea toward Perch Phoenix Lake at great speed.


    Before long, Perch Phoenix Lake came into view.


    Seeing a group of ¡°flamboyantly dressed¡± people standing by the lake from afar, Zhao Sheng twisted his body mid-flight and quickly flew over their heads, landing abruptly on the ground.


    His gaze swept over everyone, noticing the displeasure in the eyes of others. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes brightened and he called out to Kong Lang, who was trying to slip into the crowd, ¡°Brother Kong, you¡¯re here too! Just one day apart felt like three autumns! I¡¯ve been thinking about you since we parted yesterday. Did you sleep well?¡±


    Seeing Zhao Sheng now dominating the situation and not letting Kong Lang go, Kong Lang couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly, his face turning exceedingly ugly.


    Zhao Sheng was known for his reputation in face-slapping, and he wasn¡¯t about to easily let Kong Lang off. Given that Kong Lang didn¡¯t bite back, Zhao Sheng took the opportunity to complain, ¡°The Absolute Peak Pavilion, though marvelous, is just too lonely! I¡¯m not accustomed to living there alone. Why don¡¯t you join me, Brother Kong? We could live together and spar whenever we please.¡±


    ¡°You¡­you¡¯re too bullying!¡± Having heard that, Kong Lang¡¯s complexion turned pale, then blue, shifted to red, and finally, he shouted in anger.


    In just a few words, the two of them caused a stir among the crowd!


    Kong Lang, the new generation Little Taoist of the Lingyun Academy, a direct-line descendant of a Nascent Soul Cultivator, was driven out of the Absolute Peak Pavilion by a nondescript man.


    Undoubtedly, the first spectacle of the Phoenix Meeting was born.


    Afterward, the story spread. Not only the Kong Family but even the Lingyun Academy would lose some of their reputation because of this.


    ¡°Brother Kong, please don¡¯t be angry! I¡¯m a straightforward man, Zhao, and sometimes I speak too freely, offending others. But I never speak falsehoods. The Absolute Peak Pavilion is indeed not that great,¡± Zhao Sheng said, purposely fanning the flames.


    Seeing things getting out of hand, someone immediately stepped forward to defuse the situation for Kong Lang.


    A handsome young man in white approached and stood between the two men. Smiling, he cupped his fists toward Zhao Sheng and said, ¡°My name is Meng Gu, from the Meng Family of the Jingnan Border. I¡¯ve heard of this Taoist friend before. What is your illustrious name? Your presence at Wutong Mountain suggests you¡¯re someone of note.¡±


    Zhao Sheng inwardly praised the other¡¯s quick wit and immediately laughed, taking up the conversation, ¡°My surname is Zhao, first name Qingyang, from a remote area of the Southern Border, the Xinglong Zhao family of the Xinglong Origin.¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, someone shouted, ¡°Could it be the Zhao family of the Dragon Slayer Master?¡±


    ¡°Correct!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded.


    ¡°Xinglong Zhao family? Never heard of it!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard that it¡¯s a Golden Core family that has risen in the past few hundred years. They have a small reputation in the Southern Border.¡±


    The crowd began to whisper among themselves, eyeing Zhao Sheng with speculative glances.


    Meanwhile, Kong Lang had already slipped back into the crowd.


    Having achieved his initial goal, Zhao Sheng naturally no longer cared for this pawn.


    Some, recognizing that someone capable of defeating Kong Lang must be extraordinary, sought to forge a good relationship with him earlier rather than later, believing it better than having an extra enemy.


    Thus, perceptive people like Meng Gu took the initiative to strike up a conversation with him.


    Such minor social interactions were not enough to trouble Zhao Sheng.

 Chapter 305 - 240: Seven-Colored Rainbow Light_3

    Chapter 305: Chapter 240: Seven-Colored Rainbow Light_3


    After just a few words of conversation, everyone felt as if they were bathed in a spring breeze, and their perception of Zhao Sheng changed significantly.


    Whenever a topic arose, Zhao Sheng could discuss it eloquently with unique insights that were refreshing to hear.


    Although he might not look very impressive, he certainly was knowledgeable!


    An hour later, the sun was high in the sky.


    Zhao Sheng quietly counted the people present and found that only one hundred fifty-three were left; indeed, a quarter had been eliminated on the first day.


    After waiting a little while longer, suddenly a seven-colored cloud drifted over from the horizon.


    In the blink of an eye, the colorful cloud arrived above Perch Phoenix Lake and slowly descended.


    Then, dozens of enchantingly beautiful women, adorned with fragrant clothes and circlets, descended from the cloud.


    Each was so stunningly beautiful, with bright eyes and white teeth, skin as smooth as ice and bones as fine as jade; they dazzled everyone present.


    The Dong Family¡¯s Weavers were truly as stunning as fairies descended to the mortal realm; their reputation was well-deserved!


    ¡°Hee hee!¡±


    A light laugh broke the stalemate when a woman in a green dress with an exceptional demeanor stepped forward lightly and bowed gracefully. In a soft voice, she said, ¡°Dong Xiaowan, on behalf of my sisters, greets all the Taoists and young masters here! May I introduce my sisters to you all?¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t do, that won¡¯t do! How about we take turns introducing ourselves? How does that sound?¡± Lu Zhiwei from the Purple Sun Sect stepped out from the crowd, his gaze intensively fixed on Dong Xiaowan as he spoke.


    ¡°I, Lu Zhiwei, am the eighty-seventh true inheritor of the Purple Sun Sect, ranked second. I¡¯m in the Mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, having just turned thirty-three, which is just right¡­¡±


    ¡°Brother Lu, no more, if you continue, it will be dark soon. It¡¯s my turn now. I am Song Xingyun, from the Carefree Sect, my master is Elder Mu Ye¡­¡±


    ¡°Dong Lianqing¡­¡±


    ¡­ S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I am Li Feixuan, a Loose Cultivator, known as¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­Immortal Device Sect of Dong Shu¡­¡±


    ¡­


    In the crowd, Zhao Sheng watched as one after another young talent stepped up to introduce themselves and shook his head inwardly, thinking, ¡°This matchmaking event in the Tianzhu Realm is really too clich¨¦d. Couldn¡¯t they change things up after thousands of years, like preparing a True Shadow Ball or some video presentations?¡±


    Little did he know that this had been played out many times before, yet for millennia, the Phoenix Meeting had reverted to the original approach, clearly influenced by the Dong family¡¯s hand.


    Meanwhile, among the daughters of the Dong family, a petite and exquisitely beautiful woman with a goose-egg face and outstanding demeanor was silently observing the opposite side.


    In her eyes flickered a hazy rainbow light, looking over one individual after another, seeing different colors of radiant light rising from their bodies¡ªsome single colors like red, green, blue, yellow, and others mixed like red and yellow, occasionally even tri-colored rainbows appeared.


    Every time she noticed such a person, she would secretly take note of their appearance and compare it with the information in her mind to score them.


    But at a certain moment, when her gaze met a pair of unusually colorful eyes, both of them trembled, each staggered by the backlash of their own secret techniques.


    It was just a fleeting glance, yet Dong Miaozhen¡¯s eyes tightly shut, her heart tremendously shaken.


    In the depths of her eyes, suddenly reflected a pair of eyes gleaming with seven-colored rainbow light.


    Across from her, Zhao Sheng lowered his head, his eyes blood-red, feeling both alarmed and delighted.


    ¡°The Dong family also has a secret technique similar to the Qi Observing Skill?!¡±


    ¡°Among the Dong family¡¯s daughters, only that woman possesses this technique, which shows her position within the Dong family must be significant. A Reserve Weaver? Or perhaps¡­the Weaver!¡±


    A bold guess surged in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.

 Chapter 306 - 241: I Am the Peak on the Struggle Platform

    Chapter 306: Chapter 241: I Am the Peak on the Struggle Platform


    Spring was delightful, and the atmosphere by Perch Phoenix Lake was warmer than ever before.


    By then, most people present had introduced themselves.


    After a brief respite, Dong Miaozhen circulated her Spiritual Power, having quietly suppressed the backlash.


    She opened her eyes, her gaze softly scanning beyond the crowd, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.


    Seeing her sisters had all taken the stage, Dong Miaozhen, pressing down her curiosity, lifted her skirt with her right hand and walked forward about a dozen steps, stopping in the middle of everyone.


    As she made her entrance, before she even spoke, simply unleashing her previously restrained aura caused the crowd to pale in comparison. The eyes of many outstanding figures simultaneously flashed with admiration, and some unabashedly displayed an extreme yearning.


    Based solely on looks, although Dong Miaozhen was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, there were several sisters who were more striking than her.


    In terms of physique, Dong Miaozhen did not have an advantage, yet her innate unique aura, cold and aloof yet faintly enchanting and innocent.


    The two vastly different temperaments blended perfectly in her, creating an unforgettable presence, as if it drew the soul in.


    This unique aura made her stand there, like the bright moon in the sky, causing other sisters to instantly fade in comparison, like stars encircling the moon, merely serving as her backdrop.


    Kong Lang, gazing at Dong Miaozhen, was full of infatuation and couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°There exist beauties that overturn states and cities, with natural beauty that lives through the ages! These words are not deceiving!¡±


    Dong Miaozhen, lifting her skirt slightly and curtsying, smiled gently, her cheeks dimpling deeply as she spoke in a gentle and tender voice, ¡°Mr. Kong, I cannot accept such words. In my eyes, each and every one of my sisters possesses natural beauty.¡±


    Kong Lang was delighted inside, quickly assumed his best posture, and flashed a charming smile, then said, ¡°Ah, Miaozhen need not be so modest! With me¡ª¡±


    He was suddenly cut off mid-sentence as a hand fiercely grabbed his shoulder, and a daunting force surged into his body, compressing his lungs and trachea, rendering him speechless.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    After a cold snort, a voice Kong Lang greatly disliked suddenly rang next to his ear: Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Miaozhen? Is that a name you can call? Remember, from now on, when you see her, you must call her sister-in-law, got it?¡±


    At these words, the crowd erupted!


    ¡°Pah, rascal!¡±


    ¡°Such insolence, truly asking for a beating!¡±


    ¡°Shut up, such a fair lady is not for you to defile!¡±


    ¡°Shameless ugly monkey, how dare you think you are worthy of Miss Dong!¡±


    ¡°Just a junior from the Xinglong Zhao family, truly oblivious of the immensity of heaven and earth! With so many distinguished gentlemen present, none dare offend the lady, yet how dare you speak such filthy words!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, I have never seen someone so shamelessly unabashed!¡±


    Facing the unanimous verbal lashing from the crowd, Zhao Sheng did not feel the slightest shame; on the contrary, he got more excited the more he spoke.


    ¡°Heh! Look at all of you acting tough; if you¡¯ve got the guts, come and have a go with me! Talk after you can beat me. I came to Wutong Mountain to find a wife.


    The moment I saw Miaozhen, I knew she was the one! I want to marry her, take her home as my wife, and hopefully have a bunch of children, just like that!¡±


    ¡°Miaozhen, I want to marry you!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was never so blunt and direct before, but his words were heartfelt.


    Where had the others seen such a shameless scoundrel before? Instantly, the crowd was inflamed, and the daughters of the Dong family also showed disgust.


    Conversely, the person concerned, Dong Miaozhen, reacted oddly; she was not angry at Zhao Sheng, nor did she despise him, just found it quite strange, instinctively feeling that this man was not as shallow as he appeared.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng had directly become the target of public condemnation, almost like a universal enemy.


    In other words, he was like the comical fool in tales, the grand villain in novels, born to be defeated by the heroes of justice.


    When he was defeated by the forces of good, the ending was naturally happy for everyone!


    But if the ending were the opposite¡­ well, there was no opposite. In the eyes of all the hormone-driven distinguished young talents, Zhao Sheng was destined to be their stepping stone!


    ¡°Enough, boy, cease your impudence! Let me, Ying Tianlong, teach you a lesson. Let you know what happens when you insult a beautiful lady!¡±


    With this fierce shout, a golden-robed young man standing nine feet tall, distinguished and valiant, pushed his way through the crowd to stand opposite Zhao Sheng.


    Ying Tianlong, the eldest young master of the Ying Family from the Central Continent, with Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots, had a Refined aura as fierce as the sun.


    Additionally, he and Kong Lang were very close friends, hence he was the first to stand out.


    Of course, there was also the intention to show off his sanctity.


    Zhao Sheng casually let go of Kong Lang, pushing him aside, and looked at Ying Tianlong, who was righteous and indignant, first nodding, then shaking his head.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng fall silent, Ying Tianlong¡¯s temper surged, and he sneered, ¡°What? Are you scared? Where has your arrogance gone?


    If you¡¯re scared, then just admit¡ª¡±


    ¡°You¡­ can¡¯t¡­ handle it!¡± Zhao Sheng slowly said three words.


    ¡°What? What did you just say? Dare you repeat that!¡± Ying Tianlong couldn¡¯t believe his ears and immediately said angrily.


    ¡°I said¡­ you can¡¯t handle it! I could beat a bunch of you with one hand,¡± Zhao Sheng said, his attitude growing more arrogant.


    From the beginning, he was prepared to become the public enemy.


    A month is neither long nor short, but to stand out among all these people, one must take a different path.


    Since he couldn¡¯t match others in ancestry or appearance, he might as well overwhelm all competitors with his unrivaled strength.

 Chapter 307 - 241: I Am the Peak on Struggle Platform_2

    Chapter 307: Chapter 241: I Am the Peak on Struggle Platform_2


    ¡°You¡¯re seeking death!¡±


    Ying Tianlong, unable to contain his fury, suddenly burst into roaring golden flames all over his body, resembling a giant fire giant.


    He spread his hands, and instantly a Golden Flame Fireball arose in his palms. The fireball swiftly grew to the size of a water barrel, constantly rotating at its core and shooting out molten, bone-disintegrating golden light.


    A cold light flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes. With a flick of his hand, the Heavenly Square Halberd flew out from the sleeve of his robe, instantly stretching to a length of three and a half feet, which he grasped firmly.


    Bang!


    He kicked the end of the War Halberd, causing it to rise diagonally, sweeping up a curve of light, with its tip startlingly aimed at Ying Tianlong¡¯s forehead.


    In that instant, murderous intent overflowed!


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Just then, Dong Miaozhen flew up, landing between the two, her wide sleeves flaring outward, blocking their paths of attack.


    ¡°Both of you stop for now. To start fighting upon our first meeting, in front of my sisters, is truly impolite.¡±


    ¡°Miss Dong, your words are civilized! But this boy is utterly vulgar, full of filthy language. I could not stand by and watch, thus I had to step in and teach him a lesson,¡± retorted Ying Tianlong.


    At that moment, a stunningly cold and tall woman from the Dong family suddenly interjected with a cold snort: ¡°Hmph, how disgraceful to start a fight in such a beautiful place as Perch Phoenix Lake. If you really want to fight, go to the Struggle Platform!¡±


    No sooner had the words left her mouth, a naive and cute loli girl chimed in: ¡°Sister is right! That man earlier was terribly uncultured. You should just knock him out of Wutong Mountain. Spare our eyes from the sight.¡±


    Dong Miaozhen frowned and with a wave of her sleeve coldly chided, ¡°Little Ying, show some respect!¡±


    ¡°Fine, that¡¯s a good proposal!¡± Ying Tianlong praised, then his gaze turned cruel as he stared at Zhao Sheng, provocatively challenging: ¡°Boy, dare you face this young master on the Struggle Platform?¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I?¡±


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng turned to look at the others, taunting, ¡°If any of you disagrees, you can meet me on the Struggle Platform, that¡¯s if you dare come at all!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, what an arrogant and ignorant boy. I, Jian Shisan, will be sure to cut off your tongue later. Let¡¯s see if you can still talk big then!¡±


    ¡°And me, Meng Gu, would like to have a lesson from brother Zhao.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! Count me in too; my hands have been itching for a while,¡± said Jing Hong.


    ¡°¡­Jin Wulin¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s words had indeed provoked a crowd. Right then and there, nearly a third of the people present stood up, each asserting that they would thrash him severely.


    Of course, killing was out of the question, as it would be highly inauspicious to do so in front of women. However, breaking an arm or a leg was not considered a serious matter.


    Good heavens!


    What was meant to be a simple meeting had turned into a massive brawl, all stirred up by Zhao Sheng.


    This almost infuriated the Dong family elders and some influential figures who were observing from behind.


    As always, those who secured an entry ticket to the Phoenix Meeting were each a chosen talent with awe-inspiring strength, rarely having any rivals among their peers.


    Even the least conspicuous among them, Li Feixuan, was considered a prominent figure in the outside world.


    Thus, even though Zhao Sheng had defeated Kong Lang before, he did not intimidate these confident prodigies at all.


    Seeing this situation, Zhao Sheng secretly rejoiced, as this was exactly what he had hoped for.


    Without a second thought, he accepted all challenges at once,


    ¡°Brave enough, let¡¯s head to the Struggle Platform now.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go then!¡±


    ¡°Haha, exactly what I wanted.¡±


    Seeing that she truly could not stop them, Dong Miaozhen couldn¡¯t help but take a deep look at Zhao Sheng, refraining from further attempts to stop everyone.


    For her, as a Weaver, failing to control the situation on the first day was indeed a disgrace.


    That¡¯s right!


    Just as Zhao Sheng boldly speculated, Dong Miaozhen was not a Reserve Weaver, but one of the rare Heavenly Destiny Weavers from the Dong family.


    What was not publicly known in the Tianzhu Realm was that, during each Phoenix Meeting, the Dong family secretly designated a Weaver to observe the Qi Fortune of the participants, choosing suitable spouses for the Reserve Weavers based on their Qi Fortune heights.


    Of course, if someone took an interest in another daughter of the Dong family, they would not refuse a marriage alliance, but would rather welcome it, as all cultivators attending the Phoenix Meeting were extraordinary.


    It must be said that the Dong family¡¯s calculations were indeed meticulous.


    Once, an ancestor of the Dong family had boastfully declared at a family convention: ¡°All the talents of the world shall become my sons-in-law!¡±


    Although somewhat exaggerated, the statement held a grain of truth.


    ¡­


    The Struggle Platform was to the southwest of Wutong Mountain, and while called a platform, it was actually a vast square of Vajra Rock, nearly ten miles wide.


    The ground of the square was paved with large blocks of Vajra Rock, impenetrable by magic artifacts. Though its surface was as smooth as a mirror, it remarkably didn¡¯t reflect the sunlight at all.


    Onlookers stood at the edge of the plaza, watching the two men in the center.


    Zhao Sheng stood empty-handed, not wielding the Heavenly Square Halberd, facing¡­ Ying Tianlong.


    ¡°Kid, bring out your Spiritual Artifact quickly, lest you claim I bullied you when you lose.¡±


    Ying Tianlong was surrounded by seven or eight Fierce Sun Balls, holding a dark scepter about a foot in length, atop of which hovered a golden spirit flame.


    This flame was known as the Golden Sun Fire, one of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fires, known for its vehemently explosive heat.


    Upon seeing this flame, Zhao Sheng was momentarily stirred and instantly retorted, ¡°I don¡¯t even need the Heavenly Square Halberd to deal with you. Why not we make a bet instead?¡±


    Ying Tianlong was momentarily stunned, furrowing his brow, ¡°What bet?¡±


    ¡°If I cannot defeat you within ten breaths, I won¡¯t say a word and will leave Wutong Mountain immediately, avoiding you at all costs. But if I win within ten breaths, that Golden Sun Fire becomes my spoils of war. Do you dare to wager?¡±


    ¡°Heh! Just Golden Sun Fire, what¡¯s there to fear? But the price of your loss is too little; I need to make an amendment.¡±


    ¡°How would you amend it? Just speak your mind.¡±


    ¡°If you lose, you must kowtow and apologize to Miss Dong for your previous rudeness. Do you dare take on this wager?¡±


    Ying Tianlong directly reversed Zhao Sheng¡¯s challenge.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes shimmered subtly, his pupils shrinking slightly as a confident smile appeared on his face.


    ¡°This wager, Zhao accepts!¡±


    ¡°Good, then come at me!¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, Ying Tianlong¡¯s surrounding fireballs suddenly dispersed, while three Golden Flame Barriers instantly appeared around him along with seven or eight Defensive Talismans flying out from his embrace.


    In a blink, he had donned three layers of heavy Golden Armor, two earth walls, and on his head perched two Mystic Iron Spirit Shields, encasing himself like a turtle within its shell.


    The Ying Family¡¯s ancestral motto had always been ¡°The victor is never blamed,¡± thus the Ying Family cultivated the habit of winning by any means necessary from the bone.


    Having prepared these defenses, Ying Tianlong was just about to insincerely say, ¡°I will stand here and let you attack for ten breaths without fighting back!¡±


    However, before he could speak, he saw Zhao Sheng disappear from his line of sight all at once.


    ¡°Where did he go?!¡± Just as Ying Tianlong harbored the thought, a fist engulfed in light purple flame suddenly appeared in front of him.


    He was incredibly shocked, feeling as if the world had frozen around him, his eyes reflecting the swiftly enlarging fist while his body seemed paralyzed, almost unable to move.


    Fast! It was just too fast!


    Ying Tianlong felt that Zhao Sheng¡¯s speed was only slightly slower than his mental reaction.


    No sooner had he thought this¡ª Boom!


    A loud explosion erupted, and the purple flames exploded before him, obscuring his vision.


    An unimaginable force transferred instantaneously from directly in front of Ying Tianlong.


    Bang!


    Ying Tianlong was knocked off his feet and sent flying by the punch.


    In that instant, amid his horror, he felt an overwhelming relief and gratitude that he had worn multiple layers of defense in advance.


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t possibly in ten breaths¡ª


    Boom!


    The air exploded violently, a massive force instantaneously surged from behind.


    Crack crack!


    A piece of rune-inlaid Golden Armor was forcibly kicked apart, and poor Ying Tianlong, still airborne, was kicked back by Zhao Sheng.


    Boom boom boom!


    An urgent series of explosions echoed around the Struggle Platform; the air exploded repeatedly, violently blasting waves and fragments of golden flame debris rolling towards the edge of the plaza.


    Huge waves of heat assaulted the spectators at the edge, fortunately blocked by the white Defensive Light Shield that rose up around them.


    At this moment, the spectators around the arena were a mixed bunch; some were eager to try, some had distressed expressions, others were stunned, and many more looked terrified, their eyes filled with shock and fear as they gazed toward the center.


    The reason was nothing else!


    The unmistakable one-sided trend of the battle was all too evident.


    To put it precisely, they saw Ying Tianlong being tossed around like a punching bag in the air, yet they couldn¡¯t see Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure anywhere. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His speed had actually surpassed the ability of the human eye to see.


    At this moment, he was almost invisible to ordinary humans and even some Foundation Establishment Cultivators.


    Only a select few Cultivators who had trained in Pupil Skill could catch glimpses of his moving figure.


    Of course, Divine Sense could also detect his figure, but due to the limitations set by the Defensive Light Shield, no one¡¯s Divine Sense could penetrate inside.

 Chapter 308 - 242: A Moment of Spring and Autumn

    Chapter 308: Chapter 242: A Moment of Spring and Autumn


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    On the Struggle Platform, vast flames splashed everywhere, with bursts of booming sounds that were deafening.


    After five breaths, layer after layer of defense was continuously broken. Ying Tianlong could only subconsciously release defense True Talismans in futile resistance, attempting to delay for ten breaths.


    But¡­ it was too difficult!


    Ying Tianlong secretly felt despair, never having imagined that he would be utterly unable to fight back.


    ¡°No, I am the proud scion of the Ying Family, a genius destined to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm. I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t possibly lose¡ªah!¡±


    His thought had not fully formed when he suddenly felt a bizarre force penetrate through the Mystic Iron Spirit Shield above his head, striking directly at the Bai Hui acupoint on the Six Yang Heads.


    Buzz!


    Ying Tianlong felt as if struck by a heavy hammer, instantly seeing stars, his head swelling and spinning, his Divine Sense scattered in an instant, and his Spiritual Power stagnated.


    Due to this oversight, Ying Tianlong¡¯s tight defense inadvertently revealed a crack.


    The next instant, a surge of even more ferocious and overwhelming power found the gap and struck heavily on his head, face, chest, abdomen, and other vital areas of the Dantian.


    Beams of scorching Spiritual Power quickly sealed his spiritual acupoints and meridians.


    ¡°Ah! Ah!¡±


    Just over seven breaths, with faint cries of pain barely audible, Ying Tianlong, like a broken doll, slammed against the protective Light Shield and then slowly slid to the ground.


    At this moment, his face was swollen and bruised, his breath weak, and he had lost consciousness.


    Clack!


    Zhao Sheng spun in the air, approached from afar, gently touched the ground with his toes, and landed gracefully in front of everyone.


    ¡°Next, who¡¯s coming?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked at the crowd below with a smirking smile, his face fresh and clean, without a drop of sweat.


    As he spoke, he gestured with his hand, and the rolling Black Stick Golden Sun Fire lifted off the ground and flew into his hand, then disappeared into his Storage Bag.


    No one had anticipated that Ying Tianlong would be defeated so quickly and embarrassingly!


    Seeing how monstrous Zhao Sheng was, most of the crowd immediately hesitated; some even blatantly avoided his gaze, acknowledging they were no match for him.


    Since rebirth, Zhao Sheng had only cultivated three Body Refining Techniques over these many years.


    The ¡°True Void Mountain Breaking Palm¡± is primarily offensive, somewhat similar to the Mountain Separating Cow Beating Skill but far superior on countless levels.


    The reason Ying Tianlong couldn¡¯t fight back was not only Zhao Sheng¡¯s speed, but more crucially, each time he tried to counterattack, an extremely bizarre force would penetrate his layers of defenses and strike his body with uncanny precision, targeting his Dantian and dispersing his accumulated Spiritual Power time and again.


    Undoubtedly, ¡°Near and Far¡± is an ability from the Immortal Dao that resembles Shrinking Earth into an Inch Divine Power. Within a stride or step, ten feet seems like instantaneous movement.


    As for ¡°Immortal Golden Body,¡± enough said.


    Zhao Sheng was naturally endowed with a monstrous physique, able still to carry a 300-pound armor under twenty times gravity, easily running dozens of laps.


    Ten years ago, when he was still in the Qi Refining Realm, he could fight on par with Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator Zhao Deqian.


    Now, ten years later, how truly powerful Zhao Sheng was, apart from himself, probably no one could guess.


    Put simply, the one-sided beating of Ying Tianlong just then was merely a warm-up, he hadn¡¯t even used a third of his strength.


    ¡°I¡¯m in!¡±


    After hesitating for a breath or two and seeing no one stepping forward, Jian Shisan with a stern face suddenly came forward from the crowd.


    On the side, Dong Miaozhen¡¯s eyes shimmered, secretly thinking, ¡°Jian Shisan, although only at Foundation Establishment stage for ten years, has fought countless duels throughout his life. He is extremely experienced and famously known as the Sword Madman in the Sky-splitting Sword Dao. The Wind and Thunder Sword Technique he cultivates, specializing in speed, is said to have reached the realm of Sword Qi Thunder Sound. This will be interesting!¡±


    While contemplating, the protective Light Shield was opened, Jian Shisan strode onto the Struggle Platform, standing two yards away from Zhao Sheng.


    Just as a sword chant was heard, a silver-white, three-foot-long sword flew out from Jian Shisan¡¯s palm, swift as electric light, quick as a startled swan, circling three times in the blink of an eye before landing back in his hand.


    ¡°Outer Sword Cultivator?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes sharpened, his voice stern.


    ¡°Correct! This sword, named Rainbow Lightning, is three feet and three inches long, weighing thirty-six pounds and six ounces, entirely forged from thousand-year-old Thunder Iron. After several decades of my diligent refining day and night, this sword has become one with me. Be careful!¡± With the long sword in hand, Jian Shisan¡¯s aura dramatically transformed, making him resemble a drawn sword, emitting a sharp presence all over.


    As his words fell, gradually flickers of lightning leaped upon the three-foot-long Rainbow Lightning Sword. At the sword¡¯s tip, a foot-long bright white Sword Light never ceased, and the sounds of wind and thunder faintly echoed in the air.


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ve long wanted to witness how a traditional Sword Cultivator battles. Today I¡¯ll have my wish fulfilled! Watch closely, I¡¯m going for your left side.¡±


    Before his words fell, Zhao Sheng¡ªthat entire person¡ªvanished abruptly like a phantom from where he stood.


    ¡°Slice!¡±


    As the word ¡°slice¡± twirled in his mouth unvoiced, Jian Shisan suddenly felt a chill in his heart. His Divine Sense scanned and spotted a figure shockingly appearing on his left side.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s punch was as fast as lightning, instantly smashing toward Jian Shisan¡¯s ribs. As the fist approached, the piercing fist wind caused Jian Shisan¡¯s ribs to ache sharply, ringing alarm bells in his mind.


    Facing a Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator, Zhao Sheng still didn¡¯t use any weapons, leaving others wondering whether he was supremely skilled or simply arrogant.


    Yet Jian Shisan was exceedingly annoyed, feeling as though the opponent was looking down on him. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In an instant, his anger flared, deciding no longer to hold back.


    Buzz!


    The Rainbow Lightning Sword instantly became a streak of electric light, sweeping across his waist. The sword¡¯s tip emitted a pinpoint of cold light, targeting Zhao Sheng¡¯s forehead with uncanny accuracy.

 Chapter 309 - 242 A Moment of Spring and Autumn_2

    Chapter 309: Chapter 242 A Moment of Spring and Autumn_2


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils reflected a speck of cold starlight like lightning, and the pain in his brow was unbearable.


    He silently praised, and in an instant, his figure flashed, he withdrew his fist, turned around, and with a thought, shifted behind Jian Shisan, delivering a reverse kick aimed at his adversary¡¯s anus.


    ¡°Despicable and shameless!¡±


    Although Zhao Sheng¡¯s movements were fast, they could not escape Divine Sense. Jian Shisan inwardly cursed his opponent for being despicable and shameless, while the long sword in his hand reversed and stabbed out from his side, with numerous sword lights as fast as meteors, aiming at Zhao Sheng¡¯s face and abdomen.


    Zhao Sheng rapidly retreated and chose not to contest directly with Jian Shisan.


    For a moment, he kept shifting and maneuvering, leaving numerous afterimages in all directions.


    At that time, on the Struggle Platform, the sound of wind and thunder was intense, sword lights fell like rain, and the Sword Qi churned like the sea endlessly, wave after wave of chaotic flying sword lights continuously hit the protective light shield, causing ripples.


    Unfortunately for Jian Shisan, though his sword strikes were fast as lightning, they were a bit slow in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes.


    Zhao Sheng one mind with ten thoughts, one wholly focused on dodging while a few other thoughts gradually memorized Jian Shisan¡¯s Wind and Thunder Sword Technique, even finding spare energy to analyze the opponent¡¯s moves.


    The above text described a lengthy dialogue, but in reality, only a few dozen breaths had passed since the beginning of their confrontation.


    Although the time was short, both were quick in their actions, clashing countless times within moments.


    The spectators below were somewhat stunned, as most of them only saw the sword lights rampant like a sea dominating the platform, feeling that Jian Shisan had the upper hand.


    Yet until now, the ground remained clean and bloodless.


    Tap! Tap! Tap!


    A series of urgent, fierce footsteps sounded like the call of the soul hook, bursting around Jian Shisan, just to see the Sword Light dispersing like water, most of which Zhao Sheng easily dodged; those he couldn¡¯t evade, he deflected with a push of Spiritual Power, either neutralizing or diverting them.


    No matter how hard Jian Shisan tried, he couldn¡¯t injure Zhao Sheng in the slightest.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng had an idea, saw a Sword Light flying towards him, and unexpectedly used his arm to block it directly.


    Sssh!


    Blood splattered, skin and flesh tore open, and his arm instantly bore a deep bone-visible wound.


    Then, Zhao Sheng noticed the faint imprint on the exposed Bone, nodding to himself: ¡°The Geng Metal Sword Bone has not yet achieved Great Success, but it can block such a level of Sword Light, very good! With this defensive strength, below a Spiritual Artifact, Magic Artifacts would hardly cause harm.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s test the destructive power of the Geng Metal Sword Light next!¡±


    With this thought firm in his mind, Zhao Sheng¡¯s steps suddenly sped up by three points, his hands continuously emitted Purple Sun Spiritual Power, deflecting stream after stream of Sword Light, gradually closing in on Jian Shisan.


    A few breaths later, sweat was already subtly visible on Jian Shisan¡¯s forehead, and although the Sword Light became more intense and dazzling, his defensive circle had slowly been compressed to within a meter around him.


    ¡°He¡¯s going to lose!¡±


    Seeing this, a premonition simultaneously arose in the hearts of the spectators.


    As expected, just seven or eight breaths later, a light chuckle that overpowered the roaring wind and thunder rang out from the center of the arena:


    ¡°Hehe, withdraw!¡±


    As the words fell, the pupils of the spectators sharply contracted, their gaze unconsciously following the Rainbow Lightning Sword that flew up high.


    Ding! Ding! Ding!


    In mid-air, the Rainbow Lightning Sword struggled like a dying fish, attempting multiple jumps, trying to fly back to its master.


    However, each time it moved, a spark of Purple Fire appeared out of nowhere onto the body of the sword, trapping its spirit.


    In an instant, the Rainbow Lightning Sword was repeatedly entangled by the Purple Fire, falling powerlessly to the ground, involuntarily emitting a humming sound, like the lament of a sword.


    At this time, Jian Shisan stood motionless, his face ashen, his left hand holding his continuously bleeding right hand, unable to speak a word.


    Very few people outside the arena could see the details of the last exchange clearly.


    But Jian Shisan, the very participant, saw it all too clearly.


    His mind repeatedly flashed the moment of his defeat, his gaze ultimately fixated on that strand of incomparably sharp blue-purple Sword Light that was faster than lightning.


    He saw it clearly, that strand of Sword Light, incredibly emitted from the opponent¡¯s fingertips.


    ¡°Could it be¡­ the opponent is not only a Body Cultivator, but also an Inner Sword Cultivator!¡±


    With this thought, Jian Shisan suddenly turned around, urgently shouting, ¡°You¡¯re also a Sword Cultivator?!¡±


    Zhao Sheng merely smiled faintly, not answering the question but turning to look towards the audience below, announcing loudly, ¡°Next!¡±


    His gaze slowly swept across the faces of the people below, where some shrank back, others avoidantly shifted their gaze, and some were eager to try. However, most no longer dared to ascend the platform, simply because they really couldn¡¯t compete!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze finally rested on Dong Miaozhen, observing the slight sparkle in her eyes, yet her expression remained calm and composed as if not at all surprised.


    Recalling the unique purple-green Qi Fortune above her head, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but smile, his heart once again firming on the thought of marrying no one but her. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It really wasn¡¯t about coveting Dong Miaozhen¡¯s beauty!


    No matter how stunning the opponent was, no matter how heavenly her beauty appeared, and even if she outshone all others with her exceptional looks and extraordinary demeanor¡­


    Uh!


    Zhao Sheng certainly did not think himself so superficial. It was just that the two of them were¡­ incredibly well-matched!


    With that thought, he repeated, ¡°Does anyone wish to come up for a sparring match?¡±


    Seeing no one respond, Zhao Sheng then provocatively said, ¡°Are you all not the chosen ones of heaven? Could it be that you¡¯re too scared of losing to step forward?¡±


    ¡°Scared of what? He just got hurt!¡± Suddenly, a female voice came from the back of the crowd.


    The speaker was a woman in a goose dress, who was stunningly beautiful and extraordinarily attractive.


    Zhao Sheng looked down at the wound on his arm, which had closed in just a short moment and was healing visibly fast.


    If he delayed any longer, his sword wound was going to heal completely.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it!¡± Li Feixuan gritted his teeth and suddenly shouted.


    As a loose cultivator who had fought his way up from the lowest ranks of the Cultivation World, Li Feixuan wouldn¡¯t pass up such an excellent opportunity to make a name for himself.


    If he could seize the chance to win, perhaps he might even earn Weaver¡¯s favor. Then wouldn¡¯t his fate be transformed, and his Nascent Soul assured?


    His ¡°Flowing Light Saber¡± was not famed for naught. Could the opponent¡¯s speed surpass¡­ time itself?!


    ¡°It¡¯s all up to you now, Thousand-Autumn Cicada!¡±


    Standing opposite Zhao Sheng, Li Feixuan silently encouraged himself while slowly connecting with the Thousand-Autumn Cicada in his Dantian.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, your strength is too great, and I am far inferior! But I have a unique move, do you dare to face it?¡±


    ¡°One move decides the winner?¡±


    ¡°Yes, one move to determine the superior!¡± Li Feixuan affirmed confidently.


    ¡°It¡¯s not going to, also decide life or death, right?¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly joked.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao jests too much. How about we stop as soon as a hit is confirmed? Just one move!¡±


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment, then nodded confidently, ¡°Alright, then I¡¯m eager to witness your unique move.¡±


    ¡°Be careful, Taoist¡ª


    Before he completed his words, the Thousand-Autumn Cicada in Li Feixuan¡¯s Dantian suddenly fluttered its wings lightly, causing ripples of time to instantly spread out from its colorful wings, affecting an area of three meters around him.


    The flow of time within this three-meter space suddenly solidified, as if a pause button had been pressed on time itself.


    From Li Feixuan¡¯s Dantian, a streak of light suddenly flew out and transformed into a long transparent saber in his hand, which momentarily disappeared and appeared, its blade undulating like a wave.


    Flowing¡ªLight¡ªSaber!


    Li Feixuan appeared to be under unimaginable pressure, his face red as blood, and grasped the saber handle tightly, slowly lifting the saber and then fiercely slashing down.


    Streams of ¡°solidified¡± sword light began to separate from the saber little by little, hanging in the air in front of him.


    Li Feixuan then lifted the saber again, repeating the downward slash, and did so repeatedly.


    Streams of ¡°solidified¡± sword light accumulated together, creating a radiant, translucent, and exceedingly solidified blade essence.


    Boom!


    With an explosive sound like thunder, time instantly returned to normal,


    and all the spectators saw was a brilliantly blinding light suddenly appearing, stinging their eyes.


    However, no one realized what had just happened except for Zhao Sheng.


    The moment Li Feixuan commanded the Thousand-Autumn Cicada to solidify time, Zhao Sheng realized that someone had tampered with the timeline, compressing the flow of time exceedingly.


    To the onlookers, it seemed as if time had almost frozen; however, in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, time had just slowed significantly but had not stopped.


    This allowed him to witness the entire process of Li Feixuan launching his attack and to skillfully wield the Heavenly Square Halberd to block this cunning and malicious strike just as the blade essence approached.


    After executing that strike, Li Feixuan immediately appeared weakened, his complexion pale as snow, with some of his dense, lustrous hair turning slightly white at the roots.


    Thousand-Autumn Cicada, a flash of many seasons!


    Manipulating time with a mortal body indubitably came at a cost.


    To launch that one strike, Li Feixuan had sacrificed a year of his lifespan.


    In truth, he had aimed to kill Zhao Sheng with that move, not merely to make a contact as initially stated.


    Being a loose cultivator, if he hadn¡¯t been more ruthless and cunning, he wouldn¡¯t have reached the heights he achieved today.

 Chapter 310 - 243 How Lonely It Is To Be Invincible

    Chapter 310: Chapter 243 How Lonely It Is To Be Invincible


    ¡°Very well! It¡¯s only fair to return the favor. Take this move from me!¡± Zhao Sheng slowly raised his Heavenly Square Halberd, looking at Li Feixuan across from him with a cold sneer on his face.


    He had almost taken a misstep and fell for the ploy of a despicable person, despite having a rather good impression of them until now.


    ¡°No, no, no! Taoist Zhao, please hold, I admit defeat, I admit defeat!¡± Upon hearing this, Li Feixuan immediately broke into a cold sweat, hurriedly put away his long saber, and conceded with hands clasped together.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s words were dripping with killing intent, which he made no attempt to conceal. Li Feixuan certainly did not dare to test the sharpness of the Heavenly Square Halberd with his neck.


    Moreover, he couldn¡¯t understand how his sure-fire killing move, which had never failed him before, suddenly didn¡¯t work?


    After all, with that move, he had once slain a newly advanced third-tier Flying Jade Mouse.


    Zhao Sheng let out a cold laugh, ¡°Concede? There¡¯s no such cheap deal. Unless you hand over something.¡±


    Li Feixuan¡¯s heart trembled, but he feigned ignorance and asked, ¡°Taoist Zhao, what do you want me to hand over? I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re talking about at all?¡±


    ¡°You¡­ forget it, get lost!¡±


    Zhao Sheng had the words on the tip of his tongue but glimpsed the crowd below and immediately changed his mind, sparing the opponent for now.


    The opponent had an unknown heavy treasure on them, and if a real fight broke out, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t completely guarantee his victory. Besides, this was not the right place for murder and robbery.


    Li Feixuan, as if pardoned from a death sentence, immediately dodged away and fled from the Struggle Platform.


    Then, not even daring to stay around, took advantage of the situation to quickly escape far from the spot.


    Seeing this scene, others couldn¡¯t help but ponder.


    Zhao Sheng turned around and looked at the crowd below, speaking indifferently, ¡°Next!¡±


    After a few moments of silence, no one came forward to challenge.


    At this time, the expression of the Dong family¡¯s daughter gradually changed, mostly from disgust and disdain to recognition and surprise.


    In the Cultivation World, the strong have always been revered since ancient times, and humans generally admire the powerful, even more so for women.


    It was the same Zhao Sheng, but he seemed completely different by this point ¨C no longer arrogant and sleazy.


    Looking at him again, he was still the same person, but now he seemed much more presentable. Not only did he exude confidence and vigor, but he also possessed some peculiar personal charm.


    ¡°Though unattractive, a handsome brute is still handsome, isn¡¯t he?¡± Some of the Dong Family¡¯s daughters couldn¡¯t help thinking secretly to themselves.


    Meanwhile, a group of competitors below were communicating with each other through Divine Sense.


    ¡°What just happened? Does anyone know?¡±


    ¡°Not sure, the exchange was too fast, I did not see it clearly. Taoist Jin Wulin of the Vast Sect, it is rumored you were born with the Divine Eye, did you see what happened just now?¡± Song Xingyun sighed as he communicated through Divine Sense.


    ¡°Hmm, there are too many miraculous techniques and Abnormal Skills in the world, and I have never seen any with such effects. To speak frankly, the confrontation just now happened in the blink of an electric light spark; even I didn¡¯t catch the entire process. I only saw a burst of Sword Light, the Zhao kid blocked it with his halberd, and then Li Feixuan immediately conceded.


    As for why he conceded so quickly, I¡¯m also somewhat puzzled. But I admit, that saber strike was incredibly fast and fierce; I couldn¡¯t have received it either!¡±


    Within the crowd, the gracefully composed and softly featured Jin Wulin directly communicated through Divine Sense to Song Xingyun.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to fear! Although Zhao kid is extremely formidable, he still has weaknesses. As long as we slow down his speed, by then are we really afraid of a brute relying solely on Body Cultivation?¡± someone boldly suggested to the others through Divine Sense.


    As these words were transmitted, some were enlightened, while others scoffed, silently thinking, ¡°If it were that easy, why hasn¡¯t anyone challenged him yet?¡±


    Just then, a man with white clothing and white hair, and a face as sharp as a blade stepped forward.


    ¡°I¡¯ll meet Taoist Zhao.¡± Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°It¡¯s him, Qian Qianbing! It¡¯s actually a True Disciple of the Beast Taming Sect stepping in. Now there will be a good show!¡±


    ¡°Exactly, from what I understand, this person was born with Dual Spirit Roots of ice and wood, primarily cultivating the Beast Taming Heart Sutra and also practicing the Ice River Great Law. The Aurora Ice Moth he nurtures comes from deep within the Arctic Cold Plain of the Northern Cold Continent. It is rumored to carry the bloodline of the ancient top ten Abnormal Insects, the primeval ice beast. It is indeed exceptionally powerful.¡±


    As everyone discussed and transmitted their thoughts, Zhao Sheng and Qian Qianbing had already started their fight.


    This man was truly a True Inheritor of the Southern Border Dominator, the Beast Taming Sect; his first move turned half of the Struggle Platform into the Arctic Cold Plain.


    With a sweep of his sleeves, a great swath of white, crystalline ¡°fog¡± whooshed out from the cuffs of his robe.


    Accompanying the buzzing sound, in an instant, the fog spread across a significant portion of the Struggle Platform.


    Crack, crack!


    Suddenly, the temperature on the platform plummeted, and large amounts of frost fell from the sky, covering the ground in a thick layer of solid ice in the blink of an eye.


    Among the chilling fog, countless ice crystals coalesced, and innumerable, dust-sized Aurora Ice Moths gathered into sinuous, winding ¡°light ribbons¡±, refracting myriad strands of dazzling auroras within the icy fog.


    It looked beautifully captivating, but in reality, it was fraught with deadly intent.


    Water and fire are natural enemies, and this expanse of Aurora Ice Fog could also greatly reduce Zhao Sheng¡¯s speed.


    It must be said, at least on the surface, Qian Qianbing seemed to be the natural nemesis of Zhao Sheng.


    Qian Qianbing thought so too.


    As soon as the Aurora ¡°Ice Domain¡± took shape, he confidently held the Top-grade Spiritual Artifact, the Aurora Ice Mirror, and declared loudly, ¡°Taoist Zhao, you are indeed strong, but it¡¯s a pity you¡¯ve met me. Remember that there are always stronger people in the world. If you are sensible, you will immediately leave the Struggle Platform. I will not make things difficult for you.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned, then shook his head and sighed, ¡°What a pity!¡±


    Qian Qianbing misunderstood and immediately advised, ¡°The most important thing is to know oneself. Taoist Zhao, you are too young, don¡¯t think admitting defeat is too shameful. You should know that face isn¡¯t important, winning or losing doesn¡¯t matter, but there is only one life.¡±

 Chapter 311 - 243 How Lonely It Is To Be Invincible - Part 2

    Chapter 311: Chapter 243 How Lonely It Is To Be Invincible ¨C Part 2


    ¡°No, no, no! Brother Qian, don¡¯t misunderstand! I¡¯m not surrendering; it¡¯s just a pity that a talent like you from the Beast Taming Sect is about to be defeated by a nobody like me. If the clan elders blame me later for hitting the face of the Beast Taming Sect, I¡¯ll be really troubled!¡± Zhao Sheng scratched his head, appearing to be in quite a bind.


    ¡°Hmph, don¡¯t get cocky with your words! Initially, out of respect that we both come from the Southern Border, I intended to spare you some pride. Now it seems, being the good guy just doesn¡¯t work!¡±


    Seeing his opponent being ¡°utterly stubborn,¡± Qian Qianbing¡¯s face turned frosty, and he suddenly shot out thousands of rainbow-like lights from the Aurora Ice Mirror in his hand.


    The light merged and refracted with the ¡°Aurora¡± in the ice domain, instantly turning the ice fog into a dazzling and colorful spectacle, yet behind it lurked a chilling murderous intent.


    Witnessing this, Zhao Sheng nodded silently, finally meeting someone with some real capability.


    The Aurora Ice Domain laid out by Qian Xuanbing, empowered by the spiritual artifact and demon pet, clearly contained elements of the Nascent Soul Domain.


    Though it was just a trace, considering his young age and achieving this with just the Third Level of Foundation Establishment was indeed quite remarkable.


    It was no wonder this person was the True Inheritor of the Beast Taming Sect; he truly had some tricks up his sleeve.


    People often have this notion that high-talent cultivators who cultivate quickly must also be incredibly powerful.


    This notion, however, neglects a crucial factor: time.


    Among peers, those with top-grade talent and superior cultivation might be much stronger than their contemporaries.


    But among cultivators of the same realm, a young cultivator in his mere thirties, trying to win against Foundation Establishment elders nearly two hundred years old, is far more challenging than most can imagine.


    This has led to a peculiar phenomenon.


    In the Cultivation World, quite a few cultivating geniuses often ¡°blend into the crowd¡± when faced with peers at the same level.


    Speaking of which, when the Dong family marries off a daughter, they value potential and Qi Fortune most, and they definitely won¡¯t choose those stronger ¡°old Foundation Establishers.¡±


    This rules of engagement at the Phoenix Meeting are quite clear.


    All participants are under sixty years old. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This means most cultivators are only at the Early-stage Foundation Establishment, like Zhao Sheng, who are fewer than twenty at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.


    ¡­


    While Qian Qianbing considered himself naturally superior to his opponent, he completely misunderstood the sort of freakish ¡°monster¡± he was facing at the moment.


    Without a word, Zhao Sheng¡¯s entire body suddenly burst into burning purple flames, transforming him into a Fire Man.


    In the next moment, a streak of purple light crossed everyone¡¯s vision, leaving behind a long shadow.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    In the Aurora Ice Fog that filled half of the Struggle Platform, a series of rapid and massive explosions suddenly echoed. Large expanses of the ice fog continuously vibrated, expanded, and spread, the fog stirred into a chaotic mess.


    Simultaneously, the buzzing sound in the ice domain became hectic, sounding utterly frantic, while thousands of Auroras suddenly scattered, their continuous folding and reflecting nearly blinding everyone present.


    For a moment, the crowd couldn¡¯t see clearly what was happening on the platform.


    Only a few with Miracle Techniques or exceptional talents, like Jin Wulin, could vaguely see that Qian Xuanbing was in a dire situation.


    Streaks of purple light were rapidly circling around him, and Qian Xuanbing almost had no power to fight back, as if he was being unilaterally beaten.


    Indeed, in just a dozen breaths, Qian Qianbing suddenly flew out from the colorful ice fog and crashed heavily against the protective light shield at the edge of the arena.


    A breath later, the Aurora Ice Domain swiftly dissolved, revealing Zhao Sheng unscathed in the center of the arena, while beneath his feet lay a thin layer of crystal white ¡°ice particles,¡± densely scattered over a large area.


    Some ¡°ice particles¡± were not yet dead, still fluttering on the ground, emitting pitiful buzzing sounds.


    Zhao Sheng toyed with the Aurora Ice Mirror for a moment, then casually threw it far away, landing it next to Qian Qianbing, who was just sitting up from the ground.


    The Aurora Ice Mirror, a transparent ice mirror about a meter in diameter, was related from Nether Scale Ice Jade found in the lairs of the Aurora Ice Moths, even serving as a kind of spiritual artifact.


    If Zhao Sheng had taken it, it would probably have brought significant trouble to the Zhao Family.


    Since the Aurora Ice Mirror was Qian Qianbing¡¯s Lifebound Artifact, it was extremely hot to handle!


    After Qian Qianbing left the stage with his face covered, Zhao Sheng remained unchanged: ¡°Next!¡±


    ¡­


    A while later, a talented individual with a Thunder Spirit Root clashed with Zhao Sheng and was swiftly defeated.


    Even though the ¡°Heavenly Thunder True Technique¡± from the Purple Sun Sect was profoundly mystic, this individual clearly hadn¡¯t mastered it, moving too slow when initiating the Thunder Spell.


    Although Thunder Skill is unmatched in speed, it¡¯s useless if it doesn¡¯t hit the target.


    Thinking of winning with Thunder Skill was sheer folly.


    ¡­


    ¡°Anyone else?¡±


    Before long, Zhao Sheng, with a smile, watched a genius of the Illusion Technique from the Immortal Device Sect awkwardly leave the stage, his words becoming increasingly arrogant.


    Attempting to use Illusion Techniques before him was simply seeking death.


    ¡­


    ¡°Brother Zhao, I¡¯m afraid of pain, so please be gentle!¡±


    Looking at Hua Lianqiao in front of him, posing seductively and pretending to be pitiful, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was covered in black lines.


    After defeating so many before, this oddball from Joy Heaven actually dared to step up.


    ¡°Was his approach not fierce enough?¡±


    Thinking this, a trace of fierceness flashed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes.


    ¡­


    But as soon as they began, Hua Lianqiao immediately gave Zhao Sheng a big ¡°surprise.¡±


    Although his sexual orientation was twisted, he was undoubtedly a Cultivation genius.


    Hua Lianqiao¡¯s spiritual power was naturally several times stronger than ordinary people¡¯s, and after joining Joy Heaven, his main practice was the demonic ¡°Desire Heart Demon Scripture.¡±

 Chapter 312 - 243 How Lonely It Is To Be Invincible_3

    Chapter 312: Chapter 243 How Lonely It Is To Be Invincible_3


    This technique uses one¡¯s own Seven Emotions and Six Desires to cultivate a Heart Demon, which is then refined to greatly enhance one¡¯s Divine Sense.


    Among the Seven Emotions and Six Desires, lust is particularly paramount.


    Hua Lianqiao, in order to cultivate the most formidable Heart Demon, intentionally twisted his gender orientation.


    In fact, this move had brought him enormous success.


    Within a mere twenty years, this individual, with the inferior aptitude of Four Spirit Roots, managed to advance to Foundation Establishment and even became one of the few Golden Core Seeds in Joy Heaven.


    However, his desire for quick success inevitably led to severe, latent problems.


    Over time, Hua Lianqiao became what he is today, no longer clear whether his preference for men is genuine or due to the deep planting of a Heart Demon.


    But one thing was undeniably certain, Hua Lianqiao¡¯s Divine Sense was incredibly strong, comparable to that of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    At the start of the clash, Hua Lianqiao immediately launched a God Slaying Cone with just a thought, and Zhao Sheng, caught off guard, actually sustained a minor injury.


    Fortunately, the Star God Thousand Heart Technique he cultivated also served to increase spiritual power, and his Divine Sense was among the top echelon of his peers.


    Although the damage from the God Slaying Needle was not significant, it was the first time someone had posed a threat to him.


    Zhao Sheng finally got serious and decided to use half of his strength.


    On the other hand, Hua Lianqiao saw his meticulously planned attack fail to take effect and was extremely disappointed.


    But the next second, his expression drastically changed.


    Bang!


    Even his Divine Sense only caught a shadow approaching at an unbelievably fast speed.


    Hua Lianqiao¡¯s body couldn¡¯t react in time, only subconsciously triggering the Wujin Shield hidden in his embrace.


    The next instant, a force as overwhelming as a tsunami surged from his chest.


    Hua Lianqiao was immediately sent flying.


    Simultaneously, he was horrified to discover a bizarre force transmitting through the Spirit Shield to his heart, exploding with a bang that caused his heart to numb and his body to stiffen sharply.


    That split-second rigidity plunged Hua Lianqiao into a ¡°violent storm.¡±


    He enjoyed the same treatment as Ying Tianlong, being used as a punching bag by Zhao Sheng, who knocked him around in the sky.


    ¡­


    Half a quarter of an hour later, Hua Lianqiao was dragged out of the arena like a dead dog. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng loosened his clothes and casually played with the three-inch Spirit Spear in his hand.


    By now, he was becoming impatient, determined to quickly overpower everyone.


    ¡°Next?¡±


    Upon hearing this, everyone showed a look of fear and did not dare to speak.


    This guy was just too fierce!


    Not to mention nine battles and nine victories.


    Even Hua Lianqiao, who fought the longest, couldn¡¯t last half a quarter of an hour, and he had been beaten the worst.


    All told, the total time didn¡¯t even add up to an hour.


    The sun had not yet reached its zenith!


    Seeing no response, Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts turned, and he provocatively taunted everyone even more arrogantly:


    ¡°If no one dares to come up alone, two people can come up together, can¡¯t they? The fight just now wasn¡¯t satisfying at all, barely a warm-up.¡±


    These words immediately provoked public anger.


    Although everyone resented his arrogance, treating the heroes as nothing,


    they had to admit that this young man from the Xinglong Zhao Family was at least a whole level above everyone else in strength.


    Speaking of one-on-one combat, no one could match him, and the idea of two people joining forces was completely unrealistic.


    It¡¯s the old saying, most of the people present came from powerful backgrounds and prestigious families.


    For two to join forces against an enemy would, even in victory, be considered dishonorable.


    If they were to lose, not to mention the loss of face, where would their family¡¯s prestige stand?


    Thus, Zhao Sheng¡¯s move was destined to be a win-win situation.


    After waiting a while and seeing no one daring to step forward, he couldn¡¯t help but let out a sigh, deliberately showing a look of how lonely it is to be invincible.


    At this moment, the daughters of the Dong family¡¯s attitudes had undergone a tremendous change.


    Setting aside Dong Miaozhen and the four Reserve Weavers for the moment, more than half of the ordinary daughters of the Dong family had begun to take an interest in Zhao Sheng.


    In the Cultivation World, a man¡¯s appearance is not important; what matters is strength.


    The strength of the strong!


    Zhao Sheng purposely waited a while longer, seeing that the crowd had been thoroughly ¡°subdued¡± and hesitant to advance.


    Only then did he stride forward like a meteor, heading straight for Dong Miaozhen.


    Dong Miaozhen watched the lean figure approach rapidly, and a misty, profound light gradually filled her beautiful eyes.

 Chapter 313 - 244 Heart Refining Road and Tao Character Stele

    Chapter 313: Chapter 244 Heart Refining Road and Tao Character Stele


    The first day of the Phoenix Meeting was supposed to be a charming tale of the first meeting of heavenly talents and beautiful ladies, but it was thoroughly messed up by someone arrogant.


    On the Struggle Platform, Zhao Sheng with a spear in hand, compelled all the talents to bow their heads!


    ¡­


    ¡°Miaozhen, these people are too weak, they fell down before I even exerted myself.¡±


    Just after stepping down from the Struggle Platform, Zhao Sheng immediately approached Dong Miaozhen, smiling at his beloved with feigned dissatisfaction.


    Dong Miaozhen¡¯s right hand quietly clutched her skirt, her pretty eyes fixed on the frivolous and lazy rogue¡¯s face in front of her, and for some reason, she suddenly felt a mix of embarrassment and anger.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, please call me Miss Dong, or Miss Dong,¡± she bit her lower lip, her tone unusually cold.


    ¡°Alright, Miaozhen!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded very earnestly.


    Humph!


    Seeing this, Dong Miaozhen couldn¡¯t help but snort angrily in response.


    She had seen it clearly now; the man in front of her, despite his strong abilities, had a skin thicker than a city wall and simply didn¡¯t know when to stop.


    She would need to be extremely cautious in the future, absolutely not giving him any opportunity, otherwise, he would definitely take advantage of it.


    Just then, a girl with skin as white as snow and delicate features like a porcelain doll walked over.


    ¡°Sister, where should we go now? Back to Perch Phoenix Lake?¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The doll-like girl spoke in a milky voice, but her eyes shifted toward Zhao Sheng, her expression coyly cute.


    When Zhao Sheng looked over, her ears and cheeks quickly turned a rosy red, showing an exceptional shyness.


    But to the experienced Zhao Sheng, her cultivation level was simply not enough.


    This girl was utterly mercenary, obviously ¡°interested¡± in Zhao Sheng.


    He knew she was likely one of the reserve Weavers since her Qi Fortune wasn¡¯t low, and among the Dong family¡¯s daughters, aside from Dong Miaozhen, only three others were comparable, far surpassing other beauties.


    Unfortunately, the goddess has intentions, while the prince has no dreams!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes only had Dong Miaozhen, not caring for the porcelain doll-like girl.


    ¡°Yuyi, tell the sisters that we will soon go back to Perch Phoenix Lake.¡±


    ¡°Alright, Sister!¡±


    Dong Yuyi, tenderly spoke, sneakily glanced at Zhao Sheng, then lively and nimbly returned to her sisters.


    Dong Miaozhen released her skirt, her expression serious as she looked into Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, and asked, ¡°Taoist Zhao, you won¡¯t cause any more trouble, right?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng instantly understood her intention.


    The essence of the Phoenix Meeting was a matchmaking gathering, to avoid any irreversible incidents, there must be someone to control the scene, always managing the pace of the Phoenix Meeting to ensure the event proceeded smoothly.


    And naturally, the best candidates to control the scene were the hosts, the Dong family, and especially the Dong family¡¯s daughters.


    Realizing this, Zhao Sheng thumped his chest, declaring earnestly, ¡°Miaozhen, don¡¯t worry! As long as others don¡¯t compete with me, I promise to listen to you. If someone causes trouble midway, just command me, and I guarantee I¡¯ll beat the crap out of them!¡±


    ¡°Tsk, your words are too vulgar!¡±


    Dong Miaozhen suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, scolding Zhao Sheng with feigned anger.


    ¡°Haha!¡± Zhao Sheng laughed heartily, with no intention of contending.


    ¡­


    With the Struggle Platform incident resolved, Zhao Sheng was quickly ¡°subdued¡± by a few words from Dong Miaozhen.


    The Phoenix Meeting finally got back on the right track, and the group soon returned to Perch Phoenix Lake, beginning their ¡°normal¡± mountain and water pursuits.


    Unfortunately, although the scenery of Wutong Mountain was exceptionally beautiful, the group of elite talents always seemed somewhat dispirited.


    Whenever they saw the person standing beside Dong Miaozhen, everyone¡¯s voice unconsciously lowered.


    The atmosphere throughout the outing remained somewhat awkward and distant, which made Dong Miaozhen and other Dong¡¯s daughters both frustrated and anxious.


    This situation was quickly spread, and many forces outside the mountain soon learned about the extraordinary performance of the Xinglong Zhao family¡¯s junior at the Phoenix Meeting.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s name truly entered the eyes of other major forces for the first time.


    Before half a day passed, his detailed profile was quickly sent to the footholds of various forces in Jinlan City.


    ¡°Zhao Qingyang, twenty-year-old Foundation Establishment, Dual Spirit Roots, Magic Body dual cultivation¡­ not a bad lad!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, they can¡¯t even defeat a nameless person, the Ying Family has lost all its face! Xinglong Zhao Family?! I¡¯ll remember this!¡±


    ¡°¡­Xinglong Zhao Family, huh? There¡¯s finally a successor after the Dragon Slayer Master! Order immediately, send a team of shadows to Xinglong City, collect all the information on Zhao Qingyang. This old man wants to know everything, even when he stopped wetting the bed.¡±


    ¡°What an arrogant lad! Arrange it, send a message to our Zhao clan members in the sect, tell them that our Elixir Cauldron Sect is soon going to open its gates widely.¡±


    ¡°Jian Shisan actually lost! Well lost indeed. The edge of a precious sword comes from grinding, and this Zhao Qingyang is nothing but an excellent sword-sharpening stone.¡±


    ¡°¡­Zhao Qingyang? Someone, send a message to our family immediately, say that the elder agrees to the alliance through marriage with the Xinglong Zhao Family.¡±


    ¡­


    The hustle and bustle outside had no effect on the Phoenix Meeting within Wutong Mountain.


    The next day, thirty miles north of Wutong Mountain, Guardian Peak.


    Beams of light from all directions converged, falling below Guardian Peak, transforming into a host of young gallants, handsome and dignified, casual and sunny, with graceful bearings.


    After a night of cooling off and resting, the confidence of these elite talents seemed to have returned, all reassembling and ready to challenge Zhao Sheng once again.


    Brute strength is not everything!


    Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation, Spell Divine Skills, experience and knowledge¡­ there are many things in the world that can be competed with.


    You, Zhao Qingyang, may be strong, but there must be things where you cannot compare to others.

 Chapter 314 - 244 Heart Refining Road and Tao Character Stele_2

    Chapter 314: Chapter 244 Heart Refining Road and Tao Character Stele_2


    ¡°To crave a beauty¡¯s hand, it¡¯s still too early.¡±


    ¡°At the end, who will have the last laugh remains a mystery!¡±


    The sun was already high when the Dong Family¡¯s daughters arrived late.


    The seven-colored clouds dispersed, revealing more than thirty beautiful women, each one more charming than the last, before everyone¡¯s eyes.


    Some were coy and demure, others bold and passionate, some enchanting and cool, while others were forthright and cheerful¡­


    After spending a day together, both men and women had gained a preliminary understanding of one another.


    The majority of them were moved and had found someone they admired, with several pairs already exchanging tender glances in secret.


    Everyone had been informed yesterday that today¡¯s main event would be the climb of Guardian Peak.


    The Guardian Peak was no more than a hundred feet high, its scenery rather unremarkable, with only a green stone path, two yards wide, leading straight to the summit.


    However, this seemingly insignificant Small Mountain was actually quite famous in the outside world, with the reputation of having ¡°two of the Wutong Ten Sceneries¡±.


    There were two wonderful sights on Guardian Peak¡ªone was Heart Refining Road, and the other was the Tao Character Stele at the peak.


    Heart Refining Road referred to the green stone path leading straight to the mountaintop. It was comprised of a thousand steps and was lined with layers of Illusion Realms meant to test a Cultivator¡¯s Taoist will.


    Only those who passed the test of a thousand steps and reached the summit were granted the chance to glimpse the Tao Character Stele.


    As for the failures, naturally, they had no fortune of witnessing it.


    The history of the Tao Character Stele was a mystery. It appeared like both stone and jade¡ªnaturally carved with the essence of the Tao, offering insights to those who contemplated it.


    There were rumors in the Tianzhu Realm that the Tao Character Stele was brought here by a being of Great Ability from beyond the heavens and was eventually placed on Guardian Peak.


    Many believed the rumor, but even more were skeptical.


    If it were so, how could the Dong family manage to keep such a Treasure, and even openly allow others to visit it?


    ¡­


    At the base of Guardian Peak, Dong Miaozhen stepped forward and surveyed the crowd before speaking plainly, ¡°Heart Refining Road at the top of the peak is not something external forces can assist with; everything depends on one¡¯s own heart!


    I represent my sisters in wishing every Young Master and Taoist friend success in overcoming the trial of the heart and reaching the top of the peak.¡±


    At this moment, Ying Tianlong suddenly spoke up in agreement, ¡°Miss Dong has spoken the truth. I have heard that the Heart Refining Road is incredibly miraculous, and I have long wished to experience it. Today presents a rare opportunity; what if we made a bet? I wonder if certain people dare to accept?¡±


    His words were too transparent, making the crowd secretly anticipate another round of excitement, their heads turning to look at Zhao Sheng.


    Ying Tianlong¡¯s defeat had been too bitter the day before; today he definitely wanted to regain his dignity.


    This was not just about himself; it was about the face of the entire Ying Family.


    Zhao Sheng naturally understood the implicit challenge and nodded immediately, ¡°Mr. Ying, how do you wish to bet? Please outline your terms. Zhao will accept them all.¡±


    ¡°Well spoken!¡± Ying Tianlong, overjoyed, immediately laid out his plans: ¡°Let¡¯s see who can reach the peak first. The loser will have to bow down and admit defeat.¡±


    My goodness, that¡¯s harsh!


    The others did not expect Ying Tianlong¡¯s vengeful heart to make such a malicious request.


    If that were actually carried out, the eventual loser would no longer be able to show their face.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the people around him and then smiled suddenly, ¡°This bet is interesting; I¡¯ll take it. Does anyone else want to join in?¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than Song Xingyun, dressed in plain clothes and wearing a simple hairpin, unexpectedly spoke, ¡°I wish to join as well. But this bet is too mean-spirited for my taste. I don¡¯t like it. Why not change it to something else? Perhaps the winner can ask the loser a not too excessive request.¡±


    ¡°An excellent suggestion. If so, count me in,¡± Jin Wulin from the Vast Sect promptly agreed.


    ¡°Me too!¡± Jian Shisan said sternly.


    Zhao Sheng found it quite surprising; was the allure of the Dong Family¡¯s Weavers really that strong?


    Apart from the one who fled, Li Feixuan, not one of yesterday¡¯s defeated had given up, and they all came today.


    Seeing someone take the lead, others naturally did not want to appear weak, and they eagerly joined the bet.


    Dong Miaozhen and Dong Yuyi did not find this surprising at all.


    Betting on who could reach the top of Guardian Peak first was a major tradition of the Phoenix Meeting, having spanned countless editions.


    The stakes varied in nature, covering all kinds of bets, with some even harsher than what Ying Tianlong proposed.


    Centuries ago, it had even caused several major upsets.


    Otherwise, why would the Dong Family schedule the climb to Guardian Peak on the second day? S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After everyone made their stance clear, Zhao Sheng turned around, his gaze playfully fixed on Ying Tianlong¡¯s face, which was changing like the weather.


    ¡°Mr. Ying, what do you say?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, the bet between you and me remains the same, others can do as they please,¡± Ying Tianlong said resolutely, his voice severe.


    Zhao Sheng nodded noncommittally.


    Then he lifted his head and asked, ¡°Who will go first?¡±


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than Ying Tianlong suddenly dashed out at high speed, taking the lead on the Heart Refining Road before anyone else.


    He whisked through the first hundred steps as if the initial hundred trials had no effect on him at all.


    Only after completing a hundred steps did he change from running to walking up step by step.


    Seeing Ying Tianlong act so impatiently, Zhao Sheng smiled indifferently. Even if he let the other take a five-hundred-step lead, he was still confident in winning.


    At this point, Jian Shisan, Jin Wulin, Song Xingyun, and Kong Lang also moved forward and began their ascent on Heart Refining Road.


    Before long, only Zhao Sheng remained at the foot of Heart Refining Road, yet to make a move.


    Dong Miaozhen caught sight of him standing alone and her eyes flickered, but she did not approach to ask.


    Instead, a few daring Dong Family¡¯s daughters approached and struck up a conversation with Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, why haven¡¯t you set off yet?¡± Dong Yuyi blinked her large eyes innocently and asked curiously.

 Chapter 315 - 244 Heart Refining Road and Tao Character Stele_3

    Chapter 315: Chapter 244 Heart Refining Road and Tao Character Stele_3


    Her status among the Dong Family¡¯s daughters was exceptionally high, and she was the only Reserve Weaver currently interested in Zhao Sheng.


    Thus, as soon as she spoke up, the faces of the other beauties stiffened, and they hesitated to stand aside, not daring to say more.


    ¡°No rush, let them be happy for a moment,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a smile.


    After he finished, he turned and walked up to Dong Miaozhen, and asked quite seriously, ¡°Miaozhen, what kind of request do you think I should make if I win?¡± S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon hearing this, Dong Miaozhen really wanted to say what does your request have to do with me, but the words reached her lips and turned into, ¡°Win first, then talk about it!¡±


    Her voice was very cold, as if she didn¡¯t care at all.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly had an epiphany and said joyfully, ¡°I get it! If I win, I will demand that they cannot covet you, and when we get married, they must present a congratulatory gift. Miaozhen, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°Zhao Qingyang, Miss here warns you seriously. I don¡¯t like your overbearing ways. Hasn¡¯t your family elders taught you what manners are?¡±


    ¡°They have, of course they have! But my father also taught me that when I meet someone I like, I must never let them slip away, otherwise I¡¯ll regret it for life,¡± Zhao Sheng answered with unusual earnestness.


    Just then, Dong Yuyi walked over and suddenly said in a loud voice, ¡°Brother Zhao, my sister may not like you, but I do. What¡­ what do you think of me?¡±


    Dong Yuyi was smart and a big gambler, having determined that Zhao Sheng was uncut jade, pure gold, she made up her mind, seizing the opportunity to proactively express her Heart Intent.


    In fact, long before the Phoenix Meeting began, the origins and personal information of all participants were already in the hands of the daughters of the Dong family.


    The Xinglong Zhao family was originally a newly emerging family that had risen just over a century or two and fell into the second tier among the many powers.


    As everyone knows, the two most well-informed powers in the Tianzhu Realm are the Vast Sect and the Weaver Dong Family.


    Despite the extensive intelligence network of the Dong Family across the world, they could hardly find much information about Zhao Qingyang, nor any outstanding deeds; they only knew that he was extremely low-key in the Zhao family, so low-key that he didn¡¯t seem like a normal young man.


    Therefore, although the Zhao family suddenly declared Zhao Qingyang as ¡°Little Taoist,¡± people from the Dong family hardly paid any attention to it.


    It was indeed hard to believe that a second-rate family could nurture a ¡°Little Taoist.¡±


    However, it was not until the day before, when Zhao Sheng achieved nine victories in nine battles, that he impressively subdued everyone with his amazing actions, Dong Yuyi suddenly reevaluated this unremarkable Zhao Family¡¯s ¡°Little Taoist.¡±


    Having decided that his future was promising, she reviewed the Xinglong Zhao family¡¯s information overnight and suddenly discovered a very secretive matter.


    The Dragon Slayer Master Zhao Xuanjing had lived for over eight hundred years, far exceeding the Golden Core Life Span limit.


    Moreover, he was a Golden Core Elder of the Ksitigarbha Sect and was highly esteemed by the Supreme Ancestor of the Ksitigarbha Sect.


    Years ago, there seemed to have been intelligence related to him, claiming that Zhao Xuanjing had formed a Symbiotic Contract with a juvenile Mountain Dragon.


    Now, combining all the previous information, Dong Yuyi was thrilled and excited because she had discovered facts that suggested a very high likelihood of the Golden Core Family advancing to become a Nascent Soul powerhouse.


    With Zhao Qingyang¡¯s Dual Spirit Roots and extraordinary strength, his status within the Zhao family was destined to be second only to one, above tens of thousands.


    The Golden Core might not be his endpoint; he even had a slim chance of ascending to become a Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    A Weaver¡¯s status within the Dong family wholly depends on her husband¡¯s family. The stronger the husband¡¯s family, the higher the Weaver¡¯s position, and the greater the access to the Weaving Net¡¯s privileges.


    Therefore, before her sisters realized the enormous potential of the Xinglong Zhao family, Dong Yuyi had already decided to take the initiative.

 Chapter 316 - 245 Sword God Ancestor

    Chapter 316: Chapter 245 Sword God Ancestor


    ¡°Brother Zhao, Sister may not like you, but I do. How¡­ how do you feel about me?¡±


    Faced with Dong Yuyi¡¯s bold confession, Zhao Sheng seemed to be completely indifferent.


    ¡°Miss Dong, you are a good person, but we are not suitable for each other,¡± Zhao Sheng gently refused.


    After hearing this, a layer of mist suddenly formed in Dong Yuyi¡¯s eyes, ¡°What is unsuitable about us? You are not married, nor am I. If you would just nod your agreement, I¡­ I am willing to¡­ Are you saying I am not beautiful? Sister may not like you, but I do!¡±


    Her voice broke with a slight sob, yet it showed extreme stubbornness.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt that something was amiss.


    The Dong family¡¯s daughters looked at him as if he were a ¡°scumbag¡± who seduced and abandoned women.


    Heaven bears witness!


    He had remained pure to this day, devoting himself solely to arduous cultivation. He hadn¡¯t even had the time to be a scoundrel.


    Looking back at Dong Yuyi, she stood there with a stubborn face, like a ¡°little sister¡± deeply wronged.


    ¡°This girl has quite a high caliber!¡±


    After muttering to himself, Zhao Sheng solemnly addressed Dong Yuyi, ¡°Miss Dong, matters of the heart are beyond reason. I am truly sorry to disappoint you.¡±


    With that said, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t give the other party a chance to speak and turned to leave.


    The moment he stepped onto the Heart Refining Road, a domineering voice echoed from afar in the sky, ¡°Dong Miaozhen, I will marry you. Just wait to cross my threshold!¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng had already set foot onto the Heart Refining Road.


    He climbed each step steadily, his silhouette exuding boundless confidence and pride.


    Before long, Zhao Sheng had surpassed the last person and continued to climb upward.


    One hundred steps,


    Two hundred steps


    Three hundred steps


    ¡­


    By the time he was about halfway up the mountain, his climbing speed hadn¡¯t slowed in the slightest; he still took one step at a time as if the Refining Heart Illusion Array were nothing to him.


    In fact, the Heart Refining Road at the base of Guardian Peak was not as easy as it seemed.


    Other rising stars like Song Xingyun, Jin Wulin, Ying Tianlong, and so on also suffered greatly from the Heart Refining Illusion Array.


    Only Jian Shisan of the Sky-splitting Sword Dao, who dedicated his life solely to the sword and had no distractions, climbed a bit faster, but even he slowed down after six hundred steps, needing at least a dozen breaths to ascend each step.


    The Heart Refining Road is roughly divided into five stages:


    The first two hundred steps are the ¡°Five Trials of Wealth, Desire, Greed, and Fame.¡±


    This is followed by the ¡°Seven Emotions and Six Desires¡± between two hundred and five hundred steps.


    The five hundred to seven hundred steps are the ¡°Eight Sufferings of Life.¡±


    Then the frightfully difficult ¡°Heavenly Calamity Hundred Tribulations¡± come after;


    And the final one hundred steps are the most unsettling and corrupting ¡°Great Joyful Freedom Bliss Realm.¡±


    What few people know is that at this moment the power of the Heart Refining Road is merely one-third activated. The complete version of the Heart Refining Road is known for the terrifying title of ¡°Fake Nascent Soul Heart Demon Tribulation.¡±


    In the Central Continent Cultivation World, every time a Cultivator with a Perfect Golden Core faces the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation, they would try by all means to walk the Heart Refining Road and observe the Tao Character Stele.


    By simply guarding this Guardian Peak, the Dong family has, for thousands of years, earned the ¡°favors¡± of countless Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    You¡¯re right to think it!


    The Dong family¡¯s Guardian Peak is open to all Perfect Golden Core cultivators without any express requirements; they ask for nothing but a favor in return.


    Although the Dong family¡¯s calculations are extremely shrewd, this is a case of mutual consent and a win-win deal indeed.


    ¡­


    At step five hundred and seventy-six, Zhao Sheng overtook Jin Wulin.


    ¡­


    At step six hundred and three, he surpassed Song Xingyun


    ¡­


    At step six hundred and seventy-nine, Ying Tianlong watched Zhao Sheng ascend with a face full of loss and despair.


    ¡­


    Half a quarter of an hour later, at step seven hundred and eighty-eight, Zhao Sheng caught up with Jian Shisan, who was in the lead.


    The seven hundred and eighty-eighth layer of the Illusion Realm:


    The sky was filled with rosy clouds, and all that met the eye was vibrant red, with red silk ribbons dancing before his eyes.


    The sound of joyous gongs and drums rang in his ears, creating an atmosphere of merriment.


    In a daze, Zhao Sheng watched Dong Miaozhen, dressed in a bright red bridal gown and wearing a seven-colored phoenix crown, enter the palace and take her wedding vows with someone else.


    But¡­ the bridegroom was not him!


    A feeling of immense sadness and regret enveloped Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind, causing him heart-wrenching pain!


    The most painful thing in life is to watch the person you love the most step into the bridal chamber, but the bridegroom is someone else.


    ¡°Alas, is this what it feels like to yearn for something unattainable? It¡¯s just too¡­ too fake!¡±


    Zhao Sheng sighed, slowly closing his eyes.


    With a thought, the festive scene before him shattered like an illusion.


    When he opened his eyes again, Zhao Sheng had easily broken free from the Illusion Realm.


    Having been a human for six lifetimes,


    And especially after facing the many tests of the black market on Dragon Head Island and meeting the Star God,


    The various tests of the Illusion Realm on this Heart Refining Road were like child¡¯s play, utterly unable to shake Zhao Sheng¡¯s steadfast and unyielding spirit.


    Beside him, Brother Jian had his eyes tightly closed, his body exuding a killing aura, as if he were on a killing spree in the Illusion Realm.


    At that moment, the Sword Intent in his heart and spirit became even more apparent and piercing.


    ¡°Huff, huff!¡±


    Just then, Jian Shisan suddenly opened his eyes, filled with bloodshot, and murderous intent flashed out.


    Suddenly, he was taken aback by Zhao Sheng¡¯s presence beside him and exclaimed in shock, ¡°Taoist Zhao, you¡­ you¡± Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He didn¡¯t finish his sentence, but the unspoken words were clear to anyone.


    ¡°Brother Jian, strive hard! I will be waiting for you above,¡± said Zhao Sheng.


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng casually stepped up to the next stone step.


    His body paused only for a moment before he easily ascended another step.


    One step followed another¡­


    In the blink of an eye, Jian Shisan watched as Zhao Sheng casually took more than twenty steps with ease, showing no sign of struggle, as if the Heart Refining Illusion Array had no effect on him whatsoever.

 Chapter 317 - 245 Sword God Ancestor_2

    Chapter 317: Chapter 245 Sword God Ancestor_2


    ¡°`


    Seeing this, Jian Shisan harbored doubts and couldn¡¯t help but step up, stepping onto a platform with a sudden move.


    In an instant, the scenery before his eyes transformed drastically, and he found himself in a new illusion.


    ¡­


    Eight hundred steps


    Eight hundred and one steps


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, as Zhao Sheng ascended step by step toward the apex,


    his astounding performance had already left the group of beauties at the base of the mountain dumbfounded.


    Being the honored daughters of the Dong family, each of them was well aware of the terrifying nature of the Heart Refining Road.


    It was precisely for this reason that they truly understood how steadfast that man¡¯s Taoist heart must be!


    Based on his performance today, it was certain that as long as he didn¡¯t meet with a mishap and perish halfway, he had an eight or nine out of ten chance of advancing to a Golden Core Master.


    The moment they thought of this, the eyes of the many beauties turned feverish, and most of them took an interest in Zhao Sheng.


    The thoughts of the other three Reserve Weavers, Dong Xiaowan, Dong Yushu, and Dong Meizhen, also wavered slightly.


    In the Central Continent Cultivation World, the status of a Golden Core Master is so high, it needs no further elaboration.


    For a Heavenly Destiny Weaver of the Dong Family to marry a True Golden Core Master was already considered perfect merit, a cause for universal rejoicing.


    As for Nascent Soul Ancestors, unless they needed to produce offspring, even if they wished to become a concubine, it would depend on whether the Ancestors were willing.


    The Weavers of the Dong family were not so easily wed; marrying one meant tying major knots of cause and effect with the Dong Family.


    For Golden Core Masters, it might not matter much.


    But each Nascent Soul Ancestor was a top-tier figure at the level of a clan founder or Taoist Ancestor, and their choice of marriage partner could even affect the thousand-year Qi Fortune of their respective forces.


    Because of the wide-ranging implications, careful consideration was mandatory.


    Don¡¯t assume that the hundred-plus participants of the Phoenix Meeting were all exceptional talents. Among them, at most three or four could become True Golden Cores.


    What if it were a False Core Master?


    Sorry! The highly discerning Weavers truly wouldn¡¯t give them a second glance.


    At this moment, a noble and glamorous beauty with picturesque features quietly approached Dong Miaozhen and whispered, ¡°Miaozhen sister, if you¡­ don¡¯t take a fancy to him, would you mind letting me have him?¡±


    It was obvious who ¡°he¡± was, without saying.


    Before Dong Miaozhen could respond, the porcelain doll Dong Yuyi shouted angrily, ¡°Dong Yushu, you¡¯re shameless! Brother Zhao was clearly the one I took a fancy to first. How dare you compete with me!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, from childhood till now, there¡¯s nothing you didn¡¯t compete with me for; I just compete with you for once, what¡¯s it to you!¡± Dong Yushu said contemptuously.


    Though the two were not twin sisters, they were close as cousins, sharing a near kinship in terms of bloodline; however, their relationship was extremely poor.


    ¡°You¡­ shameless! Sister, you must stand up for me!¡±


    Dong Yuyi, being best at acting coquettishly, immediately sought Dong Miaozhen¡¯s help with a pitiful face.


    ¡°Hehe! He doesn¡¯t even spare you a glance; you¡¯re wasting your time,¡± someone scoffed.


    ¡°Nonsense! Brother Zhao, he¡ª¡±


    Getting anxious, Dong Yuyi was about to defend herself,


    but at that moment, Dong Miaozhen¡¯s face suddenly darkened, and she shouted, ¡°Enough, all of you, stop arguing! You¡¯re acting as if you can¡¯t get married off. There are plenty of good men in the world, not just Zhao Qingyang.¡±


    As soon as her words fell, a wonderful voice of approval suddenly came from the sky,


    ¡°Well said!¡±


    The lingering voice trailed off, and suddenly there appeared before the crowd a middle-aged man in plain clothes and with an iron sword, his face showing despondence.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s the Ancestor!¡±


    ¡°Patriarch Lin, peace be upon you!¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, Yi¡¯er greets you!¡±


    The moment this person arrived, the beauties hurriedly paid their respects, fearing any slight impropriety.


    This man was the Dong family¡¯s greatest support and the only Divinity Transformation Independent Cultivator in the Tianzhu Realm.


    This man, with the mortal surname Lin, given name Yizhi, had once joined the Carefree Sect in his early years but was later expelled.


    A thousand years ago, due to a fateful encounter, he fell in love with a Heavenly Destiny Weaver of the Dong family.


    Unfortunately, the Dong family forcefully separated the pair by beating the mandarin ducks.


    After that, doomed by her beauty, the Weaver was wed to someone unworthy. She lived in melancholy and, not many decades later, died young in body but old in heart.


    On her deathbed, she entrusted Lin Yizhi with caring for the Dong family.


    ¡°`


    For the next nine hundred years, Lin Yizhi had one fortuitous encounter after another, his qi fortune soaring to the heavens, consecutively ascending through the Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms.


    Then, it became uncontrollable.


    Two hundred years ago, Lin Yizhi, already a Great Cultivator, stepped into the Outer Void never to return.


    Until a hundred years ago, when he reappeared in the Tianzhu Realm, he miraculously broke through the Divinity Transformation Heavenly Pass, becoming one of the pinnacle figures of the Tianzhu Realm.


    The relationship between the Dong Family and ¡°Sword God¡± Lin Yizhi was extremely complex, inscrutable to outsiders.


    But because of him, the Dong Family was considered one of the several forces in the Tianzhu Realm that could not be easily provoked.


    However, only the Dong Family members themselves understood that they were merely posturing using the name of the Sword God.


    This ancestor only offered the Dong Family his casual protection because of a promise made to a loved one.


    And his seclusion in the Yunhuang Mountain Range was also because before his ascension, there was a mere strand of worldly attachment left to resolve.


    In order to settle the last thread of cause and effect, Lin Yizhi had holed up in the Yunhuang Mountain Range for nearly a hundred years, yet no one knew what he was waiting for.


    Once everyone had steadied themselves, Lin Yizhi, looking somewhat nostalgic, waved his hand at the crowd and emphasized with profound meaning,


    ¡°Well said, the world is full of good men. However, it is said that priceless treasures are easy to find, but a lover with true feelings is hard to come by.


    That lad is not bad, really suits my temperament. If I had his resolve back in the day, Yue Ru, you wouldn¡¯t have ended up marrying that beast.¡±


    Lin Yizhi spoke in a very calm manner, but Dong Miaozhen could hear that the ancestor still hadn¡¯t completely let go in his heart.


    Looking at the Sword God Ancestor who¡¯d been as elusive as a dragon this year, Dong Miaozhen¡¯s heart stirred with a bold speculation.


    She looked up at the Heart Refining Road, just in time to see Zhao Sheng stepping over the last stone step and arriving at the peak.


    Biting her lip, Dong Miaozhen steeled her courage and daringly asked, ¡°Ancestor, if I may be so bold to ask, do you think Zhao Qingyang is a man to be entrusted with one¡¯s life?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Lin Yizhi¡¯s face bore a smirk that was not quite a smile, his expression impenetrably profound.


    Seeing this, Dong Miaozhen immediately felt unease, while others dared not even breathe too loudly.


    ¡°Ah, this lad is quite remarkable, I hope he¡­¡±


    Lin Yizhi suddenly sighed, uttering a cryptic remark, but what he said in the latter half remained unknown to all.


    Before the echoes of his voice had faded, Lin Yizhi had already disappeared from sight.


    Lin Yizhi had arrived suddenly, but his departure was even more abrupt.


    However, due to his appearance, the many beauties present instantly changed their minds, and the power-holders of the Dong Family, monitoring from behind the scenes, were greatly shocked.


    ¡°The Sword God Ancestor has actually appeared. This matter must be reported to the Family Head and the Ancestor promptly.¡±


    ¡°You make sense. But why did the Ancestor suddenly appear, and what did he just say?¡±


    ¡°How would I know? The moment Lin Yizhi appeared, my Array was blocked, and what he said will have to wait until we can ask Miaozhen and the others.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ why not go and inquire now?¡±


    ¡°Are you out of your mind? Lin Yizhi might not have left yet. Would you dare to approach him now? It¡¯s best to wait until nightfall, once Miaozhen has returned, then it won¡¯t be too late to ask.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, elder brother, your consideration is thorough. I was just too impatient for a moment and almost ruined everything.¡±


    In a secret underground palace near Guardian Peak, three Golden Core Clan Elders of the Dong Family were momentarily flustered, discussing fervently about the Ancestor¡¯s sudden appearance.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng was oblivious to what was happening down the mountain.


    Upon reaching the peak, he saw a giant bowl-shaped Light Shield ten zhang away to the north, standing about three zhang high.


    Bathed in sunlight, the Light Shield¡¯s surface reflected rainbow-like Light Halos, with thousands of ancient Spiritual Texts flickering in and out of sight within the Halos.


    ¡°Beneath the Light Shield must be the Tao Character Stele! Alas, better wait for now, the others are too slow.¡±


    Zhao Sheng sighed, then sat down cross-legged facing the colorful Light Shield.


    Unbeknownst to him, Lin Yizhi was intently observing his True Body from three to four zhang behind, evaluating him with fiery eyes.


    ¡°Mmm, this lad¡¯s aura is very pure, definitely one of the Human Clan from the Tianzhu Realm, not at all like one of those Outer Heaven Demons who has seized a body, nor does he seem like any of those ill-intentioned visitors from beyond the realm.


    Yet, compared to his peers, his physique is far too strong, almost on par with the Moving Star Giants in their youthful years.


    I was not sure before, but now it is undoubtedly a Mutated bloodline.


    If this lad¡¯s bloodline can be stably passed down, the Qi Fortune of our realm might increase by another fraction.


    Perhaps, in that case, our ascension to the Spirit Realm could be a bit easier.¡± Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Having made his judgment, Lin Yizhi had already secretly decided that this lad must have several children.


    Scouring the entire Tianzhu Realm, there was no one more suitable for this lad than the Heavenly Destiny Weaver of the Dong Family.


    He was well aware that in recent ten thousand years, the Dong Family was one of the select few ¡°Heavenly Destiny Clans¡± chosen by this world, with members capable of giving birth to those with heavenly fated capabilities.


    The destiny of the Dong Family was the Phoenix Girl, a born husband-prosperer, able to activate

 Chapter 318 - 246: Seeing Daoxin at the Guardian Peak

    Chapter 318: Chapter 246: Seeing Daoxin at the Guardian Peak


    Zhao Sheng had no idea that a big shot from Absolute Peak had set the terms for his marriage.


    At the moment, he was completely unaware as he closed his eyes to rest and waited for others to reach the summit.


    Time trickled by.


    It wasn¡¯t until the sun was high overhead that Jian Shisan, with his clothes soaked with sweat and his steps unsteady, finally made his way to the top of Guardian Peak.


    Although he looked utterly exhausted, his eyes were incredibly fervent, and his Sword Intent soared to the heavens, bursting with power and sharpness.


    ¡°Jian Shisan, you¡¯ve finally made it!¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, stood up tall, and said with a heartfelt smile.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, you win this time, but next time it won¡¯t be so certain. One day, when my Thirteen Sword Heart reaches Great Success, I will surely go to Xinglong Origin and challenge you again!¡± Jian Shisan said resolutely, his hand on his long sword.


    ¡°Haha, since Brother Jian is so confident, then¡­ I will wait for your esteemed arrival at Xinglong Origin,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a smile, looking completely unconcerned.


    Following Jian Shisan¡¯s arrival at the summit, Song Xingyun, Kong Lang, Ying Tianlong, Jin Wulin¡­ and others also successively passed the test of the Heart Refining Road.


    However, when the sunset laid its colors on the western mountains and dusk fell, incredibly, there were still more than sixty people trapped in the Refining Heart Illusion Array, unable to break free.


    It was conceivable that these cultivators with less steadfast Dao hearts had already been silently eliminated from the competition.


    Indeed, starting from the third day, these individuals didn¡¯t appear before the group anymore.


    ¡­


    Dusk arrived.


    At some point, Dong Miaozhen, Dong Yuyi, and the other Dong family¡¯s daughters had already arrived on Guardian Peak.


    Upon arriving, the gaze of most of them, including Dong Miaozhen, couldn¡¯t help but drift repeatedly toward Zhao Sheng in the crowd.


    This abnormal scene made Kong Lang, Ying Tianlong, and the others feel quite envious and stifled.


    Especially Ying Tianlong, who was not only stifled to the extreme but also full of trepidation.


    All because of that damned wager from before!


    ¡°Absolutely cannot bow my head and admit defeat, otherwise¡­ I¡¯m done for!¡±


    At this moment, he was in agony, deeply regretting that he had rashly provoked that freak.


    But what he feared, unfortunately, came to pass!


    At the back of the crowd, just as Ying Tianlong looked up, he suddenly saw Zhao Qingyang approaching with a smile on his face.


    His scalp went numb and his heart thudded like a drum.


    ¡°Mr. Ying, surely you haven¡¯t forgotten the wager we made earlier?¡±


    Zhao Sheng watched Ying Tianlong dodging around and intentionally teased him.


    With a burst of determination, Ying Tianlong yelled as if he had thrown all caution to the wind, ¡°Zhao Qingyang, don¡¯t you push too far. If we really have to fall out, my Ying Family will make sure your Zhao Family pays!¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­ to break the agreement!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, what I mean is that it¡¯s best to forgive and forget. Pushing things too far is to no one¡¯s benefit,¡± Ying Tianlong said more assertively, threatening with the influence of his family.


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng fell silent for a moment and then suddenly burst into a great laughter.


    ¡°You¡­ what are you laughing at?¡± Ying Tianlong asked anxiously and uncertainly.


    ¡°I¡¯m laughing at how naive you are! What are you, Ying Tianlong, but a mere nobody, you can¡¯t represent the Ying Family at all. And so what if I offend the Ying Family? The Jingnan Border and Xinglong Origin are separated by tens of thousands of miles. Does your Ying Family think its reach is so long you can stretch it over the border without getting it chopped off?¡±


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng spoken than Ying Tianlong was taken aback.


    The message wasn¡¯t fully spelled out, but any reasonable person could understand it.


    The Ying Family¡¯s power was strong, but it had no sway over the Southern Border, let alone make a move on Xinglong Origin. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moreover, the Zhao Family was a Golden Core Family with a domain of five thousand miles and tens of millions of people. They were not that easily conquered.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng approaching, Ying Tianlong was both terrified and alarmed. He shouted hurriedly, ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer!¡±


    At this moment, he suddenly realized that the looks from the surrounding people were filled with contempt, disdain, and mockery.


    Zhao Sheng walked slowly closer, a teasing smile on his face as he approached Ying Tianlong.


    Facing the invisible oppression, Ying Tianlong panicked and retreated again and again.


    In his fear, he forgot he was at least a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and couldn¡¯t even remember to flee by air.


    Perhaps he knew he had no chance of escaping from Zhao Qingyang¡¯s grip!


    Just then, Dong Miaozhen frowned and suddenly said, ¡°Stop!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered with amusement at her words, and then he stopped walking, turning to look at Dong Miaozhen.


    ¡°Miaozhen, do you intend to plead for him?¡±


    Dong Miaozhen bit her lip, then hesitantly nodded, ¡°Although Ying Tianlong is unreliable, he is a Little Taoist of the Ying Family. The Dong family and the Ying Family have had a thousand-year friendship, and it would not be proper for him to suffer too much humiliation on Wutong Mountain. Please¡­ let him off just this once!¡±


    Dong Miaozhen¡¯s words were muffled, but Zhao Sheng¡¯s response was very clear.


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    ¡°You agreed?!¡±


    ¡°Yes, out of consideration for you, he doesn¡¯t have to kowtow,¡± Zhao Sheng directly nodded.


    Before Ying Tianlong could burst into elated laughter,


    Zhao Sheng continued, ¡°However, exemption from kowtowing isn¡¯t enough. You will still have to give me a satisfactory explanation.¡±


    He then made three demands, including that Ying Tianlong must leave Wutong Mountain immediately and afterward provide Ice and Fire Copper, Moon Flowing Silver, and other treasures as compensation.


    Ying Tianlong agreed without hesitation.


    Treasures were valuable, but the reputation of the Ying Family was truly priceless.


    Moments later, Ying Tianlong turned into a streak of golden light and fled from Guardian Peak in a very flustered manner.


    After this little interlude, Song Xingyun, who was among the spectators, suddenly spoke up, ¡°Taoist Zhao, in this competition, you are undoubtedly the winner. I am utterly convinced by my loss. How shall we settle our wagers?¡±

 Chapter 319 - 246: Seeing Daoxin at the Guardian Peak_2

    Chapter 319: Chapter 246: Seeing Daoxin at the Guardian Peak_2


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight smile and said, ¡°Mr. Song, you need not worry. Your wager is quite simple, not excessive at all. I have only one request. When Mingzheng and I get married, how about each of you brings a gift to celebrate?¡±


    ¡°No problem!¡± Song Xingyun agreed without a second thought, then joked, ¡°If Taoist Zhao does not marry Miss Dong after all, does that mean we can save our gifts?¡±


    ¡°Rest assured! You¡¯ll definitely be sending those gifts,¡± said Zhao Sheng confidently.


    ¡°Really? I don¡¯t believe it,¡± one responded.


    ¡°How about we make another bet?¡± Zhao Sheng suggested.


    ¡°Absolutely not, Ying Tianlong has just left barely a moment ago.¡±


    In the midst of this light-hearted conversation, the stakes of their bet were established.


    On the surface, Zhao Sheng seemed to be letting everyone off easy, but in reality, they greatly admired his method.


    Giving a wedding gift might seem a trivial matter, but let¡¯s not forget that behind these individuals stood some of the most prestigious forces in the Central Continent.


    One could imagine when Zhao Qingyang¡¯s big day came, over ninety percent of the famous aristocratic families in the Central Continent sending gifts, the symbolic meaning behind this was profound.


    Just on this point alone, one could see how Zhao Sheng¡¯s action was so far-sighted, bringing immeasurable long-term benefits to the Zhao Family which were beyond words.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s hidden motives were not lost on the astute crowd, yet none wanted to burst this bubble. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moreover, the wise noticed another significant aspect, Dong Miaozhen¡¯s unusual silence, showing no signs of objection.


    In just one day, Dong Miaozhen¡¯s change in attitude was a shock to Song Xingyun and the others.


    What was more intriguing was that most of the Dong Family¡¯s daughters looked at Zhao Qingyang with eager, intense gazes, as if they saw a treasured possession they desperately wanted to claim.


    Was reaching the top of the Heart Refining Road really that important?


    There were many who had become ¡°first¡± in past Phoenix Meetings, but none were as favored as Zhao Qingyang.


    This odd phenomenon left many breaking their heads trying to understand why.


    In fact, Zhao Sheng also felt something was amiss, sensing the intense gazes coming from all around.


    He always felt that something unknown might have happened in the meantime.


    Just then, as the sun set and the moon rose, the night finally fell, and the colorful light shield enveloping the Tao Character Stele suddenly dissipated into the air at a rapid pace.


    Everyone immediately turned their attention, watching intently towards the inside of the light shield.


    As the light shield faded, their vision darkened, and suddenly a massive green stone, thirty feet high and twenty feet in both length and width, with a rough and irregular shape, came into view.


    The side of the green stone facing the crowd, however, was flattened by some mysterious power, polished smooth as a mirror, clearly reflecting the astonished and excited expressions of the crowd.


    ¡°Is this¡­ the Tao Character Stele?¡± someone suddenly exclaimed.


    Then another questioned, ¡°Where is the Tao character?¡±


    ¡°Shh, look closely, the Tao is within the heart!¡±


    At that moment, those who still maintained clarity in front of the Tao Character Stele were people of insufficient insight.


    Natural talents like Jian Shisan, Song Xingyun, and Kong Lang, with their exceptional comprehension, had already been drawn into sudden enlightenment the moment they saw the Tao Heart Mirror.


    The saying that ¡®the Tao lies within the heart¡¯ is no mere platitude.


    Don¡¯t forget, they had just passed through the arduous test of the Heart Refining Illusion Realm, when their spirits were turbulent, brimming with self-confidence, and their Taoist hearts extremely clear and steadfast.


    At this moment, using the Tao Heart Mirror as a conduit to draw people into ¡®Enlightenment¡¯ was right on time.


    The great being who arranged this Heart Refining Road and the Tao Character Stele years ago intended exactly this.


    What others saw, Zhao Sheng did not know.


    But as he witnessed the true face of the ¡°Tao Character Stele,¡± his spirit suddenly visualized a vast ocean.


    The ocean was boundless, vast and mighty, and suddenly, a great sun leapt from the edge of the Heavenly Sea, carrying endless fervor, traversing the sky.


    The Great Sun in the sky, its brilliance shining far and wide!


    Zhao Sheng felt as though he merged with the Great Sun, numerous spirit lights suddenly leaping from the depths of his heart, and copious amounts of information about the Gold Element, Fire Element, Sun, and the Law of Light rapidly fused into his spirit.


    At the same time, deep within his Divine Soul, countless inexplicable filthy thoughts and dark ideas were utterly incinerated by the ¡°Great Sun Yang.¡±


    He didn¡¯t know how much time had passed when a towering golden giant¡¯s phantom slowly emerged, and Zhao Sheng suddenly had a moment of distraction and instantly awoke from his sudden enlightenment.


    Suddenly, a ray of sunlight stung his eyelids, and he opened his eyes, seeing the sun rising in the east, only then realizing that a whole night had passed.


    Looking again at the Tao Character Stele, the peculiar green stone was once again enveloped in a multicolored light shield.


    ¡°Congratulations, Brother Zhao, you¡¯re the last one to wake up. You must have gained a lot!¡±


    At that moment, he heard a congratulatory voice beside him, the envy in the voice unmistakable.


    Zhao Sheng stood up and turned to look at the speaker, and it was Kong Lang!


    ¡°A minor gain!¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied casually, and then followed his gaze to find that Song Xingyun, Dong Shu, Jin Wulin, and others hadn¡¯t left but were silently waiting for him to awaken.


    The expressions of the crowd varied, full of envy, jealousy, resentment, and dissatisfaction.


    According to previous experiences, the later one awakens, the longer the time spent in sudden enlightenment, and naturally, the greater the gains.


    Kong Lang originally intended to reconcile with Zhao Sheng, but the latter didn¡¯t appreciate it, showing an unusual ¡°arrogance¡± instead.


    This caused Kong Lang, who was always prideful, to feel secretly irritated, and immediately quenched his earlier intentions.


    ¡°What are you talking about, Taoist Zhao. With your remarkable talents, just a ¡®minor gain¡¯? Does that mean the rest of us are just blindly foolish?¡±


    Kong Lang¡¯s words were full of sarcasm, causing Zhao Sheng to frown upon hearing them.


    At that moment, Song Xingyun suddenly stepped forward to smooth things over, ¡°Brother Kong misunderstands. Brother Zhao probably didn¡¯t mean that.¡±


    ¡°Haha, I was just joking just now. Taoist Zhao, don¡¯t take it to heart, and let¡¯s head to the Ten Thousand Dao Tower later. I am quite eager to see what Taoist Zhao has gained from his enlightenment,¡± said Kong Lang with a forced laugh, skillfully brushing over the previous topic, yet his true intentions were quite apparent.


    Following the Phoenix Meeting¡¯s procedure, after crossing the Heart Refining Road and observing the Tao Character Stele, everyone would visit the Ten Thousand Dao Tower and leave their personal marks.


    The tower stored the various precious Enlightenment Imprints left by participants of previous Phoenix Meetings, mostly consisting of the character ¡°Tao,¡± though there were also text pieces, sword marks, runes, diagrams, paintings, or even a casually crafted clay figure, or a block of ice that wouldn¡¯t melt for a thousand years, among others. These forms were numerous, but all without exception contained the predecessors¡¯ insights into the Tao.


    Every visit to the Ten Thousand Dao Tower led to someone being inspired by the previous generational marks left, and thus advancing greatly in their Daoist cultivation.


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng responded indifferently, ¡°Hearing Mr. Kong¡¯s words, are you suggesting another wager with me?¡±


    ¡°Haha! The Tao is vast and has no highs or lows, how could it be gambled upon! Taoist, you really have a sense of humor.¡±


    ¡°Oh, so you are afraid!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded, seemingly realizing.


    ¡°Hmph, we¡¯ll see!¡±


    Kong Lang wanted to show some backbone, but remembering Ying Tianlong¡¯s fate, his spine immediately softened.


    ¡­


    The Ten Thousand Dao Tower was located on a flat hillside about ten miles south of Guardian Peak.


    From a distance, it appeared as a group of nine ancient three-story buildings, the entire area enveloped by a Second Order Array with exceptionally tight security.


    At the third quarter of the hour of Chen, the bright sun was in the sky, the light was clear and sparkling, the grass was lush, and the scent of flowers was abundant.


    From afar, a group of stunning beauties approached windingly.


    In an instant, the Array¡¯s light shield dispersed, revealing the Ten Thousand Dao Tower to all.


    Dong Miaozhen, Dong Xiaowan, Dong Yuyi, Dong Yushu among other Dong family¡¯s daughters, spread out in pairs and threes, leading Zhao Sheng and others into various buildings.


    A night had passed, and Dong Miaozhen¡¯s attitude towards Zhao Sheng had undergone a subtle change¡ªno longer cold and distant but beginning a faint approach.


    This was not only apparent to the two concerned but also clear to those around them.


    Dong Miaozhen¡¯s eyes shimmered, and with delicate hands, she looked at Zhao Sheng with clear shyness.


    She vividly remembered the repeated admonitions of the family elders from the previous night.


    By now, she had realized that, barring any surprises, her destiny would likely be tied to this unremarkable Zhao Qingyang.


    Even though he wasn¡¯t the lover she had desired, he¡­ wasn¡¯t so bad after all.

 Chapter 320 - 247: Today I Realize I Am Myself

    Chapter 320: Chapter 247: Today I Realize I Am Myself


    Wonderful, wonderful! What the sages of the past conceived truly captures the essence of heaven and earth!¡±


    In the grand hall on the first floor of the Ten Thousand Dao Tower, Song Xingyun stood before an ancient painting, his expression one of feverish excitement, as he loudly and excitedly extolled its virtues.


    His exclamations immediately caught the attention of Zhao Sheng, Dong Miaozhen, Jin Wulin, and others.


    The crowd, hearing his voice, walked over.


    Standing before the wall-hung ancient painting, Zhao Sheng said with a smile, ¡°Mr. Song, such joy in your praise must mean you¡¯ve made considerable gains. Congratulations!¡±


    ¡°Ha ha, not hiding anything from Taoist Zhao, this Spirit Root Map has indeed given me much insight. The expert who left behind this painting must certainly be a venerable ancestor of my Carefree Sect. I hold infinite respect for our forebearer¡¯s profound cultivation!¡± Song Xingyun spoke both joyously and sentimentally.


    Zhao Sheng turned his gaze to the ancient painting on the wall.


    The painting was roughly three feet square, in the style of ink and mineral pigment.


    Upon inspection, one would see a desolate world in the painting, with drifting sands and scattered stones, withered plants, and the sky a murky yellow ¨C all exuding a sense of desolation and deathly stillness.


    However, as one¡¯s eyes moved towards the center of the painting, life gradually emerged from the wasteland.


    At the heart of the painting was a vibrant green Nine-leafed Wild Vine, its tendrils spreading in all directions, where it passed the grass emerged anew, bursting with an indescribable vitality.


    The dreary yellow sky of death starkly contrasted with a small patch of green vine, yet it made the overwhelming vitality of the Wild Vine even more unforgettable.


    Dong Miaozhen, widely knowledgeable and perceptive, upon seeing this ancient painting, softly explained, ¡°This painting was personally drawn three thousand two hundred years ago by the Carefree Sect¡¯s Ancestor Hui Shengzi.¡±


    ¡°Is that true! Ancestor Hui Shengzi is my great-grandmaster, this is his heritage piece, no wonder it resonates so well with the cultivation technique I practice.¡±


    Song Xingyun could hardly contain his surprise and joy, and couldn¡¯t help but recite softly:


    ¡°A vine thrives with leaves so dense, across the barren land life renews. Towering columns in deserts vast, roots of the earth unmoved by tribulations.¡±


    ¡°A fine poem, what a ¡®root of the earth¡¯! It seems, Mr. Song, that the cultivation technique you practice must be your esteemed sect¡¯s ¡®Ten Thousand Tribulations Rebirth Scripture¡¯.¡± Zhao Sheng applauded and praised with a smile.


    ¡°You flatter me.¡±


    Mr. Song returned the gesture humbly with clasped hands, then inquired, ¡°Taoist Zhao, having witnessed the sages¡¯ wonderful insights, what have you gained by any chance?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked around, observing that the walls of the grand hall were adorned with a series of Daoist text depictions each unique in form and full of Taoist Intent, as well as a number of paintings and wildly scripted runes.


    ¡°Zhao has gained little, merely an occasional enlightenment ¨C ¡®Heavenly Dao is natural, Taoist Skill follows nature.''¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Heavenly Dao is natural, Taoist Skill follows nature!¡± Song Xingyun¡¯s spirit was greatly shaken, and he unconsciously murmured the phrase to himself.


    When he came back to his senses, he couldn¡¯t help but show a hint of admiration on his face.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, you truly possess a natural affinity for the Dao. Your words are profoundly insightful, as if pointing directly to the origin of the Tao. If only you could join my Carefree Sect.¡±


    ¡°Heh heh!¡±


    Just then, a cold sneer came from the distant corridor.


    Kong Lang, along with a group of people, swaggered over to where Zhao Sheng and the others were.


    First, he glanced at Dong Miaozhen, the look of desire in his eyes fleeting, then enviously turned to Zhao Sheng and sneered, ¡°How wonderful are the words? But can you rely on mere sweet talk to form a Golden Core Formation Pill? Moreover, Kong has also gained something, listen well.¡±


    Without waiting for the others to react, he loudly chanted, ¡°The Dao is like nothing yet lacks nothing, thus is the Immortal of Effortless Longevity. Immortal of longevity, the Infinite Fruit, within a Golden Core, a myriad of phenomena embraced.¡±


    As he finished his verse, Kong Lang looked smug and asked, ¡°How is this Enlightenment Poem?¡±


    When it comes to poetry and scholarship, the Confucian Scholars of the Lingyun Academy are recognized as the foremost in this realm.


    Kong Lang had previously been humiliated and intended to use this chance to observe the art in Ten Thousand Dao Tower to regain face in front of Zhao of the Zhao Family.


    Of course, he also wanted to show off his erudition to Dong Miaozhen.


    ¡°Such a peerless beauty of Heavenly Immortal Human Transformation should not fall into the hands of such base and intolerable clowns. Unbearable!¡± Kong Lang thought indignantly to himself.


    Zhao Sheng observed his behavior, internally bumping down his estimation of Kong Lang by a few notches.


    Frivolous, impetuous, capricious.


    Such an unsettled temperament likely meant this person had little hope of forming a Golden Core in their lifetime.


    ¡°Young Master Kong, your Enlightenment Poem sounds rather good. However, as far as I¡¯m aware, you come from the Ancient Confucian Kong Family and are the dormitory head of the Upper House in Lingyun Academy, yet why does the poem you crafted bear the flavor of the Taoist persuasion?¡±


    At Zhao Sheng¡¯s question, Kong Lang¡¯s face subtly changed.


    Yet, Zhao Sheng¡¯s final query threw off his composure entirely, making him lose his temper.


    ¡°Hmph, your ¡­ Confucianism and cultivation heart ¡­ could it be that they¡¯ve all been digested by dogs?¡±


    ¡°You ¡­ you you!¡± Kong Lang pointed at Zhao Sheng, his finger trembling with anger, his aura on the rise, emitting strands of green and white Cultural Energy.


    ¡°What, you want to fight me? Are your injuries from before already healed?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed fiercely, and he quickly gathered a fist-sized purple Fireball in his lowered right palm.


    Dong Miaozhen stepped forward immediately to intervene, ¡°No fighting is allowed within the Ten Thousand Dao Tower! Otherwise, even the Nascent Soul Ancestor can¡¯t protect you.¡±


    At her words, Kong Lang snorted coldly and said with a threatening tone, ¡°Hmph, Zhao Qingyang, there¡¯s no need to showcase your bravery just for the moment. We¡¯ll see how you embarrass yourself on the Debating Platform!


    Lastly, let me offer you a word of advice on behalf of everyone: ¡®When the tree stands out in the woods, the wind will surely destroy it!''¡±


    Having said that, he led his group away with a flourish.


    Dong Xiaowan didn¡¯t follow the others, instead, she moved closer to Zhao Sheng. Her beautiful eyes looked deeply into his, her brows creased with worry, her lips expressing concern.


    She spoke softly, full of worry, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Kong Lang has schemed with a group of people, insistent on making things difficult for you. You must be very careful.¡±

 Chapter 321 - 247: Today I Realize I Am Myself_2

    Chapter 321: Chapter 247: Today I Realize I Am Myself_2


    ¡°`


    Cough, cough!


    Just as Dong Xiaowan finished speaking, Dong Miaozhen, who was next to her, suddenly let out two light coughs and kindly reminded her, ¡°Xiaowan, Kong Lang and the others have walked away, you should hurry and follow.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sister Miaozhen, I¡¯m on my way.¡±


    Dong Xiaowan hastily bowed to Dong Miaozhen, and before she left, her beautiful eyes filled with a look of grievance and longing as she took a deep glance at Zhao Sheng.


    Alas, it seems another Reserve Weaver has developed a ¡°mortal heart¡± towards him.


    Who could blame them, when he was so outstanding! (Sword God Lin Yizhi smiled without saying a word.)


    The Ten Thousand Dao Tower consisted of nine towers, filled with tens of thousands of ¡°Dao Creations¡± by predecessors.


    Just a cursory observation had taken Zhao Sheng and others an entire day.


    The long night passed without words, and in the blink of an eye, it was the third day. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ten miles south of Ten Thousand Dao Tower, in the middle of a valley nestled against the mountains and waters, stood the Nine-colored Platform, built according to the heavenly stems and earthly branches, yin and yang and the five elements, the Eight Trigrams, and the Nine Palaces.


    This Nine-colored Platform was the famous Debating Platform.


    This platform was a place for debate, especially designed for the outstanding talents of the Phoenix Meeting to engage in profound discussions and showcase their personal ¡°talents.¡±


    ¡­


    The sun was bright and the breeze gentle.


    On the Debating Platform, Zhao Sheng, Dong Miaozhen, Song Xingyun¡­ Dong Xiaowan, Dong Yuyi, Kong Lang, and the people from Dong Shu were sitting cross-legged in pairs or small groups around the center¡¯s Yin Yang Tai Chi Diagram.


    Upon closer inspection, one could clearly see that each small gathered group was largely centered around one or two daughters of the Dong family.


    Even though the Phoenix Meeting had only started three days ago, the vast majority had already identified their strategic targets.


    Needless to say, Zhao Sheng was inevitably sitting with Dong Miaozhen.


    However, what made others envious and green with jealousy, clenching their teeth in hate, was that the most outstanding beauties among the Dong family¡¯s daughters, like Dong Xiaowan and Dong Yuyi, were also sitting close next to that young man, mostly with affectionate eyes, presenting a compliant demeanor ripe for choosing.


    ¡°Damn it, where has the Dong family daughters¡¯ pride gone?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, that punk is so ugly and skinny like a mantis, what¡¯s so good about him?¡±


    ¡°Miaozhen, you are mine! Zhao Qingyang, you and I are irreconcilable.¡±


    Ancient saying: ¡°A beauty can be a source of trouble.¡± This saying is indeed sensible.


    Zhao Sheng hadn¡¯t really done anything excessive, yet he had also drawn widespread ire because of this.


    ¡°A grain of sand contains thousands of realms, a single mind and body behold all laws as one. To understand this, one must master the art of the heartless, not tainted, not stagnant; this is the pure karmic path.¡±


    An Enlightenment Poem was chanted to completion, and the bright-eyed, shiny-headed little monk Ding Nan, with a dignified Dharma Image, stood with his palms together and nodded to everyone in turn.


    This person came from the Esoteric Sect lineage of the Future Temple, rumored to be a reincarnated spiritual child who, at just eighteen, had already penetrated the seven chakras, becoming a high monk of the temple.


    Esoteric Sect¡¯s main practice revolves around the three channels and seven chakras, and penetrating the seven chakras is equivalent to a cultivator¡¯s Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Just as little monk Ding Nan was about to step down, a person suddenly stood up on the eastern side of the platform.


    ¡°Buddha is the heart and heart is Buddha, heart and Buddha have always been illusions. Without shape or form, no Dharma Image. Neither form nor emptiness, nor not emptiness, action and nothingness not without being; the Buddha land of ultimate bliss is within a grain of sand.¡±


    Hua Lianqiao swayed her waist elegantly as she stepped forward, her face prettier than a woman¡¯s, her voice coquettishly surpassing a woman¡¯s charm.


    ¡°Little monk, how did you find this buddhist confession? The True Buddha begins thus, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. My Joy Heaven and your Esoteric Sect have¡­ a profound connection! We should get to know each other well.¡±


    As she spoke, Hua Lianqiao used her Charming Skill, radiant light dazzling as she continuously seduced the little monk Ding Nan.


    ¡°Amitabha! My master once said that the physical form is shapeless, men and women are all skeletons! This monk will not argue with you.¡± After chanting a loud namaste, Ding Nan quickly retreated and sat down at one side.


    Hua Lianqiao covered her mouth with a sly smile, looked around at everyone, and proclaimed, ¡°All things born of nature are born of desire, all desires inherently contain the Tao; desire is thusness, the True Buddha, and also the Dao¡­¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Profound darkness contains essence, great stability emits light; infinite mystery reaches boundlessness, thus they speak of the hollow. When condensing essence and gathering spirit, wielding ancestral Qi in circular motions. The highest reaches of elevation, merging myriad transformations, sustaining the principle of life, solidifying the soul and condensing the essence to lead a multitude of spirits, liberating from entanglements, returning to the elemental, and collecting the myriad Qis.¡± Jin Wulin of the Vast Sect elucidated his insight into the path of Divine Thought before the crowd.


    ¡­


    ¡°Cultivating Qi to achieve immortality, soaking up days and nights, calamities rise and fall out of samsara. A single point of Dao heart is like the morning sun, in the Purple Mansion Palace, igniting Divine Light.¡± So spoke the prodigy of the Purple Sun Sect.


    ¡­


    ¡°Mysterious flight of purple Qi condenses Spirit Root, the principal connection of Yuxu encompasses all deities. In the void flourishes naturally knotted, above stand the steep and towering transmissions. Jade towers lofty and shining, reflecting on Jing Yun, casting golden verandas. In the majestic hall resoundingly chimes the eight high notes, from within emits blue-gold and the nine celestial immortals.¡±


    In the center of the Tai Chi Diagram, Kong Lang sang an Enlightenment Poem in a loud voice, immediately attracting cheers from the crowd.


    He proudly returned the salutations and then his gaze suddenly shifted to Zhao Sheng, surrounded by beautiful ladies.


    ¡°Zhao Qingyang, you¡¯ve listened for quite a while, yet you¡¯ve not uttered a word. How about you step onto the platform and debate with me?¡±


    Worried that Zhao Sheng wouldn¡¯t fall for the trap, Kong Lang taunted again, ¡°Don¡¯t you dare come up? Are you afraid you¡¯ll be tongue-tied and make a fool of yourself in front of everyone?¡±


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, you¡¯re not scared, are you?¡±


    ¡°With a beauty in his arms, maybe someone has been dazed.¡±


    ¡°Taoist Zhao is not that kind of person, he¡¯ll definitely go up.¡±


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, please do! Don¡¯t keep Brother Kong waiting.¡±


    In the face of a bunch of rowdy instigators, Zhao Sheng shook his head and then slowly rose from his cushion, walked to the center of the Tai Chi Diagram, and faced Kong Lang.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re in the mood for it, I might as well teach you what Dao is.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, how arrogant!¡±


    Kong Lang couldn¡¯t help but spit out a curse, and then rushed to begin, loudly saying, ¡°In my view, the essence of cultivation first lies in transforming one¡¯s being; to transform is to first pursue the Dao. Dao is in the heart, and when one harbors Dao within the heart, though Dao is unseen, the heart must not forget it. One who does not forget the heart maintains the Dao steadfastly; the Righteous Path lies within the heart, unburdened by worldly matters.¡±


    ¡°`

 Chapter 322 - 247 Today I Realize I Am Me_3

    Chapter 322: Chapter 247 Today I Realize I Am Me_3


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and countered, ¡°Your Dao is too narrow, merely the petty Dao of human hearts. The Dao of man, how is it compared to the Heavenly Dao! To observe the Heavenly Dao, to adhere to its actions, is all. Heaven has the Five Immortals and myriad spirits, those who see them prosper. The Immortal Spirit resides in the heart and extends its influence into the heavens. The universe is in the palm of the hand, and myriad transformations arise from the body.¡± Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°The heart of heaven is like one¡¯s own heart. The nature of heaven is also like that of men; the human heart, merely a device. Establishing the Heavenly Dao, the human Dao then succeeds.¡±


    ¡°What you¡¯re saying is incorrect!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, without a second thought, said, ¡°The Heavenly Dao is supremely fair, regarding all beings as stray dogs!¡±


    ¡°The Dao exists so that heaven launches plans, shifting stars and altering constellations; earth launches plans, dragons and serpents emerge upon the land¡­ Human nature may be clever or clumsy, but the Heavenly Dao harbors no sense of good or evil.¡±


    Kong Lang, not one to have an unwarranted reputation, seeing that this path led nowhere, skillfully adaptive, said, ¡°The Dao of heaven is vast and formless, elusive and intangible.


    I shall liken it to the Dao of water.


    In all the land, nothing approaches the Dao more than water. Water benefits all things without contention, existing amidst all evils¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng, after listening, his expression turned stern, and he retorted coldly, ¡°The ancients likened the Dao to water, indeed a sublime peak. But the Dao of others is not one¡¯s own Dao, just as the names of others are not one¡¯s own name.


    I also have an ancient adage for you: ¡®The Dao that can be trodden is not the enduring Dao. The name that can be named is not the enduring name¡­''¡±


    After hearing the first chapter of the Tao Te Ching by Laozi, Kong Lang¡¯s face turned livid, and he did not dare retort a word.


    He had not expected that Zhao Qingyang had actually read ¡°Tao Te Ching,¡± authored by Laozi.


    It was known that only two copies of the ¡®Tao Te Ching¡¯ were stored deep within the Lingyun Academy, rarely known to outsiders.


    His intention was to show off, but instead of impressing, he faced humiliation.


    Seeing Kong Lang humiliated, Jian Shisan suddenly spoke unexpectedly, ¡°No matter how you expound the myriad paths, I can shatter it all with a single sword!¡±


    As soon as these words fell, Shao Shaoyang of the Lingyun Academy stood up, laughed loudly, and said, ¡°Haha, Brother Thirteen is truly spirited, I admire you. I also have an Enlightenment Poem that has been fermenting in my heart, now is the time to spit it out.¡±


    Taking advantage of the opportunity his junior brother had given, Kong Lang flashed and quickly retreated back into the crowd.


    Seeing his senior brother retreat, Shao Shaoyang could not help but smile, then he recited clearly,


    ¡°The west wind blows over the old Feng Lake¡¯s waves, much enlightenment within the Ten Thousand Dao Tower, my heart asks about the Dao without excess words, clouds in the blue sky, water in the vase.¡±


    As soon as he finished reciting, the crowd immediately erupted into cheers.


    ¡°Excellent, Taoist Shao¡¯s poem is incredibly marvelous.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, today¡¯s best enlightenment poem is this poem.¡±


    ¡°As it is said, poetry speaks of the Dao. Taoist Shao¡¯s heart is clear, Golden Core is hopeful.¡±


    ¡­


    Seeing this scene, Shao Shaoyang decided to pursue his advantage.


    Kong Lang being defeated twice by Zhao Qingyang and the news spreading back to the academy, would certainly damage his face greatly.


    If he could defeat Zhao Qingyang, he would not only win a round back for the academy but it would also greatly benefit his ranking in the Upper House, perhaps even taking the dormitory head position from Kong Lang¡¯s hands.


    Thinking this, he bowed to Zhao Sheng with a smile tinged with cultured grace and asked, ¡°Taoist Zhao, may I have the honor of receiving your instruction?¡±


    Hearing these words, Zhao Sheng knew what the other was planning.


    But¡­ He had picked the wrong opponent!


    ¡°To give instruction is too much to claim! However, I too suddenly have a poem,¡± Zhao Sheng said modestly.


    ¡°Oh, I am eager to hear it in detail,¡± Shao Shaoyang¡¯s eyes sparkled, seizing the opportunity to follow up.


    ¡°I have a Golden Crow, long imprisoned by the mortal world,¡± Zhao Sheng intoned in a deep voice, gently chanting.


    Then he took a step forward, gazing up toward the vast sun in the sky, his voice suddenly amplified, his tone passionate, ¡°Today the dust settles, light emerges, illuminating the rivers and the myriad flowers.¡±


    After reciting this line, Zhao Sheng fell silent for a long time, as if momentarily at a loss for words.


    Seeing this, Shao Shaoyang feigned confusion and asked, ¡°Taoist Zhao, why don¡¯t you continue? This poem seems to suggest more is left unsaid.¡±


    ¡°Eh, how did you know?¡±


    Zhao Sheng exclaimed lightly, his expression one of surprise as he looked at Shao Shaoyang.


    Shao Shaoyang smirked, just about to speak, but then saw the other suddenly showing a look of realization, joyfully reciting the whole poem:


    ¡°I have a Golden Crow, long imprisoned by the mortal world. Today the dust settles, light emerges, illuminating the rivers and the myriad flowers. Eh, on Guardian Peak seeing the heart of Dao, only today do I truly know myself!¡±

 Chapter 323 - 248: Getting Married

    Chapter 323: Chapter 248: Getting Married


    At the Debate Conference, Zhao Sheng amazed everyone with his profound poem of enlightenment. Subsequently, several challengers took turns to step up onto the stage to debate and discuss the mysterious nature of the Tao in hopes of subduing Zhao Sheng.


    Unexpectedly, Zhao Sheng, with his eloquence as though blossoming flowers sprang from his tongue and his words as flowing as a suspended river, singlehandedly confronted all the heroes, causing each challenger, though initially spirited, to finally retreat in complete disarray, covering their faces in shame.


    On the third day of the Phoenix Meeting, the Debate Conference virtually became Zhao Sheng¡¯s personal performance stage.


    Kong Lang, Jin Wulin, and the others couldn¡¯t comprehend why someone as young as Zhao Sheng had such profound and extensive insights into the Tao and principles.


    If one might say that in the first two days it was through martial strength that he suppressed everyone, although they were verbally convinced, in their hearts they were not, for cultivation is not about demonstrating bravery in a single moment, but about who can proceed the furthest on this path.


    Even if one is unrivaled at the Foundation Establishment stage, if they cannot advance to Golden Core, it¡¯s all in vain!


    However, Zhao Sheng¡¯s astonishing performance at the Debate Conference forced a band of proud prodigies to lower their haughty heads.


    Everyone knew that a cultivator¡¯s understanding of the Tao greatly determines the heights they could reach in the future.


    ¡°As long as this person survives, he will surely have a place in the future of Central Continent!¡±


    Watching Zhao Qingyang speak eloquently on stage, Kong Lang and the others suddenly had a strong premonition.


    ¡­


    On the fourth day of the Phoenix Meeting, at the Alchemy Conference, Zhao Sheng modestly displayed his superior alchemy skills.


    ¡­


    On the seventh day, at the Talisman Appreciation Meeting. Zhao Sheng introduced a new type of Second Order True Talisman ¡ª the Great Sun Fire Eye Talisman. His fluid and masterful technique in talisman making made everyone else feel inferior.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, Zhao Sheng and Dong Miaozhen had become very familiar with each other, gradually harmonizing each other¡¯s Heart Intent.


    On this day, he finally saw the affection in Dong Miaozhen¡¯s eyes, and for the first time, he held her hand.


    It was then that Zhao Sheng realized the time had matured for entering the room.


    As the day neared dusk by Perch Phoenix Lake, a couple stood shoulder to shoulder.


    Gazing at the glittering golden lake surface, Zhao Sheng suddenly spoke with conviction, ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯d like to meet Family Head Dong. Please convey my intentions tonight on my behalf!¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    Dong Miaozhen¡¯s eyes swirled, her cheeks blushing shyly as she timidly nodded.


    Even though she had long known how it would end, she still couldn¡¯t help but feel incredibly shy when the day finally arrived. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    The next morning dawned with the sun just beginning to rise, its path greatly illuminated.


    As Zhao Sheng, dressed in white robes and a purple coronet, stepped out from the Absolute Peak Pavilion, he was greeted by a giant Yunhuang Mountain Phoenix Bird quietly laying on the ground outside.


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, an elegantly faced elderly man with a long beard immediately bowed respectfully, ¡°Young Master Zhao, the Family Head has instructed this old servant to invite you to Cloud Top Peak.¡±


    Cloud Top Peak is the core residence of the Weaver Dong Family, the undertone of the old man¡¯s words being self-evident.


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly, warmly responding, ¡°Then I shall trouble you!¡±


    Shortly after, the Yunhuang Mountain Phoenix Bird let out a long cry, its wings flapped, creating clouds of mist between its white feathers, and easily carried the two off the ground,


    Once above the Cloud Sea, the Yunhuang Mountain Phoenix Bird shifted its wings, turning to fly deep into the Yunhuang Mountain Range.


    In just a moment, they passed thousands of miles; along the way, they saw only a vast, magnificent expanse of the Cloud Sea, waves upon waves cascading endlessly.


    At that moment, the Yunhuang Mountain Phoenix Bird suddenly let out a clear cry, plunging headfirst into the Cloud Sea below.


    Zhao Sheng felt his surroundings enveloped in mist, his Divine Sense mysteriously bound within the Purple Mansion, and relying solely on Eye Power, he couldn¡¯t see the surroundings clearly.


    Like an old horse that knows the way, the Yunhuang Mountain Phoenix Bird skillfully navigated through the Cloud Sea, gliding and turning for a while before finally landing on a jade-stone square shrouded in mist.


    The sights along the way need no elaborate description.


    Before long, under the guidance of the long-bearded elder, Zhao Sheng finally met the contemporary Family Head of the Weaver Dong Family, Dong Yiren, and her husband, Lu Hao.


    Due to the unique nature of the Dong family, the Family Head position has always been held by a woman, with the husband being a chosen prodigy who becomes the son-in-law.


    Dong Yiren was a dignified and voluptuous woman of unparalleled beauty.


    In contrast, the ¡°son-in-law¡± Lu Hao seemed much more ordinary, with plain features and a reserved demeanor.


    However, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t dare underestimate this man, knowing well that this person was among the top ten in battle prowess within the Central Continent¡¯s Golden Core cultivators.


    Perhaps, it wouldn¡¯t be long before he advanced to become a Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    ¡°Junior Zhao Qingyang, greets Family Head Dong and Master Lu!¡± Zhao Sheng said, respectfully bowing to the pair of Golden Core cultivators.


    ¡°No need for such formality, please rise,¡± Dong Yiren gestured with a single hand, sending forth an invisible burst of True Yuan, helping Zhao Sheng to his feet.


    After the formalities, Zhao Sheng took out a carved box containing Longevity Peaches from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.


    ¡°My family¡¯s Ancestor Jing knew that Elder Qing Ying¡¯s birthday was approaching and specifically instructed me to deliver this birthday gift. Please allow the Family Head to present it on my behalf.¡±


    The so-called birthday gift was merely a pretext, in essence, it was a visiting gift, representing in some sense the Zhao family¡¯s sincerity.


    Having hints from the Sword God Ancestor, Dong Yiren naturally would not refuse this sincerity.


    Today¡¯s meeting wasn¡¯t actually important, serving merely as a formality.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t aware of this point.


    Despite being highly confident before he came, when the critical moment arrived, he started to feel anxious.


    However, what followed went smoother than he had imagined.


    Family Head Dong didn¡¯t even bother with the pleasantries, directly and gladly accepting the ¡°birthday gift.¡±


    What made Zhao Sheng even more flattered was that Family Head Dong¡¯s attitude was extraordinarily amiable, not only inviting him to sit down but also warmly inquiring about his background and some interesting anecdotes about the Xinglong Zhao Family, without any bit of scrutiny or difficulty.

 Chapter 324 - 248 Getting Married_2

    Chapter 324: Chapter 248 Getting Married_2


    Yet Dong Yiren looked at him as if a mother-in-law were scrutinizing a future son-in-law,


    which made Zhao Sheng even more bewildered.


    Even if he was exceptionally talented and gifted, by convention, she shouldn¡¯t be valuing him this much.


    After Zhao Sheng left with a heart full of questions, only the Dong couple remained in the room.


    ¡°What do you think?¡± Dong Yiren suddenly asked.


    Master Lu, who had said little during the conversation, stroked his smooth chin and thoughtfully said, ¡°Not bad!¡±


    Having been together for hundreds of years, the couple had long achieved a mutual understanding.


    Upon hearing her husband¡¯s comment, Dong Yiren¡¯s opinion of Zhao Sheng improved significantly.


    Not only did her husband possess astonishingly accurate judgement, but he was also very discerning and proud; for him to say ¡°not bad¡± was an exceedingly rare compliment.


    ¡°But this man¡¯s destiny shows only three colors; his future is worrying,¡± Dong Yiren expressed her concern.


    ¡°I have said that the Observing Destiny Technique cannot decide someone¡¯s entire life. The future is unpredictable, and fate can be changed.


    Moreover, do you really mean to question the Sword God Ancestor¡¯s decision?¡±


    At those words, Dong Yiren felt a chill and immediately shook her head.


    ¡°In a hundred years, the number of times our Ancestor has personally decreed something can be counted on one hand, including this one, only three times. The two previous times have affirmed his keen foresight. This time should be no exception. Zhao Qingyang will surely achieve greatness. It is fitting for Miaozhen to marry him, worthy of her title as the Heavenly Destiny Weaver.¡± S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lu Hao said with relief, ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯ve come around!¡±


    The number of Heavenly Destiny Weavers in the Dong family is scarce; typically, no more than five in a generation.


    Generally, Weavers marry either Golden Core Masters or Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    For Dong Miaozhen to marry Zhao Sheng would also be considered marrying below her station.


    ¡­


    Having left Cloud Top Peak, Zhao Sheng did not return to Wutong Mountain.


    His purpose for coming here had been achieved, so there was no need to continue competing with others.


    The Cloud Phoenix Bird flew Zhao Sheng southward, passing over most of the Yunhuang Mountain Range, and eventually landed in Jinlan City.


    Zhao Family¡¯s branch residence


    The nearly bald elder Zhao Jiu was startled when he suddenly saw his young master return to the secular world ahead of time.


    He had thought that, with the one-month term unfinished, Zhao Sheng would come back empty-handed.


    But when Zhao Sheng reported that he had met with the Dong Family Master and successfully delivered the visiting gifts, Zhao Jiu and the other Zhao Clan Members were incredibly excited.


    In their eyes, since the Dong family had accepted the gifts, the matter was half successful.


    ¡°Young Master Qingyang, our top priority should be to quickly report back to the family, so that the Family Head and the Ancestors can decide,¡± suggested an excited Zhao Jiu.


    ¡°We¡¯ll discuss this matter once we¡¯re back. Now, pack your bags immediately; we¡¯re returning to Xinglong Origin right away,¡± Zhao Sheng commanded decisively.


    ¡°Yes, Young Master, this old servant will notify the others at once,¡± Zhao Jiu, understanding the gravity of the situation, hastily agreed and turned to leave.


    As the Zhao family prepared to leave, news of Zhao Sheng¡¯s appearance in Jinlan City quickly stirred the local powers.


    The Phoenix Meeting had gone on for half a month, enough time for the various forces to recognize the immense potential of Zhao Qingyang, who would surely become a formidable enemy.


    Today, his sudden return to Jinlan City could mean one of two things.


    One possibility was that he had failed and come back. But considering his outstanding performance at the Phoenix Meeting, this seemed highly unlikely.


    The second was that he had already met with the Dong Family Master and even obtained his approval.


    If the latter was true, this man¡­ could not remain!


    In an opulent estate in East City of Jinlan City, a disciple of the Vast Sect quietly inquired, ¡°Senior Ancestor, should we take action?¡±


    ¡°Foolish, do you think that Sixth-Order Croc Dragon is that easy to deal with?¡±


    ¡°But according to the information we received, it¡¯s likely that a true Weaver has participated in the Phoenix Meeting this time. At the moment, Dong Miaozhen is the prime suspect. Are we supposed to just watch as¡ª¡±


    ¡°And what can we do if we don¡¯t just watch? With the protection of that Croc Dragon, unless multiple Golden Core Masters join forces for an attack, a regular practitioner in the Late-stage Golden Core cannot do anything to it.¡±


    ¡°How about we contact the Ksitigarbha Sect, Purple Sun Sect, and other Sects?¡± the disciple tentatively asked.


    ¡°Humph, you don¡¯t need to worry about your Senior Brother Jin¡¯s matters. The idea of joining forces with other sects is something only you could come up with. Not to mention there¡¯s no time, even if we had the opportunity, I cannot afford that loss. Get out!¡±


    ¡°Your disciple acknowledges his mistake, please forgive me, Senior Ancestor!¡±


    ¡­


    Before long, Zhao Jiu and the others were ready to leave.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng wasted no time and immediately led his people out of the residence, towards the outskirts of the city.


    A moment later, the gargantuan Croc Dragon slowly surfaced from a lake.


    Zhao Sheng, Zhao Jiu, and the others quickly flew onto its back and entered the palace.


    Boom!


    The lake¡¯s surface exploded with a roar, as vast amounts of water surged skyward, instantly transforming into a vast grey mist that spread over ten miles.


    Suddenly


    The Croc Dragon, carrying the mist, shot into the clouds and raced toward the distant horizon. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared from the view of all the watching spies.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, Xinglong Zhao Family¡¯s Ancestor Zhao Dingguang made his way to Yunhuang Mountain Range to proactively visit the Dong Family and was warmly received by the Dong Golden Cores.


    In the following half-year, the contact between the Xinglong Zhao Family and the Weaver Dong Family grew notably frequent.


    By then, the marriage of Dong Miaozhen into the Zhao Family was set in stone.


    However, according to tradition, the process of proposing marriage, engagement, exchanging letters and gifts, and wedding must be done step by step.


    The entire process would take at least a year.


    The details in between are not worth mentioning.


    For the Zhao Family, having a clan member marry a Dong Family Weaver was a joyous event that deserved to be grandly recorded.

 Chapter 325 - 248 Getting Married_3

    Chapter 325: Chapter 248 Getting Married_3


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s grand wedding with Dong Miaozhen was also an event that needed to be celebrated with great pomp and circumstance. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The reasons for this were understood by all, and there¡¯s no need to elaborate on them here.


    ¡­


    A year flew by in the blink of an eye.


    On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, an auspicious day suitable for weddings and funerals, arrived!


    That day, Xinglong City was adorned with lanterns and colorful banners, and the sounds of gongs and drums filled the air. The residents of the city were overjoyed and eagerly anticipated the wedding, a rare event that came once in a hundred years.


    Starting half a month earlier, wave after wave of guests had begun to arrive in Xinglong City. Among them were various Cultivation Families allied with the Zhao Family through marriage, friends and relatives, and significant figures from numerous affiliated powers.


    In addition, Major Sects from the Southern Border sent representatives to offer their congratulations.


    Members of the Zhao Clan who had joined Sects also returned to Xinglong City one after another.


    It could be said that this grand wedding was an excellent opportunity for the Zhao Family to demonstrate its strength to the outside world.


    On the day of the wedding, both Golden Core Ancestors of the Zhao Family and thirty-one Foundation Establishment Elders made their presence known. They not only deterred various malevolent spirits and Snake Gods but also scared away many ill-intentioned forces, successfully defusing the unfounded rumors of the Zhao Family¡¯s decline.


    And for the past half a month, Zhao Sheng had been so busy that he hardly had time to touch the ground, let alone find time for cultivation.


    Naturally, he didn¡¯t need to worry about the wedding preparations, but whenever a group of guests arrived in Xinglong City, Family Head Zhao Dexuan would call on him to accompany and receive the guests.


    Zhao Sheng understood the purpose of Family Head Zhao Dexuan.


    He was about to step from the shadows into the limelight and become the ¡°face¡± of the entire Xinglong Zhao Family.


    And since he was to be the ¡°face,¡± social interaction was inevitable, and networking was exceptionally important as well.


    Zhao Sheng handled these trivial matters of hospitality with exceptional proficiency, without any slip-ups in his dealings with people; he didn¡¯t need any guidance from Zhao Dexuan.


    This also made Zhao Dexuan click his tongue in wonder.


    ¡­


    The sun reached its zenith, and the auspicious time had arrived!


    Suddenly, the sound of the great Hong Zhong and Da Lu bells tolled eighty-one times, echoing through the Cloud Sky, reverberating for miles.


    In an instant, countless flower petals fell from the sky above Xinglong City, and verdant trees and orchids sprouted from the ground. The sky was filled with multiple rainbows at once.


    A massive rainbow bridge, over a hundred feet wide, appeared from the horizon, its end connected to the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower.


    In the blink of an eye, a terrifying Croc Dragon, with a body as long as a hundred feet and massive as a mountain, flew along the rainbow bridge from the end of the sky, arriving above Xinglong City.


    Surrounding the Croc Dragon, thousands of Cloud Phoenix Birds with white feathers and colorful crowns fluttered and danced, each with a beautiful young woman in white attire standing on its back.


    Amid a highly festive melody, the palace doors on the back of the Croc Dragon slowly opened, and two rows of men and women in red emerged. They held and displayed various Strange Treasures, each of tremendous value.


    The scale of the Dong family¡¯s wedding procession and the wealth of the dowry were so astonishing that people talked about it with wide eyes and wagging tongues, and it remained a favorite topic among the members of the Xinglong Zhao Family for centuries.


    In Xinglong City, the majority of residents only caught a glimpse of the bride in her phoenix crown and red wedding dress stepping out of the palace, before she was spirited away into the Bright Tower by the radiant groom.


    As for the wedding ceremony itself, only a select few central clan members and honored guests had the privilege to witness this grand marriage.


    Actually, some of the Cultivators who were invited to the event were so intimidated by the power and unfathomable connections displayed by the Xinglong Zhao Family that they were left speechless.


    Some forces, unaware of the true situation, became even more fearful of the Xinglong Zhao family upon seeing that nearly half of the top forces from the Central Continent had also sent representatives to deliver congratulatory gifts.


    For a while, it was unknown how many forces dismissed thoughts of disadvantage to the Zhao Family, and how many swiftly changed their stance, choosing to proactively befriend the Zhao Family.


    It can be said that on the occasion of Zhao Sheng¡¯s marriage, the Xinglong Zhao Family made a killing.

 Chapter 326 - 249: Great Family, Great Business, Expenses Exceeding Income

    Chapter 326: Chapter 249: Great Family, Great Business, Expenses Exceeding Income sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Temples adorned with gold, a lotus tent warm enough to winter through the spring nights.


    Spring nights are short and the day rises high; henceforth the emperor rises late for morning court


    ¡­


    From the day of his marriage, three months had swiftly passed.


    In the early morning, a thin mist began to form,


    Xinglong City gradually awakened from its silence¡ªthe city gates opened and the streets began to fill with people, soon bustling with traffic.


    At that moment, a short, chubby, middle-aged man with dark complexion emerged from the second floor of the Bright Tower in the center of Xinglong City.


    He cast out a flying sword and, controlling it, soared out as a sword rainbow, speeding toward the south of the city.


    Before long, the sword rainbow circled halfway and swiftly descended in front of a large, deep residence.


    ¡°Elder, may you always be safe.¡±


    Next to the great gate of the residence, a sharp and capable young man immediately rushed forward upon seeing Zhao Degang¡¯s arrival, and bowed respectfully.


    ¡°Xiao Liu, go inside and report that I need to see your family head on an urgent matter,¡± Zhao Degang said with a solemn face, waving his hand as he instructed.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuliu¡¯s face showed difficulty, and pointing at the sun rising in the east, he faltered, ¡°Elder, please forgive me. As you see, it is still early. If I disturb the lord at this hour, I fear¡­ Maybe it would be better if you could wait at Xilan Hall for a short while.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Degang suddenly realized, and came to his senses, ¡°Ah, I¡¯ve been so busy I nearly forgot the rules set by the lady. Very well, I shall go to Xilan Hall to enjoy some tea and rest a while.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your consideration, elder. Please come inside,¡±


    said Zhao Wuliu, earnestly leading Zhao Degang into the mansion.


    Zhao Sheng had been married to Dong Miaozhen for three months, following the principle that the man presides over external affairs and the woman over internal affairs.


    The day after the wedding, Zhao Sheng entrusted all finances and personnel matters to his wife.


    Dong Miaozhen was the daughter of the Wangu Family after all, with immeasurable dowry value beyond the servants and maids that came with her, numbering over a thousand.


    On the Zhao¡¯s side, the number of attendants provided to Zhao Sheng was also at least a thousand people.


    With the assistance of these more than two thousand people, the vast industry of Zhao Mansion rapidly found support; rules within the mansion were quickly established.


    Within a few months, Dong Miaozhen not only managed Zhao Mansion in an orderly fashion, but she also earned the sincere respect and awe from everyone in the mansion.


    Interestingly, although there were many rules in Zhao Mansion, one ¡°unwritten rule¡± was more important than all others: ¡°Do not disturb the lord when he is sound asleep!¡±


    The genuine meaning of this phrase is understood by those experienced, and needs no further explanation here.


    The sun was three poles high,


    and in Xilan Hall, Zhao Degang leisurely enjoyed his tea.


    At that moment, a listless Zhao Sheng entered from the outside, casually asking as he walked in, ¡°Lord Gang, what matter requires such urgent attention from me?¡±


    ¡°Qingyang, the Clan Elder Council just reported a major piece of intelligence. I felt it was crucial to inform you immediately, so I came straight here after the meeting,¡± Zhao Degang said with a chuckle.


    As Zhao Sheng sat down at the head seat, his expression suddenly turned serious, ¡°What is so urgent? Don¡¯t you know that the most important thing for me right now is to have a son?¡±


    ¡°Having a son is not a matter that can¡¯t be delayed for a few days. I trust the lady will not blame me.¡± Zhao Degang said with a sheepish smile.


    Zhao Sheng blurted out, ¡°You don¡¯t understand¡­ Ah, why am I discussing this with you? Get to the main point,¡± he hurriedly returned to the matter at hand.


    Seeing this, Zhao Degang secretly chuckled twice, then resumed a serious expression and spoke gravely yet excitedly, ¡°You guessed right. The family has received confirmed intelligence that a large Mystic Iron Ore indeed exists within the Ren Family¡¯s territory.¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed, ¡°Haha! A lot of Nine Returns Iron has recently appeared from the Ren Family. I suspected something shady was going on. Now it appears the Ren Family indeed wants to make a fortune in silence. Too bad, such a treasure is too big to keep a secret or to protect by the Ren Family alone.¡±


    Nine Returns Iron, being a top-grade type of Iron Essence, is very rare and only a large Mystic Iron Ore can produce it in small quantities.


    The Ren Family mentioned by both men is a recently emerging Foundation Establishment Family near Xinglong Origin.


    Just as the Zhao Family had developed Lush Peach Mountain 800 years ago, the Ren Family had also successfully taken over a Gold Line Spirit Vein during the territorial wars 300 years ago, thereby establishing a solid foundation for their family.


    After finishing his speech, Zhao Sheng queried further, ¡°What does the Clan Elder Council think? To monopolize it, or to share a few profits among them?¡±


    Zhao Degang¡¯s expression turned stern as he coldly responded, ¡°The Family Head decided we should take over the Ren Family. The large Mystic Iron Ore must be monopolized, leaving the scraps for others.¡±


    Having said this, he didn¡¯t wait for Zhao Sheng to ask further questions and immediately informed him of the entire plan.


    It turned out that the Zhao family planned to remain in the shadows, only allowing the Gong Family and Three Mountains Dao, two affiliated forces through marital alliances, to overtly attack the Ren Family.


    ¡°Have you found a suitable ¡®victim¡¯ yet?¡± Zhao Sheng asked.


    ¡°Just found one. Two hundred years ago, the Ren Family exterminated a small Zhou family. The descendants of this family are now in our hands.¡±


    ¡°Which lineage did you choose?¡±


    ¡°One from the Ren Character Pulse, Generation Yun. They will be relocated to the Ren Family¡¯s territory along with two thousand of their earthly kin. Officially, they will have no relations with us.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was not surprised by his family¡¯s cunning strategies.


    A family that wants to continuously grow and expand obviously needs more people and more land.


    However, in the Central Continent Cultivation World, every force must abide by the ¡°rules¡± and cannot act recklessly.


    Thus, sometimes wearing several cloaks is important, and even more crucial is the idea of ¡°having a proper justification.¡±


    ¡°Since the Clan Elder Council has already arranged everything, why were you in such a rush to come here?¡± Zhao Sheng tapped on the armrest, his face showing puzzlement.


    Zhao Degang immediately began to loudly lament, ¡°Oh, Mr. Thirteen! You yourself are rich as can be, so of course, you don¡¯t care. But don¡¯t forget, this branch has so many clanspeople to support. Everyone¡¯s purse is empty, and they¡¯re as poor as church mice!¡±

 Chapter 327 - 249: A Big Family and Business with Insufficient Income_2

    Chapter 327: Chapter 249: A Big Family and Business with Insufficient Income_2


    Zhao Sheng, upon hearing this, had a sudden epiphany and promptly smacked his forehead, filled with annoyance.


    He was like a well-fed man who didn¡¯t understand the hunger of a starving one, almost forgetting that most of the Zhao Family cultivators were in dire straits.


    Speaking of which, it was also due to the Zhao Family¡¯s rapid development and the excessive population growth, which significantly increased the number of cultivators.


    As the number of cultivators increased, even the extensive properties owned by the Zhao Family weren¡¯t enough to sustain their consumption.


    Additionally, the development of Xinglong Origin was like a bottomless pit. Constructing Xinglong City, transforming marsh into land, rectifying rivers, developing spirit fields, purchasing spirit grain and spiritual medicine seeds, planting spirit grain and spiritual medicine¡­ each task required a vast amount of spirit stone resources,


    Over the years, Xinglong Origin had swallowed an unmeasurable amount of resources from the Zhao Family. Although a large amount of spirit grain and spiritual medicine had been produced, it was like a drop in the bucket against the ever-increasing mountain of debt. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Zhao Family, which appeared to be thriving on the surface, could accurately be described by the phrase ¡°big family, big business, expenses outpacing income.¡±


    Over these years, the Zhao Family had borrowed over twenty million spirit stones from Spirit Stone Bank, paying over three million annually just in interest.


    Defaulting on debt was absolutely out of the question.


    With the Ten Great Sects of the Central Continent as guarantors, the Zhao Family wouldn¡¯t dare to default.


    An old saying goes, ¡°A murderer or arsonist can secure a golden belt.¡±


    If the Zhao Family wanted to repay their debts and grow stronger quickly, the fastest way was undoubtedly the big fish eating the small fish, continually absorbing other forces.


    Thinking of this, Zhao Sheng now understood the purpose of Zhao Degang¡¯s visit and couldn¡¯t help but sigh, ¡°Alas, it¡¯s all because of the spirit stones. Since you¡¯re here, you must have a plan in mind. Let¡¯s hear it!¡±


    ¡°Qingyang, here¡¯s what I¡¯m thinking. The Ren Family has three Foundation Establishment Cultivators in total. If we want to quickly divide the Ren Family, these three must be eliminated in advance, and to avoid any leaks, they need to be removed at the same time.


    We won¡¯t touch the one at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. But for Ren Zidong, who¡¯s at the Mid-stage, we must think of all possible ways to take him out.¡±


    The Xinglong Zhao Family had almost thirty Foundation Establishment Cultivators, plus two from affiliated families, making it a case of many men and little meat.


    And killing a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Ren Family directly relates to the final distribution of benefits.


    The undertone in Zhao Degang¡¯s words was clear.


    Originally, the Shen Character Lineage along with Zhao Sheng had only three Foundation Establishment elders, plus Zhao Degang, who had aligned with them, totalling four.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s status and strength within the family were undoubtedly substantial.


    With him making a move, other elders found it hard to compete with him.


    Without hesitation, Zhao Sheng quickly agreed, ¡°Okay, in a couple of days, I¡¯ll discuss it with the Family Head.¡±


    ¡­


    Zhao Degang left delighted.


    Zhao Sheng returned to his bedroom, where he happened to see his beautiful, alluring wife.


    He immediately felt his desires stir, but knowing that declaring such desires openly during the day was inappropriate, he quickly restrained himself and reverted to the gentleman he was.


    Then, Zhao Sheng detailed the plan to divide the Ren Family to Dong Miaozhen.


    Dong Miaozhen, after hearing it, showed no sign of being moved.


    In the Cultivation World, where the survival of the fittest has always been the rule, the Dong family had not refrained from this kind of ¡°upholding justice¡± business to reach their current status.


    For her, such small affairs of the Ren Family were not of concern.


    To her, having children was currently the top priority!


    After discussing the Ren Family matters, Dong Miaozhen flipped her hand, revealing a jade scroll, which she then handed to her husband.


    ¡°This is the ¡®Shared Intelligence¡¯ just delivered by Weaving Net. Take a look, husband!¡±


    Zhao Sheng took the jade scroll and casually asked, ¡°Is there anything in particular to note?¡±


    Dong Miaozhen shook her head and replied, ¡°Not really, the only thing to note is the Great Demon King Zhu Sanju, who recently slaughtered another Golden Core Family.¡±


    ¡°¡­ True Immortal Zhen Ci from the Purple Sun Sect failed to advance to Nascent Soul and perished under the Heavenly Tribulation¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ A sudden riot broke out in the black market of Pocket World City, resulting in heavy casualties and looting of numerous shops, preliminarily judged to involve five Golden Core practitioners from the Northern Cold Continent¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ Continuous rioting of zombies and spirits at the Heavenly Burial Plain, showing signs of a zombie wave¡­ Note: the sealing between the two realms has inexplicably loosened, investigation into the cause of loosening is underway¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ The latest generation of walkers from the Supreme Sensing Sect have been spotted in the Southern Border area, passing through¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ The Demon Queen Lady Huan Die has once again escaped from the forbidden land of the Beast Taming Sect, her whereabouts currently unknown¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng browsed through the hundreds of pieces of intelligence recorded on the jade scroll and quickly familiarized himself with the major events of the Central Continent in the past month.


    Weaving Net, crafted over ten thousand years by the Dong family, truly was a magical net that enveloped the entirety of Central Continent.


    Seeing that her husband had finished with the jade scroll, Dong Miaozhen continued, ¡°The Mercury Crystal Marrow has been located, but the quantity is small, only three ounces. The seller only wants Foundation Establishment Pills, at least of Mid-grade.¡±


    ¡°Not expensive, just give him one.¡±


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng took out a pill bottle from his storage bag and handed it to his wife.


    ¡°Three days, the Mercury Crystal Marrow will definitely arrive,¡± Dong Miaozhen said concisely as she accepted the pill bottle.


    Zhao Sheng nodded happily.


    After multiple verifications over the past few months, he was very aware of how formidable Weaving Net was.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng also adhered to the rules and had not tried to delve into the secrets of Weaving Net after his marriage.


    ¡°Husband, the family has already sent the Thunder Protection Shuttle. When will Ancestor Xuanjing come back to retrieve it?¡±


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately said, ¡°That¡¯s great, I¡¯ll notify the ancestor right away, and he will return from the Ksitigarbha Sect to Xinglong City immediately.¡±


    In the Central Continent, there were many kinds of Avoid Tribulation Secret Skills, but the Thunder Protection Shuttle was an exceptionally magical Avoiding Tribulation Treasure that could neutralize any single bolt of heavenly lightning, even during the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation.


    Now, as the Mountain Dragon faced imminent tribulation, this Thunder Protection Shuttle was a life-saving treasure.


    ¡­


    Time flowed like water, trickling towards the future.


    Three days later, Zhao Xuanjing secretly returned to Xinglong City.


    Then, half a year later, on a certain day, sudden vernal thunderbolts struck a marsh to the northwest of Xinglong Origin, continuing for half an hour.


    Another month passed, and suddenly a grand celebration was held in Xinglong City,


    In the same month, Dong Miaozhen suddenly missed her monthly letter, followed by the joyful news that the young madam was pregnant.


    The entire Zhao Mansion was overjoyed, and the Zhao Family Elders were exceptionally happy as well.


    Meanwhile, the plan to divide the Ren Family was also progressing smoothly under the manipulation of the elder council.


    ¡­


    After ten months of pregnancy, a baby was born, a boy weighing nine pounds.


    In his great joy, Zhao Sheng named his eldest son Zhao Huaying.


    During the full moon feast, two Golden Core Ancestors of the Zhao family unexpectedly appeared at Zhao Mansion, shocking the entire family.


    That day, Zhao Sheng assumed the position of head of the Shen Character Lineage, led the Immortal Martial Hall, and also held the position of Vice Mountain Master at the Dragon Carp Academy.


    A year later, the time to divide the Ren Family was ripe.


    One quiet night, Zhao Sheng changed his appearance and stealthily flew out of Xinglong City.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, in a nameless valley, a battle was reaching its conclusion.


    Boom!


    The Mid Grade Spirit Artifact, Roaring Tiger Spear, turned into a streak of black lightning, ferociously stabbing into someone, immediately bursting forth with sharp black light that spread across the body.


    Ren Zidong had just shown a look of excitement when his face suddenly stiffened.


    In his full-powered strike, the mysterious enemy dressed in black robes and wearing a Taotie mask had only stepped back one step, and the spear only broke a layer of the skin at the belly.


    At that moment, a hand suddenly grabbed the shaft of the spear, Ren Zidong¡¯s pupils shrank violently, and his Divine Sense burst forth in full force, trying to control the Roaring Tiger Spear to fly back.


    However, no matter how he tried to drive it, the Roaring Tiger Spear continuously burst forth sharp black light, but that hand, like a vise, firmly grasped it.


    In an instant, a layer of Purple Gold Spirit Fire suddenly spread from the palm to the Roaring Tiger Spear, quickly engulfing it.


    Zhao Sheng looked leisurely at Ren Zidong, who had turned pale across from him, as the Purple Gold Spiritual Power inside him surged into a massive wave of Purple Gold Spirit Fire.


    Whoo!


    A breath later, a mournful cry emitted from the Roaring Tiger Spear, Ren Zidong¡¯s complexion drastically changed as he suddenly completely lost sensation with his Lifebound Spirit Artifact.


    Seeing this, Ren Zidong did not dare to utter a harsh word, he turned around and madly fled towards the distance.


    ¡°You won¡¯t escape!¡±


    Behind the Taotie mask, Zhao Sheng slightly smiled, and his entire person abruptly vanished.


    The next instant,


    A blood-soaked, fair-skinned arm violently burst forth from Ren Zidong¡¯s abdomen.


    At this moment, one could clearly see the skin, sliced open by the black light, rapidly healing.

 Chapter 328 - 250 What a Big Son

    Chapter 328: Chapter 250 What a Big Son


    ¡°¡­Spare¡­ Spare my life!¡±


    Ren Zidong¡¯s body suddenly became immobilized, his internal organs being consumed by a massive spirit flame, while he, with a face full of despair, attempted to beg for mercy from his enemies.


    But before he could finish speaking, from the inside out, he burst into flames and was devoured by the Purple Gold Spirit Fire in the blink of an eye, then burned up into a pile of flying ash.


    Zhao Sheng slowly retracted his arm, his exposed skin pale and delicate, showing not a single trace of body refinement.


    It was known that just two years ago, Zhao Sheng had been skinny all over, his skin sallow, looking like a sick tiger.


    Now, apart from appearing somewhat thin, Zhao Sheng¡¯s skin was even whiter than a woman¡¯s, his face had filled out, his features had become more defined, making him look much more handsome,


    compared to two years ago, he was virtually a different person.


    All these changes could be attributed to ¡°Immortal Golden Body.¡±


    This technique involved five major body refinement areas: ¡°skin, flesh, tendons, bones, blood.¡±


    After gathering Geng Metal, Moon Flowing Silver, Nine Returns Iron, Mercury Crystal Marrow, and Ice and Fire Copper, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body refinement advanced by leaps and bounds.


    While melting the Moon Flowing Silver into his skin, his skin gradually turned from yellow to white. At the same time, his muscular flesh also caused his body to gradually fill out.


    Over two years, even though he hadn¡¯t fully mastered Immortal Golden Body to Small Success, Zhao Sheng had transformed into this current look.


    It¡¯s undeniable, humans are visual creatures.


    Ever since his drastic change in appearance, his wife treated him more tenderly, and even his son grew closer to him.


    Zhao Sheng collected Ren Zidong¡¯s Spiritual Artifact and Storage Bag into his hands.


    At this moment, a fierce, black-clad, faceless person suddenly flew in from afar.


    This person knelt on one knee, fist held to the chest, and said respectfully, ¡°My lord, the remaining members of the Ren Family have all been strangled. What are your instructions for the next move?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked at his subordinate and commanded, ¡°After destroying the corpses and erasing the evidence, follow me to attack the Ren Family¡¯s stronghold.¡±


    To ensure not a single survivor was left, he had directly mobilized the entire Dark Department under his command.


    ¡°As you command, my lord!¡±


    Shortly after, twenty-two Dark Department agents, like a swarm of black bats, silently departed the valley and flew into the deep, dark night.


    ¡­


    Three days later, the night was pitch black, the wind high, vision so obscured that one could not see their hand before them.


    Yet below Qingsong Ridge, the Ren Family¡¯s stronghold was a blaze of lights and echoed with bursts of shouting and piercing screams.


    At that moment, a merciless slaughter was reaching its finale.


    When the two Foundation Establishment Elders from the Ren Family unexpectedly disappeared without a trace one after another, leaving only the solitary Foundation Establishment Family Head, it was inevitable that he would be overwhelmed.


    Therefore, facing the sudden assault, the Ren Family was caught off guard and could not muster an organized resistance; they were simply swept away overwhelmingly.


    Step, step! S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A skinny figure wearing a Taotie mask stepped through puddles of blood, walking towards the Ren Family¡¯s ancestral hall.


    He periodically heard the dying moans, pleas for mercy, and desperate roars of people around him.


    In the hall, rows of ancestral tablets had already fallen to the ground, chaotically laying about.


    An old man with white hair and feeble skin glared with wide eyes, half-leaning, half-sitting in front of the hall¡¯s offering table. A gaping hole marred his chest, clearly without breath anymore.


    Next to him stood a smug-looking old man with a red face, his robe embroidered with three rugged mountain peaks.


    When this man saw Zhao Sheng enter, he immediately came forward with a smile, bowed, and said, ¡°Taotie, you¡¯ve arrived a step too late. The old man of the Ren Family has already died by my hand. According to the rules we set beforehand, my Three Mountains Dao can claim an extra ten percent of the Ren Family¡¯s inheritance.¡±


    ¡°Master He, rest assured. With me here, no one will dare to cheat your Three Mountains Dao of its merit,¡± Zhao Sheng said flatly.


    ¡°With your word, Taotie, this old man can finally rest easy. Haha!¡±


    After his hearty laugh, the red-faced old man suddenly slid a Mystic Iron Box from his sleeve, his expression ingratiating as he presented it before Zhao Sheng, saying with a smile, ¡°A small gift, please accept it with a smile!¡±


    Zhao Sheng casually opened the box and saw a bun-sized, black iron ball inside, surprisingly connected to a spiritual energy vortex.


    The spiritual energy vortex was clearly visible, slowly rotating and continuously absorbing the external spiritual energy, pouring it into the iron ball.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly snapped the lid shut with force, piercingly looking towards the red-faced old man, and abruptly asked, ¡°Iron Mother, such a treasure, you¡¯re willing to part with it?¡±


    ¡°As long as you, Taotie, can look after Three Mountains Dao a bit more in the future. This piece of Iron Mother, I willingly gift it,¡± the red-faced old man earnestly answered.


    Zhao Sheng looked deeply at this man, silently accepting the iron box.


    Meanwhile, he secretly decided that he must investigate how his identity had been leaked once he returned.


    The so-called Iron Mother is a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure produced only from large Mystic Iron Ore deposits, even rarer than Nine Returns Iron.


    Simply placing an Iron Mother into an ordinary iron mine, through years of transformation and infusion, the ordinary iron mine would gradually transform into a Mystic Iron Ore deposit.


    For any force, a constantly producing Mystic Iron mine is akin to an inexhaustible treasure trove.


    The audacity of this Master He from Three Mountains Dao to give away such a treasure, although partly intended as a generous offering to win favor, was indeed astonishing.


    Half a month later, under Zhao Sheng¡¯s leadership, the Ren Family¡¯s territory was divided among three forces, and the Zhao Family smoothly took over the Mystic Iron Ore deposit.


    Once this was settled, Zhao Sheng could no longer suppress his homesickness and, leaving the Dark Department behind, he raced back to Xinglong City alone like lightning.


    In just three days, he flew thousands of miles, dusty and weary as he returned home.

 Chapter 329 - 250 Hao Daer_2

    Chapter 329: Chapter 250 Hao Da¡¯er_2


    Zhao Sheng had just landed in a garden when he heard urgent shouts coming from beyond the courtyard wall.


    ¡°Young Master, slow down, please be very careful!¡±


    ¡°Ouch, that hurts! Young Master, please let go!¡±


    Hearing these voices, Zhao Sheng chuckled to himself and instantly released his Divine Sense to investigate.


    At the same time, his figure flashed and suddenly disappeared from sight.


    In an instant,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure appeared at the entrance of the garden, just in time to see a small figure whirl out from around the corner, leaping like a cannonball and charging straight toward the garden entrance.


    Zhao Sheng reacted quickly, embracing the little one who was flying toward him.


    Bang!


    At that moment, a tender fist slammed abruptly into his chin, emitting a dull thud, startlingly powerful, unimaginable for a baby barely a year old.


    ¡°You little rascal, even daring to hit your dad! It looks like I won¡¯t get anywhere unless I spank you.¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng lifted his son high with one hand and with an all-too-skilled smack, landed it on the child¡¯s plump bottom.


    Zhao Huaying was sturdy and robust, resembling a three-foot-tall one-year-old who looked more like a four or five-year-old child.


    His big black eyes stared blankly at his own father, his face full of confusion, seemingly forgetting who his father was.


    Just then, three gasping and fetching maids hurried over from the side of the courtyard wall.


    ¡°My lord, peace be with you!¡±


    The sight of Zhao Sheng shocked them pale, and they hastily bent to pay their respects.


    ¡°No need for formalities,¡± Zhao Sheng said, waving his hand.


    ¡°Are you my dad?¡±


    As if waking from a dream, Zhao Huaying instantly clung to Zhao Sheng¡¯s arm, crying out loud, ¡°Dad, why did you only come back now? Mom wants to beat Ying¡¯er to death. You have to save Ying¡¯er!¡±


    ¡°Have you been causing trouble again? Otherwise, why would your mom bear to hit you?¡±


    ¡°Ying¡¯er didn¡¯t! Those runes are too hard to learn, Ying¡¯er just can¡¯t remember them. Humph, and Mom hit me for it.¡± Zhao Huaying said, sounding extremely aggrieved.


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback by the words; his child was only a bit over a year old, and his wife was already¡­ so eager to see her son succeed!


    The physical development and mental faculties of a one-year-old baby were comparable to those of a three or four-year-old child, which filled Zhao Sheng with joy but also some bafflement.


    His son, without a doubt, had also inherited the Barbaric Ancient Battle Body bloodline.


    But unlike him, his son had all the strengths of the bloodline, with none of the weaknesses he had inherited.


    There was no yellowing skin or emaciation; instead, his growth was frighteningly fast, and he was not only incredibly healthy but also had an overwhelming amount of energy.


    A normal one-year-old child needed to sleep at least eight hours a day, but Zhao Huaying needed only four, spending the rest of his time causing mischief and exhibiting curiosity stronger than a cat¡¯s.


    If Zhao Sheng, as the first generation with the Barbaric Ancient Battle Body, was still somewhat ¡°maladapted¡± to the Tianzhu Realm, then the bloodline seemed to have undergone an adaptive mutation in his second-generation son, Zhao Huaying, who seemed to have already adjusted to the environment of the Tianzhu Realm.


    However, the bloodline trait of ¡°Fighting Heaven and Earth, the Barbaric Ancient knows no master!¡± was also beginning to manifest in his son.


    Zhao Huaying was naturally hot-tempered, restless, combative, impatient, and sometimes stubborn, already showing signs of a Frenzied Warrior.


    ¡°Dad, can you¡­ can you give Mom a spanking too? Just like how you spank Ying¡¯er¡¯s bottom, also spank hers.¡±


    The innocently proposing Zhao Huaying wriggled incessantly while kicking around in Zhao Sheng¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Oh, Ying¡¯er, heaven is big, earth is big, but your mom is the biggest! Your dad can¡¯t afford to provoke her!


    Come on, let me take you to appeal to your mom.¡±


    Zhao Sheng carried his son with one arm and strode like a shooting star toward the inner courtyard.


    ¡­


    Fifteen years later, in the Gravity Room in the Dui District of Xinglong City, underground.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    A series of terrifying booms continued to explode from the Gravity Room.


    A first-rank top-grade Spirit Puppet, over ten feet tall and entirely dark in color, was swinging its Mystic Iron arms like two massive clubs, madly sweeping and striking at a nimble and agile figure, creating a series of afterimages with its lightning-fast speed, each blow weighing as heavy as ten thousand pounds.


    Not far away, Zhao Sheng stood side by side with the giant-like Zhao Xuanjing, both of them wearing smiles as they watched the darting figure.


    ¡°How is it?¡±


    ¡°Not bad, really good, extraordinary Talent! Just like you, a Body Refinement prodigy, one in ten thousand.¡± Zhao Xuanjing couldn¡¯t help but express his admiration.


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but suggest, ¡°Ancestor, Ying¡¯er is too hot-tempered, going to the Ksitigarbha Sect so young, she might stir up trouble. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to go a few years later?¡±


    ¡°Sixteen is just right. If we wait any longer, the spot will go to someone else. Besides, with me around, even if Ying¡¯er causes big trouble, I can cover it,¡± said Zhao Xuanjing proudly.


    A Half-step Nascent Soul not being able to protect his own family would indeed be a huge joke.


    Hearing Zhao Xuanjing say this, Zhao Sheng had no choice but to nod helplessly, then suddenly shouted towards his son, ¡°Ying¡¯er, you can fight back now.¡±


    ¡°Alright, Dad, watch this!¡± Zhao Huaying shouted excitedly, ¡°Here I go!¡±


    As soon as the words fell, his figure instantly disappeared from sight, followed by an even more frantic and intense roaring sound coming from the Spirit Puppet.


    In an instant, the Spirit Puppet was struck into disarray, the tough Mystic Iron Armor riddled with numerous deep Fist Seals in the blink of an eye.


    The next second, there was a loud bang.


    The Spirit Puppet was violently kicked high into the air, rapidly lifted off the ground; then, like a punching bag, it was subjected to Zhao Huaying¡¯s fierce and crazy barrage of punches and kicks, virtually defenseless.


    In just a few minutes, the well-made Mystic Iron Spirit Puppet was torn apart by Zhao Huaying, twisted and contorted into a pile of scrap iron.


    After finishing, Zhao Huaying, feeling light and relaxed, walked up to his father and great Ancestor, boasting with a triumphant face, ¡°Dad, Ancestor, I was impressive, wasn¡¯t I?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, who couldn¡¯t stand his son being too arrogant and reckless, immediately scolded, ¡°Impressive my ass, I could make you cry for your mama with just one hand.¡±


    Sixteen-year-old Zhao Huaying was extraordinarily handsome, with dragon-like brows and phoenix-like eyes, brimming with a heroic spirit. Not only was he physically strong, with muscles like cords, resembling a tiger, but he was also over nine feet tall, easily looking down on his dad who was only seven feet tall.


    ¡°Dad, if you were my age, you wouldn¡¯t even compare to me. Right, Ancestor?¡± Zhao Huaying said defiantly, turning his head to Zhao Xuanjing.


    Zhao Xuanjing patted Zhao Huaying¡¯s head and nodded with a kind smile, ¡°Ying¡¯er is right. Your dad at sixteen was nothing to look at, scrawny, just skin and Bones, you¡¯re far better than he was back then.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Huaying proudly said, ¡°Dad, you see, even Ancestor agrees with me.¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head silently, thinking, ¡°Ying¡¯er is a bit dull. Xuanjing was talking about looks and didn¡¯t mention strength at all. Isn¡¯t the meaning of his words clear enough?


    If he goes to the Ksitigarbha Sect, I hope he won¡¯t be easily duped.¡±


    With this in mind, Zhao Sheng suddenly asked, ¡°Ying¡¯er, Ancestor wants to take you to the Ksitigarbha Sect for cultivation, do you want to go? If not, I¡¯ll¡ª¡±


    Before he could finish, his eldest son¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up, he nodded like a pecking chicken, and shouted excitedly, ¡°I want to, I really want to! Ancestor, when do we leave?¡±


    Zhao Huaying had long wished to break free from his parents¡¯ discipline and restraints; upon hearing the opportunity to leave Xinglong City, his heart immediately overflowed with excitement, not caring for his parents¡¯ feelings.


    Fine then!


    Seeing his son¡¯s eagerness, Zhao Sheng glared at him fiercely and resigned himself to no longer persuade.


    A son¡¯s growth is beyond a father¡¯s control, after all!


    ¡­


    After returning to the inner residence, Zhao Sheng told his wife everything,


    Dong Miaozhen, despite being pregnant, became very upset and wanted to confront Ancestor Zhao.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng took his wife into his arms, coaxed her gently, and with great effort explained the notions that overprotective mothers could spoil their children and that for the sake of Ying¡¯er¡¯s future, it was for the best the eldest son departed and the second son would soon be born, barely managing to persuade Dong Miaozhen.


    It¡¯s quite interesting, really.


    When their son was young, Mr. and Mrs. Zhao played the roles of a strict mother and a kind father.


    As Zhao Huaying grew up and caused more and more trouble, the roles of Zhao Sheng and his wife swiftly switched to a strict father and a doting mother.


    The more trouble Zhao Huaying got into, the more Dong Miaozhen indulged him.


    In matters of child-rearing, she was nothing like the skillful Weaver cultivated carefully by the Dong family.


    A month later, Dong Miaozhen successfully gave birth to a second son, named Zhao Huaxiong.


    On the third day, the eldest son, Zhao Huaying, taking most of Zhao Mansion¡¯s riches, followed Patriarch Zhao and left Xinglong City for the unknown and mysterious Ksitigarbha Sect.


    This departure would last for twenty years.

 Chapter 330 - 251: What Heavenly Dao Favors, Prospers in Every Endeavor

    Chapter 330: Chapter 251: What Heavenly Dao Favors, Prospers in Every Endeavor


    Over twenty years, numerous significant events had taken place within the Xinglong Zhao family.


    The eldest son had just left for three months when Ancestor Zhao Dingguang, who had struggled for over a decade, finally passed away of natural causes on an early autumn day, sitting down at the ninth floor of the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower.


    Within half a year, the Family Head, Zhao Dexuan, due to his advanced age, was unable to manage the increasingly burdensome family affairs and had no choice but to abdicate in favor of a more capable leader.


    The new head came from the Li Character Lineage, named Zhao Debang, with cultivation at the Seventh Layer of Foundation Establishment. Known for his astuteness, effectiveness, and impartiality, he won the hearts of people from all eight branches and ultimately assumed the role of the twenty-third head of the Zhao family at the age of one hundred thirty.


    Because of the consecutive losses of two Golden Core Ancestors and the old family head stepping down,


    At this time, Ancestor Zhao Xuanjing was assigned a highly confidential mission by the sect, and all news from him ceased.


    For a while, the Xinglong Zhao family was in a state of panic, their power unstable, attracting covetous eyes from surrounding forces.


    At this critical moment, Zhao Sheng stood out, traveling to all the surrounding forces within a single month and challenging many Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the name of sparring.


    A hundred battles in a month, not one defeat!


    In the final battle, Zhao Sheng miraculously held on against the joint assault of two at the Perfection of Foundation Establishment and ultimately drew even.


    From then on, Zhao Sheng¡¯s fame skyrocketed.


    In just one month, the name ¡°Mad Dragon¡± of the Zhao family had spread across ten thousand miles. This also stabilized the Zhao family¡¯s morale while warding off many with ill-intentions.


    Two years later, Zhao Xuanjing safely returned, and his presence immediately stabilized the Zhao family like Mount Tai.


    Under the leadership of the new head, the Xinglong Zhao family proceeded in an orderly fashion to grow stronger, their influence becoming more formidable each year. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the twelfth year, the Zhao family discovered a medium-sized spirit stone mine about two thousand miles north of the Xinglong Origin in a river valley underground.


    Since the spirit stone mine was located at the border between two powers, the Zhao family engaged in cordial and friendly negotiations with the neighboring Shushan Temple, eventually emerging slightly victorious and acquiring the spirit stone mine for themselves.


    With this spirit stone mine, the income of the Zhao family greatly increased, rapidly improving their financial situation and barely maintaining a balance between income and expenses.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng, having been the ¡°face¡± for over twenty years, finally retired from his success and handed over the ¡°face¡± role to the next chosen candidate.


    Thenceforth, he secluded himself in the city, keeping a low profile while teaching his son and quietly engaging in harsh cultivation.


    As Zhao Huaxiong, the second son, slowly grew up, Zhao Sheng¡¯s cultivation level also rapidly improved,


    Twenty years later, during the bitter winter, Zhao Sheng reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment at the ¡°ripe¡± age of sixty.


    ¡­


    ¡°The corpse tide in the Heavenly Burial Plain has been quelled again, but sixty-two Cultivation Forces have been tragically annihilated, turning a nearby area of five thousand li into a realm of ghosts and specters, with billions dead or injured.¡±


    ¡°¡­The seals between the two realms have significantly loosened once more, and the Supreme Sensing Sect has already determined the cause¡­ A once-in-ten-thousand-years Nine Stars Alignment will occur thirty years from now, at which time the cracks between the realms will be torn open by the Power of Space-Time, reconnecting the Tianzhu Realm with the Netherworld Ghost Realm.¡±


    ¡°¡­The Supreme Sensing Sect, together with the other nine major sects, is urgently convening top powers from the Five Continents and Four Seas to discuss countermeasures¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­Affected by the Power of Space-Time, the legacy Grotto Heavens of the Tianzhu Realm have frequently emerged lately. In the past month alone, two Nascent Soul Mansions have been discovered by Loose Cultivators at Heavenly Pillar Mountain¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­The various sects in the Cultivation World are widely opening their doors, with Purple Sun Sect opening its gates next March on the fifth, Elixir Cauldron Sect hosting an Alchemy Master Association next May fifteenth, gathering Loose Pill Masters¡­ In November, the Beast Taming Sect successfully captured a Sixth-Level Golden Hou¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­Prices for Elixir Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, and talismans have generally risen, recommending stockpiling Spiritual Medicine and refining materials¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng slowly put down the Jade Scroll of information in his hand, his expression very solemn.


    He hesitated for a moment, then turned to the graceful Dong Miaozhen beside him and suggested, ¡°My wife, Xiong¡¯er is already twenty years old. Shouldn¡¯t we also consider having him join the Ksitigarbha Sect?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Dong Miaozhen furrowed her brows and responded coldly: ¡°Isn¡¯t Ying¡¯er enough? Why must Xiong¡¯er also join the Ksitigarbha Sect? What is Ancestor thinking?¡±


    Zhao Sheng reasoned: ¡°The Ancestor is also looking out for our best interest. The situation at the Heavenly Burial Plain is escalating. Once the Nine Stars Align and the Netherworld Ghost Realm invades again, it won¡¯t be a minor skirmish like ten thousand years ago. It might well be another devastating war between the two realms.


    Think about it, when a war between the two realms erupts, it will certainly result in immense suffering and loss of lives. At that time, aside from the Vast Sect¡¯s Sky-reaching Ship, where is the safest place in the Tianzhu Realm? It¡¯s the gate of the Ksitigarbha Sect!¡±


    Hearing her husband¡¯s explanation, Dong Miaozhen had an epiphany and immediately changed her attitude: ¡°If that¡¯s the case, the sooner Xiong¡¯er joins the Ksitigarbha Sect, the better. If we¡¯ve thought of this, other families have too. If we delay, I fear Ksitigarbha Sect might be overcrowded and unwilling to accept Xiong¡¯er.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! The Ancestor is here!¡±


    ¡­


    Ten days later, Zhao Sheng and his wife, Dong Miaozhen, watched as their second son, Zhao Huaxiong, ascended to the skies with Zhao Xuanjing.


    In an instant, both figures disappeared behind the Cloud Sea.


    Gazing at the part of the Cloud Sea where her son had vanished, Dong Miaozhen¡¯s eyes were moist, while Zhao Sheng slowly withdrew his gaze and clenched the gold medal in his hand.


    Before leaving, Zhao Xuanjing had bestowed the Ancestor¡¯s gold medal upon him.


    This Ancestor¡¯s gold medal represented the highest authority. Holding the gold medal was as if the Ancestor himself were present.


    Additionally, Zhao Xuanjing had entrusted him with several important tasks.


    The first task was¡­


    Five days later, at the Unity Hall on the eighth floor of the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower, a massive ebony round table over thirty feet in diameter was placed at the center of the main hall.


    Thirty-three elders of the Eight Branches sat around the round table, neatly arrayed by their affiliations.

 Chapter 331 - 251 Favored by the Heavenly Dao, Everything Prospers_2

    Chapter 331: Chapter 251 Favored by the Heavenly Dao, Everything Prospers_2


    At this moment, the atmosphere in Unity Hall seemed unusually agitated, with some people¡¯s faces carrying a hint of fire qi, clearly having just had a heated argument.


    ¡°Heavenly Burial Plain is 108,000 miles away from us. I do not agree that our family should get involved in such a significant affair,¡± one protested.


    ¡°Yes! In matters like an interdimensional war, others would run to avoid it, so why must the Zhao Family rush headlong into it? Are the lives of our clan members not lives? Qingyang, what are your thoughts?¡±


    The two Foundation Establishment Elders voiced their doubts one after another, and a portion of the elders also showed signs of agreement.


    The Family Head with a distinctive face, Zhao Debang, turned his gaze towards Zhao Sheng, who was silent, and asked with a heavy tone, ¡°Qingyang, this proposal came from you. By right, you should also express your opinions. Everyone has spoken; now it¡¯s your turn.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes gleamed as his gaze swept across faces filled with depth, dissatisfaction, resentment, anticipation, and passion.


    After looking, he generally had a plan in mind, and thus he slowly began to speak, ¡°What I suggested was for our clan members to train in batches in the Heavenly Burial Plain in the future, but I never stated that the family must involve itself in the war between the two realms.


    And why send clan members to train in the Heavenly Burial Plain? The reason, I presume, everyone understands, is nothing but to prepare for a rainy day.


    Moreover, do not assume that just because Xinglong Origin is separated from Heavenly Burial Plain by a thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers, that this matter has nothing to do with our family.


    Little do we realize that without long-term concerns, there will be immediate worries.


    Even if the two places are far apart, after all, they are on the same continent.


    If an interdimensional war breaks out and, by chance, our side is at a disadvantage, leading to the spread of war to the Southern Border, our clan must not remain uninvolved.


    Being prepared a day early is a million times better than panicking and seeking help when disaster strikes.¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng observed the expressions of the other elders, noting that some were visibly moved and began to change their stance, though a small number of elders still held to their own views.


    ¡°Family Head, do you find the proposal for training feasible?¡± Zhao Sheng felt dissatisfied and, in the end, deliberately challenged Zhao Debang.


    He did not believe that Zhao Debang had not previously received a hint from Patriarch Zhao.


    Zhao Debang clearly should have been supporting this proposal vigorously, but instead, his attitude was now ambiguous and evasive.


    Zhao Sheng felt that although this person was astute and capable, his desire for power was too intense. To monopolize family power, he dared to exploit such an important matter, truly a case where desire for power had clouded his judgment.


    After listening, Zhao Debang¡¯s face twitched involuntarily, and then he slowly nodded, ¡°I also agree with the idea of training. However, considering the peril of the Heavenly Burial Plain, and to reduce the death and injury of clan members, I suggest that the first batch should be led by an elder of formidable strength.¡±


    Saying this, he looked toward Zhao Sheng and gently suggested, ¡°Qingyang, how about you take charge of this task personally?¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head, ¡°Family Head, I am sorry! I will soon be going to Heavenly Pillar Mountain, and will stay there for at least half a year. I cannot afford to go to the Heavenly Burial Plain.


    Um, it is a direct order from the Ancestor.¡±


    Upon the end of his statement, seven or eight elders, who were both venerable and virtuous, suddenly appeared contemplative, as if they had thought of something.


    ¡°Heh, the affairs of Heavenly Pillar Mountain are more pressing, I¡¯ll choose someone else. It¡¯s about time!¡± Zhao Debang, having met with failure, could only laugh it off and change the subject.


    With the support of the Family Head, the majority of the Foundation Establishment elders turned to agree with Zhao Sheng¡¯s suggestion.


    An hour later, after a detailed and meticulous discussion, the Zhao Family finally settled on the matter of sending clan members to train in the Heavenly Burial Plain.


    In reality, only a handful of people within the entire Xinglong Zhao family knew the profound impact the training would have on the Zhao Family¡¯s future.


    On the surface, the war between the two realms seemed to be a global conflict involving billions of beings from both the Tianzhu Realm and the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    But in essence, it was also an external manifestation of two worlds attempting to devour each other.


    If we liken worlds to living beings with an instinct to evolve, then naturally, worlds have this instinct as well.


    The Universe World is generally divided into the Death Realm, Constant Sand World, Spirit Realm, and the legendary Immortal Realm, forming four distinct realms.


    For the Constant Sand World to ascend to the Spirit Realm, the quickest route is to devour other worlds, to sacrifice everything from the enemy and finally to transform it into nourishment for its own evolution.


    So from this perspective, the war between the two realms can be said to be a fight to the death between two worlds.


    Perhaps this struggle could last for billions of years, and who knows how many interdimensional wars it will take before a final victor emerges.


    Because the time scale was too long, it was meaningless for the Xinglong Zhao family.


    Zhao Sheng only cared about this inter-world war.


    There is a saying, ¡°When the heavens unleash killing intent, stars move and lodgings change; when the earth unleashes killing intent, dragons and snakes arise from the land; when humans unleash killing intent, heaven and earth revolve incessantly.¡±


    Though the Heavenly Dao is supremely impartial and regards all creations as mere straw dogs, during the inter-world war, heaven and earth also unleash their ¡°killing intent¡±.


    Once the Heavenly Dao is enraged, the world will be in endless turmoil, creating chaos in the divine secrets, dragons and snakes will arise from the land, numerous individuals and forces will seize the opportunity to rise, and countless powerhouses and forces will perish in a short period of time.


    The reason for this is that the matter is related to the concept of the Innate Five Fortunes and Five Virtues.


    The Innate Five Fortunes, which accompany the birth of the Five Virtues, one fortune restrains one virtue and vice versa.


    The Five Fortunes are Qi Fortune, Killing Destiny, Cutting Destiny, End of Fortune, and Tribulation Fate.


    The Five Virtues are also divided into Saintly Virtue, Yin Virtue, Blessings, Merit, and Moral Virtue.


    For now, let us not dwell on the cyclical generation and overcoming relationships between the Five Fortunes and the Five Virtues.


    As soon as an inter-world war begins, the Heavenly Dao will actively descend the Innate Virtue onto those who have made significant contributions to their own world.


    If the Human Clan forces of Tianzhu Realm can defeat the invaders and counterattack the Netherworld Ghost Realm, let alone plunder the enemy¡¯s world, one can imagine just how ¡°pleased¡± their own Heavenly Dao would be.


    Saints have said: Wherever the Heavenly Dao focuses, prosperity follows!


    Why does the Vast Sect spare no effort in piloting the Sky-reaching Cloud Ship, painstakingly shattering meteorites from beyond the sky, and blocking outsiders who intrude into this realm without permission?


    Why has the Ksitigarbha Sect diligently arranged the Earth Veins for ten thousand years?


    Why does the Supreme Sensing Sect always emerge in chaotic times to save the masses, and why do they always have insight into the divine secrets? S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    How were the clans of Heavenly Destiny of Tianzhu Realm born?


    When these questions are viewed in connection with the Heavenly Dao, one cannot help but have a moment of sudden realization.


    When the Heavenly Dao favors a person or a group, the great benefits that follow naturally need not be said.


    Zhao Xuanjing, before he left, had specifically entrusted Zhao Sheng with this matter, and the implications were self-evident.


    Additionally, the reason Zhao Sheng was privy to such highly secretive information was twofold: one was that he had married an excellent wife, and the other was Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s unique status in the Ksitigarbha Sect, which allowed him to read these secrets from top-secret scrolls.


    Zhao Sheng also learned that among the Ten Great Sects of Central Continent, the Purple Sun Sect, Sky-splitting Sword Dao, and the Immortal Device Sect were the three that had repeated merits in the inter-world war ten thousand years ago, which allowed them to stand out after the war and eventually grow into the colossal entities that they are today.


    ¡­


    A month later, when the first group of fifteen Qi Refining Clan members, led by a Foundation Establishment Late Stage elder, set off for the Heavenly Burial Plain, Zhao Sheng also bid farewell to his wife and quietly left Xinglong City.


    The Elixir Cauldron Sect was about six thousand miles from Xinglong Origin, and it took Zhao Sheng three days to reach Nine Tripods Square.


    After waiting another two days, he disguised himself as an ordinary Loose Cultivator and boarded the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat.


    Moments later, the gigantic silvery-white cloud boat silently ascended into the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere and then sped off towards the heavens.


    Twenty days later, almost nine hundred years having passed, Zhao Sheng once again saw the Heavenly Pillar Mountain, known as the ¡°Central Pillar of Heaven¡±.


    Standing on the deck, he gazed from afar, only to see a giant peak piercing the sky above the vast Cloud Sea, like a pillar holding up the heavens, with its upper half disappearing into a higher layer of the Cloud Sea; its majestic grandeur defied description in words.


    In an instant, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat approached Heavenly Pillar Mountain, and suddenly all one could see were the steep and sheer cliffs in front of them, filling their line of sight. Looking around, the earthen and stony cliff faces stretched endlessly to the left and right, their ends invisible to the eye.


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain was so vast that the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat seemed like it would crash into it the next moment, and immediately a sense of intense suffocation overcame everyone.


    Fortunately, in the next second, the Mountain Shifting Cloud Boat dipped its bow and quickly flew downward, disappearing into the Cloud Sea in an instant.


    After merely two breaths, as the dense Cloud Sea passed, the green and yellow land below instantly came into view, bringing relief to everyone¡¯s hearts.


    A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng flew out of the cloud boat, turned into a streak of light, and directly entered the vast Heavenly Pillar Cave not far away.

 Chapter 335 - 253 Space Rift and Stele

    Chapter 335: Chapter 253 Space Rift and Stele


    Half a moment later, Zhao Sheng reached the edge of the white mist.


    The white mist seemed ordinary, but once Divine Sense probed into it, it was as if it was devoured, unable to send back even a shred of information.


    He thought for a while before suddenly flashing to a recessed ice surface three miles away, concealing his breath and figure.


    One day swiftly passed, and Zhao Sheng personally witnessed three Foundation Establishment Cultivators arriving one after another, and plunging into the white mist without hesitation.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng no longer hesitated. After preparing all sorts of defenses, he plunged headfirst into the mist.


    As the world spun around him, the white fog dissipated, and Zhao Sheng suddenly found himself in front of a stone room that had collapsed for the most part, with chaos all around, and a wall strewn with rubble next to which wild grasses grew as tall as half a person.


    In front and to the sides, a bit further away, there was actually a series of low hills.


    The rolling hills were dotted with a few ruins, and at the end of his sight stood an imposing palace.


    Looking up, there were vast expanses of dull-yellow earth and rock.


    This place should be a super-large cave within Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    Such ancient ruins had appeared in Heavenly Pillar Mountain before, and they often signified tremendous danger, as well as harboring unknown treasures.


    Because such super-large caves could only be created within Heavenly Pillar Mountain by beings above the Nascent Soul level during the ancient times.


    Facing the unknown mysterious ruins, Zhao Sheng did not dare to fly carelessly, and instead chose to skim close to the ground, which was still quite fast.


    He hadn¡¯t gone far when Zhao Sheng suddenly discovered a huge pit not far in front of him, with a hundred zhang radius, surrounded by stark barrenness, not a blade of grass in sight¡ªan unmistakable sign that it was not naturally formed.


    Seeing this, his heart stirred, and he quickly stood at the edge of the pit, carefully surveying it below, a hint of surprise flickering across his face.


    This deep pit was actually a very neat circular pit. The center was filled with a grey haze, so thick with ash that it was impossible to see clearly what lay beneath.


    Zhao Sheng stared at the large pit for a while, his expression thoughtful.


    Suddenly, he formed a hand seal with both hands, and a gust of wind, over ten zhang tall, formed out of thin air in front of him.


    Zhao Sheng uttered the word ¡°Go¡± and swept his sleeve, causing the fierce wind to sweep up the ash within and roar towards the center of the pit.


    Wherever the wind passed, stones and dust were swept up. In a moment, it revealed the true face of the pit.


    Beneath was all stone walls, with deep pits in the muted red of lava below it, containing four very regular, smooth grooves.


    ¡°This is¡­ Ah!¡±


    After a brief inspection, a startled expression crossed Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    Then, heedless of the danger, he flew up to a height of a dozen or so zhang, and the true nature of the giant pit came fully into view¡ªa hundred-zhang wide, incredibly lifelike gigantic Fist Seal.


    ¡°Could this be the Divine Skill of a High-level Body Cultivator? Truly terrifying to this extent!¡±


    Zhao Sheng stood stunned for a long while before he took a deep breath, a heaviness settling in his heart.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng walked slowly around the Fist Seal pit without finding anything particular and stopped, looking up at the vicinity.


    Hmm?


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupil contracted as he caught sight of a two-zhang-long ¡°line¡± that flashed and disappeared into the air, three zhang away. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The ¡°line¡± was so transient that even with Zhao Sheng¡¯s Immortal Spirit Realm vision at its maximum ability to expand time flow by twenty times, he only managed to capture a faint trace.


    Zhao Sheng was shocked. He had seen such phenomena in ancient books before. That ¡°line¡± could very well be a Space Rift from legend.


    A Space Rift is a one-dimensional object, with only length and the concept of width and height is non-existent.


    It is the sharpest thing in the world, Unbreakable, cutting through everything, to the extent that not even Divinity Transformation True Monarchs dare to touch it lightly.


    ¡°Why is there a Space Rift in the ruins? Could this place not be the Heavenly Pillar Cave, but a semi-independent Grotto Heaven split from Heavenly Pillar Mountain?¡±


    As Zhao Sheng contemplated, he kept glancing around until he froze, staring ahead, his brow furrowed as his speed unconsciously slowed down.


    After flying another hundred zhang, Zhao Sheng came to a stop, looking at the half-space a few zhang away, where a curved and wrinkled ¡°line¡± stood still suspended in the air.


    Below the Space Rift on the ground lay two halves of a body; the corpse belonged to one person, but a large chunk of the chest and abdomen was conspicuously missing.


    ¡°A semi-permanent Space-time Rift? You¡¯ve got to be joking!¡±


    He couldn¡¯t help but purse his lips and swallow.


    This was a nearly crescent-shaped ¡°line¡± about two zhang long.


    It was suspended silently in the air, without a whisper of Spiritual Energy fluctuation, and not even Divine Sense could probe it.


    Zhao Sheng scrutinized the Space Rift carefully, surprise flashing in his eyes.


    ¡°¡­Let me witness the might of the Space Rift,¡± Zhao Sheng muttered to himself, suddenly raising his arm and gently slashing towards the space in front of him.


    A swath of Geng Metal Sword Qi shot out from the palm in an instant, flying above the ¡°line¡± and then fiercely slashing downward.


    All was silent.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils contracted as he saw the Geng Metal Sword Qi vanish the moment it touched the Space Rift, as if consumed by the void.


    However, the ¡°line¡± still hung silently in the air, unchanged.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was inwardly alarmed, realizing the rumors of the Space Rift devouring all were true.


    However, a Space Rift as conspicuous as this one was quite easy to avoid.

 Chapter 336 - 253 Space Rift and Stele_2

    Chapter 336: Chapter 253 Space Rift and Stele_2


    Zhao Sheng had eyes that could see; others could use objects, or even send living people to clear a path.


    The most dangerous were those space rifts that appeared and disappeared randomly, roaming around the area.


    He had not gone far into the site when he immediately saw two rifts, indicating that there must be many space rifts in this area. If he wasn¡¯t careful, he would surely be in big trouble.


    As Zhao Sheng thought about this, his heart chilled, and he couldn¡¯t help but be more cautious.


    Lightly tapping the ground with his foot, he carefully avoided the rift and slowly continued forward.


    At this moment, what he didn¡¯t know was that many Foundation Establishment Cultivators who had entered before him had met with great misfortune.


    Three days ago, on the other side of the mysterious palace, over twenty li away in a desolate area, a skinny middle-aged man had just dodged a space rift. After he carefully used his Divine Sense to confirm there was no danger, he had decided on a direction.


    With a flash of his figure, he flew out thirty to forty feet, ready to leave the place when suddenly a burst of blood light appeared. The middle-aged man didn¡¯t even have time to scream before his body split into two.


    The two halves of his body, laden with a thick scent of blood, emitted a pitiful scream, but were sucked into the space rift in the blink of an eye.


    And this invisible space rift, after a flash of light, disappeared in an instant, becoming invisible again. If someone passed by this place again, they would also be unable to detect its presence.


    Returning to the present, to the northeast of Zhao Sheng, separated by a dozen mountain peaks in a narrow valley, two Foundation Establishment Deacons from the Soul Transformation Sect were sweating profusely, carefully moving forward.


    Just moments ago, several Iron Corpses they had sent out to scout the path had been continuously consumed by invisible space rifts, frightening them so much that they dared not be careless.


    ¡°Brother Ma, Soul Servant Master and Brother Jiu Yao entered here half a month ago. Even if there were treasures, they would have been scavenged clean by them. We might as well stay put!¡± suggested a cultivator with a pork loin-shaped face, cautiously.


    ¡°Humph, if that¡¯s the case, then why are our masters trapped here, unable to leave?¡±


    After that, deliberately spreading rumors, we sneaked in under the cover, having spent so much effort, what was it for?


    This place is clearly a Fallen Cave Heaven, that palace inside must be hiding countless treasures and inheritances. If we don¡¯t go in, wouldn¡¯t the opportunity be snatched by others? It¡¯s known that from ancient times, one must seek longevity amidst dangers! With our talents, if we do not seize such a huge opportunity, we will have no hope of advancing to Golden Core at all. Do you want to die of old age after a few decades?¡± the burly man with thick eyebrows coldly looked at his junior brother.


    ¡°Brother, if that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s send out the copper-armored corpses to scout the path! It¡¯s a shame, but it¡¯s better than losing our lives,¡± after hesitating for a moment, the cultivator with a pork loin-shaped face said.


    ¡°Alright! It can only be so, I¡ª¡±


    However, before he could finish his sentence, his voice abruptly stopped.


    In the terrified eyes of his junior brother, the burly man with thick eyebrows suddenly had dozens of net-like fine lines appear all over his body, as fragile as glass, and countless tiny streams of blood shot out from the cracks, but in an instant, both the body and the blood disappeared without a trace.


    A flash of bloody light, dozens of interconnected invisible space rifts vanished in an instant.


    ¡°Brother!¡± cried the pork loin-faced junior brother, horrified.


    Even a mighty Foundation Establishment Cultivator had no time to react and was killed by the space rift.


    Actually, cases like Brother Ma¡¯s were not very common; there had only been seven or eight in half a month, but without exception, they all ended up dead.


    Zhao Sheng was unaware of the experiences of others, but in this dangerous and unknown land, he was naturally very cautious.


    However, at this moment, he appeared relaxed, with thirty-two strands of Geng Metal Sword Light orbiting freely around him like fish, moving in all directions.


    This was the method he had devised to detect space rifts in advance.


    Along the way, the wilderness was desolate and silent, the items in the ruins had all decayed beyond recognition, seeming exceedingly ancient.


    As he drew closer to the palace, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized a terrifying problem.


    The free-floating Spiritual Energy in the air rapidly diminished, while his own Spiritual Power also mysteriously began dissipating quickly.


    Alarmingly, the released Geng Metal Sword Light was also affected by some inexplicable, strange factor, visibly shrinking and fading at a perceptible rate.


    All this, as if there was a huge monster in the air devouring Spiritual Energy.


    No,


    It should be being extracted!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze shifted toward the majestic palace, his eyes flickering with hesitation and inquiry.


    After pondering for a moment, he decided to continue moving forward.


    Since he had come, how could Zhao Sheng be content without exploring?


    In a mere thought, a layer of faint silver light swiftly emerged from his skin, and simultaneously, his bones and flesh radiated golden, blue, black, and cyan lights.


    The moment the Immortal Golden Body was activated, Zhao Sheng immediately felt delighted as he noticed a significant reduction in the rate of dissipation of his Spiritual Power.


    ¡°Indeed, it is effective!¡±


    His confidence greatly increased, and he moved towards the palace even more stealthily.


    As he approached the palace, Zhao Sheng began to see other Foundation Establishment Cultivators in his field of view.


    Like Zhao Sheng, they wore cold expressions and watched each other, yet they chose not to attack, silently continuing on their way.


    After a moment, Zhao Sheng could clearly hear, coming faintly from inside the palace, the booming sounds of many Cultivators vigorously breaking Magic Prohibitions, or perhaps a great melee was unfolding there. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In his line of sight, a Foundation Establishment Body Cultivator, clad in half-body Red Armor, rushed into the palace first.


    Following, another figure in black robes, wearing a mask, also made their way using a golden bowl.


    However, Zhao Sheng did not immediately proceed with a Flying Escape; instead, he shifted his gaze to a dilapidated stele lying on the ground nearby.


    This stele was about ten feet long, approximately eight feet wide, and was significantly thick. No matter how it was perceived, it looked just like an ordinary green stone stele, dusty and covered in grime without a trace of Spiritual Energy, barely comparable even to the lowest quality materials used for Artifact Refining.


    Thus, other Cultivators simply glanced at it as they passed by and ascended the mountain without pausing.


    Yet, Zhao Sheng walked up to the stele to closely examine the runes on it.


    ¡°Qingyang¡­!¡±


    Zhao Sheng struggled to read it. Unfortunately, the stele was severely damaged, and in the end, he could only make out two characters, as the rest were obliterated.


    No wonder others glanced and left; the inscriptions on the stele were not only incomplete but were also written in Taiyi Spiritual Text.


    Even in this era, the number of Cultivators in the Cultivation World who could understand Taiyi Spiritual Text was exceedingly few.


    Had it been the unknown era before the ruin was destroyed, the number of Cultivators who could understand it would have been even fewer.


    As Zhao Sheng pondered the meaning of the characters ¡°Qingyang¡±, he absentmindedly grabbed the stele and pulled it upward with his right hand.


    ¡°Hmm? So heavy!¡±


    Despite his immense strength, capable of lifting mountains, he could not move the stele.


    Zhao Sheng, unbelieving, grasped both sides of the stele and exerted his shoulders, his feet immediately sinking deep into the ground.


    The stele trembled massively, causing countless cracks to split open on the nearby ground.


    Bang!


    With a muffled sound, the stele was finally pulled out.


    Feeling the heavy sensation in his hands, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brows twitched.


    The stele looked only half a person tall, but it weighed at least fifty thousand pounds.


    Zhao Sheng was about to lift the stele to store it in his Storage Bag.


    But just at that moment, an unexpected change occurred.


    The seemingly ordinary green stone stele suddenly buzzed, then emitted thousands of rays of rosy light.


    Almost simultaneously, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt a heaviness in his hands, and his hands could no longer contain the stele.


    With a ¡°boom¡±, it fell back to its original place, creating a large depression as if a large mountain had landed, causing a huge pit to form.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears rang, and at that moment, the interior of the stele suddenly emitted a series of cracking sounds.


    ¡°Eh, what¡¯s this? Could it possibly be¡­¡± his heart startled, his eyes instantly narrowed.


    He saw the surface of the stele cracking open with countless irregular fissures, at that moment countless gentle rays of rosy light ceaselessly burst forth from some of the deep cracks.

 Chapter 337 - 254 Unknown Crystal Plate and Forbidden Breaking

    Chapter 337: Chapter 254 Unknown Crystal Plate and Forbidden Breaking


    ¡°There is something inside!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered, and suddenly, his heart filled with anticipation and surprise.


    He abruptly strummed his fingers, sending over ten strands of Geng Metal Sword Energy crisscrossing through the air, instantly enveloping the stele.


    For a moment, stone chips flew wildly, and dust rose around them.


    As layer upon layer of green stone was shaved away, the glow beneath the stele became increasingly dazzling.


    Zhao Sheng waved his sleeve, and the Geng Metal Sword Energy immediately disappeared.


    By this time, most of the stele had been shaved away. In its central area, there was a yellow crystal plate about a foot square, embedded as if it had naturally formed there, and the whole stele seemed to be nothing more than a thick shell for this crystal plate.


    Zhao Sheng stared at the exposed part of the crystal plate. Seeing Taiyi Spiritual Texts shimmering on its surface, he let out a light sigh.


    Without hesitation, he summoned Purple Gold Spiritual Power in the palm of his hand. With one hand, he reached forward as if his fingers were hooks and grabbed the top of the crystal plate, pulling it upwards with force.


    Indeed, it was extremely heavy!


    But this time, prepared, Zhao Sheng used his strong physical body to forcefully pull out the entire crystal plate from the stele.


    A yellow crystal stele emerged in front of Zhao Sheng, its runes flowing, shimmering with a faint, haunting glow.


    Zhao Sheng briefly examined the Spiritual Text on it, couldn¡¯t help feeling joyful, and gently tapped the crystal plate. Immediately the plate trembled slightly and rapidly shrank in size. In the blink of an eye, it transformed into the size of a palm and with a whoosh, it disappeared into Zhao Sheng¡¯s sleeve without a trace.


    Then, Zhao Sheng slightly calmed his excited heart and casually made his way toward the palace. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It wasn¡¯t long before Zhao Sheng quietly entered a wide green stone square.


    Looking across it, he saw a dilapidated palace with one corner collapsed, standing nearly a hundred zhang tall, built entirely from extraordinarily hard and rare Blue Steel Stone. Numerous and strange demon beasts were carved on the exterior walls of the palace. Despite enduring countless years, it still emitted a majestic and imposing aura.


    Zhao Sheng was greatly surprised to find that the architectural style of the palace strikingly differed from that of the Tianzhu Realm.


    Whether it was the carved demon beasts or the style of the palace, Zhao Sheng had never seen them before. There was no mention of them in any ancient books he had read before, as if the palace did not belong to this world.


    ¡°Could it be that some great being from another world built this after crossing into the Tianzhu Realm?¡± Zhao Sheng murmured to himself, baffled.


    However, now was not the time for idle thoughts. In front of the palace¡¯s main gate, numerous cultivators were using various Spiritual Artifacts, Puppets, and other treasures, desperately attacking this bizarre palace.


    Zhao Sheng glanced around, taking everyone in at a glance.


    At first look, among these people were at least three whose aura was unfathomable, one of whom even had a huge and ferocious One-Horned Ghost King illusion floating behind him, clearly a rare True Golden Core Master.


    These three Golden Core Masters were undoubtedly the leaders here.


    Indeed, this was the case.


    At this moment, the square was roughly divided into three loose factions, each led by one of the three Golden Cores.


    Zhao Sheng quickly recalled and recognized the identity of the True Pill master from the One-Horned Ghost King illusion¡ªit was clearly the Golden Core Ancestor Master of the Soul Transformation Sect from the Demon Path, the Soul Servant Old Monster.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s arrival quickly caught the attention of others.


    Soon, three figures quickly flew up from the crowd.


    ¡°Honored sir, may I inquire if you belong to the Righteous Path, are a Loose Cultivator, or share an affinity with the Demon Path?¡± a burly, blue-faced man with loose hair asked first.


    Seeing this, the other two men also bowed and introduced their own affiliations, indeed representing major sects and the Cave Heaven Independent Practitioners respectively.


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment, smiled, and responded with a cupped fist, ¡°I hail from humble origins, so I¡¯ll stick with the Taoist friends from the Pocket World City for comfort.¡±


    Given the current situation, not joining a faction was not an option.


    In exploration of ruins, choosing to stand alone often meant ending up as cannon fodder!


    ¡°Ha ha! Fellow Taoist, please follow me. This old man is Fu Yue, also slightly known in Pocket World City. And you are¡­ what is your esteemed name?¡±


    The white-browed elder on the far left, clad in a Clouds and Talismans Robe, burst into laughter and gestured invitingly.


    Zhao Sheng followed him toward the Loose Cultivators while casually fabricating an identity: ¡°I am Yang Qing. I am embarrassed that despite being in Pocket World City for a few days, I did not recognize Mr. Fu.¡±


    ¡°No harm done. Fellow Yang, your cultivation is profound¡ªsurely you¡¯ve at least reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. You are young but with such a level, Golden Core is a promising future!¡± Fu Yue was not bothered and seemed to be casually probing for information.


    ¡°Mr. Fu flatters me! I am merely practicing a few non-mainstream Body Refinement Techniques, which is why I appear young. The Golden Core is tremendously difficult to achieve and far beyond my depth,¡± Zhao Sheng responded.


    ¡°Ha ha, Fellow Yang is too modest.¡±


    ¡°I am merely speaking the truth.¡±


    After exchanging a few rounds of idle chatter, they arrived at the location.


    Fu Yue quickly brought Zhao Sheng to meet the only Independent Cultivation Golden Core, the Iron Pan Master.


    The Iron Pan Master, true to his name, had narrow cold eyes and a robust physique resembling a steel tower. His skin was dark, almost like a black ghost. His bare chest and back were marked with a four-clawed Coiled Dragon, and his face bore deep blue dragon tattoos.


    This man was also the only Golden Core Body Cultivator in Pocket World City and ranked among the top five in combat power.


    ¡°Junior Yang Qing greets the True Immortal,¡± Zhao Sheng greeted punctiliously.


    Iron Pan Master examined Zhao Sheng up and down, satisfied, he nodded: ¡°Hmm, well-trained physique. It seems your Body Refinement Techniques have distinctive elements. If you survive this, you may seek me out in Pocket World City after. Now go and contribute your efforts with them!¡±

 Chapter 338 - 254 Unknown Crystal Plate and Forbidden Breaking_2

    Chapter 338: Chapter 254 Unknown Crystal Plate and Forbidden Breaking_2


    ¡°Yes, I will go now,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a loud voice, hands clasped in front of him. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Having said this, he immediately turned around and flew to the gate, joining the ranks working to break through the prohibition.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    A series of immensely destructive second-order spells, true talismans, and attacks from spiritual artifacts bombarded a thin light shield simultaneously.


    However, every attack on the light shield was like a stone sinking into the sea¡ªthe white light shield enveloping the exterior of the palace merely trembled lightly before falling silent again.


    Zhao Sheng, horrified, noticed that his core spiritual power was being consumed at an astonishingly rapid rate.


    What was even more terrifying was that the palace seemed like a black hole that devoured spiritual power, with at least half of the dispersed spiritual power being absorbed by it.


    Every few hours, some foundation establishment cultivators, running low on spiritual power, had no choice but to withdraw, take medicine, and circulate their power to replenish their depleted spiritual power.


    Through conversations with those nearby, Zhao Sheng learned that people had been coming here since a month ago.


    Yet as the month passed, more and more people arrived, but all were stopped dead by the defensive light shield.


    The people in front had tried every possible means but could not break the defense prohibition, resorting to slowly grinding away at it the hard way.


    Given the palace¡¯s bizarre nature as a spirit-draining entity, everyone was initially at a loss about how to deal with it.


    However, perhaps due to the wear and tear over the years, a corner of the southwest wall of the palace had collapsed, causing a slight flaw in the thin light shield at that spot, where the light flickered unstably.


    It was because of this that everyone desperately attacked it, hoping to break through this peculiar and eerie defense.


    ¡°Mr. Wei! How much longer do you estimate it will take to break through this defense?¡± Soul Servant Old Monster, looking at the flickering white light shield atop the palace, turned his head to ask a refined, elderly scholar in a teal and gold robe, his expression showing slight anxiety.


    ¡°Another day and night should do it. Although this magic prohibition has been damaged, it¡¯s ten times more troublesome than I had anticipated,¡± the refined elder, Wei Yong¡¯an, replied in an incredibly calm and steady voice.


    This man was not only a Golden Core Ancestor from the Wei Clan of the Purple Sun Sect but was also a highly skilled array master, capable of setting up third-rank top-grade great arrays.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have much time left. If a Nascent Soul old monster smells an opportunity and comes here, I fear we won¡¯t even get a sip of the soup. Why don¡¯t you, Mr. Wei, try your hand at breaking this magic prohibition?¡± the Soul Servant Old Monster deliberately provoked.


    ¡°Wei is not capable. If you can¡¯t wait, why not try entering the fray yourself?¡± Wei Yong¡¯an responded nonchalantly through transmitted thought.


    At that moment, Iron Pan Master suddenly transmitted his Divine Sense: ¡°What if the three of us strike together? The young ones are too incompetent.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, Wei has no objections, Soul Servant, what do you think?¡± Wei Yong¡¯an nodded and counter-asked the Old Monster Soul Servant.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do it! I¡¯ve been waiting impatiently for too long.¡±


    Before the words had faded, the One-Horned Ghost King behind Soul Servant Old Monster suddenly surged several times larger, transforming into a huge creature about eighty or ninety zhang tall.


    The Ghost King, now corporeal, took a step covering dozens of zhang; its lone horn suddenly shot out a thick stream of blue-black ghost fire, striking fiercely at a weak spot on the white light shield.


    Boom!


    The sky filled with blue-black ghost fire exploded, causing the light shield to suddenly darken.


    Sizzle!


    The blue-black ghost fire, unknown for its deadly corrosive power, clung to and started corroding and burning along the surface of the light shield.


    Seeing the Soul Servant Old Monster making a move, the other two Golden Cores glanced at each other and immediately demonstrated their divine skills, striking at the light shield.


    With the powerhouse support of three Golden Core fighters, the progress of the group significantly sped up,


    In just two days, under the united (yet individually motivated) assault of the group, the white light shield gradually began to quake as if on the verge of collapse.


    During this period, five more foundation establishment cultivators arrived, and a Golden Core master was also drawn to the scene.


    An hour later, just as Zhao Sheng retreated to a corner of the square to recover his spiritual power for the ninth time, he suddenly heard a continuous, excited shout from the crowd: ¡°It¡¯s broken! It¡¯s broken!¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng abruptly opened his eyes, only to see the light shield that had been engulfing the palace slowly fading into the air.


    ¡°It¡¯s finally broken!¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng immediately rose to his full height and, along with others, rushed to the bronze gates of the palace.


    The bronze gates of the palace, about ten zhang high and three zhang wide, were engraved with countless peculiar symbols.


    An oppressive, murderous aura rushed from the entrance, almost suffocating those who approached.


    However, to everyone¡¯s surprise, the bronze doors of the palace were not closed but slightly ajar, just wide enough for a person to fit through. The gap revealed only a pitch-black interior where nothing could be seen.


    The doors of the palace were left half-open, making it incredibly easy for these cultivators to rush inside.


    But it was too easy, always making one wonder if it was some kind of trap. And the first to enter would easily become targets for others.


    More importantly, once inside, a fierce battle for the palace¡¯s treasures was inevitable.


    Thus, everyone looked at each other, and none dared to make a rash move.


    All eyes turned to the four Golden Core Masters.


    At that moment, the Soul Servant Old Monster deliberately gestured with his eyes, and suddenly, a tall, sinister-looking middle-aged man from the strongest faction of the Demon Path stepped forward.


    He spoke loudly, ¡°Let¡¯s all listen to one word from me, to avoid unnecessary casualties, I, Gu Jiuyao, propose that we fully open these bronze doors first, then we can all enter together. How does that sound?¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, the Soul Servant Old Monster seized the opportunity and said, ¡°I think it¡¯s a good idea.¡±


    ¡°But¡­ how will we divide the treasures inside?¡±


    No sooner had these words fell than a Loose Cultivator mustered the courage to ask.


    ¡°How to divide? It naturally comes down to skills!¡± Gu Jiuyao immediately responded playfully after hearing this.


    Thereupon the newly arrived Golden Core Master spoke decisively, ¡°I agree with that young friend¡¯s suggestion just now. Moreover, I would like to remind you all that this ancient hall seems a bit mysterious, faintly exuding a strong murderous aura. So, it would be wise for all to be cautious and not start fighting before we even enter.¡±


    ¡°Taoist Jiang, your words are fair. I agree!¡± Iron Pan Master nodded.


    The newly arrived Golden Core Master, named Jiang Tianlu, was the Supreme Sect Leader of a second-tier cultivation sect near Pocket World City.


    This man had a deep friendship with Iron Pan Master.


    ¡°That sounds good!¡±


    Last of all, Wei Yong¡¯an also agreed.


    The other Foundation Establishment Cultivators just had to obey, without even a chance to voice any objection.


    ¡°Click!¡±


    The bronze doors of the hall were slowly pushed open by the crowd.


    In that instant, a powerful, sinister aura and a strong scent of blood crazily burst forth from the hall, forming a vast dark red cloud that enveloped everyone and spread across half of the square.


    This sinister cloud was filled with an eerie oppression and murderous intent, almost suffocating them.


    The weakest among the Foundation Establishment Cultivators were trembling, unable to stand steadily, and only barely managed to remain upright by leaning on some objects.


    ¡°What exactly is hidden inside this palace, that there is such a strong presence of sinister and bloody aura?¡± Jiang Tianlu couldn¡¯t help but change his expression upon seeing this.


    The others also stepped back in shock, each feeling a deep fear of the palace, hesitating to move forward.


    ¡°Making a fuss over nothing! This palace must have been built by a person of great ability. The thoughts of such an extraordinary individual are not something we can guess. As for what¡¯s inside, you¡¯ll see once you enter,¡± Soul Servant Old Monster chided the crowd and without saying more, turned into a wisp of ghostly shadow and rushed into the palace first.


    The other three Golden Core Masters unwilling to be outdone, also rapidly flew inside.


    Seeing this, the rest of the crowd immediately surged forward, scrambling to get through the door.


    Zhao Sheng mixed within the crowd, stepped past the bronze doors, and looked up to see a vast palace interior. The walls around were hung with rows of fist-sized Five-Colored Spirit Beads emitting purple, red, and white lights among others, illuminating the entire palace resplendently.


    ¡°Ah! What is this¡­ so many treasure beads!¡±


    ¡°No, these are top-grade Spirit Stones!¡±


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s a relic of a Great Ability!¡±


    Upon entering the hall, everyone could not help but cry out in shock and amazement.

 Chapter 339 - 255: True Dragon, Chi Demon Banner, and Sudden Changes

    Chapter 339: Chapter 255: True Dragon, Chi Demon Banner, and Sudden Changes


    They were so disoriented because, at the northern side of the great hall, there was a gigantic seated giant.


    This giant was merely sitting yet was thirty feet tall, with a face as dark and ghostly as a ghoul, fierce and gruesome in appearance. However, its flesh was golden, appearing fully luscious and lifelike,


    If you didn¡¯t look at its head, this bizarre giant appeared very majestic and solemn, but the boundless murderous aura constantly emanating from its body was utterly terrifying.


    It was peculiar that there was a big hole in the giant¡¯s forehead, looking as though something had burrowed out from it.


    ¡°Ghost Chi Clan! This is¡­ a Great Chi Jian!¡±


    Just as everyone was utterly frightened, Wei Yong¡¯an, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Wei Clan, suddenly cried out in horror.


    ¡°What? This ghost-faced giant is actually the legendary extinct Ghost Chi Clan. How can such a ferocious being like Great Chi Jian perish here unknown and unnamed?¡±


    Those who had never heard of it were utterly clueless, while those who knew the reputation of the Ghost Chi Clan immediately turned pale, including Zhao Sheng, whose expression slightly changed.


    They had only read about the Ghost Chi Clan in exceedingly secret scrolls, yet never imagined they would see the remnants of a Great Chi Jian¡¯s golden body in these ruins, which was incredibly hard to believe.


    The Great Chi Jian could capture and kill True Dragons and slay Divinity Transformation True Monarchs, a supremely ferocious creature.


    Now, few in the Cultivation World knew that the Ghost Chi Clan, to which the Great Chi Jian belonged, once were the darlings of the Heavenly Dao and also the domineering leaders of the Tianzhu Realm, their status no less than today¡¯s Human Clan.


    Twenty thousand years ago, the Spirit Clan seized the Tianzhu Realm. Due to the oppression by the Spirit Clan, the Ghost Chi Clan secretly aided the weaker Human Clan to summon the ancient Human Race of the Taiyi Spirit Realm.


    From then on, the war between the Spirit Clan and the Human Clan spread throughout the Tianzhu Realm.


    In the battle to seize the realm twenty thousand years ago, it eventually resulted in the Human Clan¡¯s victory, and they became the new rulers of the Tianzhu Realm.


    Had the Qing Chi Clan complied and honestly accepted the Human Clan¡¯s dominance in the Tianzhu Realm, they wouldn¡¯t have ended up with their entire clan exterminated.


    But how could a former overlord submit to others? Thus, in the years that followed, the Ghost Chi Clan repeatedly rebelled, continually sparking wars.


    By ten thousand years ago, after countless defeats over ten thousand years, the power of this clan could only shrink to a corner of the East Demon Continent, nearing the brink of extermination.


    However, even on the brink of extinction, the entire Ghost Chi Clan still failed to repent, ultimately attracting a cataclysmic disaster.


    Ten thousand years ago, the Ghost Chi Clan repeated their old trick, using the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood Sacrifice Array as a lure and the Nine Demon Banners as a tool, harnessing the power of the Nine Stars Alinement to blast open a ten-mile-long space-time rift, eventually leading to an invasion by the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    This was the cause of the first great war between two realms ten thousand years ago.


    The outcome needs no further mention¡ªthe Netherworld Ghost Realm was eventually repelled, and the Ghost Chi Clan was annihilated, becoming a taboo of the Human Clan to the extent of erasing all traces of their existence.


    While browsing the secret scrolls of the war between the two realms, Zhao Sheng also learned a bit about the Ghost Chi Clan.


    According to his knowledge, the Great Chi Jian held an unsurpassed status within the Ghost Chi Clan.


    A force of the Absolute Peak in the Tianzhu Realm like it could not possibly have gone unrecorded in the great war between the realms ten thousand years ago.


    Yet strangely, this Great Chi Jian truly had no records as if it appeared out of nowhere.


    The only possibility was that it had fallen before the great war between the two realms had even started.


    Zhao Sheng thought more deeply, noticing that the style of this palace was completely different from that of the Tianzhu Realm, yet, paradoxically, its owner was a Great Chi Jian.


    It was indeed very peculiar!


    Could it be¡­


    As he was lost in thought, after the initial shock, everyone in the great hall gradually calmed down, their hearts sinking simultaneously, realizing they were now in big trouble.


    The news of the Great Chi Jian¡¯s remnants being here would definitely cause a huge uproar, and the emergence of these ruins would inevitably be impossible to conceal.


    What was more troublesome was that such Divinity Transformation Level ruins often contained immense treasures.


    Once involved, the risk would be greater than anything.


    Let alone the fact that their Foundation Establishment strength could hardly bear it, even Golden Core Masters would not fare well.


    A small mistake could lead to death and the annihilation of their clans!


    If there weren¡¯t many people here, they would definitely be¡­ silenced!


    All cultivators who had reached the Foundation Establishment were no fools, and the perilous consequences of this situation were clear after a little thought.


    It was exactly because the consequences were so easily anticipated that, after a brief reflection, everyone¡¯s expressions grew immensely solemn, and their moods became unusually tense and uneasy.


    This turn of events was far beyond what Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators could handle.


    In fact, some astute Foundation Establishment cultivators had already subtly distanced themselves from the Golden Core Masters.


    Just then, someone looked up, and suddenly their eyes widened with a face full of horror as they exclaimed, ¡°Look¡­ what is that?¡±


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    ¡°Dragon¡­ a Five-clawed True Dragon!¡±


    Everyone followed the sound and looked up, involuntarily gasping in unison.


    Above them was a slender, immensely large True Dragon skeleton, embedded in the dark palace walls of the great hall, with antler-like horns, a humpbacked head, and five claws, stretching over a hundred feet long. The entire skeleton appeared ominously purple, with purple fog continuously seeping from the bones, forming a thick layer of purple mist around the skeleton¡ªit was the poisonous gas naturally emanating from the True Dragon Skeleton.


    ¡°This truly is¡­ a True Dragon skeleton! Antler horns, humped head, five claws, spine bones count to eighty-one, it must be at least Tenth Rank!¡± someone exclaimed, their face full of disbelief as they shouted.


    Although the True Dragon skeleton was long dead, it was still so terrifying. One could only imagine how formidable this True Dragon had been in its day. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 340 - 255 True Dragon, Chi Demon Banner, and Sudden Change_2

    Chapter 340: Chapter 255 True Dragon, Chi Demon Banner, and Sudden Change_2


    ¡°Yes, this True Dragon must have condensed a True Spirit before its death! Do not approach it at any cost. There is no antidote for Dragon Poison, and those below the level of a Divinity Transformation True Monarch would die the instant they smell it,¡± Wei Yong¡¯an said in a solemn voice without any expression on his face.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but take a sharp breath of cool air, his body suddenly emanating a thin layer of Purple Gold Spirit Flame, as a three-inch War Halberd quietly landed in the palm of his hand.


    ¡°Creatures of the True Dragon Species have always been half a step higher than demon beasts of the same rank. Then this Poison Dragon must be approaching the level of Returning to Void. If it was at the Absolute Peak in the Tianzhu Realm during its life, why didn¡¯t it ascend? After death, to be used as a decoration embedded in the wall is inconceivable!¡±


    As the majority of people were extremely shocked and revealed greedy desires, someone suddenly pointed at another object inside the central hall.


    ¡°Look quick, what is that?¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned his head upon hearing this, his pupils involuntarily narrowing.


    The gaze of the crowd was drawn one after another to the Giant Spirit Relics and the skeleton of the Hundred Feet Demon Flood Dragon, which were so shocking that for a moment no one noticed another item in the hall¡ªa huge flag that was eight zhang long and three zhang wide, with a flagpole ten zhang high and as thick as a thigh, crystal clear and emanating a faint bloody glow.


    Embroidered on the flag was a three-eyed giant, holding a battle-axe and with a body like cast gold. The flag was old with several patches of damage, and in the middle was a big hole.


    At this moment, it quietly stood in the southwest corner of the main hall.


    As soon as people noticed this flag, they realized with astonishment that the formidable aura of slaughter, the violent and bloody momentum, completely overshadowed the True Dragon skeleton and enveloped the entire main hall.


    The people originally thought that the malevolent spirit in the hall came from the Great Chi Jian, but soon they discovered it was not so, but instead came from this tattered Ancient Banner.


    ¡°First the Great Chi Jian, and now this thing. It¡­ It couldn¡¯t be¡­¡± someone stammered out loud.


    ¡°What is it? Speak up!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s¡­¡± The person hemmed and hawed, glancing repeatedly at the four True Immortals, never daring to spit out a word.


    ¡°Ha-ha, if I¡¯m not mistaken, this should be the legendary Chi Demon Banner!¡± the Soul Servant Old Monster suddenly declared with wild joy.


    ¡°How did it appear here?¡±


    Looking again at this Demon Banner, some people¡¯s eyes shone with greed and desire, while others paled in fright and screamed.


    An unknown fear from deep within their hearts made those who lacked firm wills retreat one after another.


    The shadow often follows the figure!


    The notorious might of the Chi Demon Banner, which devoured billions of lives, still made people feel terrified even after ten thousand years had passed.


    ¡°The Chi Demon Banner is an Ancient Spiritual Treasure, rumored to have been destroyed ten thousand years ago. A genuine article should not be appearing here. This is most likely just a replica,¡± Wei Yong¡¯an said, already aware of the existence of this Demon Banner, his face a bit pale but trying to convey a sense of calm.


    ¡°Brother Wei is correct. Back then, the Chi Demon Banner was definitely destroyed by the power of space-time,¡± Jiang Tianlu voiced his agreement with Wei Yong¡¯an¡¯s statement.


    No sooner had he spoken than the Soul Servant Old Monster of the Soul Transformation Sect let out a few cold laughs and said, ¡°Heh-heh, let¡¯s not speak too absolutely! According to our sect¡¯s secret scroll, during the unprecedented battle at Heavenly Burial Plain, the Ten Thousand Spirit Blood Sacrifice Array was destroyed, and though the Nine-faced Chi Demon Banner was also amongst them, no one had the time to pay attention to the remnants of the Ghost Chi Clan due to the intense war between the two realms.


    Afterward¡­ Of course, there¡¯s no need to explain now that you also know, despite being severely damaged, the presence of the Great Chi Jian as corroborative evidence confirms without doubt that this banner is genuine,¡± the old monster finished, his eyes blazing with boundless fervor, ¡°Even though this Chi Demon Banner is already damaged, it still rivals any top-grade ancient treasure.¡±


    Before he could finish speaking, a sudden change occurred.


    Jiang Tianlu¡¯s figure blurred suddenly, transforming into a shadow that crossed a distance of over ten zhang in a flash, appearing before the Chi Demon Banner.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡ª¡± the Soul Servant Old Monster cried out in alarm, but his face betrayed a look of successful scheming.


    Before the others could react, Jiang Tianlu, with a face full of ecstasy, grasped the flagpole of the Chi Demon Banner.


    ¡°Roar!¡±


    In the next moment, the Chi Demon Banner that had been still like a dead object suddenly burst forth with a swath of blood-red, sinister glow.


    The three-eyed giant on the flag suddenly came to life, its face malevolent and hideous, laughing eerily, spewing out swathes of blood-colored demonic miasma that quickly filled the entire main hall.


    The one to bear the brunt was Jiang Tianlu, the Golden Core Ancestor who attempted to seize the treasure.


    The blood-colored demonic miasma, like living things, rapidly entered through his every orifice.


    ¡°`


    Jiang Tianlu had a body full of vigorous and pure True Yuan, but as soon as he encountered the crimson demonic energy, his True Yuan was instantly devoured, proliferating more of the blood-colored demonic energy.


    In less than two breaths, Jiang Tianlu¡¯s Divine Soul involuntarily manifested endless mad blood light, he roared, his eyes were bloodshot and furious, his blood qi boiling over, and endless madness and murderous intent instantly took over his mind.


    In the face of the blood-colored demonic energy, even a Golden Core Ancestor could hardly last two breaths before his Divine Soul was corroded.


    At the same time, the blood-colored demonic energy spread at an unimaginable speed, instantly filling the entire great hall.


    It moved so fast, like a flash of lightning, that everyone in the hall was affected, including Zhao Sheng, of course.


    ¡°Not good, demonic energy has entered the body, no life will survive the calamity!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was greatly alarmed, struggling to maintain a sliver of sanity in his mind. The Purple Gold Spirit Flame spread instantly over his entire body, while his Immortal Golden Body operated at its limit, radiating five-colored halos around him in an attempt to resist the invasion of the blood-colored demonic energy.


    However, with his mere Foundation Establishment Realm strength, he simply could not fend off an energy attack that was several levels higher than Spiritual Power.


    Immediately, Zhao Sheng was enveloped by the demonic energy, everything in his sight turned blood-red, and countless indescribable mad thoughts sprouted in his Divine Soul.


    Just as he was about to succumb to madness, strands of jade-colored light suddenly pierced through the depths of his Soul Sea.


    As the shadow of the Hundred Lifetimes book emerged on the surface of the Soul Sea, jade-colored radiance illuminated the entire Purple Mansion Space.


    Ao!


    A mournful wail suddenly sounded from above the Soul Sea, a strand of purple-black ¡°smoke¡± abruptly appeared but was dissolved in the jade-colored radiance in a blink.


    The next second, the shadow of the Hundred Lifetimes book flickered, and the jade-colored radiance permeated the entire Purple Mansion Space, effortlessly blocking the invasion of the outer blood-colored demonic energy.


    By then, the devilish thoughts in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind had sharply diminished, and the blood light in his eyes slowly dissipated.


    ¡°Huff, huff! What the hell is hidden inside this Chi Demon Banner? The legendary Ghost Emperor, Outer Heaven Demon, or the remnant soul of something that has been undead for ten thousand years, or perhaps another strand of a Demoted Immortal¡¯s Residual Thoughts?¡±


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng vividly recalled the Demoted Immortal¡¯s Residual Thoughts he had encountered in a past life.


    ¡°This place is not fit to stay!¡±


    He bolted backward, turning to rush towards the door, attempting to escape from the hall.


    However, the moment Zhao Sheng reached the door, his face changed dramatically.


    The bronze door had somehow closed at an unknown time, and its surface was covered with a layer of blood light.


    He quickly ducked into a corner of the palace, scanning the gathering Cultivators in the hall.


    Through the increasingly dense blood-colored demonic energy, Zhao Sheng saw that every Cultivator in the hall had a ferocious expression, their demeanour struggling, as if facing an inextricable nightmare.


    Among everyone, only Soul Servant Old Monster, Wei Yong¡¯an, and Iron Pan Master, the three Golden Core individuals, were faring slightly better. The three were sitting cross-legged on the ground, with tremendous True Yuan rainbow light erupting all over their bodies, seeming to be desperately sustaining their sanity.


    Once their minds were polluted by that demonic energy, at best, they would develop numerous Heart Demons and twisted mentality, and at worst, they could be reborn through possession by an unknown demon.


    But the Foundation Establishment Cultivators did not have their strength.


    By now, the faces of most of them had become hideously twisted, their bodies radiated blood light, their Divine Souls were nearly eroded, and they had begun to go mad and out of control.


    One look and it was clear they were completely insane, having lost all reason, turning into demonic energy Puppets that only knew slaughter.


    In the blink of an eye, the great hall was in chaos, with at least sixty Foundation Establishment Cultivators, their eyes blood-red, falling into frenzy.


    They seemed to have forgotten all their abilities and started to fight each other like wild beasts.


    Another part of Foundation Establishment Cultivators, like walking corpses, struggled to rise from the ground, their eyes bloodshot, having lost all consciousness, their bodies shakily heading towards the Chi Demon Banner.


    Puchi!


    Puchi! sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In Zhao Sheng¡¯s horrified eyes, several of the lead Cultivators who had fallen into demon possession touched the face of the Demon Banner and immediately turned into streaks of blood light, instantly being absorbed into the Chi Demon Banner.


    Soon, the great hall had lost almost half of its people.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 341 - 256 Heavenly Demon Seizing Body, Continuous Moves

    Chapter 341: Chapter 256 Heavenly Demon Seizing Body, Continuous Moves


    As vast amounts of blood light were injected into the banner, the three-eyed giant wielding an axe on the Chi Demon Banner seemed to come vividly to life. It first struggled slowly on the banner, and finally, a gigantic head bulged prominently on the surface of the banner,


    the head bore a blank expression, a pair of slender eyes emitting a sinister blood light. The third vertical pupil on the forehead, moving like a living being, was emitting a shrill, eerie laugh.


    The forehead¡¯s demonic eye cackled maniacally. At this time, the enormous head began to actively devour the Cultivators who had fallen into demon possession and approached it.


    The events seemed to have lasted a long time, but in reality, they didn¡¯t even span a hundred breaths of time.


    At this moment, including Zhao Sheng, there were fewer than ten people left in the great hall.


    However, among them, several had fierce expressions and were covered in blood light, seemingly on the verge of losing their sanity completely.


    ¡°¡­a trap! This is a trap!¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly formed this thought in his mind as he saw the situation.


    Uh uh!


    At that time, a bizarre hissing sound came from the southwestern corner, where Soul Servant Old Monster¡¯s body rapidly swelled and turned bluish, his features twisted, and saliva dripped from the corners of his mouth.


    The One-Horned Ghost King illusion behind him suddenly transformed into a blood-colored humanoid form and violently rushed into its master¡¯s body.


    In the blink of an eye, the body of Soul Servant Old Monster swelled more than tenfold, thick blood scales grew on his skin, and a spiraled single horn suddenly cracked through his skull, shooting up about ten meters, his pupils red with endless insane bloodlust.


    This enormous Blood Ghost stood eight meters tall and roared wildly in the hall, a pair of blood eyes emitting two beams of blood light, sweeping around ferociously and recklessly.


    In an instant, a vast expanse of blood light burst out from beneath him and rapidly spread, encapsulating dozens of meters around it, taking over a significant portion of the palace.


    Seeing the surging torrent of blood light rushing towards him, Zhao Sheng inwardly cursed, ¡°Alas, I can¡¯t hold on anymore. Even if I am to die, I must fight!¡±


    Faced with a dire situation, he steeled his heart and immediately tried to rush to the front gate, attempting to blast open the bronze doors for a chance to escape.


    However, just as he was about to make his move, a long dragon chant suddenly resounded through the entire great hall.


    Ah¡ªah! S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng looked up in utter shock, only to see a lifelike, translucent Dragon Shadow emerging from the True Dragon Skeleton.


    The True Dragon had seemingly ¡°come to life.¡±


    ¡°Not good, True Dragon Primordial Spirit?! This big fellow isn¡¯t completely dead!¡±


    Seeing this miraculous sight, Zhao Sheng felt a chill rush through his limbs.


    When it rains, it pours; not dying now seemed even harder!


    A Tenth Rank demon beast could be deemed the emperor of demons, comparable in strength to a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, but the power of a Tenth Rank True Dragon was even higher than a regular Demon Emperor, standing at the absolute peak of this realm.


    Though the Dragon Emperor¡¯s flesh had decayed, leaving only the Primordial Spirit, it was not something that those at the Nascent Soul Realm could contend with, let alone a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator like Zhao Sheng.


    In its eyes, Zhao Sheng, Soul Servant Old Monster, Wei Yong¡¯an, and others were nothing more than ants.


    As the True Dragon Primordial Spirit appeared, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt his Spiritual Power drain significantly, and the Spiritual Energy roaming the palace rushed toward the Primordial Spirit like moths to a flame.


    At this moment, an intense, instinctual fear of a lower being in the presence of a higher life form surged overwhelmingly in Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart.


    After two dragon chants, the grand ¡°body¡± of the True Dragon Primordial Spirit appeared to descend leisurely, hovering in the middle of the great hall.


    Its demeanor was majestic, its presence overwhelmingly powerful, its dragon eyes blazing like two burning flames, filled with haughtiness, indifference, and ruthlessness


    After the Dragon Emperor awoke, it surveyed the great hall silently, an expression of utmost indifference, and finally fixed its gaze on the Demon Lord Ghost Chi who had extricated a head from his body.


    ¡°Roar¡­!¡±


    The Dragon Emperor¡¯s eyes suddenly blazed with rage, and with a furious dragon roar, it filled the entire great hall.


    The purple poison mist around the True Dragon Skeleton immediately boiled and roiled, settling down to merge with the True Dragon Primordial Spirit.


    In a blink, a majestic three-meter long, Five-clawed True Dragon, surrounded by a purple aura, spiraled loftily above the palace,


    Simultaneously, an extremely frightening and tremendous pressure suddenly enveloped the entire palace, causing the Demon Lord Ghost Chi, the Single-Horned Blood Ghost, and other frenzied, biting demons to abruptly halt in their actions, their maniacally bloodthirsty eyes then focusing collectively on the True Dragon incarnation.


    At this moment, an unprecedented silence fell over the palace, the air thick with endless murderous intent, the millennia-old grudges seeming ready to explode at any moment!


    Just then, the top-grade spiritual pearls embedded in the walls around the great hall suddenly burst forth with a vast expanse of spirit light.


    Beams of light crisscrossed wildly, knitting together in an instant into a dense three-dimensional light net that enveloped the great hall.


    At this time, the Five-Colored Spirit Beads on the walls around the great hall became increasingly dazzling, emitting an increasingly intense glow.


    An incredibly brilliant radiance ¡°spilled¡± from the light net, forcibly suppressing the pervasive demonic blood mist, and the whole great hall was immersed in a sea of rainbow colors.


    Every Cultivator who was struggling to endure within the hall fell, without exception, their Divine Souls captured, completely trapped within the ancient Five Directions Five Elements Sealing God Formation.


    The activation of the ancient Great Array came too suddenly, and Zhao Sheng only had time to see the Purple Aura True Dragon compress its body once again.


    The next second, a dark shadow shot out from his own shadow like lightning, and with a flicker, it entered his head, plunging him instantly into darkness.


    In a void of endless darkness, where neither heaven nor earth existed, a disoriented Zhao Sheng suddenly found himself here.

 Chapter 342 - 256 Heavenly Demon Seizing Body, Continuous Backup Moves_2

    Chapter 342: Chapter 256 Heavenly Demon Seizing Body, Continuous Backup Moves_2 S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time passed, and he felt as though he had slept a long, long dream. In that dream, he seemed to be back in the boundless dark world of his dying moment, as if countless black tentacles were entwining his entire body, sticky and heavy, yet he was utterly unable to move even the slightest bit. Meanwhile, in the void around him, innumerable indistinct shadows flickered incessantly.


    Some of these shadows were merely looming nearby, while others approached his ear, incessantly whispering in various strange or familiar languages, and some shadows seemed to be quietly speaking in the language of his former life. Yet, frustratingly, he couldn¡¯t make out a single word they said, which filled him with great urgency.


    In a daze, he thought he saw one tall shadow with its head lowered, standing silently in the void, never too far from him nor too close, while the other shadows kept their distance from it, seemingly ignored by everyone else.


    After an unknown amount of time, the tall shadow suddenly lifted its head and began to walk slowly toward Zhao Sheng.


    Upon seeing this, the other shadows vanished in a flash, dispersing into clouds of fog and disappearing from sight.


    The tall shadow took several steps to approach Zhao Sheng, then leaned down as if to scrutinize Zhao Sheng¡¯s face up close.


    Zhao Sheng felt he could even sense the warm breath from the figure, but the shadow¡¯s face remained a blurry mess. Despite desperately blinking his eyes and straining to see, he couldn¡¯t make out the face at all, which sent chills down his spine.


    Boom!


    A thunderous roar suddenly filled the darkness, and after a dizzying whirl, Zhao Sheng finally opened his eyes to clearly see the face of the shadow, and he immediately cried out in shock.


    ¡°Impossible, how could it be you!¡±


    The person¡¯s features were identical to Zhao Sheng¡¯s.


    It was as if he were looking at another ¡°himself¡± in a mirror, the only difference being that the other¡¯s eyes were full of malice, and his expression wildly sinister and outrageous.


    What further stunned him was that this ¡°Zhao Qingyang¡± was slowly merging into his body as if wanting to become one with him.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was extremely anxious yet unable to move at all. He could only watch as ¡°Zhao Qingyang¡± integrated into his body bit by bit. At that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind was suddenly filled with countless mad thoughts.


    ¡°You are me, and I am you! Twin as one, faces of Yin and Yang, why distinguish between you and me!¡±


    ¡°Kill! Kill! Slay all those who have belittled you, misunderstood you, obstructed your path forward!¡±


    ¡°To seek longevity, one must stop at nothing! The road to immortality is paved with skeletons, flesh and blood forming mountains, a single Immortal Skill achieved over ten thousand parched bones!¡±


    ¡°Family is but a burden! They have never brought you any good, only hindering your progress. Why not cast them aside? Travel light!¡±


    ¡­Numerous inconceivable mad thoughts flooded his mind, causing a splitting headache, almost brainwashing him.


    Just then, a splendid jade light burst through the endless darkness, shining brightly and instantly purifying the myriad devilish thoughts.


    Ah!


    In an instant, the tens of thousands of ¡°devilish thoughts¡± were wiped out by the jade light, and ¡°Zhao Qingyang,¡± screaming, tried to struggle away from Zhao Sheng¡¯s body. But under the illumination of the light, the entire demonic shadow melted away like snow in sunlight, vanishing in a blink.


    ¡°Am I¡­am I dead?¡±


    In the dark void, Zhao Sheng regained his consciousness, looked around, and murmured in confusion.


    But soon, his gaze cleared, and he immediately dismissed the idea he¡¯d just had.


    He wasn¡¯t dead yet, or the Book of Hundred Lifetimes should have appeared on its own.


    ¡°Eh, Divine Sense has grown this much?!¡­¡±


    Meanwhile, in the outside world, the body of the Dragon Emperor suddenly shrank dramatically, replaced by a petite and exquisite mini dragon, no longer than three feet.


    Its previously translucent body now appeared exceptionally condensed, as if reborn anew.


    The Dragon Emperor swiftly swam around, and for a moment, the hall was filled with flashes of dragon shadows.


    After each passing of a dragon shadow, a demon possessed by a Heavenly Demon would fall, their bodies instantly dissolved into a pool of poisonous fluid by the Purple Luo Poison.


    Even more terrifying was that the intangible Heavenly Demons couldn¡¯t escape the fate of dissolution by the Purple Luo Poison either.


    At that moment, an exceptionally old yet defiant voice suddenly echoed through the grand hall: ¡°Galoduo Chi, you¡¯ve ultimately failed to endure.


    Fool, what an idiot!¡±


    ¡°This Emperor told you that people from the Otherworld cannot be trusted, yet you were foolish enough to desperately gamble with the Blood God¡¯s Son taking over your body.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, you dimwit, you claimed to have wisdom rivaling the heavens, yet you thought to fight poison with poison.


    You really came up with the ludicrous idea of using an Outer Heaven Demon to combat the Ghost Lord of the Blood God¡¯s Son.


    In the end, not only did your efforts fail utterly, but even This Emperor has suffered alongside.¡±


    But This Emperor never imagined that you, a Great Chi Jian, a peerless Emperor of your time, would also break your word and go back on your promises. You even dared to seal away This Emperor¡¯s True Body, using it as a reserve for Spiritual Origin


    If it weren¡¯t for the heaven-defying Divine Skills of This Emperor, the Blood God¡¯s Son would have devoured This Emperor long ago.


    Besides, you should die a good death, why leave behind such disgusting things.


    Heavenly Demon seizing body, huh! If This Emperor¡¯s flesh was still here, there would be no need for all this trouble.¡±


    Having been sealed for ten thousand years, the Dragon Emperor finally awakens, instantly venting the grievances accumulated over ten millennia.


    At this moment, the remnants of the Heavenly Demon¡¯s Devilish Thought within the blood-colored demonic fog are dissolved by the five-colored rainbow light.


    The five-colored light net seems to be drawn by something as it automatically drifts towards the Chi Demon Banner, and layer upon layer of the light net keeps wrapping around it.


    And the Demon Lord Ghost Chi, which tried to utilize the Spiritual Treasure¡¯s True Spirit to transform and reincarnate, no matter how furiously it roared and struggled desperately, was gradually pushed back into the face of the banner.


    In the end, the layers of light film formed by the brilliant colors resolutely sealed the Chi Demon Banner again. This was all part of an intricate contingency plan by Galoduo Chi on the verge of death, aiming to prevent the Outer Heaven Demon inside the Chi Demon Banner from breaking free of control.


    Regrettably, the backup plan he left before death only worked halfway.


    The Blood God¡¯s Son, which he had imprisoned within the Divine Eye on his forehead, took advantage of a severe space-time disturbance eight hundred years ago to successfully escape.


    ¡°Hmph, Galoduo Chi, count yourself lucky! This Emperor can¡¯t do anything about a dead man, so let your clan bear the brunt of This Emperor¡¯s wrath!¡±


    After expending some effort to kill the One-Horned Demon, the Dragon Emperor lifted its Dragon Head high, slightly pacifying its anger. However, having been pointlessly sealed for so many years, its resentment nearly took on a physical form.


    Once the fury of a peerless Dragon Emperor befalls the Ghost Chi Clan, a cataclysm will ensue, with blood flooding thousands of miles.


    At this time, however, the Dragon Emperor was unaware that the Ghost Chi Clan had been wiped out by the Human Clan ten thousand years ago.


    Shortly after, the Dragon Emperor came to its senses, gently swung its miniature dragon form, and slowly began to roam around the grand hall.


    Its current state is very poor. The Primordial Spirit is so weak that it must find a suitable body for possession as quickly as possible.


    Even though it was keenly aware of the massive difference between the souls of humans and True Dragons, it could no longer care about that at this moment. Because if it did not act, it would soon be discovered by the Heavenly Dao and would surely die without a doubt.


    ¡°Ugh, this body is too old; it has no potential.¡±


    ¡°Alas, the body is too weak to withstand the impact of the Primordial Spirit.¡±


    ¡°Eh, this person¡¯s physical strength is not bad, but the hasty cultivation has completely ruined the body.¡±


    The Dragon Emperor has extremely high standards, and even the body of the Iron Pan Master does not meet its criteria.


    ¡°Eh! This youngster is not bad! He¡¯s young, his Life Force could actually rival that of a Dragon Serpent of the same level, and his physical strength is also decent. Let This Emperor take a closer look.¡±


    In one corner of the grand hall, the Dragon Emperor suddenly stops, looking down at Zhao Sheng who lays on the ground, its interest piqued.


    ¡°Haha, not bad at all! Life Force extremely vigorous, sinews and flesh very resilient, it seems that a superior Body Refining Technique has been practiced.


    Truly rare, indeed very rare!


    I choose this one! Being the vessel for This Emperor¡¯s flesh is also your honor!¡±


    With that, the Poison Dragon Emperor excitedly dissipated the Purple Luo Dragon Body, and the Primordial Spirit turned into a streak of light, swiftly rushing towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s Purple Mansion between his eyebrows.


    Just as the Dragon Emperor¡¯s Primordial Spirit was about to enter Zhao Sheng¡¯s Purple Mansion,


    at that moment, a bright Yellow Light suddenly burst forth from Zhao Sheng¡¯s body,

 Chapter 343 - 257: Survival in Desperate Situations

    Chapter 343: Chapter 257: Survival in Desperate Situations


    As the Dragon Emperor¡¯s Primordial Spirit was about to enter Zhao Sheng¡¯s Purple Mansion, it was at this moment that a burst of yellow light suddenly enveloped Zhao Sheng, and a squarely shaped yellow Crystal Plate appeared out of nowhere above the Dragon Emperor¡¯s head and descended upon him.


    Upon seeing this object, the Dragon Emperor roared in disbelief, ¡°The Nine Yang Sealing God Stele?! How could it appear here, impossible!¡±


    In an instant, the Sealing God Tablet emitted a brilliant light, and under the cover of the vast yellow light, the Dragon Emperor¡¯s Primordial Spirit looked like a pitiful bug trapped in amber, unable to move for a while before slowly being absorbed into the tablet.


    ¡°Gamadu, you will not die well! Not only did you deceive me while alive, but even in death, you sought to condemn me to the Dead Land! Your heart is too dark!


    Whimper! I do not want to be imprisoned¡ª¡±


    Just having escaped from one dire situation to fall into another, the Dragon Emperor couldn¡¯t help but curse wildly, but as he spoke, the once-mighty Dragon Emperor actually began to plead.


    Unfortunately, although the Sealing God Tablet was incredibly valuable, it was an inanimate object and could not understand any of the Dragon Emperor¡¯s words.


    After one breath, the Dragon Emperor¡¯s Primordial Spirit could only be completely absorbed into the Sealing God Tablet in despair.


    Immediately after, the Sealing God Tablet retracted all its radiance and returned to its original state, and then with a snap, it fell into Zhao Sheng¡¯s arms.


    At this moment, he was completely unaware of it.


    Inside the hall, the Five Directions Five Elements Sealing God Formation having successfully sealed the Outer Heaven Demon inside the Chi Demon Banner, began to slowly fade into the air.


    However, at this time, the wall adorned with the Five-Colored Spirit Beads started to flicker rhythmically.


    After an unknown length of time, Zhao Sheng unexpectedly felt a sense of relief, his spirit became incredibly light, the darkness receded like a tide, leaving his mind clear.


    Then, he suddenly regained sensation in his body, and all his senses and spiritual sense returned as well.


    ¡°Ugh!¡± Zhao Sheng, holding his head, painfully sat up from the ground.


    At the same time, three or four other people in different parts of the hall made the same movement.


    As for the other dozen or so people left in the hall, all were lying on the ground with blood flowing from all orifices, their expressions fierce. Their bodies were rigid, extremely cold, and already dead.


    Clang!


    The Sealing God Tablet fell from Zhao Sheng¡¯s arms to the ground, and after shaking a few times, it stopped moving.


    ¡°How did this thing come out?¡±


    Just after sitting up, Zhao Sheng noticed the yellow Crystal Plate that had fallen to the ground.


    He picked up the yellow Crystal Plate in confusion and his pupils instantly shrank to the utmost limit, as he saw a vividly alive five-clawed True Dragon with antler-like horns inside the Crystal Plate.


    Seeing such a wondrous sight, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Subconsciously, he stowed the Sealing God Tablet into his Storage Bag,


    ¡°It¡­ how did it get inside the Crystal Plate?¡± Zhao Sheng was both deeply shocked and filled with indescribable joy while countless questions lingered in his mind.


    About the event that had just transpired, Zhao Sheng could not find answers for a long time, until¡­


    Iron Pan Master struggled to sit up from the floor, shaking his head vigorously to dispel the pain in his mind, then he opened his eyes, and seeing only a few others alive in the great hall, his face instantly changed.


    ¡°What¡­ what happened? How are everyone dead! Who¡¯s left?¡± a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator shouted in horror and confusion.


    In his memory, Master Jiang suddenly made a move to snatch the Chi Demon Banner, and then the banner automatically emitted endless blood light, afterward, he began to desperately fend off the invasion of the blood-colored demonic aura.


    And later, he seemed to hear a dragon¡¯s chant, then he couldn¡¯t remember anything else, as if he had plunged into endless madness, fortunately, he had cultivated a Divine Thought Skill, which barely preserved the last thread of his sanity.


    At this time, another Golden Core Master, Wei Yong¡¯an, slowly stood up from the ground, his expression emotionless, but his gaze unusually fiery.


    He looked at the Chi Demon Banner sealed by the rainbow light, muttering to himself, ¡°This is all mine!¡±


    Iron Pan Master straightened his body, first glanced at Wei Yong¡¯an, his eyes flickering with a strange and indescribable hue.


    Then, he also turned his gaze toward the Chi Demon Banner.


    Under this Ancient Spiritual Treasure, there was a large pile of robes and Magic Artifacts stacked high.


    Without saying much, the fate of most people was evident; they had all been ¡°devoured¡± by the Chi Demon Banner.


    ¡°Brother Liu, Wu En Disciple Brother, how tragically you¡¯ve died! How am I to explain this to your families when I return!¡±


    Just at this moment, an old man in a Clouds and Talismans Robe, Bai Mei, suddenly cried out in immense sorrow, quickly approaching the pile of clothing.


    ¡°Stop!¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    ¡°Wait a moment!¡±


    Just as Bai Mei acted this way, three shouts in rapid succession erupted from different corners of the hall.


    At the same time, a towering, burly figure suddenly appeared, just in time to block Bai Mei¡¯s path.


    This person was none other than the expressionless Iron Pan Master.


    ¡°Bai Mei, what are you trying to do?¡± Iron Pan Master said indifferently.


    ¡°Eh, the junior was overwhelmed with grief and lost his composure just now, please forgive me, Master!¡± Bai Mei¡¯s face twitched a few times, showing clear fear, and quickly bowed in apology.


    Iron Pan Master paid no mind to the other¡¯s performance.


    The Coiling Dragon Tattoo on his body suddenly ¡°came alive,¡± morphing into a Coiling Dragon Spiritual Body that gleamed brilliantly, actively separating from his body and continuously circling around him.


    With each loop, this dark grey ¡°Coiling Dragon¡± doubled in size, and after a few loops, it had grown into a massive dragon beast, several meters long and as thick as a water barrel.


    Eventually, this Scaly Armor clinking, dark green-eyed Coiling Dragon Spiritual Body, poised for action, coiled and hovered in front of Iron Pan Master.

 Chapter 344 - 257: Survival in Desperate Situations_2

    Chapter 344: Chapter 257: Survival in Desperate Situations_2


    Fu Yue, seeing the situation, quickly retreated several steps with a three-layer Jinxiu Talisman Plate in his hand, looking at Iron Pan Master with an alert and uneasy expression.


    At this moment, Iron Pan Master turned his head to look at Wei Yong¡¯an and Zhao Sheng. Their complexions were also very unsightly.


    As the atmosphere in the great hall began to grow strange, Wei Yong¡¯an deliberately coughed and, with reproach, said, ¡°Taoist Tie Pan, what are you doing!¡±


    ¡°Brother Wei, let you and I first eliminate the rest of these small fries. Then, how about we split the treasures here equally between us?¡± Iron Pan Master proposed calmly.


    ¡°This¡­¡± Wei Yong¡¯an hesitated upon hearing these words, but his face revealed an expression of intense temptation.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng felt a tightness in his heart. With a slight movement of his sleeve, a three-inch war halberd had already slipped into his palm, ready to be activated at any moment.


    ¡°Hmm?! Something¡¯s not right!¡±


    Just at this critical juncture, Iron Pan Master suddenly exclaimed in shock.


    The next second, the once majestic and massive Coiled Dragon visibly weakened and dimmed under everyone¡¯s gaze,


    its body rapidly shrinking from seventy to eighty feet to thirty to forty feet, then ten to twenty feet, and finally, amid a wretched, sorrowful cry, it turned into a dim and weak Spiritual Body that fled back to Iron Pan Master, reverting to a Coiling Dragon Tattoo on his body.


    At that moment, the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator suddenly shouted in surprise, ¡°My Spiritual Power is being sucked away by something?!¡±


    Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.


    Reminded by him, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized that the Spiritual Energy from the outside world was completely absent, having become a state of Spiritual Energy vacuum.


    Meanwhile, the Spiritual Power in the meridians of his Dantian was being extracted at an extremely abnormal rate.


    At this moment, the entire palace seemed to have become a ¡°Black Hole¡± of Spiritual Power; any Spiritual Power that escaped into the air would instantly vanish without a trace.


    Alarmed, Zhao Sheng immediately started to perform exercises to try to slow down the rate of Spiritual Power extraction, but after switching through more than a dozen methods, the results were not very effective.


    Meanwhile, the other survivors¡ªIron Pan Master, Wei Yong¡¯an, Fu Yue, and that Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator¡ªall attempted to seal their meridians and block their orifices in a bid to delay the loss of Spiritual Power, but in the end, all of their complexions were poor.


    And indeed, how could a Great Array personally arranged by the Great Chi Jian, comparable to a True Monarch, be deciphered by a group of Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Cultivators.


    In fact, the Five Directions Five Elements Sealing God Array was intended for the Blood God¡¯s Son and the Outer Heaven Demon. Zhao Sheng and the others were merely caught in the crossfire by mistake.


    Boom!


    At that moment, Wei Yong¡¯an suddenly threw a green Fireball the size of a human head.


    As soon as the green Fireball flew out two feet, it rapidly twisted and shrank under everyone¡¯s gaze, turning into a wisp of green smoke in the blink of an eye.


    ¡°Now that there are only the five of us left in the hall, we¡¯re all sensible people. Let me speak frankly,¡±


    Wei Yong¡¯an had barely started speaking when Zhao Sheng suddenly stepped forward and interjected, ¡°Senior Wei, I believe that the most urgent matter right now is how to escape from here. What do you think, Mr. Fu?¡±


    After he finished, Zhao Sheng gave Fu Yue a meaningful glance,


    Fu Yue understood the hint and quickly responded, ¡°What Taoist Yang Qing says is very true. This place is too dangerous; it¡¯s not advisable to stay long. Furthermore, before escaping from here, we must join forces and cooperate.¡±


    ¡°What you say makes sense. If Senior Iron Pan intends to be utterly ruthless, even if we die, we won¡¯t make it easy for you.¡±


    The Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator who spoke suddenly pulled back and was about to stand together with Zhao Sheng and Fu Yue.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    Just then, a series of muffled thuds erupted in the great hall. Two faint shadows swiftly crossed and separated, settling back down to the ground from midair at a distance from each other.


    The Iron Pan Master¡¯s face was ashen, his chest and abdomen now bearing a deep fist imprint.


    On the other side, Zhao Sheng retreated three steps with a red flush on his face, a shocked expression flashing across his visage, but also a glimmer of joy.


    In that split second, the two had exchanged eighteen punches and seven kicks in a head-on confrontation. He had sustained some internal injuries from the impact of True Yuan, but he had also landed a heavy punch on his opponent.


    What delighted him was that Zhao Sheng found his own strength and speed seemed to be almost on par with Iron Pan Master.


    Just in terms of physical strength, the two were nearly equal.


    But in terms of reaction speed, he was clearly more than a match for Iron Pan Master.


    ¡°Again!¡±


    At a bellow, Iron Pan Master¡¯s figure swelled in size, his arms and fists suddenly covered by a pair of dark black arm armors.


    Boom!


    His figure flashed, and he darted towards Zhao Sheng, moving so swiftly that the naked eye couldn¡¯t see his shape clearly.


    Ting, ting, ting!


    A vast expanse of spirit light scattered along with a shower of sparks.


    With a series of loud booms, Zhao Sheng gripped his Heavenly Square Halberd with both hands, chopping and slashing horizontally and vertically, the halberd light as imposing as a mountain, and he fought Iron Pan Master to a standstill.


    For a time, the palace was filled with lingering images of their confrontation.


    Moments later, the two of them quickly separated, each retreating to a corner of the palace.


    ¡°Iron Pan Senior, thank you for holding back!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s confidence surged, and he said, panting slightly, as he grasped his halberd.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Iron Pan Master snorted coldly, his muscles bulging suddenly, and a mysterious black light appeared slowly on the surface of his body.


    Seeing this scene, Fu Yue and the Late-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator grew fearful and quickly moved behind Zhao Sheng.


    In contrast, Wei Yong¡¯an¡¯s expression darkened, and he looked at Zhao Sheng with added gravity.


    To withstand a Body Refining Golden Core with just the strength of Foundation Establishment, although not gaining the upper hand, was also not falling behind.


    Such occurrences were quite rare in the Central Continent Cultivation World.


    Legends of surpassing one¡¯s level to battle an enemy such as this typically only appeared in the anecdotes of supremely talented individuals.


    Seeing that Iron Pan Master was about to make a move again, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression grew serious, and he quickly said, ¡°Senior, are you trying to force the three of us over to Senior Wei¡¯s side?¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng took a slight step towards Wei Yong¡¯an, and Fu Yue hurriedly followed.


    Iron Pan Master¡¯s movements slowed upon seeing this, but his intent to kill grew even stronger.


    However, he hesitated for a moment and ultimately did not act.


    From the exchange they had just now, he could tell that Zhao Sheng¡¯s physique was extraordinarily strong, his reactions too fast and too agile; he wouldn¡¯t be able to defeat him in a short period.


    Zhao Sheng was very clear about the current situation, nearly as if he could see through it.


    Among the five of them, Iron Pan Master, a Loose Cultivator, was the most intent on killing, evidently harboring thoughts of monopolizing the treasure. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wei Yong¡¯an, both a Golden Core Master and an Array Master, was relatively weaker in terms of raw strength.


    He was old and calculated, planning schemes, and although he also intended to monopolize the treasure, he did not resort to blatant aggression as Iron Pan Master did.


    Zhao Sheng was most wary of Wei Yong¡¯an, as he was unable to see through him and was extremely cautious of him.


    ¡°Senior Wei, the situation is not clear at the moment, and infighting is the worst strategy. The priority should be to find a way out of this hall. Haven¡¯t you noticed that the speed of Spiritual Power dissipating is getting faster and faster?¡± Zhao Sheng said.


    ¡°That¡¯s right! If we keep delaying like this, we¡¯ll all be drained into mummified corpses. The replenishing speed of Elixir Pills and Spirit Stones is far from matching the consumption of Spiritual Power!¡± Fu Yue immediately chimed in.


    ¡°Senior Wei, since you are an expert in formations, do you have a method to break this Soul Absorption Array?¡± Zhao Sheng asked.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng finished speaking, Wei Yong¡¯an¡¯s expression turned grave, weighing his thoughts for a moment, he soon abandoned the idea that had just come to mind.


    Zhao Sheng had made a good point; Wei Yong¡¯an simply had no way to break the array quickly.


    Given years or even decades, he might be able to decipher it bit by bit, but obviously, there was no time for that now.


    Therefore, Wei Yong¡¯an aimed for the next best thing and turned his head to say to Iron Pan Master, ¡°Taoist Tie Pan, let¡¯s not act hastily! The young friend just now made sense. It¡¯s not suitable to remain here; leaving as soon as possible is the best plan.¡±


    Seeing the two sides seemingly willing to join forces, Iron Pan Master¡¯s expression became even darker.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng seized the opportunity to speak out loudly, ¡°Seniors, let me say one thing. If virtue does not match one¡¯s position, disaster will ensue! Treasures like the Chi Demon Banner and True Dragon Skeleton truly aren¡¯t things we should be eyeing.


    We three just want to survive.


    I have a proposition; Mr. Fu and I will only take a portion of the deceased¡¯s belongings, and we won¡¯t touch any of the rest. What do you two seniors think?¡±


    By now, the situation in the hall was clear; although Zhao Sheng¡¯s group of three was the weakest, with Zhao Sheng there, they barely counted as one side.


    At this moment, the situation of three powers balanced against each other was established, and no one could hope to monopolize all the treasures for a while.

 Chapter 345 - 258 Truth

    Chapter 345: Chapter 258 Truth


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Humph, consider yourselves lucky!¡±


    Wei Yong¡¯an and Iron Pan Master, having cultivated to the Golden Core Realm, were naturally not fools. Seeing the tide had turned, they promptly changed their attitudes.


    Zhao Sheng, of course, knew the balance was exceedingly fragile at the moment and that everyone harbored their own schemes.


    However, what might happen later was not the concern for now, escaping this dangerous place as soon as possible was the rational course of action.


    In just a short while, the Spiritual Power within his body had been drained considerably.


    If they did not leave this place quickly, they would all soon perish here.


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng took out a bottle of Second-order Essence Spirit Pills and swallowed the whole ten pills without a second glance.


    ¡­


    Seeing this, Fu Yue took the opportunity to suggest, ¡°Master Wei, Senior Iron Pan, I propose we divide the relics roughly into eight parts. Mr. Yang, Master Wei, and Senior Iron Pan each take two shares, while we two will take one each. What do you think of my idea?¡±


    As he spoke, Fu Yue looked toward Zhao Sheng with an anxious expression.


    ¡°That would be fine. Please go ahead and take care of it, Mr. Fu,¡± Zhao Sheng agreed without any objection, nodding his head.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good idea!¡± Wei Yong¡¯an nodded in approval.


    Iron Pan Master only had eyes for the Chi Demon Banner and the Great Chi Jian Golden Body. He wasn¡¯t too concerned about these trivial gains.


    Fu Yue, seeing that everyone agreed, took the initiative to go to the pile of clothes under the Chi Demon Banner and began to carefully search for Storage Bags and various Magic Artifacts.


    Because of the Soul Absorption Array, Fu Yue didn¡¯t have time to divide everything meticulously and only made a rough estimate, dividing the Spiritual Artifacts and Magic Artifacts into approximately ten parts according to their grade.


    As for the Storage Bags, they were divided evenly by number without even opening them. Any extra Storage Bags had their contents dumped out and similarly divided into approximately ten parts based on value.


    In just a few minutes, all the relics were distributed.


    There was no more to be said. Wei Yong¡¯an and Iron Pan Master, the two in the Golden Core Realm, went first to choose. Then it was Zhao Sheng¡¯s turn, and lastly came Fu Yue and the nameless one in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.


    The whole process unexpectedly went smoothly, which gave Zhao Sheng a sigh of relief.


    But the next second, Fu Yue cautiously asked, ¡°Master Wei, Senior Iron Pan, may I ask how to dispose of the relics of Master Jiang and the Soul Servant Old Monster?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, feeling a bit tense inside.


    Fu Yue¡¯s question seemed simple, but it concealed deeper implications. Now, it depended on how the two Golden Core experts would respond.


    Wei Yong¡¯an glanced at Zhao Sheng and the others, then said in a light manner, ¡°Taoist Tie Pan, how about you and I each take one part of these two sets of relics?¡±


    ¡°Fine, this old man wants the share of the Soul Servant Old Monster,¡± Iron Pan Master said without any courtesies.


    ¡°As you wish!¡±


    Having said this, Wei Yong¡¯an gestured with his hand, and two embroidered golden Storage Bags suddenly flew up from the ground and into his hand.


    Together with them was also one of Jiang Tianlu¡¯s Magical Treasures, a golden, inch-long, double-bladed Golden Shuttle: the Heavenly Departure Shuttle.


    On the other side, Iron Pan Master also collected the relics of the Soul Servant Old Monster, a plain black bracelet and a rosary made of finger bones.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart sank. Judging by their actions, they still had murderous intentions. It would be difficult for his party of three to escape disaster.


    ¡°It looks like we need to be extremely cautious!¡± Zhao Sheng reminded himself inwardly.


    After dividing the relics, Iron Pan Master suddenly looked at Fu Yue with a smile that was not really a smile, and ordered in a cold tone, ¡°Fu Yue, go and bring me that Chi Demon Banner.¡±


    The elder named Bai Mei, Fu Yue, visibly shook as he heard this, looking fearfully at Iron Pan Master, stuttering, ¡°Senior, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Just go if I tell you to; what¡¯s with all this nonsense?¡± Iron Pan Master interrupted him squarely, glaring with murderous intent in his eyes.


    Fu Yue shrank back in fear, looking pitifully at Zhao Sheng for help.


    But Zhao Sheng turned his head away, as he owed no obligation to Fu Yue.


    Meanwhile, Wei Yong¡¯an didn¡¯t seem to mind Iron Pan Master¡¯s action of taking treasures and had already turned to the palace doors, casting various Break Formation Techniques, working out how to escape from this place.


    ¡°Go on, do you need me to force you?¡±


    Facing Iron Pan Master¡¯s threat, Fu Yue helplessly bowed his head, forcing out a pained smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go now, senior,¡± he said.


    After that, Fu Yue cast several layers of Defensive Magic upon himself and donned a green Wood Armor, then gingerly approached the Chi Demon Banner.


    By now, the Chi Demon Banner was securely trapped by layers upon layers of colorful nets, leaving only the bottom segment of the Blood Crystal-like flagpole exposed.


    Ten steps,


    Eight steps,


    ¡­


    Three steps,


    One step,


    Right up close to the Chi Demon Banner, yet nothing untoward had occurred.


    Fu Yue¡¯s tension eased slightly as he slowly reached out and grabbed the flagpole. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ah!


    Suddenly, he screamed in agony as a layer of blood light burst from the surface of the flagpole onto Fu Yue¡¯s hand.


    This blood light regarded the Defensive Magic as naught and rapidly began to invade his body.


    Fu Yue was terrified and tried to free his hand.


    But the blood light seemed to possess a sinister and unpredictable magic power, instantly restraining his Spiritual Power, Divine Soul, and flesh as soon as it touched his body.


    In an instant, Fu Yue was shrouded in blood light and quickly transformed into a mass of blood light, eventually being absorbed into the Chi Demon Banner.


    Bang!


    The green Wood Armor fell lightly to the ground, its surface gleaming with a faint green brilliance, which starkly reflected Iron Pan Master¡¯s somber face.


    At this moment, Wei Yong¡¯an¡¯s back to everyone stiffened ever so slightly, only to then continue working on the Formation as if nothing had happened.

 Chapter 346 - 258 Truth_2

    Chapter 346: Chapter 258 Truth_2


    As he understood more about the mysterious Great Array, his eyes became increasingly fervent.


    On the other hand, Iron Pan Master, unwilling to return empty-handed with a heavy treasure in front of him.


    He first tried to use a long-distance grabbing technique to shake the Chi Demon Banner, but no matter whether he used his True Yuan to capture or his Divine Thought to remotely retrieve it, he could not affect the Chi Demon Banner at all.


    Then, Iron Pan Master hastily rummaged through a pile of Storage Bags and finally found a Second-tier Puppet.


    While he was wholeheartedly refining the puppet, a quarter of an hour had already passed.


    During this period, Zhao Sheng had no choice but to consume another bottle of Elixir Pills to replenish his Spiritual Power.


    By now, not only he, but the other three had also realized that the longer they stayed in this palace, the faster their Spiritual Power dissipated.


    Fortunately, they all had a batch of Foundation Establishment Cultivator relics on hand, and the remaining Elixir Pills were still plentiful, so they wouldn¡¯t face the crisis of Spiritual Power depletion anytime soon.


    Time passed bit by bit.


    The atmosphere inside the palace was both heavy and eerily harmonious.


    The four people in the hall could be said to be each minding their own business, not interfering with each other.


    Iron Pan Master kept trying to take the Chi Demon Banner, but failed every time.


    Wei Yong¡¯an studied the Formation as if obsessed, paying no attention to the others¡¯ minor movements.


    The last survivor, other than Zhao Sheng, sat cross-legged in a corner of the palace with his eyes closed, continuously running his Cultivation Technique, striving to recover his Spiritual Power while desperately resisting the increasingly strong draining of Spiritual Power.


    However, Zhao Sheng was not as alert as the others.


    Thanks to the effect of the Immortal Golden Body, Zhao Sheng¡¯s rate of Spiritual Power dissipation was much slower than that of his peers, and even compared to the two Golden Core practitioners, he was not at a disadvantage.


    After consuming the Spirit Pill, he didn¡¯t need to give it his all, but was able to barely maintain the balance of his Spiritual Power with only half of his efforts.


    Taking advantage of this rare opportunity, Zhao Sheng slowly began to carefully explore around the corners of the palace.


    What surprised him a bit was that the palace was quite spacious, with an empty interior and exceptionally few items.


    Apart from things like the Chi Demon Banner, Great Chi Jian Golden Body, True Dragon Skeleton, and top-grade spiritual pearls placed in plain sight, there were no other superfluous items at all.


    The palace seemed to have been specifically emptied out, just for the purpose of storing those few treasures.


    No, perhaps not for storage, but for imprisonment.


    A thought suddenly sprung to Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind, ¡°This palace might be a prison, specially designed to confine something.¡±


    ¡°What is it confining? The Chi Demon Banner? The True Dragon Primordial Spirit, or¡­ the Great Chi Jian itself?¡± S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he thought, Zhao Sheng carelessly picked up the relics left behind by Fu Yue.


    Then, he slowly paced to the front of the Great Chi Jian Golden Body.


    Looking at the giant Golden Body over three zhang tall, his gaze suddenly focused on the Big Hole at the brow of the Great Chi Jian.


    In that instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind lit up with a flash of inspiration, as countless fragmented memories inexplicably surfaced in his mind.


    A myriad of memory fragments mixed together, as if numerous events were linked together by a crucial thread.


    The truth seemed to be on the verge of emerging!


    Zhao Sheng stopped abruptly, his thoughts racing as his brain worked at full capacity to clarify his ideas.


    After five or six breaths, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and his heartbeat pounded violently.


    He remembered!


    In his fourth life, he had encountered strange Blood Stains in a secret mansion,


    After joining the Origin Return Sect, a series of mysterious and odd events had occurred.


    Following a friend¡¯s death, the bizarre ¡°Blood Spirit Pill¡± found deep within that friend¡¯s Purple Mansion.


    In his fourth life, he failed to unravel the mystery of the Origin Return Sect until he was reborn in his fifth life in the Shattered Star Sea.


    At that time, the Origin Return Sect had fallen to the point of being reviled by everyone and operated under the name of the Blood Demon Sect amidst the darkness of the Shattered Star Sea.


    At the black market grand feast on Dragon Head Island that year, he overheard a Nascent Soul Ancestor mentioning that the Blood Sea Ancestor, Li Wufeng, suffered from ¡°Blood God¡¯s Son¡¯s body-seizing calamity.¡±


    The Blood Demon referred to the Blood God¡¯s Son!


    ¡°This so-called ¡®Blood God¡¯s Son,¡¯ could it have escaped from here?¡±


    Thinking back, those strange Blood Stains had exactly fallen from just above the secret mansion.


    Further associating it with the strong stench of blood in the palace and the devouring blood light of the Chi Demon Banner.


    Looking at the broken hole in the Great Chi Jian¡¯s brow, Zhao Sheng affirmed his speculation once more.


    After all, there couldn¡¯t be that many coincidences in the world!


    With that in mind, Zhao Sheng stepped forward, and the tip of his War Halberd lightly traced across the giant¡¯s knee.


    But as soon as the War Halberd touched the surface of the Golden Body, the huge Great Chi Jian Golden Body silently collapsed.


    ¡°`


    Rustle, rustle, gold powder fell down, quickly adding a thick layer of golden powder on the ground, as well as a huge azure-black head.


    This sudden change immediately alarmed the others.


    Iron Pan Master angrily bellowed, ¡°Kid, what did you just do?¡±


    Having failed to collect the Chi Demon Banner several times, he took the opportunity to vent all his pent-up frustration on Zhao Sheng.


    Wei Yong¡¯an turned his head, his eyes twinkling but he did not open his mouth to question.


    As for the last person, he was insignificant and could be ignored.


    Zhao Sheng used the War Halberd to lift the Great Chi Jian¡¯s head and put it into his Storage Belt, while his right hand swept out a whirlwind of Spiritual Power, cleaning the gold powder from the ground.


    ¡°Stop!¡± Iron Pan Master became even more uncontrollably angry upon seeing this.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head, raising the War Halberd in his right hand towards Iron Pan Master, expressing unexpectedly strong opposition, ¡°Master, do you wish to have a few more exchanges with me?¡±


    ¡°Impudent!¡±


    With a thunderous yell, Iron Pan Master suddenly donned half a suit of profound black Treasure Armor, and his whole person transformed into a thick black rainbow, with an overwhelming momentum, furiously rushing towards Zhao Sheng.


    This time, he was serious.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mouth curled into a smile; with a light tap on the ground, his figure instantly disappeared from its original place.


    Boom, boom


    In an instant, whirlwinds tore through the palace, and a series of thunderous sounds echoed throughout.


    One could see a white and a black streak of light chasing each other around the palace at frightening speeds, creating long afterimages.


    If any mortal was present, they would be unable to see any streaks of light or afterimages, only to despair as the sonic booms shattered their organs and killed them.


    At this moment, Iron Pan Master was furious. That damnable kid was too quick and agile; he couldn¡¯t catch up at all.


    Moreover, ordinary Breaking Void attacks couldn¡¯t threaten him in the slightest.


    Even if they exchanged a few moves midway, that kid would just touch and go, never entangling.


    The characteristic of Body Refinement Cultivators to ¡°escape if they couldn¡¯t win¡± was displayed to the fullest by this youngster.


    Damn it!


    At this time, Iron Pan Master suddenly realized the youngster in front of him had hidden part of his strength.


    His realm was at least at Foundation Establishment Perfection; he was certainly not a mid-to-late-stage Foundation Establishment Practitioner.


    With that thought, he immediately set aside the pride of a True Immortal and pleaded with Wei Yong¡¯an, ¡°Brother Wei, quickly help me capture and kill this kid!¡±


    However, at this moment Zhao Sheng spoke from a distance, laughing, ¡°Senior Wei, how about we join forces? Kill Iron Pan Master and all the treasures will be yours!¡±


    At that moment, Wei Yong¡¯an was tempted!


    But after pondering for a moment, he shook his head and sighed, ¡°Both of you, please stop! If we continue to delay like this, we will all die here.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Iron Pan Master was suddenly alarmed and immediately stopped in his tracks.


    Zhao Sheng sneered, ¡°Heh, haven¡¯t you noticed that the Great Array is drawing Spiritual Power faster and faster? If it continues to strengthen at this rate, in less than half a day, even if we consume Spirit Pills like food, we won¡¯t escape the fate of being drained into dry corpses.¡±


    ¡°Young Master Yang¡¯s observation is keen. That is exactly what I meant,¡± Wei Yong¡¯an nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Brother Wei, did you find a way to break the Array?¡± Iron Pan Master asked urgently, his face ashen.


    Wei Yong¡¯an shook his head with a hint of disappointment, ¡°Even if you give me several months, I might not be able to break such a high-level Array.¡±


    Everyone was deeply disappointed upon hearing this.


    ¡°However, there is a crude method!¡± Wei Yong¡¯an suddenly emphasized.


    ¡°What method?¡±


    ¡­


    Boom!


    Boom, boom!


    An hour later, the palace echoed with one boom after another from massive chiseling sounds.


    In the southwest corner of the palace, a thick layer of stone powder had already been collapsed.


    Zhao Sheng and Iron Pan Master had become laborers hammering down walls, each taking turns to fiercely smash for a while before switching to the other person.


    It turns out that Wei Yong¡¯an had previously examined that the main gate was sealed by the Great Array, and the material of the gate made it impossible to break out.


    Fortunately, for some reason, there was a collapse on the outer side of the great hall, which resulted in numerous cracks appearing on one of the interior walls.


    This spot was where the weakness of the Great Array lay.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 347 - 347: Escape from Danger

    Chapter 347: Escape from Danger


    Since they couldn¡¯t break through the formation in a short time, they decided to crudely drill an escape tunnel instead.


    It must be said that the artifact refining technique of the expert who built this palace far exceeded everyone¡¯s imagination.


    A mere wall of Blue Steel Rock was actually even harder than ten-thousand-year-old Xuan Iron!


    Fortunately, the wall was already full of cracks, which gave Zhao Sheng and the others hope of breaking through it.


    Clang!


    Zhao Sheng casually dropped a broken Spiritual Flying Sword, then skillfully reached around his waist with his right hand, producing another Flying Knife that shimmered with a cold, golden light.


    The Flying Knife instantly grew to three feet in length, and Zhao Sheng used it as a chisel, fiercely targeting a dented part of the wall.


    Bang bang!


    ¡­


    Another hour later, the vacuum suction inside the great hall had reached a terrifying intensity.


    Even separated by a Storage Bag, all items containing Spiritual Energy were involuntarily being drained continuously.


    Every two minutes, everyone had to take a Spirit Pill to prevent their dantian¡¯s Spiritual Power from plummetting and causing them to lose balance.


    At this time, the Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator, pale-faced, could no longer attend to anything else and strained to run his Cultivation Technique, desperately trying to stave off Spiritual Power exhaustion.


    Snap!


    A unique, light sound and suddenly a beam of light penetrated the dim palace from the outside.


    ¡°Ha ha, it¡¯s finally through!¡± Iron Pan Master exclaimed joyfully, throwing the Spiritual Artifact long spear in his hand.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression suddenly changed as he saw the long spear transform into a bolt of lightning, striking the Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator in the chest and abdomen, the spear tip piercing through his body and driving into the ground.


    Ah ah!


    The Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator suddenly opened his eyes wide with a look of despair, grabbing the spear that protruded from his body, as blood spurted out like a fountain.


    He weakly tried to pull it out, but at that moment, the latent True Yuan in the spear¡¯s shaft explosively unleashed, instantly blasting him into seven or eight pieces.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng took two steps back, his expression cold as he watched Iron Pan Master.


    ¡°Your turn!¡± Iron Pan Master said nonchalantly, waving his hand toward him.


    Zhao Sheng ignored him, not moving an inch.


    At that moment, Wei Yong¡¯an chided, ¡°Taoist Tie Pan, you were too hasty just now!¡±


    ¡°Young Zhao, you need not fear! If he makes a move, I will certainly not stand idly by,¡± he said calmly.


    Zhao Sheng calmly spoke up, ¡°If the master is in such a hurry, you might as well finish the job yourself.¡±


    Iron Pan Master scoffed a few times, ¡°Alright, but let me make it clear, I¡¯ll be the first to leave when it¡¯s time. Don¡¯t you regret it later.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! If the master wishes to do so, by all means, go ahead. I will not stop you.¡±


    Iron Pan Master¡¯s threats were simply laughable.


    Don¡¯t forget, the Chi Demon Banner was still in the palace! It would be strange if he could bear to leave this place.


    Zhao Sheng was different; he knew very well that whether it was the Chi Demon Banner, the True Dragon Skeleton, or those top-grade treasure beads, none were within his reach.


    Compared to the two Golden Core Masters with hidden motives, he was the one who most urgently wanted to escape this place.


    However, what the three of them did not expect was that suddenly, a commotion came from outside:


    ¡°There¡¯s movement!¡±


    ¡°Hey, there¡¯s a hole here!¡±


    ¡°Look quick, there are people inside!¡±


    Hearing voices from the outside world, the faces of Iron Pan Master, Wei Yong¡¯an, and Zhao Sheng changed immediately.


    Iron Pan Master remained silent, turned around, and continued to try to retrieve the Chi Demon Banner.


    Meanwhile, Wei Yong¡¯an silently sighed, beginning to try to retrieve parts of the True Dragon Skeleton.


    Zhao Sheng smiled briefly, then sat with legs crossed not far away, fully focusing on restoring his internal Spiritual Power, all the while resisting the increasingly strange suction.


    ¡­


    An hour later, the wall had been forcibly blasted open into a big hole by the Cultivators outside.


    ¡°Junior Qiu, hold on!¡±


    As an anxious voice called out from outside, a Jinyi Great Han clad in a double-layered red and blue light shield suddenly burst through the big hole.


    Zhao Sheng abruptly opened his eyes, staring directly at the newcomer.


    Ah!


    The Jinyi Great Han, upon seeing the dead bodies scattered throughout the hall and noticing Iron Pan Master, Wei Yong¡¯an, and Zhao Sheng eyeing him predatorily, was visibly startled.


    The Golden Core pressure emanating from the two immediately terrified him; he hurriedly turned around, trying to flee the scene.


    However, the exit was already blocked by people trying to rush in from outside.


    ¡°Do you want to take action or should I?¡± Iron Pan Master signaled Wei Yong¡¯an.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that, we still lack a few helpers, and I think these people are quite suitable,¡± Wei Yong¡¯an said with a smile, patting the dust off his clothes.


    At this moment, only a small part of the True Dragon Skeleton had been chiseled out, and there was still significant work to be done. The arrival of this group was very timely.


    ¡°Brother Wei is always more thoughtful. I nearly made a mistake,¡± Iron Pan Master said, glancing at the Chi Demon Banner, then chuckling in sudden realization.


    Within a few sentences, seven or eight Foundation Establishment Cultivators had already surged into the palace.


    The moment they saw the two Golden Core Masters, they instantly fell silent as if stricken with frost, deeply regretting entering this place.


    Seeing the dead bodies all around, they knew their fate was likely grim.


    As someone tried to sneakily slip out, Iron Pan Master burst forward explosively, instantly blocking the entrance.


    ¡°Cackle! Everyone stop right there!¡±


    As a vast Golden Core Realm pressure emanated from him, everyone involuntarily stepped back, their expressions fearful, not daring to make any wrong moves.


    ¡°Junior Chen He pays respects to Iron Pan Master,¡± said an elderly man with graying hair and a nobly shaped nose, hurriedly bowing in salute.


    Iron Pan Master narrowed his eyes, slowly asking, ¡°Oh, you know my name?¡± S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°To reply to the master, three months ago, this junior had the good fortune to see the master once in Pocket World City. Meeting you again today, the master¡¯s presence is even more impressive than before.¡±

 Chapter 348 - 259: Escape and Danger_2

    Chapter 348: Chapter 259: Escape and Danger_2 S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°So it is, since you¡¯re an old acquaintance. Very well, as long as you obey, this old man will spare your life!¡±


    No sooner had the voice fallen than someone imitated and approached Iron Pan Master, seeking to ingratiate themselves with him.


    At this point, someone recognized Wei Yong¡¯an¡¯s identity and hurriedly saluted him with a bow.


    Zhao Sheng sighed at this scene, thinking to himself, ¡°How clever people are to deceive themselves! They¡¯re obviously not satisfied with how quickly they¡¯re dying!¡±


    Seeing that the two Golden Core Masters did not immediately execute them, the crowd¡¯s fear slightly lessened.


    Even so, everyone was still visibly trembling, as if on the brink of an abyss.


    The awe-inspiring authority of the Golden Core could thus be seen.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng straightened his attire, then strode towards the exit.


    Watching Zhao Sheng approaching, Iron Pan Master¡¯s presence grew more formidable, and he asked with an inexplicable tone, ¡°Young man, where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, Master, but I have urgent matters and must take my leave first.¡±


    At this time, a black mystic light suddenly emerged from the Coiling Dragon Tattoo on Iron Pan Master¡¯s body.


    His voice turned icy, ¡°This path is closed!¡±


    ¡°Ah, Senior, why must you do this?¡± Zhao Sheng lamented, his face showing a resolute expression.


    Just as the two were about to clash again, Wei Yong¡¯an suddenly spoke up.


    ¡°Why does Young Master Yang need to leave in such a hurry? Wouldn¡¯t it be better to stay here?¡±


    ¡°Does Senior Wei mean to suggest that I join forces with the Master?¡± Zhao Sheng threw back a retort at Wei Yong¡¯an without even turning his head.


    Upon hearing this, Iron Pan Master¡¯s eyes immediately shone with excitement, frighteningly bright.


    Seeing the turn of events, Wei Yong¡¯an quickly changed his approach, persuading Iron Pan Master:


    ¡°Taoist Tie Pan, since Young Master Yang insists on leaving, let him go. We don¡¯t know how much longer we¡¯ll be delayed here.


    What¡¯s the point of not letting him leave? People outside will continue to break into this place regardless. In the end, the matter will inevitably be leaked, so whether we keep it secret or not is no longer important.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately swore, ¡°The two True Immortals can rest assured, even if I leave this place, I will absolutely keep my lips sealed. I dare to make a sworn oath.¡±


    Wei Yong¡¯an waved a hand dismissively, ¡°There¡¯s no need for an oath. However, you must take good care of that treasure you¡¯ve obtained, Young Master Yang, and make sure no one else gets it.¡±


    ¡°You old crook, so cunning,¡± Zhao Sheng cursed silently in his heart.


    But on the surface, he was extremely ¡°grateful,¡± ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Senior Wei. I will remember it deeply.¡±


    ¡°Brother Wei, are you certain you won¡¯t reconsider?¡± Iron Pan Master, seeing this, became anxious and solemnly prompted.


    He nearly voiced the words ¡°silence him¡± outright.


    But Wei Yong¡¯an seemed to have made up his mind as firmly as if he had swallowed a weight, showing no hint of changing his decision.


    At this point, Zhao Sheng suddenly understood the situation.


    Wei Yong¡¯an and Iron Pan Master were different.


    Wei Yong¡¯an was weaker than his opponent and also burdened by his family, whereas Iron Pan Master was a Loose Cultivator with nothing to lose.


    If he were to be silenced by the two, then Iron Pan Master would undoubtedly fight with Wei Yong¡¯an, seeking to monopolize all the treasures.


    Not to mention the special environment of the palace was greatly in favor of a Body Refiner, Wei Yong¡¯an, as an Array Master, would find no use for his skills here.


    Ultimately, the sole victor would certainly be Iron Pan Master.


    However, the beauty of the situation lay in the anomaly among the Foundation Establishment Cultivators like him who, with the help of the special environment of the palace, could actually contend against Iron Pan Master.


    At this moment, everything was clear!


    He wanted to leave this place.


    Wei Yong¡¯an began to think about maintaining the ¡°three-legged tripod¡± balance.


    Seeing his determination, that person immediately came upon the idea of letting one live to tell the tale.


    Why let a ¡°survivor¡± go? Those who understand the logic don¡¯t need a detailed explanation here.


    Iron Pan Master was extremely reluctant, unwilling to let Zhao Sheng go for nothing.


    Zhao Sheng repeated his old trick, subtly threatening, ¡°The Master surely doesn¡¯t wish to see me joining forces with Senior Wei, does he?¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Iron Pan Master grunted and coldly stepped aside, opening a path.


    He wasn¡¯t afraid of their joint effort, but he couldn¡¯t afford to delay any longer.


    By now, the onlookers who were watching the drama unfold were all dumbfounded.


    Good heavens, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator had actually threatened two Golden Core Masters in succession,


    And what¡¯s key, he actually succeeded.


    How could one not describe this as utterly inconceivable!


    ¡°I want to leave too!¡± someone internally shouted desperately, but at such a critical juncture, no one dared to draw the ire upon themselves.


    No, there actually was one who was bold enough.


    ¡°Elder, I also have¡­ ah!¡±


    Unfortunately, that person had only spoken a few words before Iron Pan Master, blazing with fury, smashed his head to a pulp with a punch.


    The gap between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core was like the difference between clouds and mud, not everyone was a freak like Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Who else wants to leave this place?¡±


    As Zhao Sheng crossed the hole in the wall, the threatening voice of Iron Pan Master, filled with rage, suddenly came from behind him.


    ¡­


    No sooner had he left the palace than Zhao Sheng turned into a gust of wind and quickly flew away.


    Although he didn¡¯t know whether Iron Pan Master or Wei Yong¡¯an would end up as the ultimate winner, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t think they would meet a good end.


    As the ancients said, ¡°Whosoever¡¯s virtue does not match his place, disaster will befall.¡±


    The Chi Demon Banner, the True Dragon Remains, and other such heavy treasures were not things they could covet or possess.


    This sort of Divinity Transformation Level relic, even merely touching upon it, often meant massive trouble.


    Don¡¯t think that just because he successfully escaped from the heavens, everything would be fine.


    Zhao Sheng guessed that there must be repercussions to this affair, and that major trouble awaited him down the line.


    Luckily, he had never showed his true face before.


    But that didn¡¯t mean he was completely safe.


    The Heavenly Square Halberd he used, his Foundation Establishment Realm, his Body Refining Cultivator status, and even his build and demeanor, all left countless traces behind.


    If any major force spent the time and effort to meticulously investigate¡­


    It would only be a matter of time before he was found out.


    He must not harbor any illusions of luck!


    For the possibility of a true treasure, a Nascent Soul Ancestor might very well spend decades or even centuries digging up every last inch of land to find him.


    Moreover, he did indeed obtain a true treasure.


    The last words of Wei Yong¡¯an were unexpectedly accurate.


    Zhao Sheng knew this place had turned into a ticking time bomb, how could he dare stay a second longer?


    After spending nearly an hour, Zhao Sheng evaded several dozen fleeting space rifts and finally reached the white mist at the very periphery of the relics.


    Staring at the vast cloud mist, he gritted his teeth, bolstered himself with triple defense, and then plunged headlong into the fog.


    A wave of dizziness washed over him, a feeling all too familiar, and an inexplicable surge of elation filled Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart.


    When he opened his eyes again, he saw ice and frost howling around him, the world encased in ice.


    He had actually made it out!


    However, Zhao Sheng¡¯s joy lasted only a moment.


    At that instant, he suddenly felt a chill in his heart, giving rise to an overwhelming sense of dread.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to die! I¡¯m going to die! I¡¯ll definitely die!¡±


    In that moment between life and death, he suddenly erupted with potential like never before, his feet forcefully exploding into action and digging two deep pits in the ground as chunks of ice and stone burst into the air.


    He vanished from the spot in an instant, moving so fast it was as though he had performed instantaneous movement.


    Rip!


    Ten yards away, Zhao Sheng staggered to a stop, with a new, bone-deep gash across his chest and abdomen.


    He had narrowly escaped being bisected by the sneak-attack sword light.


    His nearly Small Success Immortal Golden Body was as fragile as paper in the face of that sword light.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s body stiffened.


    Just a yard in front of him, a young man in white, with piercing eyes and thin lips, was standing quietly in mid-air.


    ¡°Ancestor, this guy has a tough body, and his reactions are really quick!¡±


    Following this mocking remark, a black-haired, crown-wearing, rosy-cheeked fat elder suddenly flew in from behind, landing beside the young man in white.


    This person had clear and innocent eyes, an expression carefree and childish, looking as though he never aged.


    Wearing a broad smile, he looked at Zhao Sheng with silver sword light circling around him.


    Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes, recognizing the true nature of the sword light, and saw it was actually several silver elixir pills about an inch big.


    Sword Pills?!


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ve actually encountered a high-level Inner Sword Cultivator of the Sky-splitting Sword Dao. This is troublesome,¡± Zhao Sheng inwardly lamented.


    After all, the people of the Sky-splitting Sword Dao were all combat madmen, especially Inner Sword Cultivators with their Sword Obsession. After refining Sword Pills, they roamed, seeking demons and slaying evils (testing their swords upon the world).


    In comparison to Jian Er, who had been defeated by him three times in these years (with Jian Shisan now ranking second), Inner Sword Cultivators were the real ¡°Sword Madmen.¡±

 Chapter 349 - 260: Fortunately, the Ancestor Came in Time

    Chapter 349: Chapter 260: Fortunately, the Ancestor Came in Time


    Zhao Sheng tensed his muscles, forcibly closed the wound to stop the flow of fresh blood, and then cupped his hands in a salute, though his tone was very indifferent, ¡°The junior, Yang Qing, has seen the two seniors from the Sky-splitting Sword Dao. May I ask in what way has this junior offended the senior? Why did you attempt to kill me upon first sight?¡±


    Even though he knew that he was no match for either person before him, he could not let his momentum falter.


    The fat old man was startled upon hearing this, ¡°Offended?


    ¡°Ah, not at all! It¡¯s just your bad luck that you happened to stumble upon the Ten Thousand Sword Formation as soon as you came out.¡±


    Watching the other person¡¯s face that read ¡°you¡¯re really unlucky,¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart fire surged, and he said sarcastically, ¡°Should I apologize to the senior, then?¡±


    ¡°No need for apologies. Just be more careful in the future,¡± the fat old man said with great magnanimity.


    ¡°So it¡¯s my fault!¡± Zhao Sheng was instantly speechless.


    He could tell that this fat old man was a fool, unable to discern even praise from criticism.


    Zhao Sheng disregarded this man, turned to the young man in white, bowed, and asked, ¡°Senior, since this was all a misunderstanding, may I ask if I can take my leave first?¡±


    If the fat old head was a Golden Core Realm Inner Sword Cultivator, then the young man in white he called Ancestor must have a cultivation so high it soared to the heavens, at the very least a Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator.


    Facing such an ancestral figure, Zhao Sheng must handle the situation carefully.


    The young man in white flicked his sleeve, and suddenly, within a hundred feet around them, the cold tide and snowstorm ceased abruptly; all was silent.


    ¡°Speak!¡±


    The young man in white spoke with a gentle voice, but regrettably was sparing with his words; he just said two words and then closed his mouth.


    Zhao Sheng was taken aback.


    At this moment, the fat old man cheerfully explained, ¡°The Ancestor¡¯s meaning is for you to explain what¡¯s going on inside. We went in once before, but the Ancestor is so strong, and the space rifts too severe. We were forced back out as soon as we entered.¡±


    Although the man¡¯s explanations were confusing, they sufficed to clarify things for Zhao Sheng.


    It amounted to the young man in white possessing such formidable strength that he affected the spatial stability.


    Once they entered, the surrounding space became extremely chaotic, causing countless space rifts to appear and eventually forcing them to retreat from the relic.


    Reminder by the fat old man made Zhao Sheng suddenly recall the identity of these two esteemed individuals.


    It was said that these two were also renowned figures in the Central Continent Cultivation World.


    If nothing was amiss, the young man in white should be a Nascent Soul Sword Ancestor from the Sky-splitting Sword Dao, famously known as ¡°Holy and Evil Sword¡± Shen Mo.


    This fat old man, though seemingly naive and innocent, was not truly a fool. Born with a childlike innocence, he was influenced by the sword formula he cultivated.


    This man, greatly named Shen Tianzhen, spent his years following his Ancestor Shen Mo. Being Shen Mo¡¯s only kin and a Sword True Man at the Late Stage Golden Core, he was also known as the ¡°Weird Sword Child¡±.


    Shen Mo was a man of few words, with an unpredictable character flirting between righteousness and wickedness. Having killed countless enemies in his life, he always acted on his whims and did as he pleased.


    In the Central Continent Cultivation World, this master and disciple duo were notorious for being troublemakers, always bringing trouble wherever they went.


    In a nutshell, this master and disciple pair were not to be trifed with ¨C one would be wise to avoid them wherever possible.


    Zhao Sheng felt his scalp tingle and secretly cursed his misfortune for encountering this difficult pair.


    ¡°It seems I won¡¯t be able to extricate myself for a while.¡±


    Thinking this, he started to explain the events within the relic.


    Zhao Sheng first described the environment inside the relic, and then he focused on the mysterious palace that sealed the Chi Demon Banner and the Great Chi Jian, as well as what happened inside.


    Zhao Sheng did not conceal most of the information, only omitting the secrets of the Taiqing Nine Yang Sealing God Tablet and the True Dragon Primordial Spirit.


    As he spoke, the fat old man listened with shouts of astonishment, his expression alternating between tension and excitement, as if he had completely immersed himself into the story.


    When Zhao Sheng mentioned the discovery of the Chi Demon Banner, the True Dragon Skeleton, and the Great Chi Jian Golden Body, even the expressionless Shen Mo appeared moved.


    However, he had an immense level of self-control. Until Zhao Sheng finished telling everything, he did not interrupt once.


    After finishing, Zhao Sheng looked directly at the master and disciple with an open and fearless gaze.


    As far as he knew, the Holy and Evil Sword, though bloodstained, was not one to kill indiscriminately.


    Thus, he was not too worried for his own life.


    ¡°Tianzhen, hmm!¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, are you saying that I should go in with this young fellow and retrieve everything inside?¡±


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    Shen Mo hummed twice in succession, where the first hum signified agreement.


    But at the second hum, he suddenly looked up into the sky, his face unexpectedly showing a trace of solemnity.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he too looked towards the sky, only to see the world engulfed in snow and surging cold tides, a bleak expanse of white, without any signs of abnormality.


    However, the fact that Zhao Sheng could detect no abnormality didn¡¯t mean that Shen Mo couldn¡¯t.


    One must know that the divine thought of a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator can extend for miles around, and even though the harsh environmental conditions greatly hindered divine thought here, he would still have several miles of effective range.


    For a Nascent Soul old monster to show such concern, the intruder surely had a significant background.


    Two breaths later, Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Weird Sword Child Shen Tianzhen suddenly changed his expression and exclaimed, ¡°Wow, it¡¯s a Double-headed Dragon Vulture!


    It¡¯s not good, Ancestor. It must be the Vulture Old Monster from the Beast Taming Sect that¡¯s pursuing us.¡±


    In the midst of talking, the chaotic and swirling snow in the sky suddenly became even more turbulent.


    Boom boom!


    Accompanied by the roaring sound of a storm fast approaching from the Upper Sky, Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils constricted as he suddenly saw a large bird with a body as vast as an ancient Dragon Elephant, talons like a dragon, scales like an eagle, a pair of blood-red wings resembling a bat¡¯s, and two heads resembling both dragon and vulture emerging from its neck.

 Chapter 350 - 260: Fortunately, the Ancestor Came in Time_2

    Chapter 350: Chapter 260: Fortunately, the Ancestor Came in Time_2


    The double-headed Dragon Vulture abruptly broke through the vast snow, flying fiercely toward the trio.


    And standing on the back of the Dragon Vulture was an arrogant old man with a hawk nose and eagle eyes, dressed in a dark feather robe.


    Upon seeing the comer, Zhao Sheng immediately felt his head grow three sizes larger.


    Being from the Southern Border, he was all too familiar with the Vulture Old Monster from the Beast Taming Sect.


    It was precisely because he knew the Vulture Old Monster¡¯s cold-blooded and ruthless character, that often led to killing, that Zhao Sheng felt an intense headache coming on.


    Hum!


    A silvery white Sword Light soared into the sky, turning into a hefty sword rainbow over twenty zhang long, lightning-fast as it struck the double-headed Dragon Vulture.


    ¡°Screech!¡±


    The double-headed Dragon Vulture was unable to dodge in time; seeing someone daring to strike it, it instantly flew into an extreme rage. Its massive body suddenly swelled by a third, dragon scales standing on end all over its body, and its two huge bat wings powerfully flapped once.


    Two black whirlwinds appeared out of thin air, and in an instant, they formed two enormous Dragon Tornadoes, intercepting the sword rainbow from left and right.


    Boom!


    The sword rainbow and the Dragon Tornadoes collided with a thunderous clash, exploding immediately, causing the wind and snow in a thousand zhang radius to swirl turbulently, the fierce gales scraping a thick layer of ice and rocks directly from the surrounding cliffs.


    ¡°You vile beast!¡±


    At that moment, a sharp and grating voice, akin to a knife scraping a metal plate, suddenly overpowered the great whirlwind, echoing amidst the icy clouds between the mountains.


    ¡°Screech!¡±


    The double-headed Dragon Vulture suddenly closed its wings and swiftly dove down in a glide.


    In the blink of an eye, this unruly Seventh Rank Demon came to a halt in front of Zhao Sheng and the others, its four colossal eagle-like eyes intensely focusing on Shen Mo in white, as if it was about to explode into a murderous fury at any moment.


    The Vulture Old Monster first glanced at the white fog that hadn¡¯t dissipated, then turned his head toward the three, his question posed with a facade of a smile, ¡°Hehe, lucky that I chased down here. Otherwise, this venerable one would have missed a great opportunity.


    Just as the rumors say, where Fellow Daoist Shen is, trouble is never far behind, but neither are opportunities!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Shen Mo in white remained silent. The chubby old man dejectedly greeted him, ¡°Tianzhen, on behalf of my Ancestor, pays respects to Eagle Ancestor.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, Sword Child, you seem rather unhappy about this venerable one¡¯s arrival, eh?¡±


    ¡°Hehe, the venerable one is perceptive. I am a tiny bit indeed, but just a tiny bit.¡± The chubby old man seriously raised his right hand, pinching his thumb and index finger together, purposely leaving a small gap.


    Arguing with a ¡°madman¡± was beneath the dignity of the Vulture Old Monster, who didn¡¯t take to heart Shen Tianzhen¡¯s disrespectful action.


    He was only curious why this master and disciple pair did not enter the relic.


    ¡°There must be some deceit!¡± The Vulture Old Monster thought, his gaze suddenly turning sharp as he looked at the badly injured Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Boy, what¡¯s going on here?¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt his heart sink upon hearing this.


    At that moment, two other inexplicable gazes also suddenly landed on him.


    ¡°Reporting to the elder, this is an ancient relic from ten thousand years ago. It is extremely dangerous inside; I¡¯ve just narrowly escaped from it.¡± Zhao Sheng answered evasively, avoiding the main issue.


    The Vulture Old Monster¡¯s face turned cold upon hearing this. Zhao Sheng¡¯s little tricks could hardly deceive a millennium-old monster.


    Before he could speak again, the Vulture Old Monster suddenly said harshly, ¡°I¡¯ll ask you once more, what is peculiar about this relic? If you dare lie, I¡¯ll make you wish for death!¡±


    ¡°Humph!¡±


    No sooner had the voice fallen than Shen Mo in white suddenly let out a cold snort, spitting out a ¡°Bright Pearl.¡±


    The Bright Pearl hung before his chest, radiating myriad Sword Lights.


    In an instant, within a hundred zhang, the wind and clouds abruptly changed, ice and snow storms, hundred zhang of icy cold¡­ everything transformed into the Sword Domain!


    It was then that the chubby old man, Shen Tianzhen, spoke on behalf of his Ancestor, ¡°Elder Jiu, you don¡¯t always have to threaten and kill! If there¡¯s an issue, take it up with us. There¡¯s no need to be so harsh with the younger generation! They haven¡¯t offended you.¡±


    ¡°Haha! Fellow Daoist Shen, no need for hostility, I am not one to kill indiscriminately,¡± Eagle Ancestor said, not fearing the Holy and Evil Sword, but also had no intention of clashing over a minor affair with a Nascent Soul of the same rank as the Sword Madman.


    After he finished speaking, the Bright Pearl¡¯s radiance suddenly retracted, and the Sword Domain instantly vanished like smoke.


    The face of Vulture Old Monster softened slightly, then he asked Zhao Sheng in a cold tone, ¡°Boy, tell this venerable one everything you know.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had no choice but to recount the details about the relic once more.


    After listening, the Vulture Old Monster became excited, and his tremendous pressure began to uncontrollably surge forth, causing Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart to shake violently,


    The gap between Foundation Establishment and Nascent Soul was unimaginably vast; just a wisp of leaking pressure nearly suffocated him.


    ¡°Wrong, you lie!¡±


    Suddenly, at this moment, Vulture Old Monster¡¯s eyes flashed fiercely, and with a bellow, his fingers suddenly reached out to grab Zhao Sheng.


    The next instant, a huge hand, entirely purple-black and nearly condensed, appeared out of thin air and abruptly clasped Zhao Sheng, yanking him into the air and pulling him towards Vulture Old Monster.


    ¡°How dare you!¡±


    A cold shout arose, and a dazzling, water-like sword light suddenly enveloped the area.


    The purple-black hand was instantly shattered by the Nascent Soul Sword Domain.


    Vulture Old Monster let out a strange cackle. He had merely been bluffing out of habit.


    Who could have predicted that Shen Mo would react by striking out directly?


    Shen Mo¡¯s protection of the kid like this indicated that the person had definitely concealed many secrets.


    With that in mind, he was even less inclined to let the kid go.


    In fact, Vulture Old Monster had entirely misread Shen Mo¡¯s thoughts, yet ironically hit upon some truth.


    Zhao Sheng had indeed lied!


    Hum!


    A sudden hum resounded between heaven and earth as Vulture Old Monster¡¯s palm abruptly released a purple-black light ball.


    No sooner had the light ball left his palm than it expanded rapidly in all directions.


    Ten feet,


    Twenty feet, S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    In the blink of an eye, a black light steaming, a massive spherical domain with a diameter of thirty to forty feet appeared in the world, enveloping Vulture Old Monster and the Double-headed Dragon Vulture within.


    At this time, the silver-white Sword Domain and the black domain, both Nascent Soul Domains, collided with each other.


    Boom!


    Heavenly Pillar Mountain seemed to have a giant black-and-white ¡°Bright Sun¡± appear on it, with billions of rays wrapped around Nascent Soul-level mana, instantly sweeping away the snowstorm within a dozen miles and creating large ¡°Empty Domains.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, ignoring the wounds on his chest and abdomen that had reopened, lunged to the ground with a thrust, his Immortal Golden Body erupting in full force, and five golden rings emerged on his skin, struggling to withstand the remaining force of the battle.


    Surrounding him, the wind, sharp as knives and as lashing as whips, etched long and deep ravines in the mountains and cliffs in an instant, while large protrusions were leveled by the residual mana.


    Just as he was about to deploy the Defensive Talismans, a plump figure suddenly appeared in front of him,


    Shen Tianzhen looked solemn, with sword pills shimmering like stars around him. He stretched out both hands, and a True Essence Shield suddenly emerged, protecting Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Thank you, senior, for your protection!¡±


    Zhao Sheng flipped over to sit on the ground, channeling energy to stop the bleeding at his wound while bowing his thanks to Shen Tianzhen.


    ¡°Heh heh! I told you, kid, that you have bad luck,¡± Shen Tianzhen said with a mischievous grin and chuckle, advising, ¡°You just stay put and don¡¯t move. Once the Ancestor feels better, naturally, the battle will cease.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt a wave of relief and braced his right hand on the ground to get up, but the ground where he touched was soft as sludge.


    His right hand sank deeply into the ground, and a sudden strong force came from below.


    At the same time, a large yellow light appeared across the ground within a radius of three feet, and the earth and rocks instantly turned into ¡°water ripples.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart stirred, and his entire body suddenly sank into the layers of rock and soil beneath him.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡±


    As a muffled and anxious shout reached his ears, darkness enveloped Zhao Sheng¡¯s vision, and he was wrapped in extremely pure Earth Element True Essence and dragged swiftly into the deep layers of soil.


    ¡°Qingyang, do not fear! It¡¯s me.¡±


    At that moment, the familiar, deep voice of Zhao Xuanjing reached his ears, and Zhao Sheng finally completely relaxed.


    A short while later, a hundred miles deep within Heavenly Pillar Mountain, inside a natural stone cave, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing sat facing each other.


    Occasionally, huge beasts the size of mountains swam past on the surrounding stone walls, their bodies circled by wide, thick golden rings emanating waves of smooth jade-like golden light.


    Inside the cave, the two slightly calmed their emotions.


    But Zhao Xuanjing still said with lingering fear, ¡°It¡¯s good that I arrived in time.¡±


    Zhao Sheng took out a bottle of Healing Pills and swallowed them, then cast two Second-order Rejuvenation Talismans.


    After somewhat treating his injuries, he laughed and said, ¡°I knew you would come, Ancestor. As expected, you did not disappoint me.¡±

 Chapter 351 - 261 Shifting the Blame

    Chapter 351: Chapter 261 Shifting the Blame


    Zhao Xuanjing laughed and scolded, ¡°You brat, you really are recklessly bold. To think you managed to cause two Nascent Souls to come to blows over you. Come on, out with it, what exactly happened here?¡±


    With no other option, Zhao Sheng bitterly smiled and promptly recounted the cause and effects as well as the matter of the legacy in detail.


    He had absolute trust in Zhao Xuanjing, so he didn¡¯t hold back anything.


    Other than not mentioning the matter of the Blood God¡¯s Son, he also revealed everything about the True Dragon Primordial Spirit and the Nine Yang Sealing God Stele.


    The reason for this was twofold.


    Trust was one aspect, and the second was that the grade of the True Dragon Primordial Spirit was too high, while his own realm was too low.


    At the very least, he wouldn¡¯t be able to utilize it for at least a hundred years.


    Moreover, with such an old monster, who knew how many tricks it had up its sleeve? His own frail body was probably not going to be able to handle any unexpected situations that might arise.


    On the contrary, Zhao Xuanjing was not only at the Perfect Golden Core stage but also possessed extraordinary strength and a wealth of experience, along with countless secret techniques.


    Even if the True Dragon Primordial Spirit had a trick or two left, it was very likely that it couldn¡¯t do much to him.


    Most importantly, Zhao Sheng had not expected the legacy to be related to the Great Chi Jian.


    Therefore, he hadn¡¯t particularly hidden his identity beforehand, leading to rather many clues left behind throughout the entire incident.


    However, the Great Chi Jian was tied to the great disaster of the Heavenly Burial Plain from ten thousand years ago.


    Unfortunately, with the imminent war between the Tianzhu Realm and the Netherworld Ghost Realm, he had no confidence in being able to deceive and evade scrutiny regarding matters so crucial to the rise and fall of a realm.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng had to inform Zhao Xuanjing of the situation.


    The matter was of great importance, and there would surely be those who would relentlessly pursue it, not overlooking any trace. If he was not careful, it might end up implicating the entire Zhao family.


    At this point, Zhao Sheng had already prepared a contingency plan, ready to sever ties with his family beforehand if necessary.


    ¡°What? You didn¡¯t see wrong? It really is the Great Chi Jian?!¡± Zhao Xuanjing asked for confirmation several times, seemingly losing his composure.


    At this moment, the fluctuations of his aura were extremely intense, clearly unsettled by the news.


    Zhao Sheng nodded very seriously, ¡°Absolutely sure! Not only that, I also have a guess¡­¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing suddenly interrupted Zhao Sheng¡¯s words, his expression extremely agitated as he said, ¡°Wait! Start from the beginning, go over it again from the start. Any detail you know, you have to recount it completely without omission.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like this¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head with a sense of helplessness and then spent four hours repeating the entirety of the incident in detail.


    After listening, Zhao Xuanjing pondered for a moment and then asked, ¡°Where¡¯s the item?¡±


    ¡°Here, this hot potato,¡± replied Zhao Sheng, pulling out the Sealing God Tablet from his bosom and casually passing it over.


    His relaxed demeanor was as if he was not passing on a heavy treasure but a trifle.


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s expression turned grave as he took the tablet and inspected the square, yellow crystal stele time and again.


    Upon seeing the lifelike Five-clawed True Dragon Primordial Spirit inside the crystal stele, he couldn¡¯t help but gasp for air and cursed, ¡°Fuck, if you didn¡¯t make trouble it would be fine, but when you do, it¡¯s a massive disaster. This thing, and all the trouble that comes with it, is simply not something our small household should be meddling in!¡±


    Zhao Sheng spread his hands innocently and said, ¡°Well, what¡¯s done is done, Ancestor, you see to it. Maybe they won¡¯t even bother with us.¡±


    ¡°Foolish! It¡¯s a grave mistake to think like that,¡± Zhao Xuanjing rebuked sternly with furrowed brows.


    However, at that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression turned awkward as he took out an object from his Storage Bag and said sheepishly, ¡°Uh, I almost forgot, there¡¯s also this.¡±


    Even having been dead for nearly ten thousand years, even with only a head remaining, the fearsome nature of such a peerless beast still emitted an aura of dread.


    Gazing at the huge, fierce black and blue head, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s eyes twitched involuntarily, betraying his shock.


    ¡°This is the head of the Great Chi Jian. I just took it back with me on a whim,¡± Zhao Sheng shrugged nonchalantly and added.


    ¡°Quick, tell me, what else did you take? Hand everything over at once. It¡¯s better than leaving me anxious,¡± Zhao Xuanjing said a bit desperately.


    ¡°That¡¯s all, just a pile of ¡®gold powder¡¯ and some picked-up Spiritual Artifacts, Storage Bags, and stuff. Just some bits and bobs that you surely wouldn¡¯t care for,¡± Zhao Sheng said with an innocent look.


    ¡°Hand it over!¡±


    ¡°Hand over what? You¡¯re not thinking of snatching away these little things I got through blood and sweat, are you?¡± Zhao Sheng feigned ignorance and reluctantly refused to hand over the items.


    Seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing couldn¡¯t help but curse, ¡°Bullshit! Relics of at most Foundation Establishment Cultivators, why would I care about them? I¡¯m talking about the ¡®gold powder.¡¯ The remnants of the Great Chi Jian¡¯s Golden Body!¡±


    ¡°If only you¡¯d said it earlier! I thought you had more¡­,¡± Zhao Sheng grumbled deliberately while reluctantly taking out the Jade Box containing ¡®gold powder¡¯ and placing it between them.


    After his interruption, the atmosphere in the stone chamber oddly relaxed quite a bit.


    Zhao Xuanjing opened the Jade Box and indeed, saw a box full of dazzling golden powder.


    He immediately closed the Jade Box, let out a long breath, and his expression gradually calmed down, already having a plan in mind. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ever since ancient times, there was a saying in the Cultivation World that ¡°each realm is like a distinct heaven.¡±


    This didn¡¯t just refer to status and treatment but implied something much deeper.


    As an elder of the Ksitigarbha Sect at the Great Perfection stage of the Golden Core, Zhao Xuanjing had access to far wider information than any Foundation Establishment Cultivator could imagine.


    At this level, he had insight into many secrets not even known to average Golden Core Masters.


    Take the Blood God¡¯s Son, for instance, Zhao Sheng had to draw upon experiences from several lifetimes for a moment of inspiration to guess the connection between the Great Chi Jian and the Blood God¡¯s Son.

 Chapter 352 - 261 Shifting the Blame_2

    Chapter 352: Chapter 261 Shifting the Blame_2


    Compared to Zhao Sheng, Zhao Xuanjing didn¡¯t need to go through such trouble. The secret scrolls within the Ksitigarbha Sect contained far more detailed information than Zhao Sheng knew.


    Put simply,


    If nothing unexpected happened, this Great Chi Jian and the Blood God¡¯s Son that possessed it were indeed the main culprits behind the great war between the two realms that occurred in the past.


    When the war between the two realms broke out that year, these two culprits suddenly disappeared without a trace, never to be heard from again.


    In addition, according to what he knew, the Blood Demon Sect that had been stirring up trouble for the last seven to eight hundred years and proving difficult to eliminate was the handiwork of that Blood God¡¯s Son.


    Although Zhao Xuanjing did not know what schemes were being plotted behind the scenes by those important figures, he also knew that if it were not for intentional indulgence, that Blood God¡¯s Son would have been crushed to dust centuries ago.


    It was because he knew the severity of the situation that his spirit surged uncontrollably, almost causing him to lose the composure he had cultivated over the hundreds of years.


    Once Zhao Xuanjing had made up his mind, he immediately said, ¡°Qingyang, this matter has far-reaching implications and is too secretive for me to explain to you in detail at the moment.


    Since you have been involved in it, this matter must be resolved as soon as possible.


    One must not harbor any luck-based complacency, and to sit and wait for death is a worst-case scenario that cannot be considered.¡±


    After listening, Zhao Sheng hesitated and said, ¡°Could it be that Ancestor wishes for me to stay far away from the Central Continent and hide my identity to live in seclusion away from disaster?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing patted the head of the Great Chi Jian and snorted coldly, ¡°Hmph, if even my own junior cannot be protected, wouldn¡¯t I be nothing but an old invalid.¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng feigned ignorance and said, ¡°In that case, it would be better to hand over everything altogether. Given your esteemed face, you should be able to ensure safety for the entire family.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing laughed and scolded, ¡°You lad, there¡¯s no need to provoke me with your words. Since the treasures have come into our hands, there¡¯s no reason to hand them over for nothing.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s the plan, then?¡± Zhao Sheng asked with genuine interest.


    He was now completely reassured and took the leisure to joke around with Zhao Xuanjing.


    ¡°Such a precious item as the True Dragon Primordial Spirit naturally cannot be handed over. Having this skull should be enough to settle the matter.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of being sought out by other powers? You should know that the situation at the time was chaotic. I can¡¯t guarantee that others don¡¯t know about this True Dragon Primordial Spirit.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing confidently declared with a hint of pride, ¡°So what if they know, and so what if they don¡¯t! Not to mention the lack of evidence, even if they knew of its emergence, I could still deny any knowledge of its whereabouts.


    Don¡¯t forget, however you put it, I am also the Golden Core Great Elder of the Ksitigarbha Sect. Your ancestral master is a Late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator.


    Speaking of backing, who should I fear?¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly realized, almost forgetting that his ancestor was not merely a powerful Golden Core Cultivator but also a ¡°Cultivation second generation,¡± with a mighty support behind him!


    ¡°In that case, we must promptly report the matter of the ruins to the Ksitigarbha Sect. The reappearance of the Chi Demon Banner and the Great Chi Jian will sooner or later be leaked. This matter should be attended to sooner rather than later.¡±


    ¡°Haha, you lad are now urging me to take action. I¡¯m much older than you, and even my age difference is older than your entire age, do I still need your reminders over such trivial matters?¡± Zhao Xuanjing laughed heartily, playfully teasing Zhao Sheng.


    Left speechless by this, Zhao Sheng was put in a position where he could not retort, ¡°What¡¯s so funny, lad? I¡¯m the one who watched you grow up from a bare-bottomed brat.¡±


    After the teasing, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s expression turned serious, and with a flip of his right hand, he suddenly appeared holding a palm-sized mud doll, faceless and limbless, seemingly crudely molded from yellow clay.


    ¡°This is¡­?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes showed shock, and a great speculation suddenly arose in his mind.


    This seemingly crude and clumsy mud doll was likely to be a rare treasured item passed down secretly within the Ksitigarbha Sect.


    Zhao Xuanjing had a solemn look as he channeled a great amount of True Yuan into the mud doll.


    After a few breaths, the mud doll emanated a layer of yellow light throughout its body.


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s eyes flashed with Divine Light, and after reciting a few Taoist formulas, he suddenly loosened his grip. The mud doll instantly fell to the ground, sinking into the earth as if a stone had been dropped into water.


    In an instant, a vast expanse of yellow light halos appeared on the ground.


    In the glow, the ground rapidly swelled upwards.


    Soon after, a slit opened at the swollen area, and from it emerged a seven-foot-tall ¡°old man.¡±


    This ¡°old man¡± had complete limbs, lifelike hair, and facial features, looking as though he were a living person.


    Upon seeing the old man appear, Zhao Xuanjing immediately bowed in respect, ¡°Xuanjing pays respects to Master.¡±


    ¡°Hidden Dragon, you¡¯ve gone so far as to activate the Divine Communication Idol to connect with your master. Has something significant occurred?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was known within the Ksitigarbha Sect by the Taoist name ¡°Hidden Dragon,¡± which complemented his title of Dragon Slayer Master quite well.


    This ¡°old man¡± was a Divine Thought created by his master, the East Sun Ancestor Master.


    The East Sun Ancestor Master was a Nascent Soul Cultivator and a Guardian of the Ksitigarbha Sect, holding an exceedingly revered position within the sect.


    Hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing stepped aside, pointing towards the huge skull behind him and said, ¡°Master, please look!¡±


    The ever stern-faced Dongyang Ancestor suddenly spotted the head of the Great Chi Jian and was immediately extremely agitated.


    ¡°This is¡­ the Great Chi Jian?!¡±


    ¡°Hidden Dragon, how did you find it? Speak quickly.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing turned his head and beckoned, ¡°Qingyang, come forward. You must tell the Ancestor everything that happened, from start to finish.¡±


    ¡°Master, it was Qingyang who found this. Let him tell you about it again.¡±


    Zhao Sheng hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully performed a deep bow:


    ¡°The junior of the Zhao Family, Zhao Qingyang, pays his respects to the East Sun Ancestor Master!¡±


    ¡°No need for formalities! Don¡¯t be nervous, just speak freely. First, tell me how you found this Great Chi Jian skull,¡± said the Dongyang Ancestor with a very gentle demeanor and a smile on his face.


    Zhao Sheng could only recount the whole event once again.


    After all, it was already the third time he¡¯d told it.


    By now, he had become quite fluent in recounting the story, not betraying a single flaw.


    It was nothing more than casually hearing a secret, then going treasure-hunting in the white mist with fellow cultivators, and so on and so forth.


    The Dongyang Ancestor listened very carefully, occasionally interrupting Zhao Sheng¡¯s narrative to ask about some doubts or oversights.


    Under these questions, Zhao Sheng nearly crumbled. Not to mention other things, how could he have possibly escaped with his life from the hands of two Golden Core cultivators when everyone else had died?


    No matter how one spun it, the story seemed rather implausible.


    Left with no choice, Zhao Sheng had to concoct a half-true, half-false excuse, hoping to muddle through.


    When Zhao Sheng had finished stammering through his explanation, the Dongyang Ancestor simply smiled enigmatically and did not press the matter further.


    It seemed, after all, which cultivator didn¡¯t have a little secret? As long as one did not lie about the real truth, the Dongyang Ancestor wouldn¡¯t be too serious about the other details.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng let out a silent sigh of relief, finally feeling assured.


    After learning that two Nascent Soul Ancestors from the Beast Taming Sect and the Sky-splitting Sword Dao had arrived at the ruins, the Dongyang Ancestor became solemn and gave a decisive instruction, ¡°Hidden Dragon, Heavenly Pillar Mountain is your Blessed Land. Before I can make it there, you must dive back out of the ruins and keep watch over the Dragon Vulture Old Monster and the Holy and Evil Sword.¡±


    ¡°As your disciple commands!¡± Zhao Xuanjing bowed in response.


    ¡°Additionally, this junior member of your family is quite remarkable, having accomplished a Great Merit. Don¡¯t treat him lightly. I have a top-grade Golden Core Formation Pill that is of no use to me. Take it after this matter is settled, as a reward from your master.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your generous gift, Master!¡±


    Having finished speaking, Zhao Xuanjing urged Zhao Sheng, ¡°Qingyang, don¡¯t you hurry up to thank the Ancestor.¡±


    ¡°Qingyang is very grateful for the Ancestor¡¯s generosity! Wishing the Ancestor endless longevity!¡±


    A moment later, the True Yuan inside the Divine Communication Idol was exhausted, and the Ancestor¡¯s Divine Thought returned to his original body.


    Zhao Xuanjing reached out to pick up the Mud Doll, carefully placing it back into his embrace. He then packed away the Great Chi Jian skull.


    Only then did he turn to Zhao Sheng and say in a deep voice, ¡°Follow me back to the secret mansion!¡±


    Before the words fell, Zhao Sheng felt the ground suddenly collapse, and a dark, deep ¡°vortex¡± swallowed the entire stone cave in one gulp. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The immense shadow flashed and was gone, then the heavy earth split apart like water to the sides as the Mountain Dragon joyfully twisted its massive body, rapidly tunneling toward deeper layers of soil.


    With its Earth Escape Divine Ability, a mere distance of several tens of miles was covered in the blink of an eye.


    In the cave beneath Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion, a circular patch of ground twenty-odd Zhang across suddenly sunk down without a sound, forming a pitch-dark, bottomless big hole.


    Pfft!


    A thick column of yellow light gushed out from the big hole like a fountain.


    Moments later, the light column dispersed, the big hole disappeared, and Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing had already appeared inside the cave.


    Boom!


    At that moment, from the cave next door, came the rumbling noise of a huge object moving.


    Exchanging a smile, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing knew all too well that it was the sound of the Mountain Dragon, thrilled to have returned to the place of its birth, unable to restrain itself from rolling and shuttling about.


    Zhao Daochuan, startled, rushed over. Seeing Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing, he instantly felt relieved and was overjoyed.


    After a brief catch-up, Zhao Sheng gave an overview of the events concerning the ruins.


    Zhao Daochuan listened, astounded, unable to imagine how a mere junior of the family had managed to stir up such a huge trouble by going out just once.

 Chapter 353 - 262 Opening Blind Boxes

    Chapter 353: Chapter 262 Opening Blind Boxes


    ¡°Thank heavens the Ancestor responded in time, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable,¡± Zhao Daochuan said with a look of great alarm.


    Zhao Xuanjing waved his hand and spoke with a grave expression, ¡°That matter is over, no need to bring it up again. The real pressing issue is that the secret mansion might have been exposed.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Daochuan was startled, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s face changed, ¡°Disaster! The secret mansion is too close to the ruins!¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Daochuan also realized the implications, his complexion turning extremely ugly.


    The Divine Thought of a Nascent Soul Ancestor could reach as far as a hundred miles, while the straight-line distance between the secret mansion and the ruins was at most thirty miles.


    If not checked,


    should one of those Nascent Soul old monsters be idle and sweep the surrounding area with their Divine Thought.


    The quasi third-tier Illusion Array around the secret mansion might not conceal it.


    Thinking that the family secret mansion, cultivated for nearly a thousand years, might be exposed, I fear even the most important Ancient Spiritual Peach Tree could not be preserved.


    Zhao Daochuan was suddenly frantic, ¡°Ancestor, what should we do now? Do you have any suggestions?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing felt somewhat helpless, ¡°There¡¯s no good method. I just hope no Nascent Soul old monster would be so idle as to carefully survey the terrain with Divine Thought.


    If it gets exposed, it wouldn¡¯t be beyond us to put this place under the protection of the Ksitigarbha Sect, though we¡¯d have to hand over all the Longevity Spirit Peaches afterward.¡±


    ¡°Alas, the Longevity Peach is a critically important financial resource for the family. Without it, not to mention the loss of longevity hope for the clan members, total income would be reduced by at least twenty percent. This¡­ this is too bad!¡±


    Zhao Sheng quietly listened to the two sighing, then suddenly spoke, ¡°I have a solution, but I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s feasible?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the solution? Tell us quickly,¡± urged Zhao Xuanjing upon hearing this.


    Not keeping them in suspense, Zhao Sheng straightforwardly said, ¡°We can temporarily add a cover outside the secret mansion. Keep in mind that the mansion is situated in a mountain hollow, and the Ancestor is especially skilled in construction¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s eyes brightened with excitement and he laughed joyfully, ¡°Yes! Create a disguise on the outside, and at the same time bury the formation within the earth¡¯s crust to isolate the fluctuations of Spiritual Energy. With Xiao Qi and I combining our efforts, altering the terrain a bit would be a piece of cake.


    As long as no one closely investigates every inch, Divine Thoughts scanning from dozens of miles away will definitely not penetrate layers of earth several dozens of feet thick.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, this can really work. And we need to do it as quickly as possible,¡± Zhao Daochuan also said happily.


    ¡°Good, I will start working on it immediately.¡±


    Once the plan was set, Zhao Xuanjing acted decisively and fast.


    Just as he said.


    Only half an hour later, a thick layer of earth and stone disguise had already been added above the secret mansion.


    Meanwhile, under Zhao Daochuan¡¯s coordination, the mansion¡¯s Great Array was mostly shut down, with only the Spiritual Energy isolation Barrier and the minimal Earth Array Formation activated.


    Having done all this, Zhao Xuanjing again admonished the two, before heading towards the ruins.


    ¡­


    Half an hour later, Zhao Sheng managed to get away from the nagging Zhao Daochuan and found an unused stone room where he finally settled down.


    ¡°Forget it, overthinking it is no use, better to see what I¡¯ve gathered in these storage bags!¡±


    In the depths of the stone room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on a stone platform, shook his head to put aside his worries temporarily, and focused on the loot from this expedition.


    He reached into his robe and pulled out a stack of storage bags, casually picking an appealing one, shook open the mouth of the bag, and tipped it upside down.


    With a ¡°plop,¡± a pile of objects materialized in front of him on the ground.


    It turned out to be over a dozen varying sizes of boxes, three different styles of magic artifacts, several bottles of assorted Elixir Pills, and a few pieces of scale armor flying lizard neck skin, each several feet long but still intact.


    Curiously, there wasn¡¯t even a single Jade Scroll inside the storage bag.


    For this scenario, Zhao Sheng had been prepared, as it was rare for anyone to place Jade Scrolls that record cultivation techniques, elixir recipes, and other knowledge inside a storage bag.


    If there were any, they were most likely fakes or traps, possibly even used to harm others intentionally.


    If a fool were to practice the content inside, it¡¯d be odd if they didn¡¯t meet their demise, serving indirectly as a form of revenge for the owner.


    Zhao Sheng casually picked up a crystalline short dagger, swept it with his Divine Sense, and after a slight touch with his fingers, he found that the blade was a Low Grade Spirit Artifact restrained by a sixth-level prohibition.


    His eyes flickered towards the other two artifacts on the ground.


    Humph, they¡¯re not even spirit artifacts. He couldn¡¯t be bothered, decisively putting the items together, storing them into his storage belt, planning to deal with them when he returned to the family.


    Zhao Sheng put away the spirit artifact short dagger at hand, then picked up a turquoise storage bag.


    He shook open the mouth of the bag with one hand and tipped it upside down, pouring out a number of items.


    Magic artifacts, talismans, Elixir Pills, and other essential items for a cultivator scattered together.


    Zhao Sheng, with high standards, ordinary treasures that Foundation Establishment Cultivators would cherish, might not catch his eye.


    The scene before him was a prime example.


    A bunch of garbage; the most precious thing was a Second Order Middle Grade True Talisman, the Ghost Cry Wind and Thunder Talisman, probably used by the previous owner for survival. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, this true talisman was not even as powerful as a Second Order Fire Thunder Talisman that he could draw with the Stacking Talisman Technique on a whim.


    Then there was¡­ the third storage bag¡­ only a Low Grade Spirit Artifact, a scorpion tail whip caught his interest slightly. It was perfect for gifting when he returned.


    Next, the fourth bag, and the fifth¡­


    He went through seven or eight storage bags in a row, collecting a large pile of spirit stones, talismans, Elixir Pills, spirit materials, and numerous miscellaneous items.


    However, there were very few treasures that truly impressed him.


    There was only a black tower carved with numerous mysterious patterns, a piece of Magical Treasure-grade spirit material ¡°Solar Sundial Jade¡± and two thousand-year-old spiritual medicines.

 Chapter 354 - 262 Opening Blind Boxes_2

    Chapter 354: Chapter 262 Opening Blind Boxes_2


    Packing up the treasure materials and spiritual medicine, he used his divine sense to inspect the small tower, his expression suddenly froze, betraying a look of surprise!


    This unassuming black tower was in fact pregnant with thirty-six layers of Earth Evil Restriction, and was indeed a top-grade spiritual artifact. It only lacked the unity of the Four Nines, and the formation of a Heavenly Gang Treasure Restriction to be promoted to a low-grade magical treasure.


    Alas, this slight gap was as vast as the difference between heaven and earth; in the Cultivation World, perhaps one hundred top-grade spiritual artifacts might not produce a single magical treasure.


    Zhao Sheng felt some joy, yet despite his vigorous pumping of spiritual power into the tower, aside from emitting a layer of black light, it did not display any other functions or effects.


    It seemed this spiritual artifact, though extraordinary, most likely needed some special magic spell to be activated.


    Zhao Sheng felt a great sense of regret as he shook his head and stored this top-grade spiritual artifact into his storage bag.


    For him now, spiritual artifacts were sufficiently abundant; anything below a top-grade spiritual artifact simply did not catch his eye.


    Next, Zhao Sheng simply opened the remaining storage bags.


    Fourteen Foundation Establishment cultivators contributed a total of over forty storage bags.


    Now what a sight it was, a vast assortment of strange and curious items stuffed half of the stone room, and spirit stones piled up as high as a person.


    As expected, the majority were common cultivation resources.


    However, with such a quantity, there were always a few treasures that caught the eye.


    For instance, after rummaging for a while, Zhao Sheng actually found two Red Fire Ganoderma.


    The Red Fire Ganoderma was the main ingredient for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, and of course, it was quite valuable.


    With Zhao Sheng¡¯s quasi third-rank Pill Master realm, a furnace of Foundation Establishment Pills could yield at least five to seven pills at the minimum. If he pursued quality, producing one or two top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills from two furnaces was a certainty.


    Soon, the small mountain reduced by half.


    When Zhao Sheng opened a jade box, he suddenly saw a fist-sized, purple fog-enshrouded crystal mushroom emitting a strong exotic fragrance.


    ¡°Damn, Purple Qi Mushroom!¡±


    Zhao Sheng had lived six lifetimes, spending close to a hundred years combined as a medicine collector in the third and fourth but still had never laid eyes on the long-coveted Purple Qi Mushroom.


    Yet unexpectedly, this treasure had appeared before him out of the blue.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was very excited as if he had resolved a long-standing wish.


    The Purple Qi Mushroom was much more precious than most millennium-aged treasure medicines, for it was one of the three main ingredients in refining Golden Core Formation Pills.


    When Dong Miaozhen married him, among the dowry she brought was a Golden Elixir Recipe.


    The Zhao Family had by then already collected the two other main ingredients, the Jade Divine Flower and the Nine Curves Ginseng, and the auxiliary ingredients were also ready, with only the Purple Qi Mushroom missing.


    Zhao Sheng had long memorized the process of refining Golden Core Formation Pills by heart; what he now lacked was just the practice.


    Now that he had the Purple Qi Mushroom, it was just like finding something when you least expect it ¨C effortless!


    Zhao Sheng felt an itch to start refining, but unfortunately, the alchemy ingredients were all stored in Xinglong City, so he could only look at the mushroom with a sigh of longing.


    After storing the Purple Qi Mushroom, his interest suddenly waned; he casually rummaged through the items, tossing the ones that didn¡¯t catch his eye into his storage bag to deal with once back in Xinglong City.


    An hour later, he had scrutinized and cleared all the items.


    Evidently, most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators frequenting the Pocket World City were poor devils.


    Zhao Sheng did a quick estimate; aside from the treasures he had his eye on, the other items combined with the spirit stones amounted to about 1.3 million spirit stones in value.


    Though this was a considerable fortune, it was only enough to buy a low-grade magical treasure, or barely afford the worst quality Golden Core Formation Pill.


    It was clear, then, how difficult it was for a Foundation Establishment Family to support a Golden Core Master.


    Now, only four treasures and a dozen or so jade scrolls of different styles remained before him.


    The jade scrolls contained various cultivation experiences and some strange cultivation techniques written in codes which were not too useful until deciphered.


    Zhao Sheng merely glanced over them briefly before stowing all of the jade scrolls into his storage bag.


    As for the four treasures, the most common were two third-tier special talismans ¡ª talisman treasures.


    One talisman treasure had a Four-winged Fire Crow drawn on its surface, while the other had a green wooden sword.


    Zhao Sheng inspected them and was slightly disappointed to find that both talisman treasures were second-hand, with the former only capable of one more use, and the latter somewhat better, usable twice.


    For him, at Foundation Establishment Great Perfection, ordinary medium and low-tier talisman treasures were no longer indestructible attacks; only a strike from a top-grade talisman could seriously injure him, and whether he would die or not was still debatable.


    The third rare treasure came from an unlucky fellow of the Purple Sun Sect.


    It resembled a chicken egg in size, entirely red and dainty, but the exterior was covered with fine cracks, and it was a bell; the bell hammer was a thumb-sized crystal skull. Inside it contained three mysterious treasure restrictions.


    It looked like a damaged magical treasure.


    Zhao Sheng, curious, injected a stream of spiritual power and gave it a few shakes.


    Hum!


    Just then, he suddenly felt dizzy, a piercing pain like being pricked by needles abruptly emanating from deep within his divine soul.


    ¡°Fuck, what the hell is this magical treasure? It even hurts its owner!¡± Zhao Sheng exclaimed in shock and quickly tucked it back into his storage bag.


    This bell-shaped magical treasure possessed an immense power, capable of releasing a strange fluctuation that even he couldn¡¯t detect.


    You should know that his divine sense was already much stronger than that of his peers,


    and since he had crushed his heart demon, his divine sense had greatly improved once again, now twice as strong as an ordinary cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Perfection. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet even so, it was difficult to withstand even a light strike from this mysterious bell.


    If this magical treasure could be repaired and unleashed its full power, it might be difficult for even a Golden Core Master to resist it easily.


    However, it was clear that this bell had to be controlled with special methods; otherwise, it would not differentiate between friend and foe, easily causing harm to both sides.


    Zhao Sheng carefully placed the bell into a specially emptied storage bag.


    There was only one last treasure left in front of him now.


    The last and what he considered the most precious, it appeared to be a death replacement doll woven from Life and Death Grass, hiding an unknown talisman inside.


    According to rumors, the death replacement doll could take a lethal attack on the owner¡¯s divine soul in their stead.


    Just for this, the value of the death replacement doll was immeasurable,


    unclear who was the lucky or unlucky one who found it, but now Zhao Sheng was the one to benefit.


    There had long been rumors that the death replacement doll went against the Heavenly Dao and that its owner would ultimately die by an accident.


    Of course, he thought this was purely nonsensical.


    The use of the death replacement doll was very simple!


    Zhao Sheng forced the essence blood of its previous owner out of his body.


    As for the divine soul fragments left by the previous owner, they had already dissipated, saving him the trouble of erasing them.


    Next, following the procedure, he dripped a drop of his essence blood into the body of the death replacement doll and then cut a strand of his divine soul and infused it into the talisman.


    It sounded easy, but when separating his divine soul, Zhao Sheng almost fainted from the pain, the agony of tearing the divine soul was more than ten times worse than being sliced by a thousand knives.


    Just as Zhao Sheng was sweating coldly from the pain, outside of the White Mist Ruins, Shen Mo and Vulture Old Monster had several brief skirmishes before confronting each other again.


    With two Nascent Soul-stage Cultivators present, all the cultivators who came later and learned of the situation became very compliant.


    Since the powerful figures did not allow entry, they obediently waited on the side.


    Nobody dared to leave,


    without permission, as no one dared to defy the decree of a Nascent Soul Ancestor.


    Things started to become interesting.


    Zhao Xuanjing, hiding on the sidelines, was more than happy to see this stalemate continue.


    It would be best if it dragged on until his master Dongyang Que arrived.


    But the two Nascent Souls were not fools and naturally understood the principle that delays would bring changes.


    Therefore, both sides soon took a step back, each selecting a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to enter the ruins.


    Their purpose was not to fight for treasures but to contend for the two Golden Core cultivators within.


    Time ticked away slowly, but there was no word from those sent inside.


    After half a day, just as Shen Mo and Vulture Old Monster were growing impatient, Dongyang Que suddenly appeared with two Nascent Soul juniors.


    There¡¯s no need to say more, by the might of a Great Cultivator, Dongyang Que single-handedly fought against two and won easily.


    From then on, the ruins temporarily fell under the control of the Ksitigarbha Sect.


    Seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing finally showed himself and then assumed the heavy responsibility of exploring the ruins.


    Zhao Sheng learned much later about a series of major events related to the ruins from Zhao Xuanjing.


    At this time, he had just recovered from the intense pain of his divine soul and was unaware that this profound incident had already started to ferment slowly.


    As the headache eased slightly, Zhao Sheng immediately took a Returning God Pill to treat the injuries to his divine soul and swiftly went into deep meditation to nurture his divine soul.

 Chapter 355 - 263: Seven Fires Gather Easily, Two Poles Hard to Find

    Chapter 355: Chapter 263: Seven Fires Gather Easily, Two Poles Hard to Find


    Five days later, beneath the ancient Flat Peach tree,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face appeared slightly pale as he stood under the tree, looking up at the cautious figure amid the leaves.


    Sixty years had passed, and the Longevity Peach had finally ripened!


    Zhao Daochuan held a three-feet long jade pestle in both hands, extending it to gently tap the large Flat Peach with its red top jade skin.


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    A halo of light diffused, and the Longevity Peach fell in response. Zhao Sheng stretched out his hand beneath the tree, and the peach, large as a human head, accurately dropped into the open thousand-year-old peach wood carving box on the ground.


    ...


    He covered it with spirit cloth, closed the lid, and affixed a Sealing Talisman.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s actions were as fluid as flowing clouds and water, swiftly securing the carving box and beginning to wait for the next peach to fall.


    An hour later, thirty-six Longevity Peaches were all picked.


    Zhao Daochuan gently descended from the Spiritual Peach Tree to Zhao Sheng¡¯s side, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and couldn¡¯t help but ask again, ¡°Qingyang, it¡¯s been five days. Why hasn¡¯t the Ancestor sent any messages? He must not meet any misfortune, else the skies would fall!¡±


    ¡°Rest assured! You know the Ancestor¡¯s strength well. Below the Nascent Soul, who could be his match?¡± Zhao Sheng comforted him.


    ¡°That is true, but there must be quite a few Nascent Soul Ancestors over there by now.¡±


    ¡°With the East Sun Ancestor Master around, would he allow his own disciple to suffer? You¡¯re worrying over nothing. Just relax.¡±


    Though he said this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help feeling uneasy inside, several times with thoughts of venturing out for a reconnaissance.


    However, he forcefully suppressed them all.


    The situation outside was unclear; if he rashly went out and his traces were discovered by a Nascent Soul Divine Thought, leading to the discovery of the secret mansion, that would be truly laughable.


    Therefore, Zhao Sheng not only repeatedly persuaded Zhao Daochuan to patiently wait, but he also forced himself to refine two batches of Foundation Establishment Pills to avoid idle speculation.


    The results were surprisingly good, yielding one top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, three mid-grade ones, and as many as seven low-grade ones.


    Clearly, a powerful Divine Sense aids in alchemy.


    Moreover, during the latter half of the month, while his Divine Soul returned to normal, the Star God Thousand Heart Technique he cultivated naturally broke through the Ten Thoughts Barrier, miraculously reaching the twenty-thoughts Realm.


    One mind, twenty applications!


    This incident, if known to other cultivators, would certainly cause a huge uproar.


    One day, a month later, Zhao Sheng suddenly had a revelation: the timing to advance to Golden Core was perfect, now he only lacked a Golden Core Formation Pill.


    However, his ambitions did not stop there.


    The three necessary conditions for advancing to Golden Core: a transformation in spiritual power quality, Foundation Establishment Perfection, and a Golden Core Formation Pill.


    The last two conditions need no elaboration.


    With the power of the Xinglong Zhao family, acquiring one or two Golden Core Formation Pills would not be difficult.


    His main cultivation technique was the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique, and his spiritual power had already merged with the Purple Sun Fire and the Golden Sun Fire.


    If he formed his core now, he had at least a ninety percent confidence in success.


    But this was far from satisfying his ambition.


    He was very keen on refining a Golden Crow True Fire, hoping to use the second transformation of the Golden Crow Spiritual Power to form the highest quality Golden Core.


    However, Golden Crow True Fire was rarely found in the world.


    Despite years of searching through various channels, he had only heard of a Golden Crow True Fire in the black market of Pocket World City.


    But, the owner of that Golden Crow True Fire was a late-stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, serving as the ¡°sun¡± of the black market, naturally impossible for him to acquire.


    Zhao Sheng had no choice but to aim for something less, hoping to gather the Seven-colored Spiritual Fire and the Two-pole Primordial Magnetic Divine Light. By refining the Seven-colored Spiritual Fire, he could reverse the innate and recondense a Golden Crow True Fire.


    Before breaking through the twenty-thoughts Realm, although he had this idea, he had never put it into practice.


    Because the concept seemed simple, but in practice, it was very difficult.


    Now, however, the situation was different; he was quite confident about accomplishing this ¡°miracle.¡±


    Having made up his mind, Zhao Sheng suppressed his restless heart, looked up into the sky, his gaze profound as if piercing through layers of soil, seeing the Ghost Chi Relics dozens of miles away.


    ¡­


    Four days later, beneath the Flat Peach Immortal Tree in the secret mansion, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, meditating.


    Just then, the soil layer above the mansion suddenly cracked open, creating a gap over two meters long.


    Zhao Sheng abruptly opened his eyes, his expression stern as he looked towards the crack, divine light shooting forth from his eyes, extending over three inches.


    But the next second, his expression suddenly relaxed, and he showed a joyful smile.


    At that moment, Zhao Xuanjing walked out of the crack with a calm expression. His towering figure provided an incomparable sense of security.


    Zhao Sheng immediately jumped up from the ground, lightly floating over to Zhao Xuanjing, landing without a speck of dust rising.


    He asked impatiently, ¡°Ancestor, what¡¯s the situation outside now?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing gently smiled and patted Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulder, ¡°You lad have done a great deed. It¡¯s very lively outside; the Central Continent Ten Sects are almost fighting over the relics.¡±


    ¡°Er, is it really that exaggerated? But it¡¯s just the Ghost Chi Relics, even if there are a few heavy treasures, it shouldn¡¯t lead to that!¡± Zhao Sheng looked somewhat surprised,


    ¡°You¡¯re right, if it were just the Chi Demon Banner and True Dragon Skeleton and other treasures, with our sect¡¯s strength, monopolizing them wouldn¡¯t be hard,¡±


    Saying this, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s tone changed, speaking gravely, ¡°But what¡¯s crucial is, do you know?¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Zhao Sheng instinctively asked.


    ¡°The crucial point is that the relics turned out to be in a weak spatial area, and they only found one face of the Chi Demon Banner. You should know the Chi Demon Banner has as many as nine faces; where have the other eight gone?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed, and he immediately realized he had overlooked a critical issue.

 Chapter 356 - 263 Seven Fires Gather, Two Poles Are Hard to Find_2

    Chapter 356: Chapter 263 Seven Fires Gather, Two Poles Are Hard to Find_2


    Nine Stars Alinement, Ten Thousand Spirit Blood Sacrifice Array, Chi Demon Banner, weak space region¡­


    In an instant, his mind raced with countless thoughts, and he exclaimed subconsciously, ¡°Could it be that the Ghost Chi Remnants are planning to open another space-time channel at Heavenly Pillar Mountain.¡±


    ¡°Haha, Qingyang, your mind sure works fast. However, it¡¯s not the Ghost Chi Remnants who planned this, but something the Great Chi Jian left behind before his death.¡±


    ¡°To take revenge on the Human Clan?¡±


    ¡°Yes, exactly! To take revenge on the Human Clan! It¡¯s a do-or-die counterattack by an Alien Race Great Ability comparable to Divinity Transformation. If his purpose were to succeed, the consequences would be unimaginable.¡±


    ¡°Heh! He dreams big, but the success rate is too low.¡± Zhao Sheng sneered coldly, mocking the Great Chi Jian¡¯s wild imagination.


    ...


    Zhao Xuanjing, however, said, ¡°Even if there is a slim chance of success, he would cling to it desperately.¡±


    ¡°Alright, this matter doesn¡¯t concern us much; there are specialists handling it. Right now, I want to discuss something else with you.¡±


    Seeing Zhao Xuanjing deflecting the conversation, Zhao Sheng pondered and suddenly asked with a sly expression, ¡°You guys wouldn¡¯t also plan to secretly establish a small cross-boundary channel like the Ghost Chi Clan, would you?!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was momentarily startled, a hint of shock crossing his face.


    He scrutinized Zhao Sheng very seriously, his expression strange as he said, ¡°What nonsense are you thinking about? How could that be possible!¡±


    Zhao Sheng assertively retorted, ¡°You said it, the Ten Great Sects are almost coming to blows over the relics. If there weren¡¯t immense benefits involved, why would the ten sects stir up such strife over a single relic?¡±


    ¡°Hiss!¡± Zhao Xuanjing inhaled sharply after hearing this.


    They say the observer is clear, but the involved are confused!


    He recalled all the changes over the past month.


    ¡°In the first half of the month, the other nine sects gradually acquiesced to our sect¡¯s possession of the relics.


    But when did the conflicts intensify?


    That¡¯s right, it must have been after the Supreme Sensing Sect arrived here that the attitudes of the other nine sects suddenly changed.


    In the recent half a month, even more Nascent Soul Ancestors have rushed to this place.


    It¡¯s very strange and highly abnormal.


    ¡°Could it really be as Qingyang speculated¡­ Hiss!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was greatly shocked inside and swiftly changed his previous thoughts.


    Coming back to his senses, he advised very seriously, ¡°Qingyang, your speculation is baseless. Make sure you don¡¯t tell anyone else, and forget about it at once, understood?¡±


    ¡°Mmm,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded. He also felt he might have been too sensitive.


    Those Nascent Soul seniors definitely wouldn¡¯t be so reckless!


    Then, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly asked, ¡°When do you plan to attempt Core Formation? How confident are you?¡¯


    Zhao Sheng smiled confidently, ¡°I¡¯m at least fifty percent sure right now. However, I don¡¯t plan to rush my promotion.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing, upon hearing this, was overjoyed and quickly followed up, ¡°Quick, tell me how you plan to do it. I thought I would have to wait several more years. It seems I underestimated you.¡±


    Zhao Sheng immediately shared his hope to refine a top-grade Golden Core with Zhao Xuanjing.


    ¡°Difficult, very difficult! What if you fail? It might be better to play it safe.¡± Zhao Xuanjing shook his head, repeatedly persuading him to change his mind.


    However, Zhao Sheng smiled silently, his gaze and expression very determined.


    Seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing sighed inwardly.


    The young one in his family was good in all respects but too stubborn. Once he made up his mind, no one could persuade him to change it.


    ¡°Since you¡¯re so confident, the family will certainly support you wholeheartedly.


    However, I must remind you. Within twenty years, you must advance to Golden Core.


    If not, abandon the earlier idea and follow the standard procedure steadily.¡±


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment, then quickly understood the implication of his words.


    This meant that he needed to advance to Golden Core before the outbreak of the war between the two realms.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t delay important matters!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing, who wasn¡¯t as confident as Zhao Sheng, sighed lightly, ¡°Alas, a storm is brewing, and plans must now be pushed forward.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, are you planning to forcefully overcome the Nascent Soul Tribulation before the war?¡± Zhao Sheng asked in surprise.


    ¡°Indeed! Originally, it should have been after Xiao Qi¡¯s next Dragon Transformation Tribulation, but times change. With the sudden shift in the situation, I have to advance it by sixty years!¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ how likely is it?¡± Zhao Sheng asked apprehensively.


    ¡°Alas, initially, it was a 90% chance. Now it seems that having 60% to 70% is not bad.¡±


    ¡°Uh!¡± Zhao Sheng was at a loss for words and couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°You really know how to cling to life!¡±


    Other Perfect Golden Core cultivators were all trembling and striving with all their might for even a sliver of an opportunity for Nascent Soul Formation.


    But you, my boy, still have the leisure to boast in front of our ancestors.


    Whom did you learn this bad habit from?


    Zhao Xuanjing made such a decision also influenced by Zhao Sheng.


    With the imminent war between two realms, only by entering the Nascent Soul level could Zhao Xuanjing truly join this realm¡¯s core circle, learn more secrets, and have the strength to protect the entire clan.


    Similarly, only the strong have more chance to survive.


    That¡¯s why Zhao Xuanjing wanted Zhao Sheng to advance to Golden Core as soon as possible.


    ¡°Ah, I almost forgot,¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly remembered something and hastily took off a Storage Bag, handing it to Zhao Xuanjing.


    ¡°The Longevity Peaches have ripened. All the peaches are here. It¡¯s better for you to keep them safe.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing accepted it without even looking and laughed, ¡°With these treasures, our family can breathe easy for a few more years.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded in agreement.


    ¡°By the way, when can I return to Xinglong City?¡±


    ¡°In two more days, I¡¯ll personally escort you down the mountain.¡±


    ¡°Good!¡±


    In the blink of an eye, three days passed by quickly.


    Under the earnest gaze of Zhao Daochuan, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing slowly sank into the rock wall, enveloped by yellow light.


    Suddenly, a massive shadow that was as large as a mountain flashed and then disappeared from above the cave¡¯s rock wall.


    ¡­


    A month later, in the afternoon, Xinglong City was still thriving.


    As the sun set in the west, the dim sunlight crossed over the towering city walls and left long shadows behind.


    Just then, a purple streak of light suddenly tore through the twilight and swiftly descended into a mansion in Xinglong City like a meteor.


    Within three days, the Zhao Family Elders issued a decree, ¡°At any cost, collect Wood Yang Spirit Fire, Guiyang Spirit Fire, Water Mist Flame, Azure Core Spirit Flame, and Two-pole Primordial Magnetic Divine Light.¡±


    Within just two days, this decree spread rapidly across a range of five thousand li, with countless people working day and night because of it.


    At the same time, seven or eight exceedingly generous bounty tasks were posted on the Weaving Net trading platform.


    On the tenth day after Zhao Sheng¡¯s return to Xinglong City, a magnificent and splendid Cloud Tower suddenly ascended from Xinglong City and then sped off to the northeast, heading for Yunhuang Mountain Range tens of thousands of li away.


    A Golden Core Family rallying its whole power for a certain goal is undoubtedly terrifying.


    In less than a month, the Water Mist Flame and Earth Heart Spirit Flame were consecutively contributed by vassal forces.


    Then, Dong Miaozhen returned from visiting her family, bringing the Green Night-blooming Cereus, Guiyang Spirit Fire, and a Golden Core Formation Pill worth a million.


    Three months later, one of the bounty tasks was completed, and the Wood Yang Fire was quickly delivered to Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands.


    However, while the seven fires gathered easily, the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light proved elusive!


    At that point, the initial smooth progress came to an abrupt halt, and Zhao Sheng took merely a year to refine the remaining five fires.


    Yet, after waiting for two more years, he still had not found the Two-pole Primordial Magnetic Divine Light.


    Even the True Immortal Zhao Xuanjing went so far as to ask his master, Dongyang Ancestor, to help, but to no avail.


    The Two-pole Primordial Magnetic Divine Light is rarer than the spirit flames and can only be collected in a few specific Boundaries.


    The northernmost part of Northern Cold Continent is also known as the Ancient Ice Plain; above the ice plain and outside the layer of Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, there¡¯s a chance for a small amount of Primordial Magnetic Divine Light to form.


    To the south of Central Continent is South Yan Continent, and further south from there is the Storm Ocean. Beyond the Storm Ocean at the far south is called the Eternal Silence Basin.


    At the edge of the outer layer of the world, above the Eternal Silence Basin, a small amount of Primordial Magnetic Divine Light can also form.


    Both of these specific regions are too unique, and only a Nascent Soul Ancestor can breach the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere to collect it, though often returning empty-handed.


    Facing such a challenging situation, there wasn¡¯t much Zhao Sheng could do but wait patiently.


    However, while the Two-pole Primordial Magnetic Divine Light remained elusive, he suddenly received a piece of ¡°terrible news.¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 357 - 264 Closed-door Crossing Tribulation

    Chapter 357: Chapter 264 Closed-door Crossing Tribulation


    Half a year later, in the grand hall of the Zhao Mansion.


    Zhao Sheng sat in the highest Jade Chair with a peculiar expression, silent.


    At this time, Dong Miaozhen sat beside him. She looked down with a face full of contempt at her eldest son, Zhao Huaying, who was kneeling on the floor.


    Next to Zhao Huaying stood a young woman who was plump, with a delicate face and naturally exquisite beauty, appearing to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.


    Dong Miaozhen suppressed her dissatisfaction and said in a deep voice, ¡°Ying¡¯er, stand up.¡±


    Zhao Huaying suddenly looked up, his expression resolute as he spoke, ¡°Mother, Yue¡¯er and I are in love and have voluntarily become dao companions. Moreover, Yue¡¯er is already carrying our child. Please bless us!¡±


    ...


    Upon hearing this, a flash of anger crossed Dong Miaozhen¡¯s face as she coldly said, ¡°Ying¡¯er, do you understand what a parent¡¯s command means? And do you know that you have already been betrothed?¡±


    ¡°Ying¡¯er knows, but how does that matter? A true man stands tall and firm. Since Yue¡¯er and I have become dao companions, I will never regret it. It¡¯s just a betrothal; we can simply call off the engagement.¡±


    ¡°Rubbish! Do you know how much effort I put into this marriage arrangement? Marrying a prospective Weaver is not so simple; you think you can just call it off! If we do that, where would the Dong Family and the Zhao Family put their faces?


    A mere countrywoman¡ª¡±


    Cough, cough!


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly coughed violently, interrupting Dong Miaozhen.


    ¡°My wife, calm your anger. In my opinion, Ying¡¯er and this young woman are quite well-matched. Since they have already become dao companions, forcibly separating them is indeed too harsh.


    How about that marriage agreement¡­ well, please, my wife, take it to heart. I will personally apologize later!¡±


    With a raised eyebrow and a cold smirk, Dong Miaozhen responded, ¡°Zhao Qingyang, whose side are you on?!¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng immediately straightened up and patiently tried to persuade his wife, ¡°My wife, Ying¡¯er has been away from home for twenty years. It makes no sense to scold him as soon as he returns home.


    Yes, our son did not inform us; that was wrong. But Ying¡¯er has been an adult for many years and has his own ideas.


    As the ancients said: It¡¯s easy to ask for a priceless treasure, hard to find a lover.


    Ying¡¯er is as affectionate and righteous as I am; you should be happy, my wife.¡±


    While saying this, Zhao Sheng glanced at the woman called ¡°Yue¡¯er¡± from the corner of his eye.


    Her beauty was slightly lesser than his wife¡¯s, but she still was one in ten thousand.


    Though she stood quietly, her bright and lively eyes seemed to speak; her look lacked fear and brimmed with confidence, and her demeanor had a somewhat mischievous charm.


    With just one glance, Zhao Sheng could assert that this woman was exceptionally intelligent and came from no ordinary background.


    He had just used the Qi Observing Skill on her and startlingly noted that the pillar of Qi Fortune above her head reached a hundred feet tall. Even more remarkable was its deep blue core and the dense purple aura enveloping it, seeming to originate from someone else.


    Since his reincarnation, he had observed countless people, but those with stronger Qi Fortune than this woman could be counted on one hand; even Zhao Xuanjing was slightly inferior.


    His eldest son must have accumulated great fortune in past lives to have won the heart of such a remarkable woman.


    Zhao Sheng internally sighed, and his words to his wife became even more earnest as he argued for her acceptance of this fine daughter-in-law.


    Dong Miaozhen felt very aggrieved. What mother wouldn¡¯t wish the best for her son?


    ¡°Husband, it¡¯s not that I am unreasonable, nor do I want to break them apart. But you know the effort it took to get the approval from my family¡¯s side. We planned to strengthen family ties with a marriage. Now look. It would be good if we don¡¯t end up becoming enemies.¡±


    Zhao Sheng hastily replied, ¡°Not at all, not at all. If Ying¡¯er isn¡¯t suitable, there¡¯s still Xiong¡¯er! Xiong¡¯er is outstanding in every aspect ¡ª talents, looks, and strength. He is just twenty and also at the right age to marry.¡±


    Dong Miaozhen immediately spat at her husband¡¯s comment, ¡°Tch, wishful thinking. You think the Dong Family¡¯s daughter is just anyone you can marry as you please.¡±


    ¡°Haha! If need be, let Xiong¡¯er participate in the Phoenix Meeting once. If he inherits one-third of my skills, this matter won¡¯t be difficult,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a proud laugh. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Xiong¡¯er is only at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining; his strength is too weak. It¡¯s Ying¡¯er who¡­ Hmm?!¡±


    Dong Miaozhen suddenly stopped mid-sentence, her face angry as she said, ¡°Very well, you almost had me sidetracked. How shall we resolve Ying¡¯er¡¯s issue? You are the head of the family, and you must give me an answer today.¡±


    Assuming a thoughtful posture, Zhao Sheng confidently said, ¡°Well, I see a simple solution. Let Ying¡¯er marry this young lady; let¡¯s call off that engagement. It was only a verbal agreement anyway.


    If you¡¯re dissatisfied, consider it a favor we owe to the Dong family. We will make amends in the future.¡±


    With her expression slightly clearing, Dong Miaozhen turned to look at Zhao Huaying. Seeing her son¡¯s resolute face, she relented, ¡°Enough, enough. Who else but his mother could relent!¡±


    Overjoyed, Zhao Huaying quickly pulled his dao companion to kneel, excitedly exclaimed, ¡°Thank you, mother, for your blessing! Yue¡¯er and I will doubly honor and support you both in your old age.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng replied dryly, ¡°Hold your horses! Your father doesn¡¯t need your filial piety. Who knows? You might not even outlive me.¡±


    Pfft!


    At this moment, the young woman ¡°Yue¡¯er¡± suddenly giggled, then gently nudged her beloved.


    Instantly seeming to realize something, Zhao Huaying quickly took out a half-foot-tall, black and white Yin Yang Round Porcelain Bottle from his Storage Bag and respectfully offered it to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Father, this is a gift from Yue¡¯er and me to show our filial respect.¡±


    Zhao Sheng received the gift with comfort, accepting their token of filial piety.

 Chapter 358 - 264 Closed-door Crossing Tribulation_2

    Chapter 358: Chapter 264 Closed-door Crossing Tribulation_2


    Dong Miaozhen¡¯s wonderful eyes rippled with anticipation, as if she was expecting something.


    Zhao Huaying certainly wouldn¡¯t neglect her own mother; she next took out a white jade pill bottle from her storage bag.


    ¡°Mother, this bottle contains a Youthful Appearance Pill, it¡¯s also a token of mine and Yue¡¯er¡¯s heartfelt wishes,¡± Zhao Huaying said.


    Upon hearing the words ¡®Youthful Appearance Pill¡¯, a wave of emotion suddenly washed over Dong Miaozhen¡¯s face.


    The Youthful Appearance Pill was a special spirit pill of the third-tier grade, its value not inferior to the Golden Core Formation Pill because of its miraculous effect in preserving one¡¯s appearance indefinitely.


    Since the primary ingredient for refining Youthful Appearance Pills, the Evergreen Grass, had almost gone extinct, it made the pill much rarer than the Golden Core Formation Pill.


    ...


    Even with the vast Divine Skills of the Weaving Net, obtaining one was difficult.


    Dong Miaozhen half-doubted as she took the pill bottle, wondering if her son had confused the Beauty Nourishing Pill with the Youthful Appearance Pill. Although the two pills differed by only a single character, their effects were worlds apart.


    Breaking the elixir seal and opening the bottle stopper, a refreshing fragrance burst forth from the mouth of the bottle, which then transformed into the image of a green grass with a three-leafed, fine stem.


    When she saw this spiritual phenomenon of the pill, Dong Miaozhen was overwhelmed with excitement¡ªthis pill was undoubtedly the Youthful Appearance Pill.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng at her side suddenly gasped in surprise, before erupting into happy, boisterous laughter as if he had seen an unexpected delight.


    He had opened the yin yang round porcelain bottle in his hand, where two brightly colored, filament-like ¡°light beams¡± were spiraling around each other, wandering back and forth inside the bottle like fish swimming.


    ¡°Two-pole Primordial Magnetic Divine Light!¡± Zhao Sheng joyfully looked towards his son, impatiently laughing, ¡°Come on, get up, get up. Tell me, how did you two manage to get such a treasure? It must have taken a great deal of effort!¡±


    Zhao Huaying, pulling his partner to stand, first looked at Yue¡¯er full of affection before replying, ¡°Father, both items were specially prepared by Yue¡¯er for the elders.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Zhao Sheng said, glancing toward Yue¡¯er as he heard this.


    Zu Xiaoyue conducted herself with grace and poise, offering a gentle, shallow smile that showcased two lovely dimples on her cheeks, ¡°Yue¡¯er took them from our family¡¯s possession. Instead of letting them gather dust in storage, I thought it better to offer them as a sign of filial respect to you, elders.¡±


    This statement undeniably revealed the girl¡¯s extraordinary background.


    ¡°Haha! We¡¯ve talked so much, but Ying¡¯er, you haven¡¯t properly introduced your partner yet?¡± Zhao Sheng said with a laugh.


    But Zu Xiaoyue preempted with her self-introduction: ¡°Uncle, my surname is Zu, my name Xiaoyue. Brother Ying and I met in adversity, and after repeatedly standing the test of life and death, spending days and nights together, our affections protected each other, and our fate was sealed in triple bonds.¡±


    She only spoke her name but chose not to mention a word about her background.


    A flash crossed Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, but he chose not to press further, instead producing a cracked, fire-red bell.


    ¡°This is a treasure I stumbled upon a few years back. It has some mystical qualities, so today, as a meeting gift, I¡¯ll give it to you,¡± he said.


    With that, he gently pushed, and the Soul Extinguishing Bell flew straight out, landing in Zu Xiaoyue¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Thank you, uncle!¡± Yue¡¯er accepted the gift with unassuming grace.


    Dong Miaozhen displayed a look of puzzlement to the side; with her experience, she could not recall any famous cultivation family with the Zu surname in the Tianzhu Realm.


    Despite the girl¡¯s unclarified provenance, Dong Miaozhen dared not underestimate her at this moment.


    Any family that possessed a Youthful Appearance Pill and Two-pole Primordial Magnetic Divine Light must be extraordinary, at the very least on the same level as the Xinglong Zhao family or possibly¡­ unimaginably powerful!


    ¡­


    A month after, many elders of the Zhao family gathered at the Bright Eight Trigrams Tower where the couple held a low-key yet luxurious wedding ceremony.


    Four more months passed, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s grandson was born, crying aloud, named Zhao Xiuqi.


    The day after the baby¡¯s first birthday celebration,


    Zhao Sheng, shouldering nearly fifty times the regular gravity in the underground city¡¯s gravity room, silently practiced his Mysterious Skill. He used Divine Light to tap into the power of the Two-pole Primordial Magnetic Divine Light, maintaining the balance of the seven-colored spiritual power in his Dantian and repeatedly attempting to merge them.


    After a quarter of an hour, he suddenly threw back his head and laughed heartily.


    ¡°I see it now, I understand!¡±


    Laughing a few more times, Zhao Sheng entered a state of meditation.


    He had been ready to advance to the Golden Core stage for some time, and after several years of careful cultivation, his spirit had long since surpassed its peak. Under the control of his Ten Thoughts Intention, the seven-colored spiritual power also moved as freely as if it were an extension of his arm.


    And at that very instant, it was as if his spirit had touched upon something. The seven types of spiritual powers, each of a different nature, miraculously began to fuse together, bringing him a sudden epiphany, as if everything fell into place naturally, effortlessly coming to fruition.


    In just a quarter of an hour, the seven-colored spiritual power within his dantian had disappeared, replaced by a kind of incandescent, viscous force that resembled molten lava.


    At that moment, a ¡°proud sun¡± broke through the Spirit Sea, soared into the sky, and released infinite light and heat,


    ¡°That¡¯s right, this is the feeling! I¡¯ve finally mastered the Golden Crow True Fire!¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils seemingly holding boundless fervor, distorting the air wherever his gaze reached.


    One day later, in the third layer beneath the Bright Eight Diagrams Tower, at the location of the Spirit Vein acupoint.


    Family Head Zhao Debang watched Zhao Sheng, full of confidence, with an extremely complex expression that held deep envy.


    ¡°Qingyang, you must know that once the Heavenly Tribulation arrives, Core Formation is set in stone! You¡¯re still young, if there¡¯s not a high degree of certainty, it might be better to delay Core Formation by a few years.¡±


    ¡°Family Head, I¡¯ve already found the opportunity for my breakthrough. A few years later would make no difference; it might even be less ideal than seizing the momentum now,¡± he said, his gaze sweeping across the room as he spoke aloud.


    At this moment, alongside the two of them stood as many as eight Foundation Establishment Elders.


    They had all come to act as protectors for his advancement.


    ¡°Qingyang, aren¡¯t you going to wait for the Ancestor to return?¡±


    ¡°No need, the Ancestor is in closed-door cultivation, preparing for the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation. There¡¯s no need to disturb him. Plus, I do have quite a bit of confidence!¡± insisted Zhao Sheng resolutely.


    ¡°Then that¡¯s good. Rest assured and proceed with your advancement; we will protect you from the outside,¡± Zhao Debang said, nodding in response.


    ¡°Thank you, Family Head, and thank you to everyone here!¡± Zhao Sheng bowed to the group before flashing into the secret chamber of the spirit acupoint.


    Once inside the chamber, Zhao Sheng first activated multiple Defense Barriers.


    After completing these preparations, he slowly closed his eyes and began to sit in meditation, regulating his breathing.


    Half a day later, when he opened his eyes once more, they shone brightly, with a hint of firelight circulating within.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng had adjusted his energy, spirit, and vitality to their optimal states.


    He waved his hands, casting out one talisman after another, imbued with spirit light, which shot into the Array Bases that surrounded him.


    Soon, the floor and walls of the chamber lit up with the patterns of the Gathering Spirit Array, radiating with intense light.


    The moment the Gathering Spirit Array was formed, an invisible suction immediately spread out in all directions, drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy towards the spirit acupoint.


    The spirit acupoint was already a place where the spiritual energy was richest; now, amplified by the Gathering Spirit Array, it became several times more concentrated, with a spiritual energy vortex faintly appearing in the air and the energy so dense that it nearly condensed into fog.


    Still, Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t satisfied.


    With a wave of his hand, a massive pile of Spirit Stones appeared within the Gathering Spirit Array, resembling a small mountain. The majority were Low-grade Spirit Stones, but there were also over a thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones.


    These were the savings Zhao Sheng had accumulated over the years, amounting to three hundred thousand Spirit Stones. Now, to increase even a sliver of success chance, he had brought them all out.


    Though his face showed a hint of pain at the expense, he soon exhaled lightly, and his body released a torrent of incandescent spiritual power, enveloping the Spirit Stones on the ground.


    Bang Bang Bang!


    A vast number of Spirit Stones were swept up and shattered.


    In an instant, the purest spiritual energy from nature exploded forth and, under the influence of the Gathering Spirit Array, swirled back towards the center, merging into the spiritual energy vortex.


    Positioned at the core of the Array, Zhao Sheng felt as if he were soaking in a hot spring, with an immense amount of spiritual energy flooding through his pores, filling every limb and bone, bringing an indescribable sense of comfort to his spirit.


    With a flip of his hand, seven or eight pill bottles suddenly appeared before him on the ground, all filled with various auxiliary Elixir Pills that he had prepared and which could assist his Core Formation to some extent.


    Zhao Sheng carefully opened each pill bottle and poured out the fragrant Spirit Pills, tipping his head back to swallow them one by one.


    Finally, he took the Golden Core Formation Pill, which shone bright with golden light and was perfectly round like a pearl.


    The next second, as if divine insight had been poured onto him, his mind became exceptionally clear, his body shook violently, and the spiritual power in his dantian stirred with unprecedented activity.


    Above his head, the spiritual energy vortex in the sky spun faster and faster, gradually forming a funnel shape. An extreme purity of natural spiritual energy gushed into his body like a whale drawing in water, entering through the crown of his head and then through his meridians into his Qi Sea. Afterwards, refined by the Golden Crow True Fire, it transformed into the Golden Crow Spiritual Power. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 359 - 265 Tribulation Passes, Elixir Forms

    Chapter 359: Chapter 265 Tribulation Passes, Elixir Forms


    ¡°`


    The dead are like this, endlessly marching on night and day!


    Two days later, the originally bright sky above Xinglong City suddenly changed as dark clouds materialized out of nowhere. In the blink of an eye, lightning flashed, and thunder roared as thick lightning bolts danced chaotically like wild serpents.


    Subsequently, an indescribable pressure rapidly filled the air between heaven and earth.


    Radiating from the Bright Eight Trigrams Tower at its center, the spiritual energy of nature within a six hundred mile radius was swiftly drawn in, forming a gigantic spiritual energy vortex above Xinglong City with a diameter of more than two hundred feet and reaching thousands of feet high.


    Such a huge spiritual energy vortex was clearly visible even from a thousand miles away.


    ...


    Cultivators within a thousand-mile radius were extremely shocked and instinctively turned their gaze towards Xinglong City.


    ¡°Golden Core Thunder Tribulation?! Who is undergoing Core Formation at this moment?¡±


    Below the chaotic and frantically dancing lightning, the dull and thunderous sounds spread far and wide.


    Faced with this extraordinary phenomenon, the million inhabitants of Xinglong City were both frightened and delighted, for everyone knew what it meant.


    Boom!


    At that moment, a figure suddenly flew up from the top of the Eight Diagrams Tower and hovered below the Thunder Cloud.


    It was Zhao Sheng.


    At this moment, his muscles writhed and his veins bulged as he was enveloped in a dazzling light.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng appeared, the lightning in the Tribulation Clouds seemed to find a vent, and the thunder exploded dramatically. Bolt after bolt of lightning, sharp as spears and swords, stabbed downward fiercely.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, let out a long howl towards the sky and dispersed the light from his body, revealing his bare upper body. He astonishingly let go of his defense and chose to withstand the Heavenly Tribulation with his flesh alone.


    Thunderous roar!


    In an instant, his entire body was ¡°submerged¡± in lightning, hidden within the blinding electric light.


    ¡°Not good!¡±


    Ten miles away from the Bright Eight Trigrams Tower, in the air, Zhao Debang saw Zhao Sheng acting so recklessly and his face immediately turned pale.


    The Foundation Establishment Elders beside him also had ashen faces.


    Others undergoing tribulation would wish they could wrap themselves in a turtle shell; there was no one foolish enough to resist with their bodies alone.


    But now, the Zhao Family had produced such a ¡°fool.¡±


    ¡°Family Head, do you think Qingyang can safely get through the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation?¡± someone asked nervously.


    At that moment, the dark-faced and sturdy Zhao Degang suddenly asserted, ¡°Qingyang¡¯s physical body is incredibly strong, and his spiritual power is boundlessly profound. Since he dares to do so, he must be fully confident!¡±


    Upon hearing this, the elders¡¯ ashen faces showed a forced smile, and they nodded repeatedly, seemingly in agreement.


    But then Zhao Debang soberly added, ¡°Although we have already made meticulous arrangements, it is still possible that other uninvited guests might suddenly pass by. We must stay vigilant.¡±


    The elders quickly nodded, then dispersed in all directions to defend their respective territories.


    The roaring continued.


    Thirty minutes passed, and the black Tribulation Clouds in the sky continued to send down never-ending Tribulation Lightning bolts, one wave after the other, showing no sign of stopping. The intensity seemed to grow even stronger.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest rose and fell, his face slightly pale, his body covered in wounds, with countless bolts of lightning violently traveling over his skin, producing a series of crisp crackling sounds. However, his eyes were filled with an unyielding fighting spirit!


    For a while, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body was wrapped in a thin layer of pale golden electric clothes, and his muscles, bones, blood vessels, and meridians were constantly being destroyed and then swiftly healed and regenerated as if thousands of bone-biting, heart-drilling insects were gnawing at him simultaneously. The process of damage, resurrection, and more damage was continuously repeating all over his body.


    The Heavenly Tribulation not only destroyed but also gave birth to new life. Under the test of wave after wave of tribulation thunder, Zhao Sheng¡¯s physique was becoming unimaginably more robust and resilient at an incredible speed.


    At this moment, his spirit was exceptionally calm. In the depths of his Soul Sea, the Tao True Text ¡°steadfast¡± became clearer, with countless profound ¡°truths¡± continuously emerging, which he quickly absorbed and understood. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the assistance of twenty separate Divine Split Consciousnesses, Zhao Sheng had minute control over his body, spiritual power, and Divine Soul, facing the Heavenly Tribulation with ease.


    The next moment, a ¡°thunderous boom¡± of clear sky thunder rang out!


    Suddenly, another massive bolt of lightning, as thick as a water bucket, fell upon him and exploded, releasing countless purple lightning threads scattering in all directions.


    Under the flickering dance of dense electric light, the sea of spiritual power in his Dantian, like boiling water, violently shook and began to compress bit by bit, being refined and making the jump to a higher level.


    At the same time, deep within the Golden Crow True Fire, a dazzling light point gradually emerged.


    As soon as the light point appeared, a vast amount of white-hot spiritual power like moths to a flame, crazily rushed into the Golden Crow True Fire. After being refined by the True Fire for the second time, it rapidly collapsed and filled into the light point.


    As time passed, the volume of the light point rapidly expanded, slowly forming a bright and gleaming Elixir Pearl shadow,


    Following the transformation of a hefty amount of spiritual power into True Yuan, the Elixir Pearl illusion soon solidified from illusion to reality, evolving into a genuine and flawless Golden Core.


    Boom!


    The area of black Tribulation Clouds in the sky had already halved,


    At this time, the five-colored halo around Zhao Sheng¡¯s body had been refined by the tribulation thunder into a light golden layer, and his skin became even more fair and delicate, as if it were the finest White Jade.


    After the eighth wave of tribulation thunder, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed slightly as he exhaled a long breath.


    The power of this wave of tribulation thunder was so immense it nearly exceeded his expectations.


    But even so, everything was still within his control. His Divine Sense was rapidly strengthening, his Golden Core was almost fully condensed, and his Immortal Golden Body truly reached the Small Success Realm.


    However, the continuous thunder from above was still incessant, clearly indicating that this bout of Heavenly Tribulation was not yet over!


    ¡°`

 Chapter 360 - 265 Tribulation Passes, Elixir Forms_2

    Chapter 360: Chapter 265 Tribulation Passes, Elixir Forms_2


    At that moment, the black Tribulation Cloud once again shrank, now only a hundred feet in size. After the eight wave of thunder had dissipated, the cloud began gathering energy once more, and thick electric snakes tumbled within it.


    Boom!


    This time, the thunder that emerged was no longer in the form of regular electric arcs, but rather spheres as large as human heads, with Thunder Light like paste, their surfaces flickering with bright silver electric arcs.


    Although these thunderballs were few in number, they emitted a strong aura of destruction.


    Zhao Sheng felt that something was quite amiss, as such high-level Tribulation Lightning should only occur during the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation, and by all logic, should not appear during the Golden Core Heavenly Tribulation.


    ¡°Could it be that the Heavenly Dao looks down on me?¡±


    ...


    No sooner had this thought left his mind than a tremendous peal of heavenly thunder erupted, and meteor-like thunderballs fell from the pitch-black Tribulation Cloud, their presence terrifyingly impressive. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the thunderballs fell like meteors, they left behind trails of silver afterimages, illuminating the surroundings as if it were broad daylight.


    Zhao Sheng caught his breath, and a fierce light flashed in his eyes. He summoned the Golden Crow True Fire in response, which instantly formed a three-meter-high golden fireball enveloping him.


    Suddenly, a ¡°Sun¡± bursting with dazzling light appeared above Xinglong City.


    Boom!


    One after another, the ¡°meteors¡± smashed into the sun, exploding into brilliant bursts of piercing light, nearly blinding countless people around.


    At the same time, the black thunder cloud in the sky also continued to shrink, until finally, after the last silver thunderball had also been devoured by the True Fire.


    The hundred-foot black cloud suddenly dispersed, and daylight brightly returned to the sky, restoring clear weather.


    At this point, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was extremely pale, and his body, though marred with numerous wounds, was healing rapidly.


    Generally speaking, the stronger the strength of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the more severe the Golden Core Heavenly Tribulation they attract, but if they can endure it, the benefits they gain after forming their Golden Core are naturally greater.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s strength was undisputed, hence at last he attracted the intensity of Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation Six-Nine Divine Thunder, the power of which was extremely terrifying.


    Of course, if ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators knew they couldn¡¯t survive the Tribulation, they would generally use various methods to weaken the tribulation thunder.


    Such secret techniques for evading Tribulation and prolonging life, although they could also eventually lead to successful Core Formation, would result in a Golden Core of poor quality because it went against the Heavenly Dao. The quality and strength of their Divine Soul would also be greatly reduced.


    However, due to the difficulties of the Dao, only about one in a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators would eventually reach Core Formation, and even fewer would encounter the opportunity to form a True Golden Core.


    Therefore, for ascending to the Golden Core Realm and obtaining long Life Span, the choice of most Foundation Establishment Cultivators is to use external forces to promote themselves to a Fake Pill, and ultimately, it¡¯s better than perishing under Tribulation Thunder.


    After the Heavenly Tribulation passed, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, while rapidly healing, also underwent a swift transformation.


    Blood boiled tide-like within him, rolling torrentially from his limbs back to his heart.


    As whiffs of rusty air continuously separated from the essence blood, his blood grew thicker, more vibrant, and heavy like mercury.


    His bones emitted a faint blue light and were internally threaded with chilly Sword Qi.


    His muscles were distinct, resembling bronze and gold, immensely tough yet not without elasticity.


    His skin became as pale as jade, making him look like a jade stone man.


    Looking at him now, his appearance had become quite handsome, completely lacking his original pointy ears and monkey cheeks.


    About half a cup of tea¡¯s time had passed, and the golden light on Zhao Sheng¡¯s body turned from dim to bright, stabilizing around him as if he were a Divine being enveloped in golden light.


    At this point, the ¡°Sun¡± in the sky suddenly began to slowly descend, eventually hanging behind Zhao Sheng¡¯s back.


    The immense light heat released by the Sun heated up the surrounding hundred feet radius to an extreme, warping the air and manifesting and then burning spontaneous golden flames.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng frowned, his powerful Divine Sense sweeping around like a storm, causing the ¡°Sun¡± behind him to rapidly shrink into a sun the size of a head, hanging at the back of his head.


    And the Burning Sky Field was also compressed to about a meter or so.


    Just then, the immense Spiritual Energy Sky Pillar suddenly collapsed, and a spirit rain began pouring down on Xinglong City, with a massive amount of Spiritual Energy flooding into the bodies of a million inhabitants.


    Blessed by the Heavenly Dao, various hidden injuries, ailments, and wounds inside countless people¡¯s bodies were rapidly healed.


    Before one¡¯s eyes, the flowers and trees around the city seemed to grow even lusher, bursting with vitality.


    Some pregnant women¡¯s fetuses were nourished by the spirit rain, and their constitutions began to undergo strange changes.


    It could be foreseen that next year, Xinglong City would certainly see the birth of many infants possessing Spirit Roots.


    ¡­


    ¡°A Golden Core Master has emerged from the Xinglong Zhao Family!¡±


    An astonishing piece of news exploded like a bomb, stunning countless minor and major forces and attracting the attention of numerous cultivators.


    In just two days, within a 5,000-li radius around Xinglong Origin, Zhao Sheng became the topic of discussion among countless people.


    This person had successfully traversed the Heavenly Tribulation under the public eye and smoothly ascended to the Golden Core.


    Such a thing absolutely couldn¡¯t be faked!


    As the news swiftly spread, countless pieces of information regarding the newly advanced Master of the Zhao family were laid out on the tables of various faction leaders at the fastest speed.


    ¡°The new master is called Zhao Qingyang, not even seventy years old. How ¡­ how is this possible! What virtue and ability do the Zhao Family have to nurture such a Golden Core Daoist. Go verify it again!¡±


    ¡°Tsk tsk, withstanding the Heavenly Tribulation with his flesh body! This person is truly formidable. With such an individual in their family, the Zhao Family¡¯s Qi Fortune has just increased by eight hundred years. Command down, all previous plans are canceled!¡±


    ¡°Zhao Qingyang, you indeed are not an ordinary individual! But I, Li Feixuan, am not inferior to anyone. Just wait, one day we will see who is superior.¡±


    ¡°Disciple, you bring your master to Xinglong City to deliver a gift to Master Zhao. Also, cede that Yin Wood Mine.¡±


    ¡°¡­ double the tribute this year, then send it to Xinglong City as quickly as possible.¡±


    ¡°The Zhao Family finally has a Golden Core, congratulations are in order! The marriage alliance, I agree.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s ascension to the Golden Core not only greatly reassured the entire Zhao Family but also firmly reestablished the status of the Xinglong Zhao family.


    Numerous joyful changes subsequently took place.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng, the great contributor of the Zhao Family, claiming the need to stabilize his realm, suddenly entered seclusion, politely refusing all visits.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng¡¯s seclusion did not affect the grand celebration of the Golden Core Ceremony held by the Zhao Family.


    One month later, Xinglong City was festooned with lights and colored ribbons; drums filled the air, and fireworks covered the sky like rainbows.


    On the day of the Golden Core Ceremony, Zhao Sheng made a brief appearance and shared his cultivation experiences for four hours. He casually demonstrated several casting techniques, captivating many cultivators who had traveled to the place.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng re-entered seclusion and refused visitors.


    As seasons changed from cold to hot, and the vegetation turned autumnal, more than half a year passed in a blink.


    One day, an enticing fragrance wafted through the Zhao Mansion Garden.


    In the stone pavilion, Zhao Sheng sat on a stone stump, casually casting without much care.


    At that moment, the air in front of him slightly distorted. A golden roast rabbit floated in midair, its fats continuously seeping out. The moment these dripped down, they were evaporated by the invisible high heat, thereby releasing an enticing aroma.


    ¡°Grandpa, is it ready?¡±


    Then, a small child dressed in a bright red bellyband, with soft fair skin suddenly tugged at Zhao Sheng¡¯s pants, asking in a milky voice.


    His two sapphire-like eyes were fixed on the golden, dripping rabbit, his face full of longing, and a trickle of saliva running down the corner of his mouth.


    ¡°Qi¡¯er, be patient, it will be ready soon!¡±


    Upon hearing his beloved grandson¡¯s impatience, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes suddenly flashed with Divine Light, the surrounding invisible high heat surged several times in an instant, forcing large drops of fat to be expelled from deeper within the rabbit. Yet, within the Burning Sky Field, Zhao Xiuqi felt not a bit of the scorching heat.


    ¡°It¡¯s ready!¡±


    Three breaths later, Zhao Sheng gestured with his hand, and the roast rabbit flew towards him, splitting into pieces in the blink of an eye.


    A fragrant, golden rabbit leg suddenly landed in front of Zhao Xiuqi, who skillfully grabbed it.


    With the delicacy in hand, his saliva immediately dropped.


    Just as the child was about to take a hearty bite, he suddenly heard a stern shout from outside the pavilion: ¡°Qi¡¯er, don¡¯t eat it!¡±


    As soon as the voice faded, Dong Miaozhen, dressed in a red dress, quickly walked into the pavilion, followed by a group of serving maids.

 Chapter 361 - 266 Return to Shattered Star Sea

    Chapter 361: Chapter 266 Return to Shattered Star Sea


    ¡°Don¡¯t eat it!¡±


    She snatched the rabbit leg from his hand, and seeing her grandson frightened almost to tears, her expression softened as she spoke gently, ¡°Qi¡¯er, be obedient. You are at a critical stage in your Bone and Marrow Replacement; you mustn¡¯t touch any meat or fish.


    After you turn three, even if you want to eat dragon liver and phoenix gallbladder, grandma will bring it for you. Let¡¯s not consume this meat now. Be a good boy!¡±


    Zhao Sheng stood up awkwardly, ¡°My lady, how did you get here! Are all the matters handled?¡±


    Dong Miaozhen couldn¡¯t contain her irritation, ¡°Husband, how many times have I told you! Qi¡¯er must not eat carelessly, or his previous efforts will be in vain. How are you even grandfathering? You¡¯re even worse than his parents.¡±


    ¡°My lady, I admit my fault! Qi¡¯er kept saying he was hungry, so I thought¡­ just once might not hurt!¡±


    ...


    ¡°If Qi¡¯er is hungry, he can take Qi Blood Pill, Spiritual Milk, and Jade Liquid. How can he eat such filthy meat? Don¡¯t you know that the sooner a solid foundation is established, the smoother his cultivation will be?¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Xiuqi suddenly hugged Dong Miaozhen¡¯s leg, looking up at his angry grandmother and said earnestly, ¡°Grandma, don¡¯t blame grandpa. Qi¡¯er won¡¯t eat it.¡±


    ¡°Good, that¡¯s the dragon seed of our family!¡± Dong Miaozhen lifted her grandson, her face full of smiles as she praised him.


    Seeing the atmosphere turn harmonious, the maids standing outside the pavilion breathed a sigh of relief.


    Just then, a whistling sound of flapping wings suddenly filled the air and a golden-clawed, red-eyed eagle with pristine white feathers swooped down from the sky into the pavilion, circling Dong Miaozhen continuously.


    Pfft!


    The Spiritual Eagle opened its beak and forcefully spat out a glowing white Jade Scroll.


    Dong Miaozhen caught the Jade Scroll and instantly tossed out a Demon Spirit Pill.


    The Spiritual Eagle flapped its wings swiftly, swallowed the Spirit Pill with one gulp, and then transformed into a streak of white light, dashing out of the stone pavilion and soaring into the sky.


    After reading the Jade Scroll, Dong Miaozhen silently passed it to her husband.


    ¡°Xiong¡¯er has caused trouble again, take care of it. I¡¯m taking our grandson back home.¡±


    Leaving those words behind, Dong Miaozhen carried her grandson and left with the maids.


    Zhao Sheng raised an eyebrow, his Divine Sense instantly delved into the Jade Scroll, and countless pieces of information surged through his mind.


    ¡°¡­Yuye Ancestor engaged the Great Demon King Huan Niang at Star Peak, destroying hundreds of miles of mountains and rivers, with casualties exceeding a hundred thousand. The direct descendant of the ancestor, Wu Yi, has been captured by Huan Niang and his whereabouts are unknown.¡±


    ¡°¡­Something is stirring in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, a demon wave seems to be brewing¡­ The source might be a Demon King upgrading¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ It¡¯s likely that Zhe Bei Zi of the Elixir Cauldron Sect has advanced to False Infant¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ In the Southern Border workshop, the exchange prices of Spirit Pills, Magic Artifacts, and talismans generally have risen, and the major sect powers seem to be hoarding resources¡­ the average auction price of Foundation Establishment Pill has reached forty thousand¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­ A month ago, an upheaval occurred in Pocket World City, resulting in the fall of two Golden Core Masters¡­ the area above the fourth layer of the Cloud Sea at Heavenly Pillar Mountain has been temporarily sealed by the Sect Alliance¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­Heavenly Burial Plain¡­ The progress on the Great Wall is going well¡­ A Flying Sky Netherworld King has been spotted deep within the Heavenly Burial Plain¡­¡±


    ¡­ S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°¡­Ten days ago, the Young Master and his wife caused a disturbance at the Ba Mountain Sect¡¯s gates, and were subsequently detained by the Ba Mountain Sect, though they are currently unharmed¡­¡±


    As he reached the last piece of information, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but frown.


    His son Zhao Huaying and daughter-in-law Zu Xiaoyue indeed made a pair destined by nature, none of them were calm characters.


    Mere representatives sent by him to the Ba Mountain Sect, bearing a congratulatory gift, managed to provoke not a small mess.


    ¡°No choice, who made him the father. Even if it costs him his old face, he must clean up after these two.¡±


    After sighing softly, Zhao Sheng produced a blank Jade Scroll and infused a message inside with his Divine Sense.


    Then he called out coldly, ¡°Someone!¡±


    Before the words fell, a person wearing a Taotie mask appeared in all black, kneeling on one knee outside the pavilion: ¡°Master!¡±


    Zhao Sheng took out a Haoyang Jade Token from his waist, along with the Jade Scroll, and flicked them out, commanding, ¡°Take my token and this Jade Scroll, deliver them to Sect Leader Hao of the Ba Mountain Sect. Then ensure the Young Master and his wife are safely escorted back.¡±


    The Taotie secret agent took the Jade Token and Jade Scroll with both hands, bowing deeply: ¡°I obey the decree, I take my leave!¡±


    With those words, the figure in black transformed into a wisp of black smoke and disappeared.


    Ever since his advancement to Golden Core, the significant power of the Xinglong Zhao family had undoubtedly fallen into Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands.


    Although he was indifferent to power, such matters were inevitable and not subject to personal will.


    The will of the entire Zhao family was with him; as a Golden Core Master, he couldn¡¯t possibly remain detached from worldly affairs.


    Zhao Sheng delegated most of the authority, retaining direct control only over the Dark Department, treasury, and the Dragon Carp Academy, among other critical departments.


    Even throughout the entire Southern Border, a Golden Core Master was a force to be reckoned with.


    Although the Ba Mountain Sect had an old Golden Core presiding over it, this person was actually a False Infant who had recently celebrated his four-hundred-eightieth birthday, nearing the end of his life.


    This second-tier sect, on the decline, would definitely not dare to offend the Xinglong Zhao family, let alone provoke the awe of Master Zhao.


    As long as the trouble caused by his son wasn¡¯t too severe, the token sent by him would be sufficient to settle the matter.


    As everyone knows, a token equals a favor.


    A favor from a Golden Core Master is not a small matter, and the Ba Mountain Sect would count this as a blessing in disguise.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, just as Zhao Huaying and his wife returned to Xinglong City, they were both confined by their parents.


    It wasn¡¯t until their son¡¯s second birthday that the young couple was allowed to go out.


    In just two years, Xinglong City had become increasingly prosperous, and the spirits of the Zhao Clan members had changed, becoming more confident and proud.

 Chapter 362 - 266: Return to the Shattered Star Sea_2

    Chapter 362: Chapter 266: Return to the Shattered Star Sea_2


    Due to the surge in spirit root babies last year, the number of cultivators within the Zhao Family has exceeded four hundred. Among them, there are two Golden Core Masters, twenty-three Foundation Establishment Elders, and more than eighty at the Qi Refining Late Stage, and those in the Middle Early Stage of Qi Refining¡­


    In comparison, what delighted the elders even more was that someone had singlehandedly repaid a third of the family¡¯s external debt. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Since advancing to the Golden Core realm, this person¡¯s alchemy skills had improved by leaps and bounds with an astonishingly high success rate and quantity of Elixir Pills produced, leaving everyone dumbfounded.


    Only a few people within the entire Zhao Family knew about this.


    Two months ago, Zhao Sheng had already achieved the realm of Master of Alchemy.


    It was on a night in July when a mottled gold-and-red Elixir Pill appeared before Zhao Debang. The head of the Zhao Family, a man held in high esteem by millions, was so excited that he flushed red with excitement on the spot.


    ...


    Because that was a¡­ Golden Core Formation Pill!


    Although it was of the lowest quality and fraught with pill toxins, it was still a third-rank top-grade spirit pill: the Golden Core Formation Pill.


    What did this represent? It goes without saying!


    Thus on that late night in the Gravity Room of the Underground City Dui District.


    The Gravity Magic Array was fully activated, and the gravity within the Dao Field had reached a terrifying hundredfold.


    Bathed in sweat and bare-chested, Zhao Sheng was practicing the True Void Mountain Breaking Palm with precision.


    Boom!


    The air felt heavy and viscous, like glue. With every palm strike, a fearsome booming noise arose within the Dao Field.


    In the vague outline, behind Zhao Sheng, a giant figure as if forged from gold emerged,


    The giant was hazy all over, with only its eyes exceptionally brilliant. Inside the eye sockets flowed blazing white flames, resembling two ¡°Suns¡±.


    It had been two years since Core Formation, and his cultivation progress was extremely slow, still at the Golden Core First Layer.


    But in other aspects, he had made rapid progress; not to mention his alchemy, his cultivation of the Heavenly Human Four Forms had broken through to the ¡°Heart Phase¡± level.


    The giant phantom was the outward manifestation of his Heart Phase.


    When the day comes for the giant to fully condense and materialize, it will be the day his Heart Image achieves Great Success, and he will break through to the Divine Phase realm.


    Thump, thump!


    Drops of sweat continued to fall off Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, hitting the ground with harsh, loud noises as if heavy iron balls were crashing onto a metal floor.


    An hour later, the Dao Field floor was littered with deep footprints, all carelessly made by Zhao Sheng.


    Suddenly,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed, and his body came to a halt.


    Just now, his Divine Sense, which he had projected outward, had been touched, and at this moment, an incredibly familiar voice entered his mind.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression brightened, and he immediately turned to walk towards the Dao Field¡¯s main gate.


    Hum!


    As the Gravity Magic Array slowly deactivated, the Dao Field instantly filled with rolling hot fog.


    Amidst the dense fog, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure suddenly disappeared.


    ¡­


    Deep into the night, the stars sparsely dotted the sky.


    The Eight Diagrams Bright Tower was like a column that reached to the heavens, bursting forth with dazzling white light that illuminated nearly half of Xinglong City.


    In the perilously high ninth-floor chamber of the tower, Zhao Xuanjing stood before the window, his gaze lingering lovingly over the vast Xinglong City, his face showing a hint of melancholy and loss.


    At that moment, a streak of fire shot up from below like lightning.


    In the next instant, the firelight dissipated, and Zhao Sheng had already appeared beside Zhao Xuanjing.


    ¡°Ancestor, your return was so sudden! Why didn¡¯t you notify us in advance? I could have had the clan elders prepare to welcome you back.¡±


    ¡°Qingyang, at our level of cultivation, we hardly bother with such mundane formalities. Besides, my emergence from seclusion this time was solely for your sake,¡± said the Ancestor.


    Zhao Xuanjing looked at Zhao Sheng with great satisfaction, ¡°Your advancement to the Golden Core has filled me with immense joy. Our family now has a worthy successor, and I am freed from a great worry. It also increases my confidence in overcoming the Nascent Soul Tribulation by another two percent.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, recognizing the significance, immediately asked, ¡°Ancestor, are you planning to enter a life-or-death retreat?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing nodded, ¡°Once all worldly affairs are settled, I will return to the sect to enter a life-or-death retreat, not to emerge until I achieve Nascent Soul. If all goes well, it will take at most twenty years to break through and achieve Nascent Soul. If things are not favorable¡­¡±


    At this point, Zhao Sheng suddenly laughed, interrupting him, ¡°Haha, if even you cannot succeed, there are only a few in this world who can break the Core to Infant. I have utmost confidence in you!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing smiled wryly and chose not to continue the topic. Instead, he asked, ¡°Qingyang, now that you have advanced to Golden Core, you should promptly refine your Lifebound Magic Treasure. I have two Magical Treasures with me, and there are also two or three pieces hidden away in the family¡¯s Treasure Vault. If you need anything, just say the word.¡±


    Without hesitation, Zhao Sheng replied, ¡°Thank you for your kind offer, Ancestor! However, it¡¯s best to personally refine one¡¯s own Lifebound Magic Treasure. I already have plans for mine. Additionally, I¡¯ve been meaning to inform you of something. I am planning to make a trip to the Shattered Star Sea soon.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing knew his young Daoist was extremely ambitious and understood his disinterest in second-hand magical treasures, but the sudden mention of a trip to the Shattered Star Sea took him by surprise.


    ¡°`


    ¡°What are you doing in the Shattered Star Sea?¡±


    Zhao Sheng found it inconvenient to divulge the truth, so he gave a well-prepared excuse, ¡°With the great war between the two realms imminent, just in case, I wish to find a way of retreat for our family in advance. The Shattered Star Sea is far from the continent, and with the branch of Dome Turtle Island, this place is indeed an excellent refuge.


    Additionally, the main treasures for refining my Lifebound Magic Treasure are mostly from the Shattered Star Sea.¡±


    ¡°I see, that¡¯s how it is.¡± Zhao Xuanjing, after listening, seemed thoughtful, then asked, ¡°When do you plan to set off, and when will you return?¡±


    ¡°In three months, at most, not more than two years,¡± Zhao Sheng replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough time. I will take this opportunity to fully reveal all of the family¡¯s secrets to you and introduce you to a bunch of old friends.¡±


    Zhao Sheng silently nodded, not at all surprised in his heart.


    Four days later, Zhao Xuanjing took Zhao Sheng and left Xinglong City.


    In the following three months, they traveled day and night, crossing the Southern Border and visiting nearly half of the Central Continent.


    Zhao Xuanjing was not a man of wide acquaintance, but in his more than eight hundred years of cultivation life, he still made quite a few Golden Core friends.


    Now this network of relationships was entirely handed over to Zhao Sheng. Should anything unexpected happen to Zhao Xuanjing, Zhao Sheng would have to inherit it.


    ¡­


    Time flew, and seasons changed from autumn to winter.


    When the vegetation in Xinglong City withered and the rivers froze, Zhao Sheng quietly returned to Xinglong City alone.


    When he came back, he couldn¡¯t get out of bed for the entire night.


    The next day, the lady of the house was radiant, her mood excellent for several days in a row.


    Even if her grandson didn¡¯t memorize the scriptures, even if her son and daughter-in-law sneaked out again, it still didn¡¯t affect her good mood.


    ¡­


    ¡°Clan Leader, this is the accounts for the past half year, please review them.¡±


    ¡°No need to check the accounts. As long as the numbers match up, just put them in the record room.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Clan Leader, the new Sect Leaders of the Three Mountains Sect, Wen Sect, and Bai Zhuang Sect are waiting in the outer hall, hoping to have an audience with you.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, let the Family Head meet them, just say I¡¯m in closed-door cultivation.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Clan Leader, someone from Taifu Mountain¡¯s ancestral land has come. Will you see them?¡±


    ¡°Is it something important?¡±


    ¡°They are said to be seeking assistance.¡±


    ¡°No, let the Clan Elder Council handle it. Besides, stop bothering me with such trivial matters henceforth.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes! Clan Leader, please calm your anger¡­¡±


    ¡­


    Once Zhao Degang left the room, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but rub his forehead.


    Some things, even if he wanted to shirk, he couldn¡¯t.


    Since ancient times, it has been said that interests move people¡¯s hearts, but isn¡¯t power also like this!


    Where there are people, there are conflicts, and even with Zhao Sheng¡¯s detached status, he couldn¡¯t avoid people exploiting his name to fight for power and profit!


    Spending a whole day, Zhao Sheng sorted out the family affairs.


    He then instructed his wife on several matters.


    But upon hearing that his son had once again secretly fled home with his daughter-in-law, Zhao Sheng, while amused, couldn¡¯t help feeling the poignancy of the saying ¡®A grown son can¡¯t be kept at home.¡¯


    His own son was indeed tightly controlled by his wife.


    Zhao Sheng stayed at home for half a month, getting everything arranged.


    Afterward, he took a low-grade magical treasure, the Starfall Seven Spirit Sword, from the family treasure vault, as a temporary measure, to be discarded once the Lifebound Magic Treasure was refined to its Great Sun realm.


    As winter passed and spring arrived, bringing revival to all things,


    that night, under the watchful eyes of his wife and the elders, Zhao Sheng transformed into a streak of fire and shot straight into the sky.


    After flickering several times, he vanished without a trace.


    In the entire Xinglong Zhao family, only Dong Miaozhen and the elders knew his destination; everyone else was completely in the dark.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 363 - 267 Thunder Insect Catastrophe

    Chapter 363: Chapter 267 Thunder Insect Catastrophe


    Half a year later,


    In an extremely high and vast layer of the Heavenly Gang atmosphere, the Gang Wind howled. Endless dark clouds spread across the Nine Heavens, filled with countless thunders and electric snakes that continuously rolled and moved, illuminating the dark Cloud Sea and emitting bursts of thunderous roars.


    At this moment, a huge disc-shaped Cloud Boat with a diameter of a thousand yards, streamlined and silver in color, struggled to maneuver through the Cloud Sea under the protection of a bright yellow light shield, surrounded on all sides by black thunderstorms.


    At that instant, numerous groups of Thunder Light Fireballs erupted on the surface of the Cloud Boat, sending out continuous booming explosion sounds.


    The Thunder Clouds, like a sea, had countless sparkles of light varying in brightness. Some were as big as mountains, others as small as water droplets. These were Thunder Light Yunmu, which surged over from all directions like tide waters.


    In the control room of the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat¡¯s upper deck, more than ten Vast Sect¡¯s Foundation Establishment Deacons, under the lead of two Golden Core Masters, staunchly defended against the attack of the Thunder Insects.


    ...


    The Thunder Light Yunmu, also known as Self-destructing Thunder Insects, are a type of Thunder-Attribute amphibian demon insects, similar in appearance to jellyfish. The longer they live, the larger they grow, and the more likely they are to self-destruct.


    The Thunder Light Yunmu are widely found above the four great oceans within the Heavenly Gang atmosphere, usually harnessing thunder and gathering tides like seas. They only return to the deep seas for a brief period during reproduction.


    There are three major disasters in ocean voyages, and the Thunder Light Yunmu tide is the most common one.


    Unfortunately, the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat was just chased down by a large swarm of Thunder Light Yunmu on this voyage.


    Thus, a fierce battle had erupted half an hour ago and continued until now. The Cloud Boat repeatedly tried to accelerate and escape, but was consistently blocked by the swarm of Thunder Insects.


    Boom! Boom!


    Thunder Insects, round and bulging with surging thunder inside, rushed ahead of each other to hit the outer wall of the Cloud Boat and exploded violently. For a moment, countless electric snakes moved around, and Thunder Light filled the sky.


    The outer defensive shield of the Cloud Boat broke several times and was hastily repaired by the disciples of the Vast Sect.


    Now, the silver outer wall of the Cloud Boat was largely scorched black, its surface covered with countless tiny cracks and pits.


    Under wave after wave of self-destructive attacks, the people from the Vast Sect gradually showed a tendency to be unable to withstand it.


    In the control room, Vast Sect¡¯s Master Yao Fang eyed the surrounding situation, a hint of anxiousness flickering in his eyes.


    He exchanged a glance with his junior brother, Feng Hou Daoist, and communicated via Divine Sense, his lips moving slightly.


    At this moment before a crystal window in the control room, three exceptionally spirited and imposing Golden Core Masters stood.


    ¡°Sigh, there were no issues for half a year. I didn¡¯t expect that as we approached the Shattered Star Sea, we would run straight into a Thunder Light Yunmu tide. This luck¡­ tsk tsk, is just not good!¡±


    ¡°Master Zhao, in your opinion, should we take action later?¡± the red-haired, yellow-faced Master Jiao Zuo asked, looking towards the silent Zhao Sheng with a smiling expression.


    Zhao Sheng observed the battle outside through the crystal window. His view was filled with endless dark clouds and surging Thunder Light, with crazy self-destructing Thunder Light Yunmu everywhere, and even several huge mother creatures, large as mountains, emerging from the depths of the clouds.


    Zhao Sheng turned back, pondered for a moment, and asked, ¡°May I know which Nascent Soul Ancestor from the Vast Sect is presiding over this time?¡± S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Haha! Taoist Zhao, you¡¯re mistaken there. This time there is no Nascent Soul Ancestor presiding, the Vast Sect merely sent two Golden Core Daoists. Just trying to muddle through, but unfortunately, they ran into the Thunder Insects,¡± another Golden Core Master, Ye Lv, suddenly said with a hint of mockery.


    This person wore a white robe and a white hat, with a rather strange appearance. A chilly aura emanated from him, and behind him, a scene of a vast yellow sandstorm raging appeared intermittently.


    There are also levels among Golden Core Masters, evident even from the way they are addressed.


    The red-haired, yellow-faced Jiao Zuo addressed Zhao Sheng as Master Zhao while Ye Lv referred to him as Taoist Zhao.


    The difference between a True Immortal and a Taoist signifies that Jiao Zuo used external objects for pill solidification, whereas Zhao Sheng and Ye Lv were True Golden Cores who solidified their pills naturally.


    On such a vast Sea Suppressing Level Cloud Boat, carrying three thousand passengers, there were only three Golden Core passengers in total.


    At this time, the Foundation Establishment Cultivators were simply of no use. If sent out, they wouldn¡¯t even have time to counterattack before being left far behind by the Cloud Boat.


    The Cloud Boat encountered the disaster of Thunder Insects, making it difficult for Zhao Sheng and others not to intervene!


    After listening, Zhao Sheng slightly moved his lips and could not help saying, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, it seems we cannot just stand by and watch.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, if they want us to risk taking action, let¡¯s see what benefits the Vast Sect can offer,¡± he said.


    ¡°Taoist Jiao speaks rightly,¡± Master Ye Lv nodded in agreement.


    ¡°You two aren¡¯t afraid that the Cloud Boat will be destroyed by the Thunder Insects, leaving us also to suffer in the end?¡± Zhao Sheng curiously asked.


    Jiao Zuo laughed: ¡°Haha, Master Zhao may not know, but the Vast Sect has only four Sea Suppressing Level large ships in total. A mere Thunder Light Yunmu tide absolutely cannot destroy such large treasure ships. But causing it severe damage is still possible. Once this ship is overly damaged, affecting intercontinental navigation, the loss to the Vast Sect would be immeasurable.¡±


    Zhao Sheng realized the stakes and began considering what conditions to propose.


    Sure enough, just moments later, Feng Hou Daoist and elder Yao Fang came together.


    Yao Fang greeted the three with a bow and said with a wry smile, ¡°You have seen the embarrassing situation. Currently, we are deeply trapped in the Thunder Insect Tide and have not been able to escape for a long time. Concerned for the three thousand fellow Daoists, I humbly ask the three of you to lend a hand and help us escape this peril.¡±


    ¡°Haha, well said. As the three of us are in the same boat, naturally, we won¡¯t just stand by. However¡­¡±


    At this point, Master Ye Lv suddenly transmitted his Divine Sense.


    Yao Fang furrowed his brows slightly, then decisively nodded.

 Chapter 364 - 267 Thunder Insect Catastrophe_2

    Chapter 364: Chapter 267 Thunder Insect Catastrophe_2


    In his white robe, Yelu saw and was overjoyed, then he smiled suggestively at Zhao Sheng and his companion.


    At that moment, Yao Fang¡¯s calm voice sounded next to Zhao Sheng¡¯s ear, ¡°May I know what Master Zhao would like to request?¡±


    Zhao Sheng transmitted his thoughts through Divine Sense, ¡°A Nie Crystal weighing at least ten jun and with a purity of over ninety-nine percent.¡±


    ¡°Deal!¡± Yao Fang decisively dropped the two words.


    The other¡¯s prompt agreement made Zhao Sheng feel that he had underestimated his bargaining power.


    In just a few words, the three of them had successively reached agreements with Yao Fang.


    ...


    The financial strength of the Vast Sect was evident from this.


    ¡­


    Shortly afterward, a crack suddenly split open in the upper layer of the Disc-shaped Boat.


    In the next instant, five streaks of light flew out from the crack and then scattered, firmly guarding the front of the Cloud Boat, positioned on the upper, lower, left, and right sides, with Yao Fang sitting in the center.


    Yelu was surrounded by a layer of yellow light, standing above the roaring Cloud Sea.


    Looking at the countless Thunder Insects of various sizes around him, he suddenly grinned and a huge hand made of yellow sand flew out from his body.


    With a bang, the hand of yellow sand exploded, scattering grains wrapped in yellow light, turning into a vast golden sand waterfall that blocked the self-detonation of the Thunder Insects on one side.


    Thunderous explosions of thunder light erupted as Yelu waved his hands, casting several spells that immediately stabilized the golden sand waterfall.


    Seeing this, the Elder Yao Fang finally breathed a sigh of relief, suddenly turned around, and with a wave of his hand, a cluster of black light shot out from his body, hanging in mid-air and expanding rapidly, quickly turning into a pitch-black Dark Domain.


    Thunderous roars!


    Countless bolts of lightning fell into the pitch-dark domain and instantly vanished as if swallowed by a great river.


    At the right side of the Cloud Boat, Zhao Sheng unleashed thousands of strands of Sword Light from his hands, brilliant as if scattered by a Heavenly Girl yet harboring endless lethality.


    Within a hundred zhang radius, Thunder Insects simultaneously exploded, transforming into a vast thunderstorm.


    At the same time, other True Immortals also showed their prowess.


    A moment later, the pressure on the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat sharply decreased, and its speed suddenly increased significantly.


    However, before these Foundation Establishment Deacons could relax, a sharp, oppressive buzzing sound suddenly came from the deep Cloud Sea.


    This sound, as if at an extremely high frequency with astonishing penetrative power, seemed capable of piercing through all things in the world, instantly causing a chill to arise in everyone¡¯s hearts.


    The Elder Yao Fang¡¯s face also changed, as the surrounding Cloud Sea churned and then forcefully spread in all directions, revealing the enormous figure of a creature nearly a thousand zhang large.


    ¡°Not good, a Sixth Rank Thunder Mother!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils shrank, his expression turning utterly grave.


    ¡­


    Buzz! Buzz!


    The defensive light shield on the surface of the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat suddenly shone brightly, quickly activated to its limit.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression turned stern, as within his Divine Sense, a destructive force was brewing inside the Sixth Rank Thunder Mother two hundred zhang away.


    Meanwhile, countless Thunder Insects, spurred by the emergence of their matriarch, became even more frenzied, flying toward them fearlessly, often exploding into bursts of thunder and lightning upon impact.


    Seeing this, Jiao Zuo with his red hair, Daoist Feng Hou, and others changed expressions, their demeanor turning serious as they focused intently on the incoming tide of insects.


    A sharp glint flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, the Golden Crow True Fire in his Dantian stirring restlessly, while a layer of golden light surfaced on his body.


    Just then, an extremely irritated roar suddenly came from above.


    ¡°Ah, damn it!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body paused, and he looked up towards the sky, only to see Jiao Zuo with his red hair and yellow face, half of his body already charred black, surrounded by dazzling thunder light and splashing Thunder Slurry.


    This man had been ambushed by a high-level Thunder Insect and was now furious with embarrassment; in front of him, unbeknownst when, appeared a waist-thick, man-tall dark red treasure bottle. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This bottle was red as cinnabar all over, densely inscribed with blazing red runes, and its surface emitted a strong red light


    Jiao Zuo merely slapped the bottle with one hand, and a blaze shot up from the opening, countless Fire Crows pouring out and enveloping the surrounding hundred zhang radius.


    Amidst a loud roar, the Fire Crows individually sought out the surrounding Thunder Insects, exploding on their own, turning into numerous campfire-like red flames.


    In the blink of an eye, the area within several hundred zhang was transformed into a blazing sea of flaming fire.


    Within this crimson Fire Sea, Thunder Insects emitted painful buzzing sounds, their dough-like carapaces completely unable to resist even a bit.


    In just a breath or two, thousands of Thunder Insects were engulfed in the vast Fire Sea, turning into wisps of blue smoke.


    Three hundred zhang away in mid-air, astonishment appeared in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes.


    Jiao Zuo, this mere Fake Pill cultivator, surprisingly possesses such astonishing magical treasures; their grade must be at least mid-grade.


    The Spiritual Fire transformed from his Fire Crow is alarmingly powerful; it is evidently top-grade Heaven and Earth Spiritual Fire.


    This man truly has had extraordinary encounters; no wonder he managed to achieve Golden Core.


    ¡°Could this treasured bottle be the object he relies on?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts flashed, yet his movements were not slow, instantly summoning the magical treasure, the Starfall Seven Spirit Sword.


    The Starfall Sword emitted a clear sword cry and its blade burst forth with dazzling, clear light, and with a humming brilliance, it suddenly split into eight, and then from eight to sixty-four.


    Sixty-four beams of sword light turned into dazzling sword rainbows hundreds of feet long, instantly filling a space of three hundred yards in diameter.


    The cloud mist was cleaved by the sword light, numerous Thunder Insects annihilated; the terrifying result made thousands of cultivators watching from the Cloud Boat tremble with fear.


    Though Zhao Sheng had only formed his Core a few years ago, his Divine Sense was as strong as a Golden Core Third Level, coupled with his unique Star God Thousand Heart Technique, allowing him to multitask significantly, with one person¡¯s actions equating to that of several Golden Core Masters.


    Seeing this scene, other cultivators also began to rejoice wildly.


    ¡°Let Feng Hou and I deal with the Sixth Rank Thunder Mother; other daoists, please fully engage. Just hold on a little longer and the Cloud Boat will surely break through this Thunder Cloud! I¡¯m counting on you all!¡± Amidst the sky, Yao Fang¡¯s voice resounded in the ears of Zhao Sheng and others.


    At that moment, countless Thunder Insects surrounding the Cloud Boat suddenly began to loiter reluctantly, seeming to dread something, yet their mouths emitted bursts of buzzing roars.


    Two Golden Core Masters from the Vast Sect resolutely confronted them.


    In an instant, the massive Thunder Mother with sea-like Thunder Light, a thousand-feet dark domain, and eight enormous Dragon Tornadoes clashed head-on.


    Boom, boom!


    The ten-mile radius of dark clouds was instantly swept clear, the atmosphere compressed to near vacuum in an instant.


    Seizing this opportunity, the Cloud Boat suddenly plummeted downwards, its speed doubling as if boosted by adrenaline.


    Zhao Sheng and others were unprepared, thrown off several miles.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Jiao Zuo cursed aloud upon seeing this.


    Although Zhao Sheng and Yel¨¹ did not curse aloud, their expressions were equally grim.


    However, since they had accepted favors, it was not appropriate to desert in the midst of battle.


    Besides, with traps everywhere around, it wasn¡¯t a good place to run away.


    At this time, a strange hissing sound arose from the sea of insects ten miles away. The black clouds split open, Thunder Insects suddenly dispersed, and five massive Thunder Mothers emerged in succession.


    These Thunder Mothers, like colossal jellyfish floating in the air, slightly transparent with electric light surging within, with nearly a hundred long tentacles hanging below, the surfaces of the tentacles throbbing with countless lightning drifting threads,


    these five Thunder Mothers, without exception, were all high-level demon insects comparable to the Golden Core Realm, ranging from Third Rank to Fifth Rank.


    ¡°Be careful, my swarm of Fire Crows might not be able to hold off the high-level Thunder Mothers!¡± In mid-air, Jiao Zuo¡¯s warning voice resounded in Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears.


    No sooner had his voice dropped than an unexpected change occurred.


    Roar!


    A massive Thunder Insect, second only to the Sixth Rank Thunder Mother in size, suddenly let out a fierce roar. Its body abruptly lit up with a thick layer of lightning, its tentacles curling upwards, twisting into a huge Lightning Ring and striking directly towards the frantically escaping Disc-shaped Boat.


    The other four Thunder Mothers were also enveloped in blazing Thunder Light, charging together towards Zhao Sheng and two others.


    Seeing the scene, Jiao Zuo rapidly chanted a spell, all the while forcefully infusing True Yuan into the Fire Crow Treasure Bottle, countless squawking Fire Crows gushing from the bottle¡¯s mouth, half of them splitting off to fend off other Thunder Insects, the other half merging into a single, gigantic Fire Crow with a wingspan of over twenty yards, barely intercepting one of the high-level Thunder Mothers.


    ¡°I¡¯m already overwhelmed. The remaining three Thunder Mothers are up to you two to deal with,¡± Jiao Zuo urgently transmitted to Zhao Sheng and another.


    ¡°I¡¯m also incapable of doing more, only able to temporarily withstand the strongest one.¡±


    The white-robed Yel¨¹ let out an internal roar of anger. A great quantity of sand burst forth from the hem and sleeves of his robe, rising into the mid-air.


    His body radiated golden light, and the swirling sands furiously gathered back, instantly forming a twenty-yard tall sand giant.


    The giant charged fiercely, intercepting one of the Fourth Rank Thunder Mothers.


    Sand belongs to earth, naturally countering thunder and lightning.


    Even if Yel¨¹¡¯s strength was inferior to the Fourth Rank Thunder Mother, he could still hold on for one or two hours.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils contracted, inwardly cursing the dire situation.


    He was only at the Golden Core First Layer, facing two Third Rank Thunder Mothers simultaneously was already somewhat beyond his limits.


    ¡­Not that he couldn¡¯t defeat them, but rather¡­ it hurt to continue!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered a few times and, with a whoosh from his sleeve, he released a five-layer high Complete Heaven Talisman Plate.

 Chapter 365 - 268 Arrival at Star God Island

    Chapter 365: Chapter 268 Arrival at Star God Island


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face flashed a hint of pain, as each True Talisman on the Complete Heaven Talisman Plate was a Second Order True Talisman stacked over twenty times; each one nearly approached the power of a Third-rank Treasure Technique, almost equivalent to a casual strike by a Golden Core Master.


    Such a Second Order Stacked Talismans was worth at least a thousand Spirit Stones.


    But the next second, a total of nine Second Order Skyfire Talismans at the bottom layer of the Complete Heaven Talisman Plate turned to flying ash.


    Boom!


    Within a radius of a hundred feet, the area became a sea of blazing white fire, where the flames conglomerated like magma into fiery meteors the size of barrels and furiously bombarded a Fifth-Order Thunder Mother.


    Zhao Sheng split his mind and thoughts, and the Starfall Sword transformed into a ten-plus feet long Sword Light Azure Dragon that tangled with the last Fifth-Order Thunder Mother.


    ...


    Thunder Attribute Demon Insects were known for their lightning-fast speed, but the Thunderstorm Mica was a rare exception. It flew relatively slowly, excelling in group fights and using the Thunder Power to kill enemies.


    Hence, people engaged with it by moving and fighting, not focusing solely on killing.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s body burst into golden light while he closely followed the Cloud Boat, his mind divided, his hands continuously maneuvering sixty-four streaks of Sword Light, eliminating the numerous attacking Low-level Thunder Insects.


    Even more, he alone contended with two Thunder Insects, seemingly still having reserves of strength to spare.


    Three Second Order Thunder Insects, each forty-plus feet in diameter, roared continuously; their bodies emitted bursts of electric light, spewing out three thick bolts of thunder, while their lower halves¡¯ fleshly tendrils like countless octopus tentacles exploded the air with a bang, the tails carrying scorching plasma, making sizzling sounds as they broke the void, barraging Zhao Sheng with a sky-covering lash. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng furrowed his brow briefly, his body surface surging with golden light, amidst which were mixed sounds of bones bursting softly.


    He sank his waist and sat astride, holding a fist with one hand, tucked at his waist, and instantly punched out countless punching shadows.


    Boom


    The knuckle-edge instantly compressed the air, dozens to hundreds of large golden fists, rocketing through the air, creating a vast curtain of fists that furiously smashed towards the three Second Order Thunder Insects.


    Boom boom boom!


    The massive bodies of the three Second Order Thunder Insects burst into large patches of blue plasma, their skins shattered and dented in many deep fist pits.


    The next moment, they all rolled miserably, falling down into the depths of the Thunder Cloud, shedding large amounts of reddish-green flesh and blood along the way.


    Just one encounter left the three Second Order Thunder Insects severely injured and fleeing.


    Below Golden Core level, all are mere ants, this statement is no exaggeration.


    Humming!


    The Starfall Sword emitted a humming sound, and around the Sword Light Azure Dragon, dense azure electric light emerged, forming a large net that enveloped and contracted, attempting to bind the Azure Dragon.


    Zhao Sheng looked relaxed, flicked his fingers, and suddenly, half of the sky burst into dazzling Sword Light.


    In an instant, within a hundred feet around the Starfall Sword, it was covered by the intense Geng Metal Sword Light, even that Fifth-Order Thunder Insect was submerged within it.


    The overwhelming Sword Light swept across the surroundings, easily eradicating hundreds of Low-level Thunder Insects.


    Such grand commotion left the passengers in the Cloud Boat gawking in amazement.


    Not just that, Jiao Zuo, Yao Fang and other Golden Core Masters also glanced over.


    Zhao Sheng steadily improved, the floating Complete Heaven Talisman Plate at his side continuously glowing as one after another Second Order Stacked Talismans turned into flying ash.


    The other Fifth-Order Thunder Insect had been severely harassed by multiple spells from the start, deeply trapped in the Fire Sea, constantly bombarded by the Wind Blade Gold Sword Storm, forced to retreat step by step, only able to rely on the Thunder Field to resist.


    Other battle groups, at this time besides red-haired Jiao Zuo who used Magical Treasures sharply and had a slight upper hand, the rest were momentarily in a stalemate.


    The two Golden Core Elders of the Vast Sect, Yao Fang and Feng Hou Daoist, seeing this, felt a surge of joy in their hearts.


    The stronger Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Powers were, the higher the chances of blocking the Thunder Insects naturally became.


    Half an hour later, the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat raced like lightning, having already flown three hundred miles past the Thunder Cloud.


    At this time, at the distant horizon¡¯s end, a stripe of blue sky was already visible, and faint rays of sunlight penetrated the clouds above, shining down.


    The endless, dark Thunder Cloud was finally seen to have an end.


    In an instant, everyone was tremendously exhilarated, all stimulating their remaining True Yuan, casting Divine Power Techniques, engaging in the final fight against the Thunder Mothers.


    At that moment, the Fifth-Order Thunder Mother, like a gigantic octopus, its tendrils hundreds of feet long and immensely thick, tightly coiled around the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat, desperately releasing thousands of thunderous electric lights.


    Centered on it, the natural lightning within the Thunder Cloud for miles around was also drawn over, forming dense electric snakes that struck at the Cloud Boat.


    At this moment, the defense array of the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat was nearly at its limit, and most of its various counterattack mechanisms had been nearly exhausted by the countless frenzied thunder insects in the past half an hour.


    The self-destructing Thunder Insects were too terrifying, even for a large combined treasure vessel to handle.


    Of course, the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat still had several powerful moves hidden, but due to the absence of the Nascent Soul Ancestor and the insufficient authority of others, it couldn¡¯t utilize these powerful moves.


    Otherwise, there would have been no need to dispatch Zhao Sheng and others for a risky escort mission.


    Twenty breaths later,


    Under the densely clouded sky, filled with flashing and thundering, a massive disc-shaped flying boat suddenly broke through the cloud layer, rushing into the clear sky.


    The sunlight was brilliant, shining on the disc-shaped boat, showing its surface riddled with cracks and pits, everywhere charred and cracked.


    Roar!


    At this time, that Fifth-Order Thunder Mother on top of the cloud layer, very reluctantly, emitted a low hum, all its tendrils suddenly loosening and retracting into its abdomen.

 Chapter 366 - 268 Arrival at Star God Island_2

    Chapter 366: Chapter 268 Arrival at Star God Island_2


    ¡°`


    Electric light flashed, and the Thunder Mother suddenly flew up, its enormous shell instantly hovering in the atmosphere, actually initiating a separation from the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat.


    On the other hand, Zhao Sheng and the others all flew back near the Cloud Boat, their expressions wary as they looked towards the gradually receding thundercloud sea.


    At this moment, within the dim thunder clouds, countless Thunder Insects crowded together. At the forefront, six massive Thunder Mothers quietly hovered at the edge of the thunder clouds, their belly tendrils wildly thrashing, casting electric light and thunder in disarray.


    Only when the Fifth-Order Thunder Mother flashed and ¡°wriggled¡± back into the cloud sea and rejoined the swarm of insects.


    Under the gaze of Zhao Sheng and his company, the Thunderstorm Mica group gradually disappeared back into the thick dark clouds.


    ...


    Just back in the control room of the Cloud Boat, Jiao Zuo with his red hair, looking puzzled, took the initiative to ask, ¡°Master Yao, why didn¡¯t we join forces to capture that Fifth-Order Thunder Mother, to avenge the grudge of the insect tide blocking our path?¡±


    Yao Fang pursed his lips, silently calming his constantly unsettled True Yuan.


    Zhao Sheng, as if struck by a thought, said, ¡°Could it be that Master Yao does not wish to make an enemy of the Thunderstorm Mica? I have heard that this type of demon insects is naturally ferocious and simple-minded, but holds deep grudges.¡±


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, you are absolutely right. Thunder Insects are impossible to eradicate completely, and our sect naturally does not wish to exhaust our strength needlessly and make enemies. For our sect, maintaining an open route is of utmost importance,¡± said Feng Hou Taoist, his face pale but his words full of approval.


    The face of the white-robed Master Ye Lv changed, and with a sudden chill of fear, he said, ¡°It¡¯s not just that. Haven¡¯t you noticed? From beginning to end, there has been no sign of the Thunder King. If there were a Seventh-Order Thunder King among them, we likely would not have survived.¡±


    At that moment, Yao Fang suddenly gave a slight smile and explained to the three, ¡°Rest assured, fellow Taoists. A Thunder King above Seventh-Order would not dare to appear so rashly. As for the reason, I think you might have guessed it.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt enlightened.


    Seventh-Rank Great Demons have open spiritual wisdom, with an intelligence comparable to that of humans.


    Such Nascent Soul-level Demon Kings must have already formed a tacit understanding with the Vast Sect.


    They do not personally attack the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat, and the Vast Sect naturally would not go to great lengths to kill such high-level Demon Kings.


    Since ancient times, humans and demons have not stood together, but that is for middle and low-level demon beasts. Once they reach the seventh rank or higher, there are Demon Kings and members of the Human Clan who engage in secret dealings and even form close alliances.


    Now that they had escaped danger, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t be bothered to think about the sordid affairs between the higher echelons of the human and demon races. What he cared about now was when he would receive his reward for this mission.


    Coincidentally, the others were of the same mind.


    Jiao Zuo, coming from a Loose Cultivator background, was most keen on the reward, and immediately asked Yao Fang, ¡°Master Yao, when can I get the things I want?¡±


    Upon this question, Zhao Sheng and Master Ye Lv instantly turned their eyes to Yao Fang.


    ¡°Do not rush, fellow Taoists. As your requests are varied, I need time to gather the items each of you desires. However, for Taoist Jiao, the simplest request, once we arrive at Star God Island, in at most two days¡¯ time, the items will surely be delivered to your hands.¡±


    Jiao Zuo nodded in satisfaction.


    Then, Yao Fang turned to the other two, explaining, ¡°Taoist Zhao, your request is somewhat more complicated. If you are not in a hurry, I ask that you patiently wait on the island for some time.


    As for Taoist Ye Lv¡¯s request, I must wait to return from the voyage before reporting in detail to the Sect Leader. However, I can assure you that Taoist Ye Lv will certainly get what he wishes for.¡±


    ¡°I am not in a hurry. Two to three months is also within my waiting period,¡± said Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Haha, then I¡¯ll leave it to Master Yao,¡± he laughed.


    With these responses, the trio of Zhao Sheng was quite satisfied.


    ¡­


    After surviving the Thunder Insect calamity, the rest of the voyage encountered some minor hiccups, but all were safely resolved.


    In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed, and the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat finally arrived at its final destination: Star God Island.


    Humm!


    A white light column, more than twenty zhang thick, suddenly shot out from the belly of the gigantic Disc-shaped Boat with a diameter of a thousand zhang, connecting to a large Array on the ground at the light column¡¯s end.


    Zhao Sheng, Jiao Zuo, and Master Ye Lv were among the first batch of passengers to disembark, slowly descending through the light column.


    A moment later, the three touched down on the ground.


    Zhao Sheng cupped his hands towards the two and said loudly, ¡°Brother Jiao, Brother Ye. I will be staying on Star God Island for a few months. If you need anything in the future, bring the token and come find me. I will certainly welcome you with open arms.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhao, I truly admire your character and strength. I will definitely visit more often in the future. Just don¡¯t get sick of me!¡± Jiao Zuo returned the gesture with a fist and palm salute, saying with a smile.


    Zhao Sheng looked slightly reproachful as he replied, ¡°Ah, Brother Jiao, you flatter me. How could I possibly mind a visit from such an esteemed Golden Core Master? It would be my honor!¡±


    In the meantime, Master Ye Lv managed a sincere smile and said earnestly, ¡°Taoist Zhao is young, yet possesses such cultivation; your potential is limitless! For us to have made your acquaintance is indeed a stroke of luck.¡±


    ¡°`


    Ye Lv was a person of indifferent character and high self-esteem, so for him to utter such words, it was clear that Zhao Sheng had greatly impressed him.


    During the half-year-long journey, Zhao Sheng occasionally demonstrated his extensive knowledge and outstanding performance in mastering a variety of magic skills, which had already made Ye Lv feel inferior secretly.


    In addition, Zhao Sheng¡¯s strength was exceptionally overbearing, even surpassing Ye Lv by a few notches.


    In the Cultivation World, it has always been the case that the strong are revered, so Ye Lv¡¯s reaction was not surprising.


    Faced with Ye Lv¡¯s praise, Zhao Sheng naturally responded with modesty.


    In the time it took for a few words, the second batch of passengers began to come down.


    To avoid trouble, Zhao Sheng and the other two set a date for a future reunion and then said their goodbyes and departed.


    Zhao Sheng directed his True Yuan, generating a clump of golden flames beneath his feet, and then soared into the sky.


    Having flown over the vast expanse of the Cloud Boat plaza, he headed directly toward the bustling Star City not far away.


    Star God Island was not large, spanning only a thousand square miles.


    But this island was the core strategic location of the Shattered Star Sea and also the center of the entire Shattered Star Sea¡¯s cultivation market and power, ranked as one of the regions with the highest average Cultivation Realm in the Tianzhu Realm. Here, it could be said that those in the Qi Refining Realm were as common as dogs, those in Foundation Establishment were everywhere, and only Golden Core could strut around.


    All the notable forces of the Shattered Star Sea would go to great lengths to purchase a piece of land on Star God Island to establish their power base.


    This place was a Holy Land that countless native cultivators aspired to, where not only every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, but it was also a realm as beautiful as the abode of immortals.


    Of course, for those with thin wallets, this place was also hell.


    Compared to the workshops in other boundaries, the buildings in Star City were mostly grand and magnificent, and one could see towering edifices and palaces reaching dozens to hundreds of feet high everywhere.


    Each building occupied a vast area, shrouded in layers of rune formations imbued with dense Dharma Images, and glowing Array Formation Light Walls.


    ¡°¡­ Situ, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger¡­ Spring and Autumn Alliance, Four Seas Sect¡­ Chen Family of Wind and Fire Island, Qi Yang Guang Family, Fenshui Sect of Dragon Head Island¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng restrained his aura as he casually walked along the wide and straight streets of Star City, appearing to be just an ordinary sightseeing tourist at a glance,


    His gaze swept across the tall buildings on both sides of the street, with a stream of names both familiar and unfamiliar passing through his mind,


    At that moment, the street was buzzing with the sounds of people and beasts, filled with numerous demon beasts and birds of prey, and a constant flow of Human Clan members clad in various attire, all bustling and moving in a stream, interspersed with many native Alien Races with fur, scales, and different shapes and colors from the Human Clan.


    It was not uncommon to see numerous cultivators of extraordinary stature being escorted by crowds as they moved forward, and many cultivators rode or led various exotic Demon Pets through the crowd.


    However, no matter how arrogant someone was, upon arriving in Star City, they all followed the rules obediently, not daring to violate the laws of the city.


    Because in Star City, on Star God Island, and even in the entire Inner Star Sea, the Star God Palace was heaven!


    With the Star God Palace overseeing the area, even Nascent Soul Ancestors dared not cause trouble on the island.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng, in the outermost workshop of Star City, saw a nine-story tall tower with a surface as white as jade.


    This tower was constructed out of huge white gang rocks each a zhang square, with the joints between the stones neat and fine and the surface as smooth as a mirror as if carved from one piece.


    At the top of the tower flashed golden characters: ¡°Dome Turtle Zhao Family.¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly, knowing already that their development here was good. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing it today, it indeed slightly exceeded his expectations.


    For the Dome Turtle Zhao Family to have bought such a large piece of land in Star City, it must have cost a pretty penny, which meant the family was quite affluent.


    Recalling various information about the Dome Turtle Zhao Family, Zhao Sheng took steps toward the great door of the stone tower.


    As he approached within three zhang of the door, he was stopped by two guards, standing chest out and belly stacked, clad in Mystic Turtle armor.


    Without waiting for them to speak, Zhao Sheng extended one hand forward, revealing in his palm a token engraved with a mountain ¨C representing the ancestral land of the Zhao Family: Taifu Mountain.


    The mountain on the token was covered with peach trees, with bright and eye-catching peach blossoms among them.


    He then activated it with True Yuan, which immediately brought forth a radiant golden character for ¡°Zhao.¡±


    The two guards were Qi Refining Realm cultivators and members of the Zhao Clan, and upon seeing this token, their expressions became extremely excited.

 Chapter 367 - 269: Asking the Ancestor to Make an Appearance

    Chapter 367: Chapter 269: Asking the Ancestor to Make an Appearance


    ¡°Quickly, please come in! We did not expect someone from the ancestral land. We almost slighted a distinguished guest just now, please forgive our oversight.¡±


    ¡°Ignorance is not a fault. Lead the way.¡±


    As they spoke, one of the guards dashed into the building to spread the news.


    Meanwhile, another enthusiastic guard led Zhao Sheng into the Zhao Family¡¯s residence.


    A moment later, in a refined and elegant yet imposing living room, Zhao Sheng sat behind a Jade Table with a cup of fragrant Spiritual Tea placed before him.


    He picked up the teacup, took a gentle sip, and as the tea entered his stomach, a warm sensation slowly emanated from his stomach, bringing comfort to his body.


    ...


    At that moment, a young woman clad in white walked into the room. Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, her initial surprise was replaced with a smile, spreading a captivating charm silently around her.


    With a delightful laugh, she said, ¡°So it turns out that the ancestral land has sent us a young brother this time. Which generation are you from? Tell your sister.¡±


    Zhao Sheng responded with a faint smile, ¡°My generation is not high, merely the Qing generation. My father granted me the name Qingyang. And who might you be?¡±


    Hearing this, the woman in white momentarily tempered her smile, examined Zhao Sheng more carefully, and with more caution, said, ¡°I¡¯m from the Dao generation, Zhao Daojing. I am several generations your senior.¡±


    Her particular emphasis on generation was due to some frictions between the Dome Turtle Zhao and the Xinglong Zhao families.


    Although both families shared the same roots, and despite the Xinglong Zhao family being far stronger than the Dome Turtle Zhao family, the two families had been separated for nearly eight hundred years and were billions of miles apart.


    Even though there had been regular communication over the past few hundred years, the great distance inevitably led to an estrangement and, invariably, to friction and disputes over interests and ranks.


    Go to ?????????????????.co


    Zhao Daojing¡¯s emphasis on the difference in generation was clearly an attempt to seize moral high ground.


    The strength of the Dome Turtle Zhao was far inferior to that of the Xinglong Zhao, but precisely because of this, they had to put up a front to save face for their own family.


    Zhao Sheng understood the other party¡¯s thoughts very well.


    However, this time Zhao Daojing had hit a snag.


    A mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator had no right to posture in front of a Golden Core.


    Zhao Sheng did not need to say anything, merely releasing his subdued Golden Core pressure.


    ¡°This¡­ This is impossible!¡± Zhao Daojing¡¯s shocked face lost color as she could not help but let out an astonished cry.


    Hmm?!


    Seeing her reaction, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Golden Core pressure instantly enveloped the entire living room.


    As if awakening from a dream, Zhao Daojing immediately bowed deeply and said with a trembling voice, ¡°Junior Zhao Daojing greets the Ancestor! I was disrespectful just now, I beg the Ancestor¡¯s forgiveness!¡±


    Once reaching the Golden Core Realm, the importance of one¡¯s generation within the clan fades.


    No matter how senior your generation is, upon meeting a Golden Core of your clan, with the exception of direct relatives, everyone else must address them as Ancestor.


    ¡°No need for formalities!¡±


    Zhao Sheng gestured with a wave of his hand, and a tremendous force suddenly surged forth, righting Zhao Daojing¡¯s body.


    ¡°Please, take a seat!¡± sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon hearing his gentle tone, Zhao Daojing relaxed and hurriedly sat down with trepidation at the lower seat.


    Looking at Zhao Sheng¡¯s youthful and handsome face, she was utterly shocked.


    She had read some basic information about Zhao Qingyang in the family newsletters, knowing that he was a rising star of the Xinglong Zhao family with the potential of Golden Core.


    But she had never imagined that he would advance through the three tiers of Foundation Establishment and successfully reach Golden Core in just a few decades.


    This was beyond her wildest imagination.


    The thought of him being less than a hundred years old sent Zhao Daojing¡¯s spirit into disarray, unable to control her expression.


    Zhao Sheng did not point out her discomposure but casually inquired about some recent developments of the Dome Turtle Zhao family.


    In his previous life, he had specifically left behind many legacies and resources for this branch of the family.


    The Dome Turtle Zhao family had not disappointed his expectations, developing smoothly over the past three hundred years, ensuring a continuous line of Foundation Establishment, with clan members increasing every year.


    In the vast Shattered Star Sea, most spirit islands had Zhao Clan Members residing on them.


    However, their development was far less smooth than that of the Xinglong Zhao. The Dome Turtle Zhao¡¯s territory was incredibly stable and their influence sizeable, making them a known power in the Outer Star Sea.


    Nonetheless, by now the Dome Turtle Zhao had hit a glass ceiling.


    Unless the family produced a Golden Core Master, the Dome Turtle Zhao would forever be limited to an island within the Outer Star Sea, unable to break into the Core Circle of the Inner Star Sea.


    This problem seemed insurmountable; Zhao Sheng had no real solution to it, and could only say that the Dome Turtle Zhao family lacked a bit of luck.


    Zhao Daojing answered all of Zhao Sheng¡¯s inquiries with great respect.


    Latterly, seeing his approachable attitude, she gradually relaxed.


    Seizing a lull in the conversation, Zhao Daojing asked Zhao Sheng with a hint of curiosity, ¡°Ancestor, your visit to the Shattered Star Sea from billions of miles away must signify an important matter.


    Our power might be limited, but we do have ample manpower. If there is anything you need, please feel free to ask. The Dome Turtle Zhao family will surely do their best to help.¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed freely and said in a clear tone, ¡°My visit to the Shattered Star Sea is twofold: first, I seek to broaden my horizons and travel the world; second, there is indeed a significant matter to discuss with your family.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what is this matter? May I hear about it?¡± Zhao Daojing¡¯s eyes flashed with apparent curiosity.


    ¡°Ha-ha, don¡¯t think too much about it. I¡¯m here to bring benefits to your family. As for what the significant matter is, it¡¯s no harm telling you.¡±


    At this point, Zhao Sheng became serious and asked, ¡°Are you aware of the disaster of the Heavenly Burial Corpse Tide?¡±


    Zhao Daojing¡¯s face showed a flash of confusion. After hesitating, she answered uncertainly, ¡°I seem to have heard of this from fellow Daoists before, but it was only in casual conversation, and I did not pay close attention to the details.¡±

 Chapter 368 - 269: Asking the Ancestor to Make an Appearance_2

    Chapter 368: Chapter 269: Asking the Ancestor to Make an Appearance_2


    Zhao Sheng was not at all surprised by Zhao Daojing¡¯s reaction.


    People often only care about what is happening around them and seldom pay attention to major events happening millions of miles away.


    The Shattered Star Sea and the Central Continent are millions of miles apart, and the speed of message exchange and dissemination between the two places is very slow.


    Thus, it was rather difficult for a local at the stage of Foundation Establishment to pay attention to affairs millions of miles away.


    And also¡­


    ¡°You don¡¯t know the inside story of the disaster at Heavenly Burial Plain, so naturally you wouldn¡¯t pay attention to such matters. However, let me tell you something. The great war between the two realms is about to erupt at the Heavenly Burial Plain. Did you understand this time?¡±


    ...


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Daojing was stunned, ¡°A war between two realms?!¡±


    Regaining her composure, her spirit was greatly shaken, and she could no longer remain seated.


    For a moment, her mind was in turmoil, countless doubts surged into her mind, and she didn¡¯t know what to ask first.


    Seeing her reaction, Zhao Sheng waved his hand and began explaining the details patiently once again.


    Nine Stars Alinement¡­ Netherworld Ghost Realm¡­ Time-Space Rift¡­ Broken Seals¡­ The war between the two realms begins¡­


    One extremely secretive secret after another flowed smoothly from Zhao Sheng¡¯s mouth, and Zhao Daojing listened with dry mouth and fluctuating emotions.


    Towards the end, Zhao Sheng finally revealed the ultimate purpose of his journey: ¡°¡­We need to prepare a way out for our family in advance.¡±


    Go to ????????????????????.co


    ¡°Do you understand?¡± Zhao Sheng looked at Zhao Daojing with a smile, his question laden with deep meaning.


    Zhao Daojing avoided his gaze and whispered, ¡°I¡­ I understand. But this matter is of great importance, we must inform the Family Head and the elders as soon as possible.¡±


    Zhao Sheng spoke grandly, ¡°You can send a message to them. In a few months, I will go personally to Dome Turtle Island.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, you¡­ you¡­¡± Zhao Daojing seemed slightly disoriented, but she quickly composed herself and immediately changed her tone, ¡°Yes, I will send the message right away. Additionally, the top floor of Dome Turtle Hall has a specially designed Cultivation Cave Mansion, which can serve as a temporary abode for you, Ancestor.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and then stood up.


    Seeing this, Zhao Daojing also promptly stood up and softly said, ¡°Ancestor, you must be tired in both body and spirit after your journey. Please follow me. I will take you to the top floor cave mansion.¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded slightly.


    Zhao Daojing bowed respectfully but did not say any more pleasantries.


    As the head of Dome Turtle Hall, she had to be clever and perceptive.


    Zhao Daojing¡¯s grasp of appropriateness was exquisite; saying anything more at this moment would have seemed out of place.


    So, at this time, silence was golden.


    The top floor of Dome Turtle Hall was nearly a thousand square meters and had all the necessary facilities for a cave mansion including a cultivation room, a quiet room, a Dao field, a guest hall, et cetera.


    The interior decoration was simple and unsophisticated, but it subtly conveyed a natural Dao charm, clearly arranged under the guidance of a master.


    Zhao Sheng was very satisfied with it.


    After Zhao Daojing tactfully made her exit, he immediately entered the quiet room to meditate and recover his depleted spirit.


    Thus, Zhao Sheng settled down in Dome Turtle Hall.


    Over the next half-month, he gradually toured Star City, reacquainting himself with the local customs of the Shattered Star Sea and discretely purchasing various treasures and Spiritual Medicine.


    Throughout the half-month, his gains were substantial, managing to opportunistically acquire two Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits just for appearances.


    ¡­


    A few weeks later,


    Zhao Daojing, dressed in a water-blue ruqun and wearing a jade bracelet, paced hesitantly and uncertainly outside the top floor cave mansion.


    Then, a faint Elixir Fragrance suddenly emerged from the crack under the door, reaching her nose.


    Smelling the elixir fragrance, Zhao Daojing¡¯s expression changed as she murmured to herself, ¡°This is¡­ a Foundation Establishment Pill!¡±


    ¡°No, there are other Spirit Pills as well.¡±


    Zhao Daojing sniffed carefully, trying to identify the various fragrances in the air, her expression becoming more and more astonished.


    ¡°How could this be! There are also fragrances of the Nourishing God Pill and the Life Elixir inside?¡±


    Zhao Daojing was highly sceptical of her sense of smell.


    Yet, as a Quasi Second-rank Alchemist, she was almost certainly not mistaken about the three famed Elixir Pills.


    As she was shocked and doubting herself, a voice suddenly sounded beside her ear: ¡°Since you have come, come in!¡±


    Before the voice had faded, the door to the cave mansion silently and automatically opened.


    Zhao Daojing felt a powerful Divine Sense rapidly dissipate around her.


    She first bowed respectfully, then stepped into the cave mansion.


    Still sensing the elixir fragrance in the air, she walked to the front of the alchemy room on the far left.


    At that moment, the fragrance of Elixir Pills emanating from the alchemy room grew even richer, and Zhao Daojing could now be certain her conjecture was correct.


    In this world, there indeed existed someone capable of refining three different types of Elixir Pills simultaneously.


    And he was about to succeed!


    She was immensely shocked, thinking to herself, when she saw the door of the alchemy room open by itself without any wind.


    ¡°I still have some loose ends, come in by yourself!¡±


    Upon hearing the voice from inside the door, Zhao Daojing hesitated slightly, but eventually, could not restrain her curiosity and stepped inside.


    The moment she entered, she instantly felt the air in the room abnormally hot and scorching, and her vision slightly distorted.


    In the depths of the room, it seemed as though a sun had risen.


    No, she truly saw a ¡°Sun.¡±


    At that moment, right in front of her, a giant fireball about thirty meters in diameter, perfectly round like an egg, quietly hovered mid-air, releasing infinite light and heat.


    In the center of the ¡°Sun,¡± sat a tall and upright figure, his back towards her.


    Through the dazzling brightness of the Bright Sun, Zhao Daojing saw three ancient-looking Pill Furnaces each enveloped in True Fire.


    At that moment, wisps of pill mist and fragrant clouds emerged from the top of the Pill Furnaces.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    ¡°Come out!¡±


    Right then, the lids of the three Pill Furnaces flew open in response, and suddenly, eight or nine fragrant Elixir Pills, red, white, and green, flew rapidly out of the three furnaces.


    Next, the Elixir Pills, like obedient creatures, cleverly swooped into three pill bottles placed on the ground.


    Zhao Sheng, extremely skilled, quickly sealed the three pill bottles. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then, he rose to his full height.


    With a flicker of his mind, the Golden Crow True Fire suddenly merged together, then transformed into a streak of firelight, flying back into the Dantian in his abdomen.


    Zhao Sheng secretly restrained his True Yuan, and the Golden Core Phenomenon ¡°Sun¡± subsequently slowly disappeared, though the air still filled with a scorching breath.


    Turning around and looking at Zhao Daojing whose face showed shock and awe, Zhao Sheng smiled slightly, pointed his hand, and the pill bottle containing the Nourishing God Pill suddenly levitated from the ground, quickly landing in Zhao Daojing¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Well, to the viewer goes a share! This bottle of Nourishing God Pill is a reward for you,¡± Zhao Sheng said, gently smiling as he gathered the other two bottles of Spirit Pills.


    Hearing his words that seemed to brook no refusal, Zhao Daojing did not demur but briskly stored the bottle of Second-rank Nourishing God Pill.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng nodded silently, then asked, ¡°I saw you hesitating outside the door just now, do you have something to see me about?¡±


    Zhao Daojing hurriedly responded, ¡°Ancestor, I indeed have a request.¡±


    ¡°What is it? Tell me.¡±


    ¡°Reporting back to the Ancestor¡­¡±


    After Zhao Daojing finished explaining, she looked at him with a pitiful expression.


    Zhao Sheng laughed and said, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re asking me to show support. It¡¯s a trivial matter! I was indeed looking forward to seeing Star City¡¯s high-end trading fair. When does it start?¡±


    ¡°In two days, at the Carefree Pavilion!¡±


    ¡­


    Two days flashed by in an instant.


    In front of a grand and majestic building, adorned with carved railings and jade inlays, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Daojing descended from the sky, landing on the steps in front of the building.


    At that moment, a dignified and elegantly dressed beautiful matron came down the steps, beaming as she greeted Zhao Daojing, ¡°Sister Jing, it¡¯s been a long time since we last met. Your skin is still so smooth and delicate; later, I must ask you for some tips on skincare maintenance.¡±


    Zhao Daojing responded with equal warmth and politeness, ¡°Sister Zhuang, you flatter me again. My humble skincare secrets are hardly worth your notice.


    By the way, let me introduce you. This is a kinsman from my family, from Central Continent¡¯s Xinglong Origin.¡±


    Saying this, she smiled slightly and stepped aside, revealing Zhao Sheng standing behind her.


    ¡°Oh, a guest from Central Continent. Since Sister Jing brought you, please come in,¡±


    said Zhuang Ye, stepping aside to open a pathway.


    ¡°You go ahead, Sister! I¡¯ll catch up with you later. I hope you find what you¡¯re looking for,¡± Zhuang Ye discreetly cast a glance at the composed Zhao Sheng, quickly recalling information about the Xinglong Zhao Family.


    The Carefree Pavilion is a property of the Star God Palace, enjoying a special status in Star City, akin to a high-end auction and trading venue.


    Thus, although Zhuang Ye was only the manager of the Carefree Pavilion, she was indeed a true disciple of the Star God Palace, with a cultivation at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.


    However, with her expertise in discerning people and the secret techniques of the Star God Palace, she could not see through his depths.


    Standing there, he was like a profound and imposing mountain, unfathomable.


    Watching Zhao Sheng¡¯s disappearing back, Zhuang Ye¡¯s eyes flickered several times, silently memorizing his appearance.

 Chapter 369 - 270 Great Sect Trade Fair

    Chapter 369: Chapter 270 Great Sect Trade Fair


    As they stepped through the White Jade Gate, the brightness within the building dimmed slightly as the embedded Bright Sun Stones along the wall cast a soft, warm light, illuminating the spacious expanse of the interior.


    Following behind, Zhao Daojing was about to say something but saw that Zhao Sheng had already walked more than ten paces ahead.


    She hurriedly followed after him.


    The two arrived at the center of the building, facing a Floating Array inlaid into the ground.


    This Floating Array, with a diameter of fifty feet, was branded with innumerable shining Spiritual Texts, emitting a faint spirit light all over.


    A pale-faced youth dressed in a Star robe performed a salute and, in a clear and aloof voice, said, ¡°Both seniors are honored. You must be aware of the rules of the Carefree Pavilion.¡±


    ...


    Zhao Daojing seemed quite accustomed to the arrogance of the disciples of the Star God Palace.


    She was unfazed and about to take out the prepared items.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly took out a porcelain bottle and tossed it backhandedly to the other.


    The young man in the star robe raised his eyebrows, seemingly dissatisfied with Zhao Sheng¡¯s impolite behavior, and hummed softly. He caught the porcelain bottle, uncorked it, and was greeted with a rich fragrance of medicine that wafted out, his eyes instantly brightening.


    Inside the bottle was a green jade elixir pill the size of a longan, smooth and translucent, emitting a strong medicinal fragrance. On each pill, three shining white elixir patterns were vividly visible.


    ¡°Foundation Establishment Pill, and¡­ it¡¯s a top-grade pill!¡± The youth in the star robe exclaimed unconsciously, his shock evident in his voice.


    He quickly realized his gaffe, his face reddening slightly as he swiftly corrected his attitude.


    Go to ????????????????????.co


    ¡°Well, may we enter now?¡± Zhao Sheng stood still with his hands behind his back and spoke indifferently.


    ¡°Seniors, please come in! May I know which floor you wish to visit? I will guide you there,¡± said the youth in the star robe, his eyes looking at Zhao Sheng differently now. He moved a few steps forward, and, with visible reluctance, handed back the pill bottle, speaking very respectfully.


    ¡°You¡¯re not accepting it?¡± Zhao Sheng asked lightly.


    The youth¡¯s lips quivered, and he immediately bowed and pleaded, ¡°Senior, you jest. How dare I accept such a precious treasure? I realize my mistake. Your magnanimity is vast, so please forgive me this once.¡±


    A figure who could casually produce a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was not someone he could afford to offend.


    He had simply been taking advantage of the usual practice to skim a bit off the top but had never imagined he would hit such a snag.


    ¡°The Zhao family from Dome Turtle Island has managed to invite such a figure. I hadn¡¯t heard of any famous alchemists from the Zhao family before! Could the information be incorrect?¡±


    The young man silently speculated, while his hands quickly formed a spell; the array on the ground rippled with a sudden flash of white light, creating a direct column of white light to the upper sky.


    ¡°Both seniors, please enter.¡± The youth in the star robe stepped aside, bowing and gesturing to welcome them in. Zhao Sheng stepped into the array without any hesitation.


    Inside the array, Zhao Daojing instructed, ¡°To the sixth floor!¡±


    Upon completing her sentence, the ground beneath their feet disappeared, and they were lifted by an invisible force, slowly but steadily ascending to the upper sky.


    Inside the Carefree Pavilion, the buildings were arranged in a circular pattern. Above the Array was an open cylindrical space with floors every thirty to forty feet. Each floor was separated by a Prohibition Light Film, obscuring the view of the layers above.


    Zhao Sheng and his companion passed through six Light Films in succession before coming to a stop.


    At that point, a golden Light Gate opened to their left, leading to a spacious corridor, with a faint white light twinkling at the far end, seemingly indicating the presence of a hall.


    The two flew through the Light Gate and proceeded along the corridor for more than twenty feet before reaching its end, where a grand and bright magnificent palace appeared before them.


    The hall extended over a hundred feet, quite spacious, and was decorated in an understated yet exquisite manner. Its interior was oriented according to the Nine Palaces and Bagua, with the center featuring a round Yin Yang Platform. The outer area was divided into three layers: front, middle, and back, totaling over two hundred seats. Each seat consisted of a jade table and golden chair, with those closer to the platform being larger and the Spirit Food and Spiritual Tea provided more precious and rare.


    In the innermost layer, there were only eighteen seats, and only seven were occupied, leaving the rest conspicuously empty, with no one daring to take them.


    Despite many Cultivators on the second and third layers coveting the first layer seats, it was as if there was an invisible barrier between the layers, with no one bold enough to cross that line.


    At this moment, those who had arrived early in the hall noticed Zhao Sheng and his companion entering and a few of them suddenly stood up as if intending to come over and greet them.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression shifted subtly; half of those present were Foundation Establishment Cultivators, but in each seat of the first layer, there was at least one person whose depth he could not discern at a glance.


    These were surely individuals at the Golden Core Level.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, have you been well?¡±


    ¡°Senior Sister, it¡¯s been over a decade since you returned to the family after coming down from the mountain. I¡¯ve missed you greatly.¡±


    ¡°Master Zhao, when will your Zhao family bring the next batch of talismans over? Our Sect has been waiting for two months, and it should be time to deliver, shouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, the debt of Spirit Stones your Zhao Family owes is about to go overdue. When do you plan on settling it?¡±


    Facing a mix of new friends, old friends, customers, and creditors, Zhao Daojing, experienced in social graces, handled everyone with warm and proper etiquette, responding to the crowd skillfully.


    Zhao Sheng, on the side, had a slight change in expression, seeing clearly now the purpose of Zhao Daojing asking him to come out of seclusion. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After some time, someone finally took notice of the quietly observing Zhao Sheng.


    The ¡°junior brother¡± with a long face and large ears asked curiously, ¡°Senior Sister Zhao, are you bringing a young member of your family to gain some experience today? Sit next to me! We haven¡¯t seen each other for a long time, and it would be great to catch up.¡±

 Chapter 370 - 270 Great Sect Trade Fair_2

    Chapter 370: Chapter 270 Great Sect Trade Fair_2


    Zhao Daojing skillfully declined, ¡°Junior Brother Fang, let¡¯s not.¡±


    Junior Brother Fang¡¯s face turned pale as he spoke in a low tone, ¡°Senior Sister, my family¡¯s seats are on the second layer. If you sit with me, it certainly won¡¯t disgrace the Zhao Family.¡±


    Zhao Daojing showed a troubled expression. The family of this Junior Brother Fang was not ordinary, and she could not afford to offend him easily.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly said indifferently, ¡°Daojing, let¡¯s go!¡±


    Junior Brother Fang instinctively frowned and then looked at Zhao Sheng with shock and confusion.


    Despite not knowing who this person was, the mere form of address revealed who held the higher status between the two.


    ...


    Zhao Daojing secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly nodded her head respectfully.


    This gesture, observed by others, surprised those who knew Zhao Daojing¡¯s identity, leading them to covertly assess Zhao Sheng as they speculated about his background.


    Zhao Sheng, of course, noticed all of this but remained indifferent and did not pay much attention.


    He walked towards the first layer and then found an empty seat to sit down boldly and prominently.


    Zhao Daojing was secretly overjoyed and then sat next to the Jade Table, personally pouring tea and water for the elder.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly sensed seven divine senses probing toward him from the surrounding area.


    He frowned, and the Purple Mansion between his eyebrows instantly burst into an invisible fluctuation that swept out in all directions.


    Go to ????????????????????.co


    The invisible clash of divine senses lasted only a moment; the other seven divine senses retreated like startled rabbits, some conveying a friendly intention simultaneously.


    Zhao Sheng looked around and nodded to the other seven fellow Daoists one by one.


    Just as a manager from the Carefree Pavilion was about to ask the two from the Zhao Family to leave their seats, he suddenly felt an overwhelming divine sense storm flash from Zhao Sheng.


    The man¡¯s face changed color, and he silently backed down.


    Seeing this scene, people on the second and third layers immediately started whispering among themselves, with divine sense messages flying all around.


    In no time, information about the Dome Turtle Zhao Family spread rapidly throughout the entire palace.


    Those present were discerning, and since the Carefree Pavilion had not asked them to leave, it implied that one of the two from the Zhao Family must undoubtedly be a Golden Core level figure.


    Zhao Daojing certainly was not, so it had to be that unfamiliar young man.


    No one had expected the Dome Turtle Zhao Family to be connected with a Golden Core Master.


    Regardless of the relationship between the Zhao Family and this unfamiliar Golden Core, many forces silently raised their appraisal of the Dome Turtle Zhao Family.


    ¡­


    In the moments that followed, another thirty or forty cultivators entered the hall, familiar with the unspoken rules, and took their seats on the second and third layers.


    The palace was very quiet, with almost no one intending to talk to each other. Some were meditating with their eyes closed, while others sat leisurely, quietly waiting for the exchange meeting to begin.


    After waiting for half an hour, Zhuang Ye, dressed in a flowing red gown, accompanied an old man with white beard and golden demeanor into the palace, and walked directly onto the Magic Platform, looking down at the people below.


    At this moment, all the cultivators present turned their gazes directly towards the old man with the white beard.


    ¡°Ancestor, this person is the Deputy Pavilion Master of the Carefree Pavilion and a Golden Core elder of the Star God Palace, named Jin Yunzi. His presence to host this exchange meeting indicates that there will be many treasures available,¡± Zhao Daojing whispered.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was intrigued, and just then, the True Immortal Jin Yunzi on the Magic Platform announced aloud:


    ¡°Welcome, fellow Daoists, to this exchange meeting. I am Jin Yunzi, the host here. It is truly an honor to see all of you. As is customary, let the fellow Daoists present their treasures first, then the Carefree Pavilion will follow.


    Now, you may take out your treasures, briefly introduce them, mention what you want in exchange, whether it be other treasures or spirit stones, and those interested can trade on the spot.¡±


    Everyone present wasn¡¯t attending a trade meeting for the first time, and they were all familiar with the process.


    As soon as Jin Yunzi finished speaking, a middle-aged man in a blue robe was the first to stand up from the first layer of seating; he was one of the Golden Core Masters.


    ¡°Since that is the case, let me be the one to throw out a brick to attract jade,¡± the man in the blue robe stepped onto the Magic Platform and greeted Jin Yunzi with a cupped fist salute.


    Jin Yunzi returned the gesture, then stepped down from the Magic Platform with the support of Zhuang Ye.


    The man in the blue robe began to speak.


    His voice wasn¡¯t loud, but everyone could clearly hear him.


    Jiang Xing is my name, I have some modest renown in Shattered Star Sea. Those who know me are aware that I am from the Jiang Family of Clear Sky Island. Enough small talk, let¡¯s see the treasures!¡±


    As his voice fell, he took out two storage bags, and shook them forward a bit. After a burst of rosy light, several piles of items appeared on the Magic Platform, along with seven or eight treasures that shone brightly, dispersing and hovering in mid-air. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Most of the items on the ground consisted of various kinds of spirit ore, Spirit Grass, and beast skins and meats as raw materials.


    The treasures in the air, surrounded by swirling spirit light, were obviously not ordinary, with even the lowest being Low Grade Spiritual Artifacts.


    ¡°Mystic Iron Ore, Chenyin Ore, and Coral Platinum Ore, totaling thirty thousand catties, and two hundred stalks of Hundred-Bladder Grass, with the lowest being a hundred years old¡­ All of which have samples here, those interested feel free to come forward to check the quality.¡±


    The next thing I¡¯m about to introduce is¡­ a Mid Grade Spirit Artifact, the Wind-breaking Spear, with a Thirteen Layer Earth Evil Technique Ban¡­¡±


    The man in the blue robe continued to plainly introduce the items he brought, while his gaze slowly swept across the faces of everyone present.


    Finally, he frankly stated, ¡°I am not greedy, the above spirit ore and Spiritual Medicine are all things that my Jiang Family can supply long-term. They can be exchanged for Spirit Stones, or traded for goods. Additionally, I, on behalf of the Jiang Family, promise to urgently trade for a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. Should anyone be willing to sell one, this top-grade spiritual artifact, the Water Spirit Pearl, will be yours. If that¡¯s not enough, terms can still be negotiated.¡±


    After Jiang Xing finished speaking, he waved his hand, sending out True Yuan to collect everything on the ground, and sent it back to the space in front of his own seat, then he flew directly back to his original seat and sat down.


    Zhao Sheng realized something upon seeing this scene.


    The trade meetings at Carefree Pavilion were like this, different from typical exchanges or auction meetings, leaning more towards exchanges dominated by powerful forces, including long-term trades and so forth.


    In other words, Carefree Pavilion provided a large trading venue for the many Cultivation Forces of Shattered Star Sea and backed by Star God Palace for third-party guarantee.


    Such large-scale trades merely skimmed a fraction off the top, easily earning massive amounts of Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Sheng boldly speculated that Star God Palace would definitely use this method to buy low and sell high, or even secretly manipulate the market, and through this, clarify the strength of all forces within Shattered Star Sea.


    As soon as the man in the blue robe stepped down, already many in the hall had eyes shining, and some had even covertly transmitted messages with their Divine Sense.


    However, no one was trading yet, and everyone understood the reason¡ª naturally, it was best to see everything before negotiating, lest they regret missing out on something better.


    At that moment, another person flew up to the stage from another seat in the first layer.


    However, this time, it wasn¡¯t a Golden Core Master who appeared personally, but a young, beautiful woman.


    ¡°The little lady Qiao Tian¡¯er, representing Immortal Sound Sect, greets all Fellow Daoists present. This time, I have brought a batch of Jade Fish Marrow Liquid, including a bottle of Third-rank Marrow Fluid. I would like to exchange some for Spirit Pills that treat injuries to the Divine Soul. Interested parties can contact me,¡± the woman said softly.


    As she spoke, she flicked her hand, and a swath of rosy light spread out, unveiling more than a dozen transparent Jade Bottles in front of everyone, all filled with a large quantity of milky white marrow fluid.


    This time, the reaction from the crowd was very subdued, only one or two people looked over carefully.


    The woman from Immortal Sound Sect showed a slight flash of disappointment in her eyes, then silently flew down from the stage.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze shifted; he had refined many Bone Marrow Spirit Pills but had never tried using Third-rank Marrow Fluid as a material.


    Thinking this, he barely moved his lips, transmitting his Divine Sense to the seat of Immortal Sound Sect.


    At this moment, an elegant woman in simple robes from the Immortal Sound Sect¡¯s seat slightly nodded to him in acknowledgment.

 Chapter 371 - 271 Stirring Up Trouble!

    Chapter 371: Chapter 271 Stirring Up Trouble!


    The atmosphere at the trading event gradually heated up,


    Next, participants from the first floor took turns taking the stage, presenting one kind of heavenly materials and earthly treasures after another, exciting the crowd enormously.


    Zhao Sheng watched as numerous treasures were brought out, all of substantial quantity and excellent quality, yet most were commonplace and none caught his eye.


    At this point, he still hadn¡¯t found the items he was desperately looking for, which left him somewhat disappointed.


    Soon it was his turn.


    Zhao Daojing immediately stood up, lightly flew to the center of the magic platform, and greeted everyone with a captivating smile.


    ...


    With a wave of her sleeve, several heavy, dark black armors appeared on the ground; a wooden rack full of various types of talismans; and numerous colorful pill bottles.


    Her eyes sparkling like waves, she said in a pleasant voice, ¡°My name is Zhao Daojing, from Dome Turtle Island. I am now offering a large quantity of standard Mystic Turtle Magic Armors, the highest quality being mid-grade spirit artifacts, customizable for private orders.


    In addition, the Zhao Family can also provide a large number of first and second order spirit talismans, with categories as mentioned above. Plus, more than twenty kinds of special true talismans. Interested parties can come forward to inquire and check.


    Lastly, our clan has five first-rank alchemists and one second-order alchemist. Capable of refining Water Spirit Pills, Earth Spirit Pills, Essence Spirit Pills, Jade Emperor Pills¡­ and so on. The quantity is limited¡­ huh?¡±


    Right then, Zhao Daojing suddenly paused, tilting her head as if someone was communicating with her telepathically.


    After a moment, Zhao Daojing nodded with joy and then took a deep breath, speaking very solemnly to the people below, ¡°I also have five Foundation Establishment Pills for sale, including one top-grade pill. I¡¯m not asking for spirit stones but instead wish to exchange for various spirit materials or spiritual medicines, heaven and earth spiritual objects are also acceptable.¡±


    Upon seeing Foundation Establishment Pill, the cultivators present immediately widened their eyes, their expressions revealing extreme delight, with even Jin Yunzi, who was hosting the trading event, unable to help but take a second look.


    Go to ????????????????????.co


    While the Foundation Establishment Pill was indeed a spirit pill that countless people were vying for, Jin Yunzi wasn¡¯t concerned about that, what caught his attention was that the Zhao family was actually willing to sell a top-grade pill.


    One should know that a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill represented at least a thirty percent success rate for advancement. It was an item that most forces present coveted endlessly, and even if they had one, who would easily bring it out for trade?


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly.


    Without a doubt, the five Foundation Establishment Pills all came from his hand.


    Since he was coming to the Shattered Star Sea, how could he not bring along some ¡°local specialties¡±?


    Zhao Sheng was well aware of the Shattered Star Sea¡¯s eagerness for Foundation Establishment Pills.


    So, before coming, he had specifically refined a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills, not to earn spirit stones, but to exchange for the treasures he needed was the main goal.


    ¡°May I ask what kind of treasures Taoist Zhao is seeking? I have a third-tier demon core, could I possibly exchange it for a top-grade pill?¡±


    The allure of top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was so great that it made some disregard the unspoken rules to inquire publicly.


    Within the Cultivation World, a third-tier demon core was also extremely precious and rare.


    Before being captured or killed, third-order or higher demon beasts often choose to self-destruct their demon cores.


    This was also the reason why demon cores were rarely sold on the market.


    Simply speaking of the demon core, if refined properly, it even had the chance to become an anchoring object for a False Core Master, indicating its immense value.


    ¡°Please calm down, my friend. After I step down from the stage, not just you, but anyone interested can discuss with me in person,¡± said Zhao Daojing, shaking her head in this manner.


    After finishing, she gave the crowd a slight smile and with a wave of her hand, released a large swathe of light blue spiritual power that was like water, lifting the various items from the ground and effortlessly flying back to her seat.


    Zhao Sheng nodded at her, his face showing an approving smile.


    Before he ¡°immortally ascended,¡± he had deliberately left behind cultivation techniques, secret skills, talisman painting, alchemy and many other inheritance jade scrolls for the Dome Turtle Zhao Family.


    Now, after three hundred years of accumulation, it was apparent that their talisman painting and alchemy had reached an impressive level of maturity, ready to burst forth with brilliance.


    Zhao Sheng felt deeply gratified by this.


    Without a doubt, the Dome Turtle Zhao Family had made quite an impression this time.


    No sooner had Zhao Daojing sat down than a Divine Sense Storm erupted in the palace, with over a hundred different divine senses converging towards Zhao Sheng from all directions.


    For a time, their seats became the ¡°center¡± of everyone¡¯s attention.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed as the majestic divine sense unique to the Golden Core Realm suddenly recoiled in all directions, transmitting messages telepathically to everyone simultaneously.


    At this moment, the Star God Thousand Heart Technique was exceedingly effective.


    Zhao Sheng multitasked with single-minded focus, able to handle inquiries from a hundred people all at once without breaking a sweat.


    ¡°My name is Xue Wulan, I have an ¡®Essence Sun Spirit Coral¡¯ in my hands, I wonder if it could exchange for one Foundation Establishment Pill¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­I have a Ghost Cry Seal Jade, may I¡­¡±


    ¡°I have a type of Heaven and Earth Spirit Water, called Pure Purple Liquid¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­I am willing to offer a mid-grade spirit artifact, the Illusion Mantis Spear¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Hearing the multitude of treasures these traders mentioned, Zhao Sheng was both shocked and delighted.


    He didn¡¯t bother with lengthy discussions with these people, instead sending the same message to most:


    ¡°I, Zhao, will prioritize the exchange of the following heavenly materials and earthly treasures:


    The first choice is heaven and earth spiritual objects like Spiritual Fire, spiritual water, etc.,


    Then comes: Nie Crystal, Geng Metal, Ice and Fire Copper¡­ elixir recipes, Treasure Restrictions and so on.


    Only after that will I consider: thousand-year-old spiritual medicines, high-grade spirit materials, cultivation inheritances, and so forth.


    Anyone with Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit can directly exchange for one Foundation Establishment Pill.


    Additionally, my alchemy level has reached third order, capable of refining many different types of first, second and third-order spirit pills. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If someone can produce something of interest to me,


    I am willing to provide alchemy services and guarantee a high pill yield.¡±

 Chapter 372 - 271 Stirring Up Trouble!_2

    Chapter 372: Chapter 271 Stirring Up Trouble!_2


    Compared to dealing with most people, Zhao Sheng regarded the seven¡­ no, rather eight Golden Core Fellow Daoists with much more seriousness, so much so that even Jin Yunzi couldn¡¯t resist joining in.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, you honor us. I am Jin Yunzi, would you be willing to join the Star God Palace? With just a nod from you, the Star God Palace is willing to open the first three layers of the Book Sea Palace to you and sincerely offer you the position of an Elixir Palace elder.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but look towards Jin Yunzi, his heart somewhat tempted.


    Unfortunately, he was not planning to stay long in the Shattered Star Sea, and naturally, he wouldn¡¯t join the Star God Palace.


    Zhao Sheng transmitted a message with his Divine Sense, politely rejecting Jin Yunzi¡¯s offer.


    Jin Yunzi showed a look of regret. To any force, no number of Alchemists was considered excessive, especially since Zhao Sheng was a third-rank Alchemist at the Golden Core Level.


    ...


    Given time, this man was highly likely to advance to become an Alchemy Master.


    Keep in mind that throughout the Star God Palace, there were no more than five Alchemy Masters, a rarity even compared to the Nascent Soul Ancestors, which illustrates the scarcity of the Alchemy Masters.


    ¡°I, Li Wen, currently a Supreme Elder of the Youli Sect, have a three thousand-year-old Sandal Sun Grass in my possession. Would you, Fellow Daoist, care to take a look?¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked up, the speaker was to his left, a thin and tall elder, who was also unmistakably a Golden Core Master.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng looking his way, the thin and tall elder took out a golden-red wooden box from his side, opened the lid, and a burst of red light spread out, revealing an ancient Spirit Grass about half a foot tall, with double spiral-twined branches and nine leaves, from which strands of red light burst forth.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze fixed on it for a while without shifting, and he couldn¡¯t help but nod slightly; the grass was indeed identical to the Sandal Sun Grass described in the scriptures.


    This exotic herb was the main ingredient in refining the Sandalwood Pill, which suppresses the Heart Demon and greatly enhances the cultivation speed of Fire Element True Men.


    Go to ????????????????????.co


    Zhao Sheng nodded, about to transmit a reply, when the thin and tall elder suddenly moved his lips slightly, transmitting a message:


    ¡°If you think to exchange it for just one or two Foundation Establishment Pills, that¡¯s impossible. It will take at least five Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, or two top-grade pills.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately shook his head. It was known that the price of five Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pills was enough to exchange for three to four hundred thousand Spirit Stones, or four to five top-grade spiritual artifacts of not low grade, far exceeding the value of the Sandal Sun Grass.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face darkened, he absolutely didn¡¯t tolerate extortion, and coldly retorted back:


    ¡°Mr. Li, do not be overly greedy. Although this Essence Sun Ganoderma is also rare and precious, it¡¯s worth at most two hundred thousand Spirit Stones. That¡¯s hardly half the value of five Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, not to mention the surplus value of the pills.¡±


    ¡°The lowest is four Mid-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, then this Sandal Sun Grass belongs to you, otherwise, let¡¯s just drop the matter,¡± the thin and tall elder mused a bit before lowering his price.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression grew darker; this skinny elder was clearly trying to fleece him, but he wasn¡¯t in a hurry to trade, deciding to cold shoulder him for a while longer.


    Zhao Sheng ignored this man and turned to bargain with other Golden Core Fellow Daoists instead.


    Facing a third-rank Alchemist, most Golden Core Masters were sincerely respectful, offering even more precious treasures.


    Within just a few words, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but be repeatedly tempted.


    Golden Core Masters indeed had substantial wealth, offering up Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects including Not False Stone, Bo Re Spirit Water, Earth Spirit Flame, and Thousand Rain Wood.


    Furthermore, these people actually brought out up to ten Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruits in one go.


    Even Fire Crystal Diamonds, Geng Metal, and Nie Crystals, other high-end treasures, were presented by several Golden Core Masters. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, contrary to this, these old monsters weren¡¯t easy to handle, mostly being as greedy as Li Wen, either blatantly making expansive demands or using flowery, seductive words to tempt and deceive, with only two that could be considered somewhat honest.


    Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t afraid of their tricks; he straightforwardly made agreements with everyone, promising to refine more valuable Spirit Pills in exchange for their treasures.


    In his words, he even subtly hinted at his ability to refine Golden Core Formation Pills.


    At the mention of the Golden Core Formation Pills, all Golden Core Masters immediately became extremely excited, their eyes sparkling.


    No one understood better than them the preciousness of the Golden Core Formation Pills.


    In just a brief moment, the attitude of the True Immortals towards Zhao Sheng underwent a drastic transformation, all showing a face of closeness and flattery.


    Just then, Li Wen suddenly changed his tune: ¡°Taoist Zhao, for this three thousand-year-old Sandal Sun Grass, I am willing to let it go for half price. Just as long as you can produce a Golden Core Formation Pill for sale within twenty years. You set the requirements, but under the same price, I reserve the right of first refusal.¡±


    Zhao Sheng hesitated for a moment, ambiguously nodding his head, first transmitting individually to each person, then simultaneously promising all the Golden Core Masters: ¡°In no more than ten years, fellow daoists are welcome to visit Dome Turtle Island. There¡¯s a high probability you won¡¯t be disappointed.¡±


    Seeing this, the thin and tall elder Li Wen hesitated for a long while but finally nodded in agreement.


    Meanwhile, the storm of Divine Sense within the palace gradually calmed down, and Zhao Sheng had reached agreements with most powers.


    Now it only depended on whether they could bring out the treasures he needed.


    Soon, people started approaching Zhao Daojing, exchanging items with him.


    Zhao Sheng also smoothly sold all his Foundation Establishment Pills.


    Among them, four Mid-grade Pills were traded for a piece of Nie Crystal weighing a hundred catties and two types of treasures including Sandal Sun Grass.


    However, that top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was exchanged for a clump of Earth Spirit Flame.


    Earth Spirit Flame could be used for alchemy or help a Foundation Establishment Cultivator easily transform their Spiritual Power.


    In Zhao Sheng¡¯s view, exchanging a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill for it was more than worth it.


    Of course, perhaps the other party was even more satisfied with the trade.


    Zhao Sheng actually had more Foundation Establishment Pills, but he didn¡¯t continue to bring them out.


    He had already drawn some attention; continuing to trade might motivate envious fellow Daoists to ¡°stab him in the back.¡±


    The trading event was still ongoing, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s actions had immediately heated up the atmosphere at the scene.


    However, for the following part of the trading event, Zhao Sheng was somewhat distracted¡ªany good items had already been revealed by the Foundation Establishment Cultivators during the earlier conversations.


    Zhao Sheng already knew the answers, naturally his mind was elsewhere.


    Four hours later, the forces on the third layer seats also had all appeared on stage.


    The trading event was finally more than halfway through.


    At that moment, Jin Yunzi walked back onto the Magic Platform with a smile brimming across his face.


    He slowly scanned the crowd below, his gaze briefly pausing on Zhao Sheng before continuing to look towards the others.


    After looking around, Jin Yunzi coughed lightly and spoke loudly, ¡°It¡¯s time again for this old man to issue the rankings. The same old rules apply¡ªthe Carefree Pavilion will announce this year¡¯s three major lists: first, the bounty list; second, the wanted list; finally, the Spiritual Treasure list. As for other rankings like the Storm Clouds List, Promising Youth List, Spirit Vein Mineral List, Major Events List¡­ and so on, they will be available for purchase from our pavilion after the trading event ends.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was stunned. In his previous life, he had never heard of the Shattered Star Sea having so many rankings.


    In just three hundred years, the Star God Palace had come up with such a scheme that deeply understood human nature and harbored malicious intentions.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but admire the person who came up with this idea.


    Any intelligent person could quickly realize that such rankings were clearly designed to stir up people¡¯s emotions, intentionally exacerbating conflicts, and thereby making the various forces annihilate each other in a hidden conspiracy (which was also an inescapable overt scheme).


    The Star God Palace had suppressed the Shattered Star Sea for over ten thousand years and had never engaged in such underhanded tactics before.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t believe that in those ten thousand years, no one in the Star God Palace had ever proposed such ideas or secretly planned such schemes.


    There must have been people, even many clever ones, who thought of it, but the Star God Palace had always refrained from taking real action, perhaps merely out of disdain, or perhaps due to extreme confidence in their ability to suppress all beings.


    Yet, why would the Star God Palace undergo such a huge change in just three hundred years?


    In the moments Zhao Sheng was lost in thought, Jin Yunzi waved his wide-sleeved robe.


    Swish swish!


    A large number of black, red, and white Jade Scrolls shot out from his sleeves.


    Three Jade Scrolls in each set, respectively flying towards the first, second, and third layer seats.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind stirred, and he saw the swiftly approaching triple Jade Scrolls soaring like birds, landing on the Jade Table in front of him.


    He released his Divine Sense, immediately probing into the Jade Scrolls.


    ¡°Wanted List, number one, Blood Demon Sect¡¯s leader, Blood God¡¯s Son¡­¡±


    ¡°Bounty List, first, a reward for the method to awaken the Star God¡­¡±


    ¡°Spiritual Treasure List, first, Divine Descent Platform, the inherited treasure of the Spirit Clan¡­¡±


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression drastically changed.

 Chapter 373 - 272 Trade and Friendship

    Chapter 373: Chapter 272 Trade and Friendship


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng suddenly swept his hand across the Jade Table, collecting the Jade Scroll into his sleeve. His face showed a play of emotions, darkening and brightening unpredictably.


    The situation in the Shattered Star Sea had become so complex and intense that it far exceeded what he had imagined before his arrival.


    According to what he knew from his previous life, the Shattered Star Sea was now like a boat in a storm, resonating with the notion of a ¡°grand upheaval unseen in three thousand years.¡±


    The Blood God¡¯s Son was originally a hidden manipulator behind the Blood Demon Sect. But now, he had brazenly stepped into the spotlight.


    Moreover, his origins were far from simple, consistently linked to the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    Zhao Sheng had discovered that the time the Blood God¡¯s Son rose to prominence closely coincided with the emergence of the Ghost Chi Relics at Heavenly Pillar Mountain.


    ...


    It would be truly strange if there were no connection between the two.


    As for why the Star God remained in a slumber without awakening, Zhao Sheng also couldn¡¯t figure it out for the moment.


    But the Jade Scroll stated¡­ it seemed that ever since the Divine Sacrifice of the Star God two hundred years ago, the Star God Palace had been unable to detect even a hint of consciousness fluctuation from the Star God, as if completely sinking into silence.


    Zhao Sheng boldly conjectured that the Star God¡¯s importance to the Star God Palace far exceeded everyone¡¯s expectations.


    When the Star God fell into ¡°silence¡±, for some unknown reason, it led to a significant weakening of the Star God Palace¡¯s strength, shaking its ruling position over the Shattered Star Sea.


    It was very likely that in order to prevent its authority from being carved up by major forces such as the Four Great Ancient Clans, the Star God Palace had purposely initiated numerous rankings, intentionally stirring up conflict among all parties, to continue to solidify its supreme position.


    Combining all known information and recalling the consistent behavior of all rulers ¨C


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ????????????????????.co


    ¡°Creating diverse distractions¡± and ¡°preventing a united force against me¡± and other typical imperial tactics were never absent in any world.


    Zhao Sheng believed that this possibility was extremely likely, and he could even assert that the Star God Palace was about to fail at suppressing the many covetous powers in the Shattered Star Sea.


    While Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind was in turmoil, the trade meeting at the Leisurely Palace was coming to an end.


    What remained was for people to disperse and then find a private place for detailed and cumbersome negotiations.


    Great Sect trades would not be so easily successful; the meeting was just a preliminary agreement. A long process of bargaining was still to come before a price satisfying to both parties was settled.


    And the Carefree Pavilion, as a ¡°third-party credit guarantor,¡± was not short of such private service venues.


    Even it was involved in specialised spirit loan businesses, which was also a major source of wealth for the Star God Palace.


    Zhao Daojing couldn¡¯t help feeling jubilant as she received many ¡°well-known¡± guests.


    A few days ago, humbling herself to request the Golden Core Ancestor to come out of seclusion was a stroke of genius.


    Not only had the Zhao Family shown off greatly this time, but they had also managed to make a name for themselves.


    If the transactions of this meeting could all be successfully completed, the family¡¯s three main categories of products ¨C talismans, artifacts, and pills ¨C would finally have an open market.


    To be aware, in the Shattered Star Sea, where the atmosphere was becoming conservative and the classes were about to be set in stone, the rise of a new force would definitely impact the interests of many old forces.


    Facing the various shackles and rules set by predecessors, the Zhao Family could only endure layers of exploitation, hoping that after a long accumulation, a Golden Core Master would one day emerge from the family.


    This was also why the Zhao Family, even after inheriting the legacy left by Zhao Sheng, had still not broken through its own limits until three hundred years later.


    The lion¡¯s share of the profits was consumed by more powerful forces, leaving the Zhao Family¡¯s meager leftovers unable to ¡°accumulate¡± a Golden Core Master.


    However, Zhao Sheng¡¯s sudden arrival had given Zhao Daojing hope of breaking the impasse.


    ¡°Just give it ten years, if only the Ancestor stays in the Shattered Star Sea for ten years, my Zhao Family will certainly break through! The Golden Core¡­ Sigh!¡± Zhao Daojing was busily attending to guests while secretly stealing glances at the deep in thought Zhao Sheng, her heart torn between joy and worry.


    Over the past three hundred years, two talented individuals from the Dome Turtle Zhao Family had attempted to advance to the Golden Core Realm, but unfortunately, both had failed, costing the Zhao Family dearly. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao?¡±


    While Zhao Sheng was lost in thought, a warm voice sounded by his ear.


    He looked up to see Jin Yunzi approaching with a smile on his face, followed by Zhuang Ye, whose eyes were shimmering with a cunning light.


    ¡°It turns out to be Mr. Jin. May I know what matter brings you to seek me out?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly, as he calmly inquired.


    ¡°Actually, there¡¯s nothing particularly serious. It¡¯s just that I wanted to have a chat with Taoist Zhao. I just heard that you are actually a Third-rank Alchemist. I am very pleased. I wonder if you have any elixirs that I could use? I would like to exchange for some. As for the price, you can rest assured, I will definitely not disappoint you,¡± Jin Yunzi said to Zhao Sheng, looking quite sincere.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows tightened, then relaxed.


    He didn¡¯t believe a word Jin Yunzi said.


    He could not believe that a Golden Core Master from the Star God Palace would be in need of Elixir Pills.


    Probably, buying pills was a ruse, and the real motive was to sound him out.


    That was fine too. Perhaps this could speed up the fulfillment of his own purposes.


    Zhao Sheng decided to be straightforward, ¡°I don¡¯t have many Spirit Pills on hand. There are about five or six types of Third-Order Spirit Pills that Mr. Jin might find useful.¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± Jin Yunzi¡¯s eyes flashed with a sharp glint upon hearing this.


    He glanced around and then suggested, ¡°This place is noisy. How about we discuss this in private?¡±


    Zhao Sheng did not hesitate, waving over to Zhao Daojing.


    Observing the situation intently, Zhao Daojing promptly approached.


    ¡°Daojing, I have something to discuss with Mr. Jin. You may tend to your own matters,¡± he said.


    ¡°Yes, Ancestor. However¡­¡± Zhao Daojing nodded in agreement, but her expression suddenly became hesitant.


    In that moment, Zhuang Ye, standing to the side, suddenly interjected, ¡°Little sister, if you have any difficult issues, you can consult me. I, your sister, will certainly help you to the best of my abilities. If that¡¯s not enough, you can then seek assistance from Senior Zhao. How does that sound?¡±

 Chapter 374 - 272 Trading and Befriending_2

    Chapter 374: Chapter 272 Trading and Befriending_2


    Speaking of which, Zhuang Ye smilingly took the initiative to clasp Zhao Daojing¡¯s arm, his expression extremely sincere.


    At that moment, because Jin Yunzi stepped forward to strike up a conversation, it deterred other Golden Core Masters from approaching and left them to convey their goodwill towards Zhao Sheng and the Zhao Family through divine sense communication.


    For any power, taking the initiative to establish good relations with a third-rank alchemist was beneficial without any harm, especially since this person was also a fellow Golden Core.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng instructed, ¡°Go ahead! With Mr. Zhuang present, you don¡¯t need to worry about being taken advantage of.¡±


    Jin Yunzi smiled slightly and also commanded, ¡°Ye, did you hear that? You will accompany her personally. If there is any negligence in care, the old man will hold you accountable.¡±


    ¡°Ye obeys the order! I will certainly make Sister Zhao return satisfied,¡± Zhuang Ye immediately bowed in salute.


    ...


    Next to him, Zhao Sheng smiled silently; he naturally knew that this gesture was an initiative of goodwill from the other party.


    ¡°Mr. Jin, let us proceed.¡±


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, this way please!¡±


    ¡­


    Shortly after, in an elegant room on the eighth floor of the Carefree Pavilion, where the fragrance lingered, Zhao Sheng sat opposite another person.


    With a sweep of his long sleeve, suddenly a row of white, gray, and yellow pill bottles appeared on the table in front of him.


    Zhao Sheng was about to introduce each one when Jin Yunzi suddenly reached out his hand, stopping him mid-sentence.


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    The man picked up the white pill bottle, opened the Elixir Seal, turned the bottle upside down, and poured out a silver-white, lustrous Spirit Pill.


    After a glance and a sniff of the Elixir Fragrance, Jin Yunzi confidently declared, ¡°This is a Transcendent Essence Pill!¡±


    Zhao Sheng tapped the table lightly in approval, ¡°Fellow Taoist indeed possesses profound knowledge in the Dao of Alchemy; this pill indeed is a Transcendent Essence Pill that aids in enhancing Divine Sense.¡±


    Jin Yunzi stroked his beard, placed the Transcendent Essence Pill back into the pill bottle, and then picked up the gray pill bottle.


    ¡°Top-grade Cold Spirit Pill, this pill is excellent for treating injuries to the Divine Soul. Judging by its quality, it undoubtedly is a Middle Grade Pill. Fellow Taoist, your refining technique is exquisite,¡±


    ¡°Indeed, you have guessed correctly again!¡± praised Zhao Sheng, who, however, remained silent about his own alchemy secret techniques.


    Jin Yunzi, seeing this, was unconcerned.


    Next, he correctly identified the next two types of Spirit Pills, demonstrating his broad knowledge of the Alchemy Dao.


    But when it came to the fifth type of Spirit Pill, Jin Yunzi furrowed his brows.


    This Spirit Pill was multicolored, but its patterns were black and white, which looked somewhat eerie.


    After a long observation and using various identification methods, Jin Yunzi was still unable to determine what type of Spirit Pill it was or what its use might be.


    Finally, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Taoist Zhao, what kind of Spirit Pill is this? Even with over four hundred years of experience, I can¡¯t recognize its origin. Could it be a new type of Spirit Pill recently developed by some major alchemical Sect in Central Continent?¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed, ¡°It is indeed a new Spirit Pill, but it is not the work of other sects. Instead, it¡¯s a product of decades of hard work by myself. This pill is called the Five Elements Spirit Refining Pill, and it is a third-tier pill. It greatly benefits the Spirit Power Transition when advancing to Golden Core.¡±


    Hisss!


    Jin Yunzi involuntarily inhaled sharply, urgently asking, ¡°So, this pill can assist with Core Formation. What are its actual effects?¡±


    ¡°It has a forty percent chance of helping someone at Foundation Establishment Perfection successfully complete the Spirit Power Transition,¡± Zhao Sheng said without hesitation.


    Indeed, in his previous life, utilizing the Star God Power, he had created several new types of Spirit Pills, with the Five Elements Spirit Refining Pill being among the most sophisticated.


    After thousands of simulations in his previous life, the effects of the Five Elements Spirit Refining Pill were only better than he had stated, never lower.


    After hearing this, Jin Yunzi, with a determined attitude, said, ¡°How many Five Elements Spirit Refining Pills do you have, old man will take them all. Also, what is the value of this pill¡¯s recipe? My friend, name your price!¡±


    ¡°I am afraid I will disappoint you, I only have two Five Elements Spirit Refining Pills on me. As for the Elixir Recipe? I am very sorry, but I have no intention of selling it,¡± Zhao Sheng shook his head, declining.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, heed my words. We both know the value of such a pill that assists with Core Formation. As for the recipe, my Star God Palace is determined to have it!¡± Jin Yunzi couldn¡¯t help but urge.


    Such miraculous pills, if contributed to the Star God Palace, would simply be a substantial feat, and Jin Yunzi would not let such an opportunity slip by.


    ¡°Alas, is such coercion the style of the largest power in the Shattered Star Sea?¡± Zhao Sheng shook his head and deliberately sighed.


    Hearing the softening tone of the other party, Jin Yunzi hurriedly persuaded again, ¡°Taoist, please forgive me! It was just a moment of impatience. But what I said is true. The Star God Palace naturally would not coerce a sale. However, if you could sell the Elixir Recipe, the conditions can be well-negotiated.¡±


    That¡¯s exactly what I was waiting for.


    After hearing this, a spark shone in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes as his tone relaxed, ¡°If the Star God Palace desires such an Elixir Recipe, it¡¯s not impossible. However, I have a few conditions.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Jin Yunzi was overjoyed and immediately nodded, ¡°Please state them, Taoist.¡±


    ¡­


    Half a day later, dusk fell.


    Zhao Sheng walked out of the Carefree Pavilion, unable to conceal his joy, accompanied by Zhao Daojing.


    Jin Yunzi and Zhuang Ye personally saw them to the door.


    ¡°Taoist, please wait,¡± Zhao Sheng turned his head to look at Jin Yunzi and Zhuang Ye and said, ¡°For subsequent transactions, I have entrusted everything to Daojing. If there are any difficulties unresolved, Taoist can find me at the Dome Turtle Hall. I will not leave Star God Island for the next two months.¡±


    Jin Yunzi pondered and replied, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, let the younger generation handle such trivial matters. However, when I have some free time, I might come to disturb you a few times.¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled slightly, ¡°Taoist, feel free to visit, I will welcome you. Farewell!¡±


    With that, he gestured a spell, and a golden arc of light enveloped the two, soaring into the sky.


    Watching Zhao Sheng swiftly flying away from the Carefree Pavilion, Zhuang Ye¡¯s smile turned cold, and he abruptly asked, ¡°Master, do you think what he said was true?¡±


    ¡°Whether he created the Elixir Recipe or is just posturing, it does not matter to me. The key is that the Elixir Recipe must be authentic. However, this person is indeed a knowledgeable Alchemy expert. After conversing with him for half a day, not only was he responsive, but some of his views were quite enlightening and greatly beneficial.


    In my opinion, he will surely become a Master of Alchemy, and might even reach the level of Grandmaster. Establishing a good relationship with him in advance is totally beneficial for us,¡± said Jin Yunzi.


    After listening for a while, Zhuang Ye finally asked.


    ¡°Master, his origins are a bit unclear; if he is a spy from the Demon Path, getting close intentionally to probe our strength, it¡¯s not impossible. Please be extra cautious, Master!¡±


    Jin Yunzi smiled confidently and said, ¡°Ye, you always worry too much. Taoist Zhao has already revealed his background to me.


    This person comes from the Xinglong Zhao family in Central Continent, which was the same family as the Zhao family on Dome Turtle Island eight hundred years ago.


    As for whether he is telling the truth, with the intelligence network of the Star God Palace, it will naturally become clear within three months.


    In my view, the probability of him lying is extremely small.¡±


    ¡°Xinglong Zhao family? Could it be the family from which Dragon Slayer Master Zhao Xuanjing of the Ksitigarbha Sect came? Sixty years ago, the Palace Master asked us to investigate that person,¡± Zhuan Ye seemed to recall something as he spoke.


    ¡°Correct. Dragon Slayer Master Zhao Xuanjing is one of the current Golden Core Masters with the highest potential to advance to Nascent Soul. He is a very formidable person with unfathomable potential. Twenty years ago, I heard the Fushan Ancestor comment on him, saying that he might have a slim chance to break through to the God Transformation Realm,¡± Jin Yunzi said with longing and envy.


    ¡°So, do you understand why I readily agreed to all his conditions?¡±


    ¡°I understand now, thank you Master for clearing my doubts,¡± Zhuan Ye suddenly realized and quickly bowed respectfully.


    At the same time, she also planned to deepen her ¡°relationship¡± with Zhao Daojing.


    ¡­


    Dome Turtle Hall


    As soon as Zhao Sheng returned to the top floor cave mansion, he immediately hid in the Cultivation Room and also raised a barrier.


    Walking to the center of the secret chamber, he sat cross-legged on the ground, smiled slightly, and with a sweep of his sleeve, immediately ten or so Jade Scrolls, several Jade Boxes and a clump of flesh-like substance fell to the ground. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°This time it was indeed a bountiful unexpected gain. Mm, Jin Yunzi is quite generous; it¡¯s worthwhile to continue our relationship.¡± As Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze swept over the Jade Scrolls, it paused when it landed on the clump of flesh.


    Suddenly, he moved his hand, and a fingertip quickly touched the flesh, a strand of Golden Core Divine Sense surged from his fingertip, instantly entering the flesh.


    The next instant, an unbelievable phenomenon occurred!


    The dark red flesh quivered in a moment, and suddenly writhed, automatically shrinking into a meatball, and astonishingly reverted into a lifelike baby, even retaining a pure and innocent smile on its face.

 Chapter 375 - 273 Four Great Divinity Transformation

    Chapter 375: Chapter 273 Four Great Divinity Transformation Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°`


    ¡°Hehe, the legend is indeed true!¡± Zhao Sheng looked at the ¡°baby¡± on the ground, nodded with a smile, and with a thought.


    Suddenly,


    The ¡°baby¡± wiggled again, transforming into a lifelike tiger, with its whiskers clearly defined and exuding a king¡¯s domineering presence beneath its cuteness.


    The next moment, as Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts shifted, the tiger rapidly changed into a dragon, an eagle, a tree, and even ordinary things like soil and rocks.


    These forms were all vividly lifelike; their only flaw was the constant dark red skin that they could not shake off.


    ...


    After a while, Zhao Sheng had tested enough; he dispersed his Divine Sense, and the dark red meat stone on the ground collapsed, reverting back into a lump of flesh.


    This lump of flesh was Zhao Sheng¡¯s greatest achievement this time; it is called Fungus Field, also known as Fungus Meat, a unique resource exclusive to the Star God Palace, unparalleled in the world.


    The Fungus Field is a type of high-spirit fungus, with characteristics of high spiritual nature, high Spiritual Energy density, and asexual reproduction through consuming spirits.


    Legend has it that the Fungus Field is not a native biological entity of the Tianzhu Realm, but something a Divinity Transformation True Monarch from the Star God Palace had captured by chance while traveling through the Outer Void.


    The piece of ¡°Fungus Field¡± Zhao Sheng held was a small sub-body cut from the main body of the fungal mother. The sub-body can also reproduce asexually, but its lifespan is limited; if it is separated from the main body for over a hundred years, it will self-destruct.


    For cultivators specializing in Body Refinement, Fungus Meat not only contains a large amount of special Spiritual Energy substance but is also extremely easy to absorb, making it one of the finest foods in the world.


    Furthermore, when applied externally to serious injuries, the Fungus Field can also be used for its miraculous effects of rapid healing.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ????????????????????.co


    The key is that the Fungus Field is very easy to maintain; it can consume almost anything with spiritual energy, such as Spirit Stones, useless Spiritual Medicine scraps, wasted pills, etc.


    Keep in mind, Body Refiners are known for their immense appetites.


    Especially for a Golden Core Realm cultivator like Zhao Sheng, the meat of Second Order demon beasts was hardly sufficient to meet his Body Refinement needs, and meat from Third Order or higher was not only incredibly rare but also prohibitively expensive.


    Yet, for the sake of continuing to strengthen his physique, Zhao Sheng needed spirit food rich in high spiritual energy. Fungus Meat was exactly the most cost-effective kind of spirit food.


    If it weren¡¯t for him luring Jin Yunzi with the Five Elements Spirit Refining Pill, such a special resource would never have fallen into his hands.


    Zhao Sheng casually threw out four Mid-grade Spirit Stones; as soon as the Spirit Stones touched the surface of the flesh mud, the Fungus Field instantly expanded like a living thing, rolling and engulfing the Spirit Stones within its body in a flash.


    The Fungus Field consuming Spirit Stones required no further attention.


    With a wave of his sleeve, Zhao Sheng opened all the Jade Boxes on the ground at once, revealing the Spiritual Medicines inside.


    He reached out and grabbed a Spirit Medicine that resembled a white pear covered with patterns and mused to himself, ¡°Is this the Thousand-year-old Xuanxuan Fruit? Doesn¡¯t look all that impressive!¡±


    The Thousand-year-old Xuanxuan Fruit was nearly extinct in the Shattered Star Sea; rumors suggested that only a few Mysterious Trees survive within the Seven Mysterious Sect.


    However, since the Thousand-year-old Xuanxuan Fruit is the main ingredient for the Seven Mysterious Absolute Poison, the Seven Mysterious Sect would never allow a single Mysterious Fruit to leave the sect.


    The Star God Palace really has vast Divine Skills to be able to get their hands on such rarities.


    ¡°Now that I¡¯ve acquired the main ingredient for the Enlightenment Pill, I¡¯ll try refining it when I have the time.¡±


    After fiddling with the Spirit Fruit for a while, Zhao Sheng carefully put the Thousand-year-old Xuanxuan Fruit back and stored it in his Storage Bag.


    The Spiritual Medicines in the other Jade Boxes were slightly inferior, such as three boxes containing Thousand-Pattern Star Algae Fruit and one with a Dragon Mushroom Root.


    Dragon Mushroom Root can be used to make high-level treasure ink, an obvious use that need not be stated.


    The remaining two Jade Boxes contained the main ingredient for the Golden Core Formation Pill, the Jade Divine Flower, and a small bottle of Primordial Heavy Water.


    The Primordial Heavy Water was specifically requested by Zhao Daojing.


    With his Eye Power, it wasn¡¯t difficult to see that the cultivation technique Zhao Daojing practiced was the Mystic Primordial Heavy Water Technique, and she was currently stuck at a critical juncture of Spiritual Power transformation.


    Having gained a substantial advantage this time, Zhao Sheng certainly wouldn¡¯t forget the one who dug the well.


    Afterward, having checked everything, Zhao Sheng put the Jade Boxes back into his Storage Bag.


    Then, he picked up a Jade Scroll and began to carefully peruse it.


    The Jade Scroll contained lists of various rankings; he was eager to find out exactly what games the Star God Palace was playing.


    ¡­


    As Zhao Sheng tried to pursue the truth behind the scenes, he was completely unaware that above his head, or rather above the Upper Sky of Star God Island, just outside the nine layers of the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, two Absolute Peak beings were silently watching from above.


    The two were the only Divinity Transformation couple in the Tianzhu Realm, the man, gentle and refined, named Jiao Ri; the woman, dignified and majestic, with the monastic title Ying Zhao.


    The pair were the previous previous previous Palace Masters of the Star God Palace, having lived for over four thousand years, their Life Span second only to a few living fossils in the Tianzhu Realm.


    Outside the layers of the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, in the ancient and chilling silence where voices vanish, there was a fathomless and endless dark Void behind them.


    Jiao Ri True Monarch, wearing the Heavenly Net True Robe, suddenly broke the silence, looking at his partner Ying Zhao and said in a grave tone, ¡°Ying Zhao, you shouldn¡¯t have made the matter of the Star God falling demon public.¡±


    Ying Zhao lightly tapped her foot, and the atmosphere a hundred miles beneath her instantly collapsed and dipped, forming a huge ¡°Void.¡± The edges of the void quietly ignited with a layer of glowing red flames tens of feet high.


    At that moment, she serenely countered, ¡°Jiao Ri, are you trying to teach me how to handle affairs?¡±


    Jiao Ri True Monarch laughed carefreely, ¡°My lady, please calm down! You know I always stand by your decisions. But you indeed acted recklessly regarding the Star God incident.


    Just a Blood God¡¯s Son, even if it is clandestinely in league with that figure from the Spirit Clan. Even if the Star God was misled by it. What of it? As long as we have the Heaven and Earth Law Net, the Star God Palace will always stand invincible.¡±


    ¡°`

 Chapter 376 - 273 Four Great Divinity Transformation_2

    F{h*F5(*LjChapter 273 Four Great Divinity Transformation_2


    Ying Zhao shook her head and pressed a hand downward; instantly, the radiant blaze within a hundred miles was extinguished as one. The surrounding atmosphere swiftly rushed in to fill the void, sealing the massive hole in no time.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to comfort yourself. In the end, we underestimated that Blood God¡¯s Son. After its first gecko-like tail dropping escape, we should have been extremely vigilant, but instead, we were negligent and allowed it to slip away from our control a second time. Those two old immortals from Central Continent who have been the butt of our jokes for hundreds of years¡­


    Heh, now it¡¯s our turn to be laughed at.¡±


    ¡°Ying Zhao, it¡¯s just a moment of embarrassment, nothing more. We¡¯ve lived for so many years, we should be beyond getting entangled in such trivial vanities. Now, ascending to the Taiyi Spirit Realm is the foremost priority for both of us,¡± said Jiao Ri True Monarch, comforting his partner.


    Ying Zhao offered a faint smile, ¡°As if ascending by daylight were easy! The two realms¡¯ Ascension Array has not been activated for over thirteen hundred years, and even those two old immortals guarding the Array are growing impatient. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have tried to control the Blood God¡¯s Son when it first escaped the sealing at Heavenly Pillar Mountain, thus manipulating everything from behind the scenes.¡±


    ¡°Heh, it¡¯s a pity they also overplayed their hand. Merely extending their lifespan by a century, they let the Blood God¡¯s Son escape.¡±


    ...


    Ying Zhao said dissatisfiedly, ¡°You have the nerve to laugh at others. Haven¡¯t we overplayed our hand too?


    With the imminent onset of the battle between the two realms, without the Blood God¡¯s Son as a beacon, I¡¯d like to see how you will locate the Netherworld Ghost Realm.¡±


    Jiao Ri touched his nose awkwardly, and looking up suddenly, his expression brightened with joy as he said, ¡°Our old friend has finally arrived!¡±


    Before the words fully faded, Ying Zhao felt a familiar Divine Thought gently brush the edge of her Divine Thought domain.


    A slight smile appeared on her face as she raised her gaze toward the distant horizon.


    In the far reaches of the atmosphere, a streak of Sword Light suddenly split the layers of air and leapt into the Outer Void.


    After two successive flashes, the Sword Light instantaneously moved a thousand miles and appeared before Jiao Ri and Ying Zhao. As the Sword Light dissipated, a disheveled middle-aged man appeared not far from them.


    In his left hand, he held a wine gourd, and at his waist hung a dark and dull iron sword, exhibiting an air of carefree ease despite his destitute appearance.


    ¡°Sword God, you¡¯ve come quite early this time. Have you changed your ways?¡± Jiao Ri joked.


    Sword God Lin Yizhi lifted the wine gourd and shook it, indicating that it was empty.


    He spoke languidly, ¡°Ran out of wine. Just happened to drop by to beg a few from you.¡±


    Jiao Ri laughed and scolded, ¡°Stop saying that. A few gourds? You dare to ask for so much? Everyone knows your gourd can hold an entire lake. Even if I gave you all the Spiritual Wine in the palace, it might not be enough to fill one gourd!¡±


    ¡°Deal! You said it yourself, all the Spiritual Wine from the Star God Palace is mine now,¡± Lin Yizhi immediately replied upon hearing this.


    ¡°Pah, you sly Lin Yizhi, as if the Dong family would mistreat you. So now you¡¯ve come to beg from us,¡± Ying Zhao feigned distress as she retorted with a spit.


    ¡°Just tell me if you¡¯ll give it or not!¡± Lin Yizhi suddenly placed a hand on the hilt of his sword.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give, I¡¯ll give! I¡¯ve learned my lesson; you¡¯ll drink yourself to death sooner or later, you drunkard,¡± Jiao Ri quickly offered a salute in response.


    Within the Tianzhu Realm, the couple Jiao Ri and Ying Zhao had the deepest friendship with Sword God Lin Yizhi.


    The so-called distress, teasing, and all kinds of posturing were nothing more than a joke.


    A little bit of wine, how could it matter in the eyes of Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.


    After the laughter and jokes, Lin Yizhi solemnly asked, ¡°When will that bastard Flame Emperor arrive?¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Jiao Ri calculated with his fingers and said with a puzzled look, ¡°The Southern Yan Continent is closest to the Shattered Star Sea; by all accounts, he should have arrived by now.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps he was delayed by something!¡± Ying Zhao added.


    Lin Yizhi laughed and said, ¡°Heh, that makes sense. Unlike me, a free spirit, as an Emperor managing countless affairs, it¡¯s only natural.¡±


    At that moment, a powerful and profound voice suddenly resounded from the void around them, ¡°Lin Tiejian, are you mocking me?¡±


    As soon as the words ended, the sky below suddenly radiated with a vast expanse of red light, instantly rendering the atmosphere within a hundred miles like a sea of fire clouds.


    In short order, the fire clouds furiously rolled outward in all directions, and a majestic figure that seemed to override all beneath the heavens slowly rose to the high sky, confronting the three of them face to face.


    This person was dressed in a golden robe of the heavenly court, with features exuding dominance, dragon-like eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a gall-like nose, and tiger-like mouth with dragon whiskers. Their presence was unparalleled, and their demeanor was exceptionally proud, as if they held the reins of power over the world, appearing indifferent to all living beings.


    Lin Yizhi chuckled and said, ¡°Flame Emperor, you are late! Don¡¯t you think you owe us an explanation?¡±


    ¡°This Emperor has always acted according to his own heart, why would I need to explain myself to anyone!¡±


    The Flame Emperor¡¯s real name was Zu Yanwu, the founding forefather of the Great Yan Divine Dynasty in the Southern Yan Continent and had lived for more than three thousand eight hundred years.


    The environment in the Southern Yan Continent was harsh, ranking last in size among the five continents, and although the population was somewhat larger than that of the East Demon Continent, it had the weakest overall power.


    The Great Yan Divine Dynasty, being the only force on the continent with a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, was the sole hegemon of the land, ruling nearly sixty percent of the Southern Yan Continent¡¯s territory.


    Seeing that the two were about to quarrel again, Jiao Ri quickly intervened, ¡°Sword God, no need to rush. The Flame Emperor had something that delayed his arrival, it¡¯s no big deal. You¡¯ve also been late due to drinking on more than one occasion. Just last time, when we worked together to besiege a giant Void Demon, didn¡¯t you also arrive half an hour late, almost causing us to lose all of our previous achievements?¡±


    After hearing this, Lin Yizhi subconsciously lifted his wine gourd and took a swig, seemingly pretending he hadn¡¯t heard.


    Seeing this, Jiao Ri True Monarch and the Flame Emperor exchanged a look, tacitly moving past the topic.


    The Sword God¡¯s lazy and carefree nature was well known to his peers. There was nothing anyone could do about it!


    After a short pause, the Flame Emperor turned to Jiao Ri and Ying Zhao and asked, ¡°What is the purpose of inviting this Emperor here, you couple?¡±


    ¡°Flame Emperor, the Blood God¡¯s Son, with the help of Wang Fusheng, has already recovered his Complete Form. My spouse and I need your assistance along with the Sword God to recapture the Blood God¡¯s Son.¡±


    At the Divinity Transformation Realm, conversations are usually forthright, as resorting to flattery and deceit is considered laughably inappropriate.


    Thus, Jiao Ri True Monarch openly requested assistance right from the start.


    The Flame Emperor neither rejected nor accepted the request outright but asked indifferently, ¡°The Star God has been in a deep slumber for over two hundred years. Does this matter have a connection with the Blood God?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Lin Yizhi¡¯s hand involuntarily paused in its motion.


    ¡°Exactly! I was careless and allowed the Blood God¡¯s Son to secretly come into contact with the Star God. The Star God Consciousness was inherently unstable, devoid of any concept of good and evil or right and wrong. Thus, it was easily influenced by a higher level of consciousness, deviating from its normal evolutionary path. As a result, it ¡®fell into demonic ways¡¯.¡±


    Ying Zhao continued, ¡°That¡¯s why we had no choice but to forcibly put him to sleep. However, we can only suppress him for another two hundred years. Hmm, that is assuming the Spirit Clan and the forces of the Demon Path don¡¯t play any tricks.¡±


    After a moment of silence, the Flame Emperor slowly shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s too late! The Nine Stars Alinement will occur in less than thirty years, and the invasion of the Netherworld Ghost Realm is imminent. Do you think I¡¯m unaware of what those two old immortals are secretly planning on Heavenly Pillar Mountain?


    Acting rashly at this time and potentially sustaining injuries¡­ I need to conserve my energy to face this once-in-ten-thousand-year opportunity fully prepared. Since this concerns my ascension to greatness, I cannot help you.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, coward, you¡¯re even afraid of a Heavenly Dao Puppet; what sort of supreme emperor are you?¡± Lin Yizhi mocked.


    It was only then that Jiao Ri True Monarch revealed the true purpose of their visit, ¡°Flame Emperor, we have come to invite you to join the Ten Thousand Demon Alliance of the Demon God Continent.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, I am not in a position to join the Ten Thousand Demon Alliance right now. Little Roc, you may go back!¡±


    Seeing this, Roc King¡¯s face was filled with disappointment; this was the first major task he had undertaken since joining the Ten Thousand Demon Alliance.


    To return empty-handed like this would be a loss of face!


    ¡°Flame Emperor senior, please hear me out¡ª¡±


    Just as Roc King spoke halfway, a sound like a ringing bell suddenly filled his ears: ¡°Go!¡±


    The next instant, he was shocked to find that the demonic power within his Demon Core was being suppressed by a mysterious force, rendering him utterly unable to mobilize even a fraction of the formidable demonic power he had accumulated over nearly a thousand years.

 Chapter 377 - 274: Returning to the Main Vein?

    F{h*F5(*LjChapter 274: Returning to the Main Vein?


    Hearing his old friend speak in such a manner, the Flame Emperor narrowed his dragon eyes slightly and responded in an even tone, ¡°Deal!¡±


    Just a moment ago, he had emphatically stated it was impossible, yet the next instant, his attitude changed completely.


    What is the epitome of self-interest if not the Flame Emperor himself?


    Having said this, the Flame Emperor flicked his finger and a wisp of misty, twisted black flame squeezed out from his fingertip, slowly floating before Ying Zhao.


    Whoosh whoosh!


    A crystal-clear crystal, about a zhang in size, suddenly enveloped the wisp of Undying True Flame.


    ...


    Ying Zhao gestured with her hand, causing the crystal-encased black flame to rapidly shrink to the size of a fist before flashing into her sleeve.


    ¡°Flame Emperor, you are indeed straightforward!¡±


    At that moment, Jiao Ri suddenly laughed, waving his sleeve grandly, and ten amber top-grade Spirit Stones aligned, shooting out like a streak of light, only to be caught by the Flame Emperor with a wave of his hand into the Storage Ring.


    With the transaction complete, the Flame Emperor, appearing composed, said, ¡°If there is nothing else, this Emperor shall take his leave!¡±


    As he spoke, billowing black flames abruptly rose around him, indicating his intention to depart.


    Seeing this, Jiao Ri True Monarch hastily shouted, ¡°Flame Emperor, please wait, we still have matters to discuss.¡±


    ¡°What matters?¡± The Flame Emperor asked, dissipating the True Flame and inquiring with an indifferent expression.


    Jiao Ri True Monarch earnestly said, ¡°The great battle between the two realms is imminent. Although we do not know what plans you, the Flame Emperor, might have, our goal is to ascend to the Taiyi Spirit Realm. Since that¡¯s the case, how about the four of us joining forces?¡±


    At this time, Ying Zhao chimed in to support her partner with a gentle voice, ¡°According to what this palace knows, several Fellow Daoists from the Central Continent have already devised ¡®Stealing the Sky and Turning the Sun¡¯ and ¡®Infinite Merit¡¯ ascension plans. The two old baldies from the West Desolate Continent are secretly running around for the matter of the ¡®Transcending Realm Spiritual Child¡¯.


    The few ground dwellers from the East Demon Continent have colluded with Old Octopus and the Dragon Emperor, rubbing their hands in the shadows, hoping to get a share of the pie.


    The Water Mother from the Northern Cold Continent, Flame Emperor, you should know her temper best. She will not miss such an opportunity.


    Besides these Fellow Daoists, other old predecessors who are hiding from the world or pretending to be dead, and even the Independent True Monarchs who have stepped out of this realm and have been unheard of for a long time, may possibly return from outside the Boundary.¡±


    As Ying Zhao listed them one by one, the Flame Emperor¡¯s expression grew more and more solemn.


    ¡°That is just considering our realm alone. As for what schemes the Netherworld Ghost Realm might have, we are still completely in the dark.


    The battle at the Heavenly Burial Plain ten thousand years ago happened so hastily that neither realm was prepared, resulting in a minor skirmish. But this time will be decidedly different.¡±


    At this point, all four Divinity Transformation True Monarchs had grave expressions.


    The four of them, standing at the pinnacle of their realm as supreme beings, were all too aware of the brutality of a boundary war.


    Especially Sword God Lin Yizhi, who had traveled beyond the realm for nearly a thousand years, had witnessed the tragic fates of billions of indigenous races after their origin worlds were conquered. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He did not view all beings as ants like the Flame Emperor, nor could he bear to sacrifice billions from the Human Clan just for the sake of his own carefree Ascension.


    Despite his lazy nature and his dispassion for worldly affairs, faced with the life and death of the entire realm, the Sword God ultimately could not escape cause and effect.


    ¡°The great trend is unstoppable, driven by the Heavenly Dao. In the face of great catastrophe, all beings are as ants. Even as Divinity Transformation True Monarchs, we cannot escape fate. If we don¡¯t proceed with caution and unity, it is possible that one day, our thousands of years of Daoist progress could vanish in an instant.


    Therefore, it is best for us to join forces and advance or retreat together!¡±


    After hearing this, the Flame Emperor pondered for a long time before saying, ¡°Let us discuss this matter later. This Emperor needs some time to consider.¡±


    At this moment, Lin Yizhi suddenly sneered, ¡°You¡¯ve always been indecisive. Are you just waiting for a better offer? Besides us, I would like to see which other Fellow Daoists would truly accept you. Do you not know your own reputation, Flame Emperor?¡±


    ¡°Hmph! What if I am waiting for a better offer? I have the right to do so. Unlike someone who, all alone, can only play the role of a hired sword.¡±


    ¡°Heh heh! With a sword in hand, I can go anywhere in the world or beyond. But you, this doltish emperor, dare you take one step out of this realm?¡±


    ¡°Presumptuous!¡± the Flame Emperor roared in fury. The surrounding region for dozens of miles was instantly shrouded in a ¡°Black Domain.¡± The temperature of the surrounding void rapidly escalated, and in the atmosphere below, several gigantic ¡°Flame Bags,¡± spanning miles across, ballooned, churning with endless surging fierce flames.


    Hey!


    Lin Yizhi pressed his right hand to his long sword, and a towering sword peak thousands of zhang tall instantly emerged from the void behind him, radiating billions of sword lights. His unparalleled Sword Intent shook both the void and the atmosphere incessantly.


    Upon colliding, the Sword Domain and the Flame Domain instantly transformed the atmosphere within a hundred miles into two distinct Primordial Spirit Domains, one black and the other white.


    Seeing the situation unfold, Jiao Ri and Ying Zhao quickly joined forces to release a rainbow light net.


    As soon as the rainbow light net was deployed, it spread majestically up and down dozens of miles of void, severing the Primordial Spirit Domains of the two Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.


    ¡°Fellow Daoists, please refrain from fighting! Please afford my partner and me a little courtesy, and let¡¯s not harm our good relationship. With a divisive era approaching, we should be joining hands and advancing together, not letting a few words spoil our fellowship.¡±


    After Jiao Ri finished speaking, Ying Zhao nodded in agreement, ¡°The path to Ascension is fraught with difficulties, the more companions we have, the greater our chances of success. The Tianzhu Realm is now nearing the stage of ¡®Collapse,¡¯ with Spiritual Energy becoming thinner by the day. If we delay for a few more thousand years, it will be nearly impossible for us to activate the Ascension Array.¡±


    ¡°Sword God, you should be most aware. The chances of us borrowing Ascension channels from other realms to Ascend to the Spirit Realm are incredibly slim.¡±


    Lin Yizhi nodded with a heavy expression, ¡°We do not have any ¡®merit¡¯ in other realms. Without merit, no realm will allow strangers from another world to stealthily Ascend. Unless¡­¡±

 Chapter 378 - 274: Returning to the Main Vein?_2

    F{h*F5(*LjChapter 274: Returning to the Main Vein?_2


    Jiao Ri said, ¡°It¡¯s extremely difficult to accumulate the merit from heaven and earth, and finding a new world to ascend to is almost an impossible task. Therefore, ascending from the Tianzhu Realm is the only right path.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, after all is said and done, aren¡¯t you just trying to drag this emperor into muddy waters?¡±


    ¡°Yan Continent and Central Continent are separated by countless miles; not to mention who will win or lose the great war between the two worlds, even if the flames of war eventually spread to the mainland of Yan Continent, it would be at least several hundred years from now. By then, this emperor can simply lead the entire Yan Continent to pledge allegiance to the Netherworld Ghost Realm.¡±


    Lin Yizhi angrily rebuked, ¡°Flame Emperor, you are utterly shameless! This world gave birth to you and nurtured you, yet you, as a human clan¡¯s God Transformation, actually ignore the life and death of billions of the human clan.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, after this emperor ascends, why should I care about the life and death of the masses!¡± the Flame Emperor said coldly, his expression extremely indifferent and heartless.


    ¡°Jiao Ri, Ying Zhao! This emperor warns you, collaborating with this fellow will lead to your own downfall sooner or later. That¡¯s all I have to say, farewell!¡±


    ...


    As soon as his words fell, the Flame Emperor transformed into a ball of black flames and disappeared in front of the three people at an unimaginable speed.


    Jiao Ri and his wife were too late to stop him and could only watch the Flame Emperor leave while suppressing the dissatisfaction in their hearts.


    Lin Yizhi said dismissively, ¡°That Flame Emperor is too selfish and heartless. Cooperating with him is like asking a tiger for its hide. You shouldn¡¯t have sought him out from the beginning; you should have looked for that old immortal in the Storm Ocean.¡±


    ¡°Alas, the She Kong Ancestor has hidden himself from the world for over a thousand years, and to date, no one knows his whereabouts. I suspect he may have already passed away in meditation.¡±


    Lin Yizhi said decisively, ¡°Absolutely not! Unless he thought he had lived too long and extinguished his own life force. Otherwise, accounting for time, that old freak should still have a century or two of lifespan left. I¡¯ll give you a few locations; send people to search them. Unless there¡¯s an accident, that old immortal should be in seclusion beneath some Big Vortex Eye, feigning death.¡±


    After hearing this, Jiao Ri and his wife communicated with each other through divine thoughts and then Ying Zhao nodded, saying, ¡°Since it¡¯s like this, I¡¯ll send two more Nascent Souls to the Storm Ocean to investigate.


    However, I need to concentrate all my efforts to deal with the Blood God¡¯s Son and Wang Fusheng; the matters concerning Central Continent will be entirely up to you, Sword God.¡±


    Lin Yizhi smiled confidently, ¡°Don¡¯t worry! There¡¯s a saying that the net of heaven has large meshes, but it lets nothing through. I¡¯ve protected the Dong family for hundreds of years. At a critical moment, they must exert their full strength.¡±


    Afterward, the three Divinity Transformation True Monarchs discussed and deliberated on some matters in detail.


    Not until the Great Sun had completely sunk below the edge of the atmosphere did they each go their separate ways, satisfied.


    ¡­


    Star God Island, Dome Turtle Hall.


    Three days ago, a faint fragrance of elixir began to drift from the entire building, and as time passed, the fragrance within the layers of the building grew stronger.


    Even an unintentional whiff of the scent made one¡¯s mind clear, and the flow of spiritual power inside one¡¯s body became three parts smoother.


    Also, starting from three days ago, Dome Turtle Hall successively welcomed many visitors.


    Each group of visitors was led by at least one Foundation Establishment Cultivator. The two Zhao Clan Members guarding the door even saw two Golden Core Masters visiting, each asking to meet with Master Zhao.


    By then, even the most lowly mortal servant realized that a supremely important person had arrived at Dome Turtle Hall, and it was very likely a Golden Core Level big shot.


    Therefore, these past few days, everyone in Dome Turtle Hall had been on tenterhooks for fear of doing something wrong.


    At the same time, Zhao Daojing was so busy that she barely touched the ground and had not closed her eyes for three days and nights.


    Yet, as she looked over one contract after another, her exhaustion was coupled with immense joy.


    Never before had she seen the alchemy skill of the family¡¯s ancestor truly shock her until she saw one person simultaneously refine three furnaces of different kinds of Spirit Pills.


    However, Zhao Sheng could!


    At the Carefree Pavilion¡¯s trade meeting, while he sold five Foundation Establishment Pills, he also transmitted a voice message to other Foundation Establishment Cultivators suggesting as much.


    As expected, astute people started visiting one after another.


    As for those eager for pills, Zhao Sheng, being a Golden Core Master, certainly had no need to hide his talents.


    Want a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill? No problem, just exchange it for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures as per the rankings of treasures on the Jade Scroll; the higher the rank, the greater the chance of successfully exchanging for Foundation Establishment Pills.


    In just three days, as many as eight second and third tier Cultivation Forces came to the door willingly.


    Following that, the Spirit Pills that flowed out from Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands totaled in the hundreds, with three Foundation Establishment Pills exchanged away alone.


    Leaving aside other Spiritual Medicines and spirit materials, he also exchanged many pieces of Nie Crystal he needed, totaling over two hundred jun.


    Nie Crystal is born beneath the Ten Thousand Feet Sea Abyss and is abundantly produced in the Shattered Star Sea. There aren¡¯t many, but it is at least more common than Heaven and Earth Spirit Water.


    Although Nie Crystal is a high-level treasure material, its uses are limited due to its nature, and rarely do Golden Core Masters use it to refine Magical Treasures. As a result, many storage vaults of the Foundation Establishment level forces have accumulated some.


    An ordinary Golden Core Master might only need to refine a single Bright Sun Mirror for their use.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s spiritual power is far stronger than his peers. Also, due to the Star God Thousand Heart Technique, he can control multiple Bright Sun Mirrors at the same time.


    Therefore, for Zhao Sheng, the more Nie Crystals, the better. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng was busy refining pills in the alchemy room.


    At that time, a massive treasure ship with a dark hull slowly sailed into the southern bay of Star God Island, eventually docking at a pier.


    An hour later, a group of middle-aged and elderly people with anxious expressions and luxurious clothes was hastily welcomed into the Dome Turtle Hall.


    In the alchemy room, Zhao Sheng had just finished refining a batch of Second Order Bone Marrow Spirit Pills when he saw the Communication Token at his waist flickering non-stop.


    His gaze flashed, and after exploring the token with Divine Thought, a smile immediately appeared on his face.


    He stood up and withdrew the True Fire,


    After tidying up his appearance a bit, Zhao Sheng stepped out of the alchemy room.


    As soon as he stepped out the door, his Divine Sense detected a group of people with various expressions standing outside the cave mansion.


    Without a doubt, the ruling members of the Dome Turtle Zhao Family had come personally.


    Zhao Daoming had a serious expression but felt slightly nervous inside.


    He was the current Family Head of the Dome Turtle Zhao Family, a Third Level of Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    At the moment, standing beside him was a bald old man with both hair and beard lost to age, looking frail and decrepit. This man¡¯s real name is Zhao Luochi, the Great Elder of the Zhao Family, and he is over two hundred and twenty years old this year.


    He is also the stabilizing force of the Dome Turtle Zhao Family, a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Perfection, just half a step into making a Fake Pill.


    Shortly thereafter, the main gate of the cave mansion suddenly opened from the inside, and a voice arose beside everyone¡¯s ears: ¡°Come in.¡±


    Zhao Daoming and Zhao Luochi exchanged glances, then led a line of clan members inside.


    A moment later, in the guest hall, Zhao Sheng comfortably sat at the highest seat, with Zhao Clan members arrayed on either side below him.


    After the introductions just now, both parties formed a general first impression of each other.


    Zhao Daoming was greatly shocked by Zhao Sheng¡¯s youth and became even more reverent towards the Central Continent¡¯s main lineage.


    Because Zhao Daojing had previously communicated his purpose in advance, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t talk unnecessarily and reiterated his intentions in a few words.


    After hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s words in person, everyone finally had no doubts and showed expressions of joy.


    However, despite their joy, they felt very apprehensive, fearing that the main lineage would seize Dome Turtle Island by force.


    There was no question about whether a Golden Core Master could accomplish this.


    If Zhao Sheng wished, he could suppress everyone with one hand and easily take over Dome Turtle Zhao Family¡¯s eight hundred years of foundation.


    Nevertheless, he scorned such actions and had no interest in a mere island in the Outer Sea.


    Observing the complex expressions of apprehension and joy on everyone¡¯s faces, Zhao Sheng suddenly asked, ¡°Do your people have a presence on Fushan Island?¡±


    Fushan Island is one of the Thirty-Six Star Constellation Spirit Islands in the Inner Star Sea. Regarding size, it could rank in the top five among the islands in the Inner Star Sea, with an area of over seven thousand miles, akin to a small continent.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Daoming felt an inexplicable sense of relief and promptly answered with respect, ¡°In response to the Ancestor¡¯s query, our family has two mountain peaks, a thousand acres of fertile land, and over a dozen businesses on Fushan Island. We have eight thousand clan members and six Cultivation Clan people, with the highest cultivation being at Qi Refining Seventh Layer.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said, ¡°Since you have a foothold, that will save a lot of trouble. Fushan Island is vast, with many powers present, and no single force dominates. It is indeed suitable as a fallback to manage.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Great Elder Zhao Luochi¡¯s old eyes suddenly sparked with light.


    He fell to his knees with a swiftness that belied his imminent death.


    ¡°Ancestor, the Dome Turtle Zhao Family is willing to serve the main lineage unto death. We beg the Ancestor, in consideration that we share the same bloodline, to let this branch of our family return to the main lineage!¡±

 Chapter 379 - 275: Treasure Hunting and Formation Setting on Dome Turtle Island

    Chapter 379: Chapter 275: Treasure Hunting and Formation Setting on Dome Turtle Island


    ¡°Rise!¡±


    When Zhao Sheng saw the scene unfolding before him, a glint flashed in his eyes, and with a wave of his sleeve, he summoned a vast and mighty surge of Golden Core True Essence that helped Zhao Luochi up from the ground.


    Just then, Zhao Daoming suddenly shouted furiously, ¡°Great Elder, you¡¯ve gone too far. Such a significant matter hasn¡¯t been properly discussed by the family, and yet you dare to make decisions on your own.¡±


    Zhao Luochi sneered, assuming an elder¡¯s authority, ¡°The clan¡¯s return to the main branch is a joyous event of immense importance. I truly don¡¯t understand why you all persistently object.¡±


    Having said this, he bowed deeply to the head of the family, speaking with utmost reverence, ¡°Ancestor, please understand, the hearts of the Dome Turtle Zhao Family yearn for unity, yet a small group of stubborn fools fail to grasp the inevitable tide of public will. I, the humble Zhao Luochi, represent the millions of our Zhao clan in beseeching you to intervene and right the wrongs!¡±


    No sooner had his words ended than at least half of those present knelt on the ground and cried out in unison, ¡°Please, Ancestor, rectify the chaos for us!¡±


    ...


    Zhao Daoming, furious to the point of bursting, rebuked, ¡°You¡­ You despicable lot, how dare you¡­


    Ancestor, please do not be deceived by their nonsense. They are the ones colluding with the Demon Path, a bunch of unfaithful and unfilial scoundrels.¡±


    Zhao Daojing, who was beside him, also knelt down and pleaded with Zhao Sheng, ¡°Ancestor, our family has internal disagreements that have now escalated before you, causing you amusement. I can swear on my dedication to the Dao that although the Dome Turtle Zhao Family has its squabbles, there are reasons for everything. With your Divine Eye, you will undoubtedly discern right from wrong.¡±


    Zhao Sheng furrowed his brow, feeling quite fed up inside.


    A simple meeting had ended up being thrown into disarray by two groups of power-hungry individuals.


    This matter, if described as complicated, was indeed extraordinarily so, but also quite simple at its core.


    It was nothing more than the traditional power struggles and internal strife of a clan vying for influence and scheming against one another.


    Zhao Sheng had grown weary of such conflicts of interests and power several lifetimes ago.


    As it is said, a large tree attracts the wind, and where there are people, there will be the Martial World.


    Conflicts and contradictions were inevitable even among the Xinglong Zhao Family¡¯s Eight Branches, but under the control of the Golden Core Ancestor, all clashes of interests were kept within certain limits,


    never boiling over as they had within the Dome Turtle Zhao Family, where the internal conflict had reached a fever pitch, the two factions almost tearing at each other¡¯s throats, ready for a life-and-death struggle.


    In that instant, Zhao Sheng somewhat sobered up to the reality of his urgency, lest the future of the Dome Turtle Zhao Family become worrisome.


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    A sharp command echoed all around, as an overwhelming aura swiftly filled the entire hall.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s demeanor was majestic and solemn, waves of golden light spreading from his body, immobilizing everyone present in an instant. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I am most displeased! Does anyone here remember the ancestral teachings?¡±


    The others exchanged looks, none daring to speak. There were many teachings left by the Ancestor, and none knew which one the True Immortal was referring to.


    To get it right might be to their benefit, but to get it wrong¡­ it was better not to be the one to stand out.


    At this moment, Zhao Daojing answered, ¡°Could the Ancestor be referring to the teaching, ¡®With united hearts and efforts, success can break through even the toughest metal?''¡±


    ¡°Hmph, at least someone remembers these eight words. Have you all forgotten why your ancestors moved to the Shattered Star Sea?¡± Zhao Sheng scolded sharply.


    ¡°Ancestor, please calm your anger. We realize our mistakes, we understand them!¡± As they spoke, Zhao Daoming and Zhao Luochi, both sweating profusely, were the first to kneel, with those behind them quickly following suit.


    Zhao Sheng paused, but this time he did not tell them to get up.


    ¡°I hope you bear in mind the teachings of our ancestors and avoid repeating past mistakes. As for whether you will be allowed to return to the main branch, that is something I need to discuss with the Ancestor upon my return to Xinglong Origin before I can give you an answer. As for other issues, your family shall resolve them on its own. I prefer not to interfere.¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng withdrew his aura, freeing everyone else, and continued sternly, ¡°I don¡¯t care what irreconcilable differences you may have, but don¡¯t let them interfere with significant matters. Otherwise¡­ hmm!¡±


    Zhao Daoming¡¯s forehead beaded with cold sweat at these words, and he quickly guaranteed with a pat on his chest, ¡°Rest assured, Ancestor! Your instructions are our family¡¯s top priority, and we will ensure that they are carried out flawlessly.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression cleared somewhat, ¡°Those who handle this matter diligently and to my satisfaction will not find me stingy with rewards.¡±


    Zhao Luochi, unwilling to appear weaker, immediately asserted, ¡°I stake my life as a guarantee. If anyone is negligent and hinders progress, I will personally enact the discipline of the Precepts Hall and show no mercy in punishment!¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded without comment, his expression finally softening, ¡°I am a bit tired, you may all retreat. Daojing, you stay.¡±


    After a group of disheartened individuals left, Zhao Daojing stood up, hands at her sides, and silently bowed.


    She had thought the Ancestor would inquire about some family matters.


    Little did she know, Zhao Sheng did not mention anything about the recent incident, merely bestowed upon her a Jade Bottle containing Primordial Heavy Water and after instructing her on some minor matters, sent her away.


    No sooner had Zhao Daojing left the cave mansion than she saw the Family Head and the Great Elder approach stairside.


    ¡°Jing¡¯er, did the Ancestor say anything?¡±


    ¡°Sister Jing, did the Ancestor have any instructions for us?¡±


    Both had expressions of tension and eagerness, almost speaking in unison.


    Zhao Daojing felt endlessly speechless inside, thinking, if not for their struggle for power, the situation would not have escalated to this point.


    ¡°Although the Ancestor did not say it explicitly, I suspect he is greatly dissatisfied with both of you. It¡¯s not out of the question that he is considering ousting you,¡± she said, deliberately frightening them.


    ¡­


    In fact, Zhao Daojing was entirely mistaken.


    Zhao Sheng had no such thought.


    In his view, the conflicts and contradictions between the two factions of the Dome Turtle Zhao Family¡¯s head and Great Elder were not entirely irreconcilable.


    The root of the friction between the two factions lay in the division of interests.

 Chapter 380 - 275 Dome Turtle Island Treasure Hunting and Formation Setting_2

    Chapter 380: Chapter 275 Dome Turtle Island Treasure Hunting and Formation Setting_2


    After eight hundred years of development, Dome Turtle Island had long been fully developed. The yearly output of the island was limited and had already restricted the expansion of the Dome Turtle Zhao Family, simply put, there wasn¡¯t enough benefit to distribute among them all.


    When benefits were insufficient, internal conflicts naturally arose.


    The solution could be summarized in four words: increase income and reduce expenditure!


    Reducing expenditure was akin to self-castration, which was not advisable.


    As for increasing income,


    for one, the Zhao Family¡¯s strength was limited, not even able to cultivate a Golden Core Master. Restricted by their strength and resources, the Zhao Family had hit a ¡°steel wall¡± in their expansion efforts.


    ...


    Only if a Golden Core Master emerged within the family could the Zhao Family undergo a second rapid expansion of power.


    With the benefit ¡°cake¡± rapidly enlarging, the conflicts between factions would naturally ease significantly, if not disappear entirely.


    Thus, the quickest solution was to have the Dome Turtle Zhao Family cultivate a Golden Core.


    The True Golden Core was too difficult to attain, but cultivating a False Core Master could also suffice.


    Regarding this, Zhao Sheng already had a general idea.


    ¡­


    The day after their initial meeting ended on an unhappy note, Zhao Sheng handed two Jade Scrolls to Zhao Daoming and Zhao Luochi, instructing them to return to Dome Turtle Island as soon as possible and to proceed according to the plan.


    After receiving their orders, the two felt relieved, vowing over and over again that they would not delay the Ancestor¡¯s important matters and that the Fushan Island base would be completed on schedule.


    On the morning of the third day, the Treasure Ship ¡°Dome Turtle¡± rapidly left Star God Island with everyone on board.


    On the other hand, Zhao Daojing stayed at the Dome Turtle Hall, handling the family¡¯s trade while diligently fulfilling the Ancestor¡¯s instructions.


    In this manner, two months swiftly passed.


    On this day, Zhao Sheng was meditating in the quiet room, earnestly devising the refining steps for his Lifebound Magic Treasure, the Bright Sun Mirror.


    At that moment, the Communication Token at his waist suddenly began to flicker. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes and sent his Divine Sense into the token,


    After reading the information in the token, he curled the corners of his mouth, muttering to himself with a flushed face, ¡°After three months of waiting, the Nie Crystals have finally arrived!¡±


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng returned to the quiet room in the cave mansion from outside, holding a bulky black Storage Bag in his hand.


    Sitting cross-legged on a cushion, Zhao Sheng opened the Storage Bag and tipped it upside down. A flash of light passed, and piles of sparkling, transparent crystal columns that looked like a combination of crystal and diamond dazzled on the ground. The largest were as thick as an arm and the smallest only as long as a thumb.


    Zhao Sheng swept his Divine Sense over the Nie Crystals on the ground, his Divine Sense penetrating the interior of the crystals effortlessly, as if passing through air, feeling not even a slight resistance.


    ¡°Good, 99% purity! The Vast Sect really keeps its promises, generous in their dealings,¡± Zhao Sheng praised softly, then waved his hand and collected all the Nie Crystals.


    With this matter settled, it was also time to take a trip to Dome Turtle Island.


    Resolved to act, Zhao Sheng made up his mind and immediately took off the Communication Token, infused his Divine Sense into it, and sent a message to Zhao Daojing, who was outside, instructing him on some matters.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng rose and from the top floor of the Dome Turtle Hall, he stepped into the air, striding a hundred paces at a time, heading straight for the island¡¯s exterior.


    ¡­


    A month later, above Dome Turtle Island, dark clouds gathered densely, thunder rumbling.


    Suddenly,


    a Four-winged Sound Falcon with white feathers and iron claws, massive in size, suddenly broke through the thick dark clouds, silently swooping down toward Dome Turtle Island at high speed.


    Just when it was a hundred zhang from the ground, the four wings of the demon bird suddenly spread wide, and with a loud boom, a sonic burst echoed, its body instantly halting in mid-air.


    At this moment, a figure jumped down from its back.


    The Four-winged Sound Falcon, as if pardoned, let out a string of sonic booms, its demon body rapidly turned into a white line, frantically darting toward the sky, quickly disappearing behind the dark clouds.


    Zhao Sheng gently landed atop Ao Shou Cliff, his powerful Divine Sense suddenly enveloping the entire cliff, then aimed for his target and transmitted a message.


    Soon after, Zhao Daoming and Zhao Luochi hurriedly flew out of the cave mansion and ascended to the cliff top, bowing in unison to the Ancestor.


    ¡°Ancestor¡¯s presence graces Dome Turtle Island, and we failed to meet you from afar. Our apologies, our apologies! Please forgive us, Ancestor!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, no harm done if you were unaware! No need to worry,¡±


    After Zhao Sheng placated them, he asked, ¡°The matters I assigned you before, how are they progressing now?¡±


    Zhao Daoming hurriedly responded, ¡°Ancestor, the matter on Fushan Island is progressing quite smoothly. Perhaps you could first move to Dragon Eye Cave, and we can provide a detailed report there.¡±


    ¡°Alright, lead the way ahead,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded upon hearing this.


    ¡­


    Three days later, at midnight, when all was quiet.


    Zhao Sheng flickered out of Dragon Eye Cave, his entire being suddenly transforming into a stream of black light. He sped across the sea surface, blinking several times, and in the blink of an eye, he had vanished without a trace.


    An hour later, a thousand miles away from Dome Turtle Island, Zhao Sheng reappeared over a secluded area of the ocean.


    He calculated briefly with his fingers, looked around, determined his bearings, and swiftly dived into the sea.


    A half hour passed.


    With a splash, the water flew in all directions, and Zhao Sheng, under a golden light shield, suddenly broke through the sea surface and flew up into the air.


    At this moment, he was holding a palm-sized, silver-white shell, resembling jade. A white light pulsed within the gaps of the shell, and innumerable tiny Spiritual Texts appeared and disappeared like specks of dust.


    Whoosh!


    The Starfall Sword suddenly flew out, circling three times around Zhao Sheng¡¯s waist, and then transformed into a sword rainbow, engulfing its master like a bolt of lightning, instantly slicing through the pitch-black sky and disappearing into the vast night.


    ¡­


    ¡°Hey, have you heard? The Immortal Clan has been incredibly busy lately.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, that news is already outdated. You probably don¡¯t know yet! A big-shot recently arrived on our island. Both the Family Head and the Great Elder must tread carefully around them.¡±


    ¡°My goodness! This is significant, what kind of big-shot is so formidable, and what¡¯s their background?¡±


    ¡°Come closer¡­ Now you know!¡±


    ¡°What?! It¡¯s an ancestor from Central Continent¡­ Mmph!¡±


    Zhao Qingjie, with a dark expression, walked past the corridor swiftly. He completely failed to notice the ordinary clansmen by the corridor who were covering someone¡¯s mouth and flattering him.


    As the leading member of his generation with the surname Qing, Zhao Qingjie had already reached Qi Refining Perfection just past fifty and ranked only below the four Foundation Establishment Elders in the family.


    Even so, he had not gained favor from the Ancestor; instead, the usually dull and slow-witted Zhao Qingyan got the great fortune to serve beside the old family member.


    This was utterly humiliating!


    Now, the only way for Zhao Qingjie to regain the Ancestor¡¯s respect was through one method: ¡°Advancing to Foundation Establishment!¡±


    With that thought, Zhao Qingjie quickly walked into the Great Elder¡¯s cave mansion.


    At this time, as dusk fell and the moon began to rise,


    at Ao Shou Cliff, Zhao Sheng stood on the cliff top, surveyed his surroundings briefly, spoke a few words to Zhao Qingyan, and instructed him to stay outside and keep anyone from climbing up to the cliff top.


    The plain-faced Zhao Qingyan nodded without saying a word, bowed, and withdrew from the cliff top to guard the only path leading up the mountain.


    Hum!


    A sudden distortion and wavering appeared in the air, but it quickly subsided; a transparent Defense Barrier flashed for an instant and then concealed itself again.


    After activating the Defensive Formation, Zhao Sheng then chose a spot, sat down cross-legged, and began to meditate with his eyes closed.


    A few hours later, as the moon set and the Star Nebula began to thin out, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, leapt to his feet, and with a single flip of his hand, a Star Array Plate appeared in his right hand, ready to begin setting up an Artifact Refining Array.


    Refining a magic treasure differed from crafting a Spiritual Artifact, requiring perfect harmonic convergence of Heaven, Earth, and Man. Otherwise, at best, the quality is compromised, and at worst, the refining fails.


    To craft a magic treasure, the cost in resources can easily reach hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones, not counting the efforts and dedication of the Artifact Refiner.


    A single failure in refining meant a huge loss!


    Indeed, Zhao Sheng possessed the Capturing Sky Basket and the Soul-hooking Pole, two top-grade magic treasures of immense power. However, they did not match his True Yuan attributes and were not considered Lifebound Magic Treasures.


    Most crucially, the Bright Sun Mirror was tied to Zhao Sheng¡¯s future path.


    The magic treasure had to be refined, and the more, the better!


    Zhao Sheng held the Array Plate, circling the edge of the cliff several times while occasionally glancing at the night sky, muttering under his breath.


    Before long, he suddenly flipped his hand to retrieve a Jinli Talisman Pen and began to crouch down, carving on the ground.


    It took a full hour for Zhao Sheng to barely complete a huge talisman array, three feet in circumference, filled with dense, ancient, and complex Taiyi Spiritual Texts.


    Then Zhao Sheng waved his robe, and a Golden Flame Array Flag flew out and inserted straight into a node on the edge of the talisman array.


    He did not stop there; his robe fluttering, flags continued to fly out, one after another inserting into the corresponding thirty-six nodes, perfectly forming a large circular Array.

 Chapter 381 - 276 Refining

    Chapter 381: Chapter 276 Refining


    At this moment, it was also dawn, and a hint of the morning¡¯s first light brightened the edge of the Heavenly Sea.


    Zhao Sheng stood next to the Formation, his hands ceaselessly manipulating the Magic Spell, as strands of pure True Yuan carrying wisps of the Golden Crow True Flame continuously entered the thirty-six Array Flags.


    ¡°Puff,¡± ¡°puff¡± sounds kept erupting!


    The thirty-six Array Flags suddenly manifested rounds of fireballs resembling the Great Sun, and the talisman array on the ground burst forth with a myriad of golden light, connecting with the ¡°Great Sun¡± within the Array, followed by a dazzling pillar of fire that shot straight into the sky.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands moved swiftly through the Magic Spells, his powerful Divine Sense burst forth, enveloping the entire top of Ao Shou Cliff, and his hands came together to form a Great Sun Seal.


    In the next instant, an astonishing scene unfolded.


    ...


    The thirty-six Array Flags began to move without wind, and beams of golden flame shot out between them, interlinking and crisscrossing to form a circular, three-dimensional Golden Flame Barrier.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng opened his sleeve, and a great quantity of Nie Crystals flew into the Treasure Refining Array as if pulled by some gravitational force, gathering at the center of the Array and floating in the air.


    Zhao Sheng looked up towards the east, where a blazing Great Sun was just slowly rising from the edge of the Heavenly Sea, painting the sky with a red glow.


    At this moment, wisps of morning purple qi were attracted by the Array atop Ao Shou Cliff, each landing on the Nie Crystals within the Array, refracting a myriad of misty purple auras.


    Zhao Sheng viewed the curious phenomenon before him with some surprise.


    ¡°Indeed, this place is the right choice. However, the hour has not yet come. Noon is the optimal time for refining treasure.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s brows relaxed slightly, and he was quite pleased that the first step in treasure refinement was progressing smoothly.


    Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Zhao Sheng watched over the Treasure Refining Array, maintaining its normal operation while silently waiting.


    Time slowly trickled by.


    The sun was at its zenith, its intense rays beating down, filling the air with heat.


    However, within a hundred-mile radius of Dome Turtle Island, the light was strangely dim, and the temperature felt chillingly cold.


    At this very moment, the top of Ao Shou Cliff was shrouded in a large expanse of blindingly bright white light, and the top of the cliff was unbearably hot, with heatwaves rolling in.


    In the middle of the Treasure Refining Array atop the cliff, a massive pillar of fire that reached the sky constantly attracted and absorbed the sunlight from within a hundred-mile radius.


    Inside the fire pillar, threads of gold and purple Sun Essence occasionally flowed down, then dripped onto the Nie Crystals below, and were quickly absorbed by them.


    At the edge of the Array, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes were sharp, and Divine Light stretched over a foot long from his pupils.


    Under the effect of a forty-fold Time Flow, he missed none of the minute changes occurring within the Array.


    Whenever the Array became unstable, he would immediately utilize his Divine Sense, precisely manipulate the Magic Spell, and adjust the Array Flags in time to ensure the refinement process proceeded smoothly.


    Refining a Magical Treasure was not as easy as refining a Spiritual Artifact.


    Take the Bright Sun Mirror as an example, the actual beginning of its refinement hasn¡¯t even started yet, merely accumulating the Sun Essence for the Engraving Treasure Restriction required a continuous three months.


    This process cannot be rushed, as haste could easily lead to oversights.


    Of course, during this process, melting the Nie Crystal could also be carried out simultaneously.


    In the blink of an eye, two months had passed.


    For sixty consecutive days and nights, Ao Shou Cliff shone bright as daylight. This unusual phenomenon had already caused a sensation across the island, becoming the most talked-about piece of news recently.


    Lately, a large number of curious Zhao Clan Members would arrive nearby every day, gazing from afar at Ao Shou Cliff to the east, and discussing the strange occurrence.


    If it were not for the barriers preventing access, perhaps some daring clan members would have already climbed Ao Shou Cliff to kneel in worship and admiration of the True Immortal.


    Furthermore, the phenomenon also attracted the attention of neighboring powers.


    All of a sudden, many more spies appeared on Dome Turtle Island, and those who had already infiltrated the island became unprecedentedly active.


    In regards to this situation, the ruling members of the Zhao Family did not specifically conceal the truth; instead, they deliberately let slips of information pass, hinting that a Golden Core Master from the main lineage of the Zhao Family had come to Dome Turtle Island, and the phenomenon was his doing.


    Of course, the intention was to intimidate by riding on the tiger¡¯s coattails, using borrowed power for deterrence. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It must be said, although this tactic was simple and rough, it had an outstanding effect.


    Upon learning that a member of the Golden Core Clan was visiting the Zhao Family, the surrounding forces of Dome Turtle Island immediately quieted down a great deal, followed by sending envoys to visit, either feigning closeness or trying to probe the truth.


    ¡­


    At the top of the cliff, the Fire Qi boiled fiercely, scorchingly hot.


    Zhao Sheng was fully focused, looking at the Purple Gold Crystal Magma, about the size of a water jar, forming a Great Sun Seal with his hands, and a Golden Crow True Fire gradually condensed in the center of his palms.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    With a low shout, the Golden Crow True Fire turned into a streak of flame, and with a ¡°whoosh,¡± after piercing through the array Barrier, it flew over the Purple Gold Crystal Magma and became a ¡°Bright Sun,¡± completely enveloping it.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng chanted the Magic Spell, his hands forming thousands of the Seal Mantra like a blooming lotus.


    The Golden Crow True Flame, under his control, blossomed with dazzling flame light, scorching and licking the Purple Gold Crystal Magma within.


    Quickly, a trace of ¡°crystalline¡± purity rose from the Purple Gold Crystal Magma but was instantly extinguished by the Golden Crow True Flame.


    This ¡°crystalline¡± purity was the impurity within the Nie Crystal, which should have been extremely difficult to remove, yet it could not withstand the tempering of the Golden Crow True Flame.


    As time passed, the impurities were refined bit by bit, and the Nie Crystal, originally at ninety-nine percent purity, approached near-perfection.


    At the same time, the original purple gold color of the crystal magma began counterintuitively ¡°fading,¡± the purple gold color gradually lightened, until it was completely colorless and transparent, like an incredibly clear piece of crystal glass.


    A month later, the volume of the crystal magma had shrunk slightly, melting into a transparent Crystal Ball that bobbed uncertainly in the Golden Crow True Fire.

 Chapter 382 - 276 Refining_2

    Chapter 382: Chapter 276 Refining_2


    ¡°`


    ¡°At last, it¡¯s complete,¡±


    Zhao Sheng whispered to himself, quietly sighing in relief.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was pale, his eyes slightly dim. Three days of continuous refining was not easy, even someone as physically robust as him had expended a large amount of energy.


    Following that, Zhao Sheng consumed three Nourishing God Pills, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and entered into meditation to recover his depleted spiritual power.


    Four hours later, he suddenly opened his eyes, which were now lively and sharp. With a single-handed gesture for the spell, his Divine Sense focused on the crystal ball.


    ...


    The Golden Crow True Fire within instantly surged in intensity, causing the crystal ball to wriggle before splitting into two lumps of transparent crystal paste.


    At that point, Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands flashed with countless afterimages, as swift as the thousand-armed deity Guanyin. Thousands of True Essence Talismans streamed out like torrents of light, shooting into the Formation like a heavy downpour, sinking into one of the lumps of crystal paste and turning into a series of Magical Treasure Seal imprints.


    ¡°Condense!¡±


    With a soft utterance from Zhao Sheng, the Golden Crow True Fire suddenly contracted into a thread of golden light, which darted into the crystal paste. Then, as controlled by Divine Sense, the golden light began to pull in large amounts of Sun Essence, rapidly attaching to the numerous Treasure prohibition imprints, eventually evolving into a grand ¡°Rune Sun.¡±


    Zhao Sheng muttered an incantation, as countless True Essence Talismans erupted from his hands like a waterfall. He didn¡¯t even blink, his expression intensely focused. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Golden Crow set behind the mountain, and the daylight waned. Atop Ao Shou Cliff, the fierce sun burst forth, sending out piercing white light that illuminated miles of the surrounding darkness.


    With a faint ¡°sizzle,¡±


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged as before, the ground around him cracked and dry, his entire body enveloped in thick white light.


    In the midst of the Array, hovering at the center, a crystal clear reflective surface, about a foot in size, transparent on both sides with a slightly protruding smooth center, had taken shape. It looked like a human eyeball, yet also akin to a magnifying glass.


    ¡°It¡¯s done!¡±


    Gazing at the floating Bright Sun Mirror in front of him, Zhao Sheng was overjoyed,


    To speak truthfully, the smoothness of the Magical Treasure¡¯s refining had surpassed his expectations.


    Lucky for him, he was capable of multitasking; otherwise, ordinary people would have little hope of reaching success on their first attempt, an almost impossible feat.


    Zhao Sheng smiled faintly, drew out the treasure mirror, and then continued with the refining of the second Bright Sun Mirror, following the proper process.


    Armed with the experience of the first refining, the second attempt went even more smoothly.


    After just two days, the second Bright Sun Mirror was also successfully refined.


    Zhao Sheng chuckled lightly, beckoning with one hand, and the Bright Sun Mirror obediently flew out of the Treasure Refining Array, circled briefly, then swiftly entered Zhao Sheng¡¯s Dantian, orbiting slowly around the Golden Core alongside the other mirror.


    Zhao Sheng exhaled in relief. With a thought, he saw the Golden Crow True Fire coalesce into a Fire Lotus and rapidly fly out of the Formation, zipping into the Dantian in a flash.


    The Golden Crow Fire Lotus hovered beneath the Golden Core, supporting a piece of the sky.


    ¡°Collect!¡±


    At his command, the thirty-six Array Flags promptly rose, shrinking to the size of a palm and flying swiftly into the hem of Zhao Sheng¡¯s sleeve.


    Zhao Sheng laughed heartily as he stood up.


    The next moment, numerous mirror-like illusions shimmered into existence around him, and his whole body radiated intense light and heat. An area of a hundred yards around him instantly turned into a blazing white Fire Sea, with a golden ¡°Great Sun¡± suddenly appearing behind Zhao Sheng, casting him in a divine light.


    Then, the dense array of mirrors began to rotate slowly around Zhao Sheng, picking up speed as they went.


    In the blink of an eye, the mirrors spun faster and merged into one, reaching such a velocity that even Zhao Sheng felt a little dizzy.


    Viewed from afar, it created the illusion of a ring of light circling the Great Sun.


    But only Zhao Sheng knew just how scorching hot it was inside that halo of light.


    If the widespread Fire Sea beyond the halo represented the ordinary Burning Sky Divine Ability, hot enough to melt metal and incinerate iron,


    Then within that halo, the temperature in the two-yard radius around Zhao Sheng was clearly at an even higher level, able to vaporize metals and already showing a glimpse of the Nascent Soul Domain.


    However, only a fraction of the Bright Sun Mirror¡¯s power had been revealed.


    Suddenly, all the light dimmed, the mirrors vanished, and the Great Sun once again disappeared into the Void, as the cliff top returned to normal.


    Only now, the surface for hundreds of yards around Ao Shou Cliff had been completely melted into a layer of crystal. A thick stratum of glass spread across the floor, reflecting dazzling, blinding rainbows under the sunlight.


    At that moment, a group of people suddenly flew up from the foot of the mountain.


    Zhao Sheng stood up, stretched lazily, and casually clenched his fists. He then turned and greeted Zhao Daoming and the others with a slight smile.


    Seeing this, everyone relaxed and quickly bowed in salute, exclaiming, ¡°Congratulations to Ancestor on the Great Success of your Divine Skill; in the future, you will surely be known as the forefather of our sect.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, no need for such formalities!¡± Zhao Sheng was pleased and didn¡¯t mind the flattery from these sycophants.


    After all, they weren¡¯t wrong; it was only a matter of time before he reached that point.


    Zhao Daoming, seeing his old rival making a breakthrough, hurried forward and respectfully said, ¡°Ancestor, in these past few months, quite a few important matters have accumulated at home, waiting for your personal decision. What do you think¡­?¡±


    ¡°No rush, let¡¯s talk about it after I¡¯ve recuperated,¡± Zhao Sheng waved his hand indicating.


    ¡°Yes,¡± replied Zhao Daoming, stepping back, and the others, not daring to speak further, did the same.


    Upon returning to his cave mansion, Zhao Sheng immediately closed the doors tightly and activated the Barrier Restriction.


    After completing these preparations, he paced into the quiet room, sat on the cushion, and began meditating and regulating his breath.


    One day and night later, Zhao Sheng, feeling his energy and body restored to their peak condition, slowly opened his eyes.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 383 - 276 Refining_3

    Chapter 383: Chapter 276 Refining_3 S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He suddenly pressed on his abdomen, and two Bright Sun Mirrors flew out from his Dantian in succession, hovering in front of him.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mouth opened slightly, and with a ¡°puff,¡± he spat out a white-hot Fire Pearl.


    The Fire Pearl leaped like a Star Pill, jumping between the two Bright Sun Mirrors.


    The next instant, he was astonished to see two identical white-hot Fire Pearls refracted from behind the Bright Sun Mirrors.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng nodded in satisfaction.


    Then, with a thought, the Fire Pearl suddenly swelled countless times over, turning into a huge fireball three zhang in diameter.


    ...


    At that moment, something unbelievable happened.


    The Bright Sun Mirrors did not refract an identical fireball, but instead seemed unchanged.


    However, Zhao Sheng strangely revealed an excited smile.


    Upon closer inspection, two holes had somehow appeared on the walls on either side of the cave mansion, their depths unknown, and their edges were incomparably smooth, as if they had been pierced by a laser.


    Only he knew what had just occurred.


    Suddenly, the quiet room became a sea of fire, and the temperature unbelievably, quickly soared.


    At Zhao Sheng¡¯s thought, the two Bright Sun Mirrors vanished from sight, and abruptly, intensely hot beams of light burst forth from within the sea of fire, leaving the cave mansion¡¯s walls riddled with countless holes.


    Time passed day by day, and after half a month, Zhao Sheng within the cave mansion opened his eyes.


    At this moment, although he appeared somewhat weary, his eyes were full of vigor.


    With his current strength, preliminary Refining of his Lifebound Magic Treasure was not much of an effort; the reason it took so much time was largely because of the need to temper and sacrificially refine it.


    Zhao Sheng exited the quiet room, freshened up, changed into a new set of clothes, and then took out the Communication Token and input some information.


    Before long, Zhao Daoming, Zhao Luochi, and others came to visit the Golden Core Ancestor one after another.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng learned of recent events over the past few months from them.


    In the days that followed, Zhao Sheng stayed on Dome Turtle Island, successively meeting with representatives from nearby powers who came to visit.


    Without the need for much talk, Zhao Sheng merely showed himself a few times and directly dissuaded other forces from their varied conspiracies and tricks against the Zhao Family.


    Suddenly, the Dome Turtle Zhao Family¡¯s reputation soared, and the name of Master Zhao began to be whispered about in the Outer Star Sea.


    ¡­


    Two months later,


    In the depths of the cave mansion, within the quiet room, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze was unwavering, his full attention on his hands as he executed a series of True Yuan Formulas.


    Not far in front of him in midair, a verdant green Capturing Sky Basket was being steadily Refining by a mass of Golden Crow True Flame, and a large amount of pure True Yuan turned into tendrils of mist, attaching to the surface of the Capturing Sky Basket and slowly being absorbed by it.


    Compared to the Bright Sun Mirror, Refining the Capturing Sky Basket was undoubtedly exceptionally difficult and slow.


    Fortunately, he had experience from a previous life, and after half a month of continuous Refining, the first Treasure Restriction was nearing its end.


    Hum!


    Half a day later, the Capturing Sky Basket suddenly emitted a humming sound, the verdant and golden colors on its surface interweaving and flashing a few times, then quickly shrinking to the size of a speck and vanishing into the Tan Zhong acupoint in Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest.


    ¡°It¡¯s done!¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled lightly, waving his hand to recall the Golden Crow True Flame.


    Only then did he lower his gaze to the flickering Command Token, his Divine Sense probing into it.


    After reading the message, Zhao Sheng frowned slightly and suddenly stood up from the floor.


    Recent troubles had befallen Fushan Island, and the Zhao Family had inadvertently enraged the masses with their actions.


    As a result, an alliance of forces had sought the help of a Golden Core Master to cause trouble for the Zhao Family.


    Zhao Daoming, having no other options, was finally compelled to contact him.


    It seemed that he must leave the mountain for a trip.

 Chapter 384 - 277 Speak No Sense, Fight!

    Chapter 384: Chapter 277 Speak No Sense, Fight!


    Nine Heavens later, to the northeast of the Inner Star Sea.


    Over the boundless ocean, the outline of a verdant green island gradually came into view.


    Looking down, Fushan Island was covered with vast expanses of Jade Spirit Grass as tall as a person. When the breeze blew, it would send ripples across the grass, like waves, emitting a faint fragrance.


    At the end of the Jade Spirit Prairie, there were rows and rows of buildings, one upon another. Looking toward that side, the sound was deafening, sword light rose and fell, and countless people were bustling through the workshop, making it exceptionally lively.


    At an entrance to a workshop on the edge of Fushan Island, a streak of golden light broke through the sky and landed at the entrance of the workshop. After the light dissipated, Zhao Sheng appeared in his Crimson Robe.


    This workshop was the place where the Zhao family members set foot.


    ...


    To resolve the matter peacefully, Zhao Sheng had deliberately changed into a Crimson Robe and had not concealed his Golden Core aura.


    Upon seeing the arrival of a Golden Core Master, the workshop guards hurriedly opened the defensive barrier to let the big shot in.


    Zhao Sheng casually threw a bottle of Water Spirit Pills as a reward, and then, under the admiring and awe-struck expressions of the two guards, he stepped into the workshop.


    After wandering around for a while, he stopped in a bustling area of the western workshop, where there was a luxuriously sized mansion.


    But upon the mansion¡¯s plaque, two gilded characters shone with spirit light: ¡°Zhao Mansion.¡±


    Zhao Sheng glanced at it and smiled slightly, his figure flashed, and he instantly vanished.


    Just moments later, in the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Sheng sat casually in the highest Jade Chair.


    The Great Elder Zhao Luochi, accompanied by a middle-aged man with graying hair, stood respectfully below.


    ¡°Cough, cough, Ancestor Gong¡¯an. We were incompetent in handling matters, having to trouble you to personally take action is truly embarrassing.¡±


    Zhao Luochi said this with a face full of shame.


    At this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s fingers, which were drumming on the chair, suddenly paused, and a chill flashed across his face as he asked in a stern voice, ¡°Your breath is unstable, and your injuries seem severe. Who inflicted them on you?¡±


    Zhao Luochi¡¯s body shook; he hesitated for a moment, and feeling the increasing heaviness of the Ancestor¡¯s gaze, he spoke in a low voice, ¡°Half a month ago, that Golden Core predecessor, seeking to establish his authority, deliberately seized on a minor oversight of mine and did not let go. Not only did he strike fiercely, but he also threatened to have us vacate Lanzhao Valley within a month.¡±


    Lanzhao Valley was a strategic territory that the Zhao family was keen on developing; it contained a Second Order low-grade Spirit Vein, several spirit mines, and a few hundred mu of middle-upper grade Medicine Fields.


    What¡¯s more important, the force holding Lanzhao Valley, due to the lack of successors, had greatly weakened, and now only two Foundation Establishment Cultivators remained to keep up appearances.


    If your strength is insufficient, don¡¯t blame outsiders for trying to take it.


    In recent years, Lanzhao Valley had been eyed by several powers at the same time.


    At this time, the Dome Turtle Zhao Family emerged halfway through the fray, not only forming alliances but also having five Foundation Establishments working together, and, with the added pressure of Zhao Sheng¡¯s name, successfully forced multiple forces to retreat, just short of ultimate success.


    Who would have expected that worldly calculations cannot match those of the heavens, as the original masters somehow brought reinforcements.


    After listening, Zhao Sheng waved his sleeve, and a jade-colored pill bottle shot out, landing in Zhao Luochi¡¯s hands.


    ¡°This bottle of Second Order Life Pills is enough to recover your injuries. Now, tell me about that person¡¯s origins.¡±


    ¡°Reporting to the Ancestor, we don¡¯t know the origins of that individual. However, before that person left, he left behind a talisman with strict instructions for us to deliver it to you.¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Luochi took out a cherry-green Jade Talisman from his sleeve and held it up to his chest.


    ¡°Hmph, quite a variety of tricks!¡±


    Zhao Sheng glanced casually at the graying middle-aged man and then with a single motion, drew the cherry-green Jade Talisman into his hand.


    After his Divine Sense probed it, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brows raised slightly, thinking, ¡°A visit to the Qingyun Building?¡±


    He weighed the Jade Talisman, tucked it beneath his sleeve, and turned his gaze to the graying middle-aged man, asking lightly, ¡°Qingjie, I must have been mistaken; I didn¡¯t expect you to achieve Foundation Establishment so quickly.¡±


    ¡°Qingjie¡¯s achievements today are all thanks to the vast blessing and protection of the Ancestor!¡± The middle-aged man quickly offered a salute.


    This graying middle-aged man was Zhao Qingjie, the foremost individual below Foundation Establishment in the Zhao Family.


    Given his unstable aura, he must have achieved Foundation Establishment only a few months ago, and at a considerable price.


    ¡°Your Foundation Establishment is a joyous event for the Zhao family. The Ancestor doesn¡¯t really have anything to reward you with. Here is a bottle of Divine Essence Blood Replenishing Pills; consider it my congratulations.¡±


    Zhao Sheng gestured with his hand, and a crimson pill bottle shot towards Zhao Qingjie like a meteor, landing in his embrace. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Many thanks to the Ancestor for the generous gift!¡±


    However, before Zhao Qingjie¡¯s look of joy could fade, Zhao Sheng seemingly reminded him nonchalantly, ¡°Now that you have advanced to Foundation Establishment, you should no longer practice Demon Techniques like the Blood Soul Scripture, lest you eventually bring ruin to the entire family.¡±


    Before his words could settle, Zhao Qingjie¡¯s face drastically changed, and he immediately knelt with his entire body trembling.


    ¡°Ancestor, your divine insight sees all. I was foolish for being so desperate to advance that I¡­ I chose to take a risk. I will not dare again. From now on, I will absolutely not practice any Demon Techniques.¡±


    Zhao Luochi¡¯s complexion also turned pale, and he quickly knelt down as well, berating in both haste and fear, ¡°Qingjie, you fool! To even make contact with the devils of the Blood Demon Sect. If you were to bring disaster upon our family, even if you were to be ground to dust, you couldn¡¯t escape blame!¡±


    He then kowtowed to Zhao Sheng, pleading desperately, ¡°Ancestor, perhaps Qingjie was momentarily foolish, which led him to associate with devils. But since he has already sworn off it, and considering the family urgently needs his strength at this time, please forgive him this once.¡±

 Chapter 385 - 277: If Reasoning Fails, Fight!_2

    Chapter 385: Chapter 277: If Reasoning Fails, Fight!_2


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression remained calm, as if he was indifferent, and he spoke lightly, ¡°¡­everyone, rise! Tell me when you first started colluding with the people from the Blood Demon Sect.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Luochi¡¯s face instantly turned ashen.


    Don¡¯t ask how Zhao Sheng figured it out, or why he chose this moment to reveal the truth.


    Previously, he had been quite surprised that Zhao Luochi had lived for more than 220 years, thinking it was due to some fortuitous adventure, so he didn¡¯t think much of it at the time.


    But now, Zhao Qingjie had advanced to Foundation Establishment through cultivating the Blood Soul Scripture.


    This inevitably aroused Zhao Sheng¡¯s suspicions.


    ...


    Having cultivated the Blood Soul Scripture in his past two lives, he was well aware that the Blood Demon Sect possessed a type of Life Extension Secret Pill.


    Upon such comparison, Zhao Luochi practically confessed without being beaten.


    ¡°Ancestor, I¡­ I was blinded by greed, because I feared death, so¡­¡±


    At this point, Zhao Luochi dared not conceal half a truth and confessed everything.


    It turned out that over forty years ago, the people from the Blood Demon Sect had tempted Zhao Luochi with Blood Life Pills, unable to resist the allure of extended life, he ultimately joined them and, as things progressed, he dragged more members of the Zhao family into the affair.


    An hour later, Zhao Luochi knelt on the floor, his aura feeble, while Zhao Qingjie trembled as he awaited his fate.


    In the upper Jade Chair, Zhao Sheng sat expressionless, silent.


    Indeed, in the Shattered Star Sea, there were countless people like Zhao Luochi and Zhao Qingjie. Although the Blood Soul Scripture was a Demon Technique, its cost-effectiveness was unbeatable.


    Countless Cultivators with inferior Spirit Roots and countless frustrated individuals unable to break through their cultivation bottlenecks were all potential customers of the Blood Soul Scripture.


    The reason why the Blood Demon Sect could not be eradicated, their power growing stronger under oppression, lay ultimately in this Blood Soul Scripture.


    Thus the mainstream Cultivation Forces of the Shattered Star Sea deeply detested the Blood Demon Sect, holding the attitude of rather mistakenly killing a thousand than letting one go.


    However, the results were mediocre at best!


    With the Blood God¡¯s Son leading, many top figures of the Blood Demon Sect had been listed on the wanted list for decades, yet most of the demons still lived well and occasionally stirred up trouble.


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly, noted the names of the clan members who had colluded with the Blood Demon Sect, stood up, and flew straight out of the main hall.


    Now was not the time to settle scores with Zhao Luochi and the others; the pressing matter was to resolve the crisis first.


    In the Shattered Star Sea, the Blood Demon Sect¡¯s agents were said to be pervasive, with no forces among the Star Sea islands daring to boldly guarantee that none of their disciples or clan members had cultivated the Blood Soul Scripture.


    The most deadly aspect was, due to the Blood Demon Sect¡¯s deliberate indulgence, the first two chapters of the Blood Soul Scripture had widely spread across the Shattered Star Sea, becoming rampant.


    In a sense, the Blood Demon Sect was like a cancer parasitic on the Cultivation World, and as long as the Blood Soul Scripture was not completely eradicated from this world, they could never be wholly destroyed.


    Rising into the air, Zhao Sheng concentrated True Yuan in his hand and gently tapped the Jade Talisman, injecting a thread of True Yuan.


    Instantly, this Jade Talisman in his hand shone brightly, and a line of light appeared on its surface, with the line¡¯s end pointing towards the eastern side of the workshop.


    Zhao Sheng immediately understood what this meant and, with a flash of Sword Light beneath his feet, he sped off towards the east.


    Back in the main hall of Zhao Mansion, feeling that Zhao Sheng had left, Zhao Luochi¡¯s face shifted between dark and light before suddenly standing up with a stomp, leaving Zhao Qingjie behind as he also quietly left the Zhao Mansion.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped, hovering over a lavish, three-story White Jade building.


    ¡°Since you¡¯ve come, please, Taoist friend, come down for a talk!¡±


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than the top window of the highest pavilion of the Qingyun Building was suddenly flung open.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze flickered, sensing the presence of someone whose aura was not inferior to his own.


    After a flash, he saw a Jade-faced Young Master seated behind a long Jade Table.


    This person, with a handsome face and a spirited look, wore a rarely seen White Cloud Brocade Robe, which was actually a magical treasure.


    At this moment, this person looked over with a smile and gestured with his hand, ¡°Taoist friend, please take a seat!¡±


    Zhao Sheng swept his Divine Sense over and a flash appeared in his eyes.


    The opposite party¡¯s Qi Fortune was not weak, not only tinged with red amidst the green but also had a Qi Fortune column as high as thirty-six yards.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly; this person, like him, was also a True Golden Core. His aura was mysterious and unfathomable, likely superior to his own.


    In a rush of thoughts, Zhao Sheng walked up to a Jade Table and sat down with great aplomb.


    ¡°My friend,¡± Zhao Sheng began, ¡°I have come as invited. Speak plainly, let¡¯s not beat around the bush.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha, such candor, Taoist!¡± The Jade-faced Young Master was slightly taken aback before bursting into hearty laughter.


    ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, Ji will speak plainly. The Fang Family of Lanzhao Valley had shown me kindness in years past. Now, to preserve their ancestral legacy, they seek refuge under my wing. As the old saying goes, a drop of water in need shall be repaid with a spring. Please give Ji the chance to repay this kindness and withdraw from Lanzhao Valley voluntarily.¡±


    ¡°And if I refuse?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed to a slit, his tone casual.


    ¡°Heh, if you won¡¯t let me repay the favor, you¡¯re making an enemy. And for enemies, Ji has always been ruthless,¡± the Jade-faced Young Master coldly sneered, his voice dropping icy and menacing.


    Dissatisfied, he slapped the Jade Table hard. A ¡®boom¡¯ sounded as the table shattered into dust; the terrifying pressure of the Golden Core Realm burst forth from his body, oppressively bearing down on Zhao Sheng like Mount Tai.


    At the same time, an extreme chill rapidly spread throughout the room. The walls around the tower suddenly displayed a white light screen, but in the next instant, it burst into fragments frostbitten by the chill, and the porcelain bottles and furniture in the room silently iced over and disintegrated into piles of ice dust.


    Faced with such terrifying cold pressure, Zhao Sheng merely raised an eyebrow; a faint golden light flashed across his body, and he bore the assault as if nothing happened, preserving even the Jade Table before him unscathed.


    Seeing this, the Jade-faced Young Master¡¯s expression shifted subtly, reassessing Zhao Sheng before snorting, ¡°I wondered why you were so bold, it turns out you are also a True Golden Core. Your Body Refining Technique is indeed profound, unaffected by my Cold Slaughter True Essence.¡±


    ¡°Whether or not I am a True Golden Core, if you want to force Zhao out of Lanzhao Valley, it will depend on whether your fists are hard enough!¡± Zhao Sheng retorted, his expression unchanging.


    Fushan Island was a location he had chosen after careful consideration.


    If any Golden Core came stirring trouble, and he simply retreated,


    how could the Zhao family stand firm on Fushan Island without becoming the laughing stock of other forces for being cowardly and incompetent.


    ¡°Very well, you¡¯ve got guts! How about this: Tomorrow at noon, let¡¯s have a challenge at Qingyun Mountain fifty miles away. If you win, Ji will retreat three houses¡¯ distance and refrain from intervening in the Lanzhao Valley matter.¡± The Jade-faced Young Master¡¯s eyes swiveled slightly before he suddenly sneered this proposal.


    ¡°Qingyun Peak?!¡± Zhao Sheng mused aloud.


    ¡°Rest assured! Ji is a person of status and would not stoop to using devious schemes against you,¡± the Jade-faced Young Master stood up, his demeanor very proud.


    With that, he swaggered out of the room.


    Zhao Sheng watched the man leave, then pondered for a while before he vanished from the window.


    Upon returning to the mansion, a sweep with his Divine Sense revealed that Zhao Luochi was nowhere to be found and Zhao Qingjie was drunk to the point of stupor.


    He shook his head; a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with such a temperament as Zhao Qingjie was certainly not a boon for the Dome Turtle Zhao Family.


    As for where Zhao Luochi had gone, he didn¡¯t bother to delve deeper. With his current strength, he wasn¡¯t worried about any tricks they might play.


    The next day, when the sun was high in a cloudless sky,


    on a towering mountain peak tens of miles southwest of the workshop, Zhao Sheng hovered thousands of feet in the air, quietly watching the person not far opposite him.


    He was somewhat surprised; this person had not come alone but had brought someone else with him.


    Interestingly, this person was an acquaintance of his.


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, Jiao Zuo with his red hair and yellow face was first shocked, then his expression turned awkward as he sent a silent message to the Jade-faced Young Master.


    Then, Jiao Zuo flew up, smiling as he greeted Zhao Sheng: ¡°Master Zhao, to think we would meet here again. It¡¯s been half a year, and you are as distinguished as ever!¡±


    ¡°Taoist Jiao, what is your relationship with him? Surely you aren¡¯t here to lend a hand in the fight?¡±


    ¡°You must misunderstand, Master Zhao. I am merely accompanying the Young Master to watch; I will not interfere in the Young Master¡¯s duel with you,¡± Jiao Zuo said with a wry smile, then swiftly moved back behind the Jade-faced Young Master.


    ¡°Young Master?¡± Zhao Sheng heard Jiao Zuo¡¯s reference and couldn¡¯t help but frown slightly.


    ¡°Since everyone is here, let¡¯s dispense with the small talk. Let Ji measure whether your Golden Core is really up to scratch.¡±


    The Jade-faced Young Master, named Ji Jiuxi, had an exceptional status on Fushan Island. His master, the Fushan Ancestor, not only was the Crownless King of the entire island but also a Supreme Minister Elder of the Star God Palace. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ji Jiuxi originally belonged to the Star God Palace Ying Zhao Lineage and had been a disciple under Fushan Ancestor for years, only recently coming to Fushan Island.

 Chapter 386 - 278: Leverage Six Generations of Accumulation, First Battle Against Golden Core

    Chapter 386: Chapter 278: Leverage Six Generations of Accumulation, First Battle Against Golden Core


    A thousand feet above, the Gang Wind was fierce, and the thick white clouds were blown away by the wind into floating fluff.


    Ji Jiuxi stepped on the Void, and seeing Zhao Sheng indifferent, couldn¡¯t help but snort coldly. With a wave of her arm, a great surge of white frost erupted from her Magic Robe. Amidst crackling freezing sounds, the frost filled the sky, blocking out the light, and suddenly hundreds of azure ice needles shot out from within the gloomy cloud mist.


    These azure ice needles were actually as thin as cow hair, and each needle radiated bright spiritual light, with a chilling ice edge that was terrifying, all of them being top-grade Spiritual Artifacts.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression remained unchanged. He urged the True Yuan within his body, and immediately a stream of pure True Yuan burst forth from his Dantian, flowing through his meridians into his right arm, then he bent his arm and punched out.


    With a ¡°bang,¡±


    a massive golden fist shadow, as if tangible, flew out from his fist, breaking through the air in front, carrying a ring of sonic boom clouds, and thunderously collided with the sky full of white brilliance.


    ...


    In an instant, a booming sound echoed through the mountains, and large swathes of golden and white cloud mist exploded in the sky above the mountain peaks. Waves of air currents wildly swept in all directions, sweeping away all the top-grade flying needles, which recoiled and rolled back.


    ¡°Indeed not just an ordinary Golden Core Body Refiner, quite interesting.¡±


    Seeing this, a fierce light flashed in Ji Jiuxi¡¯s eyes, but her face revealed a trace of excitement.


    With another wave of her Magic Robe, the surging white chill swept away the roaring air currents, then her arm rose again.


    With a ¡°whoosh whoosh¡± sound of Breaking Void, more than ten hair-thin ice needles instantly exploded into beams of white light, moving at an inconceivable speed, immediately covering a hundred feet and fiercely stabbing towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s facial features and orifices.


    Ji Jiuxi actually dared to explode so many top-grade Spiritual Artifacts, aiming for a hit in one strike.


    Such an extravagant method of dueling was something that even Zhao Sheng, who had lived for several lifetimes, had never seen before, and immediately his heart grew cautious.


    However, Zhao Sheng¡¯s experience in facing enemies in battle was extremely rich. His eyes flashed with Divine Light, and his figure blurred, instantly disappearing from his original spot.


    The flying needles were as fast as lightning, but under the Immortal Spirit Realm vision, their speed was still quite slow, and Zhao Sheng easily dodged them.


    But in Ji Jiuxi¡¯s eyes, the fact that this person could dodge such a move meant his skills were truly formidable,


    And with a solemn heart, he dared not underestimate Zhao Sheng any longer. With a single-handed raise, nine crystal-clear Ice Shields instantly blocked around his body, then spun rapidly, emitting a piercing chill light, and in the wind, they grew to several tens of feet in size.


    All of a sudden,


    Bang bang bang!


    The Ice Shields burst out with immense white light, and all shield surfaces simultaneously underwent intense vibrations. Ji Jiuxi¡¯s body trembled, and she was directly knocked flying backward. At this time, from the surfaces of the shields came forceful bursts that caused chaos in her True Yuan within her body, momentarily interrupting her casting.


    ¡°This! This! This!¡±


    Ji Jiuxi was extremely shocked, her Divine Sense only capturing some vague afterimages.


    These afterimages created circle after circle of golden light, now interconnected, as they surrounded and pummeled her,


    The crystal-clear Ice Shields rapidly caved in and cracked, shattering into countless fractures, spewing white ice rubble that exploded, then was vaporized by the scorching heat, turning into a large amount of cloud mist, and then blown away by the fierce Gang Wind.


    Crack crack!


    One,


    two,


    three,


    In an instant, three of Ji Jiuxi¡¯s Ice Spirit Shields were blasted apart by Zhao Sheng.


    Ji Jiuxi inwardly cursed, her heart hardened, the Golden Core within her body suddenly shining brightly, ejecting layers upon layers of crystal white ice patterns. Boundless chill and an ice domain burst forth wildly from her limbs and bones.


    ¡°Ice Peak Heaven and Earth!¡±


    With this sharp cry, in an instant, the weather within several miles changed, billions of chills and ice brilliance expanded and exploded, and the hundred-foot sky instantaneously turned into a domain of icy heavens.


    From afar, it was as if an additionally hundred-foot ice peak emerged in the sky, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight.


    Bang!


    A section of the ice surface shattered, rolling white Water Vapor spewed from the breach, and a large swath of water mist enveloped the surroundings.


    Within the fog, Zhao Sheng was enveloped in a faint layer of fiery light, his feet stepping on a blazing white Fire Lotus, walking out proudly from the ice peak.


    In the ice peak, seeing this, a layer of gloom surfaced on Ji Jiuxi¡¯s face. She raised a hand vertically and silently chanted an Ice Spell, as the chill True Yuan from her body continuously infused into the Divine Skills.


    ¡°Ice Waterfall Burial!¡±


    In an instant, the surface of the hundred-foot ice peak was suddenly enveloped by an explosive white chill light. Billions of cold blazes converged and formed, instantly detaching from the peak¡¯s surface like a cascading ice waterfall from the heavens, enclosing Zhao Sheng within a ten-foot radius and violently shooting towards him.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, unfazed. He pushed his hands forward, and the Golden Crow True Fire within his body suddenly split into two, morphing into two lifelike flame dragons that rapidly flew out from his palms.


    The moment the flame dragons were born, they grew upon encountering wind, instantly expanding into two huge, clearly scaled creatures over a hundred feet long.


    With a thunderous roar,


    The flame dragons collided with the Cold Ice Waterfall in the Void, igniting yet another violent storm in the sky. Qingyun Mountain reeled under the dueling forces, with the mountain peak trembling incessantly and a large amount of rock tumbling down its slope.


    Divine Skills could be mutually neutralized, but Zhao Sheng¡¯s Golden Crow True Fire was a level higher than the opponent¡¯s Ice Attribute Spirit Flame.


    As a result, after a brief stalemate, the Cold Ice Waterfall couldn¡¯t hold up, shattering massively, and in the end, the Golden Crow True Fire directly burnt onto the surface of the ice peak, melting a large pit.


    Seeing this, Ji Jiuxi snorted coldly, True Yuan surged out from her body, and the ice peak quickly repaired itself. In the pit, massive clusters of extreme cold air burst forth from the ice crystals, contending against the Golden Crow True Fire. Ice and fire clashed, instantly resulting in a sizzling discordant sound. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng pinched his fingers together, remotely controlling the True Fire from afar, transforming it into various sprites of flame, very casual and unconcerned.


    On the other side, Ji Jiuxi let out a deep roar, ¡°Explode all of them for me!¡±

 Chapter 387 - 278: With Six Generations of Accumulation, The First Battle Against Golden Core_2

    Chapter 387: Chapter 278: With Six Generations of Accumulation, The First Battle Against Golden Core_2


    ¡°Boom, boom¡± resounded continuously, as ice thunders the size of water jars rose from various parts of the ice peak and rapidly plummeted down towards Zhao Sheng, engulfing him in a vast expanse of ghastly pale lightning in an instant.


    With a thunderous ¡°Boom!¡±,


    the lightning that blanketed the heavens and earth suddenly dispersed. Zhao Sheng held the Complete Heaven Talisman Plate in his hand, and around his body floated massive stone mountains, leaving him without a single injury.


    His lips curled into a smile, and he stood proudly in his original spot without moving. However, his body erupted in a vast display of golden divine light, sweeping away all the remaining frost and lightning.


    Zhao Sheng flicked his sleeve, saying indifferently, ¡°If this is the extent of your abilities, then¡­ I, Zhao Sheng, shall not hold back in taking over Lanzhao Valley.¡±


    As he spoke, Ji Jiuxi¡¯s face instantly turned extremely unsightly, and Jiao Zuo, who was watching the battle from a nearby mountain peak, also furrowed his brow slightly.


    ...


    ¡°What a big talker, take my next treasure before you brag!¡±


    Ji Jiuxi burst into an angry but mirthful laugh, and with a single hand lift, a dazzling ¡°Bright Pearl¡± appeared in his palm. Inside the pearl, an ice dragon spirit writhed and swam.


    This ¡°Bright Pearl¡± was his Lifebound Magic Treasure, also called Dragon Soul Pearl, which was refined from the inner core of a Sixth Rank Ice Flood Dragon and contained the remnant soul of an ice dragon.


    Ji Jiuxi quickly tossed it lightly while simultaneously, a flash of Divine Thought surged, and True Yuan infused the Dragon Soul Pearl.


    In mid-air, the pearl transformed into a full moon, cold and bright, casting myriad hues of cold light.


    With both hands, Ji Jiuxi formed a peculiar Spell Seal and pointed forward, where a complex silver-white rune flashed by in the void.


    A dragon¡¯s roar sounded!


    The light from the Dragon Soul Pearl intensified, and the remnant soul of the Ice Flood Dragon suddenly coiled and burst forth from the pearl, growing against the wind into a thirty-foot-long giant.


    At the same time, the hundred-foot-high ice peak collapsed thunderously, turning into rolling clouds of cold air, engulfing the ice dragon within.


    During this period, Zhao Sheng had countless ways to interrupt Ji Jiuxi¡¯s spellcasting.


    But he did not take any of them. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This was the first time in several lifetimes that Zhao Sheng had fought against a Golden Core of the same rank.


    And an opponent like Ji Jiuxi, whose strength was neither too high nor too low, was hard to come by.


    Zhao Sheng did not want to miss this opportunity to gain experience.


    In just the blink of an eye, the swirling clouds of cold shrank rapidly, and then, a large Ice Flood Dragon, with its imposing horns and crystal scales on its four claws, vividly appeared before Zhao Sheng and the others.


    This Ice Flood Dragon constantly exuded a formidable and fierce aura, looking extremely terrifying and displaying some of the momentum it had in life.


    However, it was uncertain how much of its former strength it still possessed.


    You should know that a living Sixth Rank Ice Flood Dragon is much stronger than an average cultivator with a Perfect Golden Core.


    Zhao Sheng was secretly on alert, and a three-inch-long golden small sword suddenly burst forth from his mouth, turning into a piercing Sword Light that circled around him.


    No sooner had the ice dragon appeared than it howled towards the sky, venting its resentment from before death, and huge clouds of ice formed beneath it. Its claws opened and closed, and with a twist of its dragon body, it whipped up rolling clouds of ice and charged directly at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense swept out, immediately sensing the terrifying aura emanating from the colossal dragon. A tinge of thrill passed through his heart, and he formed a sword finger with one hand.


    ¡°Go!¡±


    With a ¡°swoosh,¡± the Starfall Sword transformed into Sword Light and shot out. In a flash, the Sword Light divided into eight, then sixty-four. Sixty-four beams of Sword Light formed a torrential Sword Light torrent, slashing through the air.


    The Ice Flood Dragon roared furiously, spewing a thick storm of icy breath from its mouth that dragged vast clouds of ice, resembling a Dragon Tornado, which it then used to envelop the Sword Light torrent.


    With a loud ¡°Boom!¡±,


    flashes of gold and white light dazzled the sky and earth, and the Sword Light torrent was mostly destroyed by the icy onslaught. However, one beam of Sword Light remained unscathed, and the Starfall Sword burst forth from within, piercing through layers of the ice storm and flashing across the Ice Flood Dragon¡¯s enormous body.


    The white Ice Flood Dragon suddenly froze in mid-air, then let out a mournful cry as a huge Dragon Claw fell off, bursting into a cloud of smoke.


    Zhao Sheng flicked his sword finger, and the Starfall Sword shot up high in the sky. With a shake, it instantly split back into sixty-four sword lights.


    While Ji Jiuxi¡¯s attention was drawn to the sword lights in the sky, the patch of Golden Crow True Fire he had released earlier suddenly shrunk to a speck and vanished in the blink of an eye.


    Meanwhile, the Sword Light torrent circled in the sky before transforming once again into a whip of light, striking directly towards Ji Jiuxi.


    ¡°Seeking death, you dare use a flying sword to injure my Magical Treasure!¡±


    Ji Jiuxi flew into a rage, neither dodging nor evading. Instead, with a flip of his hand, a burst of gray light shot forth and he suddenly held a hazy Jade Talisman.


    Before he could activate the talisman treasure, a frantic shout reached his ear: ¡°Young Master, be careful!¡±


    With a sound of Breaking Void, a red hue flashed instantly above Ji Jiuxi¡¯s head, narrowly blocking a suddenly appearing spark.


    With a colossal bang, a vast Fire Sea lit up the world, the rolling flames sweeping out in all directions.


    The red hue revealed its True Body, which turned out to be a red gourd over one person tall.


    The gourd¡¯s surface was carved with countless ancient runes, as Fire Crows burst forth from its mouth, one after another exploding oddly, seemingly absorbed by the surrounding light of flames.


    It was indeed Jiao Zuo, who had been observing the battle from aside, who suddenly threw this object, blocking Zhao Sheng¡¯s Golden Crow True Fire.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression darkened, and with a single call, the Starfall Sword instantly returned, buzzing.


    Then, a trail of sparks flew through the air, disappearing into the ¡°Sun¡± behind him.

 Chapter 388 - 278: With Six Generations of Accumulation, The First Battle Against Golden Core_3

    Chapter 388: Chapter 278: With Six Generations of Accumulation, The First Battle Against Golden Core_3


    The next second, not far away on the mountain peak, a figure flashed and Jiao Zuo appeared between Zhao Sheng and Ji Jiuxi in the air, a look of distress on his face.


    ¡°Taoist Jiao, are you intervening now with the intention of two against one?¡± Zhao Sheng glanced at Jiao Zuo, asking expressionlessly while the Bright Sun Mirror within him began to stir, and the Starfall Sword before him emitted stronger sword light and a low hum.


    Seeing Jiao Zuo suddenly step in, Ji Jiuxi, though silent for the moment, also showed a look of dissatisfaction on his face.


    ¡°Haha, Master Zhao has misunderstood! I am merely trying to persuade you both to turn the fight into friendship due to your admirable skills in battle,¡± Jiao Zuo said with an awkward rub of his hands, performing a cupped-hand salute toward Zhao Sheng.


    As he spoke, he summoned back the Spirit Fire Gourd, and seeing a tiny hole burned through its surface, he was shocked and tremendously distressed.


    Jiao Zuo looked with envy at the sun behind Zhao Sheng.


    ...


    As a master of the Fire Element, how could he not recognize the Golden Crow True Fire, known as the ¡°Emperor of Ten Thousand Flames¡±?


    He had never imagined that his fellow cultivator, Zhao Sheng, not only had a divine mastery of the Sword Dao but was also a master of Fire Technique and might have even advanced to Golden Core through the Fire Element rather than through Body Refining Golden Core, as he had assumed.


    ¡°This man is unfathomable; he must not be made an enemy of.¡±


    With that thought, Jiao Zuo¡¯s smile grew more sincere, and he presented an even lower posture.


    ¡°Jiao Zuo, if the two of us join forces, are you worried we won¡¯t be able to handle him? Why would you instead seek reconciliation with him?¡± Ji Jiuxi was somewhat angry and questioned sharply, with a trace of fierceness in his eyes. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Young Master, don¡¯t be impatient. I have my reasons for saying this. As they say, it is better to resolve enmity than to perpetuate it. Both of you are outstanding figures in the world, so why should you fight to the death over something as trivial as Lanzhao Valley?¡± Jiao Zuo glanced at Ji Jiuxi with a meaningful look and asked unhurriedly, turning his gaze back to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Young Master, your recent actions have already repaid your debt of gratitude. To continue to trouble Master Zhao now would be more loss than gain.¡±


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã0


    ¡°In my view, it would be better for us to make peace. Master Zhao, what do you think?¡±


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng understood and certainly had no desire to make an enemy of Ji Jiuxi for no reason.


    Thus, his expression relaxed, and he simply replied, ¡°With Taoist Jiao mediating, I am willing to let bygones be bygones with Ji Daoist.¡±


    Ji Jiuxi huffed coldly and silently summoned back the Ice Soul Pearl, returning it to his Dantian to nourish.


    Truth be told, he had already become somewhat apprehensive, developing a fear of Zhao Sheng¡¯s relentless and unpredictable techniques.


    He faintly sensed that his opponent had not yet exerted his true strength, as if he had been holding back the entire time.


    Ji Jiuxi trusted his instinct, so he took the opportunity to graciously cease the fight and make peace.


    ¡°After all, there are plenty of opportunities to establish authority on Fushan Island. Why provoke a powerful enemy needlessly?¡± Ji Jiuxi comforted himself internally yet his face remained sullen; he emphasized with feigned restraint:


    ¡°Ji is not a person who would press others unduly. In the Shattered Star Sea, the strong have always been revered since ancient times. It is but destiny that the Fang Family has declined and cannot protect the foundation of Lanzhao Valley. My full-strength attack was still no match for Taoist Zhao. This shows that the Fang Family has run out of luck, and it is natural for Lanzhao Valley to fall into the hands of the stronger.¡±


    ¡°Not at all, not at all! It is Ji Daoist who is truly powerful, while I was barely managing to respond and hang on earlier. Given more time, I would surely be defeated by Daoist,¡± Zhao Sheng replied.


    The so-called ¡°everyone lifts the sedan chair together.¡±


    Since Ji Jiuxi had made a conciliatory gesture, Zhao Sheng naturally did not skimp on polite and modest words.


    Adding to that Jiao Zuo¡¯s firm intention to make peace.


    In just a short while, Zhao Sheng and Ji Jiuxi were laughing and chatting like old friends, with the fierce battle that had just taken place seemingly never having occurred.


    In the eyes of the mainstream forces in the Cultivation World, fighting and killing might be the quickest way to resolve a problem, but it is never their first choice; human relations and worldly wisdom are what they prioritize.

 Chapter 389 - 279 Closure Before Returning

    Chapter 389: Chapter 279 Closure Before Returning


    Two years later,


    On the outskirts of a hidden canyon southeast of Fushan Island, suddenly descended a golden and a white tunneling light. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When the light dissipated, the figures of Zhao Sheng and Zhao Luochi appeared.


    ¡°Is it here?¡± Zhao Sheng stood outside the canyon and after briefly surveying the area, a trace of surprise flickered in his eyes.


    Inside the valley, there was only a lively and lush wasteland; no buildings or structures were in sight.


    ¡°Ancestor, it¡¯s right here.¡± Zhao Luochi¡¯s old eyes were murky, his face creased with wrinkles, he was dying, with death looming near.


    ...


    In the past, Zhao Sheng did not bring himself to deal with Zhao Luochi and the others harshly; instead, he chose to soothe hearts and minds by having these individuals atone for their crimes through service.


    Over two years, these people had become the main force in attacking the Fang Family in Lanzhao Valley. They had fought blood-soaked battles during the conquest of Lanzhao Valley and had exerted great efforts in eliminating the recurring assassination attempts and acts of revenge within the territory.


    As of today, many of them had died or were injured, having indeed established commendable services for the family. Among them, Zhao Qingjie suffered the worst fate, being held by the Great Elder of the Fang Family during the final battle, and both perished together.


    Although Zhao Luochi was not injured, the years of toiling to maintain stability, as well as handling various emergencies, had severely drained his vitality.


    With Lanzhao Valley finally in the hands of the Zhao Family, the people¡¯s hearts within the territory gradually settled, and the acts of revenge and assassination slowly disappeared.


    At this time, Zhao Luochi had reached the end of his tether, his life drawing to a close.


    However, Zhao Luochi dared not harbor any complaints, as this was the will of the ancestor, the implication of which was self-evident.


    In recent days, the ancestor suddenly summoned him, ordered him to make contact with the people of the Blood Demon Sect, and find a way to meet with the person in charge of the sect on the island.


    This was one of the reasons why the two of them appeared here today.


    ¡°This Illusion Array is quite ingeniously set up, capable of concealing the fluctuations of spiritual energy. It seems that the Blood Demon Sect is not lacking in capable individuals,¡± remarked Zhao Sheng, his eyes flashing. He was about to return to the Central Continent and had some matters to resolve before his departure.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, he flicked his fingers, sending a human-head-sized Fireball flying out.


    A ripple appeared in the air deep within the canyon, and with a ¡®pop,¡¯ the Fireball was swallowed up.


    Following that, the scenery within the valley shimmered, like a stone had been thrown into a placid pond.


    At this moment, while the valley¡¯s ripple had yet to subside, a faint black light emerged, from which a corner tore open, and in a flash, a young man in a pale red robe flew out. Having steadied himself, he looked at Zhao Sheng and the other with a guarded expression.


    ¡°Who are you, daring to trespass Gloomy Radiance Valley!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze shifted. The young man in the yellow robe had only Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivation, yet he didn¡¯t show the slightest bit of fear when facing the two of them.


    Zhao Luochi stepped forward briskly, making over a dozen strange hand signs in rapid succession. A flash of blood appeared on his body as he spoke softly,


    ¡°We mean no harm; we have some business with Hall Master Zeng Kui, and would appreciate if you could pass on the message.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, please wait. Shall I go in and inform him?¡± The red-robed young man changed his attitude immediately upon recognizing the gesture and hastily spoke.


    Zhao Sheng furrowed his brow, but then an elderly voice came suddenly from within the valley.


    ¡°No need, 49. The esteemed Master Zhao graces us with his presence today; Zeng has failed to greet you from afar!¡±


    As soon as these words were spoken, a surge of blood evaporated in the valley, and a Blood Robed Elder flew out from the distant woods.


    ¡°Hall Master.¡± The red-robed young man¡¯s demeanor became solemn. He quickly bowed respectfully to the elder and stood to the side with his head lowered.


    ¡°Master Zhao, Brother Luochi, 49 has just spoken out of turn. I hope you will forgive his rudeness,¡± the Blood Robed Elder said to Zhao Sheng and Zhao Luochi very courteously, but a trace of wariness flickered in his eyes.


    ¡°You must be Mr. Zeng, I presume? It is I who has been presumptuous in visiting, and the offense is mine,¡± said Zhao Sheng, scanning the Blood Robed Elder with a flash in his eyes. This man was indeed a Golden Core Master, but his aura was very unstable, most likely having advanced with a Fake Pill.


    Considering his aged and haggard appearance, he must have sacrificed much of his Life Span to advance to Golden Core.


    ¡°Indeed, I am Zeng Kui, and since Master Zhao has come especially to visit, please come into the valley and take a seat,¡± said Zeng Kui, his wariness slightly abating upon Zhao Sheng¡¯s polite words, as he gestured invitingly with one arm.


    The canyon behind him blurred, and a door-shaped crack opened in the air.


    ¡°Since Mr. Zeng has said so, we will not stand on ceremony,¡± said Zhao Sheng with a smile, nodding and flying through the opened crack on a cast Magic Spell.


    Zhao Luochi also moved and followed suit.


    Passing through the changes of light and shadow, the scenery brightened suddenly for Zhao Sheng and Zhao Luochi.


    Instead of the lush woodland, what took its place was a thriving Jade Spirit Prairie that appeared before their eyes.


    Not far away, a modest-sized courtyard built of purple timber nestled among the green grassland.


    The crisp sounds of birds and insects occasionally came from the thickets, and on either side of the courtyard were over a dozen acres of spirit field, with a green pond situated nearby, exuding an air of serene seclusion.


    Zhao Sheng was somewhat surprised; this place looked more like a hermit¡¯s dwelling than a secret stronghold of the Blood Demon Sect.


    But he quickly let go of his assumptions.


    Who said that a Demon Sect¡¯s stronghold had to be gloomy and dreadful, with a harsh environment?


    This was merely a misconception and stereotype held by the world.


    What then constitutes an excellent secret stronghold?

 Chapter 390 - 279 Ending Before Returning_2

    Chapter 390: Chapter 279 Ending Before Returning_2


    The scene before Zhao Sheng was the best proof.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was indifferent, but his vast Divine Sense had already spread out, enveloping the entire grassland in an instant.


    After searching several times with his Divine Sense, he found nothing unusual.


    Aside from the Blood Robed Elder and the red-robed youth, there was no one else here. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, a series of footsteps approached from behind; it was Zhao Luochi drawing near.


    ¡°Ancestor, this is also my first time here, so please be careful.¡±


    ...


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, but did not respond with a transmitted message.


    ¡°Master Zhao, brother Luochi, please come to my humble abode for some Spiritual Tea,¡± Zeng Kui said to the two, then led them toward the courtyard.


    After entering the courtyard, they went straight into the main hall.


    At this time, the red-robed youth did not follow them in; he delivered the Spiritual Tea with a serious expression and excused himself from the room.


    The three settled down and took a sip of Spiritual Tea before the Blood Robed Elder Zeng Kui initiated the conversation.


    ¡°Master Zhao, you sent a message through brother Luochi requesting to see me, so I presume there is something urgent. What might it be? I greatly admire that someone as young as you has already advanced to the Golden Core. As long as it is within my power, I shall not disappoint you.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Zeng, you may not know that I am from the Zhao Family of Xinglong Origin in Central Continent, which shares the same origins as the ancestors of the Dome Turtle Zhao Family,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a light chuckle.


    ¡°Ha, I mustn¡¯t hide it from Master Zhao. I am quite familiar with your background. But what does this have to do with your visit today?¡± Zeng Kui asked with a hearty smile, glancing at Zhao Luochi.


    ¡°I am here on behalf of both the Xinglong and Dome Turtle families to propose a few trades with your sect,¡± Zhao Sheng stated seriously.


    ¡°Oh? I would like to hear more,¡± Zeng Kui said upon hearing this, exhaling slightly as if his entire demeanor relaxed a bit.


    ¡°Mr. Zeng, are you aware of the seal at Heavenly Burial Plain? Do you recognize the name Netherworld Ghost Realm? As I understand, your sect has deep connections with the Netherworld Ghost Realm,¡± Zhao Sheng said calmly and indifferently.


    ¡°Hmm? Master Zhao, I do not understand the meaning behind your words. Are you purposely mocking me?¡± Zeng Kui¡¯s hand stiffened, and his face suddenly turned ugly. He paused before replying coldly.


    ¡°Mr. Zeng, do not be hasty. It seems you are also aware of the precarious situation your sect faces in this realm as the great war between the two realms approaches,¡± Zhao Sheng said slowly.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard a bit about the war between the two realms as well, but it has absolutely nothing to do with our sect. If Master Zhao is only going to waste words, then I have nothing to discuss with you. Please leave at once,¡± Zeng Kui demanded, standing up abruptly, his face devoid of any expression.


    ¡°Oh, it seems you are very wary of the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    Not to worry, Mr. Zeng. Let Zhao first treat you to some entertainment before bidding farewell,¡± Zhao Sheng replied with a faint smile.


    ¡°Entertainment?¡± Upon hearing this, Zeng Kui¡¯s anger receded slightly, with a trace of surprise flickering in his eyes.


    ¡°Since I, Zhao Luochi, have strayed from the path, I will bear the consequences alone. Hall Master Zeng, I shall repay the favor owed to your sect with my life!¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Luochi stood up emotionlessly and spoke in a low voice.


    ¡°What? Brother, you mustn¡¯t!¡± Zeng Kui was taken aback, his expression suddenly grave as he thought to intervene, but he then sensed an overwhelming pressure coming from beside him.


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zhao Luochi¡¯s body burst forth with a surge of blood light, a series of cracking sounds emerged from within him, his eyes suddenly lifeless, his complexion turned deathly pale, and then he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.


    Zhao Sheng, who was sitting nearby, could clearly sense that Zhao Luochi had perished from destroying his own heart meridian, energy meridians, and Dantian, and he couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly.


    With death, debts are erased.


    Since the man was dead, his clan lineage naturally need not suffer any repercussions.


    ¡°Master Zhao, you are very good! How ruthless!¡± Zeng Kui slammed the table as he stood, shouting angrily.


    Even within the Blood Demon Sect, a Perfect Foundation Establishment Cultivator was extremely rare, let alone among the Dome Turtle Zhao Family.


    That he was willing to let Zhao Luochi commit suicide showed not only a merciless nature but also a strong hand.


    Such a useful pawn had died before his very eyes, and Zeng Kui was both pained and furious.


    Zhao Sheng simply smiled faintly, still remaining seated without moving.


    Seeing this, Zeng Kui¡¯s expression suddenly darkened immensely, and he coldly sat back down.


    ¡°Your methods are quite impressive, but to think that this alone will free you from our sect is far too simplistic,¡± Zeng Kui said coldly.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng raised his wrist without a word, and a Fire Blade shot out from his fingertips, swiftly slicing open Zhao Luochi¡¯s forehead, from which a streak of fresh blood flowed.


    ¡°Rise!¡±


    With a soft shout, Zhao Sheng raised his sword finger, and a hazy blood-colored Elixir Pearl rose from the forehead.


    The appearance of the blood-colored Elixir Pearl instantly changed Zeng Kui¡¯s expression.


    With his Divine Sense bursting forth, the Elixir Pearl suddenly flew towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s fingertip, spinning ceaselessly.


    At that moment, porcelain bottles and tea cups shattered, falling to the floor.


    Humph!


    Zeng Kui grunted, seeming to have suffered a setback.


    ¡°With this Blood Spirit Pill, that should suffice for you to settle accounts,¡± Zhao Sheng flicked his finger, and the blood-colored Elixir Pearl instantly flew before Zeng Kui, who swept it into his sleeve.


    Zeng Kui looked up at Zhao Sheng, showing a complex expression, before finally sighing and saying:


    ¡°Master Zhao, your knowledge of my Blood God Sect runs deep, even aware of the Blood Spirit Pill. This puzzles me. Within our sect, only the elder True Immortals at the Golden Core Realm are privy to such secrets. How did you come by this knowledge?¡±

 Chapter 391 - 279 Ending Before Returning_3

    Chapter 391: Chapter 279 Ending Before Returning_3


    Zhao Sheng offered a slight smile but did not explain. Instead, he asked, ¡°I merely wish to conduct several transactions with your sect. Would Mr. Zeng care to listen?¡±


    ¡°I would like to hear the details!¡± This time, Zeng Kui¡¯s response was very serious, devoid of any frivolity present before.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, on a desolate small island to the northwest of Fushan Island.


    Suddenly, with a ¡°boom¡±, the originally calm skies began to shake violently, and the surface of the island started to shimmer with chaotic light.


    With a ¡°snap¡±, the Prohibition that enveloped this area was forcefully torn apart!


    ...


    Followed by the ¡°swoosh, swoosh¡± of Breaking Void, two faint black tunneling lights descended and transformed into two figures in black robes with veiled faces, who then appeared atop the reefs in a flash.


    At that moment, the ground of the small island cracked open abruptly, revealing a path from which four people flew out.


    The four individuals were seemingly led by an elderly man with white hair and a fox-like face. Besides him, there was a tall and burly man with long hair, an old woman with a withered complexion, and a young woman with a graceful figure.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    ¡°We are the ones who will send you on your way,¡± Zhao Sheng said indifferently, not taking the sudden appearance of the four people to heart.


    ¡°Seeking death!¡± The old man flew into a rage and with a wave of his hand, the other three immediately dispersed, forming a semicircular enclosure, completely cutting off Zhao Sheng and his companion¡¯s escape route.


    ¡°One Golden Core, three Foundation Establishment. There¡¯s no escape now¡ªdefinitely the people from the Seven Mysterious Sect!¡±


    The Divine Sense of Zeng Kui in a black robe flickered, his eyes registering the old man he recognized.


    Among the four, the white-haired old man was Black Poison Sha Nu from the Seven Mysterious Demon Sect, with a cultivation at the Golden Core Early Stage. This man was a renowned assassin in Shattered Star Sea.


    The remaining three were disciples of Sha Nu, also infamous Foundation Establishment assassins, who had once joint-handedly assassinated a Golden Core cultivator from the Exotic Continent and thus made a name for themselves. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, I have done what you asked me to. Sha Nu is yours to handle. Leave the others to me,¡± Zeng Kui secretly transmitted his voice to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Rest assured, Master Zeng! You won¡¯t lack a single Foundation Establishment Pill or Heart-washing Pill, as long as there truly is a Thousand-year-old Xuanxuan Fruit here,¡± Zhao Sheng transmitted back calmly, his gaze passing over the four opponents and quickly scanning the surroundings once more.


    ¡°The intelligence of our sect is never wrong!¡± Zeng Kui replied with a transmitted message, a flash of white light in his hand revealing a slender Blood Blade.


    A chillingly sharp aura spread out, turning the faces of the opposing four cold as intense black light also began to radiate from them.


    The depths to which the Blood Demon Sect had infiltrated the Cultivation World of the Shattered Star Sea were known only to the highest echelons of the Blood Demon Sect.


    Yet the Blood Demon Sect¡¯s intelligence was known to be accurate, an acknowledgment commonly accepted by everyone.


    This was also one of the reasons Zhao Sheng had actively sought them out.


    ¡°Remember, Master Zeng, we must fight quickly and decisively!¡±


    After giving the instruction, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure vanished from the spot in an instant.


    The next moment, a dark shadow appeared behind the white-haired old man, and a Thunder Ball the size of a large fruit silently entered the old man¡¯s back.


    With a thunderous explosion, the island was now engulfed in a massive Electric Light Thunder Cloud, the sky shook unceasingly, and the wind howled.


    The white-haired old man let out a half-scream, his body enveloped in electric light, his True Yuan in chaos.


    Having spent a lifetime assassinating others, he never imagined he¡¯d one day fall victim to an ambush.


    The speed of Zhao Sheng¡¯s movements far surpassed anyone¡¯s imagination.


    At the same time, the white-haired old man¡¯s hands rapidly rubbed together, and a blinding black energy suddenly expanded and exploded from his hands, then with a shake, the black energy engulfed all directions.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, and his figure disappeared once again, appearing the next second above the sea surface a hundred yards away.

 Chapter 392 - 280: The Grandson Meets but Does Not Recognize

    Chapter 392: Chapter 280: The Grandson Meets but Does Not Recognize


    ¡°Eh, it¡¯s the Seven Mysterious Absolute Poison! You made Sha Nu use his ultimate move so quickly?¡±


    Zeng Kui appeared beside Zhao Sheng, looking at the black poison gas engulfing the island and exclaimed in surprise.


    Zhao Sheng said nothing, spread the fingers of both hands wide, and gently pushed toward the island.


    Boom boom!


    Two massive Fire Dragons burst forth from the palms, surrounded by streams of azure Geng Metal Sword Light.


    Aside from Zhao Sheng, no one knew that hidden within the Fire Dragons were two clusters of Golden Crow True Fire.


    ...


    At the same time, Zeng Kui¡¯s eyes flashed, and the Blood Blade suddenly turned into a huge blood-colored Crescent Moon, slashing towards the island along with the Fire Dragons.


    At this moment, three people from the Seven Mysterious Sect, deep within the black mist, tactfully jumped into the sea at the same time, attempting a desperate escape.


    Facing two Golden Cores, they were keenly aware of their limitations, not daring to resist, focusing solely on escape.


    The white-haired elder yelled out, a flash of black light in his hand, and suddenly dozens of glossy black fine spikes, each less than an inch, appeared before him.


    With a wave of his hand, the fine spikes merged into the black mist, becoming invisible.


    Before escaping, Sha Nu still attempted a retaliatory sneak attack.


    Boom!


    The Fire Dragons hit the deadly black poison and immediately began dissolving rapidly, emitting a sizzling sound. The Seven Mysterious Absolute Poison could even dissolve True Yuan, truly deserving its reputation as the Seven Mysterious Sect¡¯s trump card.


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly, clenched his fists, and thick firelight surged from his body, transforming into two Fire Dragons coiling around him. He then stomped fiercely on the sea surface, causing a great wave to surge.


    The Golden Crow True Fire, following a move of Divine Sense, expanded countless times instantly, transforming into two massive blazing suns that swept and scorched away the surrounding black gas.


    With a loud ¡°boom,¡± the white-haired elder turned pale and his body uncontrollably flew backward, his internal organs in extreme pain, not knowing how many bones were broken.


    Although he was a Golden Core Realm Cultivator, he was only a False Core Master and naturally could not withstand the fierce strike of Zhao Sheng, the Body Refining Golden Core Master.


    After landing a punch, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body flickered, leaving a string of afterimages. He appeared in front of the white-haired elder, shouted lowly, and threw another barrage of punches.


    His fists rolled with golden light, his punching wind tore through the vacuum, each strike booming like thunder, heavy as mountains.


    The white-haired elder was caught off guard and quickly fell into a severe disadvantage.


    Just then, Zeng Kui also joined in.


    In an instant, the man¡¯s face showed utter despair.


    ¡­


    Ah!


    Half a day later, following a ghastly scream, the white-haired elder¡¯s head was shattered, his body scorched by the Golden Crow True Fire, and his mangled corpse instantly turned into a cloud of ash.


    Zeng Kui moved back several meters, looking at Zhao Sheng with a hint of reverence and said earnestly,


    ¡°Master Zhao, the Mysterious Fruits you want are underground on the island. I will stay outside. Please, go ahead!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was calm. He nodded in acknowledgment after recalling the Golden Crow True Fire: ¡°Thank you, Master Zeng.¡±


    Speaking, the True Fire instantly transformed into a Fire Shield, enveloping his entire body.


    Protected by the Fire Shield, Zhao Sheng slowly flew onto the island, following the cracks into the secret place of the Seven Mysterious Sect.


    Shortly after, his figure reappeared from the cracks.


    Zhao Sheng looked indifferent, showing no emotion.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    With those words, Zhao Sheng lightly tossed a gray Storage Bag.


    Zeng Kui caught the Storage Bag, probed it with his Divine Sense, and his face immediately showed a satisfied smile.


    By then, Zhao Sheng had already soared into the sky. Seeing this, Zeng Kui hastily followed him.


    Soon, two tunneling lights sped towards the horizon.


    ¡­


    Time flew by, and Lanzhao Valley regained its former calm, but now it had a new master, the Dome Turtle Zhao Family.


    This incident also caused quite a stir on Fushan Island, as there were only six Second Order Spiritual Veins on the entire island, and every change in a Second Order Spirit Land involved countless people and interests.


    However, with Zhao Sheng as a True Golden Core holding the fort in Lanzhao Valley, he was more than enough to deter any petty sneaks.


    Moreover, the recently famous ¡°Young Master¡± Ji Jiuxi on Fushan Island also had an excellent relationship with Master Zhao.


    This only made the local forces on Fushan Island respect the Dome Turtle Zhao Family even more, not daring to provoke this formidable outsider lightly.


    Half a year flashed by.


    One day, the door of the secret chamber beneath the spiritual acupoint of Lanzhao Valley burst open, and a man in a Crimson Robe walked out slowly.


    Compared to before his seclusion, Zhao Sheng¡¯s aura was markedly more unfathomable, and his robe was rich with Elixir Fragrance, carrying a bit of hot air.


    At this moment, his skin appeared silvery white as jade, giving off an extremely tough impression.


    Of course, if one could examine his body internally, they would discover that his bones were glowing with an azure blue metallic sheen, his muscle fibers golden as bronze, and his entire essence blood was dense like mercury, emitting a faintly sparkling color.


    This result was naturally due to a new breakthrough in his Immortal Golden Body, his physical strength having once again substantially increased.


    At this point, even if Zhao Sheng stood still and let a Foundation Establishment Cultivator attack him with a top-grade Spiritual Flying Sword, they could never breach his defense, let alone kill him.


    Zhao Sheng moved his limbs, causing a series of crackling sounds within his body. He then raised his hand, flicked his finger without activating any Mana,


    Puff!


    With a soft sound, a visible burst of air shot out, striking the cave mansion¡¯s stone wall and leaving a deep hole. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Not bad.¡±


    Zhao Sheng glanced over the stone wall and murmured to himself. Then, with a thought, a dense brilliance suddenly burst from his body, seemingly dim but in fact extremely pure, as if it had materialized from the ethereal, almost tangible spirit light.

 Chapter 393 - 280: The Grandson Meets but Does Not Recognize_2

    Chapter 393: Chapter 280: The Grandson Meets but Does Not Recognize_2


    After ten years since his ascension to Golden Core, with diligent cultivation and the aid of numerous elixir pills, he finally advanced to the Golden Core Second Level.


    ¡°Ancestor!¡±


    Two figures with steady steps flashed out from around the corner, revealing a middle-aged man with a cold and stern countenance and the plain-looking Zhao Qingyan.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the two of them, a hint of satisfaction appearing on his face.


    ¡°Qingyan, you didn¡¯t disappoint me; you really succeeded in achieving Foundation Establishment.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all thanks to the Ancestor¡¯s earnest guidance that Qingyan was able to reach this day,¡± Zhao Qingyan said with immense gratitude as he bowed deeply.


    ... S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng let out a slight smile and teased, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect someone as rigid and honest as you to say such words. The stone has finally seen the light, and I am very comforted!¡±


    Upon finishing, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze shifted to the stern middle-aged man and suddenly he spoke, ¡°Qingming, have the group of people who came with you adapted to the environment of Fushan Island yet?¡±


    I still remember the competition of the Eight Branches from years past.


    Fifty years ago, the first place winner in spell casting, Zhao Qingming, who was once proud and untamed, now stood as a Third Level Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Half a year ago, Zhao Qingming led the first group of Xinglong Zhao family members across tens of millions of miles to the Shattered Star Sea and finally arrived on Fushan Island.


    Of course, this was also an act of foresight by Zhao Sheng. Two years ago, after capturing Lanzhao Valley, he had used the channels of the Vast Sect to send word back to the Xinglong Origin.


    It took a year and a half before Zhao Qingming led the first group of relocated clan members to arrive on Fushan Island.


    ¡°Most have already adapted, but there are still around a hundred clan members who are suffering from the unfamiliar climate,¡± Zhao Qingming answered with great respect.


    ¡°Not bad, in another month or so everyone should be adapted,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, then suddenly said, ¡°Things here on Fushan Island are on the right track now. I should be returning to Xinglong Origin.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingyan immediately grew anxious, ¡°Ancestor, please reconsider. We cannot do without you here.¡±


    Before Zhao Sheng could speak, Zhao Qingming interjected, ¡°That is incorrect. Compared to Lanzhao Valley, Xinglong Origin truly needs the Ancestor to preside over it.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha, Qingyan, spread the word then; all banquets must come to an end.¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed heartily and then strode out of the spiritual acupoint.


    Three days later, within a grand and newly built hall in Lanzhao Valley, the three remaining Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Dome Turtle Zhao family, Zhao Qingming, Zhao Defang, and dozens of mid to late-stage Qi Refining clan members, all stood with solemn expressions and hands clasped.


    Atop the grand hall, Zhao Sheng was seated alone at the uppermost central jade chair, his gaze overseeing the crowd below.


    The people in the hall sneaked glances at the ancestor, their expressions filled with surprise, as if reluctant to believe the ancestor had returned to the Central Continent.


    After a while, Zhao Sheng instructed the Qi Refining clan members to leave, keeping only the five family Foundation Establishment members behind.


    Zhao Daojing felt especially reluctant, as she was deeply aware of how important it was for the family to have a Golden Core Ancestor to rely on.


    She didn¡¯t want Zhao Sheng to leave, but she knew she could not make him stay.


    ¡°Ancestor, the foundations of Lanzhao Valley are not yet stable. Why don¡¯t you stay for another two years?¡± Family Head Zhao Daoming asked with sincerity after bowing deeply.


    Zhao Sheng shook his head, declining, ¡°No need. I have already notified Master Jiao. If you encounter dangers that are difficult to resist in the future, you may ask for Master Jiao¡¯s help. Alternatively, you can also seek help from Ji Jiuxi. With my relationship with them, they certainly won¡¯t stand idly by.¡±


    Zhao Sheng said this because he had already made arrangements in advance, and indeed, it could also be viewed as a transaction, seeing that the goodwill of a highly promising Golden Core Master was sometimes invaluable.


    ¡°Furthermore, I have prepared three secret treasures for you that can stabilize Qi Fortune,¡± Zhao Sheng said, and with a flip of his hand, he took out three storage bags. With a casual toss, the storage talismans turned into three streams of light that each landed in the hands of Zhao Daoming, Zhao Daojing, and Zhao Qingming.


    Zhao Daojing stretched out her hand to catch the storage bag, and with a slight sweep of her Divine Sense, she saw two talisman treasures inside the bag, brimming with Sword Intent and enshrouded with treasure light.


    In Zhao Daoming¡¯s storage bag were more than a dozen Inheritance Jade Scrolls and a large stack of third-rank Treasure Talismans, as well as numerous pill bottles.


    Zhao Qingming couldn¡¯t help but reveal a look of ecstasy, presumably because the items in the bag were extremely precious.


    ¡°This Mystical Spirit Puppet can temporarily withstand a Fake Pill, but not for more than an hour. Also, when cultivating the ¡®Divine Separation and Thought Melding Technique,¡¯ a Spirit Secret Skill, be very careful and never be rashly ambitious,¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s voice came slowly.


    ¡°Thank you, Ancestor, for bestowing treasures!¡±


    Zhao Qingming¡¯s heart warmed slightly, and he immediately bowed in gratitude.


    Zhao Daoming and Zhao Daojing also hurriedly bowed to express their thanks.


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight nod and then instructed, ¡°After I leave, you may announce to the outside world that I am entering closed-door cultivation and will not receive visitors. Before the second group of reinforcements arrives, you must keep a low profile. Do you hear me?¡±


    ¡°We will follow the Ancestor¡¯s orders!¡± the five Foundation Establishment Cultivators responded in unison, bowing deeply.


    ¡­


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng quietly left Fushan Island with Zhao Daojing.


    Half a month later, two tunneling lights descended from the sky and entered Star God Island.


    Zhao Sheng stayed on Star God Island for over two months, during which he visited all the workshops on the island, selling the accumulated elixir pills and surplus talismans and items while purchasing various unique treasures and special products from the Shattered Star Sea, such as Nie Crystal, Demon Core, and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects, among others.


    As winter turned to spring, on the third day after the Divine Sacrifice, Zhao Sheng boarded the Vast Sect¡¯s Sea Suppression Cloud Boat, embarking on the long journey back to the Central Continent.


    ¡­


    Half a year later, Xinglong City was decked with lights and bustling with noise. The city¡¯s million residents were all beaming with joy, celebrating the birth of another Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the family.

 Chapter 394 - 280: The Grandson Meets but Does Not Recognize_3

    Chapter 394: Chapter 280: The Grandson Meets but Does Not Recognize_3


    On the same day, a golden tunneling light came streaking across the sky, and as it neared Xinglong City, the golden light suddenly disappeared without a trace, leaving only a faint shadow stealthily descending into the residence of the Golden Core Ancestor in the Dui district of Xinglong City.


    In a corner of the back garden, the shadow gradually condensed, revealing Zhao Sheng in a plain robe.


    He gazed at the stunning beauty admiring the flowers in the pavilion, his eyes filled with familial affection.


    At that moment, an unusually muscular young man burst excitedly over the outer wall and leaped into the garden.


    But before his feet even touched the ground, an invisible force caught him, gently lowering him to the ground. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Xiuqi scratched the back of his head, looked up, and happened to see the smiling, silent Zhao Sheng beside him. He immediately exclaimed in astonishment, ¡°Who are you? How dare you sneak into the Inner Mansion! Didn¡¯t anyone teach you the rules before you came in?¡±


    ...


    Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned, and then he couldn¡¯t help but give a bitter smile. After being away from home for many years, now even his own eldest grandson did not recognize him.


    ¡°Qi¡¯er, do not be rude! He¡­ he is your grandfather!¡±


    At this moment, a cold, stern voice rang out from the pavilion, excitement hidden in its tone.


    As she spoke, Dong Miaozhen flew over, landing beside Zhao Sheng, her eyes sparkling as she stared at her long-absent husband.


    ¡°Grandfather? Which grandfather?¡± Zhao Xiuqi was somewhat confused, finding the man before him very familiar but unable to recall his identity.


    With millions in the Xinglong Zhao family, and several hundred of them from the elder generation alone, having too many grandfathers was indeed a problem.


    Zhao Sheng ignored his eldest grandson and turned to Dong Miaozhen with a smile, ¡°My lady, you have become much leaner in these few years!¡±


    Dong Miaozhen responded with a feigned complaint, ¡°Husband, you still remember to come back, huh! Now your grandson doesn¡¯t even recognize you.¡±


    ¡°Haha! But I have returned, haven¡¯t I!¡± Zhao Sheng laughed heartily, masking his embarrassment.


    ¡°Your timing is perfect, without you in Xinglong City, I always felt uneasy. In recent years, the neighboring powers have been somewhat restless.¡±


    ¡°No need to worry. In a few days, I will intentionally make an appearance, and then there will be no trouble whatsoever.


    By the way, has the Ancestor sent any news?¡±


    ¡°The Ancestor has been in seclusion for three years; Hua¡¯er sent a message last month, saying all is well.¡±


    ¡°It seems Hua¡¯er is thriving in the Ksitigarbha Sect, much better than Xiong¡¯er back in the day. Hmm, where are Xiong¡¯er and his wife now?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, that couple abandoned their child to roam the world together, living quite the merry life, almost forgetting they have a son!¡±


    ¡°My lady, do not be angry! Xiong¡¯er and his¡­¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Xiuqi suddenly gaped in surprise.


    The family¡¯s only two Golden Core Ancestors, his own grandfather, had actually returned!


    This left him extremely astonished, his emotions too complex for words.


    After Zhao Sheng chatted about family matters with his wife for a while, he turned to Zhao Xiuqi and said with a warm smile, ¡°Good grandson, won¡¯t you greet your grandfather? I¡¯ve even carefully prepared a gift.¡±


    ¡°Grandfather, your grandson Zhao Xiuqi greets you.¡± Saying this, Zhao Xiuqi respectfully bowed to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Good grandson, here¡¯s your gift, see if you like it.¡± Zhao Sheng smiled contentedly, swished his hand, and suddenly a Storage Bag appeared, which he gently handed to Zhao Xiuqi.


    Zhao Xiuqi, only ten years old yet already six feet tall, was not only bursting with energy and incredibly strong but also possessed Qi Refining Second Level cultivation.


    He opened the Storage Bag and saw a dazzling array of rare items inside, instantly becoming overjoyed and hurriedly giving thanks, ¡°Thank you, grandfather! I am so pleased with the gift.¡±


    ¡°Good, go play with them then!¡±


    After Zhao Xiuqi hopped over the garden wall, Zhao Sheng gently took his wife by the hand, his gaze passionately warm.


    In that instant, Dong Miaozhen¡¯s eyes were like water, her allure boundless.

 Chapter 395 - 281: Unrest in Central Continent, the Zhao Family Changes Direction

    Chapter 395: Chapter 281: Unrest in Central Continent, the Zhao Family Changes Direction


    ¡°¡­The three-destroy policy is being carried out in an orderly manner, more than a hundred Yin Caves in the Heavenly Burial Plain have been destroyed, millions of zombies and evil ghosts have been burned, but the progress of the ¡®Golden Wall¡¯ is severely lacking, only one-third completed, the Sect Alliance has once again summoned fire and earth cultivators, offering generous rewards¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­According to information released by Dangxian City, the exchange price of spirit stones has generally risen by ten percent, temporarily shutting down the channel for top-grade spiritual stone exchange. Transactions of large-scale spirit ore have reached the highest level in five thousand years, and the average transaction price of Mystic Iron has increased from four spirit stones per pound to five spirit stones. Meanwhile, the shortage of Spirit Pills is becoming more and more severe¡­¡± sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°¡­In the last year, Ten Thousand Nations Plain has seen nations such as Wuzeng, Zhou Yang, Xifeng¡­ and eleven others removed from the map. There are dense clouds of war over the Ten Thousand Nations Plain, where multiple large-scale mortal wars involving millions of casualties have occurred. Many nations have formed national alliances, and the supporting Cultivation Families have also suffered heavy casualties¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­Led by the Carefree Sect, many Cultivation Sects have been continuously opening their doors to new disciples in the past two years, significantly lowering their admission standards. Outside of the Ten Great Sects, the minimum requirement has been lowered to Four Spirit Roots for entry into other second-tier forces. He Mountain Sect, Heqi Sect, and other lesser-known forces¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­Cities like Pocket World City and Dangxian City, which are major hubs for Loose Cultivators, are experiencing low traffic and continued market depression, seemingly due to the mass joining of Sects and Cultivation Families by Loose Cultivators¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­Lancang Ancestor of the Purple Sun Sect has mysteriously perished, the cause of death still unknown¡­ Independent Practitioner Master Mu Yan has sat down, leaving behind relics that were obtained by a certain Qi Refining Practitioner¡­ The Beast Garden of the Beast Taming Sect has suddenly undergone a riot, with three Sixth Rank Great Demons escaping, and those below Fifth Rank¡­¡±


    ...


    ¡­


    On the ninth floor of the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on the Meditation Cushion. His right hand slowly placed the intelligence Jade Scroll into the Storage Bag, while he murmured to himself, ¡°A storm is brewing, and the winds are filling the tower!¡±


    After spending ten years in the Shattered Star Sea, the situation in the Central Continent had undergone tremendous changes once again, and the current situation was becoming increasingly severe. It seemed as though every major power was slowly tightening a string.


    The atmosphere in the Cultivation World became heavier and more somber, as everyone was sitting on a powder keg, about to ignite at the slightest spark.


    Without a doubt, it all originated from the Heavenly Burial Plain. The seal between the two realms was about to fail, and the Netherworld Ghost Realm would inevitably invade the Tianzhu Realm anew.


    The impending Great War between the two realms was what caused this tense and heavy atmosphere in the Central Continent.


    The Central Continent Sect Alliance had not hidden their actions in the Heavenly Burial Plain as they terrorized and burned zombies and ghosts.


    As a result, the news that a Great War between the two realms was imminent shifted from a slow to a rapid, and finally, a frantic spread among the cultivators.


    Perhaps the Cultivation Worlds of other continents and oceans, due to their great distance, had little knowledge of this matter.


    But in the Central Continent, not just Loose Cultivators, but even some well-informed mortals were aware of this shocking, catastrophic news.


    Therefore, when Zhao Sheng returned to Xinglong City, the Xinglong Zhao family, from top to bottom, was overjoyed, and people¡¯s hearts were immediately stabilized.


    However, because of this, Zhao Sheng found himself ¡°surrounded¡± by all the elders, facing countless urgent matters that needed to be reported to the ancestor and awaiting his responses.


    You can imagine that sometimes a dispute over the ownership of a spirit mine could involve interests on the scale of millions of spirit stones.


    In the Xinglong Zhao family¡¯s absence, significant affairs like this were not the only ones; there were many more that were ten times more important and complex, awaiting Zhao Sheng¡¯s decisions.


    Faced with this difficult situation, Zhao Sheng had no choice but to spend half a month specifically dealing with these issues.


    But it was not until two months later that he was able to reorganize both internal and external affairs of the family, and once again make the operations of the entire Zhao family smoother, significantly improving the efficiency of their operations.


    Thus, even if Zhao Sheng occasionally felt frustrated, he would envy the carefree and detached life of Independent Practitioners.


    However, he did not realize that these Independent Practitioners were actually very envious of him, having an Immortal Dao Clan comprehensively supporting his cultivation.


    As time went on, spring turned to autumn.


    Half a year later, a subtle transformation began to occur within the Xinglong Zhao family as other powers vigorously recruited Loose Cultivators and activated a dangerous mode of ¡°big fish eating small fish.¡±


    The development trend of the Zhao family shifted swiftly from expansion to defense, from pioneering to production. The effort in developing new areas had drastically decreased by half.


    Not only that, the Zhao family even began to reduce internal expenditures, cutting unnecessary expenses. They terminated various unprofitable deals externally, sold off non-essential fixed assets, and at the same time, massively stockpiled various types of supplies.


    On the surface, the actions of the Xinglong Zhao family appeared similar to other Cultivation Forces, seemingly reducing consumption in anticipation of war, voluntarily hoarding resources, and secretly stockpiling essentials.


    But in reality, until Zhao Xuanjing advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, maintaining stability and keeping a low profile were the primary concerns for the entire family.


    Moreover, uncertain of how the Great War between the two realms would evolve, Zhao Sheng secretly initiated a plan called ¡°All Clan Weapons.¡±


    With the decree from the Golden Core Ancestor, the vast machinery of the Xinglong Zhao family thunderously sprang into action.


    Of course, it¡¯s difficult for a large ship to change course. Even with Zhao Sheng in command, it took the Xinglong Zhao family an entire year to finally complete the turnaround.


    Less than two years later, the major powers in the Southern Border saw the stark transformation of the Zhao family.


    At that time, Zhao Sheng seized the opportunity to make a deliberate appearance during the birthday celebration of an ancestor of the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    While finalizing a large transaction for the purchase of Spiritual Medicine with the Elixir Cauldron Sect was secondary, the most important thing was to tell the world, ¡°I, Zhao Sheng, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Zhao family, am still alive!¡±

 Chapter 396 - 281: Upheaval in Central Continent, the Zhao Family Changes Course_2

    Chapter 396: Chapter 281: Upheaval in Central Continent, the Zhao Family Changes Course_2


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s re-emergence had an immediate impact, causing the surrounding forces to quickly fall in line, and the myriad disputes thereby greatly diminished.


    Thus, the Xinglong Zhao Family welcomed a rare period of stable development.


    No matter how treacherous the outside world¡¯s turmoil was, Xinglong Origin paid it no mind, fully engaging in the production modes of Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and talisman making.


    In times of looming war, the Zhao Family could never satisfy the insatiable appetite of those gluttonous Taotie, regardless of how many Elixir Pills and Magic Artifacts they refined.


    ¡­


    Five years later, on the seventh day of the seventh month.


    ...


    On this day, the Kun Character Area of Xinglong Underground City was bustling with noise, as a long queue stretched along the underground passage all the way to the end of the corridor.


    The line was filled with young and old, all waiting excitedly without a hint of complaint on their faces.


    Next to each of them stood two giant wooden barrels, almost as tall as a person, brimming with the bodies of all sorts of low-level bred demon beasts like spirit fish, Gale Rabbits, Meat Armor Pigs, and more.


    Five years ago, the Merit Hall issued a major announcement, declaring an unlimited purchase of all types of demon beast meat, regardless of Grade.


    Initially, only cultivators participated eagerly in this initiative. Later, when a Mortal Clan member tried selling a batch of the lowest-grade spirit fish to the Merit Hall and received an Essence Qi Pill in exchange, it suddenly triggered a wave of imitation among countless people.


    As time passed, a craze for breeding low-level demon beasts swept through millions in Xinglong Origin. Some talentless cultivators from the Zhao Family even enthusiastically hunted all kinds of demon beasts and fierce birds.


    Over the years, the Merit Hall seemed to turn into a Taotie, able to swallow down any amount of demon beast corpses, and they even sought to purchase from surrounding forces.


    Zhao Shiluo lined up anxiously in the crowd, next to him a wooden barrel holding a fat, skinless pig with a large head,


    Watching his clansmen depart from the counter satisfied one by one, Zhao Shiluo turned to his grandfather and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Grandpa, after selling the Meat Armor Pig this time, can you truly send me to the Immortal Martial Hall?¡±


    ¡°My dear grandson, do you look down on your grandpa? Back in the day, your grandpa also came from the Immortal Martial Hall. If I couldn¡¯t even secure this favor for you, I wouldn¡¯t dare make such a grand promise.¡±


    Grandpa was a burly, bearded old man with bulging muscles on his bare arms and hands as large as fan leaves, the center of his palms calloused and thick.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Shiluo felt slightly relieved, but he was still anxious.


    The threshold of the Immortal Martial Hall grew higher each year, having reached the standard of not accepting anyone below Half-step Innate last year; who knows how strict it will be this year.


    ¡°Grandpa, I¡¯m already eighteen and my Iron Body Refining is yet to achieve Great Success, and my Inner Qi is only on a thirty-year level; I fear I won¡¯t be able to enter the Immortal Martial Hall,¡± Zhao Shiluo said nervously.


    ¡°Relax! Today, after we sell these two Meat Armor Pigs and exchange them for two Essence Yuan Pills, I guarantee that you¡¯ll advance to Half-step Innate in three months. Before that, I¡¯ll take you to meet someone, then you¡¯ll know your grandpa hasn¡¯t lived in vain.¡±


    Grandpa¡¯s confidence infected Zhao Shiluo, finally easing his mind.


    At that moment, several people ahead and behind in the queue overheard the grandfather and grandson¡¯s conversation and looked at them with envious eyes.


    Ever since the ¡°All Clan Weapons¡± initiative, everyone in Xinglong City knew that the Immortal Martial Hall was the hottest place in the eyes of the Mortal Clan, with countless people desperately trying to squeeze in.


    ¡°Big brother, if you have the connections, consider giving your brother a lift. You¡¯ll surely be rewarded handsomely,¡± someone said.


    ¡°I have a Fasting Pill here. If the old man could put in a good word for me, this Spirit Pill would be your token of gratitude,¡± another offered.


    ¡°¡­I have four Spirit Stones if¡­¡±


    People eagerly moved forward, preemptively offering potential benefits, which excited Zhao Shiluo.


    But his grandpa didn¡¯t bite, merely laughing it off with those nearby, never revealing anything substantial.


    Before long, it was our turn.


    Grandpa hurried to the counter to exchange the Meat Armor Pigs for two Essence Yuan Pills and even got three extra Wood Armor Talismans.


    As soon as the exchange was completed, Grandpa grabbed Zhao Shiluo and quickly slipped away, leaving those nearby unable to follow in time.


    An hour later, the grandfather and grandson duo ¡ª after making rounds and crossing half of Xinglong City ¡ª finally arrived at a vast Dao Field, with thick, sturdy buildings, endless giant stone walls, and ground paved with Blue Steel Rock. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sound of shouting echoed from the Dao Field, filling the air with a hot and invigorating atmosphere, as pillars of essence rose to the sky as if the area was a dragon¡¯s lair or a tiger¡¯s den.


    This place was the Immortal Martial Hall, also known as the Immortal Martial Dojo.


    ¡°You wait here!¡± Grandpa Zhao Hong left these words behind and hurriedly entered the Immortal Martial Hall.


    After half an hour, Zhao Hong returned with a ruddy-faced middle-aged man by his side.


    ¡°Shiluo, don¡¯t dawdle. Hurry and pay your respects to your Ancestor Master Uncle!¡± As the three approached each other, Zhao Hong quickly gave his grandson a look and loudly commanded.


    Seeing this, Zhao Shiluo promptly bowed in salute: ¡°Shiluo pays respect to Ancestor Master Uncle!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you¡¯ve honed your physique well, but the maturity of your Inner Qi is far from sufficient, and the entrance criteria for the Immortal Martial Hall have risen again this year. Now they only recruit talented youths under sixteen. This child must already be eighteen, right? What a pity,¡± the middle-aged man said, shocking the grandfather and grandson.


    Zhao Hong¡¯s face fell, and he pleaded, ¡°Ancestor Master Uncle, please see if you could make an exception. You know, you are the youngest Martial Arts Grandmaster in the entire clan. What others can¡¯t do, you surely can. Back in the days, my father¡ª¡±


    The middle-aged man raised his hand and interrupted Zhao Hong¡¯s plea, ¡°Enough, stop bringing up your father. Sixteen years is a hard standard set by our ancestors, and I cannot make exceptions. However, I have a miscellaneous position available, which allows for indirect entry into the Immortal Martial Hall. Take it if you want, I have no other solution if you refuse.¡±

 Chapter 397 - 281: Unrest in Central Continent, the Zhao Family Changes Direction - Part 3

    Chapter 397: Chapter 281: Unrest in Central Continent, the Zhao Family Changes Direction ¨C Part 3


    ¡°Doing chores like fetching water and cleaning up, Shiluo is quite capable. But I¡¯m afraid that it might delay his martial arts training. Ancestor Master Uncle, do you have any lighter tasks?¡± Zhao Hong, for the sake of his grandson¡¯s future, set aside his pride.


    The middle-aged, robust man smiled slightly, ¡°There actually is a task. The Fungus Meat Field is short of one person, let him take over there. Moreover, I will take Shiluo as a registered disciple as a way to repay Brother Qiong for saving my life back then.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Hong was overjoyed, and he quickly pressed Zhao Shiluo¡¯s head down to kowtow three banging times to the middle-aged, robust man.


    ¡°Thank you, Ancestor Master Uncle, for your graciousness. Shiluo will definitely not let you down!¡±


    And so, Zhao Shiluo unknowingly took on a master and incidentally became a menial worker at the Fungus Meat Field.


    ¡­


    ...


    It was September, and even the usually sultry Southern Border welcomed a crisply cool autumn day.


    The sunlight was brilliant, and the sky was cloudless, yet Xinglong City remained bustling and crowded with people.


    However, within a dozen kilometers around the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower, the temperature unusually plummeted, and the light dimmed substantially.


    At the top of the Bright Tower, however, it was strikingly brilliant. A thick white beam of light fell from the sky directly onto the building¡¯s nine-story rooftop.


    From a distance, those with exceptional eyesight could faintly see two small light points flickering at the end of the beam, high up in the vast sky.


    At that moment, if anyone were to climb to the sixth floor of the Bright Tower or higher, they would notice that the interior was unbearably hot, filled with enormously rich and active Fire Spiritual Energy. The waves of heat rolling out from above seemed to hint at a giant furnace lurking on the higher floors.


    At that time, all the defenses and prohibitions of the Bright Tower¡¯s sixth floor were fully activated, and three Foundation Establishment Elders spread out and sat at the stair entrance, their bodies glowing with spirit light, each holding a Spirit Sword and guarding the entrance with solemn expressions.


    Before the Ancestor completed his cultivation, no one was allowed to trespass here.


    At the very top of the Bright Tower, on the outer platform of the ninth floor, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged inside a huge Gathering Spirit Array, enveloped by that dazzling beam of light. Countless Fire Spiritual Energy frolicked around him; waves of Spiritual Energy surged wildly within the array.


    Boom, boom!


    Muffled rumbling noises faintly came from Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, his Dantian illuminated brightly by a suspended Golden Core, the True Essence below it churning like a turbulent sea, while the Golden Crow True Fire transformed into a Great Sun, enveloping the Golden Core above it.


    At that moment, a vast amount of Fire Spiritual Energy mixed with strands of Sun Essence was drawn into the Dantian, instantly refined by the Golden Crow True Fire, then transformed into pure True Essence Power.


    As time passed, strands of True Essence rose from the Qi Sea and finally merged into the Golden Core, slightly enhancing Zhao Sheng¡¯s strength.


    After advancing to the Golden Core stage, a Cultivator¡¯s pace of cultivation often slowed down, driving countless True Immortals to despair. Often, years of relentless cultivation yielded only slight progress.


    A regular Cultivator with three spirit roots, even if they secluded themselves for a lifetime, wouldn¡¯t touch the edge of the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation without a significant fortune.


    That was the case for those with three spirit roots, not to mention those with four or five spirit roots.


    Indeed, the vast majority with less than four spirit roots struggled even to reach Foundation Establishment, let alone advance to Golden Core.


    Zhao Sheng, having both gold and fire spirit roots, did have a chance to ascend to Nascent Soul, but no one could guarantee a successful ascension.


    That was why he had been scheming to refine the Bright Sun Mirror, hoping to accelerate his cultivation pace. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Bright Tower already possessed a large array capable of transforming sunlight, which saved him a great deal of effort.


    Thus, since five years ago, Xinglong City suddenly witnessed the strange phenomenon of descending columns of light.

 Chapter 398 - 282: Invitation

    Chapter 398: Chapter 282: Invitation


    Years went by, one after another.


    This day, as dusk fell and the lanterns of Xinglong City were first lit, the pillar of light engulfing the Bright Tower slowly dissipated.


    On the ninth floor of Bright Tower, the Spirit Gathering Array faded away, the Spiritual Energy gradually calmed, and Zhao Sheng exhaled softly before slowly opening his eyes.


    The firelight around his body retracted, the Golden Core within his Qi Sea was miasmic, and the Golden Crow True Fire transformed back into a quiet, burning flame.


    Zhao Sheng felt the True Yuan within his body, much purer than before, and his cultivation had also advanced considerably.


    However, this was no surprise, as just a few years of tempering was far from enough to break through to the Golden Core Third Level.


    ...


    At the Golden Core stage, each level was extremely difficult to break through, often requiring decades of hard cultivation to accumulate and grind.


    Zhao Sheng stood up and with a light step, stepped out of the building, summoning a swath of golden light and flew towards East City.


    A few moments later, the golden light descended in front of a majestic pavilion enveloped by a Formation.


    This was the Zhao Family¡¯s Scripture Pavilion. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I respectfully welcome the Ancestor¡¯s divine presence!¡± The guards at the entrance, upon seeing Zhao Sheng, hurriedly came forward and bowed deeply.


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, as of late he had visited the Scripture Pavilion multiple times, so the guards were no longer as shocked as the first couple visits, and naturally, they didn¡¯t perform the kneeling ceremony as they did before.


    After showing his Pass Token, a narrow path split open in the Formation¡¯s light screen, and Zhao Sheng stepped into the Scripture Pavilion. The Formation immediately restored to its original state.


    Zhao Sheng went straight to the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion. In the vast room, there was no one else, surrounded by scattered bookshelves holding jade scrolls and ancient books, all encased in layers of light screens.


    Most of the content on the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion was made up of important Cultivation Methods, secret manuals, and the accumulated cultivation insights of the Zhao ancestors. This place was off-limits to anyone but Foundation Establishment Elders.


    Zhao Sheng had visited this place many times recently. Firstly, to review and gain new insights from the cultivation experiences of his predecessors, especially the records of the two Golden Core Ancestors, Zhao Dingguang and Zhao Tongxian, which could help him by analogy and broaden his knowledge.


    Secondly, it was to add some of his own cultivation insights, knowledge notes and inherited techniques to the benefit future generations of the family¡­


    Zhao Sheng stayed here for three days.


    In these three days, after going through the multiple Artifact Refining insights of Zhao Dingguang, he began to transcribe a rare and primal Cultivation Technique.


    This technique, named ¡°Demon Fusion Technique,¡± originated from a nearly extinct indigenous tribe in the Shattered Star Sea,


    It was somewhat similar to the Cultivation Methods of the Beast Taming Sect, but fundamentally different.


    If the Beast Taming Sect¡¯s technique was about using beasts, the ¡°Demon Fusion Technique¡± was about transforming into a beast.


    This technique required the extraction of a complete soul from a Second Order demon beast, then combined with primal shamanic rituals and secretive necromancy, it fused the soul of the demon beast with the cultivator¡¯s Divine Soul. It was said that within seven days, one could forcibly elevate their spiritual power to the realm of the demon beast. Even a Qi Refining Realm cultivator could obtain the Divine Sense of the Foundation Establishment Realm in advance, and might even develop the unique Spells and Talents of the demon beast.


    Of course, cultivating this primal technique could result in severe side effects, possibly causing cognitive confusion, altering human nature, or even leading to the soul being devoured by the beast and resulting in death.


    Zhao Sheng intentionally left ¡°Demon Fusion Technique¡± in the Scripture Pavilion, hoping the outstanding future generations could use it as a reference to deduce and create new Cultivation Methods. The significance of passing on the torch and creating the new from the old lay precisely in this.


    Zhao Sheng then casually corrected certain errors and omissions of his predecessors. After quietly reviewing some Artifact Refining related books, he got up and left the Scripture Pavilion.


    ¡­


    It was September, the third autumn of the year.


    That day, in front of the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower, a rainbow light fell from the sky and dissipated, revealing the figure of Zhao Degang.


    ¡°Elder Thirteen, you¡¯ve arrived!¡± Seeing his figure, the clansman guarding the gate hurriedly stepped forward to welcome him and respectfully bowed.


    Everyone in Xinglong City knew that Elder Zhao Degang was the most influential person in the Ancestor¡¯s presence and was highly valued in the clan.


    ¡°Is the Ancestor currently in the Tower?¡± Zhao Degang asked indifferently.


    ¡°Reporting to the elder, the Ancestor is indeed in the tower at the moment. Please wait; I will notify him of your arrival,¡± the clansman said hurriedly, turning to head into the tower.


    Just then, Zhao Degang¡¯s ears twitched, and he quickly stopped the man, ¡°There¡¯s no need to announce my arrival, I¡¯ll just go in directly, the Ancestor is already aware of my presence.¡±


    Having said this, he straightened his clothes, maintained a calm demeanor, and walked inside.


    The guarding clansman paused in his steps, casting an envious glance at Zhao Degang¡¯s retreating figure before standing aside and continuing his duty at the gate.


    A moment later, in the grand hall on the third floor of the Bright Tower. Zhao Sheng was sitting with a trace of a smile on his face, while the Family Head, Zhao Debang, was sitting upright next to him.


    ¡°¡­This year, we¡¯ve opened up 26 plots of top-grade spirit fields, 89 mu of mid-grade, and 230 mu of low-grade spiritual fields. We have harvested 211 types of Spiritual Medicines, including 42 that are over 500 years old, which are¡­¡±


    At this moment, Zhao Debang was respectfully reporting this year¡¯s spirit field harvest to the Ancestor.


    ¡°Degang pays respects to the Ancestor and greets the Family Head,¡± Zhao Degang¡¯s gaze flickered, and he walked briskly forward, bowing deeply.


    ¡°No need for formalities,¡± said Zhao Sheng with a light smile, and after completing his greeting, he scrutinized Zhao Degang from top to bottom, his smile growing broader.


    ¡°I have heard that you have been in secluded cultivation recently. It seems your Spiritual Power has indeed become much more condensed and pure; the mid-stage Foundation Establishment is within reach.¡±

 Chapter 399 - 282 Invitation_2

    Chapter 399: Chapter 282 Invitation_2


    ¡°Compared to you, Elder, I am far behind.¡±


    Zhao Degang thought so in his heart, but he modestly spoke,


    ¡°Ancestor, your praise is too generous. However, my purpose here is to report on the transaction with the He Mountain Sect. They are very satisfied with the Spirit Pills and talismans we sent, and they wish to double their order. The timeline remains at once every six months.¡±


    He didn¡¯t beat around the bush and went straight to the point.


    Zhao Sheng disliked vain and idle talk, and his natural way of speaking influenced the whole clan¡¯s narrative style to be mainly concise and to the point.


    ¡°Hmm. The He Mountain Sect is quite prudent indeed. However, as for this matter, you have already discussed it with the Family Head, so I won¡¯t intervene. Also, in the future, for such matters, consult more with the clan, understood?¡± Zhao Sheng nodded as he spoke.


    ...


    ¡°I will heed the Ancestor¡¯s decree devoutly.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Degang¡¯s face darkened slightly, but he still bowed in response.


    A fleeting look of joy flashed across the face of the Family Head, Zhao Debang, who stood to the side.


    Zhao Sheng pretended not to notice and casually took out an item from his Storage Bag, saying:


    ¡°During my travels in the Shattered Star Sea many years ago, I chanced upon a Strange Treasure called the Awakening Spirit Exquisite Jade. This treasure can help one calm the mind and clear desires, and it greatly benefits one in resisting the temptations of Heart Demons. I hereby bestow this treasure upon you.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, if this treasure has such a miraculous effect, how could I possibly make use of it?¡± Zhao Degang first showed joy, but then hesitated to accept it.


    ¡°Hehe, if I say it¡¯s yours, it¡¯s yours. Take it!¡± Zhao Sheng chuckled softly, and with a gentle push, the Awakening Spirit Jade flew out and landed in Zhao Degang¡¯s embrace.


    ¡°Thank you, Ancestor, for your generous gift!¡± Upon hearing this, Zhao Degang¡¯s joy was truly beyond measure, and he solemnly bowed.


    Afterward, the three of them chatted about clan affairs for a while before the two got up to take their leave.


    Zhao Sheng sat in his chair with an expression that was slightly intricate, then he sighed deeply.


    ¡°Aigh, why is it so difficult to advance to the Golden Core stage! Talent, Qi Fortune, and comprehension are indispensable. The clan currently has three practitioners in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage who are hardly adequate, so I hope some promising youngsters will emerge soon in the family.¡±


    After muttering to himself, Zhao Sheng tapped lightly on the back of the chair, seemingly lost in thought.


    ¡­


    Two months later,


    From the ends of the sky, two streaks of light¡ªone yellow and one white¡ªraced towards their destination.


    Soon, the lights boldly descended upon Xinglong City, appearing before Zhao Sheng¡¯s residence; they were, in fact, an old man and a young man.


    The elder had a vigorous appearance and a straight back, wearing a yellow robe embroidered with patterns of yellow sand clouds.


    The younger man was a cold-faced white-clothed swordsman, holding a three-foot unsheathed sword in his arms. The sword was sharp as water, emitting a chilling luminance.


    ¡°This is the place, no doubt!¡± S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The elder nodded, then spread out his powerful Divine Sense, which immediately collided with another, hidden yet powerful Divine Sense within the residence.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, I am Huang Sha Taoist, accompanied by Swordsman Jian Er, here to visit. Please show yourself,¡± the elder transmitted his message.


    No sooner had the transmission ended than a laughing voice suddenly reached their ears: ¡°Haha, it¡¯s Elder Huang and Brother Jian Er, please come in!¡±


    After exchanging glances, the elder and Jian Er vanished in an instant.


    In the next second, they appeared in the grand hall within the residence.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng, dressed in plain white elegant robes, also gently floated into the hall to meet two old friends.


    Jian Er¡¯s original name was Jian Shisan.


    Back then, the two got to know each other at the Phoenix Meeting through a fight.


    Over the years, Jian Er had sought out Zhao Sheng numerous times, seeking a victory but always ending in defeat.


    Huang Sha Taoist was the Supreme Elder of the He Mountain Sect and, due to his proximity to Xinglong Origin, he was quite familiar with Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng was puzzled to see the two of them arrive together.


    But once Huang Sha Taoist explained the reason, Zhao Sheng suddenly understood.


    ¡°Mr. Huang, you and Brother Jian Er have come to seek me out with the intention of inviting me to hunt the injured Quenching Sky Eagle in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains?¡±


    ¡°Although the beast is a Fifth Rank Great Demon, its injuries are severe. With the strength of the three of us, hunting it will be as easy as turning over one¡¯s hand.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, since we share the same purpose, why not join forces to hunt this Void Demon Beast, instead of fighting each other to the death?¡± Jiao Zuo said openly.


    Zhao Sheng pursed his lips and did not immediately respond, showing a thoughtful expression on his face.


    Seeing this, Jiao Zuo continued to persuade him:


    ¡°Brother, you appear to be a clever man. After the test of strength just now, you must have realized that our Young Master has many Spiritual Artifacts and is not so easily defeated. If we continue to fight, we may end up using True Fire, and no matter who is gravely depleted of Primordial Qi, it will be even more difficult to target that Void Beast after. You have found this place, so you must also know that this Void Beast has the cultivation of the True Pill Realm and relies on that Void Attribute Flying Sword in hand. For this trip, my companion and I have prepared several Treasures that will be of great use. If we team up, naturally, our chances of succeeding will be much greater.¡±


    ¡°Oh, if what you say is true, how shall we divide the spoils after we capture this Void Beast?¡± Zhao Sheng asked, his eyes flickering as he spoke.


    As the other party had mentioned, the Void Escape Technique, which was the Void Demon Beast¡¯s Talent, was indeed worrying for him. Although he possessed the Void Sword, he was not completely confident he could break the beast¡¯s Escape Technique.


    Moreover, he had spent a great deal of effort to discover that a Void Scent Deer Beast was hiding here, and if it felt cornered and chose to abandon its den to hide elsewhere, it was something he most certainly did not want to see.


    Besides, capturing the Void Scent Deer required some specially made seductive scents along with Array Instruments, which, judging from the other party¡¯s words, seemed to be already prepared; teaming up could save him a lot of time and expenses.


    ¡°This Void Beast is actually just a trial for our sect¡¯s Young Master after his recent advancement to the True Pill Realm. We are not determined to have the materials of the Void Beast at all costs. How about this, we take the liberty on behalf of the Young Master ¨C you and our Young Sect Master could each take half of the Void Beast¡¯s materials. As for the Demon Core of the beast, if you are willing to concede it to us, I will not let you down and can give you a sufficient amount of Spirit Stones as compensation.¡± Upon hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s tone soften, Jiao Zuo quickly proposed again with a pleased expression.


    After speaking, he looked at Ji Jiuxi nearby with a seeking gaze.


    At that moment, Ji Jiuxi showed an indifferent attitude, seemingly giving tacit approval to Jiao Zuo¡¯s proposal.


    Zhao Sheng observed all this calmly, his thoughts racing in his mind.


    Although the records state that the Void Scent Deer Beast was only about a zhang in size, according to the special sacrificial refining method, if used merely as material for making a Void Sword Bag, one tenth of its skin would be sufficient. As for the beast¡¯s True Pill, he intended to sell it at a high price after obtaining it.


    ¡°That seems reasonable. Very well, I will join forces with you.¡± After weighing his options for a while, Zhao Sheng finally exhaled deeply and nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Excellent, with our combined forces, the Void Beast will naturally become an easy catch. Now, allow me to reintroduce, this is the Young Sect Master of the Golden Jade Sect, Feng Qingmo. May I ask for your name, Taoist friend?¡±


    Elder Huang laughed heartily, appearing next to Ji Jiuxi in a flash, introducing with a grand gesture.


    ¡°So it¡¯s a Taoist of the Golden Jade Sect. My surname is Liu, and I¡¯m just a Loose Cultivator,¡± responded Zhao Sheng with a faint nod.


    Zhao Sheng had certainly heard of the Golden Jade Sect! While the sect could not be compared to super Great Sects like the Taiqing Sect, it was also a millenary Great Sect. That its Young Sect Master had the cultivation of the True Pill Realm was not so surprising.


    The Sect was well-known throughout the Central Heaven Continent for operating various cultivation resources. Some spiritual items and Spiritual Medicines rarely seen outside could usually be obtained there for a price, and it was even rumored that some special resources hoarded by the sect were comparable to those of the Four Great Sects and the Eight Great Families.


    Beyond that, rumors suggested that the Sect was actually a branch of some hidden major power, which is why it dared to expand its operations across the entire Central Heaven Continent and has been thriving for a long time.


    ¡°Now that we all know each other,

 Chapter 400 - 283: Testing

    Chapter 400: Chapter 283: Testing


    Boom!


    Over a lake about thirty to forty miles away from Xinglong City, a series of rapid and massive sonic booms continued to explode, with clouds being torn apart by dazzling sword lights and the atmosphere shattered by Fist Gang, causing thunderous roars.


    Crack! Crack! Crack!


    Large silver-gleaming blood pearls fell from the sky at high speed, splashing into the lake and causing huge splashes, creating countless waves on the water¡¯s surface.


    At that moment, a tremendous shadow suddenly appeared on the lake surface, looking from above like a gigantic underwater monster as large as a mountain.


    Then, the massive shadow slowly sank down.


    ...


    At the same time, thousands of feet in the air, Zhao Sheng was drenched in fresh blood, his chest and abdomen covered in wounds of varying depths, the most severe one exposing a chunk of his azure-blue spinal bone, almost severing him in half.


    Had Zhao Sheng been defeated?


    At this point, however, he had a smile on his face, seemingly unconcerned about his injuries.


    ¡°Jian Er, thank you for your leniency!¡±


    With a light laugh, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body burst forth with spirit light; dozens of wounds sprouted countless new fleshy roots that tangled and grew rapidly, visibly healing at a remarkable rate.


    Furthermore, the copious amounts of blood flowing from his wounds eerily congregated into threads of blood which burrowed back into his body through the pores of his skin.


    On the other side, Jian Er remained expressionless, floating a hundred yards away in mid-air, his body unscathed but oddly silent.


    At the same time, his Unrivaled Sword continuously hummed with vibrations, its blade, resembling a Water Sword, turned dull and lightless as if shrouded in a layer of shadow.


    At that moment, Huang Sha Daoist flew over from afar, his face unconsciously showing signs of astonishment and shock.


    The clash between Zhao Sheng and Jian Er had lasted less than ten breaths, yet the battle was over, and the victor, decisively determined.


    Jian Er seemed unscathed, yet he completely lost.


    Huang Sha Daoist could never have imagined that someone would dare to challenge a Sword Dao Golden Core head-on, and in such an unstoppable manner too.


    Even more unforeseen for him was that the person won so crisply.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, this¡­ your Vajra Unbreakable Body is just too powerful!¡± Huang Sha Daoist flew between the two and exclaimed in amazement as he looked at Zhao Sheng. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While cultivating his technique and healing his injuries, Zhao Sheng modestly said, ¡°Not at all, not at all! Look at these wounds on me, clearly my Body Refinement practice is insufficient. Jian Er¡¯s sword skills¡ªfast, precise, fierce¡ªalmost severed me in half.¡±


    Jian Er flashed next to Zhao Sheng, focusing his eyes on the rapidly healing wounds and abruptly asked, ¡°How much strength did you just use?¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied modestly, ¡°I used all I had. If the fight had lasted a bit longer, I would have been defeated!¡±


    Huang Sha Daoist and Jian Er darkened their expressions, both inwardly cursing, ¡°Hypocritical!¡±


    Unlike Huang Sha Daoist, who kept his thoughts internal, Jian Er spoke them outright.


    ¡°Hmph, you didn¡¯t even use your Golden Crow True Fire and Lifebound Magic Treasure; how could that count as your full strength? Well, Jian Er admits defeat; unable to bring out Taoist Zhao¡¯s true power. But the day I take the position of Jian Yi, I shall surely visit again to wash away this disgrace!¡±


    As he finished speaking, Zhao Sheng added, ¡°Brother Jian, you¡¯ve said that many times before. Perhaps try a different phrase? Something like ¡®what goes around comes around,¡¯ or ¡®don¡¯t bully¡­¡¯ something like that!¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Jian Er¡¯s face darkened, and he snorted coldly; the Unrivaled Sword suddenly transformed into a beam of Sword Light, wrapping around its master like a streak of lightning, tearing through the atmosphere and quickly disappearing toward the horizon.


    ¡°Jian will be waiting for you in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains!¡±


    The lingering sound was still in the air, but the sword rainbow had vanished behind the clouds in an instant.


    Seeing this, Huang Sha Daoist looked anxious and sighed, ¡°Ah, Taoist Jian left too hastily! Such a stubborn and inflexible nature. Can¡¯t he take a joke? Taoist Zhao, don¡¯t you agree?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, tearing off his tattered robe and changing into a new set of clothes, laughed and said, ¡°If Jian Er were as sociable as us, he wouldn¡¯t have achieved what he has today!


    By the way, Mr. Huang, when do we set off?¡±


    ¡°If Taoist Zhao is ready, how about we set off right away? After all, delays lead to changes,¡± Huang Sha Daoist immediately said.


    ¡°Good, let me make some arrangements, and then we can leave right away!¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng took out a Messenger Talisman Crane and infused it with some information through his Divine Sense.


    Then, a stream of True Yuan was channeled into the talismanic crane, causing it to flap its wings vigorously and, after circling once, speedily fly towards Xinglong City a few dozen miles away.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s set off!¡± Zhao Sheng watched the talismanic crane disappear into the distance, then said with a smile.


    Within a few breaths, two tunneling lights quickly vanished at the edge of the sky.


    ¡­


    Five days later, in a dense valley of Mang Forest with miasma steaming over the mountains, Zhao Sheng and Huang Sha Daoist traveled side by side, each controlling their own tunneling light and moving forward.


    While flying through the void, they continually communicated through Divine Sense, apparently discussing something.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, Central Continent currently faces disturbances, and Heavenly Burial Plain seems to show signs of becoming a major headache for Tianzhu Realm. In your opinion, will a great war between two realms truly start? How large would the scale be? Which realm has a higher chance of victory? And could the war spread to the Southern Border?¡±


    ¡°Who can be certain about such things! However, the Sect Alliance is currently preparing for the great war. The three-phase plan of annihilating corpses and eradicating ghosts in Heavenly Burial Plain is underway full throttle. The Golden Wall and the Boundary-breaking Array Group are eight tenths complete. If the power of the Netherworld Ghost Realm does not exceed Tianzhu Realm¡¯s estimation, they might not even make it out of Heavenly Burial Plain. But if¡­¡±

 Chapter 401 - 283 Testing_2

    Chapter 401: Chapter 283 Testing_2


    Zhao Sheng did not continue.


    The Huang Sha Taoist understood implicitly and transmitted his thoughts, saying, ¡°If the overall strength of the Netherworld Ghost Realm is far less than ours, perhaps we could launch a counterattack and avenge the invasion from ten thousand years ago.¡±


    However, Zhao Sheng was not as optimistic as the Huang Sha Taoist. According to the records in the secret crypt of the Ksitigarbha Sect, the strength of the Netherworld Ghost Realm was very likely superior to that of the Tianzhu Realm, perhaps even more than just slightly.


    One must remember that in the battle ten thousand years ago, it was the Tianzhu Realm that was invaded.


    This could be seen from the Heavenly Burial Plain, which had turned into a land of sinister spirits within a radius of ten thousand miles.


    ¡°By the way, Taoist, I heard that the Zhao Family started the Heavenly Burial Plain trial more than twenty years ago. Over the years, the Zhao lineage has produced many outstanding descendants, known as the ¡®Three Dragons, Ten Outstanding.¡¯ Speaking of which, Brother Zhao, which of the three dragons do you think has the chance to overcome the Heavenly Tribulation?¡±


    ...


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly.


    Although the words of the Huang Sha Taoist seemed casual, they were in fact probing.


    The so-called ¡°Three Dragons¡± of the Zhao Family referred to the three most outstanding Late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Zhao family: Zhao Deli, Zhao Deguang, and Zhao Yansu.


    The ¡°Ten Outstanding¡± referred to ten young descendants who stood out of the several hundred Qi Refining Clan Members, most of whom belonged to the Qing generation, with only a few led by the elder, Zhao Huaxiong, of the Hua generation.


    With a thought passing through his mind, Zhao Sheng openly said, ¡°Although Deli and the others are not bad, the likelihood of them overcoming the Heavenly Tribulation is slim. If one among them could cultivate a Fake Pill, I would be greatly surprised.¡±


    The Huang Sha Taoist felt relieved and quickly probed again, ¡°Taoist Zhao need not worry. As long as the Zhao Family has you and the Dragon Slayer Master, it will prosper for at least a thousand years.


    Unlike my He Mountain Sect, which lacks successors, once I pass away, my sect will inevitably decline.


    At that time, I hope you, in consideration of our friendship, will take care of the He Mountain Sect to prevent it from being destroyed.¡±


    Zhao Sheng consoled him, saying, ¡°What are you talking about, Mr. Huang? The He Mountain Sect and the Zhao Family have had several hundred years of friendship. Even if your sect temporarily falls on hard times with no Golden Core successors, even if I am not around, should your sect face difficulties, my family will certainly not stand idly by.¡±


    ¡°Haha, hearing you say this makes me very happy. I am immensely grateful! Should such a day come, my He Mountain Sect will surely remember it,¡± Huang Sha Taoist responded with a carefree laugh, then skirted the topic with some words better left unsaid, for taking them seriously would be truly foolish.


    ¡°By the way, it has been many years since I last saw the venerable Dragon Slayer. Is he still in closed-door cultivation?¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze flickered a few times, then he replied with a smile, ¡°Haha, our ancestor once listened to the teachings of the Nascent Soul Ancestor at the Ksitigarbha Sect and chose to enter seclusion to ponder the mysteries he realized afterward. He has been in seclusion for over ten years now, but we¡¯ve continuously received news from him. He is growing increasingly vigorous and advancing in strength!¡±


    The light below the Huang Sha Taoist flickered as he nodded in admiration, ¡°The strength of the Dragon Slayer Master is unfathomable. According to your words, venerable senior might not be far from ascending to the Nascent Soul.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your auspicious words! The ancestor will surely live up to the expectations,¡± Zhao Sheng stated with unwavering belief.


    This view made the Huang Sha Taoist secretly anxious.


    The He Mountain Sect considered itself strong, but compared to the mighty Xinglong Zhao Family, it was minor by comparison, and living next to such a formidable ¡®bad neighbor,¡¯ the He Mountain Sect¡¯s days were always fraught with fear, anxious that one day their ancestral legacy might be seized by their neighbor.


    For hundreds of years, the Dragon Slayer Master, Zhao Xuanjing, had been a daunting shadow over the He Mountain Sect and neighboring powers, suffocating them under his influence.


    Time calculated, the life span of the Dragon Slayer Master should have reached its limit.


    If he passed away, the He Mountain Sect could breathe easier.


    Although the Xinglong Zhao Family still had a powerful Golden Core Master, he was not as despairing as the Dragon Slayer Master.


    ¡°But if he were¡­ to ascend to Nascent Soul, then¡­¡± the weight in Huang Sha Taoist¡¯s heart grew heavier as he recalled the many unbelievable deeds of the Dragon Slayer Master, and a deep shadow suddenly loomed in his mind.


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, there¡¯s a fine disciple under me, fair of face and gentle of heart, tender and considerate. I hear your grandson is approaching his early twenties; why not let the two young ones meet? Perhaps our two families could even form a bond as deep as that of Qin and Jin,¡± the Huang Sha Taoist schemed anew.


    ¡°Haha, my grandson is obstinate and stubborn. If someone could tame him, I would be overjoyed. However, matters of marriage are always decided by my wife. Once this is settled, I will discuss it with her and then give you an answer. How does that sound?¡±


    ¡°That sounds good!¡±


    With intermittent conversation, the two had flown thousands of miles and a vast expanse of cliffs covered in old vines and strange trees, with rugged rocks, appeared in front of them.


    Jian Er, his expression stern, held his sword with both hands and closed his eyes to conserve his energy, his body suspended above the cliff.


    The cold wind howled, and his sword attire fluttered loudly in the fierce wind.


    Zhao Sheng and Huang Sha Daoist, seeing from afar, immediately rushed downwards and flew over to join Jian Er.


    Jian Er suddenly opened his eyes and said indifferently, ¡°You¡¯ve come too slow!¡±


    At these words, Huang Sha Daoist was taken aback and hurriedly chuckled, ¡°Hehe, it is Taoist Jian who is too fast.¡±


    Jian Er did not argue, but simply stated, ¡°Old Daoist, it¡¯s your turn to make a move.¡±


    Zhao Sheng watched from the side without saying a word.


    He looked around and saw that the cliff extended left and right into the distance, with continuous mountains and valleys beyond it.


    Everywhere he could see, the Mang Forest loomed, filled with miasmatic clouds, where countless strange and exotic insects and beasts ceaselessly appeared within the woods, and from the dark depths came intermittent roars and cries of birds.


    ¡°Follow me!¡±


    With that said, Huang Sha Taoist suddenly transformed into a great mass of yellow sand, forming a cascade of sand that rushed towards the vast mountains.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng and Jian Er, one after another turned into beams of light and swiftly followed.


    Half a day later, the three stopped in front of a precipitous peak.


    Here, the surrounding peaks stood tall, the land was barren, trees sparse, and the spiritual energy was extremely weak.


    Huang Sha Daoist looked around at the scenery, nodded his head without hesitation, slapped his waist pouch, and a swirl of yellow sandy air erupted, transforming into sand flies the size of mosquitoes and flies.


    ¡°Go, my little darlings!¡±


    As the sound of his voice fell, the swarm of sand flies scattered in all directions to commence their search.


    Zhao Sheng, watching this scene, felt puzzled, but did not ask further; instead, he flashed to the side and stood with his hands clasped behind his back, quietly waiting.


    Before long, about a hundred sand flies before Huang Sha Daoist suddenly flapped their wings and took off.


    Seeing this, his face brightened joyfully, and he hurriedly waved to the other two, ¡°At last, the moment has arrived! You two, conceal your auras. The Quenching Sky Eagle is quite cunning, be careful not to alert it!¡±


    Straightway, Huang Sha Taoist raised his hand and a pale yellow halo burst forth from his sleeve, enveloping the three and their forms in a vast radiance of light.


    Shortly thereafter, the figures of the three gradually vanished into the air. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    Half an hour later, within a steep mountain wall, there was a deep, dark cavern, the entrance of which was more than two zhang high, with a cluttered mix of soil and stones at the interior, its surface covered in wind-etched claw marks.


    Zhao Sheng and the others hid on a mountain top twenty li away, secretly peering at the activity there.


    ¡°Please wait a moment, let me first set up the formation,¡± said Huang Sha Daoist in a whisper, after which he flicked his long sleeve and eighteen dim lights shot out, transforming into eighteen roughly one-foot-wide grey-yellow array flags bearing ancient runes in the void.


    He then formed spell seals, releasing several magic spells that quickly disappeared into the flags and left no trace.


    Upon a resonating ¡°hum,¡± the light from the eighteen array flags blazed forth and a faint grey-yellow light screen formed and flashed in the air before disappearing, along with the flags.


    Zhao Sheng noted this and inwardly adjusted his estimation of Huang Sha Daoist¡¯s capabilities.


    After that, still unfulfilled, Huang Sha Taoist continuously threw out nearly a hundred hazy yellow talismans from his sleeve, which fell near the mountaintop and vanished with a flicker.


    Only then did he smile in satisfaction, looked back at Zhao Sheng and Jian Er, and said, ¡°When action commences, if we can¡¯t kill the eagle in one shot, try to drive it into the formation and trap it using its power. Mr. Zhao, you are the strongest, so please handle the Quenching Sky Eagle to prevent it from escaping. I am skilled in trapping tactics and can assist with the Yellow Sand Great Method. As for the final strike, that task will fall to Taoist Jian.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded in agreement as did Jian Er; this arrangement seemed reasonable.


    Huang Sha Daoist, as a practitioner of a Fake Pill and not adept in combat, along with maintaining the formation stealthily, indeed should not bear the brunt of the battle.

 Chapter 402 - 284 Not Good, Lets Run Away

    Chapter 402: Chapter 284 Not Good, Let¡¯s Run Away


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s enter the cave and capture the turtle in the jar, shall we?¡±


    Huang Sha Taoist chuckled, fetched a thick, husky ginseng from his sleeve that faintly showed the shape of limbs and a face, and boasted a crown of nine big crimson seeds, resembling a crimson crown.


    As soon as the ginseng appeared, a unique, strong fragrance pervaded the air, and a pale red spirit light emanated from the seeds.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes and asked gravely, ¡°The Nine Seed Ginseng King, matured for three thousand years¡ªit¡¯s a primary ingredient for the Nascent Soul Pill. I didn¡¯t expect you, Huang Sha, to possess such a heavy treasure.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, although the He Mountain Sect was founded just two thousand years ago, we always have several treasures hidden away,¡± replied Huang Sha Taoist with a wave of his hand and a chuckle.


    Having said this, he swiftly moved to a concavity halfway up the mountain.


    ...


    Next, Huang Sha Taoist swept his fingertip across the surface of the ginseng, scoring a shallow mark from which a droplet of condensed azure liquid immediately seeped out. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In that instant, the strange medicinal fragrance significantly intensified.


    ¡°This way we can make sure it is wholly foolproof!¡± After doing all this, a flicker of satisfaction crossed Huang Sha Taoist¡¯s eyes.


    He waved his hand, throwing the Nine Seed Ginseng King, which immediately burrowed into the ground and vanished.


    However, Huang Sha Taoist did not show any sign of haste.


    Observing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°The Ginseng King won¡¯t escape; I have sealed its spiritual essence using a secret technique,¡± Huang Sha Taoist explained to them at that moment.


    Moments later, the three of them concealed their breaths and forms, lying in wait near the concavity in silence.


    Meanwhile, the medicinal fragrance emitted by the Ginseng King spread in all directions.


    About a quarter of an hour later, a shadow flickered at the entrance of the cave assumedly.


    Suddenly, a sleek, brown eagle head poked out from the cave mouth, its crystal-clear, emerald eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.


    The beast was only about eight or nine feet tall, with not a single feather on its body¡ªits skin smooth and translucent like glass, reflecting sparkling radiance, and its flesh wings covered with cloud-like patterns, with countless tiny whirlwinds flaring in and out around its body.


    At that moment, a two-foot-long, massive wound was visible on its abdomen, already pus-filled and rotting, with layers of eerie black light on its surface preventing it from healing.


    Seeing this from twenty li away, the three immediately stimulated their secret techniques to conceal their auras and dared not make a sound.


    The Quenching Sky Eagle, after ensuring there was nothing unusual nearby, flashed out of the cave in a blur, moving so fast it was virtually impossible to see its form, seeming to move instantaneously.


    More impressively, as the Quenching Sky Eagle sped at a velocity far exceeding the speed of sound, it made not even a whisper of sound, moving as silently as a ghost.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes suddenly brightened, his pupils bursting with sharp light, as he saw the Quenching Sky Eagle flying rapidly toward the mountaintop.


    In just under two breaths, twenty li passed in a flash, a gleam of light and the Quenching Sky Eagle abruptly stopped above the buried Ginseng King.


    Greedy, the eagle sniffed briefly, its eyes revealing a mix of greed and hesitation, then its vigilant eagle eyes scanned the surroundings before suddenly shooting out two piercing green beams, like dazzling light pillars.


    Shriek!


    A cry of the eagle followed, and the radiance on the Quenching Sky Eagle¡¯s body flashed, then it disappeared suddenly.


    The next moment, it reappeared a hundred zhang away.


    Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes, inwardly shocked.


    At that moment, Huang Sha Taoist¡¯s voice transmission arose beside his ear, ¡°Taoist, do not attack! This is just a probe.¡±


    After a little while, seemingly having detected nothing unusual,


    the radiance on the Quenching Sky Eagle flashed again, and it suddenly returned to its original position. Its eagle head abruptly lifted, and the cloud-patterns on its wings silently fell off, transforming into rings of cloud-white light waves, expanding at an unimaginably fast pace, instantaneously enveloping the entire mountaintop.


    ¡°Not good¡±


    Zhao Sheng, rich in combat experience, immediately changed his expression and without a second thought, stimulated his True Yuan, raising a pale golden light screen around him, protecting himself securely, while his ears folded down automatically, blocking his ear canals.


    Almost at the same moment, a wave of invisible, ultra-high-frequency sonic waves suddenly struck. Zhao Sheng felt a sharp pain in his organs, as they were shattered into countless fine cracks.


    The ground of the mountaintop shook uniformly, and within sight, grass and rocks collapsed in an instant, turning into a heap of dust finer than sand,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s dense, condensed Golden Core True Essence, and his Small Success Golden Body with Copper Muscle and Golden Bone, could not withstand this relentless and pervasive invisible force.


    This also left him extremely astonished.


    On the other side, Huang Sha Taoist and Jian Er were also caught off guard by this sudden attack.


    ¡°Pfft, attack!¡± spat out Huang Sha Taoist suddenly, spraying a mouthful of blood yet furiously shouting.


    Under the sudden onslaught, Zhao Sheng had only sustained a minor injury, yet Huang Sha Taoist was much more severely injured.


    Before the words could fully escape, countless Sword Qi Drifting Threads appeared in the sky. These ¡°drifting fluffs¡± like threads scattered in the sky contained an exceptionally sharp Sword Intent, blocking off the entire sky.


    The Quenching Sky Eagle flapped its wings, the cloud patterns on its wings flashing wildly before starting to flow, its demonic body once again becoming blurred.


    Countless whirlwinds converged, ravaging the air into turmoil, instantly creating a vacuum in the vicinity.


    Accompanied by a ¡°zipping¡± storm-like sound of the Breaking Void, countless blue wind blades shot out from the whirlwinds like a downpour, aiming directly at Zhao Sheng and the others.


    Zhao Sheng waved one hand, launching five golden talismans, which transformed into five huge, radiant Spirit Shields, blocking the incoming wind blades.

 Chapter 403 - 284 Not Good, Lets Run Away_2

    Chapter 403: Chapter 284 Not Good, Let¡¯s Run Away_2


    Meanwhile, the beast had continuously flickered its form, shifting its shape instantaneously as if trying to escape from life itself.


    But once, twice, three times,


    each time it had barely escaped a hundred yards when, ¡°coincidentally¡±, a blazing white Fire Lotus appeared in front of it, blocking its path.


    Sensing the terrifying fiery intention hidden within the Fire Lotus, the Quenching Sky Eagle had no choice but to fold its wings and fly back.


    Repeatedly hitting the barrier and returning, it became immensely enraged, thus unleashing its beastly nature.


    Li li li!


    ...


    In its agitation, the Quenching Sky Eagle¡¯s frantic eagles¡¯ cries rang out, as streaks of cloud patterns fell from its wings, followed by continuous ¡°explosions¡± of cloud-white light waves.


    Zhao Sheng bore the hidden pain in his organs as the True Yuan within his body surged out wildly, consecutively forming nine thick barriers of fire enveloping his entire body.


    Blocking the sonic attack, he spread his five fingers, and suddenly a beam of golden light burst from his palm, piercing through the void and instantaneously entering the eagle¡¯s eyes of the Quenching Sky Eagle.


    At this moment, Huang Sha Daoist had just succeeded in casting his spell, seeing the ground surge like a curtain, rolling up in the flashing yellow light as the Yellow Sand Heavenly Curtain tumultuously swept towards the Quenching Sky Eagle.


    At this time, Jian Er pinched his sword formula, and the Unrivaled Sword immediately soared into the sky; the Sword Light flashed and merged into the sky filled with invisible sword threads, ready to launch a lethal blow at any moment.


    Bang!


    The Fire Lotus suddenly expanded in size, instantly sealing off an area with a radius of ten yards,


    As the Quenching Sky Eagle stabilized its form, two terrifying green light beams shot out from its enraged eagle eyes.


    Even an ordinary Fifth Rank Demon would find it hard to withstand the combined force of three Golden Core Masters, let alone the severely wounded Quenching Sky Eagle.


    As the black light under its belly spread out largely, panic flashed in the eyes of the Quenching Sky Eagle, its crystalline green eyes looking around uncertainly.


    Although it relied on its speed to remain unharmed for the time being, the longer the delay, the more certain its death became.


    However, the Quenching Sky Eagle soon noticed a ¡°gap¡±.


    A layer of green light suddenly flowed over its wings, and the Quenching Sky Eagle vanished from the sky in an instant; the next moment, it was dozens of yards away.


    Its speed was so fast that even under forty times the observation of the Immortal Spirit Realm, it could leave behind an afterimage.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tightened, and he thought to himself, ¡°Here it comes!¡±


    This time, he did not make a move to intercept.


    The Quenching Sky Eagle was overjoyed and hurriedly flashed with green light, instantly ¡°teleporting¡± dozens of yards away again.


    Indeed, at the same time, he heard Huang Sha Daoist¡¯s suppressed voice of surprise, ¡°Form the array!¡±


    At this moment, Huang Sha Daoist had already appeared on the mountaintop, his hands fluttering like a butterfly through flowers, forming a strange Seal Mantra.


    In an instant, the ground within a ten-yard radius suddenly burst forth with bright yellow light, a yellow light curtain appeared, and the eighteen Array Flags shone brightly, wildly pouring out fist-sized spirit light runes, emitting an enormously heavy oppressive force.


    At the same time, nearly a hundred thick yellow light pythons suddenly burst from the ground nearby.


    The light pythons intertwined and merged with each other, turning into a yellow light net in an instant, with spirit light rippling, densely woven without gaps.


    The Quenching Sky Eagle felt a tremendous pressure surging from all directions, panic flickered in its eyes, and as its body¡¯s cloud patterns flashed wildly, its form abruptly disappeared from the spot.


    ¡°Puff,¡±


    The yellow light exploded, and the form of the Quenching Sky Eagle reappeared.


    But under the restraints of gravity and the No-fly Formation, the beast¡¯s ¡°Breaking Void¡± Divine Skill was greatly diminished in power; it could only move less than fifteen yards before being abruptly interrupted.


    Seeing this, Huang Sha Taoist was overjoyed and also dashed forward, pinching the mantra with both hands.


    The yellow light net on the perimeter of the formation suddenly shrank at high speed, rapidly layering over the demon body of the Quenching Sky Eagle and quickly invading its body, binding the Demon Core and abruptly stalling its movement.


    ¡°Brother Jian, make your move now!¡± Huang Sha Daoist shouted loudly.


    Before the words fell, a sharp Sword Light suddenly swept through the depths of Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes.


    This beam of Sword Light, at an unimaginable speed, pierced through the void, instantly entering through the eagle¡¯s eyes of the Quenching Sky Eagle and vanishing in a flash.


    The next instant, streams of sword light burst forth from all the orifices of the Quenching Sky Eagle.


    With a loud bang, the eagle¡¯s skull of the Quenching Sky Eagle instantly shattered into pieces, and at that moment, countless green lights burst forth from its demon body.


    Alas, it was already too late!


    The light blades, condensed from green light, seemed like petals scattered at a funeral, signifying the fall of a Fifth Rank Great Demon right here.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    Three figures flashed by, as Zhao Sheng and two others used their spells to suppress the sky full of wind blades, flying to the edge of the Array.


    Huang Sha Taoist, with a single gesture, prompted the eighteen Array Flags to rise from the ground and fly back into his sleeve.


    Looking at the corpse of the Quenching Sky Eagle, Huang Sha Taoist, with a joyous smile, exclaimed, ¡°Haha, we¡¯ve accomplished a great feat! All our efforts have not been wasted.¡±


    Actually, the three of them teaming up to kill a Fifth Rank Quenching Sky Eagle wasn¡¯t something impossible.


    The reason they went to such great lengths was because after killing the Quenching Sky Eagle, they had to ensure that its wings were intact and prevent it from blowing up its Demon Core just before death.


    Demon beasts often detonate their Demon Cores right before death, partly out of a desire for mutual destruction and partly to prevent hunters from gaining an easy prize.


    This is also the main reason why Demon Cores are so rare in the Cultivation World.


    Pleased with the demon corpse, Huang Sha Taoist looked back at Zhao Sheng and said with a cupped fist, ¡°Taoist Zhao, your Golden Crow True Fire is indeed incredibly sharp. If it weren¡¯t for your repeated efforts to intercept the beast, we might have barely been able to contain it.¡±


    ¡°Now that the demon corpse is here, perhaps Taoist Jian should take a turn to dissect it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a minor matter, Brother Jian, please,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a smile, waving his hand as a gesture.


    Jian Er, with a calm expression, nodded, and his Unrivaled Sword morphed into a swimming dragon, clinging onto the demon corpse, while sword light circulated around it.


    In the blink of an eye, a pair of crystalline wings fell down, and a large patch of decaying flesh under the belly also spiraled down following it, then a fist-sized Demon Core, emitting a green light, swiftly flew out from the inside and landed in the palm of Jian Er, who then stored it away.


    Meanwhile, Huang Sha Taoist flew back to the mountainside, casting a spell to force the Nine Seed Ginseng King out of the soil layer, thereafter collecting it into the Jade Box.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze flickered before he stepped forward and stored the remaining demon corpse into the Storage Bag as well.


    Huang Sha Taoist flew back to the mountaintop, and upon seeing the wings on the ground, joyfully extended his hand emitting True Yuan, rolled up the wings, and easily collected them into his Storage Bag.


    After finishing this, he turned to Zhao Sheng and another, cupping his hands and said, ¡°Fellow Taoists, with this task completed, do we part ways here, or leave the mountain together?¡±


    With his arms wrapped around the Unrivaled Sword, Jian Er spoke, ¡°Jian requires a place to go into seclusion immediately, to refine the Demon Core, and will not be accompanying the two of you.¡±


    ¡°Given that, I¡¯ll leave the mountain with Mr. Huang,¡± Zhao Sheng replied upon hearing this.


    Jian Er nodded, hugged his sword, and said, ¡°Then, we part ways here.¡± S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With those words, he transformed into a sword rainbow and soared up into the sky, flying far into the depths of the mountains.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng and Huang Sha Taoist exchanged a smile, then both turned into tunneling lights and left.


    ¡­


    Two days later, gold and yellow tunneling lights swiftly traversed the boundless Cloud Sea, with unending mountains faintly visible beneath.


    At that moment, the golden tunneling light abruptly came to a sudden stop, revealing Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure.


    At this time, his face was grave, as he looked around with unease and hesitation in his eyes.


    Then, the yellow tunneling light caught up, and Huang Sha Taoist dispelled his light, asking Zhao Sheng in surprise, ¡°Taoist Zhao, what¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Sweat appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s forehead as he transmitted his voice, ¡°Don¡¯t you feel like we¡¯ve just been circling the same spot?¡±


    ¡°Haha, stop joking. With the vast expanse of the Cloud Sea before us, how could we possibly be¡­ be¡­¡±


    The moment Huang Sha Taoist chuckled and was about to finish his sentence, he suddenly saw the surrounding Cloud Sea rapidly solidify, the strong winds ceased abruptly, and everything seemed to be locked in place.


    At the same time, a terrifying and powerful pressure surged skyward from beneath, spreading recklessly in all directions.


    ¡°This is¡­¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s complexion drastically changed, an alarm sounded in his mind, and he immediately tried to gather his True Yuan to escape.


    However¡­


    ¡°Hee hee!¡±


    Accompanied by an extremely enchanting laugh suddenly ringing in his ear, Zhao Sheng felt his heart skip a beat, and right after, an oddly powerful yet insidious Mana swiftly invaded his Core Energy Sea, effortlessly bypassing the layers of True Yuan and easily sealing his Golden Core.


    He, a Golden Core Master, was instantly immobilized without any power to fight back.


    ¡°No good. We must escape, it¡¯s a Nascent Soul¡­ not just Seventh Rank above¡ªPuh!¡±


    Huang Sha Daoist, standing beside him, suddenly cried out in terror; however, before he could finish speaking, his face suddenly turned pale, and as his mouth opened, a mouthful of essence blood sprayed forth, instantly weakening him.

 Chapter 404 - 285: I Am the

    Chapter 404: Chapter 285: I Am the ¡°Heart Demon


    Between the clouds, Zhao Sheng suppressed the astonishment in his heart, cupped his fists, looked around, and respectfully said:


    ¡°May I ask which senior is making a joke with the two of us? I am Zhao Qingyang, and I offer my greetings!¡±


    ¡°Hee hee!¡±


    Suddenly, a coquettish laugh rang out again, but this time it came from behind Zhao Sheng. Accompanying it was a sweet, soft, and honey-like scent.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng caught a whiff of this aroma than he felt a dizziness sweep across his mind, inexplicably conjuring up countless enchanting images.


    ¡°This is not good!¡±


    ...


    In that instant, he was startled and alarmed; he whirled around only to see a flawless and devastatingly beautiful face closely pressing against his shoulder, showing him a seductive smile that could charm all beings.


    Upon closer inspection, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart sank to the bottom of the valley. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This bizarrely appearing ¡°person¡± was only three feet tall, but her features and figure were perfected to the extreme, her skin like jade emitting a lustrous glow. Her aura was ever-changing, captivating all beings.


    Moreover, behind her were two gigantic butterfly-shaped wings, the surfaces of which shimmered with dazzling, hazy light. As they fluttered, specks of illusionary light cascaded down from them, an incredibly splendid and opulent sight.


    ¡°Qian¡­ Lady Qian Huan!¡±


    At this moment, Huang Sha Taoist by the side suddenly called out with a trembling, despair-filled voice.


    In the present day, where the Human Clan progressively developed and occupied the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, diminishing the territory of the Demon Domain, the Demon Kings within the mountains either died or fled, with very few remaining.


    And among all the Demon Kings, Lady Qian Huan was undoubtedly the most troublesome and fearsome one.


    This Demon King seemed to have an irreconcilable hatred for the Human Clan; starting from a thousand years ago, she began to take revenge on humans, constantly opposing the Cultivation World of the Southern Border by instigating numerous demon beast tides.


    Five hundred years ago, Beast Taming Sect and Yuye Ancestor set a trap and finally captured Lady Qian Huan alive, confining her within the Beast Garden of the Beast Taming Sect.


    Who could have known that this Demon King, with her divine mastery in Illusion Techniques, would actually manage to escape from the Beast Taming Sect?


    Afterward, she became extremely low-key, scarcely appearing in the human world.


    Zhao Sheng rapidly went through the information about Lady Qian Huan in his mind, already preparing to accept reincarnation.


    ¡°Unexpectedly, on a whim, I managed to catch two little sweethearts. Not bad, not bad! This person¡¯s blood is robust, and his Divine Intent is proud; indeed, he will be chewable for several more times,¡±


    Huan Niang, fluttering her butterfly wings, lightly circled around Zhao Sheng, her face showing a satisfied expression.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng exerted his full strength to stimulate his Qi Sea True Essence and Purple Mansion Divine Sense, only to find it all firmly suppressed by an overwhelming and bizarre force, rendering him utterly immobile.


    At this moment, Huang Sha Taoist was sweating profusely, his complexion deathly pale, his body trembling involuntarily.


    Don¡¯t blame him for his loss of composure.


    For millennia, the death and suffering of countless members of the Human Clan, numerous tragedies where whole clans were toyed with until extinction, had already created a terrifying entity that caused numerous Cultivators from the Southern Border Cultivation World to lose courage at the mere mention of her.


    Then, Zhao Sheng unexpectedly calmed down and said coldly, ¡°Now that we have fallen into your hands, my lady, you may kill or flay us as you please!¡±


    Huan Niang chuckled, her enchanting smile not yet faded, but her face suddenly turned cold as she looked icily and mercilessly at Huang Sha Taoist.


    ¡°Silence!¡±


    With a shout, Huang Sha Taoist was filled with terror, but in the next second, his face showed an enraptured expression, as if he had become lost in an irresistible, beautiful dream.


    This horrifying scene greatly alarmed Zhao Sheng.


    For he had not noticed how Lady Qian Huan made her move, nor had he sensed any abnormalities around him.


    In the blink of an eye, a Golden Core Master had inexplicably ¡°fallen.¡±


    ¡°Are all Eighth-rank Demon Kings this terrifying? Perhaps this demon¡¯s Illusion Technique is close to the Dao!¡±


    Zhao Sheng queried within, not even certain he could maintain his conscious awareness in the hands of Lady Qian Huan.


    Huan Niang turned back to look at Zhao Sheng, and seeing the expression on his face, she suddenly teased with a laugh, ¡°You seem unafraid?¡±


    ¡°Are you not afraid of becoming my plaything, of watching with your own eyes as you kill your wife and children, your parents, all your relatives and friends related to you, and then eventually mutilate yourself, turning into a demon neither human nor ghost? Are you not afraid of such an end?¡±


    During her speech, Huan Niang¡¯s butterfly wings beat, dispersing rings of mesmerizing Divine Light.


    Zhao Sheng, hearing her words, suddenly saw countless horrific scenes flash before his eyes.


    These images were lifelike, as if they were real.


    The next instant, his vision flashed, and he suddenly appeared in a pool of blood. The thick stench of blood rushed into his nostrils, and from Xinglong City before him flames reached to the sky as desperate, agonized screams came from nearby.


    At his feet, his wife Dong Miaozhen and his son Zhao Huaxiong lay dead, their deaths unspeakably gruesome.


    Not far away, his eldest son Zhao Huaying, disheveled, with a face full of despair and rage, shouted, ¡°Father, have you gone mad? How could you kill mother and brother with your own hands?¡±


    Then, a surge of endless regret, pain, and sorrow bubbled up inside Zhao Sheng, but he was ¡°despairingly¡± seeing himself emotionlessly wave his hand to release a Sword Light that bisected his eldest son at the waist.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes were wide with anger as he let out a cry of despair; yet, he kicked his wife¡¯s corpse aside and leapt away in a tunneling light.


    The next second, Zhao Sheng¡¯s vision blurred, and his spirit abruptly returned to reality. The images from before dissipated like smoke, but the scenes from just now became even clearer.


    Face to face with an Eighth-rank Demon King, Zhao Sheng was like a three-year-old child confronting a vastly stronger adult; his level of Daoist practice was simply negligible.

 Chapter 405 - 285 I am the

    Chapter 405: Chapter 285 I am the ¡°Heart Demon¡±_2


    ¡°Hehe, how does the taste of despair feel?¡± Huan Niang playfully circled around Zhao Sheng twice, her perfect face utterly filled with malice. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly lowered his head, and when he lifted it again, there was no trace of fear in his eyes, and his expression became calm and fearless.


    Seeing this, Huan Niang did not get angry but instead laughed. Over the past two thousand years, she had seen countless brave and unyielding Human Cultivators, but in the end, every one of them collapsed mentally in tears of agony, eventually becoming puppets in her hands.


    ¡°Little fellow, you seem to have something to rely on, which is why you are fearless. I am very curious as to what your reliance is. What just happened was only an appetizer; you have plenty of time to savor the terror of the Illusion Technique in the future.¡±


    Zhao Sheng remained silent.


    However, during this brief moment, he faintly realized that this Great Demon King might not be as overwhelmingly powerful as she appeared on the surface.


    ...


    Lady Qian Huan seemed to exude wisps of death that refused to disperse, and her movements were slightly stiff, as if this demon body was not her True Body.


    Of course, this body incoordination was only observed under the Immortal Spirit Realm, and was imperceptible to ordinary Golden Core cultivators.


    Huan Niang probably also did not expect that the small fellow in front of her was an old monster who had not died through countless generations, nor did she anticipate that there existed a Miracle Technique called ¡°Star God Thousand Heart Technique.¡±


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s consciousness had quietly split into one big and two small, a total of three parts. The larger consciousness occupied more than ninety percent of the spiritual power, while the two smaller ones curled up in the deepest part of the Divine Soul.


    One remained awake, while the other fell into a complete slumber, only to reawaken after a month.


    The three consciousnesses operated independently and concurrently without conflicting, though they varied in strength, they were fundamentally identical.


    Seeing that Zhao Sheng remained unmoved, a sharp look flashed in Huan Niang¡¯s eyes, and she pointed out. Suddenly, hazy and dreamlike colorful butterflies flew out from her fingertip.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í?0.§ã0


    These butterflies, trailing splendid light, danced around Zhao Sheng gracefully.


    After a few twirls, they turned into strands of radiance and melded into Zhao Sheng¡¯s Purple Mansion.


    In an instant, countless shards of past memories emerged in Zhao Sheng¡¯s consciousness, and his Divine Soul was enveloped by the colorful light. In a moment, he seemed to fall into an endless illusionary dream.


    After doing all this, Huan Niang¡¯s complexion suddenly deteriorated a lot, her lustrous hair suddenly fell off and turned into light, dissolving away, while her body could not suppress the exuding of a strong aura of death.


    ¡°How resilient is this little fellow¡¯s spirit, to waste so much of my Divine Thought and Mana. My butterfly form could have lasted for another 60 years, but now it¡¯s only got forty left. It seems I need to quickly cultivate a new Sixth Rank Huan Die.¡±


    After murmuring to herself, Huan Niang flew to Huang Sha Taoist¡¯s side and began to apply the same method.


    Illusion Technique is about making the false seem real, fundamentally a form of deception. Lesser Illusion Techniques mainly deceive the five senses, while intermediate levels can even deceive the enemy¡¯s intuition and consciousness.


    The ancients often said that illusions arise from the heart! That is indeed the level of mid-tier Illusion Techniques.


    More profound Illusion Techniques, like those cast by Huan Niang, can ¡°permanently deceive¡± an opponent¡¯s consciousness and memory,


    and the highest level of Illusion Technique, or the Illusion Dao, can even ¡°deceive¡± the Heavenly Dao and truthfully ¡°reproduce¡± the Three Thousand Great Dao.


    If someone could advance the Illusion Dao to such a height, then all the Immortals and Buddhas in the heavens would become mere playthings in the Divine¡¯s palm.


    Time passed, it seemed like only a moment of distraction, and Zhao Sheng suddenly became alert again.


    At this time, the concerned voice of Huang Sha Taoist reached his ears, ¡°Taoist Zhao, Taoist Zhao! What¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, as if awakening from a dream, subconsciously circulated his Mysterious Skill, and spirit light suddenly rose from his feet, supporting his descending body. At the same time, he turned his head to look at Huang Sha Taoist and smiled, ¡°Nothing much. I just lost focus for a moment, let¡¯s hurry on our way.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good! We¡¯re about to leave the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, so as long as there are no accidents, we¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    Huang Sha Taoist was relieved, nodded, and with a wave of his sleeve, Yellow Light enveloped his body, and he shot forth instantly.


    Zhao Sheng pursed his lips, let out a self-deprecating laugh, and also departed in a tunneling light.


    However, at this time, he was completely unaware that another ¡°self¡± existed within the depths of his Divine Soul.


    Deep within the Purple Mansion Soul Sea, a fist-sized dim Light Ball was slowly floating upwards.


    The ¡°Zhao Sheng¡± within the Light Ball was extremely terrified, even feeling chills down his spine.


    The Zhao Sheng outside had no slightest notion that his own consciousness had been tampered with by Huan Niang.


    Some of his perceptions had already been warped, and seeds of hate were sown, just waiting to take root, grow robustly, and eventually bear fruit of unspeakable calamity.


    Even his memories had been mixed up with all sorts of nonsensical things, enemies that never existed, events, and even emotions were ¡°naturally¡± implanted.


    Everything seemed so harmonious and natural; ¡°Zhao Sheng¡± had no clue about it.


    Five days later, Zhao Sheng and Huang Sha Taoist returned to Xinglong City.


    After staying in the city for two days and redefining various cooperative deals with the Zhao Family, Huang Sha Taoist finally left contentedly.


    Upon returning home, Zhao Sheng was very normal, showing no signs of abnormality.


    However, some subtle changes were quietly taking place in him.


    Dong Miaozhen was the first to notice Zhao Sheng¡¯s minute transformations.


    Her husband was gradually becoming indifferent, more silent than before, and would occasionally reveal a strange, fierce light.

 Chapter 406 - 285 I am the

    Chapter 406: Chapter 285 I am the ¡°Heart Demon¡±_3


    Regarding this, Dong Miaozhen felt quite strange, but she didn¡¯t give it much thought.


    She couldn¡¯t imagine what her husband had encountered before.


    At the same time, another ¡°Zhao Sheng¡± deep within the divine soul was also very distressed.


    He dared not expose himself, nor did he dare to communicate with that ¡°Zhao Sheng.¡±


    Because the previous ¡°self¡± had just connected with that powerful ¡°Zhao Sheng consciousness,¡± and only confused the main consciousness for a moment, it was easily crushed and then assimilated by it.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s predicament could be described by an analogy.


    ...


    The real ¡°Zhao Sheng¡± had become like a Heart Demon, a Heart Demon rooted deep in the false Zhao Sheng¡¯s divine soul.


    The moment he showed himself, he would be swiftly eliminated by the main consciousness.


    This ending was far more than just tragic.


    It was precisely because of this extremely special state that Zhao Sheng had completely understood the many arrangements and tampering Lady Qian Huan had made within his consciousness.


    If things really unfolded according to the demon¡¯s script, the Xinglong Zhao family would be in danger!


    Normally, Zhao Sheng could only rely on thought projection to secretly suggest to the main consciousness, trying to make it discover the strangeness within its own consciousness.


    Unfortunately, so far, it had not been very effective.


    Although the main consciousness also occasionally noticed that some things and memories seemed incorrect, it quickly automatically ignored these inconsistencies.


    Every time the main consciousness discovered something amiss, a butterfly illusion would flutter into existence from the memory images, scattering a haze of vague and illusory colors.


    And at that moment, the main consciousness would subconsciously ignore all the peculiarities.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng truly witness the terrifying extent of Lady Qian Huan¡¯s Illusion Technique.


    Thankfully, he had kept one last move in reserve. If he still couldn¡¯t break through the demon¡¯s Illusion Technique, he could choose to self-destruct his Divine Soul and be reincarnated anew.


    Time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye, another half-year had gone by.


    That day, a momentous and joyous event shook the entire Xinglong City and quickly spread throughout the Southern Border.


    The ancestor of the Xinglong Zhao family, Dragon Slayer Master Zhao Xuanjing, had successfully transcended the Heavenly Tribulation and ascended to the Nascent Soul Realm three days ago at the Ksitigarbha Sect¡¯s mountain gate.


    Accompanying this news was an even more astonishing revelation: Dragon Slayer Master had indeed subdued a dragon.


    On the same day he transcended the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation, the Mountain Dragon under Dragon Slayer Master¡¯s command also transcended the Dragon Transformation Tribulation, becoming the only Seventh Rank Mountain Dragon left in the world.


    Xinglong City instantly became the focus of the entire Cultivation World of the Southern Border.


    Everyone knew what it meant for a Cultivation Family to have a Nascent Soul Ancestor at its helm,


    and so, many Cultivation Sects and families quickly sent their leaders to Xinglong City to celebrate the emergence of a new Nascent Soul Ancestor in the Southern Border.


    During this period, the Zhao family was exceedingly busy and overjoyed beyond words.


    While the ancestor was still in seclusion and recovery at Ksitigarbha, Xinglong City had already erupted into celebration, transforming into an ocean of joy.


    For three full months, Xinglong City was lit up day and night as if it were daytime, with decorations everywhere and fireworks lighting up the sky.


    Zhao Sheng, being a Golden Core of Zhao, naturally became a primary target for many powers to meet with. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Over those three months, he virtually neglected his cultivation, continuously receiving one Golden Core Fellow Daoist after another who came ¡°in admiration.¡±


    During this time, a certain weak consciousness hidden deep within his divine soul quietly accumulated the strength to counterattack, awaiting an opportunity to arise.


    Another half-year passed, and the end of the year was near, with less than eight years left until the Nine Stars Alinement.


    One day, Ancestor Xuanjing returned riding a dragon, his presence stunning everyone around.


    When the entire Zhao family cheered for their ancestor¡¯s boundless longevity, the opportunity Zhao Sheng had desperately waited for finally arrived.

 Chapter 407 - 407: Zhao Sheng Becomes a Disciple

    Chapter 407: Zhao Sheng Becomes a Disciple


    That night, the Eight Diagrams Bright Tower at the heart of Xinglong City soared into the heavens like a colossal pillar of light, incessantly emitting dazzling rainbow hues, illuminating the vast Xinglong City and adding an endless luster to the grand ceremony.


    At this moment, the atmosphere in the Linwei Pavilion on the ninth floor of the Bright Tower was exceptionally warm and cheerful. The Zhao Family Foundation Establishment Elders, unable to contain their joy, all looked with admiration toward Ancestor Zhao Xuanjing, who sat at the highest seat.


    Zhao Sheng, seated below the ancestor, was also very happy as he looked toward Zhao Xuanjing, feeling both sentimental and relieved.


    Time passed like water, flowing ceaselessly over eight hundred years.


    He had probably never imagined that the clumsy yet astute boy from those years would reach such heights today.


    On the highest Jade Chair, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s gaze swept toward Zhao Sheng below him, and he suddenly couldn¡¯t help but twitch his eyebrows.


    ...


    For some reason, he always felt that there was something odd about the way Qingyang looked at him, as if there was something indefinably wrong.


    Zhao Xuanjing cleared his mind of distractions, turning his gaze toward the younger generations in the clan and said indifferently, ¡°Alright, I am rather tired. The preaching conference will be held on the ninth day of the ninth month next month. You all may leave now!¡±


    Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly stood up, bowed, and chorused, ¡°Ancestor, Gong¡¯an, we will take our leave first!¡±


    Zhao Sheng also stood up, about to bow his respects, when he saw Zhao Xuanjing wave his hand and instruct, ¡°Qingyang, you stay behind for now.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ancestor!¡± Zhao Sheng responded and stood straight, while the other Zhao Family elders left the Linwei Pavilion with light steps.


    Looking at Zhao Sheng, whose demeanor became increasingly extraordinary and whose appearance grew more handsome, Zhao Xuanjing nodded with satisfaction and sentiment, about to ask about the family¡¯s changes in recent years.


    However, at that moment, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s gaze sharpened, noticing that the initially respectful and solemn Zhao Qingyang¡¯s expression suddenly changed.


    One half of his face suddenly became lively and animated, and his eyes filled with an unprecedented excitement.


    In contrast, the other half of the face maintained a respectful and solemn expression, with calm and indifferent eyes, undisturbed as an ancient well.


    At first glance, it seemed like one face, yet one half was like a flame and the other like a glacier, as if split into two personalities.


    ¡°Qingyang, you¡­ um!¡± Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s face changed slightly, just as he began to call out, he abruptly paused.


    ¡°Ancestor, what¡¯s the matter?¡± Zhao Sheng asked, surprised. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At that moment, he was unaware of his own strange condition.


    The next second, Zhao Sheng blinked and his facial muscles twitched, his face returning to its respectful and solemn appearance.


    ¡°Um, it¡¯s nothing!¡± Zhao Xuanjing relaxed and waved his hand dismissively.


    Following that, he began inquiring about some of the family¡¯s recent changes over the years.


    ¡°Ancestor, in the recent decades, the family development has been generally smooth. The clan¡­ in the Shattered Star Sea¡­¡±


    On the Jade Chair, Zhao Xuanjing, with one hand on the bureau and leaning back in his chair, quietly listened to Zhao Qingyang¡¯s narration.


    Throughout the process, his expression was calm, but his mind was flooded with a series of horrifying images, and his heart was tumultuously moved.


    ¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s not good. We must flee, it¡¯s a Nascent Soul¡­ not a demon king above the Seventh Rank¡­¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Thousand¡­ Lady Qian Huan!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°¡­I never thought a whim could lead me to catch two sweethearts. Not bad, not bad! This person¡¯s vital energy is robust, Divine Intent proud, indeed worth several more bites.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Now that we have fallen into your hands, Lady, whether you choose to kill or slash, we will comply with your wishes!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you afraid of becoming a toy under my control, watching with your own eyes as you kill your wife, children, parents, all your relatives and friends, and finally harm yourself, turning into a monstrous demon? Aren¡¯t you afraid of such an end?¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Go on! Little one, go enjoy the pleasure of slaughter! But don¡¯t forget your greatest enemy is the Beast Taming Sect, the Hundred Gu Demon, the entire Gu God Lineage. Go on, remember to seek revenge at all costs in the future! Teehee.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Ancestor, I am Zhao Qingyang, when you see these memory fragments. Please believe that all of this is real. The Thousand Illusion Demon King has tampered with my consciousness, twisting my thoughts and perceptions. The Zhao Qingyang before you is me yet not me. Please help me break free from the Thousand Illusion Demon King¡¯s Heart Illusion Technique as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Just now, in order to convey this message, I used up most of my remaining spiritual power, and I am about to fall into a deep sleep. Anxiously hoping for an early liberation! Zhao Qingyang¡¯s final message.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing repeatedly reviewed the scenes in his mind, carefully identifying the stunningly beautiful demon king in the images, and finally confirmed that his descendant was indeed victim to the opponent¡¯s schemes.


    For Lady Qian Huan, this extremely troublesome great power, Zhao Xuanjing also felt a severe headache.


    Lady Qian Huan¡¯s illusion technique was unparalleled in the current world, especially the Heart Illusion Divine Ability she mastered after transforming, which was considered unsolvable.


    Zhao Xuanjing thought it over and within the Central Continent, the only person capable of breaking the Heart Illusion Technique and ensuring the subject¡¯s Divine Soul remained undamaged was a singular individual.


    ¡°¡­to date has stockpiled a reserve of over five million Spirit Stones, a total of two hundred thirty-six types of Third-Order Spirit Pills, totaling¡­ ten mounds of stored spirit grain, over one hundred thousand Spirit Talismans, over two hundred Magic Artifacts¡­¡±


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng finally concluded, ¡°¡­six Magical Treasures for suppressing Qi Fortune are respectively the Purple Light Furnace, Mystic Treasure Vessel, Mountain Dragon Shield, Eight Diagrams Bright Plate, Six Elements Bag, and Starfall Seven Spirit Sword.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing nodded in response and did not pursue further, instead switching to discussing Zhao Sheng¡¯s family matters.

 Chapter 408 - 408: Zhao Sheng Becomes a Disciple_2

    Chapter 408: Zhao Sheng Becomes a Disciple_2


    ¡°`


    ¡°Qingyang, Hua Xiong didn¡¯t return with this old man. He¡¯s hit a streak of good fortune. Over half a year ago, he caught the eye of Elder Ji from our sect, who took him in as a direct disciple. Now he has gone with Elder Ji to visit and travel throughout the Northern Cold Continent.¡±


    Zhao Sheng revealed a smile, ¡°Is that so? This is indeed joyful and congratulatory news. When I return home and tell my wife, she will be thrilled.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing silently noted his reaction, then asked, ¡°What about the child Hua Ying? Why I haven¡¯t seen him?¡±


    Zhao Sheng showed a helpless expression, ¡°Hua Ying and his spouse are ambitious. It¡¯s been almost a year since I last had news from them. The last letter sent back said they were going to the Southern Yan Continent to visit relatives. Then they vanished without a trace.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing paused, then reminded, ¡°I remember the child¡¯s dao companion¡¯s family name is Zu, right?¡±


    ...


    Zhao Sheng nodded, ¡°Yes, her surname is Zu, her full name is Zu Xiaoyue.¡±


    ¡°Qingyang, I recall the Imperial Family of the Great Yan Divine Dynasty also has the surname Zu. Its founding ancestor is still alive today, a rare Divinity Transformation True Monarch, whom everyone reverently calls the Flame Emperor.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed, ¡°Oh, Ancestor means this woman may have a significant connection to the Great Yan Royal Family.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not impossible. However, there are many powers on the Southern Yan Continent with the surname Zu, all branching out from the Royal Family. Moreover, the Great Yan Royal Family strictly controls their clan members, and direct descendants rarely cross the ocean to come to the Central Continent. Thus, the likelihood of this woman being a direct descendant of the Royal Family is not great.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s words dispelled the fanciful thoughts that had arisen in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    Just then, Zhao Xuanjing suddenly seemed to think of something and said to Zhao Sheng, ¡°Qingyang, you should go back and rest. Tomorrow morning, this old man will take you to the Heavenly Pillar Secret Mansion.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was stunned upon hearing this. There were many complicated and numerous affairs to attend to in Xinglong City, with countless powers eagerly hoping for an audience with the Zhao Family Ancestor.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í?0.§ã¦Ï


    Why would the Ancestor unexpectedly take him to Heavenly Pillar Mountain, tens of thousands of miles away, at this time?


    Even though he thought this, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t ask why and simply nodded in agreement.


    Moments later, with a profound look in his eyes, Zhao Xuanjing watched Zhao Sheng tunnel away from the Bright Tower. Only then did a trace of worry appear on his face, and he sighed silently. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Alas!


    Before the sigh had faded, all the tables, chairs, and bookshelves in the Linwei Pavilion collapsed instantaneously, turning into piles of powder on the ground.


    As the night¡¯s clamor subsided and the vitality of Xinglong City waned,


    When the dawn sky blushed red, and the morning sun first appeared, two tunneling lights suddenly burst from the top of the Bright Tower, one after the other soaring into the clouds, flickering for a moment before disappearing into the vast morning glow.


    Seven days later, on a fog-shrouded shaded hillside eighteen miles high on Heavenly Pillar Mountain, two tunneling lights charged into the dense mist one after the other.


    In just the brief time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing had crossed hundreds of miles of sea fog and arrived at Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion.


    The Ancient Spiritual Peach Tree¡¯s canopy was mountainous, lush and dense; beneath it, spirit clouds swirled, and hidden deep within its branches were peaches with a distinctive aroma, their red tops tantalizing.


    Nearly thirty years have passed, and the Longevity Spirit Peaches are about to ripen again!


    It was just too bad that the Array Maniac Zhao Daochuan had been sitting down for over ten years, and now the person guarding the mansion was Zhao Dehe of the De generation.


    Upon seeing two family bigwigs arriving together, Zhao Dehe¡¯s heart gave a jolt, thinking that something major must have happened.


    Indeed something big had occurred, but it was not what he imagined.


    Just as Zhao Xuanjing stepped onto the secret mansion¡¯s land, his face changed dramatically, and his body suddenly burst into a large patch of Yellow Light, sweeping all around.


    The terrifying pressure that followed instantly enveloped the entire secret mansion.


    ¡°Humph, which Fellow Daoist is playing such a joke on Zhao? Even a Nascent Soul Ancestor hides and skulks, could it be they are ashamed to show themselves?¡±


    No sooner had the words fallen, a stone near the Spiritual Peach Tree suddenly blurred, and a thin old man with loose hair, wearing a golden robe and a golden belt, yet with a row of gray cloth bags at his waist, abruptly became visible.


    ¡°Haha, Fellow Daoist Xianglong, do not be offended! This old beggar was just using the Treasure Land to recuperate for a while. I absolutely did not covet the spiritual peaches.¡±


    Upon seeing this person, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s expression relaxed, and with a wave of his sleeve, he dispersed the pressure, speaking more gently, ¡°So it is Senior Beggar Immortal. Junior Zhao Xuanjing has seen Senior, please forgive my earlier haste and rudeness!¡±


    ¡°No harm, no harm! It should be acknowledged that this old beggar is at fault first,¡± said Beggar Immortal, licking his lips and casually brushing his untidy hair back, trying to appear dignified.


    Beggar Immortal was one of the rare Loose Cultivators with a Nascent Soul in the Tianzhu Realm and had led a life full of legend.


    He was born in the Grotto Heaven City, and his Spirit Root did not manifest during infancy; he lived by begging since childhood. At the age of eleven, his three spirit roots ¨C wood, metal, wind ¨C manifested simultaneously, which led to an Independent Cultivator adopting him.


    The Beggar Immortal¡¯s adoptive father taught him the Cultivation Method alongside some skillful empty-handed techniques.


    ¡°`


    In the following centuries, the Beggar Immortal gained increasing fame in Pocket World City, but also faced countless hardships and trials.


    At the age of two hundred, when he intended to sit down and pass away on Heavenly Pillar Mountain by establishing a cave mansion as his tomb, he accidentally discovered the Ling Palace of a Nascent Soul Ancestor, thereby inheriting the mantle.


    From then on, the Beggar Immortal leaped forward like a carp transforming into a dragon, miraculously survived the Golden Core Thunder Tribulation just before his lifespan¡¯s end, and successfully advanced to Golden Core.


    Later, at the age of eight hundred, when he was about to pass away again, the Beggar Immortal performed another miracle by crossing the Nascent Soul Barrier, becoming a rare Nascent Soul Ancestor in the world.


    The Beggar Immortal is now over sixteen hundred years old, his cultivation has broken through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, although his strength is considered weak among his peers.


    Despite this, the Beggar Immortal is one of the behind-the-scenes big bosses of Pocket World City.


    The Beggar Immortal is playful and a bit eccentric by nature but dislikes slaughter. He enjoys wandering the mortal realm, always considering himself a beggar.


    Thus, when Zhao Xuanjing first saw the Beggar Immortal, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief.


    ¡°Senior, the location of the secret mansion is extremely hidden, and the periphery is protected by multiple layers of Barrier Array Formations. How did you discover this place?¡±


    The Beggar Immortal proudly approached the two and said with a smile, ¡°If this beggar tells you it was a fortuitous coincidence, would you believe it?¡±


    ¡°Zhao believes it!¡± Zhao Xuanjing responded calmly.


    Upon hearing this, the Beggar Immortal paused, then seemingly unsatisfied, shook his head, causing his hair to fall back down.


    ¡°Humph, another boring youngster!¡± The Beggar Immortal muttered, showing a hint of impatience. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll tell you the truth. I originally intended to sneak into Ghost Chi Cave. It¡¯s also your bad luck. I just happened to pass by when you removed the Barrier Array Formation. So I found it, that¡¯s all.¡±


    Having said this, he deliberately added, ¡°This place is too close to Ghost Chi Cave. It¡¯s not me trying to scare you!


    I estimate that your place has probably been discovered by others.


    Not to mention other daoists.


    Elder Xie most certainly has discovered it already, it¡¯s just that Senior Xie couldn¡¯t be bothered to pay attention.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing listened without a word. He also knew that what the Beggar Immortal said was true.


    This Elder Xie mentioned by the Beggar Immortal is one of the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs standing at the peak of Tianzhu Realm.


    Elder Xie is one of the two Divinity Transformation True Monarchs with the longest lifespans and is also the head of the previous generation of the Supreme Sensing Sect.


    For the past two thousand years, he has been stationed at the summit of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, guarding the Ascension Array.


    In the past decade, Master Xie has been overseeing an extremely confidential major plan within Ghost Chi Cave.


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s main purpose in coming to Heavenly Pillar Mountain was precisely to meet this Elder Xie.


    The reason he knew so many secrets was largely thanks to the efforts of Zhao Sheng back in the day.


    With this in mind, Zhao Xuanjing glanced at Zhao Sheng out of the corner of his eye, seeing him standing calmly with his hands bound at his side.


    Moved by a thought, Zhao Xuanjing gestured to Zhao Sheng and introduced him to the Beggar Immortal, ¡°Senior Beggar Immortal, this is a junior member of my family. His name is Zhao Qingyang. His cultivation is so-so, having just advanced to Golden Core a few years ago.¡±


    ¡°Junior Zhao Qingyang pays respects to Beggar Immortal Ancestor!¡±


    The Beggar Immortal¡¯s gaze turned to the saluting Zhao Sheng, and suddenly his eyes shone with a curious light, he couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in admiration, ¡°Tsk, tsk, incredible, simply incredible! This young friend has an extraordinary talent and wondrous bones! He must be a once in a century Body Refinement talent!¡±


    ¡°I have always been a lone wanderer with no worthy disciple. Are you willing to take me as your master? I am willing to impart all of my Divine Skill, the ¡®Taiqing Nine Yang Technique¡¯, to you.¡±


    ¡°¡®Taiqing Nine Yang Technique¡¯? That name sounds somewhat familiar?¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself, then turned his head to look at Zhao Xuanjing.


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s eyes widened, immediately gesticulating, ¡°What are you looking at me for! Hurry up and pay your respects to your master.¡±


    To have a Nascent Soul Ancestor personally take you as a disciple is a joyous occasion that other cultivators could hardly even beg for.


    How could Zhao Xuanjing reject such good fortune? Moreover, having one more Nascent Soul Ancestor as an ally would bring countless benefits to the Xinglong Zhao family.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng had no choice but to kneel and bow, ¡°Master is above, your disciple Zhao Qingyang bows to you.¡±


    Thump, thump, thump!


    After bowing sincerely nine times, the apprenticeship was complete.

 Chapter 409 - 287 Grotto Heaven Great Array

    Chapter 409: Chapter 287 Grotto Heaven Great Array


    It¡¯s quite an amusing tale, Zhao Sheng had lived for six lifetimes before he finally took a master for the first time today, and the way he did it was so perfunctory and slapdash.


    Ironically, his master was someone with an incredibly formidable background, none other than a Nascent Soul Middle Stage powerhouse.


    The Beggar Immortal gazed at his disciple with a smile after he finished kowtowing nine times, only then did he extend a hand to lift Zhao Sheng up, while casually probing the various parts of his body.


    Zhao Sheng only felt a strand of Qi suddenly penetrate his body, and in the blink of an eye, the Qi circulated with his blood throughout his entire body.


    ¡°Haha, heaven never seals off all the exits!¡±


    A moment later, the Beggar Immortal retracted his hand with great satisfaction and laughed heartily, ¡°The old beggar has searched for nearly a thousand years, and at last, I have found an excellent disciple.¡±


    ...


    ¡°Qingyang, the Innate Yuan Qi within your body is immeasurably dense and comparable to that of a Dragon Whale. What¡¯s most delightful is that you¡¯ve even refined a wisp of Golden Crow True Fire.¡±


    The Beggar Immortal walked around Zhao Sheng, his eyes brimming with utmost satisfaction and joy, as if he had just discovered his most cherished treasure.


    ¡°Haha, everything is as intended by heaven! Your extraordinary physique is the perfect candidate for cultivating the ¡®Taiqing Nine Yang Technique.¡¯ How wondrous, truly wondrous!¡±


    As he spoke, the Beggar Immortal lifted his messy hair and took off a grey cloth bag from his waist, handing it over to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°My disciple, this is a little token of my heart intent. Accept it!¡±


    Zhao Sheng did not refuse and accepted the bag, opening it to take a look, he instantly inhaled sharply and his face involuntarily showed surprise and astonishment.


    One can¡¯t blame him for looking like a greenhorn who had never seen the world, simply because his own master had given too generously.


    The space inside the cloth bag was frighteningly large, measuring twenty zhang in length, width, and height. Just the pile of top-grade spiritual stones alone was estimated to be at least a hundred pieces, not to mention the five top-grade Spirit Stones inside that spiraled with Spiritual Energy and contained subdued radiance.


    Besides the spiritual stones, the other treasures were all Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures of the finest kind, with the majority being piles of pink-colored meat chunks that still emitted a faint oppressive aura. At a glance, one could tell they were High-level demon beast meat, and they might even have been cut from a Seventh-rank Demon King.


    ¡°Thank you for the gift, Master!¡± Zhao Sheng immediately pocketed the cloth bag and thanked him deeply.


    ¡°Hehe, this is nothing. Don¡¯t just look at this beggar¡¯s poor face, but when it comes to wealth, I¡¯ve lived my life inferior to no one. Do you know about the Pocket World City down the mountain?¡± the Beggar Immortal asked with a face full of pride.


    Before Zhao Sheng could flatter him, he boasted himself, ¡°The underground black market of Pocket World City is covered by me.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng appropriately showed a hint of marvel, then kept praising his master for his impressiveness.


    Zhao Xuanjing watched the master and disciple act foolishly with a smile and remained silent, merely observing them.


    As a Nascent Soul Ancestor who had climbed up from the lowest levels of the Cultivation World, the Beggar Immortal certainly wouldn¡¯t be so shallow.


    His performance just now was likely a deliberate act, and it was difficult to guess why the Beggar Immortal would do such a thing.


    However, in Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s eyes, it seemed like Qingyang was deeply favored by the Beggar Immortal, and the master-disciple pair got along very harmoniously.


    Just at that moment, a gust of wind suddenly came from within the inner side of the secret mansion.


    Zhao Xuanjing, Zhao Sheng, and the Beggar Immortal all turned their heads in unison to look, seeing a short and plump figure shooting out of the cave entrance like a whirlwind, arriving in front of the three in just a few movements.


    ¡°Dehe pays respect to great Ancestor. This grandchild has arrived late, please forgive me!¡± Zhao Dehe bowed deeply with respectful manners.


    Zhao Xuanjing waved his hand, ¡°No need for such courtesy!¡±


    After speaking, he pointed his hand and said, ¡°Beggar Immortal is here, come and pay your respects.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Dehe was greatly shocked, ¡°If the Ancestor calls him a senior, then that must mean this person is a Nascent Soul Ancestor!¡±


    With that thought, he hurriedly paid his respects to the Beggar Immortal.


    Only after he had paid his respects to the Beggar Immortal did it finally come Zhao Qingyang¡¯s turn.


    After paying respects to all three, Zhao Dehe felt uneasy and couldn¡¯t help muttering, ¡°Both family ancestors have come to the secret mansion and even brought an outsider, could it be that something earth-shattering has happened outside?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing had no intention of explaining the truth to Zhao Dehe, he simply instructed him to continue guarding the secret mansion in peace, then let him leave.


    Zhao Dehe, with a head full of confusion, didn¡¯t dare to ask further and immediately turned around, returning to the subterranean cave.


    After this interruption, Zhao Xuanjing finally found the opportunity to ask the Beggar Immortal earnestly, ¡°May I ask senior, is True Monarch Xie currently in Ghost Chi Cave Heaven?¡±


    The Beggar Immortal¡¯s gaze sharpened, and he asked strangely, ¡°What do you want with Old Man Xie? You¡¯re not thinking of meeting him, are you?¡±


    ¡°Without concealing it from you, senior, that is indeed my intention.¡± sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Beggar Immortal shook his head repeatedly, ¡°No, no! Ghost Chi Cave Heaven is now heavily guarded, even I can¡¯t find a chance to sneak in. And with Old Man Xie busy managing everything, he has no spare time to meet you.¡±


    After saying this, his gaze drifted to Zhao Sheng and he proactively asked, ¡°Fellow Daoist Xiang Long, have you run into some difficulty? Speak up and let me listen, this old beggar has a bit of clout in Central Continent, perhaps I could help resolve your troubles.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng also felt very curious.


    Zhao Xuanjing hurriedly brought him to Heavenly Pillar Mountain, could it be just to meet True Monarch Xie?


    ¡°What exactly is the matter?¡± Zhao Sheng secretly speculated.


    Zhao Xuanjing appeared cheerful and quickly said, ¡°From what you say, it seems True Monarch Xie is still in Ghost Chi Cave Heaven.¡±


    ¡°Yep, not just him, there¡¯s also a bunch of Nascent Soul Fellow Daoists and Formation experts inside.


    For that silly ghost plan, a group of them have been busying themselves for decades. As for the final outcome, whether good or bad, no one dares to guarantee!


    In my opinion, the Tianzhu Realm will sooner or later be ruined by these people!¡±

 Chapter 410 - 287 Grotto Heaven Great Array_2

    Chapter 410: Chapter 287 Grotto Heaven Great Array_2


    The grievances and complaints from the Beggar Immortal made Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tremble; however, Zhao Xuanjing acted as if he had heard nothing.


    He revealed a slight smile, saluted the Beggar Immortal with his hands, and said, ¡°Please wait for a moment, Senior. I will immediately take Qingyang to meet Master Xie.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the eyes of the Beggar Immortal flashed, and he quickly replied, ¡°Wait, I will join you. Having an old beggar with you might increase our chances.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing thought for a moment before nodding in agreement, ¡°That¡¯s also good. Senior, let us set off immediately.¡±


    Further elaboration is unnecessary.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng and the other two flew twenty miles and arrived at the outskirts of Ghost Chi Cave Heaven.


    ...


    More than twenty years later, this place was still enveloped by thick clouds and mist.


    Differently, the fierce birds and demon beasts within a few hundred miles had been eradicated, so the nearby cliffs were lifeless and devoid of any living creatures.


    The three just reached the edge of the white mist.


    Suddenly, two figures, one tall and one short, leaped out from the clouds, surrounded by circles of starlight that contained a thread of profound and unfathomable energy.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tightened: both of these individuals were Golden Core Masters, and their cultivation realms were likely above his own.


    When the two saw the Beggar Immortal, their faces immediately turned as bitter as a gourd. They hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, begging, ¡°Beggar Immortal Ancestor, you are magnanimous and generous, please spare us. Without a True Monarch¡¯s token, we really can¡¯t let you in.¡±


    The Beggar Immortal chuckled, pointed at Zhao Xuanjing, and said with a laugh, ¡°You two got the wrong person today. The main character today is not this old beggar, but this Fellow Daoist Xianglong.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the shorter one became solemn and immediately bowed deeply in respect, saying, ¡°So it is the Ksitigarbha Sect¡¯s Ancestor Xianglong. I, Su Li, have met Senior. This is my junior brother, Zuo Xuan. Both of us belong to the Supreme Sensing Sect.¡±


    ¡°No need for excessive courtesy, please rise.¡±


    Once the two stood up straight, Zhao Xuanjing explained his reason for coming: ¡°Zhao seeks to visit Ghost Chi Cave urgently to meet the esteemed sect leader Master Xie. Please report on our behalf.¡±


    ¡°Please wait for a moment, Senior!¡±


    After exchanging a glance, Su Li and the other made a brief apology and vanished back into the mist.


    Shortly after, the two reappeared and quickly ushered Zhao Sheng and the others inside.


    After a moment of disorientation, Zhao Sheng found himself back in Ghost Chi Cave Heaven.


    Upon opening his eyes, he was instantly startled.


    More than twenty years ago, this place was a desolate land, covered with ash and overgrown with weeds.


    But now, this realm had undergone an almost revolutionary transformation.


    Looking around, the ash and weeds had been cleared, replaced by large, smooth jade plates.


    Countless jade plates filled the view, extending all the way to the ghost Chi Palace at the horizon¡¯s end.


    Moreover, each stone plate was engraved with ancient and intricate runes, emitting a faint spirit light.


    In addition, tall spirit banners shimmering with flickering light stood at various places near and far, the banners depicting mountains, rivers, dragons, phoenixes, the sun, the moon, and other symbols of all things.


    These spirit banners were placed throughout the entire Grotto Heaven, numbering in the thousands, and seemed to be closely interconnected.


    Zhao Sheng followed silently behind everyone, his heart stirring with surging waves.


    If he was not mistaken, the entire Ghost Chi Cave Heaven had been turned into an Array Base, meticulously arranged into an unimaginably grand Great Array by some lofty figure, using the terrain to its advantage.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart stirred.


    He suddenly realized that this realm was more stable than when he had entered last time.


    Throughout their flight, not a single space-time rift had been seen.


    The journey of several miles passed in a blink.


    The group arrived at the plaza in front of the Ghost Chi Palace.


    At this moment, there were quite a few people on the plaza.


    These individuals either possessed extraordinary demeanor, or concealed their depth like the Abyss Sea, or emanated tremendous pressure.


    Some were talking to themselves, some were leisurely walking, and others were meditating with their eyes closed.


    However, most were gathered in groups of threes or twos, earnestly discussing something.


    Even though Zhao Sheng had been prepared, he was still greatly shocked by these individuals.


    The rarely seen Golden Core Masters in the Cultivation World and the elusive Nascent Soul Ancestors were now casually visible all over this plaza.


    ¡°This¡­ this is too exaggerated!¡± Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in his heart.


    Clearly, this plaza had become one of the most densely populated areas with high-end combat forces in the Tianzhu Realm. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng consciously concealed his aura and followed the Beggar Immortal and Zhao Xuanjing through the plaza in a very low-key manner.


    Despite this, he could still clearly sense the various meaningful gazes cast by the people around him.


    Indeed, many Fellow Daoists had recognized the Beggar Immortal and Zhao Xuanjing, but for some reason, these figures chose not to approach them directly. Instead, they opted to greet them with Divine Sense communication.


    The few of them arrived in front of the palace¡¯s main gate, where Su Li turned around with a serious face and said to Zhao Sheng and the others, ¡°We can only escort you to here. Please go in. The True Monarch is inside.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Zhao Xuanjing nodded to them, then went forward, pushed open the gate, and walked into the palace with Zhao Sheng following closely behind.


    Just then, the Beggar Immortal stopped at the door, waved his hand at the two, and said, ¡°I¡¯ll stay outside. You two go ahead. There are quite a few old friends here, and it¡¯s a good opportunity for me to catch up.¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡±


    Zhao Sheng hummed in acknowledgment, nodded, and then stepped into the palace.


    As he entered the grand hall, his eyes instinctively narrowed.


    Before him, unexpectedly, was a garden vibrant with fresh grass and blue skies, babbling streams, and the fragrance of flowers and bird songs.

 Chapter 411 - 287 Grotto Heaven Great Array_3

    Chapter 411: Chapter 287 Grotto Heaven Great Array_3


    Zhao Sheng instinctively released his Divine Sense to scan the surrounding scene, while the Immortal Spirit World stimulated the Time Flow to forty times its normal speed.


    What met his eyes seemed incredibly real.


    Sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch, even his Divine Sense, all told him that everything he was seeing truly existed. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, he knew all of it was false, as if he had fallen into an extremely realistic Illusion Realm.


    Startled, Zhao Sheng turned his gaze toward Zhao Xuanjing beside him, only to find his brow furrowed, as if he too could not see through the scene before them.


    At that moment, Zhao Xuanjing clasped his fists all around and declared loudly, ¡°True Monarch above, I, Zhao Xuanjing, bring my junior, Zhao Qingyang, to pay respects!¡±


    ...


    His voice was neither loud nor low, yet it spread throughout this realm.


    The sound lingered in the air, trailing off slowly.


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng felt a blur before his eyes, and when he looked again, he found himself standing in a vast expanse of whiteness.


    There, in front of them stood an old man with a youthful face and white hair, a hunched back, and a cranelike stance.


    The man bore an ordinary appearance and an aura like a common mortal¡¯s. Only his eyes sparkled with vitality, openly showing curiosity, scrutiny, and admiration among other emotions.


    This old man was undoubtedly one of the Great Abilities of the Absolute Peak in the Tianzhu Realm, the former grandmaster of the Supreme Sensing Sect, Master Xie himself.


    Before him floated an unrolled scroll of a painting that depicted the very garden Zhao Sheng had just seen.


    In the depths of that garden stood an exquisitely beautiful woman in purple robes, her demeanor ethereal. Her expression was melancholic as she gazed distantly, seemingly waiting for the return of her beloved.


    Upon seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart jumped violently, utterly shocked.


    He had actually fallen into a painting without detecting the slightest falseness.


    ¡°We juniors, Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Qingyang, pay our respects to True Monarch Xie!¡± Upon noticing this, Zhao Sheng quickly bowed deeply in respect.


    ¡°Ha ha, rise, both of you! In recent millennia, this old man has met many fine youngsters. Among them, you two are indeed outstanding, and there might be a slight chance for your advancement to Divinity Transformation. The old man is truly looking forward to it!¡±


    Seeing True Monarch Xie¡¯s gaze suddenly turn towards him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing humbly responded, ¡°True Monarch, you flatter us. Since ancient times, those who have crossed the God Transformation Barrier have always been prodigies with extraordinary talent, Qi Fortune, and opportunities. We are of ordinary talent and lacking Qi Fortune, and we dare not harbour such aspirations.¡±


    Master Xie chuckled at this, gave them a deep look, and said no more. Instead, he returned to the matter at hand, ¡°It was thanks to your efforts that this Grotto Heaven was discovered in time. Therefore, the old man is willing to take some time out to meet you. What brings you here?¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing took the initiative to transmit his thoughts through Divine Thought.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng silently stood aside, his curiosity growing stronger.


    While waiting, he carefully studied the mysterious painting. He soon found his attention drawn to the woman in purple.


    The more he observed, the more familiar she seemed to him.


    It was as if he had seen this woman somewhere before.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind raced as he tried to recall the past, with countless memories flashing through his mind like lightning.


    After a few moments, the image finally settled on an extremely familiar talisman.


    Illusion True Talisman? Purple Mist Fairy!


    Back when he was in charge of the family academy, he had often demonstrated how to create Illusion True Talismans during Talisman Tao lessons.


    The Purple Mist Fairy was one of his specialties.


    Just as Zhao Sheng felt puzzled and uncertain, he heard Elder Xie chuckling and saying, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is,¡±

 Chapter 412 - 412: The 288th Day of Eliminating Trouble through Practice

    Chapter 412: The 288th Day of Eliminating Trouble through Practice


    ¡°That Little Illusion Butterfly is truly obstinate. The old man¡¯s Heavenly Deceiving Talisman just happens to be missing a main soul, so why not use her to fill the gap!¡±


    ¡°Many thanks, True Monarch, for lending a hand! This life-saving grace, our Zhao Family will never forget.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng was suddenly startled and couldn¡¯t help but look up, just in time to see Zhao Xuanjing and True Monarch Xie also looking his way.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng unconsciously had a foreboding feeling.


    ¡°Qingyang, step forward!¡± At that moment, Zhao Xuanjing waved him over.


    ¡°Ancestor, is there something amiss with me?¡±


    ...


    Zhao Sheng, somewhat puzzled, approached a few steps closer and stood before the two men.


    True Monarch Xie sized him up and then said with a smile, ¡°Young fellow, relax a little! Just take a nice sleep and you¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    No sooner had the words fallen than Zhao Sheng felt the white expanse of the world before his eyes suddenly transform, and all around him turned into a boundless sea.


    The sea breeze was gentle, the sun warm and pleasant, the entire sea silent and tranquil, filled with a peaceful atmosphere.


    Zhao Sheng found himself lying on the sea surface, feeling a warm and complete relaxation as his chaotic thoughts swiftly cleared, soon reaching a kind of ethereal realm.


    After a moment or two, he seemed to fall into a wondrously beautiful dream, as though he had experienced a long period of time, yet it also seemed to be a mere instant.


    Huu~


    Zhao Sheng took a deep breath, slowly opened his eyes, and saw Zhao Xuanjing and True Monarch Xie standing opposite him.


    ¡°Hm? What just happened?¡± Zhao Sheng, looking at the delighted Zhao Xuanjing, was very surprised.


    But the next second, countless fragments of memory flooded into his mind, and in an instant, all his previously sealed memories came flooding back.


    At the same time, a faint wave of consciousness suddenly merged actively into his own¡­


    After integrating this thread of consciousness, Zhao Sheng suddenly understood everything. He had already been ensnared by Lady Qian Huan¡¯s scheme without any clue.


    This discovery left Zhao Sheng feeling a chill of fear.


    After fully understanding the whole situation, Zhao Sheng hastily bowed deeply, repeatedly thanking True Monarch Xie for saving his life. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    True Monarch Xie, however, waved his hand nonchalantly, then rolled up the painting before him and tucked it into his sleeve.


    This painting was about three feet square, displaying only a lifelike, multicolored butterfly. At that moment, it was fluttering within the painting, occasionally scattering specks of dazzling light.


    Zhao Sheng only had time for a glance, immediately startled, for the multicolored butterfly was clearly the same one that frequently appeared in his memories.


    Could such illusory things actually be extracted from one¡¯s memory?


    Are the methods of a Divinity Transformation True Monarch all so incredibly profound?


    After True Monarch Xie put away the painting, his gaze shifted to the Purple Mist Immortal Painting, and he casually said, ¡°Hmm, the Illusion Technique has been removed. Do you have any more matters? If not, you may leave!¡±


    For him, standing at the pinnacle of this realm, the affair of Zhao Sheng was trivial, far less important than this unfinished painting.


    ¡°What could be missing?¡± True Monarch Xie frowned slightly, murmuring to himself.


    Seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing promptly suggested they should take their leave.


    True Monarch Xie waved his hand without turning back, signaling for the two to leave on their own.


    However, staring at the white expanse before him, Zhao Xuanjing didn¡¯t know which way to exit.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng boldly spoke up, ¡°Perhaps what¡¯s missing is a poem that captures the essence of the painting!¡±


    ¡°Yes, how did I not think of that,¡± True Monarch Xie suddenly realized, turned around sharply, and with eyes shining divinely, said, ¡°Young fellow, you¡¯ve indeed awakened this old man. Buddha, Dao, and Confucianism all stem from the same origin. I was almost too fixated on one path. Since both Buddhist and Daoist approaches have come to naught, why not try Confucianism.¡±


    ¡°Interesting, interesting! In this world, is every drink and peck predestined?¡±


    He then suddenly asked Zhao Sheng, ¡°Young fellow, this old man is asking you, if you were to compose a poem for this painting, what would you write?¡±


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment after listening.


    Seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s expression turned to one of distress, as he was about to interject when he was abruptly restrained by a powerful force, unable to move.


    ¡°Don¡¯t hurry, take your time to think. If you can satisfy this old man, I will gift you an opportunity,¡± said True Monarch Xie.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and without hesitation, he recited aloud, ¡°Inspired, I chanced upon a poem. Please consider these verses,¡±


    Then he softly chanted, ¡°Once faced with vast seas none can match, save for the Heavenly Pillar, no clouds to catch. Indifferently amidst flowers, no longing for a glance back, for half is devoted to cultivation, the other half to you.¡±


    True Monarch Xie, after hearing the poem, had a look of realization.


    He quickly came back to his senses, revealing a trace of a smile. With a wave of his hand, he suddenly had another painting scroll in his grip.


    He tossed it casually, and the painting flew into Zhao Sheng¡¯s arms.


    ¡°This painting was a casual creation of this old man in the past, and now it¡¯s given to you. As for the opportunity, you must wait patiently for a few years, and you will come to know in due time. You may leave now!¡±


    As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Sheng felt a lightness in his body, and by the time he could see clearly, he found that the two had left the grand hall, standing outside the great doors.


    Su Li and Zuo Xuan, seeing Zhao Sheng and the others appear, immediately stepped forward, subtly suggesting it was not appropriate to stay long in this place.


    Zhao Xuanjing understood and naturally proposed leaving.


    At this moment, the Beggar Immortal suddenly flew over from the distance, landing beside Zhao Sheng and the others, laughing as he said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect such a grand spectacle here. Old Beggar had quite the eye-opener today. Truly a journey not made in vain!¡±


    After saying this, he urged repeatedly, ¡°Let¡¯s go, leave quickly! If we don¡¯t leave now, we might not be able to later.¡±


    Sensing the many gazes cast from the square, Zhao Sheng and the others exchanged glances.

 Chapter 413 - 413: The 288th Day of Eliminating Trouble through Practice_2

    Chapter 413: The 288th Day of Eliminating Trouble through Practice_2


    Zhao Xuanjing immediately turned his head and nodded to Su Li and the other, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, then we¡¯ll have to trouble you two.¡±


    Su Li instantly clasped his hands and said, ¡°You flatter me, Senior. Please, the three of you, follow us closely. There are many prohibitions here; be extremely careful not to touch any by mistake!¡±


    Moments later, a crack suddenly opened within the cloud mist, and Zhao Sheng and the other two flew out one after another. After saying farewell to Su Li and the other, they blinked and plunged into the thick fog below.


    ¡­


    Three days later, in Zhao¡¯s Secret Mansion, under the Ancient Spiritual Peach Tree, master and disciple sat cross-legged.


    The Beggar Immortal, having shed his previous playfulness, spoke earnestly to his disciple,


    ...


    ¡°There is an ancient tale of the opening of heaven and earth: The chaos was like an egg, and Pangu was born within it. After eighteen thousand years, heaven and earth split, the pure became the heaven, and the turbid became the earth. Pangu stood between them, changing nine times a day¡­¡±


    ¡°Taiqing represents the purity of primordial qi! What is primordial qi? It is the innate origin of a person. When primordial qi begins, the spirit manifests externally¡­¡±


    ¡°What is Nine Yang? Ancient legends speak of Tang Valley, where the Fusang Divine Tree grew. The tree had upper and lower branches, with one yang on the upper branch, and nine yang below¡­ This method uses the nine yang as a metaphor, yet in reality, the Fusang Divine Tree corresponds to the human body, with one yang representing the eternally real Great Sun, and nine yang representing the nine true acupoints.¡±


    At this point, the Beggar Immortal suddenly asked with a smile, ¡°Disciple, what do you think are the locations of these nine true acupoints in the body?¡±


    Although Zhao Sheng had a guess, he still shook his head, indicating that he didn¡¯t know.


    Having spent a few days with him, he had already gotten to know his master¡¯s perverse sense of humor and certainly wouldn¡¯t fall for it.


    Seeing his reaction, the Beggar Immortal felt somewhat unamused, so he waved his hand, and a beam of light flashed by. Suddenly, a lifelike human figure illusion appeared, with the meridians and acupoints forming a dense network, clearly visible.


    The Beggar Immortal pointed at the Core Energy Sea acupoint and said, ¡°This is Tang Valley!¡±


    Then, the entire spinal dragon lit up abruptly, with nine acupoints along it shining brightly.


    ¡°The human spine is the Fusang Divine Tree, and the nine true acupoints from top to bottom in order are Heaven Pillar, Divine Platform, Supreme Yang, Life Gate¡­ the Changyang Nine Acupoints.


    ¡°The Taiqing Nine Yang Technique is an ancient dual cultivation method of body and technique. The realms of this method are very simple, from One Yang, Two Yang, all the way up to Nine Yang. Once the Nine Yang are achieved, one is invincible at the same level!


    ¡°Now listen carefully; I will impart to you the essence of the technique: Taiqing encompasses the primordial qi, the Golden Crow plants the Taoist lotus, Qi Refinement stores the Primordial Yang, Nine Yang breaks the Primordial Spirit¡­¡±


    And so, the Beggar Immortal recited the Divine Skill at a leisurely pace, while Zhao Sheng listened silently.


    In the Cultivation World, there is a well-known secret that any cultivation method related to Divinity Transformation is often not recorded in writing, relying only on oral transmission.


    The reason for this is obvious.


    Clearly, the Taiqing Nine Yang Technique was such a high-level Divine Skill.


    The formulas for this Divine Skill were surprisingly few and astoundingly simple and straightforward.


    Zhao Sheng had just listened once and had already understood most of it.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng understand why the Beggar Immortal was so eager to take him as his disciple upon first seeing him.


    The requirements for this Divine Skill were extremely stringent,


    Firstly, one¡¯s innate primordial qi had to be incredibly thick, at least a hundred times more than that of a normal person to barely meet the lowest standard for cultivation.


    Secondly, one needed to have top-notch aptitude and comprehension, with a Single Fire Spirit Root considered to be the best.


    Lastly, one needed to refine a strand of Golden Crow True Fire.


    The Golden Crow True Fire wasn¡¯t difficult at all.


    The Golden Crow Fire Yang in the black market of Pocket World City was intentionally placed there by the Beggar Immortal.


    While it was indeed rare to encounter a Single Fire Spirit Root once in a hundred years, with the Beggar Immortal¡¯s status, it would not be difficult to find a cultivator with Dual Spirit Roots, one of which was fire, if he could not find one with a Single Spirit Root.


    But the most difficult part was the first requirement; those with a hundredfold thick innate primordial qi were hard to find in the world.


    However, throughout this Divine Skill, it subtly emphasized one point: Those with sufficient primordial qi will find it easy to achieve the Nine Yang!


    Having obtained such a Divine Skill, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but be overjoyed.


    But at that moment, he heard the Beggar Immortal sigh:


    ¡°Alas, it¡¯s a pity that this ¡®Taiqing Nine Yang Technique¡¯ is incomplete, lacking the crucial part of ¡®Nine Yang Breaks Primordial Spirit.¡¯ Otherwise, this old beggar might have been able to glimpse what lies beyond Divinity Transformation?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s smile faded as he comforted, ¡°Master, there¡¯s no need to regret. You are only at the Mid-stage Nascent Soul realm, still far from the Divinity Transformation Heaven Barrier. Be more realistic; first, break through to the Late-stage Nascent Soul and become a Great Cultivator before you regret.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Beggar Immortal immediately felt a mix of embarrassment and anger, admonishing his disciple, ¡°Go away. With your wretched mouth, this old beggar will end up dying before you one day.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, unafraid, stood up, bowed to his master, and then vanished into the stone room to cultivate.


    The Beggar Immortal was the type to jest and not sweat the small stuff; he certainly wouldn¡¯t get angry over a few teasing words.


    What just happened was merely a bit of communication between master and disciple.


    Both were cunning old foxes with profound thoughts and extraordinary minds. Being somewhat candid with each other was even more conducive to tightening the master-disciple relationship.


    ¡­


    In the secret mansion, days and months were irrelevant.


    The Beggar Immortal hadn¡¯t stayed in the secret mansion for long. Once his disciple had fully grasped the essence of the cultivation method, he floated away and left this place.


    Before his departure, Zhao Xuanjing had already returned to sit and oversee the happenings in Xinglong City.


    Three months, in the blink of an eye, passed,


    while Xinglong City was boisterously holding a Dharma Transmission ceremony.


    In one of the cultivation rooms in the underground caverns of the secret mansion, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged with closed eyes, his body suspended in mid-air, emanating a blinding golden light.


    Behind him, a ¡°Sun¡± radiated incredibly fierce light heat.


    The heat waves rolled, air twisted, and waves of invisible flame power surged violently, causing the surrounding stone walls to melt away, dripping large amounts of fiery red magma onto the ground.


    The ground also turned into vast molten magma, bubbling up white-hot fire bubbles.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng was running his Nine Revolutions technique and had reached the most critical time.


    Countless strands of ¡°clear as water¡± Primordial Qi filled the ¡°Life Gate¡± acupoint at the tail end of his spine,


    where the qi gathered into a lake, carrying a miniature golden ¡°Sun¡± which seemed like a microcosm of the real, outer Sun.


    Then, threads of Innate Yuan Qi began pouring into the illusory ¡°Sun¡±.


    As time passed, the qi gradually waned, and the illusion slowly solidified. At this point, the phantom of a three-legged Golden Crow began to take shape within the ¡°Sun¡±.


    When the qi was completely absorbed, the golden Yang shone brightly and then turned into a small three-legged Golden Crow. After circling once in the true acupoint, it changed back into a golden Sun, suppressing the true acupoint here.


    Crack, rumble!


    The door of the cultivation room suddenly cracked with numerous fissures, then collapsed thunderously; fiery magma spewed from inside to out.


    Parting the dense flame clouds, Zhao Sheng retracted the Big Sun Illusion, stepped into the void, and walked out step by step.


    The ¡°Taiqing Nine Yang Technique¡± is indeed a high-level divine skill that goes straight to Divinity Transformation, with profound concepts and deep essence but surprisingly simple and direct to start practicing.


    In just three short months, Zhao Sheng had easily reached the One Yang Realm.


    Indeed, this divine skill is typically the type that accumulates over time and explodes in power in one day, a type of cultivation method with an amplification effect.


    With One Yang Burst, the strength of the cultivator increases by at least thirty percent, and afterward, there are no side effects whatsoever.


    Once reaching the Three Suns Realm, the full force can double the individual¡¯s power.


    If one follows the path of the Beggar Immortal and cultivates to the realm where Six Yang manifest, one can contend with an enemy a Half-step higher for a short time.


    Once the Nine Yang is established to Great Success, one can truly be invincible among peers and fight across realms.


    Of course, how many Yang realms one can cultivate to doesn¡¯t depend on Qi Fortune nor chance; it solely depends on whether the cultivator¡¯s innate Yuan Qi is abundant enough.


    In this regard, Zhao Sheng considered himself to have ample capital.


    Back when the Beggar Immortal reached the One Yang Realm, it took him a full three years, whereas Zhao Sheng took only three months.


    Afterward, despite the Beggar Immortal¡¯s millennium of arduous cultivation, he managed to reach only the Six Yang Realm, with the Seven Yang Realm still far out of reach.


    From this, one can see how demanding the ¡°Taiqing Nine Yang Technique¡± is for a cultivator¡¯s innate talent.


    However, Zhao Sheng was very confident in himself; as long as he didn¡¯t fall midway, it was a matter of when, not if, he would attain the Nine Yang Realm.


    After leaving the cultivation room, Zhao Sheng casually found another stone room, approached the stone platform, and sat down on the cushion he released.


    Then with a swing of his right hand, a small heap of pink, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, dried meat appeared in front of him.


    He picked up a piece of meat the size of a palm, about eight pounds, tossed it into his mouth, chewed it a few times, and then swallowed it down.


    Next, Zhao Sheng picked up piece after piece of the dried meat, continuously swallowing it down his throat.


    The entire eating process was concise and fluid, filled with an unusual beauty.


    In just a moment, Zhao Sheng had consumed over two hundred pounds of Seventh Rank demon beast meat, but his stomach remained as flat as before, not bulging at all, as if his stomach housed a voracious Taotie.


    Practicing the ¡°Taiqing Nine Yang Technique¡± consumes a large amount of Innate Yuan Qi, and feasting on large quantities is undoubtedly the method with the lowest cost and highest efficiency to restore Innate Yuan Qi.


    A quarter of an hour later, the meat mountain had disappeared, and Zhao Sheng, satisfied, stood up and stepped out of the stone room. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 414 - 289: Dao Pill Elixir Formation, Grand Competition Resumes

    Chapter 414: Chapter 289: Dao Pill Elixir Formation, Grand Competition Resumes


    A month later, Zhao Sheng found Zhao Dehe and instructed him on some matters before activating the Barrier Array Formation and descending the mountain.


    Half a day later, he arrived at Pocket World City, intending to visit his master, only to find that he had missed him.


    He later learned from the Store Manager of the black market that Beggar Immortal had been invited two months ago to attend the Nascent Soul Convention in secret at Heavenly Burial Plain.


    Zhao Sheng returned without success, reluctantly accepting a few batches of tributes before immediately embarking on the journey back.


    The return journey was long and uneventful.


    Half a month later, on the day the White Feather Flowers bloomed, a tunneling light descended from the sky, landing in Xinglong City.


    ...


    With the master¡¯s return, joy erupted throughout Zhao Mansion. Zhao Sheng had dinner with his wife and grandson, then rested for the entire night.


    The next morning, Zhao Sheng rose from the mansion into the sky and dashed towards the outskirts of the city.


    Shortly after, he landed on a beautiful mountain peak outside the city and quickly entered the cave mansion located halfway up the mountain.


    In the cave mansion, he successfully met Zhao Xuanjing, who was reputed to be in seclusion and not seeing any visitors.


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s return, Zhao Xuanjing expressed mild surprise, ¡°Qingyang, why have you returned so soon? Didn¡¯t Beggar Immortal say he would teach you the ¡®Taiqing Nine Yang Technique¡¯?¡±


    Zhao Sheng sat on the jade bench beside him, looking at Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s robust and mountain-like body, and chuckled, ¡°The ¡®Taiqing Nine Yang Technique¡¯ is very simple; I learned it right away. My master also went down to the Heavenly Burial Plain. I was constantly worried about this place while at the secret mansion, so I came back!¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing proudly said, ¡°With the old man present in Xinglong Origin, who would dare to be reckless!¡±


    ¡°However, it¡¯s good that you¡¯re back. There are countless complex affairs in Xinglong City; you can help me share some of the burden.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, I must not. I¡¯m currently at a critical period for rapid strength enhancement. I cannot allow these affairs to disturb my state of mind.¡± Zhao Sheng quickly complained, outright refusing.


    ¡°Heh! Speaking of rapid strength enhancement, have you forgotten that the old man was only promoted to Nascent Soul two years ago? Who is more important, you or the old man?¡±


    At these words, Zhao Sheng was suddenly at a loss for words.


    Just then, suddenly, a patch of golden light appeared on the ground, followed by a three-foot-long golden dragon with a light yellow soft horn on its forehead bursting out of the ground.


    After circling around in the air, this little dragon recognized its master and happily flicked its tail and vanished in a flash.


    In the next instant, it swiftly coiled around Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s waist, its body rapidly expanding to about ten feet in length, its dragon head biting its own tail, resembling a golden yellow belt.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes lit up, and he excitedly exclaimed, ¡°Little Gold has finally awakened?!¡±


    At that moment, a childish voice suddenly entered his mind, ¡°Not Little Gold, it¡¯s Seventh Ancestor! By seniority, you should address this dragon as Seventh Ancestor.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face soured; he had almost forgotten that this Mountain Dragon was now a Seventh-rank Demon King, now with significantly more intellect, not unlike an ordinary eleven or twelve-year-old boy.


    Time flies; the Little Gold of eight hundred years ago had suddenly become today¡¯s Mountain Dragon Seventh Ancestor.


    Having no choice, Zhao Sheng transmitted his voice in return, respectfully stating, ¡°Descendant of the Zhao family, Qingyang, pays respect to the Seventh Ancestor!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you know your place.¡± The Mountain Dragon lazily responded.


    Having just overcome the Dragon Transformation Tribulation and barely recuperated some primordial qi, it urgently needed to rest deeply.


    If not for something on Zhao Sheng that had caught its attention, it would not have appeared at all.


    ¡°What are you hiding on you? It smells so good! Bring it out quickly.¡±


    Upon hearing the Seventh Ancestor¡¯s transmitted voice, Zhao Sheng looked startled, then quickly remembered something and reached over his waist.


    A flash of radiance, and suddenly, a pile as tall as two people made of pink meat appeared on the ground.


    As soon as the meat mountain appeared, it released waves of exceptionally tempting fragrance. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Haha, it¡¯s this!¡±


    Before the echo faded, a burst of dazzling yellow light exploded from the ground. The ground rippled like water momentarily and instantly swallowed the meat mountain.


    ¡°This dragon is off!¡±


    The next second, the Mountain Dragon turned into a wisp of golden light, shot into the soil, and disappeared without trace.


    From the Mountain Dragon¡¯s appearance to its departure, the whole process was very brief; Zhao Xuanjing didn¡¯t even have a chance to interject.


    Seeing Xiao Qi forcefully snatch the younger generation¡¯s possessions, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s face darkened, nearly unable to maintain his composure.


    ¡°Cough! Qingyang, your loss will be doubly compensated by the old man later.¡±


    Upon saying this, he grunted irritably, ¡°Hmph, Xiao Qi is becoming more and more unruly. What a disgrace!¡±


    Zhao Sheng secretly chuckled twice and then quickly nodded in acknowledgement.


    After this little episode, Zhao Sheng broached the current situation of the family and Central Continent.


    ¡°Currently, less than six years remain until the commencement of the inter-realm great war, with the steps of war approaching ever closer.


    For the continuation of our lineage, I suggest that the family continues to implement the strategy of ¡®having multiple burrows like the crafty rabbit¡¯ and migrate in stages to other Four Continents.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s expression turned stern, decisively stating, ¡°Qingyang, your words are sensible. The strategy of having multiple burrows should not be limited to Shattered Star Sea. Using this opportunity, it¡¯s a perfect time for the family to once again branch out some collateral lines. This matter needs to be arranged promptly.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded understandingly.


    A large tree is bound to have dead branches!


    Ever since the emergence of the Nascent Soul Ancestor, the power of the Xinglong Zhao family had risen significantly.


    However, coincidentally, some branches within the family had grown quite arrogant in their demeanor, often behaving too haughtily and unbridledly.


    Some branches even harbored corruption and were terribly managed by the family members.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s action was precisely aimed at ¡°slimming down¡± the family¡ªactively pruning the dead branches and bad leaves while rectifying the roots and simultaneously alleviating and reducing intra-family conflicts over interests.


    This would achieve multiple objectives in one fell swoop!


    After discussing this, Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing deliberated over what stance the family should take during the inter-realm war¡ªwhether to actively participate, initially remain neutral to observe, or completely seclude themselves, hoping to emerge as a ¡°victor.¡±

 Chapter 415 - 289: Enlightenment Pill Completion, Grand Competition Resumes_2

    Chapter 415: Chapter 289: Enlightenment Pill Completion, Grand Competition Resumes_2


    After half an hour of deduction and discussion, the two finally decided on the stance of the Zhao Family, ¡°Participate to a limited extent, and should Central Continent fail, the entire family will immediately relocate to the Shattered Star Sea.¡±


    The sun set, and the moon rose. Dusk descended, and Zhao Sheng walked out of his cave mansion with a calm expression, then tunneled his way towards Xinglong City.


    ¡­


    In the past half month, the number of visiting cultivators at Zhao Ancestor¡¯s Mansion in Xinglong City had increased day by day.


    These people had no significant matters upon arrival at the mansion, but always found excuses to linger, often staying for an entire day.


    ¡°Do you smell it?¡±


    ...


    ¡°Mmm, just as Third Uncle said, it¡¯s refreshing and full of spirit light. If I could smell it for a few months, I could sooner or later grasp the essence of the ¡®One-element Heavy Water Technique¡¯.¡±


    In the living room, a Zhao clan member with a refined appearance was taking deep breaths, trying to inhale as much of the emerging elixir fragrance as possible into his lungs.


    For the past half month, a faint fragrance of elixir pills had started to waft from the Zhao Mansion, stimulating the mind and greatly enhancing understanding upon smelling it.


    Over half a month, the fragrance of the elixir grew stronger day by day, eventually permeating the entire Zhao Mansion.


    Soon, rumors had it that it was the Qingyang Ancestor refining a high-level spirit pill that could enlighten and make one wiser upon consumption.


    Despite the Zhao Mansion¡¯s categorical denial of these rumors, the truth was not far off from what was rumored.


    At this moment, in the alchemy room beneath the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Sheng repeatedly formed elixir seals with his hands, striking the Golden Crow True Fire with a continuous flow of True Yuan.


    At that instant, the Golden Crow True Fire blazed like a Great Sun, with a vermilion spirit pill floating inside that bore seven orifices on its surface.


    Above the true fire, massive amounts of elixir essence gathered like clouds, filling the room, while also emitting an extremely intense elixir fragrance.


    This nearly complete spirit pill was none other than the Enlightenment Pill.


    Zhao Sheng, with his insights from two lifetimes and decades spent collecting medicinal herbs, had only truly begun refining it three months prior.


    The difficulty of refining the Enlightenment Pill was far greater than he had imagined, and the first two attempts had ended in failure.


    On the third attempt, after enduring half a month of continuous fusion and nurturing of the medicine¡¯s properties, he finally saw the glimmers of success.


    An hour later, the Golden Crow True Fire suddenly contracted at high speed, and the vermilion elixir pill, now crystal clear and resembling a longan-sized red agate, was complete.


    ¡°Retrieve,¡± Zhao Sheng uttered softly, with a flick of his sword finger, and saw the Golden Crow True Fire carrying the Enlightenment Pill swiftly fly towards him.


    As the Golden Crow True Fire was retracted, it vanished into Zhao Sheng¡¯s abdomen in an instant, while the Enlightenment Pill plummeted from the sky, landing precisely in Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand.


    Zhao Sheng brought the spirit pill up to his nose for a sniff, and in an instant, a pungent elixir fragrance surged up to the Bai Hui acupoint, refreshing his mind like cold water over the brain, and countless sparks of insight involuntarily emerged in his mind.


    ¡°Good, the name Enlightenment truly lives up to its reputation!¡±


    After praising, Zhao Sheng carefully placed it into a pill bottle he had prepared in advance, affixed three layers of Elixir Seal, then stored it in his personal Storage Bag.


    Zhao Sheng did not intend to consume the Enlightenment Pill himself.


    There was someone in the mansion who needed this pill even more than he did.


    After leaving the alchemy room, Zhao Sheng went straight to his wife and personally handed the Enlightenment Pill to her.


    His wife, Dong Miaozhen, was of similar age, and despite being nearly senile, her progress in cultivation had been extremely slow since advancing to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Without the aid of the Enlightenment Pill, it was unlikely she had any hope of forming a Golden Core.


    The path to longevity was long, and Zhao Sheng hoped to have a confidante by his side; ascending alone in broad daylight would be rather dull.


    ¡­


    ¡°¡­The Three-Ring Golden Wall has been completed, and the Annihilation Array Group has been deployed to ninety percent¡­ All Yin Caves in the Heavenly Burial Plain have been destroyed¡­ The progress is good as of now,¡±


    ¡°¡­Joyous Tower news update: Ten Directions Spirit Stone Line has temporarily suspended the exchange of spirit stones. The prices of resources like Magical Treasures, Elixir Pills, and talismans have surged more than double on average. The Sect Alliance calls upon everyone in the Cultivation World to unite, urging against hoarding and speculating¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­The Vast Sect recently announced that all extensive maritime routes involving the great ocean continents will be suspended soon, and they will rapidly set up new aerial routes within the states, along with announcing the following bounty tasks¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­The Alliance has declared the area above the third layer of Cloud Sea on Heavenly Pillar Mountain sealed. The duration of the closure is unknown¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­The summoning order for Cultivators was issued three days ago. All forces receiving this order must comply, dispatching the summoned personnel to the Heavenly Burial Plain within the set deadline; the first mandate of the Ten Sect Alliance!¡±


    ¡­


    Having read through the latest intelligence contained within the jade scroll, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression became grave as he put the scroll away.


    In recent months, there had been an abundance of significant intelligence, but between the lines, he saw only one sentence stand out: ¡°The momentum of the alliance is overwhelming, those who comply will live, those who defy will perish!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was very curious about what had caused the Sect Alliance to act increasingly hasty and domineering.


    He could not believe that the Nascent Soul Ancestors, who had lived for over a thousand years, were unaware of the severe backlash their actions would provoke.


    Yet, they proceeded with such a near-violent approach.


    ¡°Could it be that the overall strength of the Netherworld Ghost Realm far surpasses that of the Tianzhu Realm?¡± Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but think this thought more than once.


    At that moment, a Messenger Talisman Crane suddenly flew in through the door, interrupting his train of thought.


    Zhao Sheng caught the talisman crane, swept over it with his Divine Sense, and absorbed the information into his mind.


    ¡°So, the time for the Eight Branches Technique Competition has come around again. This time, I might as well give the youngsters a change of pace and give the Corpse Demon Purgatory Map some air.¡±


    Deciding on a course of action, Zhao Sheng¡¯s form flashed, and in an instant, he vanished from the room without a trace.


    ¡­


    A day later, in Xinglong City, at the largest training ground of the Immortal Martial Dao Institute, more than three hundred spirited Qi Refining Clan Members of the Zhao family stood below the stage, looking up in admiration at the family elder on the high platform.


    Behind the three hundred cultivators, over four thousand Immortal Martial Practitioners stood in grave silence, their dense crowd engulfing silence like a dark cloud.


    This year, the Ancestor had specially decreed to allow the family¡¯s Immortal Martial Practitioners to participate in the Eight Branches Competition.


    The moment news of this spread, it caused a sensation throughout Xinglong City; everyone notified one another, celebrating with excitement and joy.


    The sun was high in the sky, just past noon.


    The newly appointed Family Head, Zhao Degang, looked up at the time with a serious expression, then turned, bowed to Zhao Sheng, and respectfully said, ¡°Ancestor, the auspicious moment has arrived.¡±


    Hmm,


    Zhao Sheng nodded, took a few steps forward to the front of the platform, and with a wave of his sleeve, a two-foot-long scroll suddenly shot out.


    The scroll soared into the sky, burst into a great expanse of spirit light, unfolding as it expanded on both sides, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a massive painting screen several hundred feet in size.


    On the screen, one could see endless stretches of the Corpse Mound Filth, with black qi rising to the heavens and dark clouds spreading across the sky. Amidst the grey-black earth, the Blood River Ghost Forest crisscrossed densely, and countless Zombie Demon Ghosts roamed in packs, terrorizing the mountains and forests.


    From afar, ceaseless battles between the Corpse Ghosts and demons were visible, with warfare rampant in the sky and on the ground, leaving no place untouched; this shattered world resembled a purgatory at the end of days. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This painting known as the Corpse Demon Purgatory Map was specially given to him by True Monarch Xie in the past.


    Zhao Sheng later discovered that the painting was exceptionally profound, containing inscrutable depths of the principles of reality and illusion.


    Whoever entered this map could engage in endless battles with the Corpse Demons and demons.


    The more Corpse Ghosts one killed, the more powerful the Corpse Ghosts that subsequently appeared would be, until the participant was defeated and perished.


    However, even if one fell, they would not truly die, merely losing some of their spiritual power.


    In recent years, whenever Zhao Sheng had spare time, he would enter the map to test himself and had managed to kill up to four Golden Armored Corpses of the same level as himself.


    Of course, this map wasn¡¯t all-powerful, it could only simulate up to two to three percent of Zhao Sheng¡¯s strength and had almost no reaction to the Immortal Spirit Realm and Star God Thousand Heart Technique.


    This time, for the Eight Branches Competition, Zhao Sheng was planning to use it as a trial.


    ¡°Anyone who wishes to participate can step onto the platform and directly face the screen with their eyes, projecting their consciousness into it. Whoever endures the longest will be this year¡¯s first in technique demonstration.


    Furthermore, this year¡¯s rewards are limitless. If someone impresses me enough, even Spirit Mountain Treasures are rewards I am willing to bestow,¡± Zhao Sheng said.


    His words were not loud, yet they clearly resonated in everyone¡¯s ears.


    As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion erupted below the platform, with all the Zhao Clan Members turning red with excitement, their eyes ablaze with fervor.


    Seeing the fighting spirit ignited in the younger generation, Zhao Sheng silently nodded in approval, turned around to return to the platform, and seated himself on the specially-designed Mountain and Sea Jade Couch.


    The day the Eight Branches Competition began was exactly one thousand days away from the day of the Nine Stars Alinement!

 Chapter 416 - 290 Daoist Soldier Corps

    Chapter 416: Chapter 290 Daoist Soldier Corps


    ¡°Huff, huff!¡±


    Under the gloomy heavenly curtain, ravines stretched across the land. Zhao Shiluo rolled far away, not stopping until he tumbled into a narrow depression in the ground. There, he lay on his back, chest heaving rapidly, taking great gasps of air. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, his lips were blackened, his eyes were tinged green, and a more than a foot-long wound had been torn open in his abdomen. Pus and blood unceasingly gushed out, and from deep within, the darkened sheen of his intestines was faintly visible.


    The persistent stench of pus from his wound could attract zombies from the surrounding area at any moment.


    Since entering the Purgatory Map, Zhao Shiluo had initially been very lucky, decapitating two waves of walking corpses in succession. But later he had an unexpected encounter with an iron armor corpse.


    Zhao Shiluo, who had become an Innate Martial Artist just a few years ago, was no match for the iron armor corpse.


    ...


    This type of undead monster, which dared to treat Qi Refining Clan Members as food, could only be independently slain by Innate Grandmasters!


    Encountering an iron armor corpse meant only one thing: bad luck!


    Luckily, the iron armor corpse lacked spiritual wisdom and was relatively slow.


    Zhao Shiluo risked his life, throwing away his Thousand Refinement Saber and scurrying and dodging like a rat to barely escape the relentless pursuit of the iron armor corpse.


    Even so, at the very end, he was still struck by a claw from the iron armor corpse.


    However, in just a short moment, the corpse poison had spread throughout his body.


    Facing the horrific corpse poison, his 60 years¡¯ worth of Innate True Qi was like a joke, and his Great Success Realm Iron Body Refining merely prolonged his survival a little.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í?0.§ã¦Ï


    ¡°Dammit! I wanted to hold on longer. It seems this is the end. Grandfather, I am not willing to accept this!¡±


    As his last shred of clarity was about to dissipate, Zhao Shiluo¡¯s heart was filled with unwillingness. A multitude of mad, bloodthirsty thoughts involuntarily surfaced in his mind, along with a surge of intense resentment out of nowhere.


    Roar, roar!


    Two breaths later, Zhao Shiluo¡¯s corpse shakily rose from the ground, his green, eerie eyes staring straight up at the heavenly curtain as he suddenly let out a spiteful howl.


    Suddenly,


    On the high platform, Zhao Shiluo¡¯s body swayed, and his head throbbed with a sudden, sharp pain.


    He clutched his forehead and barely opened his eyes to see the Zhao Clan Members meditating around him, and realized he had already extricated himself from the map.


    Seeing this, Zhao Shiluo felt a pang of regret.


    Yet, before he could let out a sigh, his mouth was forcefully pried open, and an elixir pill was stuffed inside.


    ¡°Get up! Make space for the others. It¡¯s normal to feel a headache, just rest for a while when you get back, and you¡¯ll be fine,¡±


    ¡°Oh, oh!¡±


    The person speaking was a Cultivator of the ¡®Qing¡¯ generation. Zhao Shiluo, seeing this, hurriedly nodded and dragged himself up, enduring the headache as he hastily descended from the high platform.


    The grand competition was drawing to a close, and nearly no one paid attention to an unremarkable Innate member, except for Zhao Sheng.


    On the Mountain and Sea Jade Couch, Zhao Sheng withdrew his distant gaze, having already taken note of Zhao Shiluo¡¯s name with one of his ¡°consciousnesses¡±.


    At the same time, the pressure caused by so many people entering the map simultaneously for trials had exceeded his expectations.


    As a result, Zhao Sheng had to use most of his energy and True Yuan to maintain the normal operation of the Corpse Demon Purgatory Map.


    Luckily, he could split his consciousness into more than forty parts.


    With so many consciousnesses working together in coordination, each with their own responsibilities, he was still able to handle such complex and tedious matters with ease.


    Inside the hundred-zhang scroll, over the vast expanse of gray, dusty land, members of the Zhao Clan were engaged in extremely fierce battles against one ferocious and terrifying zombie and ghostly creature after another.


    The Cultivator flew through the air and burrowed underground, employing all kinds of True Talismans and wondrous techniques, struggling to keep up with the Corpse Ghosts.


    Most chose to fight head-on, showing their courage and fearlessness, while others dodged and hid, doing their best to drag out time.


    In this trial named as a grand competition, the performance of everyone was being observed by Zhao Sheng, and he recorded each one for reference in later arrangements.


    The competition lasted an entire day and night.


    When the last member exited from the Purgatory Map, not only the participants of the grand competition but even Zhao Sheng was somewhat surprised.


    Because the one who persisted to the end was not one of the high-ranking Qi Refining Clan Members, but an ordinary-looking middle-aged person.


    This man¡¯s name was Zhao Zhao, just over thirty years of age, yet he was already a Half-step to Divinity Realm Martial Artist.


    How did he manage to hold out until the end? From the start, Zhao Zhao had chosen to hide everywhere, never confronting any zombie demon ghosts head-on, not even the weakest living corpses.


    It is known that from low to high, zombies rank as living corpses, walking corpses, iron armor corpses, copper-armored corpses, golden armored corpses, Flying Sky Netherworld King, and the Undying Zombie Emperor¡­


    An average Martial Artist could easily dismantle a living corpse, indicating how weak a living corpse actually is.


    Zhao Zhao appeared to be someone who had maximized his survival skills.


    To cling to life, he had done everything within his power.


    Towards the end, he even managed to attract the pursuit of eight iron armor corpses simultaneously.


    If not for the eventual arrival of a copper-armored corpse, Zhao Zhao might have lasted another half an hour.


    Nine out of the top ten in the grand competition were Cultivators, yet the first place fell into the hands of a mortal.


    This made all the Qi Refining Clan Members of the Zhao Family utterly disgruntled and unwilling to accept the results. However, they dared not express any objections.


    After all, the Golden Core Ancestor was watching, and even the elders had no objections. How could these younger members dare to protest?


    As for this outcome, Zhao Sheng was actually quite satisfied.


    After the grand competition, he rewarded Zhao Zhao greatly, gifting him a Divine Communication Pill and a hundred mu of inheritable spirit field.

 Chapter 417 - 290 Daoist Soldier Corps_2

    Chapter 417: Chapter 290 Daoist Soldier Corps_2


    He then personally promoted him to be the Deputy Director of the Immortal Martial Institute, specifically in charge of teaching the warriors of the clan various survival and hiding skills, thereby increasing their chances of survival.


    As the great war between the two realms drew increasingly near, and considering the various intelligence gathered so far, Zhao Sheng maintained a limited optimism about the war, but he could not help feeling somewhat pessimistic.


    Just ten days after the great competition, the Zhao Family Elders suddenly announced a significant decree, ¡°Within one month, officially form the family¡¯s Daoist Soldier Corps, named Xinglong, with a total of one thousand two hundred people, the minimum standard for the Dao soldiers being Innate Martial Artists.¡±


    This decree was compulsory, regardless of one¡¯s willingness, once a family mobilization order was received, one must report to the military camp outside the city within seven days.


    No one expected the family to act so decisively and swiftly this time.


    In just one day, over a thousand mobilization orders had already been handed out to the summoned individuals.


    ...


    That very afternoon, Zhao Shiluo also received one, but it wasn¡¯t for the Xinglong Dao Soldiers, instead, he was to report to the Dragon Guard Camp.


    Influenced by a certain ancestor of the family, the Zhao family was never short of master spiritual craftsmen.


    Hence, a vast military camp, spanning over fifty square miles, sprang up in just three days outside Xinglong City.


    Just as the first-class sects and dynasty forces in the Cultivation World would form various Daoist Soldier Corps, the Xinglong Zhao family also began to build similar corps on a large scale.


    Indeed, the Zhao family had always had structures similar to those of the Daoist Army, such as the Dark Camp.


    As the clouds of war slowly gathered, one after another, the elites of the Zhao family gradually entered the military camp. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    According to Zhao Sheng¡¯s plan, the Xinglong Army was divided into two branches, each consisting of six hundred people,


    with groups of ten each led by an early stage of Qi Refining as the team leader because ten people could form a simple yet practical Yin Yang Five Elements Formation.


    Each group of fifty was led by a Qi Refining Middle Stage as the squadron leader, commanding five teams.


    Each group of one hundred was led by a late stage of Qi Refining,


    and every two hundred were led by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Two groups of five hundred were each led by a Foundation Establishment Late Stage elder.


    In summary: two Foundation Establishment Late Stage, six Foundation Establishment, twelve late-stage of Qi Refining, twenty-four middle stage of Qi Refining, one hundred twenty early stage of Qi Refining, the rest were all Innate Martial Artists.


    To form this army, the Xinglong Zhao family invested nearly thirty percent of their Cultivation Clan members and more than sixty percent of their Innate Martial Artists.


    This could truly be considered a major investment.


    If the Xinglong Army were to be annihilated, the Zhao family would undoubtedly suffer great losses to their vital energy.


    Due to the pressing time constraints, the Xinglong Army chose not to practice more powerful but complicated Dao Formations and instead opted for the simplest and most practical Yin Yang Five Elements Formation.


    The Yin Yang Five Elements Formation could be large or small, the smallest being ten people to form the formation, while the largest formation could include thousands.


    The feature of this formation is that its power is not low, it can also nest formations within formations, and even assemble or disassemble at will, depending on the controller¡¯s proficiency.


    As the Xinglong Army vigorously practiced the Daoist Soldiers, the practice of formation was in full swing, Zhao Shiluo, carrying his bag, arrived at a bustling, spacious complex underground at the Immortal Martial Dojo.


    Here, a variety of pungent smells filled the air, as people dressed in blue carried barrels of meat, running and panting in and out of stone rooms, busy to the point of not touching the ground.


    Zhao Shiluo was very familiar with this place, as it was where he had always worked, the location of the Fungus Meat Breeding Farm.


    He had not expected the Dragon Guard Camp to be built in such a spoiled place as the breeding farm.


    Zhao Shiluo had already realized that the so-called Dragon Guard Camp must be in charge of something akin to logistics.


    Indeed! The Dragon Guard Camp, although only comprising just over two hundred people, was specifically built to ensure the logistics support for the Xinglong Army, with the minimum being Innate Martial Artists.


    Suddenly, Zhao Shiluo heard a familiar shout near his ear, ¡°You stinker, what are you dazing at? Hurry up and report, then come over and get to work.¡±


    Looking up, it was indeed Zhao Hong, an Innate Grandmaster. Zhao Shiluo had once taken his path to enter the Immortal Martial Dojo, and had always worked under him, receiving much protection and teaching over the years.


    ¡°Master Hong, did you also receive the Dragon Guard Camp order?¡± Zhao Shiluo hurried over and asked curiously.


    Zhao Hong slapped his head, ¡°Nonsense! Of course, I¡¯m an Innate Grandmaster and have been in charge of the breeding farm for decades. It would be strange if the Dragon Guard Camp didn¡¯t recruit me. Besides the Camp Master handled by three elders, who else but me for the Deputy Camp Leader.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great, I can work under you again.¡±


    ¡°Kid, I always feel something ominous. Be smart in the future and never lose your life carelessly.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I will follow your guidance completely.¡±


    ¡­


    One month after the formation of the Xinglong Army.


    In the Gravity Dojo of Xinglong Underground City, Zhao Sheng was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, his body radiating golden light.


    Behind him towered a giant figure, eight yards high and shining with golden light, who was slowly practicing a highly sophisticated set of boxing techniques.


    Though it was but a shadow of nothingness, each time it threw a punch, the dojo would abruptly resonate with roaring winds and thunderous sounds, and surging airwaves continuously battered the surrounding walls, making the whole dojo seem as if it were shaking like an earthquake.


    Just then, a streak of golden light suddenly shot up from the ground. Zhao Sheng abruptly opened his eyes and released his Divine Sense from his forehead, instantly intercepting the streak of golden light.


    Then, a short sentence surged into his mind: ¡°The Summoning Order has come!¡±


    Zhao Sheng frowned slightly, his mind stirred and he stopped the Gravity Magic Array, then stood up and quickly walked out of the dojo.


    Not long after, at the foot of Jinxiu Peak, outside the city, was the Ancestor¡¯s cave mansion.


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing sat on cushions; in front of them lay a bronze token the size of a palm.


    In the center of the token was embedded a White Jade Pearl, and the back was engraved with the Dharma Seals of the Ten Great Sects of Central Continent.


    After a long time, Zhao Xuanjing broke the silence, his expression solemn, ¡°Qingyang, both you and I are on the Summoning Order. Did you anticipate this outcome?¡±


    Zhao Sheng showed a wry smile and shook his head, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect the alliance to be so ruthless! They really leave no room for others to survive!¡±


    ¡°I have been prepared for a long time, previously managing to delay under the pretext of undergoing the Nascent Soul Tribulation. But now, that¡¯s no longer possible.¡±


    ¡°The alliance desperately needs construction-type Spiritual Craftsmen, and the Ancestor is also known as a ¡®Divine Skill¡¯ Nascent Soul Grandmaster; they wouldn¡¯t possibly let you go.¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head with a wry smile, ¡°Is recruiting the two of us not enough? Why do they also need to summon a batch of juniors from the family?


    Luckily, I prepared for the worst; otherwise, I would have been caught completely off guard.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing replied, ¡°It¡¯s precisely because the situation is adverse that the alliance acts recklessly, coercing others regardless of the consequences. Haven¡¯t you noticed that the Demon Path and the Evil Path have been unusually quiet in recent years, even abnormally so?


    Moreover, crucially, the rise of our Zhao family has been rapid, already arousing the vigilance and exclusion of many established powers.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was startled, indeed neglecting this point.


    ¡°The enemy is at the gates, and the forces of the Demon Path not only withhold their effort but could even possibly sabotage from the shadows; have they gone mad?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s expression was calm, pondering, ¡°The Demon Paths have been suppressed by the Righteous Path for nearly ten thousand years, their overall strength so weakened. It¡¯s not surprising for them to do anything unthinkable now.¡±


    Zhao Sheng thoughtfully listened, then suddenly remembered the infamous Demon Sects of the Shattered Star Sea, like the Blood Demon Sect, the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect, Joy Heaven, and the Seven Mysterious Sect, and he also suddenly thought of the Blood God¡¯s Son.


    Somehow, perhaps out of some intuition, Zhao Sheng suddenly realized that he might have made a mistake, and an ominous feeling inexplicably surged in his heart.


    But he quickly discarded the chaotic thoughts and turned back to the matter at hand.


    ¡°Ancestor, could you possibly seek to buy some time for the family? The Xinglong Dao Soldiers have only just been formed and desperately need some time to become skilled in the Daoist Soldiers Formation.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing considered this for a moment, then nodded affirmatively, saying, ¡°That¡¯s possible, you can also delay going, but at most for one year.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough time! It helps that the Ancestor has such great influence,¡± Zhao Sheng finally showed a hint of a smile on his face.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s most likely because they respect the Ksitigarbha Sect and my Master,¡± Zhao Xuanjing seriously explained.


    ¡­


    Three days later, the Zhao family Foundation Establishment Elders learned from Zhao Sheng that the Ancestor had already set out for the Heavenly Burial Plain.


    After Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s departure, the vast machinery of the Xinglong Zhao family was driven by Zhao Sheng to operate at full power.


    An acre, an acre

 Chapter 418 - 291: Golden Wall Abyss, Infinite Merit

    Chapter 418: Chapter 291: Golden Wall Abyss, Infinite Merit


    Days passed and seasons changed; in the blink of an eye, a year had gone by.


    On the day when the White Feather Flower bloomed again across the Southern Border, a large Cloud Boat measuring more than eighty zhang in length, its body shining silver and white, was docked on the open ground outside the military camp at the outskirts of Xinglong City.


    Zhao Sheng, accompanied by a group of Zhao¡¯s Foundation Establishment Elders, stood on a high platform, watching as row after row of Xinglong Dao Soldiers clad in mysterious armor steadily boarded the Cloud Boat.


    A quarter of an hour later, all eight hundred Xinglong Dao Soldiers had finished embarking.


    Zhao Sheng withdrew his gaze, turning back to look at Zhao Degang, the Family Head standing at the forefront, and spoke solemnly, ¡°The heavy responsibility of the household, I entrust to you!¡±


    Zhao Degang¡¯s expression was grave as he responded, ¡°Rest assured, Ancestor! ¡®United in heart and resolve, our strength will cut through metal.¡¯ This precept of our family ancestors is forever etched in my heart. I pledge my life that the family will be safe and well, there will be no mishaps.¡±


    ... S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°That is good to hear,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded, his gaze sweeping over the other Foundation Establishment Elders left behind. With a light tap of his foot, his body soared into the air and, in an instant, turned into a tunneling light, flying into the Cloud Boat.


    Before long, the large Cloud Boat quivered slightly, a light shield emerged around the vessel, and then it silently lifted off the ground, rising into the clouds and vanishing without a trace.


    ¡­


    A month later,


    The sky was overcast, the cold wind howled,


    A large, silver and white Cloud Boat suddenly burst through the thick, dark clouds, diving toward the ground like a shot arrow.


    Looking down from the Cloud Boat, the land below was desolate and dotted with scorch marks, the ground bare and almost completely devoid of vegetation.


    The most eye-catching feature on the surface was a winding Great Wall gleaming with golden light, tall and sturdy, resembling mountain ranges,


    This Golden Wall stretches to the ends of the earth, beyond the limit of sight.


    Near the Great Wall, in some areas, lie vast clusters of buildings including stone houses and pavilions, and at this moment the area below was bustling. Cloud Boat Spaceships of various shapes whizzed down, while others soared into the sky, racing towards the horizons.


    In the blink of an eye, a three-zhang-long miniature Flying Boat shot out from the Golden Wall; it flew into the sky with incredible agility and swiftly approached Zhao¡¯s Cloud Boat.


    Soon, the two vessels converged.


    Guided by the small Flying Boat, the Cloud Boat gradually traveled over a hundred li and finally docked on an enormous plaza that spanned a hundred li.


    The square was crowded with all kinds of Flying Artifacts densely packed together. On the ground, tens of thousands of people were bustling about, busily moving to and fro.


    Hum!


    The hatch of the Cloud Boat swung open, and squad after squad of Xinglong Dao Soldiers swiftly leaped from the hatch and then quickly formed up into two large square formations.


    The military formations were orderly and uniform, exuding a bone-chilling air of murder. Above the heads of the soldiers, trails of vital essence surged into the sky, then converged and fused, creating the illusion of a massive Croc Dragon above the formations.


    The Xinglong Daoist Soldier Corps had been established for a year, spending that time in close quarters with Zhao¡¯s family guardian Divine Beast, the Sixth Order Croc Dragon.


    Facing a Sixth Rank Demon, Zhao¡¯s Taoist Soldiers grew rapidly, from initially being routed at the slightest contact to being able to barely hold their own when six hundred soldiers formed a Tao Formation in the final month.


    For this reason, the Xinglong Army¡¯s spirit had actualized into a Croc Dragon, which left Zhao Sheng feeling a mix of laughter and tears.


    The appearance of Zhao¡¯s Taoist Soldier Corps caused quite a stir.


    Any discerning eye could see that a strong dragon had arrived today. The resources consumed by such a scale of a Daoist Soldier Corps each year were enormous, and without the backing of a powerful force, it simply could not be sustained.


    The commotion on the plaza quickly subsided, people returned to their respective tasks, no longer paying attention to the newcomers.


    In the past year, Heavenly Burial Plain had seen numerous formidable Daoist Soldier Corps, and the locals had opened their eyes to many wonders. By now, they were already accustomed to the sight.


    The Xinglong Army was not the strongest, not even considered first-class, so naturally, they wouldn¡¯t attract attention for long.


    Zhao Sheng was the last to fly off the Cloud Boat.


    After his departure, the large Cloud Boat quickly shot into the sky, racing towards the horizon.


    There were many small families near Xinglong Origin in urgent need of large Cloud Boats for transport.


    Zhao Sheng, adhering to the principle of earning whatever he could, had the Cloud Boat run long distances before the battle officially started to earn back some capital.


    At that moment, a beam of tunneling light flew from the high sky, arriving beside Zhao Sheng in the blink of an eye, transforming into a burly giant over two zhang tall.


    It was none other than Zhao¡¯s Ancestor, Zhao Xuanjing.


    Zhao Sheng hurried to greet him with a smile, ¡°Ancestor, you¡¯ve arrived.¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing nodded and didn¡¯t say much, but got straight to the point, ¡°Follow me. Everything here has already been arranged.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was not surprised by this; if even this could not be achieved, it would truly be a waste of the Nascent Soul Ancestor¡¯s reputation.


    The Xinglong Army arrived quickly and departed even quicker.


    In less than a quarter of an hour, there was no trace of them left on the plaza.


    ¡­


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng stood atop a city wall cast in gold, looking down at what lay before him, his face involuntarily showing a hint of shock.


    Beneath the towering, hundred-zhang-tall Great Wall lay not a flatland but a colossal Abyss with smooth walls that spanned over a hundred li in diameter, its depths beyond sight.


    This Abyss, known as Cliff Cave, was not a natural formation but was forcibly shaped by human effort.


    The grandeur of the Sect Alliance¡¯s efforts was enough to astound all who beheld it.


    Zhao Sheng looked up at the space above the Abyss, roughly a thousand zhang high, where it seemed completely empty, appearing to hold nothing.


    Yet he could distinctly sense that from that patch of sky, vast quantities of cold and chilling breath constantly surged out of thin air and spread into the surrounding world.


    Directly above the Abyss was the location of the Time-Space Rift.

 Chapter 419 - 291 Golden Wall Abyss, Infinit

    Chapter 419: Chapter 291 Golden Wall Abyss, Infinit


    Chapter 419: Chapter 291 Golden Wall Abyss, Infinite Merit_2


    ¡°`


    Although the seal temporarily prevented Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense from penetrating the time-space rift,


    the records show that this rift is roughly three miles long, and the amount of ¡°Spiritual Energy¡± from the Otherworld leaking through the seal¡¯s flaws each day is equivalent to the dispersal from a large Fourth Order Spiritual Vein.


    As a result, the Heavenly Burial Plain has been unable to recover for nearly ten thousand years, turning its vast territories into a paradise for zombie demon ghosts.


    However, after years of relentless eradication akin to sweeping clean one¡¯s own courtyard, the majority of the corpse ghosts in the Heavenly Burial Plain have been reduced to ashes and scattered bones.


    ...


    After watching for a long time, Zhao Sheng slowly withdrew his gaze.


    At this moment, a tall figure clad in full armor approached him and said in a deep voice, ¡°Brother Zhao, after watching for so long, have you not yet decided in your heart?¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned to look at the armored man, shook his head slightly, and declined, ¡°The Zhao Family¡¯s foundation is shallow, far inferior to your Dong family. The Infinite Merit Plan is indeed excellent, but I am unwilling to gamble with the lives of my clan members.¡±


    ¡°Brother Zhao, it is said that fortune favors the bold! If the Infinite Merit Plan succeeds, the benefits we gain are simply immeasurable. Think about the merits and immense wealth of conquering a world!


    Don¡¯t you want to advance to Nascent Soul, even to Divinity Transformation? Don¡¯t you want to see the Xinglong Zhao Family become a super clan spanning two worlds?¡± the armored man tempted him one after another.


    The armored man¡¯s name was Dong Bichen, a commander of the Daoist Soldier Corps of the Weaver Dong Family, with cultivation at the Late-stage Golden Core.


    Because the two families were related by marriage, Dong Bichen took the initiative to seek out Zhao Sheng yesterday, persuading him to join a grand plan known as the Infinite Merit Plan.


    Zhao Sheng had heard about the Infinite Merit Plan earlier. Although its name suggests boundless merit, it is essentially a counterattack plan against the invasion of the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    Indeed! Some factions were very optimistic, and before the war even began, they had already started plotting a counterassault on another world.


    With the backing of several Divinity Transformation True Monarchs, the Infinite Merit Plan was successfully launched and swiftly accepted by numerous ambitious factions, who eagerly participated.


    The Dong Family was just one of them, and their strength was not top-notch since the Ten Great Sects of the Central Continent had all joined as well.


    To carve out a larger share of the spoils, the Weaver Dong Family mobilized their millennial connections, trying their utmost to draw in their in-laws.


    With a Nascent Soul Ancestor presiding, the Xinglong Zhao Family was highly valued by the Dong Family.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng, as a ¡°son-in-law,¡± was undoubtedly the best candidate to persuade.


    To tell the truth, Zhao Sheng was occasionally very tempted by Dong Bichen¡¯s words.


    But after much consideration, he ultimately held back because, fundamentally, Zhao Sheng did not have faith in this plan. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s refusal meant the Dong Family¡¯s wishful planning came to nought.


    Dong Bichen unwillingly persuaded him for a while, but Zhao Sheng politely declined throughout.


    In the end, he left feeling dejected.


    ¡­


    Without actually being on the Heavenly Burial Plain, one cannot imagine the astonishing power that erupts when the forces of most of the Central Continent unite.


    Around that time-space rift, the Sect Alliance built not one, but three Golden Walls, encircling the rift within them.


    Each Great Wall was a hundred zhang high, with the outer walls as solid as Jingang, covered in various defense and killing formations; inside, countless stone rooms were constructed for the stationed Daoist soldiers and cultivators.


    The innermost of the Second Ring Golden Walls, spanning over five hundred miles, was undoubtedly the most painstakingly built by the alliance, fitted with numerous Big Killers, and the elite Taoist soldier corps of various major sects were garrisoned there.


    At the same time, it harbored the most high-level combat power among the three Golden Walls, where Foundation Establishment cultivators are as common as dogs, Golden Cores roam everywhere, and only Nascent Souls can strut with pride.


    The Xinglong Zhao Family¡¯s army was not stationed here but had withdrawn to the Second Ring Golden Wall.


    As for the third ring, in a word, it serves as the last line of defense and the logistics and supply distribution center.


    There are only a little over two hundred miles between the first and second walls, and the territory in between is scattered with numerous Prohibitions, with many factions garrisoned throughout.


    Most of these factions were not weak but lacked backing.


    On the surface, they were said to participate in defensive rotations, but in reality, they were cannon fodder.


    The task of the ¡°troops¡± stationed on the Second Ring Great Wall included overseeing these cannon fodders, making sure they did not flee in panic.


    That the Xinglong Zhao family received such ¡°favorable treatment¡± is, of course, inseparable from the renown of Zhao Xuanjing.


    Naturally, two giants stood behind the Zhao Family¡ªone was the Beggar Immortal, and the other was the Weaver Dong Family.


    The Xinglong Dao Soldiers covered an area of a hundred miles, so as soon as they were stationed, the entire corps began to familiarize themselves with the various formations and magic artifacts on the city walls, carefully divided their defensive sectors, established good relations with ¡°allied forces,¡± and vied for more Spirit Stone resources.


    In the first two months, one could say they were extremely busy.


    It¡¯s worth mentioning that, perhaps out of respect for the two Nascent Souls, or because the Zhao Clan members were very competitive, besides the necessary supply of talisman and elixir, each soldier actually received a portion of Spirit Stone salary.


    Even though the Innate Taoist Soldiers only received one Spirit Stone as monthly pay, compared to the five given to the Qi Refining Clan Members, such treatment was enjoyed by fewer than ten factions across the entire Second Ring Great Wall.


    As for the cannon fodders below the wall, they simply brought their own provisions, unable to grasp even a hair in benefits.


    Of course, the Sect Alliance was not so naive as to make such enraging moves.


    To motivate the various factions, the alliance released quite a few ¡°heavy incentives.¡±


    One was the lifting of knowledge monopolies, proactively releasing a vast array of high-level Techniques and plenty of high-level information about Alchemy, talisman making, Artifact Refining, Beast Taming, Formation, etc., from the Hundred Skills of Immortal Cultivation for factions to exchange.


    ¡°`

 Chapter 420 - 291 Golden Wall Abyss, Infinite Merit_3

    Chapter 420: Chapter 291 Golden Wall Abyss, Infinite Merit_3


    Second, actively offer high-level treasures, such as treasure talismans, treasure pills, magical treasures above third-tier, and even Heaven and Earth spiritual objects, Golden Core Formation Pills, Nascent Soul Pills, etc. These could also be freely exchanged.


    Third, a host of Nascent Soul Ancestors within the alliance held grand lectures on Taoist skill, thereby mobilizing the enthusiasm of the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Cultivators.


    It is worth mentioning that besides using Merit Points for exchange, one could also barter items, including Spirit Stones.


    Golden Core Formation Pills, which on normal days could not be bought even with one million Spirit Stones, were now exchangeable for eight hundred thousand Spirit Stones.


    Once these ¡°big moves¡± were implemented, they immediately stabilized the spirits of the troops.


    However, these actions also instantaneously gave rise to numerous underground ¡°black markets.¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    In the extremely heated environment of the black market trading place, even Spirit Stones temporarily became an item desperately sought after by everyone.


    ¡­


    ¡°Tao arises from nothingness, covertly influencing all Spirits, forming the unforeseeable; Divine Sense emerges from the void, marvelously transforming in myriad ways without direction. Within the profound and mysterious, there exists essence, thus tranquility emits light. In the great obscurity limitless, one reaches void and maintains calm, and this is called the great¡­¡±


    Above the Golden Wall, on a swath of clouds more than ten miles wide, Grandmaster Jingxu of the Carefree Sect sat cross-legged in the clouds, leisurely imparting the way of serene tranquility.


    At this moment, a group of Golden Core Masters and Foundation Establishment Cultivators below him listened with rapt attention.


    Zhao Sheng sat at the very front of the audience, seemingly listening intently to the Taoist teachings. In reality, he only directed a fragment of his consciousness towards it, while the rest pondered and derived the three Cultivation Methods independently.


    Due to the alliance¡¯s generous actions, the Zhao family also reaped many benefits. They exchanged for three Golden Core Level Cultivation Methods in one breath, namely the ¡°Yimu Sky-reaching Skill,¡± the ¡°Great Art of Crushing Wind,¡± and the most rare ¡°Demon Extermination Thunder Technique.¡±


    As a result, not only did the Zhao family gather seven Golden Core Level Techniques of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Thunder, but they also acquired the Half-step Divinity Level supreme technique, ¡°Taiqing Nine Yang Technique.¡±


    However, only Zhao Sheng was currently able to practice the ¡°Taiqing Nine Yang Technique,¡± so lately, Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Sheng had also been secretly planning to exchange for a high-level Nascent Soul Level Cultivation Method.


    In the past few days, there had been a significant breakthrough in this matter. Zhao Xuanjing had been busy running around for it, and with Zhao Sheng having nothing else to do, he thus came here to listen to the Ancestor¡¯s lecture.


    Four hours later, Grandmaster Jingxu gracefully departed, bringing the lecture session to an end.


    The rest swiftly teleported away, and Zhao Sheng also opened his eyes, his body soaring into the air, ready to leave the place.


    Just then, a voice suddenly reached his ears, ¡°Taoist Zhao, please wait a moment!¡±


    Zhao Sheng halted midair, turning around to look, only to see a slender old Taoist in feathered garments and standing on a cloud approach with a smile.


    ¡°It turns out to be Sect Leader Yu Fuzi, what matters bring you to call upon me?¡±


    The slender old Taoist was Zhao Sheng¡¯s ¡°neighbor,¡± and the Sect he belonged to, the Feather Mystic Sect, was stationed right next to the Xinglong Army, closely adjacent to each other.


    Hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s question, Yu Fuzi did not rush to state his business but instead smiled and said, ¡°Taoist Zhao, you must have gained a lot from listening to the Ancestor¡¯s teachings today, haven¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Indeed, the journey here has not been in vain!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded in agreement.


    Yu Fuzi continued, ¡°I heard that Taoist Zhao has been recently inquiring about the ¡®Carefree Array Map.¡¯


    To be frank with you, my ancestors from Feather Mystic Sect originated from the Carefree Sect, so our Sect has always had a close relationship with the Carefree Sect and even has some connections there.¡±


    Having said that, Yu Fuzi suddenly smiled slightly and stopped speaking any further.


    Zhao Sheng immediately caught on and replied telepathically using his Divine Sense, ¡°Sect Leader Yu, perhaps we should find a place to discuss this in detail.¡±


    ¡°That would be my wish as well, please!¡± Yu Fuzi gestured with a hand and smiled.

 Chapter 421 - 292: The Battle is Imminent

    Chapter 421: Chapter 292: The Battle is Imminent


    Four hours later, at one of the fortified gates where the Zhao family of the Golden Wall was stationed, Yu Fuzi stepped out of the gate with a smile and then turned back to Zhao Sheng, signaling with a smile, ¡°Taoist Zhao, please stay a moment! This batch of Spirit Pills still requires your attention.¡±


    Zhao Sheng stood by the gate, under the thick and solid watchtower.


    He nodded, saying, ¡°The Life Elixir and Essence Spirit Pill are not difficult to refine, one month should suffice. However, the Third-Order Soul Protecting Pill is somewhat tricky. The main ingredient, Thousand-year-old Black Spirit Glue, is currently in high demand; I¡¯m afraid the Soul Protecting Pill might be delayed somewhat.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Yu Fuzi¡¯s smile faded slightly, and then he suddenly said, ¡°What if this old man could deliver the first three chapters of the ¡®Carefree Array Map¡¯ to you within two months?¡±


    The ¡®Carefree Array Map¡¯ is divided into nine major sections, each detailing hundreds of array maps of the same kind, ranging from the commonplace to fourth-tier Great Arrays.


    At these words, Zhao Sheng immediately clapped his hands in delight, ¡°Sect Leader Yu is straightforward! Since that is the case, I also agree to cooperating mutually between our families. As for the Spirit Pills, I will definitely deliver them to you within two months at most.¡±


    ...


    Yu Fuzi, still not satisfied, reminded Zhao Sheng, ¡°And the Corpse Demon Purgatory Map. Could you lend it to my sect for a few months?¡±


    Zhao Sheng hesitated before slowly responding, ¡°The Corpse Demon Purgatory Map is inconvenient to lend out. However, if your sect is truly interested, you might consider visiting more often. I¡¯ve heard that your sect¡¯s Cloud Flying Wings are renowned in the Central Continent, I wonder¡­¡±


    ¡°Cloud Flying Wings? Not to conceal from you, my sect doesn¡¯t have many in stock. At most, we can spare five or six.¡±


    ¡°Six will do. I very much welcome your sect members to visit us often,¡± Zhao Sheng decisively settled the matter, giving Yu Fuzi no chance to bargain.


    The Cloud Flying Wings of the Feather Mystic Sect are a type of flying spiritual artifact with dual attributes of escape and combat, extremely cumbersome to craft, and the finished products are scarce.


    Foundation Establishment Cultivators yearn for them ardently.


    Taking advantage while Yu Fuzi was in need, if Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t seize the opportunity to speak up, it would be a wasted opportunity.


    Of course, spirit stones were indispensable from the other party, especially during these unique times when life-saving items like the Cloud Flying Wings couldn¡¯t be bought even with spirit stones.


    A Golden Core Ancestor who does not seek benefits for his family is not a qualified Ancestor.


    Zhao Sheng firmly believed this.


    ¡­


    Watching Yu Fuzi reluctantly leave, Zhao Sheng grinned.


    Then, he walked across the city path, some sixty to seventy zhang wide, to the city wall and looked down at the endless stone houses and tents below.


    At that moment, the stone houses and tents were bustling with myriad cultivators flowing between them, and occasionally, figures controlling devices soared into the air, swiftly flying towards the distance.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the scenes below and looked up towards the Golden Wall, two hundred li away.


    Under the sunlight, the towering wall extending toward both sides of the earth reflected vast amounts of golden light, resembling a giant golden dragon lying across the ground, emanating an indescribable grim pressure.


    Above the Golden Wall, various flying magical artifacts with different shapes hovered, including Cloud Boats, Flying Discs, palaces, giant trees, clouds, and more.


    The massive and majestic ones, like the Vast Sect¡¯s Sea Suppressing Cloud Boat, spanned the sky, as large as a mountain.


    However, the Sea Suppressing Cloud Boat was always shrouded in a shadow.


    At this moment, above it, situated above all the flying magical artifacts, a tremendously large city quietly hovered atop the clouds.


    Its base and city walls were silver-white, and the city¡¯s buildings and streets were intact, covered by layers of colorful light films, like an invincible king of the world, scorning all living beings.


    This floating city is Flying Immortal City, the most famous of Tianzhu Realm, and also the location of the Outer Mountain Gate of the Immortal Device Sect.


    Naturally, the Cultivation World usually regards Flying Immortal City as the most outstanding creation of the Immortal Device Sect for nearly ten thousand years. It is also the second most prestigious treasure of the sect, only secondary to the Great Yan Stele.


    The Immortal Device Sect, being the closest to the Heavenly Burial Plain, would undoubtedly be the first to suffer should the Netherworld Ghost Realm break through.


    Therefore, in matters of the great battle between two realms, the importance the Immortal Device Sect attaches is no less than that given to the Sky-splitting Sword Dao.


    Don¡¯t get it wrong!


    The two sects are actually not the same, the Immortal Device Sect fears for the safety of its legacy. The gang of Sword Madmen from the Sky-splitting Sword Dao, however, revels in battle.


    With six months to go before the Nine Stars Alinement, but with the arrival of the two Sea Suppressing Cloud Boats and Flying Immortal City, the atmosphere of the impending great battle between two realms has become decidedly tense.


    Countless sects and Cultivation Families are becoming busier.


    Some are busy forming alliances, some are raring to go, and some are ready to make a quick getaway at any moment.


    On the Zhao side, things appeared as usual, with Daoist Soldiers patrolling daily, practicing the Five Elements Formation, and entering the Corpse Demon Purgatory Map in batches each day to fight the Corpse Ghosts.


    If there was any difference, it was the daily increasing number of cultivators secretly visiting Zhao¡¯s Station, such as the Feather Mystic Sect, the Dong family, the He family, the Wind Spirit Sect, and so on.


    Zhao Sheng had to admit, the ¡°game¡± casually gifted by True Monarch Xie back in the day was now immensely helpful, with the Xinglong Zhao family reaping significant benefits from it.


    ¡­


    ¡°Brother Cundao, take care!¡±


    After sending off a Golden Core Master who had come visiting upon hearing of his reputation, Zhao Sheng¡¯s smile gradually faded.


    What a burden fame is!


    Ever since his reputation as an Elixir and Talisman Master spread, the number of cultivators seeking pills and talismans came increasingly each day, with more powerful and prominent figures among them.


    Some were simply too significant to refuse, like the recent visitor whose ancestor was a Nascent Soul Middle Stage heavyweight. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Zhao Sheng did not fear this person, he had no desire to needlessly offend others.

 Chapter 422 - 292 The Battle is Imminent_2

    Chapter 422: Chapter 292 The Battle is Imminent_2


    Engaging in cultivation here yielded minimal results, so he fortunately spent most of his time on alchemy and talisman painting, earning favors and making a fortune simultaneously, truly killing several birds with one stone.


    Why say that the effectiveness of cultivation was so meager?


    It was only after coming here that one realized when tens of thousands of cultivators gathered in a place that spanned merely a thousand miles, an artificial ¡°vacuum¡± zone of Spiritual Energy was actually created.


    Imagine tens of thousands of cultivators cultivating at the same time, the volume of Spiritual Energy they inhaled and exhaled was indeed terrifying!


    This abnormal phenomenon also led to a significant increase in the average prices of Spirit Pills and Spirit Stones, making the black market even more bustling.


    As a result, many forces benefited, and the Xinglong Zhao family was one of them.


    ...


    ¡­


    Five months later, there were eighteen days left until the Nine Stars Alinement.


    The Sect Alliance issued a martial law order, the underground black market was banned, all personnel from various forces were on standby, and were not permitted to move around without orders.


    At the same time, the number of Cloud Boats criss-crossing the sky increased, and dense spirit light messages wove into rivers of light across the heavens, a spectacular sight.


    The movement between major powers became more frequent, with various planning and preparation meetings being held all day and night.


    For the safety of his family members, Zhao Sheng had to actively participate in various meetings, while gathering as much intelligence as possible from sources like the Dong family, Zhao Xuanjing, and Beggar Immortal.


    After days of information analysis and summary, Zhao Sheng maintained an overall optimistic attitude.


    After all, the Sect Alliance had truly invested a great deal of effort and capital for the great battle between the two realms.


    Whenever he saw resources calculated in hundreds of millions of Spirit Stones being consumed like running water every day, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but be astonished.


    There were ten days left until the Nine Stars Alinement.


    That noon, Zhao Sheng was inspecting the Xinglong Army.


    After nearly a year of life-and-death trials, Zhao¡¯s Taoist Soldiers had undergone a transformation akin to rebirth. The soldiers learned to conceal their aura, appearing ordinary and lazy, no longer always sporting the serious, murderous demeanor.


    But it was this lazy attitude that was truly fearsome because it meant that the group before him feared nothing and regarded life and death as trivial.


    As Zhao Sheng was inspecting everyone, suddenly, a voice of praise came from the sky, ¡°Excellent, truly excellent!¡±


    As soon as the words fell, the Beggar Immortal, dressed in a golden robe and belt, had already landed beside Zhao Sheng.


    Accompanying him was the Zhao family¡¯s Ocean Stabilizing Pillar, Zhao Xuanjing.


    The arrival of both Nascent Soul Ancestors today surprised Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Master, Ancestor, what brings you here? The Alliance is allowing people to leave?¡± Zhao Sheng greeted them, his tone tinged with a hint of doubt.


    As a Divine Craftsman, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s busyness could hardly be described by the phrase ¡°having a multitude of tasks.¡±


    Theoretically, as the great battle approached, Zhao Xuanjing should have been busier than ever.


    ¡°Qingyang, the training of the Taoist Soldiers is quite impressive! You have indeed never disappointed this old man,¡± Zhao Xuanjing expressed his admiration candidly.


    ¡°Qingyang dares not take credit. Today¡¯s success is due firstly to the example set by the Ancestor and secondly to the dedication of all our clan members!¡± Zhao Sheng replied modestly.


    At this moment, Beggar Immortal suddenly interjected, ¡°Alright, we barely managed to find some time to come here, let¡¯s not waste it.


    Disciple, quickly find a secluded place; Xuanjing and I have something important to discuss with you.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tightened.


    He didn¡¯t dare delay, and after instructing the Taoist Soldiers to disperse, he immediately led the two into a watchtower.


    The thickness of the Golden Wall exceeded sixty feet, with countless Hidden Soldier Caves, secret chambers, storehouses, and other rooms inside.


    The three of them picked a secret chamber,


    Once inside, Zhao Xuanjing waved his hand, and a yellowish barrier suddenly rose up on all four sides, instantly isolating the secret chamber from the outside world.


    Once the three took their seats on cushions, Zhao Xuanjing began to reveal some confidential matters to Zhao Sheng.


    It turned out that the Sect Alliance had secretly prepared several confidential plans for the great battle between the two realms.


    Among them, the plan known as Infinite Merit was one Zhao Sheng was aware of.


    Among these plans, there was a secret plan that involved Zhao Sheng.


    Beggar Immortal and Zhao Xuanjing felt that it was a matter of great significance and could not make decisions on behalf of Zhao Sheng, so they had come especially to ask for his opinion.


    After Zhao Xuanjing finished introducing the plan named Stealing Heaven and Changing Day, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but give a thumbs-up to the outrageous ideas of certain Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.


    Recalling the scene he witnessed in the Ghost Chi Cave, he belatedly realized that he had actually been caught up in it for a long time.


    The so-called Stealing Heaven and Changing Day plan was essentially a cross-realm smuggling operation.


    Back then, the Great Chi Jian had tried to take advantage of the spatial instability of the Ghost Chi Cave Heaven and attempted to create another Time-Space Rift.


    However, led by True Monarch Xie of the Supreme Sensing Sect, a number of Divinity Transformation True Monarchs came up with the ingenious idea of using this method as well.


    But instead of creating a Time-Space Rift, they planned on tearing open a temporary space-time channel, allowing a group of people to smuggle into the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    As for why True Monarch Xie and the others would do such a thing? Zhao Shengsheng didn¡¯t know yet, but his inclusion on the list of potential smugglers was undeniably true.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s shocked expression, the Beggar Immortal advised, ¡°Disciple, there¡¯s no need to worry too much. You are only a backup option for now. When exactly to proceed? Whether it will succeed? It¡¯s all still uncertain. And even at the last moment, it may not turn out to be your turn.


    Nevertheless, you should be prepared. I¡¯ve heard Master Xie is quite fond of you. It was he who personally decided to include you in this plan.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng was somewhat at a loss for words, feeling some things seem doomed by fate.


    If he hadn¡¯t been tricked by the Huan Die, he wouldn¡¯t have ended up under True Monarch Xie¡¯s wing, and he wouldn¡¯t have caught the True Monarch¡¯s attention.


    Back then, he had wondered why such a high-ranking Divinity Transformation True Monarch was so easy to deal with, only to find out they had been waiting for him.


    Indeed, there¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch in this world!


    Now it seems that the Corpse Demon Purgatory Map was also deliberately given to him, and not simply exchanged for a poem.


    The life-saving grace of a Divinity Transformation True Monarch couldn¡¯t be easily repaid; it might even cost him his life to do so.


    After his initial shock, Zhao Sheng quickly calmed down and even began to feel eager to try it.


    He wasn¡¯t afraid of dying, for he could always start over.


    Rather than death, he was more interested in the benefits that smuggling into another realm could bring.


    ¡°Could it be that it¡¯s already beginning, sowing seeds across countless realms? Not bad, quite impressive,¡± thought Zhao Sheng suddenly, a strange idea surfacing in his mind.


    Comparing with the Beggar Immortal¡¯s implicitly expressed approval, Zhao Xuanjing was more interested in Zhao Sheng¡¯s opinion: ¡°Qingyang, what do you think then?¡±


    Without much consideration, Zhao Sheng quickly replied, ¡°I have no objections to the plan. That Master Xie holds me in such high regard comes as quite a surprise to me. If they truly want me to go, then I will go.¡± S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°What if you never return?¡±


    ¡°Then I shall not return!¡±


    Truth be told, Zhao Xuanjing was very reluctant deep down for his prodigy to take part in the Stealing Heaven and Changing Day plan.


    The first batch of participants was likely to be cannon fodder scouting ahead for the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.


    But an arm can¡¯t twist a thigh.


    Even though he had advanced to Nascent Soul, he was utterly powerless to defy the will of a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    The Beggar Immortal patted Zhao Sheng on the shoulder, praising, ¡°My disciple, you truly have admirable aspirations, a hundred times stronger than your master was back in the day. If you can return successfully in the end, your future is bound to be limitless!¡±


    ¡°Master, you flatter me. I¡¯m like a duck being forced onto a perch, I have no choice,¡± Zhao Sheng said, spreading his hands and showing a helpless expression.


    Seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing inwardly shook his head and stopped discussing the matter, suddenly changing the topic to inquire about another issue.


    ¡°Qingyang, what do you think of the Infinite Merit plan? The sect master personally came to persuade me, making three visits to my straw hut. The Master has also agreed.


    The benevolence of a teacher is like a mountain! I truly could not refuse and had to agree to participate.


    But I only represent myself; if the family is unwilling, I will step forward and decline on your behalf.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng suddenly turned to look at the Beggar Immortal and asked, ¡°Master, have you joined this as well?¡±


    ¡°Alas, your master owed the Purple Sun Sect several big favors back in the day, and now it¡¯s time to repay them. If we really counter-attack the Netherworld Ghost Realm, I¡¯m afraid as the old Beggar, I might be among the first to charge into the Time-Space Rift.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng further inquired, ¡°Then do you see promise in this plan?¡±


    The Beggar Immortal grinned, showing a resigned expression, ¡°Your master can¡¯t be sure either. However¡­ the concentration of Spiritual Energy in the Netherworld Ghost Realm is indeed much higher than in the Tianzhu Realm¡­¡±


    Though the Master didn¡¯t finish speaking, Zhao Sheng already understood the implications, and immediately shook his head at Zhao Xuanjing, saying firmly, ¡°We won¡¯t bet on this game!¡±


    ¡°Alright, if it¡¯s no bet, then it¡¯s no bet!¡±

 Chapter 423 - 293 Opening the Curtain

    Chapter 423: Chapter 293 Opening the Curtain


    The Ninth day of the Ninth month, the night was desolate, with a sky full of stars.


    Above the Golden Wall, numerous fluorite shone brilliantly, lighting up a hundred miles around as bright as day.


    At this moment, behind the wall, rows upon rows of sect¡¯s elite daoist soldiers clad in armor stood neatly arrayed, all with stern expressions and a heavy atmosphere.


    Above the Abyss,


    The enormous Flying Immortal City floated silently in the air, its protective light barrier sparkling with a splendorous radiance, and from afar it looked like a bright heavenly city, majestic and magnificent, suppressing everything.


    Below the Flying Immortal City, two giant Sea Suppression Cloud Boats, as large as mountains, flanked the massive city from the left and the right.


    ...


    Below the Sea Suppression Cloud Boats, myriad smaller floating magic artifacts were scattered across the sky,


    Cloud Boats, palaces, tower ships, great woods, Floating Mountains; countless floating magic artifacts of different kinds emitted multicolored lights, shining together with the stars in the sky.


    In this tense and oppressive atmosphere, this scene unexpectedly possessed an unusual beauty and majesty.


    Zhao Sheng stood on a large Cloud Boat over seventy zhang long, silently looking up at the night sky.


    At this time, in his spirit¡¯s sensing, one after another, powerful ¡°torches¡± on the surrounding floating magic artifacts burst forth with mighty auras without any attempt to hide, proudly displaying their strength.


    As time slowly passed, when the bright moon climbed to its zenith, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes wide and shouted lowly, ¡°They¡¯re here!¡±


    As soon as his words fell, the stars in the night sky all shone brightly, but one ¡°Big Star¡± suddenly burst forth with a dazzling brilliance that instantly overpowered the moon. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From the infinitely high and distant night sky, from that Big Star, an unimaginable power descended in an instant.


    Suddenly,


    above the Abyss, massive black Dragon Tornadoes hundreds of zhang thick sprang into existence out of nowhere, howling and sweeping up everything as layers of thin veils seemed to be stripped away from the horizon, and a small ¡°area¡± in the center of the wind columns became crystal clear.


    Just then, innumerable runes, like a cascade of light, emerged from that ¡°area¡±, only to be washed away by that heavenly power as if scoured by it.


    Every second, countless light runes were erased, and large swaths of light shards fell into the Abyss, immediately devoured by the darkness.


    At this time, behind the cascade of rune light, a three-li long ¡°shadow¡± suddenly appeared, its shape resembling a ¡°Crescent Moon¡±.


    In just a brief moment, the cascade of rune light was completely extinguished, and under the starlight and moonlight, that ¡°Crescent Moon¡± abruptly took on a hint of red.


    Upon seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils shrank, and he felt an inexplicable chill on his forehead.


    Crack!


    Just as he had a bad premonition, there was a sudden crack sound as if heaven and earth couldn¡¯t bear the weight.


    No, this sound arose from within his heart, not from the heaven and earth to his ears.


    Crack!


    Above the thousand-zhang sky, that three-li long ¡°Crescent Moon¡± was now tainted with blood red.


    In the next instant, a spiritual tide roared in.


    For a moment, endless blood-red spiritual energy burst forth from the Crescent Moon, turning into a sweeping spiritual tide that engulfed everything around it.


    Boom Boom!


    A cold wind carrying an evil aura rushed over Zhao Sheng¡¯s face at great speed, involuntarily making him feel chilled.


    No one had expected that the first confrontation between the two realms would start between their worlds.


    A Spiritual Tide is an extremely rare celestial phenomenon, usually only occurring when there is a huge disparity in the concentration of spiritual energy, similar to water backflow.


    Boom Boom!


    In just a few breaths, a vast amount of otherworldly spiritual energy crazily surged into the Tianzhu Realm from the Space-Time Rift.


    Zhao Sheng immediately felt the concentration of spiritual energy around him rapidly increasing, becoming twice, three times, several dozen times stronger than before.


    Whoosh!


    In the environment of blood-red spiritual energy, Zhao Sheng frowned, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, as if he was standing in a strange Otherworld filled with a chilling and deadly atmosphere.


    In war, one must account for the timing, geographical convenience, and human harmony!


    In just a brief moment, the Tianzhu side, which should have had the advantage of timing, had suddenly fallen into a disadvantage.


    Zhao Sheng circulated his True Yuan, and a layer of firelight appeared on his body, sweeping away the surrounding coldness.


    At that moment, someone beside him suddenly exclaimed, ¡°Quick, look¡­ what is that?¡±


    Zhao Sheng followed the voice and saw that within the tide of blood-red spiritual energy, numerous ghostly green flames had appeared, dense and numerous like flickering ghost fires, with an eerily chilling aura.


    ¡°First round simultaneous attack, codename Sunlight Over Everything!¡±


    At that time, a commanding voice suddenly rang in everyone¡¯s ears.


    For the war between two realms, the Sect Alliance had devised countless meticulous plans, with attack sequences and types also strictly divided into many categories.


    Sunlight Over Everything refers to Yang Attribute spells.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, and with a wave of his hand, a vast sea of golden fire rose up, with two fire dragons each over ten zhang long leaping out from within it, clawing and biting against the tide.


    As the fire dragons soared and thrashed their tails, they turned into flame serpents, annihilating hundreds of the ghost fires.


    At the same time, countless cultivators also made their moves, and in an instant, a myriad of spell lights filled the skies and the earth, presenting a spectacular sight.


    In just a single encounter, the skies full of ghost fires were swept away.


    ¡°Something¡¯s not right!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was shocked, feeling the first strike from the Netherworld Ghost Realm was unexpectedly weak, so weak that it was negligible.


    This thought had just arisen when an unforeseen event suddenly occurred!


    Thump, thump-thump!


    A bizarre fluctuation of heartbeats suddenly echoed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind, and his heart involuntarily gave a fierce thump.


    In the blink of an eye, the strange fluctuations became more rapid. Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart suddenly became chaotic, followed by a wave of pain, as if something was about to jump out from inside.


    Zhao Sheng thought grimly, ¡°This is not good!¡±


    He hurriedly blocked his hearing and spiritual sense, while at the same time his True Yuan in his Dantian took one turn, transforming into layers of True Yuan barriers to protect his heart meridians.


    Only then did that dignified voice sound again: ¡°All True Monarchs adhere to this command! This is a Netherworld Ghost Technique. Immediately block your spiritual senses, seal your heart meridians. Guard your spirit with a singular focus, plunge into meditation!¡±


    But by this moment, the warning was a little too late. In the brief exchange that had just occurred, it was unknown how many elite Taoist soldiers below the Foundation Establishment realm had already perished from heart explosions.


    As the voice faded, a chant of Buddha¡¯s mantra suddenly resounded between heaven and earth: ¡°When Guanyin Bodhisattva practiced the profound Praj?¨¡p¨¡ramit¨¡, he illuminated the Five Skandhas and saw they were all empty, and he crossed beyond all suffering and difficulty¡­¡±


    With the emergence of this Buddha¡¯s sound, the world hushed, and that strange fluctuation was abruptly suppressed.


    ¡°Ahh, ahh!¡±


    A chorus of screams suddenly emitted from the heavens, and nearly a hundred dim and vague human-like shadows leapt out from the blood-colored Spiritual Tide, each of them engulfed in large patches of amber Buddha Light.


    These shadows propped up a ring of black smoke, struggling to resist the purification of the Buddha Light, while darting towards the Space-Time Rift at high speed.


    ¡°Damned baldy! You just wait for this god.¡± p>


    As the hundred shadows neared the Crescent Moon, they converged toward the center, merging into a two-zhang-tall pitch-black shadow, emanating a bizarre aura.


    ¡°Hehe, old bone frames, it¡¯s your turn to take the stage!¡± The Thousand Shadows Netherworld God, in the face of a sky full of enemies, showed no fear and cackled mischievously as it was about to dive back into the Crack.


    Just then, a streak of Sword Light swept across its body.


    The pitch-black shadow from top to bottom was silently split in two.


    ¡°Damn it! This god hates Sword Cultivators most. You just wait for me.¡±


    The two halves of the shadow suddenly split into two figures again, moving with extreme agility as they danced chaotically.


    Thousand Shadows Netherworld God was not a living being, but a ten-thousand-year-old ghost. Its strength was an entire level above an ordinary Divinity Transformation True Monarch.


    Relying on its body refined into an immortal form able to withstand myriad tribulations, it was so arrogant that it dared to enter the Tianzhu Realm alone.


    Little did it expect that right upon its arrival it would encounter two Divinity Transformation True Monarchs with attributes that overpowered it.


    Inside Flying Immortal City, Lin Yizhi slowly withdrew his hand, and the iron sword before him resonated with bursts of spirited Sword Intent, as if it was not satisfied with the strike just dealt.


    However, under the will of its owner, the iron sword had no choice but to obediently return to its sheath.


    Gongyang Heng, the Ancestor of the Immortal Device Sect, marveled as he watched, ¡°Senior Lin, why did you hold back?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, this ghostly creature¡¯s strength is comparable to that of a True Monarch; it¡¯s not so easy to kill!¡±


    The speaker, clothed in white garments and boots, with sword-like features and an overwhelming Sword Intent he could scarcely contain, looked toward Lin Yizhi with eyes filled with a thirst for battle.


    This person was named Shen Bai, currently the Sword Master of the Sky-splitting Sword Dao and at the Nascent Soul Perfection realm, making him one of the foremost powerhouses just below the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs.


    ¡°Shush!¡±


    Lin Yizhi suddenly made a shushing gesture.


    In the span of a few words, the blood-colored surge of Spiritual Energy gradually ebbed, following the exasperated shouting of the Nether Emperor.


    From within the ¡°Crescent Moon¡±, a gigantic palm a hundred zhang in size suddenly stretched out.


    With a booming sound, the enormous palm spread its five fingers, like five towering trees made of white bone, fiercely grabbing onto the edges of the Crescent Moon.


    The Crescent Moon suddenly trembled and bulged slightly as if a massive being was attempting to crawl its way out from within.


    ¡°Second round, prepare the Spirit Stone Cannons, fire!¡±


    Before the voice settled, more than a hundred Five Elements Spirit Stone Cannons atop the Golden Wall erupted in dazzling light, launching beams as thick as a person¡¯s waist, each carrying the destructive power equivalent to a Nascent Soul¡¯s single strike, against the colossal bony palm, resulting in continuous, explosions that filled the sky with blinding Light Seas, charged with the breath of destruction.


    Simultaneously, black cannon mouths also appeared on the Cloud Boats filling the sky above, from which beams of light furiously shot out.


    Indeed, the Spirit Stone Cannons possessed enormous power, but the Spirit Stones consumed with each volley also pained the heart.


    Under the focused fire of the Spirit Stone Cannon salvo, even the undying white bone of the Bone God could not endure, the bone palm immediately splitting with innumerable cracks, its surface riddled with vast pits, and white bone fragments fell like rain into the Abyss.


    Boom!


    The bony giant hand retracted with incredible speed, and the Nether Emperor had disappeared without a trace.


    Upon witnessing this, cheers rose from both heaven and earth, and the atmosphere relaxed.


    ¡°It seems the Netherworld Ghost Realm is nothing special after all,¡± chuckled an Nascent Soul Ancestor inside Flying Immortal City as he saw the outcome.


    ¡°That was merely a probing move!¡± The Sect Leader of the Carefree Sect, the old Daoist with misty brows, indifferently reminded the other, ¡°They were testing to see if we were prepared. The real fight is about to begin!¡±


    It couldn¡¯t be mere coincidence, Zhao Sheng happened to think the same thing.


    Some people are easily optimistic, but they overlook one point.


    The Nine Stars Alinement took place on the side of the Tianzhu Realm.


    According to common sense, the Netherworld Ghost Realm should not have known this secret.


    Yet their response was too swift, as if they had known all along that the Nine Stars Alinement would break the seal, hence they were prepared in advance.


    Otherwise, why would they rush through the moment the seal broke, deploying two Divinity Transformation Level monsters?


    There are simply no such coincidences in this world!

 Chapter 424 - 294 Cannon Fodder, All Are Cannon Fodder

    Chapter 424: Chapter 294 Cannon Fodder, All Are Cannon Fodder


    ¡°Quick, drag them down! Junior Daoist Soldiers, immediately take their places. Once you hear my command, everyone quickly form up!¡±


    Atop the Golden Wall, the situation was somewhat chaotic. One after another, the Qi Refining Taoist Soldiers who had exploded and died were swiftly dragged down from the city walls. Then, one by one, the tense-looking newcomers stepped forward to fill the gaps in the Tao Formation.


    ¡°Purple Sun Taoist Soldiers, follow my command, the purple qi endures, unified in Hunyuan! Hunyuan Formation, arise!¡±


    ¡°Carefree Sect¡­ Rainbow Sun Formation, arise!¡±


    ¡°¡­ Beast Taming Invincible¡­ Thousand Gods and Ten Thousand Gu Formation, arise!¡±


    ¡­


    Just when a patch after patch of Array Light Screens started to shine brightly upon the city walls, that ¡°Crescent Moon¡± in the sky suddenly refracted a metallic cold light.


    The next instant, with a flash of brilliance, a massive creature squeezed out from above the crescent moon.


    This colossal creature, a thousand zhang in diameter, resembled a slightly irregular small asteroid, shrouded in a ten-zhang-thick layer of blue light.


    The ¡°asteroid¡¯s¡± surface was densely packed with blue-purple scale armor that glistened with a metallic chill.


    As soon as it appeared, everyone¡¯s heart inexplicably felt an indomitable ¡°solidity,¡± and at the same time, a terrifying killing intent enveloped them, incessantly assailing their spirits.


    In Flying Immortal City, Gongyang Heng, who was overseeing the situation, saw this and his expression dramatically changed. He immediately transmitted his voice in all directions, ¡°All ten sects of Daoist Soldiers, and other observers, must spare no effort and attack with full strength! This creature is a Cave Heaven Armored Dragon. Note, it¡¯s forging a path for the subsequent army! Do not give them any opportunity.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was startled and immediately a ¡°Great Sun¡± emerged behind him. With both hands waving, a series of fire dragons burst forth from the Great Sun, braving against the blood-colored Spiritual Tide, surging upstream towards the Cave Heaven Armored Dragon.


    Boom! Boom!


    As Zhao Sheng made his move, countless magical spells and Divine Skills filled the sky in a flash, with numerous swords, spears, towers, clocks, and other spiritual treasures turning into streaks of light and rainbows, shooting towards the Cave Heaven Armored Dragon.


    In an instant, a vast expanse of blinding light exploded, obscuring the sun and shaking the land for thousands of miles.


    Under the concentrated fire of half of the Cultivation World, the ten-zhang-thick layer of blue light rapidly weakened. It only held on for two breaths before abruptly shattering.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!


    Then, countless attacks almost simultaneously struck the surface of the Cave Heaven Armored Dragon. For a moment, the brilliance of magic engulfed the sky, obscuring the dragon and the ¡°Crescent Moon.¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt the Cloud Boat under his feet violently shake as eighteen dragon-shooting arrows, as thick as the waist and over two zhang long, shot out at a velocity difficult for the naked eye to discern, disappearing into the light cloud.


    Ao!


    The next second, behind the dazzling light cloud, a heaven-shaking roar suddenly erupted, and large swathes of pale purple Demon Blood, along with huge chunks of Dragon Scale armor, fell from the sky.


    At this moment, the surrounding Spiritual Energy environment was extremely harsh and chaotic. An overwhelming amount of Spiritual Power, spells, and Divine Sense, and other manifold disturbances had completely disrupted the ¡°order¡± of this piece of heaven and earth.


    In such a hostile environment, even Divinity Transformation True Monarchs would struggle to penetrate the layers of light clouds and ¡°see¡± the scene behind them.


    Ao! Ao!


    The Cave Heaven Armored Dragon, despite being battered all over, persisted in its tough resistance.


    Zhao Sheng activated his Immortal Spirit Vision and could vaguely see massive bodies struggling to emerge above the ¡°Crescent Moon,¡±


    He saw enormous demon corpses, tens to hundreds of zhang in length, swiftly passing through the Time-Space Rifts.


    Accompanying them were countless bizarre ghostly creatures, spreading out like ink spots.


    While most of the ghostly creatures disappeared quickly under the powerful barrage as soon as they crossed over,


    A few lucky ones, or the cunning and powerful Fierce Ghost Kings, managed to avoid the catastrophe.


    But to Zhao Sheng, these ghostly creatures were but minor irritants; the true impact on the battle was from those massive demon corpses.


    For on their bodies were crawling layers upon layers of zombies of all ranks, from the lowest level living corpses, and walking corpses, to Iron Armor Corpses, Copper Armored Corpses, and Golden Armored Corpses.


    Even frequent sightings of Flying Sky Netherworld Kings could be seen, monstrous beings capable of contending with Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    Witnessing these horrifying spectacles, Zhao Sheng felt a chill run down his spine.


    This was just the start of the battle, yet the scene had already escalated so drastically!


    Not good!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils suddenly constricted, and his Divine Sense exploded forth, transmitting a message to his clansmen in the control cabin of the Cloud Boat, ¡°Retreat, retreat at once¡­!¡±


    Before he could finish, Zhao Sheng violently spewed out a streak of flame light. The flame light shot skyward, piercing through a hundred zhang of void before suddenly swelling a thousandfold, transforming into an immense and stalwart ¡°Flame Sun.¡±


    At that moment, a zombie as tall as a zhang and as wide as one could embrace, with green muscles and a purple face like a giant, suddenly burst out from behind the light cloud and collided head-on with the ¡°Flame Sun.¡±


    This enormous zombie suddenly sank into a sea of fire, and its body surface immediately raised a circle of thick black light. As the black light made contact with the Golden Crow True Fire, it quickly extinguished, but to Zhao Sheng¡¯s disappointment, not as swiftly as the replenishment of the black light. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This circle of black light had some strange qualities that could faintly withstand the burning of the Golden Crow True Fire.


    ¡°Damn it! I detest Golden Crow True Fire the most, roar!¡± the colossal zombie suddenly spoke like a human.


    In zombies, innately low in spiritual wisdom and detested by the natural world, it is only the powerful Corpse Kings above the level of Golden Armored Corpses who can gain increased intelligence and reawaken their consciousness.


    Clearly, this colossal zombie was a rare Flying Sky Netherworld King.


    The strength of this zombie was incredibly formidable, far beyond what Zhao Sheng could contend with.


    Thus, after a strike to hold off the enemy, Zhao Sheng stomped hard on the deck, transforming into a tunneling light and hastily retreated towards Flying Immortal City.

 Chapter 425 - 294 Cannon Fodder, All Cannon Fodder_2

    Chapter 425: Chapter 294 Cannon Fodder, All Cannon Fodder_2


    The Flying Sky Netherworld King seemed not too bright in the head, already provoked, it chased after Zhao Sheng without a second thought.


    ¡°Fiend, how dare you!¡±


    Inside Flying Immortal City, seeing this scene, Beggar Immortal was immediately greatly enraged. After a loud shout, he plunged down transformed into a beam of light,


    the light shone like a whip that spanned a thousand zhang in the void, striking down vertically with a loud boom, sending the Flying Sky Netherworld King flying far away, leaving a deep fist imprint on its chest.


    Beggar Immortal, seizing the advantage, transformed into light and charged again, engaging in a fierce battle with the giant zombie. Within moments, a thousand-zhang radius was filled with intertwining rays of white and black light, turning the area into a battleground for two Nascent Soul level powers.


    As these two fought fiercely, other high-level powers of Tianzhu Realm also took action, either by blocking the Flying Sky Netherworld King and Ghost King or by simply striking at those giant demonic corpses.


    Simultaneously, under the direction of Gongyang Heng, leader of the Immortal Device Sect, numerous formidable monsters were targeted and killed. The Cave Heaven Armored Dragon also couldn¡¯t withstand such intense attacks and soon was gravely injured, wailing as it attempted to flee back to the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    But it was immediately hit by the main cannons of two Sea Suppression Cloud Boats, its chest pierced by two beams of light swords five to six zhang thick, instantly spilling a massive amount of blood and organs.


    Severely injured, the Cave Heaven Armored Dragon fell powerlessly into the abyss under a barrage of attacks.


    Nevertheless, it had nearly completed its mission.


    In less than a hundred breaths, over a hundred giant demonic corpses carrying countless zombies had passed through the time-space rift, and an immeasurable number of ghostly creatures had descended into this world.


    Countless zombies of all levels leaped down from the demonic corpses like raindrops, though most of the living corpses and walking corpses fell straight into the abyss, a few slipped through the cracks and landed on the Golden Wall, but were quickly exterminated.


    Compared to these expendable forces, the iron-armored corpses barely managed to float, clawing onto the soil and rocks after falling into the abyss and started climbing frantically upwards.


    Meanwhile, the copper-armored corpses and golden-armored corpses, shrouded in dense corpse Qi, charged directly towards the Golden Wall and the numerous flying artifacts in the air.


    Compared to these ¡°brainless¡± creatures, the ghostly beings were exceptionally cunning; aside from the low-level wandering ghosts and evil ghosts, the stronger ones such as fierce ghosts hid their ghostly forms behind zombies, either launching sneak attacks or initiating waves of ghostly howls, frequently mounting psychic assaults.


    Occasionally, a cultivator with a weak will was bewildered and controlled by a ghostly being, suddenly turning on their comrades with a betrayal strike.


    Since the battle began, in less than half a quarter-hour, both the heavens and the earth had become battlefields, with countless corpse ghosts and monsters falling, and casualties on the side of Tianzhu Realm quickly emerged.


    At this moment, the battle seemed to have reached a fever pitch.


    ¡­


    However, even with the battle so fierce, Flying Immortal City, looming atop the clouds, still hung quietly, showing no signs of entering a wartime state.


    Within the city, thousands of elite cultivators stood with arms crossed, quietly observing the tragic combat below, as if completely detached from the situation.


    At this time, at the top of the main tower of Flying Immortal City, Gongyang Heng remained expressionless, his Divine Thought, with the aid of the Heavenly Mirror, increased tenfold, his powerful mental intent covering the entire area, capturing every detail and change on the battlefield.


    Every second, hundreds of commands issued from Gongyang Heng¡¯s Divine Thought, relayed to various Daoist armies, Nascent Soul ancestors, Golden Core masters, and numerous flying artifacts.


    However, at this moment, the figure of Sword God Lin Yizhi was no longer seen beside him.


    At that time above Flying Immortal City, within an unknown void barrier, Lin Yizhi stood on the void, holding a gourd, leisurely sipping spiritual wine sip by sip.


    The fragrance of the wine spread, transforming into clusters of red lotuses.


    At this time, facing Lin Yizhi, four formidable figures also floated in the air, undoubtedly Divinity Transformation True Monarchs questioning no one else.


    One among them, wearing a golden robe and imperial crown, appeared arrogant, clearly the sovereign of Southern Yan Continent, the Flame Emperor.


    On the opposite side of the Flame Emperor sat a youth-faced, white-haired man with the back and stature of a crane, appearing to be an ordinary old man, yet he was none other than Xie Wuxu, the former grandmaster of the Supreme Sensing Sect from generations ago.


    Master Xie was one of the two mightiest True Monarchs in the Tianzhu Realm, having lived the longest and possessing the strongest powers.


    The Flame Emperor, with a look of disdain, spoke indifferently, ¡°Master Xie, if this is all the Netherworld Ghost Realm has to offer, then¡­ I shall not waste my time here anymore.¡±


    Xie Wuxu laughed softly and waved his hand in persuasion, ¡°Flame Emperor, you must be patient. You should know that the Netherworld Ghost Realm has not even revealed a tenth of its strength. You saw that old ghost and skeleton yourself. Can they not ignite your desire for battle?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, those two cowardly creatures, better left unmentioned. They are merely cannon fodder pushed to the forefront.¡±


    ¡°Amitabha Buddha! Ancestor, you must not underestimate them. Putting aside that skeleton for now, that millennium-old ghost has extraordinary power. My Heavenly Transformation Divine Strike technique failed to locate its core relic. Moreover, my Sacred Sound indeed injured it, but it was merely a superficial wound,¡± said the speaker, an old monk with a round face and large belly, draped in a brocade cassock and with a halo of Buddha Light behind his head, resembling Maitreya Buddha.


    This old monk, hailing from the West Desolate Continent¡¯s Great Snow Mountain Sacred Heart Temple, is the current Buddha Master. He possesses the Divine Powers of Six Senses and Seven Perceptions, has achieved Infinite Merit, and has condensed the Buddha Relics, waiting only for his Rainbow Ascension.


    ¡°The old monk is right! That old ghost is indeed formidable. The old lady¡¯s Infinite Water Curtain also failed to capture its tail, letting it slip back,¡± said Water Mother, leaning on a crystal walking stick, her voice heavy with age.


    Water Mother had a kind and gentle appearance. She came from the Jellyfish Palace in the Northern Cold Continent and was one of just two female Divinity Transformation True Monarchs in the Tianzhu Realm.


    Though a female cultivator, Water Mother was ruthless and wicked, hating evil as if it were a personal enemy, firm and stubborn, and in life, she was no less than any man.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity that Ying Zhao and Huori, two Taoist friends, aren¡¯t here. With their Luotian Law Net Divine Power, they would never have let that old ghost escape,¡± remarked Lin Yizhi, showing regret.


    ¡°Hmph, I¡¯ve heard that there are some troubles over at the Shattered Star Sea. Those two are currently busy putting out fires and cannot spare the time,¡± the Flame Emperor said coldly.


    ¡°Yes, Blood God¡¯s Son is skulking about in the Shattered Star Sea, mingling with the remnants of the Spirit Clan. I fear this will not end well,¡± Lin Yizhi noted.


    ¡°What Master Lin said makes sense. As I know, Wang Xusheng has already allied with the Sea Dominator Octopus and the Jiao Long Clan, and the powers of the Ten Thousand Corpses Sect and other Demon Sects are also restless. The Shattered Star Sea is indeed fraught with trouble,¡± interjected the old monk Huie Tong.


    Hearing this, Xie Wuxu fell into deep thought, seemingly stirred by the conversation.


    However, Lin Yizhi was unconcerned, ¡°Why bother about such a remote place. This impending tribulation alone is enough to keep us busy.


    If this is all the Netherworld Ghost Realm has up its sleeve, I too endorse the Infinite Merit plan.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, Jellyfish Palace could also lend a hand,¡± said Water Mother.


    No sooner had Water Mother spoken, than the Flame Emperor said, ¡°It¡¯s still premature for such matters; I shall abstain from participating for now.


    Furthermore, I remind you all that the Cultivation Forces of the Human Clan from the Netherworld Ghost Realm have yet to show themselves till now. There must be something amiss. Master Xie, think carefully before you act!¡±


    Xie Wuxu awoke from his reverie and remarked, ¡°Flame Emperor, your reminder is sensible. I nearly overlooked the Netherworld Ghost Realm¡¯s Human Clan. A millennium ago, the Alien World Human Clan was the main force invading our realm. Yet today, not a single one has appeared, instead letting two monsters steal the spotlight¡ªit¡¯s very odd indeed!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so odd about it! Today¡¯s display was merely the opponent¡¯s continued probing. Not even a Divinity Transformation True Monarch made a move. It seems they¡¯re also testing our firepower,¡± Lin Yizhi commented.


    ¡°The mere cannon fodder present hints to me that the true onset of the war might still be two to three months away.¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°The Flame Emperor is indeed formidable, instantly seeing through the schemes of the Netherworld Ghost Realm.¡±


    Xie Wuxu awoke from his reverie and remarked, ¡°Flame Emperor, your reminder is sensible. I nearly overlooked the Netherworld Ghost Realm¡¯s Human Clan. A millennium ago, the Alien World Human Clan was the main force invading our realm. Yet today, not a single one has appeared, instead letting two monsters steal the spotlight¡ªit¡¯s very odd indeed!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so odd about it! Today¡¯s display was merely the opponent¡¯s continued probing. Not even a Divinity Transformation True Monarch made a move. It seems they¡¯re also testing our firepower,¡± Lin Yizhi commented.


    ¡°The mere cannon fodder present hints to me that the true onset of the war might still be two to three months away.¡±

 Chapter 426 - 295: Blustering and Declining Fortune

    Chapter 426: Chapter 295: Blustering and Declining Fortune


    The great battle between the two realms had just begun, the Golden Wall was shrouded in smoke from all directions, screams of killing shook the heavens, and powerful Daoist divine powers erupted one after another, each time annihilating a large number of zombie ghosts.


    Above the Abyss, the battle was intensely fierce beyond imagination, from Nascent Soul Ghost Kings fighting at the top to hordes of demon ghosts invading Zhao¡¯s Cloud Boat at the bottom.


    In this confined Empty Domain of merely a hundred miles, the battlefield splintered into countless large and small groups of combatants, where Cultivators died every moment, Floating battle ships fell from the sky, and massive armies of zombie ghosts plummeted into the Abyss. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking at it, the whole situation was simply complex and chaotic to the extreme.


    Zhao Sheng dodged the pursuit of the Flying Sky Netherworld King and flew back to his Cloud Boat.


    As soon as he landed on deck, he saw hundreds of Mourning Ghosts besieging the Cloud Boat, with dark ghostly fog pervading the deck and cabin, and the screeching of eerie ghostly cries, piercing to the ear.


    His expression turned cold, and with a sweep of his hands outward, a circle of golden flames surged out of nowhere, spreading like a massive wave in all directions, instantly covering a hundred yards.


    ¡°Burning Heaven!¡±


    As Zhao Sheng yelled, the sea of golden flames suddenly darkened to a deeper gold. The already extreme heat of melting gold and iron climbed infinitely, instantly burning the ghostly fog to nothing, and the ghostly wails stopped abruptly. The hundred Mourning Ghosts didn¡¯t even have time to emit a wail before they were all turned into ash.


    What was miraculous was that the Cloud Boat, amidst the fire sea, was unscathed, showing Zhao Sheng¡¯s meticulous control over his divine power.


    ¡°Ancestor! You are safe, that¡¯s great.¡± Zhao Qing, a Foundation Establishment Clan Member, flew out of the control chamber, extremely agitated.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand and transmitted his Divine Sense to instruct him to return immediately and take control of the Cloud Boat.


    Then, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on the deck, bringing his hands together in a spell, and as a ¡°Sun¡± rose behind him, the Golden Crow True Fire from his Dantian burst forth, instantly fusing into the illusion of a Golden Core.


    In an instant, the ¡°Sun¡± illusion radiated endless intense heat, as if a real Great Sun had descended into the world.


    ¡°Bright Sun Mirror, appear!¡±


    With a low shout, two streaks of light burst forth from inside Zhao Sheng and flashed up to either side of the Cloud Boat¡¯s Void, revealing two mirrors about a yard in diameter, perfectly clear.


    The next second, the mirror surfaces of the Bright Sun Mirror, suddenly projecting a Great Sun, burst forth with dazzling white light.


    Endless light and heat spread out from the Bright Sun Mirror in all directions, and the Void to the left and right of the Cloud Boat suddenly had two more dazzling ¡°Suns.¡±


    For a moment, atop Zhao¡¯s Cloud Boat, three Great Suns fiercely burned, erupting with boundless light and heat.


    Yet under Zhao Sheng¡¯s perfect control of his Burning Sky Divine Ability, not a single bit of light or heat leaked out; all of it moved and churned in a perfect spherical space of a hundred yards.


    From afar, it appeared as if Zhao¡¯s Cloud Boat was carrying three suns, swiftly maneuvering through the battlefield, leaving vast seas of fire wherever it passed, incinerating countless ghostly creatures and Evil Ghosts.


    Zhao Sheng multitasked flawlessly, controlling every trace of True Yuan as he thought, instantly generating hundreds of Fire Pearls, each one precisely incinerating a zombie or ghostly creature.


    Perhaps due to the inherent dominance of his attributes, or perhaps because Golden Crow True Fire was the natural nemesis of zombie ghosts, few Golden Core-level Golden Armored Corpses and Fierce Ghosts dared to confront Zhao Sheng head-on.


    And higher-tier entities like the Flying Sky Netherworld King and Thousand-year Ghost King were intercepted by Nascent Soul Ancestors of this realm, unable to free themselves to trouble Zhao Sheng.


    Thus, for a time, Zhao Sheng was mowing down enemies like grass, fighting his way through with ease and no surprises.


    The battlefield had become far too chaotic and intense, so at Zhao Sheng¡¯s suggestion, Zhao¡¯s Cloud Boat gradually retreated to the edge of the battlefield to avoid being affected by powerful combat groups.


    Four hours later, the situation on the battlefield had drastically changed¡ªthe Tianzhu Realm side had taken full advantage of the terrain, clearly gaining the upper hand. The formidable entities like Flying Sky Netherworld Kings and Ghost Kings, either died or fled. Most had been eradicated, with the remaining few no longer posing a threat and having no significant impact.


    Yet, even then, the phenomenon of Spiritual Energy backflow continued persistently, and massive zombie ghosts still streamed endlessly from the ¡°Crescent Moon.¡±


    It was as if the Netherworld Ghost Realm had an infinite supply of Corpse Ghost Demons, never fearing the loss of these casualties.


    But by that time, the number of Nascent Soul-level monsters had decreased by ninety percent from the start of the war, and the number of Golden Core-level Corpse Ghosts had also greatly diminished, mainly replaced with various bizarre Low-level Living Corpses, Walking Corpses, and Demon Corpses, and so on.


    Every moment, tens of thousands of low-level corpse ghosts struggled and plunged into the Abyss. This hardly seemed like a force sent to siege the city; rather, it looked as though they were using corpses to fill in the entire Abyss.


    As the intensity of the war rapidly declined, the Tianzhu Realm side greatly reduced their pressure. Several severely damaged Flying Artifacts withdrew from the battlefield one after another, and the Ten Sects Daoist Corps on the Golden Wall also began to rotate constantly, replacing them with fresh troops of long-rested Sect Disciples.


    As night fell and dawn approached, Zhao Sheng finally received the command to withdraw and reorganize. He sighed in relief, then issued an order, and Zhao¡¯s Cloud Boat began to slowly withdraw from the battlefield.


    A moment later, the Cloud Boat retreated to the Second Ring of the Golden Wall, two hundred miles away. Only then did Zhao Sheng recall the Bright Sun Mirror, retract the Golden Crow True Fire, and leaped down to land in his family¡¯s stationed segment of the city.


    The Cloud Boat continued to retreat, and Zhao Sheng stood on the wall, gazing at the first battlefield a hundred miles away.


    The red sun was just rising, and the sky was awash with rosy light, the scenery extraordinarily enchanting.


    Yet, a hundred miles away, the battlefield was thunderous and menacing, evil auras piercing the sky, gray haze and blood smearing the battlefield, the sky dark with heavy clouds, dark as night, with countless dazzling lights crisscrossing and numerous light orbs exploding through the darkness.

 Chapter 427 - 295: Blustering and Declining Fortune_2

    Chapter 427: Chapter 295: Blustering and Declining Fortune_2


    Beneath the black clouds, the sky seemed to have torn open a hole, or as if a giant crescent-shaped eye had grown out, its pupil soaked in a bloody hue, looking like the devil¡¯s own from afar.


    A gray-black tide of a ¡°waterfall¡± was cascading down from the blood-colored eye, then rapidly spreading into clouds of black and evil mist of various sizes, enveloping the entire battlefield.


    At this moment, a hundred miles away upon the Golden Wall, a multicolored light screen several hundred meters high had risen, with countless one-meter-sized spirit lights of Taiyi Spiritual Texts constantly moving and floating on it, emanating a terrifying pressure.


    Whenever a Corpse Ghost attempted to cross this layer of light screen, spheres of thunder, the size of oak nuts, would condense on the surface, annihilating them with a single blow.


    Zhao Sheng watched, spellbound, when Zhao Dening, who was stationed on the city walls, quietly approached him, lowered his voice, and greeted, ¡°Ancestor, seeing you safe and sound puts my worried heart to rest. It seems the Netherworld Ghost Realm is no big deal after all.¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly turned around, gazing directly at Zhao Dening, and with a grave expression reminded him, ¡°This level of danger is merely an appetizer, nothing to speak of. There will definitely be bigger disturbances later! You must all be wary and not take it lightly.¡±


    ...


    ¡°I dare not forget the teachings of the Ancestor,¡± Zhao Dening replied. ¡°I will certainly inform the juniors shortly and repeatedly caution them to be careful and vigilant.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded with a grunt.


    At that moment, Zhao Dening glanced at the distant battlefield and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Ancestor, in your opinion, can we win this war between the two realms?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s too early to speak of victory. The Netherworld Ghost Realm surely won¡¯t only have this level of strength. Don¡¯t you see, from the beginning of the battle until now, not a single Human Cultivator from there has shown themselves, whereas they let Corpse Ghosts and other abominations take the lead in invading our realm. The war has only just started, and the real climax hasn¡¯t begun.¡±


    The reason why Zhao Sheng said this was that the disturbances in space-time caused by the Nine Stars Alinement were going to last for a year.


    That is to say, at least after a year, when the disturbances in space-time settle down, will Tianzhu Realm have the opportunity to reseal this space-time rift.


    Of course, should the Netherworld Ghost Realm prove to be weak, the Central Continent Sect Alliance would certainly not miss the great opportunity, and the Infinite Merit strategy was prepared precisely for this reason.


    ¡­


    Three days later, having completed his repairs, Zhao Sheng received another Summoning Order and headed off to the frontline battlefield once again.


    This time, however, the large Cloud Boat of the Xinglong Zhao family wasn¡¯t needed, and Zhao¡¯s Taoist Soldiers also remained stationary, with only Zhao Sheng being summoned.


    Having passed through the multicolored light screen and entered the Abyss Battlefield, Zhao Sheng immediately sensed that the intensity of the war had significantly decreased compared to the first day of battle.


    The number of large Flying Artifacts in the sky had been reduced by a third, and only one Sea Suppression Cloud Boat remained, while Flying Immortal City still stood tall above the clouds, suppressing the entire battlefield.


    Though the ¡°Crescent Moon¡± in the sky still continuously spewed out a vast number of Zombie Ghosts, the number of formidable monsters above the level of the Golden Armored Corpse had greatly diminished.


    However, the variety of ghostly creatures from the Netherworld began to show new patterns.


    Amidst the sea of Corpse Ghosts, a large number of diverse Corpse Birds began to emerge.


    They formed dense clouds of corpses and became the main force assaulting the Great Wall Defense Line.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng landed on the city wall than he was handed a Jade Scroll.


    Upon probing the Jade Scroll with his Divine Sense, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind quickly filled with a vast amount of information, all about various ghostly creatures of the Netherworld and tens of thousands of precautions,


    The Jade Scroll¡¯s records of gory and brutal incidents constantly reminded Zhao Sheng that this was the very forefront where two worlds clashed, facing constant danger, always needing to be careful, extremely vigilant.


    Otherwise, at any moment, he might be casually slain by some Nascent Soul level monster, or, unluckily, get caught in the emergence of a Divinity Transformation Level creature and suffer collateral damage.


    With this in mind, Zhao Sheng quickly followed the practices of other Golden Core Fellow Daoists and soon became a veteran of the battlefield.


    Being a so-called veteran didn¡¯t mean shirking duty, but adhering to the avoid-risk combat style, always moving within a hundred meters of the city walls, never venturing beyond the frontline without necessity.


    Because only by doing so can one ensure that when facing an unstoppable monster, Zhao Sheng could escape in time back behind the light screen.


    Having endured a day like this, Zhao Sheng withdrew from the battlefield and was granted five days to recuperate.


    As days and nights passed, the hundred-mile area near the space-time rift in the sky grew darker and was shrouded with nefarious clouds and ghostly fog, filling the battlefield with a horrendous stench.


    Even though there were specialists casting large-scale dust cleansing and odor eliminating spells at the battlefield, it hardly withstood the accumulation of mountains of corpses and seas of filth from the Abyss below. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A chilly wind blew by, and the stench of decay rose, so pungent it made one want to vomit.


    A month later,


    Many areas of the city wall were damaged, stained with Blood Stains inside and out, and squad after squad of weary Daoist Soldiers mechanically cast waves of Spells, slaughtering the approaching flocks of Corpse Birds.


    After a month of ceaseless day-and-night slaughter, the Ten Sects Daoist Corps had completely rotated seven or eight times and were now utterly exhausted.


    At this time, figures from second and third-rate forces began to appear on the city walls sequentially, these reserve forces starting to take turns entering the fray, gradually replacing the Ten Sects Daoist Army.


    In a corner of the Abyss Battlefield, Zhao Sheng stood in the air under a shield of fire formed by Golden Crow True Fire, with Bright Sun Mirrors on either side continuously shooting out beams of fire.


    Every beam fired struck a zombie¡¯s head with pinpoint accuracy, turning it into a pile of ash.


    An hour later, having estimated that his time was up, Zhao Sheng retracted the Bright Sun Mirrors and turned to fly back to the city wall.


    With a wave of his hand, he released a vast sea of fire, burning away the thick filth accumulated within a dozen meters nearby, clearing a clean open space.

 Chapter 428 - 295: Blustering and Declining Fortune_3

    Chapter 428: Chapter 295: Blustering and Declining Fortune_3 Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng immediately sat cross-legged on the ground, took out a pill bottle, skillfully poured out an Essence Spirit Pill, swallowed it, and began to recover the depleted True Yuan.


    The Daoist Soldier beside him watched him with utmost reverence, not daring to make any disturbing move.


    As of today, every Golden Core Master still active on the battlefield was both strong and lucky, all of them were slaying gods who had killed countless enemies.


    Although Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t the most famous among them, and his military exploits were far inferior to the bunch of Sword Madmen of the Sky-splitting Sword Dao,


    he was the only one among all participating Golden Core Masters who repeatedly escaped from various dangerous and desperate situations unscathed from the beginning of the war to this day.


    More than a hundred Golden Core Masters participated in this great war between two realms, but none were as unlucky as Zhao Sheng.


    ...


    No, it should be said none of the living were, not counting those who had died.


    As Zhao Sheng gradually became known as the ¡°Mold God,¡± his ghost-like body evasion speed and his varied and extremely clever life-saving methods also made his reputation soar.


    After resting for the time it took to drink two cups of tea, the True Yuan inside his body had recovered to above eighty percent of the alert threshold, Zhao Sheng stopped circulating his Cultivation Technique and slowly opened his eyes.


    The moment he opened his eyes, a strand of Five-Colored Divine Light suddenly emerged deep within his pupils.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s vision underwent a tremendous change, thousands upon thousands of Qi Fortune Light Pillars of varying heights and thickness, whether green, red, yellow, white, or purple, suddenly appeared in the originally dim heavens and earth.


    At this time, these Qi Fortune Light Pillars were strangely covered with a layer of hazy black or blood-colored mist.


    ¡°The average Qi Fortune has dropped a lot! This bodes ill!¡±


    Zhao Sheng murmured to himself, a trickle of blood involuntarily flowing from the corner of his eye.


    He wiped away the blood from the corner of his eye without concern, and the Five-Colored Divine Light in his pupils gradually faded.


    The Qi Fortune of all beings is not something that can be casually scrutinized; using the Qi Observing Skill too much will inevitably lead to backlash.


    Each time Zhao Sheng used the Qi Observing Skill, his Qi Fortune would be cut off a piece.


    Due to the low Qi Fortune, various accidental dangers would automatically come knocking on his door.


    It was also fortunate that his strength was formidable and the use of the Immortal Spirit Realm was infinitely wonderful; otherwise, he would have been injured long ago.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng awake, a middle-aged man dressed in a black robe quietly stepped forward and said in a low voice, ¡°Master Zhao, the goods have been prepared. Please take a look!¡±


    As he spoke, the middle-aged man handed over a bulging Storage Bag.


    Zhao Sheng took it, probed it with his Divine Sense, and saw that it was stuffed full of various corpses, which made him smile slightly and praise, ¡°The quality of the goods is not bad!¡±


    ¡°As long as you are satisfied, True Immortal.¡±


    This black-robed middle-aged man was a black market merchant, specializing in private trades on the battlefield.


    The corpses in the Storage Bag could be exchanged for Merit Points with the alliance.


    The use of Merit Points goes without saying; the more, the better.


    Zhao Sheng took out a bottle of Third-Order Soul Protecting Pills and tossed it into the arms of the middle-aged man, then said, ¡°I also want to exchange for a Netherworld King Heart Core, can you procure it?¡±


    The middle-aged man looked helpless and with difficulty said, ¡°True Immortal, such treasures are not something that we can pry into.¡±


    ¡°What about the Corpse Cores of the Golden Armored Corpses? Can you get a few of those?¡±


    ¡°At most two, but only in exchange for Third-tier Light Escape Talismans, at least three for each Core.¡±


    ¡°Deal, it must be done within half a month, and for each day earlier, I¡¯ll reward you with an extra Second-Order Life Elixir.¡±


    After hearing this, the middle-aged man¡¯s eyes showed a greedy expression, and he immediately nodded in agreement.


    Watching the black-robed middle-aged man disappear into the tunnel, Zhao Sheng put away the Storage Bag, then soared into the sky, crossing the city wall, and continued to kill.

 Chapter 429 - 296: Phantom of Bone Mountain

    Chapter 429: Chapter 296: Phantom of Bone Mountain


    Name: Zhao Qingyang (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 89/813


    Realm: Golden Core Fourth Level, Divine Communication Top Grade


    Profession: Third-tier Talisman Master, Third-rank Alchemist, Second-Order Artifact Refiner


    [Constitution:] Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots (Earth), Barbaric Ancient Battle Body (Earth)


    [Talent:] Immortal Spirit Realm (Incomplete)


    ...


    [Skill:]


    Cultivation Technique: Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique (Great Success), Star God Thousand Heart Technique (Small Success), Qi Observing Skill (Master), Taiqing Nine Yang Technique (Great Success)¡­


    Body Refinement: Immortal Golden Body (Great Success), True Void Mountain Shattering Skill (Perfect), Heavenly Human Four Forms (Small Success), Uncanny Escape Technique (Master)¡­


    Hundred Arts: Talisman (Master), Alchemy (Master), Artifact Refining¡­


    ¡°Ancestor, today¡¯s spiritual meat is here. Will it suit your taste?¡±


    A reverent voice lightly rose by his ear, interrupting Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts.


    With a thought, the pages of the Hundred Lifetimes book closed, transforming into a ring of light, and sank back into the deepest part of the Soul Sea.


    Zhao Shiluo looked at his family¡¯s Ancestor with utmost reverence, feeling that his figure was as majestic and towering as a mountain.


    At this moment, Zhao Shiluo was holding a tray as large as a table, with thick layers of Fungus Meat piled up like a Small Mountain, weighing at least a thousand pounds.


    This Fungus Meat was brimming with Spiritual Energy, and a single piece could keep an Innate Martial Sect member full for three days without hunger.


    But this was just the amount Zhao Sheng would consume in one meal.


    Zhao Sheng beckoned with his hand, and the tray slowly floated up, landing on the stone table in front of him.


    Zhao Shiluo was about to leave when he suddenly saw an object flying towards him.


    He instinctively caught it, feeling the cold touch; upon closer examination, he was overjoyed.


    It turned out to be a dark green Jade Talisman.


    ¡°A small trinket for you, as a reward. It can save your life in a crucial moment. You may leave now.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for the reward, Ancestor!¡± Zhao Shiluo¡¯s voice trembled with joy. After bowing deeply in salute, he carefully exited the room.


    It was just a minor episode, and Zhao Sheng did not dwell on it.


    In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he had devoured the mountain of meat.


    The Fungus Meat was rapidly digested by his gluttonous stomach, and he felt numerous warm currents quickly spread from his stomach to his limbs and bones; Zhao Sheng smiled contentedly.


    Then, sitting cross-legged, he began to practice the Taiqing Nine Yang Technique, drawing Primordial Qi from within his body and transporting it to the Supreme Yang True Acupoints.


    Two hours later, the room was filled with steam, becoming hot and stuffy.


    At that moment, a milky white Jade Talisman at Zhao Sheng¡¯s waist began to blink frantically, emitting a dazzling spirit light.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp as lightning, and his Divine Sense surged into the milky white Jade Talisman like a tide.


    Suddenly a message entered his mind: ¡°The ¡®Five Elements Manual¡¯ has been obtained! Our family is now free from worries.¡±


    Overjoyed by the news, Zhao Sheng leapt to his feet, his figure disappearing from the room in a flash.


    Shortly after, a golden tunneling light shot up from the Second Ring Great Wall, circled halfway around, and headed straight for the Abyss Battlefield a hundred miles away.


    ¡°Kill them! Kill all these monsters!¡±


    ¡°Retreat, be careful of the Beheading Crow!¡±


    ¡°Poison Avoidance Pill? Who has any more Poison Avoidance Pills? I¡¯m willing to trade a Mid-grade Spirit Stone for one!¡±


    ¡°Change formation, thousands of swords release, set the formation!¡±


    ¡°The way of the Sky-splitting Sword, I am invincible! The Surging Wave Sword unsheathed!¡±


    As soon as he stepped into the barrier, a multitude of noisy sounds instantly flooded Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears. The Golden Wall spanned three hundred miles, and every inch of its walls was stained with blood and filth, with constant battles everywhere. The flashes of spells lit up the scene now and then.


    Here, every moment, people were injured and died, while more than ten times that number of Corpse Ghosts were buried in battle.


    Looking down at the Abyss, the corpse fog was thick, and through the dark shadows, one could see vast stretches of ghostly green flames spreading across the ground, a massive Corpse Peak taking shape, ¡°slowly¡± growing upwards. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The highest part of the Corpse Peak was less than a hundred yards from the ground.


    Watching this scene, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, the joy inside him gradually fading to be replaced by worry about the future of this realm.


    Faced with the ever-growing Corpse Peak, the Sect Alliance had considered dealing with it. They had once allocated specialists to burn the bodies with True Fire, but unfortunately, the number of corpses burned each day was less than a tenth of those that fell.


    The resulting severe ¡°pollution¡± of the air caused several major outbreaks of corpse poison, seriously affecting the defense on their side, and nearly allowing several Netherworld Kings to breach the city wall¡¯s prohibitions.


    After several failures, the alliance had no choice but to let it be, as if turning a blind eye.


    On the surface, the current war situation was greatly in favor of the Tianzhu Realm side, and could be described as triumphant.


    In the nearly two months of ceaseless slaughter, sixteen Nascent Soul level monsters like the Flying Sky Netherworld King and Ghost Kings had fallen, and more than two hundred Golden Core level monsters had perished.


    In addition, tens of millions of Zombie Ghosts fell in battle.


    On the alliance¡¯s side, only two Nascent Soul Ancestors had lost their lives due to carelessness, and the number of Golden Core Masters who had died was less than twenty.


    However, in the face of the fearless Corpse Ghosts, Cultivators below Foundation Establishment suffered significant casualties. The losses of the Ten Sects Daoist Corps averaged one-tenth, and other second- and third-tier forces suffered casualties of at least twenty percent.


    As Zhao Sheng had just flown over the outskirts of the camp area, he witnessed scenes of sorrow and joy; some were sighing in despair with low morale, while others were triumphant, reaping rewards.


    Some Sects experienced grievous losses, while others, like the Xinglong Zhao family, had their Qi Fortune explode due to snagging a Ghost King Heart Core and made a fortune.


    With these thoughts, Zhao Sheng flew into a ruined watchtower.

 Chapter 430 03-25 - 296 Bone Mountain Charms_2

    Chapter 430: Chapter 296 Bone Mountain Charms_2


    The watchtower was simply furnished, with a table and a cushion. Seated on the cushion was a blue-haired woman surrounded by misty vapor.


    The moment she saw Zhao Sheng arrive, she immediately revealed a delighted smile and eagerly said, ¡°Master Zhao, you really are punctual. I¡¯m here to inform you that the orders have been issued.¡± Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and he spoke in a calm voice, ¡°Oh, let me have a look!¡±


    ¡°Here, please take a look!¡±


    With that, the blue-haired woman handed over a pale red token and a jade scroll about the size of a fist.


    After verifying the token and reading through the order in the jade scroll, Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly and nodded, ¡°The orders are correct! The Zhao Family will certainly have the Daoist Soldiers at the front line within one day.¡±


    ...


    ¡°True Immortal, this defensive line is three hundred yards long. The defensive pressure is immense. I was wondering if you had considered hiring others? I have several friends, all with at least Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation, and their hiring price is quite fair, only five thousand Spirit Stones per person per day.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary!¡± Zhao Sheng declined directly.


    The Xinglong Army had trained hard for two years; it was about time to bring them out for a real fight.


    Besides, with him in command, there shouldn¡¯t be any major dangers, and as for some casualties, the Zhao family could afford them.


    ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll take my leave,¡± said the blue-haired woman, looking disappointed. She bowed and withdrew from the place.


    As the new dawn arrived, troops of Xinglong Dao Soldiers quickly appeared behind a three-hundred-yard-long stretch of the city wall.


    They mostly formed groups of five or ten, organizing themselves into various-sized Five Elements Battle Formations, engaging in close combat with the Iron Armor Corpses climbing over the wall.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï¦Í??.§ã¦Ï


    Sword lights filled the sky like rain, and the golden swords flew in all directions, while above the fighters¡¯ heads rose strands of vital energy smoke reaching for the skies, within which the shadows of Croc Dragons could vaguely be seen, fending off the evil aura emitted by the zombies.


    Zhao Sheng stood above them all, his powerful Divine Sense enveloping a three-hundred-yard radius.


    At this moment, his Immortal Spirit Realm vision and Star God Thousand Heart Technique were fully engaged.


    Within the range of his Divine Sense, every detail of the struggle, every subtle change, was under his watchful eye.


    Whenever a clan member faced deadly peril, often a streak of sword light would fly to their rescue, pulling them back from the jaws of death.


    In the meantime, while many Xinglong Dao Soldiers sustained severe injuries, as long as they weren¡¯t fatal, Zhao Sheng wouldn¡¯t intervene.


    The Ancestor¡¯s attitude immediately made the Dao Soldiers realize this was a genuine trial by fire.


    But with the Ancestor present, everyone¡¯s courage swelled, and they often fought even more fearlessly.


    An hour later, of the eight hundred Dao Soldiers, fewer than seven hundred were still capable of fighting; the rest had been severely wounded and were dragged into the Hidden Soldier Cave.


    By then, the Xinglong Dao Soldiers had formed six Daoist Soldiers Formations, one large and five small.


    The large one comprised three hundred and sixty soldiers, and under the lead of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment elder, it was able to continuously contend against a millennium Fierce Ghost engulfed in green flames without being at a disadvantage.


    Zhao Sheng, while carelessly slaying the Corpse Ghosts that had breached the defensive line, kept an eye on the activities below.


    He was very satisfied to see the Daoist Army of his family growing so quickly; indeed, his efforts had not been in vain.


    ¡°Master Zhao, save me!¡±


    Suddenly, an urgent cry for help entered his ears, and Zhao Sheng looked up to see that a White Bone Giant Boar, six yards long and as big as an elephant, had breached the defenses of his neighbor¡¯s wall.


    The aura emitted by the White Bone Giant Boar was strong, clearly not inferior to a Third-rank Demon Beast.


    It was spitting out a swath of ghastly white bone spines, creating a scene like a bloody storm. Several Spiritual Flying Swords hacked at its body but failed to leave even the slightest mark.


    Zhao Sheng became a tunneling light and in an instant, flew above the White Bone Giant Boar, pressing down with both hands.


    Behind him in the Void, a nine-yard-tall giant phantom appeared, mirroring Zhao Sheng¡¯s motion of pressing down with both hands.


    With a thunderous boom, an invisible force descended on the area. The air filled with dust, and countless fine bone spines briefly hung in the air before crashing to the ground.


    The White Bone Giant Boar suddenly let out a piercing shriek as its massive body thudded to the ground as if it had been subjected to an unimaginable pressure.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s body gleamed with a bright golden light, like a meteor plummeting down as he stomped on the head of the White Bone Giant Boar. His boundless strength erupted, piercing through the more-than-two-feet-thick skull which was as hard as Jingang.


    Whoosh!


    With a thought, a strand of Golden Crow True Fire suddenly flew from the sole of his foot into the interior of the skull.


    In the next instant, a large mass of golden flames burst out from the skull of the White Bone Giant Boar, quickly consuming its Corpse Soul.


    Pop, pop, pop!


    As the Corpse Soul extinguished, the massive skeletal frame of the White Bone Giant Boar instantly shattered into pieces, scattering into a heap of white bones.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, releasing a swath of golden light that drew in all the bones on the ground before storing them inside a special Bone Bag.


    These bones, having been tempered for a thousand years by the corpse fire¡¯s baleful aura, were not inferior to superior spirit materials in quality. Each one was worth thousands of spirit stones, boasting considerable value.


    At that moment, a disheveled elder in the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment flew over and gave thanks with a bow, ¡°Many thanks, True Immortal, for your assistance! Please accept this modest token of gratitude with a smile.¡±


    Zhao Sheng took the Storage Bag from the elder¡¯s hand, inspected it with his Divine Sense, then nodded in satisfaction. Leaving some words behind, he flew back.


    ¡°The items are quite good! Should you encounter danger again in the future, you may call upon me.¡±


    The Xinglong Dao Soldiers held the front line for three full days before they were pulled back for rest and repairs.


    After retreating to the Second Ring Great Wall, every one of the eight hundred Daoist Soldiers was injured, with more than a quarter suffering severe wounds.


    Owing to Zhao Sheng¡¯s care, there were fewer than ten fatalities.


    Through this ordeal, the Xinglong Dao Soldiers truly underwent a rebirth, and the family¡¯s Daoist Soldier Corps was fully formed from that point on.


    ¡­


    While Zhao Sheng was retreating for repairs, some unknown events were slowly fermenting in the depths of the Abyss.


    Within the interior of a vast Corpse Peak thousands of feet high, the surfaces of numerous scattered and broken corpses started to wriggle suddenly. Then, bone after bone, ghastly white, penetrated the stiff corpse flesh, boring like living creatures deeper into the earth.


    At the same time, in the expansive filthy Blood Sea at the deepest part of the Abyss, eerie shadows flickered.


    An uncanny shadow crept along the soil and stone, slowly scouring for targets.


    Not far away, within an Earth Vein beneath a thick layer of soil, a Qi Refining disciple from the Ksitigarbha Sect was intently observing a Spirit Mirror in his hand, constantly monitoring the variations in the surrounding Earth Veins.


    In this battle between two realms, the Ksitigarbha Sect did not engage in direct combat but was responsible for monitoring all the Spirit Veins and Earth Veins in the Heavenly Burial Plain to prevent the Netherworld Ghost Realm from invading the Tianzhu Realm through underground passages.


    Similar duties were assigned to the Vast Sect, with both great sects bearing special missions.


    Just then, behind the Ksitigarbha Sect disciple, a black silhouette suddenly materialized out of the soil and stone.


    The shadow lunged forward, instantly merging into the disciple¡¯s body.


    Thud!


    The Spirit Mirror fell to the ground.


    In the presence of the Thousand Shadows Netherworld God, the diligent disciple of the Ksitigarbha Sect had no power to resist and was instantly seized.


    ¡°He¡± shook his head slightly, picked up the Spirit Mirror nonchalantly, and a trace of malevolence appeared on his face.


    This scene was repeated in various Earth Veins and Spirit Veins as disciple after disciple of the Ksitigarbha Sect was possessed, yet they continued to ¡°work¡± diligently,


    unaware that a great upheaval was brewing.


    ¡­


    ¡°Master, what do you summon me for?¡±


    In a three-story Jade Tower in Flying Immortal City, Zhao Sheng bowed to his master, the Beggar Immortal, then asked.


    ¡°My disciple, I have called you here to inform you that the alliance is planning a major offensive to counter-attack the Netherworld Ghost Realm.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tensed immediately, and he asked, ¡°Master, don¡¯t tell me you are on the list?¡±


    The Beggar Immortal nodded and said, ¡°Indeed! I told you long ago, I owed a great debt of kindness that must be repaid.


    You have seen that over the past half-month, the flux of Spiritual Energy has gradually stabilized, and the number of Corpse Ghosts has been decreasing. Now is an excellent opportunity to counter-attack.¡±


    Considering the dwindling Qi Fortune on their side, Zhao Sheng felt instinctively that something was amiss, so he advised, ¡°Master, I think if it¡¯s possible, you should try to avoid it as much as you can! I suspect the Netherworld Ghost Realm is nurturing a major conspiracy.¡±


    The Beggar Immortal first nodded, then laughed and waved dismissively, ¡°A conspiracy is inevitable. But we can¡¯t let fear stop us, nor can we let the enemy dictate our steps. The alliance has also considered and weighed things carefully. This counter-offensive also aims to disrupt the enemy¡¯s arrangements.


    Besides, for this counter-offensive, the alliance has promised a hefty reward. I am quite tempted as well.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was unconvinced, life is precious, once lost, it¡¯s all over, unlike him who could start over again.


    ¡°Please reconsider, Master!¡±

 Chapter 431 03-25 - 297: The Four Lords of the Netherworld

    Chapter 431: Chapter 297: The Four Lords of the Netherworld


    This was a strange and unfamiliar realm.


    The sky was crowded with layers of black clouds, heavy and suffocating, with countless dark thunder fires churning within, intermittently unleashing thick thunderbolts. Each descent of heavenly thunder marked the punishment of demons and ghosts that were not tolerated by the realm, thus they were met with celestial execution.


    Under the canopy of the sky, the vast land was filled with undulating mountains and rivers, all appearing gray and white. Upon closer inspection, one could startlingly see endless white bones and skeletons carpeting the entire land.


    Across the land, mountains of corpses and abysses of bones stood unevenly, with clusters of ghost fires flickering in the dark nooks of valleys, either gathering into large patches of pale green fire seas or scattering into countless shimmering ghost flames, constantly forming and dissipating.


    The chilling, bone-piercing ghost wind came from the deepest parts of Corpse Heap Mountain, howling over these mountains of death, sweeping up vast amounts of pale green ghost fires, while simultaneously scattering bone ash that danced in the sky.


    However, at the deepest part of Corpse Heap Mountain, a thick cloud of malevolence suddenly split open to reveal a hundred-mile-wide void, above which a dim ¡°Crescent Moon¡± starkly appeared.


    ...


    Directly below the Crescent Moon was a tethered white bone Heavenly Ladder, as wide as a thousand feet, that stood among the white bone mountains, with large and small filthy blood rivers winding through the mountains.


    On each of the bone mountains, endless zombies tirelessly climbed upward, reaching for the Heavenly Ladder, eventually passing through the Crescent Moon.


    In the blood rivers at the foot of Bone Mountain, dense ghostly creatures floated on the surface, arriving continuously from afar.


    Above this paradise of Corpse Ghosts, nearly a hundred magnificent and majestic divine temples floated resplendently, the smallest of which was almost a thousand feet tall.


    The largest temple resembled a grand heavenly palace, even larger than Flying Immortal City by half.


    At this moment, chants emanated from these temples, the chanting vast and solemn, resounding through heaven and earth.


    At the end of the White Bone Ladder, on the White Bone Platform, a pitch-black ghostly figure cackled wildly, gazing at the nearby Space-Time Rift.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?0¦Í??.§ã¦Ï


    ¡°Hehe, soon, very soon! Old Bone, you must be getting impatient too!¡±


    No sooner had Thousand Shadows Netherworld God spoken than the White Bone Ladder suddenly trembled, followed by a dull rumbling sound: ¡°Hmm~¡±


    After a pause, the ground of the White Bone Platform slowly extruded a pale gleaming Bone Pearl the size of a human head.


    The Bone Pearl hummed and buzzed, and a sluggish, hoarse voice suddenly emerged: ¡°Netherworld God, we have paid such a great price, do you believe we can achieve liberation?¡±


    This Bone Pearl was a vessel, carrying an imprint of Unmelting Bone God¡¯s Divine Thought from Corpse Heap Mountain.


    At this moment, the main body of Unmelting Bone God had secretly submerged below the Abyss on the other side.


    ¡°Hehe, believe it or not, what does it matter! I¡¯ve been hiding for thousands of years, and I¡¯ve grown very impatient. Rather than be executed by that bastard of the Heavenly Dao, I¡¯d rather stake my life on one final gamble.


    Although those guys from the Heavenly Dao Sect are Heavenly Dao¡¯s lackeys, seeing this big commotion, they must be serious indeed.¡±


    With that, Thousand Shadows Netherworld God habitually cackled again: ¡°Hehe, Old Bone, do you see? A vibrant world is waiting on the other side for us to ravage and devour!


    Do you know what this means?¡±


    The Bone Pearl thrummed: ¡°Hmm, well¡­ hope, perhaps!¡±


    The presence of Netherworld God flickered excitedly: ¡°Right, that¡¯s goddamn right! It¡¯s hope! Hope to escape this damned cage! A slim hope of ascending to the Upper Realm!


    After thousands of years, I finally have a chance.


    Old Bone, are you excited now? Can you smell the scent of freedom?¡±


    ¡°Netherworld God, you are a ghostly presence, and I am an unmelting bone resurgence. For us outcasts, ascension is incredibly difficult!¡± Bone God responded, sighing deeply.


    At that moment, a laugh suddenly erupted on the White Bone Platform: ¡°Haha! Elder Bone God, your words are not quite right!¡±


    Before the words fell, a burst of blood light surged on the platform.


    As the blood light dispersed, it revealed a bizarre figure over ten feet tall, with a green face and fierce fangs, resembling a grotesque demon.


    The figure wore a gorgeous blood-red robe, his head encircled by a Flowing Light Golden Hoop, with illusions of an endless Blood Sea behind him, where countless despairing faces wailed and wept.


    As soon as the figure appeared, gusts of black wind suddenly rose, and dark clouds swiftly enveloped the White Bone Platform.


    ¡°Hmph, always so cryptic!¡±


    Seeing this, the figure snorted coldly, his background Blood Sea suddenly bursting forth with thousands of dazzling blood lights that dispersed the dark clouds above the platform.


    ¡°Hehe, Chi Jiu, you are panicking!¡±


    As this voice sounded, a handsome young man with a Sacrificial Crown and Blood Eyes descended from the sky and stood opposite the bizarre figure, Thousand Shadows Netherworld God, and Unmelting Bone God, among the three Divinity Transformation Level big shots. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Great Black Sky, are you looking for death? Or does your Black Sky Sect want to challenge the authority of Heavenly Dao Sect?¡± Bai Tian Sect Leader¡¯s eyes flashed with a hint of blood, his speech brimming with murderous intent.


    The name ¡°Chi Jiu¡± undoubtedly ruffled his feathers. This Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect came from the Ghost Chi Slave Clan, and he especially disliked hearing any words related to ¡°Ghost Chi¡±, even changing his name to the two characters of ¡°Bai Tian.¡±


    The person who spoke, however, was one of the few beings in The Peaceful Realms unafraid of him.


    Known as Great Black Sky, he was the current Sect Leader of Black Sky Sect, in the realm of Mid-stage Divinity Transformation.


    The Peaceful Realms revered religion; among countless religions, only the Heavenly Dao Sect reigned supreme, while Black Sky Sect was the next most powerful force, ruling an entire continent.


    ¡°Hehe, if you two can¡¯t stand each other, why not fight it out right now? Old Bone and I would be happy to watch. Whoever wins can take charge of the upcoming invasion of Tianzhu Realm.

 Chapter 432 03-25 - 297: The Four Lords of the Netherworld_2

    Chapter 432: Chapter 297: The Four Lords of the Netherworld_2


    ¡°Old Bone, what do you think?¡±


    Thousand Shadows Netherworld God was always keen on stoking the fire, while Unmelting Bone God typically heeded the advice of an old friend:


    ¡°Hmm, Netherworld God¡¯s idea is excellent. This being approves.¡±


    Great Black Sky and Bai Tian Sect Leader exchanged glances, then tacitly nodded in agreement, acting as if nothing had happened, not picking up on Netherworld God¡¯s conversation. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Netherworld God, how are your preparations coming along?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, boring!¡±


    ...


    After a huff, Thousand Shadows Netherworld God spoke with impatience, ¡°This deity¡¯s incarnations have seized more than two hundred people, and most of the earth veins are under control. Old Bone¡¯s true body has also reassembled and is ready to launch at any time.


    What about you?¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, Netherworld God! On our Human Clan¡¯s side, everything has been prepared thoroughly, there will not be any mishaps.¡±


    ¡°Heh, the Human Clan is incredibly sly! This deity has received an intriguing piece of information, that you from the Heavenly Dao Sect have been secretly preparing another plan behind our backs, something called the ¡®Transcendental Guidance Project.¡¯ Right or not?¡±


    Hearing this, Bai Tian Sect Leader¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he said, ¡°Such talk is utterly absurd. With the Space-Time Tunnel here, why would my sect refuse the near and seek the far?¡±


    ¡°This deity¡¯s incarnations are legion; what secrets of the Netherworld can possibly be hidden from me? I wouldn¡¯t be spouting nonsense here.


    After the first Great War ten thousand years ago, one of Blood God¡¯s Sons hid in Tianzhu Realm and hadn¡¯t returned. In recent centuries, your Heavenly Dao Sect has re-established contact with that Puppet through Heavenly Dao. I¡¯m not wrong, am I?¡±


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on ?¦Ï??0.§ã¦Ï


    As soon as these words were spoken, Great Black Sky couldn¡¯t hold back and immediately interrogated, ¡°Bai Tian, your Heavenly Dao Sect has been hiding such a significant secret. Could it be that you wish to monopolize the benefits?¡±


    ¡°There is absolutely no such thing!¡± To everyone¡¯s surprise, Bai Tian Sect Leader flatly denied it, no matter how provocatively Great Black Sky questioned him, he always emphatically denied it.


    Finally, when Thousand Shadows Netherworld God had seen enough of the excitement, he scoffed at the young man with Blood Eyes, ¡°Great Black Sky, you are the revered leader of a great sect; you¡¯re really behaving rather petty. Simply offer up ten million Human Souls to the Heavenly Dao and communicate with it, wouldn¡¯t you know everything then?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, what Netherworld God says is very true.¡± The Bone Pearl buzzed in agreement.


    Upon hearing this, a cold light flashed in Great Black Sky¡¯s eyes, and he fell silent.


    Offering ten million Human Souls was easy, but communicating with the Heavenly Dao even once would significantly increase the extent of integration.


    If one¡¯s Divine Soul were too deeply eroded by the Heavenly Dao, one would inevitably become a Heavenly Dao Puppet, turning into a Blood God¡¯s Son of utter misery.


    Seeing this, Bai Tian smiled and returned to the matter at hand, ¡°Since Netherworld God and Bone God are both ready, let¡¯s set the total offensive seven days from now. Let those fools in Tianzhu Realm be happy for two more months; it¡¯s time for their dream to end!¡±


    ¡°Good, let¡¯s do it in seven days. My Black Nest has already grown hungry and impatient.¡± Great Black Sky suddenly echoed with a murderous aura.


    ¡­


    On the side of Tianzhu Realm, they were completely unaware of the looming crisis.


    At the very moment when the four Otherworldly Gods had agreed upon the date of the total attack, a group of high-level Cultivators in Flying Immortal City was also preparing for a counter-offensive.


    A hundred miles beneath the Heavenly Burial Plain, in a spacious and open stone cave filled with stalactites, a Mountain Dragon covered in golden light, with an enormously large body, was restlessly rolling around the cave, its powerful Divine Thoughts vibrating incessantly, echoing back and forth within the cavern.


    ¡°Master, master! I¡­ I sense danger approaching! Let¡¯s escape quickly!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing stood up, his towering stature of three zhang made him appear as a Little Budian in front of the Mountain Dragon.


    ¡°Xiao Qi, be quiet! Tell me, from which direction is the danger coming?¡± Zhao Xuanjing asked with a grave expression.


    Although the Mountain Dragon¡¯s spiritual wisdom wasn¡¯t high, it naturally had an extraordinary spiritual sense and was especially sensitive to Danger Perception. He couldn¡¯t afford not to be cautious.


    ¡°It¡¯s coming from the Abyss. It¡¯s very dangerous, we will die!¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing felt slightly relieved. The Abyss was fraught with danger, and it would be normal for the Mountain Dragon to sense it.


    Yet somehow, he suddenly felt his heart leap.


    After some thought, he took out a treasure mirror and infused it with a Divine Thought.


    Quickly, the surface of the treasure mirror flickered with more than three hundred spots of starlight, each representing one of the Ksitigarbha Sect disciples monitoring the earth veins.


    ¡°Normal!¡±


    ¡°Normal!¡±


    ¡°Normal!¡±


    ¡°No anomalies!¡±


    After reviewing the information sent back by everyone, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s heart relaxed.


    But soon, his brows furrowed again, and after giving a certain instruction to Xiao Qi, his body glowed with yellow light and he suddenly vanished from the Earth Cave.


    Moments later, Zhao Xuanjing arrived at the section of the Great Wall where the Zhao Family was stationed and met with Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng was very surprised by his arrival, considering Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s significant responsibilities; he should have been too busy to leave unannounced and come over in such a hurry.


    Once the two were seated, Zhao Sheng immediately asked, ¡°Ancestor, do you have any instructions for me?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing said solemnly, ¡°Qingyang, have you heard about your master¡¯s matter?¡±


    ¡°My master has already informed me. However, I feel something about this matter isn¡¯t right.¡±


    ¡°Oh, what¡¯s not right?¡± Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s heart stirred, and he immediately pressed for more details.


    Zhao Sheng said, ¡°Ancestor, you know I possess a secret technique that is especially good at observing one¡¯s Qi Fortune. But according to my observations, everyone¡¯s Qi Fortune has significantly decreased since before the battle started, which is an ominous sign. Therefore, I am not optimistic about our realm¡¯s counterattack plan.¡±


    As for the Qi Observing Skill, although Zhao Sheng had not taught it to a second person, he did not intentionally conceal it from Zhao Xuanjing and Dong Miaozhen.


    ¡°Really! Has the Qi Fortune dropped so drastically?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely certain!¡±


    Hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s firm response, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s brows knitted tightly into a mountain shape.


    He quickly made a decision.


    The counterattack against the Netherworld Ghost Realm was a trend of the times, and even he could not change the will of the alliance.


    However, to prepare a few more escape routes in advance for the younger generations of his family was still within Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s power.


    ¡°Qingyang, listen closely¡­¡± With a determined mind, Zhao Xuanjing immediately sent his Divine Thought to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡­ Half an hour later, Zhao Xuanjing tunneled away from the ground.


    Zhao Sheng immediately summoned the members of the Cultivation Clan, distributing Thousand-mile Earth Tunneling Talismans to everyone, while also making numerous arrangements. As for the Innate Martial Artists, additional arrangements were made for them.


    After the meeting, the members of the Zhao family busily got to work.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng declined all invitations and immersed himself in the Cultivation Room, beginning to craft various talismans day and night.


    Three days later, the Abyss Battlefield was filled with cries of battle, but the size of the invading zombies and ghostly creatures had been reduced by a third compared to ten days earlier, leaving several gaps in the defense line, making it appear sparse and scattered.


    At this time, the influx of Spiritual Energy from the Netherworld Ghost Realm had slowed to a trickle. The environment of Spiritual Energy on the Heavenly Burial Plain had become extremely harsh, skewing entirely towards that of the Otherworld.


    In such an environment, the cultivators of this realm had to rely on the power of Spirit Stones and Elixir Pills to restore their depleted True Yuan Spiritual Power.


    And on this day, Flying Immortal City, which had not moved since the start of the war, suddenly began to descend slowly.


    During its descent, the massive silvery base of Flying Immortal City suddenly revealed thousands of brilliantly complex Array Maps, filled with countless shimmering seven-colored lights.


    When Flying Immortal City descended to a height of a thousand yards, level with the Time-Space Rift,


    a huge light shield abruptly cascaded down from the base¡¯s Array Maps.


    An indescribable Power enveloped the entire Abyss Battlefield.


    Suddenly,


    bangs and explosions echoed throughout the Abyss!


    All the zombie ghosts clawing at the sky exploded and died at the same time, falling like stones into the Abyss, including the Thousand-year Ghost King, comparable to a Nascent Soul.


    The exclusive Anti-Air Demon Annihilation Great Array of Flying Immortal City was activated, instantly clearing all the monsters from the Abyss Battlefield.


    While cheers shook the heavens above the Golden Wall and myriad spells lit up the sky,


    the light shield above Flying Immortal City suddenly cracked open, followed by streams of tunneling lights in various colors flying out of the fissure, following the Sea Suppression Cloud Boat without hesitation into the Time-Space Rift.


    However, a day passed!


    The counterattack forces had gone and not returned, and no message was transmitted back.


    Moreover, since a day earlier, no zombie ghosts had appeared from the Time-Space Rift.


    It hung quietly in the sky, emitting a faint blood light, becoming ever more eerie and deathly still!

 Chapter 433 03-25 - 298: Ancestors Injury and Arrival of the Netherworld

    Chapter 433: Chapter 298: Ancestor¡¯s Injury and Arrival of the Netherworld


    The night was gloomy, with biting winds slicing through the air,


    two hundred li away, the Second Ring Golden Wall had already raised a faint golden glow barrier.


    Behind the barrier, Zhao Sheng stood on the wall, flanked by rows of resolute Xinglong Dao Soldiers.


    After a full day¡¯s agonizing wait, the people¡¯s emotions transformed from initial ecstasy and excitement to anticipation, then doubt, and finally at this moment, everyone could sense that the situation was markedly grim.


    Then, a Zhao Family Elder quietly approached Zhao Sheng from behind and asked in a low voice, ¡°Ancestor, the order has been issued! What do you think?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, his gaze fixed on the Abyss Battlefield hundreds of li away, he casually asked, ¡°Hmm, by when does the order say we must depart at the latest?¡±


    ¡°We can delay for at most an hour. Any later, and military law will take its course.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s set off an hour from now. Inform everyone,


    and additionally, have everyone prepare early.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Ancestor!¡±


    Although the Ancestor¡¯s words were not explicit, his intentions were clear to all within the Zhao family.


    As the two conversed, the communication Spiritual Tablet at Zhao Sheng¡¯s waist kept flashing non-stop.


    His Divine Sense continuously probed into the Spiritual Tablet, receiving the latest intelligence from the frontline in real-time.


    After mingling on the battlefield for over two months, deliberately forming many connections, those efforts were finally proving useful.


    While the information from the frontline was plentiful, useful intelligence was scarce.


    Since the counterattacking forces lost contact, the alliance had dispatched three waves of troops, the last of which even included two Nascent Soul Ancestors, but all had vanished without a trace.


    Yet, despite this, the alliance¡¯s upper echelons had not come forward to reassure everyone, instead, they began to mobilize troops massively, clearly intending to hold the frontline at all costs.


    The unilateral information blackout and the high command¡¯s unusual silence had shaken the will of most Cultivation Forces, giving rise to ominous premonitions.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes were profoundly deep when suddenly, a burst of rainbow light exploded from him, and streams of blood flowed from his eyes, quickly staining his cheeks red.


    He lowered his head, his sleeves covering his face, disguising the wiping away of the blood, as well as the shock on his face.


    In a fleeting glimpse just now, Zhao Sheng was horrified to discover that the Qi Fortune of the beings on the frontline had sharply declined again, with at least half of the Qi Fortune pillars covered in thick blood and black light.


    This was a sign of a life-threatening tribulation, an omen of death!


    At that moment, he raised his head, dropped his sleeve, and abruptly turned his head to the left, catching sight of a white rainbow flying rapidly from afar.


    Whoosh!


    With his robe swirling, Yu Fuzi landed next to Zhao Sheng, his face showing urgent concern, ¡°Master Zhao, the situation is dire! Did you receive the order?¡±


    ¡°Zhao has received it as well! There¡¯s no need for such worry, Sect Leader Yu!¡± Zhao Sheng responded, his tone soothing as he raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°Ah, but¡­but consider the time! Sending us to war now, isn¡¯t that using us as cannon fodder?¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied sternly, ¡°Sect Leader Yu, mind your words. If such defeatist talk reaches the higher-ups, the consequences will be unthinkable.¡±


    Yu Fuzi¡¯s complexion stiffened, suddenly fearful, he hastily transmitted telepathically, ¡°Master Zhao, pardon my hasty words. It was just a slip of the tongue out of anxiety!¡±


    ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, Zhao will pretend he heard nothing, Sect Leader¡ª¡±


    Mid-sentence, Zhao Sheng suddenly paused, his pupils dilated but soon returned to normal, continuing, ¡°Sect Leader Yu, our clan is preparing for battle. Zhao is preoccupied with minor affairs and cannot accompany you any longer. Please feel free to leave, we can discuss matters some other time.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Upon hearing this, Yu Fuzi suddenly became anxious; he had come here specifically to form an alliance with the Zhao family and stand by each other.


    With important matters still unaccomplished, he could not leave empty-handed!


    ¡°Master Zhao, please hear me out, I¡ª¡±


    ¡°Enough! Taoist Yu Fuzi, with great changes before us, our clan can hardly protect itself. Even if your proposal is excellent, Zhao cannot agree, and for this, I am very sorry!¡±


    In just a few sentences, Zhao Sheng¡¯s demeanor changed drastically, becoming impatient and his words unusually blunt.


    After hearing this, Yu Fuzi¡¯s complexion alternated between pale and flushed, then, with a flick of his sleeve, he left in humiliation and annoyance.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered a few times, immediately his form turned into light, and he vanished without a trace.


    Moments later, a hundred zhang beneath the ground, ten li from the Second Ring Golden Wall, in a hastily prepared underground chamber, Zhao Sheng was shocked upon seeing Zhao Xuanjing, immediately rushed forward to support his towering, sagging body.


    At that moment, Zhao Xuanjing looked pale, his whole body¡¯s aura fluctuating violently, almost unable to control his own mana. Strands of earthen yellow flame leaked from his body, causing the surrounding soil layers to collapse and the dust to boil, creating a thoroughly hostile environment.


    What was more terrifying was that by his side, Mountain Dragon Xiao Qi had shrunk down to just three feet in length, with the lower half of its dragon body completely gone.


    It lay stiff across the ground, showing no signs of life, resembling something dead.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s shock, Zhao Xuanjing waved his hand, a flash of black crossing his face as he cracked a weak smile, speaking in an underpowered voice, ¡°I¡¯m alright! Xiao Qi isn¡¯t dead either; it just entered a voluntary deep sleep to hasten its self-healing.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, what in the world happened? Your injuries¡­?¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but send a strand of True Yuan into Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s body. Just as it entered, it was suddenly devoured by an extremely cold, bizarre force.


    Moreover, this strange force seemed to possess some kind of intelligence, and actually followed the direction from which the True Yuan had come, attempting to invade his body in return.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression slightly changed, and Golden Crow True Fire suddenly transformed into a net of fire. With a reverse surge of the Taiyin Lung Meridian, he enveloped the invading trace of strange force in his palm and burned it to ashes.


    Even so, he was startled to discover that half of his palm had turned a dark blue-black color.

 Chapter 434 - 298 Ancestors Injury and the Arrival from the Netherworld_2

    Chapter 434: Chapter 298 Ancestor¡¯s Injury and the Arrival from the Netherworld_2


    ¡°`


    Fortunately, the Golden Crow True Fire is the nemesis of all yin and cold forces. With a sweep of the True Fire, the cyanotic color quickly faded, and the palms regained their rosy appearance.


    Seeing the miraculous effect of the True Fire, Zhao Sheng dared not delay. With a thought, all the Golden Crow True Fire immediately surged from his fingertips into Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s body.


    Moments later, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s complexion turned slightly rosy, and his aura gradually stabilized, but Zhao Sheng remained extremely anxious.


    Because the Golden Crow True Fire had only burned away some shallow and peculiar forces, there were still many elusive powers hidden too deeply to be traced.


    This peculiar force was almost like a living creature, very spiritual and extremely cunning.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s startled expression, Zhao Xuanjing laughed and teased, ¡°Now you realize how severe it is! But after being tempered by the True Fire, I can control the situation and am confident I can erase the remaining ghost power. It¡¯s just a matter of decades more of hard work.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, who could have inflicted such damage on you? This kind of extreme yin and cold power is of a very high level. Could it be that some great entity from the Netherworld Ghost Realm has stealthily infiltrated and ambushed you?¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing looked at his most outstanding descendant with admiration, nodded his head, and said with utmost gravity, ¡°Do you still remember that bizarre ghost shadow that suddenly appeared on the day the war broke out?¡±


    ¡°Was it that thing that attacked?! It actually managed to evade the Divine Thoughts of many Divinity Transformation True Monarchs from our realm. How many days has it been lurking? Considering it has been hiding and not striking, could it be plotting some huge conspiracy?¡±


    The more Zhao Sheng analyzed, the more ominous he felt, and he became increasingly uneasy.


    It was not his own safety he feared for, but the life and death of his clansmen.


    ¡°This is terrible, a grave matter indeed!¡±


    ¡°Qingyang, don¡¯t panic! Half a quarter of an hour ago, I already reported this matter to True Monarch Xie. I believe the alliance must have taken such scenarios into account before the start of the war.


    That ghost shadow tried to possess me but was detected.


    That ghost shadow is incredibly formidable. Xiao Qi and I barely managed to hold it off when we worked together, but we were soon badly injured. In a critical moment, Xiao Qi had no choice but to sacrifice herself with a self-destruction, allowing us to narrowly escape to the heavens.


    If the avatar of the ghost shadow was so powerful, its main body must be a peerless Ghost King comparable to a True Monarch.


    For such an extraordinary and wicked entity to have infiltrated and remained hidden until now, one can hardly imagine the catastrophe it will ultimately cause.


    I even suspect that the disciples guarding below might have already fallen.


    If this is true, I fear¡­ I fear the impenetrable Great Wall defense line is likely indefensible.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng was horrified, and he immediately said, ¡°But the orders have just been given! The Daoist Soldier Corps will surely be heading to the battlefield.


    However¡­ there has been no word from the counterattacking forces at all!


    Ancestor, what do you think we should do now, advance or retreat?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, indeed a dilemma whether to advance or retreat!¡±


    After Zhao Xuanjing finished speaking, his breath became unstable again, his complexion turned pale, and a trace of black qi quickly appeared. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng saw all this, and although anxious, he no longer showed it outwardly.


    Boom!


    Just then, the ground suddenly began to shake violently, and large clumps of soil fell from the ceiling of the cavern.


    ¡°Not good!¡± both Zhao Xuanjing and Zhao Sheng¡¯s faces changed simultaneously.


    The next second, dazzling yellow light filled the entire cave.


    Suddenly, the yellow light dissipated, and the two figures were no longer in the cave.


    ¡­


    A desolate piece of ground suddenly flashed with yellow light, and two beams of light shot up from the ground into the sky.


    From a hundred zhang high in the sky, Zhao Sheng and his companion looked out over the Abyss Battlefield more than two hundred li away, their expressions uncontrollably full of shock.


    At this moment, the earth within a five-hundred-li radius was shaking violently, and countless thick, long, and winding cracks appeared on the ground. The cracks were deep and dark, terrifying to behold.


    Two hundred li away, the multicolored light dome covering the entire battlefield was emitting dazzling light, and thousands of Bright Thunder Balls, each as big as an orange, rained down onto the Abyss like a torrential downpour.


    ¡°`


    In the center of the Abyss, a white bone behemoth with hundreds of heads and thousands of arms, its body clad in a suit of hammerhead bone armor with countless towering bone spurs, stood atop a mountain of corpses, its massive form looming beyond the Abyss. Hundreds of huge bone arms wildly swung, creating a tempestuous surge that forcefully blocked the myriad of thunder fire descending from the sky.


    The remaining hundreds of huge bone palms glowed with white light, frantically pounding the surrounding city walls, each strike carrying the force of a collapsing mountain and overwhelming tsunami.


    At the same time, the behemoth¡¯s hundreds of heads rose one by one, transforming into pale skull light orbs the size of towering craters, smashing towards the descending Flying Immortal City like artillery shells.


    Even though each skull light orb was extremely powerful, so much so that even Nascent Soul Ancestors struggled to withstand them, these attacks hardly affected the Flying Immortal City.


    One after another, dazzling Sword Light flew from the central high tower of the Flying Immortal City, effortlessly shattering the oncoming skull light orbs.


    However, at this moment, a burst of triumphantly wild cackling erupted suddenly on the battlefield, instantly spreading throughout hundreds of miles.


    Boom!


    With a violent tremor of the earth, a twenty-odd mile-long section of the Golden Wall collapsed under the horrified gaze of everyone, sending debris flying and dust billowing, engulfing the entire Abyss.


    As a result of this cataclysm, the numerous Array Formation Restrictions set upon the Golden Wall immediately showed a significant breach, with many formations collapsing on the spot.


    Even the core and most formidable Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Array was shaken, the colorful light screen dimming significantly and starting to flicker intermittently.


    Roar!


    The next instant, the white bone behemoth suddenly let out a heaven-piercing howl, as new skull heads quickly regrew where they had been severed.


    Unbeknownst when, thousands of pitch-black ghost shadows already surrounded the white bone behemoth, simultaneously cackling away.


    The cackling was so piercing it was unbearable, the bizarre ghostly sounds directly penetrating the ears and burrowing into the minds of the onlookers.


    Those below the Golden Core level, upon hearing it, immediately became dizzy and fell to the ground, their minds filled with terrifying illusions.


    ¡°Evil beast, meet your end!¡±


    Following an extremely angry roar, a sword rainbow instantly shot out from within the Flying Immortal City, and at the same time, three meteors shot down from the high heavens at an inconceivably quick pace.


    Nearly the same moment the Four Great Gods made their presence known, the ¡°Crescent Moon¡± began to stir tumultuously. Suddenly, three vast presences burst forth from a Time-Space Rift.


    In an instant, three figures shot out from the Crescent Moon, crossing over a thousand zhang of Void in a flash, intercepting the three local True Monarchs from the Tianzhu Realm.


    ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡±


    Enraged, True Monarch Xie was just about to wave his hand to unleash the Virtual and Real Primordial Domain when a blot of black light dragged him into a pitch-black space.


    ¡°Haha, old man, taste the power of our Great Black Sky¡­¡±


    Elsewhere, Water Mother, surrounded by a Thousand Feet Ice Realm, and the Heavenly Dao Sect¡¯s Sect Leader Bai Tian, who stood atop a Blood Sea, clashed with each other. Once the fight began, the sky changed color, with storms of ice and towering blood seas.


    The last local True Monarch was none other than the Great Snow Mountain Buddha Master, the Three Saint Buddhas¡¯ Jue Tong Monk.


    The old monk chanted a Buddhist mantra, scattering a vast expanse of Buddha Light, facing a figure clad in a white divine robe, topped with a platinum tower crown, and exuding a holy and dignified air with a compassionately sorrowful expression on his face.


    This elder manifested endless dazzling white light with every gesture, with waves of holy chants emanating around him; numerous devout souls orbited him, forming an impervious barrier.


    The blinding white light emitted by the elder seemed to possess an incredibly potent corrosive power, sizzling upon contact with the Buddha Light, attempting to assimilate the true Buddha essence of the old monk.


    With the three Fellow Daoists blocked, Sword God Lin Yizhi had no choice but to face off alone against two formidable Divinity Transformation old fiends.


    As a Sword Cultivator whose power was unmatched, most of his peers would find themselves at a disadvantage against Lin Yizhi, but this time he was up against the most elusive Thousand Shadows Netherworld God.


    The Thousand Shadows Netherworld God didn¡¯t engage in direct combat; instead, relying on its special ability to create myriad avatars, the God let Lin Yizhi slash at the ghostly clones all he liked while it weaved and tangled, desperately buying time.


    The Unmelting Bone God¡¯s avatar, the white bone behemoth, however, was heedless of everything else, focusing its intention entirely on the Flying Immortal City.


    For it was well aware that the greatest threat to its army wasn¡¯t the few Divinity Transformations, but rather this super-war fortress.


    Just as the Flying Immortal City went into battle readiness, a streak of golden light suddenly appeared on the ¡°Crescent Moon¡± above.


    Under the watchful eyes of countless cultivators, one after another stupendous and magnificent Floating Temples passed through the dimensional rifts, finally descending upon this realm.

 Chapter 435 - 299: A Mutual Destruction?

    Chapter 435: Chapter 299: A Mutual Destruction?


    ¡°That¡­ tower¡­¡±


    At a certain moment, the chanting within the Divine Temple overpowered all other clamor and booms, resounding through the Cloud Sky.


    The great doors of the Divine Temple flung open, and countless devotees with fervent expressions gushed out. Their bodies surged with powerful Spiritual Power fluctuations, enveloped in thick Light Shields, weapon in hand, gleaming with spirit light¡ªthey didn¡¯t hesitate to leap down from the heavens.


    They quickly divided into countless torrents and spread out like a vast net in all directions, descending upon the entire Abyss Battlefield, toward the cultivators below who stared in stunned silence.


    At the same time, billions of zombie ghosts kept pouring out from the Crescent Moon above.


    In an instant, time seemed to freeze; this scene was as if forever branded in everyone¡¯s minds, as though it could only occur in the deepest of nightmares.


    From the moment the skeletal creatures appeared and the walls collapsed to the True Monarchs confronting the enemy, followed by the Divine Temple transcending its boundaries¡ªthe whole process seemed incredibly long, yet in reality, it was merely the span of a few minutes.


    One side had been planning and plotting for a long time, while the other was caught completely off guard.


    Therefore, as soon as the battle began, the Tianzhu Realm side immediately suffered a heavy blow.


    Boom boom boom!


    One after another, Divine Temples¡ªas if prepared in advance¡ªpassed through and formed attacking groups of various sizes, each with their own target. A portion dived towards the breaches in the Great Wall, madly unleashing firepower, while another cleared the skies of numerous flying objects.


    The remaining nearly one hundred Divine Temples actively converged together, shooting out beams of Gold Light that connected with one another. The radiant gold screens suddenly merged together, forming a special force field a hundred meters thick, emitting dazzling golden light.


    In the blink of an eye, a Floating Fortress far more massive than Flying Immortal City suddenly appeared before everyone¡¯s eyes.


    At this moment, the formidable Floating Fortress loomed above, while Flying Immortal City was being overwhelmed below. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Heehee!¡±


    Just as a cackling, wild laughter spread across the battlefield, the Floating Fortress suddenly erupted with a light brighter than the Sun. In the blink of an eye, a torrent of golden rain descended from the sky. Billions of Golden Pills, accompanied by a fearful whistling sound, covered the battlefield in a torrential downpour.


    The main target, Flying Immortal City, bore nearly eighty percent of the firepower. The city was instantly submerged by the downpour of golden ¡°rain.¡±


    Amid the thunderous explosions, the sky over the battlefield was as bright as day; it seemed as though an extra, incredibly dazzling ¡°Sun¡± had appeared above.


    At the same time, streaks of light flew out from the Divine Temples and scattered into the middle of the battlefield. The great high priests, each as powerful as a Nascent Soul, revealed themselves. With a single thought, domains of light engulfed large swathes of the battlefield, initiating a prelude to slaughter.


    Seeing this, the Nascent Soul Ancestors of the Tianzhu Realm could no longer sit still, shooting toward the battle from all directions, and began to entangle themselves fiercely with the high priests.


    However, after over two months of incessant fighting day and night, the Tianzhu Realm forces were already exhausted, while the Netherworld Ghost Realm was full of fighting spirit.


    The wealthy enemy and the depleted us!


    Hence, after just one hour of fighting, the situation on the battlefield drastically changed. First, the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Array was targeted and destroyed. In an instant, the Daoist Soldier units on the walls were encircled and besieged by a Conversion Army ten times their number, trapped in isolated battles. Soon, most of them were in peril.


    At this moment, the Netherworld Ghost Realm was overwhelming the Tianzhu Realm forces with ease.


    ¡­


    As the Abyss Battlefield was being breached and some scattered Divine Temples broke through the encirclement, flying into the central airspace, they attacked the camps down below with impunity.


    During this time, some of the forces stationed on the Second Ring Golden Wall began to panic, and some defensive segments were already descending into chaos.


    No one knew who took the lead, perhaps it was because many of the smaller sects in the middle segment fled to avoid the battle, some forces, scared out of their wits, hastily abandoned their posts and fled into the distance.


    Just when a grand defeat seemed inevitable, and the Xinglong Dao Soldiers too were at a loss due to the surrounding people¡¯s flight,


    Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing returned together.


    The arrival of the two family elders instantly provided the Zhao Family with a pillar of support, and military morale was once again stabilized.


    ¡°Ancestors, Ancestors!¡±


    ¡°Ancestor! Please make a decision! Do we flee or hold out?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re defeated, a complete collapse! How could we be so thoroughly beaten!¡±


    ¡°Ancestors, perhaps we should flee too! Better to keep the green hills safe than to worry about no firewood! The Feather Mystic Sect has just run away!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, silence!¡±


    Seeing everyone¡¯s unruly behavior, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but let out a cold snort, his expression as stern as water, and commanded silence.


    With an ancestor¡¯s anger, the surroundings immediately fell deathly silent.


    Zhao Xuanjing looked out over the battlefield and saw Flying Immortal City suppressed, our own Nascent Souls and Divinity Transformation True Monarchs tangled up and unable to extricate themselves.


    The defensive line on the Great Wall was being swiftly overrun by a tide of fanatics; it fell segment by segment.


    Countless cultivators who were struck with fear desperately fled in all directions; the entire battlefield was in utter disarray, a situation deteriorating beyond repair.


    Looking at the formidable Otherworldly Temples approaching in force, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s expression was exceedingly grave. His pressure gradually built up as numerous strands of earthy yellow light burst forth from his body, as if he was about to take action the next moment.


    Zhao Sheng immediately stopped him, ¡°Ancestor, hold on!¡±


    ¡°Take a look at this!¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng gently tossed a Spiritual Tablet for messaging.


    With a thought from Zhao Xuanjing, the Spiritual Tablet flickered, and its message instantly flooded his mind.


    ¡°This is the alliance¡¯s highest command¡­ ordering the activation of all Defensive Arrays to their greatest power for full Defense. Then, everyone must immediately take shelter in the safest fortress.¡±

 Chapter 436 - 299: Perish Together?_2

    Chapter 436: Chapter 299: Perish Together?_2


    ¡°`


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s face showed astonishment as he finished reading.


    ¡°Ancestor, we¡¯re out of time! Escaping is the worst choice imaginable; the alliance will surely punish us severely. In my opinion, the alliance must have a contingency plan. It would be strategic for our clan to follow their commands!¡±


    ¡°Good point!¡± Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s eyes brightened immediately as he ordered loudly, ¡°Hear my command, everyone¨Cstimulate the Golden Wall Defensive Array with all your might, and then take shelter in the safest secret chamber on the lowest level as quickly as possible.¡±


    At the ancestor¡¯s command, the crowd answered in a thunderous chorus!


    In the blink of an eye, a three-hundred-zhang stretch of the city wall suddenly revealed a thick, sturdy barrier of golden light.


    Almost at the same time, numerous sections of the Second Ring Great Wall, spanning nearly a thousand miles, swiftly raised layers of golden barriers.


    The many golden light screens joined together, looking from the sky above like a golden dragon stretching for thousands of miles upon the land.


    This dragon encircled the entire battlefield in its midst, appearing like a colossal golden ring of light that imprisoned everything within it.


    As people rapidly initiated the great array, Zhao Sheng led Zhao Xuanjing to one side and quickly took out a moon-white shell, giving off a faint white light, from his bosom.


    He also spewed out a treasure bead the size of a dragon¡¯s eye.


    Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s gaze sharpened, and his eyes shone with wonder, clearly recognizing the extraordinary nature of the treasure at a glance.


    Because of the urgency, Zhao Sheng got straight to the point and said, ¡°This is a Sea Shell with a hundred zhang of space inside that can hold living things. Have the clan members hide inside later. And this treasure, Ancestor, will be under your care!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing was both shocked and delighted upon hearing this. Such spatial treasures were rare even for a Divinity Transformation True Monarch to possess, and he never expected that his own descendant would have such good fortune.


    Zhao Xuanjing took the Sea Shell and the treasure bead, and immediately asked, ¡°Qingyang, what about you?¡±


    Both men were of clear and rational minds. Although Zhao Sheng did not explicitly state his intentions, Zhao Xuanjing understood them as soon as he heard.


    Who would have a higher survival rate on the battlefield, a Nascent Soul Ancestor or a Golden Core Master? The answer was self-evident!


    Especially since Zhao Xuanjing was a Nascent Soul adept at Earth Escape Divine Ability.


    Zhao Sheng glanced outward, smiled confidently, and said, ¡°Ancestor, don¡¯t you know how strong my survival skills are? I should stay outside. It¡¯s the perfect opportunity to observe the situation and make a move when the time is right!¡±


    ¡°Qingyang, that¡¯s far too risky! You¡¯re snatching chestnuts from the fire! Absolutely not!¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing furrowed his brow upon hearing this, immediately grasping the many calculations hidden in his grandson¡¯s heart.


    ¡°Ancestor, fortune favors the bold since ancient times! Besides, I am quite confident in preserving my life,¡± Zhao Sheng declared assuredly.


    Zhao Xuanjing was about to dissuade him further when a Foundation Establishment Clan Member hurried over, reporting that everything was in place.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s resolute face, Zhao Xuanjing knew well that his grandson couldn¡¯t be swayed and refrained from further argument, instead instructing him to be very careful and to prioritize his safety.


    Zhao Sheng nodded with a smile.


    At this, Zhao Xuanjing sighed deeply and turned to leave.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng was the only one left on the city wall.


    Looking towards the Abyss Battlefield a hundred miles away, he suddenly let out a long sigh, his figure gradually disappearing on the spot and leaving no trace.


    At that time, groups of disheveled cultivators from the native world were fleeing in a panic. Numerous Cloud Boat Spaceships also retreated in defeat, either crashing down or escaping with heavy damage.


    A large number of Otherworld fanatics, under the cover of many divine temples, hurled one golden spear after another and unleashed a variety of powerful Divine Powers and Treasure Techniques, hunting down the scattering, fleeing cultivators.


    Simultaneously, the Flying Immortal City, as if driven to madness, bore the brunt of the immense attack from the sky, recklessly surging upward at all costs, seemingly determined to perish together with the enemy.


    That super floating fortress also seemed startled and immediately shifted sideways at maximum speed, proactively clearing a path.


    As the two super war fortresses passed by each other, Flying Immortal City endured the largest wave of attacks from the opponent, with eighty percent of the buildings inside destroyed and the whole city engulfed in a vast sea of fire, with thick smoke billowing.


    Yet, despite this, Flying Immortal City continued to dash desperately into the high heavens, gaining speed as if determined to escape at all costs.


    The sight caused the morale of the native world defenders to plummet, and the last group of cultivators still resisting began to flee outwards in desperation.


    The Netherworld Ghost Realm¡¯s side erupted in loud cheers, celebrating their victory.


    ¡­


    Boom!


    Countless Golden Spear Spirit Spears struck the barrier, causing ripples to surge, and the city walls trembled slightly.


    The first of the Otherworld fanatics to reach the Second Ring Great Wall desperately attacked the Defense Array.


    ¡°`


    Just then, Zhao Sheng, who was concealing his form, suddenly seemed to sense something and abruptly looked up at the night sky, his face revealing an expression of shock.


    At that moment, the pitch-black curtain of night was torn apart, and a meteor as large as a fist suddenly streaked across the darkness, dragging a long tail of flames as it plummeted towards the earth at an extraordinarily fast speed.


    As it broke through the lower layer of the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, it instantly shattered into fragments, turning into a group of seven or eight star meteors that covered the three-hundred-mile battlefield within the Second Ring Great Wall.


    ¡°Ah ah!¡±


    In an instant, countless people on the battlefield were dumbstruck, and many let out cries of despair.


    However, fate does not shift according to the will of man!


    The very next moment, the star meteors continued to fall to the earth one after another.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    Boom!


    In that instant, one sun after another rose between heaven and earth, as if ten thousand suns were exploding at the same time, sweeping everything with an unimaginably blinding brightness!


    In an instant, the heavens and earth wailed and trembled, the vast atmosphere vibrated and boiled, and the ground seemed to wrinkle and crush like putty, creating waves of unprecedentedly strong shockwaves that swept in all directions, lifting layers of the earth and carrying with them billions of tons of soil, ¡°submerging¡± the world.


    At that moment, it felt as though the apocalypse had arrived!


    Facing such a natural disaster, humanity was utterly insignificant!


    Even a Divinity Transformation True Monarch could only protect himself and would struggle to withstand its sharp edge.


    The terror of the natural world was such that human strength could not come close.


    Crack crack!


    The Golden Wall shuddered violently, the thousand-mile-long wall moving unpredictably upon the earth like a toy, with countless terrifying cracks appearing on the wall¡¯s surface in the blink of an eye, densely covering both the inside and outside of the wall.


    Boom!


    The Golden Wall Formation swiftly collapsed, and segments of the immensely strong walls tumbled down, then were buried by massive amounts of soil.


    Thud thud thud! Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng, with half of his body already sunken into the wall, continuously threw down numerous True Talismans with both hands. The layers of defense on his body were rapidly breaking, but immediately more defensive barriers of various kinds would appear.


    At this moment, the section of wall beneath his feet was also on the brink of collapse, but as a faint yellow light spread out from within the wall, it suddenly became much more stable.


    In just two breaths, a great amount of dirt and stones piled up beneath the walls, quickly reaching a height of fifty to sixty feet.


    As a result, the wall was buffered and finally stopped teetering on the edge.


    Looking around, the sky was filled with dust and dirt, the world was incredibly dim. Wave after wave of high-temperature heatwaves relentlessly rolled in, the air exceptionally arid and hot, as though one were in the midst of a sea of fire.


    At this time, the surrounding environment was extremely chaotic, with countless unpredictable fluctuations arising between heaven and earth, severely interfering with Zhao Sheng¡¯s senses.


    His Divine Sense was unable to probe outside of his body, and he had to rely solely on his five senses to survey his surroundings.


    However, through the Immortal Spirit Realm vision, Zhao Sheng could vaguely see through the layers of soil curtains, the ground torn asunder, countless divine temples collapsed into rubble, and innumerable corpses and severed limbs exposed in the soil.


    He also saw several meteor craters overflowing with white-hot magma.


    These craters were scattered across a radius of a few hundred miles, with the largest one located right where the Abyss Battlefield was.


    ¡°Harsh! This is too harsh!¡± Zhao Sheng was inwardly shaken and couldn¡¯t help but reassess the moral depths of those in power in this realm.


    The Sect Alliance¡¯s strategy of raining meteors from the sky was a tactic akin to mutual destruction!


    ¡°Ksitigarbha¡¯s Abyss, Vast Star Picking!¡±


    It wasn¡¯t until then that Zhao Sheng finally came to a realization; he understood why the Vast Sect had not shown themselves from the beginning to the end¡ªthey had been secretly preparing this big move.


    After a brief buffering, the largest few shockwaves had passed, and the world was no longer as violent as before.


    Now, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body was enveloped in a halo of light, and he slowly rose from the ground, his eyes focused on the several meteor craters tens to hundreds of miles away.


    His gaze finally settled on the largest of the meteor craters.

 Chapter 437 - 300: Death and Reincarnation?

    Chapter 437: Chapter 300: Death and Reincarnation?


    Boom!


    Zhao Sheng stomped fiercely on the city wall and shot out like an arrow, leaving behind a long void in the vast dust-filled world.


    But in the blink of an eye, the long void was stuffed full by the raging wind and dust, erasing its trace of existence.


    Boom Boom!


    In such an extremely adverse and chaotic environment, to control the air flight so carelessly was simply courting death; Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t even dare to use his True Yuan, relying solely on the power of his flesh to dart close to the ground with loud bangs, often covering a hundred yards in each leap.


    Along the way,


    he found that there were far more survivors of this meteoric disaster than he had imagined.


    After all, most of the combatants were not ordinary people, but cultivators, each possessing life-saving extraordinary skills.


    Continuous moans of the severely wounded could be heard along the way; injured people were visible everywhere.


    Survivors would struggle to emerge from the ground, all dizzy and covered in dust.


    The survivors didn¡¯t distinguish between boundaries, with both realms represented. But as soon as members of the two sides encountered each other, it would often result in a deadly battle.


    In terms of fighting will, neither side gave way to the other¡ªone side fought a bloody battle in defense of their land, while the other consisted of fanatics fighting for their god.


    Zhao Sheng paid no mind to these trifles; his figure swept past like the wind, swiftly moving on.


    Before long, he had reached the edge of the meteor crater.


    Standing on the edge and looking down, the deep abyss had become a huge crater with a diameter of two hundred miles, with a depression at the center forming a near hundred-mile wide white-hot magma lake.


    The magma in the lake boiled and bubbled, with large blisters surfacing and bursting, spewing pillars of flame skyward, radiating white-hot light that resembled a volcanic hell.


    Now and then, among the magma lake, various odds and ends would surface¡ªirregular bones clear as jade, large clumps of spirit gold that had melted and then congealed, and various crystalline objects like wood and jade.


    In addition, Zhao Sheng could vaguely make out several damaged or intact magical treasures and their fragments.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart leapt with joy, thinking to himself that he had indeed come to the right place.


    The fact was clear and evident!


    In the center of the disaster, the materials that could maintain their form must be among the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures; otherwise, they would have vaporized long ago.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t dare delay. The Golden Crow True Fire flashed out from his dantian and burst forth into a golden fire shield that enveloped him completely.


    Pfft!


    A faint sound echoed as the surface of the magma lake slightly swirled before resuming its boiling and tumbling. At this point, at the edge of the meteor crater, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure had already disappeared.


    With the protection of Golden Crow True Fire, Zhao Sheng had no fear of the incredibly hot magma surrounding him.


    His figure flashed like a swimming fish, and without any hesitation, he quickly dove deeper.


    As he descended, any object containing spiritual essence he encountered, without even looking, he indiscriminately collected into his Storage Bag.


    This meteor crater was a hotspot of controversy and would surely attract the attention of many powerhouses; the longer one stayed here, the more dangerous it became.


    And indeed that was the case!


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng disappeared than a middle-aged man with a ghastly pale and ashen face suddenly appeared at the edge of the meteor crater.


    This person looked up at the sky, revealed a sinister smile, and then with a plop, dove into the magma lake.


    The next second, three voids simultaneously tore open in the east, west, and north directions of the sky, and three Nascent Soul Ancestors, cloaked in the radiant light of mana, appeared with a menacing aura.


    Among the three, two wore the native attire of the Tianzhu Realm, while the last one was dressed in a bright red ceremonial robe and donned a crown of offering to the heavens, evidently one of the Divine Temple¡¯s Great Sacrificial Rites from the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    Without even needing to converse, the two Heavenly Pillar Nascent Souls tacitly attacked the invading Otherworldly aggressor simultaneously.


    The moment they made their move, within a radius of a hundred miles, thunder roared and lightning flashed, with deafening rumbles, making the already agitated and harsh world even more violent.


    The grand clash of three Nascent Soul level powers immediately made this meteor crater the focal point of the entire battlefield.


    One after another, golden cores confident in their abilities, and cunning Nascent Soul Ancestors and Otherworldly Nascent Souls, converged stealthily from all directions toward this place.


    Under the gathering of so many powerhouses, there were occasional instances of someone inadvertently revealing their position.


    Soon after, all around the meteor crater, battle after battle suddenly erupted, with a second round of fierce fighting breaking out as if on cue.


    At this moment, within the third layer of the Heavenly Gang Atmosphere, the Flying Immortal City slowly came to a halt, the massive Floating Fortress tilting ever so slightly, emitting incessant dense smoke and fires, looking to have sustained heavy damage. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the Void near the Flying Immortal City, five Divinity Transformation True Monarchs of the Tianzhu Realm appeared together¡ªXie Wuxu, Lin Yizhi, Water Mother, Jue Tong Monk, and a burly man with dark hair and sharp teeth, whose presence was no less powerful than the other four.


    The five Absolute Peaks spread out as if forming a formation, seemingly protecting the Flying Immortal City within it.


    Meanwhile, a hundred miles across the Void, the Bai Tian Sect Leader, Great Black Sky, and Thousand Shadows Netherworld God, three Divinity Transformations from the Netherworld Ghost Realm, gathered together, each exuding a sinister and terrifying aura.


    Yet the Unmelting Bone God was nowhere to be seen.


    This confrontation saw the Netherworld Ghost Realm suffer a significant defeat, with almost all of their forces below the Golden Core level perishing.


    However, what pained the two Sect Leaders of Bai Tian and Great Black Sky the most was the destruction of nearly two hundred Divine Temples.


    Divine Temples were the foundation of their religion, and to lose one-third of their establishment in one day meant both mighty sects had suffered a substantial blow to their Primordial Qi.


    ¡°Haha! So it turns out that the remnants of the Ghost Chi Clan haven¡¯t been wiped out after all, abandoning their ancestors to willingly become slaves in an Otherworld.


    And look now, they seem to be doing quite well¡ªamong the remnants of the Ghost Chi, there even emerged a Divinity Transformation True Monarch.¡±


    After a brief standoff, the burly man with dark hair and fierce teeth was the first to break the silence, laughing and sneering.

 Chapter 438 - 300: Death and Reincarnation?_2

    Chapter 438: Chapter 300: Death and Reincarnation?_2


    Lin Yizhi, upon hearing these words, turned his eyeballs and deliberately shook his head, ¡°Pig Emperor, your words are mistaken! Perhaps someone sacrificed millions of their tribesmen and flattered the ass of the Ghost Heavenly Dao to obtain their station today.¡±


    ¡°Oh, really? I must have been naive. I truly didn¡¯t expect such shameless people existed in the world!¡±


    ¡°Na, isn¡¯t there one standing right over there?¡±


    Lin Yizhi and Pig Emperor played off each other, intentionally provoking Bai Tian¡¯s emotions, trying to infuriate him.


    However, a supreme leader standing at the pinnacle of a realm is hardly swayed by some filthy language.


    ¡°Retreat!¡±


    Bai Tian¡¯s eyes flashed with a fierce light as he stared intensely at the Five True Monarchs for a moment, then coldly spit out a word.


    As his voice fell, three streaks of brilliance flashed and disappeared, and in an instant, they were gone from the sky.


    ¡­


    Elsewhere, within a hundred miles of the meteor crater, rumbles resounded, magical lights and treasures shined, and the skies and the earth were almost thrown into chaos. More and more high-level forces rushed to this area, and intense battles broke out everywhere.


    Don¡¯t blame these ancient beings for acting irrationally; they each harbored a pent-up frustration that needed to be vented.


    Due to the war and meteor disasters, both enemies and allies suffered heavy casualties among their disciples and families, incurring deep-seated hatreds.


    Moments later, a group of Nascent Soul Great Priests and Golden Core Priests from the Netherworld Ghost Realm suddenly retreated as if obeying some command, pulling a distance from the enemy.


    They didn¡¯t linger long and soon gathered under the protection of a few Late-stage Nascent Soul Great Priests, quickly retreating towards the time-space rift.


    In a blink, they disappeared into the dense haze.


    The crowd from Tianzhu Realm also unusually refrained from pursuing their foes, only watching their enemies leave with resentment.


    The reason for this was that both realms had Divinity Transformation True Monarchs pressing their forces, and they both conveyed messages secretly¡ªnot to pursue, one to retreat¡ªsubtly showing some kind of tacit understanding.


    But everyone knew that the battle between the two realms was far from over, that perhaps what had transpired was only a beginning, and what awaited them would be an even more brutal and ruthless struggle for survival.


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng did not realize that intense battles were erupting above him.


    In fact, this massive meteor crater turned out to be nearly ten thousand feet deep.


    As he descended further, Zhao Sheng noticed the temperature around him kept rising, having long surpassed the degrees necessary to melt metal.


    The deeper he went, the fewer treasures surrounded him, yet each one was of increasing rarity and value.


    On his way down, Zhao Sheng reaped substantial rewards.


    Nearly a hundred breaths later, he had reached the deepest part of the meteor crater and saw a miraculous scene.


    At the bottom of the ten-thousand-foot-deep magma lake, there was a pitch-black pool of fire bubbling away, its dark flames swaying like watery ripples, contrasting sharply with the dazzling white viscous magma surrounding it.


    At this moment, a fist-sized Jade White Bone Bead was undulating in the black flame pool while emitting a faint white light.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes shone brilliantly, sensing as though a colossal creature was curled inside the bone bead, restless as if possessing some apocalyptic power.


    However, oddly enough, the bone bead seemed like an inanimate object, lifeless and unresponsive.


    Zhao Sheng slowly approached the black flame pool.


    Just as he crossed the edge of the pool, the eerie black flames in the pool suddenly grew violent like they had encountered a natural enemy and began to converge with the Golden Crow True Fire.


    As the two Heaven and Earth True Fires collided, it was like thunder clashing with earth fire, causing a huge explosion and instantly clearing a hundred feet of magma around, leaving a vast gray spherical void in its place.


    Spurt!


    Zhao Sheng spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his body covered in burns as he tumbled and flew out, not knowing how far, but he still clutched the Jade White Bone Bead tightly in his hand.


    The destructive power of the two True Fires colliding exceeded his imagination, and even though Zhao Sheng¡¯s Immortal Golden Body had greatly developed, it was still effortlessly penetrated by strange forces, causing him significant internal injuries.


    This strange force was of an extremely high level, far exceeding the power level of the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Zhao Sheng did not understand how strong the mana of a Divinity Transformation True Monarch was.


    But in his view, it was about the same level as a True Monarch¡¯s mana.


    Hiss! S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The fire shield formed by the Golden Crow True Fire hissed as its surface healed rapidly, closing the holes. Although the lingering black flames put up a stubborn resistance, they were quickly extinguished due to their absolute numeric disadvantage.


    But every extinguished spot was followed by a terrifying explosion. Often a streak of gray light flashed by, and another deep wound appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s body.


    Before wisps of grey light, his Magical Treasure-protected powerful flesh was almost a joke, as easily punctured as a sheet of window paper.


    Moments later, the Golden Crow Fire Shield returned to normal. Zhao Sheng quickly took out a large handful of Spirit Pills, tossed them all into his mouth with a tilt of his head, and circulated his internal energy rapidly, spreading the power of the Elixir Pills throughout his body.


    Then, his wounds across his body began to squirm and contract like worms, healing rapidly.


    Impatient for his wounds to fully heal, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure burst forward, charging towards the deepest part of the crater!


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng soared back to his original position, his gaze fixed on the pool of black flames, his expression solemn.


    Suddenly, at that moment, he sharply turned around, his gaze fierce, looking towards a protruding Glazed Rock three meters away.


    Almost simultaneously, a black light burst from behind that piece of Glazed Rock, striking like lightning towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s glabella.


    Before the black light reached him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body suddenly staggered, almost falling over.


    His complexion dramatically changed.


    At that moment, amid the ghastly wails, a massive skull, like a mountain of rolling black smoke, forcefully invaded his Soul Sea, causing surging waves, leaving Zhao Sheng feeling dizzy and his Divine Soul upturned.


    Boom!


    The next instant, the black light struck his body, and the Golden Crow True Fire automatically protected its master, scorching upwards.


    The black light quickly dissipated, revealing a black, nine-inch-long nail, with a blood-eyed skull the size of a dragon¡¯s eye embedded at its end.


    Bang!


    The True Fire Shield was pierced through.


    At the critical moment, Zhao Sheng tilted his head, and the Skull Nail flashed past near his ear.


    He miraculously dodged this lethal strike.


    Having evaded the killing blow, Zhao Sheng was fiercely shaken, a sudden thought flashing through his mind, ¡°This person is a Nascent Soul Demon Cultivator, not to be confronted with force!¡±


    Escape!


    The thought had just formed when a yellow Jade Talisman suddenly appeared in Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand.


    This was a Thousand-mile Earth Tunneling Talisman, personally crafted by Zhao Xuanjing.


    Just as he was about to activate the talisman, another incomparably powerful Divine Thought struck like lightning.


    It proved that no matter how quickly a talisman is cast, it couldn¡¯t outpace a mental attack.


    Buzz!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s head suddenly felt as if countless nails were being hammered into it simultaneously, the pain splitting his head, nearly bursting it open. His Divine Soul was severely damaged instantly.


    In front of a Nascent Soul Ghost King who excelled in Divine Thought attacks, a mere Golden Core Master was no match¡ªnot even a wounded Ghost King!


    ¡°Hehe!¡±


    A strange laugh sounded as a pale middle-aged man emerged triumphantly from behind the Glazed Rock, looking at Zhao Sheng lying on the ground, his eyes filled with immense greed.


    ¡°Hehe! Such a perfect body indeed. My luck has truly turned.


    With this body full of abundant Primordial Qi, healing my soul injury is but a trivial matter, and I might even benefit from this misfortune, experiencing what it feels like to be a Ghost God.¡±


    ¡°Little darling! Your body will be taken over by me. Just rest in peace!¡±


    As he spoke, the Nascent Soul Ghost King launched an even stronger Divine Thought attack, erasing the opponent¡¯s Divine Soul in one strike.


    Taking a few steps forward, the Nascent Soul Ghost King approached, scrutinizing this exceptionally robust body closely, very pleased as he nodded in satisfaction.


    The next second, the pale middle-aged man suddenly collapsed to the ground limply, and a stream of black smoke burst from his forehead, forming a skull nearly solidified.


    That pair of blood-colored ghostly pupils swirled chaotically, flickering with cunning and joy.


    With a buzz, the Skull Nail flew back from afar, suddenly turning into a wisp of black smoke and merging into the skull.


    The Skull Nail was the Nascent Soul Ghost King¡¯s Lifebound Magic Treasure, already fused to his Heart Core, indistinguishable from each other.


    The next instant, the blood-eyed skull flashed by and was about to charge into Zhao Sheng¡¯s Purple Mansion through his glabella.


    However, at that moment, an unexpected change occurred!

 Chapter 439 - 301: About to Travel Through

    Chapter 439: Chapter 301: About to Travel Through


    ¡°`


    Chi!


    Between the flash of lightning and flint, an extremely fine fishing line suddenly shot out from the Tan Zhong acupoint in Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest. It entered the Nascent Soul Ghost King¡¯s body with an unimaginably fast speed in an instant.


    It completely ignored the robust and pure ghost power of the Ghost King, pierced through layer upon layer of defenses, and directly viciously struck its Heart Core. Instantly, it tightly wound the blood-eyed skeleton nail and with a flash of light from the fish hook, entered the fist-sized black halo of the Heart Core.


    The Nascent Soul Ghost King, trapped by the forbidden power of the Magical Treasure, suddenly stiffened and couldn¡¯t move. It couldn¡¯t help but bellow in extreme shock, ¡°Damn it, what is this thing!¡±


    Zheng!


    Zhao Sheng, who had been lying on the ground with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes. With a flip of his hand, a scroll about a foot long fell into his hand.


    Thrown out, the scroll flew into the air, ignoring the scorching lava around it and quickly unfolded, revealing the Cold River Elder Fishing Painting.


    The next second, a green fishing rod flew out from Zhao Sheng¡¯s Tan Zhong acupoint like lightning. It turned into a beam of green light, dragging the powerless and furious Ghost King, and plunged headlong into the Sealing Treasure Map.


    A large array of brilliance emerged from the scroll. Zhao Sheng quickly formed hand spells, and a succession of Golden Light Runes shot out, striking the scroll.


    As layer upon layer of rune seals were applied, the Ghost King¡¯s screams and pleas gradually became faint and inaudible,


    In the end, beneath that Cold River, a vague and dim shadow was added.


    The scroll flickered, rolled up again, and then automatically flew back to Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand, and he carefully placed it into the deepest part of the Storage Bag. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng climbed up from the ground with lingering fears. The Golden Crow Fire Shield reemerged on his body, repelling the surrounding lava.


    But by now, his clothes had already been burnt to ashes.


    Zhao Sheng simply changed into a set of Spiritual Artifact armor, covering all vital parts of his body.


    Not until then did his pale face finally relax a bit, feeling as though he had taken a round trip from the gates of the Netherworld and back to the world of the living.


    That moment just now was incredibly dangerous and thrilling!


    Facing a Nascent Soul Ghost King, he really thought he was definitely going to die.


    But it was only due to the Death Replacement Doll he accidentally obtained years ago that blocked a fatal mental attack for him during a dangerous moment.


    This gave him a chance for a desperate counter-attack.


    Of course, the Ancient Treasure, the Soul-hooking Pole, was also absolutely indispensable, for without it to restrain the Ghost King, there would have been no chance to seal this millennium-old ghost.


    Zhao Sheng undoubtedly did something that would make everyone¡¯s jaw drop: a Golden Core cultivator had actually alive sealed a Nascent Soul Ghost King.


    If this matter were to spread, Zhao Sheng would surely become the center of everyone¡¯s attention.


    Against the backdrop of an extremely fierce and harsh war between the two realms, Zhao Sheng would inevitably be molded into a ¡°hero.¡±


    Especially after the Meteor disaster, the Sect Alliance especially needed to establish a ¡°hero¡± to boost morale while taking the opportunity to guide public opinion and soften the previous ruthless impression.


    Of course, heroes often die young, but before their death, they would enjoy unimaginable preferential treatment and rewards.


    Luckily Zhao Sheng only wanted to silently make a fortune, and had no intention of making this event known, so the name of a hero was naturally unrelated to him.


    Zhao Sheng suppressed his severe pain, took out a bunch of Nourishing Spirit Pills, Soul Protecting Pills, Calming God Pills, and other Spirit Pills for treating spiritual soul injuries. Without worrying about the toxicity and conflict of medicine, he swallowed them all in one gulp.


    A large amount of medicinal power quickly dispersed, his mind rapidly cooled, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s complexion finally improved a bit.


    He didn¡¯t hesitate, and immediately floated up and flew back to the edge of the Black Flame Fire Pool.


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng tried many methods to gather True Fire, but all failed.


    This pool of Black Flame was very peculiar, as if it was self-contained, with a kind of natural Taoist charm, and had a perfect and complete flavor.


    Zhao Sheng thought for a moment, a divine light flickered in his eyes, ripples spread over the Golden Crow True Fire Shield on his body, and suddenly a burst of green light emerged from his chest.


    After a while,


    The green light burst out of his body, made one turn, and transformed into an ordinary-looking green bamboo basket.


    ¡°Collect!¡±


    Zhao Sheng uttered a low shout, formed a spell with his hand, and the Capturing Sky Basket suddenly enlarged by tenfold. An invisible vortex appeared within the basket, and then an indescribable suction force came from the vortex.


    The space around seemed to tremble slightly. The next moment, the Black Flame suddenly rose up and was collected into a bucket-sized flame ball, obediently entering the Capturing Sky Basket.


    Like the basket, the volume of the Fire Pool suddenly shrunk many times, gathering into a fist-sized Black Flame, quietly suspended in the basket.


    Zhao Sheng nodded with satisfaction, smiled, reached out his hand, and the Capturing Sky Basket turned back into a beam of green light, entering the Tan Zhong acupoint.


    After doing all this, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t dare to stay in this place for long.


    With a flick of his fingertip, a Thousand-mile Earth Escape Jade Talisman suddenly shattered with a bang, and then burst forth with dazzling Yellow Light, enveloping Zhao Sheng.


    The Yellow Light flashed and was gone; Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure had already disappeared from the original spot!


    Just moments after Zhao Sheng left, an elder in a Purple Sun Robe appeared silently at the edge of the crater.


    This person, looking at the various traces left behind, conveyed an extremely angry expression, erupting with a majestic and terrifying aura.


    In his rage, magma and Fire Sea within several dozen miles suddenly boiled and shook, momentarily raising surging waves.


    ¡­


    Two hundred miles away, beneath a segment of the Great Wall riddled with cracks, inside a cramped stone room, the ground suddenly showed a patch of Yellow Light.


    The Yellow Light faded, and Zhao Sheng appeared in the stone room.


    Looking at the familiar room, he smiled slightly and strode out.


    A short while later, on the city wall, Zhao Sheng saw Zhao Xuanjing.


    At this moment, he was earnestly gazing at the distant, chaotic battlefield, his expression very heavy.


    Zhao Sheng followed his gaze and saw that the forces from the Netherworld Ghost Realm were slowly retreating back into the Time-Space Rift.


    ¡°`


    Source: Webn0vel.com, updated on Novg0.co

 Chapter 440 - 301: About to Travel Through_2

    Chapter 440: Chapter 301: About to Travel Through_2


    ¡°` sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It must be said that the people of the Otherworld have hearts as hard as iron, only gathering the main forces above the Foundation Establishment level, while completely ignoring the other low-level survivors who lived.


    Perhaps in their eyes, those fervent followers were nothing more than a bunch of ants, just cannon fodder to be summoned and dismissed at a whim.


    Sensing Zhao Sheng¡¯s presence, Zhao Xuanjing didn¡¯t turn his head, and indifferently said, ¡°You¡¯re back?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m back!¡± Zhao Sheng stepped forward, resting his hand on the wall, and responded in a low voice.


    ¡°Injured? And not lightly either! Do you need me to step in and get you a Nine Return Soul Pill?¡± Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s tone was still as serene as ever, but his deep concern was obvious.


    Feeling warmth in his heart after hearing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head, ¡°Just some minor injuries, no need to owe someone a favor just for this. A month or two of recuperation should suffice!¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡±


    Zhao Xuanjing nodded, not dwelling on the matter further. Then he suddenly asked, ¡°What do you think about the Alliance¡¯s actions?¡±


    Although the question was abrupt, Zhao Sheng deeply understood its meaning and immediately answered, ¡°Right or wrong doesn¡¯t matter! Regardless of whether it¡¯s correct or not, only the outcome is most important.


    The Alliance¡¯s actions, though mutually destructive, ultimately thwarted the Netherworld Ghost Realm¡¯s schemes, while at the same time, breaking their morale to conquer the land.


    Sometimes, necessary sacrifices are inevitable to achieve a goal.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s remarks were incredibly brutal and cold-hearted, but they starkly revealed the heartless attitude of the Alliance¡¯s higher-ups that ¡°For one man to become a general, a thousand bones must whiten.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Xuanjing slowly turned his head, gazing at Zhao Sheng¡¯s face as if to discern his true intentions.


    Zhao Sheng met his ancestor¡¯s gaze fearlessly, his lips even curving slightly upward, whether out of self-satisfaction or mockery was unclear.


    A few moments later, Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s face paled suddenly, his gaze slightly dimmed.


    He coughed once, his voice deep, ¡°Qingyang, I hope you remember what you just said, but I hope even more that you never apply such a mentality to our own people.


    Remember! The path to immortality is endless, and those with love are always more victorious than heartless immortals!¡±


    ¡°Ancestor¡¯s teachings, Qingyang will bear them in mind,¡± Zhao Sheng said, his face solemn as he performed a respectful bow.


    Seeing this, a trace of relief crossed Zhao Xuanjing¡¯s expression. He then took out a Sea Shell and shell pearl, handing them to Zhao Sheng, while saying, ¡°The younger members have already retreated safely and are now hidden in the stone caves that were prepared earlier. This treasure must be returned to its rightful owner now.¡±


    Taking the treasures, Zhao Sheng placed them in his bosom before asking, ¡°Ancestor, after this catastrophe we faced, do we have a chance to withdraw for recuperation now?


    The first and second ring of the Golden Wall are in disarray; keeping the clanspeople on the battlefield will likely lead to massive casualties.¡±


    The Netherworld Ghost Realm had only temporarily retreated; both sides were licking their wounds, regathering their armies to resume the conflict.


    Without the Great Wall Defense Line, it is unimaginable how much more brutal and desperate the future wars will be.


    Just the thought of being constantly on guard for some shameless high-level power¡¯s assassination or sneak attack caused Zhao Sheng to feel a chill at the back of his neck.


    Clearly, Zhao Xuanjing had also considered this possibility.


    He frowned, shaking his head, ¡°The army has suffered heavy casualties, but the family¡¯s Daoist Army remains intact; the Alliance will not allow us to withdraw for recuperation. If we are to recuperate, we must endure at least ten months.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression turned bitter. The vibrations in space-time caused by the Nine Stars Alinement would take a year to settle.


    Staying stationed for ten months, plus the two-plus months of fighting, would amount to exactly one year.


    It must be said, the Alliance¡¯s calculations are indeed precise!


    ¡°The Alliance couldn¡¯t be so harsh, could it?!¡± Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but say.


    Zhao Xuanjing let out a cold laugh, retorting, ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Although he didn¡¯t say it outright, the thought of the Alliance¡¯s leadership¡¯s usual methods left Zhao Sheng at a loss for words.


    ¡­


    After the Meteor Tribulation, it took half a day for the forces of the Netherworld Ghost Realm to retreat back to their own realm.


    It took the Alliance a full seven days to reluctantly clean up the aftermath, turning the majority of the Otherworld cannon fodder to ash and bone.


    But they failed to pursue those few escapees who survived, and even some powerful beings from the Netherworld Ghost Realm chose to deliberately go into hiding, waiting for an opportunity to strike.


    In the following half a month, both realms licked their wounds, and by an unspoken agreement, neither instigated further hostilities.


    With Sword God Lin Yizhi proactively guarding the Space-Time Rift, unless the opposing armies mobilized, not a single Otherworld power could secretly infiltrate the Tianzhu Realm.


    Similarly, the Netherworld Ghost Realm had a Divinity Transformation powerhouse on guard as well.


    At the same time, the Alliance sent out countless summonses and Special Envoys, gathering a cultivation army once again.


    Of course, such high-end and serious matters didn¡¯t concern Zhao Sheng, but three days after the battle, Zhao Xuanjing was urgently summoned by the Alliance.


    ¡°`


    ¡°`


    Zhao Sheng, while recovering from his injuries, was busy overseeing the Xinglong Dao Soldiers. They were following the Array Maps issued by the Alliance, starting massive construction projects to create a new underground defensive fortress complex, clearly indicating a determination to defend at all costs.


    A decade swiftly passed, and as new recruits from all around the Central Continent continued to arrive, the clouds of war grew ever darker, and the drums of war seemed ready to sound at any moment.


    It was during this time that Zhao Xuanjing suddenly sought out Zhao Sheng.


    The first words he said were, ¡°The True Monarch has summoned you urgently, come with me!¡±


    Inside the stone room, upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng immediately had an epiphany, ¡°It seems the ¡®Stealing the Sky and Turning the Sun¡¯ plan is about to commence!¡±


    Zhao Sheng quickly followed Zhao Xuanjing out of the stone room, and then both of them shot into the sky, their tunneling light flying high.


    Midway, Zhao Sheng sent a meaningful transmission, ¡°Is it that one?¡±


    ¡°Mm,¡± within the tunneling light, Zhao Xuanjing nodded slightly.


    Before long, in a palace within Flying Immortal City, both men from the Zhao Family met the youthful-looking but white-haired Master Xie.


    As a top figure in this realm, Master Xie Wuxu had no need for false pretenses. He spoke as he pleased, his words straightforward and to the point.


    He got straight to the matter, revealing that the Alliance had been secretly preparing a ¡®Stealing the Sky and Turning the Sun¡¯ plan and required several candidates to participate, with Zhao Sheng being one of the chosen.


    Of course, in keeping with the principle of voluntariness, Master Xie Wuxu was also there to inquire about the opinion of the person concerned.


    Faced with a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, what could Zhao Sheng say but nod in agreement?


    It may have been due to the urgency of time.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng nodded than Master Xie Wuxu smiled faintly. Suddenly, the scenery around them blurred, and a gentle white light emerged from the void, enveloping both Zhao Sheng and Zhao Xuanjing.


    The next second, a brilliant pillar of light burst from the top of Flying Immortal City into the sky, disappearing in an instant.


    ¡­


    One day later, in the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    The great hall was still the same, but its interior had undergone earth-shaking changes.


    Standing at the entrance of the hall, Zhao Sheng looked in to see that the remains of the Five-clawed True Dragon, which had been embedded in the ceiling, had been removed.


    The hall was empty, with the ground filled with densely packed Spiritual Text Array Bases, within which countless crystalline sparks flickered.


    At the Nine Palaces positions in the center of the hall, each was fixed with a massive flag that was ten zhang tall, radiating a thick bloody glow.


    On each flag was embroidered a three-eyed giant with a golden body wielding a large axe, and a few flags bore various signs of repair.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng was secretly shocked: ¡°The Nine-faced Chi Demon Banner has actually been fully recovered. The means of the True Monarchs of this realm are indeed formidable.¡±


    Although the Nine-faced Chi Demon Banner was a treasure, it only distracted Zhao Sheng for a moment.


    His attention was swiftly drawn to the slowly rotating vortex in the center of the great hall.


    This vortex was suspended in mid-air, only the size of a fist, and although it was invisible to the naked eye, under the Divine Sense, it felt like a black hole.


    The Space-time Vortex seemed highly unstable, expanding and contracting erratically as if it could collapse at any moment.


    However, it was barely maintained by the numerous invisible Prohibitions surrounding it.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart sank, and he felt a sense of pessimism.


    Perhaps this life was reaching its end!


    Zhao Xuanjing also looked solemn, but it was too late to back out now.


    Once True Monarch Xie had spoken, no one could renege.


    At that moment, only the three of them were present in the great hall.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng did not think that True Monarch Xie would only choose him; there must be more participants.


    However, to maintain secrecy and prevent any captured participants from spilling secrets, they would not allow the participants to meet each other.


    ¡°I will give you thirty minutes. If you have any private matters to discuss, do so now!


    In addition, I must warn you in advance that you are not to carry Storage Bags or other spatial treasures when traversing time and space,¡± said Xie Wuxu.


    After speaking, Master Xie Wuxu¡¯s figure dimmed and he disappeared in the blink of an eye.


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng was startled, his thoughts immediately turning to the Capturing Sky Basket and the Sea Shell.


    ¡°`


    Source: Webn0vel.com, updated on Novg0.co

 Chapter 441 - 302: Two Realms

    Chapter 441: Chapter 302: Two Realms


    In the Ghost Chi Hall, Zhao Sheng hesitated for a moment before signaling Zhao Xuanjing with his eyes.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Xuanjing snapped his fingers.


    Pop, a yellow light screen suddenly rose, enveloping the two of them.


    ¡°Qingyang, what do you wish to say?¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, my fate is uncertain on this journey, and just in case, I would like you to relay a message to my wife, Hua Ying, and Hua Xiong. Tell them¡­¡±


    After a moment, Zhao Sheng finished his instructions and then took off a row of Storage Bags from his body, handing them over to Zhao Xuanjing.


    Then, waving his hand, he added another layer of Barrier around them before pulling out a Sea Shell and shell pearl from his bosom and decisively handed them to Zhao Xuanjing.


    ¡°Ancestor, there are some treasures I found in the Sea Shell that I haven¡¯t dealt with¡­ and that Ghost King¡­¡±


    After hearing the message, Zhao Xuanjing looked at his grandson with a strange and shocked expression.


    He never expected that this young man not only had a richer fortune than him, a Nascent Soul Ancestor, but also possessed such incredible luck.


    Compared to him, he had been far behind in his early years.


    However, Zhao Xuanjing still underestimated Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng only handed over the Soul Hook, but boldly kept the Capturing Sky Basket and that Bone Pearl for himself.


    Because he suddenly thought of the Time-Space Rift in Heavenly Burial Plain.


    He, Zhao Aotian! Couldn¡¯t believe he would be so unlucky!


    Shortly after, the layer of yellow light screen suddenly shattered, revealing the figures of Zhao Sheng and another person.


    ¡°Are you done talking?¡±


    The two had just reappeared when True Monarch Xie coincidentally appeared in front of them.


    ¡°Reporting to True Monarch, the junior is ready and can leave at any moment.¡±


    ¡°Good!¡± True Monarch Xie nodded and said, ¡°However, there are a few more things I need to tell you. If you successfully reach the Netherworld Ghost Realm, you need to bury this Array Plate in a location rich with Spiritual Energy, preferably at the Core Spirit Acupoint of a Spirit Vein. Then guard it until someone else traverses through.¡±


    ¡°The junior understands!¡±


    Zhao Sheng said, stretching out his hand to receive a silver-white metallic orb, emanating electric light, that truly did not resemble an Array Plate, from Xie Wuxu¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Also, here are the Heavenly Deceiving Talisman and the Unison Silkworm.¡±


    After saying this, True Monarch Xie flung his sleeve, and a ray of gray light flew out from the bottom of the sleeve, flashing into Zhao Sheng¡¯s body.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly felt something unusual in his body, but no matter how he checked, he found nothing.


    ¡°The old fellow drew a total of nine Heavenly Deceiving Talismans. The one used on you is of the highest quality. This talisman can deceive the Heavenly Dao for up to a hundred years. Of course, that particular Heavenly Dao might not reject people from otherworlds either. In any case, it¡¯s better to be prepared.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your generous gift, True Monarch!¡± Zhao Sheng immediately expressed his gratitude with a formal gesture.


    True Monarch Xie was unconcerned and then with a flip of his hand, revealed two tender white silkworms in his palm. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These silkworms were glowing white like jade, just the size of a fingernail cap, with starry spots on their heads and emitting a light fragrance.


    ¡°Unison Silkworms! Inherently possessing the trait of living and dying together. Drip a drop of your blood on each, refine the silkworms, and through the power of the bloodline, you can detect your life and death.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng without hesitation extended his index finger, squeezed out two drops of blood, and dripped them onto the heads of the Unison Silkworms.


    One of the Unison Silkworms suddenly coiled up, its body radiating a layer of blood light.


    The other bent its body and sprang, quickly flying into Zhao Sheng¡¯s palm and burrowing into his skin with a flash.


    ¡­


    Moments later, the floor of the great hall suddenly brightened, unleashing vast dazzling electric lights, resembling a vast ocean of thunder.


    The pervasive electric lights and thunder seemed to be manipulated by some invisible force field, twisting and deforming under the illumination of the Nine-faced Chi Demon Banner, casting into the Space-time Vortex.


    The sound of ¡°Sizzling¡± was dense like rain, and the vortex suddenly swelled to the size of a barrel, revealing numerous invisible Space-time Cracks in the hall, generating a strong suction force that made Zhao Sheng¡¯s body sway.


    ¡°Now, jump!¡±


    Zhao Sheng jumped at the command, curling his body into a ball, covered in a thick golden Light Film, letting the suction pull him as he deliberately dove into the Space-time Vortex.


    The next instant, he only felt a dark light before his eyes, surrounded by utter blackness and silence, as if only his Divine Soul existed, unable to perceive even his own body.


    An infinite oppressive force continuously pressed from all directions, at the same time, a feeling of the sky spinning and the earth revolving instantly came over him.


    After an unknown duration in the darkness and void, when Zhao Sheng regained consciousness, he only felt a severe pain in his Divine Soul, seeing nothing but a vision of blood.


    Opening his eyes, the view was dark and oppressive, utterly pitch-black.


    Enduring a splitting headache, Zhao Sheng released his Divine Sense and shockingly found that the surroundings were full of blackish-gray soil and rocks.


    Bang!


    In the dim and humid Primitive Forest, a thick layer of humus suddenly protruded outward, then exploded thunderously.


    Amid the flying dirt and rocks, a sleek figure suddenly burst from below, softly landing on the slanted trunk of a nearby large tree.


    Closely observing his surroundings, he discovered he was in a lush and dense forest.


    All around, giant ancient trees towering dozens to hundreds of feet were everywhere, their lush leaves obscuring almost ninety percent of the sunlight above, while the ground was covered with over three-foot-tall grass and mushrooms, each appearing bizarre and colorful, many adorned with sharp spines and strange ¡°eyes¡±.


    The sight before his eyes, despite Zhao Sheng considering himself well-traveled and knowledgeable, made him somewhat astounded for a moment.


    After surveying his surroundings, he withdrew his gaze, released his Divine Sense to scan a twenty-mile radius. Although there were many unfamiliar and peculiar animals and plants nearby, all were weak and posed no threat to him.


    Shortly after, Zhao Sheng flew above the dense forest, looking up at the sky, only to see a large and a small Sun shining brilliantly overhead.


    Source: Webn0vel.com, updated on Novg0.co

 Chapter 442 - 302: Two Realms_2

    Chapter 442: Chapter 302: Two Realms_2


    However, in the eastern sky, an enormously large planet strikingly occupied most of the heavens.


    The planet clearly displayed a vast sea of white clouds and a bluish-green, mysterious ocean, with occasional glimpses of continents peeking through the gaps in the clouds.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils contracted, and he couldn¡¯t help but groan, ¡°Damn it! Where on earth have I landed? Is this really the Netherworld Ghost Realm?¡±


    After gazing up and examining for a long while, Zhao Sheng gradually calmed his emotions, and the severe pain in his mind significantly lessened.


    Upon sensing briefly, Zhao Sheng felt quite surprised; the concentration of Spiritual Energy outside this dense forest was significantly higher than the average in the Tianzhu Realm, almost reaching the outskirts of a First-rank Spirit Vein.


    This place clearly was a Primitive Forest, and logically, the overall strength of the dominant race governing this world must not be underestimated.


    It took a quarter of an hour, Zhao Sheng refined a set of robes, then with a sweep of his sleeves, a swirl of golden light engulfed his body, and he flew toward that massive alien star.


    An hour later, the thousand-mile Mang Forest was left behind beneath his feet.


    As the golden light dispersed, Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped high in the sky, turning his gaze towards the northwest.


    Twenty miles away, intense fluctuations of Spiritual Energy emerged, with Extraordinary Creatures engaged in combat there.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng stood invisibly in mid-air, looking down from above.


    He saw that in the dense jungle below, swathes of vegetation had been torn and flattened, revealing a wide clearing several acres in size.


    In the midst of the clearing, about a dozen creatures as large as oxen, covered in dark spots and resembling giant wolves, were leaping about, spewing black mist from their mouths as they besieged three upper-body armored, muscular men with eyes as large as copper bells from an Alien Race.


    Upon seeing these three men, Zhao Sheng immediately breathed a sigh of relief,


    During the wars between two realms, he had seen many zombies from the Ghost Realm, who bore a striking resemblance to these three individuals.


    This indicated that he had not traveled to the wrong world.


    With a sweep of his Divine Sense, the youngest-looking yet strongest of the besieged men often cast Earth Element Magic to continuously fortify their Earth Armor, with a cultivation level roughly between the Mid and Late Stages of Qi Refinement.


    This man was the leader, while the other two were agile, strong as oxen, and possessed a robust True Qi that was almost taking form, with their strength being at least that of Innate Great Success Martial Artists.


    As for those resembling wolf demons, aside from one that was over two zhang long with frighteningly bright eyes, whose strength was at the First Order Middle Grade, the rest barely exceeded the threshold of a first-stage demon beast.


    However, the leader, although having the highest cultivation, was pale, with his chest heaving inconsistently, seemingly unable to hold out much longer.


    At that moment, he was continuously executing Magic Spells, with yellow radiance endlessly emerging. The ground sporadically spiked with earthen spikes, piercing through the spotted wolf beasts several times.


    His two companions, covered in wounds and drenched in sweat, still protected the Young Master¡¯s sides without hesitation, hacking back the leaping demon beasts with axes and swords.


    Just then, the leading wolf let out a long howl, opened its mouth wide, and a burst of black light shot out, turning into a sky of Black Needles that enveloped the three men like rain.


    A series of ¡°bang bang¡± noises ensued!


    The Earth Armor shielding the three shook violently, the yellow light flickered rapidly, and suddenly shattered.


    Ah!


    Mo Ye¡¯s face showed a look of despair, and he couldn¡¯t help but let out a pitiful scream.


    Seeing this, the two Innate Guards immediately threw themselves over their Young Master¡¯s body, determined to protect him with their lives.


    Just then, a streak of golden light flashed before their eyes, and suddenly the surroundings turned exceptionally hot, the heat waves rolling.


    Upon looking again, wisps of black smoke rose not far away, but those spotted wolves were already gone without a trace.


    ¡°This¡­ this¡­¡± Mo Ye was extremely shocked, his mind went blank.


    At this moment, a figure appeared before him; it was Zhao Sheng.


    In no more than one breath, more than a dozen first-stage demon beasts had not even a single hair left, leaving Mo Ye and the duo beside him utterly dumbfounded.


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, Mo Ye suddenly shuddered, scrambled to kneel, and said most reverently,


    ¡°Mo Ye of the Mo Family Castle, thank you immensely for saving my life! May I ask for the Dharma name you bestow? Once I return, I shall solemnly enshrine your Dharma name in the ancestral temple, praying day and night in gratitude.¡±


    Unfortunately, Mo Ye¡¯s earnest words and actions were like lighting a lamp for the blind ¡ª utterly pointless.


    He rattled off in one breath, and Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t understand a single word.


    However, this was not a problem for a Golden Core Master.


    Zhao Sheng floated down gracefully, released his Divine Sense, and probed into Mo Ye¡¯s Purple Mansion, directly using his Divine Sense to sense and convey meaning.


    ¡°It was nothing, no need for thanks,¡± he expressed.


    Mo Ye only felt an irresistible and strong spiritual power surge into his Divine Palace, and the subsequent fluctuations of Divine Sense immediately made him realize Zhao Sheng¡¯s goodwill.


    Mo Ye was both happy and shocked at this moment.


    He was delighted that such a powerful being was so approachable, but even more astonishing was that his life-saver was far more potent than he could have imagined. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the entire Su Mu Mountain region, even the most powerful Divine Temple Sacrifices within a thousand-mile radius did not possess such strong and overwhelming spiritual power.


    ¡°Could it be that my benefactor has already nurtured a True Pill, becoming a rare Golden Core Main Priest?¡± Mo Ye wondered.


    Thinking this, Mo Ye was immensely shocked. He instinctively realized that perhaps the greatest opportunity of his life had just presented itself.


    Due to the language barrier, Zhao Sheng merely used fluctuations of Divine Sense to transmit emotions and information.


    After a bit of ¡°conversation,¡± Mo Ye was overjoyed, as his life-saver expressed interest in staying briefly at the Mo Family Castle.


    An hour later, Mo Ye rode a bull-headed beast, displaying a nervous expression.


    At his side, Zhao Sheng floated in mid-air, his feet resting on nothing, ghosting alongside Mo Ye.


    Along the way, Zhao Sheng continuously extracted knowledge of the language from Mo Ye.


    With the strong spiritual power of a Golden Core Realm, in just an hour, Zhao Sheng had mostly grasped the local language, capable of holding a normal conversation with the three people.


    ¡°Mo Ye, what is this area called?¡± Zhao Sheng suddenly asked with a smile.


    Taken aback, Mo Ye hastened to respond respectfully, ¡°Sir, this place is the Su Mu Mountain area in the Southwest Domain of the Nine Demon Continent.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was startled by the response, then sighed inwardly with a wry smile.


    ¡°So I have ended up here. By the way, do you have a map of the nearby area?¡± Zhao Sheng, having composed himself, asked again.


    Hearing this, Mo Ye quickly reached into a black beast-skin pouch on his waist and took out a white Jade Dish, handing it to Zhao Sheng with both hands.


    ¡°This is a map of the Ten Thousand Mile Domain of the Southwest Domain, including a detailed map of the Su Mu Mountain area. Please accept it, sir,¡± said Mo Ye, puzzled yet not daring to question Zhao Sheng due to the strict hierarchy of the Netherworld Realm.


    Zhao Sheng then received the Jade Plate, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and found it to be an object similar to a Jade Scroll, engraved with seven or eight maps, some simple and others detailed.


    ¡­


    Throughout the journey, Mo Ye displayed extraordinary respect and enthusiasm; through his words, Zhao Sheng learned much about Su Mu Mountain and the Nine Demon Continent.


    He even discovered that the world they were in was called the Netherworld, and that the huge star hanging in the eastern sky was the true Netherworld Ghost Realm, officially named the Ghost God Realm.


    The Netherworld was a vassal to the Main World, with a smaller population of the Human Clan and the majority of its territory occupied by numerous powerful demon beasts and alien races.


    Two days later, having crossed through five hundred miles of dense forest, Zhao Sheng and his companions arrived at a plain outside the mountain. The plain was covered in lush green grass, and farmland with ragged farmers tending to the fields could be faintly seen in the distance.


    At the end of the plain, a large dock castle of gray-black color became visible.


    Soon, Zhao Sheng and his companions approached the dock castle, only to see its perimeter fortified with dark blue-black giant stones constructing a solid wall, over six fathoms high, looking impenetrable.


    The wall was lined with Arrow Ditches and each corner featured a nine-fathom-high Arrow Tower, and squads of robust guards in beast-skin armor patrolled the perimeter with vigilant expressions.


    Two huge ferocious stone beasts stood on either side of the city gate, their surfaces emanating a crimson spirit light, likely some kind of Puppet Beasts.


    Next to the stone beasts stood four thick dark-black iron pillars, each with two strands of talismanic feathers made of yellow paper talismans hanging from them.


    The talismanic feathers swayed in the wind, emitting faint fluctuations of Spiritual Energy.


    And above the city gate, two unrecognizable large characters were clearly visible.

 Chapter 443 - 303 Otherworld Scenery

    Chapter 443: Chapter 303 Otherworld Scenery


    Looking at the towering and sturdy dock castle before him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered slightly, having heard from Mo Ye that it was Mo Family Castle, he had thought it would be quite backward, but what lay before him was almost a bustling county town.


    As several people arrived at the gate, a troop of Mo Family Guards immediately came to greet them.


    ¡°Young Master, you¡¯ve finally returned safely. The castle lord has been worried sick. Would you quickly go to see him?¡±


    A tall and burly man finished speaking and then, with a puzzled look, asked, ¡°Young Master, is this the reinforcement you invited back?¡±


    ¡°This is a long story; you hurry back and notify my father that a distinguished guest has arrived, and ask him to open the main hall to receive us,¡± Mo Ye quickly instructed the man and then respectfully gestured for Zhao Sheng to enter.


    Seeing the Young Master treat the person before him with such reverence, the Mo Family Guards naturally dared not have any more doubts and immediately pushed open the castle doors.


    The tall, burly man also hurriedly sprinted towards the city.


    Zhao Sheng followed Mo Ye and the other three into the dock castle; his Divine Sense spread out and instantly enveloped the entire dock castle.


    The complete view of Mo Family Castle instantly emerged in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    The castle covered an area of about ten miles, with the outermost perimeter mostly comprising simple wooden huts made of straw and coarse wood.


    The farther one went inside, the better the scale and quality of buildings, with a section in the middle already replaced by ordinary residences made of brick and stone, while at the very center of the dock castle was an area completely built from giant stones of black and white, rugged in shape yet substantial.


    At the center of this core group of buildings was a rather wide square, on which stood a sturdy and heavy Black Stone Hall, heavily guarded all around, with guards mostly at least as strong as Innate Martial Artists.


    Beyond that, a conspicuous gold-lettered White Tower stood in front of the hall, its stone surface engraved with densely packed ancient symbols, seemingly native runes of the Mingye Realm.


    Zhao Sheng keenly sensed that there was a huge invisible Vortex at the White Tower, constantly gathering the surrounding nature¡¯s spiritual energy.


    Oh?


    It seems the White Tower holds some interesting items within.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered, he retracted his Divine Sense and surveyed his surroundings; the road under his feet was solid and even, made of large and small rocks filled in with fine loam.


    Along the way, all residents, young and old, were in shabby clothes, their faces yellow and their bodies thin. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The residents of Mo Family Castle, upon seeing Mo Ye and others, either knelt down in awe or scurried behind walls inside their houses like startled mice.


    To this sight, the three, including Mo Ye, seemed to have grown accustomed, passing by with an air of course.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng gained an initial understanding of the customs and strict social hierarchy of the Mingye Realm.


    Interestingly, he noted that there were extremely few elders in Mo Family Castle, yet there were surprisingly many children under the age of ten, almost in groups.


    A bunch of dark little mud monkeys, bare and snotty, hid under the corners of walls, stealing glances here with awe and envy in their eyes.


    Whenever Zhao Sheng turned his eyes towards them, these children would scatter like frightened, running away.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, slightly curved his lips up, his gaze piercing through thin dirt walls, observing various crude pieces of furniture.


    In stark contrast, however, each household had specially cleared out a room for enshrining a splendid and beautiful shrine.


    Some wealthier households even maintained life-sized terracotta figurines within their shrines.


    These terracotta figurines!¡­


    Just then, Mo Ye suddenly bowed to Zhao Sheng, saying, ¡°My lord, please follow me this way!¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded as his Divine Sense had already spotted some lavishly dressed people coming out from the Mo Family¡¯s main hall.


    Mo Ye said to the two guards beside him, ¡°You two cousins have protected me all the way, and it has been tough. Now that we are home, you should go and rest and heal.¡±


    The two Innate Guards nodded and each turned to leave.


    ¡°My lord, my father is waiting in the main hall; let¡¯s go see him first,¡± Mo Ye pointed towards the largest Black Stone Stone Hall in the distance, happily saying.


    ¡°Now that I am at your home, it is natural to meet the esteemed castle master. Lead the way,¡± Zhao Sheng casually smiled.


    Just now his Divine Sense had already covered the entire dock castle; there were roughly twenty thousand people in Mo Family Castle, only about twenty to thirty had Innate Cultivation, and only three were Qi Refining Cultivators; the red-faced elder in front of the main hall, at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, must be Mo Family Castle Master.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind stirred,


    Mo Ye felt suddenly weightless under his feet and instinctively followed behind Zhao Sheng, soaring towards the Black Stone Hall.


    Within one breath, they gently landed in front of the hall door, facing four astounded elders in lavish garb two yards away.


    ¡°My lord, your presence at Mo Family Castle is a great fortune for my entire Mo Family! I, Mo Kan, along with my clansmen, humbly welcome your esteemed presence!¡±


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng arriving aloft, Mo Kan, Mo Family Castle Master, instantly changed color, stepped forward instinctively, and knelt down, nearly performing a full kowtow.


    The three elders behind him also hurried forward and knelt to pay respects.


    ¡°Rise,¡±


    Zhao Sheng said as he waved his long sleeve, a strong force surged and instantly lifted the four people from the ground.


    From Mo Kan¡¯s abject demeanor, it was clear how strict and severe the rules and hierarchy of the Mingye Realm were.


    ¡°Father,¡± Mo Ye respectfully called out.


    ¡°Mo Ye, it¡¯s good you returned safely. Is there anything you did during the trip that might have offended our lord? Were there any disrespectful words toward our lord?¡± Mo Kan, with a solemn expression, asked seriously.

 Chapter 444 - 303 Otherworld Scenery_2

    Chapter 444: Chapter 303 Otherworld Scenery_2


    ¡°Father, rest assured, the gentleman is very amiable and approachable. Moreover, if the gentleman had not intervened, I would have died in the pack of striped wolves long ago,¡± Mo Ye hurriedly explained.


    Upon hearing this, the red-faced Mo Kan became excited and his eyes filled with reverence. He immediately moved to pay grand respects to Zhao Sheng again.


    Zhao Sheng, seeing this, grew a bit impatient and immediately emitted a golden light from his body. A majestic pressure descended upon the square, and he immobilized Mo Kan¡¯s movements, saying, ¡°There is no need for such formalities. Let¡¯s go inside and talk!¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, please come in, Sir!¡± Mo Kan stammered, his face both excited and apprehensive.


    In the vast Mo Family Castle, only he truly understood the terror of the gentleman before him; even the temple sacrifice of the Su Mu Temple was far from comparable!


    ¡­


    Seven days later,


    Inside the most luxurious lord manor of the Mo Family Castle, Zhao Sheng stood in front of a stone window, silently looking up at the giant planet in the sky.


    At that time, both the suns in the sky had set, and by the time, it should have been deep into the night when all was quiet.


    But at this moment, the sky still shone like dusk, and from all around the Mo Family Castle came the sounds of chanting, praying for blessings, and worshiping the divine.


    Because the Netherworld Star was eternally suspended in the eastern sky, never setting nor extinguishing, the light it reflected covered the entire Mingye Realm, causing the world to have a ¡°perpetual day¡± lasting seven months of the year.


    Only when the two realms were misaligned and the twin suns hid behind the Demon Ruins, did Mingye Realm welcome the long, cold and terrifying ¡°Nether Night.¡±


    ¡°Eternal day brings the flourishing of all things; Nether Night the prowl of all demons!¡±


    This was the first sentence that every person from Mingye Realm had to remember when they learned to read, and they must etch it into their hearts, never to be forgotten.


    Having resided in Mo Family Castle for only seven days, Zhao Sheng had already deeply witnessed the extreme superstition and ignorance of the Mo Family.


    Ninety percent of the residents of Mo Family Castle worshiped and revered deities; they worshiped a miscellaneous array of gods¡ªmountains, rivers, grass, trees, houses, wells, stones, rivers; all things could become divine, and all living beings worshiped them.


    At the same time, every resident of the castle, regardless of gender or age, showed even more devotion to ancestor worship than to the divine spirits they worshiped.


    Indeed, the people of the Mo Family worshiped both gods and ancestors, which, though seemingly distinct, were essentially the same.


    In the seven days, Zhao Sheng had already ¡°borrowed¡± a once-over of all the written texts and scriptures within the Mo Family Castle.


    Don¡¯t ask whether he recognizes the characters or not. If you ask, it is because of the vast and powerful Divine Skills of a Golden Core Master.


    From the texts and scriptures, Zhao Sheng had finally gained a rough understanding of some basic information about the entire Nine Demon Continent.


    The Nine Demon Continent is vast in area, but judging from the descriptions in the books, its area should only be four-tenths the size of the Central Continent, about as large as the combined area of the Southern Border and the Ten Thousand Nations Plain.


    The Nine Demon Continent is not ruled by the Human Clan; the dominant ruling forces are the Nine Strange Clans, which include the Demon Beast Race and the Alien Clan. The clan groups are the Mountain Spirit, Corpse Mushroom, Ghost Fox, Earth Python, Thunder Roc, River Otter People, Ground Squirrel, Tree Charm.


    The human presence on the continent mainly consisted of various religious temples and numerous family tribes.


    There was not a single record of Cultivation Sects or dynastic kingdoms.


    Small family clans or tribes with populations under one hundred thousand, like Mo Family Castle, dug caves and built castles to dwell in.


    Larger families or tribes occupied regions of land, establishing a main city surrounded by numerous satellite cities that protected the main city, which gathered hundreds of thousands to millions of their people.


    Thinking of this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but recall the many bizarre and eerie demon corpses and zombies he had seen on the Abyss Battlefield.


    Some of them were precisely crafted from the corpses of the Nine Strange Clans.


    He hadn¡¯t encountered the Corpse Mushroom and Mountain Spirit clans, but according to the records in the books, the top-ranked Mountain Spirit consisted of the spirits of great mountains transformed into Earth Deities, each with heaven-defying strength.


    The second-ranked Corpse Mushroom Clan was a peculiar fungal life form that, according to legend, had migrated to Mingye Realm from the Outer Heaven Demon Ruins, which surprised Zhao Sheng.


    The Nine Strange Clans each had their respective territories and controlled the best Spirit Veins and treasure lands of the Nine Demon Continent, each standing in confrontation with the others.


    However, in the past two thousand years, the Human Clan had received strong support from the Main World, causing its collective power to rise rapidly, and it now had the potential to become the tenth major clan.


    Apart from the records about the Nine Demon Continent, which are detailed, the books within the castle contain scant information about other continents and the Netherworld. There were only two or three thin booklets with mostly hearsay.


    In the Mingye Realm, there are only two continents; the one that reveres the Human Clan is known as the Heavenly Curtain Continent.


    As for the Netherworld, it is recorded that this realm possesses thirteen continents, each rich with natural treasures and abundant Spiritual Energy like rain. Great Sects are unfathomable, and it is said that Great Sacrificial Rites are common, Golden Core Main Priests roamed the lands, and even true Divine Spirits manifested themselves among humans.


    While Zhao Sheng was reflecting, the sound of chanting and praying from nearby suddenly diminished, and the castle¡¯s residents started rising from before the ancestral figurines and left. Soon after, they contentedly climbed onto their grass mattresses and fell into a deep sleep.


    The daily worship ritual had ended!


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng left the stone window, his figure silently turning into a wisp of green smoke, drifting towards the gold-and-white tower.


    ¡­


    Three days later, the Big Star tilted, and the twin suns rose.


    Suddenly, the floor inside a room began to shake violently, followed by a booming sound from the west, mixed with the wailing and shouting of hundreds of people.


    In the room, Zhao Sheng, who had been sitting on the stone bed, abruptly opened his eyes, unleashing two rays of Divine Light from them as his powerful Divine Sense spread out.


    In an instant, the scene within a twenty-mile radius was fully captured in his mind.


    The next moment, Zhao Sheng slapped the bed, and his body shot out like a bolt of lightning. Amidst a burst of light, he appeared in mid-air outside the house in the blink of an eye.


    At this moment, Mo Family Castle was in utter chaos, with adults and children hiding inside their homes amidst a chorus of cries.


    From a distance, one could see a mass of demon beasts at the west entrance of the dock castle¡ªcountless Ground Squirrels, large as puppies with smooth, glossy black skin, desperately digging at the ground and the city walls.


    Soon, the ground was riddled with numerous burrows, and the solid, thick walls were being dug away by thousands of Ground Squirrels.


    Apart from that, in the sky, there were a dozen huge, three-zhang-wing-spanned birds, each with a corpulent Ground Squirrel Elder perched on its back.


    Each of them stood arrogantly, their beady eyes gleaming with cunning and cruelty.


    The Ground Squirrel Clan ranks third from the bottom among the Nine Great Clans; ordinary members are weak and not even a match for an average adult human.


    However, Ground Squirrels have an extraordinary breeding capability; a single litter in a lifetime and each having at least four or five pups.


    In terms of population numbers, the other eight clans combined do not amount to one-tenth of the entire Ground Squirrel Clan. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With such a large number of squirrels, inevitably, some exceptionally talented individuals rise above the rest. Thus, on sheer numbers alone, Ground Squirrels have become one of the nine clans.


    There were so many Ground Squirrels that they became a plague. In order to fill their bellies and give birth, they caused trouble for their neighbors daily, consuming all the food in their path like locusts, making the Ground Squirrel Clan the target of public anger.


    In response to their infamy, the Ground Squirrel Elders professed helplessness, claiming innocence¡ªthey couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch their offspring starve to death.


    On the castle walls, bands of Mo Family Guards drew bows and shot arrows relentlessly. Each volley of arrows felled a swath of Ground Squirrels.


    Atop the wall, more strong-bodied commoners lifted chunks of rock and slammed them into the rat horde, creating splatters of bloody mud.


    Mo Kan and Mo Ye, father and son, were murmuring incantations and with each gesture, they scattered a vast amount of red sand. As soon as the sand contacted air, it burst into flames that descended like a blanket onto the heads of the Ground Squirrels, creating swathes of Fire Sea.


    Squeak, squeak!


    With the Ground Squirrel Elders hopping madly and letting out high-pitched screeches, countless Ground Squirrels gathered at the edge of the Fire Sea, industriously digging and tossing soil over the fire. Their movements were skilled and agile, a clear sign of experienced vermin.


    Fortunately, the arrow volleys from the castle wall and the valiant counterattack by the Mo Family young and old for the moment hindered the progress of these demon beast squirrels, who could not overcome the city walls before them.


    Seemingly impatient, the largest Ground Squirrel Elder on the back of a bird suddenly let out a sharp shriek.


    The very next second, all the Ground Squirrel Elders¡¯ eyes flickered with a red glow as they cried out in unison.


    Their mounts, the great Green-Winged Birds, swooped down sharply. Streaks of blood-red light shot from the birds¡¯ backs, falling into the rat swarm below, whereupon the Ground Squirrels stiffened, their fur bristled, their bodies swelled in size, their eyes turned a blood-red hue, and they assumed a look of madness and bloodthirstiness.

 Chapter 445 - 304: Heading East

    Chapter 445: Chapter 304: Heading East


    ¡°No good, it¡¯s the rampant Rat Plague!¡±


    Mo Kan¡¯s face changed drastically, and he immediately shouted behind him, ¡°Elder, quickly release the Ancestor Corpse, or we are doomed!¡±


    No sooner had his voice faded than the lowest level of the White Tower in the city suddenly revealed two white stone gates, which flashed open and then out leapt two Iron Armor Corpses, clad entirely in armor, with greenish-black skin and flesh.


    From afar in the sky, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze shifted towards the White Tower, watching as the two Iron Armor Corpses sprang ten zhang in a bound, streaking through the air seven or eight times, quickly leaping onto the castle wall and then voluntarily into the midst of the Guan Shu crowd, unleashing a mad slaughter.


    Zhao Sheng was not surprised at all; he had known seven days earlier that the Golden-shaped White Tower was a place for nurturing corpses, and these two Iron Armor Corpses were indeed ancestors of the Mo Family.


    Squeak Squeak!


    Seeing their offspring slaughtered, several Guan Shu Elders immediately glowed red in their eyes and screamed frantically.


    After hearing this, the Guan Shu crowd on the ground instantly became even more frenzied and fearlessly lunged at the two Iron Corpses.


    In just a few moments, there suddenly stood two piles of Guan Shu over three zhang tall before everyone, thick with Guan Shu wriggling and gnawing at them, who actually managed to press down the immensely strong Iron Armor Corpses.


    Just then, a flock of large green-feathered birds dove down, aiming for the Mo Family members atop the city walls, with Guan Shu Elders on their backs howling and dancing madly like spirit-channellers, suddenly condensing hundreds of black Rat Hair Needles and shooting them out like a cloudburst, enveloping a thirty zhang long stretch of the wall.


    Ah ah! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Where the Black Needles passed, groups of the Mo Family people cried out as they tumbled to the ground, with black blood quickly oozing from the holes made by the Black Needles embedded in their bodies.


    These Black Needles were incredibly poisonous.


    Aloft, seeing this, Zhao Sheng furrowed his brow and let out a cold snort; flicking his fingers, he released a large swath of star-blue Sword Light with a ¡°whoosh.¡± Like a sky filled with stars, it was eerily beautiful, filled with endless killing intent.


    Swoosh swoosh, a sweep of Sword Light scythed through the sky, instantly causing a splatter of blood rain to fall, crimson dots scattering the ground.


    Bang bang bang!


    One after another, bird and rat corpses bisected by the Sword Light thudded to the ground, struggling and wailing briefly before laying still.


    Having chosen to act, Zhao Sheng decisively went all out; his eyes flashed fiercely as behind him, the Void instantly surged with a brilliant golden light. The light soared skyward and, at a speed visible to the naked eye, spread out in all directions, swiftly enveloping the entire Mo Family Castle.


    The imposing pressure of the Golden Core, once released, instantly shocked all beings,


    Seeing this, the remaining Guan Shu crowd instinctively let out a terrified squeaking noise and scrambled, as they turned tail and fled towards the distance.


    ¡°Wretched beasts, where do you think you¡¯re running to!¡± Mo Ye roared angrily, his figure moving to chase after them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t chase them!¡± the castle lord Mo Kan shouted aloud, and Mo Ye, with a flicker of reluctance on his face, stopped his pursuit.


    At this point, the chaos inside Mo Family Castle had gradually stabilized, though some of the wounded were still crying out in pain.


    ¡°Although the rat disaster has receded, we can¡¯t be careless. All of you stay on guard for now. I and Ye will go to meet the elder.¡± Mo Kan¡¯s expression slightly relaxed as he immediately instructed his clansmen.


    The others joyfully saluted, then dispersed.


    Having finished speaking, Mo Kan looked back only to be surprised to find Zhao Sheng was nowhere to be seen.


    It was said that Mo Kan and his son hurried to Zhao Sheng¡¯s accommodation to pay their respects with utmost reverence.


    However, by that time, the place was already deserted.


    ¡­


    Two days later,


    On a vast plain, a majestic and splendid city of Qingjin hue stood, bordered by a magnificent river that flowed from the south to the north beside the city, its vastness flowing endlessly.


    At this moment, it was Noon, the Great Sun hung high in the sky, and a bustling stream of people was continuously entering and leaving through the city gates, wearing a variety of clothing, seemingly Human Clan Cultivators from various different regions.


    Just then, a dazzling golden light raced from the distance, stopping in the Upper Sky above a Small Mountain near the city, the golden light receding to reveal a figure shrouded in flaming radiance, dressed in mysterious white robes.


    It was Zhao Sheng, who had traveled all the way from Mo Family Castle.


    Zhao Sheng dispersed his flaming radiance with a thought and glanced towards where the city lay.


    In his view, the entire city¡¯s walls stood seventy to eighty zhang high, entirely composed of giant Qingjin Rock blocks.


    In the corners atop the city, one could see giant Golden Pillars rising above the walls, their surfaces faintly circulating with black runes without cease.


    This was none other than the notably famous Qingjin City of the Nine Demon Continent.


    The Nine Demon Continent was mainly dominated by the Nine Alien Clans; mid to small clans vassal to these major powers frequently waged wars against each other for resources, causing constant strife.


    The Human Clan, ranking just below the nine clans, always maintained neutrality, and to provide a fair trading venue for the clans throughout the continent, cities like Qingjin City for trading came into being.


    In Qingjin City, fighting and forced trading are prohibited, making it a very safe trading place for mid to small clans and various independent sects.


    After observing for a while, Zhao Sheng flew into the city.


    At the gate of Qingjin City, seven or eight guards were stationed, three of whom looked distinctly different from the Human Clan, with na?ve yet sharp eyes and big black noses resembling black strawberries, and their necks covered with soft satin-like fur.


    These features immediately identified them as members of the River Otter People, an Alien Race quite close to the Human Clan. Seeing members of this race in Qingjin City by the river was not at all surprising.


    After a brief interrogation, these guards collected some Spirit Stones from Zhao Sheng and allowed him into the city.


    Passing through the city gate, he was suddenly met with a bustling scene, several wide streets unfolding before him.

 Chapter 446 - 304 Heading East_2

    Chapter 446: Chapter 304 Heading East_2


    The ground within the city was paved with dark, mysterious stones, extremely flat, with various primitive patterns carved on each black stone, adding some exotic flair.


    The spacious streets were lined with towering buildings constructed of giant stones, each with distinct shapes, with even more various bustling divine temples in between.


    The clamorous streets occasionally echoed with the sounds of chanting and prayers, giving the city a heavy religious atmosphere.


    Compared to the neat and solemn style of the Tianzhu Realm, the buildings in the Netherworld Ghost Realm with their distinct styles had an added sense of sanctity.


    On the streets, there were many pedestrians, mostly from the Human Clan, but also quite a few from different Alien Races.


    It was here that Zhao Sheng finally got a glimpse of the customs and culture of the Nine Demon Continent.


    The Alien Races that came and went on the streets varied in shape, although they were mostly humanoid in appearance, their bodies still bore marks of their beastly origins, and half-human, half-beast figures were a common sight.


    After wandering around the city for a while, Zhao Sheng covertly released his Divine Sense and had seen every corner of this city.


    Immediately, he found an inn operated by a Divine Temple in Qingjin City and settled down.


    The scale of Qingjin City on the Nine Demon Continent made it one of the most bustling cities, as he casually glanced at the street markets earlier, the stalls were filled with many Spiritual Medicines, demon beast materials, secret medicines, ancient books, and so on.


    The shops on the street were numerous, and a casual scan revealed many treasures, all brimming with Spiritual Energy and shimmering with treasure light, all valuable and rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.


    In the inn, Zhao Sheng secretly planned his itinerary for the next day, and soon after, he sat back on the bed, crossed-legged, and began to meditate. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The next morning, with the double suns in the sky, Zhao Sheng left the inn early.


    After strolling through a couple of streets, he stopped in front of the gate of a multistory White Rock Tower.


    Looking from the entrance, it was a bookstore selling scriptures and classical texts.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward and entered.


    ¡°Esteemed sir, have you come here to purchase some Ancient Scriptures? Our Zhu Lan Pavilion is one of the top scripture shops in Qingjin City,¡± said a pleasant-looking, red-skinned, white-haired middle-aged man as Zhao Sheng walked through the entrance.


    Inside the hall, besides some simple and unadorned tables and chairs, the surroundings were lined with orderly arranged beast skin books and Jade Dishware, numbering in the tens of thousands.


    ¡°Bring me your shop¡¯s maps detailing the various races of the Nine Demon Continent, their territories, and, yes, a complete set of ancient books about the Candle Light Mountain Range,¡± said Zhao Sheng boldly.


    ¡°Sir, why not step up to the third floor, and we can discuss in detail inside. Our shop has a myriad of ancient books and Secret Scriptures, guaranteeing your satisfaction!¡±


    ¡°Fine, lead the way!¡±


    ¡°This way, please, sir.¡±


    The white-haired middle-aged man smiled knowingly and led Zhao Sheng upstairs to the third floor without further ado.


    Half a day later, Zhao Sheng left the bookstore with ease.


    Zhao Sheng hadn¡¯t expected that merely parting with a single ¡°Zombification Technique¡± would make the shopkeeper treat him as a distinguished guest.


    Not only was he given a heap of books and maps related to the Nine Demon Continent, but he also made a profit of several thousand Spirit Stones.


    With abundant Spiritual Energy in the Netherworld Ghost Realm and more spirit stone mines than in the Tianzhu Realm, the purchasing power of Spirit Stones was generally three to five percent lower than in the Tianzhu Realm.


    Conversely, the prices of any Cultivation Techniques, Elixir Pills, and Magic Artifacts related to the extraordinary were frighteningly expensive.


    From this point of view, the level of knowledge monopoly in the Netherworld Ghost Realm was far more severe than in the Tianzhu Realm.


    Although Zhao Sheng had obtained the items he wanted, he did not rush back to the inn and began to browse through other shops selling Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.


    After visiting several shops, he found that the Cultivation Resources produced in the Nine Demon Continent were extraordinarily rich, with some Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects that were rare in the Tianzhu Realm not so treasured or uncommon here.


    Of course, some Spiritual Items that were common as dirt in the Tianzhu Realm were extremely rare in this realm.


    This revelation left Zhao Sheng overjoyed, secretly thinking his cultivation would be smoother by threefold in this realm.


    After browsing for a while longer, Zhao Sheng suddenly stopped in front of a small shop.


    It was another shop selling various Spirit Grasses and spirit gold materials. The storefront was about two or three zhang wide, and inside, several wooden shelves displayed Spirit Grasses, demon beast materials, and other items in a somewhat disorganized manner. The shop was empty of customers at the moment.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the shop and immediately walked in.


    After making a round inside, he stopped in front of a shelf, his gaze fixed on a Jade Box on the shelf, which contained a Lingzhi that was entirely purple and emitted a strong medicinal fragrance.


    ¡°Sir, have you taken an interest in this item?¡±


    Behind Zhao Sheng, a cautious voice suddenly emerged. Turning his head, he saw a middle-aged man with blue-tinted skin and eyes as large as bells walking over.


    This person appeared to be the shopkeeper, with only an early-stage Qi Refining cultivation level.


    Perhaps he had sensed the unfathomable spiritual pressure emanating from Zhao Sheng and looked somewhat nervous.


    ¡°How much for this item?¡± Zhao Sheng asked indifferently, pointing at the Lingzhi.


    ¡°If the sir wishes to purchase it, I¡¯ll let it go for a lucky price of only three hundred spirit stones, how about that?¡± The middle-aged man, seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s interest, offered a price with a forced smile.


    A flash crossed Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes upon hearing the price.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, Purple Qi Mushrooms were nearly impossible to exchange for, yet astonishingly, they were valued at merely three hundred spirit stones in the Nine Demon Continent.


    And it looked like there was room to negotiate the price even further.


    It was simply unimaginable!


    But regardless, he was determined to secure this unexpected bargain.


    Zhao Sheng did not say much, flipping his hand to toss a bag of spirit stones. Once the shopkeeper confirmed it, he swept his long sleeve and collected the Purple Qi Mushroom.


    ¡°Shopkeeper, I also need a few more of these Lingzhi. Does your shop have them?¡± Zhao Sheng inquired after thinking for a moment.


    The middle-aged shopkeeper, having made a sale and seeing the possibility of more business, was in high spirits, but alas, the deal could not be made.


    ¡°Sir, I¡¯m deeply sorry. This Lingzhi was sold to my shop by someone else, and there is only this one.


    However, if the sir could wait a few days, there might be a chance to purchase a few more.¡± The middle-aged shopkeeper tentatively said.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brows furrowed, ¡°Forget it, this item is not destined for me.¡±


    After declining the proposal, Zhao Sheng left the shop. With no further mood to continue browsing, he returned to the inn.


    Once back in his room, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged for a moment, then with a wave of his hand, several jade plates, a few rolls of beast skin, and a cylindrical leather scroll several feet long appeared before him.


    These were the carefully chosen ancient books about the Nine Demon Continent and the Candle Light Mountain Range.


    He held up a jade plate with one hand and sent his Divine Sense into it, with a wealth of information rapidly filling his mind.


    As Zhao Sheng continued to absorb the information, he gradually formed a clear impression of the Nine Demon Continent.


    He also learned a lot about the Candle Light Mountain Range, his destination on this journey.


    The Candle Light Mountain lay at the far eastern end of the continent, and further east lied the most famous Wuya Sea of the Nine Demon Continent.


    According to the scriptures, crossing this Wuya Sea Domain could take one to the southwestern part of the Heavenly Curtain Continent.


    Certainly, Zhao Sheng had no immediate intention of going to the Heavenly Curtain Continent.


    He merely wished to reach Candle Light Mountain, choose a Spirit Vein, set down an Array Base, and cultivate while waiting.


    As time gradually passed, dawn arrived before Zhao Sheng had finished assimilating all the information.


    Zhao Sheng walked to the window, contemplating as he looked at the Qingjin City¡¯s morning view.


    The Nine Demon Continent¡¯s situation was far more complex than he had anticipated.


    The Qingjin City where he was now located belonged to the middle part of the continent, while Candle Light Mountain was situated at the very eastern edge, with a distance close to thirty thousand li separating the two.


    In the Nine Demon Continent, Cloud Boats were exceedingly rare, nowhere near as common as in the Tianzhu Realm, and there were too many barbaric regions on the continent, each filled with dangers.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng was not afraid of these dangers.


    Yet from the situation on one Nine Demon Continent alone, one could infer that the overall strength of the Netherworld Ghost Realm was much stronger than that of the Tianzhu Realm.


    The war between the two realms was in full swing, and it was uncertain whether the Tianzhu Realm could withstand the invasion of the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    He gazed out the window for a long time, taking a deep breath.

 Chapter 447 - 305: Time Flies

    Chapter 447: Chapter 305: Time Flies


    Two months later,


    in the eastern edge of the continent, a mountain range shrouded in mist stretched endlessly, covered with dull black Black Tortoise rocks that bore streams of burning red heat,


    The range was dotted with numerous volcanic craters, from which red magma pillars occasionally erupted into the sky, producing thunderous roars that filled the air with billowing black smoke.


    However, this wasn¡¯t the most spectacular scene at Candle Light Mountain Range. It was during the Nether Night Season that the sights here would become truly unforgettable.


    Although the Candle Light Mountain Range was a perilous place, teeming with countless demon beasts and rarely visited by humans, its outskirts were home to billions of creatures.


    This area of active volcanoes was also a contested territory among the tribes of the Nine Demon Continent, not only providing shelter from the bizarre cold of the Nether Night Season but also abundant in Spiritual Energy and resources.


    The true core of Candle Light Mountain range was a group of volcanoes spanning thousands of miles, perennially shrouded in deadly Fire Evil Fog. Aside from divine beings capable of flying or tunneling through the earth, ordinary humans could hardly approach it.


    One day, the sky filled with Fire Clouds was suddenly torn open by a White Jade Flying Disc, which dove down and stopped just outside the Fire Evil Fog.


    The surface of the White Jade Flying Disc silently cracked open a door, and Zhao Sheng flew out from inside, followed by a robust woman dressed in vibrant red, with vivid and graceful features.


    Dao Yanfeng looked ahead at the Fire Evil Zone, her fingers forming a spell, whispering a few unintelligible incantations under her breath.


    The next second, the White Jade Flying Disc rapidly shrank into a palm-sized disc, disappearing in a flash into a Space Storage Seal at the woman¡¯s waist, leaving no trace.


    ¡°Lord Sheng, this is the renowned Fire Evil Zone of Candle Light Mountain Range. The Spirit Vein dominated by the Fierce Flame Lion is sure to satisfy you,¡± Dao Yanfeng confidently said to Zhao Sheng, not without respect.


    Zhao Sheng, facing the oncoming waves of heat, furrowed his brows but said nothing. He just confirmed, ¡°I need a Spirit Essence richer than a hundred feet. Are you sure that¡¯s what the Fierce Flame Lion has?¡± Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Rest assured, my Lord! My Blade Tribe has thrived in Candle Light Mountains for over two thousand years, and we know its terrain better than anyone. My ancestors had ventured into the Fire Evil Zone nine times, and the last time, successfully sketched a map of the topography and Spirit Veins. The vein in question is the richest in Spirit Essence on the map, sure to meet your expectations.


    Besides, you have agreed to accept one of my tribal members as a disciple. How could I, Dao Yanfeng, dare to deceive you?¡± After speaking, Dao Yanfeng looked at Zhao Sheng with utter sincerity, her eyes unmistakably filled with admiration.


    In the Mingye Realm, the classification of Spirit Veins is based on the richness of their Spirit Essence. Below a hundred feet it¡¯s considered First-rank, above hundred feet, it¡¯s Second Order, and beyond a thousand feet, third-tier¡­


    Dao Yanfeng¡¯s family, the Dao Family, lived on the edge of the mountain range, a large clan revered with the Dao surname, and many smaller families pledged allegiance to them.


    It was Zhao Sheng¡¯s first time at Candle Light Mountain Range, and needing a guide familiar with the terrain, the Blade Tribe just happened to be on his path, thus everything fell into place naturally.


    The Dao Family ultimately sent out Dao Yanfeng, who had Foundation Establishment Cultivation, as a guide, not without the intent of subtly offering herself more intimately.


    In the Mingye Realm, the concept of bloodline status was deeply ingrained. Now seeing such a young Golden Core Main Priest arriving at their tribe, it was no wonder the Dao Family was moved.


    Zhao Sheng nodded after listening, then waved his hand, and a ring of golden flames rose to encase them both.


    Upon touching the red Fire Evil Fog, the Golden Flame Light Ring sizzled loudly!


    With a ¡°puff,¡± the Golden Crow True Fire formed by the light ring plunged directly into the Fire Evil Fog.


    The Fire Evil Fog churned violently and then returned to normal, but Zhao Sheng and the other person had already delved deep within.


    As they proceeded, they encountered numerous dangers. However, Zhao Sheng would flick his fingers, and a beam of Sword Light would flash, with every encountered demon beast and vicious bird having its head pierced and killed.


    Dao Yanfeng, in continual shock, kept taking out an amber-colored Beast Scroll Map to compare it with the terrain.


    Even so, it took the two nearly two days to bypass the seven hundred mile stretch of volcanoes and arrive in a part of the mountains even hotter than the outskirts.


    Following the map for about half an hour, they reached a huge mountain of deep red, with ancient uneven forests.


    There was a large, deep cave near the top of the mountain, likely home to the Fierce Flame Lion.


    ¡°This is it, Lord Sheng. The Fierce Flame Lion has exceptionally keen spiritual senses. Getting any closer might alert it,¡± Dao Yanfeng halted about thirty or forty miles from the cave, Zhao Sheng stopped as well.


    He looked up toward the cave under the giant peak; the closer to it, the higher the temperature, with tufts of Fire Cloud visible at the entrance, and a stench permeating the air.


    ¡°A Golden Core Level Fierce Flame Lion is no trivial opponent. You retreat two hundred miles away. Within three days at most, I shall come looking for you,¡± Zhao Sheng turned around, his expression emotionless.


    Dao Yanfeng, eager to prove herself, earnestly suggested, ¡°My Lord, as a born Fire Spirit, the Fierce Flame Lion can manipulate the surrounding Earth Fire. There is a Magma River underneath that cave, providing an endless supply of Earth Fire. Engaging it there would be disadvantageous. It might be better to lure it out of the cave, then trap it with a Great Array and seize the opportunity to slay it.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just a beast; we need not bother so much!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded but rejected her suggestion outright.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng so resolute, Lan Si¡¯s face turned a bit pale, hesitating she bowed, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, Feng¡¯er wishes you a swift and victorious battle!¡±

 Chapter 448 - 305: Time Flies_2

    Chapter 448: Chapter 305: Time Flies_2


    After speaking, she spun around and abruptly, a large cluster of crimson flames burst forth from beneath her, shooting up into the sky at a tremendous speed and flying rapidly toward the distance.


    ¡­


    In merely the time it takes to finish half a meal, a deafening explosion suddenly erupted from the peak of a distant mountain, and the entire massif trembled violently in response.


    With a ¡°swoosh¡±!


    A massive blood-red fireball shot out from a cave, blasting the entrance apart, and a vast expanse of dazzling red clouds rolled out from within.


    Immediately afterward, a burst of golden flame emerged from the fire clouds and in a flash, caught up to the blood-colored fireball.


    Roar!


    At that moment, a piercing lion¡¯s roar shook heaven and earth, and the fireball exploded in an instant, revealing that it was actually a colossal fierce beast, seven to eight zhang in size, with a body as red as fire resembling a male lion. However, it was covered in bright red fur, and its strong legs were adorned with shining scales, while its paws were as sharp as dragon claws.


    ¡°Beast, do you choose death or life?!¡± Zhao Sheng, enveloped in True Fire, hovered above the Fierce Flame Lion, transmitting his Divine Sense filled with ferocity through his glaring eyes.


    The demon beast at the Golden Core Level had vast spiritual wisdom, and although it could not speak human language, it could understand the meaning in Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense.


    If it didn¡¯t wish to die, then it would have to submit to the formidable person before it. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Freedom or death?


    ¡°Roar!¡±


    Suddenly, the Fierce Flame Lion roared, clearly indicating its stance, and a pillar of red fire burst from its mouth, launching an incredibly swift attack at Zhao Sheng above.


    With a ¡°boom¡±.


    The fire pillar exploded violently, expanding into a hundred zhang wide sea of fire, completely sealing off Zhao Sheng¡¯s means of escape in every direction.


    ¡°Hmph, courting death! Surrender your life to me!¡± With a cold snort, Zhao Sheng¡¯s True Fire boiled and surged instantaneously, transforming into multiple layers of Fire Shields protecting his entire body.


    Then with a stomp of his foot, a colossal golden giant, eleven to twelve zhang tall, suddenly materialized behind him.


    The next instant, Zhao Sheng, wielding the force of thundering fury, plummeted down from the sky. He stamped out a large vacuum with his foot, and the ground within a hundred zhang radius caved in an instant, resembling a vast Meteor Crater.


    At the center of the Meteor Crater, the Fierce Flame Lion spurted demon blood wildly; its limbs went limp, and it lay prostrate on the ground in complete disarray. Its thick back had horrifyingly snapped into a ¡®V¡¯ shape, with seven or eight protrusions of red and white bone dreadfully exposed.


    However, the next instant, a thunderous roar resounded as countless punches and kicks came in unison, pummeling the Fierce Flame Lion into spewing demon blood while its demon body was battered to the point of smashing bones and splattering flesh; the ferocity in its eyes quickly faded.


    In fact, the moment its most-prized ability to control fire proved ineffective against Zhao Sheng, its fate was sealed.


    In just a moment, the ground was littered with dense pits and a mess of remains, and the nearby ground for several li around was splattered with scorching hot demon blood, with patches of mangled flesh and bone fragments scattered everywhere.


    After venting the frustration that had been pent up in his heart for so long, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body flashed with fire, burning off the specks of blood that had stained his clothing, which was akin to burning away his uncertainty about the future.


    At that moment, his heart became as still as water.


    ¡­


    Ten years later, in the Candle Light Mountain Range, Shenglong Mansion.


    On this day, just as dawn was breaking and Zhao Sheng was about to head to the Earth Fire Room to prepare for refining Elixir Pills, the Prohibition outside his cave mansion suddenly transmitted a fluctuation.


    ¡°Eh, why has she come!¡±


    When Zhao Sheng swept his Divine Sense outside, his brow furrowed.


    With a thought, the gates of the cave mansion slowly opened.


    Right outside the door stood a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in a red luxurious robe, with bright and imposing eyes. It was none other than Dao Yanfeng.


    A short while later, the two settled down in the living room.


    ¡°Feng¡¯er, what brings you to my place this time?¡± Zhao Sheng looked calmly at the woman but noticed that his disciples had already discreetly left the room, prompting him to make a guess in his mind.


    ¡°What, does the master not welcome Feng¡¯er? Could it be that the master finds Feng¡¯er¡¯s appearance displeasing?¡± said Dao Yanfeng, smiling.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and he said indifferently, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing important, you may leave. I¡¯m about to start alchemy.¡±


    ¡°My Lord, please don¡¯t be angry, Feng¡¯er is here on serious business. Look¡­¡±


    This woman wasn¡¯t afraid of Zhao Sheng. With a sweep of her hand over the table, a red glow flowed, and in an instant, a large batch of brocade boxes of various colors appeared.


    She looked at Zhao Sheng and said, ¡°My Lord, these are all top-grade materials for refining the Mystic Nether Marrow Tempering Pills, still on the same terms as we agreed¡ªten percent for the service.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense swept over these materials, and his hand suddenly moved, touching the largest brocade box, which immediately opened.


    Inside was a sea of green light, revealing several fungus caps the size of human heads, hexagonal in shape.


    It seemed these fungus caps were segmented from a whole Corpse Mushroom. Judging by the cutting technique, the person involved was highly skilled, not affecting even half the spiritual nature of these spiritual items.


    The emanation of Spiritual Energy from the fungus caps was very dense, surpassingly by far the spiritual nature contained in the high-energy Fungus Meat he had stumbled upon in the Shattered Star Sea years ago.


    ¡°Indeed, it is the flesh of a Golden Core Realm Corpse Mushroom, and it seems to have faintly reached the Golden Core Middle Stage¡­ the other materials are also top-grade and rare on the market. With these, Zhao has gained a bit more confidence in refining top-grade Mystic Nether Marrow Tempering Pills, and I might as well give it a try,¡± Zhao Sheng muttered to himself for a moment before slowly speaking.


    ¡°A Master Alchemist who managed to refine two whole Dragon Tiger Golden Pills on his first try should find refining some Mystic Nether Marrow Tempering Pills a trivial task, shouldn¡¯t you?¡± Dao Yanfeng said, her beautiful brows arching as she spoke.


    Seeing her take it for granted, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but feel somewhat amused within.


    This woman was quite interesting; as a Young Master of a tribe, her cultivation was not weak, but she had only surface knowledge of alchemy, yet she pretended to understand it very well.


    ¡°Alchemy in itself is a time-consuming and laborious task, not something to be rushed. Even if I start the furnace and begin alchemy right away, it will take about half a month!¡± Zhao Sheng assuredly replied.


    ¡°It takes that long! In that case, I might as well wait here for you. You won¡¯t ask me to leave, will you?¡± Dao Yanfeng asked carefully with a twirl of her eyes.


    ¡°If you wish to stay, then stay. The resting stone room is still in the old place,¡± Zhao Sheng replied without lifting an eyelid, agreeing to Dao Yanfeng¡¯s request.


    ¡°My Lord really is considerate!¡± Dao Yanfeng¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile that was not easily noticeable upon hearing his response.


    ¡°However, before that, there are some things that I need to explain to you¡­¡± Zhao Sheng then remembered something else and informed Dao Yanfeng about the danger of venturing into the underground Magma River.


    Dao Yanfeng didn¡¯t ask too much upon hearing that and accepted all the instructions that Zhao Sheng gave.


    Only then did Zhao Sheng sweep up all the spiritual medicinal materials into his sleeve and turn towards the Earth Fire Chamber.


    ¡°Hmph, you can¡¯t escape. I, Feng¡¯er, will be yours sooner or later!¡± Dao Yanfeng muttered with a smile as she watched Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure moving away.


    ¡­


    Twenty years flew by in a flash.


    It was just over half a month after the Nether Night Season.


    One morning, a convoy of White Jade Flying Discs was traveling amidst a mountain range of grey, layered peaks, where the mountains sometimes embraced the sky and at other times rose steeply as if chiseled by a blade, eliciting amazed clicks of the tongue from Dao Xiaodao.


    Just then, an unexpected change occurred!


    From the continuous mountain ranges several miles to both sides, ear-splitting roars were followed by an astounding sequence of Breaking Void sounds as hundreds of giant stones turned into a sheet of flowing light, raining down like a meteor shower towards the convoy.


    ¡°Bad news, it¡¯s an ambush!¡±


    With a low-alert cry, the entire convoy boiled into action.


    Suddenly, nearly a hundred protectors from the Blade Clan flew out from the discs, and with a fierce flap of their red saber wings in the sky, countless Wind Blades shot out. They joined together like a wind wall hurtling towards the giant stones in the sky.


    A sound of tearing silk and a bursting racket erupted!


    The giant stones crumbled like tofu before the Wind Blades, disintegrating into dozens of fist-sized pieces, falling like a stone rain attack. Yet, such residual force posed no significant threat to the convoy anymore.


    As the dust in the sky was yet to settle, the air suddenly filled with a large gathering of Alien Race members clad in various attires, each looking bizarre and numerous enough to far exceed the tribe¡¯s protectors.


    Leading them was an exceptionally tall and ugly man covered with dense black hair, resembling a black bear.


    Upon his arrival, an intangible oppression surged towards the people of the Fire Saber Tribe.


    Suddenly, someone cried out, ¡°It¡¯s Demon Thieves! Wait, this person seems to be Sky Bear Xiong Jia, with the cultivation of the Golden Core Early Stage. Everyone be careful!¡±

 Chapter 449 - 306: Golden Core Perfect

    Chapter 449: Chapter 306: Golden Core Perfect


    ¡°Hehe, not bad. Since someone recognizes me, why not just leave the treasure behind obediently!¡±


    Xiong Jia burst into laughter, waved his hands, and his minions started shouting and dispersing, subtly forming a circle around the entire team, appearing ready to launch an attack.


    Seeing this, Dao Xiaodao looked back at the flying disc, then raised his hand to signal his men not to act rashly.


    At the same time, with a solemn expression, he said to Xiong Jia, ¡°Bear Leader, do you realize that this cargo is under the Blade Tribe¡¯s supervision and specifically meant for my master? Do you dare to rob Lord Shenglong¡¯s goods?¡±


    Dao Xiaodao was the first disciple Zhao Sheng took in those years.


    Over the past thirty years, Zhao Sheng had taken in many disciples to deepen connections with various major families and tribes. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Among these disciples, Dao Xiaodao, who had achieved Foundation Establishment Success, was undoubtedly the most prominent, often acting as Zhao Sheng¡¯s spokesperson in the Candle Light Mountain Range.


    Of course, even though Dao Xiaodao was highly valued by his master, he couldn¡¯t compare to the mistress who had pursued the master for twenty years and finally succeeded.


    In recent years, his position in his master¡¯s heart had diminished further since the birth of the young masters.


    No sooner had Dao Xiaodao finished speaking than Xiong Jia, his eyes full of fierceness, laughed harshly, ¡°Hmph, daring to press me with that coward Shenglong. I fear neither heaven nor earth! This cargo is mine today!¡±


    Saying so, Xiong Jia swung his arm fiercely and roared, ¡°My men, attack!¡±


    ¡°At your command!¡±


    ¡°Haha! Watch my Brilliant Stone.¡±


    ¡°Boss, watch this, your men will vent your anger.¡±


    The thieves laughed weirdly and cheered. Suddenly, stones, claws, sword lights, various colors of magic, and all sorts of bizarre magic artifacts assaulted the Blade Tribe¡¯s guards from all directions, with a terrifying momentum.


    Some strangely shaped Ghost Thieves rolled on the ground, and transformed into half-human, half-demon creatures, rushing forward on all fours.


    ¡°Don¡¯t panic, form up and face the enemy. We must protect the treasure!¡± Seeing the enemy move first, Dao Xiaodao shouted loudly.


    Before his voice fell, the Blade Tribe¡¯s guards shifted and instantly formed a battle formation, murmuring incantations. Their wings flapped uniformly, shooting out hundreds and thousands of Wind Blades with rustling sounds.


    At the same time, they flicked their hands, each suddenly wielding a seven-foot long blood-red wolf-headed great saber, lifted it high, and chopped down decisively.


    In an instant, the sound of breaking void roared as saber rainbows of fiery red slashed through the void, creating a massive barrage, and pushed back roaringly in unison.


    The attacks of the two sides collided in the air in an instant.


    A series of loud banging sounds erupted as dazzling waves of energy rapidly spread in all directions, collapsing nearby rocks and lifting the ground, leaving behind densely packed deep cracks amidst the flying dust.


    Although the Ghost Thieves were numerous, their strength was uneven; compared to the well-trained Fire Saber Tribe guards, they seemed somewhat inadequate.


    After a few rounds, the bunch of Ghost Thieves was defeated and started fleeing back behind their boss.


    Seeing this, Xiong Jia, the leader of the Ghost Thieves, turned red with rage and roared to the sky. A majestic black light surged from him, and a massive black bear phantom appeared out of nowhere.


    In the blink of an eye, the phantom solidified, and a huge bear paw suddenly struck down, bringing a surging wave of light with the force of a tsunami.


    The impact of the paw had not yet reached them when a massive pressure arrived first. Nearly a hundred guards from the Fire Saber Tribe felt their chests tremble, their bodies almost crushed by a mountain, crumbling inward.


    Dao Xiaodao¡¯s face turned blood-red, his body stiff as iron. Under the pressure of the Golden Core, he couldn¡¯t even speak, let alone fight back.


    As it seemed all his people were about to perish on the spot, strangely enough, Dao Xiaodao¡¯s eyes showed no fear, but rather a clear mocking expression.


    Seeing this, Xiong Jia¡¯s fierceness intensified, showing no mercy, his massive bear paw swelling to more than double its size, appearing like a hundred-meter high mountain pressing down, poised to crush everyone into oblivion.


    Just then, Zhao Sheng, sitting in the White Jade Flying Disc, abruptly opened his eyes, flicked his hands, and the Bright Sun Mirror flashed into existence.


    The next instant, a thick, blazing white beam shot out from the flying disc, striking Xiong Jia¡¯s head in a flash of lightning.


    Boom!


    The Golden Crow True Fire exploded violently, Xiong Jia¡¯s blood sprayed wildly, his body engulfed by the blaze¡­


    A moment later, the corpse of a giant black bear, over two zhang tall, was dragged into a White Jade Flying Disc, while the Blade Tribe guards joyously collected the ¡°spoils of war¡± scattered on the ground.


    Excited, Dao Xiaodao flew to his master¡¯s side, seeking praise, ¡°Master, the Mad Bear Ghost Robbery Gang has been completely wiped out, and I¡¯ve located their lair too.


    Master, your tactic of drawing the bear out of the cave is supremely brilliant!¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked indifferent, ¡°Xiaodao, have you chosen the next target?¡±


    Dao Xiaodao quickly sobered up and replied seriously, ¡°I have found it! Tree Granny is currently active near Lanyu Temple, two thousand li away. This villain, born from the Tree Charm tribe, has lived for fourteen hundred years, and her cultivation does not exceed the Golden Core Middle Stage. Tree Granny has harmed countless people throughout her life, and yet she is wealthy and lives alone, making her the perfect target.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, you all return to the Blade Tribe quickly, and I will meet this Tree Granny myself.¡±

 Chapter 450 - 306: Golden Core Perfect_2

    Chapter 450: Chapter 306: Golden Core Perfect_2


    As soon as the words left his lips, Zhao Sheng¡¯s entire body flashed with light, turning into a dazzling blaze that shot up into the sky and disappeared on the horizon in the blink of an eye.


    ¡­


    Three days later, the notorious Tree Demon Granny who had tormented countless people for a millennium was slain by a mysterious person in Lanyu Temple; the demon corpse was taken on the spot, and her accumulated wealth of a thousand years was swept clean.


    ¡­


    Three years later, on one day.


    Within a dark ancient forest, Zhao Sheng moved through the trees like a silent specter, unnoticed and soundless.


    At this moment, the sky above the ancient forest was enveloped by thick, dark clouds that emitted no light.


    Occasionally, the dark clouds would slightly roll about, and if one were to look closely at them, they would be shocked to discover that the clouds were actually formed by countless black insects gathering together.


    As Zhao Sheng moved forward, his eyes occasionally glanced towards the sky, revealing a solemn expression.


    Facing the formidable Demon Calamity Worms of a vicious continent, he advanced solely using his Qinggong, daring not to use any True Yuan.


    ¡°Roar!¡±


    Just as he was moving quickly forward, ¡°splash¡± came a sound from ahead, as a long, gigantic black shadow burst out from the dense forest¡ªa giant black python, over ten Zhang long, covered in dark green scales with narrow pupils shining with ferocity, opened its mouth wide and lunged at Zhao Sheng.


    With a flick of his hand, a wisp of Invisible Sword Qi had already condensed.


    Two shadows flashed past each other, the Sword Qi dispersed, and the black python¡¯s body was suddenly bisected, spewing snake blood like a burst dam, emanating an unbearable stench of gore.


    Zhao Sheng agilely made a turn, avoiding any blood from staining his body, and with a few flashes, he disappeared deeper into the dense forest at an even faster speed.


    At this moment, the dark clouds in the sky shook, and a corner of them dipped down, as numerous black insects flew down, crawling over the snake¡¯s corpse.


    In a short moment, the Demon Calamity Worms flew back into the sky, once again forming thick clouds, while the python on the ground had turned into several segments of white bones, all flesh devoured clean.


    A month later, Zhao Sheng acquired a Demon Flower and successfully made it out of the forest.


    ¡­


    Ten years later, at Candle Light Mountain Range, the infamous Corpse People Sect was wiped out overnight, including the Half-corpse Sect Leader of the Golden Core Realm whose head was disgustingly placed in the Big Cauldron used for boiling corpses at the Main Temple.


    ¡­


    Three more years passed, and a Golden Core Main Priest of the Earth Python Clan suddenly disappeared deep within Candle Light Mountain, never to be heard from again.


    In the decades that followed, several wicked Golden Core realm demons and evil clans within ten thousand miles of Candle Light Mountain Range mysteriously died off one after the other, often meeting grisly ends.


    To uncover the causes of these cruel deaths, countless forces large and small pursued the investigation for a long time, but there was never any progress.


    Eventually, the matter became widely known, causing certain demons of the Golden Core realm, who didn¡¯t consider themselves powerful enough, to steer clear of this ominous land.


    During these decades, the Fire Saber Tribe rose like a comet around Candle Light Mountain Range, their power growing rapidly, producing an unending stream of Foundation Establishment realm warriors, and even a Main Priest of the Golden Core realm emerged.


    Any Extraordinary Force living near Candle Light Mountain Range knew that the rapid rise in strength of the Fire Saber Tribe could not have been achieved without the substantial assistance of a great person.


    This individual first made a name for themselves as an Alchemy Master at Candle Light Mountain, and later when several Golden Core Main Priests approached the Fire Saber Tribe due to a dispute over interests.


    At that time, Shenglong Master took action, effortlessly defeating all the challengers with his powerful Vajra Body, and the fame of Shenglong Main Priest spread far and wide, resonating throughout the Eastern Continent.


    Fifty years later, Zhao Sheng achieved Enlightenment beside the underground fire river, and smoothly advanced to the Late-stage Golden Core.


    ¡­


    On this day, within the Shenglong Cave Mansion, Dao Yanfeng was in her dressing room, concentrating on applying a layer of shining green mud to her face.


    This layer of mud was ground from something called Rejuvenation Grass, and one or two of this mud was worth a thousand spirit stones.


    But Dao Yanfeng did not feel the least bit distressed; not only did she apply it once every month, but she also regularly consumed many elixirs for health and beauty.


    However, even with the precious elixirs, one could not turn back the years, nor could they hide the fine lines around her eyes.


    Over ten years ago, with the help of elixir pills supplied by her husband, Dao Yanfeng had encountered no obstacles breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and now she had even reached the Foundation Establishment Perfection Realm, just one step away from the Golden Core.


    But that one step was as difficult as climbing to heaven! Dao Yanfeng herself did not dare to hope that she could condense a Golden Core, so she gave up early.


    Just then, her beautiful eyes shifted as if sensing something, her eyebrows showing a trace of concern, and she quickly stood up and came to the door of a secret chamber protected by heavy prohibitions, deep beneath the cave mansion.


    For decades, her husband spent most of his time in this secret chamber or the Earth Fire Room, when he wasn¡¯t out performing acts of chivalry.


    But half a year ago, my husband suddenly entrusted me with some confidential matters before he began secluded cultivation, not attending to anyone and never stepping out ever since.


    In the secret chamber at this time, Zhao Sheng sat bare-chested on the stone bed, his sinewy muscles fully exposed and faintly surrounded by a grey light shield.


    Within the grey light, one could vaguely see tiny ripples that were extremely unstable, crackling intensely without pause.


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng let out an angry roar towards the heavens.


    The next moment, the grey light around his body began to tremble violently before exploding silently¡­


    During this process, a trace of pain appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face, as if the grey light connected to every bone in his body, causing him excruciating pain with each burst.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    In an instant, a burst of grey light shot out in all directions, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s body was blasted with numerous wounds of varying depths.


    His Perfect, Magical Treasure-resistant Immortal Golden Body seemed vulnerable before this grey light.


    Pfft!


    A mouthful of clotted blood sprayed out,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s body healed rapidly, and he suddenly threw back his head and let out a wild howl.


    Accompanied by this extremely liberating howl, Zhao Sheng felt an immense sense of relief in his heart, and the last trace of blockage instantly dissipated,


    his Golden Core within became as round and full as ever, brilliantly shining. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the help of the grinding of the unknown grey qi, he had cultivated hard for a hundred years, and his cultivation had finally reached the Perfect Golden Core Realm.


    He clapped his hands in the Void, and space seemed to distort with a rumbling thunder, sensing the terrifying pressure emanating from his body, he immediately revealed a hint of joy.


    However, Zhao Sheng was only happy for a moment before he began to ponder again.


    Although he was now only a single step away from comprehending the Nascent Soul Domain and advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm,


    according to the information he had collected, the difficulty of ascending to the Nascent Soul in the Mingye Realm was beyond the imagination of any ordinary Golden Core, and besides, he hardly had any auxiliary means to help break through the bottleneck.


    Had it been in the Tianzhu Realm, this dire situation would have been greatly alleviated.


    Also considering the time, the hundred-year limit of the Heavenly Deceiving Talisman was almost up.


    In the past few months, he had several times felt a sense of danger, as if the heavens bore some malice towards him.


    After a brief contemplation, Zhao Sheng closed his eyes and formed a strange Spell Seal with his hands, his entire being appearing as if he had fallen asleep.


    The next moment, a mass of black light flame suddenly burst out of Zhao Sheng¡¯s Dantian.


    Then, guided by his Divine Sense, it actively burrowed into the Jade White Bone Bead floating in mid-air.


    With a thought from Zhao Sheng, the Bone Pearl gently flew down and he caught it with one hand, then immediately tucked it into his Storage Space Seal at his waist.


    After a brief period, the door of the secret chamber was suddenly pushed open from the inside, and Zhao Sheng emerged, clad in a purple-red robe, striding out.


    Dao Yanfeng was on standby not far away, and seeing Zhao Sheng suddenly appear, calmly looking at her, she was first slightly stunned, then joyfully said,


    ¡°Husband, have you succeeded in breaking through the bottleneck?¡±


    Seeing the invigorated appearance of Zhao Sheng, Dao Yanfeng naturally guessed seven or eight parts of it.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been through a lot this time. By the way, how are Xiu Wen and Xiu Wu doing now? Have their marital affairs been settled?¡± Zhao Sheng seemed to suddenly think of something, his eyebrows raising as he spoke.


    Upon hearing this, Dao Yanfeng¡¯s beautiful eyes widened, ¡°Without your word, who dares to decide for the two of them?¡±


    Zhao Sheng said, ¡°I¡¯ve instructed before. Having you as their mother to make decisions is enough. I¡¯m not in a position to appear.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, what kind of father are you? You don¡¯t even keep your own sons¡¯ marriages to heart. Instead, you keep taking in mistresses seven or eight at a time.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s brows lightly furrowed.


    Seeing his displeased look, Dao Yanfeng¡¯s voice immediately softened, not daring to be so presumptuous anymore.


    On the surface, she was the renowned Golden Core Main Wife, but in reality, Zhao Sheng had never truly acknowledged her status as the Main Wife.


    She was given a title in name only, and in some sense, Dao Yanfeng was merely a concubine.

 Chapter 451 - 307 Hunting the Flood Dragon

    Chapter 451: Chapter 307 Hunting the Flood Dragon


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    Half a year later, as the twin suns gradually hid behind the Divine Ruins, the Mingye Realm was about to welcome over four months of the Nether Night Season.


    That day, the sky was dim with dense clouds covering the sky.


    In a luxurious estate of the Fire Saber Tribe, Zhao Sheng was imparting some profound True Method of Immortal Cultivation to Dao Xiaodao.


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed as he saw a crimson Jade Talisman shooting in from outside the cave, landing in his hand.


    At the sight of the Jade Talisman, Zhao Sheng showed a touch of joy. After Divine Sense probed into it, he abruptly stood up.


    ¡°Master, what makes you so happy?¡± asked Dao Xiaodao with a perplexed look on her face.


    ¡°Earlier, I had tasked a few fellow Daoists with searching for the traces of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon. I didn¡¯t expect to receive news today. It seems I will have to take a long trip again,¡± Zhao Sheng replied, with an air of good spirits.


    ¡°Master, with your strength, catching the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon will surely be effortless. Your disciple congratulates you in advance on achieving your desire!¡± Dao Xiaodao, upon hearing this, immediately smiled with expectation.


    ¡°I hope the Dragon Serpent Pill of that Cold Desolate Flood Dragon will enable me to achieve a Yin Yang Balance, breaking the core to an infant,¡± Zhao Sheng also nodded with a look of anticipation.


    ¡°Master, with your great fortune, you will undoubtedly accomplish what you desire,¡± Dao Xiaodao hurriedly chimed in with a playful smile.


    Zhao Sheng nodded but said no more.


    The techniques he mainly cultivated, the Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique and the Taiqing Nine Yang Technique, both belong to the category of Supreme Fire and Ultimate Yang.


    After advancing his cultivation to the state of Perfect Golden Core, Zhao Sheng realized that his Yang energy was too potent, reaching the regrettable state of ¡°The Overzealous Dragon Regrets.


    It is said that Yang alone does not thrive; all things carry Yin and embrace Yang, and vice versa.


    The Dragon Serpent Pill of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon is known to be the utmost Yin and cold in nature, making it an excellent candidate for the extreme of Yin.


    Therefore, Zhao Sheng set a significant reward for any information on the whereabouts of a thousand-year-old Cold Desolate Flood Dragon.


    In a short while, Zhao Sheng arrived at a small, elegant room.


    The room wasn¡¯t large, but it was tidy, and on the Jade Couch inside already sat two Golden Core Main Priests.


    Leading them was a young master in a green armored robe, and beside him sat a fox-faced lady still brimming with charm.


    The moment they met, Zhao Sheng immediately revealed a hint of surprise.


    ¡°Brother Shenglong, I bet you didn¡¯t expect that the person accepting your reward would be none other than me. It seems we are fated,¡± the young master said with a slight startle, then rose to extend his hands in a gesture of courtesy.


    The other two, as well, exchanged smiles, stood up, and gave a polite greeting.


    ¡°So it is Zhe Yan and Jin Jing, the celestial couple. Since we all know each other well, I won¡¯t stand on ceremony. The Cold Desolate Flood Dragon is extremely important to me; I hope both of you Taoist fellows will not skimp on your guidance,¡± Zhao Sheng replied, returning the gesture while speaking earnestly.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite the coincidence. Some days ago, the two of us were traveling together around the Wuya Sea. Two months prior, as we passed by a fog-enshrouded deserted island, we incidentally discovered traces of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon within a hundred miles from the island at sea.


    After patiently waiting for half a month, we finally witnessed the beast absorbing nature¡¯s spiritual energy, confirming it was indeed a Cold Desolate Flood Dragon, with a Daoist cultivation of no less than a thousand years.


    Knowing of your reward, we hurried back to inform you,¡± Zhe Yan said, his eyes flashing with sincerity as he recollected the experience.


    ¡°Oh? How far is that island from Candle Light Mountain?¡± Zhao Sheng asked, his eyebrows raising in anticipation.


    ¡°The two of us flew back all the way and it took us roughly seven to eight days. If we depart immediately, it should take no more than half a month to reach it,¡± Zhe Yan said after a brief pondering.


    ¡°In that case, please lead the way. Of course, as long as I lay eyes on the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon, I guarantee that the rewards mentioned will immediately be in your hands,¡± Zhao Sheng asserted with composure.


    Upon hearing this, Zhe Yan and his companion exchanged glances and nodded in agreement without hesitation.


    Moments later, three streaks of tunneling light burst into the sky from the grand estate spanning thousands of acres, shooting toward the Wuya Sea in the east.


    ¡­


    More than ten days later, somewhere over the boundless Wuya Sea. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sea was calm, without a wave in sight.


    Apart from the occasional sea breeze that stirred up a wave or two, there was hardly a ripple in sight. Still, the panorama was infused with a faint Yin energy. Although it didn¡¯t impair visibility, it added a hint of eeriness to the Wuya Sea.


    At that moment, a series of Breaking Void sounds approached, and three streaks of golden, red, and green tunneling light sped across the Upper Sky.


    Within the lights, three figures, two men and a woman ¨C Zhao Sheng and his party, were making their way tirelessly through the night over thousands of miles.


    Despite the continuous flight over the tens of days, such an endeavor posed no problem for the three Golden Core Main Priests like Zhao Sheng.


    A moment later, Zhe Yan, flying at the forefront, suddenly slowed his flight. Seeing this, Zhao Sheng also halted.


    ¡°Brother Shenglong, if my memory serves me right, the deserted island should be less than a hundred miles ahead,¡± Zhe Yan glanced around and then affirmed confidently.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed as he peered into the distance.


    Looking ahead at the sea surface, through the thick haze, a distinctly denser fog could be seen. Within this heavy mist, lay the hazy outline of a barren island less than a mile in diameter.


    A few moments later, as the flying lights pierced through the fog and came to a halt, they found themselves above a barren island devoid of vegetation, with nothing but bare, dark green rocks covering it. The nearby waters were entirely blanketed with dark green seaweed, lifeless and void of spirit.

 Chapter 452 - 307 Hunting the Flood Dragon_2

    Chapter 452: Chapter 307 Hunting the Flood Dragon_2


    ¡°Ink Gall Seaweed, this is the favorite food of the Nine-Section Ice Shrimp, and the Nine-Section Ice Shrimp happens to be the favorite food of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon. It makes sense for the dragon to build its lair here,¡± Zhao Sheng observed, scanning the dark green seaweed around the island, deep in thought.


    ¡°Taoist friends, I have a proposal. If you are willing to lend a hand, I am willing to offer a Dragon Tiger Golden Pill as a gift. What do you think?¡± Zhao Sheng said with a meaningful smile.


    ¡°As long as we do not have to confront the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon directly, we do have some methods to trap it,¡± Zhe Yan responded, probing.


    ¡°Haha, naturally, you do not need to face the enemy head-on; just assist me from the side, and step in to prevent the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon from escaping when necessary,¡± Zhao Sheng laughed heartily. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing that they could gain an extra Dragon Tiger Golden Pill without much effort, Zhe Yan and Jin Jing naturally agreed, exchanging glances and nodding in consent.


    ¡°Then I appreciate your cooperation. After this matter is concluded, I will certainly not let you down. This is the reward¡¯s treasure, to show my sincerity, I am giving it to you now,¡± Zhao Sheng said, tossing a creamy white bead that fell into Zhe Yan¡¯s hand.


    The creamy white bead was a Space Storage Seal containing more than twenty bottles of Third-rank Treasure Pills for aiding cultivation.


    Upon seeing this, Zhe Yan¡¯s expression was one of great joy.


    In the following time, the three immediately concealed their presence and quietly hid themselves, releasing their Divine Sense and quietly began their vigil.


    For two consecutive days, the surrounding sea remained calm without any unusual disturbances.


    During this time, Zhao Sheng continuously observed the surroundings with full concentration. He noticed that the initially sparse dark-green Ink Gall Seaweed grew extraordinarily fast; in just a few days, it had become very thick, covering everything in sight.


    On the sixth day, groups of crystal-clear shrimps resembling crystals suddenly appeared among the seaweed, each of them over a meter long, their bodies emitting a faint chill.


    As these Nine-Section Ice Shrimps swam by, the seaweed was entirely devoured, and the sea¡¯s surface froze into a thick layer of solid ice.


    On the ninth day, the sea within a hundred miles had turned into a large block of ice, the seaweed under the ice rapidly decreased, while the ice shrimps moved in swarms, becoming denser like clouds,


    That day, a low roar suddenly came from beneath the ice. The ice then burst open explosively, and a giant dark black Dragon Serpent leapt into the sky. With a swing of its tail, the nearby ice instantly froze, and bits of ice fell from the air like snowflakes.


    Immediately afterward, the giant beast opened its mouth, and a terrifying suction swept across all sides. In the blink of an eye, it sucked in all the Nine-Section Ice Shrimps within a hundred meters below it.


    Then, its nearly hundred-meter-long body made a lightning-fast turn and quickly merged back into the ice. With cracking sounds, mountains of ice rapidly grew from the ice surface and soared high.


    Although the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon appeared and disappeared within just two breaths, like a fleeting ephemeral blossom, the celestial phenomena it caused were clearly seen by Zhao Sheng and the others.


    ¡°Indeed, it is the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a delighted expression, murmuring to himself.


    ¡°You two support me from above while I go capture the dragon.¡±


    Having said this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure faded and in a blink of an eye, he disappeared from the Divine Sense of the two.


    Seeing this, Zhe Yan and his companion were secretly shocked.


    ¡­


    A short time later,


    Zhao Sheng dived into the deep sea, finding a highly suspicious giant crack in a trench, about eight hundred meters long, its edges crusted with thick ice glaciers, and an extremely cold aura faintly wafting from inside.


    After observing for a moment, a flash of delight briefly crossed Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes. He then concealed his aura and carefully dived in.


    Along the way, he saw multicolored ice crystals and columns, and as he went deeper, the chill in the cavern became even more astonishing, eventually forming a complete ice cave.


    Zhao Sheng flashed with a burst of light all over his body and quietly melted the ice in front, silently moving forward.


    Moments later, the space suddenly cleared, and Zhao Sheng found himself in an extremely cold cave.


    In the depths of the cave, the hundred-meter Cold Desolate Flood Dragon was lying on a colorless, crystal-clear ¡°Crystal¡± platform, resting.


    From the pressure emitted by its body, it was truly a Dragon Serpent Beast from the Golden Core Realm.


    Upon seeing this, a sharp glint flashed in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, and he suddenly clenched his hand into a sword formula and pointed forward abruptly.


    A wisp of golden flame, swift as lightning, shot toward the head of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon.


    But at that moment, the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon¡¯s eyes suddenly moved, and its massive body fiercely turned, looking uncertainly towards a nearby cave entrance.


    Just as it happened slowly, a stream of golden light flashed, striking the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon with unimaginable speed,


    Before the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon could see clearly, a bright golden light exploded before its eyes, and an incredibly intense burning pain surged from its head instantly.


    The very next instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure ghostly emerged, swinging a punch single-handed, a mound-sized burst of golden flame instantly bombarded the head of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon, and streaks of golden light burst forth below the jaws of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon.


    ¡°Aow¡­¡±


    Accompanied by a lofty and painful howl, the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon swung its huge tail, and a large swath of bright, crystalline, super-sized ice cones swiftly formed, attacking Zhao Sheng¡¯s location overwhelmingly, blocking all his paths of retreat.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng did not advance but retreated, swimming forward as he flicked his sleeve, and six black fog Flood Dragons burst out, immediately exploding, engulfing all the deep blue ice cones with a large swath of black light in an instant.


    With a dull noise emanating from the dark Light Ball, after a moment, all went silent.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng continuing to approach, the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon spat out a mass of substance like foam, turning the sea water within hundreds of meters white, appearing extremely viscous.


    At the same time, the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon¡¯s huge tail whipped repeatedly, disregarding the copious amounts of blood spraying from its body, after a painful cry, it swiftly swam in another direction with speed that even surprised Zhao Sheng.


    Seeing the white foam surging over him, a burst of black light wrapped around Zhao Sheng¡¯s body and he flew escape toward the direction the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon was fleeing to.


    The moment the foam-like white bubbles contacted the black light around Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, they reacted like they were stimulated, turning into a cloud of white fog, utterly failing to hinder Zhao Sheng¡¯s escape.


    But just as Zhao Sheng emerged from the white foam, a bizarre scene occurred.


    No matter how he released his Divine Sense to probe, he could find no trace of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon, not even its hundred-meter-long body in the distant sea.


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes, and within the sea ahead, a faint trace of blood was rapidly dissipating.


    Immediately, Zhao Sheng¡¯s entire body flashed with black light as he changed direction to head there.


    In just a few breaths¡¯ time, Zhao Sheng arrived where the blood had disappeared, but other than strands of blood, there was nothing to be discovered.


    At the same time, dozens of miles away, the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon was covered by a layer of soft blue light, blending with the surrounding sea water as if it became an ethereal form, and the originally sizable wound on its body was visibly healing.


    This innate and concealed Divine Skill had allowed it to escape from deadly situations several times in the face of powerful enemies.


    The Cold Desolate Flood Dragon, still with lingering fear, glanced back and saw Zhao Sheng had been distanced, thinking that reaching the deep sea to shake off the enemy was just a matter of time.


    But at that moment, with a loud ¡°boom¡±, the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon felt a flash of blue light before its eyes, and its massive body seemed to crash against a solid wall.


    The huge impact whipped up a monstrous wave, instantly dazing the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon, leaving it without any ability to react.


    Just as it turned to look at the scene before it, it immediately showed an expression of disbelief.


    Only to see, where previously there was nothing in the water, countless Crystal Silks interwove together, emitting a very faint blue light, like a barrier extending from the seabed to the surface of the sea, clearly a Trap Array laid out by Dao Xiaodao.


    At a distance, Zhao Sheng, upon seeing this scene, immediately showed a hint of joy, his whole body radiated black light, and in an instant, he flew toward where the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon was.


    Perhaps dazed by the sudden appearance of the barrier, the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon stood frozen in place for a long while until it sensed a hint of danger and then looked behind it.

 Chapter 453 - 308 The Onset of Nascent Soul Tribulation

    Chapter 453: Chapter 308 The Onset of Nascent Soul Tribulation


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    Just as Zhe Yan and Jin Jing, the duo of Daoist partners, were hunting the Dragon Serpent, Zhao Sheng was excavating the chill ¡°Crystal¡± inside the ice cave.


    Boom! Boom!


    Chunks of ice and rubble were continuously flipped out, and it took Zhao Sheng the time of one cup of tea to dig out a big hole dozens of feet deep.


    At that moment inside the pit, a Crystal Peak stood towering, radiating chilling Spiritual Energy, its body pure and flawless.


    And in the deepest part of this Crystal Peak, a small, irregular ¡°crystal substance¡± faintly revealed itself, no bigger than a thumb. At this moment, the surface of the crystal substance was rippling with waves of cold light.


    ¡°It is indeed the Nether God Pearl!¡±


    Zhao Sheng took two steps back, his face showing a trace of joy as he looked at the ¡°crystal substance¡± in front of him.


    The Nether God Pearl was extremely yin and cold in property, on the same level as the Golden Crow True Fire among Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects, but it wasn¡¯t one of the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures produced in the Mingye Realm, it came from the Outer Realm Divine Ruins.


    The so-called Outer Realm Divine Ruins were a vast expanse of ruins drifting in the Void near the Netherworld and the Mingye Realm, spanning billions of miles, and the area was dozens of times larger than both realms combined.


    ¡°No wonder the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon made its nest here, there was such a treasure hidden underneath.¡±


    After feeling elated, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t immediately take the Nether God Pearl.


    Such a high-grade Treasure Land formed by the natural creation of Heaven and Earth would be nothing short of wasteful destruction if he only took the pearl and destroyed it.


    Naturally, Zhao Sheng wouldn¡¯t be so shortsighted.


    He refilled the pit with soil and ice chunks, then carefully camouflaged it before leaving the area with satisfaction, flying towards the sea surface.


    Just as Zhao Sheng had just emerged from the water, two figures suddenly appeared, one to his left and one to his right.


    Zhe Yan, in his red armored robe, looked sneaky as he raised his hand to bring forth the Red Flame Treasure Banner. The banner fluttered, and it suddenly shot out a host of Fierce Flame Lions with four claws that tread on fire and wrapped in flames, pouncing towards Zhao Sheng.


    The other, Jin Jing held a Jade Spirit Branch, about the length of a ruler and entirely made of jade, which she gently shook, causing a sky-full of jade light to spread out, blocking Zhao Sheng¡¯s escape routes in every direction.


    ¡°Die!¡±


    Following their extremely fierce shout, the Fierce Flame Lions and jade lights, coupled with their terrifying intent to kill, swept towards Zhao Sheng in an instant.


    With a thunderous boom, the seawater exploded and rolled back, the hundred-foot sea surface instantly sunk down fifty to sixty feet as if emptied of water, causing massive waves to surge around, and countless water columns splashed high into the air.


    The big hole was now completely empty!


    Zhao Sheng, who had just emerged from the water, seemed not yet clear about what had happened when he was blown to bits.


    Zhe Yan and Jin Jing first felt joy, but then their expressions drastically changed.


    Sizzle!


    Before them, a streak of light and shadow suddenly flickered.


    The next second, a seemingly expressionless Zhao Sheng suddenly appeared out of nowhere, standing across from them with his arms folded.


    The two immediately realized that their carefully planned ambush had gone awry.


    Zhao Sheng asked coldly, without expression, ¡°Zhao has always treated the two of you fairly. Why do you seek to kill me? If you do not give me an explanation today, you two will leave your lives here!¡±


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    Zhe Yan laughed maniacally and said fiercely, ¡°It¡¯s true you haven¡¯t wronged us. But¡­ it¡¯s all because you¡¯re rich beyond measure, and you¡¯ve disturbed the balance of power in the Candle Light Mountain Range. How can my sect smoothly manipulate the situation if you¡¯re not dead?¡± Zhe Yan¡¯s demeanor changed from his usual humility to one of arrogance.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s brows twitched with an odd look as he asked, ¡°You¡¯re from the Netherworld God Sect?!¡±


    The Netherworld God Sect was the largest religion across the Pan Nine Demon Continent with billions of followers, encompassing the vast majority of races with countless experts in its ranks, and it was rumored that in the Main God Temple there were real Divine Spirits.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t believe it at all.


    To him, these so-called Divine Spirits were probably Divine Transformation True Monarchs or other high-level divine creatures.


    ¡°You¡¯re smart. Yes, we are the Judgement Priests of the Netherworld God Sect, here specifically for you.¡± Zhe Yan sneered coldly, and after speaking, the Treasure Banner in his hand suddenly shone brightly, conjuring illusions of Fierce Flame Lions.


    Even so, Zhe Yan seemed to still have some wariness towards Zhao Sheng and did not immediately launch his attack.


    ¡°If the two of you truly have the confidence to kill me here, why waste so much breath?¡± Zhao Sheng still kept his composure, trying to draw out more words.


    ¡°Hmph, you probably don¡¯t know that the Fire Saber Tribe is now under siege from all sides,¡± Zhe Yan did not answer directly but changed the subject instead.


    ¡°Hmph, as soon as I make my appearance upon my return, all crises will be easily resolved. And with Dao Bailiang, a Golden Core in his own right, overseeing, supporting the Fire Saber Tribe for ten days to half a month is as easy as flipping one¡¯s hand.


    However, I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯t see tomorrow.¡± After Zhao Sheng finished speaking, a blaze of light flickered all over his body, and he disappeared from in front of the two in an instant, as fast as if he had teleported.


    ¡°You¡ªPlop!¡±


    Before the word ¡°heart¡± could leave his lips, Zhe Yan suddenly spouted a great deal of blood from his mouth, his protective layers outside his body shattered in an instant, and his body was violently knocked away, spurting blood wildly, with a big hole pierced through his chest from front to back.


    On the side, Jin Jing¡¯s expression suddenly showed disbelief, but a look of utmost horror quickly appeared on her face.


    Because a devil-like face had appeared abruptly in front of her.


    Jin Jing¡¯s heart trembled fiercely, and she turned the Jade Spirit Branch in her hand into a streak of jade light, stabbing towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s chest like lightning.


    Zhao Sheng smiled and clenched his fist. With a punch to the chest, a roaring sound emerged as his fist, wrapped in a gust of golden light, surged out.

 Chapter 454 - 308 Nascent Soul Tribulation Begins_2

    Chapter 454: Chapter 308 Nascent Soul Tribulation Begins_2


    With a crisp crack, the fist met the jade light, causing a vast dazzle; the golden light instantly swallowed the jade light, and in the next moment, the Jade Spirit Branch suddenly snapped in two, flying far away.


    With two thuds, two streaks of green light plunged into the sea surface, disappearing without even forming a ripple.


    Ah!


    Jin Jing¡¯s face lost color, her hands flailing wildly, casting hundreds of Wood Seeds in a frantic attempt to block the demon¡¯s attack.


    Alas, it was all in vain!


    A streak of green light flew up into the air, then turned into a green bamboo basket, from which an invisible vortex spread out. Suddenly, an unimaginably huge suction force surged, sweeping all the Wood Seeds from the sky.


    At the same time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure flashed and vanished, suddenly closing the distance to three feet from Jin Jing. His body¡¯s golden flame instantly surged more than twice in size, and behind him appeared a golden giant several dozen feet tall.


    The golden giant clasped his hands in a fist, carrying an inexplicable power, and with a thunderous punch, he smashed down. The vast void quivered all at once, every tangible and intangible thing crushed and shattered, the air itself liquifying.


    With a deafening boom!


    A large cluster of visibly swirling ripples spread outward, instantly whipping up a giant wave several dozen feet high from the sea surface beneath.


    At the center of the sea surface, a vast pit tens of feet deep had formed, and by then, Jin Jing was nowhere to be seen.


    Yet, Zhao Sheng stood nonchalantly in midair, turning his head to look eastward.


    He saw a blurred figure enveloped in red tunneling light, desperately fleeing toward the horizon, as fast as a meteor.


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    Zhao Sheng chuckled lightly, his Divine Sense sweeping out. The seawater beneath him surged backward, stirring up countless giant waves, faint traces of red seeping through them.


    The next instant, a torrent of flames shot toward the sky, chasing the red light at an inconceivable speed.


    In just a few breaths¡¯ time, a hundred miles of sea surface passed in a flash, and the golden flame, though started later, flashed and intercepted the tunneling light.


    ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t come any closer!¡± From within the tunneling light, Zhe Yan¡¯s expression was miserable, like that of a bullied wife, lacking any of the arrogance he had shown just moments before.


    The couple had never imagined that the sect¡¯s investigation result would lead to such a massive oversight.


    ¡°¡­Sheng Long is an Alchemy Master, with a mild character, dedicated to arduous cultivation, seldom roaming about. He very rarely initiates combat and is purportedly not skilled at fighting. His cultivation shouldn¡¯t exceed the Golden Core Middle Stage¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­How is this the Golden Core Middle Stage? Where is the mild character and lack of fighting skill? Damn it, you idiots have killed me this time!¡±


    Zhe Yan kept a pitiful smile, his heart filled with immense resentment and fear.


    He was about to beg for mercy, but before he could speak, a powerful, fierce punch thundered toward him, instantly suppressing the words at the edge of his mouth.


    ¡°Die!¡±


    In his final moments, he vaguely heard Zhao Sheng¡¯s cold, merciless judgment.


    ¡­


    Eight days later, a streak of golden light sped across the sky and swiftly descended into the main city of the Fire Saber Tribe.


    With Zhao Sheng¡¯s successful return, the previously precarious Fire Saber Tribe miraculously stabilized, and the forces attacking from all sides quickly withdrew. Those ambitious powers also promptly retreated.


    The Fire Saber Tribe, with its two Golden Core Main Priests, simply was not something they could contend with.


    Over the following two months, numerous nearby forces voluntarily offered hefty reparations, hoping the Fire Saber Tribe would not direct their fury towards everyone.


    Although the leaders of the Fire Saber Tribe, led by Huo Bailiang, yearned to wipe out all hostile forces, such action was utterly unrealistic.


    Doing so would only incite massive public anger, drawing counterattacks from numerous other forces.


    Thus, the Fire Saber Tribe targeted a few of the most troublesome groups, exterminating them one by one, and then calmed their furious storm, extending goodwill to the surrounding forces once more.


    After making a few public appearances upon his return to the Fire Saber Tribe, Zhao Sheng hurriedly announced that he would enter seclusion for arduous cultivation.


    He had sensed something ominous, as, since the slaughter of the two Golden Core Main Priests, he often had an inexplicable premonition as if heaven perceived him with ¡°a different eye.¡±


    In the cave mansion¡¯s secret chamber, protected by multiple Prohibitions, Zhao Sheng sat on the Jade Couch, inspecting the Storage Space Seals of Zhe Yan and his companion.


    To his surprise, each contained over a hundred top-grade spiritual stones, totaling up to three hundred and sixty stones.


    The most filled Storage Space Seal was packed with rare Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, each of immense value. These were likely the couple¡¯s collection over many years, but now, they all unwittingly benefited Zhao Sheng.


    So many top-grade spiritual stones. Coupled with what Zhao Sheng had gained from alchemy over these years, it was enough for him to set up a Third-Level Spiritual Method Array assisting promotion to the Nascent Soul Realm.


    Zhao Sheng let out a light sigh of relief, sorted the Storage Space Seal, and then took out the dragon serpent pill of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon.


    Although he had already obtained the dragon serpent pill of the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon, to refine it into the Supreme Yin Pill, it still needed careful refining.


    However, the auxiliary medicine needed had already been prepared in advance, and he didn¡¯t need to worry anymore.


    One month later, when Zhao Sheng walked out of his alchemy room, he held a jade bottle in his hand. Although the mouth of the bottle was tightly sealed, a thin layer of ice crystals still formed on the surface, and strands of peculiar elixir fragrance were emitted.


    He lovingly stroked the jade bottle and after a short while, he put it away, his face showing a contemplative expression.


    Now that he had the Supreme Yin Pill and the Spiritual Method Array as an auxiliary means, the success rate for breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm was still less than 20 percent.


    Even though the ¡°Taiqing Nine Yang Technique¡± had broken through to the stage of Three Yang Perfection and the beginning of Four Yang, the success rate barely reached 40 percent.


    This success rate was somewhat low.


    But at this moment, with the threat from the Netherworld God Sect externally and the malign intentions of the Heavenly Dao internally,


    time no longer allowed Zhao Sheng to make more preparations.


    ¡°This¡­¡± Zhao Sanchong hesitated, then said apologetically with a full face, ¡°My Young Master has always disliked seeing outsiders.¡±


    Seeing this, Wang Yuqi immediately shouted to the outside of the store, ¡°Wang Si.¡±


    Before the sound of her voice faded, the middle-aged coachman who had just been guarding outside the shop suddenly stepped across the air, instantly crossing a distance of three meters to appear in front of everyone.


    He stepped forward with a bow, saying respectfully, ¡°Miss, do you have any instructions?¡±


    Zhao Sanchong was taken aback, the middle-aged coachman had extremely high martial skills, clearly a supreme expert of the Martial World, and now he had become the coachman for the Wang Family.


    Wang Yuqi instructed, ¡°Wang Si, have him take us to his Young Master.¡±


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Zhao Sanchong, seeing the situation potentially crumbling, urgently exclaimed, ¡°Don¡¯t start a fight, I¡¯ll take you there myself.¡±


    ¡°Lead the way!¡± Wang Si said sternly.


    ¡­


    A quarter of an hour later, under Zhao Sanchong¡¯s guidance, a group of people arrived at an exquisitely elegant courtyard.


    Before they even entered the courtyard gate, the Wang sisters heard the sounds of a piano coming from the backyard,


    The music was at times majestic and vast, with a natural tune, rising and falling like a high mountain, at other times rippling and winding, soft as flowing water, with endless meaning.


    Listening to such enchanting music, the Wang sisters couldn¡¯t help but immerse themselves in it.


    Zhao Sanchong saw this and couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the Ninth Young Master¡¯s clever tactics, deeply understanding the human heart.


    After a while, as the piano music gradually faded away, the Wang sisters finally snapped out of their trance.


    One should not wonder why the Wang sisters were so affected. The real reason goes back to the fact that the ancestor of the Wang Family was a Loose Cultivator.


    Because the difficulty of cultivation was lamented, the Wang Family had always focused on cultivation. Other arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were considered distractions that led to the loss of ambition.


    Thus, Fragrant Swallow Valley was always very cold, with an unusually somber atmosphere. The Wang sisters had grown up without ever hearing such enchanting piano music.


    ¡°Quick, take us to your Young Master,¡± Wang Yuqi urged eagerly after regaining consciousness. After Zhao Sanchong left with a thousand thanks, Zhao Xiaobao looked worried and said, ¡°Young Master, shouldn¡¯t you reconsider? Although the Wang Family is a local cultivation family in Ganzhou, they are extremely ruthless. Fifty years ago, they wiped out the Cultivating Chen Family. Not only did no one in that family escape, but they also almost implicated our Zhao family.¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, saying calmly, ¡°No need to consider further. Ganzhou is a place of sparse spiritual energy, and cultivators are rare. The Wang Family is the only cultivation family in Ganzhou. Who else can I turn to if not them?¡±


    Zhao Xiaobao wanted to say more but ultimately remained silent,


    knowing that once the Young Master was set in his intention, no one could change his mind.


    ¡°Can the Young Master really marry a woman from the Wang Family? When the time comes, you must absolutely not force the issue!¡±


    Thinking of his Young Master¡¯s way of doing things, Zhao Xiaobao grew even more worried.


    .

 Chapter 455 - 309: Heavenly Dao Blood Face

    Chapter 455: Chapter 309: Heavenly Dao Blood Face


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng still felt it was not enough and waved his hand repeatedly. A stream of top-grade Five Elements Spirit Stones shot out like lightning, accurately landing within the Array Formation Aperture, embedding into the crystal surface, and instantly merging with the Great Array.


    He finally took out a black and white Taiji Array Plate and carefully pressed it into the specially reserved pit.


    At that moment, the crystal surface beneath his feet suddenly radiated black and white light, which then vanished without a trace.


    Having done all this, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged above the Taiji Array Plate and began.


    Half a month later, Zhao Sheng had cultivated his spirit to its peak, and the Golden Core within him was in the Perfect Realm.


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, and two streaks of electric light suddenly pierced through the void.


    With a flick of his sleeve, an intoxicating fragrance instantly filled the entire crystal surface.


    With another flip of his hand, the Supreme Yin Pill transformed into a streak of Mystic Light and flew into his Dantian in a fleeting glint, steadying itself beneath the Golden Core.


    At this moment, streaks of white light ascended from Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, and a vast column of light suddenly surged from the dragon along his spine.


    The pillar of light, vast and mighty like a pathway to the heavens, broke through the thick crust and sea water, extending into the unknown void.


    It was at this time that three dazzling ¡°Great Suns¡± slowly rose from within the light column¡­


    ¡­


    Deep in the night,


    That day, above a certain sea area, countless dark Thunder Clouds abruptly gathered, and a Dragon Tornado, hundreds of feet thick and piercing the sky to the earth, quickly formed above the sea surface.


    The nature¡¯s spiritual energy from within five thousand li crazily converged towards this sea area like moths to a flame.


    Such intense celestial phenomena immediately caught the attention of all powerful beings within a ten thousand li radius of the sea.


    Various spiritually-endowed sea beasts and powerful individuals from Alien Races hastened towards the area.


    In an instant, the spiritual energy tornado took the shape of a gigantic funnel. Clusters of spirit clouds gathered and flowed down the funnel, compressing rapidly as they fell, turning into droplets of spirit rain that penetrated through the sea water and crust, dripping into the underwater cave.


    The swirling maelstrom of spiritual energy in the sky spun faster and expanded a dozen times in volume. The abundant nature¡¯s spiritual energy, following some Heavenly Law, easily liquified into pure Spirit Liquid, promptly fell into the cave, and was immediately absorbed by Zhao Sheng into his Dantian.


    At that moment, a hazy white column of light broke through the sea surface, shooting backwards up into the night sky through the Wind Eye, starkly conspicuous.


    Shortly after, three ¡°glittering¡± Great Suns abruptly rose from the column of light, ascending slowly into the night sky and bursting into dazzling brilliance, illuminating a thousand li of darkness.


    Night and day, column of light and tornado!


    This extraordinary celestial event lasted for half an hour.


    After half an hour, with a thunderous boom, the Tribulation Clouds thousands of li wide instantaneously danced with electric snakes and Thunder Dragons crisscrossed, and dense tribulation thunder roared together, silencing all creatures of Heaven and Earth.


    At this moment, the destructive aura that had accumulated between Heaven and Earth seemed to have finally found its target.


    A nine zhang nine chi long azure Thunder Dragon suddenly burst out of the Tribulation Cloud, broke through the light column tornado, and plunged into the sea.


    The next instant, the Thunder Dragon ¡°drilled out¡± from the top of the cave and thundered straight towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s Bai Hui acupoint above his head.


    Boom!


    The Thunder Dragon fiercely collided with the Array Light Screen, detonating a blinding burst of Light Clouds, scattering electric light in all directions, blasting up large swaths of magma, and leaving the cave walls pocked and uneven.


    The Array Light Screen flickered urgently, dimming and brightening rapidly, but soon stabilized. Yet on the crystal surface, eighteen top-grade spiritual stones shattered into powder all at once.


    Boom! S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Another red Thunder Dragon followed, ¡°drilling out¡± from the top of the cave.


    ¡­


    Rumble!


    The sky churned with Tribulation Clouds, countless tribulation thunder gathered into numerous Nine Heavens Thunder Dragons, striking the sea surface ferociously.


    Every descent of a Thunder Dragon pierced through darkness, dominating all beings.


    It was at this point that the three ¡°Great Suns¡± streaking through the sky suddenly dropped like meteors, vanishing into the sea below.


    The next moment, a twenty-zhang high golden giant suddenly emerged from the sea surface, enveloped in white light and swirling with golden flame, exuding an enormous pressure that radiated from the giant¡¯s body.


    The nearby lifeforms spying on this locale saw the giant appear and were immediately struck with fear, quickly scattering and fleeing into the distance.


    The giant¡¯s face was shrouded in light, his features indiscernible, but his body seemed to be made of gold. As the light surged, his presence emitted a constant air of arrogant dominance.


    Apart from this, three Bright Sun Mirrors reflecting the resplendent ¡°Great Sun¡± circled the golden giant rapidly. With each rotation, more and more Big Sun Illusions appeared around the giant.


    In the blink of an eye, the surrounding void was engulfed by thousands of ¡°glittering¡± suns.


    With a slight movement of the giant¡¯s arm, as if carrying a boundless might, the surrounding Great Suns flashed intensely, casting out billions of rays of light.


    At that moment, the Tribulation Clouds in the sky, as if provoked by this sight, instantly released countless electric snakes and Thunder Balls accompanied by a series of Thunder Dragons, all bearing the might of destruction as they descended.


    Boom, boom, boom!


    A series of earth-shattering noises burst forth one after another!


    The Big Sun Illusions were engulfed by the electric light, bursting apart one by one, and suddenly a sea of tribulation thunder stretching ten li appeared in the world.


    The golden giant, bathed in the sea of thunder and lightning clouds, saw its protective Light Shield layers shatter, its Golden Body blackened from burns, but it stood unwavering.


    ¡­


    It was unknown how much time had passed when the pervasive Tribulation Clouds dispersed, and the night returned to its pitch-black calm, as if none of what had transpired ever happened.


    And at that moment, the sea surface was empty, the golden giant having vanished without a trace.

 Chapter 456 - 309: Heavenly Dao Blood Face_2

    Chapter 456: Chapter 309: Heavenly Dao Blood Face_2


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    It was at this moment that a suddenly a deep, growling roar filled the heavens and earth, the voice packed with rage.


    The sky, which had momentarily returned to calm, abruptly changed as the wind howled into life, and clouds denser and heavier than before emerged from nowhere, cloaking an area more than ten times larger than the previous tribulation clouds.


    At this time, whirlwinds shot up to the sky, wandering in all directions, and the sea surface was instantaneously overwhelmed by towering waves, each wave more formidable than the last.


    In the blink of an eye, the atmosphere of this sea area inexplicably became extremely heavy, as an indescribable heavenly might descended at this moment.


    The next moment, a scene that would chill all beings in heaven and earth occurred!


    The endless Blood Clouds suddenly began to squirm, and a massive face that obscured the sun and sky abruptly appeared above the clouds.


    This face had no nose, ears, or eyebrows, revealing only a pair of cold, indifferent blood-red eyes, and a dark red mouth as if flowing with magma within, appearing like the merciless face of a Divine Mansion, overlooking the sea surface below and a tiny human with no escape.


    This sight was fearsome, alas Zhao Sheng had no time to pay it any heed.


    At that moment, his complexion was pale, his body tremored uncontrollably as if he were enduring unimaginable agony.


    All the arrangements by his side, under the watchful gaze of the Heavenly Dao, remained motionless, turning completely useless.


    Deep within the Purple Mansion, a hundred-zhang tall Golden Giant looked up to the sky, its face calm yet still retaining a hint of terror.


    At the end of the Purple Mansion, a face identical to the one outside but reduced countless times in size, watched Zhao Sheng with impassive indifference.


    Under the gaze of the Heavenly Dao, blood-red lines slowly emerged on the body of the Golden Giant, and one by one, blurred blood-red faces began to protrude from the Giant¡¯s body as if they were about to burst forth.


    The closer the faces were to Zhao Sheng¡¯s own, the clearer their features became. At a closer glance, they all bore a striking resemblance to Zhao Sheng, but each twisted into madness and ferocity, each attempting to climb to the top of the head to replace the original.


    In this moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit trembled violently, for he had not anticipated that crossing the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation would expose his weakness and attract a thread of the Heavenly Dao¡¯s consciousness.


    Having barely survived the previous lightning tribulations, he was now faced with the sudden manifestation of the Heavenly Dao¡¯s consciousness during the Crossing Heart Demon Tribulation, which attempted to erase him using the power of the Heart Demon.


    Looking at that Heavenly Dao manifested blood-colored face, Zhao Sheng suddenly understood a multitude of things, his spirit immediately dimmed.


    ¡°Enough! Now I have no choice but to risk it all!¡±


    With his mind made up, Zhao Sheng steeled his heart, and his consciousness abruptly split in two. One half allowed the Heart Demon to invade, while the other actively sank into the Book of Hundred Lifetimes, attempting to evade the Heavenly Dao¡¯s pursuit.


    The next moment, the Golden Giant let out a low roar from its mouth, and all of a sudden, a golden flame soared from its body. Then, with one lift of its gigantic hand, it punched towards the sky!


    A fist of golden flame dozens of zhang in size coalesced out of nowhere, bringing with it rolling golden flames, smashing into the sky, shaking the Purple Mansion ceaselessly.


    As the flame fist rose to midair, it suddenly burst apart, and the Golden Giant transformed into a figure covered in blood-red, its face now wildly insane.


    Heh heh!


    With a strange laugh, the Blood Giant saw below it the Soul Sea turn suddenly into a Blood Sea, with a faint glimmer emerging from the depths of the Blood Sea.


    Inside the Earth Cave, a figure wrapped in rolling golden flames and skin covered in eerie blood patterns, slowly bowed its head.


    Just then, the massive blood-colored face in the sky merged into the Blood Clouds, and in an instant, the clouds dispersed with the wind.


    For a moment, the hurricanes above the sea surface ceased abruptly, and the great waves began to calm.


    A while later, both the heavens and the great ocean returned to their prior tranquility.


    ¡­


    It was unknown how much time had passed when Zhao Sheng¡¯s lingering consciousness emerged from the Book of Hundred Lifetimes. The first sight that met his gaze was the entire Soul Sea turned into a Blood Sea, above which floated a three-inch-tall blood-colored figure exuding wave after wave of intense and surging Divine Thought.


    The Book of Hundred Lifetimes emitted a faint clear light, protecting Zhao Sheng¡¯s Nascent Soul. At this moment, he lay on the Book of Hundred Lifetimes, his infant form barely an inch tall, far less robust than the Demon Infant.


    Looking at the demonized version of himself, with its fierce and wild appearance, Zhao Sheng¡¯s pink little face revealed a tinge of excitement.


    Against all odds, beneath the very nose of the Heavenly Dao, he had survived.


    If this were revealed, it would likely cause a sensation throughout the entire Cultivation World.


    By a quirk of fate, Zhao Sheng had condensed two vastly different Nascent Soul Magick Bodies, something entirely beyond his expectations. Remembering the historical records he had read in the past, it seemed that there had never been a case recorded where a cultivator had experienced anything similar. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although the Demon Infant seemed to be in a dormant state and exhibit no sign of destruction, Zhao Sheng still felt a subtle unease.


    He understood that if he wanted to regain control of his body, he had to get rid of the Demon Infant quickly.


    Otherwise, if he let too much time pass, allowing the Demon Infant to fully adapt to his body, the tables would be turned, and he himself would become its ¡°Heart Demon.¡±


    Fortunately, Zhao Sheng had experienced something similar in this life, so he was not in despair.


    With this thought, a light bulb went off in Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, and his gaze shifted to the treasured Hundred Lifetimes Book beneath him.


    ¡­


    Hum!


    A faint and mysterious radiance suddenly appeared deep in the Blood Sea.


    The Demon Infant seemed startled and abruptly opened its bloody eyes, shooting out two beams of blood light.


    A Divine Thought Storm swept across the entire Soul Sea space, capturing the whereabouts of the Hundred Lifetimes Book in an instant.


    The book materialized out of nowhere, lying silently in the deepest part of the Soul Sea.


    Upon seeing this, the Demon Infant revealed a hideous smile, and its infant form suddenly turned into a streak of blood light, plunging into the Soul Sea.


    Although it was demonized by the Heavenly Dao, its spiritual wisdom was extremely low, and it currently acted solely on a devilish instinct.


    Of course, given some time, the Demon Infant¡¯s spiritual wisdom would grow enormously, and it would become a Demon Lord driven by the Heavenly Dao.


    However, Zhao Sheng would never give it that chance.


    Just as the Demon Infant was nearing the Hundred Lifetimes Book, the book suddenly burst into a large expanse of radiance, which instantly enveloped the Demon Infant.


    At that moment, the pages of the Hundred Lifetimes Book flew open, and a tiny figure, less than an inch tall, leaped out.


    Zhao Sheng grabbed the Demon Infant and pulled it into the pages of the Hundred Lifetimes Book.


    The next moment, a voice rang out, thrilling Zhao Sheng to ecstasy, ¡°Captured a strand of the Nascent Soul¡¯s devilish thought, achievement: Profound Level.¡±


    ¡­¡­


    Eight years later, a tunneling light suddenly pierced through the sea surface and shot up into the Cloud Sky, then, with one turn, it headed towards the Nine Demon Continent and broke through the void.


    With Zhao Sheng¡¯s current cultivation at the Nascent Soul Realm, traveling day and night, it only took him a day to return to the continent and arrive near the Candle Light Mountain Range.


    The main city of the Fire Saber Tribe was southeast of the Candle Light Mountain Range,


    Yet when Zhao Sheng came directly above Fire Saber City, he furrowed his brow in concern.


    The Fire Saber City, once the stronghold of the Fire Saber Clan, now clearly bore the aftermath of a massive battle.


    At first glance, the city walls had collapsed, and out of the thousands of Otherworldly buildings, most remained only as ruins and rubble. Various extremely valuable timbers and large chunks of Red Gang Rock, seemed to have been swept over by various attacks, charred or turned into rubble of varying sizes, scattered in every corner of the city.


    The few intact buildings, which were once carved with countless exquisitely beautiful totems, were now chiseled away and flattened.


    At the very top of the Fire Saber Sect Temple in the center of the city, there were now flags of the Nine-tailed Fox flying.


    Besides that, small groups of Alien Race troops could be seen patrolling around the city from time to time.


    All signs indicated that Fire Saber City had been completely overtaken by the Ghost Fox Clan, one of the Nine Strange Clans, and they had established it as a stronghold, keeping watch over it.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts raced.


    With his Divine Soul still grievously injured and facing the threat of the Heavenly Dao, it was not wise to confront the Ghost Fox Clan head-on.


    Although Fire Saber City had been breached, with the various contingencies he had left in advance, Dao Yanfeng and Hua Wen and Hua Wu would certainly have been able to escape safely. By now, they were probably hiding somewhere, waiting for his rescue.


    With his mind made up, Zhao Sheng flashed with golden light and vanished into thin air.


    ¡­


    Four hours later, Zhao Sheng reappeared outside his own cave mansion and found that his dwelling had been brazenly occupied by a Golden Core Main Priest of the Ghost Fox Clan.


    After some thought, he did not take action to reclaim his cave mansion; instead, he quietly slipped away.


    In the following days, Zhao Sheng scoured the Candle Light Mountain Range and found many remnants of the Fire Saber Tribe¡¯s forces, but no trace of his family.

 Chapter 457 - 310 Dharma Name Sheng Long

    Chapter 457: Chapter 310 Dharma Name Sheng Long


    Zhao Sheng did not disturb these panicked birds; he merely understood the cause and effect in secret.


    As he expected, the Ghost Fox Clan had been beguiled by the Netherworld God Sect. A year ago, they dispatched a large army to launch a surprise attack on the Fire Saber Tribe. Dao Bailiang died in battle, and Fire Saber City fell within three days.


    ¡­


    Three days later, Zhao Sheng concealed his form, stood above the Nine Heavens, and looked down at the ruins of Fire Saber City, his face reflecting deep contemplation.


    Suddenly, a black tunneling light appeared from the edge of the sky, rushing towards him like lightning.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze sharpened at the sight of a white-faced elder in a black robe with a fox-like narrow-eyed face within the tunneling light.


    From the aura emanating from him, it was clear he was a Golden Core Realm powerhouse of the Ghost Fox Clan.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind stirred, and he quickly figured out the man¡¯s identity.


    This person should be Hu Canmang, one of the Golden Core Main Priests from the Ghost Fox Clan.


    Immediately, his figure blurred, and he followed stealthily behind the tunneling light.


    Half a teacup¡¯s time later, over a plain three thousand miles west of Candle Light Mountain, Hu Canmang was still moving at undiminished speed, completely unaware that Zhao Sheng was following him.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed with cold light; his left hand spread wide, and a giant golden light palm instantly condensed and grasped fiercely towards the slight elder.


    Following that, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure flickered and appeared instantaneously in front of the elder.


    Hu Canmang, clearly frightened by the sudden attack, panicked and instantly shrank into a black ball, plummeting downwards, while spitting out a shiny black bead which quickly expanded into a layer of light screen in a spinning motion, intending to block the giant palm descending from above.


    The golden light palm slammed into the black light screen.


    A loud boom echoed as the light screen was instantly crushed; amidst the scattering black light, the giant palm fiercely grabbed, instantly ensnaring Hu Canmang within it, immobilizing him.


    Hu Canmang¡¯s face turned pale, blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and the illusion of a giant three-tailed fox that had appeared around him let out a reluctant whimper before disintegrating explosively.


    Zhao Sheng raised his arm and gestured towards him; his mana fluctuated, and Hu Canmang, unable to struggle, obediently flew towards Zhao Sheng.


    From Zhao Sheng revealing himself to subduing his opponent with thunderous methods, it was almost in the blink of an eye; the Golden Core Realm Hu Canmang had no strength to fight back.


    Zhao Sheng did not disguise himself.


    So when Hu Canmang saw him, he immediately recognized Zhao Sheng and involuntarily cried out in horror, ¡°Lord Sheng, I am Hu Canmang, an elder of the Ghost Fox Clan. Don¡¯t kill me; we can discuss this properly. The Fire Saber Tribe is not¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, Zhao Sheng showed a trace of impatience, completely disregarding his plea, and with a thought, strands of golden light suddenly penetrated his body, sealing his True Yuan and flesh.


    ¡°You answer when I ask! If you dare speak a lie, I will extract your soul.¡±


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng say this, Hu Canmang, realizing a certain truth, was shocked and hurriedly nodded repeatedly.


    Zhao Sheng coldly said, ¡°Speak! Where are my family members now?


    Don¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Hu Canmang¡¯s eyes lit up, and he cried out excitedly.


    The moment Zhao Sheng willed it, the man shouted, ¡°Primordial Venerate, your wife and children are currently in Sky Fox City, doing quite well. Our clan has not neglected them at all.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression relaxed slightly at this, he snorted coldly and then asked, ¡°I ask you again¡­¡±


    After a detailed interrogation, Zhao Sheng finally felt relieved.


    It turned out that at the time when Fire Saber City was surrounded by the Ghost Fox Clan¡¯s army, Dao Bailiang had secretly sent his family away.


    Dao Yanfeng, along with Hua Wen and Hua Wu, was originally headed deep into the Candle Light Mountain Range, to Rising Dragon Cave.


    However, due to Zhao Sheng¡¯s secret Crossing Tribulation, Dao Yanfeng missed them.


    Half a year ago, Rising Dragon Cave was breached by a Golden Core Main Priest from the Ghost Fox Clan, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s family were taken captive by them.


    Despite the lack of news from Zhao Sheng, this did not mean he was dead. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A Golden Core Realm Alchemy Master is extremely valuable to any clan.


    Therefore, since their capture, Zhao Sheng¡¯s family has been taken good care of, without suffering any mistreatment.


    After understanding the situation, the cold light in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes finally dispersed; he waved his hand, lifting the prohibition on Hu Canmang.


    Once freed, Hu Canmang¡¯s feet suddenly emitted a black light supporting his body.


    At the same time, his eyes rolled around, and his face broke into a smile as he ingratiatingly said, ¡°This junior congratulates Lord Shenglong on ascending to the Nascent Soul Realm. The main wife and the two Young Masters of your family are enjoying their time in Sky Fox City, and they absolutely have not been slighted at all.


    Why not come with this junior to Sky Fox City? Our Ancestor will surely welcome you warmly.¡±


    He had realized that the person before him, who had an extraordinary fortune to have survived the deadly Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation, had ascended to be a Nascent Soul Great Priest capable of influencing the politics of the Nine Demon Continent.


    However, what worried him was that the Ghost Fox Clan had just annihilated Fire Saber Tribe not two years ago and had not yet fully enjoyed the benefits when they inadvertently provoked a Nascent Soul powerhouse.


    ¡°If mishandled, this could become a huge disaster in the future!¡± Hu Canmang secretly observed Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression, his heart filled with unease.


    Fortunately, the Ghost Fox Clan had not gone to extremes with their actions, and the situation had not reached an irreparable stage.

 Chapter 458 - 310 Dharma Name Sheng Long_2

    Chapter 458: Chapter 310 Dharma Name Sheng Long_2


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng spoke indifferently. ¡°I have heard that Sky Fox City is a place of exceptional beauty, unparalleled in the region. I would very much like to see it for myself.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Hu Canmang, as if hearing celestial music, immediately bowed excitedly and said, ¡°Rest assured, Primordial Venerable! Sky Fox City will surely not disappoint you!¡±


    Sometime later, a gold and a black tunneling light sped toward the end of the sky¡­


    ¡­


    As Zhao Sheng headed to Sky Fox City, in a majestic palace floating in the outer atmosphere of the Nether Night Realm, three radiant figures sat cross-legged. A massive circle surrounded them, with dazzling strange lights shooting out from their hands.


    Among the three figures, one was a woman wearing a pink, splendid palace dress, with a graceful figure and an exceedingly beautiful face, her long, slender fox eyes exuding a thousand charms. However, her demeanor was as pure and cold as a fairy from the Nine Heavens.


    Purity and allure blended perfectly in this woman, captivating the soul at a glance and making her unforgettable.


    However, the two big shots sitting next to the woman did not spare her a second look.


    One of them had unusually long limbs, a withered face, and wrinkled skin like tree bark, wearing a dark green long robe. His pupils were a deep, eerie green, emitting an extremely chilling and strange feeling.


    The other was an old man in a dark-colored cloak. His facial features were unremarkable, but he had a blood-colored vertical pupil on his forehead, from which flames burned fiercely, intimidating all who saw it.


    Every move of the three bore an immense pressure, clearly all were Great Sacrificial Rites from the Nascent Soul Realm.


    However, the aura emitted by the woman in the pink dress was somewhat weaker than that of the Green Robed Old Monster and the Blood Pupil Ancestor.


    In the middle of the three was an immensely complex Ancient Magic Array, from which a blood-colored light column rose, enveloping a slender white Jade Ruyi


    This Jade Ruyi, only about a foot long, had countless Spiritual Texts emerging on its surface, engraved with seven Star Beads, emitting a faint starlight. The Ruyi glowed with a faint rosy light, like smoke and water, seemingly containing a mysterious power, clearly a very precious Strange Treasure.


    The three individuals emitted pink, green, and red rays of light from their hands, enveloping the Jade Ruyi within, while collaborating with the ancient array on the ground, they continuously infused it into the white Ruyi, appearing to be refining it.


    The faint starlight emitted from the Seven-star Treasure Bead in the Jade Ruyi effortlessly blocked the sacrificial refining magic light triggered by the three. Even under the joint refining of the three Nascent Soul Ancestors, they were completely unable to affect the Jade Ruyi.


    Another four to five days passed, the starlight and rosy light on the Jade Ruyi reflecting each other, still appearing completely immovable.


    Seeing this, all three faces showed a hint of impatience.


    ¡°The Seven Star Ruyi truly lives up to its reputation as a Strange Treasure from the Divine Ruins, combining the power of the three of us and still unable to overcome it,¡± the Green Robed Old Monster frowned and slowly stopped casting spells, his tone grave as he spoke, his voice harsh and grating like sawing wood.


    The woman in the pink dress smiled slightly, simultaneously withdrawing her mana.


    Seeing the other two cease, the Blood Pupil Ancestor¡¯s eyes flashed a hint of displeasure, but his face remained expressionless. He waved his sleeve and suddenly stopped.


    ¡°Qingmu, why be anxious? Now that the Seven Star Ruyi is in our possession, and with the help of Fox Fairy, it should only be a matter of time before we refine this treasure and then we can head to the Divine Ruins,¡± the Blood Pupil Ancestor said with a slight smile.


    ¡°Indeed, as per our oath, as long as the two of us help you refine this treasure and you become the leader of the Netherworld God Sect. You must take us to the ruins of the Void Realm,¡± the woman in the pink dress, her eyes gleaming, replied with a light smile.


    ¡°Having made the oath, I certainly will not break my word. However, the merit of overthrowing the Fire Saber Tribe and slaying the Mountain Spirit of East Sunrise Peak is still insufficient for this old man to ascend to the position of Sect Leader. Unless two more Great Merits are achieved,¡± the Blood Pupil Ancestor said, glancing at Fox Fairy and the Green Robed Old Monster.


    ¡°While you say so, the three of us have been refining this treasure day and night for over three months now, still without seeing any results. If this continues, I will no longer partake. You should know, my clan has many major affairs that require my decision, unlike you, who enjoys such leisure,¡± the Green Robed Old Monster said mockingly.


    The Green Robed Old Monster was the strongest of the Tree Charm Clan, not only powerful but also holding a position far superior to that of the Left Protector of the Netherworld God Sect, the Blood Pupil Ancestor.


    The other person, Fox Fairy, was the founding ancestor of the Ghost Fox Clan, a very influential figure with absolute authority within her clan.


    After hearing this, the Fox Fairy smiled secretly, while a hint of displeasure flickered across the face of the Blood Pupil Elder, who then burst into laughter, coaxing warmly,


    ¡°Qingmu, brother, do not be anxious, we have matters to discuss! I, too, am burning with impatience, but refining treasures cannot be rushed. If you wish to refine it quickly, both of you will need to put in more effort,¡± he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that we haven¡¯t been trying our best, brother Tong You are unaware. To breach Fire Saber City, my clan has suffered countless deaths and injuries. Now you wish for us to help you achieve merits, truly it¡¯s a matter of willing spirit but exhausted strength!¡± Fox Fairy¡¯s eyes flickered with a peculiar light, her face showing helplessness as if she had really suffered a great loss.


    The Blood-eyed Elder, seeing the two behave this way, slightly furrowed his brows.


    ¡°So it seems, both of you want to back out now? Could it be that you no longer wish to go to Divine Ruins?¡± Tong You said coldly.


    ¡°Not at all, not at all! What I mean is to find one or two more helpers. Otherwise, who knows how long it will take to refine this treasure,¡± said the Green Robed Old Monster.


    Upon hearing this, the Blood-eyed Elder, with an unchanged expression, looked toward Fox Fairy.


    ¡°The Divine Ruins are extremely dangerous. It would be excellent to bring a few more fellow Daoists at that time,¡± Fox Fairy said lightly, her beautiful eyes twinkling.


    Seeing the two singing the same tune, a trace of unusual light flashed through the eyes of the Blood-eyed Elder. After pondering for a moment, he slowly said, ¡°Both fellow Daoists have a point, yet this matter requires careful and long-term planning. Helpers aren¡¯t easily found. At the very least, we need someone whom we thoroughly know, preferably someone we can control, otherwise it will always be a hidden worry.¡±


    ¡°Heh heh! Naturally,¡± the Green Robed Old Monster nodded and let out a weird laugh.


    Just then, a burst of spirit light suddenly flickered from within the sleeves of Fox Fairy.


    Her eyebrows raised slightly, and her divine thought delved into the communication jade token at the bottom of her sleeve, then her expression revealed a look of surprise.


    ¡°Fellow Daoists, an urgent matter has come up in my clan, please excuse me for leaving first,¡± Fox Fairy suddenly said. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Oh, what matter could be so urgent as to be more important than refining treasure? Feel free to share,¡± the Blood-eyed Elder immediately asked.


    ¡°Nothing serious, but well¡­ the Nine Demon Continent has gained another fellow Daoist,¡± Fox Fairy said lightly.


    Upon hearing this, the expressions of the man in the green robe and the elder in the gray robe both changed slightly.


    There are but three or four dozen Nascent Souls in the Nine Demon Continent; the addition of another will certainly impact the situation of the continent.


    ¡°Fox Fairy, can you tell us which fellow Daoist has ascended?¡± asked Tong You, the Left Protector of Netherworld God Sect, who was most concerned about such matters, hence he asked first.


    With a light laugh, Fox Fairy¡¯s eyes twinkled as she said, ¡°This person was originally a Loose Cultivator, and is now considered an Alchemy Master of the Fire Saber Tribe, his dharma name: Sheng Long.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Blood-eyed Elder¡¯s face shifted between expressions.


    After a while, he was the first to break the silence, asking emotionlessly, ¡°What attitude does this person hold towards the destruction of the Fire Saber Tribe?¡±


    ¡°Heh, who knows? However, this person has now arrived at Sky Fox City. I am just about to go meet him,¡± she chuckled.


    ¡°Shall I accompany you?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Heh heh, I¡¯m afraid not! I fear you might scare him away. What if you scare him off? Will you compensate me with an Alchemy Master?¡± Fox Fairy playfully refused with a coquettish laugh.


    ¡°Hmph, a master? Far from it!¡±


    ¡°Regardless, it¡¯s only a matter of time. Maybe he will also be an excellent helper!¡±


    After laughing, Fox Fairy¡¯s skirt swirled, and suddenly, a vast expanse of pink brilliance blossomed at her feet.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave first!¡±


    As her voice fell, the pink light spiraled up, transforming into a sphere of light that suddenly burst out of the palace, plunging like a long rainbow towards the earth below.

 Chapter 459 - 311: The Value of Nascent Soul

    Chapter 459: Chapter 311: The Value of Nascent Soul


    ¡°My lord, please enjoy the tea!¡±


    In a magnificent palace, Zhao Sheng sat comfortably at the head, while Hu Canmang, standing at the foot, attentively offered him a cup of Spiritual Tea.


    Zhao Sheng raised his hand to receive the Spiritual Tea and casually glanced at it, only to see white hairs in the tea like standing needles, flashing with a faint white light.


    Above the teacup, a cloud formed, gently raining spirit rain. The raindrops fell back into the tea, instantly creating ripples and emitting a refreshing and exotic fragrance.


    Seeing this, Hu Canmang smiled obsequiously like a eunuch and hurriedly introduced, ¡°My lord, this tea is a treasured specialty of our Heavenly Fox Clan, known as Heavenly Fox White Hair. Drinking it can strengthen vitality and solidify the spirit, and prolonged consumption can even greatly enhance the Primordial Spirit.¡±


    ¡°Oh, I must try this,¡± Zhao Sheng said upon hearing this.


    He gently sipped the Spiritual Tea. As the tea entered his mouth, a wave of coolness spread from his stomach, rising to his brain, instantly clearing his Divine Soul and slightly alleviating his headache.


    It truly worked!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes brightened in an instant, and he immediately drank the remainder of the Spiritual Tea in one gulp.


    Seeing this, Hu Canmang¡¯s heart leaped with joy. He quickly gestured and a swan-neck teapot flew in from outside, landing in his hand.


    This person immediately refilled Zhao Sheng¡¯s cup with Spiritual Tea, joyfully saying, ¡°My lord, if you like this tea, I have a three-year portion of the treasure tea that has not yet been claimed, totaling three taels and three maces. I ask that you kindly accept it!¡±


    One couldn¡¯t deny the Ghost Fox Clan¡¯s ingrained nature of bullying the weak and fearing the strong, as well as their mastery of flattery.


    This culture of fawning over the strong was commonplace in the Ghost Fox Clan, having become an instinct crucial for their survival.


    From top to bottom in the clan, even Hu Canmang of the Golden Core Realm was no exception.


    Zhao Sheng drank three consecutive cups, feeling invigorated and his mood much relaxed.


    A smile appeared on his face. Placing a hand on Hu Canmang¡¯s right hand, which was about to pour more tea, he asked, ¡°Let¡¯s forego the tea for now. I ask you, where are my people, and why haven¡¯t you hurriedly summoned them to see me?¡±


    Stunned by the question, Hu Canmang quickly offered a sheepish smile, ¡°Primordial Venerable, please do not rush. I have already informed the Ancestor. Your wife and two young masters are on their way here. Please rest assured and wait for a day or two.¡±


    Seeing that Zhao Sheng did not become furiously enraged, Hu Canmang¡¯s heart relaxed, and he smiled again, ¡°My lord, our Clan Leader is waiting outside the hall. If you are free, why not meet him first?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze flickered, ¡°When can your ancestor make it back? Who is currently overseeing Sky Fox City, Hu Sou?¡± S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this, Hu Canmang¡¯s heart shook with fear, intending to utter a few words in defense.


    However, seeing the quasi-smiling expression on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face, he involuntarily shuddered and pleaded subconsciously, ¡°My lord, please calm your anger. Without the permission of the Ancestor, I dare not make decisions on my own.


    In a day or two at most, our Fox Immortal Ancestor will surely meet with you personally, and your requests will definitely be fulfilled. Please do not trouble me anymore.¡±


    ¡°If that is the case, I have no interest in meeting your clan leader. Let him return to where he came from,¡± Zhao Sheng said, leaning back in his chair with a languid expression.


    From entering the city until now, through several subtle probings and constant exploration with Divine Thought Power, Zhao Sheng had discerned that the Ghost Fox Clan harbored no urgent intent to eliminate him.


    On the contrary, they exhibited goodwill and appeasement at every turn, with a very apparent intent to ingratiate themselves behind all their actions.


    It was not surprising at all, considering the significant influence of a Nascent Soul Great Priest.


    If there were no irreconcilable enmity, no clan would lightly make an enemy of a Nascent Soul Great Priest.


    Hearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s words, Hu Canmang gave a sheepish smile, sent a message through Divine Sense, and continued to diligently serve tea and water to the Primordial Venerable.


    About an hour later, Zhao Sheng had finished three pots of Spiritual Tea, his headache had greatly eased, and his slightly furrowed brow had smoothed.


    His headache was a lingering ¡°ailment¡± from his past ordeal in Crossing Tribulation¡ªan ostensibly continuous headache but in essence, a difficult-to-heal ¡°curse¡± caused by a tear in his Divine Soul and the ¡°gaze¡± of the Heavenly Dao.


    Since his feigned death and escape, a persistent blood shadow had appeared in Zhao Sheng¡¯s Soul Sea.


    The silhouette of the blood shadow was that of a blood-colored face, initially nebulous, but with time, the face became increasingly clear.


    Simultaneously, Zhao Sheng was horrified to discover that deep within his Divine Soul, a Heart Demon was gradually emerging.


    This Heart Demon seemed to stem from the blood face. It could only be suppressed, not eradicated or sealed.


    The Power of Heavenly Dao is infinite, leaving merely a trace of its gaze on a person like a burdensome curse!


    This blood face was akin to a curse of the Heavenly Dao, damning a visitor from another realm to a dire fate.


    Zhao Sheng had spent eight arduous years in hiding, trying every means to break the curse of the blood face, only to finally resort to drinking poison to quench his thirst by tearing another strand of his Divine Soul to cast the half-formed Heart Demon into the Book of Hundred Lifetimes.


    His hasty emergence from seclusion this time was also motivated by a desire to break the curse of Heavenly Dao.


    Little did Zhao Sheng expect that in less than a decade of his absence, the Fire Saber Tribe had been breached by the Ghost Fox Clan.


    It was difficult to say whether the Fire Saber Tribe had suffered due to Zhao Sheng¡¯s influence, thus being forsaken by Heavenly Dao, leading to a dwindling fortune and ultimately to this catastrophe befalling the tribe.


    ¡°Hee hee!¡±


    As Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts were in turmoil, a captivating laugh accompanied by a vast surge of Divine Thought Power suddenly rang beside his ear.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression remained unchanged as a powerful wave of Divine Thought burst forth from the Purple Mansion between his eyebrows, colliding head-on with the unfamiliar Divine Thought.

 Chapter 460 - 311: The Value of Nascent Soul_2

    Chapter 460: Chapter 311: The Value of Nascent Soul_2


    Boom!


    With a thunderous roar, millions of ripples trembled, sweeping across all directions, instantly shattering the furnishings within the palace, leaving only the tableware and chairs within two yards around Zhao Sheng completely intact.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Zhao Sheng snorted coldly, his eyes bursting with divine light, about to retaliate.


    At that moment, a pink silhouette flew into the hall from outside, looking at him with a gentle smile, suddenly filling the hall with a lively beauty as if spring had bloomed.


    Such an enthralling beauty that captivated all!


    Upon seeing the face of the Fox Fairy, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but praise inwardly, instantly dissipating his annoyance.


    ¡°Shenglong, do not be offended, I was merely greeting you,¡± the Fox Fairy said as she moved forward with lotus steps, her voice brimming with a smile.


    ¡°Who could it be? So, it¡¯s the senior Fox Fairy. Your joke is too much for anyone below the Nascent Soul to handle; they¡¯d either be heavily injured or dead!¡± Zhao Sheng stood up, his expression a mix of jest and seriousness.


    The Fox Fairy, avoiding a direct answer, waved her sleeve, and a whirlwind arose in the hall, howling as it cleared all the furnishings.


    Then, from her sleeves, she released two beams of white light, which flew up and transformed into two massive White Jade thrones and landed in the center of the hall.


    ¡°Shenglong, please take a seat!¡±


    On hearing this, a flash darted through Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, followed by a light smile. He walked over with ease and settled into the throne.


    Seeing this, the Fox Fairy subtly nodded.


    Her figure floated up and also landed on another throne; her skirt splayed out, revealing a hint of fair skin.


    ¡°Shenglong, I am aware of your purpose here. Your family is fine and is currently on their way here,¡± the Fox Fairy said, smiling.


    Zhao Sheng smiled in response and said heartily, ¡°That¡¯s good news. Thank you for keeping a watch over them. Your kindness, for now, is noted.¡±


    The corners of the Fox Fairy¡¯s mouth curved up as she spoke softly, ¡°If you are not in a hurry, do not rush away. The nearby scenic beauties and spiritual realms of Sky Fox City are numerous. You might as well stay here for a while to allow me the honor of being your host.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was stirred by her words and chuckled lightly, ¡°The scenic beauties can be appreciated later. I just tasted your clan¡¯s Heavenly Fox White Hair, indeed leaving a lingering aftertaste, unforgettable.


    Would the Fox Fairy be willing to part with it? Allow me to trade for more White Hairs Treasure Tea.¡±


    Her eyes glittered, and she jovially declared, ¡°It¡¯s just some White Hair; no need to mention trade. I will give you a few kilograms as a gift.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng sensed an understanding in his heart and accordingly smiled, ¡°Then I thank the Fox Fairy.¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Shenglong, you are too courteous! Such trivial items should not weigh on your mind. I still hope that you will not bear ill will towards our clan for the Fire Saber Tribe affair,¡± she said.


    Zhao Sheng paused then casually flicked his fingers, speaking lightly, ¡°Since ancient times, the world has been a place where the strong prevails. The Fire Saber Tribe, being weaker, had to face this tribulation. If this tribe learns from their experiences, they might have a chance to rise again. I merely hope that your clan does not completely annihilate them!¡±


    These words greatly pleased the Fox Fairy, and she couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly, saying, ¡°My Heavenly Fox Clan fears no challenges, nor do we stoop to kill a bunch of defeated dogs. As long as you, Shenglong, do not interfere, I hereby state that from now on, our clan will no longer pursue the remnants of the Fire Saber Tribe.¡±


    ¡°Good, with the Fairy¡¯s words, I can also explain to Feng¡¯er and the others,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded immediately, commending her.


    The Fox Fairy pursed her lips, her charm radiating.


    ¡°Shenglong, you are quite the charmer. The fox women of my clan are each passionate and empathetic. If you are interested, feel free to pick a few. Whether you take them as concubines or keep them as maids is entirely up to you,¡± she said.


    Zhao Sheng pondered silently, thinking about how to decline.


    At that moment, Hu Canmang stealthily peeked his face out from the hall entrance, smiling ingratiatingly at the two Nascent Soul Ancestors.


    What shame for such a high-ranking Golden Core Main Priest to stoop so low, except for the Ghost Fox Clan, no one else would.


    ¡°What is it?¡± the Fox Fairy asked with a frown, displeased.


    Seeing this, Hu Canmang trembled, scared and about to kneel down.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly released a strand of Divine Thought, stopping Hu Canmang¡¯s action, and turned his head towards the Fox Fairy, chuckling, ¡°Senior Fox Fairy, please don¡¯t blame him. It should be my family arriving at the hall.¡±


    Oh!


    The Fox Fairy¡¯s gaze flashed, and she unleashed her Divine Thought, suddenly enveloping dozens of kilometers around and instantly ¡°saw¡± Dao Yanfeng and the others outside the hall.


    At this moment, she was secretly annoyed; had she known Shenglong would be so amicable, she wouldn¡¯t have instructed to bring them here so soon.


    ¡°Little Three, quickly invite the guests in!¡±


    With a cold shout from the Fox Fairy, Hu Canmang swiftly disappeared from the palace door, startled.


    Shortly after, Dao Yanfeng led his entire family into the palace.


    In the past decade or so, Dao Yanfeng had faced many tribulations, and his face was now covered in wrinkles, his hair speckled with white, clearly entering his old age.


    Meanwhile, Hua Wen and Hua Wu, both past their forties, still had distinct appearances. Hua Wen retained a face as handsome as jade, elegant and dashing, resembling someone in his twenties.


    On the contrary, Hua Wu, standing in the palace, was completely the image of a dignified middle-aged man, with a temperament much more mature and composed than his brother¡¯s.


    This was because Hua Wen possessed a Spirit Root, while Hua Wu was merely a mortal.


    The difference in their Spirit Roots led Zhao Sheng¡¯s two sons down drastically different paths, with their statuses within the Fire Saber Tribe also greatly diverging.


    In comparison, Hua Wen¡¯s future held boundless prospects, whereas Hua Wu was much more grounded in reality, and at best would live a little over a hundred years before being buried beneath the yellow soil.


    The biggest similarity between the two was that they both had numerous wives and concubines, each enjoying the blessing of many beauties.


    The reunion of family after a long separation brought only excitement.


    After some exchanges, Zhao Sheng calmed everyone from their excited and thrilled states.


    Glancing over, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyebrows lifted as he saw seven or eight grandsons eagerly looking at him, and several of his son¡¯s wives and concubines were visibly pregnant.


    Seeing his lineage slowly flourish, Zhao Sheng felt a comforting satisfaction.


    However, one thing troubled him, both young rascals had fallen for the ¡°beauty trick¡±, among the pregnant wives and concubines were fox women.


    Members of the Ghost Fox Clan were notably distinctive in appearance, best described with the phrase: ¡°ugly men and seductive women¡±.


    Male Ghost Foxes all had fox-like faces, appearing sly and deceitful, while fox women naturally had oval faces, fair skin, and graceful figures, enchantingly beautiful.


    Out of the corner of his eye, Zhao Sheng caught the Fox Fairy smiling contentedly, seemingly very pleased to witness such a scene.


    Seeing this, he couldn¡¯t help but shake his head quietly, forced to admit the Ghost Fox Clan was cunningly adept.


    ¡­


    Two days later, a hundred-foot-long Platinum Flying Disc soared into the sky from Sky Fox City, quickly rising into the vast Cloud Sea and vanishing without a trace.


    Watching the fleeting Flying Disc, Hu Canmang turned his head back to look at the smiling face of the Fox Immortal Ancestor and cautiously asked, ¡°Ancestor, are you really letting them go so easily? What excellent hostages they would make!¡±


    The Fox Fairy tugged at her skirt hem and spoke indifferently, ¡°Little Three, are you questioning my decision?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Hu Canmang¡¯s hair stood on end, and he quickly knelt down, his voice trembling, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡±


    ¡°Stand up,¡± commanded the Fox Fairy, waving her hand gently and a wave of mana helped Hu Canmang to his feet.


    ¡°Little Three, don¡¯t be anxious, he will be mine sooner or later!¡±


    The lingering sound of her voice was still in the air, but the Fox Fairy¡¯s figure had already departed, leaving only a sweating Hu Canmang behind.


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng, along with his family, traveled on the Flying Disc, covering ten thousand miles in a day.


    It took them two days to reach deep into Candle Light Mountain, to Shenglong Cave Mansion.


    The Ghost Fox Clan indeed knew how to please!


    When they arrived at the cave mansion, the entire place was evidently cleaned up and arranged just as it had been in earlier years, with thoughtfully provided generous gifts.


    There were ten pounds of Heavenly Fox White Hair, including nearly nine ounces of over a thousand years old White Hairs Treasure Tea.


    It was well known that an ounce of thousand-year White Hair could sell for millions of Spirit Stones at ease.


    However, the Ghost Fox Clan always gave, never sold.


    To proactively charm Zhao Sheng, the Fox Fairy had offered nine ounces right off the bat.


    This demonstrated the value of a Nascent Soul, showing the full sincerity of the Ghost Fox Clan.


    Moreover, aside from the original site of Fire Saber City which couldn¡¯t be returned, the Ghost Fox Clan proactively presented a map of a thousand-mile territory, its implicit meaning clear.

 Chapter 461 - 312 Nascent Souls Gather Together

    Chapter 461: Chapter 312 Nascent Souls Gather Together


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    Since returning to the Shenglong Cave Mansion, Zhao Sheng had rarely appeared in public, spending most of his time in seclusion and hidden cultivation.


    No one knew that the Shenglong Great Priest, who had just ascended to the Nascent Soul Realm and should be enjoying his glory, was now suffering from the torment of his Heart Demon.


    The Heavenly Fox White Hair could only alleviate the pain of the Divine Soul but could not heal the damage to the Divine Soul.


    To treat his soul¡¯s injuries, Zhao Sheng spent a great deal of energy refining Soul Protecting Pills, Soul Stabilizing Pills, and other third-tier Treasure Pills.


    These Treasure Pills that treated the injuries of the Divine Soul were not only extremely difficult to refine, but the required Spiritual Medicine was also incredibly rare and valuable. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cost of refining them was unimaginable to outsiders.


    Fortunately, his Alchemy Skill was exceptional, and he could maintain it through the method of nurturing pills with pills.


    However, due to the difficulty in finding Spiritual Medicine, Zhao Sheng frequently enlisted the help of the Ghost Fox Clan, which brought their relationship increasingly closer.


    Of course, the Ghost Fox Clan knew how to deal with people, always understanding and kind. They sent clan members specifically to please Zhao Sheng and his kin, all to win a smile from him.


    It¡¯s undeniable that the Ghost Fox Clan had its unique aspects that had enabled it to grow so substantial.


    As long as there wasn¡¯t an unresolved deep hatred, it was difficult for most people to harbor ill will against the Ghost Fox Clan.


    A few days later, the news of the Shenglong Master¡¯s ascension to the Nascent Soul Realm rapidly spread across the Candle Light Mountain Range, and Dao Xiaodao, upon receiving the message, was the first to visit the Shenglong Cave.


    Upon their reunion, Dao Xiaodao was already a one-armed old man, but his weather-beaten face was exceptionally resolute, as if the tribe¡¯s catastrophe could not bring down this iron man.


    Upon learning that his master had successfully ascended to the Nascent Soul Realm, Dao Xiaodao was overjoyed to tears.


    Zhao Sheng bestowed a map of a thousand-mile territory and clearly stated that the Ghost Fox Clan would not trouble the Fire Saber Tribe.


    After hearing this, Dao Xiaodao was greatly encouraged, quickly regrouped, and devoted all his energy to the grand task of rebuilding the Fire Saber Tribe.


    At the same time, countless remnants of the Fire Saber Tribe, hearing the news, quickly congregated under Dao Xiaodao¡¯s leadership.


    During this period, perhaps intentionally or unintentionally, Hua Wen was pushed into the position of leader of the Fire Saber Tribe.


    To this, Zhao Sheng expressed no opinions.


    On the other hand, Dao Yanfeng was thrilled. Upon seeing a turning point for her tribe, she finally set aside a significant concern.


    But later on, Dao Yanfeng still died in depression, a fact not widely known to outsiders.


    ¡­


    Time flew by, and six years passed in the blink of an eye.


    A hundred miles beneath the Shenglong Cave Mansion, a river of fire flowed quietly.


    Scorching magma slowly oozed out from a void above, meandering along a winding and narrow riverbed into a crack below.


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged, his entire body silvery white, reflecting specks of cold light, looking like a statue crafted from platinum.


    At this moment, his lower body was submerged in the Magma River, and two earth heart spirit flames, as large as skulls and blazing white, circled around him.


    The Earth Heart Spirit Flame danced and swirled, releasing tongues of fire that constantly licked his skin. Yet, they could not damage him in the slightest. Instead, they were quickly absorbed, turning into nourishment for the Golden Crow True Fire.


    After a long while, the Earth Heart Spirit Flame gradually shrank in size until it was only the size of a fist.


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng opened his eyes, emitting two long beams of golden light, which then returned to normal hue.


    Hu!


    He exhaled a breath that carried a faint fishy smell. As his silvery white skin returned to its pale white color, the Earth Heart Spirit Flame swiftly plunged into the Magma River, slowly absorbing the endless geothermal energy to recover its lost spirit flame.


    With a thought, a strand of golden flame suddenly flew out from his Dantian.


    The flame, like a firefly, flew into his right hand.


    At the same time, a Jade White Bone Bead shot out from Zhao¡¯s embrace, rolling in the air and ¡°secreting¡± a bit of black fire star onto his left palm.


    Zhao Sheng gently brought his hands together in front of him.


    The next instant, there was a loud booming sound like thunder, and a large burst of gray light surged, enveloping Zhao Sheng¡¯s entire body and the stone platform beneath his feet.


    Then,


    As the gray light dissipated, the stone platform shattered with a series of cracking sounds, collapsing into a pile of powder.


    Looking at Zhao Sheng, his entire body, jade white in color, was suddenly covered in dense, irregular ¡°cracks,¡± resembling a porcelain doll about to shatter.


    Under his powerful self-healing ability, the cracks on his body swiftly healed.


    However, Zhao Sheng shook his head with a somewhat gloomy expression and flew out from the Magma River, landing on a stone platform on the shore.


    After ascending to the Nascent Soul Realm, his Immortal Golden Body suddenly began its third round of ¡°transformation.¡± The Five Treasures materials refined into his body years ago started to fuse with each other, gradually evolving into a strange substance he had never seen before.


    This substance possessed the innate characteristics of the five treasures and subtly exhibited traits approaching ¡°immortal and undamaged,¡± though under the influence of the ¡°firm¡± Tao True Text, it tended towards ¡°hardness.¡±


    However, while this was a cause for joy, the major flaw of the ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± gradually became apparent.


    After many tests by Zhao Sheng, he found that his body subtly exhibited absolute rigidity.


    If external attacks could not break his defense, his body would be ¡°Vajra indestructible,¡± meaning no matter how it was attacked, it remained unharmed.


    However, if the attack¡¯s intensity surpassed the defense limit, his body could shatter like glass.


    By comparison, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Immortal Golden Body was like a diamond¡ªunbreakable yet extremely brittle on its strongest side.

 Chapter 462 - 312 Nascent Souls Gather_2

    Chapter 462: Chapter 312 Nascent Souls Gather_2


    Back then, his knowledge was lacking, yet he cleverly utilized the Star God Power to deduce this Body Refining Technique, and now, the technique indeed had flaws.


    Of course, there is no perfect Divine Skill in the world.


    For cultivators below the Nascent Soul, ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± might seem like a rare and powerful Body Refinement Realm technique.


    But Zhao Sheng felt that he had taken the wrong path in his Body Refinement journey!


    However, his foundation had already been established, and it was too late to change now. The flaws of the ¡°Immortal Golden Body¡± could only be passed on to future generations for improvement.


    Atop the stone platform, Zhao Sheng watched the surging magma, his face suddenly showing a hint of madness, corners of his mouth curving up, involuntarily revealing a sinister smile.


    The next moment, a bloody face suddenly rose from the depths of his pupils, and a pair of black irises suddenly turned blood red.


    Thunk!


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body suddenly burst into large swaths of golden flames, and amidst the roaring fire, his spirit suddenly regained clarity, the blood in his pupils dispersed, and his eyes regained their lively sparkle.


    Zhao Sheng was startled, shook his hand, and suddenly, a bottle of Soul Stabilizing Pills appeared in his palm, he poured out a green Elixir Pill, and swallowed it in one gulp.


    In an instant, a vast expanse of green light spread throughout his Soul Sea, forcibly suppressing the bloody face into the depths of the sea.


    In the recent years, the attacks of his Heart Demon had become more frequent, and Zhao Sheng had several impulsive thoughts of cutting his Divine Soul again, but he endured them each time.


    His Divine Soul was already very weak. If it were torn several more times, it would certainly collapse on its own eventually.


    The Heart Demon stemmed from the curse of the Heavenly Dao, as long as the Heavenly Dao lives, the Heart Demon is hard to eradicate!


    That was a deadlock!


    Zhao Sheng had no solution for it, and could only try to delay it as much as possible.


    A moment later, a streak of firelight swept across the surface of the Magma River, following a deep tunnel, and disappeared in a flash.


    ¡­


    Ten years later, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the terrifyingly cold Nether Night Season finally passed, and the Netherworld God Realm welcomed a Daytime Season that would last half a year.


    That year, Dao Yanfeng had been dead for three years.


    Once the mourning period was over, Hua Wu couldn¡¯t wait to marry his twenty-second concubine, a charming and alluring fox woman.


    That year, Zhao Sheng¡¯s direct relatives reached thirty-two people, and his first great-grandson had just been born.


    But in these past years, Zhao Sheng became increasingly reclusive and unseen by outsiders, and even his sons, Hua Wen and Hua Wu, barely saw him once in several years.


    However, because of the Shenglong Great Priest¡¯s secluded and reclusive cultivation, the uneasy powers within the Candle Light Mountain Range gradually relaxed, feeling that the Shenglong Master would not purposefully make things difficult for them.


    There¡¯s a saying, ¡°You scratch my back, I¡¯ll scratch yours.¡± Thus, the various powers within the Candle Light Mountain Range put in a lot of effort during the reconstruction of the Fire Saber Tribe.


    In just over a decade, the Fire Saber Tribe had once again thrived and prospered, with its people¡¯s morale extremely high.


    By the end of the same year, Hua Wen successfully advanced to Foundation Establishment.


    Just as Hua Wen excitedly entered the Shenglong Cave Mansion to bring the good news to Zhao Sheng, he discovered that his father had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only a large number of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and a cave full of Jade Dishware and secret manuals.


    ¡­


    Three hundred miles outside Sky Fox City, above a breathtakingly beautiful lake, floated a magnificent and splendid palace.


    At that time, in the largest hall of the palace, Zhao Sheng was leisurely seated behind a Jade Table, holding a Nine-Colored Cup and slowly savoring the White Hairs Treasure Tea.


    ¡°Hee hee, Shenglong, I am a bit late! You must not be angry!¡±


    With a laugh that could enchant all beings, a pink light suddenly rose from inside the hall, emitting waves of a soul-hooking, enchanting fragrance.


    Suddenly, the brilliance dissipated and a pink palace robe spread out, covering most of the jade steps.


    Above the jade steps, a graceful and soft figure lazily reclined on the Jade Couch, stretching out a pair of jade feet beyond her skirt, slender and exquisitely clear.


    Zhao Sheng seemed to ignore the sacred and enchanting countenance, and with an indifferent expression, he said, ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter! As long as the Fairy can trade a few more pounds of White Hairs, even waiting for three days would be delightful for me.¡±


    The Fox Fairy¡¯s eyes sparkled, and waving her sleeves, she immediately sat upright, smiling and said, ¡°Shenglong, they say you are as unfeeling as wood! Yet you have married a bunch of mediocrities. They say you are romantic and sentimental, yet you are completely uninterested in me. Tell me, what kind of person are you really? Am I not a match for you?¡±


    Saying this, the Fox Fairy¡¯s eyes were like water, nodding and lowering her brows in a sorrowful and tearful disposition.


    Little did she know, this act could not move Zhao Sheng¡¯s ¡°iron heart¡± in the least.


    ¡°Senior invites me here, is it just to tease me?¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Fox Fairy¡¯s expression tightened and returned to calm, seriously saying, ¡°Shenglong Taoist friend, over these twenty years, our interactions have been plenty, and we have come to understand each other well. I have a tremendously advantageous offer here, would you be interested?¡±


    Oh!


    Zhao Sheng looked up upon hearing this, interestedly saying, ¡°I would like to hear more details?¡±


    The Fox Fairy smiled slightly in satisfaction, then began to speak of this excellent affair.


    ¡­


    After a moment, the Fox Fairy finished speaking and immediately asked, ¡°Shenglong, now that you have been informed of this matter, what are your thoughts?¡±


    Zhao Sheng fell silent, appearing to contemplate the issue.


    But in reality, he was thinking about another matter concerning his very life.


    The Fox Fairy¡¯s suggestion of searching for treasures in the Divine Ruins suddenly reminded him of something.


    In the Mingye Realm, he would never be able to escape the Heavenly Dao.


    But what if¡­ he left this realm?


    Thinking this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but show a hint of excitement in his eyes and immediately nodded, saying, ¡°Such an opportunity, how could Sheng possibly miss it! I just wonder when we shall depart? I believe the sooner, the better.¡±


    Seeing this reaction from him, the Fox Fairy¡¯s heart relaxed, and her delicate face instantly bloomed like a fairy of flora overwhelming all the rest. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Taoist friend, do not hurry. The arrival of the Nether Night Season will be our time to depart.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s more than two months away! Sheng has just enough time to prepare thoroughly.¡±


    ¡­


    Two months passed in a blink of an eye.


    That day, the dual suns suddenly dimmed, the vast Netherworld Star was gradually swallowed by ¡°darkness,¡± the heavenly curtain was tainted with darkness, and soon the whole earth fell into darkness.


    On that day, a gold and a pink tunneling light suddenly pierced through the dark heavenly curtain, and from afar to near, like two meteors, they flickered a few times and then descended into a grand and magnificent palace.


    ¡°Haha, three hundred years apart, and the Fairy is still as beautiful and enchanting. Old Liu has missed you terribly.¡±


    Upon entering the palace, a robust laugh suddenly resounded in their ears.


    Zhao Sheng looked over and saw four Nascent Soul Ancestors presiding in the hall.


    The person speaking was a young ¡°Young Master¡± with a sinister appearance. This person¡¯s hair and beard were faintly blue, emitting a pale blue radiance, and his body was enveloped in abundant, surging Water Vapor, clearly an expert in the Water Technique.


    ¡°River Lord Fu You! This person has been brought here as well!¡± Zhao Sheng was startled to see him.


    Then, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze quickly swept over the other three individuals, recognizing their identities from their physical features.


    The old man with blood eyes on his forehead was the Left Protector of the Netherworld God Sect.


    The one who looked like withered wood, seemingly on the brink of death, but with vitality surging to burst forth, was none other than the Qingmu Monster from the Tree Charm tribe.


    When he saw the last person sitting next to the Qingmu Monster, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart suddenly skipped a beat.


    This person was cloaked in a black robe, with no sign of life force, resembling a dead corpse, but from beneath the cloak stretched out a bowl-thick, grayish-blue tentacle, the end of which had a fist-sized head with a flat, devoid of eyes and nose, only a mouth with uneven sharp teeth.


    ¡°This¡­ could it possibly be the Mushroom Mother from the Corpse Mushroom tribe?¡±


    Seeing the anxious expressions of the Wang sisters, Zhao Sheng smiled slightly and said, ¡°I will handle the perfume making, and you will handle the sales. Profits will be split evenly between us.¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡± Wang Yu Yan blurted out.


    Zhao Sheng calmly said, ¡°There¡¯s nothing impossible! I think you would also prefer not to let your family know about this perfume thing.¡±


    At that moment, he had firmly grasped the situation.


    After all, the Wang sisters were quite naive, and Zhao Sheng easily saw through their thoughts.


    ¡°How did you guess?¡±


    Upon hearing Zhao Sheng exposing their purpose, Wang Yu Yan¡¯s face drastically changed.


    Zhao Sheng felt it was no longer appropriate to provoke them further, lest it backfire.


    He explained, ¡°If the Wang Family knew about this, I don¡¯t think it would have been you two coming here today..¡±


    It was then that the Wang sisters realized, they had indeed exposed such a major flaw.


    Coming back to her senses, Wang Yu Yan seriously said, ¡°Half the profits are too much, let¡¯s split twenty-eighty, you take twenty.¡±

 Chapter 463 - 313: Divine Ruins Meteor Sea

    Chapter 463: Chapter 313: Divine Ruins Meteor Sea


    ¡°Fox Fairy, the helper you found doesn¡¯t look very reliable, huh? Could it be another one of your distinguished guests?¡±


    As soon as Zhao Sheng finished speaking, River Lord Fu You immediately mocked with a touch of sarcastic humor.


    ¡°Hehe, none of your business! I do as I please.¡±


    No one expected the Fox Fairy, seemingly as lovely as a celestial being, to suddenly blurt out a vulgar phrase so unexpectedly.


    Seeing this, the Blood-eyed Elder immediately said in a deep voice, ¡°Alright, the important matters take precedence, let¡¯s not spoil our relationship over trifles. Shenglong, Fox Fairy, please take your seats quickly!¡±


    Hmph!


    With a cold snort, the River Lord sat back down.


    Zhao Sheng took a deep look at this person, outwardly frivolous and giving to jest, but in truth, scheming and unfathomably shrewd.


    The words just now were nothing more than an act.


    After Zhao Sheng and his companion were seated, the Blood-eyed Elder, as the host, courteously introduced the other companions, especially to Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng also greeted everyone without lacking manners.


    Among the group, it was the Demon Tooth Mushroom Mother who was especially aloof and taciturn, not even uttering a word, merely shaking her strange tentacles twice as a form of response.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t find it strange, as beings of the Corpse Mushroom Clan lacked human emotions and desires and were inherently cold and brutal, governed by the desire to reproduce and feed.


    The Six Great Nascent Soul Ancestors were all gathered for a clear purpose: to seek treasure in the Divine Ruins.


    Everyone knew this before coming, so there was no need to elaborate further.


    However, some things needed to be addressed upfront.


    ¡°Everyone, the Divine Ruins are billions of miles away from the Netherworld God Realm. My Lanyang Palace can only travel a million miles a day, which means the journey alone will take five years, and the Spirit Stones consumed en route will be astronomical. I can¡¯t afford that myself. Why don¡¯t we discuss and decide how much each person should contribute in Spirit Stones?¡±


    ¡°Blood Eyes, how many slots of Spirit Stones will it take for one trip? Can you give us a number?¡±


    River Lord, ever the perfect straight man in a comedy duo, naturally took the initiative to ask.


    Once one reached the Nascent Soul Realm, the discussion of Low-grade Spirit Stones would never be by the piece but by the slot instead, with one slot of Spirit Stones equaling one hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones, or ten Top-grade Spirit Stones.


    The Blood-eyed Elder immediately raised two fingers and calmly said, ¡°Fifty slots! No less.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was momentarily stunned, his heart skipping a beat.


    Fifty slots of Spirit Stones? That¡¯s the equivalent of five hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones!


    He thought of his lifetime¡¯s savings, which all converted wouldn¡¯t amount to more than five or six hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones, and if in terms of Top-grade Spirit Stones, not even ten.


    Just for a one-way trip to the Divine Ruins, he would have to burn through his entire fortune!


    ¡°Not too much! Then, I will contribute ten slots! But on one condition, I will not be bothered to keep watch during the journey,¡± River Lord, still in his element, was the first to offer.


    Seeing this, the Fox Fairy laughed and said, ¡°I¡¯ll also put up ten slots. In addition, since Blood Eyes is providing the Lanyang Palace, it¡¯s only fair that he doesn¡¯t have to contribute any Spirit Stones.¡± S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Twenty slots! Consider it for both myself and Demon Teeth.¡±


    Zhao Sheng saw the others behaving as if it was nothing significant and inwardly expressed his utter amazement.


    Today was indeed a day of eye-opening experiences!


    Are all the Nascent Souls in the Netherworld God Realm this extravagant?


    In truth, Zhao Sheng was somewhat off the mark.


    Not all Nascent Soul Ancestors are so extravagant; there are many ¡°poor¡± ones like him.


    He had overlooked the most important point: all of them had the powerful support of a large force behind them.


    Zhao Sheng, however, was a Loose Cultivator who had just ascended to the Nascent Soul Realm a few years ago¡ªa rookie.


    Then, seeing the others¡¯ gazes turning towards him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression became somewhat hesitant.


    Beside him, as if anticipating his reaction, the Fox Fairy immediately spoke up to defuse the situation, ¡°The remaining ten slots, I¡¯ll cover for Shenglong.¡±


    After saying that, she looked at Zhao Sheng with a teasing glance, ¡°Shenglong, you must protect me if we encounter any dangers, okay?¡±


    ¡°Hmm!¡± Zhao Sheng nodded calmly, but his thoughts were racing.


    Half a day later, the protective light shield of the majestic Lanyang Palace suddenly shone brighter, resembling a dazzling ball of light, with the shield¡¯s strength swiftly increasing tenfold.


    After that, the Lanyang Palace began to move slowly into the dark Void, its speed picking up from slow to fast,


    In the blink of an eye, it accelerated a thousandfold, trailing specks of Radiance, and turned into a Meteor as it dashed lightning-quick towards the boundless Void Sea.


    Compared with the world teeming with numerous life forms and a riot of colors, the main palette of the Outer Void Sea was one of eerie silence, desolation, extreme cold, and darkness.


    The vastness of the Outer Void Sea was infinite. It was a place far more desolate and dangerous than the Death Desert.


    Here, the extremely harsh environment was just the basic test. Having the strength of the Nascent Soul Realm was merely the basic requirement for survival.


    Even more perilous was the presence of countless mysterious, bizarre, and unknown entities lurking in the blackness, ready to be encountered at any moment.


    However, even the most basic conditions of the Outer Void were too much for Cultivators below the Nascent Soul Realm to endure for long.


    Those in the Qi Refining Realm wouldn¡¯t last more than a hundred breaths before being killed by the extreme cold of the vacuum.


    ¡­


    Half a year later,


    On the terrace of the Lanyang Palace, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged, expanding his Divine Thought to its maximum, reaching out over a hundred miles.


    But in the Void Sea, such a range of detection was as good as being blind.


    In navigating the Void Sea, high-level detection formations are a must.


    The Lanyang Palace was equipped with the Ten Thousand Mile Heavenly Eye Formation, capable of sensing movements up to ten thousand miles away.


    Of course, this wasn¡¯t anything to boast about.

 Chapter 464 - 313: Divine Ruins Meteor Sea_2

    Chapter 464: Chapter 313: Divine Ruins Meteor Sea_2


    In the boundless Void Sea, compared to the astronomical numbers that usually count in light years, a billion miles and ten thousand miles are just nothing.


    Traveling along this path, billions of miles of void had been left behind, and Zhao Sheng felt his vision immensely broadened, his knowledge growing day by day.


    Not to mention the Divine Ruins, just witnessing the vastness of the Outer Void Sea made Zhao Sheng feel this trip was worthwhile.


    However, what excited him even more was that, as he gradually moved away from the Netherworld God Realm, the Heart Demon in his Divine Soul became less active, and the Heavenly Dao Blood Face even showed signs of instability, becoming slightly blurred.


    ¡°Indeed, once I leave the Netherworld God Realm, the Heavenly Dao Curse will start to weaken bit by bit,¡± Zhao Sheng thought joyfully.


    Boom!


    Just then, a three-zhang-wide Light Cloud suddenly exploded on the Light Shield outside Lanyang Palace, rippling slightly on the surface and flickering twice.


    Boom boom boom!


    The next second, numerous Light Clouds erupted continuously on the surface of the shield, like a calm lake suddenly being intensively hit by rain, splashing dense clusters of water, causing the shield to flash wildly and ripple out in circles.


    ¡°Attention, attention! We¡¯ve encountered a meteor dust attack! It¡¯s very small in scale, but the largest meteor is eight inches in diameter. Danger level three, please increase the strength of your support! Qingmu, activate the Defensive Array to third-tier!¡±


    At this moment, the Divine Thought of the Blood-eyed Elder suddenly arrived, and Zhao Sheng skillfully formed a spell seal, a Great Sun suddenly emerging from behind him.


    Immediately afterward, nearly a hundred True Fire Balls, as large as heads, flashed out from the Great Sun, actively targeting meteor dust particles barely larger than grains of rice.


    The Outer Void Sea is just that dangerous!


    With sufficient speed enhancing it, a meteor the size of a grain of rice could cause damage comparable to a self-destructing Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    In the past six months, Zhao Sheng and his group had encountered three meteor dust attacks.


    Each time, they had easily intercepted them.


    But one could imagine that as they got closer to the Divine Ruins, things like this would become more frequent and more severe.


    ¡­


    Three years later, there was still half a year¡¯s journey to the Divine Ruins.


    But through the faintly refracted starlight ahead, a vast, boundless Meteor Sea was already dimly visible.


    ¡°Fox Fairy, watch out, you missed a Big Void Ghost on your side!¡±


    ¡°Sheng Long, come here quickly! Give me a big fireball right away!¡±


    ¡°Attention! Take down that Void Ghost King first. Demon Teeth, join forces with this old man¡­¡±


    At this moment, the Light Shield outside Lanyang Palace was crawling with dense, murky shadows.


    Most shadows seemed to have no fixed form, constantly twisting and writhing, like clusters of clawing, dancing sludge monsters.


    But a few shadows had solidified into specific forms, mostly humanoid, though some were indescribable terrifying shapes. These solid-formed shadows generally possessed powers ranging from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core.


    The species known as Void Ghosts were but one of the most common types of Void Life in the Outer Void Sea, individually weak but countless in number.


    At this time, surrounded by Lanyang Palace, Zhao Sheng and the others had their Magic Light glowing around them, all Nascent Soul Domains fully activated, displaying Divine Skills as they focused on slaughtering each solid-formed Void Ghost.


    An hour later, Lanyang Palace finally struggled out of the Void Ghost Ocean.


    With light flashing continuously, the palace transformed into a bolt of lightning, speeding away into the distance.


    ¡­


    In the Void, time is unknown.


    In a plain and elegant secret chamber deep within Lanyang Palace, Zhao Sheng held two top-grade spirit stones, his body emanating bursts of golden light, streams of pure Spiritual Power continuously pouring into his Dantian, rapidly Refining into strands of white Mana to replenish his depleted Dantian.


    Above the Dantian, three sides of the Great Sun were slightly dim but still cast a beam of light onto a Nascent Soul Magic Body that was just about an inch tall.


    This Nascent Soul Magic Body¡¯s chest and abdomen protruded a thumb-sized human face, which, upon closer inspection, looked exactly like Zhao Sheng.


    All three beams of light converged on this face. From time to time, a wisp of black vapor would steam off the face¡¯s surface.


    But as soon as the black vapor appeared, it was burned away by the light beams.


    Half an hour later, the secret chamber suddenly trembled slightly, and Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a relaxed smile on his face.


    ¡°Have we finally reached the Divine Ruins?¡± he murmured to himself as he stood up,


    Then, with a flash of light, he disappeared directly from the chamber. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng appeared on the terrace of Lanyang Palace; the others had already been standing there.


    Upon seeing him, the Fox Fairy smiled and quickly waved, ¡°Sheng Long, you¡¯re a step late. Take a look! The Divine Ruins Meteor Sea is immensely spectacular.¡±


    ¡°I was just cultivating,¡±


    Zhao Sheng casually explained, and raised his head to gaze ahead, his spirit suddenly jolted.


    Underneath the boundless starry sky, countless meteors slowly rotated, and the Meteorite Sea stretched endlessly, meandering through the void.


    Facing such a vast phenomenon, one felt incredibly insignificant!


    River Lord Fu You, seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s shocked expression, couldn¡¯t help but tease him, ¡°Sheng Long, do you need to be so surprised? Wait until we enter the Divine Ruins. There will be so many meteorites that you¡¯ll get sick of them. Compared to this, you should be more careful about your life. The Divine Ruins are extremely dangerous!¡±


    Zhao Sheng casually replied, ¡°Thanks for the reminder, River Lord! I will remember that.¡±


    ¡°By the way, when do we leave?¡±


    At that moment, the Blood-eyed Elder said gravely, ¡°Wait another two months. We¡¯ll leave when the twin suns move over the Divine Ruins. That will be the best opportunity to enter.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, of course, had no objections.


    After all, the other party was a significant figure from the Netherworld God Sect, whose generations of exploration experience far surpassed his as an outsider.


    Zhao Sheng had also learned quite a bit about the Divine Ruins.


    This expanse of meteorite sea was vast beyond measure, many times larger than the Netherworld God Realm, filled with countless meteorites.


    Some of these meteorites bore traces of man-made structures, and very few still preserved intact ancient relics.


    It was said that the Divine Ruins were a special relic formed from the collapse of a great world.


    Externally, it resembled the environment of the Void Sea with not a trace of Spiritual Energy, but as one moved deeper, traces of Spiritual Energy would gradually emerge, and the closer one got to the core area of the Meteorite Sea, the denser the concentration of Spiritual Energy would become.


    However, proportionately, the level of danger also increased exponentially.


    Similarly, the closer one was to the core area, the more and better-preserved relics would be found on the meteorites, along with more Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and relic secret treasures.


    This was a land filled with infinite treasures, where danger and fortune coexisted, and death lurked like a shadow!


    Two months quickly passed by,


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit had been adjusted to its peak, and his Storage Space Seal was filled with a massive amount of talismans and elixir pills.


    As one large and one small sun slowly tore through the dark void, casting endless rays of light over the Meteorite Sea,


    the prepared Six Major Nascent Souls burst forth from Lanyang Palace, transforming into six rainbows that shot into the meteor swarm like lightning.


    After a few flashes, the group was quickly hidden by the meteors and disappeared into the vast sea of stones.


    ¡­


    After entering the Divine Ruins, time seemed to lose its meaning.


    Initially, Zhao Sheng found everything very novel, and he was somewhat nervous.


    However, after a few days when one desolate and dead meteor after another swept past him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze quickly became bored, and just as quickly turned indifferent.


    In front of these timeless meteorites, six individuals who could shake the Nine Demon Continent by stomping their foot felt like utterly insignificant ants, with lives too fleeting, almost instantaneously snuffed out.


    Fortunately, these ¡°ants¡± possessed the power to overturn seas and rivers. Faced with meteor fragments that attacked at any moment, they were still able to deftly avoid each one.


    All kinds of sudden dangers along the way were unable to stop the advance of this group of Nascent Soul powerhouses.


    More than a month later, Zhao Sheng and the others had flown over ten million miles.


    In the Outer Void, because there were no factors like atmospheric gravity to slow them down, their tunneling light speed was more than a hundred times faster than when in the realm.


    If not for needing to avoid sudden dangers, their speed could have been even faster.


    After dodging a piece of meteorite debris, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Thoughts were gently touched, and then a message surged into his mind: ¡°Sheng Long, head to that dead meteor ahead and rest for a while.¡±


    Upon hearing this command, Zhao Sheng¡¯s numb expression abruptly moved, revealing a hint of joy.


    Even a Nascent Soul Ancestor, after observing desolate and dead scenes for over a month and being constantly on guard against various sudden dangers, would feel as mentally exhausted as he did.

 Chapter 465 - 314 Starlight Guidance

    Chapter 465: Chapter 314 Starlight Guidance


    At the end of the vast Meteorite Sea, the double sun¡¯s afterglow was gradually blocked by endless meteorites.


    As the last glimmer of radiance was devoured by darkness, six streaks of tunneling light, either green, red, or black, suddenly swept in from afar and landed like meteors on a desolate meteorite the size of a mountain range.


    When the tunneling light dissipated and the flame light converged back to their bodies, Zhao Sheng with a calm expression landed on a protruding rock pillar, while Fox Fairy, Qing Mu Monster, Blood Eyes, and others also landed on nearby chaotic rock pillars.


    Zhao Sheng waved his sleeve, unleashing an invisible surge of mana that swept away the surrounding dust.


    He sat down cross-legged, took out a Returning Vitality Pill and swallowed it, about to meditate and restore his mana, when the cold and stern voice of the Blood-eyed Elder reached his ears, ¡°Fellow Daoists, in a day or two, we will enter the Mystical Spirit Domain. The danger level in the Mystical Spirit Domain needs no explanation. I hope everyone remains vigilant so that we don¡¯t suffer casualties before reaching our destination.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, Blood Eyes!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    ¡°Heh, the Mystical Spirit Domain isn¡¯t the Black Abyss Domain, what¡¯s there to fear!¡±


    ¡°With the power of the six of us, as long as we don¡¯t encounter those old folks from the Netherworld, walking sideways through the Mystical Spirit Domain should be a breeze!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, as long as we support each other, crossing the Mystical Spirit Domain shouldn¡¯t be difficult.¡±


    Hearing the others speak up, Zhao Sheng silently nodded and casually replied.


    According to ancient books, the Divine Ruins are divided from the outside to the inside into four major parts: the No Spirit Domain, Mystical Spirit Domain, Black Abyss Domain, and the most dangerous Mixed Hole Realm.


    The outermost layer, extending about ten million miles in a ring-shaped region, is known as the No Spirit Domain, where there are countless meteorites and star dust but not a trace of Spiritual Energy.


    Moving inward from the No Spirit Domain is the Mystical Spirit Domain, spanning roughly ten million to thirty million miles. Starting from this region, Spiritual Energy begins to manifest, generally increasing in concentration the closer it gets to the Black Abyss Domain.


    The exact scope of the Black Abyss Domain is unclear, but it spans at least six million miles. Deep within the meteorite sea of this domain, eternal darkness prevails without a glimpse of starlight, and the environment is extremely complex and chaotic, posing a high level of danger even for Nascent Souls who struggle to stay long.


    The Black Abyss Domain is rich in Outer Heaven Mysterious Essence and has a higher average density of Spiritual Energy than the core of a third-rank Spirit Vein. This domain has historically produced many high-level Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, coveted by Nascent Souls and Divinity Transformation True Monarchs alike.


    As for the Mixed Hole Realm, Zhao Sheng had only heard of it by name and knew almost nothing about it.


    Just then, River Earl Fu You suddenly transmitted aloud, ¡°Blood Eyes Fellow Daoist, how much farther is it to the Seven Stars Spirit Realm you mentioned before? Is it within the Mystical Spirit Domain?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Thought stirred, and his eyes immediately turned towards the Blood-eyed Elder.


    Just then, the blood pupil at the Elder¡¯s brow suddenly erupted in a wisp of crimson flame.


    Zhao Sheng was also extremely curious about the Seven Stars Spirit Mirror. Previously, Fox Fairy had also mentioned this spiritual realm in vague terms, noting that not only were there many treasures, but it also contained secrets of Divinity Transformation and Ascension.


    At that time, he was trying to escape from the Mingye Realm, quickly agreeing to join without much thought.


    The Blood-eyed Elder swept his gaze over the others, pausing briefly on Zhao Sheng before moving on.


    The next second, a ripple of Divine Thought passed, and Zhao Sheng suddenly heard the cold voice of Blood Eyes in his mind, ¡°I don¡¯t know much about the Seven Stars Spirit Realm, but it should not exceed the Mystical Spirit Domain. Guided by the Seven Star Ruyi, it will take at most ten years to locate its position.¡±


    As this thought fell, Zhao Sheng saw that a White Jade Ruyi, emitting a faint spirit light with seven brilliant, star-like strange stones embedded, appeared in the hands of the Blood-eyed Elder.


    The Blood-eyed Elder poured a stream of mana into the Seven Star Ruyi, then entered several Spell Seals continuously. Instantly, the seven star stones on the Ruyi burst forth a dazzling starlight¡­


    Suddenly,


    a wispy, pale blue starlight shot from the end of the Ruyi into the unknown depths of the Meteor Sea, extending endlessly into the dark void, its destination unknown.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered, and under the cover of his Divine Thought, the others also immediately brightened, their gazes focused on the Seven Star Ruyi.


    A breath later, Qing Mu Monster suddenly spoke in a mocking tone, ¡°River Earl, are you satisfied now? Blood Eyes has been close to you for nearly a thousand years. Do you also distrust him?¡±


    ¡°Heh, Qingmu, don¡¯t try to stir up trouble between me and Blood Eyes. I haven¡¯t played these tricks for two thousand years.¡±


    ¡°Enough, let¡¯s not ruin the harmony. Better to meditate and adjust our breaths quickly!¡±


    With Fox Fairy stepping in to mediate, Qingmu and the River Earl stopped their verbal sparring, and the scene quickly quieted down.


    Zhao Sheng coldly observed this ¡°farce,¡± suddenly forming some speculations in his mind.


    Suddenly,


    his gaze secretly shifted to the most taciturn Demon Tooth Mushroom Mother, his eyes flashing with a trace of unusual color.


    The group rested for a long time, until bit by bit the double suns rose above the Divine Ruins, and the Great Sun¡¯s radiance spread anew across the Meteor Sea, with six tunneling lights rising from the meteorite and speeding like meteors deeper into the Meteor Sea.


    ¡­


    Two days later, the group burst through a gray, dusty Star Nebula.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly shuddered all over, his pupils involuntarily narrowing slightly.


    At that moment, he sensed thin yet unmistakable traces of Spiritual Energy in the surrounding void.


    It must be said, the universe¡¯s mysteries are incomprehensible. In such a void meteorite field, Spiritual Energy that only the Origin world would possess could actually manifest.


    No wonder many True Monarch Secret Scrolls of the Netherworld God Realm had mentioned a hypothesis: the Divine Ruins were once a grand world, and remnants of an Origin Star Core still exist in the deepest parts of the Mixed Hole Realm. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 466 - 314 Starlight Guidance_2

    Chapter 466: Chapter 314 Starlight Guidance_2


    However, Zhao Sheng quickly recollected his spirit, and the range of his Divine Thought expanded further, radiating through the twenty-mile void around him as he quietly heightened his vigilance.


    Due to the unique Spiritual Energy environment of the Mystical Spirit Domain, various Void Sea Creatures thrive within it. Creature herds were common, but there were also formidable solitary creatures.


    ¡­


    As two suns rose and set, three more cycles of light and darkness passed.


    One day, just as everyone had narrowly avoided a swath of haphazard meteorites, the space before them suddenly cleared, revealing an expanse of sparsely distributed meteorites and a vast emptiness.


    ¡°Quick, look over there!¡±


    Following the disturbances in his Divine Thought, Zhao Sheng turned his head to the left, his eye twitching involuntarily.


    He saw that a thousand miles away in the darkness, an olive-shaped meteorite with a diameter of over eight hundred miles was slowly drifting towards them. Reflecting the radiance of the Great Sun, its surface gleamed with blinding golden light.


    This Star Meteor was predominantly composed of Gold, a true Golden Star.


    It was a veritable miracle!


    Such a massive golden celestial body could not possibly form in the Netherworld God Realm; only the vast Universe could give birth to something so inconceivable. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just then, a multitude of golden lights flew up from the Golden Star, covering a thousand miles of Void with their range, and were unexpectedly reflected by pairs of wings. Below the wings were gargantuan beasts resembling hugely magnified pangolins, each more than sixty feet in length.


    A quick count revealed over ten thousand of these Golden creatures, each exuding an aura not less mighty than that of a Third-rank Demon Beast.


    ¡°Not good!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat upon seeing this, and his form instantly turned into a blaze of light as he flew to the Fox Fairy¡¯s side, quickly transmitting: ¡°Fairy, let¡¯s watch each other¡¯s backs.¡±


    At that moment, the Blood-eyed Elder¡¯s frantic message came: ¡°Those are the Golden Winged Tiger Armored Beasts, not to be confronted by force! While the King Beast is still hidden, quickly avoid them.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed upon hearing this, just in time to see the Blood-eyed Elder transform into a burst of blood light, fleeing desperately into the distance.


    He quickly stomped his foot down, shooting out thick golden light from beneath, transforming into a bolt of lightning, and disappearing in a flash. When he reappeared, he had teleported a thousand feet away.


    With a series of flashes,


    Zhao Sheng closely followed the trail of blood light, escaping deep into the dark Void.


    At the same time, the Fox Fairy, the Qing Mu Monster, and others also displayed their Divine Skills, each transforming into light to escape.


    After fleeing for more than twenty thousand miles, Zhao Sheng and his party finally succeeded in escaping the territory of the Golden Winged Tiger Armored Beasts and the pursuit.


    ¡­


    Half a day later,


    Amidst a field of meteorites, numerous dismembered limbs and carcasses floated quietly in the Void.


    At that time, five hundred-foot-long rainbow lights rampaged among a group of spherical Black Claw Beasts, leaving trails of blood and gusts of foul wind wherever they went.


    In a short time, a blood-colored tunneling light suddenly rose from a meteorite below, swiftly joining up with Zhao Sheng and his group.


    ¡°Heavenly Marrow is obtained, let¡¯s go!¡± the Blood-eyed Elder happily transmitted to the group.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression brightened upon hearing this; Heavenly Marrow was a high-level heavenly treasure that could both help increase Divine Thought and heal Divine Soul injuries.


    The Blood-eyed Elder and the Fox Fairy transformed into lights and fled, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body surged with golden flame, about to follow them.


    But as he was about to move, he happened to ¡°see¡± the Demon Tooth Mushroom Mother, robed in black, suddenly sever a piece of its tentacle, which then shot into a Black Claw Beast as big as an elephant with lightning speed.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered for a moment, but he said nothing, instantly transforming into a golden light and vanishing in the blink of an eye¡­


    ¡­


    Two months later, one hundred thousand miles of Void had passed.


    A meteorite with a diameter of more than eighty feet, radiating specks of green light, gradually split apart under relentless bombardment, eventually revealing a core collection of variously sized pure green Spirit Jades.


    ¡°There are a total of eighteen pieces of Green Divine Jade, shall we divide them after finding a place to repair?¡±


    ¡°Agreed!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s do as Blood-eyed suggests!¡±


    ¡­


    Half a year later,


    The Blood-eyed Elder¡¯s brows were tightly furrowed as he held the Seven Star Ruyi in his right hand, a stream of starlight shooting from its end into the Void ahead.


    Zhao Sheng and the other four stood close by, their faces stern.


    No one had anticipated that the Seven Stars Spirit Mirror would be so difficult to find.


    Several months ago, Zhao Sheng and others had discovered that the guiding starlight would change with the passage of time.


    In other words, the Seven Stars Spirit Mirror didn¡¯t seem to be in a fixed location, but could move at any time.


    All signs suggested that this mysterious spirit mirror should be on an unknown meteorite, otherwise such a situation wouldn¡¯t occur.


    In just half a year, the direction of the starlight had undergone a one hundred and eighty-degree transformation.


    Could the spirit mirror have moved behind them? This inevitably raised great doubts.


    ¡°Blood Eyes, does your sect¡¯s records contain any information about the Seven Stars Spirit Mirror? And this Seven Star Ruyi, better let me take control of it!¡±


    Facing the predicament, Qingmu Monster bluntly challenged.


    ¡°Qingmu, impatience won¡¯t get you hot tofu! It¡¯s only been a year, what¡¯s the rush? Moreover, if the Seven Stars Spirit Mirror was so easy to find, it wouldn¡¯t be our turn!¡±


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly asked, ¡°Blood Eyes, your sect is one of the foremost powers in the Mingye Realm, with generation after generation of Divinity Transformation, you must be well-acquainted with the myriad Spirit Mirror ruins within the Divine Ruins.


    Now that we are all in the same boat, sharing life and death together. If you have any understanding of the Seven Star Spirit Realm, please tell us the truth.¡±


    The Blood-eyed Elder pondered for a moment and then transmitted, ¡°This Seven Star Ruyi was a chance discovery by the Fox Fairy, Qingmu, and me. I had to comb through the ancient scrolls in my sect to find a mention of this treasure in a tattered beast skin booklet, which turned out to be the key to the Seven Star Spirit Realm.


    As for the Seven Star Spirit Realm, there had been three predecessors in my sect who mentioned it in their personal records, but the realm is elusive, and without the key, it¡¯s virtually impossible to enter. Unfortunately, there are no related records in my sect, presumably because no one has been fortunate enough to enter that realm.¡±


    Hearing him speak so, the Fox Fairy couldn¡¯t help but feel a shade darker in her eyes, yet skepticism still lingered.


    Zhao Sheng fell silent for a moment, then suddenly proposed, ¡°Instead of chasing blindly, why not find a meteorite to settle down here and wait until the starlight changes direction again before we continue on our journey? How about that?¡±


    No sooner had he finished speaking than the River Lord clapped and laughed boisterously, ¡°Brilliant! Sheng Long is absolutely right! I agree with this proposal.¡±


    ¡°The idea is good! It¡¯s better to wait here than run around blindly. Otherwise, it would be unfortunate if we accidentally entered a dead end one day.¡±


    ¡°Heehee, this palace also agrees!¡±


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    At this point, even the Demon Tooth Mushroom Mother rarely nodded and hummed in agreement.


    Seeing that everyone was in agreement, the Blood-eyed Elder nodded too and replied, ¡°Alright then! Let¡¯s find a place to settle down first.¡±


    Sometime later, six tunneling lights swiftly flew toward a nearby meteorite about three miles in diameter.


    Soon, six cave mansions were taking shape.


    ¡­


    Since settling on the Star Meteor, Zhao Sheng and the others started a leisurely yet boring period.


    How the others spent their time is not the focus for now.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s schedule was packed. Aside from necessary meditation and regulation of his breath, most of his time was spent in silent, arduous cultivation, while also secretly suppressing and refining his Heart Demon.


    Located deep in the Divine Ruins, the influence of the Heavenly Dao of the Nether Night Realm on him had become extremely weak, offering Zhao Sheng a chance to breathe.


    Three months later, the Heavenly Dao Blood Face had been sealed by numerous Divine Thought Prohibitions, and nearly a quarter of the Devilish Thought of the Heart Demon had been refined.


    Meanwhile, his Divine Soul¡¯s injury significantly improved, with the strength of his Divine Thought recovering nearly eighty percent.


    During this period, the guiding starlight from the Seven Star Ruyi did indeed undergo some changes.


    ¡­


    A year later,


    Deep within the cave mansion, inside a chamber wrapped in layers of barriers, Zhao Sheng opened his eyes, which were filled with joy.


    After such a prolonged period of continuous refining, the Heart Demon had been almost completely eradicated.


    Although the Heart Demon couldn¡¯t be utterly rooted out due to the Heavenly Dao Blood Face, its impact on his Divine Soul had been reduced to the slightest.


    At this moment, both his Divine Thought and Mana had almost reached their optimal states.


    After a Break and Rebuild, Zhao Sheng was pleasantly surprised to find that his Divine Thought had significantly increased, and the Taiqing Nine Yang Technique had unknowingly broken through to the Five Yang Realm.


    With his Barbaric Ancient Battle Body, coupled with the Nine Yang Skill, Immortal Golden Body, and other enhancements,


    he¡¯d be a match for anyone in the Nascent Soul Middle Stage once he went all out.


    A moment later, the doors of the chamber burst open, and Zhao Sheng walked out, just as a wave of Divine Thought fluctuation suddenly expanded over, ¡°Shenglong, the starlight has finally shifted, come to me quickly!¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression brightened, and his figure flickered, vanishing from the spot in an instant.

 Chapter 467 - 315: Delving into the Celestial Body

    Chapter 467: Chapter 315: Delving into the Celestial Body


    Zhao Sheng hurried to the Blood-eyed Elder¡¯s cave mansion when Fox Fairy, Qing Mu Monster, River Lord Fu You, and Demon Tooth Mushroom Mother had already arrived ahead of him.


    At that time in the mansion, Blood-eyed stood in the center with a joyful expression, the starlight emitted from the Seven Star Ruyi in his hand indeed pointed towards the same direction as a year ago.


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng appear, Blood-eyed couldn¡¯t wait to announce, ¡°There¡¯s no time to delay, let us set off immediately!¡±


    ¡°I have been impatient for quite a while now.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡±


    The others concurred one after another, and Zhao Sheng also nodded along.


    Moments later, Six Escape Lights suddenly burst from the meteorite, leaping into the void, and then with a flash of light, turned into meteors, racing into the depths of the Divine Ruins.


    Along the way, countless meteorites and dust clouds were left trailing behind by the six of them.


    In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed, and Zhao Sheng, without sleep or rest and continuously crossing over millions of miles of the Meteor Sea, finally reached the depths of the Mystical Spirit Domain.


    Above a flat-shaped meteor that resembled a floating island, the six individuals stood suspended in the air, enveloped in a faint radiance.


    Lowering his head to check the direction pointed by the starlight, Blood-eyed Elder saw that the light was now directly below them.


    Seeing this, joy flickered across his face as he laughed loudly, ¡°Ha-ha! Effort rewards the committed! The Seven Star Spirit Realm is somewhere right underneath us.¡±


    Looking around at the densely packed meteorites, Zhao Sheng suddenly exclaimed, ¡°The concentration of spiritual energy here is so high! If this place were within a realm instead of the Outer Void, it would surely be a treasured land like Ling Mountain!¡±


    Hearing this, River Lord Fu You scoffed, ¡°Sheng Long, to think you¡¯d still be in the mood to lament these useless things. Even if the concentration of spiritual energy here is comparable to a Second Order Spiritual Vein, how many could actually arrive here alive like us? Rather than indulging in these daydreams here, better think about how to reach the Seven Star Spirit Realm as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°The River Lord makes a good point. Additionally, why don¡¯t we rest for a moment before setting off?¡± Qing Mu Monster said.


    ¡°That sounds good!¡± Blood-eyed instantly agreed.


    Fox Fairy and Demon Tooth Mushroom Mother also nodded their heads, having flown a half month continuously, while their spirits weren¡¯t weary, their mana was vastly drained.


    The six descended from the sky, landed on the meteorite, and each found a spot to start consuming pills and meditating.


    After consuming a Returning Vitality Pill, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and silently operated his cultivation technique to refine the medicinal power.


    A moment later, a faint wave of divine thought suddenly touched his divine thought, followed by Fox Fairy¡¯s voice entering his ears.


    Zhao Sheng maintained his state of meditation, secretly listening to the other¡¯s transmission. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After two breaths, he also communicated back using divine thoughts.


    Before long, four hours had passed, and Blood-eyed Elder rose first, with the others also opening their eyes and standing up.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    As soon as the words fell, Blood-eyed turned into a bundle of blood light, shooting towards the sky, and the others quickly followed with their tunneling light.


    ¡­


    The Divine Ruins is a vast Meteor Sea with a diameter of billions of miles, implying it is a loose meteor starscape with an up, down, left, and right concept.


    Before, although Zhao Sheng and others had crossed millions of miles of the Meteor Sea, they actually always ¡°floated on¡± the surface of the Meteor Sea and never truly penetrated deep inside it.


    Therefore, as the six later turned directions and gradually flew deeper into the Divine Ruins, the Great Sun¡¯s radiance was quickly blocked by numerous meteorites, and the surrounding void environment also quickly became pitch black, without a speck of light filtering through.


    Without visual aid, exploring solely by divine thought undoubtedly brought great inconvenience to everyone and added countless hidden dangers.


    To know, among them, Blood-eyed Elder had the strongest divine thought, yet his divine thought, focused into a straight line, had a maximum probing range of only a little over 500 miles.


    In the Divine Ruins, a meteor flying suddenly at high speed could cover hundreds to even thousands of miles in a single breath.


    With such rapid flight speeds, often Zhao Sheng and the others were caught off guard.


    If they were accidentally hit, even the strength of the Nascent Soul Realm would likely not be enough.


    However, these suddenly incoming meteors were not the most dangerous.


    The greatest threats to Zhao Sheng and others turned out to be those seemingly insignificant sand-sized small stones and dust particles visible to the naked eye.


    It¡¯s hard for ordinary people to imagine that in a void environment, a grain of sand reaching supersonic speeds could explode with unimaginable terrifying destructive power.


    Only by really delving deep into this dark, lightless Meteor Sea can you realize that in the Outer Void, the Nascent Soul Realm is nothing at all.


    As they descended, due to various sudden accidents, the progress of Zhao Sheng and others greatly slowed down.


    Before long,


    Distracted for a moment, Qing Mu Monster was struck by a thumb-sized meteor, breaking his Protective Light Shield and almost tearing his torso in two.


    Fortunately, Qing Mu Monster specialized in the Wood Element and had abnormal level life force, managing a limb regeneration on the spot.


    This astonished Zhao Sheng and made him warily cautious of this person.


    The six groped their way forward in the dark, stumbling along and encountering many unexpected traps.


    After Qing Mu Monster, both Fox Fairy and River Lord Fu You were successively injured.


    The group had to temporarily halt, waiting for the two to heal their injuries.


    Fortunately, during the healing, the starlight changed direction once again.


    After waiting more than a year, the group regrouped and resumed their pursuit.


    ¡­


    Time flies, years flow like a river.


    The guiding starlight unconsciously changed direction five times, and ten years passed in the pursuit.


    In a pink light cloud, Fox Fairy, appearing numb, flew forward.

 Chapter 468 - 315: Delving into the Celestial Body_2

    Chapter 468: Chapter 315: Delving into the Celestial Body_2


    Suddenly, at that moment, she heard a shout by her ear, ¡°Stop!¡±


    Suddenly,


    the six tunneling lights halted at the sound, and everyone turned to look at Zhao Sheng, who had spoken.


    Zhao Sheng, wearing a look of surprise, transmitted his message, ¡°Have you noticed? Since a short while ago, the concentration of Spiritual Energy has significantly increased?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, Sheng Long, will you ever stop? Hasn¡¯t the concentration of Spiritual Energy been rising continuously for the past three years?¡± River Lord retorted irritably after hearing this.


    The fruitless pursuit over so many years had already drained much of everyone¡¯s energy, filling their hearts with frustration, just waiting for an opportunity to vent.


    River Lord took this moment to vent his anger as well.


    ¡°No, this increase is too abnormal. The concentration of Spiritual Energy here now matches that of the core of a Third-rank Spirit Vein, but just a moment ago, it was barely equivalent to a Third-rank Spirit Vein,¡± Zhao Sheng immediately countered.


    Reminded by him, everyone suddenly realized, and Fox Fairy, overwhelmed with joy, hastily said, ¡°Does this mean we are close to the Seven Star Spirit Realm?¡±


    ¡°Very likely! Hehe, we finally see dawn approaching,¡± Qingmu Monster chuckled with a strange laugh, his deeply wrinkled face even blushing slightly.


    Seeing this, Blood-eyed Elder immediately cast several spells on the Seven Star Ruyi, and the glow of the Ruyi intensified, with the star lines at its end becoming exceptionally bright and thick.


    ¡°Haha! We can finally see the True Face of the Seven Star Spirit Realm!¡±


    Upon seeing this, Blood Eyes laughed heartily and, with a flicker of his figure, transformed into a bolt of blood-red lightning and dashed downward.


    Zhao Sheng and the others also transformed into light and pursued him.


    Two days later, the group had traveled about eight thousand li and finally reached a grand and bizarre place.


    Beneath them, within the densely packed Meteorite Sea, there lay an ¡°empty¡± area nearly one hundred thousand li in size.


    In the center of the empty area, seven ¡°stars¡± sparkled brilliantly in the dark void, strikingly enveloped in a large swath of colorful nebula.


    These seven big stars were divided into two big and five small ones; the two large stars were about two thousand li apart from each other, one bright and one dark, both roughly a thousand li in diameter, occupying the central void.


    The five smaller stars, around one hundred li in size each, orbited around the two central big stars, moving slowly along an invisible curved line.


    Upon seeing this strange and grand scene, Fox Fairy blurted out the next second, ¡°Yin yang and the Five Elements! It¡¯s actually¡­ actually a naturally formed Yin Yang Five Elements Great Array!¡±


    ¡°No, this place definitely wasn¡¯t formed by cosmic forces; it must have been crafted by some unimaginably powerful entity.¡±


    ¡°Indeed! This must certainly be the Seven Star Spirit Realm. The predecessor with such immense power is indeed wor-thy of our admiration!¡±


    ¡°Haha, what are we waiting for? Let¡¯s go in! Blood Eyes, would you quickly open the Seven Star Spirit Realm?¡±


    As everyone marveled and excited, an odd thought suddenly occurred to Zhao Sheng, ¡°The concentration of Spiritual Energy here is approaching Fifth Rank. If any living being survives here, what terrifying level of strength must it possess!¡±


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng once again fixed his gaze on those seven ¡°stars.¡±


    The seven stars were covered with pits and depressions, large and small, desolate and silent, also lacking an atmosphere, similar to ordinary meteors.


    However, the surfaces of these seven star meteors were completely covered in a thick layer of crystalline gravel.


    Under the illumination of the colorful and brilliant light, these crystal-like gravel refracted dazzling and eerie lights.


    ¡°Everyone, please wait; let this old man cast a spell first.¡± At this moment, Blood-eyed Elder spoke, drawing everyone¡¯s attention.


    Zhao Sheng turned his gaze towards him, only to see him muttering under his breath, his right hand lightly tossing, and the Seven Star Ruyi suddenly flew up into the void, bursting with brilliance.


    Blood Eyes continuously formed spells with his hands, casting countless trails of blood-colored Spirit Light into the Seven Star Ruyi.


    Gradually, the seven Star Beads embedded in the Seven Star Ruyi were coated in a dense layer of blood light.


    A moment later, Blood-eyed Elder fiercely spat a mouthful of Heart Blood onto the Seven Star Ruyi.


    In an instant, a column of blood-red light explosively shot out from the head of the Ruyi, striking down onto that colorful nebula.


    The colorful nebula, upon being stricken by the light column, instantly dissolved a section, revealing a nearly thousand-zhang wide void.


    Without needing any reminder, the six people immediately transformed their tunneling lights and descended, passing through the void and entering the interior of the nebula in the blink of an eye.


    Upon entering, Zhao Sheng was startled and immediately sensed that the void was filled with endless, pure Spiritual Energy, furiously rushing into his body, without him needing to actively absorb it.


    The others also noticed this and all revealed expressions of surprise and enjoyment.


    ¡°Haha, this is amazing! Just the abundance of Spiritual Energy here makes the trip worthwhile. If I could cultivate here for a few hundred years, I suspect not even the Divinity Transformation Heaven Barrier could stop me.¡±


    ¡°Could this place be the Treasure Land truly designed for us?! The Seven Star Spirit Realm is indeed as incredible as its reputation!¡±


    ¡°Blood Eyes, how does the concentration of Spiritual Energy in the core spiritual acupoint at the Bright Peak of the Mingye Sect headquarters compare to here?¡±


    ¡°Nowhere close to this!¡±


    Zhao Sheng took a deep breath, feeling an unparalleled ease and comfort throughout his body, his Mana inside more active than ever before, and the Nascent Soul in his Purple Mansion seemed eager to burst through his forehead.


    Just then, the Demon Tooth Mushroom Mother suddenly swooped down silently, darting like lightning towards the central Dark Star.


    ¡°Demon Teeth, wait!¡± the Blood-eyed Elder exclaimed as his expression changed and his Divine Thought surged to its maximum, suddenly shouting out.


    But the Demon Tooth Mushroom Mother ignored him, continuing her rapid descent.


    Before long, she had already landed on the surface of the Dark Star, and with a flash, she vanished into the ground, disappearing without a trace.


    ¡°Blood Eyes, should we chase after her?¡± River Earl Fu You asked, his face ashen.


    The Blood-eyed Elder¡¯s expression fluctuated, he waved his hand sending a Spell Light into the Seven Star Ruyi, and then a beam of starlight shot out from the end of the Ruyi, penetrating directly into the Dark Star.


    Seeing this, everyone had their speculations.


    ¡°Follow!¡±


    Having said that, the Blood-eyed Elder plunged downward, transforming into a blood-red meteor that fell onto the Dark Star in a blink of an eye, disappearing just after a flash.


    Simultaneously, four streams of light, some rolling with golden flame, some misted in pink, some lush green, and some a muted blue, closely followed the trail of blood light disappearing into the underground of the Dark Star.


    As Zhao Sheng entered the underground, his heart suddenly surged, an immense sense of danger unforeseen emerged as if he¡¯d fallen into some lethal trap.


    However, the next instant, his premonition of danger abruptly dissolved, as if the previous moment was merely an illusion. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t believe it was an illusion, ¡°This place might truly contain some deadly dangers.


    He secretly warned himself, his spirit extremely vigilant, instantly releasing three Bright Sun Mirrors which circled around him.


    As the Magical Treasures moved, they shot out bursts of golden flames, forming layers of True Fire Shields, securely protecting Zhao Sheng.


    Simultaneously, Zhao Sheng¡¯s fingers flicked repeatedly, deploying a series of Third-rank Treasure Talismans around him, ready to be activated at a moment¡¯s thought.


    Fox Fairy, Blood Eyes, and others also perceived the abnormality, and quickly added various defenses to themselves.


    But¡­ none of them stopped to consider turning back, instead continuing to dive towards the core.


    Because the deeper they went, the concentration of Spiritual Energy strangely increased again, and the layers of soil and gravel began showing pieces of agate-like alien crystals, each emanating a wave of Spiritual Energy not inferior to a Mid-grade Spirit Stone.


    Fifty li,


    One hundred li,


    When they passed three hundred li, any agate crystals within their Divine Thought¡¯s reach were no smaller than the size of a human head, and the soil layers here gradually began to crystallize, with large crystals visible everywhere.


    Besides, the concentration of Spiritual Energy here faintly exceeded Zhao Sheng¡¯s imagination, such that even if he flipped through ancient books, he had never seen a place with a richer concentration of Spiritual Energy.


    The legendary Taiyi Spirit Realm could probably only match this.


    Ahem!


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng ¡°saw¡± Qingmu Monster ahead trembling, a coughing motion appearing at his mouth.


    Focused Zhao Sheng immediately transmitted a message: ¡°Qingmu, are you alright?¡±


    ¡°This old man is just fine!¡±


    ¡°Good to know, we should see the outcome soon. Please be very careful, Daoist!¡±


    Although Zhao Sheng said this, he slowed down, intentionally creating distance between himself and the Qingmu Monster.


    Interestingly, the other three made the same movement.


    In the depths of this unknown realm, any sign of oddity required utmost caution and vigilance, especially since his companions were all hardened veterans of many battles.


    Soon, they had descended over four hundred li, where most of the soil and stones had transformed into faintly glowing crystals, the waves of Spiritual Energy within the crystals nearing the level of top-grade spiritual stones.

 Chapter 471 - 317: Behead Me If You Want to Live

    Chapter 471: Chapter 317: Behead Me If You Want to Live


    An hour later, the bald creature reluctantly stopped.


    Then, with a feverish look in his eyes, he eagerly urged Zhao Sheng, ¡°I don¡¯t have much time left. Hurry up and kill me. I will surely grant you a tremendous boon after my death.¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt uncomfortable in his throat and couldn¡¯t help but cough.


    Cough!


    Something was wrong! S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After Zhao Sheng coughed, he was struck with a sudden, chilling fear.


    He had long been immune to all diseases; he shouldn¡¯t be able to cough at all.


    Seeing his changed complexion, the bald creature remained indifferent and declared plainly, ¡°Don¡¯t make a big deal out of it! This is merely a bodily rejection reaction. Sooner or later, you will adapt to it.¡±


    ¡°Senior, do you know what caused this?¡± Zhao Sheng immediately asked.


    ¡°Heh heh! Asking this now is already too late. The spores of the Devil Mushroom have already deeply penetrated your body. Sooner or later, you will become like them, transforming into a Crystal Corpse. Heh heh, no salvation!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng felt a tremendous shock, and his Nascent Soul Divine Thought erupted forth, sweeping over every limb and not sparing even the tiniest parts.


    However, he unexpectedly found no abnormalities in himself.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly looked up at the creature, his expression filled with shock and confusion, ¡°Senior, this¡­?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t find it? That¡¯s normal!¡±


    The bald creature licked his lips and slowly descended toward the ground.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng also took flight and followed suit.


    ¡°The Spirit Cells of the Ancestral Void Demon Fungus are dozens of times smaller than spiritual energy particles and they parasitize inside the spiritual energy particles. Unless you are above the Divinity Transformation Realm, you simply cannot detect their presence.¡±


    Upon hearing these words, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a layer of golden light shield suddenly emerged, enveloping his entire body, instinctively blocking the external spiritual energy.


    ¡°Heh heh! Kid, you might as well save your efforts. From the moment you stepped into this place, Spirit Cells had secretly entered your body along with the spiritual energy. Now, even if you exhaust all methods, you cannot purge them.


    Because a cultivator is based on spiritual energy.


    Your mana, your flesh, even every primordial cell in your body, is constantly interacting and transforming with the external spiritual energy.


    Unless you die or reach the Unification Realm, this exchange and transformation will never cease.


    It stems from the initial instinct of your Spirit Root, unchanged by personal will.¡±


    During this process, the Spirit Cells of the Devil Mushroom will proliferate massively inside your body, gradually eroding your flesh and converting it into a crystalline state, until you eventually become a Crystal Corpse.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression turned exceedingly grim.


    He didn¡¯t think the creature was lying. Because the facts were laid out right before his eyes


    At that moment, the creature¡¯s gaze swept over the Crystal Plane Crystal Pillar on the ground, then gestured to Zhao Sheng, ¡°See that? All these crystals are transformed from living beings, and have now become nests for the Devil Mushroom.¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked around the Crystal Cave, his voice heavy as he inquired, ¡°Senior Nameless, is there really no way to resolve this?¡±


    ¡°Heh heh! Just kill me, and I will tell you a way to free yourself.¡±


    After hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered momentarily, then he suddenly said, ¡°Senior, is this true? But your word alone is no proof, please give a younger one some evidence first.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t trust me!¡±


    The creature¡¯s gray-white eyes glared, an incredibly formidable pressure bursting forth instantly, making the air around them solidify, causing Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit to tremble severely, his entire body, down to his toes, immobilized.


    Hum!


    Just then, Crystal Peak swelled all over, suddenly erupting again in a vast expanse of dazzling multicolored radiance.


    The creature grunted at the sight and instantly, a layer of red crystal shield condensed, blocking the strange hum once more.


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was pale, his eyes dim, clearly suffering some damage to his Divine Soul.


    He moved his arms and legs, his gaze suddenly fixed on the center of the creature¡¯s chest.


    At this moment, there grew a layer of finely crystalline particles in the creature¡¯s chest flesh, looking like densely packed bumps, eerie and horrifying.


    Rip!


    Along with a ripping sound, the layer of flesh on his chest suddenly tore off, and in an instant, turned into a cloud of flying ash.


    At this moment, the creature¡¯s chest was nearly devoid of flesh, revealing a series of gray-white, translucent ribs.


    Upon closer examination, the ribs were also densely packed with crystal clusters.


    Yet the bald creature seemed utterly unconcerned.


    ¡°Senior, you¡­¡±


    ¡°Now you know the terrifying nature of the Devil Mushroom! Even my golden muscles and jade bones couldn¡¯t withstand its corrosion; do you really think you can survive on your own?¡±


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng bowed deeply, his tone very sincere, ¡°Please, Senior, show me a way to live!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, if you want to live, just follow me obediently!¡±


    No sooner had the creature spoken than it turned and flew toward Crystal Peak.


    At that moment, a streak of Red Light emerged out of nowhere, entering Zhao Sheng¡¯s Dantian at an inconceivable speed, and after a brief flicker, vanished without a trace.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng had no choice but to leap into the air and swiftly follow.


    One breath later, the two arrived above Crystal Peak.


    The creature¡¯s gray-white eyes shifted, and suddenly two red crystal shields protected their entire bodies.


    Right after that, Zhao Sheng involuntarily, followed the creature in a swift plunge downward.


    A red luminescence flashed and disappeared, and in the next instant, the two had merged into Crystal Peak.


    The two rapidly descended deeper into Crystal Peak.


    Along the way, Zhao Sheng saw through the red crystal shield countless Crystal Corpses of various shapes, all with formidable presences, including large Demon Kings and Star Beasts.


    The deeper they went, the fewer the number of Crystal Corpses Zhao Sheng saw, and their degree of crystallization also seemed to decrease.

 Chapter 472 - 317: If You Want to Live, Behead Me_2

    Chapter 472: Chapter 317: If You Want to Live, Behead Me_2


    But correspondingly, their strength in life became even more formidable.


    ¡°Fox Fairy?!¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly narrowed his pupils and, behind a group of crystal corpses, glaringly spotted a figure in a pink skirt. From under her skirt trailed three fluffy white fox tails¡ªit was undoubtedly the Fox Fairy.


    At that moment, the Fox Fairy had not died; Zhao Sheng could still faintly sense a living person¡¯s aura emanating from her.


    However, for some reason, the Fox Fairy could not communicate through Divine Thought.


    Zhao Sheng only had time to see her expression turn from ecstatic to desperate.


    The next second, the Fox Fairy was obscured by many crystal corpses, and she was no longer visible.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng subsequently spotted the figures of Qing Mu Monster and the Blood-eyed Elder.


    Similarly, they were also sealed and imprisoned by crystals, utterly unable to escape.


    Thinking about how a Nascent Soul Ancestor had ended up as food and nests for Devil Mushrooms,


    Zhao Sheng could not help but feel a sorrow akin to ¡°when a rabbit dies, the fox grieves.¡±


    Soon after, Zhao Sheng felt his body loosen, and the red crystal shield in front of him disappeared.


    A crystal cave, nearly a thousand feet in length and width and a hundred feet tall, appeared before him.


    This crystal cave was filled with liquefied spirit liquid, and its bottom was covered with a vast expanse of Crystal Stones that rivaled top-grade Spirit Stones.


    Additionally, the gravity here was extremely abnormal, over two hundred times heavier than that of the Nether Night Realm.


    However, this level of gravity was still not enough to crush Zhao Sheng.


    In just a few moments, Zhao Sheng had already adapted to the intense gravitational environment here.


    ¡°Come with me, old man!¡±


    At this moment, the strange being called out and then sank to the bottom of the crystal cave. Zhao Sheng quietly followed suit.


    The two quickly reached the bottom.


    The strange being gently stomped on the crystal ground, and the surface silently split open a crack.


    He immediately dove in, and Zhao Sheng followed closely behind.


    After passing through about twelve or thirteen feet of crystal, Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted, and he glaringly saw a hundred-foot-tall Jade Wall emitting a bright white light.


    The surface of the Jade Wall was covered with cracks, continuously emitting bursts of space-time fluctuations that created a vast hemispherical void around it.


    Around the Jade Wall, eighty-one White Jade Pillars of varying heights were arranged, some of which had collapsed while others remained intact.


    Additionally, two-thirds of the White Jade Pillars were empty at their tops, but one-third had a Jade Ruyi embedded at the top.


    Upon seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng immediately realized this place was the location of the Cross-border Array.


    His gaze only lingered on the Jade Wall for a moment before it was drawn to six corpses nearby.


    These six corpses, mostly well-preserved and lifelike as if they were alive, were encased within the crystal.


    However, Zhao Sheng¡¯s attention soon settled on one of the corpses.


    This was a middle-aged man in a red robe, with a refined appearance.


    This man was different from the other corpses, a three-inch-tall, completely translucent Crystal Tree sprouted from his forehead.


    This Crystal Tree branched into nine limbs, six of which bore crystal red fruits of various sizes.


    At the same time, the tree hung down tens of thousands of Crystal Silks, which deeply penetrated the middle-aged man¡¯s orifices and all major True Acupoints, creating a crystal net that spread throughout his interior and exterior, firmly trapping him inside the crystal.


    Both the Crystal Tree and the middle-aged man emitted an unimaginable terrifying aura, much like a boundless, unfathomable ocean!


    Upon seeing this person, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression abruptly changed, and his gaze immediately shifted to the bald strange being while his body swiftly retreated.


    But the next instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s body stiffened in place, unable to move.


    ¡°Boy, you have good Eye Power. Even though I¡¯ve turned into this ghostly form now, you can still recognize me,¡±


    Without waiting for Zhao Sheng to speak, the strange being candidly admitted, ¡°That¡¯s right! That body is indeed my true body. This is merely a Body Seizing one. Unfortunately, it¡¯s now barely usable.¡±


    ¡°Do you intend to seize a body again? Is your target me!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was filled with fear.


    But secretly, he was overjoyed.


    There was once an Earth Immortal who tried to seize his body, and now, they were thoroughly dead. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If the strange man were to really do so, it would be exactly what Zhao Sheng wished for.


    Little did he know¡­


    With a look of regret, the bald strange man shook his head, ¡°Too late! Seizing a body goes against the Tao, and doing it once was already the limit; attempting it a second time would surely invoke a tribulation. When that happens, the Primordial Soul would turn to ash, and you probably won¡¯t even have the chance to be reborn.¡±


    Zhao Sheng secretly felt regretful, but his face showed the look of a narrow escape from death, and he quickly said, ¡°Ancestor, you brought me here. Do you have any orders for me?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, do you see that Crystal Tree?¡± the strange man asked.


    Zhao Sheng nodded.


    ¡°Hehe! It is the Ancestor Species of all Devil Mushrooms, now merged into one with my original body. I have temporarily blocked its sensing, preventing it from detecting your presence.


    If I were to unblock it, you, my boy, would undoubtedly die.¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng, without revealing any distress, asked, ¡°Ancestor, there¡¯s no need for this. We each have our desires, why not speak openly?¡±


    ¡°Okay, my demand remains the same, for you to kill me with your own hands.¡±


    Without waiting for Zhao Sheng to speak, he continued, ¡°I won¡¯t let you do it for nothing. See those six Primordial Spirit Fruits? These things are condensed with the essence of the Primordial Spirits from cultivators above the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    Refining any one of them would not only vastly increase your spiritual power but might also allow you to absorb their lifetime understandings of the Tao, greatly increasing your chances of advancing to the Divinity Transformation Realm!


    That largest one is mine. If you refine it, there¡¯s a slight chance you could glimpse the realm of Returning to Void.¡±


    Ancestor, are you suggesting using these six Primordial Spirit Fruits as a reward? I fear that even if I¡¯m fortunate enough to obtain them, I might not live to enjoy them!¡± Zhao Sheng looked directly at the Nameless strange man, his expression calm and fearless.


    ¡°Hehe! You¡¯ve got guts. Even now, you dare bargain with me. Alright, you¡¯ve been infected by the spores and are beyond saving. But there¡¯s a significant difference between dying now and dying decades later.


    You want to die now, or do you want to live a few more decades?


    Also, you won¡¯t be able to get out alive on your own, but I have a way to send you out.¡±


    Zhao Sheng fell silent for a moment, then abruptly asked, ¡°Ancestor, you come from the Taisu Spiritual Realm. Have you heard of the Taiyi Spirit Realm?¡±


    The strange man was very surprised but still responded, ¡°Of course I¡¯ve heard of the name of the Taiyi Spirit Realm. Taiyi and Taisu realms are indeed close to each other, and there have been many exchanges between them.


    Why do you ask this?


    I can¡¯t keep it hidden for too long. If you keep delaying, the only one who will suffer is yourself. At worst, I¡¯ll just sleep for a few thousand more years.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, do not deceive me. If it were so easy to find someone¡­¡±,


    In all these years, many have broken in here. If you had wanted to be freed, you wouldn¡¯t have waited until now,¡± Zhao Sheng shook his head, confidently speaking.


    The strange man¡¯s expression froze, then he generously nodded, ¡°You¡¯re not wrong! You¡¯re different from others; you¡¯re probably not a native of the Ghost God and Nether Night realms, but from another world.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor is perceptive, I am from the Tianzhu Realm. But why is that?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re about to lose your life, and still you inquire about these? It¡¯s simple! If I die by the hand of a native from these realms, there¡¯s a great chance I¡¯ll be reborn within them. Those two worlds are the Blood God¡¯s territory, and being reborn into the Divine¡¯s world, I¡¯d have no hope of Ascension, only becoming a meal on the Divine¡¯s plate.¡±


    ¡°Ancestor, what kind of Great Ability is this Blood God? Could it be more formidable than Returning to Void, perhaps a True Immortal as in the legends?¡±


    ¡°True Immortal my ass! He¡¯s nothing but a Longevity Beast that failed to achieve Harmonization.


    Back then, the Blood God feared the Immortal Tribulation, so he stepped back and sought to achieve Harmonization and become an Earth Immortal instead. Unfortunately, a Great Ability interfered, and he failed again, becoming this ghastly creature that is neither Immortal nor devil.¡±


    Are you done yet? I¡¯m just asking you this, do you want to live?¡±


    Seeing that the strange man was furious, Zhao Sheng simply replied, ¡°I want to live!¡±


    ¡°Then chop off my head and destroy my Primordial Spirit!¡±


    ¡°Take this!¡±


    No sooner had the words been spoken than the fist-sized Primordial Spirit Fruit on the Crystal Tree swayed and fell, quickly flying towards Zhao Sheng and landing in his hands.


    ¡°Make your move!¡±


    With a fierce look, Zhao Sheng burst forth with a sword light in his palm, fiercely striking at the strange man¡¯s Six Yang Heads.

 Chapter 473 - 318 He... Came Out!

    Chapter 473: Chapter 318 He¡­ Came Out!


    Bang!


    In an instant, the sword light struck the monster¡¯s neck, only to shatter like fireworks, breaking into scattered star-like radiance that floated away.


    In contrast, the monster had merely acquired a shallow wound on its neck, barely an inch deep.


    After the strike, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze regained clarity, and upon seeing the result, he immediately stepped back, asking cautiously and defensively, ¡°Senior, what is the meaning of this?¡±


    ¡°Useless, you can¡¯t even handle such a small task.¡± The monster touched his neck, visibly annoyed as he cursed.


    ¡°You struck too lightly. Come, strike harder. Use all your strength, quickly strike me!¡±


    After yelling, seeing that Zhao Sheng remained unmoved, the monster grew increasingly impatient, urging repeatedly, ¡°Kid, I can barely suppress it anymore. If you delay further, once the Fungus Spirit awakens and backlashes, you will have no place to be buried.¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng flashed forward, rushing to a White Jade Pillar, he stretched out his hand with force and pulled out a Seven Star Ruyi, then immediately stored it into the Space Storage Seal.


    Seeing this, the monster¡¯s face turned livid with rage as he bellowed, ¡°You¡¯re driving me mad! You¡­ you even have the leisure to take this useless Immortal Artifact.


    Don¡¯t you know, you¡­ are doomed! Even if an Immortal Artifact were right before your eyes, taking it would be useless!¡±


    ¡°I have a reason for doing this,¡± Zhao Sheng replied evasively. Then, he asked, ¡°Senior Nameless, I have one last crucial question. Please resolve my confusion.¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked firmly at the other man.


    Seeing this, the monster forcibly suppressed his rage, mumbling impatiently, ¡°Speak up, what¡¯s the question?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes gleamed as he asked solemnly, ¡°I need a guarantee!¡±


    Some things do not need to be spelled out; a wise man would understand upon hearing them.


    The monster pondered for a moment, his expression becoming as calm as water, the previous rage faded away.


    ¡°Heh heh! I couldn¡¯t hide it from you, kid. Not bad, not bad! To remain clear-headed in such circumstances, if you don¡¯t die, you have a boundless future ahead. It¡¯s a pity!¡±


    ¡°You flatter me, Senior! But¡­ we¡¯re running out of time.¡±


    Zhao Sheng pointed to a nearby Crystal Tree, which at the moment began to tremble slightly, the Crystal Silk under the tree stirring without wind, numerous strands extending from within the corpse, eagerly shifting toward them.


    At the same time, the surroundings of the Crystal Cave began to vibrate faintly, with colorful Radiance pouring down from all directions, rapidly increasing the brightness inside the cave.


    The bald monster, seeing this, urgently said, ¡°I swear by my Primordial Soul, if I don¡¯t send you out, my Primordial Soul is willing to perish in smoke and ash!¡±


    Upon saying this, the bald monster spat out a ball of white light in Zhao Sheng¡¯s presence, then muttered a string of obscure words.


    Hisss!


    After two breaths, the white light suddenly split in two, with two streams of white brilliance shooting out, entering the foreheads of the monster and Zhao Sheng respectively.


    Upon entering the Purple Mansion, the white light immediately transformed into a talisman, suspended above the Soul Sea, shining brightly.


    In that moment, a deep enlightenment arose in his mind.


    Zhao Sheng raised an eyebrow, knowing that the spiritual oath had taken effect.


    ¡°Are you satisfied now?!¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled, ¡°Satisfied! I am thoroughly satisfied, Senior! Please lean forward¡­¡±


    Before he could finish, the monster, with a flash of Instantaneous Movement, abruptly appeared in front of Zhao Sheng.


    Before Zhao Sheng could react, the monster¡¯s form wavered, and suddenly a middle-aged man with complete limbs and a scholarly appearance stepped out of his body.


    The middle-aged man shone all over, appearing Divine.


    Zhao Sheng probed with his Divine Thought, utterly astonished.


    Both his naked eye and Divine Thought told him the man before him was a living person.


    However, Zhao Sheng knew this man was merely a Primordial Spirit.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to chop up the corpse anymore, I¡¯ll just separate my Primordial Spirit for you to kill.¡±


    ¡°This¡­¡±


    After speaking, upon seeing Zhao Sheng hesitate, the monster urged again, ¡°Stop dawdling, quickly do it! If you delay, both of us will cease to exist.¡± Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Alright!


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes sharpened, his thoughts moved, and a cluster of Golden Crow True Fire burst forth from his body.


    The fire soared into the sky, instantly turning into a golden, amber-fashioned giant sword over a zhang long, descending from the sky.


    This strike, embodying all of Zhao Sheng¡¯s concentrated essence, Divine Thought, and intent, ferociously cleaved at the Primordial Spirit.


    Boom!


    Golden flames surged, the Primordial Spirit was cleaved into two, and promptly submerged by the True Fire.


    At that moment, the Crystal Cave suddenly began to shake intensely, with a crackling noise the surrounding Crystal Walls began to swiftly crack and crumble, and large amounts of spirit liquid poured from the cracks like a waterfall fountain.


    Simultaneously, the sealed Nameless entity suddenly transformed into a cloud of powdery dust, the Crystal Tree instantaneously grew wildly, one breath ten zhangs, in a blink becoming a massive structure a hundred zhangs tall.


    In an instant, billions of Crystal Silks wildly lashed around everything, rapidly growing larger and thicker, resembling pythons as thick as arms, quickly spreading throughout the entire Crystal Cave.


    ¡°Haha, kid, you¡¯d better pray for good fortune! I¡¯ll send you off now.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s Purple Mansion shook violently, waves towering in his Soul Sea, and on his Nascent Soul which was only an inch tall and resembled a tender baby, bizarrely sprouted dense Crystal Grains.


    These Crystal Grains, resembling grains of sand yet akin to parasitic growths, emitted a faint multicolored radiance, eerie and terrifying.


    Pfft!


    The Golden Crow True Fire returned to the Dantian in a flash like lightning, causing Zhao Sheng¡¯s body to stiffen as he violently spat out a mouthful of essence blood, speckled with crystalline granules.

 Chapter 474 - 318 He... Came Out!_2

    Chapter 474: Chapter 318 He¡­ Came Out!_2


    Countless crystal silks broke the void and came attacking, just as Zhao Sheng was targeted by an incredibly powerful will, rendering his body immobile.


    In the nick of time, a three-foot-wide black hole suddenly appeared beneath Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet.


    With a flash of black light, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure was no longer in the crystal cave.


    ¡­


    Boom!


    In the Divine Ruins Meteor Sea, a desolate meteor with a diameter of a hundred or so zhang suddenly exploded into a cloud of dust.


    The dust quickly dispersed, revealing an irregularly shaped huge crater on the meteor.


    At the center of the crater, a corpse covered in cracks lay motionless, with the right half of its torso having vanished into thin air, leaving a cut as smooth as glass and several ribs exposed, flickering with an eerie blue light.


    Sizzle!


    This corpse was enveloped in a layer of golden light, and on the left half of the torso, blood vessels and muscles automatically closed up, while skin and bones instinctively began to sizzle and grow.


    What was even more remarkable was that countless muscle fibers were splitting and growing rapidly like wriggling earthworms, intertwining and merging with each other.


    But as this scene unfolded, a large number of sand-grain-like crystal grains were also slowly breeding and multiplying.


    After an unknown length of time, the corpse suddenly twitched and then sat up from the ground.


    Ptui!


    Zhao Sheng spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with crystal grains, covering his wound with his right hand and opening his eyes.


    Seeing the barren sandstones before him and after glancing at the surrounding pitch-black void, Zhao Sheng heaved a long sigh of relief, finally having escaped.


    ¡°Damn it, screwing me over just before death! No wonder I ended up like this; serves me right!¡±


    The thought of the sinister act of that freak made Zhao Sheng curse loudly.


    That damned old ghost actually tossed him into the Void Realm and left him to his fate.


    If not for his prior experience with similar space-time travel, he would definitely have gotten lost in the Void Realm and soon would have been erased by the ceaseless space-time storms.


    Even so, he had paid a heavy price.


    All the defensive Treasure Talismans he had saved up were exhausted, his Immortal Golden Body was broken, his body was maimed, and even two panels of his Lifebound Magic Treasure, the Bright Sun Mirror, had shattered.


    Of course, as long as he was alive, these were all trivial matters.


    After all, if he died this life, there was always the next!


    Right now, what troubled Zhao Sheng the most was how to safely pass on the treasures he had accumulated in this lifetime to his next life.


    And he was deep within the Divine Ruins Meteor Sea at the moment.


    The Divine Ruins were vast and infinite, with countless meteors, and even he didn¡¯t know where he was.


    If he died this life and couldn¡¯t find the place in his next life, it would be ridiculously funny.


    Countless thoughts quickly passed through his mind, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression fluctuated.


    But soon, he collected his thoughts, discarded all negative emotions, released his Divine Thought, and began to carefully examine his injuries.


    After a while, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression relaxed, his injuries were far lighter than he had imagined, missing only an arm, while his Dantian and meridians were completely intact.


    It was actually the rapid crystallization of his body that was causing him distress.


    The Void Devil Fungus lived up to its name, impervious to any Spell or Divine Skill based on Spiritual Energy.


    Having reached the Nascent Soul Realm, Zhao Sheng could clearly see his Primordial Cells but was unable to probe inside them, and it just so happened that the spores of the Devil Fungus were hiding inside the Primordial Cells.


    The scale of magnitude difference was the fundamental reason why those in the Nascent Soul Realm were unable to use Divine Thought to eradicate the Devil Fungus.


    While pondering this, Zhao Sheng took out the Space Storage Seal from his waist and waved his hand. In front of him, a flash of brilliance appeared, and quietly, a pile of Elixir Medicine Bottles appeared.


    He took several Treasure Pills in succession, including Soul Stabilizing Pill, Returning Vitality Pill, and Three Returns Life Elixir,


    and quickly closed his eyes to circulate his power, a dazzling golden light rising from his body.


    ¡­


    Three days later,


    A golden tunneling light shot across the darkness and moved with incredible agility through the densely packed meteor swarm.


    At that moment, huge monsters with spiky armor and as large as mountains sprang up from the meteors, converging on Zhao Sheng from all directions in a frenzy.


    However, in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, these Star Beasts as powerful as those in the Golden Core realm were like clumsy, slow-moving geese, coming to him to offer their heads willingly.


    Often, with just a flash of golden light, a spiky armored beast would fall dead.


    Then, one by one, inner cores radiating spiritual light burst forth from their bodies, easily captured by Zhao Sheng into his pouch.


    Soon after, the golden tunneling light vanished into the dark void, disappearing from sight.


    All that remained were piles of rigid, lifeless beast corpses.


    ¡­


    Two months later, sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On a grayish-yellow Star Meteor, large chunks of Gold ore lay bare, sparkling with an enticing golden light.


    Zhao Sheng stood atop a mound made of gold, looking up into the void, disregarding the mountain of gold beneath his feet.


    ¡°Indeed, the worst-case scenario has happened. Where am I now?¡± Zhao Sheng muttered to himself as he concentrated his powerful Divine Thought into a thin thread, stretching it out with all his might until it reached three hundred miles away.


    Everywhere the Divine Thought went, there was nothing but the Void and dead, desolate meteorites¡ªnothing else.


    ¡°Ah, I really am lost!¡±


    Zhao Sheng sighed, retracting his Divine Thought, and couldn¡¯t help but show a hint of weariness on his face.


    In two months¡¯ time, he had flown nearly three million miles without rest, but he ultimately lost his direction.


    In the Outer Void, there simply is no conventional sense of forward, backward, up, down, left, or right.


    This made it exceedingly easy to lose one¡¯s way in the Void.


    Zhao Sheng, trapped in the Divine Ruins Meteor Sea, faced a situation even more perilous than the usual disorientation.


    For the Divine Ruins Meteor Sea was rife with danger, with emergencies arising at any moment.


    After a while, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face regained calm, and he extended his right hand, unleashing a resplendent sword rainbow that roared out like a Mad Dragon.


    The sword rainbow plunged into the nearby ground, instantly blasting dust into the air and creating a huge pit two person-widths across and ten zhang deep.


    Three successive sword rainbows shot out, and the pit deepened rapidly, going a hundred zhang down into the earth.


    Zhao Sheng turned into a beam of light, flashing into the pit.


    Moments later, a makeshift cave mansion was quickly carved out in the depths of the pit.


    Inside the stone room, with a thought from Zhao Sheng, his right hand formed spells, and layers of Barriers rose from the ground, sealing the stone room.


    Suddenly, the Golden Crow True Fire flew into the air, turning into a Fire Cloud, and a Fire Shield descended to protect Zhao Sheng¡¯s entire body.


    Zhao Sheng sat down cross-legged, flipped his hand, and a foot-long White Jade Ruyi appeared in his palm, set with seven dazzling Star Beads.


    Inside each of the seven Star Beads was an imprint of a world coordinate, each one symbolizing a corresponding Cross-border Transmission Array on the other side.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng was not concerned about these at the moment.


    He gently tossed it, and the Seven Star Ruyi flew out of his hand, disappeared into the Fire Cloud, floating erratically.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes gleamed with Divine Light, and the Golden Crow True Fire suddenly transformed into a multitude of Fire Lotuses, supporting the Seven Star Ruyi while starting to burn furiously.


    The lengthy Refining process began!


    ¡­


    Ten years went by in the blink of an eye!


    In the stone room, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes were fixed on the Seven Star Ruyi in mid-air; threads of Divine Thought shot out from his brow, instantly transforming into archaic Spiritual Texts that flew into the Ruyi, quickly inscribing distinct and unique Divine Thought Imprints.


    At this moment, his exposed hands and face had surprisingly acquired many thin Crystal Clusters, looking eerie and terrifying.


    Ten years of Refining and continuous use of Mana indirectly accelerated the pace of the Devil Mushroom infection.


    By this time, nearly one-quarter of Zhao Sheng¡¯s body was close to crystallization.


    Fortunately, crystallization did not hinder the circulation of Mana.


    About three hours later, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes burst forth with two bright radiances, his hands swiftly formed a peculiar Dharma Seal, and the Seven Star Ruyi¡¯s surface radiated flowing light, subsequently shining forth a vast expanse of clear luminance.


    The next instant, the Seven Star Ruyi suddenly flew in front of him, and Zhao Sheng reached out and grabbed it.


    ¡°Haha! At last, the great work is done!¡± Zhao Sheng stood up from the ground with joy, laughing heartily while flakes of Crystal Powder fell from his face.


    But he didn¡¯t care a bit, only gazing at the Seven Star Ruyi as though looking at a treasured possession.


    Zhao Sheng eagerly deployed the Treasure, his hands rapidly casting spells that struck the Seven Star Ruyi.


    Soon enough, the Ruyi burst forth with white light, and a stream of Starlight shot out from its end, piercing through layers of earth and stone, extending all the way into the depths of the Void.


    Seeing this scene, Zhao Sheng exclaimed with surprise, ¡°Just as I expected!¡±


    As his words fell, Zhao Sheng vanished from his original spot.


    ¡­


    Three months later,


    Somewhere in the Meteor Sea, Zhao Sheng hid behind a meteorite, carefully avoiding a group of bizarrely shaped creatures.


    After a short time when the creatures had gone far away,


    Zhao Sheng flashed out of hiding, reactivating the Ruyi¡¯s starlight.


    After briefly determining his direction, he then sped away with tunneling light.


    As time slowly passed, Zhao Sheng¡¯s crystallization grew more severe.


    But at the same time, he finally emerged from the Mystical Spirit Domain and arrived in the spiritless zone on the outer edges of the Divine Ruins.


    To his delight, in this spiritless environment, the growth rate of the Devil Mushroom significantly slowed down.


    This granted Zhao Sheng a few more years of life.


    Another year passed, and the meteorites became increasingly sparse.


    One day, Zhao Sheng finally saw the two suns again.


    He¡­ had made it out!

 Chapter 475 - 319: Hidden Treasures and Sitting Down

    Chapter 475: Chapter 319: Hidden Treasures and Sitting Down


    On the edge of the Meteor Sea, gray stone meteors floated sparsely in the void, their pitted surfaces bathed in the brilliance of the Great Sun, reflecting a metallic luster.


    On one gray-gold meteor about a hundred miles in diameter, in the largest meteor crater, a majestic and magnificent palace was currently stationed.


    In a luxurious hall within the palace, two figures in black robes, both Golden Core Main Priests, sat at the head of the hall with worried expressions.


    At that moment, a ritual master with a horse-like face suddenly spoke, ¡°Old Mang, it¡¯s been almost thirty years. There¡¯s still no word from the protectors. Do you think something might have happened to them?¡±


    ¡°Nonsense! Nayan, you dare to curse our masters. They are exceptionally strong; it is impossible for anything to happen to them. The reason they haven¡¯t returned must be some minor setbacks. In a few years, they will surely return triumphantly.¡±


    The speaker had a triangular face with a mean and ruthless look, especially his green eyes, which shimmered with a merciless cold light.


    This person, named Mang Cha, born of the Earth Python Clan, had been raised by Blood Eyes from a young age and was extremely loyal to him.


    Nayan gave a sheepish smile and hurriedly said, ¡°Brother Mang, do not be angry. I spoke without thinking. We¡¯ve been guarding this desolate place for thirty years, it¡¯s inevitable to feel anxious.¡±


    As he spoke and noticed Mang Cha¡¯s expression slightly easing, he couldn¡¯t help but feign a complaint, ¡°This forsaken place is desolate to the extreme, devoid of even a bit of nature¡¯s spiritual energy. We can only maintain our cultivation by relying on the power of spirit stones and elixir pills, yet our cultivation has not advanced an inch in thirty years. If we continue to wait like this, won¡¯t¡­ won¡¯t it cut off our paths to longevity?¡±


    At these words, a dark shade crossed Mang Cha¡¯s face, yet he stubbornly said, ¡°Hmph, without our masters¡¯ support, where would we be today? Even if it takes three hundred years, we must keep waiting.¡±


    Great, the conversation died there, leaving Nayan at a loss for words.


    For a while, Nayan was left speechless.


    Just as the atmosphere turned silent, Mang Cha suddenly leapt up, his face expressing ecstatic joy.


    Immediately after, Nayan also seemed to sense something and exclaimed overjoyed, ¡°The masters¡­ the masters have returned!¡±


    Whoosh whoosh!


    Before the sound of their voices had faded, the two had already flown out of the hall, looking up at the western void of the Dark Domain.


    At that moment, a golden meteor was tearing through the darkness, speeding toward them.


    In an instant, the meteor flew above the palace and suddenly came to a halt. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The golden light dispersed, revealing Zhao Sheng¡¯s silhouette.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s complexion was rather pale; his body fell from the sky, landing in front of the two Golden Cores.


    Mang Cha and the other exchanged glances, a flicker of surprise crossing their eyes.


    But in the next moment, the two simultaneously placed their hands on their chests and bowed, saying, ¡°We welcome Lord Shenglong, safely returned.¡±


    ¡°Ah, no need for formalities!¡± Zhao Sheng waved his hand, his tone indifferent.


    Mang Cha, the most anxious, immediately stood up and asked eagerly, ¡°Master, why don¡¯t I see my master¡­ or Fox Fairy and Qing Mu Ancestor? Are they behind you?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, expressionless, said, ¡°They¡­ they all died!¡±


    ¡°Impossible! Absolutely impossible!¡±


    Hearing this, Mang Cha¡¯s green eyes instantly turned blood-red, his face incredulous as his entire being nearly spiraled out of control.


    Hmph!


    Zhao Sheng coldly snorted as the overwhelming aura of the Nascent Soul Realm burst forth, instantly enveloping the entire palace and swiftly suppressing any further questions Mang Cha meant to ask.


    Before a Nascent Soul, how could a Golden Core presume to act rashly!


    Only when the two regained their composure and quieted down did Zhao Sheng withdraw his oppressive aura and coldly said, ¡°You are unworthy of making this sovereign lie.¡±


    ¡°Forgive us! Old Mang just lost his composure¡­ The loss of these five masters is, after all, too¡­ too¡­¡±


    ¡°Divine Ruins are mysterious and unpredictable. The dangers inside far exceeded our expectations. Blood Eyes, Fox Immortal Taoist, and the others were simply unfortunate, meeting such a fate. Perhaps, it was the will of heaven!¡±


    Saying this, Zhao Sheng revealed a hint of melancholy.


    At that moment, Mang Cha suddenly underwent a transformation, becoming extremely calm and asked in a quiet tone, ¡°Master, did my master leave any last words before he died?¡±


    ¡°No, it happened too suddenly! There was no time for any last words, and no one could have anticipated such a tragic conclusion,¡± Zhao Sheng shook his head, offering a rare honest response.


    ¡°Master¡­¡± Mang Cha¡¯s eyes flickered, ready to inquire further.


    ¡°Enough! I am tired! We can discuss this later.¡± Zhao Sheng waved his hand, cutting off Mang Cha.


    ¡°¡­Yes, master!¡± Seeing this, Mang Cha and Nayan hesitated but then bowed deeply.


    Subsequently, the two respectfully escorted Zhao Sheng into the palace.


    One month later, Lanyang Palace slowly rose from the meteor crater, then cloaked in layers of light shields, it increased in speed from slow to fast, quietly fleeing towards the Mingye Realm.


    ¡­


    Five years later,


    In the largest bedroom of Lanyang Palace, waves of fire surged as Zhao Sheng, with closed eyes, formed hand seals, his body engulfed in golden flames.


    The clusters of crystals on his face melted bit by bit under the refining of True Fire, turning to ash.


    An hour later, the golden flames withdrew back into the Dantian, and Zhao Sheng slowly opened his eyes, his pupils faintly shimmering with specks of crystal light.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly stood up; at this moment, his body had become unusually thin, his complexion even grayer.


    However, this could not diminish his joyful mood.


    After years of various experiments, he was thrilled to discover that the crystallization of his body was progressing much slower than he had anticipated.


    Originally thinking he only had thirteen or fourteen years to live, achieving a safe return to the Mingye Realm would have been considered achieving perfect merit.

 Chapter 476 - 319: The Treasure and Sitting Down_2

    Chapter 476: Chapter 319: The Treasure and Sitting Down_2


    But now it seemed, he had another good fifteen years to live.


    The bloodline of the Barbaric Ancient Battle Body played a crucial role in this.


    Beyond that, Zhao Sheng had made an even greater discovery¡­.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng appeared outside a Meditation Room in Lanyang Palace.


    This Meditation Room was enshrouded in a faint Sealing Barrier, and at that moment, Mang Cha was personally waiting by the door.


    ¡°Ancestor Gong¡¯an!¡± As soon as he saw Zhao Sheng arrive, he immediately stepped forward to salute.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand to remove the Sealing Barrier and casually instructed, ¡°Wait here for me.¡±


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng flashed into the Meditation Room.


    The door to the quiet room shut with a bang, and Mang Cha looked at the door, his expression turning gloomy and uncertain.


    Once inside the Meditation Room, a struggling moan immediately echoed in the dark stone room.


    With a thought from Zhao Sheng, a strand of fire shot out, turning into a blazing white Fireball that illuminated the room.


    Not far away on the ground, Nayan lay gasping for breath, his face filled with despair and struggle.


    At this time, his face was covered with Crystal Clusters, and more than half of his body had sprouted Crystal Grains and Crystal Spikes, with a quarter of his internal organs completely crystallized.


    Zhao Sheng, watching Nayan almost fully crystallized, silently released his powerful Divine Thought and began to meticulously check the man¡¯s bodily condition inch by inch.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng withdrew his Divine Thought, the corners of his mouth slightly lifting in a smile.


    The situation was much better than he had expected.


    The Devil Mushroom, after several iterations, had indeed undergone a significant regression of its bloodline.


    Ever since two years ago, when Zhao Sheng had implanted the one hundredth generation of fungal spores into Nayan,


    Two years had passed, and the man was still alive until now.


    Despite his current dying state, Zhao Sheng estimated that he was far from his last breath; the man still had at least fifteen years of life remaining.


    ¡°Sheng¡­ Long! You¡­ you¡­ won¡¯t¡­ die a good death!¡± At this moment, Nayan suddenly opened his eyes wide, bloodshot, and with a violent effort, spewed out a mouthful of Crystal Powder, starting to curse Zhao Sheng intermittently.


    ¡°Hmm, you will not see that day,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded at him, then turned away expressionlessly and left the place.


    After stepping outside, having reset the Sealing Barrier, Zhao Sheng gave a couple of instructions to Mang Cha, then swiftly moved towards the next Meditation Room.


    There were more than a dozen Meditation Rooms in this area, all filled with experimental subjects.


    ¡­


    Time unknowingly slipped by amidst Zhao Sheng¡¯s busyness.


    In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed, billions of miles of Void crossed; the Mingye Realm was now within reach.


    ¡°Ancestor, spare me¡­ Ah!¡±


    That day, a one-sided slaughter was unfolding within Lanyang Palace. Mang Cha desperately fled, frantically begging for mercy, but ultimately he could not escape the fate of being beheaded by a sword.


    On the terrace, Zhao Sheng waved his hand to release True Fire, instantly engulfing the two sections of the corpse three zhang away, incinerating them completely.


    Then, Zhao Sheng turned into tunneling light, flew into Lanyang Palace, and began erasing all traces.


    Moments later, Lanyang Palace exploded with a burst of white light, the magnificent palace dragging a long tail of flames, departing towards the depths of the Void, never to return.


    Just at this moment, a golden light suddenly burst out of Lanyang Palace, speeding in the opposite direction of the palace at breakneck speed.


    Ahead of the golden light, a blue-green world was slowly opening its arms to him.


    ¡­


    Over the boundless Endless Sea, small waves rippled as a group of speckled horned sea cats played and frolicked on the waves.


    Just then, an immensely vast pressure descended from the sky, as a golden light tore through the clouds, plummeting towards the sea.


    The group of speckled horned sea cats, as if facing a natural disaster, panicked and jumped into the sea surface, desperately diving into the depths of the sea.


    Suddenly, the golden light halted a hundred zhang in the air above the sea surface.


    As the light dissipated, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression abruptly changed, revealing a look of struggle and madness in his eyes.


    Pfft!


    A large mouthful of fresh blood carrying a piece of his tongue was spat out, clearing Zhao Sheng¡¯s vision.


    He never expected that upon his return to the Mingye Realm, the Heavenly Dao would give him a humbling welcome.


    The Heavenly Dao Blood Face had just now utterly disregarded the layers of seals, returning to the Soul Sea, and the Heart Demon was also stimulated, causing Zhao Sheng¡¯s Devilish Thought to surge, nearly bringing him to the brink of losing control of his mind.


    ¡°Four or five years left, huh? That should be enough!¡±


    Zhao Sheng murmured to himself as dazzling golden flames suddenly burst forth from his body.


    As the Golden Crow True Fire burned, a large amount of crystal sand cascaded down from the hem of his robe to the sea surface.


    Shortly afterward, S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    a streak of tunneling light soared into the sky, circled once, and then headed straight for the Nine Demon Continent.


    ¡­


    Half a year passed, Zhao Sheng concealed his form and quietly observed Hua Wen and a group of his descendants.


    As the direct lineage of the Nascent Soul Great Priest, his descendants lived comfortably, with no need for their ancestor to worry about them.


    As long as there was no news of their ancestor¡¯s death, no one would dare insult Zhao Sheng¡¯s descendants, at least for the next two hundred years.


    Zhao Sheng quietly left some hidden traps in the Rising Dragon Cave. If none of his descendants discovered them, these arrangements would automatically activate after a hundred years.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng spent two years laying out several treasure caves in the Candle Light Mountain Range and across the Nine Demon Continent, preparing in advance for his reincarnation.


    Although Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t yet know in which world he would be reborn, it was always good to be prepared.


    As the Nether Night Season approached, a streak of tunneling light skimmed over the sea surface, speeding into the dark, vast Endless Sea and disappeared in a blink.


    ¡­


    Three days later, near a remote and desolate island thirty thousand miles away from the continent, Zhao Sheng reappeared.


    Returning to the old place, he felt deeply nostalgic.


    When he hunted the Cold Desolate Flood Dragon, his spirit was high, and he thought he had control over the Nascent Soul Thunder Tribulation, expecting to roam free for a thousand years after transcending it.


    But man¡¯s plans are no match for fate, and how unpredictable life is!


    In less than a hundred years, he was on the brink of death.


    Looking at the dead and silent sea surface, Zhao Sheng sighed lightly, then his body plunged into the sea and vanished in a flash.


    A moment later, in an undersea cave sealed with ice, there suddenly burst a glow of light.


    In an instant, the glow dispersed, and Zhao Sheng was already standing beneath the Crystal Mountain at the center of the ice cave.


    In the deepest part of the ice mountain, that Ice Soul still rippled with waves of dazzling cold light, constantly emitting endless, boundless chill.


    This was the place he had specifically chosen for his sitting down.


    The purpose was twofold, one was to preserve his corpse, and the other was to test a bold idea.


    After observing for a moment, Zhao Sheng slowly extended his right hand and pressed it against the ice wall.


    The next instant, the Golden Crow True Fire surged up to his palm, and the ice wall in front of him silently melted into water, forming a large hole in a blink.


    Zhao Sheng stepped into the hole, with the Golden Crow True Fire continuously ¡°licking¡± forward, making the ice cave deeper and deeper.


    Soon, the hundred-zhang ice mountain was burned through.


    Zhao Sheng reached the deepest part of the ice mountain, and the Ice Soul was now a foot above his head.


    He looked up at the Ice Soul, then slowly sat down cross-legged, opened his mouth, and a wisp of turquoise light shot out, instantly becoming a green bamboo basket.


    The Capturing Sky Basket suddenly exploded with a clear light and ejected a ghastly pale Bone Pearl from inside, entwined with strands of black flames.


    With a thought from Zhao Sheng, the Capturing Sky Basket with a thud sank into the icy surface and buried itself deep within the ice layer in the blink of an eye.


    Immediately after, he opened his mouth and inhaled, the Bone Pearl flew over like lightning and landed in his mouth, where he held it under his tongue.


    At this moment, the Great Sun of the Golden Crow True Fire in his Dantian slowly merged into the Bright Sun Mirror.


    In an instant, the Bright Sun Mirror radiated tens of thousands of golden lights, and a pillar of golden flames burst forth from the Dantian, rushing upward along the internal organs and into the Tan Zhong acupoint.


    At the same time, a black pillar of light shot from the Bone Pearl, from top to bottom, into the Tan Zhong acupoint.


    One Yin and one Yang, one life and one death!


    The moment the two opposing Heaven and Earth True Fires met, they were about to explode instantly.


    Just then, in Zhao Sheng¡¯s Purple Mansion, the Nascent Soul Magic Body suddenly vanished and reappeared within the Tan Zhong acupoint.


    As a thought emerged, the Nascent Soul Magic Body exploded with a bang, turning into a myriad of brilliant clear rays.


    The clear light enveloped the True Acupoints, and a nebulous strange glow suddenly emerged, instantly forming a grey Light Ball.


    The grey Light Ball connected with the two pillars of flame on either side, achieving a delicate balance.


    A faint grey light quietly covered Zhao Sheng¡¯s body.


    At that moment, he smiled satisfactorily, then slowly closed his eyes as the life force in his body gradually weakened.

 Chapter 477 - 320 Seventh Life, Innate Dao Seed

    Chapter 477: Chapter 320 Seventh Life, Innate Dao Seed


    Name: Zhao Qingyang (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 236/236


    Realm: Early-stage Nascent Soul


    Profession: Fourth-level Alchemist, Third-tier Talisman Master, Third-rank Artifact Refiner, Second-order Array Master,


    [Constitution:]Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots (Earth-level), Barbaric Ancient Battle Body (Earth-level)


    [Talent:]Immortal Spirit Realm (Impaired)


    [Skill:]


    Cultivation Technique: Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique (Perfect), Star God Thousand Heart Technique (Great Success), Taiqing Nine Yang Technique (Small Success), Qi Observing Skill (Great Success)


    Body Refinement: Immortal Golden Body (Great Success), True Void Mountain Shattering Skill (Perfect), Heavenly Human Four Forms (Half-step Great Success)


    Hundred Arts: Taoist Skill (¡­), talisman (¡­), Alchemy (¡­), Artifact Refining (¡­), Tame Skill (¡­)


    ¡­


    ¡°The Sixth Life has ended, calculating¡­¡±


    In the vast nothingness, a divine light suddenly pierced the chaos and then a tall, jade-like figure stepped out from the light.


    The Book of Hundred Lifetimes emerged, showering down thousands of rays of light; pages of jade flipped swiftly, finally stopping on the sixth book page.


    In that instant, countless images and memories flowed through his mind, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression showed a trace of regret.


    Just then, a mighty and clear voice suddenly echoed through the chaos:


    ¡°Calculation complete, final evaluation for the sixth life: Grade A-


    ¡°Evaluation Reward: One Earth-level Inheritance Right (Divisible)


    Choose inheritance from Constitution, Skill, Talent, or Profession, please choose?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, with a struggling expression, pondered for a long time before finally speaking, ¡°Choose to inherit the Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots Constitution!¡±


    ¡°Inheriting¡­¡±


    ¡°Earth-level Spirit Root Constitution, inherited!¡±


    Alas, he had no other choice, unable to have the best of both worlds!


    He only had one Earth-level inheritance right, and though it pained him greatly, he had to give up both the Immortal Spirit Realm and the Barbaric Ancient Battle Body.


    Ding!


    After a bell-like clear sound, the voice rose grandly again: ¡°Congratulations on achieving the following life achievements!¡±


    ¡°Achievements as follows: One, capture a Heart Demon of oneself (Profound), two, successfully take the first steps out of the world¡¯s cradle (Profound); three, the beginning of crossing ancient clans (Profound); four, promotion to Nascent Soul (Earth); five, survive three tribulations (Earth)¡±


    ¡°Achievement Reward: Five random rewards, consisting of two Earth and three Profound (Note: High-level rewards can be divided into three low-level rewards).


    Random draw from Constitution, Skill, Talent, Profession, or opt for an upgrade of ability level, please choose?¡±


    After listening, Zhao Sheng thought briefly and then tentatively asked, ¡°Can the Profound-level rewards be combined into one Earth-level reward?¡±


    ¡°Possible!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed inside and immediately commanded, ¡°Choose to combine!¡± S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ding!


    ¡°Combining¡­ Combination successful!¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng was about to speak but suddenly stopped.


    He now had three Earth-level random rewards, which could be combined into one Heavenly-level reward or not.


    Alas!


    Zhao Sheng was quite distressed, finding himself in a dilemma.


    Just then, he suddenly remembered something and asked, ¡°Book of Hundred Lifetimes, I remember in the previous life, I had reserved two Profound-level privileges?¡±


    ¡°Confirmed, one Profound-level inheritance right and one Profound-level random reward were still reserved from the previous life.¡±


    That¡¯s more like it!


    Zhao Sheng nodded his head, showing a hint of a smile.


    ¡°Let¡¯s do a Profound-level random draw first, let¡¯s draw from Talent!¡±


    In an instant, countless white light balls appeared and disappeared on the seventh book page.


    Soon, one of the light balls rapidly expanded and burst, scattering into countless light points.


    ¡°Draw in progress¡­ Congratulations on drawing the Profound-level Talent Shifting Shadows.¡±


    [Shifting Shadows: Within the field of view, any shadow is your possible foothold, activated up to three times per day.]


    Good!


    With his spirit greatly uplifted by this talent, Zhao Sheng decisively said, ¡°Use one Earth-level reward to promote the Shifting Shadows Talent.¡±


    ¡°Talent promotion in progress¡­ Congratulations, Talent promoted to Phase Shifting.¡±


    As these words fell, vast arcane information streamed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind¡­


    A moment later, commands resounded one after another in the chaos:


    ¡°Reserve the Profound-level inheritance right!¡±


    ¡°Reserve one Earth-level random reward!¡±


    ¡°Use one Earth-level random draw, choose to draw Constitution,¡±


    ¡°Drawing in progress¡­ Congratulations, host has drawn the Earth-level Constitution Body Rejuvenation.¡±


    ¡­


    In the 1145th year of the Seventh Epoch of the Heavenly Dao Calendar, in the Hufeng County of Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty.


    ¡°Life fleeting, the will of heaven vast. The path of ghosts is joyful, as in the gateway of life¡­¡±


    Hoo¡ªhoo!


    ¡°¡­ Heaven values life, ghosts value the end, Heaven¡ª


    Hoo¡ª


    In the hall, Hall Master Wu Changyong was enthusiastically discussing the essence of the Heavenly Dao Du Ren Scripture.


    However, his enthusiasm was continuously disrupted by snores.


    Wu Changyong suddenly stopped speaking, his old face drawn long, he coldly gazed toward the source of the sound.


    The Daoist Children also gleefully turned their heads to see, looking toward the center of the first row, where a bald-headed, skinny young boy in a silk robe was soundly asleep on the desk.


    ¡°Hee hee!¡±


    ¡°Sanbao is sleeping in class again. Did temple sacrifice give him another special treatment secretly? Hmph, that¡¯s unfair!¡±


    ¡°Shh, Sanbao is the precious darling of the adults, not like us nominal Daoist Children¡­ He is prized!¡±


    ¡°Silence!¡±


    A voice carried out, and the hall fell quiet.


    Wu Changyong shook his head, ignoring the trembling Daoist Children below, snapped his fingers and a streak of light shot out, hitting precisely on that smooth, bald head.


    Thud!


    A wooden fish sound exploded, and the child lying on the desk suddenly sat upright, bleary-eyed.


    But quickly, his gaze cleared, and then a hint of astonishment flashed in his eyes before reverting to a look of confusion.


    ¡°Sanbao, recite the entire Heavenly Dao Du Ren Scripture for me,¡± commanded Wu Changyong with the sternness of a teacher, his tone exceedingly severe.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 478 - 320 Seventh Life, Naturally Gifted Dao Seed_2

    Chapter 478: Chapter 320 Seventh Life, Naturally Gifted Dao Seed_2


    ¡°Uh¡­ the Heavenly Dao moves, the Ghost Path is unpredictable¡­ human life is fleeting, the divine will is vast. The Ghost Path is joyous, when one¡¯s life door¡­¡±


    After an hour, the entire ¡°Heavenly Dao Du Ren Scripture,¡± consisting of two thousand three hundred and ninety-nine characters, was flawlessly recited by this child.


    Wu Changyong listened, then fell silent for a moment before nodding and instructed in a measured tone, ¡°You recited well, take credit for this, sit down!¡±


    Under the astonished and puzzled gazes of the surrounding Daoist children, Zhao Sheng confidently returned to his seat.


    ¡°Sanbao seems like a completely different person, even reciting scriptures!¡±


    ¡°Eh, wasn¡¯t Sanbao known for eating his words? Why¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn it, was he pretending to be stupid before! If so, this child will certainly obstruct our paths in the future. Xinyi, after class do this and that¡­¡±


    After this brief interlude, Wu Changyong continued to expound on the profound and essential mysteries of the Scripture of Salvation.


    The Daoist children quickly regained their focus, listening intently to the Scripture Master.


    For them, who had just stepped into the Taoist path, it was a rare opportunity to have a Qi Refinement Late Stage Scripture Master personally teach.


    However, in Zhao Sheng¡¯s view, Wu Changyong¡¯s explanations were extremely superficial, inferior to him silently reciting the scripture once and understanding its true meaning.


    Looking around, the scripture hall was quaint and ancient, with Black Scale Wood beams across, the floor paved with large blue bricks, rows of mahogany desks neatly arranged, Divine Tao paintings hanging on the walls around, eight three-feet tall Scripture Banners stood around the central Magic Platform, and in each corner stood a Purple Incense Burner, from which a light fragrance wafted out, refreshing to the senses.


    Inhaling the light fragrance, Zhao Sheng quickly cleared his mind, and vast memories of this life surged into his mind.


    ¡°¡­Heavenly Dao Sect¡­ Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty¡­ Soul Comforting Temple¡­ Master Bao Chen¡­ orphan¡­ Taoist Register¡­¡±


    Hmm?


    In an instant, Zhao Sheng felt a shock in his heart: ¡°What¡¯s happening? I¡¯ve been reborn in the Netherworld this life!¡±


    At this moment, his gaze scattered, his mind raced with countless possibilities, most of which were pessimistic.


    ¡°¡­perhaps a great war between the two realms¡­ there must be clan members captured to this realm, and the most perilous situation¡­ no, I must first ascertain how many years have passed since my last life!¡±


    With this thought, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes turned cold, his small hand clenched stealthily, and the Red Lotus Flame Pattern on his forehead became even more vividly striking.


    An hour later, Scripture Master Wu Changyong suddenly stopped speaking, rolled up the Jade Leaf on the desk, and thudded down the Magic Platform, not looking back as he walked away.


    Class ended,


    The scripture hall instantly burst into noise as the Daoist children got up, frolicked, and ran out of the hall together.


    Just then, a boy with blush and red lips scooted over to Zhao Sheng¡¯s desk, laughing, ¡°Brother Bao, I recently got a pair of Rhinoceros Horn Guo, very fierce. Are you interested in trying your hand?¡±


    Rhinoceros Horn Guo are naturally brutal and fierce, and extremely combative.


    In the Soul Comforting Temple, a type of fighting play called Rhinoceros Horn Fighting was popular among the Daoist children; Sanbao had previously been very obsessed and quite a gambler.


    Because of this, he had lost quite a few spirit stone treasure pills.


    However, at this moment, no one knew that Sanbao had changed completely, inside out.


    Zhao Sheng coldly glanced at the boy, rejected him indifferently, ¡°No!¡±


    Having said that, he got up and strode out of the scripture hall.


    ¡°Brother Sanbao, Sanbao¡­¡± the boy hurriedly followed after him.


    Who knew that just after turning a corridor wall, he suddenly lost sight of the big fat sheep.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± the boy cursed softly.


    Just then, a handsome young man came from behind and suddenly said sternly, ¡°Sanbao, how much spirit stone debt do you owe altogether now?¡±


    ¡°With interest, it¡¯s only about a hundred spirit stones, not enough to count!¡± Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Big brother, Sanbao the fool, what¡¯s gotten into him today? It¡¯s not like him at all. Do you think he¡¯s realized¡ª¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    ¡­


    Zhao Sheng walked down the long corridor, and successively passed through three layers of red-tiled yellow walls,


    Moving between temple buildings and courtyards, occasionally hearing verses of sutras and salvation.


    People he encountered along the way, upon seeing him, bowed deeply in veneration.


    Facing such grand salutations, Zhao Sheng, as if used to it all, merely nodded slightly and passed among the people.


    Since ancient times, it has been ingrained in the Netherworld that some were born nobler than others, and it¡¯s become accepted as the natural order of things to classify people by their sacred bloodlines.


    Zhao Sheng, with Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots, was a born Daoist of Innate level, positioned above millions of ordinary people.


    In the Soul Comforting Temple, Zhao Sheng was one of only seven Daoist children recorded in the Dao Disc Jade Album, his status only second to a few esteemed people such as Temple Sacrificial Treasure Chen, Scripture Master Wu Changyong, and Jiao Master Pan Yifeng.


    However¡­


    When Zhao Sheng arrived at his courtyard, a tall, stern-faced middle-aged man was respectfully waiting there.


    This man was dressed in a simple cyan Daoist robe, which was far less luxurious than Zhao Sheng¡¯s, but he exuded a potent aura of solemnity and commanded an impressive presence.


    ¡°Brother Bao, the Master of Temple Sacrifices has sent for you!¡± Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, the middle-aged man immediately stepped forward and quietly said.


    ¡°Hmph, lead the way!¡± Zhao Sheng gave the man a disdainful glance and walked with a haughtily annoying demeanor.


    Having heard too much flattery since childhood and always being the center of adoration and appeasement, Zhao Sheng had developed a prideful and arrogant character.


    To him, ordinary people without Spirit Roots were utterly beneath his notice.


    This applied even though the man was one of the few Temple Protection Martial Sect members in the Soul Comforting Temple.


    The middle-aged man, unsurprised, turned and walked away. Behind him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face suddenly turned calm, and he followed, his eyes reflecting deep contemplation.


    The Soul Comforting Temple covered an extensive area, spanning hundreds of acres. Its main compound of buildings stretched continuously, occupying the sunny side of Qingyang Mountain.


    The two of them, one after the other, traversed most of the temple to arrive at a quiet and expansive cliff at the back mountain.


    Silently, the cliff split open to reveal an entrance as tall as two men.


    The middle-aged man stepped slightly to the side, gesturing: ¡°Brother, the Master is inside, please enter!¡±


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng paused in his steps, then continued walking expressionlessly into the cave.


    As soon as he entered, the stone gate at the entrance immediately closed, and one after another, long-lasting lamps on the sides of the cave walls lit up, casting a dim yellow glow.


    Zhao Sheng seemed to recall something unpleasant, a trace of disgust flashing in his eyes.


    But he did not stop walking; he continued along the corridor.


    After walking about a dozen yards, cries and groans began faintly reaching his ears.


    A few steps later, the walls on both sides of the corridor suddenly bore heavy iron bars, revealing cell after cell filled with foul air.


    The cells were dark, with misshapen and grotesque bodies lying in the corners.


    As he passed, pairs of arms¡ªsome emaciated, some hairy, some covered in scales¡ªstretched out from between the bars.


    Zhao Sheng seemed to have been here many times already, his steps firm and undisturbed as he walked straight down the middle of the corridor.


    Before long, he arrived at a brightly lit, spacious stone room with a rectangular stone platform built in the center,


    on which lay a corpse about five feet in length, the air filled with a strange fragrance, a hint of blood and stench.


    This made Zhao Sheng feel somewhat oppressed.


    At that moment, a figure with his back turned was busy doing something along the side of the platform, a sharp long knife in hand flickering with an odd cold light.


    Viewed from the back, this person was dressed in a golden yellow Daoist robe, with his hair pinned up and wearing a hat, revealing greenish hair at the temples and a long beard hanging from his chin.


    He appeared to have the air of an immortal.


    Meanwhile, a clear, gentle voice rang out in the stone room: ¡°Have you arrived?¡±


    ¡°Master, did you call for me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, come here quickly,¡± Bao Chen called out without turning back.


    Meanwhile, a clear, gentle voice rang out in the stone room: ¡°Have you arrived?¡±


    ¡°Master, did you call for me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, come here quickly,¡± Bao Chen called out without turning back.


    Meanwhile, a clear, gentle voice rang out in the stone room: ¡°Have you arrived?¡±


    ¡°Master, did you call for me?¡±


    ¡°Yes, come here quickly,¡± Bao Chen called out without turning back.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 479 - 321 Fair or Not?

    Chapter 479: Chapter 321 Fair or Not?


    Hiss!


    A torrent of fresh blood burst forth like a pillar from the slit in the wrist, drenching the surface of a heart that was twice the size of a normal human heart. The blood was instantly absorbed by the heart.


    Standing calmly at the side of the stone platform, Zhao Sheng extended his right hand, maintaining the suspended motion without change.


    But on his wrist, the three-inch-long cut was healing at a visibly rapid pace.


    In the blink of an eye, the three-inch-long wound had completely healed, reverting to fair and smooth skin.


    Hiss-slash!


    A streak of sword light flashed, and fresh blood burst forth like a pillar once again, drenching the entire heart.


    The blood quickly merged into the heart.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The next second, the originally quiet heart suddenly contracted once, and then vigorously and rhythmically throbbed nonstop.


    Seeing this, Bao Chen¡¯s eyes shone with madness, and he hurriedly started closing the chest and abdomen, his hands deftly flying with needle and thread, stitching the wound at an exceptionally fast speed, demonstrating extreme skill.


    To the side, Zhao Sheng quietly withdrew his arm, quietly watching his Master perform the technique.


    In a mere thirty breaths, the chest and abdomen of the teenager lying on the stone platform had been stitched with a rough seam one foot long.


    Bao Chen¡¯s hands moved continuously, conjuring spells, and a patch of emerald clouds formed in mid-air, sprinkling down threads of spirit rain.


    The spirit rain fell upon the wound, transforming into strands of emerald light that nourished the newly stitched scar.


    Pop!


    After a snap of the fingers, in the next moment, the corpselike youngster suddenly trembled, and then began to move slightly, as a hint of color gradually surfaced on his face.


    Bao Chen, filled with fervor, looked at his ¡°new creation¡± with great satisfaction and laughed heartily.


    Only then did he turn his head to look at his beloved disciple.


    Zhao Sheng, too, saw a face brimming with righteousness and glowing with health.


    Eh!


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he promptly changed his expression to one of respect and admiration, joyfully congratulating, ¡°Congratulations, Master!¡±


    ¡°Haha! Bao¡¯er, if it weren¡¯t for the blood you provided, it wouldn¡¯t have been so easy to successfully revive this Tiger Demon¡¯s heart!¡±


    Bao Chen laughed, patting his disciple on the head, and casually took out a bottle of Dust Fire Pills, handing it to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Take this! When you¡¯ve used them all, ask your Master for more. Also, do you have enough Spirit Stones for your expenses? If not, your Master still has some,¡± Bao Chen asked with a doting look at his disciple, full of concern.


    Eh!


    Acting as his original body¡¯s usual self, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up, and he clung desperately to Bao Chen¡¯s leg, pitifully begging, ¡°Master, I ran out of Spirit Stones long ago. Can you give me some more? A hundred would be great, two hundred even better!¡±


    ¡°Hmm, your Master only has fifty, do you want them?¡±


    ¡°Fifty is good too, Of course I do,¡± Zhao Sheng extended his fair little hand, pretending to be secretly delighted.


    Bao Chen gently tapped him on the head and reluctantly took out a small cloth bag, handing it over to Zhao Sheng.


    As Zhao Sheng pretended to unveil the bag eagerly, he heard, ¡°Bao¡¯er, have you memorized the ¡®Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture¡¯ that your Master taught you?¡±


    Hmm! Is that a question?


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tensed, and countless images flashed through his mind in an instant.


    The next second, he had an idea.


    ¡°Master, I¡¯ve memorized it! I¡¯ll recite it for you¡­ ¡®All things are born to nourish man, without a single thing to repay the heavens¡­ The Red Lotus blooms for three thousand worlds, the Karmic Fire eternally cleanses the mortal realm¡­''¡±


    Although Zhao Sheng recited it with some stuttering, it was surprisingly accurate to the letter.


    Bao Chen listened and smiled, stroking his beard as he praised, ¡°Not bad, Bao¡¯er, you¡¯ve indeed made great progress!¡±


    Zhao Sheng bashfully smiled, as innocent as a child oblivious to worldly affairs.


    Bao Chen then posed several questions about the Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture. Zhao Sheng strived to hide his ignorance, hesitating for a long time before naively answering all at once. Most of the questions were answered somewhat smoothly, but the others were complete nonsense.


    Bao Chen was in a good mood and patiently explained to his disciple the finer points of the first third layer of the Red Lotus Scripture.


    Zhao Sheng appeared to be listening very attentively.


    But in reality, his mind was already wandering far away.


    A Foundation Establishment Cultivator lecturing a Nascent Soul Ancestor. This was akin to a novice attempting to show off his skill in front of a master craftsman¡ªabsurd and laughable!


    Um!


    A quarter of an hour later, a groan suddenly came from the stone platform. The teenager clutched his head and slowly opened his eyes, only to see Zhao Sheng and his Master.


    He couldn¡¯t help shouting in terror, ¡°¡­ Where am I? Who are you¡­ Dad, Mom, where are you¡ªAh!¡±


    With a tap of his finger on the person¡¯s brow, Bao Chen instantly knocked him unconscious.


    Then, he casually ordered, ¡°Take him to cell number Yi, and put the Five Chains on him.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Master!¡± Zhao Sheng skillfully dragged the person off the stone platform, hoisted him onto his shoulder, and briskly walked out.


    His flesh was naturally imbued with Divine Power, likely carrying a trace of the Barbaric Ancient Battle Body bloodline.


    Otherwise, a seven- or eight-year-old child wouldn¡¯t possess such great strength.


    ¡­


    ¡°Please, let me out!¡±


    ¡°Kid, my family is wealthy, if you release me, my dad will give you Silver, more than you could ever spend in your lifetime!¡±


    ¡°Ah ah! Where is this place? Where did my hand go? This¡­ this is a monkey¡¯s hand, not mine! Somebody help, save me!¡±


    Walking along the corridor, cries for help of various kinds emanated from the cells. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng completely ignored them as he walked, reaching the end of the corridor and finding an empty cell. He opened the door and stepped inside.


    The cell was barren, with a stone floor, a toilet in the corner, and deep inside was a stone bed.


    Zhao Sheng tossed the person onto the stone bed, positioning him properly.


    Then, he picked up a set of iron lock rings and clicked them onto the person¡¯s neck, wrists, and ankles, spreading his body into the shape of a ¡°big spread-eagle.¡±


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 480 - 321 Fair or Not?_2

    Chapter 480: Chapter 321 Fair or Not?_2


    Bang!


    Zhao Sheng walked out, casually locking the door behind him as he strode away.


    When he reached a secluded corner where no one was in sight, he looked around and then quietly bit his finger, squeezing a drop of fresh blood onto the ground.


    In the blink of an eye, the wound on his finger had healed.


    Having done this, Zhao Sheng returned to the stone room as if nothing had happened and reported back to Brother Bao.


    ¡­


    Late at night,


    The Nether Night Star, as large as a silver basin, hung high in the sky like the moon, casting a cold and pale radiance down on the earth.


    On Qingyang Mountain, the continuous buildings fell into silence, with only the main halls and other important places constantly lit by long-lasting lamps, illuminating the nearby darkness and dispelling the sinister shadows.


    To the east of the Soul Comforting Temple lay a pretty sizable and exquisitely arranged courtyard complex.


    In the very center of this complex, within a richly decorated small courtyard, Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on a comfortable bed, a serious expression on his face as he sank into deep thought.


    Sanbao¡¯s memory was rather sparse, with hardly any useful information.


    This child had grown up in the Soul Comforting Temple and had rarely traveled far from home.


    He knew very little, not just about the Netherworld, but even about Flying Dragon City down the mountain.


    The Great Gu Dynasty devoutly believed in the Heavenly Dao Sect; from the royal family to the common people, everyone was a fervent devotee, offering incense and money to the temples.


    In the entirety of the nation¡¯s thirty-eight provinces and one hundred and eight counties, everyone adhered to these beliefs, and within this territory, numerous temples abounded, with names like the Ten Directions Forest and the Ten Thousand Descendants Temple.


    The Heavenly Dao Sect appointed divine spirits for heavens, and its temples transcended the mundane world, their status and power far exceeding the local government and clans.


    The Soul Comforting Temple was one of the region-level divine temples directly under the Heavenly Dao Sect, with one Foundation Establishment Realm temple sacrifice and at least fifty to sixty Qi Refining Realm Daoists, including Zhao Sheng, although he was only at the Qi Refining First Level.


    Although he had only woken up for a day, Zhao Sheng had already discovered many secrets of the Soul Comforting Temple.


    Bao Chen was an ambitious man with a heart that saw no others as equals, unfortunately, his Spirit Root talent was not high, being only Four Spirit Roots.


    Thus, having barely advanced to the Foundation Establishment, he soon faced the deadly crisis of impending demise.


    This was the second significant secret Zhao Sheng had discovered.


    On the day of his reincarnation, Zhao Sheng had noticed that every cultivator he met was cultivating the ¡°Blood Soul Scripture.¡±


    This surprised him.


    Bao Chen¡¯s disguise was too good; no one else in the temple had noticed his plight, but when Zhao Sheng first met him, he immediately spotted Bao Chen¡¯s hidden problem.


    Don¡¯t forget, Zhao Sheng had two lifetimes of experience cultivating the Blood Soul Scripture, and with his Nascent Soul Level Eye Power, seeing through this guise was incredibly easy.


    Recalling the numerous human experiments Bao Chen had conducted over the recent years, Zhao Sheng¡¯s thoughts shifted, and he instantly understood his various mad acts.


    It must be said that Bao Chen was a daredevil who was clever but insanely arrogant.


    Others might find it hard to understand his methods, but Zhao Sheng saw through his ultimate ideal at a glance.


    Many Divinity Transformation True Monarchs had failed to achieve what he dared to challenge about the Tao and the Heavenly Principle, a mere Foundation Establishment dared to do so.


    Having seen through everything, Zhao Sheng had to give his Master a thumbs up.


    ¡°However¡­ adding this body of mine with super healing, his wish¡­ maybe¡­ maybe it has a slight chance of success,¡± Zhao Sheng muttered sheepishly, his body suddenly turning into nothingness, disappearing from the bed.


    In the hidden cave at the back mountain, low moans echoed intermittently through the empty corridors.


    At that moment, in a secluded, uninhabited corner of the cave, the darkness trembled slightly before a small, frail child stepped forth.


    Zhao Sheng cocked his ear, listening for a while, then his figure flashed as he hurried into the stone room at the end of the corridor.


    He skillfully walked past the blood-stained stone slab to a row of medicine cabinets on the west side of the stone room.


    The medicine cabinet displayed row upon row of densely packed medicine cases containing thousands of types of Spiritual Medicine.


    Zhao Sheng observed for a while, then quickly stepped forward, pulling out medicine cases and tinkering them sneakily.


    A moment later, the medicine cases were restored to their original state. His arms bulging, Zhao Sheng suddenly smiled slightly, and in the next instant, his form turned into nothingness and he vanished from the stone room.


    When he reappeared, he was already on the bed.


    In a sense, Phase Shifting could be regarded as a divine-level Talent.


    Due to the dual restrictions of his own spiritual power and physical strength, the distance Zhao Sheng could cover with Phase Shifting was limited, not exceeding ten li.


    But for some sneaky activities, it was more than enough.


    Having returned to his room, Zhao Sheng did not immediately go to sleep but instead took out various spiritual medicines he had stolen, prepared several kinds of medicinal and poisonous powders, and then went to sleep.


    ¡­¡­


    Three days later, after a ritual class, the group of Daoist children burst into a playful uproar.


    At that moment, a rush of hurried footsteps approached from the doorway.


    A man dressed in a white Daoist robe, with his hair tied up, rushed in from outside.


    ¡°Brother, the temple sacrifice master is summoning everyone to the Soul Comforting Hall!¡±


    This sudden message left everyone puzzled, but since it was the temple sacrifice master who had spoken, they naturally complied.


    Soon,


    in the Soul Comforting Hall at the summit of Qingyang Mountain, all the Daoist children were assembled.


    Zhao Sheng sharply noticed that apart from these children, some Temple Protection Martial Sect members and Fire Head Laymen, not a single important person like the Scripture Master, Jiao Master, or Guest Master was present.


    ¡°Hmm, could it be Bao Chen is up to his tricks again?¡± Surrounded by his peers, Zhao Sheng speculated maliciously in his heart.


    He loved a spectacle and was no stranger to it, as his own master was known for acting impulsively.


    At that moment, a tall figure stepped out from the darkness, and all the Daoist children except Zhao Sheng instinctively bowed their heads in salute, ¡°We greet the master!¡±


    This was none other than the revered Bao Chen, the Sanctity of Soul Comforting Temple!


    ¡°Ahem~!¡± A cough tightened everyone¡¯s body.


    ¡°Last night, a message came from Flying Dragon City, saying that demonic ghosts have been causing trouble and many lives have been disturbed. I am deeply grieved!!¡±


    Although he spoke of grief, his face remained utterly indifferent.


    ¡°This guy should have been a government official; what a wasted talent,¡± Zhao Sheng muttered to himself.


    ¡°As the largest temple in Hufeng County, it is the disciples¡¯ duty to exterminate demons and restore peace to the world. Therefore¡­¡±


    All the Daoist children held their breath, silently listening to Bao Chen¡¯s heavy breathing.


    ¡°¡­therefore, I have decided to send you down the mountain to deal with the demonic disturbances. You may form groups voluntarily or summon members of the Temple Protection Martial Sect to accompany you. However you choose to proceed, you must return and report back within three days.


    Those with notable achievements will be generously rewarded. Did you all understand?¡±


    ¡°We will obey your decree, master!¡± The crowd answered with unusual proficiency, as if they had practiced it many times before.


    After listening, memories flashed through Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind, and in a moment, he understood the true nature of this order.


    Exorcising demons was just a pretense, and the experience of going down the mountain was a sham, merely a mean to collect more offerings and tributes.


    In the Soul Comforting Temple, nearly a hundred Daoist children resided, with only seven officially registered, while the rest were from great households of Hufeng County.


    The best outcome for them, upon reaching adulthood, was to stay on at the Soul Comforting Temple as a Firework Monk.


    The reason for this was obvious.


    As a direct disciple of the temple sacrifice, Zhao Sheng was clearly destined to be one of the future pillars of support.


    Therefore, no sooner had Bao Chen left than the area around Zhao Sheng was swarmed by Daoist children.


    ¡°Brother Bao, come down the mountain with me. My family recently hired a royal chef, and his dishes are delicious.¡±


    ¡°Pah, step aside! Does Brother Bao need your simple meals? My family just acquired a piece of precious jade, would you please come and have a look?¡±


    ¡°¡­Brother, my family has a pair of twin lotuses that are as delicately carved and adorable as could be. If you¡¯re interested, perhaps you could come and see. If you like¡­ take them!¡±


    ¡°My family is willing to offer ten vials of essence blood, provided that Brother Bao graces our estate with his presence.¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°And me¡­¡±


    Hearing the incessant chatter around him, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face suddenly fell, and he coldly commanded, ¡°Shut up!¡±


    At this, everyone was shocked!


    An unusual silence fell over the hall, and all eyes turned towards Zhao Sheng, some of them subtly revealing a hint of malice.


    Zhao Sheng scanned the faces around him, taking in one after another ingratiating and slickly worldly visages.


    But what was conspicuously absent¡­ was any trace of childlike innocence.


    Zhao Sheng sighed inwardly, then, putting on a triumphant expression, he loudly said, ¡°Now, listen, let¡¯s take turns! Those who didn¡¯t get to go this time, can simply go next time. Don¡¯t you all agree, isn¡¯t that fair?¡±


    ¡°Fair!¡±


    Instantly, all the Daoist children shouted cheerily.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 481 - 322: Human Life as Insignificant as Grass and Mustard Seed

    Chapter 481: Chapter 322: Human Life as Insignificant as Grass and Mustard Seed


    The next morning, at dawn, the sun began to rise.


    Suddenly, the doors of the Soul Comforting Temple flung wide open, and one luxurious rune Flying Car after another streamed out from behind the gates.


    The majority of the carriage fleet, raising billows of dust along the spacious and straight royal road, sped off in all directions. However, four Flying Cars halted at the foot of the mountain, quietly waiting.


    Half an hour after the fleet had left the Divine Temple, a carriage adorned with carvings of dragons and paintings of tigers and a cover of misty clouds¡ªa rune Flying Car¡ªfinally rolled out slowly through the gates, pulled by two silver-white tigers each with a body length of eighteen feet and distinctive drooping eyes and white foreheads.


    The two White Tigers, majestic and dignified, gave a mighty roar towards the heavens, their paws striking the ground as they walked on the wind, suddenly generating a whirlwind beneath them.


    In the blink of an eye, the White Tigers, dragging the Flying Car, sped down the mountain without pause, zipping along the royal road.


    This rune Flying Car hovered three feet above the ground like a wisp of clouds, speeding along with the wind.


    The four Flying Cars at the foot of the mountain followed in tight formation, but gradually the gap widened, leaving them far behind.


    The White Tigers raced on, harnessing the wind,


    while the faint scent of incense wafted within the cabin; Zhao Sheng lay sprawled lazily on the soft couch, yawning continuously, on the verge of sleep.


    In one corner of the carriage, Gui Li sat with a stern face, his body upright in his seat, casting a side glance at the disheveled Zhao Sheng, and his expression betrayed an unspoken critcism of the latter¡¯s indolence.


    Gui Li was a True Law Practitioner from the Demon Extermination Hall of the Soul Comforting Temple, a Qi Refinement Middle Stage Taoist. He was the one truly responsible for the task of exorcism on this journey.


    Zhao Sheng was merely out to gild his reputation and, incidentally, to collect tributes from various clans.


    ¡°Senior Brother Gui, relax a little, will you? Don¡¯t always be so stern-faced, or you might scare off potential Dao companions!¡± Rubbing his eyelids, Zhao Sheng suddenly spoke up, teasing.


    ¡°Sanbao, if you continue with this nonsense, you¡¯ll surely amount to nothing when you grow up. Temple Sacrificial Treasure Chen spoils you too much, indulging your reckless behavior. He¡¯s truly wasting your top-grade talent¡ªwhat a mistake!¡± Though Gui Li¡¯s words were harsh, his demeanor suggested deep concern and frustration.


    ¡°Hehe, Senior Brother Gui, you worry too much. Being exceptionally intelligent and astute, I hardly need to exert much effort. The mere Foundation Establishment Realm is within easy reach for me. Even if those brats from the Scripture Hall practiced day and night without rest, they wouldn¡¯t match up to a single finger of mine,¡± Zhao Sheng said nonchalantly.


    He spoke the truth, but Gui Li believed not a word of it.


    ¡°Humph, your arrogance will only lead to hardship later on!¡± Gui Li rebuked, frowning deeply.


    Zhao Sheng acted as if he hadn¡¯t heard a thing, maintaining a playful and cheery demeanor.


    Seeing this, Gui Li simply closed his eyes to meditate, ignoring the hopeless case before him.


    The atmosphere in the carriage became solemn in an instant.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s smile faded, and he straightened up, casually drawing back the curtains of the carriage window.


    As the curtains parted, the vast expanse of golden wheat fields suddenly filled his view.


    The Flying Car sped on, the scenery whizzing by into the distance.


    Along the way, the wheat fields seemed endless, stretching to the horizon, with irrigation ditches faintly visible beside the roads through the fields.


    As the breeze swept through the fields, the bending wheat revealed the farmers, clad in hemp and wearing straw hats. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng let his eyes wander, nodding and smiling faintly. The cheeks of the farmers in the fields were ruddy and plump, a sign they were well-fed.


    Soon, amidst the wheat fields, the figures of vegetable gardens and Medicine Fields began to appear.


    The dual suns gradually ascended to the zenith, and the heat of the sunlight scorched the earth.


    Along the way, one dilapidated and filthy farmstead and hamlet after another was left behind by the Flying Car. Occasionally, a dock castle enclosed by brick walls came into Zhao Sheng¡¯s view.


    Just past noon, the White Tiger Flying Car had already traveled over five hundred miles.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes were bright as he gazed outside. By this time, the scenery had changed drastically from what it was at the beginning of the journey.


    The wheat in the fields beside the road was thin and sparse, and the ground between them was cracked and caked, revealing the farmers who toiled within, looking gaunt and listless, their faces numb and devoid of vitality.


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng pointed outside and asked, ¡°Senior Brother Gui, is this field a temple property? Why is it so poorly managed?¡±


    Gui Li spared a glance outside and replied calmly, ¡°We¡¯ve passed the temple¡¯s lands just now. This field isn¡¯t owned by the temple; it belongs to the Wu family.¡±


    ¡°Ah, no wonder the workers in the fields are so scrawny. Turns out they¡¯re tenants under Wu Bapi!¡± Zhao Sheng sneered.


    ¡°Sanbao, you loose-tongued boy, aren¡¯t you afraid that the Scripture Master will be displeased when he hears you and deliberately make you suffer a penalty?¡± Gui Li frowned, his tone reprimanding.


    ¡°Hehe, it¡¯s just us two here. Would you really go tattle to the Scripture Master, Senior Brother?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s rhetorical question left Gui Li speechless.


    After all, Gui Li was a trusted confidant of Bao Chen and would by no means ¡°betray¡± his own side.


    There were many factions within the Soul Comforting Temple, with Temple Sacrificial Treasure Chen¡¯s group being the most prominent, followed by Wu Changyong and his cohorts, representatives of the local families of Hufeng County.


    But being an emissary from the Prefecture Temple, Bao Chen, the external dragon, held sway, and though these rival factions struggled for power and profit beneath the surface, Bao Chen¡¯s strength and ruthlessness, coupled with the legitimacy his position conferred, allowed him to single-handedly suppress all opposition, keeping the local gentries docile.


    It¡¯s important to understand that as the ¡°Crownless King¡± of a county, the Soul Comforting Temple possessed numerous and expansive properties, generating profits that outsiders could hardly imagine.


    Just as an example, from the moment they left the temple doors in the morning until noon, covering a distance of five hundred miles, all of the fields, forests, and lakes they¡¯d passed were properties of the Soul Comforting Temple.


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 482 - 322: Human Life as Insignificant as Grass and Mustard Seed_2

    Chapter 482: Chapter 322: Human Life as Insignificant as Grass and Mustard Seed_2


    Just the agricultural property alone, the ledgers in the temple showed they possessed over one million mu of land, with the good quality fields accounting for almost half of Hufeng County.


    However, agricultural produce was just one of the less outstanding assets of the Soul Comforting Temple; the main profit came from the yields of cultivation-related spirit fields and spirit mines.


    You can imagine how rich the profits involved here are!


    The Flying Car sped along rapidly, and in a short while, it had covered dozens of li.


    At that moment, an ancient city densely populated and bustling with traffic and high city walls suddenly appeared before Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Still, without a moment¡¯s pause, the Flying Car swiftly circled the city and continued along the imperial road towards the distance.


    When the smaller of the twin suns had set and the sky had grown slightly darker, the sunlight no longer scorching,


    Two White Tigers, panting heavily, expelled steaming hot mists from their mouths, soon stopping their charge and eventually halting in front of a vast mansion with green brick and red tiles, an antique charm, and numerous pavilions and terraces.


    As soon as Zhao Sheng and Gui Li got down from the car, a group of gorgeously dressed, impressive-looking middle-aged and elderly people crowded forward to greet them.


    After a moment, four Flying Cars hurriedly arrived from afar.


    Four half-grown youths leapt down from the cars, each followed by a middle-aged man.


    They didn¡¯t dare to voice their complaints; they just kept smiling faces and then crowded around Zhao Sheng, leading him into the mansion.


    As night fell, in a high and spacious building deep within the mansion, the lights were brilliant, and the music of strings and bamboo spilled out; slender beauties swayed gracefully on the open ground before the banquet, their singing voices captivating,


    The atmosphere at the banquet was enthusiastic; everyone was all smiles, the endless sounds of praise and flattery reaching their peak as if the party had reached its climax.


    The prime seats were undoubtedly occupied by Zhao Sheng and Gui Li, while the four Daoist Children and Guardian Martial Sect were seated at the side.


    Zhao Sheng was not in high spirits, propping his cheek in one hand with a vacant gaze, indifferent to the compliments being offered by those around him, his heart seemingly not there anymore.


    At this moment, one of the round-faced Daoist Child surreptitiously winked at the host and secretly made a few hand gestures.


    Upon seeing this, Zou Family Master had a sudden realization, and quickly clapped his hands together; the singing and dancing at the banquet immediately stopped, and with another wave of his hand, the dancers respectfully and silently retired.


    With a smiling face, Zou Family Master said to Zhao Sheng in a loud voice, ¡°The wine and dances in the countryside are simple and plain, I hope Master Bao will be understanding. Having learned of Master¡¯s visit to our estate, I¡¯ve specially prepared a corpse-fighting play to amuse our distinguished guests.¡±


    At the mention of the performance, everyone¡¯s interest was piqued; a chubby Daoist Child immediately stood up and shouted, ¡°Since it¡¯s a performance, we must have some stakes to make it exciting! Otherwise, who would care to watch?¡±


    ¡°Exactly, Junior Brother Fang speaks well! How about letting Old Man Zou handle the wagers, let the competitors in the corpse-fighting appear first, and then we¡¯ll place our bets?¡±


    ¡°Sanbao Brother, what do you think? You won quite a bit from me last time, this time I intend to win it all back, with interest.¡±


    Zhao Sheng dropped his hand and glanced over the table at the many meaningful gazes, then suddenly cracked a smile, ¡°Alright! I¡¯ve always been one for gambling, and tonight I¡¯m determined to break the bank and win to my heart¡¯s content. Old Man Zou, hurry and let them take the stage.¡±


    Upon seeing this, Old Man Zou lightly clapped his hands, and teams of green-clothed servants streamed out, skillfully cleared the dining tables, and offered tea and pastries.


    At the same time, accompanied by the sound of dragging chains, two groups of people entered from outside the building.


    One group pushed a gaunt young man wearing a wooden cangue around his neck, with arms tightly bound behind his back and feet shackled with heavy iron chains.


    The other group was carrying a locust wood coffin, from which scratching noises were emitted.


    Seeing this arrangement, Zhao Sheng knew what was coming¡ªthe corpse-fighting was a very popular form of entertainment in the Great Gu Dynasty.


    The outcomes of these deadly fights were either a person being eaten by a zombie or a zombie being torn apart by a person.


    As the coffin lid was lifted, a nine-feet-tall zombie with a body covered in white fur and eyes filled with bloodred hatred stood up straight out of the coffin.


    This zombie was a White-Haired Walking Corpse, its brute strength no less than that of a first-class martial arts expert.


    A youth with a powdered face laughed out loud upon seeing this, ¡°Ha! This is clearly like giving us money! Come on, what¡¯s the wager? I¡¯ll definitely bet on the living corpse!¡±


    Others, seeing this scene, also nodded in approval, very satisfied with the Zou Family¡¯s thoughtfulness.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s brow furrowed then quickly relaxed, shaking his head vigorously, ¡°No, that¡¯s no good! I want to see an evenly matched fight, what¡¯s the pleasure in seeing someone get ripped apart instantly? Get another person!¡±


    ¡°This¡­¡± Zou Family Master hesitated briefly, then catching the signal from his grandson, his mind was made up, and with a smile and a nimble hand clap,


    The frail youth was about to be dragged away.


    However, at this moment, he suddenly struggled with all his strength, his face filled with urgency, and he made whimpering noises from his mouth.


    Hmm?


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze flashed as he ordered, ¡°Remove the gag from his mouth, let¡¯s hear what he has to say.¡±


    Without waiting for the master¡¯s command, someone obediently removed the shoved-in wood core.


    The frail youth coughed a few times, and with a stubborn face, he shouted at the Zou Family, ¡°You didn¡¯t keep your word. You said that after I fight this last battle, no matter the outcome, my family¡¯s high-interest debt would be forgiven.


    If I win, there would also be one hundred taels of silver to take. My sister is waiting for me to redeem her! You didn¡¯t keep your word! I can fight, I can still fight!¡±


    ¡°Haha, this is interesting! A lowly one actually has such loyalty and righteousness. Why not just let him fight then, so no one can say we¡¯ve broken our promise.¡±


    ¡°The point is well made! But I wonder what Brother Bao thinks?¡±


    Seeing everyone looking over, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face showed a trace of irritation, and he said impatiently, ¡°Are you done? Are my words not valid now, huh? It¡¯s just one hundred taels of silver; Master is in a good mood today, and he will reward it!¡±


    As he said this, he reached into his bosom, but suddenly came up empty-handed.


    But in the next second, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was full of pride as he pulled out a yellow paper talisman, showing off intentionally, ¡°Master doesn¡¯t have silver on him, but talismans aplenty, one worth one hundred taels, today only, no exchange after date, who wants it!¡±


    ¡°I want it!¡±


    ¡°I want it!¡±


    ¡°I want it too!¡±


    As the people eagerly raised their hands, Patriarch Zou signaled to his clan not to join the hubbub while coughing, and said softly, ¡°Cough cough, this old man would also like to exchange a few. But not for one hundred taels, rather at the market price, guaranteed not to lose out for Master Bao.¡±


    Zhao Sheng casually threw the talisman, scattering them across most of the table.


    He leaned back lazily in his chair, speaking indifferently, ¡°Old man, you have quite the eye for value, you handle it! But don¡¯t shortchange that lad. Master just finds him pleasing to the eye.¡±


    ¡°Master, rest assured! This old man understands.¡± After speaking, Patriarch Zou gestured to his servants with his eyes.


    The servants quickly stepped forward with a smile, pulling the youth out. That clever, frail youth, seeing what was happening, didn¡¯t utter a word, but the moment he stepped outside, he fiercely turned back to look at Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng appeared utterly nonchalant, as if totally unconcerned by the other person¡¯s gaze.


    After this little interlude, the Zou Family sent up a sturdy middle-aged man with double blades.


    The crowd quickly placed their bets, and the deadly combat between man and zombie erupted at once.


    The middle-aged man was agile, his Cold Ice Inner Qi of at least thirty years showing immense skill, and his practical experience was exceptionally commanding.


    Facing a ferocious, fearless white-furred walking corpse, the man ran around the arena without engaging in a head-on clash.


    His tactics were utterly correct, but unfortunately, the onlookers were a group of impatient youths.


    As soon as the evasive fighting began, they started to heckle and urge him on.


    Under the covert cues from the Zou Family Master, the middle-aged man had to abandon his previous tactics and engage the walking corpse in direct combat.


    In an instant, blood flew and screams and blade howls filled the air. The middle-aged man quickly suffered injuries all over his body, and the wounds turned black, with the blackness rushing up to his face, clearly deeply poisoned by the zombie¡¯s toxin.


    Once the walking corpse had an arm severed, the blade-wielding middle-aged man collapsed weakly onto the ground, the outcome unmistakably a dead man and an injured zombie.


    ¡°Next one, quick, the next one!¡±


    Urged on, the next martial artist walked resolutely onto the hall, and


    ¡°Next one, quick, the next one!¡±


    Urged on, the next martial artist walked resolutely onto the hall, and


    Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com

 Chapter 483 - 323 Simple Folk Customs and Ghost Collection

    Chapter 483: Chapter 323 Simple Folk Customs and Ghost Collection


    As the twin suns began their ascent, a rosy glow of dawn filled the sky.


    The grand doors of the Zou¡¯s Mansion slowly swung open, and the Zou Family Patriarch, accompanied by a group of people, ushered Zhao Sheng and Gui Li out.


    Roar!


    With the explosive roars of tigers, two White Tigers pulling a Rune Flying Car sprinted from afar, quickly coming to a halt in front of Zhao Sheng and the others.


    ¡°Zou Family Master, please wait!¡± Gui Li, upon seeing this, turned back and, placing a hand on his chest, bowed respectfully to the Zou Family Master.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a modest gift, please kindly accept it, honorable Mages!¡±


    Patriarch Zou, with a beaming smile, gestured with his hand, prompting the servants at his side to step forward and present two wooden carving boxes.


    There was no need for formalities. Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, and the coachman stepped forward to receive the two ¡°modest gifts.¡±


    The practice of parting gifts is a tradition in Hufeng County and throughout the Great Gu Dynasty since ancient times. Of course, the value of the gifts varies greatly depending on the status of the guest.


    At this moment, Gui Li suddenly turned to Zhao Sheng and suggested, ¡°Sanbao, do you really need to follow them? Why not stay in the mansion for a few days? I can come to pick you up in three days, how about that?¡±


    ¡°Stop the nonsense, Brother. No matter what you say, I must see for myself how a True Law Practitioner exorcises demons and vanquishes evil,¡± Zhao Sheng replied with a look of curiosity and determination.


    ¡°Brother Bao, don¡¯t leave! Why don¡¯t we go with you?¡± cried one of the accompanying Daoist Children, his eyes gleaming as he suddenly pleaded.


    ¡°Indeed! The Zou Family¡¯s Mansion has plenty to eat and drink, and many fun activities to enjoy. Brother Bao, why trouble yourself going to such a dirty and lowly realm?¡±


    ¡°Wherever you go, Brother, Fang Xing will follow!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, enough talk,¡± Zhao Sheng, growing impatient with the conversation, said decisively: ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind to go this time; nobody should persuade me otherwise. All of you stay here and behave. Don¡¯t cause trouble or screw things up. Otherwise, you¡¯ll have to answer to me when we get back to the mountain.¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng turned to a round-faced young man and instructed, ¡°Zou Qi, this is your home, so you¡¯re responsible for looking after these two. There will be benefits for you later.¡±


    ¡°Rest assured, Brother Bao, I will take good care of the two junior brothers,¡± the round-faced young man quickly assured, patting his chest.


    ¡°Humph, I, Fang Xing, joined the mountain a year earlier than Zou Qi, so I should be addressed as senior brother,¡± a chubby, tall youngster commented, grumbling immediately afterward.


    Zhao Sheng disregarded the two and jumped straight onto the Flying Car, reclining in the cabin.


    Gui Li shook his head at this sight, nodded once more to the people of the Zou Family, and also entered the car.


    Roar!


    At the coachman¡¯s whistle, the two White Tigers shot forward and the Rune Flying Car quickly raced off into the distance.


    It wasn¡¯t until they had traveled a dozen miles that Zhao Sheng opened the wooden carving box in the cabin.


    Inside, a row of Low-grade Spirit Stones, the size of chicken eggs and a pale jade color, were neatly arranged on red silk, emitting a faint glow.


    ¡°Hehe, including mine, that makes a total of twenty Spirit Stones. The Zou Family has indeed invested quite a sum this time,¡± Gui Li said with a hint of a smile as he opened his box and glanced inside.


    ¡°Hmm, there¡¯s also that stack of talismans. The Zou Family even paid thirty-six Spirit Stones for them, all at a price twenty percent above the market rate. Senior Brother Gui, how about we split the Spirit Stones eighty-twenty after they¡¯re delivered to the mountain?¡±


    ¡°Eh, Sanbao, you¡¯ve changed your tune this time? Actually willing to share the proceeds with your senior brother?¡± Gui Li expressed his surprise upon hearing this.


    Zhao Sheng closed the lid of the box, his expression indifferent, and said, ¡°Senior Brother, I¡¯m no longer a three-year-old child; I¡¯ve long known the proper conduct. From ancient times, it¡¯s been understood that selfish greed leads to no good end.¡±


    ¡°Sanbao, with such awareness at your young age, I have high hopes for you. In the future, it will be up to you to carry on the mantle,¡± Gui Li replied with a faint smile, half serious and half mocking.


    ¡°Senior Brother, you flatter me, I, Sanbao¡­¡±


    In the midst of their conversation on the road, the thirty-mile journey passed in the blink of an eye.


    Guided by the lead traveler, the Rune Flying Car sped into a dilapidated village.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your village head, Liu Sanba? Quickly summon him to welcome the distinguished guests. The two esteemed Mages from the Soul Comforting Temple have specially come to exorcise demons and eradicate evil for you today.


    Quickly call for people to come. If you dare neglect the distinguished guests, I will have you pay dearly!¡± shouted the Zou Family Manager, who had just jumped off the Flying Car, authoritatively at the villagers huddling fearfully by the roadside.


    The more nimble ones immediately scurried into the village, while the rest, like quails, knelt trembling by the road, not daring to lift their heads.


    Zhao Sheng stepped down from the cabin and caught sight of this scene. His brows slightly furrowed, but the expression was fleeting.


    He looked around. All he saw were tightly packed, low-thatched cottages, most with fences crudely made of tree branches, behind which languished a few scrawny black-feathered chickens.


    The village paths were muddy and narrow, riddled with potholes; filth flowed openly on the ground. The villagers appeared gaunt, many bare-chested, their lower halves roughly covered with burlap; the children, little else but skin and bones, their dark skin glistening.


    ¡°My lords, this is Liu Family¡¯s Village. Recently, the former village head and his whole family were slain by a Fierce Ghost ¡ª died most horribly,¡± the Zou Family Manager said, seizing the opportunity to inform Zhao Sheng and his companion of the recent ghastly events.


    Zhao Sheng looked around, remaining silent, while Gui Li was much more inquisitive, continuously questioning the manager.


    Soon, four or five village men ran toward them from the village, led by an old man with white-streaked hair and a yellow face.


    Approaching, the old man and his companions fell to their knees with a thud, their mouths bustling with welcomes for the esteemed guests, apologies for any disrespect, and other well-rehearsed courtesies.

 Chapter 484 - 323 Simple Customs and Ghost Collecting_2

    Chapter 484: Chapter 323 Simple Customs and Ghost Collecting_2


    Only after Zhao Sheng gave the order did these village men climb up from the ground, their backs bent severely as if they were afraid to stand taller than the young noble.


    ¡°Liu Sanba, hurry up and tell the noble exactly how your brother¡¯s whole family met such a tragic death. Don¡¯t you dare lie; otherwise, you can forget about being the temporary village head.¡±


    ¡°Ah, rest assured Manager Zou. I will definitely be earnest, definitely earnest!¡±


    As he spoke, the yellow-faced old man smiled widely as he looked towards Zhao Sheng and Gui Li.


    After receiving a signal from Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes, his back bent even lower as he spoke with a face full of sorrow, ¡°The incident has to be traced back to half a month ago¡­¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, the yellow-faced old man stopped speaking, looking very nervously at Zhao Sheng and Gui Li, his attention mostly fixed on Gui Li, who was wearing the Daoist robe.


    As for Zhao Sheng, well! An eight-year-old baby, no matter how noble, is still not as impressive as the other Mage with stronger mana.


    Upon hearing the story, Gui Li¡¯s brows relaxed and he spoke as if at ease, ¡°The ghostly creature causing trouble must have just been born not long ago. Even if it is fierce, it¡¯s nothing more than a resentful ghost. I originally thought it was an old ghost that had accumulated years of malice, but it turns out to be a newly formed ghost. Junior brother, this is an easy task for us.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had been silent the whole time, but now he suddenly said with a cold face, ¡°You village heads deserve to die!¡±


    The smile on the yellow-faced old man¡¯s face instantly froze, and he quickly began to frantically explain, ¡°Noble one, we are wronged! This has always been the custom in our area. When a new bride enters the household, the village head must be the first to ¡®taste the soup.¡¯ This is done firstly to check whether the bride has ever been dishonest, and secondly to collect Phoenix Sunflower.


    ¡°My older brother had no idea the bride would be so suicidal. She hung herself on the same day, and after her death, she turned into a Fierce Ghost seeking lives. Poor my sister-in-law and my two nephews. They hadn¡¯t committed any sins, yet they were all claimed by the ghost.¡±


    The more the yellow-faced old man spoke, the more aggrieved he felt, until in the end he couldn¡¯t help but shed old tears, and those around him also started to cry.


    ¡°Our village head is a righteous person. While other villages have extended their blood taxes for three years, ours is only for two. Even the interest is lower than in other villages. The village head is a righteous man!¡± someone brave quietly supported him with a chime in.


    Gui Li suddenly snorted coldly, and everyone around immediately knelt down in a large group.


    ¡°Junior brother, the Phoenix Sunflower is a type of precious blood specifically designated for collection by our sect. This substance encloses life and harbors death, containing yin and nurturing yang, and has many mysterious uses,¡± Gui Li explained lightly.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed, and he spoke in a very cold tone, ¡°Get up, take me to the scene.¡±


    Liu Family¡¯s Village was not large, with only about a hundred households. The village had only one road connecting it inside and out, and at the end of the road, a large courtyard with green bricks marked the place where the incident happened.


    This courtyard housed ten large tile-roofed rooms; five, facing north to south, were for living. On the left were two rooms for livestock, on the right two rooms for the kitchen and storage, and there was also a granary built with green stone walls.


    At that moment, the center of the courtyard held four thin pine coffins. The surface of the coffins was covered with black-winged flies, massing together densely.


    As they reached the entrance of the courtyard, the other villagers suddenly stopped, their expressions filled with panicked fear, while the yellow-faced old man rushed ahead, waving his hands wildly to drive the flies away.


    Zhao Sheng looked thoughtfully at the black blood scabs in front of the main house¡¯s door.


    Gui Li strode to the front of the coffins, waved his sleeve, and the coffin lids were immediately flipped over onto the ground.


    ¡°Junior brother, come take a look.¡±


    Responding to the call, Zhao Sheng stepped forward, looking down into the coffin to see that the corpses¡¯ skin was pallid, covered in corpse spots, and their faces filled with despair and fear, yet their bodies had not a single wound.


    Observing the other three corpses revealed the same condition.


    Seeing this, Gui Li nodded silently to himself, thinking, ¡°The bodies are this rotted, yet junior brother remains unfazed. It seems everyone has underestimated him. Sanbao is not as frivolous and arrogant as he seems.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, the Divine Soul of this person has indeed been devoured by the ghostly creature, no injuries on the body, yet blood has been drained all over the floor. Brother, that ghost is no trivial matter! It seems to possess the ability to drain blood from a distance.¡±


    ¡°Ghosts have many varied and bizarre talents; blood-sucking, in itself, is not so unusual. However, the fact that this ghost has just emerged and was able to kill four people cannot be ignored. We cannot let it continue to act violently, for it will become a huge menace in a hundred or so years,¡± Gui Li stated, looking around with an extremely stern expression.


    ¡°Strange, where has the female corpse gone?¡± Zhao Sheng muttered to himself before looking towards the yellow-faced old man and asking, ¡°Where is the hanging woman¡¯s corpse now? Take us to see it.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Gui Li¡¯s gaze also shifted to the man.


    ¡°Reporting¡­ reporting to the lord, the¡­ the body suddenly disappeared from the courtyard last night.¡±


    The yellow-faced old man knelt again, his voice trembling, apparently very afraid of being blamed by the lord.


    ¡°Eh, could it have turned into a living corpse?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Gui Li¡¯s face brightened with excitement, and he instantly flipped his hands to reveal a yellow paper talisman between his fingertips.


    He chanted under his breath, and in the blink of an eye, with a flick of his sword finger, the talisman suddenly ignited in flames, burning up into ash. At the same time, a faint ring of golden light spread out swiftly, enveloping the entire courtyard.


    The next second, from within the four coffins rose four strands of grey mist, sharply visible under the golden light.


    Looking at this, Gui Li furrowed his brows, ¡°Strange, there¡¯s no Corpse Qi from that female corpse here?¡±


    Zhao Sheng, however, said, ¡°Brother, where the female corpse has run off to, or whether it has been stolen by some adept, is not important. What matters is to eliminate that resentful ghost first, to prevent it from harming others.¡±


    ¡°Junior brother¡­ Hmm, you¡¯re quite right, junior brother. I was too eager for the thrill of the hunt and got distracted,¡± Gui Li admitted as he moved his sleeve, and a palm-sized black porcelain bottle fell into his hand.

 Chapter 485 - 323 Simple Customs and Ghost Collecting_3

    Chapter 485: Chapter 323 Simple Customs and Ghost Collecting_3


    He chanted a spell and circulated Spiritual Power into the porcelain bottle. A series of white lights burst forth from the mouth of the bottle, followed by a three-foot-tall, greenish-black human shadow emerging. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The shadow emitted a faint incense scent, and bursts of chilly air flowed out from its body, causing the temperature in the courtyard to plummet rapidly as if sudden frost had descended.


    The Great Sun was overhead, yet this ghost was not afraid of the sunlight¡¯s scorching.


    Zhao Sheng realized at a glance that this ghostly creature had been Sacrificially Refined by the Secret Techniques of the Heavenly Dao Sect,


    ¡°Heavenly Dao reigns supreme, all ghosts bow down! Spirit ghost, seek and find!¡± Gui Li shouted urgently, and the spirit ghost swiftly circled the courtyard before turning into a wisp of black smoke and flying out.


    ¡°Junior Brother, stay here and don¡¯t move!¡±


    After dropping this line hastily, Gui Li suddenly darted out like an arrow.


    Zhao Sheng stepped outside the courtyard, only catching a glimpse of Gui Li disappearing into the distance.


    In just a few flashes, he vanished behind the mounds of earth a few miles away.


    Over by the mounds where wild grass grew, several tombs seemed to rise among the thicket.


    Zhao Sheng, realizing he couldn¡¯t catch up, thus stopped in his tracks.


    Suddenly, he turned around, his gaze sharp as lightning, and asked, ¡°Tell me! How did the person die?¡±


    ¡°Noble sir, I¡¯m wronged! It truly was a suicide by hanging. I¡­ I really don¡¯t know where the body went. I¡¯m puzzled too!¡± The yellow-faced old man wore a face full of wronged innocence.


    ¡°It seems that you won¡¯t tell the truth without tasting some pain.¡± Zhao Sheng said with a cold smile, stepped forward, and fiercely pressed his finger half an inch below the Tan Zhong acupoint on the old man¡¯s chest.


    Ah!


    At the poke, the old man¡¯s face turned pale and he let out an inhuman scream, curling up in agony and rolling on the ground.


    In just two breaths, the man was drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through, and he convulsed violently, almost fainting from the pain.


    But he couldn¡¯t faint; instead, the pain made him more lucid, as if he were suffering in hell.


    After about a dozen more breaths, estimating that the torment was sufficient,


    Zhao Sheng kicked the old man¡¯s Wind God Acupoint, releasing the concealed technique.


    ¡°Speak, how did the person die? Where did the body go? If you don¡¯t tell the truth, I¡¯ll make your life worse than death!¡±


    ¡°My lord, I will confess¡­ I will tell everything! The young wife did die by hanging, but that damned village head had a penchant for torture before. Indeed, he went too far that day, and the young wife, unable to bear the torment, took her own life in desperation!¡±


    ¡°And the body?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s voice was cold as ice.


    ¡°The body? I swear to the heavens, we didn¡¯t hide it, it truly disappeared overnight. We were all terribly frightened.¡±


    Just then, the Zou Family¡¯s Manager, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly kicked the yellow-faced old man over with a furious yell, ¡°You deserve to die! The good and righteous reputation of the Zou Family has been tarnished by your despicable kind. The local customs here are simple and the people are good-hearted; I never thought such evil could occur! How wonderful Liu Family¡¯s Village must be. After I return, I shall report this to Old Master Gao, who will surely punish your crimes!¡±


    After speaking, Manager Zou¡¯s expression changed rapidly, and he turned to Zhao Sheng with a fawning smile, ¡°My lord, please calm your anger, do not be upset over a bunch of ignorant fools.¡±


    Zhao Sheng paid no attention to this man; his gaze suddenly shifted towards the mounds, his eyes unfathomably deep, tranquil as water.


    At this moment, Gui Li reappeared from behind the mounds, his expression joyful as he hurriedly swept in this direction with a pitch-black porcelain urn in hand.


    ¡°Junior Brother, it was truly worth the trip! This female ghost has an excellent constitution, and after Sacrificial Refining, she will be yet another fine top-tier spirit ghost,¡± said Gui Li cheerfully to Zhao Sheng upon his return.


    ¡°Senior Brother, I¡¯m tired! You take care of the rest,¡± Zhao Sheng said listlessly.


    Seeing his junior brother¡¯s waning interest, Gui Li silently shook his head, ¡°Kids, always kids. Their excitement comes quickly, and leaves just as fast! To think he¡¯s not at all interested in the benefits of a top-tier spirit ghost.¡±

 Chapter 486 - 324: Nine Heavens

    Chapter 486: Chapter 324: Nine Heavens


    Heavenly Dao Calendar, Seventh Epoch, year 1145, early May, the seventh day


    On this day, the Soul Comforting Temple grandly opened its gates to welcome followers from all directions to ascend the mountain and worship the gods.


    Early in the morning, as the first light of dawn graced the sky, the foot of Qingyang Mountain was already filled with an assortment of luxurious carriages. Lords and ladies dressed in splendid Jinyi alighted from their carriages with the help of their servants, making their way to the temple gates to wait in silence.


    Dong~ Dong~ Dong!


    As the twin suns leapt above the horizon, a series of solemn and deep bell tones suddenly emanated from the mountain¡¯s summit.


    The distinguished guests at the foot of the mountain began to ascend slowly, taking the jade steps upwards. After a thousand jade steps, they were finally welcomed into the temple by the Guest Daoists who had been waiting at the gate.


    The twin suns climbed higher into the sky; by now, one Rune Flying Car after another began to arrive fully loaded from all directions.


    At the temple gate, Zhao Sheng jumped down from the carriage¡¯s cabin and sneered at the bustling crowd of pilgrims.


    With a long roar from the White Tiger, the Rune Car swiftly departed into the distance.


    Just then, a cry of surprise came from the side: ¡°Brother Bao, you¡¯ve finally returned. We¡¯ve been waiting for you so anxiously!¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned his head and saw a young man with a powdered face rush up to him, his face full of joy.


    ¡°Zeng Fang, when have you ever cared so much about your young master?¡± Zhao Sheng spoke with obvious disdain. The craftiness of the young lad was nearly written on his face, only the fool of his predecessor thought the young man was a good companion.


    ¡°Oh, today is the tenth day of rest. How about we have fun in my courtyard? A lot of our brothers are there, too. Brother Bao, don¡¯t you want to win back your losses?¡± The powdered face lad winked and tempted him.


    At this moment, unable to watch any longer, Gui Li suddenly interjected, ¡°Sanbao, you have already delayed your tasks for three days.¡±


    ¡°Ah, the tasks can be discussed later. It¡¯s not easy to have a day of freedom once every half month; I¡¯m going to win big today. You go back first, brother; we¡¯re off to play.¡±


    Zhao Sheng appeared impatient to follow the powdered face lad into the carriage, resembling a desperate gambler addicted to betting.


    Zhao Sheng knew full well why the powdered face lad had come.


    If these people were setting a trap for him, then they couldn¡¯t blame him for winning back his stake ¨C with interest.


    Watching the carriage speed away, Gui Li shook his head, lowering his opinion of Sanbao once again.


    About twenty-something miles away from Qingyang Mountain, within the forest, was a small estate nestled between a mountain and a river.


    On this day, a carriage rushed into the estate¡¯s gate and finally stopped in front of a waterside pavilion.


    Zhao Sheng and his companion hopped off the carriage and excitedly entered the pavilion.


    Upon entering, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered as he saw a group of friends; he burst into wild laughter, proclaiming, ¡°Indeed, many old losers have arrived! I¡¯m bound to strike it rich today.¡±


    ¡°Junior Brother Bao, it¡¯s not certain yet who will lose and who will win today. Don¡¯t be so arrogant! And did you bring enough capital?¡± A handsome young man smiled mischievously, deliberately provoking him.


    This person was named Wu Shengshen, a descendant of Wu Changyong, and one of the seven Daoist Children inducted into the Soul Comforting Temple.


    It should be said that he had a close relationship with Zhao Sheng¡¯s predecessor but had also swindled him the most; he was a major creditor of Sanbao.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s lips curled up as he patted his bulging waist pouch and boldly stated, ¡°I have over a hundred Spirit Stones, more than enough to beat you all. Today we won¡¯t use gold; we start with Spirit Stones. Who dares to join?¡±


    ¡°I dare!¡±


    ¡°Me too!¡±


    ¡°Haha, it¡¯s just Spirit Stones! I¡¯ve got quite a few these past days; I might as well gamble with Brother Bao this time.¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The crowd eagerly participated. Hosts Zeng Fang and Wu Shengshen exchanged a smile,


    This fool Sanbao easily fell into the trap.


    Shortly after, a gambling table was set up in the middle of the pavilion, surrounded by a plethora of gambling games.


    ¡°Brother Bao, what shall we gamble on today? Animal fights, card games, dice, or try something new?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze swept over the many gambling tools and finally settled on the dice cup.


    With a wave of his hand, he declared airily, ¡°Let¡¯s play something simple and exciting today: we¡¯ll bet on high or low!¡±


    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll bet on high or low!¡± The crowd roared in agreement.


    ¡­


    Thump thump thump~ Bang!


    ¡°Bets are set! High or low?¡±


    ¡°Low!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m betting high!¡±


    ¡°Low!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, without even glancing, casually threw a Spirit Stone that rolled to the high side, ¡°Your young master will warm up with a bet on high!¡±


    Everyone placed their bets and Zeng Fang lifted the dice cup, shouting, ¡°Four, five, six, fifteen points, high!¡±


    ¡°Haha, I¡¯m off to a good start; fortune favors me today!¡± Zhao Sheng gleefully collected two Spirit Stones, his expression brimming with smugness.


    After one round, the gambling continued¡­


    Thump thump thump~ Bang!


    ¡°Bets are set! High or low?¡±


    That round, Zhao Sheng still bet high, but¡­


    ¡°Open¡ª one, two, three points, low!¡±


    As he watched the Spirit Stones being taken away, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes bulged with frustration, shouting, ¡°I don¡¯t believe this; next round, I¡¯m still betting high!¡±


    ¡­


    The gambling went on incessantly, with Zhao Sheng winning only a few times and losing mostly.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng was left with only about thirty Spirit Stones.


    By then, he seemed to be in a frenzy, increasing the number of Spirit Stones he wagered with each bet.


    ¡°Open¡ª two, three, three points, eight points, low! Junior Brother Bao, you lose again!¡±


    Finally, after one round, the hundred-plus Spirit Stones were gone. Zhao Sheng¡¯s face flushed red, his eyes filled with the veins of a gambler who had lost control.


    ¡°Junior Brother Bao, you¡¯ve run out of Spirit Stones. Perhaps we should end this gambling session here!¡± Wu Shengshen ¡°kindly¡± suggested.

 Chapter 487 - 324: Nine Heavens_2

    Chapter 487: Chapter 324: Nine Heavens_2


    ¡°No way! No one leaves this door until I say we¡¯re done,¡± Zhao Sheng bellowed furiously.


    ¡°But you¡¯re out of Spirit Stones. Are you thinking of borrowing some to turn your luck around?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Zhao Sheng glared menacingly, his face stubborn as he looked at Wu Shengshen.


    ¡°But you already owe a debt of a hundred and eight Spirit Stones. It¡¯s said that debts must be repaid before new ones can be made! Wouldn¡¯t it be better for Junior Brother to settle the old debts before borrowing more?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, it¡¯s just over a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones. Am I the kind of person who doesn¡¯t pay his debts? See how much this is worth?¡±


    Zhao Sheng acted dismissively and casually plucked a hexagram-shaped gold medal from his waist, throwing it onto the gambling table.


    When Wu Shengshen saw this gold medal, his heartbeat sped up considerably.


    This was a top-grade protective magic artifact and also his long-coveted target; he hadn¡¯t expected it to be delivered to his hands so easily.


    Seeing his opponent hesitate, Zhao Sheng deliberately added fuel to the fire, urging impatiently, ¡°Well, speak up, how many Spirit Stones is it worth? If it¡¯s not enough, I¡¯m done playing.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s worth it, it¡¯s worth it!¡± Wu Shengshen said, feeling a rush of urgency and quickly nodding in agreement.


    Immediately after, he added, ¡°But it can only offset a thousand Spirit Stones at most!¡±


    ¡°A thousand it is!¡± Zhao Sheng agreed very readily.


    Overjoyed, Wu Shengshen was about to pick up the dice cup, but a hand unexpectedly pressed on it first.


    ¡°Hold on, let¡¯s play something different today. Junior Brother Wu, and the rest of you, do you dare to gamble with me in a game of Nine Heavens?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s right hand pressed on the dice cup, his expression extremely fierce as he spoke deliberately, word by word.


    At these words, the entire room was shocked!


    The so-called ¡°Nine Heavens¡± is a heaven and hell! It¡¯s a special gambling game with nine rounds. If the stake is one in the first round, then it doubles to two in the second round, and so on, doubling each time until the ninth round without interruption, otherwise a default loss is declared.


    Seeing that Zhao Sheng was gambling with such intensity, Zeng Fang began to withdraw, involuntarily glancing at Wu Shengshen, while the rest of the crowd also turned their attention to their leader.


    Without a doubt, it was Wu Shengshen who was the mastermind of the setup, the others just helping out while taking the chance to scrape some Spirit Stones from Sanbao.


    ¡°Wu Shengshen, do you dare to gamble with me?¡±


    ¡°Haha!¡± Wu Shengshen suddenly let out a hearty laugh. Putting on a bold and generous air, he readily agreed, ¡°Since Sanbao is in the mood, I¡¯ll take you on in a game of Nine Heavens, starting with one Spirit Stone. But before the gambling starts, we must establish a Blood Covenant. Neither of us can back out!¡±


    ¡°That seems a bit petty, let¡¯s start with four Spirit Stones for the first round!¡±


    ¡°Fine, four Spirit Stones to start,¡± Wu Shengshen agreed immediately.


    ¡°Bring the talisman paper!¡± Zhao Sheng called out at once.


    Soon, two pieces of talisman paper were filled with runes, both sides pressed their bloody handprints on them, and raised their hands to swear an unbreakable oath to heaven.


    Then, the gambling table was cleared, and Zhao Sheng and Wu Shengshen positioned themselves on opposite sides, ready for battle.


    According to the rules of Nine Heavens, both sides held a dice, shaking them after one another, and each guessed the other¡¯s number. The one who guessed the numbers most accurately won!


    The first round¡¯s stake was four Spirit Stones.


    Zhao Sheng picked up the dice cup, shook it casually, and pressed it down on the table, ¡°Junior Brother Wu, your guess!¡±


    The stakes of the first three rounds were too small to be of significant concern, and after Wu Shengshen shook the dice cup for a while, he also placed it down.


    ¡°I guess the numbers in Junior Brother¡¯s dice are six, five, five ¨C big!¡±


    ¡°Yours are four, three, one ¨C small.¡±


    Having spoken, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t be bothered to pretend any longer, directly flipping over the dice cup, and indeed, it was six, five, five ¨C big. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The surrounding spectators, upon seeing this, immediately let out loud exclamations.


    ¡°Big, four, four, five! Junior Brother, you¡¯ve lost!¡± Wu Shengshen said with a smile of confidence.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the first round. Come on, let¡¯s go again!¡± Zhao Sheng said unconcernedly.


    The second, third, and fourth rounds all ended in Zhao Sheng¡¯s defeat, with each roll¡¯s number being guessed correctly by someone.


    By the fifth round, the outcome became very clear; Zhao Sheng was destined to lose.


    However, Zhao Sheng suddenly seemed like a different person than before, not only was he not impatient, he appeared even more indifferent.


    After seeing this, Wu Shengshen suddenly felt an ominous premonition for no reason at all.


    Nonetheless, the fifth round ended in his victory.


    Wu Shengshen breathed a sigh of relief, and a relaxed smile returned to his face.


    The sixth round¡¯s stake: one hundred and twenty-eight Spirit Stones!


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression changed, becoming serious. Having laid so much groundwork, it was now time to settle the full account with Wu Shengshen.


    When a Nascent Soul grandmaster gets serious, what need is there to speak of the outcome of the gambling match?


    In the sixth round, Wu Shengshen guessed the numbers wrong, and Zhao Sheng, as if by sheer fluke, won a small victory.


    Seeing he had guessed wrong, Wu Shengshen¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly forced himself to calm down.


    However, the seventh, eighth, and the final ninth rounds saw Wu Shengshen¡¯s face turn paler with each round, and his hands began to tremble by the end.


    After the ninth round, the room fell as silent as death, everyone staring at the disinterested Zhao Sheng with a ghost-seeing gaze, as if they no longer recognized him.


    ¡°I won a total of one thousand nine hundred and twenty Spirit Stones. Subtract the debt I owe, and Junior Brother Wu should give me one thousand eight hundred and twelve Spirit Stones. We¡¯ll forget about the change ¨C let¡¯s call it an even one thousand eight hundred.¡± Saying this, Zhao Sheng picked up the Hexagram Gold Token, casually weighing the Blood Covenant in his hand, and teased, ¡°When do you plan to deliver the Spirit Stones, Junior Brother?¡±

 Chapter 488 - 324 Nine Heavens_3

    Chapter 488: Chapter 324 Nine Heavens_3


    Wu Shengshen¡¯s face turned iron blue as he looked at that blood-red Dao Contract, feeling so distressed he almost vomited blood.


    He had the heart to back out, but once a Blood Covenant was made, even a Divinity Transformation True Monarch could hardly withstand the punishment of breaking his oath.


    ¡°This¡­this amount is too large, please allow me some time to arrange it,¡± Wu Shengshen pleaded awkwardly, his face so red it nearly bled.


    Today, he had truly disgraced himself and taken a big fall!


    Nearly two thousand Spirit Stones in gambling debt, even if the entire Wu family paid it off in one breath, they would feel the pain for years.


    Although Wu Shengshen was a rare Spirit Root of the direct lineage of the Wu family, he would be severely punished for this matter, and might even have to withdraw from the succession sequence.


    ¡°Whatever, I¡¯ll give you a year¡¯s time, that should be enough, right?¡± Zhao Sheng said casually.


    ¡°Enough¡­enough!¡± With every word Wu Shengshen spoke, he felt like his heart was bleeding.


    Zhao Sheng leisurely swept the Spirit Stones off the table, then turned to the others with a cheeky smile and asked, ¡°Young master is still not satisfied. Who else wants to play a few more rounds with me? Zeng Fang, how about you?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zeng Fang shuttered, quickly hid behind the crowd like lightning, and desperately shook his head refusing, ¡°No, no! I¡¯m not playing, I¡¯m done!¡±


    Others quickly withdrew far away, avoiding Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze from a distance.


    By now, who didn¡¯t realize that Sanbao had been pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger, just being an idiot.


    ¡°Sigh, boring!¡± Zhao Sheng sighed helplessly and then emphasized again, ¡°In the future, whoever wants to gamble with me, young master will accompany to the end. Junior Brother Wu, you¡¯re welcome to come and turn your losses around.¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng swaggered out of the waterside pavilion and strode away.


    ¡­


    Two days after returning to the mountain,


    Zhao Sheng was called by Bao Chen to the secret cave behind the mountain.


    In that stone room, Bao Chen unusually praised Zhao Sheng for having won some pride for his master.


    Wu Changyong had even willingly knocked on her door, humbling himself to an unusual degree.


    ¡°Master, just because Scripture Master Wu Changyong opened his golden mouth, do we just write off these eighteen hundred Spirit Stones?¡± Zhao Sheng questioned.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry! You won¡¯t be short of a single Spirit Stone,¡±


    Bao Chen responded earnestly while examining the condition of the experimental subject on the stone platform.


    ¡°When then¡­?¡±


    ¡°Come to your master in half a month, and I¡¯ll give you a treasure. As for the Spirit Stones, your master has requisitioned them for now. After all, you, my boy, won¡¯t need so many at once.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face fell, clearly unwilling.


    This master was his act. In fact, Zhao Sheng had expected this to happen long ago.


    Bao Chen¡¯s human experimentation was costly, and he was severely lacking in Spirit Stones.


    ¡°Okay, quickly, stretch out your hand!¡± Bao Chen suddenly urged.


    At the same time, the experimental subject on the stone platform let out a horrific tiger roar.


    Zhao Sheng extended his little hand upon seeing this.


    The next second a blood light exploded, and fresh blood dripped onto the markedly swollen heart of the Tiger Demon.


    But by then it was already a step too late.


    The heart of the Tiger Demon suddenly burst, filthy pus and blood splattering all over the stone platform. That young male instantly met his demise.


    ¡°Damn, it barely lasted seven days, yet another failure! What exactly went wrong, can the organs of humans and demons really not merge for long?¡± Bao Chen¡¯s expression turned extremely cold as he waved his hand, releasing a swath of red flame to incinerate the body and pus on the platform completely.


    Zhao Sheng pulled back his arm, his face showing no emotion whatsoever.


    For a mere mortal to harness the organs of a demon beast,


    If it were so easy to accomplish, then the countless heroes of past millennia would all be worthless. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 489 - 325: Calamity Strikes, Everyone Scatters

    Chapter 489: Chapter 325: Calamity Strikes, Everyone Scatters


    Time slipped by unnoticed, and before long, eight years had passed.


    In the Demon Suppression Hall at the back mountain, the Earth Soul Altar was chilling with ghostly energy. The hollow silence was oppressive, and the surrounding stone walls were punctured with densely packed holes. Each hole contained a pitch-black urn, sealed with palm-sized yellow and red talismans.


    Whoo-whoo!


    The countless Sealing Ghost Altars vibrated ceaselessly, struggling as faint wails of ghosts and howls of wolves emanated from within, echoing through the cavern. The air swirled with ghostly Yin Sha thick enough to almost take form, while layers of dark frost crept across the ground, so cold it penetrated to the bone.


    Yet, at this moment, the center of the Earth Soul Altar was encircled by a reddish glow about a yard in diameter, opening up like a lotus flower.


    This fire was yin in nature, still and tranquil, yet it emitted a faintly sacred aura, and sitting cross-legged at the heart of the lotus was a tall and heroic-looking young man.


    Hiss!


    The surrounding Yin Sha and Karmic Fire made a sizzling sound upon contact, instantly devoured and refined, becoming fuel to nourish the Spiritual Fire.


    After an indeterminate amount of time, accompanied by a long exhale echoing in the cavern, the reddish glow on the ground rapidly receded, flickered upwards into the air and condensed into a lifelike Red Lotus. It shot into Zhao Sheng¡¯s forehead like lightning and became a mark of Red Lotus Flame.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s skin gradually returned to a pale color, and he opened his eyes, emitting two beams of divine light that pierced the darkness around him. The sounds of ghostly wails in the air abruptly ceased.


    With a thought, the Hundred Lifetimes Book emerged from his Soul Sea. Following this, the Book Pages flipped open, and a stream of information quietly flooded into his mind:


    Name: Sanbao (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 16/106


    Realm: Qi Refining Perfection


    Profession: Second Order Alchemist, Second Order Talisman Master, First-level Artifact Refiner,


    [Constitution:]Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots (Earth-level), Body Rejuvenation (Earth-level)


    [Talent:]Phase Shifting (Earth-level)


    [Skill:]


    Cultivation Technique: Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture (skilled), Star God Thousand Heart Technique (Small Success), Heavenly Human Four Forms (Small Success), Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique (Master) Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hundred Arts: Taoist Skill(¡­), talisman(¡­),Alchemy£¨¡­£©,Artifact Refining£¨¡­£©


    ¡°To have only achieved Qi Refining Perfection at sixteen is somewhat unsatisfactory! Qingyang Mountain, after all, is but a First-tier Spiritual Land, the density of Spiritual Energy is ultimately low.¡± Zhao Sheng muttered to himself as he rose to his feet.


    Then he walked to the stone stairs beside the cave, stepped onto them, and swiftly vanished from the top of the cavern after a rapid ascent of a hundred steps.


    The Demon Suppression Hall features two special structures, the Earth Soul Altar and the Corpse-locking Well.


    The Earth Soul Altar is for sealing ghostly creatures, while the Corpse-locking Well is for suppressing zombies. These two spots are forbidden lands in the Back Mountain of the Soul Comforting Temple, and are not open to outsiders, being used only by the temple¡¯s cultivators for Cultivation.


    Leaving aside the Corpse-locking Well for now, the Earth Soul Altar is divided into upper, middle, and lower three layers, each sealing ghosts of different Daoist capabilities. The deeper one goes, the more profound the cultivation of the sealed ghosts, and the more calamitous they are to the world of the living.


    Zhao Sheng, having achieved Perfection in Qi Refining, usually cultivated on the second layer, where centennial ghosts were sealed¡ªmost of them were Fierce Ghosts and Evil Ghosts.


    The Cultivation of the Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture is very special, where cultivators nourish a Red Lotus of Karma Fire by continuously purifying ghostly Yin Sha, then use the Karmic Fire to refine nature¡¯s Spiritual Energy and cultivate a unique type of Fire Spirit Power.


    It can be said that any Cultivator who has cultivated the Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture is regarded as the nemesis of all ghostly creatures and Yin Souls.


    People like Zhao Sheng are known as Red Lotus Walkers, who have always been the main force of the Demon Extermination Hall of the Heavenly Dao Sect, always committed to vanquishing demons and exorcising ghosts.


    ¡­


    Upon exiting the Earth Soul Altar, a chubby-faced young man with a round figure immediately approached, shouting hastily, ¡°Big senior brother, something bad has happened! Our business can¡¯t go on anymore.¡±


    Zhao Sheng raised his hand to stop him, asking in a deep voice, ¡°What¡¯s the hurry, Zou Qi? Calm down and explain the situation clearly first.¡±


    Zou Qi swallowed his saliva and said carefully, ¡°The ¡®black market¡¯ we set up has been discovered by the debt-collecting ghost, Shen Bian, and he¡¯s going to report it to the Capital Court. Now we¡¯re in deep trouble. Big senior brother, please think of something!¡±


    ¡°And I thought it was something terrible. Just a black market¡ªlet him go ahead and report it. If the black market is gone, we¡¯ll just set up another one,¡± said Zhao Sheng, completely unconcerned.


    Seeing how unconcerned the big senior brother was, Zou Qi felt relieved, but he still couldn¡¯t help worrying, ¡°But what if the Capital Court latches onto the black market and it gets traced back to us?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled and said indifferently, ¡°Have you never heard the saying ¡®the law does not punish the masses¡¯? Besides, with the Master here, that old Capital Court cannot touch us.¡±


    In the eight years, many changes had taken place in the Soul Comforting Temple, unbeknownst to everyone.


    In recent years, Bao Chen¡¯s position as the temple sacrifice had grown ever more secure, while Zhao Sheng had gradually become the undisputed big senior brother in the hearts of the temple¡¯s many young Taoists.


    As for the likes of Wu Shengshen and others, with Zhao Sheng applying a bit of tactic, they suffered a thorough defeat after a few bouts. By giving them a taste of both carrot and stick, all the Daoist Children became wholeheartedly loyal to him.


    Thus, while Zhao Sheng¡¯s Cultivation progressed rapidly, he led a comfortable life for seven years.


    However, a year ago, a new arrival at the high position in the Soul Comforting Temple caused a sudden shift in the situation.


    The man¡¯s Dharma name was Yuan Yang, and by surname, he was from a secular Shen family, with Shen Bian being one of his grandsons who transferred to the Soul Comforting Temple with him.


    Previously, Yuan Yang was a Foundation Establishment Realm elder stationed in the Cangnan Prefecture Temple. Later, due to his aging body and decline, he had to step down from this position.


    Originally, he should have retreated to the Elder Council to cultivate and nourish his nature. Who would have thought that with age, Yuan Yang¡¯s heart still yearned for power so fervently? He voluntarily offered a large bribe and was lucky enough to secure the position of Capital Court in a county temple and was eventually assigned to the Soul Comforting Temple.

 Chapter 490 - 325: Calamity Strikes, Everyone Scatters_2

    Chapter 490: Chapter 325: Calamity Strikes, Everyone Scatters_2


    Upon his arrival, Yuan Yang proactively courted the favor of the other two senior doyens and several ambitious individuals who were dissatisfied with playing second fiddle, attempting to challenge the authority of Temple Sacrificial Treasure Chen.


    Apart from the main temple, the Heavenly Dao Sect¡¯s Taoist temple hierarchy is divided into five levels: National Temple, Provincial Temple, Prefecture Temple, County Temple, and County Temple.


    The positions within each Taoist temple are largely similar; the temple master presides over the temple, overseeing all matters great and small, and under the temple master are the ¡°Three Cities and Five Masters,¡± with nine, thirteen, or at most, eighteen subordinate positions depending on the size of the temple.


    The Three Cities refer to the Capital Court, Dou Cha, and Du Ku. These honorary positions are not always filled; they are often reserved for the comfortable retirement of esteemed and venerable predecessors.


    The Five Masters consist of the Scripture Master, Jiao Master, Hall Master, Transformative Master, and Dean. Each of the five temple masters holds sway over a particular domain, with the Scripture Master overseeing scriptural and doctrinal matters, standing as the foremost among the five, second only to the temple master.


    Upon hearing the elder disciple brother say this, Zou Qi finally relaxed, but then he muttered, ¡°We only just managed to get rid of those Divine Women and Divine Han, and took control of the black market¡ªit hasn¡¯t been a few years, and that kid Shen Bian had to spoil all our efforts. We must settle this account properly with him.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s lips curled into a smile as he said lightly, ¡°Rest assured! If Yuan Yang doesn¡¯t investigate, all is well, but once he does, he¡¯ll find he¡¯s stirred up a hornet¡¯s nest. The black market¡¯s interests aren¡¯t just ours; everyone in the temple gets a cut from the black market¡¯s profits. To put it bluntly, which of the families big or small in Hufeng County hasn¡¯t conducted business in the black market? Which hasn¡¯t had a greasy palm? There are plenty of people more anxious than us. Why worry yourself over this, lad!¡±


    ¡°Haha! Elder disciple brother truly sees clearly; I am completely convinced,¡± said Zou Qi, his worries turning to joy, laughing like a jolly fat monk.


    Although Zhao Sheng spoke as such, there were some matters he had not revealed to Zou Qi.


    The investigation or even destruction of the black market wasn¡¯t important; what mattered were the transactions that took place within it.


    Some matters may seem light when not put on a scale, but once weighed, they could crush someone.


    The fear was that if the Capital Court¡¯s Yuan Yang uncovered even a trace of evidence, and followed it to its source, he would seize hold of Bao Chen¡¯s vulnerabilities.


    The deficits that the temple had accumulated over the years were by no means a small sum.


    Zhao Sheng had only pilfered bits of Spirit Stones and spirit materials, but his Master Bao Chen was the true big rat.


    In the past few years, for the sake of successful experiments, Bao Chen had invested spiritual resources into his work, which, if converted into Spirit Stones, would amount to at least several hundred thousand.


    The territory of Hufeng County extended but thirteen hundred miles, with a population just short of ten million, scant natural resources, and poor soil fertility; by any measure, it was a small county with few inhabitants.


    Every year, the Soul Comforting Temple had to submit a fixed spirit tax to the superior Prefecture Temple, in addition to dealing with the pilfering by large and small rats from within its own walls.


    It would be strange if the Soul Comforting Temple weren¡¯t in deficit!


    If it were any other matter, it would be impossible to shake Bao Chen¡¯s position, but if the amount of the deficit were to be exposed¡­ the consequences would be unimaginable! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After eight years of reincarnation, Zhao Sheng had come to a general understanding of the situation in the Great Gu Dynasty.


    Without a doubt!


    The Heavenly Dao Sect was the undisputedly number one power in the world, with any spirit land within the domains of the Great Gu Dynasty falling under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Dao Sect, leaving no room for other forces to exist.


    After tens of thousands of years of development, the hierarchical structure of the Heavenly Dao Sect¡¯s Five-level Taoist Temple System had become exceedingly stable, with a clear and strict delineation of ranks.


    In view of the unique circumstances of this world, Zhao Sheng gradually abandoned the idea of breaking away from the Heavenly Dao Sect, since ¡°it¡¯s easier to practice Dao with the backing of authority¡±¡ªan unbreakable truth through the ages.


    There was also another important reason for his decision.


    Over the past eight years, having combed through the ancient books and Jade Scrolls in the temple, Zhao Sheng had not found a single piece of information about the Tianzhu Realm or the great war between the two worlds.


    This was highly unusual!


    It should be noted that a former leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect was of Alien Race origin, and this person was also an ¡°acquaintance¡± of Zhao Sheng¡¯s.


    In the Netherworld, the remnants of the Ghost Chi Clan had unexpectedly changed their name to the now well-known Shura Clan.


    Today, the Shura Clan has become a Protecting Sect Race for the Heavenly Dao Sect, guarding the main temple for a thousand years, with its members often holding the position of Guardian Warriors; despite their lowly status, their authority is significant.


    The previous Ghost Chi Sect Leader has been in meditation for a thousand years, and the new Sect Leader has ruled for 1163 years, turning the pages of the Heavenly Dao Calendar to the Seventh Epoch.


    This means that at least 1163 years have passed since the great war between the two worlds.


    As for exactly how many years to go back, Zhao Sheng was still completely in the dark.


    Of course, the countless enigmas weighing on his mind could wait to be solved later.


    Now, a crisis was creeping up on Zhao Sheng unnoticed.


    Three days later, the black market located forty li northwest at the foot of the unnamed mountain by Qingyang Mountain, was indeed exposed by the power-hungry Yuan Yang.


    But Yuan Yang¡¯s audacity and ruthlessness had truly exceeded Zhao Sheng and his associates¡¯ expectations.


    Yuan Yang had secretly tipped off the Prefecture Temple in advance, borrowing a group of capable Inspection Envoys through a Hall Master who backed him.


    Then, he personally led the team and raided the black market, capturing a large number of traders involved and inevitably seizing a batch of ledgers.


    Among those captured were not only people from the major families of Hufeng County, but also ¡°insiders¡± from the Soul Comforting Temple.


    Yet that day, Yuan Yang didn¡¯t even return to the temple; heedlessly, he went straight to the location of the Prefecture Temple with the ¡°prisoners.¡±


    This move was extremely ruthless, completely beyond everyone¡¯s imagination.


    Zhao Sheng had miscalculated as well, not expecting the other party to be so brazen.


    There must have been a mastermind guiding him in the shadows.


    If Yuan Yang had such skills in his early years, he wouldn¡¯t have been stuck at the position of a mere field head.


    Because this incident happened so abruptly, most people were caught off guard. Zhao Sheng also faintly sensed that Bao Chen had intentions of killing to silence others.


    But before any official action was taken, Zhao Sheng painstakingly persuaded him otherwise.


    If you don¡¯t take action, it might turn out that the Prefecture Temple won¡¯t find out anything. But if you really did make a move, it would be as good as confessing; even fools would know there¡¯s a serious problem here.


    Over the years, due to his disciple¡¯s numerous outstanding performances, Bao Chen had come to regard Zhao Sheng as a confidant, keeping no secrets from him, except for the most confidential matters.


    ¡°Sanbao, can you come up with a plan? Your master is a bit flustered,¡± Bao Chen said with an extremely gloomy expression in a secret room, asking Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng took a couple of steps before him, then suddenly shook his head and said in a deep voice, ¡°It¡¯s better to stay put in this situation! It¡¯s too common to secretly trade in spiritual resources. As long as they don¡¯t investigate the yearly deficits, we have plenty of ways to prevaricate, at worst we sacrifice a few scapegoats!¡±


    Hearing this, Bao Chen¡¯s expression lightened slightly, but the next sentence made his face turn pale.


    ¡°But¡­ I¡¯m afraid Yuan Yang won¡¯t let things rest. If he¡¯s resorting to such taboo methods, he must have the resolve to succeed or die trying. Master, it¡¯s time to call upon old relations. You¡¯ve been building connections in the Prefecture Temple for decades; it¡¯s time for those Taotie to exert some effort.¡±


    Bao Chen gave a wry smile, spread his hands in resignation, and said, ¡°My benefactor passed away three years ago, and none of my other old relations are as firm as that Hall Master. Otherwise, how could that damned Yuan Yang have parachuted into his position? He saw that my backer had fallen.¡±


    ¡°This is troublesome! Master, you must prepare a generous gift and rush to the Prefecture Temple immediately. While nothing has been discovered yet, take the initiative to fix things up to the best of your ability,¡± said Zhao Sheng, wringing his hands.


    ¡°Sigh, that¡¯s a huge sum! But now, even the temple treasury is so empty it could starve a mouse, and we¡¯ve already dived into the grain reserves three years in advance. I don¡¯t have many valuables to offer either.


    My disciple, I know you are quite wealthy. How about lending a sum of Spirit Stones? Once we¡¯re past this tribulation, I will naturally repay you.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he had already sentenced Bao Chen to death.


    From his understanding of Bao Chen, the man was either planning to flee or to turn on him.


    Still, Bao Chen would not choose to act prematurely unless the situation became irretrievable.


    After all, the human experimentation had not yet truly succeeded, and the survival rate after a heart transplant was still not guaranteed.


    ¡°Where is this coming from, Master? As master and disciple, we are one and the same¡ªthere¡¯s no need for the word ¡®lend¡¯. This Storage Space Seal contains all of my savings over the years, worth at least tens of thousands of Spirit Stones. Please take it and deal with this crisis first,¡± Zhao Sheng said generously, taking off the Storage Space Seal from his waist and handing it to Bao Chen.


    ¡°You have my gratitude, disciple. Your master is very comforted!¡± Bao Chen barely managed a smile on his face, but a flash of coldness passed in the depths of his eyes.

 Chapter 491 - 326: What Do You Smell?

    Chapter 491: Chapter 326: What Do You Smell? Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a while, Zhao Sheng walked out of Baochen Cave Mansion with a calm face, flicked his sleeve, and a Magic Sword suddenly shot out from beneath his sleeve, soaring into the sky.


    With a light jump, Zhao Sheng was already on the Magic Sword. As he infused it with Spiritual Power, the brilliance of the Magic Sword surged, carrying him swiftly toward the mountain base, quickly disappearing into the vast night.


    A short time later, a Sword Light suddenly descended from the sky into a manor located more than twenty li away from Qingyang Mountain.


    As the Sword Light dispersed, Zhao Sheng waved his hand to recall the Magic Sword and walked towards a three-story wooden building.


    He hadn¡¯t even reached the door when a group of people rushed out from inside. Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, they were overjoyed and called out to him as ¡®Senior Brother¡¯ one after another.


    Zhao Sheng was not surprised to see his junior brothers and junior sisters gathered here. This manor was their usual meeting place. Given the significant incident that had occurred, it was natural for them to come here to await Zhao Sheng and seek a solution.


    ¡°Junior Brother Wu, Junior Brother Fang, Sister Zhang¡­you all just relax. The discovery of our black market is nothing serious. We¡¯ll just find another place to rebuild. Moreover, Master has personally handled this matter. As long as we don¡¯t break ranks, Yuan Yang¡¯s efforts will come to naught,¡± Zhao Sheng, surrounded by the group, reassured them confidently.


    ¡°With Senior Brother¡¯s words, we can rest easy. It¡¯s hateful that the Ren brothers were disloyal. Seeing things go south, they immediately switched allegiance to Yuan Shen, that youngster.¡±


    Zhao Sheng glanced over and indeed saw that a few active figures were missing from the crowd.


    He smiled faintly and waved his hand, ¡°People have their own aspirations! It¡¯s just¡­ the Ren brothers¡¯ father holds a position in Capital Court, so they have the privilege to choose. As for those fair-weather friends, we cannot let them go. We must make an example of one to warn a hundred. Otherwise, if people lose their loyalty, our business will suffer.¡±


    ¡°Senior Brother speaks wisely! Those traitors must be severely punished. Otherwise, every Tom, Dick, and Harry will start bullying us,¡± said someone with a rather simplistic brain, immediately making a fierce statement.


    However, there were also those who were clear-headed, such as Wu Shengshen, who expressed his concerns with worry, ¡°But, Senior Brother! The Capital Court¡¯s action is outright turning against us. With all this troop mobilization, can the temple sacrifice truly handle this matter easily?¡±


    During this conversation, the crowd escorted Zhao Sheng into the building.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao didn¡¯t immediately answer, but walked to the central chair and slowly sat down.


    His presence was commanding, his Divine Eye piercing as he looked up at everyone. Wherever his gaze landed, everyone bowed their heads and listened.


    ¡°Ha-ha! Each one of you was meticulously chosen by me, each one backed by the powerful families of a county or the influential clans of a county. Coupled with the support of our Master, the entire powerful families of the county are on our side. What can Yuan Yang and the others do to play with us?


    Nobody can rebel against this sky in Hufeng County, I assure you!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s words, brimming with dominance, instantly dispelled the unease in everyone¡¯s heart.


    The tense atmosphere in the building immediately lightened significantly!


    ¡°Haha, with those words from you, I can now go back and give those old fogeys in my family a satisfactory report. So, when are we rebuilding the black market?¡±


    ¡°Right, right, the black market must be set up as soon as possible. Without it, we will lose out on Spirit Stones. Our cultivation speed will fall off drastically! I¡¯m still short of a good number of Essence Blood Pearls.¡±


    ¡°Essence Blood Pearls are nothing! Without Blood Refining Talismans and Blood Melting Talismans, I¡¯d like to see you refine Essence Blood. Don¡¯t get scared because the black market was destroyed and drive away Master Taifu. If that happens, it would be disastrous,¡± Fang Xing slapped his thigh and bellowed loudly.


    ¡°Brother Fang, don¡¯t spread panic. Master Taifu will definitely not hide and run away.¡±


    ¡°Heh, can you guarantee that this won¡¯t happen? You should know that Master¡¯s offerings are not just elixirs; there are also Blood Refining Talismans, Blood Spirit Pills, and other secret items of the Heavenly Dao Sect. The existence of such a person, if known by the higher-ups in the Prefecture Temple, would undoubtedly cause a huge stir.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! No matter how strict the rules of the Taoist Temple are, there must be people who follow them! Nowadays, people¡¯s hearts are not ancient; the temple is like a sieve inside and out, full of holes. Who in this world would strictly abide by the rules and regulations? It¡¯s very possible that Master Taifu is actually the persona of some big shot!¡±


    ¡°Shush, know it yourself; there¡¯s no need to speak it aloud.¡±


    As the conversation among the crowd veered off course, Zhao Sheng did not intervene.


    After all, they had guessed correctly; Master Taifu was indeed a persona he had pushed into the limelight.


    Thanks to the special environment of the black market, over the past few years, Zhao Sheng had earned a fortune under the identity of Master Taifu.


    What he had just handed over to Bao Chen was merely the overt part of his wealth; he had hidden treasures roughly valued at nearly a hundred thousand Spirit Stones in various Elixir Pills, spirit materials, and other treasures.


    But this was also the limit for Hufeng County; any more transactions, and the market would become saturated.


    To maintain the marketing strategy of scarcity and mystique, Zhao Sheng also deliberately reduced the frequency and volume of transactions.


    This was supposed to be a slow but steady business, but now, such a significant incident had occurred.


    Despite Zhao Sheng¡¯s recent fierce words, he was very pessimistic about Bao Chen.


    This cheap master was simply too greedy, like he always said, hoarding alone would not end well!


    While the black market was indeed profitable, Zhao Sheng and his juniors had earned just a pittance, and even the major families in the county had only scraped three-tenths of the profit; Bao Chen had swallowed the lion¡¯s share.


    Thus, when Yuan Yang made his move, the old veterans of Capital Court and Du Ku secretly switched their allegiance.

 Chapter 492 - 326: What Do You Smell? _2

    Chapter 492: Chapter 326: What Do You Smell? _2


    Bao Chen might never have reflected on himself.


    No! He only cared about whether he could successfully achieve rebirth, completely indifferent to what others thought.


    An hour later, a group of people filed out of the building, after which they all dispersed.


    After the recent meeting, Zhao Sheng had temporarily stabilized people¡¯s hearts.


    But where would the future trend go? The decision-making power was no longer in the hands of these juniors; it depended on the stance of the Prefecture Temple on this matter, on whether Bao Chen could turn things around, and on whether the various forces in Hufeng County would firmly support Bao Chen.


    The next morning, under Qingyang Mountain, carriages gathered, and crowds swelled.


    Today was clearly not a day for a grand opening of the mountain gates, yet one prominent figure after another appeared, all coming to climb the mountain and worship the gods, each with a bizarre reason.


    The Guest Daoist had already received a hint, so he was not panicked at all, welcoming everyone into the quiet room and serving Spiritual Tea.


    Zhao Sheng soon learned of the news, but he acted as if he had heard nothing, giving no orders. He entered the Earth Soul Altar and began his daily arduous cultivation.


    These people were for Bao Chen to handle; there was no need for him to show his face.


    As the dual suns gradually climbed to mid-sky, the sunlight turned scorching hot. The speakers of the major families in the county also each harbored their thoughts and gradually left the mountain.


    That afternoon, Bao Chen consecutively secretly summoned the Hall Master, Transformative Master, Dean, and Fang Leader, among other confidants. One reason was to soothe their hearts, and the other was to secretly make numerous arrangements to deal with the forthcoming inspection from above.


    That night, Bao Chen secretly left Qingyang Mountain and went straight to Lingchuan Temple.


    Lingchuan Temple was the Prefecture Temple of Cangnan Prefecture.


    At the great hall on the summit of Qingyang Mountain, Zhao Sheng stood on the corner of a lion¡¯s head sculpture on the roof ridge, gazing into the distance at Bao Chen, his expression profound.


    In an instant, his whole being turned into nothingness, disappearing from the lion¡¯s head.


    In the secret cave behind the mountain, the air trembled slightly, and Zhao Sheng emerged from the darkness.


    The cave was empty and filled with a deathly silence; the fences and prison cells had all been destroyed.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s lips curled into a cold sneer, and with a flicker, he instantly moved away from this place.


    ¡­


    Two days later, at the Soul Comforting Temple, morale was unsettled, Bao Chen was not back, but a piece of bad news had already arrived first.


    The Capital Court was ambushed while transporting prisoners, and most of the captives died on the spot. However, the attackers escaped unscathed.


    Upon hearing this news, the first thought in most people¡¯s minds was that Temple Sacrificial Treasure Chen had taken action with the intent to kill the witnesses.


    However, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly: Bao Chen is finished!


    Yuan Yang¡­ or maybe the mastermind behind all this, demonstrated exceptional brilliance.


    This move of framing someone combined with killing several birds with one stone, made even Zhao Sheng admire it.


    Although Bao Chen did nothing, others insisted on pinning the murder on him. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What was more ingenious was that those who died were all managers from the major families of Hufeng County.


    As the saying goes, ¡°No witnesses, no proof!¡±


    This move put the major families in a delicate position.


    If they chose to defect willingly, Yuan Yang¡¯s side would surely ¡°forgive and forget¡± and generously accept them.


    If they remained stubborn, the mere motive of ¡°silencing the witnesses¡± was enough to torment the families involved endlessly.


    Bao Chen had fallen from grace, whereas Yuan Yang clearly had bigger backers to rely on.


    Thus, after this bad news spread, the situation in Hufeng County suddenly spiraled out of control, and the attitudes of the major families became ambiguously unclear.


    At the same time, the direction of the wind in the temple rapidly changed. One-third of Zhao Sheng¡¯s junior brothers and sisters ran off to Yuan Shen¡¯s side.


    Among the five masters and thirteen leaders, the majority also changed their stance, distancing themselves from Bao Chen.


    Upon seeing this, Zou Qi and Fang Xing, Zhao Sheng¡¯s loyal followers, were extremely angered and clamored to beat up those ¡°traitors.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, however, saw the bigger picture and thus advised them not to act impulsively.


    As the saying goes, ¡°When disaster strikes, each looks out for himself!¡± People gather for fame and fortune, and naturally, they will also leave because of it.


    It¡¯s just that the current situation hasn¡¯t completely clarified yet, and Bao Chen still has one last chance.


    Otherwise, even Zhao Sheng¡¯s loyal followers might defect.


    As the days passed, unrest in the temple increased, and the number of followers around Zhao Sheng dwindled daily. During this time, Bao Chen sent back several Sound Transmission Talismans, all bearing nothing but good news.


    However, as long as he was not back at the sect¡¯s gate, people¡¯s hearts remained unsettled.


    Half a month later, Bao Chen made a dramatic return fit for a king, instantly reversing the mood at the Soul Comforting Temple.


    But the following day, nearly a hundred black-clothed Patrol Guards boldly stormed into the Soul Comforting Temple, led by a Vice Master from the Temple Inspection Institute and two Foundation Establishment Ministers.


    Accompanying them was an old man with white hair and a kind, benevolent face.


    This man was Yuan Yang. Despite his kindly appearance, he was truly merciless and ruthless.


    The Vice Master had ostensibly come to investigate illegal transactions in the black market, but as soon as they entered the temple, the black-clothed Patrol Guards unceremoniously sealed off the storeroom, the accounting room, the Demon Suppression Hall, and other critical areas.


    Bao Chen was quickly summoned by the Vice Master to talk, while Yuan Yang was exceptionally active; his residence was bustling with noise, as temple members hurried to visit him.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s surroundings immediately grew desolate, with hardly anyone left.


    However, he had anticipated this day, so he was not surprised and simply chose to stay indoors.


    The day flew by, and as night fell, the Soul Comforting Temple rapidly quieted down, the atmosphere becoming oppressive and heavy, devoid of its usual vitality.


    At nightfall, Bao Chen called Zhao Sheng over.


    In a secret room, when Zhao Sheng saw his master again, he found Bao Chen sitting on a stone couch, looking stern and ominously gloomy.


    As soon as his disciple arrived, Bao Chen unexpectedly began, ¡°Sanbao, how have I treated you over these years?¡±


    At these words, Zhao Sheng shivered and immediately replied respectfully, ¡°Master, your kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain; it¡¯s immensely difficult for me to repay!¡±


    Bao Chen was greatly satisfied with his response, so he followed up with, ¡°If I were to leave, would you come with me?¡±


    ¡°Wherever Master goes, I will naturally follow,¡± Zhao Sheng blurted out.


    But no sooner had he spoken, than Zhao Sheng ¡°Couldn¡¯t help¡± changing color and asked anxiously, ¡°Master, is the situation truly beyond salvage? The actions of the Temple Inspection Institute don¡¯t they fear breaking ¡®the rules¡¯? Do they¡­ do they intend to utterly destroy us?¡±


    The ¡°rules¡± Zhao Sheng mentioned were actually some unspoken rules that weren¡¯t publicly acknowledged: in the Taoist Temple System, for those who lose power struggles, as long as they admit defeat and choose to retire voluntarily, their political rivals often wouldn¡¯t pursue them to death, unless they had the potential to rise to a higher realm.


    ¡°Humph, I would like to retire voluntarily and let someone else take over, but they simply don¡¯t leave me any way out! For now, the best strategy is to leave,¡± Master replied.


    Bao Chen¡¯s words were half-true, half-false. Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t believe a single word.


    Running away? That sounds easy!


    Do you think the Taoist Jade Scroll of the Heavenly Dao Sect is fake?


    That thing is like the soul lamp in the sect; once you are registered, it means you have left a Divine Soul Mark.


    Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you will be found by the Shura Group within the sect using secret techniques, making it impossible to escape their pursuit.


    Bao Chen thought his disciple was young and naive, unaware of such secrets. But what he didn¡¯t know was that he was facing an old ancestor.


    As Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind raced, he said, ¡°Master, there are a bunch of Black Dogs keeping watch in the temple; it might be really difficult to escape without making a noise.¡±


    Bao Chen gave a confident smile and pressed his right hand several times on the stone couch.


    Swipe!


    Behind the stone couch, a wall suddenly and very abruptly moved sideways to the right, revealing a pitch-black passage.


    ¡°Quick, follow me!¡± Bao Chen waved to Zhao Sheng and then turned to enter the passage.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flickered a few times, and then he quietly followed.


    As soon as their figures disappeared, the stone wall quietly returned to its normal position, leaving the secret room empty.


    About ten miles away from Qingyang Mountain, there was a Rocky Mountain with oddly shaped rocks and overgrown with wild grass, seldom visited by people.


    In the still of the night, crickets chirped.


    Beneath a huge green stone about the height of three men at Rocky Mountain, the ground suddenly and silently sank, and Bao Chen and Zhao Sheng emerged one after another from beneath.


    Alas!


    Bao Chen looked back at the distant Qingyang Mountain, sighed, and casually said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    But at that moment, he heard by his ear, ¡°Wait! Do you smell that?¡±


    ¡°Smell what?¡±


    Bao Chen instinctively asked back, while his nose actually caught a faint bitter scent.

 Chapter 493 - 327 Divine Prison

    Chapter 493: Chapter 327 Divine Prison


    The next second, Baochen only felt the world spinning around him.


    He inwardly cursed, thinking of mustering Spiritual Power to resist, but suddenly felt a chill in his heart.


    At that moment, he had no strength throughout his body, and the Spiritual Power in his Dantian lay dead and dormant, unable to be mobilized even a bit.


    Baochen¡¯s face drastically changed as his body involuntarily collapsed to the ground.


    ¡°Bao¡¯er! What¡­ what are you doing? Quickly give your master the antidote, or else if the Black-clothed Patrol Guards catch us, both master and disciple will undoubtedly die!¡± Baochen forced a ghastly smile and spoke with a gentle tone to coax him.


    He had never imagined that his beloved disciple would turn against him so fiercely at this time. The attack was steady, accurate, and ruthless, almost deadly!


    ¡°Master, you shouldn¡¯t have recklessly taken my things,¡±


    Saying so, Zhao Sheng gave a light smile, flicked his wrist, and a bunch of Bone-piercing Nails shot out, burying into Baochen¡¯s major acupoints around his body, especially piercing the Qi Sea in his Dantian instantly, cutting off any thoughts of resistance.


    ¡°Demon! To think I took in someone worse than a pig or a dog¡­ Wu Wu!¡± Baochen cursed furiously, but before he could finish, a streak of dark lightning flashed by, piercing his vocal cords.


    ¡°Oh, Baochen, Baochen! If it weren¡¯t for your malicious intentions, I wouldn¡¯t want to be a disciple who kills his master. After all, you did shelter me for over a decade. Sadly, you even covet my life. To transplant heart and marrow for longevity? Humph, it¡¯s astonishing that you, fool, could conceive such an idea!¡±


    Zhao Sheng walked up to Baochen, squatted down, and looked at him calmly.


    ¡°When¡­ when did you poison me? How could I possibly not notice?¡± Baochen repeatedly asked, trying to stall for time while continuously trying to muster Spiritual Power within.


    ¡°Baochen, you might as well die a confused fool!¡±


    Watching Baochen¡¯s face suddenly turn gray and desperate, Zhao Sheng extended his right hand and knocked him unconscious with a slap.


    Next, Zhao Sheng picked up Baochen¡¯s body with one hand and slowly closed his eyes.


    In the darkness, hundreds of red light points burst into his mind within a fifteen-mile radius.


    With a thought, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure suddenly turned into nothingness.


    Thirteen miles away, in a dirt depression, Zhao Sheng reappeared.


    He paused for a moment, then suddenly vanished again.


    When he appeared again, he was in a peach orchard more than twenty miles away from Qingyang Mountain.


    Whoosh!


    Zhao Sheng did not stop for a moment, moving swiftly to the distance once more.


    After several consecutive shifts in just a few breaths, Zhao Sheng appeared on the banks of a big river three hundred miles away.


    This river, known as the Ancient Cang River, flowed ceaselessly, its surface so wide that one could not see its edges at a glance.


    This river stretched for eight thousand miles, not only traversing the entire Diancang Province but also connecting several downstream prefectures, serving as a primary waterway for the southwestern territories of the Great Gu Dynasty.


    This was a retreat he had deliberately created for escape previously, and now it was coming into use.


    With a snap, Zhao Sheng twisted Baochen¡¯s neck, and then thoroughly searched his body, finding four or five Storage Space Seals.


    With a wave of his hand, a surge of crimson flames emerged, devouring Baochen¡¯s body and quickly turning it into a mound of ashes.


    After scattering all the ashes into the big river, Zhao Sheng clapped his hands, his figure shifting back to nothingness.


    In the blink of an eye, he was back at the foot of Qingyang Mountain.


    Zhao Sheng found a secluded corner and sealed the Storage Space Seals underground.


    Just to be cautious, he would not touch these items for some time until everything had blown over.


    Turning into nothingness, Zhao Sheng shifted back to his own cave mansion and quickly fell asleep.


    The next day, the sky was densely covered with clouds, and the air was thick with water vapor, as if a heavy rain was about to pour down.


    Boom!


    With successive heavy thunders gradually approaching Qingyang Mountain from the horizon, the Soul Comforting Temple suddenly became a scene of chaos.


    ¡°Baochen Temple Sacrifice is not in his chamber, it seems he has disappeared!¡±


    This rumor spread quickly through the temple like a hurricane.


    But very quickly,


    The rumor turned into confirmed fact!


    From morning until dusk, the Vice Dean of the Patrol Institute with Black-clothed Patrol Guards searched everywhere inside and outside the Soul Comforting Temple, but Baochen had vanished like evaporated from the earth, without leaving a single word. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now this was good, rumors that Baochen fled out of guilt suddenly surged overwhelmingly.


    Everyone in the Soul Comforting Temple from Baochen¡¯s side immediately panicked, and the vast majority desperately looked for ways out, hurriedly abandoning Baochen¡¯s sinking ship.


    As the saying goes, when a tree falls, the monkeys scatter; it was just so!


    Through that day, Zhao Sheng put on an award-winning performance, from being initially calm, then trying to stabilize his emotions and appearing to comfort others after learning about his master¡¯s disappearance, to showing a frightened and desperate face when confirmatory news of the disappearance came, finally portraying the image of a disciple abandoned by his master vividly and with deep impact.


    No one could have imagined that a 16-year-old boy, just at the Qi Refining Middle Stage, could quietly kill a Foundation Establishment Temple Sacrifice.


    Yes, the realm Zhao Sheng outwardly showed was just the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, not Qi Refining Perfection.


    For a former Nascent Soul Ancestor, practicing a Qi Concealing Skill to hide part of his true strength was merely a basic operation.


    Over the next three days, Zhao Sheng did not leave his house, and his doorsteps grew exceedingly quiet, hardly a soul daring to visit.


    Once without Baochen¡¯s interference, the embezzlement and deficits of Soul Comforting Temple could no longer be hidden.


    In just three days, places like the temple¡¯s storeroom, accounts room, and room for spiritual items had been thoroughly investigated.


    Under the narrative that Baochen fled out of guilt, an embezzlement scandal shocking the entire Cangnan Prefecture was abruptly exposed.

 Chapter 494 - 327: Divine Prison_2

    Chapter 494: Chapter 327: Divine Prison_2


    Despite the scandal being suppressed by the higher-ups of the Prefecture Temple within just two days of its spread,


    virtually all well-informed powers within Cangnan Prefecture and even Diancang Province had obtained pieces of information.


    Everyone who knew a bit of the inside story was astounded by Bao Chen¡¯s audacity.


    In less than twenty years of serving in the Soul Comforting Temple, the accumulated deficit caused reached more than six hundred thousand Spirit Stones. The numerous consumed Spiritual Medicine mines and treasures were beyond measure in Spirit Stones, and a rough estimate put the figure at no less than five hundred thousand Spirit Stones.


    The Soul Comforting Temple seemed to be thriving, but in reality, it was so in debt that it was nothing but a shell, ready to burst at the slightest touch!


    On the fourth day of Bao Chen¡¯s disappearance, the high and mighty Provincial Temple suddenly sent an inquiry letter to the Lingchuan Temple, asking why Bao Chen¡¯s Taoist Jade Scroll of the Soul Comforting Temple had shattered recently and what the reason was for his demise, requesting a prompt reply from the Prefecture Temple!


    The Cangnan Prefecture Temple¡¯s Main Priest, Golden Core Main Priest Master Changfa, upon learning of Bao Chen¡¯s mysterious death, was greatly angered. After discussing with the Three Cities and Five Masters within the temple, he immediately issued a series of divine decrees.


    For a time, all overt and covert powers in the entire Cangnan Prefecture were mobilized, with countless personnel exerting their utmost effort to search for Bao Chen¡¯s whereabouts.


    Meanwhile, the Soul Comforting Temple faced a major personnel overhaul. Yuan Yang took over as the temple leader and also served as the Capital Court leader. The other two senior temple leaders all retired and withdrew from their positions.


    As for the five leaders, apart from the Transformative Master who was luckily retained, the rest were either demoted to civilians or exiled; not being thrown into the Divine Prison was considered fortunate by the grace of Yao Tian.


    The remaining thirteen temple leaders were used as scapegoats, all thrown into the Divine Prison, reduced to convicts.


    Following this event, every faction and power within the Soul Comforting Temple was swept clean, and a new group of people was quickly parachuted into the temple to fill the vacancies.


    Under the principle that ¡°family disgrace should not be publicized,¡± Lingchuan Temple had to swallow this bitter pill, and the Bao Chen incident ended quickly with much thunder but little rain.


    Within just two months, the Soul Comforting Temple returned to its former tranquility.


    But by this time, everything in the temple had changed; Zhao Sheng had fallen from a highly celebrated senior brother to being transparent and shunned by everyone.


    Despite being subjected to rounds of investigative storms, no substantial evidence was found against him; he did not partake in any embezzlement or fraud, remaining as ¡°clean¡± as a spring onion, but he could not shake off the infamy of being a disciple of a criminal.


    So, while his peers who were Daoist Children left the mountain and returned home, entering the Taoist Register, receiving the Dharma Transmission, accepting their place as official Daoists, and heading off to work at various County Temples, Zhao Sheng was utterly ignored, as if he had been completely forgotten.


    What he found somewhat strange was that his cave mansion had not been reclaimed by the temple, nor had anyone come to drive him away.


    Even Yuan Yang, the ¡°big winner,¡± had visited him twice, treating him with a surprising gentleness and concern, almost as if there was no malice at all.


    Zhao Sheng observed that Yuan Yang was a person with a kind face and a ruthless heart, deeply scheming, and exquisitely skilled in maintaining a fa?ade. No wonder Bao Chen lost everything due to a moment of carelessness!


    And so, he was left hanging, uncared for and approached by no one.


    It wasn¡¯t until a transfer order reached his hands that Zhao Sheng began to understand what was happening.


    It turned out that being an orphan wasn¡¯t entirely disadvantageous.


    There¡¯s a special institution within the Heavenly Dao Sect called the Grace Care Home, with branches throughout the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty, housing orphans without parents, naturally including those like Zhao Sheng with a Spirit Root.


    In a sense, Zhao Sheng could rightfully be considered as having ¡°noble lineage,¡± besides possessing top-grade Dual Spirit Roots¡­


    When the transfer order to the Prison God Temple arrived, Zhao Sheng quickly grasped all the underlying truths.


    The Prison God Temple is another special institution of the Heavenly Dao Sect, functioning similarly to the prisons of the Mortal World, specifically to detain extraordinary criminals who are inconvenient to execute.


    Because of the unique status and nature of the Prison God Temple, the requirements for the Prison Guards were extremely high, with a very narrow selection pool.


    A clear background was the first criterion, but more importantly, unwavering loyalty to the Heavenly Dao Sect was needed, preferably with simple interpersonal relationships, with orphans having no attachments being ideal.


    Normally, with Zhao Sheng¡¯s qualifications, he wouldn¡¯t need to enter the Prison God Temple, but who asked him to have a master who was a ¡°fugitive due to fear of crime¡±?


    As a result, this unlucky child quickly caught the eye of the high level of the Prison God Temple, and the transfer order was naturally issued.


    ¡­


    When Zhao Sheng opened his eyes again, he found that the entire ceiling above was made up of Yang Gang Rock emitting faint golden light, and he lay on a hard stone bed.


    The sound of snoring came and went around him, indicating he was not the only one lying there.


    There were faint cries coming from below, seemingly mixed with thumping sounds, causing a slight vibration on the bed.


    Zhao Sheng lay on the bed motionless as his spirit gradually sank into memories.


    That day, when the transfer order arrived, he had been accompanied by two mysterious prison guards shrouded in black armor and together they had boarded an all-black flying disc.


    The flying disc flew steadily north until it reached the provincial capital of Chu State City in Diancang Province, and then it descended into the temple city outside the city.


    Next, the majestic and grand Taoist Temple palace complexes¡­ the icy prison guards¡­ the cramped and suffocating underground¡­ hundreds of prison cells, and one cold codename: Ding Jiwu.


    As a D Class Prison Guard, Zhao Sheng was housed in a large dormitory shared with four others, which naturally meant they were all under mutual surveillance. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The five-person dormitory was quite spacious, complete with a cultivation room, quiet room, alchemy room, and the like, all built according to the standards of a cave mansion.


    However, the only place to sleep was a long stone bed.


    ¡°The Divine Prison Temple¡¯s regulations are excessively severe. It seems they regard the Inner Guards as prisoners too,¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself.


    The Divine Prison of the Prison God Temple has two types of guards, Inner Guards and Outer Guards. Inner Guards are not allowed to leave the prison year-round and, apart from prisoners and Outer Guards, they must not contact anyone outside.


    The reason for such strictness is the fear of collusion between insiders and outsiders, which may result in the deliberate release of prisoners. Since ancient times, the Divine Prison has frequently experienced revolts, with prisoners escaping many times, ultimately leading to numerous major disasters.


    While he was thinking this, a pale and ugly face suddenly loomed before him, revealing a row of sharp white teeth with a smile.


    ¡°Brother Zhao, it¡¯s almost time to change shifts. Hurry up and get up, or the Prison Captain will curse again.¡±


    ¡°Hmm!¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and sat up from the bed.


    Adhering to the idea of listening more and speaking less as a newcomer, Zhao Sheng followed the four others out of the large dormitory, walked a long way down the gloomy corridor, and came to the Armor Changing Room.


    At that moment, standing at the door of the room was a tall, green-faced and fanged brutish man over ten feet tall.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at him,


    Hmm, a member of the Ghost Chi Clan, probably at the Foundation Establishment Realm, with moderate strength!


    This ugly man was the Prison Captain of this level of the Divine Prison, in charge of twenty teams of Prison Guards, totaling around eighty men, most of whom were D Class, with very few C Class, and not a single B Class.


    Having just arrived, Zhao Sheng had heard from the elders that the Divine Prison had recently suffered a great calamity, with a majority of the guards dead.


    Thus, they had to replenish with a large number of new recruits.


    Entering the Armor Changing Room, Zhao Sheng quickly changed into a set of Red Armor, followed the others out, and stood in the third row.


    The Divine Prison had several layers, but all were built dozens of feet underground, hence the dim visibility, forever stuffy and stinking air.


    Not long after, more than twenty Red Armor Prison Guards were neatly arranged in five rows in front of Prison Guard Xiao Moluo.


    Xiao Moluo¡¯s blood-red eyes slowly scanned everyone as he spoke in a deep and sinister voice, ¡°Today, Ding Siliu is dead!¡±


    Everyone fell silent, their faces showing fear.


    ¡°Do you know how he died?¡± Xiao Moluo¡¯s face grew increasingly dark and ghastly, like a demon in the flesh.


    ¡°Idiots! I¡¯ve warned you time and again not to have any contact with prisoners, not to listen to a single word of their ghostly chatter. Some always think they¡¯re clever, hoping to gain an advantage, but it¡¯s sheer stupidity! This year, I don¡¯t want to see another idiot! Got it?¡± The Prison Captain roared loudly, his anger reaching the sky.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart grew cold; the Divine Prison seemed quite dangerous, and it appeared that deaths were not uncommon.


    The daily work of a Prison Guard should be to patrol the cells, prevent prisoners from escaping, also prevent prisoners from colluding with each other, identify any signs of danger in time, and report immediately.


    ¡°Understood,¡± everyone replied loudly.


    Xiao Moluo¡¯s anger subsided somewhat as he began to assign the shift duties.


    ¡°First row, patrol the first layer of the prison.¡±


    ¡°Second row, the second layer of the prison.¡±


    ¡°Third row, the third layer of the prison.¡±

 Chapter 495 - 328 Human Mine

    Chapter 495: Chapter 328 Human Mine


    The Divine Prison has many layers; the prisoners held on the first nine layers pose no great danger and are thus monitored by third and fourth-class Prison Guards like Zhao Sheng.


    Below the ninth layer, however, higher-ranking Prison Guards take over, where they guard either great villains of the Demon Path or notorious murderers, some of whom are Taoists of their own sect who violated its rules.


    According to the elder, the deeper the layer in the Divine Prison, the greater the danger.


    Of course, most of the Demon adherents and demons confined within the third layer of the prison were Qi Refinement practitioners and couldn¡¯t stir up any trouble.


    ¡°Later, watch how I do it and learn! You will have to do it yourself in the future.¡±


    The two walked down the gloomy corridor; Qi Peng was instructing Zhao Sheng beside him as they went.


    Zhao Sheng nodded silently beside him, not uttering a word.


    On the stone walls of the corridor, the Fluorescent Pearls emitted circles of white light, dispelling the darkness nearby. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Below the light of the pearls stood door after door made of heavy, dull Mystic Iron, from behind which came faint cries and moans.


    The other Prison Guards had already left one after another, commencing their regular day¡¯s work.


    When the two arrived in front of a silent, iron door, Qi Peng suddenly stopped and glanced at the cell number: three~thirty-six.


    ¡°This is the one. Let¡¯s start with something simple,¡± he said.


    After speaking, Qi Peng unhooked a Hexagram Token from his waist on the Crimson Armor and inserted it into the keyhole in the middle of the door, turning it one round to the right. The iron door made a rumbling sound and then, with a bang, creaked open slightly.


    Qi Peng shoved the door open and entered, with Zhao Sheng following closely behind.


    Bang!


    The Mystic Iron Gate automatically closed, and before them was another ancient bronze-colored door, covered in countless intricate and mysterious runes, veiled in a layer of white light.


    It goes without saying why the Divine Prison had two sets of prison doors.


    Qi Peng stepped forward, placed his hand on the bronze door, muttering under his breath while his right hand emitted a faint white light.


    Clack, clack!


    The ancient bronze door slowly opened inwards, revealing the scene behind the cell.


    The room was low and cramped, no more than twenty paces from front to back, with walls on all sides made of solid steel, while the ceiling of the cell bore an engraving of a thousand-armed, three-headed Prison God.


    With arms fanned out like wings, the Prison God formed various Spell Seals, the left head compassionate, and the right fierce, while the central head was without face or form but emanated supreme majesty.


    Sitting cross-legged on a thirty-six-petaled Red Lotus, surrounded by towering Karmic Fire, myriad life forms bowed to the deity amid their cries of anguish under the scorching flames.


    In the dim fluorescent light, a burly man with a naked upper body, with disheveled hair, hung his head low, motionless.


    This man¡¯s skin was pale, his limbs and shoulder bones pierced through by rune chains, cruelly secured to a cross-shaped steel frame.


    On the man¡¯s pale skin, particularly over the heart on his left chest, there clung a swollen Blood-sucking Leech, as big as a fist.


    Qi Peng approached and ran his hand over the man¡¯s neck, feeling the icy touch.


    ¡°Sigh, another one without breath! Just my bad luck today, not even a living corpse fetched,¡± he lamented.


    As he spoke, Qi Peng deftly removed the leech and placed it inside the black Space Storage Seal at his waist. He quickly unclenched the rune chain and laid the body down on the ground.


    Turning back, he saw Zhao Sheng standing there stunned and called out, ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there, wrap up the body. I¡¯ll check to see if it¡¯s spawned any ghostly creatures.¡±


    Zhao Sheng advanced, his right hand reaching to the black Space Storage Seal at his waist, and pulled out a white hemp corpse bag. He bent down, lifted the body, and skillfully stuffed it inside.


    The black Space Storage Seal, standard issue for Prison Guards, contained a variety of items; not only corpse bags but also Zombie Coffins, Sealing Ghost Pots, and various torture instruments ¨C it lacked nothing.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go! Not even a stray soul. Damn bad luck!¡± Qi Peng grumbled as he completed his tasks. He stepped over to Zhao Sheng, waved, and stored the wrapped body back into the Space Storage Seal.


    Bang, bang!


    The two sets of Prison Gates were re-secured.


    Qi Peng led Zhao Sheng to the next cell.


    Taking advantage of the moment of opening the doors, Zhao Sheng asked him about the various taboos and precautions inside the cell.


    Qi Peng didn¡¯t pretend to be mysterious and freely shared a lot about the Divine Prison.


    Just then, the cell door opened¡­


    ¡°Roar¡ª¡±


    A wild roar ensued as soon as the door opened.


    On the cross steel frame was a bare, dark blue-haired wolf-headed humanoid monster, desperately trying to pounce towards the door, feral and vicious. However, the rune chain automatically tightened and burst with countless sparks of Electric Light, shocking it into continuous heartbreaking howls.


    ¡°A werewolf? Man-wolf? Or a divine abomination?!¡±


    The cell stank to high heaven, filthy all over.


    Zhao Sheng covered his nose and mouth and, with a flick of his finger, fireballs shot out one after another, erupting into flames upon hitting the steel floor and quickly burning away the filth.


    Then he cast the Clear Wind Skill three times in succession to disperse the dense stench.


    ¡°Heh heh, now you know being a Prison Guard isn¡¯t an easy job! This is just the beginning; there¡¯s plenty more for you to ¡®enjoy.¡¯ Adapt quickly, or you won¡¯t even know how you died,¡± Qi Peng smirked jeeringly at Zhao Sheng, then with a sudden frosty expression on his old face, he stretched out his right hand to reveal a black whip two zhang long, with a diameter of only one finger, its surface bristling with visibly sharp barbs.


    Crack, crack, crack!


    Without another word, he began to whip the wolf-headed humanoid fiercely, lacerating its skin, eliciting piteous wails.


    ¡°Will you confess?¡±


    Crack, crack!


    ¡°Confess, or not?¡±


    Crack, crack, crack!


    Qi Peng whipped rhythmically, and Zhao Sheng watched with a glint in his eyes.

 Chapter 496 - 328 Human Mine_2

    Chapter 496: Chapter 328 Human Mine_2


    ¡°I confess, I confess, just stop hitting me,¡± he pleaded.


    A moment later, overcome by the lashing, the wolf-headed creature finally burst out in human speech.


    Qi Peng gave two more lashes before he stopped, reaching out to extract a Sound-shifting Shell, his expression vicious as he said, ¡°Spill everything you know.¡±


    The wolf-headed man sobbed and spoke, while Zhao Sheng quietly observed from the side.


    In the southern part of Diancang Province, deep within Zilao Mountain, there lay a Wolf God Temple.


    A naive young man, having wandered into Zilao Mountain by mistake, stumbled into the Wolf God Temple and encountered a Divine Spirit.


    Twenty years later, the youth, having been granted divine instruction in cultivation, could transform into a wolf form, possessing immense strength and speed like the wind. Since descending the mountain, he had been invincible, with no one able to stand in his way.


    Latterly, in an attempt to build a temple for the Wolf God, the young man inadvertently provoked the local Taoist Temple and was thus captured by a Taoist, who turned him in to be imprisoned in the Divine Prison.


    ¡°Tell me, do you remember the location of that Divine Temple?¡± Qi Peng, his face flush with excitement and eyes glittering, pressed further.


    By then, the wolf-headed man had shed his demonic power and reverted to his normal human form, looking like an utterly ordinary young fellow.


    ¡°I truly don¡¯t remember, I only know that the temple is around the southern foot of Zilao Mountain¡­¡± the man replied.


    Half an hour later, Qi Peng walked out of the cell disgruntled, shaking his hand as droplets of blood and flesh flew around.


    ¡°Damn waste! When it comes to the crucial point, it¡¯s always ¡®I don¡¯t know this, I don¡¯t know that.¡¯ Keep torturing him for a while longer. As soon as he¡¯s no longer of use, just kill him and feed him to the dogs,¡± he declared.


    In the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty, the Heavenly Dao Sect is held as the sole authority, wielding the power to divide and govern all Divine Spirits.


    Those who, without the Heavenly Dao¡¯s Decree of God Sealing, declare themselves deities and establish temples are deemed Wild Gods and lascivious shrines¡ªall subjected to severe crackdown and destruction.


    For Prison Guards to discover any trace of a Wild God amounts to at least a small merit.


    No wonder Qi Peng was so eager.


    Upon leaving the cell, Zhao Sheng asked, ¡°Can an inmate in the Divine Prison really be put to death so casually?¡±


    Qi Peng replied with a smug smile, ¡°Once you¡¯re in the Divine Prison, don¡¯t even dream of getting out alive. That includes you and me!¡±


    Zhao Sheng fell silent, taken aback by the extent of Qi Peng¡¯s pessimism.


    ¡°Unless¡­ you can accumulate three Great Merits, you might then transfer out from your role as a Prison Guard.¡±


    ¡°Has anyone ever managed that?¡± Zhao Sheng immediately inquired.


    ¡°Not a single one in at least the past sixty years. However, the current Nascent Soul Great Priest of the Prison God Temple was once a Prison Guard. Now he¡¯s revered throughout the Five Provinces of Tianbei,¡± said Qi Peng, his face betraying a mix of admiration and longing as he spoke.


    Four hours later, the two emerged from the tenth cell block.


    Zhao Sheng noticed that not every prisoner was subject to harsh torture; most were merely glanced at to check if they were dead. The visit also included changing out the Blood-sucking Leeches and tossing a few big chunks of stinking meat to the prisoners to keep them from being drained to mummies and starving to death.


    The inmates of the Divine Prison were essentially human resources, not to be killed off haphazardly until every last bit of value had been extracted from them.


    ¡­


    After a day of patrolling the third layer of the prison, Zhao Sheng and his group of five completed their rounds and, upon handing over to the next shift, retired to their own cell block.


    Prison Guards rotated every three days, which meant working one day and resting for two¡ªquite a generous schedule.


    Still, life in the Divine Prison was almost like being imprisoned; the entertainment was scarce and life monotonously austere.


    Some guards, whose spirit had not been extinguished, would use their rest time for arduous cultivation, as they enjoyed generous remuneration, the chance to exchange for Cultivation Techniques, and ample supply of spirit stone and elixir.


    However, most guards had long since given up on cultivation, spending their days either gambling and boasting, or indulging in wine, women, and food.


    Such corruption could not be detached from the guards¡¯ poor Spirit Root aptitude and the oppressive, somber atmosphere of the Divine Prison.


    Day after day, year after year, with no hope in cultivation and no future in sight, most guards chose to abandon themselves to despair. Many even became twisted, often deriving pleasure from the torment of inmates.


    After a night¡¯s sleep, Qi Peng woke Zhao Sheng up and said as he got up, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go eat at the Happy Forest and you can meet the other companions.¡±


    Zhao Sheng followed him out and, after half a circle along the corridor and having walked about three or four miles, a spacious area covering a dozen acres came into view.


    On each stone table, large bowls of appetizing food were carelessly laid out, while groups of Prison Guards occupied the tables, feasting sumptuously.


    The diet of the Prison Guards was undeniably lavish; even a wealthy family could go bankrupt if they were to have just one such meal.


    Zhao Sheng followed Qi Peng to find a corner to sit in, his stomach rumbling like a drum at the sight of a large basin full of meat and vegetables.


    As an Innate Great Martial Sect member, even twice the amount of meat would not be too much for him to eat.


    In Happy Forest, there was no limit to the amount of food one could eat; the challenge was to see if you could eat enough to bankrupt the Divine Prison.


    Zhao Sheng did not hold back, grabbing a large and fatty elbow joint and devouring it in just a few bites, crunching loudly, without even spitting out the bones.


    Qi Peng watched, stunned, at his side.


    ¡°Go on, eat up!¡± Zhao Sheng grabbed two pieces of trotters and tossed them into his mouth, chewing on both sides while calling out indistinctly to Qi Peng.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t just focus on the meat. Try our prison¡¯s unique Primordial Yang Wine. It¡¯ll drive away the cold of the cell!¡± Qi Peng held up a jug of old wine and placed it beside Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng took the jug, gulped it down in one go, then exhaled a faint grey mist, and praised with a laugh, ¡°Good wine! I feel much warmer now.¡±


    There were about twenty prison guards in the Happy Forest at the time, some eating and drinking while chatting and laughing, others eating alone at their tables.


    ¡°Today, brother, I made a small merit; I uncovered a den of bandits¡­¡±


    ¡°Hehe, Brother, do me a favor and give me an extension of half a month; when my salary is paid, I will repay you with interest¡­¡±


    ¡°I heard that a new batch of prisoners is going to be locked up soon¡­ our chance to earn merits is coming again¡­¡±


    ¡°Later, shall we play a hand in the inner room?¡±


    ¡°No thanks, brother. I want to exchange for more elixir pills. I¡¯m close to breaking through to the Qi Refining Fourth Level.¡±


    ¡°¡­In the seventh layer of the prison, there¡¯s a Beauty locked up, with an incredibly striking appearance. Brother, do you want to find an opportunity to take a look?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng silently sorted through the useful information, to familiarize himself with the Divine Prison environment as swiftly as possible.


    Qi Peng was clearly a veteran here. He knew everyone, and after greeting everyone in the vicinity, he inadvertently introduced Zhao Sheng to quite a few people. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng stayed in Happy Forest for four hours, while Qi Peng had scampered off to gamble his money away long before.


    He returned to his cell block alone, casually picked a Cultivation Room, and entered.


    A Spirit Gathering Array was set up on the floor of the Cultivation Room.


    Zhao Sheng took out Ding Jiwu¡¯s Identity Token, slotted it into the center of the Spirit Gathering Array, and the formation suddenly activated; rich Spiritual Energy rushed into the room from all directions.


    But along with the Spiritual Energy, there came streams of bone-chilling Yin Sha coldness.


    Zhao Sheng was not alarmed but delighted, as this Yin Sha was perfect nourishment for the Karmic Fire, transforming it into special Spiritual Power.


    He immediately sat down cross-legged in the middle of the Spirit Gathering Array. The Red Lotus pattern on his forehead detached from his skin, floating out, and in a flash, it turned into a circle of crimson flame, burning fiercely in mid-air.


    Seven lifetimes as a human, with three consecutively spent in the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    Zhao Sheng was already well-versed in how to advance to the Foundation Establishment Realm.


    In this life, he was not planning to use Foundation Establishment Pills but rather intended to painstakingly hone himself, bit by bit, until his cultivation was perfect, achieving natural foundation building.


    Without a doubt, he was walking the path of Ancient Method Cultivators, as the saying goes, the Qi Sea in the Dantian filled with pure yang energy, and when the cultivation was perfect, the Jade Liquid would come!


    ¡­¡­


    One month later, in the fourth layer of the prison,


    Cell number twenty-six, the prisoner was a Loose Cultivator who practiced the Blood Soul Scripture, having slaughtered three large estates, each with over a thousand people, just to harvest essence blood.


    This type of prisoner was a hot commodity in the Divine Prison; they definitely couldn¡¯t be allowed to die easily ¨C becoming a blood ox was their ultimate fate.


    Moreover, after such individuals perished, there was a chance of condensing a Blood Spirit Pill. These pills could extend one¡¯s life and were invaluable.


    The prison guards fought fiercely over this prisoner. Only after Zhao Sheng showed his prowess and severely intimidated the others did he acquire the right to handle him.


    In the cell, after Zhao Sheng finished replacing the Blood-sucking Leeches, he looked up at the Prison God Map, his eyes flashing with an indescribable Divine Light.


    A moment later, he strode out of the cell and closed the double prison doors behind him, thinking to himself:


    ¡°The Heavenly Dao Sect is more corrupt than I imagined, yet¡­ they are also stronger than I realized¡­ Accumulate as much merit as possible, exchange for more of the Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture¡­¡±

 Chapter 497 - 329 Scouting and Bloodline

    Chapter 497: Chapter 329 Scouting and Bloodline


    Six months later,


    in the Cultivation Room, Zhao Sheng slowly opened his eyes. The surrounding Karmic Fire was withdrawn, transforming into a Red Lotus and falling into his brow.


    He removed his Identity Token, and the Spirit Gathering Array immediately ceased operation. The Spiritual Energy around him dispersed slowly, but the dense Yin Sha energy in the air churned incessantly, almost congealing into substance.


    The Divine Prison had been established for an unknown number of years, and countless humans, demons, and ghosts had perished within. The chilling Yin Sha energy that had accumulated over the long term was beyond the imagination of the outside world.


    ¡°No wonder most of the Prison Guards fall into depravity and meet with bad ends. Soaking in such dense Yin Sha energy day and night, constantly subjected to the invasion that devours the spirit¡ªit would be strange indeed if they could progress to Foundation Establishment!¡±


    Zhao Sheng had been puzzled before, as to why so many Prison Guards in the Divine Prison, like himself, cultivated the ¡®Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture¡¯?


    Now it seemed that while the Divine Prison might be a deadly place for others, for them, it was a rare Blessed Land for cultivation.


    Upon leaving the Cultivation Room, he immediately saw Qi Peng, his face brimming with joy.


    ¡°Little brother, hurry up and collect your salary. Big brother will take you out to get some fresh air right away.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng realized that it was time for the Prison Guards¡¯ annual leave from the prison.


    ¡°Wait for me, Mr. Qi. I¡¯ll be back in no time.¡±


    ¡­


    Chu State City is the provincial capital of Diancang Province, with as many as eighty-eight workshops within its main city. It¡¯s home to over three million residents and surrounded by four satellite towns.


    Miao City, one of these four satellite towns, is just thirty miles from the main city, with both cities in view of each other.


    Passing through numerous checkpoints, Qi Peng and Zhao Sheng finally returned from underground to the surface.


    Looking up at the dazzling twin suns, Qi Peng couldn¡¯t help but cheer and jump for joy. Then, in a great hurry, he dragged Zhao Sheng out of the Prison God Temple.


    In just a moment¡¯s time, a Rune Flying Car zipped out of Miao City, speeding toward Chu State City with lightning speed.


    Thirty miles went by in an instant,


    as the Rune Flying Car flew directly over the people¡¯s heads, crossing the city gates, which were thirty yards wide, and rapidly flew into Chu State City.


    After entering the city, the Flying Car swept through half a workshop district and, in the blink of an eye, landed in a station square on the outskirts.


    Qi Peng had just jumped down from the Flying Car and couldn¡¯t wait to run off, leaving behind only these words: ¡°Have fun by yourself, little brother! I¡¯m feeling a bit arty today, off to the brothels to enjoy some music. We¡¯ll meet back here in three days.¡±


    Watching as Qi Peng flew far away with Sword Control, Zhao Sheng withdrew his gaze and stepped out of the station.


    On the street, the crowd bustled, the traffic was bustling, the scene was immensely lively. The streets were wide and straight, lined with towering buildings on both sides, ground floor shops were everywhere, and various signboards and flags fluttered in the wind.


    Zhao Sheng walked aimlessly on the street, casually glancing at the shops and the pedestrians around him.


    Although it seemed aimless, the hand hanging from his robe occasionally dropped a Blood Pearl, which vanished instantly upon hitting the ground.


    He strolled from one street to another, from one workshop to the next, his pace neither too fast nor too slow, yet without careful attention, one could lose track of him.


    In less than a day, the footprints of Zhao Sheng had touched all eighty-eight workshops in Chu State City, leaving countless imprints everywhere throughout the city.


    Hat Brim Workshop, Catching Cicadas Lane.


    Zhao Sheng made his appearance in a workshop district within an impoverished and rundown alley, where dilapidated old yards stood on either side, the ground uneven and muddy, and several bare-bottomed babies were laying on the ground, teasing ants in play.


    A faint blood light spread from the palm of his hand in all directions, disappearing into the air almost instantly.


    Sensing the increasingly agitated movements within his bloodline, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face lit up with joy, murmuring, ¡°It seems this is the place.¡±


    He walked deeper into the alley, following the bloodline sensing in the air, turned several corners, and stopped in front of a large, disorderly courtyard.


    At the entrance, a row of old men sat squatting, basking in the Sun.


    Seeing a person of apparent nobility approaching, one of the emaciated old men looked up, and with a cringing tone, asked, ¡°My lord¡­ What brings you to a place like ours?¡±


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m looking for someone. Is there a family by the name of Zhao living here?¡± Zhao Sheng asked casually, his gaze sweeping over the crowd to rest on a small old man with a dark face and a gap-toothed smile.


    ¡°There¡¯s no one surnamed Zhao here. The whole courtyard is surnamed Wu, all servants of Mr. Wu,¡± the old man replied with a blank expression.


    ¡°Oh, it seems I¡¯ve come to the wrong place,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a look of ¡®sudden realization¡¯ and then turned to leave.


    A moment later, his figure reappeared before them, but no one noticed.


    Concealed, Zhao Sheng walked into the courtyard, idly wandering around, and finally, in two decrepit wing rooms at the far end of the yard, he found his target. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He hadn¡¯t expected to find a family with the Zhao bloodline in Chu State City, among the more than three million inhabitants.


    In the wing room, a hunched old woman with white hair struggled to wash two patched pieces of clothing.


    Next to her, a bamboo basket hung, gently rocking. Inside, a naked baby lay sprawled out, sound asleep.


    Zhao Sheng watched silently; at that moment, the gap-toothed small old man wandered in from outside the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back.


    This man walked up to the wing room, pushed open the door, and began to rummage through the house.


    ¡°What are you looking for, old man?¡± the white-haired old woman called out upon seeing this.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for our ancestors. Wife, where did you hide the ancestral tablet?¡± Wu Sanliu moved aside the bedding and fumbled around on the floor.


    Ever since he saw the noble leave, Wu Sanliu felt uneasy.

 Chapter 498 - 329 Reconnaissance and Bloodline_2

    Chapter 498: Chapter 329 Reconnaissance and Bloodline_2


    He vaguely recalled that his ancestors also had the surname Zhao, but that was the affairs of old generations hundreds of years ago. Even though the elders of the family always reminded the younger generations not to forget their ancestral surname and frequently mentioned how illustrious their ancestors were,


    but no matter how impressive the ancestors were, they couldn¡¯t compare to a growling stomach, let alone a coarse grain pancake.


    By his generation, the origins of the ancestral surname had long been forgotten.


    Now that someone had suddenly brought it up, Wu Sanliu, driven by an impulse he couldn¡¯t explain, began searching through his home upon his return.


    ¡°Ah, you foolish old man, the ancestral tablets are sealed behind the wall, behind the rice jar. What are you searching for so frantically?¡±


    Wu Sanliu smacked his forehead upon hearing this and suddenly remembered.


    After moving the jar and chiseling the wall, Wu Sanliu held a tablet with black background and golden characters, stepped into the sunlight, blew the dust off its surface, and squinted his eyes to carefully inspect the writing on the tablet.


    He stared for a long while, but couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of it.


    ¡°Old lady, come take a look, is our ancestor¡¯s surname Zhao?¡± Wu Sanliu, holding the tablet, stretched it out in front of the old woman and asked nervously.


    ¡°Ptooey! You can¡¯t read, and the old lady is even less literate. Whether it¡¯s Zhao or not, what¡¯s the use!¡± said the old woman with a hint of feistiness in her speech.


    No sooner had she finished speaking than she changed her tune and began to complain, ¡°I¡¯m telling you, husband, we haven¡¯t received our monthly allowance yet, and it¡¯s already the end of the month. There¡¯s almost nothing left to eat at home, what are we going to do! It¡¯s okay for us to eat less, but poor my grandchild, has never had a full meal since he was born.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ There¡¯s no reward from the masters, what can I do? No, I must go to Liu Heilai¡¯s house again and borrow some spoiled rice to get us through half a month,¡±


    ¡°What? Borrow again? I¡¯m telling you, what we borrowed before hasn¡¯t even¡­¡±


    Outside the room, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze was deep, ¡°Ancestor¡­ Zhao Xiuchan¡¯s tablet, indeed¡­¡±


    After one last look at the two people sighing, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure flashed and he disappeared instantly. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    Nightfall, Furen Square.


    In a hall of Wu Mansion, Mr. Wu sat with respectful propriety at the lower end, not daring to take a deep breath.


    An ordinary-looking young man with a sallow complexion occupied the seat of honor with regal assurance.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at him, waved his hand, and immediately three rows of low-grade Spirit Stones, translucent and lustrous, appeared on the table.


    ¡°I¡¯ve just come to Chu State City and am in need of a place to stay. Your courtyard is quite nice, I¡¯ll take it!¡±


    Mr. Wu caught sight of the Spirit Stones and, with a forced smile said, ¡°Honored sir, your interest in the humble abode is a blessing for my family. However¡­ ¡±


    Land in Chu State City is worth its weight in gold, and the Wu family¡¯s estate, with its three sets of three courtyards, cannot be bought for three hundred Spirit Stones.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you another three hundred Spirit Stones, and the servants in your courtyard will also be mine, to avoid trouble.¡±


    As he spoke, another three rows of Spirit Stones appeared on the table.


    Mr. Wu¡¯s eyes were momentarily dazzled by the Spirit Stones, and his greed swelled within him. He was about to haggle further when an icy, stern voice said, ¡°That¡¯s the price. If one more stone is added, I¡¯ll stand up and leave!¡±


    ¡°Deal, as you say, sir. We¡¯ll go to the government office to transfer the property tomorrow, and the contracts of the servants will also be transferred into your name,¡± Mr. Wu said, trembling inside and hurriedly nodding and bowing.


    A night passed without words. The next morning, Mr. Wu promptly took Zhao Sheng to the government office.


    With the limited time to clear the way and using Spirit Stones, what normally took ten days or half a month to process was completed astoundingly fast¡ªin just one day.


    After leaving the government office, Zhao Sheng gave Mr. Wu¡¯s family two days to vacate the property.


    But the servants had to meet their new master first.


    So, that very afternoon, over thirty households of the Wu family¡¯s servants were gathered in confusion and stood in a courtyard that was filled with nearly two hundred people.


    Wu Sanliu, his wife, his son, his daughter-in-law, and his grandchildren¡ªa total of nine¡ªwere squeezed into a corner of the yard, craning their necks and looking upwards.


    In the span of one day, a new master had replaced the old, and not just for Wu Sanliu¡¯s family. Even the steward, Wu Da, was confused.


    Mr. Wu accompanied Zhao Sheng out and announced the new master to everyone in person, then he consciously excused himself from the scene.


    The first thing Zhao Sheng did as the new master was to change the surname of the servants from Wu to Zhao.


    Changing the servants¡¯ surnames to the master¡¯s was a common practice in such households, unquestionable and usual for servants.


    Zhao Sheng immediately announced his second act, and upon hearing that their monthly allowance of rice would be doubled from now on, the freshly minted Zhao family servants were overjoyed.


    However, this wasn¡¯t the end. Zhao Sheng personally promised, ¡°In celebration of moving to a new home, he¡¯s directly rewarding each person with three months¡¯ worth of provisions. It¡¯s one for each person, to be divided per head.¡±


    In no time, the courtyard was filled with thunderous cheers, and everyone was beaming with joy.


    Wu Sanliu, no, it should be Zhao Sanliu, was so excited that he was moved to tears, and he shouted loudly, ¡°The heavens have eyes! Our good days have finally arrived. Our new master is so kind; he will surely live a long and prosperous life!¡±


    The family beside him was incredibly excited as well, for they totaled nine members.


    If the provisions were completely delivered, not only could they pay off all their debts from over the years, but they would also have two months¡¯ worth of food left over.


    At this moment, they had no idea that their real good days were still to come.


    To make vinegar, someone went to great lengths to prepare a pot of dumplings, truly a significant effort.


    Before long, the servants gradually dispersed.


    Zhao Sheng called over the housekeeper Zhao Da and gave many orders with decisive swiftness, including rearranging the servants¡¯ positions.


    Without drawing much attention, he arranged for Zhao Sanliu and his two sons to be placed in some easy and lucrative positions.


    The fate of Zhao Sanliu¡¯s family was to change slowly; they could not be rushed.


    Before revealing his true identity, he didn¡¯t want outsiders to make any connections from Zhao Sanliu and the others to¡­ the Zhao family of Tianzhu Realm.


    On the third day, Zhao Sheng changed his appearance continuously, wandering around Chu State City and its surroundings.


    As for the four major satellite cities, especially Miao City, he left countless traces, as well as numerous imprints.


    Dusk settled, and night fell.


    Qi Peng, tipsy from his drinking, returned from outside. Seeing Zhao Sheng waiting by the Flying Car, he couldn¡¯t help but laugh and say, ¡°Little brother, you have no idea how spectacularly your elder brother here has rampaged in the past three days. Next time we go out, I¡¯ll take you to the Red Building of Chu City to show you what true bliss is¡­ uh, to show you what it means to truly live life to the fullest¡­¡±


    ¡°Big brother is right, but it¡¯s getting late now. If we miss the roll call, that¡­ Leader Xiao¡¯s ugly face¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh no, I nearly caused a big issue! Hurry, get on, let¡¯s go!¡± Hearing this, Qi Peng was so frightened that he sobered up instantly, hurriedly pulling Zhao Sheng into the carriage.


    In an instant, the Rune Flying Car shot off the ground, speeding towards Miao City.


    ¡­¡­


    An hour later.


    Xiao Moluo arrived late, holding the roster in his hands and casting a cold gaze over everyone. Seeing that everyone had returned, his expression relaxed slightly.


    ¡°Today, the prison received a batch of convicts, and everyone will be busy for a while. Get the prisoners into their respective levels in the prison.¡±


    ¡°Ding Ershi, Ding Sanchi, levels five and six, eight prisoners.¡±


    ¡°Bing Shisan, Ding Shi, the ninth layer of prison, two prisoners.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng listened as Xiao Moluo assigned duties. Generally, C-class Prison Guards were responsible for escorting prisoners to the seventh level and below, with D-class Prison Guards taking over above that.


    ¡°Bing Yi, Bing Liu, Ding Siqi, Ding Jiwu, the Sixteen-layered Prison, one prisoner.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the prison guards immediately began whispering to each other, abuzz with discussion.


    What a situation! The Divine Prison hadn¡¯t received a ¡°big shot¡± in a long time. Now, one had arrived for the sixteenth level.


    Such level prisoners were at least at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage or might even possess Golden Core Level strength.


    ¡°Silence!¡±


    Xiao Moluo¡¯s voice boomed like thunder, quieting all chatter. He stared blankly at the crowd, radiating a dangerous aura.


    After making the arrangements, Xiao Moluo turned and walked away.


    The crowd also excitedly headed to the Armor Changing Room and changed into red Prison Armor.


    After suiting up, Zhao Sheng quietly followed behind Bing Yi, heading to the first level of the prison,


    Bing Yi was a gloomy and indifferent old man, exuding an aura of death as if he¡¯d been deeply corroded by Yin Sha and wasn¡¯t long for this world.


    This fellow had been in the Divine Prison for decades, second only to Prison Captain Xiao Moluo in terms of length of service.

 Chapter 499 - 330 Three Years and Another Three Years

    Chapter 499: Chapter 330 Three Years and Another Three Years


    Click-click-click!


    The Sealing Barrier was unlocked, and the Mystic Iron Gate was slowly pushed open from the outside.


    Faint golden light penetrated the door, shining upon the prisoner.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils slightly contracted, reflecting the silhouette of a short, plump figure.


    The prisoner appeared to be a kindly old man, with the appearance of a youth in the body of an elder and a gentle disposition, yet he exuded an aura of holiness.


    ¡°Hehe, quite the fanfare for an old man who is now nothing but a cripple, isn¡¯t it necessary for such a commotion?¡±


    Surprisingly, this man was not gagged with a wood core, nor were there any visible restrictions on him, only two delicate golden chains shackled his wrists and ankles.


    While walking, the chains dragged on the ground, making a clinking sound of friction.


    Zhao Sheng instinctively stepped back half a step, hiding slightly behind Bing Yi.


    ¡°Eh? Such sensitive spiritual sense! To waste such talent as a mere Prison Guard at such a young age. Come closer to this old man. I¡¯ll teach you a Secret Technique of Divinity that allows you to cultivate a Divine Communication Spirit Body, with which you can communicate with the Heavenly Dao above, invite spirits to possess you below, and summon the wind and rain¡­¡±


    The old man had no Mana due to his Dantian being destroyed, but solely with his demeanor, tone, and the rhythm of his speech, he kindled desires in everyone¡¯s hearts.


    Zhao Sheng showed a moment of yearning, but his gaze quickly returned to clarity.


    Swish!


    A black blade slashed across the old man¡¯s throat, cutting off his words and forcing them back into his stomach.


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    Blood gushed from his neck as the old man gasped for air, and the large gash at his throat miraculously healed rapidly before everyone¡¯s eyes.


    After just three breaths, the wound on the old man¡¯s throat had completely healed.


    ¡°Qiu Santong, I know you have immense Divine Skills, but here, even gods and ancestors must obey!¡± Xiao Moluo retracted his black blade, pushed the old man, and said in a stern tone.


    ¡°Hehe! The Shura Group, eh! The old man is not someone to be trifled with. Young man, come on, hurry up and escort me to the deep prison.¡±


    Hearing Qiu Santong inviting him forward, Zhao Sheng turned a deaf ear.


    This old man was extremely strange, and getting involved with him would surely bring significant trouble later on.


    ¡°C Guard, C Six, escort the prisoner down.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    Two C Guards stepped forward promptly, pushing the old man toward the depths of the Divine Prison.


    Zhao Sheng and Ding Siqi each drew their Prison Blades, following closely behind the trio.


    First layer,


    Second layer,


    Third layer,


    ¡­


    At the end of the nine-layered prison, layers of light screens sealed the passageway; beyond these screens was a Chongxuan Cold Iron Gate etched with a Thousand-Handed Prison God Statue.


    After some effort, the light screens parted, and the Cold Iron Gate opened. Two Black Armored Prison Guards emerged from the darkness and stood on either side, expressionlessly watching over everyone.


    Bing Yi, having done many such escort missions, was quite familiar with the procedure.


    Without a need for words, they simply pushed the old man forcefully into the dark passageway.


    ¡°Gently, gently now! This old man¡¯s bones can¡¯t withstand this much rough handling,¡± Qiu Santong complained as he walked, seemingly indifferent to the oppressively dark and dismal environment around him.


    Below the ninth layer, the structure of the Divine Prison was almost identical to the upper layers, but the number of cells was significantly reduced and their doors were made from Spiritual Artifact Level spirit materials, classifying them as a type of special Spiritual Artifacts.


    Furthermore, the outer walls of the cells were embedded with numerous Array Plates, establishing extensive Sealing Arrays throughout the prison.


    By the time they reached the sixteenth level of the Divine Prison, Zhao Sheng and the others had descended nearly a hundred miles underground, where the walls and floors were entirely constructed from Thousand-year Cold Iron.


    Every corner exuded endless chilliness, and the dense, malignant energy had solidified into a thin layer of Evil Ice, adhering to the surfaces of the walls and floors.


    Zhao Sheng felt the piercing cold and had to release a layer of Karmic Fire to resist the surrounding chill.


    The others also circulated their Spiritual Power to ward off the cold of the place.


    However, despite having lost all his Mana, Qiu Santong appeared relaxed and comfortable, seemingly oblivious to the cold around him.


    Shortly afterward, the cell door was finally opened.


    As Qiu Santong was being pushed into the cell, a faint voice suddenly reached Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears: ¡°Kid, come visit the old man when you¡¯re free. I must say, your blood is too enticing. Hehe!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart shuddered, realizing that his minor tricks had already been seen through by others.


    ¡­


    Third layer jail, Cell Number Twenty.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward, his fingers moving like the wind, poking continuously on the prisoner¡¯s internal organs and Dantian. Strands of Karmic Fire penetrated his body and instantly spread throughout his organs.


    ¡°Ahh! I confess, I confess! Sir, just ask, I¡¯ll tell everything, please stop!¡±


    ¡°Speak!¡± Zhao Sheng said emotionlessly, his hand casually wiping over the prisoner¡¯s chest and abdomen, halting the torture of burning by Karmic Fire.


    He deliberately spoke ambiguously to see if the prisoner would catch the hint.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng stepped out of the cell, holding a Sound-shifting Stone in his hand.


    The prisoner was a Qi Refining Missionary from the Earth Element Mother Sect.


    Two months prior, this individual had incited nearly four million people in Hongzhou Prefecture along with an Elder from the Old Mother Sectialto rebel, leading to countless killings and suffering across the region, with nearly a hundred prominent families slaughtered to near extinction.


    In the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty, the Earth Element Mother Sect was known among many heretic sects for specializing in rebellions. No one knew exactly how long the sect had been established, but periodically they would stir up bloodshed across various regions.


    Although every rebellion ultimately failed, the Earth Element Mother Sect seemed indefatigable, as if addicted to rebellion.


    For thousands of years, the Heavenly Dao Sect and the Da Gu Court had destroyed the main temple of the Old Mother Sect on multiple occasions.


    Yet it always re-emerged, each time stronger than before, with an ever-growing number of followers.

 Chapter 500 - 330 Three More Years_2

    Chapter 500: Chapter 330 Three More Years_2


    According to Zhao Sheng¡¯s knowledge, each incarnation of the Earth Element Mother typically possessed the strength of a Late-stage Nascent Soul. If the Divine Spirit of the Earth Element Mother could be invited to possess someone, they could briefly match the prowess of Divinity Transformation.


    ¡°Heavenly Rebel Alliance? Who are these esteemed figures? The Old Mother Sect has actually learned to be smart and is now willing to join forces with other powers to start a rebellion?¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself as he walked.


    Currently, he didn¡¯t have many worries, but what he hoped for the most was to find out why the Zhao Clan Members had ended up in the Netherworld.


    Additionally, he also wished to know the outcome of the great war between the two realms back then. What is the status of the Tianzhu Realm now?


    Over the years, he had searched through all available books and documents and dropped hints to others, but he couldn¡¯t find even a trace of information.


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush! The truth will be uncovered sooner or later,¡± Zhao Sheng assured himself quietly.


    After finishing his shift, he immediately hid in the Cultivation Room, activated the Barrier to prevent outsiders from intruding.


    The next second, he had vanished from that place.


    Through consecutive Phase Shifting, in less than three breaths, Zhao Sheng appeared within his mansion in Chu State City.


    After summoning the housekeeper and briefly hearing his report, Zhao Sheng gave him three thousand taels of silver for household expenses and then instructed him on two matters.


    The first was to find two suitable shops that could be purchased later.


    The second was to hire a literate tutor to teach the children of the mansion how to read and write.


    While the housekeeper Zhao Da couldn¡¯t fathom his master¡¯s intentions, he did not hesitate to accept the tasks.


    Zhao Sheng left the mansion quickly, secretly checking on Zhao Sanliu¡¯s family before departing quietly.


    The next day, two Innate Martial Artists suddenly visited Zhao Mansion. Upon meeting with the housekeeper, they brought out Zhao Sheng¡¯s token and stated that the master of the house had invited them to watch over the mansion and, incidentally, to teach the servants some basic martial arts for fitness rather than combat.


    Of course, before the two men arrived, Zhao Sheng had already returned to the Divine Prison without anyone noticing.


    ¡­


    After that, Zhao Sheng would appear at the mansion every few days.


    The shops were quickly purchased, and the two sons of Zhao Sanliu were ¡°luckily¡± chosen to be shop assistants, their monthly grain rations converted to silver, with their salaries doubled once more.


    Zhao Sanliu was also ¡°coincidentally¡± favored by the master one day, who specifically selected him to become a coachman.


    Being a coachman was a job with a generous salary and was relatively easy.


    After all, sometimes the master wouldn¡¯t use the carriage for a whole month.


    For this reason, Zhao Sanliu was overjoyed, constantly praising the benevolent master and wishing him a long and prosperous life.


    As seasons changed and time flew by, three years had passed in the blink of an eye.


    One day, while Zhao Sheng was meditating and practicing, he suddenly got a whim, and the fog-like Spiritual Power in his Qi Sea swiftly poured into the Spirit Power Vortex all at once.


    A whistling sound faintly emanated from his Dantian, and in the blink of an eye, a drop of liquefied Spirit Power condensed from the end of the Vortex and naturally fell, suspending itself in the middle of the Qi Sea.


    A large amount of fog-like Spiritual Power quickly transformed, with drops of liquefied Spirit Power appearing like rain,


    Zhao Sheng silently recited scriptures as his body began a new round of rebirth, and his spiritual power gradually transformed into Divine Sense.


    Having experienced this several times in his past life, he was not anxious at all, calmly waiting for the successful advancement.


    An hour later, a thread of Divine Sense quietly extended outside his body like a sprout, while the Spirit Power in his Dantian had already turned into a ¡°Clear Spring,¡± pure and refined.


    The Foundation Establishment process went exceptionally smoothly, as if everything fell into place naturally!


    Zhao Sheng opened his eyes, the Divine Light in his gaze surged, and a reddish flame suddenly shot out from the lotus between his eyebrows, circling around his body, burning away the thick layer of pus and Blood Stain on his skin.


    Suddenly,


    The Divine Light in Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes quickly vanished, revealing a pair of calm and serene eyes.


    ¡­


    The next day, at the Happy Forest canteen, there were more new faces among the Prison Guards coming to eat.


    Many of the old guards had either died or been transferred to lower levels of the prison.


    It was said that there was a shortage of personnel down below, and the attrition rate of the Prison Guards was somewhat excessive.


    The previous C-class Prison Guards had already disappeared without a trace, and now Zhao Sheng was considered among the old-timers.


    Recently, Prison Captain Xiao Moluo was planning to promote a batch of D Class Prison Guards, and Zhao Sheng was likely included.


    The reason was that throughout these three years, Zhao Sheng¡¯s achievements had been exceptionally outstanding, ranking in the top three every year.


    ¡°Brother, lend me a few Spirit Stones to tide me over. When we get our spiritual salary, I¡¯ll pay you back,¡± Qi Peng, carrying a bottle of Primordial Yang Wine, sat next to Zhao Sheng and whispered a request.


    ¡°Big brother, your gambling addiction is getting worse. If this continues, you¡¯ll end up dead over gambling one day,¡± Zhao Sheng replied, putting down his food bowl and fishing out a Spirit Stone while advising him.


    ¡°Sigh, my body is getting weaker by the day. Since I don¡¯t have many years left, might as well enjoy life to the fullest! Don¡¯t worry, little brother, if I hear any useful information, I¡¯ll definitely get a copy for you.¡±


    Looking at the emaciated Qi Peng, Zhao Sheng sighed silently to himself.


    ¡°I just heard some news that Cangnan Prefecture has experienced droughts for two consecutive years, leaving the fields barren, causing the death of over a million people from starvation and leading to a minor scale disaster of starving ghosts, devouring both humans and livestock within a thousand miles.¡±


    ¡°¡­The Wu Family of Qi Wu Prefecture offended someone they shouldn¡¯t have and now the entire family has been imprisoned. I¡¯ve just interrogated a member of the Wu Family, and I heard that they crossed someone high up in the prefecture temple¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­The main temple recently issued an edict severely criticizing the severe deficits of various provinces, yet the trend of wasteful extravagance is on the rise. Our Diancang Province was specifically named. I heard our spiritual salary is going to be cut by twenty percent.¡±


    ¡°What, cutting our salary?! They¡¯re a bunch of good-for-nothings. Do they still expect us to work in peace?¡±


    ¡°Shh¡­ At worst, we¡¯ll interrogate a few more prisoners and squeeze some benefits out of them. Not to hide it from you all, last year during my time outside, I found two hidden treasure lands in a row and made a small fortune unexpectedly.¡±


    ¡°Pah, shut your mouth! You dare speak openly of such shady dealings. Be careful, or Leader Xiao will find out and flay you alive!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, let¡¯s keep the unspoken rules unspoken. Do you really think the boss is upright and incorruptible? He made a huge fortune way before you came here. It¡¯s only because we can go out just once a year that¡­heh heh!¡±


    Zhao Sheng silently listened to the surroundings, rapidly collecting useful information.


    There¡¯s a saying, ¡°Live off the land if you¡¯re near the mountains, live off the water if you¡¯re near the sea!¡±


    Having become a prison guard with no prospects, naturally, one must ¡°make a fortune¡± off the prisoners.


    This was an old rule in the Divine Prison; as long as you don¡¯t go too far, those above tend to turn a blind eye.


    After finishing his meal, Zhao Sheng returned to his cell, took a short nap, and then plunged back into the cultivation room.


    ¡­


    In the blink of an eye, another three years passed.


    The five people who shared a cell with Zhao Sheng had all been replaced. Qi Peng had died the previous year still owing him nearly a hundred spirit stones.


    Interacting with the newcomers, he learned that many of them were orphans from the Grace Care Home, and a portion of them were there for minor infractions, pushed out by others.


    In the past two years, the Divine Prison had become overcrowded, mostly with those involved in rebellion and insurgents, the prisoners also coming from various odd and ancient religions.


    It has to be said, the concept of worshipping gods in the Netherworld was deeply ingrained, with nearly all common folk being devout believers.


    That day, during roll call, an additional young Daoist suddenly appeared beside Prison Captain Xiao Moluo.


    The Daoist had a handsome appearance and a gentle demeanor, wearing an immaculate white Daoist robe that stood out starkly in the dim prison.


    The Prison Captain introduced him, ¡°This is Yushu Daoist, sent by the main temple. He is also our Prison God Temple¡¯s Four Directions Inspection Envoy.¡±


    Four Directions Inspection Envoy?


    This man certainly has quite the background!


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but covertly observe him. The man kept a low profile, like a deep pond, unfathomable.


    Furthermore, his spiritual sense was extremely sharp,


    With just a few glances from Zhao Sheng, the Daoist suddenly shot a look in his direction.


    The other Prison Captains couldn¡¯t help but whisper among themselves, their looks towards Yushu laced with a hint of fear.


    ¡°The Heavenly Dao is boundless!¡±


    Yushu¡¯s gaze swept over everyone, his eyes full of serenity as beams of pure light radiated from his body.


    The divine light that fell on the Prison Guards, whose flesh had been eroded by dark evil, suddenly felt much lighter.


    ¡°Thank you, Inspection Envoy!¡±


    The Prison Guards bowed in thanks, with Zhao Sheng blending in and going with the flow.


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    The spiritual power of the Yushu Daoist was not enough to completely eradicate the dark evil erosion.


    ¡°All right, all right. Today we have received Yushu Daoist¡¯s divine grace, we should all dutifully carry on with our jobs from now on.¡±


    Xiao Moluo added, ¡°Ding Jiwu, step forward!¡±


    Zhao Sheng stepped out from the crowd, though puzzled in his mind.


    ¡°You, follow the Daoist to the sixteenth-layered prison!¡±


    Zhao Sheng was even more baffled upon hearing this.


    Though he was perplexed, he immediately cried out, ¡°At your command. Daoist, please follow me.¡±


    They walked in silence,


    Shortly after, the two of them descended to the sixteenth-layered prison, flanked by two Black Armor Prison Guards.

 Chapter 501 - 331 Ear Reporting God

    Chapter 501: Chapter 331 Ear Reporting God


    Bang!


    Zhao Sheng and his three companions were walking in the corridor when a muffled thud suddenly came from the door of a cell nearby, causing the walls to faintly tremble.


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    Following that, the huge sound of something slamming against the walls of the cell continued, as if a colossal creature was imprisoned inside.


    At this moment, the prison seemed to be stimulated, as various strange noises began to emerge from several cells¡ªthumping against walls, scratching sounds, ghastly howls, and chanting were all present.


    Zhao Sheng wasn¡¯t surprised; the inmates held in the Sixteen-layered Prison were all difficult to deal with, and it appeared that some prisoners had turned into zombies after death.


    The Black Armor Prison Guards were already accustomed to this, showing no emotion on their faces.


    The four approached cell number thirteen, where the guard opened the cell door for Zhao Sheng and another person, but they did not enter, instead standing guard outside.


    ¡°¡­Heavenly Dao is boundless!¡±


    Yushu spoke his Daoist name before stepping inside.


    Zhao Sheng followed him in and looked up, his pupils involuntarily narrowing slightly.


    The cell was filled with Evil Ice on the floor, but in the center lay a short, chubby, old man calmly resting.


    Seemingly awakened by the two, the old man slowly sat up from the ground and lazily stretched his back.


    ¡°Hehe, Junior Brother, you¡¯ve finally arrived,¡± said Qiu Santong, revealing a lewd, strange smile as soon as he saw Yushu.


    ¡°Junior Brother?!¡± Zhao Sheng was shocked inside and turned to look at Yushu Daoist.


    Yushu¡¯s expression was complex, showing both regret and disdain for incompetence.


    ¡°Qiu Santong, do you know your wrongs?¡± asked Yushu.


    Qiu Santong slapped his thigh and said with a face full of remorse, ¡°Ah, I was the one who pulled you out of misery back in the day, and now you won¡¯t even call me ¡®Senior Brother.¡¯ Human nature has truly decayed! Where did I go wrong? Tell me, Yushu.¡±


    ¡°¡­Your mistake lies in the fact that the Righteous Path and the devilish forces cannot coexist, in colluding with rebels, and in betraying our sect. On the verge of death, do you still refuse to see the truth?¡±


    Qiu Santong replied calmly and indifferently, ¡°What is right and what is devilry? The Heavenly Dao Sect treats all beings as lesser than strays, brutal and inhumane¡ªis this the so-called Righteous Path? The Heavenly Rebel Alliance rises in revolt on behalf of the people, aiming to change the heavens! Are they truly what¡¯s called devilry?¡±


    ¡°Senior Brother, you¡¯ve Fallen Demon! You fail to see that our sect enforces the Heavenly Dao, appoints deities, and upholds the order of the cosmos while nurturing all Life,


    while those rebels seek to disrupt the world¡¯s order, leading countless beings to devastation, and even entertaining the delusion of slaughtering the heavens! They are the most malignant cancer of this world.¡±


    ¡°Haha! So what if slaughtering the heavens? Has the Heavenly Dao not long since perished? You all know very well what abomination now sits high above us,¡± Qiu Santong scoffed.


    Yushu Daoist¡¯s demeanor changed drastically as he shouted, ¡°Hold your tongue! You¡¯re on death¡¯s doorstep and still refuse to repent. Qiu Santong, your Devilish Thoughts are deeply ingrained, and your crimes are monstrous! Today, I will purge our sect.¡±


    No sooner had his words ended than an overwhelming pressure burst forth from Yushu, and in the Void behind him, pairs of blood-red, pitch-black, and pure white ¡°elongated eyes¡± appeared, all cold and merciless, exuding an air of superiority.


    Golden Core!


    Zhao Sheng was startled and immediately wanted to withdraw from the cell, but he found himself immobilized as a pair of those slender eyes fiercely fixed on him.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    Qiu Santong immediately shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to retrieve the Secret Technique of Summoning the Gods?¡±


    Upon hearing these words, Yushu hesitated and coldly responded, ¡°I will take back the Secret Technique, but you must die nonetheless!¡±


    ¡°I know! The old man won¡¯t live for many more years anyway. Otherwise, why would I have summoned you? Since you¡¯ve brought this young man along, I will keep my promise.¡±


    At this point, Qiu Santong¡¯s gaze shifted towards Zhao Sheng, and he beckoned with his hand, ¡°Boy, come here.¡±


    Looking astonished, Zhao Sheng glanced at Yushu, and guided by his gaze, walked over slowly.


    ¡°Move faster! The old man won¡¯t eat you,¡± Qiu Santong said.


    Zhao Sheng deliberately dragged his feet and sluggishly approached Qiu Santong.


    Qiu Santong abruptly seized Zhao Sheng¡¯s hand and scraped his wrist forcefully with his three-inch long nails,


    in an instant, blood gushed forth like a fountain!


    But quickly, the wound on Zhao Sheng¡¯s wrist began to shrink rapidly, healing at a visible speed.


    ¡°Hehe, I knew I wasn¡¯t wrong,¡± Qiu Santong released his hand, appearing quite satisfied as he nodded.


    However, the next moment, he waved his hand dismissively and said, ¡°Alright, you¡¯re done here. Get out!¡±


    Zhao Sheng, feeling perplexed, turned to leave this place of strife.


    ¡°Wait a moment!¡± Yushu then spoke up.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s steps halted, and he stopped in place.


    ¡°He¡­ is also a Divine Descent Body?!¡± Yushu asked in a deep voice.


    Annoyed, Qiu Santong scratched his head and said, ¡°He¡¯s not. But he¡¯s not far off. This kid¡¯s bloodline is unusual. Didn¡¯t you see it too?¡±


    Yushu tested him, ¡°Qiu Santong, could it be that you wish to leave behind a legacy? Hmph, wishful thinking! The unspoken secrets of our sect are not something outsiders can glimpse!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still as suspicious as ever, Yushu. Do you really think this crippled man can pull one over on you right in front of your face? Ridiculous!¡± Qiu Santong responded.


    After speaking, Qiu Santong angrily shouted, ¡°Boy, you have nothing to do with this any longer, get out!¡±


    Zhao Sheng felt a release, the invisible gaze that had been upon him was gone.


    Without hesitating, he quickly walked out.


    Boom!


    Just as he stepped out of the cell, a loud bang echoed from behind, and the double-layered iron doors slammed shut.


    Zhao Sheng stood to one side expressionless, yet ripples surged through his heart.


    For in the Void before him, suddenly there appeared a tiny figure, just over an inch tall.


    The ¡°little person¡± was blue-black in color, with short limbs, a smooth and shiny little head, but equipped with a pair of extraordinarily large ears¡ªZhao Feng ears, in fact, which were larger in circumference than the body itself.

 Chapter 502 - 331 Ear Reporting God_2

    Chapter 502: Chapter 331 Ear Reporting God_2


    At that moment, the ¡°little one¡¯s¡± two large ears, fluttering like a pair of wings, circled around him rapidly, appearing extremely excited.


    As he saw the little one, a mysterious message suddenly surged into Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind.


    He suddenly realized that Qiu Santong had unwittingly given him a ¡°big gift.¡±


    This ¡°little person¡± was called Ear Reporting God, born from a fragment of Heavenly Dao that fell into the Mortal World, considered a lowest-level divine spirit.


    The spiritual wisdom of the Ear Reporting God was extremely low, and its divine power was meager, but its movements were mysterious and its ability to hide was unparalleled. Moreover, it naturally possessed the divine skill of ¡°theft¡± of other people¡¯s voices.


    Yushu, being a Golden Core Master, possessed the ¡°Heavenly Eye¡± divine skill, but he failed to notice the presence of the Ear Reporting God.


    This shows how superb the Ear Reporting God¡¯s hiding divine skill was!


    ¡°Kid, over these years you have come and gone, even Divine Prison couldn¡¯t hold you. It seems you have some significant secrets!¡±


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng suddenly heard Qiu Santong¡¯s teasing voice in his ear, and his heart skipped a beat.


    ¡°Hehe! Don¡¯t be afraid and don¡¯t move! The old man means no harm to you. I merely have some benefits to offer you.¡±


    Zhao Sheng covertly observed his surroundings and then suddenly realized that the Ear Reporting God was actually perched by his ear, its mouth opening and closing as it spoke.


    The voice was exactly like Qiu Santong himself.


    The next second he heard, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s fate. Let me come across you, kid, before I die. Ear Reporting God is a good child; treat it well in the future. It will be very useful, and later on you will understand.


    Now listen carefully, the following points must be deeply remembered:


    First thing, you need to notify the people of the Heavenly Rebel Alliance, and tell them to abandon the rescue plan. After today, the old man will have already joined the Netherworld. Chu State City, Anle Square¡­ is a stronghold of the Heavenly Rebel Alliance, the contact person¡­the password¡­¡±


    Second, Yushu is distrustful. You must be very cautious, never let him deceive you. The matter about the old man and the Ear Reporting God must never be disclosed to anyone else, otherwise, you will be worse than dead.


    Third, in the southwest of Fan State, Hanhai River¡­ in Three Gods Cave there are some things I left behind. If you have time later, do not hesitate to visit¡­


    Fourth, as a divine medium, remember particularly two pieces of advice: gods can be utilized but never trusted. Also, stay away from all religions, especially the Heavenly Dao Sect.


    Fifth, I have some parts of Invoking Gods Rite, spell, and some Ghost God¡¯s names here, you must remember well: take from three deaths three lives, with blood as the medium, set up a heaven and earth altar, the arrangement of the altar as follows¡­ elder Zi on Zilao Mountain¡­ the Great Wind God at Qi Feng Temple¡­


    Kid, know that only by mastering divine names you can summon the sealed Ghost Gods, otherwise you risk calling forth wild spirits and incurring disasters.¡±


    Sixth¡­¡±


    ¡­


    As the Ear Reporting God ¡°copied¡± Qiu Santong¡¯s words sentence by sentence, Zhao Sheng pretended as if nothing was unusual, silently listening.


    During this process, he distinctly felt the flesh and blood in his body oddly vanishing bit by bit, as if his flesh and blood were being used as a sacrifice, offered away.


    Only because he possessed the Body Rejuvenation Talent, which made his physical recovery extremely abnormal, he appeared without a hint of abnormality.


    Zhao Sheng soon understood that summoning ghostly creatures would inevitably demand an equal price.


    No wonder divine mediums were so rare!


    Merely the physical talent alone would eliminate 99 percent of talented individuals, not to mention requiring extremely acute Innate Spiritual Perception from the person themselves.


    An hour later, the prison door was slowly opened, and Yushu walked out expressionless from the jail.


    Seizing the moment the door was still undone, Zhao Sheng glanced with the corner of his eye inside the prison and saw a skeleton, with skin tinted blue, curled up on the ground, the size of a five-year-old child.


    ¡°Infinite Heavenly Venerate!¡±


    Yushu chanted a Daoist invocation, and with a flick of his sleeve, a stream of blue light flew out, reclosing the prison door.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Daoist, what if I take care of the prisoner¡¯s dead body¡­¡±


    Yushu¡¯s eyes shifted slightly, and a hint of weirdness emerged in his gaze, ¡°What¡¯s your name? What did you do before that landed you as a Prison Guard?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart tightened, and he quickly explained his legal name, background, and the matter of the Grace Care Home.


    Having heard his story, Yushu suddenly sighed, ¡°So you also came from Grace Care Home. Could it be fate? My senior brother and I come from the same background. At the time, despite having an unlimited future, he suddenly betrayed and switched allegiance at his most glorious moment. Cause then, effect today! Qiu Santong¡¯s death in the Divine Prison today is indeed deserved.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart sank, and his body tensed secretly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous! If I were going to trouble you, where could you run? Besides, you are the only disciple of my senior brother!¡±


    ¡°Sir, I have been wronged! I swear to heaven, I only passed by that person when entering the prison, and at no other time did I have any contact with him. Moreover, the Divine Prison defense is stringent, and I simply could not access this individual.¡±


    ¡°There is no need for explanations; from now on, just serve diligently in the Divine Prison. We will meet again in the future.¡± Yushu patted Zhao Sheng on the shoulder, his tone kindly and reassuring.


    Zhao Sheng could not quite grasp what Yushu was thinking.


    He must have guessed that Qiu Santong insisted on seeing a minor prison guard before his death, which surely was no simple matter.


    However, Yushu did not pursue this lead and instead let him off easily.


    As the Four Directions Inspection Envoy, Yushu¡¯s actions clearly bore the suspicion of dereliction of duty.


    Zhao Sheng could not fathom what he was thinking.


    However¡­ Yushu seemed not as loyal to the Heavenly Dao Sect as he appeared to be, and he certainly had his own personal ulterior motives.


    Zhao Sheng even had a strong premonition that there would be many interactions between them in the future.


    At that moment, Yushu took out a string of purple Wooden Beads: ¡°The Divine Prison is heavy with sinister energy, a place not for the benevolent. This Purple Bead, blessed by the Great Sun God, should ensure your safety.¡±


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    Zhao Sheng wore the bead bracelet on his right wrist, and immediately sensed the Wooden Bead releasing warm currents, like sunlight dispelling the cold within his body, making him feel warmly comfortable for a moment.


    ¡­


    After Yushu left, Zhao Sheng continued his duties.


    The Divine Prison would bring in a batch of prisoners every ten to fifteen days, and every day, prisoners would die; likewise, several ghostly creatures and zombies were created.


    For many years, the Divine Prison never reached full capacity.


    Zhao Sheng worked conscientiously, consistently ranking in the top three for his ¡°performance¡± every month.


    With the Ear Reporting God, he was virtually unguarded in every layer of the Divine Prison.


    From the first to the eighteenth level of the Divine Prison, the Ear Reporting God moved freely, disregarding the heavy prohibitions within the prison as if they were nothing.


    Hence, despite not seeing the specific details, Zhao Sheng was well aware of the situation in each cell.


    After two whole months, when the last hint of anxiety had quietly dissipated, Zhao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, and after a shift change, his figure quietly vanished from the cultivation room.


    ¡­


    In Chu State City, near Anle Square, there was a Divine Temple bustling with incense, frequented by countless believers offering prayers daily.


    As the sun was setting, an ordinary-looking elderly man walked into the temple with the crowd.


    This person was Zhao Sheng.


    Upon entering the temple doors, Zhao Sheng casually walked through the front hall and approached the Guest Daoist, calling out loudly, ¡°This old man has come to offer incense money to honor the gods! The sum is ninety-nine hundred and ninety-nine, all in gold, not silver!¡±


    The Guest Daoist frowned slightly and spoke in a low voice, ¡°Donor, our temple does not accept incense money.¡±


    ¡°Not even gold works? Must I really carve out my heart!¡± Zhao Sheng said, then covertly formed a peculiar Spell Seal with his right hand.


    Seeing this, the Guest Daoist immediately extended his hand and said, ¡°Please follow me.¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡±


    The two quickly walked through the front hall and arrived at a quiet room in the temple¡¯s rear courtyard.


    The Guest Daoist turned and left. Zhao Sheng sat on the cushion, quietly awaiting.


    Shortly after, one wall of the room suddenly shifted to the side, followed by a short-bearded Daoist in a plain Daoist robe stepping out.


    ¡°Infinite Heavenly Venerate! I, Shouzhuo, have met the donor.¡± The old Daoist stood with one hand raised, proclaiming his Taoist name.


    Upon seeing this person, Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes gleamed brightly, his heart stirred uncontrollably.


    ¡°A touch of Vast Sect spirit, a thousand miles of exhilarating wind! Are you a person from the Vast Sect?¡±


    No sooner had these words been spoken than the short-bearded Daoist¡¯s eyes revealed astonishment, his Daoist robe fluttering without wind, layers of clear light burst forth from his body, instantly transforming into blades of wind surrounding Zhao Sheng from all sides.


    ¡°Who exactly are you?¡± The old Daoist asked coldly, his face resolute.

 Chapter 504 - 332 Intelligence Broker (Wishing Book Friends Great Luck in the Year of the Rabbit!)_2

    Chapter 504: Chapter 332 Intelligence Broker (Wishing Book Friends Great Luck in the Year of the Rabbit!)_2


    Every time he collected useful information, he would select the appropriate intelligence and then sell or exchange it secretly through the black market in Chu State City.


    For the past three years, Zhao Sheng had taken on a side job as an intelligence trafficker.


    Over the years, he had gained a small reputation in the black market, and his credibility was top-notch.


    Now with the assistance of the Ear Reporting God, Zhao Sheng felt as if he had grown wings.


    A month later, Zhao Sheng was interrogating a thief who had stolen from the Divine Temple¡¯s treasure vault.


    Just then, his ear twitched, and he suddenly stopped the interrogation.


    At that moment, the sound of two people conversing reached his ears:


    ¡°Prison Officer Xiao, everything has been arranged. Li Jing has voluntarily taken the Divine Contract, and is now with the Heavenly Observation Bureau. You should find a scapegoat as quickly as possible. Once Li Jing has accomplished a great feat, I will surely report your merits to the Lord of Supervision on your behalf, so you can escape this bitter life as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Li Jing is a prisoner under close watch by the Prison God Temple; it¡¯s not so easy to sneak him out. This¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah, I have a Flame Star here that I¡¯m giving to you, Prison Officer Xiao. Please just turn a blind eye. After the deed is done, I will have a generous reward for you.¡±


    ¡°¡­In half a month, the C-class Prison Guards will be let out in batches for a break, so choose those days. As for the scapegoat, I will think about it¡­¡±


    In the fourth-level prison, cell number twenty-two, Zhao Sheng resumed his interrogation of the prisoner, but his mind was occupied with something else.


    Although he had never seen Li Jing, he had recently heard of him from the short-bearded Daoist; after Qiu Santong¡¯s death, the rescue plan shifted to him.


    Li Jing was likely associated with the Heavenly Rebel Alliance and had been locked in the Divine Prison. It wasn¡¯t clear on which floor he was being held, but he wasn¡¯t on any of the first nine floors at the very least.


    The situation was getting interesting!


    Was the person who had just spoken really from the Heavenly Observation Bureau, or was he a spy from the Heavenly Rebel Alliance who had infiltrated the Heavenly Dao Sect?


    In the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Heavenly Observation Bureau and the Divine Prison were both special departments, but the Bureau was much more secretive, largely unknown to outsiders, and has always been a sharp blade in the hands of the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Taoist Sect.


    ¡°Stop¡­ stop! Don¡¯t hit me anymore, I¡¯ll confess! I¡¯ve hidden a batch of Spiritual Medicine in East Sun City, the location is underneath the secret vault of the City Lord Mansion¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ahh!¡±


    ¡°Roar¡­ help¡­ uh!¡± (Swallowing sound)


    ¡°¡­Mr. Qian, where is that legacy you mentioned?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, Mr. Si Lan, my Grey Yellow Temple won¡¯t be bullied so easily. You want to take over my territory, you¡¯d have to ask if my temple¡¯s hundred thousand followers agree or not!¡±


    ¡°Six Ding and Six Jia, Spirit God above, your humble follower Sun Nu begs you¡­¡±


    Dozens of miscellaneous voices flooded his mind all at once. This was the downside of the Ear Reporting God; those with low spiritual wisdom couldn¡¯t distinguish the information and would parrot everything indiscriminately.


    Almost every moment, a jumble of voices and words erupted in his ears. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was only because Zhao Sheng was capable of multitasking and sorting through the plethora of information streams with ease; otherwise, anyone else would have been driven mad by the Ear Reporting God.


    ¡­


    Late at night, Zhao Mansion


    As soon as Zhao Sheng returned to his mansion, he saw the steward Zhao Da rushing over in a panic.


    ¡°Master, it¡¯s not good. The Daoist from the Wandering Deity Temple visited yesterday. They left a message saying our family¡¯s residence has caught the eye of the Wandering Deity, and they want us to vacate the place so a divine temple can be built on the site,¡± Zhao Da reported, alarmed.


    ¡°I know! Leave this matter to me. Just focus on managing the household affairs, and be on your way!¡±


    Zhao Da seemed to hesitate, wanting to say something more, but then respectfully bowed and withdrew.


    After handling the accumulated affairs in the mansion and providing guidance to Zhao Hongyun, Zhao Sheng quietly left the residence.


    In the western part of the city, Xingye Square, inside a vast temple with yellow tiles and red walls, countless devotees and pilgrims gathered, their faces reflecting fanatic devotion as they looked towards the altar in front.


    Atop the altar sat a refined and ethereal High Crown Taoist, whose appearance was truly exceptional.


    With words that bloomed like lotuses from his mouth and the wave of his sleeve, showers of spirit rain sprinkled down. The believers who bathed in the spirit rain instantly felt their spirits refreshed and their ailments and fatigue disappear, as if they were in a realm of utmost bliss.


    ¡°Great mercy from the noble!¡±


    ¡°You Dashih, your virtue is harmonious with creation, ferrying all sentient beings!¡±


    ¡°We are grateful for the Wandering Deity¡¯s protection over us. In our next life, we shall surely find peace and prosperity.¡±


    For a moment, the plaza was filled with thunderous cheers, countless believers moved to tears.


    The High Crown Taoist maintained a dignified aura, ready to preach divine parables and collect incense money.


    But just then, a streak of sword light suddenly shot out from the crowd like lightning, in an instant sweeping across the Taoist¡¯s neck, bringing forth a spray of fresh blood.


    Bang!


    The head of the Six Yang Heads plummeted from the altar, his face still bearing an expression of incredulous shock.


    ¡°Ah, murder!¡±


    As the plaza erupted into chaos and the crowd cried out in shock, a figure had already drifted away.


    In the bustling center of East City in Chu State City, a spiritual and beautiful mountain peak stands a hundred feet tall.


    This peak, known as Zhenyun, was covered with dark green pines and cypresses, abundant strange flowers and herbs, and round after round of spirit clouds winding around. The forest was dotted with red temples, partially hidden and partially visible, creating an absolutely beautiful scenery with an oppressive spiritual aura.


    However, few could imagine that Diancang Province¡¯s largest mystical market was hidden within this mountain. Zhenyun Mountain had been entirely hollowed out, concealing a bizarre workshop within.


    On the third floor of Pafeng Building, Zhao Sheng had disguised himself as a Green-faced Taoist and sat by the window with ease.


    Almost as soon as he took his seat, several people around him sprang up, scrambling to sit opposite Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°I came first!¡±


    ¡°It was me who got here first.¡±


    ¡°Scram! The Divine Lu Family is here; if you don¡¯t want to die, make way immediately.¡±


    Upon hearing the name of the Lu Family, others knew that an ancestor of theirs had been sealed as a Divine Spirit by the Heavenly Dao Sect.


    Because of the protection of their ancestral spirit, the Lu Family had flourished for a thousand years. Generation after generation, the Main Priest in the family had never ceased to exist, making them one of the six families of Divine Priests in Diancang Province that were notoriously difficult to provoke.


    In the end, a young master who was scarcely of age sat down opposite Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Young Master, what would you like to inquire about?¡± Zhao Sheng asked in a hoarse voice, sounding deep and grave.


    Lu Gongming looked extremely serious as he spoke, ¡°Wuying, I¡¯ve heard that you¡¯re the most reputable Wind Carrier in the black market. I need to buy some information, the kind that guarantees great wealth.¡±


    Hum!


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, and a white light barrier rose, surrounding the two of them.


    ¡°Mr. Lu, the greater the treasure, the greater the risk! I have three locations with hidden treasures, one for twenty-thousand Spirit Stones, another for thirty-thousand, and the most treasured requires no Spirit Stones, just an exchange for equally confidential information.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so special about the last location?¡± Lu Gongming asked eagerly.


    Zhao Sheng said, ¡°That treasure land is related to the River God of Ruolan River. Legend has it that within that land lies the River God¡¯s Decree, possessing it one may have the chance to become a deity on the spot.¡±


    The Ruolan River is a major river between Diancang Province and Fufeng Province, and its river god holds a very high position, stronger than the average Nascent Soul Great Priest.


    Most importantly, Divine Spirits have lengthy lifespans, easily living several thousand or even tens of thousands of years.


    ¡°Is this true?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Lu, you should know my rules. If the information is incorrect, I will return all the payment, and also provide another piece of information for free.¡±


    ¡°Good! I believe you. I¡¯ll take the third piece,¡± Mr. Lu said.


    Zhao Sheng asked somberly, ¡°Mr. Lu, I¡¯ve heard that an ancestor of your esteemed family once traveled to the Corpse Abyss and secretly participated in an expedition to a world beyond. I am very interested in that world and hope to one day witness the landscapes of the Outer Domain. Does an interdimensional portal to that world still exist in our realm?¡±


    Upon hearing this, Lu Gongming¡¯s face changed abruptly and he asked in great surprise and doubt, ¡°Wuying, where did you learn of such a secret? Could it be that you¡­ you are from the Heavenly Rebel Alliance?!¡±


    ¡°I am but a free-spirited individual, what business of mine is the Heavenly Rebel Alliance? If you are unwilling to make this trade, Mr. Lu, please do as you wish!¡±


    Mr. Lu¡¯s expression softened, and he said hesitantly, ¡°The space-time portal does exist, but¡­¡±


    A quarter of an hour later, a gap opened in the barrier, and Lu Gongming stood up with a blank face, leaving the barrier without a word and walking away.


    No sooner had this man left than another, clad in a yellow robe with a pale, sturdy face, rushed into the barrier and sat down. He asked ingratiatingly, ¡°Wuying, I wish to acquire an Illusion Shadow Escape Talisman, willing to trade with information.¡±


    Zhao Sheng grinned, his voice raspy as he said, ¡°Start with the information. Once I¡¯ve assessed its value, then I¡¯ll decide about the Spirit Talisman.¡±


    ¡°Deal!¡± The pale-faced sturdy man immediately agreed, then began to share, ¡°The temple priest of Dragon Qiong Temple has an illegitimate child with the Constitution of Four Spirit Roots, that child owes¡­¡±

 Chapter 505 - 333: Zhenlang Pavilion and the Gu Familys Minister

    Chapter 505: Chapter 333: Zhenlang Pavilion and the Gu Family¡¯s Minister


    ¡°¡­the ancestor of the Lei Family had secretly passed away, and the Lei Family was now attempting to sacrificially refine the corpse of the ancestor, hoping to transform it into an Ancestor Corpse¡­¡±


    ¡°C-class information, about a hundred Spirit Stones, or one Clear Spirit Pill of Second Order.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°¡­ because they razed a Fox Immortal Temple, the Lanhu Temple¡¯s Daoist Soldiers suffered heavy losses, and now they urgently need a large number of Iron Corpses to fill the Daoist Soldier quota¡­¡±


    ¡°D Class information, ten Spirit Stones!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°¡­A Family Head wants to acquire some information from the Divine Prison, Master Wu Ying, could you investigate for a while? The reward is guaranteed to satisfy you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s easy! Depending on the value of the information, such as whether the prisoner is still alive, it starts at ten Spirit Stones for levels above the ninth, and at least a hundred for levels below!¡±


    ¡­


    An hour later, the ¡°guests¡± left one after another, satisfied, and the opposite seat became vacant.


    After waiting for a while, seeing that no one was coming, Zhao Sheng stood up, intending to leave.


    Just at that moment, a loud shout came from the staircase entrance: ¡°Master Wu Ying, please refrain from leaving, my master invites you!¡±


    As the voice fell, a vigorous man with thick eyebrows dashed swiftly in front of Zhao Sheng.


    He placed his right hand on his chest, bowed, and said calmly, ¡°Daoist, my master invites you!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed, and he spoke indifferently, ¡°Who is your master?¡±


    ¡°This is not the place to talk. If Daoist would please come, you will know.¡±


    The man with thick eyebrows stepped aside slightly and made a beckoning gesture.


    ¡°If that is the case, go back and tell your master to come to Pafeng Building himself. I am old and my legs are weak, I cannot travel far.¡±


    Zhao Sheng finished speaking and began walking toward the staircase.


    ¡°Wait!¡±


    The man with thick eyebrows blocked Zhao Sheng¡¯s path, his brow furrowed as he said sternly, ¡°I advise you to make the visit. Don¡¯t refuse the toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!¡± sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    During this exchange, strands of golden threads exuded from his body, swirling around him while his body gradually emitted a sharp and fierce aura.


    ¡°Heh, a mere servant also has a cultivation at the Qi Refining Late Stage. It seems your master is not of insignificant origin!¡± Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly and chuckled deeply, ¡°However, I never touch alcohol. Whether it is a toast or a forfeit, I am afraid I won¡¯t be able to enjoy either!¡±


    ¡°You¡­don¡¯t appreciate favors. Then don¡¯t blame me for forcibly inviting you!¡± As the words fell, the thick-browed man spread his hands, and the countless golden threads surrounding him suddenly shot out, forming a large golden net intending to envelop Zhao Sheng completely.


    Heh heh!


    Zhao Sheng gave a cold chuckle, his figure abruptly producing multiple afterimages, and he instantly darted out through a gap in the golden net.


    Before the thick-browed man could react, a thin, withered finger had already pressed on the Jinyang acupoint on the right side of his neck.


    He felt a pain in his neck, as a stream of qi entered his body like a venomous serpent, effortlessly crumbling his defense and easily sealing the acupoints all over his body.


    By this time, Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure was slowly fading, leaving behind only one sentence before departing: ¡°Next time, let your master come in person!¡±


    ¡­


    A moment later, the thick-browed man suddenly trembled, then swiftly got up from the ground, his expression ugly as he hurriedly left Pafeng Building.


    Another quarter of an hour later, Zhao Sheng was at the Zhao Mansion Dao Field watching Zhao Hongyun perform martial arts.


    At that moment, he suddenly smiled slightly, muttering to himself: ¡°So it¡¯s the Diancang Gu Family. The background is indeed very significant!¡±


    In the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty, the surname Gu is very special because the ruling Imperial Family also bears the surname Gu. Those daring to use a province name as a prefix, like the Gu families of various provinces, are undoubtedly the branches of the Imperial Family placed throughout the lands.¡±


    When the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty had just pacified the nations and established the dynasty, the populace was restive and the land was yet unstable. The founding emperor at that time distributed his descendants to thirty-eight major provinces, to quell any rebellions.


    This is also the origin behind the Diancang Gu Family and other Imperial Families, whose influence is so significant that they are called the ¡°Crownless Kings¡± of their respective provinces.


    Today, the person who sent for Zhao Sheng was the thirteenth Young Master of the Diancang Gu Family, with the purpose of recruiting and subduing him.


    Unfortunately, Zhao Sheng was unorthodox in his approach and utterly disregarded the invitation.


    ¡­


    Half a month later, many prisoners in the Divine Prison had died, including two of the older guards.


    On the day of the guard shift change, Xiao Moluo, with a grim expression, suddenly called Zhao Sheng and Ding Shiliu, saying,


    ¡°The two of you have accumulated perfect merit and have been approved by the superiors for promotion. Starting from today, you are C-class Prison Guards. Now, follow me immediately, we are moving you to a new location.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Ding Shiliu said excitedly.


    Just like that, Zhao Sheng donned the Black Armor and smoothly entered a deeper level of the Divine Prison.


    The prison levels from the tenth to eighteenth are also known as Avici Hell, where the guards no longer live in five-person large dormitories but rather in more spacious rooms for two.


    The dense, malignant energy in Avici Hell was far more potent than the upper levels, and ordinary Qi Refining Middle Early Stage guards could hardly last long there.


    Since entering the Divine Prison, Zhao Sheng had gradually enhanced his cultivation.


    Today, seven years later, he had ¡°smoothly¡± advanced to the Qi Refining Late Stage, fully revealing his exceptional talent with Dual Spirit Roots.


    ¡°Little brother, you haven¡¯t been here long. You still don¡¯t know some of the taboos of Avici Hell. If you want to live a few more years, remember well what I¡¯m about to say,¡± said Zhao Sheng¡¯s roommate, a man with squinted eyes and thin lips named Leng Sha, who seemed very eager to advise even though they had just met.


    ¡°Brother Leng, I am all ears!¡± Zhao Sheng said with a simple and sincere smile.


    ¡°Haha, right, right! The first and most critical is never to be curious in Avici Hell! Even if the prisoners make a huge commotion inside their cells, as long as they do not break out, you must never rush in. Secondly¡­¡±

 Chapter 506 - 333 Zhenlang Pavilion and the Gu Familys Guest Elder_2

    Chapter 506: Chapter 333 Zhenlang Pavilion and the Gu Family¡¯s Guest Elder_2


    Leng Sha prattled on and on about a big list of things, but when summed up, it was essentially three prohibitions: never meddle in affairs that aren¡¯t your business, never listen to secrets you aren¡¯t supposed to hear, and never go to places you aren¡¯t supposed to go!


    Zhao Sheng nodded repeatedly as he listened, seemingly in full agreement.


    But in reality, what did he actually know about the true state of Avici Hell? He was aware of what Leng Sha knew. And he also knew what Leng Sha did not.


    In the thirteen-layered prison, darkness and cold silence reigned, with evil spirits nearly materializing. Zhao Sheng walked shoulder to shoulder with Leng Sha, while all sorts of strange noises emanated from the cells on both sides.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    Heh heh, heh heh¡­ Roar!


    ¡°Let¡­ me¡­ out¡­ I am¡­ Sect Leader¡­ Choose wealth and glory to your heart¡¯s desire¡­¡±


    When the two reached the midpoint of the corridor, the iron wall on the right side suddenly trembled slightly, followed by a massive banging sound that erupted abruptly, causing the thick and sturdy cold iron cell door to slightly distort.


    Zhao Sheng glanced sideways.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get involved in idle matters! There is a copper-armored corpse locked inside. The master plans to continue cultivating it for a few more years before subduing it,¡± Leng Sha reminded him.


    Zhao Sheng nodded, when suddenly a wailing and seductive voice reached his ears, ¡°This humble one is the Earth Element Mysterious Woman. If you save me, I swear on my late mother¡¯s name, I will repay you with everything I have.¡±


    ¡°Ha ha! Young brother, you heard it too, right? That demoness has already bewitched two fools, and even now she is still not giving up! Really¡­ Hmph!¡±


    An hour later, the two finished their inspection of one layer of the prison and smoothly handed over their duties to the next team of Prison Guards.


    The rules of Avici Hell were different from those above.


    Because the crimes of the prisoners were of an extremely dangerous nature, the Prison Guards were not permitted to enter any of the cells without the Prison Captain¡¯s authorization.


    They usually just patrolled the prison layer, and the examination of the prisoners was completely designated by Xiao Moluo.


    It took only seven or eight days for Zhao Sheng, who was adept at understanding people¡¯s natures, to become familiar with the Prison Guards.


    ¡°Young brother, you¡¯re just unlucky! Just two days ago, we just lost two old pals here. There¡¯s a shortage of people below, so Leader Xiao mentioned both of you,¡± someone said.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng immediately realized that his ¡°the plum tree withers in place of the peach¡± plan had succeeded.


    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to his nonsense! Since you¡¯ve come to Avici Hell, there¡¯s at least something to look forward to. Accumulate enough merits, and we can switch to a more lucrative position, and then enjoy endless wealth and glory.¡±


    ¡°Pah, you think you can get out? Guarding a Corpse Ghost that everyone hates and is disgusted by, if you can get out alive, that would be an eight-generation blessing!¡±


    ¡°Ha ha! I¡¯ve guarded the prison my entire life, am I not entitled to enjoy a bit of luxury yet!¡±


    ¡°Our boss, a mighty Mid-stage Foundation Establishment expert, has been a prison guard for decades and accumulated enough merit, yet he still can¡¯t transfer out of this damned place.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because Xiao¡­ is deliberately suppressing him. Otherwise, the boss would have been transferred to Spirit Treasure Hall long ago.¡±


    ¡°Cough cough!¡±


    With a cough, a rugged old man with a gaunt face and a large frame strode into the cafeteria.


    ¡°What are you all muttering about, your hides itching for a beating? If you¡¯re well-fed and drunk, roll back to your cultivation. Increase your cultivation as much as you can to avoid an unexplained death. You youngsters don¡¯t need to worry about my affairs!¡± he said.


    ¡°Boss, don¡¯t be angry, we¡¯re leaving now, right this minute!¡± Leng Sha said with a sheepish smile, standing up and repeatedly nodding and bowing to the burly old man.


    At the same time, he quickly pulled Zhao Sheng and swiftly left the canteen, prompting loud laughter from the bored Prison Guards.


    After finishing his shift that day, Zhao Sheng quickly entered the Cultivation Room and, after activating the Defense Barrier, instantly vanished into thin air.


    After less than the amount of time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhao Sheng, transformed into Wind Carrier Shadowless, once again arrived at Pafeng Building.


    Sitting down in his usual spot, Zhao Sheng began to rest with his eyes closed.


    Strangely enough, the guests who used to compete to show up first were now nowhere to be seen. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng was not in a hurry, though. He just waited silently.


    Sure enough, within a short time, a handsome, young man in yellow robes floated in and sat down across from Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Guest, what brings you here? Please state your business,¡± Zhao Sheng asked, pretending not to recognize the person, with a calm and composed demeanor.


    ¡°I am Gu Yu, and I have met Master Wu Ying. Regarding A Jiu¡¯s impolite invitation earlier, I have already punished him for it. I hope the Master will not take it to heart,¡± Gu Yu remarked, and lightly clapped his hands.


    Clap clap!


    The next second, a burly man with thick eyebrows, covered in bloodstains, emerged from the stairwell and walked to the side of the table.


    ¡°Young Master,¡±


    the man bowed deeply, then dropped to one knee before Zhao Sheng, and pleaded, ¡°I am Gu Jiu. I was rude and offended the Master last time. Please forgive my ignorance and failure to recognize the Sun!¡±


    Zhao Sheng lifted his eyelids slightly, speaking weakly, ¡°Get up! To know your faults and be able to change is indeed the greatest good.¡±


    ¡°A Jiu, you go and stand guard first.¡±


    After Gu Jiu left, Zhao Sheng suddenly spoke, ¡°So it turns out that Mr. Gu is the young master of the Gu Family. My apologies for the oversight!¡±


    ¡°Master Wu Ying is indeed well informed. Indeed, I am the thirteenth in line in my family, and my great-grandfather is the current City Governor of Chu State City,¡± said Gu Yu with a spring breeze in his smile.


    ¡°May I inquire as to Mr. Gu¡¯s purpose for coming here?¡± Zhao Sheng feigned confusion.


    Gu Yu pressed his right hand against the corner of the table and declared loudly, ¡°The Master is a wise man, so I¡¯ll just speak frankly. Master, your abilities are remarkable. I hope that you can help me achieve great things. Just give the nod, and the future rewards will surely satisfy you.¡±


    Zhao Sheng fell into thought, pretending to ponder for a while before asking seriously, ¡°I have heard that the treasured Zhenlang Pavilion of the Gu family is filled with countless books, most of which are from the royal Daoist Collection Tower. Is there any truth to this?¡±


    ¡°It is true! In the past, the Saintly Ancestor granted special permission allowing our branch of the Imperial Family to copy a portion of the scriptures and classics from the Daoist Collection Tower, which were then distributed to various provinces. Perhaps the Master wishes to enter the Zhenlang Pavilion to browse its myriad books?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, ¡°Indeed! The Daoist Collection Tower has gathered the vastest array of scriptures and classics from all ages and places, with an ocean of books and mountains of jade scrolls. Who in the world wouldn¡¯t wish to take a look inside? Since the Master cannot enter the Daoist Collection Tower, I would fulfill my wish by perusing the Zhenlang Pavilion.¡±


    Gu Yu lowered his head in contemplation for a moment, then suddenly looked up resolutely and said, ¡°The Zhenlang Pavilion is a critical location for our clan and is seldom open to outsiders. However, to demonstrate my sincere desire to seek talented individuals, I will not disappoint you! But let me say one thing in advance.¡±


    At this point, Gu Yu paused, his eyes earnestly fixing on Zhao Sheng, waiting for his response.


    Zhao Sheng promptly said, ¡°Mr. Gu, please speak your mind.¡±


    Gu Yu tapped the desk lightly and said solemnly, ¡°I can only allow the Master to enter the Zhenlang Pavilion for up to three hours, during which you may freely read all the books and jade scrolls. But once the time is up, you must leave at once, and you may neither take any scraps of paper nor disclose any secrets of the Zhenlang Pavilion.¡±


    ¡°Agreed! As long as Mr. Gu can do this, I am naturally willing to lend you my support,¡± Zhao Sheng said with sincere expression.


    Gu Yu listened but furrowed his brow slightly, seemingly not fully satisfied with the response.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng subtly released a strand of Divine Sense into his Space Storage Seal.


    In the next instant, a green pill bottle suddenly flew out from the Space Storage Seal and landed on the table in front of Gu Yu.


    Upon witnessing this scene, Gu Yu couldn¡¯t help exclaiming, ¡°This¡­this is Divine Sense?! Master, you actually¡­ actually possess such strength, truly deceiving everyone! I have just been disrespectful, please do not blame me¡±


    At this moment, he was both surprised and delighted, having realized that the bargaining chip he had just put forward was clearly not sufficient for the treatment of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator.


    Consider Bao Chen, who with only Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation, occupied the position of temple sacrifice at the Soul Comforting Temple. He not only controlled the entire Hufeng County in secret but also indirectly decided the life and death of nearly ten million people.


    Bao Chen¡¯s power was so immense, he might as well be a king of an entire county!


    This also showed just how high the status of a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator was in Diancang Province.


    Therefore, while Gu Yu might be the Thirteen Young Master of the Diancang Gu Family, frankly speaking, in terms of status, he probably wasn¡¯t as esteemed as Zhao Sheng.


    After all, the Gu Family Patriarch and a group of the family elders and ministers were merely at the Foundation Establishment level, and even the strongest ancestor in the Gu Family only reached the Golden Core stage, far from touching the threshold of the Nascent Soul Realm.


    The Da Gu Royal Family, due to being covertly controlled by the Heavenly Dao Sect since the beginning of the dynasty, has never produced a Divinity Transformation True Monarch throughout its history, with the most powerful of each generation barely reaching the Nascent Soul Realm¡¯s strength.


    As for the various Gu Family branches in the provinces, most cap at the Golden Core stage, with only a rare few exceptionally talented individuals breaking through barriers and successfully advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.


    Seeing Gu Yu¡¯s proper attitude, Zhao Sheng inwardly praised him and nodded, ¡°Mr. Gu, I meant every word I just said. Although I will not be under your command, you wouldn¡¯t refuse the possibility of having one more Minister, would you?¡±


    ¡°A Minister? Of course not!¡± Gu Yu replied spiritedly, overjoyed at the thought.


    Zhao Sheng laughed heartily and gestured with his hand in respect, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I hope to become closer to Mr. Gu in the future!¡±

 Chapter 507 - 334 Ear-plugging in the Book Pavilion and Heart-picking with Spicy Hands

    Chapter 507: Chapter 334 Ear-plugging in the Book Pavilion and Heart-picking with Spicy Hands


    Gu City, also known as Chu King City, is located fifty miles east of Chu State City and is one of the four major satellite cities.


    This city spans nearly three hundred miles, with abundant spiritual energy within its walls and gorgeous pavilions and towers that stretch continuously; moreover, numerous Blessed Lands and spiritual realms are present.


    Gu City is home to only over forty thousand inhabitants, all of whom are members of the Gu Family¡¯s direct lineage within three generations.


    Near high noon, the sunlight was scorching.


    A massive white-winged roc screamed from afar and flew over Gu City, circled once, then rapidly descended into a luxurious mansion.


    Soon after, Zhao Sheng and Gu Yu walked into the living room, talking and laughing together.


    ¡°Senior Wuying, please have some tea first. I will immediately go to see my great-grandfather,¡±


    ¡°Mr. Gu, go ahead. I¡¯ll wait here for the good news,¡± replied the elder.


    After these brief exchanges, Gu Yu excitedly turned and left.


    After approximately an hour, Gu Yu returned to the living room, his face beaming with joy.


    ¡°Haha! I have completed the task! Senior Wuying, please follow me!¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± replied the senior.


    ¡­


    A short time later, the two stopped in front of a building complex that extended for over ten miles.


    Gu Yu took out a Dragon Carving Token and signalled to four giant armored puppets standing at the gate.


    Following that, the puppets¡¯ eyes dimmed in red color, and gently, a path wide enough for two people emerged.


    Zhao Sheng and the other man entered through the door, passed through two layers of prohibition barriers, and eventually arrived in front of a grand and sturdy stone tower.


    At that moment, an old man with the appearance of a young boy lying leisurely on a bamboo rocking chair, basking in the sun, was situated at the front of the stone tower.


    Gu Yu approached cautiously and crouched next to the rocking chair, ¡°Great Grandfather, Thirteen is here to see you.¡±


    ¡°You little rascal. Have the rules of our family become mere decorations nowadays? How can you bring outsiders into Zhenlang Pavilion!¡± A soft and sinister voice suddenly filled the air, causing Zhao Sheng¡¯s scalp to tingle, a chill rising within him!


    Danger, extreme danger!


    This person was undoubtedly one of the foundations of the Gu Family, with cultivation at least above the Golden Core stage.


    Gu Yu¡¯s forehead perspired heavily as he quickly explained, ¡°Great Grandfather, please don¡¯t misunderstand! Senior Wuying has accepted my invitation to become a guest elder of our family. The family head has already consented. Senior only wishes to view the collection in Zhenlang Pavilion for three hours and will not violate any taboos.¡±


    ¡°Alright! I was just asking casually. You¡¯re panicking over nothing. Have you forgotten the eight characters of ¡®Unperturbed Mind, Calm even when Heaven falls¡¯ from the Nether God Technique?!¡± The old man slightly sat up and reprimanded.


    ¡°You¡¯re right to chastise me, Great Grandfather! Thirteen¡¯s mental state has not yet reached the required level, but I will certainly train more diligently henceforth,¡± Gu Yu assured repeatedly.


    The elder glanced at Zhao Sheng and nodded slightly, ¡°Hmm, you¡¯ve got a good eye! This man¡¯s abilities are barely satisfactory. Fine, go in!¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your kindness, Great Grandfather!¡± Gu Yu exclaimed joyfully.


    Zhao Sheng also gave a salute, ¡°Junior Wuying thanks the elder for the grace shown.¡±


    Boom! Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The stone tower¡¯s door slowly opened, making a rumbling sound.


    Zhao Sheng nodded to Gu Yu, then stepped up the stone stairs, successfully entering Zhenlang Pavilion.


    As soon as he entered the tower, the stone door behind him closed with a bang; numerous Spiritual Pearls suddenly lit up, illuminating the dim space.


    Endless shelves filled with books and ancient scrolls, jade scrolls, Jade Dishware, and stele rubbings were densely packed, stretching to the end of sight. Nearby desks were piled with countless fragments and Ancient Bone Fragments, etched with strange and mysterious symbols.


    Zhenlang Pavilion, originating from the Daoist Tower, houses over twenty classes including Spells, Elixirs, Tools, Arrays, Symbols, Control Techniques, Techniques, secret records, and more, each sub-divided into various subjects, totaling over a thousand categories.


    As if he had premeditated, Zhao Sheng walked straight to the Cultivation Techniques section upon entering and started searching along the rows of shelves.


    ¡°It really is here!¡±


    Moments later, his eyes brightened and he waved his hand; a jade scroll suddenly flew off the shelf into his hand.


    Diving his Divine Sense into it, numerous pieces of information flooded his mind, revealing to be the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core chapters of the ¡°Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture.¡±


    Three hours passed in a blink.


    As the stone door opened again, Zhao Sheng, with a face full of regret, placed the scroll back on the shelf, then stepped out.


    Gu Yu approached him with a smile, ¡°Senior Wuying, how fruitful was this excursion?¡±


    ¡°Zhenlang Pavilion indeed encompasses everything; this trip has been very rewarding,¡± Zhao Sheng stated with feigned joy.


    After paying their respects to the old guardian, the two left Zhenlang Pavilion.


    Watching their fading figures, the youthful-looking elder muttered, ¡°This person is quite sensible, knowing some secret scrolls are not for him to see and thus deliberately avoiding them. Little Thirteen has indeed done something right, very good!¡±


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng accompanied Gu Yu to meet with Gu Dongdian, the Family Head of the Gu Family.


    The two hit it off immediately and enjoyed a pleasant conversation.


    As night fell, Zhao Sheng excused himself for having matters to attend to, politely declined the Gu Family¡¯s insistence to stay, and then drifted away.


    ¡­


    In the fourteenth layer of the Divine Prison.


    A shadow suddenly emerged from the ground.


    Indistinct and elusive, it carried an elixir pill in its mouth, seemingly unaffected by the intense prohibition barriers of the prison.


    After carefully determining the direction, the shadow moved like a stealthy rat, swiftly reaching the door of cell number three.


    ¡°Squeak, squeak!¡±


    Following a barely audible squeak, the shadow emerged with a layer of black light, displayed its innate Spell, and astonishingly slipped through the cold iron door into the cell.

 Chapter 508 - 334 Book Pavilion Insert Ear and Spicy Hand Pluck Heart_2

    Chapter 508: Chapter 334 Book Pavilion Insert Ear and Spicy Hand Pluck Heart_2


    Time passed, indiscernible in length, when the sound of footsteps approached; Zhao Sheng and Leng Sha walked shoulder to shoulder.


    ¡°We¡¯re here; it¡¯s number three¡¯s turn today. Be careful once you¡¯re inside not to be bewitched¡ªthe one locked up there is a Snake Demon.¡±


    Zhao Sheng took out the Pass Token, undid the Prohibition outside the door, and opened the prison gate.


    Suddenly, his eyes flickered, and he paused in his step.


    At that moment, the Ear Reporting God was rapidly flying around his head, its little face filled with urgency.


    ¡°Something¡¯s not right, there¡¯s a situation!¡± Zhao Sheng was alert in his mind, his Divine Sense suddenly burst forth, searching every nook and corner of the cell.


    However, he found nothing.


    In cell number three, there was a Snake Man locked up, its body covered in Scale Armor, with a large lump of flesh on its forehead.


    ¡°No wonder it was locked up in the Fourteenth Layer Hell. The power of incense on it is so dense it¡¯s almost shedding its demonic form and transforming into a Wild God.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was secretly shocked and became even more cautious inside.


    This Snake Man probably had quite a fortunate encounter, its strength not the slightest bit inferior to a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    According to the records, creatures close to becoming a Wild God, like this Great Demon, would definitely have many followers, perhaps it had even subjugated several Divine Servants.


    Just then, a black shadow suddenly appeared behind Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, and a streak of black light flashed, aiming to crack open his skull.


    Whoosh!


    The moment it touched his hair, a layer of red flame enveloped Zhao Sheng¡¯s entire body.


    The black shadow was as if it had hit an iron wall, emitting a shrill and miserable scream.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s form flashed, he shifted three feet into the air, his right hand shot out like lightning, and he grasped the black shadow.


    The black shadow dissipated in an instant, revealing its true form as a two-foot-long black-haired rat.


    The Black Rat squeaked pitifully, struggling desperately.


    But Zhao Sheng¡¯s strength was not something little demons could shake,


    ¡°A Space Escaping Rat? What a rare treasure beast! This Snake Demon even has such a seldom seen Vengeful Demon under its command.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s Spiritual Power operated, the Red Lotus Karma Fire instantly grew several times stronger, engulfing the Rat Demon to prevent its escape.


    ¡°You¡­ who are you?¡±


    At this time, the Snake Man locked on the rack suddenly spoke, its voice filled with apprehension.


    According to the previous plan, the Space Escaping Rat was responsible for smuggling the Divine Pill in.


    Once its demonic power restored, it would break free of the constraints and escape from prison.


    Afterwards, people from the Ghost God Association would take care of the aftermath.


    The prison guard standing before it boasted formidable Spiritual Power and an imposing aura, unmistakably a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Could someone tell this deity, what on earth is going on?


    ¡°You ask who I am? I am just an ordinary Prison Guard.¡±


    Zhao Sheng saw through the other party¡¯s plot, his mood lightening.


    ¡°My Treasure Vault contains an Ancient Spiritual Treasure. If you release me, I am willing to gift you with a Spiritual Treasure.¡±


    The voice of the Snake Man suddenly stopped, confusion flashed in its eyes, and a large amount of fresh blood spurted from its chest as its heart was abruptly ripped out.


    Zhao Sheng held up the heart of the Snake Demon, seeing its surface shine with brilliant Divine Light, and within it appeared a phantom-like ¡°Bright Pearl¡±


    with a Tao True Text of extreme complexity faintly visible inside.


    At one glance, Zhao Sheng felt a flicker of mystical realization; the Bright Pearl was indeed a Law Fragment that had manifested into a form of Divine authority after falling to the human world.


    With this thought, he reflected on the Heavenly Dao Sect¡¯s actions of appointing Divine Spirits and the true face of the Divine Tao Decree; everything made sense.


    They say when the Heavenly Dao loses its authority, all spirits vie for it!


    ¡°Ah! This deity curses you! May your Divine Soul utterly perish!¡±


    The Snake Demon let out a long howl, spitting out hundreds of ghostly blue Divine Lights towards Zhao Sheng, while at the same time its Demon Soul burst from its head, aiming straight for Zhao Sheng¡¯s brow.


    ¡°Heh, seeking your own death!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was one of amusement as Red Lotus Karma Fire rose in his hand, effortlessly devouring the Demon Soul as it formed into a six-petaled red lotus.


    Red flames swept through the cell, the blue light was swept away in an instant, the Evil Ice on the walls also evaporated instantly, and the temperature in the cell soared dramatically.


    Hum!


    Just at that moment, a piercing hum suddenly resonated within the Divine Prison, and a layer of electric light emerged from the surrounding walls, blocking the Red Lotus Karma Fire that swept through the area.


    Zhao Sheng saw this and his figure became nothingness.


    However, the next instant, his figure reappeared in the same place, except that the heart containing Law Fragments had vanished, and in its place was a tuft of blood-stained fur.


    ¡°Brother, what happened?¡±


    Leng Sha was the first to rush in, and immediately noticed the Snake Demon corpse. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°What the hell! Who triggered the prohibition?¡±


    The voice was accompanied by a portly Great Han, brandishing a Nine-Ring Blade, from which each golden ring emitted a chilling coldness, as large as an adult¡¯s fist.


    ¡°Oh no, we¡¯re in trouble! This Snake Demon was a prisoner specially instructed by the superior to be guarded by the Yan Family. Now that it has died mysteriously, how are we going to explain to the superior?¡±


    Zhao Sheng lifted his right hand, holding a strand of blood-stained fur between his fingers, and gestured to the two, ¡°I only saw a black light flash by just now; the Snake Demon¡¯s heart has disappeared without a trace. I only had time to launch a Fire Saber strike, and barely managed to sever this snippet.¡±


    ¡°Let me see!¡±


    The portly Great Han snatched the fur, examined it closely, and even sniffed it, his face suddenly changing.


    ¡°This¡­ this is the fur of a Sky Escape Rat!¡± This person, likewise quite knowledgeable, shouted in surprise.


    Leng Sha frowned and said sternly, ¡°Sky Escape Rats are extremely rare. Rumor has it that the Ghost God Association has bred two pairs. Could it be that someone from the Ghost God Association deliberately killed the demon to silence it?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, this Snake Demon possessed divine authority. People from the Ghost God Association wouldn¡¯t stand by idly. Killing the demon to seize the treasure is their true objective.¡±


    No sooner had the voice faded away did a colossal figure, standing three meters tall and clad in full armor, stride in, followed by a thin and pointy-faced old man.


    The colossal figure was one of the only two Class A Prison Guards in the Divine Prison, a Divinity Realm Innate Grandmaster with Foundation Establishment Level combat power.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, with this tuft of fur here, even if the Sky Escape Rat Demon has already fled, we will certainly be able to trace its whereabouts.¡±


    The thin-faced old man hailed from the Central South Peak Jieyun Temple and delighted in fortune-telling and divination throughout his life.


    Although he often made mistakes, he never tired of it.


    After speaking, he carefully took out a Black Glass Turtle Shell.


    The Black Glass Turtle Shell was crystal clear, with naturally-formed Nine Palaces Bagua patterns on its back¡ªmysterious and profound, with an ancient touch.


    The old man captured a thread of essence from the fur and fed it into the Black Glass Turtle Shell, tapping the shell repeatedly with his fingers and channeling strands of special Spiritual Power.


    The Turtle Shell gently vibrated, emitting a muffled sound like that of a wooden fish.


    A black light shot out from the Turtle Shell, moving on its own without wind, pointing diagonally upward.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    The old man, holding the turtle shell, dashed out of the cell, closely chasing after it.


    ¡°Tao is boundless! Let¡¯s chase as well.¡±


    After Leng Sha spoke, he immediately set off in pursuit.


    The colossal figure seemed to teleport, stepping out and shrinking the land into inches, leaping twenty or thirty yards away.


    Zhao Sheng did not start to move right away; his figure vanished for a few moments and, only after reappearing, did he rush out of the cell to join the pursuit.


    It was only at this point that the Prison Captain Xiao Moluo belatedly arrived, appearing in the corridor of the Fourteenth Layer Hell.


    Xiao Moluo blocked everyone¡¯s path and asked sternly, ¡°Stop, what has happened here?¡±


    ¡°Reporting to the superior, the Snake Demon in cell number three just had its heart plucked out by a Sky Escape Rat Demon and has now died. We¡¯re about to track down this demon and capture it as swiftly as possible.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Xiao Moluo¡¯s old face immediately turned as black as the bottom of a pot, and his features became even more ferocious and terrifying.


    In a somewhat infuriated growl, he exclaimed, ¡°What are you dawdling for? Get after it now!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    The crowd roared back with affirmation, then swiftly made their escape.


    However, three days passed in the blink of an eye, and despite searching everywhere, inside and out, they couldn¡¯t find even a single rat hair, let alone capture the Sky Escape Rat Demon.


    Zhao Sheng was also called in for questioning multiple times but managed to dodge every time.


    In the Divine Prison, nobody knew that the Sky Escape Rat had long been destroyed without a trace. It was normal not to find it; it would have been strange if they could.


    Because of this incident, the Divine Prison was in an uproar for over half a month, until the investigation turned up nothing, and the event was suppressed.


    Only when the aftermath of the event had completely subsided three months later, did things settle.


    One night, a month afterward, Zhao Sheng quietly disappeared from his Cultivation Room.


    When he reappeared, he was already in the bookshelf aisle on the first floor of Zhenlang Pavilion.

 Chapter 509 - 335: Ants Moving, Desire Power Pill and Ghost God Association

    Chapter 509: Chapter 335: Ants Moving, Desire Power Pill and Ghost God Association


    Zhao Sheng had just shifted to Zhenlang Pavilion when a palm-sized azure-black ¡°little figure¡± suddenly penetrated the walls and heavy prohibitions, whooshing into the building.


    At that moment, the other Ear Reporting God squatting on Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulder excitedly leaped up, colliding with the incoming Divine Split with a ¡®pfft¡¯ and then merged into one.


    ¡°Little Black, go outside and keep watch.¡±


    Zhao Sheng transmitted his Divine Sense, and at the same time flicked a drop of sparkling, ruby-like essence blood, which flew into the body of the Ear Reporting God.


    ¡°Little Black, go outside and keep watch!¡±


    Following the speech filled with immense joy that came to his ears, the Ear Reporting God¡¯s body shuddered and another Divine Split instantly leaped out from within.


    The main body stayed by its master¡¯s side to listen for messages, while the Divine Split shot out of Zhenlang Pavilion in a flash of black light.


    Zhao Sheng turned his head back, his gaze sweeping over rows of bookshelves, a rare glint of excitement in his eyes.


    He ignored categories of law, alchemy, artifacts, and others, bypassing countless precious secret manuals, quickly making his way through the mountainous ranges of books to a row dedicated to biographies and histories, and began swiftly browsing through them.


    An hour later, a whistling sound suddenly reached Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears.


    His eyes showed alertness as he waved his hand, returning a notebook of a predecessor to the shelf, and in the next instant, his figure silently and invisibly dissipated into nothingness. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡­


    Two years later.


    In a mansion within Gu City, Gu Yu in white garments handed a piece of paper to Master Wu Ying.


    ¡°Senior, take a look at this message. It says that the Divine Prison has recently launched several rounds of inspections and investigations. Do you know the details?¡±


    After reading, Zhao Sheng smiled lightly and said nonchalantly, ¡°Over the past month, multiple serious offenders in the Divine Prison have unexpectedly died under mysterious circumstances. The higher-ups of the Prison God Temple suspect there is a mole among the prison guards, hence the action.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s the reason.¡±


    Gu Yu nodded his understanding, then added, ¡°By the way, the legacy found in Three Cliff Mountain. Senior, you have established another great merit. The Family Head is very pleased, and will surely grant a generous reward. Thirteen congratulates you in advance.¡±


    Zhao Sheng, however, remained indifferent. Such worldly matter didn¡¯t catch his interest.


    The Ant Moving Operation had been going on for a full two years, and a good portion of the Zhenlang Pavilion¡¯s scriptures had been ¡°copied¡± out.


    For him, there was no reward more precious than that.


    ¡°Mr. Yu, instead of offering rewards, the Family Head might as well allow me to peruse the secret scripture library of Zhenlang Pavilion.¡±


    ¡°This¡­ this matter is difficult to handle. Senior, you should know that the secret scripture library is a core place within our family¡¯s core areas¡­¡±


    ¡°Still not possible, huh? Sigh!¡± Zhao Sheng showed a look of regret.


    Seeing this, Gu Yu spoke reassuringly, ¡°Senior, do not be so! I will definitely recommend you to the Family Head, and I believe they will consider it.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I shall wait patiently,¡± replied Zhao Sheng, his attitude tepid as he nodded.


    He had just finished speaking when his brows suddenly twitched.


    ¡°There are matters I must attend to, so I must take my leave now.¡±


    With those words, Zhao Sheng stood up.


    ¡°Senior, please go as you please,¡± said Gu Yu out of habit.


    Over the past two years, such abrupt departures had occurred many times, and he was already accustomed to them.


    Zhao Sheng threw out a green jade horsetail whisk, stepped onto it, and flew away as he controlled the device.


    Meanwhile, outside a cultivation room in the Divine Prison, a burly Great Han was pacing back and forth in front of the door.


    Click!


    The door opened, and Zhao Sheng walked out.


    ¡°Big Brother, you finally came out. The New Prison Captain has arrived; hurry to greet him!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Zhao Sheng said calmly, waving his hand as a signal.


    The two walked through the long corridor and soon reached the first floor of the Divine Prison.


    In the vast underground plaza, nearly two hundred prison guards had already gathered.


    The New Prison Captain, named Ren Zhong, looked ordinary with a standard build and always wore a gentle smile on his face, completely different from Xiao Moluo.


    As expected, his speech was smooth and unblemished, and after delivering some conventional words,


    when the meeting ended and people were about to disperse, a group of guards rushed forward, surrounding the New Prison Captain and inquiring about his wellbeing with loud declarations of loyalty, their statements so brazen and bold that they were hard to bear.


    Of course, a few guards silently turned and entered the corridor, never to return, and Zhao Sheng was among them.


    Being a prison guard was a job with perks but no prospects, and it carried a high risk, with few guards living to die a natural death.


    Therefore, certain doomed older guards simply couldn¡¯t be bothered to try to curry favor with the New Prison Captain.


    Life in the Divine Prison was monotonous and dull.


    After taking office, the New Prison Captain quickly made sweeping changes to the prison¡¯s patrol routes and the rules for questioning prisoners.


    Zhao Sheng was assigned to the sixteenth and fifteenth levels, the risk factor of which was second only to the seventeenth and eighteenth level dead cells that supposedly held Golden Core-level powerhouses.


    In the Divine Prison, only Class A prison guards could enter the seventeenth and eighteenth level dead cells; unauthorized intrusion by others was met with instant execution.


    ¡­


    Name: Zhao Sanbao (Zhao Sheng)


    Life Span: 29/236


    Realm: Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer


    Profession: Third-rank Alchemist, Third-tier Talisman Master, Second-Order Artifact Refiner


    [Constitution:]Gold and Fire Dual Spirit Roots (Earth-level), Body Rejuvenation (Earth-level)


    [Talent:]Phase Shifting (Earth-level)


    [Skill:]


    Cultivation Technique: Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture (Small Success), Star God Thousand Heart Technique (Forty Thoughts Realm), Heavenly Human Four Forms (Small Success), Golden Crow Burning Sky Technique (Master), Residual Blood Bursting Spirit Technique (Small Success)


    Hundred Arts: Taoist Skill(¡­), talisman(¡­), alchemy(¡­), artifact refining(¡­)


    In a cultivation room, walls built from large blocks emitting a faint golden light of Yang Gang Rock isolated the ingress of external yin and evil.


    Zhao Sheng sat cross-legged on a cushion woven from Clearing God Grass, his eyes revealing countless personal information deep within.

 Chapter 510 - 335: Ants Moving, Desire Power Pill and Ghost God Association_2

    Chapter 510: Chapter 335: Ants Moving, Desire Power Pill and Ghost God Association_2


    Moments later, the Hundred Lifetimes Scripture sank deep into his Divine Soul.


    Zhao Sheng swung his sleeve, and a dark cyan alchemy furnace with three legs and six ears flew out from small to large, transforming into a large cauldron as thick as a water barrel and three Zhang in height, its lid almost touching the ceiling.


    Bang!


    A golden, misty Earth Lung Spiritual Fire flew to the bottom of the alchemy furnace, instantly expanding over tenfold, turning into a huge fireball, engulfing the cauldron as it burned fiercely.


    In an instant, the temperature in the room soared!


    Zhao Sheng waved his long sleeve, and a pile of bottles and jars suddenly appeared in front of him.


    Then, he continuously cast spells with both hands, casting one Alchemy Formula after another, beginning to refine a special Spirit Pill called the Desire Power Pill.


    This pill was not for the living to consume, but for the Ear Reporting God to consume. It consumed the finely refined Will Power from within the pill.


    The main ingredient of the Desire Power Pill was the People¡¯s Incense.


    The Ear Reporting God consumed its own flesh and blood every moment.


    To lessen his body¡¯s burden, Zhao Sheng found this type of Desire Power Pill.


    In the end, it was all thanks to the massive collection of books and Jade Scrolls at the Zhenlang Pavilion.


    Some days ago, Zhao Sheng happened to flip through a miscellaneous record called ¡°Evil God Ghost Affairs.¡± S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    According to the book, the cultivation methods of Divine Spirits and Cultivators were vastly different.


    If Cultivators refined nature¡¯s spiritual energy to enhance their strength, Divine Spirits, on the other hand, were based on Will Power.


    Will Power originated from incense, and incense mostly came from the spiritual thoughts of life beings, especially with the ¡°incense¡± offered by believers being of the highest quality.


    Therefore, since ancient times, Divine Spirits always tried to make themselves famous and often appeared in public to appear saintly, aiming to attract more believers.


    Ancients said incense was poisonous because it mixed with the desires and emotions of all beings.


    If they directly consumed incense without refining it first, Divine Spirits were likely to be influenced by the desires of all beings and suffer the disaster of becoming ¡°lost.¡±


    By then, Divine Spirits were no longer Divine Spirits but had fallen into evil spirits dominated by desires.


    The Ear Reporting God was the lowest level of minor Mao God, and one Desire Power Pill was enough to sustain it for three months.


    Half a day later, the alchemy furnace was nurtured to completion.


    Zhao Sheng flipped his hand, and in his hand appeared a yellow mud-like, one-foot-tall round tile pot.


    This pot had a name; it was called the Incense Fire Altar. Outwardly it seemed ordinary, but its raw material came from a Divine Statue, specifically a Five Passes Divine Statue that had endured three hundred years of incense.


    The Incense Fire Altar contained the accumulated Power of Incense from three hundred years within the Five Passes Divine Incense Statue.


    He casually slapped the seal on the mouth of the altar, and with a thought, a five-colored cloud floated out and slowly entered the alchemy furnace.


    Shortly after, one Spirit Medicine after another was continuously thrown into the furnace, and the Earth Lung Spiritual Fire suddenly blazed intensely¡­


    By evening, Zhao Sheng arrived at the black market within Zhenyun Mountain.


    On both sides of the street, most of the bundle stalls were already filled with various brightly colored treasures, and a bustling crowd flowed meanderingly through the workshop.


    Zhao Sheng walked into an old talisman shop, and his Divine Sense transmitted into the store, ¡°Taoist Liu, delivery time!¡±


    A woman came out from the back and said with a smile, ¡°Old Liu is chanting and paying respects to the divinity. Senior Zhao, please wait a moment.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, indeed hearing the buzzing of chanting in his ears.


    At first, he felt nothing, but after inadvertently listening to a few phrases, it caught his attention.


    Zhao Sheng curiously asked, ¡°What scripture is Taoist Liu chanting?¡±


    ¡°It seems to be the ¡®Heavenly Origin Descent Scripture.¡¯ I heard that if one chants this scripture ten thousand times, one can communicate with the Heavenly Origin God,¡± she replied.


    The woman took out a thin white paper book from under the counter, opened it, and pointing at a page, said, ¡°Senior, take a look, what scripture is written here?¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes sharpened, he took the book, the paper was rough and of poor quality, and it was covered with densely packed runes.


    ¡°We sincerely believe, and now we uphold the Heavenly Origin, the name of the Divine Spirit, realise the Supreme True Spirit, relieve suffering and save lives¡­¡±


    As he recited halfway, Zhao Sheng sensed a faint, strange aura suddenly emerge from the depths of the Void, continuously trying to twist his mental consciousness, even suggesting to him to worship the so-called Heavenly Origin God.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly, his Divine Sense formed a barrier, instantly isolating the aura pollution, and his spirit instantly cleared.


    ¡°Evil Demons of the Outer Path!¡±


    This heretical scripture, through the use of deceptive secret techniques, aimed to recruit followers and gather the faith of incense offerings.


    After roughly finishing a large portion of the Zhenlang Pavilion¡¯s collection, Zhao Sheng was quite clear about these spiritual abnormal skills commonly used by evil demons and heretics.


    Just at that moment, the chanting in the back hall abruptly stopped, and Shopkeeper Liu turned out from the back, holding a similar scroll of scripture.


    ¡°Senior Zhao, thank you for your patience. The items are all prepared. I¡¯ll fetch them right away.¡±


    ¡°No rush on that,¡± Zhao Sheng shook his head and asked, ¡°Where did you get this scripture from?¡±


    Shopkeeper Liu replied, ¡°This scripture has recently become very popular in the market. It¡¯s said to be very effective. That Heavenly Origin God is reputed to be omnipotent and responsive to all prayers.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Liu, living long in the black market of Chu State City, don¡¯t you understand these tricks of evil demons and heretics?¡±


    Zhao Sheng pointed at the scripture and said, ¡°According to the laws of the Heavenly Dao Sect, scriptures not authorized by the court must not be propagated. Violators will be punished severely.¡±


    ¡°You jest, Senior. The court manages all the people in the world, but how can it monitor us cultivators? As for the Heavenly Dao Sect, they are too overwhelmed to care about such minor matters.¡±


    ¡°A cultivator neglecting the Heavenly Dao to blindly believe in an idol, Shopkeeper Liu, you are mistaken!¡± Zhao Sheng looked regretful as he spoke earnestly.


    Upon hearing this, Shopkeeper Liu¡¯s expression became unexpectedly agitated: ¡°What choice do I have! With my Five Spirits wasted spiritual root, if I don¡¯t rely on the power of divine spirits, how could I ever have a chance to reach the Foundation Establishment stage and achieve prolonging my life by a hundred years?¡±


    ¡°This¡­¡± Seeing the other¡¯s vehement expression, Zhao Sheng¡¯s tone immediately faltered.


    ¡°Senior Zhao, this Heavenly Origin Descent Scripture really is a treasure. I merely chanted it for seven days and my cultivation inexplicably grew by a bit, and there were no side effects either.¡±


    ¡°Very well!¡±


    Zhao Sheng slightly nodded in agreement, no longer trying to persuade him.


    As the saying goes, good words cannot persuade the determined dead!


    Suddenly, he somewhat understood that in the face of death, cultivators and any ignorant mortal were, in fact, the same.


    Shopkeeper Liu was fully aware that worshipping an unknown existence entailed tremendous risks, yet he still chose to continue, a move undoubtedly both despicable and pitiable.


    At that moment, a noise came from outside the shop.


    A group of people dressed in white robes and caps suddenly surrounded a shop, continuously chanting scriptures:


    ¡°¡­Heavenly Origin God, ferrying all beings, generously granting blessings¡­ Countless lives, basking in heaven¡¯s fortune¡­ United wills become divine, Heavenly Origin is the way¡­¡±


    ¡°Here is the offering money of ten spirit stones, consider it my respectful tribute to the Heavenly Origin God. You devout believers might as well bless the next shop!¡±


    ¡°The Heavenly Origin God will surely bless you!¡±


    The group of white-robed believers arrived quickly and left even faster, taking only a few steps before surrounding an elixir medicine shop selling spirit pills.


    Chanting and begging, their actions in the next shop were exactly the same as before!


    Several people dashed out from that elixir medicine shop, trying to drive them away, but ended up in a fierce clash with the group of believers.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng had already packed up ten stacks of Dragon Serpent Skin Talisman Bases and stepped out from the talisman shop.


    In a deserted corner, his figure flashed and he suddenly disappeared.


    ¡­


    Yueshen Lake, situated slightly south of the center of Chu State City, was one of the scenic wonders of the city.


    The lake was connected to the underground, unfathomable in depth, which kept its surface constantly dark, yet the waters remained warm.


    Every year, when the cold night season arrived, the vegetation by the lake still remained lush green, with countless people boating on the lake every day.


    However, no one would have imagined that beneath Yueshen Lake lay a mystery; the Ghost God Association had established an outpost there and even constructed a Water Mansion.


    The Ghost God Association held immense power, with numerous divine spirits among its members, spreading across the entire continent.


    The Ghost God Association, along with the Heavenly Rebel Alliance and the Earth Element Mother Sect, was collectively known as the three great rebels and was a ¡°thorn in the side¡± of both the Da Gu Court and the Heavenly Dao Sect.


    In the dead of night, a shadow quietly entered Yueshen Lake and swiftly swam towards the outpost of the Ghost God Association.


    A moment later, deep within the lake, a palace resplendent in gold and jade stood in the lake¡¯s depths. Three ¡°Divine Beings¡± sat majestically on the Golden Dais, their presence awe-inspiring.


    ¡°Bring the informant here,¡± a Dragon-headed divine being with a human body slowly opened his eyes and then instructed those below.


    Before long,


    a fat Great Han was dragged into the hall; given his battered appearance, he was clearly tortured extensively.


    If Zhao Sheng were here, he would immediately recognize this person as unmistakably a seasoned prison guard.

 Chapter 511 - 336: Conspiracy and the Mystery of Truth

    Chapter 511: Chapter 336: Conspiracy and the Mystery of Truth


    In the palace, the atmosphere was extraordinarily grave.


    The Dragon Serpent Lake Deity, a ¡°Divine Being,¡± demanded harshly, ¡°Speak quickly, how did the Snake God die in the Divine Prison?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ I really don¡¯t know. When I burst into the cell, the Snake¡­ Snake God had already had his heart gouged out and was dead on the spot. It must have been¡­ killed by the Space Escaping Rat Demon,¡± the heavyset man said desperately, his voice weak.


    By this time, he had realized that there was no escape for him and his heart sank as if dead.


    The Dragon Serpent Lake Deity, upon hearing this, exclaimed angrily, ¡°Nonsense! Confess the truth now. Why would the Space Escaping Rat, whom I sent to rescue the Snake God, kill him instead? Facing death and still not telling the truth. Someone take him away for heavy torture.¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± the ¡°Divine Being¡± known as Tiger Head suddenly interjected, ¡°How many of you were at the scene at the time? Who was responsible for interrogating the Snake God?¡±


    The heavyset man, with a confused look, slowly recalled, ¡°At that time, the prohibitions in the prison were triggered. I rushed to the site, at that time Leng Sha and Sanbao were there, and later two more arrived. It was¡­ Sanbao who was in charge of the interrogation, yes, that¡¯s right.¡±


    The Dragon Serpent Lake Deity immediately pursued, ¡°Who is this Sanbao? Tell me about him in detail, right now.¡±


    ¡°Sanbao was a¡­¡±


    Two quarters of an hour later, a body covered in numerous injuries was dragged out, leaving a trail of blood on the ground.


    The trio of ¡°Divine Beings¡± ¨C Dragon, Tiger, and Fish ¨C conversed with each other, seemingly unconcerned.


    ¡°It seems it was Sanbao¡¯s doing. The Divine Authority must still be in his possession. Such a fine frame-up!¡± exclaimed the Fish Head God joyfully.


    ¡°Hmph, as if a mere prison guard had the right to gaze upon such a treasure, simply asking for death!¡±


    ¡°The Divine Prison¡¯s defenses are tight, it¡¯s not easy for us to send someone in. We must patiently wait until he comes out to breathe fresh air and catch him in one fell swoop.¡±


    ¡°How shall we divide the spoils once we have them?¡±


    ¡°Why not divide them equally into three parts? Although this bit of Divinity is minimal, it still supplements our authority and divine duties somewhat.¡±


    ¡°But how do we explain this to the higher gods? Aren¡¯t we afraid that the Sect Leader might use this as an excuse to consume us three?¡±


    The trio of Dragon, Tiger, and Fish had once acquired some Heavenly Dao Fragments by chance. After refining them, they successfully transformed into gods, gaining some authority to manipulate the power of Heaven and Earth.


    However, classed merely as minor Wandering Gods, their strength was mediocre, not much different from that of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator outside their own territories.


    In the Netherworld, where Divine Spirits abound, division by the level of divine power includes: Mao God, Wandering God, Ghost God, True God, and Emperor, in five ranks.


    The rank of Divine Spirits is not determined by strength but by one¡¯s own Divine Authority.


    For instance, the Ear Reporting God, though weak in strength, is innately endowed with authority, ranking as a third-tier Ghost God. You must know, the majority of other Ghost Gods are far more formidable than even a Golden Core Main Priest, yet it¡¯s the Ear Reporting God, the Wind God Child, and a few other tiny ones.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? The Sect Leader and the Emperors are busy dealing with the big matter of forming alliances with the Heavenly Rebel Alliance and the Earth Mother Sect. They won¡¯t have the time to focus on such a trivial matter in Diancang Province.¡±


    ¡°The Heavenly Dao Sect and the Black Sky Sect, two superpowers, appear to be aligning again to stabilize the Ten Thousand Demon Continent. With most of Heavenly Dao Sect¡¯s main forces withdrawn, it¡¯s only logical for the Emperors to stir up some major actions. After all, the Heavenly Dao Authority is limited; without striving and competing, how can one find a chance for liberation?¡±


    ¡°Alas, the days are getting tougher. The rate of decay of the local Heavenly Dao has significantly accelerated. Were it not for our vigilant maintenance of the order of Heaven and Earth, this realm would have already collapsed into chaos by now.¡±


    ¡°Enough of this disheartening topic. Even though our realm is nearing the ¡®void¡¯ phase, there are still thousands to nearly ten thousand years before the extinction of all life forms. By that time, whether we still exist is another matter altogether; why worry about something so far ahead! S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Let¡¯s focus on the here and now and quickly capture that troublesome prison guard¡ªthat¡¯s the real priority.¡±


    ¡°Wise words from the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity!¡±


    ¡­


    As the trio of Wandering Gods secretly plotted their capture plan, Zhao Sheng, the protagonist of the event, was in a quiet room, deeply engrossed in studying a memoir from a predecessor.


    After years of diligently consulting autobiographies, essays, and numerous writings of the ancestors of the Gu Family, Zhao Sheng gradually formed some conjectures about the situations and outcomes of the ancient wars between two realms.


    However, for unknown reasons, it seemed as if the ancestors of the Gu Family had intentionally eradicated records of the wars between the two realms, with very few references in the books.


    There were only fragments of sentences or vague statements, so Zhao Sheng still knew very little about the wars between the two realms to date.


    The Sect Leader of the Ghost Chi Clan had passed away over eleven hundred years ago, which also meant that the wars between the two realms had ended around that time at the latest.


    In fact, the war had finished a bit earlier, probably between thirteen hundred and twelve hundred years ago.


    The Time-Space Rift must be in the depths of the Corpse Abyss.


    The Corpse Abyss had formed over ten thousand years ago, coinciding exactly with the start of the first war between the two realms.


    By the time of the second war between the realms, around thirteen hundred years ago, a large number of Floating Temples of the Heavenly Dao Sect had mysteriously disappeared deep within the Corpse Abyss.


    The Heavenly Dao Sect had claimed that it was due to the army¡¯s campaign against the Corpse Abyss that resulted in the loss of a large number of Floating Temples.


    Upon reading this record, Zhao Sheng instantly realized that the Corpse Abyss was indeed the location of the Time-Space Rift.


    It was very likely that both the Tianzhu Realm and the Netherworld Ghost Realm (Netherworld) had suffered Mutual Destruction.


    Because nearly a hundred years before the start of the Seventh Epoch of the Heavenly Dao Calendar, it was a tumultuous and chaotic time, with upheaval and bloodshed everywhere, and human lives were as cheap as dirt.

 Chapter 512 - 336 Conspiracy and the Mystery of the Truth_2

    Chapter 512: Chapter 336 Conspiracy and the Mystery of the Truth_2


    Over the century, as the Heavenly Dao Sect¡¯s power greatly declined, the Da Gu Court had not yet stabilized the nation.


    All over the realm, numerous uprisings in the name of divine spirits erupted and quelled in waves. The most significant, known as the ¡°Sky Toppling Change,¡± almost obliterated the Heavenly Dao Sect as well.


    In the midst of the Sky Toppling Change, the previous Sect Leader of the Ghost God Association, Emperor Banshan, led a group of ghost gods and suddenly attacked the main peak of the Heavenly Dao Sect, Tao Reverence Peak.


    Caught off guard, the Heavenly Dao Sect¡¯s defenses were breached from within and without, their followers slaughtered, and blood flowed like rivers.


    During this critical moment, the Sect Leader of the Ghost Chi, unable to do otherwise due to severe injuries, had to come out and face the enemy himself, ultimately unleashing the sect¡¯s foundational powers at great cost. He annihilated most of the invaders, sending the surviving ghost gods fleeing down the mountains in terror.


    Such a tremendous upheaval not only led to the transcendental passing of both the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao and Emperor Banshan but also inflicted countless casualties below them.


    Owing to the heavy losses of personnel, the Heavenly Dao Sect had no choice but to actively retract their sphere of influence, rendering them incapable of influencing the overall situation of the world.


    This allowed the Great Gu Ancestor to rise opportunistically, harnessing the resources and manpower of the Heavenly Dao Sect. Over nearly a hundred years, he quelled numerous rebellions and suppressed all opposition, eventually founding the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty.


    The establishment of the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty was actually a result of compromise.


    Due to the decline in power, the Heavenly Dao Sect had no choice but to retreat behind the scenes, indirectly ¡°ruling¡± the entire continent through the Da Gu Court.


    Moreover, after reviewing a large number of books and Jade Scrolls from that period, Zhao Sheng also noticed many discrepancies.


    Between thirteen hundred to two hundred years ago, the Heavenly Dao Sect endured two major setbacks.


    One was during the campaign against Corpse Abyss, which ended with heavy casualties and a full retreat from Corpse Abyss.


    The other setback was caused by the sinking catastrophe of Wuzhou.


    Similarly, over twelve hundred years ago, the Heavenly Dao Sect suddenly moved a major portion of their core forces to a small continent called Wuzhou.


    Subsequent records were sparse, and it was unknown what major disasters occurred after that.


    Decades later, one day, Wuzhou suddenly collapsed, the entire continent sinking into the sea in a very short time, with millions of lives lost, and only cultivators and a very few ordinary people managing to escape.


    Gathering various clues, Zhao Sheng was astonished to discover that a large part of the Slave Clan residing in Chu State City had migrated from Wuzhou, including¡­ the ancestors of Zhao Hongyun¡¯s branch, Zhao Xiuchan!


    As Zhao Sheng thought through all the information, he quietly speculated, ¡°¡­ It seems that the great war between the two realms did not only occur in Corpse Abyss?¡±


    The records in Zhenlang Pavilion were ultimately too scant. To understand the entire truth, he would definitely need to visit the main temple of the Heavenly Dao Sect in the future.


    As for Corpse Abyss, that cursed place is one of the most perilous dead zones on the continent. Before advancing to Golden Core, it¡¯s best not even to think about it.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s ears twitched as a conversation nearby caught his attention.


    ¡°Haha! Is this the famous Daoist Li who survived great adversities? I am Zhao Zhongque, currently an Elder of the Heavenly Rebel Alliance in Fulong Province. Daoist Li, you have had a tough few years!


    ¡°For the sake of the Righteous Path, I¡¯ve long viewed life and death lightly,¡± there¡¯s no hardship to speak of. Speaking of hardships, the Fellow Daoists in Fulong Province are truly deserving of high praise, having successfully turned a high-ranking official in the Provincial Temple. How did you manage to do that? I am genuinely curious!¡±


    ¡°The details are complex; let¡¯s talk more inside.¡±


    ¡°Very well! After you, Taoist Zhao¡­¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng suddenly felt inspired and made a calculation on his fingers.


    ¡°Embodied by the Feng Xian Ming Ren Sect, fortified by Quanzhen Du Taihe. Declared by The Classic of Sincerity and Jade, regulated by Zhongzheng Chang Jinke. Informed by the Essence of the Mystic Path, supported by Gao Hongding Daluo, guided by Moral Performance, honored by ¡®Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity.''¡±


    The Zhao Family names each generation with a sixty-year cycle.


    Starting with Zhao Xiuchan, ¡°Immortal Cultivation is Valuable for Longevity¡± spans five generations, which is three hundred years.


    When the cycle returns to the second round, from the Feng Generation to the Jian Generation, it spans fifteen generations or nine hundred years in total.


    Three hundred plus nine hundred equals exactly twelve hundred years.


    Untold until calculated, this revelation deeply shocked Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Zhao Zhongque¡­ from the Zhong generation? Could it be¡­¡±


    Ever since the Ear Reporting God planted roots to eavesdrop at the base of the Heavenly Rebel Alliance, in the six or seven years since, Zhao Sheng, although he hadn¡¯t gone explicitly to gather information, had still heard much about the internal affairs.


    The Heavenly Rebel Alliance was originally composed of remnants of sects and families annihilated by the Heavenly Dao Sect, later joined by countless Loose Cultivators and wild paths unwilling to endure control and exploitation.


    As the Heavenly Rebel Alliance¡¯s power increasingly expanded, many ambitious individuals with formidable strength also actively joined the alliance.


    After the beginning of the Seventh Epoch in the Heavenly Dao Calendar, a large group of new troops suddenly joined the Heavenly Rebel Alliance. Among them were names very familiar to Zhao Sheng, such as the Vast Sect¡­


    Of course, the Vast Sect had already undergone a transformation in the Netherworld, now going by a new name called the Wind Shadow Sect.


    It was no wonder to Zhao Sheng, looking back now, why the bearded old Taoist who had his cover blown years ago had such a desperate demeanor.


    Apart from the Vast Sect, he also spotted what he suspected to be the presence of disciples from the Elixir Cauldron Sect.


    There was a young man with an icy voice, but his words hinted at a familiarity with the bearded old Taoist, and he frequently mentioned matters related to Alchemy.


    During a secretive investigation, Zhao Sheng noticed some unique Alchemy Formulas from the Elixir Cauldron Sect in the way the young man refined Elixir Pills.


    As he pondered deeply, the Ear Reporting God timely conveyed noises from elsewhere.


    Zhao Sheng immediately listened attentively.


    ¡­


    About an hour later, he suddenly stood up from his cushion, waved his hand to disperse the Barrier, quickly walked to the door, and stepped out of the quiet room.


    Arriving at the prison¡¯s cafeteria, a group of Prison Guards who just saw Zhao Sheng appear, eagerly stood up and greeted him warmly.


    Zhao Sheng, however, remained cold and simply nodded at them.


    The others did not mind his attitude and soon sat down to continue eating and drinking.


    Zhao Sheng walked between two rows of tables and approached a table where a huge man in full armor was seated.


    After sitting down, he suddenly transmitted a message, ¡°Wei, these days, have you thought it through? Are you going to agree or not?¡±


    The giant¡¯s real name was Wei Chong. Although he was a mortal, as a Divinity-reaching Grandmaster, his strength was among the top in all the Prison Guards, and not much less than that of the New Prison Captain, Ren Zhong.


    ¡°The prison rules are strict. The seventeenth and eighteenth floors are full of high-profile convicts. If I secretly take you into the cell, it is a capital offense!¡± the giant hesitated as he transmitted back.


    Hearing this, Zhao Sheng could not help but scoff, ¡°Come on! Whether the rules are strict or not, that¡¯s all for show to outsiders. Over the years, there have been many among us who violated the prison rules, and weren¡¯t they all capital crimes? Have you ever seen anyone actually get killed for it? At most, send a generous gift to the Prison Captain and issue a small punishment as a warning.¡±


    ¡°This¡­ this cannot be equated!¡± The giant tried to argue again, only to be abruptly interrupted by Zhao Sheng, ¡°Wei, do you really want to die old in this jail, or do you no longer wish to be transferred out?


    Keep in mind you¡¯re already over ninety. If you don¡¯t start building connections now, in another twenty or thirty years, your family will surely crumble after your death.¡± S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°This¡­¡±


    ¡°I have already prepared everything for you! It¡¯s just about doing me a small favor. During the patrol, I guarantee I won¡¯t cause any trouble nor will I have any contact with the prisoners.¡±


    While speaking, Zhao Sheng forcibly stuffed a Storage Space Seal into the giant¡¯s hand, affirming his statement.


    ¡°Alright! Just this once, no more exceptions!¡± the giant replied slowly nodding.


    Ultimately, Wei Chong cared for his family and succumbed to reality.


    Seeing his plan about to succeed, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face suddenly showed a bright and gentle smile.


    ¡­


    Chu State East City, Furen Square.


    Beneath Zhao Mansion, over two hundred feet underground, the earth had been hollowed out, forming a huge cave nearly two miles in length and width and a hundred feet high.


    The cave was packed with densely arranged bookshelves, which were filled with piles of Jade Scrolls, ancient books, secret scrolls, and books¡­


    Hu¡ª Hu¡ª


    In a secluded dark corner amid the bookshelves, a snoring sound rose and fell rhythmically.


    Just then, a figure suddenly emerged from the cave. Then Zhao Sheng walked out of the darkness.


    As his footsteps began, the snoring in the corner abruptly stopped.


    The next instant, a white light shot out from the middle of the bookshelves like lightning, landing on Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulder and transforming into a snow-white, fluffy-tailed, red-eyed, pink-nosed rat.

 Chapter 513 - 337 Southern Sky Zhao Family

    Chapter 513: Chapter 337 Southern Sky Zhao Family


    Da Bai, the spiritual mouse, excitedly hopped on its master¡¯s shoulder, repeatedly attempting to stretch out its tender tongue to lick his master¡¯s cheek. However, Zhao Sheng grabbed it by the scruff and plucked it from his shoulder.


    ¡°Little White, go and play nicely with the Ear Reporting God!¡±


    After speaking, Zhao Sheng took out an Enlightenment Pill and stuffed it into Little White¡¯s mouth, then let go casually. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With limbs outstretched and tail spinning, Da Bai instantly transformed into a streak of white light, joyously leaping towards the air.


    At this moment, the Ear Reporting God was also flying down in mid-air, quickly frolicking into a bundle with Da Bai.


    Innumerable practitioners from the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core Realm could not perceive the existence of the Ear Reporting God. Da Bai, being a slightly spiritual exotic spiritual mouse, could see it.


    If outsiders were to know this secret, it would inevitably attract countless spies.


    Two years ago, Zhao Sheng happened to find this exotic spiritual mouse under a divine statue while dismantling it in a Five Passes Temple.


    Little White naturally enjoyed eating incense and, with a pair of blood eyes, could see through illusions and discern the true body of the Ear Reporting God.


    On seeing this, Zhao Sheng was delighted and thus casually adopted this exotic spiritual mouse.


    In the past two years, Little White had always been staying in an underground cave, guarding ancient books for its master and looking forward to his occasional rewards.


    Zhao Sheng casually walked into the group of bookshelves, passed through a dozen rows, and arrived at the area dedicated to demon ghosts and other oddities.


    His gaze swept over row after row of ancient books, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes quickly stopped on the cover of a book titled ¡°Spirit and God¡¯s Authority¡±.


    Zhao Sheng reached out to take the ancient book, his figure instantly becoming void.


    The next instant, his figure appeared in the middle of the cave, at the Jade Table. He sat cross-legged on a cushion, opened the book, and began to study it intently.


    About an hour later, he had flipped through most of the book when suddenly his ears twitched, and he abruptly closed the book and stood up.


    ¡°Trouble,¡± he muttered with a slight frown.


    Before the words fell, he had already disappeared from the cave.


    ¡­


    Inside the city, Pafeng Building.


    In a secluded corner nearby, a shadow suddenly swayed, and then Zhao Sheng emerged from the darkness.


    ¡°My lord, it¡¯s good that you have come! Today, a bigwig has specifically named you for a meeting. I had no choice but to initiate an emergency transmission,¡± said a servant in black as he ran up to Zhao Sheng, his face a mix of anxiety and delight.


    As Zhao Sheng walked, he asked, ¡°Which ¡®big shot¡¯ has made his way to Pafeng Building? Can¡¯t even your family head handle him?¡±


    ¡°My lord, you jest. Although our family head holds high power and status in Chu State City, within the vast lands of the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty, it¡¯s nothing much.


    Today¡¯s guest may look young, but he has deep connections. He is a bigwig from Divine City, and I heard that his ancestor was once a State Preceptor¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡±


    In a few sentences, Zhao Sheng had smoothly made his way to the third floor.


    Just as he turned past the staircase, he saw a young man with a face sparkling in golden light boldly sitting on a cross-legged chair, with a stern-looking middle-aged man in red clothes and pants standing behind him.


    Zhao Sheng stepped forward and sat down boldly opposite the young man.


    The young man had a pretty face with a soft temperament, resembling a woman based solely on his facial features,


    However, his attire was extremely vulgar, completely resembling a nouveau riche.


    Upon seeing Zhao Sheng, the man spoke in a grating voice, surprisingly having a drake¡¯s voice.


    ¡°I say¡­ are you called Wuying?¡±


    Zhao Sheng listened calmly and asked lightly, ¡°May I know why the young master is in such a hurry to see me? If you wish to inquire about something or gather information, please speak!¡±


    ¡°This young master¡¯s surname is Wang, Wang Shenwei¡¯s Wang!¡± the young man said, pretending to be profound.


    Eight hundred years ago, Wang Shenwei was a Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect and also served as the State Preceptor of the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty, a high-ranking Late-stage Nascent Soul during the Great Sacrificial Rite.


    In his lifetime, he was renowned worldwide, and his numerous legendary deeds are still celebrated today. His family, the Wang Family, rooted in Divine City for generations, holds a significant influence. Not only do family members hold high positions in the court and the Church Court, but the family¡¯s ancestral land also hosts Golden Core elders.


    Moreover, the Wang Family ancestral hall has always preserved the Golden Body of an ancestor, a Big Killer indeed.


    With such a foundation, the Wang Family has thrived through generations, a status not any ordinary Golden Core Family could compare with.


    Most crucially, one of the Wang family elders is currently the Grand Governor of Diancang Province, holding a position second only to the Governor and Sect Leader, truly a status of high power and authority.


    With the Grand Governor¡¯s backing, it¡¯s not hard to see why Pafeng Building wouldn¡¯t dare to offend this young man.


    As Zhao Sheng recalled the information related to the Divine City Wang Family, he meanwhile spoke the words of apology, though his tone was rather perfunctory:


    ¡°So it¡¯s Mr. Wang from Divine City, my apologies!¡±


    The young man, named Wang Hengxi, was uncomfortable seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s attitude and snorted: ¡°Hmph, this young master has heard that you are quite famous in the Wind Carrier profession, renowned for being well-informed. I have something to ask.¡±


    Zhao Sheng appeared very humble: ¡°The profession is just mutual praise among colleagues. I merely have a better ear than most, making it easy to catch some difficult-to-gather news. May I know what the young master wishes to inquire about?¡±


    ¡°Here, give it to him!¡± Wang Hengxi waved his hand, signaling to the person next to him.


    The middle-aged man in red stepped forward, took out a Crystal Ball, and placed it on the table.


    The next second, the Crystal Ball suddenly lit up, a vivid projection emerging from inside.


    In the projection, an old man and a young man were talking, their voices somewhat distorted but still faintly audible.

 Chapter 514 - 337 Southern Sky Zhao Family_2

    Chapter 514: Chapter 337 Southern Sky Zhao Family_2


    However, the image was exceptionally clear; the features and figures of the two people could be seen distinctly.


    The older one appeared to be around sixty years old, with a kind and friendly face, standing over seven feet tall, his palms as translucent as white jade.


    The younger man¡¯s face was tender enough to drip water, handsome and gentle-looking, with a pair of peach-blossom eyes that naturally exuded a hint of roguish charm.


    Little White-faced Wang Hengxi pointed to the young man in the image and said, ¡°Take a good look, the person I am looking for is this one. I have reliable information that he has already come to Chu State City. What you need to do now is to find him for me as soon as possible. As long as you find this person within seven days, I, this Young Master, will reward you handsomely!¡±


    As he spoke, Little White-faced tilted his head, his eyes glancing over the middle-aged man in red.


    Bang!


    A row of fist-sized mid-grade spirit stones was placed in front of Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°These ten mid-grade spirit stones are for your running about. After the task is completed, this Young Master will pay you ten times the reward,¡± Little White-faced said with smug pride.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the mid-grade spirit stones before him and then suddenly shook his head, refusing, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my abilities are limited. Please find someone more capable, Young Master!¡±


    Having said that, he stood up to leave.


    The middle-aged man in red moved swiftly, blocking Zhao Sheng¡¯s path, his voice icy, ¡°Stop! You¡¯re not going anywhere without the Young Master¡¯s permission.¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned to look at Little White-faced, ¡°Mr. Wang, your esteemed elder is none other than the Grand Governor himself; with a single stomp of his foot, even Chu State City would tremble three times. With the Grand Governor around, why would you need to ask me? Just one word from the Grand Governor and there will be plenty of people running about to investigate, and finding someone will be a piece of cake.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Wang Hengxi¡¯s face immediately turned cold. He dodged Zhao Sheng¡¯s questions and instead pressed him grimly, ¡°I¡¯m asking you whether you will take this job or not?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t take it!¡± Zhao Sheng replied succinctly.


    It was obvious that there was something fishy about this matter, and if he recklessly meddled, he would certainly invite major trouble afterward.


    Moreover, more importantly, Zhao Sheng had recognized one of the voices. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    That old man¡¯s voice was as warm and smooth as jade, astonishingly identical to Zhao Zhongque¡¯s voice, and even the tone and rhythm of speaking matched perfectly.


    Although Zhao Sheng did not know the relationship between Little White-faced, the young man, and Zhao Zhongque.


    But¡­ on one side was a noble young master from a prestigious family of the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty, and on the other was a member of a Cultivation Family from the Tianzhu Realm.


    Even just using one¡¯s thumb, one could deduce that the relationship between the two parties must be adversarial, not friendly.


    As for how Zhao Sheng would choose, well, did that even need to be said?


    Upon hearing the words ¡°I won¡¯t take it,¡± Little White-faced¡¯s face turned red with indignation, seemingly very upset, his lips trembling with anger, ¡°You¡­ you lowly cur, how dare you show such disrespect!¡±


    ¡°Wang Shu, seize him!¡±


    At the command, the middle-aged man in red¡¯s eyes turned sharp as knives, he threw a punch, his arm wrapped in electric light, carrying the fierce force of thunder, slamming towards Zhao Sheng¡¯s torso like lightning.


    However, as fast as lightning, the punch hit nothing but air. The force of the punch only managed to collapse half of a wall two zhang away.


    At this moment, three zhang away at the stair entrance, Zhao Sheng had already appeared there.


    Only when he saw the two looking his way did he speak, ¡°It is often said that if a deal cannot be made, at least let there be civility. I flatly refused, and you respond by resorting to violence. Such a quick temper is not good, Young Master. This will likely lead to severe suffering in the future. I leave these words here for you to verify one day.¡±


    Wang Hengxi stood up, his expression darkening, ¡°Wuying, if you dare to leave today. I guarantee you won¡¯t be able to get by in Chu State City.¡±


    Even though Wang Hengxi was not directly descended from the Grand Governor, and their blood relationship was distant, it didn¡¯t mean there weren¡¯t two ¡®Wang¡¯ characters written by the same brush.


    A distant bloodline did not prevent him from issuing a harsh threat to Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°Oh, I shall wait and see!¡±


    Before his words had ended, Zhao Sheng took a step forward, his figure disappearing instantaneously.


    Such a ghost-like disappearance instantly changed the expressions of both Wang Hengxi and his servant.


    ¡­


    Anle Square, Great Sun Temple.


    An ordinary-looking elderly man walked into the temple and respectfully offered incense to the divine statue.


    Once the incense stick was placed in the censer, a handsome little Taoist quietly approached the old man and whispered, ¡°Elder, our temple master requests your presence.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded lightly without surprise, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    The little Taoist led Zhao Sheng out of the temple. They passed through several courtyards before finally entering a quiet room.


    Upon entering the room, indeed, there was a short-bearded Daoist standing beside a square table.


    ¡°I am Song Zhuizi, welcome to our temple, please come in and take a seat!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s mouth curved into a smile, and he calmly said, ¡°Last time, I left without saying goodbye; I hope Daoist Song won¡¯t take it to heart.¡±


    As he spoke, he walked to the table and sat down very naturally.


    The short-bearded Daoist also sat down, his expression gradually becoming serious, then after pondering for a moment, he asked, ¡°May I know your esteemed name, sir? Last time¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand upon hearing this, ¡°Ah, last time was just a misunderstanding. My ancestors had significant connections with your sect. Without concealing the truth from Daoist Song, I should say that my family¡¯s ancestors probably came from the same world as you.¡±


    Oh?!


    The short-bearded Daoist¡¯s eyes brightened with interest and he eagerly followed up, ¡°If you are willing, I would like to hear more details!¡±


    Zhao Sheng laughed, ¡°These are all matters of the past; I have no intention of bringing them up again. I am here today for someone. May I ask Daoist Song, is Zhao Zhongque currently in the temple?¡±


    Upon hearing this, the short-bearded Daoist¡¯s complexion changed slightly, and he couldn¡¯t help but ask sternly, ¡°Who exactly are you?¡±


    Zhao Sheng replied calmly, ¡°I am a relative of Zhao Zhongque and learned he came to Diancang Province, so I came to see him. There is also something I need to remind him of.¡±


    Upon hearing these words, the short-bearded Daoist¡¯s clothes suddenly billowed nonstop, and he asked urgently, ¡°Taoist friend, your surname is also Zhao¡­ Could it be that your ancestors are from the Southern Sky Zhao Family?¡±


    ¡°Southern Sky Zhao Family?!¡± Mulling over these four words, Zhao Sheng had already thought of many things¡­


    ¡°Indeed! My ancestor was from the Qing branch, but the descendants have been scattered in the Otherworld for a thousand years. Since the Sheng generation, we have no longer named ourselves according to generational characters,¡± Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, his expression somewhat wistful.


    At this point, the short-bearded Daoist replied, ¡°Moral Performance, Qinghua, Immortal Cultivation is Valuable, Longevity! The Zhao Family¡¯s characters indeed end with the Sheng generation. However¡ª¡±


    As he spoke, the short-bearded Daoist slowly extended his right hand, and within his palm appeared a deep cyan bead that radiated a chilling aura.


    With a thought, a fierce wind suddenly arose in the quiet room, and hundreds of the crescent moon-like transparent Wind Blades quickly coalesced, their numerous sharp Sword Lights directed entirely at Zhao Sheng.


    ¡°However, how do you prove what you¡¯re saying is true? Even if all you say is true, what of it! There are incalculable descendants of the Southern Sky Zhao Family scattered in this world, amongst whom are traitors who have turned against their clan.


    I do not know where you come from, nor what your status is. But in consideration of the warning you gave last time, as long as you stay here peacefully for some time, I will not act against you.


    When you clarify the matter, if it is just a misunderstanding, I will certainly offer a grand apology to you. But if it turns out you are a spy from Black Dog, don¡¯t blame me for eradicating the betrayer for the Zhao Family.¡±


    Black Dog refers to the black-clad secret agents of the Heavenly Dao Sect, a group specializing in gathering intelligence on the Heavenly Rebel Alliance, Earth Mother Sect, and other rebellious factions. They have historically dealt multiple heavy blows to the Heavenly Rebel Alliance.


    Zhao Sheng looked forthright as he said lightly, ¡°If I were a spy from the Heavenly Dao Sect, this place would have been turned upside down long ago; how could I still be standing here unharmed?¡±


    ¡°You do have a point. However, the strategy of letting go of the long line to catch a big fish, or first deliberately gaining trust to cause greater damage later, I have seen several times in nearly two hundred years of my life. Can you prove your innocence?¡±


    ¡°Innocence? Haha, I, Zhao Beixuan, have lived my life without shame, and I need not explain myself to others!¡±


    Zhao Sheng chuckled coldly as he stood up from his seat, with both hands pressed onto the table, he said indifferently, ¡°Having chatted with you for so long, the person I have been waiting for should be back by now. I shall take my leave!¡±


    ¡°How dare you¡­¡±


    The short-bearded Daoist had barely uttered two words when his vision was suddenly obscured by a burst of bright red spirit flame.


    At that moment, a towering six-petalled Red Lotus bloomed beneath Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet. The seemingly delicate red lotus petals, shining with a crystalline layer, effortlessly blocked the multitude of Wind Blades assailing from the Breaking Void.

 Chapter 515: 338: Dragon-subduing Demon-suppressing Great True Monarch

    Chapter 515: Chapter 338: Dragon-subduing Demon-suppressing Great True Monarch


    The Red Lotus bloomed within the quiet room, its temperature soaring to extremes, yet the tables, chairs, and wooden planks inside the room remained unscathed.


    Karmic Fire belonged to one of the Heart Flame Soul Fires, which usually didn¡¯t rely on the power of flames to kill enemies, but often directly scorched the Divine Soul.


    The Fire Lotus disappeared in the blink of an eye, and with it, the figure of Zhao Sheng vanished as well.


    ¡°This is bad!¡± The short-bearded elder spotted this and his expression turned extremely ugly. He immediately rushed out of the room.


    Meanwhile, in an underground secret chamber of the Great Sun Temple, the ground suddenly sank, and a kindly-looking old man floated up through the hole and landed on the floor beside it.


    This person was Zhao Zhongque.


    He was a member of the Southern Sky Zhao Family at the Foundation Establishment Realm, whose strength and talent couldn¡¯t even rank within his clan.


    Years ago, in seeking even the slightest chance to advance to the Golden Core realm, Zhao Zhongque had risked infiltrating the Netherworld and joined the Heavenly Rebel Alliance as a spy.


    This infiltration had lasted for a century.


    Zhao Zhongque was now a hundred and ninety years old, seeing that his lifespan was nearing its end.


    His greatest wish was to return to his long-lost hometown before his death and, preferably, to be buried in his family¡¯s cemetery at Dragon Head Mountain after he passed away.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a pity¡­ that I¡¯ve missed the centennial gate. In this lifetime, I will no longer see the incredible beauty of Xinglong Origin.¡± Zhao Zhongque felt a touch of loss, and a faint sadness welled up in his heart.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    The secret chamber¡¯s door was suddenly knocked on, and Zhao Zhongque¡¯s gaze sharpened, filled with vigilance as he looked toward the door.


    ¡°Who is it?¡±


    No sooner had the questioning voice fallen than the door of the secret chamber silently opened, and an ordinary-looking elder walked in.


    ¡°Who are you? Quickly disclose your identity, or do not blame me for being ruthless when my sword strikes!¡±


    Upon seeing this person, Zhao Zhongque¡¯s expression grew even colder. With a flick of his right hand, a silver light suddenly flew into the air, transforming into a three-inch silver flying sword with sword energy flickering unstably at its tip, aimed at the elder¡¯s head.


    Zhao Sheng gave a slight smile, opened his palm, and slowly extended his hand. Instantly, a layer of blood light emerged from his palm.


    The blood light spread like flowing water and quickly enveloped the entire secret chamber, covering both Zhao Zhongque and Zhao Sheng.


    In an instant, a throb originated from deep within their bloodline emerged simultaneously in the hearts of both men.


    Sensing this, Zhao Zhongque¡¯s wariness decreased greatly, but he still retained some caution, and he couldn¡¯t help but probe, ¡°You¡­ you are also a descendant of the Zhao Family?! Which branch did your ancestors belong to?¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded and said loudly, ¡°Indeed! I am Zhao Beixuan, indeed a descendant of the Southern Sky Zhao Family. A thousand years ago, my branch of the family unfortunately fell into the Netherworld, destitute and drifting for nearly a millennium. Our relatives have long been scattered, and generations of my ancestors have been reduced to servitude. If it weren¡¯t for my having a Spirit Root and the coincidental opportunity to embark on the path of cultivation, I fear I would have already joined the dead in the Netherworld.¡±


    ¡°Taoist Zhao, your arrival is too sudden, I¡¯m completely unprepared. May I ask, have you come to acknowledge our ancestry and return to the clan?¡± Zhao Zhongque cautiously asked.


    Zhao Sheng stepped into the secret chamber, while shaking his head, ¡°That matter should come later. I am not here for that, but to give you a warning instead.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhongque felt a bit confused. He was about to ask more when he saw an Illusion True Talisman floating over from the opposite side.


    ¡°First, take a look at this,¡± said Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Zhongque beckoned with his hand, and the Illusion True Talisman obediently fell into his grasp. When Spiritual Power was infused into the talisman, a three-dimensional image immediately appeared in the secret chamber.


    In the image, Zhao Zhongque was conversing with a handsome and effeminate young man, and the facial features of both were vividly revealed, lifelike in every detail.


    Upon seeing this, Zhao Zhongque was shocked and exclaimed, ¡°This¡­ where did you get this footage from?¡±


    ¡°The source of the information, you¡ª¡±


    Zhao Sheng had spoken only a few words when he suddenly stopped, while Zhao Zhongque¡¯s eyes shifted, turning towards the door.


    Just then, a flash of cyan light appeared at the secret chamber¡¯s doorway, and the short-bearded elder suddenly materialized there.


    Upon seeing the situation inside the room, he heaved a sigh of relief and quickly asked Zhao Zhongque, ¡°Elder Zhao, I¡¯m relieved you¡¯re unharmed.¡±


    Within the Heavenly Rebel Alliance, Zhao Zhongque held a somewhat special status because he was from the Southern Sky Zhao Family. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Southern Sky Zhao Family was one of the top forces that supported the Heavenly Rebel Alliance¡¯s repeated reconstructions from behind the scenes.


    The short-bearded elder, who came from the Vast Sect, was naturally very aware of the Southern Sky Zhao Family¡¯s vast reputation and overwhelming power in the Tianzhu Realm.


    With others arriving, Zhao Sheng decided to cut to the chase and immediately told Zhao Zhongque, ¡°You¡¯ve been targeted by people from the Divine City Wang Family. Here is the information about the newcomers; take it and see for yourself.¡±


    With that, Zhao Sheng flicked his sleeve, and a Crystal Pearl the size of a thumb flew out, which Zhao Zhongque then caught.


    ¡°I shall come to find you later. With today¡¯s business concluded, I take my leave.¡±


    Having finished speaking, a blazing Fire Lotus surged from beneath his feet, enveloping Zhao Sheng¡¯s body and obscuring the vision of both men.


    Divine Light flashed in Zhao Zhongque¡¯s eyes, and his Foundation Establishment Divine Sense spread out from the center of his eyebrows, but the moment it encountered the fiery blaze, the Divine Sense was instantly extinguished.


    In an instant, the Fire Lotus dissipated, and the person was gone into the unknown.


    Shock appeared in Zhao Zhongque¡¯s eyes as he cried out, ¡°Karma Fire Red Lotus?! This man is actually a scoundrel from the Heavenly Dao Sect.¡±


    Though he said this, he still held some hope for the visitor.


    ¡°Exactly! I was just about to warn Elder Zhao, but unfortunately that scoundrel slipped away too quickly,¡± the short-bearded elder agreed immediately.


    Having said that, he continued, ¡°Elder Zhao, this hideout is no longer safe. Shall we relocate? Otherwise, if someone tracks us down, there will inevitably be dire casualties.¡±


    Zhao Zhongque pondered for a moment and nodded, ¡°You¡¯re right. Recently, the Alliance has had some important materials and important individuals that need to pass through Chu State City. To avoid accidents, this hideout can no longer be used. Following the Alliance¡¯s emergency contingency plan, we¡¯ll immediately switch to a backup hideout. The other personnel will evacuate in batches, secretly infiltrating the towns and counties below and waiting for the signal to reawaken.¡±

 Chapter 516: 338 Dragon-subduing Demon-suppressing Great True Monarch_2

    Chapter 516: Chapter 338 Dragon-subduing Demon-suppressing Great True Monarch_2


    ¡°Elder Zhao has arranged everything very well, I will go and handle it now.¡±


    As he spoke, the short-bearded Taoist transformed into a streak of green light and vanished into the underground secret passage in an instant.


    In the secret chamber, Zhao Zhongque remained silent, his Divine Sense probing into the Crystal Pearl, and in a flash, a series of images and several pieces of information flooded his mind.


    ¡­Wang Family¡­Li Jing is a spy from the Heavenly Observation Bureau, has signed a soul contract¡­method of communication¡­


    ¡­


    After reminding Zhao Zhongque, Zhao Sheng showed his face at Zhao Mansion and also took the opportunity to give some pointers to Zhao Hongyun.


    With his guidance as a Divinity Communication Martial Artist, Zhao Hongyun¡¯s martial arts progress soared rapidly. In just three years of training, his Inner Qi had already advanced significantly.


    If his body hadn¡¯t yet fully developed, his strength wouldn¡¯t be inferior to top-notch experts. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Over the years, with Zhao Sheng¡¯s secret protection, the families of Zhao Xing and Zhao Tai had flourished, and the business of Zhao Mansion had blossomed.


    A few years ago, the Wa Mu Gang, which he had casually founded, had also expanded its power steadily, attracting several street gangs and a large number of ruffians to surrender voluntarily, with its influence covering the entire Wa Mu Square and several surrounding streets.


    The leader of Wa Mu Gang and several protector elders were all Innate Martial Artists, and there were also two Qi Refining Middle Stage Loose Cultivators quietly stationed behind the scenes.


    Both Loose Cultivators had been subjugated by Zhao Sheng, who revealed just a hint of his Divine Sense before casually handing over two Foundation Establishment Dual Cultivation Techniques, winning their heartfelt allegiance.


    With the protection of Wa Mu Gang, the safety of Zhao Mansion didn¡¯t require his personal attention even if Zhao Sheng was not around.


    After making his appearance, Zhao Sheng ordered the servants to leave and retired to his bedroom to rest alone.


    Though he said he was resting, in reality, he had returned to the Divine Prison.


    That day, it was Zhao Sheng¡¯s turn to patrol the Sixteen-layered Prison and he was also assigned a cell block.


    The Prohibition Barrier split open, each layer of the prison doors opened in succession, and Zhao Sheng, clad in a suit of Black Armor and holding the Soul Beating Whip, stepped forward.


    Upon entering, the cell felt cramped, with a massive figure as colossal as a mammoth occupying most of the space.


    The prisoner¡¯s body was covered with dense golden hairs, his head was as large as a cooking pot, with a gaping mouth resembling a blood basin, a nose as swollen as a lion¡¯s, eyes as big as copper bells flashing fiercely, and his blond hair wild and unkempt, like a mighty lion, exuding an aura of fierce and untamed energy.


    Even confined to a death cell in the Divine Prison and pierced all over by soul-sucking nails, this being still emanated an air of indomitable defiance.


    ¡°Heh heh, finally someone is here. I¡¯ve been impatiently waiting. Come on, whip me a few times to scratch the itch, these damn nails have got my whole body aching.¡±


    Ignoring the prisoner¡¯s rambling, Zhao Sheng walked up, reached out, and pulled out one of the soul-sucking nails.


    ¡°Haha, that¡¯s the spirit! Take out a few more, let me loosen up a bit.¡±


    Zhao Sheng took out a porcelain bottle, extended the nail¡¯s head over the bottle, channeled Spiritual Power into the Magic Artifact, and a drop of brilliant, blood-colored Pearl formed rapidly on the tip, falling to the bottom of the bottle.


    Casually reinserting the soul-sucking nail into the prisoner¡¯s body, he removed another and applied the same technique.


    In short order, the bottle was filled with nearly half a bottle of lustrous marrow blood.


    During the blood extraction, the third-tier Divine Disciple resembling the Golden Lion King quickly went from bluster to cursing in agony, followed by screams of pain, until his breath grew faint and he was no longer as bold as before.


    Zhao Sheng retrieved the bottle of blood, and now several bottles of various elixir pills appeared in his hand.


    Without concerning himself with whether the prisoner was alive or dead, he forcibly stuffed several bottles of elixir pills into the prisoner¡¯s mouth, then pressed on several acupoints to force the prisoner to swallow them.


    ¡°Oof, when I get out of here, I¡¯ll tear you to shreds. Emperor Puxian, save me!¡±


    The prisoner¡¯s face twisted ferociously as he suddenly roared loudly, his body struggling with all his might, causing the chains around him to shake violently, bursting into blinding lightning.


    Sizzle!


    The smell of charred flesh quickly filled the cell, but the third-tier Divine Disciple nicknamed the Golden Lion King seemed oblivious, his massive frame thrashing wildly, creating gusts of air with his sheer physical power.


    ¡°Look at you, full of energy! Here, I¡¯ve got a new ¡®treatment¡¯ for you.¡± Zhao Sheng chuckled, then quickly formed spell hand gestures, and streams of spirit light flew out to penetrate the culprit¡¯s body.


    In an instant, the Golden Lion King¡¯s body stiffened, and he lost consciousness abruptly, followed by a bulge the size of a fist gradually rising on his forehead.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng halted his movements and took a black egg the size of a sesame seed from the Storage Space Seal.


    He made a cut on the raised lump, and fresh blood spurted out.


    With a flick of his finger, the black egg disappeared into the bulge through the cut.


    He then cast a Rejuvenation Technique to heal the wound.


    As this happened, the swelling visibly subsided, and in moments the prisoner¡¯s chest was back to normal, but his golden hair had turned white, and he looked much older.


    The black egg was an egg of the Ghost Gu, and there were more than this one. Zhao Sheng had directly bought an entire Ghost Gu Nest from an underground auction.


    Ghost Gu originated from ghostly creatures and was a peculiar species from the Netherworld. Once born, the body of the Gu lies in a state between reality and death, extremely secretive.


    Zhao Sheng planted the Ghost Gu inside the Golden Lion King because of a daring plan he had conceived.


    As for what the plan was exactly, everything had just begun, so let¡¯s not discuss it for now.


    He left the cell, closed the door behind him, and reactivated the Barrier.


    Holding the Blood Bottle, Zhao Sheng walked out of the prison level openly and handed over his earnings to Prison Captain Ren Zhong.


    The Sixteen-layered Prison had few prisoners, and each Prison Guard was in charge of only one convict, which was more than manageable, so the job was extremely relaxing.


    A shift change took four hours in total, and the prisoners couldn¡¯t be ¡°interrogated¡± every day. Therefore, most of the time, the guards of Avici Hell simply patrolled the prison corridors back and forth, which was exceedingly dull.

 Chapter 517: 338 Dragon-Subduing Demon-Suppressing Great True Monarch_3

    Chapter 517: Chapter 338 Dragon-Subduing Demon-Suppressing Great True Monarch_3


    At this time, the old prison guards usually had some privileges, allowing them to slack off on the sly.


    As long as it didn¡¯t affect their duties, the prison captains often turned a blind eye.


    Despite Zhao Sheng¡¯s relatively short service, his invincibility among the Qi Refining Realm prison guards, thanks to his fists, had earned him unique privileges reserved for the more experienced.


    In the Cultivation World, might had always commanded respect, and the Divine Prison was no exception!


    ¡­


    And so, another half a year passed by.


    With Zhao Sheng¡¯s reminder, Zhao Zhongque smoothly set a trap for Wang Hengxi, ruthlessly countering and killing a group of Wang Family cultivators, and even managed to capture Wang Hengxi alive.


    At the same time, Zhao Zhongque also secretly discovered Li Jing¡¯s blunder, but he didn¡¯t immediately act to capture him. Instead, he bided his time and let out some information that was a mix of truth and falsehood through Li Jing.


    Zhao Sheng, who was observing the turn of events from the shadows, approved of all this inwardly after witnessing it.


    Judging by the efficiency and meticulousness with which Zhao Zhongque handled things, as well as his cultivation at the late stage of Foundation Establishment,


    it was clear that the Xinglong Zhao family was teeming with talent, with their overall strength skyrocketing. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have sent a Foundation Establishment late-stage clan member to carry out such dangerous tasks.


    Sure enough, during a secret meeting half a month later, Zhao Sheng also learned many key pieces of information from Zhao Zhongque, which covered the great war between the realms and the Southern Sky Zhao family, though most of it was discussed in broad terms.


    Even so, this was enough to delight Zhao Sheng.


    The reason why the Xinglong origin Zhao family was praised as the ¡°Southern Sky Zhao family¡± after a thousand years was largely due to the emergence of an extraordinary figure from the clan.


    Zhao Sheng hadn¡¯t expected Zhao Xuanjing to actually reach such heights today,


    the Dragon-subduing Demon-suppressing Great True Monarch!


    This was the reputation unanimously bestowed upon Zhao Xuanjing by all his fellow Daoists in the Tianzhu Realm after he broke through the heavenly barrier and successfully advanced to the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    With a Divinity Transformation Realm ancient ancestor presiding over the Xinglong origin, it was natural that the Zhao family¡¯s development was rapid, and their expansion swift, without any need for elaboration.


    Over more than a thousand years, the Xinglong origin Zhao family rapidly expanded from a second-rate power into a true behemoth, overpowering the Southern Border Dan Ding Sect and the Beast Taming Sect, with their influence extending far beyond the Southern Border. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As a result of the ancestral instruction left by the ancient ancestor to branch out and spread, the Zhao clan continually split off into collateral branches. After a millennium of migration, Zhao clan members were spread throughout the Tianzhu Realm¡¯s Five Continents and Four Seas, numbering in the hundreds of millions.


    Zhao Zhongque only spoke of the publicly known information, not mentioning even a word about the Zhao family¡¯s internal specifics such as how many Nascent Soul ancestors they had, or the numbers of Golden Core and Foundation Establishment clan members.


    Zhao Sheng naturally knew that the other party still had doubts about him, which boiled down to a lack of trust.


    However, Zhao Sheng was not only not angry, but he also appreciated Zhao Zhongque all the more.


    When asked about when the great war between the realms would end, Zhao Zhongque candidly replied, ¡°Officially, the great war between the realms ended one thousand two hundred and twenty-three years ago. However, in reality, while large-scale warfare has ceased, small-scale covert infiltration wars are ongoing and have continued unabated from a thousand years ago to this day.¡±


    Zhao Sheng had already had a premonition about this and was not surprised. He quickly asked again, ¡°Then¡­ the outcome of the great war between the realms, could it be that the Tianzhu Realm lost? Otherwise, how could the Heavenly Rebel Alliance have so many disciples from the major sects?¡±


    Zhao Zhongque shook his head, his tone grave as he said, ¡°The war ultimately did not yield a clear victor. While the time-space rift in the Heavenly Burial Plain was resealed by our realm, the reality is¡ª¡±


    He suddenly stopped speaking at this point.


    ¡°But what?¡± Zhao Sheng immediately asked, seeing this.


    Zhao Zhongque hesitated, then suddenly asked, ¡°Taoist Zhao, do you believe that there are true deities in this world?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Zhao Sheng was momentarily left speechless.

 Chapter 518: 339 Star Gate

    Chapter 518: Chapter 339 Star Gate


    Zhao Sheng reflected for a moment before he countered with a question, ¡°Then do you believe that True Immortals exist in the Universe World?¡±


    Without hesitation, Zhao Zhongque answered, ¡°Of course True Immortals exist, and the Immortal Realm is indeed as real as it gets.¡±


    ¡°Since that is the case, so it is with divine beings. True Gods and True Immortals both possess immense divine skills and boundless mana. For us Cultivators, what difference is there between these two?¡±


    Having said this, Zhao Sheng seemed lost in thought before asking again, ¡°Taoist, your question is quite peculiar. Could it be¡­ that this ¡®divine being¡¯ is greatly related to the warfare between the two realms?¡±


    ¡°Mr. Xuan, you truly have a keen mind. Indeed, the hasty conclusion of that war years ago was indeed related to a newborn divine being. In the Tianzhu Realm, there¡¯s an ocean called the Shattered Star Sea, within the Shattered Star Sea¡­¡±


    Upon hearing Zhao Zhongque mention the Shattered Star Sea, Zhao Sheng instantly had an epiphany. Piecing together the multitude of information he had heard in his past life, he knew that the outcome of the war was indelibly linked to the Star God.


    Although Zhao Zhongque¡¯s explanations were vague, the brief explanations of just over a hundred sentences allowed Zhao Sheng to discern some of the behind-the-scenes truths about the warfare between the two realms a thousand years ago.


    Back then, during the battle at the Golden Wall of the Heavenly Burial Plain, the forces of the Netherworld Ghost Realm, mainly driven by the Heavenly Dao Sect and the Black Sky Sect, were repeatedly blocked by the Sect Alliance at one side of the Time-Space Rift, unable to secure a solid victory.


    After a year of warfare, the Time-Space Rift was resealed by the Great Sealing Array.


    The Sect Alliance thought they had won a complete victory, but a few years later, shocking and terrible news suddenly came from the direction of the Shattered Star Sea.


    Though Zhao Zhongque did not mention the specifics, he only spoke of how the three great Overlord-level powers of the Shattered Star Sea had colluded with the Blood Demon Sect, the Seven Mysterious Sect, and other Demon Path forces to deliberately lure the Star God into becoming a Fallen Demon.


    With a Blood God¡¯s Son as a sacrifice and using the authority of the Star God in administering the Heavenly Dao, they were actually successful in tearing open a Space-time Vortex near Star God Island, with the other end of the Vortex leading directly to the seas near Wuzhou in the Netherworld.


    The Star God Palace was caught off guard that year, and the entire Star God Island was torn to shreds by the power of space-time, with a million cultivators perishing with it. As a result, the Cultivation World of the Shattered Star Sea was greatly weakened and unable to resist the assaults from both the Sea Demons and the Netherworld Ghost Realm.


    Thus, within a short span of twenty-odd years, the Shattered Star Sea was plunged into utter misery. The vast majority of spirit islands were conquered, and countless members of the Human Clan were captured and taken to the Netherworld, where they became slaves.


    As for the Cultivators with a Spirit Root, if they willingly surrendered, it was one thing; but if they refused to submit, at best they were used as breeding machines, at worst they were skinned and deboned to be processed into zombie ghost creatures, reduced to cannon fodder for the armies.


    Zhao Zhongque did not discuss the tragic condition of the Human Clan in the Shattered Star Sea at the time, but Zhao Sheng could still sense from his words just how¡­ bloody and tragic it was.


    Due to the Shattered Star Sea being billions of miles away across a great ocean from other continents, the support forces from other continents could by no means arrive at the battlefield in time.


    Even if a small number of Nascent Soul and even Divinity Transformation Level high-rank combatants did make it there, they would be mere drops in the bucket, even recklessly throwing their lives away, unable to change the overall tide of the war.


    Having been reincarnated for many years, Zhao Sheng knew full well that the overall power of the Netherworld should still be above the Tianzhu Realm.


    Therefore, he was extremely curious about how the Tianzhu Realm had managed to turn the tide and even cause the sinking of Wuzhou¡¯s land after losing a tenth of its territory at the time?


    From Zhao Zhongque¡¯s implications, ever since the end of the great war to the present day, the Tianzhu Realm and the Netherworld had been continually engaged in a covert war, with incessant infiltration on both sides never stopping.


    The Heavenly Rebel Alliance was the best proof of this.


    However, what Zhao Sheng was curious about was how, such as Zhao Zhongque and other undercover agents, had managed to secretly travel to this realm?


    So many years had passed, and he had always wanted to return to the Tianzhu Realm to see how many of his old acquaintances were still alive.


    ¡°Back then¡­ with the situation so dire and the Tianzhu Realm hanging by a thread, how did the Divinity Transformation True Monarchs and Nascent Soul Ancestors manage to pull back from the brink?¡±


    Faced with Zhao Beixuan¡¯s curious gaze, Zhao Zhongque smiled smugly and suddenly said, ¡°Mr. Xuan, you¡¯ve hit the nail on the head. Were it someone else, I wouldn¡¯t say a word. At the time, the Netherworld suffered a huge defeat, escaping back to their realm in a pitiful state. The defeat was so devastating that they had no face to speak of it. To preserve their dignity, the Heavenly Dao Sect has already omitted most of that history. Apart from a very few individuals, the vast majority of Cultivators in both realms are unaware of the details.¡±


    ¡°From what you¡¯re saying, you know?¡±


    ¡°I know a bit.¡±


    ¡°I would like to hear the details.¡±


    ¡°I am from the Southern Sky Zhao Family, and Mr. Xuan, you and I vowed to the same ancestor a thousand years ago. You must know that with Divinity Transformation True Monarchs of our clan in position, the many secrets of the Tianzhu Realm could never escape our family¡¯s notice. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When talking about the pivotal turning point of the great war between the two realms, it¡¯s impossible not to mention a few key individuals. The Star God is naturally one of the main characters, followed by the Star God Palace, an Overlord-level power of the Shattered Star Sea at the time, as well as Ying Zhao and Huori, the two Divinity Transformation Palace Masters at that time.


    Mr. Xuan, you could never guess that this involves a great hidden secret from tens of thousands of years ago.¡±


    At this point, Zhao Zhongque suddenly stopped, lifting his head to observe Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression.


    However, little did he know, the person before him knew far more about the matter at hand.


    After all, this was the man who had once directly faced the Star God.


    Through Zhao Zhongque¡¯s vague and sketchy words, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind was already swept up in a storm of memories, and he swiftly pieced together most of the ¡°true¡± picture.


    The incubating Sea God¡­ the Heaven and Earth Law Net¡­ raising¡­ the Star God Palace¡­ the Great Abilities of the Upper Realm¡­ the great cross-realm warfare between life forms tens of thousands of years ago¡­


    The more Zhao Sheng thought, the clearer it became, with a gleam of divine light gradually shining in his eyes.


    Seeing this, Zhao Zhongque was somewhat confused, as his original intention was to lure the other party in with a secret to pique their interest and make them comply willingly.

 Chapter 519: 339 Star Gate_2

    Chapter 519: Chapter 339 Star Gate_2


    Who knew¡­ this person suddenly seemed like he had bridged heaven and earth, with eyes frighteningly bright.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng remain silent, Zhao Zhongque could not help himself and tested, ¡°Mr. Xuan, don¡¯t you want to know how my side turned defeat into victory?¡±


    ¡°Of course, I am very interested in knowing, please do not hesitate to enlighten Taoist Zhao,¡± Zhao Sheng came to his senses and immediately responded.


    Zhao Zhongque¡¯s heart relaxed a bit, and he said with a slight reserve, ¡°The truth behind this involves major secrets of our world, which are truly inconvenient to share with outsiders.


    Unless¡­ Mr. Xuan chooses to join the Heavenly Rebel Alliance and prove himself not to be a follower of the Heavenly Dao Sect. After all, the Karma Fire Red Lotus is one of the signature Spiritual Fires of the Heavenly Daoists. If it weren¡¯t for Mr. Xuan bearing the Zhao Family bloodline, I would not have taken the risk to meet today, let alone disclosed so many secrets.¡±


    With these words, Zhao Zhongque¡¯s intentions were blatantly revealed.


    Zhao Sheng listened silently.


    For him, joining the Heavenly Rebel Alliance was not important. It was just that he had multiple aliases and positions, which made him feel somewhat overstretched.


    Prison Guard, Mr. Zhao, Wind Carrier Shadowless, Gu Family¡¯s Minister, Zhao Beixuan.


    He already held two professions, that of Prison Guard and Guest Elder. If he were to join the Heavenly Rebel Alliance, it would be like adding another layer of constraints.


    It seemed¡­ it was time to let Wuying disappear for a while.


    Zhao Sheng thought this to himself, but verbally he said, ¡°Concerning joining your alliance, I need to consider it for some time, as I am not a lone individual and have many considerations to uphold.¡±


    Zhao Zhongque saw that the other party did not outright refuse and was overjoyed, for the addition of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was indeed a rarity for the Heavenly Rebel Alliance.


    ¡°Haha! Mr. Xuan, take your time to think. The door to the Heavenly Rebel Alliance is always open for Mr. Xuan.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face showed a hint of a smile, ¡°Thank you, Taoist Zhao, for understanding my difficulties.¡±


    ¡°Not at all, I was too abrupt earlier. I haven¡¯t even thanked Mr. Xuan for a prior matter. Thanks to your reminder, we avoided another substantial loss. The high-level members of our alliance have decided to reward you, and the reward will soon arrive at Chu State City.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s interest was piqued and he smiled, ¡°At my age, such material things are already useless. However, I do have an old desire to visit the ancestral lands of Xinglong Origin before I die, to pay homage to my ancestors, and fulfill an unachieved wish of my clan.¡±


    ¡°This¡­¡± Zhao Zhongque¡¯s tone faltered.


    Seeing the hopeful look of the other party, he hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°I won¡¯t hide it from Mr. Xuan, the Star Gate opens once every hundred years. It¡¯s been less than five years since it last opened, so it will be nearly a hundred years before it opens again. If Mr. Xuan can wait a hundred years, I am sure I can secure you a passage across the realm.¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but become lost in thought, ¡°Star Gate? Opens every hundred years¡­ intriguing!¡±


    ¡°Alas, it seems I won¡¯t live to see that day.¡±


    After sighing, Zhao Sheng casually asked, ¡°Is the Star Gate located in Wuzhou?¡±


    ¡°Eh, how¡­ how do you know that?¡± Zhao Zhongque was shocked upon hearing this.


    The location of the Star Gate, although not the utmost secret, was not something ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators would know.


    The East Gu Divine Continent was dominated by the Heavenly Dao Sect, not only was there a rigid hierarchy, but there was also an excessive monopoly on knowledge, leaving the cultivators in the lower provinces and outer continents largely ignorant ¨C it wouldn¡¯t be an exaggeration to say that their view of the world was like looking at the sky from the bottom of a well.


    The name Wuzhou had long been buried in the annals of history and was seldom known.


    The fact that Zhao Beixuan casually mentioned that the Star Gate was in Wuzhou completely exceeded Zhao Zhongque¡¯s expectations.


    He couldn¡¯t help but elevate his opinion of Zhao Sheng once more, and when he observed this person again, a profound and unfathomable feeling suddenly arose within him.


    ¡­


    Moments later, the two parted ways.


    Zhao Sheng took a step and his figure abruptly disappeared.


    Zhao Zhongque jumped in fright, his Divine Sense instantly swept around a hundred yards, but nothing unusual happened.


    In that instant, amidst his shock, his eyes blazed with fervent light. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Zhongque did not suddenly think of space-time skills like instantaneous movement or Phase Shifting. He had no idea that Zhao Sheng possessed an Innate Divine Ability such as ¡°Phase Shifting,¡± but was very interested in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mystical means of appearing and disappearing without a trace.


    If the people of Heavenly Rebel Alliance could learn this technique, their ability to hide and escape would surely improve significantly.


    Simply put, he was enviously eying this capability.


    Zhao Sheng did not realize that Zhao Zhongque was scheming against him. If he had known, he would merely say: Son, you are overthinking it; nobody can learn this technique from me.


    In a Cultivation Room of Avici Hell, the tenth layer of Divine Prison, a flicker of light and shadow passed, and Zhao Sheng reappeared there.


    He formed an intent in his mind, his Divine Sense probing into the Gathering Spirit Array beneath his feet, then his right hand swiftly executed spiritual formulas, casting several beams of spirit light into the surrounding walls.


    Hum!


    The Gathering Spirit Array slowly ceased its operation, and the Barrier enveloping the stone room dissipated alongside it.


    Zhao Sheng exited the stone room, walking along the dark corridor, covering two to three li and turning seven or eight corners, arriving at the cafeteria on the tenth level.


    The canteen was spacious, with most tables empty except for four or five Black Armor Prison Guards who were voraciously eating, each table laden with a big basin of bright red demon beast meat and not lacking bottles of Hundred-year-old Primordial Yang Wine.


    The Divine Prison was bitterly cold, and without Primordial Yang Wine to expel the cold and the evil spirits, an ordinary Qi Refining Monk couldn¡¯t survive past ten years.


    Zhao Sheng glanced around and strode over to sit at a table.


    The giant Wei Chong at the next table lifted his eyelids to look at him, then continued to lower his head and eat and drink heartily.


    But at that moment, a voice as slender as a mosquito¡¯s reached Zhao Sheng¡¯s ear: ¡°The joint has been cleared; wait for my message in about twenty days.¡±


    ¡°Congratulations, Wei Head, on your early departure from the bitter sea!¡± Zhao Sheng, appearing stoic, secretly sent a message back.


    ¡°Mhm, I will remember your contribution when my wish is fulfilled. But once this is done, our ties of cause and effect are severed, with no further involvement. Also, a word of advice¡ªdon¡¯t try any tricks in front of me, or I¡¯ll smash your head with one punch.¡±


    ¡°Understood, rest assured, Wei Head,¡± Zhao Sheng immediately sent the message back.


    ¡­


    In the blink of an eye, more than twenty days had passed.


    That day, after Zhao Sheng had patrolled the twelve-layer prison, he had just returned to the Armor Changing Room when he saw the towering Wei Chong, clad in heavy Black Armor, striding towards him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t speak, follow me!¡±


    After dropping these cold words, Wei Chong turned and walked away, and Zhao Sheng silently followed.


    The thirteenth layer,


    The fourteenth layer,


    ¡­


    The sixteenth layer.


    The two of them walked all the way down, and surprisingly, not a single Prison Guard was visible on the road; clearly, this was Wei Chong¡¯s handiwork.


    This was to be expected, given that he was the most senior and powerful Class A Prison Guard.


    At the end of the Sixteen-layered Prison, the two stopped before a black barrier.


    The barrier was dark and deep like a black hole, seemingly swallowing any light and leaving the scenes behind it invisible.


    Wei Chong took out a Hexagram Token, injected several spiritual formulas into it, and recited a spell.


    Moments later, as the token emitted a black light beam into the barrier, a small crack slowly formed.


    Behind the barrier, along the passageway, stood four formidable Black Golden Armored Puppets, each exuding an astonishing pressure and fierce murderous intent.


    Upon seeing these high-level Puppets, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart jolted in shock.


    These were no ordinary high-level Puppets; each of their insides hid a Golden Armored Corpse, combined with the quality of Black Golden Armor, and supported by numerous attack and defense restrictions and formations.


    Each Black Golden Puppet could rival a Golden Core Middle Late Stage Expert.


    It was astonishing that the Prison God Temple would waste such impressive high-level combat forces on mere prisoner surveillance.


    ¡°Move quickly!¡±


    After urging him, Wei Chong stepped through the barrier, and Zhao Sheng closely followed.


    Hum!


    As they passed, the black barrier immediately closed, and the helmets of the four Black Golden Armored Puppets lit up with eight flickers of blood-red fire, solemn and merciless.


    In that instant, Zhao Sheng¡¯s skin crawled, and his heart pounded as if it was about to be torn apart by the puppets.


    ¡°Ignore them, just keep following me and make sure you don¡¯t make a single misstep, otherwise¡­ heh heh!¡±


    With Wei Chong¡¯s reminder, Zhao Sheng precisely followed his footsteps without missing a beat.


    After crossing about a dozen steps, Zhao Sheng looked around and saw a thick layer of Evil Ice formed from dense malevolent energy filling every corner. Numerous sinister shadows whispered in the corners of the passage, and malicious gazes seemed to be directed at him from all directions.


    However, these mere illusory shadows couldn¡¯t shake Zhao Sheng¡¯s resolve in the slightest.


    This took Wei Chong by surprise, as he had intended to use the special environment to make Zhao Sheng reconsider his decision.


    Seeing Zhao Sheng¡¯s indifferent reaction, Wei Chong steadied his mind and led him to the door of the first cell.


    Even in the Seventeen-layered Divine Prison, the cells were similarly structured with two layers of doors, but the material changed from Thousand-year Cold Iron to Spirit Extinguishing Iron, which isolated spiritual power and Divine Sense detection.

 Chapter 520: 340: To Surrender or Not to Surrender?

    Chapter 520: Chapter 340: To Surrender or Not to Surrender?


    Bang bang! S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cell door was successively opened, and the Prohibition was temporarily suppressed.


    Zhao Sheng finally got to see the first super criminal.


    This person turned out to be a white-clad woman with a beautiful face, her head bowed and her hair scattered so her eyes couldn¡¯t be seen. Although she was in prison, her clothes were still spotless, and she radiated a sacred light, like a transcendent lotus blooming untainted amidst filth.


    Zhao Sheng wanted to take a closer look but was abruptly pulled by the arm by Wei Chong and dragged out of the cell roughly.


    He didn¡¯t resist, allowing the other person to pull him outside.


    Just before leaving the cell, a drop of blood silently fell to the ground.


    ¡°Finished looking? Then hurry and go! To the next one.¡±


    The cell door slowly closed, and as the last sliver of a gap was sealed, the white-clad woman with hair draped over her shoulders suddenly raised her head. A cold and detached gaze filtered through her hair, looking towards the door, eventually settling on an inconspicuous spot on the ground beneath the door.


    After leaving the cell, Zhao Sheng followed Wei Chong past three more cell doors without stopping a step.


    The seventeen-layered Prison was silent and quiet, the atmosphere heavy and gloomy, incomparable to the ¡°bustle¡± of the upper levels of the Divine Prison.


    But¡­ with each cell Zhao Sheng passed, he sensed a faintly dangerous aura emanating from within, as if extremely dangerous ghosts and demons were imprisoned inside.


    As a former Nascent Soul Ancestor, he knew this was not an illusion.


    Over thousands of years, the Divine Prison had imprisoned countless Evil Gods and titans, and many heavy criminals had also died here. The accumulated fiendish, ghostly, and demonic aura in the cells over the years had not dissipated, gradually creating several ¡°ominous places¡± artificially.


    There were plenty of methods the high-ups of the Prison God Temple could use to purify these ¡°ominous places,¡± yet they turned a blind eye, letting things take their course.


    The sinister intentions behind this were all too apparent.


    After walking another thirty to forty steps, Wei Chong suddenly stopped in front of a silver-white cell door, seemingly intent on opening it.


    Before long, the double doors of the cell were opened one by one, and they stepped inside.


    Woo woo!


    Entering the cell, they heard a series of woeful ghost wails echoing through the air, and in the depths of the cell stood a huge black Iron Coffin, both longer and wider than a typical coffin by more than double. The coffin¡¯s surface was covered in red as fire iron chains, engraved with countless talismans that sealed demons and subdued ghosts.


    At that moment, around the coffin, ghost fires flickered and danced, while in the dark corners beneath, shapes of Lonely Ghosts cowered, emitting sounds of ghostly wails and sorrowful cries.


    ¡°Head Wei, what kind of ancient corpse is imprisoned in this iron coffin that it could attract so many Lonely Ghosts? Moreover, the Prohibition here seems to have no reaction at all.¡±


    ¡°The more you know, the faster you die! Hurry up and leave; this place is no place to linger.¡±


    Having said that, Wei Chong pushed Zhao Sheng out the door and quickly closed the cell door again.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze inadvertently swept over the Divine Control Map on the ceiling, causing his pupils to contract slightly.


    Even though it was just a fleeting glance, it was enough.


    The Divine Guardian, which was originally depicted with three heads and a thousand arms, looking sacred and dignified, now appeared somewhat twisted and eerie. Both heads, one representing good and the other evil, had their eyes wide open, and the pupils within were pitch black.


    ¡­


    The next prisoner was relatively normal, merely of a higher realm, barely qualifying as a False Core Realm Main Priest, rumored to have been locked up in the Divine Prison for spreading the faith of an Evil God.


    After that, Zhao Sheng followed Wei Chong on a brief tour, seeing all the prisoners on both the seventeen and eighteen layers in one breath.


    Afterward, Zhao Sheng felt somewhat surprised; he hadn¡¯t expected the prisoners on the bottom two layers to be so few.


    All together, there were only about twelve or thirteen of them, but their strengths were decent, at least above the level of the Golden Core Realm.


    Apart from that Iron Coffin and a red Big Cauldron, the rest were living beings, but there were only six pure members of the Human Clan. The others were Half-human Demons possessed by Demon Souls, ¡°Stone Monsters¡± enlightened by Divine Spirits, a millennium-old ghost, Societal Ghost (self-proclaimed Societal God), and a Fifth-Order Hedgehog that spoke human language.


    An hour later, Wei Chong led Zhao Sheng out of the black light curtain.


    Seeing the light curtain close again and the Golden Puppet disappearing from their sight, Wei Chong breathed a sigh of relief.


    Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly without any incidents.


    ¡°Ninth, I¡¯ve kept my promise, and our account is now settled. I don¡¯t care what kind of sinister schemes you¡¯re cooking up behind the scenes, but it¡¯s best not to involve me.¡±


    ¡°Head Wei, you might be overthinking it. I¡¯m merely fulfilling someone else¡¯s trust, checking if a certain criminal is still alive. Now I¡¯ve got my answer, and I can give a reply,¡± Zhao Sheng offered the excuse he had prepared in advance.


    ¡°That¡¯s for the best! That¡¯s for the best!¡± said Wei Chong, his expression relaxing upon hearing those words.


    Becoming Prison Guards with no prospects, no hope, and in constant danger and yet expected to remain honest and incorruptible was laughable.


    Therefore, gaining some extra benefits during tenure was an ¡°open¡± secret in the Divine Prison.


    Wei Chong hadn¡¯t been exempt from performing tasks for others over the years, so he didn¡¯t suspect Zhao Sheng¡¯s excuse too much.


    Even if something went wrong later on, it wouldn¡¯t matter. By that time, he would have already moved to another position and severed all ties with the Divine Prison.


    ¡­


    Three days later, Wei Chong was smoothly transferred, taking up the post of a military governor in a local jurisdiction, and needless to say, the perks within the military spoke for themselves to those who understood.


    During this time, many Prison Guards had died, so soon a batch of new recruits took their place. Zhao Sheng also moved up a few ranks, becoming an old-timer in the Divine Prison.

 Chapter 521: 340: To Surrender or Not to Surrender?_2

    Chapter 521: Chapter 340: To Surrender or Not to Surrender?_2


    It¡¯s worth mentioning that Wei Chong¡¯s successful promotion and wealth had unsettled another Class A Prison Guard.


    No one knew whose strings he pulled, but merely half a month later, he was also suddenly reassigned out of the Divine Prison.


    The departure of two major prison guards suddenly put Prison Captain Ren Zhong in a tough spot.


    The seventeenth and eighteenth prison levels could not go unpatrolled, yet those below Class A were not eligible, and it surely couldn¡¯t fall to the esteemed Prison Captain to patrol personally.


    Ren Zhong knew that his sudden promotion to Prison Captain had blocked many people¡¯s paths in the temple, and they were seizing this opportunity to give him a hard time.


    However, he was not one to be trifled with since he could replace Xiao Moluo as Prison Captain, he naturally had strong support behind him.


    Thus, on the morning of the third day, Ren Zhong arrived back at the prison with three imposing newcomers.


    In the presence of nearly two hundred prison guards, Ren Zhong openly read the appointments, adding three Class A Guards at once, which immediately sparked a flurry of whispers among the guards.


    Zhao Sheng, inconspicuous in the crowd, had a twinkle in his eye.


    Because among the three ¡°newcomers,¡± he recognized a familiar face.


    It was a senior with a firm facial structure and a full head of white hair, a scorpion tattoo on his neck, and hands as pale and smooth as jade, emitting a faint jade light.


    This man had once appeared at a Heavenly Rebel Alliance outpost in the Great Sun Temple, and the person who received him was none other than Zhao Zhongque.


    This person¡­ was a member of the Heavenly Rebel Alliance!


    After taking a glance at the senior, Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze shifted elsewhere, but his mind was busy wondering which prisoner in the Divine Prison was worth such a grand scheme by the Heavenly Rebel Alliance.


    ¡­


    Pop pop!


    In the Cultivation Room, red and black clouds of fire entwined endlessly, bursts of tiny crisp popping sounds filled the air as if bubbles were bursting.


    Zhao Sheng was seated cross-legged in the Spirit Gathering Array, his Karmic Fire burning fiercely all around him fast refining the gloomy evil spirits flooding in from all directions into streams of dark red special Spiritual Power into his Core Energy Sea.


    Blessed with the experiences of several lifetimes, Zhao Sheng¡¯s path in cultivation was both quick and steady.


    Having reached the Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer just under a decade, he would advance to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment in a few years.


    The Red Lotus Karma Fire Scripture, one of the five major True Scriptures of the Heavenly Dao Sect, not only provided profound insights directly linking to Divinity Transformation but also spared the cultivator countless efforts.


    Normally, a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator needs to overcome the transformation of Spiritual Power quality to advance to the Late Stage.


    But Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t need to, as long as the Karmic Fire kept refining the yin-evil spirits, the quality of his Spiritual Fire would naturally improve.


    When the six petals of the Red Lotus evolved into nine, the Spiritual Power within Zhao Sheng would also undergo a transformation.


    Now, he was about to face this minor hurdle.


    Because he had perused the experience notebooks of many predecessors in Zhenlang Pavilion, Zhao Sheng was well aware of how to break through this hurdle quickly and safely.


    Karmic Fire Purges Evil!


    Refining a profoundly sinful old ghost was undoubtedly the quickest and best choice.


    ¡­


    Time flew by as Zhao Sheng immersed himself in arduous cultivation. Before he knew it, it was time to go out for fresh air.


    That day, while Zhao Sheng was eating meat and drinking wine in the cafeteria, Leng Sha came over with a skinny middle-aged prison guard, all smiles as he sat down next to him. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hey, big brother! Where shall we go for some fun later?¡± Leng Sha and Zhao Sheng shared a room and had the closest relationship, so he asked directly without any reservation.


    Zhao Sheng swallowed his drink, looked up at the two, and replied, ¡°Old Sha, are you trying to borrow Spirit Stones again? Tell me, how much? Anything over a hundred is a no-go, and interest will be charged separately.¡±


    Leng Sha¡¯s smile stiffened, and he immediately defended himself with a sense of grievance, ¡°My dear boss! I was inviting you out for a good time, to drink and flirt. Hard to believe you¡¯re not grateful. I don¡¯t have Spirit Stones, but Xiao Liu does! Today, it¡¯s his treat.¡±


    The middle-aged prison guard known as Xiao Liu quickly agreed with a nod and a laugh, ¡°Yes, yes, my treat! Before I came here, I had heard that Boss Bao is kind and generous, as honorable as the skies. So I hope Boss Bao can grant me the honor of visiting the Flying Immortal Boat to enjoy wine and appreciate beauties. It would help us get closer too.¡±


    This person was new and seemed to be looking for a protector.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t think much about it and agreed with a nod.


    As a young and vigorous prison guard, he needed to blend well with the other guards.


    The Divine Prison was a dangerous place, and with the guards under considerable pressure all year round, going to a brothel to drink and unwind was undoubtedly the best way to relieve stress during their outings.


    Half a day later, the highest gate of the Divine Prison burst open, and figures sporting flowing garments dashed out, each showing their skills, either flying with magic tools or leaping through the air, speeding towards Chu State City.


    By then, Zhao Sheng was being escorted out of the Divine Prison surrounded by a group of people. Everyone else laughed and bid him farewell as they scattered, leaving only Leng Sha and the Liu-surnamed prison guard at the scene.


    Shortly after, a low-key luxurious talismanic vehicle pulled by two golden plumed giant eagles soared into the sky, circled half-round, and headed towards Yueshen Lake.


    The Flying Immortal Boat was a well-known Red Pavilion in Chu State City, with boat fairies each more beautiful than the last, all talented and graceful.


    The Flying Immortal Boat specialized in high-end business, and one needed an invitation to board. Guests included high-ranking officials, rich merchants, and even nobles, occasionally graced by high-standing Cultivators giving guidance.


    That day, the entire Flying Immortal Boat was booked by three ¡°bosses,¡± one of whom spent seventy to eighty Spirit Stones in a single move.


    The ship owner, experienced and knowledgeable, immediately realized the visitors must be of significant status, likely high-standing ¡°Cultivators.¡±


    Thus, each fairy on the boat took great care in their appearance and went to great lengths to win the favor of the three guests.

 Chapter 522: 340: To Surrender or Not to Surrender?_3

    Chapter 522: Chapter 340: To Surrender or Not to Surrender?_3


    For a moment, all that met the eyes was the sheer whiteness of gauze and jade, the enchanting sweat and alluring sounds, the music of strings and flutes, the warmth of soft jade.


    Beautiful ladies and fine wine, gradually leading to a wondrous realm!


    Leng Sha and his companion abandoned themselves to debauchery, souls ready to intertwine, already lost among the beautiful bustling figures.


    However, Zhao Sheng sat alone, quietly savoring the fine wine and dishes. Whenever a fairy tried to approach him, she was repelled by an invisible, fierce aura.


    Zhao Sheng was no philanderer; in the presence of beauties, he remained unaffected.


    But¡­this bunch of gaudily dressed women couldn¡¯t possibly stir his mortal heart.


    Zhao Sheng had cultivated the Heavenly Human Four Phase Divine Skill and had mastered spiritual smell, Divine Eyes, and other Five Senses Divine Abilities.


    Despite being far away, the scent of makeup, body odor, and every facial flaw and wrinkle on the women of the Mortal World appeared vividly before him.


    How could he bring himself to desire them! S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Liu-surnamed prison guard saw Zhao Sheng remain unswayed and signaled the ship owner with a glance.


    The ship owner nodded knowingly and with a gentle clap of his hands, the fairies silently withdrew, and the music of the strings slowly faded.


    ¡°Eh, why has it stopped? Keep dancing, keep playing!¡± Leng Sha, befuddled from drink, noticed the quieting surroundings and loudly voiced his discontent.


    Ding-a-ling-a-ling!


    Just then, a crisp ring of a bell suddenly emanated from the entrance; a faint mist began to rise within the boat.


    Zhao Sheng abruptly straightened up, his eyes sparkling fiercely.


    Suddenly,


    A plaintive, wailing chant arose, and the mist swiftly thickened in rhythm with the voice, humidity sharply increasing, while cloud mist swirled about, making the atmosphere inside the boat seem like the Immortal Realm.


    At this moment, ethereal and graceful silhouettes danced in the mist, appearing and disappearing around Zhao Sheng and his party.


    The chanting became increasingly ethereal and crystalline, the silhouettes increasingly otherworldly, bright as fairies. However, Leng Sha¡¯s eyes instantly turned blood-red, myriad desires boiling uncontrollably within him.


    Unbeknownst to them, the Flying Immortal Boat had quietly reached deep into Yueshen Lake, the area now shrouded by thick mist.


    A serpentine shadow twisted and turned within the mist, and a massive head, big as a house, slowly emerged from beneath the water. The Dragon Serpent Lake Deity looked very pleased as it eyed the Flying Immortal Boat, its gaze filled with greed.


    Meanwhile, beneath the boat, a vast shadow gradually neared the lake surface, a strong smell of fish permeating the dense fog.


    Splash, splash!


    Two waves suddenly broke the surface of the lake, followed by a huge tiger made of lake water stepping onto the lake, appearing next to the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity.


    At that moment, a three-fathom-long, blue-black back flashed through the nearby water.


    Just then, inside the boat, Zhao Sheng suddenly stood up from the couch, his gaze fixated outside, a thin layer of red flame suddenly rising from his skin.


    Zhao Sheng suddenly said coldly, ¡°Since the three of you have arrived! Why not show yourselves? I¡¯ve been waiting for a long time.¡±


    No sooner had he spoken than a deep, thunderous roar came from outside the cabin: ¡°Heh heh! Boy, you¡¯ve entered my Divine Domain, better surrender without a fight. Otherwise, you¡¯ll suffer greatly!¡±


    ¡°Oh, may I know which divine being this is? I believe I¡¯ve offended no deity,¡± Zhao Sheng thought to himself, while replying indifferently, his hands now holding several brightly shining True Talismans.


    At the same moment, a small golden sword flew out of his sleeve, its blade also lighting up with bright red Karmic Fire.


    ¡°My divine name, you will learn in time. Don¡¯t foolishly think about delaying; this is the Divine Prison, and no one will hear you even if you scream. I give you three moments to decide, surrender or not?¡±


    ¡°Humph, a bunch of charlatans playing god, surrender be damned, rise¡­sword!¡±


    The word ¡®sword¡¯ had barely left his lips when a hundred-yard sword rainbow burst into the sky!

 Chapter 523: 341: Invincible Below the Golden Core

    Chapter 523: Chapter 341: Invincible Below the Golden Core


    Hum!


    Accompanied by a clear sword cry, the luxurious cabin atop the Flying Immortal Boat was instantly obliterated by the overwhelming Sword Qi. A golden sword rainbow shot into the sky, piercing through layers of fog and slashing straight at the head of the Dragon Serpent.


    ¡°Hmph, mere child¡¯s play, how dare you show off in front of an expert. Water, roar!¡±


    The Dragon Serpent Lake Deity, who had listened to many stories by the lake in its early years before becoming a deity, actually let out a line of theatrical dialogue when facing the sword rainbow flying toward it.


    However¡­ although the words were mocking, the Divine Skill that followed was genuinely powerful.


    As the roar began, a large swath of fog instantly solidified, and countless water drops condensed out of the fog, enveloping the hundred-zhang sword rainbow, while the surface of the lake suddenly revealed large areas of pale and translucent pearlescent light¡­


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands formed a sword formula, and he could only feel his spirit shaken violently. The flying sword on the other side suddenly became incredibly sluggish, as if it had fallen into an abnormally thick glue. With each inch of forward movement, the sword light weakened by that much, while the pressure surging from all sides increased threefold.


    ¡°This¡­ this is a Divine Domain?! It¡¯s clearly a fledgling version of a Nascent Soul Domain!¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly had an epiphany, his spirit flickered, and his Divine Sense suddenly split into dozens of parts.


    In the next instant, he raised both hands, and dozens of Second Order True Talismans flew out like Heavenly Girls scattering flowers, turning instantly into rays of spell radiance.


    In the blink of an eye, within a hundred zhang radius centered on the painted boat, hundreds of fist-sized blazing fireballs shot out like flying fire meteors in all directions.


    Above the sizable lake, the scorching light was incredibly dazzling, the temperature of the air soared, and the thick water vapor around was forcibly broken for the most part.


    Not only that, with another flick of Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands, series of red streaks of light shot out continuously, turning abruptly into small crimson arrows, lightning-fast, piercing into the lake, and stabbing the stealthily attacking Black Fish God full of bloody holes.


    At the site of the wounds, a layer of crimson karmic fire instantly ignited, then spread across its entire body, causing it to scream in agony, thrashing and rolling in the lake, stirring up waves of giant waves.


    On the other hand, under Zhao Sheng¡¯s Divine Sense control, although the attacks were chaotic and numerous, they weren¡¯t disorderly at all. The flying sword, carrying its sharp Sword Qi, inch by inch closed in on the true body of the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity, while those blazing fireballs nimbly intercepted the madly incoming water arrows, water pythons, water balls, and other water-based spells.


    ¡°Roar, it really deserves to die! The intelligence was wrong; how is this person merely at Qi Refinement? He¡¯s clearly a Foundation Establishment Cultivator of profound cultivation, nearing the realm of Golden Core.¡±


    The Dragon Serpent Lake Deity was shocked and furious, roaring continuously. Its giant serpent-like head suddenly opened to nearly a 180-degree angle, the depth of its maw a pitch black, with faint bluish light fiercely flickering.


    What a colossal gaping maw capable of swallowing heaven and earth!


    In the next instant, the massive serpent¡¯s head retracted and then with all its might spewed forth a three-zhang thick, crystal-clear water column emitting a ghostly blue light.


    A water roar resounded, like a Dragon Serpent¡¯s roar!


    The water column shot out, transforming into a lifelike Dragon Serpent as it surged forward, its jaws wide open, containing the Divine Power of the lake deity, and viciously biting towards Zhao Sheng.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze was sharp as lightning, his feet stomped the cabin violently, and his figure instantly shot up into the sky, leaving a huge hole in the boat below.


    Boom!


    The next second, the boat was hit by the water column and exploded with a thunderous bang, blasted into dust on the spot.


    Everyone on the boat, including Leng Sha, who was at the Qi Refining Middle Stage, did not react before they were reduced to shattered bones by the water column and sank to the bottom of the lake with the vessel in the blink of an eye. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng soared a hundred zhang high, the thick fog still not dissipating. Knowing he had fallen into the enemy¡¯s trap, he didn¡¯t want to entangle with the opponent, intending to first break free from the Divine Domain.


    Engaging the enemy within the Divine Domain, one¡¯s own strength is initially suppressed by the domain¡¯s laws while the enemy gains additional combat power with the aid of the laws.


    With neither the time, the location, nor the people to his advantage, only a fool would engage the enemy in a toe-to-toe fight!


    But just at this moment, a terrifying tiger roar that shook his soul suddenly rang in his ears.


    This roar contained a strange deterrent force, causing Zhao Sheng¡¯s spirit to become slower for a split second.


    In that split second, a transparent tiger head suddenly condensed out of the fog, its mouth wide open, and it bit Zhao Sheng¡¯s torso in one bite.


    Rip!


    Fresh blood fell all around the thick fog, staining the fog with a blood-red hue.


    Pieces of flesh and blood dropped onto the lake¡¯s surface while the gigantic Water Tiger God, smeared with fresh blood in its mouth, paws treading on the fog, excitedly swam around a ball of firelight at great speed.


    Above the lake, the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity slowly stretched out its enormous demon body, its serpent head cunning and triumphant, staring dead at the ball of firelight above.


    In the midst of the firelight, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face was somber, one hand pressing the huge gash at his waist, and the spirit light trickled like water over the jagged wound. In a moment, layers of flesh rapidly grew back, the gash visibly healing before our eyes.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze was icy cold as he glanced over the two covetous Demon Gods and muttered coldly, ¡°Explode!¡±


    Boom! Boom!


    Before his words fell, the lake surface suddenly burst into columns of blood-tinted water, each water column wrapped in a layer of crimson flame.


    As a six-petal Red Lotus about a dozen feet across gradually surfaced, so too did the mutilated carcass of a massive black fish, devoid of life, float up.


    Among the three gods, the Dragon, the Tiger, and the Fish, the Black Fish God was the weakest in strength. It was originally a black fish spirit that had lived for about three hundred years in Yueshen Lake and later, by a serendipitous chance, was ¡°enlightened¡± by an influential figure of the Heavenly Dao Sect, gaining a bit of Law Fragment, and thus a hint of Divinity.


    According to the records in the Sealing God Jade Scroll of the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Black Fish God was the rightful lake deity of Yueshen Lake.


    However, since Yueshen Lake was adjacent to Chu State City, with the Black Fish God¡¯s modest strength and the city teeming with mightier and much more powerful individuals¡­

 Chapter 524: 341: Invincible Below the Golden Core_2

    Chapter 524: Chapter 341: Invincible Below the Golden Core_2


    Therefore, although it was ordained by the Sealing God Book, it could not exert any power, driven by many over the years, and had also suffered too much oppression and humiliation.


    Thus, when the Ghost God Association¡¯s Dragon Serpent Lake Deity and Water Tiger God came to it, after just a few manipulative words, the simple-minded Black Fish God willingly joined the Ghost God Association and provided shelter and cover for them.


    In any case¡­ its death was not unjust!


    This fool, even if he had not died at the hands of Zhao Sheng, would have sooner or later been tricked to death by the Ghost God Association.


    ¡°Damn, Third, you died at the worst possible time! Wait till I avenge you, roar!¡±


    In his rage, the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity¡¯s serpentine body forcefully swung, and its tail struck out a huge wave.


    Whoosh whoosh whoosh!


    The dense fog filled the sky, and with successive dragon roars, it instantly transformed into streaks of transparent water waves, lifting the colossal body of the dragon demon and rushing towards Zhao Sheng.


    Around the dragon serpent, countless three-foot Water Arrows emerged out of thin air while amidst the rain of arrows, several four to five zhang long, bucket-thick, uni-horned Water Pythons intermixed.


    There was an invisible divine force surging continuously in the dense fog, making Zhao Sheng feel that his Spiritual Power was not running smoothly within him, as if it was suddenly being interfered with by some external force, far from its usual fluid motion.


    Roar!


    The Water Tiger God climbed to the airspace above Zhao Sheng¡¯s head, its enormous demon body bringing an endless storm of bloody rain, and it fiercely pounced down with unmatched ferocity.


    The two deities, one above and one below, coordinated flawlessly, instantaneously putting Zhao Sheng in a dire situation.


    However, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face showed no sign of fear; his body suddenly erupted in a mass of raging flames, concealing his form.


    The sword rainbow swiftly approached, cutting across the Water Tiger God at the waist, brilliance flaring up, and nearly a hundred streams of Sword Light divided out, like ¡°fish¡± made of dazzling golden light, twisting and turning with incredible agility, tightly binding the Water Tiger God.


    Meanwhile, Zhao Sheng dashed out dozens of zhang away in a flash.


    But for some reason, his dodging movement seemed a tad slow and was nearly caught up by the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity; one arm was barely grazed by a dragon tooth.


    Splat!


    The blood flew across, and Zhao Sheng was flung far away, gazing darkly at the smug-looking Dragon Serpent Lake Deity. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, a dragon tooth of the dragon had blood on it, and there were specks of blood around the corners of its mouth.


    ¡°Hehe! Boy, if you don¡¯t want to end up in a fish¡¯s belly, just surrender quietly. Otherwise, don¡¯t blame this deity for ruthlessly crushing you!¡± the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity said with a sinister smile.


    With the laws of the Divine Domain enhancing its power, its strength had greatly increased, nearly reaching that of a Golden Core Master.


    In the time it took to speak those words, the surrounding fog quickly thickened, obscuring any figures more than a zhang away.


    At this moment, the divine power surging in the air became more apparent, impeded by the Divine Domain laws, causing Zhao Sheng¡¯s range of Divine Sense to rapidly shrink, making investigation increasingly difficult.


    Although he had Nascent Soul level combat experience, sadly his actual strength was far inferior to his opponent¡¯s.


    If it truly came down to life and death, Zhao Sheng could not be certain that he would emerge as the victor, assuming the other party wasn¡¯t concealing any trump cards of course.


    Zhao Sheng looked guarded, expanding his Divine Sense out over twenty zhang, keeping a close watch on the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity, and asked, ¡°I have no grudges or grievances with your divinity, why do you meticulously plot to put me in a deadly situation?¡±


    While he used the opportunity of talking to buy time, he flipped over one hand, and in his hand was a cinnabar red, dazzlingly bright three-foot long sword.


    This sword, called Red Dragon Son, was personally refined by Zhao Sheng. Crafted from millennial Fire Copper, measuring three feet and three inches long and containing thirty-six Earth Evil Restriction spells, it was not only unmatched in sharpness but also indestructible, truly a superior Spirit Sword.


    ¡°Hmph, well asked! I ask you, was the Snake God killed by you? Is its divine authority on you?¡± the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity questioned sharply, its massive serpentine body slowly pressing closer to Zhao Sheng.


    Perhaps it was the demon beast¡¯s instinct, but it vaguely felt a tremendous and deadly threat emanating from the opponent.


    This made it dare not relax at all, exerting full power to maintain the Divine Domain.


    Although constantly maintaining the Divine Domain was an exceptionally heavy burden for a Demon God who had just touched the threshold of the Ghost God Realm,


    It has only one life, and caution is paramount.


    Hearing the continuous questioning of the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity, Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart chilled, and he realized that he had long been targeted.


    ¡°The deity jokes. Being just a mere prison guard, how would I know anything about a Snake God?¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils contracted, yet his face was full of innocence.


    ¡°Roar, big brother, stop wasting words with him! Act quickly and swallow this damned mortal. Roar, it hurts!¡±


    As he spoke, the Water Tiger yelped repeatedly; by accident, two streaks of Sword Light had slashed across its transparent demon body, causing two wounds from which flames ascended.


    Karmic Fire, the bane of all ghosts, demons, and Yin Souls, primarily harms the Divine Soul!


    Although the Water Tiger God¡¯s demon body had become a spiritual water body, impervious to ordinary physical damage, it could not avoid the agonizing burn inflicted by the Red Lotus Karmic Fire on its Divine Soul.


    In this delay, brilliant white fireballs had quietly condensed around Zhao Sheng¡¯s body, encircling him in a sky of fireballs that released circles of scorching heat.


    ¡°Humph, if you don¡¯t drink the offered wine, you must drink the penalty wine! I am ready to sacrifice thirty years¡ªah!¡±


    The Dragon Serpent Lake Deity hadn¡¯t finished speaking when it suddenly let out a piercing scream!


    Bang!


    A huge blast of Dragon Serpent blood spurted out like a fountain, and a deep blue ripple of lightning struck across the Dragon Serpent¡¯s skull, furiously impacting the Daoist figure.


    However, no matter how fiercely the Dragon Serpent¡¯s skull struggled and shook, Zhao Sheng, standing on its forehead, stood unmoved as if rooted to the spot.


    Once,


    Twice,


    Three times!


    The thick condensed light of Spiritual Power shielded against layers of Divine Power washing over it, as Zhao Sheng repeatedly drove the Red Dragon Sword into the Dragon Serpent¡¯s head.


    The Dragon Serpent Scale Armor, sturdy like fine steel, was as fragile as paper mache under the sword¡¯s blade, easily punctured.


    In just an instant, the sword light emitted from the Red Dragon Sword had churned the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity¡¯s brain into a mess, and the Demon Soul was instantly shattered by the sword light.


    The next second, the shrieks ceased abruptly¡ªa massive demon body of the Dragon Serpent stiffened suddenly, its Divine Light dissipating, then crashed straight down from the sky, falling into the lake and creating a massive wave.


    ¡°Aow¡­ no good, escape aow!¡±


    Upon witnessing this shocking turn of events, the Water Tiger God was so frightened that it screamed, ignoring the burning pain from the karma fire and the deep sword marks left by the sword light on its body. In an instant, its huge tiger body transformed into a water wave, fleeing swiftly towards the distance.


    It hoped to use the fog to conceal its form and escape to safety.


    Unfortunately, someone had already laid a trap on it.


    Zhao Sheng looked in the direction the Water Tiger God was fleeing, smiled slightly, and his form instantly turned into nothingness.


    The next moment, when he reappeared, he was already standing on the water wave.


    Before the Water Tiger God could react, in an instant, a streak of Red Fire Lotus shot like lightning into the depths of the water wave, striking the deeply hidden Demon Soul squarely, instantly annihilating it with just one hit.


    ¡°Within twenty miles, there is no rival under the Golden Core!¡± Zhao Sheng chanted softly, stretching out his hand, and a misty, apple-sized ¡°Bright Pearl¡± separated from the body of the Water Tiger demon and obediently flew into his palm.


    Immediately following, with a flick of his hand, his palm was empty; the fragment of the Heavenly Dao Laws had already been hidden away by him.


    Then, he took out a slender-necked glass bottle, aimed the mouth of the bottle at a large clump of spiritual water suspended in the air.


    A suction force appeared out of nowhere, quickly drawing the spiritual water into the bottle, which he then stored in the Space Storage Seal.


    This clump of spiritual water was originally a type of Heaven and Earth Spirit Water, which was later picked by the Water Tiger God and refined into a spiritual body.


    The Water Tiger God, unlike the Dragon Serpent Lake God and the Black Fish God, had transformed into a ¡°Wandering God¡± after death and thus did not possess a flesh body like the other two gods.


    After securing the spiritual water, Zhao Sheng took out two vials of Spirit Pills from the Space Storage Seal to heal his injuries and then released several restitution True Talismans to speed up the healing process of his body.


    In just a short while, the large gaping wound on his waist and abdomen had mostly healed, and the injuries on his arms had already fully recovered.


    As the dense fog on the lake gradually dispersed, Zhao Sheng descended from the sky, scanning with his eyes and immediately focusing on a spot where blood was slowly diffusing across the lake surface.


    His hands quickly forming spells, streaks of spirit light entered the lake water, and in a moment, the lake water churned violently, boiling like hot water.


    Suddenly,


    a gigantic Dragon Serpent carcass was lifted by the lake water, quietly suspended above the lake surface.


    Zhao Sheng descended, holding the Red Dragon Sword, and began to dissect the Dragon Serpent¡¯s body.


    Moments later, the Dragon Serpent carcass was completely dismembered, each part stored into two Space Storage Seals.


    As for its divinity, it naturally fell into Zhao Sheng¡¯s hands too.


    After dealing with the Dragon Serpent Lake Deity, Zhao Sheng had no intention of handling the Black Fish God.


    The Black Fish God was listed in the Sealing God Book; taking its divinity would only invite trouble.


    He was well-settled in the Divine Prison and didn¡¯t want the Divine Guardian Group of the Heavenly Dao Sect knocking at his door.


    After carefully dealing with the lake surface and removing all traces of battle, Zhao Sheng casually threw a golden small sword, his body enveloped by the sword light, transformed into a sword rainbow, and dashed lightning-fast towards the lakeshore.

 Chapter 525: 342: Entering the Ghost Market

    Chapter 525: Chapter 342: Entering the Ghost Market


    A day later, Zhao Sheng returned to the Divine Prison very discreetly.


    Before long, the news of Leng Sha and another¡¯s mysterious deaths at Yueshen Lake had spread, and a multitude of Prison Guards were discussing it animatedly.


    When Prison Captain Ren Zhong learned that two guards had perished at Yueshen Lake, his frown was deeper than the sky.


    There was already a shortage of staff in the Divine Prison, and now two more had died, which was simply adding chaos to his burden!


    Being a Prison Captain was not an easy job, and it was even harder for someone who had been assigned there out of the blue!


    Thinking about having to deal with a bunch of locals again, Ren Zhong felt a headache coming on.


    After all, dying outside the prison and dying in the prison were completely different matters.


    If a guard died under mysterious circumstances, the Prison Captain would also have to bear some responsibility for poor management.


    Zhao Sheng had no idea how Ren Zhong was going to handle this minor trouble.


    Regardless, two days later, two new people had joined the prison, and Ren Zhong was still firmly in his role as the Prison Captain.


    As for the deaths of the two guards, it merely caused a ripple, which quickly faded, and soon nobody cared about it.


    In this incident, the high-ranking officials of the Prison God Temple used it as an excuse to cause a small commotion, and it wasn¡¯t until the City Governor¡¯s Office of Chu State City paid a heavy price that the matter was finally settled.


    Zhao Sheng was also called in for questioning a couple of times, but he easily dodged any scrutiny.


    In the end, only two insignificant guards had died, which wasn¡¯t enough to cause a significant uproar.


    On the contrary, the death of the Black Fish God came as a surprise to the major families in Chu State City, who each sent people to investigate the matter, but ultimately came up empty-handed.


    As the days passed, Zhao Sheng diligently continued his role as a Second-class Prison Guard while secretly imitating the major cultivation families within Chu State City.


    Just as he had approached the Gu Family, he forged identities as an Alchemist, talisman refining master, or Artifact Refiner from another place, and thus conducted transactions with the major families in hopes of gaining access to observe their Scripture Pavilions.


    The results were as he expected.


    Almost no cultivation family refused the transactions because the chips Zhao Sheng casually offered were attractive enough to them.


    During the transactions, he encountered attempts at ¡°black on black¡± fraud, but he handled them with ease. This, in turn, caused significant misfortune for the unscrupulous family involved. The family¡¯s Foundation Establishment Cultivators died mysteriously one after the other, leading to a sharp decline in the family¡¯s power.


    In just three years, Zhao Sheng had successfully infiltrated over ten times, and the Scripture Pavilions of more than ninety percent of the thousand-year-old families in Chu State City had become public venues for his access at will.


    In those three years, Zhao Sheng also methodically improved his own realm.


    After silently refining the Nascent Soul of the millennia-old ghost imprisoned on the eighteenth floor of the Divine Prison, the Karma Fire Red Lotus evolved into a nine-petaled lotus as expected.


    Similarly, Zhao Sheng smoothly advanced to the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment without any complications.


    The inexplicable disappearance of the millennium-old ghost also caused quite the stir in the Divine Prison.


    But after a month of investigation without finding any useful clues, it was ultimately put to rest and became one of the Divine Prison¡¯s many unsolved mysteries.


    The Divine Prison had been established for a long time, and there had been countless strange and unknown incidents over its history, with endless unsolved mysteries on record. One more wouldn¡¯t make a difference.


    However, the Divine Prison used this incident as an opportunity for a major overhaul, harshly cracking down on the lax atmosphere within and significantly reinforcing its defenses, which became much more stringent than before.


    Moreover, the three new Class A Prison Guards became the fall guys, receiving major demerits despite having dutifully performed their duties.


    As for the spy from the Heavenly Rebel Alliance, it was pitiable that after great effort to infiltrate the Divine Prison and intending to cause a significant disturbance, they unluckily encountered this situation and were so angry they nearly broke down.


    Regardless, Zhao Sheng did not admit to screwing up someone else¡¯s plans, and even if the truth were known later on, it would be in that person¡¯s best interests.


    The Divine Prison was such a high-security area; if it were so easily breached through internal collaboration, the place would have fallen countless times already.


    Having been a Prison Guard for years, Zhao Sheng had long since gotten to know every nook and cranny of the Divine Prison.


    With the experience and Eye Power of someone in the Nascent Soul Realm, it wasn¡¯t difficult to see that the most powerful aspect of the Divine Prison wasn¡¯t the numerous Defense Prohibitions, nor the Golden Core Puppets and Formations, etc.


    The most impressive feature seemed unremarkable but was omnipresent.


    It was the Prison God Map engraved on the ceilings of each cell.


    This map was related to an unknown Great Array, and once activated, there was a high probability that it would summon the True Body of the Prison God.


    In the Sealing God Book of the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Prison God is a Divine Spirit nearly at the Emperor-level in strength, unfathomably powerful.


    ¡­


    Time flies, and years pass swiftly.


    Heavenly Dao Calendar, Seventh Epoch, year 1201 Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This year, Zhao Sheng had just celebrated his sixty-fifth birthday, but he had already broken through to the realm of Foundation Establishment Perfection and was waiting for the opportunity to advance to the Golden Core realm.


    One day, the sky was faintly rippling, and a vast city located eighty miles west of Chu State City was awakening from its slumber, becoming gradually noisier.


    This city, called Cangmo City, was one of the four major satellite cities of Chu State City. With its closely packed towers and shops, large tracts of low houses could be seen everywhere. The roads within the city, aside from the main arteries, were broken and dilapidated, and its residents wore old-fashioned clothing, looking mostly undernourished.


    With over a million inhabitants, ninety-nine percent of Cangmo City¡¯s population were mortals, and the vast majority were servants or members of the Slave Clan serving the prominent families and households of Chu State City.


    On a street within the city, a large white rat with fluffy fur peeped out from a corner.


    Its gem-like crystal eyes surveyed the street for a moment, then the rat nimbly emerged from its hiding spot, transforming into a streak of white light and swiftly moved through the forest of buildings, streets, and courtyards.


    The large white rat quickly reached a huge circular square, hid in a corner, and stealthily observed the activities on the square.

 Chapter 526: 342: Entering the Ghost Market_2

    Chapter 526: Chapter 342: Entering the Ghost Market_2


    The ground of the square was paved with jade white stone slabs, each three feet square, intricately embedded with countless mysterious red runes, strikingly clear.


    At this point, the square was crowded, filled with masses of commoners who had come to listen to the sermon.


    In the center of the square, a black jade platform stood tall, upon which an emaciated, purple-robed, white-haired elderly Daoist sat. The Daoist held a dragon head wooden stick, preaching to the people below.


    ¡°The heavens have twin suns as the gods of yang, the earth has lakes and seas where dragon gods reside, within the Canglang River dwells the old Dragon King, who commands clouds to bring rain for all beings¡­¡±


    ¡°You common folks, have endured drought for three years due to not heeding the will of the heavens, and must now offer sincerity from all directions¡­¡±


    ¡°Come, come! Everyone hurry and offer a token of sincerity, and the mage will pray for rain on behalf of all beings,¡± urged a green-robed Daoist, carrying a wooden plate and quietly coaxing the crowd for money.


    Seeing this, many devout believers voluntarily took out silver coins and threw them into the wooden plate, which quickly filled with gold, silver, and copper coins.


    Da Bai gritted his teeth and his eyes glowed red as he looked from afar at the purple-robed elder on the platform, appearing eager to act.


    Just then, a tall figure suddenly appeared before him, and a hand swiftly grabbed the rat¡¯s fur at the back of its neck, lifting it off the ground.


    Startled, Da Bai¡¯s white fur bristled, and tiny flashes of white light gathered at the tips of his fur, ready to launch the Rat Hair Needles.


    ¡°Da Bai, you¡¯ve been naughty, running off here secretly. What, don¡¯t feel like eating incense and prefer eating people today?¡±


    The man speaking had a plain face and wasn¡¯t very tall. He wore a gray robe and black boots on his feet.


    It was Zhao Sheng, who had changed his appearance.


    Squeak, squeak!


    Da Bai struggled and squeaked wildly, as if trying to explain something.


    Zhao Sheng was indifferent, casually putting Da Bai on his shoulder and then raising his head to look at the Daoist on the platform.


    After only a few glances, he turned and walked away.


    Diancang Province had faced severe drought for three consecutive years, with virtually no harvests in the fields. Famine had driven tens of millions to become refugees, and several counties within the province had already blocked transportation, creating numerous isolation zones where countless people have starved or trapped to death.


    It is often said that when disasters strike, people seek gods. Therefore, whenever there is a great calamity, countless odd and bizarre ghost gods show up.


    It was very common in the Great Gu Dynasty for Daoists, like the one on stage, to exploit the pretext of praying for rain to extort money from the people.


    This practice was tacitly approved by various powers. The money collected was divided in an eighty-twenty ratio with those on stage playing ghosts and tricks receiving only twenty percent, and the remaining eighty percent going to the major behind-the-scenes families.


    Zhao Sheng walked through the streets as an ordinary person, moving unhurriedly, yet surprisingly no one noticed his presence.


    Soon, Zhao Sheng reached a busy market street.


    By then, daylight was bright, and the market street was bustling with various food stalls and eateries lined up, while small merchants behind the stalls energetically invited customers, their cries non-stop.


    Zhao Sheng followed the street westward until he reached a red willow tree at the corner of the street, where he suddenly stopped.


    The Ghost Market of Cangmo City was located on this street, with each red willow tree planted along the street serving as an entrance to the Ghost Market.


    The reason he had come to Cangmo City instead of the black market under Zhenyun Peak was precisely because of this Ghost Market.


    The Ghost Market was the dark market within the black market, largely dealing with the Evil Demons of the Outer Path, full of eerie and bizarre items.


    It can be said that whatever Heavenly Dao Sect absolutely forbade to sell, and whatever the black market dared not openly trade, could be found in the Ghost Market.


    In other words, the Ghost Market was equally dangerous, with instances of treachery being quite common, and those who dared enter were generally cultivators of extraordinary strength.


    Suddenly, the branches of the red willow tree began to sway as if danced by demons.


    At that moment, Zhao Sheng frowned upon seeing the branches rustle, ¡®swish swish,¡¯ as if in the bright daylight, gaps between the branches and leaves seemed to spawn eerie eyes that stared indifferently at him.


    Zhao Sheng scanned the tree with his Divine Sense, feeling somewhat surprised.


    The yin energy of the red willow tree was intense, yet it lacked the expected cold sensation.


    ¡°Indeed, it has some tricks,¡± he thought to himself, reaching out to press his hand against the trunk of the tree.


    Following the method he had obtained, he tapped the trunk three short and one long times, simultaneously infusing three strands of Spiritual Power.


    Suddenly, a green, oily eye opened on the trunk, blinked, and its pupils flared with a faint green flame.


    Zhao Sheng took a step back and stared intently at the green eyes.


    Just then, a layer of green light emitted from the eyes and spread out, enveloping Zhao Sheng¡¯s entire body.


    As the light and shadows in front of him changed, he suddenly found himself on a narrow, cramped street, lined with various small stalls displaying all kinds of filthy and nauseating organs and bizarre items. Most items on the stalls flickered with dim lights of gray, black, and red.


    All the stall owners wore hooded black robes and various masks on their faces, which surprisingly blocked Divine Sense.


    There were quite a few ¡°people¡± in the Ghost Market, but the sounds on the street were very low, almost like whispers.


    The vendors in the Ghost Market often changed; sometimes, within half a year, the owners of the stalls might have switched several times.


    However, there were exceptions; about a dozen permanent stalls in the Ghost Market always remained the same and were always in the most conspicuous positions, visible as soon as one entered.


    Although it was Zhao Sheng¡¯s first visit to the Ghost Market, he acted as if he were a seasoned visitor.


    At this moment, Da Bai seemed to be attracted by something and was squeaking wildly on Zhao Sheng¡¯s shoulder.


    He glanced over the many stalls in the Ghost Market, then in a flash, appeared thirty yards away in front of one.


    The owner of this stall looked quite ordinary, but was earless, and his body radiated a chilling aura that made one feel a spine-chilling cold upon approach.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng was not afraid of this bit of evil aura.


    The items on the stall were few, including a black mask, a finger-sized colorless crystal stone, and a headless statue of an Eight-Armed Golden Body.


    This statue was not only filled with a strong Power of Incense but also emitted a strange aura.


    Pop!


    Da Bai jumped to the ground, circling the stall, his gaze fixed on the headless statue.


    Zhao Sheng pointed at the headless statue and asked, ¡°What is this?¡±


    ¡°Good stuff, you¡¯ll know once you buy it,¡± the vendor replied unexpectedly simply.


    Zhao Sheng reached out to pick up the statue.


    But when his fingers touched the surface of the statue.


    A bone-chilling cold suddenly burst from the statue into his mind like lightning.


    Black mist steamed up, and within Zhao Sheng¡¯s Soul Sea, a formidable Eight-Armed Demon appeared, towering a thousand yards tall, with eight arms extending in all directions, each arm wrapped with a Demon Dragon, black-scaled with a ram horned, tiger-clawed snake body, entirely pitch-black.


    The Demon¡¯s neck rapidly grew a head, its features bearing some resemblance to Zhao Sheng¡¯s, except the expression was ferocious and terrifying, filled with malevolence.


    As the Demon appeared, countless brilliant colors emerged in Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind, representing emotions and desires such as joy, anger, sorrow, pleasure, pain, greed, hate, and ignorance.


    At that moment, a majestic and holy voice suddenly resonated ceaselessly in his heart.


    ¡°Lawless and blissful, the transient world under, my divine might boundless, my divine title: Sovereign Dragon Lord!¡± Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The great bell resounded in Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart, and the Eight-Armed Demon laughed viciously, dancing its arms. The filthy black dragons began to detach from its body, about to fall into the Soul Sea.


    ¡°Insolence!¡±


    As the voice sounded, a massive bolt of lightning fell from the sky, striking the Demon on the head.


    Instantly, the enormous divine body was torn apart and turned into a wisp of black smoke that dissipated.


    Externally,


    There was a cracking sound, and the headless statue suddenly developed numerous cracks, revealing a section of bone as translucent as jade, seemingly a Shariputra.


    Zhao Sheng came to his senses, sensing the Power of Incense emanating from the bone, thoughtfully.


    He somewhat understood the situation; the bone was actually a fragment of the Heart Core of the Flying Sky Netherworld King. Previously, a certain master had refined it into a container for collecting the Power of Incense and placed it inside the statue.


    The Eight-Armed Demon was likely the residual spirit of a powerful Ghost God, but he had shattered it.


    Just then, the stall owner opposite suddenly grunted, immediately followed by hissing ghost sounds. Large amounts of black smoke evaporated from his robe, and his body deflated rapidly like a punctured balloon, screaming continuously while writhing on the ground.


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, collected the statue, then stepped back and coldly observed from a distance.

 Chapter 527: 343 Five Passes God

    Chapter 527: Chapter 343 Five Passes God


    At this moment, the abnormalities occurring here had already attracted the attention of many greedy and malicious eyes nearby.


    Suddenly,


    a hoarse voice came to Zhao Sheng¡¯s ear, ¡°Ah, it turns out to be a ¡®Fishing¡¯ stall! Tsk tsk, getting into this the moment you arrived, I don¡¯t know whether to call you unlucky or lucky.¡±


    Zhao Sheng looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was a one-armed, dark-faced Great Han from the stall next to him who had spoken.


    ¡°Fellow Daoist, what do you mean by that?¡± Zhao Sheng asked.


    The one-armed Great Han looked at Zhao Sheng and transmitted his voice, ¡°The rules of the Ghost Market dictate that anyone who intentionally scams others shall be put to death without exception, and everything on their stall shall become the property of others.


    If you don¡¯t want to make a move, let me do it. After the deed is done, half of the goods will be mine.¡±


    Having heard this, Zhao Sheng immediately understood, but pretended to be surprised and said, ¡°According to Fellow Daoist, if someone deliberately kills a stall owner and then claims the other was running a Fishing stall, wouldn¡¯t that be exploiting a loophole in the Ghost Market?¡±


    The one-armed Great Han smirked coldly after hearing this and said disdainfully, ¡°The loopholes in the Ghost Market are not so easy to exploit, little does one know that there are Divine Spirits watching over within three feet!¡±


    Upon saying this, he suddenly stopped speaking, as if wary of something.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart stirred, and he pursued the matter, ¡°Could it be that this Ghost Market is actually established by a respected god? May I ask which Divine Spirit it might be?¡±


    ¡°Shut up! I didn¡¯t say anything just now, and you¡¯d better not ask too much. Otherwise, you might bring disaster upon yourself!¡±


    The one-armed Great Han became fiercely stern and glanced around, his face suddenly showing a trace of panic.


    After speaking, he raised his hand, and a black light shot out like a Meteor, instantly piercing through the screaming stall owner¡¯s head,


    ending his life in a single, clean strike!


    ¡°Eh, this man turns out to be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the Ghost Market really isn¡¯t simple.¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes twitched slightly, feeling secretly astonished.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take this Scatter Dust Crystal. As for the Altar God Mask, keep it for yourself. Though it¡¯s just a Low-Grade Spirit Artifact, it¡¯s cheap for you now,¡± said the one-armed Great Han, acting smug after gaining an advantage.


    Zhao Sheng did not care about the meager Low-Grade Spirit Artifact, and with a single thought, he drew the mask into his hand before casually placing it into the Storage Space Seal.


    Seeing this, the one-armed Great Han¡¯s expression changed slightly, ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re also a Fellow Daoist in the Foundation Establishment Realm. My apologies for my earlier disrespect!¡±


    Although he said this, he showed no intention of returning the goods.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t care about such trifles, but suddenly spoke with a look of disappointment, ¡°I heard that the Ghost Market was filled with treasures, yet to my great disappointment upon arriving today, it¡¯s nothing but a pile of third-rate, shoddy goods not even worthy of being displayed. It¡¯s laughable how people outside exaggerate its wonders.¡±


    The one-armed Great Han¡¯s eyes lit up upon hearing this and said with a laugh, ¡°It seems Fellow Daoist is looking for some real treasures. Well, you¡¯ve come to the right person today. If you¡¯ve got the guts, follow me.¡±


    As soon as this person finished speaking, he turned and walked towards the end of the street, not even caring for the stall he left in front.


    Zhao Sheng gestured with his hand, and in one leap, Da Bai landed softly on his shoulder, crouching down. Zhao Sheng then followed suit with large strides.


    The two of them walked down the main street of the Ghost Market, and before long, they reached the end of the street. There, no one had set up a stall. It was desolately empty except for a circular Black Stone Platform. The outer wall of the platform was carved with a gigantic willow tree as vast as a mountain, its branches hanging down with countless bizarre images of demons and ghosts.


    Next to the Black Stone Platform, a bizarre ¡°person¡± was squatting, half-sitting, half-leaning.


    The person was tall, with an unspeakably ugly face and skin green-black and wrinkled like an evil spirit that had crawled out of hell, covered in scars with flesh peeling back all over.


    Stabbed through his chest was a dark long spear, the blade protruding out from his back.


    ¡°Halt, the passphrase!¡±


    ¡°Clear skies ascend to Divinity, ghosts and mortals wander carefree!¡±


    The one-armed Great Han hurried forward to recite the passphrase. Then he turned to Zhao Sheng, explained in a low voice, ¡°This Ghost Shura is extremely fierce. I remember half a year ago, some Great Success Foundation Establishment tough guy, thinking he was superior in cultivation, tried to barge through and was impaled to death by the Ghost Shura. Therefore, one must abide by the rules upon entering the Ghost Market.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded, thinking that whoever was behind the Ghost Market had managed to refine a Ghost Chi Shura into a living corpse, and daring to use it as a gatekeeper.


    Such an act was akin to blatantly slapping the face of the Heavenly Dao Sect. The owner of the Ghost Market really had the nerve, and it was also quite ¡°interesting.¡±


    Then, the two effortlessly ascended the Black Stone Platform.


    In an instant, a burst of black light exploded on the platform, and the two of them suddenly vanished.


    Following a dizzying whirl, Zhao Sheng found himself in a dim, fog-filled strange land.


    The ground of this place was dark brown, its texture soft and sticky, seeming to be laid with some kind of flesh, or perhaps existing inside some gigantic creature.


    The boundary was obscured by fog and couldn¡¯t be seen, divine sense barely extended less than ten feet before being swallowed by the black fog.


    However, that was enough.


    Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes and looked around, only to see dim figures all around, with vague shadows sitting on chairs built of countless white bones.


    Squeak, squeak, squeak!


    Da Bai seemed to be in extreme fear, screeching wildly and shivering uncontrollably ever since they arrived.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng immediately placed him into the spirit beast bag.


    ¡°What is this place?¡±


    ¡°Hehe, Fellow Daoist need not worry, this is the real Ghost Market. The one outside is just a facade to fool those unwitting fools,¡± explained the one-armed Great Han. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng nodded knowingly at his words.


    It was only now that he noticed his appearance had become like the others, indistinct and hard to make out, his figure shrouded as if he were a specter.


    The so-called Ghost Market was indeed a place where the living traded with ghosts.

 Chapter 528: 343 Five Passes God_2

    Chapter 528: Chapter 343 Five Passes God_2


    The mood and scene were a perfect fit. This eerie and somber atmosphere arrived instantly.


    ¡°Taoist friend, may I ask your name?¡± Zhao Sheng found a white bone chair to sit down in, while casually asking the one-armed man sitting next to him.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine to call me Old Poison Arm. No one in the Ghost Market uses their real name; just a code name will do.¡±


    ¡°Since that is the case, I am Prison Ghost, pleased to meet you, One-Armed Taoist friend.¡±


    Having said that, Zhao Sheng then asked, ¡°May I inquire, Taoist friend, when exactly does the Ghost Market begin?¡±


    ¡°Just wait patiently!¡± the one-armed man said dismissively.


    Zhao Sheng then kept silent, simply waiting quietly.


    Shortly after perhaps half an hour went by, people gradually came in and seated themselves on the white bone chairs.


    After a moment, it seemed that no more people were coming.


    In the dim environment, suddenly a figure stood up and spoke in an even tone, ¡°The time is almost right; since no one else is coming, let the trading at the Ghost Market begin.¡±


    The voice of that person, as it passed through the black fog, sounded somewhat muffled but was still fairly discernible.


    He looked around, paused, and with a wave of his hand,


    there was a thud as a ghastly white femur suddenly was thrust into the ground upright.


    ¡°A thousand-year-old Mountain Lord¡¯s femur, extremely precious as a material, useful for refining Beast Suppressing Staffs and Tiger Spirit Puppets, and also as the main material for a White Bone Banner. If refined properly, it will at least be a Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact.¡±


    He displayed this tiger bone, eight feet long and as thick as a thigh, its bones as translucent as jade emitting an enchanting gleam, heavy and hard in texture, with a faint imposing aura emanating from it, as if facing a terrifying higher being.


    Frankly speaking, this femur must have been taken from a tiger demon of at least the Golden Core Level.


    ¡°Hehe! I¡¯ve heard that the Tiger Lord Temple in Beiling County was plundered. Is this tiger bone dug out from the Tiger Lord Statue? If so, old lady will take it.¡± Another sharp voice sounded, though the face was unseen, a raspy yet strangely enchanting female voice could be heard. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Taoist friend has keen eyes, indeed, this item is from the Tiger Lord Temple,¡± the man immediately replied.


    ¡°Hehe, old lady lacks a piece for suppressing evil at home, this tiger bone would be perfect. What would you like in exchange?¡±


    ¡°Can it be! Someone dared to plunder the Tiger Lord Temple in Diancang Province? They really prioritize wealth over their lives! When you strike a tiger, you must watch the owner! If Emperor Bei Huan becomes thunderously furious, the Ghost Path will suffer again,¡± the one-armed man muttered under his breath.


    A low murmur arose from the crowd, indicating that this treasure was both appealing and challenging.


    Many people sent messages, and after a short while, the tiger bone finally ended up in the hands of the self-proclaimed old lady.


    ¡°A copy of the Heavenly Dao Sect¡¯s Condensation True Formula, and additionally, a Foundation Establishment Corpse with three spirit roots.¡±


    As soon as these words fell, a faint figure immediately stood up, speaking in a cold voice, ¡°Taoist friend, may we step aside for a word?¡±


    The speaker nodded his head, then the two of them turned and walked a few steps, disappearing into the vast black fog.


    They had left, but the trading did not stop, after a moment of silence, another person spoke up.


    ¡°Seeking a secret technique to extend life span, willing to trade with equivalent treasures or spirit pills.¡±


    Quickly, someone responded, ¡°A five-hundred-year-old Ghost-faced Peach, can extend life by three years. The cost is that after consuming it, one must never be exposed to a single ray of sunlight, and after death, one is easily transformed into ghostly creatures.¡±


    ¡°Taoist friend, may I have a word?¡±


    ¡°Taoist friend, may I¡­¡±


    ¡°Taoist friend¡­¡±


    As the person finished speaking, many among the crowd immediately stood up, their tones urgent as they called out.


    The appearance of the Ghost-faced Peach set off a wave of climax, as the crowd competed fervently, the price rising with each bid, and the items offered becoming more and more valuable.


    After a full two-quarters of an hour, someone actually offered a low-grade magical treasure, the Flying Spirit Bracelet, just to acquire this Ghost-faced Peach.


    After the dust settled on this transaction, the Ghost Market suddenly fell into a brief lull.


    After that, no matter what treasures people presented, they all seemed somewhat less interesting compared to the Ghost-faced Peach, and no one could muster much enthusiasm.


    An hour later, Zhao Sheng had seen enough; he stood up and looked around before announcing loudly, ¡°I wish to acquire several Five Passes Divine Statues, each worshipped with incense for no less than three hundred years. There is no limit to the number I will accept.


    In addition, I¡¯m also looking for bats, toads, hedgehogs, and snakes¡ªspiritual beasts with high spirituality and grade.


    As long as you can provide something to my satisfaction, whether it is Cultivation Techniques, Spirit Pills, or Spirit Stones and Magic Artifacts. I guarantee you will be pleased with the trade.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s bold words made everyone turn their heads in surprise.


    The surrounding fog vibrated slightly, and many people stood up one after another.


    ¡°Sir, you speak too boldly. Can you also produce a Golden Congealing Pill if I ask for one?¡±


    The Golden Congealing Pill, monopolized by the Heavenly Dao Sect, is a Third-rank Treasure Pill similar to the Golden Core Formation Pill, assisting in breaking into the Golden Core Realm.


    ¡°If you can produce a thousand-year-old Five Passes Divine Statue, just a Golden Congealing Pill will do¡ªI¡¯ll give it to you!¡±


    At these words, the atmosphere around them surged intensely, and the fog churned violently, with at least half of the shadows standing up.


    ¡°This esteemed Taoist, although I don¡¯t have a Five Passes Divine Statue, I do have a Second-tier Mang Ha. Could I possibly exchange it for a Golden Congealing Pill?¡±


    Before Zhao Sheng could respond, someone immediately retorted, ¡°You wishful thinker, a mere Mang Ha can¡¯t compare to a Third-rank Treasure Pill.


    This esteemed Taoist, I have a God-slaying Flying Saber, which can take a life from ten miles away once refined, at least a Top-grade Spiritual Artifact¡­¡±


    Zhao Sheng shook his head and declined gently, ¡°While Spiritual Artifacts are desirable, they are unfortunately not what I seek.¡±


    Then someone else shouted, ¡°I know where to find what you need. You only need to wait ten days to half a month, and I will have the item delivered to your doorstep. The question is whether you can wait that long or not?¡±


    Zhao Sheng said loudly, ¡°The Ghost Market is right here, and I will frequently come in the future. Moreover, what I seek is not required immediately. Even if it takes years or even a decade, I can wait. If you intend to obtain the treasures I seek, feel free to do so. I will not disappoint you.¡±


    ¡°The Five Passes God is considered an Evil God and a Wild God, and for thousands of years, it has been strictly forbidden and repeatedly targeted and destroyed by the Heavenly Dao Sect. Temples of the Five Passes God are rarely seen in rural villages. The divine statues you seek will be difficult to find.


    From what I gather from your words just now, you might want to follow the Divine Tao. I have a Secret Scripture called ¡®Taoist Dust Mountain Scripture,¡¯ which, if cultivated in life, enables one to unleash Taoist Divine Skills, and after death, there¡¯s a chance to become a local Mountain God, enjoying immense bliss. You might consider this.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, the Divine Tao method is too demanding and comes with a great cost. It¡¯s not as good as our Earth Mother Sect, where we are free and at ease. Our sect has the ¡®Great Freedom Immortal Skill¡¯, which requires no fasting or chanting. Just by reciting the Earth Mother¡¯s name, a person¡¯s cultivation realm can rapidly advance, a hundred times stronger than other Divine Tao methods.¡±


    ¡°I have a Second-tier High-grade Spirit Snake that has lived for nearly six hundred years; its spirituality is unquestionable. I want to exchange it for a Fire Attribute Golden Core Technique. Can you produce it?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled lightly and replied, ¡°That¡¯s easy; I have the ¡®Day Leaving Fire Technique¡¯, a secret technique from the Wu family of Diancang Province, which should meet your requirements.¡±


    ¡°Great! I¡¯ll trade, I¡¯ll trade!¡±


    A moment later, everyone witnessed a successful transaction, and both parties were very satisfied.


    Seeing this, the last bit of doubt finally dissipated from the crowd¡¯s minds, and they felt very eager.


    Unfortunately, they couldn¡¯t produce anything that piqued Zhao Sheng¡¯s interest at the moment, so they could only watch enviously.


    ¡°I have a thousand-year-old Hedgehog God Statue, and I need to speak with you privately,¡± suddenly, Zhao Sheng heard a Divine Sense transmission in his ear.


    ¡°Agreed!¡± Zhao Sheng glanced around, nodded approvingly, and quickly agreed.


    After speaking, someone stood up and walked toward the deeper parts of the fog, and Zhao Sheng, intrigued, quietly followed.


    The rules of the Ghost Market are peculiar; once both parties agree to a transaction, no one else can speak to prevent it.


    Zhao Sheng had just walked ten steps when the others became shifty shadows, and the surrounding fog also began to thicken, isolating sound and sight.


    They walked about ten zhang (approximately 30 meters), surrounded by dense black fog, utterly silent.


    The person stopped, and so did Zhao Sheng, sizing up the figure. Although he couldn¡¯t see the person¡¯s face or figure clearly, he could roughly make out their height¡ªit reached no higher than his chest.

 Chapter 529: 344 Summoning the Gods

    Chapter 529: Chapter 344 Summoning the Gods


    The two fell silent for a moment.


    Then the other person spoke, ¡°Here, take this.¡±


    After speaking, the other party threw a Space Storage Seal.


    Zhao Sheng reached out to catch it, and as it grew heavy in his hand, Divine Sense probed into it. He felt a peculiar fluctuation; an eight-foot-tall Hedgehog Gold Statue appeared in his mind, wrapped in a misty aura of incense smoke that almost solidified.


    What¡¯s more important¡­


    ¡°What would you like to exchange, Taoist? If you don¡¯t mind, may I ask where did you obtain this item?¡± Zhao Sheng asked, his eyes showing satisfaction.


    Upon hearing this, the person suddenly said, ¡°You ask me a question, and I want to ask you one as well. Fair enough!¡±


    ¡°The voice is quite pleasant. A female cultivator? The age should¡­ not be very high!¡±


    Zhao Sheng muttered to himself secretly, but verbally responded, ¡°Very fair, what would you like to ask, Taoist?¡±


    The person hesitated for a moment before asking in a deep voice, ¡°I won¡¯t ask for your origin or your full name. I just want to ask one question, why is there an imprint left by the Holy Daughter of my sect on you?¡±


    Hmm?!


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng furrowed his brows, and an image of a transcendent woman in white, pure as a white lotus, surfaced in his mind.


    ¡°So careful, yet I still fell for the other party¡¯s trick. Indeed, none of the prisoners locked in the Seventeen-layered Prison are simple,¡± he sighed inwardly.


    Through the black mist, the other party could not see his expression, but seemed to sense the turmoil in his heart.


    The woman immediately pressed, ¡°You¡¯ve met our sect¡¯s Holy Daughter recently, haven¡¯t you? Where is she imprisoned now?¡±


    Zhao Sheng pondered for a moment and then nodded, admitting, ¡°Indeed! Although I do not know which sect you come from, I likely have met the Holy Daughter you mentioned.¡±


    ¡°Where is she now? As long as you tell the truth, the Sky Heart Sect will reward you handsomely,¡± she insisted.


    ¡°You are actually a member of the Sky Heart Sect. Could it be that your sect has revived once more?¡± Zhao Sheng was very surprised.


    The Sky Heart Sect once posed a major threat to the Heavenly Dao Sect, with an exceptionally large collective power. Despite being destroyed multiple times over millennia, it always managed to rebuild its doors, exhibiting a vitality even more formidable than that of a cockroach.


    The woman did not respond directly to Zhao Sheng¡¯s question, but continued to persistently inquire about the whereabouts of the Holy Daughter.


    Zhao Sheng, of course, could not easily reveal the truth, so he said, ¡°Taoist, I have already answered your question, but you haven¡¯t answered mine. Where did this thousand-year-old Hedgehog God Statue come from?¡±


    Seeing this, the woman answered very straightforwardly, ¡°This item was obtained by chance, from a remote small county under Songlan Prefecture. The local believers were vast in number, but it¡¯s a pity they inadvertently provoked our sect. Later, an elder from our sect took action and destroyed the Divine Temple, and the Divine Statue also fell into my hands.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, ¡°What kind of treasure would you like to exchange for? Cultivation Technique? Spirit Pill? Spiritual Artifact, or something else?¡±


    The woman stepped forward, waved her hand as if to clear the black mist in front of her eyes, and said firmly, ¡°Those are no longer important. All I want to know now is the whereabouts of our sect¡¯s Holy Daughter. Just tell me the truth, and this Hedgehog God Statue is yours.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze flickered as he said gravely, ¡°Tell me everything you know about this Hedgehog God.¡±


    ¡°Agreed!¡±


    Immediately, the woman produced a Jade Pupil Scroll and placed it on her forehead, inputting all relevant information into it all at once.


    After a moment, the woman removed the scroll and lightly tossed it over.


    Zhao Sheng caught the Jade Scroll and said lightly, ¡°The Holy Daughter of your sect is currently imprisoned in the Divine Prison on the seventeenth layer, she¡¯s still alive for now.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the woman was both shocked and delighted, and eagerly asked, ¡°May I ask, Taoist, when did you see the Holy Daughter? Is there a way to see her again?¡±


    ¡°Hmm, the information on the meeting time has a price, and sending a message has another price. Not to mislead you, I am also a Wind Carrier,¡± he explained.


    Overjoyed by this, the woman said, ¡°The price is negotiable, I guarantee you¡¯ll be satisfied. If you could manage to rescue the Holy Daughter, the reward from our sect will definitely exceed your expectations.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s not discuss the rescue for now; do you still want the preceding information?¡±


    ¡°Of course, why wouldn¡¯t I? How about three hundred Spirit Stones? If you can send a message to the Holy Daughter, the price could increase tenfold, to three thousand Spirit Stones!¡±


    An offer voluntarily made is naturally not to be refused. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng immediately raised the price, ¡°I am not short of Spirit Stones. If you could add another Divine Statue that has received a thousand years of incense, or deliver snakes, hedgehogs, bats, toads, and other such spirit beasts, I might agree. Moreover, a discussion about a rescue might be negotiable too.


    Remember, it must be spiritual spirit beasts capable of connecting with humans, don¡¯t try to fool me with ordinary demon beasts.¡±


    The woman from the Sky Heart Sect, without hesitating, agreed, ¡°At most half a month, the items you asked for from our sect will surely be delivered. Where should we meet?¡±


    Zhao Sheng smiled and said, ¡°The Ghost Market is a good place, let¡¯s meet here. Half a month later, goods delivered, deal done!¡±


    ¡°As per your word, agreed!¡±


    ¡­


    Moments later, Zhao Sheng returned alone to the White Bone Chair Forest, the woman from the Sky Heart Sect having already left the Ghost Market.


    When the people at the Ghost Market saw him return, many immediately sent him messages.


    Zhao Sheng, adept at multitasking, warmly ¡°communicated¡± with the crowd, often concluding a deal in a few words.


    He was open to all comers for the Five Communicating Spirit Beasts and Five Passes Divine Statues. The more he acquired, the greater his options.


    About another hour passed, and everyone had completed their transactions.


    Then, someone suddenly lit an incense stick and said, ¡°Trading is over, now everyone is free to trade information.¡±

 Chapter 530: 344 Summoning Gods_2

    Chapter 530: Chapter 344 Summoning Gods_2


    As he finished speaking, amidst the dense crowd, two people whispered to each other for a moment, and one of them stood up and asked, ¡°I need to know if the Great Elder of the Gu Family, Gu Qi, has already passed away in meditation. As long as the information is true, I am willing to exchange it for ten mid-grade Spirit Stones.¡±


    It seemed like a difficult question, and no one in the audience spoke up for quite some time.


    After a moment, suddenly a voice rang out:


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if the Main Priest Gu has died, but what I do know is that the Gu Family¡¯s ancestral hall is about to undergo some major construction.¡±


    ¡°Oh, when will they break ground? How about five hundred Spirit Stones?¡±


    ¡°Seven hundred!¡±


    ¡°Okay, step aside to talk.¡±


    The two of them walked into the mist one after the other, and the trade of information continued.


    As Zhao Sheng observed others speaking up, he casually threw out a few important ¡°pieces of information,¡± all related to the vital secrets of Chu State City¡¯s major families.


    The information he disclosed immediately caught the interest of most people present.


    This also allowed him to successfully conduct several transactions, establishing a reputation and effectively opening up a ¡°new market.¡±


    Every cultivator present in the true Ghost Market today, without exception, possessed strength and cultivation realms no less than Foundation Establishment. Those below Foundation Establishment had no right to stand here.


    Zhao Sheng even vaguely sensed that among these people, there were one or two Golden Core Main Priests hiding. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By the time an incense stick had burned out, the black fog suddenly thickened, and Zhao Sheng¡¯s vision went dark.


    After a dizzying whirl, he found himself leaning against the trunk of a red willow tree, facing a bustling and noisy street market.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s figure flashed, and he disappeared instantly.


    Half a month flashed by in an instant.


    Zhao Sheng once again visited the Ghost Market and successfully made contact with someone from the Sky Heart Sect within the misty realm.


    This transaction went smoothly without any complications, and Zhao Sheng in one go took possession of the Mao Yue White Snake, Blood-eyed Green Bat, Black Armored Hedgehog, and Mysterious Azure Toad¡ªfour of the Five Communicating Spirit Beasts, with grades no lower than Second Order.


    However, the Sky Heart Sect only requested that he deliver a Communication Token to their Holy Daughter.


    ¡­


    On the seventeenth floor of the Divine Prison,


    The cell was dark, the chill was bone-piercing, and an eerie silence prevailed.


    That day, a shadow suddenly appeared in a corner of the cell.


    ¡°You¡¯ve come!¡±


    An electric light instantly brightened the dim space, and a woman in white was tightly bound to a cross by chains. Despite the agonizing pain as if struck by lightning, she suddenly looked up towards the dark corner.


    Her messy long hair hung down on both sides, revealing a pale, emaciated face and a pair of clear, watery eyes.


    ¡°Mhm, I¡¯m here. But it seems you¡¯ve deceived me before.¡±


    As he spoke, Zhao Sheng, cloaked in a black robe, emerged from the darkness, stopping about ten feet from the woman in white.


    Xin Wuyan¡¯s eyes brightened slightly, and she said with a touch of joy, ¡°You¡­ you¡¯ve made contact with someone from my sect.¡±


    ¡°I must admit the Sky Heart Sect¡¯s secret techniques are truly incredible, capable of evading the sensing of my Divine Sense¡¯s five perceptions. That¡¯s right, not only have I met with members of the Sky Heart Sect, but I¡¯ve also brought some good news. The item is here, take a look for yourself!¡±


    As he finished speaking, Zhao Sheng suddenly had a palm-sized white Paper Talisman in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, the talisman shot out and accurately affixed itself to the woman in white¡¯s forehead.


    The next second, the Paper Talisman spontaneously ignited and turned into a stream of white light that entered the woman¡¯s forehead.


    Xin Wuyan¡¯s face quickly revealed a trace of a smile, and a flush of rosy color rushed to her pallid cheeks.


    ¡°Wuyan thanks you, Taoist friend, for your assistance. Should I survive and leave this place, I shall surely repay this life-saving grace.¡±


    ¡°Mhm, it seems your identity hasn¡¯t been truly exposed yet, otherwise, given the style of the Divine Prison, you wouldn¡¯t have made it to today. I can¡¯t be bothered to know what important secrets you¡¯re carrying, but¡­ after this affair is over, we probably won¡¯t have many chances to meet again. If you have anything you want to tell the Sky Heart Sect, just say it! Today, I¡¯ll do a good deed and help you pass the message.¡±


    However, to Zhao Sheng¡¯s surprise, the woman in white actually refused his offer.


    ¡°No need! The Communication Token you just brought is the greatest news to me. I have nothing to say.¡±


    ¡°Fine! That saves me some trouble. Before I go, I¡¯d like to ask you one more thing. Do you want to make another deal?¡±


    ¡°Can you save me?¡±


    ¡°Still the same answer, no!¡± Zhao Sheng said half-seriously, half-jokingly.


    In fact, he was capable of rescuing her, but he did not wish to disrupt his plans for the sake of saving one person.


    ¡°Save me. No matter the Divine Skill Treasure Book, spiritual pill, or Immortal Beauty, you choose! My sect has the Tribulation Crossing Secret Technique, which can help you advance to the Golden Core Realm.¡± Xin Wuyan


    ¡°Hehe! Sorry, I¡¯m still not interested.¡±


    As his voice faded, Zhao Sheng¡¯s form turned into nothingness and disappeared from in front of Xin Wuyan.


    After witnessing this scene, Xin Wuyan¡¯s heart surged, and she thought in extreme astonishment: ¡°Who on earth is this person? Owning what kind of Divine Secret Skill, he treats the numerous Prohibitions as nothing, moving freely in the strictly guarded Divine Prison. If this person were to join my sect¡­¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°What, say that again?¡± Prison Captain Ren Zhong looked at the person in front of him with a surprised expression and asked urgently.


    Ahem!


    Zhao Sheng coughed and said loudly, ¡°My lord, I have reached the Perfect Realm of Qi Refining Perfection. I hope you will show mercy and give me a chance to achieve Foundation Establishment.¡±


    After saying that, he released part of his breath, and the fluctuation of his Spiritual Power matched the performance of someone at the Qi Refining Perfection level.


    After carefully sensing it, Ren Zhong laughed heartily and said, ¡°It¡¯s true! Sanbao, you¡¯ve been in Divine Prison for more than thirty years now! With dual Spirit Roots of top-grade quality, you¡¯ve managed to reach Qi Refining Perfection even in such a dangerous environment. Impressive as always!¡±

 Chapter 531: 344: Summoning Gods_3

    Chapter 531: Chapter 344: Summoning Gods_3


    ¡°By the way, have you amassed enough merit points?¡±


    ¡°Thanks to your excellency, I gathered enough two years ago. I should be able to exchange for a Blood Spirit Foundation Establishment Pill.¡±


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng appeared to be a stooped old man with graying hair, seemingly worn down prematurely by years of life as a Prison Guard. However, his spirit was still robust.


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s indeed a joyous occasion. I won¡¯t hold you back. If you can advance to Foundation Establishment, it would set an example and give hope to the others. After all, the Prison Guards these years are getting worse batch by batch, too many have died, and it ultimately reflects poorly on me.¡±


    ¡°I will give you an order now. Go to the warehouse and exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill right away. Additionally, you are granted special access to a B-class Cave Mansion in hopes of improving your chances of success by a slight margin.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, my lord!¡±


    Upon exiting the room, Zhao Sheng suddenly straightened his back, his expression tranquil like an ancient well, as if the groveling figure seen moments before was nothing but an illusion.


    In the following days, he spent about a week going through various procedures and finally managed to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill and gained half a year¡¯s access to a B-class Cave Mansion.


    No need to dwell on trivial matters!


    Half a month later, with the expectations of many Prison Guards upon him, Zhao Sheng entered a Cultivation Cave Mansion in the southwest of Miao City¡¯s Hall of Arduous Cultivation.


    The outsiders naturally thought he was attempting Foundation Establishment, unaware that Zhao Sheng was merely using this pretext to undertake a great endeavor he had been planning for a long time.


    ¡­


    In Chu State City, two hundred meters beneath Zhao Mansion.


    An underground cavern, once filled with rows of bookshelves, now had a large clearing at its center.


    The ground of the clearing was entirely covered with large Jade Plates, each densely engraved with runes and intricate lines.


    Thirty-six White Jade Spirit Pillars stood around the perimeter, also covered in runes and shimmering with spirit light.


    At the center, surrounded by the spirit columns, stood a tall, round Magic Platform, upon which a golden Hedgehog God Statue towered. From the platform radiated lines of clear light, with golden light vaguely visible in the Upper Sky¡ªan indication of an extraordinarily dense Power of Incense almost taking shape.


    At this moment, Zhao Sheng, dressed in a Robe of Celestial Bodies, stood solemnly behind a magic desk.


    On the desk lay various magical instruments such as a knife, pen, seal, bell, and tower, all sparkling with spirit light and displaying a remarkable aura.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    Suddenly, Zhao Sheng¡¯s entire body was enveloped in magic light, and he began to walk in an archaic and solemn manner, his hands forming countless Spell Seals, while he chanted under his breath, ¡°Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, heed my summon! ???????¡­ Five Pass Ghost God, Hedgehog God, heed my call forthwith!¡±


    Upon issuing the Summoning Order, Zhao Sheng¡¯s right hand grasped a crystal knife, and his left summoned a Purple copper bell.


    While ringing the bell to emit waves of clear sound, he quickly moved away from the desk and approached the base of the Divine Statue. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thump!


    With a thought, a massive shadow fell beneath the statue, revealing an enormous hedgehog with black spines and a body as large as an elephant.


    In an instant, the crystal knife turned into a streak of crystal light and decapitated the Spiritual Hedgehog, causing blood to gush out like a flood, drenching much of the Magic Platform.


    Squeak, squeak!


    To his surprise, the Spiritual Hedgehog was not dead. Its head let out pitiable squeals, and a faint Demon Soul began to rise from it.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes blazed with spirit, and his Divine Sense burst forth, striking into the body of the Demon Soul and linking it with the Hedgehog God Statue.


    The very next second, the Spiritual Hedgehog Demon Soul was absorbed by the statue, which suddenly burst into intense golden light.


    A fragrant wind arose out of nowhere in the cave, as streaks of golden light began to coalesce. Suddenly, a misty Divine Light appeared from the void and quickly merged into the statue.


    The eyes of the statue suddenly came to life,

 Chapter 532: 345 Vengeful Spirit Skill

    Chapter 532: Chapter 345 Vengeful Spirit Skill


    The Divine Statue released a dazzling golden light in an instant, and a majestic and grand voice suddenly echoed through the cave mansion, ¡°Who dares to summon me? If you dare¡­ Ah!¡±


    This Five Pass Ghost God apparently had no grasp of the situation. It had barely spoken half a sentence when a white light mesh suddenly rose from beneath the statue, instantly enveloping the entire body of the statue and rapidly contracting, disappearing into the statue.


    Ah!


    After a scream, it abruptly stopped.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s expression was as still as water, his entire body¡¯s Spiritual Power boiling. Stepping with the Seven Star Steps and forming a sword finger with his hand, he suddenly saw the white light mesh fly out from the body of the statue, wrapping around an amber-like golden light, within which vaguely emerged a half-human, half-porcupine ¡°Ghost God.¡±


    The Ghost God struggled desperately, causing the light mesh to twist and distort severely, but it never managed to break free from its confinement.


    ¡°Who are you? Release me at once! I am sealed by the Heavenly Decree, under the protection of heaven and earth. If you remain obstinate, you will surely be cursed by heaven!¡±


    Zhao Sheng completely ignored the string of ghostly words. With his right hand, he guided the light mesh to fly above the Magic Platform as his left hand flung, sending a streak of flowing light toward the platform, transforming into a black Three-legged and Six-eared tripod.


    The lid of the tripod magically lifted, the light mesh wrapping the Ghost God¡¯s origin flashed into the tripod, then the lid abruptly fell, sealing the tripod furnace tightly.


    Whoosh!


    A red light burst from Zhao Sheng¡¯s glabella, and a foot-large, translucent and pure Red Fire Lotus emerged, shining through.


    The Fire Lotus drifted down to the bottom of the tripod furnace and began to burn quietly.


    Buzzing!


    As Zhao Sheng returned to the Magic Platform and picked up a Jade Token to infuse it with Spiritual Power, light pillars around started buzzing, then beams of light shot out one after another, all focusing above the tripod furnace and soon evolved into a giant and striking Eight Diagrams Light Prison, isolating inside from outside.


    After completing these tasks, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind moved, and a strand of crystal light flew to his hand.


    He lifted his Robe of Celestial Bodies, revealing a muscular and jade-like upper body.


    Poof!


    Without a second word, he slashed, and blood light surged.


    Shockingly, Zhao Sheng had sliced open a huge gash in his own body, revealing his gut and bowels clearly.


    His expression unchanged, he impassively manipulated the small knife, gently scraping over his liver.


    Pop!


    The fresh, dark green liver suddenly dropped outside the body, immediately supported by a force, slowly flying to the front of the platform and falling into a Jade Plate.


    Zhao Sheng tossed aside the crystal small knife, closed the gaping wound, and then swallowed a Three Returns Life Elixir, allowing the massive wound to heal swiftly before his very eyes.


    However, no one saw that within the originally empty space of Zhao Sheng¡¯s liver, a small cluster of Spiritual Cell Tissue was multiplying rapidly, as if a new liver was forming.


    Undoubtedly, this was due to the Body Rejuvenation.


    Zhao Sheng redressed in his Robe of Celestial Bodies, walked to the front of the platform, and flipped his hand to reveal a shining ¡°Bright Pearl.¡±


    This ¡°Bright Pearl¡± was both Divinity and Law Fragment inherently possessing an extremely weak Heavenly Dao Authority.


    ¡°It all depends on this move!¡±


    Zhao Sheng muttered under his breath, flicking his hand to press the ¡°Bright Pearl¡± into his liver. Suddenly a large surge of spirit light shot from the palm of his hand, instantly enveloping the liver.


    ¡°To those approaching God-status¡­ there are divine beings between heaven and earth, and I shall become one!¡±


    Zhao Sheng gently jumped and sat cross-legged in the Void, as strands of Divine Sense evolved into spiritual imprints, accompanying the drizzles of spirit light penetrating into the liver.


    This action was aimed to Refine the Divinity and merge the two into one. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, under the tripod furnace on the other side of the platform, Karmic Fire Red Lotus gradually strengthened, bit by bit incinerating the Ghost God inside the furnace, the purpose being to erase its excess Divine Thoughts.


    For Zhao Sheng, multitasking was merely a basic operation. It was rather the continuous drain of Spiritual Power and spirit that posed a significant challenge.


    However, he was wealthy, and being an Alchemy Master himself, refining more Spirit Pills was sufficient to sustain him for decades.


    Of course, to Refine a Ghost God alone would only take a few months, not decades.


    Time sped by during the refining process, and in a blink, three months had passed.


    That day, in the underground cave, the pervasive red light rapidly diminished.


    Retract!


    With a loud shout, a beam of red light abruptly shot from beneath the tripod and flashed into Zhao Sheng¡¯s glabella, transforming into a vivid depiction of a nine-petaled lotus.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes showed a trace of joy. With a flick of his finger, a green meatball in the Jade Plate bounced up, flying toward the adjacent tripod furnace.


    The lid of the tripod opened just as the meatball fell in, and then the lid fell back into place.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s form sank to the ground, he walked to the platform in two steps, placed his hands on both ears of the tripod furnace, channeling a great amount of Spiritual Power and simultaneously releasing his powerful Divine Sense, all pouring into the furnace.


    At this moment, the Five Pass Ghost God within the tripod had been refined into an empty Divine Shell.


    The dark-coloured meatball entered and the two were drawn together like magnets. As soon as they touched, they instantly melded together seamlessly.


    The meatball lightly writhed, quickly transforming into a small figure about a foot tall, surrounded by a halo of golden light, bearing a slight resemblance to Zhao Sheng, only it was covered with flesh spikes, the tips flickering with faint black light.


    ¡°Ha-ha! Success.¡±


    Zhao Sheng was overjoyed. He swept the lid of the tripod open, and with a thought, the small figure swiftly shot from the tripod, flew into mid-air and hovered motionlessly, light as a Feihong.


    After carefully examining the small figure, Zhao Sheng¡¯s mind shifted, and his consciousness instantly projected onto the small figure.


    With a thought, the small figure suddenly shrank into a ball and shot toward that golden statue.


    Bang!


    A head-sized hole was smashed into the abdomen of the statue, a ball of flesh wriggled inside, quickly filling up the gap.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s face revealed joy as he clenched a spell between his fingers, a clear glow enveloping the Magic Platform.

 Chapter 533: 345 Vengeful Spirit Skill_2

    Chapter 533: Chapter 345 Vengeful Spirit Skill_2


    In the blink of an eye, a large amount of incense turned into a golden light rain that fell down, with golden light flowing like water, flowing over the Divine Statue¡¯s abdomen, submerging the cave entrance.


    After a moment of glittering golden light, the wound on the abdomen of the Divine Statue had vanished into thin air, its body as good as new and emitting a faint majestic pressure.


    The Power of Incense was elusive, yet through the Vengeful Spirit, Zhao Sheng was now exceptionally clear in sensing it.


    Indeed, after years of diligent research, combining Qiu Santong¡¯s Summoning Divine Skill and several lifetimes of experience, he had created an unprecedented secret technique of Divine Tao.


    The full name of this technique is the Vengeful Spirit Fake Body Puppet Skill, simply called the Vengeful Spirit Skill. The essence of this technique lies in artificially creating a Vengeful Spirit, using the main Vengeful Spirit¡¯s body to indirectly gather and control the Power of Incense.


    The Power of Incense is a lower form of Will Power yet three parts more mysterious than nature¡¯s spiritual energy.


    Will Power originates from the Innate Five Virtues Dao, which is some kind of manifestation of the power of the Tao. In the Constant Sand World, Will Power is magical and almost omnipotent.


    The Innate Five Virtues stand side by side with the Innate Five Great Five Luck, divided into Saintly Virtue, merit, Blessings, Yin De, and Moral these five Tao.


    As for the mysteries of the Five Virtues, even ordinary mortals are aware, so there is no need to elaborate.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng had no illusions about penetrating the Innate Five Virtues Dao through the Power of Incense.


    His goal was very simple, firstly, to explore the mysterious Will Power as preparation for his future breakthrough to the Divinity Transformation Realm.


    Secondly, he wanted to evolve the Five Passes God into the Five Elements¡ªGold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth¡ªand then settle within his fleshly body¡¯s five viscera to transform into a Spirit God.


    The Vengeful Spirit Skill was just the starting point for one of Zhao Sheng¡¯s grand ambitions; it was merely a rudimentary form that would continue to be deduced and perfected in the future.


    Perhaps he would discover that this path was a dead end, and he might need to tear down and rebuild it several times.


    For the time being, the Vengeful Spirit served only as a container for collecting the Power of Incense, not yet of much use.


    However, Zhao Sheng had time. He could wait. If not in this life, then in the next.


    He rolled up his sleeves and slapped his spirit beast bag with his right hand.


    A flash of light and shadow passed, and suddenly there was a White Hedgehog on the Magic Platform as big as a calf, but with a body as pure as jade.


    The beast¡¯s eyes, like jade beans, flickered with an intelligent light, clearly indicating its high spiritual nature.


    Zhao Sheng looked indifferently and asked coldly, ¡°Wretched beast, it¡¯s been such a long time. I¡¯ll ask you one last time, will you sign this hundred-year Spirit Contract or not?¡±


    ¡°Squeak, squeak, squeak!¡± The White Spiritual Hedgehog crouched on the ground, whimpering pitifully.


    Over the past few months, it had been beaten countless times and was thoroughly subdued by Zhao Sheng, not even daring to think of escaping.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± With a cold snort, Zhao Sheng¡¯s palm suddenly flashed with a cluster of thunderous Electric Light, ready to be released.


    Squeak~


    The Spiritual Hedgehog trembled with fear at the sight of the Thunder Light, nodding desperately and shedding tears of grievance from the corner of its eyes.


    ¡°Stop crying. After you serve me for a hundred years, I will set you free. But I fear that when the time comes, I¡¯ll have to chase you away because you will not want to leave,¡± he said, pointing to the Divine Statue and commanding, ¡°Go, offer your Heart Blood to the Divine Statue, then do as instructed.¡±


    With that, he shot a Divine Thought from his brow into the hedgehog¡¯s head.


    Suddenly, a great deal of information appeared in its mind, and a golden talisman emerged above its Soul Sea.


    Moments later, under Zhao Sheng¡¯s despotism, the Spiritual Hedgehog submitted and signed the Spirit Contract, becoming the first Messenger of Divine under the Five Passes Hedgehog God.


    Thereafter, Zhao Sheng put the White Hedgehog back into the spirit beast bag and collected the Divine Statue into his Storage Space.


    And then he turned into nothingness and disappeared.


    ¡­


    In the Cultivation Room of the cave mansion, Zhao Sheng reseated himself cross-legged on the cushion and lifted his hands, inspecting them carefully.


    After a palm faintly glowed, a dark, gleaming spike emerged from the center of his palm and rapidly lengthened, reaching three inches in the blink of an eye.


    Zhao Sheng looked at the black spike in his palm thoughtfully.


    Ever since the Vengeful Spirit replaced the Five Passes Hedgehog God, some of the Divine Arts that originated from the ¡°Divine Spirit¡± had naturally come under Zhao Sheng¡¯s control, almost becoming a kind of instinct.


    Although the lethality of such a transformation spell was weaker than ordinary First-tier Magic, its significance and the future potential of such Divine Arts were incredibly vast.


    Subsequently, he turned his gaze inward, yet found no origin for the black spikes¡ªthey seemed to have grown out of thin air.


    Fortunately, at a thought, the black spikes instantly retracted into his skin and vanished without a trace.


    Thus intrigued, Zhao Sheng immediately began trying different methods to delve into the mysteries of the Divine Arts.


    The next second, Zhao Sheng raised one hand with the palm facing up before his eyes, his body emanating a billowing red light that formed layers of light shields enveloping his palm.


    With a mere thought, black spikes began to sprout silently from the center of his palm.


    As his will intensified, the black spikes grew rapidly, visible to the naked eye, and soon made contact with the light shield.


    In a blink of an eye, the black spikes suddenly shattered into small wisps of black qi, yet more and more black spikes continued to emerge.


    Waves of black spikes broke off incessantly and grew out just as unstoppably.


    The entire process was captured in his gaze.


    Zhao Sheng was extremely astonished because these black spikes didn¡¯t deplete even a fraction of his spirit, as though some other ¡°external force¡± was continuously supplying the energy.


    But soon, a look of surprise appeared on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face; he had realized that the black spikes originated from the Vengeful Spirit, but their source was the Power of Incense.


    With this thought in mind, to verify another idea, his expression grew stern. His Divine Sense burst forth with full force, concentrating his spirit to a singular point.


    Suddenly, the black spikes began to grow wildly,


    and a bizarre scene unfolded.


    On the surfaces of the original black spikes, layers upon layers of new spikes began to pile up, forming a second and third layer, which quickly fused and thickened, making the spikes appear even sharper and more durable than before, undoubtedly doubling their destructive power.


    Zhao Sheng glanced at the thick black spikes shimmering with cold light, a flash of understanding in his eyes; the light shield enveloping his hand dissipated as suddenly as bubbles bursting.


    With a ¡°puff,¡± sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    a flash of black light pierced deep into the wall three meters away, leaving black voids the size of thumbs, with scorch marks all around the edges.


    ¡°Tsk tsk, this is almost comparable to a strike at the Qi Refining Late Stage¡ªit¡¯s equivalent to the destructive power of a first-tier upper-level magic. Truly impressive. One must not underestimate the Divine Spirits of this realm; with the Heavenly Dao¡¯s blessing, these beings are ten times more formidable than cultivators of the same stage,¡± Zhao Sheng marveled, waving his hand to dissipate the black spikes lingering in his palm.


    ¡°Now, it¡¯s about time to find a suitable temple sacrifice for the Five Passes Temple. How can a temple such as this be uncared for?¡±


    As the echo lingered, Zhao Sheng had disappeared from the Cultivation Room.


    ¡­


    On this day, while Gu Yu was refining a treasure in a secret chamber, a buzzing noise suddenly emanated from his waist.


    Startled, he flicked his sleeves and drew out a Communication Disk from the other side.


    On the disk¡¯s surface, amidst the flickering white light, a row of faint golden characters emerged.


    He squinted at the text, and a hint of surprise appeared on his face.


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t Senior Wuying been missing for a long time? I thought he had long since passed away, but now he suddenly makes an appearance. And he wants me to meet him at the Moon Invitation Tower right away. What could this mean?¡±


    After muttering to himself, he still put away the disk in his hand and stood up to leave.


    Shortly after, Gu Yu descended from a Cloud Car in front of a nine-story building. Just as he was about to stride in, he sensed something and turned to look in another direction.


    He saw, not far away in the sky, a green wooden boat hurtling towards him, stopping just above his head within a few breaths¡¯ time.


    A figure then flashed, and a young man in brocaded clothes with a jade-like face leapt down from the boat.


    ¡°Brother Gu, are you here as well? Were you also summoned here?¡± the brocaded young man asked with a hint of surprise upon seeing Gu Yu.


    ¡°Gu indeed has matters to attend to here. But what do you mean by ¡®summoned¡¯? Could it be¡­¡± Gu Yu asked with a flicker in his eyes.


    ¡°I received a message from Old Taoist Wuying, which is why I hurried over here. I¡¯m not too clear on the reasons either. Aren¡¯t you the same? He was once a Guest Elder for your family,¡± the brocaded young man remarked, equally puzzled.


    ¡°That was before; now it remains to be seen. Since that¡¯s the case, let¡¯s enter together. We will likely know the reasons once inside,¡± Gu Yu nodded, his expression contemplative.


    The brocaded young man naturally agreed, and the two men entered the building side by side.


    When the maids of the Moon Invitation Tower saw the two gentlemen, one of the strikingly beautiful women came forward and said with a bow:


    ¡°Young Masters, Senior Wuying awaits in the main hall. Allow this servant to guide you there.¡±


    ¡°Lead the way,¡± the brocaded young man responded without hesitation.


    This person was a scion of the direct lineage of the Wu family, known to be quite amiable and approachable.


    And so, the two were led by the maid towards the highest floor of the nine-story building.


    Moments later, when the two men arrived at the main hall on the top floor, they were taken aback by the group of people already seated inside.

 Chapter 534 346 Five Virtues Theory and Eastern Travel Record

    Moments later, as the two stepped into the top-floor hall, an astonishing aura instantly enveloped them. This invisible yet majestic atmosphere caused them both to tremble violently, with cold sweat suddenly streaming down their foreheads.


    "Golden Core Main Priest?" Gu Yu almost cried out in shock.


    His gaze was fearful as he looked up and swept across the hall, immediately identifying the target.


    It was because that person''s aura was overwhelmingly powerful; he seemed like a blazing sun, constantly radiating infinite Light Heat, making everyone else nearly nonexistent in comparison.


    This was a middle-aged Taoist with unremarkable features, who looked disconcertingly familiar to the extent that Gu Yu felt his mouth go dry and his mind fog up.


    At this moment, there were not many people sitting in the hall, about five or so.


    Four of them, however, were people from the other major families of Chu State City, each of high status and all possessing the potential for Foundation Establishment advancement.


    But at this moment, these few seemed completely undistracted, engrossed in flipping through the blue thread-bound books in their hands.


    They were reading very slowly, as if the books contained exceedingly profound knowledge.


    Zhao Sheng sat leisurely in the main seat of the hall, gently caressing a small and delicate White Hedgehog with his right hand. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He glanced at Gu Yu, and said indifferently, "Since you are here, come in, find a seat, and sit down!"


    As his words fell, the oppressive force weighing on Gu Yu''s heart suddenly lessened greatly, causing Gu Yu''s spirit to lift, and he quickly walked into the hall, bowing respectfully to Zhao Sheng from a distance, "Junior Gu Yu, greets Senior Wuying!"


    Almost concurrently, the brocade-clad youth exaggeratedly performed a bow as well and loudly exclaimed, "Junior Wu Yifan, greets Senior Wuying!"


    "Sit! And wait for the others." Zhao Sheng nodded, then pointed to the seats beside him.


    Gu Yu silently recited the Netherworld God Eight-character Mantra, gathered his spirit, walked a few steps to a chair, and carefully sat down, instinctively putting on a warm and sincere smile on his face.


    Wu Yifan also sat down close by.


    Although the people seated were all familiar with each other, the hall was silent at the moment, with no one daring to speak casually.


    Everyone was suppressed by the powerful aura, sitting stiffly in their seats, each silent as a cicada during winter.


    Gu Yu secretly observed the long unheard-of Master Wuying, feeling extremely astonished inside.


    Previously aging and frail, the person suddenly reversed his aging and regained his youth.


    Aside from a miracle, there was probably only one possibility, that this person had succeeded in a breakthrough, already advanced to... Golden Core!


    "Is this... possible?" Gu Yu''s emotions were complicated as he quietly questioned himself, somewhat doubting his own judgment.


    One should know that even as powerful as the Gu Family, with thousands of Cultivation clansmen, there were only two or three Golden Core Ancestors who could support the family''s fortune.


    For a Loose Cultivator to also advance to Golden Core, rivaling an ancestor, left Gu Yu not only astonished but also enviously resentful!


    At this moment, a person silently passed a book to him. Gu Yu took it and saw "Five Virtues Theory" penned on the cover, with ancient and grand implications that immediately came over him.


    Opening it, he saw each line written in elegant, flowing script: "Universe in full circle, Five Virtues endlessly cycle, at the beginning of Innate, Essence of the Tao¡­"


    After reading just two lines, Gu Yu was involuntarily engrossed in it, feeling each word was a jewel, containing the Great Dao Truth, sparking numerous inspirations and insights in his mind, even moving him as if he had heard the Dao and could die in the evening without regret.


    Time passed unknowingly until the final page of the book was turned. The text abruptly stopped after the line "Five Virtues Play Five Elements, Five Gods Conceived."


    After reading, Gu Yu was extremely disturbed, desperately scratching his head, eager to know the latter content.


    Just then, another thread-bound book stealthily made its way into his hands.


    Gu Yu felt a surge of joy but was deeply disappointed the moment he glanced at the cover, unable to help muttering under his breath, "What on earth is ''Eastern Travel Record''? Where is the second part of ''Five Virtues Theory''?!"


    He looked around, noticing that four or five more people had joined in the hall, each one a familiar face.


    Yet, whether they were early or late, everyone had their heads down, engrossed in reading, with some looking enchanted and captivated, while others were visibly excited.


    At this moment, Master Wuying still sat leisurely there, only now the White Hedgehog had shockingly grown to the size of a calf, lying curled at its master''s feet.


    However, this White Hedgehog was also emanating a faint oppressive aura, as it turned out to be a Second-level Spirit Beast comparable to those at the Foundation Establishment.


    Still, Gu Yu only felt surprised for a moment before regaining his composure.


    He lowered his head again, opened the ''Eastern Travel Record'', and started to read carefully.


    After finishing the first chapter, he suddenly realized, this book wasn''t about great Dao truths, but a travelogue about a person, a Taoist named Qingping.


    The narrative was structured in chapters, each detailing a short story.


    The first chapter, titled "Seeking Official Rank," told of Taoist Qingping coming down the mountain, encountering a weasel seeking a seal, but then being scared off by its furious shout and fleeing in a panic.


    The story ended with an Imperial Decree exorcising spirits and ghosts, the spell was very simple, almost like mortal magic tricks.


    Turning to the second chapter titled "Beautiful Ghost," it recounted how Taoist Zhao hung a plaque at Lanruo Temple, played cleverly with a beautiful ghost at night, and ultimately called upon Five Passengers to jointly slay an old corpse.


    At the end of the story, an alchemy from folk tales was recorded again, teaching how to use yang blood to dispel ghostly Corpse Qi and also listing several animals full of yang energy, such as black dogs, roosters, hedgehogs, goats, and so on.

 Chapter 535: 346 Five Virtues Theory and Eastern Travel Record_2

    Chapter 535: Chapter 346 ¡®Five Virtues Theory¡¯ and ¡®Eastern Travel Record¡¯_2


    Chapter Three ¡°The Head Exchange¡±


    Chapter Four¡­ The book read, ¡°Daoist Qingping paid homage to the Four Directions Heavenly Emperor and chanted the Five Passes Summoning God Technique, quickly calling forth a group of snakes and pythons that were a dense patch of various colors, the largest coiled like a mountain while the smallest as thin as silk threads. The Daoist pinched a spell between his fingers and muttered under his breath, ¡®By the command of the Five Passes, serpents heed the True Monarch, come out¡­!''¡±


    ¡°Eastern Travel Record¡± leaned towards the humorous, its stories were bizarre yet intriguing, and its lines seemed to be filled with a sort of magic. Even Gu Yu, with his experience, found it immensely engaging.


    After an indeterminate amount of time had passed, a clear and deep bell sound suddenly rang out from the hall, instantly waking everyone absorbed in the book.


    Zhao Sheng cast his gaze over the crowd before he began, ¡°You¡¯ve all roughly finished reading the two books, what do you think?¡±


    ¡°Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!¡±


    ¡°Who is the sage behind this ¡®Five Virtues Theory¡¯? Truly, every word is a gem. I hold nothing but the utmost admiration.¡±


    ¡°Brother Liu speaks truly. The ¡®Five Virtues Theory¡¯ with its three thousand grand words is nothing short of profound in its simplicity, vast and deep. It is likely the work of some Divinity Transformation True Monarch.¡±


    ¡°The ¡®Five Virtues Theory¡¯ is undoubtedly mysterious and unfathomable, but I find the ¡®Eastern Travel Record¡¯ to be of much deeper meaning. Its stories all draw from the everyday life of the Mortal World, and the alchemy and martial arts presented at the end are very simple and practical, beneficial not only to mortals, but also to us. The intention behind the work of the Senior who composed this book is profound and beyond our reach.¡±


    ¡°Heh, ¡®Eastern Travel Record¡¯ is just a novel, it can hardly match ¡®Five Virtues Theory.¡¯ Besides, it makes frequent mention of the Five Passes God and repeatedly uses the power of deities to turn the tables, hinting at using literature to spread teachings. Do you all not understand it, or are you pretending to be confused?¡±


    ¡°Whether I understand or not, I need not debate with you. Senior Wuying is here, do not be presumptuous, do you think the Senior is an affiliate of Evil Gods and the Outer Path?¡±


    ¡°Hmph, Fang Xiaosan, you slander me! I am only discussing the text and have no other implications. Your intentions are malicious. I implore Senior Wuying to see through this.¡±


    Seeing that an argument was about to break out among them, Zhao Sheng raised his hand and a formidable presence bore down, instantly silencing the hall as everyone ceased speaking.


    ¡°Fang Xiaosan¡¯s words are not wrong. In writing this ¡®Eastern Travel Record,¡¯ I indeed intended to spread the name of the Five Passes God. I need not hide this point,¡± said Zhao Sheng.


    Nobody expected Zhao Sheng to openly admit the purpose of his writing the moment he spoke.


    Upon hearing this, Gu Yu and others immediately broke out in a cold sweat.


    In the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty, the Heavenly Dao Sect alone was revered above all others. Other than the officially consecrated deities who could openly propagate faith and enjoy offerings, all other deities who were not granted a Divine Talisman were branded as cults of Evil Gods and subject to severe repression.


    It seemed¡­ the Five Passes God was among the more notorious of the numerous Wild Gods, with many followers in the Mortal World and a deeply rooted foundation, making them a particularly troublesome class of Ghost Gods.


    Hearing the implication of Daoist Wuying¡¯s words, it seemed he was a believer in the Five Passes God?!


    With this thought in mind, Gu Yu grew even more alarmed and asked tremblingly, ¡°Senior, have you summoned us today to¡­ to convince us to believe in the Five Passes God? But¡­ but¡­¡±


    ¡°Mr. Gu worries too much. I entertained no such thought,¡± Zhao Sheng said with a slight smile.


    With this statement, everyone breathed a great sigh of relief.


    As long as they were not being coerced into converting to an Evil God.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze flashed, noting the expressions of everyone present, and then he continued, ¡°I summoned you today because I see in you a potential that ought not be wasted, reluctant to see you turn to dust after a hundred years. Therefore, I¡¯ve come to propose a few transactions with you.¡±


    Gu Yu¡¯s heart sank upon hearing these words. Wuying¡¯s statement had hit precisely what everyone feared most, stirring up the terror in their hearts. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without achieving Foundation Establishment, one would inevitably face death in twenty or so years.


    It should be noted that all present had practiced the ¡°Blood Soul Scripture¡± in their pursuit to advance to the Foundation Establishment, thus shortening their lifespans significantly.


    Yet, when they first attempted Foundation Establishment, everyone failed without exception.


    Gazing around, Gu Yu knew that it would be a stroke of extreme luck if even one of the present company achieved Foundation Establishment.


    Thus, Zhao Sheng¡¯s words ignited a fiery eagerness within everyone there.


    Nobody was a fool; all suddenly realized something, their eyes burning with intensity.


    ¡°Senior Wuying, please tell us. Whatever is within our power, we shall do our utmost. Only if¡­ only if¡­¡±


    ¡°Hehe! Your thoughts, I¡¯ve long been aware of. Rest assured, your future is bright. However, I currently have a matter and need your assistance.¡±


    ¡°Senior, speak your mind, if it means going through fire and water, I am more than willing,¡± one clever person immediately puffed out his chest and said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to drown me in words or even lift a finger. I merely wish to establish a cause and effect with you all.¡±


    ¡°Cause and effect?!¡± Gu Yu was filled with doubts upon hearing this.


    Zhao Sheng smiled and said, ¡°If you could lend me some Spirit Stones, that would establish the cause and effect. The more Spirit Stones you lend, the greater the cause and effect, and the more Blessings you will receive in the end. I assure you, you will not regret it in the future.¡±


    ¡°May I ask, Senior, with your strength, simply asking around the city, I believe major families would generously donate. Why then do you need to borrow from us?¡± A young man dressed in Jinyi suddenly asked.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face darkened, and the pressure in the hall greatly increased, ¡°If you¡¯re not lending, you can leave now. I don¡¯t have time to explain to you.¡±


    ¡°Senior, I meant no offense, I truly didn¡¯t. I have three thousand Spirit Stones at hand, here, to lend¡­ no, to offer to you. Please accept them with a laugh,¡± the young man in Jinyi pleaded in panic.


    ¡°What a joke, do you think I lack your measly Spirit Stones? I said I only want to borrow cause and effect, not to take your Spirit Stones for free. Have you read the Five Virtues Theory for nothing?¡±


    Gu Yu and Zhao Sheng were very familiar with each other. Seeing that the atmosphere had turned sour, he immediately stepped in to smooth things over, loudly saying, ¡°Senior, I was planning to lend all my Spirit Stones to you, a total of four thousand five hundred. If that¡¯s not enough, I¡¯ll find a way to get up to ten thousand when I go back.¡±


    Zhao Sheng said, ¡°Everything should be within one¡¯s capabilities! This applies to Foundation Establishment and also to Spirit Stones! Cause and effect begin with sincerity. I hope you all realize this for yourselves.¡±


    ¡°I have one thousand three hundred Spirit Stones here, all for you, Senior.¡±


    ¡°Senior, could you wait just a moment, I¡¯ll make a quick trip home and be right back.¡±


    At this point, others could no longer remain seated, some were superficial in their support, but of course, there were also those who harbored great expectations of Zhao Sheng.


    As for this, Zhao Sheng pretended not to see and simply accepted what came his way.


    A moment later, the atmosphere in the hall became strange; everyone looked at each other and emptied their pockets.


    Gu Yu, observing expressions, saw that Zhao Sheng was in a good mood, so he took the opportunity to ask, ¡°May I ask, Senior, what is your purpose? If you find the Spirit Stones insufficient, allow us to report to the Clan Leaders of our families. With your Golden Core Realm cultivation, our families will surely treat you as a distinguished guest.¡±


    Zhao Sheng lifted his eyelids and said abruptly, ¡°You¡¯ve all misunderstood! I have yet to advance to the Golden Core,¡±


    ¡°What? We¡­ we were mistaken,¡± Gu Yu exclaimed in shock.


    Before his words fell, Zhao Sheng added, ¡°But it¡¯s happening soon. As long as enough Spirit Stones are collected. The Golden Core? Easy.¡±


    Hearing this, Gu Yu had a flash of spirit light and tentatively asked, ¡°Senior, you seem so confident. Could it be¡­ could it be that you have the support of the Five Passes God?¡±


    ¡°Hehe! Finally, someone with a clear head has figured it out. That¡¯s right, all that I have achieved today is thanks to the Five Passes God,¡± Zhao Sheng purposely revealed the ¡°truth.¡±


    As soon as these words were heard, someone¡¯s eyes suddenly brightened scarily, like two large light bulbs, showing an endless desire.


    ¡°The Five Passes God is truly that effective? Impossible!¡±


    ¡°Hehe! Whether it¡¯s possible or not, you will know in the future. I can¡¯t be bothered to explain to you.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! Whether it¡¯s possible or not, you will know in the future. I can¡¯t be bothered to explain to you.¡±


    ¡°Hehe! Whether it¡¯s possible or not, you will know in the future. I can¡¯t be bothered to explain to you.¡±


    My apologies for the full attendance. It will be corrected soon.

 Chapter 536: 347: No One Understands Foundation Establishment Better Than Me

    Chapter 536: Chapter 347: No One Understands Foundation Establishment Better Than Me


    Three days had passed in a flash,


    On this day, two dark clouds blown by the wind covered part of the scorching sun overhead in Chu State City, providing the town with a rare touch of coolness.


    In the streets and alleys, groups of famine victims with extremely pale faces huddled together, timidly lying or curling up in corners.


    In order to eat, they had not only spent their last copper coin, but had also sold a lot of blood to the Blood Shop; their bodies were already weak to the extreme, now surviving merely on a breath of life.


    On the street, vehicles and pedestrians moved busily, but countless emaciated hands stretched out from the corners, looking like a patch of grass had grown on the ground from a distance.


    The famine victims hoped desperately for a kind-hearted person to give them a few copper coins, enough to exchange for a couple of coarse grain cakes to fill their stomachs.


    However¡­ the number of famine victims who died each day in Chu State City was far more than one would imagine.


    Every so often, corpse collectors dragged out the stiff, dried-up corpses from the crowd and carelessly threw them onto a cart.


    The bodies piled up messily, and only when there was truly no more room did the corpse collectors joyfully pull the cart towards the Charity Estate outside the city.


    A body could exchange for a hundred coins at the Charity Estate! If the body turned into a zombie, the price could increase by dozens of times, worth seven or eight taels of silver.


    In these ghostly times, the dead were more valuable than the living!


    Watching the cart carrying the corpses slowly move away, the famine victims¡¯ faces were numb, their expressions terrifyingly indifferent.


    Yet, there were a few men, nearly drained of blood, who watched the cart disappear around the corner and fiercely bit their teeth, staggering to get up and unsteadily follow it.


    They were going to the Charity Estate to sell themselves; if they became corpse collectors, they could at least eat their fill before dying.


    After all, they would die sooner or later; it was far better to die full than to die starving, for the masters in the temples always said starving ghosts could not reincarnate.


    Whooosh¡ª


    A luxurious silver and white Flying Car whooshed from the distance, speeding over the many buildings and streets, and raced towards a nine-story high building a few miles away.


    At the same time, a carriage drawn by eight tall and handsome antler horses raced wildly through the streets, people and horses turning over in its path. Some of the slow-moving famine victims were even trampled to pieces by the antler horses, their flesh and blood scattered everywhere.


    Wu Yifan pulled back a corner of the carriage curtain, revealing a face as exquisite as jade. He gazed at the silver-white Flying Car above and a ruthless expression emerged on his face.


    The next second, the curtain loosened and dropped back down.


    At this moment, all of Wu Yifan¡¯s thoughts were on the upcoming competition; he didn¡¯t even notice that his carriage had trampled to death three or four famine victims in a row.


    Even if he had known, he wouldn¡¯t have cared in the slightest.


    For the esteemed young master of the Wu family, famine victims were less than ants, and the death of hundreds or thousands mattered far less than a single favorable word from Senior Wuying


    Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the Moon Invitation Tower. Wu Yifan alighted from the carriage, glared at the silver-white Flying Car parked at the entrance, cursed under his breath, then entered the building with his head held high and chest out.


    As soon as Wu Yifan stepped into the Moon Viewing Pavilion on the ninth floor, he immediately saw a familiar figure and greeted, ¡°Brother Gu, you¡¯ve arrived quite early!¡± sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gu Yu turned around and saw him, laughing immediately, ¡°Not at all, Brother Wu, you¡¯re not late either! Didn¡¯t you say a few days ago that you weren¡¯t coming? What brings you here today?¡±


    ¡°A few days ago, I thought it over and felt that Senior Wuying had a profound intention. Since I was free, I thought it would be good to come and have a look,¡± Wu Yifan casually found a seat and settled down while responding offhandedly.


    Seeing this, Gu Yu didn¡¯t point out his little schemes, merely smiling and inviting his old friend to drink tea.


    As they drank tea and chatted, Wu Yifan repeatedly inquired for information about Master Wuying, but Gu Yu always managed to deflect his questions with vague jokes.


    Time passed bit by bit, and before noon, several jovial figures had already gathered in the Moon Viewing Pavilion.


    Three days ago, Zhao Sheng had invited eight people.


    Three days later, all eight people had arrived early, waiting.


    ¡°Brother Xia, how many Spirit Stones did you prepare today?¡±


    ¡°Ah, I¡¯m not favored much in my family; after rummaging through boxes and borrowing around, I only managed to gather about ten thousand. It¡¯s really worrying me! Brother Zhou, how about you?¡±


    ¡°Me?¡­ Not much either, about the same as you, just over ten thousand.¡±


    Gu Yu listened quietly to the conversation next door, silently estimating whether the forty thousand Spirit Stones he had brought could lead him to victory.


    The reason for this specific amount was that forty thousand was precisely the market price of the Blood Spirit Foundation Establishment Pill.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already failed once! I must seize this opportunity this time. But is the Five Passes God really that miraculous?¡±


    This thought not only persisted in Gu Yu¡¯s mind but was likely harbored by everyone else as well.


    As the day faded and night gradually fell,


    The atmosphere in the Moon Viewing Pavilion grew extremely tense, and people were already getting impatient.


    Just then, a gentle voice suddenly erupted in the pavilion, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you all wait! The old Daoist has arrived a bit late.¡±


    Before the voice had faded, Zhao Sheng was already sitting in the chair at the head of the table, dressed in a blue Daoist robe, his demeanor transcendent and detached.


    Seeing the True Immortal, everyone immediately stood up, their hands over their chests, and greeted, ¡°Junior¡­ pays respect to Senior Wuying!¡±


    Zhao Sheng raised his hand to signal everyone to sit down, smiling and nodding, ¡°Please, sit, sit! It¡¯s rare that all of you have come. It seems your destiny with the old Daoist is not shallow!¡±


    No sooner had everyone sat down than someone, unable to restrain their eagerness, hurriedly asked, ¡°Senior, I¡¯ve managed to gather sixteen thousand Spirit Stones. Does this meet your approval?¡±

 Chapter 537 347 No One Understands Foundation Establishment Better Than Me_2

    As soon as one person made a move, the others immediately objected and began to speak:


    "Senior, I have two hundred mid-grade spirit stones here. Please accept them with a smile."


    "Only two hundred? That''s nothing. I, Wu Yifan, have three sets of spirit stones, hoping Senior will accept them all."


    Upon hearing this, Gu Yu was shocked inside¡ªthree sets of spirit stones amounted to thirty thousand low-grade spirit stones.


    But as everyone knew, the larger the spirit stone, the rarer it was due to its wider application, which made its actual worth far more precious than merely thirty thousand stones.


    Gu Yu''s thoughts raced, and he shouted aloud, "Senior Wuying, although I only have thirty thousand spirit stones... if Senior has any tasks, I, Gu Yu, am willing to undertake them like a loyal servant. I only hope for a chance from Senior."


    Looking at the heaps of spirit stones piled upon the table, Zhao Sheng grinned and laughed, "Haha, such teachable youngsters! It''s just foundation establishment, but I, on behalf of the Five Passes God, will accept this directly."


    The crowd, hearing this, showed joy on their faces, utterly excited. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even though some were half-doubtful of his promise, now was not the time to show even a hint of suspicion.


    "Before speaking about foundation establishment, I must handle a minor matter first."


    Saying this, Zhao Sheng''s expression turned cold, and he looked up at the roof, shouting sternly, "Who is spying in secret? Show yourself!"


    As these words fell, Zhao Sheng''s eyes instantly emitted two beams of divine light, and a terrifying psychic storm flashed by momentarily.


    Ah!


    At that moment, a scream suddenly came from the rooftop.


    Upon hearing this scream, Wu Yifan''s expression drastically changed, and he exclaimed, "Uncle Third!"


    Bang!


    Before his words had fallen, the roof suddenly shattered, and a middle-aged Daoist fell straight down, crashing onto the floor, laying there stiffly unconscious.


    Caught off guard and struck by Zhao Sheng''s nearly eighty percent strength of Godslaying Sword Intent, not to mention this person being only at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, even a Perfect Foundation Establishment would have been laid flat immediately.


    With Zhao Sheng''s current strength, battling across higher realms had become viable.


    Normally, even False Core Masters might not be able to defeat him, probably only a Golden Core Master going all out could, that is if he didn''t escape first.


    Such was the horror of a creature who had lived through seven lifetimes!


    Wu Yifan quickly stepped forward, scooped up the middle-aged Daoist, and immediately checked his uncle''s life signs.


    Even though his uncle''s face was pale as paper and he was unresponsive, a faint breath still lingered in his chest.


    Seeing this, Wu Yifan''s heart eased, and he hurriedly took out many healing pills, pouring them all into the middle-aged Daoist''s mouth.


    After doing all this, Wu Yifan then looked up towards the head of the table, explaining in great fear, "Senior, please forgive us! I can assure you my uncle meant no harm. He loves me the most normally. It must have been these past few days; my borrowing of spirit stones might have inadvertently alarmed my uncle, leading him to secretly follow here."


    After strumming his fingers on the armrest a few times, Zhao Sheng spoke indifferently, "Since he is your elder, I will spare his life this time. But if he dares to spy secretly again, I will not show mercy!"


    "Thank you, Senior, for your generosity. I am deeply grateful!" Wu Yifan quickly bowed and thanked Zhao Sheng.


    The other seven people witnessing all this were utterly shocked.


    They all recognized the middle-aged Daoist''s identity and naturally knew of this person''s strength in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.


    At this time, Zhao Sheng appeared indifferent as he looked at everyone; his divine sense unexpectedly split into eight, transmitting messages to all eight people simultaneously.


    After a while, everyone suddenly realized, casting extremely respectful glances toward Zhao Sheng filled with inexplicable joy.


    Merely imparting some experience on advancing their foundation establishment had convinced them so thoroughly, not to mention that someone had also promised to allow them to achieve foundation establishment.


    Suddenly, amid Moon Viewing Pavilion''s now light and cheerful atmosphere, everyone seemed to see a bright future.


    Thinking of some tasks Senior had instructed in their telepathic conversations, Gu Yu and the others tensed up, already secretly making a certain decision.


    Sunset in the west, night fell.


    By now, Moon Viewing Pavilion was already devoid of people.


    Just then, a skinny figure suddenly appeared in the center of the room, looked up at the broken part of the roof, and a highly potent divine sense suddenly enveloped the entire room, starting to scan every tiny corner inch by inch.


    "Wrong! How did that boy vanish into thin air? I can''t spot any flaws¡ªimpossible, I must have missed something due to my old eyes. Let''s search again; there must be some clue," the person muttered to himself.


    However, the more he tried to find clues, the more elusive they became, to the point where the Divine Thought storm in the room became more and more overwhelming, almost transforming the void into reality and solidifying.


    At this moment, if any Golden Core Main Priest from Diancang Province were here and saw this person, they would be utterly astonished.


    For this person, known by the Taoist name Daoist Que Yue, was a true Great, standing at the Absolute Peak of Diancang Province, a real Nascent Soul Great Sacrificial Priest.


    The Grand Sacrificial Priest of Dao Que was the supreme temple priest of the provincial temple in Diancang Province, responsible for maintaining the rule of the Heavenly Dao Sect while covertly monitoring the situation across the province.


    Today, he inadvertently released his Divine Thought over Chu State City, intending to see if there were any "rats" stirring in the shadows.


    By sheer coincidence, he saw the incident at the Moon Viewing Pavilion.


    Daoist Que Yue had no intention of caring about such trivial matters, but Zhao Sheng''s manner of vanishing truly shocked him.


    Divine Skills, trickery, or instantaneous movement?


    If it were merely an unknown Divine Skill, it would be one thing, but if it were really instantaneous movement,


    Que Yue began to doubt if his own Tao heart could be shaken by this.


    One must know that instantaneous movement is a Taoist Divine Skill not even achievable by those at the Nascent Soul or even Divinity Transformation stages.


    This is, according to legend, a Divine Skill that one can only begin to grasp after breaking through the realm of Refining God and Returning to Void and advancing to the Unification Realm.


    A mere cultivator, who hasn''t even formed a Golden Core, could not possibly comprehend such an esteemed Divine Skill.


    A moment later, Daoist Que Yue withdrew his Divine Thought, and secretly speculated, "Could it be due to some fragment of the Heavenly Dao? Does that lad truly possess such an incredible boon?"


    "I must investigate!"


    As the words fell, he had already disappeared without a trace.


    ...


    Ten days had passed, and Chu State City remained undisturbed, as if Daoist Que Yue had no intentions of causing any upheaval.


    However, in the past few days, many bookshops in the city started displaying a novel titled "Eastern Travel Record."


    At the same time, many storytellers in the restaurants and teahouses began unexpectedly telling various strange and curious stories, most of whose protagonists were a Taoist named Zhao.


    Upon its release, "Eastern Travel Record" became an instant hit, the likes of which ordinary people had never seen before¡ªhumorous and entertaining yet profoundly moving.


    Thus, most people were captivated by the stories in the book after just reading a few pages, unable to put it down.


    It wasn''t long before some people noticed the practical alchemy and martial arts techniques listed at the end of "Eastern Travel Record."


    From the moment the first person boldly experimented with the techniques described in the book and found them to be effective,


    one after another, people came forward to testify, all proclaiming the true usefulness of the spells and martial arts described in the book, thereby causing an even greater sensation.


    Within half a month, the bookshops in the city had sold out completely, the printing workshops were ablaze with lights all night, and the printers worked tirelessly, yet still couldn''t keep up with the demand.


    In the marketplace, a large number of loafers loudly promoted "Eastern Travel Record," greatly accelerating the spread of the book.


    Needless to say, there must be major families in the city secretly fueling this trend.


    People like Gu Yu and Wu Yifan, who had witnessed Zhao Sheng''s formidable strength and gained great benefits, naturally went out of their way to support the book.


    Despite the sensation caused by "Eastern Travel Record," it was temporarily only affecting the commoners at the base of society, with few cultivators paying attention to this mundane book.


    Even if some cultivators read it, they also noticed the secret techniques hidden within the book.


    But... what did that have to do with them?


    Without any conflict of interest, only a fool would delve into the truth behind this book.


    Moreover, "the wise" had already realized early on that this book was specially written to promote the Five Passes God.


    The Five Passes God was also a powerful force among the Wild Gods, so few cultivators would interfere with a good thing, lest they suffer repercussions afterward and die without knowing how.


    As for the Heavenly Dao Sect and the city government,


    the government was easy to handle, with major families blocking the front, thus temporarily avoiding any troubles.


    Also, perhaps due to the brief time the book had been published, it seemed that the Heavenly Dao Sect had not yet noticed it.

 Chapter 538: 348: Cannibalism

    Chapter 538: Chapter 348: Cannibalism


    ¡°Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, all gods heed the summons! ????¡­ Five Pass Ghost God, frog deity¡­ come forth with haste!¡±


    In the underground cavern of Zhao Mansion, Zhao Sheng stood behind the Array, his entire body pulsating with Spiritual Power, his expression solemn as he recited the Summoning God Spell, with a two-zhang-tall colossal frog gold statue before him.


    Suddenly,


    A mass of Divinity golden light descended from the void into the mortal realm, entering the body of the Divine Statue.


    Already prepared, the Binding Array activated instantly. Zhao Sheng formed the spell with his hands, skillfully muttering incantations, pulling the Divine Light from the gold statue, and then throwing it into the tripod furnace.


    He then opened up his Magic Robe, baring his chest and then, with a swift motion, sliced open his stomach. Blood splattered in all directions as his entire digestive system plopped onto the Jade Plate, filling it to the brim, fresh and full of the scent of blood.


    Next came the processes of taking the ¡°Bright Pearl,¡± Refining the Divine Shell, and creating the Flesh and Blood Fiend Spirit, among a series of other steps.


    Having the experience of creating a god previously, Zhao Sheng¡¯s Refining went exceptionally smooth this time.


    In just over a month, the second Five Passes Chang God¡ªGolden Toad¡ªwas successfully birthed.


    ¡­


    On the seventh day of the eighth month, happiness filled Zhao Mansion from top to bottom as Mr. Hongyun¡¯s eldest grandson was born smoothly today, weighing eight pounds and eight ounces.


    Overjoyed, Mr. Hongyun rewarded all the servants handsomely.


    In a study room in the left wing of the mansion, where all four walls were adorned with various weapons¡ªtreasures priceless beyond measure¡ª


    Zhao Hongyun sat behind a desk, attentively and delicately wiping a foot-long Jade Sword with a silken cloth.


    Every time he faced major events, he would always choose to wipe his cherished weapons, using this action to calm his roiling emotions.


    ¡°Hehe!¡±


    At that moment, a chuckle suddenly rang beside his ear, followed by a familiar voice he could never forget, coming from in front: ¡°Hongyun, congratulations!¡±


    Zhao Hongyun jerked his head up, eyes brimming with tears as he saw his old master standing not far away, smiling broadly.


    ¡°Master, you¡¯ve finally returned!¡±


    Ever since more than a decade ago, when the old master entrusted the entire Zhao Mansion¡¯s properties to him, there had been no news of him.


    Over the years, outsiders always thought he, Zhao Hongyun, was the true master of the grand Zhao Mansion, little did they know the real master was right in front of them.


    Thump thump thump!


    Zhao Hongyun got up and ran towards Zhao Sheng, about to kneel and pay his respects, but was stopped by an overwhelming force that held him up, preventing him from kneeling.


    ¡°Put aside these trivial formalities! I didn¡¯t intend to disturb your life. Yet who could have predicted the whims of fate, that your grandson, just born, would have the rare Innate Spiritual Root? Although his talent is somewhat lacking, I cannot let this child¡¯s potential be buried.¡±


    Hearing the master say this, Zhao Hongyun was wildly overjoyed.


    For one, smoke was rising from his family¡¯s ancestral grave¡ª they had produced a natural-born Cultivator.


    Secondly, the master had finally acknowledged his real identity.


    Over the years, Zhao Hongyun always felt the master was enigmatic and profoundly inscrutable, and he had often suspected whether the master was one of the legendary Cultivators. Now, he finally had confirmation.


    ¡°Master, did I hear correctly? Little Stone really¡­ really can cultivate?¡± Zhao Hongyun¡¯s voice trembled with confirmation.


    Zhao Sheng nodded, his words crisp and clear, ¡°Truly!¡±


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Hongyun, who was now an Innate Grandmaster, couldn¡¯t contain his excitement. A surge of green energy flashed across him, and Innate True Qi burst forth from his body. The ground three feet below him abruptly caved in, leaving a half-foot-deep crater.


    Zhao Sheng sighed upon seeing this, ¡°Alas, your Qi Cultivation technique is still not perfected. It seems that reaching the realm of Divinity in this life is hopeless! Come, follow me to see your precious grandson.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, yes!¡± Zhao Hongyun continuously agreed, hastily pulling himself out of the pit, and walked out with the master.


    At this moment, his excitement overwhelmed all else, with no concern for whether he could achieve a breakthrough in Divinity.


    ¡­


    In the evening, after a day¡¯s work, Wei the Sixth walked out from the back gate of Zhao Mansion.


    At this time, his face was alight with joy, holding a paper-wrapped parcel containing five large meat buns, three pounds of eggs, and half a pound of black sugar stone. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Additionally, tucked in his bosom were two pieces of silver coins rewarded to him by the household.


    While these might be insignificant to the rich, for Wei the Sixth, who toiled from dawn to dusk, it was an ample reward to be jubilant about.


    We the Sixth had not expected that he, just a helper who wasn¡¯t born into Zhao Mansion¡¯s family, would benefit from the birth of a Qilin¡¯er, earning such a generous reward from the house simply by fortune.


    Thinking that the servants of Zhao Mansion had each been rewarded ten silver pieces, Wei the Sixth pondered about asking Housekeeper Zhao the next day if they needed a cook. His wife possessed excellent culinary skills.


    If she were taken in, well, their lives would be¡­ tsk tsk!


    With these thoughts, Wei the Sixth walked home with a cheerful heart.


    It was getting dark now, and night had fallen.


    With nightfall, the various street stalls and shops on the streets began to close one after another, and the streets quieted down, people growing scarce.


    Yet, groups of destitute people continued to huddle in corners, never seeming to diminish.


    After walking two or three li, Wei the Sixth turned into an alley, groping in the dark, staggering forward.


    ¡°I¡¯m so hungry! So, so hungry!¡±


    As he passed a turn in the alley, a particularly feeble voice entered his ears.


    Wei the Sixth looked towards the source and saw a frail figure in ragged clothes, huddled in the shadows, shivering.


    ¡°Hungry¡­ so hungry!¡±


    Whoever it was moaned and with each whimper carried by the night breeze into Wei the Sixth¡¯s ears, the huddled figure seemed all the more pitiful.

 Chapter 539: 348 Cannibalism_2

    Chapter 539: Chapter 348 Cannibalism_2


    Wei the Sixth glanced around a few times, hesitated for a moment, then took a few steps forward, passing through the entrance of the alley.


    However, after a few steps, he stopped, turned back, and came back.


    ¡°Ah, this cannibalistic world, how is one to live! Oh, Heaven above, consider this as accumulating virtue and doing good.¡±


    Wei the Sixth sighed, ultimately unable to bear it, and went over. Then, he took out a large meat bun, approached, and crouched down to hand it to the other person.


    ¡°Take it and eat! You won¡¯t be hungry after eating it.¡± S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Wei the Sixth actually knew that for people starved to madness, even giving them a couple more buns wouldn¡¯t fill their stomachs.


    But offering a bun was already the greatest kindness Wei the Sixth could muster.


    After all, he still had a family to feed.


    ¡°Smack!¡±


    Just then, from the dark corner, a withered hand suddenly stretched out. It did not grab the bun but instead seized Wei the Sixth¡¯s wrist in one swift motion.


    In that instant, Wei the Sixth¡¯s body shuddered, his entire body¡¯s hair stood on end, and his expression was one of extreme fear.


    A ghastly pale and chilling face slowly emerged from the Shadow, looking exactly like the face of a corpse. Moreover, the palm was terrifyingly cold, as if made of ice iron.


    Most horrifying was that the face¡¯s eyes were blood red, fierce and brutal, resembling a ravenous demon.


    ¡°I¡¯m so hungry¡±


    A severely emaciated figure slowly rose from within the Shadow, the expression on its face incredibly rigid, those blood-red eyes fixedly staring at Wei the Sixth.


    However, at that moment, its mouth slowly opened, the corners stretching wider and wider, splitting grotesquely towards its ears.


    ¡°Ahh¡ª¡±


    After a brief scream, the alley echoed with a series of dull swallowing and chewing sounds.


    ¡­


    At the time of Wei the Sixth¡¯s demise, several similar eerie incidents nearly simultaneously occurred in the nearby workshop squares.


    In Wa Mu Square, down a narrow and long alley, a man in a brown jacket, his head covered in sweat and face filled with terror, desperately ran towards the outer end of the alley.


    Seeing the end of the alley was within reach, and bright light shot into the alley from the end, the man couldn¡¯t help but reveal a wildly ecstatic smile.


    However, before he could relax, a spine-chilling voice suddenly sounded right behind his neck.


    ¡°I¡¯m so hungry¡±


    Before the words fell, an exceedingly cold hand suddenly grabbed his ankle.


    The man looked down in utter terror, only to see a skeletal ¡°person¡± crouching at his feet, now lifting a ghastly pale face and giving him a sinister smile.


    ¡°Save¡ªoomph!¡±


    He barely shouted for help when his voice abruptly cut off.


    At the alley¡¯s end, the man had vanished without a trace; only a long drag mark remained.


    As time passed, unnoticed, the Nether Moon had reached its zenith.


    In a household, a boy of about eleven or twelve years old curled up on a clay bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.


    He was hungry!


    ¡°Dad, why aren¡¯t you back yet?¡±


    Fang Xiaomu muttered to himself, gritted his teeth, and tightened his belt even more, making one worry it might actually break his waist.


    ¡°Really not hungry anymore.¡±


    Fang Xiaomu¡¯s face turned bright red as he held his breath until he tightened his belt and let out a long breath, his face showing a relieved smile.


    ¡°Creak¡ª¡±


    Suddenly, a light sound came from the door, which pushed open, and then someone walked in.


    ¡°Who!¡± Fang Xiaomu heard the noise and immediately struggled to get up, turning his head to look at the door.


    Under the dim light, at the doorway, a blurry figure stood there, but because of the dim night light, it was not clear, seeming to be a man¡¯s figure, just standing quietly there, not making a sound.


    If it were someone else, they might have been frightened by this scene, but Fang Xiaomu, far from being scared, was actually very happy and ran towards the doorway.


    ¡°Dad!¡±


    The figure at the door, although his hair was hanging loose and his face not clear, how could he not recognize his own dad?


    Fang Xiaomu excitedly sprang off the clay bed, ran over, and directly flung himself onto his father.


    However, the place he touched was utterly cold, devoid of any warmth.


    Fang Xiaomu found it strange, looked up, and only saw a pair of blood-red eyes emanating a brutal fierceness; his little face instantly turned pale¡­ Ah!


    ¡­


    The streets were silent in the deep of the night, and Old Liu, a night watchman, dragged his exhausted body along the streets and alleys, weakly clanking his rattle.


    ¡°Dry weather, be careful with fire and lights!¡±


    ¡°Secure your doors and windows, beware of thieves!¡±


    Soon, Old Liu reached the doorway of a household and found it odd that the door was wide open.


    ¡°Could it be that thieves have broken in¡­¡± Old Liu thought about the city¡¯s overpopulation and the inevitable thieves who roamed from house to house.


    As he pondered, he suddenly smelled a strong odor of blood, seemingly emanating from inside the door.


    Old Liu¡¯s heart thudded¡ªhe had been a night watchman for decades, had heard and seen all sorts of demon and ghostly creatures, and was far braver than the average citizen.


    He put away his rattle and cautiously stepped toward the household.


    No sooner had he crossed the threshold than he abruptly heard a burst of laughter from inside.


    ¡°Dad, stop nibbling on my neck, it tickles.¡±


    ¡°Does it taste good?¡±


    ¡°Mmm, delicious.¡±


    ¡°If it¡¯s delicious, eat more of it.¡±


    ¡°Dad hasn¡¯t eaten, I¡¯ll save some for dad.¡±


    ¡°No need, I¡¯m eating right now! Eat more.¡±


    Hearing these sounds, the uneasy Old Liu instantly perked up and sighed with relief.


    Nothing has happened! It turns out that this family had simply forgotten to close their door.


    Old Liu stepped over the threshold, and looked into the dimly lit room, where no lamps were lit, making only two blurry shadows visible, clinging tightly together.


    ¡°Hey, you two shouldn¡¯t only be eating! You completely forgot to close the door in the middle of the night.¡±


    Old Liu squinted and shouted into the room.


    But as he finished speaking, a sliver of moonlight suddenly shot through the door into the room.


    Under the moonlight, the scene inside the room abruptly became clear.


    In that moment, Old Liu felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body freezing in place.


    Inside, two figures, one large and one small, sat at a table, munching eagerly.


    The child was leaning over the table, picking up bits of meat that had fallen, while the adult stretched his head down to the child¡¯s neck and nibbled bite by bite.


    The child¡¯s neck had already been half-eaten away, the flesh was a bloody mess, yet the child seemed unaware, his hands groping around the table, grabbing clumps of flesh and stuffing them in his mouth.


    This terrifying sight chilled Old Liu to the core, his limbs paralyzed with fear, instinctively holding his breath.


    Just then, the adult suddenly lifted his head, his blood-red eyes staring blankly at Old Liu, the corners of his mouth twitching up into a creepily extreme smile.


    With a boom, Old Liu¡¯s scalp tingled, his entire body seemed to explode, his mind going blank.


    ¡­


    The next day, early morning.


    ¡°Oh my! A person has died! Everyone, come and see, there¡¯s a dead body in Xiwa Alley!¡ª¡ª¡±


    ¡°What, another death!¡±


    ¡°Plagued, isn¡¯t it? They just hauled away half a cart of people, how could there be more already!¡±


    ¡°The city is no longer safe. We must have stirred the wrath of ghostly creatures. Let¡¯s hurry to the Divine Temple and pray, maybe bring a deity home to ward off demons and evil spirits.¡±


    The next day, a series of fatal incidents burst out in Southern City of Chu State City, with dozens of households falling victim, and numerous mutilated bodies discovered in street corners and alleys.


    Disaster had struck!


    At that moment, a small head appeared at a doorway, beside it lay a rattle and a wooden mallet used for the watchman¡¯s rounds.


    Night watchman Old Liu was dead!


    Even in death, his eyes were wide open, portraying immense horror, as if he had seen something tremendously frightening before he died.


    Old Liu was left with only half his body, his chest missing the heart, liver, spleen, and lungs. A large chunk of flesh from his neck had disappeared, as if something had eaten it.


    However, eerily, there was little blood on the ground, and aside from the bite wounds, there were hardly any traces of blood on his body or surrounding area.


    This was highly abnormal¡­ Any normal person would immediately suspect the work of ghostly creatures or zombies.


    ¡°Ugh¡ª¡± someone retched, turning their head away from the body at first glance, unable to bear looking any further.

 Chapter 540 349: Enfeoffment Decree

    "Move quickly, move quickly! This place can no longer be stayed in."


    "Wife, hurry home and pack up, we''re going to hide in the countryside for a couple of months."


    "Oh no, someone report this to the officials!"


    "Liu San, go immediately to Miao City and report this matter to the Ming King Temple."


    Upon hearing someone shout that a ghost disaster had arrived, the crowd instantly plunged into chaos, scattering in a panic. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course, there were a few astute commoners who separately notified the government and the Heavenly Dao Sect.


    The Ming King Temple is a class of temples under the Heavenly Dao Sect, dedicated to the Unmovable Ming King, specializing in exorcising ghosts and eliminating demon ghosts.


    Overnight, an astonishing number of more than a hundred people in the city died due to the mischief of demon ghosts, an incident of the supernatural that immediately caught the attention of all the major powers within the city.


    The City Governor''s Office treated the situation as if it were an emergency and continuously dispatched several Qi Refining Realm constables, each leading a team of Innate Constables to investigate the scenes.


    At the same time, the Ming King Temple also sent a team of black-robed Taoist disciples into Chu State City, and Cultivation Families like the Gu Family and Wu Fangwang also moved upon hearing the news, each making targeted maneuvers.


    Despite the frantic panic among the commoners in the city, Chu State City tended to experience supernatural disasters like mischief caused by demon ghosts every few years.


    As such, whether it was the government''s Miao City or Cultivation Families, they had long possessed ample experience in dealing with such events.


    As long as the number of deaths didn''t exceed ten thousand, to the ruling class, it honestly wasn''t considered a significant matter. In fact, having a few ants perish every few years and causing a minor disaster or two could actually be advantageous for their own rule.


    Naturally, this was a "tacit agreement" among the upper echelons, unknown to the commoners and even the middle and lower-tier powers.


    A day quickly passed, yet the clues to the case were few and far between.


    That day, the City Governor''s Office, the Heavenly Dao Sect, and the Cultivation Families, the three dominant powers, suddenly exerted their strength together, forcefully suppressing the increasingly absurd rumors spreading in the main city and cutting off all news related to the incident.


    Their undercover agents and Wind Carriers also covertly made their move, fabricating numerous hot news topics to divert attention elsewhere.


    The recent citywide craze for ''Eastern Travel Record'' undoubtedly provided an excellent focal point, and so various parties simultaneously and subtly helped fan the flames, making ''Eastern Travel Record'' even more popular. The stories within the book quickly spread throughout the city and became the common talk of the townsfolk.


    After thousands of years of continuity, the upper class had mastered the art of propaganda and obfuscation!


    In East City Jing''an Square, a layer of Prohibition Barrier was erected in the underground secret chamber of a residential estate, the thin light wall shimmering with a faint black glow.


    The chamber was dimly lit, and three shadowy figures sat on the edge of the shadow cast by the central round stone table, their faces indiscernible.


    Then, a mild voice suddenly arose in the darkness, "Plague Daoist, how is the cultivation of your plague poison coming along?"


    The shadows stirred, seeming to have innumerable tiny worm-like shadows creeping, "Hehe! It needs a bit more time. Five Wheel Wanderer, if you can''t wait, we could initiate it now."


    Five Wheel Wanderer looked towards the opposite shadow and spoke indifferently, "There''s no need for haste. The Hungry Ghost that I released can hold out for a little while longer. Initiating the plague poison rashly won''t deal a heavy blow to the Heavenly Dao Sect."


    After speaking, Five Wheel Wanderer turned to another silent shadow and asked, "Elder Zi, the Divine Prison is on high alert. To avoid startling the snake, I hope the Sky Heart Sect can afford to wait a little longer until the Heavenly Dao Sect''s attention is diverted."


    "That''s possible! But we can''t delay more than two months at the latest. Otherwise, even I would have a difficult time explaining to our allies."


    "Rest assured, Elder Zi, I definitely won''t delay your important affairs. But can you deliver the Plague Demon Drum you promised a bit sooner?"


    "Give me three days at most, and the Plague Demon Drum will certainly be delivered."


    "Haha! In that case, I am at ease."


    Just at that moment, the ghost body of Five Wheel Wanderer suddenly trembled, erupting a surge of black qi that boiled ceaselessly, instantly transforming into vicious ghost skulls that emitted piercing shrieks.


    "Cough cough!"


    Five Wheel Wanderer coughed once, his black robe billowing, and countless ghostly claws stretched forth from beneath the robe in an instant, seemingly sprouting numerous black hands that quickly grasped all the ghost skulls,


    A flash of black light, and all the ghost hands had already retracted back into the robe.


    Then, Five Wheel Wanderer explained, "I apologize for the amusement, two fellow Daoists. Just now, a couple of Hungry Ghosts suddenly lost contact."


    Five Wheel Wanderer was not a living person but a Golden Core Ghost Practitioner notorious in Diancang Province. He had committed over ten heinous slaughters, and the number of mortals who died because of him far exceeded one million.


    Ghost Cultivators are contrary to the Heavenly Dao and often do not fit within the world.


    In the Tianzhu Realm, Ghost Cultivators are exceedingly rare. Zhao Sheng, reincarnated six times, had seen countless Evil Demons, but had rarely come across any pure Ghost Cultivators.


    The truth is simple to express, yet very few are aware of it.


    Because the Tianzhu Realm is precisely at the intermediate stage between ''existence'' and ''destruction,'' the world has not yet truly moved towards decay, thus not providing conditions for the birth of Ghost Cultivators.


    The evolution of any world is inseparable from the four stages of ''formation, existence, destruction, and void.''


    When a world is in the ''formation, existence'' phases, the Heavenly Dao is vigorous and dominant, making it extremely difficult for Ghost Cultivators to emerge, leaving almost no space for growth.


    However, in the ''destruction, void'' stages, as the Heavenly Dao declines and the environment of Spiritual Energy deteriorates, the world gradually transitions from its positive aspect to its negative aspect¡ªthat is, the world slowly heads towards extinction.


    During the end times, various monsters and demons, Evil Demons and ghostly creatures will arise as a result and become increasingly rampant and cruel to humanity as the world declines.

 Chapter 541: 349: Enfeoffment Decree_2

    Chapter 541: Chapter 349: Enfeoffment Decree_2


    The so-called ¡°Dao diminishes and demons increase¡± is not merely a metaphor.


    In a certain sense, it cruelly points out one of the ultimate truths of any world.


    Due to the Blood God¡¯s failed reliance on the Heavenly Dao, the Netherworld, once a thriving and flourishing world, rapidly declined, leading to the rise of Ghost Path forces over the past ten thousand years, with ghost cultivators becoming increasingly rampant over the last millennium.


    In recent years, the rule of the Heavenly Dao Sect had gradually weakened, giving countless oppressed forces a glimpse of hope.


    In the last thousand years, the Ghost God Association, Heavenly Rebel Alliance, evil sects, ghost cultivators, demon cultivators, and various other forces had repeatedly caused trouble, agreeing tacitly to spark numerous major events, inevitably causing the Heavenly Dao Sect to be distracted and overwhelmed.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, after Zhao Sheng finished seeing his grandson Zhao Hongyun and naming him Zhao Lingyun, he returned to his seclusion to refine the Five Passes God.


    At this time, because he was single-mindedly focused on refining the Vengeful Spirit, he was unaware of the undercurrents stirring in Chu State City, with multiple forces secretly causing trouble.


    After creating the Golden Toad, Zhao Sheng spent forty-three days using his own lungs as a base to refine a ¡°God of Fortune.¡±


    With this, three of the Five Passes God were completed, lacking only the snake and the rat gods.


    That day, in a secluded corner of the East City Fang Market in Chu State City, the darkness slightly stirred, and a figure suddenly appeared out of thin air.


    Zhao Sheng had just appeared there when suddenly his brow furrowed, and his Divine Sense burst forth from his body, spreading out in all directions.


    His Divine Sense enveloped the nearby streets where every household had white banners hanging at their doors, and cries of mourning came from most of the homes.


    Many homes were deadly quiet and empty, with few living people breathing; even many of those alive had faces covered in black sores, showing signs they would not live much longer.


    Zhao Sheng couldn¡¯t help but mutter to himself in surprise, ¡°Hmm, what happened? Why have so many people died?¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    He suddenly felt a stir in his heart, as if realizing something, his figure flashed, suddenly turning into nothingness.


    The next moment, Zhao Sheng had already appeared in the backyard of Zhao Mansion.


    Upon appearing, his expression grew even grimmer, for there was no one inside or outside Zhao Mansion; nearly a hundred people from Zhao Mansion had disappeared without a trace.


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    Zhao Sheng snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and disappeared in an instant.


    Moments later, after making his way through most of Chu State City, he discovered that Chu State City was completely under lockdown, with no one other than those permitted by the government allowed to leave their homes.


    By now, he had learned from the people that the city had suddenly been struck by a devastating plague half a month ago.


    The onset of this plague was so sudden and fierce that it took only two days from infection to death.


    Unfortunately, it had erupted just as the calamity of the starving ghosts was rampant.


    With two disasters striking at once, not only did many city residents die, but the fate of tens of thousands of the affected people was even worse, nearly none surviving.


    Twenty days before Chu State City was locked down, people and families with connections had fled the city, leaving mostly ordinary citizens who could not leave.


    Half a day later, Zhao Sheng secretly investigated the entire city and roughly estimated that at least three hundred thousand people had died in this disaster.


    That¡¯s right!


    Five Wheel Wanderers and the Plague Taoist, among other evil demons of the Outer Path, flatly refused to conceal their identities, almost flaunting their defiance openly and provocatively targeting the Heavenly Dao Sect and other forces of the Righteous Path.


    Zhao Sheng also quickly learned from two junior Qi Refinement cultivators that the Divine Prison had been suddenly breached with inside and outside help, and many prisoners had escaped.


    This, too, had incited the Heavenly Dao Sect and the Da Gu Court to furious anger, leading them to issue a manhunt decree, offer substantial rewards, and dispatch several Golden Core Main Priests to chase down the Five Wheel Wanderers and the Plague Taoist.


    However, these two had already vanished without a trace.


    ¡°Hmph, quite the audacity!¡± Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze turned icy as he disappeared from the spot in an instant.


    ¡­


    Half a day later, inside the Black Market of Zhenyun Peak.


    On the west side of the market, there stood a colossal pagoda-like building that covered over ten acres and rose about thirty feet high.


    Two white-robed Great Hans stood motionless on either side of the grand entrance, their auras subtly revealing that they were both at Qi Refining Late Stage.


    The large sign hanging above the door bore the golden characters for ¡°Chu King¡¯s Commerce,¡± with the lettering emanating a glaring golden light, making it extraordinarily conspicuous.


    At this time, passersby hurried past the entrance, and occasionally, some entered the great doors of the Trading House.


    This place was the largest trading hall within the Black Market.


    The Chu King¡¯s Commerce was a business formed by the Gu Family leading various major cultivation clans in Diancang Province.


    ¡°This is the place, I hope it won¡¯t disappoint me¡­¡±


    A man in a green robe muttered softly to himself before turning and heading toward the grand entrance.


    This person was none other than Zhao Sheng in disguise.


    ¡°Senior, please halt, may I see your invitation?¡± asked a burly man in white robes as he slightly bowed, his face wearing a smile.


    Seeing this, Zhao Sheng shook his head, ¡°I do not have one.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but without an invitation, you cannot enter.¡±


    The white-robed burly man said sternly.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes flashed, and a strong aura slowly rose from him while his Divine Sense spread out, entering the building.


    He waited a moment, then shook his head, about to leave.


    ¡°Senior, please wait. My name is Fang Zhuo, one of the managers of the auction house. May I know how to address you?¡± Just then, a handsome young man in his twenties wearing a light red robe hurried out from the door, calling out to Zhao Sheng very politely.


    ¡°Daoist Fang is courteous. My surname is Zhao. I am a Loose Cultivator,¡± Zhao Sheng replied, turning to face him with a calm inquiry.


    ¡°So it is Senior Zhao. You might be unaware since you have just arrived in Chu State City, but due to recent unusual circumstances, our establishment has had to implement an invite-only policy,¡± Fang Zhuo explained.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng¡¯s face briefly showed a hint of surprise, but he quickly regained his composure.


    ¡°Daoist Zhuo, might it be possible for an old man like me to obtain one such invitation?¡± Zhao Sheng asked, his mind quickly turning.


    ¡°Senior merely needs to pass a test to come in. Given your cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Realm, passing the test should not be difficult,¡± Fang Zhuo said with a light smile.


    Zhao Sheng successfully entered the auction hall after spending the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.


    Later, in a quiet room on the third floor, Zhao Sheng had a placid expression, but his eyes flickered as if pondering something.


    In front of him on a Jade Table, several Jade Boxes were placed.


    At that moment, Fang Zhuo sat opposite him, carefully assessing the Spirit Pills within the Jade Boxes, his face gradually showing delight.


    A while later, Fang Zhuo closed the Jade Box and said thoughtfully, ¡°Senior¡¯s Alchemy Skill is admirable. This third-tier Demon-expelling Pill has clear Elixir Patterns and is of excellent quality, at least top-grade. Such a Treasure Pill should fetch at least seventy to eighty thousand Spirit Stones. May I ask what Treasure you wish to exchange it for?¡±


    ¡°You finish looking at the other boxes first,¡± Zhao Sheng said. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he spoke, he waved his right hand and all the lids of the Jade Boxes on the table flipped open, revealing inside one Elixir after another, sending wafts of Elixir Fragrance and showing miraculous signs.


    ¡°This is¡­ a Resurrection Pill¡­ a Blood Spirit Foundation Establishment Pill¡­ a Plague Avoiding Pill¡­ all are Middle-Upper Grade,¡± Fang Zhuo, shocked by the Spirit Pills within the boxes, was left dumbfounded.


    ¡°I would like to exchange for an Enfeoffment Decree. I just don¡¯t know if Chu King¡¯s Commerce possesses such a Treasure,¡± Zhao Sheng said, then nonchalantly picked up a teacup and took a sip.


    Thump, thump, thump!


    Fang Zhuo quickly closed all the Jade Boxes and then couldn¡¯t help but gasp deeply twice, with a troubled expression, he said, ¡°Senior, this is a bit difficult for me. How precious is an Enfeoffment Decree, how could it be easily bought or sold by a Trading House?¡±


    Zhao Sheng put down his teacup and casually remarked, ¡°Oh, is that so? Perhaps the price I offered was too low, or perhaps you simply don¡¯t have the authority to trade? Have your superior come out then! This deal is too much for you to handle.¡±


    ¡°Senior, please wait a moment!¡± Fang Zhuo¡¯s expression changed upon hearing this, and after some thought, he stood up with difficulty, bowed, and hurriedly left the room.


    About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, a middle-aged man with stern features and a beaming smile walked in, holding a golden box about a foot in size.


    He sat down, casually pushed the golden box across to Zhao Sheng, then flicked a light with his finger, a ray of white light entered the box.


    The box¡¯s sealing vanished instantly, then popped open, and a layer of Divine Light burst forth, emanating a majestic and sacred aura.


    Zhao Sheng narrowed his eyes slightly, only to see a dark golden seal taking the shape of Heavenly Round and Earthly Square, exuding layers of soft Divine Light within the golden box.


    Yet this seal seemed somewhat illusory, as if existing between reality and fantasy.


    ¡°Is this¡­ the legendary Enfeoffment Decree?¡± Zhao Sheng said as he witnessed this scene, a flicker of unusualness flashing through the depths of his eyes.

 Chapter 542: 350: The First True God

    Chapter 542: Chapter 350: The First True God


    ¡°This object, the elderly wants it.¡±


    Zhao Sheng waved his hand, and a wave of invisible force swept out, pushing the jade box to the other side as he spoke indifferently.


    The middle-aged man gave a hearty laugh, but shook his head and said, ¡°Ha ha! The senior is indeed straightforward, but I¡¯m afraid the spirit pills on the table are not enough to exchange for such a rare treasure. After all, the commerce has taken on a great deal of risk to acquire this Enfeoffment Decree for you!¡±


    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡± Zhao Sheng raised an eyebrow, his response neither affirming nor denying.


    The man wasn¡¯t lying¡ªthe Enfeoffment Decree was a treasure strictly controlled by the Heavenly Dao Sect.


    If it had been a thousand years ago, the Enfeoffment Decree could never have ended up in the hands of Chu King¡¯s Commerce.


    But in the recent millennium, the people¡¯s heart within the Heavenly Dao Sect have become disillusioned, and corruption has been rampant. The sect¡¯s rules and teachings have nearly become decorative, to the point where even the current sect leader has been undermining his own people.


    As a result, corruption spread from top to bottom. Now, even various positions within the sect are openly traded like commodities, let alone the vast treasures in the sect¡¯s storehouse.


    Every year, the number of treasures, cultivation techniques, and resources that flowed out from the ¡°insiders¡± of the Heavenly Dao Sect was immeasurable.


    Seeing the situation, the middle-aged man immediately cried out in a pleading manner, ¡°Senior, if you wish to buy this rare artifact, you must have inquired about its market value beforehand! Not to overstate it, but it¡¯s beyond price.¡±


    Zhao Sheng nodded lightly upon hearing this.


    The middle-aged man¡¯s spirits lifted, and seizing the opportunity, he continued, ¡°One should know that each Enfeoffment Decree is carefully documented in the Sealing God Book, and it is absolutely impossible for forgeries to appear on the market.


    Moreover, there are at most 12,965 Enfeoffment Decrees. Subtracting the nearly ten thousand that have been used in the past, there¡¯s now one fewer with every sale. The transaction price increases every year.


    If we don¡¯t sell now, the commerce could hold onto it for several decades or even a century. By then, can you imagine the astronomical price it could fetch?¡±


    Zhao Sheng listened and laughed lightly, ¡°Heh! But one would have to survive a hundred years for that to matter. I dare say this Enfeoffment Decree must be closing in on its last activation limit. Otherwise, why would your commerce be willing to trade it away?¡±


    The middle-aged man heard this, and a slight smile broke on his face, without any sign of being disturbed.


    ¡°It looks like the senior is also someone who knows his business. But even so, what you¡¯re offering still isn¡¯t enough.¡±


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s gaze sharpened upon hearing this, and he said directly, ¡°Name your price then!¡±


    The middle-aged man¡¯s face was all smiles as he placatingly responded, ¡°Senior, you must be an Alchemy Master. Have you ever considered moving to Chu King City? Our Chu King¡¯s Commerce is in desperate need of such talent¡ª¡±


    Zhao Sheng suddenly interrupted, ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. Just name your price! I¡¯ve enjoyed the life of a wanderer long enough and don¡¯t wish to be bound.¡±


    The middle-aged man wanted to persuade him again, ¡°Senior, you¡ª¡±


    Hm?


    With a nasal hum, Zhao Sheng released and then withdrew an immense pressure, staggering the middle-aged man¡¯s heart so much that he was unable to speak.


    ¡°All right¡­all right!¡± The middle-aged man forcefully suppressed his shock, and after composing himself, he said, ¡°If the senior truly wishes to exchange, in addition to the spirit pills in the box, you need to add treasures worth at least a million spirit stones. That is the lowest price I can offer.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s expensive!¡± Zhao Sheng felt a pang of pain at the price, his heart aching.


    Nevertheless, treasures had to be bought when necessary. The Five Passes God ultimately needed to emerge into the open, no longer to be mistaken for the deity of some Evil God Temple.


    Zhao Sheng pondered, then reached out to take eight jade scrolls and pushed them towards the middle-aged man, ¡°These are three top-grade cultivation techniques and five third-rank elixir recipes from the elderly. See how many spirit stones they can offset?¡±


    Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man¡¯s eyes instantly lit up¡­


    More than an hour later, the middle-aged man sent the green-robed elderly man to the doorway with the utmost respect and watched as Zhao Sheng floated away.


    ¡­


    A short time later,


    A hundred li west of the location, in Cangmo City, Zhao Sheng changed into a different attire, transforming into a fair-skinned young man, and entered the street at a vegetable market entrance.


    He walked a few steps, reached a red willow tree, knocked on its trunk four times, and infused three strands of Spiritual Power.


    In the blink of an eye, countless ghostly eyes opened on the red willow tree. With a flash of green, the person disappeared into thin air. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After the world spun round, Zhao Sheng opened his eyes to suddenly discover that the Ghost Market was in much more disrepair than before, and the liveliness had diminished significantly.


    The cramped streets seemed much shorter than before, and the ground was littered with more craters and potholes, with no one bothering to repair them.


    Shops on either side had also collapsed in several places, and amidst the ruins, traces of intense fights were everywhere.


    The stalls on the street were few and far between, reduced by almost half, and the number of items related to zombies and ghostly creatures had increased significantly. Along the sides of the street, rows of zombies of various heights stood in neat lines against the walls.


    At certain stalls, there were even variously colored coffins of black, red, yellow, and white brazenly displayed, and beside them were two-foot-tall Ghost Suppressing Altars, their surfaces covered in countless talismans.


    Looking around, Zhao Sheng was secretly surprised as the stall owners behind the stalls seemed to have completely changed, with not a single familiar figure in sight.


    ¡°Even the Ghost Market has suffered, it seems the ghost disaster and the black plague have had a more severe impact than I thought. I hope my ¡®old friends¡¯ didn¡¯t all disappear without a trace.¡±


    Zhao Sheng thought to himself, then continued to walk towards the end of the street.


    The items on Ghost Street were all common wares; the true treasures were all in the second layer of the Ghost Market.


    Zhao Sheng walked briskly, his gaze swiftly scanning the stalls. Unless something caught his eye, he would not stop.

 Chapter 543: 350: The First True God_2

    Chapter 543: Chapter 350: The First True God_2


    Indeed, despite the many tattered items on the stalls of Ghost Street, there are ultimately a few treasures overlooked by people.


    After a short walk down the street, Zhao Sheng stopped three times, three times he exchanged for a piece of Starfall Iron, a damaged bone hammer, and a half copper spear stained with blood.


    An hour later, at the end of Ghost Street, the round black stone platform had come into view.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s pupils shrank when he saw that the figure of the door-guarding Corpse Ghost Chi Shura was gone, replaced by a nine-feet-tall golden-armored corpse with muscles bulging like armor, emitting a faint golden light all over.


    Approaching the black platform, the golden-armored corpse suddenly blocked the way. Zhao Sheng, seeing this, spoke the password, ¡°Heaven¡¯s dawn ascends to Divine Road, untroubled by human and ghostly path!¡±


    Thankfully, the passcode hadn¡¯t changed!


    The golden-armored corpse immediately stepped aside, and Zhao Sheng successfully climbed onto the black stone platform, which flashed with black light and then was left empty.


    Ghost Market, shrouded in black fog.


    The ground was still the sticky, soft texture of flesh and blood, while the white bone chairs were scattered in the dim fog, appearing intermittently.


    Zhao Sheng slowly walked forward, and with each step, he left behind shallow footprints. Quickly, a trace of blood-red mucus began to ooze out of the impressions.


    Zhao Sheng was a little surprised to see this, as he had been here many times before, but this phenomenon had never occurred.


    This time he¡¯d arrived a bit early, and there were not many figures sitting on the white bone chairs.


    Zhao Sheng walked over to a bone chair on the periphery, casually took a seat, and silently waited for others to arrive.


    As time slowly passed, more and more figures started to populate the Ghost Market, with over thirty white bone chairs now occupied.


    After another half an hour, following a strange screech, the trading in the Ghost Market officially began.


    As was his custom, Zhao Sheng was not in a hurry to speak up, choosing instead to wait for others to make their trades.


    ¡°One bottle of Heart-washing Pill, highest bidder takes it!¡±


    ¡°Thousand-year-old Ghost Locust Wood Marrow, weighing nine pounds and nine taels, wishes to exchange for a mid-grade spiritual artifact, preference given to bells, banners, or swords.¡±


    ¡°I have a map of a legacy dungeon in my possession; the dungeon¡¯s owner was a Golden Core Main Priest from a thousand years ago. I wish to venture into the dungeon and explore; any fellow daoists interested in this could have a private discussion with me.¡±


    ¡°¡­One hundred-year-old copper-armored corpse, three Thousand Ghost Altars, each anchoring a Fierce Ghost as the mainstay. Interested parties may offer a price!¡±


    ¡°The Soul-breaking Sect is recruiting a disciple with Yin Life and Yin Soul, with Spirit Roots above Four Spirit Roots.¡±


    ¡­


    After half a day, Zhao Sheng felt it was about time, and suddenly stood up, addressing the seated figures with his request:


    ¡°I am known as Prison Ghost, and I have already made my request known to the fellow daoists present here on previous occasions. I am in need of a Five Passes Snake God Divine Statue, the more potent the Power of Incense, the better.


    Those who have heard of me will know that I have a sizeable wealth and many treasures at my disposal. As long as it satisfies me, I can surely satisfy you.¡±


    In recent years, Zhao Sheng had made a name for himself in the Ghost Market under the moniker Prison Ghost. Cultivators who had heard of him knew that he was financially strong, possessed many treasures, and importantly, was known for his generous dealings.


    ¡°Ha ha! After waiting so many days, you¡¯ve finally made my wait worthwhile. Prison Ghost, come! Let¡¯s go to the side and talk,¡± a man laughed heartily.


    Laughing uproariously, a tall figure suddenly stood up from not too far away and gestured towards Zhao Sheng to come over.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s heart leapt with joy at this, so he also got up and walked towards the man.


    Moments later, deep within the black fog, the two of them stood a zhang apart.


    Bang!


    A flash of golden light, and before Zhao Sheng, there appeared a Divine Statue with a human head and snake body, its surface emitting a faint light, the Power of Incense extremely dense.


    Zhao Sheng released his Divine Sense and meticulously inspected the statue, his eyes showing appreciation as he spoke, ¡°The divinity within this statue is inherent, and it brings to life the natural allure, and the Power of Incense has been gathered for at least five hundred years. A fine item indeed! What would my fellow daoist like to exchange for it?¡±


    The tall figure chuckled heh heh, couldn¡¯t help rubbing his hands together with a nervous tone, ¡°Heh heh! I hear you¡¯ve got many treasures and cultivation techniques. My Divine Soul was severely damaged by ghostly screams years ago, and I¡¯ve been unable to heal it for a long time. Do you have a way to heal such injuries to the Divine Soul?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite simple! I have two kinds of Spirit Pills, called the Nourishing God Pill and the Returning God Pill¡­


    A moment later, Zhao Sheng and the man returned from the depths of the black fog, one in front of the other.


    Just as they reached the edge of the White Bone Chair Forest, Zhao Sheng heard a harsh and old voice by his ear:


    ¡°¡­Five Wheel Wanderer, Plague Taoist, remnants of the Sky Heart Sect, and others have had their bounty rewards increased by thirty percent,¡± said the City Governor¡¯s Mansion official. ¡°Whichever fellow Daoist can capture any of the fugitives for the City Governor¡¯s Mansion will have their reward doubled for each person.


    Any fellow Daoist who knows the whereabouts of any fugitives, please come and speak with me. As long as the information proves to be true, I will immediately issue part of the bounty reward.¡±


    Zhao Sheng sat down beside a White Bone Chair as he mulled over the brazen partnership between the government and Ghost Market. He was astonished that they would openly discuss the issuance of bounty rewards in the Ghost Market, in front of numerous Evil Demons and dissidents.


    ¡°Who knows what the relationship is between the owner of the Ghost Market, the court, and the Heavenly Dao Sect? Are they enemies? Allies? Or are they simply in cahoots?¡±


    Harboring various suspicions and conjectures, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t wait for the Ghost Market to close. He had just sat down, but then he stood up again and walked out, quickly disappearing into the depths of the fog.


    ¡­


    Time flies, three months have passed in the blink of an eye.


    During these days, Zhao Sheng devoted all his energy to refining the Five Passes Snake God and Mouse God within the Book Forest Cave beneath Zhao Mansion.


    Persistence pays off!


    Today, three months later, the last two Vengeful Spirits were successfully refined.


    At this point, all five Five Passes Divine Statues were completed, and the Divine Communication Spiritual Beasts were all properly matched. Things smoothly moved on to the next stage.


    On the Magic Platform in the center of the cave mansion, Zhao Sheng was sitting cross-legged, with five tall Divine Statues, glowing with golden light, standing erect behind him.


    At this moment, three feet above his head, a small golden Seal was gently swaying, emitting layers of Divine Light. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Around the small Seal, green, black, red, white, and yellow light orbs neatly formed a circle, slowly rotating around it.


    Inside each of the five light orbs was a small figure similar to Zhao Sheng, also sitting cross-legged, with an appearance both solemn and sanctified, resembling individuals who had attained the Tao.


    However, these five figures bore the characteristics of animals: a snake, mouse, hedgehog, toad, and bat respectively.


    At this instant, the five Vengeful Spirits were continuously casting spell after spell, sending streams of green, black, red, white, and yellow Light Spells towards the Enfeoffment Decree.


    The vast majority of the Light Spells were obliterated by the Divine Light emanating from the decree before they could even come into contact, with only occasional threads managing to land upon its body.


    The white Light Spells, in particular, were most prevalent.


    After half an hour, Zhao Sheng suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze shot out fiercely and he bellowed, ¡°The Tao is boundless, Enfeoffment Decree, Five Passes Kidney Rat returns to position!¡±


    Following his bellow, Zhao Sheng suddenly formed a complicated and unique Dharma Seal with his hands. A thick pillar of scarlet light shot into the sky from between his hands, hitting the Enfeoffment Decree.


    Simultaneously, the green, black, red, and white light orbs scattered, instantly embedding themselves within the corresponding Five Passes Divine Statues.


    Only the white light orb, representing the Kidney Rat, then surged through the layers of Divine Light and leaped onto the Enfeoffment Decree, swallowing it in one gulp.


    Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t lift his head, but his powerful Divine Sense had already enveloped the space above, his Spiritual Power surged out from his hands.


    In an instant, the scarlet light pillar thickened by a third.


    Suddenly empowered, the Kidney Rat Vengeful Spirit grew ecstatic, its form rapidly expanding, instantly transforming into a gigantic white luminary, eighteen feet tall, with a Golden Seal faintly visible inside its Dantian.


    About half a month later, the Enfeoffment Decree successfully fused with the Five Passes Kidney Rat God.


    This marked the birth of the first God among the Five Passes to be officially recognized by heaven and earth!


    In Netherworld, ¡°Divine Spirits¡± include Mao Gods, Wild Gods, Ghost Gods, recognized Gods, and Emperors, ranked in five levels.


    Typically, the ranking of the five types of ¡®Gods¡¯ does not have much correlation with their strength.


    Although recognized Gods rank just below Emperors among deities, quite a few are pathetically weak, with some even unable to defeat Mao Gods, such as the Ear Reporting God.


    For example, the newly ordained Five Passes Kidney Rat¡¯s strength is even weaker than that of an average Foundation Establishment Cultivator.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng doesn¡¯t usually seek to use the Five Passes Gods in combat.


    In a sense, the Five Passes Gods are merely tools Zhao Sheng uses to explore the truths of the Tao.


    ¡°With one more month to go, that should be ample time to find a place prevalent with Five Passes influence to build the Divine Temple.¡± Zhao Sheng stood up, muttering to himself, waving his hand to collect the five Divine Statues into the Space Storage Seal.


    He looked around, his figure flashed, and he suddenly vanished from the Magic Platform.

 Chapter 544: 351: Nameless Temple

    Chapter 544: Chapter 351: Nameless Temple


    Ten days later, on a government road southwest of Songlan Prefecture, outside Qian¡¯an City, over ten Red Armored Knights were slowly escorting three carriages forward.


    Each of these Red Armored Knights radiated an extraordinary aura, with copious Innate True Qi incessantly dispersing around them. They were, astonishingly, all members of the Innate Martial Sect.


    The person in the lead had a face like a jujube, with a sheathless long sword hanging by his waist. The blade shone with a cold light and emitted a faint Spirit Light, marking it as a superior Magic Sword.


    This group of Red Armored Knights was surprisingly the famous Red Dragon Knights of the Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty, tasked specifically with protecting high officials and nobility of the court. The leader was none other than a Red Dragon Captain.


    Dusk was gradually falling, and the road was sparsely populated. A dilapidated temple suddenly appeared in the distance.


    ¡°My lord, it is getting late. We should find a place to stay and continue our journey early tomorrow, which should get us to Qian¡¯an City,¡± the Red Dragon Captain suggested softly beside the carriage.


    A cold voice of a middle-aged man emanated from the carriage, ¡°Hmm, this official knows. Captain Jiang, please check if there¡¯s a suitable place nearby for us to stay overnight.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Red Dragon Captain immediately replied, ¡°My lord, a few miles ahead, there is a dilapidated temple which would be suitable for an overnight rest.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s stay at the temple for the night then,¡± the voice from the carriage commanded.


    ¡°Yes, my lord.¡±


    Having finished, the Red Dragon Captain spurred his horse away and then ordered his knights to quicken their pace.


    Thus, the caravan sped up slightly.


    Soon, the group arrived at the temple and stopped in the open space in front of it.


    A dignified, portly White-faced Old Taoist descended from the carriage, with an ethereal young woman veiled in gossamer by his side. Her figure was graceful, and her fragrance was captivating.


    The Red Dragon Knights crowded around the old man and walked to the temple entrance where a flickering light and muffled laughter could be heard from within.


    ¡°Someone, check inside,¡± commanded Captain Jiang with a stern face, gesturing to one of the knights nearby.


    A knight promptly went inside and then came back out a moment later, reporting with a salute, ¡°Reporting to the Captain, there are just three travelers passing by. I¡¯ve interrogated them already. One is a medicine seller, one is a scholar with no physical strength, and the last is the scholar¡¯s attendant student.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, even so, let¡¯s all go in. We¡¯ve been traveling all day, and everyone is tired,¡± the White-faced Old Taoist instructed after listening.


    ¡°Yes, my lord.¡±


    Seeing the elder speak, Captain Jiang immediately gestured for his men to enter.


    Subsequently, the knights, accompanying the White-faced Old Taoist and the veiled lady, entered the temple one by one. In front of the temple¡¯s Divine Platform, two fires, one larger and one smaller, had been lit.


    By the larger fire sat a handsome young scholar who was intensely writing, apparently unaware of the sudden arrival of the group.


    Next to him was a young Attendant Student with two horned hairstyle, who was listlessly throwing twigs into the fire.


    By the smaller fire, a middle-aged man with a Fu Manchu moustache, wearing a yellow robe, looked skinny and shady. He held a stick of incense, lit it by the fire, and then meticulously arranged several sticks of incense in a five-foot circle around his feet, enclosing himself within.


    Immediately, a faint aroma of sandalwood began to permeate the temple.


    As the other knights entered, Captain Jiang issued an order and the knights swiftly coordinated, organizing their surroundings. Some cleared the space, others went to gather firewood, and more unloading bedding, tables, chairs, lacquered tea sets, and other items from the carriages.


    Soon, the fires were burning, and all the items were arranged in place. The elder and the veiled lady took their seats, with several delicate dishes and even a pot of clear liquor set before them.


    At this moment, the Red Dragon Knights also quietly began to eat some dried meat they had carried with them.


    The Red Dragon Guards were truly elite, well-trained indeed.


    ¡°Captain Jiang, we have a lot of food here, more than we can finish. Why not come over and share some with us?¡± The veiled lady glanced at the armored Captain Jiang and suddenly suggested with a smile.


    ¡°Thank you for the kind offer, madam, but I would rather eat with my brothers,¡± Captain Jiang responded with a glance at her before shaking his head in refusal. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hehe, then I will not force you, Captain. Let¡¯s eat, my lord!¡± The veiled lady said, not seeming offended but gently nudging the White-faced Old Taoist beside her.


    ¡°Hmm, as the lady says, let¡¯s eat!¡± responded the White-faced Old Taoist as if waking from a dream, his voice suddenly subdued.


    About an hour later, the elder and the veiled lady had finished eating, and the leftovers were cleared away. The Red Dragon Knights spread out and sat on the ground around them, beginning to meditate in repose.


    Just then, the young scholar who had been engrossed in his book suddenly burst out laughing, muttering praises, ¡°Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! The ways of humans and ghosts are distinct, good and evil rewarded! Daoist Zhao has slain another ghost.


    The ancients said that beauties are found within the book, but who knew that the beauty was actually a demon in disguise!


    Right, I should also jot down this Awakening Spell, lest some fail to distinguish between ghost and man.¡±


    The medicine seller by the other fire seemed startled by the scholar¡¯s loud thoughts and looked over in surprise.


    At that moment, the Two-Horned Attendant Student beside the scholar suddenly seemed energized and threw down the twig he was holding, exclaiming with a disgusted look, ¡°Hey, mister, don¡¯t you think it reeks here? Besides, are you going to do something about it? If you don¡¯t, and something from outside comes rushing in, don¡¯t expect me to step in to stop it.¡±

 Chapter 545: 351: Nameless Temple_2

    Chapter 545: Chapter 351: Nameless Temple_2


    The Attendant Student had a youthful face, but his voice was exceedingly old and hoarse, as if he were an elderly man who had witnessed the vicissitudes of life.


    ¡°Something¡¯s wrong, there¡¯s noise outside!¡±


    No sooner had his voice faded than Captain Jiang¡¯s expression changed, and he suddenly burst from the ground, drawing his Magic Sword from his waist and holding it in front of him, all the while staring expressionlessly outside the temple door.


    At that moment, the world outside the temple was deathly quiet, with no sign of anyone appearing.


    But the next second, there was a sudden rustling noise outside the temple door, and the ground trembled slightly, as if a multitude of small animals were gathering and scurrying around the dilapidated temple at a rapid pace.


    In the dim night, pairs of blood-red eyes suddenly materialized out of thin air in the gaps next to the door and through the wind-blown holes in the roof, their gaze filled with greed and hunger.


    Seeing this, Captain Jiang¡¯s sword eyebrows gradually stood on end, and abruptly the Magic Sword in his hand vibrated, sending out three streaks of white Sword Light, which flashed through the doorway in the blink of an eye.


    The miserable squeals rang out immediately, and the blood-red eyes outside the temple vanished in an instant.


    Meanwhile, the other Red Dragon Knights drew their weapons, their faces grave as they guarded the two pale-faced elders and retreated to the back of the Divine Platform,


    After firing off a strike, Captain Jiang sharply turned his head and raised his sword towards the three scholars, shouting furiously, ¡°Who are you curs to dare to attack a court official? Do you not fear the extermination of your nine clans?¡±


    Seeing this, the Attendant Student jumped three feet high in anger, put his hands on his hips, and shouted back arrogantly, ¡°Hey kid, quit trying to scare me with that crappy sword. Although I¡¯m currently down on my luck, I¡¯m not someone a mere Qi Refinement practitioner can bully. Plus, the one to take you down isn¡¯t me alone, it¡¯s that base wretch who recognizes a demon as his father.¡±


    Captain Jiang¡¯s face changed slightly at these words, and just then, the pale-faced elder who had been protected behind the Divine Platform suddenly spoke up, ¡°Hmm, Captain Jiang, don¡¯t be so quick to believe the ghostly tales of others. These three are suspicious and must be in league. Capture them all immediately.¡±


    ¡°Your lordship, please leave this place quickly,¡± Captain Jiang called out without looking back, his eyes fixed on the scholar, the Attendant Student, and the middle-aged doctor, while he continued to issue urgent commands.


    ¡°Heh heh, without my permission, none of you will leave this place alive,¡± remarked the middle-aged doctor with a chuckle, his quirky handlebar mustache twitching comically.


    But as the rustling noise outside resumed and countless blood-red eyes appeared once again, most of the people present couldn¡¯t bring themselves to laugh.


    For at that moment, an evil stench, accompanied by bursts of cold wind, quickly pervaded the air inside the temple, filling it with a dense and foul smell.


    Suddenly,


    The middle-aged doctor threw himself to the ground, and his body swiftly grew thick, grey-black coarse hair, his head began to twist and deform, his lower jaw protruded forward, his prominent incisors jutted out from his lips, appearing huge and sharp, and his handlebar mustache suddenly flared out like rat whiskers.


    At first glance, he looked just like a reincarnated rat spirit.


    Squeak squeak squeak!


    At this moment, countless cat-sized grey-haired rats flooded into the temple from every nook and cranny like a tidal wave.


    Innumerable rats crowded together, and the ground and walls seemed to be covered with a large grey fur rug. From this rug, dense rats¡¯ heads poked out, their bloodshot eyes blinking intensively.


    The carpet of rats began to slowly writhe, inching closer to everyone inside. The open space within the temple visibly shrank before everyone¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°My lord, step back!¡±


    ¡°Red Dragon Knights, form up¡ªprotect the lord and break through immediately!¡±


    ¡°Be wary of that man-rat, and keep an eye out for the Rat Demon outside! On my count of one, two, three, we break out together,¡± Captain Jiang directed calmly amidst the danger, quickly taking steps to the front of the group, his Magic Sword suddenly bursting with dazzling brilliance. In an instant, he made continuous slashes, with Sword Light being sprayed out.


    This time, however, their target was not the mice in front of them, but rather the walls behind them.


    As the temple walls came crashing down, the man-rat made a high-pitched and frantic squealing.


    In the next instant, from all around the broken temple, a large number of grey-furred rats suddenly burst off the ground and walls, fearlessly leaping up and attacking all in their vicinity. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Get the hell away from me!¡± At that moment, from another side of the temple, the Two-Horned Scholar shouted disgustedly, stretching out a tender fist and throwing a hard punch.


    Boom!


    A massive and bizarre fist light swept out, and countless gray rats bore the brunt of it, instantly ground into mincemeat by the surging fist power concealed within, clearing out a large open space in an instant.


    However, these grey-furred giant rats, fearless of life and death, charged even more fiercely towards the Two-Horned Attendant Student under the leader¡¯s control.


    Hah!


    Upon seeing this, the Two-Horned Attendant Student felt a surge of malicious energy, let out a strange laugh with a ¡®hah¡¯, sank his waist to his stance, and threw another punch. His fist light, like a massive column, stormed out irresistibly, clearing all the rats in front.


    Not only that but even the entire temple wall was blasted open by the light column with a giant hole tall enough to accommodate a person. After breaking through the temple wall, the light column still had enough force left to plow a three-foot-wide trench into the ground while it disappeared into the deep night sky.


    This punch seemed to have exhausted a great deal of the Two-Horned Attendant Student¡¯s strength.


    After the punch, his face suddenly turned pale, then he twisted his head towards the scholar and shouted, ¡°Big Boss, I¡¯ve only got one punch left in me. If you don¡¯t release my prohibition now, you better take action quickly. Otherwise, we¡¯re all going to die here tonight. And there¡¯s a big fella outside!¡±


    The handsome scholar listened, but he did not lift his head and replied, ¡°You hold them off first. I¡¯ve just started on this ¡®Yin Mountain Locust Grandmother¡¯, and I can¡¯t put my pen down.¡±


    ¡°Bloody hell, I must have had terrible luck in my past eight lifetimes to have been fooled by you!¡± The Attendant Student cursed loudly as he involuntarily retreated step by step.


    In contrast, the main battle was taking place on the other side, where the adult rat man¡¯s target was none other than the Lord County Governor en route to his new post.


    With a series of ¡°boom¡± ¡°boom¡± loud noises, the walls on both sides of the temple crumbled, and dense packs of grey-furred giant rats flooded in like a tidal wave through the gaps.


    A very few of these rats were much larger than their peers, almost the size of ordinary wolves or hounds. They emanated faint Devil Qi¡ªeach was a First-stage Demon Rat.


    As soon as these First-stage Demon Rats appeared, they went straight for the Red Dragon Knights, immediately engaging in combat.


    The Red Dragon Knight, each being of the Innate Martial Sect, could barely manage to handle one or two First-stage Demon Rats, but any more would see them overwhelmed and turned into rat fodder.


    Captain Jiang wielded his Magic Sword, with sword lights slashing out like blades¡ªeach sword capable of clearing a swath, but he was facing too many rats; no matter how many he killed, the number before him seemed undiminished.


    At that moment, from the darkness near the dilapidated temple, suddenly came a high-pitched squeal of a rat.


    Upon hearing this noise, the rats became more frenzied and recklessly ferocious.


    A shadow flickered, and the humanoid rat itself pounced forward. This rat¡¯s strength was not low, and it moved as swiftly as the wind, with claw shadows fluttering and demonic power accompanying its figure, managing to hold Captain Jiang at bay and even push him steadily back.


    In the blink of an eye, the white-faced elder and others had to retreat back into the temple, the situation hanging by a thread.


    Squeak squeak!


    A black light broke through the night sky, landing outside the temple gate and transformed into a black-furred rat of about a foot long.


    This rat was petite, with sly and agile eyes, its shiny black fur smooth as silk, and its body emanating a thick Devil Qi¡ªindeed a Second Order Demon Rat comparable to Foundation Establishment.


    As the true master made an appearance, Captain Jiang¡¯s face drastically changed as he yelled, ¡°Not good! Lord, take out the official seal quickly!¡±


    At this moment, however, the white-faced elder seemed as if he hadn¡¯t heard anything, standing emotionlessly still, not moving at all, yet he firmly grasped the woman in the gauze¡¯s arm.


    Seeing this, Captain Jiang became frantic, ¡°Lord, there is no time, take out the official seal now! The official seal is protected by the nation¡¯s fortune and is the nemesis of all demons and evil spirits.¡±


    Just then, Zhao Sheng put down his brush, stood up, stretched languidly, and then spoke, ¡°Stop shouting! You have been guarding all this way, didn¡¯t you realize that woman is haunted? Your lord has long since become a plaything puppet under someone else¡¯s control.¡±


    As these words ended, a strong aura gradually rose from him, and a glint of red light shot out from his forehead. Ascending into the sky, it rapidly expanded countless times in an instant, morphing into a huge nine-petaled flame of red lotus, instantly capturing everyone¡¯s attention.


    ¡°What?!¡±


    ¡°Squeak! Squeak!¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s the Karma Fire Red Lotus!¡±


    ¡°Lord, we are saved! The scholar¡­ no, the expert, he is actually a Red Lotus Walker from the state religion.¡±


    As Zhao Sheng looked at the faces filled with joy, astonishment, and fear, he suddenly smiled slightly and directed his gaze at the silent woman in the gauze.


    ¡°Today, I was waiting for this little rat to fall into the trap on its own, but I didn¡¯t expect to find another Ghost Cultivator coming to my door while hunting. Wonderful! The ways of fate are truly inexplicable!¡±

 Chapter 546 352 Subjugation

    Seeing the expert''s gaze towards this direction and sensing the increasingly oppressive aura, the woman veiled in gauze couldn''t help but tremble, a trace of fear surfacing in her deep black pupils.


    In an instant, a thick black fog arose from her body, swallowing the area several meters around her. Within the fog, ghostly figures tumultuously writhed and struggled.


    Whooo¡ª


    A chorus of ghostly wails and wolf howls emanated from the fog, echoing endlessly in the dilapidated temple.


    At the first sound of the ghostly howling, Captain Jiang felt as if countless nails were being hammered into his brain, stirring relentlessly, causing him a splitting headache, dizziness, and darkness before his eyes, as he teetered on the verge of fainting.


    The other Red Dragon Knights fared even worse; after just a few breaths, they dropped their weapons and rolled on the ground, clutching their heads in agony.


    Bang, bang, bang!


    As soon as the ghostly howling started, countless grey-haired rats immediately fell limp to the ground, bleeding from their orifices and dying. Soon, their heads began to explode one by one, brains splattering, a bloody blur.


    Squeak, squeak!


    The Black-haired Demon Rat, exceedingly clever, took advantage of the chaos caused by the ghost howls. With a powerful push off the ground, it transformed into a black streak and vanished into the night, fleeing at high speed into the wilderness.


    Who said that demon beasts were all brainless and foolish? The Black-haired Demon Rat, having successfully grown into a Second Order demon beast in the heart of the Human Clan''s territory, was not defined by strength or weakness, but rather by its timidity and cunning, possessing top-notch survival skills.


    Once Zhao Sheng revealed his power, it immediately realized that tonight it had offended someone it shouldn''t have, seizing the moment of the Ghost Cultivator''s aggression to make its escape.


    Hmph!


    Zhao Sheng quietly watched the expanding ghost fog and suddenly let out a cold snort.


    In the blink of an eye, the Karmic Fire Red Lotus in the sky bloomed with a brilliant radiance, and in that moment, countless sparks erupted from the lotus like a shower of meteoric fire, swiftly enveloping the space within a hundred meters.


    Struck by innumerable sparks, the ghost fog let out a dreadful scream, rapidly burning away and drastically reducing in size. One could see how quickly the yin ghosts were ignited by the Karmic Fire, struggling as they turned to wisps of black smoke.


    Karmic Fire was the natural nemesis of ghostly creatures and yin demons¡ªthis female Ghost Cultivator was truly unlucky to have encountered Zhao Sheng.


    "Humph, you still wish to flee!"


    Zhao Sheng''s gaze sharpened, and with a mere thought, the Karmic Fire Red Lotus suddenly shot out several large flames shaped like lotus flowers.


    These flaming lotus flowers scattered in all directions, quickly sealing off the entire ruined temple. Then they emitted thousands of beams of light, interconnected and weaving together to form an impregnable net of fire.


    "Exalted one, have mercy!"


    In a corner of the temple, a ghostly figure suddenly appeared before the light net, and on its face emerged a visage both alluring and wretched, pleading with Zhao Sheng in a tearful voice. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhao Sheng had no intent of mercy or pity; with a flip of his hand, he produced a dark and glossy altar.


    "Seal!"


    As soon as he spoke, the fire net dramatically shrank a thousandfold, trapping the female Ghost Cultivator inside.


    Sizzle!


    The Ghost Cultivator attempted to resist, but upon contacting the fire net, her ghost body burned with a sizzling sound, black smoke rising from her form.


    "Exalted one, I know of a great...Mmmph!"


    Before she finished speaking, the fire net, along with the Ghost Cultivator, transformed into a streak of fire and shot into the Sealing Ghost Altar in the blink of an eye.


    After affixing two Sealing Talismans to the altar mouth, Zhao Sheng casually stowed the altar away, then turned his head to look outside the temple.


    At this moment, on a barren patch of ground more than a dozen meters from the temple door, a black and a white streak of light darted around at a speed invisible to the naked eye, chasing each other in circles and colliding frequently.


    With each collision, powerful Devil Qi burst forth, overturning vast swathes of earth and creating numerous pits that rapidly multiplied. The ground within the vicinity was thoroughly ruined by the aftermath of the two Demon Rats'' Devil Qi.


    The scene of the two Demon Rats fighting and chasing each other was peculiar, with little noise beyond the soft thuds of earth scattering and hitting the ground.


    The black streak repeatedly tried to escape, only to be constantly caught by the white streak and prevented from getting away.


    When Zhao Sheng''s attention shifted in this direction, his Divine Sense expanded, instantly covering the entire battlefield.


    Suddenly, the black streak paused and revealed its true form¡ªa petite Black-haired Demon Rat.


    Now, the Second Order demon beast was drenched in blood, with torn flesh all over, looking exceptionally miserable.


    It filled with fear, abruptly laid down and repeatedly kowtowed to Zhao Sheng, making pitiful squeaks that carried clear sounds of lament and supplication.


    Swish!


    A white streak arrived from afar, settling on Zhao Sheng''s shoulder before transforming back into a large snow-white rat.


    At this moment, the large white rat, Da Bai, had ten silver-white sharp claws fitted on its forepaws, the tips dripping with fresh blood.


    Squeak, squeak, squeak!


    Da Bai licked its beloved Spirit Claws while squeaking to report its achievements to its master.


    Zhao Sheng casually fed it a Demon Essence Pill and praised Da Bai a few words.


    Then he turned his gaze to the Black-haired Demon Rat and coldly decreed, "Vile beast, I came specifically for you today. Submit to me, and I will spare your life. If you remain obstinately defiant...humph!"


    Squeak, squeak!


    The Black-haired Demon Rat, worshipped for a hundred years and dwelling in the temple for over two centuries, had long understood human speech.


    After hearing Zhao Sheng, it hesitated only a moment before sensing a dense intent to kill emanating from the frightening human.


    It shuddered violently and immediately ran to Zhao Sheng''s feet, lying down and exposing its belly in a gesture of submission.


    Zhao Sheng''s stern face softened slightly as he concentrated his Divine Sense into a thread, shooting like lightning into the Demon Rat''s head, and with a mere thought, evolved several spiritual Prohibitions.

 Chapter 547: 352 Subjugation_2

    Chapter 547: Chapter 352 Subjugation_2


    After a moment, the master-servant pact was complete, and the Black-haired Demon Rat lay prostrate on the ground, devoid of any will to live.


    Then, a shaggy humanoid rat suddenly dashed to Zhao Sheng¡¯s feet, his body convulsing violently. Soon, his gray fur retracted into his skin, and his head returned to its normal human shape.


    ¡°My lord, spare my life! I was ordered by the Mouse God, and I had no choice in the matter. I swear I¡¯ve never done anything against heaven and reason,¡± the middle-aged man with the beard begged and kowtowed like pounding garlic, fearing that the exalted one would use him as a sacrificial example.


    Zhao Sheng ignored the man, and addressed the Demon Rat sternly, ¡°Evil creature, take your offspring and leave at once. You are to wait for me at the temple, I will come to see you later.¡±


    Upon hearing this, the Black-haired Demon Rat leaped up excitedly, squeaking frantically and zipping into the darkness like lightning.


    The rat tide quickly receded, leaving nothing but chaos in the broken temple.


    The bearded middle-aged man got up from the ground, thinking of sneaking away, but when a gaze fell upon him, his body shivered, and he obediently kneeled back down, waiting for his fate to be decided.


    ¡°My lord, my lord, what has happened to you?¡±


    At this time, the Red Dragon Knights were gradually regaining consciousness. One of them quickly rushed to the side of the pale-faced elder, shaking the Lord County Governor vigorously while channeling streams of Innate True Qi into his body.


    But the pale-faced elder lay motionless on the ground, still unconscious.


    Seeing this scene, the Red Dragon Knights looked extremely anxious and fearful.


    The laws of the Great Da Gu Heavenly Dynasty were stringent, and the military laws, even more so. If an official was harmed on his way to his post, the soldiers escorting him would also face severe punishment¡ªto be sentenced to the Death Camp at the very least, or executed in public at worst.


    Thus, when they saw the elder remain unconscious, everyone was beside themselves with worry.


    At that moment, Captain Jiang, with his Magic Sword in hand, walked up to Zhao Sheng and gave a respectful military salute, saying earnestly, ¡°I am Jiang Wuyang, and I deeply thank the master for saving our lives!¡±


    ¡°No need for such formalities! Your lord seems to be under enchantment; let me take a look,¡± replied Zhao Sheng.


    No sooner had Zhao Sheng finished speaking than Captain Jiang¡¯s face lit up with joy. However, just then, the Two-Horned Attendant Student suddenly appeared before them, exclaiming, ¡°Lord, have you gone mad?¡±


    Zhao Sheng turned his head to look at the Divinity-reaching Grandmaster, his expression remaining indifferent.


    The Two-Horned Attendant Student trembled all over and quickly transmitted his voice to Zhao Sheng, whispering for a while.


    After hearing him out, Zhao Sheng nodded slightly and hmm-ed in affirmation. He then stepped over to the pale-faced elder and released a series of spirit lights from his hands that entered the elder¡¯s seven apertures.


    Before long, the pale-faced elder¡¯s eyelids fluttered slightly, and he groaned as he slowly came to.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± inquired the elder.


    Seeing this, the Two-Horned Attendant Student swiftly moved in front of him and pushed his hands outward. A circle of blue light rolled out like a tide, pushing the approaching Red Dragon Knights back several steps.


    All onlookers were taken aback.


    ¡°Liu Jun Cheng, if it weren¡¯t for my master intervening today, you wouldn¡¯t have survived! Now, tell us, how do you plan to repay this life-saving grace?¡± The Attendant Student knelt on the ground, chuckling strangely as he mocked.


    The Two-Horned Attendant Student¡¯s real name was Ye Tianyun, and he was the first subordinate Zhao Sheng recruited upon arriving in Qian¡¯an County.


    Ye Tianyun¡¯s life story was filled with legends.


    Orphaned at a young age, he had no choice but to live with his hunter uncle, learning to hunt in the mountains from the age of nine.


    At the age of twelve, he lost his way in a deep forest and stumbled upon a secluded valley, where he unknowingly consumed a mysterious fruit.


    Afterward, his appearance and physique remained that of a twelve-year-old boy, but he underwent a transformation and miraculously entered the Innate Realm.


    In the subsequent six decades, as if blessed with extraordinary fortune, Ye Tianyun achieved great success in everything he did, and his strength improved by leaps and bounds. With his profound Innate True Qi and his iron fists, he became unbeatable in Qian¡¯an County Martial World and was later revered as ¡°Eternal Youth Venerable.¡±


    As he aged and sensed his days were numbered, Ye Tianyun crazily sought methods to prolong his life.


    Every person has their destined lifespan, and even though Ye Tianyun had reached Half-step to Divinity, he couldn¡¯t break the shackles of the universe.


    Driven to desperation, Ye Tianyun turned to gods and spirits and, based on the rumors that the Five Pass Snake God could grant the Secret Technique for prolonging life, he willingly joined the Five Passes Temple. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Somehow, by taking advantage of the Five Pass Secret Technique, Ye Tianyun managed to break through to the Divine Communication Martial Realm, not only enhancing his strength to be on par with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator but also significantly extending his lifespan as a result.


    Hence, he quickly became a fervent follower of the Five Pass Snake God.


    With Ye Tianyun¡¯s vigorous support, the already well-established Five Passes Divine Sect grew even more rapidly and became the second-largest religious force in Qian¡¯an County, only slightly behind the Heavenly Dao Sect, in recent years.


    He also took up the position of protector within the Divine Sect, implying the significance of a behind-the-scenes power broker.


    A few days ago, after Zhao Sheng arrived in Qian¡¯an County, he immediately sought out the largest Five Passes Temple, where he conveniently encountered Ye Tianyun.


    Thus, with a simple display of power, Zhao Sheng easily subdued him.


    Ye Tianyun was accustomed to having his way and was stubbornly unyielding. Since he was subdued only recently, he remained outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, which is why his words often carried a sarcastic undertone.


    Today, the reason Zhao Sheng waited in this ruin of a temple was for that very Black-haired Demon Rat.


    This rat was revered as an incarnation of the Five Pass God and also served as the guardian Divine Beast of a Five Passes Temple.


    Its presence, coupled with the interference of several temple priests, had repeatedly thwarted Ye Tianyun¡¯s ambition to unify the believers of the entire county.

 Chapter 548: 352 Subjugation_3

    Chapter 548: Chapter 352 Subjugation_3


    Therefore, when Zhao Sheng had just revealed his intention to unify the Five Passes Divine Sect, Ye Tianyun couldn¡¯t wait to bring him to the dilapidated temple to lie in wait.


    As for how he knew that the Demon Rat would assassinate the newly appointed Prefecture Governor, this not only involved the internal interests and power struggles of the government but also related to contentious proselytism.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng didn¡¯t pay much attention to the overt and covert struggles between Qian¡¯an County Temple and the Five Passes Divine Sect.


    Having the position of a righteous god, the Five Passes God was no longer considered an Evil God Temple, so he wasn¡¯t afraid of the Heavenly Dao Sect¡¯s attempts to eliminate it.


    He only wanted to collect the incense offerings, and once he replaced the mud statue in the temple with the Five Passes Chang God, and took care of the affairs in Qian¡¯an County, he would return to Chu State City.


    Moments later, the pale-faced old man learned the whole story from Ye Tianyun and his face turned deathly pale in fright.


    He had never imagined that en route to his new appointment he would encounter such peril, with not only female ghosts luring and bewildering the soul but also dangers threatening his life.


    Ye Tianyun, crafty and shrewd, took advantage of Liu Jun Cheng¡¯s unsettled state and his gratitude for saving his life to build a rapport with him.


    The Prefecture Governor is the second in command in the county government office. Once this man successfully starts his term, he will certainly be of great use in the future.


    Having narrowly escaped assassination, the pale-faced old man didn¡¯t dare linger and immediately urged Captain Jiang and the others to leave immediately.


    Afterwards, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Zhao Sheng and Ye Tianyun, with hints in his words that he hoped they would escort him part of the way.


    This was precisely what Ye Tianyun had in mind, so he took the initiative in offering to escort Liu Jun Cheng to his new post.


    This made the old man even more tearfully grateful.


    Of course, Zhao Sheng wanted to maintain his image as a hermit master, so he naturally wouldn¡¯t condescend to do so.


    A short time later, the carriage slowly entered the night while the surviving seven or eight Red Dragon Knights dispersed under Captain Jiang¡¯s command, flanking the carriage from both sides on foot, following it as it gradually disappeared.


    ¡­


    Several days later, three hundred miles away from Qian¡¯an County, a beautiful mountain peak had a large expanse of temples with yellow tiles and red walls stretching down the mountain. There were hundreds, even thousands of court buildings that extended for over a dozen miles.


    At the foot of the mountain, a square was filled with closely parked carriages.


    Throngs of believers were making their way up the stone steps to the great and majestic temple gate halfway up the mountain with devout expressions, then entering the temple.


    This temple complex was the largest of the Five Passes Divine Sect in Qian¡¯an County and was also the stronghold of Ye Tianyun.


    At this moment, in one of the most inconspicuous temples in the heart of the complex, stood a group of flamboyantly dressed oddities.


    Among the crowd, there was a Divine Woman in bright red and green with thick makeup, an old white-haired woman with bells, drums, and small banners hanging from her waist, and an old Divine Han with a sleek black python wrapped around his body and a bulging pouch at his waist,


    Besides these eccentric figures, there were also some mysterious people in black robes as if they shunned the light.


    Naturally, the majority were middle-aged and elderly Daoists in luxurious Daoist robes, selling an appearance of extraordinary immortality and possessing an air of nobility and Daoist spirit. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These people were all senior members of the Five Passes Divine Sect, among whom were ordinary humans pretending to be gods and tricksters, as well as remarkable individuals skilled in various miracle techniques and even Divine Women and Divine Han who had inherited some Five Pass Secret Techniques.


    Standing at the forefront of these people were the five chief temple priests, led by Ye Tianyun.


    Zhao Sheng sat expressionless on the only armchair in the palace, his eyes piercing like lightning as he surveyed the motley crowd before him, feeling somewhat uninterested in his heart.


    At his feet lay the Black-haired Demon Rat, the Spirit White Rat, the Green Snake, the Golden Toad, the Black Hedgehog, and the Red Bat, six of the Five Communicating Spirit Beasts.


    They were exerting their full momentum, with Devil Qi surging and pervading the entire palace, making the people below turn pale, yet the five temple priests and Ye Tianyun were still able to maintain normalcy.


    Without mentioning Ye Tianyun, the five temple priests were Qi Refining Realm Cultivators. Although their power was weak, they were not afraid of the pressure of the spirit beasts.


    Seeing that even the Mouse God was submissive to others, the faces of the five temple priests remained calm, but inside they were as shocked as if engulfed by a tidal wave.


    Seeing that the Master did not intend to speak, Ye Tianyun suddenly had a thought and immediately half-knelt and shouted loudly, ¡°Your subordinate, Ye Tianyun, greets the Sect Leader Master!¡±


    Following his shout, the five temple priests could no longer stand their ground, and spontaneously half-knelt and bowed their heads, calling out greetings to the Sect Leader Master.


    Accordingly, a group of Divine Women and Divine Han knelt down all at once, one after another paying their respects to Zhao Sheng.


    Only then did a slight smile appear on Zhao Sheng¡¯s face.


    ¡°Dispense with the formalities and rise,¡± he said.


    No sooner had the words left his mouth than an indescribable and terrifying momentum suddenly rose from his body, filling the entire palace in an instant and easily dispersing the atmospheric fields of the six great spirits.


    The people sensed the vast ocean-like tremendous atmosphere descending from above, evoking a deep sense of fear, and they all lowered their heads further.

 Chapter 549: 353: Five Virtues, Five Transits, Five Elements

    Chapter 549: Chapter 353: Five Virtues, Five Transits, Five Elements


    Heavenly Dao Calendar, Seventh Epoch, 1203


    On the ninth day of the second lunar month, a chilling spring air pervaded.


    That day, the Five Passes Temple on Nuanyu Peak suddenly announced a three-day closure to outsiders.


    For a time, countless Five Passions believers in the county were utterly confused, not knowing the reason.


    Some devout believers even came to the mountain gate personally, hoping to learn some news, but were stopped by the temple guards at the foot of the mountain.


    As the sun rose higher in the sky, the temperature quickly soared.


    At this moment, inside the largest temple of the Five Passes Temple, certain Divine Women and Divine Han were pale-faced, trembling, with chills surging up from their bones.


    Boom! Boom!


    A giant Divine Statue more than ten meters tall suddenly collapsed, kicking up a great amount of dust.


    In the center of the temple, Zhao Sheng waved his hand, and a gust of wind howled, sweeping away the dust that filled the temple.


    ¡°Clean this up,¡± he said, his tone plain as he looked at the shattered clay Divine Statue.


    No sooner had he spoken than a group of people ran to the Divine Platform and each used their Divine Skills to clear away the broken pieces of the statue.


    Soon, the Divine Platform was cleaned and the floor shone brightly.


    Zhao Sheng nodded slightly, wiped his waist with his right hand, and gently tossed something forward. With a flash of golden light, a glistening statue of the Five Passes Rat God landed on the Divine Platform.


    This was the last of the Five Passes Divine Statues; the statues in the other four temples had just been replaced.


    Zhao Sheng intended to smash the false gods of old in front of these people and personally re-seal the new gods.


    During this period, quite a few high-ranking members of the Divine Sect wore extremely ugly expressions.


    But the warriors who had previously spoken up to stop Zhao Sheng from destroying the statues had all turned into a pile of corpses at this point.


    Those remaining were all savvy individuals, with none daring to defy the will of the Master.


    ¡°Set up the Magic Platform, bring up the sacrifices!¡±


    Following Zhao Sheng¡¯s command, a huge White Jade Platform soon stood on the largest square of the Divine Temple, and the altar in front of the platform was also laden with sacrificial offerings needed to worship the Divine Spirits.


    Zhao Sheng changed into a Five Passes Robe, embroidered with spiritual items like snakes, clams, rats, hedgehogs, and bats.


    He flew up to the Magic Platform, walked behind the altar, and suddenly took Yu¡¯s Step, his hands fluttering like a butterfly threading through flowers, forming countless Spell Seals, while muttering under his breath.


    As time passed, streams of five-colored Radiance gradually emerged from the platform, quickly gathering into a large expanse of five-colored Light Cloud, enveloping the entire square.


    Just then, the nearby five temples suddenly emitted beams of golden light, which then rose and spread out like a tide.


    The moment the golden light touched the five-colored Radiance, they blended seamlessly together, the entire process smooth and unimpeded.


    At that moment, the Divine Women and Divine Han standing in the square were all holding their breath, their expressions extremely tense.


    Because at this moment, a faint pressure suddenly arose above the square.


    As the golden light grew stronger, the pressure swiftly intensified until it was like a torrential tide, vast and overwhelming.


    Zhao Sheng¡¯s eyes were half-closed as his hands formed seals so quickly that they left numerous afterimages.


    Feeling that the time was about right, his mind shifted, and the Five Venerable Chang Gods suddenly leapt from the Divine Statues, soaring into the mid-air, their bodies expanding hundreds of times over.


    In an instant, the five gigantic Golden Light Gods, each a hundred meters tall, stood in the air above the square, surrounded by swirling five-colored clouds, divine and majestic, appearing as if Divine Spirits had descended to the world.


    Whoosh!


    Seeing the Five Passes Gods manifest, a large part of the crowd on the square immediately knelt down, repeatedly kowtowing towards the Divine Spirits, their faces fervent and devout.


    After a moment, the phenomenon dissipated, and the frenzy among the Divine Women and Divine Han on the square slightly subsided, but their gazes towards Zhao Sheng were filled with awe and admiration.


    None knew better than these people what the former Five Passes Gods were really like.


    But having truly experienced the recent Divine Spirit¡¯s descent, they suddenly realized that the Five Passes Divine Sect had changed drastically from before.


    From today onwards, the Five Passes Gods were no longer Evil Gods or Wild Gods but True Gods recognized by heaven and earth, because true divine might cannot be faked.


    Zhao Sheng had barely stepped down from the Magic Platform when Ye Tianyun immediately surrounded him with people.


    ¡°Master, your¡­ your skills are truly divine! Even such a thing you managed to accomplish!¡± Ye Tianyun swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his face full of admiration.


    Although his words were vague, everyone around understood and admired him profoundly.


    You see, the Heavenly Dao Sect applies very strict conditions to the ennoblement of Divine Spirits and rarely bestows such honor on gods outside their Sect.


    The fact that the Master managed to obtain the position of a True God was simply incredible.


    This group of people had clearly been secluded in their corner of the world for too long, being quite ignorant and unsophisticated. They were totally unaware of how corrupt the Heavenly Dao Sect had become to this extent.


    Everyone was thrilled, eagerly rubbing their hands and itching to try out their newfound status.


    With the position of a True God, the Five Passes Divine Sect no longer feared oppression from the county temples and could preach openly.


    Zhao Sheng strode towards the temple, with the crowd closely following him.


    Entering the Mouse God Temple, Zhao Sheng waved his hand and took out three incense sticks. Blowing lightly on the tips, the incense sticks sparked and lit up easily.


    He bowed towards the Divine Statue, then placed the three incense sticks in the incense burner, turned around to face the crowd, and declared loudly, ¡°The new Five Passes Gods have taken their place! You all must be more devout, strive harder to spread the Five Passes faith. Early convert more believers to our Sect.


    Now, I have a few words to impart to you all¡­¡± S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a short while, when Zhao Sheng had explained the divine might of the Five Passes Gods in detail to everyone, all eyes were alarmingly bright, and each face showed profound joy and excitement.